The Game Of Quadruplet Mates
(Bk 2) Chapter 2

"You'll never get used to this," Mister F says to me in a low but excited voice.

I looked up at him curiously. "Get used to what?"

"This." And then, there were no explanations needed. Apparently, four years of going through the maze made Mister F an expert as he knew exactly how to get out of it. Masterfully, he took a few lefts and rights and suddenly we were out. Had he been waiting in the maze for someone?

These questions don't get answered because they are pushed back into my mind after what I see in front of me. With the thick hedges of the maze parting as if called upon to do so, appeared the most beautiful sight.

The mansion and its famous Garden of Eden were a thing of beauty, a true marvel that made me wonder at how they managed to keep things so lush and vibrant and alive. Stunning flowers of all kinds and colors were everywhere, blossoming in every direction. The smell, the brightness of the mansion and the beauty of the gardens that it was famed for, and the sheer luxury of my surroundings seemed to lull me into a sense of pleasant, heart clenching, excitement.

Because I have been told of the beauty of this place, but it's another thing completely to see it with my own eyes.

The majestic mansion built of heavy white stone, thick glass windows, and the beautiful French doors knocked the breath out of my lungs as the entire place looked like one big picture. Every angle was beautiful and aesthetic, glimmering and sparkling with the sun always in the right place.

Flower petals seem to fall from the sky the moment I take a step forward, floating all around me in slow motion. A blue crystal lake framed the property, creating this magical atmosphere that was only ever possible in dreams. The blow of the wind is gentle and soft, the smell of fresh air and nature tickling my senses.

I was still in the maze at this point, the back entrance, but the grandiosity of the entire place dried my mouth.

Surrounded by such decadence and the heaven like atmosphere, this was clearly the ostentatious display of the city pack's wealth- which is widely known as the biggest funder of this event.

After taking in this breathtaking place I'll be calling home for a week, I started to notice my fellow attendees who stood around like decorations- like they were meant to be here.

Women and men all dressed in white, from lace to silk and velvet and chiffon. It was never ending.

Everyone was so beautiful... so out of this world. They peppered this Garden of Eden like they belonged and I could only stare in amazement.

Far from being underdressed but also far from being perfect, I felt like a ball of mush compared to the flawless people around me.

"You look perfect, Miss X." Mister F whispered into my ear. "Gorgeous. Really gorgeous."

I jumped at his words, realizing how tightly I was holding him. "Oh, thank you, I-"

The crowd of attendees started to whisper amongst themselves then, loudly, gesturing to Mister F and I.

They weren't making fun... I think.

But all eyes were on us on me.

Before shooting confused looks towards Mister F.

My eyes flickered at him, his face red with embarrassment. Quietly, I tried to observe him, but with the bracelets on our wrists there wasn't much to learn. He was a little on the scrawnier side than most werewolves, which meant he was either someone very wealthy or someone of really low ranking.

Before coming to the Games, I was told it was virtually impossible to identify where everyone came from, as everything had been masked, our smell hidden away by bracelets and our looks having been calculatingly fixed by organizers before hand. Everyone looked normal... equal even.

These days, news about the Alphas, high ranking officers and such has been kept quiet and hidden so attendees couldn't plan ahead or detect them at the Games.

But from what I've heard in hushed tones back at home, almost all of the Alphas and officers from big and wealthy packs are mated, and very much taken. Though it's not as if I'm aiming for that.

Simply, I hope to choose someone normal. Someone who's preferably not a criminal or worse.

I just want someone that will maybe love me.

If I'm lucky.

I'm brought out of my thoughts by Mister F who steps away from me, detaching his arms and looking down at his feet.

"I-I have to go and check my room." He says, but I know we aren't allowed inside the mansion until later.

"But I thought that the partners inside the maze should stick together?" I joked half heartedly, hoping I didn't sound too sad to be left alone.

He didn't have to go and I was about to tell him this but he stumbled over his words, his mouth opening and closing before turning away and running.

And just like that, I was alone... not completely alone if I counted the guard behind me who was clearly laughing at my abandonment.

Everyone was looking too, staring and scrutinizing me from head to toe. Women and men alike, picked me apart with their eyes and I felt very small.

They tried to replace out who I was; someone important or someone forgettable? Worth the trouble or should be ignored?

Just when I was about to beg the ground to swallow me whole, a girl walked towards me.

Like all the rest, she wore white but somehow she made it look like she wore it best.

She was beautiful, so beautiful. The kind of beautiful that was intimidating.

She had big hair, ruby red lips and a smile that could win wars. And currently, that smile is directed at me.

"It's your first year?" She asked, deducing my awkwardness correctly. "I'm A. Let me give you a quick tutorial."

Rendered mute by this girl who seemed to have everything under control, I followed behind her like a lost puppy.

"Now, no one knows exactly where everyone is from or what position they are but... you can tell a little by how they carry themselves. We're all dressed well, but you can instantly tell when someone isn't used to this kind of luxury." She tried her hardest not to look at me up and down, but I could see in her eyes that I was exactly that.

Awkward and uncomfortable.

"And then you get to see the ones that know how to walk and talk." She gestures to the crowd of dazzling people, sipping champagne and eating fruit slices dipped in chocolate. "So tell me, what are you here for? Are you here to marry up? Get rich or are you here to replace love?"

I thought long and hard about my answer. It wasn't hard to replace it. The one lodged into my heart. "I suppose I'm here to make my family proud."

She smiles like my answer was the right one, a test that I somehow passed without knowing. "Join the club. It's my fourth year and it hasn't been good for me."

The way she said her year was such a contrast to the shameful way Mister F said it.

She looked proud to be where she was.

Whatever the reason why she still hasn't chosen.

Miss A sighs, looking around the groups of gorgeous people in dresses and tailored suits. "I'm beginning to think no one is good enough for me. I mean how hard is it to replace someone drop dead gorgeous, ridiculously wealthy, hopefully titled, funny but not too funny, smart but not smarter than me, and basically a God? Like it's not too much to ask?"

She was joking.

I think.

Her eyes glanced ahead of us and frowned. "Do you know him? Because he's been staring at you."

I follow where she's looking and suddenly my entire body stiffens.

For I knew him.

I knew him well.

How could I forget that he was coming this year?

I turned away awkwardly but he already saw me looking, his eyes widening mischievously with his lips pulling upwards.

My chest thumps as I see him from my peripheral walking closer, his handsomeness nearly blinding. He has a perfect bone structure that looked to be impossible for everyone else and a head of hair that can sell shampoo to a bald man who doesn't need it. Everyone's attention was on him then.

Because who could look away from him?

"Hello, Miss X." He greeted me with a smile that spoke of all the secrets of the world that he hid within those smirking lips and bright eyes. "I'm surprised to see you here."

We weren't allowed to talk about our lives at home at the Games or talk about the Games in general when at home.

This was a secret.

Our identities are a secret.

His identity is a secret.

Though he's never been one to follow the rules. After all, he was disqualified in his first year of the Games. For five years he was kept away as per rules.

Would he get disqualified again?

Would he bring me down with him?

"O" I began, almost saying his name as if we were still back at home.

He places a finger to my lips. "I'm Mister O now."