ter

wood door with gold leafing for decor. Whoever was behind the door had to be important. I'd notice the door once befo

duals responsible

hat if they had been lying to us this whole time and our 18th birthday was actually today instead of tomorrow. I could see them justifying their treachery by

oon as I crossed the threshold, and I'd be my last day of life that it was Judge Jackson. I looked in the direction, and it was him. He smiled and nod

Jackson. He wore an overcoat unlike the rest of them and his badge slightly differed from the rest. It dawned on me that all of the men on stage were judges. They would determine if w

to a microphone

r's Breeder Selection. I will personally oversee the ceremony and that all rules are upheld. Most of you will leave Eden and fulfi

s speech? Is this suppos

, will you please form a circle within y

For some reason, I sought out a response from Judge Jackson. He still wore his signature dangerous smile, but this time his fingers were steeped in amusement. The judge to the right of him lea

C, join

to the group, standi

whispered to me, squee

abbed hands and chanted The Breeder's Affirmation. Initially, the chants were loud, but then dropped by the time we repeated the affirmation for the second time.

talking to

I chanced a glance beside me and found she shared the same unfocused e

have a

Breeder's Affirmation, fear

was standing, but it was clear she'd mutated. I screwed my eyes shut as more shots rang out. The girl to the left of me released my hand and landed on the gro

tter of time b

ction. I felt it–cold steel against the back of my head. Sweat beaded on my forehead and I shook with fear, knowing

rom my head and felt

ing it didn't come down to this, little lamb," he sighed. I barely heard him over the sound of the crescendo of a bullet loading i

ase...

pleases me so," he taunted, voice thick with an emot

have a wolf, and didn't have anything to lose. If I wa

ck

words I said befor