Wymond, The Cursed Beast.

Arabella's Point of View

Legends Creation College, Beverly Hills

"I'm so scared. I don't think I'll attend the selection parade."

"Me too. What if we don't come out alive?"

"My mom said the King eats human flesh."

"Same here. My mom said he prefers the flesh of young virgins."

"I heard he's old, ugly, and has two very sharp fangs."

Ugh. These are the words echoing in every hallway right now. The whole school is in total chaos, as every girl I walk past is having a serious conversation about the selection parade.

The selection parade takes place every five years. It's an occasion where girls who have come of age—from 18 to 25 years—from different species (werewolves, vampires, witches, elves, and dragons) are chosen and taken to the King's palace.

Although we don't know why they do it, all the girls who were taken there always come back having lost their memories—they don't remember and can't say what happened or what they saw there.

Another five years has come, and it's putting all the eligible girls on hot seats. Sadly, I'm one of those eligible girls this time.

Every girl is walking on her toes now because the selection parade is fast approaching and everyone is scared. Honestly, I'm scared too.

Not wanting to hear any more about the selection parade, I hastened my pace and rushed toward the direction of my first class for today.

I have not seen the King yet, but I believe these girls are kind of exaggerating—although I know for sure that he's old and ugly.

"Hey, Ara!" someone called me from behind.

I stopped and looked back, only to see Daphne (my best friend since diapers) jogging toward me with a bright smile on her face—as usual, she was dragging Dante (her twin brother) along.

"Let go of me, you beast!" Dante cursed and tried to get away from her.

"Let go of you?" Daphne scoffed. "In your dreams! Not until you refund my money. Every penny!" she screamed in his ear, making him wince.

I stifled a laugh at Dante's expression. Well, I can't blame him, because his sister always seems to forget we're werewolves—and we've got super hearing.

"I didn't force you to give me your money. In fact, you begged me to accept it," Dante said.

They had stopped in front of me by now, but I didn’t stop them from arguing because I wanted to watch some drama and have a good laugh.

Besides, with all this talk about the selection parade going on, I think having Dante around would help ease my mind.

"...wanted to reject your money, but you desperately begged me to accept it."

"You’re—"

"You were crawling after me, crying that I accept your money," Dante said in a mocking tone.

Daphne slapped his shoulder as hard as she could, but it didn’t seem to do any harm to him.

"You’re exaggerating things here. Also, you tricked and lied to me!"

"I didn’t lie," he