BULLIED BY MY MATE

I stepped through the grand gate of the university. This was where I would study, pursue knowledge, and one day—fulfill my dreams.They said Lycanridge University was the best in Ravenshade. To be accepted here, students had to compete with thousands of applicants and survive a series of intense selections. I was lucky to have passed the test—and even luckier to earn a scholarship.I am a Rogue. An orphaned girl, abandoned by fate. I’ve always wanted to forget the past, but the blood running through my veins never lies. I will always remember where I came from.I used to live in Moonvale, a city that never sleeps. Even at night, traffic continued to move restlessly, and people lingered in coffee shops until late—sometimes chatting, sometimes alone, staring at the glittering city lights, or simply resting after a long day of work.My parents owned a small coffee shop. It was enough for us to live decently, enough for me to attend a good school. But peace never lasted.Lucian Drayce, th

Alera’s POVThe dining hall at Lycanridge was never quiet at lunchtime. As a scholarship student, I had free access to stay in the dorms and eat here. Still, I worked part-time—there were needs I couldn’t always cover with scholarship funds.Ever since my mother passed away last year and I moved to Ravenshade, I’ve gotten used to human food. It’s not always red meat—I sometimes go for burgers, lasagna, or vegan soup. Today I grabbed grilled chicken, tomato basil soup, and infused water.Even though I’ve tried for so long to bury the wolf instincts inside me, I can still sense the Lycan presence around me. Some of their scents I can recognize. But when it comes to Rayvan, I still can’t describe it.Honestly, there’s something different when our eyes meet. Something stirs whenever I catch his scent. But I don’t want to jump to conclusions. Maybe he’s just a Lycan with a scent typical of Alpha blood. I really hope he’s not my mate. Scents like that could belong to other Lycans too, so it

Alera's POVI glanced around. That scent—strong and undeniable. Rayvan was nearby. I narrowed my eyes and spotted a shadow behind the bushes.“Who’s there?”Rayvan stepped out, holding a basketball. I was right. He was around. Had he followed me?“Sorry, my ball rolled over here. Uh, am I interrupting something?”His eyes flicked between us, his expression not as unreadable as usual.“No, Ray. Want to join us? Maybe we can go over the topic together.” Richard smiled, easy and welcoming.I stayed silent. I didn’t want to discuss anything with Rayvan right now. We never saw eye to eye, and talking to him would only end in another clash.But that scent... it calmed something inside me, and hurt me all the same. It reminded me of how the person behind that scent had treated me—cold, cruel.“No, Richard. This is your group project. It has nothing to do with me.”Rayvan’s voice was flat. He shot me a look—sharp, cutting, almost hateful—before walking away without another word.“Ever since t

Rayvan's POV"We are bound by the past, Ray. We were meant to be. Our souls will always be tied together, no matter what stands in the way."The voice echoed, growing louder. I felt drawn toward it, compelled to find the source. But the closer I tried to get, the farther away it drifted.I ran after it. My foot caught on something, and I fell.The voice returned, hauntingly familiar. I looked up. A faint image of a woman’s face appeared in the dark sky.She looked distant, almost blurred, yet even through the haze, her beauty stood out. Who was she? I couldn't tell. The vision faded.My eyes opened slowly.It wasn't the dark sky I was staring at, just the ceiling of my dorm room.A strange, intense dream.I rubbed my face and glanced at the clock on the nightstand. It was already late. I had class later this afternoon.I sat up, still trying to make sense of the dream. Who was that girl? Could she be my mate?Then I remembered: I still hadn’t asked my parents about the Shadowbane Pack

Alera's POVI froze.What should I say? His eyes were serious—piercing. He didn’t look like the Rayvan who bullied me. His gaze was sharp and focused, as if I was the center of his universe, the only thing he could see.“Say it, Alera,” he asked, voice softer now. He glanced to his left and right, making sure no one was listening to our conversation.“Ray... maybe you already know. Lycans can sense each other, right?”“It’s not just sensing, Alera,” Rayvan cut in.“I didn’t just recognize your scent. That scent pulls me in. And I hate it. That’s why I need you to tell me—where are you from? Who are you really?”I took a breath, trying to steady the chaos in my chest. His intense gaze made me restless.Did he not realize? Just one look from him could shatter my walls. And then there was his scent—haunting me since the very beginning. Like a magnet. Relentless.“I’m a Rogue now. I even wanted to bury my past. Living as a human... isn’t that so bad?”I smiled. If he looked closely, he wo