Not My Mate, Right?

 Rayvan’s POV

I couldn’t focus on watching my teammates practicing on the indoor basketball court. Richard was absent from training. I just remembered—he had promised to meet Alera to work on an essay in the back garden.

Once again, that annoying girl crossed my mind.

I had more than enough reasons to hate her. She didn’t just accidentally overhear our conversation about bribing the rival team to lose. Yes, it was cheating and wrong—but she had no right to spread it all over campus.

How could she write down everything in that damned diary of hers? She wrote about the moment we caught her eavesdropping, described the whole cheating plan in detail. It was almost like she meant to leave her diary behind in the library. One of the students found it—and then the secret blew up, spreading from one mouth to another.

The basketball coach couldn’t accept what had happened. And because she wrote my name in that cursed diary, I was accused of being the mastermind. Even though it was a team decision.

It was Alex who came up with the idea in the first place. But the coach didn’t care. I was stripped of my position as captain and banned from playing for six months.

That was one of the hardest moments I’ve ever been through during my time at Lycanridge. I lost the respect of my peers and became the subject of campus gossip for days. Even my parents called me, asking about the rumors spreading among the Lycans. To them, it was humiliating. How could I do such a disgraceful thing? They even told me that my Moonblood ritual would be postponed—until I corrected my behavior and found my mate.

God. Don’t get me started on mate talk. It’s enough to give me a headache. I still haven’t found mine. Sure, Alera’s scent disturbed me—there was something about it I couldn’t forget. I felt strangely connected to it. But I hoped it was just a normal Lycan scent. I needed to find a mate truly worthy of me.

"Rayvan, not in the mood to join us?"

Billy, one of the guys, tossed the ball my way.

I caught it and threw it right back.

"Not in the mood for training," I said, grabbing my backpack.

"Where you headed?" Billy asked, watching me.

"Back to the dorm."

I walked through the corridor that connected the basketball court to the library path. And there she was again—Alera. I don’t know if it was coincidence or fate.

She froze for a second, clearly surprised to see me. We locked eyes for a moment… then she looked away and walked off faster, leaving me frozen in place, watching her go.

She’s avoiding me. Who cares? She’s not my mate. Period. I shouldn’t care why she avoids me.

In fact, it’s better this way. But I still held a grudge. This wasn’t over.

Losing my title as captain and being banned for six months—it crushed my pride. It felt like half of me was gone.

Lycanridge had one of the best basketball teams: solid, well-trained, a coach that meant business. That was one of the biggest reasons I chose to come here. Now I was seen as the one who stained the team’s reputation. And Alera—she was the one most responsible. I will make her pay.

*****

Alera’s POV

Richard was always disciplined. By the time I arrived, he was already sitting on the bench in the back garden. When he saw me, he smiled.

"Hey. I’ve been waiting for you for five minutes."

I felt a twinge of guilt. Five minutes might not sound like much—but time is precious. And once it’s gone, you can’t get it back.

"Sorry I’m late. I stopped by the library to borrow some books that might help with our essay."

"It’s okay, Alera."

I sat beside him. Among the P-Boys, he was the kindest. Not as arrogant as the others.

The back garden always felt peaceful. Rows of hellebores and columbines added charm to the place, with a crystal-clear fountain pond in the center. The pine forest in the distance wrapped Lycanridge in a soothing green.

"I really liked what you said in English Composition class," Richard began. "I was thinking we could do our paper on ‘The Impact of Social Class on Access to Education.’ Or do you have another idea?"

I thought for a moment. His idea was solid. But I had something more personal in mind.

"That’s a good topic, Richard. But I was thinking… what about ‘The Risk of Bullying Among Lower-Class Students’?"

I smiled faintly—trying to hide the ache behind it.

Being bullied hurt more than anyone knew.

Richard went quiet. His eyes held words he hadn’t yet spoken.

"To be honest… I feel really guilty. I know I used to join the others in bullying you. I want to make things right. I want to learn from you."

His voice was sincere. I could see it in his eyes.

"It’s okay, Richard. That’s in the past."

I smiled a little wider—to let him know I had let it go.

"How are you so strong?" he asked.

That question struck me. I didn’t know how to answer it. Maybe I had suffered too many hard things… Maybe I had no other choice but to survive. Sometimes, life gives us no options.

You don’t choose to endure—you just do, because there’s nothing else.

"I don’t know. I just… survive because I have to. I survive for myself. If no one wants us… if everyone ignores us… then we have to embrace ourselves."

I smiled, a sad, quiet smile—for myself.

"You’re amazing, Alera. Can I ask… where are you from? I only know you’re not from Ravenshade. You’re a newcomer, right?"

I went quiet for a moment. Should I tell the truth about the old city that held so many painful memories?

"I was born in Moonvale. After my parents died, I moved here."

"Moonvale? The city ruled by Lycans? Are you… one of them? I mean, it’s okay if you are. Humans and Lycans can live in peace."

He looked cautious. Like he didn’t want to offend me.

"Moonvale isn’t just for Lycans. Plenty of humans live there too."

I didn’t want to lie. But I also didn’t want to reveal who I really was.

"Sorry if that was too personal. So… you’re all alone? I’m really sorry about your parents. You’ve come so far."

I smiled. Richard seemed genuine. But I wasn’t ready to share everything with him. We were just classmates in a group. Not friends.

Suddenly, I caught a scent on the wind.

A sharp blend of pine forest, musk, and cedarwood. It wasn’t Richard’s—he was sitting a bit farther away. It smelled like… Rayvan.

Was he nearby?