One

AVENA

The shifters rolled their eyes at me and sneered.

"Why do you think we'd let you come with us to the coming of age ceremony?" The brown short haired girl asked with the most expressive scowl plastering her face. "We're not tainting our reputation by associating with a Nyxian blood."

I knew they would say that. Everyone did.

Being a Nyxian blood had caused me more harm than good ever since I was born. There was a whole list of disadvantages that came with it. Like why everyone hated me and treated me like an outcast was only to name one of them.

"Why bother going when you won't even find your mate huh? You think anyone's going to want you?" The blondie and their little group princess asked.

They all laughed.

I felt my wolf, Sage growl. Kill them. She said and I shook my head at her, trying my best to control her and thankfully she listened. Was there anytime Sage wasn't getting ready to snap at someone?

One of the girls fixed the blondie's hair and dress, "Let's get going. You wouldn't want to keep Henrik waiting. I'm sure he's your mate. I can totally feel it."

Henrik.

His name alone made my heart skip a beat. He was the dude I had had the hugest crush on for the past two years and I didn't know what to think at the idea of him being mates with blonde.

"Bye loser, I hope we don't see you there. And your gown looks hideous. Wouldn't want to walk out in that if I were you." The blondie concluded as she placed a hand on my shoulder rubbing it swiftly and giving me a fake concerned look before strutting out with the girls.

The gesture made Sage groan again and I could feel my muscle tingling and my temperature rising telling me she was already making her appearance and ready to fight. I closed my eyes to surpress her, hating the fact that I couldn't control her half the time. It was almost as if she had a mind of her own. And it was yet another disadvantage of having Nyxian blood in my veins.

When she stepped back after a few minutes, I sat on my bed letting out a huge breath. I hated my life at the moment and I'd hated it for the past ten years too. Although I was a good fighter and not in the bottom rank, I got almost the same treatment as Omegas.

I heard footsteps and the familiar scent of Cloves and Cinnamon filled the air. I knew my aunt, Mona was close by and as I looked up, she entered into the room.

"Oh dear, the ceremony started an hour ago. Why are you still here?" She asked and as she studied my face, she pretty much figured out what was wrong. "Those meanies are at it again?"

I nodded which made her hiss. "I should just put hair remover cream in their shampoo. Would you like that?" She asked taking my hand and dragging me up.

I laughed, "Aunt I don't want to go there. I'm not interested in finding my mate. I love how you celebrated my eighteenth birthday days ago and I'm okay with that. Plus nobody would want me."

"Look Avena baby, Nyxian blood isn't a curse. We're special," She told me cupping my face in her hands. "You are special. Don't let anyone make you feel otherwise. You look pretty. Go to that party and have some fun, make new friends and who knows? Maybe a mate who's into special pretty girls would find you."

I sighed. "I really don't want to but I know you're not letting me off the hook so I better start going."

She smiled and hugged me, "Now that's my girl."

I arrived at the ceremony. There was everything there ranging from the good music to alcohol. Some looked like they had found their mate or mates already and were geeking over them. Some were more interested in sneaking out, trying to have a fun night with whores rather than to find their mate.

I saw blondie and her group being the center of the whole party and as soon as they saw I was present, they laughed and shot me dirty looks.

I ignored them and went over to get myself a drink, maybe to drink away my loneliness and start heading home.

After I gulped down the third glass, everyone's attention diverted to the door and I followed suit to see what was going on.

It was the bloodfang Pack whom had arrived and as usual, they announced their presence with their strong aura.

Immediately, an attractive scent stood out alerting both me and Sage. It was distinct but faint that I would have not noticed it if I hadn't been prewarned that my trauma combining with my Nyxian blood, might have dulled my abilities of recognizing my mate if he ever came.

My heart rate increased and Sage was struggling to come out, a low feeling of excitement clouding her aggressive nature for once. The scent became stronger and I scanned among the bloodfang pack members to see whom it was.

My eyes landed on him. The tall, muscular handsome guy whom I'd had a crush on for the past two years. Henrik.

Henrik was my mate?!

His eyes caught mine and I sensed he had felt the same thing I did. His expression was blank and he immediately started making his way towards me dragging everyone's attention with him as he did so.

My heart beat faster as he closed the gap between us and from the side, I saw blondie angrily staring at us. It was like everyone could tell what was happening.

There was silence as he stopped in front of me and touched me. His touch indeed confirmed we were mates and made me smile. He ran me a look from head to toe before speaking, "I Henrik Reedi, Beta of the bloodfang pack, reject you, Avena Slade as my mate."

My smile fell as my heart crushed into two and the sharp piercing in my chest hurt so bad I almost couldn't breath. At the same time I felt Sage trying to make her presence known causing my muscles to tingle.

Henrik's now disgusted and hatred filled face stared back at me. With the anger Sage felt taking over the excrustiating pain, I knew I had to leave immediately.

"I Avena Slade accept your rejection." I replied, severing the bond between us. Anger and pain radiated through my chest as I dashed out of the house into the darkness, not before seeing blondie's satisfied smirk.