1. THE MATE THAT WAS NEVER MINE

~WILLOW

"Why must you always do this in public?" Violet suddenly snapped at me.

I paused, halfway through taking a bite from my favorite cupcake and stared at her.

My brows slowly rose in confusion. "Do what?"

She looked around at the other people seated at the outdoor space and at the passers-by staring openly, before turning back to face me.

"That!" She pointed at my innocent cupcake. "Can't you see people are watching? You already draw so much attention as you are, couldn't you just order a salad or a cup of green tea?"

My heart sank and my happy mood was instantly ruined.

"If you are so ashamed of me, why did you agree to follow me out for a treat? You know today is the one day I am allowed to eat what I want every month."

She narrowed her cold hazel eyes at me. "That's all you know how to do, eat. Maybe if you paid more attention to your diet, there would have been visible changes by now."

My mouth came open in shock.

"You might be my elder sister but I'm done letting you embarrass me," she shot to her feet. "I have a mating ceremony to prepare for."

With that, she stormed away while I stared after her in disbelief.

"Poor Violet, it's so unfair for someone as beautiful as her to have a sister like that."

"If I were her, I would starve myself until I lose all that weight."

"You'd think Willow would never go hungry again with all that size."

"That's why she's been unable to hear her wolf. There's no space for it inside all that fat."

I balled my free hand into a fist as tears began to sting my eyes. My fingers started turning cold as I moved my eyes back to the uneaten cupcake.

You'd think I would already be used to the constant and open mockery about my size but here I was, tearing up.

It hurt more today because this direct blow had come from my own sister. The one person who was supposed to understand since we've always been together.

"Willow?" A calm voice called.

I quickly blinked away the tears before snapping my head up and there he stood.

Tall and warm, eyes as green as the forest. Aura as charming and calming as nature itself. He smiled warmly at me as he came closer.

My hero.

Axel Hale, the future Alpha of Blue Lake Pack.

"You are just the person I wanted to see. What are you doing here alone?" He asked as he took my free hand and slowly pulled me to my feet.

After my mother died years ago, Axel became the only person to ever show me kindness. It started when he protected me from his evil brother as kids, and since then, he became my only friend.

"I wasn't alone, Violet just left," I answered.

Worry flashed through his eyes before it disappeared. "She will be at the mating ceremony tonight, right?"

I frowned. Why did he care?

"Yeah, she will be."

"Great! Come with me. I have a huge favor to ask of you."

Before I could reply, he began to pull me away as fast as he could. In the process, my cupcake fell!

I squeezed my eyes shut in pain. The thing I went through all the trouble to get was now lost.

I sighed in defeat and decided to look on the bright side. A favor for my secret crush was way better than everything— even if it was a deliciously tempting cupcake.

I was breathing heavily by the time he finally stopped making me walk so fast. Then he looked at me with the most charming eyes.

"You know those purple chrysanthemums you picked for me the last time, I need them again for something important tonight," he finally revealed.

My face instantly went pale. "B— but you know I'm allergic to it—"

"Willow..." He cut me off and gave me his pleading puppy eyes.

Like a fool, I started to melt.

"You are the only one I trust to complete this task. I would go myself but you know how occupied I am arranging tonight's Mating ceremony. I have no one else to entrust this to. Please say yes..."

I wanted to turn him down. But it was impossible to, when my heart literally ached for him. Pleasing him brought me great joy.

Besides, if he trusted only me for this task then it meant something. Perhaps there was hope for him to someday choose me.

"Fine, I'll do it," I gave in.

"I knew I could count on you, Willow!" He exclaimed and pinched my cheeks playfully.

I blushed like an idiot, unable to contain my excitement.

"You look so cute when you blush, just like a little panda," He said before turning to leave. "Hurry now, I'll be waiting for you."

I inhaled heavily. "You can count on me."

Anything to make Axel happy.

Thus, I started my journey to its valley. The Mating ceremony was set to start once the sun set completely. I needed to hurry if I wanted to make it back on time.

After following the familiar trail, I finally arrived at the valley. The purple flowers stretched on and on.

The moment the scent hit me, I sneezed. But that was not enough to stop me. I started picking as much as I could. My eyes began to sting so hard I thought I would go blind.

"If you are allergic, why do you stupidly continue to pick them?" A cold voice came from behind me.

I stopped immediately and turned to face who I thought it was.

I was right.

River Hale.

The illegitimate child of our current Alpha. My childhood bully and the person I hated the most in this world.

Tall with cold blue eyes that reflected nothing but darkness. Built heavily like the cold thug that he was.

There was absolutely nothing welcoming about him unlike Axel who was always a breath of fresh air.

"It's important. They are for Axel," I retorted coldly before sneezing again.

How embarrassing.

"I believe my brother has perfectly working limbs. Why are you the one doing it?"

I groaned in frustration. Why was this coconut head still talking to me?

“It’s called making sacrifices for your friends. I don't expect you to understand since you have none.”

He scoffed. "At least I have no one making me do things that are unhealthy for me."

I wanted to growl at him but I knew I was no match. My wolf had still refused to surface while he, on the other hand, was a great warrior. He was head of security and had already led ten successful raids on the rogues always trying to attack us.

Then he began to walk away before he stopped. "Didn't anyone tell you that Wolf's Mint can help soothe allergies?"

I frowned as I looked towards the herbs he was pointing at before turning back to him.

"Of course I know that!" I snapped.

He scoffed again before leaving. The moment he was gone, I quickly hurried to the herbs, picked them and started to chew on them.

It worked like magic. The pain in my eyes reduced, so did the sneezing. I collected more and pocketed them in my jeans in case I needed more later.

Then I went back to the flowers, I believed I had picked enough. I bundled them up and began to hurry back.

It was a good thing that I was not having my mating ceremony tonight. Thus, I didn't need to worry about dressing up for it. I already had mine two years ago when I turned eighteen.

My wolf never showed so I never found my mate. Tonight was for Violet and every other girl who had come of age.

I tried picking up my pace and by the time I finally made it to the entrance of the field where the ceremony would take place, I found Axel pacing to and fro.

"Axel!" I called in excitement before sneezing for the millionth time that day. "I got them."

"Finally!" He exclaimed. "I almost thought you failed me."

He took the flowers from me and smiled. "They are just perfect."

"You wouldn't believe who I ran into—"

"Not now, Willow," he cut me off. "Need to go. The ceremony has already begun, can't miss my chance."

With that, he rushed into the field. My prior excitement slowly died down and I didn't know whether to stay or go home.

After a long moment of confusion, I finally chose to stay. So I walked in and my legs subconsciously led me closer to Axel.

That was when it happened.

A sudden jolt rattled my soul and I felt something new— something foreign and strong come alive within me.

And with it, came the awareness of so many scents. It was almost as if I could smell the entire world all at once.

My heart started racing as my body began to tremble. And slowly, all the scents began to filter out on their own until one scent grew so strong it became unbearable for me to ignore.

It was a strong yet sweet citrus scent. It filled my nose and began to overwhelm my senses.

Then my wolf suddenly erupted within me and a loud howl escaped my mouth.

To my greatest surprise, another howl responded to mine.

My heart skipped. Could it be what I thought it was?

I searched the crowd until I found who it had come from.

Axel Hale.

My long secret crush.

My heart began to race. Was the Moon goddess finally on my side?

Was she finally gifting me my heart's desire?

"No..." Axel breathed in shock, his face slowly turning pale.

My heart skipped with panic. What did he mean by no?

"Y— you're joking, right?" I laughed nervously, hoping that he would join in.

He never did.

Instead, his jaw tightened as his eyes swept over my body. He lingered on my stomach, before bringing his eyes back to mine.

"This has to be a mistake."

My smile faded away. "What?"

He took a step closer as his once warm green eyes turned cold. "You cannot be my mate."

My heart erupted within me. My newfound wolf howled in pain and I started breathing heavily.

The entire ceremony stopped and everyone was staring at us.

"W— what are you saying?" I asked again in a shaky voice.

"Look at yourself, Willow..."

My heart stopped.

"How can someone like you possibly stand beside me as my Luna?”