1. ARIANA

I woke up with a blissful smile on my face. Why would I not? After all, it's my birthday today. I turn 18 today and I finally get to choose my mate. Throwing off the covers, I jumped out of the bed and quickly ran into the washroom to get ready. Pulling out a white sweater and a white skirt, I wore it with my white stockings. Wearing my pink shoes to fit my outfit, I quickly applied my lipgloss and blush. Grabbing my bag, I rushed out of my room and ran down the stairs to meet my family who were waiting at the dining hall. My mom hugged me on seeing me and wished me.

“Happy Birthday Ariana.” My dad wished me looking up from his plate. He is not a big hugger or even a man who shows his emotions.

“Happy Birthday dear.” This was my mother. I put my bag on the floor and sat on the stool at the kitchen counter, beside my brother.

“Happy Birthday Ariana.” This was my brother.

“Thank you Augustus.” I gave him a smile which he didn’t return. But nothing could kill my mood today.

“Are you excited to find your mate?” My mom asked me and I nodded my head vigorously.

“Yes mommy. I am.” All my life I have been trained to be ready for this day and find my mate. It was a prestigious thing in the werewolf community and even more for my family. Why? Because my dad worked as beta to the previous alpha until he was replaced by someone whom the new alpha had appointed. And my dad didn’t do rejections well. He would always tell me how I might be destined to be a Luna if I play my game right and win the heart and interest of an Alpha.

How do I tell him that I am interested in an Alpha who doesn’t even look at me.

“Good. Finish up your breakfast and head to school. We shall find out who your mate is at the party in the evening.” I snapped out of my thoughts and finished my breakfast

“Sure mom.” I picked up my bag and gave her a kiss which she just waved off. I ran to my car which was passed down to me from my brother for my 17th birthday since he wanted a new one. I was happy with this. It was small yet sleek making it perfect for my character.

Parking my car in my usual spot, I stepped out and looked around to see if I could get a whiff of who would be my mate.

Finding no one, I headed to my classes. I had Math in the first hour and I had to pick up my books from my locker. Walking towards the locker, my eyes landed on him. He was leaning on the locker with his friends, his beta Kane and his gamma Jake with him. There was also a girl, Sophie, whose hands were all over him but he didn’t seem to mind. I quickly averted my gaze before he could catch me staring and opened my locker.

Picking up my notes, I shut the locker and walked past him, but I couldn’t.

My wolf began to pine and I began to feel restless. I looked up at him and found him staring at me.

Differently.

“Mate.”

Those words slipped out of my mouth before I could even know.

“What did you say?” He walked towards me in menacing steps and I unintentionally took a step back. His smell filled my nostrils and soon the fear was replaced with something else.

Lust?

I don’t know.

“I asked, what did you say?” He repeated again and this time I answered him.

“Mate.” I whispered. 

He laughed. It was a full blown laughter. I was shocked at first at his reaction but then smiled shyly, feeling his happiness flowing through me. 

His friends joined us and they looked between us, trying to understand what was happening.

“What happened?” 

“She–she is my m–mate.” He wheezed out and patted his chest trying to control his laughter. Soon his friends and that girl laughed, making him laugh again.

I looked confused seeing them laugh at something like this. People passing by us looked at me strangely and I tried my best to hide my face with my hair.

This is so embarrassing. My wolf hid herself and tucked her head between her body, covering herself with her tail.

I know. 

“Did you really think that he would accept you as his mate?” Sophie asked me, composing her laughter.

“Yes, he should. Afterall the Moon Goddess made mates for a specific reason.” I spoke and they laughed again.

“Oh my god, how naive and foolish can you get? What made you even think that he would accept someone like you?” Jake commented. I looked at him and he looked displeased. Does he hate me?

I looked back at his friends. 

“He wouldn’t accept someone as pathetic as you as his mate. I am gonna be his Luna and his mate soon.” Sophie sneered.

“That cannot happen.”

“Why? Let me say it clearly. I, Lucas Klein of Blood Bound pack, reject you, Ariana Black as my mate.”

A searing pain shot through my chest and I stumbled behind. My wolf howled in pain as she experienced the same trauma. Tears sprang in my eyes and I fell on the ground trying to rub my chest to ease my pain.

People still continued to look at me weirdly but no one even helped me.

Trying to balance myself up on my feet, I walked towards my car and locked myself in. Wiping away the tears that didn’t even stop from that moment, I immediately drove home. 

My mom opened the door and my dad was standing behind her.

“What happened Ariana? Don’t you have school?”

“Lucas Klein is my mate.” I mumbled and my dad jumped in joy. “But–but.”

“But what?”

“But he rejected me.” The pain was still unbearable as I tried to fight it. With my wolf whining, I couldn’t even do anything.

“It hurts mom.” I cried wishing that she would hug me and tell me that it was going to get better.

“It hurts? It should hurt. What did I tell you about getting Alpha Lucas’s attention?” My dad was furious. What did I do for that?

“I tried but he wouldn’t even look at me.”

My head snapped to the side and I fell on the ground. My wolf tried her best to fight and come out but I didn’t let her shift.

“I knew you were worthless.” He spat and walked out of the room. I looked at my mother but even she didn’t look at me. She went back to doing her work. 

Picking up my bag I pulled myself to my room. 

I knew what I had to do.