LOVE ME, HATE ME!

I woke up to the soft warmth of sunlight filtering through my window, but what truly roused me was the affectionate kisses and tight embraces from my parents. Their love was like a protective cocoon, something that made every day feel safe, even if a part of me still felt incomplete.

"Happy birthday, sweetie!" Mom and Dad said in unison, their smiles beaming down at me.

"Thank you, Mom and Dad," I replied, wrapping my arms around them. Their embrace was familiar and comforting, but deep down, I knew that their love alone wasn’t enough to fill the void inside me.

They were ordinary werewolves in our pack, without titles or special ranks, but that never mattered to me. They were my parents, and they loved me unconditionally.

Mom handed me a neatly wrapped box, her eyes shimmering with warmth. "Here, sweetie. I hope you find your mate today."

Dad placed a soft kiss on my forehead. "I hope you find the happiness your heart longs for, child."

I smiled at them, touched by their words. "Yeah, I'll make sure of that, Dad." But deep down, I wasn’t so sure.

Mom clapped her hands excitedly. "Now go get ready and find your mate!"

"Thanks! Wish me luck!" I darted into the bathroom, eager to get on with my day.

After a quick shower, I sat on my bed, staring at the present my parents gave me. I unwrapped it to find a soft and elegant, off-shoulder dress flowing just above my knees. It was the kind of dress that would accentuate my curves and highlight my long legs.

My wolf, Anessa, gasped in admiration. "Wow, you look stunning! Mate will surely drop his jaw when he sees you."

I hesitated, my fingers brushing over the delicate fabric. "But don’t you think it’s better if I wear what I usually do?"

Anessa huffed. "Why would you hide yourself again? You’re beautiful! What if our mate rejects us because you look unappealing?"

"Then he doesn't deserve us," I said firmly.

"Vanessa!" She sounded genuinely distressed. "What if we meet him today and he rejects us?"

I sighed, looking at my reflection. "If he can’t accept me for who I am, then how can he accept that I’m different from the rest?"

"Just dress up today, or I won’t talk to you for a week." Her tone was serious, and I knew she meant it.

"Okay, fine! Calm down." I slipped the dress on again, allowing it to hug my frame. The off-shoulder cut emphasized my collarbone and the gentle curve of my neck. With some light makeup and my jet-black hair cascading down to my waist, I looked… different. Beautiful.

I took one last deep breath and left for school.

The moment I stepped through the school gate, conversations ceased. Every eye turned toward me, their gazes filled with shock. The mocking stares that once greeted me when I wore oversized clothes were now replaced with something else—admiration? Curiosity? I wasn’t sure.

But before I could step further, a scent enveloped me. It was intoxicating—warm, musky, and undeniably alluring.

'Mate!'

'Mate!' Anessa howled in my mind, jumping with excitement.

My feet moved on their own, following the scent, leading me to a secluded corner of the school. My heart pounded, anticipation and nervousness battling within me. But then… I heard voices.

"I heard she’s turning seventeen today. When I see her, I’ll reject her right away! There’s no way I’ll accept a weak and ugly woman as my mate." The deep voice was filled with disgust, and I instantly recognized who it belonged to.

A feminine giggle followed. "I better be there when you do it. I want to see your mate’s pathetic face when you reject her." The woman’s voice was sultry, laced with pleasure.

My stomach twisted as I stepped closer. My mate was here, speaking about me with such cruelty… while wrapped in another woman’s arms.

I clenched my fists, my nails digging into my palm. Anger, pain, and disappointment swirled inside me. I reached into my bag, pulling out a jacket, cap, and face mask, swiftly covering myself before taking another step forward.

"Stop right there! Can’t you hear? I’m busy!" The deep voice snapped, irritation laced in every word.

Then he stepped out of the corner, his piercing blue eyes meeting mine.

Alexander Moon. The soon-to-be Alpha of our pack.

The infamous playboy. The manwhore who treated women like disposable objects.

And he was my mate.

His arms were still around Natalie, the hottest girl in school, her blonde waves perfectly framing her smug face.

"Ha! Are you seriously wearing a dress with an oversized jacket? And what’s with the cap and mask?" Natalie sneered. "Do you think Alexander would find you beautiful hiding behind that?"

I ignored her, my gaze locked on Alexander. I refused to let my emotions show. "Can we finish this quickly? I have a class to attend."

Alexander frowned. He hadn’t expected that.

"Looks like you saw this coming! Now I wo—"

I cut him off by raising my hand, silencing him. "I, Vanessa Hudgens, hereby reject you, Alexander Moon, as my mate."

Pain lanced through my chest, so sharp I nearly stumbled. But I held my ground, masking my agony behind a blank expression.

Silence.

Alexander's smirk vanished, his eyes widening. He stumbled slightly, shock painting his features.

Natalie gasped. "W-what?"

I turned, walking away without looking back. Every step away from him felt like knives stabbing my heart, but I refused to show weakness.

Fifteen meters away, I stopped. Slowly, I removed my jacket, my cap, and my mask. I turned to face them once more.

I let them see me.

Natalie’s face twisted with anger and disbelief, her lips slightly parted as if struggling for words.

Alexander stood frozen, his blue eyes locked onto mine, his face paler than before.

I ran my fingers through my thick black hair, letting it cascade over my shoulders. My golden-brown eyes gleamed as I bit my lip and winked at him. A slow, mocking smirk spread across my lips.

His breath hitched.

With one final glance, I turned on my heel and walked away, my head held high, exuding the confidence of a queen who had just dismissed her unworthy suitor.