CHAPTER 2

Alexis's point of view.

As soon as I got out of the car, I hurried into school with my head down, as usual.

"Hey, look, Omega's here."

"Wow! Look how red her cheeks are."

"I don't know what she's done."

"Haha... Maybe she's trying to steal someone's partner to improve her position in the group."

"What a slut!"

"She looks like a tomato."

"I think Brittany wants to have fun with her today."

"She doesn't want to. She's busy with Brandon in that empty classroom."

I heard some whispers around me, but the last one caught my attention.

And it hurt. I don't know why, but ever since Brandon defended me in front of the whole gang, it's as if my feelings for him have resurfaced.

Every time I think of him with another woman, all I feel is heartache and betrayal, even though I know it's a silly thought. What I hate the most is him being with Brittany.

Brittany, my sister, wasn't any better. That day, a year ago, on Brandon's birthday, when he asked me out, she was angry, it was clear in her eyes.

And because she liked to meddle in my life, she decided to start getting close to Brandon. Even after finding out that I had a crush on Brandon. Yes, that's how her evil mind worked. Her goal was to leave me completely without any hope of happiness.

However, I think it's wrong to think of Brandon that way. I have a partner out there who might be waiting for me, and here I am, falling in love with another wolf.

At the end of class, after spending the day sitting in the farthest corner of the room, I left in a daze, anxiously waiting for the school day to end. It was like a daily routine for me.

Going to school, spending the whole day hoping the day would end soon, and enduring bullying from anyone who wanted to have fun.

After eight hours of waiting, the bell signaling the end of the school day finally rang, and I was so happy.

It was already 3 p.m. And to make that day special, I had already decided on the place.

I have spent my last three birthdays locked up in my room, but not this one. This birthday will be special.

This is my 18th birthday, a special age for all wolves.

The moment to find my mate. My mate, the person who should love and care for me, regardless of my flaws.

This is also the reason I want to stay alive. I want to live because I know that when I meet my mate, everything will change. My life will be filled with happiness, love, and attention.

After arriving home, I went straight to my room to prepare myself to meet my mate.

I wasn't sure if I would meet my mate that day. After all, when you're an adult, you can meet your mate anytime. However, the chances of meeting your mate today are the highest.

I wore an elegant champagne-colored dress and let my long, light brown hair flow freely, completing the look with my favorite earrings and nude sandals.

Seeing the gift from Mark, I was tempted to open it, but knowing that the gift might have some side effects, as Mark had warned, I decided not to check it at that moment.

Checking my reflection in the mirror one last time, I left the room to enter the forest, where I planned to spend my birthday.

Only one hour left until my 18th birthday. Smiling with excitement growing inside me, I ran down the stairs, bumping into a few men who stared at me with astonished looks.

"Wow."

"I can't believe it. Such a beautiful Omega."

"Alexis? Is that Alexis?" I heard Brandon's breathless voice as I left the house.

I would talk to him later. Right now, all I wanted was to go to the place where I wanted to spend my birthday.

After crossing the lake and entering the cave on the other side of the mountain, I ran towards that place. My secret place. No one knew about it because it was hidden by rocks and bushes.

Sitting on the edge of the lake, I stared at the medal my grandmother had given me. The medal had blue and green crystals with a hint of yellow. No one knew the medal was with me, and my grandmother had asked me to keep it a secret, even from our family. She gave me this antique when she took her last breath, six years ago. I sneaked into the hospital to see her, and there she gave me the necklace.

It was already 6:55 p.m., and I was very excited. I felt as if joy had taken over me. What would he be like? Questions swirled around in my mind like a whirlwind.

To be honest, I didn't care what he looked like. I knew I would give him all the love he needed. And I would cherish his feelings for me and never betray him.

When the clock struck 7:01 p.m., I immediately closed my eyes to try to smell the pleasant scents around me.

After what felt like a very long time, even though it was only ten minutes, I suddenly opened my eyes and felt nothing.

It seemed that my partner was not in this group, at least not at that moment.

I sighed in despair. I had been so impatient to meet my partner tonight. Since there was no sign of him, I finally ate the food I had prepared for him.

Celebrating my own birthday.

After finishing my meal, I packed my things and got up to go home.

"Maybe I can't smell it because I'm just a lantern," I muttered softly.

"Who are you going to smell this far from civilization? You're hiding in a place no one has ever been to, and you expect to smell your mate here?" My conscience commented, making me roll my eyes at myself. This time, she was right.

Leaving the cave and crossing the lake, I began to leave the deep forest. At that moment, I caught a whiff of something. A pleasant aroma, like chocolate mixed with wood and cinnamon.

I was happy that my mate was at the group's house, which meant he was part of them, so I immediately ran into the house.

The scent was coming from somewhere inside.

Looking up, I squinted my eyes, trying to distinguish the scent and letting my feet follow my senses.

As I left the room, I opened my eyes and furrowed my brow when I realized whose room it was.

Brandon?

Could my partner be Brandon? Or maybe one of Brandon's friends?

"Or maybe you're just stupid." My conscience chimed in again, even though I knew she was just as eager as I was to find out the truth.

Rolling my eyes and ignoring it as usual, I pushed open the door to find my partner, but what my eyes saw not only shocked me, but left me paralyzed for a few seconds.

There I saw him having sex with another woman.