Chapter 13

Prue

I heard my alarm and immediately wanted to die. Despite the decent sleep, I felt like I’d been body-slammed by Monday itself. I groaned, slapping my phone to shut it up. Head pounding, stomach churning – ugh, why did I feel like I’d only slept four hours? Since when was seven hours not enough?

Maybe the teenage hormones were doing overtime again. Though, at nineteen, I should’ve been past that stage, right?

Little help here, I whined to my wolf, still buried under the weight of exhaustion.

She responded with a gentle push – an odd, out-of-body feeling, like I’d just become a puppet dragged by invisible strings. My limbs moved on their own, nudging me upright, then toward the bathroom.

And just like that, I was standing in the shower as warm water jolted me awake like a caffeinated slap to the face. I always said my wolf had impeccable timing, especially during miserable mornings like this. She always knew what I needed. We were synced like Bluetooth.

While I washed, I mentally braced myself for the day ahead. School. Again. So thrilling.

Honestly, I was so ready to graduate and live like an adult. Working a job, earning real money? That sounded way more exciting than memorizing textbook paragraphs written by dead people who hadn’t bathed daily.

Seriously, it was the 21st century. Shouldn’t we be listening to podcasts about emotional regulation instead of dissecting 500-year-old poems written by men obsessed with honor and dying for women they barely knew?

If I was ever a teacher, I thought, I’d make things fun and useful. Then immediately shuddered.

Nope. Not for me. Dealing with hormone-fueled, rebellion-driven, selfie-obsessed teens every day? Hard pass. I’d lose my mind before midterms.

After drying off, I headed to my closet. What was the vibe today?

My eyes landed on a yellow dress. A dress? Ew, weird thought. I wasn’t feeling pretty – I was feeling tired.

Comfort over cuteness. Black jeans, beige graphic tee with some old artwork on it, and a hoodie layered under my leather jacket. Cozy, functional, no-fuss.

As I glanced in the mirror, a nervous flutter stirred in my gut. Now what?

And then it hit me.

The sleepiness, the pounding head, the restlessness – they were all warning signs. Doom energy. Something was coming. Again?

Was Tom still salty? Had he cooked up some elaborate revenge prank after I shattered his golden-boy reputation? I didn’t regret it. He deserved the takedown.

Still. Ugh. So annoying.

Fine. I’d handle it – once and for all. I had a half-baked plan swirling in my head by the time I climbed the last step into the school building.

I kept glancing over my shoulder, tuning into the voices and footsteps around me, trying to pick up on anything familiar – or threatening.

But all was… calm.

Too calm.

Suspiciously calm.

By mid-morning, my wolf was pacing nonstop in my head, her claws scraping at my nerves. She felt it too. Something was coming. And neither of us were going to like it when it arrived.

I was wandering the hallway, my gaze drifting toward the big window that overlooked the other wings of this strange U-shaped building, as if the glass might hold the answer I was looking for.

That’s when I spotted him – the same weirdo from Friday. The one who’d called me names but bolted like a terrified squirrel the moment I looked his way. He was chatting with a friend, grinning wide, probably telling some du.mb story.

And I just happened to have the perfect thing in my bag. Oh yes – I’d come prepared.

I glanced around to make sure no one was watching. Then I slipped out my super-sharp laser pointer, the one I’d bought online ages ago. I aimed it right at him, the little red dot landing on his chest before slowly sliding upward until it rested between his eyes.

His friend noticed first, pointing to his forehead and making him slap at it in confusion. I moved the dot back to his chest. His friend kept gesturing until the guy finally looked down – then up, scanning toward the roof outside the window.

The terror on his face was priceless. He ducked fast, almost crawling as he tried to get out of the hallway.

I had to bite my lip to keep from laughing too loud.

Ahh… it’s so much fun to mess with people. I sighed contentedly as I tucked the laser back into my bag.

---

It was already lunchtime, and my stomach was putting on a full Broadway performance. Growling, rumbling, begging. Oh, how I wished for three juicy steaks right now. Teenage hormones mixed with werewolf genetics? Dangerous combo. A black hole lived in my belly, and it had zero manners.

But alas, the gods – or in this case, the cafeteria menu – were not on my side today. My fairy godmother clearly took the day off. No steak. I went through every meat option they had, putting sad-looking meatballs on my plate, piling it high with beans and rice until my tray looked like a protein mountain about to avalanche.

The cashier blinked at my food tower with barely concealed horror.

“We’re sharing with my friends,” I said with a forced giggle, lying straight through my fangs.

She offered a small, awkward smile, and I moved on. Why did I even have to make excuses for liking food? My body’s a masterpiece, sculpted by nature and high metabolism. Judge all you want, Brenda – I’m still hot.

I paid, grabbed my tray, and was just turning to find my girls when it hit me.

That smell. Campfire smoke and old pine needles – rugged comfort, a scent that clings to your skin and soul. A scent so intoxicating it hijacked my senses. My body locked up, my breath caught mid-exit, and my wolf sat up like a soldier hearing a battle cry. I know what this means.

My mate.

He's here. In this building. Right now. Behind me.

Goosebumps exploded across my skin as the realization sank in. But – wait. I’ve been here a while. Why haven’t I met him before? Was he new? A transfer student, maybe?

…or maybe a professor just starting?

Oh. My. Goddess. My mind launched into fantasies of late-night tutoring sessions, sultry glances across lecture halls, and scandalous bathroom quickies between lectures.

I looked down at my "comfort over cuteness" look. Fu.ck I should have worn that yellow dress! Okay, whatver, a mate will love me none the less, right?

But then I heard a low growl – distinct, primal. And I knew.

No, he’s a wolf. Definitely a wolf. No human could growl like that. Maybe he was visiting. A former student. Someone passing through.

I didn’t turn around – I was savoring the buzz, that electric anticipation just before the big reveal. The thrill of the unknown was too sweet to give up. Then, another idea hit me.

Or... Maybe he just turned eighteen.

My stomach twisted. A younger mate? That was... less appealing. My frown deepened. And then, it clicked. I know someone who just turned eighteen and thinks growling counts as a communication style – classic bellicose energy.

No way. Not him.

My wolf stirred again. Just turn around. You need to see.

I inhaled slowly, trying to calm my racing heart. Who would’ve thought I’d find my mate here of all places? Then again, as one book once said, “There are no coincidences. Just fated timings disguised as chance.”

When I finally turned, the cafeteria was dead silent. A tense, unnatural quiet had settled, like the air just before a storm.

And there he was. Standing still in the middle of the room like a statue carved from rage and confusion.

The Alpha. The arrogant, insufferable young Alpha.

My mate.

My jaw unhinged on its own. Of all people...

Was the Moon Goddess trying to be funny? Pairing me with that Alpha jerk as my mate? Seriously? Wait a second… does that mean – oh, no. Are you for real? Was she actually serious about making me Luna? Me? Wow. Flattering. Seriously. Could’ve sent a sign or a sky-written warning.

Either the Moon Goddess thinks way too highly of me… or something glitched in the cosmic matchmaking system. Because the way I’ve turned out? Yeah, I’m no Luna material. Not even close. Unfortunately.

I shrugged. Wouldn’t be the first time I wondered how different my life could’ve been if my father – or I – had made a few better choices. Different paths, different endings. But here I was. Blessed, cursed, and thoroughly confused.

But then the darker thought crept in like poison. Or maybe I’m just the sacrificial warm-up. The first course before he meets his real Luna – a perfect, graceful, elegant woman bred for leadership.

Because let’s be real. This guy? He hates me. Even now, I can see anger in his eyes. The feeling's mutual. He’d probably reject me the second we step into each other's space. Right. I forgot I’m a lone wolf for a minute there. Should I reject him first? Sadness washed over me.

But hey, fate or not – I never let a good twist go to waste.

Let’s make this interesting, add a bit fun game. I smiled slyly inwardly.

I stared him down as I walked toward my table, placing my tray down with exaggerated calm. I needed my hands free for what was coming next, and then I offered my most seductive smile to my dear, dear mate. For a heartbeat, something flickered in his eyes – desire, raw and unmistakable.

I approached him like a runaway model, hips swaying with deliberate grace. Even if my clothes were not really suitable for such kind of performance. Shut up, don't plummet my confidence now. I chastide myself for my running thoughts.

His gaze tracked every movement, slow and hungry. His breathing had turned ragged, and the lust in his eyes didn’t escape me. Perfect. My smile only grew brighter.

I stepped right in front of him. His scent wrapped around me like smoke – wild, masculine, addictive. I had to fight the sudden urge to drag him into the nearest closet and rip off his shirt. Ugh. This bond. It was pulling strings I wasn’t ready for.

Damn, he looked even hotter up close. How had I never noticed how beautiful his eyes were, framed by thick brown eyebrows? Or those perfectly sculpted cheekbones and red full lips? And his chestnut-brown hair – just the right length to tug on during a steamy session. Okay. Stop. What the hell. He’s the disgusting Alpha.

Where was that arrogant sneer now? Gone. Replaced by confusion, conflicting desires, and anger for lack of control over who his mate was. The bond was messing with us both. I felt like I could read his body and mind like an open book.

I smiled sweetly. His gaze dropped to my lips. Perfect.

I licked them slowly, watching with satisfaction as he tracked every move like a starving dog. When I bit down gently on my lower lip, his pupils dilated and his jaw twitched.

And then – I struck.

Wham. A hard punch to his jaw. His head jerked sideways.

“This is for every single person you’ve bullied,” I said through clenched teeth.

Crack.

My knee found his balls. He bent over in a choked gasp, drawing startled reactions from the crowd. Gasps rippled like waves. I guess this was becoming a show.

“And this,” I said, voice dripping with venom, “is for every girl you used and tossed aside, you hormone-driven mutt.”

As he coughed and staggered, I grabbed his head and rammed my knee into his nose.

Crunch. Blood flowed instantly.

I leaned in close, letting my voice slide into his ear like poison.

“I guess joke is on you, so next time you bully a girl… make sure she’s not your mate first.”

Then I stepped over him and strutted out of the cafeteria like it was a runway. Appetite? Gone. Douch.ebag Alpha had officially killed it.

The bathroom was mercifully empty. I walked straight to the sink and turned on the faucet, splashing cold water on my flushed face. The adrenaline still burned in my veins, but my mind kept replaying what I’d just done.

Will he come after me for this?

Will he reject me now?

Will he try to avenge himself?

I bet he will. I bruised his ego in public – that always leaves a stinging mark.

You shouldn’t have hurt our mate, Zoe whined in my head.

I sighed and rubbed at my chest. It ached – stupid bond. Stupid wolf emotions. The shaking in my hands was finally fading, but a dull pain bloomed in my nose... and in my thighs?

Wait.

That pain isn’t mine. Oh no. The bond. Of course. I couldn’t kick the crap out of my mate without feeling a bit of it myself.

Moon help me. This is going to be a long, complicated, absolutely messed up day.

I don’t even want to think about the rest of the months until graduation... but if hell’s on the syllabus, I better be the one writing the lesson plan.