Chapter Three

As I walked through the crowded hallway, I couldn't help but notice the strange atmosphere in the school. The excitement from Friday's party seemed to have dissipated and was replaced by anger and scowls on the faces of the popular kids. Even the usually happy and smiling populars were walking around looking like they were about to start a fight.

I overheard some gossip about Alex, the football team captain, hooking up with Brinkley Aimes, the junior class president, which was a surprise to me. I never thought Brinkley would be the type to do that. But that was beside the point. Something had clearly happened at the party that was affecting everyone in the school.

I spotted Paul at his locker, surrounded by his friends. He was at the party, maybe he knows what happened. I hesitated for a moment, wondering if I should approach him. But then I remembered how drunk he was on Saturday when he came home and how little he remembered about the party. Maybe he wouldn't be much help after all.

Still, the curiosity gnawed at me. I had never been interested in parties before, but this one seemed different. What could have happened that caused such a change in the school's atmosphere? I couldn't help but wonder if maybe they were planning something, a prank or even a robbery. My mind raced with possibilities as I walked past Paul and his friends, determined to get to the bottom of this mystery.

As I settled into my seat at the back of the classroom, I couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. The party from the weekend was the talk of the school, and it seemed like everyone had something to say about it. I knew I didn't want to approach my brother Paul while he was with his friends, so I resolved to ask him about it later when we were at home.

As more and more kids filled the room, the chatter about the party grew louder. I tried to tune it all out, but it was overwhelming. I found myself getting lost in my own thoughts, wondering what had happened that had put everyone in such a strange mood.

The weather outside was colder than usual, and I couldn't help but wonder if that was contributing to the general sense of gloom. But as the room filled up with more and more students, I couldn't help but feel like there was more to it than just the weather.

I gazed out the window, watching a couple of squirrels chase each other around the trees outside. It was a peaceful distraction from the chaos of the classroom, and for a moment, I was able to forget about the drama of the party and the strange mood that seemed to have overtaken the school.

Levi’s POV

Everything was a mess. All my plans, all my preparations, all for nothing. I had been waiting for this moment for months, and it all fell apart in just a few hours. It was frustrating, maddening even.

Finding my mate had always been a priority for me. I didn't want to waste years searching like some other wolves did. As soon as I was old enough, I began looking for her. I can't really explain the feeling I had, but I just knew she was out there, somewhere, waiting for me.

As the Alpha, it was my duty to find my mate as soon as I could. I didn't want to spend years looking for her like some wolves did. That's why when Jason, my Beta, suggested having a birthday party and inviting everyone in the territory, it seemed like the perfect plan. My wolf would be able to sense her as soon as I turned 18, and I would finally have my mate in my arms by the end of the night.

But my father didn't share my enthusiasm. He believed that finding a mate couldn't be rushed and that the Goddess would grant me my mate when the time was right. I couldn't accept that. I had seen how it worked for my parents. My mother was the Beta's daughter, and they had been in love since he turned 18.

All I wanted was to hold my mate and love her from the moment I found her until the day I died. I had been so confident that I would find her at the party that I had cleaned out half my closet for her and changed my duvet to a neutral blue with white pillows to make our room feel like hers too.

At the party, I circled the room multiple times, hoping my wolf would pick up the scent of my mate. But after two hours, frustration and disappointment took over. I could feel my hands shaking, and I knew I had to leave before I shifted in front of everyone.

I left the party with Jason, Charles, and Newgate, who insisted on running with me. While I could have cared less if they stayed, I appreciated their company. My frustration was high, and I ended up snapping at the pack for every little thing. I was so sure she was at the party, but instead, I was left alone in a half-empty room. It was a constant reminder that I still needed to find her. Even the thought of going to school and dealing with post-party drama made me want to skip it altogether, but finishing school was a requirement before officially taking over the pack. The pack was on edge because of my frustration, so I needed to find a way to apologize. Maybe a barbecue would do the trick since we wolves love our meat. I arrived at my first class with Newgate, wanting to avoid any drama and not have anyone hanging off my arm. All those girls drove me crazy, and the only reason I tolerated them was on the chance that one of them was my mate. Thankfully, none of them were. I shuddered to think what would happen if someone like annoying Ashley ended up being my mate.

As I walked towards the classroom, an incredible aroma reached my nose. It was a delightful blend of caramel and apples that caused my inner wolf to stir with anticipation. I recognized the scent immediately and my heart began to race with excitement. The one I had been searching for was near, my mate had finally arrived!