WOLFLESS

//Rose POV//

I was jilted out of my reverie by a maid who had come to inform me that I had a guest. Two years had passed since my engagement to Sebastian was announced and it had been the toughest two years of my life.

Tomorrow, I will be turning sixteen, and it is the day I am expected to experience my first shift. I couldn't wait to meet my wolf and I hoped she would be as big as Sebastian's so I could compliment him as his mate.

I looked up as the door opened but my heart leaped when Sebastian walked in. His mysterious eyes, which usually left me curious, were now as open as a sheet and the amount of hate they carried towards me was vivid.

Despite the emotions, a smile impulsively crawled to my lips. I was happy to see him, it had been weeks since I last saw him and it took all my willpower to stop myself from going to hug him.

His height towered above me and his thin lips were pressed so tightly, it highlighted his jaw.

“Of course, you'll be here, you're a spoilt little brat who knows how to do nothing for herself,” he sneered. When he took a step, I almost found myself retreating, fearing that he was going to strike me but instead, he slid behind me.

His words confused me.

“Did I do something wrong?” I asked, holding my breath as I felt his heat behind me.

“It's your birthday tomorrow but I don't see you helping out in the preparation. Is life, to you, having things done for you by others? Does it make you feel like a princess?”

“Mother said-

He cackled, “Now you're making excuses. Do you not know how to take the blame for your actions?”

I knew where he was heading with the discussion and it made my legs grow weak. It had been two years already but why was I surprised that he still blamed me for the disappearance of Leah?

“Seb, I-

“I can't imagine a life with you, Rose. Just the sight of you makes me mad. Our mateship can never happen, I came to tell you that.”

He was breaking off the engagement?

Sebastian started to walk away but my hand grabbed his sleeve, stopping him.

I felt his palm fold and I blinked rapidly to fight back the tears, he didn't say anything but I knew he hated the feel of my hand on his skin.

“What's wrong with me?” I asked, “If you will tell me, I will change. I will work hard to be the best mate for you. I don't care if you hate me, I just want to be yours.”

As though he had waited his entire life for this moment, he cruelly yanked my hand off him.

“Disappear.” He replied, "As long as Leah is not here, I don't want you to be here either! I wish I never have to see your face again, Rose. I mean it.”

And with that, he stomped out of my room. I gave in to my weak knees and broke into tears.

I gripped my burning chest and cried my eyes out.

I would have thought nothing else could break me as hard as Seb's rejection until my 16th birthday. I didn't shift. While everyone else my age got their wolves and basked in its howls as the elders cheered, I didn't get mine.

My heart raced in my chest as night started to close in but there was no transformation. I felt ordinary and empty, and everyone's desperate gazes at me didn't make me feel any better.

It was my birthday and I was the center of attraction, werewolves from far and near graced the occasion due to Nigel's influence but all I felt was embarrassment.

I wished the ground would open and swallow me up.

"Honey, do you not feel anything?" My mother asked me for the umpteenth time. I had never seen her look so disappointed.

I shook my head, clamping my jaw and feeling rejected.

The whispers came and with every minute that ticked by, my mother got more and more disappointed.

"How can you not feel anything?!" Her voice got harsher, "Are you telling me you're wolfless!" Her whisper came with a brunt.

"I-I...

I couldn't bring myself to utter a proper sentence.

"You have to find it, Rose. Do you know how embarrassing it will be for the family if you are wolfless?" Her voice got thicker with anger, "You will become a nobody! A worthless omega! You have to get your wolf no matter what or you will be a disgrace." Her face got pale with worry.

Everyone watched as the night got thicker and I was still standing, feeling empty.

My mother stomped out in anger, seeing that her words had no effect on me.

Unable to take the embarrassment, I ran out of the hall.

I was grateful that Sebastian didn't attend the ceremony, how would I have faced him?

I had hoped to get a big wolf and impress him but now I had nothing.

I clamped the door shut and hugged my knees, refusing to cry. It was still night, so I can't give up yet.

She will come. I have to hope that she will.

There was a tingle. It transported from my core up to my nostrils and I perceived a sweet smell. I held my legs together as an arousal kicked in and my senses diverted towards the intoxicating smell. It was familiar but I couldn't place where the familiarity came from. It was so dominant yet inviting and I felt an irresistible urge to wallow in the kindling sensation.

Could it be my wolf? My mother had explained the process to me, it was supposed to be painful, but this was a different feeling. I didn't feel pain at all.

Impulsively, my body moved and I felt my feet moving towards the door to locate the inviting scent when my door went open and Sebastian walked in.

We both appeared shocked to see each other and it took a moment for me to realize what was happening.

Sebastian is my mate. No, not an arranged mate but my actual destined mate from the moon goddess!

The desire in his eyes quickly vanished and before I could speak, his palm moved to cover my lips. I could see how much he was fighting the urge to succumb to our attraction.

"No one must know." He grumbled, his eyes darkening. "If you say a word to my father or anyone else, I will reject you and make your life miserable."

I gulped in fear, nodding my tiny head.

He released me, turning his back and cussing under his breath.

"I can't believe it's you, the moon goddess must hate me," he scoffed, "a wolfless mate? I'd rather die!"

The tears I've been holding back finally rolled off my cheek.

"It's all your fault!" He faced me, glaring. "My life was perfect until you came in. I should never have been nice to you!" He gritted.

I quickly shoot my gaze down, letting the tears fall.

"B-b-but the bond-" I tried to remind him.

"I'm leaving for the capital in two days, as long as I'm away from you, the attraction will naturally break off." He sounded relieved. "Say a word to anyone, and I will make you disappear like Leah, I promise you."