Mate!

The sunlight broke through the curtains and brushed against my face, but it brought me no warmth. I sighed heavily, forcing myself to sit up on the bed. Another day. Another routine. Another cycle of pain and disappointment.

“Morning, Cordia,” I mumbled groggily, waiting for her usual playful remark, her sarcasm, or at least her sigh. Silence answered me.

I blinked, frowning. Normally, Cordia woke before me, always the one dragging me through my days. But this time, there was nothing.

The memory of her last words came back, slicing through my chest like a blade. 'Clary, I’m here. Please, stop crying… it makes me weak, be strong, Clary.'

Her voice had been faint, broken.

My heart lurched. 'Oh Goddess, no…'

“Cordia?” I whispered, my voice trembling as my heart raced. I closed my eyes and reached for her, shouting inside my mind. 'Cordia! Please answer me! Please…'

But there was nothing. No laughter. No scolding. Not even a whisper.

Tears burned my eyes, but I bit my lip hard, forcing them back. If I cried, she might slip further away. “Don’t leave me,” I begged under my breath, clutching my chest. “Please come back… I need you.”

Minutes passed. Silence. Only silence.

I stayed frozen, numb, my body refusing to move. I couldn’t tell if I was alive or already dead inside. But eventually, the thought of punishment dragged me back to reality. Excuses were never accepted in this house.

If I didn’t work, I’d pay for it.

Dragging myself out of bed, I began my chores like a puppet with its strings cut. My hands moved, mopping the floor, scrubbing here and there, but my mind was hollow. What could hurt me more than losing the only one who ever stayed by my side?

“Clary!” My mother’s sharp voice cracked through the air.

I dropped the mop and hurried toward her, finding her standing in the bathroom doorway, tapping her foot impatiently.

“The shampoo’s empty. Go buy some things for the house,” she ordered without even looking at me.

I nodded mutely and walked to my room, retrieving the few bills from my drawer. Dad gave me small allowance each month. Andrea, of course, had her golden card. She could buy the whole town if she wished, while I counted coins just to replace shampoo.

Stepping out, I walked down the road toward the market, the air thick with whispers. The villagers’ voices reached me.

“…the games are coming…”

“…can’t wait to see who’s strongest this year…”

“…my son’s training day and night…”

I lowered my head and kept walking, pretending not to hear. They didn’t talk to me, not really. They never did.

Inside the store, I approached the counter. “Hi, can I get a bottle of shampoo and—”

*TOOOOOOT! TOOOOOOT!*

The deafening sound of the siren cut me off.

“Announcement!” A voice boomed from the speakers scattered around the village. “A game will be held next month. All children ages eighteen to thirty are required to participate. No exceptions. This game will showcase the strength and potential of every family. Be prepared!”

The chatter outside rose instantly, cheers, laughter, excitement buzzing through the air. For them, it was an honor. For them, it was glory. For me, it was nothing but another nightmare waiting to swallow me whole.

If Cordia were here, she would have raged, shouting that I was strong enough. But now… without her, I felt like half a corpse.

Would the games change my life? Or just prove to the world that I was worthless?

I took the shampoo and paid silently.

As I walked back, I saw the faces of the villagers glowing with anticipation. Their eyes sparkled, their voices boomed with confidence. And me? I was invisible, as though I didn’t exist.

---

Weeks passed. Then a month.

Cordia never spoke again.

Every day I woke to silence. Every night I cried into my pillow, begging the Goddess to return her to me. My wolf, my other half, my strength... gone.

Without her, I was only skin and bone.

And as if that pain wasn’t enough, I hadn’t seen Xylo since that night. Andrea never let him come close again. She clung to him like vines to a tree, while I was left starving for even a glimpse.

“Clary! Where the hell are you!?” Andrea’s voice shrieked from downstairs.

I sighed, staring into the mirror. For once, I let myself admire the reflection. Braided black hair, my lips naturally rosy, tan skin that glowed faintly. My fitted black shirt and jeans, topped with a leather jacket, gave me at least some dignity.

No one else would praise me. So I had to love myself.

Still, I was the “weak one.” Boys stared sometimes, but none stayed. None wanted the burden of a mate who couldn’t fight. Only Darren had stayed… but even with him, something inside me had shifted.

“Clary!” Andrea shrieked again.

Grabbing my archer and arrows, I ran downstairs. She was on her knees, searching the floor.

“What is it?” I asked flatly.

“My sunglasses! They were here! Did you steal them!?”

“They’re on your head.”

Her hand shot up and touched them. When her fingers brushed the frame, her eyes narrowed. “What? You want to laugh at me?”

I shook my head and walked away. My chest was too empty to feel anger anymore. Maybe death would be kinder.

---

I walked to the gymnasium alone. My family left in their shiny car, dressed to perfection. Of course, I wasn’t allowed to ride with them. A shame like me couldn’t be seen beside them.

When I arrived, the building was overflowing with people. The air was heavy with excitement and the smell of wolves. Families grouped together, their colors bold. Silver for Axes, blue for Daggers, red for Swordsmen, black for Archery.

And above them all, the leaders in white.

But my eyes searched for only one.

Where was he? Why couldn’t I sense him? Why did I ache to see him so desperately?

“Looking for me, babe?” a familiar voice asked.

I turned, finding Darren smiling at me. The sight should have lifted me. Once, it would have. But now… it didn’t.

I forced a smile. “Hi, babe. How are you?”

He tilted his head. “Are you okay? You don’t seem happy to see me.”

“I’m happy!” I lied, hugging him quickly, holding on a little longer to cover the emptiness. “I missed you.”

“I missed you too, Clary.” He squeezed me back.

I pulled away, preparing to ask about his mission. But then—

“Before we begin,” the announcer’s voice boomed across the hall, “let us welcome the almighty Alpha of Homer Mountain Pack… Xylo Crosswind!”

My world stopped.

My heart pounded, heat rushing through me in waves, my face burning. My breath caught as the stage lights revealed him. The most powerful, the most handsome man I had ever seen.

The scent that had haunted my dreams filled the air again.

And inside me, after endless silence, a single voice broke through.

'Mate!' Cordia cried in bliss.