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Vanessa’s POV

I never paid much attention to not fitting in with the pack; after all, my mother always assured me that one day I'd find my mate and leave. Whenever she catches me lost in thought, she reminds me of this, her words a comforting mantra in the face of rejection.

I've never understood why they dislike me, but it's never bothered me much.

Today marks my eighteenth birthday, and the Alpha and Luna have taken it upon themselves to celebrate in their grand mansion. As the pack gathers around, grinning and singing the birthday song, I watch from the sidelines, a silent observer amidst the joyful chaos. Some capture the moment with their phones, preserving the memory for posterity. I'm aware that most of them only tolerate me because I'm the Beta's daughter and have a good relationship with the Alpha's family. And let's not forget, Alfie, the Alpha's only son, and his twin sister, Amelia, are my best friends. It's almost as if they're compelled to befriend me too.

Alfie and Amelia often tell me to ignore the pack's opinion of me. According to them, the rest of the pack has nothing better to do than make my life miserable simply because I'm their friend.

While their reasoning seems plausible, I'm not naïve enough to believe they hate me solely because I'm close to the Alpha's children. The real reason, I suspect, is because I still haven't shifted into my wolf form, even though it usually happens by the age of sixteen. My mother insists I be patient, assuring me that good things are coming, but deep down, I can't shake the feeling that the pack resents me for it.

But enough of that – today is my birthday, and I'm hoping I would finally unlock my wolf and find my mate. Despite my longing to leave the pack, a part of me secretly hoped that Alfie, my best friend and confidant, would be the one. He understood me like no one else and had always been there for me.

"Happy birthday, Nessa," Luna Frida warm voice broke through my thoughts as she kissed my cheek, exchanging a playful cake-filled gesture. Grateful for her kindness, I beamed at her, knowing she had something special in store for me.

True to her word, Luna Frida hinted at a surprise gift awaiting me after the celebrations. She radiated kindness and warmth, much like her children, Alfie and Amelia. Rumor had it that she had chosen Alpha Alexander as her mate after reaching thirty without finding her own, a decision he gladly accepted despite their significant age difference.

As the festivities continued, Alpha Alexander presented me with a gift wrapped in my favorite color. His affectionate gesture touched me deeply, reminding me of the bond we shared despite his authoritative role in the pack.

After the exchange of gifts and well-wishes, the festivities continued with classmates offering their presents, albeit with forced smiles. However, the atmosphere shifted abruptly when a wave of dizziness swept over me, sharpening my senses and stirring a primal instinct I couldn't comprehend.

The sudden commotion drew attention, with the Alpha's urgent warning ringing in my ears as my father and mother reacted with a mix of concern and anticipation. Ignoring their attempts to approach me, a growl escaped my throat as I fled to the solitude of the woods behind the mansion.

Tears blurred my vision as I sought refuge among the trees, the weight of the unknown pressing down on me. With my knees drawn to my chest, I attempted to soothe the turmoil within, feeling the strange sensation ebb away as swiftly as it had emerged. Despite the relief, a lingering unease remained, signaling that my journey was far from over.

As I sat there, grappling with the newfound clarity of my senses, a voice gently whispered within me, addressing me by name. Startled, I glanced around, but found no physical presence.

"I am your wolf, silly. My name is Evie," the voice echoed in my mind, a feminine warmth accompanying its words.

My initial shock gave way to a blush of embarrassment, followed by an incredulous laugh. A wolf? Me? It seemed preposterous, yet there was undeniable truth in Evie's words.

"Why am I not in wolf form?" I pondered aloud, unable to contain my curiosity.

Evie's response was laced with amusement. "Yes, you do, and you should probably stop screaming before I turn deaf," she quipped, her presence a comforting presence amidst the uncertainty of my newfound reality.

"Nice to meet you, Evie, but why haven't I shifted yet?" I questioned, my voice trembling with excitement and uncertainty.

"I will explain this to you later, our mate is somewhere near," she responded cryptically, her presence comforting yet enigmatic.

The mention of a mate sent a jolt of anticipation through me, and I rose to my feet, my legs wobbly with the newfound revelation.

Mate? I scanned the area behind the tree, where the mansion and the party were in full swing. Alfie, Amelia, and the others stood outside, their gazes fixed on me, waiting for the transformation that never came.

Evie's voice echoed in my mind with a mixture of growls and purrs, causing a momentary dizziness. "MATE!"

Disappointment and mockery painted the faces of those staring at me, expecting a transformation that never occurred. The Alpha's expression shifted from confusion to understanding, while the Luna and my parents watched with concern etched upon their features. Alfie halted, his eyes distant in the darkness. When he reopened them, a whirlwind of emotions swept through me. I knew he was my mate; Evie's focus had been solely on him since she mentioned the word "mate." But the myriad of emotions in Alfie's eyes left me reeling, as if I were facing a stranger. Why did he seem so distant, so unwilling to be here with me? Despite the certainty that his wolf had acknowledged our bond, he remained silent. His avoidance became apparent as he turned back toward the house without a word, slipping away unnoticed amidst the crowd's attention on me. My heart shattered at his retreat. I had expected him to be overjoyed upon discovering I was his mate. As he walked away, doubts swirled in my mind. Hadn't he dreamt of finding his mate since he turned eighteen months ago? Was he really going to walk away from me now that he'd found me?

Without a second thought, I gathered my gown and chased after him in my heels. No one attempted to stop me, assuming my haste was due to embarrassment at not having changed. But that wasn't the case at all—I needed answers.

I found him walking into the darkened streets and called out his name, but he ignored me, continuing as if he couldn't bear to be near me for a moment longer.

"Alfie, stop!" I yelled, kicking off my heels and following him barefoot.

He didn't respond, so I sprinted after him with my shorter stride, determined to catch up. When I finally stood in front of him, he attempted to sidestep me, but I refused to let him evade me. My heart sank as Alfie's words hit me like a physical blow. "You're my mate, Alfie. Why are you running away?" I managed to ask, my voice thick with confusion.

For a moment, he seemed reluctant to respond, then he clenched his jaw and spoke, his words cutting through me like a knife. "Because, damn it, I don't want you! I don't want the burden of having you as my mate. There's someone else I want, and it's not you. You can't be my mate. Never."

His declaration shattered me, my entire world crumbling before my eyes. The determination in his gaze, the rejection from the boy I'd grown up with and longed for—it was unbearable.

"You're a liability, Vanessa," he continued, his words slicing through me. "You haven't shifted yet, and who knows if you ever will."I can't have a weakling as my mate when I'm destined to lead as the alpha," he declared, his directness nearly breaking me.

I struggled to find words, my throat constricting with the weight of his rejection. "Alf..." I started, but my voice faltered. What could I possibly say to him?

"Don't," he interrupted, taking a step back. "I, Alfie Black, reject you, Vanessa Grey, as my mate and future Luna." With those final words, he sidestepped me, leaving without a backward glance.

And I let him go, feeling utterly shattered in his wake.