Chapter 1 (Lana) – The Day When My Life Fell Apart…

The sound of the alarm echoes on the field as a signal that the tournament against the Cold Water pack has finally concluded. Loud shouts of cheers can be heard as everyone celebrates the end of the friendly match with the Cold Water pack.  And as expected, Purple Hill rose victorious. I searched the crowd for my friends, especially my best friend Nori.

I still remember Drake’s announcement last month, about having an MVP for the winning team. And whoever won the MVP title will be granted a wish. The sky was the limit for the wish and it doesn't matter what kind of wish you have as long as it was not to kill anyone. But in the end, the Alphas of the Cold Water Creek and Purple Hill will be the ones to decide if the wish that you have is within reason.

I stopped raking the crowd when I saw Nori, celebrating with his teammates. The conversation that we had that night when we sat on the bench by the lake a month before the tournament sneaked into my mind.

*****

“You know what I will wish for if I become an MVP?” Nori asks.

“Honestly,” I started to say, “I don’t really know,” I told him truthfully. 

He turned and looked at me and gave me a small smile. 

“I am not as powerful as Leon, or as rich as Calvin,” Nori said, as he continues to look at me, “Or as gifted as Drake. But I promised myself that whoever I chose as my Chosen Mate will always feel that she is loved.”

“I believe that you will be a good mate,” I said shyly, unable to meet his eyes. 

“You think so?” Nori asks, and I don’t have to turn to know that he is smiling.

“Yes,” I whispered. 

“I can’t wait to win,” Nori said excitedly. 

*****

Nori has been my best friend since I was six. Ever since then we were inseparable. He’s been my partner in crime and my most trusted confidant. And not only that, but he was also my protector. He turned my weakness into strengths, my fears into something worthless.

There was nothing more that I wanted but to be Nori’s Chosen Mate. We have been friends for a long time but I know since we were young that what I feel was more than that.

I don’t know when it started, but I can also feel and sense that he feels the same way toward me. The way he cares about me and the way he always makes sure that I was safe. The way he listens to everything that I say and the way he prioritizes me above anything else.

I was a few feet closer to him when Calvin blocked my way. 

“Hey Bitch,” he said. 

“Well, hello there bitch,” I said smiling at him.

Don’t get me wrong. Calvin is not an enemy but a friend. We’ve been friends since Nori and I became friends because Nori and Calvin were best friends way before they met me.

“So,” Calvin said, “I’ve heard that Nori might be the MVP for this tournament.”

“Oh my god,” I said excitedly, “I think the same thing.” 

“I’m dying to know what would be Nori will ask for his MVP’s wish,” Calvin exclaimed, “Where the hell is that guy anyway?”

“He’ll be here,” I told him smiling.

“Oh! There he is,” Calvin said as he waved his hand in the air and shouted Nori’s name, “Nori!, Here!” he said, asking Nori to come to us. Nori nodded but I noticed that there was something different with the way he looks right now.

“So,” Calvin started to say once Nori was standing with us, “What would you wish for when they announce you being the MVP?’

Nori just looked at him and smiled.

I don’t know why but I can’t wait for Nori to claim his prize. But what would make this moment, even more, better is to have my twin sister with me. I want to share this special moment with the people that I love. This reminds me, I haven’t seen my sister since the tournament ended.

“Have you seen Dana?” I asked Calvin. As I try to search the crowd for my twin sister. Dana is a bit new with tournaments but she is getting a hang of it. I am so proud of my sister, not only because she is the Chosen One, but also because she had finally gotten out of her comfort zone. She had been stuck for a long time in Purpura and I am happy that she is now hanging out with me as I do the thing that I love.

Calvin gave me a nudge as he nodded to my right. I saw my sister walking towards us and I waved at her to get her attention. 

“Where have you been?” I asked her.

“Just at the back,” she replied. 

“They are about to announce the MVP,” I said eagerly. Dana knows how much I love Nori. It was one of the things that we bonded with before going to sleep. She was always excited to hear about my stories and has always supported my love for Nori. That’s why I never stopped until our parents allowed her to finally get out of Purpura. 

“Without further adieu, let me announce Purple Hill’s MVP,” Drake’s dad said smiling, and the crowd became quiet. 

“It’s no other than, Purple Hill’s top warrior, Nori!” Drake’s Dad announced. 

The crowd broke into cheers. As Nori slowly walked on stage.

“Okay, Mr. MVP,” Drake’s dad said smiling, “What is it that you wish for?” 

Nori looked my way, and I couldn’t help but smile. This was the moment that I had been waiting for. Finally, after so many years, I will be with the man that I love. I nervously held onto Dana’s hand as I try to calm my restless heart.

Nori stood there on stage silently, but his eyes never looked away from me.

“Nori?” Drake’s dad called him out and his eyes closed. The moment that he opened them, his expression changed once again. 

“I wish to choose my Chosen Mate,” Nori said, but this time was not looking at me. 

“Finally!” Drake’s dad said excitedly, “And who is this lucky girl or boy?” Drake’s dad teases. 

“My Chosen Mate is no other than,” Nori pauses for a few seconds and then said the word that I never expected to hear from him, “Dana.”

Everyone around me became quiet for a second. 

“Wait, just to be sure,” Drake’s dad asks as he turned the crowd and found me, “You said Dana, right?” 

“Yes,” Nori replied looking at Dana this time and not me, “My Chosen Mate is Dana.”

“Alright,” Drake’s dad said, “Well, come here and join your Alpha, Dana.” 

Dana let go of my hand and said, “I’m sorry,” before going up on stage. 

My eyes were glued on the stage as I watched Nori put his arms around my twin sister’s shoulder. I hear people talk behind my back but I was in so much shock to even react. 

“Calvin,” I heard Drake call Calvin’s name but what they talked about next became murmurs. 

I hear everyone congratulating my best friend whom I love so much and my sister that means so much to me and I feel like I am drowning even if I was not in the water. My world is falling apart and the only person who could save me was the reason behind it. 

I clenched my chest as I try to open it and take out my heart which was in so much pain right now it was making it hard for me to breathe. 

“Lana,” I hear Calvin calling out my name.

But I did not respond. I need to get out of here, fast. I move my foot but I almost lost my balance.

“Lana,” Drake shouted. 

I didn’t listen, I need to get out of here. I need to get away from here. I started running without a destination in mind. I just need to get away from all the pain.