Chapter 1

Selena's POV

“None of you are allowed to come back without a mate. I know without a doubt that Serena would find hers so this warning is for you Selena.” My father said as his greedy eyes roamed over the males, taking note of the ones from worthy homes.

“Find someone else to attach yourself to so we can finally be rid of you.” My mother said, her voice cold and her eyes sharp.

“Yes mother,” I murmured and made my escape.

Ugly. Fat. Disgusting.

The whispers followed me everywhere, I held my head down and clutched my purse tightly to my chest as I walked around the clearing looking for my twin sister among the crowd. 

“She's so ugly, I don't know how she can stand to look at herself in the mirror.” A girl said, mocking laughter followed her words.

I don't look at myself in the mirror anymore! I wanted to scream but I kept my mouth shut and my head bowed. Talking only made it worse. I had learned that in my first year, or was it my second?

A body slammed into me, and I flinched hard and dropped my purse. Thankfully, the ground was dry and not muddy.

“Watch where you're going, fat ass. I pity the poor bloke that would get you as his mate tonight.” The guy sneered, his friends jeered and hooted in response.

Out of everything I had heard, it was the last sentence that had my eyes watering. They had hit on my biggest insecurity, that my mate wouldn't want someone as chubby as me.

I sighed sadly and bent down to pick up my purse but a tanned muscled hand beat me to it. Golden hair was all I saw as the owner helped me pick up my books. The person straightened and blue eyes bore into mine with a dimpled smile.

“Hey, you dropped this.” His beautiful voice came out deep and husky, a faint lilt of an accent shining true.

My cheeks flamed, my mouth opened and closed simultaneously but no word came out. Roland Keller, the son of the current Alpha and the one in line for the title.

He was everything a girl wanted and more, he was charming and incredibly gorgeous, to top it off, he was down-to-earth. He was humble and he didn't let his title go to his head.

‘Crush’ was too little a word to describe what I felt for him, I had been in love with him from elementary school, ever since I sat behind him on the first day. He has been the star of my every fantasy but he was always friendly, just shy of polite to me.

I desperately hoped we would turn out to be mates tonight, I wanted nothing more.

“T-thank y-you.” I stuttered quietly and collected my purse from him.

“I'm glad you came tonight.” He said cheerfully, I couldn't miss the event if I wanted to and I didn't want to.

The gathering was an annual mate ceremony where wolves that have come of age find their mates, it was the only day in the year where you could find your mate as it was the day when the moon was closest to the earth and this year, it was finally my turn to have what would be either the best night of my life or the worst.

“M-me too.” I wished desperately that I had something witty or funny to add but I had never been much of a conversationalist. The moment passed and I sighed in despair. 

“I'm sorry I have to go, I can see my father waving me over. Enjoy your night.” He shot a blinding grin at me and ruffled my hair, I gave him a shy smile in return.

I watched him go, drooling over his broad shoulders and muscled arms. Those arms could crush me like a walnut and I'll die happy, I giggled.

“There is only one person that would put that sappy grin on your face and sadly, it isn't me.” I turned to look at the owner of the voice.

I blushed, “I w-wasn't staring a-at him.”

My twin, Serena grinned mischievously at me, “I didn't say you were. You know, I don't know what you actually see in him, he's not that pretty.” She waved a dismissive hand.

I gasped and smacked her shoulder playfully, “Are you kidding? He's gorgeous.”

She rubbed her shoulder and pouted, “Alright! You didn't have to hit me that hard.” I grinned at her but it faltered when I heard someone whisper Fat pig.

Serena's expression hardened and she turned to glare at the girl, “anorexic bitch.” She said venomously, the girl's eyes widened and she scurried away. No one wanted to deal with an angry Serena. 

“Serena, you didn't have to,” I said, my voice weary. Serena had been my biggest defender since we both finally escaped puberty, only I came out still chubby and with a lot of baby fat, and she came out with a banging hot body.

People loved comparing us together. I had heard it all, the hot one and the fat one, the ugly duckling and the beautiful Swan, and my personal favourite, Beauty and Piggy.

“I know that expression, Selena, you look amazing tonight and any guy would be lucky to have you.” She pinched my cheeks. 

I opened my mouth to speak but the howls began, it was finally time. The moon was at its closest distance to the Earth, and it was time for mates to sense each other.

My veins thrummed with a mixture of anticipation, anxiety, and excitement. The breeze carried the loveliest scent of coffee and peppermint, I gasped and turned around, bouncing on my toes to get a glimpse of the owner of that scent.

My eyes scanned the crowd till they fell on Roland, when our gaze met, I knew without a doubt.

“Mate.” We both said simultaneously but where my joy and happiness could be seen on my face, I watched as a myriad of emotions passed through his face, disappointment, regret….disgust.

The world tilted.

“Selena, have you seen your mate?” My mother asked, surprised. I hadn't heard my parents approach but I gave no thought to them as I watched Roland approach us with his parents, the current Alpha and Luna. 

“The fat one?!” The Alpha's voice carried easily and my heart sliced into two as I watched Roland's face contort into an expression of shame. 

Soon, the trio reached us and for a moment there was silence as my family and I bowed in respect. Roland stopped before me, his jaw clenched and his gaze not meeting mine. 

Every second of tense silence was like a dagger in my heart and I chanted a series of pleas to the moon goddess in my head.

Please, let him accept me.

“Well, this wouldn't do. Son, she looks even bigger up close.” His father exclaimed, his tone cold and disappointed. Roland winced and shot me a glare, there was no hint of the charming boy I knew.

“A Luna is meant to be graceful and elegant not…”His mother sniffed, her nose up in the air, “not this.” Disdain and disgust dripped from her words.

Every word felt like a blow to my heart, I kept still, waiting for Roland to come to my defense like a good mate. I sent a pleading gaze to him but all I got was an icy stare in return but I still held faith in my heart.

He sighed and his gaze softened with something that looked like self-loathing, “I'm sorry Selena, you're not just Luna material,” His gaze shifted to the person beside me, “And I'm in love with another.”

There was a ringing in my ears as time slowed and my world came to a standstill, “W-what?” I choked out, dazed.

Regret shone in his eyes but his voice came out firm, “Under the moon goddess, I reject Selena Roberts as my mate and take Serena Roberts as my chosen.”

My world exploded in pain…