Her Mate

The full moon grew brighter above the palace, its silvery light cutting through the darkness like a blade. Selene wiped her tears with the back of her hand and slowly stood up. The cold night wind tugged at her wine-soaked uniform, making her shiver. She moved closer to the stone railing and peeked down at the courtyard below.

The celebration had moved outside. Torches lit up the area, and a large crowd had gathered in a wide circle. At the center stood Elara, surrounded by their parents and Prince Kai. The atmosphere was electric with excitement as they watch her, it was the moment that everyone has been waiting for, the moment she will finally have her first shift as a wolf, every wolf look forward to this particular day.

“It’s time!” someone shouted. “The moon is at its peak!”

Elara stepped forward, her fair skin glowing under the moonlight. She closed her eyes, breathing deeply as the first shift of adulthood began. Her body started to tremble. Bones cracked and shifted with loud snaps. Her elegant white gown tore as fur sprouted across her skin. Within seconds, a stunning white wolf stood proudly in her place, elegant, majestic, and glowing like fresh snow under the moon.

Gasps of awe and thunderous cheers erupted from the crowd.

“Beautiful!”

“What a magnificent wolf!”

“Truly blessed by the Moon Goddess!”

Their father stepped forward, chest puffed with pride. “My daughter! The pride of our family!” He placed a hand on the white wolf’s head as it howled beautifully into the night. Their mother clapped with tears of joy in her eyes. Even Prince Kai smiled as he watched Elara’s wolf prance around the circle, basking in the admiration.

Selene watched everything from above, her heart sinking deeper with every cheer.

She stepped back from the railing and closed her eyes. The full moon’s pull was strong tonight. Every wolf her age felt the call to shift for the first time. Maybe… just maybe…

She focused hard, willing her wolf to awaken. She waited for the familiar crack of bones, the rush of power, the surge of freedom she had heard so many others describe.

Nothing.

Seconds turned into minutes. She tried again, clenching her fists until her nails dug into her palms. Still nothing. No stir. No wolf. Only silence inside her.

The realization crashed over her like a wave of ice-cold water.

She had no wolf. She really was cursed.

A broken sob tore from her throat. All these years, she had held onto one small hope, that when she turned eighteen, her wolf would finally appear and prove everyone wrong. Maybe her dark skin wasn’t a curse after all. That she could finally belong somewhere.

But that hope had just died. Selene staggered backward until her back hit the cold stone wall. Her legs gave out, and she slid down to the floor. The distant cheers and howls from below felt like knives in her chest. Everyone was celebrating Elara’s perfect shift while she sat here, empty, broken, and completely alone.

“I can’t do this anymore,” she whispered, voice trembling. “I can’t keep living like this.”

Fresh tears burned her eyes as she pushed herself up. Her movements felt numb, distant, like she was watching someone else. She walked slowly to the edge of the tower balcony. The drop was long and deadly. Sharp rocks waited far below.

She climbed onto the wide stone ledge, her bare feet balancing carefully on the edge. The wind howled around her, pulling at her soaked clothes. She spread her arms slightly, feeling the cold air on her dark skin.

“Happy birthday, Selene,” she said softly, her voice barely audible. “At least now… the pain will stop.”

She closed her eyes, took one last shaky breath, and leaned forward. She jumped.

For a split second, she felt weightless, free.

Then a strong arm wrapped around her waist like iron and yanked her back with brutal force. Selene gasped sharply as her body slammed against a hard, muscular chest. She was pulled away from the edge and dragged onto the safety of the tower floor.

Her eyes flew open in shock.

Prince Kai stood over her, breathing heavily, his stormy gray eyes wide with a mixture of anger and disbelief. His large hand still gripped her arm tightly.

“What the hell do you think you’re doing?!” he growled, voice low and furious.

"I....I ...I"

Selene stared at him, too stunned to speak. Their faces were only inches apart. The moment their skin touched, a powerful spark shot through both of them, warm, electric, and undeniable. It spread through her veins like liquid fire, awakening something deep inside her soul.

Kai’s eyes widened. His grip loosened slightly, but he didn’t let go.

Selene’s lips trembled as the words slipped out in a broken whisper.

“M-Mate…” The word hung heavy in the air between them.

Kai froze. For one heartbeat, something flickered in his eyes: shock, confusion… and then raw disgust. He released her arm as if she had burned him and stepped back quickly.

Selene remained on the floor, chest heaving, staring up at the boy she had admired for so long. The mate bond pulsed strongly between them now, impossible to ignore.

But the look on Kai’s face told her everything she needed to know. Even the Moon Goddess had made a cruel mistake.

Kai stared down at her for a long moment, his stormy gray eyes filled with shock that quickly melted into cold disgust. The mate bond pulsed strongly between them, warm, alive, and undeniable. Selene’s heart raced as she waited for him to say something. Anything.

But he didn’t.

Without a single word, Prince Kai released her arm as though touching her repulsed him. He turned sharply on his heel and walked away, disappearing down the stairs toward the bright lights and loud celebration below. He didn’t look back. Not even once.