Chapter 1: Jane.

I woke up to the faint golden light of morning slipping through my curtains. For a few seconds, I just lay there, staring at the ceiling, wishing I could go back to sleep and forget what day it was.

With a quiet sigh, I reached to the side table and picked up my glasses. Carefully, I slid them onto my nose, blinking as the blurry world slowly came into focus. Everything looked the same—my small room, my neatly arranged books, the graduation gown hanging on the closet door.

But today wasn’t just any day. It was my graduation from Blackwood High. I know I should be happy and excited about it. Finally, I'll be leaving that hell hole called high school, but unfortunately, I'm not happy. I actually felt miserable.

Most wolves in our pack woke up on graduation day excited, proud, maybe even nervous. But I, Jane Holloway, the weakest wolf in my class, only felt a dull ache in my chest. Unlike my other schoolmates, I haven’t gotten a mate.

My best friends, Annie and Drake, had chosen each other during the last full moon. It had been beautiful and magical—the whole pack gathered under the silver glow of the moon as they sealed their bond. Everyone had cheered. Everyone except me.

Even though I expected it, I was still sad that no one chose me. No one even looked my way.

Now, whenever I saw my schoolmates walking around hand in hand, whispering sweet things to each other, I always felt a tiny sting in my heart. Especially when it was Annie and Drake. They were always laughing, always smiling, always glowing in that annoying, lovey-dovey way mates did.

I was happy for them. Truly, I was. But it still sucked big time.

It sucked seeing them every single day, knowing I don't have what they have and might never have it.

I pushed the blanket off me and sluggishly got out of bed. I dragged myself to the bathroom, brushed my teeth, washed my face, and tied my hair into a simple ponytail. My glasses slid slightly down my nose as I got dressed in my uniform for the last time.

Blackwood High; the place where I had spent years being the smallest, the weakest, the most overlooked wolf in class. Everyone looked down on me for two reasons. First, I was really short. I barely came up to a 5ft1, and everyone in my pack who are not kids towered over me.

Secondly, I was the weakest wolf in the history of werewolves. I could barely transform without feeling immersed pain. My parents thought I would get used to the transformation eventually, but unfortunately, I never did, so I stopped transforming entirely.

It's been years since then, and many of my pack members hardly counted me as one of the wolves. Most of them don't even know me. I was that invisible to them.

With a sigh, I grabbed my bag and headed downstairs. The smell of pancakes and eggs filled the house. My family was already seated at the breakfast table.

“Good morning, sleepyhead!” My Dad beamed the moment he saw me. His brown eyes sparkled in that mischievous and goofy manner that made him look like he was younger than his 42-year-olds.

I forced a small smile and took a seat beside him. “Morning, Dad.”

Dad's eyes shone with pride. Although I was as weak as a puppy, my Dad had shown on many occasions how proud he was of me. Probably because i compensate my weakness with intelligence. 

Ever since I was young, I've always had a thing for learning and acquiring knowledge.  Thanks to that, I am like the second smartest person at Blackwood High. The smartest person is Jayden Blackwood, the Alpha's son. I could easily surpass him, but I don't want all that attention.

“Do you know what today is?” Dad's excited words cut through my thoughts, and I returned my attention to him.

“Today is graduation,” I muttered with less enthusiasm. I'm feeling too miserable to be as excited as he is. I can't believe I was about to graduate high school without a mate.

“That’s right!” Dad said happily. “And you know they’ll be calling out all those who made it to Moonlight University!”

At his words, I stiffened slightly.

Moonlight University is the most prestigious university for wolves in the country. It wasn’t an easy school to get into. You had to be extremely smart and intelligent to make it. Most of the students there were powerful wolves—mostly Alphas—from very rich backgrounds all over the world.

It was a place where strength and intelligence mattered. Even if you can't be strong, at least be intelligent.  One out of the two was enough to get you into Moonlight University.

Every year, an entrance exam is held to find those who are qualified to get onto Moonlight University. The exams were held all over the world a week ago, and today, the results would be announced. I sat for the exam but I wrote it absentmindedly.  The questions were that easy.

I won't say I have full confidence that i would pass in flying colours, but I am well aware that i'm very smart. I always come second in my class. But physically? I was weak. I don't know if my intelligence is enough to get me into Moonlight University.

Still, Dad looked completely confident. "I know my girl will definitely be among the top,” he said proudly. “You’ve worked too hard not to be.”

I looked down at my plate, unsure. “I hope so.”

My brother James snorted as he walked into the room to join the table. “She might make it to Moonlight University,” he said with a teasing grin, “but she can’t even get a mate.”

I glared at him, and he poked his tongue at me. At fifteen, James was two years younger than me, but he was a lot taller than me, and he never missed a chance to tease me about it.

James was everything I'm not. At his young age, he was already showing signs of becoming a very powerful wolf. He wasn't shy like me. He was popular and good-looking. The few people who knew us as siblings find it hard to believe that we are related.

While James was a tall introvert, slowly blooming into a heartbreaker and an arrogant piece of shit, I'm the awkward shortie and weak wolf who couldn't say two words without my whole body vibrating with nerves.

Dad frowned, looking annoyed, but i could see that he was trying to hide a smile. They all found my pain amusing. “That’s enough. Stop teasing your sister. Instead of mocking her, you should be like her and make it to Moonlight University, too.”

My brother leaned back lazily in his chair. “Oh, I will make it to Moonlight University,” he said confidently. “But I’ll find my mate first. And I won’t be a shortie like her and end up mateless.”

My fingers tightened around my fork. Mom, who has been silent all this while, shot him a sharp glare. “That’s enough from you. Shut up.” James and Dad shut their mouths immediately. Mom doesn't talk much, but when she gets mad, you better stir clear. She looked at me softly and said gently. “Ignore him, sweetheart. I know you'll find your mate soon.”

I nodded quietly, even though there was still a huge doubt in my mind. James words still echoed in my mind.

Mateless.

The word felt heavy.

I swallowed the lump in my throat and forced myself to eat. Today was supposed to be important. Graduation was supposed to be life changing.

I know my brains were good enough to get me into Moonlight University. But as I sat there listening to my family talk about my bright future, one thought lingered in my heart—

What was the point of being smart enough for Moonlight University…

If no one would ever choose me as his mate?