Finding Her Mate

•Ashley•

When my eyes flew open, I felt an excitement in me and awaited the voice other people my age often felt. 

I stayed in that position for several minutes, but felt or heard nothing. With a sigh, I sat up, pulled the miniature cake I had smuggled into my room last night. 

I lit the candles on the cake with a lighter before wishing myself a happy birthday. After that, I ate the cake with relish. 

I wasn't bothered about keeping some for anyone, as I knew no one would remember my birthday anyway. 

I quickly arranged my room, then moved to my bed. I pulled out a wooden, rectangular box and knocked it open. 

Currencies of different values were strewn all over the ground. Happily, I reached out to pick them. 

After counting, I felt even happier seeing the money was now enough for me to go to the city. 

Feeling someone in the room with me, I tilted my head backwards, but failed to see anything suspicious. 

With a shrug, I hid the money under my bed and walked out of my room. 

My mother wasn't at home and it was boring to stay at home. Just then, I heard the voices of some pack members. 

"I'm thinking of volunteering for the cleaning of Alpha Duel Ceremonial Site. What do you think about it?" 

"I was also about to tell you of my decision. I heard a lot of hands are needed for the cleaning." 

"Let's head there together then." 

I could no longer hear them, but that was no longer my concern. 

"Hello?" 

I stopped hearing the voice. Turning around, I furrowed my brows in confusion, wondering if I heard right. 

Seeing no one, I turned to my front and walked towards the wooden door. 

"Idiot, aren't you going to answer me?" The voice came up again and my hand, which was about to lift up the latch, stopped. 

I am now beyond upset after being called an idiot. 

"If there's an idiot here, it's you! Not only did you call me and hide, but you also are an abusive bitch!" I said furious. 

"What's this? Did I come to the wrong body? I'm your wolf, you idiot!" The voice lashed out. 

I paused, before getting excited. My wolf? I finally had a wolf, a buddy to talk to? 

"Hey, my name is Ashely Rowland. What's yours?" 

I heard her sigh before saying. "My name's Kiara. It's a pleasure to know you're sane!" 

Although I felt offended, I didn't pursue the matter again. I lifted the latch and walked out of the door, closing it afterwards. 

When I got to the Duel Site, I was a little surprised to see a lot of people in it. I thought this was voluntary or is there a pay? 

Kiara was a little lost. "What is happening?" 

"The Alpha has two sons who are both outstanding, so he's kinda confused who to give the position to. So there's a duel between them. Whoever wins, will take up his position." 

When I talked, I lowered my face to the ground and stood in the waiting line. 

"You know, I can only see the floor and not what's happening in front of me." I heard Kiara say it again and sighed. 

"I'm kinda unwanted here. So it's not safe for me to be sighted." I timidly replied. 

Kiara said nothing for a few seconds before hissing. "Why would you be unwanted? Unless you have some sort of sickness or..." 

"I'm scarred!" I hurriedly said, breathing out heavily. 

Unfortunately for me, my voice attracted some other workers who turned to look at me. The moment they recognized me, everyone started moving away. 

"So, because you're scarred, you think you're unwanted? What kinda mentality do y'all have?!" I heard Kiara shout. 

"Stop, okay?" I sighed and walked out of everyone's view. "I've been living like this for 18 years and nothing has happened to me." 

"You have been living that way alone. Now, I've appeared and I'm not going to live like a sore loser!" Kiara rebuffed. 

I expected her to say more but unexpectedly, she went silent. After staying three minutes without hearing her voice, I felt guilty. 

"Look, I'm sorry. I just prefer to talk to people while putting on a mask. I don't blame them because my scar is also disgusting." 

"How did you get it?" I heard her ask. 

"I've had it since I was young. I have no idea why." 

"When we get home, hold up a mirror so I can get a glimpse of what you look like. For now, what exactly did you come here for?" 

"To clean up." I replied and got up from the ground. 

"You live here or are you a slave or something?" 

The question made me laugh out. "You're funny, Kiara. So you think only slaves get to clean the town square?" 

"I don't know. It's my first time." 

I caught sight of a woman dropping some dustpans. To ensure she wouldn't see me, I walked up to her and swiftly grabbed one. 

"It's good to know I'm not in a totally useless body." I heard Kiara say smugly.

"We need to clean up here before 4pm. Then we'd rush home to have a change of clothes so we could witness the fight with our own eyes." 

Kiara didn't decline, so I got to work almost immediately. By 2:56pm, everyone was done. The cleaning lasted for three hours. 

"Did you know, Marcellus is the son of the woman his father had an affair with back then?" 

"I suspected that, because Marcellus and Maverick are both the same age?" 

I stood still when I saw one of two women glance around, then leaned over to whisper into the other's ears.

Although I didn't hear entirely what she said, I did hear something about Marcellus being the weaker one. 

"Marcellus and Maverick, they must be the ones who'll be dueling today?" I heard Kiara ask and nodded. 

By this time, I was already on my way back home. "There are. However, I think I prefer Marcellus to Maverick. Maverick has this evil gleam in his eyes but always smiles. Marcellus on the other hand, is quite cold, hardly smiles but looks like someone who lacks love." 

"Just say you like him and stop beating about the bush." Kiara laughed.

This time, I was beyond embarrassed as I quickly shushed her. "Don't spout nonsense!" 

"Okay!" 

When I passed my mother's room, I heard her talking in a small voice, but recalling the duel was soon to begin, I hurried into my shabby room and got dressed. 

I hit the road once again with a changed dress and a face mask. I got to the townsquare just in time to see the fight begin. 

Unexpectedly, my heartbeat quickened as I felt a prickly heat. I never realized what it was until I heard Kiara shout out in excitement! "Mate!" 

Marcellus who was inside the ring, turned towards my direction, his eyes clashing into mine. My heart beat slowed down when I heard Kiara sniffle out in certainty.

"That's our mate!"