Chapter 1 (My Mate)

"Love is not love.

Which alters when it alteration finds,

Or bends with the remover to remove:

O no! It is an ever-fixed mark

That looks on tempests and is never shaken."

I sighed happily upon reading those beautifully written words. I just have one wish in life: find a lover that loves me like the words written in the phrase.

Similar to the meaning of the phrase. 

‘Love is not true love

which changes whenever an issue comes up

or ends when the beloved disappears.

No, it is a permanent thing

that goes through wild storms and is never shaken.

It is the constant North Star used as a guide by all lost ships.

whose value is immeasurable, although it is often taken for granted.

Love is not dependent on time, though your youthful rosy lips and cheeks

are inevitably affected by the cruel effects of time,

Love alters not only over the course of a few brief hours and weeks

but bears it out even to the end of the world!

If this is wrong and you can prove otherwise,

I have never written anything of value, and no one ever truly loved.’

Someone who can tell me, ‘No matter what, I love you and only you, and you are the one and only for me. Regina. I love you."

I can’t help but giggle while thinking about that time in my life.

"Regina." I heard someone calling my name as the book hit right on top of my head.

"Ouch, that hurts." I cried, looking up at Mr. Sanders and glaring at him before adjusting his glasses.

"How many times do I have to call you to have your attention?" he asks. "And why are you reading Shakespeare in history class?"

"Sorry," I said, trying to hide my glance from him because I knew if I didn't, I might be scolded pretty badly.

"That’s all you have; you have to say." I nodded my head.

Mr. Sanders sighed, taking my book away from me. "See me after the class."

I sighed as he left, along with my book. And the bell rang at that very minute. I cursed. Couldn’t the bell ring a few minutes before, at least I would have my book by then?

"Caught again," said Jack, sitting on my desk.

"Don’t remind me." I sighed. "I have the worst luck."

"Well, maybe he will be easy on you. Come on, Regina, how hard can Mr. Sanders be for his own sister?"

I punched his arm. "You don’t even know him. He is my brother; that’s why he will be more strict with me, both in class and at home."

"Come on, cheer up, and treat me today. Now smile." Jack said, grabbing my bag and pushing me out of the class. "Now smile, fool."

"I’m smiling. Now let go; I’m hungry," I said as we walked to the cafeteria.

Both Jack and I walked together to the cafeteria, and my heart started pounding in my chest as my eyes followed the person standing right in front of me.

“Hey, I heard you got caught again by your brother," said Peter, my longtime childhood crush.

"Not you too," I sighed, but then smiled as he wrapped his arms around my shoulder.

"Don’t worry, cheer up, and let’s all go shopping today," Peter said as they made their way to their seats.

"Shopping, why?" I asked as Jack left to grab food for all of us as I remained seated.

"This year, our pack dancing ball is coming up, and I don't have anything good to wear, so I need your help to find the perfect outfit that will make me stand out when I meet my mate." Peter said, "I want to make a lasting impression on my mate and show her how much effort I've put into my appearance for this special occasion." 

"Ball," I mumbled, and Peter smiled.

I smiled, thinking, What if Peter turns out to be my mate, the one I've been waiting for all my life? The thought of spending every day with him, sharing our dreams, and building a future together filled me with excitement and anticipation. 

I don't know if he had any idea that I liked him or if he felt the same way about me. But in that moment, I couldn't help but hope that our connection was just as strong for him as it was for me. 

I am very excited about the ball and the day when I will finally meet my mate face-to-face. Having a mate was everything I had ever imagined and more. 

"Mate..." I mumbled, smiling just at the thought of finally meeting my mate.

"Mate," Jack said, breaking me from my thoughts as I placed a bowl of pasta in front of me. "What Mate?" 

"She might be thinking about one of the many books she reads all the time," Peter said, changing the subject, and I nodded and took a deep breath of relief.

Oh, I see, Regina and her books; sh*t, I forgot my juice on the counter," Jack said, leaving Peter and me alone.

"Be careful what you say here," Peter said, and I nodded.

"I’m sorry," I said, stopping myself from speaking further after seeing Jack come back.

How foolish of me to forget that Jack is human, unlike me and Peter.

And he is our friend, but some secrets are hard to share, like my being a werewolf.

Both Peter and I are werewolves, and, unlike humans, we live in groups, or what wolves will call packs.

Many things differentiate us from humans, like our status, which is defined by birth. I am a year younger than Peter, but status-wise, I am far superior to him or anyone in my pack except my brother, who is the alpha of our pack and always scolds me in class. My professor, Mr. Samuel Sanders, is the Alpha of our pack.

In just a few days, the mating ball, where wolves from all over the world gather in one place to celebrate the yearly cycle of life and continue the survival of their species, will commence. The atmosphere will be filled with howls of joy and excitement as wolves from different packs come together, forming new alliances and strengthening existing bonds.

Some lucky people will find one true mate there, while others choose a partner based on compatibility and shared values. It is a time of unity and camaraderie, where the wolves showcase their strength and agility through playful competitions and displays of dominance.

I just wish to find my one and only true mate amidst the bustling crowd, hoping that our souls will connect and our destinies will intertwine for a lifetime, creating a love story that will be told for generations. 

I shook my head, smiling. I don't think that will be possible, but I can't help but hold on to a glimmer of hope. 

"Why the hell are you smiling?" Jack interrupts, breaking all my sweet future predictions.

"None of the business. Can’t a girl smile on her own?" I complained.

"Not when the girl is Regina," Jack said, laughing at his own words.

"Shut up, or do you want me to kick your ass?" I replied, smirking deviously.

“No, thank you," he said, running away from me and Peter.

"Shit, how can I forget? I have to meet Sam in his office." I sighed, running fast with my bag in hand.

Just as I was close to Sam’s office, something hit my body like a wall, making me lose my balance. I closed my eyes tight, waiting to fall on my ass, but the fall never came. What came were two arms wrapping around my body, one on my waist supporting the other, and hands supporting my head.

I cracked my eyes to check on the owner of my hands, and the first thing my eyes could see were two brown, almost black eyes staring at my face. As I gazed into those captivating eyes, time seemed to stand still. The intensity in his gaze sent a shiver down my spine, and I couldn't help but feel an instant connection.

I wanted to thank the person for helping me get out of his arms, but everything seemed to have stopped, and my body seemed paralyzed. With my throat dry and my heart pounding in my chest, nothing seemed to come out of my mouth as I struggled to find my voice.

The stranger's face broke into a smile as he sensed my nervousness. His smile was warm and comforting, instantly putting me at ease. It was as if his eyes had spoken a thousand words, assuring me that everything would be alright.

"Mate..." I heard a deep, soothing voice say as the world seemed to fade away in front of my eyes as everything turned dark.