#1 Her boyfriend, My Crush

I am Elsa White. Before you get all excited about the "White" in my name, let me set the record straight: apart from being as pale as the moonlight, I have no connection to the prestigious White lineage. The day my parents died, my wolf was suppressed, leaving me a shadow of my former self. If not for my aunt Sylvie, who took me in when I was an angry, depressed, and wolf-less teenage girl, I would have followed them to the afterlife. Five years have passed, and now I am supposedly living in the present. I have accepted my fate as a regular seventeen-year-old. Oops! Eighteen. Today’s my birthday, and my aunt, my savior, is coming to pick me up with a promised surprise!

Being eighteen is a challenge, especially for a wolf-less teenager entering her final year. The school buzzes with the chaotic energy of hormonal wolves, the air thick with the scents of love, lust, and friendship.

Summer break has sparked a flurry of new couples. Some are mates, others are just dating. And then there are Kathy and John—inseparable since playschool. I’m the perpetual third wheel. They claim they fell in love at first sight, which is laughable to me. Two infants falling in love? I wouldn’t believe it if I saw it a hundred times. I’ve seen countless wolves, and they all seem the same. I may have unfairly judged them, but no one was around to change my opinion.

“Seriously, are you two not tired of devouring each other’s faces?” I rolled my eyes at them in the backseat of the car. Kathy and John were waiting with me for my aunt. They were as eager to see the surprise as I was.

Kathy shot me an expression that said, "I-don’t-care-about-anyone-but-John," making me self-conscious. “How did I end up with a cousin like you?” she gloated.

I chose to ignore her. I’ve learned to filter her words and let the meaningless ones drift away.

“Did you see the new guy in class? He’s cute!” Kathy’s curiosity was palpable. “He was staring at you the entire history class,” she added, noticing my indifference.

Why would anyone be interested in me? I was still single, and no one had ever even proposed. I’ve come to terms with being invisible to the male gaze.

“He probably zoned out. Professor Smith has that effect on people,” I countered, shrugging. “And the moon goddess has better things to do than play matchmaker for me. I’m no one special.” I scoffed, playing with my phone, trying to push away the sadness. I was bored, trapped in their affection.

“When love is meant to come, it will,” John said, extending his fist for our usual bro bump.

I obliged, smiling. John was the closest thing I had to a male figure in my life—sometimes an older brother, sometimes a friend. Despite their mushy moments, I was grateful for them.

Kathy was the current alpha's daughter. My parents, the alpha and Luna, died in a fire, and her father, my uncle, Alpha Dane, became the new head of our pack. Initially skeptical of me rising to power, he had since relaxed his stance, knowing I had lost my wolf and Sylvie had no interest in leadership. This allowed Kathy and me to maintain our friendship, which was a blessing in disguise. Despite my lower status as an Omega, Kathy’s protection shielded me from bullying.

“You should dress better. Look at Hanna. She’s an Omega too but has raised her status by dating Tom, the pack’s heartthrob,” John sighed, exasperated.

“Your brother will get an STD at this rate,” I shot back, making him scoff.

“What’s wrong?” John grumbled.

“He’s five years older than her!” I spat, incredulous. How could anyone date someone so much older? There must be a huge gap in their experiences.

“What’s wrong with age gaps? He’s experienced, and she’s a gem!” John defended, earning a warning look from Kathy. He turned away, avoiding further discussion.

“I wonder how the beta has such extreme sons!” I added, trying to appease him with a backhanded compliment.

“I know. John’s loyalty is unmatched,” Kathy said, her fingers twining with his. John’s smile returned as he kissed her. I felt like gagging. I was the only single one amidst this sea of affection.

“Hey, did you hear? Samantha’s been seeing the store owner from that corner shop. She’s into older men,” Kathy gossiped, her eyes wide with excitement.

“Really? Is this a new trend?” John asked, pulling Kathy close, making me uncomfortable.

I buried my face in my scarf, pretending to sleep in the backseat, wishing for my aunt to arrive and rescue me from this cringeworthy situation. My thoughts were turning more chaotic, clouded by the sudden heat I felt. It was becoming unbearable.

“I need some air!” I announced, stepping out of John’s convertible. Rich people's problems!

The commotion around us ceased abruptly, as if an enchanting moment had unfolded. The entire school fell silent, an unprecedented phenomenon. Everyone’s attention was on a sleek, luxurious Rolls Royce Droptail that had just arrived. I scoffed. The owner must be an alpha king or some spoiled elite. I had no interest in such luxuries. My life had been stripped of everything once before, and I wasn’t about to be lured by opulence.

To my shock, the person emerging from the car was none other than my aunt, Sylvie!

“Sylvie!” I gasped, my mouth falling open. The school erupted into whispers and excited murmurs, all eyes darting between me and the car. I was overwhelmed with disbelief and embarrassment. What was happening?

“O-M-G, girl, it’s Sylvie!” Kathy exclaimed, her excitement infectious.

I didn’t want to acknowledge it. It made the situation all too real.

“Honey, why are you looking so stunned?” Sylvie asked, taking my bag.

“What?” I jolted, confused. “Oh!” I realized I was acting strangely. Honey? I dazed. I handed over my bag, feeling dazed.

Sylvie had never carried my bag before. It was a gesture I had only experienced with my mother. Why was she showing this kind of affection now? Everything was bizarre, and I was too disoriented to question it.

Another round of excited whispers filled the air. The girls were squealing, the atmosphere charged with female hormones. I tried to ignore it, but my curiosity got the better of me. I looked past Sylvie, and my heart nearly stopped.

Standing there was a man so stunning, so ethereal, he seemed otherworldly. My heart raced uncontrollably, my cheeks burning. He looked like a Greek god, his chiseled features and sculpted body a testament to divine beauty.

“Oh boy, don’t tell me this perfect specimen is Sylvie’s boyfriend. He’d better be single for the sake of every female werewolf’s heart,” Kathy whispered in awe.

But her words only added to my turmoil. Sylvie looked irritated, and the man, dangerously close, was smirking at me, his gaze piercing through me like a laser.

My heart was pounding so fiercely, I thought it might burst. I couldn’t stop the intense attraction I felt towards him. My head screamed in protest—he could be my aunt’s boyfriend, and he’s older. But my heart was drowning out the logic. It was falling for him in a way that was both thrilling and devastating.

“Elsa!” My aunt’s voice snapped me out of my trance.

“What?” I blinked, finally coming to my senses.

“Why are you so shocked? I’ve been calling you!” Sylvie chuckled, her smile wide and radiant. Did I really miss her words despite being so close? I wanted to look at him again, but I forced myself to focus on Sylvie.

“I’m just surprised,” I managed a smile. Inside, I was in a storm of conflicting emotions.

“Meet Jake. My boyfriend,” Sylvie announced, her words shattering my heart. “Remember those items you found around the house? They were Jake’s. We wanted to tell you about us first. What better day than your birthday? Did you like the surprise?” Sylvie’s happiness was palpable.

“Yeah, yeah!” I forced a smile, trying to breathe normally. I couldn’t hurt her, nor could I reveal my forbidden attraction. It was too shameful. Sylvie had raised me, and been my rock, and I couldn’t betray her trust.

Sylvie’s joy was a bitter reminder of what I wished I could have. She had never been this lively before. Was Jake bringing out a side of her that I would never experience? It crushed me. Why wasn’t this person me?

“Hi, I’m Jake. Jake Black of the Blackmoon Pack,” he introduced himself, extending his hand.

“Are we doing business?” I pouted, struggling to act like an enthusiastic eighteen-year-old. My thoughts were a mess. I wanted to pull him closer, but I had to maintain control. I forced a giggle and waved, trying to show enthusiasm.

“Hi!” Jake chuckled—or did he smirk? His eyes never left mine, and I couldn’t tell if it was just my imagination or something more.

“Mate,” he finished, his grin widening.