The Lycan's Mate

[Rachel's POV]It was finally here. Prom. The night we’d all hyped up for months. And now that it was finally happening, it felt... fine, I guess.For years, I’d pictured this night being perfect. Sparkling lights, slow dances, and more importantly, Ryan asking me to be his date. But as I stared at him across the room, laughing with Natasha and the rest of the popular girls, I just felt like vanishing under the table.“Hmmm. Someone’s jealous huh?” Sarah my best friend cut in, dragging me back to reality with a smirk.“I'm not!” I replied quickly, getting all defensive. "Also since when did looking at somebody make you jealous?"“Well,” she continued, grinning as she cut me off, “If it'll prevent you from biting yourself, Natasha’s with Dexter tonight. So technically... you still have a shot, tiger.”“Wait, really?” I sat up even straighter, eyes locking on Ryan just in time for him to glance right back at me.“Oh my god, he’s looking at me,” I whispered, my heart launching itself in

RACHEL'S POV The sudden whoop of a police siren pulled me back to reality, signaling me to stop.Damn. I’d been narrating in my head and completely missed that the traffic light had turned green. Today was my brother’s birthday, and as much as I loved being away from home and the family lectures, it was my brother’s birthday so I guess I had to be there for him.“Good afternoon,” I greeted the officer even before he reached my window.“Rachel?” he said, probably Mr. Clark. The guy whose wife was divorcing him.“Hey,” I replied, forcing a smile I didn’t mean.“Defaulting on the law on your day off, huh?” he teased. “You good? You know the light changed like thirty seconds ago.”“I’m good, Clark, I was just—”“Rex, my name is Rex, Rachel. How many times—”“Oh! Sorry. I always—”“It’s okay. You better get going so you don’t miss the little guy’s party.”I sped up before he finished his sentence, though I waved like I’d heard everything. I hadn’t grown up with that friendly, chatty person

RACHEL'S POV “I said you’re under arrest,” I shouted as he tried to stand.“Well, you’re not going to arrest me with your head on my arms, you know?” he replied, his voice tinged with amusement. I jolted upright, mortified. Why on earth had I curled up on him like that?“Alright, stand up slowly,” I commanded, brandishing my badge as if it were a weapon. What was I thinking? Instinctively, I reached for my hip, but my gun wasn’t there. I’d left it at home. Of course, I hadn’t brought it while visiting my parents. They’d have my head if I did.“Don’t mess with me. Keep your hands where I can see them!” I barked, as he began lowering them.“What, you’re going to shoot me with that badge of yours?” he asked, standing straight.“No,” I snapped, balling my hands into fists. “I’ll knock you out if you don’t cooperate.”“Well, go ahead then—”“Don’t push me,” I cut him off, my voice tight. I hadn’t expected a fight today, but if that’s what it took to get answers, so be it. He was a Gabriel,

GABRIEL'S POV I know you probably believe her, that I'm the one responsible for all of this, ready to blame me but I swear that I'm innocent. I'm just a guy who happens to be mixed up with you the wrong people with no choice but to stick with them for the people I love. He's probably going to be pissed for what I'm about to do but my name coming up at the top of a crime I did not commit was something I could not tolerate anymore. However watching her as she drove back made me back to the police station made begin to reconsider what I was doing. I've been working for Jake ever since I knocked out his Marcus's younger brother to death unconsciously during one or our celebrations. We were both drunk that day teasing each other until he made fun of my mother's mental health. I should have just let it slide but I didn't, resulting in a fight where he lost his life.Jake kept it secret for awhile until he slowly ranked up in our pack, having me do his dirty jobs inorder not to face the co

[Rachel's POV] I found myself standing alone in a lively jazz club, surrounded by the sights and sounds of people enjoying themselves. My eyes remained fixed on the spot where Gabriel had left me, feeling a mix of anticipation and worry. The club seemed to grow quieter, as if the music and laughter were fading into the background, leaving me alone with my thoughts. Questions started to creep into my mind, casting doubts on Gabriel's sudden departure. Did he not consider me important enough to stay by my side? I couldn't help but feel a rising unease, as if something was amiss. Time dragged on, and the people around me began to shift and move. I could feel their curious glances directed at me, their stares making me uncomfortable. It was as if they were silently judging me, and the weight of their scrutiny settled heavily on my shoulders. The world around me started to blur, and I could barely make out the hushed whispers that reached my ears. A man's voice, dripping with disdain, mu