Chapter 2 Episode 2

The Unfateful Day

Kirian's P.O.V.

I woke up to Vlad, my wolf, howling like a maniac inside my head. My eyes felt heavy, like someone had placed the whole universe on them.

"Happy birthday to us!" Vlad yipped excitedly.

I groaned. "It's too early for this, Vlad."

"But we're sixteen now! We might find our mate today!"

I sighed, dragging myself out of bed. As I got ready, my mind raced with worries about what the day might bring.

Downstairs, my parents were waiting with huge grins on their faces.

"HAPPY SIXTEENTH BIRTHDAY!" they screamed as I entered the kitchen.

I winced, covering my ears. "Geez, guys. Are you trying to wake up the whole town?"

Dad laughed. "Of course! Everyone should know MY SON IS GOING TO FIND HIS MATE TODAY!"

"Our son," Mom corrected, elbowing him playfully.

I felt my face heat up. "Come on, it's not like it's guaranteed to happen today. You guys didn't meet until you were eighteen, remember?"

Mom's eyes sparkled. "But you never know, sweetie. Even the Alpha and Luna are excited for you!"

Great. Just great. The whole pack was probably on high alert now.

"What's for breakfast?" I asked, desperate to change the subject.

"Your favorites!" Mom beamed. "Pancakes and Bischoff cheesecake."

My mouth watered at the smell. I piled my plate high and dug in, trying to focus on the food instead of the butterflies in my stomach.

After breakfast, I decided to visit Mrs. Stephwell's bookstore. As soon as I walked in, she enveloped me in a bone-crushing hug.

"Happy Birthday, my lover boy!" she squealed.

"Thanks," I wheezed. "But I'd like to live to see seventeen, if you don't mind."

She laughed, releasing me. "Oh, stop it. You'll have to get used to much more... intense embraces now." She winked suggestively.

I groaned. "Not you too, Mrs. Stephwell. Can we talk about literally anything else?"

She grinned and handed me a wrapped gift. Inside was a hardcover set of Six of Crows.

"Oh my god!" I gasped. "This is amazing! Thank you so much!"

We chatted for a while before I headed home to get ready for combat training. I threw on a grey t-shirt and black shorts, not bothering to dress up. It's not like anyone at school cared what I looked like anyway.

As I approached the school grounds, a scent hit me like a tidal wave. Cedarwood, mint, and a hint of cocoa. My heart started racing.

"Mate! Mate! Mate!" Vlad howled inside my head.

I froze. This couldn't be happening. Not here. Not now.

But the pull was too strong to resist. I followed the scent, my feet moving on their own. Students whispered and stared as I passed, but I kept my eyes on the ground.

Suddenly, I collided with what felt like a brick wall. I stumbled, instinctively reaching out to steady myself. My hands landed on a firm chest, and sparks shot through my body at the contact.

Slowly, I looked up... and my world shattered.

Sebastian Wolfe.

My mate was Sebastian Wolfe.

The boy who had tormented me for years. The future Alpha. The person I hated most in this world.

"No," I whispered, tears filling my eyes. "No, no, no."

Sebastian 's eyes were wide with shock and... something else. Something that looked dangerously close to hope.

I couldn't handle it. I turned and ran, pushing past curious onlookers and racing into the woods. Branches whipped at my face as I ran, but I didn't care. I just needed to get away.

Finally, out of breath, I collapsed against a tree. Sobs wracked my body as the reality of the situation sank in.

"This can't be happening," I gasped between tears. "I can't... I won't accept this."

Vlad whined pitifully in my head. "But he's our mate. We need him."

"No!" I shouted, startling a nearby bird. "He's hurt us too many times. I don't care what fate says. I won't be with him."

As I sat there, trying to catch my breath, I heard footsteps approaching. My heart raced. Had Sebastian followed me?

"Kirian?" a familiar voice called out. "Are you okay?"

I looked up to see Lily, my best friend, pushing through the underbrush. Relief washed over me.

"Lily," I choked out. "I... I found my mate."

Her eyes widened. "That's amazing! Wait... why do you look so upset? Who is it?"

I took a shaky breath. "It's Sebastian ."

Lily's jaw dropped. "Sebastian ? As in Sebastian Wolfe? The guy who's been bullying you for years?"

I nodded miserably.

She sat down next to me, wrapping an arm around my shoulders. "Oh, Kirian. I'm so sorry. What are you going to do?"

I wiped my eyes, a grim determination settling over me. "I'm going to reject him. I don't care what anyone says. I won't be mated to someone who's caused me so much pain."

Lily bit her lip. "But Kirian, rejecting your mate... that's serious. It could hurt both of you."

"I don't care," I said firmly. "I'd rather be alone than be with him."

As we sat there in the woods, I couldn't shake the feeling that my life had just changed forever. But one thing was certain: I wouldn't let fate dictate my happiness. I would forge my own path, no matter what.

Little did I know, this decision would set in motion a chain of events that would shake our pack to its very core.