Chapter 4 Episode 4

The Lucky Day?

Sebastian 's P.O.V.

I stood at the edge of the training ground, trying to tune out the chatter of my friends. Their voices seemed to blend into the background as my mind wandered.

"Hey, Sebastian !" Jeremy's voice finally broke through my thoughts. "Did you hear about Anthony?"

I blinked, focusing on his excited face. "What about him?"

Jeremy grinned. "He found his mate last week! During exams, can you believe it?"

"Yeah," Hose chimed in, laughing. "You should've seen his face when he chased after her car. Looked like he'd seen a ghost!"

I forced a smile, but my heart wasn't in it. Finding a mate. It was all anyone could talk about these days.

Lyla sighed dreamily. "It must be amazing to find your other half like that."

"I wonder when we'll find ours," Aiden mused.

Emily, ever the drama queen, rolled her eyes. "Oh, please. It's not that hard. I already know who my mate is."

Aiden's jaw dropped. "What? But you're only fifteen!"

"So?" Emily tossed her hair. "The Lunar Goddess pairs up perfect couples. Sebastian and I are meant to be. We're both gorgeous, powerful... who else could be a better Luna?"

I felt my stomach churn. Emily had been chasing after me for years, convinced we were destined to be together. If only she knew how wrong she was.

"You're not the only one under sixteen," Aiden snapped.

Emily's face turned red. "Shut up, you-"

"That's enough," I cut in, my voice low but firm. "Remember who you're talking to, Emily."

She fell silent, but I could see the anger simmering in her eyes. I sighed inwardly. Being the future Alpha was exhausting sometimes.

Suddenly, a scent hit me like a tidal wave. Strawberries, fresh meadow, and... coffee? My wolf, Conri, stirred inside me.

"Mate," he growled.

My head snapped up, searching for the source. And that's when I saw him.

Kirian . Walking straight towards me, eyes fixed on the ground.

Time seemed to slow down. Kirian , the boy I'd tormented for years. Kirian , who I'd pushed away because I couldn't understand my own feelings. Kirian , who was now... my mate?

He bumped into me, clearly lost in thought. His hands landed on my chest to steady himself, and I felt sparks shoot through my entire body.

Our eyes met, and I saw the moment realization dawned on him. Shock, fear, and... disgust flashed across his face.

Before I could say a word, he bolted. Running straight into the woods without looking back.

Conri howled inside me, desperate to follow. But I stood frozen, unable to move.

What have I done?

The rest of the training passed in a blur. I couldn't focus, couldn't think about anything but Kirian 's face as he ran away from me.

When I finally got home, Mrs. Violet, our head maid, greeted me with a warm smile. "How was your day, love?"

"Fine," I mumbled, not meeting her eyes.

She frowned. "It doesn't seem fine. But I won't pry. Your father wants to see you in his study."

I nodded, dragging myself to my father's office. He looked up as I entered, setting aside the book he'd been reading.

"Sebastian ," he said, his voice serious. "We need to talk."

I slumped into the chair across from him. "About what?"

He leaned forward, his eyes intense. "You're turning eighteen soon. Graduating next year. And... I think it's time we started preparing you to take over as Alpha."

I felt like I'd been punched in the gut. "What? But... I'm not ready!"

Dad's expression softened. "No one ever feels ready, son. But you've been training for this your whole life. And you won't be alone. Your mother and I will be here to guide you. And of course, you'll have your mate by your side."

My mate. Kirian . The boy who now probably hated me more than ever.

"Right," I mumbled. "My mate."

Dad raised an eyebrow. "Is there something you want to tell me, Sebastian ?"

I opened my mouth, then closed it. How could I explain? That I'd found my mate, but it was the last person anyone would expect? That I'd spent years bullying him because I couldn't face my own feelings?

"No," I said finally. "Nothing."

Dad didn't look convinced, but he let it go. "Alright. Well, start thinking about taking on more responsibilities. We'll ease you into it."

I nodded, my mind a million miles away.

Back in my room, I stripped off my clothes and stepped into the shower. The hot water beat down on my skin, but it couldn't wash away the guilt and confusion swirling inside me.

As I dried off and collapsed onto my bed, memories flooded my mind.

The first time I'd noticed Kirian , back in seventh grade. How my heart had fluttered when he accidentally bumped into me. The panic I'd felt at those unfamiliar feelings.

And then... the years of torment that followed. Teasing that turned into bullying. Pushing him away because I was too scared to face the truth.

"What have I done?" I whispered to the empty room.

Conri whined softly in my mind. "Mate hurt. We hurt mate."

"I know," I said aloud. "I messed up. Big time."

But how could I fix it? Kirian had every right to hate me. To reject me as his mate. And if he did... what would happen to both of us?

I'd heard stories of wolves who rejected the mate bond. How it could drive them insane, even kill them.

A knock at my door startled me from my thoughts.

"Sebastian ?" It was my mom. "Are you okay? You didn't come down for dinner."

I cleared my throat. "I'm fine, Mom. Just... tired."

There was a pause. "Alright. But if you need to talk..."

"I know," I said. "Thanks."

As her footsteps faded away, I made a decision. I had to find Kirian . To apologize, to explain... to beg for forgiveness if I had to.

I grabbed my phone, scrolling through my contacts until I found Lily's number. Kirian 's best friend. If anyone knew where he was, it would be her.

My finger hovered over the call button. What would I say? How could I explain?

Just as I was about to hit call, a howl echoed through the night. A howl of pain, of desperation.

Kirian .

Without thinking, I leapt to my feet and ran to my window. The full moon hung low in the sky, casting an eerie glow over the forest.

Another howl, closer this time.

I didn't hesitate. I stripped off my clothes and let the shift take over. In seconds, I was bounding through the forest on four paws, Conri fully in control.

We ran faster than we ever had before, following the scent of strawberries and coffee. Our mate needed us.

As we broke into a clearing, I skidded to a stop. There, in the center, was a wolf with fur the color of honey. Kirian .

But he wasn't alone.

A group of rogues surrounded him, their teeth bared and eyes glowing with malice.

Kirian 's eyes met mine, wide with fear and... hope?

In that moment, I knew. Whatever had happened between us in the past, whatever mistakes I'd made... none of it mattered now.

I was the Alpha's son. The future leader of this pack.

And Kirian was my mate.

With a roar that shook the trees, I launched myself into the fray.

The battle had begun.