Chapter 2 My worst nightmare

MELODY'S POV

I slightly opened my eyes and I peeked at the heart-shaped pink clock hanging on my wall.

9:59 a.m.

Urghh...It's almost 3 hours behind my normal waking time. I can proudly say I am a morning person. I'm the kind of person who jumps out of bed early, excited to start the day.

But not today.

I didn't feel like getting up. I didn't feel like doing anything or going anywhere.

Grandpa has come upstairs for the uptenth time to check if I was up - While I pretended to be asleep....

I switched on my phone ... My phone beeped unstoppably... It was messages from our class group chat: "check out my gown for the Wine&Dine ceremony" "my new hairstyle is so dope""

"Good for them" I muttered as I shut my phone again, not bothering to even open any of the pictures.

I didn't understand why everyone is so excited about the Wine&Dine ceremony. Imposing a public holiday, shutting down Shops, schools, businesses and offices just for some wolves to drink and fall in love...

To me?

This just meant another wasted and unproductive day.

Another day where my dreams were put on pause.

I sighed and dragged myself out of bed, I picked up my face wipes and started cleaning my face... I sluggishly made my bed, headed to my bathroom and freshened up... I gently brushed my hair and tied it up with my silver bangle. After I'm done, I made my way downstairs towards the kitchen to start my morning chores

I smelt something delicious.l

Meat. Fried meatballs.

"Grandpa is cooking again?" I murmured, surprised.

He never cooked unless it was a special day... or a difficult one.

I got to the kitchen and leaned on the doorframe...

A pot was bubbling on the cooker, while the kitchen smelled of garlic, tomatoes, pepper and fried meatballs, making me feel hungry already.

"Goodmorning, Grandpa, OMG, what's the occasion?" I exclaimed softly.

"Morning, my sunshine!, finally you are awake" he replied as his eyes-those tired yet wise eyes-sparkled as he smiled.

"You smell that? Something special for my special granddaughter!"

I tilted my head. "Grandpa, why are you stressing yourself?. You should have woken me up."

He smiled wider. "No, you shouldn't stress yourself today, just eat and get ready to meet your mate"

"I've told you grandpa, I'm not interested" I said frowning.

"Sssshhh. I have something for you... it's on the couch.. Didn't you see it?"

I rushed to the living room-and froze.

Laid out carefully on the sofa was the most beautiful gown I've ever seen. A sky-blue dress embroidered with tiny seashells and a pair of silver low heels..

"Grandpa," I ran back into the kitchen. "It's so... gorgeous.

Still, you shouldn't have, I haven't even worn the one you got for me on my birthday two weeks ago."

He chuckled, walking over and placing a hand on my shoulder.

"Nothing is too much for my baby"

"What's the point of being a grandpa if I can't spoil my only granddaughter? Besides, I want you to look better than everyone else tonight."

"Thank you, Grandpa... but I don't want to attend the ceremony," I smiled faintly

While we ate, Grandpa couldn't stop talking about how he met my grandma-how magical it was- how it used to be known as the wine-tasting ceremony during his days- the wines was stored for three years and unveiled by the alpha, while they drank the scent of the wine, will reveal everyone's mate...

All these stories and history just to convince me...

I laughed at some of his jokes.

"Good for you, Grandpa. But I don't think I'm ready for that."

I moved toward the sink, starting to rinse the dishes and tidy the kitchen.

"Melody." His voice grew serious.

"Leave the chores and get ready. You just turned eighteen. Who knows- the wine might reveal your mate tonight."

I shook my head hard.

"I've told you before-I'm not interested in all this mate stuff. I just want to apply to the university on the mainland. I want to study medicine. I want to take care of you better. I don't want to be caged as anyone's mate. Maybe later-but not now."

His shoulders tensed.

"Mel, you know no one leaves the island without the Alpha's permission. It's forbidden."

"Then help me get permission!" I pleaded, my voice rising with desperation.

He sighed deeply.

"Melody, enough. You're eighteen now. Thankfully you shifted into your wolf three nights ago. Your wolf is no longer dormant. Sooner or later, the Moon Goddess will connect you to your fated mate. There's no need fighting it." he added firmly.

I paused, my hands trembling over a glass jug.

"I kept my shift a secret for a reason. No one needs to know yet."

"Why, child?" he asked gently. "What are you afraid of?"

Before I could answer.

The door opened

Hello, is anyone home?

Linda walked straight to the kitchen to meet us, her dress in her hands and hair all done, she was already looking like a bride...

"Good morning grandpa" as she hugged grandpa.

Then she turned towards me.

"OMG! Mel, you've not made your hair?" she gasped. "Are you seriously going to miss the ceremony while the rest of us fall in love?"

I didn't bother looking at her...

I just walked into the living room and started cleaning the dining room...

"Melody, can you stop being difficult" Linda screamed as she followed me.

"I'm not interested in falling." I snapped.

"You're insane Mel. This is the Wine&Dine Ceremony! Girls are all getting glammed up, the boys are already warming up for tonight . The whole town is bubbling!"

I rolled my eyes, dusting the table..

"Smells like desperation."

Linda came closer and leaned towards me, lowering her voice.

"Come on Sis. Don't you want to find your mate?"

"I'm not yet ready and even when I will be, I don't want anyone from here.They are all cowards, not even one of them could stand up to that bully" I muttered.

She narrowed her eyes.

"So you think your mate is... out there? Beyond the ocean?"

My silence gave me away.

Her eyes widened.

"Wait... don't tell me you're into rogues now or are you interested in the enemies out there!"

I turned away quickly.

"You wouldn't understand."

"Stop dreaming, there's nothing out there for you Mel," she urged.

"You don't know that... I met someone," I whispered before I could stop myself.

Her jaw dropped.

"You what? When? Where? Who?!"

"It's nothing," I said, walking out of the kitchen.

"You are hiding something! Linda persisted.

"I said it's nothing, I just want to go out there and study, nothing more" I snapped.

"Do you still want me to go to the D&W ceremony or not? You better get your ass down here and help me out".

-because I still have a lot to do. I'll only consider going to the ceremony when I'm done."

"I'm sure you're hiding something," she said, before walking off to my room to drop her dress and bag.

---

That Evening...

Linda styled my hair, curled and added tiny silver hair clips. She did my makeup. I wore the sky-blue dress Grandpa had gifted me. I did it for him-not for some fated mate or wine whatever.

And as I stepped out, I saw the prideful smile on his face as he exclaimed "oh my angel"

Truly I looked like an angel, I barely recognized myself in the mirror.....

The winery banquet glowed with golden chandeliers... Everyone was glowing, some laughed, danced, and clinked glasses filled with the sacred wine said to reveal one's mate.

I just stood by the side, sipping from a glass of water.

But Linda wouldn't let me be.

"Just one dance!" Linda insisted, pulling me onto the floor.

To my surprise, I laughed and danced and started enjoying the ceremony.

But my wolf-Sirena-was uncomfortable. Inside me, she paced anxiously, sniffing the air.

Something wasn't right.

Then the music stopped.

Alpha Anthony Derek took the stage.

"As Alpha of this great pack," he began, his voice commanding, "I will be the first to announce my mate. For this year's ceremony.."

Applause erupted.

I rolled my eyes so hard I almost had a headache.

Ugggh. Of course he wants to go first.

He's one of the reasons I didn't want to come. Very annoying person. I've had peace since he graduated from high school and I've done a very good job at avoiding him.

I walked off, grabbing a glass of wine and walked into a quiet corner and stared out the tall window-admiring the full white moon surrounded by glittering stars that looked like crushed crystals or diamonds.

I smiled. Nature always found a way to comfort me.

Maybe it wasn't such a bad idea to come after all.

I'll just sip my wine, watch the stars, and let all the drama unfold and pass...

I was lost in thought.

Until I heard it.

His annoying voice-closer this time.

"Mate."

The crowd cheered behind me.

The Alpha had found his mate.

Yet I didn't turn. The truth is, I didn't care.

Poor girl, I thought.

Whoever she is.

I sipped my wine again.

Then- a hand touched my shoulder.

"Mate."

I turned slowly.

Anthony.

He stood there smiling, like he owned the world.

The kind of smile that said: I always get what I want.

My eyes widened.

"What...? Who is your mate?"

Anthony grinned proudly.

"You, my beloved Melody. You are my mate. And the future Luna of Oceanfront."

The wine glass slipped from my fingers, shattering at my feet.

I stepped back.

"You must be joking. This is a prank, right?"

But his expression was deadly serious.

My heart pounded.

"No. No, this can't be.!"

I turned and ran-out of the hall, down the path that led towards the sea.

I kicked off my shoes. My bare feet slapped against the stones...

No. Not him. Not Anthony. Anyone but him.

I stopped, gasping for air.

"I must be dreaming... Please let me wake up," I whispered, pinching my face.

Footsteps behind me.

"Melody!" Linda's voice rang out. "Stop running like a crazy person!"

Grandfather also caught up, breathless.

"Come let's go home, child."

I didn't speak.

They held me and walked me back in silence.

What started as a normal day...

Had turned into my worst nightmare.