Destined To A Human Mate

The first indication that my marriage was destined to fail surfaced during the bridal shower. Amidst the revelry of my cousins and strangers from the groom's family, I, the supposed excited bride-to-be, sat like a lifeless figure in a corner. Surrounded by gift-wrapped boxes and balloons, I observed as the girls mingled and laughed over games and drinks. Then, in a moment of quiet desperation, I looked up to the sky and silently pleaded to whatever forces might listen.

"Please, end my suffering. Let me sleep tonight and never wake up."

Although I had long abandoned belief in the moon goddess since my tenth birthday, my fate was sealed. Tomorrow, I would marry Maverick Novak, a man fifteen years my senior, whose first four wives had all met mysterious ends. The thought of him, a demonic presence, repulsed me to my core.

"Aurora, it's time to open your gifts!" announced one of my cousins, breaking through my thoughts. With a forced smile, I responded, "I have a headache and would love to retire early. Please excuse me."

Without waiting for any further reaction, I rose slowly from my chair. As I walked out, I overheard one of Maverick's relatives whispering, "She's so stuck-up. She doesn't know how fortunate she is. Maverick is wealthy."

"He's old enough to be our grandfather!" retorted one of my cousins with disdain, and I made my way to my room.

Contrary to popular belief, being the daughter of the Lycan king and residing in this vast mansion brought me nothing but anguish. My elaborate wedding dress hung in the closet, a creation from the most exclusive bridal couture in the Lycan realm, adorned with over twenty carats of diamonds and white gold.

As I ran my hands over the fabric, a sudden resolve struck me. Instead of praying for death, perhaps I could escape this dreadful marriage while there was still time.

"Leave now," a resolute voice inside me urged. "Escape before it's too late." Initially brushing off the notion, I considered the consequences. My father held immense power, and defying him on such a momentous occasion would invite severe repercussions. Once the vows were spoken, my fate would be sealed. Escaping now would ensure freedom from Maverick Novak, even if it meant risking everything.

Without hesitation, I tucked away some gold into my mother's locket, a pendant I wore around my neck. The challenge now lay in eluding my father's vigilant guards, stationed at every entrance and exit of the mansion. Even if I managed to slip away unnoticed, there were additional guards patrolling outside.

My backup plan involved a daring escape through the backyard fence, leading to the animal farm, where I could shift into my wolf form and flee for my life. It was a now-or-never decision.

A burly guard dressed in black eyed me suspiciously as I emerged from my room. Thinking quickly, I fabricated a plausible excuse.

"I'm feeling unwell," I murmured with feigned distress. "Some herbal tea from the garden usually helps settle my stomach."

The guard hesitated briefly before grunting in acknowledgment. "Make it quick," he muttered, unlocking the door to allow me passage.

Maintaining a composed facade, I walked past him, resisting the urge to sprint. Once outside, I headed straight for the backyard. The first phase of my escape went smoothly. I shifted into Kia, my ginger-colored wolf, and made a swift dash through the backyard fence toward the animal farm.

Disaster struck when Kia stumbled into a sewage pit, the putrid stench overwhelming my senses. Shaking off the filth, she clambered out and hurried toward the main fence, lined with sharp spikes. With a leap, she cleared the obstacle and landed on the other side.

My taste of freedom was fleeting. Flashlights and gleaming swords soon revealed guards in pursuit. Without hesitation, I bolted into the darkness, leaving the mansion and its secrets behind. With Kia beside me, we ventured into the unknown, driven by the hope of a fresh start.

Three years later

"Aurora, are you daydreaming again?" Raven snapped her fingers in front of my face, snapping me out of my thoughts. "Sorry, I got lost there. What were you saying?" I asked, trying to refocus.

Raven sat beside me on the sofa, her expression warm as she reached out to pat my tangled ginger hair. "When was the last time you had a proper hair wash? Your hair is too beautiful to be left like this."

"I know, she looks like a homeless lady with those eye bags," chimed in Kaden, Raven's best friend.

I shrugged and took a sip of the iced tea Raven handed me. "I've been job hunting and stressed as hell."

Kaden held up a hand to stop me. "Aurora, you're a gorgeous woman. At least make an effort to take care of yourself. And as for your job, we need to make sure this time you get something better than that bread factory where they treat you like a slave."

"My wolf Kia loves to mock me like this," I said, brushing off his comment.

Deep down, I knew Kia was right. I had transitioned from being a Lycan princess who never had to lift a finger to becoming a workaholic-working as a storekeeper, clerk, janitor, you name it. It was the price I paid for my peace and sanity in the human world.

Life was a constant juggling act, moving between rented apartments, hotels, Airbnbs, and inns, all while hiding from my father. When money got tight, I even took up a job as a barmaid on the Upper Coast, serving drinks to tourists and locals alike to make ends meet.

It was during one of those shifts that I met Alec Maddox, a millionaire by human standards. Sex with Alec was wild and helped during my heat periods, but he soon revealed his true colors-turning me into his sex slave and using manipulation to control me.

Fleeing from Alec's toxicity, I found refuge in the home of my dear friends, Kaden and Raven, who welcomed me with open arms. Kia, my wolf, despised me for trapping her in this world and controlling her with my human side. But Kaden and Raven, my human friends and hosts, treated me better than my own family ever did.

It was ironic how strangers treated me better than my own blood.

I'd choose Kaden and Raven's humble apartment over anywhere else a thousand times over. To hell with the Lycans. To hell with the moon goddess. And to hell with that pig, Alec Maddox.

I had met Kaden and Raven two years ago at Kansas Burgers, where we all worked as cashiers. They were university students at the time, needing extra cash. They believed my story of being a high school dropout trying to find my way in life.

"How's your mom doing?" I asked suddenly, pulling Raven from her thoughts.

Her face fell, and I felt a pang of sympathy for her. "Not any better. Cancer's a bitch. At this point, we're just preparing ourselves for the worst."

I squeezed her hand lightly. "Your mom's a fighter. By the way, I've got gifts for both of you."

"Yay, Santa!" Kaden exclaimed with a clap of his hands.

They watched as I pulled out an overflowing handbag, spilling its contents. Raven gasped at the sight of a black, eight-inch veiny dildo and my bullet vibrator.

Kaden whistled. "What the-"

"Watch your language, Kaden," Raven nudged him, eyes wide as she stared at the items spilling out of the box. I burst out laughing.

"You daring vixen!" Kaden clapped, ignoring Raven's shock. "If I weren't gay, I'd marry you on the spot. You're my kind of girl, Aurora!"

Amidst laughter, I turned on the vibrator and playfully aimed it at Raven. She shrieked and recoiled. "She's still a virgin," Kaden reminded me, grinning.

"Saving herself for the right man," Raven added, blushing.

"There's nothing wrong with that. Unfortunately, I don't joke around when it comes to my orgasms. They're the only thing that keeps me sane."

Talking about sex made my stomach churn. Soon, I'd be in heat and needed to find a way to manage my urges, or my Lycan traits would start to show.

I bathed myself in wolfsbane, but it was useless during my peak period. I needed to keep my horny wolf satisfied to prevent it from taking control of my body. After months of being trapped in a cycle with Alec, I needed peace of mind and relied more on sex toys.

In gratitude to my friends, I got Kaden a rainbow dungaree for Pride Month and Raven a wristwatch. But our moment was interrupted when Raven's phone rang. The excitement drained from her face.

"Do you want us to come with you?" I asked, feeling sympathy for her.

"No, it's okay. You need rest, and Kaden's got a date with some guy he met on Tinder."

"I can cancel," Kaden offered quickly.

Raven rolled her eyes. "Don't you dare. You've been single for too long. Besides, it's probably just the hospital asking for a payment. Nothing serious."

She kissed my cheek and left, while Kaden excused himself to get ready for his date.

Alone in the house, I took out my locket with my mom's picture inside. Her sea-blue eyes sparkled with happiness, and I wondered why she had agreed to marry my monstrous father when they weren't even fated mates.

I was free from all that baggage. Unlike my mom, I planned to live a mateless life, free from the responsibilities of a family and enjoying relationships with handsome men.

Sighing, I closed the locket and headed to the living room. I needed to find another job soon, to ease the burden on my friends. They weren't running a charity, and I wanted to contribute to feeding and rent.

As I stretched out on the couch, my eyelids heavy with sleep, a loud knock at the door startled me awake.

"Who is it?" I called groggily, walking over to open the door. To my shock, standing there with a bouquet and a wicked grin was my toxic ex, Alec.

"Peekaboo," he laughed, pushing me against the door. "Did you really think you could hide from me?"

Rage surged through me, hotter than a pot of boiling spaghetti. I'd always had a sense that Alec was off, but this was beyond anything I imagined. The realization that he'd followed me sent chills down my spine. "How did you find me? Have you been stalking me?" I demanded, feeling a mix of fear and anger. He responded with a lazy smirk that made my skin crawl.

"More or less," he replied.

Alec stood tall, over six-foot-three, almost resembling a Lycan. But his only power seemed to be his unrelenting sexual appetite.

"Don't act so surprised. Finding you wasn't that hard. Did you really think you could escape without me noticing?"

His grin widened, and he leaned in, his breath brushing against my ear, making me recoil in disgust.

"Get lost, Alec," I snapped, pushing past him.

Men like Alec think they can control women just because they're physically stronger or have more money. But he was wrong if he thought his threats scared me. I'd show him just how irrelevant he was.

"Oh, Aurora, you stubborn woman. I've missed you. Last night, I couldn't sleep thinking about bending you over."

His hands slipped around my waist, and I pushed him away, my skin crawling from the contact.

"Following me around is a sign you have a death wish. Get out before I call the cops."

Alec chuckled, licking his lips. "Need money? Just say the word, and I'll give you any amount. Trust me, baby."

My patience was wearing thin. My wolf, capable of taking down multiple men, burned with the urge to tear him apart. If only he knew he was messing with a Lycan.

"No amount of money will ever make me have sex with you. Next time I see you around, I won't be responsible for my actions."

I marched to the door and yanked it open. He laughed, his tone mocking.

"Oh, I'm scared," he said sarcastically. "Look at yourself. You're nothing but a cheap slut. No good job, no money, nothing. I'm offering you a better life, and you treat me like shit."

Fury boiled within me. "How dare you!"

"Truth hurts, girl. You're not special. I only want you because I'm addicted to you."

"You're sick," I spat.

"That's not what you say when I'm fucking you," he laughed.

"Ugh, Alec! I can't stand you. Your eyes are ugly, your breath is foul, and your tattoos are hideous."

"And you're a sex addict who needs help," he shot back.

I clenched my fists. Despite his perfect strokes, I was done with Alec Maddox. I'd rather die of sexual starvation.

"Leave before I make you bleed."

His eyes roved over me, consumed by lust. This was a problem I needed to end once and for all.

"Aurora, baby," he drawled. "I didn't mean half of what I said. Move in with me."

"I'm serious, Alec. Get out."

"Or what?" He grabbed my shoulders, shaking me. "I dare you to do your worst."

With narrowed eyes, he took a step closer. "Who owns this place? Your new boyfriend? Such a shame you settled for a pauper this time."

"It's none of your business, Alec. Leave before things get uglier."

"You'll regret this, Aurora," his tone turned menacing. "Tell your man to pay me back, or I'll make you beg for your life."

"If you threaten me again..."

Before I could finish, he lunged at me, pushing me to the ground. My wolf stirred, ready to kill. My nails turned to claws, and I struggled to control my transformation.

Alec didn't let go, yanking my hair and throwing me over his shoulder. Without thinking, I scratched his face, drawing blood. He screamed as his skin tore, and blood dripped onto his shirt. He dropped me, and I scrambled away, my heart pounding.

"You bitch!" he yelled, lunging at me. I dodged and ran for the door.

"Stop running away!" he shouted, chasing me.

I ran into the street, Alec close behind. A car sped past, splashing water and obscuring my view. The driver jumped out to help me, but Alec grabbed my arm. He froze when he saw a gun in the driver's hand.

"Back off," the driver commanded, aiming the gun at Alec.

"Who the hell are you?" Alec snarled.

"I'm Mark," the man replied calmly. "Now leave the lady alone before I blow your head off."

Alec hesitated, eyes darting between us. Finally, he backed away.

"I'm not done with you, Aurora. You don't know what's coming."

I watched him disappear, feeling relief wash over me.

"Are you alright?" Mark asked. "Do you need me to call the cops?"

"It's fine," I panted. "I'll handle it. Thank you for stopping him."

Mark smiled, his eyes crinkling. He was handsome, with sleek chestnut hair and an expensive-looking jacket. Everything about him screamed "CEO."

"Anytime," he replied smoothly. "But maybe next time, think twice before befriending such a fool. No one deserves to be treated that way."

I nodded. "You're right. I appreciate your help."

"Or you can hire me as your bodyguard," he chuckled. "I didn't catch your name."

"Aurora," I said.

"Beautiful name. It suits you," he winked. Before I could respond, I noticed a figure in the car. The door opened, and a man stepped out. My wolf stirred, and a familiar scent filled my nostrils.

My mate.