Cynthia Dion:
It's been two days since I discovered that they are my mates, and so far, they haven't even glanced in my direction. I did hear from sources that Rosalie was quite upset about not being mated to them. I've always seen the three of them together, so I wasn't entirely sure which one she wanted to be with.
‘Or maybe she was expecting to be with both of them, like us?’ Thia chimed in, making me grunt in response.
‘Don't even bring that up. They don't care,’ I muttered, my attention half on the teacher delivering a monotonous lecture while my mind wandered, engaged in a conversation with my wolf. Thia was unfortunately a very weak wolf. She could only communicate with me. This was also a cause for concern, as I was the youngest to transition into any werewolf pack.
My father kept the news from spreading, but he also fretted about my early transition at the age of 9, which was too premature. He then grew desperate and sought various remedies for assistance. One of them, a rogue, provided him with a medication, and after that, I never fully recovered. The intention was to prevent my wolf from awakening again until I turned 15, but that didn't quite go as planned. Thia was awake, but she had lost all the strength to transform.
Thankfully, she didn’t accuse me of indulging in this nonsense, recognizing that I was merely a child who had to heed Daddy Dearest's instructions, no matter what.
"And Miss Cynthia is once again engrossed in gossiping with her wolf," the teacher's strident voice and the impact of a marker hitting the whiteboard jolted me back to reality.
"I apologize," I mumbled awkwardly, averting eyes and retrieving the marker for her.
"No need to apologize. Would you care to enlighten us about what you were discussing with Thia? That is her name, right? The one who cannot transition is now consuming your time as well. Your situation is already precarious, with a limited array of job prospects awaiting you in the future, and you're squandering those opportunities too," she continued to scold, while the students laughed and jeered at me.
"It's alright; I can have her as my surrogate in the future. I'm not about to sacrifice my figure for anyone," a beta's daughter declared haughtily, nonchalantly shrugging her shoulders. Her father had lost by just one point in the contest to become the Royal Beta of The Eclipse Warriors, while Rosalie's father emerged victorious. Consequently, Rosalie had assumed the mantle of Royal Beta and become Atticus's right-hand.
The two girls didn't exactly share a fondness for each other, but due to their shared circumstances, they didn't actively despise each other either.
Both were wealthy brats with Beta wolves.
"Ew! I would keep her as my maid," Rosalie's comment garnered agreement from the others.
"Alright, that's enough," the teacher finally intervened after they had subjected me to their remarks. The rest of the school day was a living nightmare for me. Every time I zoned out, someone would hit me with a marker to interrupt my conversation with Thia. Even during recess, I had to seclude myself in the bathroom.
Once school ended, I hurried out as if my life depended on it, only to encounter another jerk.
Jack Rhode.
An 18-year-old gamma and my neighbor.
I despised him due to his persistent attempts to manipulate me into choosing him as my mate after I rejected my actual mate.
"So, did you find your mate?" Just like on my 18th birthday, he inquired.
"No, Jack! I didn't," I retorted, attempting to bypass the blond-haired nuisance.
"I'm telling you, you don’t have a fated mate because of your weak wolf. Just get over it and accept me as your chosen mate," he insisted, his forehead furrowed in annoyance.
"Jack! Why don't you concentrate on finding your fated mate instead? I want absolutely nothing to do with you." At this point, I swear I'm starting to sound like a broken record.
Jack attended the same school as me, and it was an open secret that he was one of the most troublesome individuals around. I had heard about him tormenting innocent girls and even stealing from numerous omegas. Even if those despicable qualities didn't exist, I still wouldn't accept him.
"Huff! Cynthia, I'm giving you just a few days because after that--- I'll make you accept me in front of everyone, one way or another."
"Hey, I hope you don't mind me stealing my friend away from you." Mara materialized out of nowhere, seizing my hand to pull me away from him. Fortunately, the crowd thickened, and Jack got left behind.
I didn't want to engage in that conversation with him once more. I had barely managed to escape the school premises with Mara's intervention.
"Somebody spat on me today," Mara disclosed, taking a seat beside me on the bench. It was our routine to gather at the bus stop, sharing the details of the day's bullying.
"Do you see that bump on my forehead?" I brushed aside my bangs to reveal the raised area.
"Oh my goodness! What happened?" She touched it gently, and when I winced, she withdrew her hand, apologizing silently.
"Everyone was hitting me with markers to prevent me from conversing with Thia," I sighed, recollecting the incident that had unfolded during history class. It was the only period when Mara and I weren't together.
"I don’t understand. Why can't you just go talk to your mates? Explain how others are treating you." She grasped my hand and shook it, attempting to snap me out of my thoughts.
"I can't. You heard them tell everyone they didn't find a mate. They're probably too ashamed that they were mated to me. There's nothing I can do about it." I had grown so frustrated with her bringing it up every other minute that I slung my bag over my shoulder and resolved to walk home instead of waiting for the bus.
"Now where are you headed?" she shouted, realizing that I needed some time alone.
"We'll meet at school tomorrow, Mara!" I called back, quickening my pace to put more distance between us.
After crossing the road and nearly turning a corner to vanish from her sight, I had an epiphany. She was right; I couldn't keep this information to myself. Eventually, I'd have to make my mates accept me. If they weren't willing, perhaps I could find a chosen mate, but even for that to work, I would need a rejection from them.
‘No! We must not get rejected,' Thia vehemently dismissed the notion.
I was about to provide a more nuanced explanation when my steps came to a sudden halt near a desolate road, where I spotted a familiar car parked in the middle. There was no mistaking it--it was Atticus's car. I recognized the golden crown sticker on the windshield's corner. However, it wasn't merely his presence that startled me; it was what I witnessed them doing inside the car that left me frozen in place. It was a torment to a mate's eyes.
Atticus was exhaling a puff of cigarette smoke, appearing completely out of it, while Rosalie was seated in Enzo’s lap, locked in a passionate make-out session with him. Her almost naked body was reclining onto Atticus, and his hands were entwined in her hair, tenderly stroking them.
However, Atticus seemed more absorbed in his cigarette than in her. The scene was unsettling, and suddenly, an explanation for their lack of interest in me became apparent.
Standing there, tears welling up in my eyes, I felt like my heart was being torn apart. That’s when Atticus noticed me gazing at them, his eyes locking onto mine.
Cynthia Dion:I jolted myself out of the daze and instinctively took a few steps backward. Our eye contact grew more intense, and I could sense his anger emanating from his gaze. He turned to utter something to Enzo, who also shifted his attention towards me. Meanwhile, Rosalie hastily retreated to the backseat of the car, apparently fixing her appearance.‘We should get out of here and head home,’ Thia's voice resonated in my mind, and her urgency reminded me of the danger I might be in. I could have stood there, wallowing in the internal turmoil caused by the sight of my mates being intimate with their best friend in a weird threesome scenario.I quickly stepped back a few paces and then spun around, sprinting away from them. The last glimpse I caught was when they emerged from the car. Atticus seemed to be fully dressed, while Enzo was zipping up his pants before he followed after me.I doubted Rosalie had any intention of following me; her focus was likely too consumed by whatever
Cynthia Dion: I returned home after shedding all my tears on the side of the road by the hill. But stepping into my house meant entering another battle that required a different kind of strength."What took you so long?" my dad's voice boomed the moment he laid eyes on me. My eyes were swollen, and my nose was red and puffy, yet those obvious signs of distress didn't capture his attention. His anger was simply a result of his lunch not being on the table as soon as he wanted it."There was a mate-call ceremony today, so the classes started late," I lied, entering the kitchen without bothering to change my clothes or wash my hands."And what about you? Did you inform the principal that you don't want any mates?" He followed me into the kitchen, evidently suspicious that I might be pursuing any potential mates.The house I lived in was a far cry from a nurturing home; solace was only attainable when my 11-year-old sister, Flora, was by my side. Flora held a rightful fear of our father,
Cynthia Dion:"This mansion is huge," Mara commented as we stood outside like idiots.The ongoing party was making me anxious. I know Enzo doesn’t respect me, so walking into his home and talking to him when there are so many people present could land me in trouble."Let's go," I said as I held her hand and walked through the gate, fear in my heart.I wasn’t here for myself. They have dragged my sister into this mess, and I needed to fight for her.I took Mara down a corridor, expecting to find Enzo there for some reason.It was probably because it wasn’t as crowded in there as it was all over the mansion."Why are we in this corridor? I doubt we'll find him here," Mara grumbled, gradually freeing her arm from my grip and refusing to take another step."I just need a moment to catch my breath," I lied, trying to conceal the fact that my wolf had detected the scent of my mate here--my other mate!"Seriously? Why don’t you just--," she paused as we heard some noises coming from the room
Cynthia Dion:"What is she saying?" Rosalie disregarded the murmuring crowd and directed her inquiry toward her friends with benefits."Is she your mate?" she turned to Atticus, tears already streaming down her face. Her intensity had escalated to a whole new level. She seemed oblivious to the many students recording her emotional outburst for two alphas who weren't even her designated mates."Why are you even giving her the time of day?" Enzo attempted to be sly, but I was certain she saw through his act. They must have turned 18 and found their mates by now."I'm not lying. They are both my mates. We felt the mate bond---," I halted mid-sentence as Enzo advanced toward me aggressively, causing fear to course through me."She's telling the truth!" Rosalie asserted, deducing from his reaction. "You two hid this from me," she cried out, her tears flowing freely."That's enough drama for tonight," Atticus finally intervened after a period of silence, signaling to the crowd outside to di
Cynthia Dion:"Drink this; it will help keep your body warm." After driving for a while, Mr. Holt had stepped out of the car and returned with a cup of tea for me.His consideration touched me deeply. I managed a smile as I accepted the cup from him, my energy levels low. The rejection had taken a toll on me; for several minutes afterward, I found it impossible to form words, until I was a safe distance away from Atticus and seated in the car with Mr. Holt."How did you know I like tea?" I inquired softly, my voice hushed due to my depleted energy. The aftermath of the rejection had left me drained."I didn't," he replied, raising the cup to his lips and taking a sip before explaining, "I happen to enjoy tea."As I looked at him, a thought surfaced--why couldn't boys my age be more like him? A true gentleman."I'm not anticipating you to tell me everything, but it could be beneficial if I could be of assistance with whatever is troubling you. This is the second time I've come across y
Cynthia Dion:Mr. Holt dropped me off at home late that night. Thankfully, my father wasn't present, sparing me from another round of his abuse. However, it had been a few days since I turned 18, and I was biding my time, trying to save enough money to buy myself a cake and celebrate my birthday with my persistent sister, who had been pestering me for a cake.Flora had always regarded me as her role model, and that terrified me because I felt far from worthy of such admiration.Standing in the bathroom, I heaved a sigh as I regarded my reflection in the shattered mirror, offering a silent birthday wish to myself. Sadly, the funds I had managed to gather fell short of what I needed for the cake, forcing me to abandon the idea of celebrating my birthday altogether."All I wished for was to be accepted by my mate on my birthday," I whispered to the reflection in the mirror. Whenever I thought of him, a shiver would run through my body as I recalled the loathing in his gaze. He used to be
Cynthia Dion:He turned around and fixed a stern gaze upon my face."Do you want them to attack you?" he hissed, his sharp jaw clenched as he restrained himself."What makes you think I am safer with you?" I retorted, resisting the urge to cry or whisper, unlike every other time."Cynthia, follow me to my car," he instructed, his eyes closing briefly as he repeated the request."I can go home by myself," I muttered, attempting to walk past him. However, he positioned himself in my way, blocking my path."I can see that. They will still be waiting, hiding behind walls to catch you somehow. So, don’t make a scene, and follow me," he grunted, a noticeable air of annoyance around him. With his words framed that way, I found myself with no option but to trail him to his Bugatti.No matter how angry I felt towards him, I remained a miserable omega who had to do whatever it took to stay safe. If not for myself, then for my sister.He left the passenger side door open for me and settled into
Cynthia Dion:"Ah!" With every lift of the belt, my father aimed to strike, and each time, I sobbed. My cries reverberated through the house, mirroring the wounds etched into my fragile flesh. I couldn't bear for Flora to witness this; it could scar her deeply.As the brutal beating continued, compassion seemed nonexistent in him. I struggled to voice my objections, but inexplicably, I couldn't muster the words.My wolf hadn't undergone the transition yet, a truth I'd kept hidden from everyone. Revealing it would mean being branded as an outcast, a fact I feared more than anything."Dad! Ple---ase stop!" I whimpered, lifting my hand instinctively to shield my face from the blows even though my body throbbed with pain.He muttered, the belt striking once more, "You dared to challenge my principles, and here you are, arriving home at this hour. Why were you outside?" His voice thundered with anger. I lost my senses briefly as the belt collided with the back of my neck, the impact ringin