I lay in bed, staring at the ceiling. Everything was a blur after I fell. I vaguely remembered my mother, Amelia, Clara, and Stella calling my name in a panic. Then, nothing.
They must have brought me home.
I sat up slowly, seeing my mother watching me, tears streaming down her face. “Honey,” she cooed, pulling me into her embrace.
“Leon rejected me, Mom. My mate rejected me,” I sobbed. It was still hard to believe. I wished it was a nightmare, but my mother stroked my hair, weeping with me. It was real.
I knew she understood my pain. It had happened to her too. My father, her mate, had deceived her, impregnating her twice before leaving her for someone else. He’d promised her happiness, but it was all a lie.
“It hurts so bad. Make it stop, Mom. Please make the pain go away,” I begged, clawing at my chest. Oh, goddess, I’d do anything to stop the pain.
“My honey, I’m so sorry,” my mother wept, holding me close.
Hours later, I was calmer, exhausted. Sleep wouldn’t come as my mother closed the door.
In the middle of the night, alone in the dark, tears streamed again. Talia had been silent for hours, and I could feel her crushing pain, mirroring my own.
I’d looked forward to meeting my mate since I was sixteen. Our teachers at Mystic Claws & Fangs Academy said it was the best thing that could happen to a werewolf.
I’d waited for someone, not necessarily powerful or high-ranking, but someone who would love me and protect me from the world’s cruelty. I needed someone by my side, no matter what.
I was overjoyed when I learned it was Leon. I thought he would take away my pain and change my family’s status. But I was wrong.
Werewolves only have one chance at finding their mate. Now that mine was gone, what would become of me?
Would Talia ever be the same? A werewolf without their wolf is like an empty shell — many die or go insane after losing their mates. The pain is unbearable.
Now I understood their agony, and I hadn’t even accepted his rejection. Would I suffer the same fate — death or madness?
I prayed Talia would stay strong.
How could the Moon Goddess do this to me? Why me? What had I done to deserve this? She could have paired me with another omega, and I would have been content. As long as there was love, I’d be happy.
From then on, I never cried in front of my mother. It only reminded her of her own loss and made my sister lose hope for her own mate. Now, as I showered, I muffled my sobs.
The night after Leon’s rejection had been excruciating. I bit my pillow to silence my screams.
It lasted almost an hour. I knew what my mate was doing. He was mating another woman, Liana, while I was in agony.
“Is this fair?” Talia howled in pain, sadness, and rage. I felt her anger, a welcome change from her silence. My wolf was strong, and I was grateful.
School resumed a week ago, but I couldn’t face it. My friends, Clara and Stella, visited after school, trying to cheer me up, but I refused to go back yet. I wasn’t ready to see Leon and Liana all lovey-dovey. But I would show them I was strong, that they couldn’t break me.
My phone chimed. It was Clara.
“Get ready, we’re taking you shopping. See you soon!”
Those girls. They didn’t have to spend money on me.
“Aria, are you ready?” Clara and Stella yelled from downstairs. They were already here.
“We’re coming in!” Stella yelled mischievously. Amelia and Clara followed, cackling. I quickly changed into a tank top and shorts.
“Hmm,” Stella smirked.
“Let’s go,” Clara said to Amelia. “Coming?”
“Wouldn’t miss it,” Amelia giggled.
We did more window shopping than actual shopping, but it was fun. We got some clothes and shoes. Back home, Clara announced a sleepover. Stella agreed. We gathered in the living room, blankets over our shoulders. Amelia was already in bed, exhausted.
“Let’s watch The Originals,” Clara said dreamily. “They remind me of the hot hybrids at school.”
“Not again, Clara,” Stella groaned. “Everyone else is living in reality.”
“Whatever,” Clara rolled her eyes. “A wise woman once said, ‘If you can’t have your fantasy, read or watch it!”
I chuckled. “That wise woman was you?”
Clara playfully hit me with a pillow as I laughed. Suddenly, I felt the pain again.
“Aria, I’m so sorry,” Clara said, seeing me clutch my stomach. “I didn’t mean to hit you so hard.”
I shook my head, writhing in pain. “It’s nothing,” I gasped.
“What’s happening?” Stella asked in alarm, pulling me into her arms.
“Don’t tell my mom,” I choked out, tears running down my cheeks.
“I think I know,” Stella said, pulling up my shirt to reveal the burning sensation. “That man-whore, Leon, is doing something nasty with someone else.”
The pain was unbearable. I think I passed out.
When I woke up, Stella and Clara were still there. I was glad my mom wasn’t home.
Clara held my hand, tears in her eyes. Stella paced, looking murderous.
“I’m okay now,” I forced a smile.
“How many times has this happened?” Stella asked, her anger not directed at me.
“I bet it’s not the first time,” Clara said, looking at my bruised stomach.
“This is the third time,” I admitted. Clara cried again, and Stella cursed.
“It’s not fair! He can’t do this!” Clara sobbed.
“He’s bitten off more than he can chew,” Stella swore, baring her fangs. “And we’ll get even. Aria! Operation Payback!”