1

I wake up with a huge smile on my face, and when I look at the alarm, I see that I woke up ten minutes before it rang. It must be the excitement. It's finally here—I'm finally eighteen!

I get up from bed, Open my curtains, and the beautiful sunrise rays instantly fill the room, illuminating it with its golden glow, damn! I could stare at the sunrise all day. Are you more of a sunrise lover or a sunset lover?

I quickly make my bed and head to the shower to freshen up. After I am done, I get dressed and make my way through the house, finally getting to the kitchen.

I am greeted with the fantastic scent of pastries, and when I step into the kitchen, the scene of a hearty breakfast welcomes me: I see pancakes, slices of bacon, fried eggs, freshly baked muffins, cupcakes, and coffee nicely arranged on the dining table.

Aaaww, isn't my Mum the absolute sweetest?

"Good Morning Mom," I say as I give her a kiss on the cheek.

"Good Morning Darling." She says.

"Happy birthday, my sweet, beautiful daughter," she adds excitedly as she places a kiss on my forehead and hugs me tightly. My little girl is growing up. I can't believe you are now eighteen."

"Thanks, Mom," I say.

"Well, sit down and have some breakfast before you get late for school." She says as she grabs a plate and serves me a little bit of everything.

"Today you might find your mate, are you excited?" She says as she hands me the plate

"Honestly Mum I'm not. What if I don't find him? I don't want to be too disappointed." I say and start devouring the yummy food as she pours me a cup of coffee.

I meant what I said, though. Some people don't find their mate until way later in life, while some find them immediately, while others never do and wander the world without having ever experienced being with their mate. There is really no formula for these things. For all I know, my mate is not even in this pack.

"Don't be too negative; you don't know what the Moon Goddess may have in store for you. Any man would be blessed and lucky to have you as their mate." She said, causing my eyes to tear up.

"Thank You so much, Mom. I love you, and I am so blessed to have you as my mother. The Moon Goddess did me well." I say, get up, find my way to her, hug her, and give her a kiss on the cheek, only to find her cheek already wet with tears.

Damn, This morning was turning out to be one of those emotional mornings that happens every other week. I love this woman to death.

"Thank You for the yummy breakfast," I add.

"You're always welcome. I love you too, my sweetheart, " she says, and that warms my heart to the core.

"You better hurry before you get late, Your father is still out on patrols and will probably get in by lunchtime,"

"Alright, Mom. Hug him for me when he gets back." I say and kiss her one more time." Have a good day."

"Have a great birthday sweetheart,"

"Thank You," I say as I dash out to the living room to get my bag and head out the door.

I get my backpack from the living room, dash out of the front door, get in my car, and head to school.

Well, I realize now that you don't know anything about me. Maybe I should tell you just a little bit.

My name is April Robinson, and I'm a werewolf. You might be thinking, "What? A werewolf?" But it's true we actually exist.

Today, I hope to find my mate. A mate is a werewolf's soul mate, a significant other. Mates are supposed to love and care for you like no other person does or ever will.

At the age of eighteen, most werewolves find their mates.

I know I was all negative earlier, but some part of me kinda wished I would find my mate today; after all, who would not want a happily ever after? To have someone love and understand you so profoundly?

Am I delusional for actually being excited about that?

"No love. Can you imagine us being with our mate? In his arms and him just loving on us?" My wolf Snow says, and I just smile at the possibility of that, and I find myself daydreaming the rest of the way driving to school.

I reach school and make my way towards my locker.

I have always been an outsider; I never understood why, yet I was born here and have lived here all my life.

It hurt when I was younger, but I kind of just got used to it and started to keep to myself. Eventually, I just ended up being a loner. It was hard at first because wolves are social creatures most of the time and treat each member of the pack like family, but at the end of the day, it is what it is.

Lunch comes quickly, and since I have no friends at school, I always eat my lunch in the library.

I have yet to find my mate (if you were wondering!) And I don't think I will.

The bell rings, and I make my way to class.

The teacher called in sick, so we had a substitute today. They just gave us a few revision questions and told us we were free to do whatever we wanted as long as we kept quiet.

Therefore, I just decided to read my novel and do the questions later because Math was easy for me, and I would finish it fast. Also, this book has such a grip on me that I can't even explain it.

Just as I was about to continue reading "All the Bright Places," I heard a knock on the door.

'Yes, come in!" The substitute says.

When the door opens, I am hit with the most amazing scent. It smells woodsy, and it makes my hormones turn haywire!

"Mate! Mate! Mate!" Snow (my wolf) screams in excitement.

I am happy, too, but that is before I see who it is. No! No! No! It can't be! The future Alpha of this pack can't be my mate!

The look of disgust he gives me lets me know that my mate feels the same.

"The principal wants to see April Robinson," his voice stirred something in me.

Wait what? What did I do?

I stand up and make my way to the principal's office.

It is just him and me in the hallways. I start walking toward the principal's office, but I'm stopped when something—or rather someone—pulls me back.

"April, I know you are my mate," he says.

"I know that too. Could this day get any better? "I ask, half hoping he feels the same way despite the look of disgust he gave me earlier.

"Actually it can. I Jake Currington future Alpha of the Dark Moon pack reject you April Robinson as my mate and future Luna of this pack," he says with no emotion.

I feel my heart breaking, and the tears start flowing of their own accord.

"Wh-Why?" I stammer.

"I need a female to bear me strong Alpha pups. And honestly, you are not that female," he says coldly.

Well, if my heart had broken before, it sure as hell is shattered now.

"I April Robinson accept your rejection," I say and walk away from my supposed mate before I break down more in front of him.

I did not want him to see me at my lowest point to further prove his point about me being weak.

As I spoke those words, I felt the mate bond shatter; it may not have had a chance to take root, but it was still there, and Oh my Goddess, did it fucking hurt.