Violet

“Don’t just stand here. Let’s go!” Trinity grabbed my arm and pulled me toward the dance floor, where most of the students were.

I tugged at the hem of my dress, nearly falling over. “Are you sure I look okay?” I spoke over the loud music.

Trinity grabbed two drinks from a passing tray, handing me one. “Of course you do. You look hot,” she shouted.

I let out a sigh, disagreeing as my eyes scanned the crowd. I didn’t feel hot—I felt stupid and out of place. All these girls looked good because they had the confidence to go with it.

Trinity wrapped her arms around my neck and swayed from side to side, forcing me to move with her.

“There you go!” she said, and I gave her a small smirk in return.

A loud, exaggerated laugh pierced through the music. I looked to the side to see where it was coming from, and it was no one other than our roommate who was more so like a ghost—Chrystal.

She was standing with Kylan, Nate and Amy. A weird feeling went through my body as my gaze fell on the Lycan prince.

Chrystal said something, placing her hand on Kylan’s leather jacket—but he had no reaction.

His face was just as stony as it had been in the restroom. When I first met him, his shoulder-length hair had been loose, but tonight it was pulled back into a bun.

Cold, yet undeniably handsome. That would be a good way to describe him.

Chrystal looked gorgeous. She wore a pink mini dress that hugged her body, and her red hair fell beautifully over her shoulders.

They matched perfectly, and were both attractive. One could easily understand why they used to date.

Why was I even observing these people?

I tried to look away, but failed miserably. My eyes remained glued to them.

“If you’re not interested, stop staring at him,” Trinity sang, nudging me playfully.

I dragged my eyes away, annoyed at myself for exposing myself. I truly wasn’t interested, and I truly didn’t care. “I wasn’t staring.”

Trinity shot me a sarcastic look. “Don’t try to understand. I’ve heard this is what they do. They break up and get back together like every other week.”

“Good for them,” I said with a shrug. “But I barely know the guy, and he’s not exactly the nicest—so I really do not care.”

Trinity raised her eyebrows, unconvinced. “You know what? I can name ten guys hotter than him,” she spoke as she glanced around the crowd. “Take him for example!” her finger pointed to a guy walking past.

I followed her gaze and nearly choked when I saw who she was pointing at—my brother, Dylan. I gagged to myself, trying to shake the image from my head.

“You didn’t even see his face,” I argued. “You only saw the back.”

“Yes, and?” Trinity blinked. “He has broad shoulders, dark hair, a good fashion sense, and that’s all I need to know.”

I laughed at her conclusion, and focused on the music. After several more drinks, I finally let loose and was able to let go of everything.

My worries, insecurities, the pressure of trying to fit in.

For the first time in years, I actually felt like I was having fun.

All was good, until the music suddenly cut off. It was replaced by a loud uncomfortable sound, followed by several taps coming from a microphone. The crowd turned their attention to the source, and it was Nate, standing on a small platform.

“Test, test—can everyone hear me?”

People cheered in response.

“It’s going to happen!” Trinity squealed.

“Great! Welcome everyone to the annual Starlight Festival!” Nate pumped up the crowd, getting the same energy in return. After the cheer died down, he continued speaking.

“I could give you all a long, boring welcome speech…” he grinned, “but we all know what you really came for.”

The students let out a gasp as Nate pulled out something which appeared to be a small potion bottle from his pocket. He raised it high in the air, showing off the silver glow swirling inside the bottle.

“Violet—that’s the Moon Goddess’ breath,” Trinity whispered.

I frowned. “The Moon Goddess’ what?”

“As you all know, once I open this potion, it might just be that you find your mate at this very moment.”

The students reacted, everyone was pushing each other to get closer—but I was in no hurry. By chance, I caught Chrystal wrapping her arm around Kylan, leaning into him with a big smile. He rolled his eyes, and pushed her away.

“Whatever happens next,” Nate continued, and I turned my head again. “Please take it to the dorms, remember nobody wants to see your business—there are condoms in every building. Let’s not make any fur babies tonight!”

The crowd laughed while my stomach twisted with unease. This whole thing was becoming too much. Mates, magic potions, fur babies…

Could we not just skip this part and focus on the academy?

“Five—“ Nate started counting down, the crowd joining in. “Four, three, two, one!”

He opened the bottle, and seconds later a large cloud of smoke traveled to the dance floor.

The music kicked back in, but the fog grew thicker, even reaching my glasses. I could barely see anything, and my attempt to wipe them clean only made it worse.

“Trinity!”

No answer.

“Trinity!” I called out again, but she was gone. Due to the heavy fog, I had lost her in the crowd.

To make matters worse, my body suddenly felt like it was on fire. Heat spread from my cheeks, to my core, even down to my limbs. Lumia growled inside my head, her voice louder than usual.

Something was happening.

Was it my glasses?

I needed to get out of here.

I panicked as I pushed through the crowd, still unable to see anything. “Sorry!” I muttered as I bumped into people, only I couldn’t see who I was apologizing to.

Once I finally made it off the dance floor, I grabbed a napkin and wiped my glasses, careful not to take them off.

The glasses weren’t the issue. They couldn’t be.

My heart was still raising, body fuming, and the tip of my fingers tingling.

‘Follow!’ Lumia growled, growing urgent. She had never been like this.

“Follow what?” I whispered, confused.

I spotted a guy disappearing into the woods, moving away from the festival, and without thinking, I followed. My body moved on its own.

I had no idea what was happening to me, but honestly, I wasn’t even sure if it was really me anymore. I was losing control, and that was the one thing I feared most.

As I stumbled deeper into the woods, the music faded behind me. The guy in front of me moved faster. He knew I was following him, I wanted to stop—but I couldn’t. Lumia wouldn’t let me.

I began to realize what was happening to me. The potion, the smoke—Lumia.

That guy must be my…

After a while, the guy finally stopped. His back was still turned to me. I froze, catching my breath before a loud ringing sound filled my ears. At that moment, all I could see was him, standing there in the dark woods.

Slowly, the figure turned. My breath hitched.

It was Kylan.

His cold eyes stared right at me. His gaze was dark, dangerous—and my stomach twisted.

He took a step forward me, his eyes never leaving mine.

He didn’t get too close. He kept just enough distance between us as if he was repulsed by the sight of me.

“Why are you following me?” he growled in fury.

I didn’t move a muscle. My heart slammed against my ribs as I took in his anger. He knew why. He must have felt it too, that strange feeling that had dragged me into the woods.

“I—I don’t know,” I whispered.

Not getting the answer he suspected, Kylan roared in frustration. Before I could ever think clearly, he moved at an incredible speed and shoved me hard against a tree.

I released a soft yelp, my back slightly burning, but all I could focus on were those dark eyes. They were angry, confused…hungry. His face was inches away, so close I could feel his breath against my skin.

And there it was again. That burning sensation spreading through every part of my body, and this time it was ten times more intense.

I tried to fight it, I really did—but before I could stop myself, the horrible words I had hoped not to speak for at least a few more years, slipped past my lips.

“Mate.”

The moment the word left my mouth, Kylan’s released a sharp breath. His eyes were still full of anger, but his hand moved to my face. He traced two fingers from my cheek to my lips, and when I parted them, he moved them to my chin.

It was almost like a warning.

I lead, you follow.

How could someone I hated so much stir something so powerful inside me?

To my surprise, Kylan leaned closer until his lip where inches from mine. His gaze turned a bit softer, more confused, and for a moment—I really thought he’d kiss me.

The thought was supposed to terrify me. I was supposed to pull away—but I didn’t. I couldn’t, and neither could he.

I could only hear the sound of our heavy breaths filling the woods. Time stood still…and then his lips crashed into mine.

The kiss was rough, almost desperate, like he was trying to prove that this would be the first and the last time. His hands gripped my waist, pulling me closer, and I melted into him.

I gasped into his mouth as his hands began to roam my body, and his tongue found its way between my lips.

The kiss deepened, and without thinking, I grabbed the collar of his leather jacket. I grabbed it tightly, holding on as if I never intended to let go—and strangely enough, I didn’t want to.

Kylan released a low growl, pushing me harder against the tree. The way his lips felt on mine made everything else disappear.

I lost myself in him.

Lumia was calm again.

But then, Kylan pulled away. He kept his eyes close, his forehead resting against mine as we both gasped for air.

That was my first kiss…

What the hell just happened?

As if snapped back into reality, his cold eyes opened again. He gripped my chin, forcing my gaze to meet his.

I wanted to speak, to ask what this meant, what his intentions were—but before I could say anything, Kylan’s lips twitched in anger.

“You…” he spat out in disgust, “…are a pathetic, low-rank puppy.”

My heart shattered into pieces. The fire I had felt during our kiss had been fully extinguished. My mind cleared again. Our first meeting, when he had knocked me over, had already set the tone for our relationship—and nothing could change that. He hated me, and I hated him.

“You are no mate of mine,” Kylan tightened his grip on my chin, making me wince. “Never.”

Then he walked away…

Kylan

“Ky,” Chrystal moaned into my ears as she reached her peak. Her body trembled beneath me, nails dug into my back, hard enough to leave marks.

I waited for a while before I rolled off her with a disappointed sigh. It didn’t feel satisfying, not in the way it should have—and it was all because of…her.

Chrystal had the audacity to place her hand on my chest and started tracing circles with her fingers. “That was amazing,” she whispered.

For you.

She leaned closer to kiss my cheek, but I could avoid it just in time. I rolled my eyes, pushing her away as I got out of bed. Our business was done here, and so was any desire to stay here with her.

"Why can’t you just stay with me for once?" Chrystal asked, her voice a little frustrated. “Like you used to.”

I ignored her, scanning my messy room. Only, it wasn’t my mess—it was Chrystal’s. Her clothes, her makeup were all scattered around the room and it made me think that perhaps I had made her too comfortable. We weren’t together anymore.

Luckily, I had a private room. One of the privileges that came with being heir to the Lycan throne. In my freshman year, I did share a room with Nate, who was Chrystal’s brother, and my future Beta who would follow into his Dad’s footsteps—but after a few months of complaining, I had managed to get us separate spaces.

Part of me just needed to breathe without him around all the time, and that small part of me wanted to respect my best friend by not fucking his twin within a ten-mile radius.

Now it had backfired.

“Make sure you take your shit with you this time. All of it,” I said coldly, heading for the bathroom before I could hear her response.

I jumped into the hot shower, trying to think of that one thing I had been trying to ignore—but couldn’t. I clenched my fist as I rested my head against the shower wall, my mind traveling back to the Starlight Festival.

Four-eyes….

That’s what I called her.

I didn’t know her name, and didn’t care for it.

All I knew was that she was my mate, and not the strong Lycan mate I wanted—no, a puppy.

That damn girl with those sharp blue eyes, hiding behind those glasses was my mate. The beast tried to show it to me when she had spied on me in the restroom, and I nearly prayed to the Moon Goddess for it not to be true.

The first thing I wanted to do when Nate opened that bottle was choke him to death for putting me in this position.

I had shoved her against that tree, and had been so close to ripping her apart for even speaking the word ‘mate,’ but then my body betrayed me. I had to get a taste of those plump lips, and once I did—I was unable to stop myself.

I hated myself for it. She was a stalker, a creep.

Why her?

I was heir to the throne, future king of the biggest Lycan kingdom, Lupyria. It didn’t make sense, nothing about this bond made sense—yet it did.

Perhaps this was my punishment from the Moon Goddess for that horrible thing I did many years ago.

That thing the king keptAnd reminding me of by showing me how little he cared for me.

With a throbbing head, I got out of the shower. A towel was wrapped around my waist as I walked back into the room, and unfortunately, Chrystal was still lying in bed, her eyes following me like she hadn’t gotten the message.

"You’re still here?"

"Well, yes," she replied. "Why wouldn’t I be?"

I ran a hand through my wet hair, trying to keep my temper in check. "Chrystal, you know the deal. What we had is over. I told you, if it isn’t for your body, I don’t want to see you. Now leave."

Chrystal’s face twisted in anger. I didn’t pity her because we were supposed to have this mutual understanding, one we had both agreed to.

After an on and off relationship that had been going on for years, we had broken up a few months ago, and this time it was for good.

Dad, the Lycan King, had pushed us to be together. He insisted that his Beta’s daughter and his heir to the throne were a perfect match, one that didn’t need the blessing of the Moon Goddess. No matter what the future held, we were destined to be together in his eyes.

I never liked disobeying him, so I endured—but at some point I just couldn’t stand it anymore. I had never been loyal to her, never loved her, and I wasn’t capable of loving anyone.

After what I had done to my brother, my very own flesh and blood, it didn’t take long to reach that conclusion.

“Leave,” I pointed to the door.

“But Kylan,” she whined, “my roommates are so lame. Except for Amy, I guess. She’s kind of alright, but a total try-hard. You should see the others, you’d laugh at them…”

I stopped listening and put on my clothes. The annoying tone of her voice was nothing more than an irrelevant background noise. She could complain all she wanted—but it’d end all the same, with her leaving my room.

Once I finished dressing, I yanked the covers off the bed, exposing her naked body. “Come on,” I encouraged, grabbing all her clothes from yesterday, then I tossed it at her. “Didn’t I make myself clear? Get dressed, take your shit—and leave.”

Chrystal grunted as she stood up and threw the dress over her head. “Who is the slut you’re with now?” she began accusing me. “Is that why you don’t want me around anymore?”

Slut?

My mind went blank.

“I’ll find her!” Chrystal shouted. “I’ll find her, and then I’ll ki—“

Refusing to let her finish that sentence, I had already pinned her against the wall. Agee took over as my hand gripped her throat, hard enough to send a clear message.

My claws appeared, teeth sharpened as the beast tried to take over, and a low growl came from deep in my chest.

“Careful, Chrystal,” I warned, my claws slightly grazing her skin.

Her eyes widened in shock, her expression filled with fear. In all the years we’d known each other, I had never lashed out at her like that. For the first time, she didn’t talk back, and I was sure it was because she had no idea what had taken over me.

I didn’t even know what was happening to me.

Startled, I managed to control the beast and stepped back. I felt disgusted, embarrassed at how easily I had lost control. This had never happened.

“Just…leave,” I muttered, turning my back on her so I wouldn’t have to see her fearful eyes.

There was a moment of silence, then she started gathering her belongings. “You could’ve killed me, you sick fuck!” she muttered under her breath, the words cutting deep.

The door slammed shut behind her, and I finally let out the long, frustrated breath I’d been holding back.

I glanced down at my hand, flexing my fingers that were claws just seconds ago, then I balled it into a fist. I didn’t want to hurt Chrystal. When she spoke about that ‘slut,’ the beast had instantly thought of four-eyes, and felt the need to protect her.

I was becoming possessive, losing control and it was not my choice. It was driving me insane.

Frustrated, I paced back and forth. How could I, the heir to the Lycan throne, get so possessive over that thing?

The king had drilled it into me time and time again, ‘If the Moon Goddess curses you with an unworthy mate, it means she hasn’t forgiven you for your sins, for what you’ve done to brother,’

For years I was forced to listen to his words, forced to think about what I had to do to secured my place as heir—and now I had received the ultimate punishment.

The mate bond.

I let out a loud growl, slamming everything from my desk in one go. She was driving me insane, and I couldn’t take it anymore. Pissed, I rushed to my walk-in closet. In a rage of anger, I threw all my jackets onto the floor, and searched for the one I knew would call me down.

My eyes landed on the leather jacket I had worn that night. I took the jacket, and then brought it to my face, inhaling her sweet scent that still lingered.

She smelled like candy—vanilla and sugar.

‘Mate!’ the beast growled from deep within.

“Shut up!”

‘Mate!’

“No!” I barked, clutching the jacket in my hand. So all that beast could think about was four-eyes? Okay, no problem.

All I had to do was reject her, something I already should’ve done in the woods—and then everything would go back to normal.

Determined, I stormed out of the room.

This pull, this bond, was suffocating me, and I needed something—anything—to make it stop.

As soon as I stepped into the hall, Nate slammed his arm over my shoulder. “Hey, Ky—“

“Not now, Nate,” I snapped, pushing him off and leaving him behind. I couldn’t deal with anyone right now. The only thing on my mind was four-eyes and rejecting her as my mate.

I sniffed the jacket in my hand one more time, then followed the clear trail, all the way to the building of the Lunar Hall building. It didn’t take long before I found the dorm where the smell was coming from. I waited around the corner.

So that’s where she stayed…four-eyes.

I took a step, but immediately retreated when I saw Chrystal step out.

“Shit,” I cursed under my breath.

Of all the people to walk out of that room, it had to be her. That could only mean one thing. Both of my stalkers were roommates.

The Moon Goddess truly had it out for me.

Chrystal walked in a different direction, and just as I was about to make another attempt, the door opened again. This time, it was her—Four-eyes.

She stepped out wearing tight jeans that hugged her curves and a simple tank top. Her blonde hair was in a messy bun, and my eyes moved to her lips. The same lips I had kissed not long ago—soft, warm, perfect…

I shook my head, snapping myself out of it. Those weren’t my thoughts—they belonged to the beast. I had only come here for one thing.

Four-eyes stood frozen in front of her door, her chest rising and falling as she scanned the area, searching for something—or someone.

Then she looked in my direction.

I couldn’t do anything but stare into those sad, blue eyes. It didn’t affect me, though. I knew the real pain was yet to come. She would be hurting far more when I would finally reject her.

Her sad gaze shifted to anger as she suddenly marched toward me, but I stood still, not moving a muscle.

‘Your fault,’ the beast growled.

Only then did it hit me. Those furious eyes? She was coming over to reject me.

Me?

Not liking where this was headed, I quickly turned and walked away, blending into the crowd of whispering female students who had now noticed my presence.

A smile appeared on my lips. So, Four-eyes thought she could reject me? Perhaps she was more amusing than I had given her credit for.

Violet

“Somebody please kill me!” I groaned, burying my head in my pillow. Classes hadn’t even officially started yet—and I was already exhausted.

How was I even supposed to focus after everything that happened last week?

Many had said finding your mate would be magical, like something out of a fairytale. Your mate was supposed to be your soulmate—but mine? Mine was a mate from the lowest pit of hell.

He was disgusting, scum—cold-hearted.

First, he kissed me, then told me to stay away, and then he followed me back to my dorm. None of it made any sense.

Each time I closed my eyes, all I could see were flashes of Kylan’s lip on mine and I hated it.

As if things couldn’t get any worse, all the girls could talk about was how he had been sleeping with Chrystal, and that the two would be getting back together.

I didn’t mind. Couldn’t give two shits actually—but Lumia was heartbroken.

I hated him with every bone in my body, and when I saw him in the hall, I could see it in his eyes. He felt the same.

Being the good person I was, I wanted to reject him right then and there to make it easier for the both of us—but before I could even get the words out, he had vanished.

Kylan was going to reject me at some point. That was a well-known fact. I only wanted to do it before he had the chance.

I heard three knocks on my door before it opened. “Come on—grab your bag, and let’s go!” I recognized Trinity’s voice. “You don’t want to smudge your pillow with any makeup.”

I lifted my head to glare at her. “I’m not wearing any.”

“Oh?” she frowned. “Drool then. Come on, let’s go.”

With a groan, I pushed myself out of bed. I grabbed my bag and then followed behind her.

“What’s the point in sharing a dorm when it’s mostly just the two of us?” Trinity scoffed as we walked. She was referring to Chrystal and Amy, our roommates, who were rarely around.

I shrugged. “I don’t mind it.”

Over the week, it had become clear to me that I wouldn’t bond with the two Lycan girls anyway. Not like I did with Trinity. She was nice, funny, easygoing and it felt like we had been friends for ages. Our connection felt natural.

“Maybe we’ll bump into my mate, and I can finally introduce you to him!” Trinity’s eyes lit up.

I forced a smile. “Yes, maybe.”

Trinity had found her mate at the Starlight Festival, and hadn’t stopped talking about him ever since. This whole week I had to hear about how tall, handsome, and kind he was—yet she refused to back up these claims by showing me a picture. She said he was someone I’d have to meet in person.

I wad happy for her, really. She deserved the world and so much more, but thinking about how things had turned out so differently for her made me feel a bit bitter.

My experience had been so humiliating, I hadn’t even told her about finding mine.

Trinity bumped my shoulder. “Don’t feel bad about not finding your mate yet. Maybe he isn’t at this school.”

“Yeah,” I murmured, glancing away. “Maybe.”

A while later, we had reached the crowded academic hall. Trinity pulled me into a tight hug.

“I have to go that way,” she pointed to a different wing of the building. “But have a good first day! And if we’re fighting someone, text me!”

I cracked a laugh, watching her leave. “I will!”

Unfortunately, we didn’t have any classes together today. I knew I couldn’t rely on her for four years, and had to do things on my own—but it wouldn’t be too far stretched to say I was already missing her.

As I walked down the hall, I looked for my classroom. When I finally found it, I took a deep breath, forcing myself to push all thoughts of Kylan out of my mind. What’s done was done, and now it was time for me to focus.

My first class of the day was the basic of healing.

I stepped inside the classroom, already seeing Esther, our RD, standing at the front. She shot me a warm smile which I returned.

Scanning the room, I searched for an empty seat, but then I heard it.

That familiar, annoying laugh.

I glanced over to where the sound was coming from and saw Chrystal sitting on a table, surrounded by her minions, including Amy. They were laughing and whispering, but their eyes were on me.

Whether they were laughing at me or with me, I didn’t know—and honestly, I didn’t care.

All I knew was that I needed to find a seat as far away from them as possible, so I did. I didn’t want to get into it with Chrystal, not when I already had enough trouble with Kylan. One noble Lycan was more than enough.

“Good morning, everyone!” Esther greeted as soon as I sat down. “Before we start, I want to do a quick introduction round. Name, age, where you’re from—”

Everyone groaned, but Esther continued, clearly not taking no for an answer. Luckily I was first, but as everyone was forced to introduce themselves my mind drifted elsewhere.

“Today we’ll be doing a simple healing exercise. Don’t worry, this is just to see where everyone is at, so no pressure.”

She explained the task in detail, but my mind was drifting again.

“Each of you will have a tank with thirty small fish,” Esther spoke. “The goal is to strengthen at least one of the weakened fish using your healing abilities. Good luck!”

I missed half of her instructions, but I didn’t care. The fish exercise was a basic I had learned from a young age. It was a standard among the healers of the Bloodrose pack—and we were all trained under the strongest pack’s healer, an old respected woman who had also tutored my Mom.

I looked at the tank which was placed in front of me. Swirling my finger, I healed one fish as I wanted to keep a low profile. I didn’t want to stand out or get labeled as the nerd or the show-off in class.

It used to be like that back home, and I didn’t want a repeat of that.

When I heard people talking and clapping in admiration, I turned my head toward Chrystal’s table.

“Fifteen fish,” Esther nodded her head, fixing the glasses on her nose. “Good job, Chrystal. Since you’ve already taken this class last year, I’m sure you can lead the other girls.”

Chrystal smirked, brushing her red locks behind her ear.

She really thought she was something. I hated her with a passion, but it wasn’t because of her—it was because of him.

‘She’s can’t lead us. We’ve done this many times before.’ Lumia crawled inside my mind. ‘Show her!’

I clenched my fists, staring down at the fish in my tank as anger took over my body.

‘First she stole our mate, and now she’s stealing our spotlight. She is not the best healer in this class.’

It was hard not to focus on Lumia’s voice as she pushed me closer to the edge. There was no reason for Kylan to dislike me the way he did, not while he surrounded himself with that.

It wasn’t fair.

‘End that bitch, Violet.’

“No—“

Before I could stop it, Lumia had won. The water in the tank splashed wildly, all thirty fish swimming around.

Gasps followed the room as everyone stood up to gather around my tank. My cheeks felt hot, I could feel everyone’s eyes on me. I hated attention, and because of that jealous wolf, I now had a room full of it.