Chapter One

SHANNON’s ~ POV

_________________

The bustling halls of the school were filled with students, their voices and laughter echoing off the walls. It was the first day of senior year, and the air was electric with excitement.

Everyone seemed to be brimming with anticipation, ready to start a new chapter in their lives. But instead, I felt numb. It would always be the same old story —the bullying, the name-calling, the feeling like I didn't belong.

I had always been seen as a bit of an outcast at the werewolf school. Most of the students saw me as a weakling, a punching bag for their jokes and pranks. Many times I tried to shrug off their taunts, but it was hard to ignore the constant humiliation.

All I could ever dream about was turning eighteen and finding my mate. I had heard stories about the moment when a werewolf first lays eyes on their mate, and how a spark of recognition ignites between them. I hoped that when I found my mate, he would see me for who I really was and I would finally have someone to rely on.

I rounded the corner, trying to keep my head down and avoid any unwanted attention.

The pack college was full of elite Alphas and Betas, and as an omega, I felt like a fish out of water. I had spent my whole life being seen as weak and unimportant.

As I turned to head to class, I realized I had forgotten my textbook.

“Shit,” I groaned inwardly, dreading the thought of having to retrace my steps to the library.

I heaved deeply, steadying myself for whatever was to come as I headed back down the hallway.

Suddenly, something caught my attention. A sweet, an intoxicating scent filled the air, my mind reeled, and my head snapped up.

I looked around, searching for the source of the scent. And then I saw him; Alpha Eric.

He was heading towards me with his friends behind him, and when his gaze landed on me, his face stiffened.

Eric in his basketball outfit, was tall and broad-shouldered, his brown hair falling in waves over his forehead. He was gorgeously handsome and all I could do was stare. He was one of the most popular boys in school and just like me, several girls were charmed by him.

My heart started to pound furiously and I froze on the spot as Eric and his friends approached me. The air became intense as he drew closer and shivers ran down my spine.

In an unexpected swiftness, Eric had me pushed against a storage locker, trapping me.

His eyes were dark, his voice sexy, “Aint you going to accept the mate bond?”

My pupils dilated in surprise as I stared at him. Did he really want me to accept the mate bond in front of everyone? Did that mean that he wanted me as his mate? That he didn’t see me as an outcast?

But Eric was arrogant and haughty. He was apparently into alluring girls and not a nerd-like me girl. Still, I felt important because he had even spoken to me.

“Kiss Me, Shannon,” Eric's hot breath brushed my neck, and I shivered, his grip on my waistline tightening.

I felt a knot tied in the pit of my stomach, and my palms grew clammy. I was shy and happy too. I had wished for a mate who would love me, and it was granted by the moon goddess.

“Don't be shy, mate,” Eric pressured, smirking with his beautiful eyes glinting.

I smiled nervously, closed my eyes, and gradually complied as I was on my tiptoes, my heart fluttering as I leaned in to kiss him.

But as my lips were about to touch his, Eric swiftly backed away. I froze in confusion, and it was too late for me to understand what was happening as his hand came down in a blur, striking me across the face.

“Ah!” I stumbled backward, falling to the ground, my head spinning.

A burst of laughter rippled in the air, the students were jeering and pointing their fingers at me. I covered my face as shame swamped my senses.

‘Look at her, she actually thought the alpha would accept her!’ one of them sneered.

‘The alpha probably only wanted to humiliate her, and she foolishly fell for it,’ another one said, her voice full of glee.

‘She's so stupid!’ someone else jeered. ‘I can't believe she actually thought he liked her.’

‘A lowlife omega can never be our Luna!’

Their words cut like knives, a cacophony of cruel mirth and I felt my cheeks burn with shame.

Hot tears pricked at my eyes, and I curled in on myself, trying to make myself as small as possible. I wanted to disappear, to escape from there.

Just then, Eric stepped forward, his huge form towering on me. I looked pathetic and small.

"You're nothing but a wretched Omega," Eric spat, his voice dripping with disdain. "You're stupid to think I would ever fancy you, you're weak and useless.”

I felt his cruel words like a physical blow, my heart shattering into a million pieces. I bite my lip hard, forcing myself to hold back the tears as they flood down my face.

“No one would ever want you.” Eric lashed.

I stood on my feet, I couldn't even bear to look at his face with my tear-stained cheeks. “S-stop.”

“I, Alpha Eric Winston, reject you omega, Shannon Hirthe as my mate and Luna!” he growled, his words cold and impassive.

The moment Eric spoke the words, a searing pain ripped through my body.

“Ah!” I gasped, my hands flying to my chest, where the pain was centered.

It felt as though someone had taken a knife and stabbed me in the heart, over and over again. It was a soul crushing pain that coursed around my body with so much intensity.

I collapsed to the ground again, my vision going black. I had never felt such excruciating pain before. It was as though a part of me was dying.

“Get out!” Eric thundered at my face, his eyes which I once found beautiful filled with contempt.

I stood, turned, and ran, tears jetting down my face. The students were laughing, and jeering at me as I raced away.

I fled down the hallway, desperate to escape the pain and humiliation. I reached the restroom, and slammed the door behind me.

I sank to the floor, my body wracked with sobs. I couldn't believe what had just happened. I had never felt such pain before, physical or emotional. It was like my heart had been ripped out, like I was dying from the inside out.

I buried my face in my hands, my tears coming in hot, heavy waves. I felt like I would never stop crying, like the pain would never end. I had never felt so alone, so worthless.

When I finally emerged from the restroom, my eyes were red and swollen from crying. I glanced around and saw that the school was empty, the lights turned off and the doors locked.

I must have been in there for hours. Thus, I felt a wave of exhaustion hit me, and I realized just how much the events of the day had taken a toll on me.

I trudged outside to the school gate, my eyes downcast. I heard my mother's voice calling out to me, and I looked up to see her face, a mixture of concern and confusion.

“Sweetheart, what happened to you?!” She was frantic, her voice soft and full of worry. “I have been searching for you everywhere.”

She brushed my disheveled hair, and cupped my cheek as she caught my swollen red eyes.

“I… I was bullied by the students, Mom,” I told her, my voice slowly breaking.

I confided in her, told her about the bullying I had been experiencing, from the taunting to the physical assaults.

Mom was horrified, her eyes wide with shock.

“Oh, sweetheart, I'm so sorry this has been happening to you," she said, her voice trembling. "I had no idea." She wrapped her arms around me, pulling me into a tight hug.

I felt some of the weight lifting from my shoulders as I unburdened myself to my mother. However, there was still one thing I couldn't tell her —the part about my mate bond with Eric.

Mom had warned me never to let my wolf roam freely; to be honest, I don't know the reason why.

"Your days of suffering are coming to an end, my love," Mom said. "I have good news for you. I've found my mate, Robin, the Alpha of the Dark Moon Pack. He's a wonderful man, and he'll be like a father to you. We're going to move in with him today, and you'll get to meet his sons. They're triplets, and they're wonderful young men. They'll take good care of you, I know it."

My jaw dropped at my mother's revelation. I had never even considered that she would find her mate. And now we were going to live with him and his sons? It was all so much to take in.

I had so many questions, but all I could manage was a simple, "What?"

Mom gave me a knowing smile. "I know it's a lot to take in," she said. "But I promise it's for the best. Robin is a great Alpha, and his sons are great. You'll see, you'll love it there."

Mom took my hand reassuringly, and we stepped out of the school, and headed home.

Soon, we were picked up by a black car, alongside our luggage.

The drive was filled with silence until we arrived at the largest pack I’d ever seen. The black car pulled up to a large, massive, and imposing mansion.

The guards were everywhere with their eyes fixed on us, and I felt a sense of unease. Something was off about the place.