The White Wolf

Confession of a Broken Heart

“Sometimes good things fall apart so better things can fall together.”

- Marilyn Monroe

“Rose…”

I heard my name being called, but the voice sounded distant, faint. It was probably Anna. Why did she have to come today of all days. I know she means well but I didn’t feel like seeing her or anyone else for that matter.

“I know you’re awake, Rose. Why are you ignoring me?”

I didn’t pay her any attention, hoping she would leave. But before I knew it, there was a weight on top of me, and I felt suffocated.

“I knew it! You weren’t asleep,” Anna exclaimed triumphantly. I tried to push her off, my voice muffled.

“I’m sorry. I just wanted some peace,” I muttered, feeling dryness in my mouth. I propped myself up, squinting through half-asleep eyes. “Where am I? What time is it?”

“You’re in your house, Rose, and it’s just past noon,” Anna replied. I rubbed my eyes, trying to clear my blurry vision. Something fell from my lap and hit the floor, bringing back the memories of last night’s painful events. The emotions surged back, overwhelming me.

“Are you okay?”

Oh right, I forgot I wasn’t alone. “Um, yeah, I’m fine. Just a bit dizzy,” I managed to say, struggling to make sense of everything. I felt woozy, as if the weight of the world was pressing down on me.

Anna looked concerned. “What happened, exactly?” she asked.

“Nothing,” I replied too quickly, trying to hide the pain. “Just tired and not feeling well. Nothing for you to worry about.” My attempt to sound convincing failed even for myself.

“Are you sure? You seem off,” Anna pressed, studying my face.

“Yeah, I’m fine, never better,” I replied, forcing a smile to reassure her.

Anna fell silent for a moment, searching my face. I could feel my heart pounding, hoping she would drop the topic. After a few seconds, she finally spoke. “Okay, if you’re sure.”

I let out a sigh of relief. “Yeah, I’m sure,” I repeated, giving her a reassuring smile. I didn’t want to burden her with my pain, especially since I couldn’t bear to share the embarrassing truth.

“So, why did you leave the party so early?” Anna asked, making herself comfortable on the bed. I realized then that I didn’t remember coming to my room.

“Well, I was tired and not feeling well. The celebration just lost its appeal, you know?” I lied, trying to sound casual. Deep down, the pain was consuming me, but I didn’t want to burden Anna with my sorrow.

“Okay,” Anna replied, dismissing my behavior. I couldn’t tell if she believed me or simply didn’t want to dig deeper. Either way, I was grateful. Changing the topic, I asked why Anna was here, although her presence was not unusual. Anna was like family to me.

“Oh, yeah, I almost forgot. I never got the chance to give you your birthday gift,” Anna said, her words rushing out. “I’ll give it to you before you’re whisked away by your mate to another pack. Well, if he’s in another pack.” Her rambling brought a small giggle to my lips.

“Anna,” I nudged her, trying to refocus her attention. Her animated gestures and expressions always managed to make me laugh, even in the darkest times. A small smile formed on my lips as I realized how much I would miss Anna when I left. What would I do without her by my side?

I hadn’t made a final decision yet, but I couldn’t imagine staying here. It was a thought I had deeply contemplated while drowning my sorrows in ice cream.

Anna’s eyes widened as she snapped out of her thoughts. “Right, the gift! Hold on, let me get it for you,” she exclaimed, jumping off the bed and rummaging through her bag. Her excitement was contagious, and I found myself genuinely curious about what she had gotten me.

After a few moments, Anna triumphantly pulled out a small box wrapped in shiny silver paper with a bright pink ribbon tied around it. She handed it to me with a grin. “Happy belated birthday, Rose!”

I took the gift with a grateful smile, admiring the neat wrapping job. Anna always had a way of making everything special. “Thank you, Anna. You really didn’t have to,” I said, genuinely touched by her gesture.

She waved off my gratitude. “Nonsense! Birthdays are meant to be celebrated, even if it’s a little late. Now, go on, open it!”

Curiosity piqued, I carefully untied the ribbon and unwrapped the box. Inside, I found a delicate silver necklace with a pendant in the shape of a rose. The intricate details sparkled under the soft light filtering through the window.

“It’s beautiful, Anna,” I whispered, my voice filled with awe. The pendant held a special significance for me. Roses had always been my favorite flower, and Anna knew that better than anyone.

“I’m glad you like it,” she replied, her eyes gleaming with joy. “I thought it would be a fitting gift for my best friend, Rose.”

I couldn’t help but smile at her words. Anna had been with me through thick and thin, and our bond was unbreakable. She was more than a friend; she was family. “Thank you, Anna. This means the world to me.”

As I held the necklace in my hand, a bittersweet realization washed over me. If I chose to leave and join my mate in another pack, it would mean leaving Anna behind. The thought tore at my heart, and I wondered if I could bear such a loss. But at the same time, the longing to be with my mate grew stronger with each passing day.

Lost in my thoughts, I felt a gentle touch on my arm. Anna’s concerned eyes met mine. “Rose, I can see something’s bothering you. You know you can talk to me, right? Whatever it is, we’ll figure it out together.”

Tears welled up in my eyes as I struggled to find the right words. How could I explain the conflicting emotions tearing me apart? How could I burden Anna with the weight of my decision?

“Anna,” I began, my voice trembling. “I… I… found my mate,” I whispered, my heartache seeping into every word. I watched as her eyes lit up with excitement, her smile widening. But as my next words left my lips, the hope in her eyes turned to shock.

“He rejected me,” I confessed, my voice barely above a whisper. The silence that followed was heavy, suffocating, as if the weight of my pain had spread to the room itself. I looked up, seeking solace in Anna’s familiar face, only to find her frozen in disbelief.

“Anna,” I pleaded, my voice cracking. “I can’t handle anyone going after him. I don’t want anyone to find out. Please, promise me you won’t do anything reckless.” The desperation in my voice was palpable as I reached out, gripping her arm.

She blinked, her expression shifting from anger to concern. “Rose, I… I can’t believe he would do that to you,” she stammered, her voice filled with anger on my behalf. “But you’re right. We need to be smart about this. We’ll protect you, Rose. That’s what friends are for.”

Her words provided a glimmer of comfort amidst the chaos of my emotions. I nodded, my gratitude overflowing. “Thank you, Anna,” I whispered, my voice catching. “I don’t know what I would do without you.”

Anna pulled me into a tight embrace, holding me as I allowed myself to break for just a moment. Her presence was a balm to my wounded heart, reminding me that I wasn’t alone in this pain. Together, we would navigate the storm that lay ahead.

As the days passed, I continued to conceal my pain, determined not to burden my loved ones with my struggles. Anna respected my silence, sensing that I needed time to process and heal. She remained by my side, offering silent support, a pillar of strength in my darkest moments.

School became a battleground of whispers and sympathetic glances. I could feel the weight of their pity, their curiosity itching beneath their skin. But I refused to let it break me. I held my head high, a mask of resilience firmly in place. They would not see me crumble.

Nighttime offered a brief respite from the suffocating facade I wore. Alone in my room, I found solace in the pages of a book, escaping into the lives of fictional characters. But even as I tried to lose myself in their stories, the ache in my heart remained a constant companion.

And then, the inevitable happened. A searing pain erupted within me, a heat that consumed every inch of my being. It was different from a typical shift; it was a pain laced with betrayal. My wolf, Snow, whimpered, echoing the anguish in my soul.

“Mate,” Snow whispered, her voice laced with sorrow and disbelief. “He’s… he’s mating with another she-wolf, Rose.” The words hit me like a physical blow, stealing the breath from my lungs. I crumpled to the floor, tears streaming down my face.

Anna rushed to my side, concern etched on her features. “Rose, what’s happening?” she asked, her voice filled with worry. I clung to her, my body convulsing with sobs, unable to find the words to express the magnitude of my pain.

The torment continued for what felt like an eternity. Hours blurred into days as I writhed in agony, the realization of his betrayal ripping me apart from the inside out. And then, exhaustion claimed me, pulling me into a fitful sleep.