Chapter 002
1578 Words
Anastasia’s POV (Two weeks later)
“Anastasia, it’s time for breakfast. Come meet Silas!” Mom shouted from downstairs.
I took a deep breath and got out of bed. It was my eighteenth birthday, and still I’d not found my mate. I felt so gassed up about it.
The only good thing about going to a new school after moving into Silas’ home was that I knew no one and that made the prospect of finding my mate enticing.
Hoping today would be the day I finally meet him, I quickly showered and got dressed, then made my way downstairs.
Silas was already seated at the breakfast table, a tall man with a stern face and graying hair. He’d arrived only that morning after being away on business.
As I entered the room, Silas looked up and gave me a smile. “Good morning, Anastasia. It’s nice to finally meet you.” He said with a smile.
“Morning,” I just mumbled, sitting down at the table.
Mom had made pancakes, my favorite, but the scent turned my stomach.
“Where’s Jed, Silas?” Mom asked, glancing around the room.
Silas’s expression darkened. “He decided not to join us. I had informed him of this breakfast last night, but apparently, he thinks he’s above family obligations.” He said angrily.
I could feel the tension in the air as Silas spoke. I picked at my food, wishing I could just disappear.
We had just moved out here and I found everything either boring or annoying. I didn’t need more drama this morning.
“Well, I’m sure he’ll come around,” Mom then said, trying to smoothen things out.
“If only.” Silas murmured.
“Anastasia, how about you tell Silas a little about yourself?” she then said from beside me.
I frowned at her, revealing I had no interest in that, but then noticed she was serious from the way she looked at me.
Silas smiled and nodded, his expression unreadable. “Oh, it’s okay. I’m sure we’ll have plenty of time to get to know each other.” He said, noticing my reluctance.
Frustrated, I forced a smile and looked at him. “Um, there’s not much to tell. I like reading and…” I managed to say.
“Um, I like hanging out with my friends, which I now have none thanks to this Godforsaken place.” I said under my breath, digging the fork into my food.
I knew they heard me, I just didn’t care.
Mom then quickly responded with a smile. “Oh don’t worry about that, you’ll make some new friends in your new school.”
The rest of breakfast was awkward and quiet. Silas and Mom tried to make small talk, but it felt all forced.
I just wanted to get out of there and go to school, where at least I didn’t know what to expect.
Finally, I excused myself. “I should get going.”
Mom looked at me and nodded. “Alright, sweetheart. Have a good day, okay?”
“Be safe.” Silas added.
Not bothering to answer them, I grabbed my backpack and headed out the door, relieved as I stepped into the fresh morning air.
Silently, I prayed that somewhere in this new place my mate was waiting for me, and that soon, we’d find each other and everything would finally start to make sense.
The walk to school was a welcome escape, giving me time to clear my head.
As I approached the school gates, I pulled out my phone, hoping for a message from my friends at my former school, anything to distract me from the mess at home.
My eyes landed on the birthday text from Sarah, the sweet words flashing before my eyes:
“Happy birthday, Ana!. May you have a beautiful year ahead, girl. I miss you!”
Xoxo.
A broad smile appeared on my face as I imagined Sarah’s reaction if she were here, missing her so much.
Sarah was the only friend who hadn’t completely abandoned me, although she hadn’t failed to keep her distance after Dad’s execution.
Intending to respond later, I shoved the phone back into my pocket and headed for the classroom as I was already late.
It was my birthday, but I felt a lump form in my throat instead of any excitement.
I kept praying silently for something to change, for my mate to find me and probably steal me away.
As I walked towards class, I ran into Maisie, the school’s supposed queen bee.
Maisie was surrounded by an entourage of friends, and as soon as she saw me, a smirk spread across her face.
“Look here, it’s the newbie,” she sneered, loud enough for everyone to hear and their stares all shifted towards me.
Hearing her statement, I decided to just ignore her and head to where I was going to.
But then she suddenly stepped in front of me, blocking my path, “Hey, I’m talking to you, Traitor breed.” She spat.
I couldn’t believe my ears. “What… what did you just say?” I asked, stuttering a little as the anger rose in my chest.
“I said… traitor breed.” Maisie repeated with a sneer. “That’s right, we know all about your traitor father back at your old pack.”
I felt the anger in me almost explode out my chest. How could she say such a thing to me without even knowing me?
I just stood there frozen, trying to hold back my anger, but Maisie wasn’t making it easy. “Oh, poor baby, are you going to cry?” she mocked, stepping closer.
The laughters erupted around me, and that set me off. My eyes flashed with anger in an instant.
Her words had hit a nerve, and before I could stop myself, I lifted my hand and swiftly sent a slap hard across Maisie’s face… to everyone’s shock.
The hallway fell silent as everyone watched us. Maisie held her cheeks, eyes wide with shock. It was only then that I realized what I’d done.
She didn’t retaliate, but it didn’t matter. Some staffs quickly arrived, and despite my reasons for my actions, I was sent to the principal’s office.
…
Mom picked me up later that day, her expression that of worry and anger. The car ride home was silent until we pulled away from the school premises.
“I’m so disappointed in you, Anastasia,” she finally said, her voice shaking with annoyance. “I thought you were better than this.”
“I didn’t start it, she was the one who called me a traitor’s daughter.” I protested.
“And you thought the way to go about it is violence?!” she let out.
“What was I supposed to do, Mom? She insulted Dad?”
Mom sighed heavily holding a hand over her forehead. “Honestly, Ana, I can’t help but think this is just you acting out because of my engagement to Silas.”
“What?” I said, brows raised.
“Seriously, you need to stop living so selfishly.” She added.
“Selfishly?” I responded, both surprised and irritated. “How can you say that? I’ve lost Dad, my whole world has been turned upside down, and now you expect me to just accept a new family overnight?”
Mom slowed the car almost to a halt. Her eyes quickly filled with tears, but she didn’t back down.
“Do you think this has been easy for me? Losing your father was devastating. It took everything in me to let go that and find a way to be happy again with Silas. You need to understand that I’m doing my best for us here.”
I couldn’t listen anymore. I felt hurt, my anger boiled inside me, and I yanked the car door open. “I’m done talking about this,” I snapped and stepped out.
“Anastasia, wait!” Mom called after me, but I ignored her and kept walking.
I wandered aimlessly, my emotions in chaos. I didn’t know where to go or what to do, but I knew I just couldn’t go home right now.
I found myself in front of a bar, a place I’d never been before, and the idea settled in. Without thinking, I pushed the door open and walked inside.
The bar was filled with the noise of quiet conversations and the clinking of glasses around. I slid onto a stool at the bar and ordered a drink, not even sure what to ask for.
The bartender gave me a curious look but handed me a glass of something gold-colored. I took a careful sip and it burned in my mouth, surprising me.
I remained there and soon decided to continue sipping as the harshness of the liquid matched the anger inside me.
Fifteen minutes later, I was still nursing my drink when I felt a strange shift in the air. I looked up and saw a man staring at me from across the room.
He was incredibly handsome, and young, with dark hair and piercing blue eyes that seemed to look right through me.
My heart skipped a beat, and a strong pull drew me to him.
‘Oh my God, is he my mate?’ The thought flashed in my mind, and I felt a mix of excitement and fear.
- Writer
