My Fiery Mate

𝙲𝚑𝚊𝚙𝚝𝚎𝚛 𝟼: 𝙰 𝙱𝚒𝚛𝚝𝚑𝚍𝚊𝚢 𝚆𝚒𝚜𝚑

As the day arrived, Lireal woke up to the soft sound of her aunt entering her bedroom, carrying a small cake covered with lit candles. Her aunt sang happy birthday to her, tears streaming down her face. This was the only gift Lireal had ever received from anyone, aside from her parents, in a long time. Lireal couldn't help but smile, despite the lump in her throat.

Her aunt settled beside her on the bed, the small cake between them. "Make a wish, sweetheart, and blow out your candle," she said with a trembling voice. Lireal closed her eyes and took a deep breath, trying to muster up the courage to speak her wish aloud. She knew it was selfish, but she couldn't help it. She wished for freedom, for a chance to live a normal life, to find her true mate and have her wolf. As she exhaled, she blew out the candles, making a silent promise to herself that she would find the strength to face whatever came next.

Her aunt placed the cake on the bedside table and turned to Lireal with a knowing smile. "Excited to meet your soulmate at 18 now?" she asked, her voice laced with both humor and hope. Lireal nodded, trying to muster up a real smile. "Yeah, I can't wait. I just hope he's...different from the others." She gestured vaguely in the direction of her pack, and her aunt's expression turned somber.

"I hope you find the perfect man as your soulmate, someone who will bring you the joy you deserve," her aunt said, giving her a tight hug. "And remember, no matter what happens, I will always be here for you, okay?" Lireal nodded, feeling a lump forming in her throat. She knew her aunt meant well, but the truth was, she didn't want to be a burden on anyone. She just wanted to live her life, to find happiness and peace, even if it meant leaving the only family she had left behind...

The next week, as she was making her way across the crowded cafeteria, Lireal carefully balanced her tray of food, her eyes darting left and right, searching for an empty table. The noise was deafening, the air thick with the scent of sweat and cheap perfume.

She spotted a small space near the far wall and began to make her way towards it, but just as she was about to sit down, someone bumped into her, sending her and her tray of food flying. Lireal landed on the cold, hard floor, her face burning with embarrassment as the contents of her lunch splattered around her. The other students, always quick to pounce on an opportunity to make someone else feel small, quickly surrounded her, their laughter ringing through the room.

She felt a pair of eyes on her, and when she looked up, she saw him. Calix. The most handsome and popular boy in school. His hair was the color of rich, dark chocolate, falling in soft waves around his face, framing his emerald green eyes. He was tall and broad-shouldered, with a lean, muscular build that was accentuated by his well-fitted clothes. Even though he was standing in the midst of the crowd, there was an air of quiet confidence about him that made it seem as if he were the only person in the room.

He stretched out his hand towards her, and for a moment, Lireal was caught off guard. She hesitated, unsure of what he intended. But as she looked into his eyes, she saw something there that she had never seen before. Something that made her feel safe, protected. She reached out and took his hand, and as he pulled her up, she felt a jolt, like electricity coursing through her body. She was sure that this was it - she had found her mate.

But just as she thought she had found her salvation, Calix let go, abruptly pushing her away. The force of his release sent her stumbling backwards, landing heavily on the cold, hard floor once more.

"Mate," he whispered, his voice thick with disgust and disappointment. The word hung in the air, echoing through the shocked silence that fell over the crowded cafeteria. It was as if time had stopped, every head turning in Lireal's direction, every pair of eyes fixed on her.

Calix, wearing a smirk that bordered on mockery, couldn't contain his laughter. "Is this some kind of joke?" he scoffed, his words laced with sarcasm. "Her?" He gestured dismissively towards Lireal, who was still struggling to comprehend what had just happened. The other students, confused by the turn of events, glanced between the two of them, unsure of how to react. How could the moon, their sacred guardian, give such an outsider a mate as perfect as Calix?

Lireal's eyes stung with tears and bewilderment as she looked at Calix. He lowered himself to one knee, to face her. "I reject you as my mate!" he declared. The crowd gasped! No one had ever said "no" to their destined mate, not for hundreds of years! The other students whispered and pointed, unsure of what was happening.

She wanted to disappear, to crawl into a hole and die. Her heart was shattered, her dreams crushed. She didn't understand why he had done this to her. Why had he hurt her so badly? It wasn't fair! She didn't deserve this!