Wolfless, but fearless

Chapter 2

Severa’s POV

I stood in front of the mirror again, with a stunning blue diamond dress.

It fit me perfectly, shining like a starry night sky every time I moved. Mom stood behind me, smiling at my reflection.

“This dress is gorgeous, Mom. Thank you.”

“I wore this dress to the ball on the night your father and I got married,” Mom said softly, resting her hands on my shoulders. “I wanted to give it to you. I hope it brings you the same good luck, and helps you meet the right guy tonight.”

I couldn't help blushing. “Actually… I kind of hope my mate is Tyler.”

“Ooh! Tyler?” Mom raised an eyebrow. “The boy you told me about?”

“Yeah.” I looked down at my hands. “He’s the only one at school who doesn’t treat me differently because I’m wolfless. A few weeks ago, some guy knocked my lunch tray over in the cafeteria. Tyler gave me his food. He’s always been nice to me.”

Mom smiled warmly. “He sounds like a good kid. Well, then I cross my fingers that you mate with Tyler tonight.”

--

The school ballroom was filled with vibrant and young graduates.

In the center of the school hall stood Janice, wearing a tight, blood-red dress. She was surrounded by her usual squad of desperate followers.

Janice tilted her chin up, soaking in the flattery with a smug smirk.

I took a deep breath and stepped through the grand doors.

Almost instantly, it turned silent. Whispers rippled through the crowd, eyes locking onto me.

“Oh my god! Who is that? She’s gorgeous!” The first girl gasped.

“I didn’t know we had someone that pretty at our school,” The second gril muttered.

The third girl opened her mouth. “Wait… look at the scratches on her cheek. Isn’t that… Severa?”

Janice’s smug smile vanished.

Annoyed, Janice grabbed a glass of red wine from a passing waiter and casually tossed the entire glass into the first girl’s face.

“AHHH!” the girl shrieked, wiping wine from her eyes.

“What are you looking at?” Janice snapped.

The first girl immediately dropped to her knees. “I’m sorry! I’m so sorry!”

Furious, Janice marched across the room, blocking my way.

“Well, well, well,” Janice sneered, looking me up and down. “Look who decided to dress up like a clown to get some attention.”

“Exactly!” The second girl said. “Do you actually think you’re pretty?”

“Even if she is, she has no noble blood!” The third girl said.

Janice slapped the third girl across the face. “Who told you to call her pretty?”

The third girl covered her cheek, tears welling up. “I’m sorry. I was wrong.”

Janice turned her venom back to me. “This is an elite werewolf academy prom. What is a wolfless freak like you even doing here?”

I opened my mouth to fire back, but suddenly, a scent hit me.

It crashed into my senses, overwhelming and electric. My heart hammered against my ribs.

I completely tuned Janice out. A wide smile broke across my face.

“I feel so right,” I whispered.

Janice blinked, confused. “What did you just say? Are you deaf? I’m insulting you!”

I didn’t have time for her. I reached out, grabbed her shoulder, and shoved her out of my way.

Janice, wearing ridiculous heels, lost her footing. She stumbled backward, arms flailing, and crashed right into a towering display of champagne glasses.

“Ahhhhhhhh! You b***h!” she screamed as glass shattered and alcohol soaked her red dress.

I didn’t even look back. I ran lightly across the room, following the pull until I stopped dead in front of a handsome boy in a tailored suit.

Tyler.

My chest heaved as I looked up at him. He stared back at me, his eyes wide with shock.

“Tyler,” I breathed out. “I feel you. Can you feel me? The mate bond… it’s so strong!”

Across the room, Janice and her minions froze.

I took a step closer to him, my heart soaring. But Tyler didn’t step forward.

He awkwardly took a step back.

“Tyler, we’re mated!” I said.

“I…” Tyler swallowed hard, looking around the room.

Janice stomped over, dripping in champagne, her face twisted in disgust. “Tyler? You mated with this wolfless freak?”

Tyler opened his mouth, but no words came out. His face turned bright red.

“Tyler, tell her,” I urged, stepping toward him again. “Tell her you’re my mate.”

“Oh my Moon Goddess,” the second girl whispered loudly. “How could a noble accept a wolfless freak as his mate?”

“That’s so disgusting. She doesn’t deserve him at all,” The third girl added.

My chest tightened. “Tyler. Do you care that I don’t have a wolf? Tell them you don’t. We’re mates!”

Tyler took a deep breath, avoiding my eyes. “I’m sorry, Severa.”

My blood ran cold. “What do you mean?”

“What does he mean?” Janice laughed cruelly. “He means he doesn’t want an ugly, defective thing like you.”

I stared at Tyler. “You care? But… you were so nice to me before. Why were you nice to me if you hated what I am?”

Tyler finally looked at me, his eyes full of something worse than hate.

“Because I had pity on you. I just want to be nice to... everyone.” he muttered.

I stepped back as if he had punched me. My hands clenched into tight fists.

“See, Tyler? I knew you were too good for her. Who would accept a wolfless mate? " Janice turned to me. "A freak like you deserves to die alone. Just reject her and get it over with.”

“Reject her!” A girl shouted.

“Reject her!” Another girl shouted.

Soon, the entire ballroom joined in. The wealthy, noble heirs of the academy cheered together.

“Reject her! Reject her! Reject her!”

Tyler sighed. He looked at me with pathetic pity. He squared his shoulders to make it official.

“I, Tyler Villes, reject you…”

“SHUT UP!” I roared.

The crowd stopped chanting. The room fell into dead silence. Tyler froze, his mouth hanging open.

I straightened my back, lifting my chin high with my warrior spirit.

“Before you say my name,” I said, my voice cold and loud enough for every single werewolf in the room to hear. “Listen. I, Severa Gregory, reject you, Tyler Villes, as my mate!”

The silence in the room stretched until it felt like it might snap.

Janice stared at me, completely flabbergasted. “Are you insane? You’re a wolfless freak! You don’t have the right to reject a noble!”

I slowly turned my gaze to Janice, then back to Tyler.

“I may not have a wolf,” I said, my voice steady and proud. “But under the eyes of the Moon Goddess, we are all equal. As long as I have my dignity and a soul that respects itself, I have the right to reject anyone I find unworthy.”

A collective gasp swept through the crowd.

I saw Tyler dead in the eye one last time.

“Thanks for your pity,” I sneered. “Now, pity yourself.”

Without waiting for his reaction, I turned on my heel. I held my head high and walked out of the ballroom, leaving them all in stunned silence.