BULLIED BY MY MATE

Claimed by Destiny

Rayvan's POV

Something felt off the moment I stepped into the campus courtyard. All eyes seemed to turn toward me. Some whispered, though I couldn’t catch the words, the way they looked at me… it felt accusing.

“Whuaaa… Someone just lost his virginity,” one of the guys mocked with a laugh.

“And the best part? It happened with the girl he used to bully,” another chimed in, laughing louder.

Damn it, Zack. That bastard had clearly spread the rumor. Maybe things like this were normal in human society, maybe even acceptable here on campus, but not in my pack. We had strict rules.

If my father ever heard this rumor, I wouldn’t just lose my right to inherit leadership… I’d be exiled.

I had to clear up this misunderstanding.

As I passed the restroom, I overheard voices—familiar ones. Girls I recognized.

I paused, staying still as I listened.

“Alera, I heard you gave your V-card to Rayvan. Is that true?” Samantha's tone was mocking, and she even let out a laugh, clearly one of ridicule.

“Nothing happened between us. It’s just gossip.”

Alera’s voice was calm, defensive, but composed.

“Gossip? Zack saw you coming out of Rayvan’s room wearing his shirt. Just admit it. You’ve finally stepped into womanhood,” Lilian's voice was loud and sharp.

“I swear nothing happened. I was attacked by someone and passed out. Rayvan helped me. He let me stay in his room until I regained consciousness.” Still calm and collected. That was Alera.

“Oh really? And even if that’s true, so what? You’re lucky. I mean, if you’re gonna lose it to someone, better it be a guy as hot as Rayvan,” Clara’s voice cut in, playful and condescending at once.

“What did it feel like, Alera? Is Rayvan big? Was he hot?” Samantha laughed louder now.

“How many times did you do it? Just once? Or again and again? How does Rayvan sound when he moans? Bet he’s sexy as hell,” Clara added, her voice laced with perverse excitement.

I’d had enough.

I stepped into view. One by one, they looked up startled by my sudden presence.

“Nothing happened between me and Alera. Stop spreading this trash!” I shot a glare at the group of cheerleaders—gossip-obsessed girls who never failed to make me nauseous. They weren’t even that pretty, yet acted like they were the most desirable creatures on campus.

“Wow, the boyfriend shows up to save the day. You didn’t even need us to spread the rumor, it’s already everywhere,” Samantha sneered.

Lilian stepped toward me and patted my shoulder.

“Relax, Rayvan. It’s not a scandal. This stuff’s normal. Or are you one of those conservative types who can’t do anything before marriage?” She raised an eyebrow at me.

Sometimes, silence was better than arguing with people like her—who’d just label me uptight or self-righteous. I was proud of the rules of my pack. And I wasn’t about to break them for anything.

“Lilian, everyone has their own principles. Whether they want to wait until marriage or not, it’s their personal choice.” Alera’s voice was steady, calm. Mature. And that only made her more captivating. Her scent wrapped around me like morning mist, steadying the storm inside me. When I was around her, it felt like I had already completed half of my journey… just by finding her.

“Whatever. Enjoy your little reunion,” Samantha scoffed and walked off, the others following behind.

Now it was just me and Alera. The air between us felt confusing, heavy. With this rumor flying around, I imagined she might not even feel comfortable walking beside me.

“I didn’t think it would get this messy. I’m sorry, Alera.”

She smiled, the same soft smile, now even more radiant since I stopped lying to myself. She was my mate, and there was no running from that truth anymore.

“You don’t need to apologize, Rayvan. You haven’t done anything wrong.” She smiled again.

Suddenly I felt awkward. She did too, I could tell.

Was this what falling in love felt like?

*****

Today, I had basketball practice. My punishment was nearly over, and exams were almost finished.

I planned to spend the break at Moonvale. But I heard there would be a winter camp and I was thinking about joining.

I’d been wanting to introduce Alera to my parents as my mate. But maybe… it was still too soon. We were only just beginning. Once our bond became stronger, I’d bring her to them. After that, I wanted to undergo the Moonblood Ritual with Alera standing by my side.

“Rayvan…”

I turned at the familiar voice behind me... Lyra.

Her scent always confused me. Not as soft or sharp as Alera’s, but still… unsettling.

“What is it, Lyra?”

“Um, sorry if I’m being intrusive. I heard the rumors… about you and Alera…”

“I know. It’s just gossip, and it’s not true. Nothing happened between us.” I cut her off quickly.

Lyra smiled, sweet as always. “I’ll help clear it up. I’m with the campus bulletin team. I’ll write a headline correcting everything.”

I offered her a faint smile. She seemed like a genuinely kind girl.

“Thanks, Lyra. I appreciate that.”

*****

That evening, I was back on the basketball court with my team. I was grateful Lyra had acted quickly, shutting down the rumors that had already gone too far.

I dribbled, practiced a three-point shot. Then I noticed Zack watching me from the far side of the court with his usual smug grin.

“Maybe this year’s Most Wanted Virgin award goes to you, Rayvan.”

I wanted to punch him right there. But I forced myself to stay calm.

“Can you shut that mouth of yours for once, Zack?

Is it so shameful to still be a virgin? It’s a personal matter and I don’t like you bringing it up.”

Zack chuckled mockingly. “Personal, huh? Man, you’re just weird, Rayvan. You don’t even know how to have fun with girls. I don’t know what they see in you. You can’t even kiss properly.”

He let out another laugh. He had always loved provoking me.

“That’s none of your business. What do you lose if I have my own damn principles?” I was done holding back.

“No loss. You’re just… strange. Or maybe… you’re not even into girls?” he shouted with a laugh.

I punched him square in the face. He stumbled to the ground.

My teammates quickly stepped in to separate us.

“Ray, calm down! You’re almost done with your punishment. Don’t make it worse!” Richard grabbed my arm, pulling me back.

He was right. I couldn’t let myself fall into the same trap twice. I walked away from the court to cool down.

******

I stood frozen in the corner of the bathroom, head bowed, trying with everything I had not to let my rage trigger the shift. But it was hard. Too hard.

My body trembled violently. My breath came in harsh, burning gasps—hot and deep, like flames were igniting inside my chest. The pain spread, crawling from my legs to my hips, climbing to my skull. It felt like my bones were about to shatter. Like something inside me wanted to explode outward.

I pressed both palms against the wall. My nails were lengthening, turning into claws. My skin felt as if it were being pulled from the inside. I clenched my jaw, but a hiss of pain still escaped my lips. It hurt.

The pain wasn’t just physical. It was the anger and the shame, stacked so high it choked me.

“Rayvan…”

Her voice. Just one word, soft… but enough to make me turn. Alera stood at the doorway, eyes wide at the sight of me. Her face tightened, a sign of panic, but not fear. She stepped toward me quickly.

“Alera… you… how did you know I was here?” My voice was hoarse, strangled by the searing pain inside me.

Alera knelt before me, her hand reaching for mine, the one that had already begun to change shape.

“Rayvan… your hand is bleeding…” she whispered, her eyes locking onto mine with a mix of worry, fear, and something else. Something warm.

“It hurts… I… I can’t hold it back…” I whispered. My body gave out. I collapsed to my knees, breath caught, cold sweat beading down my temple.

But Alera didn’t flinch. She reached for me, slowly wrapping her arms around me and letting my body lean into her shoulder.

“I’m here…” she whispered softly, like a spell wrapping around me. “It’s okay, Rayvan… I’m here…”

Her scent was calming, gentle like morning dew. Her embrace slowed my wild heartbeat. My breathing began to steady. The storm of rage within me started to fade.

I gripped her hand, tight. My claws, once sharp, began to shrink back. My skin stopped burning. The stabbing pain in every bone gradually faded away.

I looked into her clear eyes, the same eyes I once looked at with hatred. And now… they felt like home.

She was the calm within my chaos. My balm, my healer. The only reason I could still hold on to who I was.

And in that moment, I knew deeper than ever before, Alera wasn’t just my mate. She was my destiny.