BULLIED BY MY MATE

Falling in Love

Rayvan’s POV

Tonight, the air feels colder than usual. Winter in Moonvale always brings memories that never truly fade—and I know this one will follow me back to Ravenshade.

My mother made beef steak, seasoned with the Bloodveil pack’s traditional herbs. She brewed me a cup of herbal tea as well. The kind of meal that warms the body and the soul.

Whenever we gather like this, our dinners are filled with warmth. Not just from the food, but from lighthearted conversation and the comfort of family. But tonight, I feel tense. My heart is pounding. I want to tell them I’ve found my mate. I’m not sure how they’ll take it. But I can’t hide it anymore.

“Ray, eat more. You probably won’t get beef steak like this over there. And the herbs—well, they’re our pack’s specialty.” My mother places a plate of beef steak in front of me.

“Thanks, Mom. I could’ve gotten it myself.”

She smiles, the kind of smile only a mother gives. “It’s alright. When you come home, you’re royalty.”

I return a small smile, trying to mask the nerves tightening in my chest. I’m nineteen. Isn’t it normal at this age to introduce someone we care about?

“Mom, Dad... I wanted to tell you I’ve found my mate.”

They both look a little surprised. My father narrows his eyes slightly. “So, who’s the lucky girl?”

I look at each of them in turn. “Her name is Alera. She’s in my class.”

“What a lovely name, Ray. Is she from an Alpha bloodline too?” There’s a glimmer of hope in my mother’s eyes, her face bright with expectation as she waits for my answer.

I hesitate, just for a moment. But I need to be honest. “She used to be an omega. She left her pack after being treated unfairly. She’s now a rogue.”

Their expressions change instantly. Disappointment flickers across their faces. I knew this would hit hard. In our family, Alphas were always expected to be bonded with equals. Omega and rogue weren’t even options.

“A rogue? Ray, our bloodline was meant to be joined with equals, with Lycans of the same standing. Not omegas. Not rogues. This is disgraceful, Ray!” My mother’s voice sharpens. I expected this reaction.

“I didn’t choose her, Mom. It’s the Moon Goddess’s will. Isn’t that how the matebond works?”

“Ray, the matebond may be the Moon Goddess’s gift, but our family has its own laws. If you bond with an omega—or worse, a rogue—it will damage our legacy. I won’t let that happen.” My father speaks more gently, but his words sting all the same.

“Please try to see her for who she is. Alera is different. She’s an orphan. Her father once owned a coffee shop, but it was destroyed by people claiming to act under Lucian Drayce’s name. No one stood up for her. She lost her parents. She lost everything.”

“I never ordered anyone to destroy a business without offering compensation. Yes, I intended to build an academy for Alpha heirs, but I’ve always told my men to negotiate with fairness.” My father sighs. “There must’ve been a mistake.”

“Then you have to find out who’s behind it, Dad. Alera has endured so much. She left Moonvale to start over.”

“Do you truly love her?” My father looks at me with eyes sharper than I’ve ever seen.

“He’s only nineteen. You don’t know what love really means, Rayvan. Maybe she isn’t even your true mate. You need someone who matches our family.” My mother’s disappointment is clear in her eyes. I knew she would never accept someone she believed unworthy.

“I might be nineteen, but I’m not a child. Alera calms me. I believe she’ll stand by me when I go through the moonblood ritual.”

“The matebond can be broken if your mate doesn’t meet the family’s expectations.” My mother presses on. She’s always had a hand in shaping my future.

“Wouldn’t that hurt, Mom?” I’ve heard how painful it is to break the bond. Like losing half of your soul. I can’t go through that. I’m not ready to lose Alera.

“You can still find someone better than Alera. You’re too young to decide now. You never know—someday you might meet someone even more perfect, someone who truly fits into our world.”

“And what if I choose Alera?” I ask again. I can’t imagine searching for another mate. I used to consider it when I was still unsure of my feelings. But now, I know without a doubt. Alera is my true mate. I won’t look for anyone else.

“If your mate doesn’t match our bloodline, then you only have one option. You’ll lose your right to lead. And worse, you’ll be exiled from the pack.” My father says it calmly, but his sharp gaze lingers on me, like he’s daring me to reconsider.

I freeze. I know the weight of this. I could lose everything.

“There’s no other way?” I whisper, just hoping there might be another path, even if I still choose Alera.

“You won’t lose your position if there’s Alpha blood in her ancestry. Even a trace from her grandparents could save you,” he says.

I let those words sink in. Maybe that’s the only way Alera and I can stay together without being cast out. I have to find out about her bloodline.

******

Night falls deeper, but my heart feels empty. I know our love will face many trials. But maybe this is part of the journey. Love asks for both struggle and sacrifice.

My phone rings. Her name lights up the screen: Alera. Warmth floods my chest. I answer.

“Hey, Alera. What’s going on?”

“Ray, thank you for the chocolate. It was so good. I really liked it.”

I smile. Her happiness makes mine complete.

“You’re welcome, Alera. I’m sorry it was just chocolate.”

“It meant a lot to me, Ray… Um, you’re going to the winter camp, right?”

“Yeah. I’m looking forward to it. Mostly because you’ll be there.”

Silence.

“You still there?”

“Yes, Rayvan… I just don’t know what else to say. But I don’t want to hang up yet.”

“Then stay. Talk to me. Tell me about your day.”

“There’s not much to tell. I worked at the coffee shop, we closed early. Then I spent the rest of the day listening to music and reading.”

“That sounds nice. What kind of book?”

“A romance novel. The story is beautiful. The characters are so alive. Their chemistry is amazing.”

“Like ours?” I tease.

She laughs softly from the other end.

“How’s Moonvale? Are you enjoying it?”

“Yeah. Mom made beef steak for me.”

“She sounds sweet. Reminds me of my mom…”

I might’ve touched a wound.

“Don’t be sad, Alera. I’m here. I’ll always be here to listen.”

“You’re really sweet, Rayvan… I think we should sleep now. It’s getting late.”

I wish the night could stretch a little longer.

“Alright... Don’t you want to give me something before we sleep?”

“What is it?”

"Uhm… a kiss? I mean, if we can't do it for real, maybe you could give me one… over the phone?"

I hear her laugh again.

“Alright, Rayvan. Mwah…”

I press my fingers lightly to my lips, as if I could still feel hers there.

“Thank you, Alera. I love you. Mwah.”

I smile to myself, lingering in the afterglow of her voice. I touch my lips once more. That kiss may not have been real, but the feeling it left behind was.

Falling in love really does feel this beautiful.