The Girl Without A Wolf

It took every ounce of bravery in my veins to stay where I was. Slouched and half-hidden beside the dark blue curtains at the far end of the auditorium, I fought the overwhelming urge to run—to bolt back to the cozy little cottage my mom and I called home. Even with my head bowed, I could feel their stares. Heavy. Hostile. I might not have been born with extraordinary hearing, but I could still make out their cruel whispers. “The Glitch is here? Unbelievable.” “Wait, did she actually come here thinking she’d find her mate?” “Impossible! She doesn’t even have a wolf, does she?” “… I pity whoever gets bound to her.” Ignore them, my precious. Don’t take their words to heart because they mean nothing. My head snapped up at the soft whisper of my mother’s voice. My eyes darted frantically around the hall, searching desperately for a glimpse of her familiar strawberry-red hair. Nothing. My shoulders sagged slightly. Of course, she wouldn't be here. This was a coming-of-age ball, held exclusively for wolves who had just turned eighteen. The event was meant for finding one’s chosen mate and forging alliances with nearby packs. Parents and guardians were strictly forbidden from attending. Only guards stood watch around the perimeter. “Sister, what a surprise to see you here.” Goosebumps rippled across my skin at the sound of that soft, melodic voice. My heart stumbled, then raced wildly. Sweat slicked my palms, and I quickly wiped them on the skirt of my dress. “Sister?” the voice called again, closer this time. I turned slowly. Sashaying toward me like a queen was my stepsister, Bianca. Her raven-black hair bounced with every step, and her black spaghetti-strap jumpsuit hugged her trim figure perfectly. Nearly every girl in the room stared at her—some with envy, others with open admiration. I, on the other hand, felt nothing but dread. Bianca never approached me without a reason, and that reason was never good. Mentally, I braced myself. “You didn’t tell me you’d be coming, Ash,” she said, smiling gently. “If I had known, I would have picked you up from the cottage.” And have you and your friends mocked where Mom and I live? Yeah, right. I said nothing. With Bianca, silence was always safer. “Please, Bianca,” a shrill voice scoffed from behind her. “You know how much I hate seeing this freak. Now you want us to share the same car with her?” Regina Dorn. Sharp-tongued, spoiled, and loyal to Bianca to a fault. “Yeah, Bianca,” Thelma Ross added, stepping forward with a sneer. “Why would you subject yourself to that kind of… discomfort?” “Guys, don’t say that,” Bianca sighed, her tone dripping with fake concern. “Regardless of what kind of abomination she is, she’s still my sister. I have to take care of her.” Thelma’s face twisted as though she had sucked on a rotten lime. Regina’s eyes turned icy, her lips curling in disdain. Alarms blared in my head when I saw a predatory smile slowly spread across Bianca’s painted lips. Before I could react, her hands shot out, gripped my wrists, and yanked me closer. I stiffened, eyes widening as I met her gaze. The familiar malicious gleam was there. I tried to pull away, but her grip tightened, bruising. I winced but stayed silent. “I just want to say thank you, sister,” she whispered, her sugary voice deceptively sweet. “Truly, you’ve given me the… best gift ever.” What…? “You really shouldn’t have,” she added, lips curling higher. “But don’t worry. I promise to treasure your gift… properly.” Then she released me. Just like that. “Good luck with finding your mate tonight, sister.” She walked away, her followers trailing behind her, each throwing me one last look of disgust. I remained frozen in place, my thoughts tangled in knots. Her words kept echoing in my head. A gift? What gift was she talking about? A heavy sense of foreboding settled in the pit of my stomach. She’s planning something. But I had no idea what it was. And that terrified me more than anything. The large doors at the entrance of the hall suddenly swung open, and the chatter died instantly. Ethan Lome, my father’s beta, stood at the threshold with his usual stoic expression. Behind him was a large group of newly turned male wolves. Their eyes lit up the moment they saw the girls in the room. Suddenly, I felt unsure of myself. What if, because of what I am… I don’t have a mate? What if he doesn’t show up? What if— No. I shook my head vigorously, pushing away the depressing thoughts. The Creator isn’t cruel. Everything will be fine. It has to be. Ethan stepped aside and gestured for the guys to enter. I straightened my posture and smoothed my trembling hands over my dress. It used to belong to my mom — she had worn it on her own Selection Night. On me, it was a little tighter, the fabric pulling slightly over my curves. But it was all I had. Exhaling slowly, I forced a smile onto my face — the kind my mom swore could turn my nonexistent beauty into that of a siren. Around me, the room came alive with sparks, laughter, and excited conversations. One by one, people found their mates. And me? I stood there like a statue. Ignored. Unchosen. Five minutes passed. Nothing happened. Then a faint, itchy warmth began building in my chest. At first I thought it was just anxiety, but it grew stronger, spreading gentle sparks through my veins. It wasn’t painful. It felt… right. A wide grin spread across my face before I could stop it. “You…” A deep, rough voice spoke, laced with disbelief. “You’re my mate?” My head whipped to the side. The moment I saw him, I knew. Heat rushed to my cheeks. Tate Martell. Crimson Hedge High School’s star quarterback. Tall, tanned, and athletic, with twin dimples and a gorgeous smile that made him the object of every girl’s dreams. The warmth in my chest bloomed brighter, wrapping around my soul like something sacred. Then I saw his face. My heart convulsed. It wasn’t confusion or hesitation. It was something much colder. “Of all the girls…” he stopped, his gaze flickering with disbelief. His jaw tightened. “…why does it have to be you?” Silence fell over the room. He looked at me like I was something unwanted. Something he never expected — and never wanted. My lower lip began to quiver uncontrollably. The beautiful warmth inside me slowly seeped away, replaced by a creeping coldness. “What—?” I managed to whisper. “No.” His voice sharpened. “This can’t be real.” He dragged a hand through his hair, clearly agitated. When he met my gaze again, lines of distaste creased his forehead. “I won’t accept this.” “Tate, what’s wrong?” Bianca appeared beside him, worried, her face as innocent as a lamb’s. Like a switch flipped, Tate’s whole mood changed. His shoulders loosened, his face softened. My eyes went wide. Bianca’s words from earlier echoed in my head again. Their meaning hit harder when I saw how my mate reacted to her. A gift. No. No! That couldn’t be… “Tate, I—” I stepped forward, but the glare he gave me stopped me. “I don’t care what the Creator planned,” Tate said. “I won’t tie myself to someone like you.” His gaze moved to Bianca. “Not when there’s someone better.” The world spun. Dazed, I caught a smug smirk on Bianca’s lips just as the whispers started. “Oh, I knew this would happen…” “…can you blame him? She’s like a burden…” “He isn’t saying what I think he is, is he?” “It’s for the best, you know…” “Ashrielle Ember,” Tate began, my name sounding far off in his voice. The hall went quiet as a grave. “I, Tate Martell, son of Alpha Marcus and the future Alpha of Craven Pack… reject you as my mate.” Something inside me shattered at his words. Not cracked. Not chipped. Shattered. A sharp pain tore through my chest and knocked the air from my lungs. I doubled over, clutching myself like I could hold my heart together. But I couldn’t. I gasped for air. As if I wasn’t there, Tate knelt before Bianca. His eyes held gentleness, something he’d never shown me. “Bianca Ember,” he smiled, “will you do me the honor of being my mate?” Tears blurred my vision and slid down my face. “Since the one meant for me… is clearly a mistake.” “Yes,” Bianca squealed, throwing her arms around Tate. “Yes, I accept.” The room erupted, but I heard nothing. Because deep inside me, a part of me went silent. Not broken. Just…gone.