Fated To Everett

Chapter 1: Unwanted/ rejection

Ariel’s POV

Pain shot through my chest like a sharp blade.

"You are not my mate," Alpha Ray’s voice echoed across the training grounds, firm and cold as he said. "I reject you, Ariel."

A hush fell over the crowd of pack members surrounding us.

It wasn't what I expected. My throat tightened, and my fingers curled into fists.

I had waited for this moment all my life, to meet my fated mate, the one destined to be by my side. But fate was cruel.

I could remember Ray’s sharp gray eyes, once full of amusement when he bullied me as kids, but at that moment it held nothing but indifference.

"You have no wolf," he continued, "you are weak. I can’t have that as my Luna."

“I can't believe she's the Alpha's mate, what a shame.”

“I would give her a piece of my mind if she wasn't the elder's daughter.”

“Shame a disgrace.”

Ripple of whispers spread among the crowd.

My heart pounded in my ears as my vision blurred. I wanted to scream, to demand why, but I already knew the answer.

I was different. All my life I hoped for another outcome but it was the answer of all the questions I asked myself.

Would my mate want a useless person?

Was he going to love me at least?

Most werewolves got their wolves by eighteen. It was my 20th birthday, and I was still stuck in a body that refused to shift. No power, no mate bond, nothing.

“Let me make this clear, I never liked you and the mate bond only made it worse. I would choose someone better to be my mate.” Ray said.

"Who do you choose?" I forced the words out, though they felt like poison on my tongue.

"Helen." Ray smirked.

What?

This was inhumane.

The betrayal hit harder than his rejection. My best friend. My only friend. I turned my head slowly, meeting Helen’s wide brown eyes.

She looked away.

My breath hitched. Did she know? Was she a part of this?

"What? Ray… Alpha?" I choked out, my voice barely a whisper.

I needed to leave. Now.

Without waiting for another word, I turned on my heel and pushed through the crowd. Their stares burned into my back, but I refused to look at them.

"Her?" I whispered, my voice barely audible. I walked to leave but I couldn't stop myself from asking that question.

"I’ve chosen her as my mate. She is everything you are not." Ray sighed.

“But you are my mate.” I said.

Helen looked between us, her face became pale. "Ariel, I didn’t—"

"Save it," I snapped, pushing past her.

"Ariel, wait!" She called as she ran after me.

I didn’t stop until I was outside, the cool air biting at my skin.

"I swear, I didn’t know," Helen said, grabbing my arm.

I shook her off. "Don’t. You knew exactly what you were doing."

"Ariel, I would never accept him," she said desperately. "You’re my best friend. I’d rather leave the pack than betray you."

Her words softened something in me, but the pain was too raw. It wasn't her fault but I was angry.

"I can’t do this, Helen," I said, tears streaming down my face. "I need to be alone."

Before she could respond, I ran.

I had no place here anymore.

It was already night so I called my high school roommate. She was the only one I could turn to.

“Mel please, I need you.” I said in a whisper trying to hold back my tears.

“What happened?” She asked.

“I need a night out. Drinks at Black Oak?"

Her response was almost instant. "Alright, I will be there. 8 PM. And you better not cancel."

The Black Oak wasn’t exactly my usual scene. Tucked away on the outskirts of town, it was the kind of place where fights broke out as often as drinks were served. But tonight, the chaos was exactly what I needed.

By 8:30, I was at the bar, I found myself a spot to hide.

The air was thick with the scent of alcohol, sweat, and a hint of something smoky. The dim lights cast shadows on the rough wooden walls, giving the place a gritty, dangerous vibe.

The club pulsed with energy. Music pounded through the speakers, rattling the walls.

Bodies swayed and pressed against each other on the dance floor, lost in the night.

I took another sip of my drink, the alcohol burning my throat. I barely tasted it. The rejection still echoed in my mind, replaying over and over.

I spotted Mel in a corner booth, waving me over with a grin.

"Ariel!" She called, scooting over to make room for me.

"Hey," I said, sliding in beside her.

She gave me a once-over, her smile fading. "What’s going on? You look… stressed."

I hesitated, with a sigh I said, "I was rejected today."

"What?" With her eyes narrowed she asked.

I glanced around to make sure no one was listening before leaning in. "I'm not good enough? He chose Helen."

Her eyes widened. "Wait… Who?"

"Helen," I whispered.

Her jaw dropped. Helen? As in Helen, your best friend? That Helen?"

"Yeah," I said, biting my lip.

She sighed, “I'm out of words at the moment.” Just then My favorite song could be heard.

"Come on, Ariel, have some fun!" Mel stood up and yelled over the music.

I shot her a glare. Fun? After what my best friend did? After what Ray did?

"I think I’ll pass," I muttered, swirling the liquid in my glass.

She rolled her eyes and turned away, swaying her hips as she moved toward the dance floor.

My fingers tightened around the glass. I didn’t need a mate. I didn’t need Helen. I didn’t need anyone.

I grabbed my phone and scrolled through my contacts. My thumb hovered over Jeff’s name. My high school boyfriend. The one I used to dream about before I ever thought of Ray. He had ignored me for years after he met his mate, but tonight, I didn’t care.

I tapped on his name and attached the pictures I had taken earlier… the ones meant to remind him of what he missed out on. My finger hesitated for just a second before I typed:

"Wet and waiting. What do you think, baby? Sexier than your mate?"

Then I hit send.

Minutes passed, then an hour. No reply.

I should have known better.

I slumped back against the booth, closing my eyes. A headache formed at my temples, caused by alcohol and humiliation.

Then, my phone buzzed.

I snatched it up, my heart racing.

Everett: "Oh little girl, what are you up to?"

The blood drained from my face.

No. No. No.

I reread the message, my pulse hammering in my veins.

Everett: “Are those photos really for me?” This time he added the upside down emoji.

I hadn’t sent the pictures to Jeff.

I had sent them to Everett.

Jeff’s older brother.

The man everyone called “Death”.

My stomach twisted as I stared at the screen.

Me: "That was a mistake. Please don’t tell anyone." I immediately typed.

His reply came instantly.

Everett: "Your secret’s safe. But those pictures… Ariel, you’ve grown up."

Heat flooded my cheeks.

I shoved my phone into my pocket and pushed off the booth. The air in the club suddenly felt suffocating.

I needed to leave.

“Babe! Babe?!” I heard Mel call but I didn't stop. Weaving through the crowd, I slipped out the back exit into the alleyway. The cool night air hit my skin, but it did little to calm my racing heart.

I leaned against the wall, closing my eyes.

Why him? Why Everett?

He wasn’t just Jeff’s brother. He was trouble. The kind of trouble that didn’t care about rules, about packs, about anything but himself.

I had barely caught my breath when a deep voice spoke behind me.

"You seem nervous."

I spun around, my heart nearly leaping out of my chest.

Everett leaned against the wall a few feet away, his piercing blue eyes locked onto mine. Even in the dim light, he looked effortlessly intimidating. A smirk tugged at his lips, like he knew exactly what he was doing to me.

"I—what are you doing here?" I stammered.

"I could ask you the same thing." He took a slow step forward.

"I needed a distraction." I swallowed hard.

"Didn’t seem like you were having much fun," he noted, tilting his head slightly.

"Not really," I admitted.

"So, about those pictures…" Everett let out a low chuckle.

"Forget them." I groaned.

"Can’t," he said, his smirk widening. "They’re burned into my memory now."

I wanted to crawl into a hole.

No, I wanted the earth to open and swallow me.

His gaze dropped to my lips for a fraction of a second, and the air between us shifted.

A strange, electric pull.

I stepped back, suddenly feeling like prey.

But Everett followed.

"You’ve always looked at me," he murmured, his voice softer now, almost teasing.

"What?" My voice barely came out.

"In high school," he continued. "You thought I didn’t notice, didn’t you?"

I froze.

Of course, I had.

Everett was every girl’s secret crush. Dangerous. Untouchable. The kind of man who could destroy you with a single glance.

But I never thought he would notice me.

He leaned in, his breath warm against my skin. "I noticed, Ariel."

A shiver ran down my spine.

My phone buzzed in my pocket, breaking the spell.

I fumbled to check it. My stomach dropped.

Ray: "Come to the pack house. Now."

My body stiffened.

"Something wrong?" Everett glanced at the screen.

“It’s Ray." I looked up at him.

"You’re not going." His expression darkened instantly.

"You can’t tell me what to do," I shot back.

"Maybe not." His jaw tightened. "But trust me, Ariel. Whatever he wants, it’s not good." I hesitated. “He already rejected you, what else would he want?” He asked.

“How?” I gasped.

How did he know?

“The news is everywhere.” As if reading my mind he said and I nodded.

Ray had already rejected me. What more did he have to say?

Everett took a step closer, his voice dropping to a near whisper. "Don’t let him drag you back into his world after rejecting you."

I raised an eyebrow.

I wanted to believe Everett.

But I needed answers.

"I have to go," I said, forcing confidence into my voice.

Everett’s jaw clenched. For a second, I thought he might stop me.

Then, "If you need me, call." He sighed.

I nodded and turned away, my heart pounding.

I had no idea what awaited me at the pack house.

Ray rejected me. What else could he do to me?