THE LYCAN KING'S UNCLAIMED MATE

I always thought the worst thing that could happen to a girl like me was being born a hybrid. Half-wolf, half-human. I was not strong enough to be respected as a wolf, nor could I live as a human. But that night, under those golden lights and swirling gowns, I realized there was a fate far crueler. Rejection. The only word that caused trembles in the heart of any she-wolf. Once a person is rejected, the chance of a second mate is rare. The school hall was draped with beautiful colors and decorations to celebrate the final year of high school and the last prom before college. The music played slowly as I stepped inside the gym where everyone else was having fun, and my heart raced as Julian walked towards me, his black suit hugging every inch of his muscular frame. His scent, fresh pine and wild musk hit my senses, igniting the mate bond inside me. Two weeks ago, when I turned eighteen, I already knew of our mate's bond and saw it in his eyes too, that he felt it then, but he never said anything. He had, however, announced to the entire school that he would be asking a girl out at prom to become his girlfriend. Holding his words dear in my heart, I made an extra effort to look good for when he would actually ask me out in front of everyone. He stopped just before me, his gray eyes gleaming, but there was no warmth in them. Others began to whisper words of envy. After all, Julian was every girl’s desire at school and the captain of the basketball team. Aside from that, he is also the Lycan King's cousin. But his next words shattered all the imagination I had about saying yes to him. “I heard you are a hybrid?” he said, and everyone else in the room gasped. I clenched my arms together, shaking my toes to hear him blurt out my secret in front of the whole school. Being a hybrid was a secret I had made sure to protect all my life, and no one else knew about it except my father, stepmother, and... Miranda. She is my stepsister and, unlike me, is a true werewolf. Her sulky blonde hair fell down her back as she stepped forward, linking her arm with Julian’s possessively. “I do not want a filthy hybrid for a mate,” Julian said loudly for all to hear. “I reject you, Sofia Taylor. You are not worthy of me." "I choose Miranda as my mate,” he spoke further, flashing his teeth at Miranda, who kissed his lips. “Did you really think anyone would want you, little mutt?” Miranda sneered, and everyone started to laugh. Their fingers pointed at me as they let out words of mockery. Julian fixed his eyes on me to accept the rejection, and I did slowly, like I was being pushed to. “That’s why she never shifted at school. What a poor girl!” one of them whispered to my hearing. Tears burned my eyes, but I refused to let them fall in front of them. The only friend I have is my wolf, Tara, but I don't want to speak with her. I ran, my dress ripping slightly as I shoved past the crowd, through the hallway, and out into the freezing night air. I didn’t stop running until I reached the edge of the pack’s territory. Beyond it lay the hotel where I worked part-time, cleaning guest rooms to support myself. My father had cheated on Miranda’s mother with mine and gave birth to me, and when my mother died, I lived with Miranda and her mother, but I remained the outsider and never fit in despite how much I tried. The hotel was the only place where I could stay alone with my thoughts, so I decided to take the night shift and went in. The hotel lobby was silent as I clocked in for the shift. My boss eyed my disheveled dress and tear-streaked makeup but said nothing. Like others, he is a arrogant jerk who has nothing but money. I grabbed the cleaning supplies and checked the room assignments. Penthouse suite. The most expensive room in Moonstone Pack territory. Great. Just what I needed right then. Maybe scrubbing the marble floors all night would stop me from thinking about Julian's rejection and Miranda. When I reached the floor, the door was slightly ajar, so I knocked softly, surprised someone was still there. I received no answer, so I stepped inside to begin cleaning but saw him instead. He sat by the window, a glass of whiskey in his hand, wearing a black shirt. His clothes were unbuttoned. My eyes invaded his bare chest as he turned to me, and I stared at his hard muscles and jagged scar. His russet eyes glared at me like I was an intruder, and I held my breath in fear of them. Damien Cross. The Lycan King of Moonstone Pack. The tattoo made it easy to recognize him. Every wolf knew of him. He is ruthless, powerful, and most importantly hates she-wolves. It is said that he couldn’t stand their scents and is repulsed by their presence, which had made him unmated at the age of twenty-five. But as his eyes raked over my body, something flickered in their depths that made me so afraid, and I turned quickly to run but his commanding voice stopped me. “Come here.” My feet moved without permission, carrying me closer until I was standing before him, trembling under his gaze. “What’s your name?” he demanded. “S-Sofia,” I stuttered, unable to meet his eyes, wondering if it was okay for me to be that close to him. “Sofia…” he repeated it slowly, tasting the name on his tongue like an intoxicating wine. His nostrils flared as he inhaled deeply. “You smell…different,” he muttered, taking another deep inhale. My eyes widened as he rose, towering over me, and pressed his nose against my neck. A violent shiver ran down my spine and heat pooled low in my belly. I felt embarrassed to feel that way and bite my lips. “Strip,” he ordered. My hands trembled as I obeyed, not sure why I was unable to refute him and I dropped my short dress to the floor. His gaze turned molten as he studied every inch of my trembling body. I wanted to protest but couldn’t find my voice until he bit dangerously on my neck and I screamed. Before I knew it, he pulled me into his bed, his touch rough and almost angry. The night felt awfully long as he claimed me in ways that burned my soul and body. He didn’t even slip in a kiss. It was just a primal possession that left me aching and empty all through the night. ... As the day broke, I looked towards my side and found no one. Damien was gone from the room and only a note remained. It contained form warning not to mention the night between them to anyone and to simply take the money and disappear. I grabbed my clothes and rushed out of the room, leaving the money and letter behind. My eyes were dripping with the tears I had refused to let out the night before and they flowed freely. I had no idea what kind of charm or devil made me so obedient to give myself to a man so easily, and I sobbed hard at my own foolishness. Two rejections in one day. First, it was my mate who deemed me unworthy, and now it was the Lycan King, who used my body like a plaything and cast me out like nothing.