The Lycan's Impossible Mate

Episode One Adele woke up before her alarm went off, For a moment, she laid there, staring at the cracked ceiling of the shared room , listening to the faint sounds of life outside- distant car horns, footsteps in the doorway, a door slamming somewhere near the corridor. The space was too tight for two adults, but that was the reality of studying abroad. Comfort was a luxury that only the rich could afford. She shifted quietly on the narrow bed, careful not to wake her roommate. The thin mattress dipped under her weight, reminding her that this version of herself was only temporary. At least that was what she told herself. Her eyes lingered on the ceiling a moment longer, before she exhaled softly and quietly reached for her phone. The screen lit up instantly. 3 missed calls A small frown creased her forehead. That was unusual. Before she could check who the caller was, the screen flickered and went blank. “Great," she muttered to herself. The battery. With a quiet sigh, she plugged the phone in and stood up, stretching quietly before heading to the bathroom. It was probably nothing, she told herself. If it was important, they would call back. — She had just finished bathing, water still clinging to her body when she heard it. Her phone was ringing, Adele froze for a few seconds, then she rushed out of the bathroom, nearly slipping as she dashed back into the room. She grabbed the phone just before it stopped ringing. “Hello?” she said, slightly breathless. “Good morning, am I speaking with Adele?” The voice on the other end sounded formal and stern. “Yes—yes, this is Adele," she responded, and straightened her posture subconsciously as if the person on the other end could see her. “This is Stephanie from Maximal group. We tried reaching you earlier.” Adele’s grip tightened, “I’m so sorry, my phone battery died," she said, the words tumbling out faster than she intended. There was a brief pause. That's alright, the woman said. “I am calling in regard to your application to Maximal groups. We would like you to come in for an interview today. Adele blinked, Today? Her heart skipped. “Oh—okay…yes, I'm available," she said, trying to keep her voice steady. “Good, the interview is scheduled for 10:00AM. Please ensure you are there 15 minutes early. Adele’s eye darted to the time on her phone. 8:07AM Her stomach dropped. “Yes, of course,” she replied, even though her mind was already racing ahead. “We will send the details to you ahead of time. Please confirm once you receive it. “I will. Thank you so much," she replied. The line went dead. For a moment, Adele just stood there, the phone still pressed into her ear. Then slowly she lowered it. Two hours, that was all she had. Her gaze drifted across the room, the rumpled bed, her half opened bag, the single chair with clothes piled on it. She let out a slow breath, her pulse began to quicken. That was it. She needed to get the job, no time to overthink, no time to doubt. Adele moved. The room suddenly felt smaller, tighter—like the walls were closing in on her. Two hours. Adele turned in a slow circle, her eyes scanning everything at once, trying to decide what mattered most. Clothes. She rushed to the chair in the corner, pulling at the pile of clothes until fabric spilled over her arms—blouses, a pair of trousers, a dress she hadn’t worn in months. None of them looked right. Her chest tightened. “This is not the time,” she muttered under her breath. She picked a blouse. Dropped it. Picked another. Shook her head. Everything suddenly looked cheap. Worn. Wrong. Adele paused, pressing her lips together as frustration crept in. It wasn't just about looking good. It was about looking enough. Enough for them to take her seriously. Enough for them to believe in her. Enough to choose her. Her hands slowed. She suddenly remembered she had a neatly ironed cloth her mother had packed separately for her to wear on her first day in class. A simple, well-ironed blouse, dark trousers. Safe, she nodded once. “This will do." “Mama, thank you," she muttered to herself. Quickly, she dressed, her movements sharper now, more focused. The earlier hesitation was gone, replaced by urgency. She crossed to the small mirror, hanging unevenly on the wall. For a moment, she just stared at her reflection. Her hair is still damp. Her face is bare. Her eyes… alert, but uncertain. Adele tilted her head slightly, studying herself, trying to see what others would see. Would they see confidence? Or desperation? Her fingers tightened slightly at her sides, “Stop it," she said to herself. There was no time for that. She ran her fingers through her hair, trying to smooth it out as best as she could. Then wiped a faint trace of water from her face. Not perfect, But presentable. It had to be enough. Her phone buzzed behind her. Adele turned quickly, grabbing it from the bed. An email. She opened it immediately. Interview details Her eyes scanned through the message quickly. Address, time, instructions, then she saw the location. Her eyes widened. It was farther than she expected. Much farther. Her heart began to pound again, harder now. Traffic. Morning rush. Distance. Adele glanced at the time 8:21 AM. A sharp breath escaped her lips. She did the calculation without meaning to. If she left now….. Maybe she might get there early enough. If there was no delay ….. Maybe If everything went right …. Maybe she might be selected. Too many maybes. She grabbed her bag, shoving in things she thought she might need, her movement hurried now. Her finger brushed against something at the bottom of the bag. She paused. Slowly, she pulled it out. Her documents. Neatly arranged. Carefully prepared A flicker of relief crossed her face. Then faded as quickly. She flipped through once. Then again. Her heartbeat stumbled. “No…” she whispered. Something was missing. Adele's hands moved faster now, flipping through the papers again more urgently this time. Once. Twice. Still not there. Her chest tightened. That document— She needed it. Without it… her stomach dropped. Adele looked up, her eyes darting around the room as if it might suddenly appear. The bed. The chair. Her bag. Nothing. Her breathing quickened. Where did she put it?