Chapter 0001

~Ezinne~

"Cinch it tighter!" Louisa commanded imperiously.

Clutching the edge of the cabinet for support, I struggled to draw breath as the servant yanked mercilessly at the corset laced across my back. My vision blurred, eyes bulging under the strain, yet Louisa, my callous stepmother, urged the maid to tighten its grip further. A whimper escaped my lips as Rose, our maid, obeyed, cinching the corset with even greater force.

"I—I can't breathe, ma," I gasped, my voice a faint, pleading whisper.

Louisa shot me a disdainful glance. "Suck in that portly stomach of yours. This is your chance to meet your mate. At least you won't look twice as fat." She rolled her eyes. "I'm not expecting you to find a mate out there, or anyone who would accept you, but I would like nothing more than for you to get out of my sight for good. So, be a good girl and comply with Rose."

Louisa, my stepmother, despised me with a passion and often made cruel remarks. I endured taunts and mockery at school as well because I was what they called "chubby." They considered me ugly and worthless because I couldn't participate in most activities others did. Running was a challenge for me, as I would tire quickly. I never knew my parents, but I grew up under the care of Louisa and her twins, Canice and Candice. Despite having servants, the three of them chose to make my life miserable. I endured it, hoping for a day when I could finally be free from their torment.

Turning eighteen appeared to be that time. Soon, I would find my wolf, and perhaps even discover my mate. I had prayed to the moon goddess to make Garrick my mate, the one I had secretly loved since 7th grade, even though we had never exchanged a word. He had a girlfriend, Elara, who was the hottest girl in high school, making me no competition for her.

Tonight was the Lunar Dance, a revered tradition for young wolves of transformable age like me, go to the Moon Plains and shift. It was a night after prom, the night of our first shift and most of us would discover our mates. I wanted to discover my mate so badly, I wanted to experience the feeling of someone having eyes only for me. I had come to this plain for years now and had witnessed how people shifted during the festive dance, and then, the happiness they feel when they discover their mate. Tonight was my turn.

Candice entered the room wearing a peachy, girly gown that accentuated her eye colour beautifully. I, on the other hand, wore a bright orange dress that clashed with my red hair, creating a monochromatic look. Louisa always preferred Candice to look prettier than me and had chosen this dress accordingly. Candice twirled for her mother to see.

"How do I look, Mom?" Candice asked, posing with hands on hips.

"You look breathtakingly gorgeous, my precious. The moon goddess herself would be compelled to bestow Garrick upon you as a mate," Louisa replied with maternal pride.

Candice blushed. "Our fathers were friends, after all. I don't understand what he sees in that lowlife Elara," she mused, moving towards the mirror to adorn herself with jewellery.

Rose had finished preparing me and was about to select jewellery to enhance my appearance, but Louisa stopped her, saying it was unnecessary. In her eyes, I would remain unnoticed regardless. The only 'favour' Louisa had granted me tonight was to lace me up in the corset, tying me up like a sacrificial offering. My arms hung limply, my chest unnaturally puffed, each breath a struggle. Every step I took felt robotic, and I could feel sweat beading on my forehead and the nape of my neck. I longed for the moment of my transformation, eager to tear this oppressive garment to shreds and embrace the liberating freedom of my wolf form.

~*~

The Moon Plain was abuzz with excitement and youthful exuberance. Energetic teenagers danced under the luminous full moon, their movements harmonising with the pulsating rhythm of the background music. However, I found myself unable to join them in the frenzy, torn between the fear of ridicule for my awkward, corset-induced stiffness and the risk of collapsing while dancing. So, I stood in the shadow of a tree, observing the lively scene at the centre of the full moon. Throughout it all, my gaze remained fixed on Garrick, even though his attention was firmly on Elara. I glimpsed Candice and Canice, radiating beauty and dancing joyfully. I stared down at my fingers, feeling the stark contrast between their happiness and my own despair.

Then, the circle erupted in screams of joy. My attention snapped back to the scene just in time to witness Garrick beginning his transformation. My heart swelled as I watched him. My Garrick! He was transforming into a colossal wolf before he bounded into the woods. My eyes brimmed with tears of mixed emotions, while Elara, standing nearby, looked visibly anxious. Such nights could be very devastating to some, but very blissful for others. No doubt, every girl yearned for Garrick as a mate; he was handsome and the next Alpha.

Following Garrick's transformation, others began to shift as well, even Elara. Shouts of ecstasy echoed across the plains as the moon goddess blessed people with their wolves. A pang of panic hit me as I watched Canice shift, and Candice followed suit. My hands trembled with apprehension, and I feared I might be without a wolf, which would only add to my misery. But scarcely had this thought crossed my mind when a searing pain shot through my joints.

"Oh, my goddess, I am transforming," I whispered to myself, my voice intermingled with tears of joy and disbelief.

My transformation propelled me out of my hiding place, and my cries drew the attention of the remaining onlookers at the Moon Plain.

"Isn't that Hippos?" someone in the crowd murmured, a hint of disbelief in their voice.

'Hippos' was the derogatory nickname my peers had bestowed upon me, a cruel reminder of my size. Upon shifting, my wolf bared her fangs, causing some to hastily move away, realising that I was now stronger than most of them. With newfound vigour, I darted into the woods, elated that I had finally discovered my wolf. Euphoria coursed through me, and I ran with a strength I hadn't experienced in years. Now, I couldn't wait to meet my soulmate.

'Hi,' my wolf called out as we ran. 'Nice to meet you. What would you like to call me?"

'Felicia!' I exclaimed. I had chosen that name from our Latino class and decided to give it to my wolf when I shifted. It meant 'happy' or 'lucky,' and those were the two things I desired most in life.

'Felicia. I like it,' my wolf responded.

After an exhilarating run, my energy began to wane, prompting me to retreat to the spot where I had stashed my extra clothes. Once dressed, I embarked on my journey out of the woods. As I neared the forest's edge, the sound of Elara's crying reached my ears. Curiosity piqued, I concealed myself among the trees, observing the scene unfolding before me. She was being comforted by others, including Garrick, who held her in his arms. A sigh escaped my lips as I realised they weren't destined mates after all.

It was then that an intoxicating scent captivated my senses, so enchanting that it momentarily rooted me to the spot. At that same instant, Garrick's head turned, his expression a blend of confusion and curiosity as he scanned the edges of the woods, searching for the source of the aroma.

'Mate,' Felicia whispered.

My heart sank into a sea of conflicting emotions as the truth dawned on me. Garrick, the object of my long-held affections, was indeed my destined mate. The moon goddess had, in her infinite wisdom, answered my prayers. Yet, in that moment of revelation, I found myself paralysed with uncertainty, retreating further behind the trees. A torrent of questions flooded my mind: Would he accept me? Could he, the admired and desired, possibly embrace someone like me as his mate?