Chapter Two - Coming of Age

Sarina Hazel Moon

After Oliver worked his magic to get me ready for class, the three of us headed out for the day. It was heartwarming to see how insistent they were on accompanying me to class.

Ever since the tragic accident that took my parents away, these two amazing souls have been like a guiding light, filling the roles of both mother and father in my life.

And it's not just them; their parents, too, have been incredibly kind and supportive when I needed it most, especially during those tough days when I lost my own family.

We were talking about the upcoming ball games when we heard cheers in the hallways, I bit my lower lip as numerous eyes darted on me when I realized who they were cheering for.

I realized that we might walked by to his classes and there he was, looking so happy with his hands wrapped around Samantha, his mate.

He didn’t even glance at anyone, his brown eyes were only locked to hers. His eyes were filled with desire and lust.

My heart shattered once more as I heard rumors about me and him with a few people who knew that we were dating.

We were a power couple and everyone admired our tough relationship despite that we knew that we were not mates.

“That bastard didn’t even feel sorry. I’m gonna kill him.” Alison gritted her teeth, and she almost growled. I feel like she was ready to run there and hurt them.

“To me, I think he doesn’t even remember you two have dated.” Oliver clicked his tongue, “I am pissed off.”

I held onto their wrists, gripping them tightly. “I will be fine, guys, I have to move on, there is nothing I can do.”

“I might be hurt now, but I won’t be because I have you both,” I reassured them, making them smile as they kissed my cheeks.

“That’s our daughter, I am so glad we raised her well.” Alison joked, forcing both of us to laugh.

Despite joining in with them, I couldn’t shake the feeling of my heart still shattering because I thought it was over in the hallways. Why do I have to see them everywhere? Especially at the cafeteria? Everyone who knew about us was looking at me with pity.

A few days passed and that’s how my routine was around the campus, nothing changed. Everyone looks at me as if they were expecting to see me hurt and broken.

We were eating at the cafeteria today and as usual, Paul and Samantha were receiving cheers from their field of friends on the other side of the place. It seemed like they had completely forgotten that Paul had me before her.

“What are you looking at?! Unless you want to eat me, look away!” Oliver rolled his eyes as the men and ladies looked away and focused on their meals.

“It has been days and they still treat you like you lost something huge. Ugh! So irritating.” He added, making me chuckle.

I bit my lower lip. I did bear to move on, but on the inside, it still hurt like hell. Paul was a good boyfriend, he was there for me up and down. But he betrayed me, I won’t be able to trust someone that deeply again.

Alison tapped my hands which caught my attention, “Are you doing okay?” She worriedly asked, “It has been days since you last cried.”

I smiled before nodding, “It’s still hurt, but I won’t let myself get affected. I can’t let anyone see that side of me.”

Alison tapped my back, “Well his lost anyway, I am happy for you, plus, your birthday is coming up!”

Right, I forgot that after his birthday, mine would come shortly. We were happy back then that it was the same month, I brushed off those memories in my mind.

“And we have something planned!” Oliver grinned and whipped out his phone, revealing to me the big party that will happen in the white mountain, “We are celebrating your birthday here!”

That is where the Alphas live inside their enormous white and gray mansion. The Stephenson’s. They are the owners of Lynx University, the school where we are pursuing studies at this moment.

It has been a while since I last saw the Alpha’s. They have been gone for a year on a journey about this curse that no one believes.

I didn’t have any contact with them anymore even though we were friends back then when we were kids. I am sure they don’t even remember me anymore, it has been a while. I just hope they are well, I’m excited to see them again!

The White Mountain party huh? I remember Paul invited me to go here with him, he wanted us to celebrate because that would also be the day when I would reject my mate. He said he would be there for me no matter what.

I bitterly shrugged those thoughts away and realized that my friends were casting concerned glances my way.

“Are you okay? We won’t go unless you don’t want to.” Alison tapped my hands gently, but I shook my head.

“No, sorry, I just remembered Paul inviting me to that party. It’s going to be my first party, so he wanted that he would be my first company.” I bitterly smiled, which made them nod.

They know that Paul has been strict in this relationship, he never lets me attend parties unless he will come with me. I am sure he will be there with his mate.

“We are going there and I am going to doll up.” I playfully winked, which made them gasp before cheering, hugging me tight.

“You won’t regret this, Sarina! It’s also the Alphas welcome back party!” Oliver informed me. I couldn’t care less about them as my thoughts only contained Paul who still lingers on my mind, making me question my self-worth.

The next day came by. It’s going to be my birthday at midnight, the party at the white mountain will also commence.

A lot of the werewolves around the campus were excited that the Alphas were coming back. I could almost smell the arousal of others as they wanted to get laid. 

Shaking my head, I decided to proceed to my dorm and was surprised that my friends were already there, rummaging in my wardrobe.

“W-What are you guys doing?!” I exclaimed because it was a disastrous mess. They threw all my clothes at the bed and floors as if it were some trash!

“Why is your wardrobe like this, Sarina?!” Oliver’s tone boomed in my room, making me gulp because I was in trouble. Shoot!

“W-Well, you all know that Paul is a little conservative about me so it’s all closed, no skins should be shown.” I bit my lower lip.

Oliver glared at me before shifting his gaze to Alison, “Ali, prepare the car, we are going to buy some seductive clothes right now!”

Alison gave an enthusiastic salute and snatched her keys. My eyes widened as they tossed all my study materials into my room and slammed the door shut with an echoing thud.

My head spun as they whisked me away to various stores, insisting on buying makeup and luxurious, alluring outfits that were way beyond my budget. They even urged me to choose a bunch of items, hinting that they were their gifts to me, straight from their hearts and their generous parents.

These two are doing everything to help me move on and make me happy. I am so grateful to have them in my life. What else I could wish for?

We all started getting ready inside Oliver’s dorm. For some reason, these two thoroughly focused on what I wore tonight.

“And you're done!” Oliver proudly hummed to himself before putting down the brush, “Look at the mirror and admire my masterpiece!”

Alison happily dragged me to the huge mirror he had in his dorm. I gasped to see how I amazingly looked.

My hair, a gentle cascade of fawn-colored waves, framed my face like a halo. It was perfectly curled behind my back and beautifully complemented my bright blue eyes. My fair skin, porcelain-smooth, glowed in the soft light.

I wore a stunning off-shoulder dress, a masterpiece in black and white. It hugged my hourglass figure, accentuating my curves with grace and style. The neckline offered a subtle glimpse of my cleavage.

Oliver's expertise in makeup effortlessly highlighted the most captivating aspects of my face, leaving me feeling like a masterpiece brought to life.

“I look…wonderful.” I bit my lower lip, trying to contain the happiness as I hugged them both tightly, “Thank you for making me feel this way.”

I felt their warm hands caressing my back, “We are here for you no matter what, and let’s forget about bitches and bastards! We are partying tonight!” Alison cheered.

After she said those words, we happily left Oliver’s dorm and went to the party on the white mountain, singing all of our favorite songs in the car.

When we parked our car, I was surprised that the mansion did not change at all. It became bigger, I think they added floors.

A lot of werewolves were there and the nervousness was slowly climbing up to my sleeves when my friends grabbed my arms on both sides.

“We know that face, you will not leave unless we sing you a happy birthday!” They both exclaimed in unison.

I couldn't help but giggle at their infectious high spirits, and as we stepped into the lively party together, I sensed a multitude of curious gazes fixated on me right from the moment we crossed the room.

It felt as though it was the very first time they had laid eyes on me, dressed in my unconventional attire. As we strolled past every werewolf in the room, they all seemed to instinctively turn their heads to steal a glance in my direction, and for some inexplicable reason, this constant attention filled me with an immense sense of happiness.

“All men are drooling at the sight of you!” Oliver proudly said. The attention that I was getting was making me really happy.

As the music pulsed through the air and the drinks flowed, we lost ourselves in a whirlwind of dancing and laughter. Everything was perfect until a familiar chorus of cheers echoed near the entrance of the party. That's when my feet came to an abrupt halt.

Right before my eyes, they stood – Paul and Samantha, dressed in matching outfits we had planned to wear back then.

Paul's hand clung possessively to Samantha's waist, and in that moment, the vibrant, effervescent fun that had enveloped me vanished like bubbles popping in the night.

I tried to drown my emotions in another drink, seeking solace and celebration in the comforting numbness of alcohol. But it seemed like even the booze was conspiring against me, playing with my already frazzled nerves.

When I looked at the dance floor, Paul and Samantha were having a seductive dance. They couldn’t take their eyes off each other and it was getting too much for me.

“Sarina…are you okay?” I heard Alison ask when she noticed my silence at the counter. They knew why I was acting this way.

I looked at the time on my wristwatch, it was almost time. My transformation will start at midnight, I need to get away from here.

“I-I am, but I need to get some air,” I told them before putting down my glass but Oliver tightly held onto my wrists.

“Are you sure? We can come with you, it’s almost time.” I heard him say, but I only smiled before hugging them both.

“Trust me, I will be alright. I’ll be back here to blow my cake.” I winked, which made them smile worriedly before letting me go.

The music started to fade away when I decided to run in the woods, looking for a place where no one would see me cry as I would suffer alone due to the huge change I was about to face at this specific moment: my coming of age.

I arrived at the familiar cliff where I used to go to before. I stared at the bright full moon, my whole body bathed in the moonlight.

My eyes darted to my wristwatch, only a few minutes and I would transform. I will finally find out who my mate is.

Will it be someone who would care for me more than Paul did? I shrugged at those depressing thoughts. I should forget about him.

As the transformation process began, agonizing screams escaped my lips, and my knees quivered beneath me. Just when I thought I couldn't endure the pain any longer, I felt the reassuring embrace of warm hands encircling my waist.

It made me grunt as the warmth comforted my entire being, his scent was making me aroused for some reason.

“Mate.” He happily said while sniffing my neck. I weakly turned my head to check who it was: Ethaniel Lynx Stephenson.

“Mate.” My mind screamed but the pain that I felt from the transformation was slowly weakening my body. 

As I heard him whispering sweet nothings to my ear, I realized that I might be in trouble because my mate would not just be one, but two.

Our Alphas were twins: Ethaniel Lynx Stephenson and Elijah Lynx Stephenson. My childhood best friends!

To be continued…