2

Professor Alexander was at least ten years older than I was. He was the youngest professor in the college, making his age twenty-eight. This meant that he knew I was his mate yet he didn't tell me about it. Was this the reason he hated me? I had many questions for him. Our gaze met and his orbs glinted as if he could hear every one of my thoughts.

“Get to your seat, Lana!” He growled, his voice vicious and mean as always. Quickly, I got up and went to my seat. For a second, I was confused but then I knew that my thought was right. Professor Alexander did not look surprised and he could smell me too.

He knew I was his mate. He was probably waiting for me to come off age to reject me. Great, my bad luck extended to my mate. I had never thought that someone was coming to save me anyway.

‘No, he is supposed to save us. He is our only hope out of that house and now he's ignoring us?’

I chuckled because my wolf was different from me. She sounded more feisty, the part of me that had never seen the light of day.

“What is your name?” I asked.

‘Well, I have two options. You can either call me Elena or Bella.’ She smiled in the back of my mind and it felt so much better having someone to talk to who wasn't mad or angry at me.

“I love Elena. Plus, my name is Lana, it goes together.”

She jumped in the back, her excitement bleeding into me, and I laughed out.

“Lana, could you share with the class what is funny?” I raised my head and saw Professor Alexander staring back at me. His sapphire eyes were cold as if made of ice. The rest of the class sneered at me, but I was used to that.

I just wasn't used to this cold stare from Alexander. He had always dismissed me and showed he didn't like me at all but his stares were never this cold. Perhaps it was, it just hurt more now that I knew he was my mate. My heart constricted, and it felt like it stopped pumping blood.

“Are you deaf, Lana?!” He growled at me making me jerk.

The class burst out laughing. I wasn't able to say a word, I just stared directly at him. After the class, I made a mental note to ask him some questions. I needed to know the truth. Deep down, I knew. I knew the answer but I wanted to hear it directly from him.

A few steps away from me he was, clad in a black suit which was the same color as his wavy hair. Alexander wasn't only the youngest professor in the college, he was also the most handsome man.

He walked into a classroom and I followed, stepping in to find him resting against a table, one leg crossed over the other.

“You got your wolf?” He asked softly, his arm folded in front of his body. He has an impassive expression.

“Yes,” I answered quietly.

“So you know, now.” He grabbed his bag, unzipped it, and dipped his hand into it.

“You are my mate. You must have known but you never told me.”

He paused and looked at me.

“I thought it was a mistake at first until the scent became persistent. Now, that you are of age, I can tell you my true feelings. I don't like you, Lana and I never will like you.” He spoke softly like he was saying something so casual yet every word shattered my heart.

I didn't know why it hurt so much as if I didn't know the truth the moment I got his scent. He had always hated me. He rebuked me even for the slightest thing. Did I think he was going to accept me as a mate?

“You can't reject me,” I said, swallowing.

He lifted his head, meeting my eyes.

“I will pay you. You can leave the pack and have a better life. Me and you, we can never work.”

“I know but you can't reject me. If you reject me my life will crumble. Even if you don't want me, don't reject me.” My lips trembled as I said the words. I was begging to live. Every day I faced hatred in this pack if my mate ever rejected me, I would die.

He sighed.

“Until when?” He asked.

“Until I find my second chance, someone who will help me live and strengthen me.” My vision was blurry from my tears yet I stared into his eyes and I saw them glaze over before he looked away, nodding.

“I hope you find them quick enough.”

But I knew I would never be able to find anyone. Tears gathered in my eyes and I turned around to not cry in his presence.

“That bastard!” My wolf growled in my head, hurt and anger mixed in her tone.

There was just one plan for me. I was going to die.

Dad didn't like me anyway and I was sure stepmother and Annalise would take care of him. Annalise was my fifteen-year-old younger sister, she loved Dad too and she was different from Lady Tina. Although she was never home.

I waited until this time because of my mate. I thought I would be lucky even when I sometimes doubted it.

Meeting him now, I realized I had been deceiving myself. He would never love me. Even I didn't love myself. Death was the best option. I was going to say bye to Daddy and die.

‘You are kidding, right?’ My wolf came forward but I ignored her, shoving her back. I had made my decision.

Getting home, Lady Tina glared at me.

“Why are you so late?” She asked.

“I am sorry,” I muttered and walked to the kitchen to begin the preparation for dinner.

“The visitor is going to be here soon, be quick with the food preparation!” She walked out of the kitchen.

I sighed and brought out the ingredients that I needed.

“Happy birthday to you… Happy birthday to you…” A gentle voice whispered.

I turned around and saw Annalise coming in with a cupcake and one candle on it. My eyes watered as she walked gently toward me.

“You are here,” I whispered, my voice throaty. I didn't think she was going to be around. Lady Tina made sure Annalise was never around, occupying her with school activities and training.

She nodded, getting to me and stretching the cake to my face.

“Blow the candle,” she said.

Tears rolled down both sides of my face. I had never been bought a birthday cake mostly because Annalise was never here during my birthday.

“Make a wish,” she said.

“Don’t cry, I don't want mommy hearing and coming to interrupt.”

I wiped my eyes with the back of my hands before blowing on the cake. I closed my eyes to make a wish but nothing came into my head making me realize how much I had lost hope in miracles. I opened my eyes and saw Annalise looking at me.

“I missed you so much, sister!” She spread her arms and I stepped into her embrace.

“I missed you more.” She could never imagine how much I wish she was here with me.

“But, how come you are here? Stepmom never allows you to come home. Even during summer, you are in Luna training school.”

“Yes, but Mom said she has something important to say to us. She mentioned we were going to be having a visitor and I needed to be there. Do you know how happy I was when she said so, I jumped all over my dorm like a lunatic.” She laughed and I chuckled, wiping my tears.

I couldn't help but wonder who the visitor was for Lady Tina to allow Annalise back home. Who was this visitor?