9 Mate!

Faye's POV

The evening had just begun, but the guests were flowing in like a tide. I welcomed Annie and Uncle Simon, who had come from another state. We were as close as ever, like we had never been apart. However, their interest was more focused on Andrew, whom they hadn't seen in a long time.

While they caught up, the makeup artist finished my makeup, and I prepared to change into the dress my mom had prepared for me. It was a white gown, and strangely enough, it was a body-hugging one, very easy to put on and take off. I didn't understand my mom's intention in choosing such a dress.

The dinner was still held at the same hotel where I had first arrived at Silver Moon Pack. Tonight, the entire hotel had been reserved by Louis, and I felt like a true "princess."

I moved through the guests of the pack like a butterfly. Some of them are high-ranking members of the pack, while others are influential figures from other packs. Louis introduced me warmly to them, and I stood by the twin brothers, feeling like I was Louis's own daughter.

I stood next to Liam, separated by Leander, but it felt like there was a galaxy between us.

I couldn't help but glance at Liam frequently, and I felt like I was going insane for being interested in my stepbrother.

He was still like an iceberg, emitting an "keep away" aura all around him and not sparing me a single glance.

He was avoiding me, and I was sure of it.

On the other hand, I was wrestling with my own moral judgment and pressure. All I hoped for was to find my fated mate as soon as possible, so all of this could end.

As the full moon climbed into the sky, the formal dinner began.

"To the Moon Goddess," Louis proposed a toast, and the guests raised their glasses, witnessing this momentous occasion of my turning eighteen.

Next was dinner.

I tried my best to enjoy the food in front of me, trying not to think about Liam sitting not far from me. However, maybe I was too nervous. I felt uncomfortable all over, my stomach cramping, making me feel like I might throw up.

I thought it was just my nervousness manifesting physically, but my whole body started heating up, and my throat tightened. This was not right.

"I can't throw up at the dinner table," I thought to myself.

"I..."

I suddenly stood up, and my chair made a dull noise as it scraped across the carpet. Everyone engaged in conversation put down their wine glasses or utensils and stared at me in surprise.

I tried to swallow the saliva in my mouth, my arms weakly bracing against the table to support my trembling body.

I managed an incoherent smile. "I... don't feel well, I need to..."

I couldn't continue. My chest felt unbearable. I wanted to tear the body-hugging dress right off me. I wanted to run out of that hall immediately.

Strangely, the people around me seemed to understand my intentions all at once. I looked to my mom and Louis for help, and they were both smiling.

God, I was in agony, but why were they so pleased?

I couldn't take it anymore. I stormed out of the hall.

Behind me, there was enthusiastic applause.

F.uck! I couldn't help but curse in my mind!

The discomfort in my stomach transferred to my whole body. I felt increasingly hot, but my feet carried me faster, almost like an instinct.

Run, run, keep running!

Finally, I realized what was happening.

It was time. I was going through my first shift.

Not far ahead was the coastline, where the moonlight illuminated the waves like white snow, crashing onto the beach one after another.

That was my destination.

I kicked off my troublesome high heels. When my feet touched the sand, I felt my bones shifting, a slight tingling sensation. My awareness oscillated between clarity and confusion, and the surroundings before my eyes began to warp and distort, like a painting by Van Gogh.

My limbs gradually stiffened. I mustered every last bit of strength to remove the body-hugging dress.

Okay! Now I understood why my mom had chosen this dress for me!

I leaped into the sea, and the cool water instantly enveloped me, extinguishing the fire within me.

I let myself relax in the water, closing my eyes, feeling my body disassemble in the water, fur covering my skin...

I didn't know how much time had passed, but it felt like a primal instinct called out through my ancient bloodline. I opened my eyes and realized that the silvery moonlight was illuminating the sea, and I had completed my transformation, my wolf fur floating in the water like soft seaweed.

I moved my limbs. God, I was not used to having four paws! I successfully swam to the shore, using my paws to paddle through the water.

The world became unusually clear. My hearing, vision, and sense of smell were all heightened, as if I had become one with nature.

My fur was soaked, and when I reached the shore, I shook myself vigorously like a dog. This lasted for about a minute before I became dry.

I slowly walked on the beach, every step causing my bones to ache. I hadn't fully adjusted to the transformation yet. I lowered my head and saw my reflection in the seawater.

A reddish-brown wolf, with fluffy fur, exuding my wild spirit.

After I did all of this, I ran out of energy. I collapsed on the beach like a deflated balloon. There was another moment of bone rearrangement, and I felt myself returning to human form.

So, the first shift couldn't last long... I wondered if others experienced the same thing...

I thought this way but had no strength to get up.

"Faye, Faye! Where are you?" Leander came looking for me.

I moved my mouth but couldn't make a sound.

Soon, I heard his footsteps.

What followed was a strange scent. I had smelled it earlier, but I thought it was the scent of flowers around me. Now I was sure it was coming from Leander.

As he approached me, the scent became overwhelming, like being in a garden, and I was intoxicated by the fragrance, feeling drowsy, yet wanting more.

Leander had also found me. He walked towards me hesitantly, and when he saw me lying naked on the sand, he quickly covered me with my dress.

I half-opened my eyes and saw the shock on his face. He was trembling all over.

"MATE!!"

We both shouted it out at the same time.

It was like flipping a hidden switch. Leander and I were like two magnets, immediately clinging tightly to each other. I had no strength, but I still struggled to get close to him. Leander was even more excited, squeezing my arms so tightly that they turned red.

"Oh, my Moon Goddess, Faye, you're my fated mate! Baby, I love you so much..." Leander expressed his love frantically, almost incoherently.

I felt the same way! My mind was a mess! How could this happen? I mean... my fated mate turned out to be my stepbrother. This was so coincidental! The last shred of my sanity told me that Leander is a playboy, the type I dread most. But more of me is saying, "I love Leander! We are destined!"

But wait! There must be something I overlooked...

When Liam finally arrived, I confirmed my premonition. Because I smelled his scent too! Unlike Leander, Liam's scent was even fresher, like a gentle rain falling on a grassy field, mixed with the fragrance of the lawn and the moist earth, cleansing the air of dust. This freshness wasn't intense or overpowering. It had a subtle and delightful aroma. This scent carries the purity of nature and the vitality of life, making one feel refreshed and invigorated.

Liam came to where Leander and I were, and his expression was indescribable. He appeared stunned.

I blurted out, "I can smell your scent too, Liam. You're also my mate!"

The people who had gathered around us started exclaiming in surprise.

"Oh, she's the fated mate of both twin brothers..."

My mom leaned into Louis's embrace, amazed and excited, covering her mouth, unable to speak, tears welling up in her eyes.

Liam was equally shocked. His perennially icy demeanor seemed to crack open. His expression puzzled me. I didn't know if he was happy, angry, or...

"I..." Liam hesitated to speak.

"What does my scent smell like?" he asked me.

"A very fresh scent, like a grassy field," I described.

"But I can't smell your scent."

Liam's deep voice felt like a heavy blow to my head. My mind buzzed, and the surrounding sounds started to distort. I could only hear Leander comforting me while telling Liam not to leave.

Everyone's mouths were moving, but I couldn't make out what they were saying. My mom rushed over to hug me, and Annie came to console me. But all I could see was Liam's resolute departure.

So, did he not like me? Did he dislike me so much that he had to deny the fact that we were fated mates? But I had clearly smelled his scent...