PROLOGUE

Holy shit…….

Was my only thought as I sat on my bed staring at the two marks on the test I had bought earlier that morning.

The result was clear – I was pregnant. 

I was really fucking pregnant.

Holy shit.

My mind raced with a whirlwind of emotions, ranging from excitement to fear.

My mind drifted to Jackson, my boyfriend, the father of the baby.

How would he feel?

This really was not something we had planned or considered.

I mean we were just students for God sake.

My small, cozy bedroom seemed to close in on me, the soft pastel colors on the walls and the delicate lace curtains doing nothing to calm my racing heart. 

 Would he be overjoyed, or would the responsibility overwhelm him? My stomach churned with anxiety, and my heart felt like it was pounding out of my chest.

I mean we never ever talked about kids. Not once. How could we when we had just met just a few months ago and the relationship had started barely one week later.

It was like love at first sight.

Well, more like mating at first sight.

Neither of us could deny or resist the mating heat after the day we met, stared each other in the eyes and realized that we were mates.

I took a deep breath, trying to steady my emotions, and stared at the test one more time. This little stick held the power to change our lives forever.

I had to tell him.

Now. I couldn’t wait longer or bear the tension. No no not at all.

With a deep breath, I got up from my bed, head still swirling, I left my apartment and set off towards the school, my heart pounding with anticipation. 

As I walked, the sun shone brightly, and the crisp autumn air brushed against my cheeks – it seemed like the perfect day for a new beginning. The scent of fallen leaves and the distant sound of children playing filled my senses, providing a comforting familiarity. Yet, my thoughts were consumed by how Jackson would react to the news of our impending parenthood.

With each step, my emotions swirled like the leaves dancing in the wind. 

My heart was racing with a mix of excitement, fear, and uncertainty. Would Jackson embrace this new chapter with open arms, or would it drive a wedge between us? I clutched my bag tightly, the pregnancy test hidden within, as I approached the school.

As I approached the school, my nerves tingled with excitement and anxiety.

Jackson had told me earlier where he would be, so it was not that hard finding him. I knew all his hangout joints.

I spotted Jackson in the distance, surrounded by his classmates. They were chatting and laughing by the large oak tree that stood proudly at the edge of the schoolyard. Drawing a deep breath, I prepared myself for the conversation ahead. But as I drew closer, my heart sank.

Jackson was locked in a passionate embrace with a stunning woman, her long, flowing hair and captivating smile outshining even the brightest of autumn leaves. My heart shattered into a million pieces as I watched the love of my life in the arms of another. Time seemed to stand still as I stood there, frozen in disbelief.

Tears welled in my eyes, blurring the painful scene before me. I wanted to scream, to cry out in agony, but my voice was trapped, suffocated by the crushing weight of my heartache. The laughter and chatter around me faded into a distant hum, my entire world collapsing to this single, devastating moment.

Jackson suddenly turned and his eyes widened when he saw me.

He pulled away from the woman and locked eyes with me, his expression a mix of surprise and guilt. "Samantha," he stammered, "this isn't what it looks like."

"Really, Jackson?" I managed to choke out, the words barely audible through my tears. "Then what is it?"

He looked away, his jaw clenched. “I-I don’t want to be with you anymore”

The words hit me like a tidal wave, the pain and despair threatening to drown me

“Excuse me?” I gasped in shock. His friends all grew silent staring at the both of us.

“I am so sorry Samantha. I have been, meaning to tell you for a month now, I just could not bring myself to….”

“A month?”

This had to be a joke.

We were okay. Perfectly okay. Never for once did I feel like he was not interested. 

Hell, we were together throughout yesterday. We even had sex and all.

“Yes,” He whispered, “This thing between us just cannot happen anymore. I am sorry Sam”

He really was not kidding. How could he?

“We are mates Jackson. We can’t control it,” I said desperately hoping that I could at least hold onto this.

“I am aware. And that is why I, have decided to reject you as my mate”

The air left my lungs suddenly and I almost collapsed as my knees grew too weak to carry me.

Reject me?

“Did I do anything wrong?” I asked, trying hard not to let the unshed tears in my eyes flow. “Is it something I did?”

I held onto his hand pleading with my eyes but he brushed my hands away.

“Samantha,” He began and my heart dropped when I realized what he was about to do, “from today, I Jackson hereby reject you as my mate,” 

He stepped closer, grabbed my hand and bit into my wrist to complete the rejection.

Agonizing pain shot through me like a knife, leaving me shattered.

My knees almost gave out again from the pain but I stood, even as my heart broke into a million pieces.

 I wanted to tell him about the baby, to share the news that should have brought us closer, but I stopped myself.

I would not bait him with a child. He had made his choice and i'll be damned if I let him see how that affects me.

 Heartbroken and betrayed, I turned and fled, leaving behind the boy I thought was my soulmate and the shattered pieces of our love.