Tears in the rain.

Eighteen birthday.

Kaitlyn stood in the middle of the street. The pouring rain was washing off the tears from her face. Her hair stuck to the neck, water dripping from the strands.

~ I look like a scarecrow. ~ She thought to herself, squeezing her necklace in her hand. ~ There must be some shelter nearby. I can not stay here all night.

She pulled her bag close to her chest and started walking. Inside, she had some dry clothes. That was all Kaitlyn had grabbed before she left the place that had been her home for the last eighteen years.

No matter how painful it was, she could not stay here anymore, not after today.

Kaitlyn turned North. Next to the pack borders should be the old barn, forgotten by everyone. It would be an excellent place to stay, at least until it's raining.

The girl reached her destination an hour later. The door was slightly open, wide enough so the petit girl like her could squeeze herself in. Inside was dry; that was the success itself.

Kaitlyn took off her wet and cold clothes and hung them on some old strings that somehow remained intact. She pulled a spare shirt and trousers from her bag, enjoying the touch of a dry fabric on her skin. She wouldn't have to sleep naked or wet.

Kaitlyn sat on a bale of hay and grabbed a piece of bread she took from the kitchen. It was not much, so she would have to split it into portions. Who knows when she will have a chance to eat a proper meal?

In a matter of hours, Kaitlyn's life shattered to pieces. This morning, she had a family and home, but now that was gone. She was alone, just like eighteen years ago.

The girl knew this story better than she wished.

Eighteen years ago, Shioban and Felix found her in a basket left on the porch of their house. She was wrapped in a blanket with a necklace wrapped around her hand.

They were Alpha and Luna of the Blue Moon Pack, the most extensive pack in Asterium. The whole continent was taken by different kinds of shifters and a few vampire clans.

Other species, from time to time, fought for domination, but Blue Moon was against their reach. Life was sweet and peaceful here.

Until the night she was found. Alpha and his wife did not think twice before caring for the child. Soon, they accepted the little girl as a part of the family. The Alpha couple already had a son who was their pride. Kaitlyn became his little sister.

She could not remember anything wrong from her early childhood. They were a big, happy family.

Shioban was a loving and caring mother and Luna. No matter how busy she was, if any of her children needed help, she was always there to save the day. Felix was mainly occupied with pack matters, but every evening, he would find time to spend it with them. Kaitlyn loved it when he read her a book before bedtime.

Kylan, Kaitlyn's brother, was always around, protecting her, even as a little boy.

Everything changed with the passing years.

Growing older, Kylan was parting away from her. Her brother became distant and cold toward Kaitlyn. She noticed him watching her with disgust.

At first, the girl ignored him, mainly when he acted normal in their parent's presence. Then, Kylan was a brother she always knew.

When they were alone, the situation was completely different. In those moments, his true face was coming out.

Kylan would not miss an opportunity to hurt her. He could not lie a finger on her, so he used his words. Kylan was the one to tell her about how she became a part of his family. She could still hear his cold words ringing in her ears. She was sixteen at the time.

~ You are not my sister. You never were, and you never will. My parents found you on the porch. Your true family abandoned you since you meant nothing to them. Now you are my parent's burden. They should leave you in the forest, yet they kept you for all these years.~ Kylan looked at her like her sight was making him nauseous.

~ Lies, these are all lies. ~ Kaitlyn whispered.

~ Why won't you ask yourself? ~ The boy replied with a smirk.

Kaytlin tried to act brave, but his words were burning her inside. She had to find out the truth.

The only person who would be honest with her was her mother. She would not lie, no matter what.

Kaitlyn waited until the evening when Shioban was resting in the garden.

Kaitlyn approached her slowly.

~ Hello Dear, is everything OK? You look sad. ~ Her mother asked.

~ Can I ask you something? ~ The girl glances at her.

~ Of course, honey, what is it?

~ You never told me about my birth. I heard many times how difficult was Kylan birth, but I don't remember you mentioning mine. ~ Kaitlyn asked carefully.

Luna watched her without a word. This was not a good sign.

~ I guess we should talk about this sooner. ~ She finally said. Kaitlyn held her breath. Kylan told her the truth. She was not blood-related to any of them.

~ We found you on the porch in a little basket when you were only a few weeks old. There was nothing else in it except the necklace you were wearing. ~ Luna replied, taking time before every word. Kaitlyn felt she was hiding something, but that was irrelevant. She heard what was necessary.

~ Does it change anything? We love you as our daughter. ~ Siobhan stood up to embrace her.

~ No, it does not. ~ Kaitlyn lied.

This day changed everything. She finally understood why her brother could not look at her. He was probably jealous of the love she received, even if she did not deserve it. On the other hand, she admired Shioban and Felix for caring for her. She was ready to endure Kylan's hatred for as long as they loved her.

Another two years passed in a mixture of care from the Alpha couple and abuse from Kylan. Kaitlyn never again called him a brother since he kept reminding her she was no one to him. They held their roles in the presence of his mother and father. Besides those times, Kaitlyn tried her best to stay away from him.

On her eighteen birthday, she felt excited. It was a day when she could find her mate.

A lot of young men were showing her interest, engaging her in conversation while Kaitlyn was walking around the pack. Occasional, some of them complimented her beauty, making her blush since Kylan always made sure to tell her how ugly she was.

She often stood watching her reflection in the mirror.

Kaitlyn was petite with gentle curves, making her look younger than she actually was. Her hair was ash blond, going down her back in soft waves. The girl had a small nose and full lips. She liked her eyes the most. They were grey like the sky on a cloudy day, but with sparks that even Kylan could not take from her.

Now, she was eighteen. It was a special day. Kaitlyn will meet her wolf for the first time. At midnight, she will be able to shift for the first.

The girl spends most of the day out buying a dress for the evening. Despite what Kylan said, she was going to look beautiful.

After all, she would have a party tonight. Then, her parents will join her during a shift. It was a tradition in the Blue Moon Pack.

Kaitlyn returned home carrying the parcel with a lovely white dress. She ran to her room to put it on and prepare for the celebration.

A moment later, she heard voices downstairs. The guests arrived.

Kaitlyn was walking down when the scent hit her nose. It was like a mixture of almonds and honey. It was her mate. He was here. Kaitlyn promised herself to love him and care for him.

The girl entered the room, searching for the source of the scent.

The room was packed with young people. Some of them she knew better than others. But all she could care about was her mate. Kaitlyn wished to see his face.

- She is here. - Someone whispered.

- Move!- Another voice could be heard.

The scent intensified. Kaitlyn was shaking with excitement.

The crowd parted, and Kylan stayed in the middle. Kaitlyn froze. The mouthwatering scent was coming from him. The Moon Goddess was cruel. She mated her to someone disgusted, even by her presence.

- Well, you look exactly like I imagined. - Kylan said coldly.

- You knew? - Kaitlyn whispered.

- Of course, I knew, stupid, I am older. - That is why I got all those people here to make them witness.

- Of what? - Kaitlyn felt tears building in her eyes.

- Your rejection. You thought I was going to accept you? Then, you must be delusional.

I, Kylan Frost, reject you, Kaitlyn Frost, as my mate. Do you accept?

Katlyn looked at him, waiting for the pain to hit her body. But nothing happened. Was he really her mate? She could not be wrong. After all, he said that.

- I accept your rejection and reject you, Kylan Frost, as my mate.

After a second, he fell to his knees, screaming in pain. Some females ran to him, offering help, but Kylan could only whine on the floor.

- How come she is standing while Kylan looks so miserable? - Kaitlyn heard behind her back.

One of the females kneeling next to the man raised her eyes at the girl.

- She has no wolf, this pathetic scum has no wolf. - She hissed.

Kylan slowly lifted himself from the floor. He was painting heavily, yet he mustered a few words.

- Get out of this house and this pack. You have an hour; otherwise, I will kill you.

Kaitlyn had no reason to doubt his words. She ran to her room, grabbed a bag, and pushed some random clothes into it.

She took off her dress, throwing it on her bed. After changing her clothes, she opened the window and jumped out.

She looked last time at the place she called home. Kaitlyn wished she could say goodbye to her parents, but that was impossible.

The girl reached one of the streets in the pack when the rain fell from the sky.

There was no way back.

Kaitlyn put down the bread as she lost her appetite.

- She has no wolf. - That was what this girl said. Was it true?

Kaitlyn came outside to look at the sky. It was long after midnight. The sky cleared after rain, and the moon shone like a giant silver coin. Nothing happened. She felt no other presence inside her mind.

They were right. She had no wolf.

Kaitlyn returned to the barn. She could have some sleep before moving again.

The girl was still sleeping when the sunrise painted the sky deep red, setting it on fire. The other side was still covered in the dark.

~ Wake up, my child. ~ Voice deep like the sound of the bell rang in Kaitlyn's head.

The girl sat, trembling with fear. She looked around, but there was no one.

~ Don't be scared. ~ She heard again in her mind.

She had a wolf!!