01. Summer Heartbreak

[Rachel's POV]

I woke up to the sound of my alarm clock blaring in my ear. Another day at high school. I dragged myself out of bed and got ready, feeling a mix of excitement and nerves as I thought about seeing him again. The one who had occupied my thoughts for years, my high school crush.

His name was Ryan, and I had been infatuated with him since freshman year. He was tall and athletic, with dark hair and piercing blue eyes that could make my heart skip a beat. Ryan was the school's heartthrob, captain of the football team, and every girl's dream. But, despite all the attention he received, he was humble and kind. 

Our relationship started as nothing more than a schoolgirl crush. We would exchange glances in class, sit together at lunch, and share stories about our lives. We even worked on a science project together, spending hours in the school's laboratory, getting to know each other better. Over the years, our puppy love grew stronger, and we became inseparable. We shared our hopes and dreams, our fears, and our deepest secrets. Ryan was my confidant, and I was his. He was also a werewolf, a fact that only a few of us knew. He had no idea about my secret identity, but that didn't stop me from daydreaming about what it would be like to dance with him under the moonlight. 

As I walked into school that day, I felt a flutter in my stomach as I caught sight of him. He was standing with his friends, laughing and joking around like he didn't have a care in the world. I couldn't help but smile as I watched him, feeling a rush of warmth and affection wash over me. Today was the day that every high school student had been waiting for - the prom was just around the corner. It was the one night where everyone got dressed up, danced the night away, and made memories that would last a lifetime.

As the day went on, whispers started to spread through the halls once again. This time, it wasn't about a tragedy, but about something that was equally as concerning - who would be crowned prom king and queen? I knew that I had no chance of winning, being a werewolf and all but that didn't stop me from daydreaming about it. What would it be like to dance with Ryan as prom king and queen, ruling over the school together? 

The night of the prom finally arrived, and I was more nervous than I had ever been before. I had been looking forward to the event for months, hoping Ryan would ask me to be his date. He did, and I was over the moon. I took a deep breath and stepped into the gym, feeling like a princess in my beautiful dress. The music was loud, the lights were flashing, and everyone was dancing. 

Ryan was there, looking just as dashing as I had imagined. He smiled at me, and my heart leaped with joy. We danced together, and it felt like we were the only two people in the room. I couldn't believe that I was actually living out my daydreams. As the night wore on, the moment that everyone had been waiting for finally arrived. The prom king and queen were announced, and to my surprise, it wasn't the popular couple that everyone had been expecting. It was me and Ryan! 

But little did I know that our lives were about to change forever. As the dance ended, Ryan disappeared outside, and I followed him, hoping to finally confess my feelings. But shockingly, what I found was something I never could have imagined. Ryan had just found his destined mate. I watched in horror as the two embraced, my heart shattering into a million pieces. I left the scene, heart-broken. 

As the event went on, whispers started to spread through the halls. Rumors about a tragic event that was going to happen, something that would shake our town to its core. I didn't pay much attention to it at first, as I was too caught up in my own thoughts and feelings but as the day wore on, the whispers grew louder and more insistent, until it felt like the whole school was holding its breath, waiting for something to happen.

And then, towards the end of the event, it did. A scream pierced through the air, followed by a deafening silence. Everyone rushed to see what had happened, and as I pushed my way through the crowd, my heart racing with fear, I saw the unthinkable. Ryan, my high school crush, lying on the ground, his lifeless body surrounded by a pool of blood.

Little did I know that this was just the beginning. That there was more to this tragedy than met the eye. That my destiny was about to be revealed, and that my life would never be the same again.

As I watched the ambulance take away the lifeless body of my high school crush, I felt like my whole world had come crashing down. My heart was heavy with grief, and my mind was struggling to come to terms with what had just happened. It felt like everything was happening in slow motion, and I couldn't comprehend the fact that I had just lost someone who had meant so much to me.

As I walked home that night, I couldn't help but feel a sense of emptiness. My mind kept replaying the events of the evening, and I kept wondering if there was anything I could have done to prevent this tragedy. I was lost in my thoughts and barely registered the fact that I had arrived home.

My family was already waiting for me, and as soon as I walked in, my parents could tell that something was wrong. They were both werewolves, and as such, they had a unique ability to sense the emotions of those around them. Without saying a word, they enveloped me in a warm embrace, and I felt a sense of comfort wash over me.

My family was well-respected within the werewolf community. My father was a renowned alpha, and my mother was his mate. They had worked hard to establish themselves as a formidable force within the community, and they had done an excellent job at it. However, their success had also come at a cost.

Growing up, I had seen the toll that their leadership roles had taken on them. They were always busy attending to the needs of the community, and there were times when they had to put the welfare of the pack before their own family. It was a sacrifice they had willingly made, but it had also left me feeling neglected at times.

As I sat with my family that night, I knew that I needed to make a fresh start. The tragic events of the evening had made me realize that life was too short, and I needed to start living it on my own terms. I couldn't continue living in the shadow of my parents and their expectations. The memories of the night kept flooding my mind, and I couldn't shake off the feeling of helplessness that I had felt as I watched my crush being taken away. It was a traumatic experience that had left me feeling vulnerable and exposed. But I was determined to leave my past behind and start afresh. 

Graduation was just around the corner, and I had big plans for my future. I wanted to pursue my passion for photography and travel the world, capturing the beauty of nature through my lens. I knew that it wouldn't be easy, but I was ready to face the challenges that lay ahead. I was done living a life that wasn't mine, and I was ready to carve out my own path. As I drifted off to sleep that night, I felt a sense of calm wash over me, and I knew that no matter what lay ahead, I was ready to face it head-on.