Prologue

Tomorrow marks my seventeenth birthday and the event I have dreaded: my first transformation. Despite reassurances from those who say it will be for the best, I worry about the pain and the threat of monster harvesters pursuing young wolves during this vulnerable time. My mother has always insisted they're just tall tales, and I cling to hope that her words are true.

My boyfriend, Felix, assured me this was the case, but lately, he had been acting distant and unusually quiet. Two days ago, he refused to meet me after school without a valid explanation, and yesterday, when I was dealing with a flat tire due to small nails, he declined to give me a ride home. He also acted strangely whenever I tried to borrow his phone for a selfie.

I managed to convince him to come to the cafe with me, where I urged him to try some delectable shrimp balls. He politely dropped me back home, but he didn't flash his adorable dimples as he usually did. It was becoming quite odd; despite the fact that our relationship had never been strained, I couldn't help but notice his abnormal behavior. He seemed like a completely different person from the charming individual I had first met.

"Hey, what's up, babe?" I asked him, my voice laced with concern.

Felix spoke in an enigmatic tone, his amber eyes staring right through me as he said, "Kate, I believe our relationship isn't in a good place right now. We're not on the same wavelengths anymore."

Confusion swamped my mind, and I stared at him questioningly. "Felix, what are you talking about? Where is all this coming from?"

"I don't feel comfortable anymore," Felix began, his tone slightly cold, "You're acting like a spoiled little girl, even though you're almost seventeen. You're childish, and the worst part is, you're the weakest omega I've ever seen."

"Wait, hold on," I interjected, my voice filled with confusion. "But wasn't it you who always said it was okay to be childish? You even encouraged me to be more carefree and fun-loving. Why are you suddenly saying this now?"

"I did say that before," Felix acknowledged, "and at the time, I didn't think it was such a major issue. But honestly, you're almost seventeen now. You can't expect to act like a child all the time. It's time for you to grow up a little bit."

"On top of that, you're lazy and have no ambition," Felix added, his intense, amber eyes drifting away from my face. "I can't be the only one taking care of you all the time. It's exhausting."

I sniffed, my voice wavering as I tried to hold back my tears. "Is this some kind of joke, Felix? You're just messing with me, aren't you? You don't really mean any of this, right?"

Felix exhaled deeply, his eyes darting away from me, avoiding my gaze. 

"Kate, I'm not joking around here," he insisted, his voice firm. "This isn't the time to treat this situation like it's some kind of game."

"Surely there must be more to this than just my perceived childishness and laziness. We've been together for two years, and during that time, we've never even had a single argument. So, if you're serious about ending this relationship, there must be a more substantial reason behind it, don't you think?"

Felix took a long, deep breath as he spoke, his tone firm but weary. He tightly grasped my hand and looked directly at me, his breath labored as if he had just run a marathon.

"Listen carefully, Kate," he began, "I have now been promoted to the highest level of werewolf rank. I am one of the strongest wolves in our pack."

"Well, then?" I raised my eyebrow, waiting for the continuation.

"If destiny has it that we are meant to be true mates," Felix explained, his voice filled with determination, "then I can't be solely responsible for looking after you. I want you to begin training in whatever way you can. This is not just about physical strength, but about cultivating your skills and abilities.

A frustrated breath escaped me, and my heart felt heavy in my chest. I turned my gaze away from Felix, feeling utterly betrayed and dumbfounded by his words.

"Growing up in a broken family makes me feel weak and inadequate, Felix," I explained, my voice quivering with emotion. "I'm sorry I didn't start training until now... I should have started as soon as I turned thirteen..."

"You could have begun training a year ago, too, Kate," Felix pointed out, his tone firm yet somewhat exasperated, "but you refused, didn't you? I understand your reasons, but there are ways to be strong, not just physically, and you chose not to embrace those opportunities."

I bowed my head, sensing a pang of guilt in my heart. "I know I could have done more..."

Felix exhaled deeply, shaking his head in resignation. "I suspected this conversation would go on indefinitely if I didn't shut it down sooner."

“But why feel you have a relationship with other girl. Which girl can make you fall in love so quickly?”

"Why do you think I have feelings for another girl all of a sudden?" Felix defended himself, stepping closer to me. "Please don't accuse me of having an affair, because I don't have any feelings for anyone else. I swear."

With a gentle smile, Felix tenderly stroked my hair, then straightened up in front of me, his eyes meeting mine.

My mom abruptly opened the front door, a look of bewilderment on her face as she observed the scene between Felix and me.

Mom appeared at the front door, puzzled by the situation. 

"Why are you here?" she asked, eyeing Felix and me. "Kate, why don't you invite Felix in? It's freezing outside, and you could catch a cold just standing around chatting."

"Lady, I'm sorry for dropping her off this late," Felix apologised, his words sounding a bit awkward as he addressed my mother.

My mom smiled warmly at him and replied, "Oh, don't worry about it, dear. I know you two are lovebirds. How about you come in and have a cup of black tea or hot chocolate to warm up?"

Felix fidgeted a bit awkwardly at my mother's invitation, his voice sheepish. "Actually, I have to head over to Elder James' house for a quick meeting. I should probably take my leave now."

"Ah, I see. You're going to undergo the highest ranking training as a werewolf, right? It makes sense that you need to go to Elder James' house then." My mom nodded in understanding, a look of recognition crossing her face. 

Felix nodded, a soft smile on his lips as he gently caresses my head. He said, "You should head to bed as soon as I leave, okay? Tomorrow is a big day for you."

My heart fluttered at his words, but I had to laugh at his innocence. "Felix, take care."

Felix grinned widely, giving a wink. I wrapped my arms around his torso and whispered, "I hope this is just a joke; tomorrow is a big day for me. I know you're lying, right? You'll prank on me again like last month. You know that I never joke."

***

I woke up feeling rushed once again, having overslept and missed my usual early wake-up time. In a hurry, I quickly got ready, grabbing the freshly tailored suit I had recently acquired - a vibrant jumpsuit featuring a cheerful sunflower pattern, contrasted by a sunny denim outer layer.

I happily started applying a light touch of makeup, determined not to look like a sickly wolf in front of everyone. I gathered half of my hair and tied it up in a half-up do, wanting to look presentable despite the anxiety building inside me.

I skipped down the stairs with a lighthearted stride, feeling a mixture of anticipation and nerves but pushing down any negative thoughts.

"Sweetie, are you up?" my mother called from downstairs, her voice carrying through the house as she heard the sound of my footsteps approaching.

I quickened my pace, hurrying to meet my mother with an eagerness to get to the soul-mate meeting on time, not wanting to delay the start of this crucial day.

As I reached her, my mother called out, "Why don't you sit next to me for a moment, honey?"

I hurried over to my mother's side and enveloped her in a tight hug, feeling the need for comfort and reassurance before the big day.

“Happy birthday, sweetheart,” my mother said, her voice filled with warmth and affection. “I hope you have a wonderful day and that fate brings you together with your true soulmate.”

I beamed at my mother, feeling both thankful and proud to be her daughter. 

"Thank you, Mom," I replied, my voice brimming with sincerity. "For everything. I'm so grateful to have you as my mother."

With a gentle smile, my mother handed me a cute, neatly wrapped package. 

She then planted a loving kiss on my forehead and said, "I'm the one who's more grateful, sweetheart. You're the best daughter any mother could ask for."

"I love you, Mom," I said, my voice gentle and sincere.

My mother looked at me kindly and responded, "I hope you become a wiser and better person in your young adult years. Remember to always make smart choices."

I smiled at my mother and wrapped my arms around her in a tight embrace. 

She then reminded me, "Don't forget to open the cute package, sweetie."

I quickly unwrapped the package, eyes widening in surprise as I revealed a box full of sweet and fruit-flavored candies inside.

"Oh my goodness, these are perfect!" I exclaimed, a huge grin spreading across my face.

My mother playfully ruffled my hair and suggested, "You should share those candies with your best friends, Brittney and Nina. They'll be delighted."

"Thanks a bunch, mom." I carefully placed the box of candies into my backpack, making sure they wouldn't get squished or damaged.

After packing the candies, we sat down together and enjoyed a breakfast of my favorite meal - spaghetti - sharing laughs and conversation.

I hopped onto the electric scooter that my sister Elizabeth had given me, feeling grateful for the convenient transportation. With a final wave to my mother, I set off, feeling a mix of nerves and excitement about the day ahead.

I lived with my mother, in a house devoid of any hint of my father's presence. He had once been a loathsome presence in our lives, a mere human existence that caused nothing but irritation and disdain. 

He had lived with us for several years until mysteriously disappearing a few years ago. However, despite the uncertainty surrounding his whereabouts, my mother and I were both quietly relieved to be free from his disturbing presence.

Despite the typical love and devotion seen in human-werewolf relationships, my mother's story was a tragic tale of sacrifice. While she had loved my dad deeply and was willing to go to great lengths to spend a lifetime with her soul mate, fate had conspired against them. 

My father had become another cliché, succumbing to the temptation of another woman's embrace, shattering my mother's dreams. It was a cycle that continued to repeat itself, leaving me with a sense of disgust and revulsion.

I harbored a profound hatred for my father, a burning desire to unleash my wrath upon him if I ever got the chance. 

My wolf half yearned to pounce on him, tearing into his neck and making him experience the same agony he had caused in us. Unconsciously, this anger had deeply ingrained itself within me as I grew up, creating an everlasting grudge that festomed in my heart. 

My mother, in her unfortunate circumstances, had been one of those given a second chance at finding her mate, a tragedy that only deepened my resentment.

My mother devoted her time and energy to raising my older sister, Elizabeth, and me. Now, Elizabeth had chosen her own Alpha, Gustov, and started a life of her own.

I pulled up in the school parking lot on my electric scooter and heard a faint whisper carry through the air. Curiously, I paused and strained to listen, wondering what the hushed voices were saying.

"Soulmate."

I couldn't help but chuckle as I spotted Felix sitting in a park, his arm resting nonchalantly against a comic book. I drew closer, curious and amused at the sight.

"Darling!"

As I approached, Felix shot me an irked glance, his usually friendly demeanor replaced by a furrowed brow and an annoyed expression. Lately, he had been acting a bit out of sorts, leaving me perplexed and confused by his unexpected behavior.

Why was he acting so irritable all of a sudden? I couldn't understand what had changed between us in just a few days.

With a hint of concern, I asked gently, "Are you still upset? Can you tell me what's going on? Why the sudden change, honey?"

Felix stood up, placing his comic aside and sliding his hands into his pants pockets. 

He looked at me intently and said firmly, "Listen. I want to say it clearly. I, Felix Klein Ramirez, reject you as my mate, Katherine Rosemary."

I stood there bewildered and shocked, my body feeling as if a bolt of lightning had struck me. How could he do this to me? 

I had believed that Felix would be just as happy and excited as I was. Yet, here he stood, refusing to accept me as his mate. 

The realization hit me like a tonne of rocks - something must be horrifically wrong with me. What on earth had happened to change his feelings so drastically?

He rejected me.

I stood there, mind in a haze and utterly dazed. Watching Felix walk away from me, I felt foolish and devastated, tears streaming down my face. I couldn't bear to take my eyes off him, even as his back disappeared from view.

"Why, Felix?" I whispered hoarsely, tears spilling over my cheeks as I hastily sought a secluded spot to release my pent-up emotions. "What happened? Why did you reject me?"