Your Man IS NOT My Mate
Ready To Go

After a long interesting day of school, the bell rings and I leap for joy as I pack my things into my bag and head for home.

'Wow, watch how the sun just hides behind the clouds and the wind gently blows.' Stella thoughtfully remarks and I can't help but agree.

It's always amazing to walk home without the sun beating down on my neck and sweat trickling down my back. It's always the perfect time to feel the wind running through my fur.

'So, the usual?' Stella beams, wagging her tail in anticipation.

'Tempting... Very tempting.' I smile. 'But as far as I could remember, you're grounded.'

'But that's not fair. It was one mistake. ONE. It's not like you are perfect yourself.' So quickly had her smile faded to a frown, but I was standing my ground.

I remain silent and eventually, she gets the point and retreats, confining herself to the deep recesses of my mind, pouting like a spoiled child being denied. The journey all the way home is quiet, and with a wolf-like Stella, I don't mind one bit.

"Sweetie, you are home very early." Mom comments, walking out of the kitchen, wiping her wet hands in a kitchen towel as I stand at the door ditching my shoes.

"Yeah." I reply making my way over to the couch where I drop my bag and plop down.

"No running?" She asks, flinging the towel over her shoulders as she comes to a stop in front of me.

I just shake my head while avoiding her gaze, secretly pleading that she won't press any further, but alas, my silently pleads just fall on death ears.

"Why, what's wrong?" She stoops in front of me, becoming eye leveled as she stares into my face. "Did something happen to you last night?"

Instinctively, my eyes flick up. "N... No, no... Why, Why would you ask that?.... I-I'm fine, everything's fine." I nervously chuckle, realizing oh too late that I'm making things worse.

"I asked because it's not like you to come straight home after school."

"Oh." I laugh again nervously. "Just changing up things a little." Lying was never my strength.

"Honey?" Mom takes my hand gently in hers, her eyes carrying an intensity that feels as if it is searching my soul. "You know you can tell me if anything ever happens to you, right?"

I know I can, I can tell her anything, everything- well everything except this, how do I tell her that I, her precious angel daughter, had a one-night stand with a guy that I don't even know? For sure mom would be disappointed but dad? He would definitely be pissed.

Her gaze still holds me captive and I feel like she is using her motherly strength to break down the wall that conceals this secret.

Just then the door opens. "Hmmm, what's that delicious aroma coming from the kit- wait, what are you doing here?" Dad smiles as soon as his eyes land on me. His eyes flick down as he draws closer and noticing mom's position, his eyes dance between us "Sick?"

I shake my head but seek to swiftly shift the topic. "Not sick, but I sure am hungry." I smile reassuringly as dad finally comes to a stop beside mom.

"How could you not when your mom has the house filled with a mouth-watering aroma?" He chuckles, placing a tender hand on mom's shoulder. She blushes and I take her distraction as my cue to escape.

"Where are you off to?" I halt, mom clearly doesn't miss much.

I hold on to the handrail with one foot already on the first step as I slowly rotate the upper portion of my body to face her. "I'm going to get myself ready to study."

"Study?" Dad laughs which earns him a playful slap across his arms from mom.

"Honey, but your bag is still here." She points to the couch where I had just been sitting.

"I know, I'm going and take a nap."

Mom now stands beside dad, her facial expression bearing the face of confusion. "I thought you just said you were going to get ready-"

"Right" I interject, pointing towards my room "this is part of the getting ready phase."

Dad stifles a chuckle as mom shakes her head unamused. "Oh child, whatever am I going to do with you."

Her words float behind me as I trek up the stairs. "Don't worry, this year my grades will be better."

"You said that last year." Mom calls after me.

I pause briefly. "But it's different this time, I'm getting a tutor."

That night after dinner, I tossed and turned, with one thing on my mind, Adrian. He wasn't an on-screen or fictional character, he was real, my first real crush.

I close, my eyes, thinking of Liyrian our ship name, we'd be soo cute together, he was so kind and sweet and dreamy and hot

'Ok, we get it.' Stella pops out briefly to add, cutting me off from my thoughts.

Just then there is a howl that transcends the quietness of the night.

'It's him... My mate.' her voice is a low sorrowful whisper and for a moment, I feel bad for her, who would have thought the day would come when our differences might work against us?

There is no guarantee that this story would end happily for both of us.

Morning breaks and I'm practically shaken out of bed by mom's voice that rings out like an alarm with a broken snooze button.

Lazily dragging myself down, I manage to meet mom and dad before they head off to work. Dad works as the Head Prison Officer of the local prison and mom sits on the Alpha's council and plays an integral part in making decisions for the wider population.

I bide them farewell knowing their time to leave is gaining in on them and then I go to do likewise, rummaging through my closet for something fashionable, that screams sweet but not trying too hard. I settle for blue high-waisted distressed jeans and a black crop top. I pull my hair into a high puff, picking it out so it appears bigger and fluffier, then I apply nude gloss before smacking my lip. I smile as I admire my reflection, liking the little effort I put in to look presentable.

'If I didn't know any better I'd think you were trying to impress someone.'

'Never... I'm doing this for me.' I'm sure Stella sees through my lies but that won't stop me from living in self-denial.

'Sure.' sarcasm drips from her tone, but I ignore it.

I'm now all packed and ready to go and for the first time in well forever, I am actually looking forward to going to school.

'I wonder why?' Stella smirks