"Yes, yes, I remember," I replied, excitement bubbling within me. "You said Aurélie means 'Golden.' You said I am very special. You said I would understand one day. Is today the day? Are you finally going to tell me?"

"No, it's not the day yet," she answered, and I felt a tinge of disappointment.

"Oh," I replied, my excitement waning.

"Aurélie, my dear, I don't know if I will live to see that day. But always remember one thing. Follow your heart. Follow the voice deep inside you," she looked at me with an inscrutable expression.

"Grandma, I don't understand. Why do you always say things with such profound meaning, as if there's another secret beneath it all?" I asked, my confusion evident.

"You are very observant," she smiled warmly.

"What do you mean?" I inquired, curiosity piqued.

"I mean you're right. There is another secret meaning," she replied. "Aurélie, listen closely. You have a long journey ahead of you. There will be highs and lows, moments of triumph and moments of defeat. When you soar too high, there will come a time when you fall. But never give up. If you stumble and fall, gather yourself and rise again. Remember, there will always be a reason why you feel. Explore those laws, discover the lessons they hold, and find your way back up."

She reached into her jeans pocket and retrieved a wooden box. "Here, this is for you," she said, placing it in my hands. "What is it?" I asked, gingerly examining the box. It bore inscriptions that resembled ancient writing.

"Open it," she urged, a gentle smile playing on her lips. I slowly lifted the lid, revealing its contents. "Grandma," I gasped in awe.

Inside the box rested a pendant necklace adorned with a mesmerizing onyx stone. I carefully lifted it out. "It's beautiful," I exclaimed, entranced by its allure.

"It's yours," Grandma confirmed, her voice filled with sincerity.

"What?" I stammered, finding it hard to believe.

Without uttering a word, she unclasped the moonstone necklace from around her neck and placed it in the box. She then took the onyx pendant necklace and nestled it alongside the moonstone, before gently closing the lid. She met my gaze and returned the box to my hands.

"I may not be there on that day, but these will be," she said, her voice tinged with bittersweetness. "The onyx pendant necklace is a family heirloom, passed down in 1600. I have only worn it twice in my life. I want you to wear it now," she smiled.

"And the moonstone necklace was given to me by your grandpa. It was a gift he bestowed upon me, with the promise that I would pass it on to you on the day before your 15th birthday," she continued. It struck me then that tomorrow was indeed my 15th birthday, but the significance seemed overshadowed by my inner struggles.

"Why?" I couldn't help but ask. "Why me? Why not Valerie?"

"I've told you, my dear. You are special," she replied gently, her eyes filled with affection.

I looked at her and then at the box in my hands. "Okay, I will wear them," I said, a resolute determination settling within me. She smiled and embraced me warmly. "I will see you later then. Remember, you have school today," she said before departing.

I made my way back to the garage, packed my worn bag, and returned to the pack house. Voices emanated from the kitchen, indicating that everyone was enjoying their dinner. Silently, I positioned myself just outside the door, waiting patiently.

Suddenly, the door swung open, and my twin brother, Ervin, emerged. His once bright sky-blue eyes turned frigid upon seeing me. An anxious gulp escaped my throat.

"Well, hello there, sister. Oh, wait, I forgot. You're not my sister. You're the disgrace queen," he taunted, his chuckles resonating through the air. He bent down to my level, locking his gaze with mine.

"I'm sorry I have to do this," he whispered, his cold eyes softening. His smirk transformed into a sorrowful smile. I stared at him in disbelief. Did he genuinely care about me? Was his animosity all an act? Had it all been a charade?

"E-Ervin?" I managed to utter, my voice trembling.

Before I could process what was happening, a punch landed on my jaw, sending a metallic taste of blood into my mouth. I looked up, bewildered, only to find Ervin grinning with an air of triumph. What had just transpired?

"Pathetic. Do you honestly think I, Ervin Barrett Beau, care about you? You're a sorry excuse for an Omega! You don't even possess a wolf!" he spat venomously.

A wave of sadness washed over me, causing tears to well up in my eyes. However, I refused to let them cascade down my cheeks.

"Such a disgrace. Pathetic. Ugly. Stupid. Dumb. Nerd," he continued his tirade. The hurt sliced through my heart, yet I remained silent. Nerd? I wasn't a nerd. I yearned to study diligently, but the burdens of the pack house left me with scarce time for education. How could I possibly focus on my studies?

"And your mate? He won't even give you a second glance. I'm 100% certain he'll reject you without hesitation," he laughed, attracting a growing crowd around us.

Amongst the onlookers, I spotted my sister, Valerie, and my older brother, Wilson, standing idly, their expressions hinting at amusement. Mother and Father were present too, their faces mirroring amusement as they observed the spectacle. I bled from my injuries, yet they celebrated Ervin's cruel display. How delightful.

As I rose to leave, my path was obstructed by my sister, who shoved me forcefully back to the ground. Laughter echoed in the surroundings.

A series of kicks landed on my stomach, followed by relentless strikes targeting various parts of my body. Head, legs, arms, back, breasts, face, nose—the blows rained down upon me mercilessly. Dark colors began to dance within my vision.

The last sensation I felt was a kick to my neck.

The last words I heard were, "Why don't you do everyone a favor and just leave? Or better yet, die?" spoken by Wilson.

I slowly opened my eyes, each movement causing pain to course through my body. I realized I was lying on the cold floor of the pack house. Determined, I forced myself to stand, disregarding the aching. I made my way to the kitchen, grabbing a sandwich before limping towards school on one foot.

Leaving my biology class, I felt utterly drained. Lunchtime had arrived, so I headed to the playground, my chosen spot for meals. Settling on a bench, I closed my eyes, seeking a momentary respite from the harsh realities that surrounded me.

At the tender age of 5, I dashed out of the pack house, laughing with sheer delight. My 12-year-old brother, Wilson, and 9-year-old sister, Valerie, chased after me.

"I'm going to catch you, Ari!" Wilson exclaimed, his laughter echoing through the air.

"No, you won't! I'm faster than you!" I shouted back, my giggles filling the atmosphere. Catching sight of my twin brother, Ervin, perched on a tree, I called out to him.

"Ervi! Ervi!" I yelled, urging him to join us. He glanced in my direction and climbed down a few branches. Extending his hand, he offered assistance, which I gladly accepted, using it to climb the tree.

However, in a sudden turn of events, I lost my balance and tumbled to the ground, landing on my rear. Stunned, I sat there momentarily, grappling with the shock.

Valerie, Wilson, and Ervin rushed to my side, their faces etched with concern. As they knelt beside me, I burst into laughter, unable to contain my mirth. Standing up, I swiftly evaded their grasp and darted away.

"You're crazy," Wilson exclaimed, his laughter accompanying my escape. Soon after, my mischievous siblings pinned me to the ground, their nimble fingers relentlessly tickling my sides as I erupted in fits of uncontrollable laughter. Tears welled up in my eyes from the sheer joy of the moment.

"Kids, it's lunchtime!" Mother's voice rang out, catching our attention. As my siblings glanced up, I used the opportunity to wriggle free from their hold and hurried to Mother. "Mommy!" I exclaimed, throwing my arms around her legs.

"Hello there, my little princess!" she greeted, sweeping me into her warm embrace. I planted kisses on her cheeks. "I love you, Mommy," I proclaimed, my adoration evident in my voice.

"Awwn, I love you too, baby," she replied, returning my affection. Wilson chimed in, "No kiss for me?" I glanced mischievously at him and grinned.

"Nah, I don't kiss dumbwos!" I flicked my short curly hair with sass, causing laughter to erupt from everyone present. Just then, Father's voice rang out.

"Aerowyn!" he called, drawing my attention. "Daddy!" I exclaimed with unbridled joy.

My reverie was shattered by the sound of approaching footsteps. I glanced to the side, spotting them—the individuals who despised me as though I were a rogue, the ones who treated me as though I were dirt beneath their shoes. Valerie, Wilson, Ervin, and the other bullies.

"Look who's here," Wilson chuckled, relishing their arrival. "You made it, huh?" Ervin smirked, his pride evident in his demeanor.

"Oh, my baby sister," Valerie hurried to my side, her expression falsely filled with sorrow. "Are you okay? Does it hurt?" she feigned concern, her hand gently caressing my face. Gritting my teeth, I refrained from uttering something I would undoubtedly regret later.

"Oh, my god! I'm so, so sorry!" she frowned, pretending remorse. "Everything will be okay," she continued, her frown transforming into a sinister smile, "if you leave the pack. Become a rogue and never come back."

I knew it! All along, I had sensed that this was yet another one of their games!

Suddenly, the most alluring scent I had ever encountered wafted into my nostrils. Unable to resist, I inhaled deeply, feeling something within my soul snap into place. What was happening? I followed the intoxicating aroma, my gaze landing on him—the source of the scent. The realization struck me in an instant.

Mate.

But how? I wasn't 16 yet. Tomorrow, I will only turn 15. How could this be?

He drew closer, stopping alongside my siblings. He looked up at me, his deep, dark gray eyes widening in astonishment.

"Mate."

Aerowny's POV

Gasps filled the air as those two words slipped past Luciano Wyatt Robinson's plump, red lips. Mate. It's hard to wrap my mind around it. Luciano, the notorious playboy, is my mate? My brother's best friend? The Alpha of the neighboring pack?

Oh, dear Lord. I'll only be fifteen tomorrow, and look at him! Luciano, or Luke, as he's known, is twenty years old. There's a five-year age difference between us.

His scrutinizing gaze travels from the top of my head down to my toes. Others around us wait, curious to see how this will unfold. Wilson, Valerie, and Ervin wear confused expressions. They know my age.

"My mate is a kid?!" He exclaims, disbelief coloring his voice. "And she can't even shift."

Embarrassment washes over me, causing my head to lower.

"She's a disgrace," I hear his Beta, Iris, sneer. "I can't have a mate like you. I deserve someone better. It seems the Moon Goddess truly hates me, pairing me with this pathetic excuse for a human." His nose scrunches up as he emphasizes the word 'human.'

"Heck, I don't even want a mate. Why now?" Luciano locks eyes with me.

The crowd around us has grown, eagerly hollering, clapping, and whistling. They seem to revel in this spectacle.

But it's not their reaction that wounds me the most. Each word Luciano utters feels like silver-tipped arrows piercing my chest. The pain is agonizing. "Even if it weren't me, whoever he is, he wouldn't accept you. Who would want a pathetic, weak human as a mate?"

"I might be your mate, but soon, I'll be your 'ex' mate, darling," he adds, a smugness lacing his words. "So say goodbye to the word 'mate.'"

"I, Luciano Wyatt Robinson, Alpha of the Red Wood Pack, hereby reject you, Aerowyn Aurélie Beau, as my mate and my Luna," he declared, a smirk adorning his face.

As his words hung in the air, a searing fire seemed to engulf my entire being. The pain intensified, and I couldn't bear it any longer. Collapsing to the ground, I clutched my chest, a strangled scream escaping my lips.

"That's a good one, bro," Wilson's voice reached my ears. "Yeah, Luke," Valerie chimed in. "You did better than I did this morning," added Ervin.

Battling against the heaviness that weighed down my eyelids, I finally managed to open them. However, I felt nothing. Emptiness consumed me, leaving me numb. Mustering what little strength I had left, I rose from the ground and made my way into the school hall.

All eyes were on me, accompanied by smug smiles, teasing smirks, and amused grins. From time to time, I caught snippets of hurtful comments.

"Hey, how does it feel to be rejected?"

"No one loves you. Everyone hates you."

"Your parents, siblings, and even your mate."

"Maybe her wolf feels the same way."

"It's embarrassed by her, disgusted even."

"That's probably why her wolf refuses to show itself."

"Poor wolf, it doesn't deserve this pathetic mutt."

Feeling utterly humiliated, I kept my head down and made my way to my locker. Retrieving my bag, I started walking with my gaze fixed on the ground, my mind elsewhere. Lost in my thoughts, I failed to notice the figure standing in front of me, and we collided.

However, I managed to regain my balance just in time, taking a couple of steps back. As I looked up, the scent of wood, cinnamon, and a hint of spice filled my nostrils.

There he stood. "Now you're going to bump into me?" he sneered.

Ignoring his comment, I tried to sidestep and continue on my way. However, he swiftly grabbed my wrist, pulling me back to where I had been just seconds ago. A tingling sensation coursed through my wrist, and I quickly pulled my hand away, taken aback by the sudden shock.

"You bumped into me. Now kneel before me and beg for my forgiveness," he demanded, a smug expression etched across his face.

Refusing to comply, I stood my ground, my face devoid of emotion. "What are you waiting for?" he snapped.

"Bitch, kneel before me!" he growled.

I spoke softly, my voice devoid of any submission. "No."

His tone turned dangerously low. "What did you say?"

"I said no," I repeated, my defiance evident.

"Kneel. Down. Now!" he growled, his patience wearing thin.

"No. I won't," I declared firmly.

"Valerie! Wilson! Ervin!" he snarled, calling out to my siblings. Confusion washed over me. What was happening?

To my surprise, my siblings emerged from the crowd, accompanied by my ex-best friend, Heather. Valerie and Heather approached me, gripping my shoulders.

"W-What are y-you doing?" I stammered, fear creeping into my voice.

"We're making you kneel," Heather nonchalantly shrugged, her demeanor disturbingly indifferent. "No, y-you won't," I protested.

"But we will, baby sister," Valerie chimed in, her voice dripping sickly sweet.

They began to push me forcefully, but I fought to maintain my stance. Despite my efforts, they soon overwhelmed me, launching a barrage of blows. Exhausted, I collapsed onto the ground. Heather pressed my head down, forcing me to kneel as warm tears streamed down my face.

The surrounding crowd erupted in hollers and cheers.

"Good doggie," Luciano taunted, his grin widening. Summoning my strength, I pushed my sister and Heather away before fleeing the hall, tears streaming down my face. Their laughter echoed in my ears.

"Coward!" they taunted.

"Go rogue, bitch!" Heather's voice rang out.

"Do us all a favor and die!" my supposed mate yelled.

I ran as fast as my legs could carry me, all the way to the safety of the garage.