Chapter 2

Julia's POV

Nathan's face contorted with shock and then fury as he stepped away from me like I'd burned him.

"No," he snarled. "This is a mistake."

Kaia's initial joy crashed into confusion. What's happening? Why is he angry? We're MATES!

Nathan's eyes flashed a dangerous Alpha-green as he grabbed my arm and dragged me deeper into the woods behind the school, away from potential witnesses. Once we were hidden among the trees, he released me with a shove that sent me stumbling backward.

"You," he spat, his voice trembling with rage. "Of all people, the Moon Goddess chose you?"

I rubbed my arm where his grip had left marks. "I'm not exactly thrilled either," I shot back, Kaia's indignation fueling my courage.

How DARE he? she growled within me. We're not some consolation prize!

Nathan paced like a caged animal, his hands clenching and unclenching.

"This can't be happening," he muttered. "I refuse to accept this. Do you understand me, Julia? I'm going to reject you."

My stomach dropped at his words. Rejection—the formal severing of a mate bond—was said to be excruciating, like having half your soul ripped away.

"But that's..." I whispered, unable to finish.

"That's what?" Nathan stepped closer, towering over me. "Did you think I'd actually accept you? An herb-collecting nobody? I'm going to be Alpha. I need someone strong beside me, not some weird loner who talks to plants."

Kaia bristled. He doesn't deserve us. Let him reject us! We'll be better off.

"Nathan! There you are!"

We both turned to see Megan approaching through the trees, her designer clothes looking out of place in the wooded area. Her eyes narrowed suspiciously when she spotted me.

"Everyone's looking for you," she said, looping her arm possessively through Nathan's. "What are you doing out here with her?"

Nathan's jaw tightened as he glanced at me. "Nothing important. White here just crashed into me like the clumsy freak she is."

Megan's laugh was cruel. "Still daydreaming instead of watching where you're going, Julia?" She examined me like I was something stuck to the bottom of her expensive shoes. "You should be more careful. Not everyone is as forgiving as Nathan."

My cheeks burned with humiliation. Finding your fated mate was supposed to be joyous—a moment of recognition and completion. Instead, I felt nothing but dread and shame.

"Let's go," Nathan told Megan.

"This stays between us. Understand?" his voice invaded my mind through our mindlink. "Tell anyone, and I'll make your life hell. And when I reject you, you'd better accept it without a fight."

I nodded mutely, throat tight with unshed tears as I felt the cold intensity of his threat vibrating through our unwanted connection.

He shot me one final glaring warning, then walked away with Megan, leaving me trembling among the trees.

"What an absolute JERK," Kaia fumed within me. "I can't believe we're fated to that... that pompous bully!"

"We're not," I replied mentally. "He's going to reject us, remember? He said so himself."

"Good! Who needs him? We're better off without some entitled Alpha-wannabe who can't see your worth."

I slid down until I was sitting with my back against a tree, hugging my knees to my chest. My eighteenth birthday—the day I'd finally awakened my wolf—and it had turned into a nightmare. Tears slipped down my cheeks despite my best efforts to hold them back.

"Don't cry," Kaia urged. "We're stronger than this. We're stronger than him."

I was about to respond when my phone suddenly rang, making me jump in surprise.

"Geez, calm down! You scared me too!" Kaia complained as I fumbled in my pocket.

The number was unfamiliar. I wiped my eyes and tried to steady my voice. "Hello?"

"Is this Julia White?" a professional female voice asked.

"Yes."

"Ms. White, I'm calling from the admissions office at State University. I'm pleased to inform you that you've been accepted to our nursing program for the fall semester."

My breath caught. "I... really?"

"Yes. The committee was particularly impressed with your research on medicinal herbs and their applications. Your acceptance letter will be mailed out tomorrow, so you should receive it within the next few days."

As the woman continued with details about enrollment deadlines and orientation dates, my mind raced. State University. Nursing school. A chance to leave the pack—to leave Nathan.

But pack law was clear: unmated wolves couldn't leave their territory without Alpha permission. Nathan would never let me go, especially now that he knew I was his mate. He'd want me where he could control me, even if he planned to reject me.

Unless...

"Thank you so much," I said into the phone, an idea forming. "I'll watch for the letter."

As I ended the call, I felt a surge of hope for the first time. I had leverage now. The formal rejection ritual required consent from both parties.

"You're thinking of making a deal with him," Kaia observed. "I like it. Use his desire to be rid of us against him."

"Exactly," I replied, standing up and brushing the dirt from my jeans. "He can reject me, but he has to let me leave first."

---

Three days later, my acceptance letter arrived in a thick envelope with the university's seal. I read it over and over, tracing the words with my fingers.

"Dear Ms. White, We are pleased to offer you admission to the State University School of Nursing. Your exceptional research on medicinal herbs have impressed our admissions committee..."

This was my ticket out—if I could make the deal work.

"Tonight's the Moon Gathering," Kaia reminded me. "Nathan will be there. It's the perfect time to approach him."

I carefully placed the letter in my herbal notebook for safekeeping. "You're right. And he can't cause a scene in front of the whole pack."

"Don't be too sure about that," Kaia cautioned. "But we have to try."

The community center glowed with silver decorations, same as every month. I slipped away from my family the moment we arrived, scanning the crowd for Nathan.

I found him surrounded by his usual entourage, including my brother Eric and several admirers. The silver Alpha-heir ring gleamed on his right hand as he gestured while telling some story that had everyone laughing.

As if sensing my approach, he turned. His eyes narrowed when they met mine.

"What do you want, Julia?" he asked when I reached him, surprise evident in his tone. I never approached him voluntarily.

"I need to talk with you," I said, forcing confidence into my voice despite the knot in my stomach. "About college."

Nathan dismissed his followers with a flick of his wrist. They dispersed reluctantly, Eric shooting me a suspicious glare before backing away.

"Let's find somewhere quieter," Nathan said, his voice cool and controlled.

He led me to a corner of the second floor, away from the main celebration. The moon shone through a large window, bathing us in silver light.

"I've been accepted to State University's nursing program," I said, pulling the letter from my notebook. "I want to go."

Nathan's eyes skimmed the paper. "Leaving the pack requires Alpha permission."

"I know."

"Which I won't give." He handed the letter back with a dismissive gesture.

I took a deep breath. "You know formal rejection requires my consent too."

His eyes flashed dangerously. "Are you threatening me?"

"Negotiating," I corrected, Kaia's courage flowing through me. "Let me go to college, and I'll agree to your rejection."