"Snap."
The sound of my left ankle twisting as I landed from the second floor.
"Ugh!" I groaned, trying to suppress the pain.
It hurt like hell, but I ignored it.
'It'll heal soon anyway,' I thought, coldly dismissing my own body's warning.
Limping, I forced myself to run away from the Wavecrest Pack clinic.
The clinic sat right next to Wave Avenue High School.
I headed toward the parking lot and found my 1969 Triumph Bonneville still parked there.
'Thank you, Moon Goddess!' I silently praised.
Thora was sulking—refusing to speak to me, let alone willing to shift. At a time like this, Bonny—my nickname for the bike—was my ultimate savior.
After managing to get it started, I took off, speeding as fast as I could toward Wavecrest Point.
The ocean breeze always had a way of calming my restless heart.
"HONK!"
The blare of a truck's horn snapped me out of my thoughts. I had been completely lost in my head. Reflexively, I swerved to the side, intending to let the truck pass.
Turns out it was Benjamin—Nyxon's soon-to-be Beta.
He gave me a friendly smile as he drove his truck alongside me.
"You look more wrecked than usual, Mina," he teased.
I laughed in response. "Yeah, I thought the Moon Goddess was done handing out bad luck to this peasant life but turns out she's got more to spare."
With Benjamin, I felt safe enough to let my guard down a little. Even though we never talked much, he was one of the few people who never looked at me with judgment.
His smile softened. "Heading to Wave point again? You should be careful. The weather's rough, the waves are getting wild," he warned kindly.
"Thanks for the inspo. And... by the way, could you not tell Rue where I am if she asks? I just... need to be alone right now," I asked him.
Ben zipped his lips with a motion, then drove his truck ahead of me.
Just two kilometers left to Wavecrest Point. The road was growing emptier, and rows of mangrove trees started to appear, little by little.
I pushed the throttle harder, letting the wind whip through my hair and clothes—its wild force giving me a strange sense of peace.
Less than ten minutes later, I reached the parking lot at Wavecrest Point. It was a small wooden shack used to store surfboards.
After parking bonny, I went inside and grabbed my board, carrying it down toward the shoreline.
Luckily, the beach was empty this afternoon. Quiet—just the way I wanted it.
I truly wanted to be alone—my heart was in complete turmoil. Who knew meeting the mate could be this complicated?
The pain in my ankle was still intense, while the bandage on my head had flown off earlier, blown away by the wind as I rode my motorcycle.
The sky had been clear just moments ago, but suddenly, dark clouds rolled in thick and fast. The wind turned colder, and the crashing waves grew louder.
Wasting no time, I paddled out, trying to get past the cresting waves.
I sat on my surfboard, waiting for the right moment.
My brows furrowed as I watched the waves form in strange, unpredictable patterns. It was hard to find the right momentum. But then I saw it—and rushed to catch it.
In my hurry, I forgot—I pushed off using my left foot.
"Ahh!" I screamed out in pain.
I should've listened to what Benjamin said. The waves were rough.
I was thrown off my board.
The wave dragged my board down, and the leash jerked my right leg, keeping it from moving freely, while my injured left leg was practically useless.
Panic set in. My chest tightened as I held my breath, desperately trying to find the surface. But the waves kept crashing over me, again and again, merciless.
I felt myself giving up. And strangely, I didn't mind. If the goddess decided to take me now… I wouldn't fight it.
No one would cry if I were gone.
Rue.
'No, she wouldn't be sad—especially if she ever found out what happened between me, Nyxon, and Kaiden,' I thought bitterly.
Not even sure who I'd meet on the other side, after death.
Would I still be alone… even there?
For some reason, that thought felt unbearably sad.
Suddenly, a strong hand yanked me upward. That electric current—that feeling—rushed through me again. But this time, I didn't fight it.
"Fwah!" I coughed up water, gasping for air.
Relief washed over me.
We swam toward the shore until my feet could finally touch the sand beneath the water.
"I always knew there was something off about you," Nyxon snapped angrily, "but I never knew you were this reckless, Mina!"
I blushed.
"You have no idea what your actions do to me, do you, Mina?!"
Nyxon grabbed my hand and placed it firmly on his bare chest, right over his heart—his heartbeat was pounding wildly.
His usually bright, confident eyes were darker now—clouded with emotion.
"I thought I was going to lose you," he added, his voice low.
"I'm sorry," I mumbled, embarrassed.
Do you know what it's like to go through life convincing yourself that you only have you to rely on?
And then, suddenly—out of nowhere—someone sees you. Really sees you. Makes you feel like you matter?
I still didn't know how to process that. I was in denial. I didn't feel worthy—especially not of Nyxon. Someone important in the pack.
Suddenly, Nyxon pulled me by the neck and kissed me—fierce and full of emotion, like it was a kiss he had waited centuries for.
My body, cold just seconds ago, now burned—blazing hot. I kissed him back with just as much hunger.
My hands wrapped around his neck, pulling him closer, and I tangled my fingers in his hair. My legs instinctively wrapped around his waist.
Nyxon's hands gripped the backs of my thighs, lifting and supporting me so I could kiss him without restraint.
I never knew a man's lips could be this addictive. They tasted sweet, salty, soft—filling a void I didn't even realize I had.
Thora howled with joy in my mind.
'Claim him! Claim him!' she demanded, eager to complete the mate bond.
With her egging me on from within, my kiss with Nyxon only grew wilder.
My actions drew a growl from Fenrir—Nyxon's wolf. His fingers gripped my ass, trailing up my back, each touch lighting my skin on fire. And I savored every second of it.
'God!' I silently praised the lord for the rush of overwhelming sensations flooding me.
Nyxon lifted me effortlessly, carrying me toward the shore, and gently laid me down on the sand—never once breaking our fevered kiss.
"WHAT THE HELL?!" a woman's voice suddenly screamed, furious.
I immediately pushed Nyxon off of me.
"Seriously, Mina?" Nyxon protested, frustrated that I had broken the kiss so abruptly.
"That's just Rue, Mina..." he tried to coax me, moving in again.
But the moment was gone. Completely.
Rue stood there, glaring at me, tears spilling down her cheeks.
"You bitch! I came here looking for you to clear up the insane rumor that you were mated to Kaiden—and this, is what I find? You sucking face with Nyxon?"
"You slut!" she spat.
"Hey! Watch your mouth, sis," Nyxon snapped, stepping between us. "Show some respect. She's going to be our future pack's Luna."
Rue scoffed and spat into the sand. "Never. You've disgraced this pack by choosing her as your mate, Nyxon. She's an outcast."
Her words hit me like a punch to the chest. I never imagined that's how Rue truly saw me… all this time.
"Th-that didn't just come out of your mouth, did it, Rue? Not to me?" I asked, my face pale with disbelief.
Rue turned her face away, refusing to look at me.
"You're just a shameless girl. I only stayed friends with you out of pity. And this is how you repay me?"
"You really thought being my friend made you worthy of being with Nyxon? Well, let's see what Mom and Dad have to say about this disgrace of relationship."
She pointed at me and Nyxon like we were something filthy.
Just moments ago, Nyxon had been all over me—obsessed. But now… now there was distance in his eyes. He pulled back slightly.
The pain was indescribable.
Rue's words echoed in my chest.
I felt cheap.
And humiliated.
Especially after how I'd just given myself to Nyxon.
Clinging to what little dignity I had left, I ran. I ran from both of them.
"Yeah, Mina! Run—just like your mother ran from the responsibility of raising you!" Rue shouted after me full of anger.