CHAPTER 3

REJECTED AND HUMILIATED BY HER MATE

LILY'S POV

Yeeeey, it's finally my eighteenth birthday and I'm so excited about it. This means a lot to me as a werewolf, I can now have my first transformation on the full moon which is the night of my birthday and would be able to shift shape like everyone else. And not only that, I would meet my mate and finally be free from my father's curse and punishment.

I didn't need the alarm clock to wake me as I woke up even before it could ring. I yawned tiredly and lifted myself up from my mat. I gently rolled it and kept it aside where I usually kept it.

Quickly I entered the washroom and brushed my teeth. I thought of what to wear but it dawned on me that I had no special clothes to wear even though it's my birthday. I wanted to weep but I told myself no. No matter what I swore to not let myself be sad on this day. I managed to put on my red dress that my mother bought for me on my sixteenth birthday but I couldn't wear it then as I wore another one instead so I decided to wear it.

Tiny droplets of tears gathered in my eyes as I held the dress in my hands. It brought back memories of my mother which I have always tried to shut off.

"Mommy… I miss you… I miss...you a lot…"I cried and squeezed the dress close to my nose. I could smell the scent of my mother's perfume then. It still smelled nice to me. I sniffed in tears and wore it as I stepped out of my room ready to experience a whole new life and hopefully today my father would fully listen to me and hear my story and what exactly happened two years ago.

Once I came out of the room, I discovered the whole place was being decorated. I marvelled at the lights that shone brightly and the ribbons. O couldn't believe I would do this to celebrate my birthday after he has hated me all these while.

"Wow, so beautiful!" I said in admiration to the decorations.

"Yeah, yeah, you can thank me now,"someone said behind me.

"Judy?"I turned sharply and saw Judy, my childhood friend, standing behind me with a few ribbons in her hand.

I rushed to her and hugged her.

"It's been so long, you practically disappeared into thin air,"I said, releasing her from the tight hug.

She smiled, "yeah yeah, I know but I'm here now and happy birthday beautiful,"

I blushed hard and covered my face shyly.

"Uh uh, don't be like that now, you are an adult werewolf now and you can't go around being so shy,"

"I'm not shy, Judy,"I giggled.

Suddenly my dad came out from his room.

"Good morning daddy,"I greeted hoping he is in a good mood.

"Morning,"he said flatly and walked past me. My heart ached but I covered it up with a nervous chuckle. I guess he didn't even get me any gifts or presents this time. Well, I wasn't really interested in having gifts but my freedom.

"Come on baby girl, let's make this place look even more beautiful!' Judy said and dragged me to join her in decorating the house.

People started to troop in and I was straining my eyes to see when Helen would get here. I was tempted to go ask my dad if my mate would come for my birthday party but I stopped myself.

People were trooping into my house for my party but yet I haven't seen Helen and I was worried. I wanted her to be here while everything was going on. I was tired of walking around saying hi to people and greeting the elderly ones so I decided to get some fresh air outside.

As I stepped outside, I felt this connection as if my mate was nearby. I could perceive the addictive scent and I felt it. My mate truly is around. I turned around to see Helen walking towards me with the most handsome guy I have ever seen. He looked hairy and had the perfect eyes. His jawline was very sharp and his nose stood firm on his face. I was more than certain that the guy right in front is my Alpha mate. I had my eyes fixed at him until they got to me.

"He is my Alpha right? I blurted out excitedly. Helen eyed me while my supposed Alpha mate kept a straight face.

"Stop being silly Lily, meet my boyfriend and new mate, Liam,"Helen said but I was too dumbfounded to speak.

"Why did I feel excited if he wasn't my mate?"I asked myself.

"Lily, are you here?"Helen jolted me back to the moment.

"Oh yeah, I'm here. Nice to meet you,"I forced a smile and extended my hand for a handshake towards him but he still refused to reciprocate.

I took down my hand nervously.

"Lily, birthday girl! you are wanted inside,"Judy called my attention.

Grateful to Judy for giving me a reason to leave their presence as I was beginning to feel unusually hot.

I went in and saw my dad standing on the podium about to speak. I guess finally he was about to lift the punishment and curse her. I joined him, still nervous from what happened outside. I was now facing the people and saw Helen walk in with her boyfriend. They were holding hands like newly married couples and I felt my heart ache.

"Gosh, why am I feeling this way if he isn't my mate?"

My dad just like he said two years ago lifted the curse he placed on me. He then asked my mate to come up. I began to search around with my eyes for any sign of my mate or even any male present that would excite me but none did like the way Helen's boyfriend did.

Suddenly Helen's boyfriend Liam started to come up. His face was squeezed and hardened although he still looked as handsome as ever but his eyes weren't bright nor did he look cheerful.

As he approached me, I started to get excited again as my wolf jumped up happily; the feeling of one meeting her mate.

What is going on, I wondered. Had he known all the while that I was his mate and still was dating Helen? Was Helen aware that he is my mate? I was confused but I let go of the question raging in my heart and focused on being happy.

I concluded within me that they probably didn't know or they were just playing pranks on me.

He stood on the podium and collected the mic from my dad.

He cleared his throat and started, "I know it's not brave to challenge the decision of the moon goddess on who to become our mates but I can never mate the one that killed her mother! I, Alpha Liam rejects you, Lily James as my mate and future Luna. Find yourself another mate to provide you love and protection because I can never do it!"Liam said and stomped away while Helen went after him.

The people opened their mouths in astonishment and started to murmure among themselves.

I was beyond angry, I refused to get sad or cry as the feeling of sadness got replaced with anger. How dare he reject me and accuse me of killing my mother?

"I didn't kill my mother!"I yelled as tears trickled down my cheeks.

I was so angry that I dashed after them.

It was almost midnight for the full moon and my first transformation but I didn't care about it as I went after Liam and Helen.