SIERRA.

I gaze into his eyes, momentarily lost in their depth, and feel a magnetic pull towards him. Slowly, I lift my hands and place them softly on his cheek. His eyes are locked onto mine, as if he's trying to read my thoughts.

As I move closer to him, I inhale his musky scent mixed with a hint of pine. It's a heady aroma that fills my senses, making me feel dizzy with desire. I slowly place my head on his chest, feeling the steady thump of his heart against my ear.

His touch around my waist sends shivers down my spine, making me feel both alive and vulnerable. I don't want to break away from his embrace.

"Mate," his cold voice rings through my ears, causing a chill to run down my spine. But as he places his warm hand on my cheek, I close my eyes and let myself melt into his touch.

*Moonhowler*

As I wake up, I squint in the bright morning light and take in the sight of my room. Today is my 18th birthday, and I can't help but feel excited to finally feel a connection with my mate. I get up, ready for school at the Moonhowlers Academy, a school built for werewolves struggling to control their powers.

After putting on a light makeup and a blue dress, I grab my backpack and rush out the door. As I descend the stairs, I catch a whiff of bacon sizzling in the kitchen, and see my mom bustling around, preparing breakfast.

"Morning, Mom."

I kiss my mom on the cheek, feeling the warmth of her skin against my lips, and found myself walking over to the front door, my excitement palpable. As I reached for the handle, my mother's voice stopped me in my tracks.

"Sierra," she called out to me, her voice tinged with a hint of concern.

I stopped and turned towards her, taking in the sight of her standing there, her hair pulled back in a loose bun, her eyes scanning my body for any stains or imperfections. I could smell the faint scent of her perfume, a comforting mix of lavender and vanilla.

"Yes?" I replied, a smile spreading across my face.

We stood there in silence for a while as my mother continued to inspect me, her hands moving over my clothes. I gently pulled her hands away, holding them in mine as I reassured her.

"It's okay, Mom. I'm 18 now, you don't need to worry so much about me," I said, my voice soft and reassuring.

She smiled at me, but I could see a tear forming in the corner of her eye. I pulled her into a hug, feeling the softness of her sweater against my cheek, and the warmth of her embrace. As she whispered her worries to me, I could feel the weight of her sadness in my heart, like a heavy stone.

I pulled away from the hug, using my fingers to wipe away the tears that had fallen down her face. I knew that finding my mate would mean leaving her behind, and the thought of it made me feel a deep sense of guilt. I could sense that she felt it too, as she looked up at me with tearful eyes.

"I want the best for you, Sierra," she whispered, her voice choked with emotion.

I took a deep breath, trying to push away the sadness that threatened to overwhelm me. "I know, Mom," I said, my voice strong and resolute. "And I'll always love you, no matter what happens."

I try pushing the tears that were about to come down my eyes, as I smile once more.

"It's ok, Mom. Just be happy for me," I say.

I ran out without even eating my breakfast. The fresh morning air hits me as I step outside, and I take a deep breath in. The sun shines brightly in the clear blue sky, and the birds are chirping their songs.

After a minute, I arrive at school on time, and I take another deep breath before entering the school gate. The smell of freshly cut grass and blooming flowers fills my nose.

"Hey, birthday girl," Alex and Nora say in unison as I turn around. I see their smiling faces, and I can't help but smile back. I move towards them, and we share a group hug.

"I'm so happy for you, girl," Nora speaks as she holds my hands.

"I didn't know I'd have to say this, but please, Sierra, turn back to 17. I can't bear not seeing my best friend. What am I going to do when you leave us after finding your mate?" Alex says jokingly.

I smile, seeing how much Alex cares about me. These are my childhood friends, the ones I grew up with, and since we were little, we had done everything together.

I pull the two of them closer to me as I hug them tight, feeling their warmth.

"Girls, no matter what, I'll always come to visit, okay?" I say, hoping to reassure them.

After a little chat, we both walked into our classroom where everyone once started wishing me a happy birthday. Most times, I look around at all the guys to see if I could feel any bond with them, but all I got was nothing.

I noticed how most of them tried to flirt with me in saying they were my mate. As I sat in my chair, Mrs. Ellia, the maths teacher, walked in, announcing that the Lycan Alpha was coming to our school today.

I could see how everyone grieved and how scared they were. The sight of their fearful faces and the smell of their sweat filled the room. The sound of whispers and shuffling feet filled my ears, and I could feel the tension in the air, thick like a fog.

The Lycan Alpha was one of the most arrogant men that had ever lived. I heard he killed his father just to take over his throne and was cursed by the moon goddess. He was coming to our school, and for a moment, I felt uneasy.

After a while of hearing nothing but talk about why the Lycan Alpha was coming to the Moonhowlers Academy, we could hear the voice of the principal announcing for everyone to come out; the Lycan Alpha was already on his way to the school. Everyone was scared as they all ran out, but that wasn't the case on my side. I wasn't scared that he was coming; I was just curious to know why.

Soon, Nora and Alex ran to my class, dragging me out without giving me time to put my book in my backpack. As we emerged, everyone was lined up, looking at each other with fear in their eyes. I walked in the middle of the line and took a deep breath, unsure of what was about to happen.

Suddenly, a red car pulled up at the school entrance, and everyone turned to look. The car door opened, and we could see a leg step out. All heads turned towards the car, waiting to catch a glimpse of the Beast Alpha.

Then, someone emerged from the car, but it wasn't a human shape. Instead, it was a real wolf, standing on two legs without a human skin. Gasps and sobs erupted from the crowd, as people recoiled from the sight of the wolf.

But I couldn't take my eyes off him. His eyes held me captive, and I felt something different. As he walked towards us, everyone else moved away from him, but I remained rooted to the spot, drawn to him like a magnet.

I looked him up and down, still unable to find a way to describe him. His massive figure moved over towards me, and he stood in front of me.

As I gazed up into his eyes, I noticed how enormous he had become. His presence was almost overwhelming.

The scent of him was earthy and musky, like a forest after a rainstorm.

I could hear the sound of his breathing, deep and steady, like a predator on the prowl.

As I lifted my hands, I felt the weight of his gaze upon me. His fur was soft and velvety under my touch.

Looking back into his eyes, I felt a primal urge within me. My wolf growled, responding to his presence.

Slowly, I lowered my hands, aware of the students around us. I turned to see them watching us with curious eyes.

Turning back to the Lycan beast, he moved closer and placed his hands on my cheeks. They were surprisingly soft, like a gentle breeze on a summer day.

"Mate," he whispered, and I felt my heart skip a beat. "I have found you."

It was as if everything around us had faded away, leaving only the two of us in that moment, connected by an unbreakable bond.

SIERRA.

"I cannot believe what just happened. Am I dreaming? Was all of this true?" I thought to myself, overwhelmed by the events of the day.

As I sat on my bed, I gazed out the window at the full moon. Its silver light spilled into my room, casting long shadows on the walls. I could smell the scent of freshly cut grass wafting in from the garden, a reminder of the world outside.

My mother had been crying her eyes out all night, her tears staining the collar of her blouse. She had never imagined that I could be a mate to the Lycan Alpha. She blamed herself for letting me leave home for school.

In the silence of my room, I could hear the faint sound of crickets chirping outside. Their song was a bittersweet melody, a reminder of the fleeting nature of life. My thoughts were consumed by the Alpha's words.

"I will be coming in three days' time so be ready, mate."

The thought of living with him in his castle made my skin crawl, and I shivered involuntarily. I tried to imagine what sort of creature he was and what had caused him to become that way. The idea of giving birth to a child who looked like him filled me with fear and uncertainty.

As I lay my head on my pillow, I wiped away a tear. I thought about my future and the possibilities that lay ahead. Why couldn't I be a mate to Christopher, one of my crushes in school, or even James, despite his lack of intelligence.

But deep down, I knew that my fate was already sealed. I was destined to be the Alpha's mate, and there was no escaping my destiny.

I lift my head up, gazing at the moon, its ethereal light casting a silver glow on my face. "Why?" I scream, the pain and frustration of the day manifesting in my words.

As I stand there, I inhale deeply, the scent of the night air filling my lungs. The faint aroma of blooming flowers dances around me, mingling with the earthy fragrance of freshly cut grass.

I reach for my phone, the screen illuminating my face. I see ten missed calls - five from Nora and five from Alex. The weight of their concern and surprise weighs heavily on me, and I wonder if anyone could have predicted what happened.

The memory of the moment I raised my hand to his face floods my senses, overwhelming me. I crumple to the ground, tears streaming down my face, feeling the coldness of the floor seeping into my skin.

"Why did I do that?" I whisper. My actions were an embarrassment, and I feel the weight of my mistake.

I glance at the clock, realizing that I've been sitting there, staring at the moon, for more than three hours. The passing of time seems both fleeting and stagnant, and I struggle to reconcile my thoughts.

I walk out of my room, entering the living room, where my mother lay on the couch, her sleeping eyes fixed on the TV. I kneel down, meeting her gaze, feeling the urge to weep. Only three days remain before I must leave everything behind.

Returning to my room, I take out a bed sheet, walking back to the living room and draping it over my mother's body. "I'm sorry, Mom," I say, my voice heavy with sadness. The impending separation between us looms large, like a dark cloud on the horizon, and I feel a sense of melancholy settling over me.

I open the front door, feeling the cool breeze surround me, and step outside. Taking in the sight of the moonlit sky, I inhale deeply, wanting to savor this moment before it passes.

I pull out my phone and glance at the time, 12:30am. Exhaling a deep breath, I resign myself to the fact that I must return to bed and face a new day.

* 7:30am*

I walk to school, noticing how everyone stares at me. I see them whispering to each other, their faces filled with pity for my supposed misfortune.

Approaching my classroom, I sit down in my chair, observing how my classmates move away from me in fear that something might happen if they get too close.

Resting my head on my desk, I feel lost and helpless. The image of his eyes is etched into my mind, and it feels like the weight of the world is about to crush me.

Reaching for my drawing book, I begin to sketch the beauty of nature. As I draw, I recall my father's words from when I was young - that one day, I would become the greatest artist in the entire werewolf kingdom.

"I wanted to make that dream come true," I thought to myself, determined to make my father proud and be the best of the best. The sight of my father's smile and the smell of fresh success motivated me every day.

Soon, my name was called, and I was instructed to go to the principal's office immediately. I didn't know why I was needed, but I guessed there was only one way to find out. My heart pounding, I walked over to the office and stood staring at the door before knocking on it.

"Come in," said the principal's voice from inside.

I slowly opened the door and walked in, shutting it behind me and standing there for a moment, taking in my surroundings. The room smelled of old books and polished wood. The sound of pencils scratching on paper filled the air, and the touch of the cold metal doorknob was still lingering on my fingertips.

"Please come in, Sierra. Take a seat," the principal said kindly.

I smiled at her as I moved over to the empty chair in front of her and sat down. "You said you wanted to see me, ma'am?" I asked, taking in the sight of the principal's wrinkled face and kind eyes.

"Yes, Sierra. Please just hold on," she replied, her attention focused on writing something on a piece of paper. I sat there for about a minute before she looked up at me and put her hands together, staring at me intently.

"Sierra, do you know the reason why you're being called?" she asked, her face showing a kind of worry that made my heart drop.

"No, ma'am. I don't know," I replied, feeling a sense of dread creeping over me.

"Sierra," she called again, her voice serious. "I'm so sorry to inform you, but you won't be studying with the Moonhowler Academy anymore." Her words hit me like a ton of bricks, and I felt like my dreams were crashing down around me. It was as if I had been running towards the finish line, only to be told that the race was over before I had even begun.

After she said that, I stood on my feet immediately, as I stared at her in shock.

"What, ma?" I asked, trying to understand the reason for all this.

"Like I said before, Sierra, I am so sorry. Whoever is linked to the Lycan Alpha is also known to be a cause. So, Sierra, if you please, you can pack all your belongings and leave."

The putrid smell of fear emanated from me as I stood there, bewildered. The sound of my racing heartbeat echoed through the silence, drowning out all other noise. I felt a weight on my chest, like an anchor dragging me down to the depths of the ocean.

I was shocked. Just seeing her say that, was I really about to leave this place? I got down on my knees as tears welled up in my eyes, looking up at her.

"Please, ma, I only have two days left. Can't you let me stay? I have so much I wish to learn, please."

I watched as she stood up and held my hands in hers, pulling me up to my feet.

"I know this is hard, Sierra, but I'm sorry."

I turned around and walked out of the door, into the school hall. The sight of everyone looking at me with pity made me feel even worse.

I walked over to my locker and packed all my books into my bag. I walked out of the building, not even surprised that something like this had happened.

As I was about to walk out of the school gate, I stopped and turned once more, staring at it.

"All my dreams of becoming a great wolf artist were now lost," I thought to myself as I walked away.