The Embrace of the Second Chance Mate

The blaring sound of my alarm clock jolted me awake at precisely 5 a.m. I groaned and rubbed my eyes, the harsh reality of another day sinking in. I rolled out of bed, my bare feet hitting the cold floor, and walked over to the mirror hanging on the wall. The face staring back at me was a daily reminder of my past. My eyes drifted to the scar running down my cheek, and memories flooded my mind. As I stared at my reflection, the pain of that day came rushing back, more vivid than ever. I was eight years old, full of hope and excitement for my birthday. I had dreamt of the cake, the presents, and the rare moments of affection from my parents. But the day had taken a cruel turn. Seraphina had been playing in the living room, and I was in the kitchen, helping our mother. I remember hearing a crash and the sound of shattering glass. I rushed into the living room to find Seraphina standing over the remains of our mother's prized vase, looking horrified. Before I could say anything, she pointed at me and screamed, "Elaine did it!" My parents stormed into the room, their faces contorted with anger. I tried to explain, to tell them I hadn't even been in the room, but they didn't listen. They never listened when it came to Seraphina. In their eyes, she was the golden child, and I was the troublemaker. My father grabbed my arm, his grip tight and unforgiving, and dragged me to the study. The belt he kept there was a constant threat, but I had never been on the receiving end of it before. He didn't say a word as he struck me, each lash burning into my skin. I screamed and begged him to stop, but he didn't. My mother stood in the doorway, her face cold and emotionless. When he finally stopped, I was left crumpled on the floor, sobbing and trembling. The pain was unbearable, but worse was the feeling of betrayal. My own family, the people who were supposed to love and protect me, had hurt me in a way I couldn't understand. Seraphina peeked around the corner as I lay there, her eyes wide with guilt and satisfaction. She knew what she had done, and Seraphina knew she had won. I will forever carry the mark of her deceit on my face. That night, I lay in bed, my cheek throbbing and my heart shattered. My birthday had become a day of pain and humiliation, a day I would never forget. Every year since then, the memory resurfaced, bringing a wave of sadness and anger. Today, as I stood in front of the mirror, the scar was a stark reminder of the cruelty I had endured. I ran my fingers over it, feeling the rough texture under my skin. The physical pain had long since faded, but the emotional scars were as fresh as ever. I splashed more cold water on my face, trying to wash away the tears that threatened to spill. I had to stay strong. I couldn't let the past define me, but it was hard when every day was a battle against the memories. As I walked to the shower and turned it on, I winced as the cold water hit my body. The bruises scattered across my skin reacted to the temperature, sending jolts of pain through me. "I wish I could stay home today," I muttered softly. Then I chuckled bitterly. "Right, home isn't any better." I finished my shower quickly and changed into baggy jeans and a hoodie. They were the only clothes that made me feel somewhat secure. I tied my hair into a loose bun, not caring much about my appearance. Once I was ready, I grabbed my bag and headed downstairs. I placed my bag on the kitchen island, washed my hands, and tied an apron over my clothes. "Guess it's time to make some food for Her Majesty," I said, annoyed. I quickly made some blueberry pancakes and brewed a pot of coffee. I arranged everything neatly on the breakfast table and covered it with a food cover. The clock showed 6:20 a.m. "I gotta hurry up," I said to myself, heading to the basement where the laundry room was. I had put a load of laundry in the washer last night, so now it was time to transfer everything to the dryer. Checking my watch again, I saw it was 6:40 a.m. I hurried back upstairs and dusted the living room, ensuring everything was spotless. By the time I finished, it was 7:20 a.m. I quickly gathered my things and left the house. The school was a half-hour walk from my house, but only ten minutes by car. Of course, no one would drive me. As I walked the familiar path, thoughts of the past kept resurfacing. Today was my eighteenth birthday, and I couldn't help but think about the contrast between Seraphina and me. We were twins, yet we couldn't be more different. Seraphina had our father's blonde hair and our mother's green eyes, while I had black and blue eyes. My parents never liked me because I looked different. My black hair and blue eyes made me stand out, and not in a good way. They called my eyes creepy because they seemed to change color depending on the light. Seraphina was outgoing and confident, the complete opposite of me. She was the golden child, while I was the black sheep. The difference in treatment was painfully obvious. As I reached the school gate, a knot formed in my stomach. This was the second place I hated most in the world. Walking through the halls, I could hear the whispers and mockery following me. "How can she be Seraphina's twin?" one student said. "I feel bad for Seraphina for having a sister like her," another added. I checked my watch. It was 8 a.m. "Mom and Dad must be celebrating Seraphina's birthday right about now," I thought bitterly about my family. I sighed as I opened my locker, only to jolt back in shock. A dead rat lay inside. "A dead rat, really?" I sighed, removing it and cleaning my locker before placing my books inside. "How many times has this happened?" I muttered as I closed the locker door. The first-period bell rang, snapping me out of my thoughts. I quickly gathered my books and made my way to class, hoping to blend into the background as much as possible. As I opened the classroom door, I was immediately assaulted by raucous laughter and loud conversations. I had my head down and quickly went towards my desk. The door opened, and our teacher walked in, immediately commanding silence. "Good morning, class," he said, adjusting his glasses. "Let's get started." I tried to focus on the lecture, but the group's constant buzz of whispers and giggles was distracting. Just as I thought the class might finally settle down, the door swung open again. "Sorry, sorry, teach," Seraphina said as she strolled in, her voice sweet and unapologetic. The teacher's face twisted in annoyance. "Miss Seraphina, how often has this happened?" he said, exasperated. "Oh, please don't be angry," Seraphina replied confidently. "I promise it was not my fault. My parents wanted to spend quality time with me since it was my birthday." The class murmured, and I could feel the weight of their eyes on me. Seraphina and I shared a birthday, but it was clear who the favorite was. I looked down at my notebook, trying to disappear. "Well, just take your seat," the teacher said, waving her off. "And let's try to be on time from now on." Seraphina glided to her seat, basking in the attention. "Thank you, sir," she said sweetly, her eyes flicking to her friends, who smiled in return. The teacher resumed his lecture, but my mind was elsewhere. The contrast between Seraphina's life and mine was stark. She was adored, celebrated, and loved, while I was the outcast, the scapegoat. It was our birthday, yet she had come in late because our parents wanted to spend time with her while I had been left to fend for myself. The lunch bell rang, its shrill sound a welcome relief. I quickly gathered my things and headed to the library, my sanctuary from the torment of Seraphina and her entourage. Walking into the library, I smelled the comforting smell of old books and paper. I quickly found my favorite spot in the corner, hidden behind a tall shelf of history books. Settling into the worn-out chair, I relaxed, knowing I would soon see my only friend. Lila arrived shortly after, her smile as bright as ever. "Happy birthday, Elaine!" she exclaimed, hugging me tightly. "Thank you, Lila," I replied, hugging her back. Lila had been my friend since childhood and was the only person who had consistently wished me a happy birthday over the years. "Are you excited about your transformation today?" Lila asked, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. "Well, I'm a bit nervous but also excited," I admitted. As a werewolf, turning eighteen meant that. I would undergo my first transformation. It was a significant milestone, marking the transition from adolescence to adulthood. Lila gave me an encouraging smile. "Don't worry, you'll be just fine. I've heard that the first transformation can be intense but also an amazing experience." I nodded, trying to calm my nerves. "Thanks, Lila. I'm glad I have you with me." We spent the rest of our lunch break talking about everything and nothing, just enjoying each other's company. For a little while, I could forget about the pain and loneliness that usually weighed me down. But deep down, I knew that once the school day ended, I would have to face my family and the harsh reality of my life again. As the final bell rang, signaling the end of the school day, I took a deep breath and steeled myself for the inevitable. Walking home, I couldn't shake the feeling of dread that settled in the pit of my stomach. I knew that tonight, everything would change.