Their Mate And Luna

CHAPTER 1

NICOLE

Nicole hurried down the deserted school corridor. It was no thanks to the work at the pack house. She had been thirty minutes late, and she knew she was going to miss her first class.

Attendance of Mates 101 was a compulsory foundation class for all the teenagers in the pack. One needed a pass in it to graduate from school.

She found the topic interesting because of all the amazing things said about mates — how your mate is your better half, your soul mate. Both of you shared an unbreakable bond that linked your lives together forever. The sparks and tingles that came with touching, mindlinking and feeling each other's emotions. Everything about having a mate excited her.

"I pray I find somewhere better today," the almost eighteen, brown-haired, brown-eyed, and curvy omega muttered to herself. "I must remain positive," She reminded herself. .

The class was a combination of all teenage wolves in the school, held in the school's hall. The earlier one got there, the better the chances of securing a seat, especially at the front, where there were fewer distractions.

For her, sitting at the front meant she could ignore the bullies and zone out as soon as the class ended. "But when it comes to those evil wolves in there, I doubt even being positive can help me."

She pulled herself together at the door of the class, huffed and pushed in. True to her thoughts, the classroom was full. There seemed to be no vacant seat available and all eyes were focused on her. As usual she didn't miss the obvious disdain in their gazes. After all, she was just a bloody omega to them.

"Nice of you to join us, Miss Nicole," Mr Malcolm, the teacher, said to her, with a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes.

"I am sorry, Sir," Nicole whispered in a small voice as she walked up and scanned the auditorium, hoping her positivity would yield some fruit.

Finding no available seats, she settled on one of the steps close to the window and began to bring out her notebook and pen.

"Making pancakes is so much work," a female voice sniggered from her right.

"Yeah, pancakes and omelettes," another one joined, sniggering as well.

The voices belonged to none other than the Ashton twins, daughters of the pack's soon-to-be former Gamma. They were the pack's famous bitches from hell.

Nicole knew their type, people who believed that being richer or having a wolf of higher rank than others made them better off. They inherited such ideals from their parents who also looked down on the less privileged and lower-ranked wolves like her. A stark contrast to the alpha.

The Alpha of Firestone Pack, ensured that everyone was well-catered for and didn't suffer any kind of discrimination. People like the twins made it an issue. They along with others like them, believed omegas shouldn't be allowed to enjoy whatever the higher-ups up did.

Alpha Drake Stone and his Luna, Malia, were fair and kind to all members, showing warmth in their interaction with the pack. A smile here. A pat here. Available to listen to any complaints and address any problems.

The Firestone Pack enjoyed peace and prosperity. Pack members received training as soon as they turn thirteen and continued as seemed fitting or was required of them. Most who continued often become warriors of the pack.

Alpha Drake believed that every wolf must have some combat skills in the event of an attack on the pack or for self defense.

Nicole ignored them as usual, arranging her notebook on her laps, trying her best to listen to the teacher.

"Your mate is your other half. The one who completes you," the teacher continued speaking. "And no matter who they are or their ranking, you have no choice but to accept them."

Several hands went up instantly.

"Miss Ashton...Millie, right?" He asked, sitting at the table's edge, crossing his legs and intertwining his fingers before placing them on his legs.

"Yes," she replied in a thin voice that sounded like scraping metal on metal. "What if we decide to choose someone else?" Her face wrinkled in disgust.

"Well, it happens. Some wolves often reject their mates for their own reasons and live with it for the rest of their lives."

"Awesome," she giggled together with her twin.

"Are you planning on rejecting your mate, Millie?" He asked, tilting his head to the side.

"Well, if he..." She looked at her twin. Both shared a look and giggled once more. "...if the moon goddess chooses someone below our standard for us."

"You would reject who she chooses for you and make your own decisions?" A not too surprised and amused look on his face.

"Yes. What if a hot guy is giving to an ugly looking or..." Billie, her sister started, eyes darting about till she found Nicole. "someone like her. Ughh." She rolled her eyes in distaste.

Murmurs, snickers, and scoffs filled the auditorium. Some casted spiteful glances at Nicole, who clutched her pen, steadfastly refusing to meet their eyes.

"Do you think Miss Nicole doesn't deserve an attractive guy as her mate?" He frowned before chuckling.

"Obviously. Look at her. Apart from being unattractive, she's a nobody," Millie snickered.

"It's a good thing the moon goddess chooses our mates for us."

"I wish she didn't have to. We are still going to reject them if they don't meet our standards," Millie's twin huffed.

"Well, it's not my place to force you, but to teach you what you need to know. Good luck with your mate. Chosen or fated." He left the table and returned to the board.

The twins gave Nicole disdainful eyes. "Ugly," hissed Millie.

Nicole looked away and focused on the teacher. At the end of school, she rushed home to change before heading to the pack house to help with dinner.

"Nikki, is that you." Her cousin, Savannah, called from the kitchen. With deep-set blue eyes, fiery red hair, standing at 5'8 and in excellent shape, she was an imposing figure.

"Hey." She hugged her cousin who was having a late lunch alone in the kitchen.

"How was school?" She asked.

"The usual," Nicole answered with a shrug, dropping her bag and retrieving a soda from the fridge.

"The usual?"

"You know...bullies, being ignored, called names and the kind of things people like me endure at school." She murmured.

"You have to learn how to stand up for yourself, Nikki. At one point,you will need to push back at them." Savannah said in a stern voice that gradually reflected her Beta status. her aura leaking out subtly. She furrowed her brows, narrowed her eyes and pressed her lips together. "You can't keep letting them walk over you." She smacked the table.

"It's just a few more months and I will be done with school," Nicole gave a small smile.

"Four more months is quite a lot.. That's the quarter of a year. Do you want to continue like this?"

"Savvy, I have endured this for years, what's four more months?"

"Okay, I want names," Savvy demanded.

"You can't be serious." Nicole's brown eyes widened in terror. Her cousin was a no-nonsense future Beta who wouldn't tolerate anyone being abused or bullied. Add her red hair to the mix and you got one seriously determined Beta.

"Names, Nicole. I will use my aura if I have to."

"No, Savvy." She began to walk away from the kitchen.

"Nicole!"

"No!" She was almost at the top of the stairs, hoping to reach her room before the full force of Savvy's aura overwhelmed her.

"Nicole, I order you as a Beta to tell me who bullied you at school today!" Her blue eyes turning gold.

Nicole's knees buckled instantly, her body trembled. She held on to the railings of the stairs, feeling the weight of Savvy's aura pressing her down.

"Just tell me who they are so I can deal with them. As usual."

"The Ashton twins. Millie and Billie!" Nicole screamed.

"Those bitches!" It was Savannah's turn to scream now. "What did they say to you?"

"Nothing they don't always say. The usual." Nicole mumbled, panting in relief.

"Specifics, Nikki." Savvy snapped her fingers, impatiently. "What did they say?"

She sighed deeply before replying. Trying not to feel the pain of their words. "That I don't deserve a hot mate."

"Are they even normal? What?" Savvy's face contorted with disgust. "What are they smoking? It doesn't matter anyway. I will speak to the Alphas about it."

"No!" Nicole sprang up and held Savvy's arms. "You know they don't like me. The twins are like family to them."

"It doesn't matter. I am going to be their Beta and you are my cousin. Tim will support me on this too." She pushed her away gently and held Nicole's head in her palms.

"Savvy, you don't understand. It's been like this for years. I've learned to ignore them. What's the point in confronting them now?"

Savvy leaned towards her cousin, her gaze unwavering. "The point is that you deserve better, Nicole. You're not a 'nobody.' You're part of our pack, and no one should treat you this way. Bullies should never go unchallenged. Besides, dad and mum will kill me if I let this slide."

"They don't have to know."

"They do. We are like family to the Alphas too."

"Not like the Ashtons."

"Alpha Drake won't stand for this. He made it clear on how people should be treated in this pack. I will speak to Vince and Vance..."

"Come on, Savvy. They haven't taken over the pack yet."

"Whatever. Change and get back to work. We will discuss at night."

Nicole groaned. Savvy can be stubborn.

Nicole changed her clothes, had a quick late lunch and headed out to the pack house to help with dinner.