Moonlight Rebirth: A White Wolf's Second Chance

CHAPTER 5: HE’S MY MATE

LILAC

I looked at myself in a full-length mirror, which I had been trying to avoid since I arrived in this world. I looked… entirely different.

I had noticed my hair since I got here but it still felt surreal. Cordelia looked nothing like me. Apart from her hair, the striking green color of her eyes seemed to appear differently depending on the light. It was fascinating and could draw the attention of anyone. She was very beautiful, with curves in the right places, and she was also younger than me. I had never looked that good in my early twenties, though.

“I don’t know why I’m here, but a little help would be nice,” I mumbled to Cordelia… or to myself. I didn’t even know anymore.

I felt Nina’s presence even before she could knock on the door. It’s pretty handy, but I don’t think I’ll get used to these heightened senses pretty soon. Nina checked my appearance, looking at me from head to foot before giving me a puzzled reaction.

“Is it that bad?” I asked and flopped on the bed. Cordelia owned a lot of clothes, and many of them were things that I didn’t have the confidence to wear. 

She frantically shook her head. “No! It looks great on you. I’m just surprised. You never wore those dresses unless I practically begged you to for specific events, saying that you hate wearing dresses with a passion. It feels like you became a different person overnight.”

Her remark made me flinch. It’s because we’re totally different people, and I didn’t even know what Cordelia was like.

“Let’s go. You have a lot of catching up to do.”

We headed out, and people casually greeted us but looked at me strangely when I greeted them back. There were at least fifty people in the place.

I followed Nina closely. The woods were vast, and I doubted that I could find my way back alone if I lost track of her.

“How do you guys not get lost in this huge forest?” I couldn’t help but ask. Everything looks the same here. It’s trees, plants, flowers, and more trees. 

“That’s impossible already. Even if you lose your memory, I don’t think you’ll lose your instincts. We wolves never get lost. Your instincts will always lead the way. Besides, you’ve been living in this territory since you were born. I’m sure your body would remember at least.”

I looked around. So Cordelia has been living in this place her entire life?

“You mean I’ve never been to other places apart from this one? What do I do then? Do I have any work or anything for myself, at least?”

She heaved a sigh. “It sounds bad the way you put it, but you’re born blessed. White wolves are treasures of our kind. They are born roughly every hundred years, and it is believed that whichever pack they are born into will flourish in an unimaginable way, as white wolves are known to be the goddess’ messenger and her best creation. You feel certain signs of the future, both good and bad. Because of that, white wolves are always kept safe in their pack’s territory.”

“So, I’m kept as a trophy, doing nothing but staying put. That’s... depressing,” I mumbled. The more I learn about Cordelia’s life, the more I pity her. I can relate to her at some point, but this is far worse than the life I’ve had. At least I had the chance to change mine, but it didn’t go well either.

“It’s to protect you most of the time. There are too many people out to get you. Alpha Blake cares for you... a lot. Maybe more than he should display, but don’t tell anyone that. A white wolf is not allowed to have any love interest,” she answered, still walking straight.

I halted after hearing her response, and it made her stop as well.

She turned to me. “Why, what’s wrong?”

“You mean to tell me all the white wolves died alone?” I exclaimed, suddenly feeling a wave of sadness. I’m not even sure if it was my own emotions, but it was overwhelming.

“Cordelia? Why are you crying?” her question took me aback. I touched my face, and I was indeed crying.

I shook my head. “I don’t know but it hurts so much.”

She led me to one of the huge trees, took shade under it, and tried to calm me down. I know I shouldn’t be crying or showing weaknesses to just about anyone, but the sudden pain was just too much to handle.

“I’m really sorry,” I promptly apologized and quickly tried to compose myself. “I didn’t know what had gotten into me.”

“It’s okay. I’ve been serving you for almost eighteen years now, but I’ve never seen you cry like that. I thought you were okay with all of this, accepted your fate as the white wolf, and that your recent rebellion was out of boredom. I’m so sorry for thinking like that.” Nina’s voice continued to weaken, and she was also crying with me.

Right. Nina did tell me that she cries a lot.

I smiled and wiped my tears. “Maybe I hadn’t accepted it yet, and I don’t think I could, but I need to know more, Nina. I really don’t remember much about who or what I am. Please help me.”

She nodded with enthusiasm. “Of course, anything you want to know. I’ll try my best to teach you.”

“Mate... what does that mean?” I asked after I had calmed down.

Nina also wiped her tears and looked at me blankly. “That’s... an eerily specific question. A mate is the other half of your soul, the person the goddess has specifically made for you. Everyone has their mate, but only werewolves can easily sense them. I can’t explain it perfectly because I haven’t met my mate yet, but they say that when you do, you will know. You will always know. The bond will prosper from then on. You’ll be able to feel each other’s intense emotions. Once you mark each other, it seals your fate forever.”

“And a white wolf isn’t supposed to have a mate,” I concluded soullessly.

“Yes. That’s unfortunately part of it.”

Except Cordelia’s wolf kept telling me that the demon alpha was my mate. I shouldn’t be mated with that man, but I am. Strangely, I’m not scared, but I’m concerned that I’ll disrupt Cordelia’s life.

I’m not sure if this is temporary, but I need to work this out if it is. The problem is that I don’t think Cordelia is happy with her life at all. No one would be content being treated like this. Just the thought of what the other white wolves before her went through already pains me.

“What about shifting into a wolf? Would that hurt?”

It has been bugging me since earlier. She’s talking about assuming an entirely different form. I don’t think the realigning of bones and suddenly growing fur would be fun and games.

Just when she was about to respond, I saw five little wolves running around us. They all happily greeted us, startling me because I could hear their little voices in my mind. The children left right after, still running freely in the woods.

“They were communicating with us through the mind link,” Nina explained right after seeing my reaction. “And to answer your question, it doesn’t really hurt that much. It’s more like a familiar ache that is quickly gone when you let your wolf take over.”

I didn’t want to look at her with pure dumb in my eyes, but I really had no idea what she was talking about.

She pointed ahead, “It’s better if you experience it yourself.”