1. Fated or Hated?

||Claire||

It was 2023 and people still act like the mating bond was some sort of crowning achievement for women. That is the trap I fell into when I met my fated mate Alan Crawley five years ago.

Alan Crawley was the alpha of the desert storm pack. I, along with every unmated she-wolf in the pack was head over heels in love with him. Since I was little.

But not every she-wolf felt deeply in love with him as I did.

It all began with me stealing glances at him in the school's dining hall, in the hallway, and during pack meetings till I accidentally bumped into him at the school’s gym during PE.

Not that we ever talked but when his bright blue eyes met my brown one, I fell head over heels in love with him. Instantly!

It was like he was the magnet and I was a steel, he was drawing to himself.

Alan Crawley consumed my thought or maybe he became my obsession. I tried to stay away from him but all my actions proved to be futile.

My thoughts and dreams stopped at nothing to fantasize about the future Alpha.

He became my greatest obsession.

However, he never noticed me. Never glanced my way. He was like the king and I, a servant. We were in the same pack but worlds apart.

He was out of my league.

Alan dated the best girls in school. The kind of girl who had the perfect hair, the perfect nails, and the gorgeous dress.

That was until my eighteenth birthday. It was autumn. A few weeks before my graduation.

I was on my way to the pack house to get some chocolate from the main kitchen since we didn't have any at home.

It was my birthday and my mom wanted to make chocolate pancakes for breakfast.

Getting to the entrance of the pack house, I scented something appetizing. It smelled mouthwatering like banana cake. Thinking the pack's omegas were making a banana cake for breakfast, I twisted the door open, bumping into a hard rock.

Raising my head, I realized the hard rock was none other than the future Alpha, Alan Crawley.

My throat dried up and I swallowed hard. He was in a black singlet that threw his firm muscles in display and ash sweatpants. His blonde hair was wet and curly making him more attractive.

Electricity rushed through my blood down to my honey pot and I felt wet instantly as the smell of my arousal leaked out.

Alan's hazel eyes flickered to midnight black and a deep growl tore from his throat.

“Mine!”

“Mine!”

A kaleidoscope of butterflies erupted from my nerves in response to his growl. My entire body buzzed as shock rooted me on the spot.

I couldn't believe it!

I, the daughter of a pack warrior and a housewife, was mated to an alpha.

Surprising and so unreal.

I must have saved the moon goddess in my previous life!

For the first time in a long time, I saw hope. My dreams and prayers were all coming through.

Everything I had wished for that I never dared to whisper was about to come true.

My ridiculous fantasies were getting real.

That day Alan made me his in a way I never thought was possible.

I, the invisible girl in school became the future Alpha’s girl. From that moment, Alan became my world.

Nonetheless, there was a problem. The pack and Alan’s family did not accept me wholeheartedly.

I was chubby. However, ‘Petite’ was a funny way to call fat girls in the pack. I should know because I used to be one.

Being fat was not acceptable for a luna according to Alan Crawley. He never once made me ashamed but he never made me feel special either.

It was uncommon for a werewolf to be fat. So to the pack, I was abnormal. A freak even. But no one said it to my face which I appreciated very much.

Days after officially meeting his family, Alan's mother, Luna Alice took me to the pack's nutritionist and I was put on a strict diet.

I was not allowed to eat any of my favorite food; meat, cheese, vanilla cake, or any dessert with cholesterol or foods with high calories.

The only thing I ate for three straight years was just grass AKA vegetables. I was forced to become a vegetarian.

With intensive training and ‘good nutrition’ as they call it, I finally reduced drastically to the weight acceptable to the Crawleys.

My opinions and views on the subject did not matter to them. I became a robot for the sake of love.

I abandoned myself. My interest, just for my mate. Through it all, I remained devoted and silent and when I finally thought the time had come for Alan to make me his Luna, Luna Alice was against it.

Her reason being that I was not ready. And I needed to train in table setting, hosting guests and parties.

Lame right?

However, that was the only and main duty of a luna apart from childbirth. At least according to them.

Luna's are not included in major decision making... His mother once stated.

Alan did not push. He totally agreed with his dearest mother.

I spent 5 years navigating my way to become the Luna. I endured all the hate from the pack and the girls my mate once dated.

Alan did not see my suffering. The Crawleys did not see that. They were blind to my sacrifice and suffering in their home.

It was a little over five years now. Things between Alan and I were still not too perfect. Years could not do the trick.

But I still couldn't believe the man was mine. All mine!

We were busy with our duties and little time to spend together. During this time all we do was to fuck….

Alan was the alpha now. He was managing both the pack and businesses owned by the pack.

While I was busy learninghow to become the perfect Luna for the pack. I was still the Luna in training as Alice Crawley was the acting Luna.

Nevertheless, I still stood by Alan's side giving him all the support he needed to lead the pack.

Although he was mine, my obsession with him never stopped. I steal glances at him whenever he was in my line of sight. Longing for him. The only difference was now he returned to those stares with some intensity.

“ WRONG! WRONG!” I flinched at the tone of the voice. “ The knife is supposed to be on the right. You should know this, Claire.” Luna Alice scolded, glaring at me as if I have killed her favorite cat.

Though my relationship with Alan has changed a little, over the years, Luna Alice hasn't.

She still treated me like I was the dumb eighteen years old, Claire, Who knew a little about the world.

My Luna lessons consisted of memorizing the names of alphas and their lunas. And faces of all the high-ranking officials in the werewolf community.

The chief lesson of all was party planning and I was failing in the nonsense degree. That was my weakness.

Honestly, I was good with brain work and I was not much into parties. Luna Alice took every opportunity she got to rub my weakness in my face.

“Sorry, Luna. I will try again if you would let me.” I murmured catching her glare.

“Try again. This is your last chance. I am tired of teaching you the steps over and over again. If you fail this time, I am done with you.” she shrieked.

I nodded silently...

“Luna,” Dean, Alan’s Gamma came into the kitchen and bowed. “ Olivia is here. She is asking for you.”

Luna Alice squealed. “Wow, that is fantastic.”

She chuckled and that was the first genuine smile I have seen on her face since I came to live in the pack house.

“ Don't you dare think of leaving, Claire. Finish with the setup. Try until you get it right. “ she glance at me and I nodded.

“Will surely do, Luna.” I smiled at her as she turned and left.

“ Can I help? “ Dean asked rubbing his neck sheepishly. He looked slightly worried and the sadness in his eyes seemed to be directed towards me…

Was it because I couldn’t get the setup? Or was it something else???

I did not dwell on my thoughts for long. Smiling, I muttered.

“ Only if you know a thing or two about setup,”

“ Sure. I have a few tricks on the tip of my fingers. If you would like to see.” He said, taking the tray of silverware from the table.

“Thanks,” I muttered and changed the position of the knife from the left of the plate to the right.

“These things can be torture. Isn’t it?”

“Tell me about it, Dean.” I groaned. “ I can brainstorm every single thing about the pack history than to do this.”

“ I couldn’t agree more, genius.” Dean teased.

I giggled.

“ Do you know why Olivia is here to see the Luna?” I asked Dean curious.

Olivia was Alan’s distant cousin. Alan said she is the daughter of the Alpha of the Blue Moon pack. Their pack was far north and miles away from our pack.

And I believe that was why I never heard about her until Alan brought her to our pack for a visit six months ago.

“I don’t know, Claire. I never asked. All I did was to follow her request to see the Luna.”

I nodded. I was more curious than ever. As my mind threw me away from reality. Dread and a strange feeling I couldn’t put my hands on, settled in the pit of my stomach.

“Claire, I believe you have already met Olivia.” Luna Alice stood in the hallway. Her eyes clouded with admiration.

A moment after her statement, Olivia strolled in with elegance and aura as if she owned the place.

She looked perfect. More beautiful than the day we met. I became a little jealous of her looks and perfection.

“Dean…” she slurred and smiled at the pack's gamma before she looked down at the setup.

Her lips pulled back and her teeth glazed softly on her lips. While my hair was brown and dull, hers was naturally red. Brushed perfectly behind her back.

She looked like royalty. Tall and confident in her black bodycon dress. That revealed her cleavage and pale thighs. Her red stilettos showed off her long legs.

“Nice to see you again, Claire. It’s been long. I hope you’re in good health.” She smiled at me. But I couldn’t shake off the strange dark vibes, I was getting from her.

“Good to see you too, Olivia. I am well. Alan treats me like a queen.” I forced a smile through the cold feeling emitting from her pores.

“Great!”

“What brings you here? You are far away from home, Olivia” My lips formed a thin line.” Or perhaps you are here to witness my Luna ceremony,” I asked.

Olivia's smile flattered for a split second and the bright smile she had on her face when she walked in was replaced with a tight lip one as her eyes rakes over my body.

“Claire!” Luna Alice exclaimed and wrapped one arm around Olivia.” Olivia doesn't need a reason to visit Alan and me. She is always welcome here and your Luna ceremony won't happen until you learn how to set a damn table.” she roared.

Olivia's smile returned at her words. I swallowed down. I felt a little embarrassed. Luna Alice didn't hesitate to come to her rescue. She never did that for me. Not even when my potential and capabilities of being a Luna were called to question.

I pulled some of my unruly brown hair behind my ear. Fighting to keep my emotions down and not allowing it to show on my face.

I felt so small compared to Olivia. I felt insignificant and that was the worst emotion there is.

Self-doubt and low self-esteem were not something I would wish for my worst enemy. It breaks the spirit and soul.

“No need to go all tigress on me, Luna. It was an innocent question. I was curious to know why she is visiting since is so unusual of her.” I chuckled.

“Come with me Livi. Alan would be happy to see you. He has been talking all about you for weeks.” Luna Alice started dragging Olivia with her.

I didn't want to make any other meaning to her words. Alan and Olivia are cousins. I kept repeating this to myself to stop my mind from looking more into it. And making different interpretations.

“And oh... Claire, your dessert spoon and fork are mixed up.” Olivia giggled. “ It was nice seeing you,” she screamed before exiting the door.

I tore my eyes from the door to the setting. I groaned and fell back in my chair.