Chapter 4 Mate

The day has finally arrived. It’s my birthday, but it doesn’t feel like the greatest day of my life. If anything, I wish it hadn’t come at all because now I have to put on a happy face, even though inside, I’m anything but joyful. I haven’t told anyone except Tasha about the breakup with Zoran. I really can’t handle the questions and the concerned looks, especially on my birthday.

My mom is practically buzzing with excitement, planning every little detail, while my dad seems eager to get through the day, wanting to make it special for me. Being their only child, they’re both so invested in this day, celebrating the idea that their little girl is no longer a child but a young lady on the brink of finding her mate.

Honestly, I’m not even excited about the whole mate thing anymore. The thought of it feels foreign to me now. My heart is so broken that I can’t imagine loving anyone, even if I were mated to them. Zoran has left such a mark on me that I don’t think I can ever fall in love again.

As I finished getting ready for my party, I slipped into a beautiful dress that I hadn’t even planned on wearing today. It’s stunning, but it feels more like a costume than something I want to wear. Now that I’m feeling so indifferent about everything, I really don’t care what I put on; it’s all just a facade to me.

"Nyla, it’s time," I heard my mom call from the hallway, her voice breaking through my thoughts.

I turned to Tasha, my heart heavy, and asked, "Please tell me I don’t look miserable."

She flashed a soft smile and said, "You look great; you just need to smile, that’s all."

"How can I smile when my heart is broken?" I replied, feeling the weight of my sadness.

She sighed, standing up from the bed, and wrapped her arms around me in a tight hug. "You really need to stop being so sad; it’s your birthday, your special day." She pulled back, cupping my face with her hands, her gaze steady and reassuring. "You’re going to meet your mate today; you should be excited."

"How can I be excited when I know that even if I meet my mate, I can’t love him?" I said, frustration creeping into my voice.

"Sure you can," she insisted, her tone firm but gentle.

"I still love Zoran," I said, the words escaping me like a confession. As bad as it seems, I really do want things to be better between us, but deep down, I know it can never be the same, especially since he doesn’t love me anymore.

"You need to get over him, Nyla," she said, her voice laced with concern.

I exhaled heavily, feeling the burden of my emotions. "I will," I promised, though doubt lingered in my mind.

Tasha and I headed downstairs, where the party was already buzzing with energy. The living room was adorned with colorful balloons and streamers, and laughter filled the air. Guests had arrived, and the first few people approached me, their faces bright with smiles as they wished me a happy birthday. I thanked them, trying to muster some enthusiasm. Just then, my mom walked up to me, her face beaming with pride. "Happy birthday, honey."

"Thanks, Mom," I smiled

She gently cupped my face, her eyes searching mine as she asked, "You look dull, everything okay?" Her expression suddenly shifted to one of concern, and I could see the worry etched on her features.

I nodded, trying to reassure her, "Yes, everything is alright." I offered a small smile, hoping to ease her worries.

"Okay, come with me; Alpha Willam and Luna Catherine want to meet you," she said, her tone brightening a bit. I excused myself from Tasha, who had become engrossed in conversation with a group of friends and followed her.

Mom led me through the bustling crowd until we reached the Alpha and Luna, who were known for their kindness and warmth. "Nyla, happy birthday," Catherine exclaimed as she wrapped her arms around me in a tight embrace. I felt a wave of comfort wash over me; Luna Catherine and my mom are childhood friends that’s why I got lucky enough to have both Luna and Alpha at my birthday party.

Pulling back from the hug, I managed to say, "Thank you,"

Alpha Willam smiled warmly as he wished me well and handed me my gift, a beautifully wrapped box. Without hesitation, I passed it to Mom to keep for me, not wanting to lose it in the excitement of the party. "So, are you excited to meet your mate?" Catherine asked, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.

I nodded, "Yes, I am."

"Any senses it?" she inquired, her tone shifting to a more serious note.

I lowered my voice, feeling a hint of disappointment as I replied, "No, I don’t sense my mate here."

"Don’t worry, you’ll soon find your mate. Axel is still in search of his. He’s way older but no mate, although he did sense that she’s in this town."

"Okay," I said nodding

"I told him to come to the party by the way so he should be here any minute," she said, glancing at her watch. Just then, the door swung open with a creak, and a gust of cool air swept through the room as a tall man stepped inside. The moment he entered, I could sense the collective attention of everyone in the room shifting toward him, their eyes tracking his every move as he walked directly toward me. As I focused on him, I realized he was the same guy I had seen yesterday.

He approached confidently, casting a quick glance my way that sent a flutter through my stomach before he wrapped his arms around Alpha Willam and then Luna Catherine. Their warm greetings filled the air, and from their conversation, I pieced together that he was Alpha Axel. It was surprising how much he had transformed; I barely recognized him at all.

As he continued to engage with them, he suddenly turned his attention to me. His mom smiled and introduced me, saying, "This is Nyla; you remember Nyla, don’t you?"

At that moment, he gazed deeply into my eyes, and an electric sensation coursed through me, something I had never felt before. "Yes, I do; we met last night," he replied, his voice smooth

"Oh really?" Catherine interjected, her curiosity piqued, and he nodded, still holding my gaze, a smile brightening his face. Just then, Tasha burst onto the scene, her excitement palpable as she exclaimed, "Alpha Axel, it’s great to see you here."

He didn’t reply; instead, he held his gaze on me, and I found myself unable to look away, completely captivated. A smirk spread across his face as he confidently announced, "Mom, I found my mate." The weight of his words hit me like a wave, and with a sudden rush of emotion, he continued, "Nyla is my mate."

As he made that declaration, my heart dropped into my stomach. The realization washed over me, and everything clicked—I finally understood the undeniable connection I had been feeling toward him all along. The atmosphere shifted dramatically as the crowd gasped in unison. I caught a glimpse of Tasha’s face, her expression frozen in disbelief, making it painfully clear that I had just stolen her dream man right before her eyes.