AMANDA’S POV
I woke up quite early, my heart filled with anticipation. Tomorrow was my birthday, and also the day I was supposed to find my mate.
It's my eighteenth birthday, and as a she-wolf, that was the day I was supposed to find my mate. But I already anticipated who my mate would be.
Donovan Reed.
Donovan was the Alpha’s son and the future leader of Silver Moon Pack. He had been my best friend since we were kids. And he was the only boy who had ever made my heart beat way too fast even when he was just breathing next to me.
So yeah… I prayed to the Moon Goddess to confirm my expectations tomorrow.
While I showered in the bathroom, I hummed like some Disney character. I came out of the bathroom, got dressed and practically floated down the stairs.
The smell of bacon was the first smell I heard as I descended down the stairs.
Mom already had breakfast ready. “Morning, sweetheart,” she said, a wide smile on her face. She was also eagerly expecting me to find my mate tomorrow.
“Good morning Mom,” I responded and took a seat at the dining table.
Max, my little brother who usually lived to annoy me, didn't look like his mischievous self today as he lifted his eyes to mine and said, “Happy early birthday, Mandy.”
I stared at him in disbelief. “Max, what changed?”
He shrugged. “Tomorrow’s important for you. I'm just trying to be nice.”
Mom chuckled softly. “We're all happy for you, Amanda. I honestly pray the Moon Goddess blesses this family by giving you a good mate. Preferably Donovan.”
Just that statement alone left me blushing. Mia, my fifteen-year-old sister noticed how my cheeks turned pink and rolled her eyes and scoffed. “Can we please stop talking about the mate ceremony? Amanda already has Donovan. Everyone knows that.”
Mom frowned. “Mia, don’t be mean. It's your sister’s eighteenth birthday tomorrow. The least you can do is wish her well.”
I leaned over and ruffled her hair. “Don’t be salty.”
“Please,” she muttered. “I don't know what you see in that Donovan. I just hate how everyone treats him like he poops gold.”
I grinned. “You like him, Mia. Admit it.”
She scoffed. “Never.”
We all laughed, until Mom shushed us and reminded us about table manners. Of course, we obeyed.
Breakfast ended quickly, and soon I was out the door, heart racing. Donovan promised to meet me at the willow tree before school. He said he wanted to spend the whole day with me, just the two of us, before my birthday.
But when I got to the willow tree…he wasn't there.
I waited from 7:10 a.m to 7:35 but he didn't show up.
So I decided to send him a text. “Hey, Donny, where are you?”
A few minutes passed with no reply.
Then I called him but it went straight to voicemail.
My excitement twisted into worry. Donovan wasn’t the type to leave me waiting. He never missed my calls. He always answered me on the first ring even when he was in the middle of Alpha training, just because I’d had a bad dream.
He wouldn’t do this to me. Especially now, on the eve of the most important day of my life…
I called a dozen more times, each ring echoing emptily before cutting to voicemail. Torn between waiting and going to his house, I finally called his best friend—and future Beta—Deven.
After my fifth relentless call, Deven finally picked up. “Amanda. Stop calling.”
“Deven, where is he? Is he okay?”
“He’s… fine. Look, he’s not coming. Just don’t wait for him, alright?” There was a strained edge to his voice, a hesitation I was too panicked to dissect at that moment.
My heart hammered against my ribs as I jumped on the bus, desperate to get to school and find my boy. Something must be wrong, and he’s shutting me out to protect me?
But the situation at school was even worse.
People stared at me with unfamiliar glances. Whispers trailed me like shadows. Some even snickered as I passed. I tried to ignore it all, clutching the straps of my backpack.
By break time, my anxiety had spiked. Donovan was still nowhere to be seen.
I was heading toward the cafeteria when I overheard a group of girls huddled by the lockers.
“Did you see Donovan and Gloria together this morning?” one girl asked, her voice buzzing with excitement.
“Oh my goddess, they look so perfect together!” another gushed. “Gloria told half the cheer squad.”
“Wow! I'm so jealous of Gloria. It's Donovan,” a third sighed. “How many girls dream of getting close to him?”