I let out a nervous laugh. "N-No, I'm actually—"
"Oh, you're a rogue, aren't you?" Another girl asked suddenly.
I gave her a small smile and nodded. "Yes,"
"What's your name?"
"Ivy," I said, smiling wide.
It was one of the guys who spoke up next. He was tall and well built. "Is it true that you grew up in the forest since you were born?" He frowned as he asked like he couldn't believe it.
"Uhh…yes. I grew up in the forest," I nodded at him. I was glad that they were interested in me enough to ask questions about myself. Maybe if they got to know me more, they would be my friends.
"How did you manage to do that?" One of the girls asked. "Like was it hard?"
I was about to reply when another person spoke up.
"Yeah, right. Was there any bathroom? Where did you bathe and do other stuff?" She asked.
"Angel, don't be silly! How's there going to be a bathroom in the forest? They must've done it out in the open. It's common for rogues. Isn't it, Ivy?" The girl asked, earning a few snickers from her friends.
I swallowed thickly. Are they making fun of me?
"We had a bathroom. We're not that uncivilized…" I gripped the wine glass tight.
"But how did you get the supplies to keep clean? How many pairs of clothes did you have? Did you change them whenever you take a bath or did you wait till your old clothes to rip before getting another pair?"
"Do you have a phone? How did you spend your time there? Do you know what Facebook is?" One of the guys asked, leaning forward to look at me curiously.
I tilted my head in confusion. "We didn't have many books to read there…but I did read some romance novels. My favourite is 'pride and prejudice'." I replied with a smile.
They all went silent for a moment and then looked at each other before bursting into loud laughter. I stood there not knowing what they were all laughing at. My cheeks turned red when a lot of heads turned towards us.
Did I say something funny?
"She doesn't even know what Facebook is!" One of the girls said as they continued to laugh.
I took a step back when I realized they were laughing at me. I looked down in embarrassment.
"I bet she doesn't know what a smartphone is either. It'll be funny to watch her trying to figure it out." Another one said.
I frowned. So much for trying to make friends. Now they're all just laughing at me.
Usually, I would have spoken up if anyone tried to disrespect me. I've done that with Alpha Cassian too but this time I couldn't say anything. Maybe it's because they're all my age. I felt so small in front of them. They all look cool and perfect. I don't fit in with them at all. It made me self-conscious.
I—
My thoughts stopped and my mind went blank when a scent suddenly hit me at full force. I gasped as a shiver ran through my body. My knees trembled and I felt my wolf presence inside me. My wolf was happy–howling and jumping inside me.
Oh goddess, is today…is today my birthday?
The scent hit me once again. My mind went into a frenzy. I took in a lungful of air and I could feel my wolf taking over me as my eyes scanned everyone around, trying to find the source of the addictive scent taking over every fiber of my being.
I could hear the faint sound of people around me whispering and saying things but I didn't pay them a single second of attention because my top priority was to find what my wolf craved.
I looked around me frantically to find the source of the scent. The addictive scent of wild herbs with a tinge of honey.
I froze when my eyes caught his. Wide hazel eyes stared back at me.
I didn't know when I lost my grip but I heard the faint sound of my wine glass hitting the ground and shattering into pieces.
Mate!
I stopped breathing when the word 'mate' kept repeating in my mind again and again. The familiar sharp hazel eyes and stoic face were now laced with an emotion I couldn't quite pinpoint as he stared at me.
My knees trembled under his intense stare.
There's no way…
There's no way Alpha Cassian is my mate.
Mate!
Mate!
Mate!
My mind kept repeating. I took in another deep breath, compensating for the time I forgot to breathe. His scent filled my lungs, making a shiver run through my body. Everything in me was screaming at me to go to him, hold him close, and take in his wonderful scent until I'm covered in it from head to toe.
Before I could stop myself, my feet moved forward. I was so entranced by him that I didn't even realize I was standing just in front of him in seconds.
My hand reached forward instinctively. I wanted to touch him. I wanted to feel his warmth.
"Mate…" I whispered just as I was about to touch his face. Something flickered in my mate's eyes and the next thing I knew was that he was stepping away from me.
I stilled, confusion taking over me. My eyebrows knitted as I looked at him.
"Fuck!" I heard him curse before he started to walk away.
My heart started to beat faster and it felt like I couldn't breathe.
Follow mate!
Follow mate!
My mind repeated until my feet moved. Everything in me wanted to be closer to him and so that's what I did. I followed him.
We didn't make it far before he turned around, grabbed my shoulder and pinned me against the wall furiously. I let out a yelp. It didn't hurt but I was surprised.
His grip on my shoulder sent shivers down my body. I wanted his touch everywhere. I wanted his scent and warmth. I wanted to be in his arms so much that I felt desperate. He was like a magnet, pulling me closer and closer. His grip tightened on me and I looked up at his eyes to meet his stare.
My heart stopped for a moment when I saw his expression.
"Stay away from me! Do you hear me? A rogue is never going to be my mate!" He seethed, making my eyes widen. I could feel my wolf whimper and whine as his pheromones turned sour and overpowered me, forcing me into submission.
I gasped and looked at him with the last bit of strength I had. My eyes glazed with tears and my lips trembled as I looked at his face for an answer but I could only find pure hatred.
"W-Why?"