The UnMated

I slammed the door behind me, pressing my back against it as I fought to catch my breath. My wolf stirred, pacing restlessly in the depths of my mind. She wanted him—craved him—but I refused to let her take control. You bad-bad wolf, you been dormant since and now you wanted to ruin my life?!?

The mate bond it is a TRAP. It wasn't about love or choice. It was about biology. Instinct. And I have other plans, I wanted to travel, meet people, slowly and meaningfully, step by step fall in love.

I shut my eyes tightly, waiting for the strange heat in my chest to die down. I had to get a grip, or someone —he— might notice. My fingers trembled as I touched my cheeks, and all I could think about was the flash of gold I'd caught in my reflection moments earlier.

My eyes.

My mother's voice echoed in my head, soft and haunting: "Your eyes are the windows to your heart, Marrae. If you want to protect your heart, you must never let anyone see them when they turn golden."

And so I'd run.

Not because of Wallace's presence. Not because of his ridiculous, stupidly good looks or the way my wolf growled "mate" the moment we locked eyes. I'd run because the golden glow had betrayed me, shining like a beacon. Showing the very thing that is in my heart.

In the garage, my dad's voice cut through my racing thoughts.

"What the hell was that about?" he demanded. "What did you do to my kid, Alpha?"

Wallace's reply was sharp and defensive. "I didn't do anything!"

"Are you sure, Alpha" my dad shot back. "You know you are not the first guy who looks at her like that" There was a heavy pause before my dad's tone turned steely." Dont dare to mess with my Kid, I won't tolerate it even if you are the future Alpha."

Wallace didn't respond right away, and the silence stretched, thick with tension. Finally, he muttered, "I don't know what you are talking about."

"My daughter is still young, she might not have shifted yet" my dad said, his voice low and dangerous. "But she got plans, Marrae isn't some girl waiting for a wolf in shining fur to sweep her off her feet. She's waiting for the right one---- unless you are her mate, Alpha."

"Relax," Wallace snapped. "I'm not interested in playing the mate game. It's not my thing."

"Dad!" I shouted from the inside

"Stop it, He is not my mate," I said loudly, even though my wolf practically howled in protest. "And, Dad, can you please stop assuming every guy who comes to the shop is? "

My father's voice sounded dismayed "Then why did you run off like that?"

I forced a sneeze,"A-choo, Allergies! The hay outside carried by wind. You know that!"

"And Mr., your car is fixed, you can pay and go."

For a moment there is silence then I heard Wallace "Good, thank you for the service."

I peek by the screen door as he turned back to my dad, handed over his payment, and without another word, walked out to his car.

I stayed rooted in place until the sound of his engine revving faded into the distance. Only then did I let out a shaky breath, relief washing over me.

The Goddess must have been in a generous mood today. Wallace didn't believe in the mate bond, and that made two of us. Maybe, just maybe, I could dodge this whole mess.

But just as I was starting to feel like I'd won, the urge to sneeze hit me out of nowhere. I barely had time to react before it erupted, loud and forceful, leaving me blinking in its aftermath.

And then I felt it. A strange, ticklish sensation on top of my head.

Frowning, I reached up—and froze.

"What the…?" My fingers brushed something soft. Furry.

I darted to the mirror by the wall, my heart pounding as I caught my reflection.

Wolf ears.

Two twitchy, unmistakably real wolf ears perched on top of my head.

I groaned in frustration, my cheeks heating.

"No, no, no. This isn't happening!"

"Marrae?" my dad called from the other room. A moment later, he burst in, his expression alarmed—until he saw me.

The alarm melted away, replaced by something I never expected: a huge grin.

"Oh, my Goddess," he said, trying to stifle a laugh but failing miserably. "You look adorable!"

"Adorable?!" I snapped, glaring at him as I pointed at the offending ears. "This isn't adorable! This is a nightmare! How am I supposed to face clients with this things over my head."

He approached, still chuckling as he inspected me. "You're not shifting correctly," he said, tilting his head. "It's like your wolf is trying to come out, but something's holding her back."

I groaned, rubbing my face in exasperation.

"Marrae," my dad said, his voice growing serious as he stepped closer, his sharp gaze zeroing in on me. "Your eyes... they've shifted colors. Did he see them? I mean, did the Alpha see those golden eyes of yours?"

Panic shot through me like a lightning bolt. I swiveled my head left to right, shaking it vehemently. "No, no! He didn't see them. I made sure of that."

My dad's brow furrowed as he studied me, his concern deepening. "Are you sure? Those eyes aren't exactly subtle, Marrae. If he caught even a glimpse—"

"I said no!" I snapped, more forcefully than I intended. My voice cracked, betraying the storm of emotions raging inside me. "I ran before he could see anything. He doesn't know."

Dad hesitated, his gaze softening as he reached out to touch my shoulder. "Good. You did the right thing," he said gently. "Someday, when you can fully shift and able to protect yourself fully as a wolf, you don't need to hide them... so you have to make sure that the one you'll find is someone who will protect you too at all cost."

I clenched my fists, and evade my fathers eyes. I can't let him know, we can't pack up again and begin somewhere else again…