Lucille's mind drifted back to the day everything changed, the day she found out she was fated to Edward.
She had gone to help her mother at their usual spot by the roadside, just like every other day. The sun was hot, the street was busy, and life was normal.
Then, out of nowhere, a sleek, luxurious car sped past, sending a gust of wind that made her flinch. Her heart skipped. Something felt strange.
The car slowed a little further down the road, then began to reverse, heading back toward her.
And that's when it happened. A sudden, sharp pull inside her chest. Her heart raced. A deep feeling she couldn't explain rose within her.
Then she heard her wolf's voice whispering loud and clear inside her mind.
"Mine."
The word jolted her. Her breath caught in her throat.
She stepped out from behind the kiosk and stood a short distance away, her eyes fixed on the approaching car.
Every day, rich cars passed that road. She never cared who was inside them. But this one… this one was different.
Anxiety twisted in her stomach as the car came to a stop right in front of her. Her hands trembled slightly. The window on the passenger's side rolled down.
And then she saw him.
A handsome man, maybe a little older, with eyes that seemed to see right through her.
Her heart pounded. A wave of excitement rushed through her, so strong it made her lips curve into a wide, involuntary smile.
He smiled back, his gaze locked with hers. Something deep passed between them, unspoken, but powerful.
They both knew, they were fated.
"I'm Edward Jones," he said, smiling.
"Son of Williams Jones, the current High Councilor," he added with pride in his voice.
Lucille's voice was soft, almost breathless as she replied, "Lucille Clinton."
Edward waited for Lucille to say more after her introduction, but she remained silent, her brilliant smile the only thing that came from her.
"Family?" he asked, his voice soft but probing.
Lucille's breath caught in her throat. Family? How could she compare? His family was everything, Williams Jones, a billionaire businessman, owner of vast empires, and a powerful political figure in the werewolf world.
And who was she? Just the daughter of nobodies. No wealth. No influence.
But despite the overwhelming difference, she forced herself to speak.
"Phillip Clinton is my father, though he's passed," she said quietly. "Veronica Clinton is my mother, still very much alive."
Edward's expression shifted immediately. His eyes darkened as he turned his gaze toward the driver, a man who seemed around his age, with the same confident demeanor.
"Phillip Clinton?" Edward murmured, his eyes narrowing.
He turned back to the driver. "Are you familiar with that name?"
The driver shook his head and muttered a soft, "No."
Edward's gaze returned to Lucille, then, without a word, he unlocked the car and stepped out, giving her a full view of him.
He was tall, well-built, and undeniably handsome.
But as his eyes scanned her, Lucille noticed the subtle dissatisfaction on his face.
"We're fated," he said, his voice steady but soft. "You know that, right?"
He extended his hand toward her. She took it quickly, feeling a spark of warmth as their hands met.
"I'm so pleased to finally meet you, Lucille. You're beautiful," he said with a smile that made her blush deeply.
"Thank you," she whispered, her cheeks turning even redder. She lowered her eyes, unable to meet his gaze.
After a few moments, when Edward hadn't let go of her hand, Lucille slowly lifted her eyes to meet his gaze. Something in her stirred as her eyes locked onto his, and then, it happened.
She saw it. His wolf.
Her eyes widened, and a rush of excitement filled her chest. "It's beautiful… and strong!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with awe.
Edward smiled, his eyes softening. "Yours, too. I love those silvery furs," he replied, returning the compliment.
It was another sign they were fated. Being able to see each other's wolves through their eyes—it was a rare and powerful bond.
Edward's expression grew serious again, and he asked, "What are you doing here?"
"Selling for my mother," Lucille answered without hesitation, her finger pointing to the small kiosk beside the road where a few cheap goods were displayed.
Edward's gaze lingered on the kiosk, his eyes thoughtful. He nodded after a moment. "Good," he said simply.
"I'll find you," he added, stepping closer to her.
Before she could react, he leaned down and kissed her quickly on the forehead, the gesture so gentle yet it made her entire face burn.
Then, he let go of her hand, giving her one last nod before stepping back into the car. The engine roared to life, and the car sped off down the road.
Lucille stood there, staring at the spot where the car had disappeared, feeling an overwhelming emptiness wash over her. She touched her forehead where he had kissed her, a smile spreading across her face as she returned to the kiosk.
But Edward never came back to look for her, just as he had promised. And she couldn't go to him, not because she didn't want to, but because their worlds were too different, their classes too far apart.
A year later, Lucille received a letter from Ebonvale University offering her a full scholarship, a reward for her outstanding performance in the Ascension Unified Examination. It was a dream come true for her.
On her first day at the university, everything felt new and exciting. But as she walked through the hallway, she suddenly saw Edward. He was walking down the same path, and her wolf immediately sensed his presence.
Edward, too, felt the pull of the mate bond. He stopped and turned around, his eyes locking onto hers.
"You?" he said coldly, his tone surprised yet distant.
Lucille froze, unsure of what to say. She wasn't expecting such a reaction, especially not after a year of silence.
"What are you doing here?" he asked, his voice sharp with hostility.
She took a deep breath, finding her voice again. "I school here," she answered calmly.
Edward scoffed, his disbelief clear. "School here? How?"
Ebonvale University was a place for the elites, and Lucille hadn't even come from a middle-class family.
"Scholarship," she said simply. "They offered me a full scholarship because of my performance in the Ascension Unified Examination. They said it was outstanding."
Edward's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "It's you?" he muttered, his voice softer now. He had heard about someone who had aced the exam and earned a full scholarship to the university, but he never imagined it would be his fated mate.
Without sparing her another glance, Edward turned and began to walk away. Lucille's heart tightened, and she called out in a soft voice, "You promised to find me."
But before she could say more, he shot her a fierce glare. He closed the distance between them in an instant, his eyes burning with anger. His body radiated fury, and his expression was as cold as ice. "Never come anywhere near me!" he growled.
Lucille blinked, stunned by his words. Confusion swept over her, and she asked softly, "Aren't we mates?"
The question seemed to enrage him even more. "No one else should hear that," he snapped, his voice hard. Then, without another word, he stormed off, leaving Lucille standing there, her heart pounding in her chest.
She stood frozen, her mind spinning. She couldn't understand what had just happened. Wasn't he the one who had smiled at her, who had promised to find her? Why was he acting this way now?
Later that same day, as she entered her class, she saw him again—sitting in the same room. She realized they were in the same class, but Edward didn't even spare her a glance. He approached her again, this time even more forceful.
"No one should ever know we're fated," he warned in a low, menacing tone. "If anyone does, you will regret it."
From that moment on, Lucille's life at the university became a living nightmare. His coldness, his warnings, and his rejection all weighed heavily on her every day.
With a sigh, Lucille shook herself out of the painful memory. She closed her eyes tightly, hoping sleep would bring some relief. But in her dreams, she was tormented by countless brutal punishments, each one more terrifying than the last.