A Hybrid Mate for the Ruthless Alpha

Selene's POV

“Look everyone, the birthday girl’s finally here, still wolfless and still a freak.”

Amelia’s voice rang out across the hallway like nails on a chalkboard, loud enough to turn heads. Her lips curled into that fake smile she wore so well, the kind that said she enjoyed tormenting me and watching me squirm.

I froze at the spot where I was in front of my locker, clutching my books tight to my chest as students snickered all around me in the hallway. I stared at the words painted in thick red letters across my locker,

“OMEGA BIRTHDAY FREAK.”

I bit the inside of my cheek to prevent me from showing any emotions. If I cried now, they would definitely win. I won't give Amelia the satisfaction.

“What? No happy birthday hug?” Amelia teased, stepping closer. Her long blond curls bounced as she laughed with her minions, Janice and Talia, flanking her on both sides like loyal lap dogs.

“Back off, Amelia,” I said quietly without even turning to look at them, trying to open my locker with shaky fingers.

She grabbed the locker door and slammed it shut as soon as I got it open which startled me and made me drop my books on the floor. I immediately went to the ground to gather my papers that were now scattered all over. Amelia put her foot down on them, making me look up at her from the floor I was kneeling.

“Aww, poor little Selene. Eighteen today and still no wolf. Maybe the Moon Goddess skipped you by accident… or maybe you're just broken.”

The laughter from the other kids in the hallway grew louder as they watched in amusement.

Before I could think of something to say that didn’t sound weak or pathetic, a sharp voice broke through the crowd.

“Enough, Amelia.”

Everyone turned to see who it was, even me.

Damien.

He strode down the hallway as if he owned it. He was the Alpha of our pack, my mate, and probably the only reason I hadn’t lost my mind yet.

Amelia immediately straightened her posture and flipped her hair. “Oh Alpha Damien, we were just having a little fun.”

Damien didn’t even spare a glance at her. His eyes were fixed on me. “Are you okay?”

I nodded quickly as if I was fine, even though I wasn’t even close.

He squatted down to level up with me and gently brushed something off my cheek. I stiffened at his touch as it sent shivers down my body, the usual way a mate's touch should feel.

“I was looking for you,” he said softly. “I wanted to see you and wish you a happy birthday before tonight. Everything is going to be perfect. I invited everyone.”

I forced a smile. “The whole school?”

“The whole pack actually,” he said, his thumb grazing my jaw. “But none of them matter. Just you.”

He leaned in and kissed my forehead before walking away, leaving Amelia and her friends seething with folded arms behind me.

My mood was immediately better and I quickly gathered my books and went to class, brushing by Amelia like she wasn't even there. Tonight really was going to be perfect, my mate has already said so, and I believe that.

Truth is, I didn’t wake up feeling like it was my birthday.

I woke up feeling the same way I have felt since my peers started getting their wolves and I was left behind. At eighteen, I should’ve shifted by now. I should’ve connected with my wolf by now, should’ve felt her stir in my bones, clawing to be free. But there was nothing. Just silence. It was the same thing every day.

And every year, I told myself maybe this birthday would be different. That maybe today, I’d feel her. But nothing ever changed.

Damien was the only reason that kept my hopes alive. He was more than sweet to me. When he called me “his”, I forgot about the whispers, the laughter, and the fact that I was an omega didn't matter anymore.

Now, standing outside the Alpha mansion that night, my stomach twisted with nerves of happiness that Damien threw this huge party just for me. Music and laughter floated through the air, lights sparkled across the lawn, and the scent of grilled meat and citrus drinks lingered. It was beautiful.

I stepped out of the car and smoothed down my maroon gown. My heart was racing as I thought to myself that this was my moment, that my beloved Damien was throwing this for me.

Heads turned as I walked in. At first, I thought they were staring because I looked good and I was the celebrant of the day and I strode to the temporal bar to get myself some punch as my heels clicked confidently against the marble floor.

But then I realized most people were whispering, giggling and smirking while looking at me.

I kept my nose raised and continued on my way to the bar, at least it was at a corner and I refused to reduce my confidence.

“Selene!” a voice rang out and I turned around.

It was Janice, dressed in a tight silver dress that showed all her curves. What a sl*t, I thought and rolled my eyes. She walked up to me with a huge smile.

Red flag.

“Damien’s got a surprise for you,” she said sweetly. “Come on, we’ll show you,” chipped in Talia quickly, as she was right behind Janice in a similar black dress.

I hesitated and my gut screamed at me not to follow them. But the mention of Damien and a surprise? My feet moved before my brain caught up.

They led me through a hallway with barely any guests in it and whispered something to the guard at the entrance to the hallway and he nodded before we continued to a door. “He’s been planning it for days,” Talia added. “He wanted it to be just you and him.”

My heart thudded faster.

We stopped and she opened the door to a dark room. “Go on in,” Janice said, giving my back a little shove. “He’s waiting.”

As soon as I stepped inside, the door slammed behind me and I was in total darkness.

Before I could turn around, something cold and smelly splashed across my shoulders and face. The lights came on and cake was immediately smushed into my hair and on my dress. I looked around the room and recognized the heartless lot from school as laughter erupted on the other side of the door.

I screamed and yanked on the handle but it was locked.

“Happy birthday, loser!” someone yelled.

“Try shifting now, freak!” another voice shouted, followed by more laughter.

I pounded on the door as tears streamed down my cheeks. My perfect dress was ruined and my curls were soaked and sticky. My hands trembled as I screamed, “Let me out!”