Luna's POV

I don't understand what they mean by mate.

Or is it another vocabulary word I don't yet know the meaning of?

Because the word doesn't make sense, not in the way they say it. It isn't casual; it holds something heavier, something that makes my stomach unsettled.

I ask them what they mean, but they refuse to answer. Instead, they turn their backs on me and leave, leaving me standing there, drowning in my confusion.

I try to process everything, but nothing adds up. Why are they calling me mate? What do they see that I don't?

My hands tremble as I stare down at my fingers.

That's when I notice it.

My nails!

My nails are different!

They're longer than before.

A chill runs down my spine as I try to process what exactly is happening.

My breath hitches. I spread my fingers apart, flipping my hands over, trying to make sense of it. This isn't normal. This isn't normal.

Then suddenly, I hear footsteps—sharp at first, but then they become slow. My body stiffens as I stand to my feet, my eyes scanning the forest, hoping to catch a glimpse of whatever it is, but all I see is darkness.

I spin around and start running, my heart racing, scanning my surroundings with every step I take.

The feeling of someone chasing me sends a wave of shivers through my body.

By the time I reach the hostel, my chest is heaving.

Cassie stands at the entrance, arms crossed, her brows pulled together in concern. The moment she sees me, she steps forward.

"Luna! What the hell happened back there? Why did you run?" she yells.

I don't answer her question. I only gasp for air, my throat feels dry and my mind is too clouded with everything else, with the pieces of a puzzle that refuse to fit together.

Instead, I ask the only thing I can.

"What does mate mean?" Those are the only words I can form out of my lips.

Cassie's eyes widen slightly before she lets out a small sigh. "Don't tell me you don't know?" She raises an eyebrow, and I manage to nod.

"It's complicated," she says, rubbing her arm. "But I'll explain." She swallows hard.

She takes her time, choosing her words carefully as she tells me about mating. How it isn't just about love—it's instinct, connection, something deeper than human bonds. She speaks about rejection, how one mate can refuse the other if they don't want them.

I stare at her, the words not sinking in.

None of it feels real.

"I don't believe in that," I mutter, shaking my head. "This isn't—"

I don't bother to finish my statement. I turn on my heels and stride off to my room.

My hands work on their own, pulling out my bag, and shoving my clothes inside without care. I don't even think about where I'm going—I just know I have to leave.

I don't belong among them.

I swing my door open and step outside.

I glance around before embracing the air. I turn to a corner when a figure blocks my path.

I stare hard before realizing it's the coach.

He stands directly in my path, his expression unreadable.

"Where do you think you're going?" His voice is calm, but there's a weight to it.

I tighten my grip on my bag. "I need to leave," I say, my voice strained.

He studies me for a moment before exhaling. "You don't want to do that." He raises an eyebrow.

"I don't belong here." I shoot back, not looking at his face.

"Maybe. But if you step beyond those gates, you won't make it far." His eyes don't change.

My breath catches in my throat.

"Rogues," he continues. "They're watching. Patiently waiting for anyone to pass by so they can have a fun time. I bet you won't make it till morning." He smirks, his gaze raking from my head to my toe.

Rogues?

A cold feeling creeps up my spine.

I want to argue. I want to tell him I don't care.

But the way he looks at me, so certain, makes my stomach churn in a hard way.

Without another word, he turns and walks away, leaving me frozen in place.

And then, before I can even process his warning, I hear footsteps again.

Dominic. Alex. Liam.

The three stars, or should I call them my mates?

They stride toward me as if they've been waiting for me to be here.

Dominic reaches me first, his jaw tight. Alex stands beside him, his expression unreadable.

"Why are you acting like you're so different?" Dominic asks, his voice edged with frustration.

"I don't have time for this," Alex mutters.

With that, the two walk away while I stare after them.

Liam stays behind, his gaze raking me from head to toe. My body tenses under his intense look.

I let out a slow breath, thinking Liam would just follow them and leave me to my thoughts.

But he doesn't. Instead, he steps closer.

Something in his gaze makes me tense, my body stiffening as he reaches out, his fingers brushing my jaw.

"You look pretty." He brushes a strand of my hair and leans in closer, his hot breath filling my face. The bag I'm holding slips from my grip, falling to the ground.

His hand wraps around my neck. I want to scream, to tell him to let go, but something in me, something I can't quite figure out—keeps wanting him.

"It's not a bad idea to kiss my mate." His voice is lower than before, almost amused.

Before I can react, his lips brush against mine—soft at first, but then his tongue goes deeper, and I feel my whole body shift.

"Liam..." I mumble into his mouth, my hands gripping the edges of his clothes.

He lets go of my lips and stares at me with nothing but craving.

"Stay still."

That is all he says before our lips crash again.