Most werewolves wait till they are eighteen years old to find their mate but I found mine…or correctly, mine was found for me at the ripe age of four years and eight months of age.
I was five years old when I was introduced to Ryder Steele, the heir to the Ravenwood pack of the southern border of Lunaria county.
I had been woken up in the dead of the night by my mother, with my suitcase packed, and I was whisked away from my pack – Stormbreaker – to Ravenwood. The darkness outside and the hum of the car engine made the ride feel adventurous, like we were finally going on one of those adventures in my storybooks.
But It was no adventure.
Because when we arrived at Ravenwood pack, my mother sat me down in my yellow sundress with white flowers and sparkly shoes, clutching the hair clip that was meant to keep my curly silver-blonde hair in place and she said.
"Kaidaira, you're going to be living with the Steeles," she explained, her voice firm but her eyes held a mix of seriousness and anxiety.
"You are to do whatever it takes to make the young master, Ryder, like you. Do you understand?" She grabbed my hands and brought them to her face. "Whatever it takes Kaidaira. Nod if you understand"
I nodded, unsure what this meant.
Afterwards, she matched me towards the living room where I was introduced to Alpha Greg Steele and his Luna, Ainsley, two strangers who I have never met in my life.
They had big smiles on their faces as we approached. Once inside, Luna pressed a warm glass of milk into my hand and tried to distract me as My mother and Alpha Greg Steele spoke in the background.
"So, she's a kyrelos werewolf?" Alpha Greg asked, turning to examine me like a piece of furniture he was trying to acquire.
He was a brutish looking man, who bore a resemblance to a tower. His imposing physique commanded respect, while his ruthless reputation inspired fear…he terrified me.
I moved closer to Luna, anything to get away from Alpha Greg's gaze.
"She has the thick silver coat fur with dark pattern and piercing yellow eyes to prove it, Alpha Steele" Akira, my mother explained but when he was reluctant, she lost her temper. "- for fucks sake, Greg, she turned for the first time at three years old. Of course, she is the rare breed 'silver fur' wolf you want. Now, give me the money!"
An envelope was handed over to my mother and she came over to where I was to speak to me. I stood up thinking it was time to go home but then my suitcase was dragged inside alongside my favorite teddy bear - Mrs whistle.
Mama took Mrs Whistle and came closer to me.
"Can we go home now?" I asked her and took Mrs Whistle from her and brought it closer to my face.
Akira pulled me closer and she embraced me, tears streamed down her face, mingling with my own tears - I was five but I think I knew what that envelope full of cash meant.
"I won't insult you, sweet girl, by asking for your forgiveness" Her voice trembled, "My sweet Kaida" She kissed my forehead. "Remember what I said. If you want an easier life, you must do whatever it takes to get Ryder Steele to like you"
With a deep breath, she whispered, "Goodbye, Kaidaira" Her eyes pleaded for understanding…my understanding.
Our farewell was hurried, their arrangement and cruelty was evident. My fear was palpable as I was handed over to the Steeles.
"Take care of my baby," she begged Luna Ainsley, her voice barely audible. Akira didn't stick around for Ainsley's response as she slipped out the door with her envelope of cash.
Not one last glance at me - she was simply gone and I was simply sold by my own mother.
I knew it then and I know it now that I am cursed. I am a magnet for the unusual.
Under Ainsley's watchful gaze, I was introduced to Ryder Steele, A brown eyed six and half year old boy, who was bedridden half his life because of his dying wolf.
We made a pact as kids - I become his human blood bank to save his dying wolf and he will be my person - my family, my best friend and my mate.
That didn't happen. Because Ryder Steele just rejected me.
I waited for the pain that came with severing a bond as strong as ours and like promised, it came.
Twenty four years old and the pain almost drove me to madness.
"Aaaahhh!"
I tried to lie still but the first bout of pain ripped through me like firecrackers, consuming every single part of my body.
"Ahhhh!" I yelled on top of my voice.
And I tried to breathe through it.
I could hear Luna Ainsley telling people to take a step away from me. Then I heard his voice and I forgot about my pain for a moment.
"Kai…" I vaguely remember Ryder whispering my name.
There was tremor in his voice.
"Kaidaira…" He turned to his father, Alpha Greg "She's in pain! Do something!"
I saw Alpha Greg approach me and touch my head.
"There isn't much we can do. Most 'silver Fur' wolves in all their power and rarity, sometimes can't survive a rejection. I hope she doesn't. It is better than the life that awaits her if she does"
Alpha Greg signals to his beta, Winston "Take her away. Drain her blood and discard her. It's the only use we have of her. She's sterile"
"No!" Ryder screamed.
I saw as Ryder came closer to me to lift me up but I mustered all of my strength and I yelled at him on top of my voice.
"Get away from me!"
"I didn't know. I swear I didn't know!" Ryder said over and over again.
(I am so sorry, Kaida!)
Wait! What was Ryder doing in my head? Closing my eyes, I severed the private link we created that allowed us to come and go in each other's mind.
I simply cut him off.
A word for Kaidaira