Clarissa

Alone in my room, I sat on a plush white loveseat. I couldn't sleep because I kept thinking about my Lycan mate and imagined how my parents would react if they found out.

Maybe love wasn't meant for me. That was the thought that kept swirling through my head as I stood in front of the full-length mirror, my red dress pooled at my feet and my neck, sore from rubbing it wearily. My mother hadn't said anything about my fall, and I was relieved to have avoided the topic.

I checked my phone. Several texts had flown in. I stared at the screen scrolling through the barrage of messages. A video of my fall had circulated online, and it had quickly become a trending topic.

Those gossiping bloggers must be grinning behind their screen, alight with excitement to gossip about my personal life and why I might have fallen. One even suggested that I might be pregnant and feeling dizzy.

I hadn't even had sex before. Maybe I was destined to be an old, lonely lady living in an old mansion, surrounded by overgrown gardens and sitting in a rocking chair with a horde of cats.

I rolled my eyes and went into my huge bathroom, trying to shake off the Lycan's face that filled my thoughts. As I leaned against the bathroom counter cluttered with skin care products, I closed my eyes in frustration and sighed. 

Doing my skincare routine was supposed to be a relaxing and therapeutic activity, but tonight it just wasn't working. My mind kept drifting back to him.  

The blaring sound of the mansion's alarm woke me up the next morning, and I groggily sat up, rubbing my eyes. I dragged myself out of bed and changed into my running wear, determined to get in a morning workout despite my fatigue.

As I ran down the stairs, I saw Sydney, my brother's girlfriend, standing in the hallway, taking pictures of her engagement ring. 

"Hey sister-in-law," she called with fake enthusiasm. I went past her without saying anything and stepped out into the crisp morning air, ready to lose myself in the rhythm of my run. 

 Outside, the dew was falling and all around the streets, my pack mates were jogging on the tarred streets toward the clearing. I fell into step behind them, feeling the burn in my muscles as I pushed myself to keep up.

As we ran, my assistant Grace ran beside me, her worried expression clear . "Are you okay? Rissa" she asked, panting slightly. "You're trending online."

I nodded. "Let them say whatever they like. It's the least of my worries."

" They never stop picking on you. See it as charity, because your news is adding extra coins to their pockets."

I smiled and we picked up the pace, eager to get to the clearing and begin our training.

As we arrived at the crowded training clearing, my pack mates of all shapes and sizes sparred and practiced their fighting skills. I took my place among them, throwing myself into the fray with fierce determination.

But even as I fought and trained, a part of my mind kept drifting back to my Lycan mate. I wondered how they trained. Lycans were powerful beasts, and werewolves didn't come close in strength.  

"Hey pumpkin, show me some moves," my dad, who was leading the training, blew his whistle and I shook my head in amusement. As we practiced, he watched me with a concerned expression.

"Are you okay, Rissa? You've been quiet since yesterday."

I hesitated for a moment, wondering if I should tell him about my mate and all the turmoil I was feeling inside.

"I'm good," I said, focusing on the training instead.

"Give me a kick-ass punch."

I laughed, remembering how my dad taught me to punch when I was a little girl and bullied in school. I punched him with a little too much force and he winced.

"Now that was deliberate!" I laughed and ran away, teasing him as he chased after me in the clearing. For a moment, I was able to forget about everything else and just enjoy the moment.

But my mum's voice ruined my mood as she scolded my dad when we ran past her. "Allen, you're treating Rissa like a five-year-old. It's high time she became a mother herself. All my friends have grandchildren. "

I hated starting my day by listening to Mum. Her words and crazy expectations and comparison always left me feeling frustrated and misunderstood so I walked away, a look of anger etched on my face. 

I took my bath, letting the steam rise from the surface of the bubbly water as I tried to clear my mind and relax. As I got ready for work, I sat at my dressing table and applied my makeup with sharp, precise movements. 

But as I was leaving the mansion, I couldn't avoid seeing Sydney, my brother's girlfriend, smirking at me from the doorway. I didn't bother giving her any response, knowing that she wasn't worth my time or energy. I was done with all the drama and just wanted to get on with my day.

I strode into the modern, sleek office building and my staff rushed to their workstations as they saw me enter. I shook my head with a small, amused smile as I watched them scurry to get back to work.

As I walked up a flight of stairs, my assistant Grace hurried to keep up and explained the day's schedule. My office was filled with the latest technology and gadgets, a testament to my success in the tech industry and my Dad's fat account. 

But as Grace spoke to me, gesturing animatedly with a folder in her hand, it was clear that my mind was elsewhere. 

"Are you even listening?"

"Course," I lied and nodded, making notes as I listened and trying to focus on the task at hand. 

I sat up, trying to focus on my work despite the distractions of the outside world. 

But all day, I couldn't concentrate. My body had changed since I saw the Lycan, and I found myself checking the internet for information about him. I didn't even know his name, and the lack of information was frustrating me to no end.

I groaned and tried to focus on a new software development program I was working on, staring at the lines of code on my computer screen, determined to lose myself in my work and forget about my Lycan mate for a little while. 

I worked late into the night, the only light coming from my computer screen and a small desk lamp. I wasn't in the mood to go home, so I stayed at my desk long after work hours. 

Two hours later, I walked through the darkened parking garage fishing out my car keys out of my bag, eager to get some rest. But before I could unlock my car, I felt someone behind me cover my mouth with something that immediately made me go limp.

I couldn't call security for help. Next thing I knew, they carried me into a car and I slipped into unconsciousness.