UNBOUND :A MATE'S BETRAYAL

The wind whispered through the dense forest, carrying the scent of pine and earth. It was a cool, crisp morning, and the sun had just begun its ascent, casting a warm golden hue over the Pack's territory. In this tranquil landscape, a young wolf named Nyx roamed, her heart heavy with anticipation. She believed in one thing above all else - destined love.

Nyx had spent her entire life immersed in stories of true mates and the promise of a happy ever after. Her parents would often tell her tales of their own love, a bond so unbreakable it could withstand anything the world threw at them. Those stories had been the lullabies of her childhood, filling her dreams with visions of a love so deep and unwavering that nothing could tear it asunder.

"Hey, Lara, today's the big day, right?" Her friend's excitement was palpable as they threaded through the woods toward the glowing embers of the bonfire. It was the eve of Nyx's 18th full moon, a night she'd been anticipating with a mix of excitement and nerves. Tonight was more than just a celebration; it was the night she'd meet her wolf, her destined mate.

As they approached the clearing, Packs had already gathered around the roaring bonfire. This was a gathering of the local Packs around, a chance to find mates and just mingle with other wolfkin. The warm glow illuminated the faces of her fellow wolves, most of whom were already mated, creating a cozy scene under the radiant full moon.

Luna's melodious voice broke into a beautiful wolf song, a call that echoed through the Pack. As the song swelled, wolves around began to shift, embracing their majestic forms in the hues of night, marking the moment they found their mates, a harmonious dance of love and destiny.

Amidst the joyous transformation, only one male wolf remained beside Nyx. She held onto the hope that he might be her destined mate. Her heart practically danced in anticipation, even when she couldn't feel any pull. Yet, as the others paired off, a creeping sense of unease settled within her, as if the anticipated magic of this night might not unfold as she'd imagined.

Suddenly, the remaining wolf gracefully transformed, revealing a stunning, majestic form. All eyes turned to Nyx, hopeful and waiting- as she grappled with mounting pressure. Panic welled up within her replacing the excitement of finding her wolf, and her mate, breaths growing shallow. Even as her parents, in their wolf forms, attempted to console her, the Pack's whispers grew louder, sympathy evident in their glances.

Questions poured from Nyx's lips as nearly half the Pack dispersed into the night, leaving the fire to dwindle.

"Mom, Dad, why is this happening to me?" Her pleas echoed into the fading night, unanswered. She fell to her knees, perhaps if she was on all fours then maybe... just maybe....Her parents remained silent, a gesture that filled her with an unspoken dread. Her father all but looked at her with disappointment, he did not need to be in his human form for her to read his face. Her mother, in her wolf form, slowly approached Nyx and nudged her with her snout. Urging her. Whether it was to make her give up on shifting or get up and go on... Nyx refused to move.

Desperation surged within Nyx as she reached out to her wolf, whispering words of reassurance into the night. "Don't be afraid, I'll love you no matter what." But a deep sense of foreboding lingered. Why would her wolf be scared? Was she even there? She was there right? The unanswered questions hung heavy in the air, painting the night with uncertainty.

"Great mother... please." Nyx prayed, hope rising in her chest, she had to remain hopeful, her wolf was just asleep, she had to wake her up.

"Wake up! Wake up!" Nyx started to call for her wolf, her balled up fists pounding on her chest, desperate to wake her sleeping wolf. By now most of the wolves had moved away, some still lingered and watched with pitiful eyes, no one moving close enough to see the poor wolfkin girl with no wolf.

"Freyaa, enough. Get up, let's go for now. " Her mother had shifted and crouched down to meet her.

"No mom. I have to wake her up. I have to. " Nyx begged her mother, her voice beginning to shake as reality set in by the passing minute.

"Miss Nyx... you know that's not how it works. But don't worry, I am sure there word of this somewhere, just get up for now...we will-" the Pack's Luna had also changed back and crouched next to her mother.

"No- No- The moon is still up, let me wake her. Wake up! Wake up! Pleaseeee! Just wake up!" Nyx was now frantic, alternatively changing between beating her chest and praying to the Great Mother.

"Enough of this! Get up Now! " Her fathers booming voice practically shook her to the core, ending her display of despair.

"I- it can't be. Father help me please. Wake her up. " She turned her tearful face towards her father. "Dad please." She continued to beg even as she was practically dragged by her fathers strong grip. It was only for a second but her parents shared a single look before they dragged their wailing child away.

Nyx's dream was shattered that night, the pieces falling around her like a rain of glass shards. She had been standing with her Pack, eyes scanning the crowd for that one wolf who would complete her, but there was no one. Her vision blurred with tears as the fact of the night settled in her heart.

No wolf.

No mate.

The days that followed were even more agonizing. Nyx's Pack had a tradition of celebrating the discovery of one's true mate, a rite of passage into adulthood, nights spent frolicking and dancing, and an endless supply of food and drinks. There was no celebration for Nyx, no one offered congratulations or shared tales of their own experiences. Instead, she spent her days locked up in her room, crying herself to sleep when she couldn't find an explanation as to what exactly happened.

"Lara... you have to eat something." Her mother's voice came from the other side of her room. She turned her face towards the door and sighed when she could smell the food her mother made, her favorite lasagna. She dragged herself from her bed and opened the door.

"Eat this and when you are done, come down." Her mother said and Nyx spared her a glance, the warmth in her mother's eyes had faded, replaced by a sorrowful expression, as if she was grieving a loss. Her sister, Lily, who was just a year younger, stood by her own bedroom door- couldn't look her in the eye.

"Yes, mother." That was all Nyx could manage before she shut the door and went back to her pity nest. She heard her parents talk downstairs, in some sort of painful reality, her hearing was still topnotch, as were all her senses. She was still a wolfkin just without the wolf part. Maybe if she talked to her wolf...

"I gotta live somehow, I will wait for you to wake up on your own terms. I know you are there." she had somehow talked herself out of her self pity, or had just come to terms with her situation. Whatever the case, she had to live.

Broken hearts still beat.