"An Inescapable Fate"

I've been avoiding Jacob for days—I don't want any trouble. He's furious that I didn't meet him on our supposed date, but why should I care? I barely know him, let alone enough to meet him in the middle of the night. His possessiveness irritates me, as if we've known each other forever… as if we were bound in another life.

Why does this always happen to me? It feels like I'm destined to get attached to people I barely understand—people who enter my life, turn it upside down, and then abandon me without warning.

I close my eyes, a tightness settling in my chest. Even him… the boy from my dreams, the one I've seen countless times in my sleep—he hasn't appeared lately. It's as if he never existed, and that thought weighs on me more than I can bear.

Before I can sink deeper into my thoughts, Vienna bursts into the room, panting, her face flushed, eyes shining with excitement.

"What's wrong, Vina? Why are you running like that? Did something happen?" I ask, concerned.

Vina, still catching her breath, exclaims, "I want to introduce you to someone!"

I sigh, already weary. "I don't want to meet anyone right now."

She grabs my hand, undeterred. "Come on! He's someone dear to me. He had an accident and disappeared for a long time, but now he's back—he's here at the academy!"

Her excitement is infectious. I can't refuse her, not when she looks at me like that. Vina always has a way of pulling me out of my head and into her vibrant world. Despite myself, I smile. I'm lucky to have her.

I follow her to the café, where a group has gathered around someone. Everyone is talking excitedly, but my focus sharpens on the boy sitting among them. His face is obscured, yet something about him feels eerily familiar.

Then, as if sensing my gaze, he turns toward me.

In that instant, the air in the room stills.

His eyes… shifting between blue and yellow, as if a battle rages within him.

My heart pounds. A strange pressure builds in my head, a whisper echoing in my mind.

"Rafiq..."

I gasp, shaking my head. No—this can't be real! I must be imagining things!

But as I focus on him again, my heartbeat skyrockets. His silver hair glows under the light, streaked with strands of red. His piercing blue eyes hold an unreadable depth. His presence feels almost mythical.

"Lara, this is Albert," Vina says with a bright smile. "He's the alpha of my pack... and also my cousin."

Albert offers a calm smile, but something about it unsettles me. It feels like it pierces straight through me.

Why does it feel like I've found something I lost long ago?

A strange warmth spreads through my body, awakening something deep inside. My breath falters, and I nearly lose my balance.

Before I can process my emotions, a warm hand grips my wrist. I lift my head to find Luke staring at me, concern burning in his eyes—was it anger... or protection?

"Lara, are you okay?" His voice is low, firm.

I can't answer. I don't know if I am. But one thing is certain...

This moment changes everything.

A deep snarl rumbles through the room.

We all turn to Albert. A chill races down my spine. He's growling. Why?

Then I notice it—some of our friends bow their heads. His wolf is in control.

Luke's grip tightens, ready to pull me away, but before he can, Albert's hand shoots out, seizing Luke's wrist with an ice-cold grip.

A wave of freezing air washes over me, plunging the room into an arctic storm.

I shudder. What is this feeling? Where does this unnatural cold come from?

Luke yanks his hand free, glaring at Albert with fiery intensity.

"What the hell is wrong with you?" Luke growls. "Why are you grabbing me?"

Albert's reply is a single word.

Soft. Unshaken. A blade slicing through the air.

"My king… my mate."

I blink, my heart pounding wildly, a strange sensation twisting in my stomach.

Then I freeze.

His words sink in.

Did he just say I was his… mate?!

Shock roots me to the spot. No… this can't be! That's impossible! How can I be his mate when I don't even have a mutant? How could I stand by his side when I'm too weak to deserve it?

Something inside me shatters—pride, hope, maybe even my heart. The pain is suffocating.

He won't accept me when he finds out. The moment he realizes I don't have a mutant… he'll leave me.

I can't bear that thought.

So, I run.

Blindly. Desperately. Tears blur my vision. I need to escape.

Then—I crash into someone.

Strong hands catch me before I collapse.

"Lara!" Jacob's voice is laced with worry. "Why are you crying? Did someone hurt you? Just tell me, and I'll make them pay! Please, don't cry… calm down."

His words barely register. The storm inside me drowns everything out.

But before I can react, another hand—stronger, more commanding—pulls me away.

I find myself enveloped in Luke's arms.

His voice is both firm and gentle as he whispers, "Calm down. Don't let despair break you… Remember my father's words. Always hold on to hope."

"Calm down, baby..."

Jacob's voice was low, but there was something undeniably possessive about it.

Before I could react, two loud snarls tore through the air, making me flinch.

The first came from Luke... but the other—

I wiped my tears quickly and turned—only to find Albert standing there.

His eyes burned with unrestrained fury, his face a mask of icy rage. Power radiated from him like an impending storm, filling the space with an unforgiving intensity.

"Stay away from my mate... and don't touch her again."

His voice was a deep, eerie mix of his own and his wolf's dominant snarl.

Luke stepped forward, his eyes flashing dangerously. "Don't ever come near Lara again. And don't you dare call her 'baby'."

Jacob tensed. The tension between them thickened, crackling like a storm on the verge of breaking.

And I was caught in the eye of it.

At that moment, I realized—my life would never be the same after this.

But Jacob... he only chuckled.

As if being threatened by two powerful Alphas was nothing more than an amusing game.

Then, with infuriating ease, he stepped forward and placed a hand on my shoulder—too casually, too confidently

1. Was Lara's meeting with Albert just a coincidence... or was fate bringing them together again?

2. Who is the strongest in this confrontation? Will Lara be able to make her decision before everything falls apart?

🔥 Things are getting more intense! Who do you think will win Lara's heart in the end? 🤔 Don't forget to leave your comments and add the story to your library to support it! 💖📖