Mistakes of the Past

Prologue (Edited 04/22/24)

A/N: The picture on the side, my lovely humans, is Lynn Gunn AKA Jordan in this book. Kay? Kay.

Prologue

"Ashley, get up! I don't want to be late because of your inability to get out of bed on time!" My older brother Cameron's voice pierced through my sleep like a sharp blade.

I winced at his words, knowing exactly what he meant. It wasn't my fault that I didn't fit the picture-perfect mold he seemed to expect.

With a sigh, I unlocked my door, refusing to dwell in self-pity. I wasn't that kind of girl.

As I made my way to the kitchen, Cameron's pounding footsteps followed me. "What are you wearing?" he demanded as I entered.

"Um, clothes?" I replied, puzzled.

His response was cutting. "No. Go change. I will not have my little sister go out looking like a slut. Especially not a pathetic, fat, ugly-looking one."

I bit my cheek to hold back tears. No, I wouldn't give him the satisfaction of seeing me cry. So what if I was a little chubby? I wasn't that fat... at least, I didn't think so.

Quickly obeying his command, I retreated to my room, choosing an oversized T-shirt that had once belonged to Richard, my eldest brother who had died in a rogue attack.

As I returned downstairs, I found Cameron chatting with his best friend – and my long-time crush – Jordan.

"Hey, man," Cameron greeted Jordan with a grin.

"Sup, dude," Jordan replied, their camaraderie evident.

"So, did you find her yet?" Cameron asked, a sly grin on his face.

Jordan shook her head, her eyes scanning the surroundings. "Not yet. I can sense she's near, but not her exact location."

Today was Jordan's 18th birthday, a fact that didn't escape me.

Sensing the need for privacy, I excused myself from their conversation, trying to ignore the sinking feeling in my gut.

But then, something unexpected happened. My wolf, Shasta, stirred within me, announcing the presence of our mate.

"Mate. Ashley, my mate," Shasta whispered excitedly.

Our mate? I asked, surprised.

Yes! He's near! I can feel him wanting to emerge from his human form! Shasta whimpered.

As I processed this revelation, Cameron's abrupt call snapped me back to reality.

"Ashley! Let's go. I don't need Mom to kill me because of your delay," Cameron snapped, a frozen Jordan by his side.

Hurrying to the car, I couldn't shake off the shock of discovering my mate. And worse yet, it was Jordan.

The day passed in a blur of discomfort and humiliation. Once again, I was invisible to the humans but painfully visible to the werewolves.

As Cameron's car became surrounded by adoring girls and guys, I struggled to push through the crowd to reach Jordan. Being slightly overweight had its advantages at times like these.

"Hey, um... Jordan? Can I talk to you in private?" I asked, nerves coursing through me.

Jordan's response was loud and dismissive. "What do you want? Whatever it is, you can say it in front of my friends."

Summoning all my courage, I whispered, "I-I'm your mate, Jordan."

Her laughter echoed in the air, cutting deeper than any blade. "You?! My mate?! That's hilarious! I'm the soon-to-be Alpha, and you... you're just pathetic."

I felt the sting of rejection burn through me, amplified by the laughter of the others.

As the laughter faded, Jordan's eyes narrowed with disdain, and I felt the weight of her rejection like a physical blow. But beneath the hurt, a surge of defiance rose within me.

Suppressing the trembling in my voice, I raised my chin. "You may find it amusing, Jordan, but Shasta doesn't lie. We are mates."

My declaration was met with incredulous stares and murmurs of disbelief from the onlookers.

"Seriously? You expect us to believe that?" Jordan scoffed, her tone dripping with disdain.

Before I could respond, a low growl rumbled through the air, cutting through the tension like a knife. Cameron stepped forward, his eyes ablaze with anger.

"That's enough, Ashley," he snapped, his voice laced with venom. "Stop embarrassing yourself and come with me."

His words stung, but I refused to back down. "I'm not lying, Cameron. I am Jordan's mate."

Cameron's expression twisted into one of disgust, and I saw the brief flicker of betrayal in his eyes before he masked it with cold indifference.

"You're delusional, Ashley. Let's go, now," he ordered, his voice brooking no argument.

With a heavy heart, I complied, feeling the weight of Jordan's rejection like a physical ache in my chest.

The car ride home was suffocatingly silent, the tension thick enough to cut with a knife. I stared out the window, blinking back tears as Cameron's words echoed in my mind.

How could he doubt me? How could he believe I would lie about something as important as a mate bond?

As we pulled into the driveway, Cameron's grip on the steering wheel tightened, his knuckles turning white with anger. Without a word, he flung open the car door and stormed into the house, leaving me alone in the dimming light.

Taking a deep breath, I gathered my courage and stepped out of the car, the cool evening air washing over me. I knew what I had to do.

With steady steps, I made my way to the kitchen, my heart pounding in my chest. Pausing in front of the refrigerator, I reached for a notepad and pen, my hand trembling slightly.

As I wrote, the words flowed from me like a torrent, fueled by a mixture of anger, hurt, and determination.

Once the note was finished, I affixed it to the refrigerator with a magnet, my heart heavy with the weight of my decision.

Turning away, I glanced around the empty kitchen one last time, steeling myself for what lay ahead. With a final, resigned sigh, I stepped out into the night, leaving behind everything I had ever known.

(A/N I only uploaded this chapter just to see if people would like it. If you like it give me a vote! I appreciate it, guys. I'll try to update every week, if not then every other week. Thanks!)