Naynah's POV
I had a terrible night—the worst night of my life. Not even a full day had passed since we separated, and yet he already decided to f*** someone else.
{Ava: Will you let me kill him now?}
Naynah: You know we can't kill him. If he dies, we die too.
I forced myself to get up and take a bath. I walked into my bathroom and filled the tub. As I sank into the water, my thoughts drifted. What would have become of us if the alliance had continued? Whoever wrote this destiny must be a complete fool. Honestly, I've learned nothing about witches—only about vampires, since my mate is one.
When I was done, I wrapped a towel around my body and headed into my dressing room. As usual, I picked black and white—just a T-shirt and overalls. I brushed my hair, tied it into a ponytail, leaving a few strands loose around my face. My eyes were still red, proof of how badly I had slept—all because of my damn mate.
I left my apartment and, of course, bumped straight into him the second I closed the door. Just my luck. I ignored him and walked away. I wouldn't let him play with me. I'd rather die than give him the satisfaction of breaking me.
When I reached the ground floor, I hailed a taxi. At the university entrance, a scent hit me—fresh forest and strawberries. Irresistible. Ava began pacing inside me with frustration.
Naynah: Ava, calm down. You're giving me a headache.
I tried reasoning with her, but she kept pacing and growling. I didn't know what was going on, but I had to stay focused. Taking a deep breath, I walked inside, and the scent struck me even harder. Instinct led me to follow it until I stopped in front of a tall guy—not as tall as Kemran—looking around as if searching for someone. He turned, and his eyes landed on me.
{Ava: Mate!!}
Oh goddess… what the hell is this? I got lost in his brown eyes. And those lips—damn, I imagined them on my neck.
{Ava: That wasn't me. That was you thinking that.}
Whatever. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Kemran walk past, but I kept my gaze fixed on this gorgeous stranger. Shaking myself, I hurried off to class and slid into my usual seat. But what was that? Wolves only ever had one mate. I had never heard of a wolf or she-wolf having a mate from another race—or worse, two mates. The situation was overwhelming.
The professor came in and started class. Hours later, lunchtime arrived. I grabbed my food and sat down. As I ate, someone slid into the seat beside me. Thinking they just needed a place, I ignored it—until that intoxicating scent reached me again. I nearly choked.
"Calm down, beautiful," a deep voice said with a teasing smile. "I'm not that important."
I looked up, and there he was, grinning at me. My whole face burned red.
"You're even cuter when you blush," he added.
That only made me blush harder.
"Thanks," I muttered.
"By the way, I'm Aron."
What a beautiful name for such a beautiful person.
"Naynah," I answered softly.
"I already know who you are—Naynah Athènirah Delmal," he said, locking eyes with me, his gaze intense.
"You probably don't know me," he added.
"You're a member of my pack," I guessed.
"The second son of Beta X-Zan," he confirmed.
My eyes widened. Olivia's brother. Ugh. That would make me her sister-in-law? I hated that girl—she'd brag endlessly about her brother becoming Alpha.
"I never saw you at Silver Moon," I said, suspicious.
"That's because I've been studying here. This is my final year."
"How old are you?"
"Twenty-three."
Twenty-three?! He looked more like eighteen. Kemran was twenty.
"Would you like to have dinner with me tonight?" he asked suddenly.
"No."
"Why not? I just want to get to know you."
I leaned closer, whispering so no one else could hear.
"Listen, I know you're my mate. But if you already want to mate with me, you can go to hell."
He looked amused.
"That wasn't my intention. I just want to know you."
"…Fine," I gave in. "But don't be late. I hate people who are late."
He raised his hands in mock surrender. "Alright. Eight o'clock."
"Okay."
We finished our meal and stood to leave.
"I'll walk you to your class," Aron offered.
I nodded, ignoring the stares from everyone around us.
"I'll stop by the bathroom first," I told him. "Go ahead, or you'll be late. See you tonight."
I walked into the restroom, entered a stall… then suddenly, my body heated up.
Naynah: Ava, what's happening?
She didn't answer. My vision darkened, and it felt like my soul was being pulled from my body. When I opened my eyes, I stood in a serene, beautiful garden.
"Hello, my daughter," a voice called.
I turned and saw a woman more radiant than words could describe.
"Where am I?" I whispered.
{Ava: The Celestial Garden.}
That voice—I knew it.
"Ava…"
{Ava: Who else would it be?}
I glanced down and saw her beside me, in her wolf form. But how was this possible? Wait… Celestial Garden… I lifted my head, staring at the woman before me.
"The Moon Goddess."
"Welcome to the Celestial Garden, Naynah," she said gently. "Sit."
What was happening?
She smiled. "I'll answer your questions, but first, please sit."
I hesitated, then sat on a chair that appeared nearby.
Was I dead? Was this the wolves' paradise?
"You're neither dead nor in paradise," the Goddess said calmly. "This is simply the Celestial Garden."
"And Ava?"
"You can see her because you're in her world—or rather, she's in hers, and you've joined her here."
"But why am I here?"
"Because I wanted to speak with you. I've already spoken with the Supreme."
"The Supreme?!"
"You'll meet her in time. That's not why I brought you. Naynah, you're a special wolf."
"A… special wolf?"
"Yes. One of the rarest. You possess gifts."
My jaw dropped. "A special wolf?!"
{Ava: I told you all along we were special.}
"But not just any wolf," the Goddess continued. "You carry all the gifts. Healing, mind-reading, and more. You are both a Blessed Wolf and a Guardian Wolf. That is what makes you unique."
I was still trying to process.
"But… why give me another mate?"
"A Guardian Wolf may have one or more destined mates."
"And making one of them a vampire? That counts too?"
"Everything happens for a reason, Naynah. Giving you Aron as your second mate is for the best, because I already know what choice you will make."
"You won't stop me if I reject Kemran?"
"Everything unfolds with purpose. One day, when all supernaturals unite, you'll understand."
I wanted to argue, but suddenly I was back in my body.
{Ava: No, you didn't dream.}
Damn it. I was late.
{Ava: It's Thursday.}
Oh, great. What was all this?
I rushed to grab my bag from class. Thank the Goddess—it was still there. My eyes widened at the clock: four o'clock. But I had only spoken to her for minutes.
{Ava: There's always a difference between our world and theirs.}
I sighed. "Do you know where Kemran is?"
{Ava: In the Great Hall.}
Fine. As I walked there, I replayed everything: I was a special wolf with gifts… and two mates. But the Goddess hadn't stopped me when I thought of rejecting Kemran. At least Aron was from my pack.
I entered the Great Hall. Kemran was drinking water.
"Do you miss me already, Alpha?" he asked, smirking as he turned.
"Not at all. I'm here for something else."
"And what might that be?"
"We need to break every bond between us—including this one."
I cleared my throat and locked eyes with him.
"I, Naynah Athènirah Delmal, reject you, Kemran Kan Talor, as my mate."
A searing pain ripped through my chest. I saw Kemran clutching his own chest, shock on his face.
"This is for the best," he said hoarsely. "I, Kemran Kan Talor, accept your rejection."
"Goodbye," I whispered.
Fighting against the crushing pain, I walked out quickly. The agony was overwhelming, but I had to endure it. I still had Aron. Without letting anyone stop me or ask questions, I rushed away, needing to bear the pain alone.