Chapter 2

　　Serena's POV. 　　My heart pounded as I stood before the clock. The mating ceremony was about to begin. 　　Who would the Moon Goddess choose for me? Would it be someone I cared for or a stranger? 　　I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself. I had dreamed of this moment for so long, but now that it was here, doubt crept in. What if I wasn't good enough? What if my mate didn't want me? 　　I pushed my doubts aside and focused on the moment. When the clock struck midnight, my heart was filled with excitement. 　　I hurried out of my room and headed to the ceremony. 　　On the way, I couldn't help but wonder—would it feel like magic? Would I lose myself in his touch, in the pull of the bond? 　　When I turned the corner, a scent hit me—warm, addictive, but gone too fast. It left me lightheaded, and my heart raced. 　　I stopped. He must be close. My eyes darted around, searching, hoping. 　　Then I saw him. 　　Richard. 　　My mate was Richard. 　　I felt like I'd been punched in the gut, my breath caught in my throat. 　　What did this mean? Why had the moon goddess paired me with him? I stood there, frozen, my eyes locked on Richard's broad back, trying to make sense of it. 　　I had prayed to the moon goddess, trusted her... and this was how she repaid me? 　　The moon goddess had made me weak, an Omega, and now she'd paired me with a mate who would never want me. 　　Tears streamed down my cheeks. 　　Richard would never choose me. I wasn't even close to his level. 　　I couldn't help but think of all the insults, the bullying, the loneliness. But deep down, despite my fear, a part of me still couldn't help but hope—maybe, just maybe, Richard might see something in me. But that thought scared me even more. If he did, I'd only become the target of everyone's ridicule. 　　"No, no, no," I whispered, my voice shaking with rage and hurt. 　　I couldn't let him reject me—not like this. I wouldn't give him that power. I would reject the bond myself. Pretend it never existed. 　　I turned and ran as fast as I could. When I could run no longer, I stopped, my head dropping as a quiet sob escaped me. 　　"Why won't you just end this?" I whispered to myself, my voice almost trembling. "What's the point anymore? Are you done humiliating me?" 　　The rain was getting heavier as if mocking me. Suddenly, a sharp pain hit my legs, and I fell to the ground, gasping. The stick hit again, and I winced, tears stinging my eyes. 　　I turned to face my attacker, and my heart dropped. It was Penny, her eyes burning with rage. 　　I knew this wasn't going to end well. All I could think was: what had I done to deserve this? 　　"How dare you think you can be with Richard?" she snapped, raising the stick high before bringing it down with a sharp crack. 　　I shook my head in panic. 　　"No, no! It's not what you think!" I pleaded, but Penny wasn't listening. 　　She stepped closer, eyes burning with rage. "Not what I think?!" she scoffed. "You couldn't take your eyes off him in class! And now you're covered in his scent! How dare you try to steal my man?" 　　I swallowed hard. "Penny, please, it's not what you think!" 　　She didn't budge. 　　I flinched as she raised the stick again—but instead of striking me, she threw it away. 　　For a second, I thought it was over. 　　Then she lunged. 　　She pinned me down, punching me in the face and shoulders. I struggled, but she was too strong. I could barely lift my arms to shield myself. 　　When I thought I couldn't take anymore, Ross stormed in, his broad back and shoulders blocking Penny's fists. 　　Ross wasn't the type to show kindness, especially not to me. He barely tolerated me and didn't care what happened to me. But at that moment, he stepped in between us. I couldn't understand why he was helping me, but for some reason, he was. 　　His eyes were filled with anger as he stood between us, his body tense like he was ready to fight. 　　"Do you want to kill her?" he growled, his voice low and dangerous, stepping closer to Penny. 　　Penny glared at him but backed off, breathing heavily. Ross stood his ground, his eyes locked on hers. Finally, Penny scoffed and walked away, leaving us standing there. 　　Ross looked at me, his expression softening when he saw my bruised face. 　　"Are you okay?" he asked, his voice soft as he brushed a strand of hair from my face. 　　I nodded, still shaken, while Ross's eyes moved over me, taking in the bruises and cuts. 　　His face turned serious, and without saying a word, he pulled me into his arms, holding me tight as I trembled from the shock and fear. After a moment, he pulled away slightly and opened his umbrella, shielding me from the pouring rain. 　　As he pulled me closer under the umbrella, his touch was gentle—the first kindness anyone had shown me in a long time. But I felt nothing. I wanted to pull away, but my body wouldn't listen. 　　I limped beside him toward his house, my legs aching with every step. 　　Ross held me up, his grip gentle but unfamiliar. It felt like I was leaning on a stranger—someone offering kindness out of duty rather than genuine concern. 　　But even if it had been real, it wouldn't have mattered. The only person I wanted to lean on was Richard. And yet, he was the last person I could turn to. 　　When we reached Ross's house, he helped me onto the bed. I collapsed onto it, exhausted, my body aching. The mattress was soft, but I couldn't relax. 　　Ross returned with a first-aid kit and started taking care of my wounds. I watched him, taken by how carefully he cleaned and bandaged my cuts. His touch was gentle but not comforting. I felt distant as if I were watching everything outside my body. 　　I couldn't stop thinking about Richard—what he was doing, whether he knew I was his mate or if he even cared. 　　I snapped out of it when Ross called my name. 　　"Serena." His voice was low and rough. 　　I looked up at him, and his words caught me off guard. 　　"Be my woman."