Chapter 179

That morning felt like any other as I got dressed,
though deep down, I knew it wasn’t. Birthdays had lost their thrill over the years, but this one was different—I could sense it. There was an excitement buzzing beneath the surface, a hope. Today, I had a chance to find my mate, the one person who could change everything for me. Sure, Leonardo and his friends would still make my day at school hell, but this day opened doors. If my mate was from another pack, maybe my mom and I could finally leave this place behind. I couldn’t imagine my mate being someone from here, where most people my age barely acknowledged my existence.
I ran a brush through my freshly cut light brown hair, appreciating how much easier it was to manage now. A month ago, I had grown tired of my waist-length locks constantly getting in the way. My mom, ever supportive, had happily chopped it off for me. Now it stayed out of my face, not getting caught on things,