7

ONIX' POV

The night was electric, filled with the pulsating beats of music and laughter as I celebrated my 18th birthday with my friends and loved ones. It was a night I wished would never end, a night I wished I could relive over and over again. My heart swelled with joy as I basked in the warmth of the love and affection that surrounded me.

But amidst the revelry, I remembered what happened earlier between me and Gigi. She is daft and foolish to think she had a chance with me. I can never settle for a plus size like her. Her confidence was misplaced, for I had eyes only for my beautiful girlfriend, Jules. Gigi was nothing more than a dreamer, and my father would never approve of me being with someone like her.

As I pondered how Gigi had gotten the courage to approach me, I couldn't help but wonder if it was my fault. Had I given her reason to think she had a chance with me? I shook off the thought and focused on the beautiful girl beside me. Jules was everything I could ever want in a girlfriend—pretty, caring, and always there for me. Though she was known to be a bully, she treated me like a prince and never took me for granted.

As the night progressed, Jules leaned in closer to me and whispered, "I missed you so much." "I couldn't wait for this day to come so that all these distractions would be over." I smiled, feeling lucky to have her by my side. But deep down, I knew that I didn't love her as much as she loved me. She wasn't my soulmate, but I couldn't bring myself to break her heart.

Jules brought out her phone and started showing me the photos and videos they had taken with me and Gigi. I felt a pang of guilt as I remembered the kiss. It was good, but I didn't know why. Was it because Gigi was a good kisser, or was there something more?

As the night wore on, I found myself lost in thought, contemplating my feelings for Jules. The party was still in full swing, but I couldn't shake off the feeling that something was amiss. I longed for clarity, for a sign that would point me in the right direction.

As the clock struck midnight and the party began to wind down, I closed my eyes and made a wish: that I would find true love, the kind that would make me feel alive and complete. And as I blew out the candles on my birthday cake, I knew that the journey towards finding that love would be a long and winding road. But I was ready to take it on, with all its twists and turns, for the promise of true love was too great to ignore.

The morning after the party, the house was silent. Empty bottles, confetti, and party hats were scattered all over the place. People were leaving for their various homes, getting ready for school the next day. But I wasn't happy. I couldn't find my mate.

Gigi had been trying to convince me that she was the one, but I couldn't accept her as my Luna. I was going to be the alpha soon, and the elders wouldn't accept an ordinary human as my pack, Luna. It was against our traditions, and I couldn't risk going against it.

As I drove to school, I couldn't help but think about the events of the night before. The video of me and Gigi had leaked, and everyone was talking about it. I was summoned by the teachers and questioned, but I lied to cover myself, pretending that Gigi wasn't there.

I felt like a celebrity, but deep down, I was feeling guilty. I couldn't find Gigi anywhere in school. Had she killed herself? The thought sent shivers down my spine, but I had to act like nothing had happened.

I had to go back to my normal style, the one that made me feel like a king. Bullying students gave me joy and made me feel powerful. But as the day went by, something felt different. I couldn't shake off the feeling of guilt that was gnawing at me.

I decided to look for Gigi after school, but no one had seen her. I started to panic. What if something had happened to her? What if she had done something stupid because of me?

The air hung heavy with the weight of my regret. It was a feeling that had consumed me ever since that night at the party, when I had rejected Gigi. And now, as I stood face-to-face with her brother, I knew I was about to hear the story of what happened to her after I left.

Max's voice was flat and emotionless as he recounted the events of that night. His aunt had rejected Gigi after hearing about my rejection; she had been humiliated and left feeling tattered. I felt a surge of anger at his callous attitude toward his own sister. How could he not care about her when she was clearly in such a vulnerable state?

I knew that Gigi had always been an easy target for bullies, and it was clear that her own family wasn't immune to this trend. I felt a deep sense of sadness wash over me as I thought about how lonely she must have felt with no one to stand up for her.

In that moment, I made a decision. I would start treating Max the same way he had treated Gigi. After all, it was only fair. But as I thought about Gigi's fate, I couldn't help but wonder how she was managing to survive on the streets. It was so unfair that she had been left in this position because of someone else's actions.

But then a voice interrupted my thoughts. Jules. She had come running over to me, asking if I wanted to have lunch. I wasn't really in the mood, but I didn't want to let on to her about my mood. She said she had made something special for me, and I couldn't help but feel a little touched by the gesture.

"Why did you do this?" I asked her, genuinely curious. She smiled and said it was a welcome-back gift after the games. It was a small act of kindness, but it was enough to lift my spirits.

As we sat down to eat, I found myself feeling grateful for the people in my life who cared about me. And even though I couldn't change what had happened with Gigi, I could still make a difference in the lives of those around me. It was a small step, but it was a start.

As our graduation drew near, the question lingered in the air like a heavy cloud, heavy with uncertainty and indecision. "What are your plans?" I asked Jules, hoping for a glimmer of direction in the uncertain fog that enveloped us. But her response, though delivered with a tiny tone, sent a chill down my spine. "I don't have plans for now," she said, her eyes glinting with a mischievous spark. "I just want to stay and enjoy my parents' money."

I smiled wryly, wondering how long such a carefree existence could last and whether it would ultimately bring her the fulfillment and purpose she sought. But my own plans, though seemingly more structured, were fraught with their own complexities and challenges.

"I'm just planning on taking over my pack as the next alpha," I said, trying to sound confident and assured. Jules nodded, her eyes scanning the crowd for potential prey.

It was then that I noticed a new student approaching us, her head held high and her eyes blazing with defiance. She was unlike any other student I had seen—stubborn and strong-willed, with a fierce determination that radiated from her every pore.

Jules, sensing an opportunity to assert her dominance, moved in to bully the newcomer, her eyes glinting with malicious intent. But the girl was no pushover, and soon a fierce battle ensued, each combatant locked in a deadly dance of claws and teeth.

I watched in horror as Jules was kicked and fell to the ground, her body writhing in pain as blood gushed from her mouth. I knew I had to act quickly before it was too late. With all my strength, I lifted Jules up and carried her to the school health center, hoping against hope that she would survive.

But the news from the doctors was not good. Jules was suffering from internal bleeding, and her chances of survival were slim. I couldn't leave her alone, so I stayed by her side, watching helplessly as the hours ticked by.

The girl who had kicked Jules was expelled from school that same day, but it was too late to make a difference. After several hours of frantic efforts by the medical team, Jules took her last breath, her body succumbing to the injuries inflicted upon her.

I cried out in anguish, my voice echoing through the sterile hospital halls. It was all too much to bear; the weight of our uncertain futures suddenly became unbearable. We had been together just a few hours ago, full of hopes and dreams, and now she was gone, leaving me to navigate this harsh and unforgiving world alone.