Chapter 4

(Callista's POV)

The weekend finally came, and I was on the bus bound for my home pack. Most people would have opted to run the entire trip, and that would have seemed like the perfect solution to help with my weight loss. But the journey was too long to do something that strenuous.

I came down from the bus, and a little smile threatened to spill from my lips when I saw the pack house from afar, and I released a sigh, glad to be back home.

Tucking my hands in the pocket of my sweater, my head bowed to avoid contact with people, I made the short trek home, increasing my pace until I got to the door. I was about to raise my hands to knock when my mother’s voice interrupted me.

“It is open!”

I opened the door, and my knees almost buckled from the different aroma that hit me, only even stronger than ever now that I have awakened my wolf. The scent of baked chicken was even more palpable in the air, and I sighed dreamily.

I followed the scent to the dining table, where all of my favorites had been lined up, and I swallowed. Reluctantly I left the view and moved over to the kitchen, where my mother was fussing over a chocolate cake.

“Mom.” I greeted her, and her face lit up as she saw me, the dessert forgotten. She marched briskly to where I was, taking me in her arms and squeezing me tight.

“Welcome home.” She told me, and I melted in her arms, inhaling her scent that always comforted me. She finally let me go, and I stared into the eyes of the woman who birthed me.

It was a shame that I got nothing from her; all my looks had been from my dad, and he was on the bigger side, only with muscles. It was just unfortunate that the muscles were converted to fat when transferring to me. But at least my mom and I had a similar nose structure and smile.

We all sat down at the dining table, except my father, because he had some work to do outside the pack.

I stared at the food that was before me with disinterest. The usual spread would have made me salivate, but even the beef brisket couldn’t lure me to take a bite. Yet the curious eyes of my family were boring into me, and I picked up the spoon, digging it into the plate of loaded potato salad.

I could literally count the calories I would be consuming from each spoon, and I wasn’t ready to take such a risk, so I took a few spoons, chewing them as slowly as possible.

“You should eat more, love; those bites wouldn’t satisfy you.” My mother chided me, and I rolled my eyes, annoyed by her words.

A venomous hiss escaped from my lips. “If only I weren’t this fat.”

“Callista!” My mother scolded me, but I shrugged.

“What? It is the truth. I am already so fat; I don’t need more calories to pump me up.”

Her heavy sigh filled the air, and she reached over, taking my hand. “You are already wonderful just the way you are. There is no need to punish yourself for that.”

It was difficult to believe her words, not when she was saying it because I was her daughter. But I had nothing to say, so I left it at that. Instead, I picked up the spoon, stirring around the baked beans.

However, my brother's gaze refused to leave me, and I gave him a pointed look as if to say, ‘What?’

“What is wrong, Callie?” He asked, and I cringed at the nickname. “Is anyone bullying you in your school? I understand how new school can be, and we werewolves can be very wicked…” He continued, but I shook my head before he could continue that line of thought.

“No, I am fine, and no one is bullying me. It is just new school jitters, being a new student and all.” I told him, hoping my explanation made enough sense for him to let me be.

I didn’t want them to get worried.

Isaac looked at me with an intensity, and I struggled to hold his gaze until he gave up, and he continued his meal. However, he was speaking up again after some seconds.

“Have you found your mate? I know you just clocked sixteen, and that is the time you get your mate.”

I froze, his words startling and disconcerting me, and I opened my mouth, but I couldn’t bring out any words. My mom’s and brother’s eyes were on me, and I knew I would crumble if they continued, so I shook my head.

“No. I am still praying to the goddess.” I told them, and I shoved a spoonful of baked beans in my mouth to prevent me from answering.

I didn’t want to talk about Selim, nor did I want to revisit what had happened that day. But my brother must have chosen to just annoy me that day because he continued.

“It is fine; I am sure he will come when it is time. At least you weren’t rejected like I was.” My head snapped up, and I stared at my brother, surprised we had shared a similar fate. He had never mentioned it.

“What happened?” I asked, curiosity taking over.

“It was nothing; she wasn’t just ready to be committed to a mate, especially to someone like me.” I nodded, getting it. While my brother was in better shape than I, our status was still low in the pack, and it may not fare well with females, especially high-ranking ones. “But it is fine; the goddess knows best.” His voice was calm and even lighthearted, but I could sense the bitterness underneath. “Anyways, I hope one day you will meet someone truly kind and someone who will accept you for who you are.”

I nodded, trying to keep my face neutral even though I was breaking down inside—for my brother and for me.

But in that moment, I made a vow. No one could ever know what had happened with Selim.

Yet one question troubled my mind, and no matter how much I thought of it, I couldn’t find a reasonable explanation. Why did Selim not recognize that I was his mate?

Or had he already realized it but chose not to acknowledge it?

Or even worse, was he planning to reject and humiliate me in front of everyone?

Deep down, I knew the truth. I wasn’t someone Selim would ever want, and all his actions had only pointed to one thing.

He was going to reject me.