Choice and Fate

Calista had been trained her entire life to control her emotions. But today? Today, she was struggling. Because the topic of today’s lesson? Mates. And sitting right behind her was Maxwell her Mate who believed he already had one.

She kept her expression composed, her hands folded neatly on her desk. She would not let this get to her. She had no choice. Because if she let herself slip—

She might break. She had spent her entire life believing in The Soulmate Bond. It was more than just fate it was the foundation of Serenia itself. Her parents had taught her that love was the greatest force in the universe. The Council of Love preached that soulmates were sacred, eternal.

Even history had proven that those destined for each other would always find their way back together. But as she sat in Paranormal Studies, listening to the way Max questioned everything she had ever believed—

For the first time in her life, she felt doubt. Because she could feel their bond. And he? He couldn’t. Mrs. Lorne paced at the front of the classroom, her sharp, amber eyes sweeping over the students.

“Mates are a foundational part of Lycan culture,” she began. “Unlike werewolves, we are not bound to the full moon, but our Mates are still a gift from the Moon Goddess. They are our other half the one destined to walk beside us.”

Calista stared at her desk. Her heartbeat was steady. Her breathing was even. But inside? Inside, she felt like she was shattering. Because the universe had given her a Mate. And yet, he couldn’t feel her.

Mrs. Lorne clicked to the next slide. “Of course, not all supernaturals agree on what Mates truly mean. Some believe it is a divine bond, an unbreakable connection. Others argue that it is merely a biological pairing an instinct, rather than destiny.”

And that’s when Max spoke. And Calista’s world tilted.

“So if it’s just instinct,” Max said smoothly, “then it’s not really a choice.”

Silence settled over the classroom. Mrs. Lorne raised a brow. “Explain.”

Max shrugged, leaning back in his chair, his red eyes calm and calculating. “Don’t get me wrong I love my mate, but If mates are chosen for us, then the love isn’t real at first,” he said simply. “It’s just… programming.”

Calista’s breath caught in her throat. Because whether he realized it or not, every word felt like it was aimed directly at her.

Mrs. Lorne tilted her head. “You don’t believe in the bond?”

Max exhaled through his nose. “I believe in connection. Attraction. But people act like Mates are the only path to love.” He gestured vaguely. “If that’s true, then it’s not love at all it’s just… fate taking away our choices.”

Calista stared at her desk. She felt like the air had been knocked from her lungs. Because that’s exactly what had happened to her. Her choice had been taken away. She had no say in who her soulmate was. It had always been him. But she had never considered that he didn’t want it. That he might never choose her.

A student named Zane, scoffed. “That’s like saying free will doesn’t exist. You don’t have to be with your Mate. You just feel it.”

Max raised a brow. “And what if you don’t?”

Calista’s breath caught in her throat. She forced herself to stay still. To not let the words tear her apart.

Mrs. Lorne sighed. “Some Lycans do struggle to recognize their Mates right away. Usually, it’s due to external factors distance, trauma, or an interference with their instincts.”

Calista went still. Because what if something was blocking it. If a Lycan didn’t recognize their Mate, because the bond was blocked or suppressed. Could that be why Max couldn’t feel their bond. And if something was blocking it, it wasn’t her. Her side of the bond was open, unobstructed, raw, even. Whatever it was, it had to be coming from his side. Calista barely registered the words. Because if something was interfering. She just didn’t know what.

Mrs. Lorne turned, her sharp gaze settling on Calista. “Miss Heart.”

Calista immediately masked her emotions, lifting her gaze. “Yes?”

Mrs. Lorne studied her for a moment. “You’ve been quiet. What’s your opinion on Mates?”

Calista knew she was being tested. Not just by Mrs. Lorne. But by Max. She could feel his gaze on her. Watching. Waiting. She forced a calm, thoughtful expression.

“I think,” she said smoothly, “that Mates are a beautiful idea. But belief in them shouldn’t replace free will.” Max’s gaze sharpened. She continued, ignoring the tightness in her chest.

“Even if Mates exist, love should be something you choose, not something that’s forced on you.”

The class murmured in agreement.

Mrs. Lorne nodded. “Well said. Many Lycans believe free will is just as important as fate.” Calista smiled politely. And then—

A voice from behind her. Soft. Low. Dangerous. “Huh.” Just one word. But it was Max’s word. And it made her stomach twist. Because somehow some way—

He knew she was lying.

Class ended. Students gathered their things. Calista was ready to leave. But just as she stepped into the hallway. A voice stopped her.

“You don’t actually believe that.”

She didn’t flinch. Didn’t pause. She turned her head slightly, meeting Max’s unwavering gaze. “What makes you think that?” she asked, her voice perfectly steady.

Max’s expression didn’t change. But something in his stare felt like it was peeling back her layers, searching for something deeper.

“You just don’t.”

She held his gaze. And for a moment. For a brief, fleeting second. She almost told the truth. That she believed in The Soulmate Bond with every fiber of her being. That she had spent her entire life dreaming about the moment her mate would recognize her.

That she had imagined this moment playing out so differently. That she was breaking inside knowing that he felt nothing. But then? She smiled. And she lied again.

“Well,” she said smoothly, “I guess we’ll never know.”

And then she walked away. Leaving Max standing there, watching her. Because for the first time, she had slipped. And he had noticed.

As soon as she was out of his sight her hands curled into tight fists. Everything she had been taught every story, every sacred truth, every whispered promise of destiny—

Gone. Because he didn’t feel it. Her Mate her one true bond, chosen by the Goddess of Love herself—

And he didn’t know she was his mate. She thought back to what max said “Don’t get me wrong I love my mate.” Dana. He had been talking about Dana.

Her chest ached, a hollow pain twisting beneath her ribs, but she kept her expression serene, unreadable. Dana. The name settled in her stomach like a swallowed stone. She thought of the way Dana had laughed in the cafeteria at that girl a few days ago. Loud and careless, at someone else’s expense.

She pictured Dana’s laugh again. The way it had landed on that girl like a boot. And Max loved her. Chose her. Saw something worth choosing in someone like that. Calista’s shoulder hit the lockers as she turned the corner. She hadn’t been watching where she was going. What ever was going on with max she needed to snap him out of it.

At lunch Max had been trying to convince himself that he wasn’t overthinking this. But something about that conversation with Brianna in Paranormal Studies was still bothering him. Not just because of what she said. But because of how she said it.

The way her voice had remained calm, controlled. The way her eyes had been carefully blank too blank. The way she had spoken like she had rehearsed that answer. Like she knew exactly what to say to blend in. Like she knew how to lie.

Jason dropped his tray onto the table, eyeing Max’s tense posture. “You look pissed off,” he said bluntly. “I like it. What happened?”

Keira glanced at Max, her sharp green eyes assessing him. “Let me guess. Brianna?”

Max exhaled, running a hand through his platinum-white hair. “She lied,” he muttered.

Josh raised a brow. “What about?”

Max hesitated for half a second. Because saying it out loud? Made it sound ridiculous. “She doesn’t believe what she said about Mates.”

Silence settled over the table. Tyler was the first to break it. “You sure about that?” he asked, taking a bite of his sandwich. Max shot him a look. Tyler smirked. “Yeah, dumb question.”

Max leaned forward, lowering his voice slightly. “We were in Paranormal Studies,” he started. “Mrs. Lorne was talking about Mates.”

Jason groaned. “Ugh, again? Why do we have to keep learning about this crap?”

Josh rolled his eyes. “Because Lycans treat Mates like a religion.”

Keira ignored them, focusing on Max. “And?”

Max’s jaw tightened. “Mrs. Lorne asked Brianna what she thought about it.”

He drummed his fingers against the table, remembering the way she had paused for just a fraction of a second before answering. “She said Mates are a beautiful idea but that love should be a choice.”

Jason stared at him then snorted. “That’s it?” He asked. “That’s what normal people think.”

Josh tilted his head. “It’s not wrong.”

Max shook his head. “No. It’s not that she said it,” he muttered. “It’s how she said it.”

The table went quiet. Because Max never questioned his instincts. And if he said someone was lying they were lying. Simple as that. But why did this particular thing bother him so much?

“She was too controlled,” Max continued. “Like she knew exactly what to say to avoid standing out.”

Keira narrowed her eyes. “You think she was covering something up?”

Max clenched his jaw. “I know she was.”

Tyler smirked. “So she’s a really good liar. Great. Welcome to high school.”

Jason let out a low chuckle. “Damn. She’s actually got you thinking about this, huh?”

Max ignored him. Because that wasn’t the point. The point was that Brianna was hiding something. And he was going to figure out what. Because for some reason. She had gotten under his skin. And Max never let that happen.