the rejected mate: special awakening

---

Felice wasn't sure what to expect when Liora cheerfully announced, "Sleepover tonight! Non-negotiable!" and dragged her through a hallway that smelled like expensive perfume and freshly baked cookies.

What she didn't expect was to walk into a massive suite filled with velvet floor cushions, glowing floating candles, a snack table that could feed a kingdom, and three royally dressed girls giggling over enchanted face masks that changed colors with mood.

"Felice!" one of them squealed, waving her over. "We've heard so much about you!"

"She punched a noble once," Liora whispered dramatically. "By accident. Kind of."

Felice blinked. "I was framed. And it was his own fault for jumping in front of my tray."

Liora's friends were:

Amaris – tall, elegant, and had a laugh like wind chimes. Probably owned more books than the palace library.

Trixie – tiny, sparkly, and absolutely powered by sugar and gossip.

Kaela – quiet but deadly. Once hexed someone's shoes to fart loudly during court. Legend.

Felice wasn't used to girl groups. Or fancy pajama parties. But within ten minutes, she was sitting cross-legged on the floor in fluffy borrowed pajamas, eating glowing fruit and laughing so hard her stomach hurt.

"Oh! We have to do glam spells," Trixie announced, already pulling out a wand.

Felice's hair went from braid to cascade of soft waves. Her eyes sparkled gold. Her lips shimmered like moonlight.

Liora gasped. "You're gorgeous!"

Felice blushed. "Magic cheating!"

"Girl, it's a sleepover. Everything is allowed."

They played "Truth or Charm," cast mini illusions, and told embarrassing crush stories. (Trixie apparently once accidentally love-spelled a garden statue for three days.)

Then, sometime past midnight, the room quieted. The lights dimmed to a soft purple glow. Everyone was curled up on cushions or beds, faces glowing with leftover glamor and laughter.

And then Kaela whispered, "Felice… what are you, really?"

Felice froze.

The others waited.

She sat up a little. "I'm… complicated."

Liora reached over and squeezed her hand. "It's okay. We like complicated."

Felice looked at them—this odd, wonderful mix of girls who'd accepted her without question—and her heart softened.

"I'm… part wolf. Part vampire. And part witch."

There was a long pause.

Then Trixie said, "Okay but like… coolest origin story ever."

Amaris nodded thoughtfully. "Explains the vibe."

Kaela smirked. "Explains the power."

Liora grinned. "Explains why my brother won't stop glancing at you like you're a walking riddle."

Felice choked on her enchanted grape.

"I—WHAT?"

Giggles exploded around the room.

And for the first time in a very long time, Felice felt like she wasn't just surviving.

She was finally belonging.

---