Blind but Mated to the Alpha

Isabella.

That day was absolutely awful, a day I would never forget. It was last week when everything spiraled out of control in the corridor next to the lockers between me and the prince, Noah Black! Hamm. Dammit. Ever since that incident, I have been hiding away in my room, pretending to be sick. My parents, bless their hearts, didn't force me to go to school. I thought it might be easier to just stay hidden, but deep down, I knew I had to let it go and face my fears. After all, I was in my senior year, and I couldn't just forget everything because of the prince Noah. That dreadful day continued to replay in my mind, tormenting me endlessly. I tried to push the memories away, but they persistently clawed their way back to the surface. The confrontation with Noah had shaken me to my core, leaving me questioning everything I thought I knew about myself and my place in the world. I couldn't fathom how someone like him, destined to rule the kingdom of werewolves, could possibly be my mate. The very idea seemed preposterous, yet there was no denying the intense connection I had felt in that moment.

Since that day, I have been suffering from relentless nightmares. They haunt me every night, replaying the events over and over in my mind—the shock of colliding with Noah, the harshness of his words, and the overwhelming sense of humiliation that followed. I toss and turn, desperate for a moment of peace, but the memories refuse to release their grip on my subconscious. Each morning, I wake up exhausted, my heart heavy with the weight of the incident. I find myself questioning my own strength, wondering if I have the courage to face Noah and the rest of the school after what transpired. The nightmares serve as a constant reminder of my vulnerability, and I fear that I may never be able to escape their hold. But deep down, I know that I cannot allow this single event to define me. I must find a way to confront my fears and reclaim my sense of self, no matter how daunting the task may seem.

***Flashback***

"What the fuck! Are you fucking blind, idiot?! Watch your fucking path!" He yelled at me, and my heart raced violently in my chest. I couldn't tell if I was feeling fear or nervousness, or if it was just him—his presence, his voice, his scent—that had such a profound effect on me. I stood there, frozen in place, as his words echoed in my mind. The intensity of his anger was palpable, and I found myself shrinking under the weight of his gaze. I wanted to apologize, to explain myself, but the words caught in my throat. I was paralyzed by the realization that this man, the one I had heard so much about, the infamous prince known for his ruthless demeanor, could possibly be my mate. The thought seemed impossible, yet the undeniable connection between us was impossible to ignore. My heart pounded furiously, and I could feel the heat rising in my cheeks as I struggled to comprehend the gravity of the situation.

No way! He can't be my mate! The guy I had heard so much about, known for being a total jerk?! Me and him together? But he was supposed to rule the kingdom of werewolves soon! The very idea seemed absurd, like a cruel twist of fate. I had always imagined my mate to be someone kind, compassionate, and understanding—qualities that Noah Black seemed to lack entirely. How could the universe have chosen him for me? I couldn't wrap my mind around it. The thought of being tied to someone so callous and unforgiving made my stomach churn with dread. I had heard the stories of his cruelty, his quick temper, and his disregard for others. He was the embodiment of everything I despised in the werewolf hierarchy, and yet, here I was, face-to-face with the possibility that he was my destined partner. It was a bitter pill to swallow, and I found myself desperately searching for any other explanation, any way to escape this terrible reality.

I was lost in my thoughts when suddenly, I felt a rough hand pushing me down hard to the floor. "Are you fucking ignoring me?! I'm the strongest alpha ever! Don't you know who I am? And why the hell do I feel so mad right now? Why are my heartbeats so loud and strong?" He shouted, his voice tinged with a deep growl that sent shivers down my spine. The force of his push sent me tumbling to the ground, my body colliding with the hard surface beneath me. Pain shot through my limbs, but it was nothing compared to the shame and humiliation that washed over me. I could feel the eyes of everyone in the hallway boring into me, their whispers and snickers echoing in my ears. I wanted to disappear, to sink into the floor and escape this nightmare. But Noah's words kept me rooted in place, his anger and confusion mirroring my own. He seemed just as perplexed by the intensity of his emotions as I was, and I couldn't help but wonder if he, too, was grappling with the possibility of our connection. But his aggression and lack of empathy only served to deepen my fear and uncertainty.

I gulped nervously, trying to crawl on the floor in a desperate attempt to stand up, but my feet betrayed me. "Move your ass now from my way!" He shouted again in an authoritative tone that left no room for disobedience. My hands scrambled against the smooth surface, seeking purchase, but my legs remained uncooperative. I could feel the heat of Noah's gaze burning into my back as I struggled to right myself, my cheeks flushed with embarrassment. His words cut through me like a knife, the harshness of his tone leaving no doubt as to his disdain for me. I wanted to scream, to tell him that I was trying my best, that I couldn't control the way my body was reacting. But the words lodged in my throat, choked by the fear that gripped me. I had never felt so powerless, so utterly at the mercy of another person. And the fact that it was Noah, the man who could potentially be my mate, only made the situation that much more unbearable.

I cursed under my breath, feeling utterly humiliated. He hollered back, "What the hell did you just say?" His voice was like thunder, reverberating through the hallway and making me flinch. I couldn't believe that this was happening, that I was being subjected to such cruelty in front of my peers. I wanted to stand up for myself, to tell him off and put him in his place. But the words that came out of my mouth were barely audible, a feeble attempt at defiance. "I said I'm trying to get up. Just go." My voice trembled as I spoke, betraying the fear and vulnerability that consumed me. I hated myself for showing such weakness in front of him, for letting him see just how much his actions affected me. But I couldn't help it. The humiliation was too much to bear, and all I wanted was for him to leave me alone, to let me escape this horrible situation and never look back.

In an instant, he yanked me by my hair and slammed my back against the locker, forcing me to face him. "Look at me now," he commanded. But seriously? I couldn't! It felt impossible! I wanted to scream, but no sound escaped my lips. The pain that shot through my scalp as he gripped my hair was nothing compared to the terror that gripped my heart. I could feel the cold metal of the locker pressing into my back, the hard edges digging into my skin. His face was mere inches from mine, his breath hot against my cheek. I wanted to look away, to avert my gaze and escape the intensity of his stare. But I couldn't. It was as if his eyes had locked onto mine, holding me captive in their depths. I could see the anger and confusion swirling within them, the same emotions that I was grappling with myself. But there was something else there too, something that I couldn't quite put my finger on. It was almost as if he was searching for answers, trying to understand the connection between us just as much as I was.

He huffed in annoyance and said, "You make me angry! My heart is— Why the fuck don't you look at me right now? Are you afraid?" His words were laced with frustration and something else, something that I couldn't quite identify. It was as if he was struggling to come to terms with his own emotions, just as I was. But his anger and aggression made it impossible for me to see past the surface, to understand what was truly going on inside his head. I could feel my own heart racing, pounding against my ribcage as if it were trying to escape. I wanted to tell him the truth, to confess my blindness and put an end to this nightmare. But the words caught in my throat, trapped by the fear that consumed me. I was terrified of what he would do, of how he would react if he knew the truth about me. So I did the only thing I could. I sealed my eyes shut and sighed deeply, "I'm blind!"

**End of flashback**

Isabella.

From that moment, I decided I had to be much stronger. I convinced myself that he hadn't made a move since that day and that he would not try to reach out to me ever again. So, he must have rejected me for sure. He would forget about me, I thought. The realization that Noah was my mate had hit me like a ton of bricks, leaving me reeling and unsure of how to proceed. But as the days passed and he made no attempt to contact me, I began to convince myself that he had rejected the idea of us being together. After all, why would someone like him, the future ruler of the werewolf kingdom, want anything to do with a blind girl like me? I told myself that he would forget about me, that he would move on and find someone else more suited to his status and position. It was a bitter pill to swallow, but I forced myself to accept it. I couldn't allow myself to dwell on what might have been, on the connection that I had felt so strongly in that moment. I had to be stronger, to focus on my own life and my own goals. I couldn't let the actions of one person, no matter how significant, derail everything that I had worked so hard for.

Well, that was what I desperately hoped. I clung to the idea that Noah would simply forget about me, that he would move on and leave me to my own devices. It was a comforting thought, one that allowed me to push the memories of that day to the back of my mind and focus on the present. But deep down, I knew that it was a fragile hope, one that could be shattered at any moment. I couldn't shake the feeling that our paths were destined to cross again, that the connection between us was too strong to be ignored. But I pushed those thoughts aside, determined to maintain my optimism and my belief that I could overcome this obstacle on my own. I had to believe that I was strong enough to handle whatever came my way, even if that meant facing the reality of my mate rejecting me. It was a daunting prospect, but one that I was determined to face head-on, no matter how much it hurt.

That's why, when I woke up that day, I took a lukewarm shower to wash away my fears, dressed in my school uniform, and gathered all my strength and self-esteem back together. Yes, I was a fighter, but in my own unique way. There was nothing particularly special about me except that I could walk, talk, and even read and write without drawing attention to myself. Or in other words, without exposing the fact that I was blind! I was determined to face the day with my head held high, to show the world that I was more than just a blind girl. I had spent so long hiding my disability, desperate to blend in and avoid the pity and condescension that often came with it. But now, I realized that my blindness was a part of who I was, and I couldn't let it hold me back any longer. I had to embrace it, to use it to my advantage and prove to everyone, including myself, that I was capable of anything. So I set off for school that day with a renewed sense of purpose, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead. I knew that it wouldn't be easy, that there would be obstacles and setbacks along the way. But I was determined to overcome them, to show the world that I was a fighter, even if my battles were fought in silence and solitude.

My teachers and the principal knew my situation, of course; they helped me quietly and discreetly. But my keen sense of smell and the strong gift of detecting scents around me were what truly guided me through the hallways. They were my secret weapons, the tools that allowed me to navigate the world without drawing attention to my blindness. I had honed these skills over the years, learning to rely on my other senses to compensate for my lack of sight. It wasn't always easy, but I had become adept at using my nose to guide me, to pick up on the subtle scents that others might overlook. I could tell when someone was approaching, even if I couldn't see them, and I could navigate the hallways of the school with ease, avoiding obstacles and finding my way to my classes. It was a skill that had served me well, allowing me to maintain my independence and avoid the pitying looks and whispers that often followed me. But I knew that it was only a matter of time before my secret was revealed, before the truth about my blindness came to light. And when that day came, I knew that I would have to be ready to face the consequences, whatever they might be.

I felt ready. I stepped down the stairs, wishing my parents a good day, and waved them goodbye as they left the house, waiting for the school bus to arrive. It was a routine that I had followed countless times before, but this day felt different somehow. There was a sense of anticipation in the air, a feeling that something big was about to happen. I tried to push the thought aside, focusing instead on the familiar sounds and scents of my surroundings. I could hear the birds chirping in the trees, the rustling of leaves in the breeze. I could smell the freshly cut grass and the faint scent of exhaust from the cars passing by on the street. These were the things that grounded me, that reminded me of who I was and where I belonged. I took a deep breath, letting the cool morning air fill my lungs, and stepped forward, ready to face whatever the day might bring. I knew that there would be challenges ahead, that I would have to confront my fears and doubts head-on. But I also knew that I was strong enough to handle it, that I had the courage and determination to succeed, no matter what obstacles lay in my path.

The driver of the school bus honked the horn to signal me. He was aware of my blindness, but I had insisted that he not help me at all. I walked confidently inside the bus and took a seat next to the driver, as I always did. I preferred to keep that space empty. It was a small victory, but one that meant the world to me. I had worked hard to maintain my independence, to prove to myself and others that I was capable of navigating the world on my own terms. So when the bus driver honked the horn, I smiled to myself, knowing that he understood and respected my wishes. I stepped onto the bus with my head held high, making my way to my usual seat with ease. I could feel the eyes of the other students on me, but I ignored them, focusing instead on the familiar scents and sounds of the bus. The rumble of the engine, the squeak of the brakes, the chatter of my classmates - these were the things that grounded me, that reminded me of my place in the world. I settled into my seat, my backpack nestled securely at my feet, and took a deep breath, ready to face whatever the day might bring.

After all, I couldn't see, so I might accidentally sit in someone's lap, and I couldn't deny how awful the other students were. Being born into powerful alpha families or royal lineage often led to terrible behavior, and I did everything I could to escape that world. I had seen firsthand the cruelty and arrogance that often accompanied those born into privilege, and I wanted no part of it. I knew that my blindness made me an easy target, that some of my classmates would see it as a weakness to be exploited. But I refused to let them define me, to let their narrow-mindedness and prejudice dictate my worth. I had worked too hard, overcome too many obstacles, to let anyone else control my destiny. So I kept to myself, avoiding the cliques and social hierarchies that dominated the school. I focused on my studies, on honing my skills and talents, knowing that one day, I would prove to the world that I was more than just a blind girl, that I had something valuable to offer. It wasn't always easy, but I knew that it was the only way to escape the toxic world of the werewolf elite, to carve out a place for myself that was free from their influence and control.

But— My seat was taken! I found myself unceremoniously plopped onto a man's lap. I jumped up immediately, gasping and gulping nervously. But he pulled me back down, saying, "Have a seat, baby. Everyone knows your secret now." I could feel my heart pounding in my chest, my breath coming in short, sharp gasps. This couldn't be happening, not now, not like this. I had worked so hard to keep my secret, to maintain my anonymity and independence. But now, in one horrible moment, it had all come crashing down around me. I could feel the eyes of the other students boring into me, their whispers and snickers echoing in my ears. I wanted to run, to escape this nightmare and never look back. But the man's grip on my arm was too strong, his voice too insistent. He pulled me back down onto his lap, his breath hot against my ear as he whispered those awful words. I could feel the heat of shame and humiliation rising in my cheeks, the sting of tears burning behind my eyes. I had never felt so exposed, so vulnerable, and I didn't know how I was going to face the rest of the day, knowing that my deepest secret was now common knowledge.

I trembled a bit and tried to stand up, exclaiming, "Who are you?!" I could hear the tremor in my voice, the fear and confusion that consumed me. I had no idea who this man was, or why he had chosen to target me. But I knew that I had to get away from him, to put as much distance between us as possible. I tried to stand up, to pull myself free from his grasp, but he held me fast, his fingers digging into my arm with a strength that belied his casual demeanor. I could feel the eyes of the other students on us, their whispers growing louder and more insistent with each passing moment. I wanted to scream, to cry out for help, but the words caught in my throat, trapped by the fear that gripped me. I had never felt so helpless, so utterly at the mercy of another person. And the fact that he knew my secret, that he had chosen to expose me in front of everyone, only made the situation that much more unbearable. I didn't know what to do, how to escape this horrible nightmare. All I knew was that I had to get away, to find some way to salvage what little dignity I had left.

He chuckled in a condescending tone, making fun of me. "See, guys! I told you she's blind! Her secret is out now! She didn't even realize I was sitting in her seat." His words cut through me like a knife, each syllable dripping with cruelty and disdain. I could hear the laughter of the other students, their voices rising in a cacophony of mockery and derision. I felt like I was drowning, suffocating under the weight of their scorn and ridicule. I had never felt so alone, so utterly betrayed by the world around me. I had always known that my blindness made me different, that it set me apart from my peers in ways that I could never fully understand. But I had never imagined that it would be used against me like this, that someone would take such perverse pleasure in exposing my vulnerability and making me the object of their cruel amusement. I could feel the tears streaming down my cheeks, hot and bitter against my skin. I wanted to disappear, to sink into the ground and never be seen again. But I knew that I had to be strong, that I couldn't let them see how much their words had hurt me. So I forced myself to take a deep breath, to straighten my spine and hold my head high, even as the laughter and taunts continued to echo around me.