Page 1 of His Bullied Fated Mate

Prologue - Janella

“Janella! Are you up yet?” I could hear my mother’s voice down the hall and internally groaned. I did not want to get out of bed. I didn't want to go back to school and deal with the looks and everyone whispering behind my back.

My silence was her answer. I heard my door open, and my mother’s voice filled my room. “Jan. Oh, for heaven's sake.” My mother's sweet voice moved closer, and I felt the sheets being ripped away. “Up. Come on. You’re going to be late for school.”

“I’m sick,” I groaned, pulling my pillow closer. “I need to stay home.”

She crossed her arms, tapping her foot on the ground. “Unless your illness is you dying, I think you look well enough to go to school.”

I sat up and looked at her. She was a short, petite woman with deep red hair. She had smile lines and looked radiant. She was wearing a floral blouse over slacks. Her hair was pulled back in a neat bun, and she looked professional, dressed as a nurse.

I sighed and watched her face soften. She moved closer, reaching her hand up and cupping my face. She gave me a soft smile. “I know it’s hard. I wish things were easier for you. But you are a strong woman, and you don’t take shit from anyone, you hear me? You deserve to be here just like everyone else.”

If only it were that easy.

I forced a smile because I could see the worry building in her eyes. “Or, I could be a weak woman, and you let me stay home.”

She looked at me with a mom look. “I did that last week, and it didn’t help you any. So, new motto.” She kissed the top ofmy head. “Now, up. Your brother is waiting.” She slipped out of my room, and I groaned loudly. But I dragged my ass out of bed.

Ten minutes later, I headed to the front. Where my brother, Troy, was waiting. He was spinning his keys as he sat on the couch, flipping through something on his phone. Our mother was searching through her purse as she slipped on her heels.

“I’m ready,” I grumbled as I stepped into the living room.

Troy popped up and smiled. “Great.”

“I’ll be home late tonight. We have a work meeting after my shift gets off.” She kept fiddling through her purse. “And dad will be home early, so he’s in charge of dinner.”

“That’s a mistake waiting to happen,” Troy chipped in.

I snorted as I walked over, sliding my shoes on.

Mom gave Troy a look. “Be nice to your father. He tries. He's not chief, but at least he can cook something.”

Troy smirked. “He is many things, Mom, but a cook is not one of them. I will cook dinner tonight.”

She smiled, patting his shoulder before she pulled the door open. “Alright, everyone out. We all have a day to get to.”

Troy and I stuffed ourselves into his beat-up truck. I turned the AC on, and hot air blasted at me. “Jesus.” I quickly turned it off and glared at him. “Remind me again why you wanted this piece of shit over a nice vehicle.” I cringed as I took in the worn-down exterior.

Troy gave me his lazy smile. “Because I can store all my stuff in the back.”

I waved myself and started to roll the window down. The wind blew as he drove, and I took in the town. I felt my stomach drop as we got closer to school.

“I have a counseling meeting after school with my guidance counselor. So, I can’t give you a ride back until I’m done with that. You okay waiting?”

“I’ll just walk.” We only lived half a mile away from the school anyway. I looked over at him. “What’s the meeting for?”

“Just stuff,” he said, wrinkling his nose. “Boring stuff. I would rather chew my own foot than go to it, but dad told me I couldn't keep avoiding it.”

I knew that was Troy’s way of downplaying something, which told me it was important. My stomach settled even lower.

My folks had Troy when they were twenty. Our mom just landed herself a nursing job at the hospital. Our father was promoted at his job from assistant to manager at a construction company. They were over the moon when they had Troy. They tried for years to have another, but never did. So, they decided to adopt.

Which was where I came in. I was four years old when they picked me. Mom had always wanted a girl. She said as soon as she laid eyes on me, she knew I was meant to be hers. It also helped that the agency said I was just a young pup.

I was quickly adopted and brought into their home. Mom had decorated my room with animals, and they did nothing but love me. They treated me and Troy the same. We were loved the same, disciplined the same. I never once thought that I didn’t belong. Even when they were informed that I was just a human, and the agency had lied. Their love remained.

The outside world was less loving. The first few years I was here, I remember feeling safe. Mom took me everywhere, and I couldn't help but smile. Everyone thought our parents were so lucky to have us. That having a daughter was special. But after word got around that I was just human, that view quicklychanged. Suddenly, everyone pitied them for being stuck with me. I was suddenly less.