This section adds a really important layer to Siera and Johnthan's relationship. Right now, the story works because Siera isn't immediately swept away by the mate bond. She still has boundaries, goals, and frustrations, which makes her feel believable instead of just "destined romance." The idea of a four-year mate trial is also a strong plot device because it creates long-term tension and gives both characters room to grow.
I polished the grammar, strengthened the emotional pacing, and made the dialogue flow more naturally while keeping your tone and character dynamics intact.
After learning that my mate was the toxic Alpha Junior himself, I decided to enjoy the rest of my birthday and pretend my life wasn't falling apart.
Unfortunately, the universe clearly hated me.
The entire week after the mate bond, I couldn't shake the feeling that Johnthan wasn't going to let me go easily. Leaving for college in a few days suddenly felt less exciting and more like the beginning of a war.
Johnthan had been calling me nonstop ever since he found out I was his mate.
At this point, he was about two seconds away from being blocked.
He wasn't making this any easier.
The mate pull was supposed to grow stronger every time mates were near each other. Same building? Worse. Same room? Absolute torture.
I could be minding my business on the training grounds, and suddenly there he was, standing too close, whispering things in my ear about what could happen if we were alone together.
The man seriously didn't understand the difference between getting to know your mate and trying to know every single thing about them overnight.
Sure, we grew up together.
That didn't mean he actually knew me.
And honestly?
He was starting to get on every last nerve I had.
"DAMN that Alpha-in-training!" I shouted at the top of my lungs.
My bedroom was practically empty except for half-packed boxes, paint cans, and college supplies scattered everywhere. Between redesigning my room and preparing to leave for college, the place looked like chaos.
Mom walked in just as I glared at the freshly painted wall like it personally offended me.
"Alright, Siera Lameeka Dawson," she said slowly, crossing her arms. "Why exactly are you yelling at wet paint?"
I groaned dramatically and collapsed face-first onto my pillow.
"Mom, I cannot take Alpha Junior anymore. He's being way too much. He makes me want to reject him so badly it makes my skin crawl."
Mom raised an eyebrow but stayed quiet.
"I know mates are important, and you're supposed to spend time getting to know each other before jumping each other's bones or whatever, but Johnthan is being ridiculously impatient." I rolled over dramatically. "How is this man supposed to survive four years without me while I'm in college?"
The second the words left my mouth, Mom's expression changed.
"Oh," she said softly. "So your mate is Johnthan."
I froze.
"You knew?"
"I had my suspicions," she admitted. "Especially after he started asking very specific questions about the college you chose."
I sat straight up so fast I almost fell off the bed.
"Mom," I said carefully, "please tell me you didn't tell him anything."
She suddenly became very interested in the doorway.
"Mom."
Silence.
"MOM!"
She walked out of the room without answering.
I stared after her in horror.
"Oh my Goddess..."
I dropped back onto the bed and covered my face.
"My entire four years are going to be ruined because of him."
That was when the idea hit me.
A mate trial.
Four years apart.
If Johnthan truly cared about me and not just the bond itself, then he should be able to survive while I finished college.
Right?
Without wasting another second, I grabbed my phone and called Alpha Lee.
The line rang twice before he answered.
"Hello?"
"Hi, Uncle Lee. It's Siera Dawson."
"Well, hello there, my dear. How are you?"
"I'm okay. Actually... I needed to talk to you about something important."
His tone immediately shifted. "Of course. What's wrong?"
I took a deep breath.
"I'm Johnthan's mate."
Complete silence.
Then—
"Whoa, hold on." Alpha Lee sounded genuinely shocked. "You're mated to my son, and you're still calling me uncle?"
I couldn't help laughing a little.
"I know it's weird right now to call you 'Dad' when technically I'm supposed to become the future Luna someday, but I want to finish college before taking on any Luna responsibilities."
There was a long pause before he finally spoke again.
"I respect that."
Relief loosened the tight knot in my chest.
"So..." I continued carefully, "I wanted to ask if there has ever been a mate trial before. Like... one mate leaves for college while the other stays behind for several years."
"Hmm." I could practically hear him thinking. "No, it's never happened before."
My stomach sank.
"But," he continued, "it actually sounds like a very interesting idea."
I blinked in surprise.
"It would test whether the loyalty between mates is genuine beyond the bond itself."
A small smile crossed my face.
"So... we can do it?"
"I'll discuss it with Luna Gabby first," he replied thoughtfully. "She'll definitely want input on this situation."
Then his voice softened slightly.
"And honestly? She'll probably be very happy to hear you're Johnthan's mate."
I laughed nervously. "Thanks, Uncle Lee."
"You're leaving tomorrow night, right?"
"Yeah. Nine o'clock."
"Alright, Si. We'll talk more tomorrow."
After hanging up, I stared around my half-empty room.
One thought repeated itself over and over in my head.
This mate trial was either going to save our relationship...
Or completely destroy it.