Chapter 1: The Alpha of Death

Mia

I jolt awake to splash of ice cold water making contact with my warm skin and ripping me from my dreams.

Looking up I see my perpetrator and best friend Bailey giggling, and holding a now half-emptied bucket. “Wake up loser! Last day on the beach and you choose to sleep?” I roll my eyes in annoyance at her bubbly enthusiasm.

“Alright I’ll get in for a bit but I’m not going to stay long,” I state with a huff. We each grab a floatie and make our way waist deep before hopping on and linking arms to keep from drifting apart.

“Are you excited to be heading back tomorrow? I know I am!” Bailey quipped.

Honestly I’d been avoiding that thought the whole trip. Returning to our pack was the last thing I wanted to think about.

This week at the beach had been the calm environment I desperately needed after senior year. Returning would mean I would have to finally confront the drama that has become my life the last three months. All through high school I kept my head down, focusing on my team and training. Despite keeping to myself there was always one person stirring sh*t up, my ex, Austin.

His father, the Alpha to our pack, gave his life in one of the pack battles last year. Leaving his Luna to raise Austin and his sister on her own.

Austin would now be eligible for the Alpha title which worried me. Up until we left he had shown blatant disrespect to my father, Beta to our pack. Not to mention he still had his eyes and ears on me. Returning was the last thing I had on my mind, knowing sh*t is about to hit the fan.

Prior to graduation our families decided to plan a week at the beach. Bailey and I had been counting down to getting our tans and maybe meeting a few boys at the local beach bar.

Those ideas seemed like they belonged to a different person. I was far too consumed with the drama that occurred on graduation day between my dad and Austin. Dad decided he would stay behind at home and train. His presence and breakfast cooking skills had been greatly missed on this trip.

“Hello! Earth to Mia!” Bailey said ask she tugged my floatie closer to hers.

“Sorry got lost in thought. Where do you want to eat tonight?” I coyly ask Bailey knowing darned well she wanted to go to the beach bar. I’d been a lame ass party pooper and I knew it. The least I could do was let her have some fun before we headed back.

“Do I even have to say it?!” Bailey squealed. “We were so stuck on sports this year I didn’t even have time to talk to anyone. I am ready to have some fun for a change. What do you think, girls night out?!”

I plaster on a smile and give what I hoped sounded like a genuine “Yes! We’ll paint the town red!”

Based on the shimmer in her eyes I’d say I was successful.

“We’ll what are we waiting for? It looks like it’s about 4 so we should go back to shower and change!” Bailey said.

We hopped off our floaties and carried them back to our towels. Our moms were chitchatting about a some book they were reading together when they looked up.

“Going out tonight, girls?” Bailey’s mom said with a smirk. “Bailey I could hear you two even from here. Now I know we don’t have to say it but I will anyway. Be safe and call if you need us to pick you up. I’d rather that than you drive home trashed.”

“Geeze mom! Who do you think we are! And how much would we have to down to even get buzzed.” Bailey quipped.

Her mom thought for a second, “Very true dear, my daughter right as usual. Just give us a ring if you need anything.”

We nodded our heads and headed towards the beach house.

Opening the back door I paused to admire the beach house. This whole week I was so gloomy I hadn’t noticed much of my surroundings. It really was quite nice. The floors were white marble tile, white walls and trim. Large windows that spanned floor to ceiling let natural light fill the space. It was such a serene setting how had I not noticed I’ll never know.

Bailey elbowed me in the ribs after noticing my staring off into space. “Hey, I know you are worried about heading back. Let’s try and enjoy the evening and forget about it for a bit.”

“I know Bales you’re right. Let’s get ready and dance our asses off!” I say with a wink.

“That’s what I’m talking about! Yeah girl!” Bailey shouts.

We race to the bedroom we shared and get to work. Bailey heads for the shower while I comb through my clothes looking for the right outfit.

Nothing seems quite right after going through my duffle bag, my eyes settle on a pair of denim jeans and a sleeveless top. Nothing exciting but it will get the job done.

Bailey hops out and takes a look at what I picked out. “See, this is why I always pack with both of us in-mind. You would live in leggings or jeans if it was up to you,” she retorts rolling her eyes.

“And what’s wrong with that?” I chuckle at her disdain of my choice.

“Good grief Mia, just go get in the shower and hurry up so I can do your hair!”

I stick my tongue out at her and head to the shower. She could be as annoying as a sister sometimes.

When I return Bailey’s shoulder-length brown hair is pulled back in a high ponytail. She dabs the last bit of blush on her cheeks before looking up at me. She stood up dusting off any remaining powder on her arms. She twirls in her dress before asking, “Well what do you think?”

“Wow, you look great!” I couldn’t argue with Bailey about who had better fashion-sense. She looked incredible with a teal dress and white heals that fit the beach-theme.

She turned to the bed and pointed to the dress she had laid out. It seemed a little racy looking for me. I knew my dad wouldn’t like it if he were here. The dress slid on easily and fit like a glove when Bailey zipped up the back. I gasped looking in the mirror, “Is that me?” I thought to myself.

“I can’t wear this it’s too nice. What if I ruin it?” I shoot Bailey a worried look.

The dress was far nicer than anything I owned and I knew I wouldn’t be able to pay Bailey back for it if it was messed up. This is the kind of dress you get dry-cleaned. Looking in the mirror I took in what I saw. The dress was black with lace embellishments throughout and highlighted my curves beautifully. I had always been embarrassed of my figure, although athletic I definitely had more curve to me than my teammates. Mom said I was a perfect hourglass and shouldn’t be embarrassed but I just found my mother’s comment mortifying. But something about this dress suited me. Was far too low in the chest for my liking but I did like the overall look.

“Then I’ll buy a new one. You know mom takes me on too many shopping trips anyway.” Bailey says as she squeezes my shoulder.

This was true, most of my dresses were hand-me-downs from Bailey. Her mom and dad were the local physicians so they had more financial flexibility than my parents. Mom had stayed home to raise me and my brother Jason, leaving us with one family income from dad.

Bailey handed me a pair of black glittery pumps and added the finishing touches to my makeup. I didn’t really think about makeup but I guess I probably should put in some effort at some point.

A ding sounded from her phone and she grinned, “Our ride is here! Ready to get our groove on?!”

“Alright B, let’s go!” taking one last look before we left the room.

—————-

Mia

I’d never been to a bar before so this should be fun. Bailey had even planned our fake driver’s licenses just in case. But I guess this was a chill bar given they didn’t bother to ask. The gentleman at the door waved us through with a smirk. I couldn’t tell if it was because he knew we were underage or something else. Either way we were here and that’s what mattered.

Stepping through the door the sweet mixture of cotton candy and sweat hit me like a wall. The purple and blue lights danced on the floor boards and bounced off the people dancing in the darkness.

I looked around for a moment and noticed Bailey was no longer at my side. I figured she was probably testing her luck at the bar and decided to wade through the sea of people to find her.

I ignored the roaming hands of men as I made my way to the bar at the center of the room. Appears I was right, little miss B had made a bee-line to the bartender and was turning just as I sat down.

“Mia, Brian here is going to take care of us for the night. He has my mom’s card so order whatever you want,” she giggled.

Brian slid a mojito down to Bailey and looked at me expectantly, “We’ll what’ll it be missy?”

The only drink I could think of was brandy at least that’s what my father always had as a night cap.

“House brandy please,” I shout over the thumping music.

“Say waaah?? Are you fifty?” Bailey gives me a puckered face clearly disapproving.

Brian shrugged and poured a bottle of brown liquid into a glass and slid it my direction. Picking it up I took a sip. “Ugh! Why does dad like this stuff” I thought to myself.

B and I downed our glasses and hit the dance floor. Swinging around and laughing like two idiots without a care. I was starting to feel warm and carefree.

“Hmm brandy is starting to grow on me” my wolf Ava purred in my head.

She had been silent all week and although I’d been annoyed with her I was glad she was coaxing back out.

“Oh hello, glad you decided to join us,” sarcasm coating my tone.

“Look you took a break this week and I took one in my own way. You can be exhausting,” she said rolling her eyes at me.

I decided to let her be and deal with her tomorrow. Tonight was girls’ night and we were going to dance the night away.

After more glasses than I could count had been downed I decided to get a ride home for us.

B was clearly still lost in the music but my head was starting to pound to the beat in the room and I knew it was time to go.

I walked over to the bar to close out our tab and called it a night. We had bigger things to deal with tomorrow and a hangover wasn’t going to help.

The cab didn’t take long to arrive and we hopped in. Bailey gave me the biggest grin, stuck her head out the car and shouted, “Best night EVER!!!!”

Clearly drunk out of her mind I was glad she would have tomorrow’s drive to sleep it off.

Next thing I know I feel a thump in my lap and she was out like a light.

When the car rolled up to the driveway I still had not managed to wake Bailey. So, I thanked the driver and like a good friend lifted her dead weight over my shoulder. Guess this is what all those squats from training are good for I giggled to myself.

Climbing the stairs to the door I almost jumped when the light clicked on. Bailey’s mom stood in the doorway shaking her head. She opened the door for us, not saying a word to avoid waking the others.

I trudged to our room and flung Bailey onto the bed. I hopped on the other side and kicked my heels off feeling sleepiness starting to take hold. I looked over at Bailey and snorted. Her face in the pillow and ass straight in the air and she could give two f*cks. I rolled over and let the darkness take me.