Chapter 1

Stormie 

“Momma where are we going?” I asked rubbing the sleep from my eyes as my mom carried me out of the house. 

“Hush now. We’re going to go get some help from some friends baby. You’re gonna ride on daddy’s back until we get there ok? Put your coat on and put the hood up,” my mother said, gently placing me on my father’s furry back after helping me get my coat on. I rubbed my face in his fur, smiling as it tickled my face and I breathed in his familiar scent.

“But momma it’s still night time,” I said sleepily into his fur as I heard my mom move around.

“I know sweetie, but if we don’t leave now the bad man will come and take you away remember?” my mother said and I nodded sadly. “Daddy and I are going to take you somewhere safe so hold on tight and don’t let go.”

I wrapped my arms around my dad’s neck just like they taught me and watched as my mother shifted into her wolf too. She was smaller than my dad but still just as pretty, a light grey to daddy's dark grey. My mother nudged my arms with her cold wet nose before doing the same to my father’s side. Then we were off. There were a few other wolves running with us, but it was too dark for me to tell who they were.

We ran for what felt like forever but in reality was probably only a day and a half, stopping only for food and rest. The running lulled me back to sleep until I was swiftly grabbed off of my dad's back. I was going to cry out until I felt a hand cover my mouth and heard my mother whisper in my ear, “it’s ok. It’s me. I need you to stay here until I come for you do you understand? Don’t make a sound sweetie.” She placed me in the hollow of the tree before stepping back and I watched as the bushes covered me before I heard her shift back into her wolf and run off.

I could hear howls not far off and growls nearby. I held my tiny fist to my mouth to help keep me quiet while I waited on my mom to come back and get me. The sounds got louder and I could hear cries of pain and the sound of bodies hitting each other, fighting. Tears began to run down my cheeks as fear took over me. Suddenly my chest hurt and I knew something happened to my mother or father. I heard a loud howl of pain and then a fierce growl that sounded like my dad. Then I felt the pain again before the silence took over. I couldn’t handle the pain and doubled over, my wolf pushing forward to protect us. It was painful but I didn’t cry out as I shifted.

I laid there, waiting for what felt like hours before creeping out from the bushes to go find my parents. The forest was silent as my wolf kept low to the ground and worked to pick up their scent. I found my mother first and whined and nudged her, trying to wake her up. There were bodies everywhere and the pungent smell of blood overwhelmed my senses. I saw my father’s body not far away and tried to wake him up too, rubbing against him and pawing at him.  I laid against him crying silently until the sky began to lighten.  I heard the pounding of paws against the earth and stood up exhausted, ready to protect my parents.

As wolves entered the clearing we were in I growled, ready to attack.  The wolves stopped and I watched as they looked around still glancing over at me.  The largest wolf I'd ever seen shifted back into his human form and said "Shift".

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"Stormie! We're leaving in 30 minutes.  If you want time for breakfast you need to be up," that same voice now woke my from my dream.  Well, not a dream really, a memory or a nightmare.  I sat up in bed, covered in sweat and I could still feel my pulsse racing.  I got up and jumped in the shower hoping to wash away the last memory of my parents, their souless eyes haunting me.  

I was lucky Alpha Adam, or Dad as I called him now, found me that day and brought me home all those years ago.  I had a family again and was happy again.

 I dressed quickly throwing on my usual Elite gear - one that was custom fit for me. My top was a sleeveless armored crop top that was designed to protect my heart but allow me plenty of mobility.  It also allowed everyone to see the warrior honor tattoos from the pack on my left arm - just like the others in the Elite 8.  They signified who I was and what I was capable of - what I had worked hard to earn.  

After Alpha Adam adopted me I trained hard beside his sons - my brothers - and I had been the youngest female warrior ever at 14.  He created the Elite 8 for us after that and for the last 3 years we worked hard to hone our skills, individually and as a team.

 My tight fighting pants felt like a second skin and were tucked neatly into my calf high boots.  Even though we were meeting with the king and the other alphas I still had my knives strapped on my thighs and wrists and tucked into my boots.  Better to be over prepared than under prepared my dad would say. My white hair was damp still flowing down my back as I looked over my reflection.  Vibrant blue grey eyes stared back at me as I looked myself over once more. I brushed the hair from my face and over the creseant moon that was marked on my forehead.  

The moon kiss was a gift from the goddess herself after my 16th birthday.  She'd come to me in a dream and left just as quickly, leaving me moon kissed and giving me back the voice I'd lost after the death of my birth parents.  Even now, almost 2 years after getting my voice back I still prefered the sign language Luna Helena, Mom, had spent years teaching me. I could mind link as well, it just depended on my mood.

I threw on my cape and double checked my bags, making sure I had everything packed that I needed before heading down so my mom could braid my hair before we left.  I chewed on my lip as I carried my bags down and set them by the door next to my dad's.  I can't remember ever being this nervous before but I knew I'd be seeing Tristan for the first time in almost 14 years.  He was king now and was the one calling for our services.  

He was said to be rather ruthless on the battle field having assisted in fighting off rogues and vampires and that his wolf was a real beast - midnight black and even bigger than his father’s. He had made a lot of improvements and progress in the almost 8 years since he took over including getting rid of a lot of older traditions like no female alphas and the way omegas were treated.

He had been the first friend I'd made after the death of my birth parents.  I'd been stuck in my wolf form at the castle when we'd met one night in the gardens there.  I smiled softly thinking about the handsome boy who spent most evenings telling me stories and making me feel less alone. 

I made it down to the dinning room and saw my mom was ready with a brush and a hair tie.  

"You knew?" I signed to her smiling.  She nodded and said "Of course.  You have to look your best today baby girl.  You're being presented to the king and the other alphas. "  I stood in front of her and let her do her super fancy braid for my hair.  

'You're fidgetting.  Are you nervous Stormie?' she mind linked me.  

I blushed, not realizing I was moving.  'Sorry mom.  Yes.  Do you think he'll remember me?' I linked her back.  I glanced over at my dad who was sitting at the table drinking his coffee and reading over his emails before we left.  I didn't want him to know that I was nervous over this meeting... well more over seeing Tristan.

'Well other than the fact that you will be walking in on two legs instead of four and with much less fur,' she started before I cut her off.

'Mom,' I linked her, rolling my eyes.  She laughed and linked back 'I'm sure he'll still recognize you dear.  He asked about you each time your father went to see them.  I'm sure he'll be pleased to see what a beautiful woman you've grown into.'

I smiled and replied through our link, 'You have to say that, you're my mom.'  She finished tying off my braid and then kissed my forehead.  "All done.  Now get your plate quickly because I hear your brothers coming down already," she said motioning her head to the plates of food on the counter.  

I grabbed one and sat down eating quickly as my brothers dropped their luggage by the door and joined us.  Breakfast was a quiet affair as it was still quite early, even for us.  It was a three hour drive to the castle from here and dad had to be there in time for the start of the meeting at 7.  The only good thing would be getting to see the sun rise in the gardens again.

There was a knock at the door and we knew that meant it was time to go.  I put my dishes in the dishwasher and walked back to say goodbye to my mom.  She hugged me tight resting her chin on my shoulder and whispering "No matter what you keep you chin up.  You've earned your right just like everyone else.  Don't let those stubborn old fashioned idiots push you around.  Remember the women can be worse than the men.  Always watch your back daughter."

I nodded back to her and kissed her cheek before heading out the door.  My brothers said their goodbye before my father took his turn.  I smiled when Arkin honked the horn at him startling both our parents who split apart like a pair of naughty kids.  Aerick stuck his head out the window and said "We don't want to be late dad" before sitting back in his seat next to me.  The other Elite were in the car behind us waiting.  Finally after one last kiss, my father got in the front seat and we were off.