Chapter 3

When your life is as boring as mine, you develop a routine that’s more of a habit that you can’t quit. Wake up, do a few minutes of indoor exercises, shower, do homework, watch a movie, go to class, eat every 5 seconds, write a few lines to a book you have been working on for the past 3 years, watch another movie, idle, sleep and repeat. Yep, the life of an introverted werewolf. It wasn't much but I got by just fine. 

On weekends, young pack members go over to the pack house to train or too assist. I mainly assist even if I’m not really a part of the pack. So why was I currently walking towards the training grounds? Well, because I'm a really good friend and this is what good friends do. 

“What do you think of Gideon's proposal," Shay asked. Her first words spoken since this morning or last night. 

I shrugged. "There seems to be more to the story than he's letting on," I replied honestly. 

"Maybe you can ask him, maybe find out what he really wants," Shay suggested hopefully, slowing her pace. 

"This is how I know that you've never really liked me," I responded in deadpan, stopping in my tracks. 

"You know it's not like that. He went to you, not Thalia and not Brianna you. Surely that means something," she argued, stopping as well. 

I shook my head. I opened my mouth to speak but closed it. There was a tightness in my throat and an ache in my chest. How could she ask me to put myself at risk? Hadn't I done enough? 

"You weren't there," I started cryptically. "You don't know the extent of his darkness. No rank is in comparison to his. He is a lone wolf that will not hesitate to kill any alpha of whatever pack. If he wants an alliance, you either give it to him or he takes it. Whatever reason, he wants an alliance, is simply none of our business," I stated, speaking slowly and keenly. 

Sometimes I believe that Shay overestimates herself. Strength can only get you so far but fear would get you further. And everyone who has been around the demon wolf knew only one thing but fear. 

"I am your alpha female, you have to obey my orders," she voiced, sending a wave of dominance all around, attracting a few stares. 

I tilted my head at her and felt my eyes begin to burn with tears. It wasn't her dominance, it was her words. What friend uses their power to bend another into submission. 

"No," I replied shortly. "Respect can earn you the truth," I added and then walked off. 

It was not old news that I was a halfbreed and therefore I wasn't swayed by alphas. My people were led by kings and queens, note I said lead rather than rule. A true monarch knows that they are the servants of the people and not the people, servants of them. The wolf's hierarchy was very different. Now I was 100% certain that I didn't like it. 

I made myself scarce for the rest of the day and when time came for my tutoring session I was sitting by myself in a cafe and didn't feel like leaving so I invited Jay. It wasn't a date of any kind. I just needed a change of scenery though the skin tight dress that I was wearing could be swayed in the direction of a casual outing. It reached below my knee and I was wearing a cropped hoodie over its thin straps but whatever right. I did not like Jay like that but the butterflies that awoke in my tummy were very real when he walked in. 

"Hey," he greeted. His deep voice sent chills down my spine. I instinctively clenched my thighs together. 

"Hi," I replied with a smile trying to play it cool. 

He sat before me and shrugged off his jacket, flexing his biceps. I cleared my throat and furrowed my brows. Was he really flexing though or was he just taking off his shirt? I shook my head at my thoughts and began removing my textbook from my bag. 

"You're doing it again," he said with a charming smile. 

"What," I hurriedly asked, thrown off guard. 

"Thinking instead of talking. You know I actually like the sound of your voice," he stated, leaning back in his seat. 

My heart skipped a beat. Was I dreaming? "Um, thanks," I said, confused. 

"I was actually thinking that we'd do something other than study tonight," he suggested. 

I paused, my hands pressed firmly on the cover of my book. 

"It'll be fun," he coaxed. 

"Well…I guess, if you still pay me," I started out uncertain but I ended confidently with a smug smile. 

"Deal." 

We left the diner shortly after that and went to a dorm party that his jock friend was hosting. Somewhere along the way, I didn't want to go home and deal with parents that didn't birth me. If the alpha female or male wanted me for something, they were going to have to pay me. 

I sighed and pushed my back against a wall in the hall. I swear I wasn't drunk. My people were made of metal, superman had nothing on us but that didn't mean that I didn't want to be. I agreed to attend this party for a distraction and so far gossiping drama Queens and beer pong with 'the guys' had worn off. 

I inhaled deeply and scratched my face. I should probably get to bed. I stumbled forward grabbing at the wall. An intense ringing had set off in my ears. With my mind a pool of mush I miraculously found the door and by some great miracle I was outside breathing in the fresh night air. I sat on the steps leading down to the pavement and turned my head up to the sky. 

The moon was full, gracing us mere mortals with her light. As a halfbreed I had many shortcomings as a werewolf. I couldn't turn into an actual wolf. I didn't feel the pull of the moon and I didn't have a mate. I was destined to spend eternity alone. Spoiler Alert, I was exaggerating. I could find love, I could get married but there was just something about the thought of predestined love that held on to me and wouldn't let go. I wouldn't let it go. The thought of that perfect romance…was just a dream. 

I sighed suddenly, feeling sober. I stood to my feet and felt the dizziness return. I paused for a while until it went away. It had just cleared when I heard it or should I say felt it. 

The hairs on my body stood erect and the subtle sound of crushing leaves directed my attention to the dark streets and the empty clearing before me, with low cut grass and a few trees littered about. My eyes fell on an irregular shaped tree. I gulped as the silhouette of the tree changed, something moved from standing to crouching. My breathing hitched, my head snapped to my right at the sound of an engine. A vehicle was fast approaching and so was the creature. 

I stepped back and my shoes slipped on the stairs. I tried to grab the railing but I couldn't reach it. A scream left my lips as I fell onto the stairs. A sickening crunch was the last thing I heard. 

Darkness embraced me. However she was kind, soft and somewhat reassuring. She whispered words to me. A gentle touch on my mind as she showed me secrets. Glimpses of a world she coaxed me to remember. A city of gold and silver. A home that knew no fear. A place where love and war were one and the same. I saw a woman–tall and beautiful, her ears as sharp as her golden sword, her eyes a wonder to behold, orbs of molten gold. 

     Remember who you are, darkness whispered. Remember who you were.  

I jolted awake, a fire burning in my veins. I cried out, feeling my body begin to quiver and shake violently. Something sharp tore at my flesh beneath my skin. My mind went blank and the frantic beeping quieted. 

"They are coming...blood will stain the earth again and history will fall in and out of embrace" it chanted echoing through my ear in a forever symphony. It wouldn't stop, it would not grow quiet. It only got louder and louder like a heartbeat pounding in my ear. 

I felt fear but I didn't know why. I felt like waiting and crying but I couldn't open my mouth. 

"They are coming, its rising, your almost out of time," it cried louder in pain. 

The darkness blinked and the horrific image of dead bodies flashed before my eyes. They were laid out in a strange way, blood dripping from their bodies and into the soil…deep into the soil. Red eyes watched me from the shadows. 

"Their coming," I screamed as I jolted awake.