Face your bullies

Ximena

“I need to leave, grandmother. I’m very grateful for all you've done for me— I promise to be back immediately when I finish.” I vowed and she smiled, pulling me for a hug.

“I’ll miss you so much, child. I know you have to go, it’s your destiny and not even a few years of hiding can stop it.” She replied and I furrowed my brows, wondering why she was speaking in parables now.

“What do you mean?”

“When the time is ripe, you will know. Take good care of yourself, I’m fine, you don’t need to worry about me, I have lots of people here with me. Focus on helping the pack.” She replied and I nodded, hugging her tightly while the guard announced his arrival with the honking of the car.

“I love you so much, Grandmother. Thank you so much for making me the warrior I am.” I whispered softly, my heart melting into one big puddle of sadness as I let go of her reluctantly.

Sluggishly, I made my way to the car but I couldn’t stop turning around to stare at her while she waved at me with a big smile. She made me realize how powerful I was and I owed everything to her.

“I’ll miss you so much.” I whispered as I got into the car, smiling softly through the tears while waving at her.

“The pack house has been prepared for us, we will settle in today and tomorrow we will access the pack before we come up with a plan. The beta will be the one to tell us about everything we need to know.” Mark, another guard, briefed me and I nodded.

“We need to check the guards they have too, it’s best to know their weakness first before their strength and get to know how the rogues keep entering into the pack.” I pointed out.

“Yes.” He whispered.

We drove in silence, jamming to classical music and immediately we left the border of the park onto the smooth road that led to all the packs. I felt a strange jolt in my spirit.

“Where— Aren’t we headed to the Rhinestone pack?” I demanded and he stared at me with a raised brow.

“Why would we head there? The Rhinestone pack is very powerful.” He replied and my heart began racing even faster than the car.

My palms became sweaty all of a sudden and I felt adrenaline pump through my veins. “Wh— Where are we headed?” I dreaded the answer even though from the route we were taking, I knew already.

“The Armstrong pack, the alpha informed you already—“ He replied and my back slumped as I bit my lips, trying to force back the tears that had built up in my heart.

I feel Xena beaming with excitement and although I didn’t want her to be unhappy, the pack was my problem. “I— I want to go back.” I muttered softly and he scoffed.

“You’re joking right? You know we have no say in this right? You remember the last person who had gone against the Alpha? You would never live to tell the story. What is wrong? Why are you suddenly backing out, I know you’re not scared so what’s wrong?” He warned and I shook my head, deciding I was better off dead than in the pack.

“Think of mother and father— They were happy when you returned. It’s time to put the past behind you, bond with your family and avoid the Alpha.” Xena pleaded softly, she was speaking from a place of hurt and I closed my eyes softly.

My childhood flashed before my eyes and all I could see were powerless people bullying a cowardly me. It was high time I stood up for not only myself but my wolf and family.

“Let go of the past, please.” Xena pleaded.

“But—“

“No buts this time, you’re going to face them— Your bullies. You’re a warrior— Are you going to go against the Alpha? Do you think he’ll let you go against him without making you do it with the Alpha command? The shadow pack isn’t one to be toyed with.” Xena warned and I exhaled as I peeled my eyes open.

I felt light, like a huge luggage had been pushed off my chest and I was open to a great time. “You’ll drop me off at my parents house.” I muttered after a long silence and he glanced at me with shock.

“What do you mean?”

“I’d rather stay with my parents than stay at the pack house, I’ll come see you tomorrow.” I replied and gulped down a huge lump the moment we drove into the pack house.

“I don’t know—“ He muttered and I rolled my eyes.

“I’ll take the wheels.” I replied and he parked, letting us switch places. Staring at the same old street, memories flooded my head.

The dusty path towards my house was tarred now and I smiled softly, not once did I ever imagine returning with a car.

Arriving at the compound which I shared with three more neighbors, I bade Mark farewell, promising to introduce him to my family later.

Walking into the house, I was overwhelmed with sadness because the air was down. I saw a few people at the entrance, sobbing softly and I began panting heavily as I dashed into the small living room, which was filled with lots of people, searching for mother.

“What’s wrong?” I asked the first person I could see but they were too sad to speak and I left immediately, heading for her room.

She wasn’t there and it increased my fears. I felt a large lump grow in my throat and chest as I thought out one horrendous thing but deep down, with all my heart, I wished it would be a different case and everybody would be fine.

I went to my brother's room and my phone slipped out of my hand when I saw a terrifying sight before me.