Chapter 2

Goldie’s POV        

“Are they arguing again?” Shannen asks me as she walks down our path. After they were mated, Kellie insisted we move to a house. We now live in an isolated part of the pack with no neighbors.  

Kellie told Dad it was because there were so many reminders of my mom there. She could never make it her home, with so many lingering memories. Whereas I reckon Kellie wanted to live in a home where nobody could see or hear how bad she truly was. 

“Yep,” I said while sitting on the doorstep of our house doing some of my homework.       

“What about this time?”         

“What do they always argue about?” I said, snickering. When I was younger, it used to hurt my heart that my dad and stepmom would fight about me. I am the easiest target. My dad loves all of his kids and would defend them with his life. 

“How long have you been sitting here listening?” Shannen asks me.        

“A while,” I answered. I am getting snappy, a clear sign I am getting hungry, which is making me angry. Or hangry, as it’s known. Now I am here, sitting outside my house, waiting for them to stop arguing, so I can safely get some food. Shannen looks at me before joining me on the doorstep, giving me a side hug.       

“Where is Samuel?” Shannen asked. “Dad and Samuel picked me up from training. But when we got home, she started arguing with Dad. So, I took him to Martha’s. He can play with the animals there, and she will feed him.”        

“Why did you come home then? Why didn’t you stay at Martha’s? You know she’ll feed you.” I gave her a look which must say it all. “Do you want your bag?” I gave her an acknowledging nod. “See if you can put any food in as well. I need an energy boost.”         

“Goldie, no matter what she says. I love you, and I’m lucky you’re my sister.” Shannen tells me before she sneaks into our house. I doubt Kellie will acknowledge Shannen’s presence. But she would certainly notice if I entered. She hates the sight of me, never mind the smell of me.        

It’s my 18th birthday next week and, as per tradition, I am to be sent to Beta Academy to be trained, hoping that one day an Alpha will select me to be their second in command.    

Shannen will also go when she turns 18, even though she is not my dad’s biological child. She is now his daughter, as she is the child of the woman he is mated with. Samuel will also go when he comes of age.        

“Where are you going tonight?” Shannen asks me when she returns with my backpack. I shrugged my shoulders. “I’m not sure yet.”       

I could go to Tyler’s. But I am not sure that I can deal with him tonight. He said something the last time I was there that offended me. He insinuated I was selfish in bed. There was no need for me to be offended. I am. I have sex with him for two reasons.       

First, for those few moments during my orgasm, I can forget about everyone and everything. There is only one thing that matters, my pleasure. In those few moments, I can forget about my horrible life and enjoy my climax. 

My classmates used to call me a slut because I didn’t save my virginity for my fated mate. They soon shut up when I threatened to beat the living daylights out of them. That and the fact I told them that if they are going to say that about me, they should say it about Tyler. Who was the hottest and strongest guy in school? Surely, if they are calling me a slut, they should call him one too?      

The second reason. I had sex with Tyler. Is that I have somewhere to stay for the night. Tyler knows this. We have been doing it for years. It’s like a friends-with-benefits situation for me. 

I think that is another reason I train for so many hours a day. I train because I want to be a great Beta. But I train more than most people do because I don’t want to go home. Our head warrior thinks I have the potential to become a great warrior someday, never mind being a Beta.      

Lately, my dad and Kellie have been arguing more. It’s my birthday next week and then I will leave.  

I can’t wait. Not because I have to go to Beta Academy, but because I will be away from her. For one whole marvelous year. At least it’s not like Alpha Academy. They have to go for two years.      

My only worry is that Shannen will be there on her own. That horrible woman who calls herself her mom will be horrible to her and poison Shannen’s mind. Kellie will try to undo the sibling bond that we have formed. I know Shannen is resilient, but a year is a long time.       

Kellie’s main argument is that she doesn’t believe either me or Shannen should be sent to Beta Academy. In her opinion, we are not good enough, not strong enough, not fast enough. We are only good enough to serve. Whereas Samuel will be a strong man one day. He will be worthy of a Beta position.       

Dad, on the other hand, disagrees with Kellie and doesn’t hold back, telling her it is our birthright as his children to go to Beta Academy. Both me and Shannen will attend, even if it kills him. Listening to them argue tonight, I think Kellie might take him up on that offer.       

After Mom was killed, Dad started helping me create a treehouse in our tree in the dark forest. We built the basic frame together. It was a place where I could feel connected to her. He couldn’t help for long, as once he was mated with Kellie, as she demanded most of his time. Then Samuel was born, and he had no free time at all.      

I know I was only young, but I carried on developing the tree house. 10 years later, it continues to be my sanctuary on a warm evening.        

Over the years, I have come to identify all the noises the animals make and actually feel quite comfortable there. Best of all, no one ventures into the dark forest, never mind as far as my tree. That’s where I will go tonight. Somewhere to be alone, with my thoughts and the new book I acquired from the library.