Chapter one: Rough beginnings

Chapter One

Laila Pov

“Happy 18th Birthday Lai,” My friends echoed throwing the confetti made of presents wrappers and some other material. I smiled at them as they flooded me with hugs that sucked the air from me.

“Geez, if you guys continue like this, I would be dead before I get to blow out the candles.” I joked closing my eyes as the warmth flooded through me.

Harley, my childhood friend whom we basically shared everything together stood in front of me with a beaming smile, her brunette hair bounced in silky waves, it was one of the many things I envied about her.

My platinum blonde hair was something I didn’t enjoy having, it was weird that in a town of over twenty thousand people I was the only one that had a striking shade of white for a hair and so I did the only thing that would make me normal, I dyed my blonde hair black. Now that I mentioned it, it was about time I covered up my roots the white as peeking out in small strands.

“Happy birthday bestie.” She pulled me in a separate hug. she smelled like those girls who lived in fancy houses and pretty flowers like dandelions and orchids. While I was nothing like that, I didn’t wear flowery dresses or fine prints of pastel colors instead I wore more of dark brown plaid and black turtlenecks. I lived in the dark academia world, with glasses, dirty books and boots.

“Thank you, Harley.” I replied rubbing my hands on my plaid skirt as she pulled away.

“Lai- “my head snapped in Justine’s direction. He had that sweet smile that made me say yes. His brown hair had been combed back in soft waves that covered up the front of his head, his white shirt dress was tucked into black pants, he covered up the distance between us pulling in for a kiss. The rest of our friends cheered in the background as we locked lips. His hands grabbed my waist and fell down to my hips where he squeezed gently. He pulled back for air and placed his forehead against mine.

“Happy birthday lai.” He said again, his eyes washed across my face and down to my shirt. His brows pulled into a frown and I knew that he wasn’t happy.

“you’re wearing the chain even after telling you not to.” he said calmly, if it was one thing Justine had an anger meter and this was the first meter.

“I can’t stop wearing it. My parents told me it really means a lot to our family. I just can’t stop wearing it because you want me to.” I replied folding my arms across my chest. I didn’t like fighting with him but he seemed to pick petty fights with me.

“So that’s it? You don’t love me enough to do the one thing I want,” he chuckled painfully and pulled away, our friends could see what was happening but everyone decided to stay away.

“It’s not like that Justine.” I tried to explain but he was already walking out on me. Just like always, he wouldn’t let me explain myself.

“Are you okay?” Harley asked as the celebration continued ignoring the little drama. I walked with her until we got to the bar to grab a few shots.

“Yeah, I’m fine.” She eyed me while I downed my drink.

“Laila, is this about the necklace? You know you can always take it off when you’re around him just to keep him happy.” My eyes darted in her direction as in surprise, was she really taking his side?

“I mean, it shouldn’t be too hard for the sake of your relationship.” She added. I knew she was trying to be helpful but this wasn’t what I needed to hear.

“Yeah-“ I answered absent mindedly as my phone beeped in my pocket. Harley walked away and I clicked opened the notification. My worry with Justine melted away as I saw the picture, it was from mom and dad, they held a cake that read happy birthday. My phone dinged again and I opened the picture, this time Dad had frosting on the top of his lips and eyebrows. I laughed at how goofy he was being.

I face timed them making sure I finished Harleys drink, they picked up after two rings.

“Laila, you shouldn’t be calling us. You should be hanging out with your friends.” My mother said trying to balance the phone so that I could see them properly.

“I know but I just wanted to see you guys-“

“You’re unlike most teenagers, they’ll prefer to stay away from their parents on their 18th birthday but here you are calling us while in the middle of a bar with a guy drinking behind you.” Dad said frowning as he stared at the camera. I cracked up at his face, he had taken off most of the frosting.

“Yeah, your fathers right. You should have fun with Harley and your boy-“

“Boyfriend? She has a boyfriend?” Dad asked turning to mom. “Laila- what’s your mother talking about?” Mom mouthed sorry to me while I chewed on my bottom lips.

“Bye dad, bye mom. I’ll see you by eleven.”

I sighed and turned around, my friends had broken up in smaller batches as they danced, Justine wasn’t back and Harley was probably somewhere doing what she knows how to do best, make other friends. I should find Justine. I walked off to the dance floor and tapped Greg, a guy who I met few weeks back.

“Hey Greg, did you see where Justine went?” I yelled over the now loud music. He nodded and hazely pointed towards the front door. Did he leave? The sudden urge to pee came on me and with a small groan I rushed off to the restroom.

I pushed the door opened gently making sure not to make any noise, I halted over the noise that echoed in the room, from one of the stalls loud feminine moans filled the room and strong grunts followed. Who would be shameless to get dirty in the female’s bathroom.

“UH- Yes J- like that, don’t stop.” The all familiar voice moaned again; my brows tugged up in surprise. I would recognize that voice anywhere, Harley. She didn’t tell me she was hooking up with anyone, my lips spread in a grin. I wasn’t surprised, Harley had that power to have guys wrapped around her finger without even trying yet I was the one with a boyfriend.

“Yes, yes I’m almost there Harl, wait for me, i-m I’m coming-“ the guys groan was muffled and I suspected that they were kissing.

“Yes, come for me baby. Just like that.” He muttered, uneasiness grew in the pit of my stomach. There was something that didn’t sit right with me, he sounded so much like Justine. Its impossible, maybe it was just someone who sound like him.

“You did good Harley, you did well. How do you feel about that?” he asked.

“Great but I think we should head back, Laila must be looking for us.” Harley said and I felt my heart break. It couldn’t be. There was no way that it was true. Standing opposite the stall, I listened as they dressed up and when the doors pushed opened, my eyes narrowed and my lips shook in unbelief.

“Harley-“ I heard myself say. Both their heads shot up and there eyes widened.

“What in the actual hell?” I added.

“Laila, its noth-“ Justine tried to cover up but I heard everything, he couldn’t lie to me now.

“How long? How long has this going on?”

“Its not what you think-“ Justine tried again and I sent him a hard glare.

“Stop playing it safe with her Justine, she’s not a baby she can handle it.” Harley stated surprising me even more, she had never been like this with me. “We’ve been doing this for a while, don’t know how long but it doesn’t matter to you.”

None of this made sense, why?

“You want to know why, because you Laila always had everything I wanted, everything. You had everything and you didn’t even know it.”

“Is that what this is? Payback?” I asked already knowing the answer.

“Yes.”

My legs carried me as fast as it could, past the crowd who were having the time of their lives and the door. The cold air brushed against my neck and the moon shot down on me, anger, hurt, betrayal surged right through me and I wanted nothing more than to get back home.

I climbed into the car dad gave me and turned on the engine, my eyes glossed with tears as I glanced at the door hoping both of them would come after me and apologize or even tell me that I was dreaming but they didn’t.

The car roared into the night and I sniffed as I cleaned my eyes with my fingers. This wasn’t fair, why?

“Why?” I muttered as I turned up the road.

“Why?” my voice got louder, and I banged on the wheels. “Why?!” I yelled as more tears crossed my vision that I didn’t see the animal in front of me. I pressed on the breaks bringing the car to a halt. With teary eyes I saw the creature, it was huge. A huge dog like creature, it stared back at me with golden eyes, putting how it stood and the features I could tell it was a wolf.

A huge black wolf, I almost ran into a wolf. The creature snarled at me and disappeared into the darkness.

By the time I got back home, I took a deep breath inside the car before stepping out. I sighed and made sure I cleaned my eyes to hide any trace of crying but I was sure they would figure it out by the time I crossed the door.

The front door was slightly ajar when I got there, Mom and dad never made the mistake to close the door even if they were expecting me.

“Mum- dad- you guys left the door open-“ I started pushing all of the door opened as I stepped inside. It was also dark too, where they planning another surprise for me? I’ve had enough in one night.

My boots squelched as I tried to find the switch. Why would they leave the floor wet and- the lights came on and my eyes widened in horror at the sight in front of me.

Blood.

Blood. Lots of it.

“Mum- dad-“ my voice faltered as I recounted my steps trying not to pass out. Then I saw them, right in the middle of the kitchen in the pool of their own blood, lying on the ground.

“Mu- mu- mu-mum- da-dad.” The entire place was a mess, broken glass, spilled ingredients, and my birthday cake scattered.

No. No. This wasn’t happening. None of this was real. No. My fears rang in my ears pushing me back to the ground, my hands came in contact with the warm liquid.

Dead. They were dead.

“You were the target.” A deep voice from across said, I hadn’t noticed the third party in the room. “They wanted you instead.” He said. His tall frame towered but I couldn’t see much because the lights didn’t reach that end. Who was he?

“what the hell are you saying? How did you get in here? You- you killed them, this is all your fault, what did they ever do to you? Why would- yoo-“ my voice broke and my eyes blurred. I felt a strange surge of energy as I rose to my feet, I was going to make him pay for what he did.

His yellow eyes glowed, eyes that had me racing towards him in anger for what he did. I was almost there.

I – I was almost.

Everything went black.

Ares Pov

They were unlucky, both of them ended up in a problem that was never theirs to begin with. Humans and being so unlucky. I brushed my hands through my hair as I patrolled the scene in front of me. The news that the Night gems pack had found a lead on the long-lost white wolf spread and I had to come myself to make sure I got here first, unfortunately I didn’t get here in time. I walked in their blood and inspected the chaos around, a broken bottle, scratch marks around the walls, the night gems really did a number her. The sound of an engine going off caught my attention. I sniffed the air trying to see if it was a friend or foe, it was neither. It was a female who had the same scent as the dead couple, she was family.

When she passed out to the ground after she tried attacking me which was a very silly move, I took in her features. Black hair that was obviously not black, her smooth face was now stained in blood, her breathing was becoming shallow. I knew this reaction all to well. It was shock.

“Took you long enough to get here Ayesha.” I stated turning to my assistant and gamma. The dark-skinned women walked into the light staring at the scene and then the girl before her.

“I’m sorry Alpha Ares but I they managed to get away before I could get to them.” She answered squatting down to the girl on the ground.

“Is this who they wanted?” she asked glancing up at me.

“Yes, they couldn’t get an answer from the humans so they killed them instead. We’re bringing her to base with us.”

………………………………………………………………………