“Because!” she snarled and rose up to glare at her parents. “You were weak. Both if you were so weak. I deserved to be a ranked wolf. I worked my ass off to become stronger, only to find myself stuck in the middle with you two.” She looked disgusted. Her parents reeled back with the hate. “We loved you.” Sheila whispered, her voice trembling.“What’s so wrong with being unranked wolf?” Someone from the stands shouted.“Yeah?” Another called down. Soon, the entire pack was riled up.“Everything!” Amanda stood and whirled on the crowd. “You are weak. Unimportant. Poor. Pathetic wolves who are happy in your pathetic, insignificant lives. I deserve to be a luna, I deserve to lead. I deserve-” She stomped her foot.“Nothing.” My voice echoed around the clearing. “You deserve nothing.” Amanda turned back to me with a glare. “Being an alpha, or luna, isn’t something we deserve. It isn’t even something we earn. We are born to lead. We are born stronger, faster, bigger than normal wolves. Not
I stood on shaky paws, and I looked down at the girl between my feet. “What are you?”“I already told you,” Nix growled out as she lowered our head to Amanda’s. “I am an alpha of this pack, and I have made my decree.” Nix lifted our muzzle to the sky and howled. The loud lone call was matched with the shifted wolves of this pack. The ones that were left bowed their heads to us. “Does anyone disagree?”“No Alpha.” The call went out, even Jay and Sheila bowing their consent. “Mom! Dad!” Amanda called out, but they turned their backs on her. As did the rest of the pack. She looked around as she stumbled to her feet. She looked back to Nix. “From this day forth, Amanda Williams will be shunned by any of this pack. She will be joined by Aurora Williams once she is caught. We do not suffer betrayers in this pack.”“You have until sundown to collect the belongings you are taking with you. You need to be off pack lands or else the warriors have permission to attack on sight.” My father walk
I was able to tackle the wolf that dove for the pup and I made quick work of it. I whirled on the family, and they cried as I walked closer and sniffed around them to make sure no one was hurt. “You’re okay. Head to the closest building and lock yourself in a room.”The mom and kid continued to cry, but the father nodded. “Thank you…Alpha…” He trailed off, and I realized these people were too scared to scent me. “I’m Nix, Amy’s wolf.” I licked my muzzle to clean off any blood so not to scare the kid. But she threw herself at me. “Amy?”“Yes. You’re safe now, Sophie. Now, do as you’re told and go. Stay safe.” The mom and dad grabbed the pup from my leg and then hustled into whoever’s house they were cornered at. I heard a few doors slam and a lock turn before I ran off towards another howl.I made my way through the pack. One call for help after another. Sometimes, I made it in time, others someone else had already beaten me to it. I was about to run to the next howl, but it was cut
The second wolf paced in front of me, looking for a way in, but I stood my ground. I wouldn’t allow myself to fall and lose these two pups. I pushed forward, so it was my voice. “Listen, you two.” I waited until I heard their breathing to catch. “Do you…think you can…do me a favour? ““Alpha Amy?” The little boy’s voice hesitated. “Is that you?”“Yeah buddy, this is my wolf. Can you do me a favour?” I struggled to stay standing on my legs, so I locked my knees and focused on getting them out of here.“Yes Alpha.”“Good boy. Can you be a strong boy of me? Can you take your sister and run?” I wanted to look back to reassure him, but I knew if I took my eyes off the wolf, it would attack.“Will you come with us?”“Of course. I’m just going to make sure you get off to safety before I follow with you parents.”“You promise?” His tiny voice made my heart break.“I promise. I’m just going to make sure you are safe.” I tried to put so much into my voice. “Now go. I’ll make sure you get to saf
“Stay with me, baby.” I heard my father’s worried whisper in the darkness. I was floating in this nothingness. There was no light, no sound, nothing except my father’s soft whispers. “Please don’t leave me. I don’t think I could go on without you. Nevermind ever facing your mother again.” I wanted to reassure him.It’s okay daddy. I made my choice.“You saved that family, even the parents. They are still touch and go, but they made it to the hospital. So you have to make it too.” His voice grew stronger, and I smiled. At least they made it.I tried to sit up, roll over or move, but I couldn’t move. I was stuck in this darkness. Is this death? Is this the afterlife we have all heard about? Where was the Goddess? Where were my wolves? We are here with you, Amy. Nix’s voice was still with me. I closed my eyes and focused inside, and they were where they have always been even when I didn’t know it. You’re here.Of course we are. Megan’s bright voice made me smile, her snout pulling int
“I just got you back.”“I know, but he needs to do his job. I’m not going to disappear if you let me go.” I laughed and coughed. I waved the doctor over and pushed my dad back to his seat. “A little breathing room.” “Fine.” He sat back in a huff, and the doctor came and checked me over.“Looks like your wolf did the heavy lifting. You are completely back to full health.” He patted my hand. “You had us worried there.”“Sorry.” I settled back into my bed. I turned to my father. “What happened?”“You killed the last wolf and fell.”I gave my father a look, and he sighed. “We aren’t sure yet. Ronnie is looking into it.” “How did she get away from Beck?”“What?”“How did Aurora get away from Beck?” It was the one thing that was sticking out for me. “Even if she could use a spell with nothing or prep, she was tied up. She shouldn’t have been able to get free enough to hurt him.” “What are you saying, Amy?” My father ran his hands through his hair. “I’m not saying anything…yet.” I swiped
The doctor rushed in with a few nurses and started calling out directions. “Andrea cut off his top. We need to see the wound. Sarah, get the stitches cart and roll it in here.”“Doc, there is wolfsbane in his blood.” My dad was pushed against the wall, trying to get out of the way for the nurse and doctor to work. The Doctor froze for a second, then nodded.“Andrea, stop. I need you to start poison protocols.” We watched as they both stepped back and put on gloves and gowns. Something that is so normal with human doctors is so rare with ours. “Okay, let’s get back to it.” They both dove back to Ronnie. They finished cutting off his clothes and we could see the knife was hilt deep, and red lines radiated from the stab wound.“How did this happen?” The doctor probed the wound. Ronnie screamed and passed out. The nurse came rolling back in with a cart. She rolled the cart to the doctor and was going to jump in, but he held up his hand. “Sarah, wait. I need you to go out and get a fifty f
The doctor was stuffing more and more gauze into the wound, throwing the blood-soaked ones to the ground. He became more and more panicked as the used gauze pile grew. “What’s wrong?” My father stepped up to the bedside.“It’s not closing.”“What do you mean?” My father grabbed the Doctor’s arm, but he shook him off. “The lupine saline should have flushed a lot of the wolfsbane from his system, but he’s still not healing. He’s losing too much blood.” The doctor shoved more gauze into the wound and looked up. Sweat beaded down his face and his eyes were wide. “I…I, I don’t think he will pull through.”“Fuck that.” My dad grabbed both of his shoulders. “You save him.”“Alpha…” The doctor shook himself. “We need blood then.”“Take mine.” My father held out his arm, and the doctor shook his head.“You are A positive, the beta is O negative. He can only take O negative blood.”My father staggered back to a chair that was behind him. He slammed into the chair and dropped his head between h
“No fucking way.” One guy called out. I hid my smile behind my coffee cup. Gamma Charles pushed up from the desk. “Amy, while I can understand that, what I said might have appeared dismissive. But lying about rank is prohibited here.”“I understand Gamma Charles.” I placed my cup down and leaned back in my seat. Caleb, the poor man, was floundering. His mouth was opening and shutting without a sound.“So, what is your actual rank?” An unranked man, Adrian, I believed, asked me.I just raised my eyebrows and purse my lips. “Alpha.”“You have got to be shitting me.” Another man called out. “Alpha females are rare. Like super rare. Most Luna’s are betas, or gammas that mated an alpha and rank up. But a natural female alpha is basically unheard of.”“Now, now.” The gamma raised his hands. “Amy, I have to urge you to reconsider your answer. If you continue to push that you are an alpha, then I will either have to command you to tell the truth or call the dean.”“Okay.” I just nodded. “Eit
I dropped into a seat in the far back of the lecture hall. I pulled my bag on to my lap and pulled out my computer. Once that was booting up, I pulled out my notebook and took a sip from my coffee. I nearly moaned into my cup as the first hit of caffeine hit my bloodstream. I waited, sipping my French vanilla cappuccino, as the rest of the class streamed in. I scrolled on my phone, waiting for the last few minutes before class was to start. Nix and Megan kept vigil, so when the male approached me, I wasn’t startled. “Excuse me?” His voice was deep, but I’ve heard deeper. The King’s voice fashed through my mind. His voice was the deepest I had ever heard. Just thinking of it had my skin breaking out in goosebumps. I regretted not bringing a sweater. “Yes.” I looked up from my phone. The man in front of me was tall, muscular, and decent looking. His chestnut hair and chocolate eyes were warm, and he had a perfect smile. I smiled up at him and waited.“Can I sit here?” He pointed next
“I said enough.” The deep voice rang out through the cafeteria and everyone froze, except me. I squeezed the throat of the red head harder, lifting her from the ground, her feet dangling. “Amy, please.”I turned my head and stared at Vince. “This one touched me.” I growled out, Nix slipping closer to the surface. I pulled the girl closer to my face. I could barely see her freckles that dusted her nose anymore. “Do you know what I do to people who touch me without permission?”She whimpered in my hands. “Please Claudia, help me.” Her voice was barely above a whisper. Her eyes darted to the side to look at the blonde, but I laughed. I pushed her to the ground. “What do you think the blonde is going to do?” I crouched down over the girl, claws sliding out of my fingers.“What in the goddess name is going on?” Vince’s voice was closer, probably hustling across the room to get closer to stop whatever this was, but he wasn’t going to stop me. No one would, unless I did it myself. “Alpha V
The alarm screeched through the air, and I groaned. I think it’s safe to say that I am a night owl. I want to just roll over, but I have to get ready for class. Class.Ugh. I’m excited but also dreading it. You get to find out who the secret professor is today. Nix’s voice sounded excited.“Why are you so excited?” I yawned so wide, my jaw cracked. I sat up and stretched. I don’t know; she has been amped up since last night. I kept her entertained so you could sleep. Megan’s voice was tired. “Nix?”Someone’s coming. I don’t know who, but it’s important. She panted. It was like she was running around in my mind. That’s exactly what she is doing. Megan countered, yawning herself.I laughed as I stood and made my way into the bathroom. Time to get ready. I showered, cried my hair and then stepped back into my room to choose my outfit. I flipped through my clothes until I landed on simple jeans. I grabbed them and a black tank top. I got dressed, flipping my hair into a messy bun, so
“Mom, you really didn’t have to help me.” I looked back at her and she laughed.“Did you really think I was going to allow you to move into your dorm without me helping?” My mom carried a box up the steps. “I mean, kinda…” I laughed as I unlocked the room. I dropped the box in my hands and turned to look at her. “It’s just for a little while. It’s not like you won’t see me again.”My mother dropped her box on the bed and turned to me. “I don’t think that’s true.”“What? Mom, come on.” I shook my head but she grabbed my hands. “Listen to me. I don’t have power like a shaman or like your grandmother, but I have this feeling. Somehow, I know you won’t be coming home.”I stared at her, and I could see the pain behind her eyes. “I might not come home, but I will still see you. I’m not going to just up and leave you, mom.”She wiped at her eye. “You promise?”“Of course I do.” I grabbed her and hugged her. “What is really bothering you?”She pulled away and looked at my face. “I miss him.
Shannon and Morgan froze. “What did you say?” Shannon took a step towards me.“I said everyone now has ten thousand dollars on their card now.” I rolled my eyes. “So you can leave me alone.” “I want more.” Shannon stomped her foot.I laughed. “What?” I shook my head in disbelief.“I said I want more. I deserve more. If everyone else has ten thousand dollars, then I should have as much as you, one hundred thousand.”My mother burst out in laughter. “You have to be kidding. Why do you deserve more?” She stood and paced, almost prowl. “You are still acting like you are better than everyone else.”“Because I am.” Shannon shouted. “You’re not!” My mom shouted back. She turned on Morgan. “This is your fault. Do you not realize that? You spoiled her and made her believe that her status as your kid made her better than the rest of her pack. You have doomed her.”Morgan stood. “I have not.”“Yes, you have.” My mother countered. “You want to know how?” Morgan glared at my mother, but she just
“You act like I am some kind of disease.” Shannon shot to her feet.“To me, to Nix, you are.” I snarled. “I don’t think you understand. So let me break it down for you. You know how you feel about Brandon. How he’s yours?” I waited, staring at her face, and watched as the possessiveness took over.“Yes.” She bit out.“How you feel like no one ever should touch him, be near him, flirt with him? Right? Like you would kill anyone that tried to take him.” I stared at her again, waiting.“Yes.”“Well, I feel that way about my stuff. My room. My safe space. And you violated it to get laid.” I stood, and I could feel my anger rising. “You are weaker than me, lower than me, and an all around shitty fucking person. But you thought you had the right to MY stuff. You went into my room and used my things, the things I got from my mother, from my father, for myself. And you used them to trap a wolf that isn’t yours.” Nix came closer to the surface. I felt my eyes shift, my fur flowed down my arms,
“Why does she get everything?” Shannon screamed from downstairs and I had to muffle my laughter. She has been screaming since she got home. She found out that I was getting a dorm while she had to come home, like it would make that much of a difference. There was a knock on the door, and I got up to open it. Morgan stood there. “Amy, can you please come downstairs? I want to have a family meeting.” I nearly lost it right then, so I just nodded. He turned around, jaw clenched and headed downstairs towards his screaming daughter.I entered the room to find Shannon punching the couch cushion over and over. I snorted as I walked over to one of the chairs that framed the couch. Morgan shot me a glare, and I just raised my eyebrow at him. I sat down and waved my hand. “Let’s get this show on the road.” Morgan shot me another glared as he walked away. “I told you not to fucking touch me.” My mother’s snarl came from the kitchen.“I’m sorry. Please.” Morgan begged and honestly, it was pathe
“This is the dorm room building. It’s co-op, so everyone will be in the same building. Instead of organizing us by gender, they organize us by year. But they do it backwards. First years are on the top floor.” Clint looked back and smiled. “The elevator has been out for…well I’ve been here for three years already and it was out for years before me.” He laughed. “The stairs are over here.” He brought us over to the main staircase and headed up. “What program are you in?” I followed him up the five flights of stairs.“I wanted to go into business, like most Alpha’s and Beta’s. Help strengthen the pack’s standing.” I nodded. “Yeah. A lot of packs fall into that line of thinking.” I tried to hedge my bet, but Clint laughed. “Yeah, you sound like my father.” He looked back at me with a smile as he turned to the last flight of stairs. “He pushed me into computer science. Said it was the new way to protect the pack, and potentially make money.”I reeled. “My father gave me the same push.”