One | Don't Start Now

Mackenzie

Today was the last day of high school and the start of the rest of our lives. It was a gorgeous day, the sun bright and the weather warm and inviting. I couldn’t wait for the day to be over so I could go to the beach with my best friend Elena. She and I have been friends since we were pups, growing up together in the Blue River pack where we lived. I had an overbearing and overprotective older brother named Mason. There was nothing I could do without him knowing. Since he graduated last year, this year was better without him breathing down my neck.

I was quite popular in my grade, not because I had an attractive older brother or because I was a Beta’s daughter, it was because of my easygoing and bubbly personality. I got along with everyone, except for some of those from the Red River pack. You see, I used to date the soon-to-be Alpha Beckett. He was nice at first, then started to show his true colors after my long-time friend and soon-to-be Alpha Nicholas went to Alpha training. Once he left, he started treating me like I was just someone to stand next to him and look good. That is not who I am, and I will never be like that. Sure, I was pretty, standing at 5’7 with blue eyes and brown hair down to my waist. I had curves in all the right places and a DD bra size. I always thought I was average, but with all the boys Mason chased away, I realized how good looking I was.

I was standing by my locker when I heard the cackle of the one person I hated most in the world. Brittany. She was Beckett’s younger sister and still in our grade. Beckett graduated last year with my brother, but he still hangs around even though he should be at Alpha camp. He was just cocky and thought he didn’t need the extra training. Rolling my eyes, I closed my locker and turned around to face the she-devil and her posse.

“Look who it is ladies, the pathetic piece of trash my brother tossed to the side.” Brittany snickered as her minions laughed along with her. Little did she know, I got rid of him and his cheating ass last year. He was the one obsessed and still thought we were together.

“Funny you should mention that.” I stood as I squared my shoulders. “I thought yesterday was trash day, but yet, here you stand.” I looked up and down at her in her expensive designer clothes with disgust. That pack always flaunted their money, and it made me sick.

“Why you little-“ she growled, lunging for me only to be stopped. I blinked my eyes to see her lying flat on her back as her minions assessed her.

“Mack.” I heard Elena coming up behind me. “You alright?” she asked as she put her hand on my shoulder while catching her breath.

“Of course.” I replied with confidence. “Like she can match me.”

“What the hell did you do?!” Brittany shrieked as she stood up and I swore I could feel my ears bleeding.

“Nothing.” I shrugged. “You must’ve slipped.”

“No!” she stomped her foot, having a tantrum. I swear she was a child. “You did it you crazy bitch!”

“Hey!” The voice boomed through the halls, and I knew immediately who it was. I rolled my eyes as I felt him approach from behind. I watched as Brittany stood tall and put on her pathetic, innocent-looking face.

“Beck!” she cried as she ran to him. “Little Miss Crazy made me fall!” she whined as she hugged him.

“It’s called tripping on air you idiot.” Elena mumbled, causing me to chuckle. Brittany looked over and shot us a glare, only to get a smirk from us in response.

“Bri.” Beckett pulled her to arm’s length. “What have I told you about speaking like that about your future Luna?” His tone was stern as he looked into her wide ones. I about gagged when he called me his Luna. He has been calling me that since we met 4 years ago, swearing up and down I was his mate. Yeah, then why did he cheat on me? He had no answer to that.

“She’s not going to be our Luna!” Brittany snarled.

“That’s one thing we can agree on.” I shot back. Beckett looked over his shoulder and shot me a glare, but I was unfazed. I have my wolf. We get them at 15, some at 16. We find our mates when we turn 18. Beckett was already 18, but I didn’t get the vibe from him that we were mates.

“Ugh, I can’t stand him.” My wolf Rose, snorted in my head. “I don’t know what you ever saw in him.”

“You and me both. I’m beginning to think it was a mistake even giving him the time of day.” I internally rolled my eyes.

“Just go.” I heard him say as I finished talking with my wolf. “I’ll see you at home.”

“This isn’t over crazy.” Brittany mumbled as she walked past me, bumping my shoulder on her way.

“Ugh.” Elena groaned. “You ready to hit the beach? Graduation is tomorrow and we need to get our tan on.” She did a little shimmy dance.

“Of course!” I smiled, then realized Beckett was still standing by us.

“Need something?” Elena rolled her eyes. She never liked him and was always good at reading people. I knew I should have listened to her when she said he was no good.

“Actually.” He turned to me. “I was wondering if I could speak to Kenzie for a minute.” He rubbed the back of his neck and tried to play innocent. I rolled my eyes since it meant he wanted something and it was not going to happen again.

“Only my friends call me that. It’s Mackenzie and we need to go.” My tone was clipped as I took Elena’s hand and started to walk past him.

“It will only take a minute.” He took hold of my forearm. I looked down at his hand, then at him with a raised brow.

“Remember what happened last time?”

“Fine.” He removed his hand and put them at his sides. “But please.” He tried his best to beg. He was never used to not getting his way and, with me, that was all he got. He never got his way, and it pissed him off.

“One minute.” I rolled my eyes. “I’ll meet you outside.” I turned to Elena, who was shooting daggers at Beckett.

“If you are not out front in 2 minutes, I’m sending-“

“I’ll be there!” I said, since I knew who she was going to get. Our brothers were supposed to pick us up and take us to the beach. Like myself, Elena had an older brother, Erik.

With one last glare at Beckett, Elena growled as she walked toward the doors. She never liked it when Beckett and I were alone, and growling was her way of showing him she was pissed. I turned around and rested my back against my locker. I was so glad I wore shorts and a tank top today and not a sundress. I stood there as Beckett walked closer and put his forearms on the locker, so I was caged in. He leaned down, moving my hair to the side with his face.

“I miss you.” He practically whimpered as he inhaled my scent. Me, on the other hand, I was disgusted by him and his words.

“The feeling is not mutual.” I moved to the side, so he was not touching me.

“Why do you have to be so difficult?” He huffed, his posture stiffening.

“I’m not. I told you and your cheating ass why it was over and never going to happen again.” I rebutted.

“That was one time!” He growled and punched the locker next to my head. I didn’t even flinch. He didn’t scare me, and he hated that.

“Still, I’m not some side piece.” I scoffed. “Now, unless you want Mason to come in here and beat your ass, again, I suggest you move.” I met his gaze and he was furious. Me, I was confident and determined. Not that I needed Mason to fight my battles, but like I said, he was overprotective.

“You will come to see that you are meant to be mine.”

“Yeah, we will.” I rolled my eyes as he moved back, giving me space. As I started to walk away, he had to get in one last word.

“Mark my words, you WILL be my Luna.”

Sighing to myself, I kept walking until I reached the doors. Taking a deep breath and closing my eyes at the memories I was about to leave behind from this place, I opened the door as the warm sun hit my skin and walked down the steps to a new life with new memories.