Nix’s POV “This is Jen.” Christina tells me, looking at the hawk that has just landed on her arm and eating the mouse she is holding. I walk over and stroke its head while it’s eating. A bird of prey, it’s so hard to believe. I have never been this close to one before. They are amazing creatures and from this close, I can see its killer claws and beak. Fortunately, I am not in the way of its food. “I found her a few months ago. She couldn’t fly or catch food, she was starving to death. I fed and cared for her. She was scared of me at first. It took time and patience until she trusted me. Now she is back to full health and doesn’t want to leave me.” I just looked at her. Maybe that’s what Christina needs as well. Time and patience. But she gets neither in this pack nor at home being Dylan’s full-time carer. We sat and had the picnic Stella prepared, Jen flying round overhead. I opened up and unloaded on her. I told her about my life at Blackwood Farm, where I grew up, about
Nix’s POV I got up early the next morning. I can’t believe how lazy I am getting lately. It is ridiculous how unproductive my mornings are becoming. As Christina and Dylan are still sleeping, I decide to go for a walk in to town. Explore a little of my new home town a little. It must be around 7am when I see anyone, or should I say hear anyone. I wandered over to the sound of yelling. When I find the source of the noises, I find myself standing in the middle of a huge arena-style field. The men and women segregated. Each gender appears to have their own training session on the go. I see Stella leading the group of women. She sees me and comes running over. “Morning Nix. Fancy joining us?” “Nah, I don’t know how to fight.” I told her. I only had a little training when I stayed with the Wolf Council. Even then, I spent more time on my butt than on my feet. “Fortunate for you then, Nix. We train every pack member in this pack to fight from a young age.” She calls a guy ov
Nix’s Pov After training with Colin, I went back to my annex. Christina and Dylan weren’t there, so I went to see Melissa, which was where I found them all having breakfast. It just looked like one big family gathering. I went over and joined in. We all eventually went with Dylan and Christina to their house to see the new modifications. I rode with Dylan and Christina while Melissa went with her parents. The workers were still at the house when we got there. Vance and Stella went and spoke with them, after which they left. Christina pushed Dylan up the new ramp and into the house. It was like a completely different house compared to the one I saw yesterday. There was a front door for starters and stairs. I carried on pushing Dylan through the house, his hand pressed against the walls as we went along. “The workers worked all night. They never knew you needed help. They have been right through the house and fixed as much as they could in the time they had. The cupboards are
Nix’s POV Stella organized a small service for later that day. She said Christina and Dylan had waited long enough. She was annoyed with herself for not realizing how much Christina and Dylan had been suffering. The ceremony in itself was small and there were only six of us there. We decided we would hold it on their cliff as it held so many memories for Christina and Dylan. Vance said a few words, followed by Dylan and finally Christina. The love the pair of them expressed for their parents oozed out of them. They talked as if they had recently lost their parents, not that it happened years ago. But they had never let go of anything of theirs. They were practically living the same way as when they were 13. Finally, we all lit lanterns and let them float into the night sky. It was a simple ceremony, but it held a powerful message. Afterwards, Dylan and Christina went to their home, thanking us all for our support. They both felt that they finally had some closure. “I
Nix’s POV “Morning Mom.” I said to her photo as I walked out of my bedroom that morning. I woke up in such a good mood, it’s like the cloud of grief that has been looming over me is no longer casting an enormous shadow over me. It is still there, but it is allowing a bit of sunshine to peek through. I don’t know how else to explain it. I think about the ceremony yesterday and encouraging Christina and Dylan to say their goodbyes. It sort of helped me too. Yes, I have my moments. I just try to have them when I am alone. Melissa encouraging me to stay and be with her, made me feel like I had a place again. I mean, having my mom back would be my dream. But being wanted and having a home. I should be grateful and I am going to be. Mom would want me to be grateful. Vance and Stella had nothing to do with what happened to my mom and they have shown that they really loved her. It doesn’t mean I want them as my parents, but I don’t hate them. They have shown me nothing but respect an
Nix’s POV I have been here about 5 months now. I am slowly getting used to pack life and having a family. I have had no anger issues during that time and Reed calls me occasionally. When I’m by myself at home, I speak to my mom’s photo. It gives me the sense that she is still here and I can tell her about everything. It’s not the same, it never will be. But it helps me cope. People in school still avoid Christina. She uses it to her advantage now. She says she doesn’t like most of the people there, anyway. She has joined the women’s and children’s training sessions now, so we train together at least once every day. We are really good friends. Dylan also gets to spend more time with Melissa. While we are in training, the pair are getting friendlier. I am convinced Melissa is pushing for me to be Alpha, which is why she is allowing her friendship with Dylan to blossom. It’s a Wednesday and me and Christina are in English listening to the boring teachings of Mr. Hermes. When th
Beta Colt’s POV I am sitting with my lifelong friend Vance, doing paperwork, again. Day after day, we have always done it together. Helping him means it would be done in half of the time, seeing as we both have families, means we both benefit from the arrangement. We are laughing about what happened in training this morning when Nix flung Colin across the field. “I bet he wasn’t happy.” Vance says to me. “I bet.” Since Nix has arrived, Vance seems calmer. I don’t know, but I know the boy is having a positive effect on my friend. It may also means that Melissa doesn’t have to be Luna. I know Vance didn’t want that to happen, either. Not because of her abilities. No, she is an amazing girl. But because an Alpha may take advantage of her physical disability. Vance would kill anyone that hurt her though, everyone knows this. “FIRE” a mind link comes through from the school principal. “FIRE, this is not a drill.” I look at Vance, Vance looks at me, then we make a mad dash for th
Alpha Vance’s POV Stella is going crazy in my office. I feel her frustration. I am just as mad about the situation. But I can’t just go around accusing people of attempting to kill my children. I will wait for Colt to arrive and look at the camera footage and find out all the facts. Then I will be finger pointing or fist punching. Whoever has done this has to pay. That was done intentionally. Colt walked into my study. He looks vacant. He stands in front of my desk and stands up straight with his hands behind his back. Like a prisoner about to be marched off to the cells. “Alpha, Luna. I have something to tell you.” Official titles as well. Something is wrong. “What?” Stella barks at him, out of temper. “I have had a confession from the person responsible for the fire.” His face was emotionless. “You mean the deliberate attempt at killing my daughter?” Stella corrected him. I just stared at him. His demeanor is all wrong. “After I left you at school, I went home to