*Wyattโs POV*I had to admit, dinner was nice. Ellie was right, I missed the company of others. Abby smiled at me as I sat beside her, I could tell she wasnโt back to her old self either. Not that she ever would be that same bubbly teenager who believed in destiny and true love again. Her face was slightly sunken in, a sign that she wasnโt eating or sleeping properly.Something must be worrying her. I frowned as the omega brought me my plate, Abby didnโt notice but she wasnโt served first as is protocol. I send a private message to the omega reprimanding her and pushed my plate over to Abby. The alpha is always served first, followed by the Luna and the alpha family then the betas. I guess since I was in training so long to lead this pack the omega forgot.The omega seemed like she really forgot, her face paled, and she hurried away as fast as she could. Dinner was quiet, and I learned that my mother was released from the cell, only for her to go right back in when she refused to join
*Abby POV*One more day until the start of the Beta Selection and I am just ready for it to be over. A gentle breeze blows in from the open window of my office and Shadow is stretched out in a patch of sunlight that is streaming through the window.I flipped through the large folder that Scott left for me. Rolling my eyes at the candidates he left for me I sigh again. It seems he really plans on making Jay his official recommendation. There is no way I will ever have him as my Gamma; he betrayed Wyatt in the worst way. Honestly, I know who I want as my Gamma, I just need to figure out how to introduce this person as a suitable Gamma to keep the pack calm.โShadow what am I going to do?โ I mumble as I let my head hit the desk with a dull thud. There is a knock on the door and without even looking up or thinking about it I call out for the visitor to come in. The first thing I notice is the strong scent of expresso and cream. That smell used to be my favorite and would brighten my whole
*Abby POV*The night is quiet and calm. I am standing in some woods I donโt quite recognize but they seem so very familiar. Why am I here again? Oh yeah. Shadow got out and I followed her. Ahead of me on the path I see Shadow looking at me, and I start to walk towards her. When I get close enough to pick her up, she scampers a little further away from me.โCome on, letโs go home.โ I sigh. Not even caring that I have no idea how I got here or how to get back home. The most important thing right now is getting my cat. She mews at me again and runs further into the brush. I huffed but followed behind. For some reason, my nose is muffled; and I canโt smell her clearly. But this doesnโt bother me either.Only thing that matters is getting to her. As I am walking further the air feels misty, and my ears canโt pick up any of the forest animals. But I am not worried for some reason. Overhead the clouds are moving, and the moon starts to peek out from the cloud cover.Through the trees I see a
*Abby Pov*โThe preparations are almost complete downstairs.โ Beta Eve smiled as she sat in front of me as I sat at my desk looking at the results of the test. I wasnโt surprised at the top name on the list, Mason. What did surprise me was the second name. My brother, Wyatt.I thought he didnโt want this post? Did he change his mind? Glancing at the actual score I was taken aback, they both got a perfect score and was ranked in 1st place. The next person only missed one question... who was... my mouth dropped open!Angela Branch!Angie was ranked this high?!Sweeping my eyes over entire list I see Brian and Mariah also made the list. I slowly smile, Iโm proud of my friends. โWow.โ I muttered. โThis isnโt what I expected.โ I admitted.โYes, but you shouldnโt be completely surprised, Alpha.โ Eve smiled. โYou have always been surrounded by a special group of people.โ She sighed, something was definitely on her mind.โWhatโs wrong?โ I asked, slightly surprised.She smiled sadly. โJust thi
*Angelaโs POV*Why am I so nervous right now? As I wait inside the small private tent, I am alone with my thoughts. Sure, I am confident in my fighting abilities, but hearing the crowd outside makes my heart flutter. I hate being the center of attention.Not to mention my parents are out there.I am very close to my mom, but dad.... even though I know he loves me he never really had much time for me. He was always busy training the other pack members and looking for his replacement. One of my earliest memories was of me running to my dadโs office, wanting to spend time with him. Mason had just told me he would take his dadโs place one day so I figured I would do the same. However, when I giggled to my dad that I would learn his work and be just like him one day he looked at me with a blank expression. No, he had said, gammas had to be strong, cunning, and he didnโt expect me to work hard and learn to take his place. He just wanted me to have fun and be his little girl.Years later I f
*Masonโs POV* I have got this in the bag! As I smirk to myself, I go over my last fight in my mind. That was way too easy, but then again, he was a book worm who always sucked at fighting. As if he ever could be a good beta. Clearly, I am the favorite to win! I didnโt miss a single question on that sorry excuse for a โtestโ and even though I am not as strong as I was before mine and Geegeeโs miscommunication there is no one that can beat me! The only person I was worried about didnโt even make it in the competition! He was currently outside, sitting beside my mate. Damn, the outfit she had on today though. She is getting more beautiful with each passing day! I canโt wait for her to realize that she belongs with me. I know what I did was foolish, but not unforgivable! I mean... I didnโt do anything with that other girl! My name is called again, and I smirk. I wonder who I get to beat up this time? Its Mariah! Ha! Mariah made it to the tournament???? This will be too easy! I laugh t
*Wyatt*The crowd roared as I entered the arena. Looking at Masonโs shocked face I held back the smirk I wanted to flash at him. I have a job to do.Beat his ass and become Abbyโs beta.As much as I didnโt want this title before, my mind is made up. In order to protect my sister, I would step up and help her as much as possible. Honestly, when I finally figured out that my whole life was a lie, I just wanted to disappear... but she, Dad, and Luna Ellie brought me back to my senses. I would never be happy just being on the sidelines... Iโve been in the mix for too long.And, like Abby said, I am her brother. No stupid piece of paper is going to tell me who my family is. I growled a loud growl that made Masonโs eyes widen even more as my anger started to grow. How dare she even attempt to talk to me?! I roared in my mind as I glared at my ex. This is the third time in this tournament she has linked me. My โmotherโ sat beside her, that
*Abby*The crowd was silent for a moment, clearly shocked by my announcement. Then the applause started, it grew louder and louder as more and more people started to stand and look at Angie in a welcoming manner. She just sat there, confused and shocked. Beside her, Stuart started to shake her gently, urging her to come onstage.Finally, Mariah nods at me and spoke softly in Angieโs ear. It seems that Angie zoned out for a moment like she does sometimes. Finally, she stood and turned to the crowd, bowing slightly.โAngie, would you come up here and join us please?โ I asked calmly, glancing at Jay who looks like he swallowed a fistful of glass. Beside him, Gamma Scott is... smiling? Beaming, even? Am I in the twilight zone?As Angie makes her way on stage, I hear Wyatt chuckling from my side. I glance over at him, but he shakes his head with a smirk on his face. He replied.
*Mike* The bottom floor was chaos. Abby was in front of me as we went downstairs, people were rushing around and panicking. Glancing around there were huge gash marks on the walls, and dark red splashes of dried blood streaked the once white walls. The smell of blood was overwhelming, and an unmistakable smell of pepper was mixed in. Some of the doors on this floor were also marked with a giant bloody X. My heart pounded as I soon realized these were all the rooms of my friends! Where are they?! Are they okay?! In front of me Abby started to growl, I could feel her anger seeping through our bond, and an overwhelming protective urge began to radiate from her. โOh, my goddess!!! MIKE!!!โ I heard a sob from the side and felt a hug almost immediately. โThank the goddess you are okay!!!โ Emily cried as her and Stacey surrounded me. โWeโve been looking everywhere for you!โ โWhy was your link blocked? Are you hurt?!โ Stacey began to look over me. โIโm fine.โ I reassured them. โWhat
โKitten?โ I asked as I opened the door to the darkened room. โWhere are you?โ I closed the door quietly behind me and locked it before placing the key on a small table next to the couch. Immediately the intense smell of Abby filled my nostrils, making me slightly dizzy. Looking around, my eyesight eventually focused to the darkness. The room I was in was obviously a living room, with a large TV on one side of the wall with a couch and oversized recliner chairs facing it. Stepping over the strewn cat toys I started to walk in deeper. โWhere are you?โ I asked again, passing a small kitchenette... there was an empty wine glass sitting on the counter by the sink. Going further I reach a large bedroom. I freeze. This place... Iโve been here before... Slowly my head turns to the side looking for the giant windows I remember from my dream. Yes! There they are! What is going on?! Am I going insane??? โThe two dollar tour...โ I muttered to myself as I recalled the dream I had. The dre
*Abby* (Years earlier) โWyatt??? Where are you???โ I cried, looking around the darkening yard. The wind was starting to pick up, and my little 9 year old nose wasnโt strong enough yet to find anyone. โWyatt?!โ I cried again. โCome on! This isnโt funny!โ I yelled as I ran towards the back of the packhouse where the storage room was. I thought I heard something behind me but as I spun around there was nothing. โWyatt!!! Alright! You win! Game over, just come out!โ My eyes started to fill with tears as the rain started to hit the back of my neck and the sky got even darker. A crash from the storage room startled me. โHey, thatโs not fair!โ I cried as I pulled open the door. โWeโre not supposed to play in here...โ I sighed as I looked around the empty room. โWhere...โ I gasped as I felt two strong hands push me forward, as I landed hard on the floor, I heard laughter as the door closed behind me. โHey!โ I yelled as I jumped up and went to open the door, only to find it locked. My hea
Overhead, the clouds had started to roll in. The summer weather was starting to change from calm and warm, to windy and unforgiving. As a looming threat started to form everyone underneath the sky almost seemed... oblivious. Too wrapped up in their own struggles to see or predict what would happen in a few short hours. *Wyatt* Finally! The last of the payroll transfers are done! Before I go to start on the accounts payable for the weekly food budget a knock on the door snaps my concentration. โCome in.โ I said curtly. The door opens slowly, and Mason comes inside. โHi. Wyatt... I...โ โBeta.โ I corrected him. โAnd what do you want, Mason?โ He came in, looking around at once was supposed to be his office, passed down from his dad, and his dadโs dad. But now it wasnโt. It was mine. โI... need help.โ He admitted, his head down. โI... know I messed up. I had the world and threw it away.โ I remained silent, letting him admit his sins. โBut. I want her back. I NEED her back. I d
โThereโs nothing going on!โ I said a little too forcefully as I grabbed the plate. Mariah just looked at me with an amused expression. โI mean it!โ โUh huh. Like I said, thereโs nothing wrong with it. Whatever โitโ is. I just donโt want to see you get hurt, Abby.โ She sighed. โI mean, like I said he hasnโt talked about his past, and he is probably over 18. What if he finds his mate? What if there are some skeletons hidden deep in his closet? I just want you to be careful.โ I sighed. โI know. Just... there is nothing there... really.โ โBut you want there to be?โ โI didnโt say that!โ I said as I nearly ran from the kitchen, my face burning. As I hurried out, I could faintly hear Mariah chuckling behind me. Damn it! But... is it true that both her and Brian can tell there is something between me and Mike? If that is true, then who else??? Secrecy is so important now, even though it kills me nearly every night it is to protect Michael... As I got closer to my office I breathed
โLuna...โ I started before immediately looking down at the floor. โNi-nice to meet you, Luna.โ โYou as well, Michael.โ I heard her say. โBut you donโt have to study the floor so intently.โ Slowly I tried to look up, but it was hard. Her aura was strong, stronger than the Elder. But that was to be expected, she was the Luna, a higher position than the Elder. โMom, youโre back early. I thought you were still helping Grandpa....โ Abby started. โNot to worry, Dear, we got that problem all straightened out quicker than we expected.โ She said in a cheery voice as I felt her enter the room, closing the door behind her. โI hope I wasnโt interrupting anything...important?โ She giggled. โUh! Mom!โ Abby said flustered and I finally diverted my gaze from the floor to her. Her face was flushed a deep red. I heard the Luna sit in the chair across from us and I looked towards the open window behind us. It's not like I was trying to purposely avoid her gaze, but it was like an invisible f
*Mike* *One month later* โHey Mike, can you grab those packs of bacon and get them started?โ Mariah asked me as she started to toast some bread. Inside the kitchen, many of us were working on the lunch shift, fixing BLTโs and hand cut fries. โSure, are we frying it again or oven baking?โ I asked as I checked the time on my watch. โBaking, we can get more done in less time.โ She answered. โPlus, we need the fryers for the potatoes.โ We worked in a comfortable silence, completing our work quickly and efficiently while the members of the pack started to collect their food. โPerfect!โ One of the other kitchen workers said as the last of the hungry pack members collected their food and we started to eat ourselves. โSince Mike and the others showed up it seems we get through the service faster and faster!โ โWell of course.โ Mariah smiled. โBLTs were his idea. Simple, quick, and easy to mass produce! Out of all the services lunch should be the easiest. And I hate to admit it, but
*Mike* I was laying on my bed lost in my thoughts of Abby when a knock came to the door. Percy mewed and jumped down from the bed and ran to the door. Another slight tap resounded, and I answered. โCome in.โ The door slowly opened, and Mariahโs head peeped through. โHi! I was told to come and get you!โ Sitting up quickly I glanced at the clock on the wall. I was late! I must have fallen asleep! โGoddess, I am so sorry!โ I quickly grabbed the shoes that were left for me and pulled them on. โI donโt know what happened, please forgive me!โ โNo worries.โ Mariah said calmly. โIt happens.โ She was short, standing about 5 foot tall, and her shoulder length hair was dyed a deep red and pulled back to the nape of her neck. Beside her was a taller man, about 5 foot 9 but he was bulky, his shoulders were broad, and his arms were crossed. His hair was cut in a buzz, giving him a more intimidating demeanor. โThis is Brian, by the way. He is coming with us for extra protection.โ โNic
*Mike* Finally, Trevor released my hand. โBut Iโm holding you up, go and get your food, we will save a seat for you.โ He smiled, but his eyes darted to behind me, where Mason and Jay were standing. His smile dropped slightly. โDid you two forget training this morning? Gamma Scott was upset.โ Jay scoffed. โWhatever, Iโll do double tomorrow.โ โDouble? If you have that energy, you can do triple.โ I turned to look at Angie who was standing behind them with her arms crossed. โAnd report to Tracker Training tonight as well.โ โWhat??? You canโt do that!!!โ He growled, his face turning red. โYes, she can. And she did.โ Stuart glared back at him. โOr, if you prefer, we can take it to Alpha. Again.โ Masonโs eyes lit up for a split second before it was gone. โUm, I donโt think Abby needs to be...โ โAlpha Abigail.โ Stuart corrected. โThat is her name. Remember it.โ Jay rolled his eyes again before huffing. โWhatever.โ He growled before walking around them, still glaring. โI mean, y