-1- Just another day

"Kairo give me that back you little shit!" I screamed as I skidded down the hall chasing after my 13 year old cousin.

He used to be such a cute kid, now he's the most annoying teen on the planet. His fluffy mop of light brown curls sit on the top of his head, large caramel eyes and the cheekiest of grins, I have no doubt he'll be a complete heart breaker in years to come, his good looks and tanned skin are sure to have all the she-wolves after him and I'll take pride in slaughtering anyone of them that ever try to hurt him.

"Gotta catch me first treacle" he winked as he sprinted down the stairs, out through the front door and into the front garden.

Ha, he thinks he's so smart! Guess he didn't notice that Auntie Cece had left the upstairs window open, I did. Without even a second thought I lept over the ottoman, through the window and landed perfectly on two feet just steps in front of cocky little Kairo. His face was a picture of shock and annoyance, I quickly grabbed my tattered old leather bound journal from his hand before he could say a word and gave him a swift slap to the back of his head, before turning and walking back inside to get ready for training.

"Nice try Bud, better luck next time!" I sing over my shoulder to him

Goddess how I miss him being younger and cuter, the days where he'd plan pranks with me not against me. Although I'm not sure how he would have used my journal in his great pranking schemes but I don't doubt that he would find a way. I didn't even think he knew about the journal, I'd kept it completely hidden from everyone since, well..forever. I had to, I couldn't let anyone find out the truth, not yet.

'That was too close Rory, either find a better place to keep that thing or I will destroy it' my wolf Alma has never liked the idea of having our biggest secret written down in the journal. I know she has all right to be worried, if anyone ever found out the whole pack would go crazy.

"Rory!! Move yourself girl, I don't have all day to wait around for you! If you're not in that car in the next two minutes then you can explain to the Alpha why you're late!" Uncle Mac's voice boomed through the house.

To say he was an impatient man would be the understatement of the century, he waited for no one but that's why he was so highly respected within the pack. Uncle Mac was the packs top salutary, the highest of doctors and goddess was he good at his job. He stood around 6ft 4 with dark brown fluffy hair, similar to Kairo really just a lot darker, his eyes were darker too, the deepest brown, so dark they could almost be black if it wasn't for the caramel specks, he was a fairly muscly man but it wasn't muscle like the pack warriors.

I guess Uncle Mac is doing drop off today, I rolled my eyes as I grabbed my sports bag from the foot of my bed and ran out to the car just in time. Ahh I can't wait for the day I can leave this house for good!

Don't get me wrong I'm beyond grateful to Auntie Cece and Uncle Mac, they didn't have to take me in and raise me, they could have left me to the orphanage. No one would have blamed them, they have three boys of their own to care for, let alone adding an 'orphan' to the mix. But then I guess Auntie Cece was right, I was the only daughter she would ever get the chance to have. After giving birth to Kairo there had been some complications and they had to remove her womb in order to save her life. I was only four years old then and yet I still remember her tears and devastation, it changed her, took away that little slither of hope that one day she may have a daughter of her own.

Auntie Cece was an amazing mum and auntie, she always made sure each of us woke up with a smile on our face, even if it meant singing us silly songs or making us fresh cookies. She was always such a warm, kind and caring woman, her caramel hair pinned up in its signature fluffy bun on top of her head and her bright honey coloured eyes almost glowing with love, standing at just 5ft 4 she was fairly short for a she-wolf, which was strange as she was a blood relative to the Alpha, yep Auntie Cece was our Alphas little cousin.

As we pulled up to the training grounds I internally groan as I could already see all of the warriors in their pairs, signaling that I was in fact late. Alpha Nico was walking around each of them observing and offering advice where he saw fit. Then his eyes found me.

'Shit, Rory move your legs would you, I don't wanna be thrown in with another top warrior today.. even if we do wipe the floor with them every time'. My wolf Alma didn't like upsetting the Alpha, her instincts told her to show the highest respect and always obey his orders.

Me on the other hand, I loved and hated our Alpha for reasons very few knew.

"Aurora. Thank you for kindly gracing us with your presence" Alpha Nico's tone was dripping with sarcasm and annoyance as usual. "You will pair off with Landon, you'll take defense first, then when I say you'll switch up to offense. Any questions?" He was glaring at me waiting for a response with eyes full of anger and expectation.

"No fa..Alpha Nico, Thank you" I bowed, not wanting to piss him off anymore than I already had and quickly made my way over to where Landon was waiting with that cocky smirk on his face, clearly taking pleasure in my public scolding. 

'Ohh I can not wait to wipe that stupid look off of his face! Just let me out, I'll rip his throat out, that cocky mother f..' Alma was fuming in my head, itching to be released, something about Landon always got Alma agitated.

'Seriously Alma calm down a little, let's take our time, have some fun at his expense' I smirked, while Alma let out a mischievous chuckle clearly approving of my idea.. this is going to be fun!

An hour in already, an hour of defending myself against what I can only describe as the most useless pack warrior around.

He was slow and sloppy, his moves predictable. He cared more about throwing me cocky grins and winks than landing a punch, fool.

I guess being one of the top warriors and being swooned over by all the younger unmated she-wolves really did mess with his ego and attention skills. He was good looking don't get me wrong but he was such a damn tool! He stood at around the werewolf male average of  6ft 6 with auburn hair that was shaved at the back and sides but styled longer on the top, pair that with his muscular build light brown eyes and boyish charm and you've got yourself one egotistical fuckface.

"Switch" a direct command from the Alpha rang through the training grounds.

I couldn't help the smirk that appeared on my lips as I looked at Landon, something closely resembling fear evident on his face.

"My turn now fuckface!" I lunged at him without warning, swiping his ankles with my left foot and swinging my right fist, landing one almighty punch to his jaw. A painful crunch followed by a thud, echoed throughout the training grounds. Not even two minutes and the mighty warrior has fallen, out cold like a baby.

'Hah, that was too easy' Alma gloated as I stepped over his limp body and made my way to the changing rooms.

Gathering my toiletries from my bag I was about to make my way to the showers, when the main entrance to the changing rooms slammed open.

I spun around quick. If I'm the only female training, then who the hell is barging their way into the girls changing room like that?

"Do you enjoy making a fool of my warriors?! Do you think you're better than everyone else?!" Alpha Nico was punching random doors of open lockers closed as he stalked towards me with eyes full of rage.

Before I could open my mouth to respond he grabbed my arm, pulling me back out to the training grounds.

He dragged me to the middle of the grounds, the warriors all around us, some still training, some simply watching their Alpha as he gains their attention once more.

"It seems young Aurora here thinks she's better than each of you. That she is stronger and therefore does not have to complete the training sessions with you all." He slowly turned looking me straight in the eye, while plainly stating "I do not agree".

Most wolves in my position would be trembling in fear, bearing their necks as a sign of respect and submitting to their Alpha. But I am not most wolves. I stood firm, eyes locked with his, my head held high, I will not be intimidated again.

Alpha Nico notices my stubbornness and let's out a small chuckle, his eyes still locked onto mine, his expression changes slightly but it was gone before I could even register what it was.

"Brave little she-wolf aren't you? Brave or stupid? I guess we'll find out tomorrow" he turns to address the warriors that are now surrounding us.

"Tomorrow, you do not train. Tomorrow, you watch. As I put this child back in her place" with that he glares at me from the corner of his eye, before returning his attention back to his warriors. "You are all dismissed"

Great! Not only am I the only female and non-warrior forced to train with the warriors, but now I would be made to go up against the Alpha. Why would he make such a decision? Does he want the truth to come out? Does he no longer care? What on earth was that man playing at?

All these questions and more swirling around my head, not even Alma could come up with an answer, instead she'd retreated to the back of my mind. The thought of going against her Alpha didn't sit well with her, in all honesty it didn't sit too well with me either.

I hurried through my shower and threw on the clean clothes from my sports bag, a simple white short sleeved body suit and black leggings, not caring that my long blonde hair was still dripping wet I shoved it up into a wet messy bun, slipped on my white trainers and made my way towards the exit of the changing rooms. Just as I reached out to pull the door it comes flying open, barely missing my face and in walks Alpha Nico. Great!

I attempt to walk around him to leave but he stretches out his arms, blocking the doorway completely, anger and pride both evident in his eyes, yet his body language would have anyone cowering in fear.

"What the fuck do you think you're playing at?! I know your capabilities exceed that of my warriors but must you continuously make them look like incompetent fools among our pack?!" He folded his arms across his chest clearly awaiting my response.

This time we didn't have an audience, so I had no reason to be a polite, respecting pack member, now I could truly speak my mind. I stood tall, head high before addressing him, as I refuse to be intimidated by this man.

"I'm sorry father. But tell me, do you actually want my apologies? Or would you prefer I just train that incapable bunch or morons instead?" I ask with a raised brow, struggling to prevent the slightly cocky smirk appearing on my lip.

'Ooooooh child, he is not gonna like that! I dont even like that!' Alma was struggling with my sheer lack of respect, a wolf must always show respect to their Alpha. One day she may finally come to terms with the fact that we're not just some wolf, but for now I put up a mental block so I don't have to listen to her incessant moaning.

What did he really expect me to say?

He shakes his head and sighs, uncrossing his arms and reaching his hands to told gently hold both of my shoulders. "Your mother would be so proud of you". We stare into each other's eyes for a moment in silence, before a smile slowly begins to form on his face and a tear in his deep blue eyes. He was quick to wipe the tear away, composing himself and taking a small step backwards.

It was rare to ever see this side of the great Alpha Nico, he was ruthless, brutal and brave, not the gentle, emotional man that stood here before me.

"You are like her in many ways Talia" he pauses, gauging my reaction to him using my real name before continuing, but I give him none. "Not only do you bare her name but also her strength, determination and frankly that attitude does not come from me!" We both chuckle at that last part.

I already know how much I physically resemble my mother, I may not have been able to meet her in person but father had many, many photos of her. We both stood at 5ft 8 and had blonde hair, although my mothers was shorter and a darker blonde than my own, mine came down to my mid-back and was a much whiter blonde, that was probably because father was also blonde, though his too was darker than my own. Where my father had deep blue eyes, my mothers were a silvery blue and filled with love and pride in every photo, thanks to them my eyes were the brightest blue with silver flecks, that shone like the moon reflecting against the ocean.

It wasn't often he'd speak of my mother, when he did the pain was there clear for all to see.

I can only imagine how his heart must ache, losing your mate is one thing but under the circumstances, no one could blame him if he were to have gone awol. She was eight months pregnant with their first child, the heir to the Alpha title and future leader of their pack, me.

She'd gone for a stroll the same as every day. Through the village, across the wooden bridge over the lake and towards the beautiful rope bench swing my father had built and fitted to a large tree for her in the clearing surrounding the lake, it was her most favourite place of all.

And that's where he and his Beta had found her.

No one ever did tell me the real details behind that day, only that when they found her I had been born and peacefully laid beside her.

I could only assume that she had gone into labour and given birth alone, that there were perhaps complications and she had passed simply because of me being born. My father would never acknowledge my questioning, nor Auntie Cece or Uncle Mac, over time I just stopped asking and accepted my own version of events as the truth.

With the instant pain my father felt at losing his mate, he knew he would be unable to raise a baby she-wolf alone, instead he enlisted the help of his little cousin Cecilia, Auntie Cece.

Together, with the help of my fathers Beta and Uncle Mac, they devised a plan that suited everyone. They agreed to tell the pack that I had died along with my mother and Auntie Cece took me on as if I were hers and Uncle Mac's own child.

Their own two boys were too young to really notice or understand where I had come from, all they knew was they now had a little sister.

They were living with Uncle Mac's parents pack at the time which worked perfectly, when they were introduced to the pack as the Alphas relatives, everyone just assumed they had arrived to offer support through his time of grief.

When pack members first saw me in Auntie Cece's arms, they cooed asking the usual baby questions, what's her name? How old is she? Thanks to the predictability of she-wolves around pups, they were able to make them all believe that I was three weeks older than I actually was and that my name was Aurora. My real middle name, the middle name of the now believed to be deceased Alphas daughter, as a mark of remembrance and respect.

Talia Aurora Eclipse, known only to the pack as Aurora  'Rory' Logan.

And from there my life began.

"AURORA!!" my father shouted, snapping me out of my thoughts. "You need to work on that day dreaming malarkey if you wish to succeed in the future" he snapped at me, clearly annoyed. "Now, I'll say again.. you are to be here no later than 8am, you will warm up with the warriors and our fight will commence at 8:30am. Do not be late again Talia, I can not continue to be so lenient with your continued tardiness".

I nodded in acknowledgement and turn once more to leave.

"Oh and Aurora.. I will not tolerate you disrespecting me in front of my warriors or any other member of this pack. Take this as your final warning" he calls to me as I reach for the door handle, his tone of voice once again laced with sarcasm and annoyance.

What the hell was his problem now, he never calls me Aurora  unless we're in front of others, I thought to myself. Finally pulling the door open to leave I understand, as three of the pack warriors, including Landon,  stand with their ears pressed again the solid changing room door trying their hardest to listen in.

They all jump to their feet flustered at the realisation of being caught eavesdropping on the Alpha. Tut tut, I couldn't help the smirk on my face, oh how I wish I could stick around and watch my father discipline these buffoons for their blatant disrespect but unfortunately it was 7:47am and pack school starts at 8am, late again I guess.