Fight For The Highest Wolf Rank

by Valery C. Kincade

  I absolutely adore music and cannot wait to hear them sing tonight. Carla told me that the only rule is that the audience is polite even if the singer is terrible. I have always loved to sing but I could never, would never do it in front of an audience. I sang in front of Marie once when we were in junior year. There was this talent show at school, and I had decided I would finally put myself out there and sing. Luckily I practiced on Marie first and I appreciated the sincerity in my friend. It must have been really hard for her to be the one to say this to me, but apparently I don't sound as good as I imagined I would. Luckily she told me, and I never got to make a fool of myself by singing in from of the whole school.

  Carla and Rudy's bickering snaps me out of my trip down memory lane. It reminds me a bit of family. Rudy basically acts like he is Carla's cool dad and I can see how much they care about each other.

  Rudy, as I learned, is not much of a talker, he is an absolute chatterbox. I swear I have never seen a person talk that much in my life. He’s crazy old as Carla said, but I found out he’s actually in his late 50s, and he’s been working in this pub for most of his life, even before Carla bought it, 5 years ago.

  Even though both of them are wolves, this pub welcomes both human and werewolves as long as neither create any issues. Well, the rule is mostly for werewolves, as they need to be careful not to be outed to the human world. That would be a disaster no one wants to be a part of.

  Rudy asked me a lot about school and the hours I might be able to come in the pub and help them out. I did found it a bit weird that neither him or Carla had asked about my family of which pack I belong to, but I guess they must have sensed I’m not at the best point of my life right now. I respect that they respect that. As confusing as that might have sounded, the point is that I don’t need another person asking for explanations I can’t even give myself. We all agreed I should come over after school and despite their protests, I told them I can stay until closing time, which during the week was midnight.

  7 - Encouraged

  Samantha

  It’s Monday again and I can’t wait for school to be over for the day, so I can head to the pub for my shift. The weekend flew by whilst helping Carla and Rudy. Thankfully, Carla paid me after each shift so I was able to treat myself to an amazingly lush breakfast on Sunday morning at one of my favourite cafes.

  I did the math and if all goes well with my new part-time job I might be able to rent myself a small studio. I just need to continue sleeping at school for the next 3-4 weeks so I can save up enough for the first rent. Sounds easy enough, right?

  I walk around absentmindedly and not even hear my friend calling for me.

  “Hey Sam, wait up.” Jen runs after me looking out of breath.

  “Morning Jen. Did you run here?” I slow my pace trying to contain a giggle. Jen is not a runner.

  “I went by your house earlier and your parents acted like they had no idea who you were. Sam, what is going on?”

  I can read sincere concern in Jen's eyes, and I feel a bit guilty for not telling her about my parents. Jen is so empathic, I’m positive she’ll be a great doctor someday.

  “Her parents kicked her out. Well, they’re not actually her parents, are they?” Marie joins us and answers Jen’s question probably better than I could have. I give her a grateful smile practically begging both of them with my eyes not to ask any further questions.

  “What? How did that happen? Why would they do such a thing?”

  Well, I guess my pleas didn’t work.

  “Guys, keep your voices down, please. I don’t need the pack bullies to get any more ammo that they can use on me. And also, I really don’t want to talk about it.” I firmly tell both the girls and let a relieved breath out when I hear the bell ring and we all run to our respective classes.

  I manage to get to my English class before Miss Roberts, our teacher. Thankfully, she is always late. Unfortunately, today that worked against me because I found myself in front of Timothy who sports a huge evil grin on his face.

  Ming is already clawing inside, her rage is getting more and more difficult to contain. Oh this is just great!

  “Going somewhere, Omega?”

  He gets hold of my shoulders, his claws extending and digging into my skin, making me wince in pain.

  “I just want to go to class, Tim. I’m not looking for any trouble.”

  “It’s Timothy to you, bitch. And too bad trouble IS looking for you.” And just like that he knees me in the stomach and I can feel the breakfast I had yesterday trying to get out. Timothy quickly lets go of me. I can hear Miss Roberts’ heels click clacking on the hallway, so I make my way inside the classroom trying my best not to look injured and ignore all the laughs.

  “I could have kicked his ass. I know I could. You just need to get over yourself and let me take control.” Ming is rambling on and on about how we should not let them think we’re weak and about how she can just take them all. It’s honestly giving me such a headache that I decide to completely block her our until she chills.

  It’s not that I enjoy being bullied, especially since I get bullied by people who were saying hello to me and giving me high fives just over a week ago. Trust me, it sucks, but I need to be realistic. I am an Omega, so obviously I could never take down Timothy or someone like him, who are literally training to become fighters.

  At lunch time both girls corner me with serious expressions on their faces. I need to get this over with. They have been my best friends and still stuck by me so they deserve to know everything.

  “We need to talk, Sam.” Jennifer tells me and Marie just nods crossing her arms like a guard at a nightclub.

  “Follow me.”

  I take the girls to a large storage room I’ve discovered a few days ago. I know for a fact it’s not used unless we have a big event upcoming at school. The girls follow me inside the big storage room that is filled with wooden stuff you need when setting up a podium or a stage and lots of chairs.

  “What is this place?” Marie asks looking around weary.

  “They store in here stuff needed when we have a school event. Nobody is going to bother us. Take a chair and I’ll tell you everything once, and once only. Then I really don’t want to talk about it anymore.”

  They both nodded and each took a chair from the pile.

  After taking a deep breath, I told them everything that happened since I ran away after the ranking ceremony. Jen was a bit more composed while listening to my story while Marie was getting angrier by the minute. It must be the Alpha in her, having a harder time keeping her emotions in check.

  “So you’re practically squatting in here?” Jennifer asks me with tears in her eyes. “You can just come and live with me. I.. I'm sure my parents wouldn't mind.” She tries, but we both know that's not an option.

  “It’s fine, honestly. I’ve actually found a part time job and in a few weeks I’ll be able to afford my own place. I just need to ride this out for a while, and I’ll manage just fine.” I’m surprised again at how confident I sound.

  “I'm a few months away from finding my mate, and I have this feeling that finding him will change everything for me.” Jen perks up a bit when she sees how enthusiastically I speak about finding my mate, but Marie seems to get angrier and angrier, so I just cut the emotional meeting short and we all return to our classes.

  After school Jennifer offers to go with me to the pub and I introduce her to Carla and Rudy. She hung around for a while but I was busy waiting on table so she eventually left, but not before giving me a big hug and saying how proud she is of me. I guess I kind of feel proud of myself also. I so got this!

  We're approaching closing time and as the last customers leave I go in the back to tidy up Carla's office. Humming away I dance with the broom and organise her papers. Look like I'm good at being Omega.

  “Wow, you sing?” Carla approaches mouth agape and eyes wide as saucers.

  “Oh my Goddess, you scared the life out of me. Sorry, I didn't r
ealise you were in here.”

  “You have a really good voice, Sam. You know what? You should sing at the next open mic.”

  “Pff, you don't have to be that nice. I'm not looking to scare away all the pub's customers, so I promise I'll refrain from singing in public.” I laugh it off as smoothly as I can, but Carla is not budging.

  “You are joking now, right?” As soon as she realised I'm dead serious she yelled for Rudy to come in.

  “Hey Rudy, be an old wise wolf and listen to this girl sing. I swear I've never heard anyone with such a beautiful voice and she sounds so good, but she seems to think she's tone deaf.”

  “All right, let me hear it!” Rudy plops himself on a chair acting like a judge on ‘The Voice’. As amusing as I find this whole situation, I would rather not sing in front of them.

  “Let's just forget about all this, ok? I think I'll head home. Everything looks tidy around here, so I'll see you tomorrow?” I ask hoping that they would just drop it and let me be.

  “Sing, damn it! You have a great voice, kid, you just need a push, so I’m pushing you. Now sing!”

  I don’t understand what happened but the second Carla raised her voice and commanded me to sing, I let go. I closed my eyes and started singing the chorus of Bird Set Free by Sia.

  “Wow, kid, you are so singing this Saturday.” Rudy got up chuckling and clapping his hands.

  “I guess I'll put my name down on the list.” I smile wide and can't help but feel excited about singing.

  8 - Friendly

  Samantha

  I had only told Marie and Jen about where I currently spend my time after school and work is finished. Someone must have heard us, because in the middle of the night I was woken up by loud noises coming from outside the girls locker room.

  I quickly looked at my phone and she the time 3:15 AM. Shit, who can it be? It didn't take them long to find me. I only managed to dispose of my make shift bed by stuffing the blanket and small pillow in my locker, before the door opened and Alpha Jaxon, Luna Olivia and Mr Biggins step inside.

  Oh, this is so not good for me.

  “Miss Bailey, what do you think are doing in here?” Alpha's voice sends a shiver of fear on my spine, but Ming refuses to bow down and cower. I guess I'm a bit too shocked to notice Ming taking most of the control.

  “Uhm, making sure I'm not late for PE?” I try my best to lighten the mood and the Luna lets a small smile escape her lips before composing herself again.

  “You are in no position to be making jokes, Samantha.”

  “But I still don't know what happened. Nobody will give me an explanation as to why my score got me ranked Omega, but you somehow managed to have the time to come in here in the middle of the night to...”

  “Silence! Nobody needs to explain anything to you. You know very well what you have done!” A flash of anger sweeps in Alpha Jaxon's eyes before Luna Olivia calms him down y taking his hand into hers.

  “But I don't know.” I whimper before giving up completely. I have been trying to get answers regarding my score but I always get shut down. They won't even allow me to see the questionnaire I submitted, or my score card. Ming still have this whole theory that maybe our report got mixed up with someone else's, even though there wasn't anyone in the pack who got an unexpected rank. I still owed it to myself and my wolf to get to the bottom of this.

  “Since I know the Baileys won't take you in anymore, we can offer you a room in the dungeons.” Seeing my eyes widen in fear, Luna tries her best to put me at ease. “Don't worry, it's in the part where the guards used to sleep before their rounds. Unfortunately due to this delicate situation we can't allow in the pack house.”

  “Are you kicking me out of the pack?” They might have not said the words, but they are making me feel like it.

  “Of course not.” Alpha Jaxon explains. “You are still a pup. We can't banish someone under the age of 18.” And that was all the confirmation I needed. Once I'll turn 18, they would either kick me out of the pack or force me out. Either way, unless I find my mate, I'll be a rogue.

  “I will gather my things and leave, but if it's still possible, I would like to finish school. I won't cause any trouble, I swear.”

  “Of course, Samantha. You can stay in school and nobody is going to kick you out of the pack.” Luna Olivia glares daggers at her mate.

  “Fine by me, them. Just keep to yourself Samantha, and leave my niece out of this.”

  I just nod and fill the bag with the few clothes and toiletries I had and get escorted out of the school building. I pass by the guard post and notice how the night guard was there for a change.

  Not knowing what to do or where to go, I shift and pick up my bag running to the only place I knew, to the only place I felt welcomed. I got to the pub and let myself in with the spare key Carla gave me.

  I must have fallen asleep curled up on the sofa in Carla's small office, because I got woken up my someone clearing their throat and the smell of freshly brewed coffee.

  “Here, drink this. You look like you need it.” Carla offers the cup to me and I gladly take it, not sensing her to be upset by finding me here.

  “You think you're ready to tell me your story now, kid?”

  “Last time I did that it led to me crashing on your couch.”

  “See, this is why I like you, Sam. You have great sense of humour.”

  I started by explaining Carla about how we get our ranking in the Crescent Moon pack. She was shocked that our pack still uses that archaic and useless ranking system. I also found out that Carla is from Blood Moon pack, and despite the name they are lead by a very progressive Alpha.

  “Any chance I'm originally from your pack and that I still have family there?” I ask Carla without being serious, but she said it wouldn't hurt asking around.

  “Take this, Sam. It should cover you for a deposit and rent on that studio you saw.” Carla takes s stack of cash from the safe under her desk and hands it to me. The look of absolute shock and embarrassment on my face must have been enough to say I can't accept that.

  “Consider it a loan. You can pay me back when you make it big with your singing.” I burst out laughing at Carla's words, but I will find a way to pay her back. And seeing as my other option is to sleep in the dungeons back at my pack, I take her offer.

  I decided not to go to school today so I helped at the pub all day. I was a bit surprised in the afternoon to see Jen walking through the door. Taking a small break, I left Rudy to look after my tables while I went outside to the pub's garden to have a moment with Jen. I told her everything that happened the night before and how the Alpha and Mr Biggins found out about me sleeping in school. Jen, bless her heart, swore she didn't tell a soul about me staying in there, and I believed her. I was telling her how it's better if I stayed away from her and Marie for a while when we got interrupted.

  “Sam, I asked my brother here if he can do some research for you.” Carla shouts pointing at a very dark and handsome guy. My mouth must have fallen open, because that is one fine looking specimen of a wolf, even though Ming doesn't agree with me.

  He looks like a biker dressed all in black with a leather jacket. His jet black hair and olive skin made him look dangerous in very appealing way, and the smirk on his face is enough to make girls panties drop. Not that I would ever go there, I can tell he's not my mate, even if I'm not 18 yet. I am so close to being of age, that I should still feel a faint connection to my mate if I were to meet him.

  “Sam, Jen this is my brother, Luke. He is the Alpha of Blood Moon pack. And that is his Beta, Ryan.”

  We go towards the guys to make acquaintance and not seem disrespectful, especially since we're standing in front of an Alpha and his Beta. A little heads up from Carla regarding her brother being that 'progressive Alpha' she was talking about, would have been nice, but that's a whole different conversation. Carla having Alpha blood certainly explains her commanding voice, although I can't help but wonder why is her brother, the Alpha and no
t her. Without being rude or anything, I can tell that Luke is a bit younger than Carla.

  “MINE!” Beta Ryan growls as soon as Jen holds her hand up to shake the hand of the Alpha.

  We all look at them in shock. I mean, you go Jen! You got yourself a Beta mate. I am so happy for my friend. She'll be 18 in just a few weeks, but it's clear she can already feel the bond. I steal a glance at Luke and he sports a genuine smile. He seems happy for his friend and Beta. After making sure Jen is alright to be left alone with Ryan, we decide to give them a bit of privacy, so Carla, myself and Luke walk back in the pub.

  9 - Pampered

  “I can't believe you found you mate!” I squeal at Jen, my face hurting from smiling that much. I truly missed just being a teenager, acting like I have no care in the world, other that how my hair looks today. And speaking of hair, mine had seen better days.

  “I know, right? Ryan is so perfect and I am absolutely head over heels in love with him.” I have never seen Jennifer so happy. We both start jumping up and down giggling and cooing at how great it is that she found her mate. And a Beta, of all. And even if I would never dare say this to Jen's face, her mate is not bad to look at either, but his Alpha is even more good looking, if I'm being completely honest.

  I feel a blush creeping up on my cheeks and push the thought about Carla's brother away from my mind. It would have been nice to have him as my mate, but I'm positive the one for me would be even more amazing. Or even better, maybe, just maybe, the Moon Goddess will perform a miracle and when I turn 18 I will find out that Luke is indeed my mate. Yup, that would be a cute little bow to wrap my life up nicely.

  Jennifer is busy telling us all about her mate and Marie and I are just standing there smiling and listening to her. We're both happy for our friend, at least I think we are. If I'm being completely honest, Marie has been acting a bit strange lately. I think it's because she's not happy about her aunt and uncle asking me to stay away from her and in return keeping a very close eye on her. I feel the same, but this whole thing would die down eventually. The pack will find something else to focus on and Marie and I can go back to being friends out in the open. Now she's just being eerily quiet. It's not like her at all to be this way when we're talking about boys. Since Jennifer will be turning 18 next week, we decided to plan a girls day out as a treat. Because her birthday will fall on a school day, we figured that today would be perfect for our day out since it's weekend. And luckily Carla agreed to give me the day off on the promise that I would make it back to the pub in time for the Open mic.