River Falls: The Wolves

by Lizzie Wildblood

  We walked on making easy conversation, when suddenly someone jumped up behind us, putting their arms around both mine and Amber's shoulders. I could tell it was a guy from his size, weight and aftershave. It was a nice smell.

  “Yes Chris, what can we help you with today?” Amber says jokingly, she always seems to have a smile on her face. It’s quite infectious really.

  “No I don’t need help, I just heard we had a new student and then I heard that she was sat next to my best friend in the whole world, so I thought I would be friendly and come say hi. I’m just being welcoming” He smiles a dazzling smile that I’m sure has a great affect on many girls.

  “Hi I’m Alex, nice to meet you, Chris is it?”

  “Oh baby you could call me what ever you want to call me!”

  Amber and myself burst into laughter and shrug his arms off our shoulders. Chris is obviously on the football team as he is wearing his letterman jacket, which is actually filled out quite nicely by his body. I imagine him to be a good football player, with a build like that, not many people are going to get past him. At about six foot he’s easily a head taller than me. He has a head full of dark brown hair that is swept off his face, showing off a beautiful face. A strong jaw line and nose and bright blue eyes. He really would be most girls ideal man.

  “What’s so funny.” He says with a massive smile on his face, showing a mouth full of perfectly straight teeth. Of course he has nice teeth! He has everything else, and the cocky confidence to go with it.

  “I’ll stick with Chris thanks.” I say with a smile.

  After that we all walk into math together. Chris apparently is in this class too, and he and Amber are having a small argument about who gets to sit by me. Thankfully Amber won. I can deal with a little bit of friendly flirting, but I just don’t want to have to deal with it on my first day.

  The rest of the morning is un eventful, I’d planned to meet up with Amber at lunch and I’m happy to say that she’s waiting for me just outside the lunch room doors, phew, no awkward moments of walking in there alone looking for a friendly face. As we walk in we get pushed to the side roughly by a group of girls, who I then realise are the same ones that were scowling at me this morning.

  “Hey watch it” Amber says boldly, looking slightly annoyed.

  “Oh sorry Amb’s, didn’t see you there.” The red head says with a smirk on her face, and turns back around and carries on walking.

  “Meet Tara, biggest bitch in the school.” Amber says louder than is needed. I’m sure it so that Tara will hear, if she does she doesn’t let it show.

  “Biggest bitch and biggest slut actually, just ignore her if she gives you any hassle. Most people do. She just likes to think she is in charge.” I notice she’s with some of the girls that were scowling at me this morning.

  I can tell Amber doesn’t like her, which only makes me like Amber even more. I would hate to find out that I had actually made friends with someone like Tara. After getting our food, we make our way over to a loud table. I recognise Chris and few other people from my classes but I don’t know their names yet.

  “Alex, hey, come sit down by me” as it’s only one of two empty seats at the table I take the seat, however now I think I’ve given Chris the impression that I may actually like him, like him. And not that he isn’t completely likeable in that way, I’m just so not ready for boys to complicate my life at the moment.

  Chris has a huge smile on his face and drapes his arm across the back of my chair as he introduces me to everyone.

  “Jack, Ryan, Caroline, Rachel and of course you already know Amber.” He points to each person as he says their name and they all give a wave or head nod in return.

  “So how’s your first day been? Meet anyone you're ready to fall in love with yet?" Jack asks me.

  Everyone just laughs and tells him to shut up. They carry on their conversations and ask me a few questions to try and include me. I’m suddenly very grateful I got seated by Amber this morning, otherwise my day could have been much worse.

  Chapter Two

  Logan

  I can honestly say I was enjoying my first lunch break in my new school, interacting with people again felt good. I love my aunt Sara but in the weeks since my parents death, I definitely needed some other company.

  Lunch was almost coming to an end when I felt the strangest sensation down my back. I got the feeling that someone was looking at me, but not in a bad way. I started to look around, just to put my mind at ease that there wasn’t actually someone watching me. However stood right by the entrance to the lunch room and staring right at me or maybe it was just our table in general, was a God. An actual Greek God. There really was no other description for him, that’s what he had to be. He was the most beautiful guy I had ever seen. I found my self staring back at him. I just couldn’t seem to take my eyes off him, it’s as if I was just seeing for the first time and I couldn’t get enough of what I was looking at. I mean why on earth would I want to look away anyway. He did look slightly irritated though and I couldn’t help but wonder if I had something to do with that, but how could I? I’ve never even seen him before, I don’t even know his name.

  Chris seemed to have noticed that I had stopped listening to the conversation and moved his arm from my chair to around my shoulder and pulled me in close to him

  “Hey what’s up?” He whispers in my ear and follows where my gaze was still lingered. Was it just me, or did the Greek God suddenly get even taller and an even more irritable scowl on his face?

  “Oh man, come on guys, looks like we’re late for the team meeting, Logan’s over by the door and he looks pissed. Time to go boys. See ya later Alex.” With a squeeze of my shoulder the boys got up and left to go meet up with the God. Logan? Is that what Chris called him? Logan, I like the way that sounds in my head. The bell snaps me out of my thinking and we get ready to go to our next class. I turn back around to get a final glimpse of him, but find myself disappointed he has already left.

  Last class of the day and I have successfully made it through day one. It wasn’t actually as bad as I was expecting. I get that weird sensation again, it’s not unpleasant but just strange. When I look up, I can see Logan standing in the doorway about to come into class. He comes toward me and takes the seat directly behind me.

  Great, how on earth am I meant to concentrate now that he is sat right there. All I want to do is run my hand through my hair to make sure it’s ok but I really don’t want him to think that I’m doing it for his sake so I just sit there and try to pay attention to the text book in front of me. What is wrong with me? I never get like this over guys.

  I’m generally good at school, but biology is my one class where I actually need to work hard and now I have the Greek God sat behind me. I really need to stop calling him that. Logan, Logan, Logan, he has a name.

  I feel a gentle tap on my shoulder, but at the same time his finger connects I feel sparks like static straight through my shoulder and down my arm from his touch.

  “Hey, do you have a pen I could borrow please? I seem to have lost mine.” That voice, is like I’m floating in heaven. It’s husky tone, I can’t wait to hear it again .

  “So do you?... Have a pen?” He says again with a grin. Obviously noticing my lack of concentration.

  “Um yeah, hang on” I reach down for my bag on the floor to get my extra pen and turn around to pass it to him. He’s still leaning in over his desk and I didn’t realise how close he actually was so when I lift my head to hand him the pen I find myself staring into the most stunning pair of deep green eyes I’ve ever seen in my life.

  Just breathe.

  “Thanks” it feels like silk sliding all over my body whenever he talks; he has the most luscious hair and I just want to run my fingers through it’s dark golden colour. I mean what other colour would a God have for hair? Some of it is falling in front of his eyes and my fingers are itching to push it out of the way so it doesn’t block my view of his eyes.

  “
No problem ” I finally manage to get out. He just smiles slowly and leans back in his chair. I need to get a grip.

  At the end of class when the bell goes I don’t really want to go. I want to talk to Logan again; to hear his voice and commit it to my memory. But I also want to get out of the room as quickly as I can. I’ve never been the type of girl that gets like this over a guy. I’m not sure what’s wrong with me but I’m sure I don’t like this version of me. ‘Come on Alex, get a grip I refuse to let a guy get to me like this’ I mentally shout at myself. I start packing up my things in a rush and he comes to stand right in front of me.

  “It’s Alexia right?” he says to me, with that smile on his face again. Perfect pearly whites showing through. My personal pep talk must have done some good. I finally manage to find my voice and answer in a normal manner.

  “Yeah, but just Alex is fine.” he hands me back my pen and slightly touches my fingers as he does so. He doesn’t seem in any rush to let go of the pen or my hand so we just stay there for a few seconds longer.

  “Ok well I’ve got a game to get to. Will you be there, at the game?”

  “I’m not sure, to be honest I didn’t actually know there was a game on” I say. I’ve never really been a huge sporting fan. However a girl can change her mind. Especially when there’s a hot guy asking you and he’s looking at you the way Logan is looking at me right now.

  “Hey Alex you ready to go? I’ll walk you out” Chris strides into the class room over to us and instantly puts his arm around my shoulder.

  “Hey man, you ready for the game later?” he addresses Logan.

  With them both so close to me now I can see that they are almost matched in size and height. But Logan is definitely the bigger of the two. In height and in body mass. And by the way his shirt is pulling across his chest and arms, it’s all pure muscle. Ok Alex, stop drooling...

  I glance at Logan and he has that irritated look on his face again that he had in the lunch room and his body seems to have tensed up.

  “I’m always ready, just make sure your heads in the game O’Connor and not some place else” he says and his tone is definitely not as gentle as it was with me just a few moments ago. He looks down at me and it seems like he frowns at Chris’s arm around my shoulders.

  “See you around Alexia.” And with that he turns swiftly round and walks away without giving me change to say bye in return.

  “So are you? Coming to the game later? I can give you a ride home after if you need one?” Chris asks as we walk out towards the carpark. He puts a big smile on his face that almost makes it impossible to say no to. I suppose it would be a good way to be social and meet more people. And Logan would be there, but that’s not why I’m considering going of course.

  “I’ll talk with my Aunt, I’m not too sure what she has planned for tonight, so if I don’t see you later I’ll see you tomorrow. Thanks for today by the way. You and Amber made today actually quite bearable and not a totally horrible day. So thanks.” I reach up and give him a small peak on the cheek, and then shout at myself, I can’t believe I just did that. But everything just seems so natural with him. Its easy. So I just turn around and walk as quickly as I can to my Aunts truck, who I’m pretty sure was just watching me and saw what I did.

  Aunt Sara has a small smirk on her face as I get in and we head towards home.

  “Just don’t ask” I mumble, with a small smirk of my own.

  ◆◆◆

  Logan’s POV

  I like to think that I’m grateful and thankful for things in life. I know at school I may come across as arrogant, and someone who doesn’t really care about anything but football. But the people at school don’t really know me. Not the real me. But right now I’m grateful I don’t have a mate. I’m pretty sure if anyone in my pack knew I was thinking that, I’d get a right lecture about the importance of mates. But that’s the problem isn’t it? They are important.

  My pack is the Blackmoon Pack, one of the two largest packs in North America. The Clearwater pack is the other. Our packs get on well together. Our Alpha which is also my father, and their Alpha always have each other’s backs during attacks or issues. Attacks aren’t very frequent because of our size, and other packs know that we work well together when needed, but it does happen. You always get stupid Alphas thinking they can take over. Like the one last night.

  The Clearwater pack had been attacked. There were a few fatalities but everything’s back in order now. Some rouges had charged into their grounds trying to get to the mate of the Alphas son Jason. It was a close call but she’s ok. She knows how to fight so could protect herself from getting really hurt or taken, while waiting for help to come.

  A wolf needs their mate. To be the best that they can be, they need their mate. Especially an Alpha, or one inline to be Alpha. When Jason’s ready he will be the next true Alpha of the Clearwater pack. Like I’m next true Alpha of the Blackmoon pack. But if the rouges had gotten to Abby, and killed her, it would have made it easier to take over Clearwater and just some random Alpha wolf would be in charge. Without Abby, Jason would have never been able to take over the pack. And without a true Alpha the Pack is weak.

  There are two types of Alphas. There’s an Alpha. And there’s a true Alpha. Many wolves are Alphas. They have that gene in them. They are stronger and bigger than normal werewolves, they think they can rule anyone or anything. They are stupid to think that.

  Then there are true Alphas. We are even bigger and stronger. We can command wolves with our voices. We are respected because we have earned that respect. We are fair and just. We have Alpha blood running through our veins. It’s been passed down through generations. The Blackmoon pack has always been ruled by my ancestors. We are true Alphas. It makes our pack strong. One day I will have a son or daughter and when they are ready they will take over and so on and so on

  An Alphas mate is what balances them. Helps them to see things more clearly. Makes him or her stronger, better. When a mate dies, the other won’t be far behind. A wolf who has found their mate won’t want to live without them. I’ve known werewolves who have carried on living for years after their mate has died, mainly because of small children. But they aren’t the same. Their eyes lose that sparkle and they may pretend to be happy for the sake of the child, but inside their wolf is in a constant state of grief and torment each passing day. I can’t imagine how it must feel.

  I never want to feel that.

  True Alphas really are the most powerful of the werewolves. Their only weakness is their mate. You kill their mate, you eventually kill them. That’s why I’m grateful I haven’t found my mate yet. The older we get, well up to a certain point anyway, the stronger we get. I’m only 17, I need to be stronger. And not have my head full of college and university. I wouldn’t want my mate to be in constant danger, like Abby is now. I’ve spoken to Jason. He’s livid, but also scared of what could have happened to her. He’s not letting her out of his sight. Not that I blame him. Although I don’t want my mate yet, I’d still like to think I’d be somewhat protective over her when I do find her. And I do want to find her.

  Just not yet.

  Right now I want as normal a life that I can get. I want to go to college to play football. I’m good. My werewolf strength and speed help, so I have to make sure I tone down what I’m actually able to do, but I’m on track to get a scholarship at the top sports school in the country. Not that I need scholarship money, but at least then my dad can’t moan at me tell, telling me I’m wasting pack money. And then there’s the issue about me moving away from the pack. All he wants me to do is find my mate so I can take over from him. He says when I finish school it’s time, that I shouldn’t be thinking about college. Just the pack. Only the pack. Always the pack. But what about what I want. It’s my life. That’s another reason why I’m grateful I haven’t found my mate. He won’t let me take over without her.

  Right now though I need to get to bed. It’s late and it’s game night tomorrow night. I can’
t wait. I’ve been a little on edge the last few days. I haven’t been for a good run in a while though. Maybe I should go tomorrow after the game.

  ◆◆◆

  I pull my truck into the parking lot at school. I’m late, it’s ok though, it’s not like I’m behind on any of my classes. I’m pretty much top in all of them. I step out of my car and head towards the school doors. There’s something different. I start looking a round to try and work out what it is, but no ones around. The more I concentrate though I notice there’s a scent that I’ve not noticed before. It’s nice. I can’t really put my finger on what it is. But it’s there.

  I go through my morning classes, still being able to smell what ever it is, but not finding what it is. But I just need to ignore it. We’ve got a game tonight and a team meeting to get to now so I need to go round up the boys from the lunch room. As I’m walking towards to there, I notice the scent is becoming stronger. And I feel like I’m just being pulled towards it by an invisible rope. It’s not an unpleasant feeling. I get to the lunch room door and stop dead in my tracks. My heart feels like it’s about to explode out of my body.