Basking in the glow of my happiness I almost miss the growl emanating from nearby. Almost being the keyword. Out of pure instinct, I tense now on high alert seeking out the source.
I find it when my gaze locks with the striking violet eyes of a wolf. His fur is the color of pure liquid silver with black connecting from around the eyes down its muzzle appearing almost like a mask of ebony.
I backtrack but end up falling. I quickly realize that as my panic level rises everything around me becomes hazy. The earth is now covered in scorch marks and a dense fog covers the land. Forgetting the wolf, I try to focus my now blurry vision.
I fully collapse onto the ground and as darkness consumes me all I can make out is the name transformed man walking towards me with heavy booted footsteps while a willow tree sways in the distance.
Gasping, I come to reality, my eyes coming back into focus. I look at my hands then at my surroundings, relaxing when I see everything is exactly as it was before.
It's only then that I realize David and Carter are standing over me, looking down with matching expressions that clearly read 'she's lost it now'.
All I can do is smile awkwardly and stand up as smoothly as possible to avoid any further humiliation.
"So you guys are around...a lot". I scratch at my arm nervously.
Weirdly enough they don't actually answer taking the entire situation to a whole new level of discomfort.
Rocking back and forth on my heel I bite my lip until I can't take the awkward silence anymore.
Making some weird indiscernible hand movements I tell them I'm just gonna go and quickly rush away from the immediate vicinity.
"Well, that wasn't weird at all". Avoiding having a run in with anyone I make my way to my room and lay down.
Not wanting to dwell on whatever it is that happened to me earlier i start singing to myself, thinking about my life and all that is to come.
Chapter 12
Hope
The morning of the move has finally arrived and I could not be any more nervous than I already am. Going through my morning routine I put in a tad bit more effort into my makeup. If I'm moving somewhere new I at least want to attempt to make a decent first impression.
With a light coating of foundation on, I start lining my eyes moderately with eyeliner. Settling for a bit of bronze shadow on the lids of my eyes with a little mascara and finally some lipgloss. Deciding that's as good as its gonna get, I move on to making sure my curls are tamed into a loose ponytail.
Unfortunately, when it comes to clothing I just want to be comfortable and blend in. Dark jeans, cream and white striped sweater with my knee-high brown leather flat boots will do just fine.
Looking around my room I'm not sure how I feel. I will miss it, but I won't miss this place. I'm not sure what's gonna happen but if things ever get back on track enough that we can return, I know without a shadow of a doubt that I won't. It's not even an option, this I have sworn to myself and plan to see it through.
Sighing dramatically I grab the last of my things to start heading down. It took three times longer than it should have given the circumstances.
Thankfully, I was able to avoid anyone and make it safely into the car."You have everything, willy willow?" asks my father. "Yes, dad". "Don't you look pretty honey" comments my mom, if only she knew. "Thank you, momma".
Buckling in I get ready for a very long ride but that is interrupted by a knock on the window. Opening my eyes, which until then I wasn't aware had closed, I see David there. "Hello sir, I was wondering if we could have permission for Hope to ride with Carter and me".
My eyes must be the size of saucers which you think would be a clear indicator but apparently not since daddy dearest looks back, smirks mischievously and then turns back to David. "Sure why not". I sit there open-mouthed, what just happened?
Mom smiles and shakes her head "Have fun sweetie, we'll see you when we arrive" I nod and unbuckle myself kissing her cheek and sticking my tongue out at my dad. Sliding out of the car and following David, my dad just laughs while I pout and let David open the back door for me.
"So why exactly do I need to be here?" I grumble at them. weirdly enough they look at each other and completely ignore the question. Instead, we start the long ride to Onyx Moon pack territory.
Chapter 13
Hope
The trip seems to drag on forever and I feel restless. David makes conversation from time to time but mostly just focuses on driving. Carter, on the other hand, hasn't said anything.
It's not like his demeanor is hostile in any way but, he shoots glances at me. Not glares or anything of the sort. Just, blank stares. I wish I could tell what he is thinking or what he's trying to decipher whenever he looks at me.
Where Davids personality is warm and inviting, Carters is polite but straightforward and usually serious. I can tell he is fundamentally kind but he doesn't show it much.
Thinking back on our prior incident, I realize he must have been worried or at least suspicious that something wasn't right. I shouldn't have been short with him.
I was just caught off guard and afraid of what would happen if someone found out what was really happening behind closed doors. Years ago I would have been happy to have someone notice and try to help me.
Now, all I feel is a deep sense of shame at having allowed someone stronger and more powerful than I to completely break me down. I want to get out of the situation I am in, but I want to do it myself. I need to find the strength within myself to be my own savior.
At some point, I must have just dozed off. My constant exhaustion mixed with my frayed nerves and the hum of the car becoming my own lullaby, beckoning me to sleep in the safety of the silent car.
When I awake from my nap, I am unsure of how much time has passed. I rub my eyes and look around trying to orient myself.
As we enter the secluded lands of the Onyx Moon pack there are two wolves, one on each side, waiting there to lead the way towards what I assume would be the pack house. They are both beautiful with almost identical coats of auburn fur.
I was made painfully aware of just how wrong I was in thinking that we were close by when countless miles have gone by and we have yet to reach our final destination.
I open my mouth but get cut off completely by Carters dry tone "if you're gonna ask are we there yet, please refrain from doing so". That shut me up quickly and left me pouting feeling like a child.
David shakes his head; I'm not sure whether he is puzzled or embarrassed by his friend's behavior not having known them long enough to stipulate whether or not this is just normal for him.
"We only have about ten minutes so just sit tight we'll be there soon" Like always David steps in with his warm eyes, kind smile and soft slightly raspy voice.
Just like he said not ten minutes later the beautiful scenery full of lushes meadows and trees that thrive, seemingly having been there for ages, give way to a clearing where the pack house is situated in the middle of woodland. The beautiful Greek revival style three-story mansion looks massive and historic but warm and inviting at the same time.
Alpha Daniel and Alpha Jamison along with his wife and Ang stop just in front of us and proceed to exit the car. Following suit I softly close the door and walk apprehensively. My hands shaking slightly are a sign of just how truly nervous I feel so I tuck them into my pockets and swallow the lump in my throat.
Standing there to greet us is who I presume to be Alpha Maximus Van de Berg, his powerful aura evident and the telltale blonde hair that all Van de Berg men possess is proof enough.
I would've loved to say he looked like an average man with kind eyes and a friendly nature but the man before me had the stance of a seasoned warrior. His eyes roam around looking everyone over seemingly assessing us.
I can't help but want to squirm and hide when they land on me but at the same time, it seems impossible to look away. It feels as if all the energy around us is being sucked away from every living thing and inanimate object an
d directly toward him and his immense presence.
I had never in my life seen such ice blue eyes, they're like endless pools. Stern and mysterious almost unfathomably unreadable which irked me to no end. I wanted to get a hint, even a slight one, as to what he thinks as he scrutinizes me.
Turning away he greets his father and mother but I fail to hear what they are saying, too focused on examining our new Alpha. He is taller than I expected, perhaps a solid 6'5 with his golden blonde hair slicked back.
His physique is lean but obviously muscled and chiseled if his clinging dark grey long sleeve shirt is anything to go by.
His small smile as he speaks to his mother is arresting but I get the sense that it is a rare sight to behold. I'm proven at least partially right as it slips off his face when he moves on to greet others and it is replaced by a smirk that does funny things to my head.
I'm startled when a hand on my shoulder pulls my attention away and I look to my right to see my parents standing beside me. My father leaning in to plant a kiss on my forehead earning a smile and my forgiveness for his act of treachery mere hours ago.
Looking straight ahead I mentally prepare myself for the Alphas impending presence just to realize there was no need. Alpha Maximus stops to welcome his Gamma David back who stands beside me just to then look straight at me and proceed on to greeting my father warmly.
Never in my life have I felt so invisible and hated it, tears pool in my eyes but I blink them away slightly bowing my head letting my bangs fall in front of my face. Some things don't change; to these people, I will always be an invisible third class citizen.
Soon though it won't matter cause I'll find a way out and make a life of my own where I will matter and all this will just have been a distant first act in the theatrical production that is my life.
Chapter 14
Maximus
I smell Hope before I even have the chance to see her. The smell of freshly bloomed honeysuckle mixes with the delicate scent of lavender. It's an alluring mix, slightly different to the scent I remember but still sweet and nostalgic.
Hope had been ten when I left the pack. She most likely remembers very little of me but I have countless memories of her smiling face running around the pack house, driving her father crazy.
I had left knowing full well that Hope was my mate. Shock doesn't begin to describe what I felt after my eighteenth birthday when my wolf recognized her as our mate.
There was no attraction, obviously, considering our ages. But, I had always felt protective towards the precious girl. For a second my world turned upside down. My decision to leave was final and it would be many years before I could claim her as my mate. She had to grow up and become her own person. An amazing young woman that I could claim when the time is right, that could rule by my side.
So, I left. I left her in the hands of her parents and the pack I had been raised in. I trusted she would be safe, looked after and loved.
The pack had strayed from what it once was. I love my father but he became complacent and allowed many of the male wolves to do as they pleased. They were comfortable with the current system and every change I proposed was met with pushback.
There was division and strife, members didn't look out for each other the way they once did. It was more like individuals who were part of the same organization but lived separate lives.
Much infighting occurred during my final months in the White Thorn pack. Conflicts I would rather not remember. Despite that, I knew Hopes parents and I felt assured that they would keep her safe.
Besides, the road I was going down would be one filled with hardships and blood. Hardly a place for a pure girl like Hope to grow up in.
As pleased as I am to see my family, the anticipation of standing close to my mate has me on edge. I train my features carefully as to not give anything away.
I know I won't be able to touch her. I know I will barely be able to acknowledge her and I have no doubt that she will take it personally. Who wouldn't? For now, though, that is how it must be.
Hopes scent only grows stronger as I approach, enticing me. When she stepped out of the car, I could have stared at her all day.
Eyes the color of an ocean sky during a summer storm. Hair dark and alluring only making her eyes stand out even more. Lips sinfully juicy, the color of a fresh strawberry. She's small in stature bringing images of how she'll fit against me that I fight to erase.
I could almost sense her nerves and wish I were in a position to put her at ease.
Instead, I have to keep my distance. At least for now. No one hates it more than I do. I see the hurt in her beautiful eyes when I pass her by without a word and for that moment, I feel like the biggest bastard to ever live.
Chapter 15
Hope
I sit down on the bed in the guest room where I will now reside. Because of my father's status, we have been allowed to room in the main pack house where the Alpha and his family reside as well as his Beta, Gamma, and top warriors.
I feel so uneasy like I want to crawl out of my skin. I'm grateful, hoping that perhaps being here will shield me, protect me from the wrath of my peers, a.k.a alpha Daniel and Angelina, knowing the adults are sure to notice if they try anything. It's weird not constantly being on alert like my body isn't sure what to do.
I feel like at this point the adrenaline from the constant fight or flight mentality fuels my failing body. Dinner is gonna be in a while and I could go out and try to explore things, but for right now I just want to have some time to myself.
I go into the bathroom, it is all contemporary vintage and homey yet luxurious but I don't take much time to notice because my eyes are automatically drawn to the beautiful ornate antique looking cast iron claw foot tub. it's big enough to fit two comfortably with chrome fixtures. Its love at first sight and I can't help myself.
Turning the knob I start to fill up the tub while I grab my iPod and start searching through my toiletries finding my small unopened, unused lavender scented bubble bath. This will probably be the only moment perfect and safe enough to use it and relax.
Closing the bathroom door from my adjoining room I slowly undress being gentle given my frail state. I pour some of the bubble bath in watching it foam up, a gentle smile coming to my lips.
Finally, I shut the water off and slip in putting my earphones on making sure my iPod stays on the edge and doesn't take a swim in the tub.
The soothing voice of Norah Jones fills my mind and I try my best to get lost in it. I don't want to think about Daniel, who tortures me every day or about Carter and his growing suspicions or even about Alpha Maximus who flat out rudely ignored me.
More than the slight was the fact that it hurt me deeper than it should have. I don't know him and given his brother, I shouldn't have expected much to begin with.
Still, I had felt something. I had wanted him to like me. I grit my teeth annoyed at myself and concentrate on the rich melodies and soon manage to drown everything out.
My weak body is cold but I know it's not because of the water. I had only turned the hot water on which means to anyone else it would have been scolding. My body though is barely managing to retain any warmth at all.
My internal clock is aware that my time is almost done. I would have died young with nothing remarkable to show for it if things had continued the way they were.
A single tear escapes and I wipe it away, refusing to feel sorry for myself. Sometime after that, I must have dozed off because the next thing I know, out of the depths of unconsciousness I feel the prickles of being watched and pry my eyes open only to let out an embarrassing little shriek and sink deeper into the tub.
Standing over me looking down from beside the tub is Alpha Maximus with unhappy stormy eyes, his lips set in a firm line. He starts to say something but I can't hear a word.
Stupidly I realize my earphones are still in my ears and I yank them out. Frustration is evident in every inch of his body no doubt noticing that I hadn't even been listen
ing. I duck my head wanting the earth to swallow me up.
"Your father has tried endlessly to contact you. Did you not notice or just enjoy being outright disrespectful?" A flare of annoyance threatens to creep up, but i squash it. He already dislikes me, no need to make it worse."Dinner will be served in ten minutes".
Realizing I'm not gonna respond, he grunts in disapproval. Just like that, he turns and storms out. I let my head flop back against the tub and groan. Great I manage to make friends everywhere I go.
Chapter 16
Willow From The Ashes (Children Of The Moon Book 1) Page 5