Chapter 2: Chapter 1

My story is the story of forgotten people

and the voice of the voiceless.

~Andrea Hirata

The slamming of noise invades my ears as the alarm sounds.

But my eyes have been open just a minute before the hour turned to five.

The cruel reality that I should wake up before my clock can complete its job each day always brings a smile to my face.

“Beat ya,” I whisper.

But there’s no one there to listen to me.

Just the clock as it ticks down until the next round in the morning, for when we see who would catch sight of the barren darkness first.

I fumble in the dark, falling hard on the ground in the attempt to get the sweats on.

“Damn,” the lights were the last thing I wanted on, but the noise I was making would soon wake the whole pack house if this continued.

Slowly, I open the door, peering my head out to make sure no one had awoken from the crash.

It seems clear until I catch sight of the open door down the hall.

I sigh. “Sorry, mom. Go back to bed.”

But as I come closer, a frown forms on my face as a guilty expression shows on hers.

The evidence clear to see as I take in the still wet streaks of paint that smudge her forehead and neck.

“You should go to sleep mom,” I whisper, noting the shadows that seemed a constant feature to her skin.

“I just wanted to wish you good luck,” she turns around, no doubt taking in the sight of dad still fast asleep, before looking at me with a wide grin, “you’ll do good.”

Her smile is like an infection. I can’t help the feeling of peace that washes over me as I take it in- my own lips tugging upward.

Mom always had this effect.

She was always able to make those around her smile.

“Thanks mom,” I lean in, quickly kissing her cheek before continuing down the hall.

The smudge of paint on my nose makes my smile widen even more.

The cool air invades my lungs as I step outside, breathing in the darkness and taking in the stars that shone above.

“Morning.”

It’s a whisper I said to no one.

Just a form of motivation I used to pick up my feet. A way of encouragement that allowed me to steel my mind for the anticipated run.

Down the long drive.

Past the trees.

Chasing the sun as it rose in the sky.

Seeing who could reach their home first.

“I’m going to win.”

It’s whispered to no one.

Just the burning light that leaks over the trees.

I squint my eyes and smile at the tricks it played.

The attempt to blind me, catch me off guard, pull me astray or burn me with its heat and make my efforts that much harder.

“I’m going to win.”

It’s whispered to no one.

No one but me.

I never time the runs.

It’s always until I start seeing people emerge from their homes, that I continue down the road.

Various pack members wave back to me, a grin on their faces as they take in my daily routine, little knowing that they were a part of the ritual I performed.

“How are the new pup and mother, Henry?”

He grins broadly at me as I run by, cupping his hands, and yelling at my back, “Both healthy!”

I raise my hand, showing a thumb up, but not revealing the broad smile that was plastered on my face.

The pack house finally comes back into my sight, the trees removing their limbs from the coverage they provided.

“Wipe your feet, wipe your feet!”

Sandra shoos me away from the wooden floors, pointing to the mat that I had passed by.

“Really-,”

But her silent glare cuts me off, making me turn around and dutifully do as told.

I slide onto the chair that sat in front of the kitchen island, resting my hand in my chin to watch Sandra as she performed her own morning ritual.

“Exciting day today,” she slides the plate of food over to me, her familiar grin there to take in as I nod in agreement.

She leans forward also, watching my actions.

I pause, egg halfway to my face, eyeing her.

“Don’t mind me.”

“Sandra, if you could just,” my hand shoos her away, making the older woman sigh as she straightens up and shakes her head.

“Did anyone call?”

“If Vincent calls, you’ll be the first person I tell,” Sandra said coolly.

I slump back in my chair.

“He will when-,”

“-when he’s ready. I’ve heard that speech enough from the Alpha.”

Sandra shakes her head, “You know how I feel about the subject. I don’t like to say it aloud too much, in case Alpha Atlas hears me.”

I moodily flip an egg over, my appetite suddenly gone.

“You need to eat,” Sandra eyes my still full plate, “today’s a big day. Are you nervous?”

I laugh, nervous? “No. I’m not nervous.”

“I guess you wouldn’t be.” I smile at the hint of pride that can be traced in her voice.

Her eyes dart up, taking in the time, “you should be going soon though. And I need to be waking everyone up. Though I doubt your mother and Leo will come down. Those two have the worst sleep schedule.”

“Leo was up again?”

Sandra pauses, her eyes looking up at me as we both silently take the other in.

I sigh and continue eating, “You need to get me when that happens, Sandra.”

“I know dearie. I know. But today is a big day for you. I didn’t want you to be tired.”

I glare up at the woman, “He needs me.”

Sandra looks away. I don’t need her famous speech to hear that Leo really didn’t need me. Not anymore. It wasn’t like when we were younger.

Both of my brothers had always, in their own way, resented me.

“Right.” I swallow the sudden lump that had forged itself in my throat. “I should be going.”

“I’m about to wake the Alpha-,”

“No.”

She flinches at the sudden dark sound.

“No I mean...he won’t say anything to me...he doesn’t...well you know how he feels about me going...”

Sandra’s eyes soften just slightly. She walks around the island and embraces me, letting her warmth connect into my body. I stiffen from the sudden display of affection. My body upon instinct draws back from the show of love. Uncooperative from the contact of warmth and connection.

But then she pulls away and I’m exposed back to the cool air.

“Good luck,” she whispers, before turning around and walking up the stairs.

I don’t linger.

I grab the keys to the truck, not looking behind as I get inside it, and drive away.