I walked off school grounds with my mate on my mind.
"Everyone seems to be against us...At least we have each other right?"
"Of course and always will, but I wonder who our mate is." I said, going through a selection of who it might be and my selection was very limited.
"I don't know who it could be but when we're at school I can feel a pull there, I just can't pin point who it is." She said thoughtfully.
"I can't wait to be in his arms, to have him protect us, kiss us, mark us, and everything! It will be perfect." I said with a sigh, Amaris purred at this thought. I guess I was too engulfed in my thoughts to realize that I was home.
I pulled out my key and opened the door.
"Mom, dad?!" I yelled looking around but no one answered. I closed the front door and walked to the kitchen and there on the refrigerator was a note.
Meeting with the Alpha and Luna tonight be ready by 6.
-Love mom & Dad<3
I dread this meeting coming up, that means I'll have to be in the same room as Malachi and his awful parents.
"Why me?" I muttered to myself.
I made a hot pocket and grabbed a water bottle before running upstairs to my room. When I got inside my room I sat down at my desk and started my work. I ate my hot pocket while working and when I was finished I belly flopped on my bed before falling asleep.
"Jadah?" I heard a voice say, while rocking my body back and forth trying to wake me up.
"Go away."I groggily said before rolling away from the person.
"Get up its time to go to the meeting."It said and I groaned before sitting up, wiping the drool from the side of my face. Those after school naps are the best. I looked up at who ever was calling my name and found my dad staring at me in amusement.
"Why are you looking at me like that?"I asked and he busted out laughing.
"It's the slob on your face, now come on." He said. I rolled my eyes before hopping out of my plush comfy bed. I'm leaving the comfort of my bed to go sit in one of their hard leather chairs while listening to them talk about rogues and 'blah blah'.
We walked downstairs, well I fell down the stairs making everyone laugh.
"That's not funny!" I yelled from the floor, I didn't even move I just laid there.
"Jadah we're sorry you don't wanna go but come on we have to get going." My father said once again. I looked up at him.
"Can't I stay?" I begged at this point. He gave me a sympathetic look before shaking his head 'No'. I sighed before standing up and walking out the house to our Range Rover. When I got in, I buckled up, My dad started the car and we were off.
We pulled up to their mansion and I almost cried. I didn't want to sit in the same room with my biggest terrorizer and his evil parents. I reluctantly hopped out the jeep and we walked over to their mansion where my father knocked on the door. Soon we heard footsteps come to the door and a woman with sandy brown hair, green eyes, and pink lips greeted us.
"Larry, Lauren, kids welcome back, come in."She side stepped letting us in. She gave them all warm smiles but when I walked passed she rolled her eyes before closing the door and leading us to her husbands evil lair.
We walked up 3 flights of steps to get to his office, my feet got heavier and heavier as they crossed the wine plush carpet underneath them. Monotonous paintings covered the walls only worsening my anxiety. Soon a big brown oak door came into view. Mrs.Silverman opened the door and lead us to the big meeting table in the middle of the room where Mr.Silverman was already sitting at the head of the table. Malachi was on his left and there was an open seat on the right where Mrs.Silverman sits. Other members of the pack were here as well. My family sat closest to the Silverman family while I sat at the last seat furthest away from the family.
"Ah welcome back Larry, and kids."He said with a laugh, him and my father did the man hug, my mom and Mrs.Silverman hugged and chatted, while Leila, Leo, and Lucas were talking to Malachi leaving me, the 'odd ball' out of the picture. They don't even care that I'm here, I don't know why I even have to come to these meetings when no one includes me in them.
I sat back in my leather chair with my legs folded, fiddling with my fingers, and my eyes cast down waiting for them to get done. Then Mr.Silverman started talking,
"As you all know we have been having problems with rogues. Only a few, but still they are a problem, and that's not the only issue. The DarkKnight Pack are the deadliest pack in our area and we can't get on bad terms with them."He said. Ah yes the DarkKnight pack. The pack that sends those terrifying chills down your spine, the pack, parents tell their mannish kids about to get them to go sleep, and the one pack who kills any and every rogue and pack that gets too close for comfort. They're the deadliest pack in the world and of course the pack that my pack is afraid of.
"We can't do anything about the DarkKnight pack. I need everyone to stay away from their territory, I want you to inform all families that their border is off limits. We can't take any chances. The only thing we can do is defend our pack from the rogues which I think we're pretty capable of. If you smell anything bloody or rotten warn us through the pack mind-link." He said and everyone nodded. I still didn't look up at him because if I did I would receive a growl or snarl from him and a disgusted face from his wife. I heard a voice drag me out of my thoughts.
"Jadah? Were you listening?" I slowly looked up and saw Malachi smile at me but not a sweet smile but that one smile a person that hates you give because you're about to get in trouble kind of smile. I looked around and saw my dad with a nervous expression matching my mom and siblings.
"Answer your alpha!" He yelled making me jump and lower my head in submission.
"So-rry A-lpha I-I-was lis-tening." I whimpered letting my tears fall.
"What were we discussing then?" He asked in a deadly deep voice but I was too scared to look up and see his midnight eyes glaring back at me. I could hear a silent chuckle and I knew it came from Malachi.
"Y-you were dis-dis-discussing th-e rogues-" He cut me off,
"Stop stuttering you fool!" He yelled and I let out a small whimper before clearing my throat and getting ready to reply but a loud laugh cut through the thick tension. I shot my head up to look at Malachi who had tears in his eyes from laughing so hard. When he calmed down I couldn't take my eyes off of him, just wandering why? When he looked at me his face paled before softening. He cleared his throat and looked away.
"Did you see the way he looked at us?" Amaris asked but I was too busy trying to survive.
"Amaris I'm scared." I whispered to her, causing her to growl which came out of me. The room grew so silent you could hear a pin drop. An ear splitting growl came from the alpha. His eyes were black as night, his face was red, his canines were surfacing, and his claws were emerging. I ran to the door so fast I was out that room quicker than you could say 'It'. I ran down all the flights of stairs jumping down most of the way, hearing my family call after me but I took off out the door and into the nearby woods, forgetting about the rogue sitings and the border warnings.
I kept running until I found myself in the middle of the forest where I couldn't see anything but the trees. I spun in circles looking around but all I could see was tall thick trees looming over me like a barrier. I heard thunder rumbling. Looking up at the dark blue sky. I closed my eyes holding in the waterfall behind them, breathing in and out but when a rain drop landed on my eye I gave in.
I crumbled to the forest floor on my knees letting the tears pour from my eyes. The dam holding back my emotions broke free and out of me.
"Why me? I can't do anything right." I sobbed into my hands as Amaris whimpered in my head.
"They all hate me and for no reason. What could I have done to deserve to be hated by the whole pack?" I asked myself. I don't even associate with anyone. The only friends I have are my family.
"I do everything I'm supposed to do. I go to school, get good grades, and come home. I don't do anything that causes problems, I'm just hated for being Jadah." I sobbed harder because it's true. My parents and siblings don't stand up for me in my times of need. They watch it, every single time. It's like my family doesn't even love me. I can't wait for my mate to come. I laid down on the plush muddy forest floor, letting the rain pour down on me. I curled up into a ball to keep the last bit of warmth I had with me. The thoughts of my mate comforted me, covering me in a blanket of safety and warmth.
"Where are you?" I whispered snuggling closer to the dirt. Soon I became exhausted and closed my eyes giving into the darkness.
I don't know how long I was laying there but the sky was pitch black, it had to be around midnight. I sat up hugging my damp muddy clothes tighter around me when all of a sudden I heard a crack.
"Ahhhhhhh!" I screamed as the pain caught up to me. Gritting my teeth together I then heard another crack come from my arm. I looked down and saw my arm was broken.
I cradled it against me, my bottom lip was quivering,"What's happening to me!" I yelled, the sickening sound of my cracking bones filled the air. I was on my hands and knees digging my fingers in the dirt and crying out. Amaris finally said something.
"You're shifting."
My birthday is in 1 day now, I meet my mate tomorrow. I formed a smile even through the pain. Then my face started to stretch and break into a muzzle.
I feel like I'm going to die.
A tingling sensation ran over my body and soon fur began to sprout out of my skin. After a while my whole body was transformed into our wolf. I weakly stood on all fours, my vision getting more blurry, the world went upside down and I passed out.
When I woke up I heard birds chirping so loudly I thought they were in my ear, and the scent of dirt was stronger than before. I opened my eyes and looked around, the birds were singing in tall oak trees.
What happened?
When I stood up I felt sore all over, I felt taller, and I wasn't on two feet. I looked down and I was on four white paws. Jumping away from the big white paws I fell on my back, but they were still there.
Then all the memories from last flooded my mind. The meeting, Warren yelling at me, and most importantly I shifted last night. No wonder my body feels like I've been trampled over. Only at that moment did I finally notice my eyesight was sharper, my ears picked up on more sound, and I could smell better. I felt wonderful.
"Amaris!" I said excitedly.
"Yes?" She said coyly.
"We shifted and the fur on my paws... Is beautiful! I wish I could look at all of me." I said thoughtfully sitting back on my haunches.
"We can. I hear a stream nearby let me take control." She said excitedly so I slowly went to the back of mind while she raced to the stream. While she was running I could feel and hear our paws pound against the dirt floor; the wind combed through our hair. The feeling was Magical. I felt free and happy for once.
Before long we came to crystal clear water. Amaris gave me back control and I slowly walked to the edge of the stream and when I looked down I almost fainted. We were a beautiful snow-white color, with Piercing blue eyes even brighter than my fathers! My nose was black, and I opened my snout to look at my teeth-well canines and they were razor sharp and a ghastly white. Bottom line is, I'm beautiful.
"Told you and it's us." Amaris corrected, making me laugh out loud but it sounded so weird in wolf form.
"Yeah, yeah I know but I don't want to go back." I said, I looked around and seen the sun high in the sky, birds flying, the relaxing sound of the river, and little animals running about. It was beautiful. I could run away if I wanted to, and never look back.
"I do too" She sighed,"but tomorrow we meet our mate, so just hang in there until tomorrow." She said and I agreed.
"Okay but until then let's enjoy that water!" I ran full speed to the deepest part of the river and dived in. I was enveloped in the cool waters and it felt heavenly.
As the hours went by I passed the time swimming and splashing around in the water like a pup. When the sun started to set, painting the sky in a beautiful array of orange and pink, I sighed wishing I could stay forever. My family is probably worried sick and my birthday is tomorrow so I might as well stay with them until then because when I find my mate I'm out of here. I don't care if we're rogue anywhere is better than here.
I walked out of the water and shook my fur till I was semi dry then began to head back home. I don't remember where home is exactly but Amaris does so I let her take control while I sat in the back of my mind happy about tomorrow.
When we got to the edge of the forest where I believe I came in at, no one was around so I quietly tip toed to my house. Snaking through cars, and around houses to avoid bringing attention to my self. When I neared my house I walked around the back to my window, I was about to climb up but I still had my paws. I can't climb with paws!
"Amaris?" I asked,
"Yes I know, just think about your legs for running, your arms for carrying, etc try it." She encouraged and I did as I was told. I thought about my long legs for running up and down our stairs at home, and my arms for hugging my mom and dad. I felt the all too familiar pain breaking my bones back into place, I held in the cries that threatened to escape and bit my tongue so hard I drew blood.
I felt long crunchy curls touching my shoulders, and I could feel the cool breeze skim over my body making me shiver. I opened my brown eyes and looked down at myself. Here I was stark naked standing on the side of my house, I looked around and made sure no one was outside, and when the coast was clear I hastily started climbing up the wall.
When I made it to my window I pushed it to see if it was open but as we all know the odds aren't ever in my favor. It was locked.
"Use your new strength." I pressed my hands against the window and pushed, soon I heard a click and my window was opening. I mentally thanked Amaris before stepping through.
When my feet touched my cushiony beige carpet I sighed happy to be back, I mean running around the wilderness is very relaxing but nothing beats the comfort of your own home. I opened my eyes, breaking free from my reverie and padded to my closet. I slipped on some black soft panties, a pair of comfy grey Nike sweat pants, and a gray Nike shirt. I left my hair out before heading to my door. I sighed, preparing myself for an earful from my family.
I hesitantly went down the carpet covered steps where I walked into the living room and there was my family. Their eyes were red and puffy with bags under them.
"Mommy, dad?" I asked, their heads snapped up at me so fast I'm surprised their heads didn't fall off. Before I knew it I was being tackled by 5 family members who showered my face in wet kisses.
"Ewwww stop!" I squealed kicking my legs before pushing them off. I sat on the floor looking up at them waiting to hear how worried they were about me.
"Jadah Love Ryan do you know how worried you had me? We all were worried about your behind!" She fumed pacing in front of me.
"Yes-" She cut me off.
"I thought you ran away or came across the DarkKnight pack where they did something awful to you." She said shaking her head and muttering something under her breath.
"Mom-"
"I could ground you and never let you leave the house again." She paused, I rubbed my face in frustration, "No, no can't do that, you meet your ma-" Now she was cut off by me.
"I shifted!" I yelled in frustration. They all looked down at me wide eyed.
"Oh baby we were supposed to be there." She said kneeling down to me before swallowing me in one of her hugs, I hugged her back.
"So what color is your wolf?" Leo asked, I let go of my mom before turning to him.
"Well we are white." I said proudly. I was expecting to hear some response but I didn't. When I looked at them they had shocked expressions on their faces.
"What's wrong, what did I say?" I asked genuinely confused.
"Y-You're a White wolf?" My sister stuttered, I nodded my head 'Yes' and smiled.
"Yes. We are beautiful." I said remembering our Snow White fur, and stunning blue eyes.
"Well honey a white wolf is very rare and is stronger than other wolves." My dad said and I raised an eyebrow.
"How come?" I asked, turning my body to face my parents intrigued.
"Well they are specially made by the Moon goddess." My mother butted in with a proud face.
"Oh then I'm-well we're special."
"Yes but you must not tell anyone of your wolf or you could be killed out of jealousy."
"Jealousy? Jealous of what a fur color?!"
"White wolves also have abilities. Abilities average wolves don't have; see the moon goddess gave white wolves abilities because they are our protectors. By our I mean us average wolves. But because of jealousy white wolves were killed off ages ago so it's rare when the moon goddess blesses us with one. The moon goddess must have an important task planned for you."
"I see, but you said abilities, what abilities?" I asked tilting my head.
"I don't know, you'll have to find out for your self." She said and I smiled. When I looked at my siblings I could see pure jealousy in their eyes as they glared at me. I chose to ignore them and face my parents again.
"Okay now that you're back home, let's eat but before we do that you need a bath." My mother said scrunching up her face.
"Okay well I'll be back down soon." I said before climbing up the steps to my room.
I went straight to the bathroom and turned on the shower. I stripped out of my new clothes and hopped in moaning in pleasure when the water touched my body. The water was a little dirty from the previous night but it soon turned clear after I washed my hair and body. When I was done I wrapped myself in a towel, feeling fresh and clean. I moisturized and deep conditioned my hair my hair before putting on a sweat suit and practically running down the stairs to the kitchen.
I seen pot roast on the table, instantly taking a seat and digging in my food I closed my eyes and moaned at the deliciousness. When I opened my eyes I saw my parents watching me in amusement, I blushed and looked down.
"What are you looking at?" I asked laughing nervously.
"Our beautiful food loving daughter." My father answered with a chuckle, coming closer with my mother tucked at his side.
"Yeah, being in the woods for a day and a half really starves you." I said making them laugh. There was a brief silence,
"We love you baby girl." My mom said wrapping her arms around one side of me, then we were both getting squeezed by my dad.
"I love you guys too. More than anything else in this world." I said meaning every word.
"More than the sun loves to shine." My mother said into my hair.
"More than the stars love the moon." My dad finished, and kissed my forehead
Who knew that would be the last time I heard that phrase?