The First Star (Book Two: The Star Series)

The Charms

I open my eyes and stretch my hands above my head as I yawn. Its 5am. Time to get up and get a move on. Training starts in an hour and then I have to get to school. I jump out of bed and throw on my workout clothes and grab my bag with my school clothes. I look around to make sure I have everything I need before I head down stairs to meet Ariel.

My name is Johnny Starr Johnson. I'm the future alpha/king of the werewolves. My dad Donovan Jackson and my mother Georgia Starr have been training me since I was twelve to take over next year when I turn sixteen. See, on my sixteenth birthday I will get my wolf and find my mate. Which I don't have to look long because I've had her since I was born. Ariel has been my best friend since I can remember as we grew up together. Her parents are my parents betas. We've lived together in the Alpha house our whole lives. As well as our best friends Axel, my cousin and parents delta son, and Jenny, my parents gamma daughter.

When we were twelve our parents started training the four of us to take over the pack. Dad trained me while mom trained Ariel. I asked one day why they were training Ariel? I was confused because I thought my mate would be luna and queen. That's when they told me that they were told by Gammy, who can see the future, that Ariel will be my mate and queen and that it was best to start our training young so that we could take over as soon as possible. And since that day me and Ariel have been inseparable.

People say that I look just like my mom. Although I have brown hair and gray eyes. I don't think of myself as anything special but from the rumors around school all the girls want me. And I don't know if it's because of my looks, personality, my powers, or the fact that I'll be king. That's why I'm happy I have Ariel. I don't have to worry about any of that with her. I know she is with me because of me and nothing else since we've known each other our whole lives.

Everybody assumes that I have powers of all the beings since my mom does. And the fact is that they are right. But it's not that simple. See I can only heal small scrapes and bruises on others. I cant teleport but I can control the wind, but only for small periods of time. And I have the strength of a vampire. But my greatest asset is the werewolf. My personal healing is surprisingly fast. I'm as fast as dad and I've been able to mind like members of my family since I was ten. Which you usually cant do until you get your wolf on your sixteenth birthday.

But me and Ariel have a secret. My wolf, Kane, has been in my head since I was twelve. Shes the only one who knows and I prefer it that way. I didn't want everybody to treat me different. We haven't shifted. Kane said that wont happen until we turn sixteen. He said he came early because he wanted to spend as much time as possible with his mate. I didn't understand when we would have the rest of our lives together but he said I will understand one day.

I reach Ariel's door and before I get a chance to knock she flings the door open and pulls me inside. "Did you get the game for Arc?" She asks. "I'm wrapping the girls presents and want to get his wrapped too." She says as she sits down and starts to tie a ribbon around a blue present. "Yes I have the game. Don't worry, I already have it wrapped." I say and sit next to her. "What did you get the girls?" I ask. "Remember when we went to the mall two weeks ago?" She starts and I nod. "Well I saw Bella and Siri looking at these backpacks but they said they didn't have enough money to get them. So I went back in when they went to the food court and bought them for them." She says excitedly.

She loves my family and it makes me happy that she treats them like her own. I have a little brother and two sisters. They are actually triplets but you wouldn't know by looking at them. They don't look anything alike and they are completely different personalities. And today is their thirteenth birthday. Mom is going to go overboard like she does all the time when it comes to the triplets. But I understand. Triplets are rare in the supernatural world.

"Of coarse you would do that." I say and place a kiss on her cheek and she smiles brightly. That is the closest me and Ariel have gotten. We will kiss each other but we wanted to save ourselves for when we are mated. I think she has doubts that she is my mate. She says she doesn't. That she just wants everything to be perfect. And I respect her decision. I think she feels cheated of the chance to try and find her mate. From what I hear its exciting to wonder who you are going to spend your life with. And we never had to wonder.

I grab her by the hand and pull her up from the bed. "We better get going. Practice starts in forty minutes." We walk out the door and head down to the kitchen. But turn around when I hear the girls screaming at each other. "That is my top. Yours has the blue on the bottom." Siri says as she is trying to pull a shirt from Bellas hands. "Why would mine be blue. Mom always gets me pink." Bella says pulling it back towards her. I roll my eyes and we continue to the kitchen.

. "Shhh. The kids may walk in any moment. What if they hear?" I hear mom say. "Hear what?" I ask as we walk in holding hands. Dad starts laughing as he sits down and mom answers looking embarrassed. "Nothing. Have a seat breakfast is ready. Where is everybody else?"

"They are coming. Siri and Bella were fighting over a top when we came down." I says rolling his eyes. Just then all the adults walk in and have a seat. "So what's the plan for tonight?" Aunt Erin asks grabbing a plate for her and one for Uncle Brad. "The party will start at five. The kids will all be home from school by then." Mom says. "So what still needs done?" Beth, Jenny's mom, asks. "Its all set. Donovan will pick up the cake at the baker on his way home and the omegas are already decorating to ball room." Mom says. "The ball room? Is the whole pack coming?" Jason, Jenny's dad, asks.

"Hey this is three parties in one. All their friends are going to be here and of coarse the rest of the family. And I'm sure some of the pack will show." Mom say. What did I say. She always over does it. "I got the girls the best presents. They are going to love them. I saw them looking at a gucci back pack the last time we went to the mall so I went and picked them each up one. Johnny said that Arc wanted some new game so we got him that." Ariel says proudly. "What did you guys get them mom?" I ask as I take a bite of my toast.

"Oh it's something very special to me. Something grandpa gave me when I was younger. And actually your getting one too. So I cant say anything else." She says. I look up at her curious. "Wait, Johnny is getting a present on our birthday? How is that fair?" Bella asks as the kids all walk in for breakfast. That's what I was wondering. Thats new. "It is a present that I have been trying to decide when to give you all and tonight seems like the right night. I know it's your birthdays but Johnny is included in this. Don't worry. You will have plenty of presents. And Johnny is only getting one." Mom says and I stick out my tongue as Ariel smacks me on the arm. "Don't do that. It's not nice." She says as I rub my arm.

We eat breakfast and my brother and sisters try to guess what everybody got them for their birthday. They headed off to school and me and Ariel head to training. Before I know it its four o'clock and I'm getting ready for my siblings party. I put on my suit and go to Ariels room to grab her. She looks amazing. She is wearing a long teal gown that reaches the floor. "You look beautiful." I say as she turns and looks at me. "As do you." She says giving me a wink. "Goddess, I love this girl." Kane says in my head. "We need to go make sure the triplets are ready. Dad wants us to signal him when they are ready to go. And we have to make sure they are escorted by somebody. Mom said it's important.

We go downstairs into the rec room. It used to be our play room when we were younger but as we got older the room transformed. There's a big screen tv, a pool table, a big radio, and a little library in the corner. "Ok ladies and germs. We ready?" I say as we walk in. "Of coarse we are ready." Siri says. "We've been ready since we got home from school." Bella says laughing like it should have been obvious. "Ok well we have one last thing to do. Dad and mom say you need escorts. Mom says it's important so you three need to pick somebody to escort you to the stage." I say and I look around the room at all our friends that are sitting here.

I look around and smile knowing we have such great friends and family. Kaley is the future vampire queen. She is Uncle Kaydens second daughter. His oldest daughter Kara took over as the fae superior because she was mated to the best fae warrior. She has had a crush on Arc since we were little. I always thought it was weird since she is my age. Then there is our cousins, Axel and Aaron. Aaron is on track to being our packs finest warrior. He's the only one I haven't beat in training right off the bat. He's a good match. But not good enough to take me down yet. Axel is training to be my beta. Which is fitting since he's as close to me as a brother.

Then there is my future mate Ariel and her brother Rocky. Rocky is a prankster. He's always joking around and doing what he can for a laugh. And lastly I see Jenny and Chet. Jenny is my future delta and her little brother Chet is a jokester like Rocky. When those two are together you have to watch your back. There was one time that they were trying to prank me and dad walked in instead. He was covered in honey and feathers. It was so funny. But dad didn't think so.

"Well, that's easy I'll be Arcs escort." Kaley jumps up. "And I'll escort Siri." Rocky says already by her side like he always is. "Ok so which one of you guys are gonna escort Bella?" I look over at Aaron, Axel, and Chet. "I would but I'm running security with dad." Axel says. Chet looks nervous and like he's going to say something when Aaron speaks up. "Well, I suppose I'll do it." He says walking over to Bella. "Oh thanks. Don't sound too happy about it." Bella says. "Hey your my cousin. Even though there will be lots of young girls wanting a piece of me I would choose helping you over hanging out with them." He says. Me and Axel start laughing. "Yeah like all the girls are wanting a thirteen year old that plays pranks all day." I say. "Hey they are out there." He says and we all laugh. Except for Chet. Not only does he look nervous but he looks mad. I shrugged it off and motion at the door. "Let's go. It's time."

Its five o'clock and the guests are all in the ballroom mingling and snacking on the snacks the omegas are walking around with. Dad and mom are standing on the stage in the front of the room waiting for the triplets to arrive. Me and Ariel go in and give the signal that they are outside ready. Dad steps up to the microphone with mom next to him.

"I want to welcome everybody who is joining us today in the celebration for the triplets birthday. Knowing that we have so many friends and family that are there is very reassuring." Everybody claps and dad motions for everybody to quiet down. "We are here to celebrate the kind, caring children that we have watched grow into these beautiful mature people. Please welcome," he says and the back door opens and the lights dim down as a spotlight shines at the door. "Prince Arc and his escort Princess Kaley." Everybody claps as they walk through the door and head towards the stage.

"Princess Siri and her escort, Rocky." Siri and Rocky walk in next and I hear all the male teens start whispering about her beauty. And I can see Rocky hears too because he places his arm around Siri's waist and pulls her closer. Rocky has always liked Siri. Everybody knew it. And to be honest these guys thoughts were making me uncomfortable. Rocky is Ariels brother. So I was ok with him liking my little sister. But not all these other ones.

"And last but not least, Princess Bella and her escort and cousin Prince Aaron." Dad says. And once again I hear the teens talk of her beauty. Aaron stands tall and proud of his cousins but from the back of the room I can hear a faint growl. I look around to see where it came from. It wasn't a threatening growl but a possessive one. The only reason somebody would growl that way is if their mate was being given unwanted attention.

Mom and dad heard it too and I can see them looking to find the culprit as well. "Did you hear that?" I ask Ariel. She turns and looks at me. "Hear what?" She asked. "Somebody isn't happy about the guys talking about Bella." She looks around. "Who?" "I don't know it came from the back." I say and Ariel points to Chet walking out of the ballroom. "Maybe it was Chet?" She says with her eyes wide and hopeful. "I don't know." I say and I turn back to watch the presentation of my siblings.

The triplets are all up on the stage and their escorts go to stand off to the side. "At this time I would like to ask future alpha and King Johnny to join us on stage." Mom says. I walk up and stands next to Arc. "These four are the reason that I live. They are my life. I know that they will all grow to do great things in their lives. And I couldn't be prouder of them. I would like to present a gift to my children." Mom says and everybody is listening intently. I smile proudly to my mother. Little does she know how proud of her we are every day.

Aunt Erin rolls out a small stand with the four presents that are wrapped sitting on top. "When I was a girl, before I knew of my powers my father gave me four charms that I wore on a bracelet. These charms are meant to enhance your natural powers. They helped me bring back my wolf, they helped me bring back the fae warriors, and they helped me learn to control my magic. They made me faster and stronger. And I would like to bestow them to you." I look down at moms wrist and see that the bracelet she is always wearing isn't there. I look up and look over at Arc, Bella, and Siri who are all looking at me for an answer that I don't have.

"I know that all of you have different traits and you all carry my powers. But certain ones have shown dominance. So I have wrapped each of my charms and you will all choose one. We have been training each of you and this is more of a test to see if we have been on the right track to your futures." She says and motions me over. I stand there looking at all the boxes realizing that they are all the same and there is no way to tell which is which so I just grab one from the center. One by one the triplets step up and grab a box.

"I ask the escorts to please step on stage and open the box and place the charm around their necks." Mom says as Ariel, Kaley, Rocky, and Aaron step on stage. They take the boxes from us and walk behind us all. "Close your eyes." Dad instructs and I do as he says. I feel a necklace being placed around my neck. And as soon as it is clasped my eyes pop open as a bright light engulfs me. "Kane what is happening. I cant move." I say scared. "Calm down Johnny. Can you feel it. Concentrate. Everything is fine I promise. Just relax."

I do as Kane says and I feel Ariel next to me as her hand slides into mine. I relax and then I can feel it. I cant explain what is happening but I can feel Kane getting stronger. I can feel my mind link forming stronger. I can now sense the whole pack. Then I can feel something being pulled from me. I can feel my other powers going away. "Kane, somethings wrong. I can feel my vampire, fae, and warlock powers going away." I say starting to panic.

"Just relax." Kane reassures me. "This is what is meant to happen. You may be losing a little but do you feel the power you are gaining?" He says. And he's right. I feel powerful. And my werewolf senses feel complete. And then a pleasant shock shoots up my arm. "What is that amazing feeling?" I ask. "That is the mate bond." He says smiling proudly. "Wow. Its amazing." I say as the light dims down and I can now see the crowd.

Mom rushes over to us. "Are you ok? I didn't know that would happen." Mom say and dad is looking us over for any sign something is wrong. "Mom, it's amazing. It feels like I'm whole." I says and the others agree. "He's right it feels like there was always something missing but now I feel right." Siri says.

I look down and see that I'm wearing the wolf. Arc is wearing the heart. Bella is wearing the rose. And Siri is wearing the star. Mom steps up to the microphone and proudly announces. "Johnny Starr Jackson - Future alpha and King - wearer of the werewolf charm. Arc Starr Jackson- wearer of the vampire charm. Bella Starr Jackson- wearer of the fae charm. And Siri Starr Jackson- wearer of the warlock charm."

The crowd erupts in cheers and I smile proudly. I look down and see Ariel still standing there holding my hand. I pull her close to me and place a kiss on her forehead. She looks at me shocked. And she recited the prophecy we've known since we were little.

"The four stars will split. One taking with a special gift that the others will no longer possess. The peace is kept until the jealousy and hunger become too great forcing the stars to merge once more. When the stars combined they must choose between light or dark. And the choice will decide the fate of us all."

My eyes widen in realization. I look over at my siblings who are smiling and waving to the crowd. We are the four stars.