Chapter 1

1944 Words
“Welcome back to South Barker High! We know how excited you are about starting the second semester of school and cannot wait to see your new and old classes, meet your classmates and teachers, and continue your learning journey! Please remember our school values: respect, integrity, family and ingenuity. We hope you have a wonderful first day!” The school loud speakers blared throughout the hallways. The stark contrast between the principal's words over the speaker and the faces of the students in the hall was quite comical. I tried to hide how happy I was to be back at school so I didn't look like that nerdy i***t. My final year. Only 1 semester left until I could really start my life the way I wanted. Don’t get me wrong, life is good. My friends, family, school, guitar and home, and I'm not unpopular at school, but I know what I want to do and can’t wait to start working towards it. All I had worked towards since I could remember was becoming a nurse. I couldn’t think of anything better than helping other people and caring for those who can’t care for themselves. My only hurdle being my family. You see they weren’t as accepting of my dreams of moving away from home to study. As a werewolf, it was uncommon for us to leave the community. Most of the time, young adults find their mate at 18 and can’t leave or it becomes torture. The mate bond is strong, it is hard to be without one another. Causing physical pain if it is denied or if you aren't with your mate for a period of time. Due to years without threat, our pack has lost some of their connection with their wolf. We still feel the urges of our wolves in times of passion, fear and defence, but we do not have the same relationship as we used to. They say we were able to communicate with our wolf as a separate being - we lost that ability over time. It feels like we have a guardian angel helping protect and guide us at times. Its nice to never feel alone. Being the only daughter of the past, Beta is also an added pressure to stay at home. There are certain positions within the pack passed down through families. My brother, Dylan, took over being Beta last year when he turned 18. He and the new Alpha, Seb, have run the pack really well. Everyone has agreed what a good Alpha Seb has proven to be and what a reliable Beta my brother has become. This means my nursing dreams may be a bit more challenging. But I am sure I will be able to do it. Even if I don’t want to leave the community, I can study online. I have already found a university which offers on-campus and online courses. I am set! “What ya thinking about? You’ve been staring off into space for the last 3 minutes!” Sarah, my best friend, interrupted my internal monologue. “Oh just revelling in the joy of the new school year!” Alice responded. Earning a eye roll from Sarah in return. Sarah, who turned 18 during the holidays, had already found her mate (James - he was great and they were absolutely smitten). So the idea of being separated from James for the whole school day was torturous! I am to turn 18 next week, so I have no idea whether or not my mate is within our community or not. “What class do you guys have first?” said Ellie over Sarah’s shoulder. Ellie, Sarah and I have been inseparable since the beginning of high school. We all just clicked. We all had our own part to play in our little trio. Sarah was beautiful - every girl wanted to be her and every guy wanted her. She was clever too, never missed a beat. Ellie was the tomboy - if there was a sport available at school she'd play it and absolutely dominate. She was also an absolutely amazing make-up artist - a very handy and regularly abused talent for all 3 of us. I, on the other hand, like to go with the flow. Apart from playing guitar and reading, I generally just like to follow the crowd. “We have maths first with Mr Hull - a double. Then I have music after recess and Sarah has English” I answered. I love music. I don’t perform much (stage fright) but I swear it soothes my soul. “Perfect! Same as me! Let’s go get good spots!” Ellie hurriedly replied while making her way to the maths class to secure her seat. Her long legs make it hard for us to keep up! The day flew by uneventfully. I had my classes - not much different from last year - until lunch. We sat in our usual spot under the tree on the oval. It was the perfect spot all year round. Well shaded in the hot of summer and sheltered from the cold and rain in winter. We all sat together: Ellie, Sarah, Asher, Henry and I. Asher and Henry were in the same year but had different classes. Both boys had hung out with us since we all shared PE together in 9th grade. Ellie had obviously wiped the floor with them, Sarah came up with excuses each week not to participate and I humiliated myself each lesson with my inability to play any sport. “So how are your classes ladies?” Henry says as he and Asher walk towards our spot. “Oh fabulous!” Sarah responded with a sour face. Henry chuckled and was about to make a smart remark in response when Asher changed the subject. “Everyone heading to Alpha Seb’s BBQ tonight?” Asher asked. “Yep! We’re getting ready at Alice’s house and going from there. It’s the only way we can actually make her come!” said Ellie. I didn’t mind everyone getting ready at my house because they were right, going to the Alpha’s BBQ wasn’t high on my list of priorities. I couldn’t think of anything worse than watching all the girls in our pack mindlessly flirt and throw themselves at Seb hoping he will be their mate. Seb’s mum was insistent on holding events for him to find his mate. She wanted nothing more than to see him happy with the woman of his dreams. It is also well known that an Alpha does not come into his full strength without his Luna. Seb wasn’t so fussed. My brother wasn’t too interested in finding his mate either. “Urgh! Do we really have to go? We’re just going to sit there eating the free food. Why not just do that at home?!?” I groaned. “You can sit with me Alice, I’ll keep you company.” Asher said, giving all of his attention to me. “Thanks Asher.” I smiled. He smiled back and turned back to the conversation going on between our other friends. When the final bell went for the day, I waited outside for Dylan to come and pick me up. I'd been saving up for my own car but I had to rely on Dylan for lifts until I had enough saved. My choices were either wait for Dylan or catch public transport. No thank you! Dylan rounded the corner and as he pulled up I noticed that Seb was in the front passenger seat. I was not interested in listening to their banter today. I slid into the back seat after putting my bag and guitar in the boot. As I got into the car, I noticed that they must have been on their way to a party, judging by the way they were dressed. Dylan had his standard blue jeans and grey button-up shirt. There were a lot of similarities between us; our dark straight hair, dark blue eyes, and pale skin. All thanks to our mum. I have always been told I look like our mum - my mum was beautiful, so I hoped it was true. Her dark hair hung by her waist (same as mine), her dark blue eyes with long eyelashes seemed like they actually saw you (like she was actually listening to you and not thinking of anything else, you have her whole attention), her pale skin contrasting her dark hair, her full lips, long legs and hourglass figure. She wasn’t overly tall but she didn’t need to be. My dad was a tall, well-built man who, with his black hair and pale skin, gave his physique to my brother. Seb, on the other hand, looked gorgeous as always . His sandy hair was always in the “I just woke up” look with his bright blue eyes and perfectly formed muscles making his black t-shirt tighten in all the right places. And, of course, the Alpha was exceptionally tall, towering over me and even half a head taller than my brother. All the girls swoon over Seb and it's not hard to see why! I mean he is the Alpha, he's gorgeous and he's actually a really good guy, so who wouldn't have a thing for him? I mean seriously?! “Good afternoon!” Dylan greeted me, pulling me out of my day-dream. “Howdy” I replied, “you guys going somewhere tonight?” I asked. “Yep, one of the guys is having a few people around for drinks. You know how that goes!” Dylan joked. We both know ‘drinks’ always turns into groups of people getting absolutely canned and some girl doing the walk of shame out of my brother's room the next morning. Seb chuckled and replied, “Not long until you can join in Alice, or it might not be your scene...” Dylan laughed and glared at me as a warning. Dylan plays the over-protective brother when he wants to be. The thought of his younger sister at one of those ‘drinks’ gatherings did not impress him. I just laughed at looking out the window. Seb was always polite and respectful to me, but I always felt like I needed to be on my best behaviour. Or I needed to impress him. He made me feel on edge. I listened to their plans for the night on the way home, occasionally adding a laugh or eye roll. When we got home, I got out of the car and headed to the boot to get my guitar and backpack to be met by Seb. He was already getting my things out of the boot and walking them to the front door. Very odd. “What are you doing man?” Dylan questioned him. “Just being a gentleman.” replied Seb, “something you aren’t familiar with apparently!” Dylan laughed and shook his head. I thanked Seb and went to go inside but was interrupted by a large hand blocking the door. “So I’ll see you at the BBQ on Friday night?” Seb asked. “Oh... ah yea, I’ll be there. Have fun tonight!” I smiled back. i***t. Did I seriously tell him to have a good night?! I mentally scolded myself. Seb chuckled and turned to walk back to Dylan waiting in the car. I didn’t know what to do with our little exchange. I just shrugged it off. Knowing Luna Jen (Seb's Mum) she probably told him to make sure to include everyone - especially his best friend's little sister.
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