Snow White and the Big Bad Wolf

Our training Starts Now.

After my first two classes I noticed how uneventful the day was going. The clock was ticking slower than usual. The conversations around me were louder than I could handle. All my anxiety began to bubble up until the final class change. On a normal day, it was impossible for me to not pass Mason so I had to look forward to him knocking me into a locker or tripping me. Or even him teasing me and genuinely being a jackass. This time we passed each other with just a sideways glance. “I can’t promise I’ll lay off you...” I muttered almost mockingly when he was out of sight. Tala made a clicking noise of disapproval in my mind. *He could have just grown up a bit.*

“Overnight? Not a chance.”

*All I’m saying is that perhaps this new look and attitude is his... flavor?* While her dirty thoughts swarmed my mind I just couldn’t bring myself to imagine Mason of all people interested in me. He was more like the mean older brother I never asked for and avoided at all costs. The guy you see on the end of the street and you run like hell to get to the other side. There was no other explanation of how my heart reacted earlier, I was just scared to death that he would snap at me. I felt Talas doubt wash over me and I wanted to just push her to the far corners of my mind. *Oh? Are you going to put me in time out?*

“Don’t tempt me.”

The end of the day couldn’t come any faster. I even skipped out on lunch to avoid Mason and his friends since they sat across from my usual table with Savannah. She probably wondered where I had gone today. I made a mental note to make it up to her the next time I was allowed to go anywhere else with her. A twinge of pain racked my body as I convinced myself the Alpha would probably never let me out again. What was I thinking when I shut my door in his face and even raised my voice without lowering my eyes to him. Surely I would be punished one way or another even though the confusion of Mason’s behavior felt like punishment enough.

The final bell rang in my ears and I was faced with the final boss of the day. Riding home with Mason. While sometimes he would stay longer than usual or make plans to go out with his friends, something in his eyes earlier told me his schedule was completely clear. I nearly squealed when I walked out of class and he was leaning on a locker beside the door. “Your training starts tonight. You’ll need to get used to shifting into your wolf so it’s not as long and painful.”

“I have homework and chores... and I haven’t slept since the other day.”

“Not my problem. We’ll see you at 10.”

We? I guessed Tyler and the others were coming again. Well at least I have a chance to return the shirt I used last night. It was much too small to fit Mason’s large muscular frame so it had to belong to Tyler. *I promise it won’t be as bad next time.* Tala cooed, trying to comfort me. “I’m not worried about you. It’s more of when Mason is going to pull the rug from under me that’s making me anxious.” I could feel as if Tala rolled her eyes and I hugged my shoulders. Of course I was still standing in the hallway, people were rushing about trying to leave. I was about to step forward when the girl who had her arms around Mason earlier purposely brushed past me with enough force to knock my small body over. The people who saw laughed and nudged each other while some just shook their heads, no one helped me up as usual. “How about you look where you’re going?” Attitude was laced within her nasal stuffed voice and I winced, I’d rather listen to nails against a chalkboard. “This hallway is big enough for you to walk around me.” I replied coldly and suddenly the hallway went quiet. Hell, even I was surprised. I never really tried to defend myself or talk back to anyone who bullied me. I’d just say sorry and move on but after yesterday I decided I was sick of people thinking so little of me before knowing who I am. “Excuse me?!” The girl exclaimed and I fake gasped, “Oh thank the goddess you do actually have manners! The execution was a little late though.” Low chuckles erupted from the small crowd watching and the girl glanced around then glared at me.

“You little brat, do you think you are funny?” I couldn’t help but smirk and step a little closer to her, I could smell her thick perfume and sweat lingering from her cheerleader practice. It was nauseating but the look on her face was quick to overcome my disgust. Tala urged me on but I could tell all she really wanted was a fight.

“You’re the one who knocked me over, everyone laughed at that. I’d say you’re the comedic genius here.” Taunting ooo’s began to attract a deeper crowd and she started to look nervous as if she wasn’t preparing for this much attention. But then her eyes bulged and she took a step back. In fact everyone sort of moved in a direction away from me. “How about since you said excuse me we can just forget this all happened?”

“Pfft. Whatever, freak.” She quickly turned and flipped her done dry blonde hair before trudging off. *Show’s over.* Tala chuckled and I shrugged, “Likely won’t be the last time she tries-“ my breath was cut short after I turned and walked right into Mason’s chest. I rubbed my nose and blinked rapidly while he glared down at me. “So this is what’s taking so long?”

“Sorry I... I was on my way.”

“You were about to be walking home.” He stated firmly and I believed him. Lowering my face I started to walk towards the exit and he stopped me by holding my shoulder. “Lesson number one. Keep your head up, you can’t see your enemies eyes from the ground.”

“Oh, uh... okay.” I breathed out, I didn’t realize I was holding my breath. Mason nodded and walked past me but this time I tried my best to follow close behind. I saw Savannah and Tyler chatting when we got to the school parking lot and she waved to me with a confused look on her face. Usually I would meet up with her until Mason got to his car so I could understand her reaction to seeing us walking together. Tyler on the other hand had his eyes trained on Mason as if he was waiting for something but when he didn’t even look his way Tyler rolled his eyes and continued his conversation with Savannah. It was... weird seeing them act so friendly, they never spoke before until this morning. Then I remembered they had a math class together, so I pieced together that perhaps they got to talk more then.

I was lost in my thoughts while Mason drove us home, the thick husk of his cologne and sweat from practice filled the vehicle. It was almost dizzying, he radiated something dominant and I couldn’t help but glance over to him. I noticed he had his jaw locked as if he were keeping himself from saying something and the grip on his steering wheel was far from relaxed. I wanted to know what was on his mind, what could possibly be troubling someone like him. It was easy to assume nothing bothered Mason, nothing too stressful or perhaps I was the cause of his new stress. “I...” I parted my lips to speak then his brown eyes looked at me curiously. His jaw relaxed and even his grip. Something definitely was on his mind. “Sorry I made you wait for me.” I started, even though it wasn’t what I wanted to say at first. Mason huffed, seemingly annoyed at my presence as always but his expression softened. “If you want to be part of this mission you’ll have to take this seriously. Not picking fights with Marsha.”

“It wasn’t my fault, your girlfriend walked right into me as if I didn’t exist.” Mason's jaw twitched at the word and I quickly looked out the window. What just came over me? Why did I talk to him that way? I could feel Tala puffing up in my chest, still simmering from my heated exchange earlier. “I didn’t want to be laughed at anymore.” My voice was small and I didn’t dare look at him. Mason didn’t respond either and so the rest of the ride was dead silent.

We arrived back at the pack house and Mason reminded me of training at 10pm tonight. I nodded and headed to my room to change out of the school clothes but once my eyes caught sight of my bed, I had to use all of my strength not to crawl under the blankets and stay there. It had been an exhausting two days, all I longed for was sleep at this point. *At least you can finish your chores.* Tala scolded while I took off my shoes. “Yeah yeah. I’ll do that and take a nap. Homework is easy and I’m already ahead in class. I’ll be fine as long as we don’t stay out till the asscrack of dawn again.” After I took off my shoes I walked over to the bathroom and nearly jumped out of my skin from my reflection. “Holy- oh.” Tala snickered at my reaction and I frowned, staring at myself silently. Waves of guilt and disappointment washed over me and I blinked back into reality. *You don’t like us?* Tala whined. She could feel my feelings roaring throughout me like a stampede. There was nothing I could truly hide from her. “I love us Tala. But us is really new now. People are still going to treat us like dirt and I’m not even sure what I can do to change that… Maybe I should color my hair?” Tala was quick to shoot the idea down. *Your hair color will return to its former state after we shift, so it’ll be pointless. Besides, you’ll make my fur look all weird on one spot of my head. I’ll look ridiculous.*

“Afraid pink isn’t your color?”

*You wouldn’t dare!* She growled and I grinned deviously. If someone were to peep in my room my reflection and conversation to myself would’ve put me in a mental institution, but luckily talking to your wolf always went down this way. People learned to do so in private so they wouldn’t look as crazy as I did.

After settling down and changing clothes I threw on some work out pants, an old tank top, and sneakers. From there I jogged down to the front of the Pack house observing the yard. Wet leaves scattered across the lawn, neat piles from the previous day likely blown away into the yard. I was tasked with gathering them and putting the leaves in disposable bags so this kind of thing wouldn’t happen. Good thing I only had the front yard and not the entire estate. I could forget about getting any kind of rest before training if I had to do that.

About two hours later I moved onto my other chores and skillfully avoided any other encounters with Mason, the Beta, or the Alpha. With about two hours to spare, I slipped into my room for a much needed nap. My dreams were dark and foggy but I quickly realized they seemed to replay the events of the attack I was told about. A white wolf tore through the packhouse, murdering anyone standing in his way. I watched as the Luna mourned her son and was ultimately taken away by the wolf. Walls of fire prevented the Alpha and Beta from saving her and then suddenly there was a crippling darkness. The sound of water droplets hitting a smooth surface in a rhythmic fashion filled my ears and a pair of bright green eyes stared right at me within the darkness. I wanted to run, the danger I felt while looking into those eyes shot my anxiety through the roof. Tala howled and paced around me protectively but I couldn’t make myself move. Instead I watched as my body moved closer to the eyes, reaching out in longing. “Aella.” a deep voice cooed, luring me even closer, dangerously close. Once I was just inches away a growl shook my entire body and the white wolf jumped out with claws and fangs out.

I jumped up in a cold sweat. My clothes clung to my body and my blankets were kicked off onto the floor. *Aella?* Tala called alarmed at my sudden movements. “I’m... I’m alright.” I whispered trying to catch my breath. I felt disoriented and drained but worst of all I felt like someone just ran their fingers through my thoughts. *Are you okay?* Tala whimpered in concern. I merely nodded and rubbed my temples trying to clear the fog in my mind. It was 9:30 according to the wall clock. I had just enough time to get dressed and down to the training yard of the packhouse. This time I only wore a sports bra and a pair of loose sweatpants, easily available and easy to slip out of before shifting. I wondered if the boys would stand around to watch me shift again and my face began to warm as I thought of what all Mason saw.

Mason and the three guys watched patiently as I approached, this time Tyler smiled excitedly. “Oh, thanks for letting me borrow this.” I held out the shirt from yesterday and Tyler came to take it back. “No worries, you’ll learn to keep some backups in case you have to switch on the fly. I’ve had to sneak back inside my house naked so many times.” He laughed and threw the shirt over his shoulder. Mason walked up to us with the two other boys and spoke softly, “Alright, we are going to do a quick run of the perimeter and then meet up back here for some defense training. Our enemy is highly skilled on the offensive but if we can surprise him we will have the upper hand.”

“Do you know if he’s still nearby?” I asked nervously and Mason shook his head.

“He hasn’t been seen or heard of in the past 18 years. Nobody knows if he is even still alive but if there isn’t a body found then there’s a chance he’s out there.”

“What do you know about him, Mason?” Tyler chimed in, I peered up ready to absorb everything. Mason sighed and crossed his arms. “He is a white wolf, a special breed of wolf designed for killing. They have no scent and can camouflage their fur to blend in with their surroundings making them hard to spot even in the day time. This guy however was sentenced to death for treason, apparently he planned to betray the council and they were about to execute him but he got away.”

“But why would he attack the pack?” I asked firmly, almost demanding an answer but Mason only shrugged. “I don’t know that much, only what happened. Maybe he wanted to absorb a pack to protect himself?” That much made sense but the one thing that stood out was the information about white wolves. “Will I be able to camouflage myself?” I muttered quietly, they all looked down at me hesitantly. “That’s what we are going to find out, Snow.” I looked up at Mason who gave me a lopsided smile, I couldn’t help but return it with my own. “Alright guys, lets go. We are here for training not a history lesson.” With that the boys retreated to the bunch of trees from the night before and I went off to find my own private area to change. “That’s so cool, no one has ever told me that I am a rare breed of wolf.” I whispered excitedly to Tala was I slipped off my sports bra. *I hope to not disappoint you Aella. I had no idea I could change my fur color... I wonder if it’s true that we have no scent.*

“I guess we are going to find out.”