The Protector

Chapter 8

I woke up to the loud screeching of none other than the devil itself.

I reached over and hit the alarm, not caring if I broke the stupid thing. With a yawn, I slumped out of bed and practically crawled to my bathroom while stripping my clothes off along the way. A little too hot water splashed against my bare skin, waking me up almost instantly with a small hiss.

And that’s when the realization of the significance of the day hit me-causing me to smile as though I had just won the lottery. After a steamy shower filled with what I would have sworn was American Idol talen, I made my way back to my room with a towel around my body and a permanent smile on my face. I threw on the outfit I had laid out the night before, a white sundress that hung off my shoulders and my louis vuitton sandals that I just got yesterday. I blow dried my blonde hair before straightening it, using enough hair spray to make usually lifeless hair stay curly all day. After doing my makeup and taking at least thirty pictures in the mirror, I made my way towards the hallway.

I had smelt the breakfast as soon as I opened my door, making my mouth instantly water. I couldn’t contain my excitement causing me to literally skip downstairs and into the kitchen.

“Good morning princess,” my dad called to me when he saw me walking into the kitchen. I smiled brightly as I sat down in my seat at the table. My parents both had straight blonde hair and blue eyes just like their grandparents. It was a sort of coincidental tradition in the recent generations of our family, so much so that all of my first cousins had blonde hair and blue eyes too. “Isn’t that dress a little too revealing?” My dad asked with one eyebrow raised and an undertone of authority in his voice. I sighed though without missing a beat, from the wonderful mood I was in.

“Dad…” I groaned, though I was used to his protectiveness.

“Honey, you say that about every outfit she wears,” my mom mentioned as she sat down my blueberry pancakes on the table in front of me along with a bottle of syrup.

“Well I’m just trying to protect her from these horndogs of newbies we have,” he complained in almost a growl. I almost choked on my first bite of pancake at my dad’s nickname for the new wolves. In our pack, kids usually start to train when they’re 15, when they go to high school, and I’m usually the one that helps train them. And though they never say anything directly, my dad swears that he can smell the hormones from them and all of the other trainees. 

“Dad, Hunter complains about that enough already. I don’t need you to complain my ear off about it too.” My dad’s lips turned up slightly at the mention of Hunter, the only relationship he’s ever been opening happy about me being in.

Hunter was the Beta’s son, my dad’s best friend, and even though we weren’t mated yet it was suspected that we would feel the connection soon. It was common for wolves in our pack to grow up with your mate being next door to you and not feel the bond for a few years. And though I had first thought dating Hunter would be awkward since we were practically raised together, I couldn’t be happier now that we were dating. And the way my parents described the moment when you realize who your mate was made me want it all the more. That everything in the world just kind of stops for a second to allow you to catch your lost breath from the shock of finding your one true mate. And I couldn’t wait until I looked at Hunter one day and felt that. Everyone knew it was going to happen. It wasn’t a matter of if but when.

And that was the most nerve racking part, because most wolves found their mates by now. I’ve heard of some finding their mates as early as when they were twelve, and so it left me with the doubt that Hunter might not be my mate. But I would never voice that because everyone and I mean everyone seemed so sure that Hunter was my mate. I trusted the reassurance of my pack just as they trusted me to be their leader one day.

“Besides daddy,” I smiled brightly, going on and pushing my thoughts away, “it’s my eighteenth birthday.” 

“Yes, and happy birthday sweetie,” my mom said before kissing me on the forehead after placing a pile of pancakes in front of my dad and another bottle of syrup. 

“Happy birthday princess,” my dad said, copying my mom’s gesture before picking up the syrup in front of him. “Honey what is this?” My dad asked while looking at the syrup bottle in his hand with a horrified expression.

“It’s sugar free. We talked about this,” my mother explained in a rather “that’s all on the topic” tone. 

“Of course,” my dad frowned. He glanced over at my bottle of syrup, to which I took and dumped some syrup on his place while my mom was facing the stove, causing my dad to give me a wink before digging into the pancakes he loved so much.

I heard feet bounding down the stairs and suddenly my younger sister by two years was at my side. Her blonde hair was still a mess as if she had just now woken up, which was probable knowing her.

“Happy birthday, Lena,” she smiled as she slid into a seat next to me at the table. I didn’t mind her calling me by my nickname, but I did mind her hand aiming for my fork topped with a slice of pancake. I slapped her hand away before mom appeared with a stack for Claire and a suspicious look at my dad who had already eaten an entire pancake and seemed to be enjoying his sugar free syrup too much.

“So, Lena… about the ceremony-” My mother cut my father off with a sharp look as I dug into my pancakes.

“Honey, it’s her birthday. Let her have a break from all of these plans.” Her voice had a final tone to it and I knew my father would lose this argument just like he had lost the syrup one.

“But she’s eighteen! After this year, she’ll be Alpha-”

“Dad, why do you want me to be an Alpha so soon? You know I don’t have to become Alpha until you die or get sick. I’m ready now, but I don’t think we have to jump into it so soon,” I claimed before stuffing more food into my mouth and following with a gulp of the orange juice that my mom provided. My dad sighed but gave me a tired smile afterwards.

“Of course. I just want to make sure you’re ready in case something happens to us,” he gestured between him and mom.

“Dramatic,” Claire groaned, but we ignored her.

“Dad, everything’s going to work out fine. Nothing’s going to happen to you guys but if it did I would be ready. But in the meantime,” I said, standing with my empty plate, “let’s enjoy this wonderful day.” My parents chuckled and returned to their usual morning routine as I put my plate in the sink and ran back upstairs to grab my bag and car keys. By the time I was back downstairs, everyone was in a deep, hushed discussion that piqued my interest. 

“You ready, Claire?” I asked. Since I was a senior and Claire was a sophomore, I didn’t mind driving the both of us to school every day since she was usually ready to go before me.

“Let me change and grab my bag,” she said as she put her dish in the sink. While Claire ran upstairs to grab her bag, my mother came over to hug me with a squeeze so tight that I thought she might break something. If not in her, then definitely in me.

“Hunter’s taking you out today, isn’t he?” My mother asked. I raised an eyebrow, a little curious as to how she knew since I was just about to mention it to her. She quickly backtracked and explained.

“Claire told me,” she sheepishly smiled. I nodded along with her, knowing that I never mentioned to Claire that Hunter was taking me out tonight. I decided to play along though, wondering if it had something to do with my birthday. Yeah I was a b***h at times, but I wasn’t going to completely ruin any surprise my family had for me..

“Uh, yeah,” I went along with it. “He’s taking me out for dinner. A little birthday treat.” Hunter turned eighteen a few months ago and his parents threw him a huge and amazing party that I happily attended.

“Good. When you get back we can all do something together like go to the movies or something,” she lied. How did I know she was lying? Because my mother always planned in advance and she would have run this by me in at least a week’s advance. But I didn’t comment on it and instead I nodded and gave her a smile I knew she wouldn’t see through.

“That’d be really great mom.” Just then, Claire ran down the stairs wearing some blue skinny jeans and a white floral shirt that clashed with her hectic and fiery personality.

“Love you mom, love you dad,” Claire and I called in unison.

“Girls,” my dad’s Alpha voice rang out showing his authority. I turned and walked back to my dad and mom who gave both Claire and I a forehead kiss, a silly tradition of ours. We waved goodbye again and made our way outside.

Claire and I climbed into the beautiful black wrangler I had received as a present for my sixteenth birthday, one of the few vehicles that could stand the bumpy roads we had to drive on to get to school. 

I had been in special classes since I was young, ones that usually took place in the summer. A few things I had learned in the course, taught by mostly elderly, was that our pack in Colorado was pretty big compared to most. And unlike most packs we knew of across the Americas and Europe, we encourage our pack members to find high paying jobs in society in order to give back to the pack that had raised and protected them.

“Hey, you're going to miss our turn!” Claire practically yells, pulling me back from my thoughts.

“Oh,” I mumbled as I slowed down and took a sharp left into the parking lot. I parked in front of the cafe we went to on special occasions such as the day of a big test for one of us or a celebratory drink.

Our pack shared the small town with humans-who had no idea that they had werewolves running around town and living regular lives just like them. We protected the humans from any rogues-crazed or shunned werewolves who belonged to no pack. It was in the job description though it was rare for a rogue to ever make an appearance around here, let alone be crazy enough to attack someone. 

“Caramel latte and a white mocha please,” Claire ordered. She pulled a ten dollar bill out of her back pocket and handed it to the cashier. After we got our drinks, Claire led the way out of the cafe in a hurry. I rushed to keep up with her, curious about her speed.

“Why the rush?” I laughed. 

“It’s your birthday,” she looked at me as though it was obvious. “If we get there at our regular time then you’re not going to be able to get to class until the second period. Everyone’s going to want to talk to you,” she explained with a small smirk. I rolled my eyes, but unlocked and hopped in the jeep nonetheless.

“You’re over exaggerating,” I argued. Instead of answering, Claire just smiled and shook her head as she took out her phone and began playing candy burst. 

I couldn’t believe Claire was right. Everyone I passed told me happy birthday as though everyone at school knew about it. I would have expected something like this from the pack members that went to highschool with me, but it was a little shock to see that all of the humans in my school knew too.

“Finally,” Casey sighed as I appeared at my locker. Casey was the Gamma’s second daughter and my best friend-aside from my sister. We were both seniors, but we only had one class together this year much to our disappointment. “I thought I’d have to come and retrieve you from that crowd myself,” she laughed before giving me a hug.

“Happy birthday, Helena,” she said over my shoulder as we hugged. 

“Thanks,” I smiled before pulling back to look at my beautiful friend. Like most members of the pack Casey had brown hair and brown eyes but unlike everyone else her skin would not hold a tan to save her life, despite how much training she did outside with the pack. Her eyes were also captivating, a hazel that made you wonder if they were contacts or not. I had known Casey since we were in diapers and though we’re almost complete opposites I couldn’t have wished for a better friend.

“Oh, I have something for you,” she said, her eyes lighting up. “But I’ll give it to you later,” she smirked. I couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow in curiosity.

“My parents are taking me out after I go on a date with Hunter. I think I’ll kind of be busy,” I challenged, wondering if she knew what was going on. Unlike everyone else, Casey was the only person who could ever slide something past me. She was one hell of a sneaky girl when she wanted to be and I loved her more for that.

“I’ll find a way to get it to you,” she winked. Before I could question her further, a pair of tan muscular arms wrapped around my waist as a heavenly cologne filled my lungs.

“Happy birthday, babe,” Hunter huskily whispered by my ear before peppering my neck with kisses.

“Get a room,” Casey rolled her eyes, while smiling, before turning on her heel to head to class, giving us some privacy.

I reached my hand up and placed it on the back of Hunter’s neck-as his head continued to place soft kissed on me. Though I had never been the one for this type of PDA, I couldn’t help but want nothing more than to push Hunter up against the lockers beside us and ravish his body from all of the hormones stockpiling in me.

“Thank you,” I replied to his earlier comment.

“You ready for tonight?” He asked me as he gently turned me around, allowing me to see him. Hunter was 6’2”, with sandy brown hair and light blue eyes that warmed me up every time they landed on me. Even though Hunter was tall, he wasn’t skinny. In fact, Hunter was pretty ripped. Another perk of dating or being a werewolf, the males were usually more muscled from their genes and the training that came with the lifestyle.

“Of course,” I said before leaning in for a kiss. Hunter’s kisses usually depended on the moment, and right then he was ravenous. I felt my back align with the lockers and I smiled against his lips in mild shock. “Hunter,” I sighed, though it sounded more as a moan.

“Yes?” He asked, his beautiful blue eyes flickering to mine, the edges of his eyes darkened with lust. Though I wanted nothing more than to continue this, I couldn’t help but feel embarrassed from the attention we were getting.

“People are staring,” I whispered, fnally looking around. And, in fact, a few people were actually looking at us with amusement and shock. When they saw me looking, they turned away.

“So what?” Hunter smiled, looking down and my lips. “Some of these guys need to get the message that you’re mine,” he chuckled though I could tell he was being a little serious. I smiled but still gently pushed against Hunter’s hard chest, causing him to step back.

“You and your possessiveness,” I rolled my eyes.

“I’m not possessive,” Hunter argued with that charming smile that won everyone over. “I’m territorial.”

“What’s the difference?” I asked with a smirk. This only made Hunter trap me against the locker again, his hands on either side of my head as his blue eyes looked at me with what I would describe as animalistic.

“Possessive is when you you want something that’s not yours,” he smirked. “Territorial is just protecting what’s already yours,” he said as his voice dipped lower, making my heart flutter. I couldn’t help the warmth that spread through my body as Hunter’s eyes looked into my own which were undoubtedly darkened from the emotions spreading through him.

Come on, I begged my heart and mind. See him as my mate. Make a connection, I willed myself, not really sure how much longer it would take. 

“Come on, babe.” He smiled as he backed up a took on my hands in his larger ones. “I don’t want you to be late on my count.” I rolled my eyes, but couldn’t hide my smile. “Have I told you how sexy you look yet?” Hunter commented as he held out his arm with our twined hands so I could spin. I happily did, loving the attention that I was getting from my future mate. 

“No,” I laughed.

“Well you look absolutely ravishing.” He spun me to his chest and we continued to walk like that to my class. I couldn’t help but blush at the lust that was so evident in Hunter’s eyes. I hoped my tanned skin hid it well. Before Hunter and I could get into a heating makeout session in the hall, I pulled away and walked into class after giving him one last peck on the lips.

My future was set before me like a hand of cards. I knew exactly where I was going to be next year because everything was planned that way for me. My life was laid out in steps that I just needed to take. No mistakes could be made. No misfortune and no trouble.

So why was I so scared of the future?