Alpha's Betrayal

DARLENE: From the moment my mother and father had me rushed into a human hospital. Deep down I knew that there was something so terribly wrong with me. Over the dark months, our pack doctor had done numerous tests, each time with no explanations, no further understanding as to what could be wrong. But finally, there was a day when we had a breakthrough. And let me tell you it was not what my mother and father had been expecting at all. Why? Because for werewolves, this was completely unheard of. It was what you would call every parent's worst nightmare. When a pediatric oncologist subtly spoke of the illness that I had acquired. My mother broke down helplessly. Her legs gave out from under her, sliding down to the tiled corridor floor. Whilst my father, a pack enforcement officer, struggled to keep his strong composure. Both of my parents seemed lost in a state of shock at the earth-shattering news they had received. Whilst I could hear my mother's distressing cries from the little room I was currently residing in. The unfamiliar room that would be my new home for the unforeseeable. My six-year-old self was utterly terrified and confused. I had gone from being a happy, bubbly, excitable puppy. Just a few months ago, I was playing contently in the meadow with my elder siblings, with not a care in the world. I remember those days like it was only yesterday. Running, jumping and skipping whilst chasing the most beautiful colorful butterflies. Twirling, whilst inhaling the sweet aroma of the wildflowers that would thrive in the moist grassy land. Just a feet away stood our old cosy, cob cottage that father had very proudly built with his very own paws. Delicately taking a contrasting boquet back home as a gift for my mother. To see her arrange the array of posies in the glass vase in the front center of the kitchen bay window, the sunlight with the same beaming joy that would reach my mother's face as that of the sun. Her serene expression was worth the tickle of my nose that had myself sneezing, congested and wheezing all day long. The signs were almost inconceivably there, but hardly at all noticeable. That was until I had started to experience more serious symptoms. Like the splitting migraines that would feel as if my head was about to explode. Fatigue and fevers had sneakily become normal with the sickness and seizures that would lead my whole family to a frenzy. Over a short space of time, I had become so drastically ill that I had become restricted to staying put indoors. That was until the human hospital had rang my parents about the results of my blood samples that our pack doctor had passed to the human hematologist for further research and observation. "Bertie, I'm scared." I whispered as I drew my knees further up on the hospital bed huddled with my favorite chocolate brown teddy bear, bringing Bertie closer to my heart for some much needed comfort. "I made mummy cry, and I made daddy sad, I wanna go home." I pleaded in afflicted desperation to the furry toy that unknowingly would see myself go through what no child or person should ever have to endure. Little did I know that this was just the beginning of the misfortunes that were set before me in this lifetime of my existence. Over the years, I have fought this parasite, slowly consuming and draining the life and essence from out of me. I was forced to be confined to the hospital bed or a wheelchair on the occasional days when I would save some energy specifically for reading my books outside in the communal garden that is just reserved for us long-term patients. I find myself on many occasions praying to a higher belief. Seeking answers specifically from the Moon Goddess above. Would I ever overcome this dreadful disease? It had already taken so much from my physical being. My once long luscious locks fell out in chunks and are now non-existent, along with my eyebrows. My brittle body is on the brink of giving up. What it would be to sleep peacefully for eternity. But my mind had other ideas, my mind was contradicting my body. Objecting screaming at me to annihilate this deadly sickness. I once read in one of my books a wonderful, inspiring quote that every cloud has a silver lining. I find it highly remarkable how this little saying has stayed with me even until this day. Maybe it was a sign sent from the Moon Goddess herself for me to see those words of hope that I had clutched onto. That she has finally heard all of my pleas. Offering me a new lease of life. Life I could never take for granted, because in the blink of an eye everything could change. Finishing the final touches, tucking my crisp white blouse into my high-waisted loose-fitting trousers. I began to gather my ice blue hair into a high ponytail. Hastly picking up a few scattered belongings, placing them in orderly manner into my satchel, all set for the fresh new day ahead of me. Cheerfully, I tiptoe like a mouse down the stairs leading to the kitchen, sealing up on my mother. "What's cooking good looking?" I startled her whilst showcasing my teeth in a somewhat childlike but cheeky expression. "You're lucky you're so cute, ya know that, if you were your brother Darlene, ya would have had the slipper." My mother swings her arm to demonstrate how she would clobber Charlie upside the head. I couldn't help but let slip a burst of giggles at the truth in her response. "Does this mean that I got away with sneaking up on you?" I replied with certainty. "With that sweet and innocent face, I believe you could get away with anything." My mother stated whilst pinching my cheek in mischief. "Thank the goddess." I sighed, letting my cheeks fall from smiling a little too much. A draft of air sweeps in from the kitchen window bringing in the most delicious mouth-watering scent from the cooker. Nostalgic washes over me. "Are those what I think they are?" I asked my mother. She must have gotten up extra early this morning to make the perfect uneven circles of chocolate goodies that enticed me to take a taste of the sweet treats that my mother had prepared. "Hmm," She hums in approval for me to take one. I sink my gnashes into the tender cookie, relishing the full flavor of mother's handmade cookies. Complementing my mother's natural baking talents. "You are officially the best mother ever." Greedily taking another but bigger bite. My mother awkwardly laughs ,"Baby, I'm your only mother." "Still the best mother ever." I sass back as I dust of the crumbs that have noticibly escaped my mouth falling directly onto my blouse. A deep, slow, uneasy breath comes from my mother before she asks a dreaded question that must be playing on her maternal mind. "Are you sure you are ready for this, Daelene? You've only recently been fully discharged from the hospital this month." "Yup!" I replied without any hesitation. "Besides, you heard what Doctor Simmons has said, that it would be beneficial for me physically and mentally." My mother continuously voices her worries. "I know Darlene, but you've already been through so much that no child should endure." I carefully eased her apprehension by mentioning how grateful I am towards my family, my loved ones who have stood by me at every step of this painful misfortune. But I also can't deny that I need to do this for myself. I need to get back to some sort of normality. This wicked disease has already stolen so much from me and I am not about to let it completely rule the rest of my existence. "Oh goddess Darlene, I don't think you truly understand how much of a strong-willed young lady you are." My mother sorrowly expressed. "I'm not strong, I'm just exceptionally lucky." I say in acceptance to that it is what it is. Even if this means that the Moon Goddess above hadn't gifted me with a wolf. I am eternally grateful that I am here in the now, alive and kicking. I've witnessed young souls unfairly gain their wings. I feel the build up of those mixed emotions slowly getting the better of me. I walked to my mother. I can feel the apprehension coming from her in waves. Wrapping my frail, pale arms around her tender waist, I gave her a hug to ease her distress. "Bye mother, I love you." I comforted her, whilst peering up into her concerned sea-blue eyes just to confirm that she needn't worry about me. "I love you too, my sweet Darlene," she quietly stated. With my mother's approval, I headed out. As I closed the door, I noticed my elder brother Charlie was casually standing reading something on his phone whilst waiting patiently for me beside my father's old red Corvette. When he sees me, he places the electric device in his back jean pocket. "Are you ready for your first day in college, Rugrat?" He beamed with a bemused smile upon his face. "As ready as I will ever be. Charlie Bear." I pleasantly replied.. "I never even liked that show," Charlie protests. "No," I asked. "Nope." He defends. "That's not what father said." I taunted him with my hands placed onto my hips just to add to the effect of our siblings' playfulness. "Get in the car." Charlie, embarrisingly, nudges me inside the vintage vehicle. Myself felt triumphant at listening to him babble about how he couldn't believe that my father had revealed to me his love for the furry friend. Turning the key over, and placing the car into gear to go, Charlie asks "So, what course have you chosen to study in college?" My big brother hastily changed the subject to save his own humiliation. " I've decided that I should dab into some fashion design." I enthusiastically replied. "You've always been good at that kinda stuff." Charlie stated whilst focusing on the road ahead of us. "Well, I guess I have been kinda limited, haven't I?" I pondered aloud. "s**t, I'm sorry Darlene. I didn't mean for it to come out so insensitive." My brother sympathetically stammers. " Every time we come visit you at the hospital on your better days, you will either have a sewing needle or a book in your hands. He reflectively continues. "Anyways, enough about me Charlie, I wanna know more about how your getting on with football." I blurt out to change the rather glum and sensitive topic. "I'm doing exceptionally good, Rugrat. In fact, I've recently been given the offer to play for The Executions," he proudly states. "No freaking way!" I yipped, mindblown by my big brother's achievement. "Yea, but..," he abruptly cuts in. "They've asked me to do a pack transfer to join the Blood Moon pack in the Scottish Highlands," Charlie stated with a little conviction in his voice. "If you accept to join the Blood Moon pack will they allow you to come home to visit us?" I inquired with uncertainty. The thought of not being allowed to see my elder brother is alarming to say the least. My brother sighs at my recognition of his predicament. "No, which is why I think it's best for me to decline their offer," he earnestly mentions. I gasped, in horror at Charlie's revelation. "But this has always been your dream, Charlie." I whined. Its true! Since I can remember, Charlie has always been a hardcore football fanatic. His obsession with the popular sport started as early as pup-hood. Every single match he would sit in awe in front of the T.V, watching intentively as The Executioners went up against the strongest of opponents.Joined by my father, matched with royal blue football tops. One particular day, Charlie suddenly jumped up and asked my father to teach him how to kick a ball so that he, too, could also have a chance to become a part of their rugged team. Of course, my father taught Charlie as much to his own knowledge, but as the years progressed, Charlie also became much more advanced. It makes me upset that Charlie is contemplating throwing his lifelong dreams down the drain. But what he says next astounds me at how selfless my big brother is. "Family always comes first, and if the Blood Moon pack can't accept it, then it's not meant to be." He says this all with a somber smile upon his young adult face. And I can't help but feel the guilt creep in. I don't have any time to dwell or to try to change my big brother's mind, as he suddenly states. Well, this is it Rugrat." Charlie pulled up just a little away from the main college entrance. Glancing inquisitively through the transparent glass, envisioning what it would be like for me to go to school like the other pups in this pack. Will I make new friends? Possibly even be invited to parties, outings and so many other pack activities that I have failed to be included in. Luna Barker was always so understanding, she used to occasionally pop into my room at the hospital although I was very young and pretty much out of it most of the time with the ongoing treatments. I barely remember how she would sit on the chair beside me taking my hand in hers and telling me things about our pack that I would never understand. But listening to her faded, kind, gentle voice was like listening to a lullaby, in the same warm motherly tone as my very own. Then one day she suddenly had stopped coming in all together. I later learned from my parents that Luna Barker had passed away. I do feel lucky to have been blessed to acquire Luna Barkers to have time and attention when her presence on this earthly plane was so preciously, short-lived. From what my mother had said, she was kind, patient and compassionate towards every single member of her pack, myself too, she had included. Gathering my thoughts together, I turned to Charlie and thanked him for the lift to college. Before I step out of the car, I also mention that I have every finger and toe crossed that the Blood Moon pack may bend the rules slightly just for him. He deserves it and I'm pretty sure that they know it too, otherwise they wouldn't offer him a spot on their team. As he speeds away, a loud horn startles me, realizing it's Charlie's way of saying that he will see me later. More than likely when he's finished up his football training. I offered an awkward wave as I noticed some of my new peers that were gathered in different circles stop and stare solely in my direction. Two she-wolves look my way in particular and I can't help the garbage that tumbles from my mouth from the nervousness of the unwanted attention. " I'm sorry about him, but it seems that he may have been dropped on his head at birth." One of those girls burst out in a fit of giggles whilst I walked quickly past them. Trusting that this first promising day of new life experiences will bring a whole new variety of memories. Hopefully all good ones.