The Alphas Prophecy

The sun shone through Charlotte’s bedroom window creating lines of light cascading down to her floor. She always liked watching the way the light danced as the soft breeze teased her transparent curtains. Waking up early with the sun was something that was very natural to her. It was the time she would take for herself everyday. She would get up before the rest of the town and run, enjoying quieting sounds and peacefulness before the town came to life.    She slowly stretched and yawned. Her 5” 4’ body barely used up any of the king bed her parents insisted that she have. She sat up rolling her shoulders and flipping her legs over the side of the mattress. She caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror. Her blonde hair that was usually neatly back into a tight bun was disheveled and heavily knotted hanging all the way to her waist. She prided herself in keeping a clean and tidy look. She looked well rested and felt ready to tackle her run this morning.    Looking across her room she looked at the pristine organization. Her compulsive nature allowed her to keep everything in its place and always looked like no one lived in the room. Her massive make up vanity featured Victorian era inspired hand carved wood designs. It was a family heirloom her mom told her. It was passed down from generation to generation to each female on their 18th birthday. She had turned eighteen two days ago and as a present her father had it refinished in a crisp white color to match the rest of her furniture.  She loved this little bit of history. It made her feel connected to her ancestors. She wanted to know who each woman was that sat at this vanity before her. She could only imagine that stories and knowledge each woman could share.    She let out another huge yawn, she better get out of bed before it gets to hot to run. It was supposed to be exceptionally hot today and she welcomed the cool morning breeze on her runs.    Taking one last stretch she stood up. Her tiny frame barely took up any of the space in the mirror. She had always stayed thin because of the sports she had played in school and her morning runs. She always thought that she resembled a perfect pear shape. Her curves were something that she loved to dress.    She made her way over to her walk-in closet to grab the workout clothing she had placed out the night before.  She was very fortunate to have parents that have always worked hard. Her father was a successful businessman with so many businesses she lost track. Her mother kept him organized and was on the board of directors for each company. Their work ethic was ingrained in her DNA.    Pulling on some black leggings, and a pale blue t-shirt she returned to her room ready to meticulously attempt to put her hair up so it wouldn’t bother her while she was running. Sitting down at the vanity she again looked at herself in the mirror. The blue in her shirt accented her eyes. Her blue eyes were sometimes so bright and clear that she felt insecure about them.    She had brushed her hair and placed it in her signature bun. Grabbing her headphones and her phone she quietly left her room and made her way downstairs. The curved stairs led the way to down to their marble entryway. Clean white marble tiles, white walls, and the massive crystal chandelier made the room look huge. She would never get used to the size of the room. The living room was to the right and the kitchen and dinning room were to the left of her when she reached the bottom. She could smell the rich aroma of coffee creep its way out of the kitchen. Her mother always set the timer on the coffee maker so that Charlotte and her father could enjoy their coffee together every morning. She didn’t know if you could really call what she drank as coffee... it was always mostly vanilla creamer with a splash of coffee. Her father, Zane Garcia however, drank his black. She always teased him that it resembled molasses.    Walking through the kitchen she reached the back door. She preferred to run through the woods behind her house. It was littered with trails through out her families land and was the perfect way to burn of some energy while enjoying the quiet that nature provided.    Stepping outside she was met by a cool breeze. Perfect! She hadn’t wasted to much time trying to wake up. A smile made its way across her sun kissed face as she stepped further off the back deck and onto her favorite trail. She was a creature of habit and repetition. She loved this trail because it wasn’t flat. There were steep inclines through out the trail that made her legs burn in the way she loved.    Disappearing into the trees she paced her headphones in her ears and took a slow deep breathe. She cranked up her favorite running playlist and took of at a speed that she swore would leave dust clouds behind her. Her lean legs carried her forward, up the first steep incline with no problem. She kept pushing, something inside her told her to run faster. She ran to the quick tempo of the music and enjoyed the view.    It was the beginning of July in Colorado. The pine trees seemed to have enjoyed the rain the last couple of days and seemed to be even greener today. Their pine scent filled her nose, calming and familiar she noticed that there were delicate white flowers blooming on the forest floor.    Strawberries!    She made a mental note to stop on her way back and see if there were any ripe strawberries ready. She would pick some as a treat for her and her father to enjoy with their breakfast this morning.     The trees blocked out most of the sunlight as the temperature started to climb and the forest stayed cool until mid-morning. It was the perfect way to spend your morning. She reached a point in the trail where it split into two pathways.    She felt her legs slowing. Something was telling her she needed to take the other trail today. She didn’t know why but she was drawn to it. She shook her head. That was not her routine and after 18 years of creating the most efficient daily routine she was not going to change now. Turning to the familiar trail she began walking. She stopped again, that feeling was back, and it was stronger than before. She felt herself turning around and looking at the other tail.    “Maybe I should shake things up today,” she said out loud.    Against her better judgement she turned her music up even louder and started jogging up the other trail. She couldn’t remember the last time she had taken this trail. She didn’t know if she had ever taken this trail. She maintained a slower the pace. There was an excitement to changing her routine, Charlotte wanted to see everything on this trail. Enjoying the change of scenery, she made her way out of the trees to what was a small clearing on a cliff top. The cliff towered over the river bottom below.    It was beautiful. There were rolling hills as far as she could see. The scenery took her breathe away. She paused. Pulling out her phone she turned off the music and took her headphones off. She wanted to enjoy every bit about this view, including the quiet sounds of nature. She could here woodpeckers knocking on trees in the distance. Among other birds the forest seemed to slowly awaken greeting the rising sun.    Waking up from the trance she was in she decided to go sit on top of the boulder perched on the cliff. It was the perfect place to sit a welcome the day. How had she not known about this place?   She climbed on top of the rock that was taller than she was. Standing made her realize that the cliff was way higher than she thought. In an attempt at self-preservation, she quickly opted to sit, crossing her legs she just looked out over the view. This was well worth the change in routine and quickly decided to make this part of her routine.    She closed her eyes and breathed in the fresh musky scent of the forest that she loved. It was the most naturally calming feeling. She wanted to bring out her sketch book next time she came here. This was to amazing to not draw it.    She opened her eyes. gazing over the river bottom. She noticed movement across the river in the shadows but couldn’t make out what it was. A dark shape made its way to the tree line.    A wolf...   At first a feeling of over- whelming fear washed over her. Charlotte had never seen a wolf before. It was massive. Even from this high up she could see how amazing this animal was. It was as white as snow. It amazed her how well it had hidden itself in the trees. It kept toward the river and took a drink. She leaned over to see it better. By doing so she knocked a rock of the boulder with her foot as she moved to her knees.    It was like the world froze. The birds stopped their songs. The forest was dead silent. She watched the rock fall all the down the cliff. It had to be close to 200 feet tall. It seemed like forever as it fell. It splashed into the water directly across from the wolf.    It looked up. Directly at her. She felt the fear grow. She could feel the strength and power of that wolf. It was directly into her eyes. The hair on her arms stood up and she felt frozen with the rest of the forest.    She heard a twig break behind her. With the quietness that had fallen it sounded loud and very close. She whipped around descending of the boulder at the same time. She looked around but didn’t see anything. It must have been a deer or something she decided.    She walked to the edge of the cliff to see the wolf again. When she peered over it was gone. it had disappeared back into the shadows. She felt disappointed, she wanted to see that magnificent animal again. She didn’t know why but she felt like she should get closer to it.    Maybe she would get lucky again and see it. She wanted to draw it. She wanted to see it up close. She knew that it was the stupidest thing she had ever wanted but she felt drawn to that animal.    Turning around she saw something move in the forest. She peered in that direction but couldn’t make anything out. The hair stood up on her arms again. She thought about the wolf. If there was a wolf on that side of the Forrest there was probably some on this side.    Her body shuddered. She knew she was in danger but couldn’t tell why. She pulled her phone out of her pocket with shaking hands and tried to call her dad. There was no service.    She heard another twig snap. She felt adrenaline course through her body as she realized it was coming from the other side of the boulder. She was stuck there. She didn’t know if she should step around to see what was on the other side. She could tell it was about six feet away from her. She could hear it breathe now. It sounded like it was a huge animal. She knew there were bears in the area, maybe it was a bear.    Charlotte knew she needed to get out of this situation. She silently cursed herself for changing her running route. Run! I can run! It would be better then standing here waiting.    She took off and didn’t look back. Her legs pushed harder then they had ever done before. The adrenaline was making her heart pound and she was breathing hard. The trees began to blur past her. She reached that fork in the trail and felt that something was not far behind her. Fear drove her legs to move even quicker. She blew past the strawberries and into the clearing where her family home was. She could see safety.    She ran up the three stairs of the deck and got into the back door. Slamming it behind her she looked through the glass pain of the door.    It was there at the edge of the woods... the wolf. It was bigger than she first thought. Charlotte had no idea how that wolf got across the river and to the other side so fast but a wolf this size could clearly cover some ground. If it had wanted to kill her it easily could have. It stood taller than she was at the shoulders. How had something this big not be known about?    This time she could she its piercing eyes looking straight at her. They were yellow. The brightest yellow she had ever seen. Its beautiful white fur made the eyes stand out that much more. It didn’t snarl or growl. It just stood there looking. Studying her.    She could feel the intensity of the wolf even though she was now safe in the house.    She still wanted to get closer...    “Charlie.” Her dad called her name from the stairs. “Are you back from your run yet?”    “Dad! Come here quick! There is a wolf! It’s huge!”    She looked to the entrance to the kitchen to see her father, the strongest man she knew white as a ghost. His face was pale, and his eyes were panicked. He ran to the back door looking out.  He stood at 6’ 5” tall. He was made of complete muscle but right now he looked so frightened.    “Are you ok? Are you hurt? What happened? Charlotte?” He panicked rapidly firing off question after question while he looked her over checking for any injuries. He then glanced out the door and froze. Every single muscle seemed to freeze in place. His facial expression seemed to show a mixture of fear and anger.    He glanced at the woods and made eye contact with the wolf. Charlotte had never seen him so angry. Her calm, understanding, and care-free father was rigid.    The wolf broke eye contact with her father and took one last look at Charlotte before turning and disappearing into the woods in a matter of seconds.    Zane and Charlotte stood still watching the forest for any sign of movement. Charlotte could still feel her labored breathing, but her heart had started to slow down.    Her father finally let out a long slow breath. His entire body was shaking.     “Charlotte... We need to talk.”