Growing Up with the Alpha

Chapter Two: Outside; Age 6

“Hendrik! We have recess together!” Colette screamed running towards Hendrik.

“Colette! How is your first day of first grade?” Hendrik countered, unlocking himself from Colette’s grasp.

“Great, but Lizzy has a different teacher. I guess I’ll just have to make new friends,” Colette sighed, twiddling her thumbs. Hendrik smiled taking her hand.

“Meet some of my friends then,” he offered, pulling her towards a group of boys. Everyone quieted as soon as he approached. “Hey guys, this is Colette. She’s my best friend.” A boy with curly dirty blond hair stepped forward.

“I’m Danny.” He said with a smile.

“Charles,” another said.

“Jed,” a boy stepped up. Lastly was a scowling boy with brown hair and mud brown eyes.

“This is Erick, don’t mind him.” Hendrik stated, staring at Erick with his piercing blue eyes.

“What, is she like your girlfriend Hendrik?” Erick taunted.

“Shut up, Erick. She’s in first grade.” Hendrik glared.

“Whatever, I thought we were best friends.” Erick crossed his arms looking away.

“I can have more than one,” Hendrik chimed.

“Okay,” Erick sighed, “let’s play freeze tag!” Dropping the matter entirely. “Rock paper scissors on who’s it first.”

Danny was it first. The kids instantly booked it running all different directions. Danny decided to chase Colette, much to Colette’s surprise. She increased her speed running through groups of people and hop scotch matches. Before too long she felt a hand on her back and halted. Turning around she found Hendrik smiling at her and Danny no where in sight. Her eyes darted around finding him freezing Jed by the basketball hoops. “We’re the last two left, let’s hide.” Hendrik grabbed Colette, pushing her to the side of the school building, where no one could see them.

“I thought tag was when you run,” Colette questioned.

“Yes, but sometimes it’s fun to mix things up,” Hendrik flashed a growing smile. One Colette had gotten used to over the past year. They practically lived at each other’s houses, although his was much larger than hers and had better toys.

She kept hearing people refer to his mother and father as “Luna” and “Alpha” but decided it must be a nickname. When she asked her parents, they told her her questions would be answered in a few years, so she decided to let it go. She referred to them as “ma’am” and “sir” as she was taught to speak to all adults. The couple never corrected Colette, so it must be ok.

Hendrik’s little brother, Lars, was often involved in their play dates. He was 4 years old, so he was still learning to share. Often getting upset when Hendrik and she ran off to hide together much like they are doing now.

“Sorry, my friends think girls have cooties,” Hendrik smirked, staring down at Colette.

“Cooties?! If anything, boys have them!” Colette shrieked.

“Shh, they might hear us. Can I come over tonight?” Hendrik asked.

“Yes!”

“Sweet, I can’t wait, I have a sur-“ Hendrik was cut off by another voice.

“Oh so here you two are,” Erick said, clearly annoyed.

“Hiding is cheating!” Danny whined.

Hendrik chuckled, “sorry Danny, it’s funner this way.”

“For you!” Danny exclaimed stomping away.

A whistle blew, signifying the end of recess. All the children shuffled into their classroom lines and headed inside.

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Ding, dong. The doorbell chimed, followed by it opening and Hendrik stepping inside. The house looked empty. He walked down the hallway to Colette’s room and heard a faint laugh. He busted open the door to find an empty room. He looked around and went to turn around when Colette jumped out of her closet door. “BOO!” She screamed, tackling him to the floor.

“Ok ok you got me!” Hendrik said, trying to defend himself from the onslaught of tickles he was receiving.

“Ok! Let’s play dolls, I have it all set up!” Colette said.

“First, I brought a surprise,” Hendrik smiled.

“A surprise! I love surprises!”

“Close your eyes.” Colette did. Hendrik unzippered his book bag and zipped it back up. “Ok you can open them.”

“Boy dolls! Now my dolls can have mates like our parents!” Colette squealed.

“They’re action figures,” Hendrik corrected.

“Boy super hero dolls!” Colette countered. “Let’s play!”

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Weeks turned into months and before long it was time for winter break. Snow began to settle on the grassy plains surrounding the pack town. Temperatures began to drop. Winter break was a special time for the Winter Springs Pack. It was when the pack was at its strongest, winter heightened their already advanced senses. To celebrate, Alpha Lieke would throw an adults only ball for New Years. A few parents would stay behind to watch the children in groups, typically June and James would remain at home with Colette but this year the Alpha insisted on them joining the party. So, they had to make other arrangements for Colette.

“Asim can watch her this year, I insist,” the Luna said, bringing her tea cup to her lips.

“She won’t mind? The two of them are crazy together.” June retorted.

“She loves kids, she will be thrilled!” Luna stated.

“Okay sounds good, any idea on when the men will be back?”

Sighing, the Luna shook her head. “Hopefully soon, I need to get Leike’s tux fitted. I’ve heard very little about this ‘hunting’ trip, it makes me concerned.”

“I’m sure everything is fine and they’ll come back with a dozen moose or something crazy. I wouldn’t worry.” Grabbing Luna Felicity’s hand, she smiled reassuringly. A crash sounded from the other room, followed by an “are you okay?” Both ladies looked at each other and followed the ruckus. Colette was sitting over Hendrik’s body. He’d fallen when they were playing tag, slipping on the corner of a rug and went fallen head first backwards. Colette was freaking out, she thought he died. Reaching out, she placed her head on his chest to hear his heart beat. But when she laid her head down on him, he grabbed her, earning a scream from Colette. “You’re it,” Hendrik laughed then ran off. Colette followed behind him, “I’m gonna get you for that!” She screamed.

“As I said, they’re crazy.” June smiled, looking at Luna Felicity.

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“Mrs. Thomas, Lizzy said Colette will be joining Hendrik at Asim’s place for New Year’s? Do you think Lizzy could join? I know the girls have missed being in the same class with each other this year so it would be a good time for them to reconnect.” Lizzy’s mom, Beatrice, cornered June at the supermarket.

“I’m not sure, you’d have to ask Luna Felicity about that, seeing as it’s her sitter.” June replied curtly.

“Well! I know you and the Luna are close so I thought you’d ask for me, seeing as our girls are best friends.” Beatrice raised her eyebrows and crossed her arms.

“I wouldn’t call them best friends, considering you haven’t called for a play date once this year. Her best friend is Hendrik as far as I’m concerned. If you want Lizzy there, you’ll have to ask Luna herself.” June nodded and turned to end this conversation. Before she could, Colette came running to her cart with a tower of snacks.

“These are Hendrik’s favorite! He’s going to love me!” She giggled, then noticed they weren’t alone. “Lizzy’s mom! Is Lizzy with you?”

“No, sweetheart. She’s at home, but she told me about you and Hendrik having a sleepover and wanted to join. Wouldn’t that be fun?” The woman smiled at Colette then glanced at June.

Colette smiled widely, “that would be AMAZING! I’ll ask Hendrik to ask his parents!”

“Well, it was good seeing you Beatrice.” Grabbing Colette, June rolled her shopping cart away. Colette was overjoyed, she wanted to have a sleepover with both of her friends so badly. She couldn’t wait to ask Hendrik. The rest of the shopping was quickly done, Colette barely keeping up with her mother as she ran down the aisles. Until eventually they were home.

“Momma, can I call Hendrik and ask him about Lizzy?” Was the first thing Colette said when she made it through the doorway.

“Sweetie, not right now. Help me grab the groceries and start dinner.”

Colette did as she was told and after dinner was over she asked again.

“You have that project to do, finish that so you don’t have to worry about it the rest of the break,” June stated while washing dishes.

Once again, Colette did as she was told and asked her mother once she was finished with her homework.

“It’s bath time now.” June replied. After a long bubble bath, Colette asked a final time.

“It’s too late in the day to call, time for bed.”

“Momma I need to call! Please! The sleepover is tomorrow!” Whined Colette.

June’s lips thinned and before Colette could start tearing up she spoke, “hunny, Hendrik’s baby sister already has to watch 3 kids. You will be fine with Hendrik and his baby brother.”

“Oh, I wish Lizzy could come! I miss her! Can I see her soon?” Colette pleaded.

Sighing and running her hands through her hair. “Yes, sweetie. We can have a play date sometime.” Colette smiled and hugged her mother. She was upset Lizzy wouldn’t be there tomorrow, but she was excited for her Hendrik’s sleepover.

Shortly after, Colette nestled into her ultra pink bedroom with princess bedding and an endless supply for stuffed animals lining every wall. She was content and ready for tomorrow.

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The next morning, the sun seemed to shine a little bit brighter than normal for winter time. The preparations for the event that night were in full swing. The entire town was rushing about trying to get ready on time. But, Colette was bouncing off the walls just thinking about a completely different event occurring for her tonight.

“Can I go there yet momma?” June was whisking eggs for French toast. It was barely 7:00 AM and Colette had asked her 5 times when they could leave.

“No it’s too early. Squeeze some lemons for me for lemonade.” Colette got to work on squeezing the juice out of fresh lemons.

After several hours of tedious work, June was ready for the ball. Dressed in a deep maroon silk floor length dress, with a slit up the right leg and a plunging neckline and open back, paired with a pair of nude heels, she was sure to be the Belle of the ball. He brown hair was securely fastened into an updo with a few curly strands dangling. Her husband, was dressed in a black tux with a maroon tie to match her dress. His dark hair perfectly jelled to make him look like a model. Colette had never seen her parents play dress up like this. She was awestruck.

“Momma, daddy, you are beautiful!” She hugged them.

*more to come*