Shadow Moon: Secrets

Edge of 18

Scarlett POV    

    “Spring Break is over you jackass!” I shouted after coming up for air from the warm water of the spring. I had been sitting rather comfortably on the boulder a few moments ago. Until Carter Grey had shoved me off the boulder and into the water waiting below. It was the Sunday before we’d all return to school, so we had decided to unwind a bit and go swimming that day. Well, they had, I was just enjoying soaking up the sunshine.

                “Oh, come on, have a little fun Scar!” Carter called back out to me in between fits of laughter. He wasn’t alone in it either. Riley, Warren and Lily were laughing right along with him. I tried to see it from his perspective, I’m sure it was funny. I probably looked like a drowned rat right about now. I ran my hands through my dripping blonde hair and pulled it up quickly into a messy bun as I walked out of the water. Thankfully I hadn’t worn a white tank top today. My black one currently clung to me like a second set of skin, and my denim shorts were already starting to try their hardest to chafe my thighs.

                “Seriously. One day you’re going to have to grow up and be the Alpha. Aren’t we getting too old for these childish pranks?” Leave it to me to be the mature one. One of us had to be. The laughter from the others had died down finally as I searched for a towel. Thank the goddess it was the middle of April. The weather was at least warm enough that being sopping wet didn’t seem to matter. After drying off I sat in the grass nearby with the rest of the group.

                “Are you guys ready to go back to school? We’ve only got a like two months left until we’re finally done!” Lily spoke with a chipper excitement. She was probably the most excitable of the group. She was always so bubbly and bright. Like her bright copper wavy hair. It was hard to miss her.

                “Speak for yourselves” Warren grumbled, a low growl hiding in his voice. Sometimes we all forgot he was a year behind us. He was nearly 17 and a Junior in high school.

                “Couldn’t be more excited to be done!” Riley stated matter of fact like with his face in his trademark cheese-ball grin.

                “I’m more excited to be getting our wolves! Just a couple more weeks right Scar?” Carter said. His shaggy brown hair was hanging in his eyes again, more often than not hiding the blue of his eyes. He was a goofball, but a handsome kid none the less. He was my best friend by far. We practically shared a birthday with mine being later this week and Carter’s just two days later.

                “I can’t wait to get our wolves. My parents say it’s like finally feeling complete with yourself.” I murmured softly still gently pressing the towel to my wet hair. My parents. I remember when it felt weird to call them that, but they were my parents. For at least the last twelve years. They had taken me in when no one else wanted me. I had just been an orphan. They had had troubles having a pup of their own and took me in. Over the years I was surprised they never had a pup of their own, but my mom assured me I was all she needed to make her life complete.

                We broke off into random conversation for a little. It was nice to just relax and enjoy the sunshine. We’d had an active week. When we weren’t in school us ranking members of the pack were required to train like the adults. That meant up every morning at 5 am, training for two hours, breakfast and then pack duties. I was learning the gamma role, Carter would be our future alpha, Riley would take over as Beta. Lily had already started to study in the pack hospital to take over for her grandmother as the pack doctor. Her mother had been the family odd ball, choosing instead to teach rather than become a doctor as her mother had. Our lives were fairly scheduled so free moments like this were special.

                I zoned out again watching our group as the guys goofed off jumping off the boulder into the water. Lily was curled up with some book. I watched as Carter climbed out of the water and couldn’t help but blush slightly as he caught my gaze watching his wet muscular body move. It was hard not to stare. The guy could have been made from marble.

                Riley jumped off next, his shoulder length black hair billowing out as he flew into the water. He had eyes so brown they were practically black. It gave him a dark mysterious look. He was quite the opposite of his father. Outside of physical appearance. He had the same dark hair, eyes and deep caramel skin. Personality wise though his father was the quiet type, where Riley was more the rambunctious troublemaker type.

                Warren being the youngest of the group didn’t always hang out with us. However, he had decided to tag along tonight. He looked like he could be his brother’s twin. They shared the same brown hair, the same blue eyes. Similar builds but Warren was a little leaner compared to Carter’s more muscular build.

                I smiled for a moment before glancing down at my watch. It was getting close to dinner time. “Hey guys, Amelia is going to be pissed if we’re late for dinner again. We should get back to the packhouse and cleaned up before it’s ready.” Ever the responsible one. One of us had to be. Lily was a close second to me, however she could be swayed easier. I stood up grabbing my bag and stuffing my wet towel into it.

                The guys grumbled at my comment but kept chattering and shoving each other around as we walked back to the pack house. I was up ahead of the group, after being shoved into the spring I desperately wanted to take a shower before changing. Dinner was slightly formal at the packhouse. If you weren’t dressed for dinner, Amelia, the head kitchen omega would give you that look that only stern grandmothers can give. It could chill you to the bone.

                Once we arrived at the pack house, I jogged through the main living area making a beeline for the stairwell on the back side of it. Thankfully, my quarters were on the first floor. I would be able to relax in a hot shower in no time. I smirked hearing the chatter as the others went to their rooms as well. The previously quiet house was full of life whenever we were all together.

                After my shower I dressed simply in a pair of jeans and a black t-shirt. We didn’t need to dress formally, just appropriately before we joined the rest of the family at the ranking member’s table. Pajamas were unacceptable, as were sopping wet clothes from swimming. I retied my messy bun and touched up the mascara still gracing my eyelashes. I didn’t like to wear a lot of makeup, just enough to enhance my green hazel eyes. Gazing in the mirror I admire the fit figure before. I had curves, but nothing drastic. My dad trained me hard and it was seen in my athletic build.

                Glancing at my watch once more, I realized I was going to be late if I didn’t head down now. I took the stairs down two at a time before walking towards the west wing dining area. I walked into the room welcomed by the sounds of plates clattering as they touched the tables and soft chatter coming from the wolves already seated. This was home. This was my family. Carter was right, I was most excited to get my wolf. And in a few days, I’d feel just as complete as the rest of my family.

                I walked up to my seat at the table next to my father, Harry, and my mother Lucille, leaning down to give her a quick kiss on the cheek. “Hello, mom, dad. “I smiled as I got comfortable in my seat. For an orphan I hadn’t done half bad. I had parents that loved me. Friends that were like siblings, and a large family to share a dinner table with. Life was great.