The Beast Within

Chapter one His dark brown eyes had hints of gold, his hair a heap of dirty blonde curls, he was tall and built. Fenris was the alfas son. Alfa Griffin Hamza chose Fenris’s name because legend says Fenris was a great beastly wolf who had the power to challenge even the gods. Seems fitting since he’ll be Alfa in a few hours. I on the other hand am the daughter of the omegas, my father is considered the weakest of the pack and my mother was the runt of her siblings. Fenris had never noticed me even though his parents hire my mother and I to decorate their home for every occasion. Tonight just happens to be my birthday; just like every year before I will spend it decorating the Alfas house for Fenris’s birthday. I refuse to let that detail ruin my day though; I’m turning eighteen and for me this means I will finally shift into my wolf and be able to find my mate. I continue to stare at my future Alfa, watching his muscles flex under his shirt as he cut wood for tonight’s fire. He didn’t have to of course, his parents could easily have someone else do this task but Fenris insist on doing it. Probably for the attention he gets in the process as I look around the town center and see almost every female in awe. My best friend Amanda is staring too, I push her shoulder to get her attention, she turns to me “what, I can’t help myself. I mean look” she gestures towards Fenris as he wipes his brow with the hem of his shirt revealing all this glimmering abs. We both meet each others eyes and giggle. “If only,” I whisper as I drop my head in my hands. “Come on girl, we have to get you a birthday outfit!” Amanda grabs my hand and pulls me off our bench. “Mandy you know I can’t have a party, what’s the point?” I try to pull away but Mandy holds me tighter as she drags me with her to boutiques. Standing in front of the full-length mirror in a deep red shimmering floor length gown with a slit up to my thigh. My pale ivory skin was complemented by the color and my small breast were pushed up by the undergarment Mandy insisted I wear. I had to admit as I spun around in the mirror I looked quite nice. My slim figure, curvy behind, and long legs were captivating. Mandy appeared behind me, “damn girl, you look amazing! We have to get that.” I looked down at the price tag, twelve hundred dollars. “I can’t afford this Mandy” I said as I turned to her. “Nonsense I’m getting it for you.” she said digging in her purse. “I appreciate that but no, I’ll get something else.” I began taking the dress off despite Mandy’s disappointed look. We eventually found a twenty dollar one, it was a simple black knee high dress. Mandy was still clearly dissatisfied with my choice but went along as we checked out and got into her car. She was a beta, her family was one of the wealthiest families in the pack with her dad being second in command to the Alfa. I forget that sometimes because she doesn’t act snobby like some of the other higher ups, but as we pulled up to her enormous house I vividly remember her mother mistaking me as a servant. Walking through her house I could’ve gotten lost in one of the halls lined with rooms. Mandy likes change and would switch rooms whenever she pleased, this time it was because she liked the large bay window. She opened the door and led me into her newly claimed space, her king sized bed had post at each corner holding up a sheer white curtain, her room was filled white and baby pink. She grabbed a large wrapped box off her bed and handed it to me, “happy birthday bestie! But don’t open it yet wait till you get home.” I smile at her “thank you Mandy but you didn’t have to.” She shakes her head at me and said, “girl just sit down so I can do your hair.” By the time she was done my long brown hair was a cascade of curls and my edges were laid. I had to admit the way my hair framed my face made my hazel eyes stand out beautifully. We got dressed in our new clothes and for a minute I felt like I could fit in with the higher ranks. The thought was short lived as I noticed the time, “ I should’ve been helping my mom set up for the party an hour ago! Sorry Mandy I have to go, I’ll see you there!” I grabbed my gift and ran out of the house, all the way to the Alfas. “Where have you been?!” My mom spoke with a venomous tone, I knew she had been ridiculed by our Luna for coming alone and working slow. My mom had me at a late age and soon after became sickly we had to work to survive but when we were at home she barely got out of the bed. I didn’t say anything in response I just put my apron on and began working. By the time we were done the Alfas house was covered in silver and blue balloons and party decorations, people started showing up just as we loaded our serving trays, with our Luna Karla greeting each guest at the door. Fenris made his way down the stairs wearing a black tuxedo, his long curls tied back in a bun. His hands were in his pockets and when he glanced over the crowd he gave a sleepy grin. The girls swooned as the boys cheered, I envy the fact that he can be half asleep and still have every eye in admiration of his presence. A short while later he was opening his gifts when I noticed a large white box in the stack. “That’s my gift” I whispered to myself but in a room full of werewolf’s a few heads turned glaring. As I tried to make my way closer with no plan at all of how to retrieve the box, he grabbed it out of the pile. “Wait!” I said without meaning to, Fenris searched the crowd until our eyes locked, at the same time his mother Luna Karla was pushing through to get to me. “Why?” He asked curiously. When I didn’t say anything he read the note attached aloud “Happy Birthday Ashly.” He met my gaze again, I could feel my cheeks flush but I was frozen.