1) Dreams and chaos
Amara's POV:
I don’t know where I am, but I have this unwavering sense of danger being nearby. I am deep in the forest somewhere and I can sense someone is after me. Where am I and how did I get here?
“RUN!” I hear the voice, but it seems to be coming from within like I was hearing it inside my own mind. “RUN NOW!”
I take off not knowing where I should be going, just knowing that I need to get out of here fast. I am running at full speed and the forest seems to be flying by me as I weave in and out of the trees, being sure not to hit one. I am afraid to look behind me in case whatever is after me is right on my heels. That's when I feel it, the hand that grabs my hair from behind and pulls me back.
I start to scream as everything fades away.
There is a loud crash as I hit the floor of my bedroom. I start to become aware of my surroundings as I try to slow my breathing. I have been having this same dream for the past week and it always feels so real. I look at the clock and see that it's 6 am, so I decide that I might as well get up and start my day. I untangle myself from the blanket and head to the bathroom to shower. I catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror on the way and stop for a second. Today is my last day seeing this version of myself and it is bittersweet. I took a strand of my long black hair behind my ear and smile.
"Tomorrow is the day" I say to my reflection. See, tomorrow is my 18th birthday, and I will be meeting my wolf for the first time. My name is Amara Bennett, and I am a member of the Dark Moon pack, one of the strongest werewolf packs around. When a werewolf turns 18, they meet their wolf and shift for the first time. I can honestly say that I am absolutely terrified. I have always felt a little out of place like there is something different about me. I am worried that my wolf will also be different and that the pack won’t accept me. Then what would I do? I take my shower and get dressed for school throwing on my favorite pair of jeans and a casual t-shirt. I could hear the rest of my family starting to stir so I headed down to the kitchen and started the coffee.
"Good morning sweetie." My mom walked into the kitchen just as I held out a cup of coffee for her. "Thanks sweetie. How are you feeling about tomorrow?" She eyed me over her cup to gauge my response.
“I’m kind of nervous about it. What if something goes wrong?” I look down into my coffee so my mom can’t see how scared I really am.
“Honey it’s going to be okay, you don’t have to worry. We will all be here to support you and to make sure that you are ok.” She pulls me into a hug, and I bury my face in her hair breathing in the scent of her shampoo. I start to relax a little bit, my mom always seems to have that effect on me.”
“Thanks mom.” I pull away and lean into the counter just as my brother comes barreling into the kitchen.
"Were leaving in 15 so you better be in the car, or I am leaving you behind. I can't be late again." Jacob grabs my coffee out of my hand, drinks it down. kisses my mom on the forehead and walks back out. I smiled at my mom who had started laughing lightly. Jacob is always in such a rush in the morning.
"See you later mom." I grab my backpack as I race to the car and jump in.
"So little sis big day tomorrow, are you ready for it?"
"I’m scared. I’m not strong so what if I struggle with the shift? What if I can’t shift? What if I don’t have a strong wolf?” I look at my hands resting in my lap rather than Jacob’s face.
“Don’t think like that. None of that is going to happen. You are so much stronger than you think you just have to learn to believe in yourself. We will be there to support you.” He looks over and gives me one of his goofy grins and I can’t help but smile back. My brother has always been so amazing to me.
"OH MY GOD" I was almost yanked out of the jeep by my best friend Jenny Addams. We had known each other since we had first started school and had just instantly clicked. We also have birthdays are very close, so she was also getting her wolf soon. She would be turning 18 in 2 days, so we had been sharing in out excitement.
"Hey Jenny." My brother looked over at Jenny and I thought I saw a gleam of something in his eyes before he turned to face the road again.
"Later Jacob." Jenny called over her shoulder without taking her eyes off me. She looped her arm and mine as we headed towards the school. "How are you not more excited Mar? I am so excited I feel like I might combust." She let out a small squeal of excitement.
"I guess I can just contain it a bit better." I chuckle lightly. I've always been composed when it came to my emotions and how I handled them. My mom had always said that I was the calmest baby she had ever seen. We headed straight to our lockers so that we could grab our books but as we walked up, I was met with just the person who knew how to ruin my day.
"Well, if it isn't a loser patrol!" Angela Smith stood at my locker with her hands resting on her hips and a smug look on her face. She was the daughter of one of the strongest fighters of the pack, but it was no secret she wanted a position of power and had her eyes set on the current Alpha's son Carter Black. I was surprised to see her by herself since she usually had her lackies Cindy and Mary trailing behind her.
"Did you need something Angela?" I slide around her, opening my locker and pulling out my books. I was hoping to avoid pissing her off today she could be really cruel when she set her mind to it.
"I heard you both are finally getting your wolves soon. I thought I would say congratulations." She smiles at us, but the smile never reaches her eyes.
"That is abnormally nice of you." Jenny says from behind me. Angela has always been such a bully and Jenny can’t stand her. “What do you really want?”
"Well as the future Luna of the pack I feel I should make note of the losers that will make up the weakest wolves in our pack." She grins at her own little jab at us as if she were truly amused by her own wit, or lack thereof.
"You know you are not going to be the future Luna of this pack. Future Alpha Carter is just killing time with you. You are delusional if you think he would choose you and we all know he isn’t your mate since you both have turned 18 already and gotten your wolves." Jenny had gotten right into Angela's face which was an easy task since they both stood about 5'8". You could see the rage flare up into Angela's eyes and tell that her wolf was ready to fight. I pulled on Jenny's arm trying to get her to back down knowing that it would not end well if these two fought.
"Look here you little b***h, you don't know s**t about where I stand, and you would do well to remember that. You haven't even gotten your wolf yet and you think you can take me on? You better show me the respect I deserve." Angela's tone became very shrill to the point that people were beginning to look in our direction.
"You think I need my wolf to take you out? Girl please I will kick your ass right here right now just say the word." Out of no where Angela shoved Jenny into the lockers and started laughing.
“Oh hell no” Jenny launches herself at Angela pinning her to the ground and starts hitting her repeatedly. At this point a crowd as started to gather around to observe the fight.
“Jenny STOP!” She can’t hear me over the crowd. All of a sudden there is a loud growl that shakes the lockers in the hall. I look up to see Alpha to be Carter standing there with my brother looking on at Jenny and Angela. Jenny immediately stands up and backs up to stand next to me. Angela goes to stand by Carter linking her arm through his.
“Baby did you see that? She attacked me out of nowhere.”
“That isn’t what happened Alpha Carter.” Jenny looks up and I can see the defiance in her eyes.
“It doesn’t matter what started it, it ends now.” Alpha Carter orders.
“Yes Alpha Carter.” We all say in unison.
“Amara I was bringing you the keys to the Jeep. I’m going with Alpha Carter so I wanted to be sure you could get home later.” He drops the keys in my hands, but I am only half paying attention. I can’t seem to take my eyes off Alpha Carter. He is a god standing before me with his broad shoulders and muscled, tattooed arms sticking out of the sleeves of his t-shirt. He has short black hair that just slightly falls into his face. That’s when I realize that his gorgeous Jade green eyes are staring back at me as if he is taking in everything about me just like I am with him. Something about this beautiful man is making my whole body warm and I look down as I feel heat rising in my cheeks.
“Jacob says it’s your birthday tomorrow. Happy birthday Amara.” Alpha Cater's voice is so deep as he says my name. I feel like I might unravel right here.
“Thank you, Alpha Carter. I should probably head to class. I’ll see you later Jacob.” I reach out to grab Jenny’s arm and pull her with me. I look up in just enough time to see Angela glaring at me with pure rage in her eyes.
Oh my goddess was she able to figure out what I was thinking?
Was it so obvious to everyone?