Embracing The Night

Muffy ... I wake suddenly to the familiar "Here Comes The Sun" verse from the nostalgic Beatles. Drowsily, I look beside me to see my alarm clock beaming back at me with the bright red numbers: "4:30." I swing my hand, hitting the broken button on the top of the alarm clock harder than needed. Groaning as I roll onto my side, a small yawn escapes my mouth, as I snuggle underneath my fluffy comforter. As I begin to drift back off, I am suddenly startled again. This time by a soft "oomph" followed by a soft whine. I untangle myself from the comforter and lower my hand to be greeted by wet kisses from my furry companion, Moo. Moo is a small, black-and-tan Shiba Inu that my mother and I rescued when I was 10 years old. A smile curls up my pink lips as I stretch in my bed, reminiscing on fond memories. Images float in my mind of a little floof running beside me exploring the paths that had been carved into the dark evergreen forest, known as Tall Trees, over the decades that the Blood Moon pack has inhabited this area. I rise from my fortress of blankets and slip on my fuzzy panda slippers. Stretching before grabbing my black spandex short-shorts, which mom absolutely despises. I slide into an elegant black lace bra that caresses my chest nicely and lastly, I throw on my new forest green crop top. Moo circles around my feet in anticipation. I quickly glance at myself in the mirror before retreating upstairs. My mousy brown hair hugs my face messily, falling in waves down my shoulders. Emerald green eyes stare back at me under thick black lashes. My slender nose ends abruptly, much like my father's I'm told.. However, my high cheek bones and luscious pink lips more than make up for it. Quickly, I ascend the stairs winding up to the shared kitchen of the packhouse with Moo right at my heels. I have lived in this packhouse for what has felt like all of my life. I let Moo out into the backyard and as I turned to head inside to get a start on breakfast, I noticed that the sunflower garden was over-blooming and could use some pruning. Speedily, I grabbed the snippers from the shed and tended to the sunflowers. I managed to harvest enough for a bouquet and made a mental note to return later in the day to finish the task as I walked towards the kitchen doors. You see, in traditional Blood Moon customs, women in the pack of lower ranking status tend to the cooking and other household duties of the packhouse, out of respect for the pack and for our Alpha and Luna. However, in the case of how I ended up getting myself into this position. Well... My mother married William, Alpha of the Blood Moon pack, after my father passed away in a horrific railway accident. I was only 3 at the time and the only thing I can remember about him are his kind brown eyes. I do recall my mother grieving and becoming quite hysterical, but it felt like in no time at all William appeared, her knight in shining armor. I have always been skeptical of William.. Yes, William is the attractive Alpha of the Blood Moon pack and he is also my step father. But for my mother to lose her mate and be swept up in this life has never resonated with me. William has had a large voice in how I am to be raised and treated within the pack. I have been homeschooled and segregated from the pack my entire life as per William's request. I am also held solely responsible for tending to meal preparation for the entire packhouse, as well as other household chores, and whatever else the Alpha feels like punishing me with that day.. The worst of his assaults has been the isolation from my own mother. Things were slow at first.. Simple rules that he would instill only on me and never on any of the other pups. Meanwhile, the first- and second-born alphas: Jacob and Briana (a.k.a. the twins), get to attend the school on our packs' grounds and get to skip out on any of the chores around the packhouse. Leaving me to pick up their slack. When I was younger I didn't understand what the difference was between myself and my step siblings. Now, however, that I have a few years under my belt I realize that William is simply an Alpha treating me as he deems fit based solely on my rank in the pack. Even though I am rightfully his through marriage, he will never see me as his own blood or anything above my omega ranking. I have come to accept this as my truth and have been awaiting the day that my wolf comes to me and I can finally leave the Blood Moon pack, that never felt like home, behind me. "Only a few more days..." I mutter under my breath as I place the large crate of eggs onto the counter. I gracefully move around the kitchen, almost in a trance, a frying pan here, a mixing bowl there, and a pile of ingredients piled high on the countertop. I get lost in my regular routine in the kitchen. When I glance at the clock again, it reads "5:23." Hurriedly, I set the table. Enough for the Alpha and Luna, the twins, the Beta family and lastly, myself. Looking over my latest accomplishment, I see a tall stack of pancakes and waffles paired with a serving dish of assorted toppings, including whipped cream, fresh strawberries and blueberries from the gardens, and sauces. Loaded bacon, spinach and cheese omelettes filled the center of the large cedar table. An exuberantly large ceramic bowl was overfilling with fresh fruit. Along with a smaller bowl filled with the fresh sourdough buns I made this morning. Of course, how could I miss the heaping plates of bacon and sausages scattered across the long table. Content. I add the finishing touches, which consists of getting pitchers of orange juice and the freshly picked bouquet onto the table. I decided to go with the cerulean blue vase with scattered white lillies for the flowers I gathered. Deciding that it really made the bright yellows and oranges of the sunflowers pop. I retrieve Moo and retreat back inside. As I enter the large french doors, I am greeted by a warm familiar smile. "G'morning sis!" Jacob grins at me devilishly. "Excited for the weekend?" Of course I am. This weekend is finally the beginning of me regaining my freedom. It was my 17th birthday party, which only added more excitement in the pack due to my wolf not making an appearance yet. I couldn't help but smile as I sat at the table, "yes! I am excited.' Is all I can get out. Jacob is by far nicer than my step sister, Steph, but I have learned that letting my guard down is never a good idea. Jacob parts his lips as if to say more, but is cut off before he begins when Alpha William and Luna Melody walk into the kitchen. No words are needed, once Alpha William is in the room the energy changes to coldness and you cannot help but feel more alert and on edge. I stiffen in my seat. William sits at the head of the table engaging in small talk with our Luna and Jacob about pack affairs. While the others slowly join us for breakfast. I notice Melody glance at me while William was distracted in conversation. She sent a chilling sneer my way as her eyes found her way to my short-shorts, but no further remarks were made as she quickly averted her eyes to devotedly gaze upon Alpha William. Breakfast, other than some drama with the newly constructed New Blood and Lone Night packs was, otherwise, quite uneventful. After being excused from the table I go back downstairs to use the secondary bathhouse. It's not as nice as the primary bathhouse, but you can't beat the privacy of the dungy basement. I brush my teeth and pull my brown locks back into a tight bun, fastening it with a black bow. I quickly enhance my cat-shaped emerald eyes with black eye liner and add a light brush of bronzer. Checking the time, it's "6:30" and by now the rest of the pack should have gone to training. I head upstairs to get a headstart on the breakfast dishes and the inevitable list of chores that follow. Noon ... The morning flew by before me, spending the majority of the morning cleaning and organizing Jacob's and Steph's rooms, somehow I still managed to fit in a short Pilates session. It may not be much. But since Alpha William has dictated that I am not to train with the pack, I had to take some measures of my own. I just finished prepping the lasagna that will be tonight's feast along with lunch, consisting of grilled turkey and swiss sandwiches paired with a creamy mac and cheese (as per Jacob's request during his morning classes.) Jacob and Steph should be home soon for lunch, which leaves me a short window of opportunity to hear the latest gossip at school before retreating to me solitude for my own curriculum. Like clockwork, Steph strolls in with her Gucci hot pink bag in hand, tossing it on the armoir as she walks in. Jacob is only a few strides behind her. His gold locks dance in the air while his light freckles sparkle on the bridge of his nose. "Smells good sis!" Jacob inhales deeply, "guessing you got my text?" "Yes I did, I hope you like my efforts." I blush. I can't help but be nervous when surrounded by his alpha energy. Lunch goes by much too quickly. Jacob hardly spoke inbetween the bites of mac and cheese and sandwiches. Steph leaked that there was a scrimmage between two of the older boys during training. Nothing really came of it but apparently it was exciting. This little bit of gossip is what I live for. It's one of the small connections that I have to the pack and their world. Yes, I have my boyfriend, Paul, and my best friend Calie. But, Calie is an omega like me and has duties of her own that keep her schedule busy. Paul.. Paul is my safety net. We were friends from when my mother tried to put me into human elementary school. Paul was the only one who I connected with and wasn't afraid of me because of my lineage. There are still things that I don't feel I can share or trust with Paul though... He accepts me for who I am yet we are from different worlds. There is so much that we don't understand about eachother or our lives. So when I get a glimpse into the life of the pack I cherish every moment of it. Even the little things as silly as Doug and George getting into a fight on the training grounds. I chuckle to myself... yes, a smile lingers on my lips. I think. Werewolves just aren't quite the same as humans even before we have matured and gone through the change. This thought continues to wreak havoc in my mind throughout the afternoon well into the late evening. Dinner went according to plan, as most meals that I prepare and execute do. The lasagna and garlic bread were a huge hit. I need to get a move on my English Literature paper but all I can think about right now is how nice a hot bath would feel. I enter my small room where the deep sea blue walls greet me. I slowly slip out of my shorts and crop top. Letting my clothes and bra hit the ground as I step out of them. I find my soft fuzzy robe hanging behind the door and slide into its familiar warmth. I pick up my laptop and make my way off to the bathhouse. Walking barefoot down the hallway I smell the familiar green tea and eucalyptus scent. Two smells that I have been always so fond of. The bathhouse is empty, as to be expected. I turn on the taps and drizzle the Himalayan salt and milky bubble bath into the water. As the bubbles rise I slowly lower myself into the tub. Dipping one foot at first.. It's so very hot, yet after a minute it becomes soothing. Fully submerged I feel the warmth encompassing my pelvis and breasts. Spreading beyond just the surface. Mindlessly, I let my fingers trail circles down my body. Starting at the nape of my neck.. Trailing down the curve of my breast as I lay on my back. Further down the sides of my smooth stomach. My fingers move with a mind of their own. Unconsciously, my fingers approach my pelvis, and I am interrupted by a cold laugh that escaped from behind me. "You know, even if I didn't already have my wolf I could have smelt your arousal from upstairs.' Steph sneers at me. Embarrassed, my fingers immediately push the bubbles over my breasts and private area. Steph's smile widens. "Don't worry, your secret is safe with me." She turns and is halfway out the door when she looks back over her shoulder and laughs again. I sink defeated in the clawfoot soaker tub. Even here in my solitude it seems there is no reprieve. I should not be surprised, as this isn't the first time my privacy had been invaded by one of the twins. Steph usually seemed to have it out for me though. I sulkily pull myself out of the tub letting the suds fall off my body. Grabbing a towel I quickly dart to my bedroom collapsing on the bed. "Everything will be different when I turn 18..." I mumble more to myself, but am greeted by the familiar "ooomph", which reminds me that Moo is by my side, as always. Drifting off. I remember seeing a glimpse of a white wolf with bright sea blue eyes who faded as quickly as it appeared. Only to be replaced by a silky black wolf with eyes that felt as though they could pierce through your soul just from staring into them for too long. A familiar feeling overwhelmed me, yet it was too clear that this was all unknown... ...