Traits That Define Us

(Yusira POV) Ever since I can remember, my family has always stuck together, that is… until my mother noticed a change in my appearance at the age of six. From fair and rose to a honey chestnut completion in a matter of hours of my waking. Brushing my teeth, I spit and returned to the mirror above the sink, my toothbrush falling to the floor as I noticed my pale icy gray irises’ gaze back at me. I screamed as loud as my lungs would let me, in complete shock as my brunette hair turned a jet black but my bangs were a silvery-white. “Yusira! What’s going on baby girl?” my mother questioned as she neared the door. “No Momma, don’t come in!” I begged. I was to late as she barged in, her hands flew to her widened mouth to hide her shock, her hazel eyes I once owned were now disgusted with the sight of me. “No, no...” was all she could muster. “I was being careful, I was a good wife!” she screamed before taking off and running through the front door. I heard her start her car, Daddy is at work, Brian is currently at school. I sobbed as I sat on the floor of the bathroom, Momma left me there and didn’t make sure I was fed, I peed on myself from crying so much, hunger pains made me sleepy. The sound of a car door woke me, the house was dark, I stink now, my shoulder hurts from sleeping on the floor for so long too. The front door opened, I sat up, Daddy came in and that was the end of my life as the Gamma's daughter. “Where is May?” he asked me through a growl. To timid to answer, I sniffled and pointed to the front door. “Who are you and why are you in my house?” he inquired through a more savage growl. “Daddy, please it's me!” I cried more. “Lies! Where is my wife and daughter?” he snarled in an instant. “WHERE ARE THEY?” he demands as he throws me into the tub rough and forcefully. I’m not sure why he would throw me with so much force, but he did, my pain was nothing compared to the broken porcelain tub that crumbled under my quivering foot and ringing head. So dizzy, my back hurts, something is dripping down the side of my face too. I could barely stay awake, so blurry now… My eyes are insanely heavy to keep open, it was dark for a moment before I sensed a brisk breeze on my clamoring skin. Only able to keep my right eye open, it was night, my shirt is also choking me as I’m being pulled along the piercing grass blades. “Daddy?” I muttered, my lip suddenly hurting as I spoke. “I’m not your father girl, since you keep playing this game, I’m going to take you to the Alpha and see what he thinks of your lies.” He scoffed as he continued to drag me through the rest of the walk. I could tell I was never cleaned up, he even hit me while I was out… my lip wasn’t in so much pain before. “I am Yusira, Daddy!” I pleaded through sobs, a horse voice and faint hope of not going to the Regal Claws' Alpha. “What's Brian's favorite thing he can’t be without?” he abruptly questioned. Stopping in the case as he awaited my answer. “Momma, you and Bryan got into a big fight cause you both love Momma,” I whined. I was dropped behind him, a low growl escaped his chest… an angry growl that seemed to radiate through the grass and the cold breeze. “You are no daughter of mine, a new slave, left by May for some reason. Don’t speak to me or Bryan, don’t talk to any one of the Pack either.” He seethed. “You are to attend to the chores, ensure dinner is done for the house until you shift… And even then, I will hunt and kill you before then… If you even can shift.” He promised. I nodded, harshly, sitting on my heels, continuing to nod as my hands laid in my lap. “You sleep in the basement,” he shared as he walked off, “you better not wake my son either.” He spat lastly. I gulped, limping while behind his tall figure, at least I can stay at home… the Moon was in a half phase, I vowed over that phase to keep away from Daddy’s bad side at all times. Time went on, months passed into year’s, twelve years to be exact… the hardships I faced were nothing to the current hardships I’m suffering from now. Bryan and I have gotten so much older, he’s now twenty-two and four years older than I am. He is one of the chosen wolves to be Beta of the Regal Claws Pack and stand beside the Alpha. I never really met anyone from the pack, these are just stories Bryan came home to tell Daddy and I happened to be standing there. Their orders, demands and such are rare now that Bryan was about to move out for College. The Alpha also must attend before he takes over the pack, they need a skill of ‘Mingling among Humans' to reign over the pack. “Get your stupid head out of the clouds and clean those damn dishes!” I heard Bryan bark, what I didn’t expect was a spoon being thrown and pelting me in the temple. “I’m sorry, sir…” I hesitated, slowly exhaling to ease my nerves... “Sira, you've been with us this long and you seem to get slower every time.” He chuckled. Daddy was minding his tv as he ate his hardy breakfast fit for any stalking male. “Leave her be, get to school before I have to hear about it from the school.” Daddy demands with a growl and gritted teeth. Surely, my racing heart rate was exciting him, he tends to like my anxiety… Giving him a sense of power, I assume. “Yes… thank you, sir,” I stated after I gulped. I calmly walked to the basement door, opened it, and heading deeper into the dimly lit area. Picking through a tattered and holey trash bag, I pulled a black short-sleeved tee-shirt that is super baggy. I’m not starved to death or anything, considering all my work was well kept. Brian has already shifted, so he is in search of a mate, Momma never returned and Daddy seems to be getting antsy, wolves live for the thrill of a mate. I overheard Daddy telling Bryan that when he finds his fated mate, he will want no other individual near him. I will be eighteen in a few months, about the time of the Beta Ceremony in November, but what will i do after this? If by chance, I can escape to college, I may be able to break free of his torture and torment. Placing on some khaki capris, a flimsy book bag of lavender was placed on my back, and my hair was pulled into a tight ponytail. Turning to face my small cot, I noticed my stuff and the cot were floating. My palms covered my mouth not to make a sound, my eyes wide, the sound of my basement door opened abruptly, and ‘Boom', ‘Crash!’, with a ‘Bang!’ Was all that could be heard. “What the f**k are you doing down here?” Bryan asked as he noticed my now damaged belongings. “I’m sorry,” I began, “Shut up and let’s f*****g go, Dad wants me to drop you off, for some reason...” he informed in a sarcastic tone. Ignoring the mess of my sleeping area, I kept my gaze to the floor, heading up the stairs, his arm wrapped before my waist, and stopping me beside him within the narrow stairway. “I’m leaving in three months after the Ceremony,” he stated, his claws digging into my side, I gulped, my powers were surging under my skin, and I don’t think my poker face will last much longer under his suggestion either. “I plan on having you as soon as you turn eighteen, Slave.” He promises as he releases me and allows me up the stairs. Gripping the arms of my bag while making my way through the living room, to the front door, and Bryan's car. “The Alpha has requested that I attend a meeting in the afternoon, take the bus, and get here on time, rouges have been spotted in the area and you belong to me, Runt.” His new nickname was given to me two years ago when I was supposed to shift. I overhead that wolves of the Regal Claws pack shift by the age of sixteen, I only came into my magic, other packs: eighteen, nineteen, or twenty. Since the urge to mate starts around the same time as the shift, most males can’t bother to wait for a mate. Inbreeding is common among packs too, but I don’t want to be taken by them, or anyone from this idiotic pack. For twelve whole years, the Alpha has never bothered to visit, to view our home life, to ensure that all Pack members were in a decent household. Dad- Jared Marz is the Gamma's name, my mother May Isto, the best tracker any pack could have. From what I heard, she and Jared were not fated Mates, just High School sweethearts. Why she left me that day, I want to know, how can a mother leave her child unattended like that? A low growl escaped my brothers' chest, thus startling me and causing my gaze to land on him. “Sorry, sir…” I uttered timidly. Bryan pushed me into the passenger, slamming the door on my leg, “Ow, s**t!”, I’m used to the pain from the outside, but screaming at the top of my lungs on the inside efferlessly. “Move your leg, doofus!” he demands as he shut the door exactly at the time I lifted my leg. Sighing as he started the engine, my head to the window, silence in the air sadly. He flicks the radio and some new song I’m never sure of comes to play, the lyrics are what spoke to me, “Maybe one day, I won’t sing about you… I’ll sing a song about someone new! But right here right now, you are on my mind, and I think about you all the ti-i-ime! I’m sending a message to you, and I hope that'll get through! When it was good, it was bitter-sweet ho-ney! You make me stay till I love the shade of bl-u-ue! I know you don’t want to talk to me so this is what I will do, love if you’re listening, here’s one last song for you-u-u!” before the knucklehead sang along. Silently, I begged the Moon Goddess to render me deaf… to no avail, forced to listen to his off-key and tone-deaf idiocy as the car pulled to a stop at the entrance. I got out before anything was said, Brain honking and speeding off. Not before nearly taking out a soccer Moms' van nearly head-on, I giggled as the dangling taillight swayed back and forth. “I can’t believe the Gamma's son just hit your Mom’s van Beth!” gossip started behind me. “I’ll be sure to kill him in the middle of the street.” The one called Beth seethed. Keeping my head down to my syllabus, I left for my locker, if I can keep away from everyone I won’t have to fight at school and home. Left, right, they pool around my locker and I. This way, that way and over there too, so many are shifters of other species, hunters in a clan, witches of great magic sense or my worst fear… Vampire. Some being half-bloods that can survive the day, others being pure and can only come out at night. Pulling books from my bag, my locker door was suddenly run into, smacking me in the head and forcing my powers to surface. A telltale sign my powers tend to make the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end, my palms used to get ridiculously sweaty, to the point of dripping sweat on the floor. Rubbing my forehead, I took a peek and glared at the tall numbnuts not paying any mind to where he was going. To my surprise, it was the future Beta in choosing, Zeek Horn. I had only seen him once, before the future Alpha Nick Wilds left for training at the Royal Academy for High-Status Shifters in the territory of the Gray Beasts, I think. “Sor-… wait… Who are you?” Zeek winked at me. My gaze still on him, I sighed, slightly bowing my head to him, and left towards the girl’s bathroom. The thought of having that baby blue-eyed, chocolate brown curly cue with a baby face by my side would draw way too much attention to myself. Catching my breath, I swallowed what saliva I had, washed my hands and heard the bell. Heading out, suffering through eight classes by my lonesome, and avoiding anyone that approached. By the last bell, I made quick to get through the sea of students to my locker. Shutting it once my homework was dropped off, I’ve made sure I had a study hall this year, so now I have time before I go home to do my homework. Jared told me at one time, if I was stuck doing the dishes after homework, he'd knock some sense into me before I got to school next Tuesday… The bus ride was no calm feat either, paper planes, candy wrappers are thrown on the floor, everyone screaming at each other for each other’s attention. It was annoying me until my stop came up, I shoved my way through the aisle as the driver waited for my exit, sighing as I leaped from the top step and waltz towards the house with my key already withdrawn. Recalling that girl and the future Beta seeming to be trying to pry, I hope they pry a little to much… My senses were on edge for some reason, my powers are giving me a warning for something, but little did I suspect for it to be my brother! Stark naked and growling as he had a woman under him on the couch. His car must be in the garage, how was I supposed to know? “Get OUT, wench!” he barked to me. Startled, I quickly left from the front door, Jared will be super pissed and instead went on a stroll into the darker side of town… (Zeek's POV) Being chased by these she wolves, cheerleaders too, being a wolf is hard enough, but to be chased into a random magic girls locker and she gives me a cold glare. I was shocked to know there was actually one out there that could treat ME that way. Zeek Horn, best friend of Nick Wilds and one of the three chosen wolves to become the next Beta. Baby faced blue eyes, and curls that make all the girls insanely melt under me. Her silver irises are what caught my attention, I was incredibly drawn to them for some strange reason. “Sor-… Hold on, who might you be?” I inquired curiously with a dashing grin. She gave me a narrowed look, not exactly a scowl, but she narrowed her eyes and rubbed her forehead as she walked away. I was appalled to see her actions, my mouth dropping to the floor and my arms are now tangled by the girls that had given chase earlier. “Ze-ek,” a she-wolf sang. “Don’t feel bad about her, I heard she got out of the Gamma's son's car and made him hit a Hunter’s Mom's van.” She spouted. “Who is she to the Gamma?” I asked openly, watching her enter the bathroom. She shrugged as the six girls dragged me from the area, questions floated in my head as well as my wolf. “You’re right, something is off about her.” Bungo chimed in. “She seems to be of mixed blood as far as I can tell, but magic is her strong suit.” He added. The thought kept crossing my mind every class period, catching glimpses of her as she passed me by. I noticed she didn’t have a scent either, probably using her magic to hide it, but how can anyone overlook the cutie? By lunch, I noticed she would take it outside, she was tuned into a notebook of sorts and kept to herself. No one talked to her, but no one picked on her either, carrying herself well too. I noticed a familiar face talking to her. That bright red hair, those emerald eyes, that somewhat average physique and a bright smile. Dressed down in a basic, classy style, Alanna Manx was holding a conversation with her. I know that she is the future Head of the Mystic Moon Coven and she is only interested in two basic things: Her Coven and to help Nick strengthen the pack. “We should ask…” Bungo wagged his tail within my mind. “OR maybe inform Nick before she slips away?” I suggest placing my index over my chin. “No fool!” he barked. Rolling my eyes slightly, I sighed seeing my defeat and kept my eyes on them, the poor magic user never smiled to her, but kept her eyes straight. I noticed as they spoke, Alanna is being highly friendly to her, using her hands to speak, a smile on her face the entire time. “Think her cheeks hurt?” he yipped. I chuckled to that, a gasp escaped one of them, my eyes quickly gazed to them again. The honey chestnut toned, stunning lady before Alanna had her icy gray irises right on me, not only allowing a terrible chill run down my spine but forcing my knees to buckle from her beauty. Unsure whether to, run or embrace the sadness that her acorns eyes portrayed, I gulped. Alanna waved to me, smiling as brightly as ever, but the other lowered her gaze, averting both Alanna and I while her hand held her right arm. I mean her hair even looks silky, a great color scheme too, jet black and silvery white bangs. It made her pouty face stand out, her voluptuous lips were pressed together and she mumbled something to Alanna. “I’m going to go, nice to meet you.” She started softly before taking off with her book in tow. Alanna watched her leave all the while placing her fists on her hips and turning her gaze to surely glare at me. I whimpered, lowering my head and slowly approaching. “Why’d you scare her off?” she requested in a preppy tone. Her approach was swift, I didn’t notice anything, Rubbing the back of my neck, I shrugged and receiving a slap to the back of the head from her. “Why are you here anyway?” she inquired as she crossed her arms. “I bumped into that girl earlier today and wanted to say sorry…” I informed sheepishly. She raised an eyebrow to me, “I tried to say sorry, but I notice out of everyone here, she never had a scent.” I mumbled the last part. She began to used and index finger to tap her chin as she glanced back to the direction of the lady that left. “What do your wolf think she is?” she asked openly. “Yes… I've been following her all day, no one knows anything about her except she came here Junior year...” I answered. “Yeah, I heard that she was with the Gamma's son this morning… And she usually walks to school.” She informed me. My eyes widened as I heard this news, my right hand over my chest and I leaned backwards a bit… “You knew that already, huh?” she inquired, causing me to shake my head “NO” rapidly and smirk, “What gave you that idea Lanna?” I asked sarcastic. Her face now a scowl, a roll of her eyes and she sighed as she left inside the school, the echoing bells aiding in startling me. “Be good, or she’ll set a fire under your seat.” He yipped, a half smile and a shrug was my retort. I strolled off to class, the first to the class, my folder up as I began texting everything to Nick. He needs to know everything Alanna wants to know, even those sad eyes that speak in volumes. “ZEEK! No phones in class!” I heard Mr. Blades shout to me, I quickly sent the message, caught off guard by the eraser that knocked my folder down. “Sorry!” I saluted, rising from my seat and putting my phone in my book bag. Sitting back down, suffering through the last four classes of the day and heading back to the Regal claws. Luckily Nick got the first week of school off until we scope out the place, I wonder how the Gamma's son is going to do with his report? “He’s a clutz… Brian is his name.” Bungo helped, I shrugged, heading to my fancy car and starting it. I suddenly heard my passenger door open, gasping as Alanna got in and sighed. “Don’t just jump into people’s vehicles, you scared me.” I growled. “Big baby…” she groaned, strapping herself in “We need to go see Nick, I’ve had a vision and that girl is a apart of something interesting.” She explained through a slight sigh. “Is this a ‘Good’ interesting or ‘Bad’ interesting?” I inquired with a straight face. “A bit of both my seated Beta, Mark and Brian have sealed their own fates…” she started after walking off into the Main Pack House. “Just cause you tell me the future, it doesn’t guarantee it will remain that way.” I chuckled to her. “But as the future Coven Head of the Mystic Moon… My visions are always true.” She informed calmly, confidence radiating from her slightly gritting teeth. I dare not push her, she is correct, but to face off against a brute such as herself would put me in the Pack infirmary for a year. Making my way through the Pack house, my nose already on Nick's scent, Alanna leading as if she was following it as well. I wonder about her sometimes, her powers can be convenient as they are deadly. From mythology, I recall reading something on Witches, being; All magic on this plane carries a price. She stopped at a pair of marvelously carved wooden doors within the Mansion- like home, the gentle knock she gave, a short scuffle, “Come in!” I was startled by the Alpha's voice. Alanna sighed, pushing the door open and our gazes met the smiling Alpha with Nick and Beta Maze in headlocks. “Just tell him what it is, Nick!” Beta Maze barked. “I am no snitch, leave it alone!” Nick barked savagely, Beta Maze snarled, his claws erupting from his fingertips and the Alpha nearly choking them to death. “To dirty to clean your act up, future Alpha Nick?” Alanna chimed, crossing her arms and giving a side eye. His eyes landed on both of us, snapping to his senses, he slipped from his Father's grip instantly and sniffing the air around us. “What’s’ at this school you two attended?” he inquired as his Dad released the Beta and gruffly scoffed with a fist to his side. “You were the only two to attend?” the Alpha requests as he glared to the back of his sons' head. “His wolf is antsy for some reason, do NOT anger him!” Bungo demands of me from within. “She seems so sad…” I mumbled under my breath as I averted my gaze to the cashmere area rug of gold and emerald beneath me. ”She?” Nick spoke as he gave me a confused mixed expression, “There is a strange girl that I have never seen with the Gamma's eldest son…” Alanna explained through a sigh and subtle hand movements. Nick raised an eyebrow as he glanced to me and back to her, “I have reason to believe that this may be an exceptional school to allow Alpha Nick to attend, but….” She added. I noticed the Alpha behind Nick had raised an eyebrow to her as well, my mouth to the floor and the room in silence. “Do you have any proof of this ‘relation to the Gamma', or is this a ruse?” Beta Maze snarked to her. Her gaze narrowed at him, she never scowls, but she despises belittling from other races. She swiftly held up her index and pointer fingers, waving slightly and bending them downward as he was brought back to his knees. “The girl is way to timid to speak to anyone, even if Nick comes to the school, I don’t think she will be able to even get close to him. If I can just get her to speak out on her powers long enough for us to ease into her life…” she reasoned. “Why?” both Nick and the Alpha demand, although…. Nick sniffed the air around me again, an expression of ‘hunger' layered on his face, kind of like the way my Dad looks at my Mom. How the Alpha gazes at his Luna, I couldn’t help myself to bring my index over my chin and glance about the room speechless. “Doesn't matter, I’m going anyway, I think I’m ready for a bit of human interaction.” He chuckled while leaving the room and a faint smile lazily creeping on his face. Gaining his wolf, attending a Royal school for Shifters at the Moon Demon Pack, or closer to deities that birthed our races. I didn’t particularly get into those classes alone, Nick chose me for some reason to be a part of the Triple Beta Choosing Ceremony in November. Making my way to my parent’s pack home, I flopped onto my bed and linked to Nick about the day. He accepted, everything I felt throughout the day, his reassuring emotions flowed through me until I let ‘her' slip. “Who is that?” Nick asked through the link, unsure of how he would take it, I told him anyway. “Alanna knows more about her than I do, but no one knows her, they don’t bother her either and she keeps a low profile. I bumped into her locker and she just walked away.” I surmised sadly. “You appear to have something for her…” he mentioned openly. “Well, I know how it feels to be all alone at a new school and not a soul to talk to, but I still never got to say sorry.” I retort. The link was then cut, my eyes drifted, sleep took over and the Moon, as I blinked the last time was crescent-shaped.