Traits That Define Us

Chapter 2. Nick Wilds POV

Keep calm, do your part, lead the weak to become strong. I know that I am only capable of being my best, my Pack the Regal Claws deserve the very best in terms of our survival in Somber Springs City. The top of the food chain is where we wolves shall sit, no one or creature to bring us to our knees. Waking for the first day of the second week of school in August, I groaned and Haze rustled about in my brain. “We’re going to school! Wake your ass up!” he barked directly. Meh, no one likes school, unless you've never been there. “I need to be in school today.” Haze barked savagely in my head, forcing my sigh, an Alpha is very complex. Wanting one thing, yet straying to another and taking compensation as they go. Alpha Amel E. Wilds is my father, Lycan King of the Regal Claws, dabbling well with his own steady income to accommodate the packs of our magnitude and the allies we have. My uncle Miles Howls is also a Lycan, neighbor to our territory Northeast of us called the Gray Beasts. He and his Luna lead well, their support with us adds more wealth, thus everyone has the essentials to get by, Omegas also. To the South, the Wild Shadows, though in a treaty with them I can tell Dad isn’t too fond of them, and their magic using Alpha.

Not sure about the details but I had to get up, my wolf yapping, the sun beaming through my shades, it was maddening! A quick shower, brushing my teeth, and heading to my half-empty walk-in, I managed a decent pair of jeans and a maroon tee. Taking my time to dress, a knock came at my door, “Just a sec!” I called. The scents of Alanna, Bryan, and Zeek came to me. Something or someone else too, just like that Wednesday when Alanna and Zeek came to report about the school, something around them is pleasing to my nose. My shirt was the last thing to put on, my shoulder-length brunette hair still wet and drapping to my skin. I glanced to a mirror, noticing my amber eyes, chiseled contour, a snazzy vibe about me. I sighed as the stride to my door was supported with savage growls and snarls. Swinging the door in agitation, it slammed the wall behind it, causing Bryan and Zeek to whimper. “Is there a reason you two are bickering or are you both just idiots?” I growled. “Sorry, Alpha…” they whimpered, Bryan rose his head quickly, seemingly interested in something I may know perhaps.

“Alpha, I heard that you may be interested in a housemate of my Father's?” he remembered. “Am I?” I directed the question to Alanna, giving a wide eye expression to me, nodding before Bryan could glance at her and she stoppped. Raising an eyebrow, I shut my door behind me after grabbing my book bag and walked through them. Along the way they caught up, I sat on the railing of the grand staircase and slid down. Nabbing any breakfast from the servants as they walked up the stairs. Continuing my walk to the Pack garage, "Stay out here for a moment you two." I ordered Zeek and Alanna in the Foyer, Bryan was the only one to approach, "Alpha?" he inquired with hesitation. "I'm not sure what's going on, but I have reason to believe the Gamma may be up to something, both my Father and I know about the rouge you're housing," I informed flatly. "Oh, she's just a slave my mom left for my Dad is all..." he boasted with a light chuckle. "Hm... The Regal Claws has servants... not slaves, make sure she attends the Beta's Choosing in the next two months or I can't promise..." I stopped as the faint scent had forced my attention astray. "Nick?" Bryan asked with concern. "Ahem... Simply make sure this rouge attends and shares loyalty to the Regal Claws." I ordered, getting into my fancy vehicle with the overwhelming new car smell.

That scent on him nearly coerced me to mingle with him, "Mate is Mate, and will be my Mate no matter who mate is." Haze barked and wagged. "Get in you two," I ordered through the link, they were in and strapping in with haste. I opened the garage and left for the school, Charging High School in Human territory. Somber Springs city is also connected to the Gray Beasts, Wild Shadows, so three different packs and their future Alpha's attend. "So, how do I believe that this school is a 'decent' fit for me if you two are keeping me in the dark?" I asked openly. "Alanna?" Zeek referred.

"As far as I can tell, this rouge is a nice girl, she doesn't speak to anyone and even helps with some of the office duties." Alanna commenced. "Then why is she so interesting to the Coven or Pack?" I butted in. "I had a vision that involved the Gamma's death..." she added sadly. "Why didn't you lead with that?" Zeek asked for me. "But that's the strange thing too." she continued openly. "I promise I saw Katie was there to kill him," she concluded as she glanced back through the window. Alanna gasped, letting the window down, a scent refreshed the new car smell and enchanting me. "Pull over at this store, just up the street!" she harked at me, the scent was captivating, with a growl I followed orders. She was walking, covered in somewhat dark clothing that fit her stunningly.

"That's her!" Alanna squealed as she shot from the abruptly parked car and waved her down. However, my rapid driving may have caused her to stare at us like psychos but considering her scent unexpectedly vanished, Haze and I whimpered sadly. "I need to know about this one, let her ride with us," he demands, everyone ordering me around causes me to growl and exit the car along with Zeek as the beauty slightly declined Lanna. "Look," Zeek started before I could, "I never really got to apologize after hitting you with your locker..." he suggested with a bright grin. "No one said anything about making me a chauffer for everyone that attends school with us." I snarled to Lanna and Zeek. "No, just... um..." Alanna stopped as she glanced at the enchantress next to her. She started to pick her lower lip, attempting to hide the cut on the side, realizing my eyes watching her, she lowered her hand and gaze.

"Call me Sira... If it isn't too much trouble Alpha Nick, may I have a ride?" she elegantly requested, keeping her attention away from me. A strap on her book bag revealing a somewhat name brand of good status. "She's keeping her profile low, but not too low?" he pointed out. "Since only one of you three, has sense enough to consider asking me, I'll let her ride and I should make you two beg." I snarled. "Awe, that isn't very nice Nick, what if she won't consider you her Alpha cause you're so mean?" Zeek chimed getting in anyway. Alanna and Sira got in too, she appeared too nervous to want to speak. "Sorry about the Locker thing." Zeek proclaimed, breaking the silence. "That's the fourth time you've apologized to me, I've overlooked it the instant after it happened in hopes you'd forget," she informed him. "Bold to talk to the Beta that way." Haze spazzed. I chuckled at her remark, "Hey, you kept count?" he indicated with a smile.

"Yes and it's borderline stalking now..." she added causing Haze, Alanna, and I to burst into laughter. "I'm not a creeper guy..." he pouted. The car fell silent as we made our way towards the school, around the stoplight to enter, we were bombarded by young girls and their want to enter and find out who is inside. "The girls seem rough this week compared to last week..." Zeek spouted from the back. By a stroke of good luck, I managed to park, we could barely take five steps from the car as the ladies of all types surrounded us. "Lanna, get Sira out of here!" I called through the link."Can you take us to the office so he can get his syllabi?" Zeek lovingly asked a she-wolf as we succeeded in escaping the car. We were lugged away until Alanna's words came to us, "She's already gone!" she explained with shock.

The bell sounded, we needed to get to the office, "Her powers are astonishing, maybe the Coven could use her?" Haze suggested. "I thought you wanted to get to know her a bit better, her scent had you stumbling all over my head..." I bit back. I instantly linked to Lanna and Zeek, "Keep tabs, inform me of any strange persons she speaks to," I ordered them, the assurance through their feelings were enough for me, eight classes a day for a week, glimpses of her as she passed me by in the hall, and my efforts to get closer, complete failures. I had a study hall that I was headed to, her locker was a wall down, her head submerged in it slightly. I was mesmerized by her preppy style, her eyes never met mine and I merely happened to spill hand sanitizer in my bag. She closed her locker, I took this chance and made a rush to the fountain that she was about to pass.

Nearly forcing her into the lockers, spilling my pens, pencils, and notebooks fell around her, and a force of some kind, compelled me to my knees. "I'm terribly sorry, I wasn't paying any mind to where I was going!" she apologized as she dropped before me and helped pick everything up. The force that was compelling me kneel, incredibly strong, had lifted and the breath I hitched was released. "Such control..." Haze acknowledged. I made a grab for a pencil between us, my hand laying on it and her hand clasping mine.

My eyes grew wide, the faint sensation caused us to gaze at each other in an instant. She withdrew her hand, bringing it to her lips and picking again. "Sorry... About that, I spilled something in my bag." I informed shamelessly. "No, please, it's my fault and I'm running late to help in the Library." she replied with a faint smile. "She cares for others than her self in challenging times, she will make an excellent Luna." Haze bantered, "Stunning too, those eyes even speak volumes." he added. She picked up what little bit was left and dashed off to the library. I watched, noticing her scent filled the air shortly and a realization hit me. "Mate!" Haze howled wholeheartedly.

By Friday, I snuck from my Study Hall, making my way to the Library and spotting Sira as she was walking through with a set of younger students. Her smile captured how much she loves to help others, her guard was let down and the entire area smelled of pure bliss. "Alpha Nick..." Lanna came through the link. "I just heard that Katie Domino will be attending this school next month." she notified with extreme worry. My gaze landed on none other than Katie's blonde locks, in pigtails and a sporty outfit. "Zeek, keep your eyes peeled on Katie," I ordered. "she seems to have her eyes on the younger students coming into this school," I informed as I watched her scan the newbies. It wasn't until the end of the day, standing by my car waiting for Alanna and Zeek, that I saw Sira giggling with Katie. Her arm over Sira, Alanna trying to butt in, but sent away as Katie laughed manically behind her. Sira mumbled something that made Katie stop, Zeek afraid of Alanna as they neared my car and we went our separate ways. "What've ya' got?" I asked them openly as I drove off before Zeek's crowd of groupies approached. "As you can tell, Katie is fast to acquire her," Zeek opened first. "And today in Craft Arts, she made a simple spell of summoning turn into a magic battle with a phantom," she replied. I raised an eyebrow, "So, Katie was after Sira for that?" I asked glimpsing between her and the road. Alanna shook her head 'No', "It seemed like they knew each other by name and we're in cahoots to me." Lanna answered instead. "Me too..." Zeek offered. I sighed as the trip to the pack was a silent one, we stopped short of the garage after seeing a few lines of Limos and servants taking trunks of crap into my family's Pack Mansion. We exited the car and before I could say a word, "OMG! NICK!" I heard from afar and with her inhuman speed, Mika clashed into my abdominal area and took me down.

"OAF!" I growled as I landed on my ass, gasping and letting her arms wrap around my neck with an embrace. The chocolate brunette-haired girl giggled as she rose, looking me in the eyes with a bright smile. I glared, standing and knocking her onto her ass. "Nice to see you safe and alive..." I groaned dusting off my clothes. "Why are you here Future Luna Mika," Zeek asked down to her. "Oh, you can't be serious...?" she stated frankly, rising to her feet. I watched her neck swallow the gulp lodged in her throat, fidgeting her fingers before her lower body and gaze to the ground. "I'm here to attend school and become the contracted mate to Future Alpha Nick," she explained sheepishly. The expression on my face told of my shock, I stormed to find my father and demand what this debauchery is. "Before you storm your dad and he slams your face in..." Haze snarked as I strode through the hall. His scent leads me back to his study, "DAD!" I shouted as I threw open the door. Disgusted to see him and Mom kissing in his chair and straddling over his lap. "Get out, boy." he gruffly spouted with his eyes on Mom, "I tried to warn you..." my wolf reminded. "Get a room first, but I noticed I have a potential mate outside...Why is that?" I asked while directing my opened palm to the hallway.

"Did you meet her yet, such a dear... It was my idea." Mom chimed. "Mo-o-om!" I whined. "Don't you whine, I meant it when I said I wanted grandpups." she barked back. "I thought I got to wait for my mate like the others..." I whimpered. "Don't worry about that," Dad assured setting Mom on his desk and sighing as he rose from his seat. "If you go on to find your mate beforehand it is void," he promised. "Have you ever heard of being mated to an in-shifting mate?" I asked openly, my gaze to the cashmere rug below me. "Sounds like something Luna Cora is going through..." Mom stated with some venom in her words. "Ahem..." Dad cleared his throat, "It's your call son, gain your mate and have them greet us at the ceremony at least, and we will go from there." he assured. Simply not excited about our conversation, I took my leave, "Ask Sira out on Saturday." Haze implied. Stopping in my tracks, was the perfect excuse, and can get me much closer if Alanna does it. "Alanna," I summoned in the link. "Yes, Nick?" she chimed happily. "Can you ask the Gamma if Sira can come out to play Saturday?" I requested happily back. "Sure, but why me?" she asked innocently. "Two guys coming to his door and asking for his... Slave... may trigger him." I informed, the link cut and she was seen from a hall window making a run through the Pack houses.

(Alanna POV)

Rushing through the house, grabbing my purse, and rushing to fulfill Nick's order. I blindly made my way through the shrouding trees that hid the Pack and Coven from prying eyes. The Manx bloodline running deep within the magic of the Regal Claws territory, we heal, aid in battle to keep the protection of our own. A tremendous war between shifters, vampires and witches caused a few hardships here and there. We magic-users, as they refer to us, tend to want peace and nature to prosper and progress. My Mother died protecting our Coven, Saving Nick's Mother, making friends with Alpha Amel, and allowing me to be friends with Nick. The reason behind my interest in this girl the Gamma has is simple really, she was helping me as I fumbled my stuff at my locker and no one wanted to help me pick it up. She did, she seemed timid but very caring too, I couldn't help but want to speak when she was near.

Winding up at their front door, nearly exasperated of breath, I gave a gentle enough knock. Fluffing my hair as the door 'Clicked' and opened to me. The Gamma himself gazed down to me, smiling wild and ready to speak. "Ms. Manx, what brings you here today?" he inquired not letting me in, the sound of glass breaking and the Gamma's sternness showing. "Um, I was wondering if Sira could come out tomorrow for a shopping spree... tomorrow around noon?" I asked sweetly. "Sira!" he barked, forcing my body to tense, footsteps were then heard. Her pale gray eyes landed on me in shock, her lips pressed against each other in a thin line and she lightly smiled. "I didn't know you knew where I lived." she began, avoiding the Gamma's gaze. "I do, would it be alright if you can come shopping with me tomorrow, I don't really have a dress for the ceremony and would like my friends' help." I offered to her. "Would it be alright, sir?" she smiled to him. "Fine, but have her back before dark," he ordered.

Sira's shoulders tensed as she glanced back at me, her smile fading just as so, something is definitely up. "I'll see you around..." she suggested to me. "Uh, Noon or so..." I answered quickly with a hesitant smile and wave. Taking my leave, I made my way to find Nick, the way the Gamma was acting around her seemed so... weird, and why is she the only slave in the house? Where is the Gamma's mate? What caused her to leave the pack twelve years ago? So many questions sparked my interest, Sira and my vision of his death are connected somehow. Finding Nick walking to his room, I tapped his shoulder and crossed my arms as he gave me his attention. "So far so good, she can come along, but why did you want her to come out?" I asked. "I think he found his mate!" I overheard Zeek while spread across Nick's bed. "No fair!" I groaned as I entered and flopped beside him, he gasped as I flew, rolled clear before I landed, and groaned. "So fluffy!" I called from the shriveled blanket Zeek messed up. "You goofballs..." Nick added while shutting his room door. After sitting up, I noticed a strange look on Nick's face as our eyes met. "She was there?" he asked with so much interest and concern.

I simply nodded, sharing a glance to Zeek and giggling. "I told you..." Zeek assured. "I can already see it..." I started staring through his large pane window. "My question is..." I started after, "What happened to his previous mate, May Isto?" I asked openly. "I knew I was forgetting something!" Nick growled and rubbed his forehead. "My Dad told me that she left around six years after her second child was born, only the clothes on her back and not a word to even the Alpha," Zeek explained. Nick brought his index finger to his chin, a humming from his broad chest, and sat down in his desk chair. "Penny for your thoughts Alpha?" I asked him while sitting up, and crossing my ankles.

He turned to me with a grin, "I don't really have a confirmation, but..." he trailed as he got up and walked to his closet. Amazingly, Zeek and I gasped to see the other side of his walk-in filled with some feminine clothing. "Wow, he honestly thinks she is..." Zeek said to me with a slight turn of his head. "What about Mika?" I asked brightly. "What about her, we all know Bryan has to bring Sira to the ceremony, and if I can announce her there, no one can touch her." he bragged. "By the way..." Zeek mentioned. "How did the Gamma take it?" he explored. I gulped, lowering my head and choosing my words carefully, "He didn't seem to like her going out in general, not sure if she's the closet thing to Ms. Isto or not, but he didn't seem to eager or want me inside either." I answered. "Strange... Then why did he allow her to attend school?" Zeek asked broadly. "Then getting her out tomorrow is our best bet or... we need to play the waiting game." Nick noted with a smile. "Rest easy, we will see her and get some answers about Katie too." he also notified. Zeek and I made way of the bed, taking our leave. I headed to see Pappa, he may need help with potions or something. Creeping through a lab door a floor down, I heard bubbling within the darken room. Layered with organs in jars, beakers, and flames, Dad was putting work into something.

"Oh, Daddy!" I sang from a distance, he jolts upward with something on his head. He turned and smiled. "Ah, Pumpkin how was school with the Alpha today?" he chimed happily. "Same as always, the pheromones they produce triggered a bunch of screaming girls, my friend that helped me on the first day is Nick's mate and seems to be the unknown girl at the Gamma's house." I replied flatly. "Um, Pumpkin..." he started. "Did Nick tell you she was his mate?" he asked, "Yes but he also said he wasn't sure too." I mentioned. "But he likes her?" he asked in a giddy tone. I nodded harshly, "I think she's a nice girl, but the people she hangs with at school..." I trailed, lowering my gaze between the lab tables. "Pumpkin, maybe getting her to come out and play, er... get to know you and Nick better?" he sort of advised. "Right, we are going out Saturday if that's cool?" I kind of asked. "Stay safe and sound." he advised. "Thanks, and maybe toe fungus to add a bit of mischief." I chimed before taking my leave to my bedroom.

The visions I saw that night, Sira was with Katie, two shifters attacking and a sensation of extreme power. My body tensed as I watched as if I was there, Katie was helped up by Sira and a smile plastered on her face. The sounds of rain came to my window, "It's raining dude!" Zeek came to me in the Link. "Not much we can do, it's going to rain all weekend." Nick said sadly. "Then lets just see her at school and tell her how sorry we are?" Zeek added. "I'll just call them..." I said grabbing my cell. I went through the contacts and found the Gamma's home phone. The dial tone was all that could be heard and I opened up the link so they could hear too. "Hello?" the Gamma stated roughly. "Sorry to bother Gamma Jared, but with the rain we will have to cancel..." I gasped as he suddenly hung up."Rude..." Zeek mentioned first. "I want his head on a platter for that." Nick snapped. Standing from my bed, it hit me like a semi truck, the visions and the room spinning. Sira, the ceremony, Nick left in shambles, the rain coming again and made no sense as they whizzed through my brain in flashes. My body grew heavy, swaying as I tried to reach my bedroom door... So strong, my brain was splitting, but a backlit figure of a massive elegant beast stood before me. It was approaching as my vision blurred, baring wings and my vision dripped red before fading to black.

I awoke to find Daddy calling to me, "Pumpkin, oh Pumkin get up!" he cried. "Daddy?" I groaned as I sat up. "It's dinner time and I found you on the floor." he informed me. "Daddy... I had a vision." I mumbled. He quickly helped me up to my bed, sat beside me and rubbed my back. "It must have been a strong one to force you out cold like this." he replied. "It had something to do with Nick and his mate at the ceremony." I answered. "I will find out about the girl for you," he suggested. I grabbed his hand, giving him my 'puppy eyes' look. "And keep your secret." he chuckled. "Thanks Daddy." I breathed. "Oh, Friday night there was a strange surge of energy that caught my attention..." he mentioned before taking his leave. "Last night?" I inquired. He nodded as he made his way to the door, "Yes, I'm not sure if it's rouge witches though...unless they've lived over three thousand years, but there IS something lurking here in the Regal Claws Territory." he explained as he left. My mind was in chaos, I was trembling as I recalled my visions, something was moving in the Regal Claws. Making my way to dinner, my clashing thoughts made it hard to focus on actually eating.

In the middle of the night, Sunday of all days, I left the pack homes and headed for the school. Magic is very handy for a job like this, using chants, everything opened to me. Hand signs to guide me, able to find the office and infiltrate the records drawer. Nothing, a computer was behind me, I simply committed to the search, and gaining the password. Finding a folder labeled 'Students' I simply clicked and got where I needed to be, astounded by my find, I used a flash drive and copied the data. Using magic chants to erase my presence and commenced my teleport near the pack homes. The job was a breeze, my senses were picking up Pack members in the area, a snapping of twigs drew my attention behind me. I gasped as I noticed Zeek and Nick standing before me, smiling with their arms crossed. "Find something of interest?" Zeek states as he starts his approach. "Yes," I answered confidently. "Yes, I did." I answered again assuring. "Follow me..." I ordered, leading them to the pack, my room and laying all of my belongings over my bed.

"You certainly went all out." Zeek boasts, "Nick, this drive has more than enough to determine who and what Sira is." I chimed while biting my bottom lip, and held it up like a bodybuilder. He didn't hesitate to snatch it, start his computer, and get answers. "Hey, snatching is mean!" I whined. "Awe, it's okay, he's mean to me too." Zeek wrapped his arms around me, a reassuring embrace to help the pain. "I'm sorry, but you don't want to withhold information on you future..." he trailed off as he peered through the file. "Incredible..." he mumbled. Zeek, with me to follow, got a closer look at the screen. I giggled as Zeek gasped, Nick's eyes glued to the words. "Not the Gamma's Daughter, undergoing shift alterations in different stages, UNKNOWN!" in the texts. A set of images to depict her changes, she started so young.

At the age of six, she was having an awfully sensitive nose, some time after her fair rose skin transcended to a honey chestnut tone, her brown locks changed too. Her eyes didn't fully change to a pale gray until she was sixteen, starting on the outskirts. Her grades got better as she stayed in school, she missed Freshman and nearly all of the Sophomore year. She has never come to the school in need, she was always giving. She participates in quite a few school activities, mostly office help, Valedictorian to the school and magic arts as well. May Isto is her mother and Yusira Isto is actually Sira. Flabbergasted, we sat in silence, still unsure of how we put these puzzle pieces together. A knock at my door, "Come in." I command, my attention on Daddy as he sadly entered. "Dad?" I asked drawing the other's spotlight from the computer. "Is that the Gamma's house mate?" he asked as he stepped closer. I nodded to him. "Hmph, maybe you three are to good for her, she snuck out and was grounded." he informed us. "Sira snuck out?" Zeek inquired openly. "Wait," Dad abruptly questioned as he got closer to us and the computer. "Is that..." I heard him gasp. "Dose your Father know about this?" he requested from Nick. He shook his head 'No' as an answer. "How did... Never mind... Is this girl...?" he suggested with a swift glance to Nick, I couldn't help but to giggle. "Alpha Nick, please be careful on this Mission with my Pumpkin." he requests with a pat to his shoulder. "Will do, Sir." he chimed happily, Zeek giving him a high five. "Whatever Katie schemes for Sira, we'll stop her." I vowed aloud. "Why are you really adamant on helping her?" Nick asked. "She helped me on the first day of school..." I explained. "Oh?" Nick scoffed as he turned back to her file. "You two are the only friends I've ever had... Your both dudes..." I groaned. Snickering, covering their snouts as they held their laughter, I sighed. "Otherwise..." I silenced them, "Why is she with Katie in the first place?" I asked. "Good question," Nick added.