Ebony Rose

Chapter 2: A New Life

The next morning I awoke to soft sunlight streaming through the window. I sat up quickly as I recognized soft snores coming from either side of me, and was shocked to find two sleeping forms in beds on either side of me. It took me a minute to calm down as I remembered I was not in my room. My heart tightened as I remembered why I was not in my room. My body ached either from how hard I pushed myself last night or the hard mattress of the trundle bed I couldn’t tell. As quietly as I could I got up and noticed the third bed in the room was empty, Alex had probably woken up hours ago to train. I made my way to the bathroom and used the spare toothbrush Alex had found for me to brush my teeth, I brushed my hair quickly throwing it up into a ponytail before putting on clothes. As I exited the bedroom I heard soft voices coming from downstairs. At the bottom of the stairs I realized the voices were coming from the kitchen. 

“I know she’s a rogue.” Alex huffed. 

“Alex, honey, we aren’t saying it’s a bad thing to want to help her, but you need to consider how it will look if we accept a rogue into the pack before she pledges her loyalty” Alex’s grandmother whispered. I realized quickly that they were discussing me, and whether or not to continue offering me sanctuary. 

“Mimi…” Alex let out a low growl. “Trust me, I’m sure she will pledge her loyalty and become an official member of the pack when she is ready, but she just lost everything, and I’m willing to give her the time to heal that she needs before demanding her loyalty.” 

“Alex, we have our own pups to worry about.” her grandmother pressed. 

“Jess isn’t a danger to anyone except maybe herself right now.” Alex argued, struggling to keep her voice low, “Plus, everyone is moving out by the end of the month now that the challenge is complete. Which means the only pup that will be here is Malcolm, and if she wanted to try anything you, papaw, mom, and I would be enough to stop it. Although honestly, with how weak she currently is Malcolm could probably beat her by himself if he wanted.” My wolf bristled at that statement, and before I could stop myself I took the final step from the staircase landing on a floorboard that gave a soft creak. “We will continue this conversation another time.” Alex whispered. I heard her footsteps coming towards me. 

“Goodmorning.” I smiled, doing my best to pretend I hadn’t heard anything. 

“Morning.” Alex greeted me, “Want some breakfast?” She asked. “Diane makes the best waffles.” 

“That sounds great.” I said following her into the kitchen. The adults of her pack stood around drinking their coffee as I’m assuming Diane mixed batter. This was my first time officially meeting her pack and not just seeing them all through passing. I recognized Brittany, and her husband Adam who had given me a ride to the engagement party. 

“I’m Crystal” the brunette who resembled Brittany introduced herself. She was slightly thinner and taller than Brittany, and her eyes were more hazel than Brittany’s brown eyes, but they looked as if they could be twins with their long brown hair and both seemed to be in their late thirties. “This is my mom, Clara” She added, grabbing the short, thin bleach-blonde by her side who appeared to be in her early fifties. Her blonde bangs were teased into a poof and she smiled at me with her blue eyes. 

“Nice to meet you.” Clara said, before going to help Diane. 

“And that’s my dad, Brad” Crystal said, pointing to a tall man who raised his cup of coffee in greeting. It was obvious that Crystal got her height, brown hair and eyes from her dad, but her petite frame was definitely from her mother. Brad stood about 6’4 with a thicker frame, and the beginning stages of a beer gut. His long brown hair and mustache were starting to show strands of silver. 

“I’m Damien, Brad and I are Alex’s grandmother’s brothers.” The short, round man next to Brad introduced himself. Looking at him, I realized he wasn’t really short as he was just shorter than Brad, coming to about his chest height. His dark brown hair was short on the sides and longer on top in a more modern pompadour whereas Brad seemed to be unwilling to leave his mullet in the 80s. His eyes were a dark brown and like Brad he was beginning to go silver. “Diane’s my wife, and you know my daughter Brittany.” He said motioning to them, “Drew over there is also my son.” He said motioning to a man who appeared to be in his late thirties, the resemblance between Drew and Damien was striking. While Drew kept his hair cut short in a military style crop his mustache and beard matched his father’s, they were of similar height and build, with a similar facial structure. 

“And we met yesterday, but I’m Alex’s mom, Alles. It’s pronounced Alice, but I go by Les for short.” Her honey blonde hair and facial structure was strikingly different from Alex’s, but they had the same blue eyes, and hourglass figure. Alex must have gotten her round face and button nose from her father. I thought as I looked at her mother’s sharp features. “That’s my mom, Tabitha” She motioned to the short woman sitting by the patio doors with snow white hair, blue eyes, and slightly fuller hourglass figure. “Next to her is my father Archer.” She pointed out the man who was slightly taller than Damien, he had silver hair, mustache, and beard. I bowed my head in respect towards the alphas as they sat there with their morning coffees. They returned my nod before returning to their conversation with the younger couple sitting with them. “The male over there is my brother Francis, and the female is his wife Lydia. They’re Em’s parents.” Alles pointed out, Francis also had honey gold hair and blue eyes, he was almost as tall as Brad. He kept his face clean shaven, and his body was the leanest out of the men there. His wife was only a head shorter than him, with light brown hair and blue eyes. Her figure was fuller than Brittany and Crystal, but not as voluptuous as Alles and Alex. They both nodded in acknowledgement of me, before turning back to the alphas. “Now don’t be overwhelmed this is a lot of information to take in, so until you know all our names don’t hesitate to point or say ‘hey you’ we will respond to that too.” Alles giggled at her joke. 

“That makes me feel a lot better.” I smiled. “Unfortunately, I’m horrible with names.” 

“It’s okay, we have a cheat code.” Alex winked, grabbing my hand and leading me to the living room. She motioned to a family tree along the wall next to the fireplace. There it had everyone’s picture starting with Tabitha’s mother Mae, and her father Edward. From there it went to Tabitha and her two brothers with their wives snaking up the wall to Alex’s generation. It showed Brittany’s three pups I had met, I learned Em had two siblings, and Crystal had four pups of her own. Next to Alex was not only a photo of her brother Malcolm, but already a picture of Theo hung there as well with the branch system indicating marriage. Alex huffed out a sigh, “Really guys?” She yelled back towards the kitchen, “Theo and I aren’t even married yet.” She clarified. 

“Oh, honey we all know it’s just a matter of time.” Her grandmother yelled back, “He’s a nice boy and deserves to be up there to know we already consider him part of the family.” I held back a snicker as Alex rolled her eyes. 

“I swear they like him better than me.” She muttered under her breath. 

“You can’t prove it.” Her grandmother called out. I couldn’t stifle my laugh at that.

“Anyways,” Alex continued loudly, “everyone has their picture on the wall with their name and birthday under it.” She pointed out the little golden plagues, “and under each marriage branch there is the date of the nuptials. As you can see death dates are added as needed.” she indicated to her great-grandparents plaques, and the newly resanded date under her mother's picture. I noticed then that Alles had a spot of paint drying next to her where the marriage branch would be. “If a divorce happens the person is erased from the family tree.” Alex said, noticing where my attention fell. And my mind went back to the battle with the hunters as her wolf happily munched on a man’s heart. 

“Yeah, that makes sense.” I said nervously, realizing for the first time how lucky I was to survive the challenge. 

“He was an abusive asshole who I thought had killed my mother. He deserved to die.” Alex reasoned with a shrug, noticing my change in demeanor. “Our battle was completely different.” She walked back to the kitchen as I stared at the family tree growing up the wall, intricate detail was taken as they painted the branches going up interweaving with one another telling the story of the family from births to marriages to deaths. Looking at the bottom of the tree I noticed her great-grandmother had died on Christmas Eve, and wondered how hard that must have been for a family that is so close. 

“Breakfast is ready.” Diane called from the kitchen, “Alex would you go wake the rest of the kids?” 

“Sure thing.” Alex said, as she began going upstairs, “Hey Jess while I wake up the younger ones would you mind waking up Em and Steph, they’re in the room you're staying in. Em can wake up Malcolm and Evan.” 

“Sure.” I answered heading back up the central staircase as Alex went up the one to the left. I knocked on the door to the room I had come out of this morning before opening it. “Hey Em, and Steph?” I asked, “Breakfast is ready.” At the word breakfast they both shot up in bed. “Em,” I said relieved to see another familiar face, “Alex asked if you would wake up your brothers.” 

“Yup no problem, go get some breakfast while you still can.” Em laughed as she got up. I followed Stephanie back downstairs. She went to the smaller table sitting down at a placemat with her name lovingly embroidered on edge. I found a place with a nameless placemat and took my seat. 

“Do they need help in the kitchen?” I asked Stephanie. 

“No, the older females of the pack have it under control, we’d just be in the way.” She explained as the rest of the children groggily entered the dining room and took their seats with Alex being last. The men at the main dining table moved taking their assigned seats as Clara, Diane, Brittany, Alles, and Crystal entered setting down plates of waffles, butter dishes, syrup, and pitchers of milk at the two tables. The french doors behind the dining room tables opened as Theo walked in. 

“Good morning family, it looks like I made it just in time.” He said, strutting to take the head of the table I sat at, across from Alex. He stopped and gave Alex a quick peck on the cheek as he made his way to his spot. 

“Yeah like you would ever miss a meal.” Tabitha joked from her position at the end of the adult table. 

“Hey, I’m a growing boy.” Theo defended himself as he patted his stomach. Everyone laughed. Watching them all interact together I felt out of place. My pack had never gathered like this. Other than for a holiday dinner once a year, and that was always formal. Even with my parents we never ate together, let alone in our pajamas. And we certainly never bickered back and forth in a jesting manner. The words I had accidentally overheard this morning came ringing back to my ears, I didn’t belong. I was just an abandoned rogue. But never before had I wanted so badly to belong. 

You okay? Theo’s voice echoed in my mind. 

Yeah. Why? I asked him back. 

You’re just really quiet, and this isn’t a normal scene for you. Just figured I’d check in. He offered. 

Nothing is really normal for me anymore. I answered. But, her family is nice. So it’s not as bad as it could be.

Fair enough. He answered. 

“So, Jess, what’s your plan for today?” Alex asked, looking at me. 

“Ugh, not much.” I answered, honestly.

“Well, after breakfast we normally go for a run or train. If that’s something you would be interested in.” She offered. 

“Sure that sounds fun.” I forced myself to smile, it actually sounded like a lot of work, and like I would get my ass kicked...again. But I figured it would be better to at least make an effort to blend in. 

“Tony is having another party tonight.” Em offered, “Because you know Alex there is more to life than just training.” 

“Theo, are you going to the party tonight?” Archer asked. 

“Yes sir.” Theo answered. 

“Alright, well as long as you’ll look out for them the girls can go.” 

“Well, do you wanna go to the party after training?” Alex, asked me.

“Probably not.” I shrugged, “My wardrobe doesn’t really have anything to fit the party vibe.” I shrugged. “I’m fine just chilling, maybe reading a little or doing my homework.” 

“Or we could go shopping.” Brittany suggested. “This is an opportunity to reinvent yourself kiddo.” She smiled at me supportively. 

“I do have some money in my savings account from working at my parent’s shop.” I mused. 

“Great, it's decided then, Alex you can train after we get back from shopping.” Brittany smiled.

“But-” Alex started to protest. 

“But nothing!” Brittany interrupted, “You won the stupid challenge, there’s no reason to be training 24/7 anymore. Crystal and I are going to take you, Em, and Jessica on a shopping spree and we are going to have fun.” 

I could see that Alex wanted to argue again, but instead she huffed out a sigh, “Fine.” 

“And that means you’re going to be getting some feminine clothes.” Crystal added. 

“Oh yes, want to come help us torture your daughter?” Brittany asked Alles. 

“Of course. What a wonderful idea. Let’s all get out of the house for a while.” Alles answered. “Go on and get ready.” She encouraged us. When we got up to the bedroom I brushed my hair, fussing with the waves that wouldn’t come out after sleeping with it being wet. 

“Here, you can use my straightener.” Em offered holding it out to me. “And here’s brand new eyeliner and mascara Alex refuses to wear.” she added, “You’re welcome to any of my make up in the top drawer too.” She said with a smile as she started applying her primer and foundation. 

“Thanks.” I smiled at her as I used her eyeshadow and blush. I opened the new eyeliner and mascara finishing my smokey eyes, before running the straightener through my hair. With my makeup and hair done I actually started to feel like myself again. 

“There’s extra deodorant in the cabinet.” Alex said as she ran a wide toothed comb through her black, curly hair. The curls rebounded like springs with each pull through of the comb. I looked in the cabinet and found a new deodorant which I used before going into the bedroom to change into my white sweater and jeans. I put on my socks and boots since it would be cold and wet outside. Alex went into the closet and came out wearing a buffalo plaid flannel and tight blue jeans with knee high black boots, Em however had chosen leggings, knee high brown boots, and a powder pink sweater dress. “White, bold choice.” Alex said. 

“Just because you eat like a pig and always make a mess doesn’t mean everyone does.” Em punched her lightly in the shoulder. I laughed. 

“Yeah, I’m a pretty dainty eater.” I shrugged, “Etiquette was a big deal for my mother.” 

“Are you sure your parents were wolves?” Alex asked, wearing a look of mocked concern on her face. 

I laughed, “I’m pretty sure they’re wolves. Honestly, I think it was just another of their ways to overcompensate for not being a real pack.” 

“Honestly, I think they had more issues with being a pack of rogues than anyone else did.” Alex said. “You being a rogue didn’t have any effect on me or make me take you any less seriously as a competitor.” 

“Even though I’m so weak?” I asked. 

“You’re not weak because you’re a rogue, you’re weak because your pack cared more about appearances rather than what a true pack is, and that is a family. Honestly, with their obsession over status they would make better vampires than they do wolves.” 

“I never thought of it like that.” I admitted. 

“Of course you didn’t. That was your normal.” She shrugged, before heading to leave the room. 

“How do I change it then?” I asked, honestly at a loss. How do I become better than I was raised to be, how do I learn to expect better from others?

“That’s up to you. But you can start today by shopping, and getting what you want, not what someone else thinks you should get.” Alex said holding the door open. 

“Come on it will be fun.” Em said with a reassuring smile, as she took my hand and led me downstairs where Brittany, Crystal, Alles, Steph, and two of Crystal’s children were waiting. Both of the girls were tall like their grandfather with golden blonde hair like their grandmother must have had in her youth, the slightly taller one had blue eyes, and the other had Crystal’s hazel eyes. I mentally went back to the wall to see if I could remember their names, the one with blue eyes was Fae, and the one with hazel had to be Mae, named after Tabitha’s mother. 

We piled into one of the family’s SUVs, I didn’t even know Suburbans could fit nine people, but while it was a little snug we all managed to have our own seat. It was a 45 minute drive to the Midland Mall and the women of the pack took turns teasing Alex about her relationship with Theo. A lot of the comments revolved around not having pups before the marriage, and I guessed from their tones that it was a common enough occurrence in the pack to be a valid concern. Alex brushed the jokes aside sharing that unlike some people she knew what birth control was. I pulled out my phone and zoomed in on the family tree to confirm my suspicions that neither Crystal nor Alles had husbands, and discovered Brittany’s oldest daughter’s birthday was a few years before her marriage. 

“What’cha looking at?” Fae asked, peering over my shoulder. 

“Just making sure I guessed your names right.” I smiled at her as I locked my phone screen. 

“Might wanna change that.” She warned me by eyeing my lock screen which was an old picture of Theo and I, from freshman year. He stood behind me in his football jersey with his arms around my shoulders, I was in my cheerleading uniform with my pompoms on my hips as we made funny faces at the camera. 

“Good idea. Thanks.” I said as I unlocked my phone and scrolled through my pictures, finally settling on a picture of the river that was behind my old house for my lock screen, and a picture of the sunset for my home screen. I signed as I mentally reminded myself that change can be good, and we would still be friends. 

“So what are you going to do at the party?” Mae asked. 

“What do you mean?” 

“Well doesn’t the school think you and Theo are dating?” she asked. 

“Oh. Yeah. I hadn’t thought about that.” 

“Yeah, so what are you going to do?” Mae pressed again. 

“You little shits. Leave her alone.” Alex yelled back from the second row. “Jess, you don’t have to do anything until you’re comfortable with it.” She reassured me, and the pity in her eyes made me sick. 

“No they’re right. The sooner I publicly end things with him, the better it will be for all of us.” 

“Okay, but no pressure. Don’t let anyone in my pack give you shit.” She said, “especially not those two trouble makers. Pretty sure their father was Satan.” she said, giving them the stink eye. 

“Hey my kids aren’t demons.” Crystal said, “Little shits? Yes. Demons? No. But she’s right Fae and Mae, be nice.” 

“We were being nice, mom.” Fae whined. “At least we are trying to help her instead of making innuendos and other inappropriate comments about Alex doing things with her ex, the day after they broke up.” Everyone became quiet after that. 

“Sorry, I didn’t even think about it that way.” Alles said. 

“No it’s fine. Our relationship hadn’t been romantic for quite some time. And even when it was, it was because it’s what we were expected to be by our packs. He’s a really good friend, and I’m glad he found his mate.” I forced a smile, as I tried to force down the pain and make my heart stop aching. He was just a really good friend. I kept repeating to myself over and over again. I tried not thinking of the feeling of his soft lips pressed against mine on the bus rides to away games, or his rough callused hands on my midriff exposed by my uniform. I tried to stop thinking of it even more when I felt shoved out of my body in my memories as it turned to Alex kissing him. Instead I focused on my breathing and heart rate, forcing them to be normal. He’s not your mate. I said to myself, it’s okay he’s not your mate. You will find your mate and be happy just like them. It will be okay. I told myself as I calmed down. The sound of everyone’s laughter finally brought me out of my head and back into the moment. They all looked so happy, and comfortable and I was reminded yet again that I did not belong here. I distracted myself by pulling up my bank account on my phone. I had just over $1,000 saved up. I made my budget $300, and figured the $700 would last me easily until I was able to figure out if my parents were keeping their business in town, or I could find another job. Out of curiosity I looked up rent in the area and saw I could not afford to move out of the Rose pack house until I graduated from High school next year. We arrived at the mall and everyone got out. 

“Alright, Em remember where we parked.” Alles called out. 

“Got it.” Em smiled, as we made our way to the Food Court entrance. The smell from all the food swirled in my senses and hunger set in even though we only ate breakfast a couple hours ago. “Lunch first?” Em asked. 

“Hell yeah.” Alex cried as she rushed to the Mediterranean food stand. Fae and Mae split off towards Taco Bell, Em went to the pizza place, while the adults went to Subway. It was soon I found myself alone, as I stared at all the food another smell mingled in. The smell of sandalwood and lemongrass. My wolf stirred inside of me, Mate? I heard her ask as I wandered mindlessly towards the scent. Not paying attention I ran right into someone. He jumped, and turned around. Mate. My wolf cried in excitement. Recognition seemed to flash in his blue eyes. His hair was a mess of dark black ringlet curls, and he had a shadow of stubble along his jaw. 

“If I knew today were going to be such an important day, I would have dressed for the occasion.” He smiled down at me and my heart melted. “I’m Carter Smith.” He held out his hand. 

“Jessica.” I said, giving him my hand and shaking his. 

“Are you a Rose?” He asked. 

“No I’m an Ebony.” I answered, although I wasn’t sure I was allowed to use the name anymore. 

“What’s an Ebony doing with the Rose pack?” He asked, looking pointedly at each of them as they made a beeline to a table with their trays of food. How did he know who they were? I asked myself, and made a mental note to ask Alex if they had any trouble with the Smith pack. 

“Long story.” I smiled, “but I really should be getting some food and joining them. It was nice meeting you.” I said to him, as I turned to go. He grabbed my wrist. 

“Here. At least give me your number.” He smiled handing me his phone. 

“Sure.” I said, as I put the number in his phone. “It may be changing soon though.” I explained, if it does I’ll be sure to let you know.” 

“Let me guess: another long story?” He asked. I only nodded, “Well I’m looking forward to hearing these stories.” He smiled again, taking his phone back, and heading back towards the exit. 

Nooooo. My wolf howled in protest at his retreating form as she urged me to chase after him. Instead I went to the Subway and ordered my usual salad, taking it to the table. 

“Who was that?” Alex asked, waggling her eyebrows, “He was cute.” she smiled at me. 

“What gonna steal another boyfriend?” Steph shot at her. Alex rolled her eyes. I felt jealousy stir in my gut at those words, even though I knew Alex had her own mate and wouldn’t want mine. 

“He said his name was Carter Smith. Do you guys know the Smith pack?” I asked. Alles tensed up. 

“Our packs weren’t acquainted, but I have met a couple Smith wolves in my lifetime.” Alles said coolly, trying to hide her reaction at the name. 

“So there’s no issues between the packs?” I asked. 

“No, why would there be?” Alles asked. 

“Well he asked if I was also a Rose, so I just figured it was odd he knew who you guys were.” I shrugged. 

“It’s pretty common for the packs to keep tabs on who is who.” Alles said with a shrug. “I’m sure it was nothing.” She took a bite of her sandwich and Crystal quickly took over the conversation asking what stores everyone wanted to go to. 

“Hey did you get his number?” Em asked, elbowing me in the ribs. 

“Yeah.” I smiled at her. 

“Good. You should give him a call.” She encouraged, “Get a good rebound going ya know?” she asked. I nodded in agreement hurriedly shoving salad in my mouth. I didn’t want to hide that he was my mate, but I could tell there was something Alles wasn’t telling us. As an outsider I didn’t want to do anything to further alienate myself from them. So I decided to keep him being my mate as a secret, at least until I knew more of what was going on between the packs, and where I stood with the Rose pack.