The Little Wolf

“ JUPITER, GET YOUR ASS UP, OR I WILL DRAG YOU OUT OF BED!” my dad yelled from the kitchen. Damn stupid wolf hearing. If I were a normal human, I could sleep right through my dad's annoying wake-up calls. I opened my eyes only to be blinded by the rays of sunlight pouring through a slit in my curtains. I instinctively rolled over to move out of the rays and let out a sigh. Today was going to be long and stressful, just like every other day. “ I WILL NOT TELL YOU AGAIN. GET UP!” My dad threatened. I rolled my way to the edge of my bed and swung my feet out over the edge, flinching as my toes touched the cold, hardwood floor. Yawning, I slowly walked over to my dresser, pulling out a black sports bra and gray leggings. I switched out of my fuzzy pj's and brushed my long brown hair before braiding it. As I looked in the mirror, I sighed. “ Good enough, I guess,” my wolf, Logan, silently agreed with me. I walked down the hall and started down the steps, inhaling the mouth-watering scent of my dad's cooking. Eggs, toast, and corned beef hash. “ Get it while it's hot, or before Miles gets here,” my dad warned with a deep laugh as he sat at the table with a full plate and a hot cup of coffee. “ Good thing he’s always late,” I said with a smirk as I quickly grabbed a plate from the cupboard and piled my food high. I knew I would need the energy. My dad had the whole day planned with intense training. He is one of the pack's best warriors, and his expectations for me were as high as the Alpha’s. I didn't mind, though. I love knowing I could handle even the alpha decently in a fight. Interrupting my thoughts, Miles, my best friend, and brother from another mother, walked in and made a beeline for the food. “ Mmmm looks good Mr. Beckett,” Miles commented while dumping what remained of the food onto a plate while I grabbed my cup of coffee and headed to the table. I pulled out my chair and sat down, taking a few sips of coffee. “ You ready to get beat at practice today Jup?” Miles questions with a smirk and too much confidence. I snorted and almost choked on my coffee. “ You beat me? In your dreams! Did I hit you in the head too hard yesterday?” I laughed at him. Miles rolled his eyes and scooped a fork full into his mouth. “I tripped. You got lucky,” he said quietly, defending himself, taking another bite of his eggs. “Alright, you two, we need to get going. It’s almost 9:30,” my dad informed us while taking his now empty plate to the kitchen. Miles and I shoveled the rest of our food down. My dad pulled up in the truck as we dropped our plates in the sink and ran out the door. He grinned at us as we approached the passenger door. I gave him a weird look before my eyes widened. “ MILES! OPEN THE DOOR!” I yelled, but he was too slow. My dad slammed on the gas, and we watched the 81’ sunburnt Chevy pickup disappear down the road. “ Damn it,” I sighed. “ I guess we're running to training,” Miles stated. I huffed in response, looking over at Miles, who stared down the driveway. A smile crept on my face, and I shoved him, throwing him off balance as I took off sprinting through the yard. “ Oh no, you don’t, you little asshole!” Miles called after me, soon catching up. He was right on my heels as we skid to a stop in the clearing full of people fighting. As we walked closer, I spotted Alpha Reed, of course, standing next to my dad. He looked over and locked eyes with me. 'He looks pissed.' Logan whispered in my head. “ Did I not tell you two what the consequence would be if you showed up late for training, again,” He crossed his arms with a stern look. Me and Miles both bowed our heads in submission. “We are sorry, Sir, it will not happen again,” Miles apologized. “I’ve heard that excuse enough from you two to know better,” Alpha Reed sighed. He motioned for us to get started with the rest of everyone else, and we walked over to our group. We train in groups of 5, that way, we can train to fight more than one opponent at a time. Our group consists of me, Miles, Tris, Damon, and Jake. We are all around the same age and have been close friends for a long time. Well, except for Jake, He is Tris’s boyfriend, and he didn’t really hang out with us till three years ago. Damon is Tris’s older brother and future Gamma of the pack. Miles and I walked over and saw it was Jake and Damon against Tris. I cringe as I watch her trip over her own foot, causing her to collapse right in front of me. I love her to death, but she is one of the most uncoordinated people I know. “ I told you, you have to be mindful of every motion your body takes,” Damon laughs, glancing my way. “Hey Jup, ready to beat Mile’s again?” I grinned “Hell yeah!” I laughed, looking at Miles, who now wore a frown. “I tripped yesterday, you did not beat me,” he winned. “No, She tripped, you got put on your ass,” Jake commented. We all laughed as I helped Tris up from the grass. Once she brushed off before getting back in a fighting stance. After about an hour, we had all taken a turn and it was time for one-on-one training. Alpha Reed and the pack warriors all picked a partner and dueled. Of course, I got paired with my dad and Miles with his dad. Miles' dad was also one of our pack's best warriors, only rivaled by my dad, so naturally, they were best friends who enjoyed proving who was best from time to time. “ You ready old man?” I taunted, brushing the stray hair from my face that was too short to stay in my braid. “ You betcha,” My dad snickered. We circled each other for a moment before he made the first move, kicking at my knee. I dodged quickly and went for his side. I landed the kick, but as soon as my leg made contact with his side, he latched a hold, flipping me onto the ground. “ Looks like this old man still has some moves,” He laughed as I rolled to my feet. We spared for another hour, ran a few miles, and before I knew it, it was lunchtime. “ Thank god, I am starving,” Miles said, slightly out of breath as we finished jogging to the pack house. We walked through the double glass doors that led to the dining room and kitchen, where the amazing smell of food hit us. We all got our food and made our way back outside to sit at our picnic table. “ Have you gotten your dress for the Winter Ball?” Tris questioned me. I stopped shoveling food in my mouth and looked up at her. “ Oh crap, I completely forgot that it's this weekend,” I said wide-eyed. This would be my first Winter Ball of age to find my mate. Logan perked up in my head, she has been excited for that night for months now. “ I figured, that’s why I asked Alpha Reed if we could skip training tomorrow. We need a girl's day in town,” I nodded in agreement. “ Can I come? I wanna skip training,” Miles begged with puppy dog eyes. We laughed and continued eating. Before too long, everyone headed home. I walked in the door, taking my shoes off before heading into the living room. I paused, noticing my dad....and the empty bottle next to him. "Oh hey Jup, I uh um, I was just.." He said as he wiped off the tears before facing me, setting down a picture of him and my mom. I sighed and walked over to him, taking the glass out of his hand. "I know dad, you don't have to explain," I said quietly as I sat down next to him, picking up the photo. "You look so much like her," he stared at the picture. In the photo, my mom had just jumped on his back as they both laughed, her bright green eyes staring back at mine. Her hair was almost the same shade of brown as mine, except I had some red mixed in there from my dad. "Her smile lit up any room she walked in, just like yours," he smiled, looking up at me. I smiled back, tears forming in my eyes. I knew he would be a mess tonight. Tomorrow was the anniversary of her death. ~5 years ago~ I was laying on my bed reading a book next to my light since it was starting to get dark outside when my mom barged in. "Jupiter, I need you to go to the shelter right now. There are rogues at the southern border, we don't have much time," She said sternly as she grabbed my duffle bag that has 3 days worth of supplies and clothes in it and tossed it to me as I jumped out of bed, turing off my light. We ran down the stairs and through the living room to the kitchen. "Alright, you get in, I have to go help your dad," She said quickly as she kissed my head. " Wait, no don't leave me alone," I cried as tears fell from my eyes. I clung to her as if my life depended on it. " Honey, please, he needs my help, I promise we will come back for you after it's over. I will do everything in my power to make it back to you, be strong and stay here," She said, her voice starting to crack as she hugged me tightly. I only nodded as she escaped from my grasp and shut the door quickly as if she was afraid she wouldn't be able to leave me if she stayed any longer. I turned around and kept walking to the back of the room, shutting the second reinforced door. I sat down and hugged my knees, the silence making time move so slow. A few hours passed and I decided to peek outside. It was morning now to my surprise, and quiet. I walked out, tiptoeing around broken glass. Once I reached the back door and walked through, the first thing I saw was one of our warriors. His head was ripped clean off his body. I walked around him, trying not to look at the other bodies lying on the ground. Making my way to the pack house, I saw my dad, on his knees over a body. I knew who it was before seeing her face and I dropped to the ground. ~~ end of flashback~~ That night we lost around 20 pack members, my mom, Miles' mom, and Tris and Damon's dad. The rogues were all killed, including their "Alpha" if you can call him that. Rogues are lone wolves, cast out of their packs. Very few chose that life, and sometimes rogues formed packs, the strongest becoming the alpha. I smiled at my dad and laid my head on his shoulder. " She was so excited to see you grow up, to find your mate, to be happy," he whispered. " I know," I nodded. When I looked up at him, he had already feel asleep, the alcohol working faster than I thought it would. I sighed and stood up, grabbing a blanket and draping it have him. I walked upstairs and to my room, changing into pj's before jumping in bed. Tomorrow was going to be rough and I still needed to buy my mom's favorite flowers, Mountain Laurels. I closed my eyes and drifted off to sleep.