Black Moon Pack

Chapter 1. Aaliyah POV As I lay there staring at the ceiling, the birds chirping in the distance, it struck me how unpredictable life can be. Today was the day I would close off my senior year. The thought of walking across that stage to collect my hard-earned graduation certificate & turning 18 in a couple of days has me feeling all types of emotions. I would finally be able to shift into my wolf form. Despite the distance between my mum and me,I hoped that this day would bring her some happiness and maybe even a sense of pride. It had been a tumultuous journey for her to regain her old self, but seeing me graduate might bring some sense of normalcy back into her life. 2 years ago.. I remember vividly the day my dad left us. He had burst into the living room, shouting at my mum. "I just can't do this anymore! I feel like I'm suffocating. I'll be back once I clear my head, Chloe. Do. Not. Follow. Me!" His anger was palpable, and my mum's eyes reflected nothing but pain and hurt. As my brothers and I sat on the stairs, watching her cry and clutching her chest, I could feel the weight of the situation bearing down on us. Holding onto Dom and Junior's hands, I tried my best to hide my tears from them as we listened to yet another argument unfold in our house.This time it felt different, this time it felt like there was no coming back.... Aurora, my amazing wolf, stirred and comforted me when I started to feel sad and scared, reminding me that I would never be alone and that I was more special than I thought. I had gained my wolf the night before my 16th birthday, a secret that my mother and brothers made me promise not to tell anyone. My father had left us a few months before my birthday, so he never got to know about it. It was unusual for someone to gain their wolf at such a young age, but I never worried about it. Aurora had a calming presence and only spoke to me when necessary. I pushed aside the memory of my father leaving and focused on getting ready for the day. “I am beautiful, I am smart & I am safe. Today will be a good day” I chanted to myself, looking at my reflection through my vanity mirror. I'm all about keeping things easy and laid-back, especially when it comes to getting ready. I hit the genetic jackpot with my mom's killer jet black waves that flow down to just above my booty. A quick middle part and some loose curls give me that effortlessly cool vibe. Makeup? Nah, I keep it simple. Just a coat of mascara to make my hazel eyes pop. Fun fact: I have no clue where these eye colors came from. My brothers got the brown eye memo from our parents. No need to fuss too much. A swipe of chapstick and I'm good to go. I slip into a breezy white cotton t-shirt dress, rock some denim shorts, and slide into my trusty sneakers. Gotta love how that white outfit complements my sun-kissed olive skin. Effortlessly chic, baby! I bolted down the stairs, slinging my backpack over my shoulder, ready to kickstart the day in style. Mom and my brothers were already at the table, waiting for me to join them for breakfast. I wolfed down a pancake and a couple of crispy bacon strips before Dom and Junior gave the signal that it was time to hit the road. After planting kisses on Mom's cheek, we hustled out the door, with Dom taking the wheel and Junior riding shotgun due to his towering 6'2" height. I settled into the backseat, feeling secure with my brothers' protective nature surrounding me. "Ready to graduate today, sis?" Dom asked as we settled into the car. Ever since our dad left, Dom stepped up to become the head of the house. He successfully became the Alpha's Beta and also the COO at the Black Moon Firm. Dom used to be the laid-back, fun-loving brother, but something changed in him after Dad left. He started building this tough, intimidating exterior to the outside world. I know we're lucky to have him taking care of us, but I wish he didn't carry the weight of the world on his shoulders all the time. He's the best role model a girl could ask for. Shortly after Junior graduated, he followed Dom's footsteps and joined the finance department at the Black Moon Firm. Dude's got a natural talent for numbers, unlike me. We arrived at school in no time, and Bonnie, my amazing bestie, was just as pumped for graduation. We kicked off our final day with a bang, heading straight to the decorated hall where our graduation ceremony would take place. It was a special occasion for families to come together and celebrate the outgoing students. "So, my lovely lady, any plans for your birthday?" Bonnie asked, catching me off guard. I paused for a moment, thinking about what to say. "Well, I talked to Dom since he's the Beta and the Alpha Ball falls on the same day. We decided to celebrate the day after I finally shift. It just works out better, you know? I'm not a fan of big birthdays, and the full moon rises the day after," I explained, hoping she wouldn't plan anything extravagant. "Of course, you know you're invited. It'll be a low-key affair with just my mom and brothers. Dom's whipping up my favorite dishes. I can't wait to indulge in some creamy mushroom pasta and red velvet pancakes," I replied, my mouth watering at the thought of the food. Bonnie responded with a hint of sarcasm in her voice, "Well, that's not exactly what I had in mind, but fine. Since it's your birthday, I'll let you have the pleasure of cracking every bone in your body and NOT going out clubbing like a typical 18-year-old." We both burst into laughter, excited for what the day had in store for us. What a freaking day! B and I couldn't believe how time flew by. Before we knew it, it was 3 pm, and we had to start getting ready for the damn graduation ceremony. By 4:30 pm, we were sitting among our classmates, eagerly waiting for the whole thing to kick off. We listened to the teachers' speeches, pretending to care even though we knew they secretly hated us most of the time. Dom used to tell us stories about how awful his graduating class was, but we managed to outdo them. Our class was smaller than usual, so I wasn't too worried about the duration. When Principal Anders called my name, "Aaliyah Dubois," I climbed a few steps up the stage, shook his hand, grabbed my certificate, and turned around for a quick photo op. I could hear my family in the front row, as promised, going wild, "Wooooo, AALIYAH!" Mom had the biggest grin on her face, capturing the whole thing on her phone, while my brothers sat on either side of her, clapping and cheering like crazy. They each gave me a hug as I walked off the stage, handing me flowers and a card. After the graduation ceremony wrapped up, despite all the anticipation and endless discussions with B, I couldn't shake this restlessness and unease. Aurora, always the calm one, said to me, "Congrats on graduating, beautiful. Don't dwell too much on your emotions. Your birthday's coming up, and things are gonna start shifting." I appreciated her soothing presence. After all, we're like two peas in a pod. Thank the Moon Goddess for blessing me with a chill wolf. Completely drained, exhaustion washed over me like a tidal wave. Saying our goodbyes, we piled into the car, and I could barely keep my eyes open. Feeling utterly spent, I mustered the courage to ask my fam if we could skip dinner and head straight home. Junior looked concerned, raising an eyebrow as he said, "You feeling alright, sis? You never say no to food, especially at your fave spot." Mustering a tired chuckle, I replied, "Honestly, all I need is a steaming hot shower and a solid night's sleep. It's been one hell of a day, scratch that, one hell of a year, haha." Dom and Junior exchanged a knowing look before refocusing on the road. Mom seemed lost in her own world, scrolling through the pics she snapped on her phone. We got home in a flash, and I rushed to my room, craving the bliss of a soothing hot shower and the embrace of my bed. Almost instantly, I surrendered to a deep and tranquil slumber. What a freakin' day it had been!