Bound by the Alpha's blood

"Are you dressed?" Her father's voice asked from the door. "Yeah, Dad. Come in." Sheriff Mark Rivers poked his head in, his uniform still neat despite the day of carrying boxes. "How are you holding up, kiddo?" "I'm okay. Just tired." "Well, this place is going to be good for us. I can feel it." Antonia nodded, trying not to dim her father's enthusiasm. "Look, I know leaving wasn't easy, especially after... well, you know. But Ashwood Valley is a fresh start. No one knows us here." "That's the only good thing about us moving," Antonia said, running her hand through her hair. "No one here has seen my... you know." "That boy should've been charged. If I'd still been a sheriff there…." "Dad, please. I don't want to talk about it." Antonia stood up and started unpacking a box labeled 'Antonia.' "It is done. It's over. A Fresh start, remember?" "You're right." He sighed. "Anyway, I ordered pizza. It should be here in twenty." "Thanks, Dad." After her father left, Antonia checked her phone. No messages, no social media notifications. She had deleted most of her accounts after the incident. Her ex had sent her nudes to their entire class on the night of their graduation. The humiliation was unbearable. That’s why she loved the idea of moving to Ashwood valley. It would give her a fresh start, exactly what she needed. She made her bed with fresh sheets and unpacked a few personal items. A framed photo of her mother caught her attention. It had been three years since the accident. "Miss you, Mom," she whispered, placing the frame on her bedside table. Her father’s voice jolted her back to reality. "Pizza is here!" She ran downstairs immediately, she was starving. The drive to Ashwood Valley was a long and exhausting one. After dinner, Antonia stood on their porch, taking a look at their front yard. Ashwood Valley was nothing like their old town. Thick forests surrounded the small community, with very beautiful trees beautifying the town. Her phone buzzed. It was a text from her new college advisor confirming her enrollment at Ashwood University. "College orientation tomorrow," she said to herself. "New people. New classes. New life." She took a deep breath of the fresh air. Maybe the town wouldn't be so bad after all. The next morning, Antonia woke early. She carefully chose her outfit. It was nothing too flashy, but not too plain either. She wanted to blend in, not stand out. "Nervous?" her father asked as she entered the kitchen. "A little," she admitted as she poured some coffee. "You'll be fine. You're smart, and….." "And the new girl who knows nobody," she finished with a fake smile. "You will make new friends in no time." Antonia wasn't so sure. Making friends had never been her forte, even before the incident. "I should get going dad. Don't want to be late on my first day." "Sure,’’ Her father kissed her forehead. “I love you sweetheart." She freed herself from her father’s grip and walked to the door. “I love you too.’’ She said and walked out the door. The drive to campus was short. Ashwood University wasn't large, but it was pretty, with old brick buildings and large oak trees. Students walked about, laughing and catching up with one another after summer break. Antonia felt a wave of loneliness as she walked through the catty students toward the academic center. She checked in with the administrative office and received her orientation pack. "You look as lost as I feel." Antonia turned and saw a girl with bright eyes and a lovely smile. "That obvious, huh?" Antonia replied. "I'm Maxine. Maxine Tommen." She stretched out her hand. "Antonia Rivers." They shook hands. "I just moved here." "Well, Antonia Rivers, looks like we're in the same orientation group. Do you want us to stick together?" For the first time in months, Antonia felt genuine relief. "I'd like that." The morning passed quickly. Maxine was chatty and funny, and she seemed genuinely interested in getting to know Antonia. They had lunch together in the campus cafeteria. "So what brought you to Ashwood?" Maxine asked as she ate her burger. "My dad got transferred here. He's the new sheriff." "Wait, your dad is the new sheriff? That's cool! My parents own the local bookstore." Maxine sounded excited. "Really? I love books." Antonia replied. "You should come by sometime. We have the best collection of weird stories in the state." "Weird stories?" Maxine leaned in, whispering. "Ashwood Valley has some pretty wild stories. Werewolves, witches, you name it." Antonia laughed. "But it looks like every small town." "Maybe." Maxine shrugged with a mysterious smile. "But not every town has as many unexplained animal attacks as we do." "Are you trying to scare me on my first day?" Antonia asked. Maxine laughed. "I am just messing with you. But seriously, we do have some interesting history around here." After lunch, they exchanged numbers. "We should hang out this weekend," Maxine suggested. "I'd like that," Antonia replied.. As Antonia drove home that evening, she felt lighter and happier than she had in months. Maybe Ashwood Valley really would be the fresh start she needed. She stopped at a gas station to fill up her car. As she was paying, the bell above the door jingled. Antonia looked up and froze. A man had walked in, tall, with dark hair and piercing eyes. He moved with an easy confidence that made several people step aside as he walked. To cap it all, He was damn handsome. When his eyes met hers, something strange happened. The world seemed to slow down, and for a moment, she couldn't breathe. He nodded slightly in her direction, with a curious expression on his face. "Miss? Your change?" The cashier's voice jolted her back to reality. "Oh, sorry. Thanks." She collected her change and rushed out, feeling the stranger's eyes on her back. As she drove home, she couldn't shake the feeling that something had just hit her. Something significant. She couldn’t explain how she was feeling after she met him. It was a strange eerie feeling. But she was right to feel uneasy. Her life in Ashwood Valley was about to become far more complicated than she could ever have imagined. She had just met Ethan Mallory, she didn’t know it yet but he was the link connecting it all.