The Soldier's Begining

02 Party Time!

    I walked in the door and kicked my shoes off by the door. I then made my way to the kitchen. I wanted to grab a snack before I started my homework. I had yet another rough day at school. Not surprising since Ryan and his lackeys went out of their way to make my life hell.

    Now that we started high school, our school was now in an area that was neutral territory between our pack and three other packs. Because of this we shared a school system. Our packs were on friendly terms and with us sharing a school it gave us an opportunity for the younger generation of the pack to get to know each other. Friendships were formed and our pack’s alliances grew stronger.

    Of course Ryan being Ryan decided to spread the word about a filthy half breed in their school. It didn’t take long for my entire class to take on Ryan’s way of thinking. I was ridiculed and bullied, but after years of enduring Ryan’s abuse I had a thick skin. It also helped that since Nico was in my grade he saw to it that no one from our pack would bully me. Little did he know that our pack members only followed his instruction when he was looking.

    I walked into the kitchen to find my parents, my brother and a woman I had never seen before. They all looked in my direction as I walked into the room.

    “Oh good you’re home.” My mother stood and wrapped me in a hug.

    “What’s going on?” I was thoroughly confused.

    Jamie stood and so did the woman. He took her hand and looked at me. “Jess, I want to introduce you to my mate… Sophia.”

    “Please call me Sophie.”

    I felt my jaw drop and I had a shocked looked on my face. After a few seconds I shook my head. Jamie had a concerned look on his face until I smiled at him. “Well it's about time you turned 18 what? Four months ago?”

    Jamie laughed and mussed my hair. “You had me worried you were upset.”

    “Why on earth would I be upset? Finding your mate is a wonderful thing. I can’t wait to get to know you Sophie.”

    “I’m looking forward to it.” Sophie smiled at me.

    I walked further into the kitchen and grabbed an apple. “If you’ll excuse me I need to do my homework before I have to get to Jiu JitSu class.”

    “How many martial arts classes are you going to take?” Jamie asked.

    “Well I take my black belt test next week. I was thinking about trying Tai Kwando next.”

    He laughed again as I left the room to go to mine. Once in my room I threw my bag on my bed. I started to eat my apple as I opened my bag and pulled out my homework. I didn’t have much, I tried to do as much homework as I could during my study hall. A half an hour later I was finishing my last math problem when my dad called up the stairs that it was time to go.

    “One minute Papi, I’m almost finished.” I called back. I wrote my answer on my paper, I left my book open on my bed. I grabbed my bag with my Gi in it and ran down the stairs. 

    My father looked at his watch and grabbed his keys from the hook by the door. “This will all be easier when you’re able to drive yourself, hija.”

    “Two more years, Papi. I know you love our evening drives together.”

    “Si, I enjoy my father daughter time. What I don’t enjoy is sitting in the car for an hour while your class is going on.”

    “Like I said, two more years. Then you can sit on the couch and wait for me to get home.”

    “I like that idea less, I prefer to know where my little girl is. That way I know you’re safe.”

    I rolled my eyes and got into the car. This was a conversation we’ve been having since I turned 14. My dad was growing more protective the closer I got to 15. Now that might not mean much to most people, but for our Latin culture it was a big deal. Next year I would have my quinceanera where I would essentially become a woman. It’s kind of like a sweet 16 party and my dad was having a hard time with it.

    “We need to talk about your quinceanera.”

    I threw my head back against the seat exasperated. “Papi, it's a whole year away.”

     “Which is why we should start planning it now. We don’t want to miss a detail.”

    “Can’t I just have a few girls over and call it a day.”

    Dad gave me a horrified look. “I am not letting my little girl miss out on the most important day in her young life.”

    Dad wanted me to have a big party with ball gowns and extravagant decorations and lots of people. I didn’t want the same. I just wanted to stay at home with my family, a simple cake and a movie. I sighed my dad hardly ever asks anything of me so if he wanted me to be a princess for a day I guess I could do it only if it made him happy.

    “Ok we’ll sit down with mom this weekend and start planning.” I wasn’t looking forward to it but the smile on my dad’s face made it worth giving in.

1 year later

     I stood in the dressing room pulling at my dress. My mother swatted at my hands every time she caught me, which was every time. She was fixing the hem on my dress, it became damaged somehow. I pulled at my dress again and my mother gave me a look that told me if she caught me again I was going to be in big trouble. I don't like dresses, they are uncomfortable and it's hard to fight in them.

    Mom finished hemming my dress and I looked at myself in the mirror. My hair was curled and the front of my hair was pulled back with a clip and I had a tiara perfectly placed. I had on a brilliant blue ball gown, the sleeves draped off my shoulders. My father had the dress tailor made for me. He wanted to make sure I looked and felt like a princess on my birthday. The bodice of the dress was bejeweled with different sized gems.

    I found myself acting like a total girl watching the light shine off the jewels as I twirled back and forth. As I was captivated the door to the dressing room opened and my father walked in.

    "Papi!" My father didn't move, he just stood by the door staring at me. "Papi? Are you ok?"

    He shook his head and smiled at me. "I'm sorry hija I was captivated by your beauty. I love your hair. You look so much like your mother the first time I saw her." Dad had tears in his eyes and heard him sniffle a bit. He crossed the room and took my face in his hands. "My little princess is growing up." Dad kissed my forehead and pulled me into his chest. We sat there until the door opened again.

    "Dad, everyone's in the barn, it's time." Dad let me go and took a step back. Jamie stood there with a look of awe on his face. "Ay dios mio! You clean up good sis."

    I blushed and looked at the floor.

    "Come along Jamison. We should join the others so your father can present your sister." My mother all but pushed Jamie out the door.

    My father held his arm out to me and I gladly placed my hand in his elbow. I gathered the front of my dress in my hand so I wouldn't trip, we had a lot of stairs to walk down. Since this was a grand party my aunt(the Luna) let me use her dressing room, because you only turn 15 once.

    We walked down the stairs and out the front door. We followed the path out to the barn. It wasn't your traditional barn, this barn was a gathering place for parties and our monthly pack barbecues.

    As we approached the barn we could see that the doors were open and music could be heard. Everyone was talking amongst themselves until we stepped into the doorway. The ENTIRE pack was here. Not that I was surprised once my uncle found out about my quinceanera he said that he was going to make it a pack event. 

    As we stood in the doorway there were gasps and looks of awe. I was a pretty princess and I was soaking it up. My father stood up straighter and cleared his throat.

    "Now presenting." My father relaxed his arm and took my hand in his only holding my fingers. "Miss Jessica Jane Santiago." There was silence then the crowd erupted in applause.

    We spent the evening dancing, eating, laughing and taking pictures. I was having an absolute blast and was reminding myself to thank my father for talking me into this. I had danced myself out and was taking a break by the door, to let the cool evening air cool my warm face. I had my eyes closed leaning against the door frame enjoying the breeze when my happy bubble popped.

    "All this fuss over a half breed?"

    I groaned "Really Ryan? Can you not be an ass for one night?" I turned to look at him and his face was red. Normally I ignore him or simply walk away but today was my birthday and I was trying to enjoy my party. He of course had his usual lackeys behind him. "If you don't like the idea so much, why are you here? Just go home if you're unhappy." With that I turned back around.

    I heard a growl before a firm hand landed on my shoulder and I was violently turned around. "What makes you think you can talk to me like that?" Ryan's face was deep red, he was pissed and I didn't care.

    "It's my birthday and my party, forgive me for wanting to enjoy it." I didn't hide the annoyance in my voice. 

    Next thing I knew I heard a loud c***k and found myself on the ground and my face in pain. Ryan slapped me. He was breathing hard as he stood over me. The room went silent and everyone was staring at us. Ryan's group has smirks on their faces. I could feel the tears burning my eyes but I refused to let them fall.

    I looked up at Ryan. "Do you feel better now?" I made sure there was plenty of venom in my voice. Ryan took a step towards me and made a reach for my hair but was stopped in his tracks.

    "Touch her again and it will be the last thing you do." Nico was standing behind Ryan rage taking over his face.

    My father and brothers ran to me and helped me up.

    "Oh hija your dress."

    I looked down and noticed that my dress was covered in dirt and it was ripped. My mother walked over at that moment, took one look at my dress and laid into Ryan. Jamie came to me and took my in his hands and examined my face, he let out a vicious growl. He let my face go and took a step back. I took this time to touch my face. I had a large gash on my lip that I could feel was bleeding, I winced when I touched it so I knew there was going to be a deep bruise.

    My attention was drawn away from my examination when I heard a commotion. I looked up to see Nico dragging Ryan outside and at this point I had enough. My night was ruined and I wanted to go home. I looked at my dad, I knew he could see the tears in my eyes. He didn't say a word, he just scooped me up in his arms and carried me home.

    Mom helped me undress and get ready for bed. Once I was decent my dad came in and both my parents tucked me in. I know I'm 15 and should be too old to be tucked in, but after what I just went through it was nice to get the extra attention. My parents kissed me and left my room.

    Not 10 minutes after they left Jace came into my room with a pillow. "JJ can I sleep with you?"

    I know he was worried about me, but since he was only 11 there wasn't much he could do.

    "Sure." I lifted my covers in front of me so he could climb in my bed. He simply shook his head and walked to the other side of my bed. He put his pillow where he wanted it and climbed in. Once he was comfy he snuggled up close to me, wrapped his arm around me and nestled his face into my hair.

    "Why does Ryan hate you so much?"

    "I don't know buddy."