Alpha Nox

Chapter One

Noah groaned and curled up in the ground in a fetal position while covering his head with his hands. He received every kick and punch from his pack mates until they were satisfied. Laughing filled the small alleyway, and Noah couldn't do anything but sobbed in pain.

"Enough," the voice said. The kicks and punches stopped. Noah slowly removed his hands when he heard footsteps walking in his way. The Alpha's son - Josh, crouched down and threw the cigarette butt near him.

"I told you, Noah. I'll make your life a living hell," he whispered and pulled Noah's hair. Noah winced and tried to swat Josh's hand, but he only tightened his grip on him, so much that he felt his scalp was going to be removed from his head.

"What did I ever do to you?" Noah whispered.

"Hey guys, Noah's asking," Jacob said, and the men behind him laugh out loud.

"Because you're gross," Jacob answered that made Noah blinked his eyes twice. "A faggot like you, trying to fit in the pack was laughable, Noah," he added with a smirk. Noah felt like his heart crushed into tiny little pieces. Josh let him go and stood up, putting his hands in his pockets, and left like nothing happened.

Noah sniffled a sob and sat while hugging his knees. He can feel his body ache because of what they did to him. One day, in the scorching heat of summer two years ago, they discovered his secret that he tried to hide. Two years ago, they started maltreating him because he was different.

Noah breathed while crying for hours. He works as a cashier in a small store of his friend, Amber when Josh and his gang pulled him out to hurt him.

Josh was his friend, but when he found out about him, he distanced himself from Noah. Noah would always see the hate and disgusted look on Josh's face while staring at him. Limping, Noah went back to the store.

The chime rang, and his friend, Amber, with a grim look on her face, entered. She hurriedly walked to Noah's side and grabbed his arm.

"Did they f*****g do this to you, again!?" Amber said while fuming in anger. Noah pulled his bruised arm and hid it in his back.

"Bear, don't get mad, please. They didn't," Noah said and tried his best to smile at her.

"Bah! Are you trying to lie in my face? You think I'm going to fall for that?" Amber said and put her hands on her waist.

"I saw those pieces of trash walking flamboyantly, and I knew they were up to something," Amber muttered and glared. Noah quickly covered her mouth and looked around the store.

"Bear, you can't say that! Jacob's going to be the Alpha soon. Are you out of your mind!?" Noah whispered yelled at her. "You could've been in serious trouble," he added and let out a sigh. Amber rolled her eyes inwardly and swatted Noah's hands.

"What kind of Alpha does that with his pack members!? Only a piece of trash, I tell you," she stated bravely.

"Bear, please. It's my fault too," Noah said with a sad smile. Amber looked at him and heaved out a sigh.

"It's not your fault, Noah. Why do you always say that?" Amber asked. She's irritated, not with Noah, but because of Josh. Noah remained silent while stocking up the candies in the jar.

"Thank the heavens he's not my mate because if he is, I'll reject him instantly for being a jerk," she said.

"Bear, don't be like that," Noah said sadly. Amber raised her eyebrows and sat on the stool next to him.

"You're thinking that again, am I right?" Amber asked. Noah scratched the back of his head and sighed.

"I'm sorry, it's just...I already accepted that I'm going to be mateless forever, but my heart was still hopeful," Noah said. The mention of mate made him dejected. After his eighteenth birthday, he believed that he would never have a mate because he's different from the rest…because he's gay.

"Boo, Moon Goddess created us equally. Even the rogues have mate," Amber muttered. "You are a child of the Moon, and so am I," she added and put her hand on the top of Noah's hands.

"You will find him. I know you will," she confidently said with a smile.

"Thank you for making my worries go away, Bear," Noah said.

"Duh, I'm your bestie! It's the least I can do," she said and kissed him on the cheek. Noah chuckled and patted her head. Amber was a sweet girl but also a feisty one, and he admires her for that.

"Where's Austin, by the way?" Noah asked while cleaning the shelves with a cloth.

"That i***t brother of mine said he has to attend pack meeting," Amber answered. Her brother, Austin, was titled Beta to be of Rook Pack. He's been allowed to join meetings for the preparations of becoming the future right-hand man of the Alpha.

"I told him about Josh bullying you, but he always says he couldn't do anything about it," Amber said and groaned frustratedly. Noah understands all of it. Austin's bind with the pack and disobeying the future Alpha will do him no good.

"Bear, you know it's hard for him too. Understand your brother a bit more," Noah said.

"You're too good, Noah. Too good," Amber said and stared at him. "Anyway, how's Aunt Lea?" she added while stuffing gums in her mouth.

"She's alright. She recovered from her sickness and now working in the clinic," Noah said and smiled. These past few days have been rough for him because he had to work three jobs. He's not only paying for their bills, but he's also saving up money for a university outside the pack and for his mother.

"Hey, let's go to Uncle Tom's restaurant," Amber said and popped her gum. Noah looked at her and slightly shook his head.

"You know I'm tight on money right now, Bear. I have to save," Noah replied. Amber groaned and lay her head on the steel shelf next to her.

"It's my treat. Come on," Amber said and pouted her lips.

"I still have work, Bear," Noah said and chuckled. Amber picked her phone out of her pocket and began dialing a number. She put it on her ear and spoke.

"Hey, Dad! I'm taking Noah to Uncle Tom's...yes...okay...thanks! Love you," she said and immediately turned her phone off. Amber looked at Noah and winked, which made him laugh out loud. Even though most of the pack members hated and disgusted by him, Amber's family - the Jones, accepted who he was and treated him with the utmost kindness.

"What do I do? It's your call," he said. Amber squealed and waited for Noah to changed his clothes and washed the dried dirt on his body before going out of the store.