The Alpha’s Goddess

Chapter 2

~CALLIE'S P.O.V~

*BEEP, BEEP, BEEP*

I awoke from the alarm clock drenched in sweat; my clothes were soaked. I sighed, 'It was only a dream...' I spoke to myself aloud. My past haunts me most nights in my dreams as if a reminder for me to never forget what happened. Although that could never happen. I never told a soul about what the Rogue King said to me. I knew I should've, but what if they blame me? He attacked every pack until he found me. Then he just stopped? They say he is dead but something inside of me screams otherwise.

Almost every night for 2 and a half years I have had the same recurring dream. The day of the rogue attack. I don't tell anyone, because what's the use? I used to wake up screaming and Mrs. Avery would come running into my room, holding me tight and using soothing words. I've since then stopped screaming in my sleep from the nightmares. She assumed they had gone away but they never did. Today is my 16th Birthday, December 15th a day every wolf is so excited about, just not me. Don't get me wrong, I hope I meet my mate and I pray to the moon goddess that he can restore the happiness I once felt, or that he can take these vivid dreams away, even if at least he could help me overcome them. But something about today doesn't feel right. I got out of bed and made my way over to my bathroom located in my room. I look in the mirror to see my reflection. I used to be so happy. After the loss of my parents, all I feel is empty inside, that glow I used to have has faded, and that smile that once spread across my face on its own accord is now forced. I look at my reflection and all I see anymore is a stranger looking back. I don't know this person staring me in the eyes. One could say I am beautiful even without trying. My hair is blonde, which reaches just above my butt. I haven't cut it because my mother always loved my long hair. I have deep blue eyes; my skin was ivory toned. I am 5'6 and pretty thin, I might say. Not as skinny as some she-wolves, but I'd say I am just the right size. I forgot to introduce myself. My name is Callie Richards, the former Gamma of our pack's daughter. I now live with the Beta family in the middle of nowhere in Maine with my pack. You see we are all werewolves. Not the typical ones you see on TV where they shift only on full moons and cannot control the beast within. We are just like humans, only we have this voice in our mind that doesn't go away, and we can shift into wolves. Humans don't know we exist, except for hunters with whom we have a treaty. We remain in the middle of nowhere so we can have free range to be who we are, free from the human eye. I like it that way. I love the forest, the greenery all around, with birds chirping in the air as they fly by, the crickets and the little animals in the woods, and the sounds of streams from the rivers. It's peaceful, in the city you don't get that. Which is why the wilderness is our home. We aren't complete animals; we live in beautiful houses. I live in the main pack house as do many others, but some families want their own space, which is respected.

I took one last look at myself in the mirror and turned away to get in the shower. As I was rinsing my hair, I heard Jade let herself into my room. She always comes to make sure I am awake. I turn the water off and grab the towel hanging on the rack beside the shower. Wrap me up and walk into my room. Jade sat there at the end of the bed holding a small box smiling ear to ear.

"Happy birthday Cal!" She exclaimed.

"Jade, I said no gifts."

"I know, I know, but come on Callie, it's your birthday! I couldn't skip the one important date of the year, the day that birthed my best friend."

I smiled weakly, sat next to her, and took the little box from her hands. Once I opened it, my heart about exploded. It was a bracelet with 3 wolves with engravings on each. A smile replaced my frown as I looked at the details of each pendant.

"It’s a Pandora bracelet. You can add more charms if you'd like." Jade said.

I could feel tears forming in my eyes. I turned to her with a smile spread across my face, a genuine smile. That happens very rarely anymore.

"I love it J, thank you so much,” I said as I wrapped my arms tight around her body, giving her a huge hug. She holds me tight in return.

"I got your parents' names along with yours engraved on each wolf so you can always carry a piece of them with you."

"It is the best gift I could have ever received. Thank you." I said to her,

"You're Welcome. Okay, no more crying missy, you're going to make me cry and I spent too much time on my face to waste this masterpiece," she says as she moves her finger in a circular motion around her face.

"It's your birthday so no more tears from those pretty eyes." She spoke again. I smile and give her my scouts honor.

I got up from bed and walked into my closet to find some clothes to wear for school.

"Oh, hey Cal!" I heard Jade yell from inside the room.

"Yeah?"

"Mom said if you would prefer to skip today that she would talk to the professors and allow us to play hooky." I thought about it for a moment but quickly remembered there was an important test in one of my classes today.

"As much as I would love to skip school, I have a big test in History today, so I will at least have to go to my first class."

" OK, after the first hour, we can meet in my car and go to the mall to get a new outfit! Don't forget about the big party we have planned for tonight!"

How could I forget? Even if I wanted to, I couldn't. Why do you ask? It's not because it is my birthday. No, it’s because Jade has made it a point to mention it every day for the last month now.

"I know, I know" I finally responded.

"Okay, get dressed and meet me downstairs, Mom is making your fav!" She exclaimed while walking out, closing the door behind her.

I picked out something simple. Some tight black jeans, a gray sweater, and some gray boots. It was pretty chilly outside last week due to it being the middle of December, so I had to dress warm but also in something nice. I quickly got ready, fixing my hair. I was straightening it while adding some light makeup because, well, it is technically a special day. Turning 16 is the special birthday for wolves, the birthday that opens our passage and allows us to meet our wolves and also sense our mate if they are close. Not all wolves find their mates; some can take years to find, while others never find them at all. We are granted 1 mate and 1 mate alone. The moon goddess took away the gift of second-chance mates after many among our kind rejected and degraded the bond. So now we have one chance and that's it. Today is special, that's at least what I keep telling myself.

I looked in the mirror one last time before heading downstairs. I grab my backpack off the chair and then head down to get some breakfast. I could smell the bacon and the sausage, making my mouth salivate. I turned the corner and walked into the kitchen. Beta Makon and Jade were already seated at the table waiting.

"Ah good morning birthday girl," Makon says, causing Jasmine, his mate, and Jade's mom to turn around from the stove to stare at me.

"Good morning baby, Happy Birthday!" Jasmine exclaims with excitement, making her mate smile in return. Their love makes me hope that one day I will also have that. The mate bond is so sacred, the love mates share is like no other. Having a mate is like what a human would call having a "soulmate". You are destined for one another. My parents were true mates, and their love was beyond what I could imagine.

Between Jasmine and Jade, there's no way to forget what today is. Although I want to be happy at the idea of finding my mate, I just can't shake the thought that I am spending another birthday without my parents. Not that their intentions were to make me think of that. It's not like they know, I don't verbalize to them that my birthday, and any holiday for that matter only reminds me of my loss. They were just so excited. Jade loves parties and Jasmine loves planning parties. There is no way around lying low and getting the day over with. If it makes them happy, then there will be a party.

I am beyond grateful the Beta family took me in. If not for that, I would be in an orphanage or working in the pack house as an Omega for money and also to have room and board. Not that there's anything wrong with being an Omega. I love all pack members equally, regardless of rank. Luckily, I didn't have to bear that weight. Some of the other members treated Omegas poorly, they can be bullies. A month or so after I lost my parents, a few members from a neighboring pack that also attends our school would constantly call me "Orphan Callie", but I didn't let it phase me. While some females would say "She is gonna be a w***e without guidance."

I was far from that, I was still a virgin, not only that, but I have never even kissed a boy, not that it was anyone's business. Their words only reflected the ugliness within themselves.

I sat down at the table and began to fill my plate. Eggs, bacon, sausage, biscuits, gravy. I sure love a good breakfast! I miss the days when I and my mom would make breakfast and dance to some music to "lighten the mood", as she would call it.

Beta Makon spoke, breaking me away from my never-ending thoughts.

"So, girls, what are your plans for tonight?"

"Oh, you know, shopping, getting ready, a bit of partying, and then my favorite part, SHIFTING!" exclaimed Jade.

You see, Jade turned 16 a few months back in October. Which means tonight I don't have to shift alone. She hasn't found her mate yet if you were wondering, but she hasn't given up hope either. Tonight, her goal was to find her mate, since the party was an open invitation to all pack members and also their friends.

"Right, so remember Callie, you shift at 11:45 pm, right before midnight, please remember that," Makon said with pride.

"Got it," I replied.

"Also, girls, please remember that Alpha James's son, Gunner, and your brother Laken will be returning home on Monday, which is 3 days from now," Makon said. Jade seemed thrilled, but was it because of her brother's arrival or the fact the future Alpha is returning matless?

A little backstory. At the age of 15, the Alpha and Beta heirs of each pack are sent away to train at a camp run by the Royal Wolves. It is said the camp helps teach them to control their wolves and teaches them leadership, and authority. It is mandatory that all Alpha and Beta's attend. This started a while back due to rogue numbers climbing but also because of the fact that centuries ago some Alphas were just terrible leaders.

"Callie, you remember Laken and Gunner, right?" Asked Makon.

"Um, I do remember them. I don't know them, but I do remember. I wasn't around them much to be honest."

"All is well. We will be having a welcome back party in honor of them the weekend after they return."

Great, another party. At least this time it won’t be all about me and I can skid off to my room after I show my appearance out of respect.

"Alright Cal, we gotta get going if you want to be on time for that test!" Jade exclaims.

"Right, Thank you Mrs. Avery for the amazing breakfast," I said as I walked my dishes over to the sink to rinse them off and put them in the dishwasher. "I will see you both at the party tonight?" I asked before leaving.

"You're welcome, honey. Enjoy shopping after class. I'll make sure to reach out to the principal to let him know neither of you will be attending the remainder of classes after the first period. Be safe, and please have fun. To answer your question though, we were actually thinking of staying tonight."

"That sounds fair. We will see you later then." Jade says, tugging my arm.

We walked out of the pack house and to Jade's car. It was a small car, but it fit her personality perfectly. A yellow slug-bug. She has this vibrant personality that just lights up any room she goes to. She can make me smile even on my worst days. Jade is beautiful, she has brown wavy hair that flows freely down her back, the greenest emerald eyes that fit so well against her tanned skin. Her name, Jade, fits her to a T if you ask me. Females envied her beauty, but she never flaunted it. I loved that about her. She was the most laid-back yet the most social person that I have ever met. She is all of the parts of me that I hope one day will return.

We got in the car and headed to school. "Alright, let's start this day with a bang!" Jade said as she was plugging in her phone to select a song to play off her Apple playlist. Once she found one, she then turned up the radio to where we could barely hear her belting out the words. I took a deep breath. Okay, let's make this day worth something more than what it is.