Prophecy of the Alphas

ARIA'S POV Silverwood. Even the town’s name seemed like it came straight out of a movie. I looked at the huge house before me and then at the keys I held in my hand. This was mine now. A pang of guilt twisted in my gut. As much as I was grateful for this opportunity to start my life in a new town, I was sad about how I'd gotten it. Grandma Jo had passed. Luckily, she was very peaceful in her sleep, surrounded by all her loved ones, me included. I'd be the one holding her hand as she closed her eyes and breathed her last breath. I closed mine, willing the image from my mind as a stray tear fell down my cheek. Grandma Jo would not want me crying right now. She'd like me to walk up the paved path to my new home, open that door, let some light in, and get busy making myself at home. She always only wanted the best for me. That's why out of all the grandkids she had, seven in total, she had left me her house. The other grandkids hadn't been surprised and hadn't even argued. None of them wanted anything to do with the house. Saying it was more work than it was worth and that it was in a town that was more backward than it was forward. But I liked the town, always had. It was small and quaint. Just what I needed was the type of town you could go to and forget the rest of the world. My latest scandal of an ex wouldn't find me here, and I was grateful for that. He never bothered to get to know my family, so he never visited me when I came to see Grandma Jo. While I spent time with her, he was with my friend, Sarah. Now ex-friend. She was never much of a friend anyway—someone in the background of our group hangouts. You'd think after cheating, your ex would disappear into the Netherlands, but instead, he was insistent on trying to make my life hell. He was blowing up my phone before I changed my number, showing up at my apartment, and harassing me at work. But no more of that. I was free and clear and ready to start fresh and new. I needed to stop just oogling the house and get inside before these bugs ate me alive. I headed back to my car to grab my night bag. I'd unpack the rest tomorrow. I really didn't feel like it today. It was a lazy day today. That's what I called it when I didn't feel like doing stuff. I had my laptop and k****e in my night bag, and that's all I needed tonight. I'd do some writing and reading and talk to my best friend, Vivian. It sounded like an awesome night to me—alone and free. Silverwood would be a great place for me. I had felt a connection here since I was a little kid, and making it my home was the most logical step in my young adult life. Young adult life, ha. I sounded so mature. I was only twenty. Putting my key in the lock, the key almost didn't budge. It was definitely an old house. Doing the familiar wiggle, I was able to unlock the door and swung it open. Grandma Jo's furniture was still neatly arranged, and plastic sheets covered everything. When she'd gone into hospice, she'd ask that everything be protected with plastic sheets. She always took care of her home. She was sick, and her first thought was about her furniture and home. Of course. Setting my bag down, I started pulling the sheets back. I wasn't going to sit around in a house full of what looked like spooky ghosts. It was a lazy day, but not that lazy. I'd scare myself senseless before I fell asleep. When that was done, I piled the plastic in the corner, noting I'd need to take it to recycling tomorrow and find out when trash day and recycling day were scheduled. That was a Monday-type problem. Today was a lazy Sunday. Grabbing my bag again, I plopped down on the floral couch, kicking off my boots. Grandma Jo would kill me if I put my boots on her couch. She might be gone, but I'd still respect her. I took my k****e out of my bag and prepared to start a little reading when I heard a noise in the kitchen. It sounded like something had knocked over. I was alone in a huge house, and I was probably hearing things. I didn't need to be psyching myself out immediately. I shook my head, turning on my k****e and browsing the books I had downloaded. Did I want to read a mystery or a romance novel? The sound came from the kitchen again. I sat up, looking towards the kitchen. I hadn't imagined that. Swinging my legs over the couch, I set my k****e down. Looking around for something heavy I could bring, I saw a fire poker. This was so movie-esque, but it could have worked if there had been a wild animal in there, which is probably what it was. It wouldn't be a monster or a person. Maybe a squirrel. I wouldn't kill a squirrel, though. They're so cute. I grabbed the poker and inched towards the kitchen quietly. A louder sound of something falling came from the kitchen, but this time, I heard a whimper. It was definitely an animal of some kind, but it sounded like it was hurt. My heart went out to whatever it was. But if it was something that could hurt me, I wasn't sure what I was going to do. My heart leaped in my throat as I neared the kitchen. Pushing the door open, I peered into the kitchen, but it was too dark to see anything. A growl sounded from within. I blinked a couple of times, and then I saw it—two glowing red eyes.