Blood of the Pure

Chapter 1- Head Over Heals

**Hayden** 

It was my last few hours in my childhood home and room before I was supposed to fly across country. Naval boot camp and specialty training school ended a little over a week ago; coming home I felt like I had grown as a person. I felt like I had accomplished something for once in my life, as if I were finally good enough, even as a human. 

Grabbing the last few of my sweatshirts from my closet, I walked over to my bed getting frustrated with the amount of clothes and personal items I had and the lack of room to pack them. Folding the last few of my sweatshirts I tried stuffing them into my sea bag. My emotions continued to stir as the resentment for this place resettled in me.  

How could you start your life resenting a place with all your core to turn around and falling in love with it and the people in it to the point of tears? More importantly how the hell does Uncle Sam except me to be able to pack everything I will ever need in 2 sea bags and call it a day? 

I rolled my eyes at my own stupid questions, I stopped struggling with packing and start to walk around my room one last time taking in all the love I have gained from this place. Memories flooded me one by one as tears began to stream down my cheeks. I picked up a photo of my dad holding me in front our new house. 

I was only 6 when we first moved on to the Crescent Lunar Pack Estates. I remembered being angry that I had to leave my home and friends behind to go to a new school. Pulling through the gates, men the size of giants stood in front of our car with big guns. When I asked my mom about them, she dismissed the question saying that they were just there to make sure no one bad could get in. 

We pulled up to a light blue house that was two stories high, and I remember being in awe. It looked like a small castle; I had never seen a house so beautiful. The front yard was lined with roses and lilies. In the middle of the yard was a dog statue with water coming out of its mouth. 

“Daddy, where are we?” My small raspy voice asked still recovering from tears that were shed on the way here. 

“Well, this is our new home honey! Want to go inside and pick out your room?” He pulled into the driveway, coming to a stop, and turning to me with a smile. 

A small chuckle escaped me as I dragged my fingers along the next series of photos. A picture of me with my cheer squad laid next to a photo of me trying to outrun an exceptionally large gray wolf. A smile spilled across my face ever thinking it was ever a clever idea to try and outrun a werewolf. 

A knock rattled on my door while my mother entered the room. Turning to her with tears in my eyes I could not find the words to greet her. Rain started pouring outside.  

“Aww what’s wrong sweetie?” She glided over and wrapped her arms around me. 

“It’s really nothing,” I wiped a tear from my cheek, “I’m just going to miss guys and my friends here on the estate.” 

She rubbed my shoulder still holding me and kissed the side of my head. “Hayden, your Father and I have only ever wanted the best for you. We took our jobs here to make sure you could always get that. You have been training for wonderful things since you got here, and we will never discourage you from bettering yourself or your future. “My mom took a deep breath in and I could feel the situation turning sour.  

Pulling away, she sat me down on the bed. “Why did you join the military without telling us?” Silence and fear fell over me. I know this was a conversation I should have had with them before today, but I did not want them to be disappointment or force me to stay here. 

“Mom…” I started to fiddle with my thumbs. My words felt heavy like cement on my chest. “I want to help people, more than just wolves. I want to be important to someone, to find my soulmate. Here at the pack house I am no one. I’m human.” The tears built up again. “You and dad have worked so hard to build up your reputation with the wolves. You are their top doctor and continuously save them daily. Dad is their Fire Chief and always responses when called for help.  But to the wolves, I am no one. I am a weak human who they could kill without a second thought. I do not ever want to feel that way again. That is why I joined. I knew you would try and talk me out of it, but I did it to prove I could be more.” My voice trembled as I spoke the last words. 

To be more. That is all I will ever want. 

 Hearing footsteps trample up the stairs I quickly composed myself and stood up acting like nothing just happened.  

“Well hello there my two beautiful ladies. You guys ready to head to the airport?” My dad leaned against the door and smirked at us. Some part of me knew he just hear our conversation, and this was his way of approving. I nodded and gave him a slight smile while throwing one of the sea bags to him. 

The flight cross country was overwhelming and exhausting lasting about 8 hours. I got off the plane feeling gross, hungry, and had to pee like no other. I walked through the airport towards the bathroom. The sea of people shuffling slower than normal. Come on people! Could you walk any slower? Why is it when you are in a hurry the world automatically moves slower. 

Adjusting the bag on my shoulder I look behind me to cross the walkway to the bathroom. Come on move quicker! Before I could take another step, I was on my back looking up at the tile ceiling. 

“Could this day get any worse?” I moaned to myself resuming to lay there. 

“I’m sorry Mam. I didn’t see you there.” A young man apologized while lifting me up under my armpits like a toddler. Shifting his arms under my butt he pulled me into his chest, I started to press my hand down onto his shoulders trying to create distance between us as my feet dangled at least 2 feet off the floor. 

Jesus he is strong. Starring down at him I look him over. He had a medium fade haircut and a freshly shaved face, obviously military. With how far he has me off the ground he had to be about six foot tall. A half smile streams across his right side of his face while looking up at me. His smiling had something behind it, something genuine like he trying to protect me. 

My mouth falls open in awe by him. “See anything you like?” A chuckle arose out of him. 

“I.. umm....” I rambled. 

“I’m Christopher Abaven Jones. What’s your name?” He voice was soft but deep, his eyes shifted from a Hazel to a light blue color. He was a hybrid. I bit my bottom lip trying to figure out if I should give him my real name, he could be dangerous. 

“Hay….Nicole. My name is Nicole.” I manage to vocalize while still starred down at him. “Can you put me down please?” 

“Oh yeah, sorry about that I forgot I was holding you up.” He gently set me down in front of him. Forgot? He forgot he was holding a 140lb women up? I gave him a confused look. “Where you headed to Ms. Nicole?” 

“I’m reporting...I mean I’m.” Once again, I fumbled with my words on if I should tell him the truth. Who is this guy, and why is he wanting to know where I am going? 

Another small laugh starts in his chest as he hides his smile. 

“Are you new to the base?”  

A worry sets over me, how did he know I was going to the marine base? My worry must had spread to my expression. 

“Your sea bags.” He pointed to my bags laying on the ground, trying to ease my nerves. 

“Yes. Those.” I nod my head and tried to play it off. “Yes, I’m reporting to my first duty station on the base.” I shifted my body to side while crossing my arms in a defensive position and looked up at him. 

Christopher was obviously a werewolf. His strength along could tell you this, but when his eyes shifted it confirmed by thoughts. He must have known I knew about his wolf since he smirks and leaned into me, he inhaled my scent. 

“How about I make you a deal?” He growled lowly into my ear. I took a sharp breath in tensing up, but I lingered on his words. “By the time you make it down the stairs and get to the USO, if the base shuttle isn’t there yet, you’ll let me drive you to the base check in.” 

“I’m sorry, I really need to go. But thank you.” I tried to sound as confident as I could. Turning away I grab my bags and started to walk down the stairs to the USO. 

The USO was to the left of the stairs. A large woman with clearly dyed red hair sat behind the counter watching a show as I opened the door. Pausing the phone, she stood up and looked up at me. 

“Hello sugar!” The woman’s voice was pleasantly southern. “What can I do you for you tonight?” 

“Good Evening, I need to get on the next the shuttle to base. I’m supposed to report tomorrow.” I grabbed the pen and signed in while handing her my ID. 

“Oh, pumpkin. I’m sorry, the last shuttle already left for the night.” The look of disappointment and empathy filled her face. “If you take the doors outside, I’ll call you a taxi for base.” 

Sitting on the bench outside the airport waiting for the taxi I replayed everything that just happen in my head. “Why would I give him a fake name? He was probably just a nice guy who wants was just trying to help you out.” I thought to myself, “Or he could be various werewolf who just want to eat you.” I sigh while I rubbed my face grabbing my phone to look at the time. 

It was already 10:30pm and the taxi was 20 minutes late. I looked up from my phone as a smoke gray Mustang GT pulled up to the curb and Christopher stepped out popping the truck. 

“Come one princess.” He walked over to me grabbed my bags. “Let’s get you to base so you can get some sleep before processing starts tomorrow.” At this point, I just wanted to sleep. I wanted to be done with this day and I wanted to start my new life away from wolves already. 

He opened the passenger door for me, letting me slide in first before closing the door for me. The car still had the new car smell to it. 

“Thank you.” I whispered softly as climbed into the driver side buckling in. 

Christopher turned and reached out to me,” Here give me your phone.” I hand it to Christopher without a second thought. “I'm going to put my number in. You can text or call me whenever you want.” He hands the phone back to me. 

“Why are you being so nice to me? Are you like this with all the new Sailors that come to the base?” I taunted him in a joking tone. 

He smiled again shifting towards me, “I’m not sure, but there is something about you Nicole.” His hand moving towards my face and sweeping some of my hair behind my ear. At that moment something in me eased. The thoughts of fears faded, and I knew he was never going to hurt me. 

We spend the next 30 minutes laughing and talking about our lives. Our friendship came naturally, like it was fate that we met. Maybe South Carolina was not going to be so bad.