Althena

1. Precious Gift

Part 1



The bell rings and I run for it. It's the end of the last day before summer break. After a few hugs from the girls, I make the trek home. It's a 20 minute ride on the bus.

As always, Landon Swiftpaw sits a few rows away from me. We're the only public school teenagers in the Woodland pack. I'm almost 14 and he's 16 now. We used to be friends. We would hang out and have fun every day. It changed a couple of years ago, suddenly he didn't want to be my friend.

Momma always says, he'll come around some day. But I don't think so. It was over night he decided he hated me. I doubt if I'll ever know what I did.

I decide to strike up some conversation with him. "Have any plans for the summer?"

"Nope." He stares out the window.

That went well. I put in my ear buds and listen to my music.

The bus pulls up to the packhouse and Landon lets me out first.

Luna Millie smiles at us. "Are you happy to be out for the summer?"

"Yes, ma'am." Landon throws his bag over his shoulder. "I'm excited to begin training."

"Alpha was excited to let you join the early training program, Landon. You make everyone proud. I'm sure you'll be an amazing warrior. Just like your father."

"Thank you, ma'am. Have a nice evening."

I smile at him. "Congratulations." He walks away like he didn't hear me. I smile at Millie. "Anything I can help with today?"

"Your mom fell in the gardens today, sweetie. She's in the hospital. I'll walk you to her."

"Is she ok?"

"She's awake and talking. I told her I was coming to get you."

We walk into her room quietly. She's weak. She's always weak. She lost her mate when she was still pregnant with me. It nearly killed her but she held on for me.

"There's my beautiful daughter." She holds open her arms.

I hug her gently. "What happened, momma?"

"I over did it in the garden. It was sunny out there today." She starts coughing and can't catch her breath. I help her sit up and she wipes some blood off her lip.

"Momma. You're not well."

"I know, baby. I only ever wanted to see you grow up. I'm afraid I'm not going to make it."

"You will, Aurel." Millie fixes her pillows. "You got too much sun today. Rest and relax for now. Thena can have dinner with us tonight."

"Thank you, Luna. You are to kind."

"It's my pleasure." Millie puts her arm around me. "Visit with your mom, then come to the pack house at 6 for dinner."

"I will. Thank you." She smiles and leaves. I sit by momma and rest my head on her pillow. "Do you need anything?"

"To tell you a story."

"What story is that?"

"Yours." She starts coughing again.

"Momma, you need rest."

"I do need sleep, baby. Come back after dinner. I'll tell you the story." She closes her eyes. She may have fell asleep that fast.

I grab my school bag and head home. I feel we're lucky here. The pack doesn't have much money but we have the best location.

The Woodland pack is located in the West District of the mega-city Crystal Falls. Any further west is the woods. So our pack can go running in the woods whenever we want. We also have the best warriors. We have to. If anyone invades the city from the west, they have to protect everyone.

By the time I straighten up the house and do some laundry, it's 5:30. I dress up a little and head to the pack house.

Millie opens the door for me. "Perfect. Just in time. And you look so grow up with makeup on."

I know I blush a little. I feel my cheeks get warm. "I used some of my mom's stuff. I wanted to look nice."

"You look beautiful." She gives me a hug and helps me in. "Will you help me set the table?"

"Of course." This is something I've done many times in the last year. Momma is in the hospital nearly every few weeks.

Alpha Max pokes his head in as we get done. "Set 3 more places. The Swiftpaw's are joining us tonight."

"Of course, love."

I wait for him to leave. Usually, I'm not invited when they have guests. This surprised Millie though. "Did you want me to go?"

"Nonsense. It's only a pack member dinner. Max wants to welcome him to the warrior ranks."

"I can eat at the hospital with my mom. It's not a big deal. I don't want to impose."

"You are staying for dinner, Thena. It's not a big deal."

We set 8 places for dinner. I still feel like I shouldn't be here. But it's not like I have an option. Max and Millie have 2 boys, Mike and Miles. Mike is 19 and the Delta of the pack. It means he's in training to be either an Alpha or Beta. But everyone knows he's going to take Alpha Max's place after he finds his mate. Miles is 16. I think he's still deciding what he wants to do. Although, they're both alpha's. They have alpha aura's.

I sit by Luna, same as always for these dinners. The boys sit across from us. Max sits at the head of the table and Luna to his right. Visitors sit on the other end. I don't know why they never had me sit on the other end. It's weird now that I think about it. I am a visitor.

Max comes in with the Swiftpaw's and his boys right at 6. Mike twirls my curl as he walks by and I smile at him. He's always kind to me. He's nice looking too. Miles sits at the other end of the table beside Landon. Landon makes a comment about mutts and they laugh. A mutt is a nasty word for someone without a father. I've heard it a few times, but hearing it here stings. My eyes fill up with tears and I stare at my plate while the alpha gives a speech. By the time he's done, I can see again. I won't let them see my tears.

The dinner is mostly everyone telling Landon how good he's doing. Max officially welcomes him to the rank of warrior. Everyone congratulates him 12 times. I stay quiet and eat my food. I know it's not me he wants to hear from. Him and Miles chuckle every now and then. I can't hear what they're saying, but I can't help but feel they're poking fun at me. I'm not sure what I ever did to either of them. And most of the time, I get along with Miles.

The table gets cleared of the dinner dishes and I whisper, "Millie, can I be excused to check on my mother?"

"Of course, sweetie. Thank you for joining us. I didn't realize it would be such a long dinner."

"Thank you for inviting me. It was a lovely meal." I stand up.

"Oh the mutt's leaving?" Miles said it a little to loud.

"MILES." The alpha slams his hand on the table. "YOU..."

I don't hear what he says, I run for it. I'm halfway to the hospital before I slow down. I wipe my eyes off. I guess that's all I'll ever be to some people.

I sit in the chair beside my mom's bed.

She sits up. "What's wrong, princess?"

"Some people are mean."

"What happened?"

"It doesn't matter. How are you feeling?"

"Not so good. I'm afraid I don't have much longer."

"I'm sorry, momma. I will do anything."

"You're the reason I made it this long. I wanted to see you grow up. You're so beautiful. I wish I could stay."

"I don't want you to go."

"I know, baby. But we only get so long with people. When the time is over, it's over. We can only be happy about the time we had. Cherish those memories." She pats the bed beside her. "Sit with me and I'll tell you a story."

I snuggle beside her. I love this. I've heard the story many times. But I'll never get tired of it. It's all she has ever told me about my dad.

"One day, 14 years ago, I met my mate. I was 17. He was 22. He had black hair and bright blue eyes. You have his eyes. I loved him immediately. He was everything I could have ever wanted."

"Where did I get my white hair?"

"I have no idea." She laughs.

I knew it would make her laugh. It always makes her laugh. I love that sound.

"But we loved each other. It was perfect. We planned on being together forever. But then, I guess he got cold feet. His family was telling him he could do better than me. Find someone who could offer him more than an omega could. I've never had money or connections. Only him."

"I'm sorry, momma." This part I don't like.

"It's not your fault. He made his decisions. Not you." She squeezes me. "He still gave me the best gift ever. It was you. But as soon as I turned 18, I felt the soulmate bond with him. He refused it. It nearly killed me. I was so in love with him. But I held on for you. I brought you here. A nice safe place to grow up." She twirls my hair in her fingers. "My precious gift."