Jack

Blood. There is blood everywhere.

My parents' room was attacked first. My dad woke up with the sound of wolves entering our house. Startled, as soon as he could figure out what was happening it was almost too late.

They worked very fast and organized. My dad managed to wake up my mom and told her to protect Lilly, my sister who's sleeping next door. She barricaded herself inside Lilly's room, while my dad barely had time to sound the alarm.

He was attacked by 3 large werewolves as he didn't have enough time to shift into one himself.

He fought like hell, my dad. But they were too many. Even after he took out 2 of them, he got blindsided by another one who went straight for the jugular. Game over.

My mom and sister trembled inside the room. Mom told her to be brave as she had to shift to protect her, which she did. She guarded my little sister with her life, fought 'til the very end.

By the time the warriors came to our house, my mom was being overrun by 4 wolves attacking her almost simultaneously. But she did put up a good fight.

My sister, on the other hand, was only 6 at the time and didn't know what hit her. At least, that's my hope. I didn't actually see the attack, otherwise I wouldn't be alive either.

I was only 10 at the time. As fate intervened, my cousin had invited me to his house to play games and I stayed over night with him, like I did so many times before. My parents didn't even bat an eye to it.

Later we would learn that it was a strike to take out the Alpha family and destabilize the chain of command of our pack. They also attacked the pack house where the Beta family lived, at the same time they did ours. Except the pack house is lodge to over 20 warriors, not including the Beta.

By the time they managed to brake in, most of the men were already alerted by the noise and were able to defend themselves properly. Not like my father who didn't even get a chance to shift before the attack.

Not much longer after he sounded the alarm, 70 trained warriors reached our place and killed whoever was still there. It didn't take long for them to get to the pack house and help the residents fight off the remaining ones. Almost 30 wolves were killed that night, not counting my family.

When people started hearing about the attack throughout the city, everyone thought the whole Alpha family was killed. It took some courage for someone to even enter our house the scene was so gruesome, even by werewolf standards.

Of course, no one allowed ME to see it. My aunt and uncle sat me down in the next day and had the ungrateful task of letting me know that my entire family had been massacred.

After the funeral, which was witnessed by all of the town population - not to mention our allies who came to pay their respects to the fallen Alpha, my uncle decided it was too dangerous for me to stay here, even though this is the only home I've ever known. He feared someone would show up to finish the job once word got out that I'd survived.

Unfortunately, 10 year old boys don't get a vote. But my cousin did protest as well. He's like a brother to me and now his parents are the only ones I got. So, they packed up everything and we left town.

It actually wasn't difficult for us to get settled somewhere else. There're werewolves everywhere. And because of the secrecy we have to maintain, we're actually a tight community. Plus, there're plenty of families willing to help the future Alpha of the Stonehold pack, the largest werewolf pack in the country.

Literally, we took over an entire city with 'just' our pack. 20.000 people and counting. My family had been their Alpha for more than two centuries. I mean, until my dad was killed.

Thankfully, my uncle always made it clear to me from the beginning that our departure was only temporary and one day we would return for me to take my rightful place as Alpha of the Stonehold pack. That's what my dad always wanted and it's certainly what I want.

So, my uncle has been training me for it ever since I was 10. He made sure I was always taught at an Alpha level, even if he had to ask our new town Alpha for assistance. I trained with the top warriors as soon as I first shifted into wolf at 12 and have been training non stop until the day that we leave here.

Yes, til the day that I return to my pack.

I'm 17 now, will be a senior in high school alongside my cousin Tony, therefore my uncle said we're going back. He argued that I have to move back home before I turn 18 to better stake my claim as the future Alpha of the pack. He also said that we can't let the Beta's son - now Alpha - ascends in my place. Because if he did, it would make my position precarious before the Elder Council and I might end up not ascending as Alpha.

Right. Like I would ever let anyone ascend in MY place. Not a chance in hell.

"Are you excited to go back, Jack?" - Tony snapped me out of my daze as we have breakfast. We're eating before we hit the road. All of our stuff is already packed and ready to go. Most of it was already on their way with the moving truck.

"You mean to return where they slaughtered my entire family? Sure, why not?" - I said in an amusing tone. Tony's smile descended into an anguished face. He looked so distraught and I immediately regretted saying that. I didn't mean for him to feel guilty. I just said what was on my mind. My aunt and uncle also looked painfully distraught at me.

"I'm sorry, Tony. I didn't mean to make you feel guilty or anything. I'm just stressed, but it has nothing to do with you, I promise." - I reassure him in a soothing tone, which makes him smile softly. He's been great throughout this entire time and honestly I couldn't get to anywhere without him and his parents. They've been my rock trough this ordeal.

"Remember Jack, the school have council to support your transition and if you need extra help, we can set you up with a grief councilor or a therapist. You're not alone!" - Aunt Lidia said with her sweet voice, smiling at me which inevitably get another smile in return from me.

"Yes, Jack. We know it's gonna especially difficult for you. But we want to make sure that you're supported. Both of you. And I know it's gonna be tough coming into another school at your senior year. But like I said, we have to go now otherwise..."

"I get it, uncle. I understand and I'm looking forward to it. Its just jitters, nothing much." - I interrupted him, trying to put an end to this conversation.

Not longer after that, we're on the road. He drove for four hours until we get to our little town. It's Sunday, so there's just enough time to stop by a restaurant, have lunch and go to their old house to unpack our stuff. It's gonna be a long day.

After hours of putting everything back together to the Gutierrez's old house, Tony and I pretty much dropped dead in our room. We had to share a room because there're only two bedrooms. But that isn't a problem for us as we get along great.

We're awaken by his mom in the next day. Half an hour later, we're both ready for school and having breakfast at the old house just like we did before...

"I've already sent over your paperwork from your previous school, so it shouldn't be much trouble for you boys. Are you excited to see your old friends?" - Uncle Gus asked enthusiastically.

Tony and I gave him a look like we didn't know what the hell was he talking about. What old pack friends? Yes, I am the son of the Alpha, but I was never particularly popular as a kid. Neither was Tony as far as I can remember. Though I left when I was 10, I'm sure I'd get more friends with time. If only I had time to grow up within the pack.

"I just hope to see Sarah today." - I say with a soft tone, almost melting. Tony gave me a nudge and grinned at the way I spoke of her.

"Of course you're only worried about seeing your mate! You dog! Just be prepared for how she may look like now. You never know..." - Tony teased me. Uncle Gus giggled at his words.

"I don't care what she looks like. I care about her!" - I downplayed, playing coy. Of course, I do care but I'd want her just the same.

Sarah Burke is the Beta's daughter (now, the Alpha). She has a twin brother who I never got much along with, but she's awesome. I always had a crush on her since childhood. Just to remember her sweet face I swoon at the image.

"By the way, are you going to present yourself to the Alpha, honey?" - Aunt Lidia asked her mate, while finishing breakfast. Her tone was playful. He raises an eyebrow to her.

"Yes, of course. Right after I present myself to every single Elder from the Council about Jack's return. They need to announce his succession soon. We can't have Burke thinking his son will succeed him." - He answered with a smirk. My uncle is smart. He already had a game plan to secure my ascension as Alpha and I'm so appreciative of him.

"Thanks, uncle." - I said as I shot him a smile. Tony and I get up, get the dishes to the sink and go to the garage to get in the car, his dad would drop us at school.

Werewolves are extremely territorial. No one enters a wolf territory without getting the bless from the Alpha. And the consequences for those who do are deadly. Literally.

That doesn't apply to us specifically because we already belong to this pack. We're born into it, just like pretty much everyone else here. But since we spent 7 years away, it's good form to present ourselves to the Alpha upon our return.

"Now Jack, there's something I need to discuss with you before I drop you off at school." - Uncle Gus says while starting the car. I was riding shotgun and Tony on the backseat. His tone didn't suggest anything good.

"I know you want Tony to be your Beta. I want that too. But it would be disrespectful to the Alpha not including his son in the ascension. Specially under these circumstances." - He said and I grunted in annoyance.

To be honest, I saw this coming a mile away. Even though I'm not political myself, I knew there's some concession I'd have to do. Specially considering he is the Beta's son. And we are a dynasty after all.

I can see Tony's disappointment from my seat. And I feel for him. I do, there's literally no one I'd rather be my Beta than him. But sometimes life happens. Even if my dad were alive he would push for that kid to be my Beta.

"I knew you would say this, uncle." - It's all I could muster. My voice dripping in resentment. I mumble an apology to Tony, turning to look at him at the backseat.

The town looks exactly the same as we left. Same squares, same restaurants, same shops, we still only have one candy store even though all the kids from town swarmed that place after school almost every single day for treats. I used to do it a lot as a kid. My own mom used to work there as a teenager, before she got mated to the Alpha and became Luna.

There's a single tear that threatens to drop at the memory of my mom. She was the best mom, indeed. And the best Luna we'd ever had. Though my dad would say the same of his mom, who is very much alive and probably misses me after all this time.

Tony and I enter the school gate, taking everything in slowly. I never actually went here because when I left town I attended a different school. Neither did him.

There's a lot of chatter, as to be expected for the first day back to school. You'd think teen wolves who have an acute sense of hearing would be quieter. But no, still as loud as any other teenager on Earth.

"Who's that mutt over there? I know every single kid in this school and I've never seen him before." - A voice not too distant from me can be heard. I wouldn't pay much attention to it, but he can only be talking about either me or Tony, who tenses as he also hears it.

Tony looked at me frightened, not wanting me to engage in a conflict so soon. He'd be cool to lay low. So would I, at first.

"I don't know. I've never met any of them." - A female voice replies. I turn around to see a group of friends glaring at us. 3 boys and 3 girls. Tony nudges me to keep walking. And I would but...

"What kinda mutt walks into a wolf pack without presenting first?" - The male voice sounded annoyed at me. He then darted at our direction, accompanied by two other boys behind him.

"Who are you? Why didn't you present yourself to the Alpha?" - He asked, standing an inch away from my face, confronting me with a menacing stare.

"Aren't you a little young to be Alpha? You don't look old enough to get a mate." - I retorted in a joking tone, which made every kid around us laugh.

He looked at me angrier.

"Listen, mutt--"

"I'm not a mutt." - I cut him off, not backing down from my stance. Tony's behind me quaking in fear of the brewing fight.

"I don't care who you are! You should have presented yourself to the Alpha!" - He shouted at me. I could feel his breath fanning me as he spoke, fortunately he brushed.

"But you're not the Alpha. So I don't have to present myself to you, do I?" - I rebuked, still with a joking tone which only angered him more.

"I didn't say I was the Alpha, idiot. I said you should have presented yourself to him." - He insisted, not backing down either.

"And how do you know I didn't?" - I say with the straightest face I could muster. I even raised an eyebrow to make him curious.

"Because I--"

"Forgive my brother, he was raised by wolves." - The female voice cut off. She interjected herself between us and made us instinctively move away from her, creating some much needed space between us.

I snorted at her choice of words. Even Tony behind me laughed. So did everyone who listened to our interaction.

"Welcome to the Stonehold pack. I'm Sarah Burke, the grumpy one is my brother Tyler. Don't mind him. He's just letting his ascension get the best of him. He already thinks he's the Alpha." - She snickered, making her brother scowl.

"Thank you for intervening, Sarah, I appreciate it. But don't worry, your brother will never ascend as Alpha, so there's not much cause for concern." - I deadpan, which set Tyler off the rails.

He pushed his sister aside and got right back in my face. Less than an inch from me. Tony got startled but I didn't back away.

"Who the fuck do you think you are for talking about me like that, huh? Do you have a death wish? Do you have any idea who I am?" - He threatened me, sounding dead serious. His fists clenched. His green eyes glowing with anger. I can see his two friends gearing up for a brawl, not far from us.

"Of course I know who you are, Ty! I can't believe you forgot me already! Sarah, my dad used to say that you'd grow up to be my mate." - I replied in a light tone. I looked at her and she gasped. She covered her mouth with her hands she's floored.

Tyler steps away from me, gobsmacked.

"Bullshit!" - Tyler yelled, refusing to believe.

Sarah didn't move. She's too shocked staring at me. After the bell rang, Tyler came up to me and pulled the sleeve of my shirt, revealing a birth mark on my wrist. The mark of the Stonehold Alphas. He stared at me in awe.

"Nice to meet you all, I'm Jack Stonehold. Your future Alpha." - I announced loud to everyone. They looked at me utterly shocked.