Jack

I got checked out by a doctor at the county hospital and got discharged after taking a CT scan to make sure nothing broke or ruptured in my head.

No, the only thing that ruptured was my ego for allowing that turd to hurt me the way he did. But I knew he didn't do it on purpose. I just lost my balance, that's all. I mean, it's not all. I was kicked by him and therefore I lost my balance and knocked my head into the ground hard.

But I don't blame him anymore than he would me if the roles were reversed. It's just an unfortunate turn of events, simply put it.

But try explaining that to my uncle. He has called Tyler everything from psychopath to deranged. He was furious about it. I tried to say that we were just training and it wasn't a big deal, but he wouldn't listen. He said Tyler won't rest until he kills me. Yes, those exact words. Directed to a teenager for Goddess' sake.

Grandpa also came to visit me with grandma. They stayed for dinner with us and talked at length with Gus and myself. Grandpa also looked worried for me. Especially with that nasty bump on my head. I was lucky it didn't require stitches, but it isn't pretty.

That coupled with our previous fight doesn't bode well for Tyler. Even though I said it was an accident. But who would believe it?

Of course, Sarah called me as soon as she found out. We also talked for a long time. She said she almost slapped Tyler herself but I told her it wasn't his fault. I mean, he didn't do it on purpose this time. Not that she believed me. No one did apparently.

It's like the boy who cried wolf. No one would believe it was an accident, not even Tony. Who knows, maybe if I wasn't there myself I wouldn't believe it too. It's like I said before: reputation is everything in our business.

It's the only thing that takes a lifetime to build and a second to destroy.

When I woke up on Saturday, I was feeling much better. The headache was gone, thank Goddess. I had a nasty one since my head bumped into the ground yesterday. The doctor offered me some pain medication but I refused to take anything stronger than ibuprofen.

Aunt Lidia checked my curative and it was healing nicely. We're having a quiet breakfast as I'm not in the mood for much talk. Plus, I'm still very much exhausted from my intense week of training. And it's only week one. There's still plenty more to come, Goddess helps me.

"Do you think the Council will rule in Jack's favor now, dad?" - Tony asked his father while  we're eating breakfast. I got wide eyed at his question, though I shouldn't be surprised at this point. We talked about it a lot already with my grandparents.

"If they don't, I seriously doubt what would persuade them." - Gus replied in a sour mood. Then, he took a drink of his coffee.

"That's not what I wanted. I only wish to earn my spot." - I chimed in, also not happy about it.

"You earned your spot by being born. It's ridiculous that you're even forced to compete in the first place!" - Gus snapped at me in an angry tone. He isn't going to let this go apparently.

But I know it comes from a place of love. I'm sure he's just worried for me. And not just about my health. He feels it's his job to get me to my place as Alpha, like he owed it to my dad or something. Even though they weren't that close when dad was alive. Not like he was to my mom, his only sister. And I get it. I wouldn't be here today if it wasn't for him.

And I do mean that literally.

When I lost my family 7 years ago, I also lost the only home I've ever known. That's not easy for a 10 year old to cope. It wouldn't be easier now, but it was worse then. Much worse.

I got very angry about everything and everyone. When I wasn't crying about missing them, I was getting in trouble. At school, at home, wherever. It took a lot of patience for them to deal with me.

At some point, I thought they would dispatch me to my grandparents or something. But they never did. Gus took it upon himself to guide my anger into something productive, so he started training me.

He started lightly as I was only 10 and didn't even shift into wolf at the time. Werewolves only start shifting at puberty between the ages of 12 and 13, in some extreme cases at 11. I did it at 12.

He taught me to focus my rage and stop it from destroying my life. Because that's not what my parents would've wanted, he used to say. And it worked. It had to. There's only so much an orphan can get away with it.

At some point, enough is enough. Especially in a place where no one owes you anything. A new city, new pack, new people. I missed my family everyday. But I would miss them anywhere, anyway. I still do.

It'll never go away, my grief councilor used to say. And she's right, it won't. But I'm used to it by now. At some point, it becomes this painful memory that you have to suppress to survive. I was taught coping mechanisms which fortunately helped as well.

I open the door to greet Sarah, who enter our house and greets my uncle, aunt and cousin. Because of my concussion, Gus won't let me take her anywhere, so we had to salvage our date by having her come in. It's not ideal, but it's better than not to see her. Way better.

"Are you okay?" - She asked me after we sat on the couch at the living room. She stared at the bandage on my head for a good minute as she spoke.

"I'm fine. I shouldn't have gone to the hospital, but Delta Jones didn't give me a choice." - I replied with a shy smile.

"Yes, you should." - Gus interjected from the kitchen. He was preparing lunch with his mate. I let out an awkward laughter.

"Is your brother okay? No one believes me but it really was an accident." - I asked her after a minute of uncomfortable silence.

"Yeah, neither did I. He's fine, but he's taken aback a bit. He feels guilty about it. And dad blames him for ruining his chances of... You know." - She replied with the honesty I find so refreshing. She never minces her words and I absolutely love it.

Some people say they like honesty but get testy when people actually are. Now, I'm not saying that I'm perfect or I'll be always ready to hear it, but I much rather someone gives it to me straight. For better or worse, I can't stand phoniness. It's the worst part of being Alpha, being lied to. People saying what they think you want to hear it just because you're in a position of power.

"I know he wouldn't believe me but I told everyone it was an accident. I don't want to take a shortcut to ascending by smearing his name. Or playing the victim." - I told her emphatically.

"Even though you are a victim." - Uncle Gus interjected again.

"Can you stop with the back seat driving, please? It's really annoying!" - I glared at him from the sofa.

"Sarah, let's go upstairs." - I told her. I didn't want to take her to my room so that she doesn't think that's all I wanted, but Gus forced my hand.

I also didn't want to expel Tony from his own room, but he left as soon as we entered it. He then closed the door behind him.

"I'm not a victim of anything except from the people that took my family away from me." - I stated once we get settled on my bed.

Sarah looked at me with sadness. But that's not what I wanted her to feel for me. Not now or ever.

"I don't say this to make you sad or uncomfortable. Or to make you pity me. I'm only stating it clearly that though Tyler did attack me that day at school, he's not at fault for this accident." - I spoke with a clear directive, making my intention known.

"I appreciate what you're trying to do and what you're saying. You want to set the record straight, so that no one vilifies my brother. I get it." - She replied, thankfully getting my point across.

"Exactly. I hate that this happened, but it could just as easily have occurred the other way around." - I argued, making her raise an eyebrow at me.

"Right." - She gave me a suspicious glance. I believe she thinks I'm grandstanding, but I'm not.

I ignore the feeling that she doesn't think I can best her brother in a fight because I don't want to spend my entire time talking about him.

"Anyway, that's enough of that. Can we kiss now, because I've missed you." - I suggested, making her smile at me.

Our lips met and I'm finally happy. I was so looking forward to our date, especially after the week I had. And it was worth it.

We make out for a good time. I leaned closer to her, pressing my body against hers to feel her next to me. But she doesn't mind. Our eyes are glowing with lust. She feels me up and I bask in her touch, her warmth. It's all I ever wanted.

I press my hardness against her slightly, just so she realizes its presence. Not that it could be concealed. I know we can't do much now, not with my family downstairs cooking lunch and very much aware of us here. But I would kick myself if I didn't take some advantage of the room.

After some time, we take a breather before things escalate too much. We recollected ourselves a bit before we continue talking.

"You're amazing!" - I compliment her, my eyes still drunk in lust.

"Thanks. You're not so bad yourself." - She replied, blushing while she straitened her shirt and pants.

"I wish I could take you out properly." - I complained, dying to have her somewhere else.

"There's time for it, don't worry. We have plenty of time for dating." - She replied with a naughty grin that made me swoon even harder.

I kiss her again, but it's much more behaved this time. I don't press myself against her as I can sense someone's coming to take us out of our daze and bring us back to Earth.

Still, it's great to have her by my side.

As expected, Tony returned to call us for lunch. Sarah had a lovely time with me and my family together. She stayed all afternoon with me and well into the evening.

We didn't return to my room as to not push our luck. Instead, we watched films in the living room. It was the best of times. She's just great. We're so good together.

I longed to make her mine, I really do. But being this close with her, just like this. It's all I ever wanted. It's all I ever dreamed.

A|N: They're so cute together. Too bad it can't last. *malefic laugh*

Nevertheless, it's fun to figure out the song AFTER I write the chapter. Before this, I always picked the song first but I like this process much better, as it turns out.

Anyway, next chapter is a catalyst. You don't wanna miss that!

Love,

Léo.