Chapter 2- Just Another Day

Tori’s POV

-8 years later-

“Tori, sweetheart, hurry up. You’re going to be late to the party” chimes the voice of my mother, Layla, her warm, rich amber eyes now watching as her child slowly makes an appearance before her.

“Do I have to go mom? All the other kids make fun of me” I whine, my own amber eyes now locked with hers as we silently watch one another. My short auburn hair neatly brushed upon my head.

“Yes sweetie, you must go. You're the future Gamma of this pack. It’s important for you. Today’s the day that Jake, Zak and Alex each get their wolves as they each turn 14 today” replies Layla to her son.

Sighing, I know better than to argue with my mother. For while I might only be 8 years old, the fact that Jake, Zak and Alex have been nothing but kind to me since the day I was born was considered a blessing. Something I would never understand until I was someday older.

“Okay mom, if you say so” I finally mutter, agreeing to attend the big, huge party for the future Alpha, Beta and Delta of our pack. A piece of me wishing that I too was getting my wolf but knew I wouldn’t as I still had another 6 years to go and for an 8-year-old boy that was still a long time to wait.

“Sweetheart, I know it’s not easy for you right now. Being scentless was not part of the plan but I promise you, your father and I love you very, very much and nothing you say or do will ever change that.”

“I know mom” I say, not wanting to worry her with all my problems. Problems that were mine to bare and bare alone.

“Tori...” tries my mother again only to stop when I move to walk away from her.

“I’m going to be late mom. I’ll just see you later okay” is all I manage to say before I move to grab each of my presents for Jake, Zak and Alex. Small homemade gifts that I took the time to make. A gift that was similar to what I wore around my own wrist. A homemade bracelet with beautiful crystals woven into each band.

I really do hope that they like these, I think before leaving our home, knowing that my father would be present as he was Alpha Dawson’s Gamma. Alpha Chase Dawson, who was the current Alpha of our pack until Jake could someday take over for him.

A smile making its way across my face as Jake, Zak and Alex became the only three boys to ever make me feel special to them. To make me feel wanted and never a burden. Almost like I was being seen for the first time in all my life.

Shaking my head, I choose to ignore all my random thoughts of them. My 8-year-old self too little to comprehend the deeper meaning of their actions or at least for now anyways. But maybe when I was older, I would gradually understand everything that was going on around me.

-Party-

When reaching the party, do I slowly begin to feel nervous. My hands gently clutching at the gifts I had brought with me. Gifts that I was still holding, each individually wrapped in a beautiful color paper. A rich green color for Alex, A beautiful blue for Zak and a deep velvety black for Jake.

Maybe... Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea, I muse to myself, my eyes now scanning the area for my father or at least Jake, Zak or Alex. At least then I wouldn’t feel so nervous while being there. Sighing, I continued to enter the party, hoping none of the other kids would see me.

My eyes eventually spotting the table with all the birthday presents on them do I move to silently add mine to the vast pile of presents. Surprised by how much they were getting compared to all the birthdays I had and how little I always got.

Swallowing the small lump within my throat I try to push away the feeling of bitterness or of the fact that nobody within the pack cared enough to see me during my special day except for Jake, Zak and Alex. My eyes now spotting my father’s as he talks to Alpha Dawson.

Dad, come my thoughts.

Deciding that I should probably move to approach him I’m suddenly stopped by a small group of children. Fear stopping me right within my tracks as these were the same group of kids who always made it their personal mission to pick on me daily.

“What brings you here loser?” sneers one of the girls within the group. A girl who was no older than 12 as she stood among her little group of bullies. Her violet eyes shining with mischief like always.

“I was invited like always Lilyanna. Just like you” I move to counter, attempting to ignore her.

“Ha, Ya right. Face it, nobody here likes you. Your nothing but a worthless creature. A runt. A runt who smells completely funny” laughs Lilyanna, her eyes never leaving mine as her long blonde hair frames her face nicely for a 12-year-old.

“I am not” I counter again, trying not to cry by her harsh words of reality.

“Are so” exclaims Lilyanna again as she then moves to shove me.

My small body now falling to the ground with a thud as they all begin to laugh at me. Finding humor in my pain. Feeling my bottom lip begin to quiver, I try to keep it together only to fail miserably at it.

“Aww... is the poor little baby going to cry now?” taunts Lilyanna with a laugh.

Resisting the urge to cry directly in front of her I almost let them fall only to stop when a voice suddenly moves to speak up from behind them, Lilyanna and her group all moving to see who it was that spoiled their fun.

“Leave him alone or else Lilyanna” remarks the voice. A voice I knew all too well as all our eyes now focus on one of three boys who managed to approach us as not many would dare address Lilyanna whenever I became her target, which was almost constant unless you were the Alpha himself.

“JAKE!” squeals Lilyanna as she now rushes to hug him, my eyes still locked on my future Alpha, Beta and Delta. Zak and Alex both standing close to Jake as they stand there watching the scene before them.

Embarrassment burning deep within me at being seen. A piece of me wondering at what they must think of their future Gamma being a push over.

“I said leave him alone and that’s final” snaps Jake, this time pushing her away from him.

Falling to the ground with a thud, Lilyanna moves to sniffle softly. “But Jake... Why? He’s nothing compared to me. He’s nothing but a worthless runt” rants Lilyanna only to shrink in fear when Zak moves to speak up next.

“Tori is not worthless! Nor is he a runt, he’s just different. And if you know what’s good for you, you’ll leave him alone permanently.”

Trembling in fear does Lilyanna and her little group of friends move to leave quietly. Lilyanna standing only long enough to lock eyes with mine. Her gaze telling me that this wasn’t over but only the beginning before rushing off.

Once gone does Jake move to approach me. My tiny body still on the ground as he moves to offer me his hand. A hand in which I take as he moves to help me stand back up.

“You, okay?” asks Jake softly his hand still holding mine.

“Yea... Thanks to you” I mutter, not use to Jake, Zak or Alex always pinning over me like this. The feeling strange yet not uncomfortable either as my body could sense each of them without ever trying too.

“Are you sure?” asks Zak this time around, his eye arching silently towards me.

“I said yes” I reply, a little louder than intended. “Anyways, thanks... But I should probably go and check in with my dad now, so see ya Jake. See ya Zak, Alex.”

Turning to leave, I’m quick to dash off, my small frame great at escaping certain things and right now that was exactly what I needed to do, escape only pausing long enough to shout back to them.

“OH! And Happy Birthday! You each deserve nothing but the best” and then with that said I quickly flee, not waiting for them to reply back to me.

‘He seems charming’ chuckles a voice, a voice in which startles Jake.

‘What?’ questions Jake, Zak and Alex both watching their friend and future Alpha cautiously.

‘I said, he’s charming. Cute even. So, I suggest keeping a close eye on him going forward’ replies the voice once more.

‘And who are you exactly?’ asks Jake yet again.

‘I’m Vox, your wolf young Alpha’ chuckles Vox, amused by Jakes reaction to him.

‘You are?’

‘Yes. And Tori... He’s unique. You must always protect him no matter what. You and your friends. Their wolves Ash and Volt will see to it as well.’

‘Ash? Volt?’

‘Yes. Your Beta and Delta’s wolf. Now go. Enjoy your party. We shall be here if you need us’ is all Vox says to Jake, leaving the three of them more curious than anything else as they each move to head back towards the party. Each of their wolves hovering just below the surface awaiting the day they would shift.