Smoke rose in the distance adding to the chaos that was surrounding ten-year-old Addie. She sobbed, clinging to her older sister. Sounds of fighting and screaming echoed around the walls of the courtyard causing her to shake. Her mother, Luna Ana, bent down and looked Addie in the face. “Listen to your sister. She’ll keep you safe.” Addie nodded. Ana stood up and looked at her oldest daughter. She reached over and caressed her face. “Remember what I told you. Practice. And don’t tell anyone.” Beatrice nodded, starting to cry. “None of that.” Her mom smiled sadly. “Don’t forget to prepare Addie.” Beatrice nodded again, not hiding her tears. Her dad came out of the packhouse leading Helena, the cranky omega cook. He handed her a bunch of money and a bag. Using his alpha voice he ordered her “Take care of my girls. Keep them safe.” Helena turned and offered him her neck, submitting. “Yes, Alpha.” Alpha James turned to his daughters and kissed them each on the fo
SIX MONTHS LATERWinter had come and gone and Addie, Bea and Helena had spent the season in the cave. Helena had turned even more disagreeable, if that was possible, but she was still bound by the Alpha command. Alpha James was so powerful that his command followed his pack members even when they left the land.Bea had taken private time to instruct her little sister in the things she was learning about the gift. Both girls tried to continue the warrior training, finding a little spot in the back of the cave that was covered in sand that they could spar with each other. Addie didn’t have a wolf yet, she had just turned eleven in December. Bea shifted a few times, practicing and trying to keep strong. Helena mostly sat by the fire sulking, doing the bare minimum to take care of the girls. She would occasionally bundle up and go into town to purchase more supplies. The money was dwindling low but Bea had a plan to go into town and start working when the snow melted.One deliciou
When the waitress came around again, Addie flagged her down. “Are you guys hiring, by chance?” She refrained from using her gift. Addie had discovered in the past that it became too complicated when she created lasting opportunities for herself, like jobs or housing, using her gift. She had to continue to keep using her gift and that was physically draining. The girl genuinely smiled back at Addie, looking her over. Addie knew what she saw. She was taller than average, very thin and had long, blonde hair pulled up in a messy bun. The jeans and hoodie she wore were clean, courtesy of the creek a few miles from here, but old and faded. “As a matter of fact, yes. Finish your pancakes and you can start immediately. I’m cook, waitress and manager. I need some help.” Addie laughed. “Thank you! I’m not sure what kind of cook I am but I am willing to learn. I also have waitressing experience.” She gave the girl a wide grin. “I’m Addie.” “Noel.” She smiled and moved off to
ALPHA COLE POVWe had left the big city a little later than I had intended and my Beta, Danny, started whining about his stomach. He had skipped breakfast to run a bit of security for the meeting between me and three other Alphas I was checking out and he was making sure I was well aware of his sacrifice. We stopped at the little diner right outside of Joshton and popped in to grab a quick lunch before driving into our territory. The pack house was still a ninety-minute drive, even though Joshton was only thirty minutes from the border. My territory is huge and the terrain is treacherous so driving is slow. It’s faster to shift and run to the packhouse than it is to drive there.We popped in and took a seat in the corner booth. It’s a habit. Always pick a good vantage point with your back against a wall and exits accessible. This booth was good for that.Danny looked over the menu and decided to get the Cuban sandwich. It was nothing like what you could get in Miami but it wa
Back to work the next day, Addie was surprised to see the old creepy dude and his friend walking through the door. They were in time for the breakfast rush so Addie quickly served them their eggs and tried to ignore the men watching her closely. Rushing around and filling coffee mugs, running food and taking a minute or two to talk to the regulars filled up Addie’s morning and she was surprised when she later realized that they had left, leaving enough money on the table to cover their bill with a sizeable tip. 3:00 pm finally came and the diner was officially closed. Noel came out and glared at the last three customers who were lingering over their coffee causing them to gulp the last dregs. They paid quickly and left. The two girls quickly finished the remaining dishes and mopped the floors, chatting about Noel’s upcoming visit from her boyfriend before turning out the lights and locking the doors. Noel gave a cheery wave and drove off in her ancient VW Bug. Addie headed towa
The pounding on her door awakened Addie at 4am. It was ridiculously early, too early for anyone to be pounding on her door. Bleery eyed, she stumbled to the door and jerked it open, realizing too late that she had no idea who was on the other side. Fortunately for her it was just Eve. “The diner is on fire!” Eve blurted out, eyes and hair frantic. “What?!” Addie stepped back in shock. “What happened? Why?” “The volunteer fire department is there right now. Maybe wiring. Maybe the grease trap. They don’t know yet.” No wonder Eve seemed frantic. Her son was on the volunteer fire department team. It was a dangerous job, especially in rural areas where the equipment was older and not as adequate. Addie threw on jeans and a hoodie and started walking into town. She could see the red glow from the fire reaching into the sky. A small crowd had gathered and she looked around for Noel, not seeing her. She did see Beta Danny, watching the fire. She stood on the edge of the
Addie woke up in a hospital bed, chained by her wrists to the rail. She could tell she still had the silver collar around her neck by the steady burning sensation she could feel. Avoiding turning her head to keep the silver from moving, she roved her eyes around the room trying to figure out where she was and how she got there. She could feel her wolf, very weak, pushed back in the furthest recesses of her brain. The silver was weakening her, too. The door opened and Alpha Cole walked in, followed by two other men in lab coats. One held a tray of syringes and empty vials. Without speaking to her, he came over by the side of the bed and wrapped a rubber tourniquet around her arm, patting for a vein. “Stop.” Addie tried to use her gift but the silver prevented it. She grew angry. “Listen, asshat. Don’t f^cking touch me.” The tech ignored her and stuck her vein, procuring three large vials of her blood. Alpha Cole and the doctor watched him, saying nothing. When he was
Cole POV I took the collar off from her and she stretched. I was on edge. Moment of truth. If she wasn’t a Shawishi I was going to have to kill her. If she was, I was going to use her. I was pretty impressed with her shift. There was minimal noise and it didn’t look like there was much effort with the shift. Even I sound terrifying when I shift. I’m used to my bones rebreaking but it was almost like she shimmered into her shift. I’ve seen a few shifts like that, usually hybrids. Pretty cool. When she shifted, my emotions were all over the place. I had heard the term Precious Metal Wolf before but had never seen one. They were not supposed to exist. None of these gifts were supposed to exist. Addie’s wolf was beautiful. She was large, quite possibly larger than my wolf. She was gold. Not golden, but gold. Her hair shimmered and shone in the sunlight and actually hurt my eyes to look at. I reached out a tentative hand to touch her fur. She looked at me haughtily and