09

ALTHEA

Humming my favorite song, I made my way toward Alpha's office. He had called me along with Orlando. "You look excited about this," Orlando spoke and I giggled. I hugged his arm as we walked together.

"Of course, I am excited. It is everything I have ever dreamt of. My dream is about to come true." I replied to Orlando in an excited tone. My heart was pounding against my rib cage and I felt like I was alive again.

Orlando pushed open the door and we entered Alpha's office. I saw Callista standing beside her father. "Hey, Callie! How have you been?" I asked Callista. I missed my best friend.

Callista looked at me. She didn't meet my gaze for some reason. “I am fine. I hope we can spend time together like in the old days.” Callista replied in a low tone. It felt like she was hiding something from me. I couldn't pinpoint what was bothering her.

Before I could ask what was wrong, she turned to Alpha Damon and bowed her head in front of me. “I shall get going, father.” She didn't even spend me a single glance as she turned around and walked away..

I drew a shaky breath, feeling exhausted already. The way Callista reacted when she saw me, made my skin crawl. She was the only friend I had. I didn't want to lose her too.

"Father, please, give us some good news. I am not leaving my pumpkin here." Orlando asked Alpha Damon in an excited tone. He was more excited than I was a while ago. But something inside me was already going dark.

It was our dream to study together. Alpha Damon turned his gaze toward me. Then he lowered his gaze. It made us worried. Because Alpha Damon never turned his gaze away from anyone. "I am so sorry, Althea. I did everything I could. But the academy has decided not to let you in." Alpha Damon spoke in a sad tone.

My heart shattered yet again as I heard Alpha Damon. "What are you talking about? Dad! I can't leave her here. I don't want to." Orlando tried to argue with Alpha.

"You think I didn't try? I did everything. But even her score didn't get her anywhere." Alpha Damon yelled at Orlando angrily. Clenching my fists, I was trying not to wail like a child.

"I can't believe it. How can they do this? That's it! If she is not going, then I will not be going either." Orlando growled as he was trying to console me.

I turned towards him and cupped his face with both of my hands. "Don't do it, Randy! For the future of our pack and me, you have to attend the academy." I finally broke the silence. I told him what I was supposed to tell him.

He was supposed to be the future of the pack. And as the future Alpha, it was once in a lifetime opportunity he was given. I couldn't ruin it for him and the pack. I knew I had to be strong. "But pumpkin…" Orlando tried to say something. But I placed my index finger on his lips to stop him. I already knew what argument he would raise in a situation like that.

"I already know what you want to talk about. And the answer is no! I will stay here but you have to go." I replied to the question Orlando was about to ask me. I was determined to make him go and attend the academy. Not for himself, but for the pack and me. I knew he wouldn't refuse if I asked him to do it for me.

An apologetic look appeared in his eyes as he cupped my face with both of his hands. "I am so sorry, pumpkin. I wish I had some sort of power to change it all in your favor. I feel so useless." Orlando whispered and he narrowed his gaze in shame. He was ashamed that he couldn't help me chase my dreams.

"It's alright! I will be right here waiting for you. Just promise, you will behave and graduate like the true Alpha you are." I whispered and masked my face with the brightest smile I could master at that moment. Orlando wrapped his arms around me and pulled me to his chest.

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The very next week, I was standing with Orlando, holding his hand for the last time. I knew he wouldn't return until he graduated from the academy. "Promise me, Father. You will take care of her. After everything, I just don't trust anyone when it comes to Althea." Orlando spoke as he hugged me tightly.

I felt heavy in my chest for letting him go like that. I never thought I would have to let him go like that. I was not that old but I knew that I loved him. "I promise to keep her safe until you come back." Alpha Damon promised to Orlando. Orlando grabbed his bag and leaned forward. He placed a soft kiss on my forehead before he hopped into the train.

I watched him fade away as the train went away. With a heavy heart, I made my way back toward my home. As I got home, I saw a bunch of kids giggling evilly as they were doing something. As soon as they saw me, they all ran away.

Tears started welling up in my eyes again as I saw what those kids were doing to my home. The kids marked my home with the hyena's head. A mark of treachery in the Shifter Kingdom. And they used blood, to make sure I would never be able to get rid of that mark. Wiping my tears, I walked into the house and locked myself inside.

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I was standing in front of Alpha Damon in the training field. I was still in the Dark Moon pack academy. Alpha Damon wanted me to graduate like every other student in the pack. And for my Alpha, I kept quiet. "Is there no other person to train me, Alpha? I don't want to be disrespectful but I don't want to be a burden for Alex." I whispered as soon as I heard the name of the man who was supposed to train me personally.

"There is no soul in my pack who would dare to defy me. But I chose Alexander because he is the best. Someone who can challenge you. You have to trust my decision, honey." Alpha Damon patted my head as he gave me the reason why he chose Alexander of all people to become my trainer.

I bowed my head in submission and zipped my mouth. I didn't want to argue with my Alpha. But from inside, I was terrified. Alexander never liked me one bit. I sometimes thought that he hated me. And since everyone in the pack thought that I was a freak, I just wanted to stay as far away from them both as possible.

"Good girl! Train hard. Work hard, like you always do." Alpha Damon spoke as he walked away, leaving me alone with the very man who was a living nightmare for me. As he cracked his knuckles, I gulped hard in nervousness.

"Attack me with full force," Alex growled as he got ready to start up. I didn't argue. I clenched my fists tightly and launched at him. I got closer to him and was about to punch him. But he punched me in my stomach before my punch could touch him.

He knocked the air out of my lungs with that one blow. Clutching onto my stomach, I fell to the ground. "That's what would happen to you if you didn't come to me with an instinct to kill. I am no newbie. So do as you are told." Alexander growled at me angrily as he encircled me.

Nodding my head, I stood up and launched at him again. Just like before, he hit me again. Then again, and again and again. Every single time, I failed to touch him yet he sent me flying every single time.

I was on all fours, breathing heavily. My body ached, and it felt like all the bones in my body had been broken. I could taste the metallic taste of blood in my mouth. "We are done for today. I don't think you can handle it anymore. Tomorrow, same time, same place. We are off now." Alexander spoke in an annoyed tone as he grabbed his hoodie and walked away.

Back at home, as I soaked myself in the warm water, I couldn't help but whimper. I couldn't remember how I got home. But I was glad I was home. My body was filled with bruises. And I could hardly move. I was not sure if he was training me or if he was pouring all of his hatred on me in that session. Either way, I knew it would be impossible for me to survive without Orlando by my side.