New! The word clogged up in her throat. It was all new. A new neighborhood, new faces, new school, new weather and new environment. Even the damn Facebook had to upgrade to be new. Her frustrations skyrocketed. It was irksome. At least Talacro had an enormous forest which was susceptible enough to release all the tension after the day has gone to sleep. Alekseal wagged his tail vigorously in the air clearly excited at this short freedom. He looked exuberant to play.

Class would be in session in the next thirty minutes. She had these few minutes to hunt down a deer preferably before returning back to humanity. Alekseal played with Nerina as if today is all they've got, preventing Oleg and her from prancing rationally. To make matters worse, the next teacher was going to distribute our exam papers today itself. Her fingers crossed hoping for at least average results if not anything on her calculus paper. She couldn't disappoint mom or dad any way. Oleg had no fears. Whether he aced it or not, he wasn't going to use calculus in his journalism career- his words not mine.

Alekseal becomes distracted for a minute. His nostrils caught something. Seems like a deer! He glances at her as if to say something which she knew very well. They dashed into the forest battling each other in speed. The one to get there first gets to have a lion's share of the whole deer. A very good negotiation! They hold their horses when they meet an unexpected guest chewing off their prey and seemed to be enjoying his fill. A persona non grata! As expected, it was none other than the Alpha. They bowed their large square heads in respect to him especially Oleg being the son of the Gamma. He had succeeded his father the former Alpha two years ago but let him reign since he was still schooling. However that did not prevent him from using his recessive position every now and then.

He throws the carcass towards them as if to say they deserve his leftovers. Guess what remains when an Alpha eats? Not much. Though pushing her claws into his neck was tempting, she stayed put praying that he left before she does something she would not remember. That happens mostly after her kills. Alekseal and Nerina remained stiff like a rigid bar in this horrible position. Her neck was beginning to ache already! She pitied Oleg who had to see his sorry ass every day till death do them apart.

"What?" Oleg speaks through the mind link.

"Nothing." Was her response. None knew how she did it but it was amazing. She could allow and block anyone out of her mind if she wanted to including the Alpha. Hence she keeps up the walls unless there's some serious emergency regarding the welfare of the park. To make it more fun, she never attends any Park gathering if it were not that Elsa and Edgar , the two plagues of Teau wolf Park, caught on her intentions.

Seemingly content, he zoomed off to Mother Luna knows where without even giving proper respects. Alekseal and Nerina stood saddened at the fact that their meal had been gobbled greedily by someone they could not snap his neck even if the two ganged up. Alekseal looked like he wanted to take the leftovers. A swift scratch from her claws drew him back to reality. He stared at her with that broken expression. I guess we are having MacDonald's from these pesky, weak humans.

"Hey, I heard that!" Latiffah shouted in my head.

I don't even want to know what lame excuse her parents have to give her such a name.

" Listen up, Wolfy, if you have a problem with my name then don't utter it. Besides it's the only name here which is unique. Meaning I am unique!" Latiffah bragged in my head.

Alekseal was a grey wolf with sharp claws and canines just like mine but I had a white fur with a bushy but wiggly tail. His irises were green and I had blue. 'Nice dress up by the way, Mother Luna' I could feel Mother Luna bow her head in appreciation.

"Such a show off" Latiffah taunts. "Couldn't even secure lunch."

The tintinnabulating sound echoed throughout the forest. It was break over and they had to be in class before the extra five minutes draws close. With speed like never before, everything happened to go in a slow motion as they dashed through the forest with empty stomachs. They quickly change behind big tree trunks then literally run to class.

Tough luck. The teacher had arrived earlier than normal. Latiffah kept bugging Nerina about her arrogance in getting fresh food. The damn wolf stayed silently behind in her occipital. The teacher, Mr. Addy, glares as their made way to their seats panting. From their perspiration, he did not need confirmation that they had gone for a ran in the forest. Thankfully, he didn't comment on the stench. He quickly distributes the papers discreetly hiding everyone's marks.

Her eyes almost popped out from their socket at her grade. Everyone looked… joyful and content at their marks but She…. As if he could read her expression, he suddenly exclaimed,

"Bet you owe me some punishments, Miss Howell?" He looked pissed off. She gulped nervously waiting for his next sentence. I hope I don't get repeated. " We will deal with this later." Is all he said then turned to others.

" I gave you these papers so you could cross check the summation. You have fifteen minutes to do so before I take them back." He informed. While others were challenging for miscalculations, Latiffah simply sat back and didn't bother to check for any hope. Oleg came over inquiring the cause of her dampen mood. She simply showed him the paper and he gasped.

" You are so dead." he whispers. He didn't have to tell her twice. Her dad is so going to slaughter her for getting an F nine. It was like the damn subject hated her and not the other way round. He began probing why she didn't perform well. Her excuses were from lack of preparation to sickness. But still no clue why. Truth is, currently she hasn't been herself. The idea of not finding her mate even at this age burned her. Maybe she was a late bloomer just like the young Alpha and Oleg who also haven't found their mates. Though that is going to change very soon. She couldn't blame it on mood swings though or some zodiac shit though.

"Should I escort you home? Maybe to lessen the scolding?" Oleg improvised. Such a gentle soul! If she had her way, she would have marked him immediately they turned on their sixteenth birthday and he would be hers forever and ever. He didn't even have to do that. Her mom would compare results and if his was better then double whatever they would do to her. She shook my head slowly.

~•~•~•~•~•

School has closed and she's way down to even go home. Maybe she could crash at Oleg's place. The horrendous mark still floated in her head not giving her peace. Not that she had one in the first place with the constant studying to ace all her examinations. She was grateful she never got to re-sit the papers despite the grades she takes up. The cold house greeted her with its icy fingers as she entered the hall. She hopped to her room showered and waited for her brother, sister and parents to arrive while staring at the news channel. Not one single line stayed in her brain. Her older sister and brother have moved on with their lives far away from home with their families. She knew if their shadow was seen around, she would strangle it to death how much more their physical forms. She detested those two with her life and didn't want to see their ugly faces. The landline on the center table rang. It was a direct call from the Alpha's house. Her dad worked as the military analyst for the Park. A very honourable man she must say. He prided his job and loyalty to his Alpha.

They had called to inform her rather his family that her father did not return with them from the war they had gone to fight months back. Her mind stayed blank at the info.

Oh mom!

Her mate, her lover, the father to her children, her light in the darkest tunnel had gone out!

They stood at the cemetery in an all black outfit in honor of the departed souls especially Rowan Howell. He was chief defense advisor to the Alpha. Though they are thankful that he(Alpha) came home alive, their brothers, husbands, fathers and soldiers didn't. They died for the pack. Everyone was full flow of wails. The men in silent tears. The Alpha Rudy stood there with a bleeding heart. Yet no tear could come out from her tearduct. The atmosphere and expressions were enough to bring her to tears but she stood calmed. It's like she had lost them somewhere and she had to find them. She had been anticipating the gruff voice of her father to scream ballistic at her all to be told that he was no more.

Her mother, sister and brother stood pouring their hearts out but she, she just blinked, blinked and blinked again. It's like she couldn't fathom that. And no matter how much she tried to understand, it didn't make any sense. He had promised to see to it that she got recruited in to the best law enforcement school and come out successfully. He had promised that he will hunt down the ass of her mate then get them married for he wanted to walk her down the aisle. He repeated it like a mantra that he would be her biggest cheer fan on her graduation day from law enforcement school and make so much noise which would be out of character for him. But they could suck on a brick. His daughter was a law enforcement agent. Seems like she'll be doing this herself. She broke into a humorless, diabolic laughter causing heads to turn to her. She could feel herself slipping away from these rush of emotions. Still the tears refused to show up how much more fall.

Her older siblings and their families stood nearby like dummies which she would love to kick, punch or slap in the next few minutes if they don't get away from there or she get away. She preferred the latter. No one could stop her from leaving with the deathly glare etched on her face. She heard the Alpha signal someone to follow her but Oleg butt in.

"I'll go, Alpha. Please permit me. I can't stand to see my friend in pain." He said determinedly. He might be considered careless and restless but he had a pure heart of gold and a good sense of humor. He would make a pretty good mate and love his mate to the heavens and back. You just have to get through those walls he has created around himself before you could get to the real him. A naïve, handsome brat living in his own fucked up castle. Soon he is by her side walking along with her letting her take in the silence. He is so supportive and understanding. His mate would be so proud of him!

"Want to go for a ran?" He unexpectedly asked. "it will help calm you down?" He didn't even know what he was saying. His words came out jumbled up. All these time, Nerina stayed put in her occipital sulking.

"Want to come out?" Latiffah asked her. Without replying, she let her take charge descending her paws into the earth. Alekseal followed suit then took off into the forest with me right behind.

After miles of running, they came upon a bloody site. Heads of animals and bodies of sucked up humans laid scattered as if there had been a blood party here by vampires. Vampires! Only them could have committed such deed.

Unknown to us , one lurked in the shadows close by, ready to pounce.