I remember waking up that morning to a knock on the door, I tossed with the first one but the second and third woke me up. I heard the creak of the old cherry wood door and I propped myself up to see who it was. My fathers head appeared through the door, "Just making sure your up, its almost time for school so get dressed and come downstairs me and your mother need to talk to you." He said walking in and opening the curtains and leaving a small gift bag on my vanity. I had never been to fond of birthdays, especially this one.
I'm turning 18 soon and my parents have always been planning for this day, from training to always hearing about how when the time comes I'd be great. Today is the start of a week long celebration, because I'd be taking my mother's spot as head of the coven.
And as if the thought of her was her que, my mother came in. She all but squealed as she came to sit down beside me on my bed. "Now SIlas, me and your father have to leave for our meeting but we really just wanted to wish you a happy birthday, and to give you something." She handed me a navy blue jewelry box with an ancient runic design on it. I opened it slowly taking in the velvety texture of the arcane coming from the inner contents, and then the runes.
The boxes lid crept open I could see the beautiful wolf shaped necklace with the sigil for power carved where its heart would be, and a river coming from its tail. What caught my attention the most was the crystal the pendant held. The Aeerids Stone, the rarest power-stone and only given to high supremes. My mom looked at me and fought back the tears in her eyes. "The council has approved you to be the next leader of the coven, your oath will be in a week." she said half-hugging me.
As my parents left my room, I grudgingly rose from my bed and into my closet, where unlike popular opinion I had to put my clothes on. With a quick final look in the mirror I snap my fingers and the necklace appears around my neck and I feel its affects rush through me. Intense and absolute arcane rushes into my blood intensifying my features and senses. As I watch it happen the last thing i see is my eyes simmer gold and then dim. "Thats fucking cool" I say as I grab my bag and head out of my room. Once I enter the living room my mom is giving my dad a kiss and hug, "Okay eww you two, don't make another me on my birthday that'd be sick and weird." I say squeezing past them and grabbing my keys as quickly as I could.
Have you ever wondered why when someone says 'how can it get any worse', everything goes to shit. Well I have every single time I think it or say it, because every single time i get beat up by the universe. I hadn't made it out of the drive-way when I saw him, the literal definition of narcissism. Derek Masons, Alpha Richard's son heir to the title, and my least favorite person. Definitely not for his appearance, he was well decent, but i don't like him because he's always so focused on either himself or the pack.
As I pulled towards his car he turned towards mine and waved me down, i tried swallowing the bile that formed in my throat and politely waved. Stopping right beside him i locked the doors and rolled the windows down. 'Yes, Derek' i say as monotone as possible which he rewards with an awkward smile. "My car wont start so could i get a ride to school" he says waving back towards his car. I momentarily think about it, 'I have one stop to make first if you're okay with that, i have to get breakfast.' , which for me is just a large iced matcha to-go.
"Yeah that's cool let me just get my stuff and we can go." he shuffled around in his car and as soon i remembered to unlock the door we were on our way to the closest Starbucks.
The ride was peaceful until he spoke "So are you ready for your oath ceremony cuz I'm not." I ponder on the necessity for conversation and ignore to no avail because he continued "It's been a while since I've seen the Aeerids stone, when is your ceremony." i took a deep breath as i pulled into the drive thru 'It's in a week, no I'm not ready and please be quiet I'm ordering.' I say giving a sharp glare and looking away "id like something as well if its okay."
I ordered as quickly as i could because i couldn't take his presence much longer and definitely not this close. As we got closer I saw Tae in the window, thank god a friendly face i thought. Tae Morris the one and only werewolf bestie I have. They graduated last year and chose to stay back home and gives me endless discounts. "hey bestie hows work going, or are you not doing your job." i said, 'i wish i was back home sleeping, hey Derek wheres your car at.'
" Went to go start it this morning but it just wouldnt start, so i asked Silas for a ride." he said leaning across me into the window, as he retracted i caught the slightest smell of him and made a hopefully inaudible sound. Tae noticing me being flustered swooped in to save me, "So the total comes to $5.45 are you paying with cash or card." Before i could respond Derek had his arm out the window with his card, " Use it for both orders and could you add on a pink drink i forgot it." 'sure thing' Tae said before disappearing behind the window.
Dereks phone broke the silence, a generic sound nothing fancy the phone screen lite up with his mothers face and he quickly picked it up. "hey whats up... yeah ill be there soon had to catch a ride with Silas... yeah Vikki and Marks kid... i think so can we talk about it later, ok bye mom i love you." he said "Sorry i left in a hurry this morning, must have scared my mom, hehe." he said with a weird giggle. The window opened saving me from conversing with him any further "And there you guys go, have a great day byeee." Tae said handing me our stuff and waving us off.
Let the true hell begin i thought as i pulled out of the drive thru.