Seventeen

Alexandra

“Hey, listen to me. There is no need to be scared. They can feel you’re unnerved. There is no need to bow your head either, unless it’s to the Alpha. No more of that, got it?”, she said in a hushed voice and then gave me a wink.

I nodded, even though I didn’t quite understand why. My wolf timidly growled, was Mia trying to get me punished? She had been welcoming and nice but she didn’t have a reason to protect me either. Submitting to higher ranking wolves was pack law after all, it was an act of respect. The only shifter in the pack who didn’t have to submit to anyone was the Alpha and Luna. I was far from either.

We exited through a pair of grand black double doors and down a few steps. I inhaled deeply, taking in the cool afternoon air, trying to clear my head of the memory of all the stares that had been pinned on me moments ago.

There stood a tall, buff man with an unbreakable serious expression cast on his face. While he was certainly intimidating, his features were remarkably soft. He bowed his head and passed Beta Jax the car keys. This man before me was clearly of higher ranking than I was. I followed his action, bowing my head in return.

Mia chuckled, “oh boy, the Alpha’s going to have his hands full with you. I can already tell,” she said sarcastically as she opened the back seat and climbed inside. A small smile slid onto the man’s face, “no formalities required, Lexi, is it?”, he asked while cautiously looking over to Beta Jax for approval.

Beta Jax gave him a simple nod, his eyes fixated on the interaction between us, like he was ready to shift at a moment’s notice if need be.

I nodded, biting down on my bottom lip nervously. “The pleasure is mine,” he said, taking the back of my palm and placing a small kiss on it. “My name is Eric, I’m one of many of Alpha Liam’s enforcers. I’d like to think I’m the most charming of the bunch though. I’m sure I’ll be seeing you around Lexi,” he said confidently before retreating back into the pack house.

Beta Jax placed a hand on the small of my back, guiding me towards the passenger side of the black SUV. He returned to the driver’s side and buckled the seat belt before turning the car on. “See, I told you that you have nothing to fear here. We won’t bite, well, unless you ask,” he said, a smirk pulling from the corner of his mouth. Mia rewarded his banter with a slap across his large bicep.

We drove out of the long winding driveway and onto a concrete road, Beta Jax turned on the radio which got Mia humming to a song. I was happy for the distraction, giving me a moment to rile in my own thoughts about what my next move was going to be.

I envisioned my life in Crescent Moon, I could see myself as a diligent Omega here. Cooking, cleaning, whatever Alpha Liam needed. I was proud that I was a quick learner. But, with the Luna ill, I was certain what lay in my future. That’s why he spared my life, that’s why he insisted I was his.

History would always find a way to repeat itself. While it pained me to leave this pack, one that I could see myself apart of, I knew I had no other choice. The only place I was sure I would be safe to live freely as an omega was Broken Ridge. Marilyn wouldn’t have sacrificed herself to give me a second chance at life if she had reservations.

My mind raced to thoughts of Marilyn, surely, she already found out I never successfully managed to meet Luna Sarah by the ravine. I felt guilty knowing she was probably worried that I’d be killed by rogues by now. I only wished that there was a way to talk to her - to let her know that I’m still alive. Even if I was now being held in Crescent Moon, under the Blood Alpha himself.

I let myself relax into the leather seat, taking refuge in the beautiful scenery surrounding me. Most packs had a large wooden lodge as their pack house, surrounded by smaller cabins where the pack members lived. My old pack was no different. The pack house at Crescent Moon looked more like a contemporary mansion. Even the smaller homes off the side of the road looked like mini replicas of Alpha Liam’s pack house. They all had the same arched, lighted balconies and long interlocked driveways leading to the front door, all primly landscaped to perfection.

Mia piped up, “so how old are you Lexi?”, she asked. Beta Jax warned her with a low growl and Mia threw up her hands in surrender, “jeez, sorry. Just trying to make small talk.”

“Better idea, how about you don’t talk?”, he taunted. I wondered how well these two knew each other, either they were very comfortable around each other or they actually hated one another. The verdict was still out.

I shifted uncomfortably in the leather seat, “um, I’m 17.”

Beta Jax made a sharp turn, causing the tires to screech until he came to a stop at the side of the road. I could see his anxiety heightened, Mia also had wide eyes. “You’re s-seventeen?”, he stuttered.

I nodded. “Oh how exciting! Maybe you’ll meet your mate soon! Maybe even here in Crescent Pack. When’s your birthday? You know I met my mate on the day of my eighteenth birthday,” she continued.

Beta Jax returned the car in drive without another word and continued down the road. I furrowed my eyebrows, unsure if I was delverging too much information. I wanted to trust them, I wanted to believe that they could become my friends. I wanted them to like me.

“Soon actually. Although, I’m not sure if I’m ready to meet my mate. I’m sure he’ll reject me, no one wants a washed up rogue as a mate,” I said sadly. I had spent my life not really caring about meeting my mate but now I strangely longed for the same excitement that Mia had when she spoke of her mate.

Mia shook her head, “c’mon, you can’t think like that! Mates are sacred for a reason. Once you meet your mate, you’ll understand. It’s a bond like no other. Mates can’t live without each other, the pull is something so magical.”

Mia’s enthusiasm was so contagious that I nearly believed her that maybe I did have a chance at the happily ever after others got to experience. It wasn’t that I didn’t want a mate, I just knew that the odds of him accepting me were stacked against me.

Beta Jax parked the car in front of a small brown brick building with large neon lights that read “Pizza Den.” He stepped out first, circling the car and then opened the door for me. I blushed at the sweet gesture. No one had ever opened a door for me like that before. We walked into the pizza parlor, the smell of fresh dough and toppings swirled in the air and made my stomach growl, aching for just one bite of the hot cheese I once long ago remembered against my tongue.