Noctis

I am in the change room, getting ready for gym glass. I put on my spandex bike shirts and a muscle shirt. I walk out back into the field where class takes place. I walk over to the group of students and stand in the back.

"Alright class, we have a new student today. Please come forward."

I roll eyes and walk forward. The teacher tells me to introduce myself and I tell them my name is Noctis. Once that word leaves my mouth, they all start whispering. I guess they heard what happened in home room. The teacher tells me to call him Coach and then he breaks us up into pairs. I am the odd one out and Coach tells me to watch for today. I can tell he doesn't think I can handle this fight. Is he blind? Doesn't he see my battle scars?

I walk around as I study how everyone fights. No one I see is good at fighting. They are sloppy and have too many weaknesses. I then see that kid fighting with another boy. They are both decent fighters. I decide to watch how this fight pans out. The stalker guy is dodging most of the other guys attacks.

"Left side!" I shout to the one guy.

They guy hits the stalker hard in the left ribs causing the stalks dude to stumble. The one guy takes advantage of this and tackles him to the ground. He puts his hand around the stalkers throat and elongates his claw, waiting for him to tap out. After struggling, stalker double taps the other guys arm. The one guy look triumphant and very happy. He look around before spotting me. He runs over.

"Thanks for the tip! I'm River," he holds out a hand.

"Noctis," I say while shaking his hand.

The stalk guys walks up to us looking angry and jealous. "Why are you talking with him?"

I am confused, "What? I can't talk to a guy?"

"Yes...I mean no...I mean why do you talk with him and not me?"

"Well, let's see..." I tap my chin for effect, "You barged into my classroom sending me into an oh so great memory," note the sarcasm. "Then you keep pushing to talk with me and I really don't want to talk with you. Can't you take a hint?"

He looks really sad and River gives him a questioning look before they both mindlink each other. After they finish mindlinking, River looks shocked with a hint of anger and sadness.

"What?" I question in a monotone voice.

"Nothing," River says before they both walk away.

Those two are so weird, I wonder why they are acting like that. I roll my eyes and grab my bag from the bleachers. After changing, the bell rings and I walk out of the school towards the parking lot since it is fast walking that way to get to the grocery store. As I walk by, everyone stares at me and whispers.

"Stop fucking whispering. If you have something to say, say it to my face," I tell the group in an annoyed voice.

They all go silent and then turn around going back to their original conversations. I continue walking past them and head to the sidewalk. After a few minutes, a car pulls up beside me and rolls down the window. I just continue walking, ignoring the car.

"Noctis!" A man shouts.

"What!?" I shout back while I continue to walk.

"Wanna ride?" The man asks.

I turn to see River in the drivers' seat. I mean, at least it isn't stalker guy. "Why?" I ask.

"I don't know, just trying to be nice."

"Okay," I sigh.

I open the passenger side door and sit in his car. It is so comfortable. He starts driving off in the direction I was walking.

"Where are you going?" He asks.

"Grocery store. Kind of forgot I needed those this morning."

"How do you forget about food?" He says, being dramatic.

I chuckle, "I just moved into my own place after coming back from Iraq. I just forgot about buying food, I guess."

"Wow, Iraq? How was it over there?"

"I mean, besides the soldiers dying, it was good. I had lots of friends and my platoon is great," I look down at my hands, "was great."

"What happened?"

"An explosion. Fucking rogues attacked our base, killed a bunch of good soldiers and then left a silver bomb."

"A silver bomb? How are you standing here?"

"I was in the battle field still. Doctors got out most of the shrapnel."

"Most?"

"Yeah, I still have it embedded in my leg and rib. I will be fully healed in a week or so."

"I'm surprised you are alive at all. Do you have alpha blood or something?"

My eyes widen slightly, "Um...I don't know. I have been an orphan most of my life. Once I turned eighteen, I applied for the army," I lie.

He just stays silent, probably processing when I just told him. Not many girls enter the army and even less she-wolves do. Most she-wolves are forced to stay behind with their pack because they are the only way to keep the pack members up. Sexist if you ask me. We pull up to a grocery store and I open the car door only to see a River getting out as well.

"What are you doing?" I ask him.

"I am going shopping too. I need to get some party snacks. The Alpha's son in my pack is being announced as Alpha today and a bunch of us are partying afterwards. Do you want to come?"

"I don't think I should. I wouldn't fit in there."

"Of course you would, you should definitely come. Here is the address if you change your mind," he hands me a piece of paper.

"I'll think about," there is no way in hell I am going to a pack. "What pack?"

"Star's Sun Pack."

I nod. That is the neighbouring pack of the one Xander is in. I wonder if he is going. "Do you know if a Xander Roberts is going?"

"Yeah, he is as well as the soon-to-be Alpha of his pack. Why? Do you know him?"

"Yes, I do. He is an army buddy of mine. I guess it wouldn't be too bad if I came," I mumble to myself. "Who is the soon-to-be Alpha?"

"Orion Star. You met him, he was the one I was fighting today."

"Oh, so that's the stalkers name. I never thought he would be the Alpha type."

We walk in silence up and down the isles of the grocery store. River grabs a lot of chips, dip, candy, chocolate, and pops to bring to the party. I grab a lot of fruits, vegetables, some meats, and bagels. As you can tell, we are two very different people when it comes to food. After paying, River offers to drive me home so I don't have to carry the grocery bags all the way. I wouldn't mind walking, but I am afraid the bags will break.

"I heard what happened in home room. You want to talk about it?" River asks.

I sigh, "It was just a flashback to a really bad day back in Iraq. I'm fine."

"If you ever want to talk about it, you can talk to me. If you don't feel like talking to me, make sure you talk with someone," River tells
me and I nod as we pull up to my apartment complex.

"See ya tonight," River smiles.

I just wave and walk into the building. I walk up the stairs and unlock my door. After putting away my food I pull out my phone to call Xander.

"Hello?"

"Xander, it's Noctis."

"I know, I have caller ID you know."

I roll my eyes, "Are you going to the Star's Sun Pack today for the new Alpha party?"

"Of course! I could never miss a party. I bet this one will be better than the little ones we would have at the base."

He is probably right. At the base around nine at night, we would get her in the planning tent and have a small bag of chips each while we talked quietly. We would all be on high alert in case of an attack so we would never get to relax.

"You're right. I was invited by River to go, can you give me a ride?"

"Of course. How did you get all close with the Beta?"

"He's the Beta? I didn't know. I helped him take down stalk...I mean Orion during combat."

"Ooo, is he your mate?"

"Fuck no, Xander. I mean, I don't think so. I can't even find my mate right now. I can't smell a damn thing, remember?"

"Right, maybe they will find you?"

"Yeah, whatever. I will see you soon."

"See ya."

I hang up the phone and head to my room. I throw on a pair of black ripped jeans, combat boots, and a red flowy tank top. The tip shows a lot of my back and chest as well as come of my stomach. I guess the word will be out about my battle scars. I put on my leather jacket so I have something in case of my self-consciousness rising. I put two silver knives in my belt in case of an attack and then there is a knock at the door. I just leave my black hair down in natural waves and open the door.

"Hey Xander. How's it going?"

"Good, you ready to go?"

We head down to his car and he starts driving towards the pack house. I haven't been to a pack house in a year and I am kind of nervous to go back to one. After a ten minute drive, we are at the pack house where there are many cars parked already. Xander and I get out and start walking towards the entrance. Xander links his arm with mine to reassure me and we walk in. Let's get this party started.