Beck

It's like I can finally breathe again.

I've only been here for a few days now but it seems as though life had another meaning to me.

I don't mean to sound so dramatic, but without the pressure my father had been putting on me, I get to be a teenager again. I don't have training or people biting me. In fact, my wounds have completely healed.

Now I'm just a simple boy getting ready to start his senior year in high school just like the other hundreds of students who live here. The largest wolf pack in America.

It's daunting to think about it or to compare it to the reservation I came from. From hundreds to thousands. That's a lot of werewolves.

My mother is actively seeking new employment just as she said and fortunately there's been a few interviews so far. Fingers crossed she gets a job soon. I understand she probably didn't come here with much money.

But with each coming day, I'm more thankful that she brought me here. The pack house food is amazing, the other residents - all adults - are cordial and Mrs. Ashmore is enchanting.

She makes sure we are well looked after and is available for any doubts we might have, though the brochure with the house rules was already pretty self explanatory.

No guests allowed inside your room except for your mate. No parties. No eating outside of the schedule. No entering the offices located inside the pack house - unless you're invited to. No loud noise in the common areas.

It's a little strict but I get it. It has to serve the common good. And it's gonna have to do it until my mom can afford a house of our own. And that might still take a while.

Not that I'm in any rush to leave. Despite the rules, I'm loving it here. So far, so good.

Yesterday, Alpha Atwood called my mom and I to his office to officially welcome us into his pack. He was very intrigued to learn that I can't shift into a wolf, even though both my parents are werewolves.

Our kind is forbidden to share the secret of our existence with humans - outside the sanctity of the mate bond - and he was puzzled that I didn't give off a human-like scent.

My mother was quick to inform him that I was already brought before our tribe healers, who said I had a wolf spirit but somehow that didn't translate into shifting. No one knows why.

He was also concerned about the abuse I have suffered at the hands of my own father, but he refrained from talking too much about the sensitive issue in front of me.

He just assured me that he would do everything in his power to keep me safe, keep us safe and I really appreciated that.

Afterwards, everything was business as usual. I also discovered that I have a second cousin. When my mom took us to her cousin's house, I was introduced to her family.

Her mate is a powerful enforcer here in the pack, that's why we were able to transfer here so fast. The procedure to get approved in a pack like this usually takes weeks, but I probably didn't have that kind of time back home.

It was lovely to meet her family and at least I'll have someone to help me along when school starts soon.

My mother is actively trying to get me enrolled here, but there's so much bureaucracy that it's taking her longer than expected. I told her to ask for Mrs. Ashmore's help. She works at the school.

In the meantime, I'm enjoying my last free days playing video games - there's a playroom inside the pack house where residents can use the consoles available - and getting acquainted with the town.

My new cousin was nice enough to take me some places around the city in his car. I get the feeling that he doesn't have a lot of friends to spend time with. Well, he has one now as far as I'm concerned.

There's a beautiful waterfall that names this town and he took me there to show it. The place was crawling with teenagers but we didn't even leave the car, he just showed me from a distance.

He told me it wasn't a good time for us to stay there with all these people and that just the other day a fight broke out over there.

No need to tell me twice, fighting is the last thing I want to do. He drove away and continued showing me other spots around town.

Though it's a small town, it's actually growing on me. It's not that different from where I come from, just bigger in scale.

But it has the same charm to it. But this city has a mall. I can't believe I never stepped foot in a mall before. I was really missing out.

After we returned, he dropped me off at the pack house just in time for dinner. I thanked him and told him I'd text later.

I washed up and walked straight into the dining room. My mom inquired about my day and I told her how nice this town is and what a great day I had with my cousin.

She was happy for me to have this time to get to know our new home and him.

In the days that followed, mom continued avidly looking for a new job while I spent time with my new found family.

I had a blast hanging around with my new cousin. We're kind of kindred spirits, so the chemistry was instantaneous.

Soon enough, classes started in my new high school. My mom was smart enough to gather my transcripts before we left the reservation, but there was some final red tape to get over.

I ended up missing the first day of school - which my mom was not happy about - but low and behold, I was on the school bus the following Tuesday.

The high school was very large and imponent, typical for a charter school, with freshly painted walls, organized lockers and crowded halls with students talking loud like they aren't werewolves with an acute sense of hearing.

"It's so massive. How many grades do they teach here?" - I asked my cousin, perplexed at the large building.

"Only four years of high school, but this is the only school of its kind in the city. So everyone our age goes here." - He replied as we walked the long corridor.

I stopped by the office to get my class schedule and we went to our first period together.

I noticed a 'click' of students walking around like they own the place. I know every school has them, but the tall, strong boy leading them seemed so self assured that one might actually believe he does.

I walked inside the classroom and all heads turned to me immediately, the new kid on the block. I blushed at the intense gazes and quietly found an empty seat to take.

I also noticed a boy who looks like the exact copy of the popular one. Twins? Oh my...

I was jittery with nervousness when I was bombarded by a loud voice startling me inside the crowded classroom.

"Oh my Goddess! Are you wearing makeup?" - The over confident boy asked me, already laughing at my expense.

"It's just eyeliner. What is it to you?" - I frowned at him, attracting even more attention than before.

"Oh how cute! Peasant got a boyfriend!" - He poked fun at me, causing his entourage to laugh as well.

"Who the hell is 'peasant'?" - I frowned in confusion.

"It's just how he calls me. Don't mind him." - My cousin turned to my side to explain, blushing with embarrassment.

"Why?" - I'm baffled by this.

"Because his name is Kingsley. King, peasant. Get it?" - The boy looked at me as if was an imbecile.

"That's horrible! What kind of jerk calls anyone a peasant?" - I frowned in annoyance. The arrogant boy snarled at me.

"Watch your tongue, fairy! You don't want to get on my bad side!" - He threatened me, glaring many daggers my way.

"Don't call me a fairy, jerk! And don't call my cousin a peasant either. You're not the King!" - I defended myself, angrily. Kingsley was already panicking at this exchange, scared of the arrogant boy's reaction.

Before I knew it, the boy darted for the attack. He lunged at my direction so fast, next thing I knew his hand was forcibly gripping my throat. I gasped for air that I couldn't inhale.

"Listen to me, fairy. I'll call whoever I want by whatever the fuck I want. You'll do well to bow your head when you see me. If you disrespect me, you're dead. Is that clear?" - He whispered in my ear with a maniac pleasure as his tight grip was choking me to death. I tried to get him off of me but his steel-like arm was too strong for me.

"I'm sorry, Alpha. He's new here. Please release him. He didn't mean any harm." - My cousin pleaded for my life.

I was starting to turn blue when the sadistic asshole let me go, causing me to literally gasp for air and cough.

What the hell? Who is this psycho? And why is my cousin calling him Alpha?

The boy returned to his seat as the teacher who just entered was glaring at him reprehensibly.

It took me a second to get back to normal as my neck was still baring his hand print. I was gobsmacked by this. How can anyone get away with this type of behavior?

While the first period was ending, my poor cousin was worried for me after this confrontation. By the look of it, what happened to me wasn't so surprising.

I was fearful of even glancing at my assailant, but he wasn't concentrating on me anymore. His eyes were glued to a beautiful girl sitting not far from him.

As soon as the bell rang, Kingsley addressed me.

"I'm sorry I didn't warn you before. But if you ignore him, he'll leave you alone." - He spoke in a low tone, fearfully.

"How were you supposed to warn me against a psychopath like that? And why did you call him Alpha?" - I asked, feeling both terrorized and intrigued.

"That's how he likes to be addressed." - He stuttered, nervously.

"Isn't it offensive to the real Alpha? Won't he get mad once he hears about this?" - I asked him, puzzled.

"Not really. He's actually the son of the Alpha." - He informed me and I gasped in shock. Of course he is...

"I see..." - I breathed out a sigh.

"Wait. If he's the future Alpha, who is the other boy who looks just like him?" - I asked, even though the answer is obvious.

"He's his twin brother." - He replied, shyly.

"OK, but if he's his twin brother, why can't he be the next Alpha instead?" - I'm genuinely intrigued by this.

"He can be, but we won't know for sure until they turn 18." - He explained, tentatively.

"Is there a poll? Because I vote for the other brother." - I snickered.

"Keep it up, fairy, and you won't live to meet your mate, let alone see who's the next Alpha." - The arrogant boy interjected as we were about to exit the classroom. His daggers were aimed at me which sent a chill down my spine.

"I wonder what went wrong. His father seems like such a decent man..." - I muttered and he growled at me, threateningly.

"It's best if you don't antagonize him." - Kingsley said, fearfully.

"I don't plan to, but I can't stand him calling you peasant." - I said, frowning.

"You won't stand for anything if you're dead." - Kingsley warned me with a frightful expression on his face.

Well, I can't argue that. What a first impression! That guy is so creepy! All along his twin kept glancing at me in an unassuming way.

We walked to the next class of the day while I'm still intrigued about the dissonant twins. At the same time, students kept staring at me because of my little trifle with that bastard. Or maybe they never saw a boy using eyeliner before. It's either one of those things.

By the end of the third period, people were starting to get used to my presence. And the psycho had moved on to tormenting others or flexing his muscles to his girlfriend like he's a freaking peacock.

Why does he need constant validation? Goddess, the ego of this guy...

Anyway, Kingsley was nice enough to guide me through the school and introduce me to some of his classmates. There are some decent people here, they just get drowned out by the mean crowd.

Speaking of being mean...

"Why do they call her a freak? I don't understand." - I inquired of the beautiful brunette who sits next to the other Atwood.

"That's because they're fucking morons!" - She growled at the two boys sitting at the back of the classroom. The bully and his friend.

"I'm sorry for asking. I'm just genuinely puzzled as to why you would be singled out. You're beautiful." - I said, flustered by her outburst.

She was surprised by my compliment and smiled gently at me.

"My parents are not mated to each other. My mother is human." - She explained and I gasped in shock. I did NOT expect this.

"That's no reason for you to be called anything whatsoever. You are a beautiful young woman. I see you for what you truly are. A werewolf just like the rest of us." - I stated, causing a smile to appear on her face.

She seemed impressed by my words, especially coming from someone who doesn't know her at all. But I call it like I see it. And I hate bullying.

"Thank you for the kind words. The world would be a better place if people were as empathetic as you." - She smiled at me contently. I see her friend, the other twin, looking at me mesmerized by what I just said.

"It was my pleasure. I don't know why anyone would set out to make other people uncomfortable in their skins. This is high school. We already feel very uncomfortable." - I snickered.

There was a nice vibe in the classroom for a minute and soon enough, it's time for lunch. Kingsley and I took our seats far from the bullies and he told me all about his tormentor. He learned over the years how to fly under the radar as best as he could and don't give anyone reason to pick on him.

It's sad that he had to diminish himself in order to fit in or pass by, but I can definitely relate to him. The struggle is real for the effeminate boys. Though my high school experience inside the reservation was much better, of course there's always one or two who test our strength.

But him being called a peasant really irked me. I don't want to pick a fight with anyone, much less one I can't win and against the son of the Alpha. But I can't stand him and his over exacerbated ego.

After lunch, we walked back to the classroom to watch the remaining classes of the day. It's only my first day but I can hardly wait for it to be over.

Unfortunately, I shared most of my classes with the mean boys but I ignored their presence. I was too starstruck by the other twin to focus on anything else.

He's been quiet for the most part. I wonder what his deal is...

After the final bell of the day, we merrily collected our belongings to walk out of the school. What a first day!

"Have you liked our school so far?" - Kingsley inquired as we gathered our things to leave.

"Yes, it's very promising. I'm sure I'll do great in this school." - I replied, not exactly confident but trying to sound as if I were.

"You will, Beck. So long as you fly under the radar, no one's gonna bother you." - He advised me in a tender tone.

"I'll try my best, cousin. I want to make it work here." - I replied, trying very hard not to mention the asshole who is now talking to his girlfriend and friends.

I get his point across very clearly. I can't win against an Atwood. It's not a battle I should fight, for my own sake. I just have to survive this last year of high school before I set off to college and be rid of all this.

This is where my focus should be and it is. I want so badly to branch out and meet new people. If I'm lucky, I can go with my cousin to college together. Fingers crossed this year is gonna be great.

https://youtu.be/Z1NP9aHqRGU

A|N: And so it begins.

This song is such a treat.

Love,

Léo.