Tyler

Guess who's back? Back again?

The stares. The glares. The evil eyes were all on me as I walked through the school corridors on Monday morning.

Of course everybody knows I put Jack in the hospital. I mean, why wouldn't they? We live in the era of communication. Of information. And knowledge is power indeed.

Whatever. Even my own friends are looking at me weirdly. Legitimately, Jason and Peter greeted me with raised eyebrows. I had to convince them I didn't do it on purpose.

Honestly, I don't know why I'm so surprised. Even my own sister didn't believe me, why would them? It just hurts that this is my reputation now.

I know I'm not a saint and I don't claim to be, but when did I become the bully? When did I become the person known to attack an orphan? For the love of Goddess, a fucking Stonehold orphan. Fuck My Life.

But here's something no one saw it coming. And I mean nobody. Ever. In a million years.

Jack arrived at the school and when he saw me talking to my friends, he came at my direction. At first, I thought he's going to Sarah's side like he usually does. But no.

He came at my direction and hugged me.

Yes, I said hug. Not punch, not strike me down, not curse at me, not anything. He fucking hugged me in front of everyone, who all stared at us like if Jesus was holding Judas or something.

"I want you to know that I don't blame you and I know you didn't do it on purpose." - He reassured me after he parted from the tight hug.

I'm so shocked that I didn't react. Jay and Pete were absolutely gobsmacked. They looked like they saw a ghost, no joke. Sarah, Elsa and Anna were so wide-eyed in shock I thought they were having a collective seizure.

"Thanks." - It's all I can muster to answer him. I could barely catch my breath after that.

Then, he left my side and went to kiss Sarah.

"Dude, you broke the Alpha!" - Jason snickered after a minute. I was so shocked that I didn't even glare at him for calling Jack that.

"Are you concussed? Do you feel well?" - Sarah asked, looking worried at him.

"I fell fine. Why?" - He asked like it's no big deal. Like nothing happened.

"No reason. Just checking." - She replied, looking at him still gasped. Even the students around us were shocked at the scene that unfolded before our eyes.

After that, I went to class as the bell rang and I don't need to be tardy on top of all the shit I had to deal with. Thank Goddess I don't have wrestling practice today. Last thing I need is to face Jack in a confrontation of any kind. Not that the coach will ever pit us against each other. Especially after that. But now, honestly, I really didn't want him to.

I attend class after class receiving a mixture of glares and stares, both in repulse and confusion by Jack's reaction. Honestly, he could have literally punched me and gotten away with it. But his attitude probably made everyone like him even more, if that's possible. Who doesn't admire someone who practically offered the other cheek?

If Alphas were voted, he would win in a landslide. The kid is golden. Even some teachers were giving me the stink eye. Fuck!

When we got to the cafeteria for lunch break, I welcomed a respite. I needed some room to breathe and be among my friends. Jack still wouldn't seat next to Sarah at our table, probably because he wouldn't leave his cousin alone. Or don't want to drag him along to play third wheel.

"Are you okay? What do you think it'll happen?" - Pete asked me while we start eating our lunch.

"I would be better if people stopped staring at me like I killed someone." - I grunted in a sour mood. Pete gasped at my words.

"If Jack doesn't blame me, why would anyone, am I right Sarah?" - I said it and looked at her, who turned her head to me surprised.

"Yes, you're right. It's the first thing he told me when I saw him on Saturday." - She replied, much to my surprise. Damn it. Soon, even I'll be cheering for him. It's damn impossible to fault him for anything. Fuck. My. Life.

"Damn, Ty. I like your chances less and less by the minute." - Jason muttered under his breath. I glared at him, but it's not like he's wrong.

"I don't know how to react to any of this... It would be so much easier to hate him if he was just a smug prick." - I replied to Jason, sounding baffled.

"I know, right? I can't believe he hugged you!" - Jay was still gobsmacked about that. And so was I.

"Me neither." - I mumbled. I'm trying to collect my thoughts as all this is so overwhelming.

"It's called being the bigger person, Ty. You should try that!" - Sarah jabbed at me, angrily.

"I'm trying. It's no my fault--"

I'm interrupted by the ringtones of every single cellphone of all the people in the cafeteria that rang at the same time. Everyone gets startled by the blast notification and I took out my phone, so did everybody who wasn't holding it on their hands already.

From: Elder Council
To: Stonehold pack [Undisclosed Recipients]

The Elder Council informs who it may concern that John Gutierrez Stonehold will be the next Alpha of the Stonehold pack on the first Saturday of the next Summer season.

Long Live the Alpha!

https://youtu.be/HkbdUPKD8ek

Tears come to my eyes.

I knew it's coming but it hurts like hell. Sarah rushed to my side and hugged me. Jason, Anna, Elsa and Peter kept staring at me floored. Then, they joined Sarah on the hug.

A round of applause can be heard from all the students at the cafeteria to Jack, who looked stunned. So did Tony across from him at the table.

At this, I rushed out of the place and away from everyone in tears. I reached the bathroom and unraveled completely.

I couldn't stop crying. Not for the life of me. Not for anything. I just couldn't. How am I supposed to face my dad after this? He's gonna be so disappointed in me. That's the worst feeling in the world.

I thought about skipping the rest of the classes but that would only serve to anticipate seeing my dad, which is the furthest thing from my mind right now.

How am I supposed to face the school again? I can't even face myself in the mirror. I just feel a dread that won't go away. A feeling of inadequacy, of inferiority I had no business feeling because I ain't. Not by a long shot.

But I did feel it nonetheless. And it crushed me with all its might.

The bell rang. Life goes on. School goes on. But how can I go on?

I washed my face and went back to the classroom. I'm met with 'fuck you' glares from all the students in the hall. Most of whom thought I deserved what I got.

I probably did, but grace never killed anyone. Lesson I should probably learn myself apparently. If only I had shown Jack grace that first day, I wouldn't be in this mess to begin with.

Irony is a bitch, isn't it?

I get to class begrudgingly and the stares continue. That's my new reality apparently. Couldn't they wait a little longer to send the blast e-mail? I guess not. But then again, I'm surprised it took them this long and it's probably only due to the weekend.

And of course, bonus round: my last class of the day is with Jack, because why not. I'm gearing up for the gloat, the smug, the bragging I'm gonna get from him. Fuck. My. Life.

Yet, he doesn't look my way. At all. He goes about the same as if he would any other day, except from the annoying congratulations and bows of head he gets from everyone in class. The teacher comes in and the class starts. By the end of it, I can't wait to get out of there.

But still, my punishment wasn't over. Far from it.

"Do you want a ride to your house, Luna?" - Jack asked looking at Sarah, who blushed. I let out a low growl that startles more people than I would like, making Jack turn to look at me instead. He stares at me but doesn't say anything. His expression is blank, like he's struggling to spare me the humiliation of boasting.

"You don't know that she's your mate, Alpha." - A female student interjected from the front of the class, snapping us all out of our stare competition. Sarah is fuming at this.

"You're right, Daisy. I don't know. But I'm allowed to hope." - Jack replied to the girl with a smile. He didn't let it phase him whatsoever. Sarah, on the other hand...

"Dude, I can smell your stench from here. Get a grip!" - She snarled at the girl, her eyes glowing with anger. The girl known as Daisy just collected her stuff and left, but not before winking at Jack mischievously.

Honestly, I couldn't get away fast enough. Now on top of it all, I'm forced to watch as girls - including my own sister - fight each other off for the most eligible bachelor of the pack. Not only that, but I also scented her stench of sexual desire. It's strong indeed.

Can this punishment ever end?

I got to the school bus with my friends minus Sarah who went with Jack in his car. To my house. To train under my dad. Now, there's no point in me interning with dad as I'm no longer in the run for Alpha. I should probably start an internship with the Beta. Am I gonna be Beta? Jack certainly likes to call me that, but now that he holds all the cards maybe he'll get Tony like he always wanted to.

Basically, I can possibly not ascend to anything. Even though my sister will probably ascend as Luna. To think 7 years ago, I was just fine with being Beta. In fact, I hoped I could follow in my dad's footsteps. I mean, I still very much do hope. Beta is an excellent position that my dad was great at.

When I got to my house, dad was at his office with Jack. I knew that if I saw him I would fall apart even more than I did at school, so I hid away. My mom comforted me as soon as she saw me. She showered me with kisses and hugs that only a mom can do. It felt nice. At least, I still have my family.

But my punishment was far from over. And neither was my day.

A couple of hours later, dad barged in my room without knocking, startling me out of my self commiseration with a scare.

"Dad, I'm sorry..." - I started but he didn't let me finish.

"You still have training with Delta Jones. Both you and Jack." - Dad announced it. I gasped.

"What? Why?" - I stuttered badly.

"Because you still have to train if you want to make Beta. Or at the very least a warrior. So come on, Jack is giving you a ride to the training center." - Dad demanded me and left my room.

Seriously? Can this day ever get worse? I should probably stop saying that... It can always get worse. It turns out that I hadn't seen worst yet.

With no tears left to cry, I entered Jack's car silently. He started it and drove away to the training center.

"Congratulations. And thank you for not gloating. I know you wanted to." - I broke the silence between us. I might as well get this over with now that we're alone.

"Thank you. You're right, I did. It takes effort to be the good guy, but I meant what I said earlier. I don't blame you and I said that to everyone. They just wouldn't hear it." - He replied, letting out a big sigh in relief.

"I know, I believe you. It's just once you lose your reputation..." - I said with deep regret in my tone.

"Can I ask--"

"Your father already did." - He cut me off like he knew what I'd say. Though it doesn't take a genius to figure that out.

"And what did you reply to him?" - I asked instead, curiously.

"I told him I'd think about it." - He said, curtly. By his tone, I could see there's no point in me pressing the issue now.

"It's ironic that now that you can call me Beta--"

"I get it, Ty. I understand irony." - He interrupted me again. I can tell he wasn't in a talking mood, so I kept my mouth shut. You don't wanna piss off the guy who holds your entire future in his hands.

"Good afternoon, Alpha." - Delta Jones greeted him, bowing his head. Yes, the actual Delta bowed his head. - "Good afternoon, Tyler." - He turned to look at me. Both of us saluted him back.

"It goes without saying that if I put you two to fight each other again, I will not only be fired but also probably expelled from the pack. So don't even think about it. You can do your exercises." - He directed us, which we obeyed. Right after we put our duffel bags in the locker room.

Probably still shell shocked from Jack's injury, Delta kept our training light. It was mostly drills and a lot of exercises. By the end of it, I was pinching my nose I was so sweaty. Jack and I entered the locker room together as always.

I rushed out of my clothes and into the shower area. Jack does the same. We're both silent and keeping to ourselves. But I just couldn't keep my mouth shut...

"I know you'll be a great Alpha. Probably better than I could ever be. Though I should have been nicer to you and I got no excuse, I have no doubt that the best man won." - I admitted in a single breath. Believe it or not, I spoke from the heart.

"Thank you for saying that, Tyler." - Jack replied with a big smile at my direction, followed by a scared wide eyed look on his face as if he just saw a ghost and looked away from me. I got confused by his reaction, then I looked down and saw my massive erection. Oh come on...

I don't know what will happen with me now or what my journey will be... Beta or warrior.

But what I do know is that from now on, things will never be the same again.

https://youtu.be/2nEzfa43VF8

A|N: Wow! What a revealing chapter! Now, things start to get more interesting...

And it's a roller coaster you don't wanna miss, I promise you. You ain't seen nothing yet!

Fun fact: This chapter was supposed to be simply titled 'revelation'. I added the second song later as I came across it and felt it very fitting to the story. In more ways than one.

Love,

Léo.