My Wolf

CHAPTER 19

Jughead

Graduation is coming up, and finally high school will be over. College isn't really something that supernaturals take part in, of course there is the odd person who wants to go either for the experience or to learn something new, but for the most part we all stay here and take up different responsibilities. For the next three years Betty and I will be spending time with my dad, learning everything there is to know about running the pack. The day after my 21st birthday we will be crowned the new Alpha and Luna of the serpent pack. I'll be honest, I'm terrified. My dad will be there to help us but suddenly everything is going to come to me, but I'm getting ahead of myself. First graduation, then training.

I am currently sitting in my last class on our final day of high school. All of the exams are done, the grades are imputed. The only real reason for this day is yearbook signing and last fittings for the grad gowns. Graduation is tomorrow and I can't wait. The bell finally rings and papers are thrown everywhere; I jump up and grab Betty's face, pulling her into a lusty kiss that honestly shouldn't have been had in public. We burst through the doors of the school, nearly tearing them off the hinges in the process. Every serpent made their way to the bikes and hopped on without delay, taking off as soon as they could. Betty and I led the way; I drove as fast as I could but made sure to slow down on the corners, we don't need a repeat of last time.

When we arrived at the pack house everyone made a beeline for the kitchen. Every year the cooks make a special meal for the graduates, they go all out and make just about everything your heart can desire. We ate and laughed with the rest, enjoying everyone's company. I was trying to make sure Betty ate, dad said that there was nothing we could do about her wolf size but that doesn't mean I can't try. Every time I put something more on her plate she gives me a look, it's something between annoyance, adoration, and curiosity. I know I need to tell her but I don't know how, she is so happy and I don't want to ruin that.

After hours of spending time with the group Betty and I pulled away to spend some time alone, between school, friends, and training with my dad we don't get a whole lot of alone time. We were just sitting on the bed reading, taking in the silence. I yawned and put my book down, my eyes slowly dropping closed. I felt Betty shift on the bed before she disappeared. "Baby?" I questioned as I opened my eyes. She was across the room putting her hair in a loose ponytail and grabbing her phone. "Where are you going?" I asked, sitting up and rubbing my eyes. "Take a nap love, I'm just going for a run." At that I bolted out of bed and grabbed her waist, pulling her towards me.

"Please don't go on a run by yourself!" I begged, panic lacing through my voice. "Why?" she asked, I just held her tighter while I inhaled her scent. "Honey I can feel your anxiety, what aren't you telling me?" She just stared into my eyes, searching them like they would give up the secret. "It's not safe for you," I managed to get out before bringing closer to me again. "What do you mean it is not safe for me? Everyone else goes for solo runs all the time," her voice was soft but I could tell she was dying to figure out what made her different. "Sweetheart," I let out a sigh, "there is something you need to understand."

I moved us to the bed and pulled her into my lap. I let out a sigh before beginning, "Betty, you have a very small wolf." She looked at me quizzically, "What does that mean?" "It means that you are at risk, it would be a lot harder for you to properly defend yourself against an attack." The tears began to well in her eyes and I could feel the emotions sweep through her body, I pulled her closer to me as if I was trying to absorb her. "Well ... why is my wolf so small," she asked in a small whisper. "My dad said it could be a number of things, most likely malnutrition but there are other things it could be." The tears were now flowing freely down her cheeks. I know this makes her feel inadequate and I don't know how to fix it. "How long have you known?" The question I was dreading, "a few months," I said it so quietly it was barely audible.

She jumped out of my embrace and stood in front of me. "You have known about this for months and you didn't tell me!!!" she was yelling at me now. "Baby I didn't want you to worry about it, as long as I'm with you you're safe." I said as I stood up and stepped towards her, she took a step back. "We are mates Jughead, a team!! HOW COULD YOU LIE TO ME!!!" she screamed at me. It almost made me physically hurt to feel her anger and know it was because of me. "Honey please, let's just talk about this." I was trying to calm her down but it failed miserably. "LIKE YOU SHOULD HAVE TALKED TO ME WHEN YOU FOUND OUT!?!" With that she was out the door. I ran after, trying to catch her on the stairs but she was already out the doors before I could reach the bottom. I ran outside after her but I couldn't see her, her scent was faint but led to the woods behind the pack house. This is bad, she is out there all alone with no protection.

I didn't even bother going to look for help, I sprinted into the woods and shifted. I linked every pack member as I headed into the woods.

J - Betty is somewhere in the woods, alone and in danger. Drop whatever you're doing and get your asses into the woods and help me find her. She better be in one piece the next time I see her.

I know it is unnecessarily threatening but I am not joking with this. Her scent has faded, it lead to a river that she must have run up. She is smart, she knows I can't track her smell if she runs in water. I stop to think, there has to be some way to find her. I had stood there for no even five seconds when I felt pain in my body, Betty was hurt. I started to panic but then I remembered the mark. I focus on it and start to feel the gravitational pull that seems to be pulling me upstream. I follow it as fast as I can, knowing that I am faster and can catch up if I try hard enough. I must have run for over half an hour when I caught her scent again. I slow down and follow it to a small cave in the rocks by the river. She is curled up in the tiniest ball, shaking. My heart breaks and I race to her side. I didn't even hesitate to wrap my furry body around hers, trying to give her some comfort. I look down and see blood oozing out of a cut on her leg. My blood runs cold and I nudge her ear with my nose.

J - Baby are you ok?! I'm so sorry honey, I should never have kept that from you. I love you so much and I was just so worried, I wanted you to be happy.

B - I forgive you.

J - What happened to your leg?

B - Fell in the river and landed on a sharp rock, it's not that bad.

I sighed but just left it at that, we would get it checked out back at the house. I curled tighter around her and nuzzled her, waiting for her body to stop shaking from the chill I'm sure the wind was giving her as it hit her wet fur. I linked the rest of the pack and told them she was ok, then I just sat with her. I know we will get through this, but for now I will just let her feel whatever it is that she needs to feel. But I promise you that I will be right there with her, sharing her emotions as she goes through them. 

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I just want to say a special thank you to those of you who vote and comment. I know it doesn't seem like much but it gives me so much motivation to get feedback and know you guys are actually enjoying the story. Have a fantastic day lovelys.

- K