Alpha Xander

|chapter one|

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"Happy birthday sweety! Wake up!"

I internally groaned as I opened my eyes, squinting them to try and adjust them to the light.

"Here open your present!" My mom said as she shoved a carefully pink wrapped box in front of me.

"I said no presents." I gave a directed look to both my parents.

"We know, we just decided not to listen and get you one anyway!" My smiling mom exclaimed. "Now open!"

I threw my hands up in surrender, before opening the tiny box. After unwrapping the paper, my hands skimmed over a delicate jewelry box.

Opening the small black box, the most beautiful necklace came to view. It was a heart shaped locket, with 'Faith'
carved in cursive into it and finished with a diamond lining.

I gasped, loving it instantly. "You shouldn't have." I looked up to my smiling parents who just nodded in response.

"Here let me put it on for you" my mom walked over and carefully put the new necklace around my neck, and clasped it shut. "There! Wow that looks great honey!"

"Thanks, mom and dad. Really, thanks a lot." I said with a genuine smile.

•

•

•

The loud music came to a pause, leaving my ears ringing still.

"I'd like to make a toast to my wonderful daughter, Faith." Said my dad up on the stage, in the center of the party. "Well, first of all, Happy 14th Birthday! Um, I'm not great at speeches or anything, as you can tell. But, I'd just like to thank the moon goddess for blessing us with a wonderful daughter like you. I couldn't ever thank her enough, but we can start with this, simply enjoying each others company while we are consumed with love. Not anger, not sorrow or jealousy, or with anything but happiness and love. By surrounding ourselves with people that make us feel that way. And my family, my pack, my home does, Faith you do. So, thank you. For everything. I mean it. Happy birthday! And may you have a great year!" My dad raised his glass, everyone doing the same, and clinging their drinks, before chugging them down.

I rushed to the stage, getting pats on the back or smiles on the way there, and gave my dad a big hug.

"Love you." I whispered, meaning every word of it.

"I love you more" he replied, hugging me back.

"I love you mos-" I got cut off with a blood curling scream, making me whip around instantly.

Chaos. Everywhere. People were running, screaming, and bleeding. Blood was everywhere. I could smell it, making me gag.

I felt a cold thing enclosing around my ankle, so I looked down to see a bloody hand, with long finger nails and bony fingers. It was the kind of hand you see in horror movies. Except, this was real.

I let out a scream, shaking my leg, in attempt for the hand to let go. Failing, I screamed another time trying to catch someone's attention.

Where is my Dad? He was just right here!

A sharp pain shot up my leg, starting at my ankle. I let out an inaudible scream, and looked down to see the hand's fingernails dug into my skin, making a bloody mess.

My vision started to tunnel and I collapsed to the ground, feeling the hand now enclose around my neck.

In my tunneled vision, I could make out a figure running towards us. My eyes kept closing, but I resisted to give in.

Choking, from the lack of air, I focused on the figure, now a few steps away.

The person now was up to me, and yanked the hand off my neck. Finally being able to breathe, I coughed to get my breathing steady again.

My vision, and breathing went back to normal and the figure was no other than, my mom.

She rushed over to my side and kneeled down by me. "Honey, are you alright?"

I nodded in response, still being too stunned to talk.

"Okay, well you need to go, leave. Get as far away from here as you can." A tear slipped down her cheek, but got quickly wiped away.

"What?" I practically croaked.

"They have found us, you. They have been searching and they finally found you. You need to leave, before its too late, for us all." She ranted.

"Mom! Your making no sense! What do you mean they are coming after me?" I said, equally as freaked out as her.

"They want you and trust me, they will stop at nothing to get you." She brought up her hand and trailed it down my face, before planting a small kiss on my forehead. "Go to Kehan's, he can help you."

"What about you?"

"I will be fine, trust me. But right now, you need to go!"

"Not without you." I shook my head. I can't leave her, and I won't.

"Now! Get up! Your ankle will heal fast, so run, as fast as you can and don't look back." She stood up abruptly and pulled me up along with her.

Regaining my balance, I looked at my mom worriedly.

"Go! Now!" She shoved me me towards the woods, making my ankle throb again.

I hesitated for a moment before looking behind me and seeing my pack house, the one I grew up in, in flames. I felt tears run down my face
as I scanned the mess for my mom, but she was gone.

"Mom!?" I screamed, freaking out.

Although I couldn't see her, I swear I heard her voice telling me to run. So I did.

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