An Alpha's Jealousy (Narry Storan) (Book One)

Chapter Nine: Part One

Beep! Beep! Beep!

A groan leaves my lips as my sluggish mind is yanked from sleep when my alarm clock releases its strident noises.

Beep! Beep! Beep!

"    Okay,"    I grumble as I stretch my arm out and feel around for the clock without lifting my head.

Beep! Beep! Be!

Before the clock can continue awakening the household in a rude fashion, my fist finally manages to find it and immediately silences it. As it was before my alarm clock woke up, the room quiets as soundless air descends upon it.

"Finally, peace and quiet," I hum in pleasure as my arm returns to the covers.

I remain in that position for some time before I force my eyes open when I feel myself begin to doze off.

"I have to get up," I reminded myself as I sat up and stretched. "I don't want to be tardy again, now do I?"

"Please don't," The thing beseeches. "I'd rather not have our mum scold us another time."

"Wolf," I reminded myself as I amended its name after it spoke. "It's    wolf,    Harry. It's not thing, not any more."

"I promise I'll try not to be late like I was last week," I respond to the thi-wolf, not thing-wolf's plea, "but last week wasn't my fault. On Friday-two weeks ago-I had those restless dreams, and I couldn't peacefully fall sleep as a result. However, ever since last Sunday, I've managed to fall asleep without any trouble, though there has been the occasional bad dream. Since my poor exhausted body had been deprived of restful sleep, it should have come as no surprise when I slept in last Monday."

"I understand, Harry," The wolf gently replies with, judging by his occasional chuckle, a smile, "but how about we try to make    this    Monday different from    last    Monday?"

"If you insist," I sigh in exaggeration and smile when I hear his heavenly laugh fill my mind.

"Our relationship has improved," Analyzing the wolf's and I's relationship, I push myself out of bed and prepare for the morning. "Although I do some times call him, "thing,"-especially when I'm angry, irritated, or sad-I have now come to accept as it is: a wolf. Still, even when I feel neither of those emotions, I do some times call it a thing because it's a habit-one I need to break if I want our relationship to progress."

Once I replaced my pajamas with skinny jeans and a shirt, I look over at my alarm clock, which read: March fifth, six fifty am.

"Better get a move on," I realized as I quickly grabbed my bag and headed downstairs and into the dining room. "Lou will be here at seven ten."

I sit down in my chair as soon as mum sets a plate in front of me.

"Thanks, mum," I chirp as I begin devouring the most important meal of the day, "and good morning."

"Good morning, dear," Mum returns the greeting with a sleepy smile before she takes a sip of her coffee, if the strong aroma of milk and sugar-which have distinct scents-were any thing to go by. "You're happy this morning."

"I am?" My fork pauses midway as my attention moves from the delicious food to Anne.

"You are," Mum nods her head as she sets her cup down and turns contemplative eyes on me. "Ever since last week, you've seemed happier. Lighter. Did some thing good happen?"

Mulling over her words, I slowly take a bite of my eggs and concentrate on forming a response.

"I must seem happier because because I've been sleeping better lately, I guess," I finally reply before quickly continuing my sentence when I saw a crease forming between mum's eyebrows. "I haven't been sleeping well, but I'm better now, so you don't have to worry."