The Beta's Daughter

Chapter Four: The Cliff

The rest of the day went quickly, passing me by in a blur of frenzied activity. After speaking to Jacob all I really wanted was a nap, but I was almost certain that my parents would have other plans for me.

I was proved right as soon as I walked back into the pack house. They were sat in the kitchen, right by the door to the grounds – impossible to miss. I smiled at them. "Thought you two were overrun with work today?"

They shrugged in unison. "We made some time," my mum said with a glitter in her eye. I moved to sit down next to them, but my dad held his hands up.

"Woah there, Ari. Don't get too comfortable. There's something we want to show you."

I beamed. I loved surprises. "What is it?" I asked, bouncing on the balls of my feet. My parents laughed at me, standing and nodding towards the door.

"This way," my mum said, giving my hand a squeeze. I returned the gesture, and then followed them eagerly out into the gardens.

The pack house itself was huge, but it was dwarfed by the grounds surrounding it. Our pack's boundary was lined with tall trees, and much of the surrounding areas were forested, thick woodlands full of bottle-green pine trees. They were interspersed with sunlit meadows, each full of wildflowers and flowing grasses. As so much of the pack land was wooded, it had been decided long before I was born, generations ago, in fact, that the pack house would sit within beautifully kept gardens. The training grounds were further down towards the western woodlands, close enough to the house that we could return safely and quickly should an attack occur – not that it ever had – but far enough away that it was separate from the blossoming gardens right by the house.

The gardens were tended to by volunteers from the pack. We kept to ourselves within our community, which meant that we had no need for outside help. The Omegas did, admittedly, fulfil the largest portion of work around the pack house, gardens, and wherever else they were needed, but the members of our pack were kind and keen to help out where the could. I'd even seen Alpha Kele don a pair of gardening gloves one Sunday afternoon.

I helped out as often as I could, wherever I could. We had officially finished school at sixteen, when we were welcomed into the pack as devoted members, but those who wanted to were able to continue their studies. Jacob had quit immediately, saying that he'd done more than enough learning to last him a lifetime. I'd laughed along with him, but I disagreed. I didn't think you could ever learn enough, especially here.

The pack used to attend regular human schools, but as it grew we had the resources to set up our own on the reserve. This meant that the lessons taught could be chosen by us, and tailored to suit the needs of the pack. We learnt about literature and maths, about science and languages – but we also learnt about Wolfish folklore, about spirit guides and the Elders, about the history of the Silver Crescent pack. I took eager notes in all of my classes, much to the bemusement of Jacob, who sat next to me, but I was keenest in our dedicated subject lessons, as they were called. I wanted to teach others, so I'd stayed on at school to study the dedicated subjects, specialising in folklore. As there were few teachers, especially for higher level, it required a lot of independent study. It meant that I didn't have a lot of spare time to help out, but I did what I could. I loved gardening, and being out in the fresh air, even when it rained. The Twins had caught me outside once, just stood and letting the rain fall on me. They said I was mad; but to me, it felt freeing.

My parents were smiling at each other excitedly. I felt a bundle of nervous energy swell in my chest. Whatever the surprise was, I had a feeling it would be a big one.