One

Ari

"Hey, look what we have here," Zach sneered, his eyes scanning my outfit. "Little Ari, dressed in her usual rags."

Zayn chuckled, his eyes gleaming with malice. "Yeah, she looks like she just rolled out of a dumpster."

Tears pricked at the corners of my eyes. I tried to push past them when Zach blocked my path.

"Where do you think you're going?" he asked, voice dripping with condescension.

“You can't leave so easily. Let's have some fun."

“Leave me alone, please,” I cried out

“Look at her crying, so pathetic,” Zachary spat out snickering while Zayn smirked.

Their laughter echoed in my ears, sneers growing wider…wider until-

I gasped awake, my eyes opening to bright lights. Taking heaving breaths I shut them tightly to calm myself.

“A dream. It was all a dream,” I whispered frantically. Slowly the panic and memories waned and I began to calm down.

It was more than a dream but a memory . Memories upon memories of torment. Of their presence.

But things were different now. I was no longer the same girl I was a year ago.

Closing my eyes, my mind slipped to those days in highschool. The torment had stayed with me for the days after. With nobody else to talk through it, I was left in silence.

That was why my decision to leave the Silver Reed Pack after graduation felt like the best thing. I had been so desperate to escape the bullying and the pain that I had endured for so long.

Moving to a human college in the nearby city, I had slowly healed. It had been a year since then and I hadn't returned to the pack, nor was I ever planning on returning.

That is, until now.

Looking up through the window as I watched the roads go by, I could tell I was close. In a nearly three hour drive I was returning back to my roots.

The sound of my phone ringing brought me out of my reverie. Looking down, my breath hitched when I saw an incoming call. A smile came onto my face before I answered the call.

“Hey mom,” I greeted softly.

"Hey, sweetie! Are you on your way?" my mom asked. The way her voice bubbled  with excitement made my heart warmer.

"Yeah, I'm almost there," I replied, glancing through the window.

"Oh, I'm so excited to see you! It's been too long," my mom said, her voice filled with emotion.

A pang of guilt ran through me for visiting sooner, or at all.

“I know, Mom. I'm sorry. I've just been busy with school.” I said,

"It's okay, baby. I understand. But I have a surprise for you," my mom said, her voice teasing.

A huff left me in amusement.

"Okay, Mom. I love you."

"I love you too, sweetie. See you soon."

Hanging up the phone, I sighed helplessly.

Throughout my first year in college I made sure to avoid or excuse any invitations or requests to come home from her. Even this summer break had been out of the question before now. I had always found excuses to avoid it, but this time I had finally relented and it was all thanks to the bomb she’d dropped on me.

Because within the one year I was gone, she had found her second chance mate and gotten married.

I was shocked when she told me only a few weeks before summer break started. Apparently they had only sealed the deal a month ago in a flash intense ceremony and she had been hesitant to tell me throughout out of worry to not jinx the relationship.

It didn't matter to me. I was more than happy for her and I was eager to meet my new family. Despite announcing it however, she refused to disclose his identity, only telling me he also had his family. The only way I would know was by meeting them.

Which was why now I was on my way back to the pack.

As the car pulled up to the pack's town gates, I spotted her and my chest fluttered.

With her recognizable scarlet mane he was waiting for me with a big smile on her face. I didn't hesitate to hug her tightly.

"I've missed you so much," I said,

"I've missed you too, baby. I'm so glad you're home," my mom replied, tears in her eyes.

Relief washed over me and all the previous worries and nightmares dissipated.

Maybe things would be okay after all.

As we walked to the car, I couldn't help but notice how luxurious it was. She had always struggled to make ends meet, so this was a big change.

"Wow, Mom, this is quite a car," I said, trying to sound casual despite my nerves.

"You'll see who I married, and then you'll understand." She laughed.

“Let me guess. It's a surprise?” I asked and she giggled.

“You know me so well.” she teased, making me huff.

As we drove through the familiar streets of Silver Reed pack, nostalgia washed over me. Throughout the drive, we chatted until the car stopped at a pair of gates.

Looking out, I froze in shock. This was no normal person's house.

This was the Alpha's house.