3. A birthday present

Athena

Although my father wasn't my best of friends, I was glad to see him. I ran into his built arms as he threw me on his shoulders. The forest grounds moved briskly before my eyes as I groaned in pain on his shoulders.

He flung my body unto the floor. The rug was familiar. I realized i was back in my room and the house was still. The Alpha had left.

“I should have allowed you to die a long time ago” he clasped his palm around my thin neck as I struggled to breathe.

“You should be thankful for your life and this is the very last time. I promise you. If I ever hear of your disobedience, I'll personally hand you over to the Alpha” he released his grip on me and stormed out of my room. I struggled to catch my breath as I crawled towards the foot of my bed.

As much as I was in safety, I knew that the memory of that night would stay with me forever.

The screams, the blood, and the terror of that night would haunt me forever as well. I couldn't believe that such violence and evil existed in the world. It was a harsh reality that I was not prepared to face, especially at such young age. That was the beginning of my hatred for the pack, and for the masculine gender. I felt cheated and deprived. I slept off on the floor where my father had thrown me. There was no point confirming the lock. I wasn't surprised my mother wasn't there to comfort me either. She must have been getting a pretty good share of her own offense. Maybe.

***

From that night onward, I lived in fear. Fear of what might become of me. Fear of my kind. But, I grew more hardened, regardless. Life was monotonous and bland until I received a present from my mother on my twelfth birthday.

It was a normal morning, but my mother tried to make it special. My father had been promoted to one of the Alpha's advisor early that year since my younger brother, Carl, made a name for himself among the warriors. It made him scarcely around and I was more than glad. We didn't have to face him—my mother and I.

“Happy Birthday, Athena,” she exclaimed as every other birthday. “Make a wish, except wishing to become your brother. I'm sure the moon goddess has a plan for you.“ I was half awake. There was nothing to celebrate. I wasn't leaving the four walls of the house anyways.

“I don't want anything, ” I replied plainly as I turned to my other side, ready to continue my sleep. The only thing I looked forward to was my wolf and that was still in few years.

“I know exactly how you feel, Athena. Trust me when I say this is the best gift a girl from this pack would dream of…”

I cut her off immediately facing ger “Living in seclusion my whole life and waiting to be sold out to goodness knows who? Or being hit by your own mate just because they're superior? Is that the life you speak about!?“

“You don't talk to your mother that way, Athena!“ My mum shouted then I knew I had gone too far. Her eyes were wet but she held on a straight gaze on me. I looked away instantly, regretting my words. I loved my mother. She was all I had after all. It must have been the thought of staying in door all through the day that got to me. Although, I didn't apologize.

“Some day you'll understand all of the sacrifices.“ There was an awkward silence in the room before she remarked, “I've something for you.”

I didn't move a muscle until she continued, “have a look first and I can take it back if you don't want it”

I sat up the same moment. I drooled at the card in her hands. 

“It's your brother's but I want you to have it for today. I've just one condition. No one must see you,” she smiled and left after dropping the square card on my bed. I gazed at the metal card. It had the imprint “Carl Styles, 056.”

It was my brother's school tag. I've always dreamt of seeing what a school looked like. I heard there were modern ammunitions there but I could only imagine until that day.

I ran out of my room and hugged my mother.

Without much thoughts, I wore my baggy hoodie that helped me conceal my feminine features well enough to go unnoticed. It had gone dusty from disuse.

“Don't stay long. Be back before the sun rises,” my mother instructed as I dashed out of the house without waiting to hear the rest of her words. It was about to be my best birthday. I took the shortest route to where I expected the school to be. It was the only one we had and I knew it wouldn't be so hard to find. I drooled from afar at the massive structure after few minutes of running. It looked better than the imagination I created. The front gate was locked but deserted. I pressed forward in eagerness. To my surprise, the large entrance gave way. The whole surrounding was deserted. It was a good thing for me. I continued slowly around the structure. A wide passage demarcated the structure into two. I walked along it. There were doors facing opposite sides of the walls. “Why are there so many doors?“ I asked myself as I tried entering one of it. Of course, it was looked. I arrived at what seemed to be the end of the passage only to find an open space that looked exactly like a forest ground. “What is this place?“ I said underneath my breath.

“A place for the wise, child” a voice responded.

I flinched immediately turning around—scared for my life. I mustn't be seen. I broke a rule.

“I've never found a student so early since my fifty years of service. Whose son are you?“ the old short man asked. I took few steps back scared that he might find out who I really was. 

“I smell fear,” he announced as he walked towards me. He had long white beards plated at the tip that bounced on his slightly protruded belly. He walked past me and approached a large tree stump without taking a second look at me. He took a position on the stump like one meditating. I stood there in silence as one who had lost the sense of danger. I didn't even know who it was and I still had the guts to not think of running. But, there was this aura around him that spelt safety.

“Rule number one, never allow fear. It's an illusion set to ruin your peace. Once your inner peace is gone, you become a weak prey,” he whispered loud enough for my hearing. He spoke with so much wisdom that made me want to stay longer. But the sound of chirping birds flying above us told me it was time to leave. 

“I perceive you're the son of a great warrior but you're yet to discover yourself. Find yourself, son” he concluded. It felt awkward to be addressed as a boy, but I loved it. I could sware I saw him floating above the stump where he sat as my mouth fell open. 

“Get ready for class” he concluded with a commanding tone.

I heard the footsteps of one running behind me and I instantly backed away from the entrance,

“Shaman, the Alpha is here to see you”