Two | Glimpse of the Past

Mackenzie

I was sitting in the passenger seat of my brother’s 2022 Audi TT RS as I stared at the scenery going by in a blur, while Elena was behind us in her brother’s 2022 Audi R8. I kept thinking back to what happened in the hall with Brittany and how things like that seemed to always happen to me. I never knew what it meant and only Mason and my parents knew about what I could do. I once heard my parents talking in dad’s study one night after I had an episode. We were all at the dinner table and I had a fight with Brittany at school that day. No surprise there. I was about eight years old and I couldn’t get what happened out of my head.

Flashback

Elena and I were on the playground for recess on the swings like we always did. I was watching my brother, Erik, and Nico play basketball when I felt my leg being pulled and I fell off the swing. It took me a moment to get my bearings, but when I stood, I saw Brittany laughing along with her friends. I hated that we had to share a school with them, but that was how things were. Elena stopped swinging and came to help me up.

“Mack, are you okay?” she gently asked as she helped me to my feet.

I looked down at the pretty dress my aunt got me for my eighth birthday and tears welled in my eyes. I loved this dress and, since it came from her, it meant a lot to me. It was a pale blue sundress that flowed to my knees with matching shorts to go underneath them.

“Awe, the little baby’s crying.” I heard Brittany taunt as I tried my bed to hold back the tears. I was a young and naïve girl whose brother was always there to protect her along with his friends. This time, we were in a spot where they couldn’t hear or see, despite our wolf hearing.

“Shut up you ugly bitch!” I heard Elena shout over their laughter. I looked up and over their shoulders to where Mason was and when Brittany noticed, she focused on me.

“You think Nicky is going to come save you?” she scoffed. “Like he would want some pathetic and weak excuse of a she-wolf like you.”

I stayed rooted to my spot. I knew I hated her, but how could she be that cruel? I did nothing wrong to her. I barely knew her other than the fact she was Alpha Peter’s daughter. Whenever there was a meeting, it would be held at our packhouse since it was bigger and she would come along with her brother Beckett. She always acted like she was better than everyone and I had no idea why.

“You don’t even know him.” I managed to get out. It was taking everything in me to not run or call out to Mason. I needed to handle this on my own so she would leave me alone.

“I know him enough.” She smiled, looking over her shoulder.

“Hey!” I heard and looked over to see Mason, Nico, and Erik rushing over.

“Time to go.” Brittany smiled wickedly and walked away with her friends, leaving me standing there on the verge of tears.

“Mack.” I looked up to see Mason walking toward me. “What happened kiddo?” he knelt to my level and put his hand on my shoulder. “Why is your dress dirty?” He assessed me. I could faintly hear Elena telling them what had happened.

“I just want to go home.” I whimpered as I started to shake. Mason took my hand after saying something to Nico and we started to take the short walk back to the packhouse.

­­---------

It was then at dinner when the events replayed in my head did things start to happen. I didn’t notice at first, but the more my mind went wild, the more stuff happened. I was helping mommy set the table when the napkins moved as if there was a gust of wind, the chairs around the table would shake, and the lights would flicker. We were half way through dinner when my mind was thinking about the events when, suddenly, there was a crashing sound. I blinked my eyes and looked to see everyone looking at the broken plates that were on the floor. I caught my mom’s gaze and she looked shocked. After that, everything was a blur, and I woke up in my room.

“It can’t be.” I heard through my cracked door. Being the curious little 8-year-old I was, I got out of bed and headed toward the voices. They were coming from daddy’s study. I stopped by the plant that was outside the door and listened.

“Melanie, calm down.” My father said, trying to keep his tone neutral.

“How Vin?” I could hear the worry in my mom’s voice, but why? “We still have another 10 years before she should be showing signs.” Signs? Signs of what?

“I know.” I heard my father’s heavy sigh. “Try not to stress about it. We will call Evelyn in the morning and see what she has to say.” Why would they be calling Ebbie? I don’t know what my great grandmother would have to do with this, but if daddy thought it was a good idea, then it must be.

Their conversation shifted and I did not want to be around for that, so I made my way back to bed. I climbed in and grabbed my stuffed wolf my grandfather gave me and I curled myself up under the blankets and went to sleep.

End Flashback

I was brought out of my thoughts when I heard voices in the car. I blinked my eyes and looked over to Mason who was pushing a button on the steering wheel.

“Who were you talking to?” I asked as I got my bearings back.

“Your mind must have wandered.” I heard him laugh. His laugh was infectious, and I couldn’t help but laugh with him. “It was Nick. We were talking for a good 10 minutes.”

“Hm.” I hummed as I looked out the window. I knew I needed to tell Mason what happened, but this hasn’t happened in years.

“What’s come Mack?” His voice was now full of concern. I took a deep breath and turned so my back was against the door.

“It happened.” I bit my lip and closed my eyes, waiting for him to go off.

“Mackenzie.” The way he said my full name said it all. He never used my full name.

“I didn’t mean for it to happen! I swear!” I defended with my hands up. “I just happened and I didn’t even do anything.”

“What happened?”

“Brittany.” I muttered, holding back the anger that was bubbling inside me.

“Say no more.” He shook his head. “You know we have to tell mom and dad about this.”

“No!” I quickly shouted. “Please! Please don’t! This will ruin my summer and I just want one last summer before I turn 18 and find my mate. Please!” I begged, now hugging his arms as I looked up at him with doe eyes. I felt him take a deep breath, then let it out.

“Fine.” He sighed as he shook his head. “You do anything you are not supposed to this summer, and I will tell them.” He gave me the side eye.

“I promise!” I sat up and put my hand over my heart.

“Good. We’re here.” I looked out the window to see the beautiful sand approaching as Mason parked the car. Once the car was parked, I hopped out, grabbed my bag and ran with Elena to the beach that was calling our names.