Defect.

I stopped moving. Never mind I don’t want to face my fears today. I can’t face the pack with a messed up ankle. I slowly start to take steps backwards with my eyes closed, hoping no one would notice me.

“Venus.” I heard Alpha Colts voice call me in a menacing tone.

“Yeah?” I asked keeping my eyes closed.

“Open your eyes.” I did as he said.

He was a few steps away from me looking not-so-happy. And he shouldn’t be the least bit happy. I almost just disobeyed his orders.

“You’ll be punished later. Now go downstairs” he said waiting for me to walk past him. When I did he said, “Your mom tried to convince me to leave you up in your room. She said you’d be difficult, and I didn’t want to believe her but she was right”, with that he forcefully pushed past me.

He’s pissed; I can’t help but feel bad. And angry.

With my anger scaring away my fear I gritted my teeth and walked downstairs.

The saying “It was packed” would be an understatement.

There are fifty wolves in the first floor. Keep in mind that this is only the first floor. They were all eagerly waiting for the meeting to start. That is until they saw me. First confusion hit their faces then recognition, and lastly disappointment and very little pity.

Everyone avoided touching me as if I was a disease, like whatever I am they can catch and lose their wolf.

I can see it all on their faces, they don’t have to tell me.

I walked to the living room- it wasn’t hard they just moved out of my way. There were some girls I faintly recognized as my cousins that were sitting on the couch my parents were on that evening. It’s a four-seater, and there were three girls already sitting down. I didn’t want to stand in a reluctant crowd so I took the last seat, but as soon as I sat down they quickly stood up and walked away with their noses in the air. It felt like the noise around me got louder.

I should’ve never opened my door when Alpha Colt knocked. I am regretting ever feeling bad for upsetting him. He’s just a murderer.

Just then I felt a shift on the couch and an arm go around my shoulder, “How’s the ankle? Your head?”

“Brady!”

He smiled at me, “What’s up?”

I was suddenly glad I opened my door to Alpha Colt. I knew he was a werewolf but I didn’t know he was a ThunderBird.

“What are you doing here?” I asked happily leaning into him.

“Nice to see you too,” he laughed. I playfully slapped his knee, “You know what I meant!” I have honestly never felt this comfortable around a guy before.

“Well I moved to this town to join the ThunderBirds.”

I stared at him confused, he moved here for the ThunderBirds?

He chuckled and tousled my hair with the hand he had on my shoulder. That movement caused my glasses to slip down. He laughed and took them right off my face, only to put them on himself. Everything except Brady was blurry and out of focus, “Brady!” I complained.

“Look at me!” he started flapping around what I’m guessing to be his arms, “I’m Venus!” he said in a girly tone.

“I do not sound like that.” I said seriously.

“I do not sound like that.” he mimicked me, but in a voice ten octaves higher.

“Brady,” I said even more serious. This game is never fun. Tristan and his friends taught me that.

“Venus,” he sand and slipped my glasses back onto my face crookedly.

I could see him wink, “Just kidding, kid.” I smiled. He didn’t play that game to hurt me, only to fool around.

“Sorry,” I fixed my glasses, “I get teased a lot. People don’t like me much”

He scoffed, “I can see that,” he gestured to everyone around me, “I just don’t see why”

“Me either.” I said quietly but he heard because he gave me a sad smile and a bone crushing hug. Then we heard a low menacing growl. Brady backed away, “Alright. Who took the last piece of pie” he joked.

I couldn’t help but laugh.

“Wait. How did you hear about us?" I asked curiously.

He shrugged. “My brother’s the new Alpha.”

I laughed, “That’s a funny joke Brady, but no seriously.”

He turned to me with a smile, “I am serious!”

“Sure you are!”

Just then Alpha Colt cleared his throat silencing the room. He was on the top stair and we all turned to face him. He smirked and began his speech, “First things first, I want to say ‘Thank You’. Thank you for so readily welcoming us. My younger brother Brayden, and I” he gestured a hand towards Brady and me on the couch. Everyone did a quick glance at him, a glare at me, and returned their complete attention back to Alpha Colt.

I felt my jaw drop. He wasn’t lying; they really are brothers which is strange because I never noticed the Alpha blood in him. His Alpha blood should’ve made me squirm, nervous, but instead I felt comfortable and relaxed around him.

“Told you.” He whispered quietly still facing Alpha Colt.

Maybe they aren’t Alpha by birth but rather by force. No, that can’t be right because I can feel every drop of Alpha blood in Alpha Colt, and I’m only a mortal. Merely human. Maybe because I’m not an actual werewolf I can’t feel anything from Brady or could it be that he was born without it? Just how I was born without a wolf, from what the doctors say.

I turned back to look at Alpha Colt only to find that he had been watching me. He smirked. He knows something.

Does he know my secret?

He could have me banished from the ThunderBirds, very easily. No one would stop him. On the contrary, they’d encourage him.

God, I hate Alpha Colt.

**
Alpha Colt’s POV

The look of surprise on her face when I announced my little brother was so worth it. The glares that a majority of her family sent her, however, were not worth it.

Venus didn’t ignore them. She just chose not to react to them.

I silently watched as she quickly weighed all the options in her head. I could tell that she was trying to connect the dots, of what though I didn’t know. But to receive glares from your family, your own flesh and blood, and still be able to think rationally afterwards required mental and emotional strength. Or she simply didn’t care but Venus didn’t seem like that type of girl.

As if she knew what I was thinking about her she whipped around to face me. I smirked. I saw the worry and fear in her eyes, and I also saw a small sliver of courage. What’s that about?

I put the question aside and continued with my speech, “We never did want to meet you all under these circumstances but with the situation we were put in, I did what I had to do.” And I don’t regret it; it was our life or his. “Thought I will promise, no- I can assure you all that I will match your former Alpha’s qualities, and with all of your help I can exceed them, bringing the pack up with me as I go”, I saw the doubt on Venus’ face. I looked away from her to another older girl. “He did a great job nurturing the ThunderBirds- or should I say us now?”

I earned soft chuckles from everyone. “And I will raise us even higher. But I need your help. Every single one of you needs to trust and rely on me.” I heard a few cheers from the men, “I will bring no harm to us. Heck! It feels like we’re a family already, and we’ve only known each other for two days now.”

Everyone cheered at that, except Venus. She seemed uncomfortable.

“So I want to thank you all for accepting us so readily. That takes a lot of courage on your half. You should be proud of yourselves” everyone clapped and cheered for that.

Even Venus smiled a bit but why do I keep looking to her? I can tell that she doesn’t like me.

They were getting ready to leave. “Wait.” Everyone stopped what they were doing and sat back down, or stood, in their spots. “I am going to need help arranging everything to settle into my home.” People seemed reluctant to volunteer. Well so much for having courage. But I understand. No one wants to see the home of their dead Alpha, that they were attached to and yet still managed to greatly respect him.

I have big shoes to fill.

Then a thought entered my mind and I couldn’t help but smile. I’m such a genius!

“Venus!” I shouted just as Andromeda was about to raise her hand to volunteer, “Thanks everyone but I’ve chosen Venus to help me.” They all seemed satisfied with it, except Andromeda.

Venus however was not, but she knows that this is punishment for yelling at me and practically disobeying my orders.

Ever since I saw her a few hours ago I was interested in her, somewhat captivated. There was something different about her than the other she-wolves. I just can’t figure out what it is. It’s not that she distances herself, I’ve met wolves that were like that, and her family isn’t exactly loving towards her, what’s up with that? And she’s even quickly made friends with Brayden who usually just shy’s away from strangers.

She’s a special girl indeed.

And while she’s arranging my home I’ll find out, I can never manage to stay curious for long.

I made my way downstairs. I still had more wolves to personally greet. As I walked around from person to person I tried to remember their names but there were too many names to remember that soon I started to call Annie, Rachel and Jose, John. I excused myself and went to the bathroom upstairs to revive myself before my mind exploded with all the new names and faces.

I splashed water on my face and I instantly felt better. So I went back out after staring at myself in the mirror for a while. The second I stepped out of the bathroom I crashed into something small. It was a girl, she was tipping backwards. I grabbed her by the shoulders to steady her.

“Are you alright?” I asked. The girl looked up and smiled at me. Ugh, it’s Andromeda.

She put her hands on my chest, “Hey there Alpha Henry.” She said flirtatiously.

I know what she wants; she wants to be Luna, Alpha Bitch. She wanted to be my mate, for me to mark her. She’s attracted to my power and position in the ThunderBirds. She also looked determined, prepared to take down any other girl in her path.

I don’t mind either one, but she’s too young to be Luna. Too young to handle being my mate, or me in bed for that matter. The only thing she’s good for is some fun. I can just string her along.

“Andromeda.” I smiled down at her. What? She’s easy, I’m a guy… sue me.

She giggled and trailed her index finger down my chest. I flexed one of my pecks. She giggled louder and pushed her chest up against my abdomen. For a fourteen year old, she sure can seduce someone.

“Oh, you’re so strong.” she whispered with a sly smile. I chuckled.

“Well, I’m Alpha. I have to be.”

She giggled and flipped her hair over her shoulder, “And do you think that I could be yo-”

“Oh.” we heard a voice interrupt Andromeda. We both turned to face it. It was Venus and Brayden.

Shit.

“Bro.” Brayden said not looking very shocked.

“Sorry we interrupted.” Venus said in a bored tone. I quickly put my hands down and pushed Andromeda away from me.

“We weren’t doing anything.” I quickly said. Her face gestures said she didn’t believe me. Andromeda scoffed.

“Believe me, Venus.” I said but she only crossed her arms. Why doesn’t she believe me? But wait, why do I care so much of what she thinks or doesn’t think?

“I don’t care. Do what you want Andromeda. It’s your life.” Venus said unfolding her arms and walking closer. She’s worried about her.

“Damn right it is,” Andromeda took a step closer until she was right in Venus’ face, “And I can do whatever the fuck I want with it”, she snarled. Venus didn’t flinch but her sister’s words would sting anyone.

I growled. Who does she think she is talking to her like that?

“Back off. NOW Andromeda” she only glared at Venus, “I said now”, for some reason I was getting very angry.

Andromeda took a step back but she wasn’t too happy that I gave her an order that sided with her sister and not her but, bitch deserved it thinking that she runs things.

“Piss off,” Andromeda said to Venus and shoved past her. “Bye Alpha Henry.” she sang moving her hips as she walked away.

“Damn. She’s crazy.” Brayden laughed. Venus said she knew and walked past me with a simple greeting of “Alpha Colt.”

“We didn’t do anything.” I tried explaining myself.

“Sure,” she said once she was in front of her bedroom door. She then turned to look at Brayden, “Bye Brady. Text me and don’t forget to bring breakfast.” she said with a very small barely visible smile. She has a nickname for him!

Why doesn’t she smile when she talks to me? That’s right, she hates me. I must look like a creeper to her now.

Brayden laughed and hugged her, “I won’t forget. Goodnight”

“Goodnight, Alpha Colt.” she said practically emotionless as she walked into her room.

“’Night” I was able to say before she closed the door.

Brayden walked over to me and I have him the look.

“What? She won a bet.” He said smiling. I shook my head.

“Man how come whenever I’m around her she’s all uncomfortable and shit, but with you. She acts as if you’re best friends.” I said confused. I wanted her to be my friend too.

“That’s because we are,” Brayden said joking.

“That doesn’t explain why she doesn’t like me.” I sighed; she’s probably the first girl I’ve ever met that doesn’t like me. Guys are another story, they like me too but in a “no homo” way.

Brayden shrugged, “Maybe it’s because you’re too touchy-feely. A lot of girls like that, but Venus is one of the few that doesn’t. She likes her personal space. Just make friends without touching and then she’ll be comfortable around you.”

I chuckled. Having a gay brother comes I handy sometimes.

“Alright, I’ll try that”

“Hey. What was up with the slut?” he asked.

“Andromeda?”

He nodded.

“Nothing man. Just some fun.”

“Didn’t seem like nothing from what I saw.”

“She came onto me!”

“Uh-huh. Sure.” he laughed walking away

“Why won’t anyone believe me?” I shouted following Brayden.

Sooner or later Venus will accept me as her friend. I won’t let her see me as a creeper. I’m her Alpha. We need to be friends.

And I need to figure out what is so special about her.