Chapter 1

Serenity Age: 13

Why is it so hot tonight? Tossing and turning, seeking cool spots in the bed. I turned the ceiling fan on high, stripped down to my undergarments, and threw the comforter on the floor. It cools me down enough to get some rest before school.

“Princess, it's time to wake up.” My mom, Trinity, moved my shoulders. “Josiah, get in here! This child is burning up.”

My dad rushed to my bedside without missing a beat, he wrapped my wet sheets around my body and rushed me to the emergency room.

Though my body was burning inside and out, I could feel the cooling sensation that I was placed in a tub of ice. It felt amazing; the burning sensation ceased.

I heard the pack doctor informed my parents that my estrogen level was low, which caused me to have hot flashes.

I was told to have to take cold baths or showers when I felt overheated.

Is that really the case?

Anyway, this was not the way I wanted to spend my 13th birthday. On top of that I have to go to the newcomer celebration

Alpha Kevin was hosting.

Even though I was not feeling well, I still had to attend. Changing my outfit for the millionth time, I found this plum flowy spaghetti strap dress and some black sandals.

The majority of the pack showed up to welcome the Oscar family; they had a son around my age. After Alpha Kevin was done with the initiation, the adults went in one direction, and the kids went another direction doing a variety of different activities. Sitting in the shade, my bestie, Camila, bought me a bowl of ice cream.

“Are you feeling any better, girl? The new guy is kinda cute.” Her bubbly voice spoke.

“No, don't run off and tell my parents either. I don't want my mom to worry about me.”

“That is what mamas do. They take care of us. It is nothing to be ashamed of.”

“I guess you're right. Look who's heading our way.”

“Who?” Camila looked up and noticed the new guy. He had light brown, almost yellow skin, reddish-brown hair, and brown eyes.

She started adjusting her clothes. I giggled at her behavior. She gave me a stank eye. Covering my mouth to muffle my laughter when Lukas walked up.

“Hi, my name is Lukas. Can I sit with you all? I hate having this much attention on me. It feels odd."

“Sure thing. My name is Serenity, and this is Camila," I introduced us and he shook our hands.

“Serenity, are you feeling alright? Your hand is burning up."

"Yeah; I just got overheated.”

We made small talk; he mainly spoke about his unique collection of swords over his years of travels and his favorite place visit.

“Lukas, Lukas, where are you?” Debbie's irritating self popped up.

“Incoming, the devil herself. She's already stalking her claim.” Camila announced.

Debbie was the Beta Rich daughter; she has held a grudge against me since I kissed Corey in elementary school. Corey was me and Camila’s best friend. He was the next in line to be Gamma.

“I'm guessing y'all don't like her.” Lukas chuckled.

“Naw, it's not what you think. She just hates Serenity over a stupid dare.” Camila's bubbly self responded, “Serenity, how much do you want to bet she is going to try to embarrass you?"

“It wouldn't be her if she didn't try.” I shrugged my shoulders.

Our smiles faded away once she strutted over to us.

“Lukas, you shouldn't hang out with this riff-raff. They are going to give you their diseases.” She looked at us up and down; she then turned to Lukas and offered her hand.

To our surprise, he moved it away directly and stood up.

“The only riff-raff I see is you. These girls haven't done anything to you for you to insult them like that. I know how to choose my friends. Thank you.” He shook our hands and returned to his parent's side.

We busted up laughing. I laughed so hard to the point my stomach began to hurt.

“Serenity, can you not try to sleep with all the guys you see?” Debbie's nasal voice resounded.

“Repeat yourself. If you're bold enough,” I stood up and wrapped my hair in a bun.

Camila held my arm loose enough for me to get out of her grasp if Debbie was bold enough. She had been waiting for me to fight Debbie.

Debbie squared up with me, and it was on. With no doubt in my mind and my extensive warrior training this was going to be an easy fight. The heat in my body arose and my vision turned red.

I blacked out, and the fight went on for a while until our parents broke us apart. We were a bloody mess.

“What were you two thinking? Embarrassing the pack in front of the Oscar family? Whatever is going on, leave it here!” Beta Rich yelled at us.

Whatever Beta Rich was yelling about was going in one ear and out the other. I was to focus on cooling down. The temperature outside felt like it skyrocketed.

“Debbie, how did you burn your dress?” They examined her clothes. I saw there were burn marks in a circle shape.

"Sorry, Beta, for the embarrassment. If you will excuse us, we need to take Serenity home and discipline her.” My father bowed his head.

“Make sure you do.” Our Beta hauled his daughter away. And just like that, the party was over, and I was in serious trouble.

My parents asked what happened, and I explained the situation. It seems that they were embarrassed by my actions. Needless to say, I was grounded.

Hello? Did anyone remember that today was my birthday? I came to their party and now I was the one who had the worst experience?

Still fuming from Debbie's comment and now being punished on my birthday, I hurled my dress into the hamper, and it caught fire.

What the hell was that?

Frantic, I rushed over there and started stomping on my dirty laundry. I flipped my hands over, and they were somehow bright red.

“MOM!!!!!!” I was freaking out; swinging my arms in all directions and spreading the fire around. She kicked in my door and saw the flames. She gasped and grabbed the fire extinguisher out of the ensuite.

She put out the fire and grabbed my trembling body. “Ouch! You shouldn't be this hot,” my mom shrieked. I turned to see her clothes burning where she was holding me.

“Josiah, get the tub ready for an ice bath. It's okay, princess; let's cool you down. Think of a happy memory and calm down.” I listened to her as we made our way to the bathroom, and I ran my hands under the cold water. The steam rose and my room got smokey.

The sound of the smoke alarm going off was deafening. My mom swatted at the smoke detector to get it to stop while my father got the ice bath ready and assisted me in the tub. My dad kept adding ice every so often till we ran out. My body was still burning up.

“Princess, take a cold shower. Your dad is going to get the pack doctor. I'll be in your room waiting for you.” My mom placed her hand on my forehead checking my temperature before leaving.

Outside the bathroom, I could hear my mom explaining what she saw when she came into my room. In front of me, she was calm and cool, but in front of my dad, she panicked.

“Honey, are you sure you saw fire coming out of the palms of her hands? Maybe you are just seeing things, sweetheart.” My dad was in denial.

“Trust me, love; she is special. How else do you explain the fire in her room or why my clothes are seared? Her body was practically a flame.” She began to cry. “We need to keep this to ourselves. I would hate for her supernatural powers to be taken the wrong way.”

“I understand, honey. We will protect her; don't worry. After her shower, we will talk to her about it."

I closed my eyes, brought my knees to my chest, and started crying as soon as I heard my bedroom door close.

I was a freak from now on.