Serenity
It took us a while to settle in; city life was busy. My parents found a house in the heart of City, near the university. Living in a pack was different from living as a human. As werewolves we didn't have to worry about paying bills. Now, we had bills to pay, worry about food to eat, and being discovered. I decided to get a part-time job to help pay for college and any other expenses I may have.I was stocking new shoes, when a familiar voice graced my ears. "Serenity." Camila's bubbly self engulfed me in a hug.“I thought you weren't coming down until this weekend for orientation.” I hugged her back.“Nope, my parents allowed me to move in with you this week. I was tired of being away from you. Corey got promoted yesterday to Gamma. He also found his mate, and it wasn't Debbie. Thank you, Moon Goddess!” She exclaims.“What time do you clock out? I'm hungry.”“In 30 minutes. Go to the house; dinner is normally ready by now.” I hugged her goodbye and finished stocking the shelves.At home, my mom was fixing up the spare room for Camila.“Mrs. Moon's dinner was delightful. I missed your cooking. Where do we go to let our wolf run?” Camila cleared the table.“On the weekend, Josiah and I travel to the mountain range and run for hours if you want to join us. Please remember not to let your wolf out in the human population. The city is full of supernaturals.” My mother warned.“Noted.”We stayed up all night gossiping about the latest pack drama. It was back to the good old days.We grab a cup of coffee from a nearby cafe on our way to orientation. We selected our class schedule for our computer science degree. We had this game idea we thought would be a hit.During our tour, is where we met Franklin Keys. He was about 6’5 with olive skin, dark green eyes, dark brown and tan hair, a chiseled jawline, a trimmed beard, and toned muscles. He was built like a football player.While walking around the dormitories, Franklin bumped into me knocking down the flyers and brochures in my hands. Reaching down to grab them when he stepped on them. I gave him this cold and sharp stare.Bending down together, he mumbled “A rogue like you doesn't belong here.”He kicked the papers in my direction and returned to the group. Crumbling the papers up and breathing heavily trying to calm down.Why is he being a dick?Rejoining the group, Franklin was flirting with Camila. I interlock my arms with hers and kiss her on the cheek. His jaw nearly dropped to the ground. I gave him this devilish grin.“Camila, you shouldn't be chatting with worthless trash.” She glanced between us.“Did I miss something?” She asked.“No, your friend here just took offense to a joke I made.” Franklin chuckled nervously.“You must be horrible at making jokes.” I turned on my heel and pulled Camila with me. He murmurs incoherently, but I didn't care to ask him to repeat himself.We left the tour and wandered around the neighborhood, sightseeing. We passed by the Whimsical Emporium. Something about this business intrigued me. Stopping in, the clerk had sage burning and a freaky crow perched on her shoulders.I felt this weird kinetic energy surrounding her. Who is she?I guessed Camila felt it too; she shuddered and stepped closer to me.“What brings you, ladies to the shop today?” The clerk asked.“I'm just browsing. We just moved here.” I strode around the shop, touching an array of candles, books, jewelry, and much more.The shopkeeper came back and handed me a book. I ignored her creepy smile, and read the title, Birth of Witches.“Why did you hand me this book?” I studied her expression.“You look like a lady who likes history, and from the way you were browsing my store, you seemed to be drawn to witch relics.” She clarified, removing my doubts.Maybe that smile was not so creepy. I thought to myself.“Oh ok. I do love to read history books. Do you have a book on werewolves?”She giggled. “My favorite genre is supernatural creatures.” She eyed Camila before waltzing to a room behind a beaded curtain to go fetch the book.I paid for the two books and left.There was something magical about that place and the clerk. There was this strange connection between her and I. I could say for sure.But at least now, with these books, I have a starting point to figure out who I am.“What the hell is all this about? That place gave me the heebie-jeebies, and that woman gave me the creeps. Even her crow would not stop gazing at me.” Camila vibrated and rubbed her hands down her body.Franklin POVCamila was gorgeous. She was 5'5 and thick in all the right places. Her light brown skin glowed in the sunlight, her glasses laminated her brown eyes, and she had some juicy lips, especially when she applied lip gloss. She was mesmerizing.Why did she have to be friends with that freak? I knew Camila was a pack wolf, but the scent surrounding Serenity made me gag. I guess that's why my dad sent me to this university to spy on her.My phone rang just as the tour ended “Hey dad, what’s up?”“Did you make contact with Serenity?” He had become obsessed with her since he left the Slasher Pack.“Yeah, something like that. She is a little feisty.”“You need to get her to trust you and let down her guard. She is our ticket out. Discover her secret.” My dad conveyed.I placed my phone on speaker and organized my dorm room while he went on a long-winded rant. My roommates made their way to the room. All of them were likable.I sat at my desk, planning how to get near Serenity and make amends for insulting her earlier. If that fails, I will settle to date Camila, as a backup plan; especially after witnessing how close she was to Serenity.I cut off my bedside lamp and pondered over my plan. I had a few months to expose Serenity before my 18th birthday. Camila would make a perfect mate. I fantasized about the appearance of my mate, but she was nothing compared to what I had envisioned. She was better.SerenityAfter our fun adventure, we came home and crashed. The following morning was a gloomy and rainy day. I completed my weekly chores and lounged around on my bed reading The Supreme Shapeshifters.The way the book describes werewolves as horrible beasts. I cannot say the book is incorrect; most of it is spot-on. Always fighting over status, killing innocent people, having high egos, and being possessive. The Moon Goddess Selene gifts werewolves with a mate, no matter the species; yet, they are forbidden from mating with supernatural beings. Werewolves are forced to reject their mate or are commanded by the Alpha to cease communication.Skimming the chapters, I found a section that pertains to me. It is rare for a werewolf to be woofless; nonetheless, you still have the capabilities of a werewolf except for fast healing capabilities. Some werewolves mate with humans, and they cannot shapeshift. It is ultimately rare that werewolves mate with other supernatural beings. If that ha
FranklinThe car reversed out of the driveway, “what did you think about Serenity?” “Huh, what did you say?” He turned down the music and parked the car.“I said, what did you think about Serenity?” I rubbed my hands through my hair.“Oh! She is sexy. Why? I thought you were trying to get with her, homegirl.” He stared at me.“I am trying to get with her friend. She just seems weird to me. That’s all” There was this awkward silence while we headed to the dormitories. “Naw, she's just quiet. There's nothing wrong with that. She is probably an introvert. Give her time to warm up to us.” Javonte expressed his standpoint.Maybe it was my father’s opinion about her that was screwing with my judgment. No one seemed to have a problem with her except me. If she was as horrible as my father says, why did Alpha Kevin let Camila live with her? Testing the shower temperature before entering my phone begins to ring. I already knew it was father calling by the ringtone. I decided to let it go t
SerenityWe were practically buzzing with excitement. We enter the college football stadium. We shared nervous giggles as we watched the guys warm up on the field. The stadium was much bigger than our high school stadium, but the field was the same size. Camila coerced me into making signs for Javonte and Franklin. After catching their attention, with wide smiles and hopeful eyes, we made our way to our seats. We were ready for an evening filled with cheering, laughter, and hopefulness.Throughout the game, I cheered for Javonte and waved my sign. We exchanged smiles whenever our eyes met. I even cheered Franklin on with Camila. During halftime, I was focused on reaching the restroom and I accidentally collided with a group of people from the rival school. Knocking their refreshments all over some poor guy. Our eyes lock in a momentary standoff, tension palpable in the air. The boy's expression hardens. “I am sorry for bumping into you guys turning the corner.” The girl growled at
Serenity Organizing the shoes on the rack when the bell chimed, signaling a customer. I stopped what I was doing to notice that the guy I bumped into and his entourage were in the store. My eyelids flutter, hoping I am seeing things. Nope, he is here. “Camila, go help our guest, and I'll watch the register.” “Um, how about no? They reek of privilege.” She giggled. “I'll rock, paper, and scissors you for the register.”“Fine, don't cry when you lose either.” She agreed. She held out paper, and I threw out a rock. I inhaled and exhaled before walking over to them. The girl's whining noise irritated my eardrums. Whatever she wanted, the boys refused to let her buy them. “Good afternoon. Can I help you find anything today?” I asked her, praying she didn't remember me. “No, what I want, they want; let me have.” She had a lot of aggression in her voice. She seems like she used to get her way all the time. The doorbell chimed again, and this time it was Javonte and Franklin. I left
FranklinWe went to Camila’s dorm room, where I had a surprise waiting for her. Her hands covered her mouth as we entered her room. In the middle of the table was a bouquet of long-stemmed roses. “How did you get in my room to do all of this?” She buried her face in my chest. I heard soft sobs followed by sniffling. “I paid off the rental manager, and she opened the door for me.” She wiped her tears away and patted the wet spot on my shirt. Dinner was amazing; we had roasted vegetables, lamb chops, garlic potatoes with gravy, and buttery French bread. She chatted endlessly about her goals in life and her family. We danced to the jazz music that filtered through the room. Our heartbeats were in sync. I could spend the rest of my life inhaling her pumpkin scent. The silence between us was welcoming. Since spending time with her and Serenity, my crappie life has turned around. “How long have you known Serenity?”“We grew up together in the Slasher Pack. Our parents are best friends.
Serenity Camila has been a hot mess since Franklin disappeared from campus. His roommates told us he was packing up to leave just before he disappeared. A week later, they made a school announcement that he had passed away. I held her in my arms and let her cry her heart out. She had told me how he had made her this beautiful dinner and bought her this lovely bouquet of flowers. The last time she saw him; they had spent the night cuddling in each other's arms. “Serenity, I thought he was the one for me, and now that he is gone, I will never know.” She cried even harder. My heart broke for her. Even though Franklin and I didn't exactly click, he was a decent person who brought joy to my best friend's life. I hated seeing Camila like this, crying all the time and barely functioning. Franklin always put her happiness and health above his own. I know Franklin wouldn’t want Camila moping around. I decided to host a Halloween party in hon
JavonteI arrived a little after eleven o'clock, and this house was spooky. The fog machines gave off this haunted house vibe. The forest edge brought it all together. The music was heard miles up the road. The party consists of humans and supernaturals. I strolled around back and got a few beers. I saw Serenity bouncing around chatting endlessly with the partygoers. Grabbing her attention, I placed my arm around her waist and inhaled her hazelnut scent, and the electrifying sensation transpired. I love the way it felt when our body parts touched. She was perfect for me. I spotted my cousins and I left to go chat with them. My cousin, Latrell, was flirting with Camila; it seemed like she had completely forgotten about Franklin the way she was all over him.Lee and I posted up on the wall, watching the partygoers flirt, dry hump, play beer pong, dance, and much more. There was this magnetic pull that led me outside. There was muffled screaming coming from in front of the house wher
Serenity: Age 19Every year since I turned 13, my birthday has been crappy. This year was no different. Camila dropped out of school to deal with pack drama. I've tried to contact Javonte numerous times, but no response. I saw the bastard that raped me again and I felt no sympathy towards him. He had lost his football scholarship, undergone a partial leg amputation, and suffered damage to his manhood. Despite his wish for the brown wolf to end his life, I found relief in the fact that it hadn't. Now, he must confront those haunting memories repeatedly.I left my therapy appointment in a great mood; my doctor had lowered the dosage of my antidepressants. She was proud of how far I had come. I guess confronting my attacker and letting him know how I felt helped with my depression. I strolled around town, enjoying this beautiful weather. When I returned home, my parents' car was parked outside. Dropping my bags on the ground and sprinting into the house. Barreling through their room, j