chapter 8

"Wake up ya little mutt! It's time for school!" 

I woke up with a scream as I felt cold water being thrown on me. My older sister and brother, Ashton and Ashley, were laughing super hard. Ashton was holding a bucket and Ashley was holding a camera. Did I mention that they're twins? No? Well they are.

"Say cheese loser!" Ashley yelled as she snapped pics of me. I felt my lip tremble and I knew I was going to cry. Why do they treat me like this? What did I do to them? We heard footsteps coming and suddenly dad came in my room. He growled lowly causing Ashton and Ashley to whimper.

"What did you two do?" he said lowly.

"It was a practical joke dad!" Ashton yelled. Dad slapped the bucket out of Ashton's hands and grabbed him by his shirt.

"A joke huh? Well how's this for a joke? You're grounded. No more patrols, you can't invite girls over and no going out for a month. Now get downstairs for breakfast." he said. Ashton groaned and stomped downstairs. Next, dad turned to Ashley and held out his hand. That meant that he wanted her phone.

"Dad please don't take my phone! I just got it back!" Ashley yelled. Fake tears came to her eyes and she attempted to do a puppy dog face. She's a bad actor...

"I don't give a damn! You should've never missed with Ivy. I have told you and your brother to leave her alone too many times! Now give me the god damn phone!" he yelled. Ashley handed over the phone and started crying. Dad just ignored her and walked over to me.

"Are you ok Ivy?" he asked.

"I'm f-f-fine dad. I'm just c-cold." I said while shivering. He wrapped a blanket around me and carried me downstairs. Once I was in my special seat -I call it that for a reason- dad brought me a small bowl of cereal. 

"Eat up Ivy. The doctor said if you keep eating on this schedule, you'll gain enough strength to shift." he said.

"Yes dad." I mumbled. It's tough being the runt of this pack. Oh I'm sorry, where are my manners. I'm Ivy Lee. I'm the last born child of the alpha aka my dad. His name is Colten and he's the best alpha to ever walk this planet. My mom, Marissa, is the luna and his mate. My mom doesn't like me. She prefers Ashton and Ashley over me, and that's only because I'm the runt. A runt simply means that I'm weaker than an alpha daughter should be. It also means that I can't shift until my strength builds up. Everyone assumes I'm adopted and they treat me horrible when my dad isn't around. Another reason my mom doesn't like me is because I don't look like them. My parents and siblings have brown hairs and brown eyes. I have blonde hair and cat like eyes. Sometimes I wonder if I belong in this family.

"Of course you belong Ivy. Why would you say something like that?" dad asked. Was I talking out loud? I have to stop doing that...

"I can't help but feel like that dad. I don't look like you guys, I can't shift, I'm worthless." I said with tears in my eyes. Dad hugged me and rubbed my back soothingly.

"You're just a late bloomer sport. One day, you'll be a great leader. Maybe even a luna." he said. 

"Really? I don't know about all that." I mumbled. Dad sighed and took out a locket. 

"I was going to wait until your 17th birthday, but I guess I can do this now. This is a locket that used to belong to your grandmother. You know she was a luna right?" 

"Yes daddy." I said. Grandma Lucy was the best luna this pack has ever had. She knew how to fight, she was brave, witty, and beautiful. She was everything that a pack wanted in a luna. 

"Well what you don't know is that your grandmother was a runt too. She was constantly teased by her old pack and when she met her mate, she found confidence and strength. She thought it was because my dad brought it out of her, but he told her it was something she always had. She just had to dig deeper. I want you to have this locket." he said while passing me the locket. It was a silver heart and it was so shiny! I love shiny things! I opened it and saw a picture of me. 

"Uh, where did she get that picture from?" I asked. I was more than positive I've never met grandma Lucy before. She died before I came into existence.

"That's not you. That's her when she was your age." he said. I gasped and looked at the picture. If I didn't know any better, I would say this was my twin. 

"She looks just like you." dad said with a small smile.

"Yeah...that's amazing." I said. Dad took the locket out my hand and put it around my neck. I reached up and hugged him super tight.

"Thank you so much. I love it." I said.

"No problem princess." he said. We heard laughter and saw Ashton, Ashley and mom walking to us.

"Where did you get that from?" Ashley asked. She tried to reach for my necklace but I backed away.

"Don't touch it." I said sternly. Why must she touch all of my things? 

"I'm supposed to listen to you? Give me the necklace." Ashley demanded. Dad put me safely behind his back and growled.

"It's for her, not you." he said. Mom scoffed and walked up to him.

"If my girl wants it, she will have it. Make her give Ashley the necklace." mom demanded. 

"Hell no. I gave that necklace to Ivy as a gift. If she wants to give it away, then Ashley can have it. Do you want it Ivy?" dad asked. I nodded and cowered behind dad when I saw Ashley's eyes change.

"You little bitch! You don't even belong in this family!" Ashley yelled.

Ouch. That one stung a lot worse than the other insults. Dad roared and Ashley yelped.

"Silence! Ashley as of now, you are officially out for the alpha title. Until you prove to me that you're worthy of it, I'm disqualifying you!" dad said in his alpha tone. Everyone was silent until dad spoke again.

"Take your sister to school Ashton, and if I hear that you said or did anything to her, you will be disqualified for the alpha title as well. As for you Ashley, I will make you a rogue if you hurt Ivy again. Now leave." he said as he walked away. Ashley broke down crying while mom shot daggers at me. Ashton gripped my hand and led me to his car.

"Ashton I'm so sorry. I won't tell if you hurt me just please tell me you don't hate me." I said while crying.

"Ivy, what makes you think I hate you? I will never hate you, even of you are the runt. What Ashley said was wrong and I'm really sorry if me playing jokes on you made you think I hate you. I love you Ivy." he said. I looked into his eyes and he was telling the truth. I might not be able to shift, but I can tell when someone is lying to me.

"It's ok. Does Ashley and mom hate me?" I asked.

"I don't think mom hates you, I just think she's disappointed. Ashley hates you though, and what dad said makes it even worse. Don't worry, she won't hurt you." he said. I stayed silent as we pulled up to the school.

"Have fun, and I won't be able to drive you home today. I'm hanging out with Uriel after school." he said. 

"Ok." I said. I walked into the school and ignored the comments being thrown my way. I've learned to tune people out over the years. I went to first period, and started doodling. That's when I started hearing whimpering. Ok??? Was I the only one who heard that? I heard it again and I realized it was in my head.

I hate this barrier! It's blocking me from shifting! a voice cried.

Who are you? I asked mentally.

I'm your wolf silly! Well actually I'm your wolf pup. I haven't transformed into a full grown wolf yet. she said. So that's why she sounded like a small child. 

What's your name? I asked.

Snow. What's yours?

Ivy. I responded. She squealed and I mentally cringed. 

Your name is so cute! I can't wait until you see how I look!she said. I mentally laughed and she yipped.

Me too Snow.