Riley's POV
My entire existence revolves around one boy. Caleb has been my neighbor since the day I drew my first breath, living directly across the narrow street that separates our houses. Standing over six feet tall now, with cropped brown hair and emerald eyes that seem to pierce straight through your soul, he represents everything I can never have. He carries the weight of being the future Alpha, but long before either of us understood what that meant, he was simply my closest companion.
Those were the days when he would lead me down to the babbling creek behind his family's property, where we would leap into murky puddles and hunt for slimy toads hiding beneath the rocks. Whenever the other kids targeted me with their cruelty, he became my shield. When I scraped my knees on the rough pavement, his gentle hands would clean the wounds and wrap them carefully.
My thoughts drift backward to those golden afternoons when friendship was effortless. "Caleb! Here they come!" I had shouted across the water where he battled imaginary beasts with a fallen branch. He bounded toward me in three quick strides, leaping over the narrow creek bed just as I deliberately tumbled down the muddy embankment, playing my part in our elaborate game. His strong grip found my wrists, hauling me upright before positioning himself between me and our pretend enemies. "You're safe with me, Riley. Nothing will ever harm you while I'm here." The sincerity in his voice made my chest flutter, even at that young age, before he spun around to resume his heroic battle. His makeshift weapon slipped from his grasp during the intense fight, and panic flickered across his features as he glanced back at me. "Get out of here!" he commanded, but I couldn't abandon him. Racing into the dense woods, I grabbed another sturdy stick and sprinted back to where he stood defenseless. "Caleb!" My voice carried across the clearing as I hurled the branch in his direction. That brilliant grin spread across his face, the one that could light up the entire forest, before he turned to finish off our imaginary foes. Breathing heavily, he discarded his weapon and approached me with pride gleaming in his eyes. "We're victorious, Riley. Every last monster has been defeated." His arm wrapped around my shoulders, pulling me close to his warm side. "Caleb! Riley!" His mother's voice drifted from their back porch, interrupting our celebration. We exchanged knowing looks and burst into giggles, trudging toward the house for our midday meal. She would definitely have opinions about our mud-caked appearances.
Those carefree days belonged to children who believed the world held only adventure and joy. Everything shifted dramatically when Caleb came of age, marking the beginning of his Alpha preparation. Both sets of parents arranged separate conversations, and my mother revealed the truth that we resided within a werewolf community, despite being ordinary humans ourselves. Every attempt I made to understand why we remained the sole humans among supernatural beings was met with evasive responses and subject changes.
Concealing my humanity became impossible once my peers began manifesting their wolf forms while I remained unchanged. Their enhanced senses detected the fundamental difference between us immediately. Now Zoey stands as my only remaining ally, the single person who refused to abandon me despite the constant harassment and physical attacks. Losing everyone else cut deeply, but I only need to endure these final years before escape becomes possible.
My mother might accompany me when I leave, though her decades of residence here suggest otherwise. Despite the complete deterioration of Caleb's and my relationship, our mothers have maintained their unbreakable bond.
People claim we'll resolve our issues with maturity, but I think they're living in fantasy.
Luna Elena, Caleb's mother, continues treating me like her own daughter regardless of circumstances. My visits have become rare, limited primarily to the annual birthday celebration she insists on hosting. These gatherings serve as painful reminders of everything I've lost, so I typically decline other invitations.
Caleb never appears at these birthday dinners anyway, making them bearable. Luna Elena ensures I never forget that she and Alpha Marcus still cherish me deeply.
Describing life as a human surrounded by werewolves as unfortunate barely scratches the surface. The moment Stella and her loyal followers, Piper and Quinn, discovered my true nature marked the beginning of my torment. Zoey and I refer to them as the demons, which fits perfectly. Zoey has endured her share of punishment for maintaining our friendship.
Despite everything, she possesses this remarkable gift for connecting with almost everyone, except those three nightmares. I've attempted to release her from this burden, but she refuses, insisting we face these challenges together.
She represents salvation beyond my mother's love.
My mother has been my entire universe since birth. My father never existed in our story, just another secret she guards fiercely. After all these years without even a birthday acknowledgment from him, indifference has replaced curiosity. His absence speaks volumes about his priorities, so I've stopped wasting energy on someone who clearly doesn't value my existence.
I leap from the steamy shower and rush through my morning preparations, already running behind schedule.
Dressed in my fitted black top and denim, I burst through the front door and freeze completely.
Across the street, Caleb emerges from his house, striding toward his vehicle with casual confidence. Despite our complicated history, his physical transformation is undeniable. He's become absolutely stunning, far removed from the boy who once shared adventures with me. His height isn't his only change; his frame has broadened significantly. Defined muscles press against his shirt fabric, broadcasting strength and authority. He's genuinely growing into his destined Alpha role.
I observe his effortless movements, his entire demeanor radiating certainty about his future path. Leadership of this pack awaits him once Alpha Marcus retires. He's secured a gorgeous girlfriend, though Stella's beauty doesn't extend to her personality.
She constantly proclaims they're destined mates who will rule together forever. His social circle includes everyone who matters, since befriending the future Alpha offers obvious advantages, plus his inner circle was predetermined by pack hierarchy.
Silas will serve as his Beta, Jace as his Delta, and Mason his, or should I say 'Stella's' future Gamma. Their childhood friendship has only intensified since they gained their wolves, creating an unbreakable brotherhood I'll never penetrate.