Dog Fight

Daniel's POV

There is a tale among the people of Whispering Forest that is well known. Some people think it is a myth, but others believe it as truth. I'll let you decide.

The story goes there were two brothers. Damon and Angelo were both the sons of the Alpha King. They all lived in a castle up on the mountain, known as Shadow River Castle.

The oldest son, Damon was lazy, crude, abusive and cunning. He was sure he was going to reign supreme as the next Alpha King, so why put in the effort. It didn't matter if people liked him, they had to do what he said or they would be punished. He had the power and station to back it up.

The younger son, Angelo, was a hard worker, kind and honest. It cost him nothing to be kind or lift someone else's burden, so he was happy to help. He had no ambition for the crown. As much as he did not like the way Damon would run things, but it was not his place to fight him for the birthright. He just had to pray that Damon would change his ways when he wore the crown.

The King was not blind to Damon's cruelty nor to Angelo's kindness. The King knew Damon was expecting to be the next king. However, as it came closer to the time he would crown his next in line, he made the decision to hand the crown to his youngest, knowing he would be what was best for the future of his kingdom.

Damon was seething in jealousy. In order to reclaim his throne, he made a deal with a demon. He would share his body with him if he would get his powers. This would make him unstoppable, and he would take what was supposed to be his.

Damon had become the first Ghost Hound.

With his newfound powers, he killed his father and his younger brother, taking the crown for himself, and chasing out all of Angelo's supporters out of his kingdom. Now, he would run things his way.

Angelo's mate and newborn son were among the followers Damon chased out and started their own pack with Angelo's supporters. They settled in the Whispering Forest along the Shadow River's edge and became the Shadow River Pack.

Fast forward about a hundred generations, and there is still heavy tension between both factions, the Ghost Hounds and the Werewolves.

The Ghost Hounds tend to live in mansions and have an arrogant attitude looking down on the other magical creatures with cruelty. They think they are so high and mighty but just wait. One day they will get what is coming to them! Bunch of pretentious pricks!

The Werewolves are now living less like the original refugees they had been, but life had still been hard on them. Our Pack is not as elaborate by any means, but at least we don't live in huts anymore.

As it so happens, down in the Vally of the Whispering Pines, there is a supernatural school filled with all sorts of magical teenagers. It's called Star School, and if you are part of the supernatural community, no matter where you come from, that is where you go.

I'm Daniel Rivers, the next Alpha of Shadow River Pack. And if my great-whatever the hell something Uncle Damon had not stolen the throne, I would be the next Alpha King.

Yes, I'm bitter, but it's not why you think! The current prince, Jason Black is a complete bastard, and he rules the school. No one sees it but me, however. He's got miles charm to hide his devil side. All he has to do is smile, and he's got girls crawling all over him for attention.

People tend to forget where he came from and who he actually is when they look at him. Mostly, they just see a rich, spoiled rotten Prince who tends to get everything he sets his eyes on.

I try to push the anger out of my mind as I walk down the hallway, slapping high-fives with vampires, dragons, giants, dwarves, sprites and magic users alike.

"Hey, Alpha!" Vance, the resident vampire shouts. "You coming to the party tomorrow night?"

Funny, I didn't hear about a party, but I'm not sure I'll go. "Probably not. Mom says if I don't ace my next Chem test on Monday, I'm grounded," I smirk.

I love my mom and dad. But as the next Alpha of the pack, they expect a lot from me. I don't mind the pressure, I look at it like a challenge, and most of the time I'm able to step up. Dad seems to think I'll be a great Alpha when it's my time.

Not that I want the responsibility. I've still got a few years until I hit 25. And while I know I have a lot to prove to my pack between now and then, I'm still just a kid. I just have more pressure on me than most guys my age.

"Dang! That's harsh! But I understand. My mom is on my ass about Calc. I'm getting a C+, but she doesn't think that's good enough," he snorts.

"Well, maybe instead of heading to the party, we should have a study group," I joke, knowing he would just blow it off. Vance is a good guy, but he's lazy. And I don't think the guy has ever turned down a party. The guy is a ladies man.

"Naw, man! I'll have to pass," he smirks and walks off. "But I'll see you around, Danny!"

A buzz alerts me I got a new message, and I pull out my phone. I'm smiling as I looked down at the notification I'd just gotten. I'm actually pretty flattered, especially with what Vance was just talking about.

Daphne: Hey, Alpha, I was thinking about you and thought maybe you'd like a little company tomorrow night.

Daphne was a siren, and as much as I respected other supernatural species, I knew better than to get involved with her. She is one of the most popular girls in school, and she could have her pick of guys, and any one of them would fall at her feet, but not me.

And it wasn't just her; it's pretty much any girl. Despite being from a poor pack, and being looked down upon by the Ghost Hounds, I am still a good-looking guy, and I've also got many admirers, which tended to piss off Jason. For that reason alone, pride fills my chest.

Me: Sorry Daphne, but I've got plans tomorrow night.

It wasn't that she was a siren, it was that I actually like someone else, but I haven't had the guts to ask her out yet. I'm afraid what my kid sister (well, Liberty's a year younger than me, but she still acts like a child) would think about me asking one of her girl friends out.

By lunch the whole school is buzzing about this 'party', and I still have no idea what the hell everyone is talking about. Not that I care, like I said, I'm not planning on going. I've got stuff to do.

I sit down with my buddy Beloby. He's a goblin. He's babbling on about some game he watched last week, but I'm not really pay attention, because Rebecca Summers sits with my sister, whispering in her ear. I can hear her giggles from here, and my heart starts to pick up a few extra beats.

Becca is a banshee, and she has to keep her voice down or she tends to hurt those with delicate ears... Including my wolf. But I swear she has a voice like an angel. And believe it or not, she sings, she just has to watch her pitch.

I watch her, Sara (a siren and fellow singer) and Jenny (a fairy and the world's biggest flirt) teach my sister some of their tricks. The are all giggling and spreading their magic into the air.

I watch Jenny show Lib how to create fire from her fingertips, and Sara blows magic bubbles that capture sound.

Becca must've felt my eyes on her because she turns in my direction and catches me staring. She blushes shyly. But before Liberty can catch on, she turns back to my sister like she'd been paying attention the whole time.

I would love to just walk over and sit next to her. There is nothing wrong with interspecies dating. In fact, more than half this school is filled with hybrids, which is why Lib has some magic in her, and she is able to do some of the tricks her friends are showing her.

Suddenly, Liberty gets a notice on her phone and she squeals in glee. With my hearing I can hear her whispering about the party, telling her friends that she got a personal invite.

I watch as the girls gush about how jealous they are she was asked personally and how they had to coordinate their outfits. I could hear how excited they all were to go. But no one mentioned exactly where the party was to take place. Not that I cared. Because, again, I still have crap I gotta do or Mom and Dad will kill me.

But why the hell do I have such a bad feeling about this party I keep hearing about?