The Dragon's Queen

Chapter 5: New Day, A New Me

Karisma's POV

I wake up to my alarm going off. As I sat up and was shocked to see a big brown wolf curled up on mt bedroom floor. Then I remembered how hard I had to fight Winter when Aunt Aria gave me the new anklet. I must have passed out while Aunt Aria and Uncle Grant were watching over me. Papa and his wolf must have been so worried that he decided to sleep here in his wolf form.

I shifted, but stayed on my bed. The sound was enough to wake Papa up. His big wolf head lifted, and his golden yellow eyes landed on me.

His tail immediately started to thump on the floor. I opened my arms, and his wolf jumped up without hesitation and started to rub his head all over me. Marking me up and down with his scent. I wrapped my arms around his neck and clung tightly.

“I am sorry if we worried you, Papa. Winter was not pleased with the new anklet, and I was so tired after pushing her back down.” I explained.

Papa pulled back and huffed, before backing up and grabbing some men's pajama pants off the floor with his mouth, and going into my bathroom. I heard the sounds of bones breaking and muscles shifting. Then Papa was back out in human form.

“I know. Grant and Aria told me everything when we got back from taking your brother and the others to the dorms.” He said, while coming over to sit next to me on the bed. “Falcon was so worried that he wanted to be the first thing you saw when you woke up.” He added. I smiled.

“I appreciate it. It feels like a brand new day already.” I said as I got up and headed to my closet. I grabbed my outfit and told Papa I would be down in a bit to head to school.

I take a deep breath as I brush and braid my hair into a nice, tight ponytail. Aunt Aria said I looked good in green, so I grabbed a forest green flannel shirt that I left open and tied at the bottom. I have a black tank top underneath and dark blue navy jeans with rhinestones sewn into the leg bottoms.

I worked the leg bottoms over my combat boots and my new anklelet. When there was a knock at my door. I straighten up to see Jace and Mina waiting for me.

“Wow. Girl, you look hot. I swear if I were not gay, then I would have called dibs on being your partner.” Jace said.

I laughed. Johnathan Johnson, aka Jace, was the gamma's youngest son and, to most of the female population’s tragic dismay, is gay. Though no one ever believes it unless you see him making out with one of his boyfriends. He has big, broad shoulders and a very muscular, toned body. He is a wet dream walking with his wavy brown hair, hazel eyes, and a deep voice that is smoother than whiskey.

Mina laughed. “Yes, then everyone would have a different reason to hate our precious Kari.” She joked. I rolled my eyes and flipped them both the bird as I grabbed my satchel off my desk chair. They laughed as they followed me down the stairs.

One of the older omegas, Mrs. Stevens, was holding a tray with three breakfast burritos and three blender bottles filled with our morning shake.

“I added an extra iron supplement to your shake, Miss. Karisma. I heard someone had a bad nosebleed last night.” She said, while giving me a grandmotherly look. She was in her late forties, but could still pass for mid-thirties. She was one of the few omegas who actually took the time to get to know me. She would have been a better head omega instead of Mrs. Hoffman… but Mrs. Hoffman was already the head omega when Mrs. Stevens joined the pack with her mate.

“Thank you, Mrs. Stevens.” I said as I took the bottle with my name on it and a burrito.

I walk out the door and see Papa and Gamma Eric standing at the bottom of the steps.

“Walking or riding today?” Gamma Eric asked. I think for a moment. I normally walked to blend in, but with how worried I know Papa still is, and for a change of pace. I decided to mix it up.

“I think we should ride today. I promised Papa I was no longer going to hide, so new day, new me… let's make a statement.” I said, giving both men a big smile. Papa hugged me tight while Gamma Eric was shocked for a moment.

“I’ll go get the car then.” He said as he ran towards the garage.

“I am so glad that you are not going to just let people walk all over you now, girl.” Jace said. I looked up at him and smiled.

“I just hope that I can get Winter to stay calm… at least until graduation.” I said. Jace and Mina both nodded.

The drive to school was a short 15 minutes. Though the windows were tinted, I could see everyone looking right at us. Gamma Eric selected a big SUV to drive us to school. While Jace and Mina were good at social presentation. I was never too keen on it. That is what made it so easy to stay in the background.

Mina jumped out first, followed by Jace.

“Have a good day at school, love.” Papa said as I slid over to jump out.

“I will, Papa. I am going to make the best of the last four months I have of school.” I told him… and I was determined to do just that. I know I am strong, but I need to show it. I can not let my bullies have power over me forever. Then I would just live in fear of everything.

As I jumped out of the SUV, I could feel the atmosphere shift. A few people gasped as I was not hiding under big, bulky clothes and looked good. I could feel the glares from the girls and the lust-filled stares of some of the boys. I just ignored them all and walked between Jace and Mina.