WELCOME HOME, ALPHA.

29 FEBRUARY, MONDAY, CONTINUED

"I know Ben10."

"I don't think Bra's talking about the cartoon, Sam." Jules said wryly.

I narrowed my eyes at him and he laughed, "I'm just kidding, just kidding."

And then Jules turned more serious, "So you know this Ben10 guy?"

I nodded, "I know his number."

"Does it work?" Bra asked, sounding somewhat anxious, "I mean, Number4 tried a few links, but they were all broken."

"Yeah, these types are kinda hard to pin down." Jules said, but he looked a little excited, "Like I know the alpha princess would be well connected and all, but a hacker's?"

"Urm... It's a long story." I said.

"It's okay. Don't tell us anything confidential." Jules quickly brushed it off.

"So, how does it work?" Bra asked, "How will you contact him?"

I thought about it. I knew I couldn't give Ben's identity up, so... "How about you give me your number and I'll get him to contact you?"

"Ah, okay..." Bra nodded and took out his phone and I took out mine and turned it on.

"Oh right, do you have our numbers Sam?" Jules asked. He took out his phone too and frowned, "I only have Harv's."

Okay, no problem. And then it was my turn to frown, "I don't know my own number."

"You what?" Jules asked.

Bra looked somewhat confused.

"I don't call myself!" I flared a little.

"Okay, okay... Fair enough." Jules laughed.

"Here." I unlocked and handed my phone over, "Just put in your numbers for me and I'll drop you a missed call."

I was so smart.

"You really shouldn't just hand your phone to anyone like that." Jules said, but he took it and starting typing.

"It's fine cos we're friends." I shrugged.

"Are you putting in my number too?" Bra asked.

"Yep. Here." Jules handed my phone back, "I gave you Matt's number too."

"Cool. Now you can prank call him." Bra said. And both guys laughed again.

I took my phone and found B. Jules, B. Matt, and Bra in B of my contacts. I called Jules first since his name was on top.

"Uh oh." Jules looked at his phone.

"What?" Bra leaned over and read off the screen, "Private number?"

"I had a feeling this would happen." Jules sighed.

"Then why didn't you say anything sooner?" I glowered.

"I thought you'd know better." Jules said in his defense.

"Why would I?" Now I was exasperated, "I'm just a dumb alpha."

I was starting to understand why Bra liked to call himself a dumb warrior. It really removed a lot of responsibility from one's shoulders.

"So... Jules is surrounded by dummies." Bra concluded.

"What else is new?" Jules sighed.

"Now what?" Bra asked, he looked up to check our station on the lighted signboard above the train door, "I have to get off next station."

"It's fine." I immediately reassured him, "I'll send your number to Ben10 and he'll get back to you. And I'll get Harvey to send you my number later when I'm done running away."

"Okay..." Said Jules who was thinking, "Or... You could try sending your contact to our numbers. I think your betas might have put in a digital namecard for you."

And of course Jules was right. I sent the guys my namecard. To B.Matt too.

"Now you're not just a dumb warrior anymore." Jules grinned at Bra.

"Hell yeah, I'm a dumb warrior with connections!" Bra boasted, "I don't even have my own Alpha's personal number."

While the guys were admiring my contact card, I sent Bra's contact to Ben with a short text, "His pack needs BenX."

Two seconds later, Bra slapped his forehead, "Holy s***! It's him."

"Who?" Jules asked.

"Oh, it's my stop. Oh, s***, I can't use my phone at home." Bra looked panicked.

"Just show the message to your alpha when you get back." Jules advised, "I'm sure you guys can drive out and get internet in the Central City."

"Uh, right. Yeah. Good idea, Jules. Thanks." Bra nodded jerkily. The train pulled up the station.

"And uh, thanks Sam." Bra nodded to me, "I won't forget this favor.. I know I'm just a weak warrior, but I'll return it one day."

"It's okay." I smiled and waved him off, "Just forget about it!"

The train doors shut after Bra left and we continued our journey. It was just Jules and me now on the last leg home to Gate City.

"Accept the favor, Sam." Jules advised, "Don't forget the story of the lion and the mouse."

I had to stop for a moment and think if I were the lion or the mouse in this situation. And then I gave up, "I did it because he was my friend. It wasn't a big deal for me, but it looked like he needed it."

Jules smiled, "Well, the reports all say the Alpha Princess is full of grace and compassion."

What reports? O.o

"You can't believe everything you read." I told Jules quickly.

Jules laughed, "I know, but that much is true. Sam, you know it's not that I don't think Harv or your Lorent Prince won't be able to protect you, but you know the world's full of jerks and sickos. Don't just give your hand to everyone who reaches out."

He was worrying again. Jules worried a lot.

"I know." I assured him, although I wasn't sure exactly if he was warning me of any particular person specifically or if he was just generally speaking.

Jules didn't look convinced, but he left it at that.

The rest of the conversation home turned rather light hearted. Matt had broken up with whoever he was dating. They broke up straight after the betted month was up, so Jules and Bra owed Matt money.

"Matt can be such a cheapo sometimes." Jules grumbled in jest.

I laughed because I thought it was funny how these three betted on credit, and over the last four years in highschool had racked up thousands of dollars against each other.

"I think we're either gonna have to write the whole thing off after graduation or else graduate straight into as bankruptcy." Jules predicted.

I laughed again.

"I'm gonna miss you guys." I said before I even thought it.

Jules looked surprised, "Yeah, well, you have our contacts now. And we're still going to be here for the rest of the year."

This was when I realized Jules didn't know.

"Jules, I'm transferring out. This is my last week." I told him.

"What? Oh." Jules paused to think. And then he said quietly, "That makes sense."

I looked down, "Actually, I thought Matt would've told you."

Jules shook his head, "That guy won't tell if it's his Luna's secret."

I nodded even though I didn't quite get why Madam Principal would want to keep my transfer a secret.

"Where would you be transferring to?" Jules asked.

"Lorent Girls." I answered without any enthusiasm.

"That's a good school. It'll suits you." Jules nodded.

"Why would that kind of place suit me?" I demanded.

Jules grinned, "Are you asking me to make a jab at you or do you really want to know?"

"I really want to know." I said firmly.

"Well first you're a princess and that's a princess school." Jules held up a hand to stop me from interrupting, "I know, I know, you're the ALPHA princess but they take all kinds of princesses there. Secondly, it's in your Packlands. It's definitely safer than out here. Your mate graduated from the Lorent Academy so it'll look good on paper if you graduated from the sister school. But most of all, it's the top Lycan girls school in the continent. They've got the networks, the resources, and the security. Plus among all the other princesses, rich heiresses, and famous starlets, you won't stick out so much. That in itself is a certain freedom."

"Okay, now rib me." I decided I had enough serious reasons.

"It'll teach you to be more ladylike?" Jules ventured.

I punched him in the shoulder.

"Ow...." But he was laughing, "I was just joking! You're the epitome of ladyship."

Which made me laugh too.

"Why didn't you go to the Lorents or Black Forest or somewhere like that?" I asked a while later. Jules was a beta. And our Packlands was closer to his than Winderhill.

"My pack isn't rich and Winderhill offered me a scholarship." Jules shrugged, "But it's all good. It's free, my GPA's awesome here, and coming out gives me a break from pack stuff, you know?"

I nodded, "Yeah."

"And I don't want to get sentimental, but I made some really good friends here too." Jules said.

"Yeah." I said again. Me too.

"Alrighty, our stop." Jules checked his phone one last time and put it away. Then to my utter surprise, he put his hand on my satchel and led me out the train, a la my beta would.

"You don't have to walk me out." I said, "I know how to go home."

"It's my job now, Sam." Jules smiled tightly, "Until I hand you over to your beta, you're my responsibility - so please don't pull whatever you did to your guards or my head would be on the chopping board too."

I laughed. As if anyone's head was in danger. But Jules didn't laugh along. I blinked.

We were quickly out because the train manager came up to the platform to personally lead us out to the station foyer where a small welcome party of reporters, and warriors, and dare I say fans were waiting for me.

"Welcome home, alpha." Harvey bowed politely. If he was cheesed off in anyway that he had to drive all the way to Winderhill and back again to Gate City to pick me up, he didn't show it.

The crowd cheered a little. Again, young human girls waving at me. Where were these young humans appearing from?

By now, my warriors were pros and everyone who wasn't a passenger minding their own business and going along their own way had been fenced to the sides where they would not obstruct traffic.

When Harvey and Jules exchanged words, I wandered over to the fence where the little girls were chanting, "Alpha Princess! Alpha Princess!"

They screamed, I winced and the sirens in my head started again.

"Shhhh..." Their mother tried to hush them, "You're all being too loud."

"They just wanted to meet you...and we were in the area when I saw you on my news feed." The mother said.

"When I grow up, I want to be an alpha too!" One of the girls told me.

"Oh yeah?" I said.

Sabre had said so too. Back then, I took it as a challenge to my position. Everyone knew there could only be one Alpha - but now I think when coming from a little human, it was more of a compliment.

I grinned, "Do your best."

And then the mother handed me a marker so I can sign all their transport cards.

I signed "Alpha Princess" on them, because I still think little girls who want my signature, really want the Alpha Princess' signature, not Samantha Kingsley's.

Then I let Harvey come over and excuse me. I waved bye to Jules and went along with Harvey to the Peugeot.

It took me a while to connect that the Porsche had exploded this morning, so there was no more Porsche, thus the Peugeot.

Harvey put me in the car and then got in.

He hadn't really said anything more than, "This way, alpha." And, "After you, Alpha."

I felt quite sure he should be at least a little bit p***ed. After another moment of silence, I worked up the courage to ask, "Harvey, are you mad?"