As I walked home, Abby hurled a burger at me, smearing cheese across my face. “Phony werewolf,” she sneered, her friends’ laughter ringing in my ears as they left me humiliated. Tina, once my closest friend, now delighted in my disgrace. Graduation was near, but with no wolf in sight, I was nothing but a target. My parents, though respected, were quietly disappointed by my failure to shift. With my eighteenth birthday looming, the future felt bleak. Deputy Dean Judi stormed into my math class, summoning me to her office while my classmates snickered. Tina blocked my path, smirking. “Father’s expelled you from the pack,” she hissed. I ignored her and entered the office, only to be soaked by a bucket of water. Soaked and humiliated, I stood as my mother arrived, her eyes locked on Tina. With a swift slap, she sent Tina fleeing in tears. “They’re not worth it,” my mother said, leading me to the parking lot where a moving van waited. “We’re starting fresh, up north.” “Are we kicked out?” I asked, nausea twisting in my stomach. “Yes,” my father said, lighting a cigar. “But don’t worry—we’re heading to a better pack.” “I won’t stay with a pack that rejects my daughter,” Dad said firmly. Guilt gnawed at me for uprooting them. Mom squeezed my knee. “Everything will work out. You’re just starting late. You’re still a werewolf.” “We’re heading to the Crescent Pack,” Dad continued. “Alpha Antony is offering us refuge.” “The Crescent Pack? The one at war with Mountain Ridge?” I asked, alarmed. “Yes, but Alpha Antony is a good man, despite his reputation,” Mom assured. “But he’s a monster,” I countered. “He’s infamous for slaughtering packs, even his own father.” “Don’t believe the rumors,” Mom said. “He must have had his reasons. Besides, no one else would take us.” Dad promised I’d be fine if I proved myself. When we arrived, the snow-covered landscape was breathtaking, but exhaustion weighed heavy. A beta with black hair and guards approached, his eyes narrowing at me. “Alpha Antony wants you at the packhouse immediately,” he said coldly. “Is this your daughter?” “Yes, this is Katrina,” Dad replied, offering his hand to shift the focus. “Beta Matthew,” he nodded curtly. “I hear you were a Beta at your old Pack. We could use your skills here.” Dad nodded, introducing Mom. “This is Dianna, my wife.” “Nice to meet you,” Mom said, shaking Matthew’s hand. His earlier hostility softened, though his wariness lingered. Matthew hurried us into his black Porsche. “Follow us.” We trailed him through the quiet town to the edge of the woods, arriving at a grand marble home with a snow-covered roof and ivy-clad walls. The house was stunning, a sharp contrast to the anxiety gnawing at me. Inside, the décor was opulent—marble floors, a portrait of Alpha Antony, and spruce wood trim. Mom admired it all, while I stood in awe and fear. Matthew led us to a guest lift, knocking on an office door. A deep, magnetic voice called us in, sending shivers down my spine. Dad entered alone. Mom stayed with me. “The Alpha will speak with each of us separately to verify our stories.” “What story?” I whispered, my heart pounding. “The story about me not being able to shift,” I said, fighting tears. “If he finds out, he might hurt us.” Mom hugged me tightly. “Shifting doesn’t matter to the Alpha. You’ll find your wolf eventually.” I nodded, terrified but resigned. Mom entered the office as Dad opened the door. “It’s not too bad,” Dad explains. “Just a small cut, mixing blood, and a pledge to bond with the pack.” A scream suddenly pierces the air—Mom’s. Dad rushes to the door as I hear the struggle and the handle rattle. Mom emerges, sobbing, clutching her head. Dad helps her, worry etched on his face. “Go on, Katrina,” Mom urges, her voice trembling. I shake my head, paralyzed with fear. Dad grips my arms. “We need this. Please, for us.” I nod, my heart racing. Dad opens the door to the Alpha’s office. Inside, Alpha Antony sits at his desk, his presence dominating the room. His jet-black hair, chiseled features, and intense gaze make him both handsome and terrifying. He eyes me coldly, sensing my lack of a wolf. “Come closer,” he growls. I shuffle forward, my blood running cold. “There’s a chair,” he says, pointing. I sit on the edge, my parents watching anxiously. “Your name?” he asks, his voice low and commanding. “Katrina,” I manage to reply. “You can call me Antony,” he says briskly. “How old are you?” “Just turned 17,” I answer, my voice barely steady. He examines my ID, confirming my age. “You haven’t finished school yet?” I nod, feeling the weight of his scrutiny. “I’m surprised you’re switching schools so soon,” Antony says, scrutinizing me. “Most students stay for academic reasons. You’ll finish your studies here with our pack.” I stay silent, letting Mom take the blame for the incident with Tina, though it wasn’t the real reason we left. “Your parents mentioned the trouble with the Alpha’s daughter, and your mother’s reaction?” Antony probes. I nod. “Good riddance to Nkosi,” Antony sneers, clear disdain in his voice. He stands and gestures for me to come closer. A shiver runs down my spine. “I promise, Katrina, I will never hurt you,” he says, though trust feels risky. He pricks my finger, letting blood trickle onto the table. “Sorry, it stings a bit,” he adds with a smile. He offers his wrist, and I realize the bond involves drinking his blood. Despite my fear, the taste is oddly sweet. He pulls me close, whispering, “Now, pledge your loyalty.” I nod, reciting, “In the name of Alpha Antony, I, Katrina, pledge everlasting loyalty and the fulfillment of all your wishes.” His scent overwhelms me, and when I nearly fall, he catches me, his grip firm. The bond snaps into place as the voices of my former pack fade. Antony smiles. “It’s done,” he says as I look up, dazed. His arms around me make me blush with embarrassment. My parents rush in as I pull away. Antony turns, and Dad tries to reassure me, though his words feel empty. “Tomorrow, Matthew will show you your new home. Katrina, start school tomorrow, and join pack training on Friday. Meet me Monday for your training.” “Pack training?” I ask, shocked. Antony’s gaze sharpens as Mom nudges me to stay quiet. “It’s mandatory,” he says. Mom steps in, shaking hands with Antony. “No problem.” Antony turns to her. “I’m interested in your experience with teens. Volunteer at the high school and keep an eye on Katrina.” Matthew leads us to a secluded cottage at the edge of town. As we approach, he offers the keys. “If it feels too remote, there are other options.” “This is perfect,” Dad replies. I stood on the lawn as Matthew curiously sniffed the air, his eyes narrowing. “You smell different from most wolves,” he remarked, making me tense. “I’m not sure what you mean,” I replied, trying to keep my voice steady. “Your wolf scent is distinct, yet subtle,” he said, raising an eyebrow. “You smell… familiar.” Before I could respond, he continued, “Pack training is every Friday at 5:00. No pressure if you can’t make it this week, but the pack will feel more comfortable with newcomers who attend.” “We’ll be there on time,” my father assured him. I took my things and went upstairs. The house felt musty and dim, the rich brown carpet almost black, and the large fireplace dominating one wall. My mother opened the windows to let in fresh air and light. As we unpacked, Matthew gave precise directions for each room. My bedroom was at the far end of the house, overlooking the woods. It was peaceful, but the loneliness gnawed at me. Three days flew by as we settled in. On Monday, I woke up, dressed in jeans and a white T-shirt, and packed my bag with as many textbooks as it could hold. It was the first day of school. My stomach churned with anxiety as we approached the school. My mother watched me in the rearview mirror. “It’ll be fine,” she said softly. “Just keep your head down and behave.” I groaned and slipped out the back door, staring up at the brick building, dread settling in. How awful it would be if they found out I didn’t have a wolf. As soon as I entered the office, a striking woman in her mid-30s greeted me. Her jet-black hair brushed her shoulders, and massive oval glasses perched on the bridge of her perfectly straight nose. She had cherry-red lips, and her warm smile instantly put me at ease. Her dark eyes met mine as I approached. “You must be Katrina,” she said warmly. She scanned my ID, then handed me my schedule, student card, and locker key. The combination was written on the card, and my stomach flipped when I saw the daily training sessions listed. “Two hours of classroom teaching and one hour of wolf training each day,” she explained. Panic bubbled up—I couldn’t hide my lack of a wolf for long. I thanked her and hurried to my locker, dreading the week ahead. The locker opened easily with the right code. As I grabbed my books, I noticed a girl watching me. She had a nose ring, short black hair, and thick eye makeup. “Hey, welcome,” she said with a grin. “I’m Ella.” She glanced at my agenda. “Ah, Katrina.” She seemed nice, so I followed her as she offered to show me around. “Word is you’re from Alpha Nkosi’s pack,” she said casually. The rumor was already spreading. “Beta Matthew and Alpha Antony were talking, and you must have Beta DNA,” Ella smiled. “It’s surprising Alpha Antony allowed a move since he despises Alpha Nkosi. Your parents must be something special.” She paused at an open classroom door. “No new students in years. Mr. Swift, our English teacher, is nice.” The students inside were engaged in calm conversations, a stark contrast to my last pack. I joined Ella at her table, where many students glanced our way. “That group over there—total nerds, always studying. And Nina, the blonde—she’s the worst. Avoid her,” Ella whispered. The teacher didn’t single me out as a new student, which was a relief. During lunch, as students and teachers prepared the training grounds, I noticed my mom and Alpha Antony arriving, which made me uneasy. “Does our Alpha often help with training?” I asked. “Every day, unless he’s in meetings,” Ella replied. We watched as Nina clung to Alpha Antony, clearly infatuated. “She thinks she’ll be his mate,” Ella commented. It made me anxious seeing Nina so close to him, but I kept my feelings hidden. Ella might be right about her being rude. The age difference between Alpha Antony and my old Alpha, who was in his sixties, was striking. “At 31, Alpha Antony’s a great leader—stern but fair. Thankfully, he’s not as awful as his father,” Ella said. “He took over after his father’s retirement?” I asked. “No,” Ella replied, lowering her voice. “At seventeen, Alpha Antony had him killed and seized control. But everyone welcomed the old Alpha’s death. He treated women like animals and killed anyone who disobeyed, even his mate.” My stomach churned. “That’s terrible,” I murmured. Ella nodded. “He disgusted all the packs. But when Alpha Antony took over, everything changed. He allowed women to join self-defense classes. Maybe that’s why he wanted your family here—your Beta genes give you an edge.” “Maybe,” I said, unsure. At noon, Ella and I changed into workout clothes and headed to the training grounds. “You want to watch the training?” she asked. I nodded. Alpha Antony invited me to sit with him in the stands. I watched as he helped the trainees, offering feedback. When he returned, he asked, “What do you think of school so far?” Feeling uneasy, I forced a smile. “Everything’s fine.” My mom’s anxious glance made me wary of him. “How often do you train with your mom?” he asked. “She doesn’t want me to miss training,” I replied. He nodded. “Good. Rest today and tomorrow, but on Monday, you’ll join the team.” Nina, standing in front of me, stared intently, her presence unsettling. “Nina, focus on training and get back to the pitch!” Antony shouted. She pouted, “I was just seeing if you needed help, Alpha.” Her interest in him was obvious. She narrowed her eyes at me before leaving, and I knew she’d be trouble from the start. Antony turned to me. “I have to head back out there, Katrina. See you around.” He walked over to my mom, who was scolding Nina for leaving the pitch. After school, my mom grabbed my arm as soon as she saw me, pulling me away from the crowd. “Katrina, you need to stay out of sight, especially from the Alpha and his Beta,” she warned. “I didn’t seek him out, Mom. He came to me.” “That doesn’t matter,” she snapped. “Just because you’re my daughter doesn’t mean you can slack off. Now, get out there and start running.” “What? Mom, seriously?” I protested. Beta Matthew appeared beside us. “Is there a problem?” he asked. Mom lowered her head. “No, Beta.” She pointed to the field. “Get going, Katrina.” Reluctantly, I threw my jumper at her and started running. Her sudden strictness confused me. “Thirty laps,” she yelled. I groaned and rolled my eyes as I began. By twenty laps, my legs burned, and my lungs felt like they were on fire. I stopped to catch my breath. “Ten more, Katrina! I didn’t say stop,” she barked. “This is ridiculous,” I muttered. “Want more added?” Mom threatened. Shaking my head, I pushed through the final laps, aware that Antony was watching, clearly displeased. When I finally collapsed onto the grass, gasping for air, my mom looked down at me. “Remember, Katrina, everything I do is for your benefit. I might go easy on you, but the pack won’t.” I tried to calm my breathing with my arms above my head, water bottle in hand. The pain was so intense I whimpered. Alpha Antony approached, but I stayed still, embarrassed by my weakness. “I need to speak with you, Dianna,” he said, heading toward my mom. I averted my eyes, feeling self-conscious. Ella handed me water, and I managed to sit up, though my legs felt like jelly. After school, as I struggled to get to my locker, Nina confronted me. Her blonde highlights and sparkling chocolate eyes made her look attractive, but her harsh demeanor revealed her cruelty. She shoved me against the wall and yanked at my shirt. “Don’t mess with the Alpha or I’ll make your life hell.” I wriggled free, sarcastically thanking her, “Wow, thanks for the heads up!” “Nina, stop it,” I said. She grabbed my hair, pulling hard. I punched her in the back of the head, causing her to scream and cover her face. Following my mom’s advice, I slapped her, causing blood to spill down her chin. “What’s going on?” Beta Matthew appeared in the corridor. Tina, sobbing, said, “The whore attacked me!” Ella spoke up, “She grabbed Katrina’s hair and threatened her.” I stayed silent as my mom and Alpha Antony arrived. My mom looked at Tina and said, “You brought this on yourself. Behave, or you’ll face worse in my training sessions.” Despite her strictness, I respected and loved her. Watching Tina flee in tears, I felt a pang of pity but quickly moved past it. She had become more of a rival than a classmate. Mom shook her head, clearly frustrated. “Katrina, trouble on your first day—goodness.” Ella stepped in. “Tina attacked her first. Katrina was just defending herself.” That made me appreciate Ella more. Alpha Antony announced, “Katrina, both of you will have detention tomorrow.” I noticed Mom’s displeased expression, though I didn’t quite understand it. Ella peered curiously. “Beta Mathew will deal with Tina,” Alpha Antony said, nodding to Mathew. “Go ahead,” Antony added, and I packed up quickly, trying to keep up with my mom as she stormed down the hall. “Always drawing attention to yourself,” she fumed. I ignored her, saying, “But you told me to defend myself.” “Katrina, I meant it. Without this pack, we have nowhere else to go. Nkosi made sure no other pack would take us.” She sighed deeply. “It was a miracle Alpha Antony took us in.” On the drive home, Mom was silent, her frustration evident in the way she slammed the steering wheel and sped off. The next day, during detention, I tried to stay out of the spotlight. When I got home, Dad stopped me before I could head to my room. “How was your first day at school?” he asked. Mom had told him about the argument and the detention. “Did you win?” he asked, always eager to support me. I forced a smile. Dad asked Mom, “What did you do to my daughter?” “We got home late because she had to run thirty laps,” Mom replied. I slipped away, feeling miserable. Mom told Dad, “Tomorrow, Katrina will have detention with the Alpha alone.” Dad’s face tightened. “Detention? We mustn’t anger the Alpha. If he finds out you don’t have a wolf before we prove your worth, we’re in trouble.” I worried about the embarrassment and burden on my family if we were expelled. The idea of standing out or being kicked out was terrifying. “Can I go now?” I asked, desperate to escape. Mom said, “Even if you go, remember that packs don’t tolerate members without wolves.” Feeling overwhelmed by their constant supervision, I went to bed early, hoping for some peace. The next morning, Mom yelled at me to get ready. She handed me a pie for the ride, and I ate it as she lectured me on fitting in. I nodded along, pretending to be attentive. At school, Ella waved and called, “Katrina!” “Geometry first,” she said, and I grunted in response. Despite my good grades, the class was excruciatingly dull and gave me a headache. While Mom spoke with teachers, Ella and I made the most of the first period. When noon came, I dreaded detention, but Antony hadn’t specified where. At the bell, Alpha Antony stormed into my classroom. I was stunned and anxious, knowing I’d disappoint Mom. Ella gave me a sympathetic look as I hurried out, deciding to face the Alpha despite my fear. “Does geometry class drag for you too?” Alpha Antony asks with a grin. “Yeah, a bit. Why do you ask?” I reply. “I used to skip it and get punished. Your expression reminds me of that.” I force a smile, hiding that my pain is his fault. He barks, “Let’s go,” and heads out. As he opens my locker, he chokes me lightly. “I know everything,” I say, raising an eyebrow. “High pulse rate. Your parents’ story doesn’t add up. I bet they didn’t leave just because your mother hit the Alpha’s daughter,” he says, rubbing my back. I wince as his grip on my hand numbs my arm. “Um, Alpha, your grip…” I start to say. “Sorry,” he releases me, confused. “What’s detention like?” I ask, following him down empty hallways. “Don’t worry, you won’t get in trouble,” he reassures me as we enter the faculty lounge. I sit in his chair, breathing deeply to mask his strong scent. Mathew enters with a dish of roasted meat and places it on the desk, eyeing me curiously. “Lunchtime?” I ask, confused. “Detention can be different. What do you prefer?” Antony raises an eyebrow. “Not this,” I admit, surprised by the laid-back approach. The meat is surprisingly good. After we finish, Mathew clears the trays and asks, “How’s it going here?” “Pretty well,” I reply, trying to smile. Mathew drapes an arm over my shoulder, sniffing me. I glance at Antony, who seems uninterested. When I try to move, Mathew pulls me closer. “Hands off, Mathew!” Antony shouts. Mathew grins, raises his hands, and steps back, giving us space. “Before you go, I have a few questions,” Antony says after Mathew leaves. “Why did you really join our pack?” he asks. “I wonder why you allowed us to join if you think we have secrets,” I reply, feeling awkward. Antony continues, “I chose the best fighters from Alpha Nkosi. I’m curious about your potential.” I ask, “What if I don’t meet expectations?” “You’ve got Beta blood. Your mother is a strong fighter,” he says, making me worry about my secret. “Can I ask a question?” I ask. “Sure,” he replies. “Have you met your mate yet?” “No, I’m not eighteen.” Antony presses, “Why did your family move?” I feel tight and sweaty, but say, “What my parents told you is true.” Antony nods, “You can go, Katrina, but we’ll talk again.” Alpha Antony’s POV As I watched Katrina leave, I knew her family was hiding something. If she weren’t my mate, I might’ve reconsidered admitting them. The chance to end the feud with Nkosi was too tempting. It was odd that Philip and Dianna never mentioned their children despite their high status. Katrina seemed off, though she came from a strong family. Mathew entered through the back, as I’d instructed, to investigate her further. “She’s your mate, right?” he asked. I sighed, acknowledging it. “I want to spend time alone with her.” Mathew asked, “Why not ask her parents directly?” “I don’t want to upset them. She’ll hate me if I clash with them,” I explained. “What’s next?” he inquired. “I don’t want to seem like a freak around her,” I admitted. Mathew suggested, “Check on her tomorrow. A pack run will be held every Friday. Let her adjust to the group first.” “Fine,” I said. Mathew asked with a smile, “Are you planning to confront her?” “Nothing major. Tina’s been a nuisance, so I paired her with Katrina for training,” I said, irritated. “Are you trying to provoke me?” Mathew asked. “I’ll ensure Tina doesn’t overstep. Her skills are useful, but her dislike of Katrina complicates things,” I replied. Katrina is fierce, no question. Mathew says “She will get what it takes.” “You best hope so because if she gets wounded, you will be dead.” “Her father was Beta and her mother fought well. Nothing to worry about.” Tina fights unfairly, as I’ve seen in crew training. I knew my partner could handle herself even in her condition. Given her strength and stamina, it would be intriguing to watch her wolf transformation. I was excited to meet her wolf. Hidden among the spectators, I avoided detection. Mathew’s pairing was odd. Dianna seems to be conversing to her kid as she approaches the playground. Katrina seemed sick and sweaty. “What’s the deal, is she truly doing fine?” I see Katrina go to the closest garbage can and puke. Dianna’s mother is strict. After staring at her daughter for what seemed like a lifetime, she told her to return to fieldwork. Ella approaches and shakily touches Katrina’s arm. Ella is a great buddy, and I’m happy to have her. Besides Tina and her friends, she gets along with everyone. Dianna, Katrina’s mother, advises her to “get it together,” and she nods before leaving. Katrina shakes Ella’s arm sharply after telling her to leave. “Why don’t you see any problems?” Mathew leans forward when I tell him. “To me, she appeared fine.”He answers. I wait on the stairs edge to observe Katrina and Tina enter their square before descending. Tina stands steadfast while Katrina staggers from weariness. Katrina’s wolf growls, keeping its distance. As Tina lunges, Katrina rolls onto her back to dodge, then kicks Tina in the face, sending her stumbling away with a bleeding nose. Katrina, drenched in sweat, looks troubled. My wolf growls, “Wolfsbane,” and I catch the scent. Mathew notices, “Something’s wrong.” She moved before I could take two steps down the stairway. The Katrina Pov My mother took me into her office on my way to training. “You scared me to death.” Her expressionless, steely face stared at me coldly. “Where have you been?” “Place of confinement; where else?” “I went looking for you, and I found out that neither you nor Tina were in custody.” “At fact, I am in the Alpha’s office.” “This is the day when the wolves go through their training.” Mom remarked forcefully, appearing alarmed. I’ll tell them I’m unwell, she says, shaking her head. A pocket item she pulls gives me the willies; I haven’t seen it in years. “You have to go, “she continues, but “we can make up a tale for why you can’t alter your situation if you take one of them. ” “I’m sorry, Mom, but it just can’t happen.” “There’s no way around it; we can’t risk them finding out until you’ve shown your usefulness to the pack.” Although I had no wolf, my mother fed me nevertheless when I was younger to hide it from the Alpha. She then fed me them to get me used to them so I wouldn’t have any issues. Until my dad discovered it. He stopped thinking about it, and I stopped taking the most fatal medicine to werewolves. “Don’t tell your father.”She warns. I told her my dad will smell it on me since he’s done it before. She opens her black medicine container. She opens it and shows me the white tablets. She hisses quietly while clenching her teeth. She expects me to swallow it. “No! ” She looks disgusted when I tell her. “But just because you’re acting like a spoilt brat won’t mean I’m going to throw everything away.” “And how should I explain?” “Just say you ate it somewhere,” Mom says, shoving the tablet into my hand. I refuse the water. “Swallow it now!” she commands. I chew the tablet, feeling excitement and fear clash inside me. If the Alpha finds out the truth, I’m in trouble. Outside, pain hits hard. “Mum!” I scream, clutching my stomach. “Kick their ass, just like I taught you.” “No, Mom, they’re wolves.” “Don’t let me down,” she echoes as she drags me to the pitch. I stagger to the nearest trash can, clutching my aching stomach, blood, and sweat pouring from me. “What’s happening, Katrina?” Ella’s voice fades as I blur out, unable to respond. My mother and Tina’s shouts ring in my ears. I can’t keep up; my legs give out. Tina charges at me, and I barely dodge her punch. I kick her away, but everything starts to darken. My bones ache, and I reach out mentally, whispering to my mother, “I’m sorry, Mom. I feel so weak.” As claws and teeth rush toward me, I brace for the worst. I open my eyes to see the brown wolf, and then the Alpha, bloody from Tina’s attack.
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