Chapter 3

Katie's Pov

I woke up to the sound of a nonstop knock on my door. Last night after I came back from the hospital, I could hardly sleep as all I could do was cry over the death of the only person who ever truly loved me, my mom. Groggily, I stumbled out of bed. I couldn't help but wonder who could be at the door, as no one in the Pack visits us.

Groggily making my way to the front door, I hurt my pinky toe.

"Ouch!" I winced in pain, as I limped the rest of the way to the door.

Opening the door, I realized it was mid-afternoon, I must have slept all morning because I couldn't sleep last night.

My father stood at the other end of the door dressed in his usual suit and tie, and beside him was a lady I had never seen before in my life.

"What's going on?" I asked as I glanced at both of them. "Have you guys found what happened to my mom's wolf?"

"Let's go inside please," the lady spoke. "So we can talk properly."

I furrowed my brow at her.

"I'm sorry," she apologized. "I'm Stella Bowman," she introduced herself with her hand stretched for a handshake. "I'm from the minor's protection agency."

"Why are you here?" I asked, ignoring the hand she stretched out.

"Miss Katie, can we please go inside and talk?" Stella said as she pulled back her hand.

I glanced at the both of them one last time, before moving aside and letting them in. As we all sat down in the living room which wasn't anything fancy, but at least it was my safe haven, I turned to face them.

"Like I said earlier, I'm Stella Bowman," Stella introduced herself again like I didn't hear her the first time. "I'm from the Minor's protection agency, and according to the law, werewolves that are not up to eighteen years of age should stay with a guardian because staying alone they are at risk of becoming rogues," she continued. "So, it–"

"There's no way in hell I'm staying with this man," I interrupted Stella, as I glared at my dad, who just sat down silently listening to all that was happening.

"You need to hear me out young lady," Stella said sternly. "It's the law, you can't stay alone–"

"Of course I can," I cut her off. "I'll be eighteen years old in a few months," I pointed out clearly, in case she has some misconception that I'm probably sixteen or something. "Also, my mom has a house. It might not be much, but it will do just fine."

"Katie–"

"Listen here, I can take care of myself," I said firmly. "I'm almost done with high school, after that, I'll get a full-time job and save up for college. So don't worry, I've got everything figured out."

"This is about your safety–"

"Safety?" I scoffed. "Where was all this safety talk when I was being bullied by everyone in this pack, huh?!" I snapped. "I've been taking care of myself by myself, nothing is going to change now."

"Katie, why don't you come live with me," my father's next words threw me off guard.

"Live with you?" I couldn't believe my years. "Never!"

"Katie, I know I've hurt you terribly. I'm really sorry for abandoning and neglecting you all these years," he said in a quivering voice. "What I did was terrible, and unforgivable, there's no excuse in this world for the way I treated you and your mother."

Tears streamed down my cheeks at the mention of my mother. I tried keeping the tears at bay but they wouldn't stop pouring out.

My father suddenly wrapped his arms around me. My body stiffened, as I had no idea how to react, this was not only new but very unexpected.

"I'm really sorry Katie," my father apologized again with his arms wrapped around me, and then he began to sob, and his tears rolled down my back. "I'd love to know you more as my daughter if you'll please just give me a chance," my father said in between tears as he sobbed shamelessly on my shoulders. "I know it seems a bit late, but it's better late than never, right?"

Seeing my Father in tears and his arms wrapped around me, tore down the wall built upon resentment and pain around my heart, as tears streamed down my own cheeks shamelessly, as I struggled to process all that was happening. I hated my father with all of me, but deep down there was a part of me that craved a fatherly love and affection. My mum did the best she could to make me not miss my dad, but I guess there are some voids that can't be filled completely.

After sobbing on each other's shoulders for a few minutes while Stella watched us in silence, we finally broke the hug.

"I'm really sorry Katie," my father held my shoulders as he looked at me with teary eyes. "I'll make it my top priority to find out what happened to your mother's wolf.," he assured me. "I'll make whoever is responsible for her death pay."

I nodded slowly in tears as I stared at my dad.

"Why don't you go upstairs and pack your things, so you'll start living with me" he told me. "We'll be able to join heads together and find the culprit."

"But–"

"Don't worry about anything else Katie," he cut me off. "I'll let you in on the Investigation."

I took a look at the living room, and as much as I hate to admit it, every single thing in this house reminds me of my mum. I was keeping a brave front, but I don't know how long I'll be able to pretend until grief takes over.

"Okay," I mumbled, my voice barely above a

whisper.

"I'll be on the front porch waiting for you," my father told me.

Heading back to my room, I passed my mom's, and I couldn't help but go inside. As soon as I stepped inside, I broke down into a fresh round of tears, as memories of my mum's laughter, as well as her warmth whenever I slept on her bed, came crashing down on me. I made my way to her wardrobe and just laid on her pile of clothes sniffling every single one of them.

Filled with so much pain in my heart, I managed to drag my feet to my room, and Pack the few belongings I had, as well as a picture of my mum that was on my side stool. With trembling hands and teary eyes, I stuffed my clothes into my bag.

Heading back downstairs, my father was no longer there, but on the porch like he said he would.

"You ready?" Stella asked.

I nodded slowly. "Mum, I'm doing this for you," I whispered into the air.

I took in a deep, shaky breath and wiped the stray tears that streamed down my cheeks with the back of my hand, as I walked to the door with Stella following closely behind.

Stepping out the door, my father smiled broadly at me. "Ready?" He asked.

I nodded sharply.

"Thank you, Ms. Bowman," My Father told Stella as he stretched his hand for a handshake. "I'll handle everything from here."

"Alright, Councilor Whitlock," she replied, as she shook his hand. "If you need anything, don't hesitate to call me," Stella turned to me and handed me her card.

"Thanks," I muttered as I accepted the card

Stella made her to her car, while my father and I both made our way to his.

"Let me help you," my father requested, as he took my little luggage from me. "Go sit in the car," he instructed, as he opened the trunk.

The ride to my father's house was awkwardly quiet, as only the sound of our breathing could be heard. Different thoughts and questions raced through my mind as we drove, but I decided to save them for when the time was right.

Arriving at my father's Villa we were welcomed by a swarm of reporters just outside the gate who greeted us with flashes from their cameras. Going through the gates, the reporters also raced after us, still taking pictures.

"Don't worry, Katie," my father said with a reassuring smile, as we stopped in front of the house entrance. He probably noticed the confusion on my face. "Get down," he instructed me.

Slowly opening the door, I got out of the car, and one of the reporters asked me a question that seemed to echo in my mind.

"Ms. Katie! How do you feel moving in with your dad?"

"Katie, over here!" Another reporter called out to me, as the flashes from their cameras didn't seem to end.

I was too stunned to say a word as everything seemed to be happening too fast.

Joanna, my father's wife, walked out of the house, and the reporters also flashed their cameras at her.

My father walked over to where I was, and he and Joanna stood beside me with a broad smile on their faces.

"Katie! We'll need you to smile," another reporter told me, as he positioned his camera to take more pictures.

My father put his arms around my shoulder, and with an even wider smile, he said to the reporters.

"According to my campaign promises, NO WOLF WOULD BE LEFT BEHIND," he announced proudly. "There's no way I'm leaving my daughter behind."

Reality then hit me, as it dawned on me that all the tears and pleas from my father a while back were just an act. He just wants to use me and boost his chances of winning the position of Alpha President. He and his family just want to use me as a charity case.

"I–"

"Don't think of doing anything stupid, Katie," my father whispered into my ears coldly, cutting me off from speaking out the truth. "Unless you don't want to find out what really happened to your mother's wolf."