Chapter 1

CLAIR

I turned the radio a notch higher and let myself get lost in the blasting music as I drove on the freeway. With my window down, I basked in the warmth of the sun against my skin, loving the feeling of the fresh air on my face and the wind blowing through my hair.

I had been driving for five straight hours, and I still had two more hours to go before I reached my destination. Fourteen hours of driving were too much to bear, but I had no choice.

My name is Absaline Clair Montrell.

I am a shifter. I spent the last five years of my life living among humans, except for my werewolf uncle. Uncle Theodore found his mate, who happened to be a human, and decided to leave the pack life for her. And from what I witnessed, he has no problem living the human life. 

After my mother died from an attack while visiting her friend from another pack, my father decided he didn't want anything to do with me and sent me away.

Maybe I reminded him of my mother. They said I had her blue sapphire eyes and slightly wavy chestnut brown hair. But it wasn't a valid reason to send me away. My father might have lost his mate, the love of his life, but in turn, he made me lose not just my mother. I lost him too, my brother and the pack that should have been my home.

Now, the pack holds no meaning for me. I was still part of the pack - not being able to break the bond, but I felt alone, and going back there didn't feel like going home.

My uncle's mate, whose name is Laura, is a fine and lovable woman. She would make a great mother, and I hoped that one day the Goddess would give her a child of her own. Laura was very patient with me through my rebellious stage, and I will always be grateful for her presence in my life.

It wasn't easy living with my uncle and his mate at the beginning. But after a year of crying and begging for my father to take me back, I finally gave up. I started to not care anymore and embrace the human life I was given. 

I have my own life now, and if it were up to me, I would've stayed hidden among the humans. Unfortunately, the Moon Goddess has a different plan. I would be turning eighteen in a couple of weeks, and for that reason alone, I found myself driving back to my pack's territory.

On the last full moon before a wolf turns eighteen, shifting happens, and that would be five days from now. For obvious reasons, I cannot shift around humans. Humans were oblivious to the fact that werewolves existed. Or maybe they weren't, but no one seemed to acknowledge or talk about it.

But once I was done with my first shift, I would leave and sever my bond with the pack. I don't want to be a part of them anymore, the same way they never wanted me.

¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨

JAKE

'Alpha?' I received a mind-link from my Gamma, Aaron.

I´d been waiting for him the whole day, and I silently hoped he was sending the information I would like to hear.

'Yes? Where are you?' I asked without any emotions.

'I'm on my way to pick up Clair. She's already waiting by the border.' He answered.

'Good.' I cut my response short and waited for him to cut the mind link, a smile curling on my lips as I got the confirmation that the little princess had finally decided to return home after five years.

I knew she hated me for abandoning her, but knowing Clair, she always had a soft spot for me. I only hoped that she was still the same feisty little girl I knew and that the humans didn't destroy her spirit.

'Alpha,'  Aaron's mind-link startled me. I didn't notice that the mind link wasn't cut off yet.

'Hmmm..' I replied, not really in the mood to converse with anyone. 

'Do I need to take Clair there as soon as we arrive? Or can I take her home to meet Dad first? You know, Dad has been anxious to see her, and the wait is killing him.' Aaron asked politely. He knew the protocol, but it seemed he was trying to get around it this time. 

'You know the rules, Aaron.' I replied, again void of emotion. 'Bring her here.'

'I know, Jake. But she didn't change packs. I believe she didn't do anything to sever the pack bond. Or I can ask her along the way.' His tone was respectful but determined.

I closed my eyes and squeezed my temples before answering. This annoyed me, and I know Aaron could sense I was pissed off already.

'She was twelve when she left, and if she severed that bond, I would not feel it. I need to know if she still belongs to this pack, otherwise, a ceremony needs to happen right away. I don't want non-pack members roaming around my territory. And just because she is your sister, doesn't make her an exception. Just do your job and bring her here. Am I clear, Gamma?' I retorted, leaving him no space for any argument.

'Yes, Alpha. I will soon reach her and will let you know when we have arrived at the pack house.' 

I cut the mindlink right away without giving any response.

A smile played on my lips again. I could have easily let Aaron take her home and meet her tomorrow. She was no threat to the pack. But I wanted to see her. I didn't know I missed my little princess until the idea of her arriving sank in.