Chapter 5

Ashley, eighteen years old

Present day

I have been preparing for this moment for as long as I can remember. Today is finally the day I will ask my parents for their blessing to move out of the pack. They will ask the Alpha for authorization to leave the pack on my behalf. This is a protocol for all the wolves that leave for another pack or in the human cities if they don’t want to go rogue.

I’m optimistic I will be granted passage. I have every right to move wherever I want. My father, Sean Dawson, comes from Crescent Moon in northern England, and my mother comes from an extinct pack in Spain that was near the border with Andorra. She lost all her family but a cousin who disappeared after hunters attacked their pack.  That’s how Mom ended up here; she was adopted. That's what they call the members of the destitute packs here. He was able to request asylum from being labeled a rogue—a label no decent wolf wants to wear.

That's how he met Mom, maybe she didn't join them by a predetermined link but his hearts were chosen. Something that I aspire to one day, it seems to me

We Omegas do not have a destined partner as happens for high-ranking wolves. It may seem unfair and unequal, and I confess that I even felt bad knowing that I would have to fall in love like humans. But then I thought it was better to fall in love with someone I like because yes, there is no divine bond that ties me to another person.

"Under no circumstances. I won't allow it, Ashley. You are still very young and inexperienced. What if someone takes advantage of you? You've never ventures outside this pack. What if you are assaulted? It's dangerous. Remember we already had a hunter attack.

"Mom, don't be so dramatic, please. There have been no attacks in ages. The territory is safe and it is not like I will go roague. I'm visiting family." I said defiantly with my hands on my hips.

Dad looked at me sympathetically, “Nena, mírame." I did as he told and looked him in the eyes. "Llisten to your mothers. She knows best.” I rolled my eyes because the statement sounds improbable to me.

"Besides, I'm already 18 years old. I can do whatever I want."

I knew I sounded like a brat but at this moment had to come up with something to convince my parents to let me go.  I was hoping they would understand me I needed to breather outside this pack. I needed to get out of this pack and see the world, make new friends. Jane, my best friend, met her fated  mate and they moved into his pack. I’m very happy for her. But If it weren't for my wolf Tara, I would go crazy with boredom. Almost all the Omegas around my age are by now married, have a boyfriend or found their fated mates.

I'm not in a rush in meeting someone, I want to get to know myself first and experience the world. That's why I was prepared a plan B, visit to Sierra and Savannah, my cousins ​​from the north. Sierra already has her partner and she is expecting her first child but Savannah is like me. A free soul. “Did you ask Alpha for permission to let me go visit my cousins?”

Dad and Mom looked at each other, as if contemplating an answer. I looked forward to them being moved by my plan. It was easy and simple, requesting authorization to move without giving up the pack's tether. I don't want to be declared a Rogue, but my Alpha would give up my temporary custody to my cousins' pack.

"We will talk to Alfa this afternoon and we will let you know."

"Yes!! Hahaha Yes. I'll go pack my bags." I said in excitement. "Oh, I'm going to call the girls to tell them the news."

"Not so fast young lady." Mom halted me in my tracks, "We still need the Alpha's concent. He will give you his approval once we have talked to him about the temporary pack reassignment."

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I did not wait for my parents to notify me if I got an authorization. I was already packing my bags and having a conversation with my cousins using an app from my laptop to video chat when a manly voice entered my head. Thefamiliar but at the same time strange voice belonged to none other than Alfa Atticus.

My eyes glaced and I stopped what I was doing to listen to the new voice in my head. Even my wolf Genie wiggled her tail with excitement.

Ashley Juliana Dawson-Perez, your presence is requested in Alpha's office. Come by immediately or your absence will be taken as contempt.

Silence falls when the mind link disconnects.

Wait. Who are you? I question back through the mind link. It must be someone with authority in the pack if he is using mindlink to deliver such request. Without thinking twice or even looking at myself one last time in the mirror. I ran towards the pack house. The mansion is not far from home but I can’t run faster even if I wanted to, I have short legs. 

In a few minutes I’m in front of the stairs with my tongue hanging out. I need to start training soon. I was going to open the door when someone else pulled the door, 'You need a little exercise, don't you think?'I know where the comment came from, it is not only because of the lack of physical activity but because my body is chubby. I raised my eyebrows and replied,

"As to why would you care about my physical appereace?"

"I'm interested in all the people in this pack."

But what about this kid, who does he think he is? His hair is a familiar blonde but he no longer wears it in a swirl at the top, it has a neat, military-style cut. He is wearing a short-sleeved shirt and you can see his tattoos peeking out of his shirt. I would be terribly afraid of being under the needle, but I really admire tattoos.

"See something you like, little girl?" I met blondie blue eyes. My checks red and hot of embarrassment. 

"What? I shook my head. I wated to say I was just admiring the tattoos on his arms when the door opened to let Alpha Atticus and my parents out.

-Ashley, it's good that you're here. I have several questions to ask you. Follow me to my office." The  Alpha commands.

“You too Jax, you are already part of this pack and they need to know who you are.”

Wait. Did I heard right? Did Alpha Atticus say that the beautiful blonde is now part of our pack? Had I known that this was a formal meeting I would have considered changing clothes before coming here.  I have my hair wrapped in a bun and I’m wearing ragged T-shit with a faded design of the Disney logo, so childish. I definetely did not looked presentable. I climbed the steps to the office with my head bowed. Regretting how awful I looked.