Chapter One

My feet moved quickly on the sandy ground, fighting to make it home before the sun disappeared behind the horizon, Mum is going to be pissed. 

“Mum, Dad, I’m home.” I panted, shutting the door behind me, only to be met with unusual silence. I listened for any noises coming from the kitchen as I walked towards it but came up empty, the counters sparkled, and not a dish was out of place. 

“Mum?” my eyebrows furrowed and an uncomfortable feeling settled in my chest, “Where is everyone?” I whispered to myself. 

“Where were you?” My father’s gruff voice scared me, I almost didn’t recognise him with his matted hair and red eyes, something was wrong, very wrong. 

“I- I was at the clearing, my phone battery died and I lost track of time. I’m sorry, Dad.” the blank look on his face was even scarier paired with his lack of reaction, “Where’s Mum?” I looked around the room as if she would appear out of nowhere, my father’s strange behaviour was making me uncomfortable. 

“She’s dead.” the iciness in his voice washed over me and my heart pounded to a stop. 

“Wh- what?” I felt my eyes follow him from the room with disbelief burning through my veins like acid. 

~~~

“Sophia? Sophia!” My bitter reverie was broken by Mrs Dobson calling my name. 

“Yes?” I answered innocently, ignoring the purse of her lips. 

“You are being called to the principal’s office.” my jaw opened and closed like a fish out of water, surely daydreaming didn’t warrant a visit to the principal’s office. 

Mrs Dobson rolled her eyes, “You’re not in trouble, though your daydreaming is hardly appreciated. I was told Luna Yasmin had requested your presence.” Instead of relief, I felt panic rise inside me, surely she wouldn’t have good news. “Hurry on then.” Mrs Dobson waved me off. 

“Okay, Mrs Dobson.” I hurriedly packed my notebooks, ignoring my wildly beating heart. 

My palms sweated profusely as they wrung together and when I made it to the principal’s office, the grave looks on their faces made me want to turn and run. 

“Goo- Good Morning Luna Yasmin.” My eyes cast to the ground, preparing myself for the worst. 

“Take a seat, please Sophia.” My hand fisted at my sides as I willed my eyes not to tear, “How are you doing?” my breath eased at the level tone of her voice though a sense of foreboding washed over me. 

“Fine…” I mumbled, chewing on my bottom lip. 

“Please give us a moment.” Luna Yasmin cleared her throat, looking up at the other occupants of the room and they quickly scurried from the room. “I know today must be a difficult day for you, how are you holding up?” 

“I’m okay,” I swallowed thickly, surely she didn’t want to hear about the nightmares and constant flashbacks. 

“Sophia, you are a strong young lady and I know you will be okay no matter what is thrown your way.” I nodded numbly, “which is how I know you will be okay even after I tell you this.” 

“Is Ben okay?” the words flew from my mouth amidst my panic and Luna Yasmin cringed. 

“He’s fine, he’s still in his classroom. It’s your father.” My heart slowed and my face went blank. 

“What about him?” It was no secret to the pack that the relationship between my father and me was strained. He resented me for not being there when my mother died and I hated how he treated Ben since we lost her. 

“He didn’t show up for duty this morning and when they went to look for him- I’m sorry Sophia, he is no more.” my jaw tightened. 

A million images went through my mind, but I refused to ask. “I want to be the one to tell Ben.” 

  

“Are you sure?” she asked, looking worriedly at me. 

“Yes.” My nails dug into the palm of my hands as I struggled to hold back my emotions. 

We are orphans. That reality hit harder than not being able to see my father again.

“Sophia, we’re here for you and Ben, you know that right?” She kneeled before me, her eyes filled with what I could only describe as concern and pity. 

“We will be fine.” I swiped away the tears that dropped from my eyes and stumbled out of the office. 

I didn’t know where I was running to till the clearing came into view, I hadn’t been back there since the day my mother died and it felt bitter-sweet standing amidst the tall grass. 

My wolf stirred inside of me, pushing to be freed, to ease me of my emotional turmoil. Selene was born into my father’s hatred, she didn’t know the man who raised me, the man who loved me and shielded me from life’s challenges, she didn’t understand the man who loved my mother more than the world itself, she didn’t understand the man for whom I mourned. 

“Why? Why us, why me? What have we done to deserve this? Have you no heart, Mother?” I looked to the sky with tears dripping from my eyes and I felt my knees buckle. 

The dirt dug into my bare legs, no doubt leaving bruises on my whitish skin, but my skin seemed numb yet at the same time, the pain felt good. 

I don’t know much time passed before I looked up from my hands, somehow even as my world slowed, the earth continued to turn, the birds continued to chirp, and to an innocent bystander, all seemed well. 

Ben…

The thought struck me and I stood with a gasp, wobbling slightly on my feet as I dusted off the dirt which stuck into my skin. 

I have to get back to him. 

“Sophia!” Ben came barreling out of the Alpha house the moment I came into view and a shaky smile grew on my face. 

“Hey, buddy.” I ruffled his hair and looked up to see the Alpha and Luna watching us from the doorway, “Let’s go inside, okay?” Ben let go of my waist and excitedly told me about his day.

“Luna Yasmin picked me up from school today, she said you were busy and you’d come to get me later, she let me watch movies, but Olsin made me play with her teddy bears.” He pulled his face at that, silently claiming he wasn’t girly enough for that. 

“That sounds like fun, I’m sorry I left you alone, I promise I’ll never do that again.” My heart squeezed and I gathered him closer to my side. 

“It’s okay.” Ben shrugged it off and stepped into the Alpha house like he owned the place and before I could stop him, Luna Yasmin stopped me. 

“Leave him. Are you okay, Sophia?” I sighed softly and nodded, not able to meet her eyes after the way I stormed out on her the last time. 

“I’m sorry for my behaviour.” I cringed.

Luna Yasmin sighed and wrapped an arm around my shoulders leading me into the house, “You took it a lot better than I did when I was in your position, you have nothing to be sorry about.” 

“Thank you, Luna.” My eyes remained trained on the ground as the weight of what I had to do hit me.