Chapter 1

No one likes being woken up at seven AM on their day off. Especially not when said person had worked a double shift in a busy emergency room right before falling asleep. But when woken up by a grumpy werewolf for a father, you didn’t give the snippy remark you had readied for whoever woke you.

My father didn't just lightly tap on my door. No. That would be too nice. My lovely father banged on the door like the house was on fire, startling me out of bed. My brain desperately looked for the danger before I realized that it was just my dad giving me his normal wake up call.

"Eddy's car just pulled up!" He yelled loud enough to ensure that I wasn't going to be going back to sleep anytime soon. "He's giving you a couple minutes to get presentable."

I groaned and rolled onto my feet. "Alright." I grumbled. "This better be important." I said to myself as I quickly threw myself together.

Eddy and I might have been dating for three years, but I still wanted to look nice for him. We were at least a few months away from him seeing the monster I could be in the morning.

I didn't have werewolf speed or energy, so it took me five minutes to put my robe on, wash my face, and straighten up my hair. I was dead tired.

When I came out of my room, I couldn't help but smile at what I saw. Eddy was nicely dressed, like he normally was. He had on dark jeans with a button up. He usually didn't have on a shirt underneath, but today he did. 

I really loved that he got along with father so well. Dad didn't have a high ranking in the pack, but he pulled his weight. Eddy was the son of the alpha, he wasn't dominant enough to take the pack from his father, but he was respected for his lineage nonetheless.

They looked to be having a serious conversation, so I hung back a bit to give them privacy. I couldn't hear their conversation because I wasn't a werewolf. Yes, my father was a werewolf, had been well before I was born or conceived, but that didn't make me one.

As far as I knew, it was hard for werewolves to have kids. When they did, they were usually spoiled rotten little brats, just like I was as I grew up. I would have tried to give Eddy kids, but he wasn't ready for that. Plus, he'd have to marry me first.

If I was going to be with Eddy, I was going to try the change into a werewolf. It wasn't guaranteed, but to be with the one I loved forever, it was worth the risk.

Eddy gave me a small smile. One that I had grown to know means bad news. I offered a small smile back. I didn't want to be woken up for bad news, but if Eddy came here this early, then it had to be important.

When my dad sat back down in the couch, I knew they were done talking. Eddy motioned for me to follow him into the backyard. I knew the thin walls weren't going to keep our conversation private from my father's ears.

"There's something I've been meaning to tell you for a while." He let out a nervous breath. "It's not going to be easy."

I nodded once and wrapped my arms around myself. It was chilly, in the morning. "Just say what it is Eddy. It's really early and I'm tired."

He smiled. "I know. I should've done this sooner." He looked around nervously. Was he going to say something that was going to upset me? It would make sense from the way he was acting.

“I need to tell you something.” Eddy's tone was serious. He rarely came over unannounced, so it had to be something serious. He didn’t even call me first, which was very out of character.

“What’s up?” He was always so handsome it made me smile. I loved that his dark hair was a little long. He had those beautiful brown eyes I loved to stare into. I still didn’t know what he saw in me.

“My father just informed me that I’m getting married.” My heart started beating fast, a smile spread across my face. This had to be it. He was finally going to ask me. “She’s not from my pack. It’s called a political pairing.”

My excitement dove right off a cliff. “What does that mean?” I asked confused, shocked. I thought he loved me, that he wanted to be with me.

“I’m going to be leaving in a week. When I come back it will be with my bride.” Wow… I felt stupid. Embarrassment soon turned to sorrow as I realized that Eddy was breaking up with me. “Obviously this means we can’t be together anymore.”

“What am I supposed to do?” I didn’t want to cry, so I just got angry. I absolutely hated crying, about anything. “I can’t just turn off how I feel for you. I’ve loved you for years and you just want to leave me for some stranger? Do you even know what she looks like?”

He shook his head. “I know this will be hard for you, but this is the sacrifice I have to make for the pack’s wellbeing. I know it’s not fair to you.”

My jaw dropped. “Of course it’s not fair! How can you just turn it all off? How could you act like you don’t care for me?” I was devastated. I could feel my heart breaking in my chest.

“I can’t just turn my feelings for you off but this is different. Once she becomes my mate, it will be only her I love. That’s how this pack magic works.”

I had absolutely no choice in this. The choice was made. The plans were set. He was leaving me. He didn’t even look sorry, regretful, or hurt that he was forced to leave me. “Are you going to tell her about us?”

He nodded. “If she asks I will.” I looked down. I was being tossed away like some old toy he grew tired of. “Are you okay? Ems?”

Oh, now he feels sorry for me.

“Why would I be alright?” I yelled as I stood up. “You’re leaving me to marry someone else. All this time we’ve been together, for nothing. Three years of my life have been wasted on waiting for you to decide if you wanted me. I want you to leave and never talk to me again.” Any sadness evaporated as my temper grew hotter. The temper I inherited from my father definitely made itself known now.

“You know you don’t mean that.” He suggested gently.

“Oh, but I do.” I walked into the house, to the front door. “Alpha’s son or not. I want you gone and I don’t want you to call me. It would be best if you forget I exist!”

I held the door open and motioned for him to leave. My father spied over his newspaper at us. Eddy looked at him and sighed. Dad just moved his paper back up and cleared his throat.

I tapped my foot, getting his attention. “Fine.” Eddy said obviously defeated. “I’m sorry Emily. I didn’t plan this.”

“Just. Leave!” I screamed. Then he walked out the door.

I waited until I heard his car start and take off down the road before I ran to my room and cried. I turned my phone off. There was little doubt that my best friend, and werewolf, Nicole was going to call me. She had to know what he was coming here to tell me.