Unexpected Turn

Rachel's POV

I spent all night talking with Lauren. Learning about being a werewolf and about my parents. Apparently, Lauren has always been here with me. But I had to be at least 16 before I could hear her. I don't quite understand everything, but I'm learning.

I also learned that female lycans like myself can be the alpha of a pack. I have the power to hand that title to my mate if I choose to in the future. I flipped out when learning this because I am a nobody. I can't see myself being in charge of a small school club, let alone an entire pack. Not to mention, I don't have a pack. I know nothing about packs.

I am currently at the local library looking through books about werewolves. Granted, these books are considered sci-fi and probably aren't all true. But perhaps Lauren can help me decipher.

The first book I chose talks about packs and the order of the members.

Some of this is true. But it only talks about alphas and betas. It doesn't go into much detail about them. Betas are second in command. Most alphas fully depend on their betas. The smart ones do. Then there's Omega's. They are third in command.

After reading through two books, I suddenly smelled a woodsy rainforest scent. That's the only way I could describe it. It was overpowering.

He's here.

Who?

Our mate.

Where?

I don't know. I can smell him, but I can't see him.

I stand and look around, but I don't see anyone. The strange but lovely smell passed.

I hear Lauren whimper.

We will find him again.

How is my smell so strong?

All werewolves have strong senses. We are stronger, faster, our vision is perfect and strong. We also have a strong sense of smell. We can smell other werewolves, humans, and rogues.

What are rogues again?

Rogues are werewolves that have no pack due to being kicked out or who chose to leave. They are generally weak without their pack and unless they are able to integrate themselves into the human world, they won't survive very long. Your parents were lucky because they had each other to keep strong and we're able to live outside of a pack.

What about me? I have no pack.

You are different. You never had a pack. At least not to your knowledge. You do have a pack, though they don't know about you. And seeing as they didn't accept your mom because she was.half-human, I don't know if they would accept you. But it's been over 10 years since they left, and they may be different. If you ever wanted, I can help you search for them.

I don't know if I want to search for them. They rejected my mom. What kind of pack would do that?

To be fair, humans were, and still are, untrustworthy for werewolves. They have been known to be savages. So, as a rule, werewolves are hesitant to trust humans. Which is why they couldn't trust your mom.

But they didn't even know her. If my dad trusted her, shouldn't that have been enough?

Fair point. Just know that if you ever wanted to find them, I will be here to help.

***

Rachel's POV

I walked into Franklin High School and headed toward my locker. I have learned quite a bit about myself, my past, and all about werewolves. I have identified at least two werewolves this past weekend. I never realized there were so many. My town is so small.

I was running late for Chemistry. I rushed to class, but didn't see Adam. I sure could have used him to bring me back to reality. Friday morning, I was a normal, though depressed and lonely, 18 year old. I went through a whirlwind of fantasy over the weekend and needed to be brought back to earth. Seeing hottie Adam would have done that.

At lunchtime, I sat by myself eating the lunch I brought. I hadn't heard a lot from Lauren since last night. Maybe she's just extra sleepy.

I suddenly heard a couple of girls behind me talking.

"Where did he go?"

"I don't know. I heard that he got sick or something over the weekend and that he won't be back," one of the girls said.

"Who won't be back?" A third girl said as she approached their table.

"Adam. I guess something happened over the weekend. After his birthday party. I don't know what, but the next I hear, he's moving," the second girl answered.

I felt Lauren stir and decided to

leave. I threw the trash away and walked out. Adam is not coming back? What's going on? The rest of this year's going to suck.

Who's Adam?

Hey, there you are. He's this super hot guy that went here. But for some reason he isn't coming here anymore. Friday was my last day seeing him. I don't really know him, but I'm pretty sad.

Me too. He sounds awesome. Is he the guy that you would stare at in chemistry?

Yeah. I wonder what happened.

I don't know why, but I feel this connection.

I did too. it's called having a crush.

***

Walking in to my house, I grabbed a drink before heading to the living room. That's when I smelled cinnamon. But it wasn't a smell you'd get from the kitchen.

That's when I saw Shannon, my social worker sitting on the couch. My foster parents were sitting on the other couch with their heads lowered.

I know what this means.

"I will get my stuff together," I said sadly before turning to go to the room that was mine.

She's one of us. She's a werewolf.

Who? My social worker?

Yes. That smell of cinnamon. That's her scent.

I gathered my things, not that there was a lot. I went to the living room and without looking, I told my now-former foster parents thanks and goodbye before walking out the front door. I turned and looked at my social worker with new interest. She walked me to her car and opened the door. After getting in through the other side, she looked at me.

"You know, don't you?" Shannon didn't even bother with pretending it.

"Lauren told me," I answered.

"Lauren would be your wolf, huh?"

"Yes, she is."

"So you've changed then?"

"This past Friday night," I sighed. "So, you knew all of this time about me, didn't you?"

"I did. But I couldn't tell you. Obviously, I knew the voice you were hearing was that of your wolf, but I couldn't tell you. You wouldn't have believed me anyway," she said before pulling away from the curb. "So, now that you know who I really am, do you have any questions?"

"Are you really my social worker?" I was so confused.

"I am. For both human and WPA," she gave me a sidelong look.

"WPA?"

"Werewolf Protection Agency," She turned her turn signal on to go left. "I was appointed your guardian from the beginning. It started out from afar. I would get updates from the social workers at the time. They didn't know your background so it was through dcs. But when you got of a certain age, I knew you would soon start hearing your wolf. Or start seeing or feeling differently. So, I took over. That's when your case was transferred to WPA." She turned right.

"Wait, you said my guardian?"

"That's right. I'm not just your social worker, I was appointed as your guardian. See, you're in danger," she pulled over and stopped the car.

"In danger? How?"