Both look at me, sniffing the air as I watch them. By their scent, I know they are werewolves and high-ranking ones.

“Alpha Ezra requests your presence at the Packhouse immediately.” The man with dark hair that is faded on the sides growls. He appears to be in his early twenties, and by the authority oozing off him, I can tell he is the Pack's Beta. His eyes dart to me, and he looks me up and down, a strange look on his face.

Is he angry, or is it shock? I can’t tell, but whatever it is, he covers it quickly. He presses his lips in a line and swallows, turning his attention back to my father.

“This is your daughter?” He scoffs, motioning toward me, not even trying to hide his dislike as he speaks; I guess it is anger. Yep, definitely angry because when his eyes move back to me, his cold gray-blue eyes glare daggers at me as if he wants to kill me himself.

“Yes, this is my daughter, Katya. I am Derrick,” my father introduces himself before holding out his hand. “I didn’t catch your name?” My father says, drawing the man's attention away from me, that has me wanting to run and hide in the car to escape his intense gaze.

The man grasps his hand firmly. “Beta Mateo, this is Alex, one of our Gammas,” he introduces the other man. He is around the same age, with blonde hair hanging in his hazel eyes, yet he looks more bored than anything.

Both of them are huge, around the same size as my father. But, Beta Mateo has more bulk of muscle and is a few inches taller and is wearing a black shirt and dark blue jeans.

“I hear you used to be a Beta at your old Pack?” Mateo questions, and my father nods. “Good, we could use some help training some of our Pack. If you are up for it?” He asks with a smirk.

My father nods. “Sounds great,” my father tells him before introducing my mother to him. “This is Shirley, my wife and mate.”

“Nice to meet you,” my mother tells them, stepping forward and shaking their hands. The Beta’s eyes keep darting back to me, his anger is now gone, but he looks confused. Every time he glances in my direction, and he keeps sniffing the air, his lips pursed as he looks me over once again, and I notice the points of his canines poke out a little as if he was trying to control his wolf.

“If you follow us, we will escort you to the Packhouse. You can be placed with someone until the property is available,'' Mateo explains, turning on his heel and getting in his black BMW. We hop back in our car before following him through the sleepy town. It is quite a large town and way nicer looking than the one back home.

“See how nice they are? This will work out. It has to,” my mother says a little too enthusiastically.

We follow their car all the way to the end of town before pulling down a road and going into the forest for another ten minutes. We stop on a horseshoe driveway in front of a huge sandstone three-storied mansion with bushy green hedges out front. Massive arched windows and vines grow along the stone walls to the roof. I hop out of the car and my shoes crunch on the ground from the tiny pebbles that cover it. I look up at the Packhouse. It is definitely more lavish than the one back home.

Beta Mateo leads us to the white door before opening it and motioning for us to enter. Inside has white marble floors, and a hall stand sits along the wall near the entryway with a big, expensive-looking vase. My mother looks around in awe. Two staircases lead to the landing above, overlooking the floor we were on, and I stare, amazed, as I take it all in.

We walk toward the door between both stairwells. I spy some bench seats next to it, and Mateo knocks on the door before a deep voice tells him to enter. A shiver runs up my spine.

He slips through the door, closing it behind him before returning and telling my parents to go in and for me to wait until called. I wait for what feels like hours before my mother comes out, sitting next to me. The Packhouse is quiet, and no one walks around, and I can’t hear anyone else here.

"He is just speaking with your father, then he will want to speak to us individually to make sure our stories are the same," my mother explains to me in a hushed voice.

“What story? They banished us because of me," I whisper to her. He would find out and kill us, or worse, make me leave without my parents. My mother nudges me with her arm.

"Shh, calm down. Everything is fine. He probably won't ask you much because you're our child," she tries to comfort me, trying to calm me down enough that I don’t get us caught. Tears brim and I quickly wipe them away. If I fuck this up, I would ruin our only chance of remaining together.

"What did you tell them?" I ask softly. I have to make sure I got this right. I can’t afford to say the wrong thing.

"They were going to banish us. It's not lying; it's the truth. He doesn't need to know the reason why. You have a wolf, Kat. She will come. You'll see," my mother tries to reassure me.

"And if she doesn't?" I whisper.

"She will," my mother replies, steel in her voice.

I hang my head. I will be the biggest disappointment to them, which makes my stomach twist painfully.

My father steps out and nods to my mother. She wipes her hands on her jeans before getting up and walking into the office and closing the door.

"He will initiate you into the Pack. It isn't so bad. You just need to drink his blood, Kat, and you will feel the Pack link snap in place."

Gross , I think to myself. "What about the old Pack?"

"It will hurt a little once you pledge, like a migraine. I won't lie to you; it even brought me to my knees," he whispers, as I hear my mother cry out. My father jumps to his feet, head snapping toward the door. I hear soft murmurs before the silver door handle jiggles, and the door opens. My mother stumbles out, clutching her head. My father was at her side, instantly helping her to her seat.

Nervousness makes me take a step back, not wanting to endure whatever she just had. "Kat, you need to go in," my mother whispers, pulling herself together, with her fingers gently rubbing her temples.

Fear chokes me and I shake my head, too scared to go in. My mother is the strongest woman I know, and if it hurt her that badly, I know it must be painful.

My father comes over, grabbing my arms and gives me a gentle shake until I look at him. "Kat, we did all this for you. This is the only choice we have to remain together, so I need you to do this for us," he orders, holding my gaze and I swallow and glance at the door before I nod.

"Is everything alright out there?" The Alpha calls out from inside the room. I look to the door in a panic.

"Please, Katya, once it's done, it's done, it stops, I promise," my father tries to reassure me, yet my mother still has her head clutched in her hands.

I let out a breath and nod. My father steers me toward the door and then nudges me. My hand trembles as I grip the door handle and push the door open. Keeping my head down, I step inside, close it, and look up at the Alpha.

He is looking at some documents on his desk. He has dark hair long on top and faded on the sides. I freeze at the strange look he gives me when he looks up. He sniffs the air slightly, and I wonder if he can sense that I am different. A low, deep growl rumbles from his chest softly as he grips the desk so hard his knuckles turn white. His caramel eyes flicker to the beast residing within him and I have to fight down the urge to run back out of the room.

Hesitantly, my feet move toward the desk. He is very handsome, with a five o'clock shadow, full lips, and a strong jawline. He smells nice too, like the forest after it rains, he has a strong woodsy scent. I would guess he is around his mid-twenties. He watches me for a few seconds when I stop, not knowing if I should remain standing or what to do with myself.

After a few seconds, his body relaxes slightly, and I notice claw marks on his tabletop from where his fingers were. He beckons me closer, and I force my feet to move. His eyes watch my every move. Shit! Can he smell I have no wolf? The tight set of his jaw clenches and the way he watches me with his flickering eyes makes my blood run cold.

He knows, and he is going to kill me.

"You can sit," he says, nodding toward the chair beside me. I stare at it like it will come alive and bite my ass. He clears his throat and I scramble to sit on the edge, my leg bouncing as I clasp my hands in my lap, unable to keep still. I glance back toward the door where my parents are waiting before turning my attention away.

The room is vast, befitting of an Alpha. Though I am surprised to see the bookshelves lining the walls. He had more books than our old Pack library. My fingers itch to grab one and see what kind of person he was through the things he reads. His desk sits in the center and it makes him even more imposing.

Turning back to face the Alpha, I find him watching me again. "Your name is Katya?" He says, pronouncing it correctly. Most people don't the first time or they just didn’t care to.

"Yes, Alpha."

"You can call me Ezra," he corrects quickly, and I nod. "How old are you?"

"Seventeen," I reply, and he nods, looking at some documents, which I notice are my mother's and father's paperwork, along with my birth certificate. He picks it up while studying it.

"You turn eighteen soon? You will be able to find your mate. That's exciting," he states, his eyes flicking back to me.

I say nothing. No one will want me; I was little more than a defect with heightened senses.

"You go to school; I take it?"

I nod, chewing on my thumbnail.

"Last year?"

"Yes, I finish this year, well, I am meant to," I am so not looking forward to going to another school, especially so late in the year. I don’t know what bullies this school will have, but I'd attract them. It was practically a guarantee.

"You'll be finishing school," he states, leaving no room for argument.

I press my lips together, knowing better than to argue.

"You don't like school?" he questions.

"Does anyone like school?" I snap back and he smiles.

"I liked school. I am surprised you don't since you are a Beta's daughter," he says.

Yeah, school was great until they found out I was a freak .

"Your parents have already explained your reason for leaving. You had a run-in with the Alpha's daughter, and your mother hit her?" He asks.

My mother is taking the blame. I keep my mouth shut to stop the risk of being caught in a lie, although technically, that was true, just not the reason we left. I nod.

“Good enough for me; I can't stand Alpha Jackson. The prick should be put down," Alpha Ezra scoffs, not even trying to hide his dislike for my old Alpha.

"Come here," he orders, standing up and moving around to the front of his desk, where he stops beside me. I jump out of my seat and take a step back, nearly stumbling over my own feet. His eyes snap to mine at my abrupt movement.

He holds his hand out to me, and I look at it, feeling a little wary of the intimidating man, wondering how he has the reputation he has because he doesn’t seem as bad as the rumors I have heard. "I won't hurt you; I will never hurt you," I hesitate before I place mine in his. Tingles spread across my palm, and I jerk my hand back, staring at it.

"Sorry, must be static," he apologizes, and his eyes flicker black. He grabs my hand again with a smile playing on his lips, his thumb tracing circles over the back of my hand, making me look at him. The Alpha’s lips tug in the corners as he urges me closer. When I don’t immediately move, he pulls me toward him.

His hand is warm, yet the strange tingling sensation doesn’t stop. I look up at him thinking it is odd, only to find he is watching me again. He is tall, I only come up to the center of his chest, and he is wide too, all hard muscle as he towers over me.

He bites his wrist, offering it to me, and I stare. My eyes dart back to his desk and I see two glasses stained with his blood sitting on the edge. So why is he offering me his wrist? Surely he doesn’t want me to drink his blood from him like some vampire, does he?

"Times ticking, little one, hurry up," he orders, pulling me closer and wrapping his arm around my waist before bringing his wrist to my lips. I grab his wrist and I can taste his lingering saliva there. His blood, surprisingly, doesn't taste bad as it floods into my mouth. Not something I will go out looking to drink; and I would suck it if I were a vampire, but not really my thing. It was sweet tasting though, or maybe that is the taste of his skin? I’m not sure.

He pulls his wrist away, but doesn't let go, holding me close to him. His arm tightens around my waist when he dips his head just enough so his face is next to mine, his lips grazing my ear as he speaks.

"Pledge to me," he whispers, and I nod. The heat from his hard chest is pressing against my back, his warmth seeping into me and I suck in a nervous breath.

"I, Katya Hartley, pledge my loyalty and my life to Alpha Ezra," I stop, not knowing his last name. I glance over my shoulder at him. And for a few seconds, I am stunned by the combined strong aroma wafting from him. Sandalwood is one of the fragrances as for the other, the spicy scent of cinnamon is unmistakable. It is an intoxicating blend and I inhale deeply. My eyes flutter shut so I can lose myself in the moment.

"Pierce," he whispers, his lips almost brushing mine, and my eyes fly open as I wonder what came over me. He is so close and my face heats at what I did, he pulls back and I think I saw the ghost of a smile dancing on his lips. I quickly turn my face away, my weird reaction to him shocks me.

"Alpha Ezra Pierce of Black Creek Pack." As the last word leaves my lips, a searing pain explodes in my head, making me drop as I clutch it. His grip tightens around me and is the only thing stopping me from hitting the floor in a heap. The chattering of my old Pack, every word I ever heard flits through my head loudly, making my ears ring, and a scream leaves my lips. The pressure of the Pack link breaking as the new one forges makes my head feel like someone is crushing it in their grip and that any moment now it will explode all over his carpet.

Just as suddenly as it comes, it stops like the snap of a rubber band, only for a dull ache to take its place. "You're okay. It's over now," Alpha Ezra's voice filters through my head, making me look up at him.

He smiles at me as I blink back the tears that had sprung to my eyes.

"Are you good for me to let you go?" He asks. I look down to see his arms wrapped around me, just under my breasts. My face heats with embarrassment as I realize he is the only reason I am upright before quickly becoming aware of his hands on my body.

Great, I was crushing on my Alpha.

I step away, and he lets go. His eyes glaze over, and seconds later, my parents rush into the room, he must have been talking to them through the Pack link.

"See, you’re fine. I told you it wouldn't be so bad," my father says, fussing over me. I slap their hands away. I wasn't a baby. Sometimes they could be a little embarrassing.

"Tonight you stay in the Packhouse. Tomorrow I will show you to your new home. May I ask why you requested one so far from everyone?" He asks curiously, looking at my father.

"Kat doesn't get along well with others. She prefers being by herself," my mother answers. The Alpha seems shocked for a second, his head tilting to the side as he looks at me.

"And why is that?" He questions, staring down at me, I nervously look at my parents before returning the Alpha’s gaze.

"I just like being alone," I shrug, which is true, I'm not a social butterfly that is for sure. He presses his lips in a line before looking back at my parents.

"I have already enrolled Katya in school. She can start on Monday. You can skip the Pack run on Friday and meet me here Monday morning for your work details."

"Pack run?" I ask, and my mother nudges me with her elbow to be quiet, which doesn't go unnoticed by the Alpha.

"Pack runs are compulsory. Why? Is that a problem?" He asks, and I duck my head down, looking at my shoes.

"No problem at all," my father replies, throwing one arm over my shoulder and holding out his other hand to the Alpha.

"How are you with training teenage students?" The Alpha suddenly asks my mother.

"I trained my daughter mostly and older she-wolves, but I would give it a go," she answers.

"Interesting. We do need an extra hand at the high school, so you can keep an eye on Katya as well," he decides.

My mother seems excited about the idea. "That would be lovely, thank you, Alpha."

He nods, staring at me again before looking at my father.

"My Beta will show you where you are staying for the night," he says before walking around to sit back at his desk.