It was my second year in the Dark pack. My life had changed so much since I got here or rather, as Ryan liked to remind me since he found me.

After my old pack left me to die by the border, I walked to a human town that was by it. From there, I bought a bus ticket with the money I had left in my pocket and stayed until the last possible stop on its route. I didn't even know what the area was called, but I got off at the stop. I found a shelter a little bit away from the bus stop and stayed there for the night.

In the morning, I got up knowing I had to find a job and a place to stay. For most of the morning, I went into the stores and tried to apply for a job but that is a little hard to when you don't have any identification, an address, or phone so they could call you.

Eventually, I found a place that hired me as a waitress in a little cafe that was located in the heart of the town. They paid me well enough, and I was able to afford a hotel room at the time.

I was working there for two months when a large group came into the cafe. I looked over the counter from where I was standing and scanned the crowd.

I stiffened and immediately recognized them as werewolves. To anyone else, they would've simply been a group of friends going out to eat. You wouldn't have been able to tell the difference between them and humans, but I noticed the differences. 

I noticed the alpha walking slightly ahead of the group, leading the pack. I noticed how the warriors weren't laughing and playing around like the others but scanning the crowd for any threats. I noticed how they picked the seats that were in the corner so they could watch everything that was happening in the cafe. They also picked the side with the most exits so if they needed to they could leave quickly.

Finally, I noticed how when the alpha walked in his head immediately flew towards my direction. I noticed how he looked right at me and turned towards his beta to tell him something while pointing me out.

I had no idea how he knew, but he knew I was aware of what they were. When it was time for them to be served, I went to their table knowing I was the only waitress here today.

"Hello, my name is Kathryn. I will be your waitress today. How may I help you?"

I addressed their group choosing to use my real name. I didn't think that would be a problem if they knew it. The group started to list off their orders while I wrote them down. When they finished, I turned towards the alpha noticing he didn't say his order.

"And you, sir? What would you like? "I asked trying not to sound as nerves as I felt.

"First, sit down," he demanded in his alpha voice.

It held no control over me, but I still felt compelled to obey. To resist the temptation that was his voice, I started to argue that I was on the job.

" I already talked to your boss. Now, sit down!" He ordered with a growl.

I sat down immediately. I was used to following the orders of alpha the exact second they were given. I knew that I wouldn't like the alternative to disobeying orders.

"I'm Ryan Wood, and you already know to call me alpha," He leaned forward, "Now what I want to know is how you would know that. And don't give me the excuse that you don't know what I'm talking about."

At this point, the pack stopped talking and goofing around to hear what was going on. I tried to come up with an answer when my boss came to deliver the food. She placed a plate in front of me.

As I started to tell her I didn't order anything, Ryan said, "I ordered you something because we will be here a while. Now, don't avoid my question or try to deny it. You reek of a wolf but your human, which confused me."

He seemed hesitant in voicing his confusion, but his curiosity won out, "I can only think of one explanation, you have a mate. That doesn't make any sense though because there are no packs that are close to here, other than mine. I know for a fact that your mate isn't in my pack since I would know if anyone had a human mate. No mate would let you be here by yourself, so please tell me what you are doing here and why you reek of a wolf."

I knew I had to tell them something. I just wasn't sure how much I should tell them. The only pack I knew was Ace's and if this pack was anything like his I didn't want to say anything about myself.

"My name is Kathryn Steele. I know about wolves because my mate is one."