MARIA'S POV

I took a look around the packhouse and some of the staff members were nice to me when I met them. I also met a few more pack members and they were very loyal to my father. I was a bit surprised myself that I just met the guy for a few minutes and I'm already calling him my father. It felt a little weird at first but, I knew that it was gonna take some getting used to. I got into the living room and I saw Shay and Serana.

"Hi you two," I greeted them and then Serana greeted me with that bright smile on her face.

"Hello Maria, how are you settling in?"

"Very well thanks, but, to be honest, I feel like I should start leaving breadcrumbs to my room. This place feels like a maze."

Shay chuckled at me and he then said to me, "Don't worry, it got me that way too, once you memorise where the rooms are, you'll feel like at home."

"Thanks, Shay, by the way, how's the mating ceremony coming along?" I asked as I looked at their plans.

"It's going well, thank you. Shay and I are gonna meet the previous Alpha and Luna for dinner later and a little birdie told me that you're gonna be joining us," Serana told me with a smile.

"That's true, Serana, besides, it'll give me a chance to meet my relatives."

"Well that's good to hear," Serana spoke with a smile but, Shay looked a little worried and scared.

"You're in for a shock kid."

"Why's that?"

"Luna Charlotte is known for her creative skills but, she's like a witch most of the time."

"Pfft! hahahaha! a witch? hahaha!!" I laughed at his joke.

"It's not funny, she's like a witch, she always points out what's not perfect and to make matters worse she always finds ways to control people."

"Where have I heard that before?" I mumbled while Serana laughed at Shay.

"Shay, honey, it's all right. Charlotte isn't that bad besides, now that Maria is back, it'll put a smile back on her face."

"I hope so because every time I turn a corner I can feel her evil stare on my back."

"Let me guess, she's got some kind of imperfection men?"

"Exactly!" Shay spoke in a panicked tone before rushing over me and grabbing me by the shoulders with a panicked look on his face. "Maria! please, put a smile on Charlotte's face and please make her like me! I'm begging you!"

"All right, all right, calm down. Honestly, is he always like this?" I asked Serana.

"Sometimes but, Shay can be a scared little wolf half of the time when it comes to Charlotte."

"Well, despite the bad comments, I can't wait to meet my grandparents."

"Good to hear, but, have you decided what you're gonna wear for dinner?"

I looked away from her and I chuckled nervously.

"No, not really. I have no idea what I'm gonna wear."

Serana smiled at me and then she stood up from the couch.

"Well, luckily for you, you've got a she-wolf who has a great fashion eye, come on. I'll let you borrow my clothes for tonight."

Serana said to me before grabbing my wrist and dragging me back to her room, leaving Shay behind. We got to her room and I was impressed when I saw her room. It was similar to mine but, aside from a covered mannequin and the different style of furniture that she got for her room. Serana took me to a cupboard only to reveal a walk-in wardrobe.

"Wow, this wardrobe is almost the same size as my bedroom back at the cottage."

"Hehe, well then, let's see what I've got in your size."

Serana searched for some clothes that would suit me for dinner while I decided to take a little sneak-a-peak at her mating ceremony dress. I lift the cover of her dress and then she cleared her throat. I stood upright up and I shouted.

"I wasn't doing anything!"

"Hahaha, I don't blame you for being curious, anyway, try this outfit on."

I tried on the clothes that Serana gave me. I was wearing a black off-shoulder top, shiny leggings and black heels. I was impressed by this and then Serana picked out some accessories for me. She gave me a necklace that was a silver locket and some silver bangles on my right wrist. I almost didn't recognise myself when I looked in the mirror.

"Wow, thanks a lot Serana. I love it."

"I'm glad you think so, but, I'm not done yet, it's time to do your hair and makeup."

I sat down on the chair while I watched Serana work her magic in the mirror. She unties my ponytail and then gently run a brush through my hair. 

"So, what do you think of our Alpha so far?"

"Well, he's handsome that's for sure, I think I can see why my mother fell in love with him and he seems loyal to his pack as well."

"That's because he's the leader."

I smiled a little when Serana said this. I then wondered what life was like for a werewolf.

"I have a question, what's it like being a werewolf?"

"You're a half-breed shouldn't you know?"

"No, I only found out the truth a few days ago."

"You mean your mother never told you?"

I shook my head for a no and Serana was shocked by this. She then smiled at me through the mirror and then she continues to style my hair.

"Being werewolf means you get to hear the voice of your inner wolf. When you get to a certain age, you're supposed to shift. Shifting is another word for transformation and when you do go through the shifting it's gonna be painful at first but, after a while, you'll get used to it. Another thing, a werewolf also has a mate, to find your mate, you'll need to have some kind of strong connection with them. I mean take a look at me and Shay, when I met him, my wolf got excited and I followed his scent and that was when I realised Shay was my mate."

"Wow, but, you said werewolves were supposed to shift at a certain age, how old do you have to be when you first shift?"

"Commonly, at the age of 13 but, sometimes we have late shifters, they're usually at the age between 18 and 20."

"I see."

"Is there anything else you want to know?" Serana asked me as she tied some of my hair back, leaving the rest of my curled hair down.

"Um, yeah. Why do some humans hate you guys so much? I don't see anything wrong with you."

"You know something, a few of us werewolves have been asking that very same question as well. Werewolves and hunters have been at each other's throats for a long time, we're always fighting each other and we'll never know when the hunters will stop hunting us down."

"I don't like the sound of that."

"Me neither, but, the best thing for us to do is stay well away from humans and live peacefully in packs like this."

Serana stood in front of me and then she began to apply some makeup on my face. 

"Serana, do you think I'll fit into the pack? even though I'm a half-breed?"

"Of course you will, you've got the Alpha's blood running through your veins and you're a beautiful she-wolf as well."

Serana spoke with a smile on her face. I blushed a little and then Serana continued.

"Don't believe me? then take a look in the mirror."

Serana said as I looked at my reflection. I was shocked when I almost didn't recognise myself. 

"Is that...me?"

"It sure is, what do you think?"

"I'm speechless...I can't believe that's me."

I spoke with a small smile on my face. Just then, someone knocked on the door and then Serana smiled.

"Come in."

The door opened revealing my father. He took one look at me and he was surprised when he saw my new look.

"Maria, is that you? you look lovely."

"Thanks...dad."

I still felt a little weird calling Alex my father but, at the same time, it felt nice. I stood up from the chair and then my dad told me.

"I just came up here to tell you dinner will be ready soon and my parents, my brother and his wife will be here soon."

"I can't wait to meet them, I hope they like me."

"They will, you're family."

Father said as he patted my head. Serana frowned and she smacked his hand away from my head.

"I don't mean to be disrespectful but, don't touch her! it took me a while to curl and style her hair!"

"Oops, sorry about that, anyway, let's go."

I nodded my head and then we headed into the living room to wait for my grandparents. Jacob made me some tea but, I was a little nervous to drink some tea. 

"Hey, stop looking so nervous, Luna Charlotte and Alpha Aiden are nice people once you get to know them."

"I can't help it, I've never had a proper family gathering before, it was always Mom, my step-dad and I around the dinner and no one else. Besides, this is all new to me, I don't know what I should say to my grandparents or to my uncle and auntie for that matter. Jacob, do you know what I should say?"

"Honesty? you should be yourself. Just tell them about yourself and you can ask them some questions about them too besides, Alpha Alexander wanted you to get to know your family members, unless, it's too soon for you."

"What?! no, don't mind me, I'm just a little nervous but, I'm mostly excited."

"Well, that's good to hear," Jacob spoke with a smile until the doorbell rang. "Oh, that'll be them now."

Jacob said as he left to answer the door. I stood up from the couch and then I fixed my top and my hair before I joined father in the hallway. I stood next to him while Jacob answered the door. I fidgeted with my fingers and then my dad said to me.

"Stop looking so nervous, you'll be fine."

"I hope so..." I mumbled before four people entered through the door.

I looked at our guests and then Jacob announced them.

"Maria, these your grandparents Alpha Aiden and Luna Charlotte."

I looked at my grandparents and Charlotte looked beautiful with her long brown hair, sky blue eyes and peachy skin. She wore a leather jacket, a light blue top, black skinny jeans and knee boots. Aiden looked muscular and he has black spikey hair, dark brown eyes, a navy blue shirt that was unbuttoned which revealed a bit of his chest, grey trousers and black canvas shoes.

"Aiden and Charlotte this is-"

"Maria?!" Charlotte shouted unexpectedly before running over to me and grabbing me by the shoulders. "Is it you?!"

"Uh, yeah, it's me."

Charlotte smiled brightly and then she pulled me into a bear-hug. 

"Maria! my sweet granddaughter! you've finally come back to us! I missed you! I missed you! I missed you!!"

"Mother! let her go! you're gonna squeeze her to death!"

Charlotte releases me and I managed to get my breath back. Charlotte held my face in her hands and she smiled at me.

"Oh my beautiful Maria, look at you, you're all grown up now."

"She sure is, she's almost as beautiful as you, my dear," Aiden spoke up.

I looked at Aiden and then he started to sniff me.

"W-what?"

"She's got Lyla's scent all right, I recognise it."

"Speaking of which, is she here?" Charlotte asked Father.

He looked away from his parents and he told them.

"I'm sorry, Lyla didn't come back, at least not yet anyway, Maria only got here a few days ago on her own."

Aiden and Charlotte looked shocked when he told them this. Aiden frowned and he asked me.

"Tell me something, does James still have control over her?"

"In a way, yes but, she said she wanted to come with me but..."

"It's all right, dearie," Charlotte said as she gently stroked my hair. "You don't have to explain yourself, we've got the idea and besides, let's not talk about the past, DERICK!!"

I jumped in fright when she yelled loudly. I looked over her shoulder and I saw a man carrying gifts along with a woman with blonde hair who was also carrying a gift box. Alex looked at the man called Derick and his wife and he asked then.

"Whoa! whoa! what's all this?!"

"Calm down, bro, it's gifts for Maria."

I was shocked when he said this, "They're...for me?"

"Of course, we didn't know what to get you so, we just got some simple gifts."

"Mother! I told you before! Maria doesn't need all of this! it's too much!"

Alex shouted and then Derick caught him in a chokehold before ruffling his head.

"Aw come on big bro! let us spoil our niece besides, it's been too long since we've seen her!"

"Get off of me! how many times do I have to tell you to stop doing that!!" Alex shouted.

"Derick stop messing with your brother!" Charlotte scolded them while Aiden tries to break them up.

I stood there with a surprised look on my face because I wasn't expecting this family to be so lively. The woman who came in with the gifts came over to me and she smiled at me.

"Are you all right? you look a little...surprised?"

"It's just that...back where I used to live, it was only me, my step-father and my mother around the dinner table. Sometimes it's usually tense and other times it's happy but, watching these people it makes it feel..."

"Lively?"

"Yeah," I said with a smile. "I'm sorry, who are you?"

"My name is Ashley, I'm Derick's wife and of course, your aunt."

"Nice to meet you."

I looked back at the others and they were still going at it.

'This is a nice feeling and a nice family...I wish you were here, mother.'

***

LYLA'S POV

It had been a few days since I last Maria. I managed to somehow, stop James from calling back up to look for her. He kept trying to phone her but, she wasn't answering, maybe it was a good thing, especially since she wants to be with her real family. 

"Maria, this is the 15th time that I've tried to call you, answer your phone, I need to know where you are and if you're safe."

James hung up the phone after leaving another voice message. James went over to the window and he was getting more and more frustrated.

"James? are you all right?"

"Am I all right? Am I all right?! my daughter is missing and I have no feckin idea where she is or why she left!! and you're asking me if I'm all right?!!"

"Whoa, calm down! I was only asking, ever since Maria did a runner, you're growing more and more frustrated and that concerns me."

"What about our daughter? isn't she more of a concern than my anger right now?"

"Of course I'm worried about her, but, I'm also worried about you."

James sighed heavily again and he growled in frustration.

"It doesn't make any sense, why would Maria run away?"

"Maybe it's because you were overprotective of her, giving her curfew hours, telling her to stay at home to study or finish her homework. Thanks to your strict rules, she probably got sick and tired of them."

James raised his head slightly and then looked back at me as if he's just figured something out.

"Lyla?"

"What?"

"You haven't...said anything to Maria, did you?"

"No, what makes you think that?"

James frowned a little and he came closer to me. I took a few steps back from him and he said to me.

"Lyla isn't it a bit odd that Maria suddenly runs away from home and refusing to answer my messages and to top it off, you don't seem concerned about her. It's almost as if you know where she is and you don't want to tell me, isn't that right?"

"What?! of course not!" I shouted as I backed myself against the wall.

James suddenly traps me against the wall and he shouted.

"She's with that werewolf isn't she?!"

"No, why would she be with Alex?! I haven't spoken to him in years!"

"Unless she's found something that we've kept hidden from her all these years! you know she's with him don't you?!!"

I couldn't keep quiet any more but, at least I know that Alex will keep her safe.

"At least she's safe and away from a possessive werewolf hunter like you," I spoke with a frown on my face.

James' eyes widen and then he backs away from me.

"You have told her the truth, didn't you...? you told her who her real father is... you told her where to go..."

"I had to, she found a birth certificate containing Alexander's name on it, what was I supposed to tell her? she was gonna find out sooner or later. You couldn't keep her locked up forever, she was never your daughter and she'll never be. She belongs with her family, the real one!"

James looked at me shocked as I stepped away from him. He frowned at me and he shouted.

"How could you?! how could you do this to me?! after everything I have done for you!"

"What you have done for me?! all you've done is blackmail me! taking me away from the man I loved! you made me take his daughter away from him! you kept me and my daughter here without any contact from her father!"

"I did what was necessary to get you back! you and Alexander were never gonna work! a werewolf and a human in love?! don't make me laugh!"

"Well we did fall in love and we have a daughter! you know something else, Maria was right about one thing..." I stepped closer to the door and I got my lighter before flicking it one to reveal a small flame. "This place was like a prison...not anymore!"

"What are you doing?"

"Something I should've done a long time ago, goodbye James," I spoke my final words before tossing the lighter onto the ground and setting it on fire.

James was shocked by this and then the fire spread. I quickly through the front door and I locked the last door so he couldn't escape. I ran away from the cottage and I heard James screaming and calling for help. I smiled at the sight and I finally felt free from his clutches.

"Finally, I'm free," I mumbled and then I ran off into the forest.