I awoke from my slumber to the sensation of someone gently shaking me. My body protested, yearning for more rest, but the circumstances demanded otherwise. I willed myself to rouse, lest the person urging me to wake resort to more forceful measures. With a heavy sigh, I peeled open my sleep-laden eyelids, instantly regretting it as the harsh light assaulted my eyes.

Thankfully, my vision was spared further torment as someone shielded me from the blinding brightness. Gradually, my surroundings came back into focus, and I recognized my location. I was seated in the passenger seat of a spacious Volkswagen, a nine-seater by the looks of it, its interior adorned in soothing beige tones, a detail I gleaned from the emblem on the steering wheel.

Still in a daze from my recent slumber, a sweet voice reached my ears, pulling me further from the clutches of sleep. "Baby, wake up."

I blinked in response, and my gaze locked onto a pair of soft grey eyes, their warmth akin to that of a loving mother. The glare of the sun still throbbed in my vision as fragmented memories began to coalesce. We were in the midst of relocating to a new pack, emerging from years of seclusion—an endeavor undertaken for my safety. My aunt, her eyes holding that nurturing warmth, leaned over me with a soft smile.

But my uncle's voice cut through the moment. "Get up, lazy one. We have arrived," he called out, his laughter inexplicable to me. Amidst his amusement, he quipped, "What are you up at this hour?"

In a half-awake state, I absentmindedly reached behind me, attempting to get up from my lying down position. It was then that I realized my unfortunate position—upside down, my feet brushing against the car's ceiling. An involuntary scream escaped my lips as I continued to slide deeper into this precarious spot. My uncle erupted into hearty laughter, while my aunt's panic set in. She scolded my uncle, exasperated, "Why are you laughing? Do you not realize she could hurt her neck or worse?"

Still trapped and increasingly mortified, I flailed my arms like a dying duck, in my attempts to escape. My uncle eventually lent a hand, his strength making it appear effortless as he extracted me from my awkward predicament. He effortlessly hoisted my feet and pulled me out as though I weighed nothing at all.

Once I found myself on solid ground, I crouched down, trying to regain my composure. My uncle bore the brunt of my not-so-tiny aunt's scolding, which only fueled my amusement. It was quite the spectacle, a petite woman of five feet admonishing a towering six-foot man. Unable to contain my laughter, I continued to tease him, sticking my tongue out playfully from behind my aunt, fully embracing my mischievous side.

My aunt turned to scrutinize me just as my uncle retorted with an odd expression from behind her. My aunt had always viewed me as an angel, which, I must admit, often worked to my advantage.

A flush of crimson spread across my aunt's face as she confronted my uncle, who still wore that inexplicable expression. It was as if steam were about to erupt from her ears, and her voice carried a tone that suggested her frustration had reached its peak. "You're not even sorry. She could have been seriously hurt," she exclaimed, her words laden with anger. "Now, help me with the stuff."

The absurdity of the situation struck me, and a subtle giggle reached my ears as I became aware of the curious onlookers surrounding us. These individuals, many of them currently engaged in unloading various items from the cars, had momentarily halted their tasks to witness the spectacle my aunt was creating. Among them, there were men and women of varying ages, all casting their eyes on the unfolding drama.

In that moment, I wished I could disappear, vanishing from their sight. How had I let my guard down to such an extent that I hadn't even sensed their presence? My palms grew clammy as their collective scrutiny bore down on me. They were clearly assessing the new wolf on their turf, even though they were aware of our arrival with the Gamma couple. Their protective instincts for their pack seemed unwavering.

What struck me as most unusual was the calm demeanor of my ever-watchful wolf. Typically, she was the source of my constant unease, always keeping me on edge. She was feral beyond belief and could unleash chaos at the slightest provocation. Her thirst for blood was insatiable, and I considered her the most feral wolf I had ever encountered.

My heart began to race in the midst of these unfamiliar surroundings, surrounded by unknown faces. My body instinctively shifted into self-defense mode as I moved to seek refuge inside the car, determined to prevent any accidental harm. Just as I was about to step away, a firm hand grasped my wrist, halting me in my tracks. Startled, I spun around, ready to strike out at the person who had dared to touch me. My wolf, however, recognized the individual from their scent and subconsciously prevented me from acting further.

All around me, the pack members had assumed defensive stances, growling menacingly in response to my perceived threat. Feeling disrespected, my wolf unleashed her powerful aura, a wave of dominance that swept over everyone present before I could rein her in. My aunt's once-friendly smile faded as she grasped the gravity of the situation. She approached me, guiding me toward the car, and I quickly retrieved my baseball cap. Addressing the pack members, she calmly instructed, "Please return to your tasks."

Peering out from beneath the brim of my cap, I watched their reactions as my wolf's intense energy gradually dissipated. Some of them visibly sighed with relief, grateful to be free from the overwhelming presence of my aura.

My aunt directed me toward a magnificent mansion, its grandeur previously unnoticed amidst the commotion. We had parked right in front of this sprawling edifice, with a porch that stretched as far as my imagination could fathom. The setting sun cast its golden glow behind the mansion, creating an enchanting ambiance. The garden surrounding the house featured a beautiful water fountain, and to the left, a vast expanse of green grass extended, merging into a line of trees a few yards away. I felt a sense of ease wash over me as a gentle breeze rustled through my long locks.

I continued to take in my surroundings, so much so that I hardly realized when we reached the porch. Waiting for us there was a couple, their hands entwined, their gaze fixed solely upon me, assessing my every move with keen interest. Though they appeared quite youthful, I knew well that appearances could be deceiving in the world of werewolves. They could be many years older than they seemed. The man had a neat appearance, blond hair, and a sturdy build, much like the other werewolves I had encountered. The woman, however, was remarkably short—surprisingly so, as I had never before seen a werewolf of such diminutive stature.

Despite their outwardly unremarkable appearance, the woman wore a smile reminiscent of the Cheshire Cat, akin to a mischievous child who had just pulled off a daring prank. Her eyes sparkled with a peculiar mischief that bordered on the devious. As I ascended the final step of the porch, I couldn't help but notice just how small she was. To my astonishment, they were the Alpha and Luna of the pack.

Before I could anticipate their welcoming words or gestures, the woman let out a scream so loud it felt like my eardrums might rupture. In a comical flourish, she leaped from her tiny frame to my towering 6-feet height, all the while exclaiming, "Oh, you are so cute...," the irony of the situation not lost on me, "...If I had known you were this cute, I would have had Miranda bring you here sooner." She pinched my cheeks with surprising strength, her diminutive stature no hindrance as she pulled me down to her level. The scene was undoubtedly amusing from an observer's perspective, as it showcased the contrast between her tiny size and her exuberant actions. Any doubts I may have had about her stature instantly dissolved as my cheeks turned the color of a baboon's posterior, and I winced from her pinching fingers.

The man wore an apologetic smile as he gently pulled the exuberant woman away from me, which prompted an instant reflex from me. I sought refuge behind the much smaller frame of my aunt, an ironic twist of fate considering my history of hunting people. It was a comical scene, watching me, a predator by nature, seemingly harassed by these diminutive creatures who could easily be squashed with a single step.

After the man successfully disentangled his exuberant partner, she redirected her attention toward my aunt, offering a warm hug. Anxious for my aunt's well-being, I instinctively pulled her four steps away from them, drawing everyone's attention and resulting in hearty laughter from those present.

The two women embraced each other warmly, while the man exchanged friendly pats on the back with the other. Luna Sophie expressed her happiness, saying, "I'm thrilled to have you back. It's been years since we last spoke. Come on in; you all must be tired from your journey." With that, they all made their way inside the house, which resembled more of a villa. As we entered the hall-like structure of the house, illuminated by elegant chandeliers and sleek lighting fixtures, I couldn't help but admire its spacious and modern design.

I noticed a pair of eyes watching me intently and turned to find the Alpha observing me with a hawk-like intensity. It was evident that he was asserting his dominance, or rather, his wolf was. I felt a strange mix of amusement and slight disrespect from his actions. It seemed rather immature for an Alpha to assert dominance over a newcomer like me.

My uncle, sensing the tension, decided to intervene. He stepped forward, positioning himself in front of me to shield me from the Alpha's scrutiny. In my life, he had taken on the role of a father figure, especially after my own father had passed away.

Despite my entrance into the pack, I couldn't afford to lower my guard. The danger still lurked in the shadows, waiting and watching for any misstep I might make. I wouldn't have willingly come here, knowing the risks involved, but it was for my aunt. All those years, she had yearned to return to her own pack, to be with her family and her rightful place. Yet, for my safety, she had chosen seclusion, staying away from her son, her mate, and her pack. I couldn't be more selfish, constantly asking for more. I had been the reason she had to stay away from those she loved. I couldn't allow my greed to endanger her any further.

I watched my aunt as she laughed, her eyes gleaming with happiness from the moment we set foot on pack grounds that I had never seen before. But old habits died hard, and I couldn't help but maintain my guard. I pulled on my mask, hidden beneath my baseball cap, knowing that pack members would be around.

Luna Sophie sensed my unease and halted me with a gentle hand on my arm. "It's alright, honey. No one is here. It's okay," she reassured me, unwittingly easing me out of my high-alert mode.

"Seems like old habits die hard," I thought to myself as we continued our journey.

The Alpha then suggested, "We should discuss matters in my office. I believe it would be more suitable." He began leading us through the vast halls, which split into various directions, revealing the sheer size of the house. As we ascended a flight of stairs, Luna Sophie took the opportunity to explain, her words directed toward the group but seemingly more precise for me. "This is the leader's wing, separate from the pack members' area, providing us with more privacy," she concluded with a cheerful smile, seemingly oblivious to the lingering unease my wolf felt after her sudden jump-scare earlier.

We entered a hall adorned with pictures of the pack members on one side, while large windows on the other provided a view of the outside. I gazed out of one of the windows, realizing we were on the third floor. Suddenly, my wolf assumed a defensive posture within me, emitting a low growl that tensed my shoulders. My sensitive ears detected the approach of numerous footsteps, each carrying a distinct scent. My wolf ceased growling abruptly, but her alertness remained unwavering as I continued to look through her eyes.

Instinctively, I scanned the area for escape routes, a deeply ingrained habit. Peering from behind my uncle's shoulder, I spotted a group of boys heading in our direction. They were laughing and playfully pushing each other, stopping just before reaching the Alpha. Sensing a tense atmosphere, I instinctively conjured a shield in front of my aunt. To the bystanders who were unaware of the supernatural powers at play, it must have seemed odd.

As one boy was playfully shoved toward the Alpha and collided with the shield, falling to the ground, the group erupted in laughter. It appeared they had only just realized the presence of the Alpha. They sobered up quickly and collectively bowed to him, but one of them hesitated. Stepping out from the group, he refrained from bowing. They greeted the Alpha in unison, "Good evening, Alpha, Luna."

Alpha Arthur acknowledged their greeting with a nod and decided to play along, asking, "Hey, boys, everything alright?" His observant eyes caught the fallen boy rubbing his head on the floor while his friends erupted in laughter, offering amusement but no assistance. "Well, well, well, Alpha Arthur and Luna," the cheeky boy, Aiden, chimed in, his tone teasing, "I simply slipped through your almighty powers." His words sent the group into another fit of contagious laughter, their smirks failing to hide their amusement. I couldn't resist joining in their infectious mirth.

Alpha Arthur, still shaking his head at their antics, shifted into a more serious demeanor. He reminded Aiden, "Yeah, yeah, I know that, Aiden. I'm aware of my own power, but flattery won't save you from punishment for skipping your training today." Their playful exchange coaxed a soft and silent giggle from my lips, my amusement undeniable.

However, then I realised the downside of our species heightened senses. The sudden shift in attention, as every gaze turned toward me, thrust me into an unexpected spotlight. The surrounding environment fell into eerie silence, and I felt a wave of shock wash over me. My heart raced, my body locked into place, and my wolf inched closer to her feral side. Inside my head, she growled, her hackles raised, as I struggled to regain control and contain her wildness. My gaze eventually met a pair of piercing steel-gray eyes, and it was as though my heart had ceased to beat, and my lungs had momentarily forgotten how to draw breath. My entire being surged with electricity as the words that would forever change my life were spoken by him, "Who are you?"

And there he stood, my mate, a revelation that should never have been possible.

...to be continued

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