CHAPTER 001

Audrey POV:

I watched, frowning as another box found its way to the side of the road.

“Yup. That's the last of ‘em,” the man sent by the landlord- Fred, I think- said, grinning in spite of the sheen of sweat on his forehead.

The scowl on my face caused him to grin even more. “Why the frown, baby cakes?”

I said nothing, choosing to turn around and sit on the stairs leading to the door of what used to be my apartment. He wasn't important. He was just a faceless human, like the rest of them. He wasn’t special- wasn’t worth anything to a werewolf like me.

Still, he'd been the one to facilitate the start of my homelessness. I watched as he started the engine of his truck before driving away, the reality of my situation sinking in.

Since losing my job in human civilization less than three weeks ago, I'd been living from hand to mouth. I’d known was only a matter of time till I was thrown out on the street. What I hadn’t known was that it would be so close.

There I was, surrounded by what little luggage I had, the evening breeze hitting my face.

I had absolutely no idea what to do.

Dear Luna.

Placing my head in my arms, I began to cry, starting out as a sob, then going into a full blown weeping session. When I felt better, I wiped my tears and began thinking.

It was dark out now, and as usual, no one had come to visit. To ask me why I was sitting outside all alone, surrounded by luggage. Was I okay? Didn't I know it wasn't safe for women in the night?

No. I was the neighbor shunned by everyone, just as it had always been since I was a child.

Another sob threatened to crawl out of my throat, but I didn't let it. I knew I was pitiful- all my years of existence had that one constant.

But couldn't the universe work in my favor for once?

I didn't know I had slept off till I woke in an extremely uncomfortable position to the shrill sound used as my ringtone. Groaning, I picked it and examined the Caller ID, just for my eyes to widen in shock at the Identification.

What the- how did she-

“Audrey!” my stepmother yelled through the phone after I answered the call with shaky hands, causing me to briefly close my eyes as the memories came flooding back.

None of them were happy ones.

“Hello, Diane.”

“Oh my goodness, it's really you!”

I took my phone away from my ear for a moment to stare at it in surprise. She sounded…chipper than I thought she would. “Um…how did you get my number?”

“That's what you're curious about? You should be apologizing for the fact that you disappeared for the past five years, keeping the members of the pack completely blank about your whereabouts. Especially your own family!”

I winced at her tone. She’s the one who repeatedly said she didn’t want me around after my father died. For someone who made that clear multiple times, why was she acting all-

“Are you listening to me, young woman?!”

I bolted upright- then relaxed, remembering that she wasn't before me, but on the phone. “Y-yes, Diane.”

She went quiet for a while, then sighed. “You should return home, Audrey. It's been over five years. Whatever you're looking for, surely you've discovered that you can't find it in human civilization.”

I hated when she spoke like this. From a normal standpoint, she seemed like she really cared. But I knew better. Eighteen years of living with her taught me a whole lot, like how someone could elegantly spin tales of pain and deceit with a few twists of her perfectly manicured fingers.

“Right. Thank you for that information.”

There was a pause on the other end, as though she was waiting for me to speak. When I didn't offer any more words, she scoffed.

“You're still as insolent as ever, aren't you?”

And there she was. The stepmother I knew. The one who will never change. “I- I don't know what you're talking about.”

“Of course you don't.” A dry laugh came from the other end. “You never do. Yet they say Tanya is the dense one.”

Something in my abdomen squeezed when I heard that. “I’m sor-”

“Tanya's getting married in a few weeks.”

I paused, for two reasons. The first was that I realized I'd just reverted to my ways of apologizing for things that were not even my fault. The second was because of the news I'd just heard.

“Tanya's getting married?”

“Yes. To the Alpha, no less. Can you imagine my darling child being the Luna of the pack?”

The Alpha?

All I knew about the current Alpha of the pack was that he'd been handed the reins at a very young age. Also that he had a permanent scowl on his face for everyone.

“That's…that's good. Good for her.”

“Of course it's good for her! I planned it all from the very beginning. I would never create a match that was bad for her.”

“…create a match?”

Had I heard her correctly?

Weren't marriages based on the mate matches provided by moon goddess Selene?

“Yes, Audrey.” Her tone had irritation laced in it. “A match blessed by the elders. Alpha Roman and Tanya, together, under the watchful eye of the moon goddess.”

The moon goddess was involved. Right. I just misunderstood her.

“Oh. Right. I just…I assumed you'd…never mind that. I'm sorry.”

“You should be.” The irritated tone was still there, but lighter than before. “Speaking of which, we would want you to be here. You know, to help out. Tanya misses you a lot, in fact. She keeps going on about what a wonderful help you were to her, and how she wishes to see you again.”

“...of course.”

I wasn't that stupid. I knew exactly what she was implying.

“Jacob has been asking after you too,” she quickly added. “It's been so long, Audrey. Won't you come home?”

Hearing that name brought a smile to my face, but the smile died when I realized what she was doing. “I see.”

Silence reigned for a few moments, getting uncomfortable with every passing second.

I had an open invitation to return to the pack house. Since fleeing that place over five years ago, I'd struggled my way through life, merely existing, but content with it. It wasn't the same when I was with the pack.

But I'd just lost my apartment, and job.

“Oh, don't be so stubborn and hard-headed,” Diane suddenly snapped from the other end, startling me. I’d forgotten I was on the phone with her. “You're wanted at home. The elders have been disturbing me to see their former Gamma’s daughter, so the least you can do is show your face during the wedding.”

“Fine.”

“Fine?” her voice sounded incredulous, like she hadn't expected me to accept so quickly. “Really?”

“I'm not so busy here anyway,” I said. “I can spare some time.”

“Splendid!” she cried. “So when would you be back? I suggest you return first thing next week. Tanya would begin her dress hunt then, so you two can have ample bonding time-”

“I'm returning in two days.”

“What?”

I pursed my lips, wondering if this wasn't a dangerous path to take, then tossed all caution go the wind. “I’m returning in two days’ time, Diane. I miss you all so much.” It felt like something was cutting through my chest as I lied.

“Ah, right.” She sounded like she had to force it out. “That's good. But two days from now…don't you need a lot more time to pack?”

I looked around, at my luggage. Two bags had been stolen. Most likely while I was sleeping.

“Not at all. There's nothing left.”

It felt like I was talking to myself more than to her in that moment, because that was the truth.

I had nothing to do in the human world anymore. It'd been five years of struggle, with nothing to show for it. Maybe, just maybe, there was something better for me at the pack, bleak as the possibility seemed.