Road to Discovery

I leaned my forehead against the cool glass of the SUV's window. I closed my eyes, trying to calm my thoughts. In less than twenty-four hours, my entire life had changed. My father hadn't been wrong when he'd commented on me always feeling like I was different from others, but I thought those were normal thoughts for teenagers.

Finding out that the reason I felt this way because I'm part werewolf?

That was...insane.

This was all insane.

Part of me had begun to think this was all a bad dream. At any moment I'd wake up back in my room. But...no. It felt too real to be a dream. I couldn't fool myself any longer. This was all happening. I was thankful that when we'd gotten into the SUV, my father and Greyson hadn't said anymore. I knew it was for my sake. I could still feel both of them staring at me, they hadn't stopped when the SUV had begun to drive. I looked forward, trying to see if I could get a look at the driver. I'd been surprised when we'd gotten into the SUV that my father and Greyson had followed me into the back. Luckily, the SUV had three rows and I'd taken my own place in the far back row. My father had been about to offer to sit with me and I'd lifted my hand.

The two had begrudgingly sat in the middle row, but they'd both continued to glance back at me, staring at me. My father's look was a combination of nerves, curiosity, and maybe a little aggravation at how I'd acted. I didn't care. Greyson's look shared my father's curiosity and aggravation but behind that, his gaze held an intensity to it, a possessiveness that I was glad my father wasn't offering.

I flushed as Greyson and my eyes met and I quickly looked back out the window, wanting to have nothing to do with either of them. I once again closed my eyes, working to calm my breathing as the SUV turned off the main road and started down a dirt path. As the roads became less...road-like, the SUV started to jostle more. I banged my nose against the window and let out a soft hiss, leaning back and rubbing my face. A moment later, several branches began to slap against the sides of the car and I winced at the sound.

As the SUV hit a dip in the dirt-road, my body bounced up in the seat and I gasped, realizing my head was about to slam into the roof of the vehicle. I tensed, bracing for the inevitable impact. Right before my head hit the roof, my body was enveloped in a strong embrace and suddenly I was being pulled back down. I flushed as I landed in Greyson's lap and I blinked, wondering when he'd made his way to the third row with me. It had all happened so quickly.

"Not wearing your seatbelt, princess?" he raised an eyebrow, keeping his arms on me.

"L-let me go! I'll put my seatbelt on, okay?" I glared, struggling to get out of his arms.

I hated how good it felt in his embrace, how right it felt to be in his arms, seated in his lap. His arms tightened around me and I blinked, looking up into his face. Was he really going to hold me like this with my father sitting right in front of us?

"The road is only going to get worse, you'll be safer in my arms," he said, his eyes narrowing as he squeezed me tighter.

"F-fine! I won't struggle," I winced at his hold. "Just...l-loosen your grip a bit."

As his arms loosened--just slightly--on me, I slumped against him in defeat. I wasn't going to admit to myself--or others--how good it felt. My head fell to his chest and I blinked a bit, realizing that his heart was racing.

Was he worried about me actually? I wondered.

Of course he was! He's our mate, Danika. Eluna's voice replied.

Doesn't seem like he really likes me though.

I hated how whiny my voice sounded, even if it was just in my head. I could hear a soft chuckle and realized that Eluna was laughing at me. It felt strange to realize that the thoughts I'd always felt weren't exactly mine weren't. I had no idea how any of this worked, I wondered if every werewolf's wolf was like mine. Did they have their own name? Their own personality? I wondered what Greyson's wolf was like. Was he as cold and rude as Greyson was?

He's the same. Greyson is an alpha. Alphas wolves are...well, themselves.

So...Greyson's wolf is...Greyson?

Yeah. When a werewolf is born, they will either unite with their wolves and create one being...thus becoming an alpha, or they will create two personalities. Most werewolves fall into that category.

Huh. So...if I hadn't blocked you as much as I did, we might've been an alpha?

Maybe. There's no way of knowing now.

I thought on that a bit more before realizing that SUV wasn't moving anymore. I tried to look out the window, but it was too dark to see much of anything. As the door swung open, I looked up to see the driver--an elderly man with a gentle face--offer a bow before stepping away from the door. My father stepped out first and then Greyson nudged me slightly in his arms.

"Go on. It's time," he whispered.

"R-right," I said, slipping from his arms and heading out into the woods.

I shivered a bit as a cool breeze swept past us and I rubbed my arms, looking over at the others. They didn't seem to be bothered by the cold like I was. I wondered just how well I was going to fit in even more. Would I even be able to survive out here like I was?

"Let's go," my father offered. "The pack is waiting."

I chewed my lip, trying to hold back my fear at just how dark things had gone. The sky was dark, the moon and stars covered by dark clouds and the forest didn't offer much in the way of natural light. I had no idea how I was going to be able to even get around if I couldn't even see.

Let me help. Elena's voice tickled the back of my ear and I blinked.

I'd never felt anything like that before. She felt...closer.

How can you help?

Suddenly, the forest came alive in front of me. It was like a switch was flipped and I could see everything and so much more. The colors...everything was so much more vibrant. Along with my sight, my body felt warmer, more comfortable even in the cool Autumn weather.

What did you do?

I helped. You held me back so much that I was never able to show you your true abilities. Our abilities.

I nodded, looking around and then saw that both my father and Greyson were staring at me, seeming a bit surprised.

"W-what is it?" I asked. "Can you see what's going on?"

Greyson smirked and nodded, "Of course we can. Your eyes are glowing and your cheeks are flushed."

"O-oh. I didn't...Eluna helped me," I said.

"Eluna? Your wolf?" Greyson asked, raising an eyebrow as he looked me over, seeming to look inside me.

He's examining me, Danika. I-I can feel his wolf.

What does that mean? Are you okay?

I am. He's our mate, Danika. I...I want him.

I blinked, not exactly sure how to respond to that. Greyson nodded once more before turning and joining my father down the path. Seeing the path now, I joined them, examining the forest with my new sight. I couldn't believe how much detail I could see, everything was crisper, filled with more vitality. I ran my finger over a nearby tree branch and fought not to gasp at the sensations. I could feel the energy flowing through the tree and I shivered, closing my eyes as I took in that energy.

"Is she...?"

Greyson's voice shook my out of my trance and I looked over at both the shocked faces of my father and Greyson. Did I do something wrong...? Why were they looking at me like this?

"She's not just an omega..." Greyson whispered.