Chapter 5

Chapter 5

Ana

Hours of hours of driving with almost no stop except for gas and snacks took us back to Miami in no time. I could smell the ocean as we came closer and closer, and my inner wolf became happy with joy at returning to packland. Even though they can’t talk to us before we turn 21, they can express their feelings. That’s how we know if they like someone or not. Star is heartbroken, but returning home will help us heal.

Miami is the central hub of all werewolf packs in the US. Most of us don't live here, though. We're assigned to different states depending on where we find our mates. It's strictly forbidden to shift before a human unless they are your mate. So, until I turn 21 and locate my mate, I can remain in Miami or anywhere else in Florida until it's time for me to leave. But the thing is, I'm sure Alex is my mate. That means I'll get assigned to a pack unless I accept him. The rules differ completely from humans, unlike werewolves where you have no say in the matter.

A chill run through me as I think of having to tell my Alpha father, Brett Donovan, about Alex. He is a wonderful dad but also an intimidating Alpha—the Alpha of all Alphas. He had high hopes for Max, my ex-boyfriend; things had seemed so promising until his 21st birthday showed him with certainty that I did not mean him to be my mate. He wanted to continue our relationship, but I knew it wouldn't be fair to the person fated to be his mate.

My dread grew as the SUV pulled into the driveway to my dad's house. How was I supposed to tell him? Can I delay it somehow? Lie? But he'll know if I do that. Ugh.

"Ana, we're here," Dylan said from the driver's seat, looking at me through the rearview mirror. "Aren't you getting out?"

"Give me a minute, Dylan," I said. I looked over at Courtney in the backseat. "Will you come with me?"

"Of course, Ana," she said with a nod. "I'll always stand by your side, no matter what."

"I don't think I can do this. How am I going to explain that Alex is probably my mate and also a human who cheated on me? That's not information Dad will want to hear."

“What if you don't tell him the full story? Maybe just say that you and your boyfriend broke up, without mentioning him being your mate.”

 “Yeah, I guess I could do that. Once he's sent me to a fresh pack for training, I can explain the details then. That's my fate as his daughter, after all - to start my Alpha/Luna training with some other pack. I can just tell him that school wasn't for me.”

 “Sounds like a plan, Ana. Dylan and I have already decided we'll return with you since we're the future Beta and Gamma of your pack, too. Does that work for you?”

 “Do you agree Dylan?”

“Anything for you, ladies. Let's just avoid giving too many details about our return and don't mention that we're looking for a new mate.”

Dylan gives us the award-winning smile I've heard so much about, and I can't help laughing. Girls are totally smitten with him; it's obvious why. He is one year my junior, and the same age as Courtney. He's been harboring a crush on her for some time, even though she appears to be unaware. Maybe she thinks he's just playing around with her and isn't serious, but I know them both well, and I suspect they could be mates without either of them realizing it yet. Not all wolves can smell out their mate like Alphas can. I smirk.

“What's so funny, Ana?” Dylan asked, obviously annoyed.

"Yeah, let us in on the joke!" Courtney begged.

I chuckled. “I don't think you're ready to hear the truth yet.” Courtney frowned while Dylan gave me a knowing smile. Does he understand what I'm saying? Courtney doesn't get it yet, but maybe she will soon.

I had a feeling they would make a good couple—his dirty blonde hair and her dark tresses, contrasted against his tattooed skin and her bronze tone. My mood suddenly lifted as I remembered that even though I've lost my mate, I still have my best friends and pack mates by my side–nothing can stop me from living my best life!

 “Let's just get this over with. Just remember what we said: no details about why we dropped out of college.”

I quickly reach the Mansion's dark blue front door, and before I can even knock, my father has opened it with a concerned expression. He enfolds me into a warm hug that smells of love and safety; I sigh in relief. My dad has wavy gray hair, intense blue eyes, and a strong jawline that reminds me of Alex - which I should not be thinking about. He is quite tall, making his presence demanding.

"Welcome back, Ana," he says to me in his deep voice, "but you must tell me why you came back."

I take a deep breath and try to put on a convincing smile. "Let's go inside and talk about it, Dad," I say, hoping my words sound more confident than I feel.

"I even brought presents for everyone."

He seems to calm down at this, but as I walk into the house, I exchange worried glances with Dylan and Ana. Will this homecoming prove successful? I tie my hair up in a ponytail as I take measured steps towards the door to his office.

Suddenly, I stop for when I realize how much things have changed since last time…