Chapter 1

My Dearest Zoey,

If you're reading this, it means I'm not in your life when you initiated your first shift. I do trust that you're well and happy in a pack with people who love you. That's all I ever wanted for you.

If by now you didn't know, I was a rogue. I ran away from my pack when I was 21 for reasons I wish for you not to worry about.

If your mom ever told you anything about me, I hope she told you that I love you, and that the rogue life was never what I wanted for you. The constant running and looking over my back was never how I wanted you to live. And so, I'm trying my best to get you into a pack.

Maybe the reason why I'm not with you is because my lifestyle got me to the grave, or maybe it's some other reason.

But I want you to know that being a wolf is more than just shifting.

You'll find your mate and live the happy life I always wished for you.

Have my grandpups and make me proud.

I hope you know that I loved your mom. She changed me for the best and gave me the best gift I could ever wish for.

My precious Zoey.

If by some unfortunate incident you learn that my death wasn't natural and was by the hands of someone else, please don't try and avenge me.

I've done a lot of bad things in my life, and I don't want that for you. It's not worth it in the end. So always choose to be good Zoey.

Be good and do good. I know your heart is bigger than mine and your mom's combined. And I have faith that however and whoever you grow up with, teaches you the right way to be a wolf.

You are and will always be the most precious jewel I was given. I want you to remember that and always stay true to yourself. Be happy and live life to the fullest. I will still be with you through every milestone.

Know that you're strong Zoey. You're stronger than you'll ever know. And I hope you use your strength to be the wolf you're destined to be.

I love you my dearest child. My blood will always run through your veins.

Zoey Isabella Boysen.

My love, my heart, the reason for the most joy I've ever known in my life. My baby girl.

Your dad, Reagan. <3

Forever in my heart.

.

Tears streamed down my cheeks as I glanced over the letter one more time.

This letter was written by my dad before he died. What pained me the most was that he actually had a feeling that he would, and so he needed to write me this.

All my life I've never known who my dad was. There were no pictures, just stories from my mom about how he was when they were together.

I've always wanted to know him and to talk to him, to learn so much more about him. This letter was the first thing that made me feel somewhat connected to him, but it also made me feel lost.

Who was my dad? What really happened to him?

My sister never knew him personally since we had different dads, and the one person who knew enough about him, died seven years ago along with his memories.

I felt torn. I felt like I didn't know who I was. I want to know more, to know everything.

Growing up, I always knew that I was different. My mom was a human, and my dad was a werewolf. But I've always known that something was different about me.

For a girl with only one parent with wolf genes, I was way too strong, and this was before I even shifted. Something about my life story isn't adding up. And this letter just made me more curious.

I deserve to know my truth. I can't live knowing that there's something about my background with missing pieces.

And this letter was my first clue.

I clenched the letter against my chest and looked up to the ceiling.

"Thanks dad. I'll make you proud. I promise" I whispered, as my heart ached with heaviness.

My big sister, Victoria, pulled me into a comforting hug, but I winced at the pain that ran through my body.

I just shifted for the first time today. Other werewolves shift for the first time when they turn sixteen, but my wolf hadn't awakened in me until this morning on my 18th birthday.

I was so excited, that I woke up my sister and ran down to the backyard to get ready. Like my mom, my sister is human too, so she had no idea what to do about shifting, but I was just so eager.

So her mate and our current Alpha, Luka, helped me every step of the way.

It was hella painful, but it was worth it. I felt so much stronger and complete. That is, until Victoria handed me this letter.

"How did you get this? " I asked through a sniffle as I pulled away.

"Mom gave it to me when you were six. She wanted me to give it to you on the day of your first shift. That's what your dad wanted"

My heart sank at the mention of both my parents in one statement. Though I didn't know my dad, I still felt his absence. And when mom died too, it was like I lost them both.

But I was never short on love. The people that I live with are some of the most loving wolves I know. Dad would've been happy.

"Why would he want her to wait until I shifted? "

"I don't know sweetheart. Maybe he had his reasons."She sighed and tucked one of my curls back into my bun. "I know you have questions, and I really wish I could answer them. But I promise that I'll help you find anything you want to"

I buried my face into her shoulder as my head throbbed in pain. "I want to know everything, Victoria. I want to know why everybody is convinced that I'm from a high ranking family because of my scent. I want to know who my dad was, why he left his pack and where his pack really is. "

"I know sweetheart "

I continued. "I feel like I can't fully know myself until I know who I really am, you know? "

I huffed and peered at the letter again. My eyebrows scrunched as I read over a certain line.

"I've never really asked how he died. Do you know? "

Victoria tensed at my question for a moment, before meeting my eyes with a certain reluctance.

"Zoey-"

"There's my big bad wolf! " She was cut off by Ciara as she barged into my room with a huge smile on her face and Ashley right behind her.

Ciara was our Gamma's mate, and Ashley was the Beta's mate. I grew up with them also, and they too treated me like a little sister.

"Congrats baby girl. I knew you had it in you. Oh and happy birthday" She added, handing me a small box.

"What's this? "

"A little something I got for you when you turned sixteen. But since you didn't shift, I assumed I'd give it to you now"

I opened the box to see a beautiful gold bracelet with a wolf shaped pendant on it, and my birthstone in the chain.

"Oh my gosh this is beautiful Ciara. Thank you" I wrapped her in a hug despite my aching muscles, and pulled away once again to admire it.

"It's a shifters bracelet" She informed me.

"As in? " I asked, confused. Ashley chuckled before filling me in.

"Meaning that you can shift with it and it won't rip apart like your clothes. Instead it transforms into a cute chain collar when you're in wolf form."

"I didn't even know those kinds of things were possible" I mumbled while putting it on.

"We're humans that have the ability to change into wolves three times our size. Anything is possible" She laughed and I followed.

"Well I love it. Thank you guys"

"Some people say they are lucky charms. I hope it's true"

I chuckled as I spun it around on my wrist. "I'll really be needing all the luck I can get."

After a few minutes, Victoria ushered them from my room and laid a dress on my bed. I scrunched my nose up at the heels that she sat beside me. I never liked heels, they made me seem too tall. Plus, I twisted my foot once and I've stuck to flats, sneakers or boots ever since.

"Your party starts at six. But we're having a family party first with everyone downstairs now. So get ready" She chirped with an enthusiastic clap. I groaned and threw myself on the chair.

"You mean I have to wear heels all day? " I whined, already feeling my feet ache.

"You're only young once Zoey. Better live it up"

"By live it up you mean sit while you use me as your personal living mannequin"

She threw me a glare, but I could see that she was biting back a smile. That's the thing with my sister, from a young age she always liked to pamper me up. I didn't mind though, but sometimes it was a bit much.

"Are you gonna sit there and smirk at me or are you gonna get over here and let me make you prettier?"

I rolled my eyes and sat in the chair in front of my mirror. She pulled the band from my hair, letting it fall below my shoulders in all its wild coily curls. She always had a thing for my hair, and I let her do whatever with it since I could barely tame it myself.

Two hours later, we headed to the living room where everyone was beaming and shaking with excitement. I stared at eight happy faces as Victoria and I entered the room, and I already felt the love radiating from them.

"Happy birthday Zoey! " They all shouted in unison, causing a smile to further break out on my face.

There were decorations all around, and a huge cake sitting on the table in front of the TV.

In a house this big, you couldn't get lonely. With the Alpha, Beta, Gamma, their mates and their kids present, there was no way I could feel alone.

But as much as I was grateful for them, I couldn't help the want in my heart to have my parents here with me. Or to at least know more about myself so that I could carry out their legacies in pride.

I didn't think it was possible to feel happy, loved, confused and torn at the same time. But turning 18 to me meant a new chapter in this story of mine.

And I had a feeling I was about to go on a rocky ride. Emotionally, mentally and physically. Yet I was ready for anything that was to come from this day on.

No matter what.

Better buckle up Zoey.