Chapter 06

TIA POV

The morning flew by fast. After making the last of the suggested changes, I sent my finished manuscript to my editor. This will be the fourth and final book of my book series. I love a good murder mystery. Add a sexy mountain-shifter, bad boy recluse with a dark past and a lot of love to give, and I am all in. And apparently, so are my readers.

I envied other shifters. Cats and bears didn’t need packs to be happy. Some cat clans kept groups small, like lions, which had small clusters of pride. Tigers travelled in groups of no more than three or four, and Bears, although they had clan options, were often spaced out for territory aggression issues.

What I would give for that option. Lone wolves rarely survived. There was a fine line between a lone wolf and a rogue. I was born of a pack, which meant my odds of disbanding from the Cherry Ridge pack and going lone wolf were unlikely. The more likely option was that my scent turned rogue, and I would become hunted. The problem was, I didn’t trust wolves enough to want to be part of a pack. I was stuck.

I know it sounds absurd, but it was true. Ever since my kidnapping, I haven’t been able to let my guard down to any wolf. The closest I have ever been was with Beta Miles and Luna Sarah. I also don't mind Alpha Tyson, but even then, it was minimal doses. I knew they knew I was hiding, but they never pushed for more. I appreciated the respect.

Instead, I poured my pain, wants, and self into my pages. My family had no idea about my writing career. I am sure they’d consider it beneath the family status. I have been writing for a few years now, and what started as online blogs for short stories somehow worked into a publishing deal and genuine income under my assumed pen name El Henry. Most people assumed I was a man. Let them think what they wanted as long as they bought my books, I didn’t care.

I always knew that if I were married off as planned, I wouldn’t be allowed higher education or a career, so writing was something I could hide and keep to myself.

Watching Beta Miles and Alpha Tyson drive away this afternoon was disheartening. It was time to raise the walls and put my armour back on. I had no more allies within the pack. The only two I had driven away, returning home to a peaceful place.

Only my father and brother were with me to see them off. My mother and Hilary were still out enjoying their therapy together.

“Did you get your wolf yet?” Simon finally asked after the SUV containing my only allies disappeared from sight.

“Nope.” I popped the p to punctuate the response.

“Useless!” Simon scoffed and stormed inside, leaving my father and me alone on the front step.

“I always enjoy our sibling affection,” I mumbled.

I heard my father sigh. “Tia,” he began. He sounded pained at the mere idea of having to address me. That hurt, but again, I push it away. “I know this is hard, but you should be aware of the pressures this puts on us. The Ravens' Peak pack offered us a great alliance for you. You aren’t the warmest of females; this is your best bet to gain a mate. After all, I doubt your true mate would accept someone so—cold and distant.”

I hated it when my father was political with his approach to me. It felt disingenuous when he did.

“So, because I have no wolf, is the Ravens' Peak pack pulling out of the agreement?” I asked bored.

“They are considering their options. That is all we know for now. You must let us know if you feel any pressure to shift. It would greatly help the pack if you could shift, even once.”

I turned to look at the man who was meant to be my father. At this point in my life, he was nothing more than a distant acquaintance.

“Alpha Markus, if I could shift for you right now, I would. I don’t feel any signs of having a wolf, and I suspect I won’t be any time soon. I apologize for the inconvenience this may cause you and your ambitious endeavours, but you can’t bleed a stone.”

I watched my father's face tighten at my words. I addressed him without warmth or familiarity; it was simply a polite and neutral response. It revealed my lack of affection towards him as a family member, only recognizing him as my Alpha. I watched as his wolf flickered in his eyes. I knew his wolf recognized me as his pup; it was just unfortunate that the human side did not. His human vessel was the reason for our discord, not his wolf.

“Perhaps we should see one of the healers? See what is wrong with you.” He suddenly suggested.

“I already have, Alpha. She suspects that what was done to me while kidnapped had taken away my wolfen spirit. With the injections given, it most likely killed her before she was fully developed. Perhaps if you had taken me to a healer for a check-up earlier, we might have saved her.” My answer was simple and logical. I was injected with serum, but it didn’t kill my wolf. It was designed to advance my puberty, starting it to develop much earlier in life. That was why I had curves and a desired hourglass figure early on—another reason I have had to maintain the icy exterior. I will not allow myself to be used by unworthy males and their despicable desires.

“Fu.ck!” My father cursed as he ran his hand through his dirty blonde hair. “Very well. Let me know if there are any changes, and I will try to smooth this over with the Ravens' Peak Pack.”

I watched my father offer no more conversation or an attempt to comfort me. I had just reminded him of my torment, but he only saw what he was losing. However, I was used to this—the stain no one wanted to discuss.

With that, my father turned and walked away. Heading inside, most likely to update Simon on my failed presence.