Chapter 1

Isla

I was dragged from my sleep by the blaring of my alarm clock that had the audacity to interrupt my sleep at such an early hour. I slammed my hand on the snooze and winced at the stark red digital display proudly telling me it was 5am, despite still being dark outside my window. I sighed, burrowing deeper into the cocoon of comfort, my body reluctant to leave its warm comfy sanctuary. But I knew I couldn’t stay here forever, there were chores to do and everyone in the Cragg High Pack pulled their weight on the main farm. Including weak humans such as myself. Lying there in the quiet darkness, I thought once again about my mother. A woman I'd never met, who died giving birth to me because she to was a weak human. The downfall of a human becoming pregnant to a werewolf meant body was too weak to carry to term. But even though my existence was the result of my father having an affair with a human, and me being a human myself, my stepmother had taken me in without hesitation. She nursed my dying mother in her final days and raised me as her own. She'd been more than just a stepmother to me, she'd been my rock, my protector, and my guide through this isolated life.

Bleep bleep bleep. I glared at my alarm as the snooze rudely pulled me from my thoughts and self pity.

"Time to face the day, Isla," I groaned to myself, pushing aside the quilt and swinging my legs over the edge of the bed. The frosty autumn morning air nipped at my skin as I reluctantly pushed off the soft warmth of my quilt. I shivered, wrapping my arms around myself, and glanced at the half-packed suitcase by my door. Today was the day I'd finish packing before heading south to visit my aunt for a few days. A necessity since my very existence was illegal by supernatural law, and the pack was due a royal visit in the next few days. But first, chores awaited me. I padded across the room and stepped into the bathroom. The hot spray of the shower soon enveloped me, driving away the cold and waking me up properly. After drying off and dressing in comfortable work clothes, I brushed my auburn hair and looked into the mirror. My emerald eyes stared back at me. I smiled, feeling ready to face the day, and headed downstairs to join the rest of the pack.

The intoxicating scent of cooked bacon wafted through the air, guiding me to the dining room of our pack house. As I entered the room, I was grateful to see that there was still some food left on the table. Werewolves could certainly eat a lot, and Lysa, my sister, who was six months pregnant with her first child, was absolutely no exception.

"Good morning," I said, taking a seat at the table. My father sat at the head, his brow furrowed as he read the newspaper. My stepmother stood beside Lysa, attempting to convince her to have a baby shower. Lysa's husband Niall watched his wife with utter adoration, a soft smile playing on his lips.

"Here you go, Isla," Cassie, my best friend, said as she placed a plate of hot, steaming breakfast in front of me. Her blue eyes sparkled with mischief as she grinned. "I made sure to save you some food."

"Thanks, Cass," I replied, grinning back at her. She knew I hated mornings and even at this time I was the last one to be up. 

"Hey," my sister glared at Cassie with an offended look on her face. "You told me that we had run out." Cassie rolled her eyes and Niall laughed.

"Come on, Lysa," Cassie teased, poking my sister in the side. "You've eaten enough for three already, or are you hiding another pup in there?" Lysa mock-pouted at her. 

"You should be saving all this food for my growing baby, not stealing it for yourself!"

"Hey, I saved some for Isla!" Cassie retorted, gesturing to my plate with a grin. This was pretty standard for mornings around here, and lunches, and well anything which included food around my sister.

"And besides," I said while shovelling a piece of bacon into my mouth. "You'll have to find a new excuse to eat so much once your little one is born." 

"Maybe I will," Lysa huffed playfully, crossing her arms over her swollen belly. Niall leaned in to kiss first her hand and then her stomach while Cassie and I made gagging sounds. My stepmother laughed softly as she watched the three of us bicker as usual. The warm and loving atmosphere of our family was something I cherished deeply, even if I sometimes felt like an outsider due to my human nature. But this morning, that familiar feeling of belonging was so important to me, especially with the doubts and anxiety I had surrounding the next few days. Cassie was as much family as I was. She had been orphaned in some attack almost twenty years ago and my stepmother had seen fit to take her in as well. We had become firm friends and our friendship had only grown since.

The sudden shift in energy at the table caught my attention, and I glanced up to see my father staring at me in shock. He had evidently been so engrossed in his newspaper that he hadn't noticed me joining them for breakfast. His eyes darted to his now-empty plate, and his brow furrowed in confusion.

"Isla, when did you get here?" I couldn't help but laugh and my stepmother patted him on the hand. He had been distant of late, but I knew the impending visit was weighing heavily on him. "Erm... Did you sleep well?" My father asked quickly.

"Like a rock," I answered with a chuckle, digging into the delicious meal before me. The savoury taste of bacon filled my mouth, grounding me in the present moment. My eating must have reminded him because my father looked expectantly down at his plate and then frowned again.

"Lysa," he said, a hint of accusation in his voice. "Did you eat my breakfast again?"

"Sorry, Dad," she replied, shrugging nonchalantly. "It was getting cold."

"Really? Not even a morsel left?" he asked, trying to sound stern but failing to hide a smile. It was clear that despite being the Alpha, my father was a mild-mannered and loving man.

"Oops?" Lysa offered, giving him a sheepish grin.

"Fine, fine," he conceded, shaking his head in amusement. "I'll just have to be quicker next time."

"Let me see what I can scrounge up for you Alpha," Cassie said and my father smiled at her. 

"How much more food are you hiding from me?" Lysa whined and Cassie stuck her tongue out at her before heading out towards the kitchen.

Once breakfast was over, we all scattered to our various duties on the farm. The morning air was crisp and cool, but at least the sun has started to make an appearance behind the Yorkshire moorlands. I pulled my jacket tighter around me as I stepped outside, eager to begin my day. As I made my way through the bustling farmyard, I said hi to various pack members. They greeted me with genuine smiles, their eyes crinkling in sincere affection. 

"Hey Isla," called out Tim, one of the pack members, as he tossed me a rake. "Help me clear out the hay in the barn?"

"Sure thing," I replied, catching the rake easily. My athletic build, honed by years of labour on the farm, had served me well. I may not have had the supernatural strength of my wolf friends and family, but I could hold my own when it came to manual tasks. Together, Tim and I worked in tandem, clearing the hay to make room for the fresh harvest that would soon arrive. Sweat beaded on my brow as I put my back into the task, the rough wood of the rake handle digging into my palms. But there was a satisfaction to be found in the ache of my muscles, a sense of pride in knowing that I was contributing to the wellbeing of the pack.

"Thanks for your help, Isla," Tim said, wiping his brow with the back of his hand. He had stripped off his shirt despite the autumn chill and I wasn’t upset about the view of his toned torso. "I appreciate it so much."

"No worries, Tim," I replied, smiling at his genuine praise. "I do my best." Tim and I had been a thing for all of a few months when we were younger. My father didn’t like me leaving the pack land so my pickings were slim, but Time was a good guy, and I knew he was eager for more from me, but I always pulled away. As we carried on with our chores, I took a moment to survey the land that stretched out before us. Our small rural pack may not have been as grand or powerful as some, but we were a close-knit family, and our harvest was bountiful. We had been lucky to have fertile lands that provided us with an abundance of food, enough to sustain us and still have plenty left over to sell or trade, which helped us to lay under the radar around other packs and society in general. I knew I was the reason why my father kept the pack small and secluded. The fewer people that knew about us the less chance they would find out a human was living here. I was all too aware of what would happen if the Supernatural council found out that I was here. I didn’t know much about them, but I did know that a human even knowing about the supernatural world was illegal. It wouldn’t just be my life that would be in danger if they found me here, it would be the lives of every pack member who had hid our secret.

It was afternoon before I took a break from my chores, the familiar rhythm of farm life grounding me even as anticipation and unease twisted in my gut. The reason for my impending trip south to visit my aunt weighed heavily on my mind: the Alpha King's visit to discuss our pack supplying surplus crops and meats to the Royal pack. I stared blankly at the pile of clothes on my bed, wondering once again if I was really worth all the hassle and danger.

"Hey, is everything ready?" Cassie asked, approaching me with concern in her eyes. Her gaze flickered to my half-packed suitcase still sitting by the door.

"Almost," I replied, trying to force a smile. "I just need to finish packing a few bits."

"Listen," Cassie said quietly, placing a hand on my arm. "I know how much you're worried but it'll be okay, I'm sure." I sighed, running my fingers through my auburn hair. 

"It's just...it's such a huge honour for our pack, Cassie. The protection of the Royal pack would mean so much for us, especially being as small as we are. But at the same time..." My voice trailed off.

"Your humanity puts you at risk," Cassie finished gently, understanding the unspoken concern.

“Not just me,” I said, “my existence puts everyone I love at risk.” 

“Isla, you're strong, and you belong here. Not one member of this pack would disagree. Don't let fear take that away from you." 

"I've thought about living on the borders, you know," I confessed, my heart pounding as I voiced the idea aloud for the first time. "Maybe it'd be safer if I wasn't right in the middle of the pack. Or if I lived in the village. I could still see you all and you would be safer." Cassie shook her head, her expression firm. 

"Not a chance. Your father would never allow that, anyway. You're his daughter, and he loves you. He wants you close, where he can protect you."

"Still..." I murmured, my thoughts turning dark and restless. "Sometimes I wish things were different."

"Hey," Cassie said, gripping my shoulders and forcing me to look into her sparkling blue eyes. "You are part of this pack, human or not. We love you, and we're here for you. Don't forget that."

"Thanks, Cassie," I whispered, feeling a surge of gratitude for my best friend's unwavering support. 

There was a knock on my door, and I looked up to see my stepmother standing there. I could tell by the look on her face that she had heard much of our conversation.

"Excuse me, ladies," she said, concern in her expression. "Isla, your father is asking for you to come to his office for a moment?"

"Okay, sure," I replied, putting down the pile of clothes as I straightened up. Her tone was serious, and I felt a flicker of apprehension. I made my way down to my father’s office, looking out the windows and smiling at the playful laughter and friendship among the other pack members as they worked together, each contributing to the well-being of our small community. Upon entering my father's office, I found him sitting at his desk, his brow furrowed as he stared intently at some paperwork. 

"What's going on?" I asked, my concern growing. He looked up, his eyes clouded with worry.

"I'm sure it's nothing, but there seems to be another pack trying to muscle in on our territory, attempting to force me out."

"Another pack?" I echoed, my heart pounding in my chest. The thought of our peaceful life being disrupted by outsiders filled me with dread.

"Unfortunately, yes," he sighed. "But let's not dwell on that right now. The Alpha King is due to arrive the day after tomorrow, remember?"

"Right," I said, swallowing my unease. "I've almost finished packing, and I'll be ready to leave for Aunt Elsie's tomorrow morning."

"Good," he said, his expression softening. "Isla, I know this is hard for you, having to hide away like this. But it's important that we keep your humanity a secret, especially with the King visiting."

"I know dad," I assured him, my voice wavering slightly as I felt the weight of my human vulnerability press down on me. "I just wish I could be more help to our pack, instead of being a burden."

"Hey now," he said firmly, rising from his chair and placing a reassuring hand on my shoulder. "You are not a burden. You're my daughter, and I love you. We all do. Remember that, no matter what happens."

"Thank you, Dad," I whispered, blinking back tears. His words meant the world to me, but I still couldn't shake the feeling that I was a liability to those I loved most.

"Maybe you should finish packing now," my father suggested, his eyes filled with concern. "The sooner you're ready, the better."

"Alright, Dad," I agreed, trying to keep my voice steady. The weight of responsibility and my human vulnerability pressed down on me as I left his office.

I retreated back to my room, happy to be alone with my thoughts for a little while. I busied myself with packing up the rest of my clothes and a few extra bits. As I zipped up my suitcase, I caught sight of three black SUVs pulling up outside the pack house. My heartbeat rose, a sense of unease creeping into my chest. A knock at my door startled me, and Lysa entered, her blue eyes urgent. 

"Isla, the Alpha King is here."