Chapter 1

It’s been five years since I last seen my pack, of course Beta John visits and is ready for me to return back home, but I am not so sure I am ready, I have changed, I have come out of my shell and was able to move on with my life, I have one more final to get through at the local university and I will graduate with my degree in business management. John is coming to the graduation ceremony and I agreed to go back with him to my pack for just a visit, he says my friends miss me, although I talk to them regularly, I have to admit I miss them too. Alpha Grey said I could return only if I abide by the rules and not venture out on my own. He has agreed that I can visit where my parents were murdered but not alone.

I have to admit I am a bit nervous about returning to my home pack, the three hour ride is almost just as quiet as it was five years ago, the silence only broken by questions about school and my friends at the Washington pack, and the internal dialogue with my wolf. It’s a rainy day, and my wolf is itching for a run, she loves being out in the rain as much as she hates being inside cars, she says we can run where we need to go, I tell her we can run when we get there. She is nagging me to let her run just a little bit of the way, I glance at John and he mind links me,

‘not a chance’

yeah, that’s what I thought.

Upon my arrival to John’s house I head upstairs to my room I haven’t seen in five years, nothing really has changed with the exception that John was now mated to a she - wolf named Mary, her original mate died in an accident while traveling. As a species we lived long lives and age is only a number, and very few things could hurt us, even in our human forms we are strong and we heal quickly, but we do have our kryptonite silver being one and wolf’s bane being the other. Mary is nice to me and welcomes me back and says I may not remember her but she certainly remembered me, she even called me ‘Kitten’ I blush and say “I haven’t been called Kitten since, well since my last day here.” I sigh at being here after so much time, I really did miss it here, I mean I did have my friends who should be on their way over to have dinner with us and to welcome me back. I didn’t exactly make many friends at the high school back in Washington, I never really fit in there, it wasn’t until I went to college did I really make friends including Travis, he was my human boyfriend. We never got too serious I was always hoping I would find my mate and that I would live happily ever after, but knew it was a long shot. I am twenty and not one tingle, not one blissful moment of feeling love.

After a shower, I dress and I am being mind linked by the alpha welcoming me back, John said he had been at a meeting when we arrived but was due back soon, I am guessing he has made it back. I thank him through the mind link and then to my surprise he continues

’I am looking forward to meeting you in my office to get you reacquainted with the pack rules. See you soon, Autumn′

I guess that means my presence to his highness is more than a request. I roll my eyes at this thought and because I didn’t acknowledge his request he mind linked me again

‘That wasn’t a request, Autumn, please acknowledge me when I speak, I am your alpha and I am not as tolerant of your shenanigans as my father was, know that now’

I roll my eyes again and answer

‘yes, sir alpha’

I tell John I have to meet the alpha in his office and ask if it’s in the same place as his father’s office. John then says “I know he mind linked me too and asked me to bring you and to make sure you didn’t get sidetracked along the way.” I sigh “He is only looking out for the safety of everyone in this pack and that includes you.” I nod my head, I can’t be defiant. My wolf though wanted to run she hasn’t been for a run in a few days and she is fighting to explore.

We are ushered in to Alpha Grey’s home, by the new Beta and bows his head at John as to respect the old Beta and John does the same to the new Beta, Nick, I acknowledge him as I walk past him, and tell him it is nice to see him again, as I did remember him he was always around Greyson when we were pups. He welcomes me back as well as his mate, Gina, I barely remember her, but she hugs me as if we are old friends. “We are here so Autumn can see Alpha Greyson” Nick nods his head and says “He’s expecting her” The house is different than that of his parents. It is a beautiful log cabin that sits higher on the mountain side than the others, the view from this house is breathtaking. The pack house is close by and is built out of logs as well. I was surprised to find out that the pack didn’t have a Luna yet, Grey hasn’t found his mate yet. I walk through the house slowly admiring everything when John points out Greyson’s office and I make my way over, I don’t know who is more anxious me, or my wolf. My heart is pounding faster and faster the closer I get. My wolf is annoying me to the point where I am begging her to please calm down. I hear a rough “come in” before I can even knock. I open the door and I see those dark blue eyes and he stands to his feet and my wolf is screaming “MATE, MATE, MATE!” in my head I barely heard him when he said “Kitten?”