Chapter 1

CHAPTER 1

The flight to Washington was smooth and I was so happy to finally be free. I was free to be myself, who ever that is. When I had grabbed my bags and walked out of the terminal, I had never felt so scared and excited in my life. I was shaking a little, but as I walked toward the exit, I saw Liam dressed in a suit and wearing a funny hat. He was holding up a sign with my name on it and I couldn’t help but laugh to myself. He was so random sometimes! As I got closer, I saw a excited and smiley Olivia searching through the crowd for me. I walked forward so they could see me and as soon as Olivia did she waved so much I thought her arm would break. I rushed toward them and my brother opened his arms and I rushed right into them. I had missed him so much and I couldn’t help the small tears that fell. Olivia cooed at us and wrapped her arms around us as well.

I had never been as happy as I was seeing my brother again after two years.

“Hey kid! You are finally here!!” He said hugging me tight.

I couldn’t say anything I only let out a little chuckle.

“Mimi! I cannot believe you are finally here!” Olivia said as I turned to hug her properly.

“I can’t believe it either!” I said pulling away.

“So, are you hungry? Should we grab some food before we take you to your apartment?” Olivia asked with worry in her voice.

She was always trying to make sure I was ok and taking care of myself.

“Yes, I am starving!” I replied with a smile.

“Pizza it is!” Liam said leading us toward the car carrying my bags for me.

As soon as we stepped out of the airport I stopped and took a deep breathe. The air smelled wonderful! I had read that Washington got a lot of rain, and I could tell because the air smell fresh and earthy. We made our way to the car and I had to roll down the window and let he amazing air in. Liam just laughed watching me close my eyes and let out a sigh. I had never felt so relaxed and carefree before, and I loved it.

We stopped by a small pizza place on the way to my apartment and I had the most amazing pizza I had ever tasted.

“Oh my gosh this is so good!” I said, my eyes growing big and smiling.

“I know! I accidently found this place and I have been obsessed ever since!” Liam said laughing.

“It’s true, he comes at least twice a week. Even though I tell him he needs to be careful with eating too much junk food!” Olivia said giving him a stern look.

I laughed quietly watching them bicker for a few minutes before Liam kissed the tip of her nose, and she melted and gave up. They really were cute together and I had never seen my brother be such a sap. Before we finished eating the owner came over and started talking to Liam, she was a woman in her late forties and he seemed to know her well.

“Oh! Charlotte, this is my baby sister Amelia! She just moved here and I had to bring her to try the pest pizza in town!” Liam said with a proud smile.

“You are the sister he is always talking about? Aw, you are so pretty!” Charlotte said walking over and hugging me. “He has been so excited to introduce you to everyone that he hasn’t stopped talking for the last couple of weeks.”

I looked at Liam confused. He returned my look with a guilty smile.

“I may have mentioned to some of the pack members that you were coming.” He said sheepishly.

I rolled my eyes at him and gave him a low growl.

“I’m sorry but I really want to introduce you to every one and they love to meet new people!” Liam said happily.

I wanted to be mad at him but to be honest I was curious. I had not met many people like us, and a pack was supposed to be like a big family. At the same time my shy side is telling me that I should run and hide forever.

“Don’t worry Mimi. We would only bring you to visit when you are ready, but the pack can’t wait to meet you really.” Olivia said sweetly.

Charlotte said a few last words and left us to finish our food. I had to admit she was super sweet and if the rest of the pack was as sweet as her, then maybe meeting everyone wouldn’t be so bad. We finished our food and headed toward my apartment, and when we arrived it looked like the café was just closing for the night. I still had to meet the owner since she would be the one I would be renting from. I said my goodbyes to Liam and Olivia, took a deep breathe and walked inside.

The smell of baked goods hit my nose instantly and I took a deep breath and smiled. The shop was empty and I saw a woman off to the side mopping the floor. She was petite with straight dark brown hair cut right above her shoulders. She had dark eyes and a small nose.

“Excuse me? Harper?” I said slowly walking toward her trying not to scare her.

She looked up at me and smiled instantly which I returned with a shyer smile.

“Hi! Can I help you?” she asks walking over to me.

“Hi, I am Amelia.” I told her.

“Oh! Amelia, yes! Hi!” She said walking over and hugging me.

Wow, everyone here likes to hug, that’s something I would have to get used to. She led me over to one of the tables and offered me a hot chocolate and didn’t take no for an answer. Once she had brought my drink she sat and smiled as I took a sip.

“It’s so nice to finally meet you Amelia! I have been looking forward to it!” She said happily.

She looked very young, and she said that she was 28. She had inherited the café from her grandmother and updated it over the years. She was very talkative but so sweet.

“Anyway, I have the keys to the apartment right here! The boxes you sent are already inside and waiting.” She said once I finished my drink.

I followed her along the right side of the café to a small hallway. It had three doors. One that opened into the restrooms and one that was a supply closet. We walked past them to a locked door, and I guessed this was the entrance to the apartment above. It was a short walk up a few stairs before we reached another door. It was red and had a vintage door handle. Once inside, she turned on a light as I followed her inside.

“I fixed up the place a little before your stuff arrived. I wasn’t sure how much you would be bringing with you, so I wanted to make sure you at least had the basics.” She said stepping aside and letting me look around.

It was spacious, just enough room for me. There was even a small kitchen with a mini fridge and electric stove top. It is just perfect and I couldn’t help but smile at how this was all mine.

“I love it!” I said.

“Yay! I am so glad! I will let you settle in. I will be downstairs for a couple more hours getting things ready for tomorrow, so if you hear anything its just me. Also, when would you like to start your first shift?” She asked me.

“I can start tomorrow if you want!” I said hoping I could repay her for her kindness.

“Of course, that would be great! We open at 7am, so come on down around 6 and I will train you a little before the customers arrive.” She said almost like a question.

“Ok, that sounds great!” I said with a shy smile.

She told me she was glad to meet me again and left me to unpack. I took one more look around the room before letting out an excited squeal. I walked over to the bed and dropped down on it and was met with a super comfy mattress and a fluffy comforter. It was perfect! I couldn’t wait to get everything unpacked, so I pulled myself up and walked over to the first box. I didn’t have much to bring, so after about an hour I had finished. I planned on buying more things once I received my first paycheck. Once I was happy with how everything was put away I got ready for bed. I showered and wrapped my long hair in a messy bun. I had loved keeping my hair long, because it made it easier to braid and that was my go-to hair style.

My night routine was pretty basic, being a werewolf meant I had pretty nice skin. I was always thankful for that, although it didn’t keep people from teasing me in school. I never considered myself pretty, since no one really told me I was. My hair was golden brown with hazel eyes to match, and my skin was fair but with a slight tan from living in such a sunny place. Even though I wasn’t ashamed of my looks, I preferred hiding under sweaters and hoodies. I didn’t care much for dressing up super girly, I preferred a minimal look.

I also preferred being alone to read or study, so according to the popular girls in my school that made me a nerd or a weirdo. If the popular girls thought that then everyone else did too. Besides the occasional harsh word from a random classmate or push into me making me drop all my stuff, most people just whispered about me thinking I couldn’t hear them. My parents said that I needed to experience these things because the real world is not so nice, and I need to know how to deal with such things. My brother would try to tell them what school was like for me and he would come to my rescues when he could, but I was used to people seeing me as being invisible. My parents didn’t really know half of what I had to put up with and they never asked, so I stayed quiet.

I figured what would be the point if they cared they would ask. I shut my eyes thinking about those times and a stray tear fell down my fac and I quickly brushed it away. I shook my head and tried to forget about all those painful times. I braided my hair and walked out of the bathroom and dropped down on my bed. I took out my phone to see messages from Liam and Olivia. They were making sure I settled in ok and even invited me to a special pack dinner that coming Friday. I responded saying that I would of course be there, I was curious about what a pack would be like.

I set my phone down and I thought about it for a moment. Liam had shared so many wonderful things with me about pack life and the community, but I think I was still nervous about the idea of it. At the same time I wished to know more about our kind and meet others like us, and learn more about what we could do. Liam told me they taught him everything and more, and that there was a lot we didn’t know. He told me about the first time he shifted and how amazing it was to run in the forest in wolf form. I never leaned how to shift, but me and my wolf had a good bond. She was outspoken and bold, unlike me. She was my strength through through the tough times and was a friend to me when I had none.

'What are you nervous about Mia?' My wolf asked me.

'Nothing, I just feel like it might be too overwhelming.' I responded.

'Don’t worry, I feel like there is a new adventure waiting for us here.' She says seeming content.

'What do you mean?' I ask her.

'I think we are meant to be here that’s all.' She says as she drifts off to sleep.

She spoke so cryptically sometimes, but it was usually when she wanted me to figure something important out on my own. I trusted her though, so I decided to keep an open mind about the pack and drift off to sleep myself.