Chapter 1

AMELIA

Here I am, back in my old bedroom at my mom’s at the Night Pack. My room seems smaller than before, I feel like I'm running out of space, both literally and figuratively. The room is very plain with a single bed, a desk and a well-stocked library. In fact, the library overflows even under the bed, in my bedside table and in the living room.

I feel like I have left this place for an eternity but it has been only three years, even if I always got back during the summer breaks to visit my mom. Studying in another city has been the best decision I’ve ever made. And for the first time in my life, I was feeling at my place at University majoring in English Literature.

Growing up as a human in a werewolf pack has not been everyday easy because I have never really felt like “normal” which is strange, I have to say, because what is more normal than a human? And you have to ask yourself... wait... she's human and she lives in a pack? Well yes, my mother's family was settled in these lands and lived in harmony with the werewolves for decades and we stayed there.

When they all started to shift for the first time and then started to train, I was studying, reading and dreaming of a place where I could just fit in. At least I had my best friend, Sophia with me. She is a shifter too but she never treated me differently. Not like all the others. I always felt close to her since we were toddlers. People used to say that we were like twins because we are just eight months apart, we have the same black hair, the same brown green eyes but she’s thinner and a little bit taller than me. I am more of an ordinary type.

Sophia found her mate last week, Alec. He is the Beta of a pack that was visiting here with its alpha. As Sophia’s dad, David, is the Alpha of our pack they met and, obviously, it was love at first sight.

It might be great to just meet someone and to know that this person will love and cherish you for the rest of your life no matter what. I always felt jealous of werewolves for that, not even for the strength or the speed but for the mate bond. It might be because my mom has always been single and raised me by herself, since my father died during her pregnancy, I always dreamed of fairy tale love. In the human world, you have to kiss a ton of toads before you find your Prince Charming and honestly I’m not exaggerating. All the boys I’ve ever dated have been about one thing and one thing only. Surely you can guess what I mean? No? Well, sex. It’s all they care about and I’ve seen girls around me who, once they’ve been given what they want, are cowardly abandoned. So I made a promise to myself, not to give my virginity to just anyone. The man I would give myself to would have to be exceptional and prove to me that I was not just a toy. That’s why, at the age of twenty-one, I am still a virgin.

I hear a little knock on the door and my mom comes inside.

“Hey sweetheart”, she stops and looks at me while I’m checking my reflection in the mirror, “You look gorgeous”. She finishes after a pause.

I turn to face her “I wasn’t sure of the top”. I say looking at my outfit. I wear a black lace tank top with a slightly neckline on the front and transparent in the back that I tucked in my jeans with a pair of black pumps. I have light makeup and I have left my hair natural with waves. Simple and effective.

“No. No, don't change anything, you look perfect.” She says putting a strand of hair behind my ear. We look in the mirror and if I probably have my father's eyes, I have my mother's smile. That's for sure.

“You always say that.” I roll my eyes.

“Because you are my gorgeous daughter.” She tells me once again.

“Thank you mom.”

“So are you going to meet Sophia’s mate tonight?”

“Yes I am. I am so happy for her. He seems to be a very nice guy from what she told me. Have you met him?”

“Yes he came to the Diner with Sophia two days ago and she introduced him to me.”

My mom owns a Diner in town that is really appreciated by the pack members. All the burgers and Milkshakes are delicious. I have never eaten something better than what comes out of this kitchen.

“Will it be only the three of you tonight?”

“No, Tom will be there too. He is actually going to pick me up in a few minutes now.”

We hear ringing at the doorbell and I look at my mom.

“Can you please open the door for him? I finish getting ready and I’ m going downstairs.”

My mom leaves my bedroom and I bring the final touch to my light makeup with a red lipstick, grab my red blazer and my black purse and I join those downstairs.

As I go down the stairs, I hear a whistle. And Sophia’s brother stands at the foot of the stairs. Sophia looks a lot like their father but Tom is the portrait of their mother, Luna Victoria. He is tall, athletic, his blond hair is perfectly styled, long on top and short on the sides, blue eyes and he has a smile that makes all girls fall. Tonight, as usual, he opted for a chic and casual outfit, jeans, a white shirt and completed his outfit with black dress shoes.

“Well, big head, you look good.” He affirms, looking at me from bottom to top. I thank him and reach him for a hug.

“After you Madam.” Tom tells, opening the door for me.

“Have fun tonight and say hi to Sophia” my mom says while I go outside.