Karrie
My eyes blink open, stinging against the harsh light. I groan and yank my blanket over my head. Darkness is my preferred habitat anyway.
“Temperance, time to wake up,” my father’s voice soothes.
I burrow deeper into my mattress, convinced I’m hearing things. My father is supposed to be on a hunting trip until tomorrow. But then a large hand rests on my forehead, beneath my fortress of blankets and pillows.
I yank my cover away and find my father’s worried face. I instantly regret leaving my hideaway—the overhead light is blinding.
I groan. “Did I seriously sleep for two whole days?”
“Not quite, sweetheart.” My father chuckles, relief washing over his face. “How are you feeling?”
“Like I’ve been run over by a truck. Then the driver got out and hit me with a baseball bat—a metal one.” I squint at him. “Why are you home? Weren’t you supposed to be back tomorrow?”
“A father’s duty is to take care of his family’s health when they’re sick.” My dad stands up from the edge of my bed, and I sink further into the soft mattress.
“Also,” he adds, “your brother wouldn’t stop talking about Serena.”
I give him a knowing look before standing up. The warmth of my bed quickly fades, replaced by a shiver. I was too hot all last night, and now I’m too cold? I must have caught something. Maybe a stomach bug?
My entire body aches as my dad helps me into my fur robe and house slippers.
“What time is it?” I squint as my dad guides me down the stairs and into the blinding light of the living room, with its annoyingly open curtains.
“Just past nine, sweetie,” my dad says over his shoulder. “Your brothers and mother are at the pack house, getting things ready for tomorrow.”
“Ah, that makes sense.” I nod. “I feel bad. Serena and I were supposed to decorate her veil together.”
“She’s more worried about you than the veil, Temperance.”
I sit at the kitchen island as my dad slides a bowl of homemade chicken noodle soup toward me. I can’t help but smile.
When I was little, he would always make this for me when I was sick. Werewolves don’t usually get sick. I don’t think my brothers or father have ever been ill.
It was amusing watching my dad struggle while my mother tried to teach him how to care for a human child. After twenty-two years, he’s become an expert in my eyes.
“How was work this week?” My father sits next to me, sipping his large mug of strong black coffee. His dark brown eyes swirl as he waits for my answer.
“Nora was too busy with recent orders and the upcoming show to be of any help,” I grumble between bites. “The review process fell on me. But we passed with flying colors, according to Nora.”
“You’ve got your father’s work ethic.” My dad raises an eyebrow as he takes another sip of his coffee.
“Well, she wants to hold a dinner for all of us tomorrow after the ceremony.” I play with my spoon in my bowl, watching the noodles swirl around.
“I don’t see why we couldn’t go.” My father shrugs. “She wouldn’t have suggested it if she hadn’t cleared it with Xavier.”
Xavier is our Alpha’s first name. Only my dad, our Beta Maddox, and our Luna Holland are allowed to call him that.
Given that our families are about to merge and my brother is set to be the future Alpha, it’s only natural the two men have grown closer.
“So, you’re okay with it?” I lift my head. I had been ready to tell Nora we couldn’t make it when my father said no.
“We have to secure that promotion of yours, right?” My father smirks at me from the corner of his eye. “My daughter will be head of that sales department if it kills me.”
“Thank you, Papa.” I smile and rest my head on his shoulder. He kisses my forehead, and I can’t help but feel a pang in my heart. Soon, I’ll be on my own.
The day passes quickly. My headache and body aches gradually ease as I stretch and do my evening yoga ritual.
Our home has a large yard, enclosed by a tall wooden fence. It’s the perfect place for peaceful meditation.
“Temperance!”
Or so I thought…
“Chase.” I exhale heavily. “How many times do I have to tell you not to interrupt my yoga? This is the first time in ages that I’ve been able to do this!”
My brother rolls his eyes. “I just came to see how you’re feeling. You looked pretty rough this morning.”
“Wow, thanks.” I resume my previous pose and put my headphones in, hoping my little brother will take the hint and leave.
“I bet your wolf is coming in.” Chase ducks his head under me and yanks my headphones out of my ears. “You’re showing all the symptoms a female would at an early age.”
“Very funny, Chase.” I snatch my headphones back. “We all know that I’m human. I don’t want a wolf.”
From a young age, I’ve accepted the fact that I don’t have a wolf or the superhuman abilities that come with it.
My entire life is built around the fact that I’m human. My apartment, my job… even my love life. I haven’t dated a wolf since middle school because of the whole mates thing.
My middle school sweetheart was a guy named Damien Fallen. My first love and first kiss.
His family disapproved of our relationship, fearing I would become a problem for Damien’s future partner, chosen by the Moon Goddess. Our romance ended as quickly as it began.
Damien’s family moved to a different pack. So, I’ve sworn off wolves ever since.
Being the only human at my workplace has its perks. While everyone else is obsessing over finding their mates and popping out three pups by my age, I’m busy living life on my own terms.
“Tempy, Mom and Dad have been yapping about it all day.”
Ugh! That nickname! It’s been a thorn in my side since childhood, courtesy of him and Liam. They claim I have a temper whenever things don’t go my way.
“Stop calling me that, you pest!” I swat at my brother’s head, trying to push his annoying words out of my mind.
“Shouldn’t you be off shaving your neck or something? Serena wouldn’t want to sink her teeth into that jungle you call facial hair. I know I wouldn’t.”
My hulking brother growls and stomps off.
He’s probably off to trim that shaggy beard he’s been sporting since he was about eleven. Male werewolves sprout an insane amount of body hair from a very young age.
That infuriating wolf! He and Liam never missed a chance to tease me about not having a wolf of my own. The memories try to sneak up on me, but I manage to rein in my thoughts before they run wild.
I brush a few stray hairs away from my face. It’s so cold that my breath is visible, but my body is radiating an intense heat. I’m sweating even though there’s melting snow on the ground.
“Temperance, could you come here, please,” my mother calls.
I roll my eyes and gather myself. Just when I was getting back into the swing of things.
“Yes, Mama?” I wipe the sweat off my forehead as I step inside. The snow has started to melt from the day’s sunlight. It’s barely over 40 degrees Fahrenheit outside, but it doesn’t bother me today.
“Is there something you need to tell us?” my father asks, his arms crossed, as I walk into the living room.
He and my mother are sitting on the couch. My mother looks anxious as our eyes meet.
Well, shit.
Did he find the magazines already? I thought I hid them well. Wait, yes, they were under my mattress where he sat this morning.
“Papa, I can explain—”
“When were you planning to tell us you were sensing your wolf?”
What?
“What?” I echo out loud.
My father’s stern face softens with excitement. “Your wolf, darling! The fever, headaches, and body aches all day.”
“Uh…”
I glance at my mother for support, but she’s as baffled as I am. Her eyes are glued to my father as he stands and wraps me in a hug.
I stand there, exchanging a look with my mother—just two clueless humans in the room.
“I thought he found the magazines!” I mouth to my mom.
“Me too!”
“This is fantastic news!” My father’s laughter fills the room. “In the next few days, you’ll have your first shift!”
“Dad, I don’t think—”
“I had my doubts, but I knew it was true!” My father interrupts me. “You’ll start training as soon as possible!
“The body needs to be ready for this kind of thing. Especially since you’re so late in the process! I’m so thrilled, sweetheart!”
I offer my father a hollow smile as he hugs me again. So much for a simple stomach bug.