Chapter 4 A Tightly Bound Pack

The next morning, we were woken early by Beta Mateo. After piling into our car, he led us to the outskirts of the small town that would now be home. The house was more of a cottage, with a wide veranda out front and a gravel driveway. Cozy and tucked among the trees, it offered the kind of quiet isolation I craved-far from the pack and the rest of town.

As soon as we arrived, I stepped out with my father. Mateo unlocked the green wooden door and handed the keys over.

"You sure you want to live all the way out here? There are plenty of places in town that might better suit your needs," he said.

"No, this is perfect. Thank you, Beta," my father replied.

Mateo smiled. "We're of the same rank. Honestly, you've been doing this longer than I have. You could probably show me a thing or two. Just call me Mateo-and welcome to the Pack." He gave my father a pat on the shoulder, then turned to me. Pausing on the lawn, he sniffed the air lightly.

"You smell different from most wolves," he said, eyes narrowing a little.

I stiffened. "What do you mean?"

He tilted his head. "I don't know... Just different. I can smell that you're a wolf, but your scent's faint. Anyway, I'll let you settle in. Just a reminder-pack runs are compulsory on Friday afternoons at six sharp. I know you're excused this week, but it's a good way to meet everyone. We're a close-knit community, and people tend to relax more when newcomers participate."

My father nodded. "We'll do our best to be there."

As my mother joined us on the porch, she gave me a pointed look. I sighed and followed her inside.

The living room was dominated by a massive stone fireplace stretching across one wall. The dark-stained floorboards gave the space a rustic, lived-in charm. It smelled musty-like it hadn't been aired out in a while. My mother started opening curtains and windows, letting in the breeze.

Wandering through, I found the kitchen surprisingly modern-granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, and a small island in the middle. A few of Alpha Ezra's men helped unload furniture while my parents began unpacking.

Carrying a box down the hallway, I found my room at the back of the house. It was right next to the bathroom, with a large window that overlooked the forest. Peaceful. My parents' room was farther down, complete with an ensuite.

I started assembling my bed, and one of the helpers brought in the rest of my boxes before the truck rumbled away. The rest of the day passed in a blur of unpacking and cleaning. By nightfall, I was too exhausted to eat. I crashed into bed and fell asleep instantly-only to wake up sometime in the middle of the night.

Padding into the kitchen, I grabbed a glass of water. The silence here was deep and still, unlike our last house on a busy road. No cars. No shouting. Just the sound of crickets outside the window. I liked the quiet. No people. No neighbors to ask questions. No one to pry.

Back in my room, I slid under my purple duvet, tucking it under my chin and snuggling into the mattress. Safe. Comfortable.

The next few days passed in a rhythm that began to feel... normal. By Monday, I had a routine. I pulled on a pair of jeans and a blue T-shirt, grabbed my schoolbag, and loaded in my books. My parents were heading to meet Alpha Ezra to get their job assignments.

As we pulled up to the school, dread curled in my stomach. My mother caught my eye in the rearview mirror.

"You'll be fine. And from the sounds of it, I might be working here, too. Just keep your head down and behave. Everything will be fine, Kat."

I nodded, opened the door, and stepped out. The brick building loomed above me, and I already knew-it would be just like the last one. Full of judgment. Waiting for me to slip.

Inside the front office, a woman in her mid-thirties greeted me with a warm smile. She had shoulder-length auburn hair, large round glasses, and hazel eyes that sparkled kindly.

"You must be Katya?"

"Yes. I'm here for my timetable."

She rifled through a stack of papers and pulled out a manila folder.

"Your schedule, a map of the school, your library card, and your locker combo are all in there."

I flipped it open, skimming my classes. My stomach dropped. Training every afternoon-except Friday. Two hours a day. And Tuesdays and Wednesdays had an extra hour of wolf training. Panic tightened my chest. I wouldn't make it a day before someone realized I didn't have a wolf. Maybe I could get excused for the first week...

"Thanks," I mumbled and headed off to find my locker.

As I twisted the combination, I could feel a few curious stares. No one was openly rude, which was something. I stashed some books, grabbed what I needed for English, and closed the door-only to jump when a girl appeared beside me.

She had a pixie haircut, a nose ring, and thick eyeliner that made her blue eyes stand out.

"Hi. You must be new. I'm Jasmine," she said, grabbing my schedule before I could answer.

"Katya," I said awkwardly.

"We've got most of the same classes. You can follow me-I'll show you around."

"Thanks. That'd be great."

"So, you're from Alpha Jackson's Pack, right?"

I didn't answer. So, the gossip had already started.

"My dad's third in command here. He heard Alpha Ezra talking. You've got Beta blood?"

I nodded, though it didn't mean much without a wolf.

"Your mom has quite the rep. The only female warrior in Jackson's Pack. What was it like there?"

"Um... okay, I guess. Like any other pack."

"Really? Alpha Ezra hates Jackson. I'm surprised he let anyone transfer. Your parents must have a solid reputation. We haven't had newcomers in years."

She led me toward our classroom. "This is English. Mr. Tonks is chill, but don't be late-he hates tardiness."

Inside, the students were calm and chatting quietly. It was nothing like my old school, where chaos reigned. Jasmine pulled me to an empty desk beside hers and pointed around the room.

"That group over there-safe. They won't bother you," she said, gesturing toward a group of nerdy-looking kids. I could deal with that. I was basically a nerd, too.

"And that group-avoid them. The blonde is Angie. Queen bee and total bitch. Try to coast through the middle like I do."

Before I could respond, the teacher walked in and went straight to the whiteboard. No big announcement about the new student-thankfully.

The day passed in a haze. I followed Jasmine's advice and kept to myself. At lunch, we sat on the oval while students and teachers set up the training grounds.

I watched from a distance as nausea settled low in my stomach. Two hours of training, and I'd already be exposed. My pulse quickened-until I saw my mother walk onto the field... followed by Alpha Ezra.