The Beta's Daughter

EMMA

That night, Jazmine helped me sort through my things and pack. I’d ruined my favorite jeans when I had transformed, and I could barely think. What kind of clothes would I need? Would there be formal occasions? How long was I going to be with the werewolves?

She walked with me to the end of our drive where a black sedan waited. Ann stepped out and opened the back door.

“Don’t get into any trouble. Text me as soon as you arrive.” Jazmine wrapped her arms around my body and squeezed with all her might.

“Air,” I gasped, teasing her. “I already miss you.” I did my best not to cry.

The car ride wasn’t as long as I expected. It was about a thirty-mile drive, out of town. I’d never been in this area before.

Large black gates guarded what seemed like a subdivision. It was too dark to see much, and there were no street lights. The driver pulled up to the gates.

Four large men appeared out of nowhere. They looked into the car and sniffed the air. One whistled and the gate began to open.

Our driver pulled through and continued down a dirt road before it opened up, revealing hundreds of houses. We drove straight through until we finally came to a stop in the road where our driver then took a left. The houses grew more spaced apart. It was like they’d hidden a town from the world back here.

“Here we are.” Ann looked out her window. A huge stone mansion exploded from the side of the mountain.

“Whoa.” My jaw dropped slightly. “I guess the werewolf business is booming.” The place was massive. It was like something you would see in a rich neighborhood.

Ann snickered at the comment. “You know the town you lived in. The one we just left?” I nodded. “Our Alpha Jason runs it. Every business is under his order.”

Like a werewolf mafia? I had lived in that town my whole life and knew nothing. There had been no sign of the supernatural.

“The town and everyone in it is also under our protection. If anything goes awry, we step in.”

“Is that how Jazmine knows about you?” I asked the woman in the front seat. I had noticed that Ann kept most of the werewolf information to herself.

“I’m going to leave that story for Jazmine to tell you. She’s helped us in so many ways,” Ann told me.

“So, am I part of your wolf pack now? Or do I have to perform some kind of ritual to be accepted?” I asked out of curiosity.

Ann seemed like she was trying to find the words to explain. “There are no rituals per se, but to be a part of our pack you’re either born into it or you come in as an outsider and earn your way in.”

“What about in my case?” I needed to know what would happen to me. If they didn’t trust me around humans, why would they trust me around their own kind?

“Under the circumstances, you will be a guest in our pack until we find your parents. They may be in another pack, but I doubt that. The human foster system kept you in the same area where you were found,” Ann explained. “I got a copy of your file from the system. Alpha Jason has it. I’m sure he would be happy to share it with you.”

How did a werewolf get a copy of my foster care file when I couldn’t? Maybe she was right, and they really did run the town.

As we got out of the vehicle, we were greeted by a tall handsome man in a light gray suit paired with a green tie.

“Welcome back Ann. Emma it’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m Delta Grayson,” he said. “Alpha Jason and Beta Cole are waiting to meet you.” He turned on his heels and led us into the mansion.

We were led through the living area where a girl my age waved from the navy-blue loveseat in the corner. In her right hand she held a brown book with Alice in Wonderland written in gold. I waved back and I watched as a giant smile spread across her face.

A familiar scent filled the air as we continued walking. I couldn’t help but sniff harder. Ann looked at me with curiosity.

“That smell. Do you smell it?” I said. I sniffed again.

“You are surrounded by werewolves. It’s going to smell strange at first.”

“I don’t think that’s it. There’s something else. It’s a single smell.” I stopped in my tracks. “I don’t know how to explain it.” It was familiar.

“It smells like it always smells here. Come on.” Ann pulled me down the hall. “Alpha Jason is waiting for you Emma. You’ll learn how to control your senses as you go.”

Just as Delta Grayson reached for the brass door knob it flew open and an even larger man rushed out. Our eyes met and I automatically felt safe.

He stared at me with disbelief. He had dark brown skin, black shaggy hair and brown eyes. The man shoved Delta Grayson out of the way.

Ann took a step back as he circled me, sniffing the air.

“Kari,” I called out for my wolf, inside my mind. “It’s him. The smell is him. Why does his smell stand out among all the others? Help me.”

“We know him,” she told me. “His scent pulls us because we know who he is.”

I could feel she was right. My father was here. I had to meet him.