I hated being wolfless. It was like being a bird without wings, a fish without gills, a flower without petals. I was a freak of nature, a defective she-wolf who had never heard the voice of her inner beast. And I was nearing 18 years old now, the age when most werewolves found their mates and completed their bond.
But not me. I had no hope of ever finding my other half, let alone feeling the bliss of the mating bond. I was doomed to live a lonely and miserable life, a burden to my pack and a disappointment to my father.
My father. Alpha Andre of the Silver Moon pack. The most powerful and respected leader in the region. He was the only one who loved me unconditionally, despite my flaw. He spoiled me rotten, gave me anything I wanted, and protected me from any harm. He was also the only one who could make me laugh with his silly jokes and his warm hugs.
He was also the only one who could make me jump out of my skin with his mind-link.
"Aleena, come to my study now," I heard Alpha Andre's voice through the mind-link.
I gasped and dropped the book I was reading on my bed. What did he want from me? Had I done something wrong? Was he angry with me? Was he in danger?
I reached his study in record time and knocked on the door, hoping he would let me in right away.
"Wait," he said through the mind-link.
I frowned and waited outside, feeling anxious and impatient. What was going on in there? Why did he make me wait? Who was he talking to?
I tried to listen through the door, but all I could hear were muffled voices and rustling papers. It sounded like he was hiding something from me.
But what? And why?
"Come in," he finally said after what seemed like an eternity.
I opened the door and saw him sitting behind his desk, looking serious and tense. Next to him was Luna Rose, his mate and my stepmother. She smiled at me politely, but I could sense her discomfort and pity. She never liked me much, even though she tried to be nice to me. She probably wished I was never born, or that I had died along with my mother.
And on the other side of the desk was Beta Erick, my father's second-in-command and best friend. He nodded at me briefly, then got up and left the room without a word. He looked worried and grim, as if he had just delivered some bad news.
"Is there something wrong, Father?" I asked nervously, lowering my head in respect and submission.
He sighed and gestured for me to sit on the couch next to Luna Rose. He then got up and moved to the single couch opposite us. He looked too big for it, like a bear trying to fit into a rabbit hole.
He leaned forward and clasped his hands together, looking at me with a serious expression.
"Aleena, we need to talk," he said solemnly.
My heart skipped a beat. That was never a good sign.
"About what?" I asked cautiously.
He took a deep breath and said,
"About your future."
I felt a surge of fear and excitement. What did he mean by that? Did he have some plans for me? Did he know something I didn't?
"What about it?" I pressed him.
He smiled faintly and said,
"I know you've always wanted to explore the human world after graduation. You've always been fascinated by their culture and lifestyle. You've always felt more human than werewolf."
I nodded slowly, wondering where he was going with this.
"Well, I've decided to grant you your wish," he continued.
My eyes widened in shock and disbelief.
"Really?" I asked incredulously.
He nodded again and said,
"Yes, really. You can go wherever you want, do whatever you want, be whoever you want. As long as you're happy and safe."
I couldn't believe what I was hearing. He was letting me go? Just like that?
"Why?" I asked suspiciously.
He chuckled softly and said, "Because you're my daughter, Aleena. I want you to be happy and fulfilled, even if it means letting you go."