Chapter one: "Remember to breathe"

Chapter one: Remember to breathe

Ashley’s POV

A long-forgotten house came into view. The shutters lay in shambles on the ground, and the door looks like it is barely hanging on. It wasn’t Luxurious, but for now, it was home.

We moved from Oregon, where we had an apartment over the corner coffee shop. Walking to school was questionable. We lived outside the pack in the Human town because my mom was human, and my dad is a werewolf. While it’s not outlawed anymore, it was still frowned upon.

I live with my dad; my mom died in a Rogue Attack last year. The wounds are still fresh, and every day is a struggle. We left Oregon because the memories were too much to bare. Alpha Derek was great, but too much reminded us of her.

Dad and I aren’t close; he spends most of his time in his study.

I’m not sure if moving to Florida was the right choice, but there’s an Alpha here who said we could join his pack.

“Last door on the left is your room Ash” dad called from the car.

I cautiously climb the rickety stairs. Alpha Michael gave dad the choice of any available house in the pack territory. He chose this one, saying, “ working on the renovations will help keep him busy.” I’m sure the Alpha thinks dad is going insane.

The room was beautiful layout-wise, that is. The paint was peeling, the floors were dusty, and the curtains looked like they belonged in a horror film, but the bathroom, walk-in Closet, and the raised platform for the bed are amazing.

I’ll ask dad once we get unpacked for some money to fix this room and truly make it my own.

I went back downstairs and helped dad finish unpacking. I go back to school tomorrow. I tried to convince Alpha Michael that there wasn’t a point in going with just one week left in school as it was my senior year. He had my transcripts transferred anyways. All I had to do was do a weeks’ worth of finals, and I was done.

I haven’t met Alpha Michael yet outside of talking on the phone discussing the move with him and my dad. We have to meet him tomorrow after school.

Everything was unpacked, and dad was putting new screws into the front door. I passed through the doorway, telling him I was going to go for a walk. Dad paused. I could see the fear of me being alone. His shaking voice told me to explore the packhouse. That’s not much of a walk, I complained. He visibly aged in front of me, the weight of what happened overwhelming him. “Please Ash just to the pack house and no shifting ” he said, “for me I can’t lose you too.” I nodded. I had been told that millions of times since my first shift, yet no one would say to me why. My walk was short as promised, just across the street to the packhouse.

The packhouse was quiet. When I visited our old packhouse, it was always lively and full of people.

I walked through endless halls and gyms. I saw a closed door, but no voices were coming out of it, so I opened it. I gasped, my inner bookworm screaming as I found the most extensive Pack library I had ever seen.

Rows of books caught my attention. I found a small corner and started to read. I dozed off halfway through my book when I was suddenly awakened by someone chuckling. I opened my eyes when he said, “ there you are your dad is worried sick about you.” I stood up, mumbling an apology to be met by a man with dark brown hair towering over my 5’7self. He had to be easily 6’6. He had the most intense grey eyes. They were light grey with flecks of blue. I remembered to breathe. The scent around me felt intoxicating. I felt drawn to it, but I don’t know why.

A man roughly the same size but with sandy blonde hair came barreling in. Alpha he said we’d looked everywhere she’s not….” He stopped mid-sentence, realizing I was right there. I looked down at the floor, realizing Alpha Michael was standing less than three feet from me. I nodded to him and walked to the door to leave. He called after me; his booming voice stopped me in my tracks. Standing in front of me, he says, “ your dad asked for you to stay at the packhouse until he gets back in the morning” the man standing behind Alpha Michael scoffed. Michaels’s eyes turned to daggers.

Michaels POV:

Where could she be? Her dad said he watched her walk over here; he needed to go to the port to pick up the remainder of their stuff. I told him not to worry that we’d find her, and she could stay here tonight. I’d make sure she made it to school in the morning. Walking around every hallway was a pain, and I had a million things to do where was she.

First day here, and she’s already causing problems. I Could feel my wolf Murdock pulling to the surface.

Walking past the library, I notice the door is open. Shaking my head, I made a mental note to make my Beta do night Patrols for the next month. Her scent hit me first. Murdock was coming to the surface, fighting to find her. She was tucked away in the corner; when I first laid eyes on her, I had to force myself to gain control. She is beautiful; her brown hair has a single grey stripe framing her face she looked peaceful.

Ashley’s POV:

This night couldn’t get more embarrassing Alpha Michael put me right next to his room. He was intimidating. Why he didn’t wait till morning to go pick up the remainder of our stuff is beyond me.

I struggled to fall asleep. My wolf was restless.

“Anya, what’s going on with you tonight?” I could feel her pacing in my mind.

“ I’m not sure, somethings different here.”

Her pacing seemed never-ending. Hours passed, and I saw rays of light passing through the window. For the first time, I took in the grandeur of the room. The walls were emerald, green but the paint was so smooth it looked like green velvet. Our old packhouse had carpet in every room, but the floors were wood in a light grey color. I reached my arms outstretching, letting my hands brush against the soft silver bedding.

“knock, Knock”

My heart skipped a beat as the door slowly opened.