Joining the Pack

Chapter One

Zoey

Zoey, my mom called into the yard. I was not paying a bit of attention. Why do you ask? I was concentrating. I am constantly fine-tuning my training and wolf skills. Yes, I said wolf. I am a werewolf. I just turned into one a year ago when I shifted for the first time. I was born a werewolf.

I shifted back after she had called again for the second time. This time, ferocity poured from her mouth as she yelled my name. I had been concentrating harder than needed to be. Yeah, mom, I called as I strolled inside the kitchen. I placed my sweatshirt on the chair before I sat, too hot to keep it on. Now I just sat in a halter-top and shorts.

As I stared at my mom and dad, who looked flustered, I began to feel uncomfortable. An eerie pit began building in my stomach that told me I was about to hear bad news. Zoey, you're moving with your father back to his pack on the other side of the country. We're getting a divorce, my mother says as she scrapes her chair across the tile floor.

What?! I screamed. There's no way I am moving away from my friends! I cried.

Either you move with him or you move to Europe with me, and we all know you would rather be with your father. Plus, I don't want the burden. My mother smiled as I stared at her in disbelief like she was a purple chicken running around with its head cut off right in the middle of the kitchen. Since when did she not want me around? Oh. I get it, I thought to myself. She doesn't want a werewolf around when she can't shift herself.

FINE! I scream as I beeline it to my room and slam the door for an added effect. There are boxes all over my room; most of them were just taped on the bottom and left to sit empty. I was livid. I tossed things into the boxes left and right. I didn't dare hesitate and look at what was making it into the boxes, simply tossing them in the right direction.

After my 'fit' ends, I lay down while weeping on my bed when I hear a soft knock on the door. What? I snap.

Sweetie, it's dad, my dad's soft masculine voice calls through the door. I have always been close to my dad, not so much though with my mom. Nevertheless, it has helped that I can shift into a wolf. So can he. We play and run through the trees together all the time. I know you're not happy honey, but you need to be in a pack and get used to their ways. Someday soon you will be finding your mate, and he will already be in a pack most likely, my dad rambled on. I have heard him talk about this before, but I didn't want to know much about it. I liked it here in the no-pack territory. Not many wolves lived here, but every rogue here was friendly.

We'll be leaving tomorrow morning, sweetie. If you want to go out and say goodbye to your friends, you should do it tonight.

Yeah, dad, I think I will do just that. I pouted as I ambled my way out the door.

I found my friends Tyler, Jordan, and Stacy at our location, tucked in the back corner of Stacy's yard. A small bench has sat there for years, so we claimed it. We would sit there, talk, and hang out while we decide what to do next.

Hey, guys. I smiled. It will probably be my last time ever seeing my friends.

Zoey, Stacy called as she ran to me pulling me into her long skinny arms. What's the matter?

Nothing, I replied. I wasn't going to let them see me cry. I am strong. I will be strong for my friends...

Ah... Zo... you're crying. We know something is up. Jordan half-smiles as he walks closer to us.

Dang, stupid tears; I didn't even realize I was still crying.

I'm moving. I'll miss you all. This is my last night here, I whined.

My friends didn't say much at first. They just wrapped me up in their warm and loving arms and held me. I knew Stacy would be sad. She was one of my rogue friends here, my best friend. She didn't say much, just leaned in my ear and said, we'll come to see you if you want. I smiled at her suggestion. This would be wonderful except for the fact that I know she didn't want to. She was a rogue too, and she had told me how she had planned to stay that way.

Let's make the most of our time then, Tyler announced and scooped me up into his arms and ran off toward the house. Jordan picked up Stacy and followed us. They set us down in front of the couch in Stacy's house. Together we watched a movie as we ate popcorn and candy together.

Two movies later, the living room ended up destroyed. Popcorn was all over from Jordan and Tyler fighting with it. Pillows and blankets all over from Stacy and I pillow fighting the guys. It was fun.

After a few tear-filled hours, I slunk back toward my house. I had promised to call when I arrived and give them my address. I am going to miss them.

Chapter Two

Zoey

My father's pack, the Andrews' pack; kept ringing in my head. It was the only thing I could think of for the last hour of our trip. That is until we got onto the plane.

I sat waiting for the stupid plane's ascent into the big gray-blue sky when my dad looked at me. Great, I knew he wanted to talk. I could tell from the moment we got into the stupid car. I don't want to talk and you can't make me. We have a few things we need to talk about, Zoey, before we get to our new home. Great, he snapped me out of my revelry and back onto this stupid plane, in this stupid window seat, and trapped by this crazy person who wants to talk.

Uh... I don't want to talk about it, dad. Maybe later, I mused, placing my headphones in my ears and pretended to be busy watching the old movie that was showing.

Sorry, dear, but we have to at least talk about a few things. My dad smiled as he pulled my earbud from my ear.

Fine, dad, what is it... come on, I don't have all day you know. Well actually, I did. I had been caged with him in either the car or the plane since I woke up this morning. Then I will remain trapped until the time when we set foot in our new home.

That's no way to talk to your father! he barked irritably.

AGH, I scowled as I huffed out a breath of air.

First, you will be starting school Monday. Second, you will need to go and ask formal permission to join the pack.

I don't want to join a stupid pack, dad, I interrupted him.

You. Don't. Have. A. Choice, he sharply announced every word. It's pack land. Either you ask to join the pack and then join it, or they will kill you or run you out. That's how a pack works with rogues. His voice was hard and cold. He was trying to tell me there was no choice in the matter. Mom had left us and now we didn't have a choice.

Dad later told me that my grandfather was living in the same pack territory. We would be staying with him.

He said it like it was the most normal thing in the world that my grandfather was part of the Andrews' Pack. Yet, I had never met my grandfather, I didn't even know I had one until today. He had told me that my grandfather was the beta to the former Alpha.

Why would I want to join a pack? I would much rather be free and not listen to some arrogant prick riding his high horse who thinks he can tell everyone what to do, I complain. Now, I am just annoyed. Earlier in the day, I was annoyed and angry for leaving my friends and for my mom giving up on us, but now I am just flat-out peeved.

Oh... I don't know why you wouldn't dear; your pack is like your family. I assume your mate is going to be living there, he smiled evilly.

Great, just great.

What do you know that you aren't telling me?

Nothing, dear, it is just that I am hoping your mate lives in this pack. The former alpha is a great man, and he ran the pack well. His son now runs the pack, so I assume it runs just as well.

What is a mate dad? Why do you always try to convince me I will like him? Uh... never mind, I don't want to know! I argue as I put my earphones back in my ears and this time I hold them there and do not look at him. I am through with listening to his thoughts.

I don't care who or what a mate is nor do I want one. I just want a regular boyfriend and a regular life. Heck, I love being a wolf, but I don't want to be controlled. Wait, I don't even know if I want a boyfriend either. They can be so... irritating sometimes, and then they get tired of you and cheat, lie, and cheat, oh wait, did I just think that twice? Yeah, but most do. I think it's a guy thing, they are just... not trustworthy.

After the plane lands, we grab a bite to eat at a small cafe in the airport. I order a caramel mocha coffee and an oat muffin while my father orders the plain and simple coffee with a brownie. For a few minutes, we sit and wait. The plane had landed thirty minutes earlier than it should have, so we ate for a bit before we made our way to the doors. My dad told me that grandpa would be here to pick us up, but I don't even know who he is, let alone what he looks like.

I notice a man smiling like a crazy person standing near a black limo. He is tall and well-groomed. Similar looking to dad, but his hair is gray, and he looks tired. He can't be grandpa, there's no way grandpa is rich. We are okay but by no means rich. It can't be him. Now, he's waving and holding up his arms in the air.

Matthew! the man calls. Oh, boy. Dad turns in the direction of the man with the limo and trots off toward him.

Father! How have you been? he says enthusiastically, his eyes are glossy as he smiles. I can't help but mirror his tearful expression. I have never known my grandfather, but I wish I had. My maternal grandparents died when I was young. They only lived three doors down from our house. That's why my parents moved there in the first place before I was born.

Zoey, Dad turned back toward me and said, Father, this is your granddaughter, Zoey.

Oh... my... sweet Zoey, aren't you a cutie, Grandpa says as Dad pushes me toward him. Come here and hug Grandpa. I can't believe it, you're just so gorgeous my dear, Grandpa coos as he pinches my cheek.

I guess I can admit I am not bad looking. I was somewhat popular at my last school. I made homecoming princess last year. However, I think I am far from gorgeous. My hair is a dark chestnut and my eyes are a crystalline blue. My figure is lean and athletic, probably from all those years of self-defense and track.

I am just staring and blinking at the man whom I now can call Grandpa. Uh... thanks. I blush wildly.

Well, shall we? He smiles, ignoring my blanked-out moment.

The driver places our bags in the trunk, and we are off. Grandpa and Dad talked for a bit about my mom. She was never his mate. Maybe someday he would find his actual mate. The car chatter died down and Grandfather put in a movie for us to watch. 'Grumpy Old Men', it was funny to see Grandpa, an old man in his own right, and Dad watching old men in a movie pulling pranks on each other. Another couple of hours later, and we are driving through a thickly wooded forest to who knows where.

Ah... Where do you live ? I question Grandpa.

Oh. Ah... I live in a small subdivision you can call it, where a lot of the retired wolves and families live, Grandpa explains.

Oh, is all I can reply because now I know why Dad says I must join the pack. I will be living right among them with no escape.

We pull up to a semi-large home and a few people are standing near the door. I watch as Grandpa and Dad exit the limo and then wait for my exit as well.

She will be ready to meet you all later now shoo... Grandpa sneers as he waves his hands around frantically shooing off the strange little children.

I am now just flat-out exhausted. Too much travel. I am making a vow not to do it again anytime soon. Grandpa has shown me where I will be sleeping, and I am lying on the soft white linen of the bed staring at the wall. I think I will go for a run tomorrow. I am bored. I can't sit here doing not anything.

Chapter Three

Zoey

I have rested for a while now, and I am just crazy bored. Therefore, I decided I would wander the house. When I find Grandpa or Dad, I will ask if I can go for a run or something. Well, speak of the devil...

Hey, pops. I smile at Grandpa. His lips are in a straight line and his eyebrow rises.

Pops aye? I smile again.

Yeah, it's brief. Right?

Sure thing, Zo. I snicker at his nickname. He doesn't realize that is what my friends used to call me all the time.

Can I go out? I ask. I'm trying to go for a run to the city to see what they have there. Anything is better than being bored here.

Sure but stay out of the woods and no running around in your wolf form. You haven't asked to join the pack yet, and we don't want any accidents. He shutters while thinking of something. Who knows?

Sure pops. I am going to go change for a sec, then if you see Dad will you tell him I will be back later?

Okay, darling. He winks at me as if he knows my secret then continues on his way.

I, on the other hand, rush upstairs to find something to wear. I decided I will wander around until I find the city and then I will see what there is out there to do. I pull off the clothes that I have been wearing all day and pull on a pair of strategically ripped jeans along with a tight black halter-top. I leave my hair in a messy ponytail and pull on my black boots.

I rush out the door shoving money into my back pocket, which Grandpa had slipped me. Before Dad can stop me, I hurry down the stairs. I didn't realize when I arrived here that Grandpa's house is surrounded by forest, just daring my wolf to come out and run through the trees. Ah, screw it. I run down the street at a moderate pace turning toward the left at the end. Toward the lights of what must be the city.

Sure enough, when I top the hill I can see the city just about a mile away. I slowed my pace considerably since I came upon the city, so I didn't look too suspicious. I now can hear blaring music and a thrumming beat. I have got to go check it out!

As I neared the lovely sound of the rock beat that was thumping in my ears, I noticed people lined up along a wall. It's a club. There is a velvet rope to keep those people back that have to wait their turn to get in. Gathering my confidence, I saunter past as guys begin to whistle behind me and girls complain and scream that I need to go to the back of the line.

The bouncer at the door is a big man. His head is cueball bald and looks like it has been spit-shined. His muscles are bulging out of his shirt and begging for release. Yet he is quite a bit older than the average population here, maybe in his forties.

Hey hot stuff, you come to dance tonight? His voice is rough and scary, this is the perfect job for him, I think to myself.

I flick a strand of hair that has fallen in my face, tucking it behind my ear as I reach up and rub his muscled bicep. You got it, big guy. How about I skip the line?

Sure thing, babe. He smiles as he pushes the door open for me.

Thanks, sweetie, see you later. I smile seductively at him as I blow him a kiss. Men are so easy to manipulate.

Inside the music is pumping and I can't help but sway my hips to the glorious sound as I walk toward the bar. The bartender, a cute guy with shaggy black hair flopping down against his cheeks, leans forward and asks if he can get me anything.

Sure. Ah... strawberry daiquiri wine cooler. I smile at the thought. I am only eighteen but I'm sure this cute guy is never going to consider asking. He smiles and