Now, I get to go to a weird hybrid school and live with a parent I barely know who’s doing his damndest to pretend my wolf doesn’t exist. The cherry on top of the sundae that is my life.
My shoulders slump. I grab my new, pale pink backpack—so not my color—and pull on a pair of strappy sandals. They’re so not practical. No way they’ll last. One unplanned shift and they’ll be shredded. With sneakers I can slip my feet out quickly if I’m in a pinch and need to shift. These have so many ties and buckles they’re like Fort Knox refusing to give up my feet.
A sigh escapes me. I know I should be grateful. They’re nice. But all the money and high-end stuff makes me uncomfortable. I didn’t have stuff like this growing up. Mom was a single mom. She worked two jobs to make ends meet and while the Pack looked out for us, we were still responsible for our own finances. We had a roof over our heads and food on the table, but we didn’t have money pouring out for frivolous things like over-priced shoes that were easily ruined.
I head out of my room, jogging down the stairs on silent feet. Two of the steps creak, but I know which ones they are and easily skip over them. Natalia stands by the marble island, a wide smile on her face and no Brian in sight. She hands me a travel mug. “Here, darling. I made you some coffee. We need to get going so you’re not late for your first day.”
I accept the drink knowing she doesn’t realize shifter metabolism burns through caffeine too quick for it to make a difference to my morning. Back home, I’d make café de olla. A spiced coffee sweetened with piloncillo. But I only drank it for the flavor.
I follow her, scanning the room as I take a sip of the sickly sweet coffee. Yuck. I would have settled for a cup of black coffee and I’m tempted to pour it out and grab a fresh cup. But I don’t. That would be rude.
Natalia sees my wandering gaze and answers my unspoken question. “Your father is at the office already. His schedule is pretty full and your arrival wasn’t”—she pauses—“planned.”
I press my lips into a thin line. No, it certainly wasn’t. I bet he loved getting that particular phone call from social services. I’d stayed with Josué’s parents the first week after Mom died while they confirmed my paternity. Dear old Dad had to be sure. I’d hoped to stay with my best friend through my senior year; Josué’s parents had been on board with the idea and while we weren’t in the same Clan, their Alpha was willing to make an exception until I hit eighteen. Then I could move into my own Clan house. But as soon as the test came back confirming Brian Kline is my father, that option was thrown out the window.
He wanted me. So, there’s that, I remind myself again. I am wanted. Though, he’s yet to act like it.
Outside, I climb into Natalia’s little white sports car. It sits ridiculously low to the ground. I don’t know how much Brian pays her to be his personal assistant, but it must be a lot if she can afford this. I wouldn’t be surprised if she’s more than his assistant based on the few times I’ve seen them together. There’s always this subtle sense of desire between them which, one, ew. Because the guy is my dad. And two, how cliché. Did he have to go for his secretary? He could have mixed it up at least and gone for his accountant.
Brian is fifty-two and Natalia is young enough to be my big sister. But who am I to judge?
Up until a week ago, I didn’t even know I had a dad. I mean, obviously I knew someone contributed to me being born and all that, but I didn’t know he was out there. That he knew about me. I kinda assumed he was dead if I’m being honest with myself. Shifters don’t abandon their pups. It just wasn’t done.
Mom never talked about him and I wasn’t one of those kids who felt like I was missing a piece of myself without a dad. She’d always been enough, and I had my Pack.
Tears sting the backs of my eyes as I push my old memories away.
It takes twenty minutes to get to Hellbound High. Natalia rambles on about nonsense and I tune her out for most of the drive. Pulling into the school parking lot, her sports car sticks out like a sore thumb and all eyes turn toward us as she parks. I swallow hard and rush to unbuckle. She puts the car in park as though she plans to come in with me. “I’ll be fine,” I assure her. “I’m a big girl.” I grab my bag, purposefully leaving behind the coffee, and rush to open the door.
“But it’s your first day. I can walk you in. I’m sure there’s paperwork and—”
“It’s okay. I got it.” I don’t miss the gazes of the students passing by. Some are curious but most look annoyed. I don’t want that annoyance to morph into disdain. And I don’t want to get labeled as a snob. The cards are already stacked against me being a transfer and a lone wolf.
I’d tried convincing Brian to let me reach out to the Southwest Pack and see if they’d accept me but he refused to allow any contact with the local Pack, stating he’d worked out an agreement with their Alpha. I have no idea what that entailed. Most Packs would never allow a lone wolf so close to their territory and
