Introduction

"Dad, please," I say as politely as I can, nervously twirling a strand of my long jet black hair with one hand, and holding a phone in the other. "You don't have to make a big deal out of it."

"I will not hear it. It's not every day that my only daughter comes to visit. Plus, I haven't had the chance to celebrate your psychiatry degree."

"Psychology," I correct him without thinking.

"That's what I said," he says and makes me chuckle. I love that old man. Even though he is not old at all, mother and he were only 19 years old when they had me.

"Plus," he continues, "Graham's been showin' off his son's fighting skills ever since he became the new third in command, and Jorah's daughter seems to have found a mate. He's the beta of the Carter Pack, so he won't shut up about it. Now I finally have something to brag about myself."

Jorah is our pack's Alpha. His daughter Simone and I have been very good friends growing up, as my father is his Beta. "I'm so happy to hear about Simone!"

I am happy for her - she's an amazing girl. But she's the firstborn in her family and as such, the heir to our pack. I've always known my wolf could not only eat hers for breakfast, but have it as an appetizer side dish. And so I couldn't force myself to follow her. It was almost insulting - not only was she an average fighter, but also a very bad strategist.

"She always wanted somebody in the high ranks," he almost snorts. The Carter Pack is the largest and the strongest wolf pack in the region and beyond. "But to be honest," he continues, "I doubt they're really mates. To me, they only seem to be strongly in love."

Hearing my father talk about mates always saddens me. My mother, his mate, died giving birth to my stillborn sibling. My youngest brother, Jamie, was only 2 years old at the time. Having mates is very rare in packs, and my dad could never remarry after losing her, as he suffered too much.

I try to change the topic lightly. "It was about time, though, for Graham to get replaced. And who better than his own son to take his position? He must be bursting with pride."

"He is, indeed. But the kid's got big shoes to fill in. I swear his old man is one of the three best fighters in the pack, even in his 50s."

I laugh. "After you and Jorah, I assume."

"Of course, Lily," he says with no humor whatsoever. "You never took pack titles seriously," he murmurs disapprovingly, "but each title is earned with blood, sweat and tears!"

"And inheritance," I try not to sound bitter - it's only the truth. I know the highest ranking members get the best training, but sometimes it's still not enough.

"Exactly," he says with a painful voice. "And you turned your back on being the number two."

I sigh on the topic he opens almost every time I call.

My father has been a Beta of Emerson Pack for as long as I can remember. As Mom died when I was only 7, I often replaced her position for my three younger brothers: Jamie, and twins Jason and Jacob.

I moved out of my parent's home when I turned 18, though. Luckily, I seemed to have no mate and, with Jamie having turned 13, I finally had the chance to leave the pack and live life freely. This usually isn't done, and my father was strongly against it, but no one could ever force me to quit on something I made my mind up about. Father often says this trait would never make me a good pack member, anyway. So I went to study psychology and got a degree, made great human friends, opened my own practice, and found myself a fiancé. A human fiancé.

For my 25th birthday, I decided to go back home and introduce him to my father as the man I am going to marry. I know he will disapprove. He is a Pack-kind-of-a-guy.

But I want what I want. I will bring him to meet my family and we will get my father's blessing.

"I told you I'm not like you. I can't pretend to be something I'm not."

He almost chuckles. "I don't pretend. Jorah is better than me. And let me tell you... You'd be surprised to see how Simone has improved."

I inhale deeply, ready to leave the wolf inheritance topic behind us.

"Alright, paps. I can't wait to see you tomorrow. I've got some good news to share with you all."

"Oh, man, this sure sounds like a boy related news to me," he clicks with his tongue.

"Dad, seriously? I'm 25."

"You'll always be a little girl to me, Lily. Always."

I smile wholeheartedly. Dad's the only one who still calls me Lily. I think it must be because my Mom's name was Lila and he still cannot mention her name without breaking. Even after all these years.

"Love you, paps," I press a pendant around my neck holding my mother's photograph. I got it from my Dad right after my Mother died. When I was a kid, he'd always say never to take it off as it would protect me from vampires. Can't believe I bought that nonsense back then...

"Love you too, Lily. And Lily," he clears his throat, "don't go near the woods... remember?"

I can't help but to roll my eyes. "I'm not a little girl anymore, dad."

I feel his tension build up. "Just promise me, ok?"

Brooding, I open the pendant and a beautiful woman with the widest smile looks back at me. "I... I promise, dad."