Chapter 1

                                    

                                          




                          
            
                          
I groan internally as my father's conversation with the Beta and Elders of our pack continues. I'm not permitted to speak during their discussions; I'm only his daughter. The rest of them all believe my only purpose is to be a mate, and hopefully that of their son. 
                          
I fiddle with the remaining vegetables on my plate, uninterested in them as I have already eaten the only reasonable part of the dinner. The meat. It was so juicy and tender since it was a good cut of steak as today is a meeting. Although, we are renowned for our meat.
                          
Our pack, Nightingale, runs a cattle farm. Strange, I know. Most of the wolf packs in the stories all seem to have infinite amounts of money from nowhere, but that's not how reality works. Even werewolves must have their input in the economy.
                          
Although, we are successful, so we do make a lot more money than the average farmers. We own this 'business' as to have the ownership of so much land without human authorities questioning it.
                          
"That woman said she wouldn't try for president again." I look up as my father's voice booms around the room, my blue eyes wide in confusion. I had never heard anything about a woman running for president, but no one tells me anything.
                          
One of the Elders grin, "Not like anyone would've voted. She already lost once."
                          
Laughter echoes through the room as the men discuss this 'preposterous' idea.  Guess it is a bit crazy; it would be here. But I don't understand the human world, we try to stay separated as much as possible.
                          
"Who knows what'll happen in the future," I hear my own voice speak over the laughter and I clamp my hands over my mouth. But it's too late, and my father's grey-eyed glare tells it all.
                          
"Violet," my father warns, and I keep my eyes down, picking up a piece of boiled carrot on my fork.
                          
Sticking the orange vegetable in my mouth, I grimace as I register the taste. Of all the vegetables I could have chosen, why did it have to be carrot?
                          
For the rest of the dinner, the tension is thick enough to cut with a knife. I don't speak, as I don't want to get in more trouble. I can never do anything right.
                          
"Father, I'm going to go to bed," I speak quietly as everyone rises out of their chairs.
                          
"You need permission to leave." His icy tone makes it obvious that he hasn't forgotten my outburst.
                          
"May I go?" 
                          
"Yes. You've done enough tonight." He seems glad as I walk out the door.
                          
As the door swings shut behind me, I hear conversation begin once again. They seem to have forgotten how sharp a wolf's hearing is.
                          
"Don't worry, John! Once she has her mate, I'm sure she'll settle down." A booming voice speaks loudly, and I hear that my father doesn't reply. 
                          
I walk up the stairs and know that my father isn't doing this because he dislikes me, it's just how he was brought up. He does love me, and maybe I will 'settle down' one day, but I doubt it.
                          
I fling open the door to my room, the door knob making a satisfying 'BANG' as it hits the wall behind it.
                          
Seeing my best friend wave through the window, I go to open my own. His is already open, and I speak as I pull the glass frame open.
                          
"Hey, Alexander." I don't bother to yell, as the houses are only a few metres apart.
                          
"How many times do I have to ask you not to call me that?" He snarls.