Turned out I was right. The library Jaycee brought me to was designed like a public or school library. Everything was in order, and most of the books were new and modern mixed in with the obvious classics. A few searching computers lined the back wall.

Jaycee stayed with me for about an hour while I looked around, thumbing through titles and grazing the aisles. When she announced she had some things to take care of, she finally left me alone and I be-lined it for that back wall.

I clicked away at the mouse, finding the search bar and typing . Nothing popped up. C'mon, really? Not even some ancient fairytales about them?

"Luna?" A voice asked behind me and I nearly jumped out of my skin. I whirled around to see a stranger peering over my shoulder at the screen. "Luna, can I help you find something?" On my list.

I shook my head with a smile, hoping whoever this was would leave me be. He pointed at the computer I was using. "Because all of our history books are stored in the Alpha's office, for safety reasons among others." The look I gave him was quizzical, hoping he'd explain. He did.

"Like for one, sometimes they can help the Alpha in pack decisions and overall be used as guides if need be." Okay, now I really wanted to read these. I wanted to understand!

I signed thank you, and he nodded, understanding. "Enjoy your reading, Luna." He dipped his head — almost like giving me a bow — and strode away. I leisurely closed the search tab and ducked out of the library. I wasn't sure where I could find the Alpha's office, and when I did I wasn't sure if I wanted to meet this "Alpha".

Sighing, I climbed back up the stairs to my room, feeling worn out from the day. I wasn't sure what time it was, but that was okay. Holly ordered extra rest as much as possible so giving into my body was best. Tomorrow, I would search for the office and get some answers. But right now, I needed more sleep.

-

Stretching my eyes open, I find the room to be lit in a grey hue. I pushed the heavyweight plush comforter off of me and slowly climb out of the bed. My pain level was fairly minimal this morning and that was relieving; I didn't need one of Holly's pills. I prayed to whoever was out there that meant I was healing and becoming healthy again. It had been awhile.

The first thing I do is draw back the curtains covering the window on my left. Dim clouds stretch across the October sky, heavy enough to bring snowfall — but I didn't think it was that cold out yet. It was early, light enough to be morning but dark enough I knew the sun hadn't quite made its appearance for the day.

When I had come upstairs last night, I basically just crawled straight into bed. The softness of the duvet was too welcoming to think about anything else. After a quick scan of the room, I spot the clothes and food Jaycee left for me yesterday, still untouched on the desk.

I start with the plate, finding it strange how often I've been getting food here. No, I remind myself, that's not strange, that's supposed to be normal. And even this wasn't quite normal to most people, as I hadn't eaten since Kota's pancakes. Eventually I figured I'd reach more than one meal a day, but honestly, I was scared my body would reject that right now. I was still too weak.

Letting my shiver of thoughts run off my spine, I take the price of bread and break it up, taking the bites slow. Feeling okay, I ate a few raw carrots and two bites of the apple, but that was as much as I could handle for now. Maybe this afternoon I could finish the plate.

I bundled the clothes into my arms and scurried across the room into the bathroom. It was wide and spacious, much like Kota's. The floor was tiled in a pretty, flowery design that seemed like it would shimmer when sunlight were to pour in from the circle window over the toilet. There was not a tub, just a standing shower room. I didn't mind, I hardly took baths anyway.

I undressed — careful of the cast and any lasting damage to my ribs — and stepped in. I found a set of shampoo, conditioner, and body wash, along with a brand new razor all set up for me. Wow, Kota really set me all up in here! I paused, except for clothes. But that's okay according to Jaycee we're fixing that tomorrow.

At first, I wasn't sure about living here, with all of them. And while the whole mystery list I planned to solve today still weirded me out, I wasn't truly that frightened by what truths I was to find. What mattered was that I was safe, and eating, and healing. Eventually all of that will lead into getting stronger. Maybe someday Kota will help me take on Jack and make him pay. Startled by my own thoughts, I shuffled backwards against the tile wall. Woah where did that come from?

I closed my eyes, trying to clear my head, but instead I received a flash of images that didn't make sense. A white blur and glowing blue eyes that reflected the sky. Suddenly I seemed to be much lower to the ground, and in a forest. Wait was that fur? A gunshot rang in my ears and for a second, the image changed to see Jack holding the trigger. Gasping, my eyes flew open and I quickly shut the water off, stumbling my way out the door and onto the floor of the bathroom. What in the - what was that?!

Now I was desperate for real answers to everything. No more wasting time, I needed to find those books. Rapidly pulling on the clothes Jaycee left — leggings and a hoodie — I scrambled through the sink drawers to find a hairbrush. When I did, I quickly ran it over my soaking wet mop of hair until I was sure there wouldn't be tangles left as it dried. Before I left the room, I had to pause and take some deep breaths clutching my side. Goodness that was painful.

When I felt ready to go, I stopped by the window to peer at the lightening sky again. Instead, my eyes found a group of people walking across the yard towards the trees. It didn't take them long to land on one person, who happened to be leading this group: Kota. For a split second I was curious what they were all doing outside this early on an October morning — and also who the hell the other people even were! But the. I realized with relief this meant I didn't have to worry about Kota fretting over me today while I snooped the house for these history books.

Giving myself a small smile, I slipped out the door and scurried down one flight of stairs. This floor was designed much different than the top one. For starters, there were more than seven doors. A lot more. Like, more than I wanted to knock on and poke around in.

I made a few laps anyway, just listening for anything that might lead me where I wanted but ultimately I came to the conclusion these doors were just bedrooms again. I wasn't sure why there were so many, especially when the top floor had drastically fewer.

I moved on to the next floor below, but again, came to the conclusion it was bedrooms. Holy smokes, that's a lot of people living here. That was something else for my list: such a big house and the appearance of many people living under one roof, yet I never seem to see large groups. Except for what I saw outside the window earlier. My hunt for answers was just bringing more questions.

Sighing, I ran a hand over my face and continued onto the next floor: the main floor. The stairs were grander here, more elegant and decorative to see from the front door across the foyer. From the front door to the right we're French doors that led to a sitting room. From here, I wasn't sure if it had a television or not. To the left of the mansion entrance was an open archway that marked the beginning of a wide hallway. Heading down that hallway brought me to more doors, but they were more decorative than bedroom doors.

Knocking on the first one, I waited for an answer. When it was silent I turned the knob. This turned out to be a music foyer. A grand piano stood in the middle of the circle created by the Victorian style round room set of windows. Some seating lined the wall by the door and the other walls had several other instruments leaning against them. I wondered how often this actually got used. Backing out, I clicked the door shut and moved on.

The next room was a bathroom. The one after that was in a space for no windows, making it very dark. After I found the light switch, butterflies hit my gut because I think I was staring at what I had been looking for.

The room was still quite spacious, and across from me was a large mahogany desk. On top

sat a lamp, a laptop, and some older looking files laid out. Seeing that alone made me surprised the door wasn't locked.

The back wall held some filing cabinets and one or two paintings of the forest. To the right was a couch, the wall above held a beautiful picture of a wolf, this one solid black with amber eyes. To the left of me was a large bookshelf, and the books looked similar to those in Kota's office.

Closing the door behind me, I went to the shelves and sat down on the wood floor, brushing my fingers over the thin spines, trying to decide which one to look at first. Grabbing one at random, I flipped it open to the title page.

I remembered this word coming up a few times since I'd been here. This was definitely important. I flipped a few pages until I came to a detailed explanation of some sort of hierarchy within a "pack".

is the male leader of the pack. No one except for his Luna can match his power and authority. The Alpha protects, guides, and is the decisive voice over his pack. This rank is hereditary, achieved by the passing of titles from Father to Eldest Son. When the eldest reaches his eighteenth birthday he may be anointed Alpha, however if the situation arises, this may occur earlier — or later — depending what the Pack and its Elders decide. Take note this is not under the Royals' control and must be resolved within a Pack for itself.

The final few sentences I read over again, confused why the voice changed. The entire page was handwritten — unlike the title page — and seemed to be just a written set of information or rules of some sort. And the Royals? Since when is this a monarchy? I huffed a frustrated breath and continued.

is the female leader of the Pack, also the highest rank. She is the Alpha's equal partner in running and guiding the Pack. It is more suggested she take the role of protecting off the battlefront and into the Packhouse to watch over those unable to fight. However if she wishes, she may join her mate in leading her Pack to battle if the situation arises. Unlike the Alpha, this position is not hereditary and is obtained through the Mating Process.

I furrowed my brow. The what now? Shaking my head I turned the page to the next term, this one I had never heard.

is the Alpha and Luna's right hand. This rank is immediately below the leading pair and if/when a situation arises may take the responsibility of the Alpha in the benefit of the Pack. If the Alpha and Luna are unavailable, pack inquiries may seek out the Beta. His mate has no official title in the pack ranks, but is nevertheless the Beta Female. Their firstborn son becomes the Beta at eighteen years of age, unless a certain situation proves otherwise.

is the Pack's third in command. Like the Beta, they are to step up in responsibility if the Alpha pair, and the Beta pair are unreachable. Also like the Beta, the Gamma's mate has no title, but may be referred to as the Gamma Female. Their firstborn son becomes the Gamma at eighteen years of age, unless a certain situation proves otherwise. Special to the Gamma, he oversees the Enforcers and their training. The Alpha and Beta help out when there is time, or when they are interested.

Glancing down quickly, I don't see the explanation for "Enforcers" on this page, but I didn't want to skip. These rankings seemed to be placed in this order specifically written out in the book.

are those who have reached the age they no longer have young responsibilities. Usually this consists of the former Alpha, Luna, Beta, and Gamma when their successors become of age and take their place. Retired Enforcers, Pack Doctors, Trackers, and Lookouts may also form the rest of the Elders. Depending on the Pack, also the Omegas.

Woah that was a lot of new terms, unexplained.

is the primary healer of the Pack. Most Packs only have one, but that is up to the Alpha and Elders. If there is a surplus of medically gifted pups, train them all; you can never have too many healers. Unlike the previous ranks, Pack Doctors are chosen, not inherited. A ceremony must be performed by the Elders when a pup becomes of age.

I frowned, intrigued by this new information. Yet it did not further the explanation on what the ceremony is or when to do it and how. I hoped I could find that in a different book later.

are essentially the warriors of the Pack. Consisting of males and females (without young pups), they are chosen through ceremony with the Elders and trained to be the protectors of their Pack. In the event of a full-blown fight or raid, the Enforcers stand immediately behind the Pack Leaders.

are those born with the best sense of smell and can find anything they put their minds to. They are males and females chosen by the Elders to use their gifted senses for the benefit of the Pack. In the event of a battle or raid, the Trackers stand just behind the Enforcers.

are those chosen by the Elders with the best sense of sight. They are trained to stretch this sense so that they may see dangers to the Pack and immediately notify the Alpha. They are trained for battle, but only should fight when numbers are needed.

is chosen by the Elders and trained to keep the peace within a Pack. When it comes to fighting other Packs, they should work with that Pack's peacemaker to keep things settle. Peacemakers do not fight in a raid, and should the need arise, talk sense into an arrogant, hot-headed Alpha. Usually there is only one Peacemaker in a Pack, however each Pack's needs are different and some might have several and others none.

are the lowest rank given to a Pack Member. Essentially they are the punching bags of the Pack, eating last and there for attending to any Pack Member's needs. You don't want to be an Omega. This Rank is obtained through shameful actions within or against a Pack, and it is up to the Pack Leaders and Elders to decide if it becomes hereditary.

Horrified, I dropped the book to the floor, staring at the Omegas section. I did not like that. In my eyes, an Omega was basically. . . Me! How Jack treated me was how a Pack treated their Omegas.

I ran a hand down my face. The other terms weren't so bad, they actually made sense for the most part. The hierarchy lined up as far as I could tell. But Omegas should not be a thing. I grimaced at the thought any of my new friends could do that to a person. What have I gotten myself into?