My Dad picks me up from the airport, and it's an odd sight seeing him standing in the middle of a bunch of humans. He towers over everyone around him, his hands in his pockets and a glare on his face.

When he spots me, his features soften. The corners of his lips twitch slightly.

We hug, a brief, tight embrace that makes me exhale. The trip wasn't overly long, but I'm feeling weary. I haven't seen him in person in almost a year, but nothing has changed. He's still the same stoic lycan that raised me.

"Let's get out of here. I'm tired of these humans." I laugh at my Dad's harsh words, a slight reprieve from my stress that's still building with every minute.

Dad has always hated humans, and then he met Mom. She was the one that softened him, only slightly, because he still despises being in the human world. There's only one human he loves, and she has him wrapped around his finger. She changed him in many ways.

Just like Opal changed me. I frown at the reminder of her as I grab my luggage. She's all I've thought about for the past day and night. That's all it's been, Opal this and Opal that. I can't forget her for a second. It's only been a scarce day since I heard the news of her disappearance.

Goddess, Opal, what were you thinking?

The drive is long, and mostly quiet. My Dad isn't a talker, and neither am I mostly. We make some conversation. Talking about Rain and her shift, and Rome, her mate.

It only reminds me of my own situation with Opal. Growing up, we knew we were mates, as did my sister and her mate. Only, they didn't try to hide it like me. They let everyone know. It was obvious for the world to see.

I stare out the window at the passing pine trees, littered with snow, thinking of only her.

How much easier would it have been if I made it that obvious that Opal was my mate, like Rain and Rome? Would we have it made by now? Would I have been shipped off to Spearhead? Would I still be messed up in the head?

The "what ifs" are dangerous, this I know, but I can't help it. I've made a mistake in hiding our relationship. But I can't turn back time. All I can do is find her and make everything right again.

We pull into the pack, the gates swinging open as the guards wave to my Pop. He waves back, a grim expression on his face.

"It still perplexes me that she got past the gates. We have security all over the border. Clearly it wasn't enough." He says softly, and my head snaps up.

Opal snuck out. She left behind all she knows. Her family and her friends and her comfort. For me. She wanted to find me. But why? I can't stop thinking of that.

Why didn't she tell me? Or ask me? Why was her solution to come find me? What was she thinking? I'm determined to find out.

"Your Mother is very excited to see you. Be prepared." I smile, excited to see the little Luna. I've missed my Mom.

Her humanity has never been a problem for me growing up, but I fear it now. At Spearhead, everyone thought humans were pests, weak and annoying.

They were alienated. I've never heard someone speak so lowly of them in all my life.

If anything, it's made me realize how weak she is. She's at risk, so entirely vulnerable compared to us. It's odd to think about. She's the Queen of all shifter kind. And she's human.

I wouldn't let anyone at camp know that my Mother was human. I would've been a laughing stock. But I'm not ashamed. She's my Mother, and that's everything to me, it doesn't matter what species she is.

Being back on the pack grounds is strange. I haven't been back here in years. My old childhood home. Everything is covered in a perfect white blanket, just like I remember.

I stare at the woods that I've explored, the fields I played in, the buildings I learned in.

It's strange, especially knowing Opal isn't here anymore. When I pictured coming home, I thought it would be a happy occasion. I would have my mate and my family, and rest at last.

Instead, she's gone, and I'm here to find her. I won't even get to stay long before I have to leave again.

I wonder what I'll discover when I finally find Opal. Will she be different? She was 19 when I left. Barely an adult. Has she grown much? Does she look different? It'll be awhile before I find out, but hopefully not too long, or else I fear I'll lose my mind.

It's a short drive through the pack to the house. The old farmhouse I grew up in is settled within a large group of trees, separated from the rest of the pack in solitude like most the houses here. Thee yard stretches for several wide acres. The house is still crisp white, the brick fence surrounding it missing a few pieces here and there. Toys and bikes litter the front yard.

It's just the same as when I left. The sight sends a warmth through me.

I'm home again.

Mom stands on the porch, my little brother Atlas sitting on her hip. She waves excitedly to Dad as he rolls up the driveway. He grins, always changing at the sight of her.

If there's something I know about my parents, it's that they were made for each other.

We park, and Mom puts Atlas down so she can walk down the stairs in her clunky snow boots that don't exactly match her clothes. She looks ridiculous in her flowing sundress and cardigan, standing in the snow as the wind eats at her calves.

As soon as I step out of the truck, she's on me. She has to jump to wrap her arms around my neck. I'm over a foot taller than her now, so it's a stretch.

I catch her, holding her against me tightly and breathe her in. I hear her sniffling in my ear. I chuckle.

"I'm fine Mom. Don't cry."

She pulls away a little, looking into my eyes and cupping my face in both of her hands.

"I missed you so much. Look how much you've grown." Tears shine in her dark brown eyes, wetting her lashes and drilling down her freckle spotted cheeks.

The Luna doesn't even look at Dad while he scolds her.

"Baby, you need a coat when you come outside. How many times do I need to tell you? You're going to freeze. Would it kill you to put some damn leggings on or something?" He wonders, completely exasperated with her antics.

She doesn't answer him, instead she snuggles into me more, not allowing me to let her go. I feel a tug at my pant leg, and I glance down to see the culprit.

It's Atlas. His curly brown mop tousled, his hands sticky from no one knows what. He squints at me with as much curiosity as a 3 year old can. I put a hand on his head and smile down at him reassuringly.

I've never met him. He was born after I left. Moms sent me enough pictures to last a life time though.

"Who are you?" He wonders, big red eyes blinking. My heart twinges a bit. It's not his fault he doesn't know me.

But I'm beginning to think it's partially mine.

Mom finally wriggles out of my arms, standing by my shoulder. She bends down to take Atlas's little hand.

"Sweety, this is your other big brother, Keifer, remember? I told you all about him. He's finally home. Isn't that amazing?" She asks him, and he nods shyly, hiding behind her legs and looking at the ground.

He reminds me of myself. Not too long ago, that was me that came up to Mom's knee and clung to her skirts.

Now I'm 6'5", and I'm the one looking down on her.

"Come in, come on, everyone is ecstatic to see you! Are you hungry? I'm sure you are after your trip, I made some spaghetti, and a cake! Let's just hope that Titus didn't eat it already." She mumbles, leading us up the stairs as Dad carries my luggage behind us, shaking his head at his mate.

I try to focus on everything around me versus the constant struggle in my head.

Opal keeps popping up. Every time I think of her, the tension inside me rises. I'm restless, my body thrumming with unleashed power and anger that battles for release. But it will either have to be buried, or it will wait.

But right now, when I'm faced with my family, I have to shove it down and put a smile on my face. Of course I'm happy to see them after all this time, but there are places I'd rather be. Like out in the wilderness, searching for my other half.

Lucy, my littlest sister, runs right up to me, delighted to see me, an enormous grin on her face. She grabs my hand, trying to drag me away as soon as I walk in the door.

"Come on! I want to show you my new doll house. It's super cool." She demands, to which Mom clicks her tongue.

"Lucy, let him settle in first. He has plenty of time to see your dollhouse later. Okay, honey?"

What I don't tell them is that I don't plan to stay long at all, in fact the sooner I leave the better.

My little sister pouts, releasing my hand and crossing her arms. She knows better than to argue, but she rolls her eyes anyway. She has too much sass for a 9 year old. I refrain from laughing, following Mom into the kitchen while Dad disappears upstairs with my suitcase in hand.

"I'm sure it's very cool, Luce." I say, and she perks right up, her ruby eyes gleaming. That's another thing. Soon enough, I'm surrounded by those red eyes.

Every single one of my siblings have inherited the Veiler trait of glowing garnet gazes. Another reminder of my adoption.

The twins are in the kitchen, likely picking a fight over something stupid. The smell of pasta and marinara sauce waft through the room, and Mom runs to the stove to finish the preparations.

I look around the kitchen, noting that nothing has changed here either. It's the same natural wood cabinets and clean counters. A large farmhouse sink, and an old 1960's stove and fridge to match.

Titus and Thorn quiet down for a moment, and then they're staring at me. They're identical, with only slight differences to tell them apart.

Titus is a few inches taller, and his black hair is shorter than Thorn's locks which hang to his shoulders. Both are young, but so much taller than the last time I saw them. Titus has to be 6'3" already. The both of them are only 12 years old.

"Hey, Keifer!" Thorn says, running over and hugging me quickly. I smile, returning the embrace.

"Y'all are huge. Must be something in the water."

Mom laughs, turning to the sink to drain the noodles.

"They're eating me out of house and home these two. I can hardly keep groceries stocked anymore. It all goes missing!" She gestures to Titus, who is quietly munching on a handful of chips, accidentally proving her point.

He looks from me to her, shrugging his shoulders innocently.

"What?" He asks around a mouthful of food. We all laugh, some of the tension in me easing, but never fully disappearing.

It's so odd being back, but so natural at the same time. It's impossible to explain. The only thing that could make it better was if Opal was safe. The smile slides off my face.

Mom notices, her eyebrows raise and she opens her mouth to question me. Luckily for me, Dad walks in and save the day.

"That kid will not leave." He grumbles, stalking into the kitchen with a glare. Mom shakes her head at him, dropping her wooden spoon and going to his side to take his hand.

Titus and Thorn both go silent, and I have a feeling this is a regular conversation.

"He may be a kid, but so is Rain, and he is her mate. Of course he's going to be by her side as she goes through this." She reasons, but Dad doesn't look convinced. He continues to brood.

To anyone else he would be a menacing sight. Scars, red eyes, towering height. But not to Mom.

She gets closer to him, wrapping her arms around his waist and grinning. I feel the pit in the bottom of my stomach grow at the sight.

That should be me and Opal.

"It's gonna be okay, Cherry, you'll see." She reasons, and Thorn is quick to pipe in.

"Yeah, they've been attached at the hip for as long as I can remember. You'd think you would get used to the idea of them by now."

Dad shoots him a perturbed look, shaking his head roughly.

"Yes, but I don't like him acting like he owns her. She is still my little half-pint until I say so."

Mom lets go of his waist, returning to her food making as she laughs quietly to herself. It's no secret that Dad is protective of Rain. He always has been.

I think it has something to do with the fact that he almost lost her before she was even born. My parents don't talk about that often, but it happened shortly before they adopted me.

"You have no reason to complain about that, last time I checked you act like you own me." She counters, stirring the pot on the stove.

Titus and Thorn make gagging noises when Dad puts his hands on her hips from behind.

"That's different, you see, because you do belong to me." He murmurs, and I refrain from laughing as Thorn evacuates the room, pretending he needs to go throw up somewhere.

It is awkward sometimes when our parents show affection, but they should be used to it by now. Mates are affectionate, and they're all over the pack.

I would say the worst with PDA is Ryk and Tressandra. He's always touching her. But he has a dark past, and being in close proximity with his mate keeps him sane, and grounded. It's safer for all of us not to say anything about it.

With all my new information on how beneficial my mating to Opal will be, I'm beyond curious of how different I'll feel when I have her again.

I knew the basics. The love. The affection. I had no idea that there were so many bad effects as well. I've always known what happens when one dies, but going a long time without marking? That's a whole new story.

I glance at Dad, lost in thought while he hovers over Mom as she cooks. I don't blame him for my misfortune. I know he was trying to do what was best for me. He didn't know what was wrong with me, and he thought discipline was the way to go. It's not his fault that he have the answers.

I'm glad that I have parents that actually care for me. Many kids sent to Spearhead were there because their parents didn't want to deal with them anymore. It wasn't chosen in an effort to help them, but to get rid of them.

I'm lucky that my parents actually wanted me to get better.

And now we've found the source of the problem. And I need Opal as soon as possible, and not because of my anger, but because I'm afraid what will happen to her if I don't find her immediately.

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If you're reading this, you are brave :)