Much as I had anticipated, Molly was all too happy spending some time with her little niece and getting to know her. Of course, she had to disguise the glee from the rest of the pack to avoid their suspicious gazes.

The Alpha was anything but happy, yet once again, he wasn't able to lash back. How could he? If he protested against the idea of little Ellie spending some time with her last living relatives, it would raise suspicion he didn't want or need.

Because he knew as well as I did, that if neighboring alphas had enough cause to report him to the council, he quite possibly lose his position as Alpha.

His polite smile resembled more like a grimace, as if he was suffering from a terrible toothache. As he charged towards the doors of his private chambers, I had an uneasy feeling, especially because Drake had anticipated the Alpha's unwillingness to cooperate.

Drake had sent a message to the pack, letting the Alpha know in polite terms that, he had noticed a lack of withdrawals from the account given to me.

Drake then proceeded to point out that, if I was being kept from the funds stored on that account, pack funds, he was going to assume that this pack were preventing me from accessing it.

In short, stealing another pack's money.

That alone was already a serious allegation that would raise some eyebrows at the Council, let alone the fact that the pack was actively interfering with the help they called in.

Ever since, the Alpha had been leering whenever he saw me, a mixture of anger, frustration and malice that burned in my skin before he managed to put on his mask of indifference.

A mask that cracked rather easily, and he fought to control himself over the smallest indiscretions. I had a feeling that this Alpha was already well known at the Council, quite possibly tiptoeing around them already.

But as he stormed off, slamming the doors with such strength that the dust fell from the rafters, I had a sinking feeling in my gut. A feeling that this Alpha would try to find anything to get me off his property without dirtying his hands.

A sigh left my lips before I cracked my neck, eying the store worriedly. Even if I finally was receiving some resources from Drake, I wasn't willing to spend it all willy-nilly.

Technically, if I wanted to remodel the house that Ellie and I would be staying in to proper living conditions, I'd need a hell of a lot more than what Drake had sent me.

And I knew that the alpha would send it to me, the second I opened my mouth. Knowing him, he'd probably send over some construction workers to do the job for me.

But I didn't want that; I didn't want to be one of the pack who'd endlessly took without returning anything.

I had seen members like that in... Max's pack. Wolves that barely did their daily jobs, assuming that the pack would always take care of them and their spending habits.

The sliding doors of the store opened once more, a few of the local pack members giving me a curious glance before passing by. Cracking my neck one last time, I headed inside, already feeling on edge.

The job was simple enough, as I needed to stock the shelves, help costumers when they asked questions and do a few cleaning jobs in between.

And yet, my wolf was on edge from all the random people that had no regard for personal space. Not even for common sense or privacy, as I had already seen a few human teens gawk at the scars on my throat.

Still, this unassuming job could help me find more information on this pack's inner workings. I could hardly go around asking questions without gaining the ire of the pack.

Nobody liked a nosy person, sticking their nose in someone else's business. And if these wolves were all loyal to the Alpha, they would tattle the second I stepped out of line.

Already a few of the youngsters were lingering around in the store, trying to remain inconspicuous but they weren't slick enough.

I simply ignored them, hearing the human behind the cash register huff and puff, eying the group with growing suspicion until our boss, also a werewolf, told her that the group was fine.

"Oh Kyle, tomorrow I'll show you how to run the cash register so I can swap some of employees around." Marvin said, scratching his head as he looked at the roster. "It's a good thing you applied for a job, as several of my employees are in need of a holiday."

I nodded, understanding his quick sideways glance at the human female behind the register. Marvin didn't need to juggle with the pack's roster, only the human one.

"Well, I'm available whenever, as long as it doesn't interfere with raising Ellie." I stated cheekily, watching the woman's eyes widen while Marvin bit back a sigh.

"You have a daughter? Oh, how old is she? Do you have any pictures?" She fluttered around, hands reaching for her wallet before I had a bunch of pictures nearly shoved down my throat.

Marvin snorted as I fumbled to catch the pictures, catching a glimpse of a set of twins. "This is Emma and Ethan, my two little babies. Well, not really babies anymore, they've grown up so much. It seems only yesterday that-"

"Lydia, breathe. I'm sure you'd love to talk Kyle's ears off about your twins, but no need to scare the poor boy off." Marvin said, freezing Lydia mid explanation.

Thankfully the woman realized that, whilst gloating and cooing over her children, she had nearly backed me in a corner in an attempt to get away from the pictures being shoved in my face.

"I'm so sorry! I didn't mean- You must think I'm crazy!" Lydia apologized over and over again as I took a breath, shaking my head with a little smile.

"It's okay, I just wasn't expecting your enthusiasm. Ellie is my... niece. I'm taking care of her since her parents passed away recently." I explained after a hint of hesitation before remembering Molly jokingly stating I'd become Ellie's uncle.

Marvin didn't look all too happy when Lydia nearly squealed and I understood why. By informing her of Ellie and my bond with the little girl, the pack had another obstacle if they wished to get rid of the pup.

With Lydia's attention on the pup, I had no doubt in my mind that she was the type of woman to prattle on about the "single father figure" that worked with her at the store. Other humans would find out about Ellie and I, giving us whatever small means of protection.

After all, if these humans were informed of out species, they would instantly revolt against the mere idea of the pack killing pups. And if they weren't, they'd still be enough of a deterrent of the pack to rethink rushed actions.

After several long hours of working in the stores and getting scolded by Lydia due to my lack of pictures of Ellie, I finally left the store.

I had used some of Drake's funds to buy Ellie and I some food, though it wasn't much to begin with. Years of living in my wolf skin and lack of practice had made me forget a lot of cooking.

Not that I was an outstanding chef to begin with. Still, there had been a time where I had cooked for the pack pups and felt satisfaction in having them enjoy my food.

To feel that small hint of glee, watching them devour the vegie filled sauces I had made, even though they all claimed not to like the vegies to begin with.

I had simply cut the vegies in small cubes and cooked them thoroughly before pureeing them under the spaghetti sauce. The pups had praised my spaghetti to heaven and swore vehemently they wouldn't eat any other but my own.

Sadness quickly spread through my body as I realized I'd never see those pups again. I'd never hear their mothers complain and beg for the recipe...

A small yip sounded before I felt little paws against my knee. Ellie was attempting to climb up my pants as Molly sighed and shook her head with a barely hidden smile.

The little pup yipped, stretching out as I reached down and grabbed her with one hand. "hey there, you. Did you behave with your aunt?"

Ellie yipped again, tongue lolling out of her mouth as Molly chuckled, coming down the stairs. "Hardly any trouble with her. Now get going, the sooner you're off pack territory, the better." Molly added a bit louder, as a few of the pack passed by with curious looks in our direction.

I rolled my eyes to give the pack a show, knowing that, just like Molly knew, they were keeping their ears perked for any sign that Ellie's aunt was aiding us in any shape or form.

Any suspicion, any hint that she was aiding us, both technically rogues, and the Alpha has grounds to banish her from the pack.

Instead of replying, I turned around while speaking reassuringly to Ellie, "Come on. Let's get some food in that little belly of yours."

I shot a look over my shoulder before nearly barking, "Has the power been restored to her house?" Molly huffed, raising her nose arrogantly, though I could tell the anger in her eyes wasn't directed at me.

"Our Alpha is working around the clock to care for the pack. It will be restored as soon as he has some time to make the call." In other words, he'll hold off for as long as possible.

A snort escaped me before I shook my head, feeling absolutely disgusted by that worthless waste of air. No matter; I had inspected Ellie's house thoroughly.

The cast iron stove that I had spotted in the living room was more likely used for a comfy heat source but back in the day it could also be used to cook with.

All I needed to do was go back to the nearest hardware store and get an axe to chop some firewood and make sure the exhaust of the stove wasn't clogged.

Because I knew the Alpha would be overjoyed if Ellie and I suddenly asphyxiated due to a sudden inflow of carbon-monoxide.

And I was quite certain that, if he knew of the stove, he'd be more than willing to guide fate and give it a shove in the, for him at least, right direction.

I'd simply have to make sure I'd check the exhaust each and every time I wanted to use the stove and to keep an ear out for intruders.

I guess I could thank Max for at least one thing; thanks to being rejected, I had become hyper aware of my surroundings.

The pack wouldn't be able to sneak up to us quite so easily.