Phoenix continued to the Alpha office. I was so tired I didn't want to deal with anything anymore. My eyes were heavy with tears and my mouth felt dry. I was exhausted. My body ached, my heart ached, and my brain was fried. My wolf, my mate, my room... all too much.

Not even speaking, he pushed aside the guards. He somehow held me in one arm and opened the door with the other. I felt like a child. Probably looked like one too, with my pout and folded arms.

"Alpha Steven, Damien," Phoenix announced, the door shutting loudly behind us.

"Nova! Oh gosh, glad you are okay! What on Earth were you-"

Phoenix's growl cut Damien off.

He still held me in his arms and I felt stupid laying there. Sensing my discomfort, he placed me gently on a comfy chair and wrapped a blanket around me that was hanging from the arm. The warmth and comforting tingles I felt vanished as soon as he released me and the tiredness hit me full force. If only I could just nap, right now...

I felt my eyes close, and I welcomed the bliss. Wrapped up in the blanket was an ideal place to succumb to sleep...

"I am taking her with me." He stated.

He what!

"Wha-!" Damien spluttered.

"She is not safe in this pack." He snapped.

"What do you mean, 'not safe'! Why I have raised Nova-"

"Shut it old man." He snapped.

The world blurred around me, but Phoenix's words had me startled awake into a grumble. His dark gaze turned to me and he frowned. That was my Alpha he was disrespecting, a man who looked out for me. Who rescued me.

"You owe this pack nothing, Nova," Phoenix spoke to me before turning back to the two Alphas, mainly Steven. "Did you know she was covered in scarring and bruises when she shifted back? Have you seen her face today? Her lack of weight?"

I glanced to see Steven sitting down, his mouth in a firm line and clarity of expression. He almost looked guilty.

"The only reason I even came to your pack is that my Beta came home with concerns for your pack. Secrets..." He growled. "And this morning, when I first met her, I couldn't understand why I didn't smell it. Why she didn't smell pure... Why she was unclaimed yet smelt like a male..."

"Now that I see her injuries, I realise she had an infusion of blood to heal, that's why it took me a moment. This means you knew she was injured, and also means you have done nothing about it since she continues to be hurt. So you must have known for a while, Steven, as your reaction right now is proving my point, and yet she continues to get harassed, no?"

He turned back to me, but I kept my gaze down. "And now we return from the woods to her room and her possessions destroyed, and she doesn't even act like it's a surprise?"

I closed my eyes in defeat, trying to hold back the emotions. I could really do with my parents right now.

"So, I inform you, and with utmost importance, that she is to return to my home to be with me, as her Alpha." He finished, crossing his arms.

I glanced up at the tone in his voice, my heart warming at his protectiveness. It was the most he ever spoke. He was cool, silent and hard to read, yet he just stood up for me. For me! And he's barely known me a few hours. No one has ever done that. Not even Steven.

"She's-" Steven began in exasperation.

"I expect her papers in two hours." He snapped.

"But that's not enough-"

"One hour it is."

Both Alpha's bowed in submission to Phoenix's words, so he must've used his Alpha tone. I didn't feel it and just assumed it was to do with being exhausted.

Without another word, I was scooped up again and taken away from my Alpha.

***

"Pack up your necessary possessions. I will provide clothes and toiletries when you arrive at my pack." Phoenix announced.

My eyes glanced around my small room. "Okay."

"I will be back in an hour. I have to arrange myself and my pack members. Say your goodbyes."

Through my sleepy mind, what he said rang bells. "G-goodbyes..."

But he was already gone.

I had to go; I had to leave... with him? My mate?

'It'll be okay.' My wolf cooed. 'He will look after you.'

But my parents...

I stood from my bed and packed what I could save in terms of memories. So my savable drawings, including my favourite piece I did of the black wolf and the heads of the pencils that were snapped in half. I also grabbed the photo of my parents on my nightstand. I didn't have a duffel bag, so placed them into a small plastic carrier bag.

Looking at it now, it was rather pathetic how little I owned. Life as an Omega never gave into many luxuries. But now I had a mate, and as custom comes, I had to leave with him to his pack. Steven could've protested as females were rarer to packs, but Phoenix being a King's Alpha meant he had the final say in where females go. I mean, the only reason Katie, Julie and myself were hospitality was to show off the fact they had females in the pack. Not that I was anything to look at.

Before I left to see my parents, I remembered I currently was just wearing a random t-shirt. Sliding into my bathroom, I washed my hands and face before throwing on my hoodie and some joggers from yesterday.

As I made my way down the hall, tears threatened to spill again. I didn't have the chance to open their door before it swung open and Dad embraced me.

"We were so worried." He cried. "Alpha said you shifted randomly and ordered us to stay in our room."

"I'm o-okay." I hiccupped.

"What happened?" Mum asked from beside me.

Noticing my tears, she led me inside to sit on the bed once again. I curled up against her and cried.

"Ember... you need to tell us what's going on. We can't help you if you don't speak." Dad's hand brushed my wild hair from my face. "Plus, you need to shower, you stink of lake water."

I chuckled lightly and sat back in an upright position. "Thanks."

"So..."

"So I shifted." I shrugged. "It was h-horrible."

"Honey, if we had known you were showing signs..."

"I know, mum, it's okay. It was on the training grounds, I had people around."

"I wonder what made you shift so suddenly..." Dad's gaze wandered off in thought.

"Well, usually you shift if you..." Mum froze. "Nova did you..."

I knew what she was implying, so I nodded a yes.

She shrieked in excitement. "You found your mate!"

Dad straightened up to frown at us. "You found your mate? Who?"

My lip wobbled, and my eyes cast downward.

"'Nova, is he part of our pack?"

"Lulu, she would've shifted before if that was the case."

"Well, then who? A visitor?" she snapped sarcastically.

They continued to bicker with each other, so once again I had to cut in. "Yes, it was a visitor."

I startled them with my loud voice, but I pushed away from the fear, standing and facing them. "My m-mate is Alpha Titan."

Time slowed down as my parents froze. Mum's eyes widened in worry and Dad's brows nearly left the face of the earth.

"M-my room has been trashed because of-of what happened this morning w-with the coffee." I cried. "And he found out I was b-bullied and he-he-he is taking m-me b-back w-w-w-with him."

Dad unfroze first and a low growl left his lip. "If he has so much as touched you Ember, I don't care if he is Alpha or not. I will-"

"Dad no. He-he... seems okay. He came t-to me in the woods and h-helped me." I shrugged. "I j-just don't want t-to leave you."

"Oh, honey." Mum sighed. "He is your future now. He has not rejected you and wants you with him. That's a good sign. I'm sure his Alpha wolf will-oh my gosh, you got an Alpha! That means you're gonna be a Luna! Nova!"

I chuckled lightly. "Y-yeah I don't... Oh, my wolf is bl-black."

"Black?"

I nodded. "Pure."

They obviously thought the same as I did.

"Who are your birth parents..." Dad wondered. "Black fur... that's only for the higher wolves Nova."

I shrugged. "You are my parents."

Mum smiled softly. "If we find anything out about this, we will let you know, my baby. When do you leave?"

I glanced at the clock on the wall: 7:13 pm. "About half an hour."

"Can we meet her?" Dad wondered. "My wolf wants to imprint her in his mind."

It was fairly common practice for a newly shifted wolf to meet every other wolf so they could acknowledge them as a pack member. Even though I was tired, I didn't want to miss this. I was glad Dad's wolf was eager to meet mine since I was not his flesh and blood. A lot of wolves rejected even the thought.

The three of us quietly made our way to the front garden. To my surprise, I saw Phoenix ordering some people around. They were collecting and arranging bags, checking the cars were ready for a long drive and packed with supplies.

As if sensing me, he turned slightly to look at me. His expression was blank before he nodded his head in greeting. A small blush rose to my cheeks and my wolf purred inside my mind.

Once we were a little away from the drive, my mum giggled. "Ooh, so that's my future son-in-law. He is fi-ine!"

"Lulu!" Dad gasped.

"Can you deny it?" She teased.

Dad glanced over with a stern expression and I watched as his eyes glanced over the figure of my mate.

His shoulders slumped. "No."

Mum laughed and smacked his shoulder. "Oh, Reggie. Our baby has her mate."

"Mum!" I groaned.

She giggled but just shrugged as she and dad went around the house to shift. Once the familiar snap of bones met my ears, I glanced down to see my parents' bickering wolves trot over to me.

Mum's sandy wolf nipped playfully on my Dad's ear. He growled low, his brown fur bristling in annoyance. My parents were loonies.

Dad jerked his wolf's head for me to do the same. With a mute roll of my eyes, I wandered my way over.

I made sure no prying eyes were around as I quickly took off my clothes. Trying not to panic, I brought on my shift, wincing when the grotesque crack of my spine sounded through the garden. I let out a puff of air when my enormous paws hit the ground. It wasn't as bad as before, in fact, almost painless.

I shook out my fur as my wolf pulled forwards and jogged over to my parents. They were currently mid-wrestle and with a roll of my eyes; I barked at them.

Dad's wolf head popped up from the hustle first, his dangling tongue disappearing back into his snout. We were about the same height, his wolf head meeting mine almost perfectly. Mum followed suit, a few inches shorter than us.

I bowed my back gently in a non-threatening gesture and they both copied. With a polite bark, I allowed my wolf to greet them. My head smoothed over my mum's neck and licked at her ear in a greeting. But I didn't have the upper hand for long before her overly playful nature bounced back in my face. Literally.

They pushed me to the ground as both of them tried to nip at me playfully. I rolled around as a wolfy laughter escaped my lips. We played a small game of wrestling, enjoying the feeling of being a wolf with my parents.

All too quickly, we were stopped as Phoenix's shadow cast over me. I got up from where my wolf had Dad pinned and sat on my haunches. His gorgeous hazel eyes stared at me, a small smirk on his face as he glanced at the three of us.

Dad's wolf came and stood beside me, a low grumble escaping his lips. Mum, however, took it fully in her stride and went up to sniff him, her head low to show she wasn't a threat. She whimpered and came to sit beside me.

My tongue was no doubt hanging out of my mouth as I was panting loudly, as were my parents. I was super tired now. The bounce of energy my wolf gave me was dwindling, and I could feel my legs shaking.

Phoenix's large hand stretched out to scratch at my head, emitting a purr of approval as my wolf stood. His small smile never faltered and his hand came to cup under my jaw. My tongue lapped at his wrist, and he rolled his eyes with a bigger smile before taking it back.

His smile was a killer. I do not know how I will get through the day if he smiles like that again. I could only imagine his laugh to be godly. Dammit, mum and dad were right; he is fine.

"It's time to go Nova." He spoke with a clear authority that had my dad's ears flattened.

Phoenix gave him a side glance, his face back in its rock-like expression. "The car is ready. Please change back and say goodbye."

A whimper left my throat as he walked away and so the three of us walked back to where our clothes sat beside the house. I shut my eyes until Mum and Dad shifted and changed before doing the same myself.

As soon as I stepped back into view, I was embraced into both of their arms for a minute. Words of encouragement and love poured into my ears, making me cry. Again I know...

Dad placed the carrier of things into my hand, and mum grabbed a scrunchie from her pocket before pulling my hair up into a bun.

"We're only a call away honey." She kissed my cheek.

"You're the best parents ever." I smiled sadly. "I'm going to miss you."

Dad smiled at my non-stutter and caressed my face. "We know."

"Dad!" I groaned.

Mum elbowed him in the side and he chuckled, a hand covering his ribs. "What he means is we love you."

"Yeah, I do." He chuckled. "Now you better go, I can feel the death glare on my shoulders the longer we stand here."

I chuckled and embraced them one more time. Receiving a kiss on each cheek, I said goodbye before wandering over to where my mate stood. His arms were folded as he watched me approach him.

"Got everything?" He wondered, glancing down at my bag.

"This is all I have." I nodded.

A low grumble left his lips, and I dropped my gaze, my free hand cupping the other elbow.

"Climb in." He opened the door for me.

I was glad there was nothing else spoken about it and thanked him as I climbed into the back of the Rolls Royce. My eyes widened at the luxury inside. They definitely made the seats out of clouds, that was for sure. The roof was glittering down at me like the sky; it was amazing.

Curling my legs up to my chest on the seat, I waited for the car to start once Phoenix climbed in beside me. There was a blacked-out partition between the front and the back that I was grateful for, as it meant less strange awkwardness.

"Get some sleep. We will arrive at the packhouse in four hours."

My heart thumped loudly in my chest at his soft tone and proximity. His scent was so overwhelming that if my wolf wasn't as tired as I was, she would parade around in my mind.

I closed my eyes with a sigh, but soon I felt the familiar tingle of his arm embrace my side before the sound of my seatbelt clicking into place confirmed any suspicion. I glanced up through my lashes to see him pull out an electronic tablet and type. Then silence.

Succumbing to the sensation of the car's smooth ride, I fell asleep with a small warmth in my chest.

***********

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