He nods, understanding what I said, and smiles, which looks odd on his rugged face.

"They're outside. Let me guide you," he says, placing a big hand on my shoulder, and we walk through the packhouse until we reach the gardens. There, my dad is sitting with the alpha of this pack, smoking a cigar. Noah and another guy around Noah's age are also present.

The conversation stops when they spot me, and suddenly, I feel nervous.

"Alpha," the big man says, bowing his head before leaving. I want to call him back, feeling like I need some backup. He exudes trust and warmth, despite his imposing appearance.

"I want to join," I say with as much confidence as I can muster, though my fingers betray my nerves as I fidget with them.

"Not now, Riley. We are discussing pack matters," my dad dismisses me.

My heart compresses and explodes at the same time, and my cheeks turn red from anger and disbelief.

"But you said I could come to get to know about pack business," I protest, my voice coming out a bit squeaky.

He sighs, clearly annoyed by my persistence.

"Riley, that may have been your excuse for coming, but let's be honest, you wanted to come to America with me. You don't really care about pack stuff," he says calmly.

He's not entirely wrong. While I don't have aspirations to lead a pack, I am curious about pack matters and believe that, as an alpha's daughter, I should have some basic knowledge about our community. Plus, I want to be taken seriously, and engaging in adult discussions seems like a good way to do that. It's frustrating that they assume I don't find pack business important.

"Fine. Whatever you say, father," I reply, emphasizing the word "father" to express my annoyance. For me, "dad" is a warmer and more personal term, so when I call him "father," he knows he's upset me.

I'm fuming, and my wolf feels restless. She's young and eager to run freely, just like me, and that's exactly what I intend to do.

Leaving the packhouse behind, I head towards the forest, its tree tops visible in the distance. I walk with determination, feeling like I'm in charge of my own destiny, even if I'm just a twelve-year-old with limited control over my life.

Once in front of the forest, I make sure no one is watching before I go deeper into the woods, finding a safe spot to leave my clothes. I shift into my wolf form, embracing the freedom and sense of control it provides. Being an alpha's daughter comes with its own set of challenges, as my dad's protective instincts can sometimes be overbearing, especially towards me, the youngest of the family.

I growl as my thoughts race in my head. I feel trapped and suffocated, craving more freedom and to be taken seriously. I want to be treated like a capable individual, not a naive child.

But my growl is interrupted by another growl that is not my own.

My heart races as I turn around to face a silver-haired wolf with wild red eyes, growling menacingly, ready to attack me.

Oh no! The rogue wolves! I had completely forgotten about my dad's warning in my anger and frustration.

Without a second thought, I whimper and dash away from the rogue wolf, even though I know I can't outrun an adult wolf, especially one that seems rabid.

I keep running, howling loudly, desperately seeking help. I don't stop until I reach the edge of a cliff. I come to an abrupt halt, realizing that there's no ground left beneath my paws.

I turn around, refusing to expose my back to the enemy. The rogue wolf growls, baring its fangs, and fear courses through me. I hear another howl in response to my distress call, but I doubt they'll arrive in time.

Before I can react, the rogue wolf lunges at me.

Instinctively, I jump back, trying to avoid the attack and certain death, but there's no ground left, and I plummet down the cliff. Mid-air, I shift back to my human form to be able to swim and breathe, but as soon as I hit the raging river below, pain envelops my head, and darkness consumes me.

Alec's POV

I wipe the sweat from my forehead using the hem of my shirt. Training with the guys was challenging, but nothing I couldn't handle. Today was particularly amusing, watching Carter attempt to coax Carmen into exercising while she only wanted to relax and munch on some chocolate chip cookies. Rebecka made sure to capture it all on video, and I knew it would lead to some playful arguments later in the day. It was all in good fun, and I enjoyed witnessing their banter.

My attention is diverted when I see my mother rushing past me, visibly upset and murmuring to herself. I try to call out to her, but she's out of sight before I can intervene. Worried, I make my way towards my father's studio.

I enter without knocking, knowing it would slightly annoy him. "What's wrong with mother? She seemed as if someone died," I inquire with concern.

My father glances up with a lazy smile on his face, and my frown deepens. "Remember the young she-wolf that went missing about a decade ago?" he asks.

Of course, I remember. The case was serious and remained unsolved for years, putting the entire kingdom on high alert. I recall my mother befriending the missing pup's mother during that time. It was difficult to witness her sorrow, and the thought of something happening to my younger sister, who was just thirteen at the time, made my wolf angry.

"Yes, I remember. What about it?" I reply, waiting for an explanation.

My father's smile grows wider. "Just this morning, the pack's patrol found her wandering alone in the big forest close to the pack. Isn't that amazing?"

I'm left speechless, trying to process the unexpected news. How is this possible? Why has she resurfaced now? Didn't she go missing in a state in the United States? My mind is full of questions, and it's hard to make sense of the situation.

"They didn't provide many details over the phone, too astounded themselves, I suppose," my father adds, still seemingly in disbelief. "I'm actually on my way there now. I need you to be on high alert in case anything requires my attention, okay?"

I nod in acknowledgment before heading to my room to take a shower. Once there, I quickly make my way to the bathroom. The hot water soothes my tense muscles, but as I near the end of my shower, I turn the water cold to distract myself from the swirling thoughts that threaten to overwhelm me.

In front of the mirror, wrapped in a layer of vapor with a towel around my hips, I can't help but wonder about my true identity. Stripping away the partying, alcohol, and casual relationships, who am I at my core? I've lived for over two centuries, and despite enjoying my bachelor lifestyle with carefree nights and different women, being surrounded by my mated friends makes me yearn for someone special to share my life with. The loneliness gnaws at me, and each passing year adds to the fading hope of finding my destined mate. Perhaps she hasn't even been born yet, and that thought only adds to my frustration.

My parents are growing impatient, pressuring me to mate with Elena, the daughter of the prime minister. However, I can't stand her spoiled and entitled attitude. I refuse to settle for anyone other than my true mate, but time is running out, and the pressure is mounting.

With my mood dampened, I put on some clothes and make my way to the living area where my friends are already gathered, looking refreshed. Ignoring their cheerful greetings, I head straight to the bar and pour myself a humble glass of whiskey, seeking a moment of solitude to reflect on my life and the uncertainties it holds.

"Hey, man, everything okay?" Carter's concerned voice reaches my ears, and I respond with a grunt. Slumping lazily onto a nearby couch, I spill a little of my drink on the carpet without much care.

Felix brings up a topic, and I furrow my brow, clueless about what he's talking about. "What are you talking about?" I ask, trying to catch up with the conversation.

"That she-wolf who went missing eleven years ago was found this morning," Rebecka informs me. News and gossip spread like wildfire in the palace, and I find myself nodding in acknowledgment.

"Yeah, my father told me after training," I reply, feeling like I'm not fully engaged in the discussion, but my mind is preoccupied with other thoughts.

Carmen seems to have a lot of questions about the girl's return. "We'll probably find out more tonight," Rebecka says with a smile. Both Carmen and Rebecka are curious and love gossip, just like cats.

Confused, I inquire why the revelation will be made tonight. Carmen explains that Annie, our friend, had informed her that the queen is throwing a welcoming party for the she-wolf. As my mother is still with her friend's daughter, the responsibility of event planning has fallen to my sister.

I let out a sigh. "My mother is acting like this strange girl is her own daughter, as if she's never seen her before," I mock, not understanding her behavior. Carmen scolds me with a well-placed heel hit to the side of my head, to which I complain and retaliate by tossing the heel away. In return, she gives me a playful smack on the back of my head.

"Carter!" I protest, seeking support from my friend. He simply shrugs, saying, "What? You upset her in the first place."

"But she's your mate," I point out.

"Exactly, which is why I shouldn't upset her," he replies with a goofy grin, sending a kiss to his mate as the two girls leave the room.

As I lie back, thoughts swirling in my mind, I realize I might have to make an appearance at the party for my mother's sake. The return of the girl after eleven years is quite remarkable. I had assumed she was long gone, but fate seems to have favored her. I find myself with many questions about her return, but I'll have to wait until the party starts to find out more.

Riley's POV

I was jolted upright as vivid images flooded my mind, unlocking memories from eleven years ago. My hand instinctively reached for my forehead, feeling a slight throbbing sensation. As I glanced around, I realized I was in my old room, the sight of a twelve-year-old girl's space making my heart ache. I wasn't that innocent little girl anymore, and the realization hit me hard.

Before me sat my entire family, with my dad and mom by the foot of the bed, and my three older brothers scattered around. Their eyes were filled with various emotions, and I could sense my wolf feeling overwhelmed with emotions as well. It was strange; with the memories rushing back, it felt like everything had happened just yesterday, but their appearances showed that years had indeed passed.

Gray hairs had appeared in my father's hair and beard, and wrinkles marked his face. Although he seemed softer, he appeared smaller in my eyes now that I had grown taller. My mother looked mostly the same, but the years had taken a toll, leaving her looking more tired with wrinkles around her eyes.

My brothers, on the other hand, had transformed into matured, muscular men. Their faces had sharpened, and I couldn't help but be surprised by the sight of them. Their eyes, once distant and indifferent towards me, now showed a longing to hug and hold me close. It was something I had always yearned for, to feel the love of my family once again.

"Mom," I whimpered, tears streaming down my face. My mother's response was immediate; she rushed to me, and we both embraced tightly, tears flowing freely. My dad soon joined, holding my face gently as he expressed his apologies for my disappearance, blaming himself for the incident.

Trying to ease his guilt, I reassured him that it wasn't his fault, and that I had wanted to go for a run that night anyway. My brothers followed, hugging me in turns, a sight I never thought I'd experience.

We spent a long time in each other's arms, basking in the joy of being reunited as a family. Later, the Queen, who had become my mother's close friend after the incident, entered the room. Surprisingly, she greeted me warmly, hugging me tightly, and I found comfort in her embrace.

Moving to the living room, I shared my experiences after waking up that night. My family was speechless and filled with remorse for not finding me sooner. However, I didn't want anyone to feel guilty, as I cherished the time I spent with my adoptive parents, Thomas and Meggan Dyson, who had taken care of me all those years.

Despite the mixed emotions, the Queen planned a celebration at the palace to mark my return. Grateful, I accepted, feeling somewhat uncomfortable about addressing her as Ellie, but I was determined not to offend the Queen.