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Eventually I said, “Umm the humans care about kids going to school and we live in their realm. The Werewolf Council cares about all of us getting a high school degree.” She retorted, “My pack is overseen by the Supernatural Council.”

I scoffed, “They definitely care about packs not drawing the attention of human authorities… like you seem dead set on doing… which is strange…” She stared at me. I muttered, “Fine. I’ll get a GED.” Stephanie waved her hands saying, “Problem solved. On the car ride home pick a new name.”

I wanted to go back to bed and transport myself back to a time I’d never met her. I asked, “What?” Stephanie was clearly annoyed, but I didn’t care.

She answered, “Your pack doesn’t want to hear news about you around their allies.

I personally doubt they will hear anything, but it was INSISTED upon that you pick a new name.

So, you’ll pick one. My pack will obviously know who you are, but in public they will call you by your chosen name.

” They took me from my home, family, and pack. Now they wanted my name?!

She continued, “You should be happy. I hate my name. Plus, my pack is even going to get you documentation for said name.” I asked, “What pack?” She answered, “Black Path.” Jason and Peter sent me to BLACK PATH?

! They hated it here! They talked about how crappy it was, literally ALL the time. Dad and mom abhorred this pack!

Stephanie signed me out while I held my tears back. The nurses and doctors were not ok with her signing me out. I didn’t see a single Supernatural on duty, but I saw several harsh looks going her way. Stephanie rushed us off before they could call CPS, which one nurse was doing as we left.

My side burned with pain, and I felt lightheaded. Logically, I must have lost a lot of blood. Was I flown here? What hospital would agree to make the flight when there was a level one trauma center in Black Mountain’s territory? The human hospital and the pack one.

Alpha Eric was determined his area would provide the best care no matter if it was a Supernatural or Human. Was I driven here? Surely, they got me medical attention before I got to Nashville. We got into her car in a tense silence that grated my nerves.

I hated silence, but I’d never felt more alone in my life. Alpha Peter’s note, in his handwriting, said not to link anyone. I just wanted to hear their voices, even if they yelled. I needed them.

Stephanie said, “As I said, during the day you’ll do chores for the pack.” She hadn’t said it was for the pack. Which was against Werewolf law because that was a job. The Supernatural Council was not doing a good job monitoring the packs that didn’t want to be overseen by the Werewolf Council then.

Especially if they were getting away with that. Which wasn’t actually that surprising and I mentally chided myself for not realizing they were doing it to get away with doing shady things.

She continued, “Once you are recovered, I have another activity you’ll be enrolled in.” I didn’t reply which she clearly wanted and to be honest it physically pained me to stay quiet. I didn’t want to talk to her though. It was utterly clear to me she was a bad person with no empathy.

She angrily said, “Your brother said you are a good fighter.” Jason had said good?

I mean… at least he’d said something nice.

Although he’d used different adjectives before I’d gotten our family killed.

He often called me a brilliant fighter. Once he said I was the talent for my generation, and I was pretty sure I grew taller.

I acknowledged, “I’m good.” Stephanie smirked smarmily saying, “We will see.” Well, I had just gotten the best of her when injured so she knew I was at least decent. She added, “You’ll be fighting with a special group called the Undergrounds.”

I snorted, “That sounds illegal. They should’ve come up with a less obvious name…

plus you said special group… be more obvious it’s illegal…

especially if you’re forcing pups to fight…

so… be better.” Stephanie laughed hollowly, “Welcome to Nashville little girl. We get away with the obvious.” Then the Supernatural Council was in a lot of trouble.

I studied Stephanie conceding we might be related, but I could see why my mom hated her. I studied her profile. The only common trait her and my mom had was their hair color. Which wasn’t surprising since Stephanie was supposedly adopted.

Why would Jase send me here with strangers? When we got out of the car, I heard people whispering. Stephanie loudly said, “Don’t be shy. People know who Melanie the family killer is.” My eyes filled with tears, but I refused to give her the satisfaction of actually crying.

I didn’t kill them like she was saying. I’d never hurt them! I got mad and they came home. Slade killed them. I wanted to scream that at her. Instead I just glared at her letting her know with eyes I could easily kill her.

A woman walked over admonishing her, “Stephanie McCann, how dare you! That was a horrible thing to say, and I heard what happened to this poor pup! A Hunter killed her family. Have some empathy, you horrid shrew!” I liked her a lot better than Stephanie.

Stephanie turned red with anger. The woman turned to me and knelt down.

She cooed, “Sweetie, I’m Luna Elena Davis.

This is my daughter, Addison.” She waved a man over.

She added, “And my son Caine, he’s the future Alpha.

I’m so sorry we aren’t prepared for your arrival.

We would’ve baked you cookies, but the pack doctor didn’t think you would be released until later this week. ”

That didn’t explain why I wasn’t here in the first place.

Why did they let me go the human hospital first?

I explained, “She signed me out.” The Luna looked at Stephanie.

She sighed, “Honestly Stephanie, I cannot understand you. Why don’t you let her stay with us?

You don’t know anything about pups, and they annoy you.

She’s not ready to be out of the hospital.

To the pack hospital you go, little miss. ”

Stephanie angrily retorted, “The Alpha was fine with it.” She was really saying that to the Alpha’s Luna? Peter would have someone by the throat if they spoke to Chelsea like that. I knew my eyes were wide as I looked between them.

I glanced around noting there were several Warriors, but they weren’t doing anything. What was wrong with them? No one should disrespect their Luna like this. They seemed confused by my confusion which made it weirder.

Luna Elena said, “But I am NOT. She’s going to the pack doctor. She has been traumatized by the loss of her family. She’s in a new place. Then you show up with your abrasiveness. When did she wake up?” Stephanie didn’t answer.

The Luna demanded, “ANSWER ME STEPHANIE!” Someone said, “Lighten up, Elena.” I actually gasped and waited for that person to get dressed down, but instead everyone looked at me like I was crazy. Stephanie sighed answering, “About an hour and a half ago.”

Luna Elena said, “Get out of my sight before I slap you. Honestly. Taking a pup out of the hospital against medical advice.” The Alpha walked up with the Beta. I didn’t need an introduction to know who they were.

The Alpha said, “Elena, she's not our charge.” Luna Elena looked at him snarking, “Did I ask you? No, I did not. She is a pup, and you agreed long ago pups were under my care. Well, I have decided that she needs care.” I gaped at them. I’d never heard Chelsea speak to Peter that way.

Luna Elena clearly didn’t like her husband.

The Beta and Alpha turned away without saying anything.

I called, “Alpha, wait please.” He turned around. I said, “Umm a bunch of people were just disrespecting your Luna.” He stared at me. He asked, “And?” Caine growled. I said, “Umm… that’s… you’re supposed to… well… be mad.”

“No one is supposed to talk to a Luna like that… it’s a bylaw in every single pack.

Section Three code B. Treating a Luna disrespectfully has never been allowed since the beginning of Werewolf society.

So much so, they literally had it be in one of the first five sections… so… umm… what is going on here?”

Stephanie snorted, “You don’t know our pack bylaws.” I agreed, “No, I don’t…obviously…. since I just got here… but I know that is one because as I said, it’s in every pack bylaw. It’s a literally a law. So…”

Luna Elena interrupted asking, “It is?” I answered, “Yes.” She whirled and stared at her mate and Beta.

The Beta said, “I’ll look into it.” I said, “Ok… it’s Section Three Code B…

like I said… Wait… you don’t know your own pack bylaws?

As a Beta blood? Wait… just… what?” Stephanie growled, “Shut up, pup.” I stared at everyone here who was now interested in me. I was used to that look though.

Luna Elena held out her hand saying, “Come with me dear. Caine, get her things please.” I had never been so confused in my entire life. What was wrong with this pack? The Alpha still didn’t say anything about the disrespectful way his mate was treated, but he watched her every move.

I saw that Caine had gotten my purple backpack out of Stephanie’s car. At least, my Xander wolf was in there. We walked into the pack hospital. The doctor was visibly nervous upon our arrival. A nurse shoved him out of the way, clearly annoyed.

She glanced at me saying, “You need more fluids. You were shot in the lung. You can’t do anything too jarring. Your healing rate is fast, so you won’t be out of commission too long. I’m Cecila by the way.” I asked, “What’s the pack doctor’s name?” He scurried away and I frowned.

Ceclia snorted, “He’s not going to treat you because the Alpha didn’t give him express permission.” I blinked, “Umm what? That’s not legal either. He has an oath… just… what is going on here? I’m so confused.” Addison and Caine exchanged glances that said they were the ones that were confused.