Thirsty (Black Wolf Pack 1)

I kept smoothing my hands up and down my thighs, feeling nervous. I didn’t want to think about these things in front of him, because even if it had been nineteen years since my mother passed away, I knew, to him, it still felt like yesterday.

“After your mom died, I wanted nothing more than to follow her. It was the most natural reaction after losing a mate.” He scrubbed a hand over his face and glanced out the window, the chair squeaking when he shifted slightly, his profile now the only thing I saw. “And then I heard your tiny cry, and I felt that darkness in me ebb away. I felt it get pushed back even more when I looked into your little face, when I saw your mother in your features. I knew I couldn't give up, because you were all I had left, and it was my duty to protect you.”

He looked at me then, and I tried to not cry, but whenever we spoke about the past, about my mother and her death, the emotions were too powerful. I heard his pain laced in his voice, but what I heard more, felt even harder, was the love he had for me.

I walked over to him and embraced him right away. He stood to his full height of over six and a half feet, wrapped his thickly muscled arms around me, and just held me. I smelled his sadness, his despair, and the longing he still felt for my mother. A part of me wished shifters could have two fated mates, and that way he wouldn't be alone, that he could love again.

Maybe it was possible—maybe there was someone out there for him, a second chance to be happy. Because my father deserved it. He deserved to have love in his life again. And in that moment, I wanted to tell him how I’d started to feel things for Tucker, how I wondered if he was my fated mate.

Even if female shifters couldn’t actually shift into our animal forms—not like the males.

Even though females in my pack didn’t feel that connection as strongly when we saw our other half—not like the males did.

I wanted to believe my father would be happy for me no matter what. I wanted to hope and pray he’d see what I was starting to feel for the Beta and embrace me and say he was happy.

But a huge part of me didn’t think that’s how things would play out. The biggest part said I might just have a massive fight on my hands where my father’s acceptance was concerned.

3

Mia

I was late. I was tired. But I couldn’t leave until I finished the paperwork for the new materials that were set to be delivered to the community later this week. It was for the final items we’d need to wrap up the production of the longhouse, but I was pretty sure there were already more projects in the works. It seemed the males in Black Wolf could never just… relax.

I knew the pack wanted a bigger kitchen, something more industrial than what we currently had, which was crazy, since the one we had was massive. I also knew they wanted to expand the square market and stalls and build more cabins on the property, even though everyone had their own places already—including myself, even if I was only nineteen. I was pretty sure they were just optimistic and hopeful of more matings happening.

Exciting things were happening in our pack community, but with that excitement came more work, longer hours, and the sheer exhaustion of always being busy.

The phone rang, and I jumped, startled out of my thoughts. I knew who it was before I even answered. So when I picked up the receiver, I said, “Hey, Dad.”

His deep chuckle came through. “Of course you knew it was me.”

I rolled my eyes but smiled. “You’re the only one who calls me when I’m working, and at this hour. And yes, I’m wrapping up and heading to my cabin shortly. And also yes, I’ll be careful.” Although the pack community was safer than anywhere else, with guards who patrolled the perimeter of our village due to wild animals and anyone who was stupid enough to trespass.

He laughed again. “I made steaks. If you're hungry, I’ll leave them in the fridge. Grab some to heat up at your place.”

“Thanks, Dad, but I think I’m just going to crash. There was a lot to do today.”

“You work too hard, and you have to eat.”

“I do have food at my place, you know.”

“I know, sweetheart, but I always make extra just in case.”

I smiled. “I know. I’ll get it tomorrow, okay?” He exhaled as if he wanted to insist, but before he could, I said, “Listen, I’m gonna wrap up now and head home. I’ll see you tomorrow, okay?”