I was home alone. Dad had already been gone for two weeks and I hoped he would be back soon. I was lonely. It was just my Dad and me. He wasn't even my real Dad, but he was the person who raised me ever since he found me at the age of seven.

I flipped the bacon and turned up the music. "Such a lonely day and it's mine" I sang along with Serji while turning the bacon. I wasn't a good singer and I couldn't hit a note for the life of me, but this didn't matter, as our small and cosy cottage was in the middle of the midnight forest. There was no other sentient being in our close proximity. Never had been. Without Dad, I was all alone in a forest that, as the name suggests, never saw the light of day.

This meant I could sing as much as I desired without anyone being able to complain. I put the bacon on my plate and threw two eggs into the pan. Bacon with scrambled eggs, the thought alone made my mouth water.

I grabbed the salt shaker and shook it. Nothing. I shook it again. Still nothing. I groaned. I knew I only had myself to blame, but why did past-me hate me so much?

I opened the cabinet and searched for the salt package to refill the shaker, just to find an empty package. "Screw you past-me!" I cussed under my breath. I frowned. My lunch was ruined. I could only hope the bacon was salty enough to make up for the missing salt in the eggs.

I added the eggs to my bacon and while dancing to the sofa in front of a huge TV the chorus had started and I loudly screeched along.

"The most loneliest day of my life!"

It made me feel better. I wish I could go with Dad, but he never took me with him when he went hunting. When Dad was home he would sing, Dad's voice was the voice of an angel. So soft, so enchanting.

"And if you go, I wanna go with you!" I sang while sitting down. I waited for the song to end before turning off the LP player and turning on the TV instead. I loved this song. "Netflix and chill it is. Then I wash myself and go to buy more salt. And whatever else is out." I sighed.

"I hope you come back soon, Dad." I whispered after I finished my food. I missed him. I knew I should be used to him being gone for weeks at the time, but every time I missed him like crazy.

I finished one episode of 'Wednesday' before I headed towards the washing room. We didn't have a functioning shower, but a fireplace that would heat up the water which had to be gotten from a nearby lake. By mixing the water I could get proper warm water which I then could dump over my head with a bucket.

The fire had been burning the whole day, well night, so the water was already hot. I mixed it until I liked the temperature, then I washed myself. I checked the money stash we had - nearly empty. I groaned in frustration. At last, not like the salt, there was still some left, but I soon would need to find work again to earn more money.

Dad didn't really care about money, whatever he needed he just got. I had no idea how, but he did. I looked at this big collection of LPs. He would kill me if I sold them.

Instead of getting dressed I put my outfit into a bag together with my favourite leather jacket, then I went outside naked and shifted into my wolf form. I was on the smaller side when it came to werewolves, but I was still bigger than any normal wolf. I shook my brown-beige fur before I grabbed the bag with my mouth and made my way through the ever dark forest.

When I was young I would get lost easily in the forest, but nowadays I could easily find my way around. I crawled through a small tunnel, which was surrounded by large spiky plants and then I finally saw the sunlight.

Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website.

I sniffed and when I couldn't detect anyone near me I shifted and got dressed. It was a long walk to the next town but I didn't mind. I enjoyed the little sun that was shining down through the treetops. I haven't seen the sun in months. I looked at my pale skin with a frown. Dad always said he liked my skin like that. I actually preferred it darker, more like Dad's skin, though I probably would never be able to have skin like Dad.

His skin was a darkish grey. Unnatural. Dad wasn't human, but neither was I. I was a shifter, a werewolf, and Dad was... honestly I didn't know what Dad was, maybe a warlock? A wizard? He never told me and I never asked. I knew he could use spells and some weird blood magic. But I could too! He taught me some.

Before I stepped out of the forest I stopped. I could feel it. The border. This town belonged to a pack. I groaned. I just wanted to go shopping! What should I do now? Wait for a border patrol and ask for permission to enter? Mask my scent and sneak in?

I frowned. Dad was still gone, if I would sneak in and get caught they would probably throw me into a dungeon. Packs were that barbaric. I had already been in more than one. They were boring and uncomfortable and if I wouldn't find a way to get out Dad would need to come and rescue me. I didn't want this to happen again. He had been livid last time. I am not sure what exactly happened but that night the smell of blood had erased every other smell. It was also the first time Dad had hurt me. Afterwards. I couldn't remember much anymore, everything from that was a blur, I just remember sharp pain on my back and waking up in Dads arm unable to move. Nothing was visible on my back when I checked a few days later after I was able to move again.

Well that kind settled it. With a sigh I sat down. "Damn packs." I cursed under my breath. "Always fucking up my life."

I hated packs. I would never belong to a pack ever again. I wouldn't. I couldn't.

I frowned. I didn't want to think about that, so instead I got up, wandering along the pack border, picking up flowers and braiding them into a wreath. I smelled them before I heard them. Then I saw them.

Three young men. They were jogging along the border. Pack members. I couldn't help but sneer. "Pathetic bitches kissing an Alpha's arse." I thought. When they came closer I pushed my feelings down and instead smiled innocently at them.

"Hi guys." I said confidently.

"Rogue." Their leader growled.

"Actually Gladys, but I guess no one has taught you manners in your pack." I replied, earning an even deeper growl. I mustered them.

They were about my age, maybe a little older. They were werewolves, so of course they were good looking. Muscular, toned bodies. Their leader had dark brown hair and beautiful green eyes. Next to him was a tall blonde guy with clear blue eyes and the guy on the other side was a little shorter but he had gorgeous black locks and dark brown eyes.

"What do you want?" The green eyed guy snarled.

I kept my sweet smile, folding my hand on my back while leaning forwards, tilting my head. "Permission to enter the packlands to go to the store."

"You're a rogue." He was still growling.

I chuckled and looked at his comrades.

"Your leader doesn't seem to be the sharpest knife. Can one of you use your mind link to ask the Alpha for permission so I can enter your lands to get to the store? Please?"

They snickered while their leader's ears reddened. He got red ears when angry, adorable! Wait what? Not adorable! I shook my head. What was I thinking?

I could see one of their eyes getting unfocused as he mindlinked the pack. That was something only werewolves in a pack can do. Link their minds together and talk even over a great distance. I felt a dull ache at the thought that I would never be able to hear a pack in my head ever again. I would never again feel the bond and closeness of a pack.

"Get a hold of yourself!" I scolded myself inwardly. I hated that it still hurt, even after all these years. Dad said this longing would never go away. I hoped he was wrong.

"Alpha says it is okay but someone needs to accompany you."

"I will." the leader snarled. "I don't trust a rogue like her. What do you even need from the stores?"

Salt." I mocked him.

"Salt?" He repeated.

"Really not the sharpest knife." I couldn't help but tease him. He frowned at me, but I could see the tip of his ears had become red. Cute. Cute? What the fuck is wrong with me to today?

"Well then let's go!" I grinned and started walking towards town. It took him a moment to gain his composure back and follow me hastily.

"You don't even know where to go!" He yelled.

"I have a nose." I corrected him. "Maybe you should learn to use yours too, or it is only for decoration?"

He growled again but followed me quietly. I had to admit, it was fun teasing him!