Chapter 1

Ariel- POV

I can't believe that I forgot my bag in the taxi, I am not sure if I am going to make it. I say to myself as I frantically run through the airport to gate 15. The airport attendant is doing the last call for passengers to board the plane. Breathless I wave my hand and yell for them to wait for me. The lady looks at me with annoyance in her brow and signals with her hand for me to stop. I stopped and pulled out my ticket as quickly as my hand could manage. She scans the ticket and looks me up and down. With a fake smile she reluctantly lets me through. I race down the ramp and to the mouth of the plane door that was thankfully still open. The flight attendant smiles at me and gestures for me to find my seat.

I find my seat, A15 I am sitting next to a mother and her blue eyed, blonde haired 3 year old boy. "Aw, how cute" I say softly and mostly to myself. The brown eyed and strawberry haired lady turns around with a smile and replies with a thank you. She turns back to her son and says "Grayson, please be good and just look out the window we will be home soon, okay?". He glanced at the window and back to his mother "Okay, Mama". The both of them made themselves as comfortable as they could, and prepared for the plane to take off.

As I sat there ignoring the safety speeches and demonstrations that the flight attendance were giving I started to think about returning home. It has been five years since I have been home and I am so nervous.

I am part of the third largest pack in North America, the Moon River Pack. My father and mother are the Alpha and Luna of the pack. My brother Jonathan and his mate Sarah are about to take over the pack. My parents are excited for me to be returning home.

I have been diligently studying language and art but I have been mostly focused on medicine with a specialty in surgery. I want to be the next pack doctor and do my part to help the pack. I have been traveling to different territories in Europe to study and learn as much as I can. I completed my residency and I have my doctorate in medicine. I am 22 years old and I have been working towards my degree since I was 12. I have been knee deep in studies and gave it my all so that I could skip a few grades and focus on medicine. I missed out on a lot of events growing up due to my passions and goals.

"Would you like to order something for dinner Ma'am "? The flight attend asked pulling me from my thoughts. "Uhm, yes, please. I will have the chicken salad sandwich with some kettle chips and cranberry juice please". I replied, she smiled, nodded and proceeded to ask the lady and her son the same question. The plane ride for the most part was really smooth and after falling asleep for a few hours it seemed to go by quickly. A loud voice wakes me up. It was the pilot announcing that we will be landing soon and to fasten our seatbelts.

The plane landed and I scurried off to go find my bags and call my mother to let her know that I had landed. I had to fight the crowd and patently wait for my bags to appear on the belt so I could grab them. My mother texted me that Keith would be picking me up from the airport. I was a little surprised and a little sad that she wasn't coming to pick me up herself. "Ariel, OVER HERE!" A familiar voice pulled me out of my thoughts and didn't leave me time to dwell on my sudden sadness. "KEITH"! I yelled, as I waved my hand for him to come help me with my bags.

Keith was a tall, white male with broad shoulders, arms covered in tattoos, black hair, blue eyes and a deep voice. He was undeniably hot. "Hey, Ariel. Wow just look at you all grown up. Geez you're so tall now and damn, are all of those bags yours"? He asked as he carefully looked me over. I blushed, I use to have a crush on him and now that I am a woman it's a bit embarrassing. "Hi, Keith. It's been a long time and yeah these are all mine. I mean I am moving back home after all, my other things will be arriving tomorrow by mail hopefully". Keith laughed as he stared to pick up some of the luggage. I grabbed two of my bags while he had the other three in his muscular arms. "I could have gotten all of them". He said raising his eyebrow. "No, that's fine I got these. I am not a helpless princess". I say as I walk off with a bit of attitude. I hear Keith chuckle as he says "Right, of course. Hey, you're not Princessness I parked this way". I froze and slowly turned as my face got red and hot from the embracement.

Keith continued to laugh as we got into the car. He is so stupid and annoying. The car ride was filled with laughter, heavy mental music and little conversation. After two hours of driving we finally arrive to our territory. Just like I remember the pack house was four stories high and built like a mansion.

Keith parked right in front of the pack house and got out of the car. He came around to my door to help me out. As I stepped out I noticed that my surroundings were eerily quiet.

I moved to open the back passenger door to take out my bags but was stopped by Keith. "Hey don't worry about that right now, let's just go inside and get you something to eat". He gestured for me to walk up the steps and through the door.

I opened the door and nearly screamed when everyone popped up out of now-where to yell WELCOME HOME !!! "Oh, my goodness. What is all of this?" I asked shocked and was almost thrown back by all the familiar faces, smells, and even new people that I have never seen.

I almost didn't notice when my mother grabbed me and put me into a very tight hug. "My baby, my sweet Arial, oh my Goddess. It has been so long. How are you? Was the flight okay? Dear you're so tall, just look at you". My mother was inspecting me and talking so fast I could barley resister all her questions and begged for her to stop and let me breathe. "Ruth please, calm down". My father's voice booms through the room and everyone freezes for a brief moment. "Jacob you know better than to use that tone with me". My mother turns around to confront my father with an attitude. "My dear, I had tried just talking to you but that did not work. You know that I wouldn't have use my alpha tone unless it was necessary". He stated as he cautiously approached my mother and cupped her face.

His scent calmed her down, she took in a deep breath as he leaned down and lightly kissed her lips. She kissed him back and looked deep into his eyes. He kissed her on her forehead then looked at me.

"My baby girl who is not a baby anymore. It is so nice to see you and have you home". My father said has he embraced me into a warm hug that felt so soothing and safe. My father and I were always close and spoke on the phone every Sunday.

For my first birthday away from home he came to see me and give me our family charm bracelet that has been passed down since our pack's first luna was gifted it by the moon goddess. "aw, thank you Daddy. I have missed you too. I love you and I can't wait to live here, work here, and make a difference here." I said. My father just smiled at me and gave me another hug.

"Uhm Dad, where is Lucas"? I asked wondering where my older bother was and wondering why he wasn't here to greet me.

"Oh, he will be here shortly. He is helping Sarah his mate with their pup". my father explained and gestured upstairs. "What, you mean Lucas has a child? I am an aunt now? That's crazy! Why didn't you mention anything to me about this Dad, I mean we talk every week"? I asked in shock. "Because I told him not to". I hear my brother say as he descends the stairs with his mate and child.

"Lucas! Oh my goodness so precious". I say as I carefully approach them. My brother chuckles at my reaction and replies 'Well it seems me having a child is not the only surprise in the room just look at you. Wow, you're so tall and beautiful. Come here and meet my mate Sarah and baby girl Lacey".

I smile so wide and lean over towards Sarah as she cradles the baby. "Praises to the Moon Goddess, you are so precious". I say softly as to not wake the darling angel from her sleep. Sarah smiles and looks between me and her daughter. "You can hold her if you want too" she says offering the baby to me. I look up with beaming eyes excited and scared to hold such a delicate thing. "Are you sure"? I ask, trying not to look desperate. Sarah giggles slightly and carefully hands me my niece.

I hold her and just stare at how beautiful, small and perfect she looked. Lacey started to coo and snuggle closer to me. She began to rub her face into my chest like she was looking for something. Not finding what she was looking for she started to coo louder. Sarah approached and said "she must be hungry again and is looking for milk, let me feed her". I handed my neice back to her mother so that she could eat. "Thank you so much Sarah she is perfect".

Sarah nodded with smile and turned to talk to Johnathan who was in the middle of talking to his soon to be beta, Keith. Sarah gestured that she was going to go upstairs to feed the baby. He walked up to her gave her a light kiss on the lips and turned back to his conversation.

The party went on for a few hours and I spent time with everyone visiting, chatting and eating good barbecue that my father made. It was wonderful to talk, share and spend time with everyone. I really felt welcomed and at home once again.

After a while I said goodnight to everyone and headed up to my old room. It was on the 3rd floor and just found my room was exactly how I left it. I took a very much needed shower and then got into my old bed. "Aw comfy as ever". I quickly drifted off to sleep, happy to finally be back home.