The moment Amaris walked through the door, her mother's voice floated from the hallway.
"Go and freshen up first, sweetheart. We'll talk over dinner."
Amaris nodded and headed upstairs.
The second she stepped into her old room, nostalgia slammed into her like a cold bucket of water. Nothing had changed. The soft curtains. The books on the shelf. The tiny cracks on the wall she used to count when she couldn't sleep.
All exactly as she left them — untouched. Waiting.
She took a slow look around, chest tightening, then quietly shut the door behind her. A quick shower later, she stepped back into the hallway, towel-dried hair brushing her shoulders.
Her father's deep voice echoed from the dining room, followed by her brother's lighter one. Her stomach curled again — uneasy, warning, whispering.
She ignored it and walked in.
Everyone stared.
She pretended not to notice and took her seat. Her father's brows pinched.
"You seem to have learned quite a lot of unhealthy things in the human world," he said. "You've even forgotten how to show respect to your father."
Amaris sighed softly. "Good evening, Dad."
Her mother quickly set plates on the table, avoiding the rising tension. Soon everything was served, and the family began eating in a thick, uncomfortable silence.
Under the table, a pinch landed on her leg. She flinched, turning to see her brother, Evan, grinning.
"Welcome back," he whispered.
She returned the small smile and continued eating.
They had barely gotten halfway through the meal when her father spoke without looking up.
"We're going to stay at the Zephyr Moon Pack for the next few days."
Amaris froze. "Huh?"
"Are you hard of hearing now?" he shot back.
"No— I just… I have school. I can't stay for days."
"That has been handled," he said. "We called your school. You won't be attending for a few days."
She stiffened. "You made a decision without my consent?"
Her father didn't even blink. "I wonder who pays for your education, your apartment, and the life you enjoy in the human world."
The words were so casual, so sharp, they stung.
She opened her mouth to fire back, but her mother's calming hand touched her thigh. Amaris swallowed the burn and said nothing.
Evan spoke next. "Zephyr Moon is a lycan pack. You failed to mention that part, Father."
Their father finally looked up. "And now you know."
"You know we don't mix with lycans," Evan argued. "They're unstable, unpredictable, and dangerous. And their Alpha is worse, if the rumors are true."
"Rumors," their father dismissed. "Besides, Marcius asked me to represent him. He and his family are on vacation."
Marcius was the alpha of their pack—young, careless, and always on one vacation or another. Sometimes Amaris wished her family lived that freely too. But with the alpha constantly gone, her father ended up handling most of the responsibilities.
She didn't really blame Marcius though. He'd only been twenty-eight when he was forced to take the mantle after their former alpha died. Her father had been guiding him, teaching him everything he needed to lead… but he didn't get too far before fate threw a mate into the picture. And like most newly bonded couples, Marcius and his Luna disappeared into their honeymoon phase, busy enjoying themselves and trying for babies. Or so Rina said.
Amaris never knew the full details; she only ever heard bits from Rina—whose own father's the alpha of the neighbouring pack, which was how the two of them became close in the first place.
"How long are we staying, then?" Evan asked, leaning back in his chair. "I've got a deal to close with my newest clients. I can't really disappear for days. And why do we all have to go? Why not just you?"
Her father didn't look up from his plate. "Because that's what Marcius requested. It's part of the agreement between our packs. We'll only be there for two days. Nothing more."
Evan let out a breath. "Alright… that's better."
The rest of dinner passed in silence.
Afterward, Amaris helped her mother clear the table and wash the dishes. She was heading to her room when Evan appeared in the doorway.
"Dad wants you in his study."
She groaned. "What does he want again?"
"Go easy on the old man, pumpkin," he teased.
"Well he should go easy on me too."
Evan burst into laughter as she stalked down the hallway.
She knocked.
"Come in."
Her father didn't look up when she entered. She hovered by the door.
"Evan said you needed me."
"Sit."
She sighed but obeyed. He slid a few documents toward her.
"Check these for me."
She raised one brow but stayed quiet, flipping through them. They went back and forth like that for a while until he finally spoke.
"How have you been?"
She paused. He still wasn't looking at her.
"I'm fine," she said.
"You should take the car," he said. "Learn to drive, or pick a new driver if you don't want Travis. It's dangerous for a lady… like you to walk around without protection. And even if you don't care about that, having a car is practical. Since you can't really protect yourself."
The words made her feel small. She hated that familiar ache.
"A lot of humans live long, normal lives," she said quietly. "They don't need claws or super strength to survive. I'll be fine. I'm not special enough for the universe to target."
At that, he dropped his pen and finally met her eyes. She ignored his stare and kept flipping pages.
"You know I worry about you," he said softly. "I may be hard on you… but I do worry."
Her heart loosened a little. "I know."
"You can still come home," he continued. "Your mother misses you. This is your home. Your people are here."
"Dad," she sighed. "We've talked about this. It doesn't feel like home for me. Not anymore. And please don't start lecturing me again. I don't want to fight tonight. And besides I have Rina. I'm not alone."
He exhaled and nodded.
"Alright then. Are you comfortable in your apartment? Your school? If something is wrong, tell me. If you need money, don't hesitate.
"I will," she said softly.
He leaned back. "That'll be all. Get some rest."
She rolled her eyes. "I knew you didn't call me here for anything important."
He actually smiled. "Aren't you going to give your old man a goodnight hug?"
She sighed but her lips twitched. "Fine."
She walked around the desk and wrapped her arms around him. He smelled like old books and pine — the same as her childhood. She placed a quick kiss on his cheek.
"Goodnight, Dad."
"Goodnight, Amaris."
She closed the door, walked to her room, and the moment she hit the bed, sleep took her instantly — pulling her under before she could remember the strange, crawling unease gnawing in the back of her mind.