Madilynne

Madilynne's POV

The attack happened 12 years ago. My best friend was kidnapped and Katie’s parents were murdered. My mom also was killed. It was real. I’ve always had nightmares of that night.

After the attack, my dad sent me away to a boarding school. How I missed home and my dad.

Today I’d finally be returning home, my dad wanted me to finish school there.

I took the hour drive to the airport. “Breathe, you can do this, it’s only been 12 years since you’ve seen him. Dad.” I said to myself in a whisper. I calmed myself and walked through the airport to get to my flight.

The flight wasn’t long, 5 hours later and I was finally almost home. After stepping out of the airport I was greeted by Aiden.

“Madilynne, your father sent me to escort you home.” Aiden said gently.

Aiden is my dad’s closest friend, they’ve known each other for most of my life. He found me that day 12 years ago, How I wish I could tell myself it was all a nightmare.

Before stepping into the car with Aiden I took a deep calming breath, taking in the air around me. "I’m finally coming home."

Aiden gave me a light smile and gently directed me to get in.

The car ride home was beautiful, the tall green trees towered over everything in their path. Fields ran for miles. The sun shown on everything, bringing out all the beautiful colors of nature that surrounded us.

Finally reaching home. I stepped out of the car and took in all the beauty of nature, and fresh air around me.

My dad greeted me at the door "Welcome home baby girl, I’ve missed you."

"I’ve missed you so much, dad!" I said as I hugged him tightly, never wanting to let go. My dad chuckled and hugged me even tighter. After breaking the hug I grabbed my bags and headed inside to take my bags to my room.

" Madilynne once you are settled in, please come find me in my office." My dad said with a light smile. "Okay, I’ll be there in a few Dad." I hugged my dad again and took my stuff to my room. After dropping my stuff in the room I wandered back to my dad’s office, when I came to the door I could hear hushed voices coming through.

"She’s almost 18 now, we have to tell her what she is, Finn." Aiden’s voice carried through the closed door. Tell me what?

" I know, that’s why I’ve asked her to come to my office once she is settled in. She’ll be getting her wolf and shifting soon. " my dad said with a heavy sigh to Aiden.

What does he mean I’ll be getting my wolf soon? Shifting? So many questions whirled through my brain. Unease crept into the pit of my stomach. I gently knocked on the door to be answered by my dad. "Come in." he said calmly.

I steadied myself before walking through the door, "Hey Dad, what’s up?" I was going for cool, calm, collected Madilynne, was it working?

He chuckled and said, "Please sit Madilynne, I have a few things to say."

I slowly sat down on the opposite side of my dad’s desk. I sat quietly and patiently waiting for him to begin. "Madilynne, your 18th birthday is tomorrow, I know this may sound strange but I don’t want to sugarcoat anything. Tomorrow you’re going to go through something you’ve never thought possible." He paused, eyes searching me.

"Dad, what are you talking about?" I said questioningly.

"In our family, on our 18th birthday, we go through what we call our first shift. You’re a wolf shifter." My dad said plainly like we were chatting about the damn weather.

I sucked in a breath, confused as to hearing the word wolf again. "Okay so you’re telling me tomorrow I’ll be transforming into some mythical creature?" I asked astounded. Was he joking?

I was met with Aiden’s small laugh as he replied "We are very real, Madilynne. Nothing mythical about us." He motioned between dad and himself.

"What do you mean we?" I asked yet another question, my voice climbing to a higher pitch. The unease was starting to ratchet up a few notches now. My dad cleared his throat, bringing our attention back to him. "Madilynne, you’re a wolf. I am the pack Alpha and Aiden is my Gamma. Katie’s parents were my Beta and Beta female.” He stated bluntly, pausing before saying "And your mom, she was my luna. Our luna." I could see the pain of bringing up my mom written all over his face. I just nodded my head back to my dad. Trying to wrap my brain around this. "The attack 12 years ago, that took the lives of them, was plotted and carried out by rogues. Rogues are wolves who have gone feral." My dad said tightly.

"Okay so let me get this straight, I’m a wolf. Katie’s parents along with mom were killed by feral rogues and Katie was also kidnapped never to be seen again by the same rogues?" I said with pain in my voice. It always killed me thinking of them, let alone speaking of them. My dad nodded. I sighed before saying "Well, it all makes sense now. The stranger, alley, and the rogue that kidnapped Katie. I thought I was imagining things.."

"Your mom and I were planning on telling you and Katie about us, our family, that day. But fate had a different plan in place. I sent you to that boarding school for protection, after losing your mom, I couldn’t lose you too." My dad said defeated, all of this had clearly worn on him. Taking in all this new information, this new life, I looked at my dad and said "Okay, I think I understand now." I hoped on the outside I held onto that image of being calm, cool, collected. Because on the inside, I was fucking terrified.

How was I suppose to deal with this? Hell, I guess, take it day by day?