Chapter

　　My class just ended and I had to wait for an hour for my sibling's class to end. While waiting I decided to go to the forest near the school where people are not allowed to go. 　　Our land is huge. We have our own school, mall, training ground, parks, and other important facilities. Still, I chose to explore the Forbidden Forest. 　　Our pack is heavily guarded by our highly trained Elite Warriors hiding in plain sight. 　　Every werewolf knows that and no one dares to pass by our borders unless they wanted to die. Rogues who are caught passing by were always taken into the dungeons and get interrogated. We don't punish them to confess but we use our power to force their wolves to tell us the truth. 　　If we found out that they're sane enough to become a part of our pack, we would welcome them and let them join us as an omega. They can still work their way up in our pack and prove themselves to us. 　　Omegas are the weakest in a pack but they are not necessarily weak. They are in charge of doing small tasks and although they are weak they are still treated fairly. 　　Before, the dungeon was used to torture different kinds of beings, but now it's mostly empty because of the reputation we have. Everyone fears us, not because we are ruthless but because we are fearless. 　　I trudged deep into the forest, marking every tree I passed by with an infinity symbol, just like the pendant on the necklace that Adam gave me, so that I would know my way back to the pack. I didn't think of the warriors who might see me breaking the pack's rules. I was just curious and besides, I would go back immediately when I'm satisfied with my adventure. 　　Dried leaves scrunched beneath my feet as I went deeper. In just a few moments I heard the sound of rushing water and the sound of birds. I sniffed the air and smelt flowers like the ones in Adam's garden. 　　I ran excitedly to where the scent was coming from and parted every leaf blocking my view and gasped at the beauty in front of me. I saw a small brook and a treehouse covered with vines. The place was surrounded with large rocks and flowers are scattered across the meadow. Birds are circling the sky and butterflies were resting on every leaf. It's like I entered a different world. 　　I wonder why this place was forbidden. 　　I ran and played by myself on the clean grass and the shallow brook while carefully lifting my skirt to avoid getting wet. I also climbed the tree using the broken ladder and the vines to reach the treehouse. 　　I don't know how old it was but it's strong enough to hold my weight. 　　The wood creaked beneath my feet as I explored its insides. It was surprisingly empty and it's all covered with dust. I guess no one knew about this place. It was abandoned and forgotten by time. 　　I cleaned the whole treehouse and searched for things that need fixing but all in all the treehouse is still in good condition. 　　Since then, I always went to that place when I needed an escape and it became my best friend. I even named it haven because it made me feel secure. I know it's weird to call a place your best friend and even name it, but that's the only thing that made me feel family since the incident. 　　I was 30 minutes late when I came back to school. Logan was so angry at me for not waiting for them inside the campus. 　　"We were worried sick Mira. We nearly called our parents because of you," he scolded me. 　　"I'm sorry. I lost track of time." 　　"Where were you?" Leila asked. 　　I couldn't tell them the truth because they will surely tell dad that I broke a rule, "I was just exploring around the pack," I replied, "I promise, I won't do it again just don't tell our parents about this." 　　"Fine, but if you'd do it again I will not hesitate to tell mom and dad," Logan told me calmly and I smiled. 　　Adam was also with them but he's surprisingly quiet. He was looking at me oddly and didn't ask me anything. There's no trace of worry in his face and I couldn't tell what he's feeling right now. 　　We all walked home since the school isn't that far from our house. When I and Adam got the chance to be alone, he suddenly spoke, "You're wearing the necklace," he smiled widely. 　　I touched the necklace on my neck and felt the depth and edge of every letter carved in it, "Yeah," I answered and avoided his gaze. 　　"I'm glad that you liked it," he whispered. I smiled and tucked my hair behind my ears. 　　When we got home Leila immediately told my parents that I left the campus without telling them. Mom was so angry because of what I did and I was surprised when Leila told them. 　　"Calm down, Alana. The pack is heavily guarded and she knows what she's doing. Besides, I already taught her how to protect herself." 　　I'm very much close to my father since I was little and it's because he homeschooled me in my early years. 　　He taught me how to read, write and how to fight. He taught me everything there is in this world and how to live in it. 　　I never understood why he home-schooled me when he could just bring me to school and let the teachers teach me what I needed to learn like what he did to my siblings. Nevertheless, I will never replace the moments I had with my father during those days. 　　It's what kept me living and fighting after all the things I've gone through. 　　One of the best memories I had with him was when we play my favorite game called hide and seek. I clearly remember that day as if it just happened yesterday. 　　I was hiding in the closet with my mouth covered to stifle my giggles. I watched my dad searching for me around the room, through a small hole. 　　"Mira?" He called out while searching 　　"I gotcha!" My father exclaimed and peeked under the bed but it was empty. 　　I nearly laughed aloud when he realized that I wasn't there. It's a good thing that I covered my mouth with my hands. 　　With his supernatural speed, he sped off towards where I'm hiding and opened the door of the closet, "BOO!" He scared me, and I shouted in surprise. 　　He was too fast that I didn't saw him move. I was caught off guard by what he did. He then picked me up and carried me like a sack of potatoes and brought me to the living room. 　　"Dad put me down!" I laughed as I beat his back and he placed me on the floor. 　　Before I could crawl away from him, he grabbed my leg and tickled me everywhere, "Daddy! Stop!" I shrieked, but he didn't listen. 　　"You thought I'd never know that you were there?" He asked and laughed along with me. 　　I never won this game but I love it because I wanted to win. I wanted to beat my dad. 　　After we got tired, we rested our backs on the floor and breathed heavily, "Dad how did you know that I was in the closet?" I asked after regaining my energy. 　　"Simple, I heard you breathe," he answered. 　　"That's impossible, I was covering my mouth the whole time," I retorted 　　"Sweetie, your dad is a powerful werewolf," he complimented himself, again. 　　I know how powerful my dad is. Everyone is afraid of him. He looks scary when he's outside. 　　"Not as powerful as the alpha," I grinned. 　　"Still, I'm powerful," he said with a hint of mischief in his voice 　　"I know," I giggled, "Do you have any other reasons on how you knew that I was in the closet?" 　　"I caught your scent." I raised my eyebrows at his answer. 　　"What can I do to hide my scent?" I asked again. 　　"Hiding your scent is difficult, only special wolves can do that," he answered. 　　"Can you do that?" 　　"Of course, all you need to do is to focus and concentrate on your scent. You can also change your scent or just hide it completely." 　　That was one of the abilities that I could do that he taught me. I thought it was normal and that everyone can do it. I did it perfectly on my first try like I was meant to do it, and I was. I just never thought it would be for those painful circumstances. 　　He wasn't too surprised when I did it, but for me, it was a great achievement and I was so excited to use it against him. However, dad was so good that he always find out where I was even though I'm using that to my advantage. 　　"Dad, when can I meet my wolf and shift?" Werewolves shift anytime. It isn't true that they only shift at the age of 18. It depends on your rank and power. 　　"The earlier you shift the more powerful you are and the more dangerous it would be. Most werewolves shift at their teens or worst at their twenties." 　　"How could it be dangerous? Isn't it a good thing to be powerful?" 　　"Powerful beings were hunted and killed in the past until now. It's because they don't want to be ruled by them. That is why powerful werewolves hide their identities and pretend to be weak," he paused, "When you found out how powerful you are and you turned out to be like them, don't you ever tell anybody about it." 　　"Even you?" I asked. 　　"I will never betray you, sweetheart." 　　When I knew the answer, he's already gone. I know he knew it. I wish he told me sooner.