Chapter 1 Something Different, Something New

A Rolls-Royce Phantom pulled up in the driveway of an estate painted in white and royal blue. The surrounding space was decorated in a trail of neatly trimmed plants and colorful flowers with a fountain sitting in the middle.

Faye stared at what could very well be her new home through the tinted window.

She resisted the urge to throw up as her heart knocked against her chest in a violent beat.

Her anxiety could simply be traced to moving into a new home, but it was much bigger than that.

She, a Werewolf; mortal enemies to the Lycans was about to live amongst the most powerful Lycan pack in existence.

"Are you nervous?"

A soft and gentle voice spoke, breaking through the loudness of her panic. For a moment she had forgotten that she wasn't alone.

She settled her golden eyes on the beautiful woman with a platinum blonde pixie cut and blue-grey eyes. She looked well in her early 30's, but Faye knew she was much older than that.

She shook her head at Gwen's question, and Gwen simply shot her a smile.

Faye let out another shaky breath and nodded her head. "I am."

Gwen gently patted Faye's head, her hands smoothening the stray strands of her silver hair.

"Don't be." She smiled, "I'm here."

Faye stared at the woman who was no more than a stranger, yet was kind to her. She was a complete contrast to the woman she called 'Mother' her entire life.

She nodded, then mustered a smile.

Gwen shot her yet another smile, then leaned back on her seat.

'Nick.' She called for her husband through the mindlink. 'Is Emris home?'

'Yeah, he is.' Nick responded.

'And the rest?'

'All here. What's wrong?'

'Could you have everyone wait for me in the living room?'

Nick paused a bit. 'You got it.'

Gwen turned to Faye. "Let's head in."

She exited the car, then held her hand out to Faye who just stared at her.

After spending her entire life tortured by her kind, she wondered just how different this place would be.

Taking a shaky breath in, she took Gwen's hand and exited the car.

Gwen led her through the door, and the second she shut it behind them, Faye's heart dropped to her stomach.

*"Dad, please!" *

Her own distressed voice invaded her ears as flashes of blood, the full moon in the sky and large wolves came crashing on her like a violent wave.

*"Dad, it hurts!" a twelve year old Faye cried; her clothes and silver hair bloodied and two wolves towering over her. *

Her vision doubled, and her body started to tremble. The sound of a door slamming shut echoed through her ears and her lips parted in a desperate gasp for air.

Gwen stopped in her tracks.

"Faye." She called, gently grabbing Faye's shoulders. "You're okay. Remember, I'm here."

Gwen's words felt like the warm touch of the sun after a cold and heavy storm. Looking into Gwen's blue-grey eyes, Faye let out yet another shaky breath.

She swallowed the anxiety stuck in her throat.

"Thank you." She breathed, then followed after Gwen.

The inside of their home looked like art. Paintings hung on every wall of the lobby- mostly portraits of family and ancestors.

They walked under the sweeping curves of the dual-direction staircase, and Faye could hear and see the small group of people in the living room chattering away.

She followed Gwen into a large living room, barely having time to appreciate her environment when the sweetest smell she'd ever come across caressed her senses.

She knew it couldn't have come from the room, but from someone in it.

It was weird. Creatures like them who were sensitive to smell never wore perfumes. She couldn't smell any on Gwen-even when they were in the car, and she couldn't smell any on the others in the room.

Except one.

Faye's body pulsated when her attention drifted and settled on a pair of beautiful blue eyes that seemed to transport her into an entirely different dimension.

Who is he? Faye mused.

He stood a short distance from her, his build taller and larger than most of the men she'd seen. He was the most beautiful man she had ever set her eyes on.

His eyes darkened, and he looked at Gwen.

"Who is she?"