The Alpha's Mate Who Cried Wolf novel Chapter 7

"She doesn't know about us or believe me. Yet," Ryker says. The men speak with knowing looks, and unspoken words pass between them via their body language. I'm not privy to their thoughts. 

Jim has made me a flat white coffee and some sandwiches. I'm so hungry. I eat slowly and carefully. The pain in my jaw makes it almost impossible, so I haven't eaten in days.

"Astrid, I'm going to explain everything to you, and I know you won't believe me yet, but you need to know now, so you know what to expect on your birthday. No matter what I say, try to stay calm. It's a lot to take in. The world you know is about to change," Ryker says carefully, forming his words.

Too sore and too tired to argue, I keep sipping my coffee and listening. 

"I live in what is called a pack. Every pack has an Alpha and a Luna, the pack's leaders. You are a rogue if you're not in a pack." I raise my brow and tilt my head. 

"So, I'm a rogue because I'm not in a pack?" I ask.

"Yes, that's correct. But being a rogue isn't a good thing. It makes you weaker. And you can't just go anywhere: you need permission to enter a pack's territory. Otherwise, they can punish you by instant death by a pack member in that territory," he explains.

"That's not very nice to kill someone for passing through," I say. 

"Well, rogues are a threat and don't normally have good intentions for entering other territories. That's why," he explains. 

"Okay."

"When you turn eighteen, something extraordinary happens to us. Our inner wolf wakes. You will hear your wolf in your mind. You'll also be able to heal quickly, and you will be able to shift into your wolf for the first time that night." I laugh and see everyone looking very serious. They're all serious about this. This is no lie.

My attention turns to Jim. He places his hand over mine and gently squeezes it. 

"Astrid, I know this sounds like some kind of fairy tale to you, but Alpha Ryker is telling you the truth, and you know I would never lie to you," Jim says in a serious tone.