The night sky held a bitter cold as large snowflakes danced around twisting in the wind before they hit the ground. I could pull my eyes away from the house the hill, my home... or was it I didn't know anymore. It had been two weeks to the night since I ran away if you could call it that. My mother and my greatest monster were so close, yet so far. Sitting there my mind had started to wander, lingering on Roman's recent behaviours. I couldn't help but wonder, had a stayed my welcome?

To him, and most of the pack I was still practically a stranger. Sure, I had grown close with Theo, and considered Jude and Grayson friends but the rest were just acquaintances when I stayed that first night. They took me in, they didn't ask questions they just accepted me. Was it a choice? Were they just being nice?  I could feel myself beginning to spiral, the warm streams of saltwater stinging against my chilled cheeks. I stifled my sniffles holding back the whimpered sobs that wanted to escape my lips.

I shouldn't have stopped when I first walked out the door, I should of kept walking, across the street into the house right to my bed.  Dealt with whatever punishment my father decided to give me.  I was their burden, not that packs. Even the sound of the wooden deck creaking from behind me didn't pull me from my brain loop.

"Can't sleep either huh princess" Lucas voice was soft as he spoke walking down the steps.

I didn't reply, I couldn't  I was lost in my own head. It wasn't until he stopped in front of me, blocking my view that I finally pulled myself out of my fog,  I looked up at him with weeping eyes. All the flirtatious charm melted from Luca's eyes as he dropped to one knee. his eyes scanning mine searching for what was wrong. His hand tentatively reached out and touched mine, I didn't move, a sign he took to carefully hold my hands in his.

"Hey.. hey what's wrong... This is cause I called you princess is it? I'll stop if you want, just don't cry" He cooed corned pooling his eyes

"It.... its not that... I.. I think I should go..." mumbled looking away.

"Go? Go where?" Luca asked confused moving to take a seat next to me not letting go of my hands.

"Home... where I belong.." I murmured pulling my hand away to point at the house.

"Wrong way" He stated taking my hand and turning it to face the packhouse " That's home.  that over there is a house." He added sternly

"You.. you don't understand" I whimpered dropping my head.

"Your right. I don't" He informed cupping my cheek he forced me gently to look at him.

"But I do know, I don't know what happened and you don't have to tell me if you don't want to. I do know, this pack is stronger with you.  I've never seen  Theo so social with the pack, he's usually locked away in the garage talking to his tools.  Caleb hasn't seriously injured anyone since I've been here, and Grayson, he's changed to, he's not some kid scared of his shadow and If I had to guess, it's not because of any of us. it's because of you." Luca's words were soft, and kind but my head refused them.

"I didn't that, I'm just some broken girl who was to stupid to mind her own business. Just ask my family" I grumbled

"I mean... I could but have you seen what happens when someone wakes Xan up?  don't tell her I said this but she's honestly terrifying" Luca attempted to joke, I stared at him confused.

"Luca? Noves? what's going on?" Elias's groggy voice grumbled Luca's eyes danced from me to Elias.

"Nothing man, what are you doing up?" Luca questioned trying to detour him

"Was going to call Nacho in, Nova why are you crying hun?" Elias was quick to switch the subject back taking a seat beside me.

"It's nothing.." I mumbled

"She thinks her only family is there" Luca admitted pointing at the house my parents slept in.

"Alright, I might be coming in late here.  but I do have something to say to that, and I can not stress it enough. Family is a lot more than just blood. Sure.  I can't speak for the pack, I can, however, speak for myself, and you are my family. I can also tell you without a doubt. Xan, Caleb and Grayson think of you as a sister." Elias informed matter of factly

"What are you talking about.." I mumbled

"Gray and I were talking the other night. Told me how he caught Caleb threatening some kids at school before winter break. Apparently anyone who touches his little sister will have their fingers ripped off one at a time" Elias smirked.

"Xans older than him though....."  I replied my voice trailing off.

"Pretty sure he means you their princess" Luca interjected.

"But im not family...." I reminded.

"Why do you think we all live together Nova? It's not cause were blood" Elias mentioned.

"Isn't it just a wolf thing?" I questioned unused.

"Actually no. It's not.  It's not something any of us like to talk about. Roman especially.  But for most of us, ten years ago barely knew each other. Sure we were in the same pack but that didn't mean we were friends. Our parents knew each other, and one night the unthinkable happened the forbidden conversation. They were killed." Elias began to explain

"Murdered, well hunted actually" Luca added.

My head sunk at their words, however, in my head things started to click. Why no one ever spoke of or even mentioned parents. Why there were no pictures of them, why Roman seemed to have the final say, he was the oldest in the house now without Luca there.

"Gray and Jude were practically babies then, Shae and Jones not far behind. We had nowhere to go, Every adult was taken from our pack that night... We were orphans. Until Mika and Luca Voulentered to take us him. Mika dropped out of college, Luca did the bare minimum to graduate early and they raised us. All we had was each other, we weren't blood but that never stopped us from becoming family."  Elias informed placing a large hand on my shoulder.

"I'm sorry Eli..I .. I didn't know" I managed to mumble out.

"It's okay, we all have things in our past that are hard to talk about. but when you're ready to tell people you'll know" He replied, I knew what he was getting at.

"Great now that is all settled can we please get inside before my balls freeze off, or worse princess catches pneumonia and I have to listen to Theo" Luca announced standing up.

"Okay..." I mumbled letting Elias lift me up from my spot.

I still wasn't sure If I should stay or not. However, I did feel more wanted and welcomed with Elias's honesty.  but with it guilt, I wanted to tell him about why I ran away from home,tell all of them but I couldn't. I just couldn't...

Authors note:
I've been thinking about making a spin-off for this who wild you rather read more about/ see there own stories unfold?

Would you rather follow Shae, Jones and Caleb to collage?

Stay with Grayson and Judah in squirrel cove as they finish high school?

Or check in with Mika and her all to human roommate in the big city?

Let me know in the comments below