The Wolf Within

1 - Ever

"Everleigh, I need to see you in my office," my father said, pulling my mind from the book in my lap.

"Yes, father." I shut the book and followed him into his office. Like the man who works there, the office was big and imposing. I stood in front of him, hands tucked neatly behind me. A few seconds later a large gray wolf skidded into the room, bumping into the chairs.

Father sighed. "Daniel, please shift."

I averted my eyes as the sounds of bones cracking filled the air, wondering for the hundredth time what it would be like to have a wolf of my own.

As Daniel pulled on shorts, my father started speaking.

"Daniel, Everleigh, I called you here to inform you that your mother and I will be leaving for pack business for the next three weeks. Alpha Grant needs us to travel to our allies to re-negotiate treaties. Daniel, you are in charge." Father looked at Daniel as he spoke, never once glancing at me.

"Is it still alright for me to visit Liam next week?" Danny asked. He's been so excited to go see his friend. Liam lives in the Regium Pack, which is where Danny and his mom are originally from. My father and Marie aren't mates. Marie's mate was the Beta of the Regium Pack but he died when Danny was young. My mother died giving birth to me, and somehow my dad and Marie met and decided to get married to create one big, happy family. Right.

Father didn't even spare me a glance. "Yes, that's fine, although Everleigh shouldn't be left alone for more than a week in her condition."

I sighed and looked at the ground. I should be used to my father talking over me, as if I don't exist, but I'm not. My dad doesn't like me. Not only did his mate die giving birth to me, but instead of a strong, healthy son to carry on the Beta lineage, he got me. The technical term for me is an aníkanos – wolfless. I was born to wolf parents but I don't have the lycan genes. Aníkani normally have senses slightly higher than a human's but not nearly as strong as a werewolf's. Normally.

"Can I bring her with me?" Danny asked, "That is, if you want to, Ever."

Father tensed. "That... I suppose that would be fine. Bring double the medication. Everleigh, I want you checking your insulin twice as often as you normally do. Am I understood?"

I blinked, a little surprised by the steel in his voice. "Yes, Father."

"Okay, I can call Liam to let him know. I'll bring enough medication with me as well." Danny said to father before turning to me, "Oh my goddess Evie, this is going to be so much fun! Regium is beautiful, you'll love it."

"Marie and I leave in three days. You are dismissed." Father said, looking down at some papers on his desk.

Daniel and I stepped out of the room, closing the door behind us.

"This is so exciting, Ever," Danny exclaimed, turning to hug me. "I have to go call Liam, we'll probably be there for a few weeks so I'll ask him to get some extra meds but pack as much as you think you'll need, ok?"

I smiled at him. "Sounds good. When do you want to leave?"

"Hmmm, today is Tuesday and Mom and Dad are leaving on Friday... let's head out Saturday. It's about six hours from here by car."

"Okay, sounds good. I'll start packing."

Danny and I went to our rooms and I pulled out a bag for my medication. Heading into the bathroom, I opened the drawer where my insulin was kept. Sighing, I began to pull what I needed. On top of being an aníkanos, I have type 1 diabetes and asthma. Apparently, it wasn't enough that I was born without a wolf, but the Moon Goddess decided to punish me by making me sick on top of that.

I couldn't wait until Daniel found his mate. Since my father and Marie don't care for me, the only reason I've stayed in this house past my eighteenth birthday was for Danny. I love my brother and I don't want to leave him until the knucklehead finds someone else to keep him from burning the house down every time he tries to make toast. I could easily live on my own because not having a wolf means I wouldn't be a rogue and I don't have a mate, but I decided that I want to wait until Danny finds his other half. Hopefully, he finds her in Regium. Nineteen years of the cold shoulder from my own parents is about as much as I can handle.