You're my Hope. (Jung Hoseok of BTS)

Part 1: Preparing for their arrival

I trudged towards the Alpha's office. Namjoon, the Alpha of an extremely powerful pack, was going to be visiting in a few days and we still had a lot to prepare for their arrival. As the daughter of the pack's Alpha and one of the best of his soldiers I had no choose but to be there.

After a brief knock I stepped inside. I hated this room. It was always so severe with the desk raised above the semicircle of hardwood chairs in front of it and the lights that made it look like whoever set at that desk was better than anyone and everyone else. I slipped past a few of the other betas who had arrived before me and set myself into one of the chairs. Wayne, Augustus's second and one of the more powerful betas, locked eyes with me for a second before returning to pretending I didn't exist. Erika, Wayne's assistant, was standing behind him looking over the notes from the last couple of meetings. I examined the other betas while mind-linking with her.

"How much longer is this going to take?" I grumbled in her head.

"We just have a few more thing to take care of." she replied.

I glanced over at her. She was still looking over things.

"Wayne looks like a fish again." I declared.

She didn't even bat an eyelash as she replied "He always looks like a fish."

I smiled internally. Mostly when wolves mind-link their eyes will glaze over like they were thinking about something else and they lose focus of what is going on around them. Ever since I was adopted Erika and I had perfected the art of conversing without a hint of how strange it was or becoming distracted. In fact no one in the pack even knew we were friends. Everyone knew what the Alpha was like and the real reasons behind him taking me in and no one was willing to risk his wrath for a veritable nobody like me. I was glad for this hidden friendship. I was certain that I wouldn't have survived this long without her to talk to.

After a few more minutes of waiting Augustus finally arrived and strode over to his desk. As much as I hated that desk I still had to admit that it served its purpose. Augustus looked like he could command the world and if you didn't know better you would let him. But I had known him for far too long to believe it. While he had never actually raised a hand against me for fear of what I might say, the atrocities that I had witnessed against others including my own mother were things that should only exist in nightmares.

Hours passed. Despite what Erika had said there was a lot that needed to be discussed although very little of it had to do with me. All I could do was sit and listen, knowing that if my face showed any sign of boredom the Alpha would become displeased. About three hours in the rain started.

"Do you think we'll get out of here before the rain stops?" I asked Erika.

"I hope so. This may be the last time we can slip away before everyone really starts cracking down on us. Why does your father insist on having these talks about allegiances at this time of year? It's too beautiful outside to be stuck in a stuffy room all day." She whined back.

"First of all, he's not my father. Second, I'm pretty sure you and I are the only ones here who think this weather is perfect. And third, if he had to travel through a blizzard to make an advantageous alliance he would."

"Or he would send you."

"Don't give him any ideas."

Not long after the meeting had finally concluded. The betas rose from their seats and bowed to Augustus before heading out to complete the tasks assigned to them. I was about to follow them when I heard my name.

"One moment, Abigail."

I turned. Augustus was looking at Gertrude. The only one in the pack who wasn't actually a wolf. She was a witch and a seer and the only reason I was still alive.

"Gertrude, have you had any more visions about who Abigail's mate will be?"

Here we go again. Gertrude sat there in silence.

"I don't know" she said hesitantly after a lengthy pause.

Augustus and I stared at her for a second in shock. That was a first. She had never given such an uncertain answer.

Before every meeting Augustus asks her if the alpha we are meeting with will be my mate. Her answer and how strong the pack was dictated how he would treat the visitors. She had once said that it was possible. However he wouldn't form a blood alliance with such a small pack so he locked me in my room and later slaughtered the entire pack to ensure that that would not happen. She has since given a definite 'no' each time he asks. I sometimes wish she hadn't made that prophecy about me when I was first brought to Augustus. Although it's not exactly like it was her fault. As a witch she could see glimpses of the future but as a seer prophecies come out whether she wants them to or not.

"I can't see the Bangtan Pack. It's like something is preventing me from looking into their future."

Augustus glared at her before turning back to me.

"That will be all." He said plainly.

I bowed before heading out of the office. Realizing that we had talked through dinner I made my way to the kitchens to grab a snack. There was only a few people there cleaning the pots and pans used that day. They for the most part ignored me as I slipped past them to the fridge. Searching through it I found the remains of the evening meal. Grabbing it I closed the fridge and went out the door to the courtyard. It was still raining but the staff had a few tables set up that were protected from the elements by a canopy. I finished the meal as fast as I could before sneakily heading for the woods nearby. Erika was right. Tomorrow they would be putting us all to work to prepare for the visitors and I was not going to lose this last chance to be myself. I transformed and took off running. I splashed in every puddle I saw, brushed against every bush sending showers of water droplets flying. The rain will hide my scent and wash away my pawprints. This was what I lived for. I smiled for the first time in weeks.