I heard a screaming devil and slammed my hand down. Why am I waking up so early?

Stella, we have school.

Ana reminded of that hell on earth and I screamed. Cole came barging in.

"Sweet pea! What's wrong?!?" Cole looked around suspiciously. I started laughing and he looked at me like I was crazy.

"Nothing. Except I have to go to school. Blegh," I stuff my tongue out and wiggled it. Cole laughed.

"Oh, you are going to be the death of me," Cole said as he chuckled.

"That's no good. Then the pack won't have a beta," I joked back.

"Speaking of the pack. We're inducting you this Friday. You will officially be a part of the Mooncrest Alliance Pack," Cole informed me.

"Oh. Speaking of them. When I went out on my run yesterday, I ran into someone from the pack. Literally. I didn't even see him. He said he was the alpha's son," I recalled my interaction from yesterday.

"Great. Ok, today, be careful. We don't get new kids often and everyone is a pack member. The kid you ran into was Eliot Wulfric. He's trouble. Stay away from him. I mean it. Goddess forbid he be your mate," Cole finished and I choked.

"Wait. Mate? I still am gonna have one?" I asked choking on my words.

"Yep. He's the only one around your age that is still unmated, I think," Cole said nodding.

"Ahh, hell no!" I growled. "Can I call in sick?"

"Nope. Sorry. But all of the faculty is aware of your... situation and you are permitted to do whatever necessary to keep your emotions in check. So if you need to leave the class and go back later, that's fine," Cole assured me.

I got up and hugged Cole tightly. "Thanks, Dad," I said without thinking.

Cole took a sharp breath and it was then I realized what I had said.

"Oh, so-sorry. I-it kind-kinda just sl-slipped," I started stuttering but was cut off by Cole hugging me to his chest very tightly.

"I was wondering if you were ever going to be able to call me that. You just made me a very happy man, sweet pea. I know we haven't been with each other for very long, but I already love you so much. I love you as if you were my own pup," Cole said.

"I love you, Dad," I said simply.

"Well, I'll let you get ready then, sweet pea," Cole said as he started to leave. "By the way, what would you like for breakfast? Your mum just asked me and she wants to know?"

I cocked my head to the side. He was with me. How did she just ask him?

"Oooh. Yeah. I forgot to explain mind-linking. Anyone in a given pack can mind link anyone privately or publicly. It's kinda like having a cell phone in your head," Cole explained. I nodded only half understanding.

"How did I mind link the kid then, Elijah?" I asked.

"You mean Elliot?" Cole corrected.

"Yeah, whatever his name is," I muttered and Cole laughed.

"It's harder to mind link people that are not in your pack but not impossible. Unless he is your mate," Cole teased.

"Not funny. I would cry. He's an asshole," I retorted. Cole started laughing loudly and I joined him.

"Alright. Now get out so I can shower," I said still laughing. Cole threw yo his hands in mock surrender and marched backwards.

"Yes, ma'am," he said marching backwards still. I laughed again before closing my door and going to my bathroom.

I got new scents of shower stuff and I was excited to try them out. The hair wash and conditioner was pear scented and the body wash was berry. I washed and conditioned my hair, washed my body and shaved everything before stepping out onto a shower mat.

I wrapped a big fluffy towel around my body and wiped off the mirror revealing my face. I was content and my skin, hair, and eyes were all tinged pink with happiness. My skin was also warmer than usual but not hot and it was tingly. Ending my shower on a decidedly good note, I started getting ready for school.