Yours, Alpha

I shot my parents a glare across the breakfast table while they sang me happy birthday in a ridiculously cheerful voice, which did nothing for me. No twenty-year-old college girl still living with her parents wants them crooning happy birthday at her the way they did when she was little. Living under their roof was embarrassing enough, but being treated like I was still ten made it worse. I'd been craving independence for a while, only I didn't have what I needed to pull it off. College ate up most of my time, and with my part-time waitressing job, I was barely covering the bills already on my plate. Taking on more wasn't happening. Mom and dad had been unbelievably understanding about my situation and were willing to keep supporting me until I could move out. Neither of them was in any hurry to shove me out the door, and for that I was grateful. When the song ended, they both got up and applauded before Mom pushed the chocolate-frosted cake toward me. I eyed it with resentment, unsure if I even wanted a bite. Why did chocolate have to be my downfall? I'd been dieting for a full month and had hardly dropped anything. If I could get out for runs more often, I'm sure I wouldn't even need the stupid diet. Being a werewolf was usually enough to keep you fit. One run could wipe out a whole day's worth of calories. I'll be happy when these college classes are finished and I actually have room to breathe. My wolf was desperate for a real run. Now that summer had started, I had at least two solid months before classes resumed at the local campus. Maybe Mick would let me grab a few more shifts so I could start looking for an apartment. By the end of summer, I should have enough saved up to cover first and last month's rent. "Cake isn't going to kill you," Mom coaxed. It would when I had to work it off afterward. Maybe tonight after my shift I could actually get a solid run in. I needed that badly. "I guess," I muttered just to satisfy her. "Hand me a plate." Mom clapped like a child while dad handed out the plates. I couldn't tell who was more eager for cake, me or those two. Whatever. I might as well play along, right? I shut my eyes and leaned closer, thinking about what I wanted most. A few seconds later, the answer came on its own, somehow. Well... somebody was hungry, I thought dryly. I sank my fork into the chocolate heaven sitting in front of me. I almost never got chocolate at breakfast. Honestly, I barely got it at all. I might as well enjoy every bite. God, yes. I smiled. The smooth milk chocolate dissolved over my tongue. It was perfect. Completely, hopelessly perfect- "Oh honey, before I forget, there's a pack meeting tonight. Alpha Adrian wants everyone there. Apparently he's got something to tell us."