Page 1 of Alpha's Fated Flame

Prologue

Adrianna

MyhandsshookasI grasped the envelope.

The letter was finally here, determining my fate if I belonged to my parents or if I was secretly switched out at birth. As I stood in my room, I could hear my mother humming along as she cooked dinner in the kitchen and the smell of fried meat in the air.

My nose wrinkled, hating the smell. I craved vegetables and fruit, the polar opposite of my entire family of werewolves. I surely didn’t belong here.

Which was why I was holding this letter…

My heart pounded as I slowly opened the envelope, pulling the paper out.

Dear Adrianna,

Thank you for choosing Moon Clinic. We have run the DNA tests and can positively confirm that the mother and father cannot be excluded from the tested child. Based on this analysis, the probability of fatherhood and motherhood is 99.999%.

Thank you,

Moon Clinic

Breathing out a sigh of relief, I didn't know what I would do if my family weren't mine. And if I didn’t belong to them.

I collapsed on my bed, which was on the lower bunk bed. My younger sister, Sarah, slept on the top bunk. She was hanging out with her friends after school. I had just gotten back from my college class, exhausted, as I crumpled the letter in my hand.

Even though I was nineteen, I couldn't afford to move out of my parent's house yet, though I desperately wanted to. I wanted some independence that I desperately craved. The thought of staying out late partying without a constantly worried parent would be nice. To go on vacations without having to explain to them anything was my dream.

Two soft knocks sounded on the door.

"Come in," I called.

My mom, Melinda, walked inside, taking in my hazard appearance as I flopped on the bed wearing ripped jeans and a black hoodie. My long red hair had slipped out of its bun, framing messily around my face.

"You look tired," she observed, standing there with an apron wrapped around her chubby figure. She also had red hair like mine, but hers was jumbled in large rollers. "Your father is coming home soon. Do you mind helping me clean the kitchen?"

"Ugh," I muttered, closing my heavy eyes from exhaustion. "Just give me five minutes."

There was a sudden silence, and I opened my eyes to see my mother reading the letter from the DNA clinic. Oh my god, I wanted to get up and rip it from her hands, but it was too late. Her eyes widened as she scanned the letter.

"Why?" she gasped, looking at me in shock.

"I…I just wanted to know," I said lamely, slowly sitting up and feeling sick to my stomach that she discovered my doubts.

"But why? You don't think I'm your actual mother?"

"Because I haven't shifted yet," I admitted, staring at the worn blue carpet. "Maybe I’m human or something."

My mom sighed as she sat on the carpet before me, looking at me with concern and pity.

"Your day will come, my dear. You're a true werewolf through and through, just like the rest of us," she said in a low voice. Her hand rested on my knee. "For some wolves, it just takes a little longer. You belong in this family. Do you understand?"

I sighed, my heart heavy that I doubted she was my mother.

"I understand, Momma."

"I want you to let go of this obsession and just live your life as best you can. I want you to experience everything life offers before…" her voice trailed off as she bit her lip and looked away.

"Before what, Momma?" I said curiously.

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