The Runt novel Chapter 4

After dishes I head outside to watch the warriors train and to enjoy some afternoon sunshine. It is nice out so I shouldn't catch a chill and with Alpha Daddy busy in meetings, I should get a couple of hours free from his worrying and nagging. I know it all comes from his love and concern for me but it does get a little overwhelming sometimes – although I don't imagine I'd be any different were I the parent. I get it. So when he's being particularly over-protective and infuriating, I try to remember how much he loves me and where it is coming from.

I still love my little breaks though.

The afternoon flies by in a hurry and before I know it, it is dinnertime. I make my way to my room to get dressed – nothing fancy but I'm windblown from being outside and I still smell like soup. I don't have time for a shower so make the best of what I've got then head to the big hall for dinner. The noise is ear-shattering from dozens of feet away due to the hundreds of shifters already inside by the time I arrive and I can't help but be excited. In addition to our own pack, the Alphas from the visiting packs often bring the unmated members of their own packs along in the hopes of finding their mates. Rumours are swirling about the pairings that have already successfully taken place and it sounds like it has been a successful year so far, which is great news. Anytime a shifter finds his or her mate, it is always exciting – the completion of one's soul is not something to be taken lightly to be sure.

I take my usual spot and dinner is delicious, conversation delightful and the evening entertaining – all in all, a typical night with my pack. Unfortunately, nothing exciting happens in terms of me finding my mate so my first year is a bust but I will remain optimistic – there's always next year. I know my perfect mate is out there somewhere, looking for me and waiting for me – he'll be a virgin like I am because he'll have saved himself for me... he'll be kind, generous and sweet with a large family – two parents who will adore me and lots of siblings with kids of their own – something I never had growing up. He'll be understanding of my limitations and not bothered by them – he'll embrace them and welcome them because they're part of me and who I am, he won't be disappointed by me or reject me. He'll love me from the minute he meets me and despite the fact that I'm not as pretty as the other she-wolves, or as tall, or as slim – he won't care. He won't see my curves, or the fat, or how short I am, or that I can't give him pups – none of that will matter to him because he'll love me.

I know he's out there somewhere.

"Penny, I need you in my office," Alpha Daddy mindlinks me, interrupting my dessert. I get up immediately and without hesitation, despite being requested and not commanded. There isn't anything I wouldn't do for Alpha Daddy, let alone something as simple as meeting him in his office. I walk there hurriedly, the entire time – the closer I get – Nova gets increasingly agitated in a way I've never seen before. Her odd behaviour is alarming to me, making me nervous and as I knock on the office door she is practically swooning, swaying from side to side.

"I'll send my Beta for you as soon as the meetings are done," is all he says before standing and excusing himself, then leaving the room. I look at Alpha Daddy and burst into tears, resigned to the life now laying before me – a life I wanted until I didn't.

"It won't be so bad, Penny, please don't cry," Alpha Daddy pleads, trying to console me. Won't be so bad? The man scarcely said ten words to me and none of them were hello or nice to meet you – he's cold and loveless, as will be my future with him.

The sooner I accept that, the better.