THE AUTUMN OF LOVE

MISTWOOD PACK

TWO WEEKS EARLIER

It was exceedingly early still. The sun had only just started coming up, light starting to break through trees that surrounded the house.

Without knocking, Kamilah Emerson hurried straight to her room, where her sister is still lying on the bed.

"Come on, Kate, time to get up," She called her ten-year-old sister. The little girl rolled on the mattress stretching and yawning, her beautiful emerald eyes fluttering open as she looked at her.

This is their little room, the smallest house that is built at the back of the Pack house, where they can have some peace and quiet. Inside, there’s a double bed mattress, a window letting in some light, and a few toys for Kate to play with. The walls are made of wood and the outside is like a garden. So, this house should be the rest house of maids. Honestly, all of their belongings fit snugly into a duffle bag, which is also their wardrobe.

"Why did you wake up so early?!" little Kate asked, rubbing her sleepy eyes and she looked down at Kamilah's outfit.

"I just did something. Come, get up now, you have to get ready for school," Kamilah sat on the floor next to her on the mattress. Kate looked up at her with a frown. She gently pulled off her pajama top and then slipped her school shirt over her head.

"Now, put your pants on while I get ready," Kamilah told her.

"Shouldn't we take a bath first?" Kate asked.

"We don't have more time." Kamilah said. As she jumped out of bed, made her way to the duffle bag that was placed beside the mattress, and grabbed her uniform for work.

After a quick change, Kamilah slipped it on and was ready to go. Then she grabbed her comb and pulled her hair up into a high ponytail, then she did the same for Kate's hair while they sat together on the bed.

Kamilah leaned over and picked up her joggers and socks, carefully putting them on her feet and tying the laces. Later on, they could hear footsteps moving around in the house. Kate suddenly froze, her eyes fixed on the door.

"He's coming..." Kate whispered.

Kamilah quickly slipped on her shoes and grabbed the duffle bag, tossing in her pajamas along with the clothes she had worn earlier.

With the bag slung over her shoulder, she made her way to the window, fully aware that sneaking out through the front door was not the best option.

As Kamilah slowly opened the window, she tossed the bag out and then reached for Kate. She climbed onto the windowsill and jumped down to the grass below. It wasn’t a big leap; the house was just one story tall, aside from the basement and attic.

The two climbed through, leaping down onto the grass below, then reached up to gently close the window behind them. She paused for a moment to check if any of the Pack members were loitering in the front yard. This is to ensure that no one can see them.

After the initial checking, Kamilah took Kate's hand, and together they sprinted down the road, which also happened to be the driveway. The two of them slipped out of the gate quietly, making sure no one noticed their success. Then they headed towards the nearby bus terminal.

"Hey, Prada" she called the driver, getting inside the bus and passing her our bus fare.

"Bad morning?" the driver asked, smiling down at her. Her lips tugged at the sides before she gave him a big toothy grin.

"Bad experiences, for better future!" Kamilah replied.

"Strong girl," the female driver said.

After that, Kamilah started searching for a seat on the bus. The ride into town was a quick ten minutes, and Kate settled in beside her, resting her head on her lap.

"Kam, my stomach hurts, I think I'm hungry," she said, gazing up at her older sister.

"I know, I will find a way to make you some food when we get into town," Kamilah told her as she leant down to kiss her head.

Kamilah Emerson stared out the bus window, taking in the sight of the trees swaying and the morning birds flitting about. She was so done with this life. Her stepfather was a cruel man, the Alpha of one of the most infamous Packs in the City. But, she would have left after her mother passed away.

Fresh from her memory. The night felt like a nightmare, especially when her stepfather came home. She could hear his footsteps, and she rushed to greet him, but first, she caught sight of his shadow as it crossed the threshold of their home. Then came the reveal of his unhappy face. He looked at her with those dark red eyes, filled with anger. A wave of fear washed over her.

The moment stop, until she heard the loud cries of a baby echoing throughout the house.

To her surprise, her father had brought something home, but she already had a feeling about it. It was either her brother or sister, though she still didn’t know yet the gender. Her heart raced with excitement, but as she listened to the baby’s cries, a wave of worry, prompting her to ask. "Can I hold the baby?"

Her step father, Alpha David shoved little Kate in her arms and said, "Look after her."

Kamilah remember how she's being confused! Then she looked upon behind him, but there is no one.

"Where's mom?" Kamilah asked him.

"Your mother died during childbirth" he told her directly, as if he didn't care for what Kamilah should feel knowing that her mother died, while holding the crying little Kate.

Kamilah Emerson was only thirteen at the time. She wanted to cry out loud, but this little Kate voice makes her strong. She knew nothing about babies. So she had to drop out of school, give up her entire life. She raised her, loved her, and she became her whole world.

Kate was such a cute little baby. Fair skin in pinkish-white, and her hair is also pure white. Her Mother would have absolutely adored her. Anyway, Kamilah Emerson chose the name "Kate" to reflect the idea of her, soaring high like a bird in the sky. Just like her beautiful smile, she’ll always be free to fly high.

But as for her stepfather, Alpha David. she really don’t get it. It’s like he was completely absent as a father. From the very first moment she came into this world, he seemed to despise her, blaming her for his wife’s death. Kamilah didn't understand how he could reject his own daughter, his own flesh and blood?

Until one day, two couple from elders of the pack came to the pack house to visit Alpha David. They are the eldest officials, the old Beta and Gamma. So, Alpha David urge Kamilah to attend the meeting, and to let them show that they have been taking care by him. He even told Kamilah to dress properly and behave like a kind princess, as if they are good family.

"Yes, I'm coming.. Alpha David" Kamilah said at the same time, she bow her head. Kamilah Emerson don't call him a "father" or "dad" for anything else. For her, he is just a leader of the pack.

The main door swung open, and the air was filled with the enchanting scent of legendary wolves. Four officials stepped inside, dressed in their traditional attire crafted from vibrant pineapple fabrics. Adorning their outfits were a copper ring and a wooden necklace delicately tied with silver thread.

"Good Morning Alpha, we wish you for good health and a long life!" the two couples said, at the same time, they bow their heads as a sign of respect to their leader.

While Alpha David gazes at them with a serious expression, he starts off by saying,"What makes you all come here, in a sudden?"