Chapter One

Emmett McCarty

I had spent most of the last decade surround by wolves and trees, and yet it was the bustling streets of Gatlinburg that made me feel uncomfortable. I pulled at my dress, the fabric felt constricting against my body. I typically spent my time in men's clothes, or in nothing at all. I had seen the dress on a line just outside of town, and thought it best to try and blend in. I even washed my hair in a nearby stream and spent a bit of what little money I had on some shoes. No one looked my way, so I supposed it would do. Gatlinburg was far bigger than I thought it would be, drawing in visitors all the way from the west. My stomach growled, pulling my attention. How long had it been since I had eaten anything but raw rabbits and berries?

Across the street sat a small diner, its seats nearly filled. I tightened my hand around the tiny coin purse around my wrist – a parting gift from Ethan. Surly I could spend a few coins and get something warm to eat… With my stomach leading me, I made my way across the street, dodging cars and people. The noise inside was almost unbearable, and not just because of my enhanced hearing. Spotting a seat at the bar, I quickly claimed it before one of the people pushing in behind me could. It was obviously a local favorite spot. The woman behind the counter huffed, blowing a strand of blonde hair away from her pretty face as she juggled several plates. I watched with fascination as she placed them in front of their owners, greeting each one by name. As she passed me, an apple slid off one of the plates. Without thinking, I shot my hand out and caught it with ease. It was only when she stared at me wide-eyed that I realized my mistake.

"Nice reflexes, Hon!" She smiled widely and took the apple from me, shining it on her apron before replacing it on the plate. "What can I get you?" I had been so busy watching everything, I forgot to look at my menu. Glancing up at the boards behind her head, I quickly scanned the prices.

"Just the special please… coffee black." She didn't write it down, instead she called out to a heavyset man behind a tiny window. He repeated it back with a huff, his eyes never leaving his task.

"You're not from around here, are you?" The waitress smiled as she leaned against the counter, ignoring the patrons that called for her down at the other end.

"No." I shook my head, pushing a long brown strand behind my ear. "I just got into town."

"Well, out-of-towner, you got a name?" She watched me as she blindly handed a bill to one of the other men at the counter.

"Alexandria Sterling."

"Nice to meet you, Alexandria!" Again, she smiled widely. It was easy to see why the patrons at the diner were mostly men. A ding from the portly cook signaled my food was ready. Placing a cup of coffee in front of me, she practically twirled and lifted the plate with ease. I tried not to salivate as she sat it in front of me. "M'names Bridget. Bridget McCarty!" She stuck her hand out to shake, which I gladly did. "You're burnin' up! Must be the beginnings of this summer heat!"

"It's nice to meet you, Bridget." With one more smile, she was off again, tending to the tables along the back wall.

Finally alone with my food, I practically hummed as I inhaled it. It wasn't nearly enough to fill me up, but it was hot and cooked – two things I didn't get often enough. Bridget stopped by again to fill my coffee cup in a whirlwind of energy before moving along. It was interesting to watch her work. If not for the occasional stumble, I would think her something supernatural. I wasn't sure how long I sat at the bar, but by my fourth cup of coffee, the crowed had thinned to a few elderly patrons. With a sigh, Bridget rounded the counter and hopped up on the stool next to me. It was when she took her apron off that I saw that she was very pregnant. I had been so preoccupied with my breakfast, I hadn't been as observant as I thought.

"You're working hard for a woman that looks like she's five months pregnant." I noted.

"Six, actually." She smiled and rubbed her hands affectionately over her stomach. "My family owns the place, so I'm just helping out until we can find someone to fill in. You looking for a job?" Her wide smile and question threw me off.

I hadn't planned on staying in Gatlinburg long, but something about the town just seemed to grab hold of me. "I could be." I fingered the small coin purse that still dangled from my wrist. I would have to come up with some money if I was going to stick around…

"My family's havin' a dinner tonight for my brother's birthday. You could come meet everyone and talk about the job with Mama."

I was nearly floored by her hospitality. "I couldn't impose. I'm sure your brother just wants to enjoy his birthday with his family…"

She waved me off, her eyes focusing on a newspaper left behind by a customer. "Emmett's a teddy bear. Besides, he never objects to havin' a pretty girl around."

The McCarty estate wasn't overly large, nor was it as tiny as my family's home had been. Even upon first glance, it was easy to see that the McCarty's did well for themselves. My hands intertwined in front of me as my ears picked up the joyous sounds within. Soft jazz played in a low hum as a booming laugh echoed above the mindless chatter. I debated turning away, making my way back into the woods where I belonged, but then I remembered Bridget's kindness. When she saw what little money I had, she refused payment for my breakfast. How could I refuse her request to come here? If I started working at the diner, it would also give her some time off her feet. Nodding to myself, I marched up the three brick steps and rapped quickly on the door.

"You should be ashamed!" Bridget called over her shoulder with a laugh as she pulled the heavy cherry wood door open. "Alexandria! I was beginning to worry you wouldn't come!" She surprised me with an embrace, one that spoke of a lifetime of friendship. "Come meet everyone!"

I let the frail woman with the protruding stomach pull me towards a lavish dining room. There must have been twenty people there, and unlike the crowds in the streets, they automatically knew I didn't belong. I licked my lips nervously as Bridget guided me towards a roaring fireplace. I caught sight of the large back of a man, and my breath caught. For the briefest moment, I thought Darren stood in front of me. As my heart calmed down, I realized it couldn't be him. The scent, although borderline intoxicating, was no doubt human. If possible, his frame seemed to be even larger than Darren's. His hair was darker too – I noted as we drew closer.

"Emmett, dear brother-" Bridget practically sang as she tapped the man's back. He instantly broke away from the conversation when he heard his sister's voice.

"Bridget, I was wondering where you went!" His crystal blue eyes locked on his sisters, his full lips spreading to reveal a dimpled smile. In that moment, I was sure I had never seen any man so beautiful as Emmett McCarty.

"I was greeting our guest! This is Alexandria."

As his clear cerulean eyes turned to mine, it felt like someone had pulled the rug from under my feet. Every breath he drew was like a siren's song, pulling on my heart and drawing me into him. I released Bridget's hand, fearing I would crush it as my fingers clenched to resist reaching out to him. She spoke in a soft voice, but it might as well have been a forging language. I had heard of imprinting, though it was supposed to be rare. I had never thought I would imprint, certainly not in the town of Gatlinburg. If he heard anything his sister said, he didn't acknowledge it. Emmett watched me with wide eyes and a semi-slacked jaw. It was like he was asking me a question I couldn't hear. In my mind, I screamed, whether it was from joy or sorrow, I couldn't tell. My inner wolf howled in delight at finding her mate, practically demanding to touch and claim him. The human side of me wondered what would become of this. Would I be stuck here? Would I never form the pack I silently promised my mother's spirit? Would I care?

"It's a pleasure to meet you." I was graced with his deep voice and dimpled smile again. "Truly… A pleasure."

AN: Well, there is chapter one! This fic is going to be loooong, so get comfortable lol. Reviews are loved!