The last few days Marie has gotten into a new routine. She exercises at least twice a day. She enjoys her daily jogs and weight training. When she isn't exercising or doing her chores she is studying. She went from believing werewolves didn't exist to having a working knowledge of most supernatural beings. At night after dinner, she walks past the back garden and into the forest. It is the one place at the orphanage where she feels the calmest. The forest is where she decided to do her mediation sessions. She sits cross-legged on the ground and clears her thoughts. She takes several deep breaths to calm her heart and soul. Marie always starts her session with a chat with the Moon Goddess. She uses these spiritual chats as an opportunity to ask her all the questions she feels she can't speak about with other people. Although she doesn't hear from the Moon Goddess she can sense a spirit with her.

Marie then speaks with her parents. She tells them about all the things that have happened in her life. She lets them know about her day and how her training is going. She cries and tells them how much she misses them. She opens up about how hard life has been without them by her side. When she finishes up for the night she goes back inside and gets ready for bed. Marie washes her face, puts on her pajamas and bonnet, then gets tucked into bed. These mediation sessions have made her think Mrs. Leane was right, talking with her parents is helping her heal and grieve.

It is now Friday and Marie is extremely nervous. This is the day Alpha Tyrell is coming to, in plain terms, exam Marie. She is feeling anxious and jogging hasn't helped like it usually would. Marie is currently waiting for Mrs. Leane to call her into her office. She feels an impending dread coming soon. All of her friends are currently in class right now and she can't talk with them to distract her.

Marie decides to work on the gift she has started for Kaden's birthday to stop her fidgeting. She is in the middle of smoothing the outline when Mrs. Leane knocks on her door. She could smell her scent coming down the hall and tried to keep her nerves at bay. She braces herself as Mrs. Leane walks Marie to her office in silence. Before they reach their destination Mrs. Leane stops and turns to Marie.

"Have you given any thought about joining the pack?" Mrs. Leane looks at Marie nervous but hopeful.

"I have. I think it's best if I join. I really don't have a reason not to and being in a pack sounds like a good idea." A look of relief washes over Mrs. Leane's face. They resume their walk and make it to the door of her office. Mrs. Leane opens the door and steps in and stands next to her desk. Marie walks in and immediately bows her head in respect to the man sitting in Mrs. Leane's desk chair. Her books taught her werewolf etiquette to show respect to alphas. Even without those books, the sheer dominant aura emanating from him would have her bowing in respect regardless.

Marie watched as the large man stood up revealing how massive he was and held his hand out. She shook his hand and even his grip on her hand screamed 'I'm top dog'. His scent smelled somewhat familiar to her but she couldn't place why. "It is nice to meet you young pup. My name is Alpha Tyrell the leader of the Delta Blue Pack. I would just like to assess you and ask you a few questions today. If all goes well you can join our pack the first full moon after your shift. Please have a seat." His words and tone sounded reassuring but he still frightened Marie. She sits down and so does Alpha Tyrell. Mrs. Leane stood to the side feeling nervous for Marie. There is no reason for her to feel nervous but she can see the fear in Marie's face.

Alpha Tyrell stared at Marie for an excruciatingly long time. He didn't say a word as he scrutinized her with his eyes. At least that's what it felt like to Marie. It started to feel like the air in the office was suffocating her and her leg wouldn't stop bouncing. His look was inherently scary but it didn't seem like he was trying to be. The juxtaposition of his hard facial features but surprisingly kind eyes confused Marie's brain. She only briefly looked into his eyes which she quickly realised was a mistake. Besides looking kind, his eyes were impassive but almost seemed inquisitive. She was starting to feel like an animal being studied in an exhibit. After what seemed like centuries he spoke. "What is your full name again?"

Confused by the first words he uttered since his greeting it took Marie a minute of rapid blinking with her mouth slightly agape before she answered. "My name is Marie Hendricks, sir." A wave of realization hit his face and he abruptly stood up. The action made Marie flitch. He then walked around the desk and stood in front of Marie. The sight was fascinating as well as frightening watching this intimidating figure move almost clumsily to her. Marie is aghast and rendered frozen when he picks her up and pulls her into a bone-crushing hug.

He pulls away from the hug and puts her back on her feet. He has his hands still on her shoulder and bends down to be at eye level with Marie. She can see tears in his eyes and her confusion only grows. What could this domineering man possibly have to cry for?

"I can't believe this. You are alive, you are actually alive. " His eyes look bewildered as he scans over her and squeezes her shoulders as if to test that she's real. "We- we thought you had died with your parents."

This is all becoming too much for Marie. She takes a step back from his hold and grabs her head. "What is going on? I am so confused." Her voice is soft and shaky. She looks at Mrs. Leane for help but the woman shares a similar look of confusion.

"Alpha Tyrell, what's going on?" Mrs. Leane takes a step closer to Marie. "Who do you think Marie is?"

"It is not who I think she is. It is who I know she is. This is Henry and Cora's daughter." Mrs. Leane looks at Marie then back at Alpha Tyrell and then back at Marie again. Her eyes widen as she takes a good look at Marie the second time around.

Mrs. Leane gasps and covers her mouth with both her hands. "How could I have not realized until right now." She gives Marie a bone-crushing hug as well. Marie is still confused and frustrated that she is not on the same page as everyone else.

"Can someone please tell me what the hell is going on?" Marie's usual polite tone is nowhere in sight as her head begins to spin. "How do you know my parent's names?" The adults in the room are taken aback by the shift in her voice. Mrs. Leane noticing how uneasy Marie looks on her feet, guides her back to the seat to sit down.

"It looks like we have a lot to discuss." Alpha Tyrell says and goes to sit back behind the desk.