In The Arms Of My Naughty Alpha Novel – “Look who showed up,” My cousin Emily, the daughter of Nightshade Pack Beta said flatly, “Autumn, right?” For the first time in nearly seven years, I saw her. She stood in the doorway, looking exactly like I expected her to—tall, blonde, blue-eyed, and annoyingly pretty. Even in sweatpants and a tank top, she still managed to look like she’d stepped straight out of werewolves elite.
I smiled at her, “Didn’t take much guessing—nice to meet you, Emily,” The polite kind of smile you give family members you’re forced to tolerate, but she barely even acknowledged me. She just shifted her pink cheerleading bag with name of Wolfstone Preparatory High School. on her shoulder and glanced toward her mother as if she had better things to do. Rude.
My mom had warned me about Emily before I move from Eclipse Pack to Nightshade Pack. Spoiled. Self-centered. Completely used to having everything her way. Of course, I already knew that. When we were little—like, when we were actual little kids—I’d spent one horrible summer here. Emily had ordered me to stay out of her room. I’d hit her. She grabbed me back.
By the end of the day, my dad had shown up to take me home early. But now, my father, Gamma Michell, has thrown me back into this hellhole once again. “Emily, Rachael and Stephanie are coming over at six. Did you want pizza or something?” Aunt Amanda stepped in quickly, probably sensing the awkwardness. Emily sighed loudly, tracing the outline of her perfectly manicured nail along her cheer bag strap. “Yeah, sure.
Mom, can you order from that place near school?” My aunt nodded. “Of course. And, um, maybe Autumn could play with you girls tonight?” My face instantly went hot. Oh god. I literally spent the entire afternoon getting ready for Emily’s arrival, planning exactly how to avoid this kind of thing. I even got snacks and a drink ready in my room so I wouldn’t have to come out and deal with my stuck-up cousin.
Now my aunt was just throwing me into the fire. “Uh, actually—” I started quickly, “I think I’ll be okay. I can make my own friends.” I tried to dispel Emily’s hatred of me, but obviously it didn’t work. She squinted at her mother like she’d just suggested something disgusting. “Emily won’t mind, right, honey?” Aunt Amanda gave her a warning look as she asked. My mom had made the same expression before—maybe because they were sisters.
To be honest, I didn’t really want to play with Emily and her friends, but my mom told me to be kind to Aunt Amanda and not to take advantage of her kindness since her daughter already had. “Of course not,” she replied coldly, stomped off down the hall and slammed her bedroom door. The sound was so loud that it practically shook the walls. I felt my cheeks burning, looking down at my feet awkwardly. The difference was that this time, my father wouldn’t be coming to pick me up.
Aunt Amanda sighed, patted my hands. “Sorry about her. She’s just having a rough week. She, uh, failed her Werewolf History test.” Yeah, sure. Emily didn’t care about history, or school, or anything that wasn’t directly about her. I smiled and nodded before returning to my room. Just as I was about to close the door, I heard Aunt Amanda call out behind me, “She’ll like you, I promise!” I nodded again and then shut the door. She will. When I leave. But