Finding Her True Alpha

Leaving it all Behind

Ashlyn

I leaned my head against the vehicle window as my aunt sped down the highway toward the city. I was finally far enough away that the buzzing from the mind links stopped.

My tears had dried up, and now I was thinking about what I would do with my life. I was born to run a pack, but with my father gone and no more alpha mate, I would have to find something else.

I realized I had never thought of what to do if this all fell apart. I had more faith in Ian than I should have had. I wanted us to happen so badly that I lost myself.

“Sweetie, how are you feeling?” Aunt Grace asked, and I turned to look at her.

“I don’t know,” I shrugged.

“I know this is hard, and you are hurt, but I don’t want you to worry about anything. Just think of where you want to go.”

“I only have so much money, so I can only run so far,” I sighed.

“There’s a box on the backseat. Can you reach it?” I looked behind me and saw a shoebox behind Aunt Grace's seat. I quickly unbuckled and reached into the back. After I retrieved it, I placed it on my lap before buckling my seatbelt again.

“Open it,” she encouraged.

I opened the box to find the documents. Looking through the papers, I saw a picture of my parents and me. I gasped, and tears filled my eyes as I looked at our smiling faces. My heart ached for them.

“I took that picture before you visited me and Brad.”

I looked deeper and found a picture of me with a boy. I didn’t recognize him, but I smiled at his smiling face. He was older than me, and I wondered how I knew him then.

“There are bank statements from your parent’s accounts in there.” I put the picture back and took out a few of the papers. Looking over a statement, I saw more zeros than I’d ever seen before.

“I don’t understand, what is this?” I held up the paper and looked at my aunt.

“Your parents didn’t leave you with nothing, Ashlyn. There is more than enough money to do whatever you want. There are businesses and investments. They have a financial adviser we will see when we arrive in the city. He will be able to explain everything. Now that you are eighteen, you can legally inherit everything.”

My head was spinning as I leaned it back against the seat. What the hell was happening? I don’t remember my parents having this kind of money. Can investments grow that much in ten years?

After everything that had happened that day, I closed my eyes, needing a moment of silence.

When I opened my eyes, we were already driving into the city.

“There’s the bank,” my aunt pointed out before parking her SUV. It was more like a glass skyscraper in the heart of the city.

“There are things I need to tell you before we head inside,” she said, shutting off the engine and turning to me.

“Okay,” I dragged out, turning to face her.

“Your mother and I weren’t blood. I was adopted by your grandparents after my parent’s deaths. They were my family, but I was never blood.”

“I don’t understand,” I stammered.

“Your mother inherited the pack from your grandparents with her alpha mate, your father. They were both good with investments, and everything was left to you when they passed.” She smiled.

“And you?”

“Your grandparents left me money in their will after their untimely death when you were six years old. They were killed in a car accident.”

“What about my father’s parents?” I questioned.

“I never met them, sweetie. I don’t know anything about his side.”

“Okay,” I whispered. I hoped to find a piece of my parents that I had missed.

“Okay, let’s get in there and see Mr. Fisher.”

After visiting the financial adviser/banker, I was all set to start my new life, whatever that might be. However, I still didn’t know what I wanted to do. How on earth could any of this be happening?

“Let’s go get a room, and then we can head for dinner. What do you want to do first? Shopping?” Aunt Grace exclaimed as she walked beside me.

“I don’t think I’m returning to the pack,” I blurted. She gripped my arm and pulled me off to one side of the sidewalk. The afternoon foot traffic was filling up the busy streets.

“I’m not going to force you to go back there. You can stay in the city or go wherever your little heart desires. But you will need some things if you stay here,” I nodded. “Let’s get you a vehicle, then we can return to the hotel for dinner. Tomorrow, we can go shopping for anything you might need.”

“Thank you,” I told her.

“You don’t need to thank me, sweet girl; whatever you decide to do or go, I will always support you,” she said, giving me a side hug, which I returned. Not everyone in my life was a disappointment. Now, let’s get out of this cold wind and find you something cool to drive.” I chuckled as we began walking towards her parked SUV.

Pulling up in front of the dealership, I knew I would buy the vehicle. Buying something impractical for the winters here may have been ridiculous, but it was beautiful.

“Good afternoon, ladies. How may I help you?” A young salesman approached us as we entered the showroom.

“My niece here,” she grabbed my hand and pulled me towards her before I could wander. She was looking for a vehicle.”

“Do you have a vehicle in mind, miss,” he shamelessly checked me out.

“Miss Knight,” I smiled. “And I would like that one,” I said, pointing to the deep teal sports car.

“You have good taste, but you must speak with the finance department before we can allow you to test drive the car.”

“Oh, that’s not a problem. I’m planning on paying cash,” I dug through my purse for my wallet before pulling out my new shiny black card. His eyes went wide, and Grace chuckled.

“It’s also going to need a set of winter tires,” she told him.

“Yes, of course. Can you give me a minute,” he stammered before leaving us.

“That was fun,” Aunt Grace giggled.

“It was,” I agreed.

We walked to the clean, sleek car, and I ran my fingertips over the hood.

“Are you sure about this one?” She questioned.

“Yep, this is the one.”