I don’t move, but I blink and look around and sure enough Ryker’s wolf is still laying in front of me. My arm is draped over the side of the couch and my fingers are threaded through the fur at the nape of his neck and balled into a fist. Maybe I did have a nightmare and don’t remember. I don’t usually reach out for things in my sleep unless I’m trying to pull myself from that memory.
I gasp, realizing I’m just staring at my fingers in the deep black fur instead of moving. It’s like my brain hasn’t fully become conscious yet.
“I’m sorry.” I pull my hand back, tuck it under my pillow and look up at Bennet. “How much time do I have? I need to pack.”
“Luna Beth said to just pack your clothes and anything you will need immediately she will call you about packing up your room. She’s making breakfast for everyone else now.” He gives me a sympathetic look, but he’s letting me know that everyone is in the kitchen which I will have to pass by to get to the stairs. At least he understands my emotions are raw right now and I need people to give me some space.
I stand up and grab my blanket and pillow, skirting around the massive black wolf just watching my exchange with Bennet.
“You want me to walk you?”
“I’m good, thanks Bennet.” I say over my shoulder. I can’t bring myself to look at Ryker or his wolf right? now.
“No problem, Lu…” He coughs. “Kennedy.” He sighs and I hear a huff behind me. I hate it when they mindlink about me when I’m in the room.
No one even looks in my direction as I pass through the kitchen. All of my friends know to leave me alone when I am angry and Ryker’s guys must be following their lead. I just need time to process stuff in my head and get past it. I am the mate of someone who doesn’t want one, or more likely doesn’t want me. I’m moving to a pack that is too far away for me to attend the college I want or work at my mom’s studio like I planned. My whole life is changing and it’s out of my control. I wonder, again, why me as I stumble over the broken door that no one touched or thought to move. Me either, I guess. I head straight for the shower and wash off all of the grime from the forest last night, then I get to packing.
I have two large suitcases, but I don’t know how much room I have to work with in the SUV’s we’re driving?home. I am sure that Ryker brought more warriors than we have actually seen and I know Greta is here somewhere, Danny said she would be, but I haven’t seen her yet. Meaning she’s out on patrols. Do they all have stuff to pack too? I am a planner, I hate not knowing what’s going on or what is expected of me or simply what I can expect.
Once I have the basics packed in a single large case and toiletries bag, I grab my backpack, planning on heading over to talk to the principal about what I can do to finish school remotely and clear out my locker. For some reason I think it would be weird for me to finish high school in Ryker’s pack. And all of my current early college courses are already online so that shouldn’t be a problem.
I walk downstairs and to the front door without looking at anyone. The low murmur of conversation stops, but I don’t. I’m still not in the mood to discuss this. I am being given no choice in leaving, so the least they can do is let me handle things in my own way. I pull the door open and head out.
“Wait! Where are you going?” I hear rushed footsteps behind me.
“School, Bennet. Not all of us have a pass to do whatever we want, whenever we want. I need to talk to my teachers and make some kind of plan to finish my senior year. With everything going on here I have missed a ton and I am still catching up.” Kind of a lie, my load this semester is light and I’m too neurotic about school to get behind, but he doesn’t need to know that. I just need to take a walk and this is a good excuse.
“Let me drive you at least.”
“What?” I side eye him. “I’m not allowed to walk anywhere now? If that’s the case, my training program is going to need to increase, otherwise your alpha is going to have an obese mate. I was not blessed with the same insane metabolism. I walk everywhere.” Also a lie, one he probably sees through. I just need to be able to make simple decisions, like transportation, on my own. I’m already feeling suffocated and it’s been a day, one single day. I haven’t done any of the group training in a few days because Aunt Beth and Rayna have needed me for ceremony stuff. I’m just antsy and need to move. Just the thought makes me walk a? little faster.
“So, you’re in a hurry now?” I can hear the humor in his voice as he easily keeps up. “I don’t think I have ever known anyone who was in a rush to get to school.”
“Well, considering the only things I have been told are ‘we’re leaving today’ and ‘pack’ I have no idea what is going on or what your alpha’s agenda is. I assumed it would be better to handle my stuff quickly before anyone realizes I have more wants and needs for everyone to completely disregard.” I let the sarcasm drip heavily. “Finishing school is not negotiable. Getting my business degree is not negotiable. I am a person not a possession or a pet.”
“Lu…”
“I swear to everything you believe in, if you even stutter that one more time, you will lose teeth. I’m not a Luna, I’m a human. Your goddess made a mistake and once everyone figures that out, Ryker can reject me and we can all go back to our previously scheduled lives.”
“The Goddess doesn’t make mistakes.” He says it so hopefully. “And no matter what you say or how temporary you think this is, right now, you are my Luna. Once we drive out of Jeremiah’s pack, you will be called ‘Luna’ by every one of the warriors traveling with us and there is nothing you can do about it. We don’t have a choice anymore than you do. Don’t get angry, it’s a sign of respect.” I can see him staring at me in my peripherals as he makes his declaration. I keep my eyes forward. “Focus all that pent up energy on something else.” He smiles and I roll my eyes.
The meeting with the principal was faster than I thought it would be. But then again, being mated to the alpha of the Dark Moon pack probably sped things along. He agreed with everything I asked and said I would have the full cooperation of my teachers. I was even told I could walk with my class for graduation…if my new alpha allowed me to return. Asshat.
We step out of the school with my full backpack slung over Bennet’s shoulder, but I hesitate. I wanted just a little more time here, before I was stuck in the car for hours with almost complete strangers. The fall air is chilly, and normally I am a freeze baby. I keep a sweatshirt with me in the summer in case of a breeze. But since we have been back, I find I am comfortable with the cooler air. I take a deep breath and Bennet must? read the hesitation on my face.
“Let’s go get you a coffee, and maybe something to eat, since we both skipped breakfast.” He nudges me along the street toward a little cafe.
“Did you have to get permission for that?” I raise my eyebrow at him.
“I am obligated to let my team know when we change locations.”?”Spoken like a true warrior. Specific and yet vague, while not actually answering the question. Does your alpha know you’re taking me on a date?” A growl ripped through the street. I smile at Bennet and he just shakes his head as I lead the way. “Well, I know his location now. He’s going to have to work on that. How many more are trailing us?” I should not be amused by this at all.
Bennet just stares at me and we walk in silence for a few paces. I want my question answered and he knows it. I won’t speak before he does. He sighs, “Fine, your detail, including me, is five warriors.”
“All the time, or just when we’re out like this?”
“It’s not really a big deal. This is pretty standard.”
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.