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Chapter 1 Leaving
“Raven hurry up your guests are starting to arrive.” My mother mind linked me.
“Be right there mom.” I linked back.
My cousin Clair and I are getting ready for my graduation party. I had graduated from high school as valedictorian and my parents were very proud. My father had promised that if I graduated first in the class, 1 could attend any university I wanted. I couldn’t wait to leave. The further away the better.
“You think he’ll bring her with him?” Clair asked.
“Of course, he will. She’s his mate.” I replied, dreading seeing them together.
Clair was talking about Zach, our future Gamma at Crescent Moon. He was tall, tan and handsome, and I’ve had a crush on him for as long as I could remember. Zach stole my first kiss last year and I was sure he would be my mate. He was even present when I shifted for the first time two months ago, hoping that my wolf would recognize him as my mate.
I was heartbroken when he wasn’t my mate. A week later, Dr. Ross’s daughter Sydney, turned eighteen and discovered Zach was her mate. The last two months have been agonizing for me, pretending to be happy on the surface is much harder than it seems.
We made our way downstairs and out to the back yard where the party was.
“There’s my girl.” Aunt Payton said and engulfed me in a hug followed by my Uncle Max.
My Aunt Payton is the best, everyone always says I’m a younger version of her. I was on the short side for a
she wolf, standing at five foot, six inches tall and had the same light skin and big blue eyes. Aunt Payton
wore her raven colored hair short, while mine was waist length.
“Give your favorite uncle a hug.” I heard a deep voice call from behind me.
“Favorite uncle? That would be me!” Max said with a big grin on his face.
I turned to find my Uncle Ranger and gave him a hug. My Uncle Ranger is the Alpha of Dark Moon pack, he never have any children, so he spoiled us. My oldest brother Knox is the future Alpha of Crescent Moon and his twin, Peter, is the heir to Dark Moon.
“How are my two favorite nieces?” He said to Clair and I.
“We’re your only nieces!” Clair giggled and hugged him.
Clair had two younger brothers, which isn’t as bad as having five brothers! I’m the only girl out of six children. Knox and Peter were my older twin brothers, after I was born my parents had three more boys. I drowning in overprotective Alpha testosterone and couldn’t wait to go away to school.
“Praying my father doesn’t change his mind about letting me leave for school.” I told Uncle Ranger.
“Well, you are his princess and you’re going halfway around the world. I’m surprised your mother was able to convince him to let you go.” He chuckled.
“If I’m going to take over LaRue Enterprises someday, I should get my business degree.” I smiled.
45
“You don’t have to go that far.” Max chimed in. “We could always enroll you in an online university instead.” He joked. At least, I think he was joking; I’m sure my dad had already considered that too.
“Oh, hush now. Raven needs to spread her wings and is perfectly capable of handling anything that comes her way. There’s nothing wrong with a little independence and adventure.” Aunt Payton told them both and winked at me.
My father’s voice rang out, “Friends and family, thank you for joining us to celebrate our beloved daughter today and to wish her well on her new adventure to study abroad. Raven has selected to attend the university of Athens, where she will be studying in the city that has produced genius’s like Plato and Socrates. If she fails to video call her father every week, I will not hesitate to drag her back home.” My father smiled sheepishly, and I suspected he wouldn’t hesitate to find a reason to drag me back home.
“In honor of her departure to Greece tomorrow, dinner will be Greek themed tonight and is ready to be served.”
My mother announced.
Clair and I walked over to the table to find our seats. “I can’t believe you’re actually leaving me tomorrow.” She
pouted.
“You’re going to have a little more to pack,” said Aunt Megan who was standing with our Delta Elliot. She handed me a gift bag from Shari’s Designs. “I had Ms. Hall make a few Greek Goddess worthy dresses for you.” She smiled with tears in her eyes.
I hugged them. “I love you both.”
I took my seat next to Clair to eat and looked around at my family and friends. Zach was seated at the other end of the table next to his parents Gamma Zeke and Vannica, his sister Zoe and his mate Sydney. Sydney was a very nice girl and I had nothing against her, but she had Zach and my heart panged with jealousy at the moment. I managed to push my feelings down and keep it together while we ate.
After dinner, I walked around to speak with our guests and say goodbye. When I had made my rounds, I came face to face with Zach who gave me that heart melting smile.
“Hey Rave.” He always called me Rave.
“Hey Z.” I replied, trying to look casual.
“So, Greece it is?”
“Yeah.”
He stood silent for a moment. “We’re going to miss you around here.”
“Thanks. I’m sorry I’m going to miss your mating ceremony. I’m happy for you and Sydney.” I lied. This wasn’t fair, the Moon Goddess had clearly made a mistake. Zach was perfect for me and had been my best friend since we were pups. I felt a lump in my throat as he pulled me into a hug.
“Take care.” He whispered and then walked back to his mate.
I made my way to my bedroom. This was the last night I would spend in the castle for a while. Tomorrow night I would be sleeping in my new dorm. My bags were packed and sitting by the door ready for the morning. I took a shower, put on my pajamas and brushed my teeth and hair.
I was ready for bed when I decided to go up to the astronomy observatory one last time. This was my father’s favorite part of the castle and I knew he would be there sulking about my leaving.
2/3
45
I opened the door and saw the back of his large frame. He sensed me entering and took a deep breath before he turned to me. His blue eyes looked like they glistened for a moment and he pulled me into a long hug before he finally let me go. I knew this was very hard on him, but I was of age already and could have easily found my mate and left the pack. He had been hoping that my mate would have been someone in our pack, and I was hoping it would have been Zach. After two months, I still had not sensed my mate at Crescent
Moon.
“I can’t believe my baby girl is leaving me.” He said.
“Dad, I’ll call every week, visit during the holidays and I’m sure business will bring you to Europe a few times a year. It won’t be that bad and it won’t be forever.” I assured him.
“Raven, promise you’ll call me if you need anything.”
“I will dad. Don’t worry.”
“And be very careful with your gifts, you’re going to be in the human world.” He warned.
“I know dad.”
We stood for a while looking out at the view when my mother came in.
“There you are!” She said and walked over to hug my dad who pulled her in a kiss.
“Eww, child present.” I said and covered my hand over my eyes. Twenty years later and my parents still acted like lovesick new mates.
They both burst out laughing. “You know, your father and I had one of our first dinner dates right here in this room and we spent the night watching the Northern lights.” My mother beamed.
“Someday I hope to be as lucky as both of you.” I said.
“Not too soon.” My dad said and my mother laughed.
“Come on, you have an early morning flight and should get some sleep.” My mother said and wrapped her arm around me.
I made my way to my room and plopped down face first on my pillow. I tried not to think about Zach and focused on the adventure ahead. My eyes were heavy, and I drifted off to sleep, next stop, Greece!
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