Moon Child (Complete!)

Chapter 7

The week past by in a blur. I had managed to avoid Exeter for most of it, except for a few chance encounters. Those ended with a lot of swearing on my part. I haven't heard or seen of Jared since that night at the borders edge. But that didn't mean I haven't caught myself thinking about him, while doing even the simplest of things. The mark on my palm tingled from time to time as if trying to break free and send something through the mate bond. It wouldn't work not to the full extent anyway not until I accepted it.

       "Were pulling you out of school." My mouth dropped open. I stared at my parents sitting on the couch in front of me.

"What? You can't do this!" I exclaimed throwing my arms up in the air. 

"We've decided this is what's best." anger boiled inside of me. If they knew what was best for me they wouldn't be pulling me out of school.

"What about my friends, and college?" I pressed trying to make a point. Surely they would want me to go to college. 

"With your duties as up coming alpha female you'll be to busy for college." 

"What if I want to go to college?"

"Lainey, enough there is no room for argument." My father finalized, I glared at him once more before heading outside to clear my head.

The high afternoon sun warmed the air. A soft breeze danced through the garden, as I walked through it. Roses, lilacs, and hundreds of other flowers decorated the neatly lined 4 acre garden. The garden was one of my favorite places to visit. I could get lost in it's depths spending hours going through the flowers.  

Harold waved to me from across a patch of tulips. He was a balding man barley in his 60's. My parents had hired him to oversee our garden estate. I smiled and graciously waved back.  I sometimes would bring him a cool glass of water or lemonade when the days were to hot. 

Smiling I continued through the garden watching as people hung up streamers and decorations getting ready for the Lunar eclipse. Every year we would celebrate the Lunar eclipse as our ancestor clans had. All treaties were to be set aside allowing them to set foot on each others land. This year the celebration will be held here tomorrow. 

I have never been allowed to attend not one. My parents always agreed that I was too young and would have to wait till I shifted. This would be my first lunar eclipse celebration.  I would be the honored guest. The up and coming alpha female. I shivered at the thought of people gawking at me like an animal at the zoo. 

I stopped realizing I had reached the end of the gardens. The forest lay in front of me calling to my senses.  A quick run sounded pleasing. I haven't shifted since last week. My wolf has been restless for release. I looked back towards the direction of the house. No one would miss me for a couple hours If I went on a run. A mischievous smile spread across my face as I shifted and ran for the forest.  

I ran and ran it felt good to be free leaving behind the demands of my responsibilities, Exeter, and Jared. At-least just in this moment I could be myself. The forest enclosed me, shielding me from the world.

 The tree's passed by in a blue of browns and dull greens as I kept up my pace. 

"Look who's out of her house." My spirits rose at the voice in my head. Cole appeared to my right keeping pace beside me. His smokey grey pelt blending well in the shadows. 

"Says the person who's been gone."

"Not my fault I was on pack business, it's my position as a messenger after all."

I growled  playfully snapping my teeth at his flank. Taking the bait he threw his weight at me knocking me over. I sprang back on my paws turning to face Cole. He stood in front of me giving me a wolfish grin.  I pinned my ears back at him lifting my lips up in a snarl. The damned fool shoved me in mud. It clung to my fur.