I Did Not Plan For This

Prologue

  I hate not knowing. The not knowing is what keeps me up at night. I do not know what will happen in the future and that terrifies me. Since I am worried about what ever may come my way, I plan. I plan every single aspect of my life. Last minute things did not appeal to me. I cannot go with the flow, I am more a stick with the plan and nothing will go wrong kind of person. Going with flow is scary and ridiculous . Caroline Shuck went with the flow and now Caroline is pregnant. So I'd rather not go with the flow. When you go with the flow like little Caroline did you end up in the back of Mike Lloyds hand-me down station wagon that is missing two out of four dour handles, doing things that obviously did not include protection. That was not happening to me. 

    Once my mom told me that if I went with the flow, sometimes at least, amazing things could happen. That conversation did not go well because I am stubborn like my father, the packs Beta, and I will not let things just happen or let the chips fall where they may. I have plans, set plans and nothing can make me change them. Nothing and nobody. 

  Every year our packs Alpha and Beta family visits packs that we have a truce with. It is kind of like keeping truce and staying connected to other wolves. This year my dad, the Beta, and the Alpha decided to visit a pack in Colorado first and then continue on to the next pack. I am excited to visit Colorado, it is my first time visiting packs with my mom and dad. I would not be going this year if It was not for my mom and dad thinking since I was of age I should being seeing if my mate was out there in one of the packs we have a truce with. I hate to break it to them but that is not part of my plan until I am twenty.  The first pack we are visiting is currently experiencing an abundance of snow. Me being from Southern California, I have not seen snow in person. I don't really care to either. Nonetheless, I am packing my bags and putting a smile on my face because at least I get to miss school. Not like it is very important for me to attend public school with humans like Caroline Shuck. 

  The Grey Ridge pack is the pack I was born into. I have seen other packs and none of us look quite the same. Each pack has a certain look, I am not sure why. My pack is usually naturally tan. My hair is dark brown with natural curly locks, I refuse to cut it now that it has reached the top of my butt. I have my dad's eyes, they look like melted milk chocolate with a slight ember ring.

  As I pack for the trip my friends are all in my room helping me and providing suggestions on what to bring. I dread having to leave them for so long. Jenna, Rodney, and Blake have been there for me since we were little. Blake and I were born a day apart making us literally friends since birth. Everybody thought Blake and me would end up being mates but I never felt a pull toward him, he is like my brotherly protector. Jenna is practically my sister. She is always around and pushing me to be more outgoing while I am always stuck in my planners and school books. Rodney is much like Blake regarding being protective but he is never serious while Blake stays serious. Rodney is always joking around and causing trouble. 

"Troian, I think you are going to have to buy a whole new wardrobe. None of this is going to do. I can't believe you are going to snowsville where if you stepped out wearing a pair of shorts you could lose your legs to frostbite." Jenna has her hands perched on her hips while her sharp eyes scan my sundresses and shorts. I roll my eyes for what seems like the millionth time. 

"Jenna it is just a little snow, I am not going to get frostbite and I do not know who in their right mind would walk out in the snow in shorts." She simply shrugs her shoulders as she goes further into my closet.

"I have to agree with her Tro, tank tops are not going to cut it even if the sun is out and there is no wind blowing. I checked the temperatures for this week and they are in the thirties." Casey adds as she is going through my collection of shoes that I assume will be useless as well. Casey is Jenna's younger sister and starting to hang around more and more. I personally think she has a crush on Rodney. 

"I know. I mentioned it to my mom and I believe her exact words were, 'I'll take care of it.' I don't know what is more frighting my mom getting me clothes or being knee deep in snow."  Casey smiles up at me as she stands. 

"You're so lucky. I say just let her take care of it." Casey comments as she starts helping me put the basics in my duffle back. Blake appears back in my room with Rodney following behind him carrying snacks. Blake seems like in a bad mood but I just think it is because he can't go on the trip with me. He is protective and ever since my Ex Jason tried touching me inappropriately, Blake has been on edge with me being out of his sight. Blake has always been more protective than the others regarding me. I think it is really sweet. 

  Blake hands me a water before he sits next to me on my bed. 

"You should just stay here. Tell your parents you are sick." Blake pleas for me to stay, again. I hate telling him no but even when I do he don't seem to think I am serious.

"Blake, werewolves don't get sick. I am sorry but I have to go. I will only be gone for a little while and we can facetime or talk on the phone. Okay?" He makes several muffled grunts before he nods. I don't know what to tell him. It's not like I got a say in the matter. 

"Please don't be mad at me Blakey. You know this kind of trip comes around every year. It is even in my planner. I have to go but you still have the rest of the gang to hang out with while I am gone. You won't even notice I am gone." It did not really help Blake's mood but that is the best I got. 

  "I love you guys. I'll be back before you know it." 

**********

  Arriving at the White ridge pack is a sight to see. It is not snowing right now but the ground is already covered. It looks as if the snow that is covering the ground has been ran through due to the fact that there are a variety of paw prints imprinted on the white sheets. I felt a burst of happiness getting to see snow for the first time. Even though I am sure I will not like the cold even if I am a werewolf, I feel like it won't be so bad staying here for a few days. I felt my wolf jump in excitement at all the wide open space. There was a lot of land to explore. 

   We came in two separate cars. I was in the one with my parents and a guard named Tom. I surprisingly liked the clothes my mom gave me. I was wearing a cozy, grey sweater with insulated leggings and black snow boots. As we came to stop at what I assume is the base of the pack, Tom hands me a puffy black jacket before getting out. 

  The drive here was bearable but not all that pleasant. I was ready for a nice bed to comfort my aching muscles and stiff legs. I knew that even though my parents did not say so, they were currently feeling the same as me. 

"Welcome to White Ridge. The Alpha will be joining you soon. He just has some pack business to attend to." I look up at to match the face with the voice. A burly man with a thick beard stood on the steps of the pack house. He seemed nice enough with power radiating off of him. Must be a beta. 

  My alpha walked toward him as we all fell behind him. 

"It is a pleasure to be visiting your pack." Alpha says as he motions for us to follow him and the man into the house.  

  Once I stepped into the house a since of warmth engulfed me and without realizing it I was smiling.