Escape

Chapter 1

I walked into the living room, resisting the urge to wring my hands in anticipation.

"Can I talk to you for a moment?" I asked my father, trying to hide my cringe as he gave me a look of disgust before turning off the game.

"What is it?" His impatience was made very clear.

"I wanted to ask about going to the boarding school in the city this year, instead of the pack school." I held my breath, waiting for his reaction.

He let out a laugh, then called for his wife to come in the room. "Hun, she wants to go to school in the city." He gestured toward me, as if to say, "who does she think she is to ask something like this from us?"

My mother raised an eyebrow, thought for a second, then quietly replied to him, "Well, if she goes away for school she'll be out of our hair."

My wolf growled at the disrespect my mother showed towards us, but I pushed her down reminding her it was nothing new to be treated that way.

My father was silent for a minute, and I could see he was liking the idea of having me out of the house for the majority of the year.

"Fine." He spoke at last. "Go speak with Alpha Ethan then." He dismissed me with a wave of his hand, going straight back to the TV.

I walked out of the room, struggling to keep my emotions in check. I was surprised it took so little argument to convince them, but I wasn't going to argue. Besides, if they even saw how happy I was he would for sure change his mind, and I'd be forced to stay in the pack for another year. I did however allow myself a small victory dance once I made it out the front door. The only thing I had to do now was talk with Alpha Ethan.

~*~*~*~*~*~

I walked into the kitchen, following the aroma of baked goods. I found Ellaina, Alpha Ethan's mate, pulling a fresh tray of cookies out of the oven.

"Sam! Good to see you." She set the cookies on the counter in front of me, I snatched one immediately. Ellaina just smiled and shook her head. "Ashton's out at the training grounds, but he should be back pretty soon."

"Thanks, but I'm actually here to see Alpha Ethan. Is he in the office?" She nodded, handing me a couple cookies to take to him.

The office door was sitting open, so I gave a courtesy knock as I walked in.

"Hi Sam." He greeted me with a smile. Taking the cookie I offered him he asked, "what can I do for you?"

"I need to talk to you about school next year."

"You're parents agreed?"

"Surprisingly, yeah."

"Well that's great! We should finish your entry forms then. I was thinking, it might be best to apply for a single dorm."

"Rooming with a human could cause some problems, yeah" I agreed, also glad I wouldn't have to deal with trying to get along with someone new first thing. "Was that the last thing we needed?"

"I filled out the contact section with me and El's information for you." I gave him a grateful smile, and he returned it with a nod. "That was the only thing left, so yes, you are all set. All you need is to wait for your dorm assignment."

"Thank you." I heard the front door opening. I smiled, "I'm going to tell Ash the good news." I stood and headed out with a wave.

I found Ash sitting in the kitchen, his mouth full of cookie, and two more in his hand.

"What brought you over here?" He asked, taking another bite.

"We just sent in my entry forms." I responded gleefully.

"So... you are going away then?" He spoke each word slowly.

"Well yeah, Ash. It's a boarding school, you knew that." I tried to keep the mood light, afraid of where this conversation was headed.

"Yeah, but I didn't think it would actually happen."

"Ash you knew I wanted this, are you saying you didn't want me to go?" I couldn't believe what I was hearing. Up to this point he had been nothing but supportive.

"Of course I don't want you to go! Why do you have to leave anyway?" He had stood up, so that he was towering over me while I sat on the bar stool.

"I can't stay here anymore! I don't fit here! I never have!" I gestured widely, indicating that I meant the whole pack.

"You had me, you've always had me!"

"It's not enough, Ashton!"

He froze. "Am I not good enough for you anymore?"

"Ash... You know that's not what I meant..." I reached for him instinctively. He pulled away, and headed towards the stairs. "Come on... Ash!"

"Forget it Sam."

I sat back defeated. I didn't know what do, how to fix this. The worst part was, I didn't know if I could. And I only had a couple weeks to try.

~*~*~*~*~*~

I folded my shirt slowly. I had to leave in a few days, and I still hadn't talked to Ash. Even when I was at his house the day my dorm assignment had arrived. He had seen me in his dad's office, but he disappeared before I could get to him. I tried going to his house a couple other times, but he was never there.

I sighed and placed the shirt in one of the boxes spread around my room. I sat on the edge of my blue bedspread and looked around at the walls my parents had painted blue and gray, long before kids were in the picture. I tucked my long hair behind my ear and breathed another sigh.

"Hey." A soft voice came from the doorway. I turned to see Ash leaning against the frame, arms crossed, eyes cast downward.

"Hi Ash." I kept it simple, not sure what he came here to say; and not wanting to mess it up by starting with the wrong thing.

"Dad said you're leaving in a few days." He looked around at the boxes.

"Yeah. Move in starts Friday, and classes on Monday." I stood up and stepped towards him. "What are you doing here Ash?"

"You're leaving."

"I know. But..."

"I don't want you to."

"Ash..."

"Wait." I closed my mouth as he took a deep breath. "I don't want you to go, especially if we leave things the way we did. So I'm saying sorry. I understand why you're going, it's just... I'm going to miss you Sam."

He finally looked at me, and I could see the pain in his eyes. We had become very close over the years, since he was the only person who didn't treat me the way my parents wanted. Going away to school without him was going to be so hard.

I walked to him and wrapped my arms around his waist. "I'm going to miss you too, but it won't be for forever."

"It could be. That is the point, isn't it?" He spoke into the top of my hair as he hugged me back.

"I might not find him at this school, but you know I have to try."

"Yeah. I just wish I could go with you." He squeezed me tighter.

"You have your duties here as the next Alpha. But..." I looked up at him, a hopeful look on my face. "You could bring me there Friday?"

He gave me a small smile. "I can do that"

"Thank you"

I placed my head back on his chest, holding him for another minute. I was going to miss seeing him and being around him, but it was time for me to go find my mate.