Wolf Spirit

11 • House Not a Home •

Hiiiiiii! I'm back! I haven't disappeared off the face of the earth in case anyone was wondering. As I said in the last chapter I'll be editing chapters gradually. I am aware the story needs editing and isn't perfect.

Feel free to comment or message me, I'm always happy to talk!

Ooh and I hope everyone likes the new cover I made.

Pluuuuuus I have reached 8K which I still can't comprehend because I actually can't believe that so many people want to read this story. So thank you to my readers - every single person who is reading this because I am so grateful.

Question - When did you first start reading this story?

- Holly :D

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Never in my duration of residence in this building did I think that I would leave. I had dreamt many a time of running away, or of the day that I could walk out and never look back.

After all, it is just a house. For so many years I'd felt lost, drifting about without a place to call home. Maybe finally, I will be able to discover that place I once knew and find my home.

After I had finished my conversation with Aaron there was no point in going back to lessons. He had summoned Jack who also greeted me like an excited child at Christmas. I had no idea how the discovery of a Wolf Spirit could bring so much joy to them. But then I cannot imagine what it is like to make a discovery that could be compared to finding lost treasure.

Skye and Callie were on their way over so I could attempt to explain what the hell was going on with my life. I had no feelings of sadness or any sentimentality when gathering my belongings. I simply felt... free. No longer did I feel burdened by the crushing weight of responsibilities or the lingering presence of loneliness. Now I have a purpose.
I shut my suitcase and the sound of the zip broke the dead silence of my room.

There was a knock at my door. "Sophia can we come in?" Callie's muffled voice travelled through the door. I smiled to myself; they had arrived so quickly after my brief phone call asking them to come over. It's very rare that I ask them to come to the pack house.

"Yeah sure, come in." Slowly, the door handle moved and Callie and Skye appeared from behind the door. Concern was written over their faces and I saw Skye's eyes flick between me and the suitcase on my floor. Her eyebrows furrowed.

My room was even emptier than it had been before, which I did not think was physically possible. All that was left were my shoes sitting alone by my bed, while the dullness of the room echoed the current mood. Sadness hit me for a moment when I realised I would have to tell the two people, who are my closest thing to family, that I'm leaving. They both stared at me waiting for an explanation. "Well - there isn't really an easy way to say this but I have to leave." I waited for their responses. "What do you mean you have to leave?" Skye asked. "What's happening, have they hurt you?"
"No! No! They haven't hurt me." I laughed to myself. "It's a really long story."
Callie frowned and Skye continued to look confused.
"I've only just come back and you're already leaving; where are you going?" Callie stated.
"Well if I explain I don't think you'll believe me - but it's worth a try I suppose." I began to tell them the insane story of the past few hours. I told them that I had to leave, but I didn't know yet where to.

"Are you sure you'll be okay Soph, what if it's all a scam? Everyone knows the Royals haven't been in existence for years." Skye worries too much sometimes.
"I'll be fine Skye, I promise I'll keep in contact - I can't leave you guys out of the loop can I?"
"Sophia! What is with all these people coming to see you? Since when have you had friends?!" Mark, one of the oldest in the pack house and eldest son of the pack leaders shouted from behind the door.
"Who's this?!" Mark fumed. "This man reckons he's here to see you and I told him he couldn't possibly be; he wouldn't leave!" Aaron appeared from behind Mark wearing a sheepish grin. "Hi!" He said, "I haven't come at a bad time have I?"
I let out a laugh at the ridiculousness of the situation. Ignoring Mark I replied to Aaron, "No it's fine Aaron, come in."
"Someone explain to me what is going on!" Mark screamed.
"Nothing that you need to know at the moment Mark so I'd prefer it if you left please." I shut the door in his face, not missing the shocked expression he wore.
"I-I don't understand." Mark's confused voice could be heard as he remained behind the door for a moment.

Skye and Callie lingered in the same spot they stood in when they first came in. Bewilderment was written clearly across their faces and Aaron laughed at their expressions.
"So, I take it you told them then!" He exclaimed. How is this man always so happy? That I certainly do not understand.
Callie spoke up, breaking the silence. "So you're just going to leave school like that? Is that even allowed?"
This time it was Aaron who answered my friend's question. "Yeah we are able to take her from school, but she will be continuing the same subjects at the Academy."
My head snapped round to stare at Aaron. "What's the Academy? You never mentioned that before!"
Aaron frowned. "Didn't I? Oh. Well it's where the Royal Scouts Group is based. Basically, it's the training centre for our Scouts and anyone involved in the group. It's based across the road from the pack house"
I nodded. This was all too much to take in. I still hadn't processed it and couldn't believe I was actually leaving the house. Potentially, this new beginning and pack house could be where I find my home.

"I can't believe you're actually going Soph." Skye spoke softly. "I'm gonna miss you so much; we'll visit as much as possible."
"Don't worry, you won't be getting rid of me easily! You'll probably see more of me than before!" I said, laughing at the irony.
Callie grinned at my statement. "Yeah. Wow. I can't believe this is happening. You've got to be careful though!"
"Sooooo." Aaron interrupted. "Sorry to interrupt your tearful goodbyes and all that but we really need to leave so do you want to grab your bag?"
I glared at Aaron and he held his hands up in surrender.

Despite my annoyance at Aaron, I pulled on my boots and picked my suitcase up off of the bed - setting it on the floor. Pulling the handle up with a loud click, I walked out of the bedroom, dragging the suitcase behind me. After Aaron and my friends had left the room I gave the empty space one last glance, before shutting the door on it and every memory it held.

We walked through the pack house and were headed towards the front door when Mark appeared. "And where do you think you are going?" He questioned. "You still haven't explained what is going on, you do realise you can't leave right? We're your legal guardians."
Anger bubbled inside me. Why should he care? No one has for the past thirteen years of my life, so why now?
"You're only saying that because you'll lose your housemaid." I spat.
"You have no right to speak to me like that! Go to your room now and the rest of you leave!" Mark was even angrier than before and was beginning to sound like a desperate child throwing a temper tantrum.
"Well I'm sorry to tell you this but I can't do that and I certainly can't let you send Sophia to her room." Aaron spoke up in my defence.
"Why won't you listen to me! Submit you stupid child!"
Mark stomped his foot on the ground. Now he genuinely had the appearance of a screaming child.
"Don't you see? You have no power over me anymore Mark. I'm sorry to tell you this but I'm leaving and there's nothing you can do about it." I poked him in the chest and he stumbled backwards - shocked at my outburst.
"B-b-but" Mark was lost for words.
"Come on, we're leaving. You lot go ahead I just need a moment."
They nodded and left through the front door at my request. I scanned the room and noticed a large crowd had gathered to watch the argument.
"I'd just like to say thank you. Thank you for making my life hell these past years because without all of you," I gestured to the whole room "I would not be the person I am today. I hope those of you who maybe aren't as stupid as you appear to be, come to your senses and get out of this mess of a pack while you can. It's only going to go downhill from here."
A single laugh erupted from the group. Of course, it was from Elsa. She pushed her way to the front and spoke up. "Ha. As if you're leaving, you'll be back before you know it. The Alpha won't let you speak to us like this and get away with it."
I laughed at her and replied. "Well I'm sorry to break it to you Elsa but I am and at least I won't be here anymore for you to be jealous of. Surely that's a good thing?"
Elsa's mouth dropped open and she stared in shock.
"Goodbye." were the final words I said and I turned on my heel. I walked out the door, slamming it behind me and not once did I look back.

It was a house. Not a home.