The Alpha’s Fight for His Omega

Chapter 42

***Chastity***

The drive to Cloverland was a 4 hour trip. I had thought we would stop for lunch during the drive, but Molly had thought ahead and packed sandwiches, snacks, and drinks. Chatter during the drive was pretty much light, upbeat, and fun. Colby cracked a lot of jokes, and had us all laughing constantly Braxton talked about some of the things he had been doing with friends recently Molly excitedly talked about how she was going to set her classroom up before elementary school was back in session in a few months.

The drive seemed to go quicker than I expected. Before I knew it, we were pulling up to the entrance of Dark Moon pack. Dmitri stopped next to what I guess was a security building. I never knew packs had those Moonlight pack didn’t.

“Dark Moon is the second largest pack in the country. They also have several higher education programs here so they have to take security very seriously. They have a lot of non-pack members coming, and going.” Dimitri explained as he lowered his window

“Good afternoon. How can I help you?” A man said as he came to the window

“Hello. I am Beta Dimitri Bloomfield of Moonlight pack, here to bring Chastity Bloomfield for check in at Cloverland.” Dimitri stated.

“Very good. I need to see passes for all in the vehicle, as well as identification.” The guard stated, causing me to freeze as I didn’t have an ID.

“Here you go. Passes, and identification for myself, Colby Bloomfield, Rowen Druid, Chastity Bloomfield, Braxton Bloomfield, Jax Bloomfield, and Molly Bloomfield.” Dimitri said as he handed over a

small stack of papers with cards.

“Um. Dimitri, I don’t have an id.” I leaned forward, and whispered.

“Yes you do. You’ve always had one, it wasn’t just given to you. I had the photo updated recently, but you do have one.” Dimitri said with a smile

“Oh.” I responded, and sat back

“Alright. This all looks good. To get to Cloverland go to the second intersection, and turn right. Cloverland is at the end of the road. Proceed through the gate to the front building. The admissions office is right as you walk in the building. Welcome Miss. Bloomfield, and good luck.” The guard stated, and stepped back.

I could only nod. I was really here. I was really going to be allowed to attend. I actually got into this school. It felt like a dream, but the best dream I had ever had. Dimitri followed the instructions the guard gave. Once we reached the parking lot in front of the building in the center, he shut off the SUV, and we all piled out. I looked around, and saw a decent sized building to the left of the, what I assumed was the main building. Behind the main building was a huge building with the medical symbol on the front. I guessed that was the school itself I was impressed, and slightly intimidated.

I started to shake with nerves, and excitement. Rowen reached down, and intertwined our hands, and smiled down at me. I beamed at him. I was beyond excited. We quietly followed Dimitri into the building. and into an office marked Admissions. He walked right up to the desk in front. There was an older woman sitting behind the counter, looking at what I can only assume was a computer screen.

“Good afternoon. Beta Dimitri Bloomfield here to check in Chastity Bloomfield.” Dimitri stated as the woman at the counter looked up.

“Good afternoon Beta. I am Danielle, Head of Admissions. Welcome to Cloverland. Chastity if you could

please step up here we’ll get you squared away.” Danielle said with a smile.

I stepped to the counter, as Danielle turned to her right, and started to sort through some thick files on her desk.

“Here we are, Chastity Bloomfield First let me welcome you, and congratulations on being admitted to our school here. We are honored to have you.” Danielle said with a smile, as she put the folder on the counter, and slid it to me.

“Thank…thank you.” I said.

“In this folder you will find everything you need. There is a map of the grounds, as well as each of our three buildings. You will also find your room assignment information. The unmated wolves are in single rooms on the second and third floors of the housing building, to the right of this building. Mated pairs are in the suites on the fourth, and fifth floors. If you find your mate while here, you will have to put in a request to be moved to a suite. The cafeteria, and guest suites are on the first floor ” Danielle stopped. when we heard Rowen growl, and she smiled.

“Obviously that won’t be a thing you need right now. I am sorry for the insult.” Danielle stated with a smile

“It’s quite alright. You were unaware.” Rowen stated.

“I am guessing you will not be staying as Chastity is in a single room. We do welcome visitors, but we need requests for visits that will extend over night visits a week in advance so we can ensure guest quarters are secured. As Chastity has a mate, he is allowed to share her room with her, if she so choses, but guests who stay in the student’s room are requested to leave prior to the student leaving

for their first class. All visitors must come to this office upon arrival to receive a visitor’s pass before being allowed to move around the grounds.” Danielle explained.

“Don’t even think about it Rowen.” I heard Jax growl under his voice.

“Can it Jax. They are mates. What they do or do not do is their business.” Molly snapped.

“Yeah, but…”

“No. Enough. I am sorry Ms. Danielle. Please continue.“

“You will also find you full class schedule in the file, along with the list of your needed supplies for each. class. If you go right out of this office you will find the book store, and the supply store. Did you preorder your books?” Danielle continued, after smiling at Molly.

“Yes I did.” I responded.

“I’ll take the supply lists, and get that stuff for you Chas.” Jax offered, and I nodded.

“Wonderful. They will have your books collected, and ready for you to pick up.” Danielle sad.

“I can get those Chastity.” Colby offered

“You’ll need to go to the book store though. They have a very large selection of scrubs. You’ll need at least five sets. You need to get your lab coat as well. You can get your stethoscope from the book store. They will help you find the right size ear pieces for you. As you are enrolled as a pre-natal, maternity, neo- natal, and pediatric major, they’ll help you pick the right stethoscope. If you have a laptop or tablet, please take that to the book store so they can load the programs you will need for your classes. For each semester make sure to take your laptop to them for any new programs needed, and updates. On the floor upstairs is our, I guess you could call it a department store. It has just about

everything else you will possibly need from food, drinks, incidentals, to bedding, electronics, and clothes.” Danielle said.

“I’ll grab you laptop from the car when we’re done here, and meet you at the book store.” Dimitri said to which I nodded.

“If you take a left out of this office you will find a fully equipped gym, as well as classrooms for self defense training, yoga, art, and any other extra curricular activities you want to sign up for There is a packet in your folder that lists, and details all of our extra curricular activities. Self defense, weight training, and other such classes are taught by Dark Moon warriors so you will get proper training. Any art type classes are taught by our high school teachers. Cooking is taught by several chefs from pack restaurants. All employees here are Dark Moon pack members.

“The building all of your program classes are taught will be in the medical building out back. That doubles. as our pack hospital so when your clinicals begin you will be working with actual patients in the hospital, and pack members of Dark Moon. You will get your complete training, with hands on here

“Behind the pack hospital is about three acres of wooded area for the students to run their wolves. As you are not an official pack member we require that any runs or exercising of your wolf you do, you stick to that, and the campus grounds. The campus grounds are fenced off for your protection since, as you know warriors, and patrol wolves know all of the scents of their pack wolves. Since you are not known to them, and are not a pack member they could accidentally view you as a threat. We like to keep our students safe here For that reason we request that you do not venture off campus in wolf form or shift into your wolf, even if you are with a pack member. You are allowed to venture into our pack town, if you please, but you must always carry your school ID, and make it visible at all times. We try not to restrict our students too much, but we must always protect our pack, as well as our students. Can we count on you to follow these requests?” Danielle went on to explain.

“Yes ma’am.” I responded as it all made perfect sense to me.

“Good. I need to get your picture for your school ID, and have the Dean join us for a moment. Please stand in front of the blue screen behind you.” Danielle advised.

“Oh! Picture! Hang on Chas!” Molly squealed.

She pulled a brush out of the bag she was carrying, and came toward me. In an instant she had my hair out of it’s pony tail, and brushing it to look nice. When she was done, I moved in front of the blue screen, and smiled. Danielle moved to the camera set up on the counter, and snapped two pictures. Once done I threw my hair back up into a pony tail, and went back to the counter. Danielle hit a few buttons on her screen then I heard something print, and something that sounded like plastic hitting the floor

Danielle handed me a small, hard plastic card. It had my picture, with my name, and Student of Cloverland Nursing, and Midwife School printed on it. It had slot cut near the top, and a black strip on the back. I looked to Danielle questioningly

“That is the key used to enter your room, as well as each building on campus, and classroom. It is connected to your meal account so you can use it in the cafeteria to buy food. It is also connected to your books, and supplies account. Any time you need supplies or books, use that to charge them to the set up accounts. Keep it visible, and on you at all times. Any thing you purchase at the department store. or in the park town you will need cash, bank card, or credit card. They sell lanyards, and other such holders.for those in the supply store, and in the department store, for your convenience. Ah. Here is Dean Leonard now. Dean.” Danielle smiled, and nodded to the dark skinned, older man who walked into the office. He was tall, and lean, with kind eyes.

“Dean, this is Chastity Bloomfield, one of our first year students.” Danielle explained.

“Welcome to Cloverland Chastity. We are very happy to have you.” Dean Leonard said with a smile.

“Thank you sir.” i responded.

I

“Just a few last things to go over with you before we send you on your way to get your books, and get settled. The first is that your visitors can only stay until eight this evening. They can join you in the cafeteria for dinner this evening, if they would like. As I am sure Danielle told you, you are welcome to go

into the pack town, at your leisure, but students have a ten pm curfew. You are expected to be back here by that time. The only exception for that is if you have an extended pass to remain off the school campus after that time. Requests for that must be submitted to this office twenty four hours prior to. The second thing is, students are not permitted to join the pack runs, unless they are mated to a pack member which from what I understand is not going to be an issue for you. The third thing is that we encourage our students to go home for the holidays to spend time with their families. The school closes for a week for Thanksgiving, two weeks for Christmas, and a week for fourth of July as we honor those major human holidays as a lot of packs do as well.

“The final thing is that I need to accept you temporarily to the school “pack” as we call it. Now before any one gets upset. This is a temporary admittance. It ends the day you leave here to start your life where ever you choose to. This does not interfere with or, end your connection to your home pack. All it does is connect you to our emergency link that consists only of Dark Moon’s Alpha, Luna, Beta, Gamma, and myself. It is also minor. Is this a problem for you Chastity?” Dean Leonard explained.

“No sir.” I responded.

“Good. Give me the thumb on your left hand please I will prick your thumb, and connect my thumb with yours to connect you to the emergency link. It will not be even remotely as overwhelming as when you linked with your pack. The process is also very quick. All you need to do is say I accept Ok?”

“Yes sir.”

I put my left thumb out to him, as I felt Rowen’s hands rest on my shoulders lightly I hadn’t expected this, but it did make sense A lot of it did really Dark Moon was trusting people from other packs. They needed. safety protocols in place to protect their own pack. Dean Leonard pricked my thumb with a small silver knife then pricked his own, and placed it against mine so the blood mingled.

“I, Leonard Cross, Dean of Cloverland Nursing, and Midwife School accept you, Chastity Bloomfield as a student, and temporary member of our school pack. Do you accept your admittance?” Dean Leonard said. clearly.

“I accept.” I said with a small smile.

I felt the emergency link click into place then. He was right, it definitely wasn’t as overwhelming. It felt like. an additional tiny door added to my mind. There was no chatter on it either.

“And you are now officially a student of Cloverland. Welcome Chastity, and good luck.” Dean Leonard said with a smile.

“Thank you sir.” I said, returning his smile.

With my folder, and id in my hand I turned to my group. They were all smiling brightly at me. I couldn’t believe this was official. We all filed out of the office, and stood in the lobby for a second. I handed Jax my supply list, and he and Molly set off to get what I need. Braxton, Colby, Rowen, and I headed to the book store, which was easy to find. Dimitri went out to the car to get my laptop. At the counter, the boy working went to grab my books, after pointing me in the direction of the scrubs, lab coats, and stethoscopes. I went to pick out my stethoscope. I picked one that was dark purple, and the girl working helped me with the ear pieces quickly. After I got my lab coat, which Rowen took to carry for me, we went off to the scrubs.

I was very overwhelmed by what I found. Danielle hadn’t been kidding when she said they had a huge selection. There were tons of solids, prints, and even some with cartoon characters on them. I went to

the solids first, and picked out a few basic pairs. Two sets of purple, blue, and green. At some point Rowen wandered off, and came back with a pair that was dark blue with little wolves all over it. I quickly added them to my stack. Colby, and Braxton had the most fun though. They went to the cartoon character section. There they found Bugs Bunny, Minnie Mouse, and even Smurfette. They insisted I needed all of them. I didn’t argue. Just laughed, and figured they could be worn when I absolutely needed them.

Once finished we went to the register to pay. I went to pull out my school ID, when Demitri waved me off, and put it all on his credit card. I gave him a confused look. He just told me that, as my father it was his job to make sure I had what I needed. I just let it go. I didn’t want to offend him. Colby grabbed my box of books, while Rowen grabbed my bags. Demitri had my laptop. We left the store to find Jax, and Molly waiting for me, carrying a ton of bags. It looked like they bought out the whole store I just shook my head. “What? There was a lot of stuff on those lists. We wanted to make sure you had everything you needed” Jax said.

“I know, but it looks like you bought the whole store.” I joked.

“Nah. Just two of each thing on your lists. Anything that was required multiple times we bought three of You’ll have plenty to get you through.”

“Um. OK. Thanks.”

“There some cute things in there Chas. I did find you the perfect clip for your ID too” Molly added, and I nodded.

We all left the building, and loaded back into the SUV It was a quick drive to the parking lot for the housing building. Once parked we all unloaded everything from the SUV, and headed toward my room. I was on the second floor, half way down the hall to the right. The doors were painted different colors,

and had our names written on white boards next to them. I thought it was a really nice touch. Once I opened the door, I walked in, and looked around

The bedframe, desk, dresser, book shelf, and nightstands were all light wood. There was a nice, wide window that faced a small courtyard next to the building. There were no curtains or blinds though. The bed had no linens, or pillows. The walls were painted an off white color. I moved out of the way, so everyone could bring what they were carrying in. Molly walked straight into the bathroom to look around. I followed her The bathroom had a large shower stall, with a seat in it, and racks molded into the corner for my shower supplies. There was single sink with a cabinet that had a mirror imbedded in it above it There was even a smaller frosted window in there. There was also a thinner closet, that had empty shelves in it. It wasn’t huge, but it would work. It was more than I had had in six years.

“No towels, bath mats, or pillows. Oh, and we have nothing to hang your pictures with. Come on Brax We’re going to the department store now to get what Chas needs. Dimi, can I have your card please?” Molly stated as she took the SUV keys, and Dimitri’s credit card. She then pulled Braxton out of the room behind her.

“Alright. I guess we better get you unpacked.” Jax stated as he set the box he had been holding down.

I just nodded, and headed to the first suitcase to start unpacking. I put as much of my clothing in the dresser as i could. The t-shirts, sweatshirts, and coat I hung up as the dresser wasn’t very big. Colby had started loading my school books onto the bookshelf while Jax put away my supplies in the desk. Dimitri set my laptop on top of the desk then went to help Rowen put sheets on the bed. I was surprised they knew how to do it, but focused back on what I was doing. We were almost done when Molly, and Braxton came back in, carrying MORE bags.

“Molly, I doubt I needed that much.” I said absently

“You needed pillows so I got you three. They’re vacuum sealed so they need to puff up before you put the cases on them. I got you six towels, and three hand towels. Three purple, three green. Your bath mat is also purple. There were no trashcans in here so I got you two. One small one for the bathroom, and one larger one for in here. You didn’t have a laundry basket so I got you one of those. I got Velcro strips to hang all of your pictures. You need curtains in here so I got those. I also go you toilet paper, paper towels, trash bags, cleaning wipes, a broom and dust pan. As well as more hangers. We have a case of water for you, and a large, metal water bottle for you to carry with you. Oh, and snacks. Anything else Braxton?” Molly said excitedly.

“A small purse, wallet, and a cases for her phone and laptop.” Braxton grumbled as he dropped bags, and went to walk back out of the room.

“Oh right. Sorry Dimi, but she needed these things.”

“It’s fine Molly Thank you for getting them.” Dimitri said as he took his credit card and receipt from Molly.

I watched as he balled up the receipt without even looking at it. I just shook my head, and looked around my room. It was almost all set up. Molly pulled out the towels, and went to put them in the bathroom with the trash can, bath mat, and spare sheets Rowen had purchased for me. Rowen pulled out the Velcro strips, and pictures, as Braxton came back in with more bags. Colby followed him back out to get anything else still in the car

“Hey sweet girl how, and where do you want these hung up?” Rowen asked as he spread out the pictures on the bed.

“Hmm.” I responded, looking around the room.

I wanted them where I could see them from any where in the room. The wall with the most space was by the door, above the dresser Plus I could see it from my bed, and my desk. After one last look

around, I decided that is where they should go. I went to the bed, and sorted the pictures into two piles. I picked up the ones I wanted hung, and handed to them to him.

“Hang these above the dresser please.” I requested.

“What about the rest of them?” He asked glancing at the ones still on the bed.

“These I have places I want them set up.” I responded with a smile.

He nodded. He, and Jax moved to hang the pictures. Dimitri had opened the pillows, and started putting them in their cases. As I picked up the pictures I wasn’t hanging Colby, and Braxton walked in Braxton had the laundry basked, with two bags in it, and Colby had the case of water

“Chas, where do you want the water?” Colby asked.

“Um. Under the bed please.” I responded.

“And the laundry basket?” Braxton questioned.

“In the closet please.” I said, going back to the pictures.

The three I didn’t hang were the pictures of Dimitri, and me. The one of Jax, Molly, Ross, Melissa, Rowen, and me from our date night with us girls on the guys shoulders. We were all laughing, and smiling. The third one was of Rowen, and I from Jax, and Molly’s ceremony. I set all three of them on my nightstand in a way that I could see all of them at the same time. I smiled at them, then moved to the bags Braxton, and Molly brought in. I pulled out the extra hangers, and put them in the closet just as Molly came out of the bathroom.

“Hey Chas, where are your toiletries?” Molly asked.

“In my duffle bag.” I answered as I pulled toilet paper out of a bag, and handed it to Molly.

Braxton slid the paper towels under the bed with the cleaning wipes. Colby was bouncing on the bed until Dimitri hit him on the head with a pillow, and told him to help finish up. I laughed, and pulled a butterfly covered welcome mat out of bag, and laughed.

“Oh yeah. You can put that right inside your door I thought it was cute, and that you would like it.” Molly said with a small smile.

“It is. Thank you.” I responded as I collected up the bags as Rowen, and Jax finished hanging the pictures. Dimitri finished making my bed after kicking Colby off of it. The last thing to do was to put Duke, and Jax on my bed. Jax was the first one to notice.

“Is that the wolf I gave you years ago?” Jax asked.

“Yeah. I had to bring him, and Duke. I didn’t feel right leaving them home.” I answered with a blush.

“I like it.”

“Thanks.”

“Why don’t you all take the boxes, and trash down stairs? Chastity and I will be down in a minute “Dimitri suggested.

They all filled out quietly as I sat down on the bed. I was worried about what he wanted to say I hope it was nothing bad.

“Chastity, I am so proud of you. I know you will do very well here. Your mom would be very proud of you too. Dimitri said, smiling at me

“Thank you. I hope she would be.” I responded.

“She is. But more importantly I hope you are proud of yourself for getting here. You worked hard for this, all on your own. You were determined to do it, and you did. You’ve earned this baby girl. Enjoy it.”

“…thank you. I really am.”

“Good. I have one more thing to give you.”

“You do?”

He nodded, as he pulled out his wallet, and took out a credit card, as well as another plastic card. He picked up the small light purple wallet Molly picked out for me, and handed them all to me. The one card was my pack ID, the other was a credit card with my name on it. I pinched my brow in confusion.

“When you mom was alive she received an allowance as the Beta female, as well as a paycheck as a nurse at the pack hospital. She never used any of it much, because she said she didn’t need much. She saved everything she didn’t use. When you were born, she moved it all into an account she set up for you that earned interest. When she passed, the survivor benefits for you as a minor went in there as well. When you turned eighteen her name was removed from the account so it’s solely yours. Your mom would have wanted you to have all of it to use as needed here, or for whatever else you need in the future. Thankfully Aurora never found out about it. I was the only one, other than the bank, and Gamma Peter since he handles the finances, who knew about it. There is more than enough in there that you don’t need to get a job while you’re here. You can focus on school, therapy, and anything else you WANT to do. Do some fun things while you’re here too. Don’t just focus solely on school. Enjoy this time.” Dmitri explained.

“I thank you.” I responded.

“You’re welcome. There is a good portion in that account, but I did move a large chunk back into savings. to keep earning interest. If you need more at any time, let me know, and I’ll move it into the account.”

“I doubt I’ll need more, but thank you.”

“If you do, you do. It’s not that big of a deal.”

“Alright.”

“Well we better get down to the cafeteria. Don’t forget your school ID.”

“Right. Did you see the clip Moily was talking about?”

“It’s on your dresser.”

“Thanks.”

“Oh. Where did you find that ring on your pinkie?”

“Oh. I had it hidden in the attic.”

“Smart girl. Your mom was so proud when she put it on you. I’m glad to see you wearing it again.”

“Thank you”

I walked over to my dresser to look for the clip. It was easy to spot. It was a white disk with an orchid printed in the center It had an elastic cord that retracted back into it. At the end of the cord the clip was another orchid. Both were purple. It was really pretty I clipped the ID into it, and hung it on my t-shirt pocket Dimitri, and I left the room to find everyone standing at the elevator, waiting for us.

“We um… we need your ID to leave the floor” Braxton explained with a chuckle

“How did you leave to go to the store, or get back in?” I asked

“Other students let us up or down.” Colby stated.

I laughed, and swiped the card, letting us all onto the elevator It didn’t take us long to reach the cafeteria. We quickly got our food, but Dimitri paid instead of having my use my meal plan for our dinner We found a table, and sat around it. The conversation was lively, and fun, for the most part. I had noticed that Rowen was kind of quiet all day, and was getting more quiet as time passed.

“Hey What’s wrong?” I mind linked him.

“Nothing.” He responded at first.

“It’s ok. You can tell me what’s bothering you.”

“I’m not ready to leave you here I’m not ready to give up time with you.”

“I know. I want to spend more time with you too, but I need to do this. I have to do this for me.”

“I know I understand. It’s just hard. What’s worse for me, and I know I’m going to sound like an asshole here, but it seems like not being with me doesn’t bother you at all.”

“You don’t sound like an asshole I know I haven’t acted like I’m bothered by not seeing you everyday It’s just been a lot going on, and to take in. I am sad I won’t see you everyday. I will miss you, but this is important for me right now.”

“I know it is. I’m sorry I’ve been a downer all day.”

“You have not been a downer all day. You’ve been wonderful, and helpful. I’m glad you came with us.”

“I am too. I know you’ll do great sweet girl. I have no doubt you’ll exceed even your own expectations. I am proud of you.”

“Thank you.”

Not long after, we finished our meal, and took our dishes to the drop off window As we left the cafeteria it was decided they were going to head out now It was getting kind of late, and they had a long drive back. I walked to the main door with them, and looked at all of them. In such a short time they have all become to mean so much to me. They had all had a hand in turning my life around in just a few short weeks. I was going to miss them. Braxton came up to me first, and wrapped me up in a huge hug.

“I’ll miss you Chas. And don’t worry, I’ll work hard to finish school this term, and even harder at summer school. I’ll make you proud.” Braxton whispered to me.

“I’ll miss you too. I know you will. You already do. And we’ll video chat daily for tutoring OK?” I responded “Yup. You let me know your schedule, and I’ll make sure I don’t miss a single session.”

“Good.”

Braxton released me, and headed to the SUV, getting in after turning to smile at me again. He was a good pup. I was going to miss him. Next Colby picked me up in a hug, and spun me around, causing me to squeal. Once he set me down, he looked at me, and smiled.

“I’ll miss you short stack, but I’ll be back next Sunday for a few hours. We’ll get lunch” Colby said with smile.

“You’ll be back next week?” I asked, confused.

“Yeah. I have a meeting with the Dean of Denu, the Tracker School. If all goes well a few months from now, I’ll be here at Dark Moon for two years.”

“When did you decide on that?”

“I’ve been thinking about it for awhile I finish seasoned warrior training in a few weeks, and I have some of the best tracking skills in our pack. The tracker unit needs some new blood so I figured why not The

school here is the best in the country so I applied. I have an interview next week.”

“Oh wow Well good luck. It will be nice to have a familiar face around.”

“Definitely. I’ll see you next week. Oh, and knock ’em dead short stack.”

“I’ll try.”

I laughed as he waved, and headed to the SUV. Molly walked up to me with tears in her eyes, but wearing. a smile.

“Well sister best friend, this is it. I know we’ve only known each other a short time, but it’s going to be weird not having your around. Work hard, show them who’s boss, and come home as soon as you can. Mel, and I will need your help to keep these boys in line.” Molly said as she hugged me tight.

“I will. I’ll miss you too.” I said with a giggle, hugging her back.

When she released me, she wiped her eyes, and smiled at me. She then went to stand by the SUV to wait for Jax. I looked up at my big brother The one who saved me from death just weeks ago The one who, even though he wasn’t by my side, had never really left me. We just stared at each other as both our eyes filled with tears. He then pulled me into a hug.

“I just got you back pip-squeak, and not you’re the one leaving me I know this is the right thing, but it’s hard. I’m going to really miss you.” Jax whispered to me.

“I’ll miss you too Jax, and thank you for everything you have done the last few weeks.” I whispered to him.

“Don’t thank me for what I’m supposed to do. It’s my honor to take care of you.”

“You keep saying that, but I’m still going to thank you.”

“I know. Well make me, and especially yourself proud. I love you pip-squeak.”

“I love you too Jax.”

He finally pulled away from me, wiped his eyes, and smiled at me. I watched him walk to the SUV, let Molly in, and disappear behind the door My heart felt a little heavy at seeming him leave, again. This was right though. For me. Next Dimitri stood in front of me Looking me over, and smiling. He pulled me into a cautious hug, and I felt him shudder when I returned the hug.

“I meant what I said earlier Chastity girl. I am so proud of you. You’ll do amazing things here Stay strong. Work hard, and always keep your head held high. Also, smile, and share your warmth with everyone Your are amazing.” Dimitri said, and I felt that pride in his voice.

“Thank you…..dad.” I responded, and I felt him shudder again.

“Thank you baby girl. I’ll talk to you soon, ok?”

“Yup.”

He pulled back, and smiled at me again. Then he too got in the SUV, leaving Rowen, and I alone. We just stared at each other Several times he opened his mouth as if to say something then closed it again. Suddenly he pulled me to him, and kissed me Just like our last two kisses, it was a meeting of the lips, sweet, gentle, not forceful, and he didn’t push. When he finally pulled his lips from mine he rested his forehead against mine, and stared into my eyes. I saw sadness there, but also something else Something I couldn’t pinpoint.

“I’ll miss you sweet girl. With everything in me, I’ll miss you. I meant what I said, if you need me, for anything call me, and I’ll be here as quick as I can. I’ll visit you as often as you want me to I’ll stay on the phone with you all night if you want. I’ll video chat you anytime, day or night I am here however you need me. I won’t fail you.” Rowen said quietly© 2024 Nôv/el/Dram/a.Org.

“I know. Thank you. I will miss you too.”

“All I ask is that you please come back to me because I will be waiting for you. For the rest of my life if I have to. Just please come back.”

“I have every intention of coming back.”

“I know. I…I better go.”

“Yeah.”

“I’ll miss you.

“I’ll miss you too.”

“Goodbye for now sweet girl. I’ll talk to you soon.”

“Definitely. Bye for now.”

He pulled back, but leaned forward, kissed me on the forehead, and I heard him say something that made me gasp,

“I love you Chastity Bloomfield. When you are ready I will accept you as my mate, and forever”

I felt tears of happiness well in my eyes. I hadn’t expected him to say that, and I felt I should say it back, but I just didn’t know what was in my heart.

“Don’t say it back until you know you are healed from your past, and know for sure that is how you feel.” He whispered against my forehead, and I nodded.

Finally he turned, and walked to the SUV. When he reached it, he turned back to me one last time, smiled, waved then got into the vehicle. I stood there waving to my family as the vehicle started. As

they went to pull out the windows rolled down, and they howled goodbye to me. I howled back. I was glad they were far enough away not to see the tears streaming down my face. This was harder than I thought it would be.

Once the taillights of the SUV disappeared in the distance, I turned, and walked back inside. I made it to my room with tears still rolling down my face. Once I closed the door to my room, I looked around, and through my tears I smiled. I did it. I was here. I was moving forward with realizing my dream. Despite the heavy heart, I was excited. I couldn’t wait to get started, and despite Leila’s sadness about being away from our mate, she was excited too.