Belonging To The Luna

Life Changing Decisions

    “Congratulations, honey!” My mother smiled, wrapping her arms around me. “I know Sookie wants to host your graduation party before we head back to the pack, but I thought we could do something to celebrate once we get home.”

    “That sounds great, mama.”

    “Oh, I can’t wait to brag to everyone at the hospital that my baby is officially a lawyer and graduated with honors.”

    “I still have to take the bar exam.” I chuckled. “And decided which offer I want to accept.”

    My mother clucked her tongue at me; her way of saying the rest was nothing more than semantics. Her excitement and pride were contagious. It eased the pain of another significant life event that my father had missed out on. Before my thoughts dragged me into a pity party, I was surrounded by my friends demanding pictures.

    College had been good for me. Law school in New York had been intimidating at first, but I had managed to befriend several wolves belonging to local packs. Their acceptance of me was in stark contrast to the treatment I had received at home. Shanna, my dorm roommate, had sniffed me out the very first day of college and invited me to join her group of friends. It was better than I had ever expected.

    Once the pictures were taken, and tearful goodbyes were said with promises to stay in touch, my mother and I made our way out of the city to my Grandparent’s farm. My graduation party was small, limited to the family that could make it on my father’s side. By the following day, we were loading into the car to drive back to pack lands.

    “I’ve got one last gift for you, Jaz.” Sookie smiled, pulling me to the side.

    I looked at her curiously as she placed a small bag into my hands. I could tell from the weight and size that she had made a mojo bag for me, though I couldn’t fathom the reasoning behind it.

    “A protection bag, child.” She chided, understanding my confusion though I had never spoken. “Remember what you’ve learned over your summers with me. Wear this on your body or hide it away, but don’t open it.”

    I thanked my grandmother, giving her a quick hug before climbing to the car as I shoved the bag into my coat pocket. My father’s family were hoodoo practitioners, and I had learned quite a bit about it during my summers at their home. My fingers found their way to my amethyst necklace. It had been one of the first charms I had learned to make for myself. Part of me wanted to believe that it had served its purpose and attracted friends into my life while repelling the abuses I had been accustomed to in high school.

    “Jasmine.” My mother whispered, waking me. “We’re home.”

    I stretched in my seat, rubbing a sore spot in my neck. Sleeping with my head against the car window had been a bad idea, leaving my neck and back aching. I climbed from the car, intending to grab my bags and take them inside before settling in for the night.

    “Baby girl, the luggage can wait.” My mother chuckled. “You have plenty of clothes left in your room to make it through the night.”

    With a slight nod, I followed my mother into our home. A gasp escaped my lips as I saw the balloons and congratulations banner spread across the living room. I knew my mother must have called her friends at the pack hospital to help decorate while we were away. The balloons weren’t sinking to the floor like they would have had they been floating in the house for a few days. My hand went to the inside pocket of my coat, and I grimaced. I would need to break the news to my mother soon. I knew she was excited to have me home, but I intended to take an offer in New York and transfer packs.

    “I know you’re exhausted, but I thought we could have a little ice cream to celebrate you coming home.” She grinned as she strode toward the kitchen.

    “Mom, there’s something I need to tell you.” I whispered when she returned with two bowls of my favorite ice cream. “I lied when I said I still needed to decide which offer to take. The firm I interned at offered me a position, and I plan to take it.”

    “Oh, that’s wonderful, baby!” She cheered.

    “Ma, it means I need to transfer packs.”

    My mother frowned, taking my bowl from me to sit on the coffee table. She gently grabbed my hands in hers and led me to sit on the couch.

    “Jasmine, as much as I love having you here, I know this pack hasn’t been kind to you. You found something that you’ve been missing in New York; I could never take that from you.”

    “You really mean that?” I asked.

    “Of course! Your happiness is what’s important. I’ll miss you, but you know how I love to shop, and they have some great shops up there.” She grinned. “I’ll make an appointment with the Alpha tomorrow to get your transfer submitted.”

    A few days later, I found myself seated across from the Alpha, my mother beside me. I waited anxiously for his decision regarding my pack transfer request.

    “I’m sorry, miss Harlow, I have to deny your transfer request.” He spoke.

    “I don’t understand. Why can’t I transfer?”

    “Our pack is small; our numbers have been dwindling over the years. We can’t afford to let anyone leave the pack unless they mate a ranked wolf.” He frowned.

    “That’s not fair!” I screeched.

    “Jasmine!” My mother scolded. “That’s no way to address the Alpha.”

    “But mom, I have a job offer. I don’t understand why I can’t transfer so I can accept the position. I was allowed to spend my summers outside of the pack and go to school up north. How is this different?”

    “I understand your disappointment.” The Alpha interjected. “There are plenty of firms in the area that would be thrilled to have you. I just can’t authorize the loss of another wolf. Visiting out of state is temporary; if you transferred, it would be a permanent loss.”

    He dismissed us without another word, leaving me to stew in my anger over the denial. I wanted to tear his office apart and use one of Sookie’s hexes on the man to get my way. It was childish, but the Alpha hadn’t even considered my treatment by other pack members when he made his decision. My mother drove us home in silence, her eyes never wavering from the road.

    “Jaz.” She said as he parked in front of our home. “There is another option.”

    “What option? The Alpha said no, and as far as I’m aware, his word is final.”

    “You have connections in New York.” She whispered, shifting in her seat to face me. “They will keep you safe.”

    “Momma, I don’t understand what you’re saying.”

    “Jasmine.” She continued, taking my hands in hers. “I’m telling you to go rogue. Reject your ties to the pack and go live your life. You deserve a good, happy life. You can’t have that here.”

    A few hours later, I stood at the edge of pack lands, holding my mother’s hand. All of my belongings were packed into my tiny car; her own pulled off the road behind it. Tears streamed down my face as I embraced her. I wouldn’t ever be able to return home, and while she could visit me, it was dangerous business getting involved with rogue wolves.

    “I love you, baby.” She cooed, using her thumb to wipe away my tears. “This is the right decision. I will visit you every chance I get.”

    I hugged her tightly one last time before she ushered me to my car. I watched as she climbed into her own in my rearview before pulling back onto the road. My hands gripped the steering wheel tightly, my knuckles turning white.

    “I reject my bond to the Deep Fang pack.” I whispered, silently sobbing as I sped off toward my new life.