My Own Destiny

Departing

I had barely returned to my room when my father mind-linked me and a few others to join him near the entrance to the pack house. He wanted me there to say good-bye to our guests.

I cringed inwardly at the thought of seeing Jullian again.

Reluctantly, I left my suite and slowly wandered through the hallways. I frowned at the thought of leaving my home. I decided to go out the back door and make my way to the front door.

It was a beautiful, cool early spring day. The sun was bright with a few scattered big fluffy, white clouds, there were birds chirping in the trees.

I loved my home and had not given much thought about my departure until Jullian arrived. Now I will be forced to leave sooner than I had planned.

As I made my way along the side of the packhouse, I could just make the back of Jullian’s figure out. Not sure if he heard someone coming up behind them or sensed my eyes on him, but Jullian turned, glancing around until his eyes fell on me.

I could swear I saw a smirk on his face as he started his way towards me. Instead of continuing my way to the front where everyone could see our conversation, I slowed, letting him make his way to me, so we were just out of sight from most.

I gave him my most pleasant fake smile ever.

“I wondered if you would come say good-bye.”

I shrugged, “Of course I would. My father asked me to.”

He gave me a grin, “Good girl, doing as you’re told.”

He grabbed my hand and turned to walk off, “Come, give me a nice big kiss in front of all those unmated males, show them who you belong to.”

I planted my feet on the ground, trying not to budge under his pull at my hand. Since he had not expected me to not move with him, he stopped and turned when he realized I was not moving.

“I will do no such thing. I do not belong to you.”

His grin faded, “Sure you do, and soon…” He removed his hand from mine and brushed it across my neck and collar bone, where some day I would wear the mark of my mate.

“You will have my mark to make it official.”

I grinned sweetly, “And until that day I remain unclaimed and belonging to no one.”

I started walking away towards the others when he grabbed my wrist, pulling back to him.

“Is this because of last night? I promise you I will not push you too fast, okay, we can take it nice and slow.” He gave me another smirk.

I rolled my eyes, “Yes because of last night, but not for that reason alone.”

I loved seeing his smirk slowly vanish.

“Yes, I know about your overnight guest.”

His face was serious, “I am a male, and am Alpha, I have needs and she threw herself at me so I figured I’d give my hand a rest for the night.”

I frowned at him, “You are crude and disrespectful and a poor excuse for an Alpha. I am an Alpha female and could have my choice of males, most of whom would have a great deal more respect for me than you have.”

I pulled my wrist away and started to walk away from him again. This time he grabbed my arm and pushed me up against the wall.

I could feel Mia scratching to get out. I let Mia share control, letting my hand shift to a partial paw, letting my claws push through my skin.

I headbutted him then swiped my claws at him, getting him to let go of me. I started calmly walking towards the front of the building where the others awaited.

I could smell blood as he took a few long strides to catch up to me. I only offered him a quick glance, damn I didn’t get his nose again, but I did see him holding his wrist, the long scratches were already healing up.

“Damn you turn me on. I am going to have fun with you “

‘Better watch it, I think he likes it rough.’ Mia informed me, making me frown at her.

“There you two kids are.” Jacques said, holding his hands out.

“Aurora, wish we could have stayed longer, but maybe in a few weeks you will come visit us.”

“We will see.” I said with another fake smile.

I could see Jullian looking at me curiously.

‘I’m guessing he doesn’t know I’m not moving to his pack next weekend.’ I said to Mia.

“It was nice meeting you, Alpha Jacques.”

“Oh, come now dear, you are practically my daughter. Call me Jacq.” He walked over giving me a hug and kissed me on the cheek. I tried desperately not to stiffen at his touch.

Jullian was relatively quiet as we all said our good-byes.

As they loaded into the car with my father practically kissing their a***s Brutus inched closer to me.

“Are you okay?” He asked, sounding sincere.

Making eye contact with Brutus, I felt like he was searching deep in my sole or something.

‘Do you think he could be my mate?’ I asked Mia, who just shrugged, ‘I'll be damned if I know, but he is easy on the eyes.'

‘He is, isn’t, is he? We never really talked much, even though it seemed like he was always around.’

Brutus was best friends with my brother. Even if he wasn’t the Beta’s son, my brother would have wanted him for his Beta. I always noticed how well they worked together. Brutus was tall, about 6’2,

I had noticed he was just a hair shorter than Jullian. He had dark messy hair with dark eyes. He was large, muscular, but like a brick wall, where Lucian was all defined tight muscles from his constant training.

‘What do you think of him?’ Mia asked me.

‘I think if he were truly my mate, I would be okay with that, although I never pictured myself as a female Beta.’

I could see Mia eyeing him in my head. ‘He is big, I bet he has really big….’

‘Mia!’ I cut her off.

‘What, I was going to say feet.’ She started laughing, ‘But then you know what they say about men with big feet, right?’ I rolled my eyes at my wolf.

‘You know, they have big packages to match their feet.’ I could not help but laugh at her.

“I’m okay.” I replied hesitantly. I felt like he was looking for more. Luckily, the wind blew, gently blowing a few strands of hair in my face, hiding my feelings and hopefully, some of my facial expressions from my conversation with Mia.

“I know about Tria.” I was sure he would have heard by now, probably the whole pack knew by now.

“Yeah, I heard about that. I’m sorry, but for what its worth, she throws herself at any male in the age range of puberty to about thirty that has any ranking what so ever.”

I made a pained face, “That doesn’t really help. In fact, that may makes it so much worse, if that’s at all possible.” I was watching as the car doors thudded closed. “Wait does that mean….” I looked back at Brutus.

Now it was his turn to give a pained face, “I am embarrassed to say yes, I was young and stupid.”

I could not help but laugh, “You do realize you are only 22.”

He laughed now, it was a nice sound hearing him laugh, he was always so serious.

“Okay, so I was younger and stupider.”

As our laughter died down, “Aurora, you deserve a better mate than that.”

I only shook my head and gave Brutus small smile. “Thank you.”

As the car drove away, I excused myself to go see Natalia.

My sister was there but had stayed as much in the background as she could. I knew her well enough to know she had been crying, I could see it in her eyes. I felt a tug of guilt, I had to talk with her before I left.