Courage of the Wolf

Chapter 8

I sat there quietly for a minute. I couldn't believe that I had Alpha blood, strong Alpha blood if that book is correct, and that my vitiligo is hereditary.

"Hope hunny, are you ok" Mac asks me quietly. She reaches across Ray to grab my hand.

"I'm fine guys, just trying to take it all in" I told them, leaning into Ray who was side hugging me and squeezing Mac's hand. "Let's go to the diner for a snack before we head home. We can work on our presentation and we will use this book as proof of my Alpha bloodline. This makes things so much easier!"

Mac and Ray caught my excitement and we headed out. We worked for an hour, making our presentation sound professional and direct. We stated why we need to leave the pack, and our reason for creating a new pack. I knew our Alpha would approve our proposal. He's a very good Alpha and he's always been kind to me in his own way.

"Ok guys, school is out so I need to go home and get my chores done. You know I'm going to be on lockdown again tonight. " I say this nonchalantly, like it's no big deal. It happens often enough that honestly, I'm just used to it.

"I'm going to ask my mom if you can move in with us until graduation. We have extra room and graduation is coming up fast. Plus you're already 18, so you're parents can't make you stay!" This from Mac, who really can't stand how my family treats me.

"Mac, you don't want you're family shunned because of me. Your mom will say no because she's smart enough to know that if I move in your status in the pack will go down." I look over to see Ray texting quickly and Mac with her phone to her ear.

"Hey Mom, can Hope live with us until after graduation?" Slight pause. "Ok we'll see you soon! I'll bring some dinner home." Mac pulled her phone away, grinning like a maniac. "Let's go get your stuff!"

"Wait, WHAT?" I was in shock! I couldn't believe her mom had said yes. I looked at Ray, who was grinning at me as well.

"Let's go gorgeous. I have a date tonight so we need to get your stuff so I have time to get ready." He says this with a smirk, making me forget about my stuff for a minute and focus on his date.

"Wait, what?" Good goddess I sound like a broken record! "Who are you going on a date with?"

"I do not have to tell you all my business!" He says this with a flip of his hand and a hair fling, which would work better if his hair was longer. "Oh who am I kidding" he says laughingly, "My football hottie and his lady can't seem to get enough of me!"

Mac, who had quietly been watching our exchange while waiting for the to-go food she had ordered, almost blew our eardrums out when she let out a very loud whoop. "WOOHOO!!! So, is this serious? Why are we just now hearing about this?!"

"For reals man! Why have you not been sharing? You always tell us everything!" I was excited for him but also a little hurt. I couldn't believe he never said anything.

"Ok you guys, calm down! First off, it just happened today. Actually while we've been sitting here. Second, you guys always complain I over share everything. The one time I keep my mouth shut and you two get all butt-hurt!"

He's chuckling while saying that last part. I was looking out the window, smiling at his comment, when I saw Rafe and Sofiana pulling in.

"Guys, we gotta go. Hanna is feeling a bit feisty. She either wants to fight Rafe for Alpha or fight Sofiana to the death."

Juli heard me and went to check on Mac's order. She came back with the food as I noticed Rafe and Sofiana almost at the door. Hanna was yelling in my head.

'Let me out! I will kill them both and we will be next in line for Alpha!" she growled out loudly in my head. 'No! We want our own pack, one we can make our way! Now stop fighting me! We need to leave so we can pack and move.'

She calmed down once I mentioned moving, even though I could tell she was still agitated. I'm thinking once we get to Mac's we go for a run. It's been quite a while since we were able to shift.

Juli had been hovering at our table and I finally looked at her questioningly. "Hurry!" she said, "I'll let you out the back."

Not having any reason to doubt her we grabbed our stuff and followed her through the kitchen and out the back door.

About 15 minutes later we were pulling up in front of my house. I had just got out when Mama opened the door and started yelling.

"Where have you been?! You lazy b***h! If you have been out spending my hard earned cash I will beat you before locking you up for a week!"

Finally, knowing I'm moving out and don't have to worry about the consequences, I looked her straight in her eyes.

"f**k you Agatha! I am only here to get my stuff. I am done with you and the rest of this horrible family."

We quickly ran upstairs to my room. We all stared silently at each other, in a little bit of shock. Then Mac bust out laughing, and we were quick to follow.

"OMG! That was the funniest thing I've seen in a long time! I am so proud of you Hope!"

Ray was grinning at me and I couldn't stop smiling. I started grabbing my stuff and putting it in plastic shopping bags. Ray and Mac quickly started following my lead and in 20 minutes we had all my stuff packed. I had very little that was going with me.

"Ok, if you're ready let's get out of here. I'm famished!" Mac says dramatically. She starts gathering up bags.

"You cannot be famished. We just ate, like, an hour ago." I am laughing as Ray grabs the last of the bags and we all head out. We pass the living room where mom and the twins were sitting. They all just watched us quietly. I think it was starting to sink in that they were now going to have to do their own chores from here on out. I just smiled sweetly at them.

"I'm a growing girl! I need my nutrition!" Mac says and sticks her tongue out at me. We all laugh as we load the car then hop in and head out to the first real bit of freedom I've ever had.