LOVE & MAGIC

Chapter Three: Run!

His eyes were filled with storms swirling with intense confusion.

Whispers are starting all around us.

I am beginning to feel a presence within me.

My breathing has increased as I search his eyes for a connection, a desire but still nothing.

"Sol, I'm- I'm so sorry." Rivers words are filled with so much sadness I feel my heart breaking with each passing moment.

"Okay everyone, party is over." I hear my father and brother saying as he ushers everyone out.

This can't be happening.

"Sol," My brother comes up behind me, knocking me from my desperate trance. "Come on le-" is all he he could say when I suddenly hear a voice in my mind shout.

Run!

Without any hesitation I turn on my heels and run with all my strength as fast as my body can go out of the house. The tears are streaming down my face, blurring my view. I run right into the woods, going deeper and deeper for a good hour. Until I feel I've gained enough distance to take in what just happened.

I throw myself onto ground in a not so graceful manner. Sobbing uncontrollably and trying to catch my breath. I feel my dress that now has multiple rips up to my thighs and feel the anger building up within me. I can't help but scream.

I don't understand, why are we not mates, how? Everything was perfect. Now...

I can feel a change within me, my body becoming increasingly stronger, my hearing become more intense and my sense of smell becoming almost unbearable.

Relax, Calm down Soleen.

"What... who is this?" I say outloud to the empty clearing around me.

I am Taren, your wolf. I know you are hurting but I promise you everything will be OK. Trust in the Moon Goddess.

I begin to feel a wave of warmth wrap around my body and I lay myself down onto the grass. Allowing myself to close my eyes and slow down my breathing. I focus on the Earth beneath me. The moist dirt, the dry crinkly leaves and the pine needles prickling my finger tips.

All of my senses are heightened and I try to seperate it all to block it from overwhelming me.

As I feel my body relaxing each muscle the gentle pull of sleep starts to consume me.

Not sure how long I was asleep, but it is now daylight and the sun's rays filter through the trees. Birds are chirping high above stirring my mind awake.

My body feels as though I've been hit by a semi truck. The devastation from last night still lingering on every shred of my soul and the tears start to flood my eyelids, but I hold them back.

Soleen. We will get through this together. I know River meant everything to you. But, he isn't our fated mate. Taren says tenderly.

Oh yeah, I forgot about my wolf, Taren.

I walk for a few more minutes through the woods and I come to a small stream. I stare deeply into the water and watch my reflection ripple through the water. I look like an utter mess.

All this time, I've been saving myself for my mate. For River. But now that I know he isn't, I feel like my future is incomprehensible. I am so lost. I feel so broken.

You are an Alphas daughter. You are braver then you give yourself credit for. You have the ability to lead an entire pack but also to make your own path.

"You're right. I think I just need some time."

I begin my run back to the house and on the way I come to a decision.

**After Graduation**

"Mom, I just have to get away from here. Get some air. Some... distance." I say exasperated.

"I just don't understand why you have to go so far away that you won't be able to drive back for a weekend to see us here and there." My mother says with hope in her voice. " I'll miss you." She pouts.

"Listen, I'll be fine. I'm a big girl. I'll be busy studying, taking classes I would have no real time to spend with you.. Plus, you have Logan to look after anyway." I say pointedly.

I catch him in the middle of spooning cereal into his mouth. "Wait, what? How did I get wrapped into this?" Asking confused looking back and forth between us.

"Well you are still training to become Alpha and mom has been a huge part in that. If she's too worried about my life, how can she help you with yours?" Ending this conversation I grab my things to head out and meet Cara for lunch.

***

"You are leaving tomorrow?!?! I mean are you sure?" Cara asks with the saddest puppy dog look on her face.

"I have to C. I can barely go anywhere in this town without thinking of him. Or seeing him. Or... smelling him." I say embarrassed. Now that I have amazing wolf sense, I can identify all the members of my pack and Rivers is everywhere I go. "I feel like I'm drowning here. I have to do this." I say with absolute determination.

"Promise me you will FaceTime me any chance you get!" She grabs both of my hands with hers and looks into my eyes. "I wish you didn't need to go. But, you are right."

***

The day has come and I pack most of my things into my little used Honda. I'm sort of a minimalist so it isn't much.

After saying long tearful goodbyes with my family I head out on the road without a second thought.

After a few days and some rest stops later I finally get to my little apartment. It's a studio that has honestly more room then I will need and it's only a few blocks from the community College.

I lay down on the empty floor and stare up at the popcorn ceiling.

"We've gotta get some furniture." I say to Taren.

The floor is fine by me.

I just roll my eyes.