The Blood Moon Feast

The cold night air hits my face as I open my bedroom window. I let a single tear slide down my face as I stare at the moon. My father and I got into another argument after dinner. He told me that he had set up a date for me this weekend with a beta named Zac. It launched into an immediate screaming match. Zac is Jasper's best friend, the guy I was originally supposed to marry before he found his true mate. My father was enraged when he found out because Jasper is set to become our new alpha when his father steps down. Naturally, Zac is the next best thing as he will be our future alpha's second in command. My parents will do anything to enhance their status within the pack. A quiet knock on my door snaps me put of my thoughts. I hear a small voice say "Lilly, can I please come in?". I sigh and cross the room to open the door. "Hey, Aimee." I say softly as I step aside to let my little sister enter the room. "Are you ok?" she asks, her pale blue eyes glimmering with tears. I shuffle over to my bed and pat the spot beside me. Aimee follows me and plops down. I lay back onto the bed and stare at the ceiling. "I have to leave soon, sis." I sigh heavily. Aimee lays back, rolling onto her elbow to look at me. "I know you do, and I'll help you..." she pauses briefly before continuing, "You have to promise me that you'll be careful. I got you this, so we can talk without dad tracing our calls." She pulls out a burner phone and places it in my hand. "Don't worry, I bought one for myself too." A mischievous smile spreads across her face and she fishes another burner phone out of her pocket. My little sister never ceases to amaze me. She may only be 5'2" and built like a pixie, but I'd venture to say that she could take out anyone in her way. "Thank you." I clutch the phone tightly. "I'm going to spend tomorrow gathering everything I need while the house is empty and then I'll leave after everyone goes to sleep." Aimee sighs "I love you, Lilly." I smile at her warmly "I love you too." The next day I awoke with a start. The house is completely silent. Aimee went to school and our parents have left for work. I pull out a duffle bag from under my bed and start stuffing it with clothes and other necessities. I examine myself in the mirror. My long black hair looked wild after a restless night's sleep. I comb through it and pull it up into a ponytail, letting a couple pieces fall to frame my pale face. I'm the exact opposite of Aimee. She's an adorable petite blonde with the likeness of a pixie and I'm tall, slender, and pale. She's always been popular and outgoing and I've always been a loner who spends all of my free time reading or hiking. Even though Aimee and I are so different it never weakened our bond. She's only 16 and I know my father will target her after I leave. I spend the rest of the day anxiously pacing around the house waiting for everyone to return home. After an insufferable dinner with my parents I slink to my room and change into a black hoodie and sweat pants with a pair of combat boots and grab my duffle bag and wait. After about an hour I hear my parents close their bedroom door. I know I'll need to wait another half an hour before they will be asleep. I get out the burner phone Aimee gave me and I text her to meet me at the park in 45 minutes. She is staying with a friend tonight so we can say goodbye without running the risk of getting caught. After what seems like hours I creep out of my room, down the stairs, and out the back door. I move quietly around the outside of my house towards my car. I sigh. I'm going to be sad when I have to ditch this car and buy a new one, I'd rather not have my parents figure out where I've gone to. I hop in and start the engine, quickly pulling out of the driveway and onto the road. I pull into the parking lot next to Aimee's car. I hop out and run over to her car, getting into the passenger seat. "Do you have everything?" Aimee asks. "I think so..." I go through my checklist in my head. I have plenty of clothes, hygiene products, some books, and around $20,000 in cash. "Here." Aimee hands me and envelope. I open it up, finding it filled with cash. "Aimee, I don't need this. I have almost $20,000 in cash that I've been saving for years." I try to hand it back to her. "Please take it, you're starting a new life. There's $5,000 in there. I've been taking out small amounts at a time so dad wouldn't suspect anything." I smile, knowing no matter what I say she won't take no for an answer. I lean over and hug her tightly, "I'm heading for Seattle. Call me when you can. I know s**t it going to hit the fan when they find out I've left." Aimee's eyes well up with tears as she nods. "Love you." I try to hold back tears before getting out of her car and back into mine. I pull out onto the road and I don't look back. This is it, I'm finally free. My wolf is thrilled.