The Genius and The Prince

Chapter 3 – Birthday Tradition and Moving

As I walk back into the house, mom is putting the food on the table. It is my favorite: fried chicken, mashed potatoes, corn casserole, sautéed asparagus, and her fresh country rolls with honey butter. Thank the Goddess for a fast metabolism. “Oh, goodness mom I may die of gluttony before I leave. And that is one of the 7 sins!” I tell her as she brings in sweet potato pie. I put my head back and groan. “Seriously!”

“What? It is all your favorites. It’s your 20th birthday and you’re leaving. Who knows when you will get a good meal again? I remember all those days and nights you spent studying. If I hadn’t taken food up to you, you would have starved!” She says as she goes back into the kitchen and brings out a chocolate cobbler! She truly wants me to die of gluttony at this point. I turn as I hear the door open, and Dad and Paxton come in.

“Is it Christmas?” Paxton says looking at all the food. “Or did someone die?” He says with a slight smile looking at me.

“Paxton, do not upset your mother today.” Dad says as he gives mom a kiss on her forehead. “It looks wonderful my beautiful mate.” She just puts her head down and smiles. I just melt when I see him being so sweet and gentle with mom. He can be ruthless and cruel with everyone outside our pack, but inside he is beloved, and everyone respects him. Apparently before he met mom, he was quite mean and feared, she brought the best out of him from what they say. Together they have grown this pack and made it one of the largest and strongest and most respected. He says it is all thanks to finding his mate, and she said it was the will of the Moon Goddess. See a trend here, mom really loves the Moon Goddess.

Mom looks at Paxton and smiles. I can see her eyes glaze over as she links Ava, and you can hear her start to bound down the stairs. We all sit after dad takes his seat at the head of the table, mom to his right, me to his left. Paxton at the other end and Ava sits next to Mom. She always sits next to mom since she was in a highchair. I smile as I look around the table and realize this will be the last time, well at least for a while. I try not to but can’t help getting tears in my eyes as I look around.

“Now, now. None of that.” Mom says looking at me as she grabs her cloth napkin and holds it over her face. Dad growls at me and takes mom’s hand.

“You chose this.” He says looking at me. “Why are you crying?” Mom swats his hand.

“Stop it! Derick! She is happy and I am happy. These are happy tears, I know she will be back for Summer Solstice in a few weeks, right Emily?” Mom says looking at me hopefully. I begin to nod.

“Unless she finds her mate.” Ava blurts out and mom starts to cry as dad growls, and I shake my head. Paxton now swats Ava on the back of the head. “OUCH!”

We finished lunch and Paxton brought down my final box. I boxed up some books, pictures, and other trinkets that I wanted to take with me to remind me of home. I figured my room at the new Pack House may be smaller than the one here, so I didn’t bring much. I have new bedding that mom insisted on last week, I will admit I saw it and fell in love with it. It is navy blue with a white vine pattern that almost looks like cherry blossoms, but white on it. I hope there is a queen size bed, mom said that it was the standard in most Pack Houses. I am hoping it is the same in their Pack House. We all stand around my SUV, I look at my watch and look at Dad. “You have a meeting in 15 minutes.” I say with a soft smile.

“I know, come here.” He says as he opens his arms, and I am enveloped into one of his amazing hugs. He doesn’t do them all the time; they are special, and I feel safe. “I am always here for you! I will always love you and you make me so proud.” With that he pulls back kissed my head and walked off. I watch him as Paxton walks up next to me and slings his arm over my shoulder.

“You know he has never said he was proud of me.” Paxton states as we watch him walk to the Pack House. “I am not complaining, I know mine is coming. I never had to step up like I do now.” He says, turning me to face him. “I am going to miss you. Not because you save my ass every day with the stupid paperwork, but because I love you, sis! Go out there and live your dream.” He says pulling me into a hug and kissed my head like dad did. “He is yelling at me to come via link so, be careful and text when you get there.” I nod and he walks off.

I go over to Mom; she is a sobbing mess with Ava. I hugged them both. “Ava, why are you crying?”

“You didn’t find your mate!” She sobs.

“Oh, Ava.” Mom rolls her eyes and looks at me. “Remember who you are, you are an Alpha’s daughter and a damn smart one. Do not let them walk all over you! I am proud of you.” She hugs me tightly. I nod and let her go and get in my SUV.

“I love you. Both of you.” I let out a slight laugh and wave as I started the car. They nod. “I will call when I get there.” They nod again and I started down the road. As I get to the main road, I see a car turn off onto our land. I smiled to myself. Thankfully, I dodged that so-called bullet and took off towards my future.