Rich Blood

Chapter 3: Leaving Home

The sun was setting now, the crowd that was there before had filtered out but Demetrius, my father and brother were all waiting for me.

"Where in the hell did you go?" my father snapped.

"I just..." I paused. Did I dare tell them about the Lycan? About the playful run in the woods? Would they sense my flood of desire. No, I would take that moment to my "I was overwhelmed."

It was the truth. That's why I left in the first place. Kenneth rolled his eyes and my father approached me."Selene, this is for the good of the pack. For all of our packs. Do you understand me?"

"And when all of this is over, you will be my bride," Demetrius added. "She's got a free spirit, Jasper," he added, she just wanted a bit of freedom before duty calls, nothing wrong with that." He winked.

Demetrius, was considerably older than I am but ruggedly handsome. His dark brown hair had a salt and pepper tint to it and his profile was sharp, nicely chiseled. He had battle scars from his youth and stood 6'2. He laughed loudly and often, but had no laugh lines and his dark brown eyes were void of any emotion. From the outside he seemed friendly and hospitable but those in his inner circle and the other pack leaders knew his secrets. How he made deals with the Ferals, a Were Mafia, so to do his dirty work and how anyone who disagreed with him somehow was either shut up or just disappeared.

Not to mention his dead wife and missing lovers.

I felt sick to my stomach. It showed on my face, Demetrius put his arm around me, I guess assuming I was nervous about the mission. He leaned in and growled in my ear "You will be mine soon enough."

My skin crawled, but I had enough sense to know to reflect this outwardly would be to insult him and that would end poorly for myself and potentially my family. And I did care for them, even if they were putting my independence and sense of self in the garbage for the sake of their own stupid egos.

I smiled, choked back my disgust and replied, "As long as I play my part well."

Demetrius laughed again, loudly. My father and Kenneth joined in and they went back to gathering around the table to hash out minor details that didn't concern me. I took the opportunity to turn around and rush out of the room. Before I could cross the threshold, my father spoke to me without looking up."Selene, you are leaving in the morning, first light. Pack up, your brother and I will be driving you."

My chest tightened. I didn't say anything. There was no need to. I would be leaving in the morning, regardless of if I went quietly or kicking and screaming. I felt tears swelling in my eyes and retreated to my bedroom.

The next morning came quickly. I hadn't really slept, between packing and anxiety I dosed off somewhere around 3am and awoke a little after 5am. I got dressed in leggings, and an oversized sweatshirt with sneakers. I assumed I would be put to work right away, so might as well be ready for it. I put on a touch of makeup and slightly curled my hair. I rarely looked at myself in the mirror, in my human form I had sandy blonde hair that came down to the middle of my back, fair skin with freckles and a roundish face and my eyes, my favorite part about my looks. The fairness of my skin amplified their deep blue. My body was curvy, which for someone in their early twenties seems like a curse at times. Finding clothing that was flattering was a chore.

I looked in the mirror and immediately felt disgusted, I went and changed my clothes to dark skinny jeans, a black sweater and knee high boots. I guess I wanted to impress Rich Blooding. If he was to be my new employer, I suppose I should make a good impression. I added a bit more makeup and headed out with one last look around saying goodbye to my childhood room with my bag on my arm. I wouldn't need much. A few changes of clothes and shoes Some makeup. Toiletries.

I go downstairs, meet my brother and father at the door and silently we get in the car. It would have been quicker to go in wolf form to get to the Lycan Capital, but by car it takes about two hours. Around 8:30 we arrived at the capitals gates and a few minutes later we were pulling up to the Blooding Estate. My heart pounding. My stomach in knots.