Peace Love and Blood

Strength

*Rainey POV*

I spent the last couple days hiding out in my room. I don't want to see the sorrowful glances of the pack members and I don't want to watch the mated wolves all happy and lovey dovey together. I groan and flop down on my bed oh moon goddess. please don't let my mate be in this pack, but please let me find him before my time is up. I pray silently to myself.

suddenly my phone rings for the hundredth time today I roll my eyes and toss it across the room. I don't need to look at the screen to know it's Aster calling to try and convince me to go hang with her and Parker.

I curl up under my blankets. I have three days until my eighteenth birthday. three days until I get my wolf. and three days until the clock starts ticking.

knock knock knock "honey can I please come in I have some exciting news!" my mother's chipper voice on the other side makes me just want to bury myself deeper in my bed.

I groan before sitting up "fine come in mom."

she peeks her head in with a bright smile "I brought you a little something" she wink before stepping in fully. she holds out a plate of fresh baked chocolate chip cookies. "your favorite!"

I smile and scoot over patting the space next to me for her to sit.

she pushes the door shut with her foot and hops down next to me I quickly grab a cookie from the place and smile as the gooey chocolate coats my tongue.

"mmmmm mama these are impeccable!" I take another bite as she sets the plate down between us before grabbing one herself.

she reaches up and brushes my hair out of my face and cups my cheek "you get more and more beautiful ever day my sweet Rainbow."

I lean into her touch. I don't get many moments like this with my mom so I treasure the time we spend together. she's usually too busy with my dad to have any time for just the two of us.

"So like I said..." she grabs my hands with and excited glint in her eyes "I have some exciting news baby girl!"

I smile back at her contagious mood "well don't keep me waiting what is it?" I ask growing more excited by the second.

"We've chosen your mate!"

as soon as the words leave her mouth my heart drops and I feel like those cookies might come back up.

"what...?" I ask as I begin to shake "you said I had a year from my birthday to find my fated mate." I snatch my hands away and wrap my arms around myself to contain the rage.

my mother sighs and move my hair again trying to calm me. "your father and I would really like you to at least consider our pick before saying no. the young man has already agreed. and if you complete the mating process before your birthday you won't feel the mate pull if you ever come across your fated mate in the future baby." she says it all like it's a no brainer.

"who could you have possibly picked for me to make me want to forego having my fated mate mother?" I sneer at her.

she sighs and stand up. "before you completely reject the time let's go to your father's office so he can explain it better to you." she holds her hand out expecting me to take it.

I shake my head before standing "no. I need some air I can't do this right now!" I almost scream at her as I run out the door.

I make my way down the steps almost running into Aster.

"Woah Rainey slow down." she grabs my shoulders "you okay babe?"

I shake my head "I can't right now Aster. I need to go for a run"

she nods in understanding and releases me.

I make my way out of the pack house and to the tree line. I look around before deciding to go west.

I run with all my strength pushing myself harder. making myself forget the conversation with my mom and only focusing on the burning in my chest. I run for what feels like forever when I see a small oasis up ahead. I slow down to catch my breath as I walk closer. I ran for nearly two hours.

I stepped closer to the water watching the way the water fall seemed to grow stronger when I got closer to it.

I sat on a rock and stuck my toe in the water. it was perfect. the water so clear you could see every detail below almost as if you were looking through a window.

I breathed in the calming scent of the forest mixed with the water I could stay here forever.

I laid by the water running my fingers through it for a couple hours when I noticed the sun would be setting soon I decided it was time to leave. something about this place made it so hard to go. I look back one more time memorizing every detail. the further I moved away the slower the water seemed to fall.

I shrugged assuming I was too far away to really be able to tell for sure.

.....

it took me almost four hours to walk back home it was dark by the time I got there.

I opened the door and my dad was sitting on the couch in the family room with Donavan, his best friend and Rykers father.

I smile at the two before heading towards the stairs.

"hold on a second Rainbow." my fathers voice haulting me in my tracks.

I slowly turn around "yes?" I ask in my most annoyed voice.

he waves his hand "come here we need to talk."

I groan and make my way over to him before plopping down on the sofa next to him. "I'm really tired dad can we please do this tomorrow?"

he shakes his head before giving me a stern look "I want you to have enough time to consider everything. you only have three days and we have no time to waste."

okay so we are still on the whole chosen mate thing I see I roll my eyes and glance at Donavan. "if your trying to tell me to choose mister D your crazy." my eyes dart between the two.

they both chuckle at my accusations. "no no no not me Rainey but someone almost as good looking" he winks and they both laugh again when suddenly the door opens and in come Ryker.