Destiny

Chapter 6

“Did I say something wrong?” Broc asked, confused.

“No, I am sure my parents will wonder where I am, so we should get going.”

He knew I was lying and I didn’t care. We finished the rest of the tour and made our way to the rec hall.

As soon as we entered, I saw my family. Dad and Aidan were playing Air Hockey as the rest of the family cheered them on except Nana and Papa. They were cuddled on a couch not far from the excitement.

Mom saw me first and waved us over. The game came to a stop and Dad embraced me in a hug.

“Did you have fun, princess?”

“Yeah, it’s really nice here.”

“Your daughter showed me some of her work. She is really really talented.” Broc said, looking right at my Dad.

“We think she is great.” My Dad said with a goofy grin.

I couldn’t help it. My cheeks turned pink and playfully hit his arm.

Broc continued to talk to my parents, but as a “kid” I didn’t want to hear anymore. I walked over to Nana and Papa.

“What’s wrong honey,” Nana said, pulling me into a hug.

“Do you think I am just a kid?”

She smiled at me. “No, you are a beautiful young woman.”

“Everybody thinks I am just a kid, even Chase. I am so sick of it.”

“Sometimes others find it hard to realize people have grown up. We try to hold on to you being younger than you are sometimes.”

“Even strangers?”

“You have plenty of time to get old…trust me when I say take your time.”

I couldn’t help but smile. I cuddled into her arms. “Thanks Nana.”

The rest of the day was great and before I knew it, we were flying home.

Before I knew it, we were starting school again and I was determined to graduate a year early. With Chase being gone, I was able to hyper-focus. Which also made the time go by crazy fast.

I talked to Chase right before the holidays and, to be honest, they were the hardest thing to get through without him. I managed, thanks to my family, but I hated it.

Before I knew it, Chase had been gone for 9 months. I was sitting in the game room with King and his friend Kevin playing video games. Still not my favorite thing to do, but my brain was fried from all the studying.

Right before my turn, my phone rang from a number I didn’t recognize and I assumed it was Chase.

“Hello?”

“Hi, this is Broc from VCU. May I speak with Lillian?”

“This is Lillian.”

“Lillian, I wanted to let you know we have a program that I think you should look into. We are currently accepting applications.”

He continued to explain that if I was accepted I would complete my senior year at college and I would get a scholarship to cover my tuition and gain college credit. It would only be for a year and then I could go wherever I wanted.

I thanked him for the information and gave him my email address. I hung up the phone excited but realized Chase would be home and he wouldn’t want me to leave. He would most likely mark me and we would start our lives together.

For the first time in my life I wasn’t sure that was what I wanted at 16. To be able to study under this program would be amazing.

I dropped my controller and ran upstairs. I heard King yelling at me but I was too focused on checking out the application.

I read through it and immediately started to fill out the application. I then filtered through all of my drawings, picking my favorite ones and ran to my Dad’s office to scan them.

I burst through the door to find my Dad and Eli Chase's Dad sitting in the office.

“Hey princess, can I help you with something?”

“I just need to scan some of my drawings.” But I stopped from the look on Eli’s face. I knew something was wrong.

“Lillian… Chase has to use his phone call to call myself and his Mother. He didn’t have enough time to call us both.”

“ OK, I understand I mean you are his parents.”

Eli chuckled. “He would skip talking to his parents to talk to you easily….but his great grandpa passed away and he wanted to let us know.”

“Oh I am so sorry.” I didn’t really know what to say. This was a first for me. Wolves are not immortal but we do live a really long time…normally.

“He had a great life and had no regrets.”

“Are you going to go to the funeral?”

“Yes, and we leave today.”

“Could I…..Could I come? I would love to be able to support you guys.”

“I wish Lillie. Chase asked the Alpha. He said he would only allow myself and Laney.”

‘Oh I understand. Please give Chase my love.”

I smiled and went to the scanner and I could feel both my Dad and Eli still watching me. I wasn’t sure if it was because I had taken the news about Chase’s call so well or if they wanted to know what I was scanning, but I didn’t turn around till I was done.

“Thanks Daddy….and Eli I am so sorry your family has to go through this but please give them my love.” I hugged him once again and headed back to my room.

I know I should be more upset about missing Chase’s call but I couldn’t be sad. This was the first time I was excited to do something for myself. Isn’t that what Chase wanted in the first place?

I went back to my room and spent the next 2 hours reading and rereading my application. After I felt 100% I sent the application.

I laid down thinking about Chase. I hope he is ok. My heart hurt that I couldn’t be with him during this time.

It was then I realized it would be a total of 4 months without talking to him. I almost felt like I lost a part of me. But at the same time it made it even easier to be away from him.