Chapter 8

The next morning, I began to pack all of my valuable watches and jewelry into a beautiful wooden box I got for my 10th birthday. Before I close the box, I grab the flashdrive Rosemary gifted me and tuck it gently in a drawer in the bottom.

To keep things discreet, I am only taking my laptop and a week's worth of clothes that I can fit into my backpack and my motorcycle's saddlebags. I glance around my room one last time to make sure there is nothing else I would miss before hiding my backpack and heading downstairs to breakfast.

The second my mother sees me approach the table her face lights up. Turning to my father she beams "Yesterday, Astra and I were able to get so many things done for the ceremony. She, Rosemary and I had so much fun, didn't we Astra." She says looking back at me for affirmation. I nod, but my father doesn't even glance up from his iphone as he grunt, "Good"

I take my seat and reach out towards the croissants, before my mother continues. "I should have known, of course a woman would want her best friend with her to do all the normal wedding things. I was worried for nothing, we just needed to invite along her little friend and Astra was good to go."

This immediately caught my father's attention, though I couldn't understand why. He looked at me calculating and thoughtful. I felt uneasy under his gaze.

"Of course, dear" He answered my mother, " Women love doing girly things like weddings and shopping together. I should have thought of that myself. "

I watched as he tapped a few buttons on his phone and brought it to his ear.

"Melody," He said the moment the phone stopped ringing, " Have your daughter pack up some clothes and come over, she will be staying with us until the Mating Ceremony. She will have the honor of being Astra's attendant from now forward." The Alpha tone in his voice made it clear that this was not a request and Rosemary would not be coming back home ever.

When a Luna or new Luna gets an attendant she will be the one who will not only help her through her wedding but will also be with her to ensure she adjusts well in her new life as Luna. And since Ludvich lives far away that means my attendant would be expected to move with me and no longer belong to her own pack but the pack of her mistress instead.

When my father hangs up he turns to me. "Now you will have company, so I expect you to do what you are told for both of your sake's"

I understand the threat. My father can't do too much physically to punish me. I am supposed to be Ludvich's shiny new toy. But he can do whatever he wants to Rosemary. And if I don't stay in line. She will always be right there for him to punish in my stead.

—-

When Rosemary is escorted into my room, less than an hour later, by the Beta himself. I feel my heart rip open. If I run she will be punished and If I stay she will be ripped away from her mom and her pack.

As I watch the Beta leave, I start to apologize profusely. "I'm sorry you got dragged into this, the Alpha is using you to keep me in check. " I stumble out. She nods at me already aware of her situation, from her face I can tell she is already thinking of a solution.

"You're my best friend" she finally says, coming towards me but typing away on her cell. "I have no problem going with you wherever you go" she finishes.

At the same time she holds her phone up for me so I can read the screen.

"Same plan, but now, we both run." The screen reads

My eyes grow wide. " Looks like the bracelets work" she jokes aloud "Your wish came true. "'

"This is not what I meant." I huff. She just shrugs.

It's one thing for me to be packless, I don't have a wolf. But for her to be packless means her wolf would never get a mate. I don't want a life for her where she is always on the run. I want her to settle down. Find her dream goth dude with black eyeliner and a wolf. Have little bat cubs. I want her to be happy, and she can't be happy if she's on the run. I know what I have to do.

I look at her seriously.

"Looks like I'm getting married. " I say dryly.

She shakes her head. "I am not letting you." she argues back. Just as my mother walks in the door.

She smiles at us sweetly "Would you ladies like some refreshments? "

Her sudden presence startles me. How much has she heard? Damn, that's probably why Rosemary was using her phone and not talking.

My mom sets the tea set and a plate of biscuits and preserves down. She hands me a cup and then gives Rosemary another cup.

"So Rosemary is going to be your attendant, isn't that fun." she says, taking the third cup and sitting down on my office chair.

She sips her tea, and I sip mine. I search her face for any clue as to if she's heard us.

Thankfully, Rosemary breaks the silence. "It's always great to be close to Astra, I was honored the Alpha even thought of me for such an important task. "

My mother nodded thoughtfully.

"It was an honor indeed. Your father was so gracious to ensure that you had an attendant. When I was getting married I had no one. "

"I am very grateful" I answered, doing my best not to roll my eyes. My mother kept talking but as usual, I paid no attention to what she was saying.

After we finished our drinks. I was relieved that she got up and walked out the room.

Rosemary and I exchanged glances. "Do you think she heard us?" I questioned after I looked out my door to make sure no one else was around.

" I couldn't really tell." Rosemary said. Looking at where my mother just was as well.

She walked to my sitting room and pulled out the sofa bed. Then began to set up her things around the room including a small black object she placed gently among the black pens in the organizer on my desk?

" I stared at her confused. "

"It's a camera." she stated'' I've placed them around the house to track movement. I just want to be careful." From where I am standing I can see a part of my house on her phone.

" That's a good idea. "I start, ready to go back to the discussion my mom had interrupted. "But I'm not running. You're too important to me, for me to risk your future."

"And I feel the same way," She argues.

"You don't know what my father will do to you if he catches us. Staying won't cost me my life. But leaving could cost you yours. " I plead

"Staying could cost us both of ours" she counters. "You know what they said about what happened to his previous Luna. People say he killed her. " she retorts

"And what do you think he will do to you, if he knew you helped me escape?"

We stare each other down in a battle of wills.

She talks first. "I will not go to bridgecrest, and I will not let my 18 year old lesbian best friend marry a 40 something year old murderous pedophile, who is known to be a cruel man." She stares at me. Daring me to argue."

"We run" she states, her voice serious and absolute.

"We run" I agree weakly.

I sit on the edge of my bed. My whole body is feeling the nerves and my heart begins to race.

Rosemary rushes towards me as I lean back to my pillows. The room starts spinning, as I shut my eyes, the world goes black.