Chapter Nine

I drag myself out of bed. I didn't sleep good at all. I go take a shower hoping that will awaken me. The hot steam seems to be doing the trick. I get out and dry off. I'm not going to worry much about fixing myself up. Just planning on hanging around the palace today. The teachers are supposed to have our exam grades and final grades posted today by one o'clock. I throw on a pair of shorts and a t-shirt. Then head downstairs to the dining hall.

As I get near the doorway of the dining hall, I can hear my parents and brother talking. I hear my name a couple times. I step into the room and they stop their discussion and look at me. What is everyone talking about.

"We were just talking about you moving to the Blue Moon Packs palace. Nothing to worry about." My mom says.

It feels like they are keeping something from me. I just take my seat. My mom keeps glancing over at me with what appears to be a tear in her eyes. The servants start bringing our food out and it looks delicious. I love Belgian Waffles. I eat but it looks like something is bothering my mom. Mom, are you sure everything is ok?

"Yes dear, I'm just thinking about how soon your graduation is and that you will be having to leave us soon."

Do you know how soon? My father looks over to my mom and gives her a stern look.

"No, honey. We just know it will be after your graduation." She says.

"Erica, to make the move easier it would probably be best if you go ahead and go through your things. Get rid of the things you don't want anymore and keep the things you do." My father says to me.

Ok. I will. We finish eating and get on with our day. I go up to my room and I have a servant bring me some boxes and trash bags. I start putting some of the figurines I have collected in a box, along with some framed pictures of my family and friends. I leave a few hanging on the walls so the room doesn't look so bare. It is a slow go as I thing of the memories of when the pictures were taken. I look at my table clock and it is almost one. They should have my grades posted by now. I go over to my laptop and login to my school's website. They have been posted: A in English/Lit, A in Advanced Biology, A in Psychology, and A in Calculus. I can't believe I got straight A's this semester also. I was worried about Calculus. I had straight A's the first semester. I took Government, Economics, Art IV, and Physics. I printed out a copy of my grades to show my parents and headed down to my dad's study. He wasn't in there so I placed it on his desk next to his laptop.

I think I've got enough items packed for today. I'm going to reward myself for the good grades by relaxing by the pool. I go to my room and change into a swimsuit. I grab my robe and towel. I spread my towel out on one of the lounge chairs and lay down. I coated myself good with sunscreen before I put my swimsuit on. I burn very easy because of my fair skin. One major draw back about being a red head. The warmth of the sun feels so good. I've been so stressed lately with meeting Caleb and my final exams. I get up and go down the steps in the pool. I really enjoy swimming. I learned at a very young age. My mother said I was like a fish. I guess you could say my father taught me how to swim. He picked me up and threw me into the pool and said, "Sink or Swim." I swam.

My dad was hard on us but it was the way he was raised. It made us stronger and we have a sense of self knowing that if we work hard enough we can accomplish anything. I know being the Alpha's daughter comes with a lot of advantages but they didn't come free. My brother and I have worked along side our parents. So we could learn how to run the kingdom. So many people baby their children now adays and they are ruining them. They think it is good parenting but its not. A parent's job is to prepare their children for life on their own. So many want something for nothing. I am afraid of what the future holds for them. As leaders we make rules and enforce them but we don't want to take total control over the packs lives. I really hope it doesn't come to that.

I get out of the pool and dry off. I need to get myself ready for dinner. I go up to my room and take a shower. I get out and get dressed for dinner and head to the dining hall. I walk in and take my seat. My father looks at me smiling.

"Congratulations, on your excellent grades. We are very proud of you. I faxed a copy of them to the Alpha of the Blue Moon Pack. I'm sure they wanted to see how smart their future Luna is." My father said.

Our food is brought in and we begin to eat. No one is speaking much. Then my mother asks me.

"Have you got much packing done?"

Yes, I've got a lot of my stuff into boxes. Tomorrow and going to go through my clothes and send the ones I don't want any more to the second-hand store in the village. I plan on packing my books I want to take with me tonight.

"Sounds like you've got it handled." She says..

I hope so. We finish eating and I head back to my room. I gather some of my favorite books. I love to reread some of them. You sometimes get a different take on some of them the next read. I put them in some smaller boxes because books can get heavy. Since mom and dad are pushing for me to pack already, I have a feeling when I get home from graduation or the next day I will be leaving. My phone rings. So I answer it. Hello.

"Good evening baby. I hope I'm not calling you too late."

No, I'm still up.

"Good, I have really missed you. Congratulations on your grades. I'm very proud of you."

Thank you. I have a question. I've heard you have a girlfriend. Is that true?

"Well. It was true but I recently broke up with her."

How recently?

"The night of your birthday. After I smelt you as my mate. She isn't happy with me at all. She wanted to be my Luna."

What is her name?

"Leah, she is our Beta's daughter. I've known her almost my whole life. I had thought we would end up together. But that isn't going to happen."

Ok, I was curious what I would be encountering.

"Do you have a boyfriend?"

Ha, ha. No, to be perfectly honest. I have never dated anyone."

"Never? Oh, my goodness. I would have never guessed that. You are so beautiful."

It was known in our pack that I am in an arranged marriage to you and the guys are afraid of you.

"So, you are a virgin."

Yes. I know this is probably a stupid question. But are you?

"No, I'm sorry. I've been with Leah a long time."

I didn't expect you to be.

"What have you been up to today?"

I've been packing my stuff.

"Packing?"

Yes, my parents said I should go through my things and pack what I want to take with me to your palace.

"I guess that's a good idea. That way nobody has to pack for you. That you get to bring what you want to."

Tomorrow I'm going to start working on my clothes. I'm going to send the ones I don't want anymore to a second-hand store in the village. I'm not packing my clothes yet. I'll wait until the day I'm leaving probably.

"I need to let you go so you can rest. I love you. Hope you sleep well. Goodnight."

Goodnight. I love you, too.

I get in bed and go to sleep. I dream a lot about living in the palace with Caleb. It is like a fairy tale.

I awaken happy and rested. I run downstairs to eat real quick so I can get to work going through my clothes. I eat my breakfast not speaking much to anyone.

"Are you alright my dear?" My mother asks.

Yes, mother. I just want to get started on going through my clothes and I need to pick out a dress to wear with my cap and gown. There is also a graduation party at a friends house tonight I might go to. Katie and I were thinking about catching a movie before it starts.

"Ok if you do go. Be careful. Remember the witches are after you."

I will. I head on up to my room. I start looking through my dresses. I need to find one that will look nice for graduation. I think I finally decided on a knee length white sun dress embroidered with white flowers and a pair of my high heel strappy shoes.

Now that is decided I start going through my closet. Everything I don't want anymore I fold and place in boxes. I then start looking through my drawers. I place some old sweaters into the boxes and put the others back into the drawers. I go back into my closet and grab a few pairs of shoes I don't wear anymore and place them into a box. I believe I've boxed up everything I don't want any more. I contact one of the servants to take the boxes into the village.

I head down stairs for dinner with the family. We enjoy a delicious meal of roast beef, mashed potatoes and green peas. I hug my parents and go back to my room so I may prepare for the evening. I put on a pair of capris, tank top and short sleeve cardigan, with a pair of sandals.

I head back down to my suv. Jacob and Joseph are waiting there for me. I get in and we take off to the theater. Katie isn't here yet. So we park and go inside to wait. She comes running in.

"I'm so sorry for being late."

It isn't a problem the movie hasn't started yet. We go get our tickets, popcorn and drinks. Then take our seats. I feel sorry for Jacob and Joseph having to sit through another chic flick. But they never complain. They are such nice men one day I know they will make wonderful husbands to their mates. The movie is over and it was so good.

"Erica, are you going to the party?" Katie asks.

No, I'm tired I think I'm going home to rest. Plus, Caleb has been calling me at night. I don't want to miss him.

"Ok, I'm going. It sounds like it will be fun. I'll see you tomorrow."

Alright, have enough fun for the both of us. I head back to the suv and we drive off to the palace. We arrive and I head inside and back up to my room. Caleb hasn't called yet so I decide to take a bath to relax. I fill the tub and add some vanilla-lavender bubble bath. I get in. I lay my head back against a towel and close my eyes. My phone rings I reach over and answer it. Hello.

"Hey Baby. It's Caleb. How are you?"

I'm doing good. Went out to a movie with Katie and then I came back here. She went on to a party. I'm relaxing in a bath right now.

"I'm sorry to interrupt."

It's fine. I enjoy talking to you. How was your day?

"It went ok. I had to go to another pack to handle some things. I haven't long gotten back. I just wanted to check on you. Hope everything goes great for you tomorrow. I'm going to head to bed. Enjoy your bath. Goodnight and I love you."

Goodnight. I love you too. I get out of the bath and dry off. I put my gown on and get into bed. In no time I'm asleep.