Chapter 1: Farewell Party

Adrian POV

“Adrian! Come on!” I heard Navy call out.

I chuckled. “Am I not allowed to be late to my own party?”

“No! Get your butt down here, or I’m sending Reid in!”

This time I really laughed. “That is not a threat. That’s an opportunity to screw with you.”

“Adrian Willis! You’re impossible!”

I finished combing my hair. It’s gotten longer. I really should get it cut, but it doesn’t really matter anymore. I’m not trying to look good for anyone anymore. Not since…her.

I don’t even want to say her name anymore. I don’t want to think about her either. I just want to close this chapter of my life and move on. I have been with Blue Moon for a total of four years. I just turned twenty-two last week. Reid and Navy were great. They celebrated my birthday, and everyone in the family called me.

I know everyone is trying to be careful around me. I appreciate their consideration, but I just want to move on. I don’t want them walking on eggshells for me. I’m hoping things will be different in Blackstone.

I came down to the dining hall. When I walked through the double doors, bangers and streamers burst through the air. Everyone is cheering, and a big banner is hung that says, “WE WILL MISS YOU! STAY!”

I chuckled. Reid came up to me and hugged me. “I hate that you are leaving, but I understand. The door is always open if you ever want to come back, brother.”

“Thanks, bro.”

Navy and Nala came up to me and hugged me. They both kissed my cheeks.

“Brother, you'd better come visit often!” Navy said.

Nala laughed. “We are going to be at Blackstone soon anyway. Mom and Dad are going to come, too!”

I smiled. “That’s great. I can’t wait to see you already!”

Jules comes up and claps my shoulder. “I can’t believe you are going, man. I get it, but I also hate it.”

“Blue Moon is getting an excellent Beta couple, Jules. Don’t hesitate to call me if you need advice.”

Renz and Lacey come up to me. Lacey hugs me, tears in her eyes. “Don’t you be a stranger! You need to keep in touch with us.”

“I promise, Aunt Lacey.”

“Damn right, you will. I will whoop your ass if you try to forget us, Adrian,” Renz said.

“I welcome a good sparring, anytime, Uncle Renz.”

I go around the room and talk with everyone. We all eat, and then several people start telling funny stories about me. I noticed no one touched the topic about her. I’m glad. She is the reason I’m leaving the place I called home for four years.

By the end of the night, everyone started saying their goodbyes and leaving one by one. Their expressions are somber now, compared to the beginning of the night. It’s okay, though. I understand the sadness all too well.

Reid pulled me aside before I called it a night. “Adrian,” he began. “I haven’t wanted to broach the subject, because I know you are hurting. But are you really okay? I know your reasons for leaving.”

“I need a change of scenery, Reid. Everything that happened felt like it broke something in me. I can’t walk around this pack without thinking of her. I can’t sleep in my room without thinking about her betrayal. I want and need to get past her. I can’t do that here. I’m okay, but I need to be better. I want to close this chapter.”

He clapped my shoulder. “It feels like you are running away.”

“I’m saying goodbye. Goodbye to her memory. It will live in my mind, but I don’t want the constant reminders, Reid. Plus, Aiden and Thalia are going to need help with their pups.”

Reid laughed. “Tell me about it. Floating pups! They will never stay out of the cookie jar in the kitchen.”

I laughed. “Don’t get me started with Rosie and Teagan. Those two are sassy like Thalia. When they want to tell you off, they shift into their wolf form and do it. No fear either.”

“Yeah, can you imagine when those two get mated. I feel sorry for their mates,” Reid chuckled.

“Tell me about it,” I smiled.

Reid became serious again for a moment. “If you ever feel like you need some place to call home, let me know. You always have a place here, brother.”

I hugged him. “Thanks, man.”

“Love you, little brother. It pains me to see you this way.”

“I’m sure the Moon Goddess had a reason to do this to me,” I said. “Good night.”

I walked upstairs and went to my new and temporary room. Tomorrow morning, I will go to Blackstone and assume my role as Beta there. Tonight, though, I sleep. In the morning, I will say goodbye to her one last time. Goodbye to the memories of her that linger here. Goodbye to a life that wasn’t happy. Goodbye to a bond that was stolen and then destroyed.