A New Pack

Jezebel

My head is pounding, and I can hear a faint voice telling me to open my eyes. As the voice gets louder, I recognize it is my mothers. My eyes pop open, and I sit up quickly. The room is blurry, and I keep blinking til it comes into focus. "Did I faint?"

"Yes, hunny. You did," my mother says. She looks rough. Her eyes are puffy, and her cheeks are flushed. Her face is tear streaked and full of worry. Her blonde hair is a frizzy mess. How long was I out, I wonder.

"I don't suppose that any of what I remember happening was only a dream?" I question hopefully.

"No. It wasn't a dream, Jezebel. I am so sorry. I can't believe this is happening, but Alpha Theodore has exiled you. He claims suspicions of you being a witch. He justifies his claim with the fact that your wolf has yet to emerge and you are nearing your eighteenth birthday. He also believes you have cast a spell on the majority of the pack, which is why you are so adored. He says your name even sounds witchy. He does not place blame on your father and I. He says we do not have to leave. Only you do." My mother cups my face in her hands again. " I am so so sorry, Jezebel."

I sit in disbelief. How could Alpha think I am a witch? I wouldn't doubt that Tisha had something to do with this. What a glorious day it is indeed, for my nemesis. If I were not a wolf, how could I mind link with the pack? Why would I be able to talk with my wolf and hear her voice? I know I am not wolfless, and I am not a witch, but no one believes I can hear my wolf, not even my parents. Apparently, you can only hear your wolf after your first turn. Guess I am an anomaly because my wolf and I have been attached for as long as I can remember. Jade has always been with me.

"Where am I supposed to go?" I ask, with tears puddling the corners of my eyes.

"We are going to join the Wolvesbane pack. My brother is a Gamma there, and his Alpha agreed to let us seek refuge and stay with your Uncle Jedd for a while." My mother says as she pushes strands of hair behind my ear.

"You and dad are coming with me?" I ask excitedly.

"No, hunny," my mom replies sadly. "Your father doesn't want to leave his position as Beta."

Wow. My father chose being Beta over me. That hurts!

We begin packing. I fill a duffel bag with clothes and a few pairs of shoes. I put my perfumes, lotions, and other miscellaneous beauty products in a large arm bag. My mom does the same, but her stuff is packed in a suitcase, not a duffel bag. We load up the few possessions we are bringing with us and get in my mom's car. As we pull out of the drive, my stomach aches. I am leaving the only home I have known for nearly eighteen years.

As we get farther away from Silverhair territory, my mother begins to sweat profusely and is groaning in pain. She pulls over.

"It hurts, Jezebel. I am in so much pain. I thought I could handle it, but I can't. I am so sorry. I can't go with you." My mother speaks in a jagged voice. She is gasping for breath, and I can see that she is in serious pain.

"Mom! What is happening?" I cry. I am so scared. I have never seen anyone hurt this much!

"It is the mate bond. Your father is hurting, too. It will hurt until it is severed. Once it is severed, we will never have another mate. The Moon Goddess rarely ever blesses one with a second mate once a mate bond has been severed. Mate bonds are sacred gifts, and the further I get away from your father, the less sure I am about breaking it. Not just because it hurts so much but because I love him." She gasps.

My heart is breaking. I don't want to join a new pack alone. I am scared, but I also understand. I am not angry that my mother has changed her mind. I am still angry at my father, though. If he had chosen to come with us, none of this would even be an issue.

"Mom. Let me drive. I am going to take you closer to Silverhair territory so you will not hurt anymore. You can call dad and have him pick you up. I will drive to Wolvesbane pack alone....assuming I can have your car that is," I suggest.

"Thank you, Jezebel. Of course. It is the least I can do now that I am no longer coming with you. I hope you can forgive me. You do not deserve this, hunny!" My mom is sobbing again.

"I love you, mom. I understand, and I am not mad at you." I say.

She continues to whimper until we near Silverhair territory. We embrace for a while, and she tells me to be brave. I get in the car and drive off, leaving my mom and her suitcase in my rear view.

*****

My heart begins to race as I enter Wolvesbane territory. It is gated and surrounded by tall, thick walls. I stop in front of the gate and get out of the car.

"Who are you, and what business do you have?" A guard calls down from one of the watch towers.

"My name is Jezebel. I am here to seek refuge with my uncle, Jedd Black. Your Alpha has permitted it," I reply. The guard gets on his radio, and after confirming my story, they open the gates to allow me to pass through. The guard provided me with my uncle's address and directions to get there. They seem easy enough. I get back in the car and drive towards my new home.

I pull up in front of a small grey house with navy blue shutters and a black door. There aren't any flowers or garden decorations. This house appears to have never seen a feminine touch. A man who looks to be in his early forties steps out on the porch. He is tall and has a long brown beard. His hair is also long and braided down his back. He has emerald eyes, like my mother. He looks like a biker dressed head to toe in black leather. He is muscular and has a lot of tattoos. Must be Uncle Jedd. I take a deep breath and exhale slowly. I open up the car door and prepare to begin my new life as a member of the Wolvesbane pack.