Chapter 14

Storm

I thought that it was crazy that I had been here in Ireland for a week already, but I had to admit, I had found that I had seemed to be finding my feet alright.

Since I had been here, I had taken to working out extensively in the university’s gym at all hours of the day and night and running for hours along assorted paths of an evening and between classes. It hadn’t taken me long to settle into my classes and honestly; I was finding university life extremely enjoyable.

Winter and I had taken to calling each other every Tuesday and Friday night. This was so we could keep in touch easier. I enjoyed talking to her about what her and Felix had both been doing throughout the week and filling her in on my week. It was great that we were able to let each other know we were okay. I found I had peace of mind knowing she was okay, and I am sure she felt the same way.

The girls and I had been spending a lot of time together outside of classes, and it surprised me at how well we were all getting along. The four of us were all studying subjects in the medical field, but we had no classes together. Leah was studying to become a midwife. Lilly was studying psychology and Julie was studying to become a physical therapist. They were incredibly smart girls, and I just knew they were all going to excel in their chosen fields.

When I had found out what the girls were studying, I had been sure to tell them right from the start that I would not be their guinea pig, so everything they learned in their classes was not going to be getting tested out on me, and in return I would not use them as guinea pigs. Although I had been serious when I had told them that, my statement had earned me a laugh from each of them. Yeah, I had allowed them to laugh at me at the time. But all I had to say on the matter was, they might think that I was joking, but I wasn’t!

I was getting into a routine since I had been living in the dorm, and I had to admit, I was enjoying the carefree life of a university student. I couldn’t remember the last time I had felt this free, it had to have been before my mother died that’s for sure. It was refreshing for me, being able to go through my day without looking over my shoulder or feeling the never-ending fear I had felt for so long.

However, as much as I was loving living in Ireland and my newfound freedom, there were things that moving to Ireland hadn’t been able to change. Like the issues I now lived with because of my father and brother. There were a few things I had to contend with, and I hoped that in time, I would overcome them. Because of the years of abuse that I had endured at their hands, I now lived with anxiety; so large groups of people, strangers and unfamiliar places left me feeling incredibly anxious. A novelty for me since moving to Ireland, was that I could now sleep through the night without the fear of someone busting into my bedroom to beat me.

However, despite how safe I felt being away from my pack, I still slept in my wolf form every night. I had become used to doing that as a security measure after what I had gone through when I was living through Mason’s and my father’s abuse. It had become a habit from my first day here, to have my shower of an evening right before I was going to bed. I would clean my teeth while I was in the shower, then instead of getting dressed, I would just shift into my wolf form after I had dried off and make my way into mine and Lilly’s room.

I will admit that it had surprised the girls that I did that, but they asked no questions, they just let me know that they wouldn’t question me about it, but that they were there if I ever wanted to talk to them about anything. The girls and I were growing closer day by day. Our friendships were strong even though we had only just met. It was crazy how you could meet someone and feel like you had known them forever.

The girls had accepted me into their little family group, and I was thankful for their kindness and acceptance. But despite our growing friendships, I was still hiding everything from them. I had to admit that I felt dreadful about it, however; it was a necessity, my very life depended on my secrets being kept. No matter how much I enjoyed spending time with the girls, or how close we got. I had to be mindful that I was playing a very dangerous game where one false move could mean certain death. Not just for me, but for any one I was close to as well. And the closer I got to the girls, if I foolishly trusted them with my secrets, I knew I would just be signing their death warrants.

Every time the girls and I spent time together outside of the classroom, we always went to places that other university students frequented. I had to admit; I was having so much fun here in Ireland; I was enjoying the opportunity to experience new things as I engrossed myself within Ireland’s culture and vast beauty. The one thing I was having to get used too, was the vast change in the environment. Out here, there wasn’t constant sunshine, the days were crisp and overcast, and as for the rain, I had never seen so much rain in my life. But the countryside was lovely, everything was green. So, so green. I had never thought I would ever live to see so much green grass!

I had never been one for frigid climates. My entire life I had always objected to going to places I knew were going to be cold. But I had to admit, I was falling in love with Ireland. There was just something special about this place that drew me in and made me feel like I belonged here. To be honest, I think the main reason that Winter and Felix had thought me moving to a cold climate was a good idea was because no one would expect me to do it. I had to agree, coming here to Ireland was a great idea, because Mason and my father wouldn’t expect me to go somewhere where the climate was as cold as it was here. But with Ireland, I loved it! Even though I had to wear numerous layers of clothing just to go outside and enjoy myself, as far as I was concerned, it was worth it. When we were out of our classes, the girls showed me around the town and took me to their favourite stores.

I found that the girls loved to shop and spend money every chance they got. It was as if shopping was their favourite pass time. Hell, I think if shopping were an Olympic sport, these girls would take the gold medal.

I will admit that it shocked me when I saw how expensive things were in Ireland. It was so different to America. When I had first gotten here, I had had to exchange my money I had brought with me to Irish money, and the exchange rate had almost killed me. Whenever we were shopping, seeing the girls as they were on our various shopping trips, spending money almost like it was going out of fashion, along with the way they dressed in their expensive brand-named clothing, I could see that the girls, came from money, just like I did.

We had gotten so close in such a short time that it had made losing Winter seem a tad more bearable for me. I still missed Winter like crazy but having the girls’ friendships made the heartache just a little easier for me to bear. By now, I felt as if I had known the girls forever. I was so comfortable around them, which surprised me because apart from Kat and Winter and my now Felix; I wasn’t comfortable around anyone.