☽ Chapter 14: A Place to Call Home ☾

I frown as my gaze focuses on the trees outside, staying close to the window and as far away from the others in the room. Alex sighs in frustration while my father sips his coffee awkwardly. Ira was called for an emergency after my shower, leaving an Acolyte to lead us to her office and wait for her return to discuss a good position for my own pack to be built. Amberle, to my amusement, decided to curl up on the sofa to take a nap. You would think a strong Alpha would be more energetic but seeing as only a few years ago she was in my position as a Rogue, I actually envy her ability to sleep whenever. “Gem, I just don’t understand why you do not want to go to your father’s pack.” Alex growls, running a hand through his hair in frustration after a moment of silence, causing me to close the book I was reading to glare at him. “You would be safer there and not have to worry about pack duties. There will be protection for you and everything.” My brother continues, causing my frustration to grow. I’m hearing the same argument all over again, just hours before choosing a pack location for myself. “Enough, Alex!” A growl of warning follows my words. My blood is boiling in anger at my brother sounding like a broken record every day since meeting my father, a record that I was tempted to snap in half at this moment. “I get it, you want the structure of an already established pack, but have you thought about my feelings? Everyone there is a stranger to me, and they will be questioning my every move either secretly or openly. With my little brother, they will be wondering if I will steal his position as the next Alpha.” I start listing the problems I already know will arise with joining my father’s pack and sigh. As happy as I am with getting to know my real family, I need my freedom, my own place to call home, and a chance at a proper life for myself. I’m tired of the gazes of others and the ridiculed and distrustful looks from those who don’t know me and refuse to get to know me. “You can either follow me and help me build a place where we can be ourselves and be free, or you can join my father’s pack. But I need my freedom.” I finish, ending this discussion and turning on my heels, intending to walk out the office and find someplace to calm down. Ira can come and find me later. “Gem, where are you going?” Alex growls, his frustration radiating off of him. “Away from here. When you are ready to get your head out of your ass, come find me!” I shout back over my shoulder, pushing the door open only to come face-to-face with a confused-looking Ira. “Uh, is everything okay, Little Wolf?” Her voice calms my nerves slightly, her being one of few people who respects my wishes. “Just the usual argument, Ira.” My father’s voice sounds behind me, his hand now on my shoulder as he gives it a reassuring squeeze. “But we are ready to find Geminie a place for her pack.” He adds, a look of pride in his eyes. Relief washes over me like a fresh, cooling rain on a scorching summer day and I smile, grateful for his understanding. It’s not that I don’t want to be in the same pack as my father, it’s that I’m worried his pack will think I’m taking away what rightfully belongs to Connor. At least with creating my own pack, my family in Northern Snow can escape the northern climate of Canada and come relax far from pack duties. “Well, if that’s the case, I know I said I have many sights for you to see and decide on, but the emergency that I had to tend to had me to stumble across a map of a specific area that also includes the very thing you want.” Ira continues, winking at me. My smile widens even more at the mention of my request, a place that would be safe for Ira and the Unicorns, with just as much - if not more - magic for them. Only Ira and I knew about this request, as the she-wolf had quickly gain my trust and respect in the short time we have known each other, letting me know my feelings were valid and my wants and needs were okay for me to have and work towards. I know Ira would always be on my side if I needed someone to talk to and confide in, and this she-wolf has not let me down yet. One of these days, I will introduce her to Lizaria. A loud sigh is audible from the room, gaining a glare from Ira and an eye roll from me. “Mister Alex, you are more than welcome to find another pack if you are unhappy with Geminie’s decision.” As if speaking to a misbehaving child, Ira scolds Alex on my behalf and I sent her a silent thank you. A moment of silence passes before she smiles, and I assume that Alex has given in. “Good, glad to know you reluctantly will follow her lead. Now, I think it’s time to go as the Warrior I sent to scout the area is waiting for us to create your new home!” With that, she takes my hand and begins leading me out of the winding maze of the temple. A bittersweet feeling rises inside me as I look around the building that provided me safety and security, a place where the truth was revealed and whose keepers helped me to finally regain my freedom and life. “You can always come visit, Little Wolf.” Ira states, the she-wolf most likely sensing my feelings about leaving the Temple. I nod, allowing her to guide me down an unfamiliar hallway and outside to an area I have not yet explored. The first thing to greet me is Alex’s truck, the tow still as dinged up as I remember, but I have a new found gratitude for the somewhat unreliable vehicle. With Alex at the wheel, this truck brought me to safety after one of the worst days I have experienced. Next to the truck is something I did not expect to see, as I take a step towards the 1970 Dodge Charger R/T in matte black, one I am itching to climb in and drive. “I know it’s been a few days, but Happy Birthday, Gem.” Alex stands beside me, a bashful look on his face as I turn to look at my brother in shock, the anger from his overprotective nature fading away fast. “Thank you!” I whisper, instinctively giving my brother a hug, which seems to shock him as our fights have been causing great tension between us. “You know I would do anything for you, Gems.” He whispers back and I nod, taking in his comforting scent. Even if we fight, Alex will always be there for me and I for him. “Glad to see you two made up, but we need to hit the road. It’s about a day’s drive to where I want to take you!” Ira calls out and I smile. Alex pulls away from me to hand me a set of keys, nodding his head in the direction of my car. With a childish squeal, I rush to the driver’s side, climbing in and adjusting the seat and mirrors before starting the car. the purr of the engine makes a childish grin spread across my face. Ira, the navigator of this trip, joins me in my car. “Comfy.” She states while buckling in and putting on a pair of sunglasses. I chuckle, putting the car into drive just as a dazed Amberle climbs into her own car and winks at me. Now, I start the journey to my new pack.

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The journey will take twenty-four hours to complete, as Ira had stated yesterday, so we stop at a motel as soon as the sky turns dark. “Double Baconator, extra-large fries, and a large Coca-Cola for Gems.” My father calls out as soon as he enters the room Ira and I share. Alex and Connor walk in with both arms full of takeout. “I wanted the same!” Amberle calls out, coming over and sneaking a fry from my bag, making me roll my eyes and shove the fire-haired she-wolf away with a playful growl. “Ooooh, feisty." She teases with a giggle, taking a bite of the stolen fry. Alex chuckles, handing her a bag and another to Ira before sighing and taking a seat on the floor. “So, what’s the plan when we get to this perfect pack place?” My brother asks before tearing into a burger of his own. Ira holds out a finger, her mouth full of food with a look of bliss on her face. “One, I am so glad to be out with you and taking you to your new pack location. I haven’t had a burger from any fast food joint since the 1970s.” She says before taking a sip of her drink. My father starts to laugh in response. “That’s like fifty years ago!” Connor exclaims in shock, speaking through a mouth full of food. “Connor, chew, swallow, speak!” Amberle scolds, and I high-five the feisty she-wolf as my father chuckles and Connor looks away embarrassed. “Yep, and two—there is already a wolf who works for the temple there to ensure the area is cleared of Rogues and Soulless. We will meet up with him tomorrow.” Ira continues, answering both of my brothers. “Can we trust him?” My father asks and Ira smiles. “All I can say is he had a rough past similar to Geminie here. Considering he is a Rogue himself; he may ask to join the pack.” I smile at the prospect of my first packmate after Alex. I eat in silent, thinking of what this wolf may be like, hoping he has some form of training that can be used to help grow the pack in the next few weeks. I want to be stronger than Hidden Claws. “If he is a good wolf, I’ll let him join as a third member.” I state, already seeing Alex poised to argue. He sends me a pointed look; one I ignore for the moment as we finish our Wendy’s meals. Soon, my father announces we should get to bed for the long journey tomorrow and makes sure to drag Alex out behind him before he can start a fight. “Your brother sure is overprotective.” Amberle states and I groan, laying back onto my bed. “That’s a good thing. My brother was one of my tormenters growing up.” She continues on and I sigh. “He has always been there for me in Hidden Claws, helping and protecting me when I needed it. But now that we’re away from the pack and I can finally shift, his overprotectiveness is suffocating. I’m no longer a wolfless Omega, I am an Alpha and the Future Moon Goddess. I need to be able to learn and grow.” I explain, closing my eyes and releasing a deep sigh. Since becoming a Rogue and learning my true heritage, I’ve been able to experience life without the fear of a beating or being screamed at. I’ve been able to train both my human and wolf forms without worry, and finally been able to eat my fill of food without any worry or fear of consequences. “Hopefully, he eases up after a few weeks of starting the new pack. Your brother loves you, even after learning you two aren’t related.” Ira chimes in. “Hopefully. If not, I will have to kick his ass a few times.” I agree, yawning as sleep creeps in and I drift off. Tomorrow, I will finally be able to see my new pack.