I woke up to my alarm blaring next to me, signaling that it was time to get up and ready for school. I had only recently talked my father into letting me attend public schools. "Juniper you know not what is out there. It's too dangerous!" Had been his excuse year after year until my final year of high school. I had begged and begged claiming that if he didn't allow me one year of regular school I would run for the hills. Needless to say he had caved. He knew how stubborn I could be. Although he failed to see I got it from him!
The past two months had been amazing. I had several friends and even had a crush! I couldn't believe how mundane everything seemed at the moment. My life had always been filled with isolation and constant moving. Ever since I was little all I could remember was my father whisking me from place to place never staying still for long. Anytime I would inquire as to why this had to be our life he would tell me he would explain everything when I was older. Well here I was at 17years old with still no clue why I had been doomed to live this life.
After getting dressed I stood in front of my mirror taking myself in. I was pretty short, only 5 foot 4 but that never bothered me. My eyes were a bright green today and my curly dark brown hair was actually behaving, which was rare.
I twirled around looking at the simple green dress I had decided on. Green always made my eyes pop, and I had decided today would be the day I told my crush Austin how I truly felt about him. I knew I would eventually have to say goodbye and my father had stressed time and time again to not get attached but I couldn't help it! All of the movies and books I read taught me that everyone needs love. I wanted to feel what I have only been able to read about. I closed my eyes and imagined telling Austin how I felt and him grabbing my hands to pull me into a kiss; confirming that the feeling was mutual. I opened my eyes, gave myself one last look, and then darted out of the bedroom. I grabbed a banana and headed towards the door when my father rushed out of his room; box in hand.
"Nooo! No no no!" I blurted out in dismay. "We've barely been here a few months! I don't want to leave!"
My father looked at me with sad eyes. "I'm so sorry, Junebug. I wish there was another way, but there's not. We have to go. Get your stuff together."
"Then tell me why!" I yelled back. Seeing my father flinch at my toan made me feel bad but my fury was all consuming. "All my life you have told me you would tell me why we live this way when I was old enough. If we were in the pack I'd be considered an adult!"
"We aren't in a pack Juniper." He was using his alfa voice trying to remind me who was in charge here. My wolf whimpered inside, willing me to back down.
"I don't care. If you don't tell me I'm not going!" I crossed my arms and leaned back onto the wall. I was so done with all of his secrets!! My wolf was uneasy, I could feel her pacing back and forth. She didn't like it when I stood up to her alfa, pack or no pack she would always consider him her alfa; that's just part of being a wolf. I however had a mind of my own.
My father ran a hand down his face. "I can't..." He started but I didn't let him get any further.
"Aggh!" I yelled as I stood up strait. "Fine! Don't trust me! I'm no longer your problem." I turned and ran out of the door. I couldn't let myself see the hurt that I'm sure washed over his face the minute those words left my mouth. My wolf was howling inside of me. I called on her for her strength and picked up speed. I knew exactly where I was going. Every time we moved I had always ventured out into the city around us, or country, and found a place only I knew of. A place I could go to think or if need be hide from whoever or what ever it was that was chasing us. My father had encouraged it, and even went as far as telling me not to tell him the location. He felt it would keep me even more safe if I didn't.
We were currently living in Tulsa Oklahoma so there had been an abundance of random places to choose from but I had chosen the hiking trails of what everyone here called Turkey Mountain. Why anyone would call the large hill a mountain was beyond me. However it does have quite a few trails and a pretty awesome spot where you could sit and either have a view of downtown or from the other side you had a view of the Arkansas River. I chose to sit on the rocks and look out at the river. Everything here was still wet with dew and shimmering in the early sun. Spring was finally here.
I spent the entire day walking up and down the trails. Nature always calmed me, as well as my wolf. By the time the sun began to set the fury I had been consumed with had disappeared. I damned my pride and started my way back to the two bedroom house that had only just begun to feel like home. When I walked through the door I sighed. My father already had everything we owned in a couple boxes and two back packs. I knew without opening them that all of our essentials would be in those bags. Incase we had to ditch the boxes and make a quick get away.
"Dad?" I called out. No one answered. I crossed through the living room towards his bedroom. "You here?" No answer. I turned back and noticed a paper stuck to the fridge. *Gone for supplies. Be back soon. - Dad * I dropped the paper on the counter. Then crossed over and plopped onto the loveseat. I pulled out my phone to see 9 missed texts and 3 missed calls. All 3 calls and 7 of the 9 texts were from my dad. Mainly him just telling me to come home. 1 text was from Aubrey. I wouldn't go as far as calling her my best friend but I was definitely closer to her then anyone else I knew. *Hey girl where you at?* I sighed as I backed out to look at the last text. I sat straight up when I saw the text was from none other than Austin. *Hey! Missed you today. Hope you're ok.* I was debating on what to respond, as well as if I even should respond; when Dad came barreling through the front door.
"OH thank God! Grab your bag we have to go, NOW." He looked so worried my voice caught in my throat. His eyes were pitch black. He was trying to keep his wolf at bay. All the times we have moved, he's never looked like this. My wolf started clawing at me from the inside wanting to be released. I pushed her back down as I jumped up. I grabbed my bag as he did the same. I went to pick up a box when he grabbed my arm. "There's no time! Let's go!" I followed him outside and into our old beat up pickup truck. No sooner had he started the engine he threw it into gear and took off. I quickly put my seat belt around me.
"What's going on?!" I questioned. For the first time ever I almost didn't want to know. Whatever had my father so distraught had to be bad. He was always so level headed and I had never seen him so afraid.
"They've found us." He said as he glanced at his rear view mirror.
"Who?" I asked.
He sighed and threw a glance my way. "Our old pack." He finally replied.
"Our old pack? Why would they be after us?"
"Not us. You! They will stop at nothing to have you!"
