Chapter 3

Mother does her best to cool Father down, while Asher and I sit in the living room.

"Do you think father will let keep it peaceful?" I try to start a conversation to distract both of us from the argument in the room beside us.

"From the way they're at it, no." Ash still seems fairly anxious.

"Is something else bothering you Ash?" He looks at me, and for a second, I see pain in his eyes.

"No."

I know there is, but he always keeps to himself, something about not wanting to bother the rest of us. But what is bothering me is him not saying what's going on.

I give him a half smile. "You can always talk to me Ash. I am here." He smiles back, once again hiding what's eating at his thoughts.

"I know Stella. I just need a little time to figure some things out." He gets up and heads into the kitchen, I hear the back door close.

I am alone for a second, until my thoughts catch up with me. Mya is still upstairs. I bolt through the kitchen and dining room and into the den where the second set of stairs are.

I make my way to her room; I hear her reciting off spells to distract herself. I give a small knock with the knuckle of my hand. Mya look up at me and smiles.

"Are Mama and Papa fighting?" I come over to here and kneel beside where she is reading.

I nod, "It's weird, they have never fought like this before." She nods back in agreement.

"Where did Bubba go?" I lick my lips trying to figure where Ash did go.

"I think he went to clear his head." She mouths 'oh' and leaves it at that.

The argument dies down soon after. It was weird seeing them like that, normally one of Mother's calming spells gets Father to cool down.

But this time he refused to comply. What was it about vampires that has him so upset?

I leave Mya after asking if she would be okay by herself. I make my way downstairs to find Mother and Father on the couch.

For being king and queen, they don't seem to do much, maybe I'll be fine after all. No! I can't believe I am starting to consider this. I do not want to be queen. I don't want to rule ten packs, I want to leave, explore the world.

Unless I leave, use this time to venture out of the packs, see everything I have ever wanted. I have 6 months before the ceremony, that should be enough time.

If not, I can always come back a little late. Oh who am I kidding!? Father would never allow this, if I even tried, he would send wolves after me. I would need inside help.

Asher!

I silently slip out the back door, Ash normally hides in the trees behind our house, but I couldn't find him. The next place I check is Cassy's.

"Hey Stella! What's up!" Cass runs up to give me a hug.

"Woah, girl you just saw me yesterday!" She finally lets go of my and plays with a strand of her blonde hair.

"I know, I know! It's just, you'll never guess what happened this morning." She begins walking to the couch and beckons me to follow.

"So, a few wolves from Shadow pack came by a few weeks ago to get clementine from the medicine den, and one of them was my mate! I could smell it! Isn't that exciting!" I give her a smile, it isn't that I'm not happy for her, it just reminds me that I need to find my own.

~

Cassy has been my best friend forever. Her parents are close with mine, her father is part of the council, while her mother and mine have also been friends for a while.

Cassy is also all wolf, and like me, her mother is a witch, while her father is one of our wolf warriors, and part of the council.

She looks a lot different than other wolves as well, she has blonde hair and blue eyes, while most wolves have brown hair and eyes. She gets it from her mother, who yes, also looks different from other witches.

Cassy has supported me with the entire, 'I shall not be queen' argument. She is one of the few on my side. Cassy also has a younger brother, who somehow is part wolf, part human. No one has been able to figure out how. My father figures it could be that their mother was half human without knowing, which could explain the hair and eye colors.

It is known of a few of us that have had human mates, but it is mostly unheard of. This is why we all live in the forest; humans cannot find out about us. If they do it can cause war. We do not know this for sure, but this is what a prophecy states.

As for warrior wolves and the council, they are of considered royal duty. Warrior Wolf duty is to protect the pack, these wolves are consisted of our strongest.

The council are the decision makers, they help the king and queen make decisions and so forth. Both are of equal importance.

~

"That is amazing Cass! How come you never told me earlier?" She slouches and lowers her shoulders.

"Sorry, I knew it would bother you. I also wanted to get to know him more before telling anyone." I look up at her, with a real smile this time.

"No! I am happy for you Cassy! I know you have been waiting a long time for this. So, what is his name?"

"Well, his name is Ryder, and he is one of Shadow pack's warrior wolves." She plays with a throw pillow in front of her. I can tell her smile is really genuine and full of hope.

"That sounds amazing Cass!" She gives me a 'thank you' smile before perking up.

"So, what did you come over for?"

"Oh, right, have you seen Ash?" She shakes her head and furrows her brows.

"Why are you looking for him?" She looks at me, her face is questionable. Is she serious or goofy?

"He left an hour ago. I want my brother back that's all." I put a strand of my brown hair behind my ear.

She tilts her head, she knows that isn't true, "Why are you really looking for him?"

I open my mouth, but nothing comes out. I don't know if I want to tell her. Yes, she has supported me throughout the entire royal stuff; but will she really let me leave the packs for 6 months?

"I want to leave the packs." I just come out and say it bluntly, the amount of shock on Cassy's face makes her look like she's seen a ghost.