The Alpha's Odessa

Chapter 8: Packing

POV: Haven

"Haven, I know you feel you have to do this, but this is really not necessary. I'm sorry I made you feel unwelcome, but you have to understand it is my job to protect you as your mother; if that means sending you away for a short period to protect you, then I will. I won't apologize for that." My mom has been trying to talk me out of moving out all weekend.

I get that she's protective, but I'm going to get hurt. That's life. How will I manage life when they are gone if I don't start now? I want the control I once had back. "Mom, please stop. I get it, ok? Why can't you see my point of view? I need to do this for me." I try again to get her to see my point. I swear we are always butting heads with one another. I get along more with Dad than I do with her.

"Oh, sweetie, I do. I really do. That's why we went to Raphael, to help. I'm not ready for you to leave the nest. You're my last baby." Mom says. I hug her. "I know, but it's time. Don't you want grandchildren one day? How can that ever happen if I never get better?" I would love to have kids of my own one day. I do have life goals I'd like to make happen.

"Grandchildren? Oh, honey you never told me you wanted children in the future. That would be nice. I'm sorry for smothering you so much. I just want to keep you safe." That's what it all boils down to, right? Keeping me safe. I can see my Mom is worried but wants all the things I just mentioned for me. "Then let me go. I'm not even going that far anyway." I tell her.

I'm still mad that they went to Raphael and asked him if I could move into his house. That was the last thing I wanted. Living with him isn't going to be easy. He scared me that day. I know he would never hurt me but the way he grabbed me like that. The anger I saw in his eyes that day at my mere presence left me with unease.

"OK, do you need anything? I can go shopping and pick up anything you may need. Clothes, snacks, makeup, school supplies, pillows?" I chuckle at Mom. I'm glad to see her coming around. "Maybe some boxes," I answer. "No, you're in college now, you should have a whole new wardrobe. I'll pick you up some things. Maybe I can get you a coffee maker for your room. You can have the whole dorm room experience even though you don't have one." Mom is really trying now. She wants to repair things with us and she's making an effort.

"I like the idea of the coffee maker. Though it's probably a bad idea considering my blood is already made of coffee." Seriously, if you were to cut me open, I bet I would bleed coffee. "You do need to cut back. You can bet I will be speaking with Raphael about your coffee intake," Mom says. I don't doubt she will.

"Alright, what is going and what is staying?" Nathan walks into my room with Jake. "Those boxes." I point to the four boxes I set next to the door. I've been packing all weekend. I'm moving this afternoon. Jake picks up three of the boxes stacked on top of each other. I honestly don't know how he will see anything. "You better not drop my stuff!" I yell out at him. "I got this. Nate, get that last box." Jake says.

"Oh, and those bags go too." I point over to the bags by my bed. "Got it." Nathan follows Jake out with the box and two bags. "How many more boxes do you need? I'll go get them and help you finish packing." Mom offers. "I don't know, maybe three or four. I just need to finish packing my clothes, blankets, and books." I might be a bit of a blanket addict. I love cuddling up in a blanket and reading a good book. It's a lovely escape from reality.

"OK, so seven more. I think you underestimate how many books you have. I might better get ten more." Mom leaves to get more boxes. I've just been stuffing my clothes into all of my bags. I'm not taking all of my clothes with me. I can always come back to get anything I need. This is just the stuff I need. Yes, I need my books. One of those boxes just had books while the other three had clothes. I don't have many more clothes to pack. It's mainly my books and ten favorite blankets. I guess you could say I'm an over-packer.

Next week will be interesting without school. Mom was right. School was canceled this week. In the email, there was no specific excuse. It just plainly stated all classes are canceled. I wonder why.

Jake and Nathan come back to grab the rest of the bags. It's hard to think I will be living somewhere else. I've only ever lived here.

Living with Raphael will be a challenge. This week certain feelings have reemerged. I've always felt drawn to Raphael. There's been this undying feeling that he will always protect me. I used to have the biggest crush on him.

Melanie was the only one who knew that which, was weird, because Raphael was her husband. She never seemed to be bothered by it. I open the wooden chest that sits at the foot of my bed. I pull out my blankets ready to pack them. I notice something hidden at the bottom under the blankets. It is the trinket box Melanie gave me.

I remember putting it there. She gave it to me the day before her death. I hid it there because it was hard to see it after that, because it made me think of her. I'm definitely taking this with me. I open it for the first time ever, only to find an unopened envelope with my name on it. I recognize the handwriting as Melanie's.

I wonder what this is. I go to open it carefully when Mom returns with the boxes. I place the envelope back into the box to read later. "So, are we ready to finish this up? I know how eager you are for me to be out of your hair." If only Mom knew how complex this truly was for me.