My Fated Mate

18. THE RUNAWAY

POV (ABELIA)

The moment I placed my hand on the school's big wooden doors the glyph on the front side of my hand began to shine.  Good, Ashfork was still accepting I was a student here.  As I had been walking back, I was worried there was a possibility it might reject me.  Carefully, I pushed open the door and peered inside.  All the electric lights were off and only a few fey light torches were illuminating the hallway.  However, they were motion activated, so the moment I stepped far enough away from them they instantly turned off causing me to only be able to see a few feet in front of me.  Darn, the school was creepy at night. 

As I tried to get my bearings I could tell that Aurora was on high alert. 

"Is something wrong?"  I said, as her big ears flicked from right to left. 

"There are others here, powerful ones.  I have never felt energy like this before." 

I squinted down the hall to see if anyone was there, but it was completely empty. 

"Are you sure?  I can't.."

"Hush!  We should not be here.  We need to leave."  

Aurora said, as she scratched at the floor of my subconscious.  Her voice was strained and was making me anxious.  However, where was I suppose to go?  Home?  No, that would never work.  I was not dealing with a bombardment of questions from the Goldenrod's tonight, about Jasmine's whereabouts.  Wether Aurora liked it or not, we were staying at Ashfork for the night.  We would fine a place to sleep in the library, and at dawn we would hightail it to Ridgeback for class, and no one would be any wiser.  Yet, as I walked down the dimly lit hallways I could hear the soft sound of something growling in the darkness.  I flipped back around to look behind me, but there was nothing there.  My heart was starting to papillate and my palms were becoming sweaty. 

"Quick, hide!"  

Aurora barked, as I scurried behind a group of lockers and watched, as four men walked by in nothing but what the good lord dressed them in.  I quickly covered my eyes, but not before I accidentally got a look at a set of dirt stained abs and a few pretty nice looking dairyaires.  My cheeks were heating up and I hoped they could not hear the crazy pounding of my heart.  Carefully, I peeled back my fingers to see if they were gone, but stopped the moment I heard Aurora. 

"Stay perfectly still.  They're werewolves, and thanks to your moon bath they should not be able to smell you."

"Smell me?  Is their sense of smell that good?"

"Oh Abelia, they are werewolves.  Their sense of smell is better than any K9 police unit."  

I could feel my body tighten on hearing this, forcing me to squished myself into the thinest version I could possibly muster, until I was sure I had become one with the wall.  My fists were clenched so tightly that I could feel my nails cutting into my skin. 

"Stop that!  Calm yourself.  If you bleed they will certainly find us."

Aurora snapped, making me undo my hands and let out a shaky breath. As we stood there in the darkness it became clear that these men were not going to be moving anytime soon. 

"So what is the plan Alpha.  Are you really ok with just letting your Luna go?" 

"Bryan!  Ugh, seriously, don't call her that!  I still can't believe she was a f*****g witch."  Another werewolf boy growled, causing my heart to stop.  Oh Satan!  They couldn't be talking about Jasmine, right?

"I am not interested in talking about it, and it would be wise not to bring her up again!"  The Alpha snarled, as the deep tone of his voice caused my knees to knock together.  I bit my lip to hold back a whimper.  What the hell was that?  

"There is no need using your Alpha voice on them.  Thomas, Bryan, lets not question our Alpha when he is angry.  Don't you agree?"  A new voice said, through gritted teeth, but this werewolf's snarky snooty way of talking sounded very familiar.  I tried to peek through my fingers, so I could get a better look at him, but what I heard next made me stop dead in my tracks. 

"Very well, Richard."  Thomas groaned.  "By the way, Bryan?  Did you see that stupid little witch that jumped in front of our Alpha?"  Thomas laughed, as a lump began to form in my throat.  

"Oh, no way!  That was a witch?  I thought it was a ghost, since it clearly wanted to have a date with death."  Bryan said, as he let out a laugh.

It couldn't be?  They were those werewolves.  Then that meant.  Slowly, I pulled back my hands and saw the muscular back of a dark curly haired boy.  The same boy, I had a feeling, I had seen Jasmine talking to this morning.  The very one that, I was almost sure, could turned into that big black monster wolf with red eyes.  Aurora could sense I was scared and she whined for me to calm down, but I could not.  He had almost taken my life and now he was standing only a few feet away.  Naked or not he, just from seeing his backside it was clear every inch of him radiated power.  It was almost like it flowed off of him in waves, he was horrifying.  Quickly, I squeezed my eyes shut and tried to take tiny little breaths.  I was too frightened to take a big deep one, which was what I really needed, since he might hear me. 

"I almost lost it when she shouted at Alec like he was a bad dog.  Go!  Leave!  There is nothing here for you!"  Bryan said, in a high pitch voice to mock my own.

Alec, the beast had a name.  I could feel my whole frame was trembling and Aurora was starting to get very worried.  She pawed at my subconscious and told me to relax, but all I wanted to do was run away.  I was not brave.  I never had been.  Stupid, foolish, naive, yes, but brave, never!  As Thomas and Bryan laughed at my pathetic actions to save my sister,  I could feel tears squeaking out of my tightly shut eyes. 

"I nearly wetted myself."  Thomas said, as Bryan snickered.

"Yes, she certainly was an odd one."  Richard said, with a low growl. 

That voice, I knew it.  He was that ass of a wolf that had tried to get Jasmine killed.  I could feel a little flame of furry building up inside me, knowing he was there.  In any other instance I would have rushed out and possibly punched him, but not now.  No, just trying to stand was an effort.  Aurora kept murmuring for me to steady myself, but as these werewolf demons kept laughing at my attempts to be brave all I could do was pray they would leave soon. 

"Whats wrong with you? Why are you annoyed?"  Thomas said, as Richard unlocked the boys locker room door.  Oh, you have got to be kidding, that was why it was taking them so long.  I was standing right outside the boys gym locker room and they were always locked after hours.  They must have been trying to break in.

"Oh, you missed it.  That little witch got right in Richard's face and yelled at him to back off and leave, you know who, alone."  Bryan said, as he whispered out the last part.

"No way, you're lying!  She even got Richy Rich.  Damn, who is this girl?"  Thomas said, as a growl began to shake the lockers. 

"I am sick of all this!  Hurry and get cleaned up!"  Alec growled, causing the boys to quiet.  "We are leaving this place the moment we are done.  And don't you dare keep up this childish banter!  Do you really believe the rogue assassins will want to hear your bull?"  Alec roared, as he slammed his fist on the lockers, I was hiding behind, causing me to slowly lose my footing and slide down the wall, until I was a crumpled mess on the floor.     

Quickly, the other werewolves followed him and soon I could hear the showers running, as big tears fell from my eyes as I let out slight whines. 

"Abelia, you need to get up and move."

But, I could not.  I was frozen to the floor as images of his big white teeth surrounded by black fur invaded my mind.  I wrapped my arms around my knees and silently sobbed.  

"Abelia."  Aurora begged, as she curled up on the floor of my mind and began to gently pet the ground with her paw.  "It is alright.  You are one of them, they wont harm you." 

"Wont harm me!"  I shouted, causing a shiver to go down my spine, as my voice echoed down the hall.  Quickly, I covered my mouth and took off for the girls locker room.                                                                                                                                                    

Unlike the boys locker room, the girls had somehow missed the security guard's keys tonight.  I rushed into the room stumbling as I felt my legs give way causing me to hit the cold linoleum floor hard.  My eyes hurt and felt swollen, from having cried so much today.  This was hell.  I changed my mind.  I wanted to go home, but would I be welcomed?  As I sniffed back my tears, I recalled many conversations with Elder Goldenrod at the dinner table and I was starting to wonder if there was a place for me in this world. 

It had been our first day of school at Ashfork and Jasmine had done the one thing she promised she would not do, leave me.  The Goldenrod's had strict orders that I was to watch over her, since we were going to a school that had "undesirables" there.  Those were Elder Goldenrod's exact words, and even though they caused me unease I accepted them.  For after hearing about how Ashfork was a school for all kinds, I wondered if that also meant magic less witches went there.  I was certain that I was a mutation, a strange defect, which meant there had to be more of my kind.  Genetics were clear.  There was no such thing as only one person suffering from a rare illness, there was aways a pair of unfortunate souls.  Yet, after the first day I started to realize there might be no one like me in this world. 

I saw so many different kinds of students that did not match the descriptions of their factions.  Vampires were known for having red eyes and pale skin, but some of the vampire students looked like normal humans.  They had tan skin and a variety of different colored eyes.  Then there were the werewolf kids, they were suppose to be buff, mean and brutish.  However, there was a boy in my class who looked like he weighed no more than me, and he was effeminate.  It was amazing.  Here were all these different versions that stood out in the crowd and their kind accepted them,  warts and all.   They approved of who they were and even laughed and ate lunch with them.  Yet, when lunch time came and I saw Jasmine with a group of dolled up witches I  knew I would not get that same treatment.

As I sat at the dinner table and pushed a piece of roast beef around on my plate, I listened to Jasmine merrily swing her feet as she recalled the events of her glorious first day.  She was going on about how she had started her own girls coven at the school.  Lady Goldenrod was pleased by this, but then she gave me an annoyed glance. 

"Make sure you do not bother Jasmine and her friends, when they are at school."  She said, as she picked up her wine glass and took a slight sip.  "I don't want you hurting Jasmine's reputation." 

"Mother!"  Jasmine, snapped, as she leaned in and wrapped an arm around me.  "Lia, could never do such a thing.  I am sure the girls will adore her.  I'll introduce you tomorrow."  She said, in my ear. 

Lady Goldenrod snorted in disapproval, as I gave Jasmine a reassuring smile.  Yet, I was in agreement with Lady Goldenrod, it was best I not get to know Crystal, Lillith, and Margret.  Unknown to Jasmine, I already knew all about them.  They had corned me in the hall and blamed me for having to attend Ashfork.  It had been ordered by the Elder that at least half of the coven children attend Ashfork with Jasmine, so the number of witches would not be just two at the school.  Crystal, Lillith and Margret had gotten pulled and the rumor was Jasmine was going to this disgusting school, instead of the acclaimed Ridgeback Academy,  because of her magic less witch servant. 

I rubbed my arm thinking back to them grabbing me and shoving me against the lockers.  I still had a bruise from where Crystal had placed a pressure curse on me, so that it felt like someone was holding tightly to my arm the whole day.  

"Just a reminder that you are nothing more than a dog, that wears a collar." 

She had hissed at me, causing a shiver to go down my back, as I recalled the way her lips had mouthed those words in my face.

"I don't see a problem with Jasmine including Abelia."  Elder Goldenrod said, as he undid a scroll and burned its contents in his hands.  The smell of the ash irritated my nose and it appeared I was not the only one. 

"Oh Basil, must you do work at the table."  Lady Goldenrod said, as she raised her napkin to her face.  "You know I am allergic to parchment fumes." 

"I am sorry my love, but due to our little princesses wanting to attend that school, I had to make necessary arrangements to keep them safe."  Basil said, as he sent another scroll up in flames, causing Lady Goldenrod to quickly leave the table to settle herself. 

"I did not need to send that one, but don't tell you mother."  He said slyly, causing Jasmine and I to snicker into our hands. 

"I must say, I still don't understand why you want to go there Jasmine.  Ridgeback is such a lovely school and you would be nurtured as a witch and your talents would be rewarded."  Jasmine crossed her arms at her Father's words, which caused him to sigh.  "I am not saying Ashfork is a bad school, on the contrary it is highly regarded in many coven circles, yet I don't like my daughters being around those foul smelling dogs and blood sucking leeches."

"Father!  Those are considers slurs."  Jasmine snapped. 

"You see. That school is already teaching you to speak up for those undesirables.  I have a right mind to pull you both out at once!"  Elder Goldenrod snapped, as he shook his head.  "In my day, witches attended Ridgeback, Vampires went to Night Haven, and the Do... Werewolves learned at Branding Claw.  Like with like, same with same."  Elder Goldenrod said, as Jasmine chewed on her lip.  A sign she was having trouble thinking of a come back. 

"Elder Goldenrod."  I said, as I put my fork down. 

"Yes my darling Abelia."  The Elder said, as he smiled warmly at me. 

"Why do other covens regard Ashfork highly?"  I watched as he bit his lip, it was clear Jasmine picked this trait up from him. "I might be out of line, but could it be because it is better to know ones enemy than to pretend that you do?"

 I felt Jasmine punch my arm and give me a thumbs up, as she urged me to continue.  I swallowed and wiggled in my chair.  

"I am not saying we should accept them, but if we know more wont we be better prepared if the peace ever does break?  I learned in class today that werewolves are very sensitive to silver, it burns them.  I had no idea.  And vampires, can only walk around in the sun once they have reach 500 years old and all the vampire students look to be around my age and I'm only ten.  Yet, they have lived for 100's of years.  Well, maybe lived it the wrong term, but you understand what I mean, right?   Also, they have this ability called... ummm com..comm."

"Compulsion."  Elder Goldenrod said, as he looked at me.

"Yes, compulsion.  It can force another to do whatever they say.  Well, I was thinking, if that is true, then they could force a patient to stop feeling pain."

"What are you..?"  Jasmine said, but Elder Goldenrod stopped her. 

"Go on Abelia."  The Elder said, as I swallowed and tried to continue. 

"It might just be naive thinking, but if they can compel a person to love them, which means they would have to create memories, a story, and trick the brain into believing the entire thing.  Well, then why couldn't they turn off someones sorrow or their physical pain?  Elder you suffer with back ache, all the time due to leaning over your desk, what if I vampire compelled you to no longer feel that.  To turn off that part of your brain that recognizes you are hurting.  You could get so much work done.  Or, the fact that Lady Goldenrod is allergic to parchment fumes.  Maybe they would turn that off too.  Heck, they might even be able to stop a werewolf from ever turning again." 

Suddenly the room became completely silent and Jasmine looked at me in horror.  I quickly covered my mouth because the look on Elder Goldenrod's face told me I had hit on something dark and dangerous. 

"And you're learning this in school?"  The Elder said, as Jasmine shook her head. 

"Well, not that part about having a vampire be helpful."  I said, as I looked down. 

"I see."  Elder Goldenrod said, as he let out a sigh.  "Do you know why the wars started between the different kinds, Abelia?"  I shook my head.  "Let me enlighten you.  That thinking is why they started."  I felt my shoulders slump as Jasmine patted my back.  "

"Oh, come now child.  I am not mad with you.  I am honestly surprised that such a tiny little thing, is able to think like the founders of the 1600's."  My head shot up on hearing this.  Was he praising me?  The Elder hardly ever praised me.  I watched as he got up from her seat and began to walk around the room.  "They were the first to believe we could work together, but the truth is we are each others poison." 

"Poison?" I said, as I looked at Elder Goldenrod who nodded his head. 

"There is a reason, my dear, we keep like with like, and same with same.  You touched on it.  A vampire can stop a werewolf from turning and make them completely defenseless.  However, a werewolf bite can kill a vampire.  A witch can cast a spell on a both a werewolf or vampire and make them putty in her hands, but if it is discover or breaks, it could take the spell casters life.  You see, we each know each others weakness and this is why the wars went on for so long.  Everyone feared their poison, and so they sought to kill it before it got to them first."

I heard Jasmine fall back in her seat, as Elder Goldenrod picked up his brandy and took a sip.  

"Does that mean you would never accept a werewolf in this house?"  Jasmine said, but the moment the words left her mouth the Elder slammed his glass down. 

"If you ever ask me that question again, I will make sure you end up a student at Ridgeback even if I have to drive you there kicking and screaming!"  He fumed, as he stormed out of the room. 

"Arrogant bastard."  Aurora growled, pulling me out of my memory, as I tried to stand.  My throat was completely dry and I needed water.  I reached out a shaking hand to the lip of the marble counter, for one of the sinks in the girl's locker room, and tried to pull myself up. 

"Are you alright?" 

But I could not answer her.  I was too exhausted and just the thought of having to listen to her drone on and on about me being a werewolf was not something I wanted to hear. 

"Abelia, must you think this way."

"I can't be a werewolf, Aurora.  I just can't!" 

"And why is that?" 

I bit my lip and I strained to pull myself up, as my shaking hands turned on the sink.  I let the water run for a second and then cupped my hands and drank.  The cool water slid down my throat and offered me some relief, as I dropped my head and looked at the water swirling around the drain. 

"Because... where will I go?"  I sobbed, as Aurora whimpered. 

"Abelia." 

"No, you don't understand.  My whole life I have been only one thing.  Yes, I was powerless, but I accepted it, and knew how to live as the magic less witch in the Goldenrod household."  I heard Aurora let out a growl, but I was not going to let her stop me.  Even if my voice was strained and thick with my tears I needed to say this to her. "Being part of that family is where I belong because I am a witch.  I can't live as anything else.  So, you need to go." 

"What?" 

"I need you to leave, so that I can go back to who I am suppose to be.  With you here, my family wont accept me."   

"Your family?  Those witches are not your family!"  Aurora roared, causing me to cower.  "I honestly, don't know what I am suppose to do with you.  Not only are you denying who you are, but you are also rejecting me.  Your wolf, the very being you were born with.  How can you have the audacity to ask me to leave, so you can go playhouse with them?"  

I had never heard Aurora sound like this before.  Her voice was shaking and it seemed like she was gasping for air as she let out each word.  However, pained she sounded I could not ignore the fear of abandonment I had.  If I really was a werewolf, Jasmine would hate me because I could be with a werewolf, the one thing she wanted.  I would never put her through that.  

"So you will go, you' ll leave?"  I said, as I felt Aurora stand up but I noticed her legs were slightly wobbling. 

"Sure, why not.  But before I do, let me ask you something."  Aurora said, as she her glowing golden eyes starred at me, making me extremely uncomfortable. 

"Okay." 

"Do you really wish to go back to the witches and continue living a life where they degrade you and make you feel like a servant?"  

"I am not a servant."

"I see.  So you will live a life of disrespect and dishonor, while you are ordered to watch the man who loves you, marry the sister you believe loves you." 

"How dare you!  Jasmine loves me dearly!  I would give up anything for her!"  I shouted. 

"That, I can honestly believe. Yet, I wonder, would she do the same for you?"

 "What do you mean?" 

 "Have you not ever questioned her actions?  She says she is your sister, and you are willing to give up your true identity for her, but what has she given up for you?"

"I don't need her to give up anything." 

"Are you so certain about that, because I don't believe you.  You know deep down all she had to do was say no to her Mother, and you could be right now with the one person who actually loves you.  You continue to say you let go of his hand, but be honest, you were ordered to!" 

"No, it wasn't like that!  He was meant for her.  I...I...could never be what he needed."  I said, but my heart was starting to waver.  Aurora's words were effecting me because she was speaking the words I had kept locked up in my heart. 

"You silly girl.  Don't you realize you were controlled by that family, by your so called sister's callous decision to accept his ring,  because they told you, you were weak.  You left the man you loved because they made you believe you were powerless, but you are not.  You are strong and powerful and will be a queen.  You will never have to say no, or cower away from the things you deserve and desire!  Because you are a werewolf!  Now, raise your head and see for yourself, what you truly are!"  

Aurora command me with such force I could not help but obey her.  Yet, the moment I looked up I quickly found myself having to take a step back.  My dress was covered in blood, dirt, grass, and Satan knows what else.  Yet my skin was glowing, and the bags under my eyes were gone and even the pinks of my lips and cheeks were brighter, as if I were wearing blush and lipstick.  My hair was perfectly clean, not a twig, leaf or strand out of place.  I ran my hands through it and it felt soft and fresh, like it had just been cut.  But that was not what gave me pause.  For staring back at me where a pair of glowing golden eyes that demanded respect. 

"What is going on?  Why do I look like this?"  I said, as I reached out and touched my cheek.    

"You had a moonlight bath and you got me, your wolf, back.  The combination has made you reborn into what you have always been, a werewolf."   She said, as she curled up and laid down.  "I can't keep doing this with you Abelia.  If you go back to the witches that will not accept you and could possibly kill you on the spot." 

"They wouldn't.  They are my fam.."  But the word got caught in my throat, as my eyes stared at the girl in the mirror.  She was powerful, not a weak little witch, but something otherworldly.  Elder Goldenrod would have questions and Lady Goldenrod would look at me as a threat to Jasmine.  And Jasmine.  I took in a deep breath and tried to steady my mind.  I needed to speak with Aurora unemotionally, before I made a decision.

" I don't know how to be this."  

"I will show you.  But first you have to accept that what you see before you is not a powerless witch, but a regal werewolf."

"Where would we go?  If I can't go back to the coven then..." 

"The Rogue Assassins."  Aurora said, causing a chill to go down my spine. 

"Assassins?" 

"Yes, we must find the Rogue Assassins, they will protect you when I can't."  Aurora said, in a weak voice that made my heart race, something was wrong with her.

"Aurora, what is wrong with you?  I don't understand, what do you mean by when you can't.  Why can't you?"  I felt my voice strain, was she dying?  Was that possible?  I began to rack my brain for answers, but I was coming up empty.  Ugh, why had I not learned more about werewolves. 

"Ha ha, calm down, I'm not dying Abelia.  I can't truly protect to you until you turn 17 and become a real werewolf and go through your first change.  Until then, you are on your own."

"Oh."

"Now Abelia, please.  It has been a very long day and healing you has exhausted me.  Let me sleep for a bit.  Go get a shower and when you are done we will go find those boys."  

The moment the words left her mouth I nearly fell over. 

"Wait, those boys?  You can't mean the..."

"Yes Abelia.  The Alpha boy clearly said, they were going to find the Rogue Assassins.  I don't know where they are, but if they are looking for them, then those werewolf boys must have been invited." 

"Aurora, they will kill me!"  I shouted, but she just shook her head. 

"They wont even know you are following them.  Trust me, you have been kissed by moonlight.  Even the best hunters and trackers wont be able to notice you.  Also, since you have not turned, they might not even realize you are a werewolf if you do run into them."

"Wait, are you saying, they will think I am a witch?"  I watched, as she nodded her head. 

"You have been separated from me for far too long and even speaking with you now is becoming difficult.  I might only be able to talk to you at night, during the day I will need to sleep."

"You can't be serious.  Are you saying that during the day I wont be able to hear you?"  I could feel my heart racing.  This could not be.  If I was going to accept being a werewolf, I needed her by my side.  I could not do this alone. 

"You will never be alone.  I just have to sleep during the day, until I have soaked up enough moonlight and your energy.  Until then, follow the boys and when you get to the Rogue Assassins, tell them you are a witch in search of asylum." 

Aurora's voice was starting to fad away and I could feel I was loosing my connection with her. 

"Trust me Abelia.  If you tell them you can't do magic, but you are healer, they will accept you.  Whatever you do, don't tell anyone you are a werewolf."

"I don't understand.  You have been telling me to accept who I am for hours, but you don't want me to share it with anyone?"

"The kind of werewolf you are is incredibly special and I don't even know if the Rogue Assassins can be trusted with that knowledge.  For your safety, remain a witch until your 17th birthday and whatever you do, don't trust anyone."