Deep Sigh

*Sophie* Finally, the last week of my last semester of college. I had been dreading this for what seemed like forever. Going to college was something that I done for me, something no one else could seem to understand. No one could wrap their minds around why I, the Alphas daughter, would not only want to, but be allowed to leave the territory for something as frivolous as college. There was nothing wrong with my home life as far as having my needs met. I had plenty of friends, money, loving parents, siblings and the pack house was one of the most beautiful in the territories. It was just that sometimes I needed to get away, like, really get away. I needed to go somewhere no one knew who I was so that in turn I could be whomever I chose to be. Being the Alphas only daughter came with a lot of pressures: wear the right clothes, say the right thing, have the right friends, you know, those kinds of things. As far as all that went, that was the easy part, the hard part was the pitty I would see on the packs faces when we would come back from yet another visit to yet another pack and still I was unable to find my mate. I used to pray to the moon goddess every night as a pup that I would find the most handsome wolf in all the territories and we would fall madly in love, have a bunch of perfect babies and live happily ever after. I mean, I'm pretty sure every little girl did but at my 18th birthday party all of that kind of changed. All the eligable Bachelors in the territory were in attendance and when I shifted, nothing happened. There was no feeling, no exquisite smells, no burning desire for a single person in attendance. The disappointment and embarrassment I felt burned in my bones more painful than them breaking for my first shift. After the party ended I ran and ran, as far as I could until I reached the outermost limits of our territory. I just needed to be alone. I sat there alone in the dark for what felt like ages when finally I could sense my best friend Sasha making her way through the woods to find me. Sasha was the Betas daughter, and being so meant our families had always been close so we were practically raised as sisters. She has been 18 for a few weeks now and on her birthday had instantly found her mate. He happened to be one of our best friends, and it was the most perfect thing. I remember when we were young we would sit around and whisper about who we hoped our mates would be, and this far exceeded our expectations. The instant she shifted she spun around and ran right into Jack's arms and we all knew she had found her happily ever after. I couldn't have been more happy for them, and was helping them plan their wedding with the most enthusiasm. Seeing two of my best friends in love was such a perfect thing in my mind, and that just amplified my expectations for how perfect my match would be when I finally turned 18. As I sat there listening to Sashas footsteps coming steadily closer, I took a deep breath and readied myself for the onslaught questions I knew she would bombard me with. What surprised me though was instead of questions, Sasha simply sat next to me and rested her head on my back. Though we knew the mind link was open we just lay curled up in silence and that comforted me more than any words could. I was the one that finally broke the silence and for once, the ever talkative Sasha, was silent and just listened. "I think if i don't find my mate by the end of summer then I want to go to college" I said quickly. "I know it sounds crazy, and that my dad probably won't allow it, but I really think that is what I want." I took a shaky breath and continued, "My parents and i already talked a little after my party and told me they will plan visits to other allies outside of our territory so that we can see if maybe my mate is somewhere out there, but if I don't find him then I am going to request that I be allowed to go to college." I spewed out in one breath. "Did you see the way everyone was looking at me when I didn't find my mate?" I added quietly hanging my head. After I said my piece Sasha scooched closer and finally spoke, "First off, I'm so sorry. I know you have been dreaming of this moment your while life, but I don't really think your thinking this through." Then she said, "What if while your away at school another pack comes to visit, and you're not here but your mate is and you never know it?" "How will you be safe if your out there without anyone with you to protect you? Why would you want to go live around humans?" She paused and gasped "Sophie!" she exclaimed, "What about rogues!?" I couldn't help but start to laugh. There were the questions I knew would come. Sasha stopped and looked at me wide eyed and then started laughing too. When we finally stopped I began to explain my plans. We talked about how I would go to the university that was in the next town and I would not push to live on campus, because I knew that would never happen. Then continued with the fact that my dad would never let me go alone so I assumed he would just send someone with me to drive me and keep an eye out. We continued to hash out a plan until finally we were both excited about my plans. Exhausted we decided we should start to head back. It had gotten pretty late it and we still had a very long run home. I felt so much better after talking to Sasha, and as we ran back we playfully nipped at each other's heels and raced home. I felt so much better and by the time I finally climbed into bed I was sure I was making the right decision.