Page 7 of Rejecting the Future Moon Goddess

“Thank you, Captain Obvious, I am well aware there is a plate of food in front of me,” I roll my eyes at his smirk, taking another bite of the food before waving towards the gift bag on the floor.

“What I meant is, what’s with the bag?” His smirk turns into a bright smile before he motions me to finish eating. I know my brother well, and he always made sure that I ate before wetalk since his parents rarely left me with enough food. Rolling my eyes and complying, I rush to finish off the plate of pancakes, finding a stash of bacon and sausages hidden underneath the pile which too get devoured. Finally, I push the now empty plate to the side while Alex places the bag in front of me with a grin.

“Happy birthday, Gemie.” His deep voice brings small tears to my eyes as I gingerly remove the tissue paper obstructing the items inside. My eyes widen at a turquoise purse, a simple stylish bag that I have been eyeing from Michael Kors for weeks.

Lifting the bag, I feel something rattling inside as the weight of the bag is heavier than the display at the mall. I open the purse to discover a matching wallet holding important documents, from my birth certificate to my health card and even my brand new G2 class licence that I got a month ago. I thought I would have to report these stolen when I leave.

“I had to wait for Bastian and Jasmine to leave on a trip last week to gather your documents.” Alex answers knowingly, smiling at me. Tears well in my eyes as I look down at the purse, trying to keep my mind from the despair of leaving my brother here when I leave Hidden Claws for good. Tucking the wallet away, my hand brushes against another small item in the purse. Curiously, I remove the object to find a small white box. I swiftly open it to discover a set of brand new keys—car keys, to be exact.

“Why?” I whisper, holding the keys in my hands. I never thought that I would be able to own a car until much later, especially knowing that I will be penniless when I leave. The inheritance left to me by my grandparents was given to Alex since Bastian and Jasmine would never give me any part of it. But with a car, I can live inside it until I save upenough for an apartment. With a car, this winter will be much more bearable on my own.

“I‘ve been watching you sneak out for the last few months and… I’ve been following you.” Alex admits sheepishly. Fear takes hold in my heart as I think about Lizaria and the Unicorns she protects. If Alex saw me, who else did?

“Don’t worry, Gemie, no one else knows.” Alex quickly reassures me, pulling me into a hug as he sighs.

“I know about that valley you go to and that Elf. I’ve watched you train with her, and she even confronted me one night. After promising that scary Elf-mom of yours that I wasn’t going to harm you or the valley and explaining to her that I’m your big brother, she reluctantly agreed to let me keep watching over you at night.” The fear and worry I felt are replaced with guilt, guilt at keeping this secret from my brother and for always running towards Lizaria when I needed to hide away from the Beta couple. I feel so guilty for making Alex worry about me.

“I’m sorry, Alex, but if they knew about Liz and the Unicorns, something bad would have happened.” The apology leaves my lips before I know it and I am met with a chuckle.

“I know. Why do you think I asked to be on night patrol? Bastian is a power-hungry, lazy bastard. You would think as his only son and heir, he would go easy on me, but after what our so-called father did to you as a child and over the years, I don’t expect much. That lazy bastard was more than happy to let me do the night shift,” The sarcastic tone in his voice shocks me and I pull away from his hug to stare at my brother. Hatred and rage simmer in his eyes, and I understand in that moment that life for Alex hasn’t been easy either. It was for sure easier than my own life in this pack, but I can see the struggles he has faced with Bastian and Jasmine as his parents as well just by looking atthe dark circles permanently etched into his face. My brother looks exhausted, more than I ever realized before.

“Anyway, when I took your documents, I also took your inheritance documents from our grandparents and a copy of their will for you to use as well. It’s all in the car. I need to get some sleep, but that Elf of yours came up with the idea of getting you a car and putting together what our parents are holding hostage for you. She told me last night that when you leave, she will follow us as soon as the two of us find a place for the unicorns.” I nod slowly, surprised at everything I am learning today from my brother. Lizaria had already planned for me to leave Hidden Claws by the sounds of it, and she had enlisted Alex's help. I couldn’t have been any luckier than I am today with an amazing brother and a thoughtful friend. After putting my gifts away in the gift bag, Alex walks me back into the pack house. As I start to climb the stairs and head to the attic after bidding him a good sleep, he calls out to me.

“The car is in that rundown shed by the edge of the pack territory. Get your stuff packed, and while everyone is at grad, I’ll sneak it into your car. My stuff is already packed. Just let me know when it’s time to leave.” Without waiting for my reply, Alex yawns and heads into his room, a room he requested to live in after turning eighteen.

Smiling, I continue my walk towards the attic and my room, where I promptly lock the door. I have three hours to pack before needing to be ready for graduation, just three hours to decide what I can take and what to leave behind.

Today will be my final day as part of Hidden Claws, and the excitement of being free fuels my desire to take everything I own and not leave anything for this pack to hold hostageagainst me.

?Chapter 9 - Graduation Blues?

I quietly stand off to the side while wolves in their graduation gowns run around, chattering away with their friends. The well wishes and “I’ll miss you” sound around the room. Left alone, I realize that although no one caused me trouble here at school, I was left with no friends and spent my “golden years” in high school as a literal lone wolf.

The halls behind the gymnasium where graduation will take place buzz with an excited and nervous energy.

“Geminie, are you ready?” Mrs. Horris asks. The wolf with graying hair looks around the halls and smiles. As our Principal, she has been the wolf who mentored and helped me through many things since entering grade nine. She understood me right away on the first day we met, when she watched me faint during my first day at school. As we sat in her office, my heart was racing, thinking that I would be in trouble. Mrs. Horris surprised me by handing me a warm meal from the cafeteria and a glass of orange juice. Her calm eyes carefully took in my thin body as she asked me one question: Are you an Omega?

I felt compelled to explain everything to her, from my life as an Omega and what led to that position being placed onto me, how this small chili and warm bread she placed before me was my first meal in four days, and how I never intended to faint and be late. It was this honesty that led to the Principal into helping me, and without her help, I would not have been able to graduate today. I would not be valedictorian or have the highest grades at the end of each and every class.

“I think I am.” I answer, seeing Mrs. Horris nod as she fixes the golden sash placed across my body and gives me anencouraging smile. We make our way to the front of the graduation line, faculty nodding at me while the four other students with exceptional grades silently wave a greeting. The excited buzz in the halls slowly dies down as the music begins to play, and the doors to the gymnasium swing open.

The faculty begins their entrance first, taking slow, measured steps as they walk forward, barely paying any attention to the crowd. The rest of us follow behind as parents shout their children’s names in praise of their success in graduation once they catch sight of them. Envy swells inside me, wishing I had their luck, that I had parents that loved me and were proud of my accomplishments. But wishing leaves an empty feeling and a bitter taste of resentment that I did not need. Tomorrow I will be far away from everyone and, with time, will find my own place in this life.

With the procession leading to the stage, I force a happy smile on my face and follow the few students with the honour of sitting amongst the faculty while the rest of the graduates file into the rows of seats below. As the last row takes their seat, the ceremony begins.

“Please welcome this year’s valedictorian, Geminie Blake.” After the introductory speech made by the principal congratulating us on a job well done in our success as graduates, as well as how much of an honour it has been teaching the future of each pack in the area, my name is called. I take a deep breath before standing, knowing my speech will be the last one before diplomas are handed out. I take careful steps towards the podium, shake hands with Mrs. Horris, and turn to face the crowd, waiting for the few cheers and wolf whistles thrown my way to quiet down, the crowd shocking me with their excitement for my speech.

“Good afternoon, faculty, parents andguardians, visiting Alphas and, lastly, my fellow graduates.” I begin, taking a look around and spotting the Beta couple watching me. They were only here for appearances and nothing more, as representatives of the pack. Even though I hate the feeling, disappointment still washes over me. I hide it behind the smile I keep on my lips.

"Four years ago, we stepped into these doors as new students, eyes wide in curiosity at the building that would mould us for our future. I remember the first days of freshman year, and one thing that stuck with me was the quote, "Even if you take three steps forward, you'll find yourself being forced to take one step back; but keep moving because great things await." Those were the first words said to us by Mrs. Horris as she greeted us at our orientation, and to this day, those words ring true for each and every one of us.” I continue, take a deep breath and try to imagine the future I will have after today, the obstacles I will face when I leave my pack. I think of the people and wolves I will one day meet and where I want life to take me.

A life I can call my own.

“As we move forward from these moments and friends we’ve made, we will face more challenges along the way, meet new people and learn new things. We will go through new experiences, from leading a pack, to protecting the ones we love, to even going on a journey to find ourselves. But today, know this.” I pause again, the smile on my face morphing from fake to a genuine grin as the endless possibilities in front of me after today bring me peace of mind, my own words encouraging me to look towards my own future.

“We did it, we made it through high school, and we will make it through anything as long as we look forward to a new tomorrow and try our best to live our lives to the fullest." A cheer erupts after my words, and the staff thanks me for myspeech as I take my seat once again. Just another few hours and today will end, and my freedom will begin. I could do this.

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