Chapter 41

Chapter 41

***Chastity***

When I woke up the next morning I realized Rowen was no longer beside me. I felt disappointed that

he didn’t stay the night, but what else could I expect He is an Alpha, he is too important to spend the

whole night holding a lowly Omega like me I decided not to let my disappointment ruin the day Today

was my day. It was the day I took the first step toward realizing my dream.

I slid to a sitting position on the bed, and breathed deep. I was brimming with excitement. I had hoped.

and dreamed of this day for years. This was one of the things I had always wanted, and finally I was

doing it. I was nervous, and scared to death, but the excitement overrode all of that. I was pulled from

my thoughts when Rowen opened my door, and came into the room holding a thin, wrapped box

“Good morning beautiful.” He said as he smiled at me.

“Good morning. How long have you been awake?” I asked.

“I’ve been awake for about an hour I watched you sleep for awhile then got up to finish up something.”

“You you stayed in here all night?”

“I held you, and slept beside you all night, yes.”

“Oh. I didn’t think you would stay?”

“Chastity, the only thing that would drag me away from holding you all night is a dier emergency. I loved

falling asleep with you in my arms. If you weren’t leaving today, I would insist on it, always.”

“OH II don’t know what to say.”

My heart was bursting with joy, and happiness. Leila was bouncing happily in my head. I gave him a

small smile, and nodded.

“Chastity, one day you will realize that I am serious about wanting you, and you will realize my feelings

for you. Until you do I will continue to prove myself to you. Even after you do, I will always prove to you

that you are everything to me.” Rowen said with a smile, and I nodded.

I was speechless. I didn’t know what to say. What could I say? The first real memory I had of him, he

was rejecting me. It was going to take time for me to believe, and accept his words as truth. As I was

thinking this, he sat down on the edge of my bed, near my hip, and put the wrapped box on his lap.

“I have a going away present for you. I hope you like it.” Rowen said as he fiddled with the purple bow

wrapped around the box.

“I am sure whatever it is I will love it. You didn’t have to do that though.” I responded, blushing and

smiling.

“It’s not about having to. It’s about wanting to.”

“Oh.”

Finally he handed me the box. I carefully opened it. I set the ribbon on the nightstand next to Duke, and

Jax then peeled the paper off the box. When I opened it I found two things inside, a framed picture, and

a smaller blue velvet box sitting on top of the frame. I picked up the smaller box first and opened it. I

gasped at what was inside. It was a white gold charm that was the outline of a howling wolf inside of

the outline of a heart. It was hung on a thin, white gold chain. It was beautiful. I looked at Rowen,

questioningly.

“I saw it the other night, and it screamed that it needed to be around your neck. I hope you like it, and

will wear it.” Rowen whispered, smiling at me.

“I….I love it, but….” I started, but Rowen cut me off by placing a finger to my lips.

“Don’t say you don’t deserve it or it’s too good for you. Definitely don’t say anything that starts, ends, or

has anything about being an Omega in it. No matter your rank, you are my mate. You are an amazing.

wonderful, caring, kind, compassionate, loving woman, and you deserve the world on a silver platter.

You deserve this, and so much more.” Rowen said quietly, but firmly.

“………thank you.” I choked as tears filled my eyes. I didn’t know if I would ever get used to people

saying things like that to me.

“Would you like me to put it on for you?” Rowen asked, and I nodded.

He gently took the box from me, carefully removed the necklace from the box. I lifted my hair as he

leaned forward, and put the chain around my neck. Once it was clasped he trailed his fingers gently

along my neck, causing me to shiver I blushed, and smiled shyly at him.

Once he sat back, I pulled the frame from the box, and looked at it. The frame was dark wood with gold

inlay that ran along it, with two hearts intertwined in the upper right corner The picture made me gasp

as I hadn’t realized anyone had caught the moment on camera. It was the two of us on the dance floor

the night before, staring into each others eyes. We looked like we were completely lost in the moment,

in each other Like no one else existed in the world, but us. It was beautiful.

“I paid the photographer extra to print, and finalize that picture, and one other, then bring them to me

last night.” Rowen said quietly

“You did?” I asked, looking up at him.

“Yes. I wanted to have this to give you this morning. I had originally picked one of the ones from our

date, but when the photographer showed me this last night, I knew it had to be this one.”

“Oh. I love it. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome Well I hate to end this, and I hate the idea of letting you go, but it’s already after nine.

We need to get ready to go. We leave in a few hours.”

“It’s after NINE! I never sleep this late!”

“You had a very busy day yesterday, and a very late night. Why don’t you go shower? I’m going to have

breakfast brought up for us.”

I just nodded, set the frame and box on the nightstand, and hopped out of bed. I practically ran to the

bathroom with Rowen chuckling behind me. I took a quick, but refreshing shower then got dressed, and

brushed my teeth. I made sure to dry my shower things thoroughly before shoving them into the Ziploc

bag I was using for them. Once I was dressed in the leggings, and loose t-shirt I picked for the day,

since we would be spending 4 hours in the car, I stuffed everything in my duffle bag. I checked the

bathroom thoroughly before going back into the bedroom.

I picked up Duke and Jax from the nightstand, and gently put them in my bag as well. I tied the purple

ribbon around Duke’s neck before putting him in the bag. Next I picked up the framed photo, and

looked at it again. It really was a beautiful picture. I loved it. Gently I slid that into my bag, and zipped

the whole thing. Without thought I stripped the bed, and took the sheets to the basket in the corner of

the bedroom, with the towels I had used. I looked over the room one last time. Once I was satisfied I

had everything I walked out of the room, and headed to the kitchen.

I found Rowen standing at the island, eating a breakfast sandwich. Without a word he slid a plate with a

sandwich, and fruit, as well as orange juice toward me. We ate in comfortable silence. Once finished he

took the dishes, and put them in the dishwasher before I could do it myself. After that he grabbed my

duffle bag, and led me out of his apartment with a hand on the small of my back. He didn’t lead me too

far down the hall. He stopped in front of Jax’s door, and knocked. I couldn’t believe I had never realized

he was on the same floor as Jax and Molly Molly opened the door looking bright, and bubbly. If not al

little tousled.

“Mol, where did you go? I wasn’t done with you yet.” Jax called from somewhere in his apartment.

“Chas, and Rowen are here We’re leaving in an hour, and a half We don’t have time for more of your

shenanigans.” Molly yelled back.

“Oh shit! They’re here!”

“Yes!”

“Fuck! I’ll….um.. yeah. Keep them there for a minute ”

“Relax! I’m sure Chas doesn’t want to see your bare ass any way!”

My eyes widened, and my face turned tomato red! I realized we had terrible timing. I didn’t want to

interrupt them.

“Relax Chas. You’re right on time. He’s just a procrastinator” Molly said with a giggle.

“….umm………” I sputtered because what could I say in a situation like this.

“We can come back if you want.” Rowen offered.

“Nope. He’ll be fine.” Molly responded smiling.

“Ok. They can come in now.” Jax called, and we followed Molly into the apartment.

Instead of going to the living room to see Jax, I went to my bedroom. I wanted to make sure I had

everything I needed packed. I was glad I did because I left my cell phone charger in the room, along

with a book I had been reading. It was an adventure novel I wanted to finish. I hadn’t realized Rowen

had followed me into the room, until he called out from my closet.

“You didn’t pack clothes?” He questioned.

“Huh?” I asked as I walked to the closet.

“Your clothes. They’re all still in here.”

“Oh. No. I took what I knew I would need, jeans, t-shirts, sweat shirts, leggings, shorts, a coat, two

pairs of sneakers, and boots. I won’t need any of this fancy stuff. I’ll be too busy with school to do

anything that requires fancier clothes.”

“Oh. I guess that makes sense. Have you even worn any of this?”

“Uh…just the one dress the other night. I haven’t needed it, and the heels hurt my feet. I also can’t walk

on them. It doesn’t help that I don’t really like them. I asked Jax to return them. He just hasn’t gotten

around to it yet.”

“Heels don’t look very comfortable any way.”

“They’re not. They pinch my feet, badly”

“I believe that. Oh. I put two pack t-shirts in your bag this morning. They have our pack symbol on

them. You should always have one or two when you’re away from the pack, to represent your pack.”

“Oh. Thank you I never knew we had those.”

“Yeah. They were my idea when I was about fourteen My mom loved the idea, and had them made for

all pack members. Whenever someone travels they take at least one.”

“I like that idea actually.”

“I’m glad. Are you done making sure you have everything?”

“I just want to check the bathroom, and I’m done.”

“OK.”

I walked to the bathroom. I checked all of the drawers, and cabinets. The only thing I found that I

thought. I would need was the package of hair ties. I pulled one, and put my hair in a quick pony tail

then grabbed the rest of the pack. I walked out of the room to find Rowen holding a pair of black, shiny

heels that were about 4 inches in height, and had a very pointy toe. He was studying them, and looking

at them funny.

“How in the world to girls walk in these?” Rowen asked, showing me the shoe.

“I have no idea, and I don’t want to find out. They look painful.” I responded with a giggle.

“They really do. Mom never wore shoes like this. She preferred flats because she was on her feet a

lot.”

“Yeah. I can’t even imagine ten minutes in shoes like that.”

“Good. I don’t think they would look right on you. Ready to go?” he asked as he put the shoe back in

the box, and the box on the dresser.

“Yup. Lets see if Molly, and Jax are too.”

We finally walked out to the living room to see Molly, and Jax kissing on the couch. I blushed, and

looked to the floor Rowen just chuckled then cleared his throat. I heard Molly giggle, and Jax grumble,

making me giggle

“You know, you two don’t have to go if you don’t want to. You can stay here, and um enjoy each other’s

company” I offered as I looked back up at them.

“Hell no! I’m not letting my baby sister start her new life without checking out the place, and making

sure it’s good enough for her first.” Jax growled, and Molly laughed.

“Oh. Um….as long as your sure. Ok.” I said, smiling at him.

“Good. We have about an hour before we get on the road. You have everything, right?”

“Yes. But please make sure you return those shoes like I asked you to. I won’t be wearing them, and I

think it’s a waste for them to just sit there.”

“You won’t ever wear them?” Molly questioned, looking shocked.

“No. I tried on a pair or two once. They hurt my feet, and I couldn’t walk on them.” I responded, shaking

my head.

“Oh thank goddess. I got them because I thought, as a Luna you may need them, but they do look like

torture devices, if you ask me.” Molly exclaimed with a laugh.

“Nope Don’t need them.” I smiled at her.

“Good. They’ll be gone tomorrow They would have been gone sooner, but someone didn’t tell me.” She

grumbled as she elbowed Jax.

“Ok. Ok. Sorry. I had other things going on that were more important.” Jax stated, pushing Molly’s

elbow away.

“Yeah Yeah.” Molly gripped playfully

“Alright. Lets go help dad load up the car. We’re taking the Escalade so we all fit. Just one question

Chastity.” Jax said as he stood up from the couch then helped Molly.

“What’s that?” I responded.

“Why in the hell did you invite Colby along? He’s just going to annoy us all.” Jax grumbled.

“Because he’s my brother, and I wanted him to come.” I responded with a smile.

“Well if he gets annoying it’s all your fault.”

“Yes I know. We should get downstairs.”

We all filled out of Jax’s apartment, and headed down to the living room. I was surprised to see Alpha

Joseph, Gamma Peter, Gamma Ross, Melissa, and Gina standing there with Dimitri, Colby, and

Braxton. They all turned to me, and smiled

“There she is. The girl of the hour” Alpha Joseph boomed, as he came toward me.

When he reached me he put his hands on my shoulders, and squeezed slightly for a second. He

searched my face for a moment before giving me a large smile.

“It’s always bittersweet when a pack member leaves for an extended amount of time. I know that I have

been a shit to you for years, but you are an amazing young lady, and I am honored to have you as one

of my pack members. I know you’ll learn a great many things over the next couple of years. You’ll work

hard, accomplish many things, and become the woman you are meant to be I am proud of you.

” do have to tell you, and I realize this may be a bit forward, but I wanted to help prepare you for after

you finish school. As you are my son’s mate, and the future Luna of this pack there are things you will

need to know to be able to properly fill that role. As we have not had a Luna since my Jane passed, I

called Alpha Jeremy of Dark Moon, and talked to him and his Luna Clair I explained that you would be

attending Cloverland, and upon your return here, if all goes well and my son isn’t an idiot again, you will

become our Luna. I reminded her of our lack of Luna so you have no training on how to be a Luna. I

asked her to work with you over the next few years to prepare you for that role in our pack, as you train

to be a midwife as well. I told her that her training with you could not get in the way of your studies

though. Your education, your goals, and your dreams have to come first. She agreed, and said she

would be in contact with you next weekend to meet, and set up a schedule I am sorry if I was too

forward with this, but I felt it would be good to prepare you for that.” Alpha Joseph explained.

“Thank you. I appreciate that. I would like to have some clue as to what I am doing in the future.” I

responded.

I was honored that he would do that for me, even though I still thought things would change with

Rowen. I heard his words, but I didn’t trust them enough to believe that he would keep me as his mate.

I guess time would tell though.

“You are most welcome. I also have one request. Alpha Joseph said.

“Sure.” I said.

“I know Dimi suggested this once already, but I want to reaffirm it. It’s not good for a pack our size to

only have one midwife. We should have at least two, if not three. I am asking that, as you get to know

your fellow students you watch them, and if you feel confident in one or two of them, that you talk to

them about coming here to take the roles we need to fill. Most of them will be about your age, so

moving to a new pack where they are needed would not be unheard of. If you find a promising nursing

student who has interest in being a midwife, but does not have the means to complete the training, get

him or her in touch with me, and I will work it out so that they can.”

“Ok I can do that”

“Good. Thank you.”

“You’re very welcome Aipha, and thank you for having faith in me to find the right people for our pack.”

“No one knows our pack, and our needs more than another pack member. Good luck Chastity. I know

you will do amazing things. You will be missed.”

“Thank you sir.”

He stepped away from me, and Gamma Peter stepped in front of me. He didn’t touch me, but he did

look me over, and smiled.

“Chastity, I don’t know you as well as some of the others, but you have impressed me. You have

amazing drive, determination, intelligence, courage, and strength. I have no doubt you are going to

exceed any expectation any one has for you. I look forward to hearing about all you do while you’re

there. Good luck, and congratulations.” Gamma Peter said, and to my surprised bowed to me.

“Thank you Gamma.” I responded, and bowed in return.

Ross quickly took his place in front of me, and smiled, big.

“Chas, you’re something else. I kept myself in a bubble of my own making for a long time I feel like an

idiot for doing so. I missed out on knowing a pretty awesome person. Keep up the good work. Get

smarter, stronger, happier, and build that confidence. You’ll do great, and I look forward to when you

come home so we can build the friendship we should have had all along. Good luck Chas.” Ross said

with a smile

“Thank you Ross. I will.” I smiled back.

In my next breath I was wrapped in a tight, strong hug. It took a second to realize it was Gina. I

wrapped my arms around her, and squeezed her back.

“….I’ll miss you. I know we’ve only had a few weeks to reconnect after my being a shit, but I will miss

you. You’ve become pretty important to me. Please keep in touch with me, and come home quick. I

need you here.” Gina mumbled against my shoulder.

“I’ll miss you too Gina, but we can call, text, and video chat as often as possible. I will come home

when I’m done with school. I promise.” I whispered to her, and I felt her nod into my shoulder.

Finally she released me, and moved to stand next to her dad. Melissa walked up to me, and just stared

for a minute then tears started to trickle down her cheeks.

“I know we just became friends like a week ago, but you’ve become one of my best in just that short

amount of time. Watching you the last few weeks has been awe inspiring, but getting to know you has

been even better. Watching you has given me courage, and strength I never knew I had. Watching you

get ready to go off to school, and make your dream come true has led me to wanting to figure out what

my dream is, and make it a reality. Thank you for that. I can’t tell you how much that means to me.

Please, please keep in touch so we can keep building on our foundation of friendship, and when you

get home, you, Molly, and I will have the girl’s night to end all girl’s night. Good luck Chas, and I’ll miss

you.” Melissa said as she smiled, and cried.

“Thank you Mel. I’ll miss you too. I will keep in touch. Let me know when you’re mating ceremony is

because you NEED to have one. You deserve one. I will make sure I come home for it. Also, tell Ross

to take the Gamma apartment. You two deserve to be here, with Jax, Molly, and Rowen.” I responded

with a smile.

She only nodded, and pulled me into a hug. I hugged her back, and smiled. She had quickly become

one of my best friends too, in such a short time. I would miss her.

Finally she released me, and went to Ross, burying her face into his chest. I looked to him, and he

nodded. He had heard what I said, and I believed he would make sure to do the things I suggested. He

would also make sure to help her figure out her dream, and help her make it happen.

I finally turned back to my family, and smiled.

“Ready to load up?” Dimitri asked.

Suddenly I realized there was one thing I couldn’t remember if I had packed. I knew I needed it I knew

it was stupid to stress about, but it would make my life at school easier I rushed to my boxes, and

opened them. Riffling through them, I couldn’t find my book bag. It was just a crappy thing, taped, and

patched up, but I needed it. I rushed off, and ran to Jax’s apartment. I couldn’t find it there either. I

finally made my way to my old attic space.

I stopped when I reached that space, and looked around. It was so dark, and dreary in here. I still

couldn’t believe I had lived in this space for six years. I slowly made my way over to my old mattress on

the floor, and sat down. I just looked around. This had been my space for so long. This had been the

start of so much hell for me, but it had been my space. My safe place to hide as no one ever came up

here Eventually I leaned over, and opened the drawer for the busted nightstand that sat by my

mattress.

Tucked way in the back corner of the drawer was the white gold ring, I was once told my mom put on

me the day after I was born. At that time it barely fit my thumb because it was big. I looked at it, and

read the inscription on the band. It read “where you go I am” I had taken it off my first night in this attic,

and hid it so I would always have it. I slid it on my pinkie finger, surprised it wasn’t too small. If fit

perfectly

“What are you doing up here Chas?” Jax asked quietly, making me jump.

“…I guess closing the last door on my past.” I responded.

“Ah.” He responded as he lowered himself to the mattress beside me.

“Yeah.” I said quietly, looking at, and fiddling with the ring on my finger

“I remember that ring. Your mom got it before you were born. We all decided on the inscription together.

She wanted big things for you, but she wanted a piece of all of us to go with you where ever you went.

We picked it out together really. All though Colby wanted a ring with a big stone on it. Your mom

explained to him that it was too dangerous for a baby to have stone. We were there when she put it on

you. She had each of us kiss the ring before she put it on. She said that way you would always carry a

kiss from each of us. Colby thought it was silly, but did it any way. The nurse threw a fit when she saw

it, but your mom would not let them take it off. It only came off when it needed to. Your mom would

keep it on a chain around her neck when you weren’t wearing it. That’s actually the one thing dad stood

his ground with Aurora on when it came to you.

“I remember Aurora had seen it not long after we had all moved in with you. Dad was home for some.

reason. She told him you had stolen it, and that she was taking it back. He got right in her face, told her

it was not stolen, that it was given to you the day after you were born, and if she ever even tried to take

it from you he would rip her apart. He had never threatened her before, or after, to my knowledge, but

she backed off. She would make comments about it from time to time, but he always told her to shut

her mouth, and leave the ring alone. It had nothing to do with her. I have been wondering where it was.”

“I….I hid it up here when this became my room. I didn’t want to lose it or get it taken away.”

“Ah. Well it’s right where your mom wanted it.”

“Yeah.”

“Ready to go?”

“Yeah.”

I followed Jax back down to the living room, and out front where Rowen, Molly, Colby, Braxton, and

Dimitri were waiting. I hadn’t realized my stuff had already been loaded until Braxton closed the back of

the SUV. I stopped, and looked at them all with a smile. I was glad they were all going with me for this. I

hadn’t wanted to go alone, but i had been prepared to. This was better though.

“I have something for you Chas. Something to add to your collection. They got delivered a bit ago, and

I had the frames for them.” Molly said as she handed me a gift bag.

I pulled out the tissue, and found three frames. In each one was a different picture that made me smile.

They were all from the ceremony the previous day I felt bad for the photographer because he had been

rushed to get so many pictures ready so quickly. The first picture was of my brothers holding me with

Dimitri standing behind us. We all had big grins on our faces. The second was of Jax, Colby, Braxton,

and me, all smiling, and pulled in close. The last one was of Dimitri, and me. His arm was around my

shoulders, and my mine was around his waist. The smile on his face was the same smile as the ones I

had found from my pup hood before mom died. I looked up, and smiled at Molly.

“Thank you.” I said, and she nodded.

“What were you looking for earlier, Chastity?” Dimitri asked.

“Oh. It’s dumb, and I can buy a new one later, but I was looking for my book bag. I’ll need it.” I

responded.

“That tattered, stitched up thing, you used to carry?” Braxton asked.

“Yeah. I know it’s stupid, but I will need it.” I said with a shrug.

“No, you don’t. Here” Dimitri said, and handed me another gift bag, a large one this time.

Inside I found a brand new, dark purple book bag. It looked to be pretty large, and very sturdy Stitched

to the front, in white, was our pack symbol.

“Thank you.” I said.

“You’re welcome. It’s large enough, and strong enough to carry your books, and has a special pocket

for your laptop. I know it’s not something grand, but you will need it.” Dimitri said with a smile.

I nodded, and smiled. I put it back in the bag, along with the frames. Braxton took the bag from me, and

put it in the back of the SUV for me.

“Alright. Are you ready to go?” Dimitri asked.

“Yes I am.” I said smiling brightly.

“Alright. Colby is up front with me. The rest of you figure out where you want to sit, and get a move on.

We need to get on the road. We don’t want our Chas to be late for check in.” Dimitri said with a smile

“Wait. Why do I have to sit up front?” Colby asked with a whine.

“Because you know how to work the stupid GPS on this truck.” Dimitri stated.

“Oh. Fine”

We all laughed at his whine. It was decided that Molly, and Jax would sit in the third row. Braxton,

Rowen, and I would sit in the second. Once we were all seated, and buckled, we took off. I watched

through the windshield as we headed toward the edge of the pack land. When we reached the

entrance there was a wolf sitting on each side. I realized it was Alpha Joseph, and Gamma Peter As

we drove past them, they threw back their heads, and howled. Quickly windows were opened, and we

howled back. Once we crossed the end of the pack border I sat back, and sighed. This was it. The next

step in my life. The one I had worked so hard for. The one I never thought I would ever be able to

reach. I was nervous, but so excited.