Chapter 6 – Runaway
Sophia couldn't wipe the silly grin off her face as she walked down the hallway. Luke had sneaked in to give her a birthday surprise that morning and landed face to face with her dad. What really shocked them both was that her dad had calmly walked out the room before shouting out to Luke
"I don't expect the two of you to be late for school. Oh, and Cates, if you are going to make this a daily habit, please use the front door next time."
Things couldn't be more perfect. Her dad had finally accepted Luke. Sherman had sent her a note that he had discovered her role as white. And best of all, her relationship with Luke was blossoming tremendously. After all her problems before the flip, life certainly seemed better after it.
Luke fingered the velvet box in his pocket. He hoped to surprise Sophia with it. And most importantly, he hoped that Sophia would make him the happiest man that walked the earth by accepting it. He knew that Sophia was still a human in many ways. He just had to convince her that they had already committed to each other when they became mates.
This was just a formality to be done. They already had done the important ritual of sharing blood way before their first date. However, he was ready to give Sophia more time if she needed it. Man, he was running late. Hearing the bell, he jogged up the steps to see if he could find her.
Sophia was waiting for Luke during lunch break at their usual spot. Since he was running late,
she supposed she better get a read on their history assignment. Suddenly, a shadow drew across the open pages of the textbook. Smiling she glanced up thinking it was Luke. Her smile died down when she found herself staring at Prestley, the last person she wished to have an encounter with today.
"Sophia, I need to talk to you."
"I have nothing to say to you, Prestley."
"Please, it's important. I really need to tell you this."
"Okay, what is it?"
"Not here. Lets go to the bleachers. No one will disturb us there."
"Fine. Lead the way."
Sophia was beginning to get suspicious at Prestley's behavior. She didn't usually act like a meek lamb. Something was up and Sophia had a bad feeling that it had something to do with Luke.
"Sophia. I'm sorry."
"What? Why are you sorry?"
"I'm going to have to tell you this. You're the only one who can help me."
"Tell me what Prestley?"
"Sophia..." Prestley broke in a sob.
"Sophia, I'm pregnant."
"What? Anyway it's not like I'm surprised that it happened to you."
"That's cruel to say Sophia. Even for you. I came to you for help."
"Sigh, okay Prestley. Do you at least know who the father is?"
"Yes."
"Well, you should tell him. Pack laws clearly state that the father of the baby should take responsibility. If he doesn't want to, take the matter up with Vivian."
"That's why I need your help."
"Me? What does this have to do with me?" Sophia got a very bad feeling about this conversation suddenly.
"Who is the father Prestley?" Sophia demanded, her voice getting slightly louder.
"Lu.. Lucas Cates."
Sophia felt as if she had been punched in the gut. All the air in her lungs seemed to whoosh out in one go.
"When?" Sophia whispered softly.
Sensing Sophia's weakening, Prestley let it out in one go.
"The week when you were ignoring Luke. Please Sophia, you've got to help me. Break up with Luke. You yourself know that he will have to shoulder this responsibility too. For the sake of my baby, please let Luke go."
Sophia didn't know what to say. Turning around so Prestley wouldn't see the tears starting to form in her eyes, she ran. Sophia ran until she reached the clearing in the woods. She was out of breath by the time she got there.
Kneeling, she let out a shout of despair. How could Luke do such a thing to her? Were all his promises fake? Sophia felt betrayed. Anger swelled up inside of her. She had sworn back then that she would never let Lucas Cates break her heart again, but she had let it happen.
God, of all the things, he had gotten Prestley pregnant. As son of the Alpha he would be forced to marry her. And then what? The whole town could sit and laugh at how the half-breed had been used. The falling darkness alerted her to the fact that she had been sitting in the woods for hours. Wiping away the tears that still coursed of the ground, she got up and brushed the dirt off her jeans.
Sophia knew that she couldn't stay and watch all her recently built dreams shatter when Luke and Prestley got married. This was the last straw. She would forever be known as the half-breed in Wolf Lake. She couldn't start anew if she had to be witness to Luke and Prestley's supposedly perfect family. Luke becoming the Alpha with Prestley at his side. Little Lukes which were not a part of her running around the town. Sophia made up her mind then and there. There was only one solution for her to salvage what was left of her sanity.
---
The black car swerved round the bend in a screech. Knuckles white as she clenched the steering wheel, Sophia put her foot to the gas pedal and accelerated the car. As far as she was concerned, her main aim was to put as much distance as she could between her and Wolf Lake.
She had been driving for 3 hours straight already. Around her, darkness began to blanket the surroundings. The flickering of a neon sign signaled a Diner and Gas Station not far away. The gas gauge began to blink red as the arrow neared the dangerous level. Sophia sighed. If she was to carry on driving all night long, she might as well stop to fill up now and grab some coffee.
The Diner was pretty empty with the exception of a lone trucker sitting at the counter. Chucking her bag on the booth seat, Sophia slid in.
"So what'll it be love?"
"A cup of coffee, black and a ham sandwich to go."
"Coming right up."
Sophia stared out of the window. She had no idea where to head after this. Her whole life had been spent in Wolf Lake and apart from her uncle in Italy, she had no one else around. Plus, she didn't have much money on her, just what she had managed to save from working at the Diner. Even that, she guessed would last her a month tops.
What was she to do? Sophia sighed and felt the tears threatening to spill. Swiping her eyes with her sleeve, she stared at the empty carpark through the window angrily. This was all Lucas Cates and that bitch Prestley's fault. A cup of coffee was being placed on the table and Sophia dug into her purse to pay. Looking up to pay the waitress, she was shocked to see Sherman Blackstone sitting across her.
"That's okay. This coffee's on the house."
"Sss..herman. What are you doing here?"
"I should be asking you that. You've wandered a bit to far from Wolf Lake tonight haven't you?"
Sophia bent her head and stared at the tabletop. She couldn't let Sherman take her back to Wolf Lake, she knew she just couldn't. She tried to find the words to explain but was drawing a blank.
"Sophia, the decisions you make are yours. As keeper of the pack, I'm supposed to protect it. And you are part of that pack, whether you like it or not. However, I also don't think that you'll jeopardize the pack in any way if you were by any chance planning of leaving."
"How did you know?"
"They don't call me wise keeper for nothing. Anyway, have you decided where you are going to go? The world is a big place."
"No... I didn't actually think things through before leaving. But I know I can't stay there anymore. I have to get out of Wolf Lake. I need some time away."
"I know about things down the future that you couldn't even imagine about. I've already foreseen you leaving and more importantly your return. Therefore, I understand the importance of your decision."
"But the pack. The Alpha. My dad. They won't let me leave. They'll definitely try to track me down and drag me back. I'm a white. They'll force me to return just like Ruby."
"Don't worry. Only your father and I know that you are a white. The town will merely carry on assuming that you left because you were a half-breed. Half of them don't even know you had flipped. As for your dad, I'll assure and advice him that you need to be left alone for now."
"I trust you Sherman, but just tell my dad not to worry. I'll be fine."
"Well, it's getting late. You and I better get moving. I wouldn't be surprised if your father has the whole town searching for you. Here, go down to San Francisco and head to this address. You'll be able to board there and have someone to take care of you. She's a good friend of mine. Take care Sophia and don't worry, I won't tell anyone where you are. You can come back when you are ready. However I have only one condition on keeping my mouth shut. Keep in regular contact with me, my email address is on the back of the card."
"Thanks Sherman. I don't know how I'll ever repay you."
"Just don't ever forget where you came from and who you are."
In a blink, he was gone. Sophia flipped the white card in her hands. She smiled as she read the barely legible scrawl. Sherman's email address was funnily enough the last thing she would have expected. indeed. Grabbing her bag and the coffee, she jogged out of the Diner and in no time was on the road heading to San Francisco.
---
Luke panted as he raced through the woods trying to pick up Sophia's scent. After she had not shown up to meet him, he had spent the rest of the day searching for her. Sophia's scent around Wolf Lake was very weak, almost as if she hadn't been here in the last 5 hours. Worry gnawed in his gut. He was at his wits end when he finally reached the station. If there was anyone else who knew where Sophia was, it had to be Matt Donner.
Sheriff Donner was not a happy man. For the last 2 hours, he had been trying to contact his daughter but to no avail. He paced furiously around the station. He had gone home early today to take Sophia out for a birthday dinner only to find her missing and her room looking like it had been ransacked.
"Molly, any updates?"
"Nope, still the same. No one has seen your daughter since this afternoon."
"Dammit, I'm going out to search for her. Radio me if you have any news."
Matt stomped over to the door and swung it open only to nearly collide with Lucas Cates.
"I can't find her anywhere. The school, diner, your house, the woods...even her scent has faded. She's far, I can sense it and she's not even answering my mental calls."
Fury rose in Matt's eyes and it turned to that familiar amber coloring. Grabbing the boy by the scruff of his neck, he flung him inside.
"You better tell me everything that has happened with my daughter in the last 24 hours or you're not going to leave here alive."
"E..everything was just great. I was supposed to meet her after school, but she didn't show up."
Matt ran his fingers through his hair. As much as he would like to blame Luke for Sophia's disappearance, he could see in the boy's eyes that he was just as worried about Sophia being gone.
"Hey, Matt, you better teach your daughter to respect the speed limit. I just saw her driving hell bent out of Wolf Lake."
"What!!"
John Kanin took a step back when he saw the fury in Matthew Donner's eyes.
"Well, I just thought she was going down to the next town to get something. Her birthday's today right?"
Matt took a few deep breaths trying to regain his composure. Okay, Sophia hadn't been kidnapped or anything like that. But where was she going without telling him?
"When did you last see her, Kanin?"
"Around 4 hours ago at the Lupe Road exit."
Matt took a seat and sighed. Kanin looked at him sheepishly.
"Well... is she in trouble or anything? Damn, I'm still new to all this pack business but I have a feeling she wasn't supposed to be heading out of Wolf Lake anytime, was she?
"Well, well.. I see the party has already started. Any room for one more?"
Sherman chuckled when 3 puzzled faces looked up at him.
"I don't think the birthday girl will be about to make it though. But no point in wasting the cake."
"You know where Sophia has gone?"
"Yes and no. She's left Wolf Lake."
"What do you mean she's left Wolf Lake."
"Gone. Astalavista. Bye Bye."
"My patience is wearing thin Sherman. What do you know about this?"
"Sophia just needs some time alone right now. The pack doesn't need her. She deserves to see the world."
"What!!"
"And you'd better call off any search teams you have set out. I don't think she'd take it too lightly if anyone went after her. Matt I'll talk to you later when you've calmed down
---
It took Sophia practically all night before she reached San Francisco. Since she was unfamiliar to the place, she cruised down the road, looking for Heinemann Street. As if by some miracle, she felt like she was being guided to the spot. She was surprised when she arrived at the address Sherman had given her. It was an old mansion of sorts and by the side of the ornate gates stood two wolf statues. Creepily enough, as soon as the car pulled up, the gates swung back as if someone had already known she was coming.As she slowly drove the car through the gates, she couldn't help the chills creeping down her spine. That alone made here feel like turning and running all the way back to Wolf Lake. Stopping at the foyer, she gave her surroundings a thorough look.
Nope, still looks like something out of a haunted movie.
Slowly Sophia got out of the car, but hesitated when the heavy oak front doors was thrown open. However, no one was there.
Sophia practically jumped out of her shoes when suddenly a loud booming voice sounded.
"We have been expecting you Miss."
The source of the voice turned out to be a tall thin man, who weirdly enough looked like the butler of Addams Family, from behind the open car boot. He was already lugging her bags into the house.
"Madam has been waiting for you in the parlor."
"Uuuhh... maybe I should just come back another time."
"Through that door please, Miss Donner."
"How did you..?"
Sophia was practically shoved through an opening in what seemed to be a bookcase. The door shut behind her.
Okay Soph, calm down. Sherman wouldn't have sent you to Mrs Frankenstein, would he?
She jumped when a soft feminine voice spoke from the corner of the dim room.
"Miss Donner, I was expecting you earlier. Sherman called me to inform me that you were coming. How was your trip?"Sophia stepped forward prepared to meet some haughty old lady but was surprised to see someone who looked like a very homely person. She was small in size and slightly plump with her graying hair fixed in a bun. She had a welcoming smile and was wearing a T-shirt and jeans. She also looked like a close relation of Sherman's.
"Well, don't just stand there. Come closer to the fire and make yourself comfortable. The journey must have been tiring."
"Uh, sure. If you wouldn't mind, who are you?"
"Oh, I forgot the introductions, didn't I? Must be the age. Well, I'm Edie, Sherman's sister. Now I understand that you will be staying in San Francisco for some time. I insist that you stay with me, dear. After all, it gets very lonely in this big mansion. I wouldn't mind a little company."
"Th..thank you maam. I don't know how long I'll be here though. Did Sherman tell you why I'm here?"
"Please, call me Edie. Sherman did mention something but what's important is that at least you got to leave Wolf Lake and see the outside world. Honestly, that pack is so old school. The community is so much more open know then it was before." "You know about us then?" "Of course dearie. Who doesn't? It's not like the wolven are the only creatures around you know. But in my opinion, that pack of yours are a bunch of loners and scared of the outside world. Humph, even the vampires have come out."
"Did you just say vampires? Are there really vampires out there?"
"You really haven't been taught much past the pack matters, have you? I thought Sherman would have known better. Well, yes, there are vampires, lamia, witches and other shapeshifters in this world. It's not just the wolf pack and humans. Enough of that for now. Its getting late, and you look like you need to get some rest. Edgar will show you your room. If you need anything, Edgar will be able to assist you."
"Goodnight Edie. And thank you."---
Sophia woke up with the sun shining bright through the window and birds chirping cheerfully. She had been to tired to notice the room yesterday, but in the morning light, the room looked cozy. The walls were painted a light blue and the room was fairly large. A knock on the door drew her out of her investigation. Edgar stepped in the room carrying a tray. Funny, he didn't look all that scary now although he was still dressed in the full suit. In fact he seemed less formal and his eyes shone in a friendly sort of way.
"Miss Donner, Edie thought you might like some breakfast."
"Thanks. I'm famished. By the way, please call me Sophia."
The tray was laden with muffins, scrambled eggs and bacon. A steaming hot mug of coffee was placed on the bedside table. Sophia dug in appreciatively; she hadn't been able to stomach much food on the journey over. After she finished her breakfast and managed to get a nice shower, she headed down the stairs in search of Edie.
"Ah Sophia, I hope you had a good sleep."
"Yes, I did. And thank you for the breakfast. It was delicious."
"Don't mention it. So, what do you plan to do while you're in San Francisco? Sherman thought that you might want to look into the colleges around here. I've seen the academic report that he faxed through. You should have no trouble getting in to any college of your choice. What courses are you interested in?
"Back in Wolf Lake, I had so much opportunity to just sit and study the stars, so I grew up wanting to do astrology. Up until a couple of months ago, that's what I thought I wanted. But now that it seems a reality, that I really get to go to college, wow, I haven't had a chance to really think about it. But Zoology always did sound great or maybe art. Haha, I really don't know Edie."
"Well, the Dean of San Francisco State is a good friend of mine. I could arrange an interview for you. I hear they have an excellent course in Zoology there."
"I'd appreciate that."
"Until then, I must insist you allow Edgar and I to take you sightseeing. San Francisco is a wonderful place and there's lots to see and do, especially for someone like you."
"When you put it that way, how can I say no? Sure. I'd love that."
"And I'd also like to introduce you to some of the other communities around. If you're up for it, Xandere Mallax, lord of the vampyre clan is having a ball tonight. I've been invited but I'm sure they'd love to have another guest. Especially since it's not always that they get a Wolf Lake Wolven amongst them."
"That sounds interesting. Alright."
----
A FEW WEEKS LATER
Sophia looked at the building with trepidation. Butterflies were fluttering in her stomach. Today, she would officially be starting her first year in college. Thanks to Edie, she had managed to get a place in San Francisco State University and she was going to finally live up her dreams of studying Zoology. She had even enrolled in night art classes.
The past few weeks had been great. Edie and Edgar had shown her the sights and what they missed, her new witch and vampire friends showed her. She was now thoroughly educated on not only the touristy spots in San Franc but the cool clubs and secret hangouts as well. Sophia was surprised at how the other communities had accepted her having learnt that there were only two surviving wolf packs left – hers and another in Siberia.
The buzz of excitement was all around her with students hurrying by as they raced to their classes. She studied her map then realizing she was headed in the wrong direction, she turned around. Bumping right into someone else. Sophia gasped as her file and books cluttered on the floor. Bending to retrieve it, she noticed suddenly that the stranger was helping her.
"That's okay. It was my fault. I'm sorry."
"No, I wasn't looking where I was going. I'm the one who should be apologizing."
Sophia glanced up and was caught in the gaze of the bluest of eyes.
"Hi, I'm Jared. Jared Gallagher."
"Sophia."
"Well, once again sorry Sophia. Maybe we'll bump into each other sometime. I've gotta run."
Sophia watched as he got up and began to walk away. He had strawberry blond hair which was cut in a flip-flop sort of way. His body was firm and he had a nice ass. She guessed that he was a runner or some sort of sportsman. Sophia smiled to herself. He was very nice looking. She stopped her examination when suddenly an image of Lucas Cates entered her mind. Damn it! She was here to start anew. Luke was the last person that she needed to think about.
She got a glance at her wristwatch and let out a curse. Her first day in class and she was going to be late. Brushing of the dirt from her slacks, she hurried down the corridor. When she entered the lecture hall, she felt a hundred eyes on her.
"Well, I'm glad that you were able to make some time from your busy schedule for us. Sit down! I do not tolerate tardiness, or you'll just have to find someone else's class."
So much for making a good first impression, Sophia thought blushingly.
"Hey, you. Sophia right. There's a place over here."
Sophia turned at the whispered voice. It was Jared. She sat down in the seat next to his.
"Man, it was my fault you were late wasn't it. I'll have to make it up to you. How about lunch after class?"
"Lunch? But I hardly know you."
"It's your first day. You'll have to get to meet new people. Plus, I already know your name and you already know mine. We can get to know each other over lunch. Whaddaya say? Surely you can't resist this irresistible charm of mine?"
"Okay, I'll do lunch. But that charm could use a bit more work."
---
Sophia crunched the apple. She and Jared were sitting in the quad having their lunch.
"So where are you from?""Around."
"Come on. Around is huge. Be more specific."
"It's a small town actually. You wouldn't know it."
"Cool. I'm born and bred here in San Francisco. So where are you staying?"
"With an aunt. But I'm looking around for an apartment."
"You're in luck. Turns out my housemate just left, so I have a room up for rent. You could lease it if you want."
"Thanks but no thanks. Besides, I don't think I'd feel comfortable staying with a guy. Call it small town mentality."
"Your loss. So why'd you choose this uni?"
"Fate chose it for me, I guess."
"You're one of those mysterious type of girl, aren't you. Don't worry, I get the message. You're not comfortable talking about yourself. Understood."
"It's not that. Let's just say I'm starting anew here. So, how's life in San Francisco like?"
---
TWO MONTHS LATER
"Hey Soph, hurry up. The game is going to start any time now."
"Calm down, Jared. I just need to lock up."
"Forget locking up, the apartment is on the 22nd floor and no one would bother. I however would be extremely bothered if I missed the pre-game cheerleaders routine."
Sophia smiled to herself. If someone had told her two months ago that Jared and her would end up becoming best friends and housemates, she would have laughed. Jared was similar to Lucas Cates in many ways, at the same time completely different as well. A pang of dizziness hit Sophia then, as it always did when she thought about Lucas. But recently it was happening more often than ever.
While her life in San Francisco was the greatest time she ever had, Wolf Lake was never far from her mind. Maybe that's it, I'm just homesick. I'll go over to Edie's later to see if she has anything to cure this. Besides, I'm long overdue for a visit and Edgar has been bugging me to come and taste his new wine.
Jared's voice, broke through her revelry.
"Sophia what's taking you so long? You installing security alarms or something?. I'm warning you I wont wait. Then we'll see how you feel like walking 20 blocks to the field."
"Hold your horses Jared! Its not like those cheerleaders would give you the time of the day. I'm coming!"
She shouted at him as she began racing down the stairs. All of a sudden, she felt like a black hole was about to swallow her into the ground. With a groan, she fell to the floor with a thud.
"Sophia!! What's wrong? C'mon Soph, answer me."
---
The tapping at the door made him feel like someone was hitting his head with a sledgehammer. He grunted as the tapping stopped but the throbbing in his forehead didn't. Shifting to try to ease the pain, he forced an eye open at the sound of his mother's voice.
"Lucas Cates. What is the meaning of this? Are you drunk?"Vivian Cates looked at the pathetic sight of her son, curled up in a fetal position on the floor. He had started consuming large amounts of alcohol since Sophia had left but she had thought it would only be temporary. For the first time, she had misjudged the situation. Stepping over the mess of beer cans and vodka bottles, she hauled her son up to his feet. He could barely lift his head up and his eyes were bloodshot. He gave a growl at being disturbed.
"Look at me, Luke! I've had enough of this. You are going to march into the bathroom and take a long cold shower. I want to see you in my study in 20 minutes. And no excuses."
He could only slump back against the wall once his mother had left the room. He hadn't been in school for more than a month. He just couldn't stand being able to do anything when he had lost Sophia. In the beginning, he had tried to go after her but he was strictly forbidden to do so by Sherman and his mother. The waiting had gotten too long and he had turned to a beer or two to cheer him up. It just wasn't fair. He cursed the day he had been born into this pack. He didn't feel so special about being a skinwalker anymore. They were wrong. It wasn't a gift, it was a curse, which had made him lose his mate and he knew that he might never be able to accept it.
"Dammit Sophia, where are you? I need you."
----
Sophia opened her eyes only to stare at a stark white ceiling. She tried to verify her surroundings. The room was primarily white with light blue curtains dividing it. She shook her head. She must be dreaming.
"Sophia, you're up. How do you feel?""Jared? Where am I?
"You took a pretty long fall down the stairs when you fainted. We're in a hospital."
"I can't stay. I need to go."
Sophia struggled to pull out the IV needle but was restrained by Jared. Her mind swam.
God, she needed to get out of here. What if they did any tests and discovered her identity? Wasn't there something about the pack having both human and wolf DNA. I can't risk it..
"Look Sophia, calm down. I know about you already. I understand."
"What! What do you mean you know?"
"Look, it's okay. These things happen. The doctor said that in your condition it's perfectly normal to faint. You were a bit overstressed that's all. She was just worried about how the fall you took might affect your... erm... condition. They need to keep you in for observation."
"I'm fine. I need to get out of here."
She was interrupted when the door opened and a doctor walked in.
"Miss Donner, I'm glad your up. That was some fall you took there. Now we did some tests. When was your last checkup?"
"Checkup? I don't get sick often. Why?"
"Well, you have been to the gynecologist already, haven't you?"
"I don't understand."
"Well, Miss Donner, I thought you would have noticed something seeing how far you are already along. Congratulations, you're nearly 4 months pregnant."
"I beg your pardon."
"That's right Miss Donner. Now we did a scan to be sure you didn't miscarry. Your babies are fine."
"Did you just say babies?"
"Oh, yes. You're having twins."
Sophia felt like someone had punched her in the gut and taken her breath away. She couldn't help but let a tear roll down her cheek. Dozens of questions popped up in her mind.
What was it with Lucas Cates that she could never get away from him? And did he have super human sperm or something? Going around and impregnating all the girls he slept with? Didn't the skinwalkers have some sort of special rules that could make you pregnant unlike humans? I didn't break any of them right – I mean I wasn't in heat when I had slept with Luke? Why is this happening to me?
"Sophia. Are you okay? I thought you knew already."
"Nope, this is news to me."
"Look, I made sure that they didn't take any blood or anything for the tests. As far as I could tell, the doctor was human and we wouldn't want you to end up diced up for some sort of experiment, right? So I think that we need to get you out as quick as possible."
"What! How'd you? No you can't have?"
"That you are a skinwalker? Yeah, I noticed it about a week after we first met. That night when you got slightly drunk and started talking about Wolf Lake. Your eyes went amber for a minute when you talked about someone called Luke."
"But that still doesn't explain..."
"Look, for now, I'll just tell you that I'm only half human. My mom was a skinwalker as well. She can shift into a panther. I can as well. Now we really need to get you out of here."