Chapter 44


    ***Chastity***


    I was thankful that I had gotten my school supplies, and books together the night before my first ss. I


    hadn’t slept well. Until I pulled out Rowen’s hoodie, and wrapped it around myself, I had been gued


    with nightmares again. For the first time in two weeks. I guess it had been him that kept my nightmares


    at bay.


    I was d I was going to be meeting with a therapist the following afternoon. I needed help moving


    away from my past. I needed it to stop haunting me. I had mistakenly believed I had gotten over the


    worst of it. I was disappointed that I was wrong.


    I also discovered it was going to be an adjustment to being alone again. At one point in the night, after


    wrapping myself in Rowen’s hoodie, I found myself staring at the pictures on my nightstand sobbing. I


    had spent so many years alone, but in a few short weeks the group of people in the pictures I was


    looking at came to mean so much to me. I missed them terribly I even considered going home, but


    shook that thought off quickly as I had worked too hard for this. I had to see it through.


    I was also d that I set my rm for two hours before my 9:00 ss began. I wanted to be there


    early. so I could get my stuff set up, and ready for the beginning of ss. This gave me enough time to


    shower, dress, and get some breakfast. ording to my ss description, scrubs,b coat, and


    stethoscope were not need for Anatomy. After my shower I throw on a pair of jeans, and a t-shirt. I


    kissed my pictures, grabbed my book bag, phone, and school ID then headed out. The trip to the


    cafeteria was quick. As I wasn’t terribly hungry due to nerves, I just grabbed a small omelet, and some


    fruit I saw some students spread around the room, but I found a small table, sat, and ate quickly.


    Once done I made my way to the medical building. It took me a bit, but eventually I found my


    ssroom. I was the first one there so I found a seat near the front. As the seating wasn’t theater


    seating, I didn’t want to end up behind someone taller then me that may block my view. I was setting up


    myptop, as well as pulling out my textbook, notepad, and pen when other students started to enter


    the room. I was surprised to see there were twenty people in the ss. Mostly female, with only one


    male. They all looked to be about my age. I remembered hearing that only twenty new students were


    epted each year so I guess. this was everyone that would be in my sses for the next three years.


    Finally the instructor entered the room. He was a much older man, who was on the shorter side for a


    wolf. He had kind eyes, and waspletely bald. He greeted us, called our names for role, and got


    started right away. I appreciate his no nonsense attitude. Most of the ss was spent reviewing our


    assignment schedule, expectations, and required textbooks. He also informed us that while the rest of


    our courses would onlyst for two terms, Anatomy ran the entire first year of our education as it was


    so involved. We had to review the entire Anatomy of not only humans, but wolves as well. It would be a


    very involved ss. By the end of the two hour ss, we knew all there was to know about what was


    expected of us. He also assigned us a simple starter homework assignment, but warned us it would get


    harder from there. It was kind of a good thing we only had his ss three days a week so I had time


    complete assignments.


    Once we were released from ss, I headed right back to my room. I was too nervous, and


    ufortable to talk to any of my ssmates. I had had so many bad experiences with fellow students


    in the past, I didn’t trust they would treat me any better than I had been in the past. I wasn’t ready to


    find out if I was right or wrong either


    When I reached my room, I quicklypleted my assignment. It may have sounded teacher’s pet like,


    but I wanted it done early so I didn’t have to worry about itter Once that wasplete I checked my


    cell phone to find I had lots of texts from home Every one sent an array of good luck, and proud of me


    texts. That made me feel very good. i responded to all of them. I was just setting my phone down, when


    it rang.


    Braxton’s name, and the picture he took of himself for his contact popped up. I answered it


    immediately.


    “Hi Brax. How are you?” I said.


    “Hey Chas. I’m good. How was your first day?” He asked.


    “Pretty easy. I only have one ss for the next two weeks. Mostly we reviewed the course


    expectations, and text book. What about you? How was your day?”


    “It was good. I found out today that I won’t be held back. I do have to do summer school for math, but I


    pulled the rest of my grades up enough to not need to do them again.”


    “That’s great Brax. I’m so proud of you.”


    “Thank you. Really. All of your help really got me through it.”


    “You’re wee Brax.”


    “So what I wanted to tell you is that I won’t need tutoring for a couple of weeks. We’re done with the


    work. for thest two days of school. Summer school starts in two weeks. I still want to text, talk on the


    phone, and video chat, but they can be social calls for now.”


    “Oh ok. That works for me. I enjoy talking to you.”


    “Yeah. Me too.”


    “How….um….how is your father?”


    “Oh. Um. The same. Since I wasn’t home yesterday we didn’t get to talk much, but he’s joining us


    downstairs for dinner tonight. Now that you’ve left, we’re all downstairs for dinner in the main dining


    room.”


    “Ah ok.”


    “So the strangest thing happened when I got home from school today”


    “What’s that?”


    “Naomi was cleaning the living room with your friend Lucy. Or more Lucy was telling Naomi how to


    clean. the room properly. Ross told me Gamma Peter finally decided what to do with her She has to


    help the Omegas Alpha Joe hired around the pack house in the mornings, after dinner, and on


    weekends. She has to clean the living room, dining room, and doundry. In the afternoons she’ll have


    to go to the elementary school to help clean there. He felt that the best way for her to understand a


    portion of what she, Aurora, and Fiona put you through was to make her do some of the work herself


    for awhile. She won’t be hurt, starved, and talked down to like you were, but she will have to do the


    work. She also lost her Gamma responsibility, and privileges. Gamma Peter said those things are done


    by those who are respected, and honored, but she has none of those things right now for what she did.


    Most of the pack. avoids her as much as they can. It’s not known how long it willst yet, but for now


    that is what is happening.”


    “Wow.”


    “Yeah. Well I gotta go. I have warrior training with Colby in ten minutes, and I need to change. Bye


    Chas. Miss you.”


    “Bye Brax. Miss you too.”


    I hung up the phone, and looked at the time. I had my first self defense ss in twenty minutes. I


    grabbed a pair of leggings to change into, grabbed my water bottle and ID, put on my sneakers, and


    left my room.


    It took me a few minutes to find the ss room, but when I did I found that only five of us were taking


    the ss. I found an area to stand that was out of everyone’s way, and waited.


    Eventually a well built male, who looked to be in his mid-twenties walked in, and moved to the front of


    the room. He looked a bit like a body builder with his ck tank top, and tight shorts. He was just under


    6′ tall, with ck hair, and gray eyes. He also had tanned skin like he spent a lot of time out in the sun.


    He was handsome, in his own way, but nobody beat Rowen when it came to looks. He looked at each


    of us in the eye before he spoke.


    “HI everyone. I’m Matt. I’m a warrior for Dark Moon pack. I’ll be your instructor for beginner self defense


    A lot of what we’re going to be doing is building your core strength so several sses a week will be


    held in the gym, learning how to use the equipment properly, and building your strength. The rest of the


    sses will be working on proper movements, and execution of movements to protect, and defend


    yourselves. There will be no sparing in this ss. This is more exercise than anything else. I know the


    ss seems small right now, but the second, and third year nursing students do not return for another


    two weeks. When they arrive we have another ten students that will be joining us. Why don’t we start


    by introducing ourselves then we’ll move into working on stretching properly”


    The first person to introduce themselves was Rose. She was a taller peppy blonde who had a constant


    smile on her face. Next was Shonda who was a taller dark skinned girl with her hair in a buzz cut. She


    seemed pretty nice. She was followed by the only male in our ss, Norm. He was a little bit taller than


    me, and slender with his hair shaved off. He seemed really upbeat, and bubbly. Then there was Lexi.


    She was also taller than me, with curly brown hair She had a bit of an attitude. Finally Matt looked at


    me. He made me instantly ufortable as he was obviously checking me out.


    “I’m Chastity” I squeaked.


    “Wee Chastity. It is a pleasure to meet you.” Matt purred, and I found myself a little irritated with


    his tone, but choose to ignore it.


    “Ok everyone. We’re going to start with the basics of stretching. Now I know that when in a situation.


    where you have to defend yourself you won’t have time to stretch first, but for our purposes, stretching


    is a must. It warms up, as well as loosens your muscles so that as you move, and work out you are


    less likely to over exert them. We’re going to start with simple arm stretches.” Matt exined.


    I watched every move he made closely, and repeated them. He then went through each stretch,


    exining what muscles we were stretching, and what part of our activities they would be used for


    Through the entire ss I watched everything he did. I wanted to make sure I knew exactly what I was


    doing so I didn’t injure myself. After the hour ss reviewing stretches, and muscles, we were released


    from ss. I left quickly, but felt eyes on my back until I was out the door.


    When I got back to the housing building I went straight to the cafeteria for dinner. To my surprise Norm


    sat with me I didn’t say anything because I was so nervous, but he spoke quickly.


    “Hi. If you haven’t figured it out, I’m Norm.” He introduced himself.


    “I did. Hi Norm. I’m Chastity. It’s nice to meet you.” I said with a small smile.


    “It’s nice to meet you too. So what do you think so far?”


    “Well the first day was easy. I think we’re going to be in for a lot of work though.”


    “In self defense or our regr sses?”


    “Both.”


    We bothughed at that, and started to eat.


    “So….um…are you from Dark Moon?” Norm asked.


    “No. I’m from Moonlight. You?” I responded


    “I’m from Dark Moon. My parents were a bit surprised when I said I wanted to go to nursing school, but


    they supported me. I’ve always been one to make sure everyone is healthy in our family, and I treat the


    minor injuries too. Mom, and dad said it made sense”


    “Wow! It’s great that they were so supportive of you.”


    “Yeah. They are pretty great. They were even supportive when I came out as gay when I was fifteen.”


    “Now that is a sign of good parents.”


    “Yeah. They’re worried though because not many wolves are gay, but I’m sure when the time is right I’ll


    find my mate”


    “Of course you will What is your major area of study?”


    “Emergency medicine. I like to help the injured, and sick. What about you? Were your parents


    supportive of youing here?”


    I thought about the best way to answer that. I didn’t want to get into my past as I was worried Norm


    would pity me, or agree with the ones that had hurt me I decided to stick with the more recent truth.


    “My dad is very supportive of me being here. He made sure I had everything I needed, and was


    completely ready when I got here yesterday “I stated.


    “What about your mom?” Norm asked.


    “Oh. Um….my mom passed away in a car ident when I was three.”


    “Oh no. I’m sorry to hear that.”


    “It’s ok. It was a long time ago, and I don’t really remember her I hear she was a great woman, and a


    nurse at our pack hospital.”


    “Following in mom’s footsteps. Nice.”


    “Yeah.”


    “Are you looking for your mate while you’re here, or waiting until you finish school?”


    “Oh no. I already found him.”


    “Oh wow! Is he here with you?”


    “No. He’s the future Alpha of Moonlight. He couldn’t stay here with me. He has too many


    responsibilities to be away for so long. He just got back from Alpha school, and tour with my brother


    who is our future. Beta a few weeks ago.”


    “Wait. Your brother is the future Beta of your pack, and your mate is the future Alpha? Damn girl! You


    got some great connections there. Does that mean your dad is the Beta at Moonlight?”


    “Yeah he is.”


    “Nice. Is it as painful physically as they say it is, being away from your mate? I hear marked mates


    struggle with being separated.”


    “Oh. We are waiting to mark each other until I finish with school.”


    “Ah. I guess that’s probably a good idea.”


    “Yeah.”


    “So do you have any other siblings?”


    “Yeah. I have another older brother, Colby. He’s three years older than me, and a younger brother,


    Braxton.


    He’s three years younger than ine. What about you? Any brothers or sisters.”


    “Girl my family is so big we could be a small pack on our own.


    “Seriously?”


    “Nah. I am the second youngest of ten though.”


    “TEN!”


    “Yeah. My parents mated right out of high school, and the first one of us was born within a year of


    being mated. Every two years another one of us came along. I have four older brothers, four older


    sisters, and one younger sister.


    “Wow! Are you all close?”


    “We try to be It can be hard sometimes though. My older brothers are all mated now, and have pups.


    Two of my sisters found their mates in other packs. Actually,e to think of it, one of my sisters is


    mated to a warrior in your pack. Wait. Are….forgive me for asking, but are you the Chastity that was


    hurt pretty bad by a group of females about a month ago?”


    “Yeah. That was me.”


    My heart dropped to my stomach. I hadn’t wanted anyone to know about that. I didn’t want to be pitied,


    orughed at for what had been done to me. I wanted to start this journey with as few of the ghosts of


    my past haunting me as possible.


    “Damn girl! You are bad ass for surviving all of what you did. My sister, and her mate told us all about it


    They talked about how strong you were to stand in front of those females, look them in eye, and not fall


    apart. They said you were calm, collected, and they could tell you spoke from your heart when you did


    speak. They said a lot of your pack were inspired by your strength, and courage. To think you lived


    through all of that, plus maintained your grades enough to get in here. Girl, you need to hold your head


    up high, and be damn proud yourself for not only surviving what you did, but for aplishing so much


    while surviving.” Norm gushed.


    My eyes widened at his words. I had no idea my pack saw me that way. To say I was shocked would be


    an understatement. My heart also warmed at his words. When I searched his eyes all I saw was pride


    in them. Pride for me. It made me smile.


    “Um…thank you.” I said quietly.


    “You’re wee. So tell me about this mate of yours? Is he as sexy as every other Alpha in the


    world?” Norm said wiggling his eyebrows, making meugh.


    I was just pulling my phone out when a tray dropped down beside me. I looked up to see Lexi standing


    there, looking at me in a way I didn’t like.


    “Norm, what are you doing?” Lexi snapped.


    “Huh?” Norm asked with a full mouth.


    “Why are you sitting with or talking to someone not from our pack?”


    “Um…making friends. We’re encouraged to make friends with people not from our pack. Remember?”


    “Oh please. Why bother?”


    “Um….so we can have stronger ties to other packs in times of need. To help maintain healthy


    rtionships. between packs. It’s why future Alphas and Betas go on their year long trip after school.


    So they can build rtionships, and alliances with other packs. You should know that, being the


    Gammas daughter and all.”


    “We don’t need any of that. Dark Moon is plenty strong enough without other packs.”


    “I guess it’s a good thing our leaders don’t agree with you, and you’ll never be a leader of our pack


    either ” “Hmph.”


    She stormed off in a huff. I was kind of confused about what had just happened. I also wondered how,


    and why she was in nursing school with that attitude. I almost asked Norm when he supplied the


    information himself.


    “Don’t mind her She’s got a chip on her shoulder about other packs after two sent her home earlier, for


    her attitude. She’s a year older than me. I’m eighteen by the way She took a year to travel to other


    packs. to try to find her mate Two of the packs didn’t like her attitude so she was sent home with a


    suggestion that her attitude be corrected. She’s only here because her parents informed her that she


    could not live off of them for the rest of her life. She needed figure her life out, and quick. She has three


    years to find a job or a mate before they cut her off. She won’tst here though. Her grades were good


    in school, but her attitude sucks. Clovend only keeps you if you have ALL of the qualities a good


    nurse needs. That included personality.” Norm exined.


    “Has she always been like that?” I questioned.


    “No. For a long time she wasn’t, but she turned that way when she had been kind of dating the Alpha’s


    son. Nothing serious mind you. He went off to Alpha school, and found his mate. Lexi has been like


    that ever since I don’t think she ever got over it. She was happy for him, but she’s been a monster to


    deal with.”


    “That’s too bad. She must have really cared about him.”


    “Yeah. I guess. I wouldn’t know though. She doesn’t talk about it.”


    “Well if she’s been sour ever since it sounds like she is still nursing a broken heart.”


    “A little over a yearter?”


    “You never know. Hearts are a funny thing. Maybe what she needs is someone to listen instead of


    judging her by her outward attitude. Maybe the attitude is to keep herself from getting hurt again.”


    “Yup. You are definitely an Omega, just like me.”


    “Is…is that a problem?”


    “Hell no girl. I just said I’m an Omega too. Hell a lot of us are Omegas make the best nurses because


    of our caring nature. Some are low rank wolves, but most nurses are Omegas.”


    “Oh. I didn’t know that.”


    “Don’t worry honey. You’ll fit right in. I think Lexi is the only high rank wolf in our ss. I think she hates


    that too. She doesn’t have many friends. I think being surrounded by low rank wolves doesn’t help


    matters.”


    “Hmmmm. Maybe we should try to be friends with her instead of letting her attitude push us away.”


    “I’ll leave that to you to attempt. Maybe she’ll open up to someone that didn’t have a front row seat to


    her rtionship troubles.”


    “Maybe. Well I’m gonna head back to my room. It was nice having dinner with you.”


    “Hell yes it was. Here, let me give my number We can chat, and hang out more.”


    “Sounds like a n.”


    I handed him my phone so he could put his number in Iughed when he took a goofy picture of


    himself for his contact picture. He then called himself As he was saving my number to his phone, he


    snapped a


    picture of me then bust outughing. He showed it too me, and the face I was making was so bad it


    made meugh too. He opted to keep it.


    After that I left the cafeteria. I almost jumped out of my skin when someone tapped me on the shoulder.


    I turned around to see Lexi standing behind me. Giving me a funny look. As per habit, I instantly looked


    to the floor in respect to her rank.


    “Um…Can you look up at me please? I hate it when people do that” She asked quietly.


    “Oh. Um. Sorry.” I responded as I slowly looked up at her


    “….look, I heard what you said to Norm. Um… People don’t normally do stuff like that for me. You don’t


    even know me. So…um. thanks.”


    “You’re wee. I’ve never been in your shoes before, but well I’ve had my own share of hard times.”


    “Yeah. I know


    “You do?”


    “Yeah. I was in the meeting when you’re Alpha had the video conference with the council, and the rest


    of the Alphas in the country. That was some serious shit you lived through. How the hell did you do it?


    I’m struggling, and I was only dumped by a stupid boy.”


    “Hope, I think.”


    “Hope?”


    “Yeah. Hope that someday my life would get better. That I either got epted, and was allowed to


    come here. Or I met my mate, and he saved me.”


    “Wow Well damn, you’re one strong girl. I’m kinda jealous.”


    “Of me? But I’m just an Omega.”


    “Fuck that noise. You’re a hell of a lot more than that. Bitch, you’re survivor. That is a hell of a lot more


    than just an Omega.”


    “Um…Thanks. I think.”


    Lexi threw her head, back andughed. I giggled with her although I didn’t know why


    “Trust me small fry, that waspliment.” She said betweenughs.


    “Oh ok. Well thank you then.” I responded.


    “You’re wee. So…ummmm…I never usually ask this kind of thing of people because well, it’s


    weird, but. um. Do you wanna be friends. Maybe do girl things, hang out, and stuff.”


    “Sure”


    “Awesome. I’ll give you my number.”


    I handed her my phone, and she put her number in then called hers so she had mine. I waved as she


    walked away This evening had been very weird. Some how I befriended two people without even


    trying. and they both thought I was, what was the word they used? Bad ass. I didn’t see it, but I wasn’t


    going to argue


    With a shake of my head, I went back to my room. After putting on my pajamas, I spent sometime


    reviewing my sybus for my other sses, and got a jump start on reading for Anatomy. I had just put


    my book back my book bag when I got a text message. It was from Rowen.


    “Hey beautiful. Got time for a video chat before you get to bed?” It read


    “Sure.” I responded, and pulled up myptop.


    I gotfortable on my bed and waited. Within minutes my video chat icon went off, and I clicked it


    Rowen’s smiling face was right there on the screen. My heart leapt, and I smiled. He looked so


    handsome


    “Hello there sweet girl. How are you?” He asked.


    “I’m pretty good.” I responded.


    “How was your first day?”


    N?vel(D)rama.Org''s content.


    “Fairly easy My Anatomy instructor spent most of the ss reviewing the schedule, expectations, and


    our textbook.”


    “That does sound easy What else did you do?”


    “My first self defense ss was today as well. Mostly we learned to stretch properly. I also made two


    new friends.”


    “Oh yeah. What are their names?”


    “Norm, and Lexi. Norm is the only guy in our ss.”


    “Norm? A male?”


    “Calm down. He’s gay”


    “Well if he’s happy good for him, but I don’t want him hitting on my mate.”


    “Rowen, yes he’s happy, but he’s more likely to hit on you then me ”


    “Huh? Ooooh. Damn I’m an idiot.”


    “Yeah. You kinda sounded like Jax there for a second.”


    “Hey! I am a thousand times better than Jax.”


    “Are you sure about that?”


    “What are you trying to say?”


    “Nothing. I was just being funny”


    “I know Baby, you look tired. Did you get enough sleepst night.”


    I looked down at that question. I didn’t want him to know that one night away from him, and my


    nightmares started again. I didn’t want him to worry or try to convince me toe home.


    “Chastity, talk to me sweet girl. If something is wrong tell me, and we’ll figure out a way to make it


    better”


    He coaxed.


    Damn it, I hated that he could read me so well.


    “I started, but stopped I really didn’t want him trying to talk me out of being here, and I was worried he


    would try


    “Chastity it is really ok. I can’t help if I don’t know what’s going on.” He tried again.


    “I had nightmares against night.” I whispered.


    “Oh sweet girl. I am sorry Did you get any sleepst night?”


    “1…yeah.”


    “What did you have to do to get sleep?”


    “I….um…..it’s stupid.”


    “Nothing is stupid when ites to you.”


    “I had to wrap myself in your hoodie. Your scent helped, and I was able to sleep without any more


    nightmares.”


    “Well I’m d I am able to help in some way since I can’t be there.”


    “Yeah. Me too.”


    “How about I send you a couple of t-shirts of mine that you can sleep it. Maybe that will help, and when


    the scent wears off, you can send them back, and I send you new ones.”


    “…you don’t have to do that.”


    “It’s not about having to. It’s about wanting to. I will do anything for you, and I want to do this for you.


    OK?”


    “O…ok. Thank you.”


    “You’re wee sweet girl.”


    “How….how was your day?”


    “Ah…well I kind of slept most of the day?”


    “What? Don’t you have responsibilities to tend to?”


    “I do, but if I’m being honest I was such a mess when we got back that I hoped out of the SUV then


    Duke, and I ran the packnds until morning. Dad gave me the day off to sleep, and get my shit


    together I get. back to it tomorrow.”


    “Oh. I…I’m sorry.”


    “Don’t be. You have nothing to be sorry for. You did nothing wrong. You are doing everything that is


    right for you at this time. I just needed to get my head on straight, and ept the fact that we will have


    our time soon enough. We’ll get through this separation, and be stronger for it. We’re not the first


    mated, unmarked pair to be separated for long periods of time, and we won’t be thest This just gives


    us the time to get to know each other in a way most mates don’t because they rush to mark each other


    so quickly.”


    “You really think that?”


    “Well part of me does. The other part of me wants to drag you home, mark you, and keep you tied to


    me for the rest of our lives. That’s the selfish part of me. Themon sense part knows this is right for


    you”


    “Is it right for you though?”


    “It doesn’t matter. It’s not about me right now. We can do what is right for meter, and I have plenty of


    ideas og that.”


    “I….um…what kind of ideas?”


    “Nope. Can’t tell you. You’ll have to wait, and see, when you’re ready.”


    “Huh? Oooooh.”


    “Yeah.”


    “Anyway. It kinda does matter if this is right for you because this effects you too.”


    “It does, but honestly I think this is the right way I think we’ll have a stronger rtionship, and bond this


    way.”


    “Well if you change your mind, please tell me.”


    “Sweet girl, I am not going any where. I told you before that I will wait for you. Even if I have to wait for


    the rest of my life.”


    “I know you did. It’s just that…..


    “Nope. You’re mine, and I will do what ever I have to in order for you to remain mine for the rest of our


    lives.”


    “O….ok.”


    “Well I think you should probably get to bed. You look very tired. If you have any trouble tonight call me


    | don’t care what time it is. I will answer, and I will stay on the phone with you all night if you need me


    to.”


    “Ok.”


    “Good night sweet girl. I do honestly hope you sleep well.”


    “Good night Rowen.”


    Rowen blew me kiss, and signed off. I sighed, and put myputer away He was too sweet for words.


    I still didn’t trust this, and had a hard time convincing myself that he wouldn’t get tired of waiting for me,


    reject me, and moving on. I would be crushed if he did, but not surprised. After putting myptop away,


    I wrapped myself in his sweatshirt, and fell into a fitful sleep. I didn’t have nightmares, but my worries


    didn’t let me sleep well either This was going to be harder than I thought.