Defying Fate

"Hey Penny! How are you doing this morning?"

I look to the door as Mrs. Bishop walks in. She comes in at least 3 times a day, but always acts as if she hasn't seen me in years. She is the closest thing I have had to a mom since I was 16.

"Good Morning Mrs. Bishop. I'm doing alright. I see no chickens were lost last night from the freeze. Thank Goodness for that. I was afraid you would be having chicken for dinner tonight." I smiled and joked as I made her usual Caramel latte.

"Oh my dear, you and me both. That freeze came out of no where! Thankfully Mr. Bishop was quick to pull out the old space heater before it was too late. Oh thank you love. Perfect as always." Mrs. Bishop handed over the cash and took her latte, giving it a long slow sip while enjoying it's warmth.

I glanced out the window and watched as the town fought against the icy winds as they walked to work and warmth. We didn't get much warning before the freeze hit, so all of the cars were frozen to the streets. Living in Northern Texas, we don't usually get freezing weather. So with the last second warning, everyone panicked. Stores shut down, the local grocer ran out of blankets and heaters.... even the canned goods. Even our local waffle house closed its door which is unheard of!

I was the only wolf in this town, so the cold didn't effect me as it did them. I grew up in a small town in Pennsylvania, where snow would be deep enough to bury a car. I let out a soft sigh as Mrs. Bishop made her way out of the coffee shop, giving her a smile and wave and she held her coffee to her chest before braving the violent chill outside.

It was days like today that made me miss my home and my family. It had been 7 years since I last saw my parents. My 16th birthday was the last day that I saw them. As I wiped the counters down and cleared the grounds from the coffee machine I thought back to that day with a small ache in my chest.

*Flash back 7 years*

I gave myself one last look in the mirror and sighed. my wavy blonde hair was clipped out of my face, not yet long enough for a pony tail and my grey eyes looked back at me. Some days they were green. others they were blue. But most often they stayed a stormy grey.

Today I was 16. I would get my wolf tonight amongst other things. Today ended my normal day to day and started my involvment with the pack. Tomorrow I would be tested on what my strengths and weaknesses are and I would be placed in the pack where my strengths showed. I could be a runner, a scout, warrior, even a gamma. But I wasn't worried about any of that. What I was worried about was far more jarring than work detail.

"Penelope!! Happy birthday!!! Are you excited to get your wolf tonight? Maybe even find your fated mate?" My mom gave me a big wolf hug as I walked into the kitchen for breakfast.

Fated mate. There it was. The one thing that made me different from the rest of my kind. everyone was so excited about finding their 'other half'. All it gave me was anxiety. I hated that the goddess chose for me. I wanted to find someone that I could fall in love with over time and make a life with. Not just look at someone and magically just want to be with them with not knowing who they are at all. It wasn't fair. Of course I could never let my mother know that. I could never let anyone know.

"Of course Ma. It's a big step in every wolfs life. We shift for the first time and we are now able to sense our other half. It's scary and exciting." I smile, telling her what she wanted to hear but not what I felt in my heart. What I wanted to say was I never wanted to leave the house again, let alone look at another man if it meant going against a Goddess.

Morning Ladybug. Heard you tossing and turning last night. Got the jitters about today?" My dad walked in just in time. Atleast now I don't have to worry about prying questions anymore. My dad never pryed and he made sure my mom couldn't if he was around. One of my favorite things about him. He always knew when I was ok and when I wasn't but only went so far as to make sure I knew without stepping out too far.

"Who wouldn't be? I just hope everything works out in my favor. I gotta go, can't be late for school. And PLEASE no party. I just want to come home and spend a quiet evening with my parents." My mom didn't do well at hiding her face. I knew she planned something. she does every year in hopes that one day I'll come around to the idea of celebrations. Holidays, birthdays, ceremonies... I never enjoyed them. I never saw the point in spending money for a day like any other.

I grabbed a slice of French toast from the counter and gave my parents quick pecks on the cheek before heading out the door. "I love you both. I'll be home as soon as school is done." Instead of heading for my car, I headed for the trail behind my house. it was longer than driving but I enjoyed walking more than anything. The peace of the woods today was more inviting than the chaos of the streets and my thoughts.

As I broke through the trees and made my way to the football field, I paused. Ashwood and pine hit my senses and my stomach dropped. My heart began to race as I dove into a row of bushes and looked out across the field ahead. Thankfully the wind was on my side so I had time to assess my surroundings. My gaze wandered over to the senior track team across the field as they were doing their exercises before class.

My eyes scanned across the guys on the team till they landed on the school track star. Mason Grady. Future Gamma of the Dusk Wolf Pack. My heart began to ache. He was the nicest boy in school. Everyone loved him. But he was never someone I could see myself with. I could feel the mate pull in my head, as the wolf I had yet to meet started to reach out in my mind.

I stood up and turned to make my way back home so I could come up with a plan to fix my situation and the wind changed course. my hair whipped past my face, carrying my scent to the field ahead and I froze. As soon as Mason whipped around and his eyes connected with mine, I ran.

I knew he could outrun me. Running was futile but I had to try to get as far as I could. Without my wolf, my stamina ran out quickly. I leaned against a tree catching my breath as I could hear branches snapping behind me and his scent hit me stronger with how close he was now.

"Mate."

Instead of a grin on his face, Mason had questions in his eyes. Why had I run away? Why did I look so upset? What was going on? Before he could ask any of them, I answered.

"Mason. I am so sorry. I can't. You are a wonderful man. And you didn't do anything wrong. But I can't be your mate. I want to be with someone that I built a relationship with overtime. Not one that is forced upon me by Selene. I don't expect you to understand. But I do know you deserve to be with someone who believes in letting Fate decide for them."

His body said it all. As the start of rejection began to process, his eyes began to fill with tears of pain. His hand came to his chest as his wolf tried to fight its way out and try to claim me. One thing I always admired about Mason is his willingness to let you make your choice without interference. I knew he would accept, but I also knew with his status, this would be my end with the pack. No one would accept me here when they learned I went against fate.

"I Penelope Sweeting, reject you Mason Grady as my mate." The pain was instant. It felt as if someone was trying to rip my heart and my lungs from my chest. I couldn't breath. My knees buckled and I hit the ground clawing at my chest. I watched as Mason bent over in pain. He was grunting and clutching his chest as the rejection had a similar affect on him. Eventually he was able to stand straight again and looked at me with solemn eyes.

"I, Mason Grady, reject your rejection." My mouth fell open. He didn't accept. I'm not free.

"I'm sorry Penny. But the fates chose you for me and I can't let you go. You will learn to love me soon enough. I won't force you to start now, but eventually, you will have to succumb to fate." He turned and made his way back to the school. No other words. He just left me in the forest with the knowledge I would never be free to make my own path. He and Selene decided for me.

I looked around for a while till the pain for my failed rejection began to recede and made my final choice. The border wasn't far from my home. If I couldn't be free here, then I had to go. I would write to my parents eventually but for now, I didn't have any other choice. I ran.