Chapter 3 - Astraia

The past few weeks had been an endless blur of sadness and confusion. Every thought, every memory, seemed to be wrapped in Grant's rejection. His cold dismissal, choosing Tiffany, breaking our bond – it all echoed through my mind like a haunting melody I couldn't escape. The ache in my chest wasn't just emotional; it felt like a physical weight crushing my heart.

"I, Grant Dixon, soon to be Alpha of the Rivermoon Pack, reject you, Astraia, as my mate."

The words still rang in my ears, even weeks later. But somewhere deep inside, something began to shift. A quiet determination took root. I wasn't going to let Grant's rejection define me. I wasn't going to let it dictate my future.

After countless hours of research and weighing options, I found my answer: Stellar University. A neutral zone where both humans and werewolves coexisted, far enough from Rivermoon Pack for breathing room but close enough to maintain connections. The perfect place to pursue my passion for environmental science – something I'd always wanted but never prioritized during my Beta-in-waiting days.

Telling my parents had been harder than I expected. My mother, Elena, with her matching rose-brown hair and gentle strength, had tried to hide her tears. "Are you sure about this, sweetheart? You don't have to leave."

"I do, Mom," I'd said, my voice steadier than I felt. "I need this."

My father, Alexander, had been more understanding. As Beta of Rivermoon Pack, he understood pack dynamics better than most. "You'll always have a place here, Astraia," he'd said, his stormy grey eyes – so like mine – filled with concern. "But sometimes distance can be healing."

Now, standing before my new apartment building at Stellar University, key clutched tightly in my hand, I watched the afternoon sun cast long shadows across the university housing complex. My ashy rose-brown hair caught the light, the distinctive Briarthorn silver shift shimmering as I took a deep breath. This was it – my fresh start.

The elevator ride to the third floor felt longer than it should have, each floor bringing me further from my old life and closer to whatever awaited me. Unit 304. My new home. As I approached, I could hear movement inside – my roommate must have already arrived.

The door opened before I could use my key, revealing a girl with honey-blonde hair and warm brown eyes. Human, my wolf noted immediately, though I kept my expression neutral.

"You must be Astraia!" The girl's smile was genuine and welcoming. "I'm Freya. I've already claimed the right bedroom, if that's okay? It has a weird draft, but I kind of like it."

I managed a small smile, wheeling my suitcase inside. The apartment was modest but clean, with large windows that would let in plenty of moonlight – something my wolf appreciated, even in its current subdued state.

"So..." Freya began, helping me with one of my boxes. "Werewolf roommate?"

I tensed, fingers tightening on the box I held. My wolf stirred anxiously, remembering the whispers and stares after Grant's rejection. "Is that a problem?"

"Only if you shed on the furniture," Freya deadpanned, then broke into a grin.

The unexpected response startled a laugh out of me, the first genuine one in weeks. "I'll try to control myself during full moons."

"That's all I ask," Freya chuckled, setting down the box. "Though seriously, my best friend in high school was a wolf. I'm pretty familiar with pack stuff. Well, as familiar as a human can be. So no worries about hiding or anything."

Something tight in my chest loosened. I hadn't realized how much I'd been dreading the roommate situation, worried about hiding my nature or facing prejudice.

"Thank you," I said softly, meaning more than just the help with boxes.

"Hey, that's what roommates are for," Freya replied, understanding in her eyes. "Now, important question – how do you feel about pizza for dinner? Because I'm starving, and I know this great place that delivers."

As we unpacked my boxes, the apartment slowly began to feel less like a temporary shelter and more like a potential home. Freya chatted easily, filling the silence with stories about the neighborhood and campus life, while helping me arrange my belongings.

"Oh wow," she paused, carefully holding up a delicate silver frame. Inside was a photo of my family at last year's pack gathering, all of us displaying the distinctive Briarthorn rose-silver hair shift. "Your family has amazing genes. Is this a wolf thing or just a you thing?"

I traced the frame's edge, remembering that day. "It's a Briarthorn thing. The rose-silver shift runs in our family line." I hesitated, then added, "We're traditionally Beta lines in our packs."

"Were," my wolf reminded me silently. The correction stung.

Freya must have noticed something in my expression because she quickly moved on, pulling out my collection of environmental science books. "These look intense. You're majoring in Environmental Science too?"

"Yeah," I nodded, grateful for the subject change. "I've always been fascinated by ecosystem dynamics. How everything connects, how each part affects the whole." Like pack dynamics, I thought but didn't say.

"Same! Though fair warning – Professor Kane's intro class is supposedly brutal. But hey, study buddy?" She grinned, stacking the books on my desk.

The pizza arrived as we were finishing with the last box. We settled on the small balcony, the evening air carrying a hint of autumn. The city sprawled before us, so different from pack territory. Here, the buildings reached toward the sky instead of embracing the earth, and the air was filled with a mixture of scents – human, wolf, and something uniquely urban.

"So," Freya said between bites, "I know it's probably not something you want to talk about, but... are you okay? Really okay?"

The question caught me off guard. I'd gotten used to people tiptoeing around me, treating me like I might shatter at any moment. Freya's direct approach was refreshing.

"I'm..." I started to say 'fine' automatically, but something in her genuine concern made me pause. "I'm getting there. It's not easy, but... I'm trying to see it as an opportunity rather than an ending."

Freya nodded, understanding in her eyes. "New beginnings can be scary, but they're also exciting. And hey, at least you got a awesome roommate out of it," she winked.

I laughed, surprising myself again with how natural it felt. "True. Though the jury's still out on the 'awesome' part."

"Just wait until you try my coffee. Life-changing."

As night fell, we moved inside. Freya had classes early the next morning, so she headed to bed, leaving me alone with my thoughts. I stood by the window, watching the moon rise over the city. My wolf stirred restlessly, still adjusting to the new territory.

I unpacked my last few personal items, carefully arranging them on my desk. My mother's silver pendant, a family heirloom. A small wooden box my father had carved, filled with pack earth – a tradition for wolves living away from their territory. A few photos I couldn't bring myself to leave behind.

My phone buzzed with a text from Mom: "Room all set up? Remember, home is just a run away if you need us. Love you, sweetheart."

I typed back a quick response, assuring her I was fine, then sat on my bed, taking in my new space. The walls were still bare, waiting for new memories to fill them. The desk held promise of future studies. The window faced east – perfect for morning meditation, a habit my father had instilled in me during Beta training.

Sleep came fitfully that first night, my wolf still unsettled in the new territory. The city sounds were different from the pack lands – less natural rhythm, more constant hum. When dawn finally broke, I found myself following my old morning routine out of habit. Meditation, stretching, a quick run to test the neighborhood boundaries.

The campus was quieter in the early morning, though I could sense other wolves marking their daily routes. Each time I caught a pack scent, my wolf would tense, but I forced myself to keep running. I couldn't avoid other wolves forever, especially not here.

After a quick shower and change, I decided to explore the student center. Freya had mentioned it was the best place to get coffee and get oriented before classes started next week. The building was already bustling when I arrived, filled with a mix of humans and wolves preparing for the semester.

That's when I caught a familiar scent – family, pack, home.

"Astraia!"

I turned to see Lila, my cousin from the Crimson Moon Pack, her dark hair showing the same subtle rose-silver highlights that marked our bloodline. She was a few years older than me, and seeing her familiar face brought an unexpected wave of comfort.

"I didn't know you were here," Lila said, her voice warm but careful. The news of my rejection would have reached even the Crimson Moon Pack by now. "I thought you were still at the pack house. What brings you to Stellar?"

I hesitated, weighing my words. "I needed a change. A fresh start, I guess. It's... complicated."

Understanding softened her features. "I get it. I was in the same boat when I transferred here. The Crimson Moon Pack's got its own drama, too. But I'm glad you're here. It'll be nice to have some family around."

We found a quiet corner with our coffees, and Lila began filling me in on campus life. As a third-year business student, she knew all the important details – which professors to avoid, which cafes had the best moon-rise views, which areas were typically claimed by which packs.

"Most of the territory rules are relaxed here," she explained, "but there are still some... let's call them unofficial boundaries. The High Crest Pack has the strongest presence, being local, but they mostly keep to themselves. Their Alpha, Carson Thorne, is rarely on campus, though his Beta handles most university matters."

My wolf's ears perked up at the mention of High Crest Pack. They were legendary, second only to the Royal Pack in power and influence.

"The library's neutral territory," Lila continued, "and the student center too. The coffee shop on Oak Street is popular with wolves – they have good moon-phase discounts. Oh, and avoid the east parking lot during full moons. The local packs use it for training sometimes."

As she spoke, I found myself falling into old habits, mentally mapping territories and pack dynamics. My Beta training wasn't something I could just switch off, even if I no longer held the position.

"There are quite a few wolves from smaller packs here too," Lila added, her tone gentler. "And plenty who are... taking space from their pack situations. You won't be the only one finding your way."

I nodded, grateful for both the information and the subtle support. "Thanks, Li. It helps, knowing you're here."

"Always, little cousin." She squeezed my hand. "Now, want to see the environmental science building? I have a study group there later anyway."

The environmental science building was a modern structure of glass and stone, nestled against a small wooded area at the edge of campus. My wolf immediately appreciated the proximity to nature, even if it was just a small patch of wilderness in the urban setting.

"The labs are amazing," Lila explained as we walked through the corridors. "They do a lot of work with local conservation groups, including some wolf-territory preservation projects." She glanced at me knowingly. "Might be right up your alley, considering your Beta training in territory management."

The mention of Beta training didn't sting as much as I expected. Maybe because here, in this new space, it felt more like a skill set than a lost future.

As we toured the building, Lila continued her unofficial guide to campus pack dynamics. "Most of the science departments are pretty mixed – humans and wolves working together. Though you'll find more wolves in Environmental and Wildlife studies, for obvious reasons."

We passed a bulletin board covered in flyers. One caught my eye – "Territory Conservation Summit, hosted by High Crest Pack."

"They do that every semester," Lila noted. "High Crest is big on environmental protection. Their Alpha, Carson Thorne, has some pretty progressive ideas about territory management."

The name triggered something in my memory. "Carson Thorne... wasn't he the one who proposed the joint territory patrols last year?"

"That's him. Youngest Alpha to take control of a major pack in decades. He's... intense." Lila's tone held something I couldn't quite read. "But fair. High Crest territory has prospered under his leadership."

We continued our tour, with Lila pointing out important locations – the best study spots, the quiet corners where wolves could decompress when campus life got overwhelming, the cafeteria that served rare meat on full moon weeks.

"And this," she said, leading me to a secluded courtyard garden, "is my favorite spot. It's technically neutral territory, but most wolves avoid it because of all the wolfsbane planted here."

I raised an eyebrow. "Wolfsbane?"

"Part of the botany department's research. Don't worry – it's a diluted strain, more for study than anything else. But it keeps the area quiet. Good place to think when you need space from... everything."

The thoughtfulness of her showing me this spot made my throat tight. Lila had always been more sister than cousin, and her understanding of what I might need meant more than I could express.

"Li..." I started, but she shook her head.

"You don't have to say it. Family, remember? Besides," she grinned, lightening the moment, "someone needs to show you all the shortcuts before classes start. Speaking of which..."

She pulled out her phone, checking the time. "I've got that study group in ten minutes. Want to grab dinner later? I can introduce you to some of my friends. Mix of wolves and humans, all cool with pack stuff."

The offer was tempting, but I could feel my energy flagging. Even with my wolf's enhanced stamina, emotional transitions took their toll. "Rain check? I should probably finish setting up my room, maybe review some of the course material..."

"Of course," Lila squeezed my arm. "Baby steps. But text me if you need anything, okay? I mean it – anything."

After Lila left, I found myself drawn to one of the benches in the wolfsbane garden. The diluted strain created an interesting sensation – not uncomfortable, just enough to make my wolf drowsy, muting the constant awareness of pack dynamics that had been part of my life for so long.

I pulled out my phone, finding several texts from my parents:

Mom: Hope you're settling in well. Made your favorite moon-phase tea for you – sending it with your father tomorrow.

Dad: Territory maps updated to include your new location. Pack bonds still strong. Proud of you, little wolf

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Author's Note:

Hey lovelies! 💜

I hope you enjoyed this chapter and Astraia's first steps toward her new life. It was really important for me to show not just the physical transition but the emotional journey she's going through. Moving away from everything you've known, especially after such a painful rejection, takes incredible strength.

What did you think of Freya? I wanted to create a roommate who could help bridge the wolf-human divide and provide some much-needed lightness in Astraia's life. And of course, our girl Lila showing up to provide that crucial family connection!

Did you catch that subtle wolfsbane garden detail? It might become important later... 😉

Don't forget to vote and comment! Your theories and reactions absolutely make my day, and I love reading every single one. 🌙✨

Moon's blessings,

Odessa

P.S. Fun fact: The Briarthorn rose-silver hair trait was inspired by moonflowers that bloom at twilight. Keep an eye out for more flower symbolism throughout the story! 🌸