"Cast Out"

Chapter 4

“Cast Out”

Bridgette’s POV: 

        After nearly 13 hours of flight time with only one layover, I could not help but let out a relieved sigh as I settled myself into the front seat of the metallic blue Dodge Challenger I had rented. I turned the key and as the car started; a hearty rumble arose from the engine. I wasted no time as I punched the accelerator and I quickly merged onto the parkway. I smiled as the airport begin to disappear from my rear-view mirror. The flight from Scotland to Pennsylvania, with one stop at JFK, had been exhausting and I was thrilled to finally be off that airliner.  

         I had turned my phone off, as I was sure by now my father was seething. My utter disregard for his plans were not going to go unnoticed and it was only a matter of time before I would be forced to speak with him, but that moment was not going to be now. As of this particular moment, I found myself rolling down the window allowing the sultry humid air to flow through the car, my hair whipping in the wind. I was finally free, free to my own thoughts, my own personal desires, and I was going to make the best of it. 

        My ultimate destination was the small mountain town of Morgantown, West Virginia. Why, I wasn’t completely sure, something was compelling me to be there. I sensed a pull when I perused the map of North America, my eyes had centered on the small mountain town. I felt as though I needed to sort out my mind and take some well-deserved rest and relaxation. I worked a lot, and I deserved this brief reprieve, I told myself.

        Why did I choose that location, I honestly will never fully understand, the voice told me to, and I relented to it. I caught the first flight to New York City and then jumped a connection flight to Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. From there I rented this beautiful blue Dodge Challenger and proceeded to drive the hour and a half from Pittsburg to the handsome Appalachian town.  

        My flight had been long and tedious, not only the length of the flight but the kids I got stuck with on this flight were horrendous. I actually didn’t mind children, and always looked forward to having a pup of my own, but human children were so poorly behaved. The memory of the unruly 4 year constantly kicking the back of my seat burned into my mind. A faint growl pursed my lips, and whining, oh my goodness, they were resilient, and their mother was a coddling fool to not discipline them properly. Wolf pups were so much better behaved. They may be vivacious and unruly; however, obedience and respect were nevertheless expected. I allowed my mind to wander as I drove into the hills of Pennsylvania, heading south. The rolling hills and tree covered mountains were breathtaking, the plethora of fresh air made my wolf howl.  

        The River Tay pack in Scotland would always be my heart, and my family, as much as I loved them just could not understand my desire to have my fated mate. My heart ached slightly at the prospect that I may never find my fated mate, yet I was okay with that. I felt, deep in my soul that it was better to be alone than attached to a chosen mate. I knew the betrayal of leaving and disobeying my father would not be unnoticed, but I need not think of that now.   

        Memories filtered within my head as I continued the drive to West Virginia. Thinking of my brothers and my sister back home, my best friend Meredith, and then the eerie warning Aoibhe had given me before I left Edinburgh.  

        “The Moon Goddess reached out to me last night in a dream. It is likely that you will find your mate in America. It will be up to you as to whether you accept him or reject him. But be aware sweet child, the vision from the Goddess was clear, once your feet leave the isle of Scotland, you will never be able to return. Be sure before your board that plane that this is truly what you want.” Her words echoed in my mind. I shook my head; she was being overly dramatic I assured myself. 

        My voice, my wolf Aurora, had been insistent that I venture to West Virginia. She gave no reason, and all I wanted was something quiet, and a lovely little mountain town sounded delightful, so when she had suggested, I gave no argument. I only hoped that the town would be void of werewolves, I really didn’t want to deal with any more drama.

        Only a few miles more down the enchanting mountain road before I reached my destination. I couldn’t wait. I had reserved a suite for the next two weeks at the Hampton Inn in Morgantown. I was looking forward to the tranquility, the solace to reevaluate what I wanted in life, and experience something new. I turned the radio on when I heared my favorite America band begin playing and happily blasted some Evanescence over the speakers, allowing my mind to wander back to the task at hand. 

        It took me two hours to drive from the Pittsburg to Morgantown, I had hit some construction along the way, but I didn’t mind. The green rolling hills, the winding river and the sultry afternoon put my mood in contentment.  

        I finally arrived at my hotel and checked in with no issue. The front desk clerk was accommodating and polite. I noticed that he had even flirted with me a little, being he probably wasn’t much old than I. His name was Josh, and his Appalachian accent was thick and charming, forcing me to grin. It wasn’t the fanciest hotel I had ever been in, but it was exceptionally clean and comfortable. I was thankful for this. 

         Once he handed over the key cards, I quickly traveled up to my room, opened the door and tossed my things on the luggage rack beside the door. I flopped down onto the bed and thankfully it was soft, with an inviting white comforter and plush pillows. I let out a deep sigh as I closed my eyes and let the mattress sink around me.  

        “This will do nicely; don’t you agree Aurora?” I spoke softly to my wolf. I heard her purr and visioned a tail wag. I chuckled.  

        Aurora was a beautiful and passionate wolf and I always felt fortunate to have her as the second part of my soul. She, like me, believed that a fated mate was the only way to go, and it was her idea in the first place to flee before my father had us wed to someone such as the vile Ludwig. She believed coming to America would prove fruitful in finding our fated mate. Although it felt it would be incredibly unlikely to find our mate in America, I was still willing to see where this road would lead us regardless. 

        “I think a bath, a meal and a nap are in order.” I mumbled to myself, although Aurora only wagged her tail more frantically. 

          “ A steak would be nice.” Her voice echoed in my head. I smiled and nodded in agreement.  

          “Aye, that does sound good doesn’t it.” 

            A fellow passenger had suggested an app called “UberEATS”, where I could order any meal, I wanted from any restaurant within the town and have it delivered to my hotel. It was perfect and I quickly pulled out my phone and chose the restaurant, ordered the steak, mashed potatoes, a large Caesar salad and something called a lava cake. I requested dinner be delivered at 6pm, giving me two hours to unpack and take a much-needed bath. 

        After my dearly needed hot bath, which I dosed off in, and a hearty delicious meal, I finally felt refreshed and ready to take on the night. My eyes were bright and dare say bushy tailed. I contemplated what to do the remainder of the night as I flipped through the multitude of channels and found absolutely nothing worthwhile to watch.  I reached over and turned my phone back on, against my better judgement, however I had promised Meredith that I would message her once I landed and got to my hotel safe and sound. Yet I was bombarded by a multitude of messages and voicemails that flurried upon the screen, instantly making my heart sink. It was my father. 

        “Bridgette, your mother and I are completely disgusted with your actions. We need you to come home immediately and cease this foolishness.” Dad. 

        “We are worried sick. Where have you run off too! Please respond so that we know you are safe.” Mom. I sighed as I took a deep breath, they were tag-teaming me. It was bad enough that my father would be furious and shaming me, however my mother? She usually tried to stay so diplomatic. 

        “Did you make it?” Mere. I frowned, the two preceding messages still ignited my anxiety as I answered my friend and accomplice. 

        “I did. All safe and sound.” I responded to Mere as I pondered what I was going to write to my family. “I will call you later. Love Britty.”  

        I sighed to myself as I slowly began typing out a message to my parents. They needed to know I was safe, although I had no intentions of coming back before my two weeks were over. I did feel bad for lying to my parents, but I knew my father was at the point with me where No was no longer an option. His mind was set, and he was the King after all. 

        “I am safe. No need to fret about me. I will be home in a fortnight. I am working on a project here in the states.” I paused before I continued, I suppose sticking to the story I was working would lighten the disappointment perhaps.

        “My life and career need to come before a chosen mate. I am sorry for the disappointment I have caused you. Your loving daughter Britty”.  

         I frowned as I carefully read over the response, I couldn’t help but feel guilt for my betrayal, yet I didn’t need to be chastised like a child for skipping a ball that I hadn’t wanted to attend anyway. My heart hurt, as I could understand the feeling of disloyalty they must have, my father especially. Of course, had I not departed hastily, my father would have barricaded me into the castle until I chose a mate, was married, and mated.  

            Of course, as soon as the message sent, my phone began to ring. It was my father. He wasn’t going to let this go, and certainly not going to let me off. Aurora tucked her tail and went and hid in the corner of my mind and I couldn’t help but scoff at her.  

        “Some wild beast you are.” I scowled at her as I watched the phone flicker and vibrate. My wolf tucked her nose under her paws, and I instantly felt myself become agitated with her. “Damn dog.” I muttered, knowing full well that she was as guilty as I for this betrayal, and yet I was solely getting the wrath. Reluctantly I answered, which I immediately regretted when I heard the billowing voice on the other end of the line. Father was furious. 

        “Bridgette Ryan, where in the hell have wandered off too? What are you thinking! I demand you come home immediately!” The heavy Scottish accent was filled with rage and my tears betrayed me as they began welling up into my eyes. 

         “I have work father. William is aware of it.” My voice sounded much more assured than I was, and I was thankful my father couldn’t see my trembling. 

         “Your mother and I invited every eligible Alpha from Europe, Asia, Africa, and Russia to come and meet you in hopes you would find your mate, or at the very least take a chosen one. We have indulged in your “career” long enough and it’s time you take your place as the future Queen, stop galivanting around the world fixing up old buildings. Enough!” he shouted. I winced, hearing a couple of windows shatter in the castle. This was bad! I could just imagine what my poor mother was having to deal with right now. My father was a true Lycan king, volatile and with a very short fuse. 

         “Do you have any idea of the embarrassment you have caused us! The shame?! You selfish stupid girl! You don’t have the sense of a fairy, least the duty to be a Queen! Damn you, Bridgette!” I heard the distinctive roar of my father’s wolf; I had infuriated them both. Thankfully I was in another continent I thought to myself. I felt the tears burning in my eyes, as I wiped them away dramatically, taking a deep breath before I responded in absolute fury, not thinking before speaking, which was bound to be my undoing.

         “I never wanted to be a Queen! I shouted at him, then immediately slapped my hand over my mouth as I said it. Words I would never be able to take back. Fuck, I was done for. There was a brief silence over the line, and I swear his Alpha aura forced me to sit down on the edge of the bed. 

         “Very well my little Princess…” the rumble in my father’s voice made the hair stand up on the back of my neck, and I could feel my face begin to flush in fear. “Since you choose to abdicate your birthright, I hereby cast you out of the Pack River Tay! You wish to be alone, you will be just that and forever, for you will never be allowed to set foot back onto these pack grounds. You, my daughter, will forever be my blood, but as of today, you will no longer be my heir!” I immediately felt the link with the pack break, causing me to drop my phone onto the end of the bed and collapse to my knees gasping. My tears were flowing down my face freely now as I reached up to grab my phone. 

         “Dad!” I screamed into the phone, only to hear a distinctive click resonate loudly in my ears, knowing he had disconnected our call. I crumpled back down onto the floor and sobbed; I couldn’t believe what just happened to me. Aoibhe had been right, I could never go back home! My own father had cast me out in fury, and why? Because of my own actions, because of my selfishness, because I didn’t want to be Queen! I had no one else to blame but myself. 

          I leaned back against the edge of the bed, allowing my tears to fall, my mind blank, I was terrified, my heart utterly broken. What was I supposed to do now? Where was I going to go? I wiped my nose with the back of my hand and took a deep breath. The pain in my heart was genuine, I never dreamed that I would be cast out by my own father! However, realistically, I knew I would be okay. I had a great career and had savings of my own. I would just need to make my own way from now on. I wondered to myself if I was now considered a rogue? That’s rich, from a Lycan Princess to a rogue, that’s my luck. Grumbling, I finally found my feet and sat back up on the bed. 

            “All mighty Saints, I need a drink.” I moaned, leaning forward, pushing my long auburn mane out of my face. I needed to find a local club, one that was dark, with loud music and plenty of alcohol. It was time to drown out my sorrows.