She remained home for the next two days, not willing to face anyone. After that crazy day and instant shifting she felt so worn out that she slept for a half of the day. She was still processing what the Alpha Mark told and done to her. She felt so wronged. Opal decided never to go back either to school or to the pack's house. She wanted to wait for her uncle, but there was one urgent matter she needed to solve. Mabel. She wanted to tell her that she quit, however she wasn't able to do so because of Tom and all the shit that followed. Today she had a shift. Wearing new jeans black T-shirt with white wolf on it and a leather jacket she went straight to Mabel's.
As soon as she entered through the back door, she was greeted by a pair of worried blue eyes.
"Oh dear, I heard what happened at the pack's house. Are you all right?" she asked, holding her arms around Opal.
"I'm fine. Just what did you exactly hear?" Opal was curious how the gossip spreaded.
"Well you kicked a young Alpha's ass and then got scolded by Mark so badly, that they saw you in full distress running out of the pack's house. Wasn't it so my dear?" Opal could tell that she wanted to hear all the explicit information Opal could give her. Over my dead body was Opal's thought so she nodded confirming the facts already said by Mabel. Telling the truth wouldn't do her any good.
"Mrs Mabel, I'm here today to quit my job." - she went directly to the aim of her visit – "I will be leaving this place in two day's time."
One could tell from the face expression that Mabel was startled.
"You are leaving? Where to? Alone?" She caught some air only to inquire further. "Why are you leaving? Because of what happened?"
"Mrs Mabel we both know I have no future in this place. You were the only person who took a risk of hiring me. I'm not a pack member and I live in a hut without basic facilities. I'm young and capable of living a better, more fulfilling life." Opal paid attention not to tell her about her recently gained family member or where she was going to. Mabel was a benevolent person but loved gossip. As soon as she knows something, the whole town will know it too.
"I wanted to thank you for your courage back then, when I was looking for a job." Opal smiled genuinely.
"Oh honey ... " With tears in her eyes the plump lady gave her a tight hug and didn't let go for a while, making Opal feel quite emotional.
After the bear hug she gave Opal a card with her phone number.
"Keep it and contact me. If something goes wrong you can come back here. I will give you your job back." - She said holding Opal's hands.
"Thank you Mrs Mabel. You will be the only person I will miss in this city." And Opal meant it.
Later in the evening Opal was sitting at home holding Mabel's card in her hands. She spent eighteen years here and there was only one person who cared about her. Maybe it is better to have one honest friend than a hundred fake ones. She hid the card well, it will be her souvenir from her past life.
In the morning Opal stood up refreshed and full of hope. She wanted to look pretty so she took extra care to put on a little make up, picked up a newly bought dress with a flower pattern and started packing. She sadly noticed that there wasn't much she had to pack. One suitcase of clothes, mostly the ones she bought recently and two cartoons with her other stuff like precious herbs, a few books and one picture album she was looking at when she heard a car coming. Opal looked through the window and saw a big black suv and her uncle coming out of it. He looked so good in black slacks, black shirt and dark gray trench. She ran out of the hut to greet him, flashing her brightest smile.
"Uncle!" He hugged her and she heard him laughing.
"Have you missed me?" He asked.
Opal nodded, not letting him go for a while.
"You look really beautiful today." Arien praised her and Opal blushed.
"I guess my money was spent for a good cause." Opal blush deepened.
"I think I spent too much ..." She whispered looking down.
"Nonsense, a beautiful young woman like you should be used to spending money for shopping and your uncle will see to it. I will spoil you." he promised with sparks of amusement in his gray eyes.
"Have you packed?"
"I did." Opal led him back to the house. In the middle of the room there was one suitcase and two cartons.
"Is that all?" He made sure to look at all her belongings.
"Yes, that's all." Opal knew it was looking like nothing. Eighteen years and all she had fitted in one suitcase and two middle sized cartons.
Arien said nothing and just packed it all into the car's trunk.
"Uncle, we need to stop in two places. I have to pick up my documents from school and leave the keys back in the pack's house."
"We will do that." - Arien opened the door for her and Opal got into the car.
The pack's house was first and it took Opal's whole courage to get out of the car and go inside straight to the office leaving the keys at Mrs Hadgrove's desk with as much as goodbye and left walking straight into Bran.
"Opal, how are you? Oh you look really pretty today." Bran was smiling as usual. "I heard about what happened. I'm sorry I wished I could be there for you back then."
"Thank you Bran but I'm fine actually. I'm leaving today." Opal stopped the world's flow coming from Bran.
"You are leaving? Where? Who with?" Bran's eyes widen a bit and he grabbed her arm.
"She's leaving with me." A strong voice quieted Bran.
Arien was standing behind him, Opal could see that he was even taller than Bran.
"I'm Opal's uncle and I don't wish any young Alpha to touch my niece." His eyes were cold as his gaze landed on Bran's hand.