Chapter 2: Driving Across Country

Three weeks passed by faster than I could have imagined.  I spent as much time as possible with Tia and packed the few things I would be taking with me. 

Tia and her family came by to see us off and as I hugged my best friend for what might be the last time, I didn't feel anything. I had tucked all my feelings away in a little box in my mind.  

For now, I wouldn’t feel.  I would get through this long ass drive to Northern California and get settled in before I would reopen that box. I couldn’t afford to break down now and wouldn’t allow it in front of my mom. 

“Facetime me as soon as you get to your new house.  I want to see it all!”  Tia was putting on a brave face, but I could see the sadness in her eyes.  “I love you, friend. Don’t forget me!”  I smiled and said,  "I will facetime you when we get settled.”

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I was surprised when mom pulled into a decent hotel that first night.  I thought money was tight.  I raised my eyebrow at my mom when we pulled up.  “Rima, I don’t think we can afford this hotel.  That sign said $150 per night.”  Mom gave me a tired smile that didn’t reach her eyes and said that her new job was paying for it. 

“What is the name of the company you are going to be working for?”  Mom hesitated before answering.  I didn’t think she was going to answer me, but as she was getting out of the car she stated, “Blackwood Enterprises.”  “Um, Blackwood like your maiden name?”  My mom sighed and looked at me over the hood of the U-Haul.  

“Yes, I will be working for my father and we will be living on his land.”  

“I am going to meet my grandpa?!” I squeaked. 

I had never met him or anyone from my mom’s side of the family. I didn’t even know if she had siblings or not.  She never talked about her past and anytime I had asked questions she would somehow side step them.  

My mom’s full lips were pressed in a thin line and she quickly nodded her head.  I had sooooo many questions, but the look she gave me told me not to ask them. I felt like I might burst from holding them in though. 

What would possess my mom to go back to her family when she clearly hated them? What happened all those years ago? 

Mom pulled out a sleek, black credit card and paid for a suite.  I wasn’t sure why we were getting a suite when we would be leaving early in the morning. When I asked her about it, she just smiled wickedly and said it was on her dad’s dime so why not splurge.  Wow.  I was seeing a side of my mom I had never seen before.  My kind and gentle mom had a bit of sass in her!

We took turns showering and settled in to our own beds for the night.  I was too exhausted to stay awake and fell asleep within minutes of my head hitting my pillow.   

I dreamed that night of a beautiful blonde, almost white wolf with startling blue eyes like my own. Her eyes held an intelligence in them that I had never seen on any animal before.  

I reached out to pet the side of her face and the wolf just faded away.  I heard a soft whisper as she was fading, “Our time is soon.”

When I woke up, I had a hard time remembering my dream, but I remembered there was a wolf with eyes similar to mine.  

It wasn’t the first time I had dreamed of her.  She has been a part of my dreams off and on over the years.  Since my dad passed away, she has been showing up more and more.  It’s strange, but the dreams make me feel at peace and I don’t hurt as much when I have them. 

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3 days later, we pulled up to my grandfather’s land.  It reminded me of a ranch with its large fences and expensive metal gate that said “Blackwood Estates of Bright Moon Pack” on it.  It was heavily wooded around the edges with a clearing of the trees along the main drive.  There were several men standing at the entrance and holy shit, they were all huge and well built.  

What was in the water here?  They sure didn’t make ‘em like that in Oklahoma!

One man broke away from the group and approached my mom’s side of the U-Haul. She glared at him and waited for him to speak as she rolled her window down.

“Rima, it’s good to see you.”  His tone was warm, and his smile reached his eyes when he spoke.  He seemed genuinely happy to see my mom and I wondered why she acted like she wasn’t happy to see him.  

His gray eyes flicked to mine and he looked surprised.  “Is this your daughter?  I had no idea you had a child.”  Mom sighed heavily and looked at me.  

“Yes, this is my daughter, Divina. She will be finishing up her senior year this year.”  

The man looked at me curiously and asked my mom how old I was.  Mom gave him a warning look and shook her head.  

“Marcus, she is 18 and won’t turn 19 until the summer.” 

“Well, in any case Al… umm well, your father is expecting you.”  Mom gave the man a savage look and hit the gas.  

As we were driving up the long gravel drive, I swear it was over a mile long, I thought about the exchange I had just witnessed.  

Why was Marcus interested in my age and why was mom acting so weird?  I was pretty sure my grandfather’s name was Adrian and not Al, so I was even more confused.  I had so many questions. 

“Rima, why does grandpa have security guards at his front gate?"

Mom rubbed her temples and her eyes looked so tired with bags under them.  For once, she actually looked her age.  “You’ll get the answers to your questions soon enough, Divina.  Just be patient.”  

Ugh!  I am not known for being patient. She was asking too much!