Summary: Cassandra finds herself running from a life that seems planned out for her, the expectations of coming from a certain family and someone she maybe never choose for herself.
Warnings: None
Word Count: 2.1k
Pairings: Jake Seresin x OC x Bradley Bradshaw
Authors Note: Welcome back to a new, rewritten and improved prologue of this series! It's been on hiatus for a long time but we're back!
Thank you to my beta @a-reader-and-a-writer for looking this over for me and for letting me rant on and on about this! You're the best! Thank you to @hederasgarden for making me come back to this and for encouraging me! And a special shoutout to @anniesocsandgeneralstore for being the original inspiration for this fic!
Her mother had insisted on the party, citing that they simply had to celebrate this milestone in her life. ‘It’s important, dear’, she had said as if her mother hadn’t been the one to turn her nose up when Cassandra declared her intentions to study physical therapy instead of just lounging around at home, as her mother did.
In Mary’s mind, a girl like her needed no education. Her value was only equal to her appearance and she would be provided for, first by her father and then her future husband. But it had never been what Cassie wanted.
Now however, her mother saw the opportunity to throw one of her extravagant parties, showing her and her family off. It was more about appearances than celebrating the end of her studies. She barely knew half of the people attending and Cassandra doubted they knew they were here for her either.
They knew of her, of course. As the eldest child of a prominent family, growing up in New York’s high society, Cassandra knew her role well. She was the face of the family, the future. She was expected to follow in her mothers footsteps, marry someone suitable and spend the rest of her life among various charities and galas. She hated it.
She watched as Sebastian and Timothy got dragged into another conversation with their fathers business partner, both of them nodding along. They both looked so grown up in their suits, tall and proud.
“You look like someone ran over the family dog. This is your party, smile.” Sam handed her a fresh glass of champagne before taking a seat next to her.
Cassie rolled her eyes. “You mean it’s my mother’s party. You know I just wanted a nice family dinner.”
Her boyfriend shrugged his shoulders. “I know but you have to admit, this is nice.” He gestured towards the garden filled with people.
Cassandra turned to get a good look at him.
He was wearing an Armani suit, his family emblem embroidered into the pocket napkin and the Rolex watch she had gifted him for his twenty-fifth birthday was proudly on display. As he got older, the more he started to resemble his father but he still retained some of his boyish features. It was a good mix. He was handsome and he was hers.
She and Sam had grown up together. He was the boy next door, their families had been friends for decades, their great great grandfathers even owning a business together.
Cassandra knew she was supposed to be with Samuel before she even knew what it really meant. It was all their mothers had talked about while growing up, how they someday would make the perfect couple, joining their families together.
They had talked about hers and Sam’s future before it had even begun, making suggestive comments over the years. And when Sam asked her to be his girlfriend in eighth grade, she had said yes.
Sam was, in many ways, her first everything. He was her best friend, her first love, her rock, her confidant. He knew her better than she knew herself.
But their entire lives had been planned out for them. And now she wasn’t sure it was what she wanted.
“If this is your idea of nice, I think you’re more like my mother than me.”
Sam laughed. “One of us should be. You should be happy Mary is doing this for you.”
“She’s doing this for herself and you know it. It’s never about anyone else. Did you know that half of the people I’ve greeted today weren't even aware this is supposed to be a graduation party?” Cassandra mumbled, putting aside her now empty champagne flute.
Sam intertwined their fingers, pressing a kiss to the side of her head. “I’m sorry, baby. I know this isn’t what you wanted. But I think there’s still time to turn things around.”
“How?”
He smiled, kissing her knuckles. “You’ll see.”
Cassandra tried to ignore the growing pit in her stomach, smiling widely as to hide the panic taking over her features.
“Sounds great.” She managed to squeeze out, letting go of Sam’s hand. “I need to speak to Dad, will you get me another drink?”
The moment he turned around, Cassie fled the garden. She pushed her way past people into the house, scanning the crowd for her parents.
Neither were anywhere to be found and with some many people around, no one noticed her slipping away.
Cassandra didn’t stop until she reached an empty room, locking the doors behind her, sliding onto the floor. Her mother would scold her for ruffling the custom-made Prada but she couldn’t care less.
She knew what Sam meant when he told her things would turn around and it terrified her.
All Cassie could think about was the ring she had found in the wardrobe a couple of weeks ago. She hadn’t meant to look but the familiar jewellery caught her eye.
There it had been, a stunning diamond ring she knew all too well. She had seen the ring before, on his grandmother’s hand. It was a family heirloom, meant for one thing. Marriage.
Sam proposing wasn’t a surprise though. It would happen sooner rather than later.
But the thought itself twisted her stomach further and she gasped for air, fighting back the tears.
There had been a point in her life where she wanted nothing else. That a future with Sam was the only option. He had been all she ever wanted.
But now, thinking about spending the rest of her life with him made her stomach turn. She could see it all so clearly, the life that they were supposed to have. It was there, all within her grasp, all planned out for them. And Cassandra didn’t want it.
She had loved Sam for so long that she wasn’t sure who she’d be without him. She still loved him. But she wasn’t in love with him anymore and she hadn’t been for a while now.
It was easier to admit to herself now than it had been when Cassie first started to realise that she was falling out of love with him. Only then had she realised how much of their lives had already been planned, how much of their relationship was built on their parent’s expectations.
The ring only solidified what Cassandra had known for months. This wasn’t what she wanted.
“Good afternoon passengers. This is the pre-boarding announcement for flight 75B to Anchorage, Alaska. We are now inviting those in first class and any passengers requiring special assistance, to begin boarding at this time. Please have your boarding pass and identification ready. Regular boarding will begin in approximately fifteen minutes. Thank you.”
Shouldering her bag, Cassie let an elderly couple pass by her before taking her place in the queue. There was no rush.
She might have been at one of the busiest airports in New York, but Cassie felt strangely calm. More than she had in months. It only served to prove that leaving was the right thing to do. Her only regret was leaving without telling her dad or brothers but she couldn’t risk them slipping up and telling her mother or Sam.
Her phone vibrated with an incoming call again and she let it go to voicemail. There were several missed calls, unread messages and voicemails. Her father’s contact stared back at her, the most recent missed call along with a text message.
Just tell me you’re safe.
The queue had yet to move so she pulled up their chat, where there was another 4 unread messages waiting for her.
Cassandra, where are you?
Call me back. Arthur said he dropped you off at LGA. What’s going on?
Your mother is very upset. Please call us back.
Sweetheart, I just need to know that you’re okay.
Cassandra couldn’t call him back, not now. But he deserved to know she was okay.
I’m ok. I’ll let you know when I land. Please don’t tell mother. I love you.
She put the phone on aeroplane mode after that, effectively blocking any more incoming messages or calls. The queue was moving now and she handed the flight attendant her passport and ticket, thanking them before following the stream of people.
Finding her seat, she declined the drink offered by the stewardess with a polite smile. Maybe later. Right now, all she wanted to do was sleep.
Boarding seemed to be over pretty quickly and when the rumble of the engines grew louder as they made it to the taxiway, Cassie leaned back in her seat, closing her eyes.
She could worry about everything later.
Ted Stevens Airport was just as busy as LaGuardia when Cassie departed her plane. She trudged along with the rest of the passengers towards baggage claim.
The conveyor belt was already moving when she got there and luckily enough, her bag was already on the belt. She made for the exit after collecting her belongings, looking for a taxi.
Pulling out her phone, she turned off the aeroplane mode and once again her screen was filled with more calls and messages. She ignored them all, pulling up the hotel information. She was grateful for airplane wi-fi, allowing her to book a hotel during the long flight.
Hailing down a cab, she gave them the name of the hotel and fifteen minutes later the bellhop was carrying her bags into the lobby while she checked into the room she booked.
Thanking the bellhop, she locked the door behind her and fought the urge to just collapse onto the bed and sleep. Cassie forced herself to take a shower, washing off the entire flight of her body and brushing her teeth before crawling under the covers.
She plugged in her charger and set an alarm, not wanting to sleep away the next day. Remembering her promise to her dad, Cassie pulled up his contact information, hovering over the call button. She wanted to hear his voice but she didn’t want to alert her mother to her whereabouts either.
Flight went ok, and I made it to the hotel safely. I’m in Anchorage. Please don’t tell mother where I am, or Sam.
I’m so sorry I left without saying anything to you. I just didn’t want you to stop me. I don’t know how to explain but I need some space to think about what I really want. I knew Sam was planning to propose at the party and I realised it’s not what I want, not anymore. I don’t even know if it's what I’ve ever wanted or what mother has expected of me.
Please, don’t ask me to come home. I need to do this for myself. I’m not asking you to understand, I’m just asking you to let me make my own decisions. Tell Sebastian and Timothy that I’ll miss them. I love you.
She typed out the long message, hitting send before placing the phone screen down to give her some resemblance of peace as she waited for her father to answer. Even with the five-hour time difference, she was sure he would.
In the comfort of a warm bed and surrounded by nothing but darkness, Cassandra let herself feel for the first time since she left. All the emotions she shoved aside earlier to make it easier to leave bubbled up to the surface and Cassie choked back a sob threatening to leave her lips.
It was a strange moment because she felt nothing but relief over her decisions. But she was also scared. She had never been on her own, not like this.
A quiet chime from her phone alerted her to a new message and she breathed a sigh of relief when it’s from her father and not someone else.
I wish you would have told me, I would not have stopped you. I’m so sorry you felt like you couldn’t come to me with this. But I am proud of you for making this decision. Whatever you want, I’ll support you.
I won’t tell Mary or Sam but I urge you to at least let them know you’re okay. I’ll tell them I’ve spoken with you, as they are worried.
I won’t ask you to come home but please keep me updated. Your account is there for whatever you need, I’ll make sure that Mary won’t interfere with it. If you need anything, let me know.
Sweetheart, I love you. Stay safe.
Cassie let the tears flow as she reads her dad’s message. She didn’t realise how much she needed his assurance and acceptance. If her dad supported her, she could do this. She could be strong, if he believed in her.
Deciding to keep all decisions until tomorrow, Cassandra put the phone on ‘do not disturb’ before making herself comfortable in the king-sized bed.
Right now, she felt better than she had in months. That was all that mattered. The rest could wait.
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Summary: She was, after all, running away from him. From their future. A future she didn’t want.
Warnings: None
Word Count: 1.1k
Pairings: Bradley Bradshaw x Jake Seresin x OC
Authors Note: It’s finally here. Thank you to my werewolf love @anniesocsandgeneralstore for beta reading. Thank you for cheering me on, listening to me rant and being my best friend. This fic would not exist without you.
New Message
To: Sam H
“I’m sorry. I need some space. I need to breathe, to be alone. Take care. I’ll miss you.”
The last part was a lie, she thought as she stared at the screen before locking it and putting her phone away. She wouldn’t miss him. She was, after all, running away from him. From their future. A future she didn’t want.
Cassandra leaned back against the uncomfortable seat and closed her eyes. Check-in had gone smoothly and she wasn’t set to board her flight for another thirty minutes. She double checked her boarding pass and passport when her phone went off again.
There were four messages from Sam and two from her mother, including three voicemails. She had opened neither. At the top was a new message from her father.
1 New Message
From: Dad
“Be safe. Text me when you land. I’ll deal with your mother. And Sam.”
She smiled before setting the phone on flight mode and pocketed the device. Looking up, she saw people were beginning to move, anxious to board the plane but Cassandra stayed put. There was no point in rushing.
She might have been in the middle of one of the busiest airports in New York but she had never felt calmer. Leaving had been the right decision.
‘Good afternoon passengers. This is the pre-boarding announcement for flight 75B to Anchorage, Alaska. We are now inviting those passengers in first class, and any passengers requiring special assistance, to begin boarding at this time. Please have your boarding pass and identification ready. Regular boarding will begin in approximately ten minutes. Thank you.’
Cassandra gathered her things and joined the queue, letting an older couple through first.
“Thank you dear. Travelling alone?” the woman smiled kindly. She reminded Cassie of her own grandmother.
“Yes ma’am. A break from everything.” she smiled. The woman patted her arm before joining her husband again.
While settling into her seat Cassie couldn’t help but to think about what she had told the woman. A much needed break. She was aware that she was running but she didn’t know what else to do. So much of her life had been planned for her but wasn’t what she wanted. Not anymore.
Her mother had insisted on this ridiculously huge graduation party. Cassie hadn’t cared either way. She would have been fine with a family dinner. But appearances were important.
“I’m going to get another drink, be right back.” she patted Sam on the arm before heading inside. She smiled politely as she passed people but hurried out of sight as soon as possible.
She spotted the twins on her way up the stairs, talking with some of their father’s work associates. Cassie debated interrupting the conversation but continued walking. She didn’t stop until the door to the guest room was shut and locked behind her.
Leaning back against the door, she slid down onto the floor, not caring if she messed up the dress.
This was supposed to be a happy day. But all she could think about was the ring she had found in Sam’s bedside table a few days ago. She wasn’t stupid and she had seen the ring before, on his grandmothers hand. It was a family heirloom. Meant for one thing. Marriage.
Sam proposing wasn’t a surprise though. They had been together since they were sixteen years old and known each other longer than that. Sam was, in many ways, her best friend. Her first love. Her rock, her confidant. She loved him. Or at least she thought she did.
The thought of spending the rest of her life with him had her stomach in knots. She could see it so clearly, the future laid out in front of her. All planned. And she didn’t want it.
There was a point in her life where she wanted nothing else. At sixteen, Sam was everything she ever wanted. But she had never realised how much of it had been planned. Their mother’s had made suggestive comments for years, talking about her and Sam’s future before it had even begun. How much of it was true and how much of it was built on expectations?
Of course the love between them hadn’t been fake. She could truly say that she loved him. She just wasn’t sure she was in love with him anymore. And the ring had only solidified what she already knew. She needed to get away, to sort out her feelings on her own. Without Sam, without her mother’s constant meddling.
Leaving the bedroom, she went back downstairs only to run into Sam in the kitchen.
“There you are. I’ve been looking, you’ve been gone for a while,” he said as he wrapped an arm around her.
“Sorry, I got caught up in my own head. I’m actually not feeling very well. Would you please distract my mother while I slip away?”
“Leaving your own party, bold. But I’ll do it.” Sam leaned in for a kiss but she turned her head just in time for him to kiss her cheek.
“Thanks. I’ll see you later, yeah?” she slipped away before he could answer.
Cassie didn’t slow down until she was in a cab on her way to JFK, no destination in mind. All she knew was that she needed to leave.
When Cassandra lands in Anchorage, she already knows it isn’t her final destination. She doesn’t need another big city. Alaska had seemed perfect when she left New York but she wanted somewhere small. But she had no idea where that would be.
Cassie trudges along with the rest of the passengers towards baggage claim. The eleven hour flight had taken its toll. Not to mention the different time zones. She spotted her bags fairly early and grabbed them off the conveyor belt and made for the exit.
Sitting down on a bench, she digs out her phone and resets the airplane mode. Several messages pop up on her screen but she ignores them in favour of texting her dad that she made it. The clock on the wall shows four am and Cassie realises how tired she is.
A quick google search lands her on a hotel fairly close to the airport and then she orders a uber. Fifteen minutes later the driver is helping her into the lobby with her bags. She books a room for one night only and collapses onto the bed immediately.
She has no idea where she’s going next. But the growing anxiety is lessening by the minute and when sleep claims her, she isn’t worried. She would be alright. No matter what.
The Wolf Pack; @anniesocsandgeneralstore @wildbornsiren @imjess-themess @princessmisery666 @princessphilly @antiquitea @fuckyeahhangman @writercole @hederasgarden @therebeccaw
Especially Bea during that thunderstorm when she and Bradley are still in the early stages of the relationship. And he runs from his place to hers, as a wolf, because he remembers that storms are something she's scared off.
And he braves the storm, running there anyway, because she's his mate and he can feel her anxiety.
AND THAT'S WHEN SHE KNOWS!
I'm sorry I'm just having a lot of feelings <333
Bea wrapped her sweater around herself just a little bit tighter as she opened the door, heart pounding in her ears over the sound of the harsh rain and the peals of thunder.
"B-Bradley?" she questioned.
The giant of a man stood on her porch soaked to the bone, eyes fading from red to that warm chocolate brown. His chest heaved, panting for breath.
"I just, uh..." He wouldn't meet her eye as he searched for the words, hands on his hips. "I know you don't like storms. Wanted to make sure you were okay."
Lightning lit up the street behind him and Bea jumped back from the door, blue eyes wide. Bradley reached out a hand, but he hesitated, unsure if she would want him to touch her now. Everything was so fragile between them, he didn't want to break it.
"Did you - Did you run here?" she asked, remembering that his house was on the other side of town.
"Yeah."
Overcome with emotion, overcome with the realization that this man truly cared, Bea threw herself at him. He caught her easily, wet arms circling her shoulders as she clung to his torso. His clothes were freezing, but the flesh beneath was warm, and Bea burrowed into that.
For a moment, it was like the storm wasn't even there.
Abilities: bartending, singing, marksmanship, werewolf history and traditions, and homekeeping
Date of Birth: March 3rd, 1987
Height: 5'8"
Gender: Female
Sexuality: Heterosexual
Species: Human
Love Interest: Jake Seresin
Quotes:
"Do you know what it's like - always being on the outside looking in?"
"What makes you think I didn't come here alone to draw you out?"
She is the first full human born in the Bradshaw family in 100 years. Leaving her an outsider to the werewolf pack her family has led for generations. After their father's death three months ago, her brother Bradley became the new Alpha. He is worried and overthinks, but his pack and Ronnie have faith in him. She is loyal, caring, intelligent, and hardworking. She longs to belong within the pack, but knows that she never really can. To make up for this, she studies her family's history, werewolf biology, and werewolf legend.
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i want a happy ending for Bradley in the werewolf AU. i have some ideas about how to accomplish this, but in short:
bradley takes some representatives of Blue River to the 45th annual werewolf consortium event in Oregon. lots of packs are there.
they go to the bonfire that closes out the day of events
his eyes lock with the most beautiful wolf he's ever seen across the clearing and they have their mates! moment with the firelight flickering over their hair
but she runs away and he doesn't know which pack she's from and he's so, so hurt
he doesn't know if he should chase her, because he can feel the pull, but if she's rejecting him... and he has a responsibility to Blue River, he can't just go haring off.
So he goes back to Blue River and is just in the worst mood ever
he didn't tell anyone about her, because he is dumb about feelings
he can feel the bond aching and aching, but it doesn't sever. he doesn't know what's going on. doesn't she hurt, too?
then three weeks later he gets a call from Penny at the Hard Deck
saying that three wolves are at the bar wanting to talk to the Alpha of Blue River
He stomps down to the bar ready to release all his pent up hurt man feelings as Alpha rage on whoever these guys are (not being a consumer of romance novels, he has not put two and two together)
and there
there she is
it's a cloudy Pacific Northwest day but it's like the sun is shining
she says
I'm sorry I made you wait. I couldn't leave my brothers.
and he notices the preteens for the first time
turns out that she and her siblings got caught in a Bellmoral-esque situation that wasn't physically abusive but was still deeply messed up. they had been left back in their old pack's territory while she went to the conference with their horrible Alpha as collateral. it took her three weeks when they got back to organize their escape.
they've been driving day and night for like three days now, they are absolutely exhausted
and bradley just feels all of the frustration melt away as she sways on her feet
Welcome to Blue River, he says
he steps forward but lets her come the rest of the way to him
scent marking is the traditional way to welcome a new member to the pack.
she tilts her head to the right, baring the heart side of her throat to him.
he bites harder than he means too, he's just so eager, but she just shudders and sways into his body
his his his
her brothers are not super impressed by this, but Bradley has time to win them over.
literally the entire Blue River pack has been watching this. they are still pretty confused about what's going on.
they go back to the pack house and settle the new three members of the pack into a spare room. she stays with her brothers for the first few nights, because werewolves are very big on platonic cuddling and they've had a hard few days
and she needs to adjust, too
but that first full moon
they all go out and run
and she and Bradley veer away from the group
and some fun stuff happens for them, it all goes very well considering that they're in a forest with lots of sticks on the ground.
Ronnie is so relieved that her dumb brother has actually found someone, it's a big load off of her mind.
Abilities: research, librarian duties, gardening, and childcare
Date of Birth: June 24th, 1992
Height: 5'2"
Gender: Female
Sexuality: Bisexual
Species: Human
Love Interest: Bradley Bradshaw
Quotes:
"Werewolves are just an urban legend - one of the oldest ones in the book!"
"I'm scared but I'm trying. Not to quote Taylor Swift, but this is me trying."
She's lived in Rhode Island her entire life. Her parents live there, her two much younger siblings live there. A tiny little coastal town with few people and prospects. And when she comes back from grad school with a degree in library science and a freshly broken heart she finds zero job opportunities and zero dating opportunities in her little town. That's the final straw. She needed out of there and fast. So when she found a job, an interview, and an offer in another small town across the country in Washington - she thought it sounded like a great fresh start. Only, on her first day, a large lumberjack-looking man with a mustache comes into the library and turns her life, her world, completely upside down.
Werewolf thots; once in a while Ronnie forces Jake and Brad so sit down for a family dinner, often the packs with them. First time is a disaster but eventually, it becomes a habit and they find out they don’t mind much when Ronnie smiles like that
YES FE!! Inter-pack family dinners are often chaotic but they make Ronnie so so happy. It’s her two families coming together, of course it makes her happy.
the first time they tried it tho it was definitely a disaster. Tensions were mega high since it was the first time the entires packs were together in one room since….well since they were ripping each other’s throats out. People are dishing the sass and snide remarks and someone definitely “accidentally” flung their mashed potatoes across the table into Bob’s face. Did Ronnie cry afterwards when everyone went home? Ye……and Jake felt AWFUL about it and gave the pack a strong lecture.
jake defs calls Brad up to be like “we’re gonna do this again, and EVERYONE is gonna be civil. For Ronnie.” And the next dinner goes really well, in comparison and it makes her so smiley and happy that it’s all worth it.
oh I love them your honor I wanna be a member of one of the packs please.
