Chapter 2: Nicholas.

“You failed! Again!” Nicholas’s gravelly voice thundered, the sound echoing off the dark wood panels that lined the walls of his grand mountain-top mansion. His fiery red eyes burned with fierce intensity as he fixated on his gamma, Kael, whose neck was below the heel of his boot, pleading for his mercy.

“Forgive.. me… Pl.. please.. I was caught by the hunters! I hardly… escaped,” Kael begged in ragged gasps as he struggled to free himself.

The sound of the waves crashing against the shore and the distant howling of the wolves seemed to fuel his anger.

“You've proved yourself useless to me, Kael,” Nicholas retorted, his voice low, menacing, and icy with anger. He increased the pressure of his ponderous heel on his throat taking pleasure in Kael’s painful groans as he pleaded for mercy. 

“Give.. me.. another chance… to…” before Kael could finish his sentence, Nicholas swiftly decapitated his head from his body.

Just then, Nicholas heard his grandiose door slide open, and a sleek, gray wolf sauntered in, its amber eyes gleaming in the dim light. Nicholas’s gaze shifted, his expression unyielding.

“You should have sent me instead, Nicholas,” it said, its voice low and enigmatic. “Soon, she turns 18, and on a full moon and you know that can't happen. It has to be done now! Let me kill her myself, Nicholas!” 

Nicholas's jaw clenched, his keen, long claws extending as he growled. “No one,” he paused, his tone icy, “Not even you!” He snarled, “No one takes away my prey! Kimberly and her family shall die by my claws alone! Slay all the Silversmith hunters, but the family is mine!” 

The name “Silversmith” echoed back in his head, the family that took away his family, pack and everything else from him. The family that made him live in hiding and fear throughout his childhood. His thoughts were consumed by the burning desire for revenge and retribution. He wanted blood.

The gray wolf's tail wagged subtly, its eyes gleaming with a sinister light. “As you wish, Nicholas. Allow me to deliver her to you myself.”

Nicholas's red eyes narrowed, his gaze piercing, “See that you don't fail me. You are of great importance to me and our plans for the future. I would hate to end you like I did him.”

The gray wolf's ears perked up, baring its teeth in a wicked grin. “You know me Nicholas, I never fail you.”

     * * * * * * *

Kimberly stood in front of her closet mirror, with her school backpack wrapped around her breast. Reluctant to leave for school, she gazed at her reflection, feeling insecure, her mind raced back to the day she sneaked out of her hospital ward.

She had told Clark and Aaron that she just wanted some time alone. Which of course, was a blatant lie and they sensed it, knowing fully well that Kimberly sucked at lying. The truth was she had planned on attempting suicide. She snuck out of the hospital, overwhelmed by her condition only to come face-to-face with an eerie stranger.

As she recalled the terrifying chase that followed, her heart raced. Somehow, and thankfully, Clark found her just in time. 

Kimberly had become weary of being a burden, and of her life being dictated by her health. But for someone who had planned on giving up on her life, Kimberly was extremely frightened of being harmed by whoever it was that chased her. 

Just then, that intense feeling of someone watching her gripped her, just like that day at the pool hall. She looked outside her window, her mind racing with the worst-case scenario, as her eyes scanned the vicinity. But all she could see were the familiar sights of her quiet neighborhood, nothing out of the ordinary. Yet, the feeling of being watched persisted sending shivers down her spine, anxiety washing over her.

“Kimberly! You're gonna be late,” she heard her father yell, snapping her back to the present. Her father, Mr. Arnold Silversmith, who was barely around but now seems to want to bond with her. She thought to herself, “He's probably heard of my health status” she scoffed. Not caring.

Adjusting her bold round glasses, which she hated, she sighed. Her shortsightedness was just another defect she had to struggle with. Kimberly didn't know what it meant to be in perfect health since she was born and she hated it. Her mother only made it worse for her, always pushing her farther than her limit. 

Her mother's scathing remark - “You are weak, Kimberly” - echoed in her head, cutting deep, it saddened her. But in that moment, she said softly to herself, “I won't let your words define me, mother,” as she was ready to defy those words. She cautioned herself for becoming what her mother always described her as — weak.

Kimberly had always been bold, smart and witty. She wondered how she finally let her mother get to her. She decided right there on the spot to start living for herself and not her mothers expectations. 

Smiling at the thought, she grabbed her remaining books and headed downstairs to her father's car, ready to face what the day had for her.

           

             

       

     * * * * * * *

At school, Kimberly strode down the locker hall towards her locker to keep her books and other unnecessary items in her backpack, when she came upon her most dreaded person on earth. Madison Salts! 

She quietly opened her locker avoiding Madison's attention, but it seemed impossible because their lockers were opposite each other.

Once she was done, she closed her locker to leave, feeling relieved that she hadn't gotten Madison’s attention. 

On turning around, she bumped into Madison, spilling the cup of milkshake she had in her hand all-over her shoes and dress. Kimberly gasped and was stunned at what she had done. She stood there perplexed, hands in the air, mouth agape, her face and blouse drenched in milkshake. 

Madison's face reddened, “Bitch! How shortsighted are you!?” she hurled and her two besties behind her snickered. “My Prada shoes!” She gasped “these shoes cost more than your tuition! Oh my God, my chanel top too! You've ruined my day Kimberly! And now I'm so going to ruin yours!” She bemoaned in anger.

Just as Kimberly was about to apologize, she saw Madison snatching two cups of milkshakes from each of her friends behind her. Kimberly knew what was coming so she raised her hands in a defensive shield waiting for another round of milkshake bath, but it never came. 

“Who tf are you!?” Madison yelled.

Kimberly opened her eyes wondering who Madison had transferred her aggressions to, when she saw a firm hand with neat manicured long nails that had Madison's hands frozen mid-air. Kimberly could never be more stunned. Nobody ever stands up to Madison, let alone defend Kimberly against her.

Without saying a word, Kimberly's savior grabbed the milkshakes from her hands and splashed it on her face leaving Madison in shock. Madison gasped in disbelief, blinking hard to see through the milkshake on her lashes. “How dare you!? Do you know who I am!?” Madison freaked. 

“You are nobody, Madison. Now beat it! Or I promise to ruin more than your designer shoes” said her savior, in a low but demeaning tone.

Kimberly snorted a laugh, she was in awe.

Madison, who was in utter shock and embarrassment scowled, “This isn't over!” She spat. She turned on her heels and stormed off, her friends scrambling to keep up with her haste retreat. 

Kimberly felt her shoulder relax in relief as Madison disappeared. Her eyes sparkling with gratitude, “Thank you for saving me,” she said with a slight chuckle.

“It's no biggie, I'm Sheila Black,” she replied with a warm smile, extending her hand for a handshake.

Kimberly’s eyes shone in admiration at the beauty, boldness and strength that was being displayed before her.

“Uh, I'm Kimberly, Kimberly Silversmith,” Kimberly chuckled.

“I know,” Sheila smiled, “And you Kimberly, is going to be my new best friend!”

“Huh?” Kimberly was starstruck! She barely had friends not to talk of a badass best friend like her. It had an air to unreality.