Chapter Three

"Come with me," Gabriel says stepping out of his hut. Tad had left us when Gabriel dismissed him. Gabriel has this subtle look that makes him slightly mysterious and intriguing. I'd be lying if I said I am not attracted to that side of him. We walk out of the hut together. I see a better view of his face.

His chiseled jawlines and perfectly curved lips stand out as the sun casts a glow on him. "I want you to meet everyone. We are a pretty small pack," he says walking to an open space in the center of the land they call home. His hair is dark and low. 

"Dear Shadow walkers," he says loudly. I stand frozen in the spot taking deep breaths as the place gets crowded with the dwellers coming of out their houses. My heartbeat has gotten faster as they stare at me. I look to the ground, trying to calm myself. "This is Alice," Gabriel announces, pointing at me. "Alice Lintle." A few persons gasp in shock while other whisper to one another. "Let's welcome her as one of hers," he adds staring at me. His blue eyes are piercing. "Come," he whispers, stretching his hand to take mine. I look around as I let him take my hand. His grip is gentle as he holds my wrist. "To greatness," he yells, raising my arm high. The crowd cheers aloud, repeating his words. Gabriel smiles at me and releases my hand. The crowd return to their duties as a lady dressed in a purple gown walks to me with a big smile on her face. We are of the same height. Her blonde hair is flowing down her shoulders, showing her oval-shaped face. She has the same color of eyes as Gabriel. They look very much alike. 

"I've waited long to meet you. It's so nice to finally see you," she says, pulling me into a hug. I inhale there smell. Lavender. "Thank you," I whisper, wrapping my arms around her too. "Pardon my manners. I am Zara," she says warmly. "And I've got to show you everything," she says giddy. I become more relaxed. She breaks the hug and holds my hand as we walk to the other side where I hear noises. The sun is becoming hotter as noon draws nearer. "How is Peter and Jane?" she says stopping me in my tracks. "You know my parents?" She looks at me with her eyes narrowed to me. "Of course I do." 

"They are fine," I reply hastily. 

"Is Gabriel your brother?" "Yes, he is. Younger actually and a whole lot of trouble," she says. She turns to look at me. "You know how siblings are," she teases. "I'm actually an only child." She stops walking to stare at me. She looks surprised and is about to say something but swallow it instead. She shrugs and fakes a smile before she continues walking till we reach a place that looks like a training ground. "Here are the new youngies," she says. They are grouped in twos, each fighting with a sword. I spot Tad training some youngies. 

"Everyone here are werewolves?" She nods in agreement. "And we all have distinct powers," she adds. She pokes my shoulder with a finger. "And we'll help you discover yours." 

"I don't think I'm ready," I reply. I haven't even accepted who I am yet. Or why I am here. "I should be going now," I add anxious. Her lips curve downward. "You don't like it here?" I'm feeling different here. Like I've found a place where I belong. "Yes, I do," I reply. I wipe my sweaty hands on my sweater. "It's just that I'm not ready yet," I add. She smiles faintly at me. "I understand. It's fine," she replies holding my hand. "You'll always be welcome here," she continues. She takes out a golden bracelet from the pocket of her dress and slides it on my right arm. "Always," she adds. I hug her. She has to be the only friend I have now. If not for anything, I'm glad I met her here. "Thank you," I whisper. She tightens the hug for a moment before releasing me. I break the hug wanting to leave already. My parents would be back from the farm very soon. "I'll see you off," Zara says. We begin to walk back in the direction we came in when Tad yells my name. "Good bye mi lady," he shouts with a wave. I turn to wave at him before I start walking. "Why is his accent different from ours?" I ask Zara. She laughs softly. "He is not from around here," she replies. "He is Irish." It makes sense now. We walk in silence till we reach the path that leads to my house. I can already see our town from afar. "This is the futherest I can go," Zara tells. "It's fine. Bye." I smile at her and continue to walk till I leave the woods behind.I turn to see her but she isn't there any longer. My new life awaits me there. I want to be brave enough to take it head on. But I've always lived a life of solitude and being an entirely different person would be tasking. It is my choice to make now but I sense there's no turning back from this. I never imagined my eighteenth birthday coming with the task of making such a great decision. Why don't I feel ready yet? I want this for me. To be finally among my kind and not feel like an outcast. What's stopping me?

I walk faster to my house, hoping my parents aren't around yet. The front door is clear without any sign of the horse or them. I sneak into the house and lock the door behind me. I lean on the door and blow out a breath. "Where have you been young lady?" my mother asks, stepping out of the kitchen. I slam my palm on my forehead and move to stand straight without resting on the door "No where," I reply confidently. My mother doesn't look pissed at me, rather concerned. That's odd. I've always known her to be the strict one. "Don't lie to me Alice," she says, folding her arms and leaning on the kitchen's doorframe. I sigh and throw my hands up in defeat. "I need some answers and I went there to find them," I confess. I harden my face in a frown. "So now what? You'll keep me here forever?" She shakes her head and unfolds her hands. 

"I'm sorry I made you feel that way," she replies softly. Her voice is sad. "I thought I was protecting you but I was wrong." She walks to meet me and pulls me into a hug. I can't remember the last time my mother hugged me. I melt into her arms tired of the feud between us. It takes even more energy to hate her. "I'm so sorry Alice. If I could go back to change everything, I will." She nod against her chest, feeling her heartbeat. She rests her chin on my head and we stay there for more than a minute. The door opens which breaks our hug. My father walks in with his dirty clothes, holding a bag in his hand. "What did I miss?" he says with a smile. I like when he smiles. He looks younger when he does. The stress of the farm and work is showing on him, making him look older. I can already see several strands of grey hair sticking out. "Nothing. You're just here in time," my mother replies. "I would love to hug you both but I'm all dirty and sweaty." He stares at me like he has found a treasure. His eyes glimmer. "Happy birthday bear," he says. He removes the scabbard attached to the waist of his trouser and hands it to me. "I made this one just for you." I hurriedly unsheathe it and draw out a shiny metallic sword with my initials inscripted on it. 'A. L'. The sword has the same symbol I saw in the pack. "Thank you so much papa," I say, hugging him. My arms wrap around his waist since he is much taller than I am. He bends to kiss my head. "You're welcome princess," he replies. 

"Now, come and tell me about your walk into the woods," my mother says, drawing my attention. I release my father from the hug and step aside for him to walk into their room. "I see you met Zara," she adds. I look at her shocked. "How did you know?" She points to my right wrist. "Zara makes the most beautiful bracelets," she replies. She rolls the right-hand sleeve of her dress to reveal the same golden bracelet. "She's really nice," I say. My mother smiles and walks to the couch. She takes her seat and pats on the space beside her. "I also saw Gabriel and a group of youngies." 

"Did you find all the answers you were seeking?" she asks. "No," I reply honestly. There's still a lot I need to know. "Who are youngies?" She sighs and stares at me. "Every werewolf was once a youngie." She takes my pinkie finger threads hers with it. "A youngie is a werewolf that has just attained his or her transformation powers. Just like you.""Everyone became a youngie at the age of eighteen?" She nods. "Zara told me they'll help me discover my powers. What does she mean?"

"Werewolves have their unique abilities apart from just transforming. The Elders are the wise ones that see into the future," she says. I stare at her, listening to every word. This is my first step in understanding who I am. I'm ready. "We have the walkers who are the warriors. They have heightened senses and speed used to fight." She pauses for a moment. "Then there's a rare kind of werewolf that can perform magic but they have been extinct for a very long time now."

"And which am I?" I ask hoping she'll have an answer. "You'd have to start training for us to discover your unique abilities," she replies. My heart sinks a little. Every part of me was hoping she'll have an answer to that. "Then which are you and father?" 

"We are both walkers. We fight for our pack and kind," she answers. "When do I begin my training?" She shrugs. "Anytime you feel ready. I know you're brave enough already." I don't feel that way but I don't tell her. "Why are they hiding in the woods if we aren't monsters?" My mother's countenance changes. She seems angry as she stares into space. "Humans can be aggressive when they see someone different," she says. "Like us?" I ask. 

"Yes, like us. And we do not have the heart to harm them. So instead, we stay far away to hide our identities." She turns to face me. "But we are different for good," she adds. 

"Are the rumors about a monster in the woods true then?" 

She shakes her head. "We only made it up to keep them away." I nod lightly. My head hurts slightly and I feel sleepy after my little adventure. "I'd love to sleep now," I say to her. She kisses my forehead. "Have some rest pumpkin." I stand from the chair and walk to my room. I remove the sweater and boots and fall on my bed. I close my eyes and all I see is Gabriel's face.