Chapter Two

The ray of the sun shines through my window. I haven't slept since I changed to my human form. I just can't wrap my head around everything that happened. I breathe heavily lying on my bed. My life can never be the same after that. The whispers were true. I'm different. A monster. The door opens slightly after a light knock on it. "Can I come in?" my mother says even though I can already see her face pepping into my room. I stare at the ceiling feeling nothing. I don't know what to think about myself. It's a lot for me to process. My mother walks into my room without waiting for a response. She wasn't going to get one anyway.

"How are you feeling?" she asks, taking a seat on the edge of my bed. The wooden bed stand makes a harsh noise when her weight comes on it. "Why?" I ask firmly. Her presence brings a new surge of anger. It's all their fault for keeping this away from me. I had the right to know all along. Not to be kept as their prisoner without an explanation. She brushes my hair and tucks it behind my ear. Her touch is soft and gentle. "We've always wanted to tell you but couldn't until you were of the age," she replies staring at me. I don't look at her. I'm too pissed too. The two people I trusted hid who I am from me. Or rather, what I am. 

"I'm a monster right? We all are?" My mother takes my chin in between her fingers and turns my face to meet hers. "No, my love. You are just like the others. Just a greater kind." I scoff at her and pull my head away from her grip. "An easier way to call a monster." She takes my hand in hers and squeezes it gently. 

"We are werewolves, not monsters," she says softly. "Our pack is called the Shadows and is led by Gabriel Valley. He became our leader after his father's death some months ago." I sigh and turn to look at her. Her blue eyes look sad as she stares at me. "I promise you my child, you are not a monster. Being different is your greatest power," she whispers, grazing her fingers across my eyebrows. "You'll see," she adds with a faint smile. I stare at her drowning in my thoughts. I think about everything. Me. Them. The pack. I'd have sworn last night was just a dream but I know what I saw and felt. It was all too real. "Your father and I are going to the farm. Would you like to come with us?" I shake my head disapprovingly. She stands to her feet and smothers her lengthy yellow dress. "Alright," she replies. She stares at me for a moment before walking to the door. "Happy birthday pumpkin," she says before walking out of my room. I turn to face the other side of the bed and try to close my eyes. Memories of the night flood my mind, forcing me to keep them open. I have to accept who I am and it scares me. I am afraid of myself. 

I pretend to sleep as my father walks into my room. He kisses my forehead and steps out almost immediately. I stay in my room until I hear the front door shut. I check my window to see my father's carriage moving in the direction of the farm. I want more answers about me and the pack. There's only one way to find out. I stand from my bed and walk to my dresser. I sift through my clothes and pick a fluffy brown sweater that has a hood. I wear it and my black boots and step out of my room. I take a piece of bread from the kitchen and bite a bit, keeping the rest in my sweater's pocket. "I have to do this," I say to myself, exhaling slowly. I walk to the front door and open it slightly to peep outside. I step outside the house when I see no signs of my parents. They wouldn't let me go out on my own. I just have to be back before noon. I put on the hood and walk to the side of the woods. Today is a market day so everyone is busy buying things in the market. It's far from our house which gives me the perfect opportunity to slip into the woods without getting noticed. I walk into the woods without a plan or weapon. Something feels odd right whenever I find myself in these woods. I feel "Hello Alice," a sweet voice says behind me, startling me. I jump and turn to face the direction of the voice. A young lad who is probably my age is standing an inch away from me. "How do you know my name?" I look around me to find anything I can use to protect myself. The tree behind me has a broken branch hanging on it. I slowly take a step backward while keeping my gaze on him. "Everyone knows you, mi lady," he replies with a soft smile. His accent sounds different from the people around here. His dark hair is packed in a low bun. My hand meets the branch and I gently yank it off the tree. It makes a sharp crackling sound. "No need for that," he says, walking an inch forward. He looks timid in his orange trousers and black shirt. It is a bit oversized. "Who are you?" I ask, pointing the branch at him. He touches his hair with his palm and smoothens it to the back. "They call me Taddeus," he says. His hazel-colored eyes sparkle with the glow of the sun. I could get lost staring at its beauty. "But you can call me Tad," he adds with a smirk. He doesn't look frightened by the stick I'm pointing him. "You are also a...."

"A werewolf, yeah," he interjects, cutting me mid-sentence. I swallow hard as I lower the branch. "Come. Everyone wants to meet you," he continues. He starts to walk along a path and I reluctantly follow behind him. "It was you yesterday mi lady?" He doesn't turn to face me. I notice several markings on the trees we pass along the path. "Yes," I mutter, staring at the sky filled with condors. "You must be eighteen now. I'm a year older." He pauses in his tracks and turns to face me for a moment. "Being in the pack since last year," he adds. He resumes walking as he turns his back to me. The chirping and humming sounds of animals fill the forest as we walk in silence for some minutes. "Here we are mi lady," he announces pointing his fingers to several huts crowded in an open space. I remove my hood to take in the view. The people are busy carrying out their activities, not noticing our presence at first. "Welcome to the pack youngie," he says, taking my hand in his and pulling me into their little domain. I stare at the children playing with rocks on the ground. They all look normal. Like humans. Just like me. A little girl looks up at me and smiles, revealing her missing tooth. I smile back and wave at her. "She likes you already," Tad says. We stop in front of hut. It looks bigger than the others. "Who wouldn't?" he says with a wink. I look away as I feel my cheeks reden. I see people stare longer at me. I look odd among them as they are all dressed in uniquely patterned dresses with an intricate symbol of two swords crossed. "Why are they looking at me?" Tad knocks gently on the door to the hut. "It's been a while someone new joined us," he replies. I see a hint of worry or maybe fear in his eyes. He is hiding something. 

"Come in," a voice says inside the hut. It sounds deep and firm. Tad motions to go in first but I hold his shirt, pulling him back. "Who is that?" I whisper, staring into his eyes. "Gabriel. The leader of the pack," he answers. He unlocks the door and opens it wide for me to enter. I slowly walk into the but holding my breath. Tad follows behind me and whispers into my ears. "Relax mi lady." His voice causes goosebumps to form on my skin. I hear light footsteps approaching the room we are in. 

"Welcome," a man says, appearing from the corridor. I blow out a breath as I see a huge man with striking features. His muscles are bulging out of the blue shirt he has on. "Alice," he says with a smile that shows his dimples. My chest starts to flutter. A reaction I haven't had in a long while.