Chapter 1

They had taken everything from me.

With faces like mine and yours but teeth like a snake, they came at sundown. There were screams but nothing could halt their blood lust.

Blood was a must for their survival and I was next but fate had other plans for me. It was something much crueler than death.

                                    •~•

"What are you writing there?" My brother nudged me with his elbow, stopping my pensive thoughts.

I didn't answer him but looked ahead instead. We were parked in front of the university gates. The grey bricked castle, with cobblestones and long green lawns was a sight for architectural sore eyes. The country's blue and white flag was holstered at each high tower, flapping proudly in the harsh winds.

The large silver gate with a raven on it was almost symbolic. Once inside I knew my life was going to change yet again, but I felt numb. Fear, shock, and maybe realization that this moment I had anticipated for months on end, was finally here, but I had nothing except a wallowing feeling of emptiness.

As if a switch had flipped the moment I stepped on that plane in Arizona to be here. I left my home, my friends, and my family. This decision was no small fleet but I kept my grievances to myself. Keeping a hard face while trying hard to sell my case to my family that this is what I needed and that Brookburgh offered the best geology programs.

This was my reasoning for moving away, but the truth remained that after a lot of consideration and tears, I figured that this decision was going to be good not only for me but for my family as well.

Strange to think me moving away from my family would be good for them but it was the truth even if it was hard for them to admit. It would save them the awkward silence when I walked into the same room as all of them.

They wouldn't have to walk on eggshells around me anymore and they could be free to be themselves without feeling guilty because I couldn't do the same things as them.

In laments terms, they wouldn't have to deal with the only human in the room.

"Are you still mad at me?" Considering the number of times he had asked that question this morning. The answer was still yes. I turned to look out the window. The rain had subsided not that I minded the rain. It barely rained in Arizona but I wasn't in Arizona anymore. I was in Scotland, four thousand, eight hundred and sixty-seven miles away from a place I called home. "Talk to me." Creed lashed out, punching the steering wheel and causing the horn to go off. He sighed heavily when I didn't move a muscle and stared at him flatly. "We are family, May. We talk these things out. We don't just leave each other." I turned away knowing if I had to look at my brother's face I would break down in tears. All those emotions I kept at bay would come flooding out like a tsunami, overwhelming and destroying my efforts of trying to convince them all that this is what I wanted.

Inhaling and filling my lungs to their max I looked up at my brother. He always saw right through me so I focused on the window behind him instead and avoided his eyes.

To me playing the family card when I was already at the steps to my new home was pretty shitty of him. He had years to come to a decision. "You would rather me be miles away than turn me into a wolf. Does that sound like something family would do?" My voice was shaky a warning that I was about to blow any minute.

He went silent and I moved to get out of the car. Having this conversation was pointless I'd have better luck talking to a wall or better yet I'd have better luck of getting a response from the moon goddess before I got one from Creed. "May, please don't leave like this." I ignored him and pulled open the back door to get my luggage.

I heard the car door slam and Creed stood in front of me blocking my path. Unfortunately for me, he had wolf speed and I couldn't outrun him even if I tried. "I had no choice, May." His voice was pleading.

"Yes, you did. It was so easy for you to turn El, Liam, Elias, and Jordan. Why can't you turn me? I waited till I was eighteen like you asked. The only logical explanation as to why I think you won't turn me is because you don't consider me a part of your pack." My brother had the ability to turn humans into wolves. He turned all of our siblings except me.

Grabbing my wheeler bag and my two other duffles I slammed the door shut, sidestepped my brother, and began speed walking away from him. I had given him an option. Either he turned me or I leave. He chose option number two.

I heard a growl and shook my head. "May come back here!" He ordered sternly and I paused.

My eye began to twitch at the authority in his voice. "You are not my Alpha." I turned back and glared at him. I had no control over my temper when it came to this topic. "You don't get to tell me what to do." I let the words hang between us and he shut his eyes letting me know that my words were hurting him.

He pinched the bridge of his nose and took a few cautious steps towards me. "Do you think I want you to go," his voice was low as he held a hand out to me, "May, you are important to me and the pack. No one wants you to be here. We would rather have you home."

"Then tell me why?" I seethed. "Why won't you turn me?" It was a simple and just question yet it left him stupefied every time I asked. "Why?" I pushed him further.

"Because the goddess Selene has forbidden it." He spat the words in frustration. He put both his hands in his hair as he looked at me. "I had no choice okay." His eyes were wide as if this matter was driving him insane. "You know the risks of disobeying the Goddess."

A lump formed in my throat. The moon goddess didn't want me to be a part of the pack. Why would she do that to me, render me an outcast in a family I longed for. It was cruel. She had accepted everyone else of my brother's choosing. "No," I shook my head as I felt hot tears burn the bottom of my eyelids. Creed walked up to me taking both my hands in his.

I looked up at my brother and for the first time, I saw the helplessness in his eyes. "Why?" That was all I could say.

"I don't know, but it's what Reuel told me before I could come to find you on your eighteenth birthday. She said it's not in your destiny to be a wolf." And at those words, the tears I tried to hold back rolled down my cheeks as my lip quivered.

Creed pulled me into a hug. "I'm so sorry," he tried to soothe me. But I was beyond soothing at this point. I pulled away from him and I could see the fear in his eyes for the next move I made.

The one thing I wanted was always denied me at every turn. Maybe it was my destiny to be an outcast everywhere I went. I turned on my heel and began walking to the university gates accepting my defeat and not being at the mercy of the cruel universe once more.

"May please," Creed called after me but I didn't turn back and I heard a window break. I shut my eyes tightly as I continued my walk to the gate. No more tears, I wiped my wet cheeks hastily as I got closer and closer to the gate.

My new destiny.

"Just give me some time," I tried to keep my voice even to hide my devastation, "I have to go Creed. I'm going to be late for orientation. I'll call when I'm settled in." That was a lie. I wasn't going to be calling anytime soon.

The security guard stood at the gate— little did I know he was watching our parking lot show— he tipped his hat to me and gave me a sorrowful look as he held the gate open for me to walk in. I forced a smile and courteous head nod in his direction as I proceeded through the gate.

I looked back at my brother through the bars of the gate. He was standing by the rental car with broken glass at his feet. His fist was bleeding and his hand was in his hair as his eyes pleaded with me.

"Your registration letter ma'am," the guard inquired. I broke away from staring at Creed as I searched through my bags.

I found the letter and flashed it in front of the guard. He gave it a brief once over. "Orientation is in the main building. You're forty-two minutes late." He checked his watch. "Go on ahead."

I heard the car door slam and looked to see Creed reverse out of the parking and drive away. Then it settled on me that I was on my own and the feeling of loneliness was not foreign to me.

I'd just have to focus on the reason why I was here. Peace for my family and a career for me.

I crossed the grassy field to get to the main building. The wind whipped around me and it was almost a fight with each step I took. The sky broke loose with stray raindrops and I had to wonder was this the earth mourning for me, I wasn't that vain but yet the thought made me feel a little better.

My shoe slid against the grass and I slipped causing my bags to fly around as I fell back landing straight on my backbone. "Dammit!" I yelled, frustrated with myself.

I sat up to see my bags laying around me in the wet grass. My palms were burning from the friction of the dirt rubbing against them. I tried to get up again and the shoes against the slippery grass made it impossible. "Stupid shoes." I kicked them off.

At this point, I couldn't care less. I had the urge to scream. I began hyperventilating as I put my head in my hands. I felt helpless and honestly a little scared.

"Ye' okay las?" Came a man's voice and I looked to see a tall man with short-cropped ginger hair; dressed in a blue blazer and black slacks.

He jogged up to me and I smiled weakly as he stretched out his hand to help me up. I took his hand. "A'd advise no opened-toe bits around here." He smiled as I stood and dusted my clothes off. He moved to pick up the rest of my bags. "Ye have na idea how many girlies be breaking their shanks around here just because they like fancy bits." I was too embarrassed to say anything. All I could do was just stare with my mouth slightly open and pray a fly never flew in.

"Ye skelp yer head?" He questioned when I kept staring at him without responding. His freckled cheeks started turning red and I realized I was making him uncomfortable by staring.  He picked his hand up in a motion to reach out and touch my head but then recoiled. "Well okay. Maybe ah should tak' ye tae th' nurse."

"I'm sorry," I blurted and he looked back at my face in surprise. "I'm just embarrassed. I'm May." My voice box unmuted itself and I stuck my hand out to shake his.

He looked at my hand and then took it giving it a generous shake as he flashed his straight teeth. "Nice tae meet ye'. Ye'r an American," he noted. I needed to remember I was the one with the accent around here.

"And you're Scottish." I smiled.

He grinned. "'n' ye'r late fur Orientation." He glanced at his brown leather wristwatch.

"Yeah, the guard told me. Is there maybe a back door I could sneak in from?"

He laughed, his body relaxing. "Pretty face like yers a'm sure ye can git away wi' it." His smile dropped as he cleared his throat and rubbed the back of his neck. "Sae thare is a tour o' th campus after orientation. A'm leadin it 'n' wid love tae see a friendly face like yers in th' crowd." He handed me one of my bags.

"Yeah sure," I agreed instantly, excited to explore more of the school and make at least one friend.

"Cool. A'm needin' tae git th' maps. Ah will see ye then. " He picked my last duffel off from the ground and our fingers brushed as he handed it over to me. His entire face was red and he looked up at the sky. He turned on his heel and began to walk away. "Take care now. Try not tae fall for th' next hour or so." He called back.

I laughed. "Easier said than done."

The grey clouds finally gave out relinquishing their abundance. Roaring thunder followed as purple lightning flashed through the dark clouds.

Barefoot with my sandals in hand, I trotted with my bags to the stairs that lead to the building. A cool breeze swept past me making the hair on my body stand as my wet clothes clung to me and my spine quivered. My legs began to shake and I swallowed hard as I gathered the courage to walk into the building.

I could hear voices coming from inside the building. I fixed my hair, pushing the stray strands behind my ears and wiping the rainwater off my face with a tissue. I slipped on my shoes and turned the handle to open the massive mahogany door.

The door creaked as I slid into the small gap. "Loitering around campus past midnight will not be permitted," I heard a man say as I slipped through the door.

I inhaled sharply as I took in how beautiful the place was. The floors had a gold hue to them and the walls were cream with the school's logo which was a black raven against a red background.

The man addressing everyone stood at the top of a long staircase that had gold thin railings. "But other than the university's events coordinator," he droned on in a nasal voice, "I am also the Science professor and now I will hand the floor over to my college a Brookburgh alumni and the vice to the dean." He looked up to a woman dressed in a black long trench coat. Her hair was all pushed back in a bun, her thin wire glasses sat at the tip of her long pointed nose as she stared down at all of us.

"I am Agnus MacLeod vice to the dean of this prestigious establishment, Charles Medley Valentine." I had seen her before. The school website had a picture of her on its page. I thought she was the dean.

"Does Mr. Valentine even exist?" I heard someone whisper and turned my head to see two girls standing a few spaces away from me.

"No one's seen him, but there is a painting of him that's in the library," said a girl with bronze hair and green eyes.

"Maybe he doesn't like pictures," the dark-haired girl replied sharply not giving into a mystery so easily.

"His children don't even have any social media. It's insane when Hannah is gorgeous, Josh is panty-dropping hot and Levi is ... don't even get me started," the girl sang as she fanned herself, and stuck her pink tongue out. "They could all be I*******m models."

"Have you met them?" Her friend inquired since the bronze-haired girl seemed to be an expert in the family.

The bronze-haired girl scoffed and rolled her eyes. "Not yet," she trailed a small smile lighting up her face, "I've only glanced them on opening day. They don't seem all that friendly."

I picked my head back up to catch the last of Angus's introduction speech. "Dinner will be served at six. Kitchens close at eight. So no food until breakfast if you miss dinner." With those words, Agnus turned on her heel with her hands behind her back as she ascended the second staircase.

I had missed all the important details of orientation. I had no idea where my dorm was. The students had begun to disperse and not knowing what to do I followed the crowd.

I'd have to join Seth's tour if I was going to figure my way around campus. I followed the crowd back outside into the rain."Look at that bonnie las," A guy with dark brown hair cat called and I found myself looking in the direction the group of boys were gawking and whistling in and the girls swooning, to see a girl dressed in a vibrant red coat accompanied by two other men by her sides. The men were dressed identically both of them adorning black coats and jeans.

The three looked to be in an argument as they walked past our group without offering so much of a glance to their curious onlookers.

Then suddenly, their faces broke concentration and the three of them looked in my direction. The boy with the light brown hair stared at me the hardest. His eyes locked onto mine and I looked away immediately as I continued following the crowd.

That was weird.

I looked back up to see if he was still looking and he was."Were those the Valentine kids?" I heard someone ask. The boy with the light brown hair gave me one last look before turning away and storming into the building. 

"Wow, wha' a bunch of snobs," someone else denoted. I could see what those girls were talking about. They were all good-looking.

I followed the crowd into a different building. This building was far less glamorous than the main building with its simplistic themes of beiges, greys, and browns. "Alright, ladies and gentlemen. My name is Bethany. I'm the head of the freshman house."I turned to see a short woman dressed in a grandfather jacket and blue pants. "Boys stay in the left-wing of the building," she pointed at a sign. "Girls on the right. No loud music allowed and no loitering after twelve. If you have any inquires you'll find me here during the day." She pointed at a brown desk in the corner of the room. "This is what is known as the common room. Please find your names on the pin-up sheets on the wall. All dorm dorms are unlocked. You will find your keys in your room.

The common room looked cozy. The way I'd imagined it to be. There were a few sofas pushed against the walls with coffee tables in front of them, beanbag chairs scattered around the room, a pool table, and a foosball table.

I found my name and dorm on the second pin-up sheet. My arm was starting to fall asleep carrying my bags around. I followed the winding, stuffy hallways until I found my room.

I turned the handle to my dorm door, immediately dropping my heavy bags at the threshold and feeling the relief in my arms instantly but it was short-lived when I saw a girl fighting with the window. The rain was getting inside and the girl was letting out a series of curses."Damn wendow, dey said dey were goin to fex it yesterday."

"Let me help," she turned acknowledging my presence, and I moved to help with the window.

With our combined strength we managed to force the window shut. The girl let out a breath and smiled. Her red hair was matted to her forehead and she ran her fingers through her hair, pushing it back. "I guess you're me new roommate. I'm Gina," she introduced herself.

"May." I returned her smile. "I think we should leave this window closed from now on."

She laughed. "Good idea. So you're an American," she sounded curious. "I've never met an American before."

"And you're Irish," I guessed. I had watched youtube videos at the risk of making a mistake with the accents and insulting someone, "this is my first time visiting the UK."

"I'm sorry 'ow rude o' me," she blushed. "You must 'ave been gettin dat a lot today."

I laughed. "You're the third person I've met here today."

I noticed one-half of the room was already decorated with bright pink bed sheets and k pop posters. So I moved my bags to the opposite side and fell onto the bed. "You look like you've 'ad a rough morning," she noticed. "You know what you need. A nice hot shower. You're drenched and messed wit dirt," she chuckled.

I smiled sheepishly. "It was a rough morning indeed."

"Dere are two bathrooms down this 'allway. I got 'ere fahr yesterday's arientation."

I nodded. It was a good idea but once I showered I had no intention of leaving the dorm again. "Do you know what time the tour starts though? I missed most of this morning's orientation."

She slipped out of her brown coat. "It starts at..."

The sound of girls screaming and students panicking got both of us to stop talking and the smile to leave our faces.

We immediately stood and rushed out of the room to see everyone running down the hallway. We followed them out of the building to see a crowd of people standing outside in a circle.

"Is he dead?" Someone asked.

"Hey, excuse me," Gina patted a guy's shoulder and he turned to face us. "What happened here?"

"Ah don't know," the guy shrugged. "Th' tour guide wis found dead."

"Seth?" I questioned and the guy shrugged again. I pushed past the group, trying to make my way to the front.

"Wait," Gina called after me but I had to see for myself, and to my horror, as I neared the front I saw a blue blazer and a boy with ginger-colored hair splayed on the ground with his eyes wide open.

"Alright everyone get back," Bethany instructed. She got on her phone and knelt down beside Seth. "Hello, I need the nurses down at the freshman dormitory."

The security guard showed up and began pushing us all back. "Return to your dorm rooms right now," he ordered.

"'Ow could this o' 'appened?" Gina questioned as we turned to go back inside and then I noticed by the steps of the main building, the Valentine children stood and watched with blank faces.