Surprising Information

To catch you up, I was just picked up by Shannon, my social worker from my foster home. I just found out she ended up being a werewolf too and was put in charge of me as my guardian when I was younger. She had just told me I was in danger.

"What do you mean I'm in danger?"

"Some background first. Your parents didn't die from the car accident, they were killed by the people they were running from. An alpha from a rival pack put a hit out on your parents when he learned they had run. They were constantly moving because of it. The killers didn't realize you were there. Apparently you were quiet once they were next to the car. Amazingly, the people that found you were from a nearby pack so they knew you were like them, but that's all they knew. Which is when our agency came in. Anyway, about a year later, the alpha from the rival pack found out that you existed and found you at one point."

I had no idea any of this happened. I knew your basic background, but even this is news to me.

Lauren assured me.

Shannon continued. "We put you in a kind of a witness protection program. We changed your name to Rachel. Your birth name is Anna. We moved you across the country from your home pack. But now that you're old enough to be on your own and if you want to find your pack, you need to be protected."

This was too much information all at once. "So, have they found me again?"

"No, not yet. As far as the wolf world knows, you don't exist. Except for the rival pack. It's called the White River pack. The alpha's name is Eli. He's a mean and strong alpha. He had wanted his pack to be strongest. But your home pack, the Blue Moon pack, was strongest. Your dad was an honest alpha. His pack was known to be one of the best. When he rejected the pack, for your mom, Eli knew he would be vulnerable as a rogue. There was always a chance that his pack could accept him back, so Eli put a hit out on him," she turned the turn signal on again and pulled away from the curb she pulled to earlier before this conversation started.

I was quiet, taking it all in. We drove for a few minutes, neither of us talking.

I spoke up first. "So, what happens next? Where are we heading?"

Shannon didn't answer immediately. "Honestly, I don't know for sure. We are staying in a hotel tonight. It really depends on what you want to do, Rachel," she finally responded.

"What do you mean?"

"If you still want to proceed as a child in foster care, we can find you another foster home. Or you are old to be on your own. But if you want to go back to your pack, we can begin that process."

"I don't know about the pack. You said they are good, but they didn't accept my mom. Even when my dad rejected them. But I'm tired of being rejected by foster parents. I know I cause problems, but I'm still a person." I sat for a second. "Is there another pack I could join? How would something like that work?"

"It usually doesn't work that way," Shannon answered. "Usually you are born into a pack, or marry an alpha, beta, or other pack member," she shrugged. "Does that mean you want to be on your own?"

"Can I be on my own but still have protection?"

"Of course. You will have protection from us for as long as you need or want," Shannon pulled into a parking spot at the Hefton Motel.

***

Rachel's POV

Settled in for the night, Shannon was watching TV. I was laying on one of the beds. I felt frustrated, unsettled.

"Shannon, can we go for a run?"

Surprised, she looked over at me. "You mean as werewolves?"

I nodded. "I haven't been able to run since Friday," I sat up.

"Well, I suppose we could. I did see some woods not far from here."

I went to the restroom and changed into a simple shirt and black pants. Coming out, I saw Shannon finishing getting ready. "I do remember that I tore my clothes up Friday and had to sneak home so nobody saw me. How do you get past that?"

"I usually have a backpack to put my clothes in prior to changing. Then when I changed back, I have my clothes," Shannon answered.

"So, you get naked first?"

"That's what werewolves usually do. After a while, we just get used to it," she grabbed her purse and opened the door for me.

We walk a block down the street and into the woods. It's a warm night, but bright from the stars in the sky.

How does this start? Last time it just started.

You just let me have control. Try to clear your mind. When we are done and you're ready to change back, you simply calm your mind and imagine yourself whole. The second time won't hurt nearly as bad as the first. Each time, it hurts less and less until one day, it no longer hurts.

"Ready?" Shannon looks at me. She's already taken her clothes off and stuffed them in her purse. I quickly turn my head and feel embarrassed. "I won't look, I promise."

I saw Shannon turn, which let me take my clothes off and stuff them into my own purse. We found a spot behind some trees that made a good hiding spot. I tried to clear my mind, and let Lauren take over. I suddenly felt my bones breaking again, but it wasn't as excruciating as the first time. Once it was finished, I looked over and saw Shannon transform into a medium large wolf. She had brown and grey fur. She was quite pretty. I noticed her staring at my wolf. For the first time, I was mind-linked.

"You're a lycan?!"

"According to Lauren, I am."

"I've never seen a female lycan. I didn't even know they existed. The moon goddess has special plans for you."

After shutting the mind link down, we started running. It felt so nice with the wind against my fur. I realized I could run fast. Even faster than Shannon. I heard her panting behind me, making me realize I needed to slow down.

We ran for an hour before we stopped to calm down. We found a small pond to drink from it.