Canis Lupus

I reluctantly stepped out of the cover of the trees and glided into the meadow. I had been taking my usual path to school, and much to my dismay Jack was there perched on a large boulder. He wore a smug grin when he saw me.1

“I wondered when you would stop by,” he said.2

“Believe me if I would have known you would be here I would have made sure to take a different path,” I sneered, wishing for him to disappear.3

“Oh come on, you know you wanted to see me,” he purred.4

“Yes, I just love conversing with conceited pretty boys,” I scoffed. Although I wasn’t just saying “pretty boy” as an insult, he was good-looking with his gelled blonde hair, mesmerizing green eyes and athletic body. In reality he had a whole following of girls which he made use of quite often; yet for some reason he insists on attempting to woo me. In truth, he would be very enticing to me if he wasn’t so vain and egotistical. 5

“Oh, so you have noticed my marvelously good looks,” he snorted.6

I kept pace walking across the field, desperately hoping he wouldn’t pursue. My hopes were dashed when I felt his hand on my shoulder. Ignoring the warmth of his hand, I turned to face him with a deadly look. He removed his hand as if I had burned him.7

“Well, aren’t you feisty today.” he drawled.8

I turned and sprinted as fast as I could, knowing that he could never catch up with me. I was delighted when I caught sight of the school, a pale grey limestone building with a crimson granite entryway. I spotted my friend Stephanie, A.K.A. Steph, standing in front waiting for me. She looked perfect standing there with an impatient look on her face; she fit in perfectly with her surroundings. Steph is a redhead with charming hazel eyes and a full-figured body, sometimes I find myself yearning to look like her. She has all the guys at Lockharte Academy drooling and wanting her. The only guy that hasn’t even looked at her is Jack, which I can tell she wants and is jealous of me in that aspect.9

“It’s about time you got here,” Steph sighed dramatically, “What took you so long.” 10

“Jack got in my way again. He just will not leave me the hell alone.” I complained.11

“I would gladly take him off your hands,” she offered “if he would even glance my way but he has committed himself to have you.”12

I sighed and walked through the entryway. Today was the final day of the school year. Now would come three months of freedom, but everything comes with a penalty, and now I have nowhere to escape from Jack. I promise myself to uncover a location to flee for summer.13

School days are pretty much the same throughout the year, but this final day is always enjoyable because you have nothing to do and the teachers are more tranquil knowing they get a break from all of the teenagers. 14

Walking down the hall to my French classroom, I felt someone staring at me; I glanced all around and finally saw the culprit. There was a boy with curly black hair and blue eyes staring at me from across the hall. I have never seen this boy before, perhaps a new student. He was gorgeous. I walked over to him.15

“Hello, my name is Tori,” I greeted “Are you new around here?” 16

“Hello Tori, my name is Jason,” he answered, “I am a transfer student.”17

This boy is going to give Jack a run for his money I thought wickedly. Already all the girls were staring, along with me. I was absorbing every detail of him to go back over later. His hair was a midnight black. His hair gel made each curl a perfect glossy image. His eyes were a pastel blue color. He was about six foot tall with broad shoulders. I ran my tongue across my teeth in satisfaction. 18

“Nice to meet you, Jason,” I yelled as I was heading back down the hall. 19

I walked home along the path in the pouring rain, feeling the drops splatter against my face. I felt so free. I knew I was going to go out in my other form tonight, roam the mountains and valleys. I spotted my family’s huge oak cabin in the valley up ahead. I ran the rest of the way, relishing the wind and rain pelting against my face. I shook myself off on the doormat, taking off my clothes as I went inside. 20

My mom was sitting in front of the picture window gazing into the rain.21

“Are you going to go roaming tonight Tori?” she inquired.22

“Yeah I need to feel freedom again, Jacks been bugging the hell out of me,” I replied with emphasis.23

“I think I will go out tonight also,” she stated. “Give the legs a good stretch.”24

I nodded and looked at my mom once more. She was a pretty woman, with green eyes and long blonde hair. She used to be beautiful but after my dad’s execution she turned plain. She scarcely went roaming with the others anymore. 25

I walked outside naked and unleashed the power that ran through my bones, felt the release of stress and slid onto my four paws. I stretched and took off, feeling my muscles constrict and release as I slid into a full force run. I felt free for the first time in months. I was completely at one with my surroundings. Bounding up the cliffs on the mountains and rolling in the snow at the peak.26

I started to run back towards home a while later. I felt happy again. Then I noticed a shadow of another keeping pace with my slow lope. I sped up. I hoped it wasn’t who I thought it was, because I could already feel my happiness start to drain away. I ran into a clearing where I could distinguish the other clearly. Much to my dismay it was a blondish wolf whose green eyes stood out even in the dark. 27

My heart sank, it was Jack. He winked as he kept pace. I snarled and sped up. He kept up till I hit a full force sprint. I was so pissed. He antagonizes me in my human form, but this was taking it too far. Ruining my only form of freedom and happiness, that was just impolite. I was infuriated as I entered the cabin.28

Lying in my bed that night, staring at the midnight dyed ceiling, I started going back over the new boy. I have a very vivid memory so I was able to thoroughly inspect every detail. I found him very interesting, so attractive and yet he was only a human. He isn’t one of my kind so being with him would be strictly prohibited, as if I was going to pay attention to the rules of the others when they were the ones who killed my father. I drifted to sleep.29

My family is the descendants of a race fashioned by men. Scientists thought it was clever to cross wolf and human DNA and what resulted was the werewolves that you see in today’s movies. Little did they know that we would evolve into what we are today. Some of the old qualities are still there, but we have evolved to blend in with society. 30

We look like wolves, not big hairy people or monsters. We are different in size, ranging from huge to small and elite. When we change our form from human to wolf, we are not in pain. The change is very rapid and feels like a release. My mom sometimes runs with a pack called the others. I do not.31

Last year, my dad attacked the pack leader, King, when he was attempting to force me to become the alpha female. As a result of that, my dad was chased and torn to pieces by all the members. I can’t see how my mom can still go roaming with them after all of that.32

When I woke the next morning I was thrilled to smell bacon and eggs being cooked by my mom. I impatiently threw on my clothes and ran down to the kitchen. To my distress my mom wasn’t the one cooking. There was King standing in front of our stove with an aristocratic smirk on his face. I snarled and raced to locate my mom. She was in her room, making the bed humming.33

“Mom, King is in our kitchen!” I hastened.34

“Yes honey, I am well aware of that,” She spoke in a calm voice.35

“Why,” I demanded.36

“You and I both know that we need a man around the house,” she stated, “and I believe King is the ideal specimen.”37

“You cannot be serious!” I shouted, “After what he tried last year and what pain that caused us!”38

Her eyes grew darker.39

“I am the boss in this house!” she snapped, “I will decide who I want.”40

I bolted out the door and down the hall. I stormed out the front door, running to the edge of the woods. I shed my clothes and swiftly sprinted away as a black wolf. I ran aggressively through the forest. I knew I couldn’t let anyone see me but I had to let my rage out. As I was running, something caught my eye.41

I crept to the edge of the trees. There was a boy sitting in the middle of the valley. He had no shirt on and seemed to be basking in the morning sun. I decided to get a closer look. I crept around the trees to the other side of the clearing. I could see his face now. It was the new guy, Jason.42

For a second I just stood there. I wondered if he would get scared and flee if a big black wolf were to come strolling into the valley. It was against the code to show your form to a human, the punishment would be execution from the pack.43

I took one last glance at his bare chest and then silently sprinted back home. Amazingly my foul mood had been cleared just from seeing Jason without a shirt. I hurriedly threw on my clothes then started to stroll back to the valley where he sat.44

I walked swiftly into the clearing, relishing the sun’s rays beating down on my skin. I walked to about five feet in front of him and sat down. He hadn’t heard me. I stared boldly at him, noting how the sunlight played on his face. He opened his eyes; they were a shocking blue in the sun. He looked shaken for a minute, then relaxed and smiled.45

“Hello, I didn’t even hear you come up,” He murmured.46

“I didn’t mean to scare you,” I lied. After all, I was hoping to startle him.47

“It’s fine, I was just enjoying the sun,” He declared.48

“So do you live around here then?” I questioned.49

“Yes,” he pointed a little to the right of where my cabin was. “I live in that direction in a little cabin.”50

“That’s cool, I didn’t think anyone lived close to me, but I see I have been proved wrong.” I joked.51

Secretly I was worried. If he saw me in my wolf form, then we would have trouble and I did not want him to get hurt. The pack would be ruthless if they found out someone broke a rule. I was not looking forward to hiding who I really am from this perfect stranger. For some reason I really wanted to just tell him the truth flat out so he could keep a safe distance from me. 52

As if on cue, I caught a glimpse of movement in the woods to my right. With my excellent vision I could see two green eyes staring at me. I felt my stomach drop to my knees. If Jack said anything to the pack, Jason could be hurt. This was my fault. I shouldn’t have come out here. 53

“I have to go now,” I said hurriedly.54

“What’s the rush?” He inquired.55

Without answering I turned and sprinted through the valley to the tree line. I glanced back and saw Jason standing there with an offended look on his face. Feeling tears well up in my eyes, I rushed out of his view. I undressed and took off. I had to find Jack and talk to him. I raced around the woods searching. 56

Without warning, Jack leapt out from behind a boulder. His eyes were emerald darts piercing right through me. I felt the anger radiating off of his shiny blonde coat.57

“What the hell was that all about Tori?” He demanded.58

“I was just talking to a friend Jack.” I whimpered.59

“You know damn well you were being more than friendly,” he growled, “I could smell your pheromones from here.”60

“Jack, you need to mind your own business,” I snarled. I could feel anger seeping into my pores, covering up my fear.61

“You’re right, I think this is the packs business” He threatened.62

I lost it. I leapt forward closing my jaws on his muzzle. He yelped in outrage and surged forward, intent on claiming revenge. I snarled and raised my hackles, preparing myself to do whatever necessary to defend myself and Jason. He leapt forward,crashing into my side, knocking me onto my back. He kept me pinned down and bit into my leg, I howled in pain. I bit into his neck in defense till he released me and stepped back. 63

“You will not tell the pack,” I said, showing my teeth, “Or I will finish this fight.”64

“I won’t tell the pack,” He stated, “But your precious human boy may not be safe for long.” 65

He turned and fled. 66

I stood there stunned. Had I just put Jason in more danger? I ran back to the valley where Jason had been. He was no longer sitting in the clearing. I ran over, picked up his scent and began to track his trail through the woods. I followed the trail to a tiny log cabin. This must be his place. I knew he would be safe for now. Jack would not risk hurting him yet. 67

I fled home, letting my anger and fear take over as I sprinted. I burst into the house, smelled that King was still there and went straight up to my room. I fell onto the bed, sobbing and shaking in fear of what I may have caused. I didn’t want to bring danger to anyone but that was always what ended up happening. Even my friend, Steph, was constantly in danger, but at least she knew about it. I had broken the rules and told her. I knew that if this wouldn’t have happened, I would have told Jason too. I felt horrible as I drifted to sleep. Nightmares raged all night.68

I woke the next morning groggy and depressed. I slipped into my clothes and walked down to join my mom in the living room. I completely ignored the fact that she was snuggled with King on the couch, after all, that problem could wait. 69

“Mom, I need to talk to you about something in private,” I declared.70

My mom rose from the couch and King’s arms. She strode to the kitchen and I followed in her wake. She walked out the back door and sat on her rocker on the porch. 71

“What is it honey?” She inquired.72

I filled her in on what had happened and my feelings about keeping Jason safe. She scowled when I told her about my fight with Jack. She had always liked him, and thought he was the model gentleman, the act he had played well when around her. When I finished she sat there with her hands folded in her lap, saying nothing.73

“Do you know how much trouble this boy could cause you and us?” she whispered.74

“I am fully aware of the chaos this could cause mother.” I stated, “But this boy is important, I do not want to see him hurt.”75

“Just why is this human boy so important to you?” she asked.76

“I don’t know mom, he may not be one of his kind but he sure as hell has the charisma and the personality to be, plus I can tell he is always aware of everything around him it’s almost as if he is one of us.” I confessed.77

“Well honey, I really don’t know what to say, I would tell you to try to explain the danger to him, but that is against the rules to and I don’t want you getting killed over this boy.” She said, “So the only thing I can tell you to do is watch over him and try to keep Jack away from him, but whatever you do, do not kill Jack or the pack will be on you like they were on your father.” 78

I nodded, hoping I would not have to resort to that, and walked to the outer edge of the lawn, shed my clothes and looked back at my mom’s sad expression once more before I bounded off to find Jason. I ran to his cabin, crept around to the windows to peek in. Jason was in his room. I had the perfect view of him. The muscles in his back were stretching and tightening as he was lifting weights. His copper colored skin was covered with a fine sheen of sweat. 79

I felt like my fur was too hot. I was on burning all over and I caught myself panting like a thirsty dog. When he was done with the weightlifting he walked over to his dresser and pulled out a pair of shorts and a shirt. I watched him pull those on, which snapped me out of the daze I was in. He walked out of the room.80

I heard the cabins front door open and crept silently to keep an eye out. Jason started to take a walk, listening to his mp3. I noiselessly followed him, watching how his stride changed depending on the music he was listening to. I felt danger coming and hoped I was wrong.81

I watched as Jason walked into the valley over to a large boulder and sat down, his back against the boulder. I watched with guarded eyes. I noticed a movement to the left. Just then Jack, in his wolf form, came thundering out of the woods. His eyes were focused on his victim, Jason. 82

I sprinted in between Jason and the oncoming menace. I struck a feral pose and let loose low guttural growl. Jack slowed pace but kept coming, he showed no signs of backing down. His eyes seemed wild, like what you would expect on a dog with rabies. I glanced back; Jason was standing, wide-eyed, ready to flee. I silently willed him to stand his ground. I couldn’t chase after him, and fend off Jack, if he chose to run.83

I knew I was going to have to do what my mom had warned me against. Jack was too far gone. I could not see a single trace of the cocky jerk he had been, all I could see was a deep rage. I tensed, ready to spring if Jack got close. 84

“Leave the boy alone!” I snarled. Hoping he would heed the warning.85

My hopes were dashed, Jack just kept on coming. I don’t think he had even heard me. He had the look of a predator thinking only of his prey. I jumped on him as he came barreling beside me. I snapped my jaws on his neck. He furiously tried to escape and keep going, I kept a strong hold. I could feel his blood running down my throat as I held on.86

I pinned him down. His once blonde collar was now a deep red. As I watched, his eyes changed, they grew dim and faded. I knew I should pull back but I couldn’t. He could be faking. 87

I felt a change as his body sagged and his eyes glazed over. He was dead. I released my hold. I looked around and saw Jason passed out on the grass. I drug Jack’s canine body to a dirt patch, dug him a shallow grave, and buried him quickly. I ran to the edge of the woods, threw on clothes that I had hidden just in case. Then wiped the blood from my mouth and walked back.88

I gently shook Jason. He jumped up.89

“Oh my god the wolves, where are they?” He said hysterically.90

“There aren’t any wolves here.” I calmly stated, “You must have been having a nightmare.”91

He relaxed and I talked and walked with him back to his cabin. I knew I wouldn’t talk to him again and wanted to know a little more about him before I left. He was a fascinating person and I wished I could have the opportunity to find out more. I knew had to go so I said goodbye and walked away. Once again tears were streaking down my face. I knew I had to leave everything I knew and loved. 92

I ran and ran. I ran as far away as I felt needed and felt free but yet so lonely. I thought of Steph and Jason and my mom. I hoped maybe one day I would see them again. It was night when I stopped. I walked through the new surroundings. There were trees and hills as far as I could see, a completely hidden place with no human inhabitants. This was the beginning of a new life, a brand new start. I would never hurt anybody again. I cried myself to sleep, feeling lonely and hopeless.93