Warrior Luna - Fighting for Survival

Everyone looks forward to their 18th birthday, it’s the magical number that lets you drink alcohol, at least in most of Canada, it lets you crawl out of your parents’ basement and make your own way in the world. Legal freedom of adulthood is a breath of crisp forest breeze, but nothing beats the first gallop on all four paws after your first shift. Heart pounding, blood rushing, paws thudding, nails ripping, leaves slapping your face as your new body races through the woods. Your nose bombards you with the smell of moist soil under the decaying leaves, a hint of pollen and flowers scenting the air and the sharp spice of fear, then the rustle of underbrush as  squirrels, rabbits and deer scamper away as you dash through the forest. I shook myself out of my day dream, it was Monday and biology class was almost over. My best friend Vicky had her 18th birthday on Saturday and was excited to have lunch and finally talk without being glared at by Mr. Reid. Finally the bell rang and the class charged out of the room like a herd of buffalo. “Let’s go grab that quiet table by the window in the library before these Neanderthals make me lose all my brain cells.” Vicky said elbowing her way through a group of chanting football players. “Why? So you can howl at the moon in the library?” “You’re very funny you know that?” “Oh trust me I know.” I winked grinning. The library was mostly deserted except for the librarian, who waved a greeting. We passed some freshmen who appeared to be working on a group project, and by that I mean a skinny guy with a mop of uncombed hair bent over the table writing in a binder, the two girls were painting their nails and the “cool dude” with legs spread wide enough to take up two seats was ignoring them all and was scrolling through his phone.  Typical group project. “Anyway, as I was trying to tell you before it was totally awesome!” Vicky squealed, doing a weird cheering dance on the spot. “I mean yeah it hurt, but it was totally worth it!” “You said your parents wanted to be there for you if you wanted right? Did they come too?” “Yeah, I didn’t really need them. I mean mom wanted to have me do some weird breathing exercises to prepare but that’s just weird having her watch me change and then be totally naked.” I snorted. “Not to mention awkward!” “Yeah, right? I just can’t believe I have to wait another two weeks before your birthday! It would be so cool if we could just go for a run right now!” Vicky day dreamed. “Yeah, that would be cool… running together…” I looked at her with a grin “…naked.” “Oh shut up! You’re such a dork!” She rolled her eyes, trying to hide her amusement. “I kind of wish my family would be that nice… you know to celebrate the special day when you get your wolf… and finally see what you’re meant to be.” Vicky smacked her backpack on the table and started rummaging through it looking for something. “Yeah, I wish you had that too.” She looked up at me. “Bring a lunch today?” She asked. “No. I didn’t manage to beat my brother to the kitchen and make anything before that pig ate everything.” I lied.  She handed me a cinnamon roll and a banana that was slightly squished, anticipating my answer.  “Vicks, you know how I feel about charity.” “Yeah, yeah I know Andy and I don’t care, I’m not letting you starve because of that pig.” I don’t know why I lied to her. She knew my brother was a total asshole and since he turned his attitude only got worse, and not just to me, to mom too. He threatened to move out a few times when mom yelled at him and I honestly wish he would just do it already. I just hated the pitiful look Vicky and her parents gave me every time I slept over or brought me lunch because she knew I wouldn’t have one. When I came home, mom had fallen asleep in front of the TV. Her light brown bangs managed to escape her braid and fell over her face, gently blowing as she breathed, long and deep, peacefully asleep.  I put a blanket over her and turned down the volume so the ads weren’t as annoying. Then I made my way to the thankfully deserted kitchen, which meant I had a few minutes to scrounge up some dinner and go hide out in my room. I was finishing up an assignment when my door burst open. Cole stood slumped over in my doorway and reeked of vodka. “How’s my beuifful sistr?” he slurred “I’m good how are you?” I said cautiously getting up off the chair. “So polite.” He hiccupped. “You know I was thinkn’. I want to be there for you when you’re turnin’. Be a good bro. Like” he hiccupped again “like those happy families with normal f*****g parents.” I froze, he was being nice. Almost too nice. It felt like a trap, like he had some ulterior motive. “What?” he ran his hands through his blond hair, squinting his pale blue eyes to focus in my general direction. “Are you that ungrateful that your big brother would want to be there for you when you go through your special day?” He stumbled forward, and my stomach clenched. “I want to be the first to finally meet your wolf,  that should be an honor to you! You mutt!” He yelled angrily, spit flying. “No Cole! I’m super happy! I just don’t know what to say!” I stammered out finally hoping to calm him, I didn’t want another beating. The bruise on my hip was still a dark purple from when he threw me into my desk and broke the drawer. “Hmm. Good.” He grunted, seemingly satisfied. “You should say thank you, don’t be a bitch.” He tripped over his own feet as he made his way out of my room and caught himself on the doorframe to steady himself.  He paused, as if trying to form a coherent thought before speaking. “Your wolf will tell me if you’re really my sister or a bastard cunt from my w***e mother. We will see.” He muttered and slammed my door shut. Tears sprung to my eyes. Now I understood. He played me like always, he was only nice so that he could be invited and could watch me turn. And then what? Was he going to beat me? Kill me? I was angry and terrified. I felt betrayed and alone. What am I going to do? Most wolves kept their primary colors, if their hair was light their coat would be too, my brother has blond fur and the same blue eyes, my mom though I haven’t seen her wolf in a long time has light brown fur. I read somewhere that most wolves get their wolf coloring after their father, which is exactly the reason Cole wants to see my wolf first.  If I am his sister my wolf should be much lighter than my black hair. Dan, Cole’s dad left when I was about ten but I think he also had a light brown-blondish coat, Cole got his eyes from him too. Dan never let me call him dad, not that I wanted to anyway, my most vivid memory was of the dinner table. I was chattering away to my brother about the boy I sat next to in class and mom asked if I had a crush on him. I blushed furiously and after some pressing admitted that I did in fact like him. Dan was furious. He stood up almost flipping the dinner table and slammed his cutlery down bellowing “I will not have another w***e in my house!” His knife went right through my left hand, through the palm and was embedded in the table. He slapped me and yelled at me to shut up and stop screaming. Cole defended me that night and mom brought me to a hospital; that was the last time I saw Dan. That was a long time ago and Dan hasn’t been around for years now, but I was afraid, my brother was becoming increasingly abusive after his 18th birthday and his transformation. Was my brother going to be the same as Dan? I hoped I was wrong.