One Night

Chapter 3

Once I was home, I saw a note on the counter 'won't be home till late'. Heaving a sigh I went to my room set my stuff down and started blasting my music. Turned on my laptop so I could message Skye. I told her about everything that happened. She was oddly calm about the whole thing. We chatted for a little more and then logged off. I laid down.

I must have dozed off because when I awoke again it was dark out. My stomach growled so I headed to the kitchen Mom still wasn't home, no surprise.

I'm an only child and it's just me and Mom. She won't tell me what happened to my Dad. Not even if he left us or died, nothing. But whatever too late to worry about that now.

I made some Mac'N'Cheese. It's my favorite snack. I went to sit down and eat it when my leg started throbbing again.

'This thing is really getting annoying.' I thought.

I started feeling a cold fire start spreading up my leg. What the f**k? I had a strong need to be outside, in the forest. I ran outside when I started feeling like I couldn't breathe. The cool air did nothing to calm me. Before I even knew it I was standing in my special spot.

'Where I met the wolf?'

The cold burn in my leg continued to force its way up till I could feel it everywhere. Every inch of my body felt frozen but it also felt burning hot at the same time. I couldn't handle it anymore I fell to the ground. The feel of the cold dirt beneath me and the smell of just being in the forest calmed me, just slightly.

Just as fast as that calm came. It was replaced with even more pain as I felt every bone in my body c***k and contort in odd angles. Not being able to make any sounds except some weak whimpers. The pain continued for a few minutes before I was left lying there on the cold forest floor, panting. Not even having the energy to open my eyes.

For some reason, I thought that wolf from last night was gonna show up but he never came.

After what seemed like a couple of hours I finally felt like I had regained enough strength to open my eyes and get up. But when I finally did open my eyes.

I could see everything!

The moon seemed extra bright tonight. As if she was shining light just for me.

I could see bugs crawling around in the dirt, on the ferns, and in the trees. I could hear all the little critters of the forest. As if Everythings volume had been turned up to 11.

I looked down at my hands and jumped back slightly. Startled by what I saw. I didn't have hands anymore.

I had...paws?

...

My mind began to whirl with everything going on right now. How could this be happening? How was this even possible?

Werewolves didn't exist!

What was I thinking? I was almost attacked by a vampire just last night. 'Oh god' That means that that wolf was a werewolf too. Which means he has a human side. Do I even want to know who it is? Or worse do I already know who it is?

With all these thoughts swirling around my head, my body started getting the need to move. I stood up on four shaky legs. Feeling much taller than usual. I tested out my new form.

Then I began to run. I was running faster than I ever had before, but that was obvious since wolves run faster than humans. It felt so exhilarating jumping over logs and dodging trees and their branches. Seeing little critters run away from me as I came through. I tested my strength and forced myself to become quiet as a shadow as I ran through the forest. I must have run for miles Because soon the river was just ahead of me. I got down low to the bushes and snuck to the river's edge. The moon was extremely bright tonight. Looking up I noticed the moon wasn't even full It was a waxing gibbous. I've always liked Astronomy.

'I guess werewolves don't need a full moon to change their shape.'

This is gonna be interesting to figure out. Skye is gonna freak, I thought with a slight groan. Well, a wolf's version of a groan, kind of sounded more like a whine. I walked closer to the river and finally saw what I looked like. I looked like a normal wild red wolf. But I was much bigger and a much deeper red. What stood out to me in particular though was the mark I had on my right ear. It looked like a comet. A comet streaking through the sky. One white mark in my fur of a shooting comet or at least what looked like it.

'That's odd.' I thought but shrugged it off.

I took some sips of water before I ran back home.

Enjoying every second of how close I could now be with the forest that I've always loved and craved. When I finally reached my special spot again, I laid down. Focusing on trying to relax, I pictured my human form. I started to feel my bones shift again, after a few minutes of focusing. It didn't hurt as much this go around. The shift seemed to progress faster, actually.

I lay there panting on the forest floor. I stood up slowly on shaky legs but soon gained my strength back. Seeing that when I shifted the first time it tore my clothes.

I'll have to remember that next time.

I gathered up my torn clothes and started walking towards my house. As I got closer I could tell my mom still wasn't home. Not a big surprise but I was thankful for it this time. I threw my clothes in the garbage and walked inside to go take a shower. When I looked at myself in the mirror, I was startled at what I saw. My Naturally red hair now seemed even redder. My ivory skin seemed even creamier than before and it looked like my curves were more defined and my waist shrunk a little. But what startled me most was my eyes. It was like a light had been turned on behind them my once brownish, hazel eyes now seemed like a glowing auburn.

After washing the dirt, leaves, and twigs out of my hair, and off of me I headed to bed. Before falling asleep I sent a text to Skye saying I was gonna be over early.

I never got up early but she always did so I knew when she saw the text that morning, she would know that something was up. Soon after I sent the text, sleep overcame me. I hadn't realized how exhausted I was.

**

I woke up the next morning right as my alarm started going off. That's weird I never wake up early this easily.

Oh well.

I got up and put on my favorite pair of flare pants with no back pockets a plain black V-neck t-shirt along with my dark olive green leather jacket. I love how it accentuated how red my hair is, especially now. I threw on my lifted Doc Martens. I then put on some light makeup to accentuate my eyes. I ran outside to hop in my jeep. It was a sixteenth birthday gift from mom. She said that it was something my dad would have wanted me to have and she felt sorry for being gone all the time. It was a 2017 Jeep Rubicon with a four-inch lift and 37-inch tires. I had it murdered out last year with red accents in the rims, grill, and interior. It was my murder machine although no one knew I called it that.

I froze when I saw my driver's side door. There were two very large paw prints on the side and a nose mark on the window. Hoping it was the wolf from the first night, I came out of my daze, grabbed the hose, and washed all evidence of the wolf away. Then I was off to Skye's.

When I got to her house her parents were already gone.

Thank god.

We had an hour to spare before school started. I ran up her front steps right as I went to knock she threw open the door and yanked me inside. "What the hell is the emergency? why are you, actually up early?" She half yelled at me. She had her arms crossed and was tapping her foot. I raised my eyebrow at her tone.

"Did you dye your hair? are you wearing face makeup? Are you wearing contacts" She rattled off another string of questions, giving me a once over.

Boy, she sure doesn't miss anything. I never wore face makeup and she knew that. I found it made me look weird and was extremely uncomfortable. I've always had clear porcelain skin due to my red hair, and I only ever wore eye makeup, and on special occasions, I'd throw on some lipstick. But that was the extent of it. And she knows I would never dye my hair I loved my natural hair color and embraced it. Some people say gingers don't have a soul...I have yet to find out if that's true or not. All the kids at school avoided me if they could for the most part, except Skye of course. I always had resting b***h face as Skye would call it, she'd say it made me unapproachable. Personally, I didn't care. I wasn't a people person.

I proceeded anyway

"I have to show you something." Was all I said before I walked into her backyard. Her house was even deeper into the woods than mine was. No one could see us from here.

" You know I tell you everything right? And that I'd never hurt you?" I asked her while looking at her over my shoulder. She looked at me like I was crazy but nodded her head 'yes'. I took a deep breath and began to strip out of my clothes. "Ray, what the hell are you doing?" I heard Skye half shout at me. Before I could answer her my shift had already started. I felt my bones c***k and reposition. It was over in seconds this time, and there I was standing in front of her as a wolf. Her eyes looked like they were going to pop out of her head. She had also gone white as a ghost. I gave her a small whine and laid down on my stomach showing her I wasn't a threat. I may be new to this but I still had instincts that had come with all this.

I shifted back as quickly as I could, throwing my clothes on.

She was just staring at me as if I had just grown two heads. Which in a way, I guess I did.

"Skye are you OK?" I cautiously asked, slowly walking closer to her. She finally made eye contact with me.

"Your a-a-a-" she stuttered.

"A werewolf" I finished for her. "Yes. As of last night." She just stared at me as I explained what happened the other night. I told her everything.

"You mean to tell me vampires are real too?" She whispered so quietly if I wasn't now a werewolf I wouldn't have been able to hear her.

I nodded my head at her. She looked like she was gonna pass out right before she stood up and said "OK!" I looked at her in utter disbelief as she just stared at me.

"OK? You're OK with this? You sure you're good? Not gonna pass out on me? Or need to be checked in somewhere?" I rattled off the string of questions afraid she was gone freak at any second.

"Yup. I'm good." she said popping her 'P' I shook my head and mumbled under my breath "Eighth wonder of the world."

"You ready for school?" she asked. I just nodded and headed towards my jeep. She hopped in the passenger seat like it was any other normal Friday. "Since we still have time. I'm stopping to get some food." I said as we started down the road, to town. She glanced over at me with a surprised look "Food?" She questioned me. I just nodded. I knew why she was surprised. I never ate breakfast. Ever. So saying I wanted food this morning was a bit of a shock, Not that me turning into a big ass wolf right in front of her wasn't a shock.

I got my food and headed to school. As soon as I put my jeep in park I heard Skye gasp. I followed her line of sight and there he was again. Directly across the parking lot from me stood Luke. He was leaning against A 1968 Dodge charger that was murdered out with similar red accents as I had on my jeep. You'd almost think our cars matched. Sporting the same outfit as yesterday, I bet that's all he owned; black v-neck t-shirts and black jeans.

He caught me staring and I saw a slight smirk, cross his face. I wouldn't have seen it without my new improved vision but I definitely did. I hated to admit it but that smirk was possibly the sexiest thing I've seen him do yet. Plus his car added points as well.

I can't help it I'm a sucker for cars and bikes, really anything that has a motor and can go fast or climb mountains. I'm truly a sucker for American muscle and jeeps. Mom always said I got that from my dad.

I walked into school headed for First period. Skye went off to do her morning routine, whatever that was. I went to class early so I could sit and eat in peace. Pretty much all the other kids drove me nuts, which is why I was always reading or listening to music.

Once I finished eating and cleaned up my mess, I pulled out my book and began to read, only to be interrupted when I felt a presence sit next to me. I knew exactly who it is.

Luke.

Trying to ignore him I kept my eyes on my page. To my avail, his gaze did not let up. Heaving a loud sigh I placed my bookmark in and closed my book. Turning to him with my eyebrow raised. We locked eyes and it's like the whole world stopped. Gazing at his eyes I noticed his light brown eye has golden like tears in it, while his dark brown eye had black starbursts. Seeing him with my new enhanced sight was breathtaking. His skin looked like smooth caramel marble, His hair looked amazingly soft. I just wanted to run my fingers through it.

What was I thinking? Run my fingers through his hair? Am I nuts? God, if Skye heard what I was thinking id never hear the end of it.

With that train of thought, I came out of my haze clearing my throat. I asked, "Can I help you with something?" Eyebrow raised I gazed at him trying to avoid eye contact. I was discreetly checking him out. Seeing now that he's built better than I thought. I swear his t-shirt was extra tight today. I saw him smirk out of the corner of my eye. Again with the smirk.

I was just about to grab my book again when he finally spoke up.

"I was thinking... It's Friday and you said you'd show me around town some time but I realized I never got your number." He half mumbled under his breath. His voice was so deep and alluring, it sent shivers down my spine that I refused to show. I didn't want him to see that he had any effect on me.

Rolling my eyes, I grabbed my notebook and wrote my number down, I tore it out for him. I didn't want to chance having my fingers brush his. So I just placed the paper on his desk. He glanced at it, immediately pulling out his phone and putting the number in. A few seconds later my phone went off in my pocket. Pulling it out I realized it was a text saying 'Hi' from an unknown number. Looking over at him, he had on his same blank gaze but I could've sworn I saw a flash of humor in his eyes. I sighed and saved the number to his name. Right as I did the first bell rang and kids started filing into their seats.

First period flew by but all through class I could feel whenever he would glance at me. I kept pretending I didn't notice. Classes continued to pass by and before I knew it, it was time for lunch.

Yay food!

I didn't know why I was so hungry but I had a feeling, it was because of my "change". I went out of the lunchroom doors. Every Friday Skye and I ate lunch outside, rain or shine. It was currently springtime. Not that that meant anything here, Granite Falls has a mind of its own, when it comes to the weather which means when it's sunny everywhere else it's usually raining here. But today we got lucky it was actually sunny with a few clouds here and there.

Today I decided to sit next to the tree line, in the grass, under the shade. Leaning against the trunk of a cedar tree closing my eyes waiting for Skye. With my eyes closed, I concentrated on all the sounds around me. I could hear all the little critters in the forest behind me, the birds chirping and flapping about. I could hear the light hum of a mass, of voices coming from the cafeteria. I could hear the few kids who were hiding under the bleachers. And then I could hear Skye approaching. I heard the crinkle of a wrapper and knew she was going to throw the sandwich she got me. Right before the sandwich hit me in the face, I caught it with my eyes closed. Slowly I looked up at her. Her mouth was gaped open in shock.

Shrugging I started to eat my sandwich. She plopped down next to me but in the sun while I was still in the shade. I was half expecting Luke to show up. Skye seemed to sense this because she asked.

"Expecting someone?" I glared over at her. I hated it when she read me like a book.

"No, I was just looking around." I lied easily. She huffed through her nose but dropped the subject. Which I appreciated. I was glad things hadn't changed between us.

Soon after that, the lunch bell rang. We went our separate ways, headed to class. When I got to mine I took my normal seat. Soon the rest of the class filed in but again there was no Luke.

What is going on? He just disappeared before lunch? That's odd I thought to myself. Ugh, but why do I even care? I decided I don't care and went about the rest of the day. Which seemed to drag on forever. When it finally ended I headed to my jeep to find, once again Skye was already waiting there. This was kind of our routine. Unlocking it for her as I walked up, but before I got in I noticed a note was stuck in the crease of my door. I looked up at Skye to see if she was paying attention and thank goodness she wasn't. I quickly slid the note in my pocket, I'd deal with it when I got home.

As I dropped Skye home I told her I'd message her later because I was gonna go for a run. She rolled her eyes at me,

"Is this going to become a regular thing?" I smirked at her replying, " Hey don't dig it till you try it." She just stared at me like I was crazy.

With a chuckle, I said " I don't mean turn into a wolf. I could give you a ride sometime." She just shook her head at me.

"Will I see you tomorrow?" She asked me while hopping out of the jeep.

" I don't know. Let's play it by ear." She gave me a nod and walked up to her front door.

I always waited until she was inside. Today I focused my hearing on listening to her lock the door when I heard the deadbolt slide home, that's when I finally headed home.