The Call of the Wolf

Kate POV Who am I?

Life was never going to be the same. I felt so dirty and confused.

I must have slept for most of the day as it was darker outside, meaning tomorrow was Monday. I wasn't sure if I could face going to school tomorrow but I knew I couldn't stay here either.

Dragging myself out of bed, I took a shower and scrubbed my skin raw. I stood under the hot shower wishing it was all a nightmare. What made my stomach turn was that I had enjoyed it. All of it. Jace was my brother. Apparently, not my biological brother, but that doesn't matter. He was family to me. How could I enjoy the touch of a family member? Inconceivable and wrong.

Emerging from yhe shower, I pulled on jeans and take shirt and decided to pull on a thick, soft, green jumper for comfort and protection. I wanted all of my skin covered where possible.

Taking deep breathes I ventured out of my room and to the kitchen. My stomach growled and I realised I hadn't eaten since the prior night or morning. I had no sense of time. The clock said 7pm. Was this Sunday? I gave up trying to piece anything together and began rumaging through the fridge to make something to eat. an omlette would do.

As I reached for the frying pan, in the corner of my eye, I caught sight of my mum entering the room.

I silently ignored her presence. I didn't know heat to say. I didn't have to say anything. I was owed the apology, the information, something.

My anger began to boil and I slammed the frying pan onto the stove.

I registered that my mum flinched. She looked defeated. She was usually so beautiful and put together. Graceful. I should have known we are not related. I am nothing like her. Where I am dark haired, she is fair. I am short and she is tall. I always just thought I was unlucky in the genes department. After all, Jace looks just like dad.

I audibly sigh as I try to release my pent up anger and frustration. This sound signals my mum to come closer. She sits astride a stool by the kitchen counter and watches as I dish up my omelet and sit on the stool opposite and begin shovelling in my food.

She plays with her watch before she finally speaks.

"I'm sorry I was not home to protect you," She begins to cry and I feel my eyes begin to fill up too. I chock back a sob snd keep my eyes averted. She needed to say more.

"I think it would be easier to show you before I explain."

My mum's answer made me snap my head up at her. Show me what? What could she show me that would explain anything?

Mum stood up and began removing her jumper and just as she was reaching for her zipper I almost screamed.

"What the hell! I think I've seen rough of my family already!" I yelled.

" Point taken. But I can't just destroy the jumper you gifted me last Christmas. You need to see it to believe it."

She completely undressed and I wanted to avert my eyes but my mum's determination in her eyes made me focus.

Before my eyes she transformed. First, fur began to erupt across her skin covering her nakedness. Then her teeth elongated, as did her nose into a snout. Her ears grew and with an almighty snap and yelp her back seemed to contort and her arms elongated. it was gruesome yet fascinating. It happened in moments and before me stood a wolf. A beautiful light brown wolf with my mother's bright blue eyes gazing out at me.

I just sat there with my mouth hanging open.

I consciously closed it only to open it again to whisper, "mum?"

The wolf took small steps towards me, its head level to mine as I sat at the bar stool. It nudged my knee with its head and then licked my hand.

In awe I ran my hand through the wolfs fur and scratched behind the ears. It was do soft and beautiful. I had always admired wolves. who knew my mum was one?

I began to hysterically laugh. I'd lost it.

Noticing my change in mood my mum transformed again. I didn't watch. I was too hysterical.

My mother, fully clothed, grabbed me in a hug.

"It's okay, Kate. You aren't crazy."

I clung to her until the laughter subsided. Then I had to control my breathing. This couldn't be real, but it was. Legends and fairy-tales were true. My mum was a shape shifter thing.

"I am a werewolf. So it your father. so is Jace. So are you."

"What?" I shouted unintentionally.

"Werewolves change when they turn 16. You are 16 next week. We were going to tell you when you were ready this week to prepare you but you went on heat. It took us all by suprise."

" How can you keep this from me?" I yelled, "And what did they mean....I'm not related to Jace? Who am I?" My eyes burned with betrayal as I spat out my questions like bullets.

Mum sighed a heavy sigh. "We adopted you at age 3. You were so young you seemed to simply forget you were ever anyone else's. Your mother died, we don't know how, though we have suspicions, and I never knew who your father was. Your mum was my friend I'd known since we were pups. One night you were just left at my door, crying with a note pinned to your lapel asking me to look after you as your mother was dead and she had said you should be sent to this address. I still have the letter if you would like to read it. I even kept the clothes you arrived in. I was shocked to have you just turn up. I was equally shocked that you appeared to know nothing about wolves. You thought they were a fairy tale. I just thought your mother must gave gad a reason to not tell you so I followed her example. I demanded that no one speak of it infront of you and you were to grow up human. In fact, since you seemed so small and unathletic...sorry honey...that maybe your father was human. Maybe you were not a wolf. I mean, you smelt human. But yesterday you experienced the heat. You must be a eolf. Your scent has also changed." She took a deep breath and looked at me expectantly.

"What is heat?"

"Heat us domething a wolf goes through when they are ready and old enough to mate. It usually happens when you meet your mate. It can happen before your first change but it is very rare. Jace only did what he had to. If a female remains in heat it signals all the unmated wolves in the area to descend and they will have s*x without your concent. Also, if uour need is not satisfied it would have caused you sgonising pain. If left completely you can die. Jace had no real choice. It may not seem like it now but he did it to protect you." She pleaded in the last sentences but I just couldn't process it all.

"Will I go I to heat again?"

"Yes."

"How do I stop it?"

"You need to find your mate or mate another wolf." Was my mum's calm reply.

"What do you mean by mate?"

"Well, do you remember your favourite wolf legend? All wolves have a soul mate, demesne you are destined to be with. Chosen by the goddess. But you can choose a mate also. It is still up to you what you decide."

"Are you and dad Mates?"

A smile spread across her face, "Yes, we are true Mates. It is why were are inseperable. He is my other soul."

I believed her when she said this. There was something so genuine about her expression. Also, my parents were made gor each other...but they were not my parents...

"Can I see the letter?"

"Yes...do you want to speak to Jace?"

"No, not yet. I think I need my space."

"I understand. I will ask him not to return until you are ready...or we need him."

I tried to ignore the last as I knew what that meant. I closed my eyes and pinched the bridge of my nose.

"I'm going to my room to go back to sleep. Give me the letter. Then I'm going to school tomorrow."

"Honey, are you sure that is wise?" Mum asked with concern.

"I need normally, mum, normal."

She nodded. I stood up, put my dishes in the sink and retreated to my room to process what on earth had just happened.