Hidden Secrets

Chapter 4: Running Wild

Stella's POV

Considering how the first part of my morning went, the rest of it went by fairly fast. I ate my lunch in an empty classroom as that is far easier to deal with than that of the judgmental stares of both humans and werewolves. The orphan "human" child who is bullied by her family seems to always get those types of looks, Pity, and I don’t need them. I know it’s not the best situation to be in, but I didn’t want to be on the run when I didn’t even know who I was running from exactly. The bell for passing period rings out, and I throw my trash into the bin, walking on to the next four classes.

The classes are as smooth as they can be. As a senior, I don’t really pay attention to the rambles of the teachers, but name one senior that pays attention. With one more class, which is a free period, I slow my pace to the front of the door, dodging the teacher I make my way to the ‘bathroom’ and even if we aren't allowed to leave the school property there are the woods just a mile or two North of the school that is neutral territory that I go to every day. The pack uses that area for meetings with other packs and anything school related. But River and I go there to have fun and let loose for once and if I didn't let her out I'm pretty sure she would be kicking ass and taking names.

I made my way to my locker packing all my books in my backpack that I needed for homework and made my way toward the front door. I was so close when I heard the devil herself clear her throat and pop a hip out.

"And where do you think you're going? Last time I checked it's still school and we can’t leave the area" Eva snapped at me

"Just going outside to study Eva and I don't think it's any of your business as to where I'm going, as long as I get home and do the chores that are meant for your sorry ass I think you don't care either," I said pushing my way past her and turning around and flipping her the bird. You could hear a gasp coming from her as she walked off while I was picking up my pace to get to the woods faster.

AGAIN why can't we just kick her ass? I would oh so love to!

You and me both, but we promised and I intend to keep that promise

You’re lucky you are so cute and loyal

Oh yeah? And what would you do if I wasn’t?

Throwing your sorry ass back here and kicking ass

The smirk is wild on her face and I just laugh back, almost running into the woods.

Passing three marked trees I reach the hallowed tree where I hide all of my stuff, backpack, clothes, and underwear. Stripping in the woods is a whole new level of confidence. When I change into my wolf form I'll rip my clothes apart and end up walking home naked. Once I'm naked I allow River to take control, and feel the heat just roll off my body. That's when the first crack happens then another and another it's a deafening sound of bones rearranging in my body to form a giant wolf. The fur pushing and stinging it's a way through my flesh and finally, my eyes turning to emerald green. It's weird when I'm in my wolf form my eyes are just one color instead of two, but I don't care much for it. I have compared myself to other wolves in the pack and they are small, even the alphas form is small compared to mine.

River is an all white wolf which is rare and when there is a full moon my fur lightly glows a dark blue, sometimes making me look like a pure blue wolf. (cool! huh!) When I feel the dirt gather under my paw I dig my claws into the ground and launch forward with such power. I can feel the wind rushing through my fur making me push harder into the run. I feel so at ease when it's me and River there is no drama and I can just be me.

We are bouncing off the trees, running with other animals playing with them when we get to a lake. That's when the panic starts to take over.

RIVER WHY DIDN'T WE TURN! YOU KNOW THIS IS BLOOD HOWLER TERRITORY

I WASN'T THINKING I WAS JUST RUNNING YO...

Right as she was finishing her sentence we heard a howl and turned our ass as fast as we could and started to run the way we came. As we are running, we see three wolves on our right and on our left, and they are only getting closer. Another howl erupts from one of the wolves, indicating that we should stop and surrender. That howl only pushes me and River faster and faster, I can feel my heartbeat pushing its limits, trying to tell my body to keep going. My legs are starting to go numb, but the race is still on. I feel a sting of pain go through my left rear leg when I notice one of the wolves has their jaw clamped shut around it. I don't like violence but if it comes to a life or death chase sequence... I'm all for it. I stop and turn my head enough to where I have a good grip on their neck with my jaw tasting the blood and fur in my mouth. I feel a release on my leg and throw him to the side. Once I let go of him I start running again into neutral territory, and once I pass the border I know they can’t attack me. It’s neutral territory for a reason, and considering I didn’t really do anything wrong I just keep running. I run around for a while throwing them off and slowly disappear from their sights. I see the hollow tree with all of my stuff stashed away and I only push what little energy I have left. Hiding behind the tree I notice two of the wolves make their way back toward the Blood Howlers line. I hope the other one is ok…

Why are they just standing there? aren't they going to leave?

River is right, even if I want to check on the other wolf I can’t and turning on our heels. We bounce off into the forest in another direction away from the hollow tree only hoping they don't find my clothes and backpack. I hear a loud howl and that shows that they have protected the border or they lost sight of me. I slowly make my way back to the tree and shift back into my human form. Quickly grabbing my clothes and changing.

That was a close one.

No kidding, but it was kind of fun minus the guy biting my leg

Right as soon as I said that I looked down at my leg and only see red bite marks on my leg, showing that my healing was taking over. Getting dressed as quickly as I can I make my way toward school again. I look at my watch and notice its only one minute before the bell rings to release everyone.

It's never healed that fast before.

Yeah, but we have never run that fast before either.

True, it did almost feel like I was flying there for a little bit

Making it back to school in the nick of time to act like I was walking out the door. I’m making my way toward the front gates when I hear a horn honk. Turning to see the drama I'm greeted with a large cup of ice and soda.

"See you at home, asswipe!" Yelled Eva from Ron's car and once again I’m the main character of the drama…

"f*****g hell I just changed" I mumbled to myself shaking my arms and shirt hoping it wouldn't stick to my body.

You know when I said this was going to be a good day... I jinxed it. Nothing turns out the way I want it to. I'm cursing myself when I finally get to my job which isn't fancy or anything, but it pays for my clothes and other things that my so-called "family" won't get me. I work at a cute little Italian restaurant called ‘Sophia's Little Italy’ which has been family owned, and they are the real deal. The owners are really sweet, his name is Stefano, and his wife Sophia who is the real boss (let's be honest). I ran into them one day when I was trying to steal a pair of shoes, and when I was about to be arrested they paid for them. Since then I have been paying them back for those shoes and their kindness. They have taken me under their wing and taught me a lot of things like how to make real spaghetti and how to speak Italian. If I could change families I would, here I'm considered an actual person. Not a human orphaned girl adopted to get on the good side of the alphas.

"ciao meravigliosa Stella, ho bisogno che tu inizi a lavare i piatti," Stefano yelled as he was giving me a hug.

(hello wonderful Stella, I need you to start washing dishes.)

"Si, Stefano," I said giving back the hug

"Stella? What happened to your shirt it's all sticky," Sophia asked staring down my shirt looking at the stains, "Don't worry about it, I have another shirt in my office go change,"

Making my way to the back office I hear Sophia yell in Italian at poor Stefano for I guess putting the tomato back wrong. Stefano always lets Sophia win, although he knows that he is right sometimes, but why argue when life is so short. If I ever find my mate I want it to be kind of like their relationship, crazy in love but never a dull moment.