The Steelcrest Luna

Chapter 2 - Changes

Willow POV

We are watching a movie in our serving etiquette class today, so I'm daydreaming and thinking of my wolf. I wonder what she will look like. Most wolves are varying shades of brown, white or black.There are a few more rare colors as well. In our history class we learned about a very powerful alpha that was a pearlescent white with emerald-tipped tail and ears. He was part of a line of wolves that were all silver or gold or pearl colored. Everyone says that wolves of those colors will be very strong. A lot of wolves also have birthmarks. It's said that it is bad luck to have a wolf with a moon or sun mark, although I've never seen another wolf with a birthmark here. My teacher says my name in a harsh tone and I snap up, startled to find that class is over and everyone is already heading to their next class. I started packing up my books and realized that apparently I was doodling on my notebook while I was daydreaming. It is a beautiful picture of a pair of wolves. I'm not normally a very good artist when I try, but for the past week or two I've been drawing amazing pictures while I'm lost in thought. Mrs Tasha told me that it's probably just my hidden talent coming to light now that I'm so close to shifting. Most of us have a talent that reveals itself after shifting for the first time. I'm so excited about meeting my wolf. I hope she shows up soon.

I'm getting off the bus at the orphanage and walking up the driveway, and it feels like someone is watching me. I look around me and don't see anything unusual, so I shrug and walk inside the house and straight to the kitchen. I'm always starving, especially after school. Mrs Tasha always has my favorite snacks stacked up in the pantry. She wont ever admit it, but I'm pretty sure I'm her favorite. She walks into the kitchen while I'm sitting at the table surrounded by my school books and assembling a pepperoni pizza lunchable. She doesn't have a great look on her face, which is bothersome because she almost always has a warm smile.

“Are you alright? What's wrong?” I ask her with worry written all over my face.

“It’s nothing to worry yourself over my dear.” She responds with a half hearted smile.

I put my pizza down and pull my backpack off of the chair beside me and motion for her to sit down. “It's okay, you can tell me anything.”

She sits down and takes a long settling breath. “I was called to meet with the Alpha today.”

“Really? How was that?” The alpha has always scared me. He always has this look on his face that sets my hair on end. Like if you look at him wrong, then he will make you regret it or something. Plus, the look he gives all of the women is grotesque. Even the younger girls. It's so creepy how he oggles everyone. I've caught him out of the corner of my eye looking at me that way. I just always find an excuse to leave the room.

“It didn't go well.” She responds sadly. “He is shutting down the orphanage. Effective the day after tomorrow.” I just stare at her with my mouth hanging open, unsure of what to say.

She uses her fingers to massage her temples. “He is placing all of the kids into foster homes.”

“What? Why? Why would they do this?” I say just a little too loudly.

“That's the worst part.” Her voice broke a little on that last word and I see a tear roll down her face. “He's placing me into the Breeding program.”

My face drains of color and I stare at her dumbfounded. “But… But you can't… They can't do this to you! We have to change his mind!” I try to look into her eyes for something, anger, fight just something and I find nothing. It's like she's just given up, and I know why. She has no choice. We can't do anything to save her and she knows it too. So instead of letting my anger take over, I just hold her in my arms while we both cry.

A few hours later, I'm helping her cook dinner. The other kids will be here soon and she will have to break the news to them. She and I decided to make a huge spread for dinner. She knows I don't like to make a big deal about my birthday. I know we can't afford it, but I let her get away with it because I call it a going away party for everyone.

After dinner, we broke the news to the other kids. It was really hard for them. I helped Mrs Tasha soothe them and get them to bed. Then I helped her clean up. Before I went upstairs, she stopped me and handed me a small package. I opened it to find a beautiful opal necklace. She gives me a huge hug and offers to put it on me so I can see how it looks on me. I turned around and moved my hair to the side and let her latch the necklace. When I turned around she had a smile on her face and a tear in her eye. “You look so beautiful Willow.” I smile and grab her up into a big bear hug. “I love you.” I say to her, She pulls back and tucks a strand of hair behind my ear and quietly says “I love you too.”

I'm lying in bed now. I'm exhausted mentally and physically. Now that I’m alone in my room, I can't help but think about my wolf. Where is she? It's almost 11 now. Don't wolves normally reveal themselves early in the day? I hope everything is okay. I can't stop the panic that's taking over my thoughts. What if I'm wolfless? Our pack despises the wolfless. They don't even get a standing in the pack. They are either banned and forced to become rouges or they are sent to the pack house to become pack slaves. I try to stay up as late as i can and distract myself while waiting for my wolf to reveal herself. When i pass out because I simply can not keep my eyes open, the clock beside my bed reads 2:37am.