Bounded

Preparations

I settled on keeping to myself for the rest of the day for the sake of my sanity granted most of the time I feel like I’m lacking. In the Cafeteria I hurriedly got my meal, determined to stick to my decision. Instead of staying there I take my food to my spot that way I knew for sure no one could let alone would bother me. I enjoyed my feeble meal surrounded by the sounds of nature. Before the bell rang again to signal the end of lunch I had discarded the remnants of my meal. I was also already on the way to my last class when I overheard my name in a conversation. I couldn't tell who was talking due to how soft they spoke “.........Ray needs to know before tomorrow night or it could be bad news.”

“You think I don’t know that…you have to take into account that she is clueless.” “I get that but you have no clue how tomorrow will affect her since her true self has been caged all these years or even if there is a chance she could actually survive.” A shiver runs up my spine sending goosebumps across my skin from the sound of a low mincing growl “Watch it.” I try to step closer, curious as to who could be talking about me. It would be a bonus to figure out what they were talking about too. I stumble forward barely catching myself only to give my position away. My shoe screeches against the floor and the voices stop talking instantly.

I don’t wait to get caught eavesdropping. My feet guide me with angelic speed reaching my next class in record time. The bell sounds for a second time signaling its warning. I slip into class taking my seat allowing my adrenaline to fade into the background calming my heart. The rest of class flys by even quicker than this morning, which I was grateful for. I barely catch what the teacher instructs as we head out of class “Don’t forget to study chapters twenty four though twenty seven it will be on the pre final exams oh and enjoy the weekend guys.” The hallway becomes lively with students and teachers flowing through ready to vacate the premises.

Without looking back I forge a path to my dirtbike determined to be rid of this unreal experience. I rushed home already tired from the day but I knew well enough that my week had only just begun. I ran up to my room tossing my bag onto my bed then headed back downstairs where the majority of my family gathered there. When I walk in everyone's heads turn to me as mom speaks “Ah there is our soon to be birthday girl.” I nod in silent acknowledgement taking my place joining them. Dad is next to speak “Ok everyone this is the battle plan and on top of that our deadline is in eight days so each of us must be on top of it.” Everyone nods in agreement as they listen in.

I notice one by one who all have made the trip just to attend my birthday. I spot Lizzy immediately sitting next to Ben. Beside him is Uncle James and Aunt Terra. Uncle James is wearing blue jeans and a worn out shirt with shoes while Aunt Terra wore blue jeans with fuzzy boats and a furry jacket. Lizzy and Ben looked identical to their parents, just a younger version though. Next to them is Ronald. Ronald is one of the tallest men in the family but no one seems to get who he got his immense height from.

Luckily his solid mountain like build was passed down from great great great great Jeffery. My mind momentarily wonders as I compare his bulky build to Trent’s. I quickly pull myself away from him while around others. He is wearing camo pants with combat boots to match and a solid tan t-shirt. His jawline is wide and his eyes are slightly slanted but all in all you might think he could pass as an American version of Arnold Schwarzenegger. Next to Ronald is whom I’d suspect to be his girlfriend for the month who sports an athletic build. If I analized her by her clothes then I’d have to say that she might actually be the best one yet.

The woman beside Ronald wore tattered blue jeans and a metallica t-shirt and a black leather jacket along with matching combat boots. You would think that my family funds such companies that produce combat boots, leather jackets, or even motorcycles but sadly this is not the case. All I know is it would have been epic if it were though. Sally is another cousin of mine but she was adopted into the family before I was born. She wore form fitting tattered jeans with a tank top and boots. Her hair has a couple of dreads in her hair. Sally is wearing shorts and a tank top with tennis shoes.

She also has the left side of her hair as a buzz cut and the rest is short with the ends dyed red. Owen and Gerald are twins who are Dad’s younger half brothers. Both are only three years older than me so it sorta weirds me out most of the time. Besides that they are active military captains. Because of them being soldiers it has helped them in keeping their intense exercise regimen. I remember one year when I attempted it and I will never again volunteer to do such a thing ever again. That mess like to have killed me in more ways than one not including I’m actually not half bad looking when it comes to my fitness but I’m definitely no she hulk either.

Obviously the guys marr a buzz cut which makes it that much more difficult to decipher between the two. Well there is one way for me that is. Both have tattoos on their lower forearms; the only thing is Gerald’s tattoo on his left forearm of a bulldog with a combat helmet that has USMC on it with the Marine corps logo, and its holding dog tags by the chain necklace from its mouth. The dog tag has some kind of writing on it too. Owen has his on his right forearm and it’s of the American flag Punisher emblem and USMC is also on his but on this one the Marine corps emblem is between USMC so it looks like US then the emblem then MC. The military stamp is on the skull's forehead. Sly I know right… What makes it worse is that I’m apparently the only one who knows for certain which one has which tattoo too.

We sit around in the living room surrounding the coffee table that has papers on top of it. Dad looks at everyone before proceeding “Ok guys I’m sure we are all aware of how important this year's celebration is so lets make this one the best yet like we have for each relative.” Everyone nods when mom pipes in “Honey don’t you think Rayamona should know what’s going on since this is for her?” I frown meantally swearing “f**k me.” That’s when all eyes land on me expectantly and I throw my hands in the air airing my irritation “Oh come on guys I can still help!” The only thing I get in response is smirks along with a couple of heads shaking but I did notice a few stifled giggles. “Your mother is right kiddo so if you don’t mind going out for a little bit sweetie.”

I huff standing on my feet stomping up to grab my keys, and helmet. On the way back down stairs I grumble my displeasures when mom’s voice filters to me “No gripping young lady.” I sigh with my head lowered walking with a slouch sliding my feet across the floor. My response is deflated “Yes ma’am.” I make sure not to slam the front door as I exit that way so as not to get in trouble. I slide my helmet on, then swing my left leg over mounting my bike. Once I crank it I see how much gas is remaining so I decide to fill it up before heading to the forest for some fun. Three in a half miles later at the gas station I fill my gas tank and grab a snack along the way with a drink too.

I put my snack and drink in my jacket pockets taking my usual route to the forest. When there is cautiously take an off road path further in for fifthteen minutes before finally stopping. I park my bike and take my drink and snack from my jacket. I sit there quietly admiring the forest's beauty while consuming my chips and drink. The sun shined through a clearing from the top of the trees giving it a calming ethereal vibe. The dusks rays enhance the vibe further. I stuff the remnants of my snack in my pockets cranking my bike ready to have a little fun before dark.

The feel of the air rushing through my hair gives me this feeling of belonging that quickly turns into pure adrenaline pumping through my veins as the bike lifts from the ground from a small hill. Something within me shifts. My vision alters and I release my bike as I begin to come back down. My bike crashed onto a fallen tree causing pieces of my bike to ricochet the surrounding area. I land on my feet with my knees bent momentarily shifting my weight going into a roll when my back slams on a large tree. I growl in pain until I feel an intense burning sensation forming around my neck, wrists, and ankles. It then traveled upward meeting together at my spine. I bellow a howl of pain clawing at my neck. My body's temperature intensifies to extremes.

The next thing I know my nails start to form claws that are covered with warm thick blood. Within seconds I black out from the sering pain. I can hear voices but the words aren’t clear “Oh my God what happened!?” “I’m not sure one moment everythings fine, then the next moment I feel agonizing pain through the bond and fear so I drop what I was doing to track her down.” “Where did you find her?” The second voice's response is faint “Not far from the cabin.” The first voice releases a strangled sob “She won’t make it till her birthday if this keeps up.”

A growl flows around me. “How is her neck doc?” “Well sir…. Um if she has another incident like this one then I’m afraid she’s right about the outcome sir.” The sound of wood breaking fills the room. “What are you doing?” “I have to do something or I’ll lose her before getting her.” The other two shout in unison “NO!” The second voice growled menacingly “No? Would you rather lose your luna instead?”

“That’s not what we mean and you know it.” “Then what do you mean?” The third voice wavers “You can’t call her not her let alone for something like this sir.” “Please Trent just think this through, Charles has a valid point.” “She has a right to know her granddaughter is about to die brutally if nothing is done.” There is a long pause before I hear the beeping of a phone being dialed “What do you think will happen when her mother is exposed too?” The dialing pauses “Are you telling me her mother is also one of us too?”

“Clearly Ray had to have inherited it from somewhere.” I hear a groan followed by a sigh “Both of you know I can’t keep this from Donna.” “At least warn her of the situation first before relaying anything else.” The sound around me fades as I fall further into darkness. I’m unsure for how long I have been out but I am just grateful to know I’m not alone, that is until I hear the ongoing conversation “Yes.” “You are certain she is my granddaughter because she smells human?” “I assure you ma’am she is anything but human, and she is also my mate.”

“I see so why not take her away from here instead of calling me?” “Because I also know where your daughter is ma’am and if I do as you suggested then she will be exposed.” There's a huff “She ran away with a human pup so my daughter is dead to me.” “What if I proved to you that that’s not the case?” Ten minutes later the new voice responds “Then I guess my daughter will need her family.” A sigh sounds “Her mate isn’t exactly human.” “I’m listening pup.”

I groan as I finally begin to rise. Several sets of feet rush toward me. I brace myself with my arms pushing myself to sit up when Trent is the first face I see “Slow down, don't rush yourself, your still healing love.” I look around with my eyes spotting Sam, Charles, and a elderly woman. Sam and Charles are standing near the door while the elderly woman is standing closely behind Trent. I stare at the woman questionly at her. She steps up “Hello dear my name is Donna and I am your grandmother.”