Chapter 1: The Move

Reads: 662
Comments: 11

I concentrate on my driving, my hands gripping on the steering wheel. Seventeen years of my life is stuffed in cardboard boxes and suitcases, jammed in the back of my silver mustang. Tears threaten to burn in the back of my throat, but I will them away, determined not to cry. My thoughts flicker back to my going away party, my friends gathered around eating popcorn, their laughter trying so hard to cheer me up. They all waved goodbye in the street, knowing that they would not be able to see me again.

“Cheer up,” my mother says from the passenger seat. “This is a time for a new beginning, a new life.”

“I still don’t see why they couldn’t let you have your car.” My words come out in a growl. The calming, lavender scent my mom always carries around her grows stronger as her anger rises. Her answering growl rumbles in the small confines of the car.We drown in our anger for a bit as the rain begins to fall. Flipping on my headlights, I keep my eyes on the U-Haul in front of us, the dirt creating filthy trails down the door. A feeling of being watched raises the hair on the back of my neck, bringing my eyes to the side of the interstate.

Standing in the downpour, his cruel, blue eyes seething, was the reason of our exile. The tan wolf is the size of my car, his gleaming teeth showing in an attempt to scare us, one of the angriest and most dangerous of shape shifters in New York State. Hidden in the shadows of the old forest, Ayden stands guard, sent to make sure we leave.

“It’s for the better, Tala.I swear, you deserve better than that damn pup anyways.He’s such an ass.I’d love to show him what being an angry alpha means, by taking his head and shoving it so far up his tail end…” My mother snarls, flicking him off as we pass.I burst out laughing, tears blurring my vision as I struggle to stay in my lane.For the first time sense the trial and banishment, I feel the weight of grief and sadness lift from my chest.I thought mom would be sad about leaving her birth pack behind, but it appears to me that she is happy to go.

“I am so glad to be out of this hell hole.”She pats my hand and leans back in her seat, bring her bottle of water to her lips. Cheered up, we continue our drive south, to a new life.

Mystic Vale is one of the strangest towns I have ever seen. The town is nestled into a valley, with a crystalline river that runs right through the center. I knew as soon as we entered that it was guarded by a pack. The natural magic that keeps the territory alive filled my spirit, filling a void that had disappeared since we left New York. Mother, asleep against the door, sighed as we crossed the barrier. There is no road down the main part of town, but rather a brick path the size of a road. It was a good thing the U-Haul knew where it was going, because if I had to make this trip by myself, I would have been screwed. The shops are all lined together, brick buildings with dark roots. The whole thing reminds me of a rural, post civil war America.

The moon is high above us, the numbers of the radio reading 1:36. We have been on the road for close to twelve hours, only stopping three times for fuel and food. The sudden glare of the truck’s blinker has me pressing the breaks. We turn smoothly onto the gravel lane, bumping over the uneven surface.

“Come on, putt-putt.” I coax my little car over a dip in the driveway. “You definitely aren’t a off road vehicle.”

“Hmm,” Mom lifts her head, her brown hair falling from its sloppy bun.

“Complaining,” I say, reaching over to turn down the radio. The car jolts over another bump, throwing us around in the interior. Mom placed her palm against the roof in an attempt of balance.

I slowed down more, creeping over the holes at a snail’s pace, desperate to save my car from any further danger. Then, before I thought it could not handle any more, the narrow strip of gravel and dirt opened up. The clearing, roughly the size of two football fields, was surrounded by thick, begging to be explored forest. Wild flowers dotted the yard, flooding the inside of my car as I rolled down the window. Like a strong, exotic perfume, the variety of new scents swirled in my car. Pines and oaks were the most potent, mixed with a ribbon of spring water and freshly turned dirt.

Then, as I turned my car into the circular drive, I caught a new scent. Musky, much like the underside of a dead tree log, the scent of wolves flowed through my car. Out of instinct, I growled, a fearsome, lethal sound that vibrated the air.

“Careful, Ava, we are new here.”My mom warns, putting a hand on my shoulder as I slow the mustang to a stop.“Don’t go making trouble just yet.You haven’t even met any members of the new pack.”

Despite my mother’s soothing words, my instincts race in my head.The need to be an alpha, to be in control, courses through my veins as much as it does hers, and I know she can feel it.Through my peripheral vision, I see her hand tighten on the door frame and my ears pick up the sound of bending metal.Breathing through my nose, taking in deep, cleansing breathes, I file away a particular scent, one of summer rain, committing it to memory.

“Okay,” I whisper, shaken.Never before has the feeling come across this strong.Looking at my hands on the black wheel, the knuckles white and straining, I ease them up, shaking.“I’m calm, nice,” I sigh, “and calm.”

“Good.” My mother opens her door, stepping out into the moon lit night.“Now let’s go see where the movers went to.Maybe they went around the house.”

I tilt my head back, staring at the forest as if I can call the alpha male at will.I feel myself being lulled into the woods embrace, a sanctuary of sorts for me ever since I was little.In my mind I can see myself running through them, loping down their hidden trails and finding their secrets.The feel of my paws digging into the cool, damp earth brings a wave of euphoria over me.

“Tala, are you coming?”I hear a knock on my hood, jerking me out of my trance like state.

“Yes ma’am.”I turn the ignition off, basking for a second in the sweet, near silence of the night.All that can be heard; the ticking of the car, the songs of the crickets and the wind; and then the animals as they sleep or hunt; it all rings in my ears, a familiar friend to me in my darkest of times.Stepping into this world that is familiar yet a cold stranger to me, I get the first sense of unease from my wolf half.She prickles at the edge of my conscience, brushing against my thoughts to share a bit of her own.Immediately, my guard goes up, heightening my senses to an acute status.My hearing increases, picking up on faint traces of heartbeats and breathing, even the rush of the river seven and three quarters of a mile away.In the reflection of my car window, I watch my black of my eyes expand, leaving only a sliver of ice blue to be seen.

“Tala,” my mother assures me, but even she is acting in defense.Her breathing and heartbeat has quickened, her eyes changing from their dark hazel to a brilliant gold.“They are only curious, nothing but pups. Do not engage with them until we have spoken to the elder alpha.This is merely the youth pack.”

My pack, I think. Instinct takes over as I move around the front of the car.Seventeen years of training has me pushing my mother back inside the car, locking the doors and giving her the keys.

“Protect the elders at all cost.That is why you are born, your duty to the pack.”Words of my youth flood my mind.

“Stop,” my mom bangs on the window.“This isn’t New York, Tala.There is not threat of attack, no one here to harm us.”

I feel my hair lift in an unfelt wind, rising to frame my face as five wolves step from the shadows.

They form a triangle, with a massive female in the front. Her head reaches the top of my car, her gold eyes framed by dark gray fur. Licking her muzzle, she steps forward, tilting her head to the side, growling.

“Leave.” I order, my voice low and deadly, coated in authority given to me by my alpha status. The female raises her head, baring inch long canines. In an act of defiance, she sits, curling her tail around her, keeping her warm eyes on my blue ones. Taking two steps forward, I clench my fists, feeling the beginning of the change course through my body.

“Valerie.” The voice is alluring and commanding. Turning my head, I find the source leaning against a black truck, hidden in shadows so I cannot see him. “You were told to watch, not interfere.”

The gray wolf huffs out a breathe, standing. She casts her gaze to the four other wolves before leading them back into the darkness of the forest.

“Tala, I’m getting out.” I hear my mother warn me. I hear the click of the door being unlocked and then opened, feeling the wind stir as it brushed near my back. “Well, that was exciting. Next time you decide to try and lock me in the car, I’m going to…”

Her voice dies down to nothing, but I do not turn back. I feel my hair drift back down, falling over my shoulder in a silver wave to my waist. My breathing comes easily now, in and out as if I was not, moments ago, adrenaline shot.

“Who are you?” My mother asks.

“A friend,” is all he says before he turns and runs into the forest, leaving the truck behind.

Submitted: March 03, 2011

Fantasy love teen school romance war night blood hatred wolf soul mates soulmates wolves werewolves shape shifters academy shapeshifters

Like
Shelfit

Chapters

Add Your Comments:

Sign in to write a comment

Comments

Dixie Lee

Let me know what you think, okay? :) Should I continue this or should I end it.?

Thu, March 3rd, 2011 12:17pm

XPStiger

There needs to be a love button! OMG! You have to continue this, is only to please me! ^_^ lol The desciptions were amazing and the story is beautiful already! I can't not wait to read more, and need I say it, I REALLY wish you would continue this, its amazing!!! :D

Thu, March 3rd, 2011 6:50pm

Author
Reply

Omg, thank you. I love that you love this. I didn't think anyone would, thought it would just be something repeated over and over again. You're comment made me smile, and I'm seriously thinking on continuing this. Thanks so much for reading, I wish you truely knew how much this means to me. I love you!!! :)

Thu, March 3rd, 2011 11:44am

Rave

I agree with XPStiger. This is fabulous, I can't wait for the next chapter. Be sure to update me, darling.

Oh, and thank you for your kind words about my cat. I hope yours lives as long and happy a life as mine. =^-^=

Thu, March 3rd, 2011 7:55pm

Author
Reply

Thank you. I honestly did not think anyone would like this because werewolves have been so outdone. I love that you like it. It makes me so happy. :)

-Dixie

Thu, March 3rd, 2011 10:09pm

rav21amber

you really should continue this. I badly want to know what happens next now >.<

Thu, March 3rd, 2011 9:39pm

Author
Reply

Thank you, I a glad that you like it. :)

-Dixie

Thu, March 3rd, 2011 10:10pm

Monishere

i agree with everyone wen i say u should continue... plus ur story already shines past some others i have read that even though they were great stories lacked a lil something KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK AND KMU!!!!

Fri, March 4th, 2011 11:44am

Author
Reply

Thank you so much. I love that everyone likes this story. I was thinking it would be too overdone, but i guess not. I am working on the second chapter right now. I am hoping to get it published this afternoon. Thanks a whole lot. :) xoxoxo

-Dixie

Fri, March 4th, 2011 3:49am

Gorash

Good stuff! So many books totally neglect the sense of smell but you really integrated it into the descriptions and story.

Sun, March 6th, 2011 10:49am

Author
Reply

Yeah. I was hoping everyone would understand a bit more about the senses that a shapeshifter/werewolf gets. I am glad that you liked it. I was afraid that some would think that it was too many details, but I guess not. Everyone likes them, apparently. That is great to know. :) Thanks for reading.

-Dixie

Mon, March 7th, 2011 2:19am

Morrigan Aoife

I think it's off to a very good start. I hope you continue. I don't think werewolves have been over done at all the big hot topic where i'm located is vampires and emo witches, so this is a nice change of pace.

Wed, March 9th, 2011 10:28am

Author
Reply

Thanks. I am glad that you liked it.

-Dixie

Wed, March 9th, 2011 5:24am

MCD

Hm, interesting start. Compelling, although currently werewolves is a no go zone for me personally, but make no mistake that when I've forgotten all the 'wolfie' stuff I was reading I 'll come back and pay this some definite attention.

Also as for your question, my pic is from an anime but not one I know of as I researched 'blonde anime' on google and that was a favourite of mine. A bit less glamorous than one might think

Tue, March 22nd, 2011 12:13am

Author
Reply

Thanks for reading, even if you aren't a big fan of werewolves. It kind of makes me happy to know that you'll be coming back to read some more of it. And even if that pic isn't as glamorous as some others you find, I think it's one of the best I've seen. I love it. :) Thanks for reading.

-Dixie

Mon, March 21st, 2011 10:19pm

Lady Wolf

How blissfully enticing. As you can tell by my name, I adore wolves, but avoid reading stories people write about them because most butcher the primal glory every one carries. This story however has me hooked. Beautifully done!

Wed, March 30th, 2011 3:19pm

Author
Reply

Thank you. I am glad that you liked it. :)

-Dixie

Thu, March 31st, 2011 2:21am