Chapter 1

I woke the next morning with a headache and a pain in my arm. Holding up my bare arm, I see a long gash that extended from my elbow down to my wrist on the inside, a smear of what looked like ink next to the wound. I wonder about that and the fact that I was still in my clothes from last night's rehearsal. I also smell the fact that I needed a shower. Then the events of last night hit me hard enough to send me to sit up and rub my eyes.

Running, screaming, a man, Black Angel, the woods, the wolf, the mist, the cold air, the smell of fear. All I remember from last night was coming home from practice in a different way than usual. A man had followed me, then a wolf, followed by a strange mist that seemed to lift me from the mare. I remember seeing my life flash before my eyes and the fear of never seeing any of my friends again. A picture of Adam at my grave haunted my sleep last night.

I look over at the clock and it said 9:35. I had slept in and had no way of getting to school. Both my parents had already gone to work and Michelle had forgotten to wake me before she left. But I might not have woken up, for I had been in a deep sleep, like I was drugged…

Calm down, Rose, I tell myself. Nothing should have happened. At least I didn't think so, but I run to the bathroom anyway and took a shower. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary today, except the fact that I missed school and will have to make up at least three tests in algebra, government, and English. I get dressed and comb my long brown hair into a ponytail. Then I see a note on my mirror and I pull it off. It wasn't from Shell or mama or papa.

Rose. This may be a shock to you, but nothing happened last night that was sexual. In an attempt to rid the world of bad, you have been selected by an elite band of creatures to become a different person. Basically, you are now only half a werewolf. I will contact you later for more information on your turning. Thanks, Jack.

I could do nothing but stare at the paper. It was probably a joke of some sort to scare me. But it wasn't working. I look down at my arm and thought about covering it, so I went to the medicine cupboard and found some gauze and scissors. A few minutes later, I had covered the gash and was sitting in front of the television to watch the ten o'clock news. Nothing was on except the weather and a bunch of fires and accidents.

As I sat there, I thought about the note on the mirror. It was weird that were-wolves actually existed. Or was it because I had recently taken them as a topic to write about? I was so absorbed with my thinking that I almost missed some of a headline that sent chills down my back.

"Breaking news alert. The high school is now under a severe lockdown. Sources say that a shooter entered just a few minutes ago and started shooting. Here is live conversation from the scene with one of the students."

The voice on the TV came from my little sister, Michelle. "Yeah. The guy had a gun near Mr. Chovan's class, near a side door, and held up a gun. It looks like a hunting rifle and—oh my god!" Gunshots rang out over the phone. I screamed and jumped from the couch. They sounded close to her and I freaked out. She was my baby sister witnessing something she shouldn't.

"Hello? Are you still there?"asked the operator. The phone had dropped to the floor with gunshots ringing and a door being kicked open. The entire news crew, the entire viewing media, and I all sat there and listened to the action going on in the classroom. Heavy boots, whimpering, Anthony telling Michelle it'll be okay. Then I hear a voice I've never heard before: the shooter.

"Whose phone is it? Tell me who it belongs to!" he demanded. Michelle gave a small squeak and the gunman gave a small chuckle. Then the line went dead.

"Shell! Oh my god." I run to my cell phone that sat on the table and turned it on. Nextel, Java, password, unlocked, the beep to say I can call. Then I wait for the phone book to load. "Come on!" I scroll down to her name and push the cell number. I don't dare direct-connect her. It rings once, twice, three times. "Smells, come on. Pick up, pick—"

"It's Rose, isn't it?"

My blood freezes as I hear the shooter's voice. It sent chills down my back and it seemed familiar to me. But where had I heard it? "Who are you? Get off my sister's phone. Better yet, give it to her. Now!"

He handed the phone to her. "Bud? Oh my god, where are you—"

"At home, where you forgot to wake me up this morning. And how did you get home last night?"

"Anthony. He drove home last night and picked me up this morning. We could have brought you home last night, but I couldn't find you. Where were you after the practice?"

"With Casey, like always. How could you forget? And how did Anthony get you home when he can't drive? Tell me that."

"I can't but—" she gasped and the phone must have been ripped from her hands. The shooter came back on. He seemed interested in talking to me.

"How did you sleep last night? And how do you feel this morning?"

"Who are you and why are you torturing a bunch of kids? And I won't answer any of your dumbass questions—"

"I thought you were going to be here today. But you must have slept in too long. Why is that?"

"Maybe my sister wanted me to miss three important tests today? I don't know. But leave them alone. Get what you want and go. The cops are probably on their way."

Sirens in the background. "I'll talk to you later, wolf girl." He hung up and left me speechless, like a complete idiot. Wolf girl? When did that come to mind? And who exactly was this guy? I wanted answers, and I wanted them now. I hung up my phone and set it on the table in the dining room. Then I turn around and saw a shadow pass the front window and walk for the front door.

A knock on the front door scared me. I sank behind the couch and peeked out to see my surroundings. A piece of my hair slipped from the ponytail and fell into my eye. I brushed it away and looked back to the door, then gasp and pull back behind the couch. The person, or to say a woman, had walked to the front window and started to look inside the house. She looked old, by her gray hair, and she wore and old dress made from silver and gold threads.

"Let me in, Rose. I know you're in there. We need to talk about what happened last night. Please, your life's at stake. I'm not lying either. Just let me in before someone sees me."

I think a moment, then come from the couch and hesitantly open the front door. She thanked me and immediately sat on the couch. "Hello Rose. I knew I would meet you one day, but I never figured today. My name is Charlie. This may be different for you, but I'm a Seer. I saw your fate about last night. The gash on your arm is not a normal one—"

"Wait, so you saw my future?" I ask. "But, what happened last night with that man following me—"

"Rose, you aren't yourself anymore. You are now partly a werewolf."

My mouth drops a fraction and I drop to the edge of the couch within an arm's length away from her. A werewolf? But that's impossible. They don't exist. "But, if I'm a werewolf, what about the full moon tonight? What will happen if I don't, you know, become one or what?"

"You're a special breed of wolf. You are only half a wolf. You have the senses and the agility. And, yes, silver will harm you. Your breed can shift, like most, and some of your kind can use telepathy only on the full moon. But I must warn you. If you do get turned all of the way, you belong to the wolf that turned you, but only if you are his first. Since he has never fully- turned anyone before, you will be his servant. You will do everything he says: you cannot disobey. If you break the magic, you will die—"

"Don't tell me things like that!" I squeeze my hands over my ears. "I would rather die than be a servant." I calm down and remove them. "You said something about telepathy and shifting. Last night, the man must have shifted into the wolf and used telepathy. But what about the mist that took me?"

Charlie bit her lip and stared at the window. "He was already a wolf when he let the moon take him. Mist is the highest branch of the magic of the wolves. He is stronger than I had first thought," she murmured to herself. She then added, "Mother Highest, save this poor girl."

"Who are you talking about? I found this note a while ago," I give the seer the note from the mirror from the person, this Jack. She took it and nearly dropped it.

"Charlie? What is it?"

"H-have you had any contact with this man again?"

"There was someone at the school, the shooter, and he knew my name. He talked to me when I talked to my sister. He called me wolf girl—"

"You will never talk to someone you don't know again. That sounds like your parents talking, but Jack isn't a normal wolf. He half-turned one girl, but she later killed herself after she and I had this very same discussion. He was so furious that he went out and killed her entire family." I gasp and my hand flies to my heart. "Now, he has spotted a chance to repopulate the breed; you. I warn you now, Rose. He will hunt you down and try everything in his powers to see you a pregnant wolf with his cubs on the way."

I give a small yelp and wrap my arms around my stomach. What kind of person would do such a thing? But, like Charlie said, one that wanted to repopulate the breed. I wanted to get away from the world now, run away to my room and get away from the bad part of my life and just type. I lift off the seat a bit and Charlie held out a stuffed dog. "If you're going out of my sight, take this. Your breed can't be around toys if you're full wolf. It makes them remember bad things. It makes Jack remember the other girl."

All I could do was stare at the toy until Charlie forced into my hand. Then I begin to walk away when she looked out the window and startled me, "Go, run! It's Jack. He's here." Charlie leaped from the couch and pointed to the front window.

I turn around to see a man at the window. So this was Jack; a curly-haired blonde with watchful eyes and a strict face. He saw me and gave me a wink. I flipped him off and ran upstairs with the toy in my hand. I heard him curse and run to the north side of the house where the TV tower leaned on an angle from age. This was also where my room was.

The door to my room was closed and I threw it open. I stumbled inside and ran for my closet, where I keep my hidden toys and the extra blankets. Clunking came from behind me and I found out it was Jack climbing the TV antenna to my room. I throw a few stuffed animals at both windows and sat with my back to my closet. As I watched, a few seconds later, Jack climbed into view. He had a grin on his face, until he saw me with a stuffed animal, and he looked to see toys at both windows. He clenched his teeth in frustration and flipped me off.

I give a small yelp as he jumped down from the tower. I run to the window as he shifted and landed on all four paws. Then he took off running around the back of the house. I sigh in relief and grab my Ipod and began listening to some music. I figured Charlie had dealt with him. My favorite song, Brand New Name by 30 Seconds to Mars, came up; I closed my eyes and started singing.

"So I run and hide, tear myself up. Start again, with a brand new name and eyes that see. Into infinity."

A wrist caught at my throat and an arm about my waist made my eyes open. I choke as Jack picked me up and pinned me to him. His breath was shortened by his laughing and I feel tears rush down my cheeks. "Let me go, Jack," I breathe.

"No, Rose. You're too pretty," he whispered in my ear. My other ear held my earphone and my music was background. "I chose you for a reason. You're strong, outgoing, pretty…" I feel his hand tug at the waist of my shirt. I flinch away and he growled in my ear.

"I already have someone. And my parents will be home any minute. Just go, turn me later—"

"Charlie gave you the run-down, didn't she? How you defeat wolves and about servitude. I'm really interested in turning you, you know. I've never completely turned anyone before, and I'm kind of excited for you—"

"The only reason you want me is to make more of you! You only want me to be a servant to you so you have me in your bed every night. It won't happen, Jack. I'd rather die than sleep with you."

He growled and threw me away from him. I landed on the floor upon my back and he had shifted and jumped onto my stomach. His weight was intense and I cough from lack of air.

'Okay, maybe I do want you in my bed. It doesn't mean I want to hurt you—'

"Liar!" I scream. His jaws were around my throat and they put pressure to my flesh.

'Do you want to live? Do you want to see your precious someone else for another month. By the next full moon, you can be free. But soon, you'll be my servant and then I'll think about bedding you.'

He removed his jaws and licked my collarbone. I sit up and he shifted to human. He grinned at me and winked. I flip him off and put my Ipod back in my ears. His eyes narrow and he returned the gesture. Then he left and I soon hear my dad's Ford pull in. I look out the window and see my dad and Michelle step from the truck.

"Bud!" Michelle yelped and threw her arms around me. "I promise I'll never leave you here again. And I promise to wait for you at band. But I want to know how you knew that guy."

"Shell, calm down. I'm okay. I guess he just saw my name on your phone—"

"Then why did he call you wolf girl? How'd he come up with it?"

"I'll explain later. Tell me about what happened at school."

Michelle sighed and sat on my bed. She removed some of the toys and began to tell me about the shooter and everything. They had to evacuate, but the shooter had left. Jack didn't leave a trail, but he came straight here and confronted me. I feel guilty about not telling anyone, but who was there? Ashley and Casey might think I'm insane, and Niki would say, "Nice idea for a story." Then there was Adam, the one person who seemed to be my only true friend. Guy-friend, actually. Nope, I couldn't tell anyone.

"So, how'd your day go?"

"Well, I woke up, showered, found this gash on my arm," I showed her, " then watched the news. Heard you, then I called you, and Ja—the shooter came on the phone. Then I wanted to clean the house."

"You didn't get anything done. Have you eaten?"

"No. Just wasn't hungry, that's all. Now I am. Let's go downstairs and eat Spagetteos."

She smiled and we jogged down the steps, Shell in the lead. I had the stuffed dog Charlie gave me. We entered the kitchen and I started to get out pots and pans. Shell looked on the fridge and saw a note for me. She handed it to me and finished with lunch. The note said: The toys are on their way. Jack may have a plan, so keep the toys close, Charlie. P.S. I fixed up as best I could. Don't contact Jack.

I crumple up the note and stick it in my back pocket. Then I sit with Shell to eat lunch. My dad said he'd be at his friend's house to discuss business. He left and Shell and I turn on the TV to watch a movie.