I sat on the bricks surrounding one of the massive oak trees in the school yard while watching some middle schoolers trying to do a kick flip over by the bike rail. Last night did shock me, Molly had contacted me and explained her grandmother had faked her death so she could have a three year vacation without having phone calls from family. Her grandmother was weird.

A yell brought me back to reality, one of the boys had fallen and cut his knee open. I ignored it and started to think again, but the kid kept bugging me. No matter how hard I tried to shut him out I only felt the urge to go make him feel better. On top of that he was nearly ten yards away from me and I could hear him crystal clear, must be a werewolf power I obtained.

I got up and jogged over to the three boys, by the looks of it they were sixth graders. One sat on the ground holding his knee in both hands tenderly, he had a pained expression on his face.

"Are you okay? Do you need to go to the nurse's office?" I asked.

"No, it's just a scrape. Thanks for the suggestion though." He replied while standing up. His friends reached out to help him walk.

"Alright, take care!" I gave a wave to them before walking back to my spot by the tree.

I sar back down and unzipped my dark gray hoodie, it was getting warm outside. My outfit was simple today, a white polo with dark blue jeans and black flats. I looked up into the treeto see the assortment of colors, the great variety made the view look like a painting of reds and browns and yellows. Another lovely day in Maine, just a few more days until it would drop down and become the frozen world of winter.

"Nic!" A voice called out to me.

I turned my head to see Austin running towards me. He didn't look all that well, his usually gelled hair was thrown askew and his face was quite red and puffy.

"Hey, Austin, how are you?"

"I'm fine," he said while trying to catch his breath. His breathing was shallow and quick, somewhat wheezy if you payed close attention.

"Why are you so exhausted? Did you sleep in or do a four mile run this morning?"

"No, neither. You know how Molly and Aster live right next door to me?"

"Yeah, I don't think they have lived anywhere else. Why? Is it because of their grandma?"

"I think so." He scratched the back of his head and continued on. "There was a bunch of noise going on, like pans and plates banging all over the place. A scream too, sounded like Molly saw a dead rat or something. She kept me up all night long."

"I bet Aster had a bad night too," I added.

"Yeah, I bet he slept in. Poor guy. It must suck to live with crazy old Molly."

"Try being at her house on a two day retreat."

"Oh?" He asked while still taking short breaths.

"Yeah, in sixth grade when Molly and I were in basketball the entire team went to her house."

"Why her house though if I may ask?"

"Her dad was our coach," I replied while checking my phone.

"Ah," he looked around and squinted. "Do you have any idea where Gwen is? I have to ask her something."

I looked up and around the area we were in. I didn't see our punk friend, no brunette with strange bangs for a mile around.

"Nope, I don't see her."

"Dammit," he muttered. Austin also pulled his bangs out of his face in frustration. "I really wanted to know."

"Sorry, Austin. Ask her in second hour then since you two have Greek Mythology together."

"I guess I could. I'm going to look around some more. See you in fifth hour, then?" He pointed a finger at me while giving a questioning look.

"Yep, I plan on making the school day all day. I won't get sick from all the sugar yesterday." I laughed.

He also chuckled before waving goodbye to me and then running off in search of Gwen.

I looked at the clock and noticed I was allowed in the school now. Doors open at 7:05, class starts at 7:30. Thanks, Austin, now I have to walk alone. I guess it was alright going by myself, it's just I like company, I don't like being alone.

I started my way towards the school entrance while I zipped up my jacket to the base of my neck. Barely anyone was at the school yet surprisingly, probably a few are home sick or at the hospital from food poisoning or just really bad stomachaches. I would think more high schoolers would be here instead of the middle school students next door.

The hallways were barely lit and shadows lay in the two corridors the school went off into. I knocked on the office window getting the secretary's attention. I pointed to the lights to let her know to turn them on. In just a few seconds the hallways were brightly lit, but nothing changed about the silence, was I the first one in the building?

I shrugged my shoulders to answer my own question and started to go to my locker, my feet echoed on the laminent flooring. A second pair of footsteps came only a moment later. Finally, someone else noticed it was time to come in!

I reached my locker and entered my combination, our school didn't provide locks so I had to buy one myself to put on it. The sound of footsteps became loud and louder as they approached me, must be Zora, her locker was next to mine. I continued on by putting my bag on the locker floor and pulled my textbooks and other supplies from the shelf above. Zora tapped my shoulder.

"Yes, Zor--" I was cut off in less than a minute and shoved onto the lockers next to mine.

The hand covered my mouth and nose, force had been pressed into it causing my nose to bend from the pressure. Not to mention the person had cologne on their wrist and their hands were somewhat cool.

"Make a sound and I'll call for backup, you mutt." The harsh whisper came out quietly but stern. "Take this as a warning. The next time you harm my family, you will find your entire pack destroyed."

I scratched at the person's hand and shoved them away from me. I took a quick look to see none other than that freak Erik in front of me. He didn't look nice at all with the anger that showed in his eyes and the scowl that decorated his face.

"Look, I never meant to hurt anyone! You have the wrong idea!" I shouted at him.

"Then why did you stun my uncle? It will take weeks for him to return, and it's not the best experience to have."

"I'm sorry for whatever I did, but I did not know who he was." This kid, Erik, was he also a supernatural?

He snorted. "Just watch it, mutt, or else I will kill you personally."

I just glared at him as he walked away. He appears to be an enemy, but of what group? He knows I'm a werewolf, but not that I'm a pure-blood, he called me a mutt for crying out loud. Losing it was not an option. I turned back to my locker and gabbed my books again, I wanted to be in class early. A few people passed me to their classes as well.

They now just show up? After the encounter with Erik?

Jerks.

I slammed the door shut, the flimsy piece of metal bouncing a little bit as it clicked back into place. I turned on my heal and ran into someone's back, one of the giant kids.

"Excuse me," I mumbled and shoved past him to get to my class.

A tug came at the back of my shirt as I placed my stuff on my desk. I whipped around to face the person with my hand raised in a fist ready to punch them in the gut, maybe the face if it was that son of a bitch Erik. But I didn't see their face considering they blocked it from my vision with their hands.

"Nic, please don't hit me. I just wanted to get your attention." It was a guy considering the voice was low, but he was really quiet as well.

"Who are you?" I asked while putting up a defensive barrier between me and the boy.

"It's me," he dropped his hands, "Taylor Mockery. We have gym together?"

"Oh, you're the kid my dad told me about on Sunday!"

He looked around quickly and then grabbed my wrist. He yanked a bit too much as he dragged me out of the room and into the little space underneath the stairs. What was with people grabbing me today?

He looked around the corner one more time making sure no one was around before he looked at me again. He sighed as he relaxed and looked me in the eye, his cool green eyes looking into my brown ones.

"Look, I don't know what your dad told you, but we need to keep this curse a secret. It's not something we want out to the public. If they found out..." He trailed off and his eyes drifted to the window behind us.

"We'd be dead?"

"No," he snapped back to the conversation. "Even worse. We'd be captured and put into a lab for testing. Think of Underworld Four, when Selene and Eve were frozen for testing in that lab after everyone found out about Lycans and Vampires."

"But wouldn't we still win? We're the wereolves, the humans are human. No powers whatsoever." I slightly laughed, I don't think I was taking this very seriously.

"Yeah, but they have technology. Tranqilizers, guns, tear gas. The list can go on and on. You have to keep this secret, no one can know."

"I think I already broke that rule though," I said quietly. I bit my lip nervously as I prepared for a lecture from Taylor.

"What? Who did you tell?" He asked a bit angry.

"I didn't tell anyone, but they found out because apparently his uncle is the one I attacked on Sunday night."

He walked over to the wall here the stairs' right side connected and hit his forehead over and over againon the white brick. He groaned in irritation and frustration. Did he know it was a vampire who knew or just that someone found out from a supposed dog attack?

"Great, don't tell me it was Erik Kirov? That's the kid from the main vampire line. Heir to be leader of the vampires."

"And if I say it was him who found out?" I started to rock on my feet, an uneasy feeling was starting to form in my stomach.

"Then were screwed, every vampire will be after you. And that can't happen since you're the only pure-blood here in the United States besides your dad."

"Why is it so important that a pureblood is here?" He was confusing, I needed answers.

"Damn it!" He punched the wall in frustration before sulking against it. Little chips of debris crumbled to the ground as his hand shifted. There's the proof we were stronger than vampires so far.

"I'm sorry, I just learned of my abilities. You can't expect me to be an expert on everything yet!" I took a step away with my arms up in defense.

"You're right, you just have to learn. Maybe tonight during the waning moon I can teach you the basics of controlling your wolf form."

"Thanks. But we transform everynight? I thought it was just the full moon we did."

"No, it's everynight that it happens, just not a new moon. The moon reflects the sun's light which goes through the 'Aura Field.' This field creates the enchantment which triggers the spell on us to take place, same with vampires and other creatures of the night. Then it's reverse for phoenixes and the other creatures of the day. They have to stay out of the sun while we avoid the moon, simple as that."

That meant as long as the moon light didn't hit me I wouldn't transform? That was pretty sweet if you ask me.

"But on a full moon you will transform no matter what. That way the cycle can still work monthly, kinda like a minstrel cycle if you want to compare it like that." Taylor added.

Great, so it acted somewhat like a period. Now I'm just going to get moodier during that time too since I knew the full moon always somehow appeared during that time of the month as well.

"Thanks for the advice I guess," I replied to him.

Shouting came from the hallway that Taylor had turned his back to. It sounded like it was heading our way as well into the dead end. Apparently being hidden behind the staircase wasn't a good spot to hide.

The voice sounded like a teen girl's, but more mature. All I could here from her was "Dalca," she was looking for me. She didn't sound too happy either.

Taylor turned around to look where I was, in just seconds a very tall and thin girl appeared. With her heels she was six feet tall. Her form was covered in black jeans and a hoodie though so I couldn't tell if she was skin and bone or a model-like figure. Her eyes were a dark umber with a burning glare fixed on me, her straight black hair falling slightly in her face.

"You..." She growled and stomped her way closer to me and Taylor. "You're the little bitch that attacked my little brother!" she yelled again while reaching for my throat.

Taylor threw out his arm and scratched her bare hand before shoving her against the window and pinning her there.

"C'mon, Miss Erika. Put up a fight like your father would, or are too weak to be like Mr. Dracula?" He taunted her as he slammed her against the window again to stop her struggling.

A hiss came from between her lips as she snapped her neck downward to try to bit his shoulder. He jerked it away and smacked her head on the window. Only moments later she began to whine in pain, what was happening to her?

"You give up, or are you wanting to completely burn in the sun?" Taylor spoke into her ear.

"I'd rather die not being man handled. Get off!"

Taylor let go and took a step back as the girl stood straight again. She turned to glare at me before touching her cheek that was pressed against the window, it had been sunburned. On top of that the hand that had been scratched was now blistered and burning. Vampires reacted to extreme heat I guess.

She stalked off once she reviewed the injuries she had.

"What a wimp," I said unconsciously.

"She's not a wimp. Vampires are not as strong as werewolves, they are faster though and are more intelligent." Taylor mentioned.

"So, who was that?"

"Erika Kirov, Erik's elder sister. She's not the most friendly person you will meet. She despises every race except for her own."

"So, a vampire bitch then?"

"Yeah, but I bet her parents would ground her if she did have children right now." Taylor joked.

I joined along, "They must keep her in there for a thousand years I bet."

"Yep," he snorted, "Buried deep down without any blood at all!" He laughed some more before regaining his sober appearance. "Tonight around seven o'clock?"

"Yeah, I'll let my dad know. See you, Taylor!" I waved goodbye before running off to class.

He waved back causing a warmth to grow inside of me along with flushing cheeks. Was I starting to like someone? Maybe.

I grinned to myself and entered the classroom to see it filled with students now. I took my seat and opened my notebook.

~~~

I jogged down the sidewalk with my mp3 in hand, my Sony headphones blaring Pitbull into my ears. I had to condition myself, with basketball gone I had to get a new sport going. Why not cross country?

I turned a corner into the next block over, the scenery staying the same. Pale houses with white shutters, rose bushes lining front porch steps, and many trees climbing all the way to the sky. A few dogs were barking as I passed them by, a few trying to run with me only to be yanked back by their leashes. I yanked down my sweatshirt to cover up my stomach again, the brim of it kept bunching up at my waist.

Another song came on as I came to a halt outside my house. I checked my watch to see how long of a run I had done. Forty-six minutes. I also checked the tracker on my ankle to see how many miles I had gone. Two in a half, I needed to get faster, I hated being slow.

I opened the door and took off my shoes. There wasn't much time left until I had to be at Taylor's house. He said to wear something I didn't mind getting dirty because apparently werewolf hair is worse than regular dog hair on clothes. He also said to bring an extra shirt and pair of pants just in case. Apparently they might rip if your werewolf form was bigger than your human self. Hopefully I was the same size, there was no way I was changing in front of a guy.

"Have fun at Taylor's, Nic. I'll pick you up," my dad said over the television as I came back to the front door with a bag in my hand with some yoga pants and a tank top.

"Okay, by car?"

"Yeah."

"Alright, love you, dad." I said before opening the door and leaving.

"Love you, t--" I already had shut the door.

I started heading west down my road before heading down Grippler Avenue to Taylor's house. He had told me at lunch it was red with wood stained shutters. I found it quickly and ran up to the front door. I knocked and waited for someone to answer it.

A moment later the door opened and a boy younger than me stood in the doorway. He looked like Taylor but his hair seemed more blonde and his skin almost pure white.

"Taylor, your friend is here!" he called into the house.

Banging was heard on their wooden floor as I stood on the welcome mat. Taylor's head popped in from the right, a potato chip hung from his mouth.

"Hey, Nic, come on in." He invited me inside. He shoved his tiny brother out of the way to let me in.

"Thank you," I smiled to him and then bent down to greet his brother, "And you are so sweet answering the door! I bet you're really nice to your brother."

"Yeah, I am when he agrees to give me candy." He smiled making his baby cheeks even bigger.

I laughed and got back up. I pulled off my jacket and looked at Taylor on where to put it. He pointed to the closet next to the stairs. I thanked him and put it away.

"So we have a while before, do you want to do anything?" Taylor asked as he pushed his eight year old brother away.

"Not sure, depends on your games or favorite television shows."

He laughed, "Well, Cameron has hogged the tv all day watching Spongebob. I have a computer if you wanted to do something on there."

"Monopoly? The board game works well."

Taylor thought for a moment before answering, "We have the game, I just have to get it out of the closet. Go have a seat in the living room and make yourself at home." He smiled before heading off into another part of the house on the hunt for the board game.

I walked into the living room to see it was an octagon shape, the tv centered in between the red velvet walls. The windows were lined with white and the floors were a dark wood with a white rug in the center of the room. I sat down in one of the white armchairs and watched Spongebob with his little brother, Cameron.

It apparently didn't take long for Taylor to find the game. He and I started to play it, me being the dog while he was the shoe. After about thirty minutes I was in the lead, I owned the Boradwalk which wasn't good for him. He landed on it everytime.

"Ha!" I shouted, "I beat you!"

He scoffed, "That was pure luck."

"No it wasn't," I grinned in happiness.

He took a look out the window seeing it was black out, a grin spread onto his face. He looked back at me with the smile and raised an eyebrow.

"Ready to dog out?" He asked while getting up.

"Sure," I replied.

He tossed me my bag with the clothes. "Bring them just in case."

We walked outside into his backyard, hints of moonlight came onto the grass. He stepped forward into a large gap of it, he turned back to me one more time grinning before his body shifted. His light brown hair started to become more stiff as more started to appear on his skin, some came through his shirt and pants. His arms began to lengthen and the muscle began to grew, his legs also started to change shape as his hips grew just slightly. I heard the distinct sound of a tear as his chest grew, apparently his shirt only ripped in the transformation.

He looked so different, I could only recognize him with the tone of his fur and the gentle look in his eyes. The green had disappeared and amber took over as his natural eye color. He walked towards me and make a strange mumble through his mouth. Apparently something in me knew what he was saying, I walked out to the spot he was just in. I felt the prickling of the hair starting to grow, along with the shifting of my bones and muscle.

I think I was going to enjoy tonight.

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