The torture continued until lunch time. I kept throwing up and changing back and forth relentlessly. My parents did their best to stick by me. But I tried to run a couple times. I used the broken back door window to my advantage. But one of them would get to me first and then I'd change again leaving me immobilized and naked.

I lay on the floor because as a wolf I'm too big for the chesterfield, the couch. I am so lightheaded and I can barely stand up from throwing up so much. In fact, I have nothing to throw up so I just gag and spit out saliva. Dry heaving is better than wet heaving I guess. I'm completely miserable and just want to hide under my bed. Or take painkillers.

Dr. Jayal left the house shortly after my uncontrollable sobbing. I tried to sleep but the pain kept waking me up. My mom tried her best to clean up the throw up but it is smelling up the entire house. My changings are getting more farther apart, at least. Both my parents are human now and wearing grubby clothes. My dad is still shirtless not bothering to put on a shirt since it's  going to be ripped up again.

Mom wears sweatpants as well with a tank top with her messy hair still in a ponytail. I am only wearing a thick blanket because I keep changing. They said it was pointless to put clothes on me because I'll just ruin them again. I am a giant six foot tall wolf right now. My giant head rested on Dad's lap feeling exhausted. He plays with my fur on my head while watching a hockey game.

We watch it as much as Americans watch their football. Dad is obsessed with it and knows all the teams and players. Mom and I watch too and picked up a few things about it. He turned it on hoping I would calm down and feel a bit normal. Just a normal sick day. Sitting on the floor watching hockey together.

But I'm a giant wolf. And we are werewolves. We aren't fully human. We're some mutation that was created in some mysterious way. This has gone for generations in my family. There are more out there, even in Pine Rose. I close my eyes and moan wanting it all to go away.

"Are you okay?" Dad asks worriedly glancing over at me.

I manage to shrug knowing he can't understand me like this. Mom is making food in the kitchen but I've chosen to ignore it best I can. Just the thought of food makes me sick because I was throwing up. But my stomach grumbles and I am starving at the same time. I grit my teeth as my stomach aches and I feel my body changing. I am already wrapped with a blanket and completely covered. I take deep breaths slowly getting used to the pain. Dad holds me close with sympathetic eyes. I sit up feeling dizzy and lean against him. He puts his arm around me pulling me close.

"Are you okay?" he asks again, not believing me the first time. 

"Sort of," I mumble.

"I know it's hard, I went through the exact same thing," he says distantly and looks off to the left.

"Can you tell me about it?" I ask wanting to distract myself. I lean closer to him and he plays with my tangled hair.

He nods, "I was a double dominant. My father was a double as well and my mother was a single. She was already part of the pack from another family. When I was born they wanted to raise me away from the pack. I was extremely rebellious and wanted to leave the second I turned eighteen. Everyone always looked at me like they were expecting me to do something.

"They always were asking about if I was going to stay. I wanted leave this town and go to Vancouver and start another life. I was about your age, sixteen and in my 11th year in December. I went out for a rip and drove up into the mountains to get away from everyone. But then I started to change..."

"Oh no," I say with wide eyes.

He smiles chuckling softly, "I remember it very vividly. At first I thought I had the flu. I tried to get back to the car because I had gotten out to throw up. But then I changed. My parents were calling me over and over again but I couldn't answer. At first I thought I was drugged. Then I started to realize the subtle hints everyone was giving me. They all treated my father like he was their leader, the alpha."

"What'd you do?" I ask curiously.

"He howled like a nut!" Mom shouts from the kitchen. I burst out laughing, "What?" I ask very interested in this.

Dad smiles embarrassed, "I kind of panicked. I think the whole town heard me. I totaled my car from trying to run away and I broke a lot trees. I almost got everyone exposed. My parents realized after listening to my howls that it was me. They weren't a wolf at the time so they didn't understand at first. Then one of the guys ran up to my parents and turned back from his wolf form and told them it sounded like me.

"Then they sent a patrol after me. But anyone will tell you of the crazy wolf that howled for an hour straight. Anyways, I started running and kept switching back and forth. Then I fell into the lake... they had to fish me out and let me tell you it wasn't pretty," he says shaking his head.

I giggle trying to imagine my quiet and calm dad as a teenager.

"So I was stuck and I finally accepted that I would stay. Everyone wanted me to be alpha and I stepped up when my parents passed away. But your mom heard me that night," he says smiling looking at her.

"What were you doing?" I ask her curiously. She smiles leaning on the island, "I was inside doing homework, it was hot inside so I opened a window. Then I hear this chilling howl coming from outside. I actually went outside and listened for a while. I told my parents I wanted to see if it was alright. Then they said they called the park rangers to deal with it."

"By the way, the park rangers have been corrupted by werewolves. Any time one of us gets close to exposure, we just use our influence. Most of us are very popular in town. We are everywhere, it's almost like a mob," he jokes starting to laugh.

"Seriously?" I ask laughing.

"Yep, Dr. Jayal is a very respected doctor. You have me and your dad which everyone loves. Samuel's family is very popular with their twin boys and younger kid, Lukas. Samuel is actually the owner of the hotel, Snowy Dreams?"

"Ohh that place is really nice," I say nodding remembering the pool party Haven had and we used their pool.

"Yeah, we're everywhere. And we're all friends with each other in our own 'secret club' as some call it," Dad says playfully.

I smile and close my eyes huddling close to him. At least my parents understand what I'm going through. But I still feel like my life has been thrown into a blender and crushed into tiny parts then scattered into the ocean. Then I hear the phone ringing on the counter. Mom looks over and checks it, then answers, "Hi Haven," she says in a forced voice, I can tell she didn't want to talk to Haven. 

I look up hopefully and watch Mom carefully wondering what she will say.

"She's... not doing so well. She's dry heaving and still has a really high fever," Mom says into the phone. I sigh remembering I have to lie to Haven when I come back to school. How am I going to be able to go to school after this? If my changes are controlled by my emotions, what if I change at school? How am I going to keep this from Haven? She's my best friend, we've never kept secrets before.

"We called Dr. Jayal and he came over to check. She won't be coming to school for awhile," Mom says shaking her head.

Silence.

"No, if it's contagious then we can't have her around anyone. Sorry Haven."

Silence.

"I won't allow you to get sick. We think it's mono."

Silence.

"Yes I'll tell her you called. Thank you for calling."

Silence.

"Okay good-bye," Mom says and then hangs up. 

I give her a sad look, "Why didn't you let me talk to her?"

"Because you could have changed while talking to her. Our cover story is that you have mono. You need to act the part," she says kindly putting the phone down.

"But what do I tell her?" I ask trying to come up with some kind of excuse.

"That you had mono," she says obviously.

"But what happens if I go to school and I change? Everyone will be exposed! What if someone sees me!? NAKED! What-" I begin to freak but Dad cuts me off.

"Whoa whoa whoa no one is seeing you naked. I'll kill any boy who ever sees you naked," Dad says darkly and I feel his body shudder.

"But what if I lose control?!" I wail throwing my head back wanting all of this to be a dream.

They exchange looks and I get a bad feeling about this. 

"What is it?" I ask worriedly, sort of calming down.

Mom leaves the kitchen walking over to me, "Honey, school is a very dangerous place for you right now." Her voice light and sounding too calm. 

"What?" I ask with wide eyes.

"All the other werewolves your age... they don't go to your school for a reason," Dad explains slowly, "it's too risky."

"Yeah?" I ask flatly sitting up straighter.

"They all are home schooled, they are well taught at the house. They get the same education as you do. Summer has her teaching degree and taught at a school for a while before she had Ezra..." Mom says slowly putting her hands up in a surrendering motion.

"Wait, you're taking me out of school?" I ask sharply glaring at them. 

"It's the only way to keep this hidden," Dad says in a light tone giving me a look, "And constantly being around people when you're this unstable isn't safe. And being around Haven will make you want to tell her..." he trails off expecting me to just understand.

"You want to take me out of school... to be home schooled with other werewolves," I say flatly giving them a dark look. I feel a growl rising up my throat, or that's puke. 

"Yes..." Mom says slowly.

"No! I can handle it!" I spat defensively, "Don't take me out!"

"You were just freaking out about how you can't," Mom points out raising her eyebrows.

I groan loudly, "Yes but later on. Can't I go back?" I plead desperately. 

"No, this is for the best. You can still see Haven after school and hang out. And you have less homework and you can meet some kids your age who are also werewolves. There's a girl your age who just changed and she's been dying for a friend. This can be a new experience for you," Dad says trying to convince me, still using a calm tone.

"It's not the same!" I argue angrily, "I don't get to see her after school anyways because of homework! School is where we hang out most of the time anyways. I don't want new friends, I want to be with Haven!"

"It will be too dangerous. You could get upset and change in front of everyone. Do you understand what would happen?" Dad asks sternly slowly losing patience with me.

"What? What could happen? They won't test on you, you guys are human!" I shout not getting the reason for all the secrets.

"To understand it without being one is different than being one and understanding it."

"That doesn't make sense!"

"They will test on us. We are a danger to society! People who turn into giant wolves at will are dangerous! Six foot tall ones at that! The entire world will know about us! People will start trying to hunt for others forcing families to go into hiding. Some may try wiping us out because we are mutations. Don't even try arguing with me about this. If the world knows we are in grave danger," he says sharply, his eyes seem to darken with fury. I've seen this look when I get in trouble. I don't see it very often. It scares me when I do.

I reel back with a hurt expression because he yelled at me. He sighs rubbing his eyes, "Brook listen to me. This is for the best."

"Your dad is right. And look at the bright side, you can still see Haven and call her once you stop changing. You can sleep in every day, I know the boys love that. You only learn for three hours with no homework and get the rest of the day to yourself," she says sitting down next to me.

I sigh looking down at the floor, "But it's not the same," I argue weakly knowing I've lost.

"It's for the best," she says opening her arms. I sigh and fall into her arms letting her hug me. My life has been destroyed.

I lay on the ground as a wolf again bored out of my mind. Dad had left to get Samuel leaving me alone with Mom. She had taken out a brush and brushes my fur gently. I feel the bristles on my back and tug at my tangled fur. I have raven black fur that matches my hair color and I probably have the same color of eyes. I close my eyes slowly feeling better than before. It's almost one now.

The door opens and I jump scared it's someone else or if Haven decided to show up. But it's only Dad, he looks behind him and nods. He walks in with another man following behind him. I recognize him from my distant memory. He has dark brown hair with dark green eyes, he wears a brown leather jacket with jeans.

"Sam," Mom says smiling and stops brushing.

Samuel nods at her, "Hello Hazel," then looks at me with curious eyes.

"So, I guess I win the bet against Hunter," he says smirking with a playful gaze.

Mom laughs, "I guess you do!"

Dad rolls his eyes, "Hunter should have known better."

"But if he did, he wouldn't owe me $50!" Samuel points out cocking his head towards Dad. Dad laughs rolling his eyes, "Very true,"

I wince as pain spreads across my body. I feel myself shrinking down and my hands forming. Mom helps me wrap up in the blanket again and soon I'm a human. I look up at Samuel, "Hi," I croak.

"Hello there," he says kneeling down, "I'm Samuel. I'm your dad's second in command."

"So I've heard," I managing a small smile.

He smiles back, "So how are you handling everything?"

"Best as I can, eh?"

"Right, and I'm guess handling it includes breaking the door," he says looking at the shattered back door. I smile shyly giving him an innocent look. 

He laughs, "At least she was better than your change," he says looking back at Dad.

"Yeah yeah I know," he says waving him off. 

"So when is she able to come back to the house? Ruby is really excited to meet her," Samuel continues glancing at me.

"Ruby?" I ask cocking my head slightly. I stretch my sore legs out hoping to ease some of the aching pain.

"She's your age, she changed like you did," he explains. I nod and brush my smelly hair back embarrassed he has to see me like this.

"We are thinking she'll be stable enough for dinner. Tell the boys to clean up the house," Dad says sternly in a powerful voice, probably his alpha voice. My head suddenly starts spinning and I lean back against Mom for support.

"Do you need a bucket?" Mom asks worriedly.

"I'm okay," I say rubbing my eyes with my wrist, "just shock."

"Right," Samuel says nodding. He looks at Dad, "Has she... gone through it yet?" he asks in a knowing tone.

"No, not yet. We're just waiting," he replies shaking his head.

"Go through what?" I ask fearfully looking at the two men.

"Um, it's a bit of a strange situation for double dominants... since they have more of the wolf gene it tends to trigger certain... behaviors..." Mom explains sounding reluctant to tell me.

"What kind of behaviors?" I ask getting nervous. I make a face biting my lip with huge eyes.

"Well we haven't had a double dominant girl in a while... but for boys it normally meant being extremely territorial and... tended to act different around girls..." Samuel explains glancing at Dad like he's unsure if Dad wants me to know.

"What?" I ask feeling my heart kick start.

"He kinda acted like a wolf around the girls..." Samuel says relaxing seeming comfortable again and gives Dad a smug look. 

Dad blushes and looks very uncomfortable, "She doesn't need to know the details."

I've never seen Dad blush before so it must be something bad. I clear my throat, "What will happen to me?" I ask worried I may do something I'll regret later on in life.

"Well female wolves are territorial as well. They also could do the same as the boy but be a bit more... attached," Dad explains slowly looking uncomfortable and plays with his hands.

"When?" I ask fearfully feeling a knot tie in my stomach.

"It depends. For your dad it was two hours after he stopped changing. With Ezra and Kai it was while they were changing. Rylie, Ezra's dad who is also a double dominant, started before the changing. But we haven't had a double dominant girl in a long time so we don't know what will happen," Mom explains shrugging helplessly.

"Wonderful," I say shifting around uncomfortably.

"Don't worry, it only lasts for a little while. Just don't claim someone and try killing anyone who comes close," Samuel jokes easily. I laugh nervously wrapping my arms around myself under the blanket.

"Stop scaring her," Mom says frowning at him.

"I'm just playing Hazel. I don't think she'll go through it," he says softly. He stands up, "I should get back. Oliver was recruiting to play war again."

"Yeah you need to get back," Dad says nodding quickly like this is something that isn't good.

"War?" I ask giving them a weird look. How do you play war?

"A game where the boys try to attack each other using war strategies and physical strength. They were banned from playing inside the house but they can still destroy things outside," Samuel explains annoyed with the mere explanation of it.

"Sounds dangerous," I comment.

"And apparently fun," Dad says shrugging with a blank expression.

"Weird," I say and suddenly my body explodes in pain. I cry out and quickly change into a giant wolf nearly crushing everyone.

"She's beautiful Gabriel, she looks just like you," Samuel says after while studying me. I lay flat on the ground feeling so weak. I lift my head slowly as fear creeps into my mind wondering if I will go "wolf" on everyone.

"Thank you," Dad says sounding proud. He looks down at me and inhales deeply. Then he looks over at Mom, "Are you going with?"

"And leave my baby here to fend for herself? You underestimate me Alpha. I will never leave my child while she's changing and terrified of her own body," Mom answers coolly with a sharp look.

"Maybe she should be alpha," Samuel jokes chuckling softly.

"Maybe we should create the title omega," Dad wonders with a glare directed to Samuel. Mom stifles a laugh and covers her mouth cutting it off. Samuel rolls his eyes with a smirk, "You know you can't do that."

"Watch me," Dad says smugly and punches Samuel's arm playfully. Samuel winces and leans back, "Watch it double dominant, not everyone has super strength." He rubs his arm giving Dad a pointed look.

"And the alpha continues his reign," Mom says sarcastically throwing her hands up still joking around. My vision suddenly blurs and I feel something click in my head. Dizziness overtakes me but I mask it as best as I can. I suddenly have a strong urge to attack but I remind myself that they are my friends and allies. But the feeling grows.

"She's been pretty stable, do you think she can come?" Samuel asks pointing at me. 

"Let's wait until dinner, just to make sure," Dad replies nodding. Samuel nods back at him and walks out the door. Dad kisses Mom's cheek, "I'll go with him. You can watch her right? I have to make sure the house isn't destroyed."

"Yep, and if it is, let 'em have it," she says teasingly and lightly shoves his chest. He grins and winks at her, "I'm alpha, it's my job."

"Okay okay, now go away and play big boy," she says rolling her eyes. Dad laughs and walks out the door shutting it behind him. I close my eyes and feel the strange attacking feeling fade away. I will meet the pack of werewolves at dinner. How much more crazy will my life get? What will be left in the end when all the secrets have been revealed? Can I do this? Will I expose everyone on accident? I don't want to be homeschooled with werewolves, I want to go to school with normal people. 

I suddenly realize I'm not a human. I'm a werewolf, only half. Everyone else on this earth is normal, except us. I start feeling dehumanized which is ironic and very lonely. Haven is normal and I'm not. We will never be the same anymore, we were always so close. And now we're not even the same kind of human anymore. At least there isn't any vampires, thank God. I feel myself change back into a human and cuddle up inside the thick blanket.

Mom hugs me tightly, "Oh honey I know," she says, her voice full of sympathy.

"I'm not human anymore," I choke out.

"Don't think like that," she says smoothing my hair down while rubbing my back. My head rests on her shoulder and I hug her back. I lower my head and take shaky breaths, "I don't want to be like this."

"I know."

"Isn't there any way to reverse this?" I ask in a sorrowful voice.

"No I'm so sorry. But you're not alone, the pack will be there for you. Your family just grew and we will be your support system," she says in a sweet voice.

I close my eyes wishing the world away pointlessly. Destroyed and shattered, everything is gone. Gone, gone, gone, gone! I grip her arm tightly and feel tears filling my eyes again feeling so emotional and crazy. I can't let this happen. I have to at least try to keep my human life. I won't let it go so easily. Nothing will separate me from them. I am a human, at least part of me is. I am determined to keep on being human. I will shut out every ounce of werewolf as I can. It won't touch my normal life.

It's a disease that's slowly trying to take my life away. A cancer that's growing. I won't let it. I will put as much barriers up to stop it. I won't make friends and I won't stay at this "house" everyone is talking about. I am a human. In my heart I am a human. Nothing is going to change that.