“Dude, get up! Get up, get up, get up, GET UP!” Penny yelled. I groaned looking over at the tv. A man struggled to stand up as a monster raced towards him. I glared at the tv and snuggled into the pillow again. ‘There’s no way she’s going to let me go back to sleep.’ I stretched and sat up.

“I hate you, loud ass.” Penny jumped and glanced over. 

“Oh, hey, you woke up. Finally.” I frowned and stared at her. ‘This woman is asking to be beat. Whatever.’ 

“I’m going for a run.” I changed clothes and left the house. I decided against taking Owen because of what happened yesterday. I picked up the pace from a walk to a run as I heard church bells in the distance. The familiar truck sat on the street and I glared at it as I passed. I ran around the town and came back to the house to see the truck in the same spot. ‘Stopped following me, huh?’ I panted walking inside. I got a glass of water ass Shannon walked into the kitchen. 

“Hey. Went on run already?” I nodded as I panted with a smile. “Nice job, girly. Okay, since it is almost one and everyone is nagging me, I’m making some lunch. How’s Mac and Cheese sound? No one ever complains about that one.” She joked making a face at me. I chuckled, nodding. I watched her put a pot of water on the stove and turn to me. “So, how are things?” ‘There’s that phrase again.’ 

“It’s fine.” I took a drink as she stared me down. 

“Okay.” She whispered, her green eyes sad. “What about school and college? Any plans?

I shifted nervously for some reason. “Uh, yeah, everything’s good. Everything’s a B or above.” I cleared my throat. “College, I don’t know. I wanna go, I’m just not sure which to apply to.” 

Shannon hummed. “Crimson is good, Jorsen Place is good and they have a cheaper tuition.” I nodded. I had heard these suggestions before but still couldn’t decide if I wanted to leave the state or just this town. 

“I’m gonna go shower.” She nodded as I ducked from the room. I grabbed some pajamas from Penny and locked myself in the bathroom. I looked at myself in the mirror. My black hair was in a messy ponytail and my eyes the same vivid blue that my mom had. I pressed my lips together and swallowed the tears I felt forming. ‘Mom went to Jorsen Place.’ I turned the water on and looked in the mirror again. My teeth felt gross because I forgot my toothbrush and my skin felt clammy. ‘I didn’t sweat as much as I usually do. I’m barely sweating.’ I shook my head and got into the shower. I washed my body and face before getting out and getting dressed. 

I walked back to Penny’s room and saw Shannon lecturing Penny about homework and grades. ‘Shit, was that my fault?’ Shannon sighed loudly as Penny ignored her and took the clothes from my hands and left. ‘She didn’t have to wash them.’

“I hate when she does that; like I’m not trying my hardest.” Penny scratched her head and messed with her hair. She sighed shooting a zombie. After a few minutes, she sat up suddenly. “Oh, on the desk is a folder. It’s got your homework from this week.” I followed her directions to see a yellow folder. 

“The yellow one?” Penny nodded. I grabbed it and a pencil before sitting at the white desk. I did a page but Jared yelled that lunch was ready and we raced into the kitchen, grabbing a pre-filled bowl of cheesy goodness. We took it back to her room and continued as we were. I finished a few questions and rewarded myself with a bite. I finished a few pages and pouted as the bowl was empty. I moved it to the side and looked up as Penny turned on some music. I rolled my shoulders and stretched my legs as I felt stiff and restless. ‘I need to move.’ 

“I’m probably gonna go home.” I said, standing up. Penny said ‘Okay.’ without looking up. I went to find Shannon to get my clothes back and found her pulling them out of the dryer. “Hey, I’m gonna go home.” 

“Oh, Okay! Your clothes just got done, so they’ll be nice and toasty for that cold weather. I took the clothes and changed in the bathroom before grabbing my backpack. I said bye to everyone and Owey hugged me tightly. I hugged him back and kissed his head and left their house. I walked home, when the truck didn’t start I glanced back. The toyota remained off until I turned the corner and it rumbled to life. ‘Does he really think I don’t know that he’s following me? Please, this isn’t the city.’ I walked home and unlocked the door. I tossed my backpack on the couch and went upstairs to change clothes. I grabbed my school backpack and walked back downstairs. 

I opened the curtains to see the truck across the street again. I raised an eyebrow. ‘I doubt he’ll do anything. How long has he been following me? Since Thursday, and it’s the thirteenth. It’s been three days and he hasn’t done anything.’  I set up my homework and textbooks to study on the kitchen island. ‘He could do something. If he wanted.’ I pulled out a bag of pretzels and set next to me along with a glass of water and a gatorade. I studied until the room got dark. I got up and cooked a dinner that was pale in comparison to Shannon’s steak. I ate quietly as I finished my last page of homework.

‘Oh, shoot. I forgot to stop by the library. Guess I’ll stop by before school.’ I locked the door and walked upstairs, crawling into bed and going to sleep.

I locked the front door as I left the house. Birds were singing and the green toyota revved to life. I flipped it off as I got into my truck and drove to school.  I walked into first period and waited for the bell. I pulled out my homework and turned it in as the bell rang. I waited for Miss Krissly to start the class. Penny slipped in the door just after the bell and smiled sheepishly at Miss Krissly. Miss Krissly introduced us to a book and said we had to read it by December 6th and write an essay for it by the time we go to Christmas break. I rolled my eyes, ‘I can do that easy.’ 

I looked over at Penny whose face was pale white. I chuckled as she looked at me with wide eyes. ‘What the fuck?’ she mouthed. I shrugged with a smirk. The teacher passed out the books and we started reading for the class period. I stuck my tongue out at Penny as she groaned. After the bell rang, I waved at her and went to my math class where I took more notes than should be allowed in school. 

Soon, the lunch bell rang and I walked to the cafeteria, standing in the line migrating toward the food. ‘What do I want today? Something I can bite into.’ I grabbed a burger and fries, sneaking a cookie. I paid for my food and grabbed a bottle of water. I saw Marcus sitting at a table talking to a girl and walked toward him. As I got closer, the girl walked off. I sat down and gave him a look.

“What?” He hunched over and ate a fry. “Okay, she rejected me cause I’m on the football team.”

“Which is stupid cause half the school is on the football team.” Penny laughed sitting down next to him. 

“I know. What bullshit.” I handed him my cookie and a fake pout. He glared at me and took it anyway. 

“Did you guys hear about the new girl?” Penny said opening her chocolate milk. I popped a fry in my mouth and shook my head. 

“Is she hot?” Marcus said, looking around the crowded room. 

“Yeah, insanely hot. All the guys are interested. She was in science with me. Her name’s Asterin. Apparently her family just moved to the outside of town.” 

“Wait, Asterin? Like Astrid?” I said, picking up my burger. 

Penny shrugged, “I guess. She didn’t talk much.” I hummed and the conversation took a turn to homework and grades. I finished off my burger during the conversation and reached for a fry when my eyes caught sight of something. A beautiful girl was walking up to our table, her eyes an emerald green and her straight brown hair a shade of red. She was wearing a band t-shirt and skinny jeans with converse, her arms covered in black ink. ‘Damn.’ 

She stopped at our table and Marcus stared at her as she smiled. “Hi.” Asterin said, her smile wide. 

I waved awkwardly. “Hey. What’s up?” 

“Can I sit?” I nodded and scooted over for her to sit. As soon as she sat, Penny stuck out her hand to shake. 

“I’m Penelope, we had last period together.” 

“Oh, yeah! That’s so cool. I wonder if we have any other classes together. My name’s Asterin.”

“I hope so. I’m Marcus Bishop.” He smirked with a wink and Astrin giggled, pushing her hair behind her ear. ‘You’ve got to be kidding.’ 

“So, where you’re from, Asterin?” I asked, eating my last fry. She shrugged with a shy smile.

“Here and there, we never stayed anywhere long. Hopefully, it’s different this time.” 

“Oh, uh, I’m Cat. I forgot to introduce myself, sorry.” I said, waving awkwardly again. Asterin laughed, saying it was okay. We continued talking until the bell rang and we went different ways. 

After school, I walked to the parking lot and heard someone calling me. I turned to see Asterin walking up to me. “Hey! Marcus said something about a study sess?” ‘That bastard.’ 

“Yeah, do you have a car?” 

“No, my parents said I have to get a job first.” She laughed rolling her eyes. 

“Okay, I can give you a ride since there’s only three of us today.“ I walked to my truck and we both got in. I checked my social media as we waited for the others.

‘You can call me Terri, by the way. A little easier than Asterin.” Terri laughed running her fingers through her hair as Penny emerged from the sea of students, followed by Marcus. ‘She’s too bubbly.’ Marcus jumped in the bed without question and Penny got in the cab. Penny and Terri talked as we drove to the park and got set up. 

“I’ll be back guys.” I lifted the library books and started walking to the library. I walked in and the bell chimed. I set the books on the counter and left. ‘I don’t want to leave them alone, for some reason.’ I walked back toward them and saw the guy from the Toyota talking with Penny and Marcus. Tingles shot up my arms and across my back. Terri wasn’t with them anymore. A low growl escaped my clenched teeth and the guy looked up with a smirk. 

Penny looked over at me and smiled. “Hey! Look, it’s Thane.” ‘Why does she say it like I know him?’ 

Thane smiled at me, “You know, from last summer?” ’What a liar.’

“Oh, yeah. What’s up? It’s been a while. I think your hair’s gotten longer.” He laughed, laugh lines appearing.

“Probably. Cat, can I talk to you?” I nodded and followed his to his truck. The tingling still lingered as he turned to me. “I know you know I’ve been following you; you’ve made that obvious. I’m not gonna hurt you or your little friends. I couldn’t give two fucks about them.” His voice was different now, deeper and harsher. ‘Earlier was definitely an act.’ Thane it a cigarette and inhaled before speaking again. “I was told to keep track of you and your progress. Well, to see if there was any process to track and turns out, there was. Congrats.” I started at him confused. ‘Da fuq?’ 

He ran his hand through his long dark hair. “Anyway, your new buddy, Asterin, watch out for her.” I was instantly on guard. “I’m sure you’ve felt it, but she’s a vampire. Don’t trust her for a second. Okay, scurry to your little friends now. “ He opened the door to his truck and got in. ‘A vampire?’ “Oh, and don’t let her know you know, or else she’ll kill you and your little friends.” He smiled sarcastically, “Night.” Thane slammed the door closed and I slowly turned and walked back to my friends. ’Terri is a vampire…?’ I thought back to the woods and goosebumps erupted under my sweater, I rubbed my arms.

‘How would he know? Does he know her?’ I sat down and grabbed my textbook to pretend to read. “What’d he want?” Marcus said, dropping a hot cheeto into his mouth. Penny nudged him with her foot. 

“Oh, he wanted my phone number. He knew I lived in Greenburg and wanted to get in touch but he didn’t have my number.” ‘Was that believable?’ Penny nodded as Terri came back with a few bags. “Hey, where’d you go?”

Terri knelt down, dropping the bags on the blanket, and smiled. “I went and got some food.” ‘She doesn’t have fangs.’ She started passing out take-out boxes and handed one to me. I opened it to find a cheeseburger with fries and ranch. “Penny told me what you’d want.” I nodded and ate quietly as Penny put on music and talked with Terri about music.

 ‘How can I find out if she’s a vampire?’ I thought back to that night; fangs, speed, quiet steps, cold, handsome, glowing eyes. ‘I could make her mad or hungry, see if her eyes glow.’ ‘She’s beautiful and pale, but that doesn’t mean anything.’ My eyes looked up at her. ‘I wonder if she’s cold…?’ Her food was sitting in front of her and she was looking at Penny’s phone. I leaned down and laid on her lap. Terri jumped and looked down at me. “Sorry, I’m just tired. I didn’t sleep well last night.” 
“Oh, it’s okay. My friends back home used to do this all the time.” Terri giggled, looking back at the phone. I closed my eyes and felt cold tingle against my cheek through the ripped jeans. =I shivered and lifted my head. “You okay?” Terri looked worried, her eyebrows scrunched. 

“Yeah, I think I’m gonna call it quits.” I rubbed my face and sagged my shoulders. 

“Okay, we can walk home. Terri, can you call someone or we can get you a ride?” Penny started closing her books and looked straight at Terri. Terri nodded, pulling out her phone. I grabbed my stuff and walked back to my truck. As, I climbed in Terri appeared at my window. 

“Hey, you forgot your food.” She smiled wide, her teeth drawing my attention. ‘They’re not sharp, but they’re extremely white.’ I took the box and set it on the seat next to me. 

“Thanks. I hope you like it in Greenburg.” I turned on the truck and started to back out of the parking spot.

“Oh, I already am, mutt.” A dark giggle left her throat and I swallowed. I didn’t look at her and drove home. ‘She was at least ten feet away, how did I hear her whisper?’ = I noticed the Toyota parked in it’s usual spot on Maydale. For some reason, Thane being outside my house was comforting. I parked in the driveway and grabbed all my stuff, walking up to the front door and unlocked it, looking straight at the Toyota. 

I left the door open and set everything on the couch, leaning against the back of it. Thane’s truck sat right across from me, through the doorway and across the street. I beaconed him inside and waited until his door opened. I closed the curtains I had left open last night and watched as Thane closed the front door behind him. I stared at him for a moment,’Should I be letting my stalker into my house?’ 

“You know, it’s dangerous to leave the door open.” He taunted me, leaning against the island. 

“It’s Greenburg, the only thing to worry about is a loose dog.” I glared at him. His nonchalant behavior made my blood boil. Tingles shot across my skin. 

He chuckled, pulling his hair over his shoulder. “The irony is sweet.” He shifted his feet. “No need to get all pissy. I’m, believe it or not, here to help. You need to let that anger go, or the town will have a very big loose dog on it’s hands.”

I growled as the tingles intensified. “What the fuck are you talking about!? Stop talking in riddles.” Thane sighed, rolling his head. 

“Angry lately? Tingles, vibrations, a need to move?” I swallowed as I felt attacked. He stepped closer. “A new, strong urge for meat, as rare as you can get.” That weren’t questions anymore; they were statements. My head felt light as I wobbled on my feet. “You’re hardly ever cold; jackets aren’t needed anymore. “Weird smells or sounds, weird looks from people.” He stood right in front of me, I gulped staring at his white t-shirt. His head looming above mine. The room felt darker and my palms sweaty. “How I know?” His fingers touched my chin, pulling it up. His dark eyes searched my face until he smiled, his lips pulling back to show his teeth, each tooth sharp to a point and his eyes darkened from brown to a deep black. “Cause I’m like you.”

I gasped, the tingling was gone but my heart continued to pump fast. ‘I..I can't move. What is he? Wha...What am I?’ My breathing grew faster until I was almost panting. He dropped his hand and his teeth shortened and dulled into normal human teeth. Thane walked to the fridge and started looking through it. He started cooking something and my stomach growled. 

“What..” He hummed, glancing over his shoulder. “What are you?” ‘I’m not like him.’ 

He gave me a look, “You mean we?” ‘I’m not like you.’ “We are werewolves.” ‘No, they’re not real.’ “Like, actually. Now, it depends on the lore you’ve been exposed to, but we...uh..” He paused to look through a cabinet. “Where’s your steak sauce?” 

“Don’t have any.” I whispered. He tisked, slamming the cabinet. 

“That’s gotta change. Anyway, most wolves are in packs and have an Alpha. You’ve probably heard those words before but Alpha is basically the leader.” He turned around and pointed at me, “Don’t fuck with them; they’re usually douche bags. Take it from me.” Thane pulled out two plates and slapped a steak on one of them. I started to drool as blood oozed from it. He moved it to the island, “That’s yours.” I walked toward the island and stared down at the luscious meat. 

“Watch your anger.” My eyes snapped up to him. “If you get too angry, that tingling will become a fire and you won’t be you anymore. Remember that movie series, Twilight? Course you do. They weren’t far-fetched as we would like to think. You’ll turn into a wolf; teeth, fur, paws, tail, everything.” My mind was blank until a wolf flashed into my head. 

“The wolf from that night.” I whispered. Thane sighed, flipping the steak.

“That dumbass was August. He was supposed to distract Arkyn until the other arrived but there was a little smudge in the plans.” He pointed at me.

“I wasn’t supposed to be there.” 

“Yup, you and your snacks.” I looked up at him, ‘How did he know about the snacks?’ “They were delicious, by the way. Now, Catrina Malone, are you ready for this?” Questioning him seemed stupid at this point. ‘It wouldn’t make sense anyway.’  I nodded, digging into the steak. 

Thane sat on the other side of the island with his steak. “I tried to cook it as little as possible.”

“Won’t we get sick?” I mumbled. He chuckled, bowing his head. 

“That’s cute. We’re animals, Cat. Get used to raw meat.” He took a large bite of his steak, not even using the silverware. Blood dripped down his chin and he wiped it away with his hand. “There’s going to be a new kid at school. He’s a wolf, just like us. He’ll protect you. I’d do it but I’m a little too old for high school. I think I know who it is but no one talks to me so.” He shrugged. ‘Like us?’ I took a few bites=. ‘This can’t be real, but at the same time I’ve seen things that prove it is real. I just don’t want to believe it.’

“Cat.” Thane’s soft voice made me lookup at him. “I don’t know what you’re going through. I was born a wolf, I only know what your feeling because I was a late bloomer. By the age of four, a wolf pup turns into a human for the first time. I didn’t change until I was seven. I was nipped at, outcast, and attacked for it, but I can relate to the feelings of the change.” His voice dropped as he looked at me. “There is something that’s weird about yours. I wasn’t going to say anything, so you didn’t freak out, but I don’t think it’s right to keep it from you. Your eyes glow when you get mad.” My eyes widened. ‘No way.’

“They do. I was surprised when you confronted me the other day but then your eyes glowed. I don’t know why but that’s one reason you need to keep your anger in check.” ‘They glow?’ I pushed the plate away and laid my face on the countertop, wrapping my arms around my head. ‘Like the vampire in the woods, his eyes glowed purple.’

“They glow purple? Like that vampire.” I mumbled into my arms. 

“Arkyn? His eyes are purple, fucking freak, that’s probably why they glow purple. Your eyes are blue, so they glow blue.” I heard him hum. “Maybe, that has something to do with the fact that you were bitten by him.”

“No, shit. I thought my eyes glowed all the time.” I snapped, standing up and walking to the couch. 

“Alright, bitchy. I’m putting your steak in the fridge.” I heard him moving but didn’t look. The pile of stuff next to me seemed to get bigger the longer I sat next to it. I sighed, getting up and putting the stuff away. As I came back downstairs, Thane was walking toward the door. 

“Where are you going?” He froze and ran his hand through his hair. 

“I figured I’d leave you to think.” 

“You can do that without living in your truck. You can sleep on the couch, the bathroom’s over there.” I pointed to the other side of the couch and he nodded.

“Are you sure?” I folded my arms across my chest. 
“You’re supposed to keep me safe and under control, right? You’d do it better here.” I grabbed a bottle of water and my steak before walking upstairs. “Night.” I closed my bedroom door and sat on the bed. I grabbed a book and started to read while finishing my steak. ‘I’m a werewolf. A werewolf… What does that even mean? Will I look like wolfman or Jacob? Thane said I’d be like Jacob and I saw that wolf in the woods.’ My phone vibrated and quacked. I opened it to see a message from my dad. 

‘Go to sleep. School is important. Eat dinner. -Douglas Malone.’

 I rolled my eyes and tossed the phone on the bed behind me. ‘He acts like I haven’t been doing this for a year.’ I sighed and closed the book that had just been sitting on my lap. ‘I can’t focus.’ I moved my empty plate and the book to the desk and changed into my pajamas. I laid in bed, looking up at the ceiling. ‘Dad… What will he say? Can I tell him? Would he even notice I was different?’ I rolled on my side, sighing. ‘What about Penny and Marcus and Margo? What do I say? Thane said something about Alpha’s, will even allow me to say anything to them? Will they make me leave Greenburg?’ I bit my lip and covered my face with a pillow. ‘I don’t know anything.’