Ellie and Bryn- Olwenna (19), Tessa and William (10), James and Johnathon (8), Helena (6), Mayra (5), Alexandra (3)
Maddy and Rhydian- Adrian and Cassidy (18), Louis (5)
Jana and Xander- Arianne *Ari* (13), Jasper (11), Katana (3)
Shannon and Tom- Darius and Eliya (8), Lily (11)
Gwen and Steven- Alis (7)
Meinir and Gregor- Elizabeth (4)
Sophia and Marcus (work colleagues- known about WB- a year older than J)- Jade (8)
Elizabeth and Jason (work colleagues- same age as X, also know about wolfbloods)- Charli (13), Megan (8), Ronan (4)
Aran- Melissa (13).
Eddard (1)
Chapter 1:
"What another one?" The red haired teenager yelled as she dug through her bag trying to find her cherry lip gloss.
"Yeah, another one," Jasper yelled back across the landing, muffled sounds from the X-box spilling from his room.
"Honestly!" Arianne yelled, grabbing the lip gloss and heading towards the bathroom, "Have they never heard of birth control?"
"Ari? Really?" Jasper asked, blocking his sister's way, "You can't talk about Auntie El and Uncle Bryn like that. It's their choice as to how many babies they want. You have to respect that."
"And is it my choice as to how many snotty nosed brats I have to have following me around at every family gathering?" Arianne complained, "No, of course not. It's just a case of 'Oh, Arianne, you won't mind looking after this one, and that one, and this other one, and that other one whilst I go to the bathroom, will you?' and before you know it I've spent the whole night playing peek-a-boo and jenga. How is that fair? I am a teenager now, I want to be treated like one."
Jasper smiled, "With great power comes great responsibility."
Arianne rolled her eyes, "My brother just has to be a trekky, Jesus!"
"It's Star Wars," Jasper corrected, "And I'd go easy on the lip-gloss, remember it was a present from Gran, you shouldn't waste it."
"There's nothing wrong with the amount of makeup I wear," Arianne replied defiantly, "Besides you inherited Dad's genes- black hair and bluey-green eyes and all of that. I inherited mad curls and freckles. I have to do more to look good than other girls."
"No, you don't," Jasper replied, trying to grab the lip gloss from his sister's hand unsuccessfully, "You're always beautiful."
Arianne smiled, "Thanks, bro. Can you tell Mom I'll be back at 10.30, just heading out with the girls- there's going be a massive end of summer party at Melissa's, and well you know Uncle Aran, he lets his daughter get away with anything so it should be awesome!"
"Mom said your curfew was 8.30 on weekdays," Jasper protested.
"It's Uncle Aran's place, it's not like it's a frat-run house party," Arianne said with a shrug before hugging her brother, "It'll be cool. Just try not to get baby vom on you ok?"
"Sure, sis, sure," Jasper said, "See you after Mom and Dad have grounded you forever."
Arianne rolled her eyes, "Just tell Mom I'm asleep, works every time."
Arianne grabbed her bag, from the hallway table, "Oh, and don't forget to feed Monty. It's supposed to be my chore but the b-tard bit me last time. I swear he hates me now. Don't know why I gave a ton of catnip last week."
Jasper shrugged, "Maybe he confused you with Mom."
Arianne shrugged, "It's probably just some weird cat thing. Anyway, mustn't kept the girls waiting! Love ya!"
"Love you too, Ari," Jasper replied as she slammed the front door closed.
BREAK_BREAK_BREAK_BREAK
Melissa typed quickly, her manicured nails making clicking sounds as the touched the screen of her brand new phone. Her hair still smelt of fresh henna and was currently trying to decide what to wear, although she knew she'd probably change her mind once Arianne and Charli arrived.
Of course whatever she wore would be awesome, her father never stopped her from buying designer clothes, jewellery, handbags etc. She had whatever she wanted, whenever she wanted, which Melissa knew probably wasn't a good thing. But her father was deputy of accounting at the Segolia offices in Las Vegas and they paid very very well.
Of course, if it weren't for her father's health condition they would probably live in a beautiful apartment in the city, but instead they lived pretty much in the Mojave Desert. At least her cousins lived close by. It was a good thing her Auntie Jana was sensitive to smog too.
Melissa sent her text message before placing her phone down on its pink phone bed. She still had no idea what to wear. She looked over at her white elaborately carved wooden vanity table which was covered in different types of makeup (she'd been allowed to wear it when she was eleven and felt sorry for Arianne who's Mom was so strict about things like that).
She smiled as she saw her wavy dark brown hair and piercing light blue eyes and her tan skin. Jake would be all hers tonight, unless he went after Arianne or Charli of course but they would be quick to send him in the right direction. Charli wasn't allowed to date until she was in high school and as for Arianne, the poor girl didn't get much attention from guys other than Adrian of course and he was her cousin.
Arianne was obsessed with Adrian, which Melissa found creepy. She knew they weren't really cousins, it was an informal adoption thing but still they seemed to close, or rather Arianne seemed to close to him.
Melissa considered setting up a blind date for Jake and Arianne but shook her head at the idea. Jake had told Charli that he preferred brunettes.
The doorbell rang and Teddy, her Maltese puppy, barked loudly.
"Hey, Uncle Aran!" she heard Arianne say, "Hey, Teddy! Who's a cute little boy, huh?"
"Yeah, Mom and Dad and Jazz are fine but Kat's driving me insane," Arianne began, "Of course she had to be a kid genius just like Jasper! I swear I'm drowning in nurdiness sometimes. I'm glad you let us have so many sleepovers, Uncle Aran, you're the best uncle in the world. But don't Uncle Rhydian or Uncle Tom I said that. Anyway, I better go help Melissa."
Melissa waited as Arianne ran up the stairs and into her room.
"Are you taking drugs or something, Ari?" Melissa asked, shaking her head, "I've never known anyone to run as fast as you do, except Uncle Rhydian perhaps."
"I have a fry up most mornings," Arianne replied, "Well, grill-up, actually. Mom says I have to watch my protein, for some reason, keeps on going on and on about especially recently. I wish I could eat salads and low-fat but Mom controls everything, it's so infuriating. You are so lucky!"
Melissa smiled sympathetically, "Well Dad got us some falafel, reduced fat humus and pittas from that little organic place down the road. So consider tonight a detox night, actually… come to think of it, it won't be now."
Arianne frowned in confusion before becoming very excited, "Shut up! Shut up! How on earth?"
Melissa shrugged, "I don't know. I asked Dad for some alcopops and Bulmer's and he got them when he went to the store."
Arianne laughed, "Uncle Aran is so not at all like my Dad. He'd go ape if he found out."
"Well he won't," Melissa replied, "We'll be sober by morning and they'll think we spent all night playing with dance mats and X-box and eating little cupcakes and cookies."
Arianne laughed, "Our parents are completely clueless."
"But its better that Dad is clueless," Melissa argued, "Otherwise life wouldn't be so much fun."
The doorbell rang again and Teddy yapped loudly.
"That'll be Charli," Melissa replied, "I hope she bought the face masks, my pores look awful."
BREAK_BREAK_BREAK_BREAK
"Jasper, come help me with the shopping please," Jana called out as she passed Katana a cookie from one of the brown bags.
"Thank you, Mommy," Katana replied, her dark brown curls bouncing, "Yummy, it's triple chocolate. My favourite, I love you Mommy and I love Daddy, Jasper and Arianne too of course."
Jana smiled, ruffling her daughter's hair, wondering how on earth she ended up with two daughters who were such polar opposites and hoping Katana would always be this polite and innocent.
"Hi, Mom," Jasper said, before grabbing a carrier bag and emptying the contents into the fridge, "Arianne said she wasn't feeling great so she's asleep. I don't know if she'll be wanting dinner, I'll ask her when she wakes up."
Jana kissed her son's forehead, "Thank you for always helping me and for always looking out for your sisters."
"It's nothing," Jasper reassured her, "Dad said he's nearly sorted out the garage, by the way, he said he found our old paddling pool hidden behind a load of cobwebs. It might be good for the baby."
"Are we getting a new cousin?" Katana asked, "I thought the storks might be too tired now. There are so many of us. I thought they would just say enough is enough and stop working. I feel sorry for them. What do storks eat, Mommy? Is it the same thing Rudolph eats? Rudolph always seems to like the carrots and Santa really really likes mince pies and that specially drink I'm not allowed to touch. We should get them something to eat."
"They'll be ok, Kat," Jasper reassured his five-year-old sister.
"I hope so," Kat replied, "I really really want to meet my new cousin."
BREAK_BREAK_BREAK_BREAK
"Just take a paracetamol," Charli suggested as Arianne groaned. Her head was pounding and her teeth were aching, her arms and legs throbbed to- it was like the flu but without the coughing and sneezing and nausea. She still felt awful though.
Arianne took the small box from Charli before taking one of the paracetamol tablets and hoping it would work.
"Of all the possible nights," Arianne complained.
"Cheer up, Ari," Melissa said, pulling at her navy halter top worn over her tight black cropped jeans, "It's our first unsupervised no adults allowed party and it's going to be awesome."
BREAK_BREAK_BREAK_BREAK
"What's his name?" Katana said, resting her head on the counter and looking curiously at the small baby who was dozing in his carry chair. The baby was a little over a year old and already had thick strawberry blonde hair.
"Eddard," Jasper answered, "I thought he would be bigger."
"I thought he would be pudgier," Katana replied, "I was a really fat little baby."
"Don't say that," Jasper said.
"It's true," Katana said.
"Do you think he will stay here forever?" Katana asked, "Mommy and Daddy said they were going to look after him."
"Mom said he was a member of the family," Jasper replied, "But that could mean anything. He could just be the son of a friend of Mom and Dad's and they've got tones of friends."
"He kinda looks like Uncle Pedr," Katana pondered with a sigh, "I dunno. It's a mystery. Jazz, where's Ari?"
"She's asleep," Jasper answered.
Katana gave him a disbelieving look, "Really?"
Jasper rolled his eyes, "Ok, ok. She's going to a party at Uncle Aran's."
"Why can't we go?" Katana protested, "Or is it one of those teenage girl parties?"
Jasper chuckled, "Yeah, they'll just be eating lettuce and watching rom-coms. There'll be no chocolate in sight, you'd hate it."
"Too right," Katana agreed, "I'd much rather stay in and eat cookies and watch back to back Pokemon. How's about we do that tonight?"
Jasper smiled, "Ok, once I've finished my science homework."
"Cool," Katana said, with a smile.
BREAK_BREAK_BREAK_BREAK
Arianne knew something was really wrong after her fourth pint of Bulmer's. The pain was worse than before and her head felt like it was about to explode. She ran outside thinking that fresh air might help and immediately hurled.
She felt shaky and one edge and wished she had never gone to the party. It wouldn't have been that bad, being baby sat by Auntie Shannon, even if she did make them go to bed too early.
She had been getting the pains for the past week but had thought it was just some weird migraine allergy thingy and had been taking painkillers which seemed to mostly help. She knew deep down that there was something going on, and it panicked her, but she didn't want to admit to anyone she was scared. In her heart she knew it could be something to do with her mother's side of the family and that fact that her mother was only part human but she remembered asking Dr Whitewood a few years ago and she'd sworn that Arianne, Jasper and Katana were too human to…
I can't be transforming, Arianne thought to herself, I just can't. I'm too human. I'm too young as well. And what about Melissa? She still doesn't know anything about my family, Aran only adopted her a few months ago, she thinks we have some kind of strange blood disorder…
"Arianne?" Melissa asked as she saw her friend crouched over a fern tree, trembling, "Are you ok?"
"You need to call Auntie Shannon," Arianne replied, "Tell her I'm not well."
"It's probably just the alcohol," Melissa replied, "I'll get you some mineral water. You just need to sober up a bit."
"Mel, it isn't," Arianne said in as serious a voice as she could muster, "I've been feeling rubbish all week. I didn't want to tell my parents because they would've stopped me coming to the party. I'm sorry, Mel. I just need to go home."
"Nonsense," Melissa said, "You just need to enjoy yourself. You've probably been stressed out with plans for school and being around your Mom and sister all summer. You'll be ok in a minute. It's freezing- I'll go and get your hoodie."
Arianne took a deep shuddering breath, she had no idea where Charli was, but Charli would understand, everything felt hopeless.
"Here," Melissa said, passing her cousin her purple hoodie and a bottle of water, "Don't be too long ok."
Arianne smiled in thanks, before quickly grabbing her phone out of her pocket and dialling a number she had dialled a billion times in her life.
"Ari? Where on earth are you? It's nine, shouldn't you be at home?" Adrian asked.
"Adrian, I really need your help, I don't know what to do," Arianne sobbed.
"Where are you?" Adrian asked.
"Melissa's house," Arianne answered, "Aran left around five. Melissa's throwing a party with all of our friends from school. I'm scared, Adrian. I think I'm transforming."
"You're barely thirteen, you can't be," Adrian replied in disbelief, "Look, the moon doesn't rise for another half an hour. I can't get to you that quickly. You need to call your Dad and tell him what's going on."
"Him and Mum both went to the desert tonight," Arianne replied, "I'm scared, Adrian."
"I know, I know," Adrian said sympathetically, "Look there's a park near Melissa's house isn't there? It's going to incredibly risky but head there. Stay near the well-lit part and wait for about half an hour or so. If your veins start turning black then that's the first sign and you need to run as fast as possible and hide, do you understand? You can't be seen. I'll text Auntie Shannon to tell her where you are, ok. Tell Melissa, you've called your Aunt and you're going home. And promise me one thing?"
"Yeah, I promise, anything," Arianne mumbled blinking away tears.
"Don't break curfew again, please," Adrian begged, "I did once and I ended up transforming on the side of a motorway because I thought I knew best. Your parents aren't trying to buzz-kill, they're just trying to keep you safe- safe from people who would hurt us because of our secret and also safe from the usual creeps. You need to listen to them, especially in the next few weeks. I promise I'll visit after college tomorrow."
"Okay, thanks, love you," Arianne replied.
"Love you too, munchkin," Adrian answered, "Yes, Mom, I'm coming. It was important, Mom, unavoidable. Yes, yes, give me a minute. Shut up, Cass! Look, I have to go, see you tomorrow."
"See you," Arianne replied as her cousin hung up.
"Arianne, guess who just kissed me?" Melissa asked in excitement.
"Jake," Arianne replied in a flat tone.
Melissa grin exuberantly, "OMG!"
"Look, I asked my aunt to pick me up," Arianne replied, "I'll see you tomorrow, ok. I just need to go home."
Melissa crossed her arms in anger, "You're going to tell on us, aren't you? Well, I won't let you."
"Mel, I need to go," Arianne replied, defiantly.
Melissa grabbed at one of Arianne's arms, "Not until you tell me why you snitched on us."
"I didn't snitch on anyone!" Arianne yelled, "Please, it's really important. Please."
"Really?" Melissa asked, "More important than… Oh my god, what is wrong with your hand? Your veins are all black. You weren't lying when you said you were sick. I'll call an ambulance."
"Mel, no," Arianne said, grabbing at her friend's hand, "There's something you ought to know. My family, we aren't haemophiliacs. Neither is Aran."
"What?" Melissa asked, "What has this got to do with anything?"
"We're wolfbloods," Arianne replied, "Like werewolves."
"Oh, God, the paracetamol and alcohol," Melissa said, "It's making you confused. I need to call an ambulance."
"No, I'm telling the truth, you see it don't you?" Arianne begged, "Since when was this haemophilia, huh?"
"Your eyes," Melissa said in shock, covering her mouth with a hand.
"They're yellow, aren't they?" Arianne replied, before running towards the shrubs at the back of the garden, "You need to send everyone home. They can't see me, please."
"No, I'm not ruining everything," Melissa replied defiantly.
"You are," Arianne replied angrily, "Aran will send you back to the home and you'll never see us again."
"He wouldn't," Melissa replied.
"He wouldn't have a choice," Arianne answered, feeling her teeth grow sharper and nails extend into claws. "Melissa, look at the moon if you don't believe me, look?"
"Werewolves," Melissa said, barely above a whisper, before running into the house, "Guys, my aunt's going to be here in five minutes! You need to leave now!"
There was a chorus of groans.
"Yes, now," Melissa replied, before running back into the garden a few minutes later, "Ari, tell me if it's safe to come any closer."
"I'm not going to eat you if that's what you mean," Arianne replied, "Are they all gone?"
Melissa nodded, "Yeah, except…"
"Good, it's only a matter of seconds before.." Arianne felt herself transform and her heart rate increase exponentially, she let out a whine and realised she was now a wolf.
"Oh my god! What on earth is that, Melissa?" she heard a boy's voice say in terror.
"Jake, I can explain…" Melissa said, "Arianne, it will be ok."
"That thing is Arianne," Jake replied, "I always knew she was a weirdo, but…"
Arianne growled, and then grew terrified as the boy pulled out his phone and took a picture before Melissa could stop him.
"Jake, please," Melissa begged, "Don't tell anyone, please."
"Freaks," Jake said before walking out of the back gate.
Arianne felt unsteady and untogether, blackness drifted over her eyes, a blackness darker than the sky, and the world vanished.
BREAK_BREAK_BREAK_BREAK
Arianne woke up groggily, her head pounding. She recognised her surroundings immediately and felt both scared and happy.
"Drink this," Adrian replied, handing her a mug of some kind of tea, "Certified wolfblood hangover cure, trust me, I would know."
Arianne smiled, before taking a sip,"What happened?"
"You passed out," Adrian replied, "Shannon couldn't find you at the park so she went to Melissa's place. Melissa told her everything, including about that Jake kid. She brought you over here this morning because she knew Gran and Gramps would be arriving in the morning, and what Gran doesn't know about wolfblood healing really isn't worth knowing."
"How much trouble am I in?" Arianne asked nervously.
Adrian sighed, "About as much trouble as I was in when I convinced Cass that her boyfriend was cheating on her with some bleach blonde from school back in tenth grade and the whole school found out what I said and Mom and Dad grounded me for a fortnight without TV or chocolate."
Arianne sighed, before letting out a sob.
"Hey, it'll be ok, I survived," Adrian replied, "And much Mom is much scarier than your Mom, as hard as that it to believe. Trust me even my Dad is scared of her."
Arianne giggled, "Where is everyone?"
"Cass is at college," Adrian began, "I'm cutting college, Mom is at work, Dad's at home with Gran and Gramps. Your Mom will be here in a few minutes and your Dad's dropping off your bro and sis at their gym classes before taking the little one to day care. He said he'd pop over before heading to work. And Professor Shannon had to go to work of course."
Arianne smiled.
"Uh forgot to mention," Adrian said pulling out a mangled piece of plastic and metal from his coat pocket, "You trod on your phone, I think."
"Mom's going to kill me," Arianne said, "That was new."
"Look, she won't be mad about that," Adrian reassured his cousin, "It happens all the time."
Arianne frowned.
"I'm being serious," Adrian answered, "Though Mom made me pay after phone eight."
Arianne laughed.
"I'll go get you some food," Adrian replied, "If Gramps has left you any. Cass left a change of clothes for you in the bathroom, they're probably miles to long…"
"Tell her thanks," Arianne replied, "And thank you for looking after me."
"It's ok, cuz," Adrian reassured her, "And you can tell Cass thanks tonight- hog roast night, remember?"
Arianne smiled, "I'm getting tired of meat."
"You'll be ravenous, trust me," Adrian replied, "The week after first transformation can be a bit insane. But try not to be too hard on your parents. They're just looking out for you."
Arianne heard the door open downstairs.
"Good luck," Adrian replied.
BREAK_BREAK_BREAK_BREAK
"Mum, I'm sorry," Arianne began, "I know I should have listened to and done what you told me."
Jana looked at her daughter and felt all of her anger melt away, she hugged her tightly, feeling glad her daughter was safe.
"You're grounded for a week," Jana began, "And your father and I have been discussing about Jake. He is the only one who saw anything apart from Melissa. The situation is bad but not dreadful. Your father and I… we were discussing this prior to what happened… I know it will look bad but it will save you a lot of grief. We want all of you kids to grow up together, somewhere safe."
"You're sending us away?" Arianne asked.
Jana nodded sadly, "To boarding school in Portland. Where your grandmother and uncle live."
"What?" Arianne asked, "Why? It's surely not so we can all just play happy family's or because of Jake, is it? Something else has to be going on. You've dealt with this stuff before, why is it any different now?"
"Arianne!" Jana yelled, "That's enough! You will be going and that's final!"
"If I'd stayed in," Arianne began, "Would that have made a difference?"
Jana shook her head, "I'm sorry, this was decided long before last night."