Wolfblood: Beginnings

Chapter 1 – The beginning

Maddy

The violins kept playing during the noise so I didn't hear it at first. But with my ultrasound hearing I heard it the second time and immediately turned off the movie. Slipping on my shoes, I crept outside into the darkness and continued to stroll through my garden.

My path was illuminated by the full moon above me which is when I saw the tossed over bin. I walked towards it and heard another noise. Ever so quietly, I turned around the corner and saw a large wolf. It's yellow eyes bore into my dark brown ones. Suddenly it started growling and I had to think fast. Someone could get hurt.

And of course the best that I could think of was "Get back inside." At first it seemed to work and the wolf looked almost taken aback but then it returned to growling at me so I challenged it.

I lowered my body, bared my teeth and started blocking off its exits. Why is he doing this? We circled around and around growing closer to each other. In the middle of the dark night I heard my steady heart beat and dived towards the grey wolf. Eventually, he dropped into a hole in the ground that led to their den and I threw a shoe at them for good measure.

They can be such children sometimes – yet they don't trust me, just because I haven't turned yet.

Every full moon, I would wait for the feeling. A feeling of completion, belonging, bliss, freedom and wildness but it never came. Instead I had to be babysitter for the two cubs! Which of course I don't really mind but I'm 15 now and I want to explore the world around me. I can feel something…a definite pull…but to what I have no idea.

As I tidy the remaining mess from the bins, I stare up at the luminous full moon. The sky was cloudless tonight and was happy for it as it provided me with a sense of purpose. Because I am a wolfblood.

Maddy

The forest felt alive today, more so than ever. It was as if it was waiting for something, the place was literally buzzing. There were so many birds and bugs flying around and the sun was playing a quick game of 'hide and seek' between the tall trees.

I took longer to get to school but it made me happier. The woods felt like home, it was home. Even though I was a tame, I could always feel a deep inner longing to be free and become part of nature. This kept me calm as I awaited the coming day…the first day back at school.

As expected, Jimmy came up with the usual criticism of the early morning – how I look. "What are you wearing? You look like a right idiot." Him and his mates laugh loudly.

"Yeah well I can take these off but you, you're stuck with that face." I don't wait around to listen to the 'oohs' and 'burns' that Liam whispers.

It had not been 30 seconds I dare say and already I was engulfed in a giant embrace from Shannon. "Shan, why're you hugging me?" I asked confused yet smiling. "I saw ya yesterday."

"I know but I just missed you know, might have something to do with the fact that you're my best friend?"

"Whatever, let's get this day over and done with so you, me an' Tom can go to Bernie's."

"I don't get it." Shannon laughed. "I am so excited to be back. Do you think Mr Haughton minded that I didn't do extra work? I mean I love English undoubtedly but I just couldn't find the time in the holidays…you know, with all the beast hunting."

Out of the corner of my eye, I see Shannon look down. She seemed to be upset and could guess why but as a good friend I ask anyway.

"What's the matter Shan?"

"It's just…6 years Mads and nothing. Absolutely nothing. My parents tried persuading me to give up this year again but I can't."

She looks at me now, desperate and pleading and I bring my eyes to hers. I know how much this means to her. I wish I could say something…anything. But I can't. Not only would I be risking my life but my parents and ultimately other wolfbloods also. I hate it! I am living a lie. I can't tell my own friends who I really am. Never.

"But what if it's this year, Maddy?" She whispers.

"Maybe." I sigh. "Maybe this will be the year the truth is uncovered for you."

I smile slowly and grab her hand as I pull her into the school building just as the bell goes. "Oh yeah Mads, I almost forgot to say nice shoes." She chuckles and I just roll my eyes. So another year at Stoneybridge has officially began. Yay…

Maddy

After being told that we needed new members for the photography club ( I mean seriously the incredible hulk), I smelt something weird. Now, usually in school, the scents just kind of merged together as they were all the same. Perfume, sweat and chocolate – must be because basically the whole year goes to Bernie's. but this scent was different. Familiar.

It was the smell of earth, thick fur jackets and mint. I ran down the corridor chasing the scent but I lost it on the stairs and the bell went and we were late – again.

As I wandered into class, I saw a figure next to Mr Jeffries and I caught a whiff of the familiar scent. It was him. The new guy. What did sir say his name was again? Rhydian, I think. And not from Wales.

A nice name but definitely not one I had heard before. As my mind was elsewhere, I blurted out "You smell like my parents." And of course, the entire class scoffed at my remark. They wouldn't understand. They are blind to the truth.

But it was this Morris boy who caught my attention – and not in that way. Well, maybe a little.

It was the cold glare he gave me and he trudged into his seat. A piercing stare that tried to get under my skin. And I did not like it one little bit.

"Hey Shan, what d'ya think of 'im?"

"Oh I dunno Maddie, alright I guess. Blonde and a bit too broad shouldered for my liking but nevertheless, I can undoubtedly see why the K's are infatuated with him."

"No. I meant like…never mind"

After registration, I followed him out and tried to confront him – which was kinda dangerous in a public area.

"What are ya doin' here?"
"What?" He looks dazed and almost angry I'd say. "I'm looking for the…"

"NO. Here, on our territory. Don't you know the rules. You can't stay here, if Mam and Dad knew, or got a sniff of you-"

"I don't even know you." He shouted.

"Exactly."

"I don't care who's territory this is anyway, I'm not staying here, in this dump!"

Gosh, was he annoying.

"No smelly girl can tell me whether to stay or go."

Rhydian

At first, I thought she might be just a weirdo. But no she is a full on in-your-face lunatic…lunatic…moon…wait. Impossible.

I sat alone at lunch as I couldn't be bothered to make friends and why should I? No one knew anything, or needed to know, so that's the way it would stay. Distant yet safe.

Then some random guy came up to me and asked if I liked football. I mean really, is that all humans think about? I told him no but he didn't leave and didn't wanna fight.

"I mean really because it's a good way to make friends."

"I said no, alright?"

I heard him stutter something about not teaching manners in Wales which I just shook my head to and continued sketching. Suddenly I was interrupted again but this time by the three K's. They were rambling about some competition or whatever but I wasn't paying attention to them until that weird girl made a huffing sound as if something someone has said was obviously hilarious but pitiful. Yet her friends weren't talking.

She was weird. She was Maddy Smith.

Maddy

We were still stuck for members of the photography club and Tom was trying to come up with names which wasn't useful, to which he replied "Don't be so negative. Get it?" Then Shannon came up with the great idea of using the Badger Club and brought us outside of the dark room where I saw Rhydian throw a leek at Jimmy. What the hell was going on here?

The two boys glared at each other…as if it were a fight between two alphas. Unfortunately, my nightmares shattered into reality and Rhydian jumped on top of Jimmy, pinning him down and growling at him. In this second, I saw it.

His hands. The black veins through which a wolfblood flowed. Another wolfblood in Stoneybridge. I grabbed him and dragged him into the dark room to try and calm him down. Little did I know, I wouldn't really succeed.

Rhydian

I couldn't control it now, because the power was too strong. I fell over a bunch of stuff which just heightened my frustration and quickened the change. As I felt my eyes change to a bright yellow I muttered "I'm so sorry."

It happened quickly, and painlessly, like last time. It was just like taking of a tight coat that was too hot. The girl, Maddy, seemed afraid but tried not to show it. I, on the other hand, ran about the room showing my fright by destroying their stuff. Typical, my first day and already I'm gonna have to leave.

I scampered around the room searching for a door to escape from and that was my only plan. I was still moving and shaking and whining when Maddy carefully dropped to all fours and bowed her head. This was quite strange. And at that moment she raised her bright yellow eyes to my own and suddenly I knew.

This brought me back and I could not believe it. I so wanted to believe it. Finally, a Wolfblood like me. Half wolf, halm human. Lost and alone, in a world that could never understand me, us. And she tried to deny it and say that we were different.

Her friends Shannon and Tom burst in that moment taking in the turned over room and panting people – who knew what they thought it looked like?

"Let him go. He doesn't belong here." Maddy said and I had to turn back as I brushed past Tom because I needed to tell her that she was wrong, but I didn't. I ran in the direction of my heart which sounded crazy but I knew that if went across the school then I would reach wild woodlands.

Maddy

We waited in Bernie's for the remaining Year 7's to arrive for Badger Club and I overheard a conversation between Kara and Bernie who said that Rhydian was in foster care. Oh my god! All those awful things I said to him earlier about leaving and not fitting in. I must sound like the worst person in the world to him right now when what he really needs is something like me. I had to see him now so I ran into the woods and followed his scent to a long hill where I saw him trekking alone.

"Ryhdian. You need my help. Someone could get hurt, probably you. Listen, wait!" I shouted after him but he ran off ahead incredibly quickly. Well, he may be a wolfblood but he's still new to the area. I sprinted along a short cut in the woods and soon met up with him again.

He sighed and began saying "Chase me, whatever, but what I have and what I turn into is better. You think like them no matter what you say and you can't take it away from me." Rhydian jumped over the fence and I had no choice did I? of course I ran straight after him.

And whoa did we run. Faster and faster. Until the trees became just a blend of brown and white and green, a colourful wind brushing past us as we travelled through the woods. Suddenly, out of nowhere he disappeared until I heard a faint whistle above me and I saw Rhydian standing in a tall tree, grinning down with a handsome smile.

Then it just became play. As I would get closer, I could sometimes reach for his hair or stroke his jacket but he always managed to stay ahead. "Show off!" I cried at him and he returned this with a giant howl of laughter. And right then I grabbed him and we both fell down a small hill…right in front of the badger club. Embarrassing didn't even cover it!

"Sorry we're late everyone. Seen any badgers yet?" I asked.

"No and you two have scared off every living creatures for the nearest 10 miles."

That usually would have made me laugh if it wasn't for the dirty looks from Tom and Shan.

"Rhydian is more important than the photography club because we're…related. Distant cousins. I treated him badly but now…well you don't have to be friends but he's part of my life now." I pleaded and hoped that they agreed (partially?).

"Welcome to Stoneybridge mate, and you really don't like football?" Tom asked again.

"You might wanna stay here and warm up cuz it's a long walk to Wales."

"I'm not even Wel-ah." Rhydian smiled and seemed content with that moment. I tried not to want to laugh or hold his hand.

Rhydian

After having hot chocolate at Bernie's and letting the three K's save their photography club, I heard Maddy start to walk with me and we walked into the woods with one another. Talking about my name, and my life in foster care, and most importantly being a wolfblood.

"Well I haven't actually started transforming yet." Maddy said.

"So I know more about this stuff than you do?"

"Yeah you're the expert." She replied sarcastically.

"You can transform at the full moon, or when you are scared or angry but learn to control it and we can avoid the situations with Jimmy and so on. It's wolfblood not werewolf. We're not monsters. You're born with it. You are part of nature."

I gaze around at my surroundings and am surrounded by the tranquillity and beauty of this place and I find myself drawn to it.

"So what if I decided to stay for a bit?" I inquire "No promises." I quickly add.

"You'd have a pack at last. A family, security, someone to talk to and be with."

At that part I stepped onto a rock in the river that Maddy was on and we ended up grabbing onto one another for support on the slippery surface. I watched her brown eyes fly across mine. We stand close for a while longer, breathing in each other's scent, close to the others heartbeat. My arms grab hers and slowly we walk off the small river and retreat to the comfort of the tall trees where we run again like the wolves we really are.