Summary: Bella is a child of the moon, a true werewolf. Her coven was killed by Caius and Bella's been on the run ever since she escaped him. Now she's back in Forks, but her transitions leave her uncontrollable and unaware to all that's around her. The Cullen's are undecided as for what they should do, especially when they receive word from their cousins that they're tracking down the wolf that killed Laurent. Things take a turn for the worst when Bella gets attached to one of the Cullen's, leaving the family unable to help their cousins and causing an uprising with the Volturi.
Chapter 1
Sail it slow
Fire erupted in my veins, burning through my blood stream. The mere tingling sensation I had felt spreading through my lungs had flared into an internal forest fire, demolishing everything in its path. The pain was excruciating but I couldn't stop running. I had to push myself to stride farther, far enough into the woods so that I wouldn't hurt anyone. My running did little to distract me from the fire as every movement I made seemed to stir the burning sensation.
I screamed out in pain as I felt my bones shifting. The momentary diversion made my bare foot get tangled with a tree root and my body lurched forward. My hands shot out in front of me, gripping the tree with such strength that it's stump began to crack. My blurry, tear filled eyes were frantically searching my shaking hands. The long talons that cut through my fingertips felt like a razor blade penetrating off my nails. Another cry of agony ripped through me.
I had to keep going. I erected myself and bit down on my lip hard enough that I drew a slight trickle of blood. My legs pumped harder as I rushed through the thickening woods, trying in vain to get as far away from civilization as I possibly could. My hair began to grow, turning shades darker and curling into a disarray of long dark brown locks that made me appear animalistic. My eyes stung as I knew the chocolate brown of my iris was now turning into an eerie yellow, almost feline-like.
The forest around me began to close in and my breathing became labored. I grew dizzy with each step I took. Another piercing sensation appeared in my gums as my sharp fangs cut through the surface, allowing the blood to flow freely. More tears stung at my eyes as my head whipped up and I let lose an agonized howl of pain and terror.
Almost abruptly, I froze in place as the wind drifted towards me. Subsiding my pain momentarily, I sniffed the air and grew furious as I could detect a vampire close by. I crouched low, feeling my muscles expanding as my transformation was almost complete. A predatory growl tore through my chest as the vampire lurked through the tree lining and approached slowly. He looked curious, but then his strange orange eyes turned black and a snarl erupted from his curled lips.
He lunged for me and I pounced from the ground, relishing in the feel of my body as it fully morph mid-air. His dark eyes widened and his mouth turned from one of hunger to horror instantly. Now distracted with shock, he didn't stand a chance. I easily took the upper hand and had him pinned by his shoulders in seconds. He screeched in pain as my fangs made an incision near his throat, and then I pushed down as I tore, satisfied with the sound of shredding metal.
I took most of my will power, but eventually I changed back and fell to the ground in exhaustion. I really exerted myself too far this time, but I knew I couldn't simply leave him like this. I had to finalize the process by burning the pieces, so I wandered over to my shredded clothing and found a lighter in my jean pocket. I quickly tossed his severed limbs into the raging flames and began to burn my destroyed clothes as well. There wasn't much use to them now, anyways.
It was then that I realized what I had done and began to panic once more.
Surely this vampire had a coven? They were most likely close, too close for comfort, and I'd just killed one of their members, regardless if he was trying to kill me first. I swallowed hard and closed my eyes, sniffing the air around me and concentrating on the sounds around me. At first I only heard the sound of small animals scuffling through the leaves and a small stream trickling water, but then I heard the sound I dreaded most. Footsteps approaching rapidly.
I inhaled sharply and rushed away from the sight, leaving the burning fire as the pillars of purple smoke rose. I morphed back and ran on all fours as I could hear them reaching the fire. Luckily, I had escaped quickly enough for them to not hear me. However, I still heard an agonized scream of agony as I concentrated desperately on finding a new place to hide.
I knew I wouldn't be able to stay in Alaska after this incident.
Rushing back towards my dingy cabin in the middle of nowhere, I changed back and ran straight for my room. I curled up on the creaky little bed and willed myself to sleep as the dimly lit moon shone through the window above my head.
I awoke the next morning after a relentless night of tossing and turning. I had made up my mind and knew I'd be going back to Forks, Washington. I changed quickly and went into the kitchen, smiling when I saw I wouldn't have to change back into my wolf form and hunt for breakfast. As I cooked and let the warmth of the oven comfort me, I called the resident school in Forks and registered myself under the name of Isabella Argentum.
After emailing all my information and everything else I needed to plagiarize, I hung up and started to laugh. Of course the woman on the phone was also a Latin teacher so it was only natural that she commented on my last name meaning silver.
However, my mirth dissipated as my mind raced as to what occurred last night. I should've kept a closer eye on the date so I would've known it was going to be a full moon.
Initially I was accustomed to the warmth I felt in my lungs, so I didn't pay it much attention. But suddenly it felt like I was burning from within and I knew the transformation would occur shortly after. So I ran towards the woods, hoping with every fiber of my being that I wouldn't kill that night. Suffice to say, I never really had control over my wolf form.
Being a true child of the moon meant that my control was little to none.
It was also true that my kind didn't move in packs, however, I seemed to defy all reasoning behind that logic. My pack was the closest thing to a family I've ever had. And the Volturi killed them, right in front of me. My older brother forced me to run, begging with his last breath for me to get out alive. It was in that moment that I grew a fierce hatred for vampires. Caius Volturi being the prime fuel to my abhorrence.
The Volturi began killing off children of the moon due to our inability to remain conscious when we shift. All sense of reasoning escapes us, which is why my kind tends to remain isolated and lone. But there was something about my pack that made us strong enough to overpower our instincts, and soon it became instinctual to protect the members of our pack. We have the ability to shift whenever we please, although we can never fully morph into a wolf unless a full moon is present. As for our diet, we can also drink the blood of humans which became a complication seeing as the vampires saw this as competition. My pack and I lived off regular mortal food or occasionally hunted animals, not once killing a human...voluntarily.
As I've noted before, we have no control under a full moon. Accidents happen, and the grief we feel is forever lasting.
I was drawn from my thinking as I remembered what I was doing. I needed to pack right away if I wanted to arrive on time to attend school tomorrow. Although it seems strange for me to just arrive and then jump right into Forks High, I'm sure if anyone knew predicament then they'd understand. I'm there for one reason only and that's to remain hidden from the Volturi and whoever else wants to kill me...preferably that coven whose member I had recently slaughtered.
My black Mustang GT was packed with all that I valued enough to take with me as I set off down the small dirt drive way and drove off towards Forks. The car ride was long and uneventful, so I just drowned out the pathetic sound of my nagging thoughts with the car radio. Sail it slow by the Guards came on and I began to hum along, a slight frown creasing my forehead as I realized just how close to home this song was.
In what seemed to take days I had arrived at the Welcome to Forks sign. I drove past the town and continued the long drive until I reached a very secluded area in the forest, now rolling along a dirt road until I reached a full stop outside of a large rundown mansion. This was where my pack and I used to live. Although we traveled a lot in fear of killing innocents or being caught by the Volturi, this was the one place we liked to call home.
Looking at it now made my heart clench painfully.
I slowly cut of the engine and grabbed my bag from the backseat, jumping out of the car and hesitantly ascending the front porch steps. They creaked slightly but were surprisingly sturdy for their age. This house was, after all, built in the nineteenth century when our leader was born.
I swallowed back my fears and grabbed the doorknob, letting it slowly swing open to reveal the grand staircase and the foyer decoder in what was now vases of dead flowers and chipping walls, not to mention dust. There had to be dust covering every square inch of this place, and I sighed as I realized I'd have a lot to do before I could unpack and prepare myself for facing the mortals tomorrow. I dropped my bag on the floor and immediately got to work.
It took a few trips into town and a lot of socializing with the slow mortal boy who worked at the hardware store, but I finally made the place looked...presentable-ish. I then wander up to the main corridor and ran down the right wing until I met the last room in the back. My room.
I opened the door and felt a small smile tug at my lips at the work I had done to restore it. The walls were off-white and adorned in pictures, newspaper articles, letters, and drawings I had collected over the years. The room had a high ceiling in which my light fixture hung firmly in place, though the large floor length windows that looked out upon the dreary forest provided more than enough light for me. Aside from the small carpeting I had placed near my bed, the rest of the room was hardwood flooring that only creaked in certain places as it used to when we all lived here.
I winced.
Next to my bed on my nightstand were stacks upon stacks of books and journals. I also kept a large bookshelf near my desk, making my room look more like a library than a place for resting. My closet was decent size, enough for me to store my clothes in and my bathroom had a tub that looked out over the large pine trees. Sniffing the air, I realized with disgust that I still; reeked slightly of burning ash and vampire. I glanced back towards the bathroom and knew I'd need a long bathe before I could even consider sleeping.
As I submerged myself into the steamy water, I glanced out over the forest and saw the slight mist coming from the mountain peaks. I smile lazily. I was home once again, and although the situation was certainly different, I would try to make the best of it.
I rolled my head and winced slightly at the ache in my neck. I haven't had that rough of a transformation in a long time, and the full moon was unexpected. I turned towards the mirror and saw a normal looking human girl. I closed my eyes tightly and felt my nails protruding as my fangs grew in and my body stiffened slightly. I sighed, knowing I needed to practice this until it felt like second nature...which it should by now.
I opened my eyes again and grimaced. My eyes were feline shaped and eerily a glowing yellow, almost like a harvest moon. My hair was longer but messier, curling in every direction as if I had slept for a thousand years tossing and turning in leaves. My fangs shone against the dim light, gleaming with their razor sharp incisions. And even though I looked like a feral animal, my eyes still shone with pain and misery from the past that still haunts me.
I groaned and fully submerged my head under the tub.
The next morning I awoke with the sun, glancing around my room and realizing where exactly I was. My head pounded and I stretched my sore limbs, grimacing in pain. I really needed to ease up on myself. Throwing the sheets of me, I glanced at the clock and realized school would start in half an hour. I rushed to pack my bag, throwing a few journals and pens inside it because I had no idea what else to bring. My legs carried me towards my closet where I tossed on a pair of tight black jeans and a brown bomber jacket with combat boots. After tying the laces securely, I rushed into the bathroom to brush my teeth and sighed in frustration at the sight of my still unruly hair. Half way through brushing my teeth, I decided to just leave my hair alone. It wasn't as bad as yesterday, but the waves were a bit tedious as they always got in my face.
I swear I could shave my head and it'd all grow back to its natural length the next day.
I rummaged through the kitchen and decided to just grab an apple and eat in the car. I was going to be late on my first day of high school...ever. I've never been to high school, my parents forbid it. They were too afraid of all that could happen while I was still a maturing werewolf. I wished they had taught me more so that way I could've saved them when...
I bit on my lip hard.
Once I arrived in the parking lot I realized to my great displeasure that I was in fact late. The lot was completely emptied so I hurried to the main office to grab my schedule. As I rushed towards the door, something knocked into me and I stumbled back. I gasped and my eyes flew up towards their face.
And everything shifted.
A/N: How'd you like the first chapter? Sorry there wasn't much action, so to say, but I did need to explain a few things before I could divulge into this stories plot. To answer any of your questions you can just reply or PM me. As for the other stories I've written or was in the process of writing, I'm still waiting on a few more feedbacks to see what I'll do. Oh, and just for those who are curious: No, the children of the moon do not imprint. ;) Review and tell me how much you hate me for keeping you all waiting? Thanks!
-Victoria