The church was empty. Not a single living person was in there except for the priest in the back of the altar. It's at times like this when I am glad not everyone attends or visits the church. I sat on the last pew, kneeled, and made the sign of the cross. My mother's rosary was clutched in my hands as I prayed.

I pray a rosary for my mother every Friday. Ever since I was a little girl, she would always take me with her to the church to pray on Fridays. Back then, I just wanted her to hurry up with her prayers because I found the place boring and creepy. I also didn't want to go because we always went to mass on Sundays anyways, so why go? When I was in my teens, however, my opinion of the church changed after my mother was diagnosed with brain cancer.

I would willingly go every Friday with her to pray because I realized that it would be the only moments I had with her. She couldn't do everything that she used to do without fearing that she might die. Coming to church relieved her pain and anxiety. That was her safe haven because even home wasn't safe; it was a constant reminder of what she would leave behind.

When we went to pray as her cancer worsened, I never asked God to just cure her or heal her or make the tumor go away. Otherwise, he would have done it when she was not on the brink of death. Instead, I asked Him, begged him, to take her away silently. Please, do not make her suffer anymore. I, at the age of fourteen going on fifteen, was ready to let go.

My father wasn't.

Whenever dad was in my mother's hospital room, he would try and make her stay awake as long as possible. He thought that if she ever went to sleep, she wouldn't wake up. My mother smiled when he voiced his thoughts. "Baby, you gotta let me go sometime," was what she answered, "I am just waiting for you. I'm only holding on until you're strong enough." The three of us were quiet for what seemed to be an eternity until my father finally managed a smile and said, "It's alright baby, you can sleep." My mother laughed softly, "Thanks, cuz I'm really tired." My father and I gave her a kiss goodnight before we left to go home.

The next day, we got a phone call early in the morning from the hospital informing us that my mother passed away. Even though I was ready to let go, it still hurt to have her gone. My father cried too, but alone and silently. I do not remember how long we mourned, but we pulled ourselves together because deep inside, we knew that mom would not like us moping around. We got back to our regular routine and our bond strengthened. I never hid anything from him; he never hid anything from me. There were no secrets between us. Well, except for the whole werewolf thing.

After I finished praying the rosary, I sat on the pew and sighed. Mom, what am I going to do? I found out that dad is a werewolf, or was, and so are a few kids from the neighborhood. It has been three weeks since I found out, I've been out of school for two weeks, and I am terrified that they can read my mind. What if they find out that I know? Mom, who can I talk to? Not that you or God don't count, because you guys do, but I want to talk to someone physically and tell them what I know. Who can help me?

The sound of footsteps made me look up towards the altar. Fr. Meehl was assembling a few flowerpots by the altar while humming a tune. Priests don't judge. I got up and began to walk towards Fr. Meehl. He turned to me when I coughed and smiled. "Victoria! It's so good to see you; how have you been?"

"I've been fine Father. I have just been trying to adjust my mind that school is over and I do not have homework waiting for me at home."

He chuckled. "Ah, you are so accustomed to having all of your assignments done on time or even earlier." I laughed along with him. Once we stopped, Fr. Meehl gave me a quizzical look and asked, "Is something wrong Victoria?"

I pursed my lips and scratched my head. "Um, yeah. Not that anything is wrong with me per say, but something is going on."

He motioned for me to follow him. We went in the back of the altar and entered a room: his office. "Take a seat, dear. Tell me what's wrong."

"Father, I know something that I am not supposed to know. It has something to do with my family and some classmates from school."

"Go on."

I breathed in fresh air and continued, but with a different approach. "Father, do you believe in werewolves? Vampires? Or do you think that there is a possibility that they could exist?"

"Victoria, such things cannot exist. The Bible even tells us that they are things from the devil; never believe in anything from the devil."

"Yes Father that I understand. But, without the Bible, do you think it is possible?"

His eyes read sympathy. "The possibilities are endless in this day and age. Anything is possible," then his expression changed to confusion, "Victoria, what do you know?"

I nodded in understanding; he wanted to get to the point. "Father, politics and religion are separate, am I correct?"

"Yes."

"So, you are not a part or do not know anything about what our tribe council does, correct?"

"Yes? Victoria, what are you trying to get at? Is something trying to harm you?"

I waved off his assumptions. "No, no, Father. But I know something about our tribe council. A secret that they have kept for many, many years from us."

Fr. Meehl looked apprehensive. "What is it Victoria?"

"Father, I think that they exist."

"What exists Victoria?"

"All those myths, all of those legends. They are real Fath-" a deep cough interrupted me. Fr. Meehl and I looked quickly at his door.

Standing there with a smile on his face was Embry Call.

I felt the hairs of the back of my neck stand up. Fr. Meehl smiled and said, "Ah Embry! So good to see you!" Father got up and let him in. I took that as my cue to leave. "You know what Father, I think I will go now. My, uhm, dad needs me back home."

"Are you sure? We can continue as soon as Embry finishes his confession."

I gave him a tight smile. "It's okay, Father. I'll be fine."

"Alright dear. May God watch over you."

"Thank you, you too."

As I was walking away, I looked back at Embry and saw that his eyes were clouded with doubt at what I had just said. As if he did not believe that I would be fine. And he's right. I don't think I will be alright for the wolf pack knows that I know now. I know for a fact that Embry listened to everything we were saying. He knows that I know and will tell everyone.

Mom? What did I just do?


The popcorn tasted like cardboard and the soda I have been drinking for the past fifteen minutes wasn't even my favorite flavor. The house was dark with the exception of the living room since the light form the television brightened the place. I was at my house alone for the first time since Uncle Tunde got sick. After my run in with Embry, I called Uncle Tunde telling him that I would not be visiting tonight because I didn't feel well.

He didn't sound convinced by my alibi, but he didn't question it either.

I tried to ease my mind after my 'encounter' with Embry. Actually, it was more of a staring contest, which he of course won since I fled like my butt was on fire.

"And we're back with Michael's hits.

It's close to midnight, and something evil's lurking in the dark"

I rolled my eyes as the song, Thriller, was being played.

"Tori! Are you here?"

"Yeah! In the living room!"

He turned on all the lights in the house and asked, "Why are the lights out?"

I shrugged my shoulders, "I don't know. I wanted them off."

He cupped my face in order to look in my eyes. "Dad?" I asked, confused with his actions. He squinted his eyes and then abruptly opened them claiming that he found out what my problem was. "Papa, what are you talking about?" He sighed, mumbling under his breath why I was trying to hide something from him. "Papa, seriously, what are you talking about?"

"Why haven't you told me you were seeing someone?"

I choked on the popcorn and drank some of my soda to get rid of the weird sensation down my throat. "Who in the world told you I was dating?"

"Honey, before you deny it, I just want to let you know that I am okay with it. It's fine. In fact, I knew you were dating from the very beginning."

I didn't reply. I was in shock. Why, in all that is holy, does my father think that I am seeing someone? "I knew you were dating because you began to act strange," he continued, "I noticed this change about a month ago. However, my suspicions were confirmed today, this afternoon."

I stood up on the couch in order to look taller and make my father see that what I was about to say should be taken seriously. "Dad, I am not dating anyone. Understood?"

He shook his head. "Honey, stop trying to hide it. Embry told me everything."

I felt as if my heart had stopped.

"Daddy. I am not seeing Embry."

My father sighed, ran his fingers through his hair and said, "Honey, there's something I need to tell you. I've hidden it for far too long and you need to know the truth. You know those Quileute legends? They are real honey."

How had this happened? What is going on? However, my father continued. "I was a shape shifter. I would turn into a wolf to protect us from the cold ones. Embry and the kids he's with? They are all wolves too and it seems like Embry had imprinted on you."

This could not be happening.