Chapter 3.
Brittany's POV.
Lima, Ohio. It's the middle of nowhere. Most people would not even want to ever visit and here I am looking forward to living there. When my father told me we were moving at first I was scared but not because I didn't want to leave my friends and start over. Truth is I don't really have friends, I don't even want them. I was scared for other reasons completely.
I grew up in Cleveland which is about three hours away from Lima. I've lived here my entire life but can't wait to leave. This place has done nothing but keep me locked away and unhappy. There's no freedom here. No place you can really go during the day and be alone.
When my father first came to me and told me we were moving I was a bit nervous. We could be going somewhere like New York and that meant even less freedom than I already had. I was going nuts trapped in my own skin as was and I couldn't keep living like this. Every day I was fighting with myself, trying control my true self and keep it inside.
I have a secret, I huge life changing secret. If anyone found out about it my entire life could be ruined. I may even be killed for it.
I'm a werewolf.
I don't know how or why it happened but it just did. It's not a bad thing so don't think I dislike it. I love being a wolf. I would love it more if I wasn't so stuck all the time but that's the way like had to be while I was still in Cleveland. The chances of getting caught here are huge and I can't risk that. Anyone finding out is not something I want happening. Not even my family; well my father doesn't know and I don't think he ever will.
It was my sixteenth birthday when it happened. I was home alone like always when the pain started. My skin felt like it was on fire. Nothing has ever hurt so badly in my life. I couldn't even scream that's how bad it hurt. I could feel my bones breaking and hear my cloths ripping. I was sure I was going to die. I don't even know how long I laid on my floor while my body changed.
Once it had finally stopped hurting I was so tired that I passed out and when I woke up my body wasn't my own anymore. I had paws and a damn tail. Scared doesn't even began to cover how I felt. Everything looked different and smelled different. I even felt stronger, really strong like I could break anything easily. I rushed to my bedroom but couldn't get the door open because I had no hands obviously so I knocked it down, right off the hinges just by pushing into it.
Once in my room I slowly approached my full length mirror. I almost fainted again because of what I saw; a huge wolf. I knew something was off when I was no longer walking on two legs.
I remember staring at the mirror for hours that night as if my reflection would change. Of course it didn't work. I just kept watching the huge white wolf praying it wasn't me. Everything about me had changed except my eye color which I still think is pretty odd considering everything else. I think looking into my own eyes broke me from the trance I was under. It showed me that the animal I was watching really was me.
That was when the questions started pouring in my mind and my shock turned into terror. I kept thinking how and why me? I started to get scared thinking I was stuck like that and what my father was going to do when he found a freaking wolf instead of his daughter. Would he think I killed myself, well the wolf killed me? It was then I came up with the idea that maybe I was dreaming.
I remember hearing once that if you get hurt in a dream you always wake up before you die so being the complete genius I am I broke my mirror and then took the biggest shard I could find in my mouth; positioned it on top of my desk so that all I had to do was run into it. My plan seemed full proof up until I ran into the glass that was. It hurt like hell and I wasn't waking up. I knew for sure than I wasn't dreaming and not only that but I was pretty hurt.
My father wasn't going to be home for a while so I was alone in this. For the second time that night I thought I was going to die. Some sweet sixteen right? Frist I went through so much pain turning into a wild animal and then I stab myself in the chest thinking it would help. I laid there on my side waiting to die for the second time that night.
Another bight idea came to my mind than. I tried to twist my head so I could grab the shard with my teeth but it was in too deep so I couldn't reach. I tried to claw it out but that only resulted in it going in deeper. I recall wishing I had my hand back so I could remove it. I kept wishing for my hand and then my front leg went all tingly.
I lifted my leg up and found my own hand was back. As if things couldn't had gotten weirder. Quickly I grabbed the glass and pulled as hard as I could until the it came swiftly out. It stung so much. My wound was bleeding like crazy everywhere until I started to get all tingly again. I was in shock when it started to heal right away. It was fast and almost painless. Within a minute I was completely healed.
Come later I learned from health class that removing a knife or anything like that would only make you die faster; it makes you bleed out or something. I'm really not good with school so I forgot the rest. I guess it was a good thing I'm like superhuman now.
It was the early hours of the morning and I was still a three legged wolf with one human arm when my father finally got home. He was really drunk again and being reckless turning on music and throwing things around. I got so mad, I wanted to hurt him but didn't at the same time. I still think the wolf has a mind of its own because I went downstairs and planned on showing him who was boss.
Once he saw me he started screaming right away. I scared him and he ran to get a knife. He was going to kill me. Well at least try to kill me. Before he could even make it to the kitchen I pounced on him and I wanted nothing more than to hurt him; to kill my own father. Till this day I don't know how I stopped myself. It may have been because he passed out from fear; even peed himself.
I was shacking trying to control myself. I started wishing to be normal again; hoping that the rest of my body would come back just like my arm did. I kept picturing myself, my human self just like I had with my hand. It took sometime but it finally worked; my entire body started feeling all fuzzy and the next thing I knew I was laying on my bedroom floor completely naked.
That was how I learned to switch back and forth when I wanted. I also learned how to control the wolf from coming out whenever it wanted, which was always. The wolf is me but at the same time it isn't. We don't think the same way. Like sometimes I'll be watching television and a cute bunny will come on the screen, at first I'll think about how cute it is and then I'll start to think about how good it would feel to catch it. That's when I know the wolf is thinking for me again.
This one time I was waiting in line at school for lunch and one of the girls that always use to pick on me pushed into me to get ahead. Normally I would just get a little annoyed and shrug it off but other self wasn't having it. I took the bully by her neck; threw her to the floor and started laying punches on her face. It took at least five people to get me off her but I had already hurt her pretty bad. She had to go to the hospital.
After that day people started to leave me alone more and I was happy because I didn't want to hurt anyone else. I never want to hurt anyone even if they are mean to me. Turns out I broke the girls' nose, dislocated her jaw, and she lost two teeth. It could have been a lot worse; I could have killed her easily.
After my birthday my father deemed the "rabid dog", a liquor induced dream and hasn't drank ever since. He didn't even bother me about the damage to my room. He's still been distant thought. My dad has been that way ever since my mother passed, that's when he started drinking in the first place. He stopped paying attention to me and started working more and staying out later just to be away from me. I think he blames me for some reason but I don't know why; it's not like I can cause cancer.
I love my mom and there's not a day that goes by that I don't miss her. When she was around everything was perfect. We were a family and my dad still loved me. She would help me with my homework and made sure I always understood what we were learning. Once she passed away everything went downhill with my grades. Life has never been the same since. I use to cry everyday but then the tears came less but the pain remained the same.
I wish she was here; I know I could show her who I really am. She'd understand; she always understood.
After the first time I changed I knew I'd never be the same again. I felt the wolf inside me and tried to fight it as much as possible but sometimes I had to let it free or else I was scared it would take me over completely. I started sneaking out late at night; not that my father would care anyway. I would go to the local park. The area wasn't so small, there were plenty of places I could run and hide, and I spent most nights doing just that.
Once I saw a neighborhood cat, he was a little over weight but he still fast. I chased him around for a while but never getting close enough to hurting him. I think he knew I was just playing with him because he kept coming back. Every time I went the same fat cat would be there waiting and he'd let me chase him all night.
When I found out we were moving I went to the park that night but didn't go wolf as I like to call it, I just went as Brittany. I had to get my little runner. I took him home with me and begged my dad to take him with us and to my surprise he let me. I named the cat Lord Tubbington. The only friend I've ever had besides my mom.
Now I'm packing which goes faster because of how fast I really am. I'm like superman sometimes. I can move so fast and lift such heavy things. When my father wasn't looking I lifted my dresser and ran it down to the truck. The faster we get out of here the better. I can't wait to run in those woods. Maybe there will be rabbits I can chase that way I can leave Lord Tubbington alone for a while even though he can use the exercise. He's gained a bit more weight since I got him.
"Britt, do you think you can help me move your dresser? It shouldn't be that heavy it we both do it." My dad says walking into my room.
Ops I didn't think of that, great now I have to think of something.
"Lord Tubbington already did it." I rushed out and my dad finally looks up at me.
He looks around my room and his eyebrows skyrocket to his forehead. Now he's looking at me weird again. Great I said a cat helped me move huge dresser. Sometimes I get my words mixed up and say things I don't mean. He knows that, I hope.
"I meant Tommy from across the street helped me do it while you were out, he said it was no problem." I explained secretly hoping Tommy didn't show up.
"Oh okay Tom was here before, well that's good I guess. Do you need help with anything else?" He asked.
I look around my room and it's pretty much empty besides a few small things and I could easily get them myself but since he asked I think I'll humor him. Sometimes he can be a nice guy, reminds me of how he used to be when I was little. He would take me for ice-cream after playing ball all day. He was my daddy back then and I was his little short stop.
"Sure dad if you could carry this suitcase down it'd really help. It's a little too heavy for me." I lie through my teeth and easily hand him the light suitcase which he struggles with.
Once the rest of the house is packed away in the truck we're off. I fidget in my seat the entire way. I can't wait to see my new school and what it's like. I can't wait to discover all the hiding places there are. When I was looking up Lima I spotted a small river within the woods. I so excited to be there; to be in a place where I can finally be free. Maybe I'll even make some real friends there.
"I can't believe you're this excited, most girls your age would be dreading moving." My father breaks the silence.
"I'm not most girls Daddy, I never really liked my old school and the kids there weren't very nice." I explained and hope he drop it which of course he did.
In about another two hours we will be at our new home and my dad will be off to his new office. He hired a moving company to help us move into the house. From what he told me the place is way bigger than our last. I hope he's not lying. I also saw that Lima has a nice little dance studio. I'll have to look into that when we get there. I decide to take a nap to make the time fly by faster.
I wake up a car door slamming. He couldn't even properly wake me up to tell me we're here? One step forward, two steps back I guess. I quickly whip the drool of my face and unbuckle my seatbelt then jump out the truck.
"Wow' I breathe out.
My father really didn't lie, this place is huge. My last house had two floors but was still small. This place has to be at least twice the size. I smell chlorine so there has to be a pool also. I look around and spot my dad opening the shacking some guys hand as the guy hands him keys. My dad then turns to me and waves for me to follow. I do as he asks.
Once in the house I lose my breath. It's beautiful. The job my dad took must be pay really well for us to be living like this. I ran up the stairs and find the second biggest room knowing full well my father wants the largest to himself. The colors are perfect. The walls are blue and the hinges, door and window frames are white. It's so me.
"Okay Britt the movers are going to be here soon, I have to go into the office and get set up. I trust your judgment but just don't mess the place up." My father says from my doorway and before I can even answer him he's already gone.
I could have done the house by myself without even breaking a sweat but it's not exactly normal for a teenage girl to be carrying dressers and televisions around by herself. I guess I'll explore a little before the movers get here. First things first; the pool. Making my way through the large kitchen I find a glass door the backyard. It's pretty big and the pool is a good size also.
Something catches my ear. There's someone coming.
"Hello? Mr. Pierce? Movers are here!" Someone yells from the front of the house and with full speed I make my way to the front door before the bell could be rung. My ears are too sensitive and the bell would only hurt them.
Swinging the door open I see a tall dangly looking kid. He can't be much older than me. Standing behind him is a bored looking guy who has to also be around the same age. God these guys smell like really bad, do they shower? The taller one is looking me up and down. Oh he's checking me out. Gross. He's smiling at me now, no better yet he's smirking at me.
I don't understand boys at all. Why do they have to always make you feel like a piece of meat? I can literally feel this kid undressing me with his eyes and it's creeping me out. It's not that he's a bad looking guy either but I've never really been interested in dating. No one ever really made me feel anything. I've never even kissed anyone before. A first kiss should be special and I haven't found anyone I want to share that with. I know I'm sixteen but still. I'm sure this guy is going to end up hitting on me or something.
"You smell." I say and mean it. That wasn't a slip of the lip either.
They both look a bit taken back by my bluntness and that's understandable. The taller one blushes slightly and the heavier one sniffs under his arm. God why are guys so gross?
"Um, we both just got out of football practice. I was going to head home and shower but then my uncle called and asked me to do this favor for him. By the way I'm Finn and this is Dave." He sticks out his hand and I really don't want to touch him so I just give him a small smile.
"I'm Brittany. Brittany Pierce."
"Nice to meet you, we'll just get started then." He says and takes off his shirt leaving him in a ginny tee. He really tries too hard.
"Cool the truck is right there, you can just bring the stuff in and leave it on the bottom floor, my father wants to move everything where it belongs." I explain and he crocks his eyebrow at me.
"He wants to move everything by himself." Dave says. He kind of looks like a grizzly bear now that I think of it.
"He's very picky." I further explain nodding my head. I really just want them out. I hate the way this Finn guy is trying to eye sex me.
"Dave, you start and I'll catch up." Finn says to the other boy and he's huffs and walks toward the truck shaking his head.
"So Britt tell me about yourself." He says and walks into my house. This kid is something else.
"My name is Brittany, and there's not much to tell. I'm sixteen, a junior." I shrug. He doesn't need to know me. I don't want him to even know my name.
"That's cool, I'm a junior too, maybe I could show you around sometime since you're new and all." He says in a flirty voice and it makes my skin crawl.
"No thanks I'm fine." I say expressionless.
"Come on Britt, I'm kind of a big deal at school and I could show you around and introduce you to all the right people." He pushes and moves my way with a nasty smirk on his face.
"Brittany, and I'm fine thanks." I push past him and he tries to grab my arm.
I grab his hand before he gets the chance to touch me and twist it behind his back. He actually squeaks.
"Don't ever touch me." I growl into his ear and he nods dumbly. I push him away from me and he trips over his own feet.
He starts rubbing his arm and walks away with his head down muttering something about girls and steroids.
After the minor problem Finn finally gets to work and they move everything into my house pretty fast. I tip Dave the money my father left because he actually did a good job and was respectful unlike his dumb friend.
Once I'm alone. I set to work putting everything in its rightful place as fast as I could. Within a half hour the house is all set; much faster than anyone else would have done it. The problem with being super-fast is that I have nothing to do now. I guess I can explore a bit. I'm about to grab my sweater when I hear it. My dad's keys in the door. He's home early.
"Britt I brought food, come help with the bags." He calls through the house and I make my way to him.
"Hey, I thought you'd be out for a while with the new job and all."
"They only needed me to check in; wow the guys finished this place fast. I thought they would still be here. Oh well, it looks good at least." He observes and I simply shrug.
I help with all the bags and put the groceries in their place. Looks like I'll have to wait for him to be sleeping to go out.
The hours tick away and my father's finally asleep when I slip out the back door. Hopping my fence is easy. I take off running as fast as I could through the small town letting my nose lead the way. I smell animal and my interests are peaked but that's not the only thing I smell. There's something really sweet in the air but very faint.
On my rush to the woods I hear a scream. I stop dead in my tracks. Someone's in trouble. I can feel it. This is creepy. I stay where I am. I feel so many things at once; fear, anger, love, hunger. This has never happened to me. Why do I feel this? I've never felt another's feelings before but I know these are not my own.
The screams end and I hear howls. Inhuman howls much like my own. There are wolfs here? Wait what? There are more like me? No that's not possible. What am I saying of course it's possible, I'm here aren't I? I should check just in case though. I take a couple of steps forward when my phone starts to ring. Crap. I pull it out to see my father is calling.
"Where the hell are you Brittany? Do you have any idea what time it is?" He screams into the phone.
"I'm in the backyard star gazing." I lied and covered the phone. I started running full speed back to my house knowing full well I need to beat him which I did. He was opening the screen door when I jumped over the fence and landed on my back looking at the sky with my phone to my ear.
"You couldn't have done this earlier? And why are you out of breathe?" He asks.
"I wanted to wait till it was really dark and the stars are breathe taking aren't they? Do you want to watch them with me daddy?" I give him my best puppy dog eyes.
"No just go to bed you have school in the morning." He walks away without saying anything else.
I consider going back to the sounds and smell from before but decide against it. I'll go tomorrow. I wonder what was out there though. Why was there screaming and what were the animals howling? Could there really be more like me and if they are what if they're bad? I know I can protect myself, I'm strong and my power shows even if I don't want it too. Like when my father yells at me my teeth grow and I have to cover my mouth to hide it.
I take a quick shower and head to bed. So many thoughts are running through my mind about the sounds, smells, feelings, and how school is going to be tomorrow morning. It takes a while to force myself to sleep but when I do I have the strangest dream.
I'm running through the woods as my white wolf chasing what looks to be a rabbit when I smell that faint sweet smell again. I follow the smell as it gets stronger till it leads me to a bush. I peak over and looking straight back at me are gold eyes that belong to the most beautiful black wolf.
The wolf jumps over the bush and starts circling me. My heart feels like it's going to jump out my chest from beating so hard. I don't know how but I know the wolf is a girl. So many feelings are rushing through me but the once that catches me off guard is that I feel complete; like I found my missing puzzle piece.
She suddenly stops her circling and without looking back she takes off running. She started running away from me and it hurt for some reason. I started feeling empty so I followed her trying to feel complete again. She was fast, faster than me. I couldn't catch her. I searched frantically for her and nothing. I lift my nose in the air to try and smell her again and I do but I also smell iron. Blood.
I heard a growl and turned around to come face to face with a red wolf. The animal had my black wolf under it taking bites out of her. It was killing my wolf. I lunged and before I could reach it I woke up.
"No!" I screamed into the morning air.
Breathing heavy I ran my fingers though my hair trying to calm myself. I've never had a dream that intense it was so real. I glance at my clock and see it's time to get up anyway.
I have a strange feeling about today, like something big is going to happen.
Unbeknownst to her across town there was also a raven haired beauty waking up from an eerily similar dream where she couldn't save her white wolf. Her mate.
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