Changing back into my human self wasn't quite so bad as one might have thought. Actually, it reminded me of something in a fairytale: all you had to do was picture your human self- really remember what it was like to look and be that form- and pop! you were back to normal.
Slightly embarrassed, I hid behind the shed while my mother ran to get some clothes for me. I wasn't really all that modest, but I wasn't one to prance around in the nude either, especially not where my brother and/or neighbors could glimpse me. My mother returned with some clothes, tears still running down her beautiful face, and handed them to me roughly. She then went back out to talk to Collin.
I was glad my mom had thought to bring me an old t-shirt and jeans that were ripped and had paint splatters on them instead of something nice. I really didn't want to lose another of my favorite outfits to the monster I could become at any moment.
When I went back into the central part of our yard, my mother gave me a tight, all-encompassing hug. I couldn't remember the last time my mother had hugged me so hard. It was probably two years before, when my father left us, leaving my mother to tell me the new through her tears. My dad's leaving had really broken my mom up; she hadn't been the same since. And now, I could feel that my new "changes" were breaking her fragile heart again. I didn't know what to do.
"Mom?" Collin whispered, tapping our mother on the shoulder, breaking up our hug. "Maybe we should go inside; we have a lot of explaining to do for Catie."
My mother nodded weakly before following my brother through the sliding glass doors and into our kitchen. I followed slowly behind, scared that at any second, I'd suddenly change again.
As I walked through the house, I caught a glimpse of my reflection in the mirror. I still looked mostly the same: tan skin, bright green eyes, black bangs pulled to the right side of my face with the rest of my hair down. My hair was a wild, tangled mess; I had no clue how I could ever get the knots out. But besides that, I looked like I had only yesterday when I was still 14… and still fully human.
"Catie?" my mother called softly, and I hurried to the living room, where my mother and Collin sat on the couch, waiting.
I sat down in the worn leather armchair- my dad's old armchair- across from the couch. I looked at them expectantly, not knowing what to say. It appeared they were at a loss for words as well.
After a few moments of awkward silence, words spilled fast from my mouth. "You guys both have some serious explaining to do." When neither made any move to explain themselves, my temper rose. "Honestly, Mom, Collin. What the hell happened out there?!"
"Catie, watch your language," was all my mom could seem to muster.
"Mom, I just turned into an effing wolf! You really expect me to watch my language?!" I laughed, hysteria overtaking me. I think the truth was setting in then, that this wasn't just a nightmare. That I really had just turned horse-sized wolf.
My mother gave me a stern look, and Collin put his hand on her shoulder, calming her down. I crossed my arms like a stubborn child. "Alright, Catie. You've heard the legends, haven't you?"
"The Quileute ones? About being descendent of wolves?" I asked, softly laughing. "Of course I have, Collin. They're kind of hard to avoid, growing up on the reservation and all. But everyone knows they aren't true."
Collin shook his head, somewhat patronizingly. "But Catie, they are true. Or at least, they have some foundation in truth. Our people- our tribe-, there are some of us that become wolves when our enemy is living nearby." He went on to explain the noble history of our ancestors- stories I'd heard millions of times that, until now, had only been just that: stories.
"Right now, the packs are bigger than ever. And we're split in two. Jacob's pack and Sam's pack. You and I are part of Sam's pack. We can change allegiance if we choose, but once you change your loyalty, there is no going back. Embry, Quil, Brady, Jacob, Paul, Jared, they're all wolves."
"Are there any other girl wolves? Please don't tell me I'm the only one," I asked him, nervous. Was I fated to be a wolf, and the only girl wolf at that?
"No, Leah Clearwater is also a shape-shifter. If you ever need to talk to her, I'm sure she wouldn't mind."
Leah Clearwater? I wrinkled my nose. She was always so grumpy. God, I hoped I didn't turn into that because of this whole shape-shifting thing. "Is there anything I else I need to know about? How often will I change? What makes me change? Why me?"
"Well, we don't know why we're chosen, Catie. It's pretty random, especially with the girls. Why Leah and not Emily? Why you and not Summer? We don't really know, Cay. I wish you weren't one of us. It isn't going to be easy for you, at all," Collin told me sadly. "But, you'll have me and Mom, and Leah, and the guys behind you. And we'll have to talk to Sam about whether or not to tell your friends. But even if you do act weird around them, I'm sure they'll still be your friends.
"Oh, two more things. First, I'm sure you've heard all about the vampire legends?"
"Well, yeah. They're our "sworn enemy" or whatever," I said, using air quotes like I had in middle school.
Collin nodded seriously. "They are our natural enemy. But we've also become friends with them as well. You know the Cullens?"
Everyone knew the Cullens. Jacob was always babysitting that adorable, but bratty little Nessie, and I'd met Dr. Cullen on several occasions.
They were so beautiful, but strange people. What Collin was saying suddenly dawned on me. "They're vampires, aren't they?"
"Yes, they are. We've formed a careful alliance with them, but Sam is still wary. He worries- even though he has little reason to- that they'll break our friendship, that they'll kill one of our own. But not to worry. Jacob ensures that won't happen."
"How does Jacob ensure that?"
"He imprinted on Nessie. Imprinting is the second thing I needed to tell you about. After you phase for the first time, it's a possibility for you," Collin sighed. He had never been a talker- no, that had always been my job- so I could tell all this explaining had taken a toll on him. My mother sat stoically beside him, not a word leaving her lips. "Anyways, imprinting is the finding of your soulmate. When Nessie grows up, she and Jacob will be together. Sam imprinted on Emily, Jared on Kim, Quil on Claire. You get the picture. The wolf will do whatever it his- or her- imprint needs. Quil is only Claire's babysitter now, but once she grows up, they'll probably be like Sam and Emily- engaged, married, whatever. But they're soulmates. Quil can't ever love anyone in a romantic way besides Claire, but right now, he only loves her as if she were his little sister. Understand?" Collin was getting anxious, I could tell, so I nodded and told him I understood exactly. Even though I didn't. He had a really odd and confused way of explaining things.
"So, Catie, are you ready to meet the pack?" he asked me, and my eyes widened with anxiety. "Oh, come on, Catie, you've known these guys since you were a little kid. They aren't any different know than they were earlier, at the beach."
"I know that," I muttered. "But I'm different." Collin caught my arm as I went to stand up. He stood up beside me and looked me right in the eyes.
"Yeah, you're different. But it's just a part of who you are now, you have to except it. Plus, they'll probably be really excited to see you in your wolf form."
I blushed. "Collin, I know this is kind of a weird, awkward question, but will I have to undress in front of you guys? Or will you guys undress in front of me? I would not be at all comfortable with that."
Collin released his firm grip on my arm, and his expression softened. "Catie, we'll give you your privacy, I promise." And that's when Collin did something he hadn't done in years. He pulled me to him and gave me a hug, and kissed the top of my head. "It'll be okay, little sis. I promise."
Author's note: Another chapter. What do you think? I'm not so sure about what I think of it, but I got all the necessary things out of the way, so now the fun can start :) I'm not sure when I'll post the next chapter because I have exams next week, meaning the rest of this weekend and then next week will be completely dedicated to that. But hang in there, I promise it'll be more than worth it!