4.

I was exhausted and in extreme agony. I lay underneath my covers, eyes closed as my body seized for a moment. My lungs constricted as I gasped out for unnecessary breaths. I let out a long, low moan of pain, my stomach rolling with nausea. My hands curled into fists and a minute later, when I uncurled them, my claws were out and had embedded into my palm. Blood pooled around as the wounds quickly healed. I groaned, focusing on them retracting. Though, they didn't and I shoved them under the covers. Out of sight, out of mind.

It's the full moon. A voice seemed to whisper in my ear. I let out a snarl, flipping onto my uneasy stomach. I folded a pillow over my ears, ordering for it to disperse. I waited for a couple of moments until it a cold brush of air came, taking the voice with it. I let out a sigh of relief that it was gone and rolled back onto my back, gazing at the bare ceiling.

There was no way in hell I would be able to go to school today. The impeding full moon was already having its effects on me, given this was only my second one. I could feel my body twisting uncomfortably and I sat up, slamming my still-transformed hands onto the bed, gritting my teeth in frustration. Was it ever going to get better?

"Calla? Are you up yet?" A tentative knock followed and I bit my lip, shoving my hands under the blanket as my mom pushed open my door. She wasn't supposed to be home; either starting or finishing her shift at the hospital. Instead, she was wearing her pajamas and her hair was draped around her heart-shaped face. "Are you okay? You sound like you're in pain." She sent me a concerned look before stepping over the various strings and traps before falling onto my cluttered bed.

"Oh," I wheezed out. "Uh, no. I'm alright." I sent her a forced smile before flicking the blankets off my trembling legs and stood up, heading towards the closet. I hid my hands in my jacket pocket, sliding the door open with my shoulder. Sweat was beading down my face and my entire body shook. "Just, um, getting ready for school."

The second she walked in I could tell she was nervous. She didn't want me to miss a day of school and she knew if I didn't go, I would be unaccounted. No one to watch over me for hours while she worked. A weight settled on my shoulders as I thought about the next eight hours trying to stay calm and collected.

"So," she began as I studied within my closet, pulling off my damp shirt. I quickly replaced it with a thin, navy shirt. "I got an e-mail from your school." I checked my hands quickly to make sure they were human before looking over. "Cross-country tryouts are this week."

I scanned the pants before pulling off a pair of light skinny jeans. I grabbed a pair of boots before facing her again. "Really."

"And I know how much you love to run," she added quickly, flipping through one of my folders in my bed. I tossed my hair in a high ponytail before stumbling towards the folder in her hand.

"Mom—," I tried to say, to stop her from speaking the next words.

"I would really love if you joined, Calla." She finished, interrupting me, tossing the folder back on my bed and lying down, curling into a ball. I grabbed the discarded papers, shoving them in my bag.

"Mom, I don't think—,"

"Calla," my mom put her hand up and I paused. "I just—want—I want things to kind of go back to normal. You've been staying out in the middle of the night, running. Might as well get something out of it, right?" I cleared my throat, still indecisive about it. "I would love to go see you at a meet." I still didn't reply. "For me?"

I let out a long sigh, crossing my arms over my chest. "Maybe." Her eyes lit up. "I said maybe. I'll think about it."

My mom smiled. "Thank you so much, honey." She paused, running a hand through her hair as she sat back up. "I'm going to get ready for work if you don't need anything."

"Actually," I injected, coming up with an idea of why I should be gone tonight. "I was wondering if I could sleep over at a friend's."

My mom's eyebrows rose. "A friend?"

"Yeah. Allison." I blurted, shrugging nonchalantly as my heart pounded in my chest. "I met her my first day. She's pretty cool."

She pursed her lips and I could tell she was considering it. I wondered if she wanted to talk to Allison's parents and I prayed that she wouldn't. "Well, sure. Be good and have fun, don't give Allison's parents any trouble. I'll see you tomorrow." She quickly gave me a kiss on my forehead. I took a breath, listening to her calm heartbeat before she turned away. "Have a good day at school. And please consider joining. I think it'll be fun for the both of us."

"I will. Love you!" I called and as the door shut, I dropped to my knees. My eyes glowed a bright gold and I suppressed the urge to fully shift and let out a long howl. Instead, I put my head between my knees and heaved out another couple pants. Eventually, I was able to get to my feet. I doused myself in perfume while I snatched my car keys off of my desk and headed downstairs, overheating and needing the fresh air.

"Bye honey!" My mom's voice came from the second floor. At the landing of the stairs, I looked back, feeling a pang of guilt. There was so much she didn't know. I was putting her in danger each day I ran from him. I bit my lip, hard.

"Bye!" I shouted, jogging out to my car. The cold chill attacked me, but I couldn't risk turning back around and grabbing a jacket. I jumped into the car, starting the engine and coaxed it out of the driveway. Once I pulled it onto the main road, my heart started to pound again. Even though, the moon wouldn't rise for another thirteen hours, I could already feel it tampering with me. I only wondered how bad it was going to tonight without an Alpha to guide me through it. The midnight store trip I did helped me slightly with preparing. Thick chains and heavy locks were piled under a blanket in the back of my car. It was similar to what he had chained me up previously, but I wondered if I was going to be able to do it without any assistance. I had found a large tree in the middle of the woods during a run that would suffice as an anchor until I could find something more suitable next month. I frowned, hoping no one was planning to take a cramping trip tonight.

I frowned as I parked next to the same blue Jeep I had almost hit the other day. I wiped the sweat that was sitting on my forehead and I climbed out, locking it and heading towards the school. The hallway was already bustling with life, but I made a quick trip to my locker before heading to my first period. I set my textbook on the desk, sitting down and pulling out various notebooks and folders out before leaning back and shutting my eyes.

The pain by now was outrageous and I cursed myself again for thinking it was a wise idea to go to school. Then I remembered my mom's forlorn expression and I clenched my fists. "Fuck," I whispered.

"Well, hi to you too." I opened my eyes in surprise to see Allison peering over at me. She was perched at the edge of her seat before giving me a small smile. I widened my eyes, twitching in my seat.

"Oh, hi. How are you?" I asked my heart racing in my chest.

"I'm good." She replied, pulling her own book out of her bag as she sent a girl to her side a smile. Next to her was a pale boy wearing a dark sweatshirt. I took a quick inhale to see that she was feeling edgy; nervous. "You?"

"I'm okay. Just feeling a little under the weather." I rubbed the back of my neck, frowning.

Allison furrowed her eyebrows. "Oh, I'm sorry." I shrugged, turning away, hoping she wouldn't press the issue further.

I'm sure she would have if a tall boy wouldn't have walked in. I looked over when I felt the air shift. The boy was tan with black hair. His brown eyes scanned the room as he adjusted the strap of his backpack, looking over at Allison. He then quickly looked away before walking to the seat behind her. I could feel the uneasiness between them and shifted in my seat.

"Oh, I'm okay. Just… feeling under the weather,"

Allison furrowed her eyebrows. "Oh, I'm sorry." She spoke slowly. I shrugged, turning away, hoping she wouldn't press the issue further. I'm sure she would have if a tall boy wouldn't have walked in. I looked over when I felt the air shift. The boy was tan with dark, floppy black hair. His brown eyes scanned the room as he adjusted the strap of his backpack, looking at Allison. He then quickly looked away before walking to the seat behind her. She turned around in her seat. "Scott, this is Calla." She pointed at me and I blushed, raising a hand awkwardly. "She's new."

"Hi Scott," I smiled, though something about him had me squinting. He grinned as well, before opening his notebook and scanning his notes.

A second later, he looked up, his eyebrows furrowing. "Calla? Calla Akers?"

I frowned, stunned before nodding. "Yeah?"

"I'm Scott McCall. My mom's Melissa? Your mom and my mom work on the same floor." He told me, a beam appearing on his face. He was obviously proud of his mother. "My mom told me about you."

"Yeah, uh, my mom told me about you too." I then turned away, a bit uneasy about his presence. Ms. Blake, luckily, decided now would be a good time to walk in and start class. I flipped open my notebook to an empty page, ready to take notes, though I felt Scott's eyes on me.

I shuffled slowly to my Econ class after spending lunch in my car. I wasn't quite ready to start eating with anyone, especially not today. The tall, slightly overweight man with dark curly hair that insisted I call him Coach looked over at me when I entered. "Akers!" He bellowed loudly. I nodded as a greeting before settling in a seat in the fourth row, pleased that he had sat me a bit further away from him than some of the other students. I eased into my seat, sweating profusely when Allison's pale friend walked in. His dark hair was tousled and he seemed to glow under the fluorescent lights. His light hazel eyes quickly scanned the room. I placed my feet on the book basket under the seat in front of me as the boy dropped into it. Instead of unpacking his belongings like the rest of the class, he turned to face me.

"So," the boy started, scanning me for a moment. "Did that hurt?" I raised an eyebrow in question as he ran a hand through his hair, bouncing his leg up and down.

"Uh, did what hurt?" I asked, gritting my teeth, slightly annoyed. Still feeling anxious about the full moon, I was growing more and more irritable as the day started to close.

He poked my arm and I flinched, glaring at him for invading my personal space. "Your tattoo," I looked down to see a sliver of it peeking out from under my sleeve. I reddened, shaking my head slightly. He then nodded, before continuing to bounce. "I'm Stiles, by the way."

Everything Stiles did was in quick recession. The way he spoke, the way he moved. He was getting more and more on my nerves every second he moved, shaking my desk as well. "Calla," I said curtly.

"I know. You were introduced the first day." I kept my face impassive, wondering why he was continuing the conversation when I knew I was visibly uncomfortable. "So, does it mean something?" I huffed as he poked my tattoo again.

"Yes."

"That's good… What does it mean?"

"It's personal." I refrained from growling as I looked away, hoping that Coach would start the class already.

"Do you know what the word 'tattoo' means?" He pressed.

"No," I ran my tongue over my teeth, making sure they were still human. "I don't."

He leaned forward slightly. "It means to mark something."

I feinted interest. "Fascinating." Finally, stiles picked up on my irritation and his face fell slightly. A pang of guilt hit me and I frowned, crossing my arms. "I'm sorry. It's … been a long day."

"Akers! Stilinski! Class is starting!" A voice broke through the air and I looked up to see Coach slamming a book down on his desk. He frowned at us until we turned forward and appeared to be paying attention. "The stock market is based on two principals. What are they?" Almost immediately, Scott stuck his hand in the air sheepishly. "Yes, McCall, you can go to the bathroom." Coach then scanned the room again.

"Uh," Scott spoke up. "Coach, I know the answer."

I raised my eyebrows amused when Coach let out a long wheeze of laughter until he saw Scott's blank expression. "Oh. You're serious?"

Scott looked around the room, face turning a dark shade of red. "Yes, it's risk and reward."

Coach bounded towards the teenager, leaning close to his face with a large smile. "Wow! Who are you and what have you done with McCall?" He paused, letting out a crazy laugh. "Don't answer that! I like this one better!" He patted Scott on the back, turning away and scanning the room. "Who has a quarter?" I watched as Stiles dug in his pocket for a moment, before pulling out one. Though, when his fingers were slipping out, an XXL condom got caught and went flipping in the middle of the walkway. I burst out in laughter as Coach picked it up and raised his eyebrows. "Stilinski! I think you, uh, dropped it." He placed it on the edge of Stiles' desk with a slightly-proud grin. "Congratulations." The class burst out in laughter as Stiles grumbled, shoving it back into his pocket. "Risk and reward! Put the quarter in the mug, get the reward! Okay, watch Coach." He strutted quickly to the front of the class, picking up a mug from on top of his desk. He placed it a couple feet away before stepping back, squatting down and blowing loosely on the quarter. He studied the mug before tossing it, letting it bounce on the floor and it landed with a clank in the mug. The class applauded. "Yes! Yes! That is how you do it!" He faced the class again, landing on a well-built boy behind Scott. "Danny! Risk or reward?"

Danny raised his eyebrows. "What's the reward?"

Coach considered this for a moment. "You don't have to take the pop quiz tomorrow!"

Danny looked around, biting his lower lip in thought. "Uh, Coach, it's not a pop quiz if you tell us about it."

Snickers filled the room as Coach frowned at him, narrowing his eyes. "Danny, I really expected more from you at this point." He shook his head, seemingly disappointed. "Really," He turned around. "McCall! Risk or reward! The risk if you don't put that quarter in the mug, you have to take the pop—the quiz and … and you have to take the essay!" He paused, tempting the teenager. "Risk; more work, reward; no work at all. Or choose not to play."

Scott studied it for a moment. "Isn't it just chance?"

"No. You know your abilities, you coordination, your focus, past experiences, all factors expecting the outcome. More work, no work, or choose not to play?" Scott paused before setting it back down at the corner of his desk, shrugging. "No play! Okay! Who's next?" Stiles drummed his hands on his desk quickly before jumping to his feet with a bashful grin. "There we go! There's a gambling man!"

Stiles walked to the front of the class, Coach following behind. He handed him the quarter and Stiles quickly got down to the ground, closing one eyes as he inspected the distance. I leaned back in the chair, listening as loud footsteps got closer and closer to the door. They echoed in my ear and I flinched from the sound. My hands curled at the edge of my desk, feeling myself slipping and the wolf gaining control.

The door opened revealing an older sheriff and one of his deputies. "Stiles," the older man spoke. I could smell despair on his skin and frowned.

"Yeah, Coach. I got it!" Stiles narrowed his eyes, unaware that the police officers were staring at him.

"Stiles," the voice was sterner this time. Stiles looked up, eyes wide as he took the pair in. Stiles set the quarter on the teacher's desk before following them out without a word. The door shut quietly behind him.

Coach cleared his throat, taking in account that his class was now disinterested, all speculating on why the officers were here. "Okay!" He leaned against his desk, eyes squinting. "Akers! You happen to be new here! Risk or reward?" I considered sitting out, but eventually, I shrugged, getting to my feet. "Yes! Come on up!"

He handed the quarter to me and I held it for a moment, testing the weight. I dropped down to the floor, knee pressing against the linoleum. I bit the inside of my lips as I quickly shifted to my wolf vision, edging my face away so the class and the teacher wouldn't see. I assessed what needed to be done. I shut it off and let the quarter fly out from in-between my thumb and forefinger. It flew before landing within the mug with a satisfying clank. I got to my feet with a small smile. "Reward!" He slapped a hand against my back as I headed back to my seat. "Okay! Who is next?"

Hours later, I was chained up to a tall, willow tree. After being able to surround it multiple times with a thick chain, encasing my waist, legs and wrists tightly, I locked it several times, tossing the keys away from me. I wasn't concerned on how I was supposed to get out, only that I needed to be secure for the night. I leaned back head back, my chest rising in quick gasps. My wrists were rotating without my command and I could feel the control slipping through my fingers. I let out a low moan as my ankles began to do the same thing. Warmth began to rush throughout my body and my teeth responded by expanding, pushing my lower lip down. When I let out another groan, it turned into a dark growl. Startled, I tried to push the werewolf back and concentrated on anything that went through my head.

Almost immediately, the thoughts were rushed out and my body ripped out a long howl. I looked up, fearful, as the full moon reached its peak. I closed my eyes as the power bathed down at me. I tried to stop it as it washed the human away, leaving only the werewolf to wreck havoc.

My eyes glowed as I let out a free howl, thrashing against the chains. I reared my head back in annoyance as I built all the strength before fighting against the restraints. After an hour, they were growing weaker and weaker and finally, my arms were able to burst through them.

Fuck! My human side was screaming as it tried to break the barrier between them. Though, the wolf was strong tonight as it flung the heavy chains off of my body and it let out a long howl, letting it echo throughout the thick woods. I took off, slightly crouched as I ran in no particular direction. I tasted the air, the moon egging me on, the bloodlust taking over. I wanted to take a life; I wanted to rip a warm body to shreds, to watch as the light in their eyes slowly gave out.

My head snapped to the side as another snarl erupted. I dropped down to the ground, defensively. There was a small girl standing in the shadows with chaotic brown hair, glowing golden eyes and a fully-shifted face. I curled my lip back, growling at him, tempting her. Sweat was beading down both of our faces as we faced off, her clothes bloodied and torn. She seemed to have been in a fight before our encounter, but I didn't mind it. Another werewolf was still a life, a life I could take.

My chest heaved as I assessed the opponent, watching as she took a step towards me. I let out a howl, lunging towards, wrapping my arms around her waist and throwing her onto her back. I reared my arm back to slash, but she pulled her knees up, throwing me off of me. I narrowed my eyes as I jumped to my feet. She took another step towards me and I swiped. Her shirt tore from my claws and blood sprouted out, some flicking onto my face. She let out a disgruntled sound of pain and tried to claw me as well. My heart pounded erratically in my chest as I ducked, barely missing the assault. I was not expecting her to do it again until pain erupted from my abdomen and I looked down to see my shirt soaked with blood. While I was injured and a bit stunned, the girl grabbed my shoulders, digging her claws into my skin. I let out a howl before she sent me flying into a nearby tree. My back made a sickening noise as it hit, causing me to shift back to human. I groaned out as the girl came upon me. Another take at my face and I let out a scream of pain. Standing over me, legs separated, her claws kept digging into me.

Finally, I was able to bring my legs up, kick her in the chest and send her flying. I got to my feet, shakily, fully human and in anguish.

Suddenly, a curly headed boy wearing a dark jacket ran up to us. The girl looked over at him, interested in new meat unlike me, letting out a grumble. I stared at the boy as he sent me a worried look, before letting his eyes glow the same yellow.

Startled, I jumped to my feet, scrambling back. My face was still pouring blood, so I hoped it would conceal my identity. The boy was starting towards me now before the girl came upon him. I could hear and smell another werewolf quickly approaching, another one that smelled like an Alpha. I turned on my heels, falling slightly as I took off in the direction of my house.

As I was running, I made sure no one was following me. They were obviously too preoccupied by the other blood-thirsty werewolf. I barely made it to the outskirts of the woods surrounding my house before passing out from the pain.

A/N: Sorry for taking so long to update! I was at Kings Island, working and I've been playing way too much xbox. Thank you so much for reading, Love it or hate it, I'm happy you took time out to read my work. I think I have an updating schedule in mind, so next time I post I'll let you know what it is. Thank for Guest for your review, I'm glad you like it so far! And thank you vtennis2010 I'm really happy to see you enjoying the story!