Chapter 6

I sat silent as Old Quil told the story of the third wife, the story of the woman who gave her life to save her husband who was dying in battle. That's how it should be, the husband is the warrior. I wrapped my arms around my legs and my new muscles bunched, revealing themselves underneath my smooth skin.

"And so the sons of our tribe again carry the burden and share the sacrifice their fathers endured before them." Each of the words was like a dagger in my heart. We 'share the sacrifice' our fathers endured before us. I don't belong in this. The wolf gene was passed through sons, not daughters. What did that make me?

"Burden, I think it's cool." Quil joked. What did he know? It was expected for Quil to change. He was a descendent of the last pack. So was I but that's why Seth changed. I wasn't supposed to change.

Another single tear fell down my face.

The stories were over. The others chattered around me. From the outside I'm sure it would just look like a circle of friends. But I felt alone, even though I was in the company of my pack. I looked up. The others were involved in multiple conversations. The leech lover was lying on her side sleeping.

I stood up. My mom paused in her conversation with the elders. "What's wrong honey?"

Did she really have to ask? She knew about everything, why didn't she understand? "I'm heading home." I muttered, stepping over empty bags of chips on my way out of the circle.

"Do you need me to come with you?" She asked in a worried voice, like I would be afraid on my walk home.

I snorted and replied in a sarcastic tone. "I'll be the most dangerous thing out there."

Some of the pack members laughed at my joke but Sam didn't. He still had an arm around Emily.

"Leah?"

I paused, turning to meet his gaze. "What?" I tried to keep my voice calm, but I wasn't succeeding.

"Um... Well, when you get home, you might want to," He motioned to his head. Why didn't he just spit it out? "Cut your hair."

My eyes got wide. I just stared at him. What was wrong with my hair?

"It's just more convenient when you're… a wolf. It doesn't have to be as short as ours, but shorter would be better. "

I looked around the circle. Every pack member had the cropped hair cut, even Seth. I turned without a word and walked off into the woods. When I was far from the fire I grabbed my hair. I had put it up in a ponytail, not really in the mood to do anything else with it. My hair fell down to my waist line, like all of our hair. I loved my hair, I remember when I was little and Seth stuck some gum in my hair. My mom had to cut my hair so it hung just below my ears to get the gum out. I had cried for days.

My new eyes lit up the woods. I knew I would get home faster if I was a wolf but I didn't know if I would be able to get back to human form. I took off running.

My speed was incredible. This was the first time I had really tried out my new powers. I ran faster, and faster, welcoming the breeze against my face. As I ran I tugged my hair out of the ponytail, letting the wind whip through my long hair for the last time.

Tears fell on my face as I ran. Branches scratched against my arm as if they were trying to hold me back but there attempts were feeble. I felt the thorns tearing through my skin but the wounds would heal as fast as they would appear. I had never gone so fast or felt so free in my life.

When I reached the house I kept running. I just couldn't stop myself. I didn't feel tired. In fact the running felt incredible. It was like I was running for the first time in my life. But I knew my mom would get worried if she and Seth returned home and I wasn't there. I circled back around towards home.

I slowed my pace and jogged up the steps. Sam's words rang through my head Cut your hair.

I went to the drawer in the kitchen where we kept the scissors. I grabbed our best pair and grudgingly walked off to the bathroom. Looking at my face in the mirror I saw my hair was knotted and full of debris. I sighed, grabbing a brush and gently smoothed out the snarls. I savored the moment, making sure I took my time. After I had my hair detangled I ran my fingers through it, feeling the length.

I sighed again and removed my fingers from my hair, picking up the scissors. I felt like a little kid who had stolen her mom's scissors to cut her hair. I closed my eyes, holding the scissors an inch away from the lock of hair I was holding in my hand. I promised myself I would get my hair professionally cut the next time I was in Port Angeles as I slowly brought the scissors together, making a snipping sound as it cut my hair.