Chapter 1

No one ever moves to my small town, especially in the middle of the semester. But more than a few U-HAUL trucks were passing my road and still coming. Finally, just when I was getting curious, the line ended with a dark blue Ford F-150 pulling a trailer. Even in the faint morning light, I could see horses in the trailer. The horse farm—just a couple blocks over from us—was for sale. It was a huge ranch with rolling hills perfect for grazing horses. The yellow ranch house was surrounded by woods, which most of the town was. The town, Sunset Valley, was set right in the middle of a huge patch of forest. Not a lot of people knew about this place, since the major highway that leads out was a dirt road. Only a few people lived here, but most worked in the next town over, or online. The closest civilization was a small city, Wal-Mart being the biggest market in it. What would it matter with one more family in town? Besides, I wasn't even sure if they had a kid our age. Might just be a couple with some money wanting to live in a small town. I rolled my eyes at myself as I slipped on my favorite pair of sweatpants. I wouldn't talk to any new kid anyways—

"Danny, get your a** down here and cook breakfast! We're starving just because you feel like sleeping in!" I flinched at my father's voice and squeaked audibly, although he couldn't hear it. I knew he didn't expect me to reply—since I never did—but that meant I had at most thirty seconds, or less considering his mood, to get down. So, I grabbed my shoes, and my bag filled with my school books and hurried down the stairs. When I stepped into the kitchen I was greeted with a hand to the cheek lightly, at least for my father. "You're late," he growled.

I closed my eyes tight and nodded, touching my hot cheek with my cool fingers in hope to cool it down. It didn't help at all. I threw my stuff out onto the chair into the living room and glanced at my beautiful sister sitting expectantly at the kitchen table, applying hordes of makeup. She hardly looked at me before answering my unasked question. "Eggs and yogurt. On the double, since you were late." She scowled quickly at me before going back to her makeup. I sighed lowly and nodded, getting out the skillet and placing it on the stove. I looked at her again as I got out the eggs.

She sighed irritably and rolled her eyes. "Sunny side up, like always." She blinked her big, mascara clouded brown eyes to herself in the tiny mirror she held in front of her. She ran her fingers through her long curly highlighted blond hair and fluffed it up. She had the perfect body that teenage guys loved, and showed it off a little too much. But the guys didn't seem to mind.

I fixed it exactly like she liked it, placing a cup of yogurt in front of her, only 80 calories of course, while I cooked the eggs. I made another for me, two for Father, and one for Mother; I could hear her in the shower. I put them all on a plate, getting the four pieces of toast and two glasses of orange juice for my parents. I took the plate for Father and gave it to him, who accepted it without an ounce of thanks in his dark blue eyes that swarmed with anger just like a tornado. I placed Mother's on the empty place at the table, along with their two glasses. I ate mine quickly, hardly chewing and went into the living room to put on my tennis shoes. I pushed my straight chocolate brown bangs behind my ear (although they didn't quite reach) and tied my shoes. I flicked my hair behind my back as I stood. My eyes were almost the exact same color as my hair, the same big brown eyes my sister had. Although I didn't cover my lashes with mascara, only a little (something my mother made me do). I reached in my bag for my iPod, and, when I found it, plugged it in my ears. Putting the MP3 Player in my pocket, I slung my bag over my shoulder and rushed out the door. Walking to and from school was my favorite part of the day, since Destiny wouldn't bother giving me a ride. But I honestly didn't mind. It was only when the weather was bad that I would want a ride; although I knew she would never give me one. She didn't want anybody knowing she was related to me, even though half of the school knew already. I closed my eyes and enjoyed the cool air nipping slightly at my skin, indicating the coming winter. The falling snow, the Christmas trees, the cool weather… I loved it all.

When the loud voices and blaring car horns interrupted my music, I knew I was already at the school. I looked up to see Destiny and her boyfriend, Jake making out just outside her car. I scowled and walked past them briskly, taking out my earphones and placing my iPod back into my bag. I walked up to my locker and slowly opened it. As I switched out my morning and afternoon notebooks, I heard a shoulder connect with the locker next to mine. I looked up to see Jake's dark blue eyes smirking down at me. The top of his black hair was spiked up. I blinked at him, confused as to why he was here, looking as if he wanted to talk to me. Not that I would answer.

I closed my locker door and put my bag over my shoulder again, beginning to turn away. Jake grabbed my upper arm in a tight grip to stop me. I winced and froze in place. "Aren't you going to say hi to me?" He asked in a charming voice. I wanted to rip my arm from his grasp, but I was scared he would just do something worse.

I shook my head and closed my eyes. But they flew open as he pushed me up against the lockers, releasing my arm from his grip and instead placing it just above my head. His other arm held my waist, trapping me in. My heart hammered in the throat, fear gripping me in its tight claws. His eyes hungrily searched my body up and down, and his hand slid up under my shirt. My eyes flickered around for someone to help me, or a teacher to stop him. "Aw, c'mon, that's not very polite. Just say something, anything. C'mon, virgin." He teased. I closed my eyes and gritted my teeth. It was something the whole school teased me about, something I was proud of. I didn't want to be anything like my family. Everything they did, I did the opposite. They curse, I don't. They take advantage of the opposite gender every time they can, I don't. Every word that comes out of their mouth is hurtful, so I just don't speak. I pushed him away, something I knew I would regret later, but I didn't care. He scowled at me. I tightened my grip on my bag and took a step away when a shrill voice stopped me.

"Danny, you w****, what do you think you're doing with my boyfriend!" My sister, Destiny shrieked, stomping over to me. I flinched at her words and she pointed a perfectly manicured finger in my face. "You are so gonna get it tonight." She growled, huffed, took Jake's hand and led him away. My hands were already trembling when Jake looked back at me and winked before kissing Destiny on the head and pulling her tighter to him by wrapping his arm around her waist.

My hands were still shaking when I sat down at my empty table in U.S. History class. Slowly, and steadily, I took my notebook out, opened it up to a new page and pulled out a pencil. The thoughts that were running through my mind were not good, and scared me to death. My father punching me in the eye, in the stomach, kicking me everywhere his feet could reach. All of them ended with me bloodied, bruised, and defeated when I had done nothing wrong. At the back of the class, I hung my head in my hands, trying to calm down. Tears sprung in my eyes, but I held them back. Not in school. Not here. Once my hands had steadied some, I began to take the notes scribbled on the board about the Civil War. I was done before the bell rung, and flipped to the back of the notebook and continued writing my short stories. My stories were where I wasn't hit, I could actually speak to people without being scared, a world where I had a boyfriend—a good one. These stories, the books I read, my music…they were the only escape I had. And I loved every minute of it.

"Miss Kimble," a deep voice said, bringing me back into my miserable world. I looked up into my teacher's hazel eyes hidden behind black rimmed glasses. I blinked at him to indicate I was listening. He sighed. "Miss Kimble, we are going to be having a new student coming into our class tomorrow. I wanted you to know he would be sitting next to you."

He? My eyes widened and I shook my head. I was happy sitting by myself. This was my favorite class; he couldn't ruin it by pacing a new kid next to me! A boy no less! He was going to ask me so many questions, and I wouldn't be able to answer him. No, I could not sit next to a new kid.

Mr. Louis shrugged. "I'm sorry, Danny, but we have no other room for him." he looked like he wanted to pat me on my shoulder or something, but he knew I didn't like to be touched. "I'll inform him of your…speech impediment." That'll just make him ask more questions! I thought, my shoulders dipping. I ran my fingers through my hair as he turned around and left, strolling back up to the front and beginning the lesson.

I had seen the trailers passing my home earlier today, but I didn't think there would actually be a new kid! A new kid in Sunset High School was almost unheard of. Something that almost never happened. Everyone would be falling all over him, no matter how cute or ugly he was. And that meant everyone would be over at my table for 1st period. People would expect me to maybe talk to him, make him seem welcome here. He would be talking to me all period, wanting me to reply. But I wouldn't. I mean, I did have a notebook that I could write to him on, but that seemed unlikely.

Later, my third period teacher told the class the same thing, that a new student would be arriving tomorrow and he was going to sit in the desk right in front of mine (since I was in the back again). She looked right at me when she told the class to take a welcoming to him and show him around. I love all my teachers, and they loved me like they do all the kids, and they want me to talk again. The second half of my freshman year was when I decided that not talking was better than talking at all. It got me into less trouble. I had always been a little sassy when I did talk, and that got me a lot of bruises from my family. I was in the first half of my junior year now, and Destiny was in her senior year. I did her homework for her, since I had already taken her classes. The same teachers usually taught multiple grades and classes in this school since we were always short of teachers. Mrs. Cadwell, my third period teacher, also taught Biology, which I had in fact taken my freshman year. She had heard my voice, but now I had none.

…

Destiny had been right for once. The first thing Father did when I got home was grab my throat, and throw me against the wall. I had whimpered, dropped my bag, and clutched at the wall. Now I was soaking in my bathtub with bruises around my throat, arms, chest, and basically anywhere and everywhere. My iPod was playing 'Someone Like You' by Adele on the counter, and I had my eyes closed and was mouthing along to it. It was only around four o'clock, and I was planning on going out to the park and writing. The park right behind our house was nestled into the ring of woods behind our house. With that in mind, I climbed out, put on thick sweatpants, a tee shirt, a warm jacket, and slipped on my tennis shoes.

I grabbed my notebook and snuck out the back door with my iPod in my ears. I ran until I was safely hidden in the woods. It was then that I slowed down and walked, listening to my music and thinking ahead to what I was going to write. Suddenly, I tripped over something, hearing a yelp. I gasped as I fell to the ground, throwing my hands out in front of me. There was rustling in the leaves and a couple deep barks. A tinier, shriller voice answered with a whimper. I glanced around for the thing that whimpered and my eyes met with a little gray wolf pup. I gasped and backed away on my hands. His coat was a dark gray, lighter on his belly and muzzle and his eyes were a hazel. He was what I must have tripped over. He bared his small, white canines at me and let out a tiny growl. It wasn't intimidating at all, but I knew when there was a pup, the mother or nanny was never far away. A howl sounded through the air, others soon joining in, and the little pup howled in reply. I couldn't move. The whole pack. The whole pack was coming for this little guy to make sure he was safe. And both my feet and hands were frozen to the ground. My pencil, the only sort of weapon I had, was hooked to the spirals in my notebook, which was ten feet away. I glanced at it, but I couldn't reach it in time.

A louder, more intimidating growl made me whip my head around. My brown hair slapped me, the wind blowing it across my face. My eyes met a huge, muscular pitch black wolf with startling bright blue eyes that no one could help but notice. They were the kind of eyes that stood out against anything, the most brilliant blue I had ever seen. The growl died as I stared at the huge wolf that had to be a male. I hardly noticed that my hands weren't shaking, like they normally would be. It would be later when I realized I wasn't scared, but captivated. His lips covered the huge white fangs again and he just stared back, his ears flicking every once in a while. The pup crawled under him for protection.

I started when something growled to my left, whipping around to find a bluish gray female baring her teeth at me. Her muscles twitched in anticipation as she crouched in order to attack me. The black wolf barked and growled again, and my heart jumped in fear this time. But the bark was directed at the smaller, grayer female. She stood up straight and tilted her head slightly, her ears flicking in confusion. When I returned my gaze to the black wolf, I realized he was closer to me, only a foot away. I swallowed and my heart began beating faster and faster as he glanced at me. His eyes glanced all over the forest, showing his teeth. I glanced around with him, seeing the bright eyes of a whole wolf pack. My breathing spiked as my wolf—which is what I had decided to call him—growled at his pack and circled me. The fur of his tail brushed my arm, sending shivers up my spine. Slowly, the other wolves left, leaving me alone with just the black wolf, sitting and staring at me with his tongue lolled out in a grin. Suddenly, he closed his mouth and sniffed the air. Carefully and slowly, he stepped up to me and touched his cool, wet nose to my knee, moving my sweatpants. Cautiously, I leaned over and rolled up both my pants legs, revealing tiny, bleeding cuts on my knees. I inhaled sharply as he began to lick the wounds, making them sting. I wiped my hands on my shirt and held them up to my face to see the same kind of cuts. A pink tongue interrupted my vision, cleaning the wounds on my hands also. I couldn't help but laugh, which made him stop and glance up at me curiously before continuing. I forgot about the inch long fangs in the wolf's muzzle and used my free hand to run my fingers through his fur.

He shivered underneath my touch, leaning into my hand. The top cot was long and ruff for the upcoming winter, but the bottom coat was soft for insulation. I know I should've been scared, but I wasn't. I just kept petting him like a long lost dog. This is definitely going in a story. I told myself, breathing in his musky wolf scent of the forest. I heard him sigh and sit down next to me. With both of us sitting down, we were just the same height. I flinched when he touched a fresh bruise on my arm, and he stepped back, eyeing me.

"Danny! Where the h*** are you?!" My father roared from my house.

There's one thing I forgot to mention about myself. I do talk, just not to people. I talk to myself sometimes, or an animal that can't talk back. "Oh no," I whispered. I wrapped my hands around my knees and placed my chin on them, deciding whether or not to go back.

My wolf flicked his ears and glanced back at my father's voice. Who is that? I really gotta learn these woods quick. Where did she come from? I wonder what her name is…The wolf's eyes were back on mine and I was staring wide-eyed at him.

Automatically, I couldn't speak from the shock that a wolf was talking to me, which meant he could make a conversation just like a human. I couldn't talk to him now. It was the only time I was scared. But, like always, I replied with my thoughts instead of my words. Danny. My name is Danny. I don't want to go home. I want to stay out here. I don't want to go back. I repeated. I didn't think he would actually hear me too.

He whined, stood up and stepped back. You can hear me?

I nodded shakily, my hands trembling now.

He backed up, shaking his head low. No. You have to forget. You have to forget this night ever happened, Danny. You can't tell anyone, do you understand? It would be best for you just to forget this night. He kept backing up deeper into the forest where I could hardly see him, except for those luminescent blue eyes still staring at me.

Wait! I don't want to forget. I won't tell anyone, I swear.

That's what everyone says. He growled.

Really, I swear. I can't. I don't speak—I can't. I'm too scared. It was the first time I had ever admitted it to anyone.

He stopped and he blinked. What? A teenage girl who doesn't speak? Are you serious, or just joking me?

I'm serious. I have no friends, hardly a family if you can even call them that. I won't tell anyone. And trust me, no matter how hard I try, I can't forget this.

But you're talking to me. Right now.

You're a wolf! And somehow we're talking in our thoughts, not speaking.

Whatever. I have to go. Please, just try to forget this!

Wait! I screamed in my head so loud he had to stop. Do you have a name?

If I told you, you would just have to forget it. It's best if I don't tell you right now.

Wait! Wait, no please tell me! But he didn't respond. "Didn't even say goodbye…" I sighed.

"DANNY! I know you're out there! Get your f****** a** back here NOW!" Oh no… As I stood, I found myself wishing I had my wolf back to save me again. I stood up and ran back, seeing my father red-faced standing in the doorway. My fear pumping heart caught in my throat as his eyes caught mine. Still, I buckled my shoulders and kept walking. He stomped down the stairs with his fists clenched. I stopped and he walked the rest of the way to me. He grabbed my shirt and pulled me close to his face. "Where the h*** have you been, Danny?!"

My whole body was shaking. After I didn't answer, his fist connected with my eye, sending me to the ground. I yelped and instinctively covered my eye. A burning pain erupted in my stomach and I screamed. I pulled my knees up to my chest to protect my stomach, but it didn't stop him. He pushed me with his heel onto my back and began kicking my side. I whimpered and my mind flashed to my wolf. Save me. Please. Save me. But he never came, and I began wondering if it was just a dream…

…

I screamed and clutched my stomach as my vicious father kicked me relentlessly. The grass itched at my exposed skin, my head pounded, and my whole body ached. He yelled, but I couldn't hear him. I could see his mouth moving, his eyebrows coming together in anger, but no words came out of his mouth. He froze as a growl split through the air. He screamed and started running inside, but a large black wolf tackled him. Immediately, I screamed at him to stop, and thankfully he did. Those eyes turned to face me, his huge paws holding my father down. Tears were rolling down my face. "Please, don't hurt him. He's still my father. Please." The wolf glanced back at my father and showed him his teeth before stepping off of him. He screamed and ran away. The wolf padded up to me, putting his nose to my cheek.

Are you okay, Danny? Please, tell me you're okay. He whined, kneading the ground.

I whimpered, clutching my stomach. I think so.

Why does he do this, Danny? Why doesn't he love you? Why does he love Destiny more than you? He asked. But I don't remember telling him about Destiny.

I don't know. I don't know. You didn't save me. You…didn't…

"B****, get up! Now! I'm f****** hungry!" Destiny was shaking my shoulders, making my muscles ache even more than they already did. I rolled out from under her, ignoring my protesting muscles. "I want my normal. Now, go and make it before I get Daddy to beat you're a** again."

I nodded and stood up reluctantly. She 'huffed' and strutted back inside. I limped back inside and made her stupid eggs, a story running through my mind about the wolf I thought I had met last night. I wasn't exactly sure if it was a dream or not, but I couldn't forget those eyes as much as I knew I needed to. I almost burnt her eggs, but managed not to. I didn't eat breakfast, but I made everyone else's and ran upstairs and changed into one of my many turtlenecks, jeans, and tennis shoes. I slung my bag over my shoulder and ran down the stairs and out the door before anyone was even done with dinner. Pulling out my iPod, I plugged my earphones in and turned it on. Luke Bryan blasted out with 'I Don't Want This Night To End.'

I think Destiny and Jake were going to make this a routine thing, making out by her car every morning. Again, I scowled as I walked by, millions of hushed whispered floating in from every direction. I glanced around, thinking that maybe they were talking about me. I pulled my turtle neck up further to hide the bruises my father had given me. Again, I switched my books at my locker, glancing around for Jake. Thankfully he didn't come again. Maybe, just maybe I can go a day without a beating. I thought hopefully, and hurried to first period. I sat in my back table and pulled out my notebook, not bothering to look up at the board to see if there were any notes.

Since there were no new notes, I pulled up my bag, pulling out my notebook. But it wasn't there. I gasped. No! This could not be happening! I cannot lose my notebook! Everything was in there.

Lookin' for somethin'? My wolf's voice asked. I froze.

What? I thought you weren't talking to me anymore. I said, feeling like an idiot.

Hey, don't feel stupid. This is new to me too. Besides, I got bored, and I started hearin' your thoughts this mornin'.

WHAT! WHEN? I don't want you listening to my thoughts! I whined, while still looking for my notebook. I gasped. You. I forgot my notebook when I met you! I tripped over the pup and it flew away from me!

Oh, that's what that was? That's yours? I only started hearin' your thoughts when you started lookin' for something—your notebook, I guess. I don't know how or why we can do this, since you're not a wolf. I'll have to ask my father if maybe you can block me out… you don't enjoy our conversations?

Well no, I mean yes—I mean…agh, I do but I have private thoughts that I don't want other people knowing. And, obviously, you're not a normal wolf, because you know English.

Eh, smart girl. I blinked at his compliment.

Are you being sarcastic? I asked in a low whisper.

What? Naw, of course not. You're very smart. Not a lot of humans would come to that conclusion. Most would just think they're crazy.

I am defiantly not like other humans.

Mhm… if you know I'm not a normal wolf… then what do you think I am?

I don't know… that's when I start to think I am just a bit crazy.

He laughed and I realized it was one of the most beautiful sounds I had ever heard. So I'm guessin' you didn't forget me?

I tried, I promise. Last night I began to think it was just a dream, but you ruined it this morning.

Oh, dang… But, seriously, it really would be better if you forgot about me and my pack.

I can't forget now, with you talking to me in my thoughts!

Right. Sorry. I'll get to class… have a nice day, Danny. Try to maybe block me from your thoughts—for practice.

It's what I do best. I sighed and put my bag down on the floor. I imagined a wall going up around me to shield my wolf from my thoughts. Hopefully, it would work. I glanced up as the room went silent. I can honestly say my mouth dropped open. Those brilliant brighter-than-the-sky blue eyes stared back at me, but from a teenage boy. Oh, no, the new kid... I thought. His chestnut hair was short, and had a little flip in the front. He was gorgeous, with his broad shoulders and strong arms; arms that I could imagine falling into. Ah, what was I thinking? I couldn't talk to him. I couldn't handle people touching me. There were two problems with him; one, he was surrounded by girls, including my sister. Two, he was frowning at me, almost scowling.

"Girls," I heard a new, deep voice say. I looked down at the table, almost blushing. I pulled out a piece of paper and started on a new story I had been thinking about ever since I had met my wolf.

The huge black wolf crouched down, his beautiful blue eyes locked on his pray. A white rabbit nibbled on its last meal, its ears twitching, awaiting a sound that never came. His muscles clenched before springing onto the hare, sinking his teeth into its neck—

"Hello," the same, deep voice interrupted me. I froze and glanced up to see those blue eyes staring at me as he sat down. I gulped, staring at him too.

"Mr. Miller," the teacher said, coming up to us. He glanced at me before returning his gaze to the boy next to me.

"Joshua," he corrected, "My name is Joshua." He said, glancing up at me. I realized he had a slight southern accent mixing in with his voice.

He nodded, putting his hands on the table and leaning forward. "Well, Joshua, this is Danny. She doesn't speak much, and she's terribly shy, so you probably won't get a word out of her. Try all you like, but she only nods or shakes her head. But of course no one knows why." He shrugged.

Joshua nodded and gazed at me. "I wonder why." He said, but Mr. Louis had already left.

"I prefer to be called Josh; it's what all my family calls me." He said, smiling.

I nodded, giving him a small, shy smile.

"And you like bein' called Danny? Is that your real name?" he asked.

I was proud of my name. It fit me. I nodded again, my smile growing.

His beautiful blue eyes glanced down at my lips. "You have a beautiful smile." He said.

It died. No one ever compliments me. But now two people had complimented me in just a few minutes. He moved suddenly, leaning forward on the desk, making me flinch backwards. His eyes narrowed in question, but he didn't question anything. Blushing, I returned to my spare piece of paper.

My wolf didn't say anything to me, but I longed to hear his voice and have a real conversation again. He was the only person I could talk to and not be so self-conscious about what I say. For some reason, I don't worry about him hitting me, or touching me. He was the only person I could speak to, but I didn't know his name, let alone know if I could even call him a person. I didn't know what he was—but the idea of him being a werewolf was absurd. Forget it. I thought. It ain't gonna change anything. But something told me this wolf was going to change my life—for good or for bad, I didn't know.

Josh leaned in next to me and whispered, "You like history?"

I glanced at him and shrugged.

"Do you have any friends, Danny?" he asked sincerely.

I looked down, blushed, and shook my head. "Did you speak?" he asked. I sighed and nodded. Once, I thought ruefully, flinching as horrid memories flashed through my mind. He reached out and pulled up my sleeve, revealing five long, slender bruises from where my father had pinned my wrist up against the wall and threatened to rape me. Of course he didn't, because even he had lines that he wouldn't cross. And that was one of them. "What happened?" he questioned, bringing his eyebrows together and gazing at me with those eyes.

I froze, and my fingers began trembling as I was transported back to my nightmares. I whimpered, but instinctively did not try to remove my hand from his grip. It was gentle, but in my mind, it was my father's large, strong fingers choking me again. The wall that I had imagined crumbled to the ground. Please let go of me, I thought. Immediately, Josh's hand returned to his side of the table.

Danny! My wolf cried. Are you alright? Did someone hurt you? He growled.

I-I'm… f-fin-e. I stuttered, overwhelmed with fear.

Tell me who hurt you, Danny. He demanded, and I could hear anger seeping into his voice. I glanced over at Josh, who was gazing at me, his eyes now hard and curious.

I-I… I can't do that. I ne-need something t-to call you. I said, needing to change the subject.

I heard him sigh in his thoughts. Depends on what you think I am. I really wish you'd tell me who hurt you, Danny. I took a deep breath to steady myself.

I really wish I could too, but I don't even know why you care so much.

Neither do I… ugh, fine, Danny. I loved the way he said my name. But, seriously, what do you think I am?

Well…a wolf that knows English, can speak it well, acts human… werewolf makes sense, but that's impossible. I think… you aren't a werewolf, are you? Please tell me I'm not crazy.

You seem to bounce back from fear very fast. Almost like…you experience it a lot.

You didn't answer my question. I said, ignoring his assumption.

He sighed again. Fine. Yes, I'm a werewolf. And no, you're not crazy.

I gulped and placed my head down on the table. My shoulders shook faintly. Does that mean you have a human form too? I didn't like that. It made my wolf seem more…real. Like he wasn't just mine, but other people—humans—actually knew him. It just made it that much harder to talk to him.

Yes, I do. I don't use it much, since we still act like a wolf when we are human. But these days, it's the only way we can live comfortably.

We?

My pack and I.

Your pack?

Yes, my pack. I am the alpha. You know about wolves?

Yes, but…aren't you a little young to be alpha of an entire pack?

I'm almost eighteen. He said defensively. Besides, I'm not the alpha of an entire pack. Only the youth pack. As soon as one of us starts shifting, they officially belong to my pack and not my father's. Eventually, we'll move up as the older generation begins to die out and become the elder pack. It's all very complicated when you haven't grown up with it.

Uh…okay?

He laughed. See? Very complicated.

Who are you in human form?

I can't tell you that.

Why not?

If it gets out that werewolves live amongst humans…it wouldn't be pretty.

World War III? I asked, considering me clever since I was in history class. I snickered.

Exactly. He agreed.

And if I guess?

I wouldn't answer correctly; it's that much of a secret. Sucks really, but it's needed. But if you ask me, or tell me when you're certain, out loud, then I promise I will answer truthfully. I swear.

Out loud? I squeaked.

You gotta come out of your shell sometime, Danny.

You don't understand! I don't speak just because I'm shy! Please.

…then why don't you speak?

That's my problem. I whispered.

Why can't it be mine too?

Because you wouldn't understand! No one would. It's my life. Not yours. Let me handle it. I don't even know your name; I still don't even know what to call you! I ranted.

Are you done, or do you still need to fume to someone that will actually listen? He didn't ask it sarcastically, but like he really wanted me to talk to him about anything and everything.

I'm done, I whispered, lowering my eyes to the tiled floor.

Really. I'm here if you need me.

I still don't know what to call you… I was so embarrassed; I could feel my cheeks heating up.

Er… Alpha? Wolf? I don't know.

I kinda like Wolf…makes you seem like the big bad wolf in an old fairy tale that everyone's afraid of. I think I'll just stick with my wolf.

So I'm your wolf? He chuckled.

Yes. And don't you dare say you're not, or I swear I'll burst out crying right now. You're the only person I've had a real conversation with for almost two and a half years.

Fine, okay, I'm your wolf. He laughed, but it sounded more like a scoff. Whatever makes you happy is fine by me.

Will I ever see you in your human form?

Like I said, you're a smart girl…figure it out.

And when I do?

I have no idea.

"Hey, Danny, do you text?" Josh asked me, tilting his head towards me.

I shrugged. He held out his left hand to me, a sharpie in his right. "May I see your hand?"

I blinked and hesitated before placing my hand in his. He scribbled numbers on the back of my hand. "Text me—or call me if you finally want to talk—anytime." He winked. I blushed faintly and nodded, pulling my tingling hand back to me.

I just got someone's number… a guy's number! Internally, I squealed, and smiled.

My wolf spoke again, saying sarcastically, You might want to block me out again; I don't think you wanted me to hear that.

Hey…that's so not fair!

He just laughed.

Do you go to this school, Wolf? Haha. Sounds weird, doesn't it?

Just a little bit. He laughed with me. But, yea, I do.

Yes! That narrows it down even more.

Sure, okay. Good luck, Danny. Don't forget to text Joshua…