e concrete steps at the back door. I cried out as I tumbled do

stily looked away from him, keeping my eyes lo

that?" he asked, stalking up to me. He was fourteen and I was a very small eleven yea

es, I

neered, mimicking wha

ed, although the word f

by my hair. I shook my head violently in protest. My ever present f

N-n-n

, as if to test how easily it would tear from my scalp. It had grown since the lice inc

"No

said, sounding

dest son and predecessor called out. I liked Drake. He stopp

ed but left with

t found a new book under a pile of unwanted clothes. Blowing off the dust, I smiled a rare smile at the worn cover - old books held much more

was dusty or sometimes I shared it with spiders. I loved the fairy lights I had strung up, I loved the canopy I had created and I loved t

for a dictionary. It looked like German. With a triumphant smile my hands fell up

could learn how to speak the languages too. I was so ove

the shack three miles away. I had been sent there three times now and

icked under my breath, "Why don

endously. I had also developed a limp, Owen must've crushed my ankle harder then I thought. I fill

commemorate Drake's shift. He would

t to the massive bonfire did I

lief didn'

t down I tripped over a leg and came tumbling down. I g

was

crambled to my feet. I bowed my head respectfully, bracing myself for the inevitable pai

e off with a punch to the face. I was launch

nd gripped me by the hair painfully. I crie

ake chastised, "We're m

u just don't want me to do t

', you saw me shift - s

grabbed my wrist and began twisting until it would

me here

fort out of the corner of my eye. Although it can't have been worse than

ng and capable you are of leading our pack.

think that'

future Alpha and put a foot on my back, kicking me down. My arm was outstretched, vulnerable, as Drake tentatively took it from h

n turned to address the audience. "My people,

round the silent campfire, accompanied by my harsh scream. Drake quickly dropped my broken wrist and I clutched it to my chest,

ones and he glared. "Get to the attic," He snarled. I didn't need telli

My a

loor. A bone in my finger cracked and I cried out in pain. Soon after there was more cracking, more bo

rom downstairs. I wanted to comply but a

YOU DON'T SHUT UP, I'LL COME

rough me. I was feverish now. I was shifting, I had to be. I should be excited. I've seen others shift - the pack all gather around the

ng it in my mouth instead. I must stay quiet. I shivered again and briefly panicked, wondering whether this was all going wrong. A cacop

atively. The room looked different, sharper, clearer. I got to my feet but collapsed, looking down to see two furry paws. I had shifted! I scrabbled to my feet, walking a fe

was tr

he silver chains ate away at my wrists and ankles, the pain unnoticeable to me accept from the warmth it provided me. It

gotten about the visiting Alpha, I wouldn

was m

riefly whether this time I might actually die. I had lasted a long time - 16 years. He kicked on the soft flesh of my stomach relentlessly but I was numb. There

ng. I could barely breathe or even smell past my own blood. I was helpless and weak as always.

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