Chapter 3 Identities

That evening, the family ate their supper of warm pigeon broth and wheat bread in silence, each person deep in their own thoughts. Ella couldn't control the way her eyes continuously darted in Ty's direction, waiting for the moment where he told on her. His face bore an angry red slash on one cheek and the tip of his nose. Without much of an appetite, Ella pushed her meat around her plate, anxiously waiting for the moment dinner would be over and she could finally run to her small attic room where she could curl up with her eyes tightly shut and pretend that today hadn't ever happened.

From the corner of her eye, she saw her father shift at the head of the table and her spine stiffened. He cleared his throat and sat back on his seat, taking a moment to gaze around at his little family of 3 in the faint orange light of their little kitchen. She saw when his gaze rested on her and with purpose, she spooned a small portion of broth into her mouth, heart in her throat as she chewed mechanically. She also felt it the moment his gaze turned to Ty, who sat just opposite her. With bated breath, she waited for her dad to turn back to his food but he didn't and in that moment, she knew he had finally noticed it.

"What happened to your face, Tyson?". He asked gently.

Her heartbeat quickened and her throat suddenly felt dry. Her eyes snapped up and met Ty's. She tried to communicate as much as she could without words, pleading with him not to tell but he only eyed her warily before turning back to his food, taking time to chew on the piece of meat in his mouth before replying.

"I got into a fight". He said briefly, pointedly avoiding their father's eyes.

Their dad was silent for a while as he observed him. While he wasn't particularly strict, their father was a man who laid down rules in his household and expected them to be followed. And he definitely didn't like to be crossed. It amazed and warmed her heart that Ty was taking the risk of displeasing him simply to protect her. Her eyes burned with tears and she quickly looked back down at her plate to prevent anyone from noticing.

"What did I say about getting into fights, Tyson?". Their father asked tightly.

"I'm sorry, Papa. It was the Scottfield boys. And they were picking on Ella". He mumbled, still avoiding his father's eyes. His little lie obviously sat better with their dad than most, but he still looked displeased.

"No mat..........".

"Oh come on James......". Their mum chipped in.".......the children have had a rough day. And besides he was only being protective of Ariella".

The corners of her father's mouth tightened in displeasure but he kept quiet reluctantly before turning back to his food. Hesitantly, Ella glanced across at Ty from under her lashes and met him staring at her. She managed a small, watery smile and mouthed "thank you". He nodded ever so faintly but it was more than enough. A few moments later, she felt the little fond kick he gave her under the table and looked back up at him. And there it was in his eyes, the unspoken promise. And right then, looking into her brother's eyes, her heart warmed beyond imagination and a reassuring weight rested on her heart. She was safe, Tyson was going to make sure of that forever.

"Ella?".

Her heart dropped and faster than she would have liked, she sat up straighter and turned to her father.

"Yes Papa?".

His brows were furrowed tightly as he stared at the nape of her neck, where the streak of platinum blonde hair had sprouted out from. Just before dinner when she had glanced in the mirror, Ella had noticed that the outlandish band of hair was growing wider, nearly covering the portion of hair up to her ears. Her mother had walked in on her and helped her drape a curtain of dark hair over it and when she had asked her what it was, her mum had only kissed her head and told her they'd talk later. She had hoped to get through dinner without her father noticing, so much for luck.

"What's with your hair?". He was up from his seat now, squatting beside her, peering into the strands of hair curiously. "What happened, Ariella?".

It was never a good thing when her dad called her full name.

"James......". Her mum rose from her seat too. ".....we need to talk".

Her father glanced at her worriedly before pushing up to his feet. Ella was surprised when he pulled her close and kissed her head before walking after their mum who had already turned around and was making her way into the room. When the last of him disappeared round the door, Ella felt herself experience fear for the first time. Slowly she turned to face Tyson and met him staring at her eerily over his food.

"Am I going to be fine, Ty?".

His hand snaked over the table to cover hers and all over again, she wanted to cry. "Of course you'll be. Let Mama and Papa sort it out".

She only nodded but even as she turned to her food, she couldn't find it in her to develop an appetite. Partly because the gruesome event of earlier kept playing in her mind. She felt her stomach roil each time. There were so many things happening...she couldn't even process them. Nothing made sense to her. Yet again, she couldn't shake off the feeling that a 7 year old shouldn't even have to worry about the things she was worrying about.

She didn't know how long she stayed there but finally, she felt a pair of firm but gentle arms lift her from the seat where she'd slumped in sleep. By the silken strands of hair that tickled her face and the unmistakable scent of lavender, Ella knew it had to be her mum. Her mother carried her up the little flight of stairs till they were in the attic which actually served as Ella's room and laid her down gently upon her well used mattress of straw. She smoothed back hair from her face and kissed her forehead gingerly. Ella didn't have it in her to wait one more day for answers and so she opened her eyes slowly, focusing on her mother's icy blue eyes as they looked down at her in compassion.

"Mama". She croaked out.

"My sweet girl". Her mum whispered, smiling down at her softly.

"What's going with me?".

Her mum stilled for a little moment before smiling at her reassuringly again. "I'll tell you about it sometime my sweet. Go to bed now".

She made to pull away but Ella gripped her hand. "I pushed Tyson today". She said shortly.

"You always......".

"I pushed him hard. Very hard. I didn't mean to". Her mum was silent and Ella took that as a cue to continue. Her voice dropped down to a whisper as she stared up at her mother fearfully. "I had claws, Mama". She whispered in one flush of breath and instantly felt the tears spring into her eyes again.

"Baby.....".

"The woman at the square....she had them too". She was clinging to her mother's arm now, her body racked with the horror of the image. "Is that why they killed her?".

Her mother's eyes glistened with tears and she pulled her into a fierce hug. "Shhhh.....".

"Are they going to do that to me too?". A sob racked her body as she let out her worst fear.

"No no no". Her mother fisted the back of her head and pulled her tighter against her. "They are not going to do that to you, my sweet. Never".

Ella pulled back and looked at her mother with dewy eyes. "What am I, Mama?. Am I a monster?".

Her mum rose a hand and smoothed her hair out of her face. "You are not a monster, Ariella. What you are, my darling.......is a werewolf, just like me".