Chapter 1 Chapter 1

Out of all days to be sick it's on my birthday. I have a fever which is the worst fever I have ever had. My skin feels like it's on fire and my muscles and bones ache. I'm not sure if that's possible but that's how my bones feel.

My mother told me to stay in bed, without saying a happy birthday. I guess she forgot just like my siblings. I swear it totally slipped their minds that I'm turning 16. I hear things being thrown at my window, I groan pushing the sheet, that is on me, off. I get out of bed and shuffle across the floor to the window.

I look out and see Brandon and Luke. They are my two best guy friends. Brandon has brown hair and dark brown eyes. Luke also has brown hair with bluish gray eyes. I smile seeing them and force myself to throw on sweats and a sweatshirt. I know this could make me feel worse and my mom could yell at me, but I head out anyway popping a lifesaver mint in my mouth.

I sneak outside and meet them in the back. "You look awful." Brandon smiles at me. I narrow my eyes at him playfully.

"Thanks that's the look I was going for." I sarcastically say. He rolls his eyes and looks to Luke.

"Happy Birthday!" They chorus wrapping me in a group hug. I hug them back smiling.

"Thanks guys." They pull back and look at me weirdly.

"God Karla, you are burning." Luke says concern lacing his voice.

"Oh, yeah I kind of have a fever." I say looking down twisting my shoe side to side in the dirt.

"Kind of? Karla you skin feels like it's on fire!" Brandon exclaims.

"Can we just take a walk?" I ask annoyed.

"No Karla, you should go and rest." Brandon says shaking his head. I frown and look to Luke.

"Mace, I don't want you to get worse." He says. I groan crossing my arms over my chest. All of a sudden my bones feel like they are popping and breaking. I scream in pain dropping to the ground. I curl up on my side screaming and crying from the excruciating pain. Blackness takes over my senses as I drift away.

I open my eyes to see a worried and shocked, mostly shocked, looking Brandon and Luke. I try to sit up but it feels different. I look down and see I have four paws instead of hands and feet. They are a sandy color which is probably what my whole coat looks like. I stand up straight looking at them. They are talking to me, but I still have them tuned out. I focus on them trying not to panic.

"Karla don't move Adam's on his way." Brandon says. I shake my head stepping back. I don't want him to come.

"Don't freak out, just breath." Luke says. I roll my eyes at him. They seem so cautious, but not freaked out.

I hear paws hitting the ground getting louder coming this way. I take that as my time to run. Why I am running? I don't know. I feel like it's just something I have to deal with alone. I keep running hoping no one follows me. I run to the mountain and climb up it a little. I stop hearing a twig snap.

I freeze and snap my head in that direction there is a little girl, who I recognize as one of my neighbors. I walk up to her and she smiles slightly with her tear stained face. She is only six and doesn't talk much. I near voices and smell an unfamiliar discussing scent. I send her a look and point to the bushes. She nods and runs to them and hides.

I watch as four guys come out from the trees. They all look scary but they don't scare me. I growl at them warningly and they chuckle at me. "Look." One says pointing at me. "I've never seen a wolf that color." He says.

They all stare intently at me. "Keep to the mission." Another growls. "Find the girl." He says annoyed.

"Why are we looking for her anyway?" The first one asks.

"You idiot we need to send a message." He exclaims hitting the back of the other one's head. That one growls, and they start sniffing the air and then they snap their heads in the direction of the bushes.

I let out a low growl warning them. "Why is she worried. She can't be a werewolf she's too small." One said who hasn't spoken yet.

"Shit... She must have a den there." The fourth one says.

"Aww can I see the pups?" The first one asks excitedly. I growl again taking a step forward. The second doesn't care and walks closer as the third one hits the first on on the back of the head. I do the only thing I can think of. I tilt my head up and howl a troubled howl. I know everyone can hear it, and that they all probably turn into wolves too. The guys in front of me don't looked phased at all.

They start shaking as their eyes turn darker and next thing there are four all gray wolves in their places. I try to keep my confidence up standing my ground. I growl at them as they start to stalk towards me.

I lunge at the one closest to me tackling him to the ground. He bites down on my leg and I whimper. The first one tackles me to the ground pinning me down. I look to see the others circling around.

Then I see four huge wolves jump out tackling the gray ones. One, the biggest, is a dark gray almost black another is a traditional gray and brown color. Another one is gray while the last one is all brown. They easily take out the other wolves, and I watch what's going on. The dark gray one tackles the one on me killing it with one bite.

I realize the little girl is still hiding and rush to her. She comes out and hugs me. "Thank you." She says hugging my neck tight. I smile and lick her cheek.

'Karla?' I hear a voice in my head. I jump at first but it sounds like my father. I turn to the wolves.

'Dad?' I question in my head. The biggest one walks forward wagging his tail.

'Karla it looks like your wolf decided to come out.' He says happily. 'Are you okay though?' He asks looking over my wolf for injuries.

'No dad I'm fine.' I say annoyed.

'Mace, we thought we wouldn't get here in time.' Luke says, the gray wolf stepping forward.

'Yeah, what were you thinking running off.' Adam, the brown and gray wolf walks forward. He is not happy and I growl at him.

'Incase you haven't noticed I saved a life.' I say jerking my head behind me towards the little girl. He looks at her and let's it go.

'Lets head back.' My father says. I nod my head and head back to the little girl. I lay on my back and her gets on knowing that's what I want her to do. We start our journey back and I can't help but wonder how this all happened.

----

"So basically everyone I have ever talked to and met is a werewolf?" I ask looking at my father. We are sitting in the living room and I waiting for a full on explanation. My father and mother are sitting on the love seat holding each other's hand. My twin brother and sister are on the long couch with me in the middle.

"Yes." My father says cautiously.

"So, you have lied to me my whole life?" I ask accusingly.

"No, Karla we didn't want you to feel left out." My mother says looking guilty.

"Karla we are surprised your wolf came out." Adam says. I send him a glare.

"What do you mean?" I growl out.

"We first shifted when we were eight. Most shift when they are ten, but since we have alpha blood we shifted at eight." Adam says.

"Alpha blood?" I question looking to my dad.

"I'm the Alpha of this pack, which means I'm the leader. Your Mother is the Luna the female Alpha." My father explains. I nod my head looking down getting annoyed that they didn't tell me.

"So what do I need to know?" I ask looking up right into my father's eyes.

"Our pack is called the Eclipse pack. Our pack is about two hundred strong, and we are one of the largest in the world. The other pack, that has the same amount, is our rival pack. They are dangerous and ruthless so don't run into them. They smell like rain mist while our pack smells like the a woodsy smell. That pack is called the Blue Moon pack." My dad starts explaining as I just absorb it all in.

"Also stay away from rogues, the wolves that are not part of a pack. You will know them by their nasty smell. The wolves that attacked you were rogues." He says looking at me for a reaction.

"Why did it take so long for me to shift?" I ask the only question bugging me.

"Well I think it's because for your rare coloring." My father says. I stand up and start pacing the room and I feel all their eyes on me.

"Karla, dear... Are you okay?" I hear my mother's concerned voice. I stop and glare at them.

"Why wouldn't you have told me!" I growl loudly. They all flinch a little in their seats.

"Karla we didn't want to get your hopes up incase you would never shift." My sister says. I growl and storm out of my house.

"Where are you going?" Adam asks from the door. I stop and look at him letting out a low growl.

"On a run. I need to clear my head." I say. He nods his head understanding.

"I'll leave clothes out for you." He says shutting the door. I turn around and run into the woods.