Chapter 2: THE BOY IN THE WOODS
ARIANNE (13 years ago)
I felt fear all over my body as I heard the news of the beasts. I guess that explains all the commotions outside.
"They attacked sometime around midnight, there were three of them" Uncle Fred said holding his gun.
"One of them attacked old Joe but we shot him dead."
"Two others are still at large but injured, I suspect" Uncle Leonardo informed with a gleam in his eyes.
My dad sighed at that, "Well then we have to search for them, injured or not they are still dangerous."
"Of course, let's go!" Uncle Fred ordered and the men nodded on agreement.
"But wait, what about the kids?" My dad asked looking upstairs and I moved backwards to make sure I was very well hidden.
Uncle Leonardo smiled dismissively, "I'm sure Christine already has them hidden already."
My dad nodded his head in agreement, "Yes, yes, of course."
"Now, let's go" Uncle Leonardo ordered and together the men and my dad all went out. Each of them armed with guns, none of them stopping to check if we are really protected from the beasts.
I stepped out from my hiding place and I looked around. I couldn't hear anything from inside the house. Just the yells of people from outside. I looked up the stairs again and there was no movement in the hallways, which means Christine and Rissa are probably protected somewhere but I wasn't, I was left alone.
I pulled my cloak tighter around me and decided to go outside. The snow was falling now and I pulled my hood over my head to protect myself. People walked around carrying guns and torches but no one spared me another look, not that I mind anyway. I just wanted to find my father, then maybe perhaps he could take me to where Christine and Rissa was.
I trudged into the snow trying to find my father admit the chaos happening around me. I couldn't find him anywhere and I was starting to get far away from the house. I didn't stop, I just continued walking till I found myself in the woods.
I continued walking, keeping my eyes sharp and alert in case there were any beasts lurking nearby. I was still walking when I noticed a stain on red on the snow, it looked like blood! Confused, I looked around me but I didn't see anyone. I cocked my head to the side and that was when I heard it, a low growl.
I stood frozen to the spot in fear. There was an animal with me in the woods. I waited a few more minute, waiting for a wild animal to spring at me, but nothing came out. It was just me and my breaths which were coming out in clouds of smoke due to the cold.
Thinking I must have been confused, I continued my walk when I heard the growl again but this time it was more like that of a wounded animal and it sounded closer too. I pulled my cloak closer and walked towards where the sound was coming from. The more I walked, the more I noticed there were more patches of blood on the floor. I also noticed the scratch marks on the tree.
I traced the scratch with my fingertips trying to figure out what kind of animal it was. I was still lost in my thought when suddenly a black beast suddenly appeared in front of me and let out a almighty roar, raising it claws at me.
"ARGHH!" I screamed as I fell down on my butt into the snow.
The beast was as black as midnight with two glowing yellow eyes! Long teeth protruded from it mouth and it claws were very long and sharp! I've finally come face to face with a real life beast! After I came to that shocking confirmation, I picked myself up and ran just as fast as my small legs could carry me.
I could hear the growl of the beast behind me and I pushed myself to run faster but even I knew that there was no way you could outrun a beast. Nevertheless I pushed myself to run faster and I was still running when I tripped on a rock that was hidden in the snow.
A whimper escaped my lips as my body hit the ground and I scrambled to get a look behind me to see if the beast was still after me but it wasn't, because it was directly in front of me now staring at me with big bright glowing eyes!
I stared up at the beast feeling the fear all the way to my bones as I waited for the pain of sharp teeth digging into my skin. The beast stood there, still growling at me and just when I was about to piss myself in anticipation of death, it slumped down to the ground!
With a small scream I scrambled backwards, picked myself up from the ground and tried to ran. I ran as fast as I could hoping to get into my house and sit by the fire with a cup of hot chocolate in my hand so I could forget this horrible night. But as I ran, I chanced a look behind me only to see that the beast still laid in the snow, not moving.
I stopped running and looked at the beast which was taking deep slow breaths, it was hurt! Before I knew it my feet were carrying me towards where the beast lay. It didn't move when I got close to it or even when I sat next to it. I was about to poke it with a stick when the strangest then happened, the beast slowly began to transform and I watched in horror as it transformed into its human form, a boy!
I moved closer to look at him and I saw that it was a boy slightly older than I was, maybe eleven or twelve. His clothes were torn and he was also bleeding all over. He was badly hurt and I needed to get him somewhere safe! I thought to myself.
I hooked my arms around him and tried to drag him but I crumpled into the snow, my breath going 'oof' as the boy's arm landed on my stomach. I saw the boys eyelashes flutter when I turned to look at him.
I leaned towards him, "Hey, look I'm going to help you, you've been badly hurt and in order for me to get you home, you need to help me, okay?"
A groan fell from the boy's lips in response. Satisfied that he understood me, I stood up and pulled him along with me. He was less heavy now and didn't lean all his weight on me, just enough for me to support him and walk him to my house.
Thankfully, not much people were on the street. I was able to lead the boy to my house without getting noticed. Resting my hand on his shoulder so as to support him, we began to climb up the stairs to my room and as soon as we were inside, the boy collapsed on my mattress with a groan.
"Shhh, you need to be quiet!" I hissed at him but he just continued breathing heavily, I needed to get his wounds cleaned up.
"I'm going to go downstairs and get something for your wounds, so stay here" I informed him as I stood up and after giving him one last look, I dashed out of my room.
I hurried downstairs to where the first aid kit was kept. I opened it and grabbed some bandages, a scissors and a bottle of antiseptic. I hid everything inside my pockets and I was about to climb upstairs when I remembered something. I went to the kitchen and pulled out a box of chocolate cookies. I was about to go back to my room when I collided into someone, I looked up only to see Uncle Leonardo standing directly in front of me, Oh God!
"What are you still doing up?" He asked peering down at me.
"I uh...I..." I licked my dry lips as I searched for an excuse, "I couldn't sleep, not with all the noise going on outside" I finally said.
Uncle Leonardo cocked his head to the side, "You are supposed to be with Christine and Rissa."
"Yeah, but Rissa was a bit hungry and I was craving cookies" I held the box of cookies up and silently prayed my uncle would believe me but he just stood there staring at me for a minute before he finally ruffled my hair.
"Alright, get on out of here" He pushed me away and I let out a breath in relief and hurriedly went upstairs.
I got to my room and shut the door, locking it. I then went to check on the boy and thankfully he was still breathing. Emptying the contents in my pocket, I dashed into the bathroom to get a clean bowl of water and a towel.
Dipping the towel inside the water, I began to clean the boy's wound till I couldn't see any blood and the cuts were visible now. Then I began applying the antiseptic to disinfect his wounds and I applied the ointment on it. I removed the bandage and made the boy sit up so he was resting on me.
I wrapped the bandage around his body till I was sure I had covered all his wounds. When I was done, I made him lie back down on my bed and made sure the blankets were wrapped tightly around him. I cleared everything and made a mental note to burn the towel first thing tomorrow morning. I quickly shut the windows and I sat down on the floor next to the bed, watching the boy.
Now that his wounds were clean and he was no longer bleeding, I could see his face clearly now. His hair was black, just as black as the fur I had seen in him. He had perfectly shaped eyebrows and long eyelashes that would make Rissa jealous. His lips were full and red in colour but they looked dry and chapped.
Even with all that, there was no denying the fact that the boy was very handsome, though I suspect that has something to do with what he is. Everyone knows that the beasts were better looking in their human forms. I've heard stories about how they use their beauty to lure unsuspecting humans to their deaths.
I quickly averted my gaze from the boy, I didn't want to stare at him any longer. I was about to walk away when the boy reached out to squeeze my hand. Blinking, I turned to look at the boy who had his eyes opened now and I saw that they were a gray colour, very beautiful and captivating.
"You saved me" The boy rasped out, "Why?" He demanded.
I shrugged at him, "I don't know, because it was the right thing to do I guess."
"But you don't save a werewolf and you even brought me to your home" The boy spoke again but this time one word caught my attention, werewolf.
"What is that? What's a werewolf?"
"It's what I am, what my kind are" The boy answered groaning as he pulled himself up Into a sitting position.
"You refer to us as beast but we are just half human-half wolf."
I cocked my head to the side, "Wolf? No, no, you are a lot bigger than an actual wolf."
"Hence the name werewolf" The boy commented dryly and I nodded my head, digesting the new information.
"So tell me, what is it you want human?" The boy asked regarding me with a bored look.
I frowned at what he called me, "My name is Arianne, not human."
"Arianne" He said to himself and for some reason, I liked the way he pronounced my name.
"So what's your name?" I decided to ask him.
The boy scoffed at me before looking away, "Humans aren't worthy of my name."
"Oh kayy" I drawled out eyeing him warily but I shook my head, deciding it didn't matter.
I looked away from the boy and pulled the box of cookies closer to me. Inhaling the sweet sugary smell, I plopped one into my mouth and savoured the sweet taste. I was about to eat another one when I noticed the boy was looking at me.
"Want some?" I asked thrusting the box at him.
"Get that thing away from me" He pushed the box away from me and I narrowed my eyes at him, he wasn't nice at all.
"You are mean!" I told him and he just rolled his eyes at me while I pouted looking at the ground, feeling tears well up my eyes.
"Are you crying?" I heard the boy ask but I didn't look up just continued to stare at the ground, "Shit, you are crying!"
"I'm not" I sniffed wiping away my tears that were rolling down my cheeks.
The boy let out a sigh, "Fine, I'll eat just a little" the boy announced and I smiled at him.
I hurriedly handed him the box of cookies and he scoffed at my excitement but he ate the cookies. I grinned at him when I saw that he was gobbled the entire content of the box. He caught me smiling and he looked away after sliding the empty box at me.
"So you are all alone kid?" The boy asked and I wrinkled my face at the way he called me kid, he wasn't much older than I am so, who was he to call me kid?
"Yeah but my stepmother and sister are in the house, somewhere" I said bringing my knees to my chest.
The boy smirked at me, "And now you are all alone with the big bad wolf? Not very smart of you kid."
"I know you won't hurt me or at least I hope you won't" I said looking at the boy who cocked his head at me, "Besides, I helped you because I don't like people getting hurt" I added with a shrug and a yawn escaped my lips. I was tired and starting to feel sleepy.
"And you think I'm worth saving? Aren't you going to regret this?" The boy asked me.
"No I won't" I said curling myself to sleep on the floor, "Everyone's worth saving, even beasts" I mumbled sleepily.
"Someday," In my haze of sleep I heard the boy speak, "Someday you are going to regret it Arianne" I heard him say but I was already asleep by then and when I woke up the next morning, I met myself on the bed with the blanket around me.
I got up from the bed searching around my room for the boy but he was nowhere to be found. He was already gone!
~~~
Hey guys, what's your thought on this chapter? I really look forward to reading honest opinions about this book?
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
DA_Aloera
DA_Aloera I really hope you guys will support me by leaving reviews. I want to be able to interact with every one of my readers
Chapter 3: IMPORTANT GUESTS
Present day
The wind whipped through my hair as I ran in the woods. I could feel the adrenaline rush through my body as I ran faster. I looked behind me and I could see a blur of grey fur and it was gaining on me. Without another thought, I took a sharp left, narrowly missing a tree branch that almost smacked into my face.
I was about to take another turn when I was suddenly attacked from behind and I tumbled into the snow, rolling with a grey wolf which soon had me pinned beneath it. I looked up at the wolf's blue eyes as it started growling at me and I just laid on the snow, awaiting my fate. I was still waiting when the wolf leaned down and suddenly liked my face sloppily.
"Ewwwww" I groaned as I pushed it head away, "Alright blue, that's enough" I told Blue who finally got off me and started jumping around. I'm guessing it wants to play some more.
I laughed as I picked myself up from the ground and dust the snow off my clothes. Blue came over and nudged me with it head, asking me to play with him again.
"I'm sorry Blue, but I can't" I apologized bending down to scratch the spot behind it's ear he likes so much, "I need to go home" I informed him and he let out a whine as it sat on the ground.
I smiled as I looked at him, he had grown so much since the last time I saw him. I had saved him from getting killed by poachers when had killed his family when he was a young pup. I had saved him when he was a baby and had him hidden. Ever since then, we got close and there was also another reason why I kept him around.
For some reason, I could understand animals. I know what language they speak and they could understand me as well. I don't know how it happened but I realised I could speak to speak to them ever since I was a kid. I first knew about this in school. The teacher had gotten a guinea pig for an experiment but it suddenly spoke in my mind in a terrified voice, asking me to save it which I did.
Of course, that didn't go well with the other kids because they started calling me a freak when I started speaking to the guinea pig and freed it from the cage. The news reached my father who reprimanded me me and took me to see a therapist. The therapist came to a conclusion that I needed to spend more times among people and that my lack of friends was what prompted me to speak to a guinea pig. He was right in a way, I had no friends. No one wanted to be friends with a red haired witch.
I learned to hide my abilities around people and that was when I met Blue. He was my only friend, we understood each other and we have one thing in common, we are both alone. I was stroking Blue's fur when I noticed time had gone. I needed to get going.
"Okay Blue, I need to get going" I informed Blue who let out a whine in respnse, "I'll see you soon, I promise" I said then placed a kiss on top of its fur.
After making sure Blue had gone to his hideout and he was safely hidden, I draped my cloak over my shoulders and started heading home. I got home just before they could serve breakfast and thankfully no one was downstairs.
"And where have you been young lady?' I was about to enter my bedroom when that voice stopped me.
I turned to look behind me with a sheepish smile on my face, "Hey Cruzita."
"Don't tell me you went into the woods again" Cruzita said in a stern voice.
"Whaaaat?" I drawled out in a high pitched voice, "Of course not, why would you thin that?"
Cruzita arched a brow up at me, "Because you tracked snow into the house and you've got a twig in your hair."
Shit! I mentally cursed as I reached up to remove the twig from my hair. Cruzita let out a sigh and I peeked at her from my eyelashes to see that she was looking at me with a tired look on her face.
"I'll never understand you Arianne" She said looking at me tiredly.
I looked down at my boots, "When has anyone ever?" I mumbled to myself.
"Because you never give anyone a chance to Arianne" Cruzita sighed exasperatedly, "When was the last time you sat with someone and have a conversation with them? You are always locked up in your room reading a book, or running into the woods doing God knows what!"
"I do have conversations with you" I pointed out with a smile.
Cruzita wrinkled her face at me, "I don't mean me, I meant people more your age!"
I let out a sigh, then reached up to remove my cloak, letting my hair tumble down my shoulders.
"Look at me Cruzita," I told Cruzita who stared at me with a look of sympathy, "You are the only one I know who isn't scared to sit down and talk to me or scared I would put a hex on them, kids take a look at me and think I would place a curse on them when they sleep. People think I'm a freak Cruzita! Does that answer your question why I can't have conversations with people?" I shouted at Cruzita who was still looking at me with pity and I hated it.
"Arianne, I..." Cruzita started to say but I didn't want to hear it.
Instead I went to my room and l slammed the door. Dropping my cloak, I walked towards the mirror and stared at myself. Different colour of eyes stared back at me, one brown and one green and my hair, still the same fiery red. I remember when I was sixteen I decided to dye my hair, just to fit in. I tried bleaching it into a brown colour and It worked! Only for a day though because when I woke up the next morning, it was back to the normal colour, red!
I stared deep at myself in the mirror trying to see if I resembled my dad in anyway but I just don't see it, well maybe my right brown eye I guess. Cruzita says I look like my mother, not like I remember her though. Her memories were starting to fade and Christine already took down pictures and paintings of my mother in the house so there were no traces of her in the house.
I wish I could remember her though, what she looked like. Maybe if I did, I'd feel more human and less like a freak, I thought to myself as I stared at the mirror.
'You should come down for breakfast, your dad wants you there" Cruzita interrupted my thought from the other side of the door.
I let out a sigh as I began to shred out of my clothes to change into something more appropriate. Papa would have a stroke if he caught me putting on shirts and trousers.
"A lady is supposed to act with poise and grace, that's how she gets respected in the society" Papa always says but I think he got me mixed up with Rissa who finds any excuse to play dress up in expensive dresses.
I opened my wardrobe and pulled out a black flared dress. I wore it and it fell down all the way to my legs. I draped a black scarf over my head to make sure my hair was well hidden. Even when indoors, I needed to cover my hair, papa's orders. I guess that way, I'd seem less like a freak to him and more normal.
When I was done, I opened the door and climbed down the stairs. I went into the dining room just in time to see Cruzita set my table but the rest of my family had already begun eating.
"Good morning" I greeted as I made my way to my seat and they all mumbled a greeting back at me.
I picked up a scone and I was halfway buttering it when my dad asked a question. "Where have you been Arianne?"
"Um, you know, nowhere in particular just around" I gave a jumbled reply then shoved the scone into my mouth.
My dad decided to look up from his food and at me, "That's not an answer Arianne, where have you been?"
I cocked my eyebrow up at him, since when did he care about where I go? I mean he barely notice it when I'm in a room with him, let alone step out if the house.
"How about we just leave her alone my love?" Christine suddenly spoke up and I turned to look at her, "Cut her some slack, she is after all already of that age where she makes her own decisions and is finally ready to start getting the call of suitors?" Christine finished waggling her eyebrows at me while I gripped my fork tightly as Rissa busted out laughing.
"A suitor?" Rissa asked amidst fits of laughter, "Who'd marry her?"
"Alright that's enough Rissa" Dad chastised but I looked away and instead focused on finishing my breakfast.
I heard my dad sigh, "Listen Arianne, I just don't want you to get hurt and we can't protect you if you don't stay with us and talk to us, I...I just want you to be safe is all" My dad finished looking at me with those brown eyes of his.
"Is something happening Papa?" I asked because he was acting strange.
My dad perked up at that, "Nothing, nothing, I'm just a little worried about the selection is all."
Oh right, the selection ceremony! I thought to myself wryly. Today was going to be the night of the full moon, a day the werewolves worship their moon goddess and come into our town to select a girl to take along with them.
No one really knew where the girls are been taken to do and no one bothered to ask because it cannot be anything good. While some of us are terrified at the thought of being taken to serve the beasts, there are some girls in this town who looked forward to it.
They think of it as nothing but something out of a fairytale book, the beauty who tames the beasts and they look forward to it. They even go as far as dressing themselves up just to be selected. I think it's stupid though and I'm glad I'm too much of a freak for anyone to choose me as their mate.
"So what do you plan on doing today?" Dad asked but before I could answer Rissa dropped a huge announcement.
"I'm engaged!" She squealed in excitement.
What? I thought to myself as I stared at her in shock.
"Oh my heavens! Really? To who?" Christine squealed sharing the same excitement with her daughter.
"Thomas Kirby!" Rissa announced and the cup of water I was about to drink stopped midair.
"Thomas Kirby?" I asked and everyone turned to look at me.
"Wow sis, I didn't think you'd know anyone in this town, I'm shocked" Rissa said with mock surprise and I rolled my eyes at her.
Just because I didn't associate with the people in town doesn't mean I don't keep my eyes and ears open. Besides everyone knew who Thomas Kirby was. The most eligible and handsome bachelor in the whole town. He had dirty blonde hair, eyes as blue as the ocean with a smile that could charm the panties off a nun. He was also the mayor's son, but the thing about Thomas was that he was a bit of a man slut and this wasn't news to anybody. I don't understand why Rissa suddenly wants to get engaged to him.
Rissa could get any guy she wants without much stress. Rissa has always been beautiful right from childhood. She had fair porcelain skin and her blonde hair was so full it cascaded down in golden waves all the way to her waist. I could remember the first time I saw her, I was so captivated by her beauty I thought she was an angel, but clearly she wasn't because she exist to make my life miserable. I still don't get why she wants to marry Thomas Kirby though.
"That's great honey, I'm proud of you" Dad said beaming at Rissa who grinned at him.
I cocked my head to the side, "You can't be serious" I spoke up looking at my family.
"Something the matter Arianne?" Dad asked as he stared at me.
"Yeah, Rissa can't marry Thomas Kirby!"
"And why is that?" Rissa asked blinking at me.
"Because he's a slut that's why!" I said getting angry.
"Language Arianne!" Dad chastised me dryly as he drank his wine but I ignored him and turned to look at Rissa.
"And engaged? You guys just started dating two weeks ago, you barely know each other!" I pointed out still not believing the news.
"Awww, well thanks for the concern sis but Thomas and I love each other, something you clearly have no experience with" Rissa cooed at me and I rolled my eyes.
"Love?" I scoffed in disbelief, "Is that what he told you?"
"Okay enough Arianne!" Christine said sternly, "No need to be bitter about your sister's happiness."
"I'm just looking out for her, what's so wrong about that?" I asked in disbelief.
"Rissa is a grown woman, she makes her own decisions!"
"Yeah right!" I scoffed at Christine who narrowed her eyes at me.
"Besides, the only person you should look out for is yourself" She said in a stern voice, "You are not getting any younger Arianne, very soon you are going to need to bring home a suitor of your own and if you don't have one we will marry you off!"
What? "Okay, you can't be serious" I scoffed at her but Christine wasn't laughing at me which told me she was serious, "Papa?" I called looking at my dad for help but he just looked at me with a tired look on his face.
"Your mother's right Arianne" Dad agreed with Christine and I shook my head at them as I stood up from the dining table.
"And where do you think you are going?" Dad asked me.
"To my room" I answered not bothering to look at him.
"Alright but we are having important guests this evening, I'll need you there" My dad announced stopping me in my tracks.
"Important guests? Who are they?" I cocked my head at him.
My dad averted his gaze from me and picked up the news paper that was on the table beside him, "Just some important people from next town."
I frowned at that, my dad was clearly hiding something. Looking at my whole family now, I think they are all hiding something from me but the most important thing of all was who are the important guests and why does my dad need me with him?
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
200+ Power
Ranking 
29 Power
stone 
Paragraph comment