Chapter 4-01

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…

"Bitch, get up! Now! I'm fucking 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 ass 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.