Secret To Keep

Rea POV

Werewolves have always lived in secret, right under humans' noses. We lived with strict rules that, for centuries, had maintained our safety and let us thrive. Our worlds could never touch; it was our way. At least, that's what my father would say before trying to distract me. My mother died when I was young, leaving my father to take care of me. It wasn't easy, but through thick and thin, we managed and survived.

My father was an old werewolf of wisdom and was looked up to by many; I, myself, looked up to him. But my father told me one thing would stay with me my entire life.

'In the pack, we trust; in the pack, we survive. In the pack, you chose to lead, follow, or run. The choice you make forever defines you.'

During those years, I was still young, being only 14, and didn't understand, but when the last of my family was torn apart, I began to understand very well.

"Rea!" my father ran to me, blood dripping down his face and hands." you must run. Run and don't look back; there's a highway just east of here. There's a car with an old friend of mine waiting." He lightly pushed me, begging me to leave.

"No, I'm not leaving you nor running." He kissed my forehead and smiled at me. Pulling into a hug, I hung on for life.

"I love you. And I'll find you as soon as I can." I nodded my head as tears slid down my face. Growls behind us alerted me.

My father shifted and jumped at the beast while I shifted and bolted. Blood and bodies were everywhere; these beasts were out for our blood. As I ran, the rain poured heavily, and the mud thickened. A branch caught my paw, and I was covered in blood and dirt, staining my coat. Jumping to my feet, I pushed forward, and lights soon appeared. The black truck's tailgate was down, and a woman looked around with fear radiating off.

I jumped into the back and stared at the woman. Her brown hair ran down to mid-back, and she had chocolate-brown eyes. Suddenly, the sound of paws and claws on the blacktop alerted me. I looked back to see Diana, one of the pack's healers, had also jumped into the truck.

"Your father sent me." I nod as the tailgate closes, and the woman jumps in her truck.

I had fallen asleep, only to be haunted by nightmares about what might have happened to my father. The truck slowed and pulled up a long dirt driveway. The forest surrounded the house, with only a small lawn in the back. At least I didn't have to worry about having somewhere to run. I shifted back and hopped out of the truck. My hair was completely wet and, even more, pitch black. Diana shifted as well and rested a hand on my shoulder. I shook it off as I neared the forest.

Some tears managed to escape, and I ran into the forest mid-shifting. Adrenaline was pumping through my veins, sending me at a faster pace, and I ignored the shouts from behind. Dashing through the forest, I dodged falling branches, jumped over giant mud puddles, and climbed slippery rocks. My mind filled with different emotions, and I searched for my escape.

Finally, I reach a ledge and pull myself up, analyzing the other ledges. I jump from one to another, fighting the rain. Suddenly, my foot slips, and I dig my claws in, trying to hang on. The water in my face and the rock pushing against me cause my claws to lose grip. My hind leg catches onto the rock, and I climb back up, dashing to the mountaintop again.

I slowed down, approaching the edge. My mind was racing with every beat of my heart. A howl left my lips as the moon became whole. So many emotions collided simultaneously, the weight of the past few hours settling on my mind. Will I ever see him again? The Pack?

"I know you miss him, but he will return. He will find us." Diana's voice rang through my ears; I didn't know how she caught up with me. I was drowning in losing everything I once knew. My whole world shook, and my foundation collapsed from right under me, not knowing where to step for fear of falling and being consumed by it all. That was the beginning of my new life.

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Reaching eighteen, my adoptive mother decided it would be best to attend at least one year of public school because I couldn't depend on Diana for everything. She would say you need more friends and socializing as if that mattered. Diana was enough for me, that I knew.

My first years with this woman who adopted me were hard. Learning to act like a human was much easier for Diana; with only her father being a true-blooded werewolf, the acting human wasn't that far off for her. My mother and father both were werewolves, and that gave me more instincts and less control. Most of the learning sessions with the woman ended with me getting frustrated and running off. I knew who and what I was; nothing would change that. I had to preserve the only things about myself, the foundation my father taught me.

As the first day of school neared, my thoughts were everywhere. I had never been in a society like theirs, where they had personal space boundaries. That didn't exist in the pack, and for a good reason: it was necessary to stick together and be able to work together.

"I fear you overthink too much." Diana's voice filled with worry, and the bed dipped.

"Unlike you, I didn't have human interaction. Wolf, that's what I am and always be." She frowned. I knew it was harsh, but I just didn't fit here. The forest is my calling, not people, humans.

I dreaded the first day and weighed the options. I could jump out the window and try to return to the pack grounds. Braced for the horrors and devastation I might see, I lay on the floor in my wolf form. I refused to significantly ignore my nature if I didn't have to when it calmed my protesting nerves.

"I know it's hard; I'll be with you the whole time." Shifting back, I opened the door, seeing clothes in Diana's grasp.

"Don't worry; there's nothing to stick out." She handed them to me and took off downstairs. Looking at the clothing, I shut the door and changed quickly. Pausing at the mirror, taking in this side of me, a plain blue t-shirt and black pants matching my black shoes.

Downstairs, Naomi, my adoptive mother, set down breakfast plates. I took only the bacon from the plate and scarfed it down. My hunger was still there, but I ignored it, throwing on a backpack and walking down the long driveway.

"She could have given us a ride, you know." The wind picked up, blowing through my hair, and a familiar feeling of freedom set in.

"The difference between me and you is I find more peace in my animal side where you don't." The only reply I got was a chuckle. I knew the walk would be long, so I jogged into the forest, shifted, grabbed the backpack in my mouth, and raced. Diana joined me. Her brown and tan wolf blended with the forest much better than mine.

The school came into view, forcing me to shift back deep in the treeline and walk towards the entrance. Conversations ended as people began to stare, and soon their whispers rang through my ears." Just ignore them. It's better to stay out of the spotlight." I felt a particular pair of eyes on my back. Looking in that direction, I saw bright green eyes staring at me. I quickly turn away and continue through my day. I've never seen eyes that shade of green before.