“Audrey! Audrey! Audrey!” A voice jolted me awake, panic gripping my chest. I shot up in bed, my heart racing.
Where am I? I looked around, taking in my familiar room-the posters on the walls, the messy desk, the soft glow of the lamp. But confusion swirled in my mind.
What happened to me? How did I get here?
The memories flooded back-running through the dark street, the wolves circling us, Logan transforming into a wolf, and then… something else.
“Logan! What happened to me?” | gasped, the words escaping my lips before I could fully comprehend them. I swung my legs over the side of the bed, my heart still pounding in my ears.
“Are you okay?” I heard Logan’s voice from the doorway, filled with concern.
I looked up to see him standing there, his expression tense. “What happened?” I demanded, trying to shake off the remnants of fear.
“Passed out after…..” Logan started, but I cut him off.
“After my transformation. I turned into a wolf didn’t I?”
Logan said slowly, “yes… you did. But you are safe now.”
“No!” | yelled, springing to my feet. “This can’t be happening! What have you done to me, Logan?” Desperation filled my voice as I grabbed his shirt, shaking him slightly. “This is your fault! I didn’t ask for this!”
“Audrey, calm down!” he pleaded, his eyes wide. “I didn’t do anything to you! You’re my sister; I would never hurt you!”
“Sister? DON’T CALL ME THAT!!! I AM NOT YOUR SISTER!!” The words exploded from me.
“Audrey, please,” Logan said, his voice softer now, trying to reach me. “I didn’t mean it like that. I just-”
“You just what?” | interrupted, anger boiling inside me. “You let me believe I was normal! I didn’t ask for any of this! I feel like I’m losing my mind!”
“I know it’s overwhelming,” he said, taking a cautious step closer. “But you need to understand that this is part of who you are now. You’re not losing yourself; you’re discovering a new side of you.”
I shook my head, tears of frustration spilling down my cheeks. “No, I don’t want this! I don’t want to be some kind of monster!”
The weight of my fears crashed down on me, and my thoughts drifted to Warwick. He saw me transform. My life is ruined. Not only did he see me change, but now he knows we’re related. He’s probably going to tell everyone at school!
“Audrey, stop it!” Logan said, cutting through my spiraling thoughts.
“Stop it? Why should I? Warwick is going to use this against me!” I snapped back, pacing the room, trying to fight the panic that was threatening to consume me. “What if he tells everyone? I’ll never be able to go back to school!”
“Warwick is also a werewolf,” Logan said, his voice firm.
I turned sharply, incredulous. “What? No, he isn’t! If he was, why didn’t he transform when we were in danger?”
Logan’s expression shifted, confusion evident on his face. “I… I don’t know. But it doesn’t matter right now! The point is that you’re not alone in this. You have me.”
“But that doesn’t change the fact that he saw me! That I can’t go back to being normal!” I exclaimed, feeling the walls of my world closing in. “I knew from the day my mother married your father that this was going to be the biggest mistake and I was going to regret it.”
“Audrey-”
“Leave!” I shouted, the desperation in my voice spilling over into anger. I didn’t want to hear any more of his reassurances or explanations. I needed space to breathe, to process what was happening to me.
Logan hesitated, but obeyed and left the room.
I sank to the floor, wrapping my arms around my knees. I had become something other than human, and I felt utterly lost. Now I wonder if mom is also a wolf or? Would I even be able to my normal life? Would I ever feel normal again?
My face was tears-streaked and I cried till I slept off.
The next morning, I woke up with a swollen face so visible that I have been crying last night. I tried applying some makeup to brighten my look at least to make me a bit presentable but mom with her mother’s instinct still knew something was wrong.
“Darling what happened? Why is your face like that?” She asked as she puts her hand on my face.
“Nothing, Ma,” I said but a part of me wanted to tell her about it but I made a deal to Logan not to tell her, but this time it was about me right? Is there any harm for me to tell her or ask her indirectly?
“Mom, Do you believe in werewolves?”
She looked at me, surprise flickering in her eyes. “Werewolves? Audrey, that’s just a myth. Why do you ask?”
I hesitated, searching for the right words. “| don’t know. I was just… thinking about stories l’ve heard.”
“Stories can be fun, but they’re not real. Is something bothering you? You can talk to me, you know.” Her voice was gentle, but I felt a lump in my throat. I wanted to confide in her, to share the truth about what had happened, but I couldn’t bring myself to do it. I remembered my promise to Logan.
“Really, it’s nothing, Ma. I’m just tired from school and everything,” I said, forcing a smile that felt fake.
She nodded, though I could tell she wasn’t convinced. “Alright, but remember, I’m always here for you.”
“Thanks, Mom,” I replied.
After breakfast, I grabbed my bag and went to the door, trying to forget how heavy I felt inside. The cool morning air hit my skin, and I took a deep breath, hoping it would help me feel better.
When I stepped outside, I saw a black car parked by the curb. Logan was leaning against it, looking tense. I felt mixed emotions-anger, fear, and worry. I had a lot to say to him, but I wasn’t sure I wanted to talk again.
“Hey,” he called as I walked closer.
“Hi,” I answered, my voice flat.
“Are you okay?” He looked at me, his face full of concern.
“I’m fine,” | replied quickly, avoiding his eyes.
I didn’t want to talk about what happened last night. Instead, I looked at the car. “I think I’ll take the bus today,” I said, trying to sound casual.
Logan frowned. “What? Why?”
“I need some space.”
“Space? Audrey you can’t just…..”
“I can and I will,” | cut him off, my frustration bubbling over. “I just need some time alone.”
“Audrey, it’s not safe for you to go by yourself,” he insisted, his voice rising. “What if something happens again?”
“Like what happened last night?” | snapped back, my heart racing with anger and fear.
“I’ll be fine, Logan,” I said, trying to sound more confident than I felt. “I just need to think things through. Hopefully, nothing will happen today.”
He opened his mouth to argue, but I cut him off again. “I’ll be okay. I promise.” | turned and walked away, feeling his gaze on me as I headed toward the bus stop.
Thirty minutes later, I arrived at school, the familiar sights and sounds both comforting and overwhelming. The morning air was crisp, but it didn’t do much to ease the turmoil inside me. As I walked through the crowded halls, my eyes scanned the faces of my classmates.
Then, I spotted him-Warwick. He was standing by the lockers, chatting with a group of friends. My heart raced, memories of last night flooding back, but I pushed them aside. I needed to talk to him.
“Warwick!” I called out, weaving through the crowd until I reached him.
He turned, a smile breaking across his face.
“Hey, Audrey! What’s up?”
I hesitated for a moment, searching for the right words. “Can we please keep everything that happened yesterday between us?” | asked, my voice low but firm.
“Of course! What are friends for?” He smiled back, and I felt a wave of relief wash over me.
“Thanks,” | said, my heart lightening. In a moment of impulse, I leaned in and pecked him on the cheek, grateful for his support.
Warwick’s cheeks flushed slightly, and he raised an eyebrow in surprise. “Whoa, what was that for?”
“Just… for being understanding,” | replied, feeling shy but also bold. It felt good to connect with someone who didn’t know about the chaos swirling in my life.
He laughed lightly, brushing it off. “Anytime.
Seriously, if you need to talk or anything, I’m here.”
I nodded, feeling a mixture of gratitude and guilt. “I appreciate it, really.”
As we stood there, I felt a sense of normalcy returning, even if just for a moment. I hoped this was the start of rebuilding my life, one small step at a time. Maybe I could keep the darkness at bay, at least for now.