Howl - Brieanna Boyce (free novel 24 TXT) 📗

guess as long as I needed to feel better it was the first time since the change that I felt calm but now I just felt tired. It wasn’t that tired where my whole body felt like lead rather it was the kind where I just simply needed rest. I walked inside and saw Derek on top of Jason on the couch kissing him passionately.
I gaped in shock at the intimate scene in front of me I rubbed my eyes to see if it was maybe an illusion but they didn’t stop. They were holding each other close kissing. Jason was the first to notice he looked over and saw me staring and broke the embrace his lips swollen and the ball on his lip ring in a different place.
“Derek,” he chided his voice hoarse; he nudged his head towards my direction.
Derek looked over staring icily back into my eyes he slowly got up off Jason who pouted a little. “You don’t tell a soul.”
I looked around even though I was aware I was the only one in the room “Me?” I squeaked, “No problem, won’t tell a soul.” I quickly ran into Meg’s room and mine. Meg looked up at me tiredly her eyes squinting towards the clock then at me. “What the hell are you doing up?”
“I had a nightmare,” I crawled into bed “It’s nothing go back to bed.”
She grumbled and turned away from me, clearly not too happy with my disturbing her sleep.
I lied down in my bed again, it seemed like my secrets were piling up one on top of another now not only did I have to hide the existence of werewolves and vampires, and the fact that I myself am both, but I had to hide that Tristan was really a vampire and that my pack was werewolves. I had to hide the fact that I wasn’t dead from my human friends and family, I had to hide that I drank blood, and that Jason and Derek were gay. I found that these secrets separated me and the rest of the world was floating while I sank lower into the depths of my secrets and lies until the world slipped out of view and I was left alone to sink in silence.
My position in the pack seemed just as unstable, just when I start to think I am doing good I get glares and snarls. How was I supposed to find my way among werewolves when I didn’t even know where I fit in as a human? I rubbed my head, I was so tired but my head was thrumming with questions that kept me from succumbing to a peaceful sleep.
One that left me clueless and confused is my dream I know it seems silly that I relied so much on them and I would not have done this before. However, it was now official that things that I had thought to be myth actually did exist and to further support what would usually be considered jumping to conclusions; the night I was attacked I dreamt about being in the sewers with Adoni and remember being in the exact scenario I was in when I was awake. Everything was word for word and now I was pondering my dream of a bleeding New York City. What did it mean? Why were Kale and Tristan there? Was the dream a future prediction or was it representing something?
I sighed in frustration and pulled a pillow over my head, it was pointless I was lost and confused and it seemed like it was only getting worse by the moment. Time wasn’t answering any of my questions in fact, I found myself stumbling across more questions as time went on and coming to no conclusions.
I needed sleep I needed to escape this world of mystery to a world I understood better, and if I could not physically escape I knew I was capable of mentally leaving. So I let my eyelids slide closed I envisioned my having to do homework and getting ready for school the next day. I took my time remembering the details of my bedroom. The pristine white dresser, vanity, night stand and bookshelf and the banana yellow walls covered in band posters.
I remembered how I’d have sketchbooks strewn across my bedroom, and how I would jump on my bed singing into my hairbrush.
I remembered wrestling my brother from age 9 all the way to now and watching movies with him. I remember getting into trouble with him from pulling pranks or gorging on junk food with him. I remember hugging him when he cried or joining him in laughter and mischief.
I remember cooking and cleaning, talking to my best friend Ailey whom I was missing terribly. I didn’t even need to tell her just her presence would put me at ease. We were both flawed (everyone is) but she accepted me and my flaws and I did the same for her.
I felt my mind drift off as I thought more about my regular schedule and the life of normalcy, laughter, and comfort that I had abandoned for a life of smoke, fire and blood.
I’ve never felt so alone.
I woke up feeling well rested and relaxed I sat up rubbing my eyes and spotted Kale at the foot of my bed.
“Oh morning Kale,” I said cheerfully.
“Morning, how are you feeling Skylar.”
“I feel great thank you,” I smiled. “Would you like some breakfast?”
Kale shook his head solemnly, “Not today, today you begin training.”
I frowned I hated when he was so serious he looked older, lines already started to etch into his face I want those lines to go away I want to make those lines go away, he didn’t take very good care of himself and I found that I worried about him subconsciously. What that meant I wasn’t sure.
“Aren’t you going to ask me what kind of training?”
I shrugged “Not unless you want me to but I trust you.” It probably wasn’t the smartest thing to say but it was true after all I did owe him my life.
Kale blinked in shock “Really?”
I grinned “Yes Kale I really do trust you.”
He chuckled, his eyes lighting up and his broad lopsided smile spread across his face, and I felt a release as though I had been holding my breath until I saw that smile. His gold eyes resembled warm honey and his tan skin and dark brown hair reminded me of the earth holding me up. He reminded me of fire, not the reckless destructive kind but of a comforting providing camp fire. Slowly smoldering instead of igniting and eventually burning out.
“Are you sure you should trust me,” he chuckled “I can be pretty scary.”
I rolled my eyes, “psh, you’re about as scary as a teddy bear.”
He laughed, causing the bed to shake and the laugh to bounce back at us from the walls.
He ruffled my hair and shook his head, “get dressed.” Technically it was a command but he didn’t really use an authoritative voice it sounded more like a request. He looked back at me, smiled, shook his head, and then left the room.
I went to my backpack and found that the only outfit that remained unworn was a pair of forest green cargo pants and a light brown t- shirt. I put it on then looked in the mirror wondering if this would be okay for whatever Kale was planning. I thought about it for awhile and decided that it probably was acceptable. Then I tied my hair up in a ponytail and ran out to the kitchen. “Kay, I’m ready!”
Kale was wearing a black wife beater with black shorts and black and white sneakers. Meg was wearing a form fitting blue t- shirt that showed a hint of her stomach and bell bottomed jeans. Derek was wearing a disturbed tee with baggy black pants, and Jason had all his piercings out, which should’ve made him look normal but only made him look more odd to me. Gerard had on a tight long sleeved white shirt with blue and white shorts.
They all looked different, Kale looked more sporty than usual, Meg looked less girly, Derek well he actually didn’t change that much, Jason looked less hardcore (kind of sad), and Gerard looked less refined than usual.
Kale walked out the door and the others followed without a word and for a moment I hesitated but then I followed after shutting and locking the apartment door. “Where are we going?” I asked nervously but as I’d expected no one responded. I didn’t bother whining about it I shoved my hands in my pockets and followed deciding that it really wasn’t worth the aggravation.
They walked down a few blocks to an abandoned factory; they broke open the gates and walked into the parking lot for it. The building looked less than impressive the ceiling looked like it was caving in on itself. The windows looked smashed and the walls were covered in graffiti courtesy of the local “artists.”
We walked inside and it didn’t look any more impressive, but it was strange there was an area with crates stacked high up, there was another spot with no crates, there was one spot that had different oddly shaped objects placed in awkward positions, and there was another that cast long shadows.
Kale lead us to the area with no crates, they all backed away except for Derek who stepped to the center of the said area. I looked back and forth from Kale to Derek in confusion. Kale smirked, “this is training.” I gaped and looked at Derek, was I really supposed to fight him?
He took off his shirt and threw it across the room smiling, “come on now Skylar.” Derek was way bigger and stronger than me how the hell was I supposed to beat him?
I sighed and did as the she-wolf previously advised, I let go of everything and let the wolf side take over. I was relieved at how little pain was involved this time. I felt my body stretch and grow; I felt fur and claws but no pain. I watched Derek change into a fiery red wolf that looked more like a mammoth. Werewolves were usually bigger than most wolves but even by those standards Derek was large.
He tightened all the muscles in his body and I knew it was because he was preparing to launch himself at me. Then I heard the comforting, relaxed voice of the she wolf flood my mind.
“If you try to fight strength with strength you will lose discover your own strengths.”
Derek (the wolf form of him) launched himself in my direction then I quickly moved aside however Derek’s claws did catch my arm and rake across. I felt instant pain and was surprised how effective the first blow was. I couldn’t afford to get hit again. Derek turned, no mercy or remorse coming from his eyes, only determination he lunged again and this time I dodged unscathed. I could try and wear him out but since he was in good shape that may take awhile. What were my talents? I was good at defense and I was quick and small. So I had to hit Derek but not get hit myself.
I watched as he lunged and then I ran towards him I saw confusion light his features as he began to slow down. I took advantage and leaped over his back raking my nails over the flesh there. I turned to face him and saw the pure anger there. This was no longer just “training” to him anymore. I hope I didn’t hurt him too badly.
He growled low