Bitten

Chapter 11

•August, 2021•

I was done with Mr Hughes, I only had to see his face in school. I got to work and unusually it was Gordon who was at the reception. I moved to the back, made my way to the bunker and overhead some noises.

"I don't know why you keep him around he's a danger to all of us", Jackson exclaimed.

"Just give him time he'll come around", Caroline replied.

"Why aren't you listening to me he's not good for the pack", Jackson added.

"Just give him a shot and try to be nice to him", Caroline told him.

"Why the heck are you on his side. I knew it was a bad idea for you to become the alpha", Jackson retorted.

"Are you questioning my authority? Know your place Uncle", Caroline exclaimed.

"Maybe I am", Jackson retorted with a growl.

At that Caroline's eyes lit up and just like that the atmosphere in the room changed. She retracted her claws and scratched Jackson across the face. At that, he calmed down at begged for forgiveness. He was afraid of her, Old man Hughes was scared of a girl my age. I sneaked back into the woods where we normally had the training waiting for Mr Hughes. He was unusually quiet during today's training, I so wanted to say something about his brief [not even close to a fight] fight. I did try to hold back but I just couldn't help myself.

"What? no smart quips from the cat, or you need another pair of whiskers" referring to the marks on his face. It was a dumb move but it felt so good.

Mr Hughes snarled and his face became thick and hairy. He pounced on me and gave me a beating. Tossed me around like a bag of chips till he was tired. I got up and run deeper into the woods. I just kept on punching a tree.

"Wow nice punch", Caroline said.

"Go away", I retorted.

"Wow what's up with my pack first Uncle Jackson and now you and p.s it's not nice to eavesdrop", she replied.

"Wait you knew I was there?"

"Yes it was that obvious, heightened senses remember, what has my uncle been teaching you? Maybe I should replace him. Well you know we can pick up scents. Sharpen them enough and they tell us the state of the situation. If you listen, smell and feel close enough you can tell if someone's telling a lie, you could even smell fear", she replied.

"Is this supposed to make me feel better? I'm not in the mood for a lecture".

"Sure then keep punching that tree", she replied.

I grunted as I punched the tree but I couldn't help but notice those glaring eyes. I gave up on punching on the tree.

"What? Are you just going to sit there and watch me like that", I asked.

"Sorry sorry but I was just going to say your technique could be better if you maybe did it like this", she said as she hit the tree, the tree fell to the ground.

"Wow, how are you that strong". No wonder Mr Hughes was afraid of her.

"Well the Alpha thing comes with its perks, I could teach how you could use it on Uncle Jackson", she added.

"You'd teach me something to use against your Uncle", I said as I chuckled.

" Well he wasn't the fun one anyways", she replied. The next thing I knew we were talking and laughing about her family.

"Follow me", she said as she jumped and climbed a tree. I followed slowly. We climbed till we were at the top of a tree staring at the most beautiful crescent moon I had ever seen. The stars had lit up the sky and it was as if we were the only two people who existed. I didn't want to leave, nothing bothered me anymore. There was something so calming about the moon that time escaped me.

"You are a talented musician", she said out of nowhere, the atmosphere became kind of weird. There was something different about her that evening, she seemed like a different person. I could hear her heart racing but it didn't feel like she was afraid.

"I think I get what you were saying earlier but it doesn't...", I was saying when she leaned in to kiss me. I was so startled that I covered her mouth with my palm and quickly pushed her back.

"I'm sorry I just can't, not after ... ", I was saying when she interjected with," What you're still hooked on that Dawn. You know what it's okay, fawn over the ghost of Christmas past for all I care". She jumped off the tree and disappeared into the woods.