Just A Tick Behind

Chapter |1|

Age 7

~Willows pov~

I run sprinting towards my dad, carrying my basket for our lunch. "Wait for me daddy! You're too fast!" I laugh as I race across the moss covered forest floor, my hair blowing past me in the wind. The sun is high in the sky, peeking through the trees and making streaks of light across the dirt.

'You can keep up, I believe in you my Lily flower' my dad says through our mindlink, his voice full of joy.

He disappears from view so I come to a screeching halt, wondering which way he went. I look around confused, slowly walking forward. Suddenly, I hear a rustle coming from my left. I spin just as my dad comes out from behind a tree in wolf form.

'Are you okay Willow? You look shaken, come on now, this way.' my father says with a Wolfy grin, nodding towards the way he came.

I race after him as we head deeper into the forest.

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'We're almost here, hold onto me and close your eyes, it's a surprise!'my dad mind links me.

I eagerly grab my dad's tail and inch forward with anticipation. The crunch of leaves under our feet and the sound of a babbling brook in the background fill me with excitement. "Can I open my eyes yet, Daddy?" I ask, barely able to contain my joy.

"Not yet, Lily," he replies with what I can guess is a wolf laugh. I take a deep breath and listen intently, until finally we come to a stop.

'Open your eyes, Willow!' my dad says.

I open my eyes and gasp in delight. A beautiful waterfall and lake sit before us, with birds flying in the sky and fish swimming in the water. It's so beautiful!

"Oh my gosh daddy! It's awesome!" I squeel.

His tail starts to wag at my comment and I laugh, feeling the joy of the moment as we set our blanket and basket down in the sand by the edge of the lake.

"Would you prefer steak or an apple?" I giggle, eager to see his response.

'Hmmm such a tough choice..... Hmmmmmm steak hah' he chuckles, and I can't help but laugh. I put the steak on a plate for him and he licks his chomps and starts eating, while I grab my sandwich and take a bite, looking around me at the trees and the waterfalls. How beautiful.

I finish my sandwich with a smile and ask my dad if I can go swimming.

'Of course you can Willow, I'll be right here I'm still hungry' he says with a chuckle.

I thank him excitedly and start running, racing around the lake and to the edge of the cliff side. I jump with joy and start climbing the rocks with all of my strength. I flip myself over the top and roll over, laughing with delight. I get up and stand at the edge looking over at the water.

"Look at me daddy!!" I shout, my voice full of joy. He looks and starts cheering, encouraging me to take the plunge. I walk backwards, my heart full of anticipation, then I start running and I jump off of the cliff with a whoop of joy I fall through the air and plunge into the water with a huge splash..

With excitement, I swam up to the surface and waved at my dad, who waved back with a smile. I went back underwater and started exploring, when I came across a strange looking branch near a cave entrance. I poked it, and it floated inside the cave - "Ew, creepy!" I thought.

I swam away and noticed a glint in the water. I swam closer and saw a beautiful piece of jewelry. I swam under the rock and tree that it was under and saw that the necklace was caught in a stick. I pulled the stick and the rock came crashing down, trapping me and filling my lungs with water. I tried to scream, but no sound came out.

My heart raced and my body felt like it was on fire. I was too scared to think, and started to panic. I could feel my bones start to whine then one after the other they started to snap and break as I desperately tried to free myself.

'Oh no! Ugh it hurts so bad!' my arms and feet were bending and breaking, my back twisting and turning. I could feel the fur growing all over my body and the fire coursing through my veins, the pain was unbearable!

I tried to kick and snarl at the rock that was trapping me, but I was stuck. I was filled with panic, my vision was going dark, and then I saw my dad swimming towards me. I closed my eyes and felt the rock being moved off of me and my dad's arms wrapping around my fragile wolf form.

My dad scooped me up into his arms and carried me ashore, setting me down onto the blanket. I stared up at him, whimpering.

'What's going on, Daddy..?' I asked, my voice full of confusion and worry. He sighed and shook his head, his expression full of confusion. "I-I'm not sure, Willow. You shouldn't have been able to shift not this young?? We'll go to the pack doctor and see if he knows anything." He said, his voice gentle but concerned. I curled into a ball as he picked me up, my heart heavy with worry, as he carried me into the woods.

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12 years later ~

My name is Willow Sterling and I'm 19 years old now. Things have definitely changed since I was younger. I'm currently in college, but I'm not doing very well. I'm hoping I can improve, but I can't predict the future so I'm not sure what will happen.

My favorite colors are black and orange, and my favorite animal is a fox. I love to draw and fight. Unfortunately, school isn't my favorite thing.

When I was younger, I shifted three years earlier than most kids. Normally, kids shift when they're ten, but I shifted when I was seven. I wish I could say it was because I was special, but the doctors say it was because I was in a dangerous situation and the adrenaline caused my body to shift early in order to protect itself.

I wish I could've gained something from it but nope, since I shifted so early it caused problems with my heart, everytime I'm stressed out or I get to much adrenaline, I could pass out.
The doctors say shifting so early had irreversible trauma on my heart, now if my heart beats to fast it causes these blackouts. They're not sure if I could get hurt from them after all it's not so common, but that's just how life is I guess.

I twirl the pencil between my fingers, trying my best to focus on the lesson our professor is teaching but it seems impossible with how boring the lecture is. I sigh and roll my eyes, not even bothering to hide my displeasure. It's not like I'm trying to be difficult, but this lecture is just so dull and uninspiring. But that's just how things are, I guess.

My best friend Alex stares at me with a glare and throws a piece of paper at me, I pick it up and read it. 'why aren't you reading my text idiot?? '

I toss her a glare and start writing on the paper. 'my phones in my back my bad bitch' I make sure the professor isn't looking and full force launch it at her.

She squeels and grabs the paper just as the professor looks over.

"Is there something the matter girls?" He asks. "No sir" we respond simultaneously, although I can't help but roll my eyes at his question. She reads the paper and nods knowingly, a sheepish smile on her face. I can't help but feel a twinge of disapproval at the fact that she should know by now that i keep my phone on silent, due to my parents' constant hovering or pretending I don't exist. Weird creatures they are.

I gaze out the window and the class begins to fly by, my mind wandering to the thought of how much better the world would be if parents just let their kids be.

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