Young Writers Society

Chapter I

Running. We had been running all day. We were tired and desperately needed to take a break and turn back into our human form. They always came for us every time we went hunting. This is no way to live.

My names Athena and I’m the smartest of my generation. My mother, Millicent, was chosen by my father, Raedolph, the day he turned 21 because of her bravery and courage. The day my grandfather died he looked at my father and knew he would become a great alpha, especially with my mother at his side. My dad appointed Faelen as our Generation Leader because he is the oldest and fastest of all the younger wolves. Adriel is honest and strong. Lilith is beautiful but she's got an attitude and as for her sister, Tanith, well that's a work in progress. See Tanith just turned 17 and joined the pack. It's not going to be easy being a newcomer when you're immediately running for your life. 

I grew up with some of the hunters. Aurora and I went to school together for the longest, but ever since her father let her join the huntsmen she thinks she's better than everyone for some reason. It hurts seeing someone you used to be so close to suddenly want your head on a stake. I wish I could tell them so we wouldn't have to run, but that would be grounds for execution. In the midst of my thoughts I lost everyone and I couldn't hear them anymore. I hopped on top of a big broken log and looked around frantically. I wanted to howl but the huntsmen would hear me and come for me. I was terrified. This had never happened to me before. Then I saw Evander, Aurora’s father. "Come here puppy," he chuckled as he stepped closer. I felt a piercing pain and dropped to the ground. The last thing I saw was Lilith. She jumped in front of me and tore Evander limb from limb. 

I woke up two days later to my mom humming and making tea. "Mom" I barely muttered out. She gasped, "Sweetheart please take it easy, don't move; you could rip your stitches." I looked around. We were in our emergency shack hidden in the woods. "What happened? Why are we here?" Just then Faelen came out of the bathroom, running a towel through his dripping wet hair. "I knew you were a tough little wolf," he laughed, "You took an arrow to the stomach by your wonderful friend Aurora," he said sarcastically. Aurora popped into my head, "Oh my gosh Aurora! Her father?! Is she okay?" "Really... You’re worried about how she's feeling when she could've killed you?" Faelen was getting agitated. "She doesn't know Faelen, give her a break!" "Yeah I want to give her a break alright. Break her neck so she can match her father," Faelen thought he was being funny. "Faelen!" My mom shouted. Lilith walked in giggling at what she had just heard giving Faelen the satisfaction he was waiting for. "My mom made that healing herb gel and when we got you back here it was the first thing we used after Adriel's dad got the arrow out of you. We didn't want to risk losing you," Lilith stated feeling proud because her mother was good with herbs. "You. You did this. Do you understand what you did? She has no one now because of you." "But I didn't... I'm sorry. She hurt you. I didn't know what to do. I was mad." She mumbled as my mom made her way over to me. "We don't need to talk about this right now. Drink this tea it will knock you out and help the healing process. Everyone go back to town before they get suspicious. Tell them I took Athena fishing." That was the last thing I heard before I drifted into a deep sleep.

I woke up later to my dad’s loud mouth, “She needs to get up and come back to town. People are wondering where you two are.” “She can’t go back right now Raedolph. She hasn’t walked since the accident. What if she can’t yet and what are we going to tell people anyway,” my mom yelled back at him. “Guys, I’m fine,” I started to get up but I fell. My dad walked over and helped me to my feet. He looked at me with sorrow on his face, “We can say she hurt herself fileting a fish, right?” My mom rolled her eyes, “Whatever Rae. If they have any questions, you’re going to answer them!” Lilith came in panting as I sat back down. My dad left and I could sense that he was kind of mad. My mom and Lilith cleaned my wound and dressed it. We finally made our way back to the village. People were looking and making faces but we ignored them. Lilith opened the door to my house for my mom and I. As we walked in I saw Aurora sitting in the kitchen. Her face was puffy and red. “Oh?” I was confused. I wasn’t expecting to see her so soon. Lilith turned and left.

She looked up at me and her facial expression changed. She seemed relieved. Between sniffles she whimpered, “What happened to you?” I went and sat down next to her, “Just a fishing accident. Are you okay? I heard what happened. I’m so sorry Aurora.” She took a tissue to her nose and wiped it, “Don’t worry. I will avenge my father. I wrote letters to a few of my dad’s buddies that hunt as well. They are coming down here and we will find those wolves. ”

I was more worried than ever. They wanted Lilith. This put all of us in even more danger. Now there is more of them; more men; strong men. I needed to tell everyone. Tanith is our newest wolf and she is nowhere near fast enough. Tala has only been with us for 4 months and she still has a lot of training to go through. Not to mention Mahala, Halcyon, and Zephyr just started the training and haven’t even began the transformation because they just turned 17. Then there is Echo who will be 17 soon. This is a nightmare.

My dad was there. He heard Aurora and wasn’t happy at all. I didn’t even know what to say. Aurora got up and headed to the guest bedroom and closed the door behind herself. My dad started walking towards the door, “She will be staying with us for a little while. I’m going to let everyone know we will have a meeting tonight at the cabin.” “Dad please be careful, they’re going to hear and they might try to go after you,” I said running up to him and giving him a big hug.

After he left I headed towards Faelen’s house. He answered the door and we walked to his room. I sat down on his bed and just then I heard my dad’s howl signaling to everyone about the meeting at midnight. Faelen gave me a worried look, so I explained everything and he was silent for a bit. He started pacing, “What if we went hunting in pairs then instead of groups? Maybe we wouldn’t be so loud that way. We could have one experienced wolf and one new wolf go at a time.” “That won’t work Faelen. I don’t know what we are going to do. My dad is having the meeting tonight but he didn’t tell me what it was about. I’m just so overwhelmed and with all these wolf whelps it’s going to be hard.” He sat down next to me and tucked my hair behind my ear, “We just need to stick together and help in any way we can.”

He put a smile on his face and gave me a hug. He always knew how to make me feel better. He’s always so happy and positive. I loved that about him. I often catch myself staring at him with a smile across my face. I wonder if he knows I like him. It sometimes seems like he likes me too and I want to tell him but at the same time I would rather not. I’m really shy when it comes to that. Besides he’s 20 and at the age of 21 males are required to choose a partner and I don’t want to interfere. Is it selfish that I want him to choose me?

Faelen snapped his fingers in my face, “Athena! Hello?” “Yeah sorry. I’m just thinking about everything,” I replied quickly. He grabbed my hand and helped me to my feet, “Let’s start heading to the cabin. Can you change?” “I don’t know, I haven’t tried. Can we just walk please? It hurts,” I said as we started walking towards the woods. He nodded.