Chapter 2

Cassandra’s POV

The rest of the day passed like a clock moving in Alice’s world. After talking to Irene, the whole day, I exchanged phone numbers with her and left the building. Realizing my dad could not make it to come pick me up I decided to walk home on foot. I tied my hair in a bun and popped my air pods to blast some music. As I was deciding which song to play, I heard someone calling for my name.

‘’ Hey!! Cass!!’’ huh? Who was calling for me? I turned around and noticed Will with the guys, Jasper was calling my name as I saw them coming up to me.

‘’Hey.’’ I said looking a bit confused.

‘’ I’m Jasper and these are Bruno, Caleb and Malik.’’ He stated.

‘’ I’m Cass but I guess you already knew that. Nice to meet you all. Can I help you with something?’’

‘’ Well, we noticed you were heading home on your own we could give you a ride if you need.’’ added Malik.

‘’ Actually, it’s fine really. My dad was supposed to come but I’ll find my way home. I’ll just take the path through the woods it brings me to my house quite easily and I can clear my head a little.’’ I stated thanking for their offer.

‘’ Are you sure? You know woods aren’t always friendly. Plus, we have a spot in my jeep to spare, it is no trouble for us.’’ Will smiled at me.

‘’ Thanks, but maybe next time, I just really need some time on my own. I just need to clear my head as I mentioned, didn’t feel too well today.’’ I smiled and waved the boys goodbye as I stepped on the paved path to the woods. From one step to another I noticed the rocks that filled the path were now starting to become more separated and soon the path was just made in the dry mud. Nonetheless I continued to walk as I listened to my song. From the corner of my eye, I seemed to notice a shadow following not far behind me. My heart stopped for a second but kept walking at the same pace as I slowly turned the music off trying not to drag attentions to my movements. I heard the leaves from the ground crack for a second as what was following me got closer.

I placed my stuff in my jacket’s pockets and got down slowly to tie my shoes better. I closed my eyes and tightened the grip on my necklace as I gave a small prayer, something I usually do when I feel in danger. And with that I did not wait a second and started running as fast as I could. I could hear him or her, whatever it was getting closer and closer, and, as I turned my head to look, which was a big mistake, I tripped over a rock and fell. I rolled over and fell downwards as the ground was not steady. Stopping with a thud I looked above me as something that resembled a wolf stared at me. As he tried jumping on top of me, another one stepped in and pushed him further away. The dangerous one had black fur and deep red glowing eyes as the other one, which seemed as if he was protecting me, had this ashy brown fur, with those golden highlights, his eyes a deep green forest. As I blinked, they both started fighting far away from the spot I fell in. I wasted no time and got on my feet, running for my life. As I reached out house, I pushed the door wide open and fell on the ground. I breathed a sign of relief knowing that I was safe now.

Our house was not so far from my school, just near the entrance of the deep green woods. It had this vast figure with wide windows that would let all the lights climb inside the house. The view from the windows was incredible as the house was standing on a higher than some parts of the woods and I could admire the nature right from my room. We also had a garage that would go under the house next to the basement that almost was as if we had a house within a house. Everything else was very modern in house home simple nature colors filled with painting and historical stuff. I left my shoes at the door and noticed that my parent’s cars were not in the driveway. I figured they were out with business again. I decided to blast some music and cook something. In today’s menu we have Pasta. As I chanted with the music and tasted the sauce, I decided to look at my watch to see the time. Just as I looked, I realized that I lost my gold bracelet in the woods. My heart broke. It was from my grandparents who died a couple of years ago, the bracelet was a simple round bracelet that had a couple of small symbols attached within it; a moon, a sun, a star, and something that almost looked like a rune. My grandma used to say that all these elements will protect me from what was to come. I always believed she meant life, but who knows. I’ll have to go back sometimes soon, maybe I will find it.

Time that day moved faster than usual and as I went to sleep, I heard the front door open, realizing my parents reached home. I yawned and closed my eyes until the next morning. As the sun started to annoy my eyes I got up from my room and went to the closet. Today’s outfit choice would be a pair of Highrise black jeans with a basic black tank top that had an interesting back. I decided to also wear my red shirt that was a looser fit, brushed my hair to style it a little bit and applied little to no makeup as I arranged my necklace around my neck. As I tied my black converse, I saw my mom pack some lunch into my backpack.

‘’Good morning sweetie. On today’s menu we have your favorite salad and some chocolates for energy. Also don’t forget to grab your tea and water bottle. ‘’ she smiled and kissed my forehead.

‘’ Thank you mom, I could have just grabbed something, from school cafeteria. ‘’ I smiled at her. ‘’ Is dad taking me to school or should I just wait for the bus?’’

‘’ Sorry Cass, dad already left. Just get down to the station and wait for the school bus for today. ‘’

‘’ You I could always take your car sometimes. I have my license you know?’’ I tried.

‘’ Not today. I need my car for errands.’’ She spoke.

I rolled my eyes and laughed, grabbed my bag, and left the house. Lucky for me today was a sunny day, the breeze of fresh air was coming from the woods as I walked passed the trees.

William’s POV

‘’ Guys chill out in the back!’’ I screamed as my mates kept arguing.

‘’ You are crazy you know? She saw you out there!’’ Jasper screamed.

‘’ It’s not like she is a mind reading and knew it was me in wolf form. Come on! Are you even hearing yourself? She was in danger, and I tried to help.’’

‘’AND you saved her bracelet!’’ yelled Bruno.

‘’ I want to give it back to her. I will just lie she dropped it in class. What is the deal with you guys?’’ Closing the subject right before we all spotted her waiting at the bus station. I pull the jeep over and Jasper opens the door.

‘’ Hop in Cass!’’ cheered Jasper. She laughed at his gesture but decided to hop in the back seat next to the boys.

‘’ Hy guys. Thanks for picking me up.’’ She smiled at us as the boys closed to the door and tried their best to give her space. The silence in the car started to sink, but moments late she started bantering. ‘’ Okay, so I have to apologize for not listening to you guys yesterday, the woods are kind of wicked. I was attacked by a wolf I think it was. Luckily for me there was another one and I was able to escape.’’

‘’ WOW, but you are okay, right?’’ Bruno questioned.

‘’ Yeah, I am fine. I could have sworn I scratched myself in some branches as I fell down, but as I got home I could not find anything, probably just the adrenaline rushing in too late.’’ I do remember her falling and I could sense she got hurt, but now she just said there was nothing? Strange.

Her scent filled the car in a matter of minutes and for a second, I felt infatuated with it. I snapped my head out of it as we got in the parking lot of the school. All the boys got out and she was last, she struggled a little to close the door but as soon it was shut, I locked the car and gestured for her to go in front of me. Or a second, we faced each other, and I could notice she was indeed shorter than me. I was towering over her with at least a head over her height. Her long locks gave her this natural look, she barely wore any makeup and just a touch of perfume. Seconds later she moved away and waved goodbye gesturing to her notebook that we would meet later to talk.

I was in fact concerned that she saw me yesterday, but what I worry most is what does that crazy wolf want with her? Didn’t seem pretty friendly and did not pursuit her in any nice manner.

‘’Cass! Cass!’’ I heard Irene cry out for her. I eared into see what they were chatting about.

‘’Hi!’’ replied Cass.

‘’ Listen I need to talk to you about Paige, she has a vendetta for you for talking back to her yesterday and, well for talking to Will. She likes him a lot though he barely says hi back to her and she wants to ask him to prom, you know the dance where we girls ask the guys this time around. She seemed really angry so please be careful she is a pain in the ass.’’

‘’ All I have to say is for her to bring it on, and I can talk to whomever I want, especially my project partner.’’ Cass replied quite infuriated.

As our sports class started, I looked at Cass who was wearing this basic t-shirt and some short for gym. I approached her and we chatted for a little until Paige cried for help for one of her friends pleading with out teacher to take her to the nurse’s office. Apparently, she fell and twisted her ankle. The teacher eventually agreed to take her, and we were left alone.

‘’ Well hello Cass, that is your name, right?’’ approached Paige. ‘’ I finally got the name of the girl that pushed me. The only thing I have to say to you is that you better watch your back cause I will come for you!’’ she spat in her face. Cass left out a laugh as Paige turned around.

‘’Paige, right?’’ Cass mimicked her tone. ‘’ I hope I didn’t pass in your eyes like I care about what you think or say. I mean who are again?’’ That pissed off Paige to a point where she turned full speed back to Cass and right up in her face. All Cass did was to look right into her eyes and wait for her response.

‘’ I did nothing to you, so you cand choose to walk away right now, but if in fact you want to do something to me, this is your only chance you will have, and I meant it.’’ Said Cass as Paige fumed. She raised her hand to struck Cass and with a second, Cass grabbed her hand and held in close to her chest. The blonde went crazy and started fighting Cass. On the other hand, this girl just kept taking steps back allowing Paige to get angrier and angrier, and with one last strike that came from Paige, Cass grabbed her arm and twisted her in a position which was a real defeat.

‘’ As I said this was yours. Now leave me alone or I will strike back next time.’’ And with that she let go of her arm and walked away.

‘’I didn’t assume you knew how to fight?’’ I questioned.

‘’ Never judge a book by it’s cover. I have seen many people like Paige in my life. I was bullied for so long until I decided to say no. I’d rather stand up for myself than cry myself to sleep daily. ‘’she stated. I looked into her eyes for a second and I remembered that her bracelet was in my pocket.

‘’ Look, I found this on the desk yesterday after class. Is it yours?’’

‘’ OMG, yes. My grandparents gave it to me, I thought I lost it in the woods when I was running away from that beast.’’ I placed it on her wrist, and she gave me a massive hug. ‘’ Thank you.’’