Chapter 3: First encounter

"Move it red wolf or you'll be next!" Neo's voice echoed through my now sensitive ears. I opened my eyes, quickly checking if any blood was dripping out of my body. There wasn't any, thankfully. But I was also aware that my paw was starting to go numb. Maybe I underestimated that fall. Turning my attention behind me, I saw a younger, black werewolf on the floor crying from the bullet wound. He seemed to have used his size to an advantage since I didn't hear him coming up behind me. He's been trained well.

The bullet wound didn't seem to have hit any vital organs, as he was still alive, but they would have to get him help fast. (Though it also depends on if the bullet was silver.) Luckily that's just what they did and were quick to recover him away from us. The one in charge gave me a last look as if it was my fault he had been shot.

"This is not over." He growled and quickly vanished into the forest. At least they don't abandon pack members, I've never known wolves and werewolves to eat humans and I still can't get my head around it. It makes my body shiver with chills. I've heard black wolves are known for their short tempers and violent nature but this is on a different level.

"We'll see!!" I barked back in frustration.

"Do you want to die or something?" Neo suddenly spoke. I tilted my head looking at him, was he talking to me... Was it because I couldn't read his mind and move out of the way of that shot?

"Don't protect others, if you can't even protect yourself." He spoke coldly, glaring daggers at me. He's talking like he knows what just happened... as if he could understand? But he's human?! I can't smell any wolf in him. Feeling awkward to ask, I had to make sure I wasn't losing my mind from exhaustion,

"Did you hear the convocation..we just had?"

There was silence, never mind I guess I am losing it. So this is what crazy feels like? Next, I'll be talking to the trees. I sighed to myself but my ears perked at his voice again.

"...What do you think?" He said quietly and started to walk away from me. So... yes? Why can't humans answer with a simple yes or no? It's like a guessing game.

For some reason, I had found myself following him because I was so busy thinking about what just happened. My head was full of questions, the main one being "should I find another town or stay?". Using my brain to its maximum capacity, I didn't even see the human stop in his path, until my head hit into his lower back.

"HEY! Don't just stop in the middle of the path!" I snapped at him but he just turned around.

"Do you have a human form?" He looked down and I nodded slowly before answering,

"Maybe... but why do you need to know?." I simply asked walking past him.

"There aren't many red wolves in this area, they're mostly black or grey. So you stand out like a sore thumb. Literally." He spoke through a smirk.

"That's what you think because your thinking like a human. I'll be fine once I change form, I'll blend in with other humans so well, you won't even notice a thing." I grinned glancing back at him. I watched his smirk drop before his eyes cloud with slight anger.

Making his way in front of me again, he grabbed the fur around my neck.

"Oh really? Then you won't have a problem with being my pet if I find you again? Since you think like an animal, you'll probably enjoy the life of a dog, much more than a human life." He scoffed.

With that, he stood up straight and walked away. A DOG?!? I'm a proud wolf?! Who does he think he is?! Agitated I gritted my teeth and walked in another direction. If I stayed near him any longer I might BITE his arm off. I will NEVER let him find me. Hopefully, this will be the last time we see each other.

Time skip, 3 weeks later~

Luckily after THAT day, I haven't seen that white-haired jerk named Neo or his friends. I was also grateful to bump into an elderly lady in her 70's. When I had finally gotten out of the forest, which was a couple of hours after I separated ways with Neo, I ended up in a massive back garden. But I was so weak I passed out. The next time I woke up I was on a bed, still in my default wolf form.

Since each werewolf is different, you either default into a human or default into a wolf form. It just means that you are either more human or more wolf. In my case, I'm more wolf. These defaults are decided based on where you were born.

The elderly lady told me her name was Maureen and that she too, was a werewolf but decided to live the rest of her life as a human. She told me that I could come to her if I ever needed help. She even gave me my own bedroom. Every day she has been giving me tips on how to stay in my human form. And right now I can last a good day or so but it also depends on how much energy I use during that time. Soon though, I won't need to worry about that.

She had also suggested that I try fitting in with the human life which also meant attending college for a year or more, if decided I wanted to stay here. I was unsure at first if I should, but she told me she has lots of money that she would probably never get to spend as she is too old. With that in mind, I took her up on the offer. So I will be attending next week.

I've looked up on what a college is and it looks interesting. I've only lived as a wolf, never as a human so the elderly lady told me everything I needed to know in these 3 weeks, I'm also a fast learner so it shouldn't be a problem.

~The first day of college~

*Beep, beep, bee--*

Growling I turned the alarm off, I sat up and scratched behind my ear with my foot. Conflicted as to why something didn't feel right, I quickly remembered I was in human form. I stopped putting my foot back down. I still couldn't get used to waking up like a human. Getting out of bed I put on an outfit that the maids picked out for me.

It was a black A-line skirt, a black and white chequered shirt, knee-high socks, black ankle boots with studs and finally a black jacket. You might be thinking it's a depressing outfit but it's one of my favourites the colours go well with my red hair and light brown eyes.

I quickly brushed my hair into place. My hair was long until the maids cut it into an angled- long-bob. It's much easier to cope with now, and thankfully it didn't affect my fur when I'm in my wolf form. Walking downstairs, I sat down at the table.

"Well good morning to you Lars. What would you like for breakfast?" The chef asked, I smiled and said,

"Morning, and I'll have anything." He nodded and went back to cook.

The old lady of the house was actually a mistress to a very wealthy man and when he died she got nearly all his money, of course, they were a thing she wasn't a good digger. But she even got the house and everything that goes with it. Altogether she has 3 maids, 2 gardeners, 1 butler and 1 chef. Though I do feel guilty using her like this, that's why I said I'll find a part-time job somewhere and give her some money back.

After I had finished eating, the old lady ordered me to get into her car and let the butler drive me to college. I accepted the offer and soon I was at the huge gate, where I would be spending most of my day.

"Have a nice day miss." The butler spoke politely.

"Okay! See ya!" I casually said and got out, making sure to close the door properly before the butler drove off. My goal was to just fit in, I didn't need to make friends or draw attention to myself. As I walked through the gate I could feel a few eyes on me and hear a couple of whispers but that was it.

Going to the main office, I got my timetable and went straight to my lesson. It was a new term so I was probably going to be the only new student but that didn't matter. I went into the room quietly and sat at the back, near the window. This way I could find some comfort just by looking out of the window since there was a nice view of the forest.

Staring off at the green treetops, I soon got interrupted,

"Umm excuse me..well you see that's my seat a..and.." I turned to look at the girl with dark hair and dark skin, she had big glasses and looked nervous.

"And what?" I asked, but my tone sounded too cold. Before I could correct myself, a familiar guy walked in with a girl who also felt like I had seen before. They were about to walk past us but the guy started making a problem out of nothing,

"You're blocking the way, move." The guy spoke rudely to the girl with the glasses.

But when she didn't move quick enough, the other girl who walked in with the guy, shoved her out of the way. Seeing her lose balance, I grabbed the girls arm so she didn't fall to the floor. Using my body strength, as I got up from the chair, I pulled her up with me.

"What's your name?" I asked the girl who only wanted her seat back and ignoring the rude people.

"M..Maria, I'm sorry" She spoke quietly but I understood why she was anxious.

"Here, sit." I said, picking up my bag, I looked glared at the two familiar people as we traded spaced.

"It's rude to push others. I suggest you wait, being nice is free you know." I said the last part with a sarcastic smile.

They both looked surprised at my actions, I turned back to Maria.

"Does anyone sit here?" I asked pointing to the seat in front of her, she shook her head as a 'no' so sat down. I glanced to see if they were still watching me, I couldn't say for sure or not but they had started whispering to each other. I didn't even do anything did I? When I heard more footsteps the familiar girl shouted,

"NEO!!!!"

..... I turned to look out the window. That's why I remember their faces, they were both a part of the group I saw when I arrived here. Thinking to myself, I was blocking out there chattering until I heard the girl say,

"God have you met the new girl, she's so nasty. Neo she was so mean to us!" She spoke through a pout and her tone was quite babyish. Mean?!? I couldn't resist but turn to face them. They were close together at the back of the room, like bees around a queen bee. I glared at the girl. She dramatically flinched. She must take drama, I was convinced at this point.

I then glanced to Neo as I could see him staring at me, through my provisional vision.

"See!?" The girl spoke, expecting him to do something about it.

"..Let's just sit down Lucy, lesson will start soon any way." Neo said with a fed-up tone. Thankfully, they were sat on the other side of the room, but it was at the back too. Meaning I would have to pass them if I wanted to leave the classroom. The best thing would be for me to ignore them, so I must try and calm down.

When the teacher walked in he firstly welcomed everyone then explained what changes had been made over the half term and finally announced the 'new girl'.

"Okay we have a new student, she's called Lars Willa. Could you raise your hand please Lars?" I did as he told me, hoping it would end quickly... but it didn't.

"Thank you, would you like to say anything about yourself?" He asked, probably trying to be friendly.

"No, not really." I said plainly, he seemed taken back but continued with a smile,

"Well, *clears throat* - Umm... what about your name? I always thought Lars was a boy's name, I was surprised to find you were a girl." He chuckled to himself in a friendly way.

"Yeah. It is a more of a male name." I agreed with him, making it harder for him to ask me anything else. I was desperately hoping for him to stop. He quickly caught on with my expression and continued the lesson.