When I came downstairs in the morning I saw everyone downstairs but Rosa and Zander. I sit my bag down on the couch and shrugged, "What?" I questioned.

"You're not going to school today, Thalia." my dad said, making my eyes widen. "Actually, you're not going for the rest of the week. You birthday Friday and you don't know what could happen in the next two days."

I scoffed, "No, you can't do that. I'm still considered okay to go to school. Kave didn't have to stop going to school until his sixteenth birthday." No, they can't do this to me. I'm going to school, I'm spending the next two days pretending to be a normal human girl and they won't stop me. I turned and grabbed my bag. I walked over towards the door but Ander was quickly in my way. I breathed heavily out my nose, "Move Ander."

"Thalia, I think they're right." he said. "Maybe you should stay home. Even, you should be happy to be home from school. No one really wants to go to school."

"Yeah, kids who won't be turning into big Jaguars when they're sixteen. I'm sure by Saturday I won't be able to go anymore. Let me spend the last two days just being normal." I said. I turned to face my parents and held my hands up, "Why are you doing this to me? I'm going to school today, I promise. I was just having a bad day and wanted to clear my head. I'm fine, I promise. Dad?"

My dad sighed heavily, "Thalia, I'm doing this for all of us."

I wanted to snap at him but I knew I couldn't without relieving where I really was yesterday. I breathed heavily out my nose as I pushed my long wavy brown hair behind my ears, "Mom, you agree I should go right? I only have two days left." I asked as I put my hands on my waist.

My mom frowned, "Thalia, you tried sneaking out in the middle of the night again." she said. My eyebrows furrowed together in confusion since I didn't try to do that. "You were sleepwalking and we had to help you back to bed. The day is close, we shouldn't take any risk. Your eyes will soon start to change any hour now and start to lose more control of yourself."

I stared at her for a moment, not believing this was happening right now. When I thought of all people—beside Kavan—my mom would have my side but I guess I was wrong. "I want to go to school, though." I said but they all remained quiet. My lips formed a stiff line as I breathed heavily out my nose and I threw my bag down on the ground. Like a child I threw a tantrum going up the stairs, my feet roughly hitting the ground.

*

I waited two hours until I went over to the window and lifted it up. Zander went to school and so did Rosa. I waited a little bit longer when I heard the men leave and only mine and Ander mom downstairs. I heard footsteps coming down the hallway and my blood raced before I quickly closed the window. I threw my jacket off before I ran over to the bed and face away from the door.

The door opened, "Thalia." I heard Ander voice. Well, I thought all the men left for work but I guess I was wrong. Peter parks in the backyard parking space but I just assumed Ander went with them. He walked over and sat down next to me, "I know you want to do allot of things before your birthday but this is the right way. I was kept home also and it was a good thing. Even before my birthday, I could feel myself changing slowly."

I didn't turn my head to look at him since I couldn't right now. I wanted so badly to be able to turn to face him, tell him I'm not mad at him, and promise I won't leave. But that isn't what I'm feeling. I'm pissed at him and I do plan to sneak out to go to school. I guess my feelings for Ander aren't are strong as I hoped they would be and I hated knowing for a fact I was hurting him without him even knowing. He had so much trust in me and I was betraying him.

I wish he would understand though is I don't want to be married right now. I want to be with who I choose and maybe if it didn't feel force—I could be with him. Ander is a handsome Jaguar young man, nothing is wrong with him. He's perfect; he has ever quality of being a great husband but it's not what I want. I want freedom of choosing how I live my life. I want to be able to go to school, date who I choose, and do many things. I want to make a ton of mistakes in my life so I can learn from them and be able to say 'yeah, I did that but I learned from it and made me stronger'. I want to experience so many things but I can't do that as a sixteen year old wife.

I was unfaithful to him already and we're not even married yet. Even though I knew Rian was probably nothing, I couldn't deny there was an attraction there and I felt bad. How could I be attracted to a human boy? Soon I will murder people and if he isn't ever careful he could be one of them. I'm praying all of those feelings will vanish after my birthday.

"Thalia," he said, taking my hand in his. The hand that had the ring he got me and he touched it, "We do what we do to protect you."

"From who?" I questioned. "You are only protecting me from myself. I didn't know I needed that."

"You need help with guidance." he said. "This can be very scary and challenging. You need people who will be there to help. Many Jaguars don't get that. Allot are alone on their first time."

"Everything is going to be changing." I said, my hand getting stiff in his hand. "I don't want any of it to change, I like how it is now."

"Change isn't always bad, Thalia." he said. He leaned over and kissed the side of my head, "I love you." he said, making my blood turn cold. I had to close my eyes tightly as guilty pained me but I'm sure the pain would be worse if he knew what I had done to him.

He got up from the bed and I breathed out hard since I had been holding my breath for a moment. I opened my eyes and finally looked up at him. He brought his hand down to my face and pushed a wavy strain out of my face. I quickly grabbed his hand and moved it away as I stood up. I couldn't do this anymore, I had to do this. I had to call it off now before it's too late. When I opened my mouth, no words came out and all the words I wanted to say formed in the lump in my throat that made me couldn't talk.

I swallowed the hard lump in my throat, "I want to be alone right now." I told him.

He nodded, "Alright, I understand." he said before he turned around and left the room. I breathed out again, feeling like the air was much lighter. I listened to his footsteps that I heard going down the stairs. I licked my dry lips and waited a few moments before going over to the window. I opened it up and pulled my legs out. I grabbed my jacket and slid it on. I stared at the ground that must be at least twenty-three feet to the ground.

I licked my nervous lips and I concentrated for a moment. My heart raced in my chest and I could hear the blood flowing in my ears. I closed my head and slid off the ledge. The hair whipped back and my feet landed on the ground. My hands flew down as I caught myself on all fours and my eyes opened big. I couldn't believe I did it—I actually landed on all four!

I quickly got up from the ground and ran quickly away from the house. I was a quick runner, I had to make sure to get away as far as I could before they realize I left. No one was going to stop me from doing what I want and what I want is to go to school.

When I finally made it, it was hard to get in school without explaining why I was in when my parents called in saying I was sick. I asked the lady at the front desk if I look sick and she agreed I wasn't. I bribed her into saying my education was more important and if I should really bother with calling my parents.

I made my way to class. I knocked on my second period class and the teacher told me to come in, "Thanks for joining us, Thalia." the old man said sarcastically. I just quickly made my way over to my seat. He walked over, "Weekend homework, Thalia?"

"Uh. . .well you see, I forgot my bag at home. I woke up late and was in a rush to get here." I lied. "I was already here when I realized I forgot to grab it."

"Monday homework?" he questioned and my mouth just hung open. "Oh wait, you weren't here yesterday." he said. He set yesterday homework down on my table with the bag number of the lesson on it and I groaned. Great, triple the work because I also forgot about the homework we had over the weekend.

*

At the end of the day, I was walking out of the school and across the football field. Someone ran up beside me and it was Rian. He threw an arm around me, "So what is the plan for today, Thalia?"

I took his hand and moved his arm, "I have to get home today, Florian." I said as I faced him.

He laughed softly, "Oh come on, I have an exciting day planned out. I thought maybe we could go to the arcade in the city at the mall. It'll be very fun."

I forced a smile, "Thanks but I shouldn't."

"You shouldn't be doing allot of things." he said, grinning and I couldn't help but grin back. Ander appeared in my mind though and I knew how much I was hurting him. I should stop doing things that hurt him.

The grin disappeared from my face and I sighed heavily, "I can't, Rian." I said as I stepped back and he frowned back at me. "Please, I have to go to home. I want to go home, it's where I should be." I told him. He didn't follow me and I thanked him in my head before I turned around and quickly left.

When I got home, Ander was on the porch. He didn't look mad as I got near and walked up the staircase. I sighed heavily as I sat down on the porch swing, "Come on, give it to me. I know you're mad."

"Not mad." he said. He turned to look at me, "You came home, that's all that matters."

I looked up at his brown eyes and bit the inside of my cheeks. I released them, "I just wanted to go to school."

He leaned his head towards me, "Like I said, I'm not mad. I expected you to sneak out so I'm not surprised at all." he said. "I thought at first your parents were right but then I realized when you left I remembered I promised to treat you as an equal. Tomorrow if they try to make you stay home, I'll make them let you go. I will take your side, always. If it's something I don't like. I don't want to push you away as much as I have already."

I frowned, "You haven't been pushing me awa—"

"Kavan called." he said, making me freeze in my spot. "He called earlier. I went up to Rosa's room to tell you but you were gone. He was hoping you might have been here. He told me to tell you he's alright and hopes you have a good birthday Friday. He knows your strong and you'll handle it."

I wanted to yell now because I missed that call.

*

I woke up in the middle of the night on Friday when I felt this sudden rush of pain in my chest. I cried out as I brought my hand up to my chest and I cried out for my dad, "Ahh, daddy!" I screamed. Suddenly Rosa door burst opened and my dad ran over towards me. I sweating like a waterfall. My hair was soaked and so was my clothes. The blanket was soaked and so was the bed. I wasn't hot though, I felt like I was freezing.

My dad appeared above me and he took in a sharp breath as he stared down at me. My dad put his hands under me and lifted me up from the bed. The pain went away a little but I could still feel in and it hurt when I moved too much. My dad took me downstairs to the basement and Peter opened the gate leading to a space that reminded me of a prison cell. My dad set me down on a pile of blankets and my mom came downstairs.

She took my shirt and sweatpants so I was lift in my bra and underwear. I leaned towards her, my mouth chattering, "I'm so cold." I breathed out. She brought a blanket up to me, wrapping me in it. My spine suddenly ached, starting from my tail bone and it went up to the back of my neck. My back arched back as I cried out.

*

I was shivering on the blankets in a cradle position when the sun came up. My nails were getting long quickly and my canine teeth sharpened. It wasn't a quick process, it was slow and always starts in the middle of the night and last the whole day

My mom ran the cloth across my forehead, staying beside me the whole time. I opened my eyes and looked up at my mom. I reached up, taking her wrist. She jerked slightly before looking down at me, "I have to tell you s-something." I said and she looked down at my confused. "My eyes—my eyes their—"

"Silver." she finished and I breathed out. Her finger went down my cheek, "I know, sweetheart. Shh, just rest as much as you can." she said.

Later that day, I cried out in pain as I lift myself up on the palm of my hands. I bared my teeth, crying in pain as my teeth sharpened and my neck felt like it was being twisted and wanted to break. It felt like it was being going on for ever but really maybe a minute. Once it stopped, I fell down on my chest and breathed out heavily. My eyes opened and I looked at my hand. The top of my hand was growing fur that was going up on my arm. Unlike my mom, dad, and Kavan though it was black fur and went over the spots that you could still see a hint of. All three of their furs were the usual yellow and black rosettes. My long sharp fingernails cut against the blanket easily as if they were broken glass shards.

I thought back when I had witness Kavan transformation. I had snuck into the basement that had concrete walls. He was in pain but it didn't look like he was having a hard time like I am now. I don't know if it was just because I wasn't as strong as him or because it was I was a Silver Jaguar.

*

"It's taking such a long time." Peter outside of the gates. "I'm worried, Aron."

My dad sighed heavily, "It'll be fine, she'll make it. I seen it done before, it's going to take a moment longer than ours were."

I opened my eyes to look at them and I could see out the small window in the basement it was night time. I stared out it for a while, just praying to whatever God of our people up there to just let it be finished. My body was almost covered in black fur with many of my bones shifting in proper places. My nails were complete and so was my teeth. They were all ready for hunting.

An hour went by before I saw a hint of the moon light. My hand reached out towards it since I wanted to touch it. When my hand went under the moonlight that shined in from the window it felt like it was touching my skin. As if the light was actually caressing it. It moved further into the room and I lifted myself up a little and moved myself closer towards it.

When I was under the light I stared out the window and up to the moon. It was so beautiful and bright tonight. I saw up in a crouching positon and all the pain suddenly vanished. I felt comfort being under the moon and I breathed out in relief that it felt over with. My mouth opened and a noise similar to a purring sound came out.

I closed my eyes for a moment then I heard the door to the gate close. My eyes opened and I stared back up the moon for a while until it passed away. My whole body felt stiff suddenly and I finally moved. I stretched my arms out and I realized that there didn't appear human. It happened. . .

I looked at myself and I was a full blown black Jaguar. I was still awake for all this, I could actually control myself. Normal Jaguars were supposed to black out for this but I didn't. I was in full control. I was so hungry though! I sniffed the air and something made my mouth water. I would do anything to eat.

I heard the door opened and I turned around to see my dad coming with a plate of meat. I ran towards him and he pulled the plant behind him. He crouched a little, baring his teeth, and his eyes turned reddish-yellow. I quickly paused and I growled at him. Okay, so maybe I didn't have all control. If he hadn't showed his dominant side, I would have leaped on him and do anything for food.

He tsked, "Calm down, Thalia." he warned. I paced back and forward, continuing to growl at him. He brought the plate back and I inched towards him. He growled and I stopped. He threw a piece of raw meat towards me and I quickly ate it.

*

I didn't know when I fell asleep. I didn't even know I did until I woke up in the morning. I brought my arms up and I recognized them. They were my human arm without fur. They were once again light brown and there were no more grayish spots on them.

I sat up in the cage and stretched my body. I felt pretty good after everything yesterday. The gate was hanging wide open and I lifted myself up from the ground. There was a white robe hanging on a coat hook and I grabbed it. I slid it on when I heard noises of talking and my ears perked up to listen. I pushed my hair behind my ears.

"You can't change the fate, Aron." I heard an unfamiliar voice. "On my way here I could feel the different sense in the air. You knew this was going to happen."

My father scoffed, "I don't care, she doesn't belong to you. She's my daughter."

"She isn't like you though." the woman said. "You know you can't control her. She'll never be controlled by someone else. Only herself can control who she is. She is strong."

"She did pretty well last night." I heard my mother say coldly. "She didn't do anything risky."

I went over towards the staircase of the basement and I made my way up to the kitchen as my parents argued with the unwelcome guest. When I got upstairs there was a woman in the room with long dark curly hair. She had amazing killer curves with a slim waist. She had brown skin like my father but had brown eyes.

Something strong hit my nose and I could smell a scent coming from her. She smelt like a mixture of the woods and something like the city. I looked at her face, remembering where I have seen her before.

"Aunt Hala." I breathed out. "What are you doing here?"

A small smile formed on her face, "I'm sorry I'm late for your birthday, Thalia."