Chapter 15

-Pax-

I got back to the house before their training ended. I tiptoed through the hallways, ducking below windows. I wanted to make sure that Daphne wasn't around, but it was rather tricky. For someone who was rather loud, she was difficult to pin down. Alder was the best clue of where she was, his laughter and the noise of his wooden toys hitting the wooden floor echoed through the house. It faded as I reached the door to my room.

I had left the house in such a haste this afternoon that I didn't think of trying to even pretend to be in my room. I had just hoped that they would assume I was sleeping. I had been reliably informed that I could sleep like the dead if it was a certain day. I had also been told that I wake up at the quietest of noises. I never understood how on earth that was possible, maybe it depended on who exactly was watching me that night. I was always a lot more on edge with Cedar or Finn than I was with Rosary.

I plopped down on my bed and sighed. I appreciated that walk, but the fresh air was dizzying from not being outside for such an extended period. I rubbed my eyes and just sat in silence.

"You're not very sneaky." A voice called from the other side of my room.

A scream got stuck in my throat as I jumped backwards, standing on my bed. I huddled into the corner of my room, a corner which was barely tall enough for me to crouch in due to the slanting ceiling.

Laughter erupted, not a booming laugh, like I was used to hearing, but a choked laugh. "So skittish. I'm actually pleasantly surprised." It was Cedar. His footsteps started to get closer to me.

I jumped off the bed and crossed my arms. "Why did you feel the need to do that?" I didn't often ask questions like this, but I was having a bit of a strange day. There was no need for him to be so quiet.

"You're being feisty today." He stopped walking a few feet in front of me. "Who was that boy? Farley's his name, isn't it?" He asked in a teasing tone.

"Yes," I answered. There was no point in lying to him. "I don't really know who he is, I didn't expect to see him there. He's being bothersome." No part of that was a lie; he had done nothing but bother me since we had met.

"I don't really care about you seeing him." He shuffled and passed me, the springs of my bed making a horrid tune. "I just care that you left without telling anyone."

I chuckled humourlessly. "Who would let me leave? I've been stuck here for a month." My hands balled into fists. "What was I supposed to do?" My voice was starting to get louder

"I don't know, do as you're told?" Cedar snapped. "Look, they're protective of you for a reason now. You can't just go doing foolish things. You're lucky I didn't tell them you weren't here."

He was right, I was extremely lucky that he decided not to tell them. "But what is the reason?" I pleaded. "Why have they got me caged here?" I wasn't being overdramatic, I felt like a wild animal in a cage who was getting ready for slaughter. I had felt this way many times throughout the past eight years, but whenever I felt that way, I was always able to go for a walk in the forest.

"Because your wolf is black," he said as though I should've already known this. I must've looked incredibly clueless, as he continued, "there aren't many black wolves left. Those who are black wolves, were said to be the descendants of the first ever werewolves."

My mouth became dry. I didn't believe him. I had probably turned in front of them before. There was no reason I should believe him. They did sound surprised when I turned into my wolf last month. Surely, if my fur was black, they would've noticed sooner.

"I don't blame you for wanting to run." Cedar made more of my bed springs bounce. "I'd want to run too if I knew I was going to be stuck here all my life."

I shifted from foot to foot as I took in a frustrated breath. "I'm not going to be stuck here forever," I argued.

"No? Well, I think that you should have a good, hard think about what's happening." He stood up, I could feel the breeze of his movements as he stretched. "Kian's not letting you go easily; he's already got us all looking out for you."

"That's nothing different to normal." I shook my head. Cedar and Finn always kept me in their sights. "It's always been there."

"Our lives weren't being threatened then," he said sharply. "Kian said that he'd tear us apart if we so much as let you get a paper cut."

I snorted, I tried not to, but it was hilarious. "He didn't care about what happened to me a month ago." I found my hand reaching for the back of my leg where Finn had kicked it. "Suddenly he's protective?"

Cool air which smelt of mint hit me in the face, making me scrunch my nose. "Exactly," he exclaimed. "Which is why you're going to believe me about the black wolf and get out of here as quick as you can."

I ran a hand down my face. Cedar was acting as though leaving was a simple task. "Where would I go? How would I even get out of the forest?"

"I don't know, ask Farley." He was back to pretending like he couldn't care less. "I'm just telling you what's going to happen if you stay." He left my room without another word.

I was left to ponder my options; I could ignore what Cedar said and be miserable, Or I could take his advice and leave. I could go and look for Farley, meet his pack. I might be able to find some hope somewhere outside of the forest. I could live my childhood dreams.

The thoughts of my options filled my mind for the rest of the evening, deep into the night. I didn't get much sleep, it seemed like the birds were only quiet for three hours at most. I tossed and turned, and it didn't help that my door kept opening and closing every four hours. It wasn't out of anyone's schedule, some had very odd routines. Finn was often up in the middle of the night at the back door, smoking a cigarette, which made smoke flow right into my bedroom when I left the window open.

I got dressed in some jeans and a T-shirt which I had 'inherited' from Cedar. I was a clothes disposal of sorts for him, being the only teenage male in the pack. I didn't mind, his clothes were good quality, and they were constantly being washed. It wasn't too taxing to wash the clothes, so I didn't mind that chore.

My morning was normal. It felt like nothing had happened yesterday, no meeting with Farley and no warnings from Cedar. I was left to my own devices after being forced to sit with Rosary for lunch. It wasn't a bad experience, save for my slight embarrassment I usually had when eating in front of people.

I returned to my room, extremely sick of the day. I didn't have training today, something I was grateful for. I was struggling to move as each bone and muscle in my body protested. I had been pushed past my limits, at least I know what my limits are now.

I paced my room for around half an hour before making up my mind. There wouldn't be any harm in going out again. It'd be just like it was yesterday, I'd probably see Farley and talk for a bit before coming back. I wasn't going to make any decisions yet. The noise from training had been going for around ten minutes or so. Now was my chance.

Leaving the house was as simple as it was yesterday. I still didn't risk taking my comfort stick out with me. I wanted to be able to run if I needed to, a giant stick makes it much more difficult.

The forest creatures were more alive this afternoon. Footsteps of all sizes trampled grass. The air was bearable as opposed to recent days which were more humid. I wanted to take in every aspect of the forest I could, in fear I wouldn't be here again. A nagging feeling at the bottom of my stomach, a dread that something's going to change drastically.

I went straight to the bridge, the water splashed against my bare feet as I sat on the edge of it. The water wasn't rhythmic, hitting the rocks at inconsistent times. It was probably influenced a lot by the wind.

Voices started to come from my right, one I recognised and two I didn't. Farley's voice was the one I noticed immediately. The others were complete strangers.

QUESTION OF THE DAY!

Since I'm re-watching H2o:Just add Water, I am curious to know if you can swim? -and bonus, have you seen that particular show? I know it's became a bit of a tiktok trend :D

I can't swim- and I don't think I'll be able to learn how -because you're not getting me into deep waters anytime soon. Once when I was at the swimming baths with my school and I slipped, people started congratulating me on getting my head under the water :')