Chapter 6

Sitting in a packed screen room, the room was filled with the gentle hum of excited chattering voices as we waited for the film to begin. Without warning, the lights dimmed into darkness and the loud sounds of the movie began to boom out of the speakers on the walls while a large screen in front of us lit up the room and hundreds of anticipated faces. Happily, I sank back into the plush velvet chair and began munching on a large bucket of salted popcorn while Beth slurped noisily from a coke cup beside me.
“So, are you going to tell me how it went the other night with you and Sam,” Beth whispered cheekily, while staring at me wide eyed. “You two haven’t been able to take your eyes and hands off each other since!”
“Do I really have to?” I replied, peeling my eyes away from the screen towards Beth while looking at her weirdly. “It was fine actually.”
“Fine? Just fine?” Beth asked incredulously, looking at me carefully while sucking on her straw.
“Um, yeah, I don’t know what else you want me to say without going into the gory details,” I shrugged while popping another piece of popcorn into my mouth. “Me and Sam had sex and I am no longer a virgin. It was good. Surprisingly good actually. I can see what your fascination about sex is about actually!”
“It’s pretty good isn’t it when you find someone who knows what they are doing?” Beth sighed, before turning back around in her chair. “So, when are you going back to his again? No doubt you’ll want more!”
“I’m not really sure to be honest. I’m thinking about going on holiday for a bit,” I revealed quietly, thinking about the upcoming selection process. “I’ve got things that I need and want to do.”
“Holiday? Where have you got money to go on holiday?” Beth laughed. “Where are you even going to go? And what do you mean you have things you need and want to do?”
“Look, I just need to go away for a bit,” I muttered quietly, avoiding Beth’s shocked gaze. “And I don’t need money.”
“Why? What’s up with you?” Beth replied briskly. “You’ve been acting really odd the last few weeks? And of course, you need money! You can’t do a lot without it!”
“Look, it’s nothing bad. Honest!” I quickly replied, trying to think of a believable story without revealing anything of my secret. “I just need to go away for a bit and find out who I really am and what I want in life! There’s family I haven’t seen in a while and I’m thinking I may go and stay with them for a while!”
“No, no you’re not!” Beth replied furiously, slamming her hand down on the armrest of her chair. “You’ve been funny and distant with all of us all week and now you’re just going to go away as soon as you have graduated. What’s going on with you?”
“Nothing’s going on. And who are you to tell me what I can and can’t do!?” I growled in annoyance. “I just need time to think. I need to decide what I want out of life now that I’ve left college. I might even move away to be with my family!”
“Well, something has bought this up. You don’t just decide to move away as soon as you have left college! You’ve never mentioned this so-called family before!” Beth continued. “What about me? What about Sam? Does he know your plans?”
“Can’t you just accept my decision and back off? You’re supposed to be my best friend!” I spat angrily. “Just see this as a need-to-know basis!”
“A need-to-know basis? Are you fucking kidding me!?” Beth hissed, while leaning towards me in her chair. “I am your best friend, and you know you can tell me anything. What the fuck is wrong with you?”
“Just leave it out okay Beth! Just forget about it!” I snapped suddenly, feeling myself beginning to get hot and angry, as my wolf began to awake. “Look, I hope you enjoy your movie, but I need to go!”
“Ros, wait!” Beth called out loudly, making hundreds of faces turn towards us and tut in annoyance. “I’m Sorry! Don’t go!”

Quickly ignoring her, I stood up and grabbed my bag before heading up a flight of stairs and out of the screen room. As soon as the door shut behind me, I legged it down the empty corridor and out of sight, hearing Beth’s faint calls behind me fading quickly. Bursting through the reception and out into the crisp night air, I paused, gulping the air hungrily. It felt like it was the first time I had ever breathed air and it felt good. A voice inside my head suddenly yelled RUN. Hearing Beth calling my name once more, I turned towards the direction of home and ran as fast as my legs could carry me.

Artfully, I darted in between groups of people walking through the dark quiet streets, parked cars and silently sprinted across busy roads, avoiding being hit by the traffic. Hearing the cars beeping noisily only spurred me on. In a hazy blur, the busy nightlife of Carlsden City soon changed into dark, quiet, leafy suburbs with people tucked up in their homes, the orange glow of their lights lighting up the streets outside. Silently, I carried on running, thoughts and emotions running wild through my head before the voice from earlier reappeared.

*How dare she question you! Question us!
She doesn’t mean it. She has always been protective of me.
Protective? Is she your Mum? Are we her cub? No! Soon, we will be able to live our best life and leave all of them behind! *

Blocking out my wolf’s voice, I concentrated on running through the night air. Even in human form, being a werewolf meant that I was still pretty fast, and it wasn’t long before I found myself turning into my quiet estate, barging through the wooden garden gate, and hammering loudly on the front door. It didn’t take long for it to be quickly pulled open to reveal my shocked parents peering out nervously from inside. Without letting them speak, I roughly pushed past them and squeezed into the brightly lit hallway before I turned to face them. Feeling breathless, I watched as they shut the door and looked at me worriedly. Before they had time to speak, I gasped out two small sentences that would change things forever.
“I’ve made my decision. I’m moving into the packhouse!”