Chapter 1: Lu-Lu
Lulu's p.o.v.
*beep *beep
I HATE alarms. I loath them. Why did humans even invent it in the first place?
" Of course to wake lazy heads like us."
Lu, my wolf whimpers inside my mind sounding as frustrated as me. We were having a beautiful dream with water all around us. And I think I was an octopus with ten hands...or was it eight? Ugh. I want to go back to my dream.
Without opening my eyes, I turned off the alarm, it made a click sound when my fingers touched its button. Sighing from relief and thankful for the silence, I again tried to sleep. Hopeful, that I might enter that same dream. I didn't. Because that godforsaken alarm went off...
*beep *beep
Fuck it...no, f**k me. Why I had to put it on snooze? Now I'd to turn it off from the settings, and for that, I've to open my eyes. And then I won't be able to sleep again.
Wait... I have a better idea. I picked up the alarm, raised my hand, and almost...almost threw that stupid thing out of the window. But then I remember it will drop in our backyard and if my new family sees it, then they will find out their daughter is a psychotic lazy human being, who is not actually a human but a wolfless werewolf. I am not ready for them to find out yet.
So, with a deflating sigh, I put that alarm clock back on the bedside table and revealed my hazel orbs to my cozy bedroom. It's perfect for someone like me who's not a fan of big things. I prefer cute and warm instead of big and cold.
Mum and Dad did a great job turning this attic into a room...with these little twinkling lights on the wooden wall and brown antique furniture. Even the lamp seems like it came straight from the Victorian era.
And there is a big window, right beside my bed...I can see the entire town from here, big pine trees...foggy roads, can feel the rain hitting the cold glass, can see the thunder gleaming in the grey sky. It's magical.
Stretching my arms, I sit up. My naked feet touched the cold floor, I rubbed it with my toe now, drawing some weird pattern as I stare at my reflection in the mirror.
My ginger curls are knotted and sticky, making my hair look like a bird's nest...my pale white cheeks are red and cracked, dry, just like my red lips. I scoffed as I stared at my ugly self.
My face is like a desert...dead, broken.
I sighed and stood up, walking towards the attached bathroom of my room. I needed to take a shower before I go to my new and first school. Yes, first. I was homeschooled before. So, I have no idea how things work in a high school. But looking clean and presentable might be compulsory. I can't go there looking like some redhead beggar, can I?
I closed my eyes as the cold water hit my dirty skin...washing the soil that slicked to my skin last night while hunting- in my human form. I am wolfless. I can't change, but that doesn't take away the desire of being a predator.
I applied the strawberry face wash Mum gave me last week. It smells delicious. However, washing my face could not change anything in it...or make it less ugly. But bathing might help to wash my rogue scent and make me smell like a decent werewolf for once.
In case you're wondering, Rogues are those wolves who don't stay with a pack to follow their hierarchy of power. Instead of living with a bunch of werewolves, they prefer to live alone. Others say that rogue wolves are mad, evil...hungry for the kill. But if you ask me, I will say rogues are cool.
They aren't bound to one place, aren't scared to do what they love, didn't kneel to some strong wolf, called Alpha. Rogues are their own leaders. They are free. Just like my Mother...my birth mother. Not the one who is cooking downstairs in the kitchen, humming some beautiful melody. I do call her mum, but she is not the woman who gave birth to me. I still love her though.
And she is gonna kill me if I get late for breakfast.
So, hurriedly washing myself, I wore my school dress. It's a typical black short skirt, a tight white shirt...a loose black tie, and knee-length white socks with boots. There is nothing I hate more than these skirts. But of course, I had to wear it. For the greater good. I have to go to this school, I need to.
I came out of the bathroom and crouched down on the stool. Picking up the comb from the dressing table, I started making a ponytail...my eyes were on the mirror, but I wasn't looking at myself. I was lost. Like aways. As if a part of my soul had been torn apart from me and now breathing somewhere far away, unaware of my existence.
Perhaps, this feeling of something missing is what Lu called wolfless. We can't change in our wolf form, usually after turning thirteen every werewolf can change after their first full moon. But I didn't. I go as far as turning my fingers into sharp claws, and my teeth into fangs. My mother never let that thing bother me, she always said that I was special. But deep down I always knew I wasn't.
I was only broken...a defective piece.
And now, when there is no one left to call me special anymore, that harsh truth started to sting like a burn...painful as ever.
Rubbing a hand on my face, I tried to come out of the darkness of my self-pity thoughts. I stared at the mirror, a small smile on my pale white face. Yes. That's a start. It's been one year... I can't always act like that. Leaving my long wet curls open, I rested my elbows on the table, as I stared at my phone.
It's 7:13 in the morning, two minutes before the regular phone call. And after that, I'll go downstairs.
The caring eyes of my birth parents were staring at me from the photo frame, they were smiling...the ginger curls of my mother were falling over her beautiful face while my father was hugging her from behind. They both were so in love...always smiling, laughing. They did fight sometimes but it always lasted some minutes because my father came crawling back to her like a puppy. He was the best. They were the best. Just like my boyfriend and his parents.
He is also in that photo frame, with his strong arm wrapped around my waist. His amber eyes and chocolate skin sparkled in the bright sunshine. And god that smile...it could lighten the entire room... Just like it used to lighten my dark soul.
His mother used to say we were born for each other. And it was kinda true as our birthdays were on the same date. They were humans though, only humans who know about werewolves' existence. I don't know much but they were my father's childhood friends and work for his company as chemists. All six of us used to live together. And being a Rogue my mother can't stay in one place, so whenever she has to leave the town, all five of us used to move together with her. I can't even remember how many towns I'd lived in my seventeen years of short life.
That was exhausting, always running from an unknown threat but still, we all were happy together. We weren't hurting anyone. So, I don't know why someone had hurt them...killed them. And more importantly, why left me alive?
The loud sound of my phone ringing snapped me out of my thoughts. Shrugging my shoulder, I sit uptight, a big fake smile on my face as I tried to sound as cheerful as possible when I picked up the phone, " Grandpa...how are you?", I chimed, and a warm cheerful voice greeted me from the other side. He told me he was fine, and asked about me...and my health, and my new foster parents. However, we talked yesterday about these same things...and even before that. But still, he called daily and asked the same questions.
I hadn't even met him for eight years. He hadn't even come to Dad'a funeral. I have no idea what could be more important for him than seeing his only son for the last time. Anyway, I don't hold that against him. He is the last living family of mine...and he is old. I don't like holding grudges against someone who's going to die soon anyway.
" So, did you find that man?"
I closed my eyes and exhaled deeply. That same question again. It's been one year, and I know Grandpa is getting impatient. Honestly, when I was in the orphanage, I wasn't sure I wanted revenge.
My mother always told me revenge would bring no good to anyone...it will only bring hatred and sadness. And that's why she has never taken revenge on her mate; her first husband for beating her and killing their unborn child. She just ran, saving herself from the monster. She could go back and fight...she might win, she might lose. It was a gamble she wasn't ready to play. So, she choose life with my father...gave birth to me, traveled a lot, and lived her life.
I wanted to do the same. I almost made up my mind to let it go... Whoever killed my family, my boyfriend...his parents. I didn't want to haunt that person. I only wanted to move on. But then...last month, someone adopted me. A loving human family of Delphic Valley.
The person who killed my family, is from this same town. I don't know anything else. Only a pack mark that my father had drawn on the ground with his blood while he was taking his last breaths. A pack mark is kind of a unique symbol. And the one my father had drawn, was of the Delphic Moon pack, the largest pack in north Colorado. The same pack who controlled this entire town.
So, after one year of being in an orphanage, I was suddenly adopted by a human family in this town, just two months before my eighteen birthday. It couldn't be a coincidence. So, no matter how much I wanted to move on, I can't anymore, not until I killed that monster who had destroyed my life.
" Hel-hello...princess, are you there?"
Grandpa's loud voice dragged me out of my thoughts. Blinking my eyes, I cleared my throat, " Yes...network problem. What were you saying again?"
" So...did you find that person, the one who did that..."
" Not yet, but I am close.", I lied, clenching my knuckles tightly.
I don't want to lie but I can't tell him the truth. That, when my family was being butchered, I was sleeping. That I have no trace of that killer's scent. No face. All I know was that mark. How will I ever be able to find that monster when I have no memory of him... But, I have to. I am here in this town for a reason. I want revenge.
That person destroyed my life...my home, he ripped my mother apart...I still have every image locked inside my mind. How I find my father on the floor...white tiles were scarlet red. Everything was red. I could taste the metallic air filled with their blood. And Tomas, the boy I wanted to spend my entire life with...his neck was dangling on his shoulder, his guts out in the open...flies eating his flesh. How could I ever forget that image...I was wrong, there was never a chance of me ever being able to move on.
" I'll find whoever that was, and bring their heart to you. I promise."
And that was not a lie.
" I am trusting you on this one, pumpkin. Don't disappoint me." His voice was caring but there was a hint of threat to it, or maybe I was only imagining. Grandpa loves me, he would never threaten me, why would he?!
" I won't.", I replied and with that, I cut the call, picked up my new brown leather bag, and left my room.
The stairs made a crank sound as I walked down on it. It's a two-story house, not as large as the cottages I used to live in. But still, I am happy here, a lot happier than I was in that so-called elite orphanage. People there were like robots, seriously I'd started to suspect that I was turning into one.
As soon as I set foot in our beautiful warm living room, Dad noticed me and gave me a big bright smile. Calling him and Mrs. Jackson, Dad, and Mum still feels weird. But they are good people, and I see how happy they got when I called them that. Also, it gave me a mirage that I've still a family. Someone to call my own.
" On time, huh.", Dad smirked, giving a side glance to his son, " You should teach your brother some of your good habits, Lulu. He's again going without taking a bath...I doubt he even brush his teeth."
Ha! Only if he knew I am a lot lazier than Jessie. But of course, I have to maintain my good-girl image in front of my adorable human parents. So I always make sure to hide my bad habits from them, like sneaking outside from my room in the middle of the night to hunt some deers and play in the mud. Mum will definitely get a heart attack if she saw me like that.
" Dad...", Jessie groaned when Dad again mocked him about something I wasn't paying attention to. But I laughed anyway. It feels good to be happy.
" Lemme see..."
I stopped as Jesse held my hand, turning me around so he could have a better look at my school dress. Judging by his smirk, he is going to laugh at my face. And he did. " Unlucky you.", he clicked his tongue and tilt his head back towards his food, still with that same mocking expression.
Jessie is also in high school, but in a different school where students don't have to wear stupid dresses like this. They can wear anything they want. But of course, how can I be so lucky. I have to join the other school, the werewolf one.
" I pity you, sister.", Jessie muttered and Dad smacked at his head, not hard, just a little tap on his empty brain." Stop teasing your sister, Jessie.", he scolded Jessie but looked at me, his brown eyes filled with warmth and care I'd longed so much in the past year. " And you look beautiful, princess. Don't let this i***t bother you."
I smiled and nodded my head. Crouching down on my seat beside Jessie, I glanced at the condition of the kitchen. It was horrifying. Things were all over the place while Mum was cooking pancakes, judging her face, I don't think she is even breathing. Dad was trying to feed Holly and Molly, they are my twin little sisters, only seven months old. And super naughty. They aren't making it easy for Dad to feed them...Holly doesn't like porridge, and Molly, she doesn't look hungry. But Dad looks so in hurry to notice that.
" They both are late for work again, didn't they?", I mumbled to Jessie and he nodded, giving me a side glance, " Don't say it too loud, they both are going to blame me again...I came home late last night, and like always they were waiting for me instead of sleeping..."
" Let me guess...you were with Marcus?", I asked, raising my brow at his bright brown eyes, and he gave me a smile which means I don't want to know the details of their actions. i***t. How many times I have had to tell him, Marcus is going to hurt him, that guy is too scared to tell anyone that he likes Jessie. My brother is too good for him. Ugh...I almost banged my head on the empty plate. Look at me, getting all too protective over my new family when it's only been a month since I knew them.
I just hope, it's not me who ended up getting hurt. I don't want to lose another family...
A brown delicious pancake on my plate snapped me out of my paranoid mind. Blinking my brown-green eyes, I peered up at Mum as she patted my head lovingly, " Lulu, honey can you look after the twins tonight, we both might be too busy in surgery.", she asked and I smiled.
" Sure.", I nodded. And now, I exactly know how to keep my innocent brother away from that jerk Marcus. " And I will cook something for both of you, Jessie will bring dinner to the hospital, no fast food.", I gave her a pointed look and my concern earned me a sweet little peck on my forehead. " You are an angel, Lulu".
Nope, I am a werewolf. But anyway...I will take the compliment.
Mum breathed in relief, taking the other head seat in front of Dad. But as I guessed, Jessie see right through my plan, he knew I am purposely making him go to the hospital so he could stay away from Marcus. He could hate me all he wants, but I only want to save him.
" Wanna hear a secret.", Jessie hushed in my ear, making me look back at him, " My parents only adopted you because they need a free babysitter.",
I want to laugh at his childish tricks.
" Wanna hear another secret...", I gave him a tight smile, " They only gave birth to you because they needed a free delivery boy...and driver...and gardener."
" Ah, and also a human punching bag.", Dad butted in, making Mum and I laugh at poor little Jessie.
He is pouting right now, " You guys are not funny.", he scowled at the giggling twins in front of us, looks like they both also understand that we are making fun of our brother. " First these two, and now you...all the girls in this house are stealing my love. All everyone do here is shout at me."
" Awe...someone is taking their drama classes seriously.", I squeezed his cheek, making him scowl more.
After that little insult, Jessie ate in silence. Others weren't as quiet as him though. But that's what I love about this family. Always, laughing, talking, fighting...they all are like golden retrievers. They even have blonde hair and adorable brown eyes.
I am so lucky to have them in my life...maybe this way revenge won't be as hateful as Mother always told it would be. Maybe between all this hatred and darkness, and pain, I'll still have a home to come. I'll still have some happiness left... Just maybe.
" Want a ride, little sis?"
My body jerked as Jessie suddenly yanked my hair playfully. I fake glared at him, " Nope, I will take the bus...big brother"
He gave me a smile, pecked me, and left. I wanted to say I was making fun of him... Big brother! He is only three months older than me, and honestly, I am the one who acted all protective like an elder sibling. Not the other way around. Dummy.
Shaking my head at his naivety, I picked up my bag and stood up. After giving Dad, Mum, Holly, and Molly a sweet kiss on their cheek, I left the room.
With a big smile on my lips, I opened the door. Had I mentioned before, humans are so f*****g adorable... especially babies.
" Lulu."
Frowning, I turned around. Did I forget something... " Yes, mum?", I asked, confused as I saw her coming towards me, almost running. She stopped right in front of me with her golden hair all over her face, looking so exhausted. My eyes soften as I watched her. Being a doctor is not an easy task...she barely gets any sleep.
" You want me to take you...it's your first day...what if you get lost, or you don't understand anything...I should be there to help.."
" Don't worry...", I interrupted her with a laugh. She is just like my mother, too caring. " I am perfectly capable of taking care of myself."
She look at me for some seconds after taking a deep breath, " Fine, call us if you need anything, okay?", she gave me a pointed look and I nodded" Okay."
As I walked on the street, thinking about the past happy month of mine... How much I'd enjoyed our little time. After one year of being locked up in that orphanage, for my own 'safety'. It was so good to be finally free from everything. All that sadness, and anger...and guilt.
Last month was exactly as I wanted my life to be; Simple.
But now, when the school has started...And everyone in the town is going to find out that me, a Rogue...is going to join their pack, study with their werewolf kids, walk with them on the same street. I have no idea how will they react. I have to make my image as a good decent werewolf while spying on them...and find that person who killed my family.
So... I don't think anything will ever be going to be simple from now on.