Chapter 1

I'd finally finished unpacking all of my belongings; cardboard boxes strewn across all of the carpet in my new bedroom.

The previous house owners, thankfully, left the premises clean without any alarming or off putting surprises. On top of the cross-continental move I don't think my stressed out mum could of handled that.

Our plane only arrived at the airport 3 hours ago and it took another hour to travel to our new house. Apart from the sadness that clouded my mind from leaving my friends in England , I was excited to start a new life here with my mum,stepdad and sister.

Mattport was a small town of 12,000 residents and its main attraction was its location. Houses integrated into cliffs and several severe looking mountains that radiated danger and the sheer beauty that nature grasps.

The scenery was breathtaking; unorthodox for me: a born and bred city girl, used to chaos,traffic and noise.

" Rose!" A voice pulled me out of my thoughts. I immediately recognised the smooth and feminine tone to be my mums.

"What's up?" I shouted back while running out of my bedroom door and into the landing; peering downstairs.

"Can you help me with this a sec ? I'm in the kitchen!"

"Coming!" I replied, quickly running down the stairs into the large open plan space of the house.

Numerous boxes were littered on the floor and some sofas and other furniture were being set up by my stepdad.

I walked past him ruffling his hair and flashing a mischievous grin before turning towards the kitchen.

I saw my mum standing on the surface of the island desperately trying to latch on hooks for pots and pans on the beam of the ceiling.

Laughing to myself, I rapidly climbed onto the granite and helped her out, passing screws and screwdrivers when deemed necessary.

"Phew, that's one thing out the way" she said, her 5ft2 inch body jumping onto the floor.

I gave her a sympathetic smile. Once everything's sorted I know she'll de-stress and relax.

"I was thinking about going for a run, getting to know the area, maybe go through the woods" I pointed outside the window to the beginning of a forest that was close to the house.

The forest looked brilliant, leaves dancing in the rhythm of the wind and shining under the suns rays.

My legs were itching with the need to run; put my headphones in and push out the anger gathered up inside.

Anger, sadness, all negative emotions.

"Yeah of course honey as long as your back for 6, I'm thinking.....Indian takeaway?"

"Sounds good mum" I laughed giving her hug before retreating up the stairs and into my bedroom, digging into my thankfully large closet and throwing on my running leggings and long sleeved top.

Making sure to grab my headphones off my bedroom drawer I leap down the wooden staircase and head into the shoe cabinet in the hallway.

Once I've tied the laces on my trainers into a double knot, I look into the large mirror adorning the wall next to the front door.

I swept my long dark brown hair into a tight ponytail at the nape of my neck, ensuring it wouldn't bother me and inspected my countenance.

As I imagined, I looked horrific.

Anyone would after being awake for more than 20 hours due to a large time difference and a toddler that vomited, screamed and cried the whole 8 hour flight.

"Bye guys" I shouted as I opened the front door and stepped outside.

A cool breeze attacked my skin as I closed the door and started completing stretches.

We bought a house on a quiet street that mainly housed families and couples. The shops were all within walking distance and different pathways surrounded us, no doubt leading to the numerous mountains that towered and brooded above us.

Hitting shuffle on my phone my ears were immediately filled with loud tunes that urged me forward.

I ran into the forest at a steady pace and as the songs progressed I shifted into a sprint until my body was begging me to rest,breathe.

It was then I noticed how far into the forest I was and the lowering sun that still sparked amber light onto the trees and foliage.

Shit.

I looked around desperately but the whole forest looked the same almost as if each individual piece of vegetation was cloned.

Shit

Im lost, the realisation sunk in.

I began to wonder back the route I thought I originally took, not risking jogging in case I delved further into the seemingly endless forest.

I passed numerous trees and bushes before I heard an unmistakable growl that ricocheted off the branches and trees.

Wolf My subconscious screamed.

No ,wolves don't exist in this part of America, I was pretty sure.

But then I heard another venomous growl emanating from behind me.

My heart rate must have been off the charts, I could hear it pumping loudly through my ears.

Slowly turning around, I came face to face with ...nothing.

Was it a figment of my imagination?

As my fear subsided I visually scanned the area, but as I looked everything seemed natural; undisturbed.

Then I saw a large animal covered in grey fur tumble to the ground , playing with another animal of the same size but in a honey brown colour.

They were so close that I could see their bushy tails and pointed, alert ears.

Their strong stance .

These animals are wolves.

I gasped at my discovery, fear rising inside of me.

My noise, unluckily, alerted the two wolves of my presence.

They immediately stopped their play-fight and began to warily walk towards me, occasionally looking at each other giving the impression they were having a telepathic conversation or just reading each other's facial expressions, deciding my outcome.

Terror writhed inside of me and my feet were glued to the forest floor, unmoving.

But then I looked into their eyes and suddenly,unexplainably I wasn't scared anymore.

They gazed at me with such compassion and innocent delight that I began to walk towards them.

I'm going crazy aren't I? I thought.

As I ventured forward the two wolves bowed in unison, keeping their heads down.

What's happening? I thought as surprise and curiosity grabbed me.

I bent down to the wolves level and began to stroke their fur with my hands as they nuzzled into my touch happily.

Then i heard a growl from behind me, filled with authority and venom.

Slowly turning my head, my hands trembling, I saw a black wolf, much taller and scarier than the two cowering behind me that were whimpering in respect and fear.

This wolf was different to the others with bright, demanding grey eyes that were utterly captivating.

This was the most beautiful creature I've ever seen, I was completely mesmerised. Standing up so I was at my full height I was eye level to the massive beast in front of me.

For some reason I felt a pull towards it that clouded all rational thoughts from my mind. I felt safe.

The creature stepped forward on paws larger than my hands and lowered its head into my neck, its wet snout against the top of my shirt.

Sparks flew through my body at its touch, filling me with such light and happiness that I gasped in shock.

I knew the monster could feel it too as it moved its head and looked me in the eyes, its grey irises sparkling. I couldn't move my body, I desperately wanted to stay in its touch, I craved it.

Behind me I could hear scurrying; most likely the two other wolves retreating away from the wrath of my wolf.

My wolf?! I thought. Where were these crazy notions coming from? Was I losing my mind?

However during this commotion my gaze never left its.

"Am I going crazy?" I whispered to myself, under my breath.

When the words left my mouth the wolfs appearance shifted completely from warm and happy to austere and frightening.

A loud growl erupted from its mouth, a warning whilst its eyes glared at mine with hatred and superiority.

Battling with myself I turned and ran, I kept running my mind clouded with rejection and misunderstanding. Run run run.

Why did I feel something for a wolf?

What's wrong with me?

By some miracle on the horizon line I saw the lights and outline of my house. With a motive I sprinted until I reached the back doors that opened into the dining area.

With one last look into the woods I realised how dark it was. The sun had almost finished her transition leaving only specks of sunlight to light the forest while darkness began claiming all it wished.

And Just as I was about to go inside I saw two sparkling eyes glaring at me from the bushes.