From the Outside Looking In

“Umm... let’s just say that I have a lot of explaining to do.” I said sheepishly. I really, really should have told her about this earlier. “ Let’s go downstairs, grab some breakfast, and then talk. Please.” Sighing overdramatically, Rylee threw the covers aside. Slowly, she got up and trudged down the stairs, sweeping past me. I followed her, once again wringing my hands nervously. I gathered the ingredients for pancakes on the countertop. Slowly, I mixed all the components together to form a foamy batter. I couldn’t fool myself or Rylee. I was obviously trying to stall for time.

“Mom, just hurry up and get talking.” Rylee told me rather bluntly. I started to rush. After plopping some batter into the pan, I went to the table and sat across from her. She raised her eyebrows at me expectantly.

“ Okay. I’m a werewolf.” I stated simply. My daughter’s jaw dropped to the floor. I continued.

“ I am, no, was part of the Shadow Walker pack. That is, before they kicked me out because I married your father, a human. It is forbidden to marry a human in my pack. I fell in love with him, the biggest mistake of my life. Anyway, have you ever noticed that I can immediately tell if something’s out of place in the house or is missing?” The question knocked Halyn out of her stupor.

“Uh, yeah. Once when I was younger, I had stolen some teacups that you never use from the cabinet to have a tea party with my imaginary friend. Thankfully you confiscated them before I shattered them all to pieces!” She smiled sheepishly.

“Yes. That other sense is a gift that comes with being a werewolf. I can also hear things from a long distance that normal humans wouldn’t be able to. Unlike the stories, no, I don’t only shift when there is a full moon, but my wolf really, really, wants to come out on those days. My senses also elevate those days. I’m more irritable then. I like to shift whenever I feel stressed or upset.

And you’re probably wondering about Halyn, right? Well, she just transformed for the first time, last night. It always happens sometime when you’re 13. And that is why I wanted you to stay over at Liza’s. We realized something... odd, when she had morphed. We can communicate telepathically.” Rylee’s jaw dropped down even further, if that was possible.

“You understand her?” She incredulously asked. I nodded.

“Oh. My. Goodness.That’s amazing. Great, now you made me jealous. I have three more years to go! Ugh, why do I have to be so young?” I laughed, but soon that smile was wiped off my face as I sniffed the air. A burnt, rubbery smell had filled the air. Rylee and I both looked at each other and simultaneously smacked our foreheads. I scurried to the kitchen, where I was met with black, flaky circle of gunk at the bottom of the pan. Eew. Cleaning it out in the sink, I made more for all three of us, not leaving the kitchen for a second.

This was like my worst chapter yet. It feels so forced. Any ideas on how to make it better and more natural sounding? It was difficult to describe the wolf part. Thanks!