The Gift of Artemis

My Beginning

My life didn't truly begin until I was a 15, last year, when I became a wolf. Sure I had a typical childhood with fun times with my mom, but they pale in comparison to me now.

The way I experience the world is so much more vivid. Colors are brighter, smells are everywhere, sounds seem like distinguishable voices, foods have small explosions of flavor, and I can feel the individual creases in people's hands. My senses are overwhelming, but I still want more. Life is so intricate and real, it seems like a fantasy.

I love fantasy stories, ever since I was small. My mom would read them to me and I wanted to be the princess, but not as much as I wanted to be the hero. I wanted adventure, danger and to be the story people read. I still do, if I'm being honest. I don't always make the best decisions, but the reason I do these things is because I'm interested. I want to do more.

Anyway, one day I wanted a story so I went to one of those small cute bookstores that you say you'll visit one day, but still buy books online. I took off my wiry glasses for two seconds to clean them because I saw a smudge. I took a step and bumped into a book case. Several books fell over, because I was as graceful as a hippo.

Then I saw him walking over, Damien Ramos was apparently both fit and a nerd. I thought you could only have one. He helped me pick up the books, he asked, "Are you okay?"

To which I brilliantly replied, "Yeah I'm just clumsy," he laughed and I should've stopped there, but I didn't. "Are you?" Oh God. He had this adorable confused face. He was strange in a way, his cute look and bubbly manner of speaking was contradictory to his dark clothing, black hair that hung over his forehead and far off look in his eye. These things shouldn't go together, but they fit in perfectly for Damien. Which is why I knew he wouldn't ever like me. He was extraordinary and I looked for my adventure in pages.

I held onto the only book I picked up. He laughed nervously, oh my God my awkwardness is rubbing off on everyone. So I said, "See you in Monday on English." Frick, I messed up more. I have to leave. I rushed to the exit, but forgot I was clutching to the book like a life saver. The girl at the cash register coughs loudly. I look over and she smiles. I hand her the book quickly, refusing to turn my head around.

"Don't worry, he's avoiding you too, $3.25 please" she said with a smirk. I'm so flustered at this point, I give her a five, take my paper bag and got the hell out of there.

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I got home and collapsed onto a pile of clothes I've been meaning to fold that are on my bed. I never even so much as glanced at the book I bought, so I took a look. Rules of the Wolf. Intriguing. I opened it up and my name was on the inside cover. Well on a label. All caps CANDICE LUPINE. I had to read it all in one sitting. It told me everything about being a wolf.

It was basically a how to wolf guide including the origin, general what is a wolf, pros and cons, the three big rules, becoming a wolf, and symptoms of the change. Over simplifying it, werewolves were a final gift to humanity from Greek god Artemis, it gives chosen humans heightened senses comparable to a wolf. Pros would be those senses, a pack, and capability to be a hero. Cons are being a lone wolf among humans, the night once a lunar cycle and the rules. The big ones are
1. Avoid romance (can't get distracted and chastity rule from Artemis)
2. Protect surroundings (nature, people around you, and your pack)
3.Loyalty to Artemis (even though she has been long gone for 200 or more years)

This is basically a contract, in exchange for powers, you must follow these rules. Failure to comply can and will result in losing your powers.

To become a wolf, one must be chosen by a pack, (an exchange of blood rather than a bite or scratch) by Artemis, or have a wolf heart, literally. You must have werewolf blood inside, no one is quite sure how or why but some are born to be a wolf and they will become one during their teen years. It is more likely to be chosen by Artemis.

"The change happens over 3 hours. Characterized by hunger, excruciating pain, and knocking out." This is the only non paraphrased one.

To be quite honest, I wanted to be a wolf as badly as I did when I wanted to be a hero.

The most interesting item was at the end. A recipe for those with wolf blood, but not a wolf. Simply put, to become a wolf if you were born to be one.

1/2 cup milk
1 tsp own blood
4 strawberries
7 white rose petals
A banana
A leaf off any living plant
3 tbs sugar

1. Blend in blender

I was laughing so hard, because who'd actually do that. But then I hit my arm on my end table. Then I realized I had all the ingredients, why not?

It tastes like an off milk shake, but not bad. I started to feel a bit hungry, then I wanted to eat a whole cow. I tore up the kitchen for anything. Until I collapsed and writhed in pain, until I fell asleep on the kitchen floor.

When I woke up, I was changed. It was the best agreement I could ask for. I didn't need my glasses anymore and I felt powerful. My mother didn't think the same when she saw me on the floor surrounded by lucky charms.