Were is the Love?

Chapter One

My name is Jazz. I am a were panther. I would like to start out by stating that I am not a cat. Nor am I a fluffy little kitten. I am a fucking were panther. Thank you. Okay, now that the panther is out of the bag there, I live in Pine Ridge, and I belong to the Night Walk pride. My father is alpha. And a raging prick. But our pride is the best in the country. If any rogues cross our path, with so much as a meow or a bark. We are on the hunt. We do not often resort to violence. You see, were panthers are known for intelligence, and we are quick on our paws. Though we are territorial, we do not wish to come out clawing. Oh, but we will. Especially if a werewolf steps on pride land.

Werewolves are savages. The humans in our area know that they exist. Simply because they are idiots, who cannot control their shifts. A argument with one in the grocery store. They are shifted and tearing you a part in three seconds flat. By what I have heard, the Blue Moon pack are the strongest of all. Imagine that, the best werepanther pride, and the strongest werewolf pack in one town.

I go to a human school. One of my fathers wishes. He believes that I should not go to the school our pride does, because werewolves also attend there. The rest of the pride does not particularly enjoy the company of werewolves, but they don’t despise them like my father does. So I was born and raised a wolf racist. I have never met one. And don’t ever care to.

I spend most of my time at the lake. Wishing I was allowed to leave Night Walk unattended. I sit and stare off into the open. Imagining a life without pain, a life without suffering, a life full of freedom, and happiness. Because of my fathers wishes, I am escorted to and from school, and not allowed to leave for any other reason. If I so much as look at him the wrong way, I get punished. Beaten senseless and sent to my room. But my eighteenth birthday is just four longs days away, and by law, I can do as I damn well please. I want nothing more than to leave this prison. But I cant. As much as I hate it here, if I leave, then my abuse passes on to my mother. I would never live a relatively happy life with that guilt on my shoulders. So here I will stay. For her only. I will continue to sit here alone, not like I mind anyways. My younger brother is only thirteen, so he cannot take over for another six years. Oh, what a long six years this will be.

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I sat there by the lake on my favorite rock, in my own little world. My long black hair tangling in my face. I closed my eyes and listened to the sounds of the water hitting the rocks. I realized it was getting late and I’d better get back before anyone notices I am gone. I walked at a fast pace home gracefully. When I entered the front door, I heard yelling.

“I said, where is that little bitch? Do not fucking lie to me.”

My stomach felt like it dropped to my butt.

“I don’t know Ramone. She didn’t tell me anything.”

I braced myself for a painful night. It being summer vacation, the abuse is worse, there is no one to hide my bruises from. I began to walk towards the stairs when my brother caught my eye.

“Hey champ, you had better be getting off to bed.” I tousled his hair and gave him a soft smile. We both knew what I was in for. He hugged me tight, and walked to his bedroom in silence. I slowly crept up the stairs and lightly tapped on my father’s office door.

“What?” he yelled. His voice boomed through the door and down the hallway. Abruptly waking up every nerve in my body.  I gulped and opened the door. My father looked at my mother sternly.

“Go, now woman, so I can have a word with my daughter.”

My mother shot me a look and her eyes swelled with tears. I looked at her reassuringly letting her know I would be okay. She exited and I heard the quiet click of the door closing.

My father looked at me disgusted.

“Where the fuck were you?”

“Sorry Daddy, I went for a walk in the woods. I didn’t realize I was out that late. It wont happen again.”

I wouldn't dare tell him I go to the lake. that is my one peaceful place, and he would take it away if he knew. 

He rose from his chair and my heart began to speed up.

“And you didn’t bother to tell me you were leaving? I am your alpha."

I knew better than to speak when he was in alpha mode. I bowed my head in shame. A hand hit my face hard and I fell to the floor. He bent down to get closer to me as I held my hand on my now burning face. I didn’t dare meet his glare.

“you look at your alpha when he speaks to you, you understand that?”

I nodded my head, fighting the tears. I could not show weakness in front of the alpha. I was suddenly yanked up by my hair. My feet no longer touching the ground.

“where were you?  Out fucking some Wolves? Huh? You’re a trampy wolf fucker.”  I screamed out in pain. He threw me onto the ground and my head collided with the hard wood floor.

“get out.” I tried to scramble to my feet but I couldn’t.

“I said, get out!” he kicked me in my ribs, scooting me towards the door. I quickly got to my feet and ran. Past my crying mother, standing with her arms out, and to my room. Where I cried myself to sleep once again.