A Wolf's Black Heart

Chapter 1

I wake up to the sound of my front door being ripped from its hinges. They've found me...That's all I can think of as I get up quickly and grab a backpack and fill it with as much of my belongings as I can. I stuff my phone and a bunch of money in my jeans pocket and throw on my black leather jacket over top of a t-shirt. I tie my dark brown hair back in a ponytail, allowing my bangs to fall freely over my eyes. Then I jump out the second-story window of my house. I land gracefully on the ground and start sprinting again. I guess I should explain what's going on. I'm on the run. I'm a lycanthrope. Someone who changes into a wolf, and can control when they do. There are people who want to experiment on me...change me into a monster. They killed my parents. They killed my friends. And now they are on their way to finding me.

"Time to move...again," I whisper to myself. As a lycanthrope, I can move at unnatural speeds. Within minutes I reach an airport, pay for my ticket, and board the plane. "Safe...For now," I sigh to myself.

Apparently, the plane is heading towards America. The plane rises in the air. "Au Revoir, France." I can speak ten different languages, as I have traveled around the world, on the run from these people. They call themselves the Venatores Lycan. Wolf Hunters. There are more people out there...like me. I want to find them. I'll have to think of another name for myself, to help hide my identity from the Venatores. I've changed it so many times, I don't think I can even remember my real name. I think hard and come up with a good one. Astéri. That means 'star' in Greek. I loved Greece when I went there. I miss it very much. I'll have to apply for a new school in America.

Finally, after the ten hour flight to America, we land in an airport at Florida. It was very late. I mean VERY late. Like 2 a.m. in the morning late. I knew I needed a place to stay for a while until I found a house to buy. If you're wondering how I got all this money, it's from my father. I think he knew the day would come when those Venatores came looking for me. He saved up as much money as he could and gave it to me when...I can't even think about that day. But I still remember it clearly in my head...

* * * * * *

One Year ago..
November 3, 2016
Athens, Greece.

"Father!" I cried out again, searching through the rubbish of my ruined house for my parents. "Mother!"

"Athena! You need to-" I hear him call back, getting cut off. I found Father right away. Two men dressed in dark uniforms stood and cornered him. They had a patch on the right shoulder of their clothes, a wolf head. I grew angry. I could feel it bubbling inside of me and knew I was going to transform as I hit my breaking point. I let out a ferocious howl and within a matter of seconds I was on all fours, my black fur ruffling in the light breeze caused by the broken window.

"I knew we had us one here. Thanks for bringing her to us," One said in a low voice. "Lycanthrope. Come here. NOW! You belong to us." This comment angered me further.

"I have a name, and if you think you're going to kill me, I'll just have to drag you down to hell with me!" I growl back.

"Athena..." My father tries to tell me something, but the guy in the dark uniform jabs him in the gut with the butt of his gun.

"Leave. My. Father. ALONE! Dad, where's mother?" I was still worried about her. Father tries to mumble something under his breath, but one of the men clears his throat and cackles evilly.

"Your mother's gone. Dead. You'll never get her back." He said and grinned like a Cheshire cat. Suddenly, I break down and transform back into my teenage self, crying. My father kicks one of the guys and grabs my arm, running me to his room, where he locks the door. "Athena... We don't have much time. I knew this day would come... When they found you. I'm going to give you this money. Use it wisely. Run. Stay on the run. Be smart, don't get angry easily. Don't ever let them see that they get to you. Be good." Father tells me, handing me three separate envelopes filled with money.
"But...Dad... What about you?" I say, tears starting to form at the corners of my eyes. "You're coming, aren't you?" The door handle starts jiggling as the intruders try to get in.
"We don't have much time! Go! NOW!" He yells at me, but I stay firmly in my place. The door is kicked down and the intruders walk in. I hop on the windowsill, and just as I jump, I turn in time to see my father crumple to the ground with blood spilling from his chest. The gunshot was still ringing through my ears...

* * * * * *

That day...I came home from school... It was supposed to be my 15th birthday. The best one. Mom and Dad were going to plan a party with my best friends...but now...now it's all gone. They're all gone. I'm alone. I still remember what Father told me. Don't ever let them see that they get to you. That's what I must do. Anyone who aggravates me, I can't let them get to me.

I come across a cheap motel. It wasn't exactly the best place, but it wasn't dingy or dirty. I figured I should stay cheap as possible. Be smart. I'll use it well, Dad, I promise, just like you told me. The receptionist smiled brightly as she gave me my key and room number. I found it quickly and placed my belongings in the floor and put my pajamas on. I know I have to apply for a high school. I grab the laptop I stuffed in my backpack and decided to do some research on schools in Florida. "Hmm... Wave Tide Junior High School? Sounds good enough," I say to myself and apply to go there online. I then power of the laptop, put it away, and fall into a deep sleep...

* * * * * *

I wake up bright and early in the morning, getting dressed and heading out. The school is only a couple miles from here, so I'll be there in no time. I'm so excited... First day at a new school. I hope I can make some friends here, before I have to leave.
A few minutes later, I arrive at the school. I step up to the front doors and sigh, swinging them open. I can do this.