Dawn

Chapter 15

I walk up the small steps that lead to my wood house. I bend down to grab the spare key out from under the red rug that has Home written in big letters. I hesitate a little bit before opening the door, and I turn around looking at the now empty streets. Vince's car long gone.

It's pitch black outside, the only lights provided are the natural light of the moon and the porch lights. My heart twinges in pain, I guess they are waiting up on me...
If only they knew what their daughter was doing...
While they were worrying, I was making out with a boy.
I rub my face with my hand and shake my head at myself.
I'm the worst daughter.

I creak open the door slowly, the lights of the living room are off, but as I shut the door behind me softly, not wanting to wake anybody up, I notice that the kitchen lights are still on. I tiptoe to the kitchen, trying to stay as quiet as possible. I walk in, and I see my dad, sitting on one of the marble stools, resting his head on the countertop and sound asleep.
I smile sadly at him. His reading glasses are on top of his mess of brown curly hair, and I contemplate waking him up and disrupting his peaceful slumber. But then he starts to stir on his own and his familiar brown eyes flutter open. He sits upright and stretches, letting out a groan and meeting my face with shock.

"Dawn, where were you? You had us all worried sick," he says, scrambling to put his glasses back on. I push myself off the plain white wall I was leaning against and walk over to my dad.
To my surprise, he pulls me into a big hug and I gratefully inhale his familiar scent.

"I'm so sorry dad. I just I...I hadn't turned in a long time... and I guess I really angered my wolf." I lie through my teeth. I never lie to my parents.
He pulls away to get a look at my face. I try not to look at the ground or avert my gaze, afraid that my wandering eyes would give the lie away.
I'm just not ready for my parents to know. I'm still trying to convince myself this is not actually happening...

I'm in high school for crying out loud! A mere teenager with a love for cartoons and pancakes. No way in hell, could I ever be a damn Luna of a pack! Especially not of Vincent's ruthless one!

He drops his shoulders. "Try to let your wolf out more sport, you don't want her to take control again." he says tiredly and with no hint of anger.

" I will." I say sadly.

"I'm going to go to bed, but are you sure you're ok? You look really pale," he says observing my face.

"No, I'm fine dad. I'm just tired that's all." I say, trying to liven up and reassure him. He nods his head, too tired to even question me again.

"Ok. Goodnight, honey. I'll tell your mother your back if she's still up, she was scared something happened to you." I look down at my feet and try to hold back tears.

"Goodnight, and dad... tell her I'm sorry." I say sincerely, looking briefly up before looking back down. He gives a silent nod, and then proceeds to walk up the steps.
I go to the fridge and grab some water. I gulp it down slowly, letting it refresh my body and bring me the tiniest bit of relief it can offer.

I walk up to my room and shut my doors. Instantly, taking in a grateful breath to be alone.
Some things are thrown on the ground, but for the most part, my room is still intact. I pick up the items and place them where they go. Most importantly Mr. Cuddles, my stuffed bear, on my bed.

"I'm growing up Mr. Cuddles, and there's nothing I can do about it." I say sadly, staring at one of the many faces of my childhood.
I head to the bathroom and take off these clothes that don't belong to me. Another reminder of this weird night. Thankfully my father didn't ask me about them, I don't know how I would have explained myself.
I let the warm water run over my body and hair, and when I finish, I wrap a towel around myself, making my way to the mirror to look at myself.
I look like a shell of the person I was a week ago. My under-eye bags are dark and puffy, my eyes void of any sign of life, and my neck...
What is that on my neck?!