The Girl With Red Hair

Chapter 17

Chapter 17 (2 months later and three days away from Jade's birthday)

Me and Kyle had bonded pretty well over the last two months. We had learnt alot about each other and what I might become. Things were more comfortable and easy between us and fortunately, Cory and Kyle have bonded too. They can manage a full hour together in one room without killing each other. It's a working progress.

Three days until my birthday - three days until I might change into a werewolf. Three painful days of worrying about how my life may change. Three days until I am a 'proper lady' as my dad had said. Just seventy two hours of freedom.

The boy Kyle had found in the woods, Clay, was now legally and officially a part of Kyle's dad's pack and he had joined my school. I had learnt that Kyle's dad was alpha of that pack and Kyle was to take over when he was twenty (unless he challenges his father which will most definitely end in a death). The fact that I was to be an alpha female was pretty scary. With one hundred wolves to control and extremely high expectations from his father and the fact I had to keep this all a secret from my own father was going to be a serious challenge. See, my dad isn't a wolf, I got that from my mothers side, and dad does not know about the 'amazing world' of a werewolf.

I had gotten to know Clay too. He was a pretty good friend. He was funny and loyal. There was so much I needed to find out about him but we had become really close. He was like my long lost brother.

"What do you want for your birthday?" Kyle asked as we walked home. I thought for a moment. Did I really need anything? My loved ones is a good enough present for me. "I dunno" I said with a shrug. A smirk crossed my face as I said "I want a giant teddy bear, a Ferrari enzo, a bike, a pony, a unicorn and one million pounds." I joked. He laughed a laugh that could only be heard by an angel. "Ha ha ha, very funny." he said sarcastically.

"When we get home, me and your brother need to tell you something." he said, his face becoming serious. My stomach dropped at his seriousness. Was it about the change? "What about?" I asked, my humour disappearing.

He ignored my question and carried on walking in silence. I mimicked him, one hundred questions whizzing around in my mind as to what Kyle wanted.

We finally arrived at my house. I was sat at my table, Cory was already there and had waited for us. I took my place in the middle and put my crutches to one side; My stomach twisting and turning with every painful passing second.

Kyle and my brother looked at each other and gave one another a slight nod. It was like they were talking in there own language.

"What we are going to tell you isn't going to please you, but we need you to not freak out." Cory said, putting his hand on my shoulder and gave it a reassuring squeeze.

"What's going on, guys?" I asked, sparing a glance at the both of them. They seemed tense and hesitant. I hated not knowing what was going on. It only leads to more problems.

"When the time comes on your birthday, you will go through the traditional 'ceremony', which is when you turn. But um..." Cory trails off, his eyes full of sorrow and fear. "...There's a possibility you could... Die during the change." Kyle finished, wrapping a warm arm around my back. My heart stopped beating for a brief second. I could die in this 'ceremony'!? I couldn't say anything. My voice was stuck in my throat.

"Why now?" I manage to croak. Cory and Kyle raised an eyebrow at me in confusion. "What do you mean?" Kyle asked, tightening his arm around me. I looked at him and raised my own eyebrow. "Why are you telling me this now? It was only two months ago when I was told I would... Might turn into a werewolf. Why didn't you tell me then?" I asked, anger rising up in me. Kyle's eyes expressed nothing but regret and pure sadness, but as much as I wanted to apologise for my outburst, I had to know. " We thought you would be worried and... The closer to the 'ceremony' you are, the less time you need to worry." he said, placing air quotes around 'ceremony'. "And why do you keep doing that?" I asked, mimicking his air quotes.