Raised by wolves

Chapter 1

Perspiration dripping heavily down my spine, shoulders throbbing from the weight, my arm muscles suffering from the constant movement, a searing pain shoots up my calves with every agonizing step, a quick glance at my watch shows twenty three seconds left.

Pushing myself, I urge my legs to move faster. The moon radiates a lustrous glow throughout the forest as I fly along the greenwood debris, my long caramel hair a whirl behind me, the mousy trees a blur. Leaping over the familiar decayed log, skimming past sharp branches and swiftly missing dangling vines, nine seconds remaining.

Emerging from the trees, I dart through the freshly mowed grass along the double football field we call a backyard, nearing the glamorous four story mansion I call home. The ponderous thudding of paws and constant howling behind me indicates the support of my two older siblings. The pitch black fur appearing to my right reveals my father, his grey eyes wide in surprise.

Three, two, one.

The beeping of my timer rings as I collapse on the soft grass, heaving in severely needed oxygen. Stretching out my tender limbs I turn my head to see my older siblings Lena and Axel howling gleefully in obvious joy, my father, already shifted and clothed walking toward me, his proud eyes twinkling in reflection of the stars, his rare thousand megawatt smile temporarily blinding me.

"How did I do?" I asked him breathlessly.

"You were amazing! You were like zoom, waah, smash!" Axel explained enthusiastically, standing there in all his buck naked glory, moving his hands quirkily.

"Seriously?" I questioned. "How old are you?"

"Never mind him" Lena spoke up, grinning ear to ear. " He's right though, you were amazing."

At least she had the decency to cover herself.

"So, how did I do?" I asked again, the eagerness showing through my voice as I looked questioningly at my father.

His face was now his normal emotionless mask, the rare smile gone, but I could still see the glimmers of pride shining in his eyes.

"Within the time space of fifteen minutes, you ran 16.903 kilometers," he answered nonchalantly.

"WHAT!" I exclaimed in disbelief. "No way, that's impossible. Are you serious?"

"Completely." He answered, his alpha tone coming out and his smile returning. "You have officially broken your first wolf record."

To say that I was overjoyed would be an understatement. I was euphoric, flying on cloud nine. Axel, now wearing a black pair of drop crotch sweatpants, easily lifted me off the ground and spun me around, squeezing the life out of me.

"Wow Kes, your faster than me" he beamed, using the shortened term of my middle name Kestrel.

"Only when your in human form." I replied casually, glowing in happiness, knowing how huge this achievement was.

"Do you know how big this is?" Lena exclaimed as if reading my mind. "You just broke a wolf record, and your a human!"

"I know!" I answered excitedly, "This is so unbelievable."

"Congratulations love." Dad praised, giving me one of his infamous bear hugs.

"Group hug!" I heard Axel shout as I felt a massive weight knocking the breath out of my lungs.

"Cant... breathe." I spluttered.

"Oops, sorry." Axel apologized as he unwrapped his arms from my body.

"Its fine, you big goon, lets head inside, I'm hungry." I said, the smell of wonderful food wafting out the open backdoor and through my nose, making my stomach growl angrily.