Undaunted

Prologue

Prologue

Undaunted (adj.) not intimidated or discouraged by difficulty, danger, or disappointment.

***

I  used to be afraid of the dark, because my young mind thought the monsters might get to me. But as I grow older and learn more about the world, I'm starting to wonder if all the monsters are so bad...

I can feel the warm water beat down on my face as I sit under Desoto Falls in Helen, Georgia. I feel well. I feel free. Like nothing can interrupt this rare peace. And yes, this is an uncommon moment where I can truly be myself. My wolf self.

The water feels alluring and comforting on my fur as I put my head back into the rushing water. "I should do this more often," I think to myself.

Just as I shake the water from my silver-brown fur, I hear my mom shout from our house, "Natasha! I know you're at the Falls. Could you come inside, please?"

I guess that means the little time to myself is over. As I change back to human form, I notice that the sun has already set. "Wow," I say aloud. "How did it get so late?" I run back to my house as fast as I can. I probably can go faster if I phase, but I don't want my parents to see me like this. Not yet, at least.

When I approach the fluorescent lit doorway, my parents look more worried than angry. "You were at the Falls, weren't you?" My dad asks, with a sigh of relief. I nod.

"Again?" My mom exclaims.

"I needed some time to myself." I answer, hoping that they'll drop the topic. Fat chance with that. As I come closer to the porch light, I guess they can see that I'm dripping with water.

"Natasha! You're soaked!" My mom cries out.

"I went swimming with Sarah." I lie.

"That's kind of funny," Dad starts, "Because I got a call from Sarah's mom today, and she said Sarah couldn't make it to the movie tomorrow, and she asked if we can reschedule."

After waiting a minute, Mom says, "Just, go get some dry clothes on. Your father and I need to talk to you afterwards."

I go into my room, passing the kitchen along the way. "This place used to be fun. Not since...he left. And my brothers left, that doesn't help anything either." I murmur, as I pass my parents.

Mom sighs and tries to say something, but Dad stops her. "In a minute, Forrest," He tells her.

My room is nothing fancy. A black and purple themed room, black walls with band posters and Christmas lights strung all around, a pile of black skinny jeans over a old time gothic chair in the corner, and a tiny bathroom connected to the left wall.

My parents are mad, I know they are. They're wondering why I lied. Why did I lie? I'm such an idiot! Out of my dresser, I pull black skinnys and a angel wing designed sweatshirt. Lately I've been having really bad chills. I wonder if it has anything to do with this wolf thing. I change in the bathroom and go back into the family room where my parents wait for me on the sofa.

"Sit down," Mom says, patting the seat beside her. I take a seat, as Dad asks, "Now this is going to sound completely crazy, but I want you to hear us out, okay Tasha?" I nod, slowly. "You're a wolf, aren't you?"

The question hits me hard. How did they find that out? "How did you know that?" I whisper, utterly shocked. "Have you been spying on me, or following me?" I have to get some answers.

"No," Mom answers. "We're wolves, too." I can't believe it! My own parents never told me of a part of me that I never knew existed? I mean, when I changed, I was pretty sure that something about me was different, but never have I thought that my parents are exactly like me.

"What else have you not told me?" I spit out. "There's got to be more than that. Spill."

"You, your mother, and I," Dad starts, "Are what they call shape shifters. Shape- shifter can phase into wolves just by thinking about it."

"How many are there, and where are they?" I ask, trying to sound as calm as I can.

"Not many of us exist, but most of them live at Isle Royale," Mom tells me.

"What about Andrew and Kain, my brothers, are they wolves as well?"

"Yes..."

"Which is why we were going to ask you if you wanted to go there to meet the Pack and your brothers... and Ezekial again," Dad says, wondering what my reaction will be.

"Ezekial?" I can't breathe. Ezekial was my best friend ever! He had moved to Colorado five years ago, for a reason that I didn't know of. We had met when we were in Pre-K and were friends ever since. The past five years have been so hard without him. I guess I partly blame my parents for letting that happen. "How could they let us split up?" I had once sadly thought, the day that my family moved from Key West, Florida to Helen, Georgia.

"Mhm," Mom nods. "He's like you. That's why he left in the first place. He wanted to make sure that he didn't loose control of himself in the beginning. He wanted to make sure that he didn't have a chance to hurt you."

"Of course I want to go."

"Go pack," Mom tells me, seeing that my expression is happy. "Ezekial, Kain, and Andrew are going to meet you at the airport tomorrow night."

"Thank you, Mom."

After giving my dad a hug, I go into my room and do as they say. After a few minutes, there's a knock on my door.

"Tasha, just so you know, Isle Royale is in Michigan. You need to dress warm and pack warm, too."

"Okay, Mom. Got it."

"Also, we leave to get you to the airport at 6 tomorrow night. Okay?"

"Check."