Taste for Trouble

chapter 10

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I sighed again, and began the descend down the hallway. I could feel my anxiety as everyone looked at me in too much curiosity.

I saw several other people coming out of their bedrooms, all of the girls had outfits identical to mine, and the guys just looked like over-the-top greasers from the 60's. They all looked like they were going downstairs too, so i followed them, trying to not draw too much attention.

At least we were in the middle of nowhere, so no one else could see us. I thought, and it was true. No one would see us out here...not people I knew anyways. And that was what was important. I kept looking for an easy way out, through all the open doors. No one had a balcony. Or even a conventional window.

One girl saw me walking by and she stretched her foot out and I fell flat on my face, the worn down hardwood smarting. "What the fuck lady!?" I hollered at her. She looked at me expectantly. She had known i was going to be angry.

"What, you're allowed to flirt AND be mentored by my man, and you don't think there's going to be consequences?" She said in an extremely bitchy voice. She was a bit shorter than me, and was a lot skinnier, well probably not, seeing as how this being a werewolf kind of pulled me out, so I looked a ton skinnier, but she was really small. Her eyes were completely yellow and she had long red hair braided down her back. She reminded me of Judith. Which, as expected, meant i didn't like her.

"I-I'm sorry, which guy are you talking about? Neither of them informed me that they were in a relationship." I said, pulling myself up carefully, afraid I'd snap out of my leather as it made an uncomfortable sound.

"Well...me and Austin aren't TECHNICALLY in a relationship. But you still aren't allowed to be acting like he's yours." She said, losing some of the fearlessness. Oh jeese. Okay, yeah, the guy's cute. But i didn't even intend on staying at this place long enough to care.

"Then he isn't TECHNICALLY yours, now don't mess with me, or I'll show you a real fucking bitch." I said, turning around. My words didn't mean anything to me, just something to hopefully get her off of my ass.

"Yeah, right. I bet your mom taught you that." The girl sneered. Mom jokes? Really. Come on.

I stopped. It was a loose insult, but still. She was about to get it. I turned back to face her, and with amazing speed, I was on her shoulders, pulling on her hair.

She let out a wail and tried to claw me down; I easily avoided her nails, until someone from behind pulled me down. I hit the ground with a loud CLUNK. One of the girl's friends was above me, getting ready to punch me. I rolled around and barely avoided the blow. I was back on my feet before the girl had enough time to see me. I had completely re gained myself, and I grabbed the second girl by the back of the head, and slammed her face into the wall, she went to a heap on the floor. Then I rounded on girl number one, and she was just getting over fixing her hair, when I lunged at her, sending her to her back, with me on top, and I slammed my fist into her face. She made a sad like whimper, and then her eyes rolled back. She was still breathing though, i noticed as i took a breath, brushing my hair back. It was a narrow space, and two girls were now out cold in it.

I went to get up then a familiar pain shot through me. I screamed. Then i noticed someone was there, shoving something into my arm. I gasped at the sharpness of this pain, but it seemed to seep through my body, and kill the rest of the pain i hadn't even noticed was spreading throughout me. When I could bear to open my eyes again, I looked up to see a guy, with Madison standing behind him.

"We try not to phase in doors, Claire. As for fighting...I assume there was a good reason...but as for the fact you just took out our two best in human fighters, I may need to talk with you later." The guy said.

"What?" I said, my voice sounded gravelly.

"It's fine Claire. Oh, and this is Max, pack leader." Madison said, putting a fond hand on the guys shoulder.

"Hi." I said. I couldn't help but blame this werewolf thing on him. And i felt anger roll in my stomache at him for this, but found myself incapable of proper reaction to the feelings.

"You should go downstairs, find something to eat, and I'll get these girls some ice." Max said, going to the red head girl and checking her pulse.

I sighed and got up, my arm was slightly sore. I checked it and saw a bit of blood. They had gave me a shot? To prevent me from phasing? Well that's wacky. The geek inside of me mentally noted that I'd need to ask around on what made this super shot.

I headed down the stairs. I was on the top story, so there were several staircases to go down, all of which contained more bedrooms. There was way more people here then i thought. 50? 60? And that was assuming the rooms with two beds had people occupying them.

I made it all the way to the kitchen, with no other interferences. I walked in and there were several platters out with eggs, pancakes, and bacon out ready to be eaten. My mouth started to water and I went and grabbed a piece of bacon and started gnawing on it. It was yummy, but bacon was always nummy. I smiled to myself then turned to the dining room, which had an amazing view of a large yard. I saw several of the house members outside, playing Frisbee! I almost choked on my bacon it was so ironic. Half dog half people, playing Frisbee? Really? These guys were like the definition of "cliché". I guess birthday presents weren't going to be hard.

I mentally chastised myself at that. No. I wasn't staying here. But it was so easy...almost too easy, to feel settled here. I had changed into the trashy leather with no hesitation. I had eaten the food with even less. It was in my nature. I noticed with a shock. I wasn't...human anymore. I was part dog. And they tend to live in packs. And that's what this was. A lost pup, having no troubles fitting into a pack.

After four pieces of bacon, and watching everyone else having fun, I decided it would be fun to go out there and roll around in the 7 o clock sunlight. I washed my hands on a towel, and then went out the door from the kitchen. I bounded out onto the porch and smiled. It had been a very long night, and the beauty of daylight filled my senses, as did the smell of a night rain.

While I was admiring the smell of the forest, someone shouted my name and the Frisbee hit my forehead. I jumped back, caught off guard. I heard several people laugh at me, but I didn't care. I picked up the Frisbee, and threw it off toward where Austin was. Several other kids dived on top of Austin to ensure that he didn't catch it, but somehow, he managed to fight it from the others surrounding him.

He smiled a very pretty and very victorious smile, and then threw it to another person. He was dressed in similar leather as mine. Except his was complete with a jacket with his name on the back in studs. He looked good. His hair parted down the middle in a glossy array of gold and auburn hues.

I walked into the yard and stood there, watching the Frisbee go from side to side, when someone shouted "DOG Pile!!!" I looked quickly around then saw Aaron come and lunge at me. I squealed but was already on the ground as everyone else piled on top of him.

I smiled in delight. For the most part, I could live with these kids. They were like the siblings I never had.