Saving Grace

Chapter 1

   Today was the day. I can do this, I thought to myself. I ignored the ache in my body as I made my way to the shower. Ever since my twelfth birthday, I've been gradually getting more sick as the days progressed. Today was the first day of my senior year, and I was not about to let my sickness ruin it. I took my time washing my body as I thought about the story my parents had told me numerous times.

   "You're different from other wolves Grace." My mother's voice came out soft and pleasant sounding.

   "What do you mean mommy?" I questioned with tears in my eyes.

   "Your wolf isn't as strong as everyone else's sweetheart." This time it was my father who spoke cautiously, afraid he would upset me further.

   "Well, why not? I look just the same as everyone else!" I shouted, hurt clear in my voice.

   My mother sat me down on the couch as she turned to face me. "When you were a little baby, a very bad witch named Melinda cast a spell on you sweetie. The reason you haven't shifted into your wolf is because she is very weak. The spell that the witch put on you made it so that you can't ever shift." My mom paused while sending a pleading look to my father, as if debating on whether or not to tell me the rest.

   "Sweetheart," I turned to stare at my father. "You're wolf is dying."

   I let the tears fall from my eyes as both my father and my mother hugged me. Their embrace was comforting but it would never erase the bad that's happened to me.

   "Will I die too?" My voice cracked as I looked between my mother and my father.

   "No," my father's voice came out strong, probably still that way from all the years he was a beta. "As long as I am around, I will never stop looking for a cure."

   "Why did she put the spell on me?" I questioned while looking between my parents.

   "My father, your grandfather, was a very ruthless man. He wanted to be Alpha so bad that he killed for it. He killed his own Alpha, as well as some of the witches that helped his pack fight off rogue attacks. Since he had Beta blood coursing through his body though, he could never be Alpha. One of the witches he killed was named Camille Evergreen. She was Melinda's older sister. After the night that Camille was murdered by your grandfather, Melinda went into a rage." My father paused, deep in thought about what he would tell me next.

   "She swore to your grandfather that she would someday get her revenge on his bloodline. I was too old, and had too many people protecting me, that she couldn't harm me. Melinda chose the easiest target that she could find to get revenge." My father whispered.

   "She's killing my wolf because of something that my grandfather did!" I shouted.

   "Yes, and because I wasn't enough of a man to be able to protect you." My father looked at the ground as he spoke, ashamed of himself.

   I stood up and wrapped my arms around his waist. "I'm proud of you daddy. I love you. It's not your fault that I'm like this. It's just meant to be my fate I suppose." I tried comforting my father.

   My mother then came from behind me and pulled us all into a group hug. Endless thoughts ran through my head, and I couldn't help but think of a better way I could've spent my twelfth birthday.

   I made my way out of the shower and wrapped a towel around my waist. I picked out a simple outfit of black leggings and a teal sweater that reached midway to my thighs. I then put on black high-top converse and went to eat breakfast. After I ate I trudged back up the stairs to my room to dry my white blonde hair, which fell about halfway down my back. I looked in the mirror at my ice-blue eyes, against the cold pale skin that shouted to the world "Yes, I am dying!". Since I never wore any make-up, I was satisfied with my look and went back downstairs to say goodbye to my mom and dad.