Thornton High

“You’ve got to be kidding me?” I pull on locks of my red hair in frustration, while yelling at the white owl. The owl ruffles its feathers and turns its back to me. Apparently, I’ve overstepped the mark. Owls are sensitive creatures. But it wasn’t the Owl’s fault. I knew that. He was just the messenger, of bad news. Still, he’s an easy target to vent off my anger at the sudden news. Shooing him away I clutch the letter while dragging my feet to the old and threadbare sofa. Plopping down and kicking off my shoes I slam my eyes shut. It had been a long time since an owl had brought me a letter.

I’d done well living under the radar. Biting my bottom lip, I open my eyes and reread the dreaded mail. I have a good mind to call the Owl back, send him with a message saying, “Fuck off.” I think better of that idea. A target would be put on my back and a reward for my head. I’d end up on the supernatural most wanted list. That would just be my luck.

“Dear Ava Addaway,

As the laws have now changed. You are expected to attend Thornton High. All shifters are required to attend a High School that cater to shifters. As you are the daughter of an Alpha you must attend the high school for Alpha’s. If you fail to attend, then by shifter law you will be sentenced to death. We do not take kindly to those who turn their backs on the old ways and laws of shifters. As a shifter we expect you to adhere by the ancient laws.

We look forward to seeing you Monday morning at nine am sharp.

Mrs Holloway.”

Screwing it up into a ball I throw the letter into the trash. If I ever set eyes on the idiot that changed the dam rules, I am going to rip out their throat. Taking deep breaths, I count to ten. I can feel Jaya stirring inside me, wanting to take over and deal with the threat. My hands begin to change into claws. Closing my eyes I take deep breaths in and slowly exhale. I want to scream and shout. That was something I couldn’t do though. I was living in a hostel for homeless teens. That kind of behaviour would see me thrown out on my rear. Sleeping rough wasn’t something I ever wanted to do again. I’d been here a year now. Well, who cares if I scream? My time in this town has come to an end. My father would have known what to do. He would have got me out of this situation. A pang of sorrow fills my heart. When I was fifteen my father died. My mother had died when I was ten. Now I had just turned sixteen and was expected to attend Thornton High. A school my mother once attended. My mother was a werewolf, the Alpha of the New Moon pack. Even though I loved and still love my mother dearly. I had no intention of joining a pack and playing by shifter law. My wolf Jaya wanted me to be part of a pack. She wanted to run with others of our kind. She wanted to be free.

That wasn’t my plan. My plan was to finish High School and get out of this dead-beat town. I didn’t have a plan of what I wanted to do after school. College wasn’t an option. I’m an orphan and money well its non-existent at the moment.

My parttime job as a waitress doesn’t pay much. But it’s enough to get me by. I would attend the school. I would play their game for now. Until I can find a way out of the world of the supernatural’s. I could feel Jaya’s disappointment. But she didn’t understand the danger we would be in. No one could ever know what we were and attending Thornton High would put us in danger. I had to keep us safe. My hands returned to normal and clench them into fists at my side as the last of the tension leaves me body.

Thornton High was a six-hour bus ride away, maybe even longer. Sighing I begin to collect the few belongings I have, stuffing them into a holdall that had seen better days with a huff. In the little kitchen I pull up the floorboard and pull out the little money I have saved. Anger wells inside me. That money was for my future. Now I’d have to spend it on a bus ticket, with little left over. For a split-second tears well in my eyes, quickly I brush them away. I am strong. I will get through this next chapter in my life. All I must do is keep myself to myself and blend in. Easy right?

Hoisting the holdall over my shoulder I catch my reflection in the dirty and streaked window. My bewitching ocean green eyes stare back at me. My father was the one that used to say my eyes were the same as my mothers. They bewitched him the moment he investigated them. My crimson red hair hangs loosely over my shoulders in waves. My skin as pale as snow, or perhaps a vampire. I’ve been told I am beautiful. I don’t see it myself. My chin is too pointed and my nose too small. Sighing I move away.

Dragging my feet I walk to the door, giving the little studio room one last look. My future and my plans are now on hold. But I’ll get to where I want to be. In time. Life may have thrown me a curve ball, but that wasn’t new. Dealing with unexpected changes I’ve become accustomed too. Nothing will stop me from my goal. I want to be normal. The supernatural world had brought me too much pain and heartache. It was a world I wanted nothing to do with.

Jaya’s excitement radiates through me. Pushing her emotions to one side I leave the room that I have called home. Jaya laughs with glee while doubt sparks inside me. I’ve become good at separating Jaya’s feelings from my own. It is necessary to keep us both out of harm’s way, I can’t let her feelings corrupt my own judgement. I just wish she understood the danger that we were both now in. No one can know what we are and what we can do. Our lives depend upon it.