Hunter's Moon

Chapter One

Leaves rustled noisily along the faded cracked sidewalk as I made my way home from visiting the cemetery across town. My grandfather, who I was very close to, had died two years ago, but I made it my duty to visit him at least once a month for a few hours, just to tell him about my life and how things were going without him. His death had been very hard on me-it still was, as a matter of fact-but, as they say, all wounds to the heart will heal in due time.

A cold late October breeze drifted past me, making me huddle further into my black trench coat and look up at the sky, which was midnight blue and filled to the brim with bright shining stars. The moon glimmered most of all, perfectly round and brighter than it was on most nights. I breathed in deeply and inhaled a scent I loved, that of fall-leaves, trees, and…nature. Something about it just calmed me. I smiled lightly to myself and continued on my way, not pausing in the least when I heard howling in the distance.

Werewolves.

They lived in their own community-if you could call it that-and thrived. In the past there had been people who had been changed into werewolves, but were then banned from ever entering the town again-people of this place were way too superstitious for their own good. Anyone who acted the least bit suspicious was questioned at a ridiculous level; it was only one of the many things I hated about this godforsaken place. Yes, they were werewolves. But, in my opinion, they were still people too. Just because they had the werewolf gene, did not make them any less worthy of respect and hospitality. It was at times like this that I was ashamed to even be living here; it was a blow to my pride to see people shunned like they were. It disgusted me. This place was seriously my living hell.

I neared my house and thought about entering, but quickly decided against it. I did not live alone, I was accompanied by my older sister and despite what you might think, I hated her. But only because she hated me. Crystal had always made it a point in her life to ridicule me and treat me like the crap on the bottom of her shoes because she thought I wasn't worthy of living. Said it was my fault her life went down the drain.

My parents were a happy couple, married once they turned twenty-one. Mom gave birth to Crystal on June 22nd, 1985, which meant she was currently twenty-five. They were so happy to have her; they spoiled her rotten. Then came the accidental pregnancy seven years later, which resulted in my birth. Mom and dad didn't know what to do with me, they didn't want another child. So they got in a big fight over what to do with me. Even though mom didn't really want me, she was against dropping me off at a hospital or giving me up for adoption. Dad on the other hand, wanted nothing to do with me. So these fights eventually led to divorce-dad left, never to be found again. Mom was rewarded full custody of Crystal and I, but Crystal always got the golden treatment. I was only dealt with when it was necessary, which was almost never. On the summer Crystal turned nineteen, mom died in a tragic car accident in which she was killed instantly. My sister was forced to get a job to support the both of us, and hated me for it.

But I guess I can't really blame her-if not for me, mom and dad would still be alive and happy with their precious baby girl and fairy-tale life. Too bad that condom broke-who knew one little mistake could lead to such a disaster?

I bypassed my shitty-looking bungalow with it's old black shutters and dusty windows and kept walking along the road-late at night was my favourite time to be out and about, doing my own thing. No one else was ever out when I was; it was nice to have my alone time, and not be seen either. Two-in-one, how useful.

The edge of the small forest I loved so much was about a kilometre away but still in view, so I hurried my pace and reached my destination in about seven minutes. After travelling about two hundred and fifty yards into the forest I spotted my favourite tree, an ancient-looking oak tree, which I dubbed my 'thinking tree'. the night seemed even darker than it was before, most of the moonbeams were blocked by all the trees, only a few stray ones filtered through. I sat there for about fifteen minutes, just thinking to myself, when I heard rustling from a nearby bush. I jerked my head and glanced around, expecting the worst. I was soon saved from my worrying though, when a young woman stepped into view.

Even in the darkness I could still make out her facial features-she had long snow white hair that reached almost to her waist, and purple eyes. She was fine-boned, with long legs and arms, which were clad in expensive-looking designer jeans and sweater. When I peered closer at her, I noticed all the jewellery she was wearing-multiple rings and bracelets, which gleamed brightly in the moonlight. It was silent for a minute or so until I finally came to my senses and opened my mouth to speak.

"Who are you?" I blurted out. Oh, me and my subtlety..you gotta love it.

I saw her smile faintly at my question. "I am Keira. And, don't bother telling me who you are," she told me not unkindly, when I made a move to introduce myself. I frowned and glanced at her again.

How in the world did she, this random person, know my name?

"I knew you were to come here tonight. It was vividly pointed out in my dreams two weeks ago."

What the hell?

"I'm a werewolf," she elaborated when she saw my confused face. "My pack has been in imminent danger for quite some time now-for a year I have been having strange dreams, dreams of a band of hunters coming to destroy us. From everything I've seen, I know there is no way to save ourselves, no matter what we do. If we we're to fight, we would all be killed. If we were to retreat, they would just chase after us until they track us down again and take our lives. The problem is made even worse due to strict boundaries that have been placed among multiple rival packs not too far off. If we don't find a way out, it will eventually lead to the extinction of the werewolf race, which we can't let happen."

"Okay," I said slowly, taking all of this in. "But…what does any of this have to do with me?" I questioned her, curious at to what her answer would be. I soon got it.

"Everything," she told me. "You are the key to saving us, to preserving our race. But, there is one thing you should be aware of," she added as an afterthought.

I waited.

Nothing came.

"And that would be…?" I trailed off, waiting on her answer. She sighed audibly and turned to face me.

"I know from my dreams also that you actually care for helping werewolves, and respect us for who we are and treat us as an equal. Is that correct?"

I nodded.

My best friend, Maddie, was turned when we were sixteen years old. Once I found out what had happened to her I accepted the fact she was now a werewolf without hesitation. To me, werewolves were still just like us humans-just with enhanced abilities such as strength, sight, hearing-and, most of all-the ability to take on a wolf's form. In truth, I was always fascinated by this, and sometimes wondered what it would like to be one of their kind.

"Okay," Keira told me. "You may or may not approve, but just remember, your choice and answer is vital to thousands; an ancient race not everyone knows about. Something will happen, either with or without you. What you decide will choose what our fate will be."

I nodded my head again, this time anxiously.

"Alright. What is it?"

She took in a deep breath and held it for a few seconds before releasing it into words.

"You have to find your mate and have him turn you into one of us."