5. Run, Bernice!

I felt something else coming, and whatever it was, it was moving insanely fast. A creature jumped out of the trees and slammed into Adam. It all happened so fast—the next thing I saw, Adam and his buddies were lying on the ground, their bodies covered in blood.

My legs were shaking as I tried to stand. In front of me was a fur-covered creature with claws and razor-sharp teeth. The sound of his breathing made me feel like I was going to pee myself.

"Please..." My voice was barely more than a choking sound.

The creature came closer, its growl paralyzing me with fear. Was I really going to die this time?

But instead, it pushed me hard, as if telling me to get the hell out of there.

I didn't waste another second. I grabbed my clothes and ran out of the woods quickly. My breathing was ragged, but strangely, I didn't feel tired at all. I ran faster than I had ever run before.

I ran out of the school grounds and went to the bus stop. As I sat there, my nerves were shattered.

Was that creature the same one that attacked Sara? What was this thing? And why didn't it attack me?

Suddenly, my phone rang, snapping me out of it. I dug through my bag and saw the name "Mom" on the screen.

"Hello?" I fought to keep my voice from shaking.

"Bern? Where are you? Why aren't you home yet?"

"I'm still at school, Mom. I was just leaving."

"What? What were you doing at school? You were supposed to be home at three!"

"I..."

Mom cut me off. "Where are you? I'm heading home from work—I'll pick you up."

"At the bus stop."

Mom shouldn't see me like this, but there was no way out now. God, why is this happening to me?

*

"I think you should stay home from school for a while. I'll talk to the school," Mom decided.

I didn't react. I just kept eating, even though I had no appetite at all.

"I know you made a mistake, but those kids bullying you? Totally unacceptable!" Mom's eyes welled up. "They're cowards! Only brave in a group."

"Just drop it, Mom."

"But, sweetie-" I stood up. "I'm done eating." I forced a smile. "I'll be fine. Please, let's not drag this out."

I hurried up to my room. I didn't tell Mom what Adam and his friends had done. I didn't want her to freak out any more than she already did. And that creature—it hurt those boys.

Are they even okay? Adam and his friends?

Then I noticed my window was open, and I knew I hadn't opened it today. A dark shadow passed by the bathroom as I moved to close it.

My guard went up, and I let out a growl, a sound I'd never made before.

Zach stepped out of the bathroom.

Zach?!

How the hell did he know where I lived?! What is he doing here?!

He walked calmly towards me, still playing the role of the cold and mysterious guy.

I stared at him, stunned. "What are you doing here? I'm calling the cops; you're trespassing!"

He just folded his arms and looked me up and down.

"So the change has begun," he said cryptically.

"You're crazy! What change?! Get out of here! I swear I'll call the cops!

"They're coming, Bernice. That's why I need you to come with me."

I backed up, eyes wide. "What?"

Police sirens wailed in the distance, coming closer. I peeked out the window—yep, a squad car parked right outside.

"What's going on?" I asked, my voice shaking.

"You were in the woods when Adam and his friends were attacked. Once could be a coincidence. Twice? Now you're a suspect."

"But..." I paused, studying Zach. "How do you know I was there? How do you know what happened to them?"

Zach stepped closer, and I was afraid he was going to pounce. But instead, he climbed onto the windowsill.

"Hurry, Bernice. We don't have much time!" he urged.

"No! I can't just run away!"

"Forget it, Bernice! There's no future for you here!" Zach held out his hand.

"But what about Mom?"

Two officers crossed the front yard.

"Now or never!" Zach shouted.

With a trembling hand, I reached for his. He pulled me into his arms. Zach jumped from the second story like it was nothing, landing silently. He carried me away from the house.

Was this really happening? Had I lost my mind?

In a flash, Zach sprinted away, and my house disappeared from view.

Had I just made the biggest mistake of my life? Following a complete stranger.

Mom, I'm so sorry!

*

Everything happened in a whirlwind. Zach led me to an abandoned building and pulled out a motorcycle. I had no choice but to get on.

He drove fast, through downtown, then past the edge of town. Finally, a black van was waiting. I was pushed inside.

It felt like a kidnapping, even though technically, I came willingly.

The ride felt endless. At some point, I must have fallen asleep. I'd handed my life over to Zach. I trusted him with everything.

...

I woke up when someone shook me. It was Zach, standing outside the van. The sun was rising. How long had we been driving?

"Get out," he ordered.

My feet felt frozen on the gray stone path. Then I looked up—

No way.

A classical fountain sparkled in front of us, and behind it was a mansion straight out of a movie.

"Whose house is this?" I asked in awe.

"My pack's."

Pack? Did he mean family? That's... weird.

Zach walked inside—no, strode inside—and I tiptoed behind him like a total outsider.

Nobody really knew Zach's family. He was the mysterious new boy. I never imagined he was rich. Sure, he looked cool but not flashy like Adam and the others.

Just thinking about Adam made my stomach turn. Maybe he deserved to get hurt. It should have been him instead of Sara.

Zach pushed open a heavy wooden door, and his footsteps echoed down the quiet hallway. We stopped in front of double doors, and he opened one.

A few people were talking inside. They fell silent as soon as we walked in.

Zach nodded politely. "Morning, Dad. Alpha."

"Zachary, what the hell are you..." A man who looked like an older version of Zach glared at me.

I swear his eyes flashed yellow for a second. My skin crawled. Was this some kind of cult?

"This is Bernice. The girl I was telling you about," Zach said.

He'd talked about me before? Oh my God. This really was a cult.

"I'll just wait outside," I stammered. "And... nice to meet you."

I gave the world's most awkward smile, then backed out of the room. My only thought was to get out of this manor—now.

As I turned around—

Ugh! I bumped into someone and fell backward.

"Are you okay?" a hand reached out to help me.

I looked up to see a guy about my age with tousled light brown hair and glasses. He seemed nervous.

I was about to take his hand when someone yelled inside the room. "No! Stop it!"

I jumped and pulled my hand back. An older man stormed out and glared at me. He had silver hair pulled back in a ponytail and a deep scowl.

"Don't touch her, Genesis! She's human!" he hissed in disgust.

Human?

More people poured into the hallway and circled around me. Zach grabbed my arm and pulled me protectively behind him.

"Alpha Gibson, I already told you—she's not fully human!" Zach said firmly.

I cut in. "Wait, what do you mean I'm not fully human?"

Zach gave me an annoyed look. "I'll explain later," he mumbled.

"I'm human, Zach! And so are you! What is wrong with you people?"

"Listen, Bernice!" Zach turned to face me. "We're werewolves. And so are you!"

What did he just say? Werewolves?