Chapter 1: STERILE ROOM

(14 YEARS LATER)

“Morning Aria”. I glanced up at the speakers and placed the book I was reading on the table beside me.

“Hello Dr. Khaled, how are you this fine morning?” I asked as I spun in my chair so I could look through the large glass window. Dr. Khaled was an old man with white hair that seemed silver when he stood under light. In his hands he had the usual: a folder, a pen and a small metal tin with my tablets in. He opened a small slot in the metal door next to the glass window and slid the tin into my room. I watched as it skidded across the smooth floor and landed next to my feet.

“I will be much happier when I see you take those tablets, Ari”. I picked up the tin and counted the number of multicolored tablets. Five, just like usual. I placed them on the table and grabbed a glass of water from the filtered jug and drank.

“You know something Aria; I just don’t understand why they can’t just get you a mobile phone. I mean it’s just the most logical thing in the world isn’t it. Getyour dad to buy you a phone so I don't have to bloodywalk a mile just to see my best friend”, Gemma rants.

I burst into giggles as I watch Gemma's face slowlychange colors before she ends up looking like a tomatoready to burst.

“What? Why are you laughing” I just shook my head.

“I think the whole phone thing is unnecessary becauseit’s one less thing to sterilize”. Gemma rolls her eyesand takes a seat in the opposite room. For a second, Iforget that there is a glass window separating us and Iimagine us sitting together in my room, joking aroundand being typical teenagers. But then I reach forwardand I place a hand on the window and i feel the sharpcoldness of the glass and my imagination shatters intofragments.

Gemma sees my face fall and she reaches forward and places her hand opposite me.

“Hey, one day you will get out of here and that day I will take you anywhere. First, I will take you to Starbucks, and we will order the double sundae, chocolate chip ice cream with strawberry, and sprinkles and marshmallows on top.” I sigh as I feel my mouth water.

“Then we will go shopping, and then we will hit the cinema and watch whatever movie you want to”.

I smile. “And the...”

Gemma let’s out a short laugh before leaning in close that her breath fogs up the glass. “.. And then we will go to the forest and I will show you my wolf”.

I let out a tiny scream and jump from my chair, clapping my hands in the air like a child on Christmas being given their best gift in the world. It might seem pathetic that I live in a pack of werewolves and I have never seen a wolf transformation.

My excitement however gets cut short when I get a sharp pain in my chest.

“Woah, Aria are you alright?” I can see Gemma standing up, her hands splayed across the glass and her bluish-grey eyes wide in fear. I hold my hand up, taking a second to get my, breathe back. “I’m fine, just a bit too excited”.

I hear the door opening and then, “Gemma, hello sweetie”. It was my mum and I look up just to see my mum’s anxious gaze.  

“Sweetheart what’s wrong?” my mum runs over to the window, pushing Gemma over, just to get close enough to put her hands against the glass and to watch me with her wide blue eyes. “Should I call Dr. Khaled?” I shake my head and sigh.

“No mum, I’m fine. Gemma and I were just talking about the places we are going to go when I get better.” I turn away, not wanting to watch as my mother’s face crumbles and her eyes filled with tears.

We all know that the chance of me getting better and being allowed out of the sterile room was close to zero, but that didn’t stop me from dreaming. I dreamed that one day I’ll feel the grass beneath my feet, be able to look up and see endless blue sky, feel the icy wind in my hair. But as I looked around the room, noticing the plain white walls, the freshly made bed and the spotless tiles on the ground my heart broke not once or twice but multiple times.

“Well, I think that will be soon my darling; I spoke with Dr Khaled and he seems to believe you are making great progress.” I smile and turn around, faking happiness though I know she’s lying.

“Have you finished the preparations for the hunt?” I asl, deciding it’s time to change the subject. Gemma jumps up and down beside my mother, filled with excitement.

“Oh gosh, I can’t wait! It’s better than Christmas,” Gemma squeals and my mother narrows her eyes at her.

“Yes, well I have done everything on my part and your father is busy finishing everything else”, mum says as she places her hands on her waist.

I nod my head. “Is daddy coming to see me later?” I ask, hoping that he will be able to come before he goes on the Hunt. Mum smiles, nodding her head.

“Yes of course. He’s just a bit busy at the moment Aria, but he will come down to see you before going for the Hunt.”

Gemma excuses herself after looking at her watch.

“Oh shoot! Aria I’ve got to run. Mum asked me to grab something from a store and if I don’t leave now, they are all going to be closed in a few hours.” I smile and wave as she runs out of the room, leaving me and my mother alone.

“Is it true?”

I stirred awake and opened my eyes. The light in my room was tuned off but the room opposite the glass was still lit up and I could hear my father’s voice. Just as I was about to sit up, I heard another voice- Dr Khaled.

“Yes, she isn’t getting any better. In fact, it seems like she is getting worse and there is nothing we can do to prevent it”.

My father let out a growl and I decided it would be better to stay in bed, pretending to be asleep.

“So, what is your plan?” my father asked the doctor

“The next step I believe is to ask Aria. It’s time she took control of her own life”. My eyes flew open and I stayed still, lying motionless as I continued to listen to my father argue with the doctor.

“Are you suggesting that I let my daughter die?”  he growled. “Are you telling me that you can’t save the Alpha’s daughter?! My father’s snarls made my hairs stand on end and I tried to maintain my breathing.

There was a loud ‘thud’ and a frightened gasp and I quickly sat up slightly, and watched with wide eyes as my father grabbed Dr Khaled by the neck and pushed him up against the wall. Even with minimal light to judge by, I could clearly see the blood drain from the doctor’s face and an overwhelming urge to stop my father and to save the doctor built up in my body.

“You are lucky that you are good at your job, otherwise I would have no problem letting my wolf rip you into shreds”. My dad let go of the doctor, who quickly slid down the wall and crumbled onto the floor. I quickly fell into my bed and closed my eyes tightly, feigning sleep.

“Don’t you dare mutter a word about what we discussed to the luna or to my daughter. If you do, I will rip out your tongue and feed your dead body to the dogs.” My heart thumped against my chest like an African drum and I held my breath, praying for Dr Khaled’s safety. I had never seen my father so angry and suddenly I realized why he was the Alpha of the biggest pack in the country.

That night I didn’t sleep. I tossed and turned but sleep evaded me and finally when I did manage to close my eyes it was already morning and Dr Khaled was outside my room with the usual tin of tablets.

However this time it was different.