The Last Normal Day

CHAPTER ONE

October 31 — 8:15 a.m.

Killeen, Texas

Gianna Hale hated Halloween.

Not because she feared ghosts, witches, or the ridiculous amount of decorations people put on their lawns. She actually loved the fall season. The cooler weather, pumpkin-flavored everything, oversized sweaters, and the excuse to eat candy without feeling guilty.

No, she hated Halloween because something terrible had happened on October 31 six years ago.

Something she rarely talked about.

Something that had taken her parents away from her.

She stood in front of her bathroom mirror, brushing her long brown hair while attempting to ignore the notification buzzing on her phone.

Another message.

And another.

Finally, she sighed and picked it up.

BENJAMIN CARTER

Good morning, sleeping beauty.

Gianna rolled her eyes.

GIANNA: It's 8:15. Normal people are still sleeping.

His response came almost immediately.

BENJAMIN: Normal people have jobs.

GIANNA: Normal people also mind their business.

BENJAMIN: Come on. Breakfast. I'm buying.

GIANNA: You said that last time and made me pay.

BENJAMIN: Technical misunderstanding.

She laughed.

Benjamin had been her best friend since they were twelve. Their friendship had survived school, college applications, terrible relationships, family problems, and more arguments than she could count.

He was the closest thing she had to family.

And sometimes, he was an absolute pain in the ass.

Her phone buzzed again.

BENJAMIN: Seriously, Gi. I need to see you.

She frowned.

Something felt different about that message.

Benjamin usually joked, made sarcastic comments, or sent ridiculous pictures of things he knew she hated.

He didn't usually sound serious.

GIANNA: Everything okay?

Three dots appeared.

Disappeared.

Appeared again.

BENJAMIN: Yeah. Just want to talk. I'll pick you up in twenty.

Before she could respond, another message appeared.

BENJAMIN: And don't argue with me.

Gianna shook her head.

"Bossy idiot."

She set her phone down and finished getting ready.

She had no idea this would be the last morning she woke up believing the world was safe.

9:02 a.m.

Benjamin pulled into the parking lot of a small breakfast restaurant, his old black truck rattling as he parked.

Gianna climbed into the passenger seat.

"Your truck sounds like it's dying."

Benjamin glanced at her.

"Good morning to you too."

"I'm serious. Is that supposed to be a noise?"

"That's the sound of a powerful machine."

"That's the sound of a mechanic charging you three thousand dollars."

He laughed.

"Missed you too."

She reached over and stole a piece of toast from the paper bag sitting between them.

Benjamin slapped her hand.

"Get your own."

"You said breakfast was on you."

"I didn't say you could steal my food."

"Same thing."

He handed her the bag.

"You're impossible."

They ate in comfortable silence for several minutes.

Gianna watched people walking along the sidewalk. Families were already preparing for Halloween festivities. A little boy dressed as a superhero ran past his mother, dragging a plastic sword behind him.

Everything looked normal.

Almost painfully normal.

"Gi?"

"Hmm?"

Benjamin was staring at her.

"What?"

"Have you ever wondered why your parents never talked about their families?"

She stopped chewing.

"What kind of question is that?"

"Just answer me."

She swallowed.

"Not really. My mom's parents died before I was born. Dad never talked about his family."

"Did your mother ever tell you anything about where she came from?"

Gianna studied him.

"Ben, what's going on?"

He looked away.

"Nothing."

"You're a terrible liar."

"I'm an excellent liar."

"You're terrible at lying to me."

He rubbed his jaw.

For a moment, she thought he might actually tell her something.

Instead, he reached into his jacket and pulled out a small envelope.

He placed it on the table.

Gianna stared at it.

"What is that?"

"Something I found."

"Where?"

"Your old house."

Her heart skipped.

She hadn't been back to her childhood home in years. It had been sold after her parents died.

"Why were you there?"

"I was helping the new owners move some things. They found a box in the attic with your family's name on it."

She picked up the envelope.

Her name was written across the front.

GIANNA.

The handwriting was unmistakable.

Her mother's.

Her fingers went cold.

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"I wanted to make sure it was actually yours."

She carefully opened the envelope.

Inside was a photograph.

It showed a young woman standing in front of an enormous stone building surrounded by trees. She had dark hair and striking golden eyes.

Gianna stared.

The woman looked almost exactly like her.

On the back of the photograph were four handwritten words.

When the moon awakens.

"What the hell?" Gianna whispered.

Benjamin watched her carefully.

"Do you recognize her?"

"No. But she looks like me."

"That's what I thought."

She turned the photograph over again.

Something strange about the woman's eyes. They were almost glowing, as though the photographer had captured light coming from inside them.

"Is there anything else?"

Benjamin hesitated.

"There's a letter."

"Where?"

"I didn't bring it."

"Benjamin!"

"I know. I'm sorry. I wanted to talk to you before showing you everything."

Gianna placed the photograph on the table.

"Why?"

He looked directly at her.

"Because I think your parents knew something was coming."

A strange silence settled between them.

"What do you mean?"

Benjamin leaned closer.

"Have you ever noticed how your mother always made you stay inside during full moons?"

Gianna blinked.

"What?"

"Think about it."

"She was overprotective."

"Maybe."

"And what does that have to do with anything?"

Benjamin looked toward the window.

"I don't know yet."

She stared at him.

For the first time in their friendship, Gianna felt like he wasn't telling her everything.

Something big.

"Benjamin, if you know something about my parents, you need to tell me."

He opened his mouth.

Then his phone rang.

He glanced at the screen.

All the color drained from his face.

"Who is it?" she asked.

He declined the call.

"Nobody."

"That didn't look like nobody."

He shoved his phone into his pocket.

"We need to go."

"Why?"

"Just trust me."

She narrowed her eyes.

"You're acting weird."

"Gianna, please."

The desperation in his voice stopped her.

She gathered her things.

"Fine. But you're explaining everything."

He nodded.

"I promise."

He didn't know how to tell her that he had already broken that promise years ago.

 

12:36 p.m.

Ryder Blackwood stood on the roof of an abandoned industrial building, staring at the sky.

He hadn't slept in thirty-one hours.

He hadn't eaten in almost a day.

And the wolf inside him was becoming increasingly difficult to control.

Something was wrong.

He could feel it in his bones.

The wind carried scents that didn't belong in the city. Fear. Blood. Something rotten.

He closed his eyes.

His wolf paced beneath his skin.

Something is coming.

"I know."

No. You don't understand.

Ryder clenched his jaw.

He had been hearing the voice more frequently over the past several days. The wolf was restless, agitated, and increasingly aggressive.

That wasn't unusual before a full moon.

But this was different.

His wolf had never been afraid.

Until now.

"Ryder!"

He turned.

A man climbed through the rooftop access door.

Derek, one of the few remaining members of his pack, approached with a worried expression.

"Alpha."

"What?"

"We received another report."

"From where?"

"North side of the city. Two people attacked a family outside their home."

Ryder's eyes narrowed.

"Animal attack?"

Derek shook his head.

"No."

"Then what?"

"The witnesses said it was a man."

Ryder waited.

Derek swallowed.

"A man who turned into a wolf."

For several seconds, neither spoke.

"How many witnesses?"

"Three."

"Where are they?"

"One is dead. The other two are at the hospital."

Ryder looked toward the distant skyline.

"Take me there."

Derek hesitated.

"There's something else."

Ryder turned slowly.

"What?"

"The victims all had the same mark."

"What mark?"

Derek reached into his jacket and pulled out a photograph.

A symbol had been burned into the skin of one victim.

A crescent moon surrounded by three curved lines.

Ryder's expression changed.

He recognized it.

He had seen that symbol once before, in a book his father had hidden beneath the floorboards of their family home.

The symbol of the First Bloodline.

The original werewolf queen.

His wolf suddenly surged forward.

Her.

Ryder stiffened.

"What?"

She's here.

"Who?"

His wolf growled.

The queen.

Ryder looked at Derek.

"Find every person who has seen that symbol. I want names, addresses, and locations."

"Why?"

"Because if I'm right, we're running out of time."

 

4:18 p.m.

Gianna sat on her living room couch, staring at the photograph.

She had spent the afternoon searching through old family records.

Nothing.

No information about the woman.

No explanation for the photograph.

No clues.

She picked up her phone and called Benjamin.

Straight to voicemail.

She tried again.

Nothing.

"Seriously?"

She tossed the phone onto the couch.

A strange headache had been bothering her all afternoon. It started as a dull pressure behind her eyes, but gradually became something sharper.

She rubbed her temples.

Then she noticed the smell.

Smoke.

She stood.

"That's weird."

She walked toward the front window.

The sky had turned an unusual shade of orange.

She checked the time.

4:19 p.m.

It was too early for sunset.

She stepped outside.

Several neighbors stood in their yards, looking up.

One woman was holding a phone above her head, recording.

"What is that?" someone asked.

Gianna followed their gaze.

The moon.

It was visible in the afternoon sky.

Except it wasn't white.

It was red.

A deep, unnatural crimson.

Gianna felt a sudden chill.

The headache behind her eyes intensified.

Then came the sound.

A low rumbling vibration.

It seemed to come from everywhere.

The ground beneath her feet trembled.

A car alarm went off down the street.

Another followed.

Then another.

People began shouting.

A dog barked frantically from somewhere behind the houses.

Gianna looked down at her phone.

The screen flickered.

One notification appeared.

Then another.

Then dozens.

EMERGENCY ALERT

UNUSUAL ATMOSPHERIC EVENT REPORTED.

ALL RESIDENTS ARE ADVISED TO REMAIN INDOORS.

DO NOT APPROACH UNKNOWN OR AGGRESSIVE ANIMALS.

She frowned.

"Unknown animals?"

Her phone rang.

Benjamin.

She answered immediately.

"Where the hell have you been?"

"Gianna, listen to me."

His voice was different.

Terrified.

"What's happening?"

"Are you home?"

"Yes."

"Lock your doors."

"What?"

"Lock every door and window. Don't let anyone inside."

"Benjamin, you're scaring me."

"Listen to me. Whatever happens, do not go outside."

A scream erupted somewhere nearby.

Gianna spun around.

"What was that?"

"Gianna?"

"Someone's screaming."

"Get inside. Now."

She turned toward her front door.

"Ben, what's going on?"

There was a pause.

Then he whispered something that made her blood run cold.

"They're waking up."

The call disconnected.

 

6:03 p.m.

The first death happened three streets away.

Gianna heard the gunshot.

Then another.

Then a series of screams.

She stood frozen in the hallway, her phone pressed against her ear.

Emergency services had stopped answering.

Television broadcasts were interrupted every few minutes with increasingly frantic warnings.

A reporter stood outside a hospital, her face pale.

"We're receiving reports of violent attacks across several states. Authorities are asking residents to remain indoors while military units respond."

The screen flickered.

Behind the reporter, something moved.

A man stumbled into the street.

His shirt was soaked with blood.

He dropped to his knees.

The reporter turned.

"Sir? Are you injured?"

The man lifted his head.

His eyes were completely black.

Then his spine twisted.

The reporter screamed.

The camera fell.

The broadcast cut to static.

Gianna backed away from the television.

"No. No, no, no."

Her hands trembled.

She reached for the remote, but the television turned back on by itself.

A different broadcast appeared.

A military spokesperson stood in front of a row of vehicles.

"Effective immediately, residents are instructed to shelter in place. Do not approach individuals exhibiting violent behavior, abnormal physical characteristics, or signs of severe infection."

The spokesperson looked down at something off-camera.

His expression changed.

Then he looked directly into the lens.

"If you see someone with glowing eyes, do not attempt to communicate with them."

The broadcast abruptly ended.

Gianna's breathing became shallow.

Glowing eyes?

What was happening?

A loud crash came from outside.

She rushed to the window.

A neighbor's truck had slammed into a parked vehicle.

The driver's door opened.

A man stepped out.

He staggered, clutching his stomach.

Then he fell forward.

Gianna watched as his body began convulsing.

His shoulders widened.

His back arched.

Something cracked beneath his skin.

She covered her mouth.

The man's fingers stretched into long, twisted claws.

His jaw extended.

His clothes tore as dark fur spread across his body.

And then he lifted his head.

He was no longer human.

A massive creature stood in the middle of the street.

Its eyes burned yellow.

It looked toward Gianna's house.

Their eyes met.

The creature growled.

Gianna stumbled backward.

"Oh my God."

It charged.

She barely had time to run before the creature slammed into the front door.

The entire house shook.

She screamed and stumbled into the kitchen.

Another impact.

Wood splintered.

The creature was trying to get inside.

Gianna grabbed the largest kitchen knife she could find.

Her hands shook so badly she almost dropped it.

Another crash.

The doorframe cracked.

Then her phone rang.

Benjamin.

She answered.

"BENJAMIN!"

"Get away from the doors!"

"There's something outside!"

"I know!"

"WHAT IS IT?"

"Gianna, you need to listen to me. There are people coming for you."

She froze.

"What?"

"Not people. Wolves. Werewolves."

She stared at the phone.

"You're insane."

"I wish I was."

The front door cracked again.

Benjamin's voice became urgent.

"Listen to me. If one of them gets inside, don't let it bite you."

"WHY?"

"Because—"

The phone went dead.

The front door exploded inward.

Gianna screamed.

A massive black creature stood in the entrance.

It was nearly eight feet tall, covered in thick black fur, with claws that looked capable of tearing through steel.

Its mouth opened.

Rows of sharp teeth glistened with saliva.

Gianna raised the knife.

"Stay back!"

The creature growled.

She backed toward the kitchen.

It stepped forward.

Then it stopped.

Its head tilted.

Its nostrils flared.

For one strange moment, the creature seemed confused.

It sniffed the air.

Then its eyes widened.

It lowered its head.

Not like an animal preparing to attack.

Like something recognizing something sacred.

Gianna stared.

"What?"

The creature made a strange sound.

Almost like a whimper.

Then another noise came from outside.

A deep, furious howl.

The black creature immediately turned.

A second figure appeared in the doorway.

This one was even larger.

Its fur was midnight black, and its eyes glowed an intense, unnatural blue.

The newcomer moved with terrifying speed.

It collided with the first creature.

They crashed through the hallway wall.

Gianna screamed and dropped the knife.

The two monsters fought violently.

Claws tore through drywall.

Furniture shattered.

A terrible cracking sound echoed through the house.

Then the newcomer seized the other creature by the throat.

One brutal movement.

Silence.

The first creature collapsed.

The second stood over its body, breathing heavily.

Then it turned toward Gianna.

She couldn't move.

Those blue eyes.

They were watching her.

Not like an animal watching prey.

Like a man who had spent his entire life searching for something.

The creature took one step toward her.

Gianna backed into the kitchen counter.

"Please..."

Its head lowered.

A low growl vibrated through its chest.

Then, impossibly, it spoke.

"Gianna."

She stopped breathing.

It knew her name.

The creature's body began to change.

Its shoulders shifted.

Bones cracked.

Black fur receded beneath human skin.

The transformation was horrifying, but she couldn't look away.

Within seconds, a man stood where the enormous wolf had been.

He was tall, muscular, and covered in scars. Dark hair fell across his forehead, and his icy blue eyes remained fixed on her.

He was wearing torn black pants and a bloodstained shirt.

His chest rose and fell with each breath.

He looked at her as though he couldn't believe she was standing in front of him.

Then he spoke again.

"You're alive."

Gianna's knees nearly gave out.

"Who... who are you?"

He stepped forward.

She grabbed the knife from the counter.

"Don't come any closer!"

He stopped.

His gaze dropped to the knife.

Then returned to her face.

"My name is Ryder."

"I don't care!"

His jaw tightened.

"You're coming with me."

"Like hell I am!"

A muscle moved in his cheek.

"Listen carefully, Gianna. This house is no longer safe. There are things outside that will rip you apart before sunrise."

"You're one of those things!"

Something dark flashed in his eyes.

"Yes."

He didn't deny it.

Gianna stared at him.

Ryder took a slow breath.

"But I'm not going to hurt you."

"How am I supposed to believe that?"

His expression changed.

For a moment, something almost painful crossed his face.

"Because if I wanted you dead, you would already be dead."

She tightened her grip on the knife.

"Why do you know my name?"

Ryder looked at her for a long moment.

Then his gaze dropped to her neck.

Gianna instinctively touched the small crescent-shaped birthmark beneath her collarbone.

His eyes widened.

He took a step backward.

"No."

"What?"

He shook his head.

"No, this isn't possible."

"What's not possible?"

Ryder looked at her as though the entire world had just shifted beneath his feet.

His voice dropped to a whisper.

"The bloodline."

Before she could ask what he meant, a loud explosion rocked the neighborhood.

The windows shattered.

Gianna screamed and covered her head.

Ryder moved instantly, throwing his body over hers as glass rained down.

When the shaking stopped, he pulled away.

His eyes were glowing.

Not blue anymore.

Gold.

And for the first time, Gianna saw something in his expression that terrified her more than the creatures outside.

Fear.

"Gianna," he said.

"What?"

He looked toward the broken windows.

"We have to leave. Now."

"Where?"

"Somewhere safe."

She laughed hysterically.

"Safe? Have you looked outside?"

Ryder grabbed a fallen jacket and tossed it toward her.

"There's a military checkpoint north of here. My people are waiting."

"Your people?"

"My pack."

She stared at him.

"You're telling me you have a pack of werewolves?"

"Yes."

"Like actual werewolves?"

"Unfortunately, this isn't the time for questions."

He moved toward the door.

Gianna didn't follow.

"Wait."

He turned.

"Benjamin. I need to find Benjamin."

Something changed in Ryder's expression.

"Who is Benjamin?"

"My best friend. He was supposed to meet me."

Ryder went completely still.

Then he inhaled slowly.

His wolf stirred.

A low growl escaped his throat.

"Benjamin Carter?"

Gianna's stomach dropped.

"How do you know his name?"

Ryder looked toward the darkness outside.

"Because someone with that name has been looking for you."

 

6:41 p.m.

They left through the back of the house.

The neighborhood was unrecognizable.

Cars had crashed into one another. Fires burned along the street. A telephone pole lay across the road, its wires sparking against the pavement.

People ran in every direction.

Some were screaming.

Others were completely silent.

Gianna stayed close to Ryder.

He had found a black jacket and pulled it over his bloodied shirt. His movements were quick and controlled, but she noticed how often he scanned the surrounding buildings.

He was listening for something.

Or someone.

"How long have you known about this?" she asked.

"About what?"

"The werewolves."

He glanced at her.

"Longer than you've been alive."

She stopped walking.

"What?"

"Keep moving."

"No. You're going to explain what's happening."

Ryder turned toward her.

His eyes were still glowing faintly.

"Your world has always been surrounded by ours, Gianna. You simply weren't supposed to know."

"That makes absolutely no sense."

"It will."

"Who are you?"

"I told you. Ryder Blackwood."

"No. What are you?"

His expression hardened.

"An Alpha."

She stared at him.

"An Alpha what?"

"A werewolf Alpha."

Gianna let out a disbelieving laugh.

"Okay. Great. So I'm having a complete mental breakdown."

Ryder grabbed her arm as she stepped into the street.

A vehicle sped past, narrowly missing them.

"Watch where you're going."

"Don't grab me!"

He released her immediately.

For a moment, neither spoke.

Then he said something that made her look at him.

"I can smell your fear."

"Congratulations."

"But I can smell something else too."

She frowned.

"What?"

He leaned closer.

His voice was almost a growl.

"Mine."

Gianna felt her stomach twist.

"What does that mean?"

Ryder looked away.

"Nothing you need to worry about right now."

"That's becoming your favorite answer."

He didn't respond.

They continued walking.

A few minutes later, they reached a gas station.

The front windows were broken. Shelves had been knocked over, and blood covered the floor.

Ryder stopped outside.

"Stay behind me."

Gianna tightened her grip on the small knife she had brought from home.

He entered first.

The place was quiet.

Too quiet.

"Hello?" Gianna called.

Ryder immediately turned.

"Don't."

A noise came from behind the counter.

Something shuffled.

Ryder's body stiffened.

His eyes turned gold.

"Get behind me."

A young girl suddenly crawled out from beneath the counter.

She couldn't have been older than sixteen.

Her face was covered in blood.

"Please," she whispered.

Gianna rushed forward.

"Are you hurt?"

The girl shook her head.

"Please don't let them take me."

"Who?"

The girl began crying.

"They're outside."

Ryder stepped forward.

"How many?"

The girl looked at him.

Then she began screaming.

"THEY'RE HERE!"

Something slammed into the gas station's front entrance.

Ryder grabbed Gianna and shoved her behind a display.

Three creatures burst through the broken windows.

They were smaller than the one that attacked her house, but they moved faster.

Their bodies were twisted, their mouths filled with teeth.

One lunged toward Ryder.

He shifted.

Bones cracked.

His body expanded, black fur spreading across his skin until an enormous wolf stood in the middle of the gas station.

Gianna stared in horror.

The wolf attacked.

The first creature was thrown against a refrigerator.

The second leaped onto Ryder's back.

The third charged toward Gianna.

She screamed.

The young girl grabbed a metal pole and struck the creature across the head.

It barely reacted.

Gianna grabbed a bottle from the floor and smashed it against the creature's face.

It turned toward her.

Its jaws opened.

Then a gunshot rang out.

The creature collapsed.

A familiar voice shouted from the entrance.

"GIANNA!"

She spun around.

Benjamin stood in the doorway, holding a shotgun.

His face was streaked with blood.

"BEN!"

She ran toward him.

He caught her in his arms.

"Thank God."

She pulled away.

"Where have you been?"

"I told you to stay inside!"

"Your instructions were terrible!"

He almost smiled.

Then his gaze moved past her.

The enormous black wolf stood over the bodies of the creatures.

Benjamin's face went pale.

"Ryder."

Gianna turned.

"You know him?"

Benjamin lowered the shotgun.

"Yeah."

Ryder shifted back into his human form.

He looked furious.

"You're late."

Benjamin gave him a cold look.

"Traffic."

"People are dying."

"Then maybe you should stop wasting time arguing with me."

Gianna looked between them.

"Would somebody please explain what's going on?"

Neither answered.

Benjamin stepped toward her.

"Gianna, we need to go."

Ryder's eyes narrowed.

"She comes with me."

Benjamin moved in front of her.

"No."

The air changed.

Ryder's wolf surfaced.

His eyes turned gold.

Benjamin's grip tightened around the shotgun.

Gianna looked at both men.

"Are you seriously going to fight right now?"

Ryder ignored her.

"Move."

Benjamin didn't.

"She's not yours to command."

A low growl came from Ryder.

"Watch your mouth."

"Or what?"

"Enough!"

Gianna's voice echoed through the gas station.

Both men looked at her.

She was shaking.

She was terrified.

She was angry.

And she was beginning to realize that the two people standing in front of her knew far more about her life than she did.

"Benjamin," she said slowly. "What is happening?"

He looked at her.

His expression softened.

"Gi, I can explain."

"Then explain."

He opened his mouth.

But before he could speak, Ryder suddenly turned toward the street.

His entire body went rigid.

"What?" Benjamin asked.

Ryder sniffed the air.

Then he looked at Gianna.

Something in his expression made her heart race.

"We need to move."

"Why?"

He looked toward the broken windows.

"Because something much worse is coming."

A deep howl echoed across the city.

Then another.

Then dozens.

The creatures outside began answering one another.

Ryder stepped toward Gianna.

His voice was low and dangerous.

"Whatever happens, stay close to me."

Benjamin looked at her.

And for the first time since she had known him, he seemed genuinely afraid of Ryder.

"Gianna," he whispered.

She turned.

"What?"

Benjamin swallowed.

"There's something you need to know about him."

Ryder's head snapped toward him.

"Don't."

Benjamin ignored him.

"He's not just an Alpha."

Gianna looked between them.

"Then what is he?"

Benjamin's eyes moved to the crescent birthmark on her neck.

His voice broke.

"He's the last surviving Alpha of the bloodline sworn to protect yours."

Silence.

Ryder's expression turned murderous.

And then Benjamin said the words that changed everything.

"He's also the reason your parents died."

Gianna stopped breathing.

Ryder didn't deny it.

He simply stared at her.

Outside, the howling grew louder.

And somewhere beyond the burning city, a voice rose from the darkness.

It was not human.

It was not a wolf.

It was something ancient.

Something that had been waiting centuries.

The queen has awakened.