Running From Life

Chapter 1

I ran and ran as fast as I could to leave behind my unbearable life. The wind blowing hard whispering my name, voices crying out to me. Running from the past, present, and future, letting go of my dreams. In the woods on the edge of a cliff I step out of the shadows. I breathe in the air releasing it in a sigh. Staring up at the full moon I think about what being independent and carefree always caused me.
Trembling I bring up my hand to look at my mom's silver ring. Plain and shiny like the moonlight.
I slither out of my clothes to freedom and lay in the dirt; to feel nature against my soul for the last time. One by one rain drops start to fall caressing my soft vanilla skin. The smell of nature changes to the erotic smell of rain, dirt, and grass. A smell I can't resist.
I pick up the dirt that now has become mud rubbing it over my chest and stomach. I close my eyes and listen to the wind blowing carrying the rain the other way. For a moment time is lost and reality is just an illusion, war has past, and my revenge is satisfied.
In a flash the rain picks up along with thunder drenching my red hair. I stand walking to the edge of my destiny swimming by. I take another deep breath telling myself it's the only way I would feel alive. Why bother living any more? Why live with those horrible images everyday and with the guilt of ending my family's death? Why not just end this pain?
Taking a last look at the moon I bend back my head and howl as loud as I could. I was answered back by a howling chorus, werewolves acknowledging my sorrow and grief. After the howling faded I took my last step forward to my demise.

Chapter 2

I wonder why it's taking me to long to die. Or is death a never ending sentence? But then I felt a hand around my tinny wrist. When I open my eyes and looked up I saw him, a tall figure struggling to pull me up.
"No please let me go."
Without notice he pulled me up, dangling in his arms. Carefully and ever so slowly he let me stand on my own two feet. He stands there staring at me in silence. I didn't know what to say. When seeing him up closer I noticed how really handsome he was. Tall, broad shoulders and a sweet smile with dimples filled my view. Oh, and did I mention he wasn't wearing a shirt. When his sweet and exotic voice spoke, for a minute I had completely forgotten that it was still raining. And really hard, I might add.
"Why?"
My voice came out in a squeak, "Why what?"
"Why do you wish to die?"
It took me a while to answer. Should I speak to this stranger? Well, why not? He just saved my life and there would be no reason to get angry if he betrayed me by doing something opposite.
"Because...," I answered. "Because all I do is cause pain for the people I love. So there is no reason for me to live. I don't want to cause pain."
"What is your name," he said.
"Cornelia."
"That's a beautiful name. Tell me, what happened to make you think you cause pain to others."
"It was my fault that my parents died in the car accident. I made them take their eyes off the road and I was the only one to survive. Now I have nobody left in this world."
"Why do you think you survived?"
Did he know that I'm a werewolf? That I could heal wounds that isn't really serious? I only did this whole jumping off the cliff thing because I thought it would do enough damage to end my existence.
"I don't know," I spoke in a whisper.
He smiled and his beautiful dimples showed," Didn't you ever think you were meant to survive. That fate has something in stored for you?"
"Oh."
Without warning he grabbed my arm and pulled me closer to him. My body fit perfectly in his arms. It felt like I was literally melting in his warmth.
He had to look down at me to look straight in my eyes. "You have the most beautiful green eyes I've ever seen." When I didn't say anything he continued.
"Come stay with me. Stay with me for as long as you like."
Before I could protest he started walking in the woods pulling me behind with him. How could he possibly be stronger than me, a werewolf? Exactly what was he doing out here, at midnight and half naked? Wait! Half naked in the rain and he wasn't shivering. And, why didn't he ask why I was naked, why didn't he look uncomfortable about it and why isn't he asking why I'm comfortable being naked in front of a stranger?
"Who are you? What are you?"
He stopped and turned around slowly. "Cornelia, I am also like you. I am also a werewolf."
He then turned back around and continued on in the woods while I looked at him in shock.


Chapter 3

He lived in a small cabin somewhere in the woods. His confession of being a werewolf was the only thing I could think of. I knew of no others like me. It felt as though I was alone in the world. That is until he came along.
His cabin was small and didn't have much in it. There were two rooms, one bigger than the other. How did he expect me to live here? It was so small and I had a felling if I stayed with him in one room for to long I'll do something stupid, like throw myself all over him.
Leaving me standing in front of the couch he went out of view for a while and came back carrying a long black shirt and sweatpants. After getting dressed I sat on the couch trying not to stare. He sat down beside me.
"I know you have a lot of questions. Let's start with the simple ones."
"How old are you," I blurted without thinking.
"I'm two hundred and eighteen years old."
I stared at him with my jaw hanging open. Wow, werewolves can live that long?
He chuckled. "Werewolves can live seven hundred years at the most, only if you take care of your self. Unlike you have been doing."
I felt blood rush to my cheeks, blushing. Embarrassed I tried to turn away. He caught my face in his hand. "It's okay. I'll take care of you.
We stared at each other for a while. My breathing becoming short, I couldn't turn away from those deep blue eyes. I didn't know why he was making feel this way. I never felt this way before. For a moment I thought he was going to kiss me. But boy was I wrong. He dropped his hands and looked away.
"Tell me...,"he said now looking at me. "Tell me, do you have any memory about the day you were turned?"
I tried to think really hard about it. Though I knew there was no use to that.
I didn't remember much about that day, only...
"Only that I was in the woods. When I woke up I was naked lying on the ground and it was morning.
"Do you remember anything before the attack?"
"It happened four years ago. And I just had an argument with my parents.
So I needed some time to myself, that's when I came out here. The last thing I remembered before waking up was hearing a shuffling sound from the bushes. That's when everything went blank."
"Anyways," I said looking for something else to talk about. "You never told me your name."
He sighed, running his hand through his hair. I think he knew I was changing the subject.
"Edward."
"Edward, so tell me do you remember anything about you turning?"
"Not really, it's kind of blurry. However the person who turned me stayed by my side."
"I wonder why they left me," I said with sadness in my voice.
"Maybe it's because they were ashamed of what happened. And they didn't want to face what happened."
"Yeah, I guess."
"You of all people should know that we loose control sometimes, especially on when you're distracted."
I gazed up in his eyes. I could see that there was something he wasn't telling me. Right then and there I knew he had some information about who it was who bit me.
"What is it that you are not telling me Edward?"
He closed his eyes briefly and then looked at me with a worried expression.
"Edward?"
He stood up slowly and I followed his movements.
"I have a confession to make."
I waited with my breath held for whatever it is he had to say.
"It was I who turned you Cornelia."
The world started to get darker, dizziness whirling in my mind. When I hit the floor hard, it felt like I was falling from the sky (which I have no idea what that felt like). What I knew was that when I woke up I would have one heck of a headache.

Chapter 4

When I came about my eyes wouldn't obey me. My head hurt so bad that the pain went all the way to my neck. I only got as far as to flutter my eyes, not yet quite open. I tried to recall of what had happened to me but it just made my head hurt more. After a minute of lying still trying to calm myself, I had finally been able to open my eyes and take in everything around me. It was a big beautiful room with red curtains blocking out the night. I sat up slowly and looked around. What I saw stopped my eyes from going further. My dress, underwear and bra that I had discarded in the woods laid folded on a char next to a water bottle and what appeared to be aspirins. And that's when everything came back; the woods, Edward's confession and me in his two story cabin. I stared at the clothes for three heartbeats and finally realized that I was naked under the covers. I blushed. Indeed, Edward had undressed me before bringing me to this room.
I got off the bed slowly because the pain was getting worse each time I moved. On top of my dress was a letter and it said:

My Dear Cornelia
When you have finished getting dressed I would like for you to come down stairs. There are some friends of mine that would like to meet you. After that we need to speak about what happened. Please do not be afraid of me. There are some things in this world that we lose control of.
Yours sincerely
Edward

I'm not afraid. Why does he think I'm afraid of him? Ohh, I don't know, maybe it's because he was the one who turned me. And maybe it's because I passed out for the first time in my life.
After getting dressed and doing the best I could do to fix my hair I opened the door and went out in the hallway. Voices filled my hearing and I hesitated. I was never very sociable; I spoke only to my parents. I walked down the hallway and came upon the stairs. When I looked down I noticed it was more than a few people he wanted me to meet.
The first person that got my attention was Edward. He was surrounded by some guys; talking. When I reached the bottom step and got a closer look I noticed that it was not Edward. It was someone who looked a lot like him, they could be fraternal twins. Who was this guy; this guy who looked so much like Edward?
I stayed with my back to the walls by the stairs; observing. There was all kind of different people though all the same in some invisible way. I turned my head back to so-called-twin and saw that he was looking at me. When he caught my gaze he held on to it making me shiver. His stare was soft but it was also frightening. But for some reason his eyes drew me towards him.
Without realizing what I was doing, I headed toward him and his circle. When his friends saw me approaching they looked back at him and when he nodded they left. I stood there staring at him, frozen. I looked at him from head to toe; he had long, wavy, dark brown hair and the same blue eyes as Edward. I don't know how long I stood there but I wasn't scared. His gaze made me shiver with excitement and his warmth spreading through me; inside and out.
He walked closer too me, our face almost touching. His breath blew on my parted lips making me shudder. I swayed lightly, daring myself to lean in so I can steal a kiss.
I didn't have too.
He leaned in the rest of the way and kissed me, not so gently. He pressed in harder biting my lower lip drawing blood. I gasped but I didn't pull away. Even though his kiss was hard I liked it; it was somehow smoothing. Voices started whispering in my head, telling me not fear the wolf inside of me. It told me too enjoy the freedom, the hunt for prey and it told me that if I did this when I shapeshift there will be no pain.
My arms went around his neck, my hand playing in his hair. I felt like I was losing control. When he pulled back I moaned low in protest. I wanted to stay in his arms forever. He unwound my hands from his neck and lifted each one to kiss. His eyes turned to look at someone from behind me. I turned around and saw Edward standing behind us, smiling. I just kissed a friend of his and he's just standing there smiling at me. Anger started to wash over me.
Wait, why am I getting angry? If he doesn't want me I'll just take his friend.
"Cornelia, can we go outside to talk?"
I nodded yes.
He turned to the guy I kissed.
"Will you join us?"
He smiled and nodded a quick up and down motion.
Edward turned and headed for the door. I hadn't noticed at first but everything had gone quiet. When I looked around I saw that everyone was now staring at me. My body stiffened; I'm not good at being the center of attention. I wonder if everyone here is a werewolf. If so do they know I'm one? And did I just kiss one?
His so-called-twin turned and followed him pulling me along. I kept my head down because I didn't want to look anyone directly in their eyes. When we reached the outside I saw that it was dark. Did I not sleep through the night?
Edward answered my suspicion when he saw the confusion on my face. "You slept through the night and day. The exhaustion had finally caught up to you."
I nodded trying to keep my eyes from looking at him.
He sighed. "Cornelia?"
"Yes," I whispered.
"Cornelia, can you at least look me in the eyes."
I looked up at him slowly, as if afraid that what I see I won't like. He looked pained, confused and I thought I saw a little bit of fear.
"This is Roman," he said pointing to the guy I kissed. "He's my brother and friend in spirit."
I turned slightly to look at him. He bowed and then kissed my hand.
"What do you mean by that?"
Roman answered speaking for the first time. His voice was masculine and beautiful.
"It means that everyone in this pack is my brother or sister and my friend. And Edward is my first in command."
"Wait you mean..." I whispered.
"Yes," Edward said.
"I am their leader," Roman said.
And all I could say was, "Oh."
"There's more, Edward said.
"Oh,"
"Well yesterday when I told you that it was me who turned you, that wasn't the truth."
"Oh."
"The truth is..."
"What? What is it?"
Edward and Roman exchanged glances. Edward nodded and then Roman sighed. It felt like I was missing something very important here.
Roman turned me around to face him holding my hands. "My beauty, it was I who turned you."

Chapter 5

I stared him long and hard trying to see if he was lying to me. He wasn't.
"Oh," Dang it, why can't I stop saying that. I tried to pull my hand away from him but he wouldn't let go.
"You have to understand that the whole thing was an accident. That day Roman was very angry. His wife, our Queen, had been murdered and he lost complete control," Edward said.
"So he took it out on me," I said my voice coming out rough.
"It doesn't excuse what I did. But you see the Queen is someone who has the power to calm us so the wolf doesn't attack humans and so the change doesn't hurt us."
"Oh," I said. Then I realized exactly what he was saying. "That means they're attacking humans?"
"Only the very weak completely losses control. So we chain them up to make sure no one is harmed."
"I think I understand now."
"And that is why we need you," Edward said. Roman turned and growled at him. "What? She needs to be told now so that we may complete the ritual. Your people need their freedom."
"Wait? What are you guys talking about? What does this have to do with me?"
Roman turned back to me and swallowed. I think fear showed in his eyes. "After I attacked you I had realized how big of a mistake I made. I couldn't tell my people because I knew they would think they're leader weak. So I followed you around for two months and saw how well you did alone. Your beauty kept taking me back to you. That's when I realized that the wolf inside me knew you had the power of my wife. That is the reason you have kept coming back to these woods. You didn't realize it but your pack was calling out for you."
I stood there taking this all in. I couldn't believe that this was happening to me. Ever since I was turned into a werewolf my life had turned upside down.
"So you want me to be your Queen, your wife and lover," I asked Roman.
He shook his head no. I frowned. "You don't have to be my lover only my wife and Queen. You can love anyone you wish to. I will not force you to make love to me."
"Oh."
"But understand this there will be times I kiss you and touch you because your power draws me to you. And this will happen to the others in our pack. You have to except their loyalty and love or you will not be happy here. It will take a while for you too get close to us.
"Please. Understand that humans will not be safe if you don't become our Queen. We need you; we need your strength, your love, your power."
I didn't know what to say or do. If I don't join then a lot of people could be in danger and for these beautiful creatures to go through a harmful change. I started to shake my head no over and over. I wanted out of this and they wanted me to be their Queen. I don't even know how to be a werewolf. Every time the change starts to consume me I try to hold it back; afraid of whom I truly am. I'm not going to do this, no way. But... just to make sure of my choice.
"How do I know that I have these so called powers? How can I be able too trust you?"
"When you shift do you feel pain," Roman asked.
"Well, no I don't. It actually feels good and soothing. But what does that have to do with anything?"
"Think about it," Edward said. "You're the only one who doesn't feel pain when you shift. Everyone else in our pack does."
"Oh, yeah, right."
The next thing that happened surprised me a lot. Edward got on his knees and started begging.
"Please help us. I love you so much. Please stay by our side. We need you, I need you."
Right then and there I knew that Edward was a submissive wolf. That he needed someone to tell him what to do. I wasn't sure if I was fit enough to be that person. Though I knew that I would try and I would try and be a good Queen. I just hope that they like me enough and that I won't cause anyone there lives. But what I did know is that I belong here with this pack; my pack.
"Okay, okay. Get off your knees."
When he stood I went by his side and gave him a gentle kiss before he could protest. "I love you too," I said looking up into his eyes. "Now as your future Queen go and call our people so we can do the ritual."
He bowed lightly and left to call the pack. I turned to Roman and saw him smiling at me.
"What?"
He came to my side and took my hand in his once again. "Don't be afraid of the call. Once it reaches full dark and we shift I will show you the beauty of hunting. There is more too shapeshifting than just too change form. It's more of a bond and sometimes sexual."
I blushed and nodded okay.
He laughed a laugh that touched my heart. It was a laugh with power. I was startled at first when he leaned in and kissed me. But then heat and passion flowed through me and I kissed him back harder. When he pulled back he looked at me again. "You're truly in love with Edward, aren't you?"
I nodded again.
"You might have figured this out already but Edward is a submissive wolf. My wife had taken control of that and used him. It broke his heart. Make sure you don't break his heart."
I smiled and said, "No problem, I love him too much."
He nodded and whispered in my ear, "I'm glad we have you for our Queen and that Edward finally has someone who loves him too be with."
I hadn't noticed that everyone was coming out of the cabin. They walked in one fluid movement that nearly stopped my breathing. Look at these beautiful people. They lined up side by side in front of me. Edward was to my left and Roman to my right. I looked over at everyone and saw two guys holding hands coming up to us. They got on their knees and bowed low.
"Your Majesty we may speak?"
Startled I looked at their heads, the one on the left had black hair and the other one was blond.
"Up," I said in a demanding voice. "I am not your Queen yet. What is it that you wish to speak of?"
After standing up the blond spoke," We've come to ask for your blessing."
"What do you need my blessing for?"
It was Roman who spoke this time. "When my wife was alive she forbade these two to be together. And since she died they were free to be together once again. However, since we now have a new Queen they must ask you for permission."
I stared at Roman in shock. Who would dare take someone's freedom? I hated how people were treated because they're different. "Why?"
"They wouldn't get our females with offspring's. That would decrease our population."
"Oh. Well do not worry about that. I will take no such freedom from anyone. You may be as one. Come."
They came closer with their heads bowed. Putting my hand under the dark hair guy I lifted his chin and looked into his brown eyes. I wasn't sure if I should be doing this yet but it felt right somehow. I leaned in and gave him a long and gentle kiss. He responded by moaning low. I broke the kiss and played in his hair. My hand came around the front, my fingers softly trailing his cheek. I pulled away and did the same to the blond. I took both of their hands in mine and drew soft lazy circles on their palm. Then I put their hands in each other and stepped back.
I smiled and spoke," You have my blessing."
They smiled, bowed and joined the rest of the pack. I turned facing the moon and so do Roman and Edward. "Now let us hunt," I shouted. The pack erupted in cheers.
Looking up at the full moon I could feel full dark approach and decided to strip off my clothes. So did all the other twenty people of my pack. I knew it was going to take me a while to know everyone.
I looked up at the full moon and already felt its power, the beauty of it. I didn't know how but I already knew what to say.
"Mother moon share your power. Let us feel your beauty, your life and your energy. Give us strength and freedom. Let me share the power you have given me into my family, my pack. Let me be the new Queen, let me stand next to our King."
"Now our people bow down to our Queen Cornelia," Edward said.
After everyone bowed and I told them to stand the power of the moon was already reaching me. The power of the moon washed over me. Its moonlight poured into me until it was too much that I had to share. I let go of the power and spread all around me, to the pack, my pack. The shift came swift and beautifully, there was no pain for them. I smiled, happy that I finally belonged somewhere and that I was finally able to help people instead of hurt them. The next thing I knew a brownish looking wolf stood at where Roman was and a dark red wolf was where Edward stood. I ran into the woods, feeling the cool breeze blow into my black fur. Scenting prey I ran straight ahead coming in on a deer. My people followed and stuck by their King, Queen and her love's side finding peace and love in the exquisite full moon.
The End