Layla memoirs of a shewolf

CHAPTER 1...

My skin was burning. I could feel my heart beating so hard against my chest; it felt as if it was going to explode, my whole body was aching, and my blood felt red hot under my skin, So hot I wanted to tear my flesh away. My clothes felt tight and harsh against my sweating body which was pulsating so much I wanted to scream.

I did not know where I was it was dark, and the fuzziness in front of my eyes was making me dizzy, my senses where highly sensitive. I noticed something in the distance, moving closer I could see it was a mirrored wall, as I got nearer a hazy reflection appeared, but not mine, an animal of some sort.

Rubbing my eyes so I could focus properly, a large silver wolf stood before me smiling showing pearly white teeth, I could hear someone calling my name it sounded distant more like an echo.

"Layla" my name flew past my ears and filled the space around me. "Layla it is me wake up", I looked around, but I could not see. "Wake up Layla its mum".

I woke up the dream was so real.
I sat up and looked around the room, my eyes focussing on the familiar surroundings; mum was sitting next to me on my bed holding out a glass of water.
My pyjamas where soaked in sweat and my body ached. "Its ok hun you had another unpleasant dream here drink this" mums' voice was soothing. My dreams, I've had the same dream every night for the past three months, nothing in it ever made Any sense and nothing changes and I always woke up to mum sitting there. It is like when I go to bed I'm stuck in time.
Drinking the water quickly I got up and walked into my small bathroom and looked in the mirror, hell I looked a right mess. I noticed a long scratch on the inside of my arm with small beads of dried up blood, this was new id never scratched myself before. I cleaned the blood from my arm then brushed my teeth and had a shower. I brushed my long, thick red hair and went back into my room; mum had gone so I got dressed.

I looked out of the window the sun was shining, and I could see the flower beds with their beautiful flowers reaching for the sun. I walked downstairs to the kitchen where mum was busy making breakfast. There was a knock on the door I knew who it was; he came every week to do the garden for mum while dad was away, apart from my friend Sarah he was the only other person to visit.
Owen he is about six foot tall and hes got the most beautiful eyes, deep brown with a flash of yellow, blonde hair that catches the sunlight every time he moved, when he smiled he showed off dazzling white teeth. His t-shirts always looked liked they were too small for him; his muscles looked like they wanted to break free. The butterflies that seemed constantly to flutter about in my stomach when Owen was around, sprung into action."Hi Owen" I gave him what I thought was my best smile.
"Hi Layla" He did not seem his normal self he looked tired, he walked past me to the kitchen,
I heard him say something to mum then he disappeared outside.
I went and sat at the table where mum had made scrambled eggs my favourite. The radio was on and it sounded like some hikers had come across a large bear in the forest not far from here. This was not the first time, some unlucky kids where camping out and were attacked. Nobody was hurt this time but they are urging people not to walk to deep into the forest.
Great Sarah was coming round today I only see her a few times a month when her mum comes over to see mine. I ate my scrambled eggs and thanked mum.
"You heard the news dear do not go too far from the house ok"

"Ok" and I walked up to my room.
I sat on my bed and rolled up the sleeve of my top to have a look at the scratches I did to myself last night. They had gone not a scratch in sight how strange, maybe I was seeing things. I got up and walked over to my window and saw Owen pulling up weeds, he looked up at me as if he knew I was watching. I felt myself blush, and I hid like a little girl, how stupid. I peeped out again and Owen was looking up smiling. I like Owen he is handsome and strong he did not really talk much, but I didn't see that as a bad thing. I liked watching him working in the garden. He had taken his shirt off and was turning a lovely bronze colour. I did not genuinely want to go for a walk with Sarah today but, we always walked in the forest when she came over, Owen would probably still be here when we got back. "Hello anyone home" I heard Sarah's mum calling, I left my post, at the window and went downstairs "Mums in the kitchen" and with that Mrs Hope tottered to the kitchen. "Hi Sarah boy am I glad to see you I've had a weird morning, how are you?" Sarah just shrugged her shoulders and went and sat at the kitchen table. She poured herself some juice, I followed and sat opposite her she had her head hung down and her hair looked tatty as if she did not have enough time to brush it this morning. "Are you OK Sarah?" she just sat there, was she asleep?

"Sarah for heaven's sake what's the matter" as she raised her head I could see dark circles under her eyes. She looked awful maybe there was a bug going around Owen looked awful this morning.

"Shall we go for our walk now? I need some fresh air" Sarah mumbled I could hardly hear her. "Are you sure you do not look to good Sarah",

"Yes let's go" and with that, she downed her juice, stood up and headed for the back door. So I followed, she walked straight passed Owen who stood up and watched us, he seemed to look worried. Sarah continued out the gate and along the narrow path through the forest where we had walked so many times before. I had trouble keeping up; she moved swiftly yet gracefully, until we arrived at the small stream where we would sit, and dip our feet after long walks. She plonked down and shuffled herself, so she was comfortable. I walked over and sat next to her, she looked edgy and Kept looking back, as if to see if someone had been following us. She turned to look at me, her eyes I'm sure had changed colour she did look a mess, no make-up on, and her hair all messed up. "Layla do you ever feel as if there's something inside of you that is trying to get out?" I looked at her for a few seconds, studying her face she looked older some how. "How do you mean Sarah are you feeling ok?"

"Do you ever feel hot as if your blood is boiling under your skin? I did not know what to say to that I just looked at her confused and she carried on talking. "Well the last few days I have been having what my mum calls flushes, she told me not to talk to anybody about it, but I have to tell someone, I can not bear it any more. I want to cry I can not bear the pain any more. My skin is on fire nearly all the time. My head feels as if it wants to burst and sometimes I think it is going too; It feels like there is something inside of me trying to escape my insides feel ripped apart".

Was it me or did Sarah just describe nearly everything that was in my dreams. Is she having the same dreams as me? No she couldn't of done, I turned to look at her, and she was crying, I put my arm around her shoulders and she sighed.

"You think I'm stupid don't you? You can say you know. I can not tell mum about the other things she would not understand you do believe me don't you, Layla please say you do I don't know what to do".

Did I believe her? If I said I didn't, I would be lying. I know exactly how she felt maybe she was having the same dream as me, but she felt it was real. "I believe you" I said hoping to sound reassuring.

I did not know if I should tell her that she has just told me about my dream without her even knowing about it. Id never told her, only mum knows, well some of my dream. "Layla do you think there's something wrong with me? I mean have you noticed that I look different?"

I looked at her; her eyes had changed colour from green to dark brown almost black. Her features where more pronounced, id die for cheek bones like hers and she did look taller, I was just about to tell her all this when Sarah went rigid. She was staring into the forest as if she had seen a ghost.
"What is it Sarah? What are you looking at?"
She did not say anything, just shushed me quietly. I also looked but could not see anything. Sarah started to get up extremely slowly so I did the same and she started walking left down the small path winding deeper through the forest.

Then she picked up the pace a little. I called her, but she carried on she disappeared around a corner. I quickened my step and turned the same corner she had just turned. She was standing there facing this enormous, grizzly bear which rose up onto its hind legs and let out a gut retching roar. Sarah had frozen to the spot.

"Keep still Layla, stay still" she made a small hand movement, which, I guess meant stay there" I moved a little closer.

"KEEP STILL LAYLA", she shouted at me

My body did not do what my mind was telling it. I walked forward closer to Sarah I moved to the right slightly, the bear was closer than I thought, to close. I whispered to Sarah to move back, but she could not move from fear, all of a sudden the bear lunged towards her roaring and growling "Sarah run" I screamed. She turned to me and started to run, I went to do the same, but as I swung round I felt I light breeze brush past me. I turned round to see the back of a large creature standing on its hind legs; I could hear the snarling coming from the now cowering bear. The creature had moved itself between Sarah, me and the bear. I shifted slightly, so I could see what the creature was. It had a long, bushy tail which was twitching in anticipation; its fur, jet black and shimmering in the suns rays that managed to break through the trees.

I could hear a deep growling sound coming from deep within its chest. It moved its head slightly to look at me; I knew instantly what the animal was. It was the biggest wolf, id ever seen but I'd never seen a wolf stand like that before. I felt Sarah behind me my mind was telling me to grab her and run but now I had frozen, my toes curling trying to grip the forest floor. I wanted to run, but this wolf had me transfixed, it was now crouching in front of the bear which was towering over the wolf, both beasts where growling. "Layla come on" I heard Sarah behind me whispering in my ear.
I could not pull myself away, All of a sudden the bear attacked the wolf; the wolf rose on its Hind legs, and clamped its jaws around its throat. The bear roared and moaned in pain, but managed to free itself from the wolfs grip and threw it to the ground. The wolf let out a piercing whine, then got back up, the fur on its back was sticking up, blood dripping from its mouth. It launched itself again, twisting in mid-air this time landing on the bears back, biting and tearing with its razor Sharpe teeth. The bear fell to the ground, the wolf moved round to its throat to get a better grip. "NO" I found myself screaming out, "NO".

The wolf looked up right at me. The bear was clearly defeated the wolf let go of its enemy, which had managed to stagger to its feet and let out an almighty cry and ran off into the forest. The wolf was staring at me, its enormous sides where heaving. A large gash was seeping thick red blood on its muzzle.

I felt drawn to the wolf its immense deep brown eyes seemed never ending. It was not ugly and I wasn't afraid of it, his sides where still heaving he was so close, I could feel its warm breath on my face.
My body was reacting in a way I knew was wrong, I wanted to go up to the wolf and sooth it, thank it for saving our lives'. I took a step forward never taking my eyes off the beast before me. As I looked into its hollow eyes my mind drifted, it felt as if I was floating. I could see a man and a young woman tearing off each others clothes, snarling and growling at each other. I noticed a wedding ring on the woman's finger, but had a feeling this was not her husband, they made love vigorously. The scene changed to the young woman giving birth and crying, cradling a blood soaked baby, was the baby dead? I looked closer and soon realized they where tears of happiness as the baby started crying. The man was standing peering in through the window he turned howling and ran so fast disappearing in a cloud of dust.

Sarah grabbed my arm; I could feel her sharp nails digging into my skin. I pulled my eyes away, the scene in my head floating away; the wolf took a step back away from me. There was this smell a sweet musky smell. Id never smelt anything like it my blood was racing around my body, and I could feel my heart beating against my chest.

My head was spinning, I turned to look at Sarah, she was just standing there with a confused look on her face, and I tried to pull myself together. I looked at the wolf it was still staring at me. I heard myself say thank you, it tilted its head slightly as if it understood what I had just said"I think she is in shock I'm not surprised after what just happened, both of you could of been killed. I do not want you going into the woods any more Layla. Id already decided that I would be going back, the wolf did not want to hurt us, well at least I believe it didn't it had protected us. Did Sarah tell mum about the wolf? And what it had done, Mum hadn't said anything. I walked back to the cottage with mum, I couldn't stop thinking about the wolf my stomach was doing somersaults' just thinking about it. Surely I shouldn't be feeling like this over a wolf. Owen was the only one who made me feel like this I didn't notice him in the garden but then again I wasn't actually looking.

We got back to the house Sarah and her mum where getting ready to leave, Sarah looked worse than before and still shaken up. I went over to hug her but she stiffened in my arms, it was not my fault a hungry bear wanted her for lunch. We said our goodbyes and they were gone. That night I decided not to go back to the forest I would go tomorrow while mum went out. I needed a decent sleep after the day id had I said goodnight to mum and went upstairs to phone Sarah to make sure she was al-right, But her mum answered and said she was already in bed asleep. I picked a book off the shelf, and settled down on my bed to read, id only read about four pages and I drifted off to sleep.

I felt the chilly wind blowing through my hair; it was a lovely clear night. The moon lit up the woods. I could hear an owl hooting in the distance.

Everything was going so fast past me the trees where a blur. I looked down at my feet, only to see two red paws in front of me, how strange I thought, but I kept running. I did not want to stop the feeling of being free with the wind in my hair was overpowering. I heard a voice call my name a ruff growling voice.

"Layla wait your too fast" it was a voice I knew I swerved round it looked like the wolf from the woods, did it just talk to me? Great I was hearing things now. I backed away as the large wolf gingerly padded towards me and rose on to its hind legs.

"Layla you forget you are faster than the other's" he carried on walking towards me. "Are you talking to me?" OK now I felt stupid I was talking to a wolf "Don't be silly your one of us of course I'm talking to you" he sounded almost playful in the way he spoke.

I looked down at my feet again and yes, they where paws was I wolf?, No I can't be. "NO" I shouted and I turned and ran, I ran so hard that my feet well paws started to hurt so, I went to the stream. I dipped my paws in and stood there, I looked down at my reflection in the water. I could not believe what I was seeing. I moved a bit further along the stream to a small clearing so the moon reflected on the water and I could see myself properly. I wasn't seeing things I was a wolf; my fur was a beautiful deep burnt red colour which was shimmering in the moonlight. My eyes where big and round and a deep chocolate with flashes like lightning around my pupils. I looked round to my behind and saw a large bushy tail, my hind legs looked strong, the wolf was right I was one of them. I looked again in the stream, and I smiled which showed brilliant white razor Sharpe teeth. I stuck my tongue out and took a drink of the lovely cold water from the stream. Then a feeling came over me the same as before, but stronger I stuck my nose to the night air,and inhaled deeply id smelt this before it was that sweet, musky smell again. My whole body Quivered I looked round in the direction I thought it was coming from. I could see a pair of eyes looking at me from within the trees, he stepped out of the shadows it was the wolf, he strolled over to me.

"So you have seen for yourself" he said smugly.

"But how, how could this happen who are you why are you here" the smell was

overpowering me now. I wrinkled my nose. I knew his voice and his eyes where familiar; I did not want to believe it was him. Any how this is just a dream, as real as it seems, I chuckled to myself.

The wolf before me was staring at me; he seemed to be amused by my reaction. I looked down at my feet, well paws again, the small ripples of water swirling around my paws. The strange thing is I feel comfortable, I wasn't having an out of body experience, I looked up at the wolf again he had sat down, obviously he found me highly amusing.

The way he was just sitting there with his head tilted, showing his brilliant white teeth smiling at me. I moved towards him and he stood up on all fours, I looked him up, and down he was bigger than me. But not the same colouring as the beast in the wood that day, his scent was more alluring too. I found myself going to rub against him. It was a strong urge I had trouble controlling. The longer I stood there the more I wanted him; I backed away again to a safe distance not taking my eyes off him.

"Layla it's me.

I woke up fully dressed with a book in my hand, I sat there for a minute or two it was a dream but not the nightmare. I looked at my small clock next to my bed it was twelve thirty Am, I put my book on the side and walked over to the window and opened it. The moon was bright and lit up the forest like a giant torch, and then it hit me that smell again what the hell was it? My body was reacting to it uncontrollably. I never knew I could feel so many things all at one time. The scent was getting fainter I didn't want to loose it, I had to follow it. If it was the wolf then it must be near. I climbed out of my bedroom window not actually thinking of what I was doing. It was only a small drop; I ran to the end of the garden and slipped through the gate. I could not think straight I know I am stupid going into the forest alone. But my body was not listening to my head.
Id never been in the woods after dark. I parted branches and shrubbery I could smell the wild garlic which I crushed under my feet as I strayed off the path, into the depths of the forest. I couldn't see the moon through the trees but I could still smell that glorious scent, my body seemed to know where it was going. I carried on, and I saw something moving ahead I slowed down a bit and walked over to where I saw the movement.
"Who's there?"
I took a step back and felt a Sharpe blow to the back of my head, everything went cloudy and then dark, and that was all I remember.

I woke up to the smell of damp moss, and burning wood, I tried to sit up, and I had a splitting headache and had to lie back down.
"You fell and banged your head"

"Who said that? Who is there?" I couldn't see anything.

"You shouldn't go into the forest on your own its dangerous"

"Who are you and where is I?". I stuttered.

His voice sounded familiar but, I was not sure. My head hurt a lot and there was that wondrous scent again filling my lungs and turning my stomach to jelly.

"Where am I?" I demanded
I rested on my elbows "Owen is that you?"

I heard what I thought was a growl and a rustle; he came closer it was Owen but a different Owen. His hair was a mess, and he smelt fantastic considering he was covered in dirt. He stood up and held a lantern out in front of him; he was rippled with pure muscle. My heart missed a few beats he looked so handsome but yet so dangerous at the same time, he took my breath away.

"Owen what's happened to you are you OK?"

He shifted slightly as if he was uneasy about being so close to me.

"We need to get you home Layla it's late"

I tried to get up again, but without success my head certainly did hurt. Owen walked over to me to help me up. I took his hand ,which was strong, and clammy and pulled me to my feet, I clung to him so I would not fall again.
I could feel the heat coming off his body his chest was firm and strong. I'm sure he could hear my heart beating. He smelt so incredible I wanted to melt into his arms, my senses where in overdrive my eyes went fuzzy, I felt dizzy, and I didn't know whether it was because being so close to Owen or because I banged my head, or it could be another dream. I didn't know what happened, there, I was walking then everything had gone black.
Owen picked me up and I buried my face in his sweet smelling neck. He walked slowly and carefully through the forest. I must have been heavy but he did not complain or seem to be struggling so I stayed there hugged to his chest.

"Can you walk?" he asked me

"We are here at the cottage, ill help you back up to your bedroom"

"Thanks" suddenly feeling bare now I was walking next to him and not in his arms.

"Ill come and check on you tomorrow to make sure you are OK" Owen said.

"Thanks again you know for helping me"

I watched him walk away he, looked back and nodded to me then he was gone. I could still smell him on my clothes; I got ready for bed I hoped mum hadn't heard me, what would she think. I lay in bed thinking of the night's goings ons and I was all of a sudden washed over with tiredness, and I fell in a deep sleep.
The next thing I knew I was awake. I called to mum and she came rushing in with a glass of water.
"Its OK mum I didn't have a nightmare "she looked at me in shock, and I'm sure she sniffed the air
"Oh" was her reply and she hurried off downstairs to answer the phone. I went down after her and paused as I heard her talking.

"It's nearly time Blake when are you coming home? I can not do this on my own" she was on the phone to dad.

"Bring Alistair with you I will need you both"

Need you both what was she talking about? I walked into the living room where mum was On the phone, and she quickly looked round.

"Gotta go" she said and hung up, she turned away from me and mumbled "we need to get things ready for your birthday"

OK I thought mums acting all weird why would she need dad and Alistair to come home what was the big rush. I was looking forward to my birthday; I did not want a massive party just to be with my family would be nice.
I walked slowly back upstairs to my room and got dressed. I brushed my hair and felt the bump on my head from last night I decided to go for a walk after breakfast in the daylight this time.
I found myself wondering if I would see Owen today. At breakfast mum was acting all weird again. I finished my toast and put on my trainers and walked out the back door. I felt mums eyes on me watching, I walked to the end of the garden and slid through the gate which was nearly off its hinges.
There was a light breeze, and I could smell the morning air as it settled around the forest. I walked through the dewy grass and passed the first bluebells id seen this year. I sat by the stream that snaked through the forest it was so quiet there were no birds singing or squirrels chasing each other through the trees.
I started thinking about what happened last night; I know I was stupid to go out alone again. What if that beastly bear came back or what if the wolf came back. I must look in the library at home and see what I can find. I took my shoes off, and dipped my feet in the stream just as I did last night in my dream when I was a wolf. Then I heard a rustle behind me, I looked round to see Owen who was standing there he looked tired, I wasn't genuinely surprised to see him even though he just seemed to appear from nowhere.
"Hi Owen" I said looking up at him he just looked at me, I felt a bit uneasy he seemed to of
grown a foot taller.

"Layla I told you not to walk alone in the woods it is not safe"

"Did you follow me Owen?" he couldn't of followed me surely I would of heard him, I
stood up and turned to look at him "well did you" I waited getting impatient he seemed
amused by that. He took a step towards me and put his hands on my shoulders his eyes
transfixed on mine. I could feel the heat from his body his hand felt strong, and I felt safe. I
looked up into his eyes and my heart just melted my stomach was doing its usual
somersaults.

"We need to talk Layla" we sat back down on the small bank by the stream he didn't have
any shoes on.

"Where are your shoes" I asked him "I like the feel of the earth under my feet" he replied. I
moved a bit closer to him, and he took my face in his hands. His deep brown eyes were
trying to tell me something.

"Has your mother told you what's to be of you Layla?"

"N, no what's to be of me? What do you mean?"

"It's not up to me to say, but you have noticed changes haven't you?"

I looked at our feet in the stream, changes; I hadn't noticed any changes had he? Owen
slumped down and put his face in his hands "what is it? you can tell me"

He looked up and seemed to sniff at the air he startled me as he jumped up.

. "I have to go, go home Layla"
I called after him but he had gone, maybe he would come back. I didn't want to go home yet so I stayed here and thought about what had happened over the last few days. Firstly Sarah was acting all weird yesterday and then the bear and the wolf. Just the thought of the bear made me anxious, so I turned my thoughts to the wolf. I had never seen a wolf so big let alone stand on its hind legs like that, it was a beautiful creature but in a scary kind of way.
Then I went out last night on my own into the forest I saw something. Banged my head and woke up in some sort of small cave with Owen who hardly had any clothes on. How strange to be dressed like that in the middle of the night and that smell, when I thought about it my stomach starting doing acrobats.
I wondered if I'd see the wolf again, even if I did what would I do. It might not be so friendly next time, I stood up and wiped the moss from the back of my jeans and put my trainers back on then started slowly walking home. I picked some bluebells for mum I got to the garden gate and there was Owen fixing new hinges on it and by the looks of it about to paint it as well. I noticed he had put his shoes on.
He opened the gate for me and I said thank you a bit confused as why he was here he was only ment to come once a week. I went up to the cottage and mum was fussing about.
"Here these are for you mum" and I gave her the bluebells.