Chapter 8

Preston awoke from the bright sun. He blinked as his eyes adjusted to the light and looked around.
"What the he-" His sight adjusted and he squinted his eyes. He was in the middle of the forest. "What happened?" The sun was shining through the tree canopy and birds were chirping. He looked down at himself and saw his jeans were torn as well as his shirt. He wasn't even wearing shoes.
Preston stood up and almost fell over. He felt lightheaded. He steadied himself on a nearby tree, when he leaned on the trunk it shuddered with the effort.
He rubbed his eyes and groaned. What is going on?

~~~~~~~~~

Preston arrived at his house. His dad was at work again and not home. How long does he work for? He made his way upstairs and was startled when he entered his room.
His blankets were pulled off and their was long claw marks running along his sheets. His mattress was torn. What surprised him most was the clawed up wall under his window. The old ones seemed weaker than the newer ones. He had wiped the blood from the previous marks, the new claw marks had blood between the scratches. From me?"No. No, this is not from me. The wolf. It jumped into my room. It tore up my bed. It wasn't me." Preston muttered, trying to convince himself although how hard he tried he couldn't fully convince that the marks weren't caused by him.
"I-I need help, I'm going crazy." Preston tried to prove to himself. "I drank to much, I had to much pain pills. I-I," He let out a sigh. "I'm a monster."
Preston made his way downstairs and out the door. He got in his truck and drove for what seemed like an hour. He pulled into the dusty driveway up to the once beautiful house. He looked up and saw Lucas peering through one of the broken windows.
"Lucas! Annalee! I know you can hear me! Get out here now!" Preston yowled as he slammed his truck door.
"I knew he'd be back," Annalee said as she stepped outside, Lucas following her.
"Of course he'd be back. How else would he survive the next full moon?" Lucas snapped.
Annalee rolled her eyes and turned her attention back to Preston. "Have a fun night?" She teased.
"Annalee, you know he doesn't remember. Do you remember your first full moon?" Lucas pressed.
"No," she sighed. "I guess I'll stop teasing you. But don't ever, ever think you can win my affection, Hale." Annalee narrowed her eyes and Preston reluctantly agreed.
"Now. What you were saying yesterday. About me being... a werewolf. You weren't kidding, were you?" Preston asked cautiously.
"No, we weren't." Annalee told him, her eyes serious.
Preston let out a long sigh. "Well, what do I do?"
"Well, first off you can tell me what you found this morning once you got back to your house," Lucas said.
"How did you know I was ou-" Preston was saying when Annalee cut him off.
"Remember, we were in your situation once before."
"Right. Well, there was claw marks on my bed, and on my window, probably from me," Preston said.
Lucas stood up. "Was your dad home?"
"No, he's been out investigating the wolf attack..." Preston drifted off, a thought coming to him.
"Was it you guys who were killing those innocent people?" Rage was growing deep within.
"No, it was Tyran," Annalee frowned.
"Who bit me than? Who cursed me with this?" Preston demanded, his anger showing in his eyes.
"Tyran. Preston you need to calm down," Lucas said and stepped back. "Annalee come back. If he phases he'll attack."
"We can handle him," Annalee said.
Preston was breathing heavy. His eyes slits, he was angry. He never wanted to be a werewolf. He never agreed, to become what he is. "Where can I find Tyran?" Preston snapped.
"I-I don't know, he doesn't stay in one place for long." Annalee listened and stepped back. Her brother moving in front of her. Knowing what was about to happen.
"Where?" Preston growled, his eyes changing to an amber-yellow and he yowled as a series of pain shot through his veins, racing throughout his body.
Preston clenched his teeth and closed his eyes. Soon he felt himself change.
Preston opened his eyes to see that he was on all fours and his vision became black and white, like a dogs. When he spotted Annalee and Lucas he snarled and felt his lip curl.
Annalee looked at the brown wolf, unafraid.
Lucas pushed Annalee behind him and growled. "You going to attack me, Preston?"
Instead of leaping at the Lucas, Preston whipped around and disappeared into the forest. He had another prey in mind.

~~~~~~~

Preston searched the forest desperately. His sense clear and taking in every scent in the forest. Soon he smelled a familiar scent. He skidded to a halt and followed the scent. When he spotted who the smell came from he froze. There was his dad with a hunting rifle, three other officers, and two German Shepperd's.
The German Shepperd's, knowing he was watching barked and yipped with fear and excitement.
"This way!" Mr Hale ran towards Preston's hiding place. The dogs barking with enthusiasm. The two other officers followed close behind, each held a loaded shotgun.
Preston growled, turned around and whipped through the forest like a bullet. After running for a short while he halted and stood in a clearing for awhile. Something didn't seem right.
Boom!A bullet when flying towards Preston and hit him in his shoulder. He howled in pain.
"Got it!" Mr Hale yowled with glee.
"But it's still alive!" One of the officers hissed as he aimed his shotgun at Preston but the brown wolf was already springing into the forest, deeper in the woods.
Ow!
When he reached his house he phased back into a boy. Preston scrambled up his stairs and collapsed onto his bed. Blood welled stained his shoulder and he looked to see the bullet deep in his skin.
"Damn it," Preston hissed.
Suddenly he fainted, the pain of phasing and the bullet becoming too much for him. Preston yelled in his mind. He had gotten away but it wouldn't long before the officers came after him. He raced out of the forest and towards his house. He would be safe there.

Chapter 7

Annalee and Lucas both got in Lucas' silver Volvo and raced down the road. Lucas was driving fast enough that the houses and scenery whizzed passed.
"Where are we going? Why all of a sudden do you want to speak to me? What does my bite mark mean? Am I going to die?" Preston shot questions and Lucas growled in annoyance.
"Shut up," Annalee hissed and muttered something to Lucas who sped faster until he swerved into a long, dirt road.

Preston sighed and laid his head back. I guess things really don't change..Lucas continued driving down the dusty road, pebbles could be heard bouncing off of the silver car. Suddenly Preston was thrust forward when Lucas slammed on the breaks. He shot back and rubbed his sore body. Everywhere still hurt. "Oww..." Preston mumbled.
He looked up to Lucas peering at him through the rear view mirror. "Oops," he said as he got out. Annalee followed her brother.
Preston got out and slammed the door. "Careful with my beauty," Lucas said without looking back as the entered and old, run-down looking house. The windows were broken and the house appeared to have been once set on fire.
"T-this is the old Salvtrova house isn't it?" Preston gasped as Annalee and Lucas walked up the creaking wooden steps.
Preston reluctantly followed.

"Yes," Annalee whispered and entered the house. The walls were black and as Preston touched the blackened walls soot and ash was wiped onto his fingers.
"Don't touch it," Lucas snapped. His patience was growing thin with Preston.
"What? It's not my fault you guys dragged me here, you could've left me at the Grill. I was already unhappy." Preston muttered.
"Why? Did your little girlfriend leave you?" Annalee snorted.
"Yes..." Preston whispered and looked away.
"Oh, I'm sorry. Was it because of me?" Annalee asked, she knew Preston had always tried to hit on her and it peeved his girlfriend.
"No... she was cheating on me with Lawson." Preston said. "Can we please change the subject?"
"Yes, please." Lucas said as he peeked in from the other room. It appeared to be a kitchen.

Annalee frowned. She hadn't meant to hurt Preston. "Let's go."
She entered the kitchen followed by the somber looking Preston.
Lucas was sitting on the counter which looked as if it wouldn't be able to hold his wait while Annalee took a chair at the kitchen table. Preston glanced around, the kitchen looked dirty, and grimmy. Like it hadn't been used in decades.
"What do you guys want with me?" Preston finally asked after an akward moment of silence.
Lucas looked at him, his usually joking brown-black eyes, now serious. "We want to know how you got that bite mark on your neck. It was from a wolf wasn't it?"
"Why?" Preston narrowed his eyes suspiciously.
"Because we need to know," Annalee retorted.
Preston let out a sigh. "Yes it was a wolf."
"What was the color of it's pelt?" Lucas prompted.
"Black.. I think. It was dark, I couldn't see." Preston replied.
Annalee bit her lip and clenched her hand into a fist. Lucas began a long list of colorful words.
"What?" Preston asked and rubbed his throbbing bite mark.
"Don't you get it?" Lucas snapped. "Can't you sense it?"
"Sense what?" Preston retorted. Anger was rising within. He didn't like the secrets the Saltrova's were keeping.
It was Annalee's turn. "Haven't you noticed that your senses have grown? Does your body still hurt?"
"No, my senses haven't grown and no my body still hurts," Preston glared at the two siblings.
"Maybe he wasn't bitten by-" Annalee was cut off my Lucas.
"Yes he was. Did you take pain medicine?"
"Yeah, I could barely move this morning," Preston explained. "Why?"
"Aha! That's why you can't heal! Pain medicine does that to your system," Lucas stated.
"Isn't medicine supposed to heal you and not the opposite?" Preston questioned.
"Yeah, for normal people. Preston m'dear, you aren't normal," chuckled Lucas.
"So... what you're saying is... I'm not a human?" Preston thought for a moment. Was he finally catching on?
"Can't you sense it? Listen quietly. Do you hear that rabbit nibbling on a patch of green grass just outside of the forest line?" Annalee asked.
Preston closed his eyes and concentrated. What he was doing was crazy. He shouldn't even be trying to hear the rabbit, if there was one. He wouldn't be able to hear it.

The crunching of the crisp grass nearly startled him. It was as if his ear was right beside the rabbit's mouth. His eyes opened in shock and he got out of the chair so fast it fell from under his legs and landed with an echoing thud as it hit the old wooden floors.
"What did you do to me?" Preston demanded and backed away from the pair.
"Preston, calm down." Annalee tried to comfort him but it frightened him more.
"What did you do to me?" He asked again but louder. He backed up until his back hit the wall and the house shuddered eerily.
"Your a lycan," Lucas said, still sitting on the edge of the counter. He slid off and his feet his the floor.
"No!" Preston shook his head. "I'm not!"
"Preston!" Annalee said her eyes worried. "You need to except it. You were bitten, there's no other way to escape it. It's not a curse."
Preston made his way around the wall and into the musty livingroom. He turned to exit the house but Lucas was blocking the way. "How the-"
Lucas smirked.
Preston turned to go the other way but Annalee was in his way also. "You two... no!" Preston yelled and closed his eyes. When he opened them they weren't his regular brown eye. They were an eerie amber yellow. The same color Tyran had at the arena.
"Get away from me!" Preston yowled.
Annalee stopped. "Lucas, don't push him anymore or he's going to phase. Let him go."
Lucas was about to protest but Preston whirled around.

His breathing becoming heavy and his eyes amber-yellow and wild. Lucas stepped out of the way and Preston bounded out of the house and ran as fast as he could through the forest and towards his house.
It didn't take long before he reached the stone steps of his white house. Was it just his imagination or was he actually flying passed the trees on his way here. It should've taken him atleast a half an hour to run here and he should be out of breath but he wasn't tired at all. His bones weren't aching anymore and the bite wasn't throbbing. He felt for his back and he couldn't feel the sensitivity that bruises usually had.
Afraid he walked into his house and up to his room. He didn't realize how late it was. He climbed into his bed and pulled off the blankets. He looked out his window.

The moon was just rising and the clouds were parting. The moon was full and bright. Preston relaxed at the sight of the moon but a sudden series of pain shot through him and he screamed.
The pain raced up his arms and throughout his whole body until he felt like his viens would burst. "Somebody! Help me!" He screamed but his dad wasn't home. Probably out investigating another murder.
He gritted his teeth and thrashed in his bed. He opened his eyes and he felt something grow in his mouth. Fangs.
The pain was suddenly gone but not forever. He rested for a bit, his breath coming in shallow gasps. Another pain shot through him and his eyes closed. Darkness swept over him once again and soon he was engulfed.

Chapter 6

Preston kicked twigs and fallen sticks as he walked through the forest. His teeth were clenched and he could have punched a hole into the strongest tree. He was angry, betrayed, and he felt as if his life was fallen apart.
"I hate this," Preston muttered. "My girlfriend is gone. My best friend is gone. My team is gone. And my dad hates me. What else can go wrong?"

Suddenly he heard a low, deep growl. The hair on his neck stood up. "H-hello?" Preston called into the darkness. He squinted his eyes and thought he saw a shadow disappear behind a tree.
A twig snapped and he whirled around. "Lawson? Tracey?" He called. Although he knew it wasn't them he prayed it was.

A shadowed figure ran passed him and into the darkness. It was an animal. He picked up a stick and banged it by a nearby tree. It shook as he hit it and tremors were sent up the branch, stinging his hand.
A growl sounded once more and he whipped around and began running.
Stupid idea.
He tripped over his own feet and stumbled down a small slope. He crashed into a tree. His back hitting it hard. Pain coursed throughout his body and he clenched his jaw.
He looked up and saw a black shadow stalking towards him. Dark, black, soul-less eyes pierced through the darkness. It was a wolf. Probably the black one he managed to dodge earlier. There was no dodging now. The black wolf-like figure crept closer until it was a foot away. Suddenly it let out an ear piercing howl and lunged. He felt razor sharp teeth meet with his flesh and he tightened his eyes and yelled in pain. His bruising back was nothing compared to the fire running through his veins at the moment. Than, there was darkness. Like a wave the shadows washed over him, dragging his deep into the depths of dark and despair. He closed his eyes and he was gone.

~~~~~~~~~

Preston awoke at his house. His eyes fluttered open and his head was throbbing as well as his back. "Was it a dream?" Preston asked himself. His dad walked into his room. "Your here! I looked in at midnight and you were still out. With Tracey I suppose," He said.
Preston clenched his teeth but relaxed. Not only was his back and head in pain but his whole body. "Ow," He groaned.
"Rough night, eh?" Mr Hale chuckled and walked out, closing the door as he left.
Preston lifted the blankets away from him and revealed he was still in the clothes he wore last night. They were stained and torn from the fall. His arm felt numb and he moved the part of his shirt covering his left shoulder. A bloody bite mark was shown.
"What the hell," Preston said. "How'd I get home? How'd I escape the wolf?"
He looked around his room and spotted claw marks near his window. "Wha-" He squinted his eyes. There wasn't just claw marks, but bloody claw marks as well.

Preston got up slowly and showered and dressed. He cleaned his bite and took a few pills to ease the pain. "I don't understand anything."
He made his way downstairs and into the kitchen. "Dad, I'm going out for brunch," he said.
"Hm," Mr Hale mumbled without looking up from his paper and coffee.
Preston got in his truck and raced along the road until he made it to the Grill.
He got out and entered the Grill. He stopped a waitress who was balancing four plates. "Excuse me miss, where is the waiter who was attacked by that wolf?"
The waitress frowned. "I'm busy. Ask someone else." With that she left him alone. Preston cussed and looked around. He spotted Annalee who was making her way over to him. "What are you doing here? Why are you asking for that waiter?" She asked suspiciously.
"My dad's the sheriff. I'm curious." Preston stated.

"That's not it. Is it?" Annalee asked.
"Come," She grabbed his arm and brought him to Lucas who was sitting in a booth.
"What is he doing here?" Lucas muttered.
"He's asking around for the guy who was attacked," Annalee explained.
"Why?" Lucas growled. "What's it to you?"
"I'm just curious. That's all. Why are you two so defensive?" Preston snapped.

Lucas shifted in his seat and Annalee looked away.
"That's how it's going to be? Your the only ones allowed to ask questions?" Preston muttered.
"No. You shouldn't be here you know," Annalee said.
"You are the one who brought me over here, remember?" Preston rolled his eyes.
"This isn't a joking matter, Preston." Annalee said crossly.
"Who said I was joking around?" Preston questioned.
He got up to leave and Annalee got up.
"I'm sorry," She muttered.
"Y'know I've heard that a lot lately but I don't think it's ever real," Preston replied sharply. He turned to leave but Annalee reached out for him. She grabbed his shirt by accident and pulled it, revealing the bite mark.
Annalee gasped and Lucas looked up to see the problem. "Damn it," He snapped.
"What? What's going on?" Preston asked.
Lucas got up and headed for the Grill entrance to leave. Annalee followed. "Come," she demanded.

Chapter 5

Preston had reached his house an hour after his little talk with Lawson. In an hour he'd have to apologize to Tracey and show up to her party. "Why is this day so long?" Preston groaned as he jumped into the shower.
He quickly cleaned and got dressed. When he went downstairs to grab a quick snack his dad walked in the front door. He was frowning. Something was wrong.
"What's up Pops?" Preston asked as he reached into the fridge to pull out an apple.
"An animal attack."
"You mean the one at the Grill?"
"No, this time it didn't leave it's victim alive." Mr Hale's face was grim.
"You mean, the person died?" Preston asked.
"Yes, Preston. It means he died. What else?" Mr Hale snapped. His brown eyes were hard. He had a frustrating day. It seemed everyone was afraid of the wolf threatening their once quiet, peaceful town. What else could go wrong?
"Well sorry! I can't help be the perfect son, Dad! Not everyone is like you, you know! I'm not a crime specialist, I can't determine just by talk that the wolf attack victim is dead." Preston growled and left. He got in his car. A blue Dodge Ram he had gotten for his seventeenth birthday. He drove it down the long winding road and turned the long corner. He sighed and looked down for a brief moment. This day couldn't have been more horrible.

When he looked up he was startled to see a jet black wolf standing in the middle of the road. It's black eyes staring intently at Preston. He swerved to hit the animal and almost bailed off the side of the road. "Stupid animal," he muttered and continued driving. He didn't even notice the hair on the back of his neck and on his arm was sticking up. His instincts told him to be wary of the animal but he paid no attention.
He pulled into Tracey's long, smoothly paved driveway and parked near a row of cars. He wasn't the first one here. Tracey would be mad.

Preston made his way into her house. From the outside he could hear the music thumping. Surely his dad would be here to "quiet the kids down".
Tracey was waiting for him.
He entered the big house and spotted her leaning on a table. She was standing with Lawson. He walked over to them and sighed. "Tracey, look I'm sorry. I shouldn't have snapped at you, I was just sidetracked. Distracted. I thought how horrible I was being for not bringing my stuff to practice. I'm not fit to be captain."
"Preston, it's alright. We... er, all make mistakes sometimes. Right?" Lawson said, glancing at Tracey.
"Yeah." Tracey agreed, she was looking down.
"Is something wrong?" Preston asked, his eyebrow cocked questioningly.
"Uh, no. Let's go dance," Tracey smiled and grabbed his hand. She lead him to her living room and began dancing. He wouldn't be able to hear her talk, the music was blasting and he had to furrow his eyebrows. Soon The Time by The Black Eyed Peas began to play. Tracey's favourite song. He danced with her and looked around her house. Cups and bowls laid everywhere.
He continued scanning the room and met his gaze with Lawson. He looked tense. Something was wrong and he didn't know what.
"Trace, I'm going to get air for a second," Preston said and headed outside. Tracey frowned but nodded.

Preston leaned over the railing on the patio. He breathed in the cool, fresh night air. It seemed natural to be outside. He looked at the moon. He hadn't noticed how full it was getting recently. It would be full tomorrow night. He smiled and looked at the front yard. Many people were outside chatting. Some party. He sighed and turned around to go inside.
He opened the door, closed it and made his way to the living room once again. He searched for Lawson but he wasn't where he was standing ten minutes ago. Instead he spotted his best friend slow dancing with his girlfriend. Odd. Maybe she just needed a dancing partner, Preston thought. It was a slow song and Tracey hated to dance alone. He was about to let them enjoy their song when Lawson leaned down to kiss Tracey. His lips touched hers and she didn't even pull away.
"What?" Preston gasped and Lawson looked up, Tracey as well. They both looked startled. Like a deer caught in headlights.
Tracey pulled away and shoved Lawson off.
"Preston!" Lawson called but Preston was already storming out of Tracey's house. Both Lawson and Tracey following behind.
"Preston wait!" Tracey cried.
Preston whipped around. "What?" He hissed. "So I can see my girlfriend and best friend make out again? No thanks."
"We weren't making out," Lawson said and stepped forward.

Preston sighed. "How long has this been going on?"
"What do you mean?" Lawson asked.
"You damn well know what I mean," Preston snapped.
Tracey flinched and Lawson laid his hand on her shoulder. Trying to comfort her. "Three weeks," He looked down.
"You've been dating for three weeks? My best friend. My girlfriend." Preston shook his head. Disgusted.
"I'm sorry," Tracey pleaded. A tear running down her cheek. Lawson wiped it away but Tracey pulled his hand away.
"You might as well take my hockey team away as well," Preston hissed.
Lawson looked away.
"Oh right, they don't like me as well. Well captain, have fun running the team. I quit. I don't want anything to do with you two anymore," Preston turned around and headed to his house. He'd have to go through the dense forest first.
"Preston, don't leave me!" Tracey cried but he had already disappeared through the trees.

Chapter 4

The three walked out of the school as the last bell rang. They had barely made it to their last class after Lawson drove as fast as he could, away from the Grill. Tracey had dried her eyes and sat in the back of the car with Preston. She clutched his hand still afraid. Preston looked down at her and frowned. What if it was her who had been attacked. Or Lawson, he wouldn't have been there to help.
Maybe I should just leave the Saltrova's alone. It's clear that Annalee wants nothing to do with me.Now they were heading to the arena. Preston had a short hockey practice with his friends. When Lawson pulled into the arena Preston cursed. "I can't practice today. I forgot my stuff at home."
"Again?" Tracey asked and sighed. "Oh well, we can sit in the bleachers together.
"Or we can just get ready for the party." Preston muttered. He didn't really enjoy parties.
"No, it's in five hours, I think we could enjoy watching the guys practice," Tracey insisted.
Or watch them workout,

Lawson got out and grabbed his hockey gear and made his way to the rink. Everyone was already waiting for him.
"Where's our captain?" Justin chuckled.
"Forgot his gear, again." Lawson said and went to change.
"Of course he did," Chase, another guy on the hockey team snorted. "He isn't even worthy of being captain."
Lawson pretended as if he didn't hear. He knew the guys didn't actually like Preston but he didn't get why they pretended. What about Preston made everyone want to be near him? He had the perfect life. The perfect girlfriend. The perfect everything.

Preston sat on the bleachers and watched as Lawson and the guys leaped from the benches and skated around the rink with ease. Lawson was directing his tea mates, which was usually Preston's job.
"Preston, I'm cold. Can you get us some hot chocolate?" Tracey pleaded.
Preston sighed. "Oh, alright." He got up and headed for the concession stand just outside of the rink. It was heated in their. Why can't Tracey just come watch the practice in here instead of getting me to get her hot chocolate?He waited in the line until it was his turn. The cashier waited patiently.
"Two medium hot chocolates." Preston said.
The cashier shook his head and began to make the hot drink. "Kids, no manners these days." He muttered.
Preston rolled his eyes and looked around while he waited. He saw Tracey waving her arms to someone on the rink. Lawson. Why is she waving to him? Did he score? It's just a practice. Not a game.
"Here." The cashier snapped him out of his thoughts and pushed the drinks towards him.
"Thank you," Preston said sarcastically and grabbed the drinks. He was about to enter the arena when he was startled and dropped one of the hot chocolates.

"Preston, right?" A man stepped out of the shadows. The man that had made him drop the drink. The man who had chased after Annalee and Lucas. Tyran.
"Y-yeah." Preston managed to stutter. Did he follow me?"Yes. I followed you. I came to ask you something," Tyran put his hand on Preston's back and guided him outside the arena and than shoved him into the concrete wall.
"How do you know Annalee and Lucas?" He snarled.
"I-I don't know them!" Preston coughed as he was pushed and the wind was knocked out of him.
"Lies! Why were you chasing after us?" Tyran demanded, his eyes cold and his hands balled into a fist. Preston shuddered. If he was willing to hit a girl he didn't want to know what he was able to do to a guy.
"Honestly! I just met Annalee today, I have a class with her!" Preston flinched as Tyran raised his arm. Ready to aim it at Preston's face. Tyran closed his eyes and took a deep breath. When he re-opened them his eyes, which were a dark, almost-black brown, were now an eerie amber-yellow. Tyran sighed, spun around, and headed for the back of the arena until he eventually broke into a run.

Preston gulped and headed back to the skating rink. He had almost been killed by a man he didn't know. He made his way back to Tracey and sat down beside her. His eyes down.
"You were gone long. Where's the hot chocolate?" Tracey asked suspiciously.
"The line was way to long," Preston said without looking up.
Tracey looked over to the glass windows which lined the rink and spotted the concession stand. There was no line. She looked over at Preston. He looked guilty.
"Preston... is everything alright?" Tracey asked.
"Every thing's fine. Why're you so damn nosey?" Preston snapped, got up, and left. He hadn't meant to be harsh, and he hadn't meant to be that loud. The guys on the ice rink looked to the stands to see Preston storming off and a blank look on Tracey's face. Her eyes startled.

Preston stood outside for what seemed like hours. Soon he was followed by Lawson. "Hey, dude. Are you alright?"
"Of course I am, why is everyone so worried about me? I'm fine." Preston balled his fists. The truth was, he wasn't fine. He was frightened. Frightened for Annalee.
For Lucas.
For himself.
Tyran had scared him. Something about the tall man didn't seem right.
"Preston, what's bothering you?"
"Nothing, just leave it. I'll see you at the party." Preston said crossly and began to walk back to his house. Lawson shook his head. Something was up with his best friend. He had never seen Preston so angered or quick to snap before. Ever. Preston didn't bother adding. He knew Tracey wasn't completely loyal to him but he didn't care. As long as she acted like she was it was alright. He himself was always flirting with other girls while Tracey watched from the sidelines, unable to do anything. He thought as Lawson had pulled into the school.

Chapter 3

Lucas and Annalee ducked their heads and looked away as the man strolled into the Grill.
"Excuse me sir, I'll have to ask you to quiet down." A brave waiter stated.
The man shoved him away and he went stumbling backwards.
"Lucas! Annalee! I know your in here!" He grumbled and searched the first five tables.
Annalee and Lucas made their way towards the bathroom and made a sharp turn towards the doors but the man spun around.

Preston watched with keen interest. I wonder what's going on?
He stood up as the man made his way towards Lucas and Annalee, his fists balled.
"What are you doing here?" Lucas asked the man. Fear in his eyes.
"Sir, I'm going to have to ask you to leave," the manager came from the staff room.
"No!" The man yelled and pushed Lucas and Annalee out the door.
Preston guessed the man wasn't all that bright since Lucas and Annalee both took a run for it as soon as they got out. The man howled and chased after them. That's when Preston excused himself from the table and ran after the siblings and the howling man.

"Preston!" Tracey screeched as he ran out the door.
He spotted the brown hair of Annalee disappear in the forest beside the Grill and the man running after them. They were fast. Preston took off after them. He quickly spotted Lucas and Annalee dodging the trees as the sprinted metres ahead of the man though none of them looked tired.
"Lucas! Annalee! Get back here!" The man yelled once more.
Annalee took one fearful glance back and suddenly she was stumbling on the ground. Her foot had been caught by tree root. She cursed as she hit the ground.
Lucas spun around and his eyes widened as Annalee gripped her ankle. "I think it's broken!"
"No!" Lucas ran towards her but the man reached her first and grabbed her arm. With one strong, swift movement he lifted Annalee up and let her stand, but a sharp pain shot through her leg and she cried out in pain.
"Don't! Let her go! You're hurting her!" Lucas pleaded. The man shrugged, let her go, and Annalee crumpled to the forest floor. Her eyes shut with pain.
Lucas bent down and tried comforting his sister. Preston lingered metres behind. "Don't worry Annalee, the pain will stop in a few moments."

"You turned her didn't you! You weren't supposed too! You aren't even supposed to be back!" The man bellowed.
"Tyran, I know. We didn't mean to but Annalee needed too. To visit the family." Lucas looked back up at the man named Tyran.
Lucas took a step forward and stepped on a twig. It let out a quiet snap.
Tyran spun around and narrowed his eyes than swifted turned to Lucas. "What is he doing here?!" He pointed to Preston with one outstretched arm, as he still faced Lucas.
"I-I don't know! He followed us, I don't even know him!" Lucas stuttered. His eyes hard. It looked as if his gaze was pleading to Preston. Pleading for him to leave.
Annalee looked up from her hurt ankle to Preston. "What're you doing here?" She said coldly.
"Who's that?" Preston asked, looking at the man.
"Friend." Tyran said and Annalee snorted. Tyran raised an arm to strike her but Lucas yelled, "No!" Before he could touch his sister.
Preston's eyes widened. This man was dangerous!
"Preston, leave!"
"Oh, so you know this boy, eh?" Tyran grinned mischievously. "Well, I'll leave you three be!" He than turned around and Preston turned his attention back to Annalee. "Are you okay? Did you break your ankle? I can phone the ambulance.." and the cops. He didn't bother adding in case the man hit him. But when Preston looked up he wasn't there. As if he vanished in thin air.
This day just keeps getting weirder and weirder! Preston thought.
"No," Annalee said harshly and stood up. It was as if she never even tripped.
"See," Lucas said calmly. "C'mon, let's get back to the house." He glared at Preston. "Stay away from her. Not just for her own good but for you."
Preston narrowed his eyes. Why would it be for my own good? He than made his way back to the Grill. Tracey and Lawson were probably worried.

Preston entered the Grill and what he saw surprised him. Police officers were speaking to the manager and the waiter who had stood up to the Tyran earlier. The waiter was sitting on a chair, he was looking at his feet, his hands holding his chest.
Lawson's eyes were wide when he spotted Preston.
"What's going on?" Preston asked.
"A wolf attack. It came ten minutes after you chased Annalee, her brother, and that dude."
"What're you talking about?" Preston asked, clearly not believing his friend.
"Preston, I'm telling the truth. A wolf came in here and attacked the waiter. Look closely!"
Preston narrowed his eyes, trying to get a better look at the man. He gasped and nearly leaped back. He faced Lawson with a horrified look. The waiter had removed his hands to his side, revealing a shredded up waiter outfit. Blood stained the white shirt.
"Holy-"
"Preston!" Tracey interrupted what he was going to say and raced over. Tears streamed down her face. "It was horrible! It just came in here and attacked him and than left!"
"It's okay. It's gone." Preston wrapped his arms around her.
"Let's get back to school before they question us," Lawson said solemnly and headed for his car.
　

Chapter 2

Preston turned his head, as he watched Annalee sat down.
There is something definitely familiar about her... Preston thought determinedly. As the bell rang, he realized how much late it was in the day. It was lunch, an hour left than he'd be on his way to his hockey practice. He stood and picked up his stuff. He walked outside and waited at the door for his girlfriend, but Annalee came out before Tracey.
"Hey," Preston smiled and nodded to her. Annalee furrowed her eyebrows and walked away without saying a "hello" or "hey!".
Something to know about Preston is that he never liked to be ignored or hated. He liked how people liked him and wanted to be around him, but people ignoring him made it frustrating and his life hard as he only focused his attention on the person who had ignored him until finally they give in.
Submission.

"Why did you try to talk to her?" Tracey scowled as she walked out.
Preston chuckled and wrapped his arms around Tracey's waist. "Now, you now jealousy isn't pretty."
Tracey pursed her lips in a slight frown. "I'm sorry, it's just... never mind. Let's go get lunch at the Grill."
"At the grill? We'll probably miss third class... oh well!" Preston chuckled and grabbed Tracey's hand. He looked behind and saw Lawson, "C'mon, Lawson!"

All three arrived at the Grill in Lawson's car. Tracey had said she was driving but Lawson insisted. He had just gotten his new car and he wanted to drive it whenever he had the chance.
When they entered the girl, Annalee was sitting with the boy she had arrived to class with. They were talking quietly, deep in conversation. When the boy saw Preston his eyes narrowed and that made Annalee, who's back was facing the entrance, turn around and look. She cursed silently and let her attention fall back on the boy across from her.
Preston looked over and saw the boy's jaw tense. Curious, and obviously interested, he walked over to the two. Tracey was pulling at his arm and trying to get him to go to another table.
"Hey," Preston grinned as he stepped to the edge of their table.
Annalee bit her lip and tried to cover the side of her face with her hand but obviously, Preston knew she was there.
"Hi. Who's this?" The boy asked Annalee.
Annalee shrugged. "I don't know, I've never talk to him in my life."
Preston frowned. She didn't even want him to be here. He raised an eyebrow mischievously and held out his hand. "Preston Hale."
The boy shook Preston's hand. "Lucas Saltrova, Annalee's older brother."

Tracey sighed, she clearly didn't want to be here.
"And who are you?" Lucas asked.
Tracey raised and eye brow and leaned back slightly. "Your kidding, right? I'm sure you've been in this town long enough to know who I am."
"No... sorry I don't," Lucas chuckled and turned his attention to Preston. "Is she always like this?"
Preston chuckled and nodded. "Yeah, basically."
Lucas whistled and Annalee giggled.
Preston saw Annalee giggle and a smirk spread to his face. Was his charm working?

Tracey rolled her eyes and pulled Preston away to another table. He didn't even notice Lawson wasn't at the Saltrova's table. He was already ordering his meal. He looked up when Preston and Tracey made their way over, making the waitress wait patiently. "Sorry guys, I was hungry!"
Preston sighed and the waitress smiled. She was a young red head with amber eyes.
I think she goes to my school.
"Would you two like menus?" She asked and Tracey nodded. "Can you hurry up too?"
The waitress scoffed, turned around and went into the kitchen.
"Tracey, that wasn't nice," Lawson said.
"Yeah? Your point?" Tracey retorted.
"Tell me why you are dating the Wicked Witch of the West?" Lawson shook his head as he asked Preston.
Preston shrugged and Tracey narrowed her eyes as the waitress came back with two other menus. She smiled sweetly when she handed it to Preston but basically tossed it to Tracey who snorted.
"I'll be back to take your orders." The waitress turned and headed back to the kitchen.
Just than a tall lithe man walked into the Grill. "Lucas, where are you?" He yelled.