Different

CHAPTER 3
"Why is your pack so hidden in the woods? Isn't this your territory to roam free?"
Thea asked Axl as they drove further into the woods. The further they drove, the less houses Thea saw.
"My pack is young, around the same age as me. We have some nine- and ten-year old's who just turned, and we have our elders. Our alpha is twenty-two. Since we are a young pack and majority of them have a lot to learn about what it means to be a wolf, we keep everyone away from the town until they get themselves under control."
"But you live with your dad and go to a regular school. How did you learn to control yourself?"
"I don't know, I was just lucky, I guess. The elders said they never seen a wolf have as much control as I do."
Axl then stopped the car.
"This is it."
The wolves house was huge. Thea and Axl got out of the car. As they got out, his pack started to come out of the house, out of the woods, and some even jumped down from the roof.
"Axl! Your back!"
A little boy said running toward Axl and gave Axl a big hug.
"Hey Liam. Hope you're staying out of trouble." "I'm just trying to keep up with the guys. Wow she's pretty."
Liam said looking at Thea. Thea smiled.
"Axl! Where have you been? You missed the morning run and training. And why did you bring a girl to the house. This isn't a show and tell."
The Alpha said.
"Thea this is Thomas. Our Alpha."
Thomas looked at Thea.
"Tommy, we need to go somewhere and talk, privately."
Axl said to him in a serious voice.
"Alright let's go. Liam take her inside."
Thomas said. Liam grabbed Thea's hand and lead her into the house and to the kitchen. They sat down on the stools by the kitchen counter.
"Are you hungry Thea? There's pancakes left." "Awww thank you Liam, but I ate already."
"Well hello there. I'm Kristy."
Kristy said while walking into the kitchen.
"If I would have known we were going to have company I would have made these boys clean up their mess!"
"It's okay, I don't mind. I will help you clean."
"No, you're crazy! You're our guest."
"So, you're the only girl wolf in your pack? I didn't see any other girls around."
"Ha! No, I'm not a wolf. Imagine if I was though? I would finally be able to control these rascals!
Kristy said as she looked at Liam.
"My brother is Thomas, the alpha. He asked me to live here to help look after all these boys, because you know how boys are."
Liam smiles.
"I'm going to be the biggest, strongest and fastest wolf when I'm older. Axl said so! I'm the only wolf in our packs history to turn before nine years old!"
"How old are you?"
Thea asked.
"I'm nine now. Today's my birthday! I turned about two weeks ago."
"Well Happy Birthday!"
"Thank you!"
Suddenly Liam had a frightened look on his face while looking across the room.
"I have to get back to the pack. Bye!"
Liam said and ran out of the kitchen.
"What was that about?"
"Caleb is coming. The little ones are frightened by him. He has anger issues."
Thea looked in the direction Kristy was looking and saw Caleb. Tall, light skin, not too muscular, but still defined, with an angry look on his face.
"I wonder why he's coming over? He always keeps to himself."
Kristy said confused and then Caleb sits down next to Thea.
"I wanted to come see this mysterious girl that Axl brought over, and who everyone is talking about."
Caleb said.
"How would you know what they're talking about, you don't talk to them."
Kristy said.
"Wolf hearing, you wouldn't know how that works now would you Kristy? I'm Caleb by the way."
Caleb said looking at Thea.
"Hi, I'm Thea."
Caleb grabbed some pancakes and put them on a plate, poured syrup and started to eat them. It was silent. Then Thea hears a thump, thump, thump, thump, sound going really fast. It wasn't coming from Caleb, nor Kristy. Their heart beats were regular. This was different, and faster than theirs, but it was coming from Kristy's direction. Thea looked, but there was no one else around them. Caleb scared off everyone that was near. Thea got out of her chair and walked over to Kristy.
"May I?"
Thea asked Kristy with her hands toward Kristy belly.
"Ummm sure?"
Kristy said confused. Thea then bent down and put her hands and ear on Kristy's belly and started to listen. Caleb watched and was confused. Kristy was now very confused.
"Everything Okay?"
Kristy asked.
"Did you know you are pregnant?"
"What! How do you know?"
"I hear the baby's heartbeat."
Kristy's eyes had tears of happiness and a big smile. Then Thea let go of her belly and grabbed her own throat! She totally had forgotten to be careful around Kristy. She's human! Her body craves her blood. Her eyes were turning red, then back to normal, then red. She ran out of the house. Caleb followed her. Thea fell to her knees holding her throat.
"What's wrong? Are you okay?"
Caleb asked looking very concerned.
"I need to get out of here and fast. I don't want to hurt her."
"Hurt her? Why would you......."
"Vampire ...I'm part vampire."
Thea said in a raspy voice holding her throat. Caleb took a few steps back looking at Thea with a confused face. Then he helped her stand up.
"Come this way."
Caleb said.
Thea has no choice but to follow him, she was weak. He held onto her while they ran off. Kristy's blood was so strong. They left just in time before the pack was heading their way.
I can't keep up with him. I'm too weak. My body wants me to run back and suck every ounce of blood from Kristy. Please don't lose control.
"We are almost there."
Caleb said to Thea. They were running by so many trees, and then uphill. They finally stopped.
"What are we doing here?"
"Come, I'll show you."
Thea was hesitant, but walked with Caleb.
"Step toward the edge of the cliff."
Caleb said. Thea looked at him confused.
I have just told him that I was part vampire and he's a wolf asking me to step toward the edge of a cliff?
"I don't think that's a good idea."
"You can trust me."
Should I trust him? He could have killed me when he had the chance, but he didn't. Maybe I really can trust him.
Thea walked toward the edge.
"Now hold up your arms out like your flying in the sky."
"Caleb, I can't."
Caleb then put his arms around Thea's waist and Thea held onto his hands, she was scared that he was going to push her off. His body then got closer to hers.
"Now put your arms out like your flying, breathe and let the ocean breeze hit your face. Smell all the wonderful ocean smells."
Caleb whispered in Thea's ear. He grabbed her hands and extended her arms outward. Then he put his arms back around her waist.
It feels like I'm flying.
The wind was blowing by her. She could smell all the wonderful ocean smells Caleb told her about.
"Close your eyes and remember to breathe. In through your nose and out your mouth."
Caleb whispered. She did as he said, and she felt so relaxed.
The thirst I had for Kristy was almost gone. The pain I always hold within me feels as if it was vanishing. I want to stay like this forever.
After a while, she put her arms down. Caleb took his arms from her waist and stepped away from her.
"That felt ....that made me feel ......"
"Normal."
Caleb said.
"Yes. How did you know what to do to help me? Why did you help me? I'm your enemy."
"You ran away from the thing you most desire in the world. You ran away from it even though it caused you pain. I don't know, I don't make a lot of right choices, but this felt like the right thing to do."
"Well thank you."
"I knew to bring you here because this is where I come to calm down when I get angry, which is often."
Caleb walked to a big rock and sat down on it. Thea walked over and sat next to him.
"Kristy told me about your anger, I know how it feels."
"How would you know? Wolf anger is nothing compared to a vampire. We are totally different in every aspect."
"I'm only half vampire, I'm half werewolf too."
"What? Impossible."
"Well yeah it's possible because here I am."
"Ha! And everyone here thinks I'm the weirdo."
Caleb said with a smile. Thea smiled back.
"Wow and a jokester! You keep on surprising me. What else do you have hiding up your sleeve?"
Thea said sarcastically. Caleb chuckled.
"Besides the fact that I don't know where I'm from, I'm mad all the time, I can't control my temper, and I'm all alone, just how I like it. So yeah that's about it. Nothing else up my sleeve."
"Shut up you big baby!"
Thea shouted as she punched Caleb on his shoulder.
"Ouch! So violent!"
Caleb said while he laughed.
"You have no idea what being angry is, or what it's like to be alone. You have no idea what it's like to not know what you're capable of and can't control it. Now I'm the one that should be doing all the boo-hooing."
"Shut up! I'm not boo-hooing! That's not even a word."
"Well it is now."
Thea smiled.
"Plus, you have a pack, so how do you not know where you're from?"
"Every wolf gets his or her gene passed down to them from family as you know. Well my whole family has no trace of the wolf gene. The elders searched and searched my family's ancestry, but nothing. I turned young and had no family or friends to connect with, no one to even ask questions because no other wolf in my pack was like me. They haven't felt what I have felt. I had to stay away from my own family to keep them safe from me. I hardly see them."
"But you have a family Caleb. You're not alone. My family died when I was five. My human that took care of me after died six years later. That's having no one."
"Is this the battle of who is lonelier and weirder?"
Caleb said as he laughed.
"Shut up! I'm serious!"
"You're lucky you have parents still. Sure, they can't relate to what you're going through, but at least you have arms to hug you when you need it."
"I'm seventeen Thea, I don't need my mommy."
"Dang okay Mr. tough guy."
They both laughed.
"Why are you here with asshole Axl anyways?" "Asshole Axl?"
"Yup hate that guy."
"Anyways, we came because....."
"THEA!"
Axl yelled. Thea looked and could see him running toward her with Thomas. Axl grabbed her hand and pulled her away from Caleb.
"Kristy told us you ran off. Are you okay? We have to get back to the house and get you away from him."
Axl said while looking at Caleb.
"Axl calm down, he was just helping me."
"Helping? Not possible, we must get back to the pack. Let's go."
Axl held onto Thea's hand tightly and started walking with her back to the wolf house. As Thea walked off, she turned and looked at Caleb who was being yelled at by Thomas. As Thea and Axl were in the woods, Thea stopped and let go of Axl's hand.
"What the hell Axl! Why are your acting so weird? If it wasn't for Caleb, I don't know what would have happened! You didn't tell me there was going to be a human here!"
"I know I messed up. I totally forgot about Kristy being human. I wasn't thinking. I'm sorry. But stay away from Caleb."
"Why? He has anger issues I get it, big deal."
"Thea you don't understand. Just stay away from him."
Axl was getting mad, and so was Thea.
"Caleb has no control, none. This town would have been torn into pieces a year ago if tommy, me, some of the other boys and elders didn't stop him."
"He has issues to work out, but so does everyone else. Maybe if you were just his friend instead of a jerk."
"Are you being serious right now!"
Axl yelled.
"When Liam was almost eight, he was reading one of Caleb's books he had left on the sofa. Liam ripped it by accident. Caleb saw the ripped book and saw Liam next to it. Caleb transformed and he was just about to attack Liam before I found them and stopped Caleb. A book Thea, over a book."
Thea didn't know what to say.
"Please Thea, understand. Anyways, Tommy agreed to let us talk to the pack and elders about joining us to fight for Cody. We are going to announce it tonight once the elders get here."
Axl turns and starts walking toward the house. Thea follows. They arrive at the house. About twenty boys were outside. They all stared at Thea as she approached the house. Liam ran up to her and gave her a hug.
"I'm so happy you're okay!"
Liam said.
"Of course I'm okay, why wouldn't I be?"
Liam stepped back from hugging Thea.
"Because you were with Caleb! He's gets so mad! I thought he was going to rip you apart!" "Don't ever worry about that Liam."
Thea then bends down to whisper in Liam's ear.
"I'm the biggest, strongest, and fastest wolf alive. I could handle Caleb."
Liam looked shocked. He has never seen a girl wolf before.
"Alright boys let's get this gathering ready for the elders!"
Axl yelled. Then Thea looked to her left and saw Thomas and Caleb walking toward the side of the house. She turned to walk toward Caleb to see if he was okay, but then Liam grabbed her hand and pulled her toward the firewood on the other side of the house.
"Come Thea let's get the wood for the fire."
I don't understand why everyone is afraid of Caleb. He's just lost within himself. Trying to find balance. He just needs a friend.
Thea then grabbed a huge pile of wood. Liam couldn't believe she could lift that much wood.
"Your super strong, can you teach me to be strong like you?"
"Of course, in honor of your birthday I'll tell you a secret on how to be the strongest."
"Okay, what is it?"
"Believe in yourself and you can do anything."
"That's not going to help."
"Of course it is. It's the secret to everything. Just believe you can do it and you can. Trust me."
"Okay, I'll try."
Liam sighed. They then started to walk toward the middle of the yard. As they walked, Thea was looking at Axl talking to Thomas inside the house.
"Do you like Axl?"
Liam asked.
"Of course I do, he's my friend."
"No, I mean more than a friend. Like a boyfriend?"
"Ummmmm....."
"THEA!"
Axl yelled and waved his hand for Thea to come over to him.
Thank goodness.
"I'll be back Liam."
"Okay."
Liam starts to stack wood. Thea walk's over to Axl.
"Hey what's up?"
"The elders should be here soon. I'll do all the talking. They don't trust outsiders."
"Alright."
Axl knew Thea was still upset about the whole Caleb situation, but he didn't want to talk about him anymore. He used his finger to life Thea's chin so she can look at him.
"Everything is going to work out."
Thea looked into his eyes.
"I know."
As Caleb was walking, he saw Axl and Thea talking. He saw the way Thea was looking at Axl. The only person he's ever felt a connection with didn't belong to him.
"Boys start the fire! It's time!"
Axl yelled and walked toward the firewood. Thea followed. As Thea sat in her chair, she saw four men walking toward everyone and all the boys took a knee and bowed their heads. The men sat in the chairs near the fire. As soon as they sat down all the boys stood up and found their seats and sat down, except Thomas.
"Thank you elders for joining us. On this day we gather to discuss the discovery of a witch in our town."
Thomas says and everyone starts to whisper.
"Who is this witch in our town?"
The second elder said loudly.
"Axl knows about the witch, give him permission to speak my elder and he will explain."
Everyone looked at each other in confusion because no one other than the elders or Alpha spoke at the gatherings.
"Permission granted."
Said the 4th elder. The other elders looked at each other in confusion. Axl stood up as Thomas sat down.
"Thank you my elder. Cody is a young boy and discovered his powers yesterday afternoon. We know that once a witch demonstrates magic, the vampires sense it and hunt them down. This witch.....this boy needs our protection."
"DENIED! Witches are not who we protect. This goes against all of our laws!"
The first elder shouted.
"And how dare you bring this girl to our gathering!"
Said the third elder. Axl was silent, Thea was getting upset. She stood up raised her hands in the air and the flame from the fire rose high to the sky. Everyone got up from their chairs, frightened.
"How dare you talk to him that way! He is trying to ask for help to save an innocent boy!"
"A witch not a boy! And how dare you come on our lands in our town WITCH!"
The first elder said.
"You mean, VAMPIRE!"
Thea's eyes became Red. All the boys transformed into werewolves and growled. Axl stayed human, so did the elders.
"I'm also half werewolf!"
Thea grew out her claws and then growled the most terrifying growl. The wolves took a few steps back.
"IMPOSSIBLE!"
The third elder said. The fourth elder got up from his seat and walked slowly toward Thea.
"I have never heard of such a creature. So beautiful. My child, I welcome you to our land."
"WE HAVE NEVER WELCOMED A VAMPIRE! And we shall not start now!"
The second elder yelled.
"She, my brother, is also part wolf, we have never denied a wolf on our land either."
The fourth elder replied.
"I do not need to be welcomed, I can come and go as I please. I don't want to, but if I must I shall challenge all of you. I have lived 204 years and have never lost a fight. I have slaughtered cities and towns, ripped apart vampires, wolves and human's limb by limb for sport."
As Thea was talking, she looked over and saw Caleb in human form watching from the house.
"I have always thought I have been running away from being discovered by others, but now I know I have been running away from myself. This is who I am. A monster YES, but also a creature who wants to do the right thing and make the right choices. Cody is an innocent boy who thinks that because he is different, he should be ashamed of himself. I will not tolerate that kind of thought. As wolves our job is to protect the innocent. He is as innocent as they come. Vampires are coming to start a war. They will stop at nothing until Cody is dead, and I will not allow that to happen. Now I'm asking nicely, please help protect Cody, an innocent boy in YOUR town!"
Thea's eyes turned back to normal, her claws disappeared. The elders talked amongst themselves. Then Liam runs toward Thea and Axl and stands behind them in wolf form indicating he will help fight for Cody. Two other wolves joined Liam. Three more followed. Thomas still was hesitant because Thea was part vampire. Then Kristy comes running from the house toward the gathering and stops near her brother.
"Tommy, you have always made the right choices in your life. You always know what to do and how to help others. This would be the best choice you have ever made. You're going to be an uncle."
Kristy touched her stomach.
"If this baby has the wolf gene, I want to tell he or she that their uncle led his pack to fight for a little boy who was different. He fought because as a wolf you fight for the innocent no matter who or what you are."
Kristy put her forehead against her brothers, then walked and stood behind Axl and Thea. Thomas then let out a loud howl and walked over and stood with his sister. The other wolves then followed behind him. The fourth elder smiled.
"Here today my brothers, the wolves fight for the innocent, any innocent of any kind. The time has come for change."
The fourth elder said. The other elders nodded, but they were disappointed. They finally walked away from the gathering. Caleb was still watching from the house with a smile on his face. He was proud of Thea. The wolves all ran to the back of the house and transformed back to their human state.
"Thank you Kristy for your help."
Thea said.
"No, thank you. If this baby is a little wolf, then I want her or him to be just like you. Fight for what's right, not for what's in a rule book."
Kristy said as she touched her tummy.
"SHE."
"What?"
Kristy asked.
"You're going to have a baby girl. And SHE's going to be a strong little wolf."
"My little wolf! Our first girl wolf."
Kristy had tears going down her face and went to hug Thea.
"Oops! I'm so sorry. I forgot about the whole vampire thing."
Kristy backed away from Thea.
"It's okay. No worries."
"No, change starts now."
Kristy held out her wrist toward Thea.
"Here drink."
"Woah no Kristy it doesn't work like that. I'm sorry I can't. I don't want to hurt you."
"Kristy you will be putting Thea in a terrible position, she might not be able to stop drinking. So please go inside."
Axl said.
"No! Thea you need this. So please. I trust you."
Thea was conflicted, but she did need to get stronger. So, she took Kristy's wrist, her eyes got red, her fangs came out and she started to drink from Kristy. She then pulled away from Kristy and whipped the blood off from her mouth.
"Thank you."
Thea said. Kristy smiled and walked back toward the house. The pack then came out the house and walked toward Thea and Axl. Caleb still stayed by the house, watching by the door. Thomas and Axl shook hands.
"Now you have part of your army. Good luck with the others. You might need some help in case things don't go smoothly. You can take who you think will contribute the best."
Thomas told both Axl and Thea.
"Thanks Tommy, we will probably ask......." "CALEB!"
Thea cut off Axl and yelled.
"No! Thea it can't happen."
Axl said.
"Axl is right. Caleb is not in control. You will be trying to control him rather than trying to get the other packs to join you."
"No, I want Caleb to come, he's the best to contribute."
Caleb heard Thea defending him and walks over to them.
"You heard her fellas. Ease up."
Caleb said as he put his arm around Thea's shoulders, trying to taunt Axl.
"Caleb."
Thea whispered to Caleb because she knew he was messing with Axl. Caleb then took his arm off her with a smile.
"Thea please listen to me; this is not a good idea."
Axl said in a serious voice.
"I believe in him Axl. Trust me."
"Go pack a bag Caleb."
Thomas said with a worried voice. Caleb then left to go in the house to start packing.
"Look Thea I know you want to help him, but he's troubled, and he needs constant supervision. As soon as you see him get tense, just remind him to breathe and do whatever you have to do to calm him down."
Thomas said.
"I will."
Axl has a displeased look on his face. Caleb then joins them again soon after.
"Alright let's do this."
Caleb says. Then Liam comes running and hugs Thea.
"I'm going to miss you."
"Hey, remember my secret I told you. How to be strong like me?"
"Yes."
"Well I need you to practice because when your older, I think you're going to be the next alpha. I don't think these boys make the cut."
"Woah! Do you really think so?"
"Yes I do. So go practice and stay out of trouble."
"I will."
Liam then went to hug Axl goodbye.
"I'll see you when I get back, okay little man?" Axl said.
"Okay Axl."
Caleb, Axl and Thea then went into Axl's car. Caleb sat in the back seat while Thea sat next to Axl in the front. Axl turns on the car and they drive off as it was getting dark.