Chapter 5-02

I looked down, blushed, and shook my head. "Did you speak?" Josh asked. I sighed and nodded. Once, I thought ruefully, flinching as horrid memories flashed through my mind. He reached out and pulled up my sleeve, revealing five long, slender bruises from where my father had pinned my wrist up against the wall and threatened to rape me. Of course he didn't, because even he had lines that he wouldn't cross. And that was one of them. "What happened?" he questioned, bringing his eyebrows together and gazing at me with those eyes. I froze, and my fingers began trembling as I was transported back to my nightmares. I whimpered, but instinctively did not try to remove my hand from his grip. It was gentle, but in my mind, it was my father's large, strong fingers choking me again. The wall that I had imagined crumbled to the ground. Please let go of me, I thought. Immediately, Josh's hand returned to his side of the table. Danny! My wolf cried. Are you alright? Did someone hurt you? He growled. I-I'm… f-fin-e. I stuttered, overwhelmed with fear. Tell me who hurt you, Danny. He demanded, and I could hear anger seeping into his voice. I glanced over at Josh, who was gazing at me, his eyes now hard and curious. I-I… I can't do that. I ne-need something t-to call you. I said, needing to change the subject. I heard him sigh in his thoughts. Depends on what you think I am. I really wish you'd tell me who hurt you, Danny. I took a deep breath to steady myself. I really wish I could too, but I don't even know why you care so much. Neither do I… ugh, fine, Danny. I loved the way he said my name. But, seriously, what do you think I am? Well…a wolf that knows English, can speak it well, acts human… werewolf makes sense, but that's impossible. I think… you aren't a werewolf, are you? Please tell me I'm not crazy. You seem to bounce back from fear very fast. Almost like…you experience it a lot. You didn't answer my question. I said, ignoring his assumption. He sighed again. Fine. Yes, I'm a werewolf. And no, you're not crazy. I gulped and placed my head down on the table. My shoulders shook faintly. Does that mean you have a human form too? I didn't like that. It made my wolf seem more…real. Like he wasn't just mine, but other people—humans—actually knew him. It just made it that much harder to talk to him. Yes, I do. I don't use it much, since we still act like a wolf when we are human. But these days, it's the only way we can live comfortably. We? My pack and I. Your pack? Yes, my pack. I am the alpha. You know about wolves? Yes, but…aren't you a little young to be alpha of an entire pack? I'm almost eighteen. He said defensively. Besides, I'm not the alpha of an entire pack. Only the youth pack. As soon as one of us starts shifting, they officially belong to my pack and not my father's. Eventually, we'll move up as the older generation begins to die out and become the elder pack. It's all very complicated when you haven't grown up with it. Uh…okay? He laughed. See? Very complicated. Who are you in human form? I can't tell you that. Why not? If it gets out that werewolves live amongst humans…it wouldn't be pretty. World War III? I asked, considering me clever since I was in history class. I snickered. Exactly. He agreed. And if I guess? I wouldn't answer correctly; it's that much of a secret. Sucks really, but it's needed. But if you ask me, or tell me when you're certain, out loud, then I promise I will answer truthfully. I swear. Out loud? I squeaked. You gotta come out of your shell sometime, Danny. You don't understand! I don't speak just because I'm shy! Please. …then why don't you speak? That's my problem. I whispered. Why can't it be mine too? Because you wouldn't understand! No one would. It's my life. Not yours. Let me handle it. I don't even know your name; I still don't even know what to call you! I ranted. Are you done, or do you still need to fume to someone that will actually listen? He didn't ask it sarcastically, but like he really wanted me to talk to him about anything and everything. I'm done, I whispered, lowering my eyes to the tiled floor. Really. I'm here if you need me. I still don't know what to call you… I was so embarrassed; I could feel my cheeks heating up. Er… Alpha? Wolf? I don't know. I kinda like Wolf…makes you seem like the big bad wolf in an old fairy tale that everyone's afraid of. I think I'll just stick with my wolf. So I'm your wolf? He chuckled. Yes. And don't you dare say you're not, or I swear I'll burst out crying right now. You're the only person I've had a real conversation with for almost two and a half years. Fine, okay, I'm your wolf. He laughed, but it sounded more like a scoff. Whatever makes you happy is fine by me. Will I ever see you in your human form? Like I said, you're a smart girl…figure it out. And when I do? I have no idea. "Hey, Danny, do you text?" Josh asked me, tilting his head towards me. I shrugged. He held out his left hand to me, a sharpie in his right. "May I see your hand?" I blinked and hesitated before placing my hand in his. He scribbled numbers on the back of my hand. "Text me—or call me if you finally want to talk—anytime." He winked. I blushed faintly and nodded, pulling my tingling hand back to me. I just got someone's number… a guy's number! Internally, I squealed, and smiled. My wolf spoke again, saying sarcastically, You might want to block me out again; I don't think you wanted me to hear that. Hey…that's so not fair! He just laughed. Do you go to this school, Wolf? Haha. Sounds weird, doesn't it? Just a little bit. He laughed with me. But, yea, I do. Yes! That narrows it down even more. Sure, okay. Good luck, Danny. Don't forget to text Joshua