“What?” I glanced around. Weren’t we still at Fangorn?
“I mean, if I found out you were a freak of nature, I’d be running.” Her shoulders hunched.
“Jules. I am a freak of nature. I like school and listen to instrumental music. I just don’t turn into a wolf.”
“Guess we deserve each other, then.” She grinned.
* * *
We had an extra rehearsal that Thursday for Show Choir. Competition was in a month, and we had to be ready. And funnily enough, I was playing Little Red Riding Hood again. One day when I was leaving, I ran into Gil exiting the band room, an instrument case in each hand.
“You play in the band too?” I asked, smiling at him. “Or something else?”
He looked guilty. “Sometimes we practice here. When everyone’s gone. Better acoustics.” He gave me a pleading look. He really was a puppy. “You won’t tell?”
“I’m very good at keeping secrets these days.”
One of his bandmates stuck his head out through the open door. “Gil, you need a ride?” The blond saw me and raised his eyebrows. “Or not?”
“I can take you home, if you want,” I said. “It’s so close.”
Gil’s grin should have worried me. Too confident. “Thanks anyway, Tad.” Gil started walking with me to the parking lot. “Appreciate it.”
I shrugged. “’Course. No complaining on the music choices though. I plan to listen to Britney Spears the whole way home.”
His eyes got so big, I thought they’d pop out.
I started laughing. “Kidding. Relax, Gil. Strictly rock on the way home. Promise.” I reached out for the instrument cases. “Do you need help carrying one of those?”
“No.” He looked offended. “I’m good.”
We went to the mostly empty parking lot. Gil seemed nervous, and my brain was weary. All week, I found I’d forget about the wolf thing for seconds or even a few minutes, and then something would trigger it again, sending me into the world of how and why. Nothing prepared me for movie-becomes-real-life events.
I unlocked the back door for him. “Do you not have to do the pack stuff that has Jules home after school every day?”
He tossed in his instruments, then scratched the back of this head, reminding me again of a puppy. Was it because I knew now? Or had they always been like this?
“I can.” He got in as I started the car. “It’s really Jules who has to practice. The rest of us have been doing it since we could first phase.” He put on his seatbelt.
“When was that?”
“Puberty.” His cheeks reddened.
“Oh.” I decided not to pursue that path of conversation. “Ezra said most male kids of shifters turn out to be shifters?”
He shook his head. “Not all. But yeah, most. Ninety percent or something.” He chuckled.
“What?”
“Nothing. Just cool to talk about it.” He smiled that “older than he seems” smile. “Ask away.”
“Thanks. I appreciate it. There aren’t really books about this.”
“No. Maybe you should write one.” He twisted to face me and reached out like he was going to touch my shoulder. I looked at him, and he dropped his hand immediately. He placed his hands on his legs, almost as if he was gripping them. “A human’s guide to the weird and warped.”
I laughed, feeling nervous. “I’ll think about it.”
“Any other questions?”
“I get the feeling that Jules is really special. Why?”
He paused, looking down at his hands. His lips were pressed together.
“You can’t tell me?” I was guessing.
“No.” He sounded truly apologetic. “And actually, I’m not even sure. Female shifters are really rare though. Like one a generation. Something about the two X chromosomes not meshing well with the gene.”
“There’s scientific study on this?”
“My dad’s a doctor. He’s studied it. So have pack members before.”
“Oh.” I turned into our residential area. “I just thought, you know…magic.”
“To quote my dad, ‘Any life is miraculous and magical.’” He fiddled with his leather wristband. “So yeah. Magic and science.”
I pulled into the Reade driveway. “Cool. Is your dad a vet too?”
“Actually, yeah. After he married Mom, he thought he ought to know both.” Gil paused. “She died…you know. Because of being a shifter.”
“What do you mean?”
“When she had me…she died. They say it’s because she was a shifter.”
“Gil, I’m so sorry.”
He shrugged. “I hate that I didn’t get to know her. Dad and Jonas make her sound really funny. She laughed a lot.” He rubbed his head. “Sorry. I’d better go…” He watched me a little longer. “Thanks for the ride.”
There was a pause, where his grin wavered. He scooted closer toward me.
“I’d better get home for dinner,” I said quickly.
He snapped out of whatever trance he was in and opened the door. “Yeah. Me too. See ya.” And he got out and opened the back doors to grab his stuff. Another moment of eye contact, and he hurried into his house. I left soon after that, unnerved.
Chapter Nine
I didn’t expect it to, but it did. It got normal. The added element of wolf-people in my life. Whenever Jules and I could venture out into the woods on our own, she’d phase and that could be just as fun. Even though we couldn’t talk to each other, most times that didn’t matter. She could sense my moods and, after a few afternoons of her being wolfy, I could pick up on hers. I was more affectionate with her when she was a wolf. I couldn’t help it; she was so soft. She got dirty and everything like a dog did, but if she was clean, she had the softest fur ever.
I got the feeling she felt safer in her fur than in her skin. After resisting what she was in the beginning, she seemed to be happy with it, which worried me because I liked having a human friend. Sometimes she’d just change so quickly, once we were away from the house and the pack. Not ask me or warn me, and I’d be left to pick up her discarded clothes.
“Jules,” I hollered several weeks later. I hadn’t gotten to come out to the Vardens for a few days. Competition for Show Choir was coming up and life was rehearse, rehearse, rehearse. And the pack did its own thing. Jules didn’t tell me a lot, and I hated being left out. As much as I liked that she could be her wolfself with me, I really wanted no secrets.
Today, we were out by the creek. She’d gone and changed, leaving me with my feet in the water. It was freezing, but felt good.
“Jules!” I called again. “Come back.” I let out a huge sigh, taking a stick and poking at the water with it. I heard the padding of wolf paws and I grinned. “’Bout time.”
I turned to see…not Jules. Definitely not a white wolf. This was the one from our discovery of Fangorn. Golden fur with green eyes.
“Ezra?” I gulped. “That you?” I remember what Naomi had said about looking like Ezra. But since human Naomi didn’t like me, I doubted her wolfself would like me either.
I paused in my train of thought. Did that mean I thought Ezra liked me? No, no. Silly, silly Sophie.
The wolf stepped closer, very much on edge. I could tell. When their fur was on end…not happy. I put out my hand, just like I would for a strange dog. The wolf sniffed it and then cocked its head to the side. I smiled. “You can’t pretend, you know? I’d know those eyes anywhere.”
Ezra-wolf’s fur flattened as he trotted to stand next to me.
“So, you as a wolf. Wow. I mean, I knew. But still, it’s weird to know that you know what I’m saying and just… I don’t think I’m gonna make sense.”
He pressed his muzzle against my arm, and I felt comforted. “Sorry. I’m still getting used to this. I mean with Jules, it’s like I can read her now. Haven’t really spent much time with the others. Can I pet you?” I lifted my hand and laid it on his head. He didn’t growl or move away, so I rubbed his head, scratching him behind the ears. “Dude, this is weird.” But I grinned at his wagging tail. “I have to say, you’re pretty for a wolf.”
Slight growl.
“It was a compliment. I can’t say a wolf is handsome or hot…that sounds weird.” I laughed, feeling a little giddy, only later realizing I’d called him hot. Not a smart move. “But your fur is pretty.”
He tipped his head on one side, visibly perplexed.
“So I lost Jules. I think she chased a squirrel or something. Do you guys do that?”
No obvious answer. I stroked his fur along his back. “I suppose there should be some sort of etiquette to how well I know you as a human to how much I pet you as a wolf.”
He snorted and stepped back, out of my reach.
“Sorry.” I didn’t know if I’d said too much or something to offend. “I just…” It was weird. I still liked him, but as a wolf, it was like playing with Slightly. Which meant I felt way too comfortable with him. “If you see Jules, tell her I’m still here.”
Ezra-wolf stood there for several seconds, contemplating me, then ran off.
“I’m gonna hate seeing you again in person,” I muttered.
“You talking to yourself?” Jules came out of the trees, in human form. I tossed her the shirt and sweats she’d been wearing without looking at her. “Oh. Was Ezra here?”
That answered that question for certain. “You can smell him?”
Dressed, she sat next to me and sniffed. “Yeah. Although…he was wolf?”
I nodded. “That was a new one.”
“Huh. Usually, he only changes with the pack. I know he disappears at night though. Running is more fun in wolf form.”
“Really?”
“I think Ezra likes to be alone. I don’t blame him. Being pack all the time. It’s suffocating.” She pulled out a leaf from my hair. “I like being with just you.”
“I’m not suffocating.”
She chuckled. “No. You’re safe.”
* * *
“Hey, fatty.”
I sighed heavily and turned to see Summer Harlan walking to my locker.
“My name is still Sophie,” I said bravely.
“Whatever. So what’s up with you and Freakgirl? You lesbo now?” She crossed her arms over her chest. I noticed her two friends behind her.
Trapping me.
My heart started to pound. I hadn’t done anything to annoy her, but apparently that didn’t matter. I existed, and for people like Summer, that was enough.
“We’re friends. Like you and them.” I pointed at the minions.
She laughed cruelly. “We’re nothing like the two of you. We’re normal. And pretty.”
My eyes tingled with unshed tears. “Sure, Summer. Whatever. Can I go now?” I moved to leave.
She blocked me. “Do your parents know? That their little church girl is getting her jollies—”
I covered my ears. I was being immature, but I didn’t want to hear it.
She grabbed my wrists and pulled down my hands. She was strong. “Listen here, you stupid little goody goody—”
“Problems?” A familiar male voice entered the fray. Ezra approached us, followed by Nick.
Summer’s hands dropped from my wrists. “Ezra, Nick…” Her voice softened and got breathy. “Hi. Sophie and I were just chatting.”
Nick draped an arm over my shoulders.
“Bet you were,” Ezra said. He touched my arm, his eyes meeting mine. “You all right?”
I nodded. Nick’s arm tightened around my shoulders.
To Summer, Ezra said, “You’re a girl, so I won’t do anything. But I have two sisters that could wipe the floor with you. Don’t mess with Sophie, all right?” His eyes were the coldest I’d ever seen them.
“I wasn’t…” She stopped at his glare. She gave up all pretense and sneered at me. “Thought you boys had taste.”
“We do. Doesn’t run toward stuck-up skank,” Nick said calmly. “’Bye now.” He wiggled his fingers at her.
Summer huffed and left quickly, her two friends tagging along.
“It’s a crime to be that hot and yet, that evil.” Nick patted my shoulder before dropping his arm.
I stared at them. “Why…why did you guys do that?”
Ezra rubbed the back of his neck, his eyes elsewhere.
Nick smirked. “You’re practically pack. Gotta protect our own, right, Ez?” He wiggled his eyebrows at Ezra. Ezra shoved him into the lockers, and Nick laughed. “She ever bothers you again, let us know. Jules would kick her ass easy.” He grinned bigger. “I’d pay good money to see that go down.”
“You’re a dumbass.” Ezra looked at me. “Going to lunch?”
I nodded, still shocked into silence.
“We’ll walk with you.”
“Protect our very own Red Riding Hood.” Nick’s arm wrapped around my shoulders again as he shot a smug look at Ezra. Ezra just glowered at him.
Chapter Ten
In fifth period Chemistry, a student came in to hand Mrs. Marino a note. She read it, looked at the student as he left, then back at the note. “Sophie?” The whole class paid attention.
“Yes?” Surely…
“Please report to the principal’s office.”
It went silent. Except for the Bunsen burners. I glanced at Ezra and Nick, who both wore looks of concern.
“Is something wrong?” I asked, my voice all wobbly.
“I don’t know,” she said. “But you better get going.”
I stood up, my legs shaking, and walked to the door.
“Are you sure it’s my name?” Dumb question. There really weren’t scads of Sophies in southeast Tennessee.
She gave me an impatient look, and I zipped out the door. I looked back and locked gazes with Ezra, who looked…questioning. I shook my head and mouthed, “I don’t know.”
I went to the office to see Jules already there. I stopped at the same time she looked up from her seat.
“What?” She tucked her white streak behind her ear. “What are you doing here?”
I shook my head. “I don’t know.” I sat next to her. “You?”
“No idea. I haven’t run into Summer lately, so things have been good.”
“Maybe someone died?”
“For both of us?”
My hands shaking, I could only shrug, my mind running through a billion scenarios.
“Hey,” she said, noticing and grabbing my hand. “Don’t worry. It’s probably nothing. I mean, what do you ever do wrong?”
My heart was pounding. “I almost cheated once.”
“What?”
“My folder with the answers was next to my desk and I pushed it open a little and saw an answer, but I felt so bad that I answered that question wrong on purpose.”