The Runaway Luna novel Chapter 1

Beep Beep Beep

My alarm pulls me out of my nightmares. The same one that has tormented my dreams ever since I was a little girl, when I watched my father take his last breath. He died when I was only six years old but the images were still burnt into my memory like it was just yesterday.

FLASHBACK*

"Jaelyn hun, your father will be home soon. Wash your face and put that dress on for me will you?" My mother calls from the other room, her tone firm yet sweet.

"Okay momma." I say back, scarfing down the rest of my chocolate cupcake. I skip into the kitchen to wash my face off before heading to my bedroom to change. Grinning, I grab at the pink fabric excitedly. My mother bought me a new dress specifically for today, since my dad will be home. He's been off training other packs for two years now but he was finally coming home.

Once dressed, I skip down the steps, calling out for my mom when a soft ping sounds out. The doorbell! Without a second thought, I sprint towards the door and swing it open.

"Daddy! Your home!" I yell, jumping on him. He wraps me in a hug, holding me for a while as if he never wanted to let go.

"Jae. You're so big!" His smile is wide but I notice a small tear fall down his face. Wiping it off I hug him again.

"Daddy don't cry." Without another word, I begin dragging him through the house, to the backyard. I knew how to cheer him up! I've been looking forward to showing him the garden that I helped momma plant. Once we reach the back yard, I let go of his hand and run toward the pink and red flowers along the pathway. "Look daddy, roses!" I grin up at him giggling, before leaning back down to get a whif of the sweet scented flowers.

"Honey it's beautiful, did you pick these out yours-" His smile dims all of the sudden and he's cut short by a low dangerous growl. Seconds later, a blood curdling scream rings out, my fear rising by the second. My mother! Frozen in what was either fear or shock, I barely notice him leave my side until I begin to turn slowly, not sure what I'm going to see, or whether I even want to.

As soon as I do, I wish I hadn't because the only thing I can see is my dad. Lying on the ground with claw marks down his side, the blood seeping quickly onto the grass. My brother Jered comes running into the backyard, a mangled cry leaving his mouth when he follows my gaze. The rogue that did this to him has already run back into the woods and disappeared. Gotten what he came for, I suppose?

Sitting up, I peek up at my brother's face, sadness welling up in me. He looks a lot like me. Blonde hair, piercing baby blues. I used to love the fact that my brother and I shared the same eyes, the same eyes as my mother, gentle and beautiful. But that was before. Things haven't been like that in a really long time.

"I'm up. I'll be down to cook in a minute." He may not act like my brother anymore but I refuse to fall to his level. A loud scoff erupts from him before he stomps back downstairs.

It's my sixteenth birthday today, tempting me to try and look presentable today. I mean, it's the day most of us find our mates and shift into our wolves for the first time. I'm still unsure of whether I should be excited or terrified, since almost the entire pack has been treating me like crap since my fathers death, i didn't have much hope. Moat were like Jered, convinced that it was my fault, not that I had ever tried to say otherwise.

Deciding on my favorite grey off the shoulder top and a pair of black skinny jeans, I sigh. I hate to say that these are probably the only good clothes I actually have. My mother buys me things but something always ends up ruining them, so I started saving my nice stuff for special occasions.

I slip my light blonde hair into a messy bun before going downstairs. The smell of food alarming me as I enter the kitchen. Cautiously I look in, breathing a sigh of relief when I see my mother. One of the few people I still had in my corner. Occasionally she would try to beat me to things so I didn't have to do so much.