Prolouge

A little background info on Autumn

{Autumn's P.O.V.}

It's been a year and a half since I was kidnapped on November 5, the day before my birthday. I was gone for 4 months before I was found.

After I was found I was finally reunited with my older brother Blake, who I thought I would never see again.

Since our parents were killed that day we moved in with our Aunt Kelly so we could start over fresh in the town she lived in.

We moved in over the summer and had three months to get settled down. Soon school would be starting and I was a little worried and scared about being around people I didn't know.

Only my brother and my Aunt Kelly knew why I didn't like crowds, other people touching me or being around guys.

The only time I don't flinch or have a panick attack is when I around my brother or my Aunt Kelly.

As long as I had my family then I would be okay. But what I didn't know was that on the first week of school I would meet someone that would change my life forever.

CH. 1 First Day Of School

{Still Autumn's P.O.V.}

I didn't have to worry about wanting to stay in bed longer after I heard my alarm go off because there was no point when you have nightmares that keep you up.

Most of the time I tired going back to sleep, but it would just make it worse.

"Autumn Rose breakfast is ready!" I heard Aunt Kelly yelled from downstairs.

She always use my first and middle name when she wants me to do something.

"Coming!" I replied.

I pulled myself out of bed to get a quick shower.

Once I was done with my shower I went to my closet to find something to wear.

I pulled out a pair of dark skinny jeans, a grey and purple stripped tee with sleeves that came to my elbow, a white tank to go underneath and a pair of Blake's old biker boots.

After getting dressed I put my hair up in a messy bun, grabbed my phone, house keys, and school bag.

I made my way out my room and down the hall.

When I got to the kitchen I took a deep calming breath so Blake wouldn't ask what was wrong like he always does.

"Morning little sis," Blake grinned before pulling me into a big bear hug.

"Morning to you too big bro," I smiled sleeply.

Blake looked at my narrowing his eyes to find something wrong, but all he did was smile and went to fill his plat full of food.

I sighed in relief when he didn't ask me nothing.

Blake was wearing dark jeans, a blue tee with his new pair of biker boots.

It was easy to tell we were siblings cause we had the same hair color.

I had long curly auburn hair with bright emerald green eyes that sometimes turned a pale green.

While Blake had short wavy auburn hair with warm hazel eyes.

After sitting down next to Blake, my Aunt placed two plates down in front of us with food filled on them.

She made eggs, bacon, sausage, and toast with orange juice.

By the time I had finished eating Blake was already finished with his second plate.

"You are such a pig," I laughed at Blake as I put my plate in the sink.

"Whatever. So that's where my boots went?" Blake questioned pointing down at my feet.

"Yah, I stole them cause they fit me and there comfy too," I smiled.

Blake stood there for a few seconds then smirked, "So you had them the entire time I was looking for them?"

I nodded my head yes patting his cheek.

He laughed, "Well then I'm glad you have them cause that means that I didn't waste money buying my new ones."

Then we said bye to our Aunt Kelly and went to grab our jackets from the coat closet.

I took one of Blake's old hoodies that was black and he grabbed his leather jacket.

Stuffing the hoodie in my bag I took a deep breath before following my brother out to the car.

I just pray that my first day is not bad.

CH. 2 Meeting Zoe

{This chapter will be split into both Autumn's and Blake's P.O.V.S}


{Autumn's P.O.V.}

The whole car ride to school I just starred out the window.

I was trying not to freak out too much that would cause Blake to worry.

Blake pulled in the parking lot and got out to come around and open the door for me.

"Just breath Autumn, ok? You're gonna be fine, nothing is going to happen to you here," Blake resurred me as he slung his arm over my shoulders.

Breathing slowly I shrugged, "I know as long as your close by that everything will be fine. I'm just a little scared that's all."

Since my brother was a Shifter or werewolf as some call them, I knew I would be safe.

We have a closer bond than most siblings our age would ever have.

Blake has been very protective of me since that day and I don't blame him for being that way, I mean, who could.

We walked through the front doors of our new school so Blake could get our schedules.

People starred at us as we got closer to the main office.

I stayed close by Blake's side when we got to the front desk.

I was freaking out just enough that I wasn't paying any attention to Blake trying to give me my schedule.

"Autumn?" I heard Blake question.

This is no time to be freaking out when you haven't even started class yet.

"I'm ok," I repiled taking my schedule and comparing it to his.

We had a total of 8 classes and every other class I had with him, starting with 2nd.

This was going to be harder because I would have to start my 1st class off with not knowing anyone.

Shit. I'm totally going to have a panick attack.

"There's nothing to worry bout. Just remember that the principal and all our teachers already know what happend because Aunt Kelly told them so it would make it easier on us in case something happend," Blake informed me.

My Aunt Kelly had told me and Blake last night all of this because she didn't want there to be any problems in case I had a panick attack or just needed to leave school early.

To make myself feel better I asked Blake a question that I already knew the answer too.

"You'll have your phone on right? And if I want to leave early from my classes or anything I can do that too?"

Blake hugged me tightly, "Yeah, I'll have my phone on at all times so you can call me anytime you need to and if you need to leave class early then you can do that."

"Ok. I think I'm ready to go to 1st now,"

When Blake pulled out of the hug we went to go find our lockers and I was happy to see that they near each other.


{Blake's P.O.V.}


There were two lockers in between my locker and Autumn's.

As I opened my locker to put my things away I heard someone ask Autumn a question.

I looked up to see a girl with short wavy red hair and warm chocolate brown eyes opening up the locker next to Autumn's.

She was the same height as my sister which had to be about 5'5 since I was about 6'3.

"Hi my names Zoe! What's yours?" the girl smiled to my sister.

Autumn took a small enough step back from the girl named Zoe that she didn't even notice.

Closing my locker quickly, I went to stand next to Autumn so she didn't freak out.

"It's nice to meet you Zoe. I'm Blake and this is my sister Autumn we're new here," I smiled back, placing my arm over Autumn's shoulder so that she would relax.

Zoe's smile got even bigger, "That means I get to show ya'll around school. This is going to be so awesome cause I get to hang with the new kids."

Wow! Zoe is a really bubbly person in the morning.

I looked down at Autumn and noticed that she was smiling too. Maybe being friends with Zoe will help her feel more comfortable in school when I'm not around.

"Do you mind if I see if we have any classes together?" Zoe asked.

"No I don't mind," Autumn said handing Zoe her schedule.

Zoe then started jumping up and down clapping her hands.

"We have the same classes together! Now I'll have someone to finally talk to!"

This made me feel even better that Autumn would know at least one person in the classes that I didn't have with her.

"Do you mind if I hang out with you Zoe?" Autumn asked shyly.

Zoe smiled at me for a few seconds then looked at Autumn.

"That would be so awesome because I don't have many friends to hang out with here either and Blake can hang with us too,"

This time Zoe looked me in the eyes and I felt a spark flow through me and I knew she did too because she glanced from me to my sister.

In that moment I knew that she was my mate. Maybe that's why Autumn didn't shy away from Zoe when she wanted be friends with her.

CH. 3 Mr. Badass

{Hunter's P.O.V.}

I felt like some kind of stalker just standing there at the end of the hall way watching as the new kids talked with Zoe.

Being a Shifter or werewolf, whichever way you wanted to call it, aloud me to have great hearing, sight, strength, and speed.

So I listend in on the coversation that Zoe was having with them.

I watched as Zoe got closer to the girl who seemed to shrink back away from her like she was afraid.

When the guy saw that he put his arm over her shoulder and she relaxed a bit.

I heard the guy introduce themselves to Zoe.

He said his name was Blake and the girl next to him was his sister Autumn.

The guys name sound familiar to me.

Then I thought back to over the summer when I met a guy named Blake who was like me and had a sister that I never met yet.

So that's them. Well, since they go here now that means Blake can't keep me from meeting his sister.

The whole time Blake and Zoe were talking I noticed that Autumn was trying not to shake.

As Zoe was looking at Autumn's schedule I felt someone's gaze on me.

I looked to up to see that it was Autumn.

She seemed to relax even more because she turned to Zoe and asked if they could hang out together.

Wow! Did that just happen? She can't be my mate? Can she?

Oh man! I then felt the need to get to know her better.

I knew that Autumn wasn't like most of the girls in this school, which was a great thing.

Most girls here think I'm a badass, a player or a man-whore.

Well, I was a badass and sort of a player too, but if Autumn's my mate then my ways are going to change.


{Autumn's P.O.V.}

When we heard the warning bell ring telling us that we had four minutes till class started, Blake turned to look at me.

"I'm gonna head off to 1st, but I'll see you and Zoe in 2nd, ok?" Blake said hugging me.

"Yes and if something happends I'll ask the teacher if I can leave then I'll make sure to call you," I whispered that last part so Zoe wouldn't hear.

"Come on Autumn," Zoe said yanking on my arm, "Were gonna be late if you don't move," she contiuned on.

I tried my best not to flinch when she grabbed my arm, but it was no use cause Zoe noticed and automatically let go and starred at me confused.

Her smile turned into a frown, "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to grab your arm like that."

I took a deep breath trying to smile back, "It's ok. I'm just not used to being touched by other people besides my brother or my Aunt Kelly. It'll just take some time for me to get used to being around other people."

Zoe nodded her head and smiled back at me, "I understand Autumn and I'll try to be more careful next time."

I was glad when she didn't ask questions about why I felt this way and I was greatful for that.

"I'm ok now and thanks for understanding Zoe. It means a lot to have a friend like you," I laughed slowly linking arms with her.

When I did that Zoe smiled the biggest smile I have ever seen.

We walked the rest of the way to class this way.

As more kids crowded through the door I froze.

Zoe must have realized that I was a little afraid of crowds.

Unlinking our arms she told me, "I'll go grab us seats in the back and let the teacher know that you went to the restroom. This means you don't have to worry about any crowds as you're trying to get to class."

I felt relief flow through me because she wasn't trying to make me do something I felt uncomfortable with.

"Thanks Zo. You really are the best friend ever," I hugged her quickly.

"Ha ha! I knew that already,"

With that she walked off leaving me alone in the hall.

I took a few claming breaths telling myself that everything would be ok and there was no need to freak out.

Feeling more relaxed I headed towards the classroom knowing there was no reason to have a panic attack.

Well at least that's what I thought until I ran into someone's hard chest.

I braced myself to keep from falling to the ground, but soon realised that I hadn't moved at all.

I could have sworn that I ran into someone.

Then I noticed that two warm hands were holding me by the waist keeping me from falling.

'Just breath Autumn' I told myself.

I slowly looked up to see who had saved me.

When I locked eyes with him I all of a sudden felt safe and secure.

Then I realized that this guys was the same guy I had seen this morning when I had met Zoe.

"So you must be Autumn? Well I'm Hunter and it's nice to finally met you," he said smirking.

CH. 4 Can't Run From Your Past

{Hunter's P.O.V.}

After I told Autumn my name I slowly leaned back up and let go of her waist.

I noticed that she didn't freak out about me touching her like she did when Zoe grabbed her arm early.

When she had locked eyes with me I saw them go from a pale green to a bright emerald green.

I knew she was trying to keep herself from freaking out cause she kept taking slow deep breaths.

I could tell that Autumn knew that she had no reason to worry about me hurting her.

As her eyes had locked with mine I saw that Autumn's body had relaxed because she knew that she could feel safe and secure with me.

The sparks that flew through me told me that she was my true mate.

The only thing that I couldn't figure out was why she was so afraid to be around other people and also why Blake didn't like me asking about her.

After letting go of her waist I took a small step back, "So Autumn, I see you have met Zoe already?"

"Umm... Yeah I did," Autumn said quietly.

"Well Zo's a great friend to have around and I know that she's going to ask you to come sit with us at lunch too," I told her with a smile.

It was true. I knew Zo would ask Autumn and Blake to come sit with us at lunch.

I've been friends with Zoe for almost four years now.

Since I knew that Autumn was my mate I was going to help her feel safe again.


{Autumn's P.O.V.}

For some reason I felt safe around Hunter like I did with Blake, but with Hunter it felt different.

I headed off towards 1st with Hunter following behind me.

As soon as I entered the classroom I saw Zoe sitting in the back with two etxra seats to the right side of her desk.

Dropping my bag down to look at the floor I took my seat next to Zoe.

Zoe smiled when I sat down next to her pulling out my notebook and pen as we got ready for class.

The room around me started to feel smaller and smaller. Just sitting in a classroom full of kids I didn't know was making me freak out.

My breathing started to become faster and my heart was beating loudly in my chest.

I thought that if I sat next to someone I knew then my panic attacks wouldn't be as bad, but I guess even sitting next to Zoe couldn't help the memories from coming back.


{Flashback}

The enemy pack that had taken me also had killed my family.

I didn't know what day or month it was, but from what I had been able to pick up on was that this enemy pack had taken me for a reason.

I had learned that I was the first female wolf to born in over a thousand years, but I wouldn't shift until I was 18.

I remember being locked in a small dark room that only had one tiny window that was to high up for me to reach.

The beatings came everytime I tried to escape or if I refused to do something the pack leader wanted.

Toby was the one that had joy out of beating me any chance he got and to him that was often.

To him I was just his human toy that he beat on, but that would change once I turned 18.

{End Of Flashback}

I sat in the chair knowing that I wasn't really having a flashback, it was more of just the memories of me trying to force the flashback out of my mind.

I didn't even notice Hunter sitting in the seat next to me.

Soon I couldn't take it anymore, I grabbed my things before my flashback become a vivid nightmare in front of me and ran out the room.

CH. 5 Trying To Feel Safe Again

{Autumn's P.O.V.}

As I ran out the room I didn't even bother calling Blake.

I ran down the hall and out the doors towards the track outside.

Luckily there was no one out here as I tried my best to keep the memories away, but I couldn't.

I burst into uncontrolable tears as I sank down in the grass outside the track.

Pulling my knees up to my chest I wrapped my arms around myself and continued to cry.


{Flashback From Before}

Everyday Toby, who was the pack leader, would come tell me that I was going to be his son's mate.

Toby wanted to combine my father's pack and his pack together by me marrying his son Max.

My father refused because he didn't want to force me to marry someone that wasn't my mate.

That's when Toby showed up at my house trying to reason with my father, but that day only turned out to be one of my worst nightmares.

I was laying in the dark room that Toby kept me in waiting from my next meal.

The door opened and I felt the warm sunlight shine on my face, but it quickly disappeared when the footsteps got closer.

I looked up to see Max crouching down next to me. He and his father were the only two people out the entire pack that haunted my dreams at night.

Max then reached down grabbing my arms yanking me to my feet.

I knew what was going to happen next and it was something that I didn't want to relive again.

Before I could stop the memory from poping in my head it flashed in front of my eyes.

Slapping, hitting, kicking, punching, anything that could cause me pain Toby and Max did to me.

It's because of them that I'm afraid to be alone with a guy, that I flinch at someone's movement if it's too fast, that I'm afraid of the dark and don't like it when I'm in a locked room.

Even if I can over come those things in my life, it's trusting someone again that will be the hardest thing because you never know when they will try to use your fears against you.


{End Of Flashback}

Once my flashback had gone away, I sobbed even harder into my arms just wanting to disappear from this cruel world.

There was no point in even calling Blake becasue my panic attacks where something that not even my brother could calm me down from.

I just had to let them pass on there own. Then I heard footsteps from behind me and automatically shrank back.

"Autumn, it's ok. I'm not going to hurt you in any way. All I want to do is help you," I heard Hunter's soft soothing voice say.

For some reason I felt myself calming down as Hunter came closer to me.

{Hunter's P.O.V.}

As soon as Autumn ran out the classroom I knew something was wrong because I could feel it in my chest.

After about ten minutes I left the room and followed the scent of my small scared mate.

Her scent led me all the way out to the track where I saw Autumn in the grass holding her knees to her chest.

She was sobbing quietly, but I could still hear her.

Slowly I walked towards her and as I got closer I noticed Autumn shrink away from me.

"Autumn, it's ok. I'm not going to hurt you in any way. All I want to do is help you," I tried to say in my most calming soothing voice.

Autumn pulled her head up and starred at me with tears still falling down her face.

I had dark blue eyes and long straight black hair that had a hint of blue to it with bangs that hung over my left eye.

To most people I was intimidating to look at and compared to Autumn I was much bigger.

Autumn watched me as I slowly sat down in front of her on the grass.

"Do you mind if I sit out here with you until you feel better Autumn?" I asked trying to get her talking.

Her sobbing had stopped and she slowly sat up straighter, "No it's ok."

I smiled that she didn't mind me staying with her.

"Are you ok? Would you like me to walk back inside with you?"

I stood up and held out my hand for her to take. If she took it then I knew that she trusted me enough to touch her and be around her.

CH. 6 Trusting Him

{Autumn's P.O.V.}

I watched as Hunter stood up and offered me his hand to take.

For some reason I still felt safe around him. Slowly I lifted my smaller hand and put it in his larger one.

As soon as my hand touched his I felt warm sparks jolt through my body.

Hunter pulled me up softly from the ground not letting go of my hand as he lead the way back to the school.

Normally I would have flinched at his touch because of all the memories, but his touch was different.

It was gentle not brutal like Toby and Max's.

Before we got to the door to go inside, a small group of guys walked out.

Seeing them walking towards us I shrank closer into Hunter's side clutching the back of his shirt.

Hunter noticed what I was doing and gently pushed me half way behind and put wrapped one of his arms protectively around my waist.

When one of the guys saw me next to Hunter her grinned down at me.

I felt Hunter stiffend next to me as his let out a low growl.

"So Hunter I see you've met the new girl? How about after your done with her you pass her on to us?" the guy said.

"Back off James unless you want your ass whipped!" Hunter growled again.

James stepped closer to us, "Come on Hunter. We just want to have some fun."

As this was going on I tried not to have a panic attack. For some reason being around Hunter made me feel safe, but I still couldn't help the fact that deep down inside I was scared.

Why did I have to be so broken? Why couldn't I feel safe and secure without having my horrible memories haunt me around evey corner.

All I wanted was my old life back. To be able to go to school without having a panic attack, or be able to leave the house without fearing everyone around me.

I just want to be loved and to be able to trust people again especially guys.

"If you don't back off then you'll regret it James," Hunter threatend him just as the bell rang.

James backed off and left with his group following behind.

As we walked through the doors I saw Blake coming our way with Zoe right next to him.

"I want to go home right now Blake," I almost cried out as I took a step away from Hunter.

Blake's smile went away and he frowned at me, "What's wrong Autumn? Are you ok?"

I tried not to cry because all I wanted to do was to get away from here and go home.

"Please, I just want to go home," I whispered as I felt a tear slide down my face.

Before Blake could say anything I headed out towards to the parking lot.

Blake turned to Zoe and kissed on the check saying bye and then looked at Hunter before walking off.

By the time I got to the car I couldn't hold it in anymore. Slowly I let myself cry quietly in the car.

I heard the driver's door open and the car start up. I didn't bother to look up or to even open my eyes.

When the engine turned off I opened the door and ran inside the house start upstairs to my room.

Throwing my bag on the floor I crawled onto my bed and curled myself in the corner wrapping my arms around knees.

While I was crying I thought about how much I wanted my old life back.

All I wanted was my family back, but I knew that was never going to happen.

Even though I have my brother and my Aunt Kelly I still feel like there is something missing inside of me.

I want so badly to tell Hunter about my past, but I'm afraid to trust him with what is left of my broken heart.

CH. 7 Feeling Safer

{Hunter's P.O.V.}

I still can't get the image of my small mate, Autumn, running out the school almost in tears.

It's been two days since I've seen Autumn at school and me and my wolf are going crazy because we haven't seen or heard from her.

I know that Zoe has been giving Blake Autumn's school work to take home to her.

From what I could tell just by talking to Autumn those couple of times that something must have happend to her in the past that has her acting the way she does around people.

After my last class I made my way to my locker and noticed Zoe waiting for me with Blake standing next to her.

"Hey Hunter!" Zo screamed cheerfully.

"Hey Zo! Are you ready to head home?" I asked closing my locker back up.

Blake looked at Zoe with a confused face.

"Wait? Ya'll live together?"

Zo smiled sheepishly at Blake, "Umm... Yah, Hunter's my half brother."

Blake took a moment to let what she said sink in.

His eyes widen in shock, "So.. Does that mean you know what he is?"

Zo grinned, "Yah I know what Hunter is. I also know that you are just the same as him too and that I'm also your mate."

Blake just nodded his head slowly at Zo turning his head towards me.

"Well then that means we need to explain this to Autumn. So if you want, you and Zo can just follow me home and we can work this out."

I tried to hold in my excitment that Blake was allowing us to come over. This was a good time to see Autumn and figure out what happend yesturday.

Zoe rode with me as I followed behind Blake to his house.


{Autumn's P.O.V}

I had stayed home for the past two hiding in my room.

The memories were just too much and being in school with all those kids didn't help any.

My Aunt Kelly tried her best to get me whatever I needed for the day before leaving to go to work.

Her and Blake did their best to give me space because they knew that I was better off being left alone.

To tell you the truth, I didn't want to be left alone anymore. But I couldn't burden my family more than I already did.

In my heart I know that I wasn't there no more, but in my head, I feel like no matter where I'm at that I'll always be there.

I'm slowly losing pieces of myself and it's killing me inside.

As I was sitting curled up on my bed in the corner I heard someone pull in the driveway.

I saw that it was my brother home from school and then I noticed another car behind his.

I dedcided to go downstairs so that my brother didn't have to come get me.

Sitting in the corner of the couch in the living room I waited for the front door to open.

Footsteps got closer and louder down the hallway as Blake walked in followed by two people I didn't expect to see.

Zo smiled when she say Autumn sitting on the couch.

"Hi Autumn! I missed you at school these past two days," she smiled, but I could hear the sadness in her tone.

I was still getting used to people actually talking to me and allowing me to talk with them too.

"Hi Zo," was all I could manage to say to her.

Then I felt a strong presences in the room and I looked to see Hunter standing behind Blake and Zo.

For some reason I felt safe, calm, more at ease whenever I was near him.

Then I had this sudden urge to be close to him.

Tears started to burned in my eyes when I saw the look on Hunter's face.

He was smiling the biggest grin I've ever seen. It was almost as if he knew what I was thinking.

Zo looked at Hunter then back at me smiling before taking my brother by the hand and going into the kitchen.

Normally after having a panick attack like I did at school, would leave me not wanting to be around anyone, but with Hunter I wasn't afraid.

Hunter came closer towards Autumn wanting to be as close to her as possible.

When he had seen the tears in her eyes he knew they were happy ones, not sad ones.

Huter knew that she was starting to feel the pull now and that she could trust him.

When Hunter got cloes enough to me I jumped up and threw my arms around his neck holding him tightly.

Hunter wrapped his arms around Autumn's waist pulling her tighter to his chest, happy that she felt safe enough with him to allow this much of close contact.

"Thank you for coming with my brother today! I'm really glad your here cause I feel so much safer with you around just like I do with Blake, but different," I mumbled into his neck just loud enough that he could hear what I said.

CH. 8 Going Out

Impressum

Texte: shilohann.349
Bildmaterialien: shilohann.349
Tag der Veröffentlichung: 07.03.2012

Alle Rechte vorbehalten

Widmung:
"THE TRUTH MAY HURT FOR A LITTLE WHILE BUT A LIE HURTS FOREVER" Dedicated to katrinacjoyce for the awesome cover she made for my book!! Also to my family and friends who have always been there for me!! Thank you for everything and I love ya'll very much!!