Breaking Free Read online

  Breaking Free

  A Young Adult Paranormal Romance Story

  by Gabby Stone

  all rights reserved copyright 2012 by Northern Starlight Young Adult Press

  cover image by Lex Thorne based in part on an image by Gunnar Ries

  “You broke into my house?” Jared was furious. He was pacing the leafy ground; he could not stand still. Emily clung to the bark of the redundant log, on which she was seated. She was full of fear. She hadn’t seen him like this before.

  “You can become human. It’s all here. Read it,” she replied. She held out the pages with her shaky, pale hands.

  “You broke into my house and tore out the pages of an ancient book. What the hell is wrong with you, Emily?” he shouted. He clenched his jaw and squeezed his fists until his knuckles were white. He was moving his head from side to side and getting more and more agitated.

  “I’m sorry,” she whispered. “I had good intentions; I thought we could be together,”

  Silence.

  “Emily, go home.”

  “But if you just …”

  “Go home!” he roared.

  His voice had changed and he was becoming more and more aggressive, as he moved closer to her. She watched him changing. His face was becoming red and his body was taking on a new form. He was trying to resist, but it was no good. The transformation was taking place and he had no control. Emily stood up and moved away from him. His roar became wolf-like and she now knew what was happening. He was beginning to shift, he was becoming a wolf. Emily turned and ran, she could feel him behind her, but she didn’t look back. She ran until she was clear of the woods.

  Back in her bedroom, she began to sob loudly. She struggled to gain her breath and she was unable to think clearly. She allowed the emotion to pour out of her. He was a monster. He was a monster and yet she loved him. She knew that now. She was in love with Jared Hoye and there was nothing she could do about it.

  ***

  Jared stood before the remote pack. The pack leader, Jackson, began to speak.

  “Explain your reasons for wanting the serum,” he said.

  “I am only eighteen years old and I have the chance to live a normal life. I don’t need the powers for anything. I’m just a simple teenager and wish to remain so. I lost my parents to this curse and I am already tired of the chaining and shifting. Yesterday I shifted in front of someone I care about, I frightened her and I think I may have lost her.”

  “Jared, you know that we are a peaceful pack. I am prepared to give you permission to take this journey, but you do realise how dangerous it is don’t you?”

  “I do,” said Jared, “but I am prepared for it. I will take on the challenge and I realise that I could die,”

  Jackson came out from behind his desk. “Jared, you will meet opposition along the way. Once your decision is final, it's released into the community. Anyone who wants to challenge you is free to do so. There are many out there that disagree with any wolf wanting to be human. Once I sign the declaration, I cannot protect you. Do you understand?”

  “I understand,” said Jared. His held was held high, he knew what he wanted to do. He wanted to be with Emily and this was the only way. “I understand.” he repeated.

  Jackson sighed as he signed the declaration. He handed it to Jared. “Good luck, Jared. I wish you the best,” he said. “You have to make your way to Paris and head to the Undercroft headquarters. Your elder will guide you.”

  Jared folded the declaration and slipped it into his pocket. His journey had begun. Now to tackle the Emily issue.

  ***

  The house felt empty. Emily had only the house keeper and the dog to keep her company this summer. Her family had always spent their summers in California, and this year Emily had decided to stay in England. She loved California, but she had wanted to attend a summer school for her art and hang out with her friends. Summer in England was beautiful, despite the bad press it received globally. With no messages on her phone and no one to hang out with, she decided to take the dog out for a walk. She checked her phone. Nothing. She felt hurt. She knew that Jared would be bad for her, but she could not help herself. She would take Buster the Pug, for a walk and text Jared when she came home.

  She sat at the bottom of the stairs and clicked Buster’s harness in place. She felt sick. A day without Jared was just horrible. She moved out of the door and made her way to the local woodland. Once inside the woods, she released Buster’s lead and let him run free. She watched him running happily through the trees. She took a seat on the bench nearby and waiting for him to return.

  “Good morning.” Emily looked up. A tall blonde in his early twenties was standing before her. He was cute.

  “Morning,” she replied.

  He too had a dog, it was cute and just a puppy. The blonde sat beside her on the bench.

  “I have a message for you, Emily,” he said.

  Emily’s whole body stiffened with fear. This was a message she probably didn’t want to hear. “Who are you?” she questioned.

  “Walk,” he ordered.

  He grabbed her wrist and pushed her forward. Emily began to walk. She could see Buster in the distance. Her heart was beating fast and the hairs on her neck were standing on end. This man was evil, she could feel it. He pushed her towards a clearing.

  “You see Emily; we don’t take kindly to the likes of you trying to interfere in our business. Who are you to go delving into secrets that have nothing to do with you?”

  His floppy blonde hair fell over his face; he pushed it behind his ears and revealed his grey, blue wolf-like eyes. His stare was intense and he seemed agitated.

  “I just wanted Jared to be the same as me,” she squeaked.

  Her voice was high-pitched with fear. She was scanning the area, searching for a good direction to run. Buster had disappeared completely, and she was now sure that this was not going to turn out well.

  “We all appreciate your efforts to help Jared, Emily. We have a solution to your problem,” he said.

  Emily was now surrounded by others. From above, a circle of eight people could be seen, with Emily in the middle. She knew now that she was doomed.

  Jared help me. I’m sorry, but please help me. The words were snaking around in her mind. Her mouth was dry and she became very pale. Her heart was beating so fast, it was out of control.

  “What do you want from me?” she said.

  She was putting on a brave front, secretly willing Jared, someone, to help her.

  “No Emily, we don’t want anything. We are here to help you. Like I said before, whilst you were secretly calling for your boyfriend, we have a solution to your problem,” he smiled.

  Emily was really afraid now; this man could read her mind.

  “Never underestimate the power of the dog,” he laughed. “Buster,” he shouted.

  He clicked his fingers and Buster was beside him within seconds. The dog sat obediently at the blonde’s side. The other men and women in the circle moved in closer and pushed Emily to the ground.

  “We’re going to make you one of us,” cackled one of the women.

  ***

  Jared made his way down the stairs, he had to see Emily. Had to apologise for his outburst. Had to explain what it was like being wolf and how he had changed his mind and decided to search for the serum.

  “Where do you think you”re going?” said Joe.

  “I’m just going out to meet friends,” replied Jared.

  Joe held up the ancient book. “Know anything about this?” he said.

  Jared knew he would have to come clean and tell Joe everything, but he didn’t get the chance before Joe added, “I told you not to mix with humans Jared. They attract trouble.”

  “Joe, I’m a teenager
. I have feelings. This girl has done something to me.”

  “I don’t believe this Jared; you have done everything I specifically asked you not to. Now that you have had the declaration signed, there is no going back. You have to complete the mission. It’s dangerous Jared, and you could die.” Joe sat with his head in his hands. “I thought that something like this would happen. Now it’s too late. You created your own death warrant. No one survives the quest for the serum. No one.” He took a deep breath. “I cannot help you son,” he said, “The only thing I can do for you is to send you to an elder, someone who will definitely help you.”

  Jared took a deep breath of his own. “Joe, I—”

  “Shush,” Joe said suddenly. “Can you hear it, can you smell it?”

  “Oh no ….. Emily!” shouted Jared.

  He grabbed his jacket, and they both rushed the car. The challenges had already started. The community were beginning to show themselves. Jared knew Emily was in trouble. Joe drove for only a minute or two, and then the two were crashing through the woods until they came to a small clearing. Jared rushed forward.

  “Emily! Oh, God! Emily!” Jared crouched down and held her head in his hands.

  Joe moved Jared out of the way. He placed his ear to her nose and mouth. “She’s breathing, but only just,” he said, “Let’s get her home,”

  The woodland was clear now. The scene looked woeful. Emily was motionless amongst the flora, her pale complexion splashed with red. A solitary dog sat next to her, whimpering. Jared scooped her up from the ground, fighting back his emotions, stroking her face, and calling her name. “Emily,” he whispered, “I’m so sorry my darling, I’m so very sorry.”

  They got Emily through the door of the small cottage. Jared carried her through to the lounge; she hung from his arms like a rag doll. There seemed to be little life left, if any.

  Joe stood at the back of the house and let out a loud, distressed howl. Within minutes Jackson appeared, he was naked from his swift change. Joe handed him a gown. He pushed his taught arms into the sleeves and made his way into the lounge.

  “What happened?” asked Jackson.

  “It was the Death Stalkers,” said Joe. “They’ve been waiting to get something on us. They knew Jared was sweet on Emily and moved in on her earlier today, after they heard about the declaration. They attacked her. I think she could be turning.”

  Jackson crouched beneath Emily and began to examine her. He wasn’t a doctor, but he’d been a nurse for twenty five years and had dealt with some pretty nasty injuries during the wolf wars. “This is definitely a death stalker attack, I recognise it anywhere. I can clean her injuries and stitch her up, but she will turn. Within the next thirty-six hours, she will be one of us. There’s nothing else I can do.”

  Jared moved out of the room and dropped to his knees. What the hell have I done? Sweet, wonderful Emily, was now a monster like him. She wasn’t given the choice. He couldn’t help himself, she had stirred up something within him and he could not resist her. Now she would pay for it, not him. She too would have a black heart like him. She would be yearning for flesh and blood, like him. He clenched his fists and moved out into the night. The darkness beckoned, his temper was black, and he began to shift. He could not control the rage inside him. First his bones began to change, his jaw, and his head. Hair grew within seconds and covered his entire body. He howled as he moved into the night, but he got himself under control and felt himself come back to normal.

  Emily was still unconscious. Her skin was pale and clammy. Jackson had done what he could. “She’ll be OK,” said Jackson. “I’ve only stitched the bad injuries; it will control the worst of the bleeding for now. Once she changes, all trace of the attack will be gone.”

  Jared walked to her and took her mobile phone from her jacket pocket. He first sent a text to the house keeper. Hi, staying with Megan tonight. See you tomorrow.

  He then sent a text to Megan. Told the house keeper I’m staying with you tonight. Back me up ;)

  That night Emily was made comfortable, whilst Joe and Jared got some rest. Jared however, could not sleep. His brain was too active. He had to start preparing for his mission to get the serum. The serum had begun with Emily and would end with Emily. Tomorrow he would begin. He would retrieve the serum, but he would retrieve it for her. He would give her back her life.

  BREAKING FREE is the third chapter of the exciting new series EMILY AND THE WOLF from Northern Starlight Young Adult Press and continues the story of Emily and Jared that began in MEETING THE WEREWOLF and ANCIENT BOOKS. It’s volume three of book one, JARED’S QUEST. Can an average teen girl help a young werewolf gain control of the demon within him? And if he can’t keep his animal under control, how can either of them be safe? And why are there so many strange things happening that make Emily think plenty of people would rather he never got a handle on his condition? Northern Starlight Young Adult Press presents the finest in young adult fiction.

 

 

  Gabby Stone, Breaking Free

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