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I know this seriously sucks, but I wrote it in my senior year and it was my first story. The teacher also wanted it to be very specific on looks so I wasn't very creative when introducing things and all the characters are kind of similar and balnd in my opinion. I want to try and rewrite it if I can this summer. Also because it was a paper for class there is a time skip, but I made it make sense so no biggy. If/When I rewrite it then it will be much longer with much better grammar, punctuation, etc if I can help it. I will make it epic win! So here you go and I hope you enjoy my epic fail :P

Freedom Trails

In the mountains of Indiana, East of the small suburban town called Hope, there lies a cave. Outside this dark, damp cavern a man paces nervously.

The man is tall, six feet to be exact. He has medium length, spiked, dark brown hair. The man is of average build and is lightly muscled. His skin is pale and reddish in the night. His angular sapphire-blue eyes flash as muffled whines echo from the depths of the den.

The man walks into a clump of bushes and seconds later a wolf emerges from their leafy embrace. The wolf is approximately two and a half feet high at the shoulder and five feet long. His thick white fur aids him in the fading winter cold and hides him in the frost dusting the ground. Hearing the sounds coming from the cave his eyes flash to the mouth of the cave. "Love, are you okay?" he barks.

"If you mean am I well then yes," a tired voice emanating from the rock shelter answers.

"And the pups? How are they?" asks the wolf-man.

"Come in and find out," says the voice. The man-wolf pads into the dark depths of the burrow and cautiously sniffs out his mate and pups. Curled up in a furrow in the dirt are the wolf's wife and four multicolored wriggling masses of fur. The large black wolf curled around the pitiful lumps raises her head and murmurs, "Be quiet, they just fell asleep. They are just so perfect, right Jacob?"

Jacob silently strides to the black wolf, rubs noses with her, and replies, "They are the most beautiful things I have ever seen I my life, excluding you of course, Marie." Adoration sparkles in his eyes as he walks to his children and settles down to keep watch over them.

"I love you, too Jake," says Marie. The tips of her ears redden as she gazes lovingly at her husband.

Suddenly a voice coming from the cave entrance breaks the silence. "You need to get back to town before someone notices you left," echoes the voice.

A brown and black wolf slowly strolls into the mouth of the burrow and then to the little family therein. Grizzled grey fur is beginning to grow along her muzzle and flanks. She is followed closely by another reddish-black wolf. "Sora, I mean Swift Paw, what are you doing here?" Marie yelps causing the pups to roll in their sleep.

"Making sure you don't give our secret away," snaps Swift Paw, but then chuckles.

"At least the pups know by instinct which form to be in. Whatever form their mother takes, they take," barks the red and black wolf, speaking for the first time. She edges around Swift Paw to take a closer look at the pups bundled next to their doting mother.

"I agree, Elizabeth, we do not want Liwanu asking even more questions," growls Jacob.

Marie says, "At least Kimi tries to help us."

"In the meantime, each of us can carry a pup back to the house," Swift Paw replies.

"Okay, let's get going," howls Jake and the others join him in creating a breathtaking chorus in the night.

Jake pads to the pups to prod them awake. "Little ones, you must be as quiet as possible. We need to get back to the house safely, then you can go back to sleep, I promise," he tells them.

He picks up little Jacob by the scuff of his neck and backs away. Walking to the foot of the cave, he gazes out, looking for danger. Turning back he sees that Marie holds Amy in her jaws, Swift Paw carries Ken, and Elizabeth, Alice. "Let's go," he mumbles between his teeth.

They run in formation out of the cave, Jake in front, Marie behind him, Swift Paw next, and Elizabeth bringing up the rear. Dodging between the trees in the predawn light they quickly find the edge of the dark, damp forest within minutes and race along it, keeping out of sight. Spotting their house, a small house nestled between two willow trees, they bolt through the field of flowers separating them from their target just as light touches the horizon. They hide behind the house and sneak inside through the pet door. Their German Shepherd, Luna, trots to the door, tail wagging. They all transform back to humans and bring the children to their rooms. Jacob tucks them into bed while Marie lulls them to sleep, softly singing her favorite lullaby, "You Are My Sunshine."

The adults head to the living room and, sighing, sit down. Swift Paw whispers "Jacob, tomorrow you must tell the doctor that Marie's home-birthing went well; I am a doctor so she should have no complaints. Oh, and make sure to tell everyone that she is back from her week long vacation with me."

"Okay, mom, I'll leave early tomorrow and tell them you've come to visit as well. I'm getting tired so I think I will turn in for the night. Just pick one of the guest rooms and you two can go to bed when you like. Marie, love, you have had a very long day, and I think it's time we go to bed." Jake tells them. Tiredly rising he turns to Marie who glares at him with a pout on her face, but then deciding not to resist, gracefully acquiesces. They creep silently past the nursery and to their beds. Turning off the light, they get into bed, and fall asleep within seconds.

In the next room Sora peers out the window, her elderly wolf-like eyes trying to pierce the darkness. A shadow flickers in the night, but just as quickly as it appears, it is gone.

The next morning Jake awakes to a cool, clear day. Getting up, he picks out a plain white t-shirt, red cotton hoodie, and midnight blue denim jeans. He takes a long bath, gets dressed, and then eats a small breakfast of toast and orange juice. Calling softly to Luna, he leaves the house with her obediently following.

In high spirits they trek the mile to the hospital, Luna stopping to sniff almost everything along the way. As they pass the few people awake at six in the morning Jacob waves, tells them his news, and the two travelers continue on their way. When they reach the hospital Jake murmurs "Wait here for me, I'll be back soon."

Luna looks up at Jake, intelligence gleaming in her eyes, and dips her head by a fraction. "That's my girl," he says, smiling and passing into the hospital. The stench of antiseptics and bloods washes over him. He wrinkles his nose in disgust then heads up the hall to a door with a small sign labeled Dr. Vita Savior: Family Doctor. As he knocks on the door he notices something strange out of the corner of his eye. But upon turning to find the disturbance all he sees is an empty hallway.

"Come on in," calls a voice muffled by the door. Jacob opens the door and strides into the room closing the door softly behind him. He spots Dr. Savior sitting behind her desk hidden behind a stack of documents. She is a young, brown haired woman in her early thirties.

"Hello, Vita. Long time no see," Jake says smiling around the pile of papers.

"Oh, hi Jacob. Why the surprise visit?" Vita asked. She rolls away from her desk and slides the pair silver glasses she wears more firmly on her nose. She set down her pen and sighed.

"Nothing much, just came to let you know that Marie had the kids," he grinned.

"Did she really? Did everything go well? Are the children healthy? Is she ok?"

"Hold on, hold on, Vita! Give me a chance to answer, will you? Yes all is well. She had two boys and two girls, all healthy. She is safe and sleeping at home. Mom delivered the babies and is helping watch them with Elizabeth. I only wish that Dad could have been here."

"I'm sorry; Cheveyo would have made a wonderful grandfather. If only those coyotes hadn't found him. He was just getting over that broken leg."

"Yeah, we tried to tell him not to walk alone in his condition, but he would have nothing of it. He was a proud man and very brave in the face of danger."

"Well, all things considered you have done well for the past month as the leader of the house. I must get back to work now; I have to get these papers finished before noon," she sighed and rolled back behind her desk.

"Goodbye, Vita," Jacob says as he backs out of the room, but Vita is too engrossed in her work to hear.

Days pass with the family watching the pups as they grow. Soon the children are a month old. They begin to learn to transform into wolves at will. By the time five months have passed they have become adept at the switch. The time comes when their first trip outside is imminent. Jake calls a family meeting and he, Marie, Sora, and Elizabeth gather in the living room. "I believe the pups are ready for their first excursion outside. They are a year old and that is plenty enough time for them to begin to explore the outside world," Jacob states.

"I remember when you were one-year old. You were so excited to go outside you tripped over your own paws when leaving the cave," Sora laughs.

Jake clears his throat loudly and tries to hide his embarrassment. He and Marie go to the children's rooms to let them know the good news. "Hey little tikes," Jake yells to his children, "Who wants to go outside?"

"US!" they all scream together.

Jake ruffles little Jacob's hair as he passes him and says "Well then get to the door and we will help you get your shoes on." The children all scramble for the door while their parents follow.

They all hike up to a secluded break in the forest along a shallow riverbed. Checking quickly for unwanted listeners Jacob steps on an elevated rock and says "A new generation of wolf is born. You, my children, are our hopes and dreams. It is up to you to lead our people to new heights. We may be hidden from the world, but we still play our part. We will teach you, but you must learn to be yourselves and stand up for what you believe in. Now let us all enjoy our freedom and this beautiful day." He steps down from his perch and they each take their wolf forms. Little Jacob turns into a small russet colored wolf. He wagged his tail and pounced on his little sister Amy, a white wolf with black paws. They in turn tumbles into Alice who yelps and jumps into the river, her black and brown mixed coat now soaked through. Ken seeing this tries to separate the squabbling siblings, but instead he too is tipped into the river along with Alice and Jacob. Swift Paw breaks out in loud guffaws of barking laughter and the others can't help but join in.

The pups all get out of the water, Alice and Ken grumbling mutinously under their breaths, and lay on rocks to sun themselves. Jacob, the first to get up, sees a bit of grass waving in the wind and stalks it. Amy gets up and sneaking up behind Elizabeth attacks her tail. Elizabeth jumps and seeing Amy grinning foolishly takes a playful nip at her. Giggling, she skitters away and bowls right into Sora. "Sorry Swift Paw. I wasn't looking where I was going," Amy apologizes.

"It's all right little one, no harm done. Run along now and play with your sister and brothers," Sora barks to young pup.

Alice yips, "Come here guys! Look what I found!"

"What is it, Alley? A squirrel?" calls Ken.

"No I think it's a rabbit. Is it dead?" asks Alice. The adults exchange nervous glances and pad over to investigate.

"Don't go near it Alley; It could be dangerous!" Ken yells.

Alice gives him a questioning look, but continues to sniff at the carcass.

Jake, Marie, and Elizabeth simultaneously howl, "NO, DON'T!"

Swift Paw sprints to her rescue. Just as a trap begins to snap its cold, steal jaws shut, Sora bowls the pup out of the way. Alice shudders in fear, but is otherwise unscathed. Swift Paw limps out of the forest, "Just a scratch," she remarks, but ruins the effect by whimpering as she raises her back leg. It begins to rain, the sky becoming a deathly shade of gray.

"I think it's time to go home everyone," Jake comments. Everyone agrees and they head home.

Slowly loping through the forest, Elizabeth guiding Swift Paw, they clear the rise before the edge of the forest. Just as they believe they are clear of the forest and about to dash to the house the ground falls out from under them. They all transform back to humans in shock.

"So, I've finally got you, have I?" whoops a voice. Standing over them all, a manic grin plastered on his face, is Liwanu.

"Liwanu, I thought you were better than this," Marie cries, "I know we were not the best of friends, but I never would have guessed you capable of this!"

"Yes, well normally I would not be so ready to do this, but I know what you are!" he screams, pure loathing coating his tongue.

"Just what do you think we are?" Marie demands, but there is fear in her eyes as she looks upon her frightened toddlers.

"Werewolves, that's what. You have been hiding in your little home for far too long. I've been watching and I now I know your little secret. Now I'm going to tell the whole village and we will run you all out of our town. We don't need filthy mongrels running about in our town."

"What of the children? They are innocent babes. What have they done to deserve this injustice?"

"They are of the same make as the rest of you and deserve to die as such!" Liwanu roars.

"You dare threaten my children; you will pay for this Liwanu, mark my words!" Jacob snarls.

Cackling insanely Liwanu jeers, "What good will giving out idle threats do when you are ensnared in my trap?"

"Oh idle is it?" Jake mocks as he shifts into a wolf and howls into the night.

"What did you do? You're just trying to scare me! I know I caught all of you! Well I'll just go get the villagers before you try any more silly tricks." Liwanu charges through the forest toward the village and away from the deep hole where the family lays in wait.

Creeeak!

"What was that dad?" Ken queries.

"You'll see. Back away from the tree above us everyone." Jake tells them.

A blur of brown flies at a low hanging branch. SNAP! The branch breaks and crashes down, landing inches from their feet. "Climb up everyone! We have to get out of here, and quickly!"

As they reach the crest of the pit they see Luna standing on top of the branch holding it in place. "Thank you for coming to my call, Luna. I owe you my life as well as those of my family," says Jacob.

Luna shakes her head and flicks her ears as if to say, "It was nothing you wouldn't do for me."

They all change into their were-forms and begin to run. "ACK!" Swift Paw yelps as she trips. Her back leg is bent at an awkward angle as she lies in the dirt.

"Your leg, it's broken!" gasps Marie.

"I'll be all right. Go on ahead, I promise I will catch up," Swift Paw pants.

"No mother, we will wait with you. Just take a minute and we can continue on our way," pleads Jake.

Swift Paw snaps at them and growls "No! I vow to catch up, now go! We don't have time for this nonsense!" Reluctantly the other wolves turn to go. Seconds after they leave her they hear a snarl of rage, a loud yip, and then nothing. Fearing the worst they wolves speed up, but the pups are still so young they can only keep up the pace for a short time and soon have to stop and rest.

Twigs cracking and whispering voices are soon heard above the din of the forest. Quickly rising, the wolves dash madly for safety. As the prey start outdistancing their predators they come upon a river, deep and swelling in the downpour. It curves into a cliff on one side and an open valley on the other, with safety in the dense foliage on the other side.

They race along both ends of the river trying to find a lull in the stream, but to no avail. "It's no use; we might as well give up. The townsfolk are almost here, we're all tired and hungry, Swift Paw is probably dead, and we will be too," whines Elizabeth.

"I'll never give up!" little Jacob barks.

"Us either!" the other pups cry.

"Nor should you," Marie fondly tells them.

"As long as we stand together we still may have a fighting chance," Jake says looking pointedly at Elizabeth. Flattening her ears, her tail drooping, Elizabeth nods, chastened.

They wait, the voices growing louder, and the rain becoming harder as they prepare to meet their impending doom. Suddenly the townspeople break through the trees, their guns raised, and their eyes peeled for attack. Upon seeing the wolves Liwanu steps forward and says "See I told you, there they are! Now shoot them!"

The wolves all flatten their ears and growl menacingly, the villages take aim, but just as the mounting battle is about to occur a small figure breaks away from the rest and runs into the fray. "STOP! NO! This isn't right; it isn't how this is supposed to be!" screams the little girl.

"Kimi get out of the way! These are not normal wolves, they are abominations, werewolves! The world isn't meant to have such things of myth and legend, nor the half-breeds these might be," Liwanu pleads with his daughter. His wife, Nina, looks confusedly from husband to daughter.

"They are just as much a part of this world as we are. They have just as much right to be here and be alive as we do. Who are we to say who lives and who dies? I've listened to your hatred of this innocent family for a long time and now I've had enough." Kimi calls into the darkness.

"Kimi, get out of the way or I will make you. We don't have time for your childish games."

Without warning Nina steps up next to her daughter. "Don't you dare hurt her. She has a point and you know it, only you are just too pigheaded to notice. These wolves have been a part of our village for years. They are productive and hard-working unlike some people I know," she says glaring pointedly at Liwanu.

The people of the village begin to lower their weapons, the wolves stop their growling. "Wait, no, don't let them trick you! They will kill you as soon as your back is turned!" Liwanu declares panicking and seizing a man's rifle.

He takes aim at the family. A flash of fur and out of nowhere Swift Paw appears and jumps at the man knocking him off balance. He shoots at random and hits his attacker, but falls into the swelling river.

Jake dives into the water, swimming with great strokes toward the spluttering man. "I can't swim! I can't swim!" he screeches.

When Jacob reaches the man he tries to get him to wrap his arms around him. Instead, he hysterically tries to drown his savior. The river gets more treacherous and Jake forces his way out of the current and bring the struggling Liwanu to safety. A log from a fallen tree is partially in the water. Jacob bites hard into a branch and begins to pull his body toward the tree. Liwanu abruptly stops fighting and purposely pushes Jacob off and himself onto the tree. He scrambles up the tree while Jacob bobs still further downstream. Jake grabs hold of a boulder jutting out of the water and almost slips, but catches his claws in a groove. He climbs on top of it and looks over his shoulder. Fifty feet away roars the maw of a waterfall. Jacob spots Liwanu who as he is about to reach land the tree breaks and Liwanu falls back into the water, hits his head, and falls unconscious. He floats down the river, over the waterfall, and to his death.

Everyone up on land comes running. His family is now once again human and all are running together in one big group. They grab a sturdy branch, and steady it against the boulder so that Jake may climb it. Safe on land once more Jacob tells them, "Liwanu is dead," and promptly faints.

Upon waking Jake finds himself wrapped in blankets and smells antiseptic and blood. "My blood?" he says to himself.

He looks around and finds he is not alone: Marie sleeps in a corner on a small futon. The door creaks and Dr. Vita walks in. "Oh, you're awake," she says.

"Yes, but what happened? Why am I in the hospital?" Jacob asks confusedly.

"You have a mild concussion and I needed to keep an eye on you overnight to make sure you're okay."

All at once the memories of the day before came flooding back. "Is Sora okay? How are the pups, I mean kids?" Jake queries anxiously.

"Sora is fine. She is recovering in the next room. She has a broken leg, and one of her ribs is badly cracked, but she is on the mend. It's lucky that bullet hit where it did. Just a little to the right and it would have hit her heart. That woman may be old, but she's got some fight left in her."

"And my children?"

"They are perfectly normal, a little shaken I'll admit, but none the worse for wear. They and that little kid, Kimi, are playing at your house while Elizabeth watches over them. Now please get some rest and if you do I promise you can go home later."

As Jacob went to sleep once more his last thoughts were, "All is well, I am safe, my family is healthy, and we are free."

I hope you enjoyed it! I promise to try my best to rewrite it. Please rate and comment!