I couldn't bring myself to approach Lucas, my adopted father, for further assistance since I was already walking a wire financially while attending college. He has taken care of Melanie and me sufficiently.

“You need a break,” Melanie had said, tossing her auburn hair over her shoulder. “We’ll go to Mt. Calestina for the weekend. It’s supposed to be amazing this time of year.”

I didn't believe it. Melanie often defined "amazing" as flaunting her most recent attire and telling everyone how much better she looked in it.

But I was swayed by the prospect of a change of scenery and fresh air. Perhaps, just perhaps, I might feel a little less lost.

“Sure,” I replied.

She clapped her hands. “Perfect!”

As described in the advertisements, Mt. Calestina was indeed magnificent. The highest mountain in the area, it towered magnificently, a curtain of mist concealing its top. The cries that reverberated across the woodland during full moons were a whisper among the locals. The mountain was known for its folklore of werewolves, creatures who alternated between human and animal forms. I dismissed the stories, saying, "Nonsense."

Werewolves and humans couldn't possible live together.

Could they?