In the beginning, life is innocent, good, happy. You don't have a care in the world. The sun is a warm presence and the moon is an old friend. The crunch of leaves is the best sound and makes you scamper around with joy. My life, was just beginning.

           The cry of a young werewolf rang out into the night as I am born. My mother always told me I had the perfect voice for howling. We would howl together every night as the moon rose. And as the night ended, she would kiss me on the forehead and I would have excitement for the next night.

           "The moon rises.... Over the hiiillll.... As the werewolves plaaaay... The stars shine brightlyyyyy... Watching over them. And as the sun rises.... their eyes begin to close... Dreaming of the joy... of tomorrows games."

           My mother always sang this melody to me. Every night. She always said that she made it up when I would keep her awake in the morning with my howling. She said it always put me to sleep. And that it did.

           But this moon was one moon that I looked forward to every year. The night of my birth. I was overcome with joy. My mom could barely hold me as she washed my hair. "I'm so excited mamma! I'm going to be 10!"

           Everyone in the pack, once they reached their tenth year, had a special hunting ceremony with the leader of the pack and a few other members.

           "Your not my little cub anymore are you.." She chuckled and ruffled the hair on my head.

           "Your still gonna be my momma though!" Her eyes glistened with joy.

           We heard the howls of the pack, calling us outside. "It's time!" I howled back to them.

           But when we went outside, There was chaos all around. The sound of gunshots could be heard and the yelps of hit wolves. My moms fur bristled at the sight and her ears went back as she bared her fang.

           This is what they warned us about during our meetings... The hunters.