Magic of the Moonlight Read online

  “I just think it’s possible,” I said. “And you are so convincing.”

  “Your mother did have a wild streak in her,” he said to Brandon. “But you seem to have turned out fine.”

  “I’m not so sure,” Brandon said.

  “Why not? You have a nice girlfriend. Don’t tell me you are a wild child, too.”

  “I wouldn’t say that normally,” Brandon said. “But some things have changed . . .”

  “Ah, your teen years, that’s all,” Mr. Worthington re-assured. “I shouldn’t have told you that story. Now you’ll think you are a werewolf, too!” Mr. Worthington laughed.

  When we didn’t join in his laughter, Mr. Worthington grew concerned.

  “Did I offend you?” he said.

  “Of course not,” we both replied.

  “You don’t seem to be the serious type,” he went on. “I thought I could poke a bit of fun.”

  “But we are still interested in your stories,” Brandon interjected. “Is there any more you can tell us about the legend? About my family?”

  “Ah . . . yes.” Mr. Worthington appeared delighted that we—or rather that anyone—was interested in his stories. Many of the seniors at the retirement home longed to talk about their past, but when no one came to visit them, the stories were left to be heard by busy staffers, nurses, or doctors.

  “He lived in isolation. Every time there was a full moon, he roamed the woods alone, tormented by his condition—afraid he’d attack and afraid of being hunted down. Naturally the townsfolk were always trying to find ‘the wild creature cursed by the moonlight.’ There were those who said their livestock were mauled by him, and even a story in which a man claimed to be attacked by him. But without photos or other proof, they were just thought to be only stories.”

  “Did anyone try to help your great-grandfather?” Brandon asked.

  “Yes. The local Native American chieftain and several gypsies. Potions, salves, and spells. But nothing kept the full moonlight from changing him. Eventually he fled into the woods and never returned.”

  I was saddened by his fate. Brandon hung his head low.

  “I’ve often thought that is why your mother was so restless,” Mr. Worthington continued. “I can’t understand her behavior—not being responsible. Maybe it is just me trying to justify her behavior. But it is reprehensible.”

  Brandon pushed his hair back off his face.

  “But I see you have done fine, Brandon,” Mr. Worthington said. “Your father takes great care of you.”

  “Yes. And now my grandparents do as well.”

  “And you have this beautiful young lady here. You seem to have it all.”

  “Yes, except one thing,” Brandon said.

  “What is that?” Mr. Worthington wondered aloud.

  “The answer to the mystery of your story.” Brandon leaned in toward his elderly relative. “What could cure the werewolf?”

  “Ah . . . yes,” Mr. Worthington said. “That is what you came to find out? I think that is left up to science. Or the mystics. Or the imagination.”

  “Mystics?” I asked. I wasn’t sure about going back to Dr. Meadows. But maybe we were supposed to heed Mr. Worthington’s advice.

  “Science,” Brandon said as if that was the answer he’d been waiting for. “That’s just what I had in mind.”

  “I guess we have to go to Dr. Meadows,” I said to Brandon when we got back into his Jeep.

  “Charlie gave us the answer,” Brandon said. “My father.”

  “But your dad isn’t a mystic.”

  “I know. He’s a scientist.”

  “But isn’t he in Europe?” I asked. Then I paused. “Does that mean you’ll have to go there?”

  “I don’t know. I just know I have to tell him,” Brandon said. “But he’s going to freak out.”

  “He’ll want to come and get you, won’t he?” I was worried that if his father took him back with him to Europe, I might never see Brandon again.

  “Everything happened so fast,” Brandon said. “The thought of telling my dad—I was hoping to get this solved by myself. But I see now that I can’t.”

  Of course I wanted Brandon to tell his father—we needed him to tell him. But I didn’t want his father to take him away from Legend’s Run and back to Miller’s Glen or as far away as Europe.

  “He’s a busy man—and an ocean away. He’s going to totally flip out,” Brandon said when he pulled into his drive.

  We both were lost in thought as he drove down his tree-lined driveway and parked by his guesthouse.

  “How do you call your father and say, ‘Hey, Dad, I think I’m a werewolf’?” Brandon appeared overwhelmed by the task at hand and leaned back in his seat.

  “Maybe you should invite him here,” I said. “Tell him you need him to come home—and plan it just before the full moon appears. Then you won’t need to tell him. Instead, he’ll see it.”

  Brandon was considering my suggestion, but he still appeared troubled. “I hate to be a burden to him. His job is important. Many people rely on him. It’s not like he has a job where he can just come home for lunch. He’s in Europe.”

  “But you’re his son. No job is more important than that. He’ll understand.”

  “I know . . . but he’ll think I’m crazy.”

  If Brandon’s father thought he was crazy, it wouldn’t be good for either of us.

  “Do you think he will make you leave Legend’s Run?” I asked, concerned.

  “I don’t know. I don’t know what he’ll do. But I’m not going anywhere.” Then he placed his hand on mine. “Not without you.”

  I didn’t want Brandon to leave, but I didn’t want to be so selfish that I stood in the way of his being cured.

  I unbuckled my seat belt and scooted close to him. “You have to call him. I know it will be awkward. But I know you can do it. I’ll stay with you if you’d like.”

  “I think this is something I have to do alone.”

  I put my free hand on his knee. His green cargo pants were thick, but I could still feel his toned leg, strong from skating and working on his grandparents’ property.

  I wanted him to know I was there for him. Didn’t Brandon do everything on his own already? Eat lunch, study, live life as a werewolf. It broke my heart to see him have to face another moment alone.

  “Are you sure?” I asked.

  “Yes. I’ll call you as soon as I talk to him. If I hurry, I might be able to catch him before he goes to bed.”

  This meant I’d have to go home; I didn’t want to leave Brandon’s side. I wanted to stay and help him.

  He got out of the Jeep, preoccupied. The impending phone call was causing him major stress. He barely made eye contact.

  “It will be okay,” I reassured him as I opened my car door.

  “Always the cheerleader,” he said. “Hey, why aren’t you one? You’d look cute in those short, pleated skirts.”

  “I tried out and didn’t make it,” I said. “Freshman year. I guess I’m not coordinated enough. So I cheer from the stands instead.”

  Brandon’s blue eyes and red-hot lips blazed. He leaned into me and kissed me, long. I wasn’t about to let go. But then he broke away.

  “I’ll call you,” he said, caressing my cheek with the back of his hand. He leaned in and gave me a hug and another kiss. “I couldn’t do this without you,” he said.

  But Brandon wouldn’t have been in this situation without me, either. I was torn.

  I got into my car and drove away, my heart aching for him and imagining him making the hardest call of his life.

  I paced inside my home and waited impatiently for Brandon’s call.

  He will be here in time for the full moon.

  It was after midnight when I finally got the text. I was unable to sleep, read, or write and was trying to ease my mind by watching a romantic comedy. When I read his text, a wave of relief flowed through me. Brandon’s father was coming to his rescue, like Brandon had come to mine wh
en I’d been lost in the wintry woods and stumbled upon the pack of wolves. His father was a genius scientist and surely would be able to figure out what Brandon needed to do. It was good that Brandon was finally going to trust someone else with the secret of his lycan condition.

  But what if Brandon was cured and this full moon would be his last? Was that something I really wanted? Of course, I knew it was, but there was a piece of me that would be haunted by not being with the werewolf that I’d loved.

  I’d miss our moments together in the snowy woods, surrounded by playful and gentle wolves, his super-strength, powerful and sultry kisses, and über-hot body. I’d have to say good-bye to his unearthly magnetism that I couldn’t get out of my skin; his sensual woodsy smell that remained on my clothes and hair; his divine touch that kept me warm in the coldest of temperatures. I was happy for him but sort of sad for me. These experiences would be only cherished memories.

  But the important thing was Brandon would be normal, and he and I could officially date. Maybe my friends could finally accept him into our pack.

  THREE

  party with a werewolf

  I can’t believe we are actually doing this,” Ivy said when I got into her mom’s Lexus SUV and we drove off to pick up Brandon and take him to Abby’s party. I was excited to be seeing Brandon in public even though we still weren’t open about our relationship. And I thought it would be good for both of us to have a little fun since we had about two weeks until his father was coming in from Europe.

  “Doesn’t it make you feel good, doing something nice for someone else?”

  “Kind of. But I don’t want to get in the habit of this,” she said with a smile.

  “We’ll be the talk of the party.”

  “Well, it will be awesome to have the Legend’s Run werewolf at the party.” She didn’t know that she was speaking the truth. “Maybe he’ll even wear the costume,” she said hopefully.

  “It wasn’t even his,” I said defensively.

  “How can you be so sure?” she asked.

  I wanted to tell her it was Nash who had hidden inside the costume, but if it got back to him that I’d told her, he would surely tell her he’d seen me in the woods with Brandon.

  “I just know . . .” I said.

  “Always sticking up for people,” Ivy said. “That’s why you rock.”

  Ivy began driving us through the west side of Legend’s Run. “What if a killer jumps out of the woods?” she asked suddenly.

  She wasn’t used to being in desolate areas, and I was only somewhat used to it because I’d been visiting Brandon the last few months. But Ivy was freaked out by the lack of traffic and population.

  “Do you think we’ll make it out of here alive?”

  “Yes,” I reassured her.

  “What if we get a flat tire? And our cell phones don’t work? No one will know we’re in trouble and some psycho—”

  “Calm down,” I said.

  “You have to admit, it’s totally creepy back here. Like some horror flick. Why didn’t we bring Jake with us?”

  I could see why she thought it was frightening, with shadows casting spooky images off of the trees and road. It could make one’s imagination race. But I enjoyed the peace the country brought and felt calmed by the quiet.

  “It’s not that much farther,” I said. I was anxious to get to his house, too, but for different reasons.

  “Why would anyone want to live back here?” she asked. “There aren’t any lights. And there’s nothing to do.”

  “Some people like wide-open spaces and nature,” I said. “There is so much to do. Hike, canoe, camp. You might even like it.”

  “There isn’t a mall,” she said with a laugh. “Enough said.”

  Finally we turned onto Brandon’s street, and I pointed to the private drive sign a few yards away.

  She pulled into his driveway and drove down the long, tree-lined road. “Where is this leading us to?” Ivy asked. “I know it’s not a country club.”

  “Just keep going,” I said.

  It didn’t take long before his grandparents’ house was in view.

  “It’s so cute and tiny,” she said when we got close.

  Ivy parked the car in front of the main house, and the Lexus’s lights shone on the guesthouse.

  “Who lives back there?” she said. “Some madman?”

  I wasn’t going to tell her that was Brandon’s guesthouse, nor was I going to admit to her how I knew it.

  Brandon’s grandparents’ husky began barking like mad in the window.

  “Do we have to go in?” she asked. “I’m afraid to get out of the car.”

  Just then someone was standing by Ivy’s window.

  She screamed a bloodcurdling scream, causing me to scream, too.

  “What’s wrong?” I said, my heart almost busting out of my chest. Then I caught my breath and noticed a familiar smile. “It’s just Brandon.”

  She lowered her window. “You almost scared me to death!” she said.

  Even in the darkness, Brandon was gorgeous. His eyes matched the color of his bright blue shirt. It was hard for me not to stare and even harder for me not to kiss him.

  “I appreciate you picking me up,” Brandon said, hopping into the backseat. “This is very cool of you.”

  “Well, it is the least we can do,” Ivy said, “after you found Abby’s dog and all.”

  “Man, I’ll be the luckiest guy there,” he said. “Showing up with the two most beautiful girls in school.”

  Ivy’s face flushed. She was flattered by his attention and politeness. Jake and Dylan spent most of their time goofing off in front of their girlfriends.

  “This part of town is really interesting,” Ivy said, suddenly in flirt mode. “I’ve always thought it was charming.”

  What? I thought. The compliments had gone to her head.

  “It might be easier if you turn around,” he said. “Saves you backing up.”

  “Ah,” she said. “Good idea.”

  She drove forward and turned around in front of Brandon’s guesthouse. The lights illuminated part of the huge backyard.

  “This is all yours?” she asked.

  “My grandparents’,” he replied.

  The lot was bigger than hers, and she was impressed.

  Then we spotted the Jeep, which was parked off to the side.

  “That was a shame someone vandalized your Jeep,” she said, now concerned. “But it looks like you got it all off.”

  “Yes,” he said. “I did have some help.”

  I nervously tucked my hair behind my ear.

  “So . . . how do you like it here in Legend’s Run?” I asked as Ivy finished making her U-turn and began down the drive.

  “It’s been okay.”

  “You don’t seem to have a lot of friends,” Ivy said.

  “I have the one I need,” he said. Now my face flushed.

  “That skater chick, Hayley?” she asked. “She’s your girlfriend?”

  “No, she’s not,” he said.

  “Do you have a girlfriend?” she asked, looking in the rearview mirror.

  “I’d like to think so.”

  “Then who is she?” Ivy pried. “Do we know her?”

  “Yes, I think you do.”

  “You must tell!” Ivy said, excited to get the goods on any gossip she could, no matter what side of town it was coming from.

  “Do you miss Miller’s Glen?” I asked, changing the subject.

  Ivy snarled, and I could tell she was let down by not getting the latest scoop.

  “I’m starting to like it here,” he said.

  “Well, if you haven’t noticed, this town is really cliquey,” Ivy said as if she wasn’t part of making that happen. “I don’t know why, but that’s the way it’s always been. Too bad, really.”

  We parked outside Abby’s house. There was already a line of cars, including Nash’s Beemer. I wasn’t sure how he’d respond to Brandon being at the party, but with Ivy bringin
g him, I figured he wouldn’t make a scene.

  Abby opened the door, and we were immediately greeted by Pumpkin. She raced up to Brandon, who petted her like she was his own.

  Abby gave Ivy and me a quick hug.

  “Hi, Brandon,” she said. “Come on in.”

  Abby struggled, trying to pull Pumpkin by her collar so she wouldn’t continue to jump on Brandon.

  “It looks like she missed you,” Abby said.

  It took a little bit of time for Pumpkin to calm down. Abby was trying to wrangle her in when Brandon locked gazes with the dog.

  Pumpkin relaxed by his side. Then Brandon petted her again.

  “You have a way with dogs,” Abby said.

  We hovered in the two-story, open foyer. Abby’s father’s office was on one side and a grand dining room was on the other. Their furniture was too expensive to sit on, and the house looked like a model home.

  Jake and Dylan and a few others who were lingering in the foyer were obviously shocked to see Brandon in our company.

  “What’s he doing here?” Jake mumbled to Ivy. “And why did you and Celeste pick him up?”

  “Abby wanted to invite him to pay him back for finding Pumpkin,” she said.

  Dylan wasn’t pleased, either. He took Abby by the arm and whispered something I couldn’t hear.

  “It’s okay,” she said, brushing him off. “It’s just a party.”

  “Come on in, guys,” she said. “Do you want a drink, Brandon?”

  Abby was being a great hostess. We followed her through the kitchen.

  “Hey, Wolfie,” Jake said as we passed by. Ivy pinched his elbow.

  “Knock it off,” she said sternly.

  I was proud to see my friends sticking up for Brandon.

  Abby led the way into the main room, with Pumpkin at Brandon’s heels. A bunch of students were already drinking, talking, and having a good time. All eyes were on us as the partygoers were surprised to see an outsider like Brandon at Abby’s party.

  Abby handed us sodas and we stood around awkwardly. It didn’t take long for Ivy to hang with Jake while Abby attended to her party.

  Brandon and I were left to hang out with each other. Normally I would have been excited, but since he wasn’t my established boyfriend, I couldn’t be cozy with him like my friends and the rest of the couples were being.