Forget Me Not (Phased Moonlight Series Book 2) (8 page)

              “Bullshit!” Faith screeched. “What was all that?  Sera was being killed by a… God, what was it? Hell, I don’t even know!”

              “It wasn’t killing her,” Trisha said.

              “Does it make a damn difference? That’s why she has scars, isn’t it? Because of that damned dog thing!”

              Trisha nodded but said nothing. 

              Faith felt her heart ram into her chest, and the room around her began to spin. She placed her hand on her head and wobbled on her feet as if she might faint. 

              “Faith,” Ally said hoarsely, “be careful, hon’.”

              Faith coughed, feeling her airways constrict. “I-I can’t breathe.” She then fell to her knees and gripped her chest as a sensation of claustrophobia consumed her.

              “What’s happening?” Nodin demanded.

              “She’s having an anxiety attack,” Richard said, bending down to cup his sister’s chin, forcing her bloodshot gaze to stare up at him. “Faith? Faith, are you with me?”

              She didn’t respond and could only shake and screech as she lost recognition of everything. She knew there were people around her, and she knew they were family, but she couldn’t convince herself that she was safe. When someone tired to touch her again, she screamed, absolutely terrified.

              “Stop touching her,” something said with a snarl.

              Though the voice was deep and menacing, Faith somehow found some comfort in it, and she turned to face the source. “S-speak again,” she mumbled. 

              “Faith?”

              She reached out toward the sound, sighing shakily when she touched a warm hand.

              “Don’t touch her!” another voice yelled.

              Faith then cringed and pulled from the warmth, whimpering.

              “She obviously needs me!” the good voice said, strong and steady. “Faith? Little one, please open your eyes and look at me.”

              For some reason, Faith found herself obeying, and her gaze found a pair of glowing, golden eyes.

              “That’s it, little one.”

              She gripped the offered hand tightly, allowing herself to be pulled into strong arms. She heard soft whispers in her ear as she was rocked back and forth. She slowly managed to get her breathing under control. Once she’d gotten her bearings, she looked up, expecting to see Richard. Instead, Nodin was staring down at her, with fear in his eyes. “I-I…”

              “It’s all right. I understand.”

              She pushed off his chest, well aware of his fingers tracing circles on the skin of her lower back.

Nodin let Faith leave, and as soon as their skin broke contact, his face fell back into an emotionless mask.

She looked around nervously, noticing they were alone.

              “They’re only asleep,” Nodin assured her, noticing her panicked expression.

              “What? How can they be asleep? They were just—”

              He shook his head. “You’ve been like this for two hours.”

              She ran her fingers through her raven curls, sighing. “Damn it.”

              “What?”

              She dropped her hair, shivering as it brushed her back. “Nothing. You just won’t understand.”

              Nodin crossed his large arms over his broad chest. “Try me.”

              “I relapsed. All my life, I’ve had major anxiety. My attacks used to render me completely helpless. I was doing so good! It’s been six whole months since my last bad attack, and now this.” Faith paused, noticing the look on his face, then frowned. “Stop it.”

              “Stop what?” he asked.

              “Stop looking at me like you feel sorry for me.” 

              “Am I not allowed to feel bad for you?” 

              “No, you’re not!” she yelled. “I don’t need your pity, and I don’t want it either! All my life, I’ve been put down, whether for my big anxiety or my little size. I’m so sick of it. Both my parents were tall, Richard is tall, and here I am, barely five-two in heels. I am so tired of everyone underestimating me.”

              “Faith—”

              “Piss off,” she spat, then ran up the stairs. She paused at the top of the staircase as shame ate at her insides. She could still see the hurt flashing in his eyes, even though he’d mostly remained emotionless. When she heard the cabin door slam shut, she winced. She ran back down the stairs, calling after him. She quickly opened the door, hoping to stop him. “Look, Nodin, I…”

              Her breath caught in her lungs when she came face to face with a gigantic silver and black canine. “Wolf!” she screamed, then scampered back into the house, slamming the door and locking it behind her.

              Trisha and Jackson ran down the stairs, their hair tussled from sleep.

              “What hap—”

              “There’s a wolf outside! Oh God! Nodin! He just went out there! We have to warn him.”

              “Calm down, Faith,” Jackson said. “He can handle himself.”

              “Please! That thing was huge, like something out of a horror movie! Forget
Twilight
. That thing is…a real monster!”

              Jackson sighed nonchalantly and rubbed the sleep from his eyes.

              “All right, Faith,” Trisha said. “Calm down. We’ll go look for him. Try to get some sleep, all right?”

              Faith shook her head. “No way. I’m not going to bed until Nodin comes back. I need to know he’s not dog food.”

              Jackson started to argue with her, but Trisha stopped him. “Don’t bother. When her mind is made up, there’s no changing it.”                            

              Faith watched them leave and sat down, trying to keep her emotions under control.

* * *

              A short while later, Faith woke up to a hand roughly shaking her shoulder. She shot up, blinking rapidly, until the blurry figure came into focus. “Nodin! You’re okay.”

              “Yes. I’m fine.”

              She was shocked at his bitter, short tone. “Are you sure? You don’t have rabies or anything, do you?” 

              “I said I’m fine, did I not?” 

              She frowned at him. “Okay, okay. No need for the attitude.”

              “Attitude? You seem to be perfectly fine with lashing out at others. Is it not appropriate if others treat you the same way? No? How very hypocritical of you.”

              “I was trying to apologize to you, but you took off! I know I was a little rude, but—”

              “A little? You shot off on me like a cannon. I was simply worried for you! Goddess forbid I actually care! This is why I get close to no one, especially women—no, children—like you. I try to be nice, and this is were it gets me.”

              “Did you just call me a child?”

              “Yes. Only children react as you do.” 

              Before she could stop herself, she reached up and slapped him. “How dare you!? I’ll have you know that forty million
adults
in the world suffer from anxiety disorders! You’re an asshole! I was trying to apologize for what I said! I was in post-attack mode, and sometimes my emotions are a little raw, but you know what? You don’t deserve an apology! Just stay away from me. You got that? I don’t want anything to do with stuck-up know-it-alls like you.” Without even giving him time to respond, she rushed up the stairs, leaving a brooding Nodin in her wake.

CHAPTER FIVE

This Is My Family

Secrets can wage war, break us, yet I have clung to a secret for my entire life, and it has done nothing but keep others safe. Which decision is right? Which is wrong? How am I to choose when I, myself, don’t feel confident in either option?
~ Sera Kalihan

             
K
oda wrapped his arms around his mate’s large neck and winced when she growled at him. “Sera,” he said, grunting. “Remember who you are and who you are with. I am right here, luv. Come back to me.”

              She whimpered, phasing back into her human form. He held her tightly against his body, sheltering her naked body from the cool breeze. She sobbed into his chest, and he grimaced as he stroked her blood-soaked hair.

              “How did anyone find that video?” she asked, weeping.

              “I don’t know, my love.”

              “I tried. I tried so hard to shelter you from that part of my past. That was my first punishment. Ryan used wolfsbane on his claws. The sting was awful, and I couldn’t shift for a week because the herb seeped into my bloodstream. I was so young, and my body couldn’t cycle out the poison. I have never been so weak, and now your pack has seen it. How could they possibly want me as their alpha now?”

              “Stop,” Koda said firmly, forcing her tear-cluttered gaze to peer at him. “How old were you when that horrific video was filmed?”

              “Twelve.”

              “Exactly, merely a child being tortured. Our pack will see that. You have already proven your ability to protect them. They will not hold your past against you, for they have fallen in love with you, as have I. Do you not see your worth, Sera? You have a heart of gold, untouched by you dirty past, a determined mind that is unchangeable, and a soul that is pure and calls to me like no others can. So you have a rocky past. We all do, but it is who we become after the fact that speaks it all.”

              She looked up at him. “How did I get so lucky as to have a mate like you?”

              He shook his head. “I am the lucky one.” 

              She smiled at him and placed a tender kiss on his lips. “Thank you. You treat me with such care.” 

              “You deserve much more than I can give, but I will strive every day to show you just how priceless you are to me.”

              “Sera! Koda!” Trisha yelled, startling them both.

              “What?” Koda said with a snarl, sheltering Sera from Trisha’s view.

              “Faith saw Nodin,” she said frantically, shamefully keeping her gaze on the ground as if it was her fault.

              “What do you mean, she
saw
him?!”

              “She saw his wolf form! They got into an argument or something, and he shifted when  he left the house. Faith followed him out and saw his wolf form.”

              “Damn it.” Sera growled. “Trish, how much do you trust the gang?” 

              “Absolutely 100 percent,” she answered without hesitation.

              “In that case, I think it’s time. Maybe the truth will set everyone free. I sure hope so.”

* * *

              Faith stood in a large clearing somewhere on the property, staring at Sera with apprehension. She had avoided them all day, but Sera had come back to the guesthouse at noon and asked them all to follow her. Koda stood next to her, with his arms protectively around her waist. Trisha stood on her other side, with her own man protectively draped over her shoulder.

              Faith stiffened when Nodin walked into the clearing, wearing a tank-top and army pants. His arms were crossed, and his face betrayed no emotion. 

              “There is something I need to tell you all,” Sera announced, “but before I do, I need you to swear to secrecy. What I am about to tell you not only affects me, but it also affects my entire family as well. If you expose this secret, you will be punished for it—not by us but by the officials who govern my people.”

              “Your people?” Richard asked.

              Sera took a deep breath. “Well, most of you have noticed that Trish and I seem a bit…closed off, as if we have secrets. The fact is, we do. Surely you have noticed some odd things about us.” 

              “Like what?” Damion asked.

              “Like… We are stronger and faster than all of you combined.”

              Both Richard and Damion snorted.

              “Not to damage your ego, Sera, but you’re not stronger than us,” Richard said.

              Sera took a step forward, and the others took a step back. “Prove it. Try to take me down.”

              “I don’t wanna hurt you Sera,” he said.

              “Humor me.”

              Richard shrugged, then lunged at her, trying to hit her low. She easily shifted her weight, holding up strong. While he was grabbing her waist, she grabbed the back loop of his pants and the collar of his shirt and lifted him up above her head with ease. She heard her friends gasp, and when Richard began to squirm, she let him down.

              “What the hell!?”

              “See?” Sera said, retreating back into her mate’s arms. “We aren’t like you.”

              “Oh God!” Ally bellowed. “Please don’t tell me you’re a vampire and that your entire family is some kind of coven or clan.”

              Sera scrunched up her nose in disgust. “We aren’t filthy bloodsuckers.”

              “We’re werewolves,” Trisha said.

              They were all silent for a moment before they broke out in a chorus of laughter.

Sera frowned at them.

              “That’s rich, Sera! That’s a good one! I gotta write that down.”

              “Don’t run,” Sera warned as the others back away from her again.

              “What?”

              “I’m going to do something to prove it, but do not run.” Then, after emitting a low growl, Sera shifted into a large white wolf.

Faith, who was closest to her, screamed and fell backward, tripping over her untied shoe. “Not another one!” she cried.

The wolf whined and sat on its stomach, slowly creeping toward her.

Faith shook with fear and stared at the wolf’s eyes, eyes that reminded her of her best friend’s. Tentatively, she reached out her hand.

The wolf touched her small palm with a wet nose, then licked it.

              “Sera!”

              Sera barked at her, nudging her with her head.

Faith laughed, gripping Sera’s fur as she stood. “It’s really her!”

              Slowly, all the humans found their courage and boldly approached to touch her. Once they were all comfortable with her, Sera pranced around them like a happy house pet, stopping by Koda.

He laid a hand on her fur. “Sera wants to know if you would like to go for a ride,” he said, smiling.

              “How do you know what she wants?” Richard asked.

              “Sera is my mate. The bond is difficult to explain, so I will leave that to Sera, but we can communicate by thought.”

              “Can she carry all of us?” Damion asked.

              “Hey!” Trisha said, mocking offense. “You’ve got three other wolves here, you know.” Then, with a flip, she phased into her sandy-blonde wolf.

The others shifted next, and Faith watched in awe as Nodin shook out his beautiful black and silver fur. Only then did she realize he was the wolf that had terrified her the night before.

He noticed her staring, and took a step toward her, releasing a low growl from his throat.

Even though Faith now knew who he was, fear pierced her, and she took a step back, making him growl louder.

              Sera snarled, lunging between the two. She bared her long canines, making Nodin whimper and bare his throat. She turned toward Faith and used her large head to push her away from Nodin. She licked Faith’s face, making her laugh. Sera lowered her body onto the ground, and Faith cautiously climbed up on her, gripping the fur of her scruff tightly.

              Giggling like a schoolgirl, Ally climbed onto Trisha’s shoulders, and Richard climbed on Koda. Cameron sat atop Jackson, and Damion hitched a ride on Nodin.

              Sera barked at them, and they all took off at a gentle trot. Faith leaned forward, squeezing Sera with her legs. When she grew more comfortable, Faith looked up to watch the scenery of the forest around her. She leaned closer to Sera’s ear and scratched her head to get her attention. “Is that the best you got?” she asked.

              Sera snorted and took off at a faster sprint, causing Faith to whoop in surprise. “Yee-haw!” she cried, laughing and screaming in delight as her friend ran her around the beautiful Hawaiian forest. The deep greens stood out vibrantly against the rich reddish brown of the forest floor.

              After an good hour of riding, they returned to the clearing. The wolves all went behind trees and phased back, then quickly dressed in sweats; of course Sera and Trisha donned sports bras, but the guys remained shirtless.

              “So…” Sera said as she walked back toward them. “Please tell me you don’t hate us.”

              “Hate you? Never! This is amazing! I thought I saw some crazy things in Texas, but this? This definitely tops it,” Ally said, running her finger through her wind-blown hair.

              “It definitely explains a lot,” Richard said.

              “Were you born this way or changed into it?” Damion asked, always the curious one.

              “Werewolves are a whole other race,” Koda said, standing beside his mate. “We were created by a goddess, our All Mother. Humans can be turned, but it can only happen by alpha bite. It is dangerous, and many do not survive the change.”

              “So those matching tattoos you have aren’t just some mushy romantic thing, are they? I bet they’re not even tattoos,” Ally said.

              Trisha laughed. “You’re a sharp one, Al. We are all born with one mate, one other being who holds the other half of our soul. When we find that soulmate, there are multiple signs. There’s a strong attraction, marks appear, scents changes, and we can hear each other’s thoughts.”

              “Amaze-balls!”

              “Can werewolves only mate with other werewolves?” Faith asked.

              “No,” Sera said.

              “Ooh! Sign me up for mating season then! I want a hot furball,” Ally exclaimed.

              “Whoa! Hold the hormones there, sister. Werewolves can only mate with other magic beings, like fae, sprites, vampires, and so on. That doesn’t include humans.”

              “Wait. Are you saying all those things really exist?”

              “What about witches?” Richard and Faith asked at the same time.

              “Witches do exist, but they aren’t human. They can just blend in easier than most. You guys just saw for yourselves that werewolves are real. What would make you think the others aren’t? I can’t vouch for the Tooth Fairy though,” Sera said with a smile.

              “Touché.”

              “So all of you on this island are family?” 

              “Werewolves.”

              “Wicked.”

              “So…” Cameron said, his voice cold, “what’s it like to be controlled by a dangerous beast?”

              Sera blinked at the hostility in his voice. “Our wolves are not beasts. They are as much a part of us as the human half, and we aren’t controlled by them—for the most part anyway.”

              “So you’re saying it’s completely, 100 percent safe for us to be here? That none of us will become someone’s dinner?”

              “That’s exactly what she’s saying,” Koda said. “Just like humans, there are those of us who are good and those who have evil intentions. An alpha pair is tasked with keeping the peace in each pack. Of course there are fights, for we are half-wolf, but alphas will step in when necessary. Sera and I, as alphas of our pack, ultimately make the decisions.”

              “Is that why they bow to you and bare their throats like Nodin does?” Faith asked, glancing over at him. 

              Sera nodded. “Yes. It’s a sign of respect to bow, and baring one’s throat is a sign of submission.”

              “This is so crazy. My best friend is a werewolf, an alpha at that.”

              Sera gave her a hug. “Well, you took it like a champ!”

              “So John was a werewolf too?” Damion asked, inadvertently drumming up some painful memories.

              Sera’s jaw tightened as she nodded.

              “By that look on your face, there’s more to the story. He didn’t die in a car crash, did he?”

              Sera smiled sadly and sat on the ground. “I’ll answer your questions, but you all might want to sit down for this…”