The Rising Moon (7 page)

I felt his warm, breath on my face as he leaned closer and brushed his full lips against mine. His lips felt soft and the way he gently nibbled my bottom lip with every brush of his lips made it even harder for my brain to scream some sense into me.

I kissed him back. I don’t know why. Perhaps I was just confused from everything Ani told me or maybe I was lost in the moment. But this wasn’t right, I had to stop.

"I should go home." My voice was husky as I pulled myself away from him.

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have done that."

"I really must go. Please, take me to my car," I pleaded.

We both sat quiet in the car as he drove me back to Fort Washakie. My lips still throbbed from the kiss. Although it felt real good to kiss him, I had to remind myself that we could only be friends and nothing more.

I was glad John was sober and asleep. I really couldn’t handle another night of his drinking. I just wanted to be left alone.

I sat on the foot of the bed with the box in my hands. I slowly removed the knitted throw and carefully opened the box. In a red velvet pouch, I found a small rusty key. I insert it into the locket on the ivory leather diary. My heart began to beat quick as I began to turn the key. I saw flashes of what seemed to have been a past life swirled together with images that felt like now, but none of it made any sense. It seemed real, yet a dream. Now I understood why I’ve always felt, heard and saw things that felt as if they belonged to someone else.

“
You’re not Zaria Rohan. You’re Angelia Lafosse,” I told myself. “You’re not destined to repeat her life or suffer her fate. You can write your own destiny. This is
your
life, she already lived hers.”

I quickly removed the key from the locket, kept the photo of my parents in my hand, and placed the box in the back of my closet. I stood staring at the closet door after I closed it shut. For a moment, I’d forgotten how to breathe.

This morning I woke up a human
girl and now I’m a reincarnated immortal werewolf!

My head hurt.

All I wanted to do was sleep. Forget this whole shape shifting, immortal werewolf nonsense and drift into a deep, long sleep. I hung the dream catcher on a nail near the window pane and headed for bed.

∞
chapter 9 ∞

THE NEXT MORNING the sun was shining bright and the western sky was blue and promising. Last night was the first time I slept through the entire night without tossing or turning.

I stood in front of the mirror as I brushed my teeth and I noticed my blanched face seemed to have a healthier pink glow today and my eyes were bright as the morning sky. Even my hair looked full and was easy to tame. I decided to ditch the ponytail and wore my hair loose instead.

I was surprised not to see Emi waiting outside, by the car as she always did. I called her on her cell but she didn’t answer. I decided to drive up to her house. I beeped the horn, until she appeared on the front door. She was dressed in a pink plush robe. Her hair pulled back in a bun and her eyes were puffy.

"I'm sorry," she sniffed. “I should've called you earlier, but I'm not feeling well today.”

She looked and sounded terrible. "Is there anything I can get you?" I asked.

"Thanks, but I'll be alright. Nurse Fielding is going to swing by later." She coughed.

"Okay. I'll call you when I get home from school."

She waved her long, slim arm as she walked up the concrete stairs. Her fifteenth birthday was only days away, and I knew how much she's been waiting for this day to come.

At school, everything was the same. The crowd of students hanging out on the front lawn and the lot was filled with large muscled trucks. Ryan stood by his truck. “Good morning," he said with a smile.

"Hey," I replied.

I didn’t want the awkwardness from last night to continue today. However, I could tell by the way he looked at me that it would be difficult to forget.

"You look rested. Let me guess…,” He smiled. “The dream catcher I gave you worked its magic.”

"Yes, it did as a matter of fact."

"I'm glad." He smiled.

∞∞∞∞

After Algebra, I met the girls out in the courtyard for lunch. I felt Ryan and I needed some time apart. Kima walked away as she always did whenever I joined them. I let out a heavy sigh, frustrated with her attitude.

"You're okay?" Denise asked.

"I'm just sick of Kima always acting like I did something to her."

"Don't pay attention to her. She's just jealous of you and Ryan."

"Why? There's nothing to be jealous about. Ryan and I are just friends."

"But you know he’s in love with you, right?" she asked.

I glanced over at him, he lowered his head and turned to walk away. At that precise moment, I decided that it was best to distance myself from him completely. He was better off with someone like Kima.

At the end of the day, as I walked over to my car, I repeatedly played in my head the words I would use to tell him that we no longer could be friends. Every time I heard myself say it, I felt my heart sink deeper and deeper. My breathing stopped all together, when I saw him waiting for me beside my car. I lowered my eyes, finding it difficult to look at him. It was easier rehearsing what I would say then to actually cough up the words and say them. I felt my knees begin to give in when he stood in front of me. He brushed his hand gently on my chin, as he lowered his head to look me in the eyes. I felt a knot in my throat, as I fought back the tears that were beginning to build up.

"Is something wrong? Are you still upset about last night?” he asked with concern in his voice.

I turned my face away from his and began to search for my keys. I took in a deep breath, as I bit my lower lip, “I think its best we don’t hang out anymore."

"What?” His face fell, and his brown eyes darkened. I fought back the desire to take it back. Tell him it was a joke, but I knew what I was doing was for his own good.

"Don’t call me or talk to me again. I thought we could be just friends, but I now see it was a mistake." I quickly jumped into my car.

∞∞∞∞

The whole day was gloomy, and dark clouds began to fill the evening sky. Hopefully the rain would hold off a bit, so Emi's birthday party wouldn't be ruined. I pulled my hair up and held it in place with a silver clip. I looked at my pale complexion as I lightly brushed some pink color unto my cheeks and lips. Since the clouds still ruled overhead, I put my heels in a bag and wore boots instead.

As I drove up the road toward the Ulric house, the clouds opened and the rain began to pour. It was hard to see the road ahead behind the sheets of rain that slammed on the windshield. I pulled over to try and ride out the storm. After a few minutes of the fierce downpour, the rain began to subside. I tried to start up my car, but it wouldn't start. The engine stalled as I pushed down the pedal attempting to start it up again. Frustrated I banged my hands on the steering wheel.

‘
What a night for this to happen,’
I thought to myself.

I buttoned my raincoat and covered my head with the hood. Unwilling to get my dress splattered with mud I tied it in a knot above my knees before I stepped outside. Despite the occasional raindrop from the trees above, I realized that the setting was too quiet. From the corner of my eye, I thought I saw a shadow move underneath the aspen trees. When I looked again, it was gone. Still I shuddered and ran into the car, locked the doors and said a silent prayer for the car to start.

When I opened my eyes, I saw a man. He was dressed in black pants and a black trench coat. His hair was drenched and stuck to the side of his pale face. He looked straight at me without a blink while rain drops dripped down his dark heavy eyebrows.

My body tensed, as my hands gripped the steering wheel. I leaned back into my seat and tried to revive the car again---but failed. My heart raced. The stranger walked over to my window and tapped it. I reached into my bag and grabbed my cell phone to dial 911 if I had to.

"Do you need help?" His voice was deep with a slight Spanish accent.

I was both frightened and fascinated. "My car won't start,” I replied foolishly.

"Pop the trunk and let me have a look,” he said.

I opened the door and slowly followed him to the trunk. He leaned forward and attached a hose that was loose, tapped on a metal device and screwed something into place.

"Try it again," he said.

The car stuttered back to life.

"Thank you," I said with a big smile on my face.

"No problem, Little Red," he chuckled. I gave him a confused look. "You're wearing a red hooded jacket and you're alone in the woods." He said, trying to explain his comment.

I smiled at him, "and are you the big bad wolf?"

He smiled and dusted his hands. I cleared the passenger seat to offer him a ride, but when I turned to asked, he was gone.

∞
chapter 10 ∞

THE ULRIC HOUSE was bustling with loads of people arriving for Emi's birthday party. The guest list included close friends and some of Wyoming’s wealthiest families. Every one of them was elegantly dressed to impress as if it were a Hollywood event. There was valet parking and even a plush black carpet that led up the white stone steps of the guest house. The guest house was a small replica of the main house, with its red brick roof tiles, stone walls, grand mahogany double door entrance, and large gothic tracery windows.

The night sky had already cleared and the moon was shining brightly in the star filled sky. I parked my car behind a tall spruce tree away from the bustle and scurry of the arriving guests. I untied the knot on my dress, switched my shoes, and took my rain jacket off. After I adjusted my hair, I took a deep breath and followed the crowd through the courtyard.

Its massive black wrought iron entrance was adorned with black tulle, vines of evergreens and small twinkling lights that sparkled like tiny stars. The pale stone walls were enlivened with bouquets of white roses and green garlands. In the middle of the garden was a giant black stone fountain with seven crystal glass balls that glowed as the water streamed over them.

Slowly, I nervously walked through the crowd of people looking for a familiar face. Everyone looked so perfect. I took a look at myself though the reflection on the tall glass windows and began to feel out of place. I wanted to find Emi, say hello and leave.

I stood in a dark corner of the garden biting my lower lip. Sweat began to wipe away the little makeup I applied on my face. A waitress dressed in a white suit carrying a tray of bubbling tall glasses walked over to me.

"Care for some champagne?"

"No thank you,” I replied. She grinned and turned to walk away.

"Wait,” I called out to her. "Can you tell me where I can find Emiliana Lupe?"

"She's over there.” She pointed to the crowd that gathered on far left corner of the yard.

I made my way to where Emi stood surrounded by admiring guests. She looked like a princess dressed in a black strapless, full skirt gown. Her long hair was embellished with little white flowers and pearls as it flowed down her back in loose wavy curls. On her neck, I noticed the chained necklace Ramira always wore. The large pearl pendant illuminated brightly against her skin.

"Lia!" shouted Emi, "I'm so happy to see you."

My face bloomed as the guests turned to look my way. I cleared my throat and kept my eyes fixed on Emi.

"Happy Birthday,” I pulled out a small pink box from my bag.

"Thanks, Lia.” She smiled broadly, taking a step back to take a full look at me.

"Please don't say anything.” I warned, as I tried to flatten the wrinkled ripples of satin that cascaded onto the floor. "You don't know what I’ve been through tonight."

"You look great."

“
Thanks,” I muttered. "Listen, I wish I could stay, but---.”

“
No, you can’t leave yet. There's someone I want you to meet,” She said as she grabbed my hand and dragged me into the guest house ballroom.

Inside, the enchanting, mystical theme continued. The round guest tables were covered with fine white linens, exquisite china and tall silver antique candle holder centerpieces. A large crystal chandelier hung from the stucco vaulted ceiling over the smooth polished floor.

I bit hard on my now swollen bottom lip as I nervously walked through the crowded floor, over to the long exceptionally decorated table in front of an oversized stone fireplace. Ramira and Fenix were seated there talking to a couple I've never seen before. Emi tugged on my hand and walked up to a tall dark haired man, and tapped him on his shoulder. He turned around with a huge brilliant smile.
"Lia, I want you to meet my brother Lyle."

"We've already met. Haven’t we Little Red?” He said gazing at me intently. The stranger who helped me with my car looked harmless and very handsome dressed in a black suit and tie. His green eyes were hypnotizing. I didn’t remember seeing then this bright earlier. He continue to stare at me with what seemed as much a surprise at seeing me, as I was at seeing him. Blood rushed to my face and stayed there.