Silver Moon (9 page)

T
he worst part about the fight is that I have to face Randy and Beth, possibly Mom and Dad.

Strike one.

The best part: I kicked Cameron Conway’s ass.

I lay on the couch until Randy and Beth are home from work, contemplating the day’s big event. The fight doesn’t make sense, but they’ll know sooner or later what happened. Might as well get it out in the open, so they won’t question why I’m not in school. They look surprised to see me downstairs.

“I need to talk to you guys,” I say.

They shoot each other quick glances before Beth says, “Okay, what is it?”

“There was a fight,” I explain. “Basically, I…pushed a guy hard enough he went through a window.” I’m quick to add more. “But I didn’t
know
I’d pushed him that hard. I mean, how would I know I’m that strong? It’s not possible, really.” I suck in a deep breath, waiting for their responses. Beth’s holding Randy’s hand, and both have surprised looks plastered on their faces.

“It’s inevitable,” Randy says, standing behind the recliner Beth sits in.

Beth glances up at him and squeezes his hand tighter.

“We need to tell her,” he continues.

Beth sucks in a breath, and then exhales through the “O” her mouth forms. “Candra, what I'm about to tell you is very important, so listen carefully. I'm sure it's going to come as a shock to you and, well, you're bound to find out sooner or later, even if we don’t tell you. But we'd rather you hear it from us.”

This time, I’m the one who listens intently. I lean forward, as if that’ll help my hearing.

She continues. “Our family history dates back for hundreds of years. We’re…different from other people.”

My stomach does all kinds of somersaults and twists.

“Different? How?
Wha
—”

She holds up her hand to silence me. “Hear me out. This is going to sound crazy.”

I barely nod. At least, I think I do.

“We go by many names, but the one you might be familiar with is
werewolf
.”

Did she just say what I think she said? There’s no possible way. This is a joke.

I laugh harder than I’ve ever laughed before. Randy and Beth are clearly taken aback by my reaction.
 

“You’ve got to be kidding me,” I say. “A werewolf?”

They nod. The looks on their faces tells me they aren’t joking.

I gradually stop laughing. My heart frantically beats against my chest wall, then takes a nose dive into the pit of my stomach. Enough of this nonsense. And to think—they’re the adults here. “Werewolves don’t exist.”

“They do in our world. We’ve been hunted down for generations. Our ancestors fought for their lives. Now we fight not to be seen. We have to live like humans, like everyone else around here. It’s for our own safety and for the safety of those around us. We can have normal lives.
Pretend
we’re human.”

“So, if I’m a werewolf, does that mean I’m adopted or something, because—”

“No, Amy and Bill are like us too.”

My parents? No
freakin
’ way.

“This is bullshit. I’m sure it’s meant to be funny, but it’s not.” I stand, contemplating running away from my crazy family. “I’m going for a walk. Hopefully when I get back you two will have a logical story to tell me.”

“Logical or not, it’s the truth,” Beth says. For a faint second, her eyes blaze a bright yellow.

My mouth drops. Those eyes are just like the ones I see outside my window—the same eyes that haunt me in my dreams.

“I’m sorry we had to break it to you like this,” Randy states. “Your mother and father, even though they have werewolf blood, they choose not to change. They made the decision once you were born. They didn’t want you to grow up thinking everyone’s a werewolf.”

I collapse on the couch. This can’t be true. None of this can be true. Like it’s not enough for me to deal with the fact that I made a guy fly through a window… Now they’re telling me I’m a furry monster.

Beth tears up. “It’s too soon.”

“She
needed
to know,” Randy says.

“On your eighteenth birthday, you will change. We all do,” Beth says.

“I-I don’t know what to say,” I stammer. If what they’re saying is true, which seems like the only logical explanation for all these weird events happening to me lately, then I only have until January. Oh, shit. I’ll be a werewolf in a few months.

“You don’t have any questions?” Randy asks, squeezing Beth’s hand tighter.
 

I look away, shaking my head. This isn’t real. It can’t be. Visions of old horror movies and urban legends flicker through my mind.

“Full moons,” is all I manage to get out.

“Do we change on full moons?” Beth tries clarifying. “The answer is no. We can change whenever we want.”

I squeeze my eyes shut. I can’t concentrate. Not happening. Can’t happen. Unbelievable.

“Silver?” I ask, wincing.

“You wear that locket around your neck, don’t you?” Beth asks, nodding toward the necklace resting against my chest.

Totally forgot about it. I glance at the silver heart gleaming up at me, as if to say:
I’m still here, and so are you.

“Okay,” I begin, taking deep breaths, “will I hurt or…kill anyone?”

“There’s always that possibility, until you are accustomed to being transformed,” Beth explains. “But we’ll get you trained, so the chance of it happening will be slim. I will tell you, though, that if you ever smell blood, it takes a lot of self-control to stay away.”

I gulp.

“Are there more like us?” I question.

They look at each other, hesitating before answering my question. Beth squeezes Randy’s hand again. Each open their mouths to speak, but nothing comes out.

“Yes,” Beth finally answers.

“Around here?” My eyes grow wide.

Beth nods.

First, I’m a werewolf. Now they’re telling me that I live in a town with werewolves? This is a lot to take in. Not to mention the fact that my birthday is just around the corner. What will happen then? I imagine changing into a giant
furball
.

“Will it hurt?”

“The transformation? The first time around—yes.”

I open my big mouth again and ask, “Are there many?”

“There are a few,” Randy states.

“Anyone I know?”

“Yes,” Beth answers.

“Who?”

“I think this part of the discussion can wait a bit,” Beth informs me.
 

“Wait… You just told me I’m a werewolf, that my parents are werewolves, and there might be more out there. But you won’t tell me who they are? This whole conversation has been crazy, so why don’t you say whatever it is you need to say?” My head tingles from the adrenaline rush.

“Get some fresh air, Candra. When you come back, we’ll explain the rest.”

“Okay, a few minutes ago I wanted to leave. But the more I look at your faces, the more I realize you guys aren’t joking. This is real life. If I’m going to learn about my history and what happens when I…change, then I should hear it from you two, right?”

“How about we get you some water?” Randy asks, trying to change the subject.

“I don’t want something to drink. I want to know answers. You two brought this up, so you two need to finish it!” I blare.

“There’s a lot we can explain, and a lot we can’t,” says Beth. She nibbles on her lower lip for a minute, and then adds, “Candra, your parents didn’t send you here because you were in trouble. They sent you here to learn how to become a werewolf.”

Everything in my world crashes and bursts into smithereens.

Chapter Nine

T
he walk doesn't do me any good. Icy wind lashes at my cheeks. I think about brown and golden leaves crunching under my feet a week or so ago, how much I hate the cold, and how it's only going to get worse.

So many questions burn through my skull, and I want answers. I don't even make it to the end of the driveway, when I whip around and barrel toward the front door.

“Okay, give it to me. I want to know everything,” I demand, as I barge into the living room. Randy and Beth are seated on the loveseat. I plop down on the couch, sinking into the worn-out cushion. “Straight up. No bullshit. Let’s hear it.”

Beth wrings her hands, while watching me. “It’s a lot to take in all at once, Candra.”

“I know. But I want to know why these guys hate me for no reason. I want to know why I’m a werewolf, of all things. Why did my parents hide this from me, like they’re ashamed of what they—” I suck in a huge breath, “—what
we
are. How many of us exist? There are so many things…” I trail off.

Beth purses her lips and gives her next words consideration. A nervous laugh escapes her and she says, “First of all, we want you to keep your distance from the
Conways
, if possible. They’re a dangerous bunch. They don’t consort well with others. We need you to stay safe.”

“But—” I begin to protest.

“Please, let me finish. Once I’m through, then you can ask as many questions as your heart desires.”

I bite my tongue so hard I can taste the sickening metallic flavor, and my hands are clenched so tightly I’m afraid they might snap under pressure. My silence is taken as affirmation for her to continue.

“The
Conways
came to live here many, many years ago. One hundred and twelve, to be exact. They were very pleasant people, at first.
We
knew what they were. They said they wanted to start fresh, never giving details about their past. We learned their true nature not long after.

“They’re Hunters. Vicious, controlling creatures. Unlike us, they were out for blood. Banned from their last residence. When humans in this area came up missing or dead, we knew who it was. But the rest of us weren’t powerful enough to stop them. Over the years, factions have formed. Either you’re on their side, or you’re not. There’s only two.”

Images of innocent people dying, being slain by the hands of monsters, flash repeatedly across my mind.

I gulp, but my saliva seems to hitch itself in my throat. “And what happens if you’re not on their side?”

Beth smoothes her skirt with her hands and glances up at the ceiling, exhaling a tiny sigh. “They’ve done horrible things to people who
know
, yet don’t pick a side. Humans who are aware of the
Conways
—what they are—don’t get away so easily, and have to choose a side. If they don’t comply, well, they’re never heard from again.” Her eyes are distant, looking at the ugly brown carpet.

I shake my head. I don’t know what to say, what to tell her. My mind whirls with questions—mainly if everything is going to be all right.

“That’s…so…awful.” I manage to speak.

Beth finally glances my way. “Yes.”

“It’s either our side or theirs,” I murmur to myself.

Randy and Beth watch me intently.
 

Beth speaks again. “We’re among the few who stood up against them. A war brews, Candra—one that’s gone on for generations between our family and theirs.”

“So, that’s why they hate me?”

“You have
Lowell
blood. They’ll never like anybody with that name.”

“But Ben—” I start.

“Do
not
be deceived. Remember that he’s on
their
side, not ours.”

“He’s so nice to me, though. He apologizes for the way Cameron and Ethan treat me. I think he’s just scared of his parents.” I silently wonder why I’m sticking up for him. It’s not like we’re dating.

“Could be true,” Beth says, bobbing her head back and forth, weighing the options, “but I’d still be leery. He might have an ulterior motive.”

I shake my head. There’s no way.