Bright Moon

by Andria Canayo

  The lump in her throat only grew and she tried to swallow it. Callan’s head was just above her shoulder, watching with intense interest as she clicked and opened the message. Timothy made a ruckus in the hall, but their concentration was unbreakable. A single link was pasted in the message, just as before. She clicked on it and the live stream opened in a new window. Callan gasped when he saw the small dirty cell. The woman sat in a corner with her arms around her knees.

  “It can’t be,” Callan breathed. The same instant, the woman raised her head and looked into the camera. Clara wheeled back, running over her brother’s toes. It was as if her mother had looked directly at them. “Mom!” Callan touched the screen. “Where is this from?”

  “I don’t know.” She covered her mouth in shock. “I thought it was somebody’s idea of a cruel joke.”

  “Who sent it?” Tyson asked from his post at the door. Clara couldn’t move and Callan reluctantly took control of the mouse. He brought her inbox back on screen and the sender was listed as James Parker.

  “Ty,” Callan whispered. “It’s Parker.”

  Tyson came to the computer. “It isn’t real. He’s trying to trick you.”

  “How can you know for certain?” she asked with wide eyes. “It’s a live feed.”

  “Or he made it appear that way,” Tyson suggested. “I’m sorry to tell you, but if Parker ever had your mom, she would not have lasted long.”

  “You don’t know that!” she stood up and clicked on the stream to see her mom. “We have to know for certain.”

  Tyson’s fingers came around her wrist and he pulled her hand from the mouse. “Clara, Parker will do anything to have what he wants. This is not real, he’s trying to trick you.”

  “I want to believe you, but what if she’s alive?” she asked. His blue eyes turned from her determined gaze, but he kept her wrist in his hand.

  “We can discuss it later, we have to leave before Parker discovers you’re here. He might have men watching the house.”

  They started to file out. Clara could hear her father on the phone behind his bedroom door. Tyson stopped at the top of the stairs just outside her room. Callan and Clara eyed him. “What is it, Ty?” Callan asked. The edges of Tyson’s eyes glowed faint yellow. He went to her bedroom door and rested a hand on the knob, hesitating a second before pushing it open. The door squeaked on its hinges before gently bumping the wall. He stood in the doorframe and took a deep breath. “What’s wrong?” Callan asked again.

  “Mark has been here.”

  “In my room?” she asked in a high-pitched tone.

  “Yes.” Tyson sniffed the air. “His scent is cold. Have you ever invited him to your house?”

  “No! We’ve been through all that. Are you telling me he was here before the day you and I met?”

  “Yes, and often.”

  A shudder ran up her spine. “Don’t say that.”

  “I’m sorry,” Tyson whispered. “You could grab some things while we’re here if you want.”

  “Oh yes, of course.” She bustled into her room, finding a small suitcase in her closet and stuffing it with everything she could think of. Tyson stood as tense as a sprung trap and moved to the window. The last thing she thought to add was her toothbrush. When she zipped the lid shut, Tyson hurried them to the first level only to stop once more. He cracked the front door open and sniffed the air. The door slammed shut again.

  “Mark!” he growled.

  “Oh no,” Callan groaned. “Is he alone?”

  “As far as I can tell, yes.” Tyson pulled his car keys from his pocket and handed them to Callan.

  “Ty…” Callan pushed them back. “I can’t.”

  “You can and you will, understand? I think you proved how strong you are just now in dealing with your father. I almost lost my cool before you did. I’ll take care of Mark and catch up. You take your sister and get out of here.”

  “Wait!” Clara grabbed his sleeve when he reached for the door. “We have to stay together.”

  “I will be fine. You’ve seen me duel with Mark before,” he tried to assure her.

  “Don’t you remember how he insinuated he wouldn’t be alone the next time? What if it’s a trap?”

  “Then you will have time to escape,” he said. “That’s what matters right now. Go with your brother and don’t worry.”

  “That doesn’t make me feel better.”

  Tyson grimaced as if the moon’s pale face summoned him. He put a hand on her cheek and tipped toward her. For a small moment, she was sure he would kiss her. “Don’t worry, Clara Chandra. You’ve done enough worrying for one woman.” His whisper came soft in her ear.

  You mean for one mortal, she thought. His touch diffused her senses and she couldn’t offer a protest in time. She watched helplessly as he slipped out. Callan chuckled and she turned to slap him on the arm. “How can you let him go?” she hissed as her cheeks went warm.

  “Nobody lets him do anything,” Callan said as he moved by her and pressed his ear to the door.

  “He could be hurt!”

  “SH!” he waved her exclamation off.

  “Don’t you have super sonic hearing?” she asked sarcastically.

  He laughed shortly. “Do you know how long it takes to develop those senses while in our human bodies? The only thing I hear is your chattering. Now sh!”

  Her heart was a mess of nerves and fear as her brother listened. She gripped the handle of her suitcase and wished she could see, or at least hear what went on outside. Callan, after a few tense moments, grabbed her hand and opened the door, rushing to the car. He had her inside and was behind the wheel in seconds. He started the engine and backed out of the driveway as she sat cramped with her luggage in her lap. There hadn’t been time to put it in the back. He wasn’t as erratic a driver as Tyson, but he pushed the limits. Clara barely noticed.

  “Clara,” Callan cut into her worrying. “Try to relax.”

  “How could you leave him like that?”

  “You have to understand, sis, he is the head of our pack. If I don’t do what he says, it will be a direct challenge to his position as dominant wolf,” Callan informed her. The entire idea struck her as barbaric until she remembered how eager Mesha had been to join a pack. She shook it off and let her head rest against the glass while clutching her suitcase to her stomach and trying to think of something else.

  “Tyson said mom wouldn’t last long if Parker ever caught her,” she mumbled without looking over. “What did he mean?”

  “James Parker is the only surviving Parker to date. He and his company destroy any werewolf they come in contact with.”

  She sat back. “Do you think mom could be alive?”

  His hands tightened on the wheel. “I’ve seen what Parker does to a werewolf when he gets his grip on them. I can’t believe he’s had her all this time, it would be better for her if it ended quickly.”

  “What if she’s there?” she asked. “What if he’s torturing her right now?”

  “You can’t think that way. She already died once, don’t go through it again.”

  Her eyebrows knitted together and she bit her tongue.

  “I told you dad wouldn’t be happy to see me,” Callan said.

  “I’m sorry,” she answered and nervously zipped the front compartment on the luggage open and closed a few times. “I hoped having us all together would make him remember how we used to be.”

  “Mom’s leaving really shook a screw loose, didn’t it?”

  “Of course it did,” she answered. “I wonder how long she’d been a werewolf.”

  “Who knows? I never noticed anything unusual, did you?”

  “Never.” She pulled at her hair and started twisting it in her fingers, bracing her elbows against the suitcase. Her mind was ever with her mother, but she didn’t want Callan to guess it so she brought up another subject. “I know I don’t understand a lot about your new life, but don’t you get mad at someone telling you what to do?”


  “No,” Callan shook his head. “I know it sounds primitive, but Tyson knows what he’s doing. We’ve butted heads a few times, mostly over you. I will say that if it weren’t for him, Parker would have caught me a long time ago.”

  “I do understand he wants to protect you…us even, but it seems odd there would be need of a dominant wolf.”

  He nodded. “If you knew what our animal instincts are like, then you would understand why it’s necessary. Pups especially need someone to guide them. ”

  “I can’t fathom anyone being able to domineer over you,” she explained.

  With a snort of laughter, Callan answered, “My free spirited nature has only gotten me into trouble, especially since I was infected. I learned fairly quickly to listen to the advice of more experienced individuals.”

  “I still can’t believe you would leave him like that, dominant wolf or no.” Clara watched out the window as houses and greenery sped by. Callan chuckled.

  “Tyson can take care of himself, sis. You’ll see, he’ll be okay.”

  Chapter 6 - Promise

  Callan proved just as secretive as Tyson when Clara asked about their destination. She found she didn’t mind as much because she was just glad to be near him. They stopped to eat at diners and he would pull up to rest stops periodically so they could stretch their legs. She rather enjoyed his slower pace, but even it was too much for her mortal mind to process at times.

  On the fifth afternoon of their journey, and after crossing numerous state borders, they arrived in a quaint looking town. Callan slowed the car, as he always did near large populations, and Clara thought they were going to stop for a late lunch. He seemed to have other ideas and guided the car through the town and into a mountainous area scattered with trees and vegetation. An hour on a bumpy and less traveled road brought them to their destination. A cabin came into view after they’d passed all civilization. Callan parked under a carport they found by following the drive behind the cabin. They got out and saw the back door just visible through the trees. Pine needles ground underfoot. They could barely take a step without having to dodge around an evergreen trunk but there was more than the scent of pine on the air. Freshly baked bread and something savory drifted on the wind. She was just wondering who in the pack knew how to cook when Mesha came bounding from seemingly nowhere.

  “Clara!” she yelled and gave her a quick hug. “Where have you been? We were worried sick! Dawn is sure something awful happened.”

  “Dawn?” Clara asked, stopping at the unknown name. “Who is Dawn?”

  “Jack’s aunt, she’s part of the pack,” Mesha said.

  “And an awesome cook,” Callan added. Mesha glared at him, offended by the least of his words.

  “How many are in the pack?”

  “Seven,” Callan and Mesha answered together. Mesha’s mouth clamped shut and she refused to meet his eye. He jerked away and went to the trunk of the car where Clara’s suitcase had taken residence.

  “Come on,” Mesha huffed and moved in the direction of the backdoor.

  “You, Tyson, Callan, Jack and Dawn only make five. There are two I haven’t met besides Dawn?”

  “No, you forgot to count yourself,” Mesha called over her shoulder.

  She was taken aback. “Me?”

  “Sure, you’re in the pack too.”

  Clara looked at her brother and he nodded. “Oh. Well then, there is one werewolf I haven’t met besides Jack’s aunt?”

  “Yes,” Callan said without offering anything more on the subject.

  “Don’t worry,” Mesha said as she hurried up some wooden stairs that led to a large deck and the back door. “Koty will be home soon.” Mesha held the back door open, revealing the homey little kitchen and overwhelmingly good smells. Next to the oven stood a woman stirring something in a sauce pan. She wheeled to face them as they crossed the kitchen floor. Her hazel eyes smiled and she owned a cheery disposition. She wore a loose fitting tunic and well-worn jeans, over which was tied a yellow and white frilly apron. Her auburn hair was pulled into half a ponytail.

  “Oh my goodness!” she said as she took in the small group. Her voice was commanding, yet kind. “I’m so glad you arrived safely! Where is Tyson?”

  “He stayed behind,” Callan answered. “Mark was on our trail.”

  Jack entered the room carrying a laptop. He went to sit at the counter and set the computer next to an assortment of phones. “Mark? Why would he waste time with him?”

  For the first time, Clara was able to really take in Jack’s features. She was surprised to note he didn’t look older than fifteen or sixteen. His body was physically fit and his hair shaved close to his head. His eyes were a warm color of brown, but came across dull as if they never reflected light. At the question Jack posed, Callan coughed and cleared his throat nervously. He went to the counter and took a phone, sliding it into his pocket.

  “Look at us standing around gabbing when you’ve just arrived!” Dawn said while smiling at Clara and trying not to glance at Callan. “Hello, dear, I’m Dawn. I think you know everyone else here.”

  “We haven’t formally met,” Jack said and stood to offer his hand to her. “I’m Jack.”

  “Hi,” Clara took his hand and shook it quickly, embarrassed by all the attention. “Thank you for your help before.”

  He smiled grimly and nodded. “Here,” he said and offered her a small, flip-phone.

  “What’s this?” she asked.

  “We get new numbers with every location. I thought you would like one as well. I programmed our numbers in.”

  “Thank you,” she said and twisted it in her hands.

  “You must be famished after your journey.” Dawn went back to the stove. “I’m making dinner if you are.”

  Callan set Clara’s suitcase by the door and tried to nudge her in the direction of the bar at the counter, obviously eager to eat.

  “Aunt Dawn, you know Cal is always hungry,” Jack said with a laugh.

  “I’m sorry,” Clara muttered as Callan tried to get her to sit again. “I’m just a little tired. Would it be alright if I rested?”

  “Certainly, Mesha knows where you will be staying.” Dawn smiled encouragingly and her eyes sparkled.

  “Thank you,” Clara said gratefully.

  Mesha hung back from the group, clearly displeased with Callan. She jumped on the chance to be with Clara. She led the way up a flight of stairs. Clara grabbed her things and followed. She took a moment to walk around the cozy room while Mesha went to the window, peering out.

  “Have you liked your stay here?” Clara asked. Mesha’s brow furrowed and her yellow eyes seemed a deeper shade of gold.

  “Yes and no. Dawn and Jack have been very patient and kind. I have a room to myself and my own things. I can go outside and run whenever I like. I would have been better if you were here though, I was really worried something happened.”

  “I’m sorry. Nothing’s happened and we are here now,” Clara pointed out.

  “I know and I’m relieved.” She looked out the window again.

  “You seem sad,” Clara observed.

  “No!” she answered too brightly. “It’s just everything has advanced. I’ve had a hard time getting used to the box with the moving pictures and the container that blasts sounds. I feel tremendously old!”

  Clara laughed out loud. “I’m sorry,” she immediately bit her cheek. “I didn’t mean to laugh.”

  “I know,” Mesha sighed and sat on the bed.

  “You’ll get used to things eventually. You just have to take it a day at a time.”

  “It’s not only the technology—now that Callan is here I will have to get used to him, which is a small struggle in itself.”

  “Mesha,” Clara said and sat next to her. “You know he was put in circumstances he couldn’t control, right?”

  “He could have stayed with you to start with,” Mesha growled.

  “You don’t know Callan well if you think that. He’s the kind of per
son who needs to learn by going out and experiencing. If he stayed with my dad and me he would have felt smothered.” Clara ran her fingers over the soft quilt on the bed. “It’s one of the areas he and I differ, I’m not very adventurous.”

  It was Mesha’s turn to laugh. “This comes from a girl who rode a werewolf a few days hence? I may not remember my human life, but I know that qualifies as adventurous.”

  Clara smiled. “I’m afraid it was circumstantial.”

  “What took you so long at any rate? Jack and I arrived a couple nights ago.”

  She launched into the story. When she related everything to her new friend, they said goodnight and retired. She desperately tried not to think of Tyson as she climbed into bed.

  The mysterious Koty never showed in the following days. Callan told her it wasn’t unnatural for werewolves to venture into the wilderness for days at a time. Clara was anxious to meet Koty, sure the illusive wolf was Tyson’s mate.

  At times, Clara felt she had been dropped into an alternate reality and expected to wake from it all to find she’d gone back to the nightmare that was her life. As odd as the new world was, she felt she belonged there with Callan more than anywhere. The only downfalls were her brother and Tyson. Talking to Callan was reminiscent of conversing with a complete stranger at times and she felt saddened they had drifted so far apart. Things would get better over time, but nothing could improve the fact that every morning meant another day passed and Tyson hadn’t come.

  She began taking refuge in the surrounding wood. Her walks acted as a buffer to the strange world, giving her a chance to reflect. Callan or Mesha insisted on going with her, but they would wander off after twenty minutes or so, bored with her mortal’s pace.

  On the fifth day after she’d arrived, it was Mesha who went with her. As she usually did, she left sight before they’d wandered more than a half hour down a trail that led from the house. Clara suspected she changed shape in the trees, but never saw her do so. She wound up in a small clearing she’d discovered where a fallen tree lay in the midst of wild grass. Something had knocked the great tree on its side once upon a time, but the roots had reclaimed their place in the soil. Somehow the tree survived and the branches stretched, reaching for the sunlight that speckled through competing canopies. The air chilled her and she made a mental note to search out a sweater or jacket before heading out again. She’d been there some time when a few ravens cawed angrily at her for disturbing their sanctuary. As loud as they yelled, her attention was not on them.