“Can someone just please tell me what exactly is going on here?” I asked looking at each one of them in turn.
Loren broke my gaze studying her feet, “Yeah late night party on the beach you can come If Carson swears he’ll protect you and watch you at all times. There are a lot of bears and dangerous stuff where it’s at you know.” She looked back at me.
“Why?” I asked.
“Reasons,” she replied.
“Fine if no one wants to tell me then thanks but no thanks!” I yelled frustrated. Then stormed off to my first period class; god forbid, math. The walls were made out of logs. Historical representations hung along in frames. It was like an old museum turned into a school.
When I got to room B9 I dropped all my stuff with a loud thud. The teacher, male, was already jotting stuff down on the whiteboard. I took out my notebook and a pencil, starting to write notes. Everything I had already learned. Of course one of the very few teenagers who ever even paid attention during class. But when I got bored of that I started doodling. Stick figures. First the cute, curly haired red head Loren. Then the angry face more bulky stature of Tarun. (Who hated despised, emitted me for who knows what.) Then Rosa. Talkative, polite, but yet secretive. I moved to Regan with his spiked hair and serious face, then Jeremy and Dimitri with their very normal (at least compared to the rest) expressions. Then I drew Carson. Carson Lund. Very mature looking with those bright green eyes. Well they all had the same eye color. But just because it was him for good measure I drew a huge nose. This was totally off as perfect as his face was. Then right next to him I drew a heart. Not because I like him but that’s what it kind of seemed like if you know what I mean. I held the picture in front of me and a laugh escaped my mouth.
And that’s when I realized it. The only ones in this room were the people I just drew and the hairy teacher. How did Carson and his friends get in here before me? They were all still in the cafeteria when I left and came straight here. That I was absolutely sure of.
“Something funny?” Mr. Hairball asked snatching the paper and folding it up. “No sir,” I said taking a big gulp.
“Then what’s this?” he held up the paper.
“Just a drawing.”
“Is it inappropriate?”
“No!” I shouted almost on instinct.
“Then why would it hurt to show the class?” he unfolded it and to my horror taped it up on the board. I expected some jeering laughter like the first day here when I squeaked and dropped all my stuff.
Everyone just turned their heads. I could literally feel my skin burning up into a deep crimson red. The teacher raised his eyebrows. Then kept on teaching.
A paper airplane hit my foot. I was just about to pick it up then thought better of it. No sooner curiosity gave in and I unfolded the plane and saw a stick figure drawing of me. At the bottom it said:
NICE ART SKILLS. SO HUMAN. GOT BORED.
DIMITRI. JEREMY.
So human? Really? I was really doubting they were human themselves. I had never been the paranormal type so I scolded myself for even thinking that. The bell rang as I shoved the picture into my book bag. This was all so pathetic.
Science passed quickly. Good. Lunch now. The cafeteria was crowded again and I couldn’t see Emi anywhere. Hoping she was over at Carsons table. I squeezed through the sea of students. My cheeks got brighter and brighter the closer I got. When I finally sat down with my food I got out my phone and just started randomly flipping through pictures not wanting to meet any of their eyes.
“So Leslie,” the cold voice of Tarun drawled. “What gives?”
I pretended to ignore her.
“Seriously don’t even pretend.” I could feel her eyes boring in to me.
“You know what?” I looked up shoving my phone deep into my pockets. “I don’t know what your problem is but I’ve done nothing to you. And all you’ve given me is a trip to the nurse’s office. So unless you want to do something about it you stay the hell away from me.”
That shut Tarun up real quick. It didn’t stop that glare on her face though.
“Later woods,” she sneered.
“Stop guys,” Carson said breaking the silence. “So Leslie, how about that beach party?”
“Under one condition,” I said. “You explain your strange behavior. The tattoos on your neck, why you only eat your meet,” I gestured to their empty buns. “Why no one sits by you and why the heck you call me human as if you’re not. And I’m not saying I don’t think you’re not human but-“
“Explanation promised. Tonight at eight meet down at the parking lot.” Carson beamed.
I sat on my bed desperately attempting to get any last minute homework done before I got dressed for this awful party. But on the bright side that was the first party I had ever been asked to unless you count my own childhood birthday parties. Which in my book it didn’t.
My alarm clock read 7:54. Shoot. I scrambled off the bunk and looked through the drawers to find some clothes. At least I had some privacy. Emi was a pretty easy roommate to live with considering the fact that she was only in here for yoga practices and microwave popcorn. I shimmied in to a top and stuck some shorts on. Now all I needed were my keys and cell.
I yanked the door open to see Carson Lund standing in the doorway. No matter how many times I looked at him I could never get over his enticing presence. Now there was a friendly connection between us. Plus I needed that explanation.
“Hi,” he said. “Thought we were going to meet in the parking lot?” I gave a little smile.
“Yeah well the rest already left so I said I would drive you there.”
“But I didn’t sign the papers at the car rental for a second driver though.”
He raised his eyebrows, “So?” This guy didn’t follow the rules.
“Never mind let’s go,” I said.
He placed his fingertips on my back and led me to my blue Volkswagen rental.
“How did you know?” I asked.
“I watched you get out of it last week on the first day.” Carson shrugged.
“You just get stranger and stranger.” I said.
“You have no idea. Keys please?”
“Oh yeah here.” I handed the keys to him. “Drive safe.”
We drove past the Starbucks, gas station, few hamburger stops, all the way in to town to get on to the freeway entrance. I was sweating now. Being alone in the car with Carson was kind of scaring me. I pressed my forehead against the cool glass watching trees, cars, and the occasional jogger fly by. After about five minutes I looked over at Carson. He was staring right at me.
“Oh my gosh! Pay attention to the road!” he was going seventy miles an hour on a narrow one lane freeway where animals could be crossing at any time.
“I assure you I can see perfectly fine.”
“I don’t believe it.”
“It’s just my peripheral.”
“Yeah your supernatural peripheral!” I snapped back. “Sorry.” I guess I wasn’t just apologizing for this but Carson had actually been fairly good in the past and I never returned it.
“No it’s okay.” His brilliant green eyes let me know that he meant what he said. His eyes still not on the road. But that was for later. He reached out a hand and stroked my cheek. I placed my hand over his strong masculine one. We just sat there smiling at each other before Carson burst out laughing.
“What?” I said my smile dropping.
“Nothing you just amaze me.”
“So where exactly are we going?” I asked.
“Yakutat, another twenty minutes from here. We’ll arrive about eight thirty and stay there ‘til about eleven. By the way you’ll meet my parents and the rest of the clan.”
“Clan?” I asked. “Like Indian reservation?”
“Well no we live in kind of a community together because we’re… different. And that’s kind of why the rest didn’t want you to come so don’t take it personally.”
Carson looked up a little flashing his
tattoo. Circular with a claw.
“But I thought we were going down to the beach not your community thing.” I said.
“Yeah the community is about a mile away from the beach. We still own that piece of property though.” After that we were silent for the remainder of the drive.
I had been too caught up in Carson and our conversation I was surprised to feel the sudden jolt of the car stopping, parking right next to a red corvette. The exact one from school with the sticker of a guy holding up the west coast sign. I took a look around me from the window. We were at a sudden stop in the road, before us was a thick tree line. To the sides were small houses. Well-manicured but still small. All of them were rusty brown, holding wind chimes to dream catchers. Hanging everywhere. I’m guessing this was Carson’s community.
“Where’s the beach?” I asked turning towards the driver’s seat finding it empty.
“Through these trees just a mile walk.” He held the passenger door open, hand outstretched. “C’mon.” he said. I grasped his hand and stepped out to the chilly night air. Shoot. I forgot a jacket. We stepped in to the thick tree line. I felt as If I was going to get hypothermia. My whole body shuddered.
“What’s a matter?” Carson asked.
“Nothing, just cold.” I replied.
“Here,” he peeled off his dark jacket holding it up so I could get my arms in.
“Thanks, but aren’t you going to get cold?” I asked looking at his usual black tee.
“Nope I don’t get cold.” He took back my hand in his.
“Carson?”
“What.”
“You know that’s just another explanation.”
Chapter 3
We walked a little further hand in hand. For me it was a little awkward but he looked so calm and of course the usual beautiful that I didn’t say anything. I was regretting I had never had a relationship before. Experience was needed. My mom had always pressured me to socialize. What would she think of Rosa, Loren, Tarun, Jeremy, Dimitri, and Regan? I knew Carson was acting towards me as he does to every girl. Kind, gentlemen like and holding hands was just part of his nature.
As soon as the beach was in view I could see a huge bonfire and people dancing around it in a very crazy manner. Smell of natural smoke and salty beach air. Some people were playing drums and a couple of other unrecognizable instruments. There were close to a hundred people give or take a few. All different age ranges. They all wore different close but still all was dark. Plaid button down shirts, black jeans, hideous fedoras, anything. Carson tugged me forward a little. Finally we stopped closer to; thank heavens, the warmth of the fire. Next to a group of people who were taking down whisky like madmen.
“Ready to meet my parents?” he asked.
“Ready as I’ll ever be.” I mumbled.
“Hey Janet! William!” he called. “You want to lay off those drinks real quick and come meet the visitor?”
A couple about I’d say in their mid-thirties parted from the group stopping shortly before us. They both had bright green eyes and circular tattoos in the same spot as every single other person here tonight except for me of course.
My self-conscious body made me aware of my hands sweating in Carsons. There definitely was a reason behind all of this.
“Leslie my parents William and Janet Lund,” he pointed to them letting go of my hand then gesturing to me. “And this is Leslie woods.”
“Hi,” Janet took my hand and shook it. “You’re the outsider Loren told us about. You’re the first one since…. Anyways you must be my growing son’s girlfriend.
“Oh no we’re just friends.” I said. Hopefully I was right.
“Well then.” This time William. “Janet and I are going to get back to our business. If you kids are hungry Dimitri and Jeremy took it upon them that they could cook burgers.”
And they left. Opposite of my parents. Carson was lucky he had no boundaries. I had rules. Very strict restrictions. The way my mom had me socialize was the wrong way. That’s the only reason I agreed to come to Alaska. To have some freedom.
“C’mon,” he strided over to where everyone was now dancing in pairs. And not a slow dance either.
“I don’t d-“he grabbed my hand pulling me in to the midst of it leading making it easy for me. Most embarrassing moment of my life. Plain looking girl in this world of beautiful girls and women. Dancing around like a lunatic. I tried to focus on Carson and the delightful smells surrounding me.
We danced to the music for what felt like hours. When we got exhausted we sat on the beach and just stared at the full moon, me resting me head on his well-muscled shoulder. After that we danced and fell in to each other’s arms here and there. When we got exhausted the second time we took of our shoes, socks and waded across the water’s edge hand in hand. I was so tired that the walk to the tree line I was only supporting half myself while Carsons strong arms supported the rest at my waist.
“When we plopped down on a log we watched everyone else going on with the party. Until Carson finally broke the silence and said, “Well that was an unexpected change of events.”
“What do you mean?” I asked.
“It scared me Leslie I thought you’d hate me forever.
“Well yeah considering the fact that only two weeks ago you pushed me against the wall and demanded some sort of introductory. But things changed as they have. And I like you. But it’s not as If we’re going to know each other forever. Just trying to have fun while I can…”
“That’s what I was afraid of.” He hung his head.
“What? You just said you were afraid I’d hate you forever and now you’re saying you’re afraid I like you. What’s the deal?”
“It’s not that,” Carson countered. “It’s dangerous knowing me. You don’t want to.”
“Yes I do.” I rose to my feet. “And you cannot change that. Plus you still owe me an explanation.”
“What time is it?” he asked.
I glanced down at my watch. “11:57 why?”
His face looked like it had just been stoned as he froze. He opened his mouth a couple of times to try to say something. When he finally did his narrowed eyes penetrated me as he said.
“Run now. Go to the car and drive out of here.”
“You still owe me an explanation!” I shouted.
“Run now Leslie!” he rose to his feet almost touching me.
“This isn’t something you can just scare me out of.” I told him.
That’s when I started to piece together everything. It was absurd so it took a little while to comprehend. The moon, the time, why I was an outsider, him stressing it was dangerous knowing him, the tattoos, the carnivore diet, the green eyes, tan skin that everyone had. I turned to Carson petrified. Blocking at the sound of him telling me to run just two inches away. 11:58. Two minutes.
“You’re a werewolf,” I said in a high-pitched hushed voice. “And so is your whole clan.”
“I will explain later just run!” he yelled.
“You said that last time.” at this point I didn’t care, I just wanted some explanations. “Why didn’t you tell me?!” “I didn’t want to give you that fate!” then in a hushed tone he said. “It’s starting.”
He crouched down, shifting in to his wolf form. Fur covered him, then his face changed in to that of a wolves. The only thing that stayed the same was those bright green eyes. I looked to the others. Party stopped. Fire out. All wolves. A piercing earsplitting scream rang out in to the night air. I realized it was my own, turned around and ran, hair whipping my face.
The wolves were beautiful in a frightening way. And they were massive. Coming up to a little above my waist. The wolf Carson ran alongside me as I tore through the forest seeing a blur of trees go by. I thought they were supposed to lose their mind in wolf form. Was that what they were about to say at breakfast? That’s why they needed him to protect me. Because Carson Lund is the only one who can keep his mind throughout the moon night. Branches stung my face making b
rutal streaks across my face. I took a glance behind me. Wrong. The wolf pursuing me lashed out with one of its claws making a bloody mark down the side of my face. I cried out in agony trying to ignore the hundreds of howls from the whole pack, mainly the snarling one attacking me. When the wolf drooled the saliva landed on my cut making it sting like salt in an open wound. I tried to punch its nose but the wolf didn’t so much as flinch. It took the chance and lunged at me tearing off Carson’s jacket I still wore. So the cold wave rushed over me. I fell down and watched the wolf advance towards me. Deaths voice mimicking me. I noticed all the other pack was staying behind guarding the main attacker.
The wolf full on lunged at me.
A high-pitched howl actively in me from the wolf Carsons mouth as he tried to urge me to run. But I couldn’t. But I couldn’t, my body was helplessly slumped against a tree. When he threw his massive body protectively in front of me I took the chance to scramble to my feet. I could see the break in the trees ahead. Just a thin sliver of light. I neared my destination breaking through the tree line gasping for air. Another wolf with silver grey hair slammed in to me. I flew through the air about ten feet landing on the hood of the red convertible. I struggled not to go in to shock. The wolf opened its jaws wide. Instantly I rolled off the car getting in to my rental, jamming the door shut, fumbling for the keys. Blood clouded half my vision.
The window broke in to a million glass shards as a head poked in. Carson was holding the keys in his mouth. I grabbed them and shoved them in to the ignition. Backing out quickly hitting a wolf. For all I knew it could have been Rosa, Loren, Tarun, Dimitri, Jeremy, or Regan. One of them jumped through the broken window. It didn’t even try to attack me. Carson. The wolf was Carson. So I hit the gas going eighty miles an hour. The wolves were easily keeping up. They finally gave up one I got on to the freeway entrance. I could not go back to the school like this as a bloody mess…and a wolf. So I stopped at the nearest store and parked in the very back. Carson jumped in the back seat and curled up at the end. Resting his snout between his paws. Meanwhile I wiped my blood off and cared for the wounds before climbing in the back and burying my face in to Carson’s fur. My eyelids drooped. I welcomed the darkness.
MoonNight Page 2