Crimson Moon

by J. A. Saare

  I peered up at him. “What do you mean?"

  "I want to know what your Father's intentions are. I know he wants to meet with you and take care of you, but what else does he want? I'm going to ask Sam and find out.” He smiled confidently. “It concerns me now. Sam will tell me."

  "You don't think—” I had entertained one theory but refused to say it out loud with one exception—in the van. “You don't think he'll expect me to...be like them, do you?"

  "I don't know much about what vampires refer to as royalty, other than they pick direct descendants to fill in the line if they need to. But I do know Sam has worked with them for years and trusts them. And I trust Sam. He would never help them if the outcome hurt someone—like you for example. And trust me, Emma, I won't allow them to do anything you don't want."

  "I know you wouldn't.” I blushed, smiling at his candor. “And answers of any kind would be most welcome."

  He chuckled, teasing me, “I'll have to warn Sam about your knack with questions."

  My ‘knack’ had me brave enough to broach the one thing that I kept going back to, something personal, and I was certain something private.

  "Caleb, back at the house you said your Mom changed, but she could have stayed human, right?"

  His smile disappeared and his jaw clenched. I waited, thinking he'd pull his hand away. When he didn't, I held on.

  I didn't say anything and we walked for several minutes in silence. I tried to enjoy the sounds and sights of nature around me, trying not to be hurt by his reaction. Guilt made my stomach churn. I should have left it alone until he told me on his own.

  "She changed,” he began then stopped, clearing his throat and starting over. His hair fell across his forehead, obscuring his eyes from view.

  "When my change started, Mom thought I was a typical young man ironing out my rough edges. After that first trip to Haven's, it was difficult for her. I stopped coming around, too wrapped up in discovering who I was. I went from living at home in college, to living at Haven's and fighting every night in the bar. Of course, she didn't know any of this. Only that I showed up to Sunday dinner with fresh bruises."

  He took a deep breath and I squeezed his hand encouragingly.

  "One Sunday I came home wired, the night before had been brutal. I didn't get any sleep at all. I went to my room to rest for a little while and I drifted off. I had a vivid nightmare—swinging fists, blood, cracking and broken bones.” His voice was uneven and he paused, collecting himself. “I shifted as I dreamed, and Mom heard me. Samantha was just a little girl at the time and she told her to play quietly while she checked in. I woke when the door opened, still halfway in a dream. I lunged before I could comprehend what I was seeing and she tried to yank the door shut. But not before I got her. A tiny nick of my teeth on her hand was all it took."

  "That's how Mom found out, how she was introduced to what we are, and to what she now is.” His mouth lifted slightly, enhancing his guilt ridden face. “I stayed away for months, until she came to Haven's, threatening to haul me home herself if I missed another Sunday dinner."

  My eyes burned and I pushed aside the tears that threatened to fall. I had seen the devotion he felt for his family as he shared their pictures inside his room. Now I understood why Brigette's words had cut so deeply.

  "It wasn't your fault. You said yourself it's difficult to control.” I attempted to console him, making sure my voice was clear and level.

  I let go of his hand, wrapping my arms around him, pressing my body against his.

  He squeezed me tenderly with his arms. “They've forgiven me, but I'm still working on it."

  I hugged him tighter, burrowing into his chest. That was why Caleb was always so serious. He tried to balance everything on his shoulders. It was one of the most admirable things about him but one of the most heartrending. He judged himself much harder than everyone else did, and he didn't forgive himself if he made a mistake. Perhaps time would change that. I was thankful he decided to share the story. It helped me understand him a little better.

  We walked until the trees started to thin and clear, the dark cover widening just beyond. Bright light rested at the edge of the leaves and tree trunks, and I hurried forward, curious to the see what awaited ahead.

  "Patience is a virtue, you know.” Caleb smiled, letting me go.

  Branches parted and trees separated, a line of sun ran along the edge, separating the woods from the area ahead like a border.

  I stepped out of the shade and into the meadow, the sun encasing and blinding me. Grass stretched to my waist, tickling my elbows, dancing as the wind coursed over the terrain covered entirely with golden coreopsis. They swayed together, petals glowing in the sun.

  "Wow,” I said breathlessly, eyes wide.

  Caleb walked just behind me. “Do you like it?"

  "It's too much for words.” I was awestruck, absorbing as much as my vision would allow, yellow bleeding with green in the corner of my eyes.

  We walked deeper into the meadow, yellow wrapping all around us, until all I could see were endless waves of gold. I reached down, touching the soft petals and standing straight, gazing out as far as possible, attempting to see past the covering of flowers.

  "Where did Sarah and Derek go?” I asked, smiling up at him, basking in the sun.

  "They always change when we come here.” His eyes scanned past the tips of the grass, seeing where I could not.

  I heard them initially. A playful growling like Mrs. Peatree's Golden Retriever, Ralphie, when he saw me pass the fence. I couldn't see anything but yellow gold, following the direction of Caleb's gaze.

  The sound got closer, the growling more intense and vibrant. Flowers parted at the north end of the field, and then—I saw them.

  They didn't look like wolves, not exactly. Their bodies were massive, bigger than any dog I'd ever seen in my life. They ran in nimble movements, legs graceful, bodies perfectly balanced. My eyes followed them as they frolicked, color and size indicating who I was seeing. Derek's coat was a honey blond, beautifully striking against Sarah's inky black. He was larger, but she was faster, nipping at his flank and darting away.

  "They're beautiful,” I whispered in wonderment.

  "I told you I'd surprise you.” Caleb wrapped his arms around my waist, resting his chin atop my head.

  "Why didn't you—don't you normally join them?” I was certain he did, just as I was certain they came here often together. Running through the meadow and basking in the sun.

  "It can wait for another time.” He leaned down, kissing my hair, inhaling through his nose.

  "No.” I turned in his arms. “I want to see—I want to see you."

  "Are you sure about that?” He was astonished, his entire body utterly motionless.

  "Yes. And will you...Will you come to me?"

  "Are you sure about this, Emma?” He sounded worried and anxious, barely breathing.

  I pushed him toward the wooded area, voice steady. “I'm positive."

  "We don't have to do this now,” he stalled. “You don't have to do this now."

  "Don't make me ask again, Caleb.” I shoved him with as much force as I could muster. It didn't even budge his enormous frame but he turned around anyway.

  He didn't look back as he jogged, pulling his shirt over his head as he faded into the distance, vanishing under the lush canopy. I glanced toward the sounds Derek and Sarah were making, their happy yips and growls in the meadow making me smile.

  A slight twinge of anxiousness sent my heart racing.

  After this moment, I knew there was no turning back. This shared experience between us would remove any remaining barriers, cementing everything we were together irrevocably.

  My eyes rooted to the spot he vanished, watching and waiting. My heart pounded in anticipation, shallow breaths uneven and excited.

  Several long minutes passed before a dark shape appeared in the flowers—black pressing yellow back, down, and out—immense shoulders shifting with each st
ep. Thick dark fur covered him, swirling and shifting with the wind. His muzzle was down, ears pointed and straight. Directly beneath were the eyes I could stare into endlessly—Caleb's.

  The breeze ruffled his fur, dark waves distorting. I stood motionless, dropping to my knee when he stood mere inches away.

  "I'm fine,” I said, reaching out my right hand.

  His paws were larger than my hands with fingers outstretched. His nose came forward, pushing delicately against my fingers. I ran them along the cashmere soft fur, past his ears and to his neck as he continued closer. My other hand touched his head tentatively, gently skimming over his eyes. He sighed, closing them, rumbling thickly in his chest.

  "It's not fair,” I smiled, speaking softly to him, bringing my face to his muzzle, “That you should be so beautiful."

  He emitted a dry huff from his nose and I laughed. Derek and Sarah's playful snarls echoed nearby and I leaned closer, wrapping my arms around his chest, hands unable to touch entirely. He smelled amazing, even like this.

  I combed my fingers down his shoulders, along the coarse hair on his back, before I dropped my arms, settling my weight on my heels. He observed me from behind those intelligent eyes, waiting.

  "Go join them."

  His head tilted, ears perking as he leapt past, running in the direction of the growls. I hurried after him. Struggling past the grass until I found them all, chasing one another like children.

  If I didn't know the truth about what they were, I'd swear they were large feral dogs of some kind, unlike anything I'd ever seen before. But behind all that mass and muscle, strength and power, was the purest devotion and tenderness, loyalty and love. You could sense the connection the three of them shared. It was amazing to witness.

  Derek raced for Sarah and Caleb bounded on top of him, sending him rolling into the ground. They snarled at each other, sharp teeth snapping, nimble legs circling. Dancing together, weighing one another's moves, anticipating that perfect moment to strike. Sarah leapt up and over Caleb, knocking Derek back as they whipped around and raced away, disappearing beyond the flowers.

  The wind shifted, blowing the grass and flowers against my forearms, sharp blades and stems stinging sharply. My hair blew around my shoulders, covering my face. I pulled the elastic band off my wrist, gathering the hair at the nape and twisting it around to keep it out of my eyes. The wind increased in intensity, pieces of hair escaping free, surrounding my face.

  A strange snarl echoed through the meadow, unlike the happy growls before. Derek and Sarah barreled forward, their bodies huge as they raced for me. I stood still, uncertain and afraid.

  They slowed just inches away, creeping past my legs, standing on each side. Deep growls radiated from them, their eyes focused on something behind me. I spun around as the wind shifted, blowing softly once more.

  I recognized the man walking toward us, but I couldn't place him. He didn't look directly at Derek or Sarah, his attention solely on me. He stopped several feet away, standing at a safe distance. I looked toward the trees for Caleb, eyes going up and down the shaded line.

  "Why are you out here, girl?” The man spat each word hatefully. The long scar that ran from his chin to his right eyebrow made him all the more menacing. His dark obsidian eyes were hollow pools that were empty and merciless.

  Derek started forward, showing teeth and snarling viciously. Sarah backed up, closer to me, growling deeply. They wouldn't let him pass, protecting me from any potential harm. It made me confident, and I returned his stare.

  "I could probably ask you the same question."

  "I'm hunting, with Haven's permission."

  He flared his nostrils, still looking at my face, inhaling my scent. His eyes tightened and I thought he was about to make the biggest mistake of his life—by moving forward.

  Derek snarled, shifting his weight to his back legs, and Sarah brushed her hindquarters against my thigh.

  "And she's here with us, with mine.” Caleb's voice carried over the growls, full of authority.

  He walked confidently across the field, strolling out of the trees at a leisurely pace. He came to me, placing his hand against my back. He must have sent Derek and Sarah while he went back to change. His shirt was loose and his shoes weren't tied.

  He had hurried.

  "Caleb.” The stranger kept his gaze on me, dark eyes brimming with so much anger it felt painful. “Haven didn't mention you when he said he had guests."

  "Parker,” Caleb addressed him flatly, wrapping his arm around my waist and back, closing any distance between our bodies. “How long are you here?"

  Then, I remembered him—the cowboy at the bar.

  He didn't look the same without his hat and jacket, but it was him. His hair was dark, cut short and brushed down in a Caesar style. Tribal tattoo's spread around his biceps, the thick intricate lines detailed in matching bands.

  "I'm just leaving now. I was making my way down from camp.” He nodded toward the mountain, eyes dark and unfriendly.

  "Then we won't keep you."

  Caleb wrapped his fingers around my hand and turned toward the north end of the meadow—in the direction Derek and Sarah had initially come from. He didn't rush and he didn't turn back. I started to glance behind us but he squeezed my hand and cleared his throat, shaking his head. We entered the shaded canopy, walking underneath the trees. Derek and Sarah stayed close on our heels.

  "Go ahead, you two.” Caleb waved his hand and they vanished into the woods.

  Confused, I asked, “What was that all about? I remember him from the bar.” The memory left me shaken. His eyes were totally devoid of anything but anger and hate, completely chilling.

  "Someone who shouldn't be here, I don't know what Haven was thinking."

  Caleb walked to the packs placed on the ground and rummaged through the front pockets. He searched one, then the other, becoming increasingly frustrated.

  "What the fuck is he doing here?” Derek appeared, tucking in his shirt as he walked, clearly pissed. He bent down, tying his shoes.

  "That's what I want to know,” Caleb growled, digging in the packs, zipping and unzipping the compartments. “Where is the damned phone?!"

  "It's in the front, man.” Derek walked over, helping search the pockets.

  They found the phone and Caleb pressed a few buttons and placed it to his ear. He was tense, his shirt uneven, shoes still untied.

  Derek and I waited, listening as Caleb spoke.

  "Haven, do I need to ask what the fuck Parker is doing out here? No, he's leaving now...No, he didn't do anything...I'm pissed because it's Parker...No, you're right—no harm done. I just wanted to be sure he had your okay...Yeah, Billy had to go but Sarah made it out...No, I haven't spoken to Sam yet...Thanks, man."

  "What is he doing here?” Derek's eyes narrowed as Caleb ended the call.

  "He should have been gone by now. He asked to come up here to hunt some deer and Haven said yes. He said the invitation is revoked, though. So if we see him again, it's our call.” He snapped the phone shut and placed it back in the front zipper, kneeling to tie his laces.

  "And what's the deal with Parker?” I was out of the loop again. I didn't believe they did it intentionally anymore—they just didn't think about it at all.

  "Remember when I told you I was the first person in the Pit that ever won the first night?” Caleb asked tersely.

  "Yes.” I nodded. The first newly changed werewolf that had ever entered the Pit and won—I remembered his words clearly.

  "He was the other person in the ring at the time, and let's just say, he's held a grudge ever since.” He stood, tucking in his shirt and pushing back his hair.

  "What a horrible way to ruin such a beautiful run.” Sarah joined us, a vision of perfection. She smiled apologetically. “And he ruined what was supposed to be your moment, too. I'm so sorry, Emma."

  "No, it was amazing. All of you are.” I tried not to blush as I complimented them, but it was the truth.

  "You
've got to hand it to Parker, the asshole knows how to kill good mojo,” Derek snarled through his teeth.

  "Don't let him get under your skin. That is exactly what he wants.” Sarah brushed his shoulder with her fingers before letting her arm fall away. It was the first time I'd seen her touch him since she arrived.

  Derek's face softened. He ran his hand across his head, rubbing the top, his shoulders slowly relaxing as he calmed. He attempted to smile but it didn't reach his amber eyes.

  "I guess we should start up then,” Derek grumbled. He walked over to a pack, shrugging it on. He adjusted the straps, pulling them tight across his chest.

  "Definitely, then we can enjoy our day and forget all about this nastiness.” Sarah was the consummate voice of reason. She walked over to her pack and picked it up just as easily, adjusting the straps just as Derek had.

  "I thought he went to Florida after last time. The bastard needs to get some common sense.” Derek squatted and then stood, testing the weight, making sure everything was secure.

  "His pride is going to kill him,” Caleb said angrily.

  "What happened last time?” I was outside the loop again, but at least I was starting to read their conversations.

  "The fucker came back around a few times, trying to come over Caleb. Losing in the pit means you lose respect, and he wanted it back. The last time Caleb almost killed him. Hell, he should have killed his stupid ass and did the world a favor."

  "Why don't you tell me how you really feel?” I joked half-heartedly.

  "Listen to me, Em.” Derek's tawny eyes stared me down. “Parker is trouble. He's got a wicked sadistic streak and it makes him one twisted fuck. You see him coming, you walk the other way."

  "Don't worry. He's not someone I'd willingly engage in conversation anyway,” I said it lightly, trying to forget those blank eyes.

  "He won't have the chance to get close to her,” Caleb snarled, frightening me. Ice blue glowed in the center of his irises, the color around the outside fluctuating and morphing.

  "Let's just calm down.” I lifted my hand to console him and found myself tucked into strong arms, unable to move.