Blood Moon (21 page)

“Charleston,” she responded.

“Charleston, huh? You’re a long way from home. What brings you here?” He paused. “I’m sorry. Don’t answer that. It’s none of my business.”

A bunch of the girls in class giggled, while the boys snickered. This was turning out to be an entertaining show.

“You’re right. It’s not. But, so I won’t have to answer the same question a hundred times today, I’ll tell you. I live with my aunt and uncle now because my parents couldn’t handle me.”

I found myself sitting straighter in my chair. She wasn’t as meek and feeble as I originally thought, which only caused my mind to spin with more unanswered questions.

“Okay, why don’t you take a seat in the desk by Benjamin Conway?” Mr. Everett suggested. He nodded toward me.

Shit. I’d been too preoccupied with my assessment of our current situation to even notice the empty desk beside me. If she already knew about the family feud, then she’d know this was the biggest mistake of her life—other than moving to Hartford.

I ducked my head in an attempt to avoid making eye contact. Not to mention the fact that the majority of teenagers in the room knew what was at stake, how our families hated each other. It would only fuel the gossip fire if I acknowledged her.

But then there was that other side of me, the curious side, which wanted to look her in the eyes and see if there was any indication she sought malice toward my family. So when she was halfway down the aisle, I glanced up. My gut twisted when our eyes locked; it was the strangest feeling I’d ever had. She seemed as staggered as I was . . . until she tripped and landed face-first on the floor, breaking the connection. I didn’t laugh like the other kids in the room, though. Actually, I felt sorry for her.

She quietly gathered her belongings and slid into her seat. Mr. Everett made a snide comment about how, if she was finished, he could begin his lesson. This only caused more laughter.

As for me, I couldn’t stop staring. I knew this was going against everything my family warned me about. I knew it was wrong. Even as her brunette locks slid down her shoulders and shielded her face from view, I wanted to gently brush them back, just so I could see her. Most of all, I thought, my family needed to know that she wasn’t the girl who would destroy our lives; she was just a clumsy, anxious, beautiful young woman, who was trying to make it one more day in this Godforsaken world. She was just like the rest of us.

“The Intervention”

After the circus act last night, where my family basically thought I’d lost my damn mind, school today was tiresome. I hadn’t slept well since my brothers told me, in all seriousness, that I’d be the one to ruin the family name, and my parents actually agreed. They recommended a break, so I wouldn’t be focused on Candra; they were too afraid I’d become obsessed with her and screw up. One small mistake and my family members wouldn’t hesitate to lock me in the basement for a week as punishment. I’d seen them do it to a few of our Followers, and when they weren’t watching, I’d always bring more food or water to those who were imprisoned.

Most of the time, I disagreed with the way my parents treated people—like they were a pile of shit beneath their shoes, something they could just step on and squash, then forget about. Humans meant nothing to them, and for some reason, that bothered me. Were we really so different from everyone else? Yeah, we were a pack of werewolves with magical capabilities passed on from generation to generation, but beneath it all, we still walked, talked, and ate like humans. We had the same characteristics as other humans, and we performed daily activities just the same. On the outside looking in, we appeared ordinary. So, where did they get the idea to treat people like peasants? It wasn’t moral.

Once the final bell at school rang, I stopped by my locker and shoved a book inside. A couple of guys passed by and gave a half-assed hello, asking if I’d show up to the football game Friday night. I didn’t have the heart to tell them it was the last thing on my to-do list, so I said, “Maybe.” My response seemed to satisfy them, as they continued on and said they hoped to see me there.

Exiting the double doors from the side of the school, I was bombarded with fresh, sweet air and sunshine warming my face. To be honest, I hated being cooped up in school all day and not outside, enjoying the beautiful weather. Maybe my parents were right. Maybe I needed a break.

As I searched the parking lot, which became emptier as the minutes ticked by, I noticed Cameron’s car was still sitting in a spot at the rear, shaded by a large tree. That was odd; Cameron and Ethan were usually waiting for me by the car, smoking a cigarette and trying to look as badass as possible. Where were they? I made my way over to his car, pulled on the door handle, and realize it was unlocked, their backpacks inside. My stomach almost caved in on itself. I knew
exactly
what they were up to, and if my idea was correct, they’d be harassing Candra by now. But where?

Scanning my memory for a possible solution, the only thing I could think of was that Candra didn’t drive, and her family didn’t drop her off or pick her up. Not that I blamed them; they only lived a few blocks from the high school. Which would be the perfect place to start.

I took off in a sprint down a nearby street, hoping I’d cut them off. With any luck, maybe I wasn’t too late. I sincerely wished I’d be mistaken, that they wouldn’t be bothering Candra, but my gut told me otherwise.

Rounding a street corner, Cameron, Ethan, and Candra came into view just a little ways down the road. Cameron was too busy yanking on Candra’s arm, and Ethan was too busy being Cameron’s little bitch, for either of them to have noticed me. As I neared, a spark ignited between Candra’s arm and Cameron’s hand, which knocked him to the ground.
What the . . .?
In true Cameron fashion, he stood up, brushed himself off, and pointed a finger at Candra’s face, making some sort of empty threat. “You’ll regret this” was all I caught as I approached.

“Is there a problem?” I asked, crossing my arms.

“Just fine, bro,” Cameron responded. He turned his attention toward Candra. “I’ll deal with you later.”

I strode forward a few steps, stopping by Candra’s side. “I think you need to leave her alone.”

Cameron and Ethan smirked and shook their heads, practically laughing. “Mom and Dad won’t be happy about this one.”

Shit.
Why didn’t I think of that? Now they’d definitely lock me up in the basement. I’d get my break from school and seeing Candra, but it’d be my parents’ decision, not mine. Cameron and Ethan turned on their heels and stalked off, back to Cameron’s car, I supposed.

“Mom and Dad? You’re their—” Candra’s words returned me to reality.

“Brother? Yes,” I confirmed for her.

She stared in the direction they departed. “Are they always like this?”

Did she really have no idea why they treated her differently? “You could say that.”

She peered up at me underneath dark lashes. “Well, uh, thanks for saving my ass, I guess.”

She didn’t know. Oh, wow. This changed everything. “Let me know if they bother you again.”

“I hope you don’t get into any trouble. I didn’t mean—”

“Don’t worry about it,” I said. Trouble? She had no idea the amount of trouble I was in. “I’ll see you around.” I hated leaving her alone like that, out in the open, vulnerable, but my guess was that Cameron and Ethan had made their way back to the parking lot and headed home by now, leaving me stranded. It was going to be a long walk, maybe even a “walk of shame,” but the crazy thing was . . . I didn’t feel remorseful at all.

“The Fight”

If there was one thing I liked about this school, it was that gossip traveled quickly, which meant if my brothers were doing anything they weren’t supposed to, I’d know before the next class period. For instance, Cameron was in a fight with some kid in the next hall over at the moment. I was used to his antics by then, though; he was always brawling with someone so he could keep his macho status secured among the ranks.

What I wasn’t preparing for was Cameron cornering Candra against her locker. I caught the beginning stages of the exchange as I stood at the end of the hallway. Students gathered around, some stared at me, expecting me to play back-up to my brother. Most of them were too scared to jump in and stand up to him, because Cameron never lost a fight.

“You won’t last here,” I heard Cameron say.

“Excuse me?” Candra had this look on her face comprised of annoyance and fear.

Cameron leaned in close, almost like he wanted to kiss her. My fists clenched, and I felt an overwhelming urge to protect her, because she was in danger. It felt like she was mine.

“Get out of my face,” Candra ordered.

Cameron laughed. “You need to go far, far away, little one.”

“I’d love to go home, but until I graduate, I’m stuck here.”

He shook his head.

“What is your problem? I mean, what did I ever do to you?” Candra asked.

“Long story.”

“But I haven’t been here that long.”

“Oh, Candra, it’s painful how little you know. You have no idea what’s about to happen to you, yet everyone around you does.”

“You kicking my ass?”

He belted out a laugh. “Not even close.”

“So, wait, you’re not going to kick my ass? I’m confused.”

Oh, my God. I was right. She didn’t know about the prophecy, or why she was here. I couldn’t believe her family hadn’t broken the news. They owed her that much.

Cameron began to walk off, then glanced over his shoulder and said, “Tell Randy and Beth we’re coming for them. Soon. They won’t last this time.”

The sudden shift on Candra’s face wasn’t a good indication. She was highly pissed. Apparently, threatening the lives of her family was not the way to go on Cameron’s end.

“
We’re
?” she repeated.

Cameron continued down the hallway and responded without turning around, “Oh, yes.”

“Stay away from them. I don’t know what you’re up to, but you won’t get away with it!”

That did it. Cameron pivoted on his heel and stormed back to his spot in front of Candra. “I can get away with anything. Neither you nor that pathetic aunt and uncle of yours can stop me.”

“The police could.”  

Poor thing. She had no idea my family controlled most of the city, including its employees.

“You really are new,” said Cameron.

“It’s not right.” I could almost hear her finish the sentence in her head:
It’s not fair.
She was about to receive a crash course in what was fair around here.

“Call the cops.” Cameron threw his hands up and paraded around the hallway, only causing more laughter. “I surrender.”

“I don’t know what your problem is, but I’ll do everything in my power to stop you from going near my family.”

“I’m shaking. Really.” Once again, he stepped closer to her, and I wanted to punch him. “Plus, I’d like to see you try.”

In response to Cameron caging and embarrassing her, Candra shoved him. Cameron literally flew through the air before his body crashed through a window across the hallway. Every student who witnessed the event held their breath. Every. Single. One.

Then they ran, fearing for their lives.

Candra stood in place, dumbfounded by what just happened. She was already experiencing changes, and she didn’t even know it. She booked it out of the hallway, heading straight for the parking lot. I followed. Somebody needed to calm her down. Besides, Cameron would heal in no time, as long as he triggered his werewolf side.

“Candra, wait!” I called out to her. She didn’t stop. “Candra!” I caught up and grabbed her arm. She turned around, squinting when the sun hit her face. “Talk to me. Say something.”

“Something,” she mumbled.

I smiled. She wasn’t as shaken up as I originally thought; she still had a sense of humor.

“What are you doing here?” she asked.

I glanced at the school. “I have classes here, in case you forgot.” She didn’t respond to my sarcasm, so I added, “You’re going to be okay.”

“No. Something’s seriously wrong with me. I need help.”

“Nothing is wrong with you,” I said, trying not to laugh. “Cameron had it coming to him. I just didn’t think
you
would be the one to do it.”

“He’s probably cut up pretty badly.”

“Cameron will be fine.”

Her mouth hung open, and she yelled, “Fine? The guy went through a window! I’m sure he has glass stuck in him and is bleeding everywhere.”

“Why are you so worried? He threatened your family.”

“You saw everything? I only meant to make an impression, not, well, you know.”

“C’mon, I’ll show you he’s okay.” I motioned for her to follow me.

“I can’t go back in there. I saw the look on everyone’s face. They think I’m a freak.”

A freak? That was cute. Yeah, we were definitely beyond freakish, but it wasn’t my place to tell her
why
. So, I respond, “No more than I am.” Which was the truth.

“You’re Marked”

Unbeknownst to Candra, Jana, and Blake, I’d been keeping a close eye on them all night. I saw the shit that went down at May’s Ice Cream Shop with my brothers, and I wanted nothing more than to intervene. Of course, that would’ve sparked a firestorm of controversy between the community and my family, especially when they found out I was defending a Lowell.

The three of them walked to the local theater, where they stood in line to buy their tickets. It seemed like they completely shrugged off the incident with Cameron and Ethan so they could have a fun evening. Good. My brothers caused enough trouble already, and they just never knew when to stop. It wasn’t like they cared, either; they played by their own rules.

And since they were allowed to create their own set of laws, I was going to stir the pot and create mine. I honestly had no idea where the thought came from, but I considered it all day. Yeah, I knew what the prophecy stated, I knew my family was in danger, but I didn’t feel that way when I was around
her
. Plus, I was tired of trying to live up to my parents’ expectations, only to crash and burn over and over again. Screw that. If I wasn’t good for them now, I wasn’t going to be good enough any time in the near future.