Moon Crossed (Werewolf Hunter Series): Season 1 (Episodes 1-6) (Crescent Hunter) (28 page)

I compare my cells
after taking the elixir with Brogan's. There's a notable variation in
Brogan's. His cells have actually changed. The very concerning part
is that they are continuing to mutate. Thankfully, they aren't
looking like moon-touched cells, but something different.

When I compare his and
Trevor's, there's no similarity at all. This is all so incredibly
frustrating. I only have a few hours before Cole gets off work, and I
was really hoping to have some answers before I quit for the day.

“Yoo hoo!
Claire?” Lili sing-songs as she's coming down the stairs.

“Hey, babe.”
A warm smile rises to my lips. I'm happy for the diversion, but not
necessarily the interruption.

“Hey, chica,”
she says as she hits the bottom stair. “I've come to take you
shopping.”

I take it back: never
mind on the diversion. “Shopping?”

“Yes, we're going
to freshen up the wardrobe.” Her eyes widen with excitement.

“You know I hate
shopping,” I whine.

“I don't care.
You're coming,” she insists.

“I don't need
anything,” I counter.

She pulls her lips to
the side and looks me up and down. “Girl, you need lots.”

“For what?”
I think I should be offended.

“Clothes. I'm
sick of seeing you in the same shorts and yoga pants.” She
points her finger up and down at my clothes.

“I like my yoga
pants,” I pout.

“I'm not taking
no for an answer.” She comes and takes me by the hand.

“But I don't want
to go anywhere. I'm working.”

“Let's run a comb
through that mess and get going.” She flips my ponytail up.

I let out a frustrated
groan. “I have to be back by six thirty.”

“Oh, you got a
hot date?” Her tone is dripping with sarcasm.

“No.” I
stick my neck out, a little dejected. “You know I don't date.”

“Of course you
don't.” She clicks her tongue. “You just sit at home and
wait for him to come to you.”

“What's that
supposed to mean?”

“You know what it
means.” Her perfectly plucked eyebrows arch.

“You know why I
don't.” I exhale more sadness than I meant to.

“I know, but
we're going to change that.” Her eyes brighten.

“Oh, God, what
did you do?” I stop short on the stairs and bore into her with
a serious stare.

“Well, Brogan
told me we were having a porch night tonight, so I invited a couple
of friends.” She continues pulling me up the stairs.

“What?” I
totally just yelled at her.

“Everyone I
invited is Locke-approved,” she says as though she's wanting a
gold star.

“Lili, seriously.
Please don't try to set me up. I don't have time for it,” I
plead with her.

“Yeah, because
you're spending too much time with Cole, and it's time you started
getting out there with someone you can actually pursue.” She
puts her hand on her hip when we get inside my room.

“But I don't want
to pursue anyone and this can only lead to trouble.” I'd like
to smother her with a pillow.

“It'll be fine.
Locke, Brogan, and I agree you need to meet guys who aren't wolves.”
She rolls her eyes.

“You know, I
don't appreciate you all discussing my personal life.” I'm
definitely a little angry now.

“Doesn't matter.
None of us are taking no for an answer.” She hands me my boots.

I feel Locke's presence
in the house and reach out to him silently.
Oh, you are so going
to pay for this.

He doesn't answer, and
he's sure to be scarce when Lili and I make our exit.

We pull into the
driveway at five forty-five. “See? Home in time to get a shower
and change into some of your new hotness.”

“Yeah.” I'm
acting like a three year old again. I know that she means well, but
this isn't me.

“Well I'm not
excited either. You're coming home with new combat boots and nothing
with any kind of color in it. At least you compromised on the skirt,”
Lili complains, getting out of the car.

“For as long as
you've known me, have I ever been a girly girl?” I question,
with a hint of satisfaction in my tone for not completely acquiescing
to her demands to “pretty up.”

“It's never too
late to start.” She gives me a long, hard look. “Now get
up there and get pretty. Put on some makeup and do something with
your hair, other than a ponytail.”

“Yes, mother.”
I skulk my way up the stairs.

“And if you don't
come down looking pretty, I'll turn you right around and I'll do your
hair and makeup.” I take it for the threat that it is.

After my shower, I get
into the little black skirt that Lili forced me to get. I don't know
why this is necessary. I shake my head and pull my new knee-high
combat boots on. They are pretty bad ass. I don't think I would ever
use them for hunting. They are too prissy and the soles wouldn't be
quiet enough. Looking in the mirror, I decide to go ahead and blow
dry so I can straighten the mop. Pulling the round brush through my
hair, I feel Cole's presence in the house. Delight and panic runs
through me. I hope that he doesn't think I'm dressing up for him.
It's not that I wouldn't; it's just not necessary. I don't think he's
seen me with makeup on since that first party. I huff out a laugh at
how many times we've fallen asleep, waiting for the sunrise, and how
many times I've had crusty spittle on my cheek. Yeah, I'm a drooler.

Before leaving my room,
I give a check, hoping that I can satisfy Lili's visual requirements.

I huff out a breath
that I don't really look like comfortable me. A new panic comes over
me at who would be on Cole's approved list of acceptable attendees.
At that thought, I rub the lipstick off, leaving nothing but the
stains where it once reddened my lips way too much.

I hit the bottom step
and pull the skirt down, trying to cover more of my thighs, inhale a
breath, and head for the porch.

When I get to the door,
I try to slip out, but I'm stopped in place when everyone looks up at
me. Cole is mid-drag on a cigarette, and looks astounded with an edge
of anger.

Not my idea,
I
say to him in my mind.

I shake my head in
defeat. Locke gets up from his chair. “Lili, my God, there is a
girl under there. Well done.”

Lili claps her hands
together gleefully, and I'm trying to suppress all of my violent
thoughts as everyone is ogling me. I just want to get to my chair.

Cole coolly looks at
Dillon, who's sitting in my chair. “Son, you're in the queen's
chair. You'd better move.”

Dillon jumps up. “Oh,
sorry.” He gives me a sheepish glance.

“No, sit, you're
fine. I can sit anywhere.” I take the seat next to Cole.

He steals a quick
glance, absolutely displeased by something. Lili perks up. “You
know Dillon. Do you know Mica and Gabriel?”

“I know you,
Mica,” I stand and shake his hand anyway; we're just
acquaintances. “But I don't think we've met.” I shake
Gabriel's hand.

“We met once at a
hunter meeting,” he responds. “But it's nice to meet you
again.”

“So, um, thanks
for coming.” I really have no idea what to say, and I'm praying
that one of the boys will pick up the convo and fast.

I look over at Cole to
see that he's uncharacteristically quiet. “What's up?”

He exhales smoke slowly
and grumbles, “I don't prefer the seating arrangement.”

“Sorry, I don't
have cooties.” I really didn't think that he'd be upset about
me sitting next to him.

“I'd prefer if
you were in your chair,” he says, still grumbling and clearly
irritated.

“It's not really
a big deal. I can move.” Dillon gets up again and sits in
another chair.

Locke stands behind my
normal seat and says in a dramatic tone, “My lady, your
throne.”

Okay, this is getting
ridiculous. I get up with a huff and sit in my chair. When I sit back
and look around at everyone, I suck in a sharp breath. “Oh my
God, they are so beautiful.”

Cole blows out a smug
puff of smoke. “You like?” I can taste the satisfaction
in his tone.

I get up to get a
closer look at the planters. “Cole, thank you so much. They are
so much nicer than I thought they were.” The planters, affixed
to the railings of the porch, are ornately carved with purple glowing
butterflies and stained a beautiful dark cherry. The feeders are
stained glass with purple butterflies on each side of the hexagon.
My words ride out on a wistful breath. “In the box I thought
they were just plain wood with Plexiglas for the feeders.”

“The ones in the
boxes were.” He doesn't turn around to look at me. “I
made those.”

“You made these?”
I'm completely in awe.

“Yeah, Cole's
handy with wood,” Brogan jokes.

“The joke's been
made and exhausted. Leave it,” Cole snaps.

I'm so shocked that he
did this for me; they are so beautiful. “Lili,” I blurt
out. “Did you see these?”

“Yeah, Claire, I
saw them.” She seems underwhelmed. “They're nice.”

“They are
incredible.” I walk over to Cole and put my arms around him
from behind, giving him a hug. I don't whisper in his ear, because
all of the wolves and hunters here would hear me. I squeeze him tight
and don't let go, even though his entire body has gone stiff.
Thank
you so much. They are the most beautiful things I've ever
seen...aside from your eyes.
A teardrop falls from my cheek to
his.

He turns, gazing up at
me, studying my tears.
I hope this is the only time I ever make
you cry.

“Where's Trevor?”
Locke says, as though to pull me off of Cole.

“He's coming in a
bit,” Brogan says with a giggle. “Apparently, Rain was
pissed at the mess he made while she was gone.”

“Oh, we'll never
see him tonight if he has to clean before he can come.” I
release Cole and go to my chair.

“Truth,”
Locke says. “But...” He hesitates. “I'm sure he'll
wait her out until she goes to bed. Then he'll sneak out.”

“Yeah, probably.”
Rabbit nods.

“Trevor is your
brother?” Dillon questions.

“Yeah, he was
adopted,” I answer, but I'm not at all interested in anything
else that anyone is saying. I'm lost in Cole's gaze, and I want to
find a thousand ways to say thank you for making something so
beautiful.

“Claire?”
Locke pulls me out of my thoughts.

It brings forth a
startled breath. “Sorry, I was just deep in thought.”

“Did you hear
what Gabriel said?” he asks.

I shoot Kyle a pleading
look. He responds, knowing what's going on. “So by law they are
cousins, but were raised like brother and sister.”

I pinch my eyes closed
in a silent thank you, then look back to Cole, who doesn't look too
pleased.

“You okay?”
I ask quietly across all the banter that has erupted.

He just nods.

“I really love
them,” I say with a smile.

He nods again, showing
no emotion.

“Cole, didn't you
used to go to Tallulah?” Gabriel asks, bringing him into the
conversation.

“Yeah, I did.”
He swirls the ice cubes in his empty glass.

“Claire, what are
you doing for the Fourth of July?” Dillon asks.

“Um, when is
that?” I ask, trying to remember what day today is. Without
school, I don't much care what day it is.

“July fourth,
dinkus.” Trevor comes up the stairs to the porch.

“I know
that
.
I mean, like, is it this week?” I swear, sometimes it's like
he's ten.

“Did your mom
fall asleep?” Brogan asks, and we all sit and wait for the
answer.

“Yeah, finally.”
He rolls his eyes.

“Called it.”
Locke holds his hand up.

“What?”
Trevor stops at the door before going into the kitchen.

“Locke said that
you'd just wait your mom out so you wouldn't have to clean.”
Rabbit hops down off of the railing.

“Well, yeah.”
Trevor shakes his head like it was obvious, and I guess it should
have been.

Cole lets out a laugh.
“Colleen would feed me my ass for breakfast if I did that.”

“Well, I'm not a
mama's boy,” Trevor calls from the kitchen.

Cole looks toward the
kitchen window with disdain. “I don't think being respectful to
your mother is being a mama's boy.”

“You know, you
can kick his ass and no one will stop you, blame you, or be upset.”
Kyle says the words I was thinking.

“That boy
wouldn't learn a thing from it.” He shakes his head.

Multiple conversations
continue, and I keep getting trapped by Dillon, Gabriel, and Mica.
They are all very nice, but I'd rather be spending the time with
Cole. As the night progresses, it wasn't lost on me that three female
wolves showed up. All of them beautiful, all of them fawning all over
Cole. Brogan keeps trying to get in there, but he honestly doesn't
have a chance with Locke and Cole around. Rabbit is holding his own
pretty well; he always does.