Moon Crossed (Werewolf Hunter Series): Season 1 (Episodes 1-6) (Crescent Hunter) (31 page)

Locke
is in the kitchen getting breakfast when I come in. Stopping in the
doorway, I study him for a moment, trying to figure out what's up
with him. “Hey,” I say, trying not to sound accusatory.

“Hey.” His
tone is tight.

“What's up?”
I ask, folding my arms across my chest.

“Twerk,” he
says, meaning work. “That place has been kicking my ass. I
seriously need to change my availability.”

“Gross.”
I'm not sure that I want to launch into what's been going on right
now, especially since I'm still basking in that amazing kiss Cole and
I shared this morning.

“Yeah, I have
tomorrow off, thank God. Otherwise, I may lose it.” He stirs
his coffee.

I just stand there,
staring at him, “Yeah.”

He studies me for a
moment. “What's up?”

“Oh, I don't
know, just feeling a little...” I can't think of the right
word. “Shut out.”

“What do you
mean?” He crosses the kitchen to pack a lunch.

“This is the first time you've spoken to me since the party,
and I'm trying to figure out why.” There's a hitch in my voice
at the thought of anything coming between us.

His features soften and
he comes to give me a hug. “I've just been super busy. We're
hanging out tonight, right?”

“Yeah, I guess
we're having a party?” I ask, because Corey's the only one who
has mentioned it.

“Oh yeah, we've
got a bunch of folks coming.” He goes back to getting ready for
work.

“We aren't
playing the hunter dating game again, are we?” I purse my lips
sarcastically.

“Um, no.”
He stops to look at me. “That didn't work out.”

“No, it didn't.”
I get a cup of coffee. “I'd appreciate it if y'all would not
try to set me up with anyone.”

“Noted,” he
says, pulling the strap of his backpack up his arm.

“Good.”

“You understand
that we all just want you to be happy?” he says, coming to
stand in front of me.

“I know, and if
that's what you really want, just leave things alone. I've got this.”
I raise my brow with sincerity.

“Claire, everyone
knows you've never been good at 'your happiness.'” A sad smile
splays across his features.

“I'm getting
better.” I nod, thinking about that kiss. “So butt out,
unless I ask for help.”

“Deal.”

He kisses my cheek and
heads out the door.

The doorbell rings,
catching me by surprise. The thought rolls around in my brain that
whenever someone's at the door I'm not surprised, because it's
usually a wolf-borne. I swing the door open to see Lili standing
there with a ton of grocery bags.

“Hey, let me help
you.” I take all of the bags from her, carrying them with ease.

“I forgot your
super strength.” She huffs a breath of relief.

“Yeah, it's nice
I don't have to hide it from you anymore.” I put the bags on
the counter.

“I'm glad because
I've got another load in the car.” She smiles sheepishly.

“I got it.”
We head for the door. “So, where have you been?” Lili was
another one who wasn't answering her phone.

“Work. You know,
everyone stocking up for the Fourth.” She doesn't look me in
the eye, hmmm. “But hey, I'm off for the next three days.”

“That's good.”
I pick up the rest of the bags and start back toward the house. “So
you were working twenty-four hours a day and couldn't return a text
message?” I pin her down when we get to the kitchen.

Her cheeks redden.
“No.”

“So what the
hell?” I am, in fact, offended that she was one of the people
who didn't return any of my texts.

“I was afraid you
were mad at me.” She hangs her head.

“Well, there was
one only way to find out.” I bore into her.

“I know, I was
just...” She's got nothing.

“Look, first I
was sad, then I was scared that something happened to you, then I was
pissed. Everyone has been avoiding me.” I wave my hands around.

“You were pretty
upset at the party. I mean, I know we should have stayed out of it.
But Locke said–” I stop her right there.

“I know what
Locke thinks, but honestly he should know better. Things aren't the
same for us as they are for you mere mortals.” I throw in the
joke to lighten the mood.

“I know that
now.” She widens her eyes and inhales a breath. “I'm
sorry. I just want you to be happy.”

“I know that.
Probably the only reason I'm still speaking to you.” I give her
a hug. “Just let things be.”

We start unpacking the
bags and I can tell she has something to say. She keeps giving me
these weird glances. I can't take it anymore. “What, Lili?”

“I'm sorry, I
just can't help it.” And here we go; Lili is going to start
vomiting at the mouth and I'm sure that I'll have to remind her to
take a breath. “Did you see how Cole looked at you when you
came out in that skirt?”

I roll my eyes, “Yeah,
but I don't think I need a sexy skirt to keep his attention.”

“I know, but it
was more about how he looked. He was almost growling at Dillon, Gabe,
and Mica.” She inhales, but she's not done. “I thought he
was going to lose it. It was a good thing that Locke thought to
invite those other girls.”

I let out a low growl
at the thought. “Yeah, good thing.” My tone is dripping
with venom.

“Oh, and don't
think I didn't see the way you were looking at them. But it surprised
me that you weren't more possessive about Cole; I mean, they were all
up in your kool-aid.”

“There's so much
to this that you don't understand. In most cases, hunters are
subservient to wolves. It's part of our nature. We're made from them,
to take care of them.” There is so much pain in my words.
“Otherwise, I would have scratched their bitch eyes out. It's
my damn kool-aid.” I slam the jar of salsa on the counter a
little too hard, breaking it.

“Calm down,
woman,” she says, coming over with paper towels. She stops and
looks me in the eye. “Yeah, you've got it bad.”

I shake my head. “This
whole situation sucks. I want him to be happy, but I want to be
happy, too. I know that us being together would make both of us
happy if the rest of the world would just close its eyes and go away.
Instead, Cole and I will eventually have to close ours, so we go
away.” I stiffen, feeling wolf-borne nearby. “Some of the
boys are here.”

“Maybe that's the
answer. You two just run away.” She shrugs like it's that
simple.

“I wish. But
there are wolves and hunters everywhere. Not to mention my duty.”
I blow out a sorrowful breath.

“Screw your
duty,” she says as though she's angry for me.

“Did someone say
'doody?'” Rabbit comes in the back door, carrying a box.

“Yes, Rabbit.
Lili said duty; get it out of your system,” I say in defeat,
knowing the silly poop jokes that will ensue.

“Heh, heh,
doody.” Tor comes in, also carrying a box.

“Anyway.” I
roll my eyes. “What's in the boxes?”

“Fireworks.”
Rabbit's eyes take on a glassy glaze.

“Oh, great.
Fireworks.” I shake my head again. “I hope someone
brought a fire extinguisher.”

“We've got the
one we bought after last year’s fireworks.” Trevor holds
it up.

“Well, there's
that.” I tilt my head hopelessly. “Let's get the lights
on the porch turned on.”

Lili and I go out and
start arranging the chairs to accommodate more people. She turns on
the twinkle lights, and I look for how to turn on the planters that
Cole built for me. They glowed so beautifully the other night and I
haven't turned them on since. I look under, around, over. With my
fingers, I search for the switch, then look for an electrical cord.

“What are you
doing?” Lili asks.

“I'm trying to
figure out how to turn these on.” I blow out a frustrated
breath, completely perplexed.

She goes through the
same process that I do, with the same result. “That's so weird.
It's dark enough out; you'd think if they were on some sort of
sensor, they'd be on. Maybe a timer?”

“Possibly. I'll
ask Cole when he gets here.” I shrug and go back into the
kitchen to get the food ready. Cole's presence spikes through me
with a jolt.

Lili pulls her lips to
the side, giving me a knowing glance. “Cole's here.”

“How do you
know?” I ask.

“You did that
thing that you do right before he walks in.”

“That obvious?”
I press my mouth in a tight line.

“Oh yeah,”
Rabbit says, shoving a Twinkie in his mouth.

“Lili, can you
get the ice in the coolers?” I hand her a bag of ice.

Brogan and Kyle come
in. Brogan's first question is “Where do we put the fireworks?”

“Okay, seriously
guys, we're just getting some of the growth back from last year's
fiasco. Can we at least shoot for a controlled burn?” I kick my
head back. “This is going to be another disaster.”

“Nah, it'll be
fine.” Locke comes in and hugs me.

“
You
say.”
I offer a stiff grin. “How was work?”

“Let's just say
I'm finally free.” He pulls his work shirt off. The corners of
my mouth turn downward. “Sorry, I'm going to go change.”

“Put the
fireworks outside. I don't need the kitchen blowing up.” I
point toward the door, making the demand.

“Yes, ma'am.”

Cole comes in wearing a
cowboy hat, and sure enough, I can see my reflection in his boots.
“Hey, Claire.”

“Hey, Cole,”
I say with an airy longing. I snap out of it fast, realizing that
there are other people around.

Locke stops short,
looking at Cole and me. He shakes his head and continues to the
porch.

Lili comes back inside.
“Hey, Claire, the planters are lit up now.” She glances
from me to Cole and back to me. “Huh, just like you two.”

An indulgent smile
spreads across Cole's features when I hear his voice in my head.
They
only light when you are happy.

A hot blush moves up my
neck to my cheeks. “Oh.”

“Can I make you a
drink?” he asks.

“Sure, my
favorite blue chick punch, please,” I say, walking past him,
trying not to be affected by the heat coming off of him.

“Coming right
up.” He winks. His eyes are sparkling brighter than I've ever
seen before.

“Oh, and hey,
thanks for fixing the step.” My eyebrows arch.

“You're welcome.”
He nods as he says it, tipping his hat.

I turn around and go to
stand next to him.
I'm not sure I can pull off this no touching
agreement we made,
I say to him silently.

We have to try.
He
glances down at me; the sparkle has subsided.

I know.
I bite
the inside of my cheek.

More people show up and
it's a pretty chill night. There are some hunters and wolves. Lili is
the only human again.

“Hey, guys,”
Corey says from the bottom of the back porch.

“Hey, Corey, come
on up,” I say.

Is it cool for him
to be here?
Locke asks me silently.

Yeah, we talked last
night. He's cool, I invited him,
I answer.

But what about Cole?
He ticks his head in Cole's direction.

Cole's stare could melt
metal. He shifts his gaze to me, “You're cool with him being
here?”

“Yeah, I am. We
were on patrol last night and talked about it,” I answer
flatly. “It's cool.”

Cole remains stiff. The
wheels in his head are turning and I don't like how tense he is. I
reach out to Locke silently.
Lighten this up, please. I think Cole
is about to snap.

Locke nods. “Hey,
Rabbit, have you heard from Joey? I thought he was back?”

“Nah, not yet.
He's still in Europe with his dad. Apparently–” I cut him
off since I know that this going to be another story about porn; it
always is with Joey.

“Wow, cool,
Europe. When is he coming back?”

“Next week,”
Brogan answers. “I swear, he's been gone forever.”

“How goes the
grind
?” Corey addresses Kyle tongue-in-cheek.

“Ah, yeah, I see
what you did there.” Kyle isn't amused at the joke, “'Grind,'
cuz, like, I work at a coffee shop. You're a clever one, aren't you?”
he finishes waspishly.

That went well. Not.

“Are you still
seeing Sheila Fleming?” Corey looks at Cole directly. Jesus,
Corey, lay off.

Cole's smile widens. “I
have not had sexual relations with that woman.”

“Really?”
Corey and Locke both say at the same time.

“Yeah, really?”
I ask, and decide that if I can't beat em, join em.

“No, I never
dated Sheila.” His eyes crinkle at the corners. “She had
the hots for me.”

“I just figured
you had,” Trevor chimes in, chewing on crackers. “Since,
you know, her life fell apart and the whole curse thing.”

“Curse?”
Does this actually get worse?