Once in a Full Moon(75)

“Brandon?” I asked again, breathless.

“I still can’t believe it,” he said. He stepped out of the shadows in his handsome human form, but I still wasn’t sure if it was safe to approach him.

“Believe what?”

He took my hands in his. His fingers were cold, but he seemed somehow refreshed and happier than I’d ever seen him.

“I told you something last night,” he said. “Do you remember?”

“Yes,” I said.

“But more important you told me something.”

“Yes.”

“Something that comes from the heart? That only real lovers say?”

I nodded exuberantly.

“Then it’s true,” he said, and gave me a hug. “This time it wasn’t a dream I could barely remember.”

“You remember?”

“Everything!” he said.

“I remember everything from the first night I was turned,” he said, ecstatic. “I remember our first official date, with the snow glistening in your hair and Champ and the wolves playing together. I remember wanting to kiss you every time I saw you and how it took all my strength not to.

“And most important, Celeste, I remember the words you told me last night and the best kiss of my life.”

We hugged and laughed and kissed.

“Then why would Dr. Meadows warn me against it?” I asked.

Brandon thought for a moment. “There was something magical about that kiss. That you cared for me in werewolf form . . . it brought my two worlds together. I’m sure there are some werewolves who don’t want to remember anything that happens in the moonlight,” he said with conviction. “But I’m not one of those.”

We heard a car pulling into Brandon’s drive in the distance.

“I guess my grandparents are home,” he said.

Then Brandon ignored the car and kissed me. “I’m so glad I can remember,” he said. “Because you are too good to forget.”

We kissed again, and within a few moments the sun had set behind us. I heard a rustling in the woods. I thought I saw a pair of eyes watching us. “I think a wolf is following us,” I said.

Brandon perked up. “It’s not a wolf. I think there’s someone watching us,” he said, concerned.

“Then we’ll leave,” I said. But it was too late. I saw an odd look in Brandon’s eyes.

“I’m burning up,” he said.

“No—” I cried. “Not now. What if it’s your grandparents?”

I gazed back into the woods, hoping I’d see who or what was staring at us.

“It can’t be them,” Brandon said, frazzled. “They would have said something by now.” He retreated deeper into the woods. “I’m changing.”

“You can’t—not if someone’s out there!” I warned. I trailed Brandon farther into the brush. But Brandon was already taking off his jersey.

I heard branches cracking as if someone was following us.

I tried to hide Brandon behind a tree when I heard a branch snap a few yards away.

“Please,” I begged Brandon, who was wincing in discomfort. “Not now!”

Brandon’s eyes had turned red.

“No—” I cried, trying to cover his face with my hands. “What if someone is videotaping you?”

His hair grew shoulder length before me, and tiny dark hairs covered his arms and athletic chest.

“Please—don’t!” I said to him. “It could be a hunter!”

I was afraid for Brandon’s life and did my best to hide him with my arms.

“Oh no! You have to stop!” I said.

There was a goatee and stubble along his face where none had been. Fangs pierced out between the parting of his lips.

Brandon breathed heavily and I could see his senses were keened in on movement in the brush a few yards away.

“Please, whoever you are! Please, go away!” I shouted.

Brandon stepped in front of me. He wasn’t about to let me take a silver bullet for him.

Just then a beam of light shone on Brandon. It was coming from only a few yards away. As Brandon retreated I noticed a figure holding a flashlight—and on his finger was a familiar class ring.

Several wolves howled in the distance. The light shining on Brandon quivered. Brandon howled in return, and the flashlight fell to the ground.

We heard a rustling in the woods away from us as if someone was running for their life. In the distance a car door slammed and an engine started. Squealing tires peeled off.

I stared at Brandon, who was as gorgeous as I’d ever seen him. I was scared, frightened of what was going to happen to us now. Brandon reached out and took my shaking hand in his steady and firm one. I felt an immediate surge of love and strength flow straight to my heart.