Blood Moon (Moons of the Wolf Series Book 1) (12 page)

CHAPTER 14

Charlotte walked up to where she and Zachary were supposed to meet.  He had text her almost forty-five minutes ago, but she was hoping he would still be there.  She wondered why he had wanted to meet her on a beaten, overgrown path in there forest and she reached into her purse and pulled out her pepper spray.  Zachary stepped out from behind a tree and grabbed her shoulder.  She screamed and quickly turned around, pepper spray in hand, but Zachary grabbed hold of her wrist.

He smiled, “It’s me, relax.”  He said.

“Zach…  Oh thank goodness you’re alright,” Charlotte exclaimed, throwing her arms around him.  He smiled sheepishly and held her away from him, refusing to step out of the shadows.

“Alright is probably not the right word…”  He whispered.

“I don’t care what the right word is!  You’re alive!  And you’re here!  We have to tell your parents!”  She replied excitedly.  She grabbed his hand and she froze; his skin was as cold as the January afternoon air.  She pulled her hand away quickly and put her hands in her pockets.

“No, we can’t go see them…”  Zachary protested.

“Why not?”  Charlotte went to grab his wrist, but she hesitated and then put her hand back into her pocket, avoiding looking him in the eye.  She had this feeling in her stomach that she knew why, but she didn’t want to believe the feeling in her gut.

Zachary shook his head, “I can’t…  Listen, Char, I can’t…  I can’t see my parents anymore.  I shouldn’t have even come to see you.  I can’t see anybody.  They told me so.”

Charlotte took a step back, realization setting in.  She shook her head, “They, who’s they?  What are you talking about…?”

“Char, they told me it would be a better life for me.  That I would feel like never before.  Told me I’d be able to do things I couldn’t do and said I’d been given a gift and that I needed to embrace it.  The woman…  The woman that was there said I had undergone some type of transformation…  That I’m a whole new being and that I should be in her debt.  She told me that if I heed her warnings and do as she said that I would be powerful…  Unstoppable.  Sh-She told me that I would never die…”  His words were rushed, panicked.  He paced back and forth in the shadows, talking with his hands all the while.  Charlotte knew.  She knew exactly what he was talking about, exactly what had happened.  She swallowed hard and bit her inner lip to fight back the tears.

“What are you talking about Zach?  You sound like a crazy person!”  She knew what he was talking about, she didn’t have to ask.  He didn’t smell like he should have, almost like day old burgers, instead of musky yet refreshing menthol.  It made her stomach churn and the hairs on the back of her neck stand up.  She knew exactly what was going on, what he had become.  But she couldn’t believe it.  She refused to believe it.

Zachary ran his fingers through his hair, getting aggravated, appearing to be stressed out.  Possibly nervous.  Charlotte couldn’t tell, “The woman…  She told me to call her mother.  She told me…  She told me she gave me the gift of vampirism.  Charlotte…  Charlotte I think I believe her…”  His voice waivered and cracked, his hands shook.  He looked at Charlotte, and their eyes finally met.  His eyes almost appeared to glow with a red tint, but were still blue under the crimson film.  “I’m scared, Charlotte…  And I’m so hungry…”

Charlotte thought that she was going to throw up.  She turned her back on Zachary and wiped tears from her eyes.  She looked up and saw Samantha and Kedar standing hidden in the trees.  Samantha shook her head and put her finger to her lip.  Charlotte was furious that they had followed her out here, but she took a deep breath and turned back to Zachary, knowing what she had to do to protect the pack.

“What have you been drinking, Zachary Gold?  Vampires don’t exist.  You should just go home, eat something and go to bed.”  Her voice was firm underneath the pain.

Zachary frowned and furrowed his brow, the hurt clear in his inhuman eyes, “Charlotte…”  He whispered, stepping close to her, almost out of the shadows.

“Just go home, Zach…”  Charlotte turned away, her eyes meeting Samantha’s.  She simply nodded and Charlotte closed her eyes.  She couldn’t do it.  She couldn’t kill Zachary. “
I can’t
…”  She mouthed to Samantha as tears rolled down her cheeks.

Zachary grabbed her arm and spun her around, his icy cold fingers gripping her tightly, “The woman told me that her name is Anastasia.  She said that you’re part of some sort of pack and that if I don’t do as she says that she is going to kill you.”  His voice was harsh, angry.  It had lost all traces of fear and aggravation.  The tenderness of Zachary’s normal tone was gone and was instead replaced with malice.  Charlotte’s heart beat faster and she wrenched her arm out of his grasp, panic rising in her chest.  She heard Samantha and Kedar shift, ready to protect their pack member if need be.  Charlotte stumbled back, into the dying light of day.

“What do you know about the pack?”  She snarled, every muscle in her body tightening, preparing to attack.

Zachary’s face instantly softened.  He rubbed his temple with one finger and took a deep breath, “Anastasia said that you are werewolves, which I didn’t believe at first.  But if I’m a vampire then I mean, the werewolf thing is plausible.  But, she said that your pack is keeping her from her hunting ground.  She promised that if I did as she said she would spare your life.  But I don’t want to be a monster like her…  I wanted to warn you…  So I can protect you…  I can help you and your pack, but you need to get me in with your leader…  The alpha I think she called him…”

Charlotte’s heart sank, and she closed her eyes again.  She heard the rustling of the bushes as Samantha and Kedar made their way to her, standing on either side of her.  She felt Kedar’s hand on her shoulder as he pushed her behind him.

“How the fuck does she know about our pack?”  Samantha practically hollered, anger emanating off of her small frame.

Zachary stared at Samantha, speechless.  For a small girl she was quite intimidating.  She clenched her fists and stepped forward, but Kedar reached out and touched her shoulder lightly, letting her know to stay back.  Zachary still didn’t respond, but he turned his eyes to Kedar, who scowled at him.

“We asked you a question, now answer it.”  Kedar ordered, his tone pointed.

Zachary stuttered, “I-I don’t know what she knows.  I just know what she’s told me.  Which wasn’t much at all.”

“Well, we won’t be allowing you to meet with anybody.”  Samantha stated very as-a-matter-of-factly.  She crossed her arms across her chest and pursed her lips as Kedar nodded in agreement.  She continued, “The pack and its safety is our first and foremost priority.”

“Bringing this leech around the pack would most definitely jeopardize the safety of every member,” Kedar finished her statement for her.

“Runt!  Kit!  He says that he can help us, give him a chance.”  Charlotte pleaded, latching on to the idea that a vampire could retain his morality in hopes of keeping the young man she had fallen in love with.  She knew it was a ridiculous notion, but that hope was all she had if she was going to keep her first love around.

“He could double cross us,” Kedar countered, frustration clear as he clenched his jaw.

“I wouldn’t do that.  I’m in love with Charlotte.  Nothing could change that.  Besides…  I don’t want to hurt anyone…”  Zachary rebutted, as he reached out for Charlotte, who Kedar still kept behind him, out of Zachary’s grasp.  She whimpered and tried to push around Kedar, but he didn’t budge.

Kedar took a step towards Zachary, his voice low and intimidating, “You do realize that unless you drink the blood of a human you’ll waste away and die?  This isn’t a fairytale, vampires can’t live off of animal blood.  It would be like a human with an A positive blood type receiving B negative blood during a blood transfusion.  You don’t know anything about what you’ve become, and I suggest you brush up quickly.  That is, if I don’t kill you right now anyway.”

“I’ll waste away and die then.  So long as I can help Charlotte and keep her safe…”  Zachary sounded defeated in his response and he shoved his hands into the pockets of his pullover sweatshirt.

Kedar turned to face Charlotte, “The only reason I haven’t killed him yet is because it would upset you, and upsetting you would upset Sam.  Speak to your alpha if you must, but I would advise against it.  This scum shouldn’t be anywhere near our homes.  Remember, Charlotte, you’re putting the lives of your family in danger for a boy you met less than three months ago.  And he isn’t even the same boy.  He’s simply a monster parading around in his body.  The boy you claim to love is gone.”

“You’re not even a part of this pack, how dare you speak to me that way.  Mind your own damn business and don’t interfere with my fucking life.  I don’t take orders from dirty rogues.”  Charlotte snapped, finally having enough.

“Your mistake,” Was Kedar’s only reply before he stormed away.

“I don’t give a damn what you do, Charlotte.  Just be aware that if anything…  Unfortunate happens because of the decision you make you will be the one to blame.  Nobody else.  You should be protecting your pack, not some vampire scum…”  Samantha snarled, glancing back at Zachary, and then she followed Kedar.

After a moment Zachary spoke, “I didn’t mean to cause problems between you and your friends.”

Charlotte rubbed her temples slowly, “Don’t worry, Zach.  They’re just upset, and understandably so…”  She stepped into the shadows, closer to her boyfriend.

He reached out and touched her face gently, caressing her cheek, “I’m so glad that I still have you…”

“Me too,” Charlotte whispered in response.

There was a long moment of silence that followed.  Charlotte didn’t know what to say.  She leaned her face into his hand, shuttering at the cold feeling of his once warm skin.  She told herself it was something that she was going to have to get used to, and the thought made her heart sink.  She wasn’t sure if she wanted to get used to it…  She wanted Zachary, but was this the Zachary that she wanted?  She closed her eyes and tried to push the thought to the back of her mind.  Zachary’s shaky voice made her open her eyes and jump in surprise.

“Does this mean I’m dead?”  He was barely audible, but the words made tears well up in her eyes once more.  She swallowed the lump in her throat and she shakily placed her forefinger and middle finger on the inside of his wrist, searching for a pulse that she knew wasn’t going to be there.  Vampires were technically nothing but walking, talking, animated corpses, but she hadn’t the heart to tell him that.

“I don’t have a heartbeat, Charlotte…”  Zachary whispered, pulling his wrist away from her.

Tears began to pour from her eyes, streaming down her face, “I know…”  She whispered, choking back a sob.  Zachary reached out and pulled her close to him.  She buried her face in his chest as she began to cry harder.  He slowly rubbed her back and leaned his chin on her head.

“I know…”  Charlotte repeated between the sobs that now racked her body.

CHAPTER 15

The following day Alex walked quietly to the girl’s locker room.  She went to the fourth stall on the right and stepped inside.  She dropped her bag down on the bench next to Charlotte, who was lacing up her sneakers.  She didn’t even glance up at Alex, the thud of her bag hitting the bench apparently not bothering her.  Alex stood for a moment, with her hands on her hips, waiting for Charlotte to acknowledge her presence.  When she did not Alex cleared her throat.

“I spoke to Runt last night.”  She grumbled as Charlotte looked up at her.

Charlotte frowned deeply, “And?”

“Are we sure that we can trust this vampire of yours?”  Alex’s voice was bitter as she curled her upper lip into a grimace.

“He isn’t just a vampire, Alexandria.  He’s still Zachary,” Charlotte retorted sharply

“Alexandria?  Who are you, my mother?”

Charlotte didn’t respond.

“Humph.  If he was still your precious boyfriend he could come to school.  He could go home to his parents.  He wouldn’t be on the missing person’s list.  Face it, he isn’t your boyfriend.  Not anymore.  He’s a blood sucking monster.”

“Shut your face…”  Charlotte mumbled.

“Charlotte Lévesque, you need to hear this.  Your judgment is clouded because you’re refusing to accept the reality.  Your boyfriend is dead.  A shadow of his former self walks around at night as an undead terror.  I’m only saying this because I love you…  You’re going to end up getting hurt.”

“Alex, I said shut up.”

“Charlotte!  Fine, damn it.  But if someone ends up hurt or if he double crosses us, it’s on your head.  And I will personally hold you responsible.”  Alex snarled.  She turned away from Charlotte and pulled her shirt off over her head, beginning to change for class.

“Psh.  You don’t have the authority to hold me responsible for anything.  You’re not alpha yet.”  Charlotte snapped.

Alex whipped around and got into Charlotte’s face, baring her teeth, “I will be alpha and I do have the authority.  You’re my underling and as the alpha-in-training I will hold whoever I see fit for any bullshit that may arise for what have you responsible.  And if the drama stems from your little bloodsucker, it’ll be you, dearie.”

Charlotte was silent for a moment, but then she growled, “Good luck finding a spouse before Riley gets hitched.  Nobody is going to want to marry you.  You’re a bitter twat.”

Alex growled, but turned away from Charlotte before she lost all self-control and smacked her clean across her smug face.  Charlotte huffed and then ducked out of the stall.

***

After school Alex sat in the kitchen with Riley, Kyle and Maia.  She and Kyle were sitting close, head’s leaned in towards one another so they could talk without the fear of anybody hearing their exchange.  Alex glanced behind her towards Riley, who had a sour look on his face.  Alex knew that it bothered him that she and Kyle got along so well.  She also knew that Riley was very aware of the full extent of her relationship with Kyle.  They had been sneaking around behind her father’s back.  She hoped that Riley wasn’t going to tell Colin, as she knew that he was going to be furious.  Especially since Kyle was far below her in rank and from another pack, which seemed to matter to her father a little too much.

Kyle lightly put his hand on Alex’s, “After this meeting would you like to go out somewhere?”

Alex smiled softly and whispered back, “Let’s save our money and go down to the beach instead…  My parent’s own a beach house about an hour and a half away from here…”

“Perfect…” Kyle cooed, rubbing his thumb across the skin on the back of her hand.

One by one pack members began trickling into the room.  Colin and Bridgette walked in and Kyle and Alex sat up straight and shifted away from each other, pretending the other didn’t exist.  Riley growled to himself and crossed his arms, glaring at Kyle.  Alex turned and whacked him on his arm, giving him a dirty look that clearly said “stop it”.  He smiled mockingly at her and rolled his eyes in discontent.

Samantha and Melody then entered the room.  Riley stood to greet them, gently kissing Samantha on the cheek.  She barely looked up at him and went to her seat, not even saying hello.  He frowned and turned to say something to Melody, but he saw Kedar following her into the room.  He scowled, looking Kedar up and down.  He turned to Samantha, who was sitting in her seat, not appearing to be amused.

“What is he doing here, Runt?”  He grumbled as he returned to his seat.

“First of, I have a name Riley.  Second, he has every right to be here.”  Samantha retorted shortly.

“Says who?  Last I checked he wasn’t a pack member.  This isn’t an open meeting.”  Riley contested.

“I’m helping you handle the situation on your hands, aren’t I, mutt?”  Kedar snarled.  He sat down beside Samantha.  He stretched and reached his arm out, putting it on the back of Samantha’s chair, around her shoulders.

“Now, now, children.  It’s not the time to bicker.  Kedar has already received my permission to sit in on all meetings for the foreseeable future.  Now, where are Charlotte and her little pet?”  Colin spat.  He turned to Chantal and Devin, raising his eyebrow, directing the question of their daughter’s whereabouts at them.

“She went to get him,” was Devin’s bitter reply.

Alex glanced towards the clock.  It was five passed seven; late enough for vampires to be out.  She looked back towards her father, who was asking Devin how he felt about the situation.  She smirked at his response.

“I am…far less than pleased, Colin…”  Devin grumbled.

Just then Charlotte entered the room, her hands stuffed in her pockets, “Zach insists that he needs permission from the head of the house to enter.”

              Colin grumbled but stood and left the room.  He came back a few moments later, Zachary following close behind him.  All eyes followed Zach and a low growl traveled through the room.  Alex watched Zach as he walked, almost glided, across the room and took a seat beside Charlotte.  Colin took his seat once more and folded his arms across his chest.  The whole pack stared at him anxiously as he glared at Zachary.

Finally, Colin spoke.  “Charlotte, your friend here wants to explain himself to the pack?”

Zachary nodded, “Yes, I do, sir,” He answered on his own behalf, “I think I could be…”

“My father wasn’t talking to you, leech!”  Riley snapped, cutting Zachary off.  Colin growled and gave Riley a disapproving look.  He just huffed and sat back in his chair, glancing at Alex, who snickered.

“Though it was not my son’s turn to speak, he is right.  I was addressing Charlotte, not you Zachary.”  Colin snarled through clenched teeth angrily.

“Yes, sir.  Zach would like to address the pack.”  Charlotte responded, discontent clear in her voice.

Colin turned to Zachary, “Now you may speak.”

“As I was saying, the brood has accepted me as one of their own.  They’ve entrusted me with their secrets, their very lives and I am more than willing to share what I know with your pack.”

Colin raised an eyebrow and glanced back at Alex and Riley.  Alex pursed her lips, aggravated with the situation.  Colin turned back to Zachary, “Continue.”  He practically ordered.

“What would you like to know, sir?”  Zachary asked.

“Anything that you can tell us.  Kedar here has a knowledge of your kind, but of course any additional information is helpful.”  Colin responded.

Zachary nodded slowly, “Well, right now I don’t know very much.  I know that we can only survive on blood.  Human’s blood as your pack member Kedar pointed out at our…  Confrontation yesterday.  I’ve been feeding on game, but the others aren’t aware of that.  The older brood members feed much more often, some of the younger brood members haven’t even needed to feed yet.  Most of the fledglings can go months without feeding after their first, from what I was told.  We don’t have many weaknesses, and a lot of what most know about vampires is a myth.”

Colin shook his head, “Just tell us what you know.  I’m not interested in myths, only the truth.  More to the point, I want to know what your brood mistress is planning.”

Zachary hesitated, “Honestly, sir, I haven’t been made privy of that information yet.  But when I am, you will be the first person to know.”

Colin stared at Zachary, his face twisting in aggravation.  Finally he stood, crossing his arms across his chest, “Very well.  Now, I’ll ask you kindly to remove yourself from the premises.  You are no longer welcome in my home.”

Charlotte looked over at Alex, whose lips were still pursed in frustration.  She sighed, took Zachary’s hand in her own and led him out of the house.

The rest of the pack began to leave as well, but as Samantha stood, Alex grabbed her arm and mouthed “stay”.  Samantha nodded and she sat back down.  When all the adults had left the room Alex stood and she closed the door.  She turned to the others and put her hands on her hips.

“What do you guys think of him?  Zachary that is.”  She asked as she raised her eyebrows.

“I don’t trust him…”  Kedar snarled immediately.

“I second that,” Kyle said, nodding his head in agreement.

“Agreed,” Riley and Jaden chimed in unison.

Alex nodded, “And what do you all believe that we should do?”

“I think that we should take him out before he causes us any type of trouble,” Kedar suggested.

“But what if he can actually help us?”  Olivia wondered.

“Don’t be stupid, Liv,” Riley snapped, turning to her.

“She could have a point…”  Maia chirped.

“A ‘point’?  A fucking point, Maia?  They killed our mother!  Don’t stick up for them!”  Kyle snapped, standing.  Everyone began talking all at once, yelling at each other and arguing over Zachary’s trustworthiness.  Samantha stood and stomped her foot on the ground.

“Shut up!”  She demanded.  Everyone froze and then turned to look at her, “We can’t sit here and fight amongst ourselves.  I don’t trust him either, but unless we try to trust him we will never know if he has valuable information that he can offer us.”

“And what happens when he betrays us,” Riley practically hollered, standing from his seat and taking a step towards her, “Ever think about that Runt?”

“Then we handle the situation then,” Samantha responded simply.

“Don’t be so sure that he will betray us, though,” Olivia interjected.

“How can you trust that monster so easily, Olivia?”  Riley shouted.

“Enough!  I have had enough!  We can’t do much about this, it’s my father’s decision.  That doesn’t mean that we aren’t going to be keeping tabs on him though.  Is that understood?  Or are you all going to fucking continue to argue and make me repeat myself?”  Alex yelled.  Silence answered her, “We will play it by ear for now.”

The room continued to be silent for a moment longer, each member digesting what Alex had said.  Riley, outwardly unhappy, stormed out of the room and slammed the door behind him.  Alex rolled her eyes as he clamored up the stairs noisily.  Nobody said anything and Kedar also left the room angrily.  Samantha glanced at Alex, who just sighed.