The Crescent (24 page)

When he finally pulled away large beautiful trees swaying in the wind and birds floating overhead surrounded us. I could hear the peaceful babbling of the creek and Brandon’s easy breathing next to me. He had the most amazing smile on his face, the sun danced in his eyes. “How are you feeling?”

I leaned forward on my elbows looking at Brandon lying comfortably on his back with his arms folded behind his head. “I feel wonderful.” I replied, raising myself up to kiss his chest glistening with moisture in the sunlight. His hair was tousled and wet; mine was too.

“I’m so glad you are here.”

“How long do we have?” I almost didn’t want to ask.

“The others will try to let us stay here as long as they can.” My skin felt hot under Brandon’s fingertips as he drew circles on my forearm. “I didn’t think I’d be able to bring you here again. I’m not sure I could’ve if they put that bracelet on you tonight.”

I pressed my face flat on Brandon’s chest to feel his heart beat against my cheek and took in a deep breath of his scent. “I’m glad I’m here with you.” I hugged my body closer to his and just as I had hoped, he tightened his grip around me. “I love you.”

He let out a small laugh and kissed the top of my head. “I love you too.
Always
.”

We lay intertwined with each other for what felt like an eternity. He playfully twirled my hair around his fingers and rubbed my back. Neither of us wanted to disrupt the peace that we finally felt from being with each other. My whole body tingled and my breath seemed to come easier. I was waking up for the first time being with him again, knowing this was where I belonged. The longer my body was in contact with his, the stronger I felt; my vision became crisp; the colors of the trees turned from dull to vibrant greens and browns. I could see the flecks of emerald green in Brandon’s eyes. Several birds flew overhead and I could hear the tips of their wings flapping above and below their bodies. I buried my face deep into his chest taking in long breathes of his scent until it felt like it was part of me; inside me. He was doing the same with his face buried deep into my hair.

“What do we do now?” I asked once it felt like Brandon had completely merged bodies with mine.

“We don’t have much time before your birthday. Once you are eighteen, the full transformation will begin.” He smiled widely like he sensed the completeness that washed over me. “In the meantime, we can visit Haventon anytime you’d like… to reenergize, relax or just be together.”

“Haventon?” I questioned. “Is that what this place is?” I gazed at the large trees overhead and the stream. All this time I had assumed this was our version of heaven.

“Yes, we will spend a lot more time here preparing for your transformation.”

While I enjoyed coming here, a knot had started to form in my stomach. I know I said I would transform, but the idea terrified me. “What do I have to do to transform exactly?” The muscles in my body stiffen as I barely mumbled the words.

Brandon squeezed me tighter. “I told you, the first time will feel funny, but it gets easier.” Brandon picked up my hand to show me my palm; the crescent moon was well defined and purple. “Your transformation has already begun. The times you started to change before were forced because your body felt threatened by an enemy- that caused you more pain. When you change at will, it will be because you want to and it is easier on your body, more natural.”

“But my parents would never hurt me. Alex wouldn’t hurt me.”

His body tensed at the mention of Alex’s name. “Your natural instincts kicked in. Your body knew they were a threat to you even if your mind or your
heart
didn’t.”

“I’m sorry to interrupt…” Lily walked out from behind one of the small trees. She startled me and I moved to sit up but Brandon’s arm held me to him. “Brandon, you need to come back. Michael needs your help. We have to leave the house. He thinks they have found us.” Brandon clenched my shoulder as she said the words.

“I knew they would.” He responded and closed his eyes.
I love you.

When I reopened my eyes, I was lying on the bed in the small room again. Brandon was not next to me; I was alone. I lifted my hand to look at the faint moon on my palm. I ran my fingertip gently up and down the curved shape trying to quiet my confusion. In my dream it was so defined, so perfect; now it was just a shadow beneath my skin. I couldn’t help but wonder if I had ruined our heaven by saying Alex’s name there, for having thoughts of him while in the most private of moments with Brandon.

“How are you feeling?” Lily appeared by the bed, Grant at her side. I looked carefully at each of them and then gingerly pulled myself off the bed waiting for pain to radiate through me. Instead I had a sense of euphoria as Grant nudged my leg with his nose.

“We have to go. Are you ready?” Lily gave me a knowing smile. Grant whimpered as other wolves walked through the door.

“What is going on?” I instinctively stepped backward, momentarily forgetting these people; these
wolves
were my family now.

“They are going to follow us in case any of them show up.” The keys in her hand slightly shook as she looked over at Matt. She outstretched her hand with the keys. “I’m too young to drive.”

I followed Lily and my future in-laws out to Brandon’s truck. The bed was loaded down with various bags and suitcases. The back seat was full of bedding, pillows and a plastic case that had coloring books and dolls in it. Lily was a child, but it was easy to forget in the severity of the events from tonight.

“How were you able to come into my dream like that?” I asked Lily as I started to ease the truck onto the road.

“My entire family has the gift of dream walking. That was how I was able to bring Brandon to you when he was weak. I’m still learning though. Sometimes I don’t get it right.” She started playing with a piece of her hair like sharing the information made her uncomfortable. “Sometimes when it’s a new person I’m trying to connect with I end up going to someone that I’m already connected with instead.” She smiled. “But with you- it’s easy since you are connected with Brandon, I can go to you anytime I want now.”

I wasn’t sure if that was something I should be excited about or not. Just knowing that she could poke around in my dreams anytime she wanted was a bit unnerving. “Can you do it with absolutely anyone?”

“No. Not anyone, only certain people. Emile is trying to help me practice.”

“So, all those dreams I’ve had of Brandon and I where from you?” I started thinking of all the dreams I’ve had making out with him and doing much, much more. I really hoped she wasn’t in on
those
dreams.

“No. Some he brought you himself. I can’t take you to Haventon without him; you can only go there together. But once you are fully bonded, you will be able to cross freely into each other’s dreams and thoughts. I’ve been able to see Matt’s thoughts for awhile, but I’m just learning how to get into Matt’s dreams.”

I hesitated before asking. “Do you know what happened to my parents tonight? Do you know if they were hurt?”

“I don’t know.” She pulled out one of her Barbie’s and started to change her clothes from a simple summer dress to a pair of Capri pants and a t-shirt. Lily even pulled out a small pair of white tennis shoes and slipped them onto her doll. I guess the sundress wasn’t really appropriate for a Barbie on the run.

“All I saw was Matt and Trevor coming from the house. Sophie and Gavin ran out the back door is what Emile said.”

“What about Alex? Was he hurt?” I asked without thinking.

Lily pulled out the brush and started to comb the dolls hair almost violently. “What does it matter?”

“I know you grew up hating him and his family, but do you have to be so coldhearted?”

Lily yanked at the Barbie’s hair when the brush got tangled; she ended up pulling a section of hair out. “Alex and his family
hate
us. Don’t you realize he was just using you?” Then she hit me with honesty; with a truth that I hadn’t really thought of, that I hadn’t really considered and now it smacked me in the face so I couldn’t avoid it.

“If his mother hadn’t instructed him to fall in love with you- he
wouldn’t
have. He will be mated to someone else… don’t you realize he has someone that is suffering without him? Someone longing for him…”

I almost swerved into oncoming traffic considering the possibility that everything I had with Alex was one big orchestrated lie. “Well, if what you are saying is true, then Alex will die without that person.”
And that person is not me
, I added silently. “So
you
should be happy anyway.” I know it was immature to get into an argument with a ten year old and this wasn’t an argument I would win anyway.

If what Lily was saying was true, then my dreams with Brandon were the only true relationship I’ve ever had. And the mark on my hand confirmed at least part of the stories the Amana’s had told me. If they were telling me the truth, then Brandon and I were destined to be together, but that didn’t mean that Alex was completely kicked out of my heart. I’m sure that would be a fact that none of them would be happy to hear. But I never felt like Alex would hurt me and I refused to believe that he would.

© Black Rose Writing