Under the Crescent Moon

Chapter 11

Tara’s POV

Ever since Devon dropped me back at the camp site, I yearned to go back with him. What the heck is wrong with me? The dude scares me to death! And yet, I want him.

At first I thought that wanting him was because of that voodoo thing I feel whenever he touches me. But right now he’s nowhere near me, and I wish that he was.

I was even regretting that I didn’t sit next to him during the car trip back. How sick is that? The man is some kind of beast man that can turn into a hairy monster with sharp claws and long pointy teeth whenever the mood strikes, but now I’m kicking myself for not sitting next to him and holding his hand? Get a GRIP, Tara! He’s not going to turn into a handsome Prince from true loves kiss like in some animated kids movie.

Oh, wait. He turns into a handsome alpha. With rippling pectorals, and eyes like melting chocolate. And a package that the statue of David probably envies.

Oh my god, this is all going to drive me bat s**t crazy until my birthday when I can FINALLY reject him, and then hopefully this emotional breakdown or whatever I’m going through will hopefully stop. I know I said I’d date him and get to know him first, but I bet if I spend very much more time with him, I won’t be able to do it! I’ll become too involved, too obsessed, too addicted, too much in love to reject him.

Wait, love? Holy heck on a cracker! I’ve known him for less than 2 full days, I can’t possibly be in love already. Can I? That is going to make things so much more complicated! I don’t want to marry a monster and have little baby monsters. It’s just all so weird!

I’m about ready to tear my hair out in frustration when mom calls out that dinner is about ready. Apparently we are having felafel and Greek salad. Mom assumes we all like felafel because anything deep fried automatically tastes better, right? Paired with lemony garlicky tahini sauce and served on soft pita bread, it’s certainly not the worst meal she’s made recently. No, that award would go to the carrot and lentil “meatloaf”, and mashed cauliflower “potatoes”, with clumpy mushroom miso gravy. Even mom wouldn’t eat more than 2 bites before ordering pho from our favorite pre-vegan lifestyle restaurant.

I pick at my dinner, only eating half of my felafel.

“Is something wrong, sweetie?” Mom asks, sounding worried.

“I just have a lot on my mind, and I’m not very hungry I guess.” I say, shrugging my shoulders. I take another bite of the Greek salad, and then set my fork down again.

“I’m going to talk with her,” I hear my dad quietly say to mom.

“Fine.” She replies, sounding resigned.

What is that all about? But I don’t have long to find out. As soon as dad finishes eating, he thanks mom for the delicious dinner, then says he’s going for a walk, and suggests that I go with him.

“Ok.”

We walk as if we are heading towards the trail to the falls, and I’m about to beg off, but he suddenly heads into the woods a bit and locates a fallen tree, that he decides will work well enough as a sofa or whatever. He motions for me to sit down.

“Devon told me what happened today.” Dad says.

I open my mouth to say something, but I’m actually so shocked that nothing comes out.

“I know that you are worried and scared,” he continues. And now I’m even more shocked. “But you really don’t need to be. Believe me when I say you don’t want to go through with a rejection. It’ll be the most painful thing you could ever experience! And I know this because I was rejected by my fated mate a long time ago. The pain hurt me so much, that I lost my wolf.”

“Wait, WHAT?”

“I’m a werewolf, sweetie. Or, I was. But when my fated mate rejected me, it killed my wolf, Flame. He’s been gone for over 20 years now.” Dad says softly, and I see him wipe tears out of his eyes. “I was just a lowly omega nerd, not nearly flashy enough for Lucinda, one of the Emerald pack’s fiercest warriors.”

“Soon after that, I met your mom, and we fell instantly in love. And though I love your mother dearly, and you and your brothers, I still deeply regret what happened between Lucinda and I. I haven’t been the same since. And though I no longer live in the Emerald pack, I still work for them.”

“I didn’t know any of this.”

“I know. Your mother doesn’t like me to talk about my past. She’s a jealous woman. But your Devon convinced me that I needed to tell you the truth, and that he suspects that the werewolf gene was passed to your brothers. So I possibly need to prepare Gavin for his first shift in a few months.

“Wow.”

“Let’s head back and enjoy the hot springs one last time before we leave,” Dad suggests. “And if I know werewolves and their mate bonds well enough, I’ll bet you anything that your Alpha shows up before long.”

I roll my eyes at that. The way I had been all standoffish and pushing Devon away, he probably wants to forget he ever met me. But I guess I had nothing better to do with my time, so I joined the whole family for our last soak in Sol Duc hot springs.

And then it turns out dad was right! We hadn’t been in the hot springs for more than maybe 15 minutes when I see Devon walk right past the pool I was sitting in, as if he didn’t even notice me. He went straight to the next pool over!

“What the heck?” I say as I look over at dad.

“He’s just worried that you don’t want to see him.” Dad explains quietly. “If you don’t want to see him, stay right where you are and pretend he doesn’t even exist. If you do want to see him, then go join him over there. The ball is in your court, as they say.”

I hesitate for only a few minutes, as I don’t wish to look over eager. But then I head on over to the other pool. Only, I don’t go directly over to where Devon is sitting. I can play this game just as well as he can, and I get in on the opposite side of the pool. I don’t look at him, instead I check out my nails. I notice the lilac color I had painted them to match my swimsuit before we came camping is starting to chip off, and could use a touch up after I get home.

“May I sit next to you?” Devon says, and only then do I look up at him.

“If you’d like to, sure.” I say, trying to sound unimpressed. “Do you think I should touch up this color, or try a different color?”

“Hmm… this color is very pretty and seems to suit you very well,” Devon claims. “But without knowing anything about the other options a available, I can’t make an informed opinion.”

“Hmm, good point.” I say, now wondering if he is talking about the same subject I am. And then I’m confused. Maybe I shouldn’t try to play games that I’m afraid I’d lose.

“My dad says I shouldn’t be afraid of you.” I suddenly say, and Devon seems to be surprised to hear that.

“That’s good to hear.” He says, his voice turning smooth and silky sounding. And I’m suddenly wishing for things that I ought not to wish for. To be alone with Devon, far from other people. A comfortable bed with silk sheets. The feel of Devon’s body pressing down on me, and the feel of his hands touching me where no man has ever touched. I want all this, and much more. I want everything.

I notice I’m wrapped up in his arms again.

“You’re not using your voodoo magic on me again, are you?”

“Mmm, no,” he claims, although I don’t entirely believe him. “This time I think you’re the one using voodoo on me! I can’t stop thinking about you, and I don’t want you to leave here tomorrow.”

“What do you have that could possibly tempt me to stay with you?” I ask.

“I’ve got snacks!”