Dead Moon Rising

Chapter Five

It was the morning of the hunt. Belle had been agonizing over the details of werewolf culture for three days with Reggie, and she was confident she knew the essentials she needed to fit in. She understood that werewolves were among the few two-natured creatures that maintained a pack and the importance of that structure. She also knew she needed to stay on her toes to keep herself safe around so many new and territorial creatures.

Belle had perfected her shifting to the point where, although she still held onto a tinge of anxiety to make it happen, it was relatively seamless. Out of all the anxiety she felt, knowing that Reggie would be by her side softened the fear in her heart.

She was excited to see Reggie again. He had planned to make breakfast for her and a few others in the Long Tooth pack to ease her into meeting everyone. He was so kind, she thought. She fondly remembered the day before, lying in the grass with Reggie—a memory she cherished. Though her heart ached for more time with him, she couldn't shake the concern stemming from his warning. She felt that today, she would need to learn more about the pack on her own. Reggie couldn't tell her everything, and she respected that, but she needed to understand what made her friend so uncomfortable.

Belle stepped out of the house with her bag in hand and examined the yard. It looked different. The yard, which had once seemed like a tornado had gone through it, now looked clean. Even the grass was greener. She wondered if Edmund had something to do with the cleanliness of the yard and searched for his grave. She knew the vampire slept all day but couldn't help but check his grave, which was covered with dirt every day and night, for her own sanity.

To her surprise, the grave was empty. A shovel stood out of the dirt next to the open hole, and she hastily scanned the area. Who had removed her host from his resting place? Flashes of black streaks blurred her vision as she remembered the fate of her friend Tilly, who had met the sun at the hands of an angry mob. Had Edmund met the same fate?

She checked her watch: 11 a.m. on the dot. Her eyes flickered to the clear blue sky above her. Edmund could not be outside right now; he couldn't be dead near the house because she didn't smell the foul scent of burning flesh that would linger long after the initial event. She tried to recall the last time she saw the vampire as she cautiously walked around the back of the house. When she had arrived home, he had been on the roof using the moon as a light source for his ancient book. She had waved to him, and he had hesitantly waved back. That was it. So where was he now? She looked over the wooded backyard and saw no trace of her host there either.

Belle decided that Edmund had chosen to sleep elsewhere today. She couldn't spend her day searching for the vampire when she barely cared for his slimy existence in the first place. She sighed; the last thing she wanted was to inherit the bigotry that had brought her to Louisiana in the first place, but she found this particular vampire so unsightly and terrifying that she had to make an exception.

With her keys in hand, she hopped into her truck and drove off onto Scooter Street, singing along to a popular tune on the radio. She was shocked to be in such a good mood but rode the wave as far as she could.

Once at Alcide's ranch, the sight of four cars made her heart sink. It had finally settled in that she would be meeting new wolves, potentially judgmental ones. She cast a quick glance at her face in the rearview mirror and let out a gasp. She had been so stupid to leave the house looking like such a mess. Though her skin was clear and her cheeks rosy, her hair resembled a rats nest. She hastily finger-combed her curls, praying they wouldn't become frizzy, and considered turning her car around to avoid embarrassment. It was too late, however, as she spotted Reggie walking toward her car. His dusty black cowboy boots made the first impression, followed by his blue flannel pajama pants and a stained hoodie that had previously been white. Belle sighed at the sight of him. Although he was as gorgeous as the day they met, his ensemble was as lackluster as her own. She stepped out of the car and wrapped her arms around the burly mans neck in a loving embrace that left her standing on her toes. Reggie's arms gripped her waist tightly and he sunk his face in her neck for a moment, smiling against her.