#1 The Rise of the Crescent Moon

Josephine

This was crazy, I was going crazy. I repeated to myself as I drove out of town and away from the hospital. I knew this was going to happen. I knew those ridiculously blue eyes I had been dreaming about belonged to a man in my hometown, a man who was meant to be my mate. But, I wasn’t ready for it. I wasn’t ready to meet him on day one. I wasn’t ready for his claim. I wasn’t ready to admit my past.

I yelled at the steering wheel as I raced through the town’s streets. Originally, I wasn’t planning on staying in a hotel tonight. I was planning on going home.

My childhood home was a modest A-frame that sat surrounded by woods on the border of Little Compton and Black Hallows, an even smaller village. It was where I grew up. It was home. It was all that I had left of my parents. Now, it was too dangerous to stay there. It was closer to my past than Little Compton. It was closer to August than Little Compton. I knew I’d have to go home eventually. I couldn’t make a decision about staying here without going home first and deciding if I was really ready to come back.

But today was not that day.

Coming back meant telling my brother I had disobeyed him and my parents dying wish. Coming back meant that I had to face what happened to my parents and all the secrets that came with that. It meant reuniting with my childhood, a time I had long decided to forget. But, it also meant being with my mate. A love I couldn’t escape no matter how hard I tried.

I wasn’t ready to face the realities of my choices. Instead, I would run and hide. I drove straight back to the hotel and checked in with a very confused receptionist. I ended up back in the very same room I had checked out of a few short hours ago. I abandoned my suitcases on the floor and dramatically flung myself down on the oversized bed.

My life was a disaster.

I stared at the pattern of the ugly hotel bedspread for hours before finally flipping myself over and switching on the TV. I laid in my room in a puddle of self-misery for the remainder of the day. I ate bad room service and watched cheesy movies until I couldn’t keep my eyes open any longer. Finally, I gave in to sleep.

The startling blue eyes that I now knew belonged to August Hayes flickered in my mind. Instead of fear, this dream brought me happiness. I woke up in a cloud of bliss, my skin warmed from the blush caused by looking into August’s eyes. I stayed like that, warm and unmoving, until the sun started to creep through the hotel curtains. I glanced over at the alarm clock, 8:30am. I pulled myself out of bed and prepared for the day.

Checking my phone, I had an email from Dr. Grace asking me to come in for a follow up meeting today. I agreed to meet her at around noon. This time, I left my suitcase in the room before leaving, prepared to spend another few days at the hotel. I decided to go to Rosie’s for breakfast, taking my chances with being recognized by the elder who I’m pretty sure figured me out yesterday anyway.

“Ah, back again are we?” Rosie greeted me at the door.

“I just couldn’t get my mind off your pancakes.” I smirked as she led me to a table.

“Let’s cut the act, shall we?” Rosie leveled her gaze with mine, leaning across the table. I sighed and folded my hands in front of me,

“I’m surprised you didn’t call me out yesterday.” I admitted.

“I figured that you had a good reason for the secrecy. Your bond is unconventional, best to leave it to you two to figure it out.” Rosie peered at me over the brim of her glasses.

“You know?” I asked, shocked. Rosie was one of the few elders who my father allowed me contact with. She was more human than wolf, figuratively speaking. She loved her restaurant and she loved the humans. She spent more time in town than in the packhouse, so my father thought she would be a good influence on me.

“Of course, dear.” Rosie chuckled as if it were obvious.

“Great.” I grumbled.

“I know you’ll come to the right decision in the end, child. Now, let’s get you some pancakes.” Rosie patted the top of my head before waddling off to the kitchen.

A few minutes later, the same bubblegum lipped she-wolf arrived with my food. She nearly threw the pancakes down on the table, sloshing water over my lap as she handed me my glass. I gasped in shock and the waitress, Savannah, smirked at me, walking away without a word.

Lovely women.

I ate my pancakes in peaceful silence. When I was finished, I went up to the counter to pay.

“Oh, don’t worry about it dear, you get the August Hayes special.” Rosie winked at me, coming out from around the bar.

“Can I offer you some advice?” She asked and I nodded, eager for any help I could get.

“Trust your heart, it’s usually right. Don’t overthink it so much, just enjoy it.” She wrapped her arm around my shoulders, giving me a squeeze, before pushing me out the door. I paused on the sidewalk for a minute, thinking about her words and her arm around my shoulders. She reminded me so much of my mother, it almost hurt.

I left my car on the street by Rosie’s and started walking towards the hospital. I didn’t even realize I had walked past it until the window displays of the small boutiques started catching my attention. I looked at my watch, I still had two hours before my meeting anyway so I decided to browse the stores.

Not much had changed since I left, the same shops owned by the same people still lined main street. Little Compton wasn’t home to chain restaurants or name brand stores, they were all small businesses and local owners selling handmade items to their community. It was something I missed while living in New York.

“Doing a little shopping, I see.” His voice sent goosebumps scurrying across my arms. I was admiring a window display when the aroma of cinnamon and spice filled my thoughts. I turned my head to the side and my gaze was met with the blue eyes of August Hayes.

“Just looking.” I shrugged, attempting to string together a coherent sentence.

“There’s lots to look at here.” August replied. Something about the way he was looking at me suggested that he wasn’t talking about the shops.

“Any news on the job offer?” He asked and I looked at him skeptically.

“I have a meeting with Dr. Grace in an hour.” I said. August’s eyes pulled together for just a moment before his face relaxed again,

“I see.” He said plainly. August pulled out his phone,

“Excuse me for one minute, I have to get this.” I looked down at his phone just as he placed it against his ear. Funny, I didn’t hear it ringing.

August wandered off but not before I caught his blank expression and darkened eyes. Before he returned, my phone dinged. It was an email from Dr. Grace, canceling our meeting for today. I glared at August as he returned.

“Sorry about that, it was a work call.” Liar.

“Oh and what do you do, exactly?” I asked, trying to control my irritation.

“I own an architectural firm. It was a business I inherited.” I softened a little. I knew exactly who he had inherited his business from because it was supposed to be my brother’s.

My grandfather founded the firm when he first settled in Rhode Island and it had been handed down to the first born son ever since. Until my brother decided to leave home and decline the family business, both of the family businesses. Like most things that happened after my parents died and I left town, I never knew what became of the firm.

“That sounds like impressive work.” I mumbled, biting the inside of my cheek to keep my composure together.

“Nothing like being a doctor.” August grinned. I focused my attention back on him and his obnoxious charm.

“Well, it would seem my meeting today has been canceled,” I said, narrowing my eyes at him in accusation,

“So I’m off to my hotel.”

“Oh, well can I interest you in some lunch?” He hurried to my side as I began walking away. I sighed, already figuring that I wasn’t going to get away that easily.

“I already ate.” I said knowing damn well he knew that, considering Rosie was the one who told him I was here.

“Maybe I can keep you company, then. I happen to know some interesting things to do in town.” I continued walking in silence, trying to find a way to politely turn him down.

I looked at him sideways and Rosie’s words echoed in my head, listen to your heart. Well, my heart wanted me to jump his bones already so maybe that wasn’t such a reliable source. I grumbled in frustration and decided I would just give him some excuse about being tired. But, what came out of my mouth was:

“Okay.” Traitor.

“Great! What do you feel like? The park, a museum, oh there’s an art gallery in town….”

“You pick.” I said. I wasn’t about to make this easy on him.

“I haven’t been to the art gallery yet.” He replied.

“Can we walk there?” I asked. I wasn’t sure where an art gallery would be held around here, I didn’t know Little Compton even hosted art galleries. And I wasn’t about to be stuck in a car with Mr. blue eyes.

“Sure, it’s just a couple of blocks that way.” He pointed in front of us and I assumed he was talking about the youth center that was just a few minutes up the street.

“Okay then, let’s go.” I agreed and followed his lead. I could feel the excitement rolling off of August in waves. He was giddy and doing a terrible job at hiding it. I was less certain about my feelings. I knew I liked being around him but I was too apprehensive to admit anything else.

My assumption was correct. August led us right to the youth center. The entire gym was decorated and organized to host a large art gallery compiled of local artists. I was impressed with Little Compton’s attempt at a gallery. I had seen my fair share in New York but there was something so much better about admiring local artists. I was also a little surprised at August’s appreciation of art. He gushed over nearly every piece, he wasn’t afraid to talk about what he liked or how the art made him feel. I was more infatuated with him than the artwork, I had to admit.

“What did you think?” He asked me as we left the building,

“That was great, I loved it.” I smiled, allowing him to assist me down the steps.

“I know it’s probably nothing compared to the art galleries you’ve been to in the city.” August laughed nervously.

“It was better, actually.” I admitted as we walked side by side down the sidewalk. I felt August’s gaze on me but I refused to look in his direction.

“I’m glad you enjoyed yourself, Josie.” I blushed at the sound of my name leaving his lips. Somehow, it sounded so different coming from him.

“I think I’ll go back to my hotel now, I could use some rest.” I said as we approached Rosie’s. My feet were beginning to hurt from all the walking and my head was feeling woozy from August’s presence. He was overwhelming.

“Of course. Would you care to join me for dinner?” August blocked my escape route, his eyes begging me to say yes.

This man was relentless. I dug my fingernails into the palm of my hand and bit my lip, trying to keep myself together. My heart was beating so loudly in my chest that it was hard to ignore, but I still couldn’t tell what it was saying.

“I’m sorry, I can’t,” I said quietly, despite how badly I wanted to say yes. I watched his face fall a little in disappointment,

“Can I take a raincheck?” I added.

“I would like that.” He perked up, smiling softly. He opened up my car door and checked to make sure the road was clear before helping me in.

“It was so good to see you again, Josephine.” August said, his hand lightly brushing mine as he shut my door. I sighed and watched him cross the street.

“You too.” I responded to my empty car. As I watched August Hayes disappear down the sidewalk, I made up my mind. I still didn’t know what my heart was saying, but I knew I didn’t want to hide out in my hotel room anymore.

I quickly called the hotel and asked them to bring my bags down to the lobby. I tossed them in my car and checked out, again. Then, I drove my car out of town and towards Black Hallows. I was ready to test fate, to jump in feet first and pretend like I knew how to swim. I had no idea what I was going to do, but I knew I had to start sometime.

I pulled down the gravel driveway and looked up at the log cabin that once held my family. It had large windows in the front and a huge wrap around porch with a second story deck poking out the back. The yard and gardens were manicured. As I guessed, someone had been maintaining the grounds. I turned off the car and pulled the key out of my bag. I ran my thumb across it, remembering the last time I had this key in my hand, a dozen years ago. I sighed, mustered up my courage, and climbed the front steps.

I unlocked the door and pushed it open. I sucked in a deep breath as I walked inside. Just like the outside, the inside was clean and organized. Not a speck of dust or dirt in sight. The smell hit me like a brick wall. It smelt just like it did 12 years ago. It smelt like my family, like my parents. I walked through the living room and laid down on the couch, wrapping myself in their smell and the memories, I fell quickly asleep.

I was woken up by howling. I sat straight up on the couch and looked towards the window. It was dark. How was that possible? It was barely the afternoon when I fell asleep.

I jumped as a loud bang echoed off the front door. I glared at the door, my hands balled into fists at my side. No one came out here, no one lived around here. Then, I thought back to how clean everything was. Who had been keeping up after the place? I took a step towards the door when it flung open. I prepared myself for a fight.