Blood Moon (Silver Moon, #3) - By Rebecca A. Rogers Page 0,58
from the table and exit the room without looking at anyone. I’m absolutely terrified about this new revelation. This means my family members really aren’t werewolves anymore, Ethan never took a breath in this world, and Ben’s memories may not be the same as mine. Every kiss, every hug, every soft touch and tender moment shared between us might be lost forever.
Although, there may still be hope . . .
Some of the items and people in this life mimic those of the past. Even now, as I glance around the guestroom, it’s exactly as I remember—the paint, the bed, the chest of drawers. All identical. Randy and Beth, and my parents, appear to be unchanged, as well.
I casually stroll to the window and peer out. Recalling the first time I stood here and saw the golden eyes of a werewolf, how terrified I was . . . now it seems trivial. For the briefest of moments, I silently wish they’ll reappear. Just once, so I can feel like a part of me isn’t losing my mind. The longer I stare at the forest, however, the more I realize they aren’t going to materialize.
To say I miss seeing yellow eyes, which were a major part of my old life, is an understatement, but it’s something I must face head-on. I, Candra Lowell, am no longer a werewolf with magical powers. My family is no longer in a centuries-old feud with the Conway’s. All of my prior accomplishments as a mythological creature, all of my efforts to end the war between my family and Ben’s have vaporized into nothingness. I should be overjoyed at the thought of not having to fight in battles against my arch enemy, but instead, I’m overflowing with profound misery. Part of me is gone for all eternity, and I will never get her back. It’s a heavy feeling. Difficult to comprehend, even. It’s as if someone reached into my chest and snatched my heart, crushing it between their fingers and laughing all the while.
A soft knock comes from the doorway to my new room. I swivel around as Mom and Beth cautiously enter. They seem guarded, like I have land mines planted underneath the floorboards and they’re speculating whether or not they should move one more step.
Observing their wary expressions, I blurt, “I haven’t lost my mind, you know. And if I told you the full story, you wouldn’t believe me. Just know I’m going through some . . . adjustments right now, and I need you guys to be there for me, even if you don’t understand what’s going on.”
“Oh, honey,” Mom coos, “I’ll always be here for you.” She crosses the room and enfolds me in her arms, lovingly, so my cheek is smushed against her shoulder. “Whenever you’re ready to talk, you let us know.”
See, the thing is: I don’t know if I can tell them. The real story might get me sent off to a mental institution with a diagnosis of “dissociation.” They’ll visit every now and then, they’ll throw pity parties on a daily basis, and I’ll forever be known as the girl who believed she was a werewolf in another lifetime. It’ll be a charade.
I pull away from my mom’s embrace and glimpse at Beth. “Is there a way I could meet the Conway’s before Monday?” Having not thought of a legitimate excuse as to why I want to meet a family I’ve never met, I hastily add, “It’d be nice to meet Ben, since he’s my age. At least I’ll know somebody.” Because nobody else will remember me.
Beth claps her hands together once, with enthusiasm. “Of course, dear. I’ll call Sylvia and ask her and the boys to join us for dinner tomorrow night.”
Tomorrow it is, then. Tomorrow I’ll learn whether Ben remembers me as much as I remember him. Tomorrow I’ll discover if I have to start over from the beginning.
“Awesome, thanks,” I say, with a smile.
Beth leaves us alone, closing the door on her way out. Mom and I plunk down on the edge of the bed. I finger the thick fabric of the quilt as a distraction. Honestly, I don’t know what to say to Mom, or how to say it.
Luckily, she starts the conversation.
“There’s something I want you to have. I was going to wait and give it to you before we left tomorrow afternoon.” Reaching into her front pocket, she pulls out a folded envelope. If this is what I think it is, the contents