Once in a Full Moon Page 0,20

asked. "Slow down. Why were you in the woods?"

"I got lost."

"Which woods?" my mom asked, just as concerned.

"The ones along Riverside."

"Riverside?" she asked, horrified. "What were you doing there? Where were Abby and Ivy?" my mom wondered.

"Ivy was driving Abby to her practice before tonight's game."

"This still doesn't make sense," my dad said. "What were you doing walking in Riverside alone?"

"Abby, Ivy, and I were getting our fortunes told."

"Didn't the psychic tell you you shouldn't go into the woods?" my dad asked, joking. "Seems obvious enough to me."

As a matter of fact, Dr. Meadows had warned me. Beware of the woods... of the sounds of howling, she had said. My stomach turned, and it wasn't from eating too fast. It was strange - her prediction. But it just had to be a coincidence, I assured myself.

"You didn't answer your cell phone," my mom said sharply. "I was about to drive around when you came in the door."

"I tried calling you - but I couldn't get a signal," I defended. "Then I dropped my phone in the snow...." I realized I still didn't have my cell phone. "I'm really sorry - I think I lost it."

"Your cell phone can be replaced," she said.

"So... you said you saw a wolf?" my dad asked.

"Yes. Closer than I've ever seen."

"How close?" my mom asked.

"Only a few feet away. And it wasn't one wolf. It was a pack."

"You're so lucky they didn't see you," she said, relieved.

"See me? They almost ate me!"

My parents froze.

"They were as close to me as you both are and staring at me like you are now." As soon as I said that, I realized it was a mistake.

My mom covered her mouth. Then she took my hand. My dad's brows furrowed.

I could see by my parents' horrified expressions as they imagined their daughter being torn to shreds, I would be lucky if I was ever allowed out of the house again.

"Honey, I'm so happy you weren't bitten!" my mom said gratefully. "Or worse."

It was then I thought of Brandon. He was bitten and he didn't seem concerned. He'd been more interested in my well-being than his.

"It's odd to see a wolf up close like that - so close to town," my dad said. "They usually like to avoid people."

"I must have stumbled on their den. They didn't appear too happy to see me."

"I'd think their den would be farther outside of town. That's where they're mostly spotted," my dad added.

"I don't know," I said, taking a drink. "I only know I saw them and they saw me."

"Are you sure they were wolves?" my mom pressed.

"Do squirrels have fangs?" I asked.

"Well, we're glad you're back home safe," my mom continued.

"I'm not a forest ranger," I said. "I just know what I saw. I've never seen wolves up close. It was terrifying!"

That hit my mom hard. She always wanted to protect me, and I knew it hurt her to have me be in a situation where I'd been afraid and alone.

"I'm so sorry I wasn't there - " she said.

"How did you manage to make it out?" my dad asked. "Alive? Without a scratch?"

My parents waited for my answer.

A guy saved me. Risked his life for mine. A handsome Westsider.

I was too exhausted to tell them any more, and it would only add to their endless questions. I always told my parents the truth, no matter what the truth was, but in this case I felt funny about telling them about Brandon. I knew they'd make a fuss - show up at his house, thank him, and insist on taking him out to dinner. It would be embarrassing for him, and I wanted to spare him the gushing parental gratitude. So instead I just skipped to the end. "The snow began to let up. Eventually I could see our house."

"Well, thank goodness it did!" My mom sighed. "Thank goodness it did."

"I still don't understand why you were getting your fortunes told," my dad said. "Don't you girls have homework to do?"

"It was sort of a dare," I tried to explain.

"What did the psychic say?" my mom asked.

"It's private," I said. "Like making a wish on your birthday."

"Did she say we were going to win the lottery?" my mom asked. "Or travel the world?"

"No. She didn't say anything about becoming rich or winning a fabulous vacation," I replied.

"Well, I'm so happy you are safe," my mom said.

"I second that," my father affirmed. "And here's