Once in a Full Moon Page 0,59

the dogs in the neighborhood were barking as we passed by their houses. Champ was growling toward the wooded area behind the snow-filled soccer field, and I began to wonder if I should be worried about wolves, even with Champ along with me. I started pulling him back toward home when "Fly Me to the Moon" started playing from my back pocket. I was exhilarated. It was Brandon.

"I'm right behind you," he said when I answered the phone breathlessly.

I spun around. There was a figure standing next to the woods beyond the soccer field; it was the exact direction in which Champ was barking.

I tried my best to hold on to Champ's leash but he broke loose. I chased after him down the hill.

As soon as Champ reached Brandon, my out-of-control dog was suddenly silent.

Without so much as a command or a treat, Champ sat down and faced Brandon.

"You have a way with animals," I said when I finally caught up.

"And girls, I hope."

I wanted to kiss Brandon so badly my heart hurt.

Brandon petted Champ as if he were his own dog.

"I'd like to take you out on a real date," Brandon said. "But I know there are many complications with that. I mean, there's Nash, for one, and me being from the wrong side of town... and of course we'd have to be back before sunset."

"But I'm not dating Nash," I tried to assure him. "And to me, any side of town you live on is the right side."

He smiled a sweet smile.

"I should have listened to Dr. Meadows," I said.

"I don't know why you blame yourself."

"If I hadn't been so skeptical of her prediction, none of this would have happened."

"Celeste - there is no way you could have known. Besides, it's not like Dr. Meadows predicted the future. She said things that anyone could have said to you."

"I know - but it happened. Perhaps she really knew."

"And what if she didn't? What if it was just coincidence? Or you read too much into her reading?"

"But she's the only one I know who can help you," I said wearily. "She wants to see you. She says that is the only way she can help you. And if you don't go, then you might be a werewolf... forever." Tears began to well in my eyes.

"It's okay..." he said, putting his arm around me.

I couldn't even bear to look at him.

"I'll meet her," he said.

"You will?"

"Yes, if it will make you happy."

I gave him a huge hug. I didn't care whether the neighbors saw me do it, even though I knew we were hidden away.

"I'll just take Champ home and I can drive us."

"We're going now?" he asked.

"What's wrong?"

"I was hoping I'd get to see you today - for a real date. But it seems like you already have plans."

"I do - but I can see you later tonight." I realized I might have been too eager.

"Because it occurred to me," he continued, "since I can't remember the nights, I don't know how I am when the moon shows... I don't want you to be in any danger, so I thought I'd just try to get a glimpse of you before sunset."

"You haven't hurt me before when you've been in your werewolf form," I said. "And I've seen you change twice. What makes you think you would harm me now?"

He turned away. "I don't know what I'm like, Celeste."

I would love a real date with Brandon, but convincing him to be with me while in his werewolf form was another thing.

"Then let me be with you and I'll tell you tomorrow what you were like. I'll be able to reassure you."

I wanted to see him again as a werewolf, with his magnetic features. And since he needed to know what he was like in his werewolf form, I could tell him. I'd been waiting for months to have a real date with Brandon. Dr. Meadows had only been waiting for a few hours.

I could see that Brandon was torn.

"I'll bring Champ," I said. "If that will make you feel better. He can protect me."

"Against a werewolf?" he asked.

"I don't think either one of us is in any danger. I know you don't remember, but I do. You could have hurt me last time - I fell and you could have overpowered me, but you didn't. Instead it looked like you were going to help me."

"Okay, then," he relented. "Will you meet