Read Online By the Pale Moonlight (Book One of the Moonlight Series) by Jennifer Hendren - Free Book Online Page A

to
believe I wouldn't be capable of such a thing, but the wolf side of
me is so strong during the full moon. In all truth, I lose myself
completely. So yeah, I'm afraid it's possible."
    He stared at the ground, guilt slumping his
shoulders.
    "But you don't know either way—not for
sure?"
    "No. All I know is that I restrained myself
that night, and well, you saw where I woke up."
    "You didn't hurt me last night, so it's still
possible you didn't do it." I spoke the words firmly—in an attempt
to reassure myself just as much as him. Despite having only learned
of all this within the last twelve hours, I knew in my heart Ty
wouldn't be capable of such a thing. It simply wasn't within my
realm of beliefs. "But that means someone or something else
did."
    His eyes at last met mine. The guilt that
must have been weighing him down the past couple of days showed in
their depths. No wonder he'd been so abrupt and impatient with my
constant questions.
    "I want you to tell me everything, Ty. We'll
figure this out—together."
    Placing a hand in his, I squeezed softly.
    A surge of relief went through me when his
fingers at last closed over mine.
     
    o0o
     
    I was in full stealth mode when I went home
later that morning. Closing the front door behind me, I tiptoed
across the hardwood floor of the living room. Over the years I'd
memorized every squeaky board in our rickety Victorian. I knew them
well and didn't make a sound as I slowly crept upstairs. With a
relieved breath, I entered my room unnoticed.
    My bed screamed out my name as I rushed over
to my closet to change for the day. There was no time for sleeping,
even though my aching muscles demanded it.
    Once dressed, I went downstairs and guzzled
half a pot of coffee. In a way, I'd grown numb to the previous
night's events, but every now and then, a slight tremor shook the
cup in my hands, forcing me to set it down lest I spill hot liquid
on myself.
    Ty and I had made plans to meet at lunch. I
hoped I could keep it together long enough to do so. Ty was a
werewolf. How the heck did that happen? There had to be some way of
helping him—and hopefully, finding a cure.
    Not one for horror movies, I'd only seen one
or two centered around werewolves. From what I could remember, it
seemed killing the "head werewolf" was always the path to
redemption. I shuddered at the thought. There had to be another
way. Maybe that was for vampires, anyway. God, what if they
existed, too?
    Figuring David wouldn't be in any rush to
offer me his usual ride to school, I hitched one with my mom. She
raised an eyebrow when I climbed in beside her, but thankfully said
nothing. I could've ridden with Ty, but I wanted some time and
distance to mull things over.
    When I entered the main hallway at school, I
felt like a million eyes watched my every move. People seemed
hesitant to speak with me—despite my murmured "hellos." After
numerous failed attempts, I put my head down and quietly rushed
through the building.
    Before the first bell sounded, I caught a
glimpse of David as he stood talking to a group of his buddies near
his locker. His eyes narrowed as he returned my curious gaze.
    "Enjoy the ride last night?" he said, loud
enough for half the school to hear. His friends snickered in such a
way that I knew he wasn't talking about the car. Without another
word, he turned on his heel and went the other way.
    My face burned with humiliation as I rushed
through the halls, several onlookers pointing and laughing as I
passed.
    I found myself unable to focus, especially in
English when Ty sat to my left. How had I not known sooner that
something was wrong? He looked so tired—had for weeks.
    "Ms. Wilhelm and Mr. O'Neill, is there
something you'd like to share with the class?" Mrs. Kahler
asked.
    With my eyes locked with Ty's at the time, I
sat back abruptly and knocked my book to the floor.
    Ty and I both reached for it, and he quietly
whispered, "Keep it together, Mac."
    His hand brushed mine and my lip