Riley's Torment, A Moon's Glow Novel #2 by Christina Smith Page B

thick, I
hardly understood him.
    "No, I don't,
but this constant changing is causing a terrible strain on her
body. Nobody could handle that for long. She's already a werewolf;
you can't hurt her any more. Do it." His voice came out in a
command, making Joe wince.
    He nodded and
then disappeared outside.
    Nate crouched
in front of Lauren, placing his hand on her arm. "Lauren," he said
softly. Her only response was a cry. "Joseph is going to change
into a wolf, and then he's going to bite you. That should stop what
is happening, but you will turn fully. You will know Joe by his
scent. Go with him and let him show you what to do. We will join
you when we can. Okay?" he asked with a warm smile.
    She nodded,
fear shining in her glassy eyes. Her hair was damp with sweat and
plastered to her head.
    The clicking of
nails on the wood floor had me turn around to see a russet brown
wolf. He slunk toward Lauren and Nate. Nate moved a little to let
Joe get closer but stayed with Lauren, holding her hand. A week
ago, this action would have warmed my heart; today, I was too numb
to acknowledge it. Nate pointed to Lauren's thigh where the needle
had entered, and Joe leaned forward hesitantly. The wolf whined
before he opened his mouth, showing his long pointed teeth. He bent
down and quickly pierced her skin and afterwards, licked the
puncture wounds. A few moments later, Lauren started to shake. Hair
grew along her body, and her bones started to reform. Nate urged
her to get on all fours to make the process of change easier.
Lauren wailed as the last of her limbs cracked. Then, all too
quickly, she was a tan wolf with a similar coloring to Nate’s.
    Joe stepped
toward her, whining, his nose touching hers, and then his tongue
shot out licking her muzzle. With a commanding grunt, he spun
around and ran out of the cabin. Lauren glanced at us hesitantly
before following.
    Despite my
overall numbness, I was relieved that Lauren was no longer
suffering.
    Nate made his
way toward me, his arms shaking, and his eyes yellow. "Megan, I
have to turn. I've held off as long as I can. Do you want to
change, and I'll show you how to hunt?"
    "No." My stance
was unmoving, my shoulders stiff and my arms at my side.
    He sighed,
reaching out to brush a lock of hair from my face. His touch would
normally send a tingle through my skin, but again, I was too numb
to feel it. "When is the last time you ate?" he asked me.
    "When I made
you dinner."
    "She didn't
give you food for a day and a half?" he asked with a mix of shock
and anger in his voice. "You know what can happen if you’re
starving when you change. You have to eat. I’ll show you how to
hunt."
    "Who am I going
to kill? I'm on an island filled with werewolves. Get me a burger
on the mainland when you guys change back. I don't want to be a
wolf ever again." I folded my arms in front of me and pouted. I
couldn't help it. I had only been a wolf for an hour, and I hadn't
even known what was happening. I was having a difficult time
processing it all.
    Nate frowned
but not without compassion. "I know this is a shock to you, but you
have to deal with it. I can help you with this, but ignoring your
new wild side is not the answer. I tried that and killed people."
He stepped toward me, closing the distance between us, and on
instinct, I stepped back.
    His face fell,
but he continued. "Come; let me show you that it's not all bad.
That's the only way to survive this. I won't give up until you let
me help you. So you might as well give into me now." The corner of
his lips turned up into an almost smile, his vivid blue eyes were
determined, and held a spark of playfulness. He held out his hand,
and despite my hesitation, I took it.
    "Fine," I
sighed, letting him lead me out of the cabin. The cool breeze
kissed my warm face. His hand was wrapped around mine, making me
feel safe, even though I knew I wasn't. My world had changed into
the unknown, and I felt lost.
    "Are you sure
Charlotte is gone?" he asked as we