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At the Next Full Moon
by Terrie Leigh Relf

Jay and Mari got separated from our pack when we took to the woods. The next morning when we all changed back into human form, we went down to the diner for our usual big breakfast. Even though they didn’t show up that morning, we didn’t give it much thought. It really wasn’t unusual for them to sleep in after our run. Besides, the change takes a lot out of the younger ones.

After breakfast, we stopped by their place, but they weren’t there. They didn’t show up for work at my hotel that night, either—and that’s when we started to worry. We checked back at their house and any place else we could think of, including the woods. As the days turned into weeks, though, we were sure something bad had happened. They wouldn’t just leave our pack.

At the next full moon, we spread out and searched through the woods until almost dawn. There was no sign or scent of either Jay or Mari. Not even a pile of scat or a trail of piss.

I had Monroe, my front desk guy, go to their place, give the house a once-over. If they had taken off, they didn’t bring anything with them as far as he could tell.

A few days later, a group of campers came into the hotel. They were filthy and covered with streaks of blood, trembling with exhaustion— and something else that I couldn’t quite place. Our local ranger, Ted, was right behind them. He gestured to the campers, shook his head slightly before peering into my eyes. Ted was one of us, and his expression said it all.

“Where?” I finally managed to croak out.

“At the bottom of the ridge.” Ted lowered his voice to just above a whisper, said, “Definitely foul play. Looks like there’s a new hunter in town. Took himself a trophy or two, if you get my drift.”

We just stood there for a few more minutes, eyes locked onto each other, teeth clenched, feeling the rage flowing through our veins. One of the campers took a few steps toward us and then backed off with a gasp. We shook it off, clasped hands.

“We’ll get him at the next full moon.”

“Indeed we will.”

Fiction © Copyright Terrie Leigh Relf
Image courtesy of Pixabay.com

More from author Terrie Leigh Relf:

The Sisterhood of the Blood Moon

For thousands of Earth years, the Transgalactic Consortium has had a quiet interest in this planet and its inhabitants, the Haurans. While the Sisterhood of the Blood Moon works together with the Consortium and Haurans to maintain balance in the universe, the Blood Moon is fast approaching. The power of this moon reveals untold secrets . . . including a sacred covenant with the Mora Spiders. There is an ancient pact that needs to be honored—but at what cost and for whose purpose? The world may come to an end. But will there be a chance for a new beginning?

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