Riley's Secret, A Moon's Glow Novel #1

Prologue

The young man stood in the open meadow under the full moon’s glow. His clothes were folded neatly on an oversized tree stump. He knew what would happen when the moon shone freely, but tonight the reluctant monster welcomed the change. Normally, he avoided the call of his wild side at all costs. However, every excruciating pain, pull, and tearing of his limbs was worth it, because it would bring him closer to her.

When the transformation was complete, all signs of the young man had disappeared, and only a majestic wolf remained. He tipped his head up to face the moon and let out a chilling howl, which stopped suddenly as one thought entered the wolf’s mind. It was his only thought as he raced through the woodland, jumping over brush, undergrowth, and overturned logs. He revelled in the speed and strength he felt in his limbs, allowing himself to enjoy the run. He scented a rabbit, a squirrel, and even a deer, but he was not concerned with food at the moment; that would come later. His need was overpowering, taking away all other thoughts.

His paws thundered over the well-worn trail. This was not the first night he had taken the journey. The trail was miles long, but with his obsessed mind, he made it to his destination in no time. Finally, he broke through the trees and emerged onto a well-manicured lawn. He wasn’t concerned about being discovered: his mind was too far gone to be cautious.

The grey stone mansion stood above him, towering on the crest of a hill. He raced up to it, his paws digging into the abundant grass, taking his usual position next to a cedar bush. The smell of the flowers from the garden whirled around him, momentarily mixing with the only scent that mattered. Once he caught it, he followed it to the glass patio door. Cream-colored curtains were parted in the center, and he peered through, knowing what he would see. His heart raced with anticipation.

There she was, lying in her bed, her pale blue duvet pulled up to her neck, her fiery locks cascading over the soft, feathery pillow. The wolf yearned to touch the silky strands, knowing they would feel so soft in his hands, but the man inside knew it could never happen.

Chapter One

The Football Field

I remember the first time I realized I didn’t belong in my family. The three of us were in the back of our limo, stopped at a stop sign, when my father noticed a family of four standing at a bus stop. What’s wrong with those people? How can they subject their children to public transportation? he asked, his voice a mix of disgust and his usual arrogance. It’s dirty and crowded.

My mother nodded in agreement, her head bobbing up and down like the little bobble-head dogs you see on the dashboard of cars.

Maybe they can’t afford a car, Dad, did you ever think of that? I answered, feeling shocked and embarrassed by my father’s words.

Maybe they should get a job, Megan. Did you ever think of that? It was the first time, but not the last, that his voice was filled with irritation when he spoke to me.

I didn’t respond to his absurd words; I was stunned silent—and I was ten.

I’m no longer shocked when either of my parents says or does something cold and insensitive. It’s who they are, and I’ve long since accepted that.

When people tell me I look like my mother, I know they mean it as a compliment, but that’s not how I take it. While she is beautiful, with long, flowing platinum hair, pale blue eyes, and smooth, flawless skin, the saying beauty is only skin deep definitely applies to her. My hair is more of a strawberry-blond, a lot darker than my mother’s, and my eyes are green. It might not be a big deal to anybody else, but to me, it’s a visible difference between us, showing that I am nothing like her.

I have always felt like an imposter in my own life, sticking out like a sore thumb amongst my friends and family. All anybody sees when they look at me is an eighteen-year-old girl, wearing designer clothes and driving a shiny red convertible. I’m a Banks, rich, spoiled, popular, and given everything I want. But that is far from the truth. How can I have what I want, when I don’t know what that is?

For as long as I can remember I’ve felt something missing from my life, and sometimes believed it was a connection to another person. The closest I’ve come to that feeling was with our cook and gardener. Did that even count? Would they even be in my life if they weren’t paid to be?

Of course I had friends, although I wasn’t sure if they’d still be here if I had a different last name. Would I be a cheerleader hanging out with the captain and hunky football players if my father wasn’t senior partner in his law firm? Would my friends want to visit me if we didn’t have a pool, hot tub, and tennis courts? Sometimes my life felt so foreign, I expected to wake one morning to my true family. Go downstairs, have a real conversation with my parents, eating cereal and arguing with my siblings. My father would actually look up at me from behind his newspaper and smile as I stole a piece of his slightly burnt toast that my mother had made for him. Instead of the cook, who really was a substitute for my biological mother—who wouldn’t be caught dead out of bed before noon.

Megan, are you coming? my best friend, Mandy, asked as she leaned into my bedroom doorway, disrupting my thoughts.

I was staring at myself in the mirror, brushing my hair, letting my mind wander, and I forgot she was waiting for me. Yes. I stood up to grab my purse off of my bed. I turned once more to the mirror, and, satisfied that none of the lettuce from dinner was stuck in my teeth, I ran out of my room to catch up with Mandy.

As I bounded down the large, sweeping staircase, Mandy, who was ahead of me, slipped out the door and into the night. I didn’t quite make it before I heard a clicking sound coming down the marble hallway. I glanced over to see my mother heading toward me in her shiny, silver, spiked heels, wearing a skin-tight red designer dress.

God knows why she had to look as though she were a fashion model just sitting around her own house. But there was no point in trying to figure out why she did anything. I gave up a long time ago.

Where are you going, Megan? Her voice was like nails on a chalkboard, shrill and annoying. I wanted to say like you care, but even after all these years of my parents abandoning me for their charity events, spa trips, and eighty-hour work weeks, I still hoped one day we could be a close family like we were when I was little.

I stopped in my tracks, whirling around to confront her. The overwhelming smell of her perfume struck me as much as her beauty. Too bad her attitude didn’t match her appearance. I watched as her soft blue eyes narrowed and glared at me, waiting for me to answer the question. She had her hand on the stair railing, her perfectly manicured nails tapping the top impatiently. The sound reminded me of a drum beat.

I’m spending the night at Mandy’s. Without waiting for an answer, I turned, descending the rest of the stairs, and rushed out the door.

I heard her yell something about not giving me permission, but I left anyway. Since when was she so concerned about me?

So, where to? I asked Mandy, who was waiting patiently, playing with the car stereo. She glanced up and smiled after I climbed into the driver’s seat of my convertible. Since there was a chill in the air at night, the top was up. It was April and soon enough we’d be able to drive with it down.

The football field. Brandon, Chris, Shane, and the rest of the team are meeting us there, but we have to pick up Jenny, her car is in the shop. Her father won’t let her use his because she got two speeding tickets last time he lent it to her.

I laughed. Jenny didn’t care about other people’s belongings. To her it was her father’s duty to give her whatever she wanted, simply because she was his child. She was a little shallow, self-centered…and annoying. I asked myself often why she was my friend.

I pulled into Jenny’s driveway, which was just down the road from my house, and honked the horn.

Don’t you want to go in? Mandy asked me. Her hand was resting on the door handle, about to open it.

No, if we go in she’ll take forever. Do you want to wait or hang out with the guys? I leaned over to the stereo, flicking through the songs on the car’s mp3 player.

That’s true; she isn’t one to rush when people are waiting.

I rolled my eyes at that. She was the kind of person who would take her time because we were waiting.

Twenty minutes later Jenny strolled out of her house. Like mine, hers was a mansion, but while my family’s home was old and understated, with beautiful gardens and landscaping that wrapped around the classic architecture of the grey stone house, Jenny’s house screamed, Look at me, I’m rich. The outside was a salmon-colored stucco. The gardens were beautifully done but overshadowed by dozens of tacky sculptures. The worst was the cherub holding a bow and arrow. It stood in the centre of their fake pond, peeing. Classy, I know.

Hey, guys, I hope I didn’t keep you waiting, Jenny said sweetly, climbing into the back seat. She shoved Mandy a bit harder than necessary when she pushed the front seat forward.

Oh, of course not. We’ve only been sitting here for twenty minutes, I said coldly, annoyed with her already, and the night had barely begun.

What’s your problem? I didn’t know you were here. Jenny’s voice took on a defensive tone as she looked into her small makeup mirror. She fluffed her shoulder-length blond hair and scrunched up her lips, adoring her reflection in the mirror.

Yeah, right, I mumbled but decided to let it go. Mandy gave me a pleading look, begging me not to pick a fight with Jenny tonight. I nodded at her and pulled out of the driveway.

Jenny tucked her mirror into her clutch purse and asked, So where are we going?

Mandy turned in her seat to face Jenny. The football field with the guys. I told you already when I called you to say we were on our way. Remember?

Oh, right, I forgot. I got into it with my dad again. He’s still refusing to pay to fix my car. He was going on and on tonight at dinner about being responsible if I want to have a car, this was my third accident, blah, blah, blah. I tuned him out after that. God, he’s getting so annoying, like it’s the end of the world because I’ve had three accidents. I can’t believe he thinks I should pay to fix it.

I rolled my eyes. Oh yeah, life is tough, isn’t it? How can he expect you to take responsibility for your own actions?

"I know, right?"

Apparently, sarcasm was lost on her. I opened my mouth to tell her off, but a look from Mandy silenced me. For some reason, Mandy liked Jenny, and since Mandy and I were best friends, and had been since her father started to work at my dad’s firm ten years ago, I had to put up with Jenny, even if it killed me.

Five minutes later, I pulled into the nearly empty school parking lot, next to Shane’s enormous black SUV. God, it was obnoxious, but then again, so was Shane. No wonder he and Jenny were a couple; they were perfect for each other.

I tossed my purse in the front seat of the car, locked the doors, and followed my friends through the back of the school to the field.

Look who’s finally here. Shane sauntered up to Jenny, wrapping his arm possessively around her. It took you long enough. Let me guess, Jenny kept you waiting, he asked me, but his girlfriend started speaking before I could.

Don’t encourage her. She’s already pissed at me, just because I took a little extra time getting ready. I had to look my best for you. Her lips puckered into a pout as she leaned up to kiss him hungrily, almost making me gag. I had to turn away from their disgusting PDA before I hurled right there on the football field.

Okay, that’s gross, Brandon said, walking over to stand next to me.

Really, guys, if you want to be alone, go in the bushes. We really don’t need to see it. Chris approached us, wrapping his arms around Mandy. They had been going out for six months, and they were so cute together. They even looked alike with their black hair and blue eyes. There was quite a difference in size though. While Chris was almost six feet and broad shouldered, Mandy was short with a tiny frame, and her pixie haircut just made her appear smaller.

Shane pushed Jenny away but wrapped his arm around her shoulder. So do any of you girls want a drink? Shane gestured with his hand to a cooler with what looked like a twenty-four of beer inside. It was sitting on the grass in front of the bleachers.

I passed on the beer, climbing up the benches to sit down on the bleachers about four rows up. Jenny and Mandy helped themselves to a drink, choosing to sit down on the first row.

Megan, you want one? Brandon asked, holding a brown bottle up for me.

No thanks, I’m driving, I said, wondering why I came.

So am I, but you don’t see me being a downer and saying no, Shane said, twisting the cap off of a bottle.

You’re right. I don’t ever see you saying no. I stared at Shane coldly, unable to hide my irritation.

He glared at me, his jaw locked. What’s that supposed to mean? he asked, taking a few steps toward the bleachers, his chest puffed out in a sign of aggression.

Brandon grabbed his shoulder. I’m sure she didn’t mean anything. She was just agreeing with you. He looked up at me, his eyes pleading. Right, Meg?

I decided it was a waste of time to give Shane a lecture on drinking and driving, so instead I gave him a fake smile. Right, I said with a nod.

Jenny, ignoring her boyfriend’s outburst, turned and glanced up at me. So Megan, did Mandy tell you that I changed practice from ten on Sunday morning to two? My parents are having some brunch thing for my father’s work, so we can all meet at my place then, okay?

Whatever. God, I hated cheerleading practice. I joined first year with Mandy, but slowly grew tired of it. I wanted to quit a few times, but Mandy always offered an excuse as to why I shouldn’t. The latest one was that I was needed for the cheer competition next month. So I would stick it out, but come June, I was free. I hated dressing in our skimpy uniforms and shaking our butts in front of hundreds of people. I felt like I was putting myself on display, and honestly hated being in the spotlight.

Hey, Shane, will your shoulder be better by Friday? Chris asked him while he sat down beside Mandy. Last Friday night at their weekly game of touch football with some of their teammates, it got a little rough.

Yeah, I’ve been working on it, it’ll be fine. He rolled his shoulder to demonstrate.

Jenny grabbed Shane and pulled him toward the corner of the bleachers so they could make out in semi-private.

Chris took Mandy’s hand, leading her toward the school.

Great, I was alone with Brandon again. This was what usually happened when we all got together: we paired up. But the problem was, Brandon and I were not a couple. Not that he didn’t want to be, I just didn’t like him that way. He was a good guy, but I didn’t think of him as anything more than a friend.

Brandon bent down and pulled out a beer. After opening it, he threw the cap in the cooler, and it made a pinging sound as it hit a glass bottle. Do you mind if I join you? he asked, staring up at me. His voice was deep and in the silence sounded loud.

Sure, but you know how I feel.

I know, don’t worry. He climbed the bleachers two at a time, plopping down on the bench next to me.

Where’s the rest of the team?

I don’t know. We didn’t ask them to come. Why?

I shook my head, realizing Mandy had lied to me, knowing I wouldn’t want to come if it was just the six of us. Never mind.

Why do you always push him like that? he asked, leaning his elbows back against the bench behind him, nodding his head to the back of the bleachers where Shane and Jenny were giggling.

I sighed. I don’t know. Both of them are so selfish and irresponsible, they drive me crazy.

Then why do you hang out with them? I raised my eyebrows at him. Okay, let me rephrase. Why do you hang out with Jenny?

I leaned my head back, staring up at the star-filled sky. Out of the corner of my eye, I could see him gaze at me, waiting for my answer. Mandy likes her. God knows why. And Mandy’s my best friend, so I put up with Jenny’s crap. Barely, I added when he laughed.

Looking away from the twinkling stars, I turned my head to face him. "So why do you hang out with him? You’re not as obnoxious as he is."

He laughed. "As obnoxious? Was that a compliment? he asked. I nodded with a grin. The three of us have been friends since grade school. Shane started acting like this our second year of high school after his parents got divorced. Chris and I have been friends with him for so long it seems habit now. We just ignore him when he acts like an ass."

I knew they had been friends since they were young, but I never understood the dynamic. As I leaned my head back, staring at the stars again, I felt him lean against me. I pulled away and heard him sigh.

So where are you going in the fall? he asked, setting his beer on the bench beside him.

Actually I’m taking a year off. I don’t know what I want to do with my life, and I didn’t want to waste my parents’ money going to school with no major. What about you, what are you taking?

Pre-law. I’m going to be a lawyer, whether I like it or not. Just like my dad, and his dad. His father was a partner in my dad’s firm. My father was his boss.

Watching Brandon, I wondered why I couldn’t like him the way he wanted. He was very cute, with his wavy chestnut hair and deep brown eyes, his face filled with sharp lines and a strong jaw. He was always nice to me, but I just felt like there was something missing in my life, and I knew it wasn’t him.

If you don’t want to be a lawyer, don’t be. You shouldn’t let your father dictate your life.

He sighed, leaning his elbows on the bench behind him. Well, he says he won’t pay for school if I don’t follow in the family business. But I don’t know what else to take, so I’m okay with it. He took a frustrated drink from his beer, downed it, and then threw the empty bottle on the grass. It rolled a few feet, stopping inches from someone’s discarded backpack. Standing up, he turned to me. You sure you don’t want one? When I only nodded he stepped down the bleachers and pulled another beer from the cooler.

Mandy and Chris headed towards us, hand in hand, giggling to one another.

Hey, I’ll have one, Chris said to Brandon. Brandon took two more out and tossed them one at a time to Chris. He caught one, handed it to Mandy, and then caught the second one; the bottle clinked against his class ring.

Chapter Two

Hero

A couple of hours later I was ready to leave. It had been a boring night of watching them get wasted, and the more Brandon drank, the more handsy he became. He sat beside me with his arm wrapped around my shoulder. I’d get up to move to another bench. He’d get the hint and go hang out with the guys, only to try again a few minutes later.

Mandy sat down on the bleacher beside me during one of the rare moments I was alone. Isn’t this fun? she slurred. She was working on her fourth, which was a lot for her.

Yeah, I’m having a blast, I mumbled, rolling my eyes.

Well, you could try to have more fun, you know. Sooner or later Brandon’s going to give up and move on.

Good. I told you a million times I don’t like him that way. God, you always do this to me.

Do what? she asked, blinking innocently at me.

Get me into these situations. I thought there would be more people here. You know I don’t like Brandon, and yet I always seem to be paired up with him.

Well, he likes you, okay. I told you the rest of the team would be here because I knew you wouldn’t want to come if it was just us. I’m just trying to help.

"I’m your friend. You should try to help me. I sighed, tired of fighting with her over the same thing. I stood up and stared down at her. I’m tired, I want to go."

Come on, it’s just getting fun. They’re about to get out the fireworks.

Just as she spoke, I saw something fly into the sky from where the three guys were huddled in the middle of the field.

They thought we could use something to celebrate the fact that we only have two more months of high school. Isn’t it awesome? Her head was tipped up, watching as red and blue erupted in hundreds of lights with a loud bang. The smell of sulfur hovered in the air.

I had to admit, they were pretty. Maybe the evening would take a turn for the better. I have always loved fireworks. One of the times my parents paid attention to me when I was a child was on the Fourth of July. They used to always have a barbeque for my father’s office and he would spare no expense with the fireworks. My parents would gather around me and make a big deal of making sure I was comfortable enough. And together we’d watch the pretty lights. It wasn’t until I was older that I noticed that as the last of our guests left, all the attention I received from my parents disappeared as well.

Even though the memory stung a little, it didn’t take away my love for fireworks. One of my favorite things to do is to watch the stars at night. So adding to them with multiple colors just made me happier.

I sat down and watched the beautiful designs in the sky. I was so enthralled with the show, I didn’t even notice Brandon take the seat next to me and wrap his arm around my shoulder.

Shane lit another one that shot up, leaving a trail of smoke. Everyone looked into the sky, waiting. But nothing happened.

Damn, it’s a dud, Chris said, taking the lighter from Shane. I’ll do it. He took another one and lit it. This time the rocket shot up into the sky with a loud buzzing sound, then a loud boom that seemed to echo. I was sure I heard the firecracker go off twice.

Above us were thousands of clear lights shaped as a snowflake. It was so beautiful that I almost didn’t notice a loud bang to the right, and a bright red glowing light. I looked closer and realized why. The dud had landed on a roof, and now that roof was on fire.

Oh my God, that house is on fire, I yelled.

Brandon yanked his arm off my shoulder and stood up. I followed suit, starting to panic. Oh shit. Guys, look, he said, pointing to the house that now had smoke and flames rising above it.

Without thought, I took off running to my car.

Megan, what are you doing? Brandon yelled from way behind me.

I’m going to get my phone to call nine-one-one. I reached my car and opened the door. Taking my phone off of the dash where I had left it, I called with the location of the house before anybody else reached the parking lot. I was just getting in the driver’s seat when they ran toward me. Shane was carrying the cooler. A house was on fire, but he couldn’t forget his beer.

I turned the ignition and was about to lift my foot off the brake to pull out of the lot when Brandon pounded on the hood. I stopped to look at him.

Where are you going? he asked with a frightened expression on his face.

To the house. I have to see if there’s anyone home, someone could get hurt. I let up on the brake again, but Brandon grabbed my shoulder through the window.

No, you’ll get in trouble.

Are you serious? I asked, trying to figure out why everyone was just standing in the parking lot staring at me.

Megan, come on, it’ll be fine. You called nine-one-one, let’s go, Mandy pleaded.

I gaped at her, and then at the others. No one moved. No one looked me in the eye either. It was obvious that they didn’t care about the possibility of somebody getting hurt; all that mattered to them was their own skin. I hope all of you sleep well tonight, I said, stepping on the gas and pulling out of the lot, flinging gravel from under my tires.

I stopped in front of the red brick two-story house. There were two cars parked in front of the garage, which meant someone must be home. All the lights were out so I assumed that the family was asleep. Smoke and flames were still at the back of the house where the rocket hit the roof, but it was slowly moving forward.

I ran up to the front door and tried to open it, but of course it was locked. Looking around, I saw a large bay window on the first floor. I rushed over, hoping it was open, but again I couldn’t budge it.

I ran back to the door and pressed the doorbell continuously, hoping that I might wake them. When that didn’t work, I started banging my fists in frustration, yelling and screaming until my throat hurt. I wanted to help more, I just didn’t know how.

What’s going on? What are you doing?

I turned around at the sound of a deep voice, and saw Nate Green standing behind me on the porch. We went to the same school, but I didn’t know him very well.

The roof is on fire. Look. I pointed up to see that the flames were starting to spread to the front of the house. He rushed over and tried to turn the doorknob. It’s locked, and since there are cars in the driveway I think someone’s home. My voice was filled with the panic I felt inside.

We heard crying from upstairs and looked up to see a little