I was heading outside to walk Champ when I spotted Nash sauntering up my driveway. "Hey, Celeste," he said.
"Oh...hi," I said.
"I really have to thank you and Brandon for what you both have done," he said. "You know, he really is like you - generous."
I half smiled. I was pleased that Nash was so appreciative about Brandon and recognized the wonderful traits I saw.
"But - I'm also sorry. I was so obsessed with becoming cured, I couldn't see beyond that. What it really meant for you - Brandon - the town. I guess I should have tried to help."
"There's nothing you can do about it now," I said.
"Well, at least we know the cure works. No side effects. All we have to do is have Brandon take it," he said.
"There are other werewolves in town. I told you. Brandon won't take the serum."
"What are you talking about? He has to."
"You know what I'm talking about. I already told you this. Tonight at the fest. Ryder and his friends are planning to try to convert me."
Nash groaned. "What did I do? I should have waited like you asked."
"I understand why you did that. I'm not sure what I would have done."
"I know what you would have done," Nash said. "You would have waited another day just because I asked you to. And because it might have been the right thing to do. That's who you are. But I'm not like you, am I?"
"It was a difficult choice," I said.
"It was right there in front of me. I didn't want to be a werewolf. Not even for one more night. That's all I was thinking about."
"I understand."
"But I can help you out now. I am still strong and can protect you and Ivy and Abby."
"That's okay," I said. "We are going to stay at my house tonight. And those guys think we'll be at the fest, so they'll never know where we really are."
"I'll come over, too. I'll be your bodyguard."
"You don't have to do that," I said. But it did sound like a good idea to have someone with us.
"I insist. It's the least I can do."
"So Brandon will be a werewolf alone - trying to ward off those guys, and you'll come to my house and watch movies? No, I'd rather you keep an eye out at the fest, just in case Brandon needs help."
"Are you sure?" he asked.
"Yes, and maybe you could bring Jake and Dylan, too. We might need the extra muscle." "I am still so surprised you aren't going to the festival tonight," my mom said when she got home from work. I was straightening up the family room and double-checking that we had enough snacks for the evening.
"We're not into werewolves," I told her.
"But they'll be showing movies, and people will be dressing up in costumes. I would think you'd want to do it, if only to see everyone in town. Besides, when we took you and your sister last time it came around, you loved it."
"I was seven," I said, putting a stack of movies next to the TV. But the truth was, I did love it then, and I knew I would have loved it this time, too. If I didn't think we were in serious danger, I would be having the time of my life. Not only would I be hanging out with my friends, watching scary werewolf movies and eating such treats as bloodred licorice and French-fried fangs, but Brandon would be able to be in front of everyone in his lycan form and they'd just think he was dressing for the festival. I did feel awful missing the best event in this town in ten years. I'd have to wait until I was twenty-seven to attend the next one. However, I knew I was doing the right thing.
It was after eight. Ivy and Abby still hadn't shown up. I was starting to get worried. Had Ryder already gotten to them? I texted Ivy.
I waited a few minutes until she texted back.
With Jake at the fest. Sorry. We just got here. He wanted to enter the contest. PDHM.Please Don't Hate Me? My best friends stood me up - and now I was going to be all alone. I'm sure I'd be safe at home - but what if I wasn't?
I had to go now, too. Fuming, I rushed to put on my Red Riding Hood outfit from Halloween. Who knew, but it might also protect me from Ryder finding me. I grabbed my purse and keys and jumped into my car and headed straight for the Werewolf Festival.
There was a lot of traffic as I approached downtown - the location of the festival. Everything was decorated with balloons, and I could already see werewolves of all shapes and sizes walking up and down the street.
The last time I attended the fest, I was seven, and I remembered sitting out on the lawn with my family. Even Juliette enjoyed it. But now I was approaching the fest on my own, trying to find my own real werewolf. All kinds of werewolves roamed the street - masked ones, painted ones, cartoon ones.
Food and souvenir vendors lined the street, and a huge white tent was in the middle park area. The main street was closed to traffic, but I could see from where I was that all spaces in view were occupied. If I couldn't find a parking place, I'd be stuck driving around all night and wouldn't be able to catch up to my friends.
I called Brandon as I sat in traffic.
"Where are you?" I asked.
"I'm at the fest. Are you having fun with your friends?"
"What friends? They stood me up. They are here somewhere."
"Here?" he asked. "Where are you?"
"Trying to find a parking space."
"I'm by Sixth Street. There are some empty lots."
I passed a guy who was parking and drove toward Sixth Street. I saw Brandon on the corner, pointing to a vacant space.
I pulled in, and Brandon kindly gave the lot owner money.
I took a moment to catch my breath. Brandon was standing in the lot, barefoot and shirtless, his chest heaving like he'd run a race. His hair was wildly long and untamed. I ran up to him and kissed him.
"What happened to your plans?" he asked when we drew apart.
"They didn't come," I said, disappointed. "So I'm here."
"Well, I guess we tried," he said. "I'll just have to keep an eye out for you. You promise not to leave my side?"
"I wouldn't want to be anywhere else," I said.
We walked a few blocks to the entrance of the festival.
I called Ivy, but she didn't answer.
Then I called Abby. She didn't answer her phone, either.
"How am I going to find them?" I asked.
The whole town was out for the festival.
It really was a splendid event, if I hadn't been so distracted by everything.
"Do you know where Ryder is?" I asked.
"I tried to get him to meet me - so we could go together. But he ditched me, too."
"We've both been stood up tonight," I said.
"I'd much rather be with you," he said. "Under the full moonlight. It really agrees with you. You are so beautiful."
I couldn't help but blush and leaned into him, giving him a tight squeeze.
Just then we heard screaming.
"What's that?" I asked.
Fear shot through me. All I could think of was Ivy and Abby being attacked by Ryder and his friends.
We raced in the direction of the scream and when we arrived, we saw that it was only a few girls riding a mini - roller coaster.
"I guess I'm a bit jumpy," I said.
I heard someone call my name from behind me.
"Celeste!"
I turned around. It was Ivy, Abby, Dylan, and Jake. Dylan and Jake were dressed haphazardly as werewolves, with drawn-on beards and plastic fangs. And Ivy and Abby both were pretty as damsels in distress, with torn outfits.
"We are so sorry," Ivy said.
"Will you forgive us?" Abby asked.
I was angry. How could I not be? But I had other things to worry about now.
"Finally, we are all here," I said. "We need to stick together. There is safety in numbers."
"Afraid a werewolf will get us?" Ivy asked, giggling.
"Yes," I said truthfully.
"Well, Brandon can save us," Abby said. "He's always doing that - and tonight he even looks like a werewolf."
"The costume contest is going to be in an hour," Abby said. "How about having some fun until then?!"
We all headed for the rides, where we bought tickets and rode the Octopus, the Scrambler, and finally the Ferris wheel. When Brandon and I were at the top, the ride stopped to let another group on. We looked around from our bird's-eye view to see if we could spot any real werewolves.
"I don't see them," I said.
"It's hard when everyone looks like werewolves."
"That's what they were counting on," I said.
As the Ferris wheel started up again, an announcement came over the loudspeaker calling all contestants to the stage to enter the werewolf costume contest.
We all headed over. One by one, the boys filled out the entry forms and took their places onstage. So did Ryder's crew.
Many people participated. The contestants walked across the stage in front of the howling crowd.
The two judges were local radio celebrities who made notes as they examined the contestants.
After several rounds of eliminations, five contestants were chosen to stand onstage: Ryder, Leopold, Hunter, Nash, and Brandon.
No one knew that four of the five were really werewolves - and the fifth used to be one.
The emcee pulled at Hunter's red beard. "This seems real," he said. "Did you grow this just for the contest?"
The crowd laughed.
"Yes," Hunter said. "And the fangs, too." He grinned, flashing his wolf fangs. The emcee stepped back.
"Wow - those look real. I think there's a wolf out there tonight that is missing some teeth."
The crowd laughed again.
"The four runners-up will win fifty dollars each," the emcee continued. "And our grand-prize winner will take home one hundred.
"And now, for our grand-prize winner, the Legend's Run werewolf for the evening goes to...Nash Hamilton!"
Ivy, Abby, Jake, and Dylan cheered with delight at Nash's victory. I couldn't believe the irony. Nash was the winner? The only one who wasn't a werewolf? I had to crack up inside. It was really so odd that the real werewolves weren't recognized as such. And it appeared Nash was really excited by his victory, as he threw his hands in the air, while Leopold and Hunter seemed disappointed and scoffed as they left the stage. I watched Ryder glare at Brandon as they walked backstage. Within a moment, the real werewolves disappeared.
Brandon eventually found us standing in the waiting area. When Nash joined us, Ivy and Abby congratulated him on his prize.
"Where is Ryder?" I asked.
"I don't know. He slipped out," Nash said.
"That means he could be anywhere." I was concerned.
"I know." Nash shook his head in frustration. "I should have kept my eye on him."
"We're going to the candy stand," Ivy said.
"And we're going to the movie," Abby said. "We can all meet up in fifteen minutes."
"No," I said, "we have to stay together."
But my friends and their boyfriends were already heading off in separate directions.
"What do we do now?" I asked Brandon.
He looked around as if he was longing to have fun like everyone else.
"We should be able to enjoy this," I told him. "But instead..."
"Well, why can't we? As long as you are next to me, nothing can happen to you."
He grabbed my hand tightly.
"Let's at least enjoy some of the fest," he said.
He led me to the games while I glanced around, thinking at any moment Ryder would be stalking me.
Brandon and I played some of the games and soon we were lost in our own world, laughing, talking, and winning a prize.
"Pick one out from the top row," the carnival operator said to Brandon.
"It's for you," he told me. "Pick out whichever one you want."
Stuffed bears in every color lined the wall. "I'd like that one," I said, pointing to a cute pink one.
The carnival operator pulled the teddy down and handed it to me. I squeezed it with all my might, then gave my handsome boyfriend a squeeze, too.
"I love it," I said.
When we released our embrace, I turned around and bumped into someone.
"Excuse me," I said.
"Excuse me." The voice was deep and calm. I looked up. It was Ryder.
He took my hand. "I was hoping I would bump into you tonight." His wolf fangs caught the moonlight.
I pulled back my hand, but he didn't let go. Ryder's short, spiky hair was long and wavy. He had a thin layer of dark facial hair, and his eyes were intensely gray.
I was afraid he was going to try to bite me.
"Hey - " Brandon said, moving toward Ryder. "Let her go."
Ryder caressed my hand before releasing it. "I guess no one believes we are werewolves," he said.
I backed away, and Brandon stood between us.
"I saw your friends earlier," Ryder said. "We are going to meet up later. Maybe you can join us, too. I was hoping we could all be one happy family."
"My friends wouldn't meet you," I shot back. "Are you crazy?"
"Like a fox. Or should I say wolf?"
"We can end this conversation now," Brandon said.
"You'd like to pay me back for what I did at the championship game?" Ryder asked. "In front of all these people? Go ahead." He put his arms out as if he was going to let Brandon hit him. "Give me your best shot."
"I'm not talking about the past. I'm talking about you leaving her alone."
"That's not going to happen," Ryder said.
Just then we heard screaming, and this time it wasn't coming from the roller coaster. It was coming from behind us. Immediately people were dashing for cover.
I turned back and saw several sets of gray eyes at about the height of a dog. Then I noticed their shiny white coats.
"Wolves!" people yelled. "There are real wolves!"
Couples and children raced for shelter. I froze as the pack of wolves walked toward us. When they reached us, they stood around Brandon as if he were the leader of their pack.
Ryder stared at Brandon and the wolves in shock.
"What are you, some freak?" he asked.
"Yes, I am," Brandon said.
The wolves began to growl at Ryder.
"I told you to leave my friends alone," Brandon warned.
"They are hanging out with that guy - " I heard someone say.
"Maybe they are his."
"Those are wild animals," another said.
"It could be a trick. Maybe he's their trainer," a male's voice said.
"What's going on?" Ivy asked as she and Abby walked up to us.
I stared at my friends and then looked back at Ryder.
"There's something not right about you," Ryder said to Brandon. "Call off those animals."
"I need a reason to."
"My bite is worse," Ryder said, flashing his fangs.
"I wouldn't count on it." Brandon flashed his fangs back.
Ryder shook his head in disbelief. "It can't be - " he said.
"It can," Brandon told him. "And no one will be the wiser," he said. "It's a perfect night for this. Everyone will think it's part of an act. That was my plan."
The wolves growled again.
"Call them off," Ryder said.
Nash appeared. He paused when he saw the wolves and Ryder.
"He's a werewolf, too!" Ryder said. "The judges even thought so."
Suddenly Nash straightened up confidently. It was as if Ryder's words gave him the strength he needed to step up to the situation.
Nash bravely moved to stand next to Brandon.
"Yes," Nash said, "and what are you going to do about it?"
Ryder seemed to quake in the presence of Brandon, Nash, and the wolves.
The crowd of onlookers grew curious as security was now on the scene.
Ryder glared at me - first with fierceness, then at the last moment with a lonely and vulnerable look.
He took off, and within a few seconds Brandon whistled and the wolves howled. Then they ran into the woods.
Brandon slapped Nash on the back. Several people started clapping, and many others joined in.
"Wow - that was cool," one said. "I've never seen wolves up close."
"They were wild - but they seemed as tame as our dog," another commented.
"Well, that was so freaky," Ivy said. "I'm getting tired of wild animals hanging out with us."
"You meant the wolves or that Ryder guy?" Abby said with a laugh.
"I can assure you they are gone for the night," Brandon said. "All of them."
Nash beamed and proudly bumped fists with Brandon.
"Now, how about winning you girls some more prizes at the game area?" Brandon said.
We all wandered over to the booths filled with stuffed animals for those who could puncture a balloon with a dart, knock over a pyramid of milk bottles with a baseball, or toss a ring over the neck of a liter bottle.
We girls smiled as we left the fest with stuffed animals in our hands and hugged good-bye after our eventful evening.
Brandon followed me home in his car and came into my house, making sure I was safe and settled in.
"Well, we foiled their big plan," I said when we sat on the couch in the living room.
"With Nash's help," Brandon added.
We started to watch Night of the Werewolf.
"I think I've had enough werewolves for one evening," I said, taking out the DVD and switching to a romantic comedy.
Brandon stroked my hair as I leaned against him and started to doze off.
When I awoke, he was gone and I was holding a stuffed bear instead of him.