Page 65 of Blood Moon
He shook his head, snickered. “Valid,” he said. “I’ll answer this question, and then we’re pivoting back to you.”
“Fine,” I said impatiently; I was ready to know.
His lips went thin for a moment, but then he said, “These grounds are the original location Aadan and his pack declared home after the first war. It’s a sacred place for us. As a community, we’ve vowed to preserve its sanctity in memory of our history. It means we aren’t supposed to wage war or fight on the university campus or near it.” Julian took a long, deep breath. “So, I’m not stuck here, but I stay around as a means to protect the peace that’s already in place.”
More questions came: Was this history documented in the book? Was it why our mascot was the Timberwolves? It seemed so on the nose if you knew, and inadvertent if you didn’t.
“Back to you,” Julian said. “Do you have any brothers or sisters?”
Right, that. “Nope. It’s just me and my dad.”
“Oh.” He sat up. “Is it okay if I ask what happened to your mom?”
I sighed. Wasn’t that the greater mystery? “Sure. When I was thirteen, she vanished. Took a bag and left. It changed everything for me, for my dad.”
He tilted his head. “Do you know where she went?”
“No. She just drove off. Never returned. Never called. Nothing,” I said, my mouth dry.
The reminder hardened me. “I guess memories last longer than people. I’m at least thankful for that.”
“I’m sorry,” he said softly.
“You don’t have to be. It’s not your fault.”
He looked at the ground. “I understand what it’s like to not have a mom. Mine died when I was six. She lost control one day. Was taken down by the wrong person.”
I held in a gasp. It was a tragedy. There was more I wanted to know about his mother, but it seemed too personal. Part of me contemplated if it was her death that hardened him. The other part of me was keen to know why she lost control. Still, it was a burden I wouldn’t want to place on anyone, and now at least I knew that the mystery woman wasn’t his mother.
“I’m really sorry,” I said. “That’s terrible, and I can’t imagine how difficult that must have been for you.”
“My aunt stepped in,” he said, not looking at me. He twisted his fingers while his knees bounced. “She’s done everything she can to provide for me like I was her own. She had three other kids before me.”
“I’m happy you have her. She sounds like a great woman. And you have no siblings?” I asked. It seemed right, since he had asked me.
Julian continued on about his aunt, almost in a state of fog. “She’s brilliant. Determined. A real fighter.” He looked at the brook. “And no, besides my cousins, I don’t have any blood siblings.” Julian cleared his throat. “Do you at least get to see your mom’s side of the family?”
I shook my head. “We never knew my mom’s side of the family. My dad said she was the youngest of two siblings from a small town I can’t remember the name of. That was kinda it. It was always just the three of us.” I exhaled, feeling a small pressure behind my eyes. I had never verbally expressed to anyone what my family dynamics used to be—never had a reason to—but reminiscing on the past made me feel everything I didn’t want to. “My father is a good guy,” I said, my voice lower than before. “He really tries, and even when I give him a hard time, or am unappreciative, he doesn’t give up on me.”
“It’s incredible you have each other,” he said sincerely.
“Thanks. What about your dad?”
“Never knew him.”
“Oh.” I made a face, scratched at the back of my neck.
“I’m good. The past is the past.”
“Can I ask you something?” I said, desperate to talk about anything else.
“Sure.”
“What exactly do you know about my pendant? A while ago, you made weird comments about it, and I’m not sure why.” I touched it then, twisted the opal between my fingers.
“Your necklace is a ward,” he began, and it was as Rena had said, as Abba had claimed. “Legend says it’s one of the ten magical stones, blessed by an ancient, powerful witch. It has the ability to warn those who wear it from supernatural creatures with the intent to harm them. It’s why, when I saw you wearing it, I was certain that you knew.”
It was difficult to refrain from pinching myself. Even if I’d considered it before, I couldn’t believe witches—powerful ones—were real, too. I adjusted my frame, sat up. “About werewolves?” I asked, hoping to clarify what he alluded to.
