Page 58 of Marked By Moonlight

Woody’s catered to a wide spectrum of patrons: from high school adolescents eager to test their independence to hard-edged thirty-somethings. Music pulsed over the air, a heavy, discordant throb emitted from a band that appeared to be strung out.

It wasn’t long before Claire spotted Nina through the haze of smoke, in a skirt much shorter than any she ever wore to school.

Claire pointed across the dance floor to the girl. Gideon followed her finger, his gaze running over Nina in cool assessment.

“What’s her story?” He spoke over the bar’s din, his first words since he left her standing in his living room.

“She’s a good student.” Claire studied the crowd surrounding Nina. Some were recognizable from the hallways. “Transferred in last January. Can’t recall where she came from exactly.”

“Maybe a little of everywhere?” he asked grimly.

“Yeah,” Claire said in surprise. “Something like that. I think her dad is in the marines. How’d you guess?”

“Packs move around. It’s not their nature to feed in one area too long. Long-standing impulse—don’t deplete the food source.”

Claire swung her gaze from Gideon back to Nina. “You’re not suggesting—”

“Why not? She knew Lenny and could easily have infected him.” He shrugged. “I’m not getting a read on her either way, but the more experienced lycans are harder to detect. Especially the females. They’re more adept at blending in.”

“She’s just a girl.”

“For all we know, she could be five hundred years old. Lycanscan live a very long time. The longest on record is twelve hundred years.”

She felt her eyes widen. “There’s a twelve-hundred-year-old werewolf out there?”

“Wethinkhe’s still out there. He’s either dead or been lying low for a couple centuries. If he’s dead, it’s through natural causes. Otherwise NODEAL would have a record.”

She silently wondered how NODEAL could efficiently monitor the comings and goings of every single werewolf, but she let the matter drop, refocusing her attention on Nina and the possibility that her prize student might be a werewolf.

The notion troubled her, and not simply because she cared for Nina. “A female alpha?” She felt her brow scrunch.

“Alphas are frequently female.”

“Really?”

“Sure. Don’t females rule many species? Ants? Bees? Even ancient human cultures bowed before women.”

Claire nodded.

Still, Nina?

“Last night I felt those other two. Before they even attacked us. I’ve never felt anything around Nina.”

“She could be that good.” At her skeptical look he elaborated, “Alphas are the wisest, strongest lycans out there. They are masters of camouflage. You may never sense them. But let’s find out if you can.”

They cut through the dance floor, skirting gyrating couples as they made their way to the predominantly teen section. Heavier smoke. Fewer bottles. Apparently not everyone possessed a fake ID. Their presence definitely earned a few stares. Especially Gideon’s. He towered over boys who had yet to reach full development, and the girls openly drooled.

She tapped Nina on the shoulder.

“Omigod! Miss Morgan!” The girl crushed Claire in a hug.

The hug felt good. Surprisingly good. Even amid the heavy smoke, she inhaled the clean, fruity scent of Nina’s shampoo, overcome by the realization that this might be the last time she saw her. She squeezed Nina closer. Claire gave herself a mental shake. Now was not the time to walk that dark road. She needed to concentrate on other things. Like whether or not Nina could be the werewolf that infected Lenny.

Claire didn’t sense anything, didn’tfeelanything beyond the bittersweet emotion that welled up inside her. Arms locked around the girl’s slight frame, she knew Nina couldn’t be anything other than what she appeared: a sweet, innocent girl.

“Where have you been?” Nina pulled back to demand. “We have this awful sub! She assigned us seats and I have to sit next to Eddy Case!” She noticed Gideon then and her eyes widened. “Is this your boyfriend?” Before Claire could answer, Nina rushed on, her words tumbling out excitedly. “I heard a rumor you were dating Mr. Jenkins, but I didn’t want to believe it.” Her lip curled in distaste. “He’s bald.”

Claire rolled her eyes. That one date was going to follow her for the rest of her life.

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