Page 2 of Forbidden Moon
As the pain and disability increased, hospice took over, and Lottie slept most of the time. RJ dragged a mattress into her room so he could tend to her during the night. It broke his heart to see her waste away, in constant pain and often confused. On Thanksgiving Day, Lottie refused her pain medications so that she could speak to her son with a clear mind. The nurse called RJ to her room, reminding him to keep the visit brief and that it might be their last.
Mother and son shared a few fond memories, laughed a bit, cried some more, and prayed together. Holding her bony hand, RJ told her what was on his heart.
“I thank God for you every day. You’re the best Ma in all the world, and I’m proud to be your son.”
On December first, she slipped away in her sleep.
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RIVERSIDE CEMETERY, about six months later
RJ made his way through rows of tombstones, respectful of where he stepped, carrying a bouquet of red roses. His mother’s resting place wasn’t too far off the road, in an older, quiet section of the cemetery. May flowers bloomed here and there amid immense old trees and soft green grass. RJ knew it well by now, having visited often to chat with his Ma and keep her up-to-date on his life. She was buried in a family plot between his father and Lottie’s parents—all dead before he was old enough to remember them.
Mindful of his uniform pants, RJ crouched down to lay the flowers on her grave, noting the inscription on the stone. Under her name and the dates, she’d requested a unique epitaph: “THE BEST WAY TO REMEMBER ME IS TO BE HAPPY.” A private message for her only child—etched in stone and on his heart. He was about to test the sentiment.
“Hello, Ma. I brought your favorite flowers today and some good news. Remember the job opening I mentioned? The DNR accepted my application for a transfer, and I’m moving to a little place called Gladstone in the upper peninsula. I hear it’s beautiful there and full of wildlife. They even have wolves!
“This is something I need to do, Ma, and I know you’d understand. There’s nothing here for me with you gone, and up there, I can put all my training to good use. I’ll come and see you if I can, but it’s an awfully long drive. It doesn’t matter, though, cause you’re always in my heart. I don’t think I’ll ever love anyone as much as you, and that’s a fact. I won’t forget your sacrifices either, and I promise to make you proud.”
RJ stood, murmured a quick prayer, and raised an open palm in silent farewell before turning to leave. She wanted him to be happy, and maybe in Gladstone, he could build a life of his own making. The thought made him smile, and he remembered what his Ma always told him. “Baby, this world won’t give you anything for free. You have to make your own dreams come true.” It looked like this was his chance to prove her right.
Chapter 1
FRIDAY JUNE 4, FULLmoon
Jack and William silently made their way through the trees, accompanied by two security men in wolf form. The warm night air thrummed with the trilling of insects and the subtle rustling of wildlife. William carried a large, heavy blanket and a backpack with water and snacks. While in no particular hurry, Jack had anticipated this night from the moment he read the last entry in Hezekiah’s journals.
“Luna offers all True Elders one final gift. After departing this earth, you may yet speak with me at every full moon. Under its light, enter into a teaching dream state and call for me. I wish to know your joys and trials as you grow and serve our people. Bring your questions, and I will teach you. Do not tarry, Jack; only seek me out quickly and renew our blessed fellowship.”
In truth, once the shock wore off, Jack recoiled at the idea—feeling guilty for unknowingly keeping his beloved mentor waiting in silence for decades. Of course, the shame of having failed his own protégé wasn’t something he wanted Hezekiah to know either. Later, when he showed Evan the journal entry and shared his reluctance to face the man, he received a carefully worded rebuke.
“Jack! How could you even considernotcontacting him? Do you seriously think he would blame you for something you didn’t know was possible until now? If he’s even half the man you claim, he’s also not going to judge you for one mistake in a lifetime of service. It’s obvious he considered you the son he never had and loved you dearly. Think about what it will mean to see each other again!
“I never imagined something like this and can’t quite wrap my head around how it works. I always believed there was nothing after death. Do you suppose all shifters enjoy some kind of afterlife? And just think—he may have access to knowledge and memories going back to the beginning! I’ve already got a list of questions I want to ask, and you can’t tell me you aren’t curious.
“We’ll need to call Everet with the news. Maybe he can find out what happened to his mentor. This is one of the most exciting things to happen since you got the journals back! No excuses, Jack. The full moon is coming up soon, and you, my friend, are going to become reacquainted with Hezekiah Matson!”
The memory of Evan’s passionate response carried Jack and the others to a small, secluded glade—the very one used by Ben and Evan for the Change Mate ceremony nearly two years ago. Jack’s desire for privacy and unobstructed moonlight were both found here, and as he did not know how long the process might take, it also gave William a comfortable place to wait and observe.
With encouraging yips, the security team left them alone in the moonlight to secure the perimeter. William set about arranging the blanket and supplies on top of the long, soft grass and turned to wrap his nervous mate in a warm hug. Jack kissed him thoroughly, cradling William’s bearded face in both hands.
“Until more is known, I prefer to meet him alone, beloved. I promise to share everything with you later, though it comforts me to know you are at my side.”
William offered a reassuring smile.
