Magic in the Moonlight

I looked around at the mound of documents and hoped (for the dozenth time today) that I could flee to the Bahamas. I grinned as I recalled my lunchtime phone talk with my closest buddy earlier in the day. I'd tell him if I went missing that afternoon to start searching on the white sand beaches of Nassau since I was sick to death of the audit at work and anxious about the full day of meetings I had booked for tomorrow. He'd laughed and reminded me that I had a week of vacation coming up as soon as the auditors left.I would have told him I loved him if I had known that was the final time I would ever see him. Oh, not anymore, not for a long time. But Samuel Nash was the most influential person in my life. He'd been my boyfriend for several years. When that didn't work, what bothered us the most was the prospect of losing our close relationship. Samuel and I made a pact that no matter how tough or distressing the issue was, we would work through it together. He'd been my best buddy sin

So I'm not a vampire after all. Derek kept his word. But I'm not human anymore. I'm a werewolf, apparently, but I'm not sure I believe it.A werewolf, indeed.The day began routinely enough. Dr. Scott came over and informed me that I'd done such a good job with my Jell-O and applesauce supper that he was promoting me to solid meals. And what about my broken arm? It's almost healed. He believes the cast will be removed tomorrow. He said I'd be allowed to shower later today since my knee was as good as new. I asked him how long I'd been in the hospital, and he skirted the topic once again. It enraged me to the point where I let out a serious-sounding roar. That was a little frightening.He removed the bandage from my neck. Dr. Scott hesitated when I asked for a mirror to see it."I'm not going to lie to you, Elizabeth. Right now, your neck looks awful. That man ripped you to shreds. You have many stitches that will fall out in a day or two. Just trust me when I say that the scar will di

Dr. Scott kept his promise. A half-hour later, an orderly arrived with a wheelchair, and we were going. As the elevator doors closed and we descended to the below-ground laboratory, I felt a shiver go down my spine. Part of me worried whether I'd ever be able to come back up.The tests were not painful. An X-ray, a CAT scan, blood samples, and an MRI were all procedures I'd had before. When they returned me to my room and I crawled into bed, something inside of me calmed. I nearly sobbed with delight when Derek arrived a few hours later. He was holding a huge pizza with cheese and pepperoni! I grabbed a handful of his shirt and yanked him down for a loud, smacking kiss on the cheek as he placed it down on the bedside table."Sir, you've made my week. Thank you very much!"He laughed and made a courtly bow that, in his jeans and t-shirt, should have looked ridiculous, but he did it with grace. "I am just yours to command, whatever the Lady wants."I laughed and grabbed a lovely piece.

I was only vaguely aware of being carried up the stairs and into my new room. I was warm and comfortable and safe, that was all I cared about. When I was put down on my feet, I protested and tried to snuggle back into that warmth."Kimber, can you just stand there for a second? I need to turn down the bed so I can put you in it."I mumbled a protest in a sleepy, childlike voice and leaned against Derek. He held me against him with one arm while turning down the bed with the other."Okay, into bed you go," and I scooped off my feet and slid into the sheets.I blinked up at him owlishly, "What'd you call me?"Derek grinned at me, "Kimber. Kimberly is a mouthful and Kim is too short. You seem like a Kimber to me, sort of unusual and elegant. Is that okay with you?"It was already too warm in the bed. I pulled the sweats off and tossed them on the floor, leaving me in my t-shirt and panties."S'okay. You're weird, but I like it. I'm going to sleep now." My words were slow and sleepy. Talk

When I woke up the next morning, the house was quiet. I couldn't hear Derek moving around. My whole body ached from sleeping in the same position all night. I'd been so tired that falling into bed and falling asleep had been pretty much simultaneous. Suppressing a groan, I rolled over and mentally reviewed everything that happened last night.Marsh and Tasha were nice. The rest of the pack wasn't bad. I was just too uncomfortable with all of the speculation to see it last night. I knew the time would help. I just needed to get to know them. Except for John; I wasn't much interested in getting to know him. I couldn't fault him for his interest, but the way he went about expressing it was completely wrong. Intimidation and entrapment were not the way to a woman's heart.Then again, Derek had been pretty damn possessive. "She is mine and doesn't ever forget it," is that what he said? Something like that. Did he mean it or was he just claiming me to get the others to back off and leave me