Whispers at Moonrise

Chan, Mr. Parker didn’t hurt anyone. He just wanted to talk to his son.”
    Della let out a breath of frustration. “You know, I really hate it when you do that.”
    “Do what?” Kylie dodged a vine swinging back.
    “Use logic and rub my nose in the fact that you’re right.”
    “I didn’t rub your nose in it.”
    “Maybe not. But I still don’t like it.”
    They walked a few minutes without speaking. “Thanks for not telling,” Kylie said, knowing that was what Della meant.
    They moved through the dense vegetation with only the night’s song whispering through the trees. Finally, Kylie spoke up. “Lucas wasn’t alone with Fredericka.”
    “Yeah, I figured that one out, too,” Della said. “But…”
    “But what?”
    “I don’t know. I mean, I kind of feel as if I sort of encouraged you to go with Lucas and maybe I was wrong.”
    “Wrong?” Kylie grabbed Della by the arm. “Do you mean wrong to push me, or wrong for me to go after Lucas?”
    Della frowned. “Both.”
    “Why would you say that?” Kylie asked, hurt that Della would make such a statement—especially when her heart was already so confused.
    “It’s not that I don’t like Lucas, I do. But he’s werewolf and you’re obviously not. I admit I thought you were before. But tonight when we were surrounded by weres, I could just tell that you weren’t like them. And after what his grandmother said and now after what his dad said, I think his family and his pack are going to stand in your way.”
    “He told me he doesn’t care what they say.” And she believed it. She did.
    Sadness filled Della’s eyes and Kylie felt the emotion resonate within herself.
    Della exhaled. “That’s what Lee said, too. And look what happened with us.”
    *   *   *
    It’s not the same thing.
    While Kylie waited on her porch for Lucas to show up, she contemplated what Della had said and thought about her day from hell.
    She’d spoken to her mom, who needed reassurance that Kylie was okay. She’d spoken to Holiday, who needed the same thing. Then her phone chirped again. Derek, this time, wanting the same thing.
    “Hey, I just wanted to check in,” he said.
    It was funny, really, how well she knew him. She knew what he felt without his ever having to say it and so she knew why he’d called. He’d obviously sensed some of her earlier emotions. “I’m fine.”
    “If you need to talk or anything, I’m here.” He sounded so wistful, she felt her heart grow tighter.
    “I know,” she answered. “And I appreciate it.”
    “Did you ever figure out the whole ghost issue?”
    “Not yet,” Kylie admitted, her tone echoing some of the frustration she felt.
    “Did you talk to Holiday about it?” he asked, sounding genuinely concerned.
    “A little,” she said. “But I wasn’t … I only skimmed the surface.”
    “Oh, shit!”
    “What?”
    “That’s who it is, isn’t it? That’s whose face the ghost has stolen. It’s Holiday.”
    Kylie closed her eyes. “Yes, but please don’t say anything. I’m trying to figure it out before I take it to Holiday.”
    “Is she in danger? Does this mean … anything?”
    “In a roundabout way, I asked Holiday, and she said it was unlikely. But…”
    “But what?”
    “It’s just scary,” Kylie admitted. “Seeing her as a ghost when she’s not dead.”
    “Hell yeah, it’s scary. And you shouldn’t have to figure it out all by yourself. I’m here for you. I don’t know how to help solve this, but whatever it takes, I’ll do it.”
    “Thanks.” She leaned back against the cabin wall, and right then she was hit by a wash of cold. Dead cold.
    “And I don’t expect anything in return,” he said. “I accept we’re just friends.”
    “Thank you.” The spirit, identical to Holiday, stood over her, looking down with a frown on her face. “I should go.”
    “Something wrong?” he asked, and she couldn’t help but wonder if he could feel her now.
    “Just … got company.”
    “Lucas?” His tone expressed exactly how he felt about the werewolf.
    “No. The ghost.”
    “Oh. So, I’ll let you go. But Kylie…”
    “Yeah?” She stood because she didn’t like having the spirit staring down at her.
    “I’m here if you need me.” He sounded so genuine.
    “I know,” she said, feeling the words vibrate in her chest. She hung up and met the woman’s green gaze.
    “I think you should pick him,” the spirit said.
    “Say what?”
    “Between him and the werewolf. I