I heard thunder, and black clouds began shifting across the night sky. I prayed I could control my emotions to avoid creating an embarrassing scene. Uncertain about what Nereus told his friends or what they knew about me, I grappled with my identity—I wasn't a wolf or a witch. My mother only explained it as the play of the moon goddess. "Acacia came to pick you up tonight, but your mother told her you were out of town."
"I'm at my brother's for a while, but I'll be home soon," I whispered. Light rain started falling, leaving colorful spots on the ground. Closing my eyes, I tried to calm down, but this boy knew exactly what to say to unravel me. Holding the phone to my ear, my hand shook, and I cleared my throat to hide my worry.
"I never told you that you could go," he said, blunt and im
