The Full Moon Speakeasy

CHAPTER TEN: Confrontation

Luci remained frazzled for the rest of her shift. No matter if she was taking orders, running food to the tables, or cleaning, all she could think about was Imelda and her warning. Her mind, heart, and body were all at odds. She wanted to ignore Imelda’s words, confront Noah about how he dragged her into a weird web of drama with another woman, and pretend none of it ever happened and act as though she never even went to the Full Moon Speakeasy. 

The thoughts alone were exhausting. And being on her feet, around people all day, made her ready to do nothing more than collapse into her bed and sleep the night away. As soon as the waitress who was to replace her for the dinner shift, Lucille was hurrying from the restaurant, not even stopping to count her money as she usually did. Hell, her apron was still tied about her waist as she headed out onto the street. Just as soon as she turned in the direction of her apartment, a voice called from behind her. “Reve.”

The nickname had done exactly what he said it would do. She heard it and knew it was Noah. She didn’t break her stride, she kept walking. She supposed that the winner was her anger. Knowing he was there, knowing what Imelda had told her, she was pretty pissed. “Leave me alone,” she called to him. 

“What’s going on with you?” he questioned. 

She could hear his footsteps gaining on her, but she didn’t allow her vision to stray from straight ahead. “I don’t know what game you’re trying to play at, but I want you to know I want no part of it.”

“What do you mean game? I’m not playing games with you,” he urged. At last, Luci stopped in her tracks and narrowed her eyes at him. She hated how beautiful he was, and that for a fraction of a second, it softened her. She kept strong, though. He placed a hand on her shoulder. “What’s got you so sore?” 

She smacked his hand away from her and watched as anger flashed across his expression and then dissipated. “What’s got me sore, Noah, is someone came into my work today. Wanna take any guesses?”

His brow furrowed and he looked around, as if the name would be laying about. “Was it one of my guys?” 

“Is Imelda Bianchi one of your guys, Noah? Or is she something else?” Her words bit at him and she watched as he flinched. But Lucille didn’t look for long, she pivoted on a heel and headed on. “I want nothing to do with a player.” 

“I’m not a player,” he stated and hurried after her. 

When he grabbed her arm, she jerked away from his hold. “Do not touch me.” 

“Lucille,” he breathed, but stuffed his hands in his pockets as if to keep from touching her out of reflex. “There’s more to it than you think right now. Please give me the chance to explain.” 

“How can there possibly be more to it than that, Noah? Go ahead and tell me what excuse there is to get involved with me while you’re with another broad.” 

He pushed a hand through his auburn hair. “It’s complicated. I’m not sure if you’ll believe me.”

“Good assumption,” she muttered and pushed into the door of her apartment building. He was following her up the stairs and she shouted down to him. “I want nothing to do with you, you understand me? I don’t want to hear your excuses or lies. I’m not some cheap thrill for you to explore on the side.”

“You think that’s all you are to me? I’m hurt, Reve.”

“My name is Lucille. Don’t call me by some pet name you didn’t even mean. It’s insulting,” she snapped. 

“I did mean it,” he pushed on. “Come on. Are you not even willing to hear me out?” 

“You just said I wouldn’t believe you anyway, so what would be the point?” she huffed as she unlocked the apartment door. When she went to step inside and shut the door, a foot in the door stopped her. Lucille spun around and glared at him, kicking at the toe of his shoe to try and remove him. “Get out of here.”

“I don’t think you will believe me,” he nodded. “So let me just show you.”

Luci eyed him, confused by what they could mean. Noah then shoved the door open and stepped inside before shutting the door. Her arms folded, prepared to yell at him and demand him to leave. 

However, then he stepped forward and shrugged off his jacket. “I would stand back, if I were you,” he warned. 

“What are you doing? Don’t go getting comfortable,” she retorted. 

He stepped to her and leaned down so they were face to face, and she felt her anger once again falter. “Please, just step back.” 

Lucille didn’t want to, but something in her wanted to believe him and that would mean gaining understanding by listening. Letting out a quiet sigh, she stepped back a few paces. Then, before her very eyes, there was a mangling of flesh and shredding of clothes. Her mind couldn’t make sense of it as clothing and skin was replaced with fear and fangs. 

Out of shock, she stumbled backwards and fell down against the arm of the couch. The more she blinked, the more her brain recognized the shape before her. And the image wouldn’t go away, no matter how much she closed her eyes tightly and reopened them. 

Before her, in her little apartment, was a massive, reddish brown wolf. A massive wolf.