The Endangered Luna

Jackson's POV I always told myself there wasn't any most beautiful woman in the world because there were too many ladies to select from. That changed when I met Alisha. That fateful afternoon, I decided to take a walk into town. Connor and I were supposed to hang out but he was out on a personal errand and I was tired of sitting at home so I got dressed and decided to take a walk. I had not gotten far from Dante's, my favorite cafe and the best in Yellowstone, when I heard my name across the street. The voice I heard immediately gave off the owner and I smiled in satisfaction as I turned back. Sarah was waving eagerly at me from across the street and she had a broad smile on her face. I threw her a casual smile in return and I started walking across the road. She held her arms open as soon as I got to her and I pulled her into a hug. “Hey,” she said, after we released each other. “Hi. Where are you headed?” I asked. “Supermarket,” she replied. “I want to pick a few things up for my mother. How about you?” “Me? I'm just taking a walk,” I replied. She had a curious look on her face that made her look childish. Well, she mostly acted like a child. Most of the girls I found myself around did. Maybe it was because of me, or it was just fate that I found myself surrounded by those kind of girls, I couldn't tell which it was and I wasn't complaining either. She hooked her hand into mine. “Well, come along with me then.” Her eyes were pleading with me and I knew I wouldn't be able to resist her. “Alright then,” I said in agreement. “Lead the way.” Both of us started walking down the sidewalk and I put one hand around her shoulder. We crossed the street at one end and turned into another, the final turn before we got to the supermarket where she was headed. “You know,” she started as we strolled in and out of people on the crowded street, “I’m still pissed at you. Kinda.” I turn my head to look at her face. “Why?” I demanded. “Remember what you said the last time we saw each other? Before you disappeared for almost two weeks? She asked. Her tone was an accusing one and she had a serious expression on her face. The wheels in my brain turned and I could remember clearly what she was talking about. I could also remember why I went against our agreement and ditched her but she didn't need to know that. “Oh. Sorry about that. My father had an important assignment for me and I couldn't decline,” I explained. Her eyes told me she didn't believe me but I couldn't come up with any better excuse at that moment and I sure as hell couldn't tell her the truth. I'm sure no woman would love to hear that they had been ditched in favor of another woman, especially when the person that ditched them was someone they were fully in love with. “Alright,” she said, finally. “I'll let it slide. But only this time. Do you……..” My eyes wandered to the other side of the road and the rest of whatever Sarah was saying barely made it into my ears. For the first time in my life, my heart totally stopped beating because of a woman. Everything around me suddenly seemed to fade away and Sarah's words echoed against my ear but I couldn't make sense of anything she was saying. The only thing that made sense to me at that moment was the lady crossing the road and it took me a few seconds to realize that Sarah was calling my name repeatedly. I blinked repeatedly as if trying to resist whatever spell had been cast on me and I returned my attention to Sarah. “What's that?” I asked. “What happened?” She asked with a concerned look on her face. “You had me worried there. Are you okay?” “Yeah, yeah.” I nodded my head and patted her shoulder to assure her that I was. I stole a glance in the direction the woman had been standing before but she was nowhere in sight. I took frantic glances around but there was no trace of her anywhere. It was as if she had appeared out of and disappeared into thin air. “Jackson? What's going on?” Sarah demanded in irritation. “Why are you acting all weird? What did you see?” “Nothing,” I replied, quickly. Her eyes followed mine across the road and then she stopped walking. I also stopped and turned to face her. “Jackson, you were looking at that lady crossing the road earlier,” she accused. “Weren't you?” Shit. I didn't know she had seen her. “What lady?” I ask, trying to look confused. But Sarah didn't buy it. “Don't play dumb with me,” she warned. “I saw the dark haired lady crossing the road earlier and I realized now that your eyes were fixed in the direction when you blacked out.” “Wait, Sarah. I—” She held her hand up to stop me. “You know what? I don't care. Forget it. I'll see you later. Maybe.” I tried to hold her but she avoided my hand and started walking briskly down the street. She disappeared into the crowd in a few seconds and I was left standing alone with my troubled mind. Who was that lady? Was she a member of our pack? How come I had never seen her before? I knew I had to find her or the strange feeling I had in my chest would never go away. She was the one that started the reaction and she is the only one that would be able to end it. I turned around and started walking back the way I had come with Sarah. Then I changed my mind when I got to the end of the street. I decided to take an alternative route and I felt my phone ringing in my pocket as I crossed the road. I answered it immediately after seeing Connor’s name on the caller ID. “Yeah? You back?” I asked. “No,” he replied. “But I am on my way now. Guess what?” “What's that?” I asked. “Guess,” he urged. His voice had a mysterious air to it and I could tell that he was excited. “My mind can't work right now. Tell me what it is, Connor,” I said. I made a left turn and I appeared on the street by the side of Dante's shop. “I found her. I found my sister,” he cried out in pleasure. “Wait. Are you serious?” I asked. “Yes,” he confirmed. “It was a very stressful process but I found her and she's here with me but asleep. My mind had been so occupied with my conversation with my father that morning, Sarah, and the lady I'd seen across the street that I had totally forgotten about the important errand Connor went on. “How soon till you get back?” I asked. “An hour or so,” he replied. “I'll give you the full details then.” I hadn't realized I'd stopped walking until after I ended the call. A sharp horn beside me made me aware of that and I realized I was standing in someone's parking space. I heard the car door open behind me and when I turned around to look, my heart totally stopped beating for the second time that day.