Beths new moons rising

The official meeting

“ my name is Caleb by the way” he said, raising a single eyebrow.

“Elizabeth, but I go by Beth” I say, watching his body language. “Thank you for helping me. I uh, I appreciate it”

“You don’t have to thank me, I can’t stand to see anyone treat someone like that, let alone a man to treat a woman that way” he says as his eyes furrow. “Can I drive you to your family’s lodge? You know, just to make sure he doesn’t follow you?”

“ uh sure” I stammered. This man makes me nervous, but in an odd way. I can’t quite put my finger on the feeling.

Caleb carefully placed my belongings into the bed of his truck and opened the passenger door, motioning for me to get in. He shuts my door and skips around to his. He jumps right in and asks “where to?!” Cheerfully. “Moon crest lodge” i say.

His cheerful facial expression disappears and he says “ I can take you to the gates, but I cannot take you any further”. We sit in silence for a few moments before my confusion gets the best of me and I blurt out, “why? No one will mind, they’ll see you’re with me.”

“I’d really like to invite you in for dinner. For you know, rescuing me” I say, kind of in a pleasing way.

“I know your family, and your family knows mine. They are enemy packs and I could get in trouble just being seen with you, let alone strolling into your lodge for dinner.” My eyes widened as I’ve never told anyone who my family is, or more importantly, what I am.

“How-how did you know?” I stammered. “Ive never told anyone what I am”.

“It wasn’t hard to figure out when you said your family lives at the moon crest lodge. Your scent gave it away as well.” Caleb said.

We sat in silence the rest of the 45 minute drive to the lodge. When we got there, I thanked him, and wrote my number down on a gum wrapper I had in my pocket. “Here, at least allow me to give you my number.” I say as I hand him the paper. “I can’t accept that. We can’t see each other again after this. It’s too risky” he said as he looked away. “Oh, okay. Well thank you for the ride” I set the paper down on the seat and gathered my stuff.

As soon as I had my things he hit the gas and floored it back down the short gravel driveway to the interstate, while spitting gravel everywhere. “Asshole” I muttered to myself as I walked to the gate.

“Who is it” a familiar voice said through the speaker on the gate.

“Beth” I say, and the gate starts to open. I start my walk down the mile long path through the trees and when I reach the lodge my mother is waiting for me excitedly at the doors.

“Oh my baby! Hello!” She exclaims as she rushes towards me, embracing me in a tight hug. “How are you? Did you make it here okay?” She asks as she’s looking me over to make sure I’m in one piece.

“Yes mom I made it alright. I got a ride from the most handsome man I’ve ever laid my eyes on”

“And what is this mystery man’s name?” My father’s voice boomed over my my mothers shoulder. He looked at me with a raised eyebrow awaiting my answer.

“He said his name was Caleb. He saw me struggling with my things and offered to help.”

“Well where is this young man? I would like to extend my gratitude” my father said. “Um it’s kind of strange, he said he couldnt enter the property and stopped at the gate to let me out”

“I see.” His face changing to an expression of annoyance. “I know who you are speaking of and you are forbidden to ever speak to him again” he states with slight anger.

“But father, may I ask why?” I asked.