Page 10 of Cherry Moon

“I’m so lucky,” I said aloud.

There. Much better. The joys of life were better to cling to rather than the worries.

My parents were arriving in Cardiff on Tuesday, while Zach, Aki’s brother, and their Uncle Ryoka were arriving from Bristol tomorrow night. We’d have some beers, brewed at Zach’s brewery, and start a new Dungeons and Dragons campaign after the last one fizzled out just over a year ago.

I couldn’t wait for the downtime, to relax a bit, and let this wonderful week unfold.

Ryoka was giving Aki away, while Zach and Riku, Aki’s six-year old kid brother, would serve as his best men. My dad and Drew, one of the uber wolves and my good friend, would serve as mine.

Two minutes until the bidders fired up again.

Sarah Murakami, Aki’s step-mum and Riku’s mother, were arriving the night before the wedding for dinner here with my parents, Ryoka, and Zach. As the High Alpha of the werewolves, and widow of Hitoshi Murakami, Aki’s father, she’d be bringing a lot of security with her. Thankfully, the uber wolves and the Supernatural Containment Unit agents who worked for her were discreet. No one would ever know she’d been here.

That was it for guests. We were keeping it small, friends and family only.

Sixty seconds and counting.

Darn it. I could’ve done with another ten minutes.

As I logged back into my computer to re-join the conference call, a cold shiver licked up my spine.

I looked around my office, eyes focusing on the open window behind me.

A draft? It was a tad breezy, after all.

Another shiver sent my scalp prickling.

“What’s going on?” I muttered, getting to my feet. “Is someone here?”

No. The office wasn’t huge, and it opened out into a small hallway connecting to the cobbled street outside.

I checked the hallway and the fire exit leading to the small garden space out back.

Nothing. Just me and the sounds of the pub next door, the occasional person walking by the front bay window.

Something is wrong…

I checked my watch, seeing that I was late for the bidders now.

Something is wrong…

Rubbing the back of my head, I approached my computer.

Aki…

A third shiver had my stomach twisting into knots.

Something is wrong…

I picked up my phone, calling him. “Answer. Answer.”

Things were fine. He’d pick up at any moment with some quip about us going for a second round of phone sex. I’d laugh, I’d scold myself for being ridiculous, and all would be well.

It kept ringing.

The world was a mess, but we weren’t in the trenches anymore.

Until you have to be…