CAN'T FIGHT THE MOONLIGHT

CHAPTER TEN-CLOSURE

I waited for the wolf to attack…to feel those sharp teeth dig into my neck…but it never came.

I felt something jump cleanly over my head.

"Pim?" I heard Phil cry.

The next thing I knew, Mom, Dad, Keely and Phil were standing at the doorway into the kitchen. I slowly lowered my arms.

I heard snarling behind me and slowly turned around.

The gray wolf was fighting with a black wolf that had somehow gotten into the house.

I shakily backed away, bumping into Keely.

"You screamed," Mom said worriedly.

"I thought Gabrielle was going to attack me," I said nervously as I released my breath which I had no idea that I was holding in for so long.

The two wolves were fiercely fighting.

We heard the black wolf let out a 'whelp' before tearing past us, knocking Keely into Phil.

It tucked its front legs against its chest, pushed off with its hind legs and sailed cleanly into the window. Glass showered the interior of the carpet.

It disappeared into the darkness.

Phil set Keely back on her feet.

We turned to the gray wolf.

She was holding her front left foreleg up in the air. It was wounded.

She hopped toward us.

"Oh no," Mom said sadly. "She's hurt."

"Phil, go get the antiseptic," Dad said.

Phil tore out of the kitchen.

A few minutes later, he came back in carrying a clear bottle of what looked like water.

He handed it to Mom. Mom grabbed a tissue and twisted off the cap. She wet the tissue with the liquid and went to approach the wolf when the wolf growled warningly.

"Okay," Mom said slowly. "Maybe someone else can try?"

Phil tried…again the wolf growled low. Dad tried…growled again…Keely tried…still the same.

"Looks like it's up to you, Pim," Dad said.

Nervously, I took the tissue with the antiseptic on it and stepped forward. The wolfs amber eyes were locked on me, but she made no noise whatsoever.

I gently took the leg in my hand and dabbed the tissue over the wound.

The wolf whelped, but made no attempt to bite or go for me.

Once that was done, I wrapped a bandage around the leg.

"How on earth did that Tyrix get into the house?" Mom asked alarmed.

We scanned the entire house. Phil found a large hole chewed into the side of the house through the vents.

Dad boarded up the hole and put stucco around it for extra support.

We all sat in the living room. The wolf was curled up on the floor in front of the TV.

None of the news reporters were able to get a story outside because of the wolf war going on.

We watched the gray wolf for any signs of movement that was unordinary inside the house.

The wolf's ears flicked backward and she raised her head. Dad put a finger to his lips and we fell silent.

Then, the wolf lowered her head. She was probably making sure herself. Obviously, it was nothing to worry about.

THE WOLF.

I got up on all fours, stretched my front legs out and yawned. At the same time, my claws came out.

Pim's face momentarily froze.

I stretched out my hind leg for a moment and then walked toward Pim.

She gingerly stretched her hand out and touched my forehead. I licked her hand.

"See Pim? Not all wolves are evil," Phil said softly.

Pim smiled.

For the rest of the night, I kept a watch over the Diffy's and Keely.

Luckily, no more wolves managed to sneak into the house.

The sun came up and I changed.

PHIL.

Gabrielle changed back into her human self.

Mom quickly grabbed some clothes for her and pulled her into the bathroom.

Shortly, Gabrielle and Mom came out. Gabrielle was fully dressed.

"I thought for sure you were going to attack me," Pim confessed to Gabrielle.

"Naw," Gabrielle said shaking her head. "You should know me by now. I don't attack innocent humans. Plus, I'm surprised you didn't hear anything behind you."

Pim blushed.

"I heard something but I wasn't sure what it was," she said sheepishly.

"So if Gabrielle wasn't there, you could've been attacked!" I said somewhat angrily. "You really should try listening and paying attention."

"Phil," Keely said. "She might not have recognized the noise. It could've been made so discreetly that she thought it was one of us or something."

"Doesn't matter," I argued. "I could've lost my little sister."

Pim's eyes filled with tears.

"It's alright, Phil," Gabrielle said slowly. "She's fine and that's all that matters."

I sighed and muttered an agreement.

"Right now I'm just worried about my father," Gabrielle said nervously.

"I'm sure he's fine dear," Dad said softly and encouragingly.

Gabrielle just hugged herself.

It was now quiet outside. I peered out the window. There were no sign of the wolves.

Suddenly, there was a knock on the Diffy's door.

Dad answered it.

"Hello," a man's voice said pleasantly. "I'm looking for Gabrielle Morris."

"Who are you?" Dad demanded.

"My name is Larry Danner. I believe Gabrielle would know me,"

"How? Who are you? Where are you from?" Dad demanded again.

"Mr. Diffy? It's okay," Gabrielle said gently. "I do know him. He's a friend of my fathers…one of us."

Mr. Diffy relaxed immediately as Gabrielle walked toward the front door. I stood behind her.

"Hello Larry," Gabrielle said. "What can I do for you?"

The man was short, slightly bald and had dark green eyes. He was dressed in jeans and a sweatshirt.

"They know about you?" Larry whispered leaning close to Gabrielle.

"Yes," Gabrielle said. "It's alright. Dad knows and trusts them…so do I. Now what can I do for you?"

Larry's expression turned grave and solemn.

"I'm afraid I've got some bad news, Gabrielle," Larry began slowly.

"No…" Gabrielle said shaking her head. "Please don't tell me what I think you're going to."

"He was killed by Mr. Androse himself," Larry continued quietly. "He fought well."

"No," Gabrielle said shaking her head furiously.

Tears began forming in her eyes.

"God no!" she sobbed.

She spun around and pressed her face into my chest.

"Is the war over?" Dad asked swallowing.

"Yes," Larry replied. "The Landrols won."

"I'm so sorry, Gabrielle," Larry continued glancing at Gabrielle's back.

He turned and stepped down off the stoop.

Gabrielle kept her face pressed into my chest. Dad closed the door and we led Gabrielle back into the living room.

"Oh no," Mom said sadly. "What happened?"

"Her father was killed," I explained keeping my arm around Gabrielle's shoulders.

We sat her on the couch.

"I'm so sorry dear," Mom said as she sat down on Gabrielle's right side.

"I'm all alone," Gabrielle sobbed pressing her face deeper into my chest.

All we could do was console her and comfort her.

Dad made breakfast.

He made pancakes and waffles.

"Our offer still stands, Gabrielle," Mom said gently handing Gabrielle the syrup. "You can stay with us."

"Yeah," Pim said eagerly. "You can help me rule the world!"

I shot her a warning look, but had to smile. She was back to her old self.

Gabrielle's lip twitched.

"Thanks," Gabrielle said uncertainly. "But I wouldn't want to impose on you, plus what happens if you go back home?"

At this, I noticed Keely's expression darken and she fell silent. She had been talking with Pim briefly.

"Well that's simple," Dad replied. "First, you wouldn't be imposing and secondly, you could come with us."

"Yeah it would be really cool," I agreed nodding.

Gabrielle was silent.

"I'll have to think about it," she said at last.

"That's okay," Dad said nodding. "You let us know when you're ready. For now, you can stay with us until you decide."

Gabrielle nodded appreciatively.

We went back to school the following day. It was a bit weird since everyone talked about the strange 'dogs' that fought the day before.

"I wonder if it was like a pack of rouge dogs that was kept as pets," a girl mused as she walked down the hallway with her friend.

GABRIELLE.

I still couldn't believe that Dad was gone. I miss him so much.

I slumped against the lockers and slightly banged my head on them with a clang.

"How are you?" Phil asked standing in front of me. His brown eyes were locked on mine.

"I've been better," I replied quietly.

"I know," he said just as quietly. "I'm really sorry about your Dad. I'm sure he fought with his heart."

I smiled.

"Thanks,"

I leaned forward and gave him a kiss on the cheek.

"You're so sweet," I said softly. "And a good friend."

"That's me," Phil said. "Friend good."

I laughed.

At that moment, Keely and Pim came over to us.

"Hey," Keely said giving me a quick hug. "You okay?"

"I've been better," I repeated.

"Have you decided on whether or not you're going to stay with Phil?" Keely asked gently.

I detected a hint of something in her tone, but I couldn't pick it up. I raised an eyebrow at her before I turned my attention back to Phil and Pim.

"Actually, yes I've come to a decision," I said nodding.

They waited patiently.

"I've decided that I think it'll be best if I stay with my pack,"

PHIL.

"Your pack?" I asked flatly.

Gabrielle nodded.

"Yeah. I'm going to stay with my pack. We're going to be moving to another state and go into hiding," she replied.

That hit me like a ton of bricks.

"You c-can't," I stammered. "You're our best friend!"

Gabrielle's eyes brimmed with tears.

"I know," she said sadly. "I'm going to miss you three so much…but I think it's for the best."

"No," I said angrily. "Stay here! I'm going to miss you!"

Gabrielle's expression softened more, but I noticed a bit of jealousy on Keely's face.

"You're leaving us? After all we've been through?" I cried.

"Phil…" Gabrielle began, but I cut her off.

"No," I said shaking my head. "Go. Have a nice life."

With that, I turned and left the school.

I was angry with Gabrielle for leaving me. I really cared about her a lot and here she was leaving.

I was sitting on the porch staring at the grass and the sun setting in the pink sky.

"Phil? There's someone here to see you," Mom called from the house.

"Keely?" I called.

"No. Gabrielle,"

"Tell her I'm not home," I called back angrily.

"I heard that," Gabrielle's voice said directly behind me.

I looked up. She was dressed in jeans and a pink poplin shirt. Her hair was pulled into a ponytail. Her small diamond stud earrings glittered in the orange light from the sun. She looked so pretty.

She sat down next to me and drew her legs up to her chest.

"Beautiful sky isn't it?" she asked softly.

I didn't reply.

"I came by to tell you something," she said.

"If it's good-bye, don't bother," I muttered.

"Why are you so angry at me?" she asked sounding hurt.

"Because we've been through a lot and then you're just going to up and leave me?" I asked angrily.

She had a stunned look on her face.

"And Keely? And Pim? And everyone that cares about you?" I quickly recovered. "We would've loved for you to stay here with us. We would've most certainly kept you from being discovered."

"It's not that," Gabrielle said leaning against me. "The pack needs me. You see, my Dad was sort of the leader."

"Oh I get it," I said keeping my eyes on the grass. "So now you've got to take over the 'family' business right?"

Gabrielle threw up her hand exasperatedly and stood up. She stood in front of me on the grass. I stood up also.

"Phil, will you please just listen for once?" Gabrielle cried. "I don't want to go but it's the right decision! I don't belong in the future with you. I'm grateful that your family considers me as a third daughter, I am really, It's really sweet…but I've got to go where I belong. I know you can understand where I'm coming from."

"We belong here," I grumbled

Gabrielle had tears streaming down her cheeks now. She leaned forward and kissed me, but I didn't kiss her back.

"I'm going to really miss you all," she said sobbing.

I just folded my arms over my chest as she walked around me and headed into the house.

I sat on the steps again and buried my face into my hands.

That was it. Gabrielle was gone.