Free A Dangerous Moon [Tales of the Werewolf Clan] by Sabrina Luna

into a pair of jeans and tossing on a clean t-shirt, she reached for her cell phone and glanced at the time on its tiny screen. It was just past midnight, too late to call her aunt for advice. But maybe Jeni was around. More than likely, she was wrapping up her evening at The Red Lion and, perhaps, headed home.
    Allison plopped down on the edge of her bed and pressed her co-worker's number. She drew a deep breath and waited. One ring. Two. Then Jeni's voice mail box kicked in. Shaking her head, she hung up instead of leaving a message.
    More than likely, Jeni got lucky tonight, she thought with a wistful sigh and slid the phone into her pocket. Even though she was tired, their run had pumped up her adrenaline. She decided to go downstairs and make a cup of chamomile tea.
    Halfway down the stairs, the phone in her pocket buzzed. Without looking, she flipped it open. "Doctor Browne."
    "Allison, it's Bruce." He was on-duty and calling on police business. He continued to talk, and by the time she reached the bottom of the stairs, she sat down. She was numb all over, but her heart was pounding double-time as she attempted to comprehend what he was telling her.
    "Wh-what do you mean she was attacked? Is she all right?" Allison asked, gripping the phone tight. Panic swelled inside her, but she was doing her best to keep calm and collected.
    She was used to dealing with emergencies, but this one was too personal.
    * * *
    Rick was at the kitchen sink, pouring water into the tea kettle, when he heard Allison coming down the stairs. He'd quickly showered and changed, then decided to fix a pot of tea. Since he knew her so well, he thought he'd surprise her with a cup of her favorite tea.
    Maybe we can talk and work things out. That was the plan, anyway. Then he overheard her answering her phone on the stairs. Rick cursed as a wave of nausea washed over him. He was picking up on her emotions again.
    Something was wrong. Very wrong.
    He raced into the living room and saw her seated on the bottom step. Her face was paler than pale as she clutched the phone to her ear. He was right.
    "I'll be right there," she replied, and then flipped the phone shut. Her voice was calm, but the energy radiating from her definitely wasn't.
    She was in shock.
    "Allison? What's wrong?" He stepped closer to her and bent down to look her in the eyes.
    "It's Jeni. I've got to go." She rose to her feet, but he stopped her, placing his hands on her shoulders.
    "You get ready and I'll drive."
    She nodded, then turned and bound up the stairs without another word. Moments later, they were in his truck, headed toward the urgent care center.
    "So, what happened?" He gripped the wheel tight, focusing on the road ahead.
    "She was attacked while leaving The Red Lion ." Allison sounded strained and distant from the passenger seat. "Bruce thinks it was an animal attack."
    "Is she okay?"
    "I don't know. Cary's on duty tonight. I'm sure he'll fill me in." She was tense as they pulled into the brightly-lit emergency entrance of the urgent care center. Rick rolled to a stop and Allison leaped out, heading for the automatic doors.
    After parking his truck in the nearby lot, he hopped out and headed inside. For the late hour, the place was busy. He scanned the lobby and located Bruce, standing with several of his fellow officers and a couple of emergency staff members.
    "Bruce!" He tossed up his hand, catching his friend's attention. Bruce left the group and walked toward him with a grim look on his face.
    "Rick, what are you doing here?"
    "I brought Allison over. She was in no shape to drive," he replied. "What's going on?"
    "That's what we're trying to figure out."
    "Allie said it might've been an animal attack. Is that right?"
    Bruce glanced around the room, and then gave a nod toward the door. "Let's go outside, okay?"
    Rick followed him outside. The summer night was buzzing with the sound of katydids and the humidity clung to him, but he focused his attention on Bruce. "So,