Mooned

Ben Herdt woke covered in dew. He groaned.

  His head hurt. His body was a mass of agony.

  What had happened?

  A weak sun was building up strength and burning off the night's coolness and as the sensations of being cold, wet and naked sunk in, he realized what had happened and groaned again, this time in recognition of his stupidity. How had he forgotten last night was the full moon? He had driven home as it was rising and even under its full face he hadn't realized what it portended for him. He'd just been so distracted by his horrible day at the office. He vowed to set up a system to remind him in the future. Just one more thing to think about as a new werewolf.

  Though he knew it was hopeless, still he looked around for his Montrail Melees running shoes. They were expensive, but worse than the cost would be the hassle of breaking in a new pair.

  And that's when he saw them.

  Two bodies spread out on the sparkly dew covered bank next to him. He reached out a hand.

 

  As he felt the well known and beloved touch of his Alpha, Fetch sighed with pleasure and leaned into the caress. Then scary barely remembered memories went through his brain and he snorted awake, scrambling to his feet.

  "Wuff?"

  "Hey, boy," Herdt said. He looked around and noticed Cat motionless on the grass. He leaned towards her and Cat's eyes shot open. In an instant she was on her feet, hyper alert and ready to dart in any direction.

  "It's okay,” Herdt said, reaching a hand to stroke her fur. Warily she stepped just outside his reach, but didn't run away. He grinned. Typical cat contrariness.

  But that didn’t explain what they were doing out here. He wished they could answer, but they were just animals. There was a blanket on the ground. He looked further downriver where another lay half submerged in the water.

  Examining the first blanket, he realized it was one of his own.

  "Even more weird," he murmured.

  He wrapped the blanket around his torso, scooped Cat up before she could object, and patted Fetch who was trying to get a nose under his hand. "C'mon, boy.”

  As Herdt headed downriver to get the other blanket, he wondered about being werewolf and what it might bring next. And he mulled over the surprise of his pets somehow having found him.

  He had no idea their next surprise would be a doozy ... when the next full moon came out.

  (I hope you enjoyed this short story. Following is a preview of my full length YA/Adult crossover humor book, WEREWOOF. Descriptions of my other books follow the preview. You can get any of my books in either ebook or book form.

  ~ Norm)

 

  WereWoof

  By Norm Cowie

  No dogs were harmed in the making of this story.

  WereWoof was written to be stand alone, but if you want to read what happened before, read Fang Face, published in 2009.

  “C’mon, boy. Fetch!”

  The absolute worst thing you could say to a werewolf.