We barred the door as soon as Michelle was safely inside, just as she asked. Then I sat on the porch at the top of the stairs, wondering how it had come to this.
"Hungry?" Dakota asked, sitting on the porch beside me.
I shook my head, knowing it wouldn't be long before the full moon. "Are you?"
He nodded. "Go hunting with me," Dakota said. "You need a break, and we'll be back before... it happens."
I shook my head. "You and Micah can go, but I'm staying here."
"Actually, I'd like a moment alone with Michelle if you don't mind," Micah interjected.
My head snapped up. "Micah, don't go in there. She'd never forgive herself if she bit you."
"I'm not going in," he replied. "I'm going to talk to her through the door. Help her through it."
I nodded. "Aren't you hungry?" Then I remembered that Michelle hadn't eaten dinner, as we had planned, but it was too late now.
Micah shook his head. "No. I ate earlier."
