Read Online Red Rider's Hood by Neal Shusterman - Free Book Online

“Guess this wasn’t your day to die.”
    â€œDang,” said Klutz, who just didn’t get it. “I thought you’d win for sure, Cedric.”
    Cedric laid his cue down on the table. “Time for you to leave, Red.”
    â€œWhat if I don’t want to?”
    â€œNot an option.”
    I took a step closer to him. “Oh, I think it is.”
    Cedric looked at the others, and then back at me, with a grin. “Are you asking to be a Wolf?”
    â€œEveryone knows what an honor it is to be in your gang,” I said.
    â€œAnswer the question,” said Cedric. “Are you…asking…to be…a Wolf?”
    I took a deep breath. “I’m asking to live forever. I’m asking to feel what it’s like to be two things at once—man, and animal. I’m asking to be a part of the pack.”
    â€œWhat about your grandma?”
    I shrugged. “Her issues aren’t mine.”
    Cedric thought about it and nodded. “Keep it up, Red—you might just get your car back.”
    I smiled. “I was hoping you might say that.” Then I pulled up my sleeve, like I was at the doctor’s office getting a shot. “Do it!” I said. “Give me the bite right here, in front of everyone, so they all know I’m one of you.”
    Cedric put down his cue. “Won’t work now,” he said. “Only works on the full moon.”
    I pulled down my sleeve. “Guess I’ll just have to wait.”
    â€œFine,” Cedric said. “Until then, you’ll be a pledge—and if you prove yourself worthy, when the time comes, we’ll offer you full membership.”
    â€œFair enough.”
    â€œAnd if I ever think you’re not playing straight with me, you’re wolfchow.”
    I nodded. “That’s fair, too.”

8

Putting Marvin to the Test
    Y ou did
WHAT?”
    If Grandma’s hair wasn’t already gray, it would have gone that way when I told her that I had confronted Cedric.
    â€œYou always said ‘keep your friends close, and your enemies closer,’” I reminded her. “Now I’m on the inside.”
    â€œI don’t know who’s more stupid: you, for going to Cedric Soames, or me, for telling you the truth.” She wagged a finger at me. “You gotta leave werewolf hunting to the professionals.”
    â€œYou weren’t a professional at first,” I reminded her.
    Grandma shook her head so hard, I was afraid her teeth might fly out. “I don’t want my only grandson to risk getting the bite. No. I forbid it.”
    â€œDon’t worry, Grandma,” I told her. “I know what I’m doing.”
    She wasn’t convinced, and although I wasn’t about to admit it, neither was I. See, my performance in the Cave had been the performance of my life, but even then I knew it was only a halflie. As much as I hated the Wolves, there was that restless, impulsive part of me that wanted to know what it was like to change into something fierce: something out of control. Maybe that’s what made me so convincing.
    â€œIt’s brilliant,” Marissa said as we sat alone, munching on chips in the antique shop one rainy afternoon. “Scary, but brilliant. Do you think Cedric believes you really want to be a Wolf?”
    â€œI think so.”
    â€œThinking isn’t good enough. You have to be sure.”
    But I knew nothing could be sure. Cedric had no real reason to trust me. Then I thought of something.
    â€œThe skull!”
    â€œWhat about it?”
    â€œGive it to me!”
    She looked at me like I was already one of the Wolves. “No.”
    â€œTrust me,” I said.
    She looked at me, not trusting me in the least, then reluctantly she opened a cabinet under the counter. After she looked to make sure no customers were coming in, she pulled out the skull of Xavier Soames and gently set in on the counter. It was a human skull