Blood Moon (Moons of the Wolf Series Book 1) (17 page)

“Samantha, are you serious right now?  Over some bullshit my dad said?”

“It isn’t what your dad said, Riley!”  Samantha yelled as she turned around.  More tears began to flow down her face, “You told me you were sorry you were being such a shitty boyfriend and I believed you.  But then you didn’t even stick up to your father for me?  You just let him sit there and talk like I’ve ever lied to him before, act like he can’t take me for my word?  And in front of the whole pack too!  If anything, you refusing to stick up for me down there was the shittiest thing that you have ever done to me in the three years that we have been together.  And it helped me make up my mind a little faster.  So get the fuck out.  Right now or so help me God.  I am
done
.”

“Babe…”  He whispered.  He began to cry and he took another step forward.

“OUT.”  She demanded, her voice croaky from yelling so loud.

He stared at her with pain in his eyes.  He turned around and left the room, shoving his hands into his pockets as he walked and slamming the door behind him.  Samantha sighed, her own tears flowing from her eyes.  She stared at the door for a long moment, but she didn’t move to go after him.  She moved to her bed, curled up in the middle of it and cried hard, weeping as she hugged her pillow.

CHAPTER 19

The next day was Christmas Eve.  Melody’s sister and her husband came early in the morning while Samantha was still asleep, in hopes of spending a few days with their family.  Samantha woke at eight-thirty, unable to sleep any later, her body so accustomed to her waking up early for school.  She rolled over and checked her phone, hoping to have a missed call or text from Kedar.  Her heart sank when she saw that she had no missed alerts.  She frowned, but got out of bed and took a shower.  Once she was dressed she left her phone on her bed and went downstairs.  She was pleasantly surprised to see her Aunt Katarina and Uncle Roberto sitting at the kitchen table with Melody.  The last time she had seen them was the Christmas Eve party at Riley’s house three years ago.  They sat and ate together, discussing what was new in each other’s lives.  Samantha was careful to leave out that she had broken up with Riley.  That was not the conversation she wanted to have at barely nine o’clock in the morning.

They spent the day together, reminiscing and watching old Christmas movies.  That evening they had a small dinner.  Then Melody brought them all to a meeting at Colin’s house.  She pulled up front and led her sister and brother-in-law inside, Samantha trailing behind them.  The members of the pack greeted Katarina and Roberto warmly, glad to see them again.  Once greetings were finished Colin brought the meeting to order.

“Before I start,” Colin began, “I want to wish all of you a Merry Christmas.  Does anybody want to address the pack before we begin?”

Samantha nodded and she stood.  She pulled several newspaper clippings out of her pocket.  She had clipped them out of a variety of newspapers while Melody, Katarina and Roberto had watched
It’s a Wonderful Life
.  She handed them to Colin almost tentatively, and then she stepped back, stuffing her hands into her sweater pockets.

“What are these?”  He asked as he gave her a puzzled look.

“Two missing people in Goldenborough, one in Fernridge, and another in Westbridge.  One reported sacrificial “Satanic” murder in Goldenborough, three “suicides” in Fernridge, and two here.  On top of Zachary’s missing person’s case.  That definitely ten people that we can assume were murdered by the growing vampire brood, all within the past few months.  Who knows how many tourists, prostitutes or homeless individuals have fallen victim to them that have yet to be reported.  And honestly probably never will be.  I would guess that it’s a pretty decent number.”  Samantha said.

Colin stared at her for a moment, and then he thumbed through the newspaper clippings.  He looked up from them and smiled at her approvingly, “Very good job, Samantha.  What do you suggest I do with this information?”

“Honestly sir…”  Samantha hesitated, “Honestly I think that you should bring this all to Malcom’s attention and demand that he act.  Nobody should have died at the hands of these monsters.  We should have been taking the threat a lot more seriously.”

Colin nodded, “I appreciate the concern.  I will bring this to Malcolm’s attention.  Thank you.”  Colin put the newspaper clippings down on the table and looked around the room.  Samantha sat.  “Would anybody like to add anything?”  Nobody else spoke.

Colin nodded once more, “Very well.  Now, I am aware that none of you actually want to be out patrolling on Christmas Eve.  However, we have our responsibilities.  I can assure you that although we all deserve to be home with our families tonight that these vampires will not stop their hunting simply because of a human holiday.  Charlotte, do you have any word from Zach?”  He turned to face Charlotte, who nodded.

She shifted in her seat, uncomfortable as the whole pack turned to watch her, “Y-Yes sir…”  She stammered.

“Well?”  Colin prompted impatiently.

“He told me that there is a hole in our patrol around the town…”  Charlotte stated.

“I already told you there’s not much we can do about that, Char…”  Alex mumbled.

Colin turned to look at Alex as he raised an eyebrow, “Oh, really?”

Alex rolled her eyes but nodded, “Yup.  It was on the news this morning.  There’s a new curfew being enforced by the sheriff and his department, put into place by our lovely mayor and Head Alpha.  Although Sheriff Adler is out of town, the curfew is still going to be strongly enforced due to the strange killing in Goldenborough.  It goes right along with the stupid curfew he gave us before, but now we can get into real world trouble if we’re caught out.”  She explained.

“Well then, some of us will just have to patrol the perimeter of the town in our other forms.  Charlotte,” Colin turned back to her, “Did Zach happen to mention where in the town this hole in our patrol is located?”

“The park, sir.  The southeast corner that leads off into the woods.”  Charlotte responded.

Colin rubbed his temple, “Alright.  Roberto, if you don’t mind I’m going to have you patrol with my pack tonight.”  Roberto nodded in agreement, “Good.  You and Riley will patrol the woods around the town tonight, from curfew until dawn.  After the meeting you both may pick three pack members to accompany you, and then you may go get some rest.  Everyone else will go about their usual duties.  And Charlotte, don’t forget, you’re with Melody and Danica tonight.”

“Why though?  Katarina and Roberto are here…”  Charlotte protested.

“Do you have somewhere more important to be?”  Colin asked, clearly aggravated by his tone of voice.

“No, but Katarina is here, so is Roberto.  Roberto can watch Melody until he leaves at eleven and Katarina can watch her from then until shift change at midnight.  Why do I have to be there?”  Charlotte persisted.

“I can’t phase young one, I’m twelve weeks pregnant,” Katarina announced, her voice thin with annoyance, “And my husband is going to be resting before he goes out to patrol.”

“You’ve got all the more reason to be there.  If something happens at least there will be a pack member capable of phasing.  And, Charlotte, don’t forget, this is your punishment.  You must adhere to it, regardless of who is around.”  Colin stated as a-matter of factly, “Any more objections?”  The room was silent.  “Good, if you’re not sure what patrol shift you are on or are not familiarized with the new shifts, please come see me and we will get it straightened out.  First patrol shift begins now.”  Colin stood, dismissing the meeting.

Samantha sighed.  She knew Colin was indirectly addressing her.  She had missed out on quite a few patrols in the past weeks.  She hadn’t been since they changed around the way that the patrols were run.  She was about to go up to Colin when Alex grabbed her by the arm and pulled her aside.

“You patrol first shift with me, let’s go.”  She said.

About forty-five minutes later the first shift was well into their patrol, their belongings with Melody and Charlotte.  Alex led the group, going in circles around the forest looking for any trace of vampires.  There were no unfamiliar or foul scents in the forest.  Alex made the executive decision to lead the group in a patrol around the perimeter of the town once before heading back to the meeting point. 

She was silent while leading them and Samantha hung back, her nose to the dirt.  She quietly followed the group while searching for any unfamiliar smell.  She had an uneasy feeling in her stomach but she blew it off.  She thought it was just nerves about running into any vampires.  They found their way to the park and circled around it.  They took care to inspect where Charlotte said Zachary had reported a ‘hole’ in the patrols.

“I don’t smell any vampires…”  Alex snarled.

“Neither do I…”  Samantha grumbled.  She slunk along the forest ground, still sniffing.

They investigated further into the woods, but still didn’t come across any trail.  Alex grumbled and led everyone back to the meeting point.  She snarled the whole way there, feeling agitated and as though she had wasted her time.  When they arrived to the meeting point the pack members of the second shift had arrived, but Melody was nowhere to be seen.  Samantha’s stomach dropped.

Bridgette, who was leading the second shift patrol, stepped forward, “Alex, do you know where Melody is?”

Alex whined and shook her head in response.

Bridgette sighed.  “It’s not like her to be late…”  She looked around, “Samantha, Alex, head back towards the house.  Perhaps she
is
just running late.”

Alex turned to Samantha who followed obediently.  They walked in silence until they say the path opening up into Samantha’s yard.  Two feet off the trail was Melody.  She lay on the ground.  Motionless.  Samantha froze for a fraction of a second.  She bolted towards her unconscious aunt at full speed.

She got to her and rolled her over by nudging her gently.  She whined, blood getting into the fur on her muzzle.  Blood stained her neck and the front of her shirt.  Samantha quickly phased and she stared at her aunt in horror.  She heard Alex shuffling through the duffle bag a few feet away.  Samantha brushed Melody’s hair out of her face and to the side of her head.  She inspected her neck for wounds.  There were two puncture wounds, barely an inch apart.  They were a few centimeters away from her jugular.  Although they weren’t bleeding any longer she put her hand over them instinctually.  Alex knelt down beside her as she pulled on her shirt.  She handed Samantha her clothes.  As Samantha hastily dressed herself Alex assessed the situation.

“Help me carry her to the car.  I’ll call my mom on the way to the hospital.”  Alex said firmly.

Samantha nodded slowly and helped Alex carry Melody’s limp body to Alex’s car.  They laid Melody down in the back and Samantha sat with her, holding her head in her lap.  Alex took her phone out of the glove compartment and sped away from the house.  She dialed her mother’s cell number.  After the phone rang three times Bridgette picked up.

“Hello?”  Bridgette’s voice came.

“Mom?  It’s me.  We’re taking Melody to the hospital.  She was attacked.”

CHAPTER 20

The minutes became hours.  Samantha waited to hear word about Melody’s condition.  The doctors who were wolves were busy forging Melody’s paper work so that it was not apparent that she had been attacked.  An investigation would surely be launched otherwise, and pinning it on a vampire would not be a plausible explanation if the police were to get involved.  It was hectic and noisy.  Samantha sat in her seat, impatiently counting the passing minutes.

Finally, after hours of waiting, Dr. Gardner moved the pack to a private waiting room on the fourth floor.  It was just outside of the intensive care unit. Dr. Gardner regretfully informed Samantha that her aunt had been moved into the ICU approximately an hour ago but she was unable to get down to move the pack any sooner.

“She’s in critical but stable condition.  Do you know what that means?”  Dr. Gardner asked Samantha.  For a doctor’s niece, Samantha knew very little in fact.  She shook her head, “Okay,” Dr. Gardner continued, “It means that your aunt’s vitals are stabilized but her condition could get worse at any given time.  Unfortunately, this condition is particularly unpredictable.  I’ll be honest, young one…”

“She may not make it…  I know…”  Samantha choked out as she sat down in a chair.

“I wrote in her admission papers that she had thrown up blood and passed out and that you had found her in the bathroom…  She is showing symptoms of meningococcal meningitis, so that will most likely be her diagnosis on paper.  I am unfamiliar of the effects on vampire venom on a werewolf but it appears that she may have suffered from a seizure…”

Samantha covered her face with shaky hands.  She took a ragged breath in, pulling her knees up to her chest.  She didn’t hear what Dr. Gardner said before she walked away, nor did she care.  She had heard enough.  She took another deep breath and ran her fingers through her hair as she leaned her forehead on her knees.  She drowned out all the noise around her and hugged herself.  The sounds of her pack members calling their families and other packs to inform them of what had happened became a low buzzing in the background.

She wasn’t sure how long she sat like that, weeping.  It felt like an eternity to her, but it could have been only a few brief moments.  It could have been hours.  The talk amongst her pack mates blended together.  She wasn’t sure who was coming and who was going.  Eventually her tears dried up and her throat was sore.  She still didn’t move.  She felt a gentle hand on her back, but she remained still.  She knew who it was before he spoke.

“Sam?”  Kedar’s voice came.  There was a mix of concern and panic in his voice.  She looked up at him.  “Are you okay?”  He whispered.

She shook her head and threw her arms around him, burying her face into his chest.  He wrapped her up in his arms and held her close.  A lump formed in her throat and hot tears burned at her eyes once more.  She gripped his shirt tightly and began to sob into his chest.  He pet her head gently and rubbed her back.  When her sobs finished racking her body she became aware that Kedar was trembling.  He moved away, placing his quivering hands on her shoulders.

“Let’s go outside and get some fresh air…”  He said softly.

Samantha nodded slowly and she let Kedar help her out of her chair.  They walked down all four flights of stairs, Samantha clutching onto Kedar’s arm the whole way down.  They passed a clock on the way out and Samantha saw that it was six-thirty in the morning.  She frowned.  Normally on a Christmas morning she would be waiting very impatiently for her aunt to get up so they could eat an early breakfast together before opening presents.

They stepped outside and they sat on a bench together.  Samantha rested her head in her hands.  Kedar lightly placed his hand on the small of her back comfortingly.  The winter air was crisp and it nipped at her skin, but she ignored it.

“What happened?”  Kedar asked after an extended moment of awkward silence.

Samantha sighed and filled Kedar in, explaining all of the previous evening’s events.  He clenched his jaw when she told him that Charlotte had appeared to have abandoned her post.  However he remained silence until Samantha finished speaking.

“Do we know where Charlotte is now?”  Kedar asked the aggravation clear in his voice.

Samantha shook her head slowly, “I don’t think that we do…  I don’t anyway, Colin might…”

Kedar ran his fingers through his hair and wrapped his arm around Samantha, pulling her close.  She closed her eyes and leaned her head against him, resting one of her hands on his leg.  She took slow deep breaths, attempting to keep her tears at bay.  She heard approaching footsteps and she pulled away from Kedar.  It was Alex walking up to them.  She sat down beside Samantha and rested her hand on her shoulder.

“Dad thinks that we should go home and rest now…”  Alex said softly.  Samantha turned to look at the hospital looking defeated.  “There’s nothing we can do for her…”  Alex added.

“She’s right, you know,” Kedar interjected.  He rubbed Samantha’s side slowly.

“Do you want to go home with Kit or would you like me to drive you?”  Alex asked tenderly.

“I’ll take her home, Alex.  You need your rest too, you’ve been up just as long as she has.”  Kedar replied.  Samantha simply nodded.

“Alright,” Alex responded as she stood, “Go get some rest…  Merry Christmas guys…”  She walked away, stealing a couple glances back at Samantha and Kedar.

He stood and held his hand out to Samantha.  She took it and he helped her up, “Do you want to go back to your place or mine?”

“My place,” Samantha began softly, “I have family visiting, I’m sure they’d like me to come home…”

Kedar frowned, “Oh…”

“But you can stay over…  I’d really like it if you did, actually.”

Kedar smiled softly and led Samantha to his truck.  He helped her in and pressed a soft kiss to her forehead before he climbed into the driver’s side.  While he drove Samantha dozed in and out of sleep.  Before she knew it Kedar was waking her up.  She rubbed her eyes and he helped her out of the truck carefully.  She led Kedar into the house.  It was eerily quiet and Samantha paused for a second.

“I thought you had family visiting?”  Kedar asked, clearly confused.

“I do, they must still be at the hospital…”  Samantha responded, “I hope they brought Madam Pandev home on the way there…”  Samantha muttered to herself.

“Who?”  Kedar raised his eyebrows.

“Olivia’s grandmother…”  Samantha replied leading Kedar up to her room.

Once they were in her bedroom Samantha threw herself face down onto her bed, not even bothering to kick off her shoes.  Kedar carefully undressed her, pulling off her shoes, her shirt and her jeans and then laying her clothes out on her desk chair.  He took his t-shirt off and helped her pull it on before stripping down the rest of the way to his boxers.  He laid down beside her and she curled up against his chest.

“Sam…?”  He whispered.

“Hm?”  She barely looked up at him, finally realizing how tired she was.

“Do you think I’m handsome?”  He asked softly, his voice barely above a whisper.

Samantha frowned.  She thought the question was odd.  She slowly ran her fingers down his chest, over the many scars both indented and raised that scattered his chest and sides; no doubt scars from being in one too many fights with rival wolves.  She looked up at him, placing her hand on the side of his face, her thumb caressing his cheek, “You’re the most handsome person that I have ever met…”  She whispered before kissing him softly on the lips.

He kissed her back as he wrapped his arms around her.  He pulled her close to him, rolling them over so she was on her back, but she pulled away and shook her head.  He smiled and nodded, moving so they were on their sides once more.  She curled up against him and put her head on his shoulder.  She rested her hand on his chest and tangled her fingers in his chest hair before closing her eyes.  Kedar pulled the comforter over them and they drifted off to asleep.

In the morning Samantha woke to the sound of a running shower.  She rolled over to find that Kedar was no longer in bed with her.  Assuming that he was the one occupying her shower she rolled over and curled up in a small ball.  She pulled her comforter up to her chin and wrapped it around herself.  She heard her door open and she looked up; it was Kedar, a towel wrapped around his waist.

“Good morning…”  Samantha whispered groggily.

Kedar smiled at her, his eyes soft, “Morning.”  He replied as he went to her dresser.  He opened the bottom drawer and pulled out the clothes he left at her house in case of emergencies.

Samantha rolled over and watched as Kedar dressed himself, her eyes studying the contours of his body.  She watched his back muscles ripple as he pulled on his shirt, the early morning light highlighting his scars.  He turned to her and smirked, raising an eyebrow.

“What are you looking at?”  He chuckled softly.

Samantha turned bright red and shook her head, “Nothing…”  She bit her lip.

Kedar laughed and leaned over her, kissing her cheek, “I have to get going.  I need to fill an order for a full living room set by the end of next month.”  He sat on the edge of her bed and pulled on his shoes.

Samantha nodded as she sat up, “I should head to the hospital soon anyway.  Can you stop by later?”

Kedar was quiet for a moment, “I don’t know…  We’ll see, alright?”

“Alright, that’s fine,” Whispered Samantha.  She ran her fingers through her hair, then pulled it up into a bun.  Kedar stood and headed for the door.  “Hold on a second, I’ll walk you out.”  Samantha jumped out of bed and pulled her sweatshirt over her head.  She shuffled around her room, looking for her slippers, and once she found them she slipped them on.

She and Kedar walked down the stairs, neither of them speaking.  No words needed to be said.  They walked to the front door and said their goodbyes quietly.  They were afraid they would wake Samantha’s sleeping relatives.  Kedar wrapped his arms around her in a warm embrace and Samantha was about to kiss him on the cheek when her uncle cleared his throat behind her.  Kedar dropped his arms to his side and Samantha turned, her face bright red.

“Good morning, Uncle Roberto…”  She said sheepishly.

Kedar looked at her puzzled.

“By marriage…”  She whispered to Kedar.  He nodded.

“Good morning, Samantha.  Who is this young man?”  Her uncle Roberto asked, raising his eyebrow, his face giving away that he was less than happy with Kedar’s presence.

“His name is Kedar, he’s my…”  She hesitated for a moment, glancing up at Kedar.

“I’m her boyfriend,” Kedar interjected, offering his hand to Roberto.

Roberto looked down at his hand, but made no move to shake it, “It’s a pleasure to meet you.  Where are you two headed?”

“I’m walking him out to his car, he’s going to work…”  Samantha mumbled.

Roberto nodded slightly, eyeing Kedar, “Your aunt would like to speak with you when you have a moment.”  He walked away.

Samantha opened the door quickly and ducked out onto the porch.  Kedar followed close behind her.  She turned and looked up at him, “Boyfriend, huh?”

“Yup,” Kedar simply responded.

Samantha was hesitant, “How did you know I broke up with Riley…?”

“I didn’t, honestly.”

Samantha didn’t know how to respond.

“I really should go…”  Kedar said as he opened his truck door.  “I’ll see you later…”

Just before he climbed into his truck Samantha stood on her toes to kiss him on the cheek gently.  He looked down at her and a small smile spread across his lips.  He kissed her forehead, then got into his truck and drove away.  Samantha watched him drive down to the end of the street, then she went back into her house.  She met her aunt and uncle in the kitchen.

“What’s up?”  She asked as she made herself a cup of coffee.  She turned and leaned against the counter, bringing the cup to her lips.

“Sit.”  Katarina demanded.  Samantha sighed but did as she was told.  “Roberto told me that young man is your boyfriend?”  She pursed her lips.  Samantha could tell by the tone of her voice that she was irritated.

“Why?”  Samantha asked, putting her coffee down and folding her hands on the table.

“Would Melody have approved of him spending the night?”  Katarina’s gaze bore a hole right through Samantha, and it made her uncomfortable.

“She has before.  What are you getting at?”  She fidgeted in her seat.

“Well first your uncle and I did not appreciate discovering a strange car in the driveway when we returned from the hospital this morning.  Second, I was very…  Upset, to learn that you had a boy sleep over without my permission.  Third, we don’t even know him.  How old is he?  And what ever happened to you and Riley getting married?”

Samantha put her hands up, waving them in front of her, “Whoa, whoa.  Stop right there.  Riley and I were never getting married.  What happened between him and me is my business.  And what is the big deal with me having a boy sleep over?  I’m seventeen, I’ll be eighteen soon enough.  Aunt Mel allows it, she knows I’m smart and she knows I’m being safe.  Why do you have a problem with it?”

Katarina didn’t answer her questions, “How old is he?”  She repeated.