Free Blood Moon (Howl #2) by Jody Morse, Jayme Morse Page A

closed it. “Your mate died?”
    Colby nodded. “Yeah, her name was Meag an. She died over the summer.”
    “I’m so sorry, Colby.” Samara remembered that Colby had once told her before she even knew he was her Alpha that werewolves generally didn’t find a second mate, that the only way they could have a second mate was if they switched packs. She couldn’t imagine how hard it must be for Colby to know that he would never be mated again , that the only type of “mate” he might have would be one for companionship, rather than for true love. And here Samara had been upset that she had to make a decision between two mates. Really, she should have bee n fortunate to have one at all.
    Colby shrugged. “It still hurts, but I try no t to think about her too much.”
    “How did she die?” Samara asked, remembering that the only way a werewolf could die was if they were shot with a silver bullet in human form or if they were killed during an attack in wolf form. They couldn’t just die of natural causes like cancer or drowning like humans could.
    “She was murdered,” Colby replied, looking down at his Converse sneakers. “By the Vyka.”

 
     
     
     
    Chapter 8
     
    ****
     
    Samara chased after Jason. They were both in wolf form. She followed him until he came to a halting st op in front of Starlight Lake.
    Out of the darkness, she saw the golden eyes of her pack members as they came out of the shadows of the woods, cornering Jason from all angles . A panicked expression crossed his face as he stared blankly at the Ima, who growled at him , inchin g towards him from all sides.
    A red, silky-furred wolf stepped out from behind a tree. This is for me, J ason. This is what you deserve.
    Samara knew, instantly, that it was Meagan who had spoken. Colby bowed his head, making Samara wonder if he could see Meagan. Was she a ghost or a spirit? Samara wasn’t sure, but she was sure that Jason could see Meagan , too, just judging from the way he glared back at her.
    Suddenly, Samara felt a wave of anger pass through her body. She felt angry for Colby, angry that Jason had taken away the love of his life. She felt angry at Jason for what he had do ne to Lilly . . . and to Josh, even though Josh was technically her enemy now. Not that she wanted him to be.
    Samara leapt at Jason, sinking her teeth deep into his neck. Jason yipped as his blood gushed out f rom his flesh, filling her mouth with an iron-like taste. Soon, his yips turned into gurgled howls as he cried out in pain. Samara didn’t stop; she co ntinued biting his neck until his body went limp.
    Bolting upright in bed, Samara ran a hand through her hair, which was drenched in sweat. It was only just a dr eam. Jason wasn’t really dead.
    Samara wondered if she would ever be able to work up the nerve to kill him – if she would ever be powerful enough to kill him if she ever wanted to.
    I keep telling you that you’re going to be very powerful, Luke said. Why don’t you believe me?
    Why do you always butt into my thoughts? Samara asked him, laughing.
    Sorry, he replied. Samara could hear the smirk that had formed on his face from the tone of his v oice.
    It’s okay, Samara said gently. Sometimes, it makes me feel relieved to kno w that you can hear my thoughts . . . even if I don’t always want you to.
    I get what you mean, Luke replied knowingly. It’s like we’re closer to each other, even when we’re far away . . . right?
    That’s exactly what it’s like. Samara took a deep breath , relieved that Luke felt the same way about mind-speak. She hated to imagine what it was like for mates who didn’t want to be up in each other’s business whenever they felt like it . Training with Colby went well tonight.
    I know. H e told me, Luke said. I’m really glad to hear that. We decided that your next training session will be with Steve.
    Samara recalled that Steve’s special “talent” was that he was able to figure out who was the weakest link. This would