Free BLue Moon by Lorie O'Clare

have a problem trick-or-treating around humans.” The mother adjusted her cub in her arms. “And I think both of my little ones will be ghosts this year.”
    The scene changed. Sandy recognized the van behind the reporter when the woman spoke into the camera.
    “This new pack that has made our town their home seems ready to hit the streets in droves Halloween night.” Her expression was grim.
    The scene changed again. Sandy watched herself smile at the reporter.
    “Where will you take your cubs trick-or-treating this year?” the reporter asked.
    “Since I just moved here, I don’t know the safest places.”
    The scene flashed. Once again the reporter faced the camera. “And as you can see, without knowing our town that well, these werewolves could be just about anywhere.”
    while? I’ll be home this evening. We could make Ethan barbecue.”
    Her daughter had never been the best at apologies, but if this was an attempt, Sandy figured she might as well grab it. The last thing she wanted was friction between her and Beth. Besides, it didn’t appear that she had anything better to do.
    After a shower, and changing clothes three times, Sandy headed over to her daughter’s. She glanced in the mirror before she walked out of her home, running her fingers through her hair. Wrapping a fluffy white twist tie around her hair at the base of her neck, the streaks of gray running through her brown made her cringe.
    “You should focus on becoming a grandmother, and not on chasing hot sexy werewolves,” she scolded herself, all too aware of the lines that appeared around her eyes when she frowned.
    And having grandchildren would be wonderful. She couldn’t wait. But she didn’t feel old. Her gray hairs hadn’t stopped Ralph from seeking her out.
    “And that is because you aren’t old.” She squared her shoulders, knowing damned good and well she told herself the truth.
    And after that hot sex she’d had the other night with Ralph, she sure didn’t feel old. Other than a sore muscle here and there, she couldn’t wait to ride that cock of his again.
    “So I’m not old, I’m a nymphomaniac.” Somehow that cheered her up. Grabbing her coat, she headed out the door.
    The night air was too cold for her human skin. So instead of standing outside, breathing in the wonderful smells from the grill in the backyard at her daughter’s house, she sat in the kitchen, enduring the mundane chatter of Patrick Oberhaus, the sixth grade social studies teacher.
    “With this new funding, we should be able to buy enough computers so that there will be several at least in each classroom.” Patrick rambled on, for the most part about things Sandy already knew.
    She nodded and dug into the chips bag for another chip. She dunked it into the dip Beth had set on the table, and glanced toward the back door. Maybe enduring the cold in her human form would be better than listening to this old fart brief her on the financial standing at the pack school.
    “You should be careful what you eat.” He wagged a finger at her while smiling.
    Sandy turned and looked at him, her mouth full of dip.
    “We need to keep an eye on our diet, you know.” He patted his tummy, which didn’t bulge, but certainly didn’t have that hard look that Ralph’s had. “The days of our youth when we could eat whatever we want are long gone.”
    “A good run every night and hot sex keep me trim.” Sandy enjoyed the wide-eyed look Patrick gave her, his mouth opening and then shutting like a fish trying to breathe out of water.
    “Mom!” Beth came in from outside, the chilly night air quickly filling the room.
    Sandy turned in time to see her daughter’s scolding look. “Mom is such a tease. You’ll have to forgive her,” she said apologetically to Patrick.
    “Oh. I don’t mind.” Patrick smiled at her, although his tone was much more hushed and he blushed just like the schoolchildren he taught every day. “I like feisty women.”
    Sandy stood, having