Free BLue Moon by Lorie O'Clare Page A

about all she could take of the now drooling schoolteacher. She followed her daughter into the other room, hoping Patrick wouldn’t tag along.
    “You invited him over here to try and set me up with him,” she hissed, and then grew silent when she saw Jan Price, the young bitch who helped out with her daughter’s busy schedule, walking into the dining room from the living area.
    “All I could find was this white linen.” She held up the folded material in her hands. “I hope it’s okay.”
    “That’s just fine.” Beth moved to the opposite side of the dining room table. “Here. I’ll help you.”
    Jan opened the tablecloth and the two of them spread it over the table.
    “There is nothing wrong with Patrick Oberhaus.” Obviously Beth didn’t mind discussing the matter in front of Jan. “He is a very nice werewolf.”
    “Yes. He is.” Sandy also believed him to be an outstanding teacher for the cubs. But that wasn’t the point. “But I don’t need you trying to set me up with him. Or anyone else for that matter.”
    Jan finished straightening the cloth at her end of the table, looked at the two of them, and then hurried out of the room, an amused smile on her face. But Sandy wasn’t amused.
    “I just think that if you want to date,” Beth paused for a moment, searching her mom’s face. Sandy saw her worry and concern but feared her daughter was more upset about sharing her mom. Beth reached out, taking her hand. “You should find a werewolf who is a bit more…well…tame.”
    Sandy had to hide a smile, deciding commenting on the wild sex she and Ralph had alongside her car in an open field the other night probably wouldn’t help matters at the moment.
    “Whether I decide to date or not, and who I date, is up to me.” Sandy tried to keep her tone gentle.
    Beth chewed her lower lip, the worry still obvious on her pretty face. “You know he told Ethan that he plans on mating with you.”
    Now that took Sandy by surprise. She stared at her daughter, the impact of her words taking a minute to sink in. “He did?”
    Beth nodded. “Now do you see why I’m worried?”
    “It doesn’t sound like he’s after a piece of tail if he wants me for a mate.” Sandy’s palms grew damp while her heart began racing.
    She couldn’t believe she was discussing the possibilities of being Ralph’s mate so casually.
    Beth threw her hands up in the air, her frustration filling the room instantly. “He’s not right for you,” she snapped.
    Sandy turned at the sound of the back door opening. But her heart stopped in mid-beat when she heard Ralph talking to Ethan. The two of them appeared through the doorway in the next moment.
    “Come with me.” Ralph reached for her, and she found herself taking his hand before she realized her actions.
     
    Chapter Eleven
     
    The atmosphere in the room changed in the next breath. Ralph’s strong grip squeezed her fingers together, the heat from his touch sizzling through her skin, sending prickles of anticipation racing through her. Her mouth went dry while her heart began pounding an erratic beat.
    She’d never seen him look at her the way he did now. Ralph’s features were hard, intense. His presence filled the dining room. And he was angry. She sensed that right away. But the tightness of his body, the rigid outline of his muscles bulging through his shirt, made him appear ready to spring.
    He looked from her to Beth and then back at her again. The smoothness of his head, the dark brooding stare that burrowed through her, the firm set of his jawline, all of it showed he wouldn’t be crossed right now.
    He turned to leave the dining room, her hand clasped in his. Ethan stood behind him in the doorway. Sandy saw the two werewolves stare each other down. Both of them were so large, so powerful-looking. Their gazes locked.
    Silent communication of two creatures driven by emotions raw and unleashed.
    “Wait a minute.” Beth cried out from behind her. “You can’t just