Free Hunter Moon: A Grazi Kelly Novel #2 by C. D. Gorri

king
of the Christmas carnival.”
    “Oh, I don’t know about that. Anyway it’s not
my style, darling.” Angela’s cheeks turned a bright shade of red at
the term of endearment. I’d have to talk to him about that. It
wasn’t fair for him to charm my friends like that.
    I didn’t have to wonder for long about Ronan
and my cousin. Sebastian and his buddies came and sat down. The
cheer team followed close behind and took up the rest of our table
and the next one. Sebby sat on the other side of me and bent to
kiss my cheek hello at the same time Julianna poured herself into
Ronan’s lap.
    “Hi there!” She kissed him once on the mouth
and got up to sit by her groupies. He didn’t answer her. Nor did he
kiss her back or hold her there, I have to admit. He just looked at
me. His face expressionless.
    I turned my back on him and nodded at
everything Sebby said. Ronan cleared his throat, picked up another
hot dog and took a bite. Sebby was going on and on about how great
soccer was. I sat there smiling and pretending to listen. Honestly,
I have no idea what he was saying. It wasn’t fair of me, but all I
could see was that kiss.
    During library I restocked shelves quietly
while Angela finished up her article. I can’t believe him. That
dog! My own cousin! I slammed book after book back on the shelf
in front of me. It shook and I had to hold it still to keep it from
falling over. Oops.
    “Finished! Bam, take that!” She dramatically
hit the update button and the article was live on NewsFlash.
    “Grazi! Stop murdering that bookcase! You’ll
wake sister up!” We both giggled at Sr. Marcia dozing in her chair.
I admit I was being a little rough. I had to stop thinking about my
cousin and Ronan together or I might seriously hurt something.
    “Do you want to go with me to Cybersodas
after school? There’s a Wolf Moon dress as your alter ego
party at the Factories on Friday and a bunch of us are planning it.
The creator of the game promised to swing by! Should be cool.”
    “Sounds great, but I don’t know if I can make
it today. Friday definitely though.”
    “Sweet. I already got my costume together, I
can work on yours if you want.”
    “Sure.” I was not fashion savvy so any help
on Angela’s end was always appreciated. A party on Friday sounded
cool. I’d never really been to one, a party that is. I had no idea
then that by Friday I would seriously need one.

CHAPTER 3
    Cara executed a perfect roundhouse kick and
sent me flying across the sparring room. I landed on my side on the
hard floor. A good foot and a half off of the protective mat.
    Thank goodness I was a Werewolf and would
heal, but what the heck! She was actually trying to hurt me. That
much I was sure about. I wiped the sweat from my brow and tightened
my ponytail from my position on the floor. Breathing was a little
difficult right then.
    “Too much, Cara.” Uncle Sean scolded from the
sidelines. I picked myself up and noted the bruise forming on my
shoulder where her kick landed. Same arm as the wide bandage. She
was going for my weakness which meant she was tiring too. My tank
top was soaked and I was breathing heavy. I could feel my Wolf’s
agitation as the match continued.
    There was no doubt the other Werewolf was a
superior fighter and much more skilled than I was. I had neither
the training nor the experience to give me an edge over her. What I
had was patience. I narrowed my eyes and barely missed a jab. I
needed to last long enough for her to make a mistake.
    It happened suddenly. She angled her upper
body and made to punch my bruised arm yet again. But her stance was
just a fraction off. With a well-placed shove I managed to knock
her down flat on her stomach. Before she could scramble up I had my
knee in the space between her shoulder blades and her arms bent
backwards. I pulled with just enough strength to cause her to
wince.
    “I give, damn it!” She grunted and I let go.
I sat down hard on the mat and tried to catch my