Free Riley's Curse, A Moon's Glow Prequel by Christina Smith

of Lucy, I hadn't really even thought about my family, nor
had a chance to miss them. My mind had been occupied with the work
at hand.
    After dinner, I sat down at the desk and
penned a letter to my parents. The lantern's glow gave out a lonely
feel, sending ghostly shadows all around the room. The only sound
was the wind whistling through the cracks of the wooden plank
walls. The smell of paint overpowered every other smell in the
room. Now that my mind was free from the chores that needed to be
done, memories of my family and friends returned to my thoughts,
leaving me feeling extremely lonely. The need for some contact from
my former life was overwhelming. I dipped my quill in the ink and
started writing, I tried to convey in my words that I was happier
than I felt.
    Dear Mother and
Father , I wrote, my hand
started to shake with the longing to see them. I took a drink of
water from the glass on the corner of the desk and started
again.
    I’ve arrived at my new cabin, and have just
finished making it a home again. I painted the walls inside and
out, and cut down all the weeds. I could barely open the door, they
were so long.
    Bessie and Franklin are adjusting as well.
The grass is abundant here so they have been stuffing
themselves.
    I went to town today and met the storeowner.
Her name is Clara Matthews. She seemed friendly and welcomed me to
town.
    I miss you all very much, but I will enjoy
being able to sleep in without the girls screaming outside my
door.
    I look forward to hearing from you.
    Love
Nathaniel .
    I folded the letter, and placed it in an
envelope, addressing it to both my parents. I did as my father
instructed and used the name William for the return address. I
would wait to take it to town the next time I needed supplies.
     
     

Chapter Ten
Letters from Home
     
    As the weeks passed without the company of my
family, my frame of mind deteriorated. Even though I had a few
chores left to finish around the cabin, my heart just wasn't into
it. I barely got out of bed in the mornings, some days all I did
was tend to the horses. I chopped wood, cooked for myself maybe
once a day, which probably wasn’t the best idea. Since I had become
a werewolf I had an enormous appetite.
    A week after I mailed my letter, I received
one in return. I almost didn’t go to town. Unable to shake the
loneliness I felt, it was difficult to pull myself off the creaky
mattress. When Mrs. Matthews handed me the letter, my spirits
soared, and I was thankful I had left the cabin.
    I rushed home, wanting some privacy when I
read my family's words. There was a letter from each of them. I
opened my mother's first.
    Dear Nathaniel,
    I was so happy when we received your letter.
I was driving the post master mad asking if there was a letter for
me. I hate that they think it is from our cousin, but we must keep
you hidden.
    Is it so very lonely? You sounded homesick,
although I know you tried to hide it, but I am your mother, you
cannot fool me.
    I laughed out loud, she was right, I couldn’t
fool her. I would have to try harder the next time.
    The girls miss you terribly, they cry for
you almost every day. Rose say’s she will never forgive you for not
saying good-bye. I don’t know how I will tell her, but I know I
will have to soon. She doesn’t seem to believe that you went to
school early. She is almost thirteen and she might be able to
handle the truth. I just don’t know. I am a lot older and can
barely handle it myself. If I could get my hands on that woman who
did this to you, I would let her have it. I do not care what she
is.
    We had the funeral for Eva’s brother a few
days after you left. The town is worried about the wolves attacking
again. I wanted to tell them it was okay, she was gone, but how
could I explain?
    I hope you are doing well, and I can’t wait
to visit you. We are hoping to come soon. Please let us know when
you are up for it. I have wonderful news, I am pregnant and I hope
it is a boy. If it is, I will