Free Blood Moon (Moons of the Wolf Series Book 1) by Samantha Clarke

her frowning as well, “What’s wrong?”
    “Actually…  I’m not single…”  She responded quietly.
    “Oh.  Well, whoever you’re with is lucky.  You seem like a wonderful young woman
    Samantha smiled and looked down at her lap, quiet as Kedar pulled up in front of her house and parked.  She looked out the window and saw Melody sitting on the porch, holding a large mug and holding her head while Riley paced back and forth, a cigarette sticking out of his mouth.  Kedar got out of the truck then helped Samantha out.  Melody looked up as the car door shut and she almost dropped her mug.  She put it down on the stairs and ran towards Samantha, holding her large pink robe closed.  She wrapped her arms around Samantha and kissed her head, tears pouring down her face.
    “Are you alright, dear?”  Melody asked softly, pushing Samantha’s hair out of her face as if to inspect her.
    Samantha nodded, “Yes, ma’am…”  She replied looking down at her feet.  Melody was disheveled.  Her hair was a mess.  She had dark circles under her eyes from obvious lack of sleep.  Samantha felt incredibly guilty, had she just come home her aunt would have been able to sleep well.
    Melody kissed Samantha’s head again then she looked up at Kedar, who was standing there awkwardly.  She turned to him and held her hand out to shake his.  He grasped her hand firmly and she smiled a bit, “Thank you, so much for bringing her home…”
    Kedar smiled his devilishly handsome crooked smile, “It wasn’t a problem at all, ma’am.  Anything for a fellow wolf.”
    “It may not have been a problem for you but it certainly means a lot to me.  What’s your name, young man?”  Melody inquired.
    “Kedar, but I prefer to be called Kit,” Was his simple response.
    Melody smiled a bit more, “Well, then thank you Kit.  You’re always welcome here for making sure she got home safe.  If you ever need anything, my door is always open.”
    Kedar shifted, clearly a bit uncomfortable, “Thank you, ma’am, you’re very kind.  You don’t have to repay me though.”
    “Just let her,” Samantha chimed in, “If you don’t she’ll never let you live it down.”
    Kedar looked at Samantha and he laughed a bit, “Alright then.  Thank you ma’am,” He continued as he turned back to Melody.
    Riley, who had been standing on the porch watching the exchange with a bitter expression on his face while he sucked on a cigarette, walked over to Samantha and lightly touched her shoulder.  She moved away just a bit, and Riley shoved his hand into his pocket, flicking the cigarette into the snow with the other.  He turned to Kedar, looking him over and sizing him up.
    “So, do I know you?  You look awfully familiar.”  Riley grumbled.
    Kedar swallowed hard and his smile was wiped from his face almost instantaneously.  Samantha could see that the question made him uncomfortable but was unsure as to why.  She watched him closely and he shifted from one foot to the other and stuffed his hands in his sweater pockets.
    “You’ve probably seen me at the car shop.  I’m a mechanic over there.  I’ve probably worked on your car before.”  Kedar’s voice gave away his nerves, although Samantha was unsure if Melody or Riley had picked up on it.
    Riley nodded, not even really caring about his answer, “Probably.  Well, thanks for getting her home safe.  We were worried.”
    Samantha bit the inside of her cheek to keep herself from saying something rude.  She sighed a bit and smiled up at Kedar, “Well, everyone has said it more than enough, but thank you.  Listen, what’s your phone number?  I’ll give you a call and we can hang out.”
    “I don’t have a cell phone…or even a house phone…”  Kedar admitted sheepishly.
    “Oh…”  Samantha glanced up at Riley who was silently snickering.
    “You said that you work at the car shop, right Kit?”  Melody asked, raising an eyebrow.
    Kedar nodded, but he looked