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

puzzled, “Yeah, I did.  Why?”
    “Samantha’s car is there and her phone number is on file.  When you go to call her to tell her that her car is ready you could write it down.”  Melody suggested with a smile that would have come across as wicked, had she not been so tired.  Riley clenched his jaw and walked away, storming inside.
    Kedar smirked, “That’s a great idea.  In case I need to contact her in the future for car related calls.”
    Melody laughed lightly, “Precisely.  Now, you should be on your way dear.  Thank you again.  Don’t be a stranger.”
    “I won’t, I promise.”  Kedar remarked with a laugh, he then turned to Samantha, “I’ll give you a call from the shop tonight then?”
    Samantha turned pink, “I actually lost my phone at some point last night.  I’ll take my old one to get activated and you can call me tomorrow though.  You know.  To tell me my car’s ready.”  She smiled, playing along with Melody and Kedar’s joke.
    Kedar smiled more and it gave Samantha butterflies in her stomach, “Sounds good.  Don’t go running off again.  I may not be able to find you next time.”  He chuckled as he got into his truck.
    Samantha laughed with him, “I won’t!”  She assured as she waved goodbye.  Kedar’s truck roared to life and she watch as he drove away, an unexplained sadness overcoming her.
    Melody touched her shoulder, “You lost your phone?”  Her question carried a stern undertone, but her tired voice contradicted it.
    “Yeah…my old one is in my desk…”  Samantha replied as she hung her head in shame.
    Melody sighed in exasperation, “Let’s head inside…I’ll call to have your old one reactivated while you talk to Riley, okay dear?”
    Samantha pressed her lips together in a tight line; she was still very mad at him for what he had said, “Okay…” She responded before following Melody into the house.  They went into the kitchen, where Riley stood.  He was lighting a cigarette, a butt freshly snuffed in the ashtray.
    “Riley Caleb Patrick McLaughlin!  How dare you disrespect me by smoking in my house?  In my kitchen no less!  If you must finish sucking on your cancer stick, then kindly take it outside before I call your mother.”  Melody scolded, placing her hands firmly on her hips and tapping her foot in aggravation.
    “Sorry Aunt Mel…”  He grumbled as he stuffed his lighter into his pocket.  He picked up his ash tray and walked passed Melody and Samantha.  Samantha followed him with her eyes but didn’t move right away.  Melody motioned for her to follow him and Samantha sighed, turning around and going out onto the back porch.  Riley stood with his back to the door, leaning on the porch railing.  Samantha sat on the porch swing and didn’t say anything right away.  Riley was silent as well as he took long drag after long drag off of his cigarette.
    Samantha cleared her throat, knowing she would have to be the one to break the silence, “Auntie said that you wanted to talk to me?”  The whispered question barely audible.
    Riley nodded taking another long drag off of the cigarette.  It was more than half gone at this point, “Yup…”  He breathed, the smoke trailing out of his mouth as he spoke.
    “So…  What do you want to talk about?”  Samantha began to grow annoyed.
    “Where did you disappear to last night?  With that Kedar guy?”  Riley grumbled, his voice tight.  He took another drag and didn’t even turn to look at Samantha.
    “He didn’t find me until after midnight.  He just gave me a place to sleep and food to eat.  That’s it.”  Samantha snapped, feeling as though she needed to defend herself.  “Why do you care?”  She seethed.
    “You had the entire pack worried about you, not just me.  Because we care about your wellbeing.  Or did you forget?”  Riley countered, pulling his cigarette away from his mouth and turning his head to look at her.  He tapped it onto the edge of