Blood Moon (Moons of the Wolf Series Book 1) (7 page)

CHAPTER 8

Samantha carried a tray with chips and soda on it up the stairs to her bedroom.  Kedar sat on her bed, staring out her window at her back yard.  She placed the tray down on the bed beside him and she sat down.  She opened the bag of chips and held it out to him.  He took it from her and popped a chip into his mouth, still staring out the window.

“So,” He turned towards her, “I’m glad that I could see you again,” He said with a soft smile on his face.

Samantha smiled back at him, “Me too, me too.”  She responded, equally as soft.

Kedar popped another chip into his mouth, “What do you do in your free time?”  He asked, sounding genuinely interested.

Samantha reached over and took a chip out of the bag, “I like to draw and paint and listen to music,” She responded, continuing to smile at him.

“You paint?  That’s really cool.  Do you have any of your work?  You know, that you would be able to show me, anyway?”

Samantha nodded quickly, enthused that someone was showing an interest in her hobby, “Yeah, I do.  In my basement.  My aunt made me a little art studio down there.”

“Would you be willing to bring me down there and letting me see some of it?”  Kedar asked, raising his eyebrow.

“Of course!  Follow me…”  Samantha grabbed Kedar’s hand and led him downstairs to the basement.  Adjacent from the stairs was an alcove with hanging lights and tarps on the ground, an easel in the middle of the room.

“My art studio is right there…”  Samantha said, pointing.  She pulled Kedar forward and around the corner with her, “And there’s where I keep all of my finished work,” Samantha continued, pointing to a separate room.

“Well, lead the way, Madame,” Kedar instructed, squeezing Samantha’s hand gently.

Samantha led him into the room and pulled a stool out from the corner.  She showed him numerous paintings; a few landscapes, several paintings of wolves, one of her mother, and another of Riley and Alex.  She smiled proudly as she showed them off enthusiastically.

“Wow…these are all so good…” Kedar murmured softly.

Samantha beamed, feeling heat rushing to her cheeks, “Thank you…” She bit her lip and looked away, stuffing her hands in her pockets, feeling flustered all of a sudden.  When she looked back up at Kedar he was flexing and making a face at her, and she couldn’t help smiling at him.

“Maybe you can paint me one day…” He smirked and raised one of his eyebrows.

“I definitely will.  You’d make a wonderful model…”  Samantha replied, reaching out to turn Kedar around.  She lightly guided him as he turned around in a small circle and lightly rested her fingertips on his chest.

Kedar smirked more and stepped close to her, “You know, you’d make a great model too…” He put his hands carefully on her waist and pulled her closer to him, “you’re very beautiful…” He leaned in, their noses almost touching and she blushed, taking a step back.

“I have a boyfriend, Kit…” She whispered, wishing that she didn’t.

Kedar sighed and stuffed his hands into his pockets, backing away from her, “I know…” He muttered.

Samantha looked down at her feet and shifted awkwardly.  She heard a car pull up and a few seconds later the doorbell rang.  She looked up at Kedar and he nodded slowly, sitting down on the stool.  Samantha ran up the stairs and peaked out the window.  Riley’s car was parked behind hers in the driveway and she sighed.  She went to the door and opened it.  Riley stood there with a bouquet of flowers in his arms with two small boxes tied together with a red ribbon.  She raised an eyebrow at him and he cleared his throat.

“What’s up?” She asked before he had a chance to speak.  She leaned in the doorway and crossed her arms across her chest.

“I know that you’ve been…out of sorts lately.  I was hoping that these would cheer you up…” Riley replied as he thrusted the flowers and boxes at her, “Can I come in?  We need to talk…”

Samantha sighed and took the presents as she stepped to the side, “Yeah…sure.  Come in.”

Riley stepped inside and looked around, “Where’s that Kedar kid?” He grumbled.

“Downstairs in my studio.  I’m going to be painting him, so make this quick,” Samantha replied, aggravation clear in her voice.  She turned to look at Riley who had visibly tensed.

“I see,” He huffed.

Samantha rolled her eyes and led Riley into the kitchen, “What do we ‘need’ to talk about?”  She asked while she searched the cabinets for a vase.

“You’re not going to open your gifts?” Riley implored.

Samantha turned around, pressing her lips together in a thin line.  She could only imagine how much like Melody she looked as she put her hands on her hips defiantly.  Riley stared at her with pleading eyes and she groaned in discontent.

“If we need to talk so damn bad my gifts can wait, Riley,” She retorted.  Riley frowned and Samantha turned back to the cabinet, carefully getting one of her aunt’s finest vases.  She put the flowers in the vase, filled it with water and set it on the center of the table, all while Riley sat in silence.  She turned to him and folded her arms over her chest again.

Riley sighed, “We visited the Head today…” He began, shifting in his seat.

“I know.  Just tell me what his decision was.”  Samantha said firmly, her patience wearing thin.

“Malcolm said that we have to house them.  They presented proof to back up their statements,” Riley continued.

Samantha heard footsteps and she held up her hand to signal Riley to stop talking.  She turned to see Kedar standing in the doorway.

“Should I go so you two can talk?” He asked quietly.

“No, you can stay.  This effects all of the wolves in the immediate area,” Samantha said, still sounding aggravated.

Riley grumbled, “He’s not a member of the pack, he isn’t privy to this information.”

“It effects everyone, Riley.  Therefore, everyone is privy to this information.  So just keep talking.”

Riley sighed again, “Anyway, they’ve proven that the brood in Goldenborough has either been dormant for years or has recently returned.  They also brought us information on the brood they’ve been following.  From what they showed us the other brood leader, a vampire by the name of Anastasia Cortaux, has taken over the Goldenborough brood.  According to them she is unusually cruel and particularly vindictive,” Riley sighed and shifted in his seat.  It was clear that he was uncomfortable talking about pack business in front of Kedar, “Anyway, Father is concerned because our knowledge of vampires is particularly limited.  Since the Goldenborough brood was never much of a threat, the last people who were well versed in vampires were his grandparents.  Even Malcolm has limited knowledge on them.  The lines between truth and myth are blurred.  Or that’s what my father said anyway.”

Samantha was quiet for a moment, then she sighed, “Well, if that’s all…” She started.

Riley stood, “Yeah…that’s all…” He sighed, “I’ll see you later babe…” He mumbled as he pulled her into a hug.  He glared at Kedar over her shoulder before releasing her and walking out of the house and to his truck.  It roared to life and not seconds after he started it, Riley sped away from the house.

Kedar looked at Samantha, “The brood in Goldenborough never left,” He said as he stood, “My grandfather…well let’s just say he kept them in line.  Better than the Head did anyway.  I have his old records on vampires, if you need them.”

Samantha shook her head, “Honestly, I’m not sure if I believe what these wolves have to say.  But if Malcolm does, then there isn’t anything I can do.  We will just have to see.  Well…let’s go.  You did say that you were going to model for me.”  She said as she grabbed Kedar’s hand.

              He smiled and squeezed her hand lightly, “Of course, let’s go…”

CHAPTER 9

A couple of weeks passed.  Samantha spent her afternoons and weekends with Kedar, much to Riley’s discontent.  She was still banned from pack activities, but with her newfound friendship it was not as lonely as she had anticipated.  She spent every moment that she got with Kedar, and although she hadn’t been happier in a long time, she was starting to drift away from the pack.

***

On the day of the full moon, Samantha woke unusually early.  Riley had spent the night at her house to make up for the time that they had missed together and his breath on her neck disturbed her sleep.  He wrapped his arms around her and buried his face in her neck.  He took a deep breath, sighed and squeezed her tight, pressing light kisses onto her skin.

He nipped at her shoulder and she shrugged him away a bit, “Did you ever open your presents?” He whispered.

Samantha shook her head.  It had been only almost two weeks but she had forgotten all about them, “No…I haven’t.  Not yet…”  She confessed.

When Riley spoke she could hear the hurt in his voice, “Will you open them now…?”  He asked as he sat up.

Samantha sat up and leaned off the edge of the bed to grab a sweater.  She pulled it on over her head and got off of the bed stretching.  Riley watched her every movement intently, his eyes following even her slightest move.  She made her way to her dresser and grabbed the two little black boxes.  She sat down on the edge of her bed and slowly opened the first box as Riley moved over to her.  Inside was a beautiful pair of 14karot white gold, hanging prong earrings, with solid sapphire gems.  She gasped as she stared at them and she looked over her shoulder at Riley, astounded that he had spent so much money on her.

“These are beautiful!”  She exclaimed, “Thank you so much…”  She continued in a much quieter tone as she touched the deep blue stones.

Riley wrapped his arms around her waist, feeling pangs of guilt knowing that she thought he had gotten the gifts for her specifically, instead of re-gifting things that had previously belonged to his sister.  He kissed her cheek gently, “I’m glad that you like them.  Open the other one now…”  He crooned, moving the sweater so that he could kiss down her neck and shoulder.

Samantha smiled warmly and she started to open the other box while Riley slowly rubbed her sides.  She froze, her breath catching in her throat and stomach dropping.  The box almost slipped out of her hands, but she regained her grip quickly, before it could fall to the floor.  Inside the box was a beautiful engagement ring.  It was 18karot white gold, with an antique European cut diamond and elaborate scroll engraving almost all the way around the band.  She was silent in shock, at a loss for words.  Even Riley didn’t know what to say, as he stared wide eyed at the ring.  Had he known
a ring
was in that box, he would have held onto it for a more appropriate occasion.

“What do you think…?”  He managed to breath after a moment.

Samantha stared at the ring for a moment, still unsure of what to say.  After a few moments she took a deep breath, and said the first thing that came to mind, “It’s beautiful…” She murmured.

Riley smiled softly and almost sighed in relief, “Just like you…” He responded.  He pulled her as close to him as he possibly could, his hands wandering up her thighs.

“Don’t you think we’re too young for this kind of commitment?”  She whispered as she hastily closed the box and set it aside.

Riley panicked for a moment, he took a deep breath and turned her towards him, quickly thinking of something to say, “No, not at all.  All the time that we have spent apart has proven to me that I want to give all of my time to you.  We’re ready…we can do this.”  He kissed her on the lips slowly, praying that she wouldn’t realize that he had come up with that response on the fly.

Samantha felt the heat rush to her face, and she closed her eyes, touching his chest with her fingertips.  She pulled away from his kiss after a moment, jumping up out of her bed and turning away from Riley, “Hmm…  But, I don’t know if I’m ready to make this kind of decision yet…”  She whispered away and looking down, her mind turning to Kedar’s smiling face and warm hands.  She almost instantly felt guilty and sat back down.

Riley turned her around once again and put his hands on her hips, “You don’t have to tell me now…” He kissed her slowly, “I didn’t expect an answer right away.  I’ll wait for you forever…”  He kissed her again, pulling on her hips to bring her body closer to his.

Samantha sighed softly, letting Riley kiss her as she attempted to push the thoughts of Kedar into the back of her mind.

***

Samantha and Riley arrived to school with just enough time to sign in late and run to their lockers before going to their first period classes.  They kissed outside the main office briefly and parted ways, Riley going towards the South Wing and Samantha going towards the North Wing.

She went to her locker, quickly put in her combination and started sifting through her books, looking for what she needed for the day.  She opened her backpack and saw the little black box that contained the ring sitting neatly on top of her binder.  She smiled to herself – she couldn’t help it – realizing that Riley must have snuck it into her bag, and she opened it.  She saw no harm in wearing the ring for one day, so she looked around and quickly slipped it onto her finger.  She held her hand out in front of her to admire the ring.  She felt as though she should have been
happier
, but looking at the gorgeous Victorian ring on her finger did not fill her with joy.  To her it felt out of place, but she certainly was not going to tell Riley that.  She frowned, but didn’t take the ring off.

She sighed and shoved the books into her backpack.  She stood, shut her locker and turned around.  To her surprise, and dismay, there stood Heather, so scantily clad that she could have been sent home for violating the dress code, with a smug look on her face.

“What do you want?”  Samantha grumbled, looking away.  She had a bad feeling in the pit of her stomach and wanted to avoid as much conflict as possible.

“I just wanted to see how your poor back was doing,” Heather replied mockingly as she looked Samantha up and down.  Her eyes landed on a decent sized hickey on Samantha’s collar bone, and Samantha quickly readjusted her sweater to cover it up.

“Its fine,” Samantha snapped, “No thanks to you.”  She shifted from one foot to the other, Heather’s judgmental gaze making her uncomfortable, “Why do you care?”

“Does it really make a difference?”  Heather continued to mock her.

“I wouldn’t know, I’m not in that twisted head of yours.  But, seeing as how we’re having this nice little chat, how’s anger management going?”  Samantha smiled sweetly and raised her eyebrows.

Heather huffed and rolled her eyes, “Shut it, Omega.”

Samantha growled and pointed at Heather, using her left hand, completely forgetting that she was wearing the engagement ring, “Listen here, you’re not my superior, so don’t you dare speak to me like that.”

Heather roughly grabbed Samantha’s hand, her face turning a shade of pink and her eyes filling with anger.  The emotion quickly vacated her eyes as quickly as it came and she laughed, “An engagement ring?  Ha!  What, do you guys plan on having an open marriage or something?”  Heather smirked, “Because sweetie, you may have that hickey and that ring, but Riley spends more time
with
me than you.”

Samantha pulled her arm away from Heather’s grasp and shoved her hand into her pocket, “Do you have a ring on your finger?  Hmm, let me see.  You don’t.  So, I would suggest that you keep your mouth shut and stay away from my boyfriend.”

“Which one?  Riley?  Or Kedar?”  Heather’s smirk widened and Samantha’s face fell.

She felt the heat rushing to her face as fury bubbled up in her chest, “He… Kedar isn’t my boyfriend,” She began as her cheeks became increasingly redder.  She wasn’t sure why she was so defensive of her relationship with Kedar, but she didn’t have time to ponder it, “He’s just a great friend.  But even if he was my boyfriend he’d be too good for a skank like you, so I wouldn’t worry.”

Heather laughed again, “Oh, honey.  I think you need to reconsider how well you know the men in your life.  Kedar can’t keep his dick to himself.  If you’re going to call anyone a skank, it should be him.  As for Riley, well, let’s just say that we’re closer than you think, dearie.”

Samantha was fuming.  She shoved Heather into the lockers and got in her face, standing on her toes so she was at eye level with her, “Alright, you little cunt, I don’t care how you know Kedar, but he’s a great man, so I better not hear you disrespect him like that again, got it?  And you keep your filthy little paws off Riley, otherwise we are going to have some serious problems…”  The late bell ran, so Samantha stepped away from Heather and stormed away.

By the time lunch rolled around, Samantha’s new engagement ring was the talk of the school.  She didn’t like the attention, but it was the least of her worries.  She couldn’t get a word that Heather had said out of the back of her mind.  It bothered her, a lot, and she couldn’t help but wonder if Riley was with Heather when she wasn’t around.

The bell for third lunch – Samantha’s lunch – rang and she made her way to the cafeteria.  She saw Riley and walked over to him, her hands stuffed in her pockets.  He hastily wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close, burying his face in her hair.  Samantha took a step back and looked down at her feet.

“Can we talk before going to sit with the pack?”  She whispered, unable to look at Riley in the face.

Riley frowned but nodded slowly.  Samantha led him away from the bustling crowed and he leaned against the wall, “What’s up, baby?”

“Heather approached me this morning and insinuated that you two have been…seeing each other…when I’m not around…”  She mumbled.

Riley touched her cheek gently, “She’s just jealous baby, don’t listen to her.  I love you and only you…”  He whispered as he went to kiss her.

She pulled back, not allowing their lips to touch, “That didn’t really answer my question, Riley,” She replied as she took off the ring, “If I’m having these sorts of doubts and we aren’t even engaged yet…”  She sighed, “Well, I think it’s best if you hold in to this for now…”  She placed the ring in Riley’s hand, not looking up at him, afraid to see the hurt in his eyes.  He simply leaned his head on hers as he closed his hand around the ring.

“It’s okay, like I said.  I’d wait for you forever.  We have all the time in the world, we were meant to be…”

Samantha looked up at him and smiled weakly.  She could hear the falsity in his voice, though she wasn’t sure what he was being untruthful about; was it his relationship with Heather or his feelings about her?  She didn’t dare ask.  She just took his hand and went into the cafeteria.

They sat at the table where the pack was sitting, and it was unusually quiet.  Samantha instantly spotted the reason for the silence; it was a young unfamiliar boy.  He was maybe a year older than she was, with blond hair and green eyes.  Samantha didn’t recognize him, and she could tell by Alex’s aggravated expression that he was not company that she wished to have.  Samantha took a deep breath and discreetly smelled the air.  She understood why Alex so clearly did not want him sitting with them; he was not a wolf.

“Hey guys!”  Charlotte said, unusually chipper.

“What’s up, Char?”  Samantha asked, taking an apple out of her bag and biting into it.

“I wanted to introduce everyone to Zachary together, but you two,” Charlotte indicated Riley and Samantha with a wave of her hand, “Took your sweet time getting here.  But, anyway, this is Zachary,” Charlotte almost giggled, holding onto Zachary’s arm.

Riley reached across the table and shook Zachary’s hand, “Nice to meet you, bro.  I’m Riley and this is my girl, Samantha.”  He said as he rested his hand on Samantha’s shoulder.

“It’s nice to meet you,” Samantha said with a polite smile.

“Zachary and I are going on a date on Friday” Charlotte exclaimed, “And I was going to bring him to the Halloween party.”

“That’s nice…” Samantha said before abruptly standing, “I don’t feel well, so if you guys would excuse me, I’m going to go to the nurse.”  Riley’s insincere words still rang in her head, filling her with doubt, and nausea.

“I’ll go with you…”  Riley started, but Jaden interrupted.

“No, Riley, I’ll take her.  I wanted to talk to Sam anyway,” He said.  He kissed Olivia on the forehead before standing and following Samantha into the hallway.

“Are you okay?”  He asked softly.

Samantha shrugged, “Just…I don’t even know…”  She whispered.

“Oh… I see…Well, you know my dad… I mean… Dad…Wants to see you…”  Jaden muttered, “He keeps insisting that you, Riley, Olivia and I all have dinner at my house.”

“If I’m going to talk to him, I would honestly rather do it alone…”  Samantha replied.

“I understand… Look, I know finding out that he’s your father must be hard, but there’s an upside to all this.”

“Oh?  And what’s that?”  Samantha asked, raising an eyebrow.

“You’ve gained a pretty awesome brother!”  Jaden chirped, laughing and nudging Samantha with his elbow.

Samantha laughed as well, “Thanks…”

“And if anybody messes with you, they’ll have to answer to big bad brother wolf,” He continued before ruffling her hair.  They reached the nurses office and he turned to her, “Really though.  I’ve always been here for you and now that I know that you’re my little sister, that doesn’t change a thing and I’m not going to let anything bad happen to you,” He smiled softly.