Blood Moon (Moons of the Wolf Series Book 1) Read Free

gathered everyone’s clothes and other belongings, stuffing them into an oversized duffle bag which she had been carrying.  Samantha carefully stripped, staying hidden behind the trunk of the tree.  She closed her eyes and willed herself to change.  It felt as though the transformation took ages to Samantha, when in reality it only took a few moments.  The sensation of all of her bones breaking, re-breaking and rearranging, left her sore all over.  She stretched, trying to work the pain out.
    She trotted out from behind the tree and Melody patted her on the head and took her clothes. She bid Samantha goodbye and began to walk away.  Melody was unable to join the pack on patrol due to being born with a defect in her genes that made it impossible for her to phase when it was not a full moon.  Samantha watched her walk away until she couldn’t see her anymore. She then turned her attention to the rest of the pack.
    Colin was explaining to the younglings of the pack where the territory boundaries were, warning them not to cross them.  Samantha knew that the lecture was directed towards her as well, but she hadn’t been paying attention.
    No matter… She thought to herself, I know the boundaries and the rules already.
    Once Colin had finished lecturing the children, the pack was off.  They headed in the direction of the last estimated location of the rogue wolves were.  The group followed Colin in silence, noses pressed to the dirt.  After approximately twenty minutes of what seemed to be aimless walking, Colin stumbled across a scent that he did not recognize.  His fur stood on end and he raced off, following the trail of the scent.
    The pack followed closely, dodging around the underbrush and tree roots.  Colin pushed himself to run faster, and the rest of the pack doubled their speed in order to keep up with him.  They ran and they ran, for what felt like an eternity to Samantha, when Colin stopped abruptly.  He growled and he sat, the fur on his back standing on end.  The rest of the pack froze in their places as well, except for Samantha, who trotted up next to Colin and looked at him.
    “What are you doing?  The trail didn’t end, Colin,” She asked, bewildered.
    Colin glared at her, “It’s the territory line, young one.  You would know that had you been paying attention earlier.  We can’t cross into another territory.  It’s the other pack’s problem now,” He snarled in response.
    “And what if these wolves are dangerous?”  Samantha growled, “Are we just going to let the other pack be surprised, and potentially harmed?”
    Colin sneered, “Heather harasses you, and you want to protect her pack?”
    “Her pack has nothing to do with how she treats me, how dare you hold that against them!  I’m sure that her parents don’t condone her behavior…” Samantha scowled, and followed the trail with her eyes, “I’m following that trail.”
    “No, you are not. And that’s an order, youngling.” Colin snapped angrily.  The rest of the pack watched, helplessly waiting to see how this exchanged unfolded.  All eyes were on Samantha, anxiously observing to see how she responded.
    All of her muscles tensed up for just a moment.  It was almost impossible for a wolf of her unique nature to disobey orders from the pack leader.  Samantha slowly shook her head, forcing herself to move against Colin’s will and her instinct.  She took a shaky step forward, towards the territory line.  Colin snapped and all eyes turned to him.
    “If you dare cross that line, then you are on your own. Especially if you get caught.”
    Samantha turned her eyes to the pack, then to Colin.  She sighed softly, “Fine,” was her simple reply.  She stepped onto the territory line.
    “Don’t you dare, youngling!” Colin growled and snapped viciously.
    Samantha ignored him and crossed over the territory line completely.  She turned back to see the rest of the pack was following Colin away in the other