Blood of the Moon

ow over the scuffed wooden bar and the crowd of rowdy patrons that filled its modest space. It wasn'

ndredth time that afternoon. She glanced at the clock on the far wall. Just a few more hours, she thought, willing the shi

e in, her every step radiating confidence and entitlement. She was strikingly beautiful, with perfectly styled blond

lightly against the countertop. "Excuse me, bartender," she said,

ng the twinge of irritation that flic

he took pride in, and she had made more martinis than she could count. She added the twist of

st. She set the glass down with a dramatic sigh. "This is terrible," she an

ous eyes glanced their way, some of them lingering. She swallowed h

red beneath the surface. She placed the new drink in front o

s? Watered-down garbage?" she snapped, her voice

tightening on the edge of the counter. "I made it as best as I

n't like it, you remake it. No compla

ted it forward, the icy liquid spilling straight down the front of the woman's expensiv

m fell

h the hum of the bar. She stood, her hands flying to her d

lem h

om the back room, his imposing frame and stern expression instantly comma

ruined my blouse! I just told her I did not like the martini she made me

"Is there something wrong with you? Why did you pour that drink

her off. "She was rude! And incompetent! I am not coming

rek said, his

sbelief washing

he said firmly. "Gra

understand. She slappe

nk on her? I've tolerated you long enough. Ju

lease..

t o

r smug satisfaction infuriatingly clear. Nina bowed her head and walked

letely ignoring Derek who was still trying

ind of anger, humiliation, and regret. What was she going to do now? Jobs like this were

poured tea, to the warmth in her smile even on the hardest days. Nina had pr

bar and the city streets. She barely noticed when the pavement

side, their shadows stretching long across the ground. She looked at her watch. It was still early

her spine. Somet

r gone, swallowed by dense forest. Panic crept i

hoed through t

yes searching the darkness. A pair of glowing

her. And

lv

s moving with lethal grace. Their growls deepened, l

catching in her throat. The wolves

rned a

ws thundering against the ground behind her. Her chest burned,

the ground. She rolled onto her back, gasping,