Page 91 of Beneath the Blue Moon

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I’ll have to get a bigger place because I need a room for

the baby. I’m going to decorate it just like my old room—a beautiful night sky.

When he/she is old enough, we’ll moon-watch like Daddy used to do with me. My

only wish is that Ethan could be there, too. The ultrasound is in a few days, and

I can’t wait.

Out of nowhere, the wind picks up and lightning cracks

across the sky. The impending thunder roars, causing the ground to shake

beneath me. Another bolt of lightning streaks across the night sky and I gather

my blanket to me. Must be one of those famous dry thunderstorms. I better

get inside.

An agonizing howl comes from the bushes to my left, and I bolt

upright. “Sheriff, is that you?”

A growl from straight ahead catches my attention, and big, ice-blue

eyes stare at me in the darkness. A black wolf, almost Sheriff’s size,

materializes, flanked by five smaller ones. He is obviously nothing like

Sheriff. His teeth are bared, drool dripping from each one as he growls at me. I

swallow hard, remembering Ethan’s warning—wolves are dangerous. I slowly begin

to crawl backward, hoping I can make it inside.

Two other wolves spring from the left, growling. Their ears

are erect, fur bristling. They snarl, lips curled up, teeth showing. I realize

the anger is toward the other wolves and not me. They rush forward, positioning

themselves between me and the others. Wait… are they protecting me? When two of

the other wolves lunge at them, I use the distraction to my advantage and jump

to my feet. Before I can get far, the black wolf bumps into me and I fall face-first,

screaming. Pain courses through my body as I watch the black wolf circling me.

He’s going to eat me. Oh, God, I’m going to die. My baby’s going to die!

“Casey!” Daddy shouts from the porch.

“No, Daddy. Stay back!”

Just as the black wolf lunges, Daddy jumps in front of me,

getting the animal’s claws.

“Daddy!”