Hunter Moon: A Grazi Kelly Novel #2 (32 page)

“I’m okay, Nonna.” I let her embrace me and
tried not to make a face when she squeezed my wrist. The place
where my skin had melted off was still bandaged and had yet to heal
fully.

“Your hair?
Che fai?
You did this!”
She wagged her finger at UncleSean. He stood there, head bowed and
made no move to protect himself when Nonna poked him in the chest.
I smelled his amusement and his shame.
He believed it was his
fault.

“Nonna, please, no fighting today. Besides,
it’s my birthday.”

“
Si
, I know. Come we eat.”

“We?”

“Yes,
si
, all of you. Wash up and then
we eat. I cooked enough for even a pack of Werewolves to get
full!”

I grinned and held out my hands. Ronan took
one and Uncle Sean took the other. We entered my house together.
Uncle Vito, Aunt Theresa, Julianna and Rebecca were at Aunt
Theresa’s sister’s house. I was grateful for that.

Nonna had decorated simply. A few fall mums
and a large bowl of oranges sat in the middle of the long dining
room table. There were plates of antipasto, Italian dried sausages,
prosciutto, cheeses and olives, eggplant, zucchini, stuffed
mushrooms and artichokes. Uncle Sean said grace and he and the
other Wolves filled their plates.

Next we had stuffed shells and Nonna’s
special meatballs. After that she brought out not one, but two
turkeys and two Virgina hams. Each perfectly roasted and absolutely
delicious. We ate, we drank we laughed and I realized how lucky I
was to be home. To have made it back with the people I truly care
about.

Alessio made it in time for the turkey. He of
course had to stay and help his grandmother and eat with them
first. Angela and Derek came by in time for desert. My grandmother
had outdone herself. She constructed an entire cake out of homemade
cream puffs and eclairs. My absolute favorite.

“Here. Open this.” Ronan thrust out a small
wrapped package as I was watching my grandmother play a game of
scrabble with Alessio, Angela, and Derek. Dimitri and Sascha were
eating again trying to determine the ingredients in Nonna’s
meatballs.
Good luck there, fellas.

I looked around the room. Cara was brooding
over a cup of espresso. Uncle Sean was looking at baby pictures of
me in an album Nonna kept under the coffee table. And me. Well, I
was in the corner with Ronan, happy that everyone was here, but
still wishing we were alone.

“What is it?”

“It’s a birthday present.”

“I can see that. But what is it?” He shrugged
infuriatingly and I sighed. I opened the box and let out a squeal
of delight.

“Wow! I love him! I absolutely love him!”

“Yeah?”

“Yes! He’s perfect.”

“Nah, he’s cute, but you’re perfect.” And he
kissed me lightly and quickly on the lips. I smiled and looked down
at the rubber duck in my palm. It was a wolfy duck and he was
gorgeous. I knew just where I was going to put him.

Everyone left after putting away leftovers
and the rest of the cleaning was done. Uncle Vito and his family
were spending the night at Aunt Theresa’s sister’s house and Nonna
went to bed after two cups too many of good red wine that Uncle
Sean had brought over. I smiled. It was a great birthday and
Thanksgiving. Everyone was there. Everyone, but SilverWolf.

It seemed he had left just when I had come to
in Pennsylvania. Without explanation or indication of returning a
he was wont to do. Poof. He vanished into thin air. I tapped my
fingers on my bedside table.

Ronan had waited for me to shower and dress
in my jammies before changing my bandage. It was almost completely
healed, but he advised me to eat more protein and get a good
night’s rest. I knew he was right, but food was the last thing on
my mind.

I kept picturing the fight in the cave. And
the warning the demon boy had given me.
Join him or watch
everyone I care about die.

Hmm. I went to my laptop and logged into
Wolf Moon.
There was an instant message waiting for me.

How you doing, WolfGirl?

I’m fine. Where did you go?

Oh here and there. Did you learn
anything?

I guess. I have a question for you.

Of course you do. What is it?

Is there a God?

I don’t know. And I waited a long time to
find out.

Who was that demon? The one with the boy’s
face?

I’m working on it, WolfGirl. Just stay safe
till I have some answers.

It’s not easy.

No, it never is.

I thought about that for a few minutes after
logging off. I guess it was true. It’s not easy. Nothing worthwhile
ever is.

I just wondered if the guy who said that ever
turned into a Werewolf and had to fight demonic forces to save the
ones he loved.

Hmmm. Probably not. At any rate, God, if you
are listening. I don’t pretend to understand your plan. But I
believe in you. And I believe I can do something. Especially when
I’ve got family and friends like, Nonna, Ronan, Uncle Sean, Angela,
and Alessio on my side. So I want to thank you. Thank you for them.
But please, help me keep them safe.

Amen.

C.D. Gorri earned her Bachelor’s Degree in
English Literature from Montclair State University. She lives in
her home state of New Jersey with her husband, three children, and
dog. She is an avid reader of all genres, but especially loves
fantasy. Besides reading her hobbies include cooking, gardening,
volunteering at her children’s school, and researching various
topics.

This is a work of fiction. All of the
characters, names, places, organizations, and events portrayed in
this novel are either part of the author’s imagination and/or used
fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance
to person, living or dead, actual events, locales or organizations
is entirely coincidental. All rights are reserved. No part of this
book is to be reproduced, scanned, downloaded, printed, or
distributed in any manner whatsoever without written permission
from the author. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy
of any materials in violation of the author’s rights.

To learn more about me please visit
www.cdgorri.com

Friend me on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/Cdgorribooks

tumblr
http://cdgorri.tumblr.com/

Google+
https://www.google.com/+CDGorribooks

Twitter @cgor22

Smashwords Profile
www.smashwords.com/profile/view/Cfdgorri

http://www.iauthor.uk.com/profile/2169

Wolf Moon: A Grazi Kelly Novel #1

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/413432

Rebel Moon: A Grazi Kelly Novel #3
coming 2015!