“Are you serious?” Olivia snapped, turning to Charlotte. Jaden mumbled some unintelligible curse word under his breath and turned to Charlotte as well.
Alex looked conflicted as to what she wanted to address first, “Damn it…” She snarled under her breath. She sighed and shook her head, “I’ll call my father about that at lunch, but you have ten seconds to give me a good reason not to tell Riley about what just happened.”
“Easy, get your nose out of my personal life. Worry about yourself, not me.” Samantha growled. Charlotte, Jaden and Olivia turned to Samantha, obviously confused by the exchange.
Just then Riley walked up behind Alex, looking confused, “What’s going on?” He asked. He looked from Alex to Samantha who were in a silent standoff. Samantha could see the anger in his eyes as she looked up at him, and she highly doubted that Alex was going to keep her mouth shut.
“Well, first, Runt was with Kit last night. Explains why she blew you off,” Alex sneered.
“I’m not very surprised…” Was Riley’s mumbled response.
“Second, she claims the necklace that was a gift from Zach was silver. Which I will be addressing.” Alex continued.
“Good, now I’ve got better shit to do than to stand around and listen to your judgmental crap, Alex.” With that Samantha stormed into the school, praying that Riley wasn’t going to follow her.
“So you blew me off for Kedar.” Riley said from behind her once she reached her locker.
“I had other things to worry about once I realized my necklace was gold plated silver.” Samantha sighed and opened her locker.
“Yeah, like his dick, right?” Riley snarled.
“Will you just knock it off?” Samantha whipped around, “Seriously, this isn’t the time to talk about this.”
“Talk about what? You blew me off last night to be with him. Clearly there isn’t anything to talk about, it’s me or him and the way you’ve been acting lately I’d say you’re choosing him.”
“I said knock it off! You’re sister’s setting up a damn meeting with your father, so we’ll be at the same place anyway. You wanted to talk about ‘us’ last night, what’s changed?”
“Fine. You know what? Just fine. We can talk tonight and you can lie and you can grovel but that isn’t going to change a damn thing. You still have to pick.”
“You’re screwing Heather for God’s sake! Why should I listen to your bullshit when you’re sticking it to her? If I have to choose so do you!”
“Like hell I am! I’ve never slept with Heather!”
“Bullshit!”
“No, it’s not! Because unlike some people I won’t screw around on the person that I claim that I love.”
Samantha just stared at him for a moment, unsure of what to say. Then she looked down at her feet, “You don’t act like you love me…”
“Because I’m sick and tired of trying to show you when you clearly don’t give a damn.” He stormed away, leaving Samantha standing there in shock.
She sighed and ran her fingers through her hair. The first bell rang and she headed towards her first class. Halfway there Jaden walked up to her. They walked for a few feet in silence before saying anything to her.
“You want to get out of here?” He suggested.
Samantha looked up at him, “What?”
“I’ll get you back here before lunch period so you only miss half of a day.” Jaden looked down at her, smiling.
Samantha looked around then she nodded slowly, “Yeah… Let’s go.” She knew that both her aunt and Kedar would be furious with her if they knew that she was skipping school, but at that moment she couldn’t have cared any less.
They managed to sneak out of the school without being caught. They made their way to Jaden’s car, which was parked in the back of the lot. Once they were seated and buckled Jaden quickly whipped out of his spot and started driving in the direction of the town limits.
“Where are we going to go?” Samantha asked.
“Well, I’m thinking a nice drive through the country side would brighten both our days. So, we’re going to drive straight through Fernridge and then where ever we end up will be a mystery.” Jaden responded as he turned towards Samantha, “I promise you won’t miss all day.”
She simply shrugged in response.
“So, what’s bothering you?” Jaden inquired after a long moment of silence.
Samantha shook her head, “We can worry about me later. What’s up with you?”
Jaden sighed, “It’s dumb.”
“If it’s important to you and it’s upsetting to you then it isn’t dumb,” Samantha retorted.
Jaden was silent for a moment, “It’s my parents’ twenty-first wedding anniversary today. Or it would have been anyway. Dad always gets so emotional about everything that revolves around mom and he has a tendency to take it out on me.”
Samantha was silent for a moment; she hadn’t the slightest clue as to what she should say. After a moment she cleared her throat, “Where… Where is he today? Is he at work?”
Jaden shook his head quickly and then he looked over at her, “Nope. He took his vacation and is probably already on his way to Venice.”
“Venice?” Samantha was confused and she furrowed her brow as she turned to look at him.
Jaden sighed, exasperation in his voice. Samantha hadn’t noticed it before, but there were dark circles under his eyes, and as he rubbed the side of his head, he looked particularly tired. “It’s where he met my mother…”
“Oh…”
“At least I’m going to have the house to myself for a few days. It’ll be nice and quiet for once.”
“Wait… So are you going to be alone on Christmas?” Samantha asked in a low tone.
“It wouldn’t be the first time, to be honest with you,” Jaden admitted with a long sigh.
Samantha frowned deeply, looking away from Jaden. She was sure that Melody wouldn’t mind having an extra guest for Christmas dinner. She should honestly ask her first, but Jaden was family after all.
“Do you want to come spend Christmas with me and Aunt Mel? Her sister and husband will be coming, but I don’t think that she would mind if you came too…” Samantha finally asked.
Jaden looked at her with his eyes wide, “Are you sure?”
Samantha smiled wide, “Of course I am! You are my brother.”
Jaden smiled and nodded a bit, “Well thank you, it means a lot to me.”
Samantha smiled as well and she turned away, putting her foot up on the dashboard.
“So, why don’t you tell me what’s bothering you?” Jaden cracked a half smiled and rolled down his window and rested his arm in it.
Samantha shook her head, loose strands of her hair falling into her face, “You don’t want to hear about it, trust me.”
“Really now? I’m here for you. You can tell me anything, no matter what it is.” He half turned to her, still smiling.
Samantha shifted in her seat and brushed the strands of her hair back into place with both hands, “It’s about Riley and me…” She said softly.
Jaden slammed on the breaks, “Are you pregnant?” He practically yelled, a bewildered expression on his face.
She turned to him quickly, shaking her head and waving her hands in front of her face, “No! No… God no.”
Jaden ran his fingers through his hair and nodded. He put his foot on the gas pedal and started driving forward again, “Okay, so if you aren’t pregnant then what’s bothering so much?”
Samantha took a deep breath and sighed. She closed her eyes, hesitating for a moment, “I’ve been screwing around with Kit…” Her voice was quiet.
Jaden remained silent. He gripped his steering wheel tightly but he kept his eyes on the road. He barely looked at her when she didn’t respond.
“Well, Riley wants to know where we stand. Which I don’t honestly know where we stand. I’m not sure if I just feel comfortable with him, or if I feel obliged to him or if I really still love him.
But I do know that I really, really like Kit and I love spending time with him and I probably just sound like a slut…”
Jaden shook his head and raised his eyebrows. He sighed loudly and then drove for a few moments in silence. Finally he looked over at her for a brief second, “Listen, Sam. You can’t let anybody tell you how to live your life. You aren’t obligated to Riley in any way, shape or form. If you’re happy doing what you’re doing, then you keep doing it. If Riley doesn’t like it he can piss off. So can Kit. Nobody has the power to tell you how to live your life, regardless of their rank within the pack. Your life is all about what you want.”
Samantha sighed and took a deep, shaky breath as she closed her eyes.
“When you’re ready to make a decision, then sit down and make a decision then,” Continued Jaden, “But until then, don’t stress yourself out.”
She digested what he had said for a moment, mulling it all over. She didn’t say anything for a long time, and neither did Jaden. The car was silent and neither Samantha nor Jaden turned to look at one another.
“That’s some heavy shit…” Samantha finally muttered.
Jaden cracked a small smile and looked at her, “Are you feeling any better?”
She nodded, “Yeah. I think it’s time to head back to school.”
Jaden laughed lightly, “You’re the boss.” With that he made a quick and illegal U-turn, heading back towards the school.
CHAPTER 18
After school Samantha went right home, going straight upstairs to her bedroom. She shut the door behind her and she sat at her desk, pondering what Jaden had said to her that morning. He had told her to do what made her happy, but she wasn’t all too sure that what she was doing was making her happy. She knew that using Kedar and Riley the way that she was wasn’t right. She had no idea why she continued to do so. Maybe that’s what she needed to figure out before she decided what she was going to do.
There was a knock on her door and she turned around, “You can come in…” She softly said.
Riley opened the door, his eyes apologetic and sad. His mouth was turned down in a frown and he had his hands shoved into his pockets, “Are you sure?” His voice was barely above a whisper.
Samantha nodded but she turned away from him, “Yeah,” Was her only response.
He stepped into the room and closed the door behind him, “I’m sorry about how I’ve been acting lately. I haven’t been the best boyfriend.”
Samantha half turned to look at him. She frowned, “I haven’t been the best girlfriend either…” She whispered. Riley sat on the edge of her bed and she turned completely to look at him. After a moment of silence she sat beside him. He carefully brushed her hair out of her face and tucked it behind her ear. A small smile spread across his lips as he noticed she was wearing the earrings he had given her.
“Do you want to talk now? We don’t have to if you don’t want…”
Samantha huffed, “You know, you’re so flip-floppy. First you tell me that we need to talk, then you tell me there’s nothing to talk about and now you’re saying that we don’t have to talk if I don’t want to.” Her voice was bitter and she folded her arms across her chest.
Riley rubbed the corner of his eye with his middle and forefinger. He took a deep breath, “I know. I’ve just been so frustrated with you lately. I just want my girlfriend back, but I don’t even know if that’s what you want. To be honest, that hurts like hell.” He pinched the bridge of his nose, then he opened his eyes to look at her, “I shouldn’t take it out on you as anger though. I need to work on that.”
Samantha looked away. “Oh…” Was all she could mutter.
“So, do you want to talk now or what?” Riley pressed after an awkward silence.
Samantha shifted in her seat, crossing her ankles. She knew she needed to be honest with him, “I don’t know what I want right now, Riley. I need some space. Some “me” time. With all that’s going on – the vampires and finding out that Samuel is my father – my plate is pretty full right now. I need to sort everything out, including my feelings. After that we can discuss our feelings for each other and where this relationship is headed…”
Riley frowned deeply, “Are you planning on saying anything to Kit? Or are things between you going to remain the same?” Samantha could hear the disheartenment in his voice.
She bit her lip and rubbed the heels of her palms together as she looked away, “You need to stop bothering me about my relationship with Kit. Passed anything that’s going on between me and him, he’s still my friend. All I’m asking from you is for a little space. Is that so hard to give me?” She looked away.
Riley cleared his throat, “I’m sorry. If that’s what you need then there isn’t much that I can do about it.” He kissed her forehead gently.
She stared down at her lap fighting back the tears that threatened to pour from her eyes. She swallowed the lump in her throat, unsure of why she was suddenly so sad. Riley wrapped his arms around her and held her close.
“It’s okay…” He whispered. He pulled away and cupped her chin with his hand, “What’s the matter?”
Guilt? Samantha thought. She didn’t know. She wondered to herself if that maybe she still loved him in some way? She just shook her head, “I’m… Overwhelmed.” She whispered, and she wasn’t lying either.
Riley tilted his head to the side a bit and brushed her hair out of her face, “Alright…” He stroked her cheek gently.
There was another knock on the door. Riley stood just as Kedar pushed the door open and peaked inside.
“I’ll catch you later, Runt…” Riley said softly. He walked passed Kedar, not even acknowledging that he was there.
Kedar looked at Samantha, a mix of anger and pain in his eyes. He turned around and stormed out of the room, pushing passed Riley. Samantha jumped up off of her bed and chased after him, grabbing his arm when they had gotten out onto the porch.
“What’s your problem?” She asked, staring up at him with wide eyes. She furrowed her brow and frowned.
He pulled his arm away from her roughly, “You are!” He snapped. He got into his truck and peeled out of her driveway.
Riley stepped out onto the porch beside her. He pulled his box of cigarettes out of his pocket and lit one, bringing it to his lips. He watched as Kedar sped away from the house before turning to Samantha, “What’s his problem?” He asked after taking a long drag off of his cigarette.
Samantha shook her head slowly, turning around to go inside as she hung her head in dejection, “Apparently me…”
***
Twenty minutes later the whole pack, with the exception of Kedar, was sitting in Melody’s family room. All thirty-six members barely fit into the cramped space. With the addition of Kyle and Maia the room was overcrowded. Samantha looked around the room, surprised that everyone had shown. Normally at least fifteen members would be missing from each pack meeting. Her friends’ aunts, uncles and cousins all waited patiently for Colin to address the group. She knew they all wanted an explanation as to why they had been called to an emergency meeting. At her Aunt’s house nonetheless.
Colin shifted and then he turned his gaze to Samantha. “Where is Kit?” He asked. His voice carried a tone of aggravation and he clenched his jaw.
Samantha shrugged, “Honestly, I don’t know. I tried calling him but he isn’t answering.”
Colin growled and then turned to Alex, “Do you have his number, Alex?” Alex nodded. Colin continued, “Call him and get him on the phone. Explain to him that his presence is requested and that I need him to validate Samantha’s claims that her gift from Zachary was silver.” Alex nodded again and quickly scampered from the room.
Samantha stared at Colin, her eyes wide and her mouth agape slightly in shock, “Validate? Validate my claims? My rash and my word isn’t enough for you? Do you want to see the damned necklace too?”
Colin shot her a cold look, “I’m not saying that you’re a liar. But if your necklace was silver then
how come the other members who were also presented with necklaces from the vampire have yet to have any type of reaction?”
“To hell if I know! Maybe my necklace was actually meant for Alex? Or maybe the plating on theirs just hasn’t worn off yet.” Samantha spat, narrowing her eyes and pulling her eye brows together. She scowled at him.
“Hold your tongue and sit until I tell you otherwise.” Colin simply ordered.
Alex came back into the room. All eyes turned to her. She shook her head, “He isn’t coming…” She said, giving Samantha an apologetic look.
“You have got to be kidding me!” Samantha exclaimed. She felt a painful knot in her chest and she sat down as the knot worked its way into her stomach. She wiped a stray tear off her cheek and stared down at her lap.
“I’m not, Runt. I’m sorry…” Alex mumbled.
Colin stood, “Then this meeting is dismissed. I’m sorry I wasted everyone’s time but if there isn’t a witness to prove the omega’s statements then there is nothing I can do. It is against my better judgment knowing her bias towards the vampire to take her claims at face value.”
Samantha looked up at him quickly, her hurt quickly turning into anger. She almost stood, but she did not. She simply clenched her fists in her lap, digging her nails into her palms. Melody stood in the back of the room and opened her mouth to say something, but Chantal put her hand on her arm and she sat down. Colin and Bridgette started to head for the door. Riley and Alex stared at each other, unsure of what they should do. Just as Colin reached the door, Jaden stood up.
“Wait!” He practically demanded. All eyes turned to him. He swallowed hard. Standing up to his superiors was not his strong point, although it seemed to run in Samantha’s genes. He looked around the room as sweat began to form on his upper lip. He rubbed his hand on the side of his jeans nervously.
“Well?” Colin snapped impatiently.
Jaden quickly pulled off his necklace, the chain snapping effortlessly. He turned to Riley, “Do you have your pocket knife?” Riley shook his head. A dark-skinned man Samantha barely recognized, she guessed it was Olivia’s uncle, stepped forward. He handed Jaden his knife without saying a word. Jaden nodded in thanks and flipped the blade outwards. He began scrapping away at the gold plating on his cross. After a moment it began to chip away and reveal the silver that was underneath. He held it up by the chain.
Blood Moon (Moons of the Wolf Series Book 1) Page 16
