Little Red by Trista Jaszczak Read Free Book Online Page B

down.
    I find my way to the living room, and it looks as though Ian is asleep on the couch
     with one foot firmly planted on the floor
    I fight off a laugh as I see that Ethan is slumped over comfortably in a large recliner.
    His body is relaxed, his head tilted toward me.
    His expression is soft and peaceful.
    So hard to believe how someone who looks so…gentle could possibly half lose his mind
     during the full moon.
    I take a few steps toward him and bring my hand up to his face where I push his smashed
     and messy hair from his eyes.
    He settles deeper into the chair, and I sigh.
    He’s beautiful
    I step back so I don’t wake him and cross my arms in front of me.
    Goosebumps rise up on my arms, and I give them a slight rub where I’m greeted with
     my large scar.
    It draws me back to reality.
    My biggest fear rushes to the front of my mind.
    He loses his mind on the full moon.
    I’ve seen what Aaron can do.
    I suck in a sudden gasp of air that I’m sure will wake them.
    They barely move.
    I can now feel a few tears poking hard at my eyes.
    I can’t risk it after all I’ve been through.
    I push my fingertips to my lips and press my fingers to Ethan’s forehead.
    Just because he’s perfect now, doesn’t mean he will be during the next full moon.
    I refuse to feel any more pain.
    I touch him tenderly one last time as I feel a tear slide down my cheek.
    I wipe at it blindly and back away from the room.
    I find the front door and take off into the woods on unsteady legs.
     
     

 

    “Elise…” My voice trails off as she runs into our cabin.
    “Elise!” I call after her again.
    By the time I reach the door, she’s already inside.
    She’s lying back in the middle of the floor, staring at the ceiling.
    “Elise.”
    She stares up at me with bright blue eyes and smiles.
    “Ethan.”
    I let out a sigh.
    “I’ve done something.”
    She sits up and gives me a quizzical look
    “I’ve done something I never do.” I say, staring into the gray eyes and facial features
     that nearly match mine
    She laughs.
    “I think it was meant to happen.
    I think the moon has plans for you, Ethan.
    I think you’ve met your mate.
    You connected with her in ways that even Eli and Maggie haven’t experienced.”
    “But, it’s not me,” I say.
    “I’m not like that.
    Why? After all this time, why her? Why now?” I find myself slumping down onto the
     couch
    “Ethan,” she starts.
    “Are you happy?”
    I laugh slightly and look down.
    “Yeah, I think I am.”
    “Well, then what makes you think it was something bad?” She asks, flipping her long,
     dark hair behind her.
    “Was it out of character? Sure.
    But, if it made you happy, why stop?”
    I look up at her with my mouth hanging open; such wise words from such a young woman
    “It’s time for you to live Ethan,” she smiles
    Suddenly, I’m jolted awake by Ian’s voice in my face.
    The bright sunlight is harsh against my eyes, and I squeeze them tightly shut.
    “Ian, you asshole.”
    “You were talking in your sleep,” he tells me
    I suddenly become a little more alert and sit up in the chair.
    Red.
    I feel a knot tangle in the pit of my stomach as I become excited to see her.
    I glance at Ian.
    “What time is it?”
    “It’s just after noon,” he says, sitting a cup of coffee on the table and having a
     seat on the couch across from me
    “Is Red awake?” I ask, sitting up, rubbing my hands down my tired eyes
    He shrugs
    I roll my eyes and head to the kitchen where I find Aaron waiting on a pot of coffee
     to finish
    “Where is everyone?” I ask, pulling a coffee cup from the cabinet
    “Maggie and Eli went to the grocery store.
    Trent and Colt both went home.
    James is around here somewhere,” he says, taking the pot and pouring us both a cup
    “Where’s Red?”
    He looks up with quite the smile on his face.
    “She’s gone.”
    I feel my eyes widen.
    “What do you mean ‘she’s gone’?” I ask, nearly dropping the cup of boiling black