The Rising Moon by Nilsa Rodriguez Read Free Book Online Page B

a silver pendant shaped like a raven, with six shiny black bird feathers.
    “ I made it for you,” he said proudly.
    "You didn't have to do this for me."
    "I thought it could help guide good dreams your way."
    “ Thank you. It’s beautiful." I leaned forward and gave him a hug. When I tried to break free from the hug, Ryan locked his arms around my waist and pulled me close to him. I felt the vibrating beat of his heart against my chest. He lifted my chin with his hand and we stared into each other’s eyes. I knew I had to find the strength to free myself from his grip. I didn’t want to make him think we could ever be more then friends. But I couldn’t move.
    I felt his warm, breath on my face as he leaned closer and brushed his full lips against mine. His lips felt soft and the way he gently nibbled my bottom lip with every brush of his lips made it even harder for my brain to scream some sense into me.
    I kissed him back. I don’t know why. Perhaps I was just confused from everything Ani told me or maybe I was lost in the moment. But this wasn’t right, I had to stop.
    "I should go home." My voice was husky as I pulled myself away from him.
    "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have done that."
    "I really must go. Please, take me to my car," I pleaded.
    We both sat quiet in the car as he drove me back to Fort Washakie. My lips still throbbed from the kiss. Although it felt real good to kiss him, I had to remind myself that we could only be friends and nothing more.
    I was glad John was sober and asleep. I really couldn’t handle another night of his drinking. I just wanted to be left alone.
    I sat on the foot of the bed with the box in my hands. I slowly removed the knitted throw and carefully opened the box. In a red velvet pouch, I found a small rusty key. I insert it into the locket on the ivory leather diary. My heart began to beat quick as I began to turn the key. I saw flashes of what seemed to have been a past life swirled together with images that felt like now, but none of it made any sense. It seemed real, yet a dream. Now I understood why I’ve always felt, heard and saw things that felt as if they belonged to someone else.
    “ You’re not Zaria Rohan. You’re Angelia Lafosse,” I told myself. “You’re not destined to repeat her life or suffer her fate. You can write your own destiny. This is your life, she already lived hers.”
    I quickly removed the key from the locket, kept the photo of my parents in my hand, and placed the box in the back of my closet. I stood staring at the closet door after I closed it shut. For a moment, I’d forgotten how to breathe.
    This morning I woke up a human girl and now I’m a reincarnated immortal werewolf!
    My head hurt.
    All I wanted to do was sleep. Forget this whole shape shifting, immortal werewolf nonsense and drift into a deep, long sleep. I hung the dream catcher on a nail near the window pane and headed for bed.

∞ chapter 9 ∞
     
    THE NEXT MORNING the sun was shining bright and the western sky was blue and promising. Last night was the first time I slept through the entire night without tossing or turning.
    I stood in front of the mirror as I brushed my teeth and I noticed my blanched face seemed to have a healthier pink glow today and my eyes were bright as the morning sky. Even my hair looked full and was easy to tame. I decided to ditch the ponytail and wore my hair loose instead.
    I was surprised not to see Emi waiting outside, by the car as she always did. I called her on her cell but she didn’t answer. I decided to drive up to her house. I beeped the horn, until she appeared on the front door. She was dressed in a pink plush robe. Her hair pulled back in a bun and her eyes were puffy.
    "I'm sorry," she sniffed. “I should've called you earlier, but I'm not feeling well today.”
    She looked and sounded terrible. "Is there anything I can get you?" I asked.
    "Thanks, but I'll be alright. Nurse Fielding is going to swing by later." She coughed.
    "Okay.