An Unlucky Moon (17 page)

The same building where Hunter had been meeting Liam and Alec.

She staggered near where others were gathered, fear gripping her harder than the men who’d grabbed her from her apartment.

“Hunter!” she screamed as loud as she could. He had to be okay. She could still feel the bond, painful as it was.

That meant he had to be alive, right?

Movement from the front of the building caught her eye, and men and women ran to it, despite the fire. Others were getting fire hoses and buckets, trying to put it out. Becca ran toward the figure prone on the ground and gasped.

Her Hunter lay on his back, burns covering his body. Bad burns. She didn’t know degrees, but she had a feeling they were threes.

“Hunter, oh gods.” She fell to her knees at his side even as she saw Alec stumble out of the wreckage, Liam over his shoulders.

They were both burned from what she could tell, but not as badly as Hunter. Others ran to their side, but she stayed by Hunter.

He raised a shaky arm, tucking a piece of her hair behind her ear. “Becca,” he rasped out, low and sounding painful.

Warmth slid through her body, that oddly familiar tingling sensation wrapping around her palms. Instinctively, she placed her palms over the worst of Hunter’s burns and watched as her hands glowed. Sweet pleasure, not the sexual kind, but the kind that made her feel of happiness, warmth, and promise filled her. Hunter’s backed bowed as his eyes widened. She heard the murmurs and gasps of people around her, even over the roar of the fire and its eventual cleanup.

She was healing him.

His tissue and muscles knitted together in some places, the burns healing somewhat but not fully. She didn’t know how she was doing it, only that she knew it had to be done.

She didn’t know how long she kept at it, but as sweat slicked her back and down her temples, her vision started to blur.

“Becca, baby, stop. I’ll live. You’re hurting yourself.”

She met his yellow gaze then let her arms fall to her side. For some reason her body felt really heavy and hard to move. Maybe she would just rest her head near Hunter’s for a bit.

“Becca? Someone help!”

She heard her mate yell her name, but her eyelids were too heavy to look. She just needed a little breather, and then she’d be fine.

Hunter was okay.

That’s all that mattered.

****

She was driving him crazy.

And not in the lust-filled, need-now kind of crazy Hunter usually liked from his mate.

No, this was the kind of crazy that came after years of mating, not after a few weeks and an almost life-ending encounter. 

The couch wasn’t the place he wanted to be.

No, he wanted to run on four feet or two.

He didn’t care.

“Becca, dear, stop hovering,” he grumbled, but she just shook that head of hers, her pretty red curls dancing around her shoulders, then fluffed the pillow behind his back.

“How does that feel?” she asked, warmth mixing with the slight sternness he loved about her.

He leaned back into the pillows, noting that, yes, his back felt better and the burns on his chest weren’t tugging as much anymore, but it was the principle of the thing. Becca was running herself ragged taking care of him. Sure, he was a little weak at the moment—he held back a growl at that—but he wasn’t an invalid. He wanted to hold Becca by his side or rise over her as he sank his cock into that tight pussy of hers, but she was having none of that.

No, she wanted to make sure he was all healed and healthy before they did any type of cuddling.

Any type.

The wounds on his chest, though, weren’t what that hurt the most. No, it was the memory of Becca’s eyes rolling to the back of her head as she passed out along his side. He’d injured himself further by sitting up and pulling her into his arms, needing to see if she was okay. 

She’d scared the shit out him.

He’d have gladly gone through life with scars and spent months recuperating from the wounds that would have killed a human than watch Becca go through what she did. Unsure of how to use her powers, she’d let them all run through her like an open faucet rather than siphoning off some of her powers at a time.

He hadn’t known how to help her use her healing powers, and she’d almost died saving him.

He’d never let her do it again. No matter what. There was no way he’d let her harm herself for him more than she already had. In fact, she’d already attempted countless times to heal his wounds further, but he refused.

“Hunter, why can’t I just heal them a little more? I promise I won’t pass out again.” She bit her lip, her teeth sinking into that juicy piece of flesh. 

The image went straight to his cock, and he couldn’t hold back his groan.

“What’s wrong? Are you hurt?” She ran her hands up and down his arms, and he had to find patience. Between those lips of hers and her hands on his body, he’d have to jerk off in the shower.

Again.

“I’m fine, Becca. I promise. And, no, you can’t heal me. We already talked about this. Don’t make me spank you.”

Her eyes darkened, and the scent of her arousal hit him hard. He adjusted himself in his sweats, watching as her gaze latched onto his hand.

“Hunter Brooks, stop trying to turn me on.”

He grinned despite himself. “You liked the idea of me spanking you, didn’t you? I can’t wait to see that little ass of yours all red from my hand.”

She closed her eyes, and he knew she was holding back a moan.

“Should I leave the room?” Alec asked from behind her. 

Becca’s face turned that pretty pink Hunter loved so much, and he held back a laugh. “I think I’ve said worse things to shock your delicate sensibilities before, Alec.”

His friend raised a brow in Becca’s direction. “I would think it would be your mate’s issue, not mine.”

Becca fisted her hands on her hips then narrowed her eyes at Hunter. “You’re just trying to change the subject. No, mate of mine, we are not having sex or spanking or doing anything dirty. Not until you are healed. That would come—and so would we—if you’d let me heal you.”

Alec barked a laugh, and Hunter flipped him off. “You’re not healing me. Not until we talk to Ambrose about how to deal with your powers.”

“We could go and talk to him sooner if you were healed.” She grinned as she said it, and he knew his mate was just playing with him now.

“We’re going around in circles, baby. I don’t want you hurt.” He said that last part in all seriousness.

“I don’t like seeing you hurt
now
.”

“I’m healing, baby. Liam is too. We’ll be back to normal soon.”

“Normal? What is normal? People being kidnapped and places being blown up? Sorry, that’s not normal to me.”

“Nor is it to me,” Josiah said from the front door. 

Hunter had felt his Alpha’s presence a few minutes earlier, but Josiah hadn’t walked into the house until just then.

Becca turned to Josiah, wringing her hands. His mate still hadn’t gotten quite used to the overwhelming presence of the man before them.

“Oh, hi, Josiah. Can I get you something to drink?” 

Hunter cracked a smile and darted a glance at Alec, who was doing the same. 

Josiah gave her a sad smile then shook his head. “No, dear, I’m not thirsty, but thank you for your hospitality in your home. I know I’m an intruder, but we need to talk.”

“You’re never an intruder, Josiah. You’re Hunter’s family.” Becca shrugged. “I guess that makes you my family as well.”

Happiness filled Hunter at her words, and Josiah’s expression brightened. 

“That was the best thing you could have said to me today. Thank you. I am honored to be part of your family.”

Their Alpha sank into an armchair while Becca sat on the end of the couch, keeping her hand on Hunter. Alec remained standing. Hunter had a feeling whatever Josiah had come over to say wasn’t going to be good.

“Let it out, Josiah,” Hunter said.

Their Alpha was starting to look haggard—something that scared the shit out of Hunter. They were in the middle of peace talks with four other Packs, something that Josiah had to deal with personally. That had to be keeping him up late at night. The fact that the Pack itself was fracturing within from those who desired power couldn’t be helping.

“The three non-injured members of the council have summoned the Beta of the Pack.”

Rage spiraled up his spine and sank into his muscles. “What the fuck? Why now? They couldn’t kill me, so they’ve decided to bore me again in their chambers? Fuck them. I’m tired of this shit, Josiah. I know your grandfather created the council to ensure we didn’t become like the other Packs who had a rampant need for power, but this isn’t working.”

Alec nodded. “Instead of creating a balance, it’s allowed wolves, who can’t become Alpha through tradition, to try any means to attain the dominance they crave.”

“You think I don’t know this?” Josiah exclaimed. “Of course I know what the other council members want. Without you and Liam, we’d have been fucked over long before this. The thing is, because we’ve had over a century for families to slowly gain ground for power, the Pack is in a state of flux. We can’t just go in and knock heads around like we used to.” A faraway look entered Josiah’s eyes, and he cracked a smile. “Gods, I miss that.”

“When do we need to meet in their chambers?” Hunter asked. He still resented the fact that the council had their own chambers while the Alpha and Beta dealt with the circle like they always had. Not that he wanted a chamber for himself, but he didn’t like the fact the others had one when it wasn’t needed.

“It’s not in the chambers, son. They’re calling a full circle. They don’t believe you’re strong enough to be Beta. Not with you being laid up and your… non-wolf mate.”

Hunter took a deep breath, swallowing the anger, and took Becca’s hand. 

“Because of me? They don’t think I’m good enough?” Becca asked, her voice soft. “What does a full circle mean?”

Ignoring his wounds, he brought Becca up to his chest. He needed to feel her. She grounded him with her presence alone, her touch even more so. “It means that the council doesn’t think I’m fit to be Beta.”

“And I’m not fit to be your mate.”

He clenched his jaw but nodded against the top of her head. “They want me to fight to remain in power.”

“You can’t do that. You’re hurt.” 

The burns had weakened him, but it was the effects of the smoke inhalation and internal bleeding that he was worried about. He wasn’t as fast as he usually was…wasn’t as strong.

He didn’t know what the outcome would be.

“I’ll be fine.”

From the look on his Alpha’s face, Josiah saw the lies in his words, but it didn’t matter. He’d fight. 

He settled Becca off his lap and pulled himself up off the couch. He held back a wince and worse as his burns and internal damage screamed at him, but he needed to put on his warrior’s face. He couldn’t show weakness.

Not even to his Becca.

She stood and cupped his face. “You shouldn’t have to fight. You already did your Beta circle thing. It’s their fault you’re hurt to begin with, though we can’t prove it.”

Hunter leaned and captured her lips, needing her softness and inner strength. “They can call me out if enough of the Pack believe in them.”

She swallowed hard but nodded.

“I’m going,” she declared. “You can’t keep me away.”

Though he’d rather she stay behind, he knew he couldn’t hide her from the bad. She was Pack now.

Soon they found themselves to Liam’s then to the gathering. They made their way to the Pack circle, Josiah leading the charge. Liam limped beside them, refusing to lean on Alec the way Hunter refused to lean against Becca. People had gathered again as they had for the circle he’d fought before. It seemed like ages ago. Also like before, some looked as though they’d rather be elsewhere—either afraid of him or knowing this was all bullshit.

Dorian smirked as Hunter’s group came through the edge of the circle. “Look at your Beta, Pack. He’s weak.”

Hunter growled. “Are you the one challenging me, Dorian? Step into the circle, and I’ll tear your face off.”

He was past all the political bullshit.

Dorian snorted. “I’m not challenging you, old man. You’re not even the one we’re challenging.”

Something like fear slid through him. “Then why am I here?”

“We’re challenging your mate. She’s not strong enough to help lead the Pack.”

“What the fuck are you doing?” Hunter yelled. “You can’t challenge my mate.”

“Oh, we don’t want to take away the bond, since we can’t anyway, but we can make sure our Pack is strong. We can’t do that with
her
at your side or as part of the Pack.”

Becca gripped his hand. Hard.

“Becca Quinn, the Pack challenges you for dominance. Lloyd’s niece will be fighting you to reclaim our family’s rightful place. Hunter, if your mate loses, so do you. Remember that.”

“They can’t do that, can they?” Becca whispered.

He couldn’t speak. Couldn’t move.

He couldn’t lose her, but if he took her away from this, he left the Pack. His family.

It wasn’t a choice though. Not really.

He turned toward Becca. “We’ll leave,” he whispered, words for only her ears. “I’ll go lone wolf. We’re done here.”

She pulled away, her jaw set. “No.”

Chapter Thirteen

Becca raised her chin. “You’re not leaving the Pack. We can’t let them win. I’ll fight. I’ll prove myself worthy.”  The Pack was out of their mind if they thought it was okay to rule like this. 

They were fighting, killing, and breaking their rules in subtle—and some not-so-subtle—ways, and they were destroying their Pack from the inside out. Hunter was ready to leave the Pack that had raised him, the Pack that had been part of his blood for centuries, all because of her.

Okay, not solely because of her. She wasn’t selfish enough to think that if she hadn’t come things would have been different, but her presence wasn’t helping. The council would have found another way to try to take down Hunter. They had a thorn up their ass about their Beta, and Becca was tired of it.