Beneath the Broken Moon: Part One: Shifter/Vampire Romance (3 page)

“Hmm...” He pointedly glanced at my bandaged arm. “Good luck. Your intimidation isn’t working. I’ve been around for centuries—how old are you, pup?” As if to reinforce his smug certainty, he turned back to the window.

Pup.
My blood pressure spiked, and my nails sharpened into claws. I hated being called that, but I had to admit, he’d fixed me up without giving into bloodlust and ripping out my throat, which was particularly impressive given our status as enemies.

Some vampires touted werewolf blood as a divine elixir that held an extra kick, making us more scrumptious than humans. Maybe it came from the power werewolves harnessed, the raw wildness that howled through our veins, or the rigid self-control we exercised during the one of three full moons that occurred within a two-month time span.

Regardless of all that, I needed to keep focused on developing my plan.

“That’s none of your business.” I glanced at the door and took a quiet step toward it. Derek had been right about one thing. He had centuries on me, and I hadn’t been able to properly practice my fighting skills. Given fight or flight, my odds were better with flight. He intimidated me, but despite that, my body ached in ways I’d never experienced before. “What do you care?” Perhaps if I made conversation, he wouldn’t notice me trying to escape. Unlikely, though.

He didn’t answer, just kept his back to me. Anger tugged at me, but I pushed it down. He wasn’t worth the possibility of losing control of my beast. My nails returned to normal, and any sign of the nail polish I’d put on that evening disappeared with the change.

Darting to the door, I came up short at the sight of him glowering down at me. Only the cool breeze I’d felt seconds before proved he hadn’t teleported.

I moved away, taking one step at a time until my legs hit the oak bed. Even if I wanted to change forms, I’d have to get the splint off first. Shifting with it on would be unbearable; I might even further injure myself. “What do you want? What guarantee will you accept that I won’t tell my kind about you?” My tone softened, and I stared at my splint. With the way he moved, I wouldn’t be able to get it off before he was on top of me.
Back to the plan, Carmela. Don’t get sidetracked. Talk.
“The only reason they want me is for my womb, to bear the next generation of werewolves.” The words fell out of my mouth before I could stop them. “They don’t really care about
my
safety.”

Grinding my teeth, I lifted my gaze to his face, which had become as hard and neutral as alabaster. That topic stung, and I couldn’t believe I’d opened up to him, a vampire of all beings. But it wasn’t as if he cared.

“That’s an important role.” He leaned against the doorframe, barring the exit but keeping his distance. “Your kind is near extinction.”

I balled my hand into a fist. How could he side with them so easily? My womb belonged to me, and I resented being used as a tool for breeding. “Sure, you try living with the pressure to appease your people when all you want is a life with love and tenderness, instead of an arranged relationship with someone you barely know.” I turned my back on him, unable to believe I’d just spoken my true feelings for the first time. My future saddened me, but I’d never revealed that sentiment to anyone else.

Vampires had it easier. They turned humans through multiple bites. They didn’t have to worry about dying off like werewolves. He had no idea about my ‘important role.’

But pity wasn’t what I wanted from him or anyone else. I would do what was required, but that didn’t mean I had to like it. Suddenly the thought of returning home didn’t feel as enticing as it had moments ago.

“You’d be an Alpha Queen, a sacred title amongst your people, with a mate to protect you and your pups. What more could you want?” On second thought, I could really do without Derek’s pep talk. “That’s prestigious. Surely you weren’t out to get yourself killed by the
Cazador
for that reason alone?” Humor warmed his voice.

CHAPTER THREE

Derek

“Of course not!” Carmela whirled on me. “I’m
not
like you. Fancy titles and positions of authority might be what you aspire to, but not me!” A snarl trickled from her throat and her skin rippled as fur spread over her arms before disappearing again. Her beast fought hard to take over.

If I didn’t calm her soon, I’d have one pissed-off werewolf on my hands. I wasn’t afraid of what she might do to me—she was injured. She wouldn’t be able to attack as she wanted, and that meant she’d end up hurting herself more, if not forcing me to end her life. I couldn’t have a werewolf rampaging through my home. It’d draw too much attention. The flow of her anger wound through the room, a sign of her staunch control quickly unraveling.

“You’re wrong. I don’t have delusions of grandeur.” I didn’t dare say more. The High Council would rip me apart over mingling with her kind, let alone telling her about my position among them. However, the apocalypse had changed me. My attendance at meetings had suffered for the first time since becoming part of the upper echelon in Victorian London so many lifetimes ago.

She shook her head but took several deep breaths. “Right.”

However, I couldn’t understand why, if she were in such a privileged position, she wouldn’t want that life? Werewolf society was different from the vampires’. We had centuries to horde wealth, and we weren’t in as much danger of extinction as they were. Besides, she’d have a sacred title amongst her people, and a man who would protect her and the pups she bore him.

It had to be better than being one of the Protectors, women who didn’t have a noble birthright. From what I’d read, Protectors also bore children and helped continue the race, but an Alpha Queen was special.

Maybe pairing up and bearing children didn’t suit her ideals. “What were you doing out so late then?” I ran my gaze down her petite frame. “It isn’t wise to roam the city at night. Your people must know the suspicion the
Cazador
has for those active after dark. Don’t they?” I remained still, trying not to come across as a threat. That was the last thing she needed right now.

“Of course we do. I was out with my cousin.” Tears welled in her eyes but didn’t spill over. Her hands trembled, and she acted as if the walls were closing in on her. “Just move, okay?” Her voice rasped the words. “You saved my life, and I’d prefer not to hurt you.”

My lips tightened in concern, but I wiped away the emotion. I cocked an eyebrow and looked her over again. If she’d look into my eyes this would all be much easier, but Carmela was too smart for that. “I won’t move, and you’re too injured to fight me.”

“That doesn’t stop me from leaving.” She twisted around, and before I could figure out what she meant, glass shattered as she dove out the window. A solid thump sounded a few seconds later.

Cursing, I ran to the broken window. She picked herself off the ground and glared up at me for a second before running off in a flurry of motion. I squeezed my hands into fists. I knew I should run after her, but that might put me at risk. I needed to trust that she wouldn’t do anything to bring her people or the
Cazador
to my door.

Not that I had any reason to. We were sworn enemies, after all.

If only my heart agreed.

CHAPTER FOUR

Chandra

I crossed my legs, then smoothed the wrinkles from my skirt as I stared silently at Uncle William’s red, angry face from across the massive oak desk. Aunt Katarina sat in the chair next to me, wringing her thin hands in her lap.

What would he and Katarina say if Carmela was gone for good? My cousin had always been the shining star, even if she didn’t realize it. I worked hard for the attention I received. There were no mates in my immediate future, no prized position amongst my people, and yet she complained about it all.

I wiped a tear from my cheek. Even if I had my issues with Carmela, I didn’t want her dead. She’d been my only friend when I’d come in off the street.

William leaned forward, his thick hands flat on the surface of the desk. His dark brown eyes scanned mine, and he drew in a deep breath as if searching for signs of deceit. “Get on with it. What happened this evening?” His voice reminded me of a drill sergeant from the Militia, pitched barely lower than a shout. A thick vein protruded on his forehead.

I tugged at the hem of my skirt again. “We were at the
Teatro
.” Sniffling, I met his gaze, knowing it was a thin line between challenge and standing up for myself. Most of the time, I wondered where the chips would fall. “Someone started yelling at the back of the theater during the movie, then bullets started flying and everyone ran. The
Cazador
knew a group of nocturnes would be there. We escaped out the exit door and split up in hopes of losing the hunters.” I dipped my head, unwilling to tell the whole story. If they knew I’d had reservations during the intermission, I would be blamed for Carmela’s death. “Several nocturnes were killed. I don’t think they were trying to capture us.” The
Cazador
had shouted for us to remain in place. As if. Nocturnes, especially lycanthropes, weren’t stupid.

After I made sure I wasn’t being followed, I tracked Carmela and saw the hunter shoot her. If my cousin wasn’t here now, she had to be dead. However, I’d looked for her all over, covering several square blocks. But she’s vanished as if by magic.

Something was off.

Katarina rubbed her hand over my back in soothing strokes, but it did little to settle my confused emotions. “Oh, dear, we’re glad you’re safe. Can I make you a cup of hot chocolate?” she asked, her voice gentle and calming.

I glanced her way and nodded. “Thank you, Auntie.”

Katarina stood up straight, keeping her shoulders back, which only emphasized her thin, frail-looking frame. “Maybe we should send out a search team to find our daughter. She could be—” She stopped herself and sighed. “Forgive me.”

“Just go make your niece some hot chocolate, woman.” Uncle William rose to his feet and circled the desk. He was tall and stocky, making him formidable both as a human and a werewolf. He leaned against the edge and stared over my shoulder as if waiting for my aunt to leave. Once satisfied she was gone, he knelt before me and brushed his knuckles across my cheek in a firm, almost painful, gesture. “If you’re lying,” he said, brushing his lips against my ear, “I’ll make you wish you hadn’t. Do you understand me, girl?” He bit into my earlobe hard enough to hurt but not bleed.

I winced, but a sensual shiver chased down my spine all the same.

After a few moments, soft footsteps signaled Aunt Katarina’s return. William pushed off from the desk, then crossed to the large fireplace, resting his hand on the mantle. His gaze met mine before darting away. He wouldn’t let slip to Katarina what went on between us. If she told anyone, he’d be punished. Granted, he had ways of convincing those under him to obey.

Fear mixed with forbidden lust. I didn’t want to be this messed up, but sometimes...it felt so good. My shoulders hunched, and I grudgingly accepted the mug, keeping my gaze fixed on the warm cocoa—with a spoonful of whipped cream, just the way I liked it.

My aunt was too good to me, and I didn’t always feel deserving of her care.

CHAPTER FIVE

Carmela

After traveling almost a block, I slowed my pace and glanced over my shoulder to see if Derek had followed me. Kind of silly, since he could’ve caught me before I made it out of the alley. Crashing through the window wasn’t as painless as the movies made it look. Feline shifters had it so much easier. Then again, the blood loss had made me weak. Whatever the method, I still freed myself from him.

Although not every part of me was happy about that.

My vampiric savior had a strange allure about him, one I hesitated to admit even to myself. Not that it mattered—Father had chosen my mate. Soon enough, I’d be in his possession.

Would forever in the vampire’s care have been so bad?

Shit! What am I thinking?
I needed to get a grip. We were enemies. Mortal enemies. Even if we had some kind of fling, our people would hunt us to the ends of the Earth, hell-bent on our deaths.

Father would kill me. Literally.

Rubbing a hand down my hip, I limped along the cracked sidewalk, scanning the row houses that lined the street with their peeling paint and dusty windows. Other people strolled along the pavement, but they averted their gazes from me, obviously uncomfortable. I couldn’t blame them. Derek might have cleaned the wound, but blood stained my blouse and dressy jeans.

I groaned.

Shiny new clothes weren’t easy to come by; not in this day and age. People of my class tended to have fine things, but not me. Father was so controlling. He never allowed me to look ‘too nice.’ Chandra, on the other hand...
Don’t even go there, Carmela. It’s not worth it.

Even though I was twenty, he didn’t treat me like an adult. He treated me like a possession, always wanting to show me off at Alpha meetings, but never spending time with me. How would I tell him I didn’t want to be with someone who only wanted a female to bear his pups?