Blue Moon (25 page)

Chapter Forty

Vivianna

Wolves howled in the distance. Goose bumps crept up my arms. Too late to change my mind now. I stared up at the moon. Logan said I’d see the next full moon as a wolf, part of the Pack.

Sitting alone in the dark, I replayed my call with my mom the night before. She was so happy to hear Logan and I were together again. He was always her second son, and after we lost my dad, Logan’s folks stepped in to help her like we were already one big family.

Someday I’d have to tell her about tonight.

Bushes rustled to my right. I gasped, leaning over to peek at the ground below. Logan looked up at me. He was massive, dark as the night, but his blue eyes were the same. My mate. I swallowed the fear.

“Logan?”

The wolf huffed, but he didn’t come any closer. He had warned me earlier that when he shifted, he was still inside, but the wolf was dominant. I had no idea if Logan could hear me or understand. The wolf just stared. Did he remember my reaction last time the moon was full?

I blew out a slow breath. “I’m not afraid.”

He whined and shook his head once.

“Okay, I’m a little afraid, but I’m ready for this.” I paused and then added, “I want to touch you.”

He tilted his head like he pondered my words. In two hops, the massive wolf stood on top of the boulder. I squeaked a little in surprise, and he lowered his head. With a shaky hand, I reached out to run my fingers through his thick fur.

Touching him made everything real. I was seriously petting a wild wolf. A choked-up laugh escaped my lips, and he raised his head. “You’re amazing.”

He licked my cheek, and I wrapped my arms around his neck. The fear drained from my body, and when I released him, he sat beside me on the sleeping bag, watching the moon. I leaned against him, elated and safe.

I ran my fingers down his chest. He tilted his snout and suddenly nipped my hand, his teeth breaking the skin. The pain swelled, burning until tears stung my eyes, but before I could scramble away, he licked the wound, tender and gentle.

It was done.

He stared into my eyes for a long moment before he turned and jumped to the ground. My hand throbbed, but when I lifted it up in the moonlight, it wasn’t a gash or a gaping wound. He’d been careful.

Even as a wild animal, that wolf loved me.

Popping and whining and panting came from the darkness of the trees below. I leaned over the side, but I couldn’t see anything. Gradually the whines became very human groans. Logan was shifting back.

I straightened on the rock, trying to give him some semblance of privacy. My mind whirled with questions. I held up my hand again and frowned. Turning it over and over, I couldn’t believe my eyes.

It was healed.

Each time I thought I was ready, and nothing in Logan’s world could surprise me, I was wrong.

“Anna?”

I almost fell off the rock; I was that surprised to find him up top with me. Logan caught my hand and pulled me into his arms. I clung to him, overwhelmed by the tempest of emotions brewing inside me. Finally, I stepped back and showed him my hand.

“It’s already healed.”

He inspected it and kissed over the new scar. “Good.” He met my eyes. “Notice anything else?”

I glanced down and back up with a little smile. “You’re naked.”

He laughed, rolling his eyes. “Thanks for noticing.” He sobered a little. “Everyone reacts differently to the bite, but your senses should start getting stronger as the wolf bonds with you.”

I turned around, scanning the trees. “Someone’s there.”

He ran his hand up my back. “You hear it, too.”

I nodded.

“Do you recognize the scent?”

I took a breath and sighed. “No.”

A wolf with clothes and shoes in his jaws dropped them next to the rock. He stared up at us, and his blue eyes were a dead giveaway. “Luke.”

He started to go, but Logan called his name. The wolf turned back.

“Thanks, Bro.”

He chuffed in answer and darted back into the trees.

Logan squeezed my hand. “I should probably get dressed in case a ranger comes by.”

I leaned up on my toes and kissed him, dragging my teeth along his lower lip until he growled and held me tighter.

“Maybe you should hold off on getting dressed.”

He lowered me to the sleeping bag with a sexy smile. “You’re suddenly overdressed.”

I smiled up at him. “Maybe you could help me with that.”

We made love under the blue moon, with wolves howling in the distance. Every touch and taste was heightened, as my body changed right along with my heart. I surrendered every part of myself to him, and it no longer seemed like a risk. We were in this together, whatever the future held.

Spent, we lay on our backs, staring up at the moon and stars, our fingers entwined while the breeze off the water cooled our bodies. He turned his head and smiled at me. “This is the best full moon I’ve ever had.”

I grinned. “Me, too.”

He chuckled and sat up. “I better get my clothes before any critters do.” He jumped to the ground like it was nothing. I leaned over the side. “So, can I make this jump now, too?”

He looked up at me while he dressed. “Maybe? The physical strength is usually the last thing to change, but you could be the exception.”

“Nah.” I pulled my jeans back on. “I’m good.”

Logan hopped up beside me again, his arm around my waist. In the distance the wolves howled again, and Logan smiled.

I nudged him. “Do you know what they’re saying?”

He kissed me and whispered, “Welcome to the Pack.”

I grinned, tasting his lips one more time. “Proud to be a part of it.”

“I love you so much, Anna.”

I ran my finger along his lower lip. “I love you, too.”

He pulled me close, holding me tight, his lips brushing my ear. “Thank you for giving me another chance.”

I met his eyes and smiled. “Best decision I’ve ever made.”

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Acknowledgments

Big thanks to my editors Jenn Mishler and Liz Pelletier for all your help polishing this one and helping me make Damian all he could be and more. Thanks to the entire Entangled team especially Rhianna, Curtis, and Jessica for all your help and support for the Moon Series. I also need to thank my amazing agent, Laurie McLean for all your support for the Wolf Pack! A super big thanks to my amazing beta readers, Denise Fluhr, Heather Cox, Elizabeth Neal. Your enthusiasm always makes me write faster! I also want to send a big shout out to my Night Angel Legion street team! Thanks for naming the band members! And I also need to thank my cousin Sergeant Tenaya Webb for teaching me to shoot a Glock so I could bring Anna’s shooting lesson to life in the book. And thanks to my awesome family for all your support!

Finally, I need to thank my amazing husband, Ken. I couldn’t do any of this without your love and support and unwavering faith in me. I love you!

About the Author

Lisa Kessler
is an Amazon Best Selling and award winning author of dark paranormal fiction. Her debut novel,
Night Walker
, won a San Diego Book Award for Best Published Fantasy-Sci-fi-Horror as well as the Romance Through the Ages Award for Best Paranormal and Best First Book. Her short stories have been published in print anthologies and magazines, and her vampire story, Immortal Beloved, was a finalist for a Bram Stoker award. When she’s not writing, Lisa is a professional vocalist, performing with the San Diego Opera as well as other musical theater companies in San Diego. You can learn more at
authorlisakessler.com
. She loves hearing from readers—
[email protected]

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