Moonlight's Peril (Moonlight Series Book 1) (10 page)

“I know. Soon. I just need a little more time to look for her.” Bianca frowned, pausing. “How is Tyler? I’ve been so worried about him staying in school.”

Sabrina shrugged. “You need to worry about you for once. I haven’t seen him around lately.”

“I’m going to stop by his house later. Is his little sister still coming?”

“Yes, but she hasn’t said a word about her brother.”

“Okay, I’m going to check on him anyway. He’s a good kid; he just needs someone to remind him of that. How was Amie Booker’s piano recital? I wish I’d been up to going. I sent her a card with some stickers inside to wish her luck.” Bianca worried her lip between her teeth.
I have to get back to work.

“Everyone is okay. I promise not to let all the kids take candy from strangers or start dealing drugs while you’re gone.” Sabrina shook her head and chuckled. “Now for some happy news, Marcia had her baby. It’s a girl, and she’s going to keep her. Cute little thing too. You were right.”

“I carried Chessa the same way.” Bianca smiled at the memory.

Sabrina was quiet as if the reminder of Chessa was some insult. Bianca was sick of changing the subject away from her daughter to protect others from dealing with what she was going through. Chessa was the elephant in the room, but every time she said her daughter’s name, she kept a piece of her near.
Chessa.
The syllables were Bianca’s talisman.

Sabrina cocked her head to the side and gave Bianca a sad little smile. “When you’re ready everyone wants you back. I’m not you so don’t worry about me taking over your job.”

“That’s the last thing I’m worried about. I couldn’t sell this job.”

“You love it, and you know it.”

“Yeah, I do. I’ll be back soon. I feel so guilty about not being here when someone needs me. Just give me another week or two.”

“They’re yours. Don’t worry, everyone understands. When Bonny went through her divorce and the scumbag took a baseball bat to her new car you were there for her. She’ll cover and help me out as long as you need her too. When I was new here, you made me feel like a native. I’d never have had the courage to stay if you hadn’t been my friend.”

Bianca made a “tsking” sound. “You would have.”

“No, I wouldn’t have.”

Bianca rolled her eyes and waved her friend’s words away with a casual wrist flick. Now
she
wanted to change the subject.

“So did anything interesting happen while I’ve been out?”

“Yeah, actually, something weird.”

“I’m all ears.” Bianca leaned forward.

“The mayor.”

Bianca’s sat up straighter in the chair. “What about him?”

“He started picking up Carter and Joleen’s son and even brings him to Carter, so Jolene didn’t have to see the jerk. Like, the first week you were gone. The guy never said anything. He just motioned for Bobby to come with him. It reminded me of something out of a Godfather movie. I wonder if Kane does a Marlin Brando impersonation.” Sabrina laughed at her joke, and then her face grew serious again. “Joleen told me the mayor was interceding, but I didn’t believe it until I saw it.”

“That mayor of ours is full of surprises,” Bianca said dryly.
He’s one of them, and this confirms it.
             

Sabrina narrowed her eyes. “Why don’t you seem as freaked out as I was? Kane Wolfe gives me the shivers.”

“Nothing freaks me out like it used to.”

“I’m sorry. After everything you’ve been through, yeah, I get it.”

Bianca let her think the reaction was about Chessa and not the fact Bianca’s whole world changed overnight. There was no way Sabrina could know, and that was for the best. They stood for a moment in an awkward silence. As talkative and social as Bianca was, werewolves weren’t something she wanted to try to explain. Putting Sabrina in danger was the last thing she would willingly do. The uncomfortable miscommunication would just have to linger.

“Well, I just needed to stop by and make sure the place was still here. I’ll call you,” Bianca said. She was suddenly exhausted.

“Please do. I’ve been thinking about you. You know you’re my sister from another mother, right?”

Bianca grinned and stood up to hug her friend. “Definitely. Thank you for being here for me.”

“See you soon. Call me if you need me,” Sabrina said. The genuine tone made Bianca feel loved as she left the building to walk home.

Getting out of the house had been good for Bianca. The cheery sun warmed her. Her phone showed almost noon. She wanted to stop at the convenience store and pick up something quick to eat. She still hadn’t gotten groceries. Errands didn’t seem important when monsters ran the town.
Monsters?
Law wasn’t a monster, and neither were Janna or Reylin. Sandy and Marcus Brook were decent too. She had to get over her undue prejudice. No wonder werewolves stayed hidden from the world.

The sound of tires on the pavement made her turn around. The car from earlier drove up beside her. The hair rose on the back of her neck.
Something is not right.
Bianca ran. She heard the sound of the car doors slamming. She didn’t stop to look back.

Rounding the corner her body impacted against a solid wall of muscle. Rough hands squeezed her biceps. She cried out.

“You’re late for your meeting,” said the big man in a cigarette-rough voice.

“I’m not scheduled to meet with anyone. Let me go!”

“The mayor says you’re late, so you’re late.”

I wish that jerk had been this excited to meet with me when the community center needed a new roof.
Bianca let the man bring her back to his car. She put her hand in her purse and fished around for her phone. With skill, she unlocked the touch screen and swiped open the messages icon. Touching Kloe’s name, she managed one word before the barbarian snatched her bag off her lap. HELP…

Fourteen

The wolf never dreamed, but this night was different. Law woke grumpy after haunting images of Bianca in his arms disturbed his rest. She’d been passionate—glorious. The man had made love to his woman, and she’d loved every second.
He ran a hand through his hair.
Damn, I want her so much.
Fleeting images of having her under him had mingled with bits of the wolf’s love of the run. His body ached from tossing and turning on the hard limestone.

Being human again, naked, in the caves always became a little awkward. He grabbed pants as he stepped over sleeping people. Law was the first up. He walked out of the cave to stand on the rock ledge and stretched as the sunrise warmed his chilly body. His territory spread out below him. The beauty of the land took his breath away, and the responsibility to his people hung heavy in his heart.

The winter months were the worst mornings after the run. The fall air smelled crisp and reminded him cold weather would soon arrive. Snow would come early, his wolf knew. Law went to the stash of clothing in the cave and found some of his things. Cautiously, he stepped over the sleeping people as he dressed. He resisted the urge to wake everyone in his rush to get home and check the compound’s security. The urgency, born out of his desire to make sure Bianca was safe, rose in him with a vengeance.
I’ll have to leave her every month.

Law’s dreams weren’t the only thing making him grumpy. Denying his pack the freedom of the run weighed on him, but he had to make safety the priority. Tobias’ scent goaded him. He hated the lingering stench tainting his land.
At least I kept the pack safe.
The thought was a small comfort to his wounded pride. The group stirred behind him as the pack woke.

Eve Wolfe came over to him with an aromatic cup of coffee. “Thanks.” He took the cup.

She hadn’t bothered to put on a shirt. “Good morning,” she said, husky and low, before winking at him. “You can’t tell me a human is really what you want? Don’t you want a born mate who can enjoy the moon with you? I’ve been waiting a long time for you.”

Law gritted his teeth.
I’m surprised it took her this long to speak her piece.
“I’ve never let you think I’d take you as a mate. Your waiting is your own business. Bianca is mine, my true mate.”

Eve growled. “I’m nothing like Kane—he’s just a distant cousin. You’ve always held my family name against me.”

“It’s never been your name it’s always been your heart. Even when we were kids, you liked to get under people skin. Cruelty isn’t attractive, even on a beautiful woman.”

“So you think I’m beautiful,” she whispered, husky. Law smelled her desire.

“Beauty is as beauty does, so not really.”

“You’re an ass.” She hustled away without looking at him, but he noticed a deep flush on her face.

Nik came over to stand by Law, but he was watching Eve. “What’d she want?”

“Same as always.”

Nik snorted a gruff chuckle. “Eve’s hot as hell, too bad she acts like she belongs there.”

They stood at the mouth of the cave drinking coffee. The smell of food cooking on the fire caused Law’s stomach to cramp. Steam rose up from his cup. Everyone started to get up and dress. Nik grabbed a cigarette out of the pack in his coat pocket and lit the tobacco.

“Those things will kill you,” Law said.

“We all have to go sometime. Besides, we don’t know any weres who got cancer.”

“Doesn’t mean it’s not possible. Don’t tempt fate.”

“Speaking of temptation, how are you holding up? Last night had to be a bitch. Claiming is the stupidest thing you’ve ever done,” Nik said. “I can’t imagine what it’s like leaving a defenseless human behind.”

“Fucking awful.” Law’s clenched his jaw. He wasn’t in the talking mood.

Nik stood quietly. Law wished he could just run ahead, but he had a responsibility to get everyone home safe and sound.

“Yep,” Nik muttered, crushing out his cigarette against the limestone cave wall before he went inside.

****

A scent caught Law’s attention. The uneventful jaunt home hadn’t prepared him for the stench of blood near the compound. Law held up his arm, and everyone stopped. Nik rushed up beside him. They walked ahead of the others. Tracking the horrible odor of death was easy. The kill was fresh, and the closer they came to the gate the worse the smell became. A woman was propped up against the wall. Bloody paw prints stamped the wall around her. One print, centered on her forehead, told him everything. Tobias. Law would recognize the print anywhere. His father’s body had been found mutilated and marked the same way. Tobias was using the woman’s death to send a message. He’d killed in Law’s territory.

A frustrated growl/scream erupted out of Law’s throat. He punched the compound wall. Hard. Rage made his transformation begin. Nik turned away.
Is it anger or respect making him give me privacy to gain control?

Law drew in a deep breath, but the smell of death and Tobias didn’t help him reign in his wolf. Anger consumed his soul and raged with the need for vengeance. “Damn it!” Closing his eyes, Law focused his thoughts on Bianca to find his self-control. He sniffed, picking out the dead woman’s unique scent. She was the injured female from the woods. He hated himself. Her murder was on him.

Nik glared at Law when their gazes connected. “We should have helped her.”

“He’d have killed us and everyone in the pack. Anyone who tried to help would be just as dead. She was a trap, and now she’s a symbol. We can’t let the kids see her. We’ll clean this up before anyone comes out of the shelter.” Law let out a slow, shaky breath. “She deserves a proper burial, and her pack deserves closure.” He gently pulled her face up so he could look at her. Even brutalized the young wolf was still beautiful. “Do you recognize her?”

“No. I would remember a girl who looks like she did. But I don’t know that many townies. My guess is she’s local, but she could be staying with family. She started to heal just before she died—pure blood. If she’s not a bitten, what was she doing out here with Tobias?”

“I wish I knew. We have to get Kane involved. If she’s from town, her people need to know. We also have to get some help. His pack wasn’t this large the last time we encountered him. He’s been preparing for war. No alpha would build a pack full of bittens unless he were after territory,” Law said and then sighed. “Get the men.”

Nik rushed off, and Law picked up the girl. His eyes blurred with unshed tears, and his heart ached for her people. “I’m sorry this happened to you,” he said to the lifeless body cradled to his chest. If they didn’t stop Tobias, Bianca might be the next corpse left on his doorstep. Law growled softly.

****

Chessa tasted something nasty. She smacked her tongue on the roof of her mouth. Her whole body ached, and she was freezing. Opening her eyes, Chessa gazed at the gray-pink morning sky stretching above her head. Horrified, she realized she was lying stark naked in the frost-dusted grass. A soft whimper of alarm escaped her as she looked around desperately for cover. Joy materialized beside her, clothed, and holding a clean dress. The clothing, too big and ugly for her, was all she had so Chessa pulled it over her head as fast as she could. The rough fabric was more precious than silk as she pushed herself up to her knees. Joy helped her stand, and they stumbled away together. Most of the pack slept in the meadow. Chessa could only remember bits and pieces of the previous night.

“Being the wolf will get easier,” Joy said. “You did well for this being your first shift.”

“Is everyone else asleep?” Chessa whispered.

Joy nodded. She motioned for Chessa to follow her back toward camp.

“We could run, escape,” Chessa said.

Joy shook her head fiercely and hugged Chessa close. “Don’t let
anyone
hear you talk like that.” She pulled the collar of her shirt away from her neck. A thick puckered scar ran around her skin. “Six months chained to a tree, in the winter, I barely survived.”

Chessa saw red. The hair on the back of her neck and arms stood up. As her eyes narrowed her shoulder, muscles tightened. She growled low in her throat.

“Who did this? I’ll kill them!” Chessa shouted. She stood up with her fists clenched, panting.

“Lower you voice.” Joy took Chessa’s hand and tried to pull her down.

Confusion mingled with Chessa’s still-present outrage. “Why?” 

Joy looked away. “Because they can. I learned my place after that. Stay quiet and out of sight. Give them what they want. Don’t fight.”

Running now would leave Joy alone and possibly blamed for her escape. Chessa reluctantly let Joy pull her down and settle her next to the burned out campfire. Joy built a small fire and set the ingredients for pancakes to the side. She worked with practiced skill. Smelling frying bacon made Chessa lick her lips.

“Make mine as big as the griddle,” said a cheerful male voice.

Chessa looked up and saw a handsome boy in his late teens. He wore jeans and a t-shirt and had shaggy brown hair. When he looked at her, she felt heat creep up her neck. Intensity simmered in his chocolate brown gaze. She bit her lip and swiped at her hair, pulling a dry leaf out of one of her blonde tangles.

“Trax, you know I won’t feed one of Avery’s kin. Wake one of his women if you’re hungry. Clint would cut my hands off.”

Trax?
He turned to grin at Chessa before frowning at Joy. “Yeah, he probably would.”

“What kind of a name is Trax?” Chessa asked.

Trax shrugged. “Before I ended up here I was the star of my high school track team. My last name is Traxler, so the nickname just stuck. I’m even faster on four legs than I ever was on two.” He held out his hand. “Evan Traxler.”

She shook his hand with graceless self-consciousness. “How did you end up here?” Chessa cringed as she realized how rude her question sounded.

“How did
you
end up here?”

Chessa pressed her trembling lips together and blinked the surprise moisture from her eyes. She couldn’t peer into soulful gaze another second, so she looked at the ground. “They murdered my father.”

Silence.

When she gathered the courage to see if he was still there, he wore a dark scowl. “You got a mom?”

“Yeah, I do, but I don’t want to make her sick.”

“I get it. You’re too bright and shiny for this place, kid.”

She wasn’t a kid. “Chessa. Chessa Archer.” She stuck out her hand, but he didn’t shake it.

“Not Monstre?”

“Not Monstre,” she confirmed.

Trax shrugged. “You should take the name. If anyone asks, you are Chessa Monstre.”

Joy pretended to ignore them, but Chessa could tell she followed the conversation.

“I won’t be someone else. So who is Avery and why can’t Joy give you some food?”

Trax shrugged. “Doesn’t matter. What does matter is the day you ended up in this hell you became someone else. Take the name.”

His serious expression was so focused on her she couldn’t draw a full breath. She nodded, but unsure if she’d heed his advice. No matter how sage his request might be, she was not giving up her mother’s name. Her name might be all she had left of her mom.

“Avery bit me to punish my dad. Avery is my uncle, but both he and my dad grew up human. Clint is their cousin, and he hates Avery.”

Joy made a shushing sound. She looked around with a frantic sort of head wobble that reminded Chessa of a bird. “Clint claimed me,” Joy said. “Keep your voices down.” Joy gazed at Chessa with a manic expression. “Tobias is your kin, but that won’t protect you if one of them thinks they can scare you into silence. Just keep close to me, but when Clint is around you get to your grandfather and hang close to him.”

Chessa wanted to ask Joy why she’d live with such a jerk, but Joy had been kind so Chessa kept her question to herself.

“Because she can’t escape. No one is here because they want to be except the real hardcore dickheads.”
Trax’s voice was in her head.

She’d run, even if no one else had the guts, it was a matter of finding the right time. She couldn’t go home, but she didn’t want to stay with these people.