Moonlight's Peril (Moonlight Series Book 1) (14 page)

Twenty

Birds chirped. The bed dipped. Bianca couldn’t remember where she was. Something touched her face. The scent of sex and man surrounded her. She lay on the brink of sleep until memories of Law making love to her filled her mind. He pressed a kiss to her lips before she heard him get out of bed. The shower flipped on, and she laid in bed listening to him sing Hotel California. His voice wasn’t bad. Bianca giggled. Then she remembered the high stakes of the day stretching ahead of them.

Getting out of bed, Bianca picked out an outfit. Reylin had left her a t-shirt and jeans or a sundress. She grabbed the blue bra and panties, socks, and the jeans. She took them into the bathroom with her.

Bianca cleared her throat. “Good morning.” Law stopped singing. “Don’t stop now. I like it.”

“Did I wake you?”

“No, not really. As soon as you’re done, I’ll hop in. I’ll be ready to go into town with you fast.”

“Go into town with me? I’m not taking you to Kane.”

“Bullshit! I’m coming too. This is about my daughter I’m not just going to sit around here and twiddle me thumbs.”

She saw Law’s profile through the frosted shower door. He rested his hands on the wall and let the water run over his head. He shook his head like a wet dog—wolf and then she heard him sigh.

“We’ll have a quick bit to eat and then we’ll go.”

She’d expected more of an argument. Law stepped out of the shower, and she handed him a towel.

“Thanks,” he said. He left the room and she brushed her hair and teeth quickly before taking the shower. When finished, she wrapped her hair and dried off before dressing. She didn’t wear make-up unless it was a special occasion. She tossed the towels in his hamper and picked up his too. Then she ran a brush through her wet hair and went out of the bathroom.

“Law?” he wasn’t in the bedroom or living room. She went to the kitchen. Checking his fridge she saw it was empty. Then she noticed him by the pick-up.

“That son of a bitch!”  Bianca shouted, and rushed out of the house.

Law opened the driver side door and climbed into the truck.

“Don’t forget me,” Bianca said.  Law looked surprised.

Nik sat on the passenger side. “No room,” Nik said.

“I’ll ride in the back if I have to.”

Nik and Law exchanged a look. Nik got out and held the door, and she crawled in to sit in the middle next to Law. Nik squished her as he closed the door. She wasn’t a delicate little flower, and the males were big boys.

“We have to be careful when we talk to Kane. Damn careful.” Law started the truck.

“Okay, I’ll let you do the talking,” Bianca assured him.

“Women don’t get involved with this kind of thing.” Nik glared his disapproval.

“Well, welcome to the twenty-first century. I won’t freak out or something.”

“That’s right; you won’t. No matter what Kane says, you stay cool. These negotiations aren’t always so clear. You won’t know how to read between the lines because you’re new to our—culture. Just promise me you will stay quiet or stay in the truck.”

She flung out her arms. “I’m a capable adult.”

Law backed the truck up, and they rolled down the driveway toward town.

“But you aren’t a wolf,” Nik said it as if he was condemning her. “Would you even want to be one?”

“I don’t see how your question has any relevance. I’m not, so what’s the point?”

“The point is you could be, or is there something wrong with our kind?”

“That’s enough,” Law said, ending the argument. “I’ve already told you I won’t bite her.”

“So I’m not good enough to be one of you?” Bianca asked, offended to her core.

“Damn it! No, I just don’t want you to suffer. The change hurts for bittens. It’s hard to go from human to werewolf when you were born human. Not everyone can handle that kind of psychological kick in the pants.”

“I’m stronger than you’d think.” Bianca looked straight ahead, refusing to look at the men. “Do you think Chessa’s in pain?” Her throat ached with emotion.

“Honey, I hope not.” Law looked over her head to glare at Nik. “But I won’t lie to you; she might need a lot of help when we have her back. I don’t need you to change. You don’t owe me or my pack anything,” The gate opened, and Law drove onto the main road. “I’m going to kick your ass when we get home. Don’t worry about what Nik wants. He’s like a brother to me, but that doesn’t mean he knows what I want. There’s no reason for you to suffer the change, Bianca. You’re mine, human or wolf, you’re my mate.”

Bianca pressed her lips together, tight. Her hands clenched in her lap.
What do I even say to him, why argue?
No, I’m just stressed out. I wouldn’t want to be a wolf, right?

The ride to town was silent after that. When they passed the grocery store, Bianca sat up straighter. “I just bought a bunch of groceries. We should stop back at my house and grab them. Your fridge was empty. I think I saw the baking soda crying because it was so lonely.”

Law shrugged, but a hint of a smile played on his lips. “If you want.”

They pulled up to Kane’s enormous home. Nik got out and helped her down. Law came around and put his arm around her. They walked in, and the guards let them pass. Tonya buzzed them in. “He’s expecting you.”

Bianca followed Law and Nik into Kane’s office.

Kane sat working at his desk and didn’t look up. “The misses smells nice this morning. I’m surprised you brought a woman to this meeting.”

“She’s concerned about her daughter. Her acceptance is not the same thing as a complete understanding of our ways.”

Kane’s eyes narrowed. “As her mate, you have a duty to teach her,” Kane smiled at Bianca. His eyes chilled her all the way to her bones. “Tobias wants his war; he has it. The entire pack is ready to fight, even the women. We’re going to kill him, and every single killer who assaulted our Laurie.” His gaze never left Bianca’s. “Your daughter won’t be harmed.”

“I’d like to get the girl out first. Because Bianca is my mate, I have a claim on the child. Chessa Archer is part of my pack now.”

Kane grunted. “Well, it’s a good thing you brought your woman after all. If you’re going to make that claim, I want signatures. Let’s make this union official. Are you ready to be Mrs. Foster, Bianca?”

She gasped. Law growled.

“Is that necessary?” Nik asked. “She stayed with him last night. Most of the pack witnessed her go with him. She accepted his vow. Is the human certificate important?”

“Normally, I wouldn’t care, but Bianca is human. If she’s willing to sign, I’m willing to believe she belongs to Foster and then his claim on the girl is valid.”

“What?” Bianca broke her silence. “Isn’t my being here proof enough? Why would Law put himself and his pack at risk for my child unless I’m his mate?”

Kane grinned. He leaned back comfortably in his chair. “Why indeed?” He cocked his head to the side and scrutinized Bianca with undisguised curiosity.

“I’m ready to sign.”

Bianca watched Kane pull paperwork out of his drawer. Law read it, carefully, and then he snatched the elegant silver pen off Kane’s desk as he set the paper down flat. Law scrawled his name with dramatic flair before turning to offer her the pen. Challenge burned in his eyes.

Bianca’s mouth went dry. She’d never been married before. This was not how she imagined it.
Shotgun werewolf wedding was hardly my childhood dream.
She hoped Kane didn’t notice how her lower lip trembled. Chessa needed help, not a new daddy. This was the worst time ever for her to be marrying a man her daughter hadn’t even met. Sighing, she realized the time lapse to sign was closing. If she didn’t do this now, she’d never be able to convince Kane the whole ‘mate’ thing was real. Her vision blurred as she signed her name. The scribble lacked her normal neatness, but it was her signature. It was official as far as the government and Kane were concerned.

“I can’t lie; I didn’t think your bond was legitimate. As an apology, I agree to let you negotiate for the girl, but my pack will be there. We’ll be ready when he plays hardball. If he doesn’t let the girl go, we attack.”

Law nodded. “Fair.”

Bianca wanted to protest, but Nik put his hand on her forearm. His tense body told her she needed to hold back. She glanced at Law’s friend and noticed sweat beading on his brow.

Kane contemplated Law’s face for a long moment before he leaned forward and put his hands on his desk, pushing himself up out of his chair.

“I’ve always wondered if I could trust you, Foster, and I’m glad I didn’t jump to conclusions. Together we’ll take that bastard down. Any survivors in his pack will die.”

Nik and Law exchanged horrified looks. “My sister is part of his pack,” Law said. “A foolish girl’s heart has put the woman in a situation I’d like to see her saved from.”

Kane nodded. “She’s been defiled by one of his animals. If you can find a man to make the vow, then she’s his. None of my pack will speak for her.”

Law’s head turned in Nik’s direction. Kane’s eyes narrowed. Bianca had no idea what she was missing, but something unspoken had changed the rules of the game Kane was playing with them.

“We’ll discuss your sister’s fate if she survives. Will you concede to my decision, or was I wrong about you being my ally?”

I don’t like the mayor threatening Law. I don’t like it at all.
Bianca bit her lip so hard she tasted blood.
He’s a better man than you are, Mr. Mayor. Keeping my mouth shut hurts.
Her vision blurred as she glared, hard, at the mayor. She took a step forward, and Nik tightened his grip on her arm. Her back straightened as she realized how intense she’d gotten for a second there.
What the hell…
Bianca’s heart rate slowed, and heat warmed her cheeks as she stepped back feeling stupid. Nik let go of her arm.

Law scowled. “You can trust me.”

Kane nodded. "Tomorrow at dusk we meet at the foot of the bluff. If your woman comes, she’ll be killed.” Kane turned and looked her in the eyes. “Bianca, you have to stay out of this.”

“But my daughter—“

Kane cleared his throat in a way to cut her words off. “Will not want to see you torn limb-from-limb. They won’t stop at a bite, not when it’s war.” A strange look, maybe respect, or just amusement, crossed Kane’s face as his brows pushed together and his lips quirked up. “Today being brave isn’t enough. It would be a shame to lose the only human I know with the cojones to mate one of my alphas.”

“He’s right,” Law said. “You’re sitting this one out back at the farm. Believe me; she’ll understand after what she’s seen. A human is no match for a werewolf. She’ll want her mother to stay safe and sound.”

Bianca’s nodded, not trusting her voice.

Twenty-One

Bianca paced the communal dining area where she’d eaten the night before. Those few hours felt like a lifetime ago.
So much has happened in twenty-four hours. I haven’t had a chance to talk to Law about the sex or the signatures
.
He’s sacrificed so much to protect Chessa.

She watched the men loading up trucks and preparing to go after Tobias. Kane’s men were there too. So many of her fellow townspeople had kept her in the dark about what they were. She knew these people, but they felt like strangers to her. Shivering, she rubbed her arms. The kitchen was warm, but this chill came from the very deepest place in her soul.

Dusk fell, and lights were coming on in the little cabins. Women and children were saying goodbye to men they loved. She wanted to fight, not stay behind.
Do I go out and say goodbye or stay here?
He hadn’t come to her.
Remember what Janna said. I need to put on a good show.

Bianca left her solitary lookout and opened the porch door. She wrapped her arms around her middle as if she could protect herself from the fear taking hold of her thoughts as she walked to where Law and Nik pondered a map.

Law looked up. Bianca couldn’t read the expression on his face. She went to him and put her arms around his muscular torso, holding him tight. His cheek settled on the top of her head. They stood like that for a moment before Nik cleared his throat.

“It’s time,” Nik said.

The sound of truck doors slamming and male voices calling out made Bianca jerk. She pulled out of the surreal moment.

“I’ll be back. With her. She’s part of this pack,” Law said. Then he was behind the wheel with his door closed.

Bianca stepped out of the road and watched the caravan leaving. Her desperate panic made breathing hard. She stumbled back to the kitchen. She wouldn’t sleep until they were home, and she didn’t want to be alone in Law’s house. She put her fingertips against the cool windowpane as the gate shut.
I’m so not used to being sidelined. Until werewolves, I was in charge of my destiny.
Until Law she’d never sent anyone, she cared about, to war.

“Hey,” Reylin said. “It’ll be okay. Those are some strong, tough men.” Bianca turned, and her new friend pressed a cup into her hands. “Drink this; it’ll relax you.”

Bianca’s eyebrow rose.

“Chamomile, not drugged, you need to stop being so paranoid about us. We’re family now.”

Bianca took a sip. “Sorry. Old habits. I’m not used to the whole family thing.”

“Get used to it.” Reylin’s tone was sharp, but then she grinned. “You care about him, and that makes me like you. A lot. He deserves a mate who loves him because of his good-heart, not his status. Were-chicks dig alphas, most of us at least.”

“So you aren’t into powerful men?” Bianca teased, happy to get her mind off her worries, even if only for a moment.

“I’m into uncomplicated.”

“There’s such a relationship? Tell me more.” Bianca rolled her eyes.

Reylin chuckled. “I get it. I do. I know there’s always going to be something to muck up perfection, but I want a man who’s not into werewolf politics. I want a guy who sees me as a woman, not as something primal to hump. I want to be with a man and not feel like he had to choose between me and something else.”

“There’s something appealing about primal humping,” Bianca said.

Snorting, Reylin went over to the stove and poured hot water into a mug. She took a teabag out of a box and dunked it. The tick of an ancient clock on the wall above the sink was the only sound. Bianca couldn’t see Reylin’s face. “I just don’t want to end up like my mother. No male will control me.”

“Being alone hurts too,” Bianca whispered the confession.

Reylin came back to the table. Shadows in her eyes told Bianca her friend had experienced her fair share of lonely. They drank tea in silence. “They’ll come back,” Reylin promised, but the lines around her mouth and eyes showed the cracks in her confidence.

Bianca shook her head and glanced out the window. Darkness descended, and the moonlight called to her—trying to lure her into the woods. Saving her daughter, not stuck behind the protection of the compound walls, was more her style. But for some inexplicable reason, she trusted Law enough to stay behind and out of the moonlight’s peril.

****

“I can’t believe she didn’t put up a fight back there,” Nik said to Law as they drove. He fished a pack of cigarettes out of the console.

“She’s full of surprises,” Law replied in a dry tone. He ran his hand through his hair.
Bianca ties me in knots.
Having her in his bed had made him want her more, not less. He huffed out a long breath.

Nik glanced at him but never said a word as he offered Law a smoke. That kind of friendship was brotherhood. Law shook his head and continued driving behind the Hummer carrying Kane’s militia leaders. A caravan of trucks followed them. The hair on his neck stood up. Something wasn’t right. “What do you think? Is this a war we can win?” Law scowled. “Kane stayed back in town.”

Nik jerked, as if startled. “You sounded pretty damn sure before. What’s on your mind?”

“I don’t know, exactly, Kane, I guess. For an alpha to sit a battle out makes me suspicious. Kane might be getting old, but he’s still a wolf. Killing is something the man enjoys. We all know it.”

Nik rubbed the back of his neck and looked at the dashboard. Law didn’t like it that his friend couldn’t meet his eyes. “I’ve had a bad feeling about this since the moment it started. I don’t trust Kane, but I trust you.”

“We have to stop Tobias. He’s been a problem since before we were born. We have to scatter his pack.”

Nik looked at Law. “Agreed. We’re strong. The town wolves are strong; we can try to figure out Kane later,”

“You’re my brother and the man I trust the most. If something happens to me will you look out for Bianca and her daughter?”

“Damn it! You’re not going to die. Fuck. I hate you right now, but yeah, I’ll take care of them.”

Law grinned. Nik was a bigger commitment phobic than anyone he knew. The promise meant a lot to him.

“Thanks.” Law tried not to let the depth of his emotion show.

“No problem.”

And that was that. Law felt better, settled.
Now it’s time to kick some serious ass.