Riley's Secret (A Moon's Glow Novel # 1) (29 page)

“Just reading these letters. They make me miss my
family.” His voice was heavy with emotion. He set the photo album onto the
coffee table. “It’s late, let’s go to bed.” He started to rise from the chair,
but I walked over and sat down on his lap.

“It must be hard, outliving people you love.”

“
Very
and when I think about you…” He shook his
head, looking down. “I can’t bear it.” He whispered the last words so low I had
to guess what they were.

“Then don’t think about it.”

“Okay.” He chuckled darkly.

I wrapped my legs and arms around him, his warmth
seeping into me. “I’m here for you now. You don’t have to pretend with me. If
you want to talk about your family or anything, I’m here,” I whispered, kissing
his forehead…his cheeks and then ever so gently…his lips.

As I pulled back, he thrust his hands in my hair,
dragging me toward him, crushing his lips desperately against mine. I could
feel the pain in his kiss. All I wanted to do was take it away. He scraped my
lips with his teeth as I pulled back to take a breath.

His hot breath gave me shivers as his lips brushed my
neck and traveled back up to my mouth. I felt his hands move to my back,
rubbing it gently and then his fingers slithered under my shirt, caressing my
bare back. His touch was so warm it sent a buzz of electricity up my spine.

We kissed until we were breathless and when we finally
pulled apart, we collapsed into each other’s arms. I eventually fell asleep
listening to his strong heartbeat.

I woke the next morning in bed with Nate’s arm wrapped
around me. I felt hungry and realized with excitement that I had doughnuts in
my bag. I had brought some with me when I came here. I wasn’t sure what was
going to happen, but I felt guilty about calling the police. The doughnuts were
sort of a piece offering for Nate.

I snuck out of bed, trying not to wake him, retrieved
the doughnuts and climbed back in before he opened his eyes. I sat up and
leaned against the headboard.

He looked up at me and smiled.

“Doughnut?” I asked, holding one out to him.

He reached for it, but I pulled it back. “Should I
toss it in the air for old times’ sake?” I teased.

He reached up, yanking it out of my hand. “Funny.” He
took a bite. “Mmm. These are just as good as I remembered. Did Mona make them?”

“Yes, she’s an amazing cook. My favorites are her
banana pancakes and homemade chocolate doughnuts. I stole a bunch of these for
you yesterday because I felt guilty about how I reacted when I saw you.”

“Oh, so these were a bribe for my forgiveness?”

“They were, except you said you already forgave me. Of
course, now I feel bad about the whole mate thing. I’m sorry it bothered me.”

“I will forgive you anything, as long you supply me
with doughnuts,” he said with a twinkle in his eye. He bent over to bite into
the chocolate doughnut I was holding. When he finished chewing he said,
“Seriously, though, there is nothing to forgive. Never apologize for what you
feel. You had a lot to take in yesterday. I’m lucky you’re still here.” He
wrapped me in his arms, nuzzling my neck. Shivers crawled up my spine.

I pulled his head to meet mine and touched his lips
softly. “Are you going to the shelter today?” I moved away to sit back up
against the pillows.

He leaned up beside me, taking another doughnut out of
the container. “No, Julia is covering for me until I find Rowan. I’m going to
go out today and see if I can catch his scent. While I’m gone, I want you to go
up to the main house, so I know you’re safe.”

I nodded my head in answer as I leaned down to take a
bite of the doughnut he was holding, as he had done to me.

“Hey,” he snarled. “Never steal food from a wolf.”

I laughed, taking another one out of the container.

Nate climbed out of bed and slid into a pair of jeans.
He had been wearing boxer shorts. His muscles bulged as he pulled a T-shirt
over his head. I was still staring as he turned around. “What?” he asked.

“Nothing, just admiring, is all.”

His smile was cocky. “I’m going to make some
breakfast. Do you want some?”

“No, these will do.” I lifted the doughnut to my lips.

“I’m going to make some eggs if you change your mind.”
He turned around and walked out of the room. After I swallowed the last bite
and wiped the crumbs from the sheets, I headed for the shower.

When I was finished showering and getting dressed, I
went out to sit down on the couch. The album was still where Nate had tossed it
before I fell asleep. I bent down and touched the smooth silk cover. It was the
color of red wine with little pearls sown into the padding underneath. The pearls
were in a pattern of four in a row and the words
Nathaniel Riley
were
embroidered in the center with cream-colored thread. The material was wearing
thin in some places and fraying along the edges, showing its age. But it was
obvious someone took a great deal of time to make this. A picture of Nate’s
mother sitting by a fire sewing the pearls and embroidering his name popped in
my mind. The image was in black and white, since that’s the only way I had seen
her.

I picked up the album and opened it to the first page.

“Are you sure you don’t want me to make you something?
It’s no trouble,” Nate asked, scraping the last of his eggs off his plate and
shoveling them into his mouth.

“I’m sure. I’m going to read these now, if that’s all
right?” I rubbed my hand softly along the pearls while I waited for his answer.
They felt bumpy against my skin.

“I’ll give you some privacy. I’m going to get cleaned
up.” He strolled into the bedroom. I felt so comfortable here. It almost felt
like we were living together. I secretly hoped after Rowan was out of the way,
he would ask me to move in permanently. There was no need for me to stay at
home. I was eighteen, no longer in school and my parents couldn’t care less if
I was there or not. I needed to be where I was wanted. I could suggest it to
him, but it would mean more if he asked me. Which probably stemmed from feeling
unwanted my whole life.

The sound of running water from the shower drifted
from his room.

I turned my attention back to the letter on the first
page.

Dear Riley Descendant:

My name is Emmaline Riley. I am the proud
mother of Nathaniel. If you are reading this letter you know what he is. Please
do not judge him for what he cannot change. Judge him for what he has done.

If I know my son, he is helping people and
making a difference in this world. Nathaniel constantly takes care of others.
Even as a child he cared deeply for the animals on the farm. He became so upset
when it was time to sell or slaughter the cows. He always grew attached to any
kind of creature. I cannot tell you how many stray cats and dogs he brought
home with him, hiding them in the barn so his father wouldn’t find out. He is
the strongest and most compassionate person I know.

When that woman changed him, he tried to
take his own life to protect our family. That is the person whom you know. He
would risk his own life to help others. For this I am proud to call him my son.
I hope in your lifetime he is happy and has found a woman to love. He deserves
happiness. Treat him with respect and love, for that is how he will treat you.

Yours, Emmaline.

The letter made me smile. I could feel the love and
pride radiate out of the page. For a parent to speak with so much awe about
their child was foreign to me. I was glad Nate had parents who loved and cared
for him so much they wanted to take care of him after they died. I knew my own
parents never spoke of me like that. I pictured his mother sitting beside me on
the couch talking to me. Her love for her son was visible and it was obvious
where Nate got his kindness and strength from.

The next one was from his father. I wasn’t ready to
read it yet. They were emotional and I needed some time to absorb his mother’s
loving words. I flipped the pages, not really looking closely, but stopped at
one that was written in messy handwriting. There were little drawings of dogs
in the corners that were actually quite good, considering they must be from a
child. I looked at the top and saw Emmaline’s handwriting; it said:
William’s
letter, age eight.
I hadn’t intended to read any more at the moment, but
the urge to read a child’s letter from so many years ago was too strong. I laid
the page down and read:

Dear person in the future,

I’m supposed to write about my big brother Nathaniel.
My mama and papa just told me what he is, except I don’t believe it. They say
he is a werewof and even though I don’t know what that is, I know it can’t be
true. It sounds like a monster and my brother is not. All I know is that he is
the best big brother around. I don’t see him very much because he lives far
away and works a lot. But when I do, he always smiles and calls me captain. I
don’t know why, but it makes me feel important.

One time when I visited him, I snuck outside and
watched him change into a big dog. I sat down on the grass to wait for him to
return but I must have fallen asleep. When I opened my eyes later, he was still
a dog and he was lying over me to protect me from the cold winter weather. I
remember being really hot and sweaty and the doctor told my mama that it was a
miracle that I didn’t die. I had something called nenomia and even though I
didn’t know what that was, it sounded bad. I never told anyone that it was
Nathaniel that saved me or that he changed into a dog and he never mentioned
it. But the next time I opened my eyes he winked at me and said it was our
little secret.

If what they said is true, then I want to be a werewof
too, because I want to be just like him when I grow up.

I’m supposed to write something like yours truly, as
mama did, but I don’t want to so instead I’ll write,

Captain William (Will for short) Riley

It was probably the cutest thing I had ever read. For
some reason I had the urge to cry for the little boy who couldn’t comprehend
what was happening to his big brother. A tear threatened to escape when I heard
a knock at the door.

Joseph

I placed the album on the coffee table and wandered
over to the door, first peeking out the window to make sure it wasn’t Rowan. A
man about six feet tall with reddish-brown hair stood watching the water, with
his back to me. He seemed to sense me watching and turned around, giving me a
friendly smile. I opened the door. “May I help you?” I asked, blocking the
doorway.

“Good day to ya. You’re Nathaniel’s mate, then?” He
spoke with an accent, Irish maybe?

I cringed. Hearing the word over and over was not
helping me get used to it. “How did you know that?” I asked suspiciously.

“I can smell him on you.”

Werewolf
! I pushed the door, starting to slam it shut, when I heard Nate’s
voice.

“Joseph! What are you doing here?” He came up behind
me, touching the small of my back gently. “It’s okay, Meg. He’s a friend of
mine.”

He guided me back a few steps to let Joseph in. I sat
down on the chair I had vacated earlier, a little wary at meeting another
werewolf.

They embraced in a quick hug. “I thought I was
supposed to call you if I needed help,” Nate said to Joseph.

“I’ve just wrapped up the last opening and it was time
I moved on anyway. When you called, I thought I’d come here and stay with you
for a while, help you out, if you’re needing me. I’m in the mood to kick some
werewolf ass.” Joseph nodded to me. “Pardon the language, Love.” His eyes
sparkled with mischief and I knew instantly that I was going to like him.

Nate gestured with his hand for Joseph to take a seat
across from me. Sitting down on the couch next to my chair, Nate reached out to
rest his hand on mine.

“Joseph, this is my girlfriend, Megan.”

Joseph gave me a crooked smile. “It’s grand to meet
you, Love.” His smile turned to a look of confusion as he leaned in and sniffed
me. I pulled away from him and stared at Nate.

“What’s wrong?” Nate asked him.

Joseph sat back in his chair, looking around. “Is
there someone else in the house with you?”

“No, it’s just us. Do you smell Rowan?” Nate was suddenly
worried.

“No.” Joe shook his head. “Never mind me. My nose must
be off after being cooped up in the car for the last nine hours.” A grin spread
across his face as he turned to me. “Megan, I’m so glad Nate found you. I’ve
never seen anyone as miserable as he was when I met him. He wasn’t cut out for
this life. Me, I didn’t want it either, but I accepted it and moved on. No
sense whining about what you can’t change. I thought I might as well have fun,
right, Nate?” He looked over at his friend with a wink.

“Yes. Joseph was a bad influence, always trying to get
me into trouble.”