An Unlucky Moon (6 page)

Becca rolled her eyes. “You’re sounding like you don’t believe in any excuses.”

“Of course not. He probably did that alpha-caveman thing where he wanted to protect you without actually saying
why
. You know, like we can’t handle the big words or something.”

“Stop man-hating, hon. We’ll see what happens, as he should be here for dinner.”

“Ooooh, a date?”

“Sure, call it what you will. First, though, I have a study session with Jason.”

“Seriously? Aren’t you done with that class with that freak yet?”

“He’s not a freak. He’s just…creepy.” That seemed like the best word for the man who constantly asked her out, even though she constantly turned him down.

“I don’t like the fact that he’s spending so much time with you.”

“He helps me study, Faith. He’s never made a move beyond asking me out and always lets the subject go as soon as I tell him no. We work well together beyond that, and he’s really helping me ace this class.”

Her friend snorted. “You’re brilliant without him, but if you want to study with him, fine. Just remember to punch him like you did with that dude from the bar if he crosses the line. Oh, and make sure he’s out of the house before Hunter shows up. The last thing you need is a wolf who’s pissed some douche is encroaching on his territory.”

“It’s not like that with Jason, so Hunter shouldn’t have a problem with it. How do you know so much about wolves and alpha men by the way?”

“Uh, no reason,” Faith hedged.

“Faith, spill.”

“Fine. I’ve been reading some of Jamie’s romance novels.”

Becca held back a laugh but rolled her eyes. “You know those aren’t real, right? They don’t actually tell you what you need to know about the supernatural.”

“Maybe they don’t tell me exactly how Hunter is as a wolf, but it helps with the whole alpha-male thing. He’s not going to want another man sniffing around what’s his.”

At the mental image of Hunter sniffing like a dog, Becca knew it was time to call it quits.

“Okay, you need to back away from the romance novels if you think they’re real life.”

“It’s not that. Oh, shut it. You don’t understand. Just make sure Jason is out of the place and spray it down with air freshener or something. You don’t want a pissed-off wolf on your hands. Wait, maybe not air freshener. Won’t that hurt Hunter’s senses? There really has to be a Paranormal for Dummies book out here, don’t you think?”

“Whatever you say, Faith. Now I’ve got to go. Jason will be here any minute.”

“Be safe, Becs. Please.”

“I will. Love ya.”

“Love ya too.”

They hung up, and Becca went out to her living room to make sure she had everything ready for her study session. She wasn’t like Lily with her clean piles of notepads, sticky notes, and color-coordinated highlighters, but she at least was pleasantly organized. This would, thankfully, be the last one with Jason, and Becca wasn’t upset at all about that.

When Jason knocked on the door ten minutes later, she was beyond ready to get it over with. The exam was in two days, and then she’d be free.

Thank the gods.

Jason, like usual, strolled through the living room as though he owned the place. With his dark auburn hair and darker green eyes, Becca supposed he was attractive, but she’d never really seen it. Sure, he had that chiseled-face thing girls loved, but there was only one man with dark looks and a swagger who could make her swoon.

Not that she’d ever swoon in Hunter’s presence.

No, not ever.

“Jamie, darling, you look as intoxicating as ever,” Jason said, his voice smarmy.

Well, he might not have actually sneered, but it sure has hell sounded that way to Becca at the moment.

How the hell was she supposed to make it another two hours with the man who made her want to shower off the sleaze?

“Hey, Jason. Ready for our final study session?”

The man pouted. Pouted.
Would it be too late and rude to slam the door in his face and feign sickness?
“I don’t want our time to end, baby doll.”

She was going to just ignore the not-so-vague meaning of his words and plow right through it. “Well, we’re almost done with school, so let’s just focus on that.”

Jason brightened at that. “Yes, school. Even though that’s ending, Becca, that doesn’t mean
we
have to end.”

Dear gods, she needed an aspirin. Or a frying pan to throw at the dude. Yes, a frying pan could work. If only she had Shade’s cast iron pan that he loved to use when he was cooking for
his
Lily. 

“Jason, there is no
we
.” 

He moved toward her, and she stayed where she was. She wasn’t about to back away and show that he freaked her out. She was stronger than that.

Maybe.

“Oh, Becca, darling, there could be a
we
. All you have to do is say the word, and I’ll take you in my arms and never let you go. You know we’re meant to be together.”

Could this man be any more delusional?

He placed his hand on her shoulder, and she flinched. 

“Back away, Jason. I’ve told you over and over that we’re not a couple, that we won’t ever
be
a couple. Why don’t you get that?”

“Yes, why don’t you get that?”

Becca froze and turned toward Hunter, who filled her doorway. His eyes narrowed, and his lips lifted in a snarl. 

Oh shit, Faith had been right. This could
not
end well.

“Hunter, it’s not what you think.” Becca grimaced. Well, that didn’t come out the right way at all.

When had her life turned into a horribly written soap opera?

Hunter’s gaze never left Jason’s, but he did clench his fists a bit more. Was it wrong that she found that alphaness sexy as hell? With his long brown hair brushing his shoulders and his wide shoulders and narrow hips, he looked perfect for her.

Maybe he’d taste as good as he looked.

All. Over.

She blinked, forcing her mind off his delectable body and back on the fact that Jason could possibly be staring his own death in the face.

There would be no way she could get the blood out of the carpet.

Apparently she’d been spending too much time with supernaturals if that was the first thought that occurred to her.

“Becca, can you please remove yourself from this male’s grip?” Hunter asked on a growl. “I don’t want you to get hurt.”

Jason scoffed at that and pulled her behind him. 

Stupid idiot.

Hunter growled again, and Becca moved from behind Jason. “Stop it. Both of you.”

“I haven’t said a thing, darling,” Jason drawled.

Yep, she was gonna kill the dude. Slowly.

Becca risked a glance at Hunter’s face, only to see a snarl.

Okay, maybe she’d kill Jason quickly so Hunter wouldn’t have to.

“I’m not your fucking darling. You need to go, Jason. I don’t need your help studying this time. In fact, I should have turned you away before.”

He turned to face her, a mix of anger and disbelief on his face. “You can’t be serious. You’re turning me away for this overgrown ape?”

Hunter didn’t react to that comment. In fact it looked as if he were using all his strength not to come closer and take over the situation—tearing Jason limb from limb in the process.

“Go, Jason. I’m not picking him over you.” Hunter growled again, and she put her hand up to silence him. “You were never in the running.  You’ve been hitting on me for months, and I’ve tried to be nice because I thought we could be friends. Well, screw that. You need to go. I’m done dealing with your creepy shit.”

“You’ll be sorry, Becca. This isn’t over. Not by a long shot. I
will
be back.”

“Did you just threaten me?” Now it was Becca’s turn to gape in disbelief.

“You have two seconds to leave, Jason, before I take care of this for her,” Hunter warned.

Well, at least he’d tried to hold back for bit. That had to count for something, right?

“You’re a bitch, you know that?” Jason didn’t wait for her response. Hunter moved out of the way as if he didn’t want to touch the bastard, and Becca didn’t blame him, as Jason stormed out of the apartment with his bag in tow. 

The man who could be her mate stalked toward her, his pace more like an animal than the man she saw, but she didn’t care.

He ran his fingers over her face then down her shoulders where Jason had touched her. “You smell of him,” he murmured.

“He’s never touched me before, but I’ll go spray myself down with something if his scent bothers you.”

“No, don’t. Sprays and perfumes are usually too much for my senses. I’ll take care of it though.”

Confused, she looked at him then froze as he ran his hands along her side then lowered his head to nuzzle her neck and shoulder with his face.

“What…what are you doing?” Not that she disliked it or anything, but it was…weird. Okay, not weird, but…different.

“Scent marking you,” he answered, his deep voice vibrating along her skin.

“Oh, okay. Do I need to move or anything?” Apparently she was okay with scent marking. Who knew?

He gave a raspy chuckle as if he weren’t used to laughing. Damn whoever had sent him to hell; she’d make him laugh more. “You’re fine where you are. I love the way you feel.”

“Oh, well, you feel nice too.”

Wow. Really, Becca? That’s the best you can do?

He ran his hands up and down her sides then framed her face. “Hello.”

“Hi. You’re early.”

He grinned. “Sorry. I couldn’t stay away.”

“I’m glad you’re here though.”

“Yes, to deal with that fool.”

“No, I mean, yes. I could have taken care of him on my own.”

“I don’t like him.”

“Hunter, you don’t have to worry about him. I’m not seeing anyone.”

“Including Dante?” He turned his head like a wolf rather than a man, and she started.

“Dante? Uh, no. Hell no. He’s…he’s Dante. He’s not mine.”

“Good, because you’re mine.”

She pulled back from his grip. “Wait. You need to hold off on those dominating and possessive words.”

“Why? I want you. You want me. I can scent it.”

She blushed and closed her eyes. Damn wolf. “Uh, try not to do that. Please.”

“I can’t help it, Becca. You smell sweet.”

Oh holy hell.

“Stop it.” It wasn’t fair that she couldn’t scent him like that. She forced herself not to look down to see the physical evidence of his arousal. That was the last thing she needed.

“It’s not something to be embarrassed about. I like that you find me desirable. I feel the same way about you. After all, we’re mates.”

“About that… can we take this slow? I’m not going to run away and lie about what I’m feeling, but first, I want to understand it.”

He gazed at her then nodded. “Whatever you need.”

“Then we can date first.”

“Date?”

Becca snorted. “I mean you and I can hang out, go to dinner, and do things together. Just hold off on the whole fate-thing for a bit while we get to know each other. Or, at least, let me finish school, and then we can take the whole supernatural thing into consideration.”

Hunter blinked. “Does this mean we can’t make love?”

Images of his very tanned and sweaty body riding hers filled her mind, and she groaned. 

“I think I like where your mind just went,” he said with a smile in his voice.

“Hunter, stop saying things like that. Let’s just get to know one another. We can talk about…sex later.”

“It wouldn’t just be sex between us, Becca.”

Oh, she was sure what he said was right. Damn, this was going to be harder than she thought.

“We can kiss, Hunter, but that’s it. Let’s just take this on its natural progression.”

“The natural progression would be to mate and have me sink into your heat over and over again.”

Was it possible to have an orgasm from just words spoken in a growl?

“Now you’re just saying these things to tease me.”

He looked serious for a moment then framed her face again. “I would never tease you beyond wanting to see your pleasure. I will take it slow because you ask this of me. Now, can I kiss you?”

Becca nodded, her tongue too heavy to speak. Hunter grinned then lowered his lips to hers. Gods, they were so soft, yet so unyielding. She couldn’t wait to feel them against other parts of her body.

She moaned into his mouth and rocked against him. His jean-clad erection brushed her belly, and he moaned right back.

She pulled away, breathless. “Well, we seem to have that part down.”

Hunter smiled, his teeth a stark white against the tan of his skin. He leaned closer and bit down on her lower lip then licked the sting. “Oh, I would think we’d have few things down. I’m not letting you go, Becca Quinn. You are mine.”

For some reason, no matter what she’d told herself before, those words made her want to think about the future and what it would mean to have him by her side.

Holding back and not jumping headfirst into the unknown would be harder than she thought. 

She stared into his brown eyes. They had a rim of yellow around his contacts.

Yes, much, much harder.

****

Nadie Morgan gripped the edge of her pedestal sink and groaned. Another wave of pain ebbed through her, and she forced back the bile that threatened to rise in her throat.

Her once lustrous blonde hair was lank and clung to her face as her body broke out in a sweat. Her violet eyes stared back at her from her reflection but didn’t have the same spark they’d once had.

She was dying.

That had to be it.

Damn him.

Damn that stupid dragon.

She’d had a crush on the man since she was barely eighteen, and now the crush had transformed into something that wasn’t normal. She might have fallen in love with the man he was and the dragon she knew he hid from her, but that didn’t mean he loved her back.

Since the lightning had struck, she’d been forced to stand back and watch as her friends found the loves of their lives. Shade hadn’t waited long to declare himself for Lily. Ambrose had been gone for a year because of his council and had fought back to be by Jamie’s side. Balin had risked his life without even knowing who Jamie was before he made her his. Nadie knew Hunter would claim Becca any day now—once he knew it was safe.