Apocalyptic Moon (After the Bane) (30 page)

The crunch of the beta werewolf’s boots on the gravel grew closer. Theo had sent only one. Dirk’s biggest concern was once they discovered he wasn’t dying, they’d torture his mate to draw him out into the open. Hearing her scream would force him to instinctively rescue her, regardless of what might happen to him. The bastards knew that.

The beta sniffed and aimed his rifle at the hiding place. “Prepare to die, fornicator of witches.”

Dirk crouched to hurl against him when a flying backpack struck the beta. A wild shot rang out as the beta crashed to the ground.

The beta growled, rubbed his neck, and reached for the rifle. Dirk sprung on him, slamming him on his back. The Benandanti snarled, but without his weapon, he was helpless against an alpha. The beta went feral and clawed at him.

Dirk lifted his arm and swiped his powerful claw across the beta’s neck. His head flew off, smashing against a tree with a sickening thud. Dirk turned his attention to Dora who straddled a kid’s horse head stick. He picked up the backpack and threw her a wolfish grin. “
Hey babe, good aim.”

She glanced up at his full werewolf form.
“Are you shot?”

He spread his arms.
“Nope, but you better double check, Doc.”

“Ha ha.” She playfully slugged him but suddenly swooned.

“Shh.”
He gently steadied her with outstretched furred arms and settled her on the trail.
“Better rest. I’ll get Melanie.”

She whispered, “My head hurts. I have to tune you out. Don’t worry. She’s back home with Josh.”

Dirk cocked his head. He was starting to dig her witchy powers a hell of a lot. His heart warmed. She escaped and came back for him. Just like a mate would. Time to get her home. Away from these freaks. Too late, a nearing howl meant Theo had transformed and headed their way. He wished he could tell her to fly away but couldn’t communicate with her unless he shifted back to his human-self. Not possible with the approaching alpha, intent on harming his mate. He waved a paw toward the kid’s toy stick and half-barked half-growled.

Dora nodded. She slowly rose and then wobbled, obviously too weak to attempt flight. He’d no choice but to kill Theo and his beta. He snarled at her, hoping she understood to hide.

Better than that, she picked up the rifle and twisted a smile. “I’m in a hunting mood.”

Theo crashed into the wood followed by his fanged but still human beta. The Benandanti werewolf snarled exposing his large yellowed fangs and stalked toward him. Dirk charged, wanting the privilege of slaying the Hound of God intent on killing his mate. The two collided like fierce linebackers, stunning them both for a fraction of a second before they balanced and continued. They rolled on the ground, savaging each other with fangs and claws.

Theo was a worthy opponent. He bit into Dirk’s neck digging in to reach the sinew between head and spine. Dirk howled in agony and swiped his claws across Theo’s face and yellow eyes, blinding him with a gush of blood and pain.

Theo roared and lifted his arm to claw back, but not fast enough, Dirk gripped his wrist and bit his hand off. Theo yelped but he attacked with the vindictive force of a wounded beast.

The beta growled and stalked Dora. She backed away. “Bad dog. Stay!” His fangs extended and he lowered his stance to leap. She aimed and shot him not once but several times. The injured beta advanced, though mortally wounded. Before he drew closer, she shot at his face, blasting it off before emptying the remaining silver bullets into his brain.

No longer distracted by the beta attacking Dora, and her only danger being Theo, Dirk gave her a fleeting look before continuing to go horror book werewolf on his opponent. As Theo charged, Dirk crossed his arms across his chest and whipped his claws into Theo’s chest. His gurgling growl deafened but despite his mortal injury, he clawed and attempted to savage with a bite. Dirk dug his claws into Theo’s throat and lifted him as he thrashed like a caught trout, strangling him until Theo’s eyes glazed. Dirk dropped him on the ground, regarded his kill and then swiped his bloodied claw across his neck, severing his head from his body.

Dora gaped, but oddly, not at him. Okay, so she’s a doctor and has seen worse…shit! A whiff of foul odor hit his nostrils. He whirled around. A swarm of the farm zombies shambled toward them. He waved a bloodied hand toward Dora to come closer. Despite the mutilated werewolf at his paws, she dashed to him and hugged his middle. He felt sickly sweet funny, like when Fang curled in his arms as he watched television. Love.

She dug her face into his furred abs. “I was so worried.”

He half barked, “Caro yooh.”

“
Yes, you can
.”

“All right babe, jump on my back and we’ll take their car on a test drive.”

She jumped on his back. “Giddy up.”

He ran on all fours past the moaning zombies. In moments, they were back at the winery. Dora jumped from his back and she opened the car door. Dirk transformed back to his human form. “Are the keys in there?”

“Nope.”

“No problem.” With the expertise of a seasoned car thief, he hot-wired the car. The engine soon hummed to life.

She scooted into the passenger seat and fastened her seat belt. “We better get going.” She chuckled. “I just hope you don’t get pulled over for driving naked.”

“Remember we’re in California, in the middle of hippieville.” He drove, concentrating on the road and not on his achy shaft, hard as the stick shift between them. Damn zombies ruined a good opportunity for a romp in the back of the car. He accelerated and hit the road where at least ten zombies crossed the street, confused like an amoeba not knowing where their meal was. Two stood dead center. “Fuckin’ jay walkers.”

Dora cowered. “Where are the cops when you need them?”

“Hold on, babe.” Dirk floored it and hit two zombies head on. Blood splattered the window and the bodies flew off on impact. He turned on the wiper fluid and windshield wipers. Most washed off. He gave her an apologetic look. “Sorry.”

She quipped, “Zombies need to look both ways.”

“I guess they missed that at zombie school.”

“Hey, that’s a thought. Maybe we can train them to enjoy dog kibble.”

“That shit, I doubt it and I’m talking from personal experience.”

****

Dora gasped. Floodlights shone on the entrance to Marti’s big cat sanctuary. “The second gate is opened.”

“Maybe they knew we needed to drive in a hurry.” He floored it until they reached the parking area. “Babe, let me make sure no kitties are around.”

She waited as he walked around, butt naked, sniffing the air then rolled down the window. “Anything?”

“Damn male tiger has sprayed every tree from here to the ends of the earth.” He grimaced as if the odor was as pungent as skunk urine.

“So is it safe to come out?”

“Yep, come on.”

They opened the gate to the steps of the home. Though it was past midnight, both Marti and Josh ran out with loaded weapons. “We’re back,” called Dora.

Josh let out a strong sigh. “Thank God.”

She embraced him. At last, everybody she loved was reunited and safe for the moment; they still had to get to Dirk’s compound.

“What about the big bad werewolves?”

Dirk smiled. “Dead.”

“How’s Mel?” Dora asked.

“Sound asleep, but jeez Dora, she couldn’t stop talking about how the two of you flew back. My sis is really a witch, how amazing is that?”

She smiled at Dirk. “About as amazing as werewolves.” Dirk was oblivious to the fact he was as naked as a Greek statue.

Josh ogled, raking his gaze on Dirk from head to toe. “Won’t argue with that.”

“Hurry,” voiced Marti. “I released the cats but they may come back for more food.”

They followed her into the house. “Actually, the tigers are heading toward the ocean,” Dirk said.

Marti took an eye full of Dirk’s muscular frame and shrugged. “We ran out of meat yesterday, so I had no choice but to release them.” She frowned, sheepishly. “I know it’s the worst possible thing to introduce a non-native predator to the states, but I couldn’t bring myself to shoot all five tigers, two jaguars and two rare snow leopards.”

Dirk grabbed a pillow from the sofa and covered his private parts. “I’ll let the cat shifters know.”

All three stared at him and repeated in unison. “Cat shifters?”

Although, Dora knew of the shifter Consortium, she’d not considered a feline variety.

Dirk chuckled. “For now I think we can use some rest. If Rave reached my pack, their helicopter should arrive tomorrow. We’ll take you to safety.”

Marti had a pained expression. “Maybe I shouldn’t leave the sanctuary. What if they get hurt, come back and I’m not here to help them?”

“The cat shifters will be more than helpful in finding and placing the cats back in their natural habitat, assuming they have access to planes or ships.”

Marti glanced at him with big blue eyes and smoothed back her blonde hair. A
cougar
in heat. “They’ll do that?”

“We shifters are partial to our animal totems.”

Josh draped an arm over Marti’s shoulders. “You taught them how to hunt on their own. Their natural instincts will kick in.”

“My brother-in-law is a veterinarian and with your expertise on cat biology, he’ll appreciate your help,” Dirk said.

Marti gave him a pointed stare. “You mean your pack keeps pets?”

Dora laughed. “Dirk has a Chihuahua named Fang.”

Josh shook his head and snorted a laugh. “No way.”

Dirk frowned. “Way. He was a gift.”

Marti smiled. “Actually, I’d love to meet the cat shifters. Especially if they can find a more suitable home for the cats. I won’t feel comfortable until I see for myself that everything possible has been done for them.”

Dirk smiled. “Done.”

Dora pressed her hand over her mouth and yawned. “We’ll talk in the morning.”

“You and Dirk can take the guest room unless…you want your own rooms, I can…” Marti stopped and smirked. She had to know sharing a room was the only option and sleep was the last thing on their mind.

“We’ll take the guest room.” Dora winked at Dirk and then spoke in his head,
“I noted earlier you seemed lustfully happy to see me.”

“That’s an understatement, babe.”

“We don’t have much left in the kitchen but help yourself to whatever you find,” offered Marti.

“Sleep is good enough for now,” said Dora.

Marti showed them to their room on the opposite side of the other bedrooms. Privacy around a horny wolf and an even hornier witch was of great importance. She pointed to the closet. “I put your clothes and boots in the closet.”

Dora smiled. “Good thing, he’s definitely too big to fit into Josh’s pants or shirts.”

“You know exactly how big, babe.”

She eyed his makeshift fig leaf
. “Good thing that pillow is large.”

Unaware of their internal conversation, Marti bid them good night and closed the door.

Dora turned and Dirk dropped the pillow and showed her just how big he was. Dora launched herself on him and while she clung onto him, he backed into the bed and tugged her down on top of him.

Dirk growled into Dora’s ear, “Undress before I tear your clothes off.”

Straddling him, she flung off her jacket and unbuttoned her shirt.

He licked his lower lip in anticipation as she unclipped her bra. His eyes moved hungrily to her erect nipples. He grinned with his fangs out, on the verge of drooling.

Hmm.
Love that effect I have on you.
Not afraid of his wolfish nature. He was
Animal Planet
-built for raw mating.

Dirk drew her in and claimed her receptive mouth with hungry urgency. She happily surrendered to him. He ravished her for what seemed an eternity until he moved to her eager nipples, kissing and nibbling. She gasped in joyful rapture. He splayed his rough hands on the small of her back and rubbed his face against her flushed breasts. She buried her fingers into his thick red hair and inadvertently touched his furred wolf ears. “Oh, yes, my big bad wolf.”

A growl escaped and he rolled her beneath him. Dirk’s wolfish ears returned to normal and his voice husky, “I almost lost my mind when Theo took you.” His voice darkened and he stared at her with dominant alpha eyes. “Don’t ever risk your life like that again.”

“I was only thinking of Mel.”

“Which is why, I’m letting you off easy.”

Dora reached up and bit his lip. “Don’t think I’m going to let you off easy for being a bossy alpha.” She kissed his throat. “Maybe I should mark you as mine.”

He hissed. “Please do.”

“I just need to take off my jeans and boots.” He let her roll away. She hastily flung her boots off as if getting ready to dive into water to rescue a drowning person.

“Allow me.” Dirk knelt and slowly pulled down her jeans, pausing every so often to touch, stare and nibble. Her anxious wolfman was not so patient with her panties, he ripped them off, picked her up and laid her on the bed. A growl escaped his throat as he climbed on top and nibbled her earlobe. “No telepathy.”

She gazed at his broad, muscled chest with the soft reddish hair that matched his glorious tuft of crimson hair. “Don’t worry, I need to concentrate for that, and trust me, right now I can’t concentrate on anything but us, even if my life depended on it.” Oh, how his towering frame reminded her of her romance book,
My Viking Master
. She hadn’t gotten the chance to read the first sex scene in the book when all hell broke loose back in the ER, in what seemed like years ago. After making love to Dirk, she was sure the cheesy book would be tame in comparison. She was so wet and ready, releasing a moan as he thrust his hard shaft inside her. “Bite me!”

He groaned in pleasure and brushed his fangs against the tender spot where he’d bitten her. The silvery scar had not disappeared. “Dora, I’ll never get enough of you.”