Leopard Moon (21 page)
Seeing her hesitate, Burke added, "Safest time to be out. Everyone will be here, celebrating until midnight. We'll be deep in the woods. Nobody will see us." He gave her an encouraging smile.
Kess smiled back. It looked like Burke had made up his mind about her. She felt good about his invitation, happy to accept. A run did sound way better than this party, especially after meeting Cormac’s father. And she’d never been big on crowds. She looked at Cormac and nodded.
*******
She rocketed through the trees, wolves trailing her. She’d been fighting for control for so long, over the change, over everything in her life that seemed so out of control, that it was nice to be able to accept this side of herself. It was better than nice, it was exhilarating. The crystalline air practically tinkled like bells beneath the moonlight, the trees standing like sentinels against the sloping earth. Kess urged her body to go faster, powerful leg muscles pushing her forward while her tail helped balance her against the tight turns she made to avoid trees and rocks. It was really the first time in ages that she’d gotten to let loose, fully awake in her leopard shell as she pushed its body to the limit.
Kess heard Burke and Finn veer off, intent on some new smell. She’d scented it, but deer wasn’t what she was interested in tonight. She didn’t feel the urge to hunt at all. She just wanted to revel in the physical sensation of her paws pounding against packed earth, the wind ripping past short fur, of bound and speed and leap and twist. It was a powerful thing to loosen the bonds she’d placed on herself; for the past year she’d always been so careful in her changes, never staying in her leopard form too long, only changing when the moon compelled her or she needed to hunt to keep from starving. This she was doing for pleasure, pure and simple. Despite the cold and the strange terrain, it reminded her of the times she, and sometimes Sek, went out to the Everglades to train and spar and enjoy her other nature.
Cormac loped along beside her, keeping pace but not crowding her. At one point, he lifted his muzzle and howled, giving voice to his joy. Two answering howls sounded, coming closer and she knew Burke and Finn were on their way back. Kess glanced at him as he ran, the lean lines of him keeping even with her. She spurred herself to go faster, seeing if he could keep up.
The two ran through the woods, leaping over streams and bounding through the few clearings between the densely packed trees. She would pull ahead sometimes and he would chase, snaking through the trunks and undergrowth, finding shortcuts so that he would lead and she would follow. They played at this until the other two wolves joined them and then they all slowed to any easy amble. Kess felt her sides heaving as she caught her breath. The light from the moon illuminated the large boulders that jutted out from certain rises in the ground, painting them chiaroscuro.
She leaped from one boulder and climbed up an oak, the branches bare now that winter was truly here. She dug her claws into the bark, pulling herself up until she found a suitable limb to drape herself across, legs hanging down on either side. Burke and Finn took off again, but Cormac chose to sit beneath her tree, staring off into the distance. She wondered what it was like to change to a wolf, what the air tasted like, if his vision was sharper than hers, what needs drove him and how they differed from hers.
Kess stretched, muscles languid with fatigue. She didn’t know how many miles they covered, or where they were, but she trusted that Cormac could lead her back to his place unerringly. She yawned, opening fanged jaws wide. Now that she wasn’t running, the night was cold. Cormac was looking up at her on the branch now, and gave a low bark, moving his head to indicate she should come down. She gave herself over to one last stretch, bunching and flexing the muscles that had done the most work before heading down the tree to meet Cormac on the ground below.
He gave another howl, this one different from the last. Again two howls answered. Kess had no idea what was being communicated since her clan used posturing and body language and expression more than sounds for communication. He pushed against her, as if to make sure she was paying attention. He began to walk and Kess followed, walking beside him. She was happy and tired, pleased that she had taken them up on their suggestion of a moonlit run. If this is what it was like for Cormac and his pack all the time, it was no wonder he had such an easy nature. And it was no wonder that there was no conflict between his two selves. For him, it seemed as easy as breathing.
Cormac guided the Jeep carefully over the back roads that led from the Lodge to his own cabin. It was on the backside of the property and the way to get there was really just a series of ruts dug into the open track from his Jeep passing through. It wasn’t far and he’d be grateful when he could stretch out on the sofa and relax sore muscles. The clock on the dash read that it wasn't midnight yet which made him happy. He'd get to ring in the New Year with Kess in private.
Kess sat beside him, relaxed and quiet. It was probably the most relaxed he’d ever seen her. Her head leaned against the head rest, her eyes closed but she wasn’t sleeping. They’d padded back to where they’d left their clothes, Kess disappearing into the night as a cat and returning as a fully clothed girl. Cormac had no such shyness—he’d never been raised with any since both his parents were werewolves as was his extended family. Nudity was sort of the order of the night depending on the moon’s phase.
He pulled his Jeep close to the door and Kess was already hopping out, not waiting for him to come around and give her a hand down. He unlocked the front door to his place and waved her in, following behind. She was kicking off her shoes, rubbing her arms against the chill. He began building a fire in the fireplace. He wasn’t used to keeping the heat at a normal temperature—he tended not to feel the cold unless it was extreme—so his house was chillier than Kess was used to. He got the kindling burning, then turned his attention back to his girlfriend who sat huddled on the sofa under a blanket.
"You want something warm to drink?" She shook her head no, then patted the seat beside her.
He gladly dropped down beside her, putting an arm around her and pulling her against him. She melded to him with a sigh. Cormac would have been happy to stay that way all night, but Kess began rummaging around in her messenger bag, coming up with a large square package wrapped in green paper and tied with a cream ribbon.
"Happy Christmas," she said, handing him the package.
He took it from her, weighing it in his hands. "It’s obviously a book," he said, examining the wrapping and size of it. He loved to try and guess presents before he actually unwrapped them. It drove his mother crazy and now she never put his gifts out until Christmas morning so he couldn’t guess what they were in advance.
He saw Kess roll her eyes. "Are you going to commune with it or open it?"
"Hang on a sec." He got up, heading to his room to retrieve the small gift box he had for her. He hadn’t been sure if she would have accepted the gift which was why he had waited until now—Kess, he’d found, was funny about receiving certain kinds of gifts—but now that she’d given him something, it seemed only fitting. He flopped back down on the sofa and handed it to her.
"Happy New Year."
He looked at her, then tore into his present. From the shredded green paper he took out a large coffee table book. He turned it over—it was a book on modern architecture. He began flipping through the pages, noting all of the different houses, including a photograph of a Frank Lloyd Wright. He closed it after a few moments and turned to Kess who still hadn’t opened hers. "Thank you. It’s great."
"You like it?" She was looking at him nervously. "I kept the receipt so you can take it back and get something better, if you want." He put a hand on hers to stop her babbling.
"It’s great," he said again, meaning it. "You got me an awesome gift. Thank you." He smiled at her. "Your turn."
She took a deep breath and began unwrapping the box. She removed the lid to find a simple silver crescent moon on a chain nestled in white cotton. Cormac had seen it and immediately thought of her; its grace, clean lines, and unadorned beauty. And the crescent moon split the difference between them: he was full moon, she was no moon. They could meet in the middle beneath the crescent moon like they’d done tonight. Made perfect sense to him.
"It’s gorgeous," she whispered, pulling it out of the box to hold it up against the firelight. He pulled her hair up so she could fasten it. "Thank you!"
It fell to just below her collar bones. He let her hair down, pressing a kiss between her neck and shoulder. "I’m glad you like it." He picked a pine needle out of her dark hair.
She turned in his arms, kissing him lightly. Cormac didn't pull away and didn't push forward, letting her set the pace. He let her explore, the feel and taste and scent of him, staying as still as possible. She moved over him like water, hands skimming over his shoulders, back, chest. He closed his eyes, balling his hands into fists to resist the urge to reciprocate in kind. She needed to feel in control. He could be patient and wait while she came to terms with her brother and what he'd done.
He leaned back against the cushions and she flowed like smoke, following him, her hair tickling his face as her lips grazed across his available skin. He let her remove his shirt, lifting his arms to help, still not touching her. This was her show to direct. Her hands were cool against his skin, despite the warmth of the fire and he shivered involuntarily. Her mouth was back on his and Cormac shifted a bit--a corner of his book was digging into his back—and she stopped, immediately pulling away. Damn.
He sat up and removed the book, placing it gently on the coffee table. Kess was carding her fingers through her hair, face flushed. "I'm sorry," she said.
"I'm not," he responded lightly. "That was quite enjoyable from where I was sitting."
She shook her head angrily. "I just wanted to show you how much I liked the gift. I wish I wasn't so stupid!"
"Whoa whoa whoa." Cormac caught her eyes to make sure she was listening. "First off, a gift with strings is not a gift worth having. I didn't expect anything when I gave you that necklace." When it looked like she didn't believe him, he said, "Did you expect something from me when you bought that book?"
"No!" She sounded shocked and hurt. "I bought it because I wanted you to have it!"
"So why would I be any different?"
She looked at him ruefully. "Because you're a guy?"
"Thanks for noticing. But I'm not that kind of guy. I don't expect sex for jewelry." Kess blushed but didn't turn away. He wondered what kind of crowd she ran with back in Miami if this was what her expectations of men were. "As for the stupid part, where'd that come from?"
"This," she said angrily, flapping her hand at herself. "Me and my hang-ups. I like you. A lot. And I want to be with you. A lot. But I can't seem to get past being scared and then I end up thinking about things I don't want to and...it's really damn frustrating!" He might have laughed if she wasn't so serious.
"Are you on some kind of timetable?" She quirked a brow at him, confusion clear on her face. "I'm in no hurry. You've been through some stuff and you need to work through it. I'm okay with that. We can work on it together. You can tell me when to stop and I'll listen, okay? We'll just take it one step at a time."
He got up and pulled her with him. Slowly he walked back to his bedroom, not dropping her hand. She didn't let go, even though she hesitated at the doorway. He pulled his hand from hers, planning on going back out to the couch, when she caught it up again. "Stay with me? Just to sleep?" she whispered.
"You sure?" He knew it was a big deal for her to even consider sleeping in the same bed with him and he didn't want her to rush anything.
She took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "I'm taking a step."
Sek stretched slowly. He hadn't been sleeping well lately, uncomfortable with his memories, plagued by dreams. He had been tormented by thoughts of Kess lately, and oddly enough, their father. He wasn't sure why he was remembering his father now of all times.
The clan was doing well. He stabilized their territory and was cementing old alliances. Now he just needed to find Kess and he'd be able to relax, to enjoy the product of his efforts. His sister belonged here, with him. He missed her beside him like he would miss a limb, she had become so much a part of him. He couldn't just wait until she was ready to return home—if ever—as his father had counseled.
A beautiful woman slid beside him. He glanced at her out of the corner of his eye. Zahra. One of his playthings. She had on a black leather collar adorned with a silver circle from which was attached a heavy chain. Her hands slid across his back. "Not now," he said, walking towards his office. "Business first."
He buttoned up his shirt and tucked it into the black linen pants he wore. Time to look presentable. The werejaguars were in town from South America to check out their operation and introduce themselves properly to him. He'd known most of these men all of his life, but it was a mark of respect that they came to meet with him. But it was also a sizing up. His clan was responsible for moving and distributing what their South American cousins smuggled into the country and they would want to ensure that their cartel operations would not be disturbed by a change in leadership. He'd been overseeing most of the clan decisions for years, but they needed to see that nothing would change.