Moonlight's Peril (Moonlight Series Book 1) (19 page)

Twenty-Seven

Randall came into the house he’d just gotten back from the morgue. Tobias was dead without an heir, which meant no one was inheriting Randall’s family debt.

Randall took off his shoes and walked through the house without the need for a light. This had been a long night, but he was almost too happy to sleep. He could have the vasectomy reversed because his son or daughter wouldn’t have some ancient blood debt hanging over his or her head. He could finally give his wife the child she’d so desperately longed for. He’d hated lying to his beloved about his fertility all these years. He’d cringed every time he’d had to refuse to talk about adoption.
How the hell do you explain family blood debts and werewolves to someone?

Kloe was still asleep. Randall crawled under the covers and pulled her close. For the first time since his teens, he felt safe. His father’s mistakes weren’t going to haunt him or his wife anymore.

****

Tristian ran. His wounds were gone, but the wolf wanted freedom. The man wanted to go back to make sure Reylin and his brother was safe, but the wolf won. In his state of half-consciousness, he smelled the danger before he saw it. Four wolves, bittens who couldn’t fully transform, trudged through the woods. They were in Law’s territory, and they smelled of fresh blood. He stilled. The wolf wanted to take them on, but the man knew better. Reylin’s image floated through his mind. He needed to get back and warn his people.

****

Bianca put the last of her things in the truck before going inside the common house to look for Chessa. She headed for the room where the teenage boy had been recovering. After she had knocked lightly, with no response, she pushed the door open just a little. The room was empty and clean. Frowning, she shut the door and turned.

“She’s upstairs,” Janna said coming around the corner. “I saw you put your bags in the truck. I’m not one to meddle, but I want you to know you are welcome here. It’ll take bigots like Maggie a while to adjust don’t run away. My son might not be perfect, but he’s a good man.”

Guilt flared in Bianca. “It’s not Law’s fault I’m leaving. Honestly, I’m torn about going, but I need to do what’s right for Chessa. I want her life to get back to normal. I need to get back to work too. It’s just time to go home.”

“Home isn’t a building. Are you sure you aren’t home? Anyway, your girl is upstairs in my room talking to Joy. Are you prepared to handle a bitten all by yourself? You can’t ask her to pretend she’s human. When she goes back to school, the kids will know, most of them at least. Her teachers will know. They’ll know about you too. Are you ready for that?” Janna asked. There was only concern, no judgment, in her tone.

“I don’t care about my mother’s sins. Those aren’t on me.”

“Our ways aren’t yours. Old grudges have a way of surviving death and clinging to the next generation.”

“Is that a threat,” Bianca asked feeling defensive.

“No, not at all. It’s a warning. Your mother had a taste for dangerous men.”

“I’m not my mother.”

Janna grinned. “I know. I want you to know that I’ll protect my child.” There was just enough in the undertone in her voice to sound sinister.

“Noted.”

Janna’s grin widened. “Don’t make me regret liking you. There is no going back to the same life you lead before Chessa was bitten. You can’t un-know the truth.”

Bianca shrugged. “Thanks for the advice, but I have to do what I think is right.”

“That doesn’t mean you’re not wrong. Just be glad you aren’t trying to catch up on a decade.”

In a moment of spontaneity, Bianca hugged Janna. The older woman’s eyes widened. “Thank you,” Bianca whispered.

Janna patted Bianca’s back while they embraced. “Go to your girl, first room on the right.”

“Thank you, Janna. Oh, and the boy?” Bianca stepped away.

“Left. Chessa woke up, and he was just gone. She’s pretty torn up about it; that’s why she’s talking to Joy.”

Jealousy reared up in Bianca’s soul, but she stifled her urge to dislike Joy. Bianca went up the stairs and paused at the door Janna had indicated. Chessa was crying. Bianca knocked lightly.

“Come in,” said an unfamiliar female voice.

Bianca opened the door and went inside.

Chessa wiped her face on the back of her hand. “Hi, Mom.”

“I heard about your friend leaving. I’m sorry.”

“Thanks,” Chessa muttered, turning away. She was sitting next to Joy on the bed. The other woman was rubbing Chessa’s back in a soothing way.

“Can I give you a hug?” Bianca asked.

“No,” Chessa replied fast, in a sharp voice. One word said so many hurtful things.

Bianca took a step towards her daughter. Chessa growled. Bianca realized her arm hung unconsciously outstretched. She let the limb drop.

Bianca fought the disappointment washing over her like a tidal wave. “I love you.”
How can I get through to her?
She turned to look at Joy. “Thank you for being there for my daughter when I couldn’t. I can never tell you how much I appreciate you.”

“She’s a great girl. You must be a hell of a woman to have convinced my brother to give you his protection.”

“We—he’s free to get out of it anytime,” Bianca said, and she touched her flaming cheeks hoping to cool them with her cold hands.

Joy grinned. “He’s not the kind. No, I’m afraid you’re stuck with him. Wolves mate for life when they find their true match. I might have been gone a long while, but something that fundamental to someone’s character doesn’t change. Law wouldn’t have declared if he didn’t want you. Welcome to the pack.”

Bianca leaned her hip against the wall. “Thanks, but I came up here to tell Chessa we’re going to go back to town. It’s time I got back to work. Chessa will have school.”

Joy’s eyes widened. Chessa jumped up off the bed. She growled at Bianca, pacing. Bianca stepped back, and Chessa closed in on her. Bianca collided with the wall and couldn’t back further away. “I don’t want to go home. They have a school here, Janna said.” Chessa face changed, and Bianca’s mouth went slack. Knowing it was possible and seeing it weren’t the same thing. Her heart shattered and her breath caught in her lungs.

“Chessa, calm down,” Joy said.

Chessa closed her eyes. Her face slowly lost the wolf qualities until she was human, but when she opened her eyes, they glowed.

Bianca pushed her luck. “But don’t you want to see your friends? What about Trinity?”

“How am I going to explain what happened to me?”

“Just tell people you don’t remember much. I doubt anyone would be insensitive enough to ask too many questions,” Bianca said.

“I like it here. What about Law?” Chessa countered. “I want to stay with Joy.”

“Law understands.”

Joy cleared her throat. “You could always stay here and drive her to school if it’s important to you that she learn in town instead of homeschooling. Law’s a good man, but a mate doesn’t just abandon her man, especially if he’s alpha. You have no idea how bad that will look for him.”

“Please don’t help.” Bianca hated how bitchy she sounded, but this wasn’t Joy’s place to step in.

Chessa made a terrible sound that was a cross between a bark and growl, and she jumped at Bianca. Chessa pinned Bianca to the wall with bruising force. Her nails dug into Bianca’s shoulder. “Don’t talk to her like that!” Chessa’s sweet young voice had a demonic depth that made Bianca cry out with terror as her eyes widened. She gazed at her daughter’s transformed face. Ches was more beast than girl.

“Don’t hurt her,” Joy shouted getting out of bed. She stumbled towards them. “She’s fragile—human.”

Tears welled in Chessa’s eyes and she gazed at her mother. Frustration turned into fear as a myriad of emotions played over her morphing face as it became human again. Chessa let her go and turned away. Bianca rubbed her sore shoulder.

Wolfing out wasn’t good for her child.
How do I raise this Chessa?
Guilt hit Bianca in the center of her stomach. She owed Law, but her daughter had to be her priority. “Ches, we should go back home. Don’t you want to be around familiar things as you heal from what you’ve been through?”

When she turned, her mouth twisted into a miserable frown and her brows drew together. “You don’t get it, Mom. There’s no coming back from this. I’m never not going to be a regular kid. I’m a werewolf. Sleeping in my old bed or going to school doesn’t make me human.”

Bianca swallowed around the lump in her throat.
Is that what I’m trying to do to her?

“Okay, we can stay if that’s what you want, but I want you to promise me you’ll try going back to school. I don’t know if there’s bussing, but I do have to drive into town for work.”

Chessa’s shoulders sagged with relief. “I’ll try.” Her eyes widened. “Did I hurt you?”

“No. I’m okay,” Bianca lied as she resisted the urge to rub her injury again.

“If it’s awful can I get homeschooled here?”

“I don’t know the first thing about homeschooling,” Bianca said.

“You won’t have to. All the kids work together. The teens work with supervision.”

Bianca thought for a moment. “I guess I’ll find Law and let him know we’re going to be sticking around.”

Joy grinned. “I’m sure he won’t be disappointed. He wouldn’t have given you his protection if he didn’t want you to live here.” Joy sat back down on the edge of the bed, reaching up to take Chessa’s hand. “I know the perfect room for you. I grew up in the house Law lives in, and unless he redecorated, I had a big bedroom with a canopy bed. I’d love it if you made that your room.”

Chessa nodded wiping the moisture from her eyes. “I love you.” she bent down hugging the other woman. Bianca tried not to cry. Jealousy was a terrible feeling.

Loud strains of “Hello,” by Adele, blasted from Bianca’s pocket. Kloe’s smiling face beamed up from the caller id as she pulled out the phone.

“I need to take this,” Bianca said as she stepped out of the room. “Hello.”

“Oh my goodness B, where have you been?”

“I have great news! I have Chessa back, safe.”

“How is she? What happened? Who had her?” Kloe’s barrage of questions halted. There was a soft noise that might have been a sob.

“She’s alive. Emotionally, she’s a mess. The man who had her is dead. Law Foster helped me save her.”

Kloe sniffled. “Foster? You’re kidding.”

“She’s going to be okay. Law is a good man. I was wrong.”

“I must be dreaming.” Kloe’s tone was only a little sarcastic. “You’ve admitted you’re wrong? Our girl is alive. And then there’s my news. Randal just told me he’s going to see a fertility specialist, but he plans to travel out of town. As usual, he wants to deal with it alone. He’s open to adoption too.”

“That’s incredible. What made him change his mind?”

“I wish I knew. Where are you? I want to hug Ches,” Kloe said.

“We’re at Law Foster’s place. Chessa feels comfortable here. There’s a woman who was also rescued and looked out for Ches. Law said we’re welcome to stay. I’ve got to go into town for some things. I’ll meet up with you for coffee.”

“Great! We have so much to catch up on.” Kloe paused. “Will Chessa come too? I miss her so much.”

“I’m not sure. I hope so. She’s so fragile that I'm not pushing her,” Bianca whispered into the phone. She hoped Chessa couldn’t hear her.

“She’s stubborn, like her mother, I think you're being smart about this.” Kloe chuckled.

“Spoken like my best friend,” Bianca said with more affection than teasing. “I’ll see you around three this afternoon.”

“Perfect. See you soon.” Kloe disconnected.

Bianca stuck her cell phone back in her pocket.

Chessa opened the door. “I don’t want to go into town. I’m not ready to face people yet, but tell Kloe I love her. I missed her too.”

“Did you hear everything I said?” Bianca asked.

“Yep, my hearing is a lot better than it was. Mom, I—I’m sorry.”

“Sorry?”

“I know you want everything to go back to normal.”

“I want you to be happy. I’m just glad you aren’t gone forever. I can handle who you are now.”

Chessa gave her mother a small smile. “Are you sure about that?”

“Of course. I love you, no matter what.”
I hope so.
Bianca gave her child a last long look before going downstairs and finding her purse. Fishing out the keys, she glanced back at the stairs.
I hate leaving her, even if I’m just running to town.
Maybe I can find Ben’s Peyton and ask her about being bitten. I can’t face Law. He’s—I don’t even know what this is between us, but I’m terrified. He’ll break my heart if I stay.
Bianca sighed and pushed the bangs out of her eyes.
I’ll be seeing my werewolf beautician soon.
Life. She had to keep going for her daughter’s sake.
Men like Law don’t fall in love with women like me.

Twenty-Eight

Tristian came running into the compound. His transformation took place with every step. His scent of was a mixture of anxiety and rage. Law left the group of men he was talking with.

Tristian was still half-man and half-wolf as Law approached, but Tristian spoke. “Tobias’ pack. Rogue. Coming.”

Bianca.
She was Law’s first thought. He glanced over at the curious pack members who'd started gathering nearby. “Get the children to the shelter. Send Bianca and her daughter down too.”

A human doesn’t stand a chance against angry weres. I’ll never be able to do what I need to do if Bianca is in danger.

Nik frowned. “She’s gone.”

“Where?”

“Saw her leave in her car. The kid is upstairs with Joy.”

Bianca was coming back, he was sure, but she was out of the walls with Tobias’ killers. Law’s stomach clenched painfully.

“You have to stay here,”
Nik thought in Law’s head using private telepathy.

“Damn it, I know, but I want to make sure she’s safe.”

“I know, but you have a duty here.”

“I don’t even have her phone number to warn her.”

Nik was right. If Law left, Kort would use that against him. The assemblage scattered. Law saw mothers rushing the children to the bunker. Several of his best wolves were already returning, armed. The wall had strategic points meant for defense.

“Rune, Ethan Take the East and North. Jesse, Thom, take the South and West,” Law ordered. The men began climbing the rungs of the built-in ladder.

Nik hoisted the sling of his semi-automatic rifle onto his shoulder. “I’ve got the gate.”

Law put out his arm and stopped Nik from going. “No, I’ll take the gate. Get in the house and protect everyone inside. See if Chessa has Bianca’s number and warn her. If they get past us, you need to lead.”

“Fuck that. Send someone else inside.”

“I don’t trust someone else. Chessa and Joy are in there. Go.”

Nik scowled, but he turned and headed for the house.

The smell of interlopers coming put Law on edge as he paced, making decisions. Anxiety was palpable in its intensity—he wasn’t the only one who’d caught the scent of danger. So attune to every noise due to his hypervigilance, Law heard the sound of holsters unsnapping followed by the subtle popping and stretching of joints and ligaments as some of the pack began shifting. Law sensed five rogue wolves.

A gunshot reverberated through the trees. Law glanced up. Ethan had taken the first shot.
I can de-escalate this.

“Jamison!” Law shouted. The man turned. Law tossed Jamison a semi-automatic rifle—safety on. “Cover the gate. I’m going up on the wall.” Law turned to his left. “Maggie, are you armed?” She held up a Glock. Law nodded. “Cover Jamison.” Feeling secure about the placement of his best guns he climbed the ladder. He pulled the Springfield out of the back waistband of his jeans and stayed low as he crept towards the center of the wall for a better vantage. Sniffing the breeze, he made a mental note of where the wolf scent in the woods originated. “No one has to die today,” Law shouted.

“Bullshit! You bastards killed enough of us last night.”

That one has to be the leader. He has balls.
The scent and sound came from a copse of trees standing just across the road. The others from Tobias’ pack waited farther away. They’d spaced themselves strategically, but five stood no chance against them.

“But not you or the ones with you, you can walk away—alive. Take your pack and start a new life.”

“I want security for my people. I demand territory,” shouted the brave one.

Law heard Ethan snort with amusement. Rune growled.

Law frowned.
I have a bad feeling about this.
“Leave here if you want to survive. I’m not giving you anything.”

“You’re wrong about that, Foster.”

A woman’s scream rented the air with horrific cadence.
Bianca.
Her terror tore at his soul. The wolf went crazy inside of him. Holding back took all of his willpower. Law needed the man’s cunning, but the wolf wanted to give his mate the animal’s strength.