Moonlight's Peril (Moonlight Series Book 1) (20 page)

Twenty-Nine

Chessa tried to push past Nik. “My mom needs me. I heard her scream.”

“No, she needs you to stay here and be safe,” Joy said.

Nik shivered at the sound of Joy’s voice.
My woman.
He’d loved her as long as he could remember. Chessa rushed past him to the door. Joy glared at him.

“Do something.” Joy tried to get out of bed.

“Stay there.” Nik grabbed the teenager just in time to prevent her escape.

“Let me go!” Chessa cried as Nik picked her up.

Nik would rather face the rogue wolves than these women. “Now what?” he asked Joy. He didn’t want to hurt Law’s kid, but she was strong.

Joy was out of bed and wobbled her way over to them. She put her arms around Chessa. The girl stopped struggling. Nik let her go. “Your mom loves you.” Nik frowned. “Do her a favor and stay here. It will make things tougher on her if you go out there.”

Joy hugged Chessa. “She can’t be strong for herself if she’s trying to be strong for you.”

“But I—“

“But nothing.” Joy pulled back and gave Chessa a gentle smile. “You’re staying here with us. Law won’t let anything happen to your mom. He loves her.”

The teen’s eyes watered, but she stopped trying to run away. “You’re sure?” Chessa asked with so much uncertainty she sounded much younger than thirteen.

Nik’s heart ached at the sight. “I promise you. I’ve never seen him in love with anyone, not until I saw him with Bianca.”

“It’s hard to let someone else take care of Mom.”

Joy nodded, her face softened. “It’s hard to trust people sometimes.” She looked over the girl’s head and gazing into Nik’s eyes. Those pretty amber orbs sucker punched him. When he’d made his claim, all his suppressed longing reared up with an ugly vengeance. His wolf wanted to take the woman and claim her so irrevocable no male wolf would have doubt she belonged to him.
I want to kick Law’s ass so much right now.
Waiting is going to be hell.

“People can surprise you,” Nik murmured.

Joy’s lips parted, and her brows rose. “When bad things happen it changes people.”

“When people care, that doesn’t just stop, even when people change,” Nik whispered.

“Hello, my mother needs help,” Chessa said. The teen put her hands on her hips in exasperation. “Do you two want some privacy?”

Nik’s gaze held Joy’s.
You have no idea, kid.

***

“You said to tell you if there was any news at Foster’s place,” said Alden.

Kane’s brow furrowed. “Yes?”

“Miller took a handful of Tobias’ wolves and formed a rogue pack. They’ve got Bianca Archer, and they’re trying to use her against Foster.”

Kane’s fists clenched, and he slammed one down on his desktop. He stood up and hit the intercom at the same time. “Tanya, call the militia and tell them to get to Foster’s place. Now.”

“Right away, sir.” The intercom clicked off.

“You did well, Alden. How long ago did it happen?”

“It took me twenty minutes to get back to town, and another ten to get here. I saw them grab her on the road, and heard them talking about using her to get Foster to give them some refuge.”

“I doubt Miller is the only new alpha that will be fucking with us. Putting a stop to this will help me control the others. I want you to keep your eyes on Bianca Archer.”

“Of course. Same payment?” Alden asked.

“If you make sure she and Foster have no idea you’re watching you can expect double.”

“I’ll be a shadow they never see.”

“Good. Excuse me; I have a pack war to stop.” Kane walked away, grabbing his jacket off a peg on the wall. Alden followed him out of the office.

****

Bianca struggled against the man who’d just slashed her arm with his knife. The scream had been a visceral reaction to the pain.
Damn it. I wish I hadn’t given those bastards what they wanted.

“I’m—“

The knife-wielding jerk slapped his hand painfully over her mouth. She just wanted Law to know she was okay. Bianca closed her eyes.
“I’m okay, please don’t die for me.”
If there was anything real behind the wolf-protection mumbo jumbo, she wanted him to hear her thoughts.
“Please.”

“Let me see her,” Law ordered.

A man shoved Bianca ahead. She sidestepped the leader as he tried to grab her. In the process, her mouth was free.

“I’m okay!” she shouted. “Don’t—“

The talker slapped Bianca so hard her head snapped back, and she tasted blood. Dizzy, she stumbled helplessly out of the trees as he pulled her forward. She scanned the wall for any sign of Law. When she didn’t see him, a strange disappointment surged up inside of her.

“Don’t give in!” she shouted, and her captor gave her another sharp blow as a reward.

A loud growl sounded, and Bianca hated how Law gave away his position over something so small. Her face throbbed. She glared at the violent man who grinned at her in return.
Time to practice keeping my mouth shut.
He grabbed Bianca by her hair. She resisted the urge to struggle or show the pain. The bastard was trying to get a rise out of Law, and she wasn’t going to help.

“If you want her come and get her. We fight. If I win, I keep her, and I get all the land between your wall and Tobias’ territory.”

A gunshot echoed through the valley. A flock of birds flew from the trees behind them. Leaves floated down as the branches shook. Her scalp ached where he pulled her hair, but she looked up anyway. The sky overhead appeared painted in the shades of a fresh bruise as the fall afternoon stretched toward evening. Bianca had existed on autopilot for weeks, but now she had so much to live for. Her daughter was alive, and Law was…Law.
My Law.
She closed her eyes and let herself just hope.

Another shot reverberated with a crack. Her eyes opened wide as pain laced through her shoulder with white-hot force. Another blast reverberated through the valley. She’d have fallen backward if it wasn’t for the big man holding her. A scream tore out of her throat—involuntary and raw. There was a third discharge of the gun and the bastard holding her let go of her hair. He stumbled to his knees. Bianca swayed on unsteady legs. She watched him topple forward on his face, but as she looked down, she saw red spreading over the left side of her light pink sweater. Her knees trembled. She teetered as the adrenaline and shock gave way to biology. Bianca clutched the wound and gritted her teeth. A long shriek startled her until she realized she was the one screaming.

Wolves bounded from the trees. More gunfire resounded as she took a step toward the wall and faltered. She landed on her knees and gravel skinned her palms. Her denim jeans ripped as gravel tore through the material. Bianca took a deep breath, held it, and then exhaled. “Law, I’m sorry,” she whispered. Her heart hurt with the realization she wanted to tell Law she’d fallen in love with him.

“Don’t move,” ordered a gruff male voice.

Bianca looked up. “Mayor Wolfe?”

“We heard Tobias’ leftovers were causing trouble. It’s in my best interest to stop them before they get cocky and come into town.” The mayor picked her up as if she weighed nothing and walked toward a parked Hummer.

“Law!” Bianca shrieked in a hoarse voice.

“Shh, you’re safe Ms. Archer. I’m going to have my driver take you to the hospital. It’s faster than waiting for an ambulance way out here.”

“I need to talk to Law. I don’t want to leave Chessa alone.”

“Your daughter is safe. She’s not alone; she’s with others like her. No more protesting, you need a doctor. A good run won’t fix what ails you. You should consider having Foster bite you.”

“I’m not voting for you in the next election.” Bianca groaned. Pain stole her breath.

The driver opened the back door, and Kane sat her down with surprising gentleness. “Try not to bleed on the seats too much. Can’t have you dying. Too many questions, so do your best to survive, Ms. Archer.”

“I am so voting for anyone else in the next election.”

Kane slammed the door. “Drive as fast as you can,” he whispered to the driver through the open window. Bianca still heard him. Kane glanced back at her and frowned. “You’re a pain in my ass, but I think I might miss you if you die. I’ll call the sheriff to ensure you have an escort to the hospital.”

Kane slapped the side of the Hummer. “Go!”

She watched Kane pull out his cell as the driver backed up and accelerated to light speed. She closed her eyes and rested her forehead on the chilly window in the door.
Damn this hurts, but I wish I had a second to make sure Chessa and Law are okay.

****

Kane watched his men gathering the bodies. Five worthless bittens lay piled like firewood. He had another wolf to kill, whichever one took the foolish shot that hit Bianca Archer. Kane’s man attempted to negotiate entrance at the gate, but Kane pushed past the armed woman. Guns pointed at him, but they lowered as he glared with unflinching confidence. Up on the wall, Foster fought with another man. Both were borns and heavily bloodied. Foster almost tumbled off the wall, but he swung and knocked the other man back. Kane frowned, watching the scuffle.

“Someone, stop them,” Kane ordered. “I want to know who shot Ms. Archer and complicated my day.”

“Law is taking care of it.” The speaker raised his rifle.

Kane had guessed as much. “I want to talk to you Foster,” Kane shouted.

“He’s busy,” said the rifleman. A grunt from above brought both Kane and the zealous guard’s attention back to the wall.

Law punched his adversary, hard, as the fool tried to stand. He’d never remain conscious if he received another blow to the head and Kane wanted to see the idiot face the justice of his pack. Bianca might only be a human, but she was part of his town.
I’ll decide how this asshole dies.

Kane turned to the man holding the rifle at him. “Put down your gun, or shoot me.”

The man’s nostrils flared, for a moment, but he lowered the gun.

Another man came running out of a small house. “He’s had enough!”

Law pulled the man to his feet and hit him again. The shooter fell back, but Law kept him from tumbling off the wall.

“You killed him,” raged the man coming from the house.

“Shut up, Kort,” said the woman who’d failed to keep Kane out of the compound. “Ethan’s not dead. He shot Bianca.”

“She’s a fucking human. We should care more about our kind.”

Kane could smell the anger and adrenaline pouring out of Law as he launched himself from the wall while holding his felled opponent by the shirt. He landed on his feet in a crouch and let go of the unconscious man before standing to rush the one called Kort. Both men began the transformation.

“Stop!” Kane bellowed. “I’ve sent Ms. Archer to the hospital, but I need to speak to Law.”

Law and Kort growled at each other, but their human faces returned. They glared at each other.

Kane put his hands in his pockets of his suit jacket. “Good, now we have business to discuss in private. My men are taking the bodies for disposal.”

Law followed, but Kane sensed the lower alpha’s frustration. “I imagine you are in a hurry to get to town and be with Ms. Archer. I would like you to bring me the child, and I’ll take her to see her mother.”

“No, she’s under my protection. She comes with me.”

“Noble attitude. I have no interest in harming the child. I’m curious to see how a human girl, who has endured such a situation, adapts to our life. I need to know she’s no threat to my town.”

“She’s doing just fine. She’s a good kid.”

“I would like to judge that for myself,” Kane said.

Chessa came running toward them.
She looks like her grandmother did at that age.
Kane’s throat constricted.

“My mom? My mom?” Chessa cried.

Law reached out and put his hand on her shoulder as she skidded to a halt in front of him. His body language was pure protectiveness. Kane sensed the child trusted her mother’s mate.
Good.
Law looked Chessa in the eyes. His battered face was grim. “She’s on her way to the hospital in town, but she’s going to be fine. The men who kidnapped her aren’t a threat anymore.”

“I smelled her blood. I thought she was dead,” she sobbed.

Law embraced the child. “It’ll be all right,” he said. “I’m going to look out for you until she’s better.”

“Would you like a ride to the hospital,” Kane asked Chessa.

“Can we go now?”

“Kane, I told you she’s under my protection.” Law sounded more frustrated than angry.

“Do you know who I am?” Kane asked Chessa ignoring Law.

“Of course, you’re the mayor.”

“I won’t hurt you. I’ve known your mother a long time, and I respect her. Come with me and we’ll see how she’s feeling.”

“You’re not taking her anywhere,” Law said. His voice was sharp and deep.