Moonlight's Peril (Moonlight Series Book 1) (21 page)

“Very well, you may ride with us, Foster. The girl wants to see her mother. I assume you do too.”

Law ran his hand through his hair. He sighed, frowning. “I know why I want to see her, but why the hell do you care? Why be so insistent about the girl?”

Kane shrugged, glancing at Law. “After all the excitement about her whereabouts, I want to see her close to her mother.” He turned to Chessa. “I have boys myself. They’re a few years younger than you are, Chessa. As a parent, I sympathize with your mother.”

“You’re not exactly well-known for your empathy,” Law said, the left corner of his mouth dipped down. He took a wide, stubborn stance.

Kane’s eyes narrowed. He stared down Law for a long moment. Law didn’t flinch; he didn’t even blink.

Kane threw back his head, laughing. When he’d recovered from his mirth, he took a step forward to grasp Law’s forearm. Law returned the gesture of equality as old as their species. Law’s grip was firm. Kane grinned.

“Mr. Foster, may I escort Ms. Archer’s daughter to the hospital?” Kane asked, taking a new tactic.

“You sent Bianca in your personal vehicle. Allow me to drive you into town. I’m sure Bianca is anxious to see her daughter.” Foster being equally democratic.

“Fair enough,” Kane replied.
Of all my lower alphas my respect is for Foster is true, albeit grudging.

Janna came jogging over to Law. She gave Kane a distrustful once-over. “How is Bianca? I just heard she’d been shot.”

“Kane sent her to the hospital with his driver. I’m giving him a ride into town and Chessa, and I are going too.”

Janna grabbed Chessa’s hand. “Please tell your momma that I hope she’ll be home with us soon, but she doesn’t have to worry about you because we’re going to take care of you. We’re family.”

“Thanks.” Chessa gave Janna a shy smile.

“Where’s Nik?” Law asked his mother.

“He’s inside calming down the older folks and anxious mothers. He’s holding his own, but we both know damage control isn’t his thing.”

“Good, glad he’s handling everyone. Tell him he’s in charge until I get back.”

Janna nodded. “I’ll look out for him.” As they approached the truck, Janna grabbed Chessa and gave her a long hug. “Don’t worry about that mother of yours. She’ll be okay.”

Chessa nodded against Janna’s shoulder until the matriarch released her.

One of Kane’s men ran up to them. “We found her car. Thought the lady might need this.” He handed Bianca’s purse to Kane. Music played from the side pocket. “That phone has been ringing like crazy,” said the man. Kane handed the bag over to Chessa.

“Find out where they’d like her car parked and leave it there,” Kane ordered.

“Yes sir, right away.” The man rushed off.

****

Law had no idea what Kane was trying to accomplish, but that didn’t change the fact he owed the man his mate’s life.

“Thanks for helping us,” Law said as he opened the driver’s side door and helped Chessa in. She slid to the middle. Kane nodded and climbed in the passenger side. Law took his place behind the wheel.

They drove out of the compound in silence. About a mile down the road, Chessa turned and studied Kane’s profile.

“How was my mom? Do you think she’s okay?”

“She’s a tough lady. Bianca was more concerned with you and Law than she was with her injury. I think she might like Mr. Foster more than she lets on.”

Chessa snorted out a giggle before she covered her mouth. Law glanced over and noticed Kane pat the girl’s knee. “I think Mom would be mad to hear you talk about her crush,” Chessa said.

Law felt his face heat.
This conversation is not happening.

“We wouldn’t want to make your mother angry. Let’s just keep this chat between us. Are you excited to return to school?”

“No.” Chessa looked down at the floorboard.

“I’m sure your classmates will be excited to have you back, especially now that you’re one of us.”

“One of us? How many werewolves live in town?”

Kane made a disbelieving sound in the back of his throat. “Only about seven percent of Wild Rose Valley is human.”

Chessa gasped. “How does everyone keep what they are a secret?”

“We live our lives. Humans usually see what they think they should see. It’s easy to hide when no one is looking,” Kane said.

Law watched Kane out of the corner of his eye.
What game are you playing, old man
.

"So do you want me to drop you at home?" Law asked.

"I thought I'd see how Ms. Archer is feeling."

"Why do you care?" Law knew the brutality in his tone was almost too harsh, but he wanted the truth.

"Does it matter?" Kane asked.

“When it comes to my mate, every detail matters to me.”

Kane chuckled.

****

Nik knocked on Joy’s door.

“Come in.” Her soft voice caressed his soul.

“I just wanted to let you know Bianca was shot. Chessa and Law are on their way to the hospital. He’s going to call Janna when he knows how his woman is.”

“Oh no. That explains why Chessa never came back up. She went downstairs after the ‘all clear’ was called.” Joy’s lip trembled, and her dark brows drew together. “Could you sit with me for a while?”

His heart thundered in his ears. He tried to play it cool as he slowly made his way to the bed. When he sat down, Nik took her hand. Her skin was as soft as he remembered. She’d untangled her long hair, and the strands shimmered as the lamplight fell on her.
What the fuck is wrong with me?
Nik swallowed around the lump in his throat.

“It’s been a long time since you held my hand,” Joy said the words so quiet they were almost a whisper.

Her statement slammed into his chest as hard as a physical blow.
God, it’s been so long.
“Yeah, it has,” he muttered.

Joy worried her lip between her teeth. “Are you still smoking?”  He shrugged. She frowned. “Those things aren’t good for you.”

“Werewolves don’t get cancer.”

“Cigarettes can do more than give you cancer. We can get emphysema.” She sat up a little taller in bed. Her nose wrinkled delicately.

“Why is it we’ve never been able to have a conversation that didn’t include an argument?” Nik asked, half-teasing.

“Because we’ve always cared too much about each other.” Joy pushed the yellow lace strap of her nightshirt back up on her shoulder. He noticed an ugly scar she hadn’t had ten years ago.
How many more marks are on her soul after being with those maniacs?
Nik clenched his fists to suppress the rage welling up inside of him.

She was right, but he didn’t want to admit it out loud. Nik chuckled. “Or enjoyed pissing each other off too much.”

“That too. I need to get out of bed, shower, and face everyone. I can’t hide up here forever,” Joy said.

Nik took her hand and stroked the skin by her knuckles with his thumb. “Eventually, but if you’re not ready, what’s the rush?”

“A lot of our pack will think I’m a murderer, but I swear to you I never killed. I never let go of my mother, father, brother—you. I never forgot our pack.”

“Why did you go to him? What made him better than me?” Nik hadn’t expected the question to come so easy. Joy looked away, but Nik gently pulled her chin forward. Her frown told him she hadn’t expected his interrogation. “Tell me. I’ve been waiting a decade for the truth.”

Joy opened her mouth but shut it again. She pressed her lips together, and the agony in her eyes tore his heart in two.
I need to know.

“It was never my choice. Why didn’t the pack come for me? Kort saw them take me.”

For a moment, he didn’t register what she’d said. Kort had told them she’d gone against her father’s wishes and left. She’d always been rebellious and as much as it had hurt he’d believed she’d left.

He fought his wolf’s need for blood. Kort’s blood.

Thirty

Bianca forced herself to stay awake. The pain medicine made her sleepy. Every nurse and doctor she encountered was a suspected werewolf. She’d gotten used to Law and his pack. Being alone and injured left her vulnerable. Dreamland beckoned, but she just couldn’t give in. Yawning, she shook her head and shoulders to chase away the drowsiness. She was glad to sit up in a chair instead of lying in the hospital bed.

“Mom!” Chessa’s voice gave Bianca a second wind. Chessa bounded into the room.

“I’m okay, Ches.”

Chessa tossed Bianca’s purse on the bed, but held onto her cell phone, and came forward as if to hug Bianca, but stopped short. “I don’t want to hurt you.”

“Avoid my left shoulder and side. It’s fine, hug me and don’t cry. I’m going to recover.”

Chessa wiped her eyes on the back of her hand. She leaned down and wrapped her arms around Bianca. The strength of Chessa’s hug was rib crushing. Looking over her daughter’s shoulder Bianca saw Law walk into the room, and her heartbeat quickened.
I have so much I need to say to him.

Kane came into the room, spoiling her plan to tell Law how she felt.
Why is Kane here? He probably wants gas money.

Law just stood back, looking at her. Chessa kept hugging.

Kane stepped forward. “I’m glad to see you’re less pale than the last time I saw you, Ms. Archer. You gave us all a scare.”

“Thank you for the ride. I only bleed on the leather a little.”

Kane chuckled. Chessa let her go and went and sat down on a chair.

“I’m sure you have plenty of experience cleaning up blood.” Law’s dry tone didn’t take the grin off Kane’s face.

“Someday we’ll have a drink, and I’ll tell you just how much clean up I’ve had to do in my lifetime. I think you could stand to learn a thing or two, Mr. Foster.”

Law frowned.

Bianca cleared her throat. “Law seems to do just fine.”

“And you’re here as proof of that?” Kane’s tone grew confrontational.

“Thank you again for coming to the rescue,” Bianca said. “Those men were dangerous.”

“I’m not sure how many men Tobias had, but from our body count, I suspect there are others out there. I just hope this incident set the example that pack wars aren’t tolerated in my region.”

“Your region?” Bianca’s eyes narrowed, but her yawn ruined the effect.

Kane gave her a little half-grin. “Mr. Foster needs to educate you, but not today. I can see you need your rest.” He came over and took Bianca’s hand. She blinked up at him, gaping. “Do consider allowing Mr. Foster to turn you.” Kane patted the back of her hand. “This kind of—harm is much more easily resolved when you’re a werewolf. I’ll leave you to your family.” He turned, leaving before she had the chance to respond. Law appeared shocked too as he scowled at the doorway Kane just exited.

Bianca looked at Chessa. She’d grown up so much in the short time they were separated. “You’re so beautiful. Come over here,” Bianca said. Chessa came over, and Bianca pulled her down and hugged her daughter before pulling back to hold Chessa’s cheeks. She pushed the hair out of her Chessa’s face. “I love you so much. No matter what, I’m so glad I’m your mom. Don’t think because I’m not begging to be a werewolf because there’s something wrong with you or I don’t love you.”

“
Mooommm
,” Chessa groaned. “Whatever. I get it. I don’t want you to be different. Here’s your phone. Kloe has been texting like crazy. I texted back that I had your phone, but I didn’t know what to tell her.”

“I’ll give her a call later. I have no idea how I’m going to explain this.” Bianca glanced at the notifications; Kloe had left some voicemails too. She put the phone down and looked at Chessa. “Can I have some time with Law?”

Chessa nodded. She glanced at Law and shrugged, but then she grinned. “Don’t bite my mom while I’m gone.”

Law flushed, and Bianca’s heart twisted a little. He gave the teenager a lopsided smile. “I’ll be a gentleman. Here’s some cash. Grab us some pop. I’m not picky so get me whatever you like. I bet you know what brand your mom drinks.”

Chessa took the money and left the room. Bianca watched her go with a mixture of anticipation and dread.
Am I ready for confession time?

“I—.”

“I—.”

They spoke in unison.

“You go first,” Bianca told Law.
I’m such a coward.

“I’m sorry I failed you. You should never have been hurt.”

Anger burst through the soft and fuzzy feelings she had for Law. “This wasn’t your fault. I have every right to live my life.”

“I never said you couldn’t have a life, but damn it, one of my pack almost killed you.”

“But not you. You weren’t the one holding the gun.”

“I’m just trying to apologize to you, woman.”

“Woman? There you go again. You need a strong dose of reality. This is not 1952. I’ve been doing just fine staying alive before you were protecting me.”

Law moved across the room in a few powerful strides. “I’m not saying you’ll die without me. I’m saying I’ll die without you. I don’t know when it happened, but you’ve become my soul. When I saw Ethan had hit you, everything suddenly came into perspective. The wolf inside me went crazy. You’re my life.”

Her anger died as suddenly as if flared. The urge to cry battled her need to kiss him. “I love you,” Bianca said.
There I’ve done it.

His eyes widened, and his nostrils flared. “It’s about time.”

Law put his arms around her and crushed her mouth with his. Bianca closed her eyes.
I don’t have to be alone anymore.

When Law pulled back, his beautiful eyes were the color of the sky before a storm. She touched his stubbly cheek. “I belong to you, but you have to accept that you belong to me too. I have so much to learn about your world, but you have a lot to learn about me too. I’m stubborn. I watch sappy television and cry. I hate to be told what to do.”

He grinned. “I’ll do my best to be a good student if you promise to give me kisses instead of gold stars.”

Why does he have to be so damn hot?
A wave of dread chilled her soul. “There are other wolves out there with a grudge about Tobias. I have so much to learn about Chessa’s evolution. Can we make this work? Your pack members aren’t my biggest fans.”

“Right now all I care about is getting you well and home.”

Home. Law is my home.
She nodded. “Okay.”

****

Kane’s driver waited for him in the hospital parking lot, as he walked towards the car he pulled his cell phone out of his coat pocket.
Time to start taking back the things Tobias stole from me, so long ago.
He dialed and put the phone to his ear.

“Masterson.”

“Hello, Randal.”

“Kane?” Randal’s tone didn’t hide his surprise.

“Tobias might be dead, but you’re very much alive. As Tobias’ brother, the debt owed him becomes mine.”

“Brother? Tobias was your brother?”

Kane chuckled. “Half-brother, but he never had a child. The old ways ensure I am his heir.”

“What about Bianca? Wasn’t she—?”

Kane growled, cutting Randal’s question off. “No.”

“How can you be so sure?”

“Ms. Archer submitted to a DNA test. I know which wolf is her father.”

“Who is it? She has a right to know.”

“All you need to know is your debt doesn’t belong to Bianca, it’s mine. I am the alpha of this town and who’s her father is my business, not hers. For her safety, no one in this town will ever know her biological father isn’t Tobias. Trust me; not telling her is kinder.”

“Why? Is Bianca in danger? She’s been my friend since we were kids. I won’t let you hurt her!”

“Admirable, but your wife is your concern. You wouldn’t want your lovely lawyer to fall into danger. I will be sending a lot of business her way. I feel the need to change law firms, but don’t worry, human business only. She’ll stay busy and unsuspecting. Keeping her out of trouble will also keep Ms. Archer out of trouble. I see that as a win-win for you. We’ll speak again soon, so save my number in your phone.”

Masterson paused. Kane could almost hear the wheels in the man’s little human brain turning. “He hated you.”

Kane smiled. “I never liked him much either. We don’t get to pick our family, do we?” The words hurt as Kane said them. His heart ached in a way it hadn’t in a long time.
And some men are denied their family.

Randal cleared his throat. “I’m done. I want my life back. I’m through paying for my dad’s mistake.”

“The sins of the father will follow us to the grave. God’s way and pack way, my friend, inescapable.”

“I never thought you gave God much thought,” Randal said dryly.

Kane let a dark laugh roll deep in his throat. “God and I have a lot in common. We both get to decide who lives and who dies. I have a feeling God gives me a lot of thought, Mr. Masterson.”

Silence. Kane heard the man’s heart thundering over the phone. His driver got out and opened the door for him. Kane slid inside the SUV. He could smell Bianca Archer’s blood and cleaning solvent. No visible trace of the woman remained, but the scent didn’t lie. Truth was never easy to hide from a wolf.

“Randal, I’ll make a deal with you. I don’t have to, but I’m feeling—I appreciate your situation. My father made mistakes that haunt me too. If you accomplish what I want, I’ll release your blood debt. My sons won’t have any rights over yours, or I over you.”

“What do I have to do,” Randal asked.

Bad things, Mr. Masterson, very bad things.

****

Bianca couldn’t breathe. Nothing was ever going to be the same again after this moment. She gazed into the eyes of the man who’d claimed her as his woman. Law Foster had made a vow that gave his life to her. Awe constricted her throat causing it to ache. Her alpha-male-sexy-werewolf gazed back at her, and she reached out to touch his face. He’d claimed her, but she was finally ready to claim him back.

Bianca put her hand on Law’s arm. “I love you.”

“Hell, it’s about time, woman,” Law grumbled, but his grin belied the words. She let his use of ‘woman’ slide.

“I know.” Bianca shifted in the chair. “Ouch.” The bullet wound reminded her she’d need to take making up easy.

Chessa walked into the room holding an armload of soda bottles. She set them on the tray next to the empty bed. “He didn’t bite you, did he?”

Bianca could hear Ches was only half-kidding. “No, he didn’t bite me, but Law is…um, mine.”
This is so awkward to explain.

“Duh. Yeah, I already know that. It’s okay, Mom. I want to live at the farm. I like Law. I miss Dad, but I never really knew him, not really.”

When did my baby get so smart?
“Thank you, Ches. I love you so much.”

“I know that too.”

Bianca yawned again. She wanted to stay awake and be with her family, but her eyelids were too heavy to stay open. “I want to go home,” Bianca mumbled.

“I’ll talk to your doc, but they’ll probably keep you overnight. Isn’t that how human hospitals usually work?”

The cell phone on the table rang. She managed to reach it and slide the answer icon on the last ring.

“Hello.”

“Bianca?” Sabrina whispered. “Thank God!”  Her voice cracked, and her words came across as shaky. “I’ve been trying to reach you for hours.”

“Are you okay?”

“No. I’m scared.”

“Where are you?” Bianca asked. A cold spike of fear rolled down her back. “Have you called the police?”

“I’m hiding in the community center. The police are part of it too.”

“What are you hiding from? Part of what?”
After everything I’ve just been through can I handle the answer?

“Monsters,” Sabrina whispered into the phone.

Bianca and Law locked gazes.

“I heard,” he said. “I’m going.”

Chessa took Bianca’s free hand and gave it a squeeze as they watched Law rush out of the room.

Bianca turned her attention back to the phone. “Stay on the line with me. Help is coming. Law Foster. He’s a good guy, and you can trust him,” Bianca said.

“I don’t know who I can trust anymore,” Sabrina whispered. “Officer Gibson just turned into something terrible. Oh…” A strange jumble of noise rattled across the line.

“Sabrina! Sabrina. Answer me,” Bianca demanded, but the line went dead.

Being part of this world is never going to be easy, or boring.

Order Moonlight’s Gift, Book Two, in the Moonlight series by Ashlynn Monroe on Amazon here:
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