Moonlight's Peril (Moonlight Series Book 1) (9 page)

Twelve

Law and Nik ran side by side. They were ahead of the others. The wolf was letting Law have more head space than usual, but his thoughts were disjointed, yet very human. Even in his most primal state, the need to protect was a constant drum beat in his soul.

“Do you see that?”
Nik communicated on the telepathic bond they shared.

“What do you see?”
Law looked to his left and right and seeing nothing out of the ordinary. Then he smelled it. Blood.

Nik stilled. His ears perked up. Law heard the sound too. A soft whine. They stopped, watching the brush. An injured she-wolf limped forward. Blood oozed from a vicious bite wound on her shoulder. The damage wasn’t fresh; fur matted where some of the blood had already dried. She was beautiful, vulnerable, and her heat perfumed the air. She crawled on her belly. Her big amber gaze found his, but he didn’t let his instinct to help her override his common sense.
“Who are you?”
Law sent her his question telepathically. Anxiety had kept his thoughts far more human than a typical sacred night. She didn’t respond. Either she was too injured to retain humanity or unwilling to give up her identity.

Nik started towards her, but Law blocked his friend’s path with his body. Law didn’t trust a strange wolf in his territory—injured female or not. Man or Wolf Nik thought with his cock. “
You don’t want to end up breaking a mating taboo today, my friend. We can’t trust her.”

Nik stopped short, and his body stood at rigid attention looking off to the west.

“Do you smell that?
Nik thought.

“Damn it. Tobias.”
Law confirmed.
“I told you we couldn’t trust the female.”

Nik whined.
“His pack has grown. How many do you sense?”

Law concentrated. His people’s lives depended on his accuracy. The interlopers were young. Some very young. Bittens. Only a few full blood scents mingled with the others. He took a long sniff of the air. The subtle vibration of the ground under his paw unnerved him. He prayed he was wrong.

“Twenty-five, maybe twenty-six, shit fourteen of us would never have a chance.”

Law communicated with his whole pack at once.
“Tobias has brought his pack on our land. They outnumber us. We can’t fight. RUN.”

Nik whined. Law jerked his head and circled back. He knew other males wouldn’t obey as quickly as his beta. The female put them all in peril. She was being followed; danger was coming.

Law ran back down the hill, Nik followed. Law could see his beta’s reluctant submission. This female smelled of Tobias. She was a trap, not a victim, or so he hoped. The idea of leaving an injured female tied his stomach in knots, both for the man and wolf.
Maybe I can save her myself.

He yelped and jerked his head to the right. His people followed him away from where the female was. He took them upwind so none of the males would get a whiff of her. A fertile woman was all but irresistible on the sacred night. Considering how wound up Reylin had the Smiths, they’d have gone to the woman, blind to any danger, thoughtless to the consequences.

“Do you honestly believe she was a trap?”
Nik’s thoughts were for Law alone.

“I can’t afford to be wrong, not tonight. Something is off. I feel it.”

“Yeah, I do too.”

Nik’s confirmation sent a chill down Law’s spine, all the way to the tip of his tail. He shook off the sensation and trotted faster. The pace seemed unfair to the elders, but he couldn’t risk being here when Tobias’s flea-ravaged maniacs showed up. His people were good-hearted. Killing wouldn’t be easy if it came to death his pack would suffer the most.

“Everyone, to the caves. We stay hidden,”
Law sent the thought out on the pack’s open telepathic channel. The need to be free—to be the wolf was all-consuming, and he hated restricting his people from roaming. Negative psychological vibrations drove his wolf into a rage. The anger directed at him was a physical ache in his head.
“Follow Nik.”

“What are you waiting for?”
Nik’s question was private for him and held an edge of panic.

“I’m getting a good look. Go!”

“I’m not leaving you, brother.”

“Yes, you are. If something goes wrong, I need to know Kort doesn’t destroy my pack.”

“Damn it.”
Nik cursed. The beta couldn’t disobey his alpha’s order. Nik’s eyes glowed green for a moment before he bounded off in the direction the others had scattered.

****

Chessa loved the feeling of the wind in her fur. After the pain and shock, she’d been filled with the most amazing feeling of peace. This was what she was meant to be. Her body knew this was right. She gave a happy yip and stayed tight on Joy’s heels. The older wolf glanced at her, and she could have sworn she’d seen a smile on Joy’s muzzle.

Something bumped Chessa, and she almost tumbled. Getting used to four feet hadn’t been easy. A big male barked and ran a circle around her. She glared at him and rushed to catch up to Joy. When she stood next to Joy again, her sense of security returned. She noticed Joy kept them away from the males. There weren’t many females in the pack, but most of them ran with the males. Joy and a few other females hung back and away. She was happy to stay near Joy as the main group scared her with the violent energy they exuded. The weird communal thought process made their dark intentions known. There were many people—wolves—who she sensed would hurt her, just for fun. The women she ran with were scared for good reason.

The big male rushed past. He snapped his teeth at her, and she gave a startled yip. Joy stopped and put her body between Chessa and the insistent male. He paced in front of Joy, barking once at Chessa. He wanted her to follow him. Somehow she knew that on instinct.

“The first time is always hard,”
said the young male voice in her head.

“Who are you?”
  She talked with her mind.
Super crazy cool.

“Run with me.”

Joy growled.
“Don’t listen to him. Please trust me. I’ll call to your grandfather. He’ll take a chunk out of Trax.”

“Trax?”
What kind of a name that was, even for a wolf.

“That’s the name, pretty girl. Run with me.”

“I’m warning you; I’ll call him,”
Joy threatened, Trax.

“See you later, pretty girl. I’ll have to wait until your bodyguard isn’t around to hang out.”
Trax rushed off.

Joy shook. Chessa whined. She pressed up against Joy’s warm body. They stood and a moment of comradery passed before Joy burst off, veering away from the direction Trax had gone. Chessa followed.

****

Law watched downwind of the large pack. They were a rough looking group. He’d made the right choice keeping his people out of a fight. Tobias was breaking the truce; they wanted war. Unrest was the last thing Law wanted. His people were peaceful. The idea of Bianca caught in the middle of a territorial conflict crushed the breath from him.

The sound of a young female’s happy bark brought his attention away from the bigger group. A small band of females stayed away from the males. Law sniffed the air. The girl’s scent was familiar. Bianca. Chessa. He’d found her child, but the sight of the young wolf was unbelievable. Chessa was a bitten. His mind whirled. There was no Archer bloodline. The father hadn’t turned. This left him with one of two possibilities, either Bianca was of the blood or the child’s father wasn’t Lucas.

Law fought the urge to run down to the girl. He’d never survive. Bianca would never know her daughter was alive. Rational thinking didn’t make him any happier to stay hidden. A male lingered. He watched Chessa. Law didn’t like the male wolf to focus so intently on Bianca’s daughter. Fear the girl would be raped as a wolf made breathing hard. Every instinct inside demanded he rescue Chessa. He’d made a vow. Seeing the child as one of his kind brought a surge of protectiveness he wasn’t prepared for. Seeing Chessa with Tobias’s people was tantamount to watching someone kidnap a pup from the compound, only more personal. This was Bianca’s pup and his protection extended to the child as if she were his daughter. Law’s teeth clamped tight.

How long can she stay safe and innocent with that pack?
For now, she was alive, and he had to satisfy himself with the knowledge Bianca could rest a little easier. He looked for the injured female. With so many wolf scents, he couldn’t detect which one belonged to her. He smelled blood, but fight-injuries on several males obscured the female.

Frustrated, he laid low. When the area appeared safe, he resigned himself to failure. Law ran toward the caves. His pack kept the deep caverns at the top of the bluff hidden and secret. They were just off Law’s land, where it was unlikely Tobias would suspect they’d hide, but still good territory and secluded. The land was a game perserve which meant no hunters. For the first time, he wanted the run to be over so he could be a man again. The wolf was simpler, but ever since he’d met Bianca, complicated appealed to him.

Thirteen

Bianca woke at dawn. She showered and dressed before Pastor George arrived, early, as she suspected he would. She opened the door as soon as he knocked. “Hi, Pastor.” She couldn’t look him in the eyes.
Werewolf. Oh gosh, he’s a werewolf.
“Come on in.”

“Good morning.” He followed her to the kitchen.

How do I ask my pastor to make a confession?
Anxiousness gave her nervous giggles. They sat down at her second-hand table. Pastor opened the donuts and Bianca poured him a cup of coffee from the waiting carafe. Once she gathered the courage to look at him she couldn’t stop staring at his face.

“Is something the matter,” he asked.

“Um, actually, yeah kind of.”
This is so awful.

He reached out and gave her hand a squeeze. “Whatever it is, please let me help you.”

You’re such a good man—wolf—pastor.
“Pastor?”

“Yes.” His eyebrow rose.

“Law Foster told me that if anything bad happened last night, I should come and find you.”

Pastor George’s eyes widened. “What else did Law tell you? Why did he think something bad might happen last night?”

“I’m under his protection, I guess, and well I know everything now like why you’re a vegetarian.”

She could’ve sworn she saw his eyes glow.

“Are you—accepting—of Law’s protection?”

“Why wouldn’t I be?”

“Then I don’t believe you know
everything
, sweet girl. Promise me you won’t let Kane Wolfe know Law has given you his protection.”

“Is he a…”

“He’s our mayor and has always been very zealous about keeping our community just as it is, so please do your best to avoid him.”

“Pastor, I have so many questions. How much of what I know is a lie? What about God?”

“God hasn’t changed. Your understanding of the world is different, but that doesn’t mean everything you believe is wrong. Your faith isn’t a lie, and this town isn’t a lie, but some aspects of the people you know have been private so they can be safe. I am still the same person I was, but now you know I grew up with a burden you haven’t had to face.”

“So you don’t like being a werewolf?”

“No, I never liked losing control. Most handle it better than I did. I made—mistakes. I have spent my entire life trying to be a better man. When I was very young, my grandfather told me about a wolf who stayed human by only eating plants. I stopped eating meat when I was twenty-five and within a year I beat the moon.”

“Is it hard, not turning? Do werewolves have souls?”

“My faith is the only thing that helped me those first terrible months. I can’t even describe the pain. My relationship with the Lord means more to me than anything else, so I devoted myself to him. I have a soul, and so does Law Foster, bring him to church with you soon, but seriously, I’m hurt you needed to ask me.” Bianca felt her face heat. “I forgive you, and I understand how hard this has to be for you, but the people in this town are people more than they are animals. In fact, those people want you to have this.” He took an envelope out of his suit pocket and handed it to her. She opened the flap and saw a number greater than three months of her salary. “Don’t look like that, we all love you and Chessa.”

Bianca burst into tears. Pastor George got up and put his arms around her. “Shh, don’t cry. Please dry your eyes before you get my donuts all wet.” That made her chuckle through her tears, and she wiped her face with the napkin he handed her. “You’re a strong girl, and so is Chessa. You have more friends than you realize.” He sat down.

“This is very generous, but I just want my daughter back. Why didn’t anyone go after the man who took her?”

“That’s a complicated question. There are rules you don’t understand. Believe me, I have spent more than one sleepless night thinking about eating a greasy cheeseburger so that I could be strong enough to do something, but one wolf alone would be a suicide mission.”

“I wish I could tell you I understand how you could leave her out there, all alone, but I can’t.”

“I’m sorry Bianca, and so is the town, but everyone’s hands are tied. We do care; we do love you both, but we don’t have a choice.”

Pastor George handed her a sprinkled long john. She took a bite, and they sipped coffee for a silent moment.

Bianca sighed. “I know I don’t understand everything, but I promise you that I’d never tell anyone about this town, and I will bring Chessa home.”

“If anyone can, you can. I’ve been praying for you both, every day.”

“I appreciate that, but I’ll appreciate having her home more.”

Pastor nodded as he finished his donut. He stood and gave Bianca a quick hug.  “I’ll show myself out. Come to the church anytime that you have more questions or need to talk. Law needs to educate you on the dos and don’ts quickly, but if he doesn’t come see me. I’ll check on you if I don’t hear from you.”

After Pastor left, Bianca paced the living room, biting her nails, and contemplating leaving the house. With the town infested with the supernatural, a jaunt down the street took on a whole new meaning for her.

Putting on her walking shoes and grabbing a light jacket Bianca gathered the courage to leave the house; she kept looking behind her.
I feel like an idiot.
Moving fast down the street, she tried to enjoy the soft glow of early morning light on her face. Everything was quiet. By the time she pulled open the door of the Daily Grind for some java every noise spooked her. The place was unusually deserted.

“A large Cinnamon Sensation, please. Two sugars and cream. Thanks.”

She handed her punch card and five dollars to the barista.

“You’re welcome. Have a great day.” The caffeinated, perky girl gave the card and some change back.
Human girl.

Turning, Bianca noticed where Annie and Claire always sat, every morning, was empty. The elderly spinster twins came daily from opening to noon. Bianca had an AW (after wolves) moment.
Those sweet little old ladies are werewolves.
Staring at their usual table, transfixed, she physically shook her head to dispel the mental cobwebs. She had to keep it together, or she was going to draw attention to the fact she was in on to the “big secret”.

Bianca forced herself to leave the diner. She shivered as the bell tinkled over the door as she went outside.
What will happen to me if town werewolves find out that I know?
This morning her eyes were wide open as she walked.

Her AW mind noticed things she’d never bothered to care about before.
How have I never noticed so many people are missing once every month?
Some of the small Mom and Pop shops were totally closed. She walked down a block she didn’t need to, just out of curiosity. Bianca paused, and her eyes narrowed as she thought about BW (before werewolves) times. Normally, all the parking places on Main Street were filling up this time of the morning. It was a weekday, but the traffic reminded her of Sunday. Her AW brain realized those missing cars belonged to werewolves.
Am I the only human in town? Oh God. Kloe? Maybe I don’t want to know.
A sign in the window of her beautician’s home salon caught her attention. The 8 x 11 card stock was simple. The message was in Sandy’s neat handwriting. A simple note proclaimed Marcus and Sandy Woods were away visiting relatives. She’d bet her last dime that their relatives had more than two legs. Bianca touched her hair absentmindedly.

Will I go back to Sandy for my next bang trim?
She stood silently looking at the building. Marcus was a talented artist. He’d drawn a cute back-to-school border with glass markers around the shop window. The cheerful man changed artwork every month for his wife. Bianca had gone to high school with Sandy. The down-to-Earth couple worshiped their adorable ten-year-old son, Baxter. The boy came down to the community center on basketball night every Wednesday.

She’d be back to Sandy’s salon, no doubt about it. Odd, she should be screaming and running away from town, or calling the FBI—something like that. She continued down the street as calm as could be.
Maybe I’m in shock?
Bianca paused, wrapping her arms around her midsection. Her head cocked to the side as she considered if she was coping well or subsiding in denial. Sighing, she put one foot in front of the other and kept walking.

The library stood dark, she moved closer to the door and saw the temporary closure notice. Frank, the Librarian, always called her when the next book in her favorite series came in. She tried to envision the sweet, elderly man wolfed-out somewhere.
Nope.

Birds sang a cheerful ballad of the morning. Everything was still green with only hints of the vibrant palette of fall. A little creek ran through the park on the corner of Main and Bluff Streets. She stopped to listen to the soft babble of the water skipping over rocks. She’d told Lucas she was pregnant with Chessa next to the tiny spring that cascaded down like a waterfall. So many memories here, and yet she’d never known anything real about her hometown.

There wasn’t even one car on the road to disturb the natural sounds. Bianca experienced a flash of cold down her spine.
Will I ever trust this place again?
She loved her town. Or, at least, she had loved Wild Rose Valley.

She hadn’t felt so much like her old self since Chessa disappeared. She didn’t understand how such insanity could make her go sane.
Maybe I’m just so crazy it feels normal. That’s as legit as it gets, I guess.
She sighed, pausing in front of the Brooks’ pizzeria. They were closed until Friday too.

The idea of hairy werewolf hands tossing her pizza crust in the air made her gag a little. She’d found in hair in her pizza a few months ago. Anything accidentally dropped in food always grossed her out, but wolf hair was so much worse.
How much werewolf fur have I ingested over the years? Sure, I don’t call the FBI, but I totally want to call the health department.
They’d throw her in the looney bin, and toss the key.
Face it; I can’t tell anyone.

And then there was Law. Ever since he’d gone all “you have my protection” on her she’d felt the strangest thrill around him. The might be hot-as-hell, but that didn’t explain the weird magnetism he had on her. Law Foster, so much manly goodness—when he wasn’t wolfing out. She never let anyone get too serious about her. Mothering her daughter mattered, not getting laid. Now wasn’t the time to change. She needed to focus on Chessa, not her long deceased love life. Her sexy panties were so far back in the undie drawer they were probably lost forever to underpants gnomes. She didn’t need a man. She needed a miracle.
Maybe he’s both.
Bianca pushed the thought away as quickly as it came.

A car pulled away from the curb. Bianca didn’t recognize it, and she knew this neighborhood very well. Walking down the next block, she noticed that same strange car seemed to be following her. Hairs on the back of her neck stood up. The community center wasn’t far away. She walked faster. The car picked up speed. Bianca’s heart beat so hard she could feel the pulse in her neck. Her breath came out in little fear-pants. She ran. The car sped away as she ran blindly into the community center.

Sabrina Johnson stood up. The pretty African-American woman was a welcome sight. Thank God someone she knew wasn’t a werewolf. Standing up, Sabrina rushed over with a concerned frown marring her smooth brow.

“Are you okay?”

“Yeah, sorry,” Bianca gasped out the words as she tried to catch her breath.

“What happened?”

“Nothing, I just—nothing.”

“You’re as pale as a ghost. That wasn’t nothing. Come over here and sit down. With the kids back in school, and senior lunch over for the day, it’s quiet,” Sabrina said as she put her arm around Bianca and led her to the desk.

Bianca sat down on the desk chair, and Sabrina sat on the desk.

“I’m so sorry,” Bianca reiterated her embarrassed apology. She’d overreacted. She’d probably imagined the car following her. If they weren’t from around here, they could’ve been lost. The driver probably wanted to ask her for directions, and she’d run off like a crazy person.

“Don’t be sorry. How have you been? Any news about Ches? God, I miss that kid,” Sabrina finished the statement in a quiet, sad tone. She glanced at Bianca with sudden alarm before biting her lip. “Oh, I’m sorry was that insensitive? Tell me if my big foot is in my big mouth.”

“Nope, your feet are little and cute. Your mouth is big, but the feet are fine. She’s not dead. I wish everyone would stop acting like this is the day after a funeral. I’m going to find her.”

The sympathy she saw in Sabrina’s eyes was haunting and hurt more than any words ever could. “I know,” Sabrina said without conviction. Bianca had heard that before, and it always meant, “there, there you poor grieving woman.”

Bianca took a deep breath and bottled up her need to rant. Sabrina was just trying to be kind. She had no idea how cruel her brand of kindness felt, and Bianca hoped she never had a reason to find out.

“Thank you for filling in for me.”

“You know it’s not the same here. You are the soul of this center. We need you back.”