Moon Cursed (Wolf Hollow Shifters Book 4)

by Nikki Jefford

  Elsie had a wolf to claim; a bashful, brawny shifter with beautiful brown eyes and full lips she’d imagined kissing a hundred times. He just didn’t know it yet.

  chapter two

  Full darkness had swallowed the mountain by the time Elsie returned to Balmar Heights. Three lanterns glowed outside the gates. She breathed in the familiar scents of her father, Everett, and William.

  As soon as she shifted, Everett and William turned their heads—averting their gazes. William’s lantern caught the flush in his cheeks and the silver glow of her father’s hair. Lazarus, a tall, dignified, and handsome man in his mid-sixties, straightened his back. He held a lantern in one hand and Elsie’s dress in the other, his green eyes staring into hers as she stepped forward to retrieve her gown from him.

  As she pulled the long, flowing dress over her head, Lazarus said, “You may return home now.”

  “But—” William began in protest.

  “It’s late,” came Lazarus’s stern voice.

  Elsie pulled her dress down in time to catch the sneer William directed at her father. A shiver slid down her arms. Her father saw William as a harmless boy, but size had nothing to do with intention; something malevolent lurked beneath the surface of William’s mind. He had never hidden his distaste for her father or his opinion that he could take care of her better than Lazarus. No matter how many times Elsie had snapped at William that she could take care of herself, he’d start up the same conversation the next time he came over. Until she broke up with him.

  Luckily, William stormed away without another word, his lantern winking out after he rounded the stone gates.

  Her father next turned to Everett and raised his eyebrows.

  “Are we good here?”

  When Everett turned his gaze from Lazarus to Elsie, she bowed her head, guilt swirling up her body like a sudden storm.

  “If it had been anyone else . . .” Everett paused to sigh deeply.

  “I’m sorry,” Elsie whispered.

  “She will never do anything like that again,” Lazarus said. He turned to Elsie. “Isn’t that right?”

  Elsie lifted her head and stared at her father. She wouldn’t be around much longer to do much of anything, but she held back the comment. Instead, she nodded.

  Everett shrugged. “Well, what’s done is done. At least Elsie is back safe.”

  “Yes,” Lazarus said slowly. Elsie could practically hear his unspoken thoughts. “For now.” He nodded toward the gates. “Let us retire, my dear, and leave Everett to guard his post—” Lazarus cleared his throat, “—without further hindrance.” Elsie caught the amusement in his eyes. Just as quickly, he whisked it away with a sweep of the lantern.

  She fell into step beside her father, walking in silence down the middle of the road. The cobblestones were cool against Elsie’s feet. Soft lights glimmered from villa windows. The fountain no longer splashed water. Solar lights glowed around the borders of yards and lit up the walkways. They had their own set that lit up the way to the terrace of their villa. Her father opened the front door and waited for Elsie to enter before following her inside. Candlelight flickered from pillar holders and glass bowls atop antique side tables and stone shelves against the walls.

  Once he’d shut them inside the villa, her father clasped his hands behind his back and paced in front of the door, all the while training his green gaze on Elsie.

  “You should have told me you needed to run.”

  “I always need to run.” Elsie’s tone was matter-of-fact. She’d never felt a need to sass her father. He’d always tried to understand and nurture her wolf nature—never suppress it.

  “This is a volatile time. It would have put my mind at ease to place a protective spell over you before you went out.”

  Elsie wrinkled her nose, the foul, fishy smell of Brutus’s bear breath coming back to her. She narrowed her eyes.

  “And what good would that have done me against Brutus?”

  Her father stopped pacing to face her, his own eyes turning to slits as though mirroring her expression.

  “Did you see him? Did he harm you? Touch you?” Lightning flashed across her father’s expanding pupils, which temporarily eclipsed his irises.

  Elsie shook her head, lips pursed.

  “He made his usual taunts. He has no interest in me. He only wishes to torment you.”

  Her father’s lips lifted over his gums as he hissed disdainfully.

  “Foul creature. I would sooner the world end before I allow him to have you. I would have never made such a bargain—” Her father shook his head. The green returned to his eyes as he gazed into the candle flames along the wall. “Lillian was barren. It mattered not to me. She was my forever. I thought we would grow old together.”

  In the silence that followed, Elsie drifted to her father’s side and hugged him. He patted her head, eyes still focused on the candles whose flames whiffed out, pitching them in shadowy darkness.

  “I loved your mother, too, and Tabor’s. I loved them all so much.” Her father’s words were hollow and pained Elsie’s heart. She couldn’t imagine losing one life mate, let alone three. And now, her father would lose her as well. Even if she successfully claimed a wolf, she would have to leave Balmar Heights and the family and friends she’d grown up with. But at least she’d have the freedom to visit.

  Elsie pulled away from her father and lifted her chin.

  “You did it to save those children. It was the right choice. I am part wolf shifter. Why shouldn’t I marry another of my kind?” Elsie squared her shoulders.

  Her father’s jaw tightened. “We have to get you back to Wolf Hollow. There’s no time to waste.”

  Elsie frowned. “What about the human threat?”

  “I’ll kill those city dwellers myself if I have to.” Her father’s voice boomed in the foyer. “You will claim a wolf shifter—whichever one you want.” He placed his hands on Elsie’s shoulders and stared into her face, his voice dropping. “You remember the spell I taught you?”

  A cold chill sank into her bones. He was referring to the enchantment. She’d never use it, but her father didn’t need to know that. He required hope and peace of mind and she owed him that. Elsie pressed her lips together and nodded.

  “Good.” He gave her shoulders a squeeze before backing up. “Get a good night’s rest. You’ll pack whatever gowns and garments you can fit into a backpack tomorrow. We leave the day after for the hollow. Tomorrow will be your last at Balmar Heights. You must say your goodbyes.”

  The scent of freshly baked bread tugged Elsie out of sleep the next morning. Her eyes fluttered open as she awoke with her head sunk into a soft pillow on her four-poster bed. She stretched beneath the covers then sat up slowly, stretching again before rolling out of bed in her pink pajama shorts and tank top.

  Fresh air wafted in from her open window and morning light teased the edges of the stone walls. Soft, sumptuous rugs covered Elsie’s floor and beautiful antique furniture housed her clothes. A wide bookshelf displayed books and baubles in the middle of her room. Without shops to browse, Elsie and her friends were perpetually trading and loaning small statues, figurines and books.

  Elsie left her room with a yawn then walked to the kitchen where she found her friends, Mia and Charlotte. A smile lit up her face upon seeing her company.

  Mia, who was slicing a round loaf of bread, paused and grinned at Elsie.

  “Good morning, sunshine,” Mia said.

  “Good morning,” Elsie returned. “What a pleasant surprise—my two best friends and freshly baked bread.”

  “Don’t forget the jam,” Charlotte said, lifting a jar containing purplish contents.

  Elsie’s smile widened as she rushed up to Charlotte then Mia to give each a tight hug. Then she leaned over the loaf of bread and inhaled deeply, closing her eyes as she sighed.

  “You make the best bread, Mia.”

  Mia held her head high. “It’s because I use only the best materials—super-fine grains o
f sand for the flour. The other witches are always digging up whatever dirt is easiest. That’s why their bread is lumpy. I take the time to sift through the soil, which is why my bread is the best in the whole wide world.”

  Charlotte snorted and rolled her eyes.

  “I actually made this jam from real ingredients.”

  “Sand is a real ingredient,” Mia countered.

  “Well, the two of you could have brought me stale bread and tart blueberries, and I still would be delighted to see you,” Elsie said. She glanced at the closed door of her father’s room. “Have you seen my father this morning?”

  Charlotte nodded. “He left earlier. He instructed us to spend our last morning together with cheer and optimism.”

  “He told us not to cry,” Mia added as she sawed off the last piece of bread.

  “Good. No tears allowed,” Elsie said. “I know our coven considers me moon cursed, but I believe I am blessed. I have gained a brother and very soon I will claim my life mate.”

  Elsie grabbed plates and butter knives while Charlotte and Mia brought the bread and jam to the dining table.

  Lifting a slice of bread to her mouth, Mia sighed wistfully and said, “If only I could transform one of our wizard boys into a wolf man.” She bit into her bread and shot a sly glance in Elsie’s direction. “Tell us more about the shifters of Wolf Hollow.”

  “Yeah, Elsie. Tell us more.” Charlotte placed her elbows on the table and sighed dreamily.

  Elsie laughed. “Let me guess, you want to hear more about their muscles?”

  “Don’t stop at muscles,” Mia said. “We want the whole nine yards . . . And ten inches.”

  “Mia!” Charlotte burst out, her cheeks turning rosy.

  Mia shrugged and took another bite of bread.

  Elsie looked from Mia to Charlotte and grinned.

  “The males have muscles as big as boulders.” Elsie spread her arms wide over the table. Mia and Charlotte leaned in closer. “Their bodies are gorgeous—large, firm, and tan. I get to see it all when they’re naked before and after a shift.”

  Mia slammed her arms over the table and said, “Take us with you!”

  They erupted into laughter, giggling their way through breakfast. Elsie would miss her friends terribly. After polishing off more bread and jam, they followed Elsie up to her room to help her pack.

  “You must bring your light blue gown, it brings out the blue in your eyes,” Charlotte said, holding up a long silky frock.

  “I’ll be living in the woods, remember?” Elsie laughed. “I want to fit in. Hand me my floral sundress.”

  Charlotte returned the blue gown to her closet and grabbed the sundress. Meanwhile, Mia set lacy bras and panties on the bed. When Elsie turned around, she counted seven pairs. She met Mia’s eyes and raised a brow.

  “What?” Mia asked. “They hardly take up room.”

  “Shifters don’t wear undergarments,” Elsie said with a wink.

  “Oh my,” Charlotte said, fanning her face with her hand.

  Mia plucked a sheer red bra from the bed and cupped it around her bosom with a teasing smile. “Then you will definitely stand out—in a good way. Add a little spice to one lucky shifter’s life.”

  Charlotte swatted at Mia. “You are so bad. Thank goodness Lazarus isn’t around to overhear.”

  The three young women shared a look before bursting into laughter.

  “What’s so funny?” a male voice demanded.

  The women stopped laughing abruptly when William stormed inside Elsie’s bedroom, scowling from cheek to cheek. His hair was rumpled, as though he’d spent the entire night tossing and turning in a fit of unrest.

  Mia drew up, glaring at William. “Ever hear of knocking?”

  “I did knock, and when no one answered, I felt it was my duty to come inside and make sure Elsie was okay.”

  Mia huffed and Charlotte rolled her eyes.

  “Perfectly fine and lots to do,” Elsie said in a friendly, but firm tone.

  William’s gaze softened at the sound of her voice. The change in his expression made her stomach twist up and writhe as though infested by snakes. He planted his feet shoulder width apart as though he meant to take root inside her bedchamber.

  “I will be saying my goodbyes later this afternoon,” Elsie added.

  When William made no move to leave, Mia cleared her throat and stared pointedly at the door. But William didn’t look that way. His eyes scanned the room. Before Elsie could stand in front of her bed, he noticed the sheer and lacy underthings placed over her covers. William’s cheeks filled with color and his eyes expanded as though they might explode. He gasped then stomped over to the bed and pointed at the dainty little pile.

  “You’re not taking these with you to the hollow, are you?” he demanded.

  When he swung around, Elsie felt the full weight of his frown over her.

  She placed her hands on her hips. “What I wear, or don’t wear, is none of your concern, William.”

  Mia and Charlotte nodded their agreement.

  A petulant frown formed over William’s lips. “You shouldn’t be packing at all. This is your home. You belong here with us.”

  “I will be with family,” Elsie tried to soothe, but William merely sneered.

  “Your brother can’t protect you.”

  “I can protect myself.” Elsie lifted her chin, quite done with William’s outbursts.

  “She’s part wolf, remember?” Charlotte said, joining Elsie’s side.

  “A huntress,” Mia added, taking the open spot by Elsie.

  William glowered at Elsie’s friends, finally backing away.

  “You’ll find me later?” he asked, gaze boring into Elsie’s.

  She gave a slight nod.

  “See you soon, then.” Before reaching her bedroom door, William paused and looked back. “Please don’t pack those undergarments. It would give those animals the wrong idea.” With that, he walked out of her room.

  They stood in silence, listening to his footsteps clomp through the foyer. Elsie held her breath as she waited for the front door to open and close. After William shut it roughly, she looked at her friends. They held on for another second before erupting into a fit of giggles.

  “What a bore,” Charlotte said, once she regained her breath.

  Mia rushed over to the bed and patted the small pile of undergarments. “Better put these back. William doesn’t approve.”

  Elsie sighed, feeling the good humor drain from her mind. “Poor William. I wish he’d move on.”

  “That’s the trouble. There’s no one to move on to,” Mia said. She folded her arms. “We’re so limited up here on the mountain. We might as well live on an island.”

  Charlotte nodded, her lower lip turned over.

  “You’re so lucky,” Mia said to Elsie. “Maybe after you choose a mate you can find one for me.”

  “And me,” Charlotte interjected.

  The thought of having her closest friends nearby made Elsie’s heart float, but reality made it resettle as surely as fall leaves.

  “I don’t think you’d enjoy living in the woods without being able to shift.”

  “So send us males to live at Balmar Heights,” Mia said.

  “They wouldn’t be happy up here behind stone walls,” Elsie said.

  Mia pursed her lips. How could she understand? Her friends probably thought it was enough for her to go on the occasional run outside the gates, but that wasn’t remotely enough. She craved pack life and wilderness. She longed to sleep with the moon above her head and the night stars as her ceiling. She missed her brother and Sasha; she missed the new friend she’d made in Kallie; and her mind had drifted often to Zackary and the kiss they might have shared at the pond. Staying in Wolf Hollow had awakened a new hunger in her that she’d never felt with the wizards at Balmar Heights.

  Charlotte returned her attention to Elsie’s dresser drawers.

  “I don’t suppose you want to pack any socks?”

/>   “No need,” Elsie replied.

  “And the underthings?” Mia asked.

  Elsie smiled. “Leave them out.”

  An hour later, she had her backpack stuffed with two short sundresses; two full-length, comfortable dresses; five pairs of underthings; a shawl; a hairbrush; and a beautiful embossed hardback filled with illustrated fairy tales to gift to the den. When Charlotte had tried to talk her into taking a few pieces of jewelry, Elsie had declined. A sapphire necklace definitely wouldn’t help her fit in.

  Elsie zipped up her pack and spun around.

  “Time to say my goodbyes.”

  As they left her room, a shout emerged from downstairs.

  “Elsie!”

  Elsie and her friends rushed to the landing. Looking down, they saw Lisa, Sharon’s fifteen-year-old sister, a witch with sun-bleached hair. She gasped in breaths of air at the bottom of the stairs.

  “Elsie! Your brother is coming!”

  Thank the moon, Elsie thought.

  chapter three

  Elsie’s heart beat up her throat with excitement. Did this mean the battle with the humans had ended? She’d worried for the pack’s safety every day.

  “Tabor’s here? Now?” she demanded.

  “I saw him coming up the mountain. He’s on his way. He’s—” Lisa gasped, out of breath.

  Mia chuckled. “Breathe, Lisa. Breathe. Has he shifted yet? Is he naked?”

  “Mia! He’s mated,” Charlotte scolded.

  “His mate is with him,” Lisa said.

  Elsie’s head jerked in her direction. “Sasha’s come with him?”

  “I, uh, don’t know,” Lisa said. “There’s a beautiful woman with brown hair coming up the mountain with him.”

  “They’re on foot?” Elsie asked.

  “Yes, and partially clothed,” Lisa said pointedly to Mia.

  That was odd. It didn’t make sense for Tabor and Sasha to travel to Balmar Heights on foot when they could cross the distance five times as fast as wolves.

  Elsie hurried out of the villa. Mia, Charlotte, and Lisa followed, chattering behind her as they hurried to keep up.