Bound by the Moon (A Royal Shifters novel Book 5)

by L. P. Dover

  Tia gasps. “Kami, I don’t like the way you sound. What’s going on?”

  Taking in a deep breath, I focus on the killer’s scent. “I’m going to find him. He needs to pay for what he did.”

  “Kami, no! You’re not an FBI agent yet. You can’t just go after humans like that.”

  My body trembles with rage. “He should’ve thought about that before he murdered an innocent woman.” I hang up and stare down at Samantha one last time. “I’ll find him for you,” I whisper. “He won’t get away with what he did.”

  I rush off further into the woods, and there’s only one thing on my mind … vengeance.

  I’m on the hunt, running through the woods, and it doesn’t take long for the killer’s scent to strengthen. He’s close. I can even smell Samantha’s blood. Slowing my pace, I look around, and that’s when I see what looks to be the size of a one-room rundown shack in the distance. It’s shoddily built as if it was constructed in a day. There are no windows, and the door isn’t even hinged. It’s just propped up crookedly. I can hear movement inside, like someone frantically rushing around. Heart pounding, I take a step closer and another. It takes all the energy I have to keep from shifting and tearing the disgusting piece of shit apart.

  Through a crack in the rotted wood, I can see the man inside, wearing a pair of gloves as he shoves a pile of clothes into a backpack. He looks to be in his early forties with a scraggly beard and wearing dirty clothes. It smells as if he hasn’t taken a shower in weeks, but there is one scent on him I do recognize … Samantha’s blood. There are slivers of rope on the floor, all stained red with it. All I see is red as my anger consumes me. I can’t take anymore.

  I storm over to the door and kick it so hard that when it flies across the room, it breaks through the wall and the boom of it echoes through the trees. The man drops to the floor and covers his head.

  “Scared?” I snap, feeling my fangs lengthen. I want to shift and rip him limb from limb, to make him suffer, but I can’t.

  He sucks in a breath and jumps to his feet. “Where the hell did you come from?”

  My eyes glow like my wolf, and my claws lengthen. He stumbles back into the wall, the fear seeping through his pores. I want him to be afraid. “I just found Samantha Teller’s body,” I growl, stalking toward him. “I saw what you did to her, you pathetic piece of shit.”

  He holds up his hands. “Wh … What are you?”

  I grab him by the neck and lift him in the air as if he weighs nothing. He holds onto my wrists and tries to jerk away, but he’s no match for me, even if he is a few inches taller. We never show our wolf side to humans, but he needs to feel the fear, to know that his life is about to end. His eyes widen, and the smell of urine permeates the air.

  “You want to know what I am?” I hiss, squeezing his neck tighter. “I’m the one who’s going to enjoy watching those soulless eyes of yours never see the light of day again. I’d give anything to tear off your dick and make you choke on it. You deserve a lot worse after what you did to that poor girl.” I’m not an expert on forensics since it’s not the field I wanted to study, but anyone could see from Samantha’s body she was violated more than once.

  The man breaks into sobs. “I didn’t mean to hurt her.”

  He may be crying, but there’s no remorse in his dark eyes. It’s as if there’s nothing left inside of him but evil. I’m so close to digging my claws into his neck, but instead, I retract them back and grip him even harder. All it’ll take is one jerk of my wrist to snap his neck. He gasps for air, his face turning blue. He kicks his legs, trying to knock me down, but all I do is smile, relishing in his fear.

  “Enjoy Hell.” In one quick movement, I break his neck and let his limp body fall to the floor. When I walk out of the shack, I close my eyes and blow out a relieved sigh. I’ve never killed a human before, and I know there will be consequences. It was my choice to do it, and I don’t regret a single second of it. My phone vibrates and I slide it out of my pocket. It’s Tia.

  “Hey,” I say.

  “Where are you? Help is on the way.”

  I leave the rundown shack to head back toward Samantha’s body. “I found him, Tia.”

  She sighs. “Did you kill him?”

  “Yes. And I’d do it all over again if I had to.”

  “What do you think will happen now?”

  “I don’t know, but I’ll guess we’ll find out.”

  The justice system for humans is a joke. They let rapists, child molesters, and murderers go free all the time. I don’t understand how it’s even possible. The shifters who tortured me and held me captive sealed their fate the second they abducted me. It was my right to kill them. Humans don’t get that luxury.

  I believe in an eye for an eye.

  When I get back to Samantha’s body, I kneel beside her. I know she’s gone from this world, but I don’t want to leave her alone. “It’s done,” I murmur. “He’ll never hurt anyone ever again.”

  2

  Kami

  News station vans have been parked outside of my house, everyone eager to hear the story on how I found Samantha and how scared I was when I found the killer’s body. At least, that’s the story I’m sticking with. When the police came to the scene, none of them suspected me as the one who killed the murderer. I guess I don’t look like I’m capable of shattering someone’s neck bones. The less focus on me, the better.

  Samantha’s parents even called me this morning to thank me for finding their daughter, even if it wasn’t in the way they’d hoped. They wanted to pay me a reward for finding her, but I kindly refused. Just knowing I could bring them closure was payment enough.

  I thought for sure once the police searched for evidence, I’d be sitting in a jail cell, but that’s not the case. It’s as if it’s being swept under the rug and dismissed. There had to be some of my DNA at the crime scene, especially since I touched Michael with my bare hands. That was his name, Michael Lawrence, a serial rapist and murderer, who had been on the Most Wanted List for two years now for killing over thirty-five women. If I hadn’t found him, there’s no telling how many more he would’ve hurt. I guess I should count myself lucky the investigators don’t give a shit who killed him. Hopefully, they see it as a blessing.

  Looking out my living room window, I watch as the last news van drives away from my house. Along with my brother and Faith, my parents are outside, talking to other members of our pack. With Tate being the alpha, it’s his authority I have to follow. If he forbids us to kill humans, then we have to abide by the rules. In my case, the human I killed couldn’t even be considered a human; he was a monster. There has to be an exception to the rules.

  Tia comes up and stands next to me. “What do you think they’re talking about?”

  I shrug. “Who knows? I’m too tired to focus on them right now. Today’s been exhausting.”

  Clasping my arm, she pulls me over to the couch, and we sit. “You can’t be tired. Tonight’s your graduation party. We have to celebrate. I’m excited about seeing Laila and meeting more of your friends. Luckily, Orin will be there to keep me company if none of them like me.”

  Smiling, I lean my head against the couch. Orin was part of the Blue River pack, but he wasn’t evil like they were. He decided to follow Tia when she came to join us. “Don’t worry. They’ll like you,” I promise her. “And I won’t be too tired for the party. It’ll get my mind off of everything. With the media attention, even though it’s just local, I don’t know if it’s a good or bad thing regarding the FBI. They might not want me.”

  Tia scoffs. “You’ll get in.”

  The front door opens and Tate walks in with Faith. As far as looks go, Tate and I have the same light brown hair, but he resembles our father with his bright blue eyes, and I have gray eyes like our mother. On the other hand, Faith is gorgeous with her whitish-blond locks and clear blue eyes that are typical for a royal arctic wolf. I haven’t had time to speak to them about what happened.

  I stand
and stare at my brother, whose unreadable expression on his face has my mind wandering in a million different directions. I don’t know if he’s angry or proud of me, or both.

  “Just get it out,” I say to him. “Tell me how reckless it was to go after a serial killer.”

  Tate glances over at Faith, and they both smile. Faith walks over and hugs me. “Kami, you’re too much.” She leans in close to whisper in my ear. “We’re proud of you.”

  I step back. “You are?”

  Tate holds out his arms and beckons me to hug him. “Of course, we are. You did what any of us would’ve done. I’m just thankful the cops didn’t suspect you of killing the cocksucker.” I hug him, and it feels good to know he supports what I did. “You showed amazing restraint, Kami. It takes a strong will not to have ripped that fucker apart after what he did.”

  I let him go. “Trust me. I wanted to.”

  He nods. “Exactly, but you didn’t. You let your brain do the thinking and not your emotions. Explaining to the police why there’s a serial killer with his body parts torn apart wouldn’t be an easy thing to explain.”

  Crossing my arms over my chest, I huff. “I’m not stupid, Tate. You do know I want to join the FBI, right? It’s kind of a given I need to think with my brain. I can’t be going all shifter on a bunch of humans.” It did feel good to show that side of myself to Michael before I snapped his neck.

  He chuckles. “I know. You’ll be an amazing FBI agent one day.”

  “That’s if I get in. Who knows what’ll happen now.”

  Faith comes over and drapes an arm over my shoulders. “They’d be stupid not to take you.”

  Visions of Samantha run through my mind. “I just wish I could’ve saved her.” Faith’s arm slides off my shoulders, and I turn to her. “There are so many people out there who can’t defend themselves like we can.” Tate opens his mouth to speak, but I hold up a hand. “Yes, I know. I can’t save everyone.” It was the sole reason why I started out wanting to be a doctor. I wanted to save people, but then I found another way I could save them.

  Faith nudges me with her elbow and winks. “But you can try.”

  Tate shakes his head and grins. “I think my mate’s rubbing off on you, sis.”

  Faith has been an inspiration to me ever since she joined our pack. She’s made me stronger, more confident, and one hell of a fighter. We’ve trained for hours on end, and I’ve even spent one-on-one time with other females in our pack to help them become better fighters.

  Faith beams. “Kami’s always been a warrior. I’m just excited to see where she goes from here.”

  Tia gets off the couch and comes to stand beside me. “I am too. I think amazing things are about to happen.”

  Tate nods. “And they are. Right now, we have a party to get ready for. Several people have already called and said they’re in town.”

  Faith slides her arm around his waist. “We should probably go and help your parents finish setting up.”

  Tate smiles at her, and it brings me joy to see them so happy. He kisses the top of her head and turns back to me. “We’ll see you at the party.” Faith waves, and I watch them walk outside and get into Tate’s truck.

  “That went pretty well,” Tia says. “I don’t know why you were so worried. Your brother’s not as straight-edged as you might think. I spent a lot of time with him in Canada and saw how ruthless he was.”

  Ever since Tate got back from rescuing Faith from the Blue River pack, he hasn’t spoken much about what he had to do during that time he was there. I’ve only heard about it from Faith and Tia. Tate’s never been one to kill senselessly, and that’s what he had to do. I don’t know how many shifters he killed, but I know it was a lot. The one that hurt him the most was losing his second-in-command, Anson. Hell, his betrayal devastated our whole pack. His twin sister, Ansley, is one of my good friends, but she keeps mostly to herself these days. I’m hoping to see her at the party, but I doubt she’ll be there. I want to touch her and see if my dreams can help her find her mate. I think that’ll help her find her happiness again.

  A smile lights up my face, and Tia laughs. “Uh-oh. I know that mischievous look of yours. What’s on your mind?”

  I shrug playfully. “We might need to make a pit stop before the party. You said it yourself you think amazing things are about to happen. I get that inclination too.” There’s a warm, fuzzy feeling in my stomach when I think about Ansley. She needs me, and I’m going to help her.

  When I step out onto the front porch, the breeze is warm, and I can smell our Honeycrisp apples ripening on the trees. It’s one of the things I love about the beginning of Fall. My parents had the trees planted when I was young, and when I turned eighteen, they built me a house on their land. It’s my own slice of heaven.

  “You know what I’m excited about?” Tia says from behind me.

  I look over my shoulder to see her walk out the front door, dressed to perfection in one of my floral sundresses and boots. When she lived in Canada with the Blue River pack, her attire consisted of cocktail dresses and fancy jewelry. Then again, she lived in a giant mansion with a rage-filled alpha worth millions of dollars. In Montana, things are different. My family does have money, and we live comfortably, but we don’t show it off. I would prefer jeans and boots over an expensive gown any day.

  Tia stands next to me, and I look at her. “What are you excited about?”

  She peers out at the Grayson land. “This. Living my life here.” A smile lights up her face, and she turns her sea-green eyes to me. “I finally feel like I’m home. For the first time, I’m not being used for my magic.”

  I hug her hard. “And you never will be.”

  She pats my back. “I promise I’ll find my own place to stay soon.”

  I roll my eyes and smile. “There’s no rush.”

  She lets me go and grins as her gaze roams over my body. I chose to wear a denim skirt and a pink sleeveless top and boots with my hair in waves down my back; down to earth but sexy. “Who are you trying to impress tonight? A certain wolf maybe?”

  I shrug and wink at her. “You never know.”

  Honestly, I’m not trying to impress anyone, but a part of me does wonder if my mate will be at the party. In my dreams, I love every second I’m with him, even if I can’t see his face or hear his voice; I love just knowing he’s there with me. However, it is infuriating I don’t know who he is. I’m starting to think it’s because I haven’t chosen him yet. I don’t know any other reason besides that. Whatever magic I have is dangling him in front of me, almost like a cruel joke. Then again, it might not be the right time for me to know who he is.

  Tia smiles. “We should probably go. We’re running out of time, and I know you want to stop by Ansley’s house before the party.”

  I nod. “I do. Let me get my keys.”

  Hurrying inside, I grab my keys off the counter and lock the front door. Tia is already in my Jeep when I get outside, so I hop in and we start on our way. Ansley lives ten minutes away from me, and it’s on the way to my parents’ house, which is where my graduation party is being held. A part of me hopes Ansley will be at the party instead of home, but her car is there when we pull into her driveway.

  “Do you think it’ll work?” Tia asks.

  I park beside Ansley’s silver Toyota Camry and sigh. “I sure as hell hope so.”

  All I have to do is touch her and pray that my dreams tonight will help me see her mate. I honestly think Ansley’s to the point where she’ll run off on her own if she doesn’t get help dealing with her brother’s death. I love her, and I know she’s strong, but she’s not strong enough to live outside of a pack.

  Taking a deep breath, I open my door and hop out. “Here we go. I’ll be right back.”

  Tia stays in the car while I make my way to Ansley’s door. Her parents had a small cabin built on their land for her when she turned eighteen, just like mine did at that age. When I get onto the porch, I can see Ansley through the window, sitting
on the couch and watching TV. Her brown hair is unkempt, and I’m pretty sure she’s wearing the same T-shirt she had on the other day when I visited her. With her shifter hearing, she has to know I’m there.

  “Are you seriously going to make me knock?” I call out.

  Ansley’s shoulders sag, and I can hear her tired sigh. She stands and turns to face me through the window. It’s as if I can feel her sorrow and pain through her eyes. They’re usually bright green, but today, there’s no light at all. She slowly walks to the door. “I’m sorry, but I can’t go to your party, Kami.”

  “That’s not why I’m here.”

  Ansley opens the door and leans against the frame. “Then why are you?”

  “You’re one of my closest friends, Ansley. I miss you, and I wanted to make sure you’re okay.”

  Ansley hangs her head, and a tear falls down her cheek. “I’m not, Kami. It all just hurts too much. After what my brother did, it’s too hard to face the others. My parents are thinking of leaving the pack.” Anson did betray us, but that was him, not her.

  I reach down and grab her hand. “I know you feel like you don’t belong here anymore, but you do. I want to help you, but I need you to give me a little time. Don’t go running off in the middle of the night.”

  She lifts her gaze to mine. “Time for what?”

  As I hold her hand, I send up a silent prayer to the moon, hoping its magic will help me. I pull her into my arms. “I have a way to help you, but I don’t know how long it’ll take. You have to trust me on this.” I step back and stare right into her eyes. “Promise me you’ll stay.”

  More tears fall down her cheeks, and she nods. “Okay. I trust you. I won’t leave without telling you.”

  I hug her again. “Good. I’ll call you tomorrow.”

  “Have fun at your party. And good job, by the way. I saw you on the news. You’re going to make an amazing FBI agent one day.”