Hunter's Moon

by Angela Colsin

  “So just lay down the basics, then focus on helping Emily accept the truth. Anyway, you've got my permission to tell her whenever you get a mind to put it out in the open.”

  Though permission over such matters usually came from the alpha, Travis was an elder of Hunter's Moon, and definitely had the right to give permission. All it would take was letting Cade know his verdict.

  Not that Caleb knew whether he'd even act on it, and he couldn't tell if his reluctance was due to concern for Emily, or fear of her reaction. Might as well be realistic, it's probably both.

  “I'd rather have a conversation with Emily about the way I feel first, but … I'll think about it.”

  With that said, he stood from the picnic table to follow his uncle inside, and asked in a change of subject on the way, “So, did you guys get any news on that case?”

  At the front door, Travis let a low growl that was both angry and concerned. “I wish, but no, not yet.”

  Caleb narrowed his brows over his uncle's tone. “You sound more worried than I thought you would.”

  Coming to a stop in the kitchen, his uncle exhaled a deep breath, then gazed back at his nephew and admitted, “That's because it's happened again.”

  “What? Someone else disappeared?”

  “Yeah, and this time, it's someone I know personally. Two days ago, he went to get gas, and never came back.”

  “Who is it?”

  “It's no one you know, but his name is Charles Roberts, and I can say this much; he's a damned good guy who's put his ass on the line for others so often you'd think he didn't care about himself. So I wanna know where he is, even if he's already dead. It's better knowing than wondering, anyway.”

  Caleb nodded, easily able to understand his uncle's need to know Charles' fate, listening as he continued, “I even put in requests for assistance with other Orders to hopefully speed things up.”

  “Which orders?”

  “Any who'd help,” Travis answered, taking a seat on one of the bar stools, “but specifically, Nightfall.”

  “Nightfall?” Caleb drew a blank. “Never heard of 'em.”

  “That's because they're new. Believe it or not, a couple of vampires who don't like the way their kind run things are trying to get something better going, and I told them about the problems we're having. So before you get your panties in a bunch, I can tell you they're not your garden variety pair.”

  Despite his uncle's claim, Caleb stared in shock. Lupines were skilled at sensing who could be trusted, but some races defied perception—such as vampires—prompting him to ask, “How do you know they're not average?”

  “You'll just have to trust me on that. In any case, Nightfall needs the support of another Order like Hunter's Moon before they can really get a foothold, and I'm all for putting those damned Magistrates on a leash.”

  Unable to help his suspicion where it concerned vampires, Caleb suggested, “Okay, so they need something from us now, but when they get what they want, they'll turn on us?”

  Travis smirked. “Actually, they'd already gotten support from Dragon's Brood when I went to them, and they still agreed to help.”

  “Damn,” Caleb remarked, genuinely surprised. Dragon's Brood was the Order of draconians, and they fancied vampires even less than lupines. So the fact that the vampires Travis mentioned had gained their support proved his uncle was right, and they weren't exactly average.

  So Caleb decided to trust his uncle's judgment in this matter—while keeping his guard up if he met the vampires himself.

  “Best to put this out of your head for now, though,” Travis qualified. “As soon as I hear anything, we're gonna have a meeting, and you'll find out everything there. Now, make yourself useful and hand me a beer.”

  Caleb grinned, doing as directed, and soon placed a cold one on the counter in front of his uncle followed by opening a can of his own.

  After they'd swigged the contents, Travis asked, “So, you got room for me to stay here, or do I need to find a hotel?”

  “Emily's gone back home,” Caleb started, hiding the fact that her departure was annoying him, “so I've got room. But there's still no bed in the guestroom.”

  “Yeah, I noticed the balcony, and I'm not sleeping on your damned couch. Oughta send you to a hotel so I can take my old room back.”

  Caleb smirked despite knowing his uncle would actually do it if he had the mind. Yet Travis merely shrugged and mentioned, “Still, I don't wanna be around if you're gonna hook up with some girl, so I think I'll take the hotel. At least there, I'd get room service.”

  “Listen to you,” Caleb started. “My hardass uncle spends two years as an elder for the Moon, and suddenly he's a pampered pup.”

  “Like you have room to talk. This house is a lap of luxury you've got all to yourself. Well, unless things go well with Emily, I guess. Any idea what you're gonna tell her yet?”

  “No damn clue,” he muttered. “And that's saying I can even get myself to talk to her.”

  “Well, whatever you do, make sure Joslyn's around to help.”

  Caleb hadn't actually thought of that, but not only was it a damned good idea, it also seemed essential. Joslyn would know the best way to tell Emily the truth without frightening her, and Emily might get upset if she learned from anyone except Joslyn that her lifelong friend wasn't actually human.

  So he'd definitely need his sister-in-law's support.

  Somehow, the thought had a strange mix of anxiety and enthusiasm rolling through him, making it somewhat easier to envision a positive outcome. Could he actually tell Emily the truth without concern? Or at least not have to worry about her leaving so abruptly?

  Still, Caleb was reluctant. No matter how interested he was, he cared about Emily too damned much to relish the thought of changing her entire life by altering her perspective on the world at large just so he could have a shot at something more with her. It hadn't seemed fair when he'd told Fiona, and it definitely didn't now.

  Besides, Emily was already gone, and unless he drove to her duplex, there was no telling when he'd see her again. But maybe that would give him the time he needed to think things through instead of rushing in like a rambunctious pup and fucking everything up.

  Anything would be better than that.

  Chapter 14

  “Caleb, your food's getting cold.”

  Caleb barely took notice of Conner's comment, or his plate, too busy lounging sideways in his regular booth seat at Blue Moon with his bandanna tugged down over his eyes to care.

  It was Saturday night, the place was lively, and all he wanted was to drown out his thoughts in music and booze. The first one was working well enough, but Caleb's absent appetite apparently extended to drinking as well.

  Thankfully—or woefully—Emily wasn't around. But he'd learned from Conner that she soon would be after asking why his twin had come in alone instead of with Joslyn.

  As it turned out, the ladies wanted to catch a movie together, and wouldn't be at Blue Moon until later. This gave Caleb just enough time to make his usual Saturday night appearance and then leave without getting anyone suspicious—or prepare to talk to the human when he had the chance.

  He still hadn't decided. Let Emily live on her own terms in blissful ignorance, or change her life for my selfish interests?

  The thought had his mood so sour he figured it might be clabbered.

  During his considerations, a younger lupine sitting at their table named Joseph Stokes remarked, “If you don't want your fries, I'll eat 'em.”

  Caleb gave a silent shrug, and Joe quickly took advantage of the free food without questioning his friend's lack of an appetite.

  But Conner wasn't letting things go so easily. “What's bothering you?”

  “Nothing, just not all that hungry.”

  Finally, Joe took notice. “What? You're always hungry.”

  Caleb rolled his eyes under his bandanna—which was obviously bothering Conner because he reached across the table to snatch it off hi
s head.

  Grumbling, Caleb glowered at his twin. “Do you mind?”

  “Yeah, I do. You're starting to worry me. You haven't eaten or said more than ten words since we got here.”

  “So I'm being quiet, what's the problem with that?”

  “Like Joslyn said, you're a loud mouthed showoff. So start talking.”

  Caleb sighed, taking a moment to nod at some friends in the pack as they passed the table, then told his brother, “I'm distracted, okay?”

  “Yeah, distracted trying to deny your instincts.”

  “Shut up, Conner.”

  Shaking his head, Conner tossed his brother's bandanna back at him, stating, “Fine, if you wanna be a stubborn ass, go hungry. But I'm gonna let mom know what you're doing.”

  Tying his bandanna back over his hair, Caleb relaxed against the wall again as if his twin's threat didn't affect him. But deep down, Rose Hodgins was the last person he wanted to know about his troubles, mainly because she'd kick his ass if he didn't listen to reason.

  “So what's wrong with you?” Joe asked.

  “He's hung up over a girl—”

  “Damn it, Conner—”

  “and he's being stubborn about actually talking to her.”

  Joe gave him a confused look. “Why? Is she already taken?”

  “No, she's … ,” Conner trailed as Caleb let a growl warning him to shut up—yet it wasn't the threatening sound that stopped his brother from speaking.

  Instead, he mentioned, “She just walked in actually.”

  Caleb's gut clenched with the desire to look and see the human who'd haunted his every thought over the past week for himself. But he suppressed the urge, even when Joe inquired, “The blonde?”

  Conner must've nodded because Joe soon added, “Damn!”

  Silence ensued the younger wolf's reaction, and Caleb could imagine Joe trying to gauge his own response because he suddenly asked, “Seriously? You're not even gonna look at her?” Grumbling, he told Conner, “Your brother's starting to creep me out.”

  Conner released an audible sigh that said he agreed. But then he asked in genuine confusion, “Wait, is she here with Carter?”

  At that, Caleb's eyes darted open seconds before he realized his twin was probably trying to trick him. But surely enough, he spotted Emily standing in the bar area with Carter Hayes, a tall, blond lupine who'd moved to Arkin City six months ago and lived on the northern side of town.

  Neither Caleb or Conner knew him that well, but in that moment, it'd didn't matter. Jealousy such as Caleb had never known scalded him until he was too distracted to hear Joslyn's greeting when she walked over to their booth and sat down next to Conner.

  Yet he wasn't only burning with the need to know why Carter was with Emily—Caleb also couldn't stop staring at her. Damn, she's a knockout. With her hair pulled back into a messy bun, she was wearing a tight, black shirt made of sheer lace with a red tank top beneath it. A denim skirt hung down to her thighs, showing off her shapely legs.

  On her feet was a pair of red pumps, and her black rimmed glasses offered the ensemble a sophisticated look that he found incredibly sexy.

  In fact, the only way Caleb could tear his gaze away was by demanding to know, “Why is Carter talking to Emily?”

  “Take a guess,” Joslyn answered—and she sounded annoyed. “They met at work, and he's interested.”

  “Did they come here together?”

  “No, she came with me, and Carter found her outside. Emily doesn't really like him much, though. She said he reminds her of Evan.”

  Hearing this, some of Caleb's jealousy faded—though he almost stood impulsively when Carter put his hand on her lower back and led her to the bar. The only thing that stopped him was how Emily pushed it away almost immediately before giving an order to Martin, the bartender.

  At the same time, Joslyn went on, “Are you even gonna try with Emily, Caleb?”

  “Try what?” he asked, his attention so compromised he didn't hear Joslyn's response.

  He was more interested in hearing whatever Carter was saying to Emily at the bar. But sadly, not even a lupine could've picked up on the conversation over the distance and the music playing, making it nearly impossible for Caleb to sit idly by.

  So regardless of the fact that Emily didn't look completely thrilled to have Carter's attention, he stood without a second thought.

  On the way, he could've sworn he heard Conner muttering it's about time. Yet he ignored the comment, approaching the stool where Emily was sitting despite his continued doubt over what, exactly, he'd do when he got there.

  He only knew he couldn't stay away from her any longer.

  Carter had taken a seat next to the human, and once Caleb was within ten feet, he could hear the lupine mentioning, “Arizona's a dry heat, isn't it?”

  “Yep,” Emily replied in short, unaware that Caleb was now right behind her.

  But her admirer noticed, and didn't look happy when Caleb leaned in and whispered, “Boo,” against her ear.

  Emily turned her head so quickly they nearly bumped noses, then gasped, “Caleb! You scared me!”

  “Sorry.” He grinned.

  “It's okay, I just didn't expect you to sneak up behind me.” She gave him a smile and added, “But I was about to come sit at your table if you guys have room. I just wanted to order a drink first, you know, get the full Blue Moon experience.”

  “Right.” Caleb smirked, idly nodding at Martin in greeting as the bartender placed Emily's drink on the counter, then asked Carter if he wanted a refill.

  “Naw, I'm good,” Carter replied, and it wasn't hard to see that he was already sauced. His speech wasn't slurred, but it carried a drunken weight when he returned his attention to Caleb and Emily and asked, “You two know each other?”

  “Yeah, this is Joslyn's brother-in-law,” Emily explained.

  Carter nodded. “Oh yeah, it's Caleb, right?”

  “That's me,” Caleb returned less aggressively than he would've if the guy had been completely sober. Otherwise, Carter would've taken offense and confronted him—and hell, he still might.

  But there were a number of reasons a fight with Carter needed to be avoided, such as the fact that it wouldn't be fair when Caleb hadn't had a single drink that evening.

  He also didn't want to cause a problem in his older siblings' bar—not that Cade and Sara wouldn't understand. In fact, they would've cheered him on if Carter couldn't be reasoned with.

  But most importantly, Caleb didn't want to upset Emily, who seemed oblivious to whatever tension was between the two males when she introduced him. “This is Carter. He's a manager at the studio.”

  “Yeah, we've met once or twice,” Caleb returned as cordially as possible, then started, “So Emily, I wanted to—”

  “Wait a minute,” Carter interrupted, standing from his stool. “Caleb, can we talk for a second?”

  Caleb withheld a groan, nodding in agreement while Carter walked past.

  Emily gave them both a confused look, but Caleb merely suggested, “Guess he wants to have some man time.”

  She grinned in response, making it difficult to turn away and see what Carter had to say. But he forced himself, and found the lupine standing just a few tables away from the bar where Emily wouldn't overhear them.

  Walking over, Caleb asked, “What is it?”

  “I don't know what you're doing,” Carter started pointedly, “but she's got my instincts going. So if you don't mind, back off.”

  Caleb held the lupine's gaze, burning to return the attitude he was getting. But he bit his tongue long enough to allow that initial irritation to pass, then kept the peace by asking, “Okay, but are you bonding with her yet? Because I am. So if anyone needs to back off, it's you.”

  “Bullshit,” Carter retorted. “If you were bonding, she wouldn't have come in with Joslyn. You were just sitting in that booth you guys like to occupy every Saturday night, doing your usual thing.”

  By the time he'd fin
ished speaking, Caleb's fists had balled, and his anger only grew stronger when Carter added, “You're not even acting all that upset—”

  “You wanna fucking try me?” Caleb growled aggressively, able to feel his fangs sharpening as he glared with glowing eyes. “Because I'm on the edge, Carter, and I have no problem proving it.”

  Sadly, the impulsive line didn't get Carter to back down. Maybe it was the booze, or maybe Emily had gotten his instincts going harder than most—probably both—but he only growled in return.

  “Whenever you wanna show me, mutt, go ahead.”

  I don't have time for this shit, or the patience. Instead of fighting with Carter, all Caleb wanted to do was turn around and ask Emily to either come sit at his table, or see if she'd like to ride up to Arkin Lake so they could talk. But the latter seemed like the best idea when, with Conner, Joslyn, and Joe already sitting at the large booth near the back, Caleb wouldn't gain much ground if they stayed at Blue Moon that night.

  Besides, Emily had enjoyed riding on his motorcycle, and he got the feeling she'd appreciate visiting the lake.

  So, instead of throwing his fist into a drunk lupine's jaw and getting tossed out of Blue Moon, he merely said, “You're drunk, Carter. Go get some coffee and sober up, then we'll talk.”

  With that said, he stepped back and turned away, ready to ask Emily out. But she'd already stood from her seat, approaching them with concern in her eyes. She must know we're at odds.

  As the thought struck him, Carter retorted “Maybe I will.”

  “Are you two okay?” Emily asked. “You look—Carter!”

  Her exclamation came when Carter grabbed Caleb's shoulder and swiftly stepped to the side to slam a fist into his jaw. Caleb was so focused on formulating a response for Emily that he didn't have time to prepare, and though his opponent's need to be swift enough to catch him off guard lessened the power of his blow, it was still hard enough to send him onto a nearby table.

  And Caleb's patience vanished completely. That's it. All bets are off.

  Chapter 15