Blood Moon

by Kristy Centeno

  Alexis scoffs next to me.

  “Has your pack no will or strength to fight back then? What werewolf troupe allows for another party to move in and claim what’s theirs without just cause?”

  I don’t know what has ticked Bray off, but he’s quite intimidating this angry. I make a mental note not to get on his bad side.

  His face now ashen, whether from embarrassment or pain I’m not sure, Kenny lifts his chin and meets Bray’s gaze head on. “I care a lot about Marjorie. Going against the Rousseaus would have upset her since she grew close to them rather quickly so I stepped back.”

  “You take my cousin’s child welfare into consideration when it comes to providing an answer you hope will satisfy my curiosity, but your behavior does little to placate my doubts about you.”

  Kenny refrains from answering right away. Instead, he fixates his attention on the healing progress his body is now going through.

  “Bray, I’m afraid I can’t do much about your feelings toward me, but in time you will see who I really am.”

  His statement hits me like a punch to the gut. Who he really is? That’s exactly what I want to know right now.

  “Why are you here? Were you expecting us?”

  Kenny’s shoulders relax a bit. “My house is less than half a mile in that direction.” He points east.

  “What went on here?”

  “I was warned to stand down or pay the consequences. As you clearly saw, I refused.”

  I eye him with an air of suspicion. “Right, because the alpha doesn’t want to compete with you?”

  “Look,” he squares his shoulders as if he means to challenge me, “I’m not backing down. He’s the one who invaded our territory. Why should I give up and walk off? If he wants a battle, he’ll get a war.”

  “Does that threat apply to us?” Alexis throws in.

  “Why waste time pleading my innocence? It’s not like any of you will believe me. Besides, I have my own problems to worry about, as you can clearly see.” He gestures to the healing wound in his abdomen.

  Bray steps forward to stand in between Kenny and I. “Be warned that I will not allow any affront to my family go unpunished.”

  For a mere fraction of a second, I think I detect fear in Kenny’s eyes, but it’s gone so quickly I can’t be absolutely sure. “Your warning hasn’t been taken lightly.”

  I want to punch the humility right off Kenny’s face. Who does he think he’s taking for a ride with his fake demeanor? I don’t believe anything he says or does for a second. And, apparently, neither does Bray. But since, technically, we haven’t caught him in anything condemning yet, we have no choice but to let him go and wait to see what his next move will be.

  “Imai.” Bray turns to his right where the Tracker stands, poised to protect his alpha if need be. “Track down the fleeing wolf. It is imperative we uncover who his leader is so he must not get away.”

  With a swift bow, Imai takes off to do his leader’s bidding.

  “Angela?” Sidestepping Bray, I keep my gaze on Kenny as I ask, “What’s your interest in her?”

  “I don’t see how that’s any of your business, but since you seem to want to know every detail of my life, I should clear up that Angela and I have been friends since we were kids. This, you already know. Marjorie and I used to be friends too, before you came along. Angela is going through a tough time right now and I’m lending her emotional support.”

  Damn these impressions. It’s hard to keep a straight face when I know he’s so much more than we can see, but so far we haven’t had too much luck proving any of it.

  “She better not end up hurt,” I say in between clenched teeth.

  Kenny’s right eyebrow goes up. “I didn’t know you had a care for Angela. She practically drools all over you but you show no interest in her whatsoever.”

  My feet move on their own volition, stepping forward so our faces are inches apart. “I see no point in getting Angela’s hopes up, when I’ve already bonded with someone else.”

  Kenny loses his smirk fairly quickly. “Right. Bond. So it’s true she bonded with you then?”

  “That is correct. So even when the actual joining has yet to take place, Kyran is rightfully considered Marjorie’s mate,” Bray intervenes, keeping his focus on Kenny as he adds, “The Rousseaus are part of my family now. Going against them is the same as going against my own kin, my own pack.”

  There’s no mistaking the threat hidden under Bray’s words.

  “I have no intention of going against you,” Kenny responds in a calm, almost rehearsed voice.

  Turning to Dario, Bray says, “Dario, please go and find the others and ask them to meet us at the accorded place.”

  “Right on it.” Dario parts a moment later through the hole we climbed out of.

  Once Dario is gone, Bray faces Kenny again. “We will take our leave now, but we will not go far.”

  We turn to leave, but catch whiff of an approaching wolf. Curious to see who is on the prowl, we watch through the shadows as a tall figure emerges.

  “Ivan is my right hand Tracker,” Kenny announces before the beast of a man has time to state his business. From what I can see, this behemoth of a man-wolf was born to be a Tracker. He’s not only tall, well past the seven feet mark standing up straight, but he easily outweighs Gage by some seventy pounds or more.

  Though his size alone is something to take well into consideration should a fight break out, it is the hate and discontent I can read in his aquamarine eyes, which stare back at me as if wishing they could force my body to spontaneously combust, what maintains my attention.

  “He had been present moments before you showed up, but ran after a third wolf escaped while I was confronted by the two you already know about,” Kenny explains.

  “Your right hand Tracker failed to maintain his position on this night. As your right hand man, he should stick by you at all times. As they say, he should have your back,” Bray has no qualms meeting the giant’s gaze squarely, though the wolf is possibly over a foot taller than him and heavier.

  As alpha and a member of royal blood, Bray fears no one. It’s clear he will not be pushed around or offended by anyone—much less this newcomer. When Bray’s upper lip curves upward a bit, and a low growl slips past his half open mouth, the Tracker is reminded who the dominant one is so he quickly lowers his gaze and takes a step back as a sign of submission.

  “I asked Ivan to take care of the problem before it got out of hand,” Kenny is quick to come to his Tracker’s defense. “If there is any fault, it is mine.”

  “Of course,” Bray meets Kenny’s gaze, apparently satisfied to know his silent message has gotten across well. “It is time for us to depart.”

  One by one the group begins to jump into the tunnel we crawled out of. As last in line, I take a moment to gape at Ivan over my left shoulder. He glares back. He’s just another wolf hoping to get the opportunity to shred me to pieces, and given the chance he will no doubt try. I may be the most unpopular wolf in the area so far, which means I’m doing something right.

  Even when he doesn’t communicate with a verbal threat, I can see the challenge in those blue-green eyes of his. He will meet me in combat when it is appropriate for us to engage. In order words, when Bray is not around to put him in his place. I dip my head to accept his challenge. We will meet again, soon.

  Wasting not another word on the duo, I jump into the tunnel and join the others.

  ***

  Imai joins us as we regroup back at the mine’s entrance and what he has to report doesn’t surprise me in the least. I was expecting it actually.

  “Dead?”

  “Someone had broken his neck when I got there. I tried to give chase but the culprit escaped through one of the tunnels.”

  “And he somehow managed to avoid all of us. Coincidence? I think not,” Alexis voices his displeasure.

  “They know these tunnels better than we do. We only explored a small amount of burrows. It would take
hours for us to go through each one individually,” Marquis adds.

  “We suspected these wolves of using the tunnels as escape routes and we have been proven correct in our assumptions,” Bayard says.

  “Bray.” I step in closer to the alpha. Now seems like the right time to bring up Angela and her request. “Marjorie’s friend called her today and wants to meet up. Normally this wouldn’t be something for me to be concerned about, but this particular friend has been associating with Kenny a lot more lately and insisted on meeting Marjorie in a park. Alexis and I, we have the gut feeling this is some kind of trap.”

  “If this is true, this embarrassment of an alpha’s son has overstepped his boundaries. Using a friend Marjorie’s as a means to an end is not only unforgivable, but a betrayal to what little tolerance I have shown him since my arrival.”

  “And you are going to let her go?” The disbelief in Esteban’s voice is hard to miss.

  “Perhaps,” Bray responds. To Marquis he asks, “What are your thoughts?”

  “I hate myself for even saying this, but we should see where this leads. If it is a trap, it won’t’ be long before we find out. We can only stop the Gandillons if we face them. While they hide or run we are at a disadvantage, but if we corner them, we might succeed in halting their plans once and for all.”

  “Marquis, my friend, forgive me but, are you crazy, eh?” Dario huffs and puffs next to me. “Use the girl as bait?”

  Normally, I’m in no hurry to agree with Dario, but I understand his concerns. They match my own.

  “We will never put Marjorie in harm’s way, Dario,” I respond with a little less conviction than I anticipate. “We will all be watching.”

  “I admit, this plan does sound risky, but I can see the value of setting these wolves up. If Kenny has something to do with the Gandillons directly, I doubt he will show up to collect the prize, but someone else will. The job will go to the one person whose judgment he trusts above all others.”

  Bray has a solid point. Kenny himself might not show up or be anywhere near the surrounding area, but his goons will be and that’s when we plan to strike.

  “I bet my gold on Ivan,” Bayard shuffles forward, a look of determination plastered on that face full of wisdom beyond any of us will ever know. “As his right hand Tracker, he is the likely candidate, and the one wolf we should all keep an eye out for.”

  Although no one says a word following Bayard’s statement, it’s clear by the look of agreement exchanged throughout the circle; we have come to the same conclusion. If Kenny is behind the Gandillon pack’s operations, Ivan showing up tomorrow will only be a matter of time.

  “There is an announcement I need to make,” Bray pauses for a moment until he has our full attention before continuing, “tomorrow reinforcements arrive. They should be here early, should nothing delay their trip.”

  Finally, a sense of relief on Marquis’ face. “The more the merrier.”

  Chapter Eight

  Bray leaves as soon as we arrive at our house, but is back early the next morning along with his Trackers. We gather inside the library for a brief meeting as he inform us first thing he has news to relay.

  Once we were all comfortably sitting, he commences. “Last eve I believe some connection with Elsa was made—through a dream. I trust she was trying to communicate with us. I have concluded she is being held prisoner someplace, perhaps deliberately, to be used as leverage.”

  My heart leaps. I’d had the feeling Marjorie’s mother has been alive all this time, but had no proof to base this on. If Bray believes Elsa is alive, then he must be sure.

  “To get to Marjorie?”

  “Or to me. To us. Who is to know at this point. I must discuss this with Marjorie to see if she witnessed the same vision. If she did, this proves she is a member of our family.” Taking a moment to focus his attention on Marquis, Bray continues with, “A grand part of the ValKhazar pack is mobilizing in this direction. When it comes to numbers, we will be equal if not just a bit under the Gandillons, but in strength, we have a great advantage. Even if the Gandillons do attack, our Trackers, Scouts, Gammas, and Betas are older and more experienced than these wolves. It is clear that though astute when it comes to the art of elusiveness, their combat skills need some work.”

  “The wolf leading the procession is called Sabine. Next to Bayard, she is second best in combative knowledge and training. For the last few centuries, she has been in charge of training the pups and betas. I ask that you do not allow her petite form to fool you. She is a vicious fighter, capable of taking down an enemy with one move.”

  A smile plays across Bayard’s face. “Sabine was born within the pack, daughter of my best friend and his mate so she is like a daughter to me.”

  Since Bray delivered the news of the ValKhazar’s members’ eminent arrival, Marquis no longer appears as stressed. Deep down I know he’s still worried, but he can finally breathe in some fresh air. The numbers are now turning in our favor.

  “When will they be here?” Marquis asks.

  “They should be here soon. Sabine assured me their arrival will be no later than midday.”

  Marjorie’s meeting with Angela is later in the day so hopefully our backup will tag along as we case out the park and the surrounding area.

  “What about a plan? We haven’t spoken about what actions we’re going to take,” Alexis voices out my exact thoughts.

  Marquis takes it upon himself to answer. “Because of the vastness of the area where Angela asked for Marjorie to meet her, I think we should focus on the acres surrounding the park. These wolves could emerge from any direction. With the proper backup, we can stop them before they get too close.”

  It’s surprising to see how well Bray and Marquis have divided the alpha duties to the point where neither is uncomfortable with the other. They seem to be of one mind, acting as leaders without stepping on each other’s toes.

  “Right. We should also post some Scouts farther away. Perhaps near the mine, in case there is some strange activities going on in there,” Bray suggests.

  “We should cover all bases,” Bayard adds.

  “What about Marjorie? What are we going to tell her?” I speak up.

  “Alexis will be driving her to the location in question. Because we have all been so overprotective of her, I don’t think having only one of us as a companion will go unnoticed. At the very least, she will be suspicious.” Gage looks at me and shrugs.

  “Then we just tell her the truth. Or I can while we’re on the way.”

  “I’m uncomfortable with this plan. I’m worried something will go wrong and Marjorie will end up hurt,” Josephine, who usually limits herself to the shadows while the pack plans our activities for the day, speaks up. I can read fear in her eyes and I don’t like it.

  “What is it Josephine?” I reach out for her hand, which she slides into mine. Her fingers squeeze mine hard enough to force me to wince. I’ve never seen her this uneasy before.

  “It’s...” Her blue eyes dart from Marquis to Simone then back to me. “I ...feel like something bad is going to happen.”

  This isn’t like her. Josephine is a young woman who doesn’t scare easily. She’s brave and witty, capable of taking on even the toughest of wolves, so this new behavior is distressing.

  “Nothing is going to happen, Josephine.” Alexis stands next to her and drapes one arm over her shoulders. “Don’t worry too much. We’re bound to get hurt. It much can’t be helped, but we’ll be back by the end of the day.”

  Josephine’s gaze meets Alexis’s. “I need some fresh air,” she says before breaking away from us and exiting the room. Alexis and I follow her out to the foyer where I manage to stop her by grabbing a hold of her arm.

  “Josephine, wait,” I plead.

  She turns to face us so I let go of her arm. “You two idiots promise me something.”

  “What?” Alexis and I ask simultaneously.

  “Neither of you will play the hero, got it? We’re
doing this for Marjorie, but there are no guarantees something bad isn’t going to happen. In every battle, there are risk factors involved. By relying on each other as a unified pack, we can help reduce danger. Promise me you won’t take any decision lightly and will consider all possible actions before you do anything.”

  “Why are you being so cryptic all of a sudden?”

  “The only thing I want to hear out of your mouth, Alexis, is the promise to take all of us into consideration no matter what. Things are bound to get ugly, I know this, but as long as we have each other’s’ backs we will be safe.”

  Under other circumstances, I would have brushed my sister’s concerns away, but seeing her so upset puts a damper on my bravado.

  “I promise,” I say, meaning every word. I don’t know if it will help appease her fears, but I do as she asks anyway, elbowing Alexis’ side to encourage him to do the same. She’s upset, Alexis. Make the promise to her. It’s the least we can do.

  Alexis’ gray eyes flick in my direction. He seems a little confused at first, but his expression quickly changes to resignation. “I promise, Josephine,” he finally says, his gaze on our sister now.

  “Was that so hard?” Josephine still looks a bit shaken up, but this is her attempt at relaxing, so I oblige by adding, “Kind of.” To which she smiles.

  Upstairs Marjorie grows restless, her heart beating faster as her dreams become less peaceful.

  “Our princess needs you.” Alexis winks at me. Pointing to the second floor, he says, “Are you hesitating? Because, I can go up there instead.”

  “Shut up, Alexis.” I bump playfully into him as I head for the staircase.

  My minds reels with every step I take. Though I said nothing, I’m having doubts of my own as to the outcome of today’s events. There is a possibility nothing will happen, but the opposite can occur, too.

  With every battle, death looms over us, but aside from acquiring a few abrasions and a couple broken bones, we have come out fairly unscathed. For some reason, things feel different this time. Why? Who knows? I can’t even say for certain, but it’s like a bad omen hangs over our heads, trying to warn us to practice caution.