Fox, Morgan - Tempted by the Moon [Moonlight Shifters 2] (Siren Publishing Ménage Amour)

by Morgan Fox

  Brie was definitely going to inquire about the friction she witnessed. As much as she didn’t like the hot new babe staying under her roof, Brie was more intrigued to find out what the hell had occurred between Dominic and the good doctor. Finally she could get lost in the drama of other people’s lives.

  Unfortunately, she figured the drama might also include Jonah, and every scenario her brain came up with about the three of them wasn’t good.

  Stomach flipping and flopping, she swallowed hard. Brie’s eyes burrowed holes into the head of Dr. Megan Shaw. The emerald-eyed supermodel was more of a mystery than she preferred—a hot as hell woman who obviously knew it. Megan seemed to have history with all the men in Brie’s life.

  Bitch.

  * * * *

  For several hours Reyes worked vigorously, making peace with the chaos and distraction Sebastian had caused. He’d seen his friend lose his temper once, but nothing quite like this. Long ago, Sebastian got majorly heated over a woman, of all things, turning what should have been a simple conversation into a full out brawl.

  Reyes stood back as Sebastian leveled the guy who just happened to be attracted to the same woman. The irony of the situation didn’t pass him up either. The fact that Sebastian was now mated to a woman he shared with his brother, well, looking back the entire situation was damn funny.

  But back then this had been a fight for power, dominance, and alpha status. The other guy didn’t stand a chance. A pup compared to Sebastian, it was no wonder the kid was left pulverized by his old friend.

  At that time, Reyes had expected Sebastian’s fury towards the other wolf, but this...this was different. There was something evil and beyond violent about the scene. Sebastian’s beast had fully taken over. Something he himself had never allowed to happen.

  As the oldest of his friends, Reyes’s experiences were lengthier. His instincts more refined. He was known for his self-control, but his physical strength couldn’t match that of Sebastian or Dominic. He was never a candidate to be alpha of the pack and that suited him just fine.

  Sebastian was the closest thing he ever had to a brother, another wolf who understood the need for order and control. Seeing the mess Sebastian found himself in left Reyes with a sick feeling in his stomach. This entire event seemed so surreal, like a bad dream he hoped to wake up from at any moment.

  Sebastian was fucked. Reyes prayed that whatever was wrong with his old friend could be fixed and soon. He wanted his friend saved from the monsters hunting him before anyone had to make the choice to end his suffering—permanently.

  There had to be a way to save Sebastian, there just had to be. The sight of his struggling friend was like a knife to his heart, and he didn’t think he could stand around much longer, watching as Sebastian withered into the monster he heard Mason Levi had become.

  The entire house, except for Brie’s bedroom, had been turned upside down. Nothing was left spared, not a single thing. As Reyes and Dominic cleared away the piles of debris, they discovered more animal blood. He was no detective, but it appeared to him that the battle had in fact taken place inside the house, but somehow managed to end deep inside the woods.

  Once Sebastian was awake, he wanted to talk with him, needed answers and needed them fast. Finding out everything they could was vital to saving his friend and their kind. Containment of this virus was the first thing on their agenda and according to Jonah, the doctor coming was Sebastian’s first choice. He only hoped she was good enough to save his old friends life.

  He noted the flash of white lights beaming for a moment into the front windows of the cabin. Making his way over, he peered outside. A red Lexus parked beside his truck. Within a few short seconds, a breathtaking angel emerged from the car. A heavenly figure that robbed him of breath, a thundering beat slammed inside his chest, a pounding so intense it should have killed him.

  “Holy. Fucking. Shit,” he growled in a slow, exaggerated gasp. His hand grasped his chest as if experiencing a heart attack.

  “Easy, boy.” Jonah snickered as he bounded down the stairs and out the front door to greet their new guest.

  Catching Brie before she vanished behind Jonah, he breathed, “Is that the doctor?”

  She nodded. “Yes, I believe so,” her soft, sweet voice replied.

  He gave a slight nod in acknowledgement and returned to the window to glance at the redheaded angel once more.

  Good Lord in heaven, what the hell was happening to him now?

  Desire blasted through him, dangerous, combustible levels of hunger and lust. Emotions created from just one glance at the angel. No. Not an angel, a she-devil—a witch.

  As if struck by a bolt of lightning, his libido kicked into overdrive. He gawked, his mind a puddle of mush. The blood that should’ve filled his brain was sinking fast towards his cock.

  What the fuck is happening to me?

  Heart pounding in his chest, he couldn’t take his eyes off the woman who stood in Jonah’s arms. At that moment he hated the little runt for being so damn lucky as to hold that gorgeous woman in his arms, to smell her divine scent, and to touch her silky, soft hair. He wanted to tear Jonah’s damn head off. If the little shit hadn’t been his best friend’s brother, he just might have.

  Jealousy surged from deep within his soul, but why? Why would he be jealous? He didn’t even know this woman, had never met her. The only reason he’d feel this way was if she was his...

  Suddenly, the thought whacked into him with the force of a Mack truck. “No. Fucking. Way!” he growled. “I’m too old for this shit.” She couldn’t be what he thought she was. It wasn’t physically possible. At least that’s what he’d always been told.

  Damn, he needed to get out of there and fast. He needed to take a long cold shower before he turned into a fucking idiot, blubbering and drooling like an adolescent boy all over the beautiful doctor.

  Over the span of his life, he’d been called suave, irresistible, charming, but right now he was anything but. Darting for the stairs, he made himself scarce. The cold, frigid shower beckoned him. He hoped the cold water reprieve would work long enough so he could help Sebastian and then get as far away from the hot doctor as he could. A woman, who somehow made his body respond as if she were his mate.

  Fuck! Fuck! Fuck!

  Chapter Twelve

  Sebastian’s blood-curdling screams of pain blasted through Brie like a buzz saw, cutting into her bones and slicing straight into her soul. She shuddered, clasping onto Jonah as if she was drowning and he was her life preserver. Sebastian, her lover, her life, was dying, and she could do nothing but cry.

  “Jonah, I can’t take this, he sounds like Dominic’s killing him.” She buried her face in his chest, his arms coming around her in a comforting embrace.

  Strong hands rubbed up and down her back, hands that were warm and gentle. “Sebastian will be asleep in a moment, just give Dominic a chance to inject the tranquilizer.”

  Megan appeared at their side as they stood in the living room, waiting for the silence to envelop them, evidence that would once again prove Dominic had rendered Sebastian asleep.

  “I take it, for whatever reason, Sebastian’s adapting to the sedatives you’re giving him?”

  Jonah cocked his head in Megan’s direction to glance at her. “Yes, and at record speed.” He kissed the top of Brie’s head. “It has to be that damn virus.”

  Sebastian’s loud cries became soft whimpers and moans, then faded into soundlessness altogether.

  Folding her arms over her chest, Megan said, “Good. Maybe now you can share with me why Dominic is giving Sebastian sedatives and why he sounds like he’s in excruciating pain.”

  Jonah agreed with a stiff nod, “Right, I’m sorry. I couldn’t let you run up to his room without knowing what you were getting into.”

  Turning his body, Jonah led Brie to the new dining room table that Ryken and Luken had picked up. He pulled out a chair for Brie and gestured with his hand for Megan to sit beside her. Then he began
to explain who Mason Levi was, the physical change Sebastian could sense about Mason, and what they had discovered about the “Wolanther,” as Ryken had named him.

  Jonah finished his thoughts by explaining, “Sebastian went in search of Mason, and from what we can guess, he and Mason must have had a run-in, and somehow that bastard infected him.”

  Tight-lipped, eyes narrowed, Megan questioned, “So you don’t even know if what Sebastian has is really a virus? You’re all just assuming because Sebastian could sense it?”

  Brie blew out a heavy sigh, knowing that an outsider might never understand. Her heart lodged in her throat. “Sebastian hasn’t said much about his time away from us, so we don’t know more than that, but to answer your question, yes. We trust Sebastian and his instincts. He’s been right about everything, and he’s done nothing but try and protect me.” She glanced up at Jonah, grabbing his hand resting on her shoulder and breathed, “Us.”

  “That’s all well and dandy, but I need to get up there and take blood samples immediately. If his immunity to the sedatives is increasing, my window of time will close much faster as his body continues to adjust. I’ll need a room set up as an acting lab, and I’ll need someone to assist me who’s not emotionally distracted by Sebastian’s situation.”

  Jonah nodded, as did Brie. “We’ll get you everything you need. Maybe Reyes would be the best bet to be your assistant. He’s the most levelheaded of all of us.”

  “Reyes?” His name left her lips in a question, revealing that she’d never met the hulky werewolf.

  “He’s Sebastian’s best friend,” Brie replied.

  “I’ve heard of him,” Megan shared. “He’s known as a smooth talker, sort of the politician for the were-community.”

  “That’s him,” Jonah boomed with pride. “He’s been my brother’s right hand for pack matters for as long as I can remember.”

  “Fine,” she agreed. “Just show me to my room. When the big Neanderthal comes down from Sebastian’s room, have him grab the big black cases from the truck of my car.” Megan giggled, a soft, throaty sound. “Since the jackass is built like he can bench-press a Buick, he can help with the heavy lifting. Maybe that’ll keep his mouth shut for a while.”

  That was it. No longer could she just sit back and bit her tongue. Brie simply couldn’t resist asking, “Why do you two dislike each other so much?”

  Arching an amber brow, Megan snickered. “Noticed that, did you?”

  Brie shrugged her shoulders. “Hard to miss, actually.”

  Grinning deviously, Megan suggested, “Maybe you should ask Dominic that question. I’m curious to know what his answer would be. I’m sure it will be a lot different from mine.”

  Megan shifted her weight and followed Jonah up the stairs, turning in the same direction as Sebastian’s makeshift room. Twisting the knob of the door, he pushed, opening to reveal a clean and orderly room.

  Reyes.

  That sweet, adorable man had taken it upon himself to organize the doctor’s quarters. And he hadn’t even bothered to ask for help.

  An unbroken twin bed lay pressed up against the far wall, a simple oakwood dresser beside it. The eggshell-colored walls lightened beside the dark brown curtains that dangled in the open windows, and a soft blue comforter blanketed the small bed. No evidence remained of the destruction Sebastian had caused—amazing.

  Scanning the room, Megan announced, “I’ll need some tables to fit along these walls.” She gestured with her hands. “And a small refrigerator where I can store my samples.”

  Jonah locked gazes with Megan, and his deep voice stated matter-of-factly, “Make me a list of things you’ll need and I’ll have the items picked up.”

  Inclining her head, she asked, “When do I get to meet Reyes? I’d like to get started immediately.”

  Brie stood back in the shadows of the room, watching as Megan and Jonah worked out the simple details. She noticed that he kept a good distance between him and the doctor. Brie wasn’t worried about Jonah, not really. Her mind was too full of other things—things that made her feel inadequate and alone. The emotions of worry and fear churned inside her once again.

  Brow furrowed, Jonah glanced around to Brie as if just now realizing he hadn’t seen Reyes in a while. “I’ll find him and I’ll tell him to come introduce himself. He’s been working on the cabin since Sebastian became demolition dude.”

  Megan waved a dismissive hand. “Whatever. I don’t need him right now anyway. Once I get the tables and supplies, then I’ll ask you to find him.”

  Pressing his lips together into a tight frown, he said, “Okay. Get settled, and I’ll grab Dominic and get the rest of your things from the car. Put that list together for me and I’ll get that taken care of as well.” Without waiting for a response, Jonah turned, grabbed Brie’s hand, and led her back down the stairs.

  Funny, for the life of her she’d never been the kind of woman to follow around a man like she was currently doing. A puppy on a leash following her master everywhere, that’s what she’d become.

  This entire experience was so foreign to her. Everyone had a job to do, responsibilities they were able to manage. She didn’t know what she was supposed to do and didn’t know how she could help. Useless—that’s the best way to describe how she felt.

  The only thing she was good at was putting bad guys behind bars, but that was a task that unfortunately put them all in this situation.

  Damned if you do, damned if you don’t.

  Shit.

  * * * *

  Grunting, Reyes returned the bench-press bar to its cradle. Sweat dripped from his body like he was standing under light sprinkling rain. Reyes must have been down in the weight room for hours. Jonah couldn’t help but wonder what the heck had gotten into the man. He hadn’t seen Reyes so full of pent-up energy in more than a decade—maybe longer. And here he thought Reyes was the most levelheaded of everyone dealing with Sebastian’s situation. Perhaps he’d been wrong to think so.

  Stepping deeper into the room to alert Reyes to his presence, Jonah asked, “Working out?” He grinned, knowing the suave man hated it when people stated the obvious.

  “Yes,” drawled Reyes, without even a flicker of emotion to his dumb question.

  Oops, that wasn’t right. Jonah frowned. What happened to the “yes, jackass, and you know it” he’d expected to hear Reyes reply?

  Concern creased his brow. “You okay, man?”

  “Yes,” Reyes said, not meeting Jonah’s gaze.

  Jonah grabbed hold of one of the weight benches and pulled it closer to his grumpy friend. “I can tell.” He snickered. “You’re so full of conversation I was just about to tell you to shut up.” That at least got a look from Reyes, one that screamed asshole, but it was still a look. Holding up his hands, Jonah added, “No, please, I just can’t hear another word out of your mouth. Let’s face it Reyes, you talk too damn much.”

  Reyes didn’t smile, didn’t even blink his cold, staring eyes. He asked dryly, “What do you want, Jonah?”

  Frowning, Jonah told him, “Honestly, I came down here to see if you could help with something.”

  Eyes wide, Reyes asked, “What do you need?”

  “Dr. Shaw needs an assistant, and since Dominic’s an ass and can’t let bygones be bygones, he can’t, so I thought—”

  “Not a fucking chance, kid,” he blurted. “It’s not going to happen.” Rising from the bench to stand, the muscles in his arms flexed under the strain of emotional tension—uneasiness that was printed like a book on his face. A wide vein throbbed in his neck, pulsing like an overworked artery.

  “Why not?” Jonah growled, staring up at the six-foot-four wall of strength. “Did Dominic already get to you? What the hell did he tell you? I’m sure half the shit he said was a piss bucket full of lies. Take my word for it, jealousy’s a bitch.”

  He shook his head. “Dominic hasn’t spoken to me all day. I don’t even know Dr. Shaw, at least not really.”

  Confusion
slammed into Jonah’s skull. If it wasn’t Dominic, then what the hell was it? Reyes was acting very strange, out of control maybe, like that of a man trying to escape a dangerous past. His new behaviors didn’t make any sense. Emotionally distant, angry, working out to a degree of pure exhaustion—none of these characteristics Reyes was known for.

  “Then please explain to me why you won’t work with her?”

  Blowing out a hard rush of breath, Reyes told him, “Kid, you wouldn’t understand, and I don’t have the time to explain it.”

  Standing, he grabbed Reyes by his damp shirt, “Then make the time and help me understand. This is for Sebastian, Reyes. Whatever the fuck your issues are with Dr. Shaw, get over it. I’m sure we can figure something out.”

  Glaring down at his crumpled shirt, Jonah released him. Reyes could beat the tar out of him, and he knew it, but damn, it didn’t change the urgency behind his need for his friends help.

  “I’m sorry man. I’m just desperate. I’m out of options. I can’t ask Brie to help. She’s barely holding it together as it is. She hasn’t said anything to me, but I think she feels what Sebastian’s feeling. It’s killing her, and I can’t be away from her very long, or I start to feel it, too. It’s like the three of us are connected in a way...shit, man, I don’t know. It’s like we’re all the same person.”

  Reyes sighed, Jonah’s revelation affected him. He could see it in his friend’s eyes. Jonah continued, “Dominic and Megan, well, that’s a story I don’t have time to get into, but just know that if they’re in the same room for longer than a minute, someone’s going to get killed or maybe even both of them.”

  “What about Ryken or Luken? They can’t help either?” Reyes seemed eager to find someone, anyone, to take over the responsibilities of assisting Megan.

  “No. I sent them out to get Megan’s supplies, and then they’re going back out to track Mason. We have to get him contained. Once we find the cure for Sebastian, we’ll have to either kill or cure Mason. Makes sense to have him here as well as Sebastian.”