Beneath a Rising Moon

by Keri Arthur

  glance around the mess, then picked up the phone and

  called his father.

  “I’m going to Ripple Creek,” he said the minute Zeke

  answered. “I may or may not be back tonight, depending

  on what the storm does.”

  “Why?” His father didn’t sound surprised, but then,

  he’d raised four sons who all walked the wild side of life.

  Maybe nothing they did surprised him any longer.

  “Neva’s gone.”

  “Well, you were expecting her to run. Looks like you’ve

  achieved your aim.”

  “I don’t think she’s running from me. Did you know

  Neva had a sister?”

  “Of course. She’s a ranger.”

  “The ranger who was attacked the day after the last

  murder.”

  Zeke swore softly. “I knew a ranger had been attacked,

  but it never occurred to me to find out who.”

  And he obviously hadn’t read the newspaper, or he

  would have seen the photo and article. “It puts a somewhat

  different spin on her possible reasons for being here.”

  “Maybe.” Doubt edged his father’s voice. “Though part

  of me doubts anyone from the golden tribe would go to

  such lengths merely to avenge an attack. They tend to be

  pacifists.”

  Nancy Grant wasn’t. And Neva certainly appeared to

  have inherited some of that fire. “Lance came through with

  some interesting information.” He quickly filled his father

  in on everything Lance had said.

  “Detrek’s the head of the Sinclair pack over in

  Bitterroot, and an old friend of mine. I’ll give him a call

  and see what he remembers of the night.”

  “Good. I’m not sure how or why the two could possibly

  be connected, but it’s certainly something worth checking.”

  “Especially given we’ve got very little to go on so far.”

  Zeke hesitated. “I’m posting security at all entrances

  tonight. I know the storm will deter some dancers, but

  I’m not risking another death. The guards will stay until

  after the full moon.”

  “Good idea.” Anything that made life difficult for the

  murderer was worth trying. “Give me a call on my cell

  phone if you get the results back from the samples we

  took off Betise.”

  “Will do. Just be careful out in that storm.”

  “I will.” He hung up, then stripped the sodden

  comforter and sheets off the bed and shoved them down

  the laundry chute. He relit the fire to help dry the rest of

  the room, then grabbed his jacket and headed out to find

  Neva.

  ***

  Neva wrapped her hand around Savannah’s warm

  fingers. She’d been allowed to stay with her sister a little

  longer, though it had been against the doctor’s

  recommendation and only at Sav’s insistence.

  “The rangers have been called,” she said softly. “Once

  they get here, make sure you arrange for twenty-four hour

  protection.”

  “Don’t start trying to tell me how to do my job.” Sav’s

  voice was little more than a harsh whisper, but Neva had

  never heard a sweeter sound. “And why are your hands

  like ice?”

  “Came through a snow storm to get here, and I got

  both wet and cold when I chased the killer back outside.”

  “You should go home and change before you catch a

  chill.”

  “Right now, catching a chill is the least of my worries.”

  Sav’s curiosity swam around her. “Where in hell were

  you, anyway? It felt farther away than either the diner or

  your place.”

  She hesitated, but there was really no putting off the

  truth. Sav would have to know sooner or later, and right

  now, Neva needed help from someone who knew what they

  were doing. Someone who could possibly see the clues

  she was missing. She took a deep breath, then said, “I’ve

  been continuing your investigations.”

  With Sav’s face bandaged, Neva couldn’t see her

  reaction. But she could feel it. And right now, her sister

  was annoyed...and more than a little apprehensive.

  “What do you mean?”

  “I mean I raided your office and read the files.” She

  hesitated again, then added, “And I’ve been up at the

  mansion.”

  The sense of apprehension increased. “Doing what?”

  Celebrating the moon with an incredible man I can’t

  quite hate. She cleared her throat and hoped like hell her

  sister didn’t catch the thought. She still had her shields

  up, but with the two of them, that often didn’t mean much.

  “Your files suggested the Sinclairs were high on your list

  of suspects. So, I’ve been talking to them.”

  “We can’t get them to talk to us. How would you be

  able to?”

  She didn’t suspect, Neva thought. Or didn’t imagine.

  But before she could answer, a babble of voices rose from

  outside the corridor. Angry voices, male and female. One

  was altogether too familiar—as was the scent that touched

  the air. Neva closed her eyes and silently swore. The last

  thing she needed right now was for Duncan to make an

  appearance.

  Footsteps echoed—a sharp tattoo that spoke of anger.

  A nurse came into the room, face flushed and blue eyes

  irate.

  “Sorry Miss Grant,” she said, her gaze seeking Neva’s.

  “But there’s a man outside who claims to be your mate,

  and he demands to be let in the room.”

  Savannah’s shock stung the air. Neva took a deep

  breath and slowly released it. So much for keeping her

  tryst with Duncan a closely guarded secret. And given

  who her father was, the whole damn town would know

  tomorrow. “Let him in.”

  The nurse spun and marched back out. Savannah’s

  grip on Neva’s hand grew fierce.

  “By the moon’s light, Neva, what in hell have you

  done?”

  Eight

  What hadn’t she done? Especially in the last forty-

  eight hours? Heat flushed Neva’s cheeks, and she was

  suddenly glad her sister’s face was still bandaged.

  “I told you. I was up at the mansion.”

  “But to join the moon dance?” Sav’s voice was

  incredulous. “Even I’m not that foolhardy.”

  “I told you I was going to find the bastard and make

  him pay for what he did.”

  Sav took a deep breath and slowly released it. “Who

  did you use to gain entry?”

  “Duncan. He’s the only one you didn’t have under

  suspicion.”

  “And the wildest. He even spent a few days in jail.”

  “For drunk-driving related offenses.”

  “He’s a repeat offender. A fool.”

  Neva had no doubt Duncan would probably now be

  the first to admit it. And then wondered why in hell she

  was tempted to rise to his defense. Duncan certainly didn’t

  seem to care what anyone thought about him, so why

  should she?

  Sav was silent for a moment, and the sharp rap of

  approaching boot heels seemed to echo as loudly as Neva’s

&nbs
p; heart. And she wasn’t sure if it was trepidation or merely

  the excitement of being close to him once again.

  “I can understand why you did it,” Sav said quietly.

  “Because I know if anyone ever hurt you, I’d do whatever

  it took to bring them in. But moons, you’d better hope

  Mom and Dad don’t find out.”

  Neva smiled grimly. “They know about Duncan. They

  just don’t know I’m up at the mansion.”

  “Oh God—” Sav cut the rest of her words off as Duncan

  entered the room.

  Neva met his gaze. His dark eyes were still shuttered,

  his face impassive. It was impossible to even guess what

  he was thinking right now. He stepped toward them, and

  suddenly the room didn’t seem big enough. Nor did it

  contain enough air.

  “Did you have to tell the nurse you were my mate?”

  she snapped, annoyed by both his presence here at the

  hospital and her continuing reaction to him. The moon

  wasn’t even out at the moment, so why was she still feeling

  a buzz of excitement?

  He raised an eyebrow. “It’s the truth, is it not?”

  His rich voice was neutral and gave no clue as to his

  thoughts. “Only as far as this moon phase goes.”

  He shrugged. “Why didn’t you tell me about your

  sister?”

  She wondered how he’d found out. Betise, perhaps?

  “Would you have allowed me entry into the mansion if I

  had?”

  “No.”

  “Then that’s your answer.”

  He studied her for a moment, then switched his gaze

  his Savannah. “Are you going to introduce us?”

  She did. Savannah didn’t offer him her hand, just

  turned her bandaged face in his direction. Imprinting his

  smell, Neva knew. Feeling his thoughts. She wondered if

  Sav would have more luck than she had.

  No. Sav’s mind voice sounded tired. But I like the smell

  of him.

  So did Neva. His smell and his taste and his touch.

  She just didn’t know if she liked the man.

  “Why are you here, Sinclair?” Savannah asked, voice

  getting hoarser. “The dance is tonight. You have no right

  to the days as well.”

  “In this case, I do.”

  Moons, Neva, you didn’t agree to a bonding, did you?

  Afraid so. Seemed logical at the time.

  And now?

  I’m discovering I’m a little wilder in nature than I ever

  thought.

  The warmth of Savannah’s smile ran around her.

  That’s something we all discover, sooner or later.

  “Would you two mind keeping the conversation to

  conventional methods?” Duncan said. “Because there are

  several things we need to discuss.”

  “Like what?” Neva and Savannah said in unison.

  A small smile touched his sensual lips and just as

  quickly fled. “Like why you believe the killer is one of the

  Sinclairs and not one of the dancers who join us.”

  “Considering how little help you Sinclairs have been

  to our investigations,” Savannah bit back, “do you really

  think it’s surprising we suspect one of you?”

  “On what evidence? The fact that it’s a big silver wolf?”

  Duncan snorted softly. “I can name half a dozen silvers in

  all the packs that match that description.”

  “But those same wolves don’t have the...shall we say

  zealous?...reputation that the Sinclair pack have when it

  comes to the dance.”

  “In all the years the Sinclairs have run the moon dance,

  there’s never been a death. Until now. It’s not one of us.”

  “And, of course, I can trust the word of a felon,”

  Savannah snapped.

  He didn’t react in any way. Not physically, nor

  emotionally. Maybe he’d been expecting such a reaction

  from Savannah, who was, after all, an officer of the law.

  “If you won’t trust the word of a felon, then it’s not much

  use me offering what I know, is it?” He glanced at Neva,

  obsidian eyes slightly narrowed. “You and I need to talk.

  I’ll wait outside for you.”

  He walked from the room. Savannah puffed out a

  breath. “If that man looks half as sexy as he sounds, wow.”

  Wow seemed nowhere near adequate when it came to

  describing Duncan. He was a man with a wild past, a

  man with the face of an angel and a body designed to

  corrupt the virtuous. A man who could be both incredibly

  generous and utterly selfish when it came to lovemaking.

  But above all else, he was a man who held the world at a

  careful distance. She very much doubted if anyone actually

  knew the real Duncan Sinclair. Certainly not anyone here

  in Ripple Creek, anyway.

  And maybe not even the man himself.

  “You should talk to him about this case. I’ve got a

  feeling you’re both on the same side on this one.”

  “I know. But we’ll do it on my terms, not his.”

  Savannah’s voice was little more than a raw whisper.

  Neva switched to telepathy. Bit hard to do it on your

  terms—or even your turf—when you’re stuck here in the

  hospital.

  I’ll be out in a couple of days.

  Your stitches won’t even be out in a couple of days.

  I don’t care about the stitches. I care about catching

  this killer.

  And you have deputies who are more than capable.

  Use them. Stop trying to do everything by yourself.

  This from the wolf who decided to sidestep the official

  investigation and undertake her own.

  Sav’s mind voice was dry, and Neva grinned. I think

  it’s a case of do as I say, not do as I do.

  The nurse stuck her head around the corner. “Time’s

  up,” she said. “The doctor wants Savannah to rest a little

  before your parents get here.”

  Neva nodded and rose. I’ll keep in contact.

  Make sure you do. And I want to know everything that

  man says, especially if it’s anything related to the case.

  Neva hesitated. You know he can use the bonding to

  forbid me to mention anything?

  He can’t forbid what’s a natural part of you—he can’t

  forbid the telepathy we share. Savannah hesitated, and

  her thoughts become a touch grim. Believe me, I know.

  Neva raised an eyebrow. I sense a story I haven’t been

  told.

  Savannah waved a hand. Old history.

  But not forgotten hurt, from the sound of it.

  Let’s just say I know a little about being used and leave

  it at that.

  Would you leave it at that?

  Sav’s smile was a flutter of warmth through her mind.

  I guess not. I’ll tell you when I’m feeling stronger.

  Neva hesitated, then said, I’ve found out a few

  interesting snippets of information I have to tell you. But

  later.

  Tonight. Savannah’s thoughts were becoming sleepy.

  Neva leaned forward and placed a kiss on her sister’s

  nose, then she released her hand and walked out. Duncan

  leaned against the wall, arms crossed and face impassive.

  With his damp black hair, the black leather jacket straining

>   across the width of his shoulders, and dark jeans clinging

  to his lean but powerful legs, he looked sinister and yet so

  sinfully delicious that desire curled through her. He looked

  every inch the dark angel—a man who skirted the lines

  between good and bad, and who didn’t seem to give a

  damn what anyone thought.

  And she realized then it didn’t even matter what she

  thought of him, because no matter how good it sometimes

  seemed between them, in the end it was only physical. It

  never could and never would be anything more than that.

  All he wanted out of a mate was a few days of pleasure.

  He didn’t believe in love or life mates and certainly wasn’t

  the type to settle down. She wanted all those things. Always

  had.

  She stopped and crossed her arms. “Do you wish to

  go back to the mansion to talk?”

  He shook his head. “The storm is getting more severe.

  Your place would be better.”

  She didn’t want this man in her house. Didn’t want

  his scent on the air or memories of him to linger once this

  moon phase was over and he was gone. Nor did she really

  want to risk her parents dropping by. Right now, she

  wasn’t ready to face them—or the questions they’d

  undoubtedly have. She glanced out the window, studying

  the blanketing whiteness for a moment. A motel room

  really wasn’t a good option, though, especially in a town

  this size. If her parents were determined to find her, they

  would. All they’d have to do is follow the trail of gossip.

  “Let’s go,” she said, not bothering to look back at him

  as she moved toward the exit.

  He didn’t say anything as they walked down the stairs,

  but as they headed toward the exit, he took off his coat

  and offered it to her. She glanced at it, then him, and

  wished she knew what was going on behind the shutters.

  “I’m all right, thanks.”

  “You’re so damn cold your lips are practically blue,

  and goose bumps have become a permanent feature on

  your skin,” he snapped. “Take the damn coat.”

  She glanced down at the coat he held out, then shifted

  shape and raced out into the storm. Maybe she was being

  stupid, but right then she didn’t want to be bound to

  Duncan any more than she already was, even when it

  came to something as simple as accepting the offer of a

  coat. She might be obliged to mate with him for the entirety