FALL OF A BLOOD MOON (RISE OF THE ARKANSAS WEREWOLVES Book 7)

by Jodi Vaughn

  He knew what she was going to say before she uttered the words.

  “Your wedding dress,” he said. A heaviness settled in his chest, something that felt a whole hell of a lot like grief.

  She nodded and studied the floor. She wrapped her arms around her waist.

  “I heard my grandmother talking to someone downstairs, and when the yelling started, I ran down to see what was going on.”

  “The second he saw me, he grabbed my grandmother and wrapped his arms around her head and snapped her neck.” A sob bubbled out of her, but she regained her composure and waved him away when he moved toward her. “As my grandmother slid to the ground, he told me he’d always hated the bitch. He then put a silver bullet in her head.”

  A desire for revenge poured through him until all he could see was red. To kill a female was unheard of. To kill an elderly female was worse.

  “Where does your father live, Ginny? I want his name,” he demanded.

  She shook her head. “No, Jaxon. He will kill you.”

  “He can try. And he might succeed. But that fucker’s going in the ground with me.” He didn’t care if he died. All he wanted was the chance to rip that fucker’s throat out and decapitate him.

  But first he was going to kill her husband in the most painful of ways.

  “Jaxon.” She placed her hands on his chest. The sky outside was starting to turn a gray-purple color that heralded the impending dawn. She turned to look out the kitchen window, and he could see the swelling of her cheek.

  It fueled his rage and determination.

  “I will kill your father, Ginny.”

  “You can’t. He’s very powerful. Everyone is afraid to turn on him. It’s how he’s kept his power all these years.”

  “He doesn’t care that your husband beats you?” The thought made him sick.

  Her wide eyes met his. “They are cut from the same cloth. My father knew John was a violent man, but he didn’t care. John is wealthy, as you can see. John inherited all his money. He didn’t earn anything. All my father cares about is how much more power he can grab. He knew that by marrying me to John, he could have an unlimited supply of wealth.”

  “First your husband goes, and then I kill your father.”

  “This is not some small-time criminal. He’s very powerful.” She shook her head and then froze. “How did you get in here, anyway?”

  “I drove in before the gate closed. I saw you go into the house and wanted to make sure you were okay.” His gaze dropped to her cheek. “And judging by the looks of things, I was right. Things aren’t okay.”

  “God, Jaxon.” She paled. “If you had come in while he was here, he would have killed you.”

  “I was on my way when I heard you scream. But a cat jumped out at me in from the tree line.” His stomach dropped. “I should have been here for you, Ginny.”

  “I’m glad you weren’t.” She squeezed her eyes shut. “John could have killed you and made me watch.”

  “You don’t have a whole lot of faith in me, do you?” Her lack of it was starting to irritate him.

  She shoved away from him and cringed. She cradled her stomach and took a few steps back. “Why do you think he has gates outside?”

  “To keep people from getting in here to kill his ass.”

  “You’ve got it wrong.” She shook her head as tears ran down her face. “He has those gates outside to keep anyone from getting out.” She looked up. “I don’t know how you are going to get out of here. Jaxon, you’re trapped.”

  Chapter Eleven

  Barrett dug his ringing cell phone out of his brown leather jacket and answered it before sliding into his red Mustang.

  He usually preferred riding his Harley, but he chose to take the car tonight instead. Tonight he needed music and a fast car.

  “Hello?” He turned the key and the engine roared to life. The sound seemed to soothe his soul.

  “Barrett…”

  He froze when he heard the feminine voice on the other end of the line. It was a voice he’d only heard a few times in his life.

  “Barrett, we need a little help in Vermont,” she said softly.

  He frowned. “Vermont or any New England state is not my territory. Never has been, never will be.” He had enough trouble on his plate without adding to it. He needed a vacation. A long vacation on a beach with a couple of naked females to fuck his brains out.

  That’s what he needed.

  “I understand. And you’re right,” she said softly.

  He growled. “You know I’m not allowed to interfere in the dealings of other species. I am Pack Master of Arkansas. Werewolves are who I command in my state. Not…”

  “Not fairies?” She laughed. “We don’t want you to rule the Fae in New England. That’s not why I’m calling.”

  “Then what is it? I’m trying to keep the peace and prevent a civil war from breaking out down here. I’m stretched pretty thin as it is.” He felt like every day more bad shit was happening to draw Louisiana and Arkansas into a war of the Packs. Arkansas might have the fortitude and determination, but Louisiana had the firepower.

  “Well, I know you can’t give us an army. But I was wondering if you could spare any of your Guardians,” she said.

  He racked his brain, trying to come up with an excuse. Werewolves and Fae did not get along. They had nothing in common except an aversion to metal. Where iron was toxic to fairies, silver was deadly to werewolves.

  “Ryker. I’ll send Ryker.” He accelerated and shifted gears as he increased his speed. He needed to get Ryker out of the southern part of the state anyway. Ryker always did have a hard time with instructions, and if he knew how close Jaxon was to danger and who he was with, Ryker wouldn’t hesitate to cross the state line into Louisiana to save his fellow Guardian.

  Barrett couldn’t take that chance.

  “I appreciate this, Barrett. I really do.”

  “Sarah, you owe me. Big time.” He ended the call and threw the cell phone on the passenger seat.

  * * *

  “So you’re going to be in charge? Stepping in as Pack Master?” Ava ran her hand down Damon’s chest, feeling each toned muscle under her fingertips.

  “Just while Barrett’s gone.” He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her into his chest.

  “I’ve never slept with the boss before.” She unbuckled his belt and slid her hand down the front of his pants. Even without an erection, Damon was big.

  “Ava,” he warned in that tone he used with her when he was trying to maintain control. But she knew him better. She would just squeeze him a little harder and he would lose all restraint. She’d get him wild and out of control. Just how she liked him.

  “Clothes off now,” he growled.

  “Huh?” She gave him an innocent smile while her body tingled under his command.

  “Take your fucking clothes off now before I rip them off.” His gaze raked over her body. “I know how much you love that top. But don’t think I won’t rip it off and buy you another one.”

  She stepped back and gave a squeak. “Wait! I just got this shirt.” She glared but quickly rid herself of the top.

  She stuck her hands in her jeans pockets and thrust out her breasts.

  “And the jeans. Take the jeans off too.” His lust-filled eyes narrowed.

  “Whatever you say, boss.” She smirked and took her time sliding her jeans down her hips. She didn’t need to look to know he was watching her. She could feel those hot eyes on her body like fire.

  The second she kicked her jeans off, Damon grabbed her hauled her across his shoulder.

  “I’m done waiting.” He smacked his hand across her ass.

  “Damon.” She sucked in a hiss at the sharp bite of pain.

  “No talking.” He walked over to their bed and laid her in the middle. “The only sounds I want to hear coming out of your mouth are moans.”

  She met his gaze and felt herself go wet.

  He crawled onto the bed and hook
ed his thumbs in her panties. He dragged them down her hips and tossed them across his shoulder.

  He buried his face between her legs feasted on her sensitive flesh.

  She bucked her hips and moaned as his tongue flicked across her clit. She threaded her fingers through his dark hair and held his face against her. He looked up and held her gaze as his mouth teased her.

  “That feels so good.” She moaned as her heart rate went through the roof.

  He growled between her legs and then sucked her clit into his mouth.

  Pleasure streaked through her body, and she let out a scream as she rode out her orgasm. He looked up from between her legs, his mouth shiny with her sweetness, and grinned.

  He crawled up her body, trapping her underneath. He plunged inside her with one quick motion.

  He stretched her, filling her with his largeness. She dug her fingernails into his back, needing him closer, needing him near.

  He looked at her, his eyes filled with love so intense it made her want to weep. She was beyond lucky that she had Damon. She was blessed.

  He threaded his fingers through hers and raised her hands above her head, moving against her body with rhythmic seduction.

  His body moved, and she felt every tightening of his muscles against her stomach. She wanted to touch him, run her hand down his back and grab his butt, but he held her captive.

  “Damon,” she whimpered and wrapped her legs around his waist. She gasped as she felt her second orgasm rising to the surface.

  “Come for me,” he demanded, his voice hoarse and rough.

  That was all it took.

  She fell into a blinding orgasm so intense that it streaked across her body like a white light shooting across the sky. She trembled against his body as her orgasm flew through her. He quickened his thrusts and buried his face in the crook of her neck. He bit her as he spilled his hot seed inside her body.

  Hot and sweaty, he pulled back to study her face.

  “It never gets old,” he whispered and placed his lips across hers.

  “It never will.” She smiled and slid her hands down and squeezed his ass.

  * * *

  “What do you mean, we’re trapped?” Jaxon jerked his gaze around the room but didn’t see anything.

  “I mean, didn’t you find it strange that no one stopped you from entering?” Her eyes were filled sadness.

  “I found it strange that you came home willingly. Ginny, you had freedom outside these gates and walls. You could have kept going. Instead, you came back here.”

  “You don’t understand. It’s not that simple.” She looked away.

  “Then make me understand.” He placed he tip of his finger gently under her chin. “If I got you out tonight, would you come with me?”

  “He would only come after me if I left. Besides, there are other people in danger if I leave.”

  He cocked his head. “Like your mother.”

  “She’s one of them.” She shook her head.

  “Then make your mother come with us. She doesn’t have to live like this. You both can be safe.”

  “I’ve tried to tell her that. But she is brainwashed and so scared of him.”

  That was fucked up beyond anything he’d ever heard. A mother should always protect her child, even with her own life. Ginny’s mother had failed her in a major way.

  “Then it’s her choice to stay. She can’t guilt you into staying for her. It’s selfish as hell,” he ground out. He didn’t care if it pissed her off or not. “Who else did he say he would hurt if you left?”

  She looked at him, her eyes heavy with unshed tears. She’d probably learned a long time ago how to take the pain, how to take a beating and not let her husband see her cry. She knew it would show weakness.

  Men like John would feed off weakness.

  “Tell me, Ginny.” He leaned in. “Tell me who he is using to keep you so in line.”

  “You, Jaxon. He’d told me he’d kill you if I ever left.”

  Coldness hit his core, spreading upward into his chest until he was panting. He dropped his hands and curled his fingers into fists as he looked at her.

  “Me?” He shook his head. “But I thought…”

  “You thought I had second thoughts about our wedding, about our mating.” She shook her head. “No, when my father showed up and killed my grandmother, he told me if I didn’t come with him, he would kill you. He said he was powerful enough to find you anywhere.”

  She swallowed and wrapped her arms around her tender stomach. “I was young and I believed him. So I left. And once I got to his house, he forced me to marry John. He said he needed the alliance because John had wealth. I didn’t know it at the time, but John hoped to be next in line for Pack Master.”

  The hair stood up on the back of his neck. “Ginny, who is your father?”

  She held out her right hand and looked into his eyes. His chest tightened when he saw the insignia ring for the state of Louisiana. Only Pack Masters were given insignia rings. He’d seen Barrett’s sitting in a bowl on his desk. He never wore his.

  “My father is Edward Boudier.” She swallowed and looked away.

  “Fuck.” He stared at her for a long time. “Edward Boudier is your father.” This was more serious than he’d thought. Barrett was going to flip the fuck out.

  “I am your worst enemy, Jaxon. I’m sure you will want to retract your offer of help. I don’t blame you. I’m ashamed that I have his blood running through my veins.” Silent tears slid down her cheeks.

  “Jaxon, please leave before John gets back. If he finds you here he will kill you.”

  He shook his head. “I can’t leave you. You know that.” He forked his fingers through his hair. “So your husband thinks he’s next in line for Pack Master?”

  “Yes. My father promised him the position if he would marry me.”

  “I can’t imagine Edward Boudier giving that up any time soon.” Jaxon snorted. He knew Boudier. He knew the depths the fucker would go to keep anyone from taking what he considered as his rightful place.

  “My father won’t. Right now, John has the honor of being the son-in-law, the presumed next in line for Pack Master. It gives him power that his wealth didn’t. And my father has the wealth he’s always needed to keep paying people off to keep him in his position.” She swiped at her lip and looked at the smear of blood.

  “I don’t have a choice.” She looked at him. A tear slid down her face and fell to the floor.

  “You always have a choice.” He pulled her into his arms. She went willingly, without a fight.

  “John knows you brought me home, Jaxon. He knows everything.” Her hands went around his waist, and she sobbed silently. “We can’t escape now. He’s going to kill you and make me watch.”

  “Someone’s going die, but it sure as hell won’t be me, baby.”

  She stiffed in his arms, and he immediately caught the scent of her fear in the air.

  “He’ll be coming back soon. You have to leave.” She shoved out of his arms and stepped back, her wild-eyed gaze darting around the room.

  “Then I’ll handle him.”

  “No!” She shoved at his chest, catching him off guard with her strong reaction.

  She grabbed his hand and pleaded. “Listen, if he catches you here in his home, he will kill you. Please don’t make me watch him do it.”

  “I can’t leave you with him.”

  “He won’t hurt me, not again today. Once he comes back and sees the condition of my face, he’ll not hit me again. He knows he can’t take me out in public looking like this.” She spread out her arms.

  “But…”

  “At least leave the house. Go hide outside somewhere, or if you can, get out over the walls,” she said. “If you are serious about getting me out of here, then I need to get my stuff in order. I need to tell my mom. Surely you have to let me talk to my mom first.”

  “We don’t have time.” They needed to leave now.

  “Jaxon, do you trust
me?” She grabbed his hand and put it to her chest.

  “Ginny.” His heart tumbled, and he knew he hadn’t stopped loving the woman standing in front of him. Time had passed, but it had not weakened his love for her. He realized he loved her more now than he had all those years ago.

  “Jaxon, please. I can’t lose you a second time.” Tears streamed down her face. He couldn’t take it another second. He gathered her in his arms and pulled her close, pressing his lips against her.

  She kissed him back, gently and cautiously. She opened her mouth under his lips, letting him taste the sweet recesses of what he’d missed all these years.

  He groaned and felt his body go hard with lust.

  She wound her arms around his waist, holding onto him like he was her lifeline.

  He held her, careful not to press too hard against her injures. God, he’d waited so long to get some satisfaction as to why she’d left him.

  Now with her in his arms, he realized she hadn’t left him. She had tried to protect him by taking the abuse on her own body. He’d never let her get away again. He swore in his heart he’d always protect her, protect her with his heart and his body and his life.

  Hope rose in his chest and crested over his heart, washing him in sheer determination to make things right with her.

  He kissed a trail from her mouth to the corner of her cheek. He closed his eyes and whispered near her ear. “I love you.”

  “I love you too, Jaxon. I never stopped loving you.” Sobs racked her chest as she buried into him. “I’m so sorry you thought I left you. I never meant for you…”

  “Shush. Shush. There’s no need for words. Not now.” He pressed his lips to hers, silencing any more words.

  He moved back, taking his lips from hers, and gazed into her eyes. “Is there anyone else in the house with you?” With a house this big, there had to be staff.