Grace, Sayde - Untamable [Moonlight Cravings] (Siren Publishing Classic)

by Sayde Grace

  Sulfur filled the air, choking Sidda. She coughed while Jasper fought for control. His body trembled, and slowly, the hair receded. Her mother gaped at him as did Ms. Joy. Cole, on the other hand, rolled his eyes and went back to typing on his phone. Something was up with between Cole and Jasper, something she fully intended to find out about. The two guys had been as close as friends could get to being brothers, and they never fought.

  Jasper’s eyes cut to her, and she held his gaze. He shook his head and waved her off. He’d tell her later. She knew that signal and decided to let it go for now, but she’d hold him to it. A rush of arrogant male laughter filtered through their link. Jasper was amused that she was going to hold him to talking about it.

  “Stephan said he’d be by tomorrow morning to meet the new Alpha and go over the pack rules.” Sidda wanted to hit Doc over the head. He just kept on breaking terrific fucking news. Jasper was going to kill the messenger for sure.

  “Let that fucking coward show up. He needs to meet the wolf who will be ripping his throat out and shitting down his neck.”

  Sidda’s eyes bugged out. Holy hell he was pissed. Jasper never cussed that much, but heaven help them all. He’d had enough over the years. The anger seeping through their bond was nearly enough to have her ready to snap the Dane Velham’s neck herself.

  “Jasper, let’s get this taken care of beforehand so we have our stuff together.” She glanced down at the tablet Doc had set on the table, hoping Jasper would calm down.

  His angry growl rippled through the room like a tidal wave, sending wave after wave of anxiety within her. “Jasper, stop now.” She growled at him, desperately tired of the anxious feeling and more than ready to get their task taken care of. There were so many other things they had to discuss on a personal level, but the pack stuff had to come first.

  His gaze snapped in her direction, and she glanced down quickly. Well, shit. She’d automatically given him submission. What the hell was wrong with her? The tiny voice inside surged to the front, clapping and swelling with pride. Damn wolf, this was just so wrong. Sidda exhaled, more than a little put out.

  “You’re stronger than I’d thought.” Doc smiled and nodded toward Jasper who’d begun breathing heavy and had stopped pacing.

  “Told you.” Jasper’s voice grew ragged, but calm. His eyes met hers, and the bright shine of pride had her blushing yet again.

  “Whatever, just come on. I think there were some things we needed to discuss, too, so let’s get this conversation over. Doc, have there been rumors of other packs having Blue Moon members?”

  Doc glanced back to Jasper then at her. For a split second, she thought she’d have to repeat her question, but when his eyes met hers, he ducked his head and cleared his throat. She glanced at Jasper, whose lips quirked into a sly grin.

  Doc sighed. “Some, mostly from what I’ve heard, the Blue Moons that survived the war either fled back to the homelands or found refuge in smaller packs out west.”

  Sidda eyed him then flicked her glance to Jasper. “So we could be seeing an influx of members if they chose to return to the pack now that they know a Gandillion is back to take over?”

  Jasper flopped down beside her and sighed. “I hadn’t considered that. I really didn’t think that we’d get many members back, much less have them bring new families here.”

  Sidda sat up straight, her body growing tense. “So it’s possible that these members who fled could have mated and bred with other packs making the Blue Moon pack larger and more diverse?”

  Doc nodded. “It would make for one hell of a pitch to get the other packs, who might be too scared of facing Dane, behind Jasper as Alpha. Jasper would have the support of many smaller packs, but it’d also show his acceptance of all packs. That is something Velham has failed to do and, in most cases, has tried to do away with other packs. He wants one large pack of Red Moons only.”

  “Well, then together we will just have to give them one united pack.” Sidda picked up Jasper’s hand and grinned. Together they’d show Velham, his second, and the entire Luna Nation they were one.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Jasper couldn’t believe his ears. Sidda wanted to be one united pack. He hadn’t considered the growth of his pack over the years, but she had. Just one more reason why she was his perfect mate. She would know and understand things he didn’t. She truly filled in all that he lacked.

  “We need to get over to that warehouse to see if anything was left behind. I doubt it, but then Velham never expected any of the pack members to question him. I imagine by now the wolves in this area have told him about seeing a female wolf with the pack marks that show a mixture of Blue Moon and his own Red Moon Pack. If so, he’s probably figured out that I didn’t die as he’d hoped.”

  “Well, let’s get a move on it then.” Cole shoved his phone in the clip on his belt. “What? You two thought I’d just sit by and let you have all the fun?” His lips thinned into a tight grin that didn’t reach his eyes.

  Jasper sighed. Damn, it would be a long afternoon with Cole there. He’d no doubt push the issue of telling Sidda about Vivian, but Jasper wasn’t ready yet. He needed to find out if Vivian’s mother had been taken by Velham. If so, it certainly could answer who Sidda’s mother was. Not to mention it’d be a huge development for both Sidda to find out who her mother was and that she had an older sister. He wasn’t entirely sure she would like it.

  Sidda rose. “Good. Maybe an afternoon together can get the two of you to either fight it out or get the hell over whatever is up between you.”

  His eyes followed Sidda when she rose from the sofa to stalk toward the front door. She stopped, her eyebrows raised in challenge. Jasper hoped he’d eased the wall up around his thoughts to keep her from seeing the truth. He was going to tell her everything about Vivian, but he needed to soften Sidda up first.

  “You’re blocking me, pup.” Her hands jerked to her hips.

  Damn, he’d hoped she wouldn’t notice when he blocked certain thoughts from her, but as usual Sidda had. “Sorry, I wasn’t paying any attention.”

  She narrowed her eyes, making him squirm. But Alphas did not squirm. He straightened his back and stared at her before opening his mind back up to her.

  “Better?”

  “Not really, there’s something you’re blocking from me. But I’ll figure it out. Until you either tell me or open up completely, you’re bunking with Cole.” She spun and walked out. Cole smirked and followed.

  “Jasper?” Ms. Angela’s soft voice broke into his thoughts.

  “Ma’am?” He glanced over at her.

  She chewed her bottom lip. “Whatever you’re trying to block from her won’t stay blocked forever. You know Sidda better than anyone. Best to go ahead and tell her everything rather than have her jump the gun.”

  Shit, he knew that, but there hadn’t been the time to tell her yet. Tonight he’d tell her all about Vivian. He dipped his head at Ms. Angela. “I know, I’m working on it. It’s not what Cole thinks or what you may think. But Sidda won’t like it.” His focus turned to Doc. “Keep ’em safe. No one comes in, and no one leaves unless I okay it.”

  Jasper sincerely hoped Doc wouldn’t need him to okay anything, but deep down, he knew he would. It wouldn’t be a surprise to find one of Velham’s people waiting on him when he got back. All the more reason he needed to get to that warehouse and get back home.

  Cole and Sidda were sitting in his truck while he strode to them, thinking over what he would say to her later. But he damn well wasn’t bunking with Cole. No, Sidda had accepted him as her mate, and she’d damn better get used to bunking together whether they were mad at each other or not. He wouldn’t be pushed from his bed, and she would be in it every night from here on out.

  “You can’t force me to stay somewhere I don’t want to stay.” Sidda’s voice broke his train of thoughts when he slid into the new truck.

  Anger rose within him, and he fought back a quick retort. Instead he inhaled deeply, fi
lling his nose with her intoxicating scent before narrowing his eyes.

  “You may not have noticed but the headboard and footboard of our bed has firm posts, which I will tie your sweet ass to and make you stay.”

  Sulfur filled the air, but he stared her down. He sensed her internal battle and felt her ice-cold mental blocks being thrown up. The she-wolf had tested him.

  “Sidda, drop the blocks.”

  “Fuck off.” She scowled at him.

  “Can we just go and get back? Damn all this new love shit.” Cole leaned forward from the back seat to turn the radio on.

  “Fine, but this isn’t finished.” Sidda’s angry and hurt voice sliced through Jasper’s heart.

  He didn’t want to hurt her, but he needed her to wait until later for what he had to say. “You’re right. It’s far from over, but for now, let’s focus on the warehouse.”

  He put the truck in drive, leaving both the house and the conversation behind them for now.

  Twenty head-banging, ear-splitting songs, ten angry scowls from Sidda, and a dozen “hey, babes” from Cole to an anonymous caller later, they slid to a stop in front of a large cinderblock warehouse. Jasper jumped out of the truck, hoping the fresh air would cool the volcano of emotions brewing within Sidda. He hadn’t thought her wolf would make her more stubborn, but she had.

  “So where do you wanna start?” Cole adjusted his sunglasses before striding to his side.

  Jasper’s chest swelled with pride. No matter what might be going on personally, Cole still had his back like the brother he’d become. “Let’s ease around and see if anyone’s here. This place doesn’t look like it’s been opened in awhile. Still, I’d like to make sure we don’t get arrested for breaking and entering. I’ve heard the jails built for Lunas are shitty.”

  The front of the building and most of the windows had been boarded up. The metal roof had collapsed on one side while the walls held graffiti of all types.

  “Let’s try the side. Maybe I can even see the dumpster I had been thrown in. Bastard,” she mumbled under her breath.

  Jasper couldn’t take it. She was a better person, wolf, than Dane Velham ever would be, and the jackass had hurt her. Jasper vowed that one day the bastard would pay for not only the pain he’d inflicted on Sidda, but for the pain he’d caused the entire Luna nation.

  Jasper grasped Sidda’s hand and squeezed. Her eyes met his before a tight smile snapped into place. “Maybe we can make him suffer together?”

  “Sounds like a plan. First, let’s try and find an opening here. Cole, do you think this place has any security systems in place?” Jasper’s eyes met Cole’s dancing ones.

  Cole had specialized in security system engineering. He’d finally figured out he needed to learn to disable the alarm systems before he snuck into his latest fling’s house. But it served a good purpose for today.

  “I’ll check the breaker box. If there’s a system, even a silent one, it’ll be wired there. You guys keep a watch out.” Cole spun around to find the large metal box wired to the side of the building.

  “And? What’s the verdict, Romeo?” Jasper chuckled at Sidda’s dry tone. Apparently he hadn’t been the only one tired of hearing Cole “hey, baby”-ing all of Atlanta.

  “Looks like we’ve got a hell of a system here. Let me scramble it, when I say ‘hit it,’ open that side door.” Cole stopped to face them. “Why the hell would someone have a state of the art system on this hunk of junk place?”

  Jasper and Sidda’s eyes met. He drew in a deep breath and grasped her hand. “That’s what we’re hoping to find out once we get inside.”

  “Well, hit it.” Cole rushed back to them before all three burst through the door.

  Musky, stale air assaulted Jasper’s senses as dim light shone in front of them. A shadowed hallway held doors on each side. The floor was filthy, covered in dust and dirt. Cobwebs hung everywhere, and the distinct aroma of death drifted from the walls. Jasper cringed, hating that he had taken his mate to such a gruesome place. Death surrounded them, and he wished he could pull her away from whatever they were about to find.

  “I would have come on my own. You know it.” She pumped his hand with hers. “Now let’s go see what’s behind door number one.” Her hand reached out to the dirt-covered doorknob to their right.

  “Sidda, I’ll go first. Cole, you’re with Sidda. No matter what we find, you two stick together.”

  Cole nodded solemnly, but Sidda’s head shot up in defiance. He tugged her to him, mentally focusing on his worst fear, losing her.

  Sidda’s white teeth bit her bottom lip. “All right, but don’t think this means just because you send me some upsetting thoughts that I’ll let you get away with this every time.” She huffed.

  Jasper bit back a smile. She was so proud and stubborn, yet tender-hearted. The depth of her personality amazed him. One day he hoped to be half the person she was.

  Focusing his attention back to the task at hand, he turned the knob and slowly opened the metal door. Again, stale, musky air assaulted his senses, but other than that, the room had been cleaned out. Not even a chair occupied it. Jasper pulled the door shut and stepped to the opposite side of the hallway where another door stood.

  Three doors later, they neared the end of the hallway and had found nothing. Behind them Cole shuffled while tension rolled off of Sidda. He sighed and grabbed the doorknob to the next to last door.

  “All right, let’s hope we find something here.” Jasper had wanted to stay at home with Sidda, talking, among other things.

  “No shit. If I’d known it’d be this boring I’d stayed home and beaten Doc in a game of pool while he lusted after Sidda’s momma.”

  “Shut up. That’s nasty.” She slapped Cole’s arm.

  Jasper had missed this, just the three of them hanging around like they’d done as teenagers. But now wasn’t the time. Now he had to find something to help him find their families.

  “There’s a stench down here.” Sidda’s tone was clipped with unease.

  “Yeah, this might be bad. But, on the good side, the stench is old. Death showed up here a long time ago.” Jasper’s lips curled at the stale scent.

  “That makes it better?” Cole eased closer to them. His shoulders touched Sidda’s right shoulder while Jasper’s touched her left. No matter how brave Cole or Sidda acted, they weren’t getting left behind.

  “You’re damn right, pup. I’m not stupid. The first and last person always get taken out first.”

  “Good thing we aren’t people.” He squeezed her hand. “But nothing here is alive. Come on.”

  He flung the door open. Rotted flesh and bone overwhelmed his sense, causing his nose to burn.

  Cole gagged. “Oh damn. That’s not good.”

  “Cole, suck it up. You’ve gutted deer, fish, rabbit, and almost everything else that moves. This isn’t anything worse.” Jasper knew Sidda was lying.

  What lay in front of them was much worse. The remains of five people or wolves lay rotted to the bone. Beside them in cribs were the bones of several young children. Jasper stepped closer to try and find out how they’d all died. Both Sidda and Cole moved right behind him. Their breathing was so close it swept across the back of his neck.

  He leaned over one body. The adult bodies still had lab coats on them, and every one of their necks had been snapped. Murdered. Jasper tried to fight back the contempt he felt for those people dead in the lab coats. Those people had been testing infants. He couldn’t keep the snarl back any longer. He moved closer to the three cribs that lined the wall. Each child still had a diaper over their bones. Their necks had also been snapped. Someone had murdered not only those five adults but three innocent children.

  Disgust rolled off of him. “Let’s go check the other room. That’s bound to be where the office is, but this was just a small nursery. They had to have somewhere to hold the adult wolves.”

  God, he didn’t want to find any more dead bodies. Those poor kids tore at his heart. An
ger raged inside him to avenge their deaths. The bastard who’d killed them would pay for taking their lives.

  Jasper twisted the knob on the door, hoping Sidda wouldn’t be too upset over what they’d seen.

  “I’m fine, Jasper. That was bad, really bad especially, since I was supposed to have met the same fate. But I’m okay. Let’s find out what happened to the parents of those babies.”

  “Yeah, let’s get to the bottom of this. Whoever killed those kids is a bastard that needs to be dealt with.” Cole stood beside Sidda. Both held their heads high.

  “All right, let’s see what’s in here.” Jasper kicked the door in. Nothing.

  “Shit.” Cole peeked past him to glance inside.

  Sidda strode into the room, raising a hand to stop them. If there was a place in the warehouse for giving birth and holding the mothers, it had to have an entrance. This was the last room to check, it had to be there. “Wait, there’s gotta be more. Pull the rugs up, feel the walls. There has got to be an entrance to a place where they kept the wolves. We can check the warehouse part, but I doubt that would be it.” Sidda yanked at the carpet.

  Jasper’s heart beat faster at her determination. She would find something that would lead her to her mother.

  “Come over here, guys.” Cole turned, showing a small latch on the floor beside one wall.

  Jasper stopped near Cole with Sidda on his heels. “Push it down. Let’s see what it’s to.” Cole nodded and, with his boot, pushed the lever to the ground. The floor beside them slid back to reveal a staircase. The dark abyss smelled of moldy, stagnant air. There was no rotted flesh or dried blood, which was a good thing.

  “Sidda and I will be able to adjust our vision to the dark. Cole, you’re gonna need a light of some kind.”

  “I brought my penlight in case I had to do some B and E.” He pulled a small black pen from his pocket. With a click, a beam of bright light shone from the end.