Moonlight's Gift (Moonlight Series Book 2)

by Ashlynn Monroe

  “I’m—I didn’t mean to scare you. Sorry.” His deep voice rumbled close to her ear. She could feel his warm breath on her neck. “I’d never hurt you.”

  Joy shivered, but it was more than fear. Self-preservation was an old habit, but with Nik around, she remembered who she used to be. She turned to look at him. Beautiful. He awoke a need inside that she thought was dead. His lips were close enough that she could just lean in and press hers to his, but she stopped. He deserves a woman without so much baggage. I’ll never be able to explain everything to him. Instead of trying, she shrugged. “It’s okay.”

  “Law is probably staying the night with Bianca. She can’t run off her injury like we can. Knowing your brother, he won’t leave his mate unprotected.”

  “Law has always been a good man; I’m proud of him. I was sad to hear Daddy died, but he was always afraid of making the wrong decision. Law just does his best to make the right one.”

  “Yeah,” Nik ran his hand through his thick, dark hair. “Law goes with his gut, and he’s usually right.”

  Joy’s throat ached, and she turned away so Nik wouldn’t see the unshed tears in her eyes. Moisture blurred her vision as she gazed back out the mudroom window. “So much has changed.”

  “But some things never change.” Nik kissed the top of her head. She stiffened, and he backed away. “Sorry.”

  “Nik, wait!” She bit her lip as he left. “Why?” she whispered to herself and looked out the window again.

  “That’s a damn good question, young lady,” said Janna Foster.

  “Mom, how long have you been there?”

  “Long enough. I can’t imagine what you’ve been through. I’m here when you’re ready to talk.” Joy turned away from her vigil at the window. Mom’s face scrunched, and the wrinkles by her eyes were pronounced as her forehead furrowed. “I know that boy has carried a torch for you, all these years, and he has a fine heart.”

  “He’s not a boy; he’s a man. Men hurt women. Drop it, Mom, please.”

  Mom’s lips trembled. “I wish I could take back what happened to you, honey. I wish—Oh hell, we can’t undo the past. Don’t screw up your future. And you’re all kids to me.”

  Joy rolled her eyes, but a small smile graced her face.

  Some of the tension left her mother’s shoulders, and the lines on her face softened. “You’re a Foster. You’re strong. We’ll get through this now that you’re home. Everything will be okay.” Mom’s words trailed away wistfully as if she’d said the words for her benefit, not Joy’s.

  Joy turned to the window. “I hope you’re right, Ma. I really do.”

  “Come to bed. Your brother will be home when he’s sure his woman is okay. I never thought I’d see him fall so hard.” Mom grinned, but then she frowned. “Your grandfather would have disowned him for choosing a human.”

  “How do you feel about it?” Joy couldn’t resist asking.

  “Your grandfather is rolling in his grave. He was staunchly against diluting the blood, but I’m just happy she’s sweet. I like Chessa too.”

  “Do you think Bianca will stay human? She could be bitten and turn, like what happened to Chessa, but I can’t see Law biting her.”

  “Your brother is a good man, too good maybe. It’s between them. As long as she treats him right, she could be a squirrel for all I care.”

  Joy chuckled. An image of Bianca with a fluffy tail popped into her head, chasing away some of the darkness. “I won’t tell him you said that.”

  “Good. Now, let’s get you upstairs.” Mom turned to go back into the kitchen that sat just off the mudroom.

  Headlights drew Joy’s attention to the window. Mom stepped closer, looking outside with equal curiosity. “It must be Law,” Joy said.

  Tires threw gravel as the driver sped along. When the SUV stopped by the common house door, Mom turned on the outside light. Joy opened the door, and her mother followed her down the steps and onto the dusty driveway. Evening air chilled Joy, so she rubbed her arms to warm up. Law left the vehicle wearing ill-fitting sweatpants.

  “What in the world?” Mom whispered.

  Law pulled something out of the backseat; the scent hit Joy. Human.

  “Is that Bianca?” Mom rushed toward the vehicle.

  Law shook his head. “This is Sabrina Johnson. She was attacked by some feral wolves at the community center.”

  A man got out, and Joy realized he was her old friend Ben. He wasn’t the awkward teen she remembered. Ben did a fist pump and a little victory dance. “We took care of them.” He gave the thumbs up.

  I’m glad he’s still a goofball. “Thank God you’re all okay.”

  “Your brother had my back. It’s good to see you again.”

  Joy smiled. “You too.” Relief flooded her because there was no anger or judgment in Ben’s expression as he grinned at her.

  “You can’t stay out of trouble for a minute, can you?” Nik asked as he came out of the house, letting the mudroom door slam behind him. “Let me help.” He took Sabrina out of Law’s arms.

  Something primal stirred in Joy as Nik held the other woman. Joy came closer, and even unconscious Sabrina’s beauty shone. The woman needed help, but all Joy could do was growl low in her throat.

  “What’s the matter with you?” Mom whispered. Her gazed darted between Joy and Nik. “Oh, I see.”

  “It’s not what you think. I’m just out of it yet,” Joy lied quietly.

  Mom shrugged. “I would have reacted the same way if your father had held a gorgeous woman.”

  “Be quiet before he hears us. It’s none of my business who Nik holds.”

  “If you say so.” Mom turned her attention back to the truck.

  The driver got out of the SUV. With the drama and tinted windows, Joy hadn’t noticed him. She couldn’t move as shock left her cold. He was the last person she’d expected to see on the farm.

  Mom gasped. “Oh my God, that’s Kane.” Janna ran up to Kane, standing toe-to-toe with him. “Don’t you touch a hair on that sweet girl’s head.”

  Kane chuckled dryly and ran his hand through his gray hair. “Hello, Mrs. Foster, I see you’re as lovely as ever.”

  Mom glared. “Can it.” She had to look up at him but managed fierceness. “She’s on our land. I won’t stand by and watch you kill her.”

  Kane paused, stroked his goatee, and his icy blue eyes narrowed as he stared down Mom. “We haven’t discussed killing her, but if that’s decided it isn’t up to you. I respect you, Janna, but respect only goes so far.” Joy rushed to her mother’s side. “And your daughter should be your concern. Tobias’ pack is nothing but trouble.” He nodded to the women before turning to Ben. “Would you like a ride back to town?”

  “Ben can stay with us,” Law said. “Or we’ll give him a ride back.”

  Kane’s mouth compressed into a thin line. “I assume you have more important things to do tonight. I’ll give him a ride.”

  Law scowled.

  Ben stepped between the alphas with his hands up in surrender. “I’ll just ride with Kane. If you don’t hear from me again, assume I’m dead in a ditch somewhere.” Ben’s teasing grin contrasted his stiff body language.

  “Don’t joke like that,” Mom scolded, giving Kane a wary look. “If you need a ride I can give you one myself.”

  “No, but thank you. I’ll go with Kane. Peyton will want me home. She’s the biggest worrier of any girlfriend I’ve ever had.”

  “Bittens tend to be high maintenance,” Kane said. Ben growled. Kane laughed, but the mirth ended abruptly. “Bittens need the protection of a born mate more than other women. I’m sure Mr. Foster will take my suggestion and discover for himself.” Kane gave Law a steady look. “Don’t wait too long. Ms. Archer collects enemies far too easily. You should be happy I’m not one of them. She’s safe in town, and I consider her one of my pack, for now, but you have a duty to protect her.”

  “I’d never hurt Bianca.” Law crossed his arms over his chest. “I’m
not biting her unless she asks me to turn her. Human or wolf, she’s my mate. If you threaten her, be ready for a fight.”

  Kane’s head cocked to the side as if he were sizing up Law. He nodded slowly and a strangely satisfied expression settled on his face. “Noble, but stupid sometimes we have to show our women what’s best for them.”

  Mom made a rude noise, pushed passed Kane, and reached the unconscious woman in Nik’s arms. She touched Sabrina’s forehead, then her cheek gently. “Poor thing, get her in the house.” Mom glanced back at Ben, caught his gaze, and then nodded her head. “My offer stands if you want to spend the night. You’re always welcome here—you’re family.”

  Ben shrugged. “All wolves are family in one way or another. I’ll be okay.”

  Mom scowled at Kane. He smiled, but the expression didn’t reach his eyes.

  Joy’s palms started to sweat. “Come on, Mom. Let’s get her inside.” Janna huffed, irritated, but she turned and followed Joy. Nik was right behind them with the girl. Joy glanced back at her brother. He and Kane were in a glare-off. I have to find the courage to tell Law what I know about Kane.

  Four

  Bianca ached, and her stitches tugged. There was no place but cold ground to sit and rest. Wearing only a thin sweater, she shivered as the temperature dropped below normal for mid-September. Wild Rose Valley didn’t have a taxi service, and it was too small for public transportation. She wouldn’t call her best friend, Kloe Masterson; if anything wolfy happened, Kane would put Kloe on his ever growing kill list. She’d ignored five calls from Kloe in the last thirty minutes. Oh, and the bullet wound, how the hell do I explain that? It’s better to stay away from Kloe. Bianca couldn’t risk Law abandoning Sabrina by asking her—man, male, mate, whatever—for help. Heck, everything has happened so fast between us I don’t even have Law’s phone number. I’m legally married to a man, and I don’t know if he has a cell phone. This is such an AW—after werewolves, moment. Before she’d known shapeshifters were real, she’d never have accepted marriage to a man she’d hadn’t even dated. Does incredible sex count as a date?

  “Law Foster, when things calm down, you owe me some flowers and romance,” Bianca mumbled to herself.

  Something rustled in the bushes to her left. She reached into her bag and found pepper spray. Palming the pathetic weapon made her feel safer as she walked down the dark, deserted path. Clouds drifted over the waning moon and in the distance, an owl hooted. A breeze blew hard against her back, and the cold air had no trouble sneaking through the loose knit of her top to chill the skin underneath. The wind blew dry fall leaves; they rustled together rolling across the ground and crunched with her every step. There wasn’t even a real sidewalk, and she had to pass through bushes obscuring her from the view of the road. Sweat beaded on her forehead.

  ChessaChessaChessaChessa. She let the mantra of her daughter’s name run through her mind until she came out of the overgrown area and relief stole through her. She looked up the hill at Constance and Matt Louvel’s home on the outskirt of town. Old and run down, the white Victorian must have been glorious once, but now deterioration and neglect stole its beauty.

  Trinity’s parents were cold, antisocial people, the exact opposite of Chessa’s best friend, even when Chessa was missing Trin checked on Bianca. Please be here, Ches.

  Lights shone from the upstairs windows, but the lower level sat dark. The hour was late, but Bianca still knocked until lights clicked on behind the crackled glass window.

  Karen Louvel frowned as she opened the door. A braid of long graying brown hair hung down her back, and she wore an old-fashioned flannel nightgown. Her eyes narrowed. “What do you want?”

  The stern expression burdening Karen’s face made Bianca shiver. Creeptastic. “I’m looking for my daughter—again.”

  “Found her? Huh.” Karen’s disrespect hit Bianca’s psyche like a physical blow, causing her to flinch.

  For an awkward moment, they stood in silence. Bianca tried to get her mouth to work, but her brain remained caught up in the unexpected hatefulness. “Yes. I think she might be here with Trin.”

  “Trinity is in bed. So was I.”

  A door slammed, and Bianca backed down the stairs to peek around the side of the house. Karen joined her. A black wolf and a half transmuted bitten rushed from the house long blonde hair streamed behind the bitten.

  Bianca hobbled up the hill, into the wooded area, following the girls. “Chessa! Trinity, bring her back.” Frustrated tears blurred Bianca’s vision. I’m failing so hard at parenting. “Girls!”

  Darkness obscured their trail. Agony stopped Bianca’s pursuit. She stood, panting, and gazed into the shadows. Trees obscure her view, but the sound of a wolf howling sent a chill down her spine. She noticed blood seeping into her sweater. “Chessa!” My little girl shouldn’t be alone in the wilderness.

  Bianca wiped at her damp cheeks. She used to see the moonlight’s beauty as a gift, but her love affair with the starry night sky was over, too many terrors lurked as dusk birthed night. She was tired, physical and emotional pain burned, intense and sharp, as she made her way down the hill. Karen stood scowling, shrugged, and went back into her house without a single word. Bianca remained in the darkness. Alone.

  ****

  Kane returned to town and dropped Ben at his house. Tonight has not gone as planned. He yawned. I wish I could just be a regular old man asleep in front of my television. Sabrina Johnson crossed his mind, and he sighed. Killing the human will be loathsome. The African-American woman was charming and rather fetching. Ending such a beauty’s life is an immense waste. Sabrina and Ms. Archer’s close friendship complicated killing the girl too. Not to mention all the questions the humans will have regarding her death. This killing required finesse. I’ll have to do it myself.

  Kane noticed a figure in the darkness. Her blonde hair shone in the moonlight, and for a second his breath caught in his throat as a stab of surprise speared his heart. He blinked, and shook his head as if he could dispel the ghost of the only woman he’d ever loved. Exhaling, he realized it was Ms. Archer, not her mother. She moved as if every step hurt, but pushed forward. That idiot woman should be in the hospital. He scowled, but couldn’t stop the grudging respect. Joslyn Archer’s daughter was as stubborn and dedicated to her child as Jossy had been. Jossy. How long has it been since I thought of her like that? Why did you lie to me Joslyn, damn you to hell, why? Kane slammed his hand against the dash as old grief rose up with such ferocity he wasn’t prepared for the sting.

  Squaring his shoulders, Kane pulled himself together and drove up next to the limping woman as he rolled down the window. “Bianca?”

  She turned to him, not bothering to hide the suspicion in her gaze. “Mr. Mayor?”

  “Get in. How far do you think you’ll get in your condition?” Kane waited as she looked around. She doesn’t trust me, smart lady. Bags under her eyes spoke of her exhaustion. “I’ll give you a ride back to the hospital. You’re safe with me.”

  She put her hand on the door. “Why?”

  “Because I like my town in order. I’m not the monster everyone thinks I am, not really.”

  She rolled her eyes. Kane grinned. Even injured and worn down the woman stayed spunky—a fighter. I can respect that.

  Bianca frowned. “I won’t get in. I need to find my daughter. She took off into the woods with a friend. I tried to go after them, but I’m not able to hike.”

  Kane shook his head. “Stubborn. Just like your mother, I can certainly see you are in no condition to continue your search, let me get you back to your doctor.”

  Bianca scowled. “I don’t want to go back to the hospital. The smell—it reminds me of—never mind. Anyway, I’d love a ride back to my house.”

  “You need someone to look after you. I’m taking you to my home,” Kane watched Bianca’s eyes widen. I don’t know who is more surprised, her or me. “You need to rest, and your daughter will be fine. At her age, I spent more nights in the woods th
an I did in my bed.”

  “But Chessa isn’t a—wolf. She’s just a little girl. Can you help me find her?”

  “Yes, but not tonight. Get in Ms. Archer. It’s late, and I hope you’ll heed my advice on the topic of loup-garou—werewolves. Our kind suffers both the erratic emotions of men and the dangerous instinct of animals.”

  Bianca wiped a stray tear from her cheek “I need to find Law too. There was trouble at the community center.”

  Kane got out of the SUV and went around to the passenger side. He offered his hand to her, but she didn’t take it. “Let me help you.”

  She glowered, challenging him. “Why?”

  “Because you’re part of my world now and you look like you need help.”

  Her eyes widened, but she didn’t reply as she climbed in without taking his hand. Her pinched expression told him she was hurting. He shut the door and went over to the driver’s side. After he was in, he gave her a long, curious perusal.

  “You’re coming home with me, Ms. Archer, no more argument. I know about the center and that Mr. Foster is caring for Sabrina. He’s well and has no idea you’re out here running around injured. I’m not returning you to Foster until I’m sure you’re in a decent condition. It’s the old way. I won’t ask you to go back to the hospital. I’d prefer it if you returned, but I won’t waste my breath. I know a thing or two about obstinate women.” Kane pulled away from the curb before she buckled her seatbelt.

  Bianca snorted her irritation and frowned. “I’d hate to put you out. Pull over. I’m feeling fine. Besides, I need to call someone at the farm to let Law know I’m okay. It’s embarrassing, but I’m legally married to him and don’t even have his number.”

  Kane chuckled. “I’d never leave a defenseless woman, who is the greatest magnet for trouble I’ve ever meet, alone in the night. There are big bad wolves out there that aren’t fond of you. As for Mr. Foster’s contact information, you’ve had an extreme courtship. I can imagine there wasn’t much time for the typical day-to-day humdrum when you’ve found your missing daughter, learned about loup-garou and suffered a gunshot during rogue wolf attack. Of all the humans in this town, you are the most trouble.”