Moonlight's Gift (Moonlight Series Book 2)

by Ashlynn Monroe

  He kissed her, deeper, stealing her breath, until he pulled back abruptly to look into her eyes. "Say no now, or I'm not going to stop." He let go of her arms.

  Nik’s concentrated gaze held a desperate quality, and his tension lurked as a tangible thing between them. He leaned in. If I say no, he’ll stop. The connection between them gave her the confidence to believe he’d honor her choice, and that supernatural link sent butterflies fluttering in her belly. Joy could no longer deny she belonged to him.

  Instead of speaking, she lifted her hands, reaching up timidly to caress Nik’s cheeks. His attention never left her face, and her hands shook as she ran her fingers down his neck and shoulders until she touched his defined six-pack abs.

  “I want you,” Joy whispered. “I—I think I’ve always wanted this.”

  He brushed the silken strands of hair from her face. "Me too." Nik pulled her shirt over her head. She wasn’t wearing a bra. His hot gaze raked over her body and he cupped her breast running the pads of his callused thumbs over the sensitive nipples, eliciting a gasp of enjoyment.

  Nik smiled. "You're beautiful." He bent down taking one of the stiff peaks into his mouth, drawing on it, hard. Joy moaned. Her panties grew damp as something wild built inside of her. He moved and repeated the incredible rhythm on the other side. When he pulled away, a sense of loss squeezed her heart.

  Grasping his waistband, she boldly undid his fly. The jeans slid down his narrow hips, and his hard length was free. Mmm, commando. Would've guessed he’s a boxer kind of guy. Irresistible, his cock dangled between them, and she reached for him touching with a gentle hand. A slow hiss came from between his gritted teeth.

  She dropped her hands. "Did I hurt you?"

  An unreadable expression filled his face. "No." He took her face between his hands, forcing her downcast eyes to look at him. "Baby… oh, goddamn it, you’re driving me crazy."

  As the words left his mouth, the breath caught in Joy’s throat. A surge of pleasure over the endearment mingled with the rush of power she had touching him.

  Nik pulled her close and ravaged her with a searing kiss, fumbling with her fly, and then pushing the denim off her hips. He wrapped his arms around her waist and picked her up off her feet, kissing and carrying her at the same time. She kicked off her shoes, and the pants went with them to pool on the floor. When he reached the workbench, he pushed the tools to the concrete, and they clattered loud enough to echo. Nik growled and ripped her panties. He tossed the fabric aside and spread her legs, taking his time looking at her.

  Nik separated her intimate folds to rub her clitoris. "Oh, sweetheart, you're so wet—so perfect."

  Her back arched off the work surface, and she gasped biting her lip. He pressed harder on the nub moving his fingers in a small, circling motion and swirling them in her wet heat. Sensations prickled inside of her core until she shook.

  "Please," Joy whimpered. “It’s never been like this.”

  Nik growled. “This is us. There’s never been anything with anyone that mattered. You’re mine.” He dropped a kiss on her flat stomach, just above her navel. “I am what you’ll remember. Only me.” He lowered his lips to kiss her mound. Her hips bucked as he drew her clit between his teeth and sucked hard. She clutched the back of his head and his thick hair bunched between her fingers.

  The smell of freshly cut pine and new plywood filled her lungs. Burning wood settling in the fire with a bang and sunlight streamed through the high window to bathe them in a shaft afternoon sun. The air held a nip of fall even with the woodstove working. All of her senses were alive. The space was public, and that realization cut through her lust. What if someone comes in? Joy’s heart pounded. “Nik.” She moaned as he lapped at her clit and labia. “The door,” she managed.

  “Damn it.” He pushed away and crossed the room. She heard the lock snick in place. The windows were too high for anyone to see what they were doing. “Baby, where was I?”

  “Between my legs, making me feel amazing.”

  Nik grinned. “My favorite place on Earth.” He parted her thighs, and she closed her eyes as he began flicking her clit with his tongue while he slipped two fingers inside her vagina. He wiggled them in the most magical way.

  “Oh. Yes.” Joy groaned arching her back.

  Nik kept going until she was panting; she squeezed her eyes shut, seeing stars. Only his touch mattered and she floated in some realm between heaven and hell hovering on the brink of orgasm.

  “I’m ready, please, I need you.”

  He paused to look at her and she arched her hips up towards his mouth, rubbing her wet pussy against his stubbled chin, groaning with frustration.

  Nik’s long fingers delved into her pussy while his thumb rolled against her clitoris. “Tell me you’re mine.” His husky voice made her shiver.

  “I’m so close.” Joy gasped. “I’m yours.”

  “Don’t fight it. Relax,” Nik said. He pulled her to the edge of the bench holding her hips up. Her legs rested on his shoulders as he slid his cock deep into her ready pussy. “You were made for me.”

  “Yes!” Her inner muscles contracted around him as she bucked wildly as their bodies collided in a sweaty dance. Each stroke angled just right, and the sensation caused her to release a sob of pure ecstasy. “Faster!” His expression tightened with strain, but stroke after stroke he didn’t come. Shaking and gasping from an orgasm so intense the release was almost painful she arched her back and wailed. Tears ran from the corners of her eyes.

  Nik held her hips and thrust faster until he threw back his head. “Joy!” Her name reverberated through the room with primal energy. Giving a harsh masculine grunt, he stiffened, thrust a final time and the heat of his release filled her, marking her in a primitive way as old as time. Panting, he pulled back and slipped from between her legs, but gathered her in his arms pulling her to his chest so he could bury his face in the hair curling in the crook of her neck. He kissed her there.

  "You're mine now—screw your brother.”

  Joy’s euphoria evaporated. She frowned. “What?”

  He gazed down at her, and she saw wonder alive in his expression. “I gave—give you my protection. No one will ever hurt you again.”

  The air rushed out of Joy’s lungs. “No. No!” She tried to pull away from him. “Let me go.” The glow in his eyes died as he released her. She pushed him away and stood with her back to him as she forced her breathing to slow and her heart to calm. “I can’t be anyone’s mate, not again, not ever.” Joy touched her neck, and for an agonized moment, she relived the cold silver chain that had burned and tore her flesh so much even her wolf couldn’t heal the scars. “I reject your protection.” No one will ever hold so much power over me again.

  Nik scowled. “I’m not Clint.”

  Joy said nothing as she rushed to the door, opened it, and released her wolf to run free without looking back.

  ****

  Nik ached on such a deep level he thought he’d die. “Joy!” He called after her as she transformed into her animal form, with graceful ease. I should have listened to Law. He wanted to follow her, but his wolf kept him where he stood as he instinctually sensed going to her would cause her wolf to lash out, and she’d attack. The idea of hurting her made his stomach turn. He went back in the shop without shutting the door and slammed his hand against a log so hard he split the solid pine in half. “Fuck.” Doesn’t she know how much I love her? How the hell am I going to fix what Clint broke?

  Rage. Massive hate rose up in him, and he gave into his wolf. Kort did this. Kort was the reason Joy hurt. Nik didn’t even have time to undress as his humanity died, replaced by a feral creature. The beast wanted blood, and the man hurt so much he couldn’t hold on. Destroy.

  He bounded out the door but stopped to sniff the air. Food cooked, loup-garou wandered near, and animals lingered in the field. None of those things interested the wolf. He sniffed again, looking for one scent. Then he caught the faintest hint. Crouching low the s
avage cur stayed in the shadows as he stalked his prey, a loup-garou in human form carrying a child. Hate ravaged the monster’s soul and the instinct to kill overrode any trace of the man. The wolf crouched low readied for an attack; his green eyes narrowed and when the man started up the hill, the time was right. Springing forward the feral loup-garou knocked the man off his feet. The child tumbled, screaming. The man’s eyes widened as the wolf snarled, snapped, and tried to sink his teeth into the fragile throat. Others came toward them, running, shouting, but the wolf didn’t care he wanted to slaughter. The man put his arm up to protect his throat, and the fiend sank his fangs into the flesh until they connected with bone. The ulna was no match for the powerful jaws and human loup-garou screamed. Something sharp pierced the wolf’s side. He yelped and looked up, growling. His vision blurred, and he attacked with more ferocity giving killing a final try as his chance to end his prey slipped away. The tranquilizer and a fist between his eyes combined to overpower the berserk animal, and he collapsed to the ground, out cold.

  ****

  Screams pierced the tranquility of the woods. Joy was still inside her head enough to control her wolf. She turned and sniffed the air, blood, and Nik’s scent. She ran through the brush without a second thought. “Nik.” Her mind reached for his, but there was no reply. She couldn’t “feel” him and the absence of connection terrified her. “Nik, please.”

  Fourteen

  Kane’s phone rang. He took the device from his pocket and saw Alden’s number. “Yes?”

  “Foster brought Bianca to the emergency entrance. They checked her in, and Foster was with her about an hour before he left. She’s sleeping in room 310. What do you want me to do?”

  “Excellent. Stay there and call me immediately if you see Ms. Archer leaving without Mr. Foster.”

  “On it.”

  Kane remembered the other task he had for his most loyal man. “While Ms. Archer is resting I need you to take care of Hank Kelsey. Burning down his bar wasn’t enough. He’s been trying to convince some of the men to rise up and take the pack. Kelsey dies. His wife and kids too.”

  “You know I don’t do kids. I don’t want to hurt the woman either.” Alden growled.

  Kane held his phone tighter as he tried to control his temper. “You’ll do what you’re told. If they come for me, they’ll come for you too. How many men in this town want revenge? Kill the whole family; that’ll send any other brave rebels a clear message.”

  There was silence on Alden’s side of the line, then a sigh. “On it.”

  Kane hung up feeling relieved Ms. Archer was getting the care she needed. If Foster would just bite her, she’d heal. Soon. She’ll be whole soon. What he’d given her lay dormant in her soul, and he’d see his daughter’s wolf freed no matter the cost. He dialed his phone.

  “Masterson.”

  “Bianca is in the hospital. I have a man watching her, and as soon as she’s released, I want you to lure her to me. Stay available.” Kane hung up.

  ****

  Joy ran toward the fray in her wolf. She gave no thought to her nudity as she returned her human form midstride. Kort stood over Nik, bleeding. He kicked the unconscious man. Seething, Joy launched herself at Kort, pushing hard against his injured arm.

  “You bitch,” Kort snarled as he stumbled. “My arm is busted.”

  “Don’t touch him!” she screamed. “What have you done?”

  Her mother rushed over. “I shot him with a tranquilizer.” Mom reached out, but Joy pulled away. “To protect him.”

  Kort growled. “The dog attacked my son and me. He. Attacked. A. Child. We need to put him down.”

  “He—he’s just pissed off at you.” Joy’s cheeks were on fire.

  Kort scowled at Joy. “Why? What’s his problem?”

  Mari Ana rushed up to her husband with a towel. She sprayed something on the bite and Kort jerked. He glared at his mate, but she ignored him as she wrapped the towel around his arm. “You need to run.” Mari Ana wiped the blood off his face.

  Joy wanted to crawl in a hole because she was embarrassed. “You never told anyone I was kidnapped. You saw them take me, and you let everyone think I went willingly.” She knelt down and ran her hand across Nik’s fur.

  Joy ignored the gasps and whispering from the onlookers. Mom came over with a blanket and wrapped it around Joy’s shoulders. “Go in the house; I’ll see Nik settled, but secured. He was feral.”

  Joy’s eyes widened. “Not Nik, he wouldn’t.”

  “He was.” Mom turned to Kort. “Listen to your woman and take a run.” She motioned for Rune and Tristian Smith. “Help me get him to the barn.”

  “Oh, not the cage, please,” Joy begged.

  Janna smiled sadly. “It has to be done. Now get in the house and find some clothes.”

  ****

  Law drove up to the common house. “What the hell?” he muttered as he got out of the truck. The Smith twins carried Nik’s wolf. They followed his mother. “This cannot be good.” He slammed the truck door and jogged up to Mom. “What’s going on?”

  His mother appeared pale. “Your sister is going to need your help. Nik went feral on Kort.”

  Law ran his hand through his hair. “Shit. Trank?”

  Mom nodded but kept up with Tristian and Rune as they carried the big wolf. “Chessa came back and brought Trax with her. How’s Bianca?”

  “She’s resting. The doc said I could bring her home tomorrow. I hate leaving her, but something told me to get back here. Damn, this is not what I expected.”

  “I’m watching out for Nik. You find Joy. His actions complicate things if we banish him, we banish her.”

  Law watched Nik hauled into the barn before he turned around and stalked toward the common house. Joy rushed out just before he went in. He put out his arm to stop her. “Ma told me about Nik. There’s something I need you to know. You’re under Nik’s protection.”

  Joy flinched. “I—I already rejected him.”

  “He gave you his protection to keep Kane from having you killed, but we’ll have to come up with something else if Nik is banished.”

  Her face fell. “He’s not leaving this pack.” Her eyes narrowed. “And I can’t believe you made him give me his protection?”

  “Sis, no. Kane wanted to lump you in with Tobias’ pack. Nik saved you, but he’s been in love with you a very long time. No one made him do anything.”

  Her eyebrow rose. “We’ll talk about this later. I need to go to him.”

  “You need to keep your distance until he’s back in human form. Ma said he’s feral.”

  “Nik’s no killer. It was—was my fault.”

  Law growled low in his throat. “This is not on you.”

  “If I hadn’t told him about Kort he wouldn’t have attacked him. I hurt him when I rejected him. Our pain connected.”

  “He loves you, but he’s an idiot. I wanted him to give you time. I know you can accept him someday. I don’t know what happened, but no matter how deep the damage is in your heart you will heal. Don’t let him rush you.”

  She tried to smile, but all she could manage was a grimace. “I love you Law, but you will never understand what they did to me. I stayed to protect our pack from them.”

  Law growled. “I want to kill Clint all over again. I wish I’d been the one to deliver the death blow.”

  Joy shivered. “I’m glad you didn’t. I hate the thought of you killing. It’s enough that he died. I’m free. No one will ever hurt me again.”

  Reaching out, Law wiped a tear from Joy’s cheek. “Nik wouldn’t hurt you.”

  I didn’t even realize I was crying. “You’re an alpha male. You’ll never understand my fear.”

  “You’re home now. Believe me, if a man hurts you, he won’t have long to live.”

  Joy huffed with irritation. “Your flippant resolve to murder anyone who harms me is hardly reassuring. I won’t put myself in that position again. Don’t you see, if I allow a man to have that much power over
me again I can’t be sure I’m safe? Even if you rip him in half after the fact, it won’t turn back time and protect me when he’s beating me senseless. I’m so sick of males thinking they can control me!”

  “Sis, that’s not what I’m trying to say. I don’t want to control you, but I do want to look out for you. If I thought Nik was the kind of guy who’d hurt you, he’d never get out of that cage.”

  Joy’s heart fluttered with the reminder of Nik’s current predicament. “I have to go to him.” She pushed passed Law.

  ****

  Reylin found the teenagers in the kitchen eating cupcakes. “Do you kids want to ride into town with me? I need to pick up a few things, and I’m going right passed the hospital. We can drop Trin back home if she would like.”

  “I don’t know; Mom is probably really mad.” Chessa didn’t make eye contact with Reylin. She played with the crumbs on the table by her cupcake wrapper.

  Reylin sighed and looked around the large common house kitchen. The antique wall clock ticked far too loud for the silence. She noticed several slow cookers were working hard, and the smell of roast beef already permeated the space. “If we get going now we’ll be back in time for supper.”

  Trax shrugged. “I’ll come. I haven’t met your mom yet.” He was looking at Chessa, but she still focused on bits of cake.

  Trin reached out and rubbed Chessa’s back lightly. “Hey, I should get home. I’m probably grounded until I’m thirty by now. Your mom is great. She’ll be happy to see you, and I’m sure she’ll love to meet Trax.” Trin giggled.

  Glancing up, Chessa rolled her eyes, but a small grin curved her lips. “Whatever. Okay, let’s go.”

  The trio of teens followed Reylin and they all climbed into her blue Honda. “Buckle up, guys.”

  Reylin put the car in drive and signaled the gate to open with a single blow from the horn. They sped down the gravel road. Trax sat next to her while Ches and Trin whispered in the backseat. Reylin grinned. She glanced over at the boy he appeared anxious. “Bianca is nice. She was sad you left before she could thank you for helping Chessa.”

  “For real?” Trax eyed her with dubious distrust.