A DANGEROUS MOON
TALES OF THE WEREWOLF CLAN
SABRINA LUNA
ISBN 9781615085170
All rights reserved
Copyright 2013 Sabrina Luna
This book may not be reproduced in whole or in part without written permission.
For information:
http://SizzlerEditions.com/Encounter
Sizzler/Encounter [follow with either Science Fiction, Fantasy or Horror depending on which it is]
A Renaissance E Books publication
CONTENTS
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter One
Late August in the South is a real bitch. Richard McShaw knew this for a fact. The earlier part of the day had been so thick with humidity it clung to him like a second skin. And, with no air conditioner in his truck, there was little relief except for making more pit stops than he'd planned. Roadside diners and gas stations provided cool air and bottled water which managed to keep him refreshed until the sun dipped below the western horizon.
Now, with both windows rolled down, the late evening breeze was a blessing. His destination was closer and his senses tingled when he got to the outskirts of town.
Heather Grove. Home.
The moon was not quite full, but gave off a ghostly glow in the late summer sky. Something about it felt unpredictable, even dangerous. Rick felt its primal pull deep inside him. It was that way for his family and for his pack too. They were what their Scottish ancestors called sithech. Potent shapeshifting wolf-blood flowed in their veins, generation after generation.
Being a sithech was inherited at birth, but feeling the full effects of the moon didn't develop until puberty. However, in the McShaw family, being sithech was something more than mere shapeshifting.
Aside from his family's shapeshifting abilities, Rick's younger sister Megan had inherited the gift of intuition. She often spooked him with her uncanny psychic ability. And Ray, his twin brother, could sense auras – the colorful energy fields which surrounded living things.
But what Rick had been stuck with was empathy – detecting moods. It often made life difficult. Rick dealt with it the only way he knew how. Every few months, he'd leave Heather Grove and find work out of town. Being around strangers lessened the chances of picking up on any unwanted feelings or sensations from others.
Growing up empathic, his family understood his sensitive nature, but, unfortunately, his love life had suffered. In the past few years, Ray and Megan had found their mates, but not him. The closest he'd been to finding his mate was Allison Browne, a lovely doctor and healer of their wolf clan. Since their break-up, he hadn't allowed himself to get emotionally close to another female, either human or sithech, again.
Deep down, however, Rick was genuinely happy that Megan and Ray had found their mates. They deserved it, considering that both of their parents had passed on.
Now, the local McShaw clan just consisted of him and his siblings, and their mates – plus Megan's unborn baby. He smiled and shook his head. It was hard to believe that he was going to be an uncle in the very near future.
As he barreled down the road, a sharp wolf whistle drew his attention to the cell phone on the truck's dashboard. He reached over, flipped it open and brought it to his ear. "Yo!"
"Is that any way to greet your sister?" Megan chuckled into his ear.
"I knew it was you."
"You did? How?"
"Well, I'm almost to the exit and I can see the town water tower in the distance. Sort of knew you'd have your psychic feelers out for me." Rick grinned into the receiver.
"Very funny, bro," she replied sarcastically, but the sound of her voice was like music to his ears. "I wanted to check in to see what time we can expect you to pull in."
"I might swing by the Starlight Hotel and get a room for tonight. I've been in this truck all day and I'm not very presentable tonight. Besides, I could use a good night's sleep too."
"Oh, all right."
Rick's nerves tightened when he sensed her disappointment. "I promise, sis, I'll come over first thing in the morning. Maybe even for breakfast."
"Well, I can't wait. You know, you hardly even know Derek. Do you realize you were out of town when we got married? And, now, with a baby on the way—"
"I know, sis. It's something I can't help." He sighed into the receiver. "You, of all people, should understand that."
"I do…really, I do. It's just…well, we're family."
"And it's the reason I coming back to town between jobs," Rick gently assured her, "Look, I'll drop by in the morning, bright and early. Okay?"
"Oh, all right." Megan sighed again. "We'll see you tomorrow. Oh, and Ritchie…be careful."
A feeling of uneasiness slid down his spine. "Be careful? What do you mean?"
"Um, I'm not sure why I said that. Sorry." But he sensed she was a bit wigged out too.
"Well, you don't have to worry about me. I'll be careful. See you-all tomorrow."
Rick flipped his cell phone shut and placed it back onto the truck's dash, then switched on the radio. The thundering drums and jolting power cords of Metallica filled the small truck cab. He exhaled a sigh of relief as the heavy metal music made him feel better. He depressed the accelerator and the truck picked up speed, heading toward the Heather Grove exit.
The road into town was even more familiar. He'd already passed the 'welcome' sign a few miles back. Then, just up ahead, over the truck's dash, he saw another kind of 'welcome' sign.
The Red Lion – Open 6 days a week
Rick slowed the truck. The Red Lion offered pool, fried finger-foods and cold beer. He turned into the graveled lot of the family-owned pub and found a parking space near the back of the building.
After a long, hot, road trip, a stop at The Red Lion was just what he needed.
Rick stepped out of the truck and stretched out the kinks in his muscles. The long drive had really taken a toll on his body. Running a hand down his black tank top, he managed to smooth out any wrinkles. A tank, jeans and cowboy boots were probably too casual for The Red Lion's dress code, but he figured they'd have to do since he'd just pulled off the road.
After safely locking his bag in the cab of his truck, Rick was ready to head indoors. The muffled sound of music vibrated from within the pub as he strolled past several parked cars toward the entrance door. His boots crunched over the gravel parking lot. Then, he stopped, his sithech senses sharpening, on-alert.
He was being watched.
"Who's there?" He pivoted on his heel to face a dark corner of the parking lot where he sensed something. Or was it someone?
Before he could hone-in, whatever it was had gone, like it had vanished into the shadows. Rick shook his head, and then quickened his pace to the back door of the pub. As he pulled the door open, he was overwhelmed by the buzz of emotional energy radiating from the pub, and he heard the familiar opening riff of George Thorogood's Bad to the Bone.
Rick drew a deep, calming breath and stepped through the door.
Yeah, it was good to be back.
* * *
Doctor Allison Browne stepped into the staff break room and pulled the door closed behind her. Although she could still hear the noise from the urgent care center just beyond the door, she drew a deep breath, welcoming a peaceful reprieve from the oftentimes hectic unit.
"Busy night, huh?" Jeni Kwan looked up from her take-out carton of fried noodles. Her fellow co-worker smiled from h
er seat at the small dinette table.
"Yeah, I've been hopping around like a rabbit since my shift started. First, it was that kid with a fractured wrist, then the young woman whose baby had a high fever."
"I know. The poor little one was just miserable and was wailing up a storm until you came in the room. I swear you have a magic touch with kids, Allie."
Allison smiled, feeling her face warm with color, then she shrugged. "That's my job. Besides, being busy is just normal around here. A small town with big emergencies, and next week is going to get busier."
"Oh?" Jeni raised an eyebrow. "How come?"
"Remember, the moon is waxing toward full again." Allison crossed over to the staff room's compact refrigerator and pulled out a plastic food container. "And that means we're going to be even busier – more accidents, more fights and other things like that."
"I used to think all those stories about the moon were nothing but superstition. I even thought my family was overly superstitious, but there's definitely something to this whole full moon stuff around this town," Jeni replied with a thoughtful nod.
"Well, we might as well enjoy what little peace and quiet we can until the moon is ripe. Speaking of ripe, I brought some strawberries from my little garden." Allison winked, peeling back the plastic lid for her container.
The scent of the fresh fruit filled the room. She took a seat across from Jeni, then picked up a ripe, red strawberry between her thumb and forefinger and smiled. She bit into the juicy morsel and savored its naturally sweet flavor on her tongue. "Mmm! Good! Want one?"
"No thanks," her co-worker laughed, and then plunged her chopsticks back into the container of fried noodles.
Allison spied a discarded copy of the Gazette, Heather Grove's local newspaper, lying on the table. She pulled it closer and flipped it open. She scanned the headlines, and then thumbed to the classifieds in the back of the newspaper.
"Hey, I hear you're single again."
Allison glanced up. "Say what?"
"I mean, I heard Leslie moved out. So, you have no roommate, right?"
"Yeah, that's right." Allison shrugged. "I placed an ad for a roommate, but, now, I'm not sure. Leslie spoiled me. She was both courteous and tidy. Perhaps I should live by myself for a while. I mean, I really don't need help with household bills or anything."
"Allison, being independent is cool, but wouldn't you like to go out and have a little fun? The Red Lion has a Ladies Night every other Saturday. Maybe we can go together. I mean, it sure beats sitting at home alone."
"Yeah, right." Allison rolled her eyes. "Thanks, but that's not my scene."
Jeni shook her head. "Your loss, then. There's some fine looking, single men around town. I'm just saying," she laughed.
Allison simply smiled. Little did her co-worker know she was referring to the males with wolf-blood, the sithech. It was one of Heather Grove's most carefully guarded secrets. Like most of the town's ancestors, Allison's family had come to the Americas in the 1700s to escape the slaughtering of their kind. However, unlike the rest of their town pack, not only was Allie a sithech but, also, a healer too.
Finishing off the last of her strawberries, Allison cast a glance to the clock on the wall. "Oh, I almost forgot, the new schedule should be posted. I was going to check it while on my break."
"Our new schedule's up, huh?" Jeni smirked. "Do you think you're working double shifts again?"
"I'm not sure. I hope not. My mind gets fuzzy pulling those double shifts," Allison sighed, crossing to the break room door.
"Hey! Don't forget. If you want to go with me to The Red Lion, let me know. Okay?" Jeni called after her.
"Sure…if I change my mind." Allison flashed a smile, then pulled the door open and stepped out into the hall.
To her relief, the usual commotion in the urgent care unit had settled down. She rounded the corner to the unit care's main office and stopped to read over the schedule posted on the bulletin board.
No doubles! She breathed a sigh of relief. Sure, she loved her work, but was glad she'd have a regular schedule. Like her wolf-blood kin, she was affected by the moon's cycles too. The full moon phase could be extremely potent. She either wanted to have sex or to shift and run in a secluded, wooded area outside of town.
But sex was out of the question. She'd broken up with her boyfriend, Rick McShaw, a while back. And, even though Jeni meant well by asking her to join her at The Red Lion, she had no desire to find someone new. It's not worth the trouble.
Through a hallway window, the moon shone high in the sky. Almost full. Allison paused a moment, stopping to admire its serene beauty. But, she recalled what her clan often said about the moon:
'It's pretty to look at, but it can also stir up trouble too.'
Still she was entranced by its silvery glow against the dark sky. A smile tugged at the corners of her lips. Maybe this full moon would be different.
She sure hoped so.
* * *
"Hey, can I get you another beer?"
Rick was sipping on his second cold one and had already inhaled a large plate of cheesy-fries. He smiled over the bar at Slim, the bartender, and shook his head. "No, thanks. I got to keep a clear head. But, geez, I'm tired."
"Long drive, huh? Man, I wish I could come and go as I pleased. I think Sally's got me by my hairy balls. I can't go anywhere without her knowing," Slim chuckled.
"At least you have a gal at home waiting for you. I'm glad to hear you two finally hooked up." Rick grinned over at Slim, who was anything but. Slim MacDonald was as solid as a brick wall. They'd been friends ever since high school. The burly bartender was nothing like the others of his family clan. In Heather Grove, the MacDonald's had a nasty reputation for stirring up trouble in the sithech community – everyone but Slim.
"Yeah, but Sally got pretty wigged out this week when I got a post card from Mac. Of course she wants me to have nothing to do with him since he caused all that trouble a while back."
Rick gave an empathic nod. His brother, Ray, had called him about Jerry MacDonald (aka Mac) and his Halloween attack on their sister and Derek Lee. Rick was so angry, he was ready to head home to kick the rogue wolf's ass, but his brother had talked him out of it. Instead the wolf council had sent Mac away to a secure facility known for its medical and mental help too.
"So, how's your cousin doing?" Rick asked, raising the beer bottle to his lips.
"Pretty fair, I guess." Slim shrugged his broad shoulders. "Ma told me last week he may be out soon. Not sure, though. I sure hope they wait 'til the moon wanes."
"Yeah, I saw it on the way in. Looks like another intense one, for sure."
A bottle shattered somewhere in the bar, accenting his point.
"Alright, you clowns!" Slim bellowed and headed around the bar to check it out.
Rick sighed. Someone was already getting rowdy. Yep, time to go. He chuckled to himself, tossing a couple of crinkled bills onto the bar for Slim when a cold shiver shot down his spine.
He honed-in on the sensation. Trouble. Someone was behind him. Rick drew in a deep breath. Slowly, he stood up and turned around.
"Hello, Richard." The petite blonde's acidy voice didn't match her delicate features.
"Hi, Teresa." Rick managed a weak smile. "Long time, no—
Before he could finish, she'd balled up her fist and reared back. There was a blur of movement, and then red-hot pain shot through his jaw.
That's when the room tilted sideways and the floor came up to meet him.
Chapter Two
Allison was tense throughout her body. It had been a long one, but her work shift was finally over. She was ready to head home. Shrugging off her white jacket, she hung it on a hook inside her locker and reached for her bag.
"Let me guess. You're thinking about a long hot shower and a pint of Haagen-Dazs ice cream," Jeni said, poking her head around the corner of the employee locker room door.
"You know it!" Allison returned her smile, slamming the locker shut
and reaching into her bag, looking for her keys. "I'll see you tomorrow."
A familiar ding pulled their attention to the unit intercom on the far wall. "Doctor Browne, report to ER-one STAT. Dr. Browne, ER-one STAT."
"Damn!" Allie muttered under her breath, quickly opening her locker and shoving her bag back inside. She grabbed her white jacket and shoved it on while heading through the door with Jeni at her heels.
Her heart sank as made her way into the emergency area of the unit. It was already noisy with commotion. She found Doctor Cary waiting by the doors.
"What's going on?"
"Bar fight. One semi-conscious and one injured." Doctor Cary frowned and shook his head. "I can handle the injury if you'll take care of the semi-conscious one, okay?"
Allison drew a deep breath and nodded. "I'm on it as soon as they get here."
She turned to a unit assistant. "Prep room one while I scrub up. Check vitals for me and I'll be right in." Then she headed to the sink to get prepared.
"Well, so much for my date with Haagen-Dazs," she sighed, overhearing the commotion of the new patients' arrivals. After she was scrubbed and ready, she stepped into the room. Her assistant was busy preparing the patient. And, in a near-by corner stood Bruce Taylor, a fellow sithech and Heather Grove police officer, with a grim expression on his face.
Allie stepped close to the table and leaned over the injured patient. She blinked, stunned as it dawned on her who her emergency patient was. Richard Shaw. Her ex-boyfriend. Drawing another deep breath, she attempted to push aside the feelings swirling in her belly. She had to stay cool and professional.
"What do we have?" Her assistant proceed to fill her in on the patient's stats. "So, he's a bit out of it, huh?" She asked while examining his jaw and the side of his face. "There may be swelling, possible bruising too, but, thank goodness, his jaw isn't broken. What did this?"
"A woman." Bruce spoke up from the corner of the room.
Allison looked over at the cop, meeting his gaze. "What did she hit him with?"
"Her fist."
Allison raised an eyebrow, but didn't say a word and proceeded to tend his injuries. When she was finished, she stepped back from the table and carefully studied his face.
A Dangerous Moon [Tales of the Werewolf Clan] Page 1
