The Coldest Moon (Moonlight Book 2)

by Chanel Hardy

  “I would sacrifice anything for her.”

  Martina stood in admiration of his bravery, as she held out the knife. Jax grabbed it from her hands, holding up his left forearm, and slicing through the middle of his palm. “I love you.” He whispered as the blood seeped through his skin. Hank grabbed Jax’s arm before a drop of his blood could reach River’s lips. Jax turned to him, startled by his sudden objection. Hank grabbed the knife from Jax, turning it on himself and making a vertical cut down his forearm. He raised his arm over River’s face, allowing his blood to trickle into her mouth. Heaves of shock swept the room as everyone stood, jarred by Hank’s decision to sacrifice himself. Jax was speechless.

  “Everyone I love is gone. I have no need for this body any longer.” Hank placed his hand on Jax’s face. “Live well, my son.” His skin began to retract, as his human form began to dissipate for the last time. Within seconds, Hank’s human body was gone, and the beast emerged in its place. River’s eyes opened slowly, as she inhaled sharply with her chest extended. She coughed and gagged, sprinkling specs of blood onto Jax’s shirt as he sat her up. Trying to catch her breath, she gazed around at everyone watching. Faces full of shock and reverence from what they had just witnessed. River turned her eyes to Jax. He used his fingers to wipe the blood from her mouth. Their brown eyes, fixed on one another.

  Epilogue

  Four years later…

  The sun began to set over the horizon as River watched from her bedroom window, rubbing her second trimester belly. Her door creaked open, and her three-year-old daughter Hope ran inside, jumping up and down excitedly.

  “Is it almost time mama? Is it?”

  River leaned over to pick her up, holding little Hope on her hip. “Almost sweetie.” River placed a gentle kiss on her daughters cheek. Brushing her soft curls with her hand.

  “But I wanna do it now! Can I? Please mommy?” Hope begged with pouted lips.

  “Did you ask your father?”

  Hope dropped her head. “No.” River giggled, placing another kiss on Hope’s cheek. Jax stood at the door, watching them with a smile on his face. Hope jumped down from her mother’s arms and ran to her father. “Daddy! Can I turn now? I don’t wanna wait! Please?” She yanked at his pants leg.

  “Be patient baby girl. No early shifting, you know that. Why don’t you go out to the yard and get ready? Mommy and I will be out in a minute.”

  “M’kay!” Hope ran downstairs and out to the yard, kicking off her sandals as she twirled around in the grass, waiting for the full moon to rise.

  A few days after the trial, River discovered that she was pregnant with baby Hope. After suffering through so much, and getting yet another chance at life, River and Jax were overjoyed at the news of becoming parents. After months of negotiating with the council members from the other regions, they temporarily allowed Jax to work away from Illinois. He took River back to Iowa where they moved into Will’s house, fixing it up and turning it into a real home as the two prepared for the birth of their daughter.

  After their trials, Kareem was sentenced to death, while Jon, Lester, and Edward all served out life sentences at headquarters in Region Three. Jon’s oldest daughter, Lisa was next of age to serve on the council, turning twenty not too long after Jax. She agreed to his request to permanently reside in Iowa, where he would still serve on the council but only visit headquarters when his attendance was needed. River wasn’t too keen on the idea of Jax holding leadership, but was willing to deal with it as long as she could raise their family in peace. She never returned to Chicago, as there was nothing left for her there. Her new life in Bertram with Jax and their children was the epitome of everything River had always wanted. True love and peace of mind. Life was perfect.

  Things in the shifter community had finally begun to change for the better. Feys in every region were now assigned a guide, who would assist them during the full moon. Jax honored the memory of his parents, Will, and his other friends by using his role to enforce change, safety, and equality within his community. His policies were reshaping an entire generation of shifters, bridging the gap between the pure and the cursed. There was still plenty of work to do, but a step forward in the right direction was always better than no progress at all.

  Jax walked over to the window where River was standing, positioning his palm on her belly. She placed her hand on top of his as they felt their unborn child shuffle around inside. “I hope it’s a boy this time.” Said Jax.

  “Me too.” River leaned her head against his chest, as they both gazed out of the window, and into the moonlight.

  I hope you enjoyed reading this series

  as much as I enjoyed writing it!

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