Wolf Moon (Moon series)

by Lisa Kessler

  “Thanks.” Luke got up from the table. “I need a way to get closer to Caldwell. If he’s planning to take the Pack to Reno after the full moon, I don’t have much time to plan my shot.”

  My gut twisted at the thought of Luke anywhere near Caldwell, but he was our best hope of getting out of this alive. I had to trust he could do this. There was that word again.

  I swallowed the anxiety and looked over at him. “We need to show Caldwell you’re good with guns and rifles. Then, when Bo or Blake is incapacitated, he’ll choose you to protect him.”

  I regretted the words the second they left my lips.

  Isabelle glanced at Luke. “It could work.”

  Luke’s hand rested heavy on my shoulder. “The problem will be taking out Bo or Blake. If I do it, Caldwell will know he’s being set up.”

  Isabelle raised her hands in mock surrender. “I would love to put a bat to their kneecaps, but Caldwell’s got me on a short leash digging up dirt for him.”

  “Asher.” I tipped my head back to look up at Luke. “You said he’d help us, right?”

  “Good idea. I’ll talk to him.”

  Isabelle’s phone buzzed; she checked the screen and sighed. “His ears must be burning. Caldwell wants an update. I better go.”

  I embraced my sister. “Be careful.”

  “Always.” Isabelle stepped back and looked at Luke. “Keep her safe.”

  He nodded. “I will.”

  After Isabelle drove away, Luke and I sat on the couch in silence. It should’ve been awkward, but it wasn’t. Something about being with him calmed me. For once there wasn’t an expectation. Only acceptance.

  He glanced my way, a smile toying at the corners of his mouth. “So.”

  I laughed, rolling my eyes. “How do you do that?”

  He grinned. “Happy is a good look for you.”

  “It’s all new for me.” I reached over to cup his cheek. “All of this is.”

  “I know.” He caught my hand and brought it to his lips. “Sorry we were interrupted.”

  And here it was. Luke bared his soul. He shared how he felt. I opened my mouth, but words didn’t come. I cleared my throat and managed a whisper. “Other than my sister, you might be the only person who ever loved me.”

  His smile faded as he lowered my hand. “That’s about to change.”

  “How so?”

  “My parents are going to love you, and my Pack…” His expression warmed. “They’re going to be crazy about you.”

  I chuckled. “How can you possibly know that?”

  “Because I don’t need to be psychic to know they’re all worried about me. No one wanted me to leave Reno.” He shook his head, his blue eyes searching mine. “I wasn’t whole. Everyone in my Pack had found their mate, the other half of their soul…and me?” He glanced at the window. “Seeing them just amplified the fact that I might never find mine. I might never be able to fill the emptiness in my heart.”

  Instinctively, I squeezed his hand until he looked at me. “What happens to wolves who don’t meet their mate?”

  He clenched his jaw and broke eye contact. He leaned forward, elbows on his knees as he clasped his hands together. “I told you about my dad’s twin brother, my uncle Niko. He was so angry that he never found her. The night before the full moon, he got into a bar brawl. We couldn’t get him out of jail in time.”

  He faced forward again. “So being the last lone wolf in my Pack was a constant reminder of Uncle Niko. I couldn’t stand seeing the concern in their eyes.” He shook his head and rested his hand over mine on his shoulder. “They could have a parade in your honor when we get home.”

  Somehow, he had me smiling again. “I can’t wait to meet them.”

  I expected him to press me for my feelings, but it didn’t come. He loved me, and there didn’t seem to be a string attached. Maybe he trusted the wolf bond would bring me around. Or maybe, just maybe he loved me enough to give me space. I wanted to pinch myself to be sure this was real.

  Luke sucked in a breath and got up. “First we need to get out of here. Alive.” He looked my way. “Do you have Asher’s number? Can he meet us here?”

  “I’ll text him right now.”

  “Good.” He headed for the bedroom. “I’ll call Adam and bring him up to speed back home.”

  I admired his backside as he moved across the room. When he glanced back and winked, my cheeks flushed with heat. He chuckled and closed the door.

  And for the first time in years, a warm feeling crept through my heart. I wasn’t ready to say the words out loud yet, maybe I never would be, but either way, I was falling hard for Luke Reynolds.

  …

  Asher came through the door as the sun was sinking behind the red mountains. There was no mistaking his Native American heritage. Not only did he walk tall and proud, but there was a spark in his dark eyes, a connection with everything around him, a peace. Being near Asher grounded you. He was proud without being burdened with the vanity of pride.

  Luke got up and clasped Asher’s forearms. A true Pack greeting, according to Luke. Caldwell wasn’t big on traditions. Our Pack didn’t have any except fear.

  Asher nodded in my direction. “Raven. You’re not at the bar.”

  I shook my head. “If Caldwell asks, I have a terrible head cold.”

  He chuckled, more like a deep rumble. “All right.” His attention shifted to Luke. “We have to act fast. Blake told us to be ready to move on your Pack after the full moon Sunday night.”

  “Isabelle told us. I already warned my Alpha, but we need to keep him from leaving Sedona.” Luke rubbed his hands on his pants. “So I need a favor, but it’s a big one, and I won’t blame you if the answer is no.”

  Asher raised a brow. “If it will help get rid of Caldwell, I’m in.”

  Luke met my eyes and then back to Asher. “I’ve got to be closer to Caldwell…”

  He hesitated, and I stepped in. “We need Blake or Bo incapacitated so Luke can take his place at Caldwell’s side.”

  The corner of Asher’s mouth pulled up into a crooked smile. “I would be happy to help, but why do you think he’ll pick Luke? He’d probably choose Dex or Deacon, even me, before he’d trust a new wolf from Reno.”

  Luke picked up his holster from the table. “Leave that to me.”

  “Pointing a gun at him isn’t going to work.”

  Luke chuckled. “That comes later.” His free hand slid around my waist. “I’m a sharpshooter. Raven’s going to plant the seed with Caldwell, and then when he needs backup, I’ll be there.”

  Asher crossed his arms over his broad chest. “What’s your fallback plan if it doesn’t work?”

  We didn’t have one.

  “Then I’ll come up with a plan B, but it’ll work.” Luke shrugged. “With one of the King brothers out of the way, he’ll need me. It’ll work.”

  Asher dropped his hands to his sides. “If it doesn’t, things are going to get messy. There won’t be time to regroup. I’ll have to finish the other King brother, too, while you make your move on Caldwell.”

  Doubt swelled in my stomach until my pulse pounded in my ears. The male wolves turned in my direction.

  I put my hands up. “I know, I know. I’ll keep my cool with Caldwell, but for now, let me freak out a little. Forgive me for hating both of your plans.”

  Luke tightened his hold on me. “We’re going to make it through this.” He glanced over at Asher. “All of us. Can you get rid of one of his bodyguards before the full moon?”

  Asher nodded. “Bo likes to think he’s an expert climber. I’ll take him out tomorrow. He can break his own leg. This time I won’t be fast enough to save him.”

  “Good.” Luke’s arm left my back. “As long as he doesn’t suspect foul play, Caldwell won’t, either.”

  “I have a request, too.”

  We both looked at Asher. He lifted his chin. “Caldwell is a sadistic prick, but he’s still the Alpha of this Pack, and once he’s gone, there are i
nnocents who need to be protected, women and children. We’ve got to be sure we can gain control of his assets.”

  I nodded slowly. “Isabelle is working for him right now. I’ll see if she can dig into his records and find a money trail we could use.” I met Asher’s eyes. “You’re a good man.”

  He rolled his shoulders, shrugging off the praise. “Most of us have sins because of this Pack. I just want to end the suffering.” He glanced at Luke. “I’ll text Raven when it’s done.”

  “And I’ll delete the text once it comes in.”

  He nodded. “Deal.”

  Luke approached, and they clasped forearms. “Thanks, Asher.”

  As Asher’s Jeep fired up outside, Luke turned to face me. “I’m going to need Caldwell’s number.”

  “Why?” Tension bunched in my shoulders, and I deleted my earlier text to Asher, covering our tracks. There would be no going back now.

  “I’m going to see if I can get him to meet me at the shooting range tomorrow.”

  I glanced up from my phone. “I thought I was going to mention you were good with a gun.”

  “I’m rethinking it.” He came over and sat beside me. “Adding me to his bodyguard detail needs to be his idea. If he senses you’re pushing him…” He shook his head. “I can’t let any of this touch you. Sorry.”

  I stopped scrolling on Caldwell’s number. “I don’t want you getting hurt, either.”

  “I won’t.”

  I sent up a silent prayer that his confidence wouldn’t get him killed. God, I ached at the thought. He was the only bright spot in my life, and I wasn’t about to give him up. Not if I could help it.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Luke

  Caldwell didn’t answer. He probably didn’t recognize my number. I left a voicemail and waited. Raven kept busy in the tiny kitchen area. I couldn’t see what she was up to, but my gut said she was just distracting herself.

  I didn’t have enough food in there to make a whole meal, so…

  My phone buzzed, and I answered. “Luke here.”

  “Luke. Did Raven give you this number?”

  I hated hearing Caldwell say my mate’s name. “Yeah. Is that a problem?”

  “Not at all. Did you have something to report?”

  “No.” I pulled my gaze from Raven’s back to the window. “I’m headed to the shooting range in the morning. Wondered if you’d meet me there.”

  He paused. “What for, exactly?”

  My pulse quickened slightly, making me grateful I’d called him. He wouldn’t be able to hear it over the phone. “I thought I passed your test, right? I’m in your Pack now.”

  He chuckled, a slow, calculated laugh. “True, but I didn’t expect you to want my company.”

  I ground my teeth, yearning to punch the shit out of something. “You’re the Alpha. I’m good with a gun. Just figured it’d be safer to be an asset than a liability.”

  Another pause. “Little Nicky raised a smart boy. All right.”

  When I ended the call, I turned around to find Raven watching me. She crossed her arms. “I don’t like this.”

  “I don’t, either, but it’s going to work. I can feel it.”

  “What if he shoots you? An ‘accident.’” She made quotes in the air.

  “He can’t shoot me in public, especially not this close to the full moon. If they arrested him…”

  “…he’d never take that risk.” She exhaled, shaking her head. “So what’s my part in this?”

  “Did you text Isabelle about checking out Caldwell’s holdings?”

  She nodded. “Done.”

  “Then all you have to do is open that bar tomorrow like nothing’s changed.”

  She put her hand on her hip. “So you’ll be with Caldwell shooting guns, Asher will be with Bo in the mountains, and I’m just supposed to bartend?”

  “Caldwell has been an Alpha for a long time. His senses about his Pack are heightened. We need to stay under the radar, and we do that by keeping up appearances. If he starts to suspect anything, this won’t work.”

  She sighed and came over to me. “Swear to me you’ll be all right.”

  I tugged her into my arms and kissed the top of her head. “You have my word.”

  But adrenaline was already pumping through my veins. If anything went wrong, I wouldn’t have my Pack to back me up this time.

  And it wasn’t just my life on the line anymore.

  …

  I woke up early and showered while Raven dozed. We shared the bed last night. Nothing intimate, but watching her sleep in my arms…damn. She hadn’t said she loved me in words yet, but seeing her resting peacefully against my chest told me all I needed to know. She trusted me.

  Now I had to be sure we stayed alive long enough for me to earn her love.

  When I got out of the shower, the scent of chocolate and bacon mingled until my stomach was grumbling like a grizzly bear. I pulled on some jeans and wandered out of the bedroom.

  Raven smiled at me as she turned off the burner. “You have eggs, bacon, and hot chocolate.”

  I pressed my lips to her temple. “Thanks, beautiful.”

  She chuckled and grinned up at me. “Anytime, handsome.”

  I snatched her up and spun her around the room, enjoying her laughter. Yeah. This was what I was fighting for. I set her back on the ground and kissed her forehead.

  “What was that for?” Raven asked.

  “Just glad you think I’m okay to look at.”

  A playful glint sparked in her eyes. “You’re much better than okay.”

  “Good to know…” I bent to claim her lips.

  Her hands slid up my chest as we deepened the kiss. I boosted her up on the counter and settled my hips between her thighs. Why the hell did I put jeans on?

  She pulled back, running her finger along my jaw. “You should eat before you have to go.”

  “You taste better than bacon.”

  She tipped her head back laughing. “You’re laying the flattery on pretty thick.”

  I nuzzled her neck. “Is it working?”

  Her fingers slid through my wet hair, but her laughter was gone. “Be careful today, okay?”

  I straightened up, my gaze locked on hers. “I will.” I tucked her hair behind her ear, memorizing every curve of her face. “This is going to work.”

  It had to.

  Caldwell parked as I was walking into the range. I waited, grateful for the gun in my shoulder holster and the other at the small of my back. I’d feel even better if Sasha was nearby, Glock at the ready, but the Pack needed her more. I could handle this. Caldwell wouldn’t risk an altercation in public, but ever since the beating, he made me wary. I’d never be in his presence unarmed again.

  Blake trailed a step or two behind him. I glanced from the bodyguard to Caldwell. “No Bo today?”

  He shook his head. “He’s rock climbing with Asher. Sebastian said the Pack in Reno runs up in Lake Tahoe, too. Can’t hurt to be ready to climb if we need it, right?”

  Hearing him talk about hunting my Pack turned my stomach. I swallowed the bile building in my throat. “Yeah.”

  We rented lanes and went inside. I jammed in the earplugs and checked my bag for the extra clips of ammo. Shooting at an indoor range was tough on a werewolf’s heightened sense of hearing and smell, but I resisted the urge to invite Caldwell to an outdoor range. It might open us up to rifle shooting, and while I wanted him to see me as an asset, I didn’t want him to realize I was even deadlier with a rifle and scope.

  I sent the target out to twenty feet, grounded my stance, and fired off my entire clip in rapid succession. After the first few empty shells flew out of my Glock, Caldwell’s scent grew in intensity. He was watching. Good.

  The gun clicked. Out of ammo. I pressed the button to bring the target in. Not bad. Every shot hit the heart. Only a small hole remained. Caldwell raised a brow. “Impressive. How are you at thirty feet?”

  I hung a new target and sent the carrier
out to thirty feet. I stared at the target as I slammed the clip into the Glock. Taking my stance, I pulled in a slow breath, slowing my pulse, slowing time, getting focused.

  I emptied the magazine, one shot after the next again. Gunpowder stung my nostrils, but my work was done.

  “Holy shit, boy.” Caldwell clapped my shoulder. “Bring that target back in.”

  I fought the urge to brush his hand away. The target rolled back in, and his eyes widened. My shots were right on point. One in each eye and the rest right between them.

  Caldwell lifted his gaze from the target to my face. “I’m glad I didn’t let them kill you. You could be valuable here.” He turned to show the target to Blake. “You and your brother should get some pointers from Luke.”

  With any luck, Bo was getting pointers of his own from Asher right now.

  I cleaned my gun and swept up the casings in my area. Caldwell slapped my back. “Come grab some food with us. My treat.”

  “Nah, I’ve got horses to train. Thanks for the offer, though.” Truth was, I didn’t know how much longer I could suck up to the asshole without tipping my hand.

  “I appreciate your work ethic, but you’ll be on the road to Reno soon. Who will exercise those animals then?”

  I focused on my task, putting my gear away, anything to keep my heart rate steady. Lying wasn’t something I had much experience with. “I’ve got a groom who’ll exercise them for a few days while we’re gone.”

  When I straightened up, Caldwell’s eyes gleamed. “I’m looking forward to seeing your papa’s face when you’re fighting at my side.”

  I snatched my bag up and headed for the door. “I’ll be at the bar tonight.”

  “Still watching over your mate. Keep in mind she’s only yours because I allow it to be so. She can be back with Blake and Bo with a wave of my hand.”

  I couldn’t fucking take it. I dropped the bag and rushed the bastard, pinning him to the wall. Before I could throw a well-deserved punch, a cold gun barrel pressed to my temple.