Electric Moon

by Stacey Brutger

  The man snorted and groped for her. “You can’t bring something like her and not expect to share.”

  Raven listened to Griffin's advice, restraining herself from acting and tearing this man apart. Fetid breath wafted toward her, pudgy little fingers wiggled at her face.

  Then Griffin was there. He grabbed the man’s wrist and twisted. Bone snapped. The man screamed in agony. Griffin spun and knocked the feet out from under the brute, slamming him into the ground with a heavy thump. The scream cut off abruptly, the air knocked clear out of him.

  When Griffin straightened there was a crazy light in his eyes that worried her more than the pig rolling around on the ground.

  She scanned the crowd, prepared to defend them, but none of the rogues reacted to the violence. In the back of the group, a familiar shape of a man caught her gaze.

  The rogue from the club who’d sent her a warning.

  She remembered her offer to help him and knew of only one way.

  Not wanting anyone to grow suspicious of their connection, she turned and focused on those closest to her. “You are on my property. As long as you don’t disturb me or mine, you will be allowed to remain. No attacks. No murders. No crime. Nothing you do will lead back here. Are we understood?”

  No one said anything for a moment. A few appeared doubtful, a couple hopeful, but otherwise, they just continued to stare.

  A lean man wove his way to the front.

  “Do you believe you’re doing us a favor?” He wore glasses, standing a few inches taller than herself, the smallest of the pack, but he exuded confidence that belied his size. The others quickly scrambled out of his way, terrified to bring notice to themselves.

  One wasn’t quick enough and tripped. He turned and slammed his fists into the thigh of the man behind him to draw attention to someone else.

  The display made her regret her invitation. They weren’t like her men. They weren’t like pack. They were vicious as a group of wild dogs with no loyalty. Strength and might were the only thing that kept them in line.

  “A favor? No, Professor. But you will be removed from my land, permanently if necessary, if my rules are not followed. And I will find out.”

  The man smiled as if he liked the moniker, but there was no truce behind his expression.

  “Enough.” A large man from the back pushed himself forward.

  The very same shifter who’d warned her at the club.

  He had a mop of wildly curly hair that defied a comb. With his pale complexion, light, almost reddish hair, she half expected an Irish accent.

  He had a presence that demanded respect. If she didn’t know better, she would say an alpha pretending to be something else.

  “What’s to stop us from killing you now and taking what we want?” He asked the question, menace in his voice as he prowled toward her. He appeared to be growing larger with each step.

  He didn’t look happy to see her despite the warning he’d given. When she didn’t answer, he closed his eyes as if already regretting what he was going to do.

  That’s when she realized he was trying to give her an out.

  “Have you heard of the infamous hunter employed by the council?” She masked the wince at the thought of Randolph learning about this incident. He would demand a steep price for using his name. “It seems he’s fascinated by me. He wouldn’t be pleased to find out someone else killed me before he got bored.”

  Dominic circled around the outskirts, upwind of the pack. Raven gave a small shake of her head to warn him to wait for her signal. Though his lips pulled back in a silent snarl, he obeyed and slinked back into the shadows.

  Her vague threat proved effective. Everyone quieted, a few taking a couple of steps back. The leader gave a faint smile his pack couldn’t see and bowed his head.

  “We accept your proposal.” He turned and howled an inhuman sound.

  At the cue, the men scattered in the woods. Professor cast her a curious look, not in the least bit alarmed at her threat. He then walked into the darkness and disappeared from one step to the next.

  * * *

  Griffin stalked back toward the house, not saying a word. Raven would not be put off. She refused to allow him back into her home without knowing what the hell he was up to. She would not have her people in danger. “Would you care to explain what the hell is going on?”

  He whirled on her, not stopping until he was in her face. “What do you think would’ve happened had they caught you alone?”

  His beast rose as if the thought of her harmed disturbed him. A snarl twisted his face, and a startling revelation came to her. “This is why you came to me for help instead of running after you were freed from your prison, isn’t it? You didn’t need my help. You needed access to my property.”

  “They’re rogues. They’re banding together, which makes them even more dangerous. Alone, they are vicious. Together, they are a brutal lot, a danger for any unmated female. To a rogue, a female is precious. That doesn’t mean they would treasure her. There would be no mating. Each man would take their turn on her unless one was strong enough the keep her safe from the others.”

  Raven shook her head. “Not all rogues.”

  Griffin snorted, jerking away from her. “Yes. All rogues. A female grounds a male, keeps them from going feral, keeps their wolf and human sides sane.” He paced away from her and studied the darkness. “It’s worse for alphas. Wolves are pack creatures. If a rogue alpha had a chance to claim a female wolf, let alone a new and very vulnerable alpha female, he would leap at the chance.”

  “You included?”

  When he didn’t say anything for a long while, the hairs on the back of her neck rose. There was only one reason why a male alpha wouldn’t react to a female near the full moon, the reason he has such control over his beast.

  “Unless you’re already mated.” Something about his silence, the tense set of his shoulders, felt like mourning. “Who was she?”

  After another lengthy pause, things fell into place. “She’s the reason you went rogue.” Then she swallowed hard as bile rose in her throat. “Your brother...”

  “Sometimes, you just need to leave things alone.” Griffin turned and strode away.

  “You said he died.”

  His hands fisted, and he walked faster.

  “Oh, Griffin.”

  “Just leave it alone.”

  “He killed your mate. He deserved whatever you did to him.”

  He whirled on her, the stark angles of his face red with rage. “He killed my woman. It was my right to demand justice, and I took it. I tore him apart with my bare hands.” He lifted those hands between them as if they still carried blood. “Is that what you wanted to hear?”

  Raven’s heart ached at the pain radiating from him. “He deserved that and so much more.”

  Griffin didn’t move, just stared at her. “Promise me that you will not travel alone anymore. You placed a target on yourself tonight. You are too important to risk yourself so needlessly.”

  “Too important how?”

  He tugged a lank of her hair like a big brother. “You’re smart. You figure it out.”

  She slowly trailed behind him back toward the house, his stiff posture telling her she wouldn’t get anything more out of him tonight.

  She just hoped she figured it out in time.

  Chapter Fifteen

  THREE DAYS UNTIL THE FULL MOON: DURANT’S DAY

  Dominic loped at Raven’s side as they followed some distance behind Griffin. Though silent, she felt the sting of Dominic’s reprimand all the same.

  “I didn’t have a choice. I needed to know the danger.”

  The little yip he let out made her groan. “I know enough. I trust that Griffin wouldn’t willingly risk our lives if there were any other way.”

  Dominic’s tongue lolled out, shooting a look at her that said he didn’t believe that for a second.

  “Did you know that he had worked with Scotts? His father asked about him as well. I’m st
arting to suspect that though his rogue status is legitimate, he is using it to work undercover.”

  She didn’t know it was possible to do in animal form, but Dominic snorted. Thankfully, the house came into view, keeping her from dwelling on the new mess she’d practically landed in face first. As they reached the house, Dominic promptly sat.

  When she opened the door, he wined and glanced back toward the woods. “If you’re going to follow them, please be careful. Don’t get caught. They’re the type that will rip you apart if they get a chance.”

  With one last yip, Dominic took off like a streak.

  Raven entered her silent room, already missing Dominic despite his animal form, or maybe because of it. In a week’s time, her life had completely reversed. She wasn’t sure it was a good thing.

  How was it possible to become attached to more than one man in such a short time? Now that she ordered them out of her room, her contrary self just missed having them around.

  Missed their scents.

  Their voices.

  Their heat.

  Morning would arrive all too soon, and nervousness at going out with Durant sent her stomach fluttering.

  Her first date.

  She’d always thought it silly when girls mooned over a man like a lovesick fool, but now found herself in their very shoes. Rolling her eyes at her own folly, she quickly changed and crawled into bed.

  Raven felt like her head barely hit the pillow when a sound startled her awake.

  The construction workers.

  Night had passed all too quick. Sunlight splashed across her face, and she groaned, curling away from the beams to get a few more hours of rest.

  Until she remembered she had to go to the police station and speak with the shifter that had tried to kill her.

  Then her eyes snapped open.

  Durant.

  Their date.

  A small smile tugged at the corner of her lips, and she rolled out of the bed, unable to contain the thrill of excitement that shot through her.

  She landed on her feet just in time to miss being squashed by the man who’d launched himself at the bed. Raven stumbled backward, slammed into the wall, and tripped over Jackson’s couch as she scrambled to get out of the way.

  Only then did she notice the second man enter from the balcony, the very door she’d forgotten to lock when she’d went to bed last night.

  The noise she heard hadn’t been the construction workers.

  Wide-awake now, she recognized the man on the bed as the same rogue that Griffin had nearly killed for daring to touch her.

  “If you value your life, you’ll leave now.” The power that all but glowed last night had dissipated. Her animals were in full force, the moon’s call having lured them out while she’d slept.

  As if he hadn’t heard her, the second man strode around the bed toward her. Raven pushed away from the wall to give herself room to fight.

  Two against one.

  She might have been able to take them if she had her power available to her. Without it, she didn’t stand a chance in hand-to-hand combat.

  She widened her stance as London had taught her, kept her body loose, and managed to dodge the first punch. She weaved down and landed two light blows before dancing away.

  “Don’t mess her up too much. I want a piece of that before we kill her.” The Pig crawled off her bed, angling to come up behind her and trap her between them.

  When the Pig grabbed for her, she gave a quick jab to his weak arm, the one broken last night.

  He screamed and grabbed his wrist.

  Raven spun, kicking the other man directly between his legs.

  He immediately dropped.

  The Pig grabbed her from behind in a bear hug, his hands groping her breasts. His arousal was like a weapon pressed against her lower spine. She gritted her teeth and threw back her head, hoping to knock him out cold.

  Only she hadn’t counted on his head being harder than her own. Pain wrapped around her skull, stunning her. He laughed at her attempt, his hold tightening as she wiggled to break his grip.

  Breathing became difficult.

  The wolf at her core growled in outrage, rising toward the surface.

  The man at her feet struggled to stand, cupping his balls. “Bitch. I was going to kill you quick, but I’ve changed my mind.”

  “Raven?” Taggert stepped into the doorway, taking in the scene at a glance. Without hesitation, he threw himself at Blue Balls. She slammed her elbow back and was rewarded with a wave of bad breath. It smacked her in the face with enough potency to set her coughing.

  London’s training kicked in. She switched her footing and threw her weight forward. The move was so unexpected, his hold loosened. He tottered for balance and fought to keep his grip on her at the same time.

  She grabbed the arm still around her chest and, with some help from her wolf, heaved him over her shoulder. The man landed on his back with a solid whoosh of air. Without giving herself time to hesitate, she slammed her foot down on his throat.

  At the last second, he lifted his arm to deflect her blow. What should’ve crushed his windpipe only bruised him instead. He grabbed her foot and yanked, neatly pulling her off her feet. Her shoulders hit the carpeting, cushioning the blow.

  The commotion drew attention, and the bathroom door opened. One of the workers peered out, the younger one, and his eyes widened at the scene. He cast a look at her, but no shifter would dare interrupt an alpha fight. Raven gave a silent prayer for those asinine rules when he charged through the door and grabbed the man struggling with Taggert.

  Struggling but winning.

  Then she had no time to worry as the Pig dragged her closer. Sweaty hands tugged her wrists down to her sides, leaving her defenseless. He crawled over her prone body, and she quickly wrapped her legs around his waist.

  It immediately halted his forward motion.

  The expression on his face would’ve been comical in any other situation. He released one hand to pry away her leg.

  Raven thrust her hand forward, her palm striking his nose.

  Bones crunched.

  Blood gushed down his face.

  Then she had both arms free.

  Then she was presented with a dilemma. If she dropped her legs, he could easily overpower her. If she didn’t get her ass moving, he would beat the crap out of her, and she doubted she would be able to stop him again.

  A shadow fell over them, and they both looked up.

  “It’s about time that you arrived. I can use a little help here.” Pig’s voice came out as a nasal whine as he held his nose.

  “You.” Raven saw the rogue from the club gaze down at them. Her heart sank, and the fantastical notion she’d harbored that he was one of the good guys deflated.

  The knowledge hurt.

  Even if he were only following orders, he would die for this. Then she hardened her emotions when he reached down. She flinched, his actions more painful than the bruises the other two men had inflicted.

  Only the pain never arrived.

  The weight pinning her lifted. Her lungs greedily sucked in air, and Raven rolled to her hands and knees to keep them in view.

  “Hey, stop.” The Pig wiggled frantically, his feet clear off the ground. “What are you doing? We were ordered to kill her.”

  Raven surged to her feet. The rogue gazed at her, then with a very deliberate twist, snapped the Pig’s neck.

  He dropped the body at her feet and raised his hands, never once removing his gaze from hers. The men from the construction crew stepped next to her and reached for him.

  “Don’t.” She jumped in front of her unlikely savior. “He’s a friend.”

  Maybe she was stupid to trust him enough to give him her back, but she didn’t think he’d hurt her. The workers gave her varying looks of disbelief.

  When no one objected, she glanced at the two dead rogues sprawled across her floor. Pig lay in a heap at her feet, the other looked like he’d gotten mixed up in a b
lender. Blood saturated the floor in an ever-increasing circle. “I don’t suppose you do carpets?”

  The innocuous question caused the youngest, the one who had helped Taggert, to come forward. “We will have the mess cleaned by the end of the day.” He paused, flashing a look behind her at the remaining rogue still standing. “I would suggest that you allow us to clean up everything.”

  The meaning was clear, but she shook her head. “He’s come to my aid on two separate occasions. He didn’t have to enter the house. He came to save me. I won’t have him killed for that.”

  Then she eyed the three workers who’d come to her rescue. “What do I owe you?”

  She would not have them demand a favor from her later.

  The eldest waved away her question. “They are rogues. It’s the duty of any pack member to put down those who have grown unstable. That they’d dare enter your house, a single alpha female...that’s proof enough.”

  Their words were both comforting and disturbing. She shifted to keep them all in view. The rogue appeared impassive, not giving anything away. He might have noted the workers, but it was her that he watched.

  Like he hadn’t expected her to stand up for him.

  Besides Durant, he was the biggest shifter she’d ever seen. Maybe it was because of his size that he didn’t watch the other men for attack. He was large enough, strong enough to take them.

  Or more disturbing, maybe he just didn’t care if he survived.

  Taggert came to her side and gently tugged on her arm. She opened her mouth to argue when she looked up. Blood was smeared around his nose, his eyes had already started to blacken, and his lip was split and swollen.

  “Oh, Taggert.” He easily caught her hand when she reached for him, maneuvering her toward the door. When she would’ve protested, he spoke.

  “I came to tell you that Durant is waiting for you downstairs. Why don’t you go and let us take care of this mess?”

  “Not you, too.”

  Taggert didn’t look away, didn’t hide. “You risk yourself too recklessly. There are reasons they are rogues.”

  Last night came to mind, how the rogues turned on one another. As if might was right and brutality the only way to survive.