Moonlight's Peril (Moonlight Series Book 1)

by Ashlynn Monroe

  "No."

  "No?"

  Law shook his head. "That wasn't a loan. You don't owe me anything."

  "I owe you so much. How can I repay both you and your sister? How is Joy?"

  "Still not awake, but she’s alive and free. Let's find some coffee."

  He resisted the urge to put his arm around her. She was his, but her human culture made it impossible for her to understand how real his commitment was.

  Nik looked up when they entered, glared, and stood. He left his empty plate but took the mug of coffee as he stomped out the door.

  "Hey Law, great to see you survived," said a chubby, short man with a crew cut and thin beard. He looked out of place surrounded by super-buff tall men.

  "Terrific to see you, Ben.” Law reached out and clasped the man’s hand. “I'm happy to be alive too. How’s your father? When your mom died, I thought he'd come back and stay with us for a while."

  "You know how it is. He ignored the rules and married human.” Ben turned to Bianca and winked. “No wonder Dad likes you, Law. You’re a rebel just like he is. He’s lived in town for so long I don't think he'd be ready for country life again at his age."

  ****

  Bianca tried not to fixate on the words “he married human”.

  "Um, if you don't mind me asking how old were you when you were bitten?"

  Ben spit his coffee out, and his eyes widened as he gaped incredulously at Bianca.

  "What?" Ben asked.

  Law shifted in his chair. The rosy hue in his cheeks made Bianca regret her question. "Ben’s mom has werewolf blood in the family line, like Chessa, Ben’s dad was part of this pack when my dad was alpha, and he’s full wolf. The A baby born with more than half werewolf DNA will be a wolf, just more human, like a bitten, but they will shift." He paused, searching her expression. “Fifty percent or less and the baby is born human, like you. Anyone with any amount of wolf DNA will survive a bite and turn. Two bittens have a human child. That baby could be bitten and turn. There are exceptions, of course, nature is fickle.” Law gave Ben an apologetic glance. “She's in the learning stage of her initiation to the dark side.”

  Ben chuckled. "We do have the best cookies here on the dark side. Don’t worry, I’m not totally offended, just mostly.” He gave a loud, honest belly laugh. “I'm not a full wolf, but I was born this way. A real man doesn't force his mate to change. My mother could have turned, but choose not to. My folks were married thirty-nine years. I'm so sorry to hear about your daughter. I'll have my girlfriend, Peyton, talk to you. She's a bitten."

  "Really? How old was she?"

  "I'll let her tell you the story, but yeah she'll know what your daughter is going through a hell of a lot better than I do. Law's a good man, but do him a favor and think pack. Don't make him think human," Ben said, winking.

  Think human? Think pack? She sighed.

  Ben turned away from her and looked at Law. "How is the soil out here? I'm considering buying Jackson's lower field and building a little hobby farm. Peyton and I could use some space to run."

  Bianca stood. Ben's attention was on Law, and she could tell the man was ready to change the subject. She went over to the sink. Maggie was washing dishes.

  "Can I help?" Bianca asked.

  The other woman appeared surprised but nodded.

  "Sure. I'm glad my man made it back, and yours."

  My man. Talking about Law in that context was strange.

  "I'm glad it wasn't worse than it was. With T—Tobias gone what will happen?" Bianca had trouble saying the name. The dead man might be her father, and now she’d never know. She hated him, but knowing would be better.

  Maggie's lips pressed tight. Her brows drew together. There was a long pause.

  "Where are the dish towels?" Bianca asked.

  “Over there.” Maggie pointed a wet finger at the bottom drawer next to the double ovens. Bianca grabbed one and returned. She started wiping the plates and stacking them on the counter.

  “Law is a good man. Don’t break his heart,” Maggie said after several minutes of silent work.

  Bianca couldn’t speak until she cleared her throat. “I know he is.”

  “Seriously, don’t screw with his head. I’ve seen good shifters turned inside out by humans.”

  “Why do you thing I’ll hurt him?”

  Maggie gave a humorless snort of amusement. She rolled her eyes. “Humans.”

  Bianca fought her annoyance. “I’m going back to town soon. I’m not going to hold him to any commitments.”

  Maggie growled Bianca stepped back. “You don’t get it, do you? Our ways are deeper. He’s too good for a human.”

  Bianca gasp, her mouth fell open. She bit back the sassy reply on the tip of her tongue.

  “My son is just a male—a male who picked his mate. Just because he didn’t mate a wolf doesn’t mean he made the wrong choice,” Janna said as she came to stand behind Maggie. “I understand your loyalty to Eve, but she was never the right girl for him. We all know that.”

  Maggie growled at Bianca as she walked away.

  “Ignore her,” Janna said. “You’re the right girl for my son, and they’ll just have to get over the prejudice.”

  Bianca noticed bags under Janna’s eyes and blood caked around her fingernails. “Sit down, and let me pour you a cup of coffee.”

  “I need a shower, but caffeine sounds amazing. Thank you.”

  Bianca hurried to grab a coffee carafe and a fresh mug. As Janna sat, Bianca poured a cup. Law’s mother smiled up, but the expression lacked cheerfulness. Utter exhaustion shimmered in the woman’s eyes. Bianca glanced over and caught Law’s gaze for a moment lines of worry crinkled around his eyes. He nodded as if he appreciated her helping his mother. She grabbed another mug off the counter and came over to him. Surprise flared on his face.

  “Thanks.” Steam rose from his mug as she poured. She refreshed Ben’s cup.

  “Your woman might be human, but she’s okay since she understands the importance of coffee.” Ben grinned.

  Heat crept up Bianca’s neck to blaze in her cheeks.

  Law chuckled and stood up. “I’m bushed. You are welcome to stay here as our guest, and get some rest before heading back to town. Remember what we talked about,” Law lowered his voice and leaned forward. “Please let Kane know Nik gave Joy his protection.”

  Bianca almost spilled the coffee she poured for herself. She bit her lip to stifle her gasp.

  “I'll tell him. Thanks, for the offer, but Peyton will be ready to kill me. The others have all headed back. I’d better go before she goes shopping for a dress to wear to my funeral,” Ben said.

  “You didn’t call her?” Law asked.

  “Texted.”

  “Oh, she’ll need a funeral dress that’ll work for her trial too,” Bianca said. “Any woman would murder you.”

  Ben chuckled. “It was bound to happen sometime. Hell, you two will understand after you’ve been mated a little longer. Peyton might not be willing to call our commitment mating, but it is. She’s had my protection from almost the first moment I saw her.”

  Law’s smoldering intense gaze brought the fire back into her flush. “I know a thing or two about stubborn women,” Law replied. “Speaking of, I’m taking mine home.” He stood, taking Bianca’s hand.

  Mesmerized, Bianca allowed him to lead her out of the kitchen without a word. She was aware of everyone’s eyes on them, but she didn’t care. The cold air hit her face, and she shivered. The weather was changing fast. The smell of fall filled her senses.

  “We aren’t telling Joy Nik gave her his protection. That was to keep Kane from demanding she die.”

  “She’s going to find out eventually.”

  “But not soon.”

  “You don’t understand women very well, do you?”

  Law grinned and pulled her close before he picked her up off her feet. She cried out with surprise.

  “I understand enough to know you need me as much as I need
you right now. I won’t drop you. I take care of what’s mine.”

  ****

  Rune stood as Reylin came into the room. Tristin pushed himself up on the bed. His brutalized chest was red and puckered from claw marks under Janna’s special salve. She could see him healing, but he needed to run.

  “Janna sent me up here with some breakfast for you both. Why haven’t you gone running, Tristin?” Reylin asked.

  “Too many of Tobias’ rabid dogs have escaped. If they regroup and retaliate, I need to be here to help.”

  “You try talking some sense into him, I give up,” Rune muttered.

  “If there’s an attack you’re not at your full strength. What good would you be? Eat and go for a run.” She just wanted Tristian to heal. Seeing him like this made her ache.

  Tristin glared at his brother. Then he looked at Reylin and his eyes blazed with so much emotion she had to turn away. “I’m not turning full wolf until I know you’re safe.”

  “Me?” Reylin squeaked. “Don’t martyr yourself on my account.”

  “You know we want you. We’ve always wanted you,” Tristan replied.

  “A wolf doesn’t share his mate; a woman doesn’t have two males. It’s just not natural. Don’t. Not again,” Reylin whispered.

  “You’ve always said you wouldn’t take a mate until Tobias was stopped. I watched the bastard die. You have no more excuses,” Rune said.

  Reylin slammed the tray down on the dresser with more force than she’d intended. Juice sloshed all over the egg bake casserole and toast. “Go for a run. Heal up.”

  Her heart beat a million miles per hour. She just couldn’t pick and destroy the brother’s relationship. Wolf twins were rare and shared a mystical connection. Those two were inseparable. Growing up with them, she’d always felt safe. Reylin glanced back at their handsome faces. They weren’t identical, but they were both equally beautiful in a very masculine way. Each had dark brown hair, Rune’s short, and Tristian’s long. Both had one brown eye and one dark gray. Their bodies were incredible, nothing but strength and sinew.

  Tristan fixed his gaze on her—hard. “We claimed you in our hearts a long time ago. You’re ours.”

  Memories fluttered across her mind. Running through the hayfields and meadows during long summer days and exploring the woodland. Human or wolf, they’d been so free. Happiness surrounded them like the butterflies and sunshine. They’d been her best friends. One day everything changed. They’d told her she’d belonged to them—both of them. She’d clung to her Tobias fears as a shield, but that façade vanished.

  “I can’t do this!” Reylin fled the room, slamming the door. She pressed her back against the closed portal to the twins. She pressed her hand over her erratic heart. She’d never be happy if she broke either of their hearts.

  ****

  “I should be checking the fence or rounding up Tobias’ pack, but all I want to do is take you home and fuck you until I can’t remember how much death I saw,” Law whispered against Bianca’s ear. “I need you.”

  He pushed the door open, still holding her tight, and kicked the door shut. She didn’t say a word as he took her into the bathroom. He still hadn’t put her down as he turned on the shower. Bianca toyed with the overly long hair at the nape of his neck.

  “You need a haircut,” she whispered.

  “I need my woman,” he replied.

  When he set her on her feet, the flash of disappointment flaring up surprised her.

  He undressed, but when she started to take off her shirt, he stopped her. “Let me.”

  He pulled the t-shirt over her head. She was still in her fluffy pajama pants. Law hooked his fingers in the stretch waistband and pulled the fleece fabric slowly over her hips. She stood naked except for her white cotton panties. Law’s hungry expression only made the crotch damper. He moved quickly, ripping them off her body. His gaze lingered on her natural curls at the junction of her thighs and he made a soft noise in the back of his throat.

  “I didn’t know werewolves could purr,” she teased. “Shouldn’t you sound more like a wolf than a cat?”

  “Oh, I’m much more like a wolf, a big bad wolf. We wolves like to chase pussy too; it’s catching the right one that’s the trick. Honey, you smell amazing.”

  Bianca’s breath hitched, and she felt the quick stab of excitement fluttering in her core. Taking his hand gently in hers, she placed it between her legs, so his fingers brushed her body. “Law do you feel how hot I am for you, how wet? I want you inside me. I want to feel all of you in me.” His eyes darkened at her words. He brought her to him, kissing her with crushing force. His tongue caressed hers. She wanted him in her, everywhere. The need consumed her until her chest was heaving as she panted her lust.

  When he pulled back, she noticed his scowl. She reached up and touched his face. She didn’t want to, but she was falling in love with him. The revelation made her heart beat so fast it hurt.

  “I have blood on my hands. I’m not human, and I’m afraid of losing control with you,” Law confessed as he looked deeply into her eyes. She saw nothing but honesty.

  “I’m willing to take the chance. You’d never hurt me.”

  A sad disbelieving chuckle escaped him. “My hands have killed.”

  “I’m not afraid of you. Protecting your people from danger is not the same as being a murderer. If you hadn’t killed, you’d be dead right now. I don’t want you to die.”

  “I have so much blood on my hands after last night.”

  “Let me help you wash it off.” She took his hand and opened the shower door. He let her lead him inside. Bianca took his masculine scented shower gel and squeezed some into her palm. She lathered his body. Her fingers cupped his balls and then moved to run down the length of his shaft. Law was hard, very hard. He groaned as her fingers slid over his taunt skin.

  He just stood there looking down at her, mutely. She put more bath gel in her palm and moved her hands up and down his chest before moving behind him to wash his strong shoulders and back. Bianca stood on her tiptoes, leaning against him, to reach his hair. She scrubbed his scalp with her fingers. When the soap had all runoff, she kissed a scar on his shoulder.

  Law spun so quickly she gasped as he pinned her against the wall. “My turn,” he growled. He held her arms behind her back with one hand and with the other, he swirled the body wash over her skin. His hand slid up her inner thigh. He flicked her labia, and she felt him running his finger lightly over her intimate skin. Bianca gasped and wiggled, but he didn’t let her go.

  His finger trailed up and away from where she wanted him to touch her. She groaned. When his touch skimmed her belly, she arched her back with a gasp, and he kept working his way up her torso until he reached her breast. He held it with his free hand. She gazed down at the top of his head as he leaned in lightly biting her sensitive nipple, before swirling his tongue around the areola and flicking the nipple in a rapid succession of licks. The pain/pleasure brought a savage cry from Bianca.

  Bianca whimpered and gazed at him. “Please.”

  “What do you want sweetheart?”

  “I want it all.” She moaned and pressed against his fingers as they swirled near her clit, but not near enough. When he gave in and began stroking her clit, she cried out. He used one finger to press against the nub, rubbing, while his middle finger slipped inside of her to find her g-spot. She cried out as the combination of sensations soared through her. He held her immobile; his body blocked the spray from the shower. Steam surrounded them. His gaze never left hers. She breathed in the wet air, and when she came, it was intense. She squeezed her eyes shut as she wailed, but she knew he was watching her. When it was over, he withdrew his hand from her, but still held her pinned to the shower wall.

  “You’re beautiful when you come. I take care of what’s mine. You can feel like this every day. Don’t go back to town, Bianca.”

  She didn’t reply. The temptation to stay in Law’s world tugged at the edges of her consciousness
even as her mind was clouded in bliss.

  Law pulled open the shower door and grabbed a towel. The cold air hit her, and her teeth chattered. He dried her first and thoroughly. Law hastily ran the cloth over his skin. Standing next to him was like a furnace. His body gave off far more heat than a human would. He leaned down and kissed her, walking her backward to the bedroom.

  Bianca found herself lying back, looking up at his bedroom ceiling. The mattress dipped as he joined her in bed.

  Law moved between her legs, and her instant reaction was to squeeze her thighs together. “I’m not done with you yet, woman. I want a taste.” His words held a trace of a growl, causing her to shiver. He tenderly coaxed her legs apart. When his lips touched her pussy, she moaned. He placed a tender kiss on her curls. His tongue worked into her slit, and she shivered. The heat of his mouth and his breath on her there was enough to make her whimper, but when he found her clit, Bianca cried out. He lapped at her and her hips bucked involuntarily as pleasure coursed through her body. Amazing awareness ran through her like electricity. He kept going until she was panting, mewling. He stroked her opening with one finger and gently pressed inside. She was still sensitive from her earlier orgasm. He left her dangling on the precipice but didn’t bring her to orgasm. She opened her eyes and their gazes met.

  “Tell me you’re mine and I’ll let you come.”

  Is he teasing me?

  Law’s possessive expression didn’t seem like he was kidding. He rubbed harder. She was so close. The finger on her g-spot clit worked in unison with the finger on her clit.

  Bianca whimpered. “Please.”

  When his hot mouth found her nipple, she cried out, and her back arched up. He licked and nipped her breast in a deliciously wondrous rhythm. His fingers never stopped caressing her most pleasurable point. Her clit grew, even more, sensitive under his ministrations. Law’s touch left her so close to the edge of orgasm she couldn’t stop panting. He nibbled at her breast lightly before drawing hard on the nipple.

  “Tell me you’re mine.”

  “I’m yours!”

  He flicked his finger against the most sensitive spot on her clit and she jerked. He rubbed faster. Bianca shattered against his hand as the first wave of ecstasy washed through her. She came harder than she’d ever come in her life. She wailed her release. “Fuck me,” she begged. Her pussy, already moist from his kisses, contracted as the ache of lust burned through her. She didn’t want this to be slow and sweet.