Hunter Moon (Lupine Moon Series)

by Lavender, Cait

  “Yeah, I see the prints you were talking about, Shells. But I can tell they’re several days old. It doesn’t look like he’s been back here since you were.”

  Coincidence? I think not. I felt Cash’s muscles tighten underneath my hands. His right arm reached across his chest, and even though I couldn’t see it, I knew his hand gripped his pistol. The knuckles on his left hand were white, his fist squeezing the leather reins so hard they were squeaking. Even Tahoe noted Cash’s unease and started to jig a little to one side.

  I tightened my arms around him and leaned into his back, laying my head in between his shoulder blades. I reached my hand up from his stomach and gently circled my fingers around his wrist while I pulled his hand away from the Glock. He resisted for a moment but allowed me to peel his hand away and place it in my own. I laced my fingers in his and gave them a squeeze while I watched Jack hoist himself back into the saddle.

  “I can’t stand the thought of some douchebag watching you.” Cash muttered.

  He had angled his face at me far enough to see a muscle in his jaw spasm. He does that when he’s angry, I thought absently. I reached up, smiling slightly and tucked a stray lock of his dark hair behind his ear. It was silky soft, contrasting with his scratchy five o’clock shadow I felt as I ran my hand down his cheek. His eyes were the color of a stormy ocean, darkened by his fury.

  “You two ready?” Jack’s voice cut through the moment like a hot knife and I felt Cash’s body flinch along with mine. Both of us turned and shot Jack a glare. Eyes wide with affected innocence, he raised his hands in a sign of surrender. “Sorry, geez—”

  We continued on toward the other three water troughs, but the story was the same at every one. No sign of any intruder. The sun had set behind the coastal mountain range and it was starting to get dark. My heart sank at the thought that I’d have to spend another night with a strange man somewhere on my land. Lurking.

  Jack glanced at Cash and must have seen something in his face because he nodded and they both turned the horses home. Before I could let out a squawk of disapproval, Cash preempted me.

  “We’re not going to keep looking in the dark, Shells. It’s way too dangerous, and you’re practically begging for the guy to get the drop on us. I’ll call a few other wardens in and we’ll give it a try another day.”

  I saw the sense in his words, but it didn’t mean I had to be happy about it. I grumbled under my breath and beat my forehead against his back a few times. He squeezed my hand, our fingers still entwined together. Roanie and Tahoe seemed to know we were going home and sped up their pace. Barn sour beasts.

  Chapter Fifteen

  With the sun down, the temperature had really dropped. I could feel the first frost coming on and I huddled closer to Cash. He always seemed to be warm. I rubbed my numb ears and nose against his back. I could hear the rumble of his sexy chuckle through his jacket and it did more to warm me up than his radiating body heat. We rode that way until we could see the lights of my trailer.

  “Are you sure you don’t want me to stay with you?” His voice was husky with promise and my resolve almost cracked.

  I wished I could let myself go long enough to enjoy a night of his company. The fact of the matter was he had weaseled his way into my heart and broken it within a few weeks. I couldn’t let him get anywhere near that close to me again. You’re frightened by the power he has over you, said a nasty little voice inside my head. An absolutely spot on nasty little voice too.

  “No, I think Jack is going to stay another night, and I’m sure Fang will be around too. Plus, I always put my trust in Misters Glock, Sig and Benelli.” The last I said with more bravado than I felt. We followed Jack as we rode into the barn. “Besides, all I want is something to eat, a hot bath, and my bed. In that order.”

  My legs screamed at me as I slid off of Tahoe’s rump. I was used to riding for hours in the saddle without getting the ‘Yosemite Sam’ effect, AKA walking like there was still a saddle in between your legs. But since Tahoe’s butt was considerably wider than behind his shoulders where I usually rode, my groin and thighs felt like spaghetti noodles. It’s probably a good thing Cash isn’t staying the night…I gave my libido a mental smack and started to help Cash unsaddle the mule. He took one glance at me before pushing me gently out of the barn.

  “Go get your food, bath, and bed. We’ll finish up here.” I took in his compassionate, if a bit amused expression and nodded. No wonder you’re in love with him. I spun and hobbled over to my trailer.

  “Okay, this ‘love’ stuff has got to stop.” I muttered under my breath.

  After I unlocked and opened the door, I walked straight to my bathroom and found my bottle of ibuprofen. I emptied three tablets into my palm and popped them in my mouth. I stuck my head in the sink and washed down the pills with a couple gulps of water hoping the magic that is Advil would kick in soon.

  I shuffled back into the kitchen and popped a lean cuisine into the microwave. I watched numbly as the plastic tray spun around on the glass plate, unheeding of the two men who walked in behind me. When Cash placed his hands on my hips I jumped and squeaked simultaneously. He sighed and put his chin on my head. I wasn’t a small woman, but in that moment he made me feel like a little girl.

  “You’re sure you’ll be okay?”

  I let out a big breath, willing my heart to start beating again. “Yeah. I’ll be alright. Tomorrow?”

  His hands tightened on my hips and little flurries of desire ran across my skin. I can barely move and he still gets me hot…that’s talent. I felt him nod his head once, his chin still resting on the top of mine. The microwave beeped. Cash spun me around and held my face in his hands. His gaze were so intent I thought he was going to lay another soul-searing kiss on me. Instead, he feathered his lips lightly over mine.

  “Dream of me.”

  Those words coming out of any other man’s lips would have been so uber-cheeseball I’d have felt nauseous. Coming from him, with his voice rougher than a back-woods road, I thought I was going to pass out from the onslaught of desire that marched unforgiving through my body. He gave me another light kiss and stalked out the door. I heard his truck start up and drive down the driveway.

  I slowly lowered myself into a chair, wheezing a little. Jack stood in the corner, arms crossed over his chest. The sardonic look pasted on his face was not welcome as I sat sorting through the myriad of emotions assaulting me.

  “I never thought I’d see the day.” His cynical voice was even less appreciated. I shot him a glare that I hoped was dully menacing as well as silencing.

  “If you’d like to continue seeing I suggest you shut up.” He barked a laugh and strolled over to the beeping microwave. He took the frozen dinner out, peeled off the cellophane cover and proceeded to eat it thoughtfully.

  “How did you let this happen? I’ve never seen you so over the moon for a guy before. Especially his type of guy.” He watched me, eyebrow raised, and forked another bite of pasta primavera into his maw. I sighed, watching my dinner disappear before my eyes, and suddenly felt very, very tired. I plunked my head on the table covering it with my arms.

  “ Mm Mmmmph MMmmmmmmph Mmmphhhh.”

  “Excuse me? I didn’t quite catch that, Shells.” I could hear the laughter in his voice, but I was too drained to care. I lifted my head.

  “I don’t know how.” I pushed up from the table, looking wistfully at the disappearing pasta before shuffling to my bathroom. “He’s gorgeous and infuriating and I think I’m in love with him,” I said over my shoulder. I ignored the choking sound coming from the kitchen and closed the bathroom door, turning the shower on.

  Branches lashed at my face and arms. I looked back but didn’t see what was chasing me, stalking me. I leaned down, pressing my whole body tight against Roanie’s back as he loped through the night. I clutched his mane hard, I tried to impede his movement as little as I could while willing him to go faster.

  My legs shook with the effort of clinging on his
back without the aid of a saddle. It got harder to stay on because Roanie was sweating with exertion and fear, making his back hot and slick. His nostrils were wide, and I could see his warm breath coming out in clouds as he ran.

  I looked over my shoulder again. Something flitted through the shadows but it was too dark to discern what it was. The movement spurred Roanie on faster, almost like he could tell how close we were to danger. All I could hear was the muted thudding of hooves, Roanie’s heavy breaths and the pounding of my heart in my ears.

  The horse leapt over a small stream, but before I could readjust my seat, he turned ninety degrees and I slid of his back. Years of training had taught me how to tuck and roll when falling off a horse, and that’s what I did. It still hurt. After rolling on the cold ground I ended up on hands and knees, breathing hard and trying to clear my head. Something still lurked in the dark. I could feel whatever it was watching me.

  I stood and scanned the trees around me. Two glowing green lights were in the bushes. As they got bigger I saw that they were the eyes of my wolf. Relief flooded through me and I dropped to my knees in front of him, reaching for his warm furry embrace. I felt the tears leaking from my eyes before I realized I had started crying. Strong arms enveloped me.

  “It’s okay Shells. You’re safe.”

  I shook—the green glow wasn’t coming from my wolf anymore, but from Cash’s eyes. His warm hands ran up my arms and settled on top of my shoulders. His thumbs ran up and down the sides of my neck. His gaze was centered on my throat. Though I was in his arms, something in my gut was told me my life was in danger.

  I struggled to get to my feet, but my muscles screamed in protest. I knew I would be useless come daybreak but I had to keep moving away from whatever threatened me. Cash’s hands were immovable on my shoulders and I was forced to stay sitting. Panic made my blood race and all I could think about was fleeing into the woods. I put my hands on his chest and tried to push myself up.

  “Relax, Shelby. I’ve got you. You’re mine.”

  Cash’s voice was soothing, like he was speaking to a spooked animal. His mouth came down on my throat and he kissed my pulse point. Unable to stop myself, I leaned my head back, exposing more of my neck and shivering in fear and lusty anticipation. A deep growl emanated from Cash’s chest. It grew louder until I could feel the vibration against my palms.

  Before I could react, his hands tightened on my shoulders. Like steel vices, they held me in place while he brought down his sharp teeth and buried them in my neck. I felt a fiery lance of pain shoot through me but I was unable to fight him off. A scream bubbled up in my throat.

  “Shelby! Dammit, Shelby stop screaming!”

  I felt strong hands on my shoulders, shaking me. It was Cash and he was still biting me, hurting me, killing me. I kicked out as hard as I could and hit something. I heard a soft “oof” but I kept thrashing. A hand grabbed my ankle and I struggled to get free.

  “Shelby Rae Flint!” A sharp pain blossomed on my cheek. Shocked, I opened my eyes and saw Jack standing over my bed in his boxers. Fear and concern were painted on his face. I heard an ear piercing sound and it eventually it dawned on me that I was shrieking. I snapped my mouth shut.

  “Good Lord, woman. What’s wrong with you?” His voice was angry, but I knew he must have been genuinely scared if he felt it was necessary to slap me. Jack would never lay a hand against a woman. I couldn’t quite shake the vivid nightmare I’d woken from, even though the details were already starting to fade. I pulled the blankets up to my chin. My body shook with terror.

  If I was another woman, I might have been able to appreciate the situation better. Jack was quite the specimen of male physique. While he wasn’t as tall as Cash, he was wider, and his body seemed to be made of muscle. He looked like he could be a NFL linebacker or maybe bench press a car. I always knew he was good looking, but in that distant kind of way. You love him like a brother.

  “I’m sorry. I had a bad dream.” Fang was in the room standing by the door with his hackles up. I flinched at the sight of him and had to remind myself that it’d just been a dream. Funny, I don’t remember going to sleep with him. I patted the bed and he walked over hesitantly before climbing up next to me.

  “That dog of yours woke me up before you really got going. You were thrashing around, and when you started to scream, I figured I ought to intervene.” Jack ran his hand over his short buzz cut and let out a long breath. “Were you dreaming about the guy who’s been bothering you?”

  I nodded. It was an easy explanation. I didn’t want Jack to know all my convoluted feelings about Cash. I reached over to the wolf and tangled my fingers in his fur, hoping to take some comfort from his warmth.

  “Well, I’m sorry you had a nightmare. Do you want me to sleep in here with you? I will if it’d make you feel better.”

  I felt the wolf’s warm tongue tickling my fingers. It was a pleasant feeling in an odd sort of way and I breathed a little easier for it. Jack snapped his fingers in front of my eyes making me jump. I’d ignored his question.

  “No, that’s alright. I’ll be okay. It was just a bad dream.” He didn’t seem to be buying it, but I gave him a sheepish smile. “Sorry I woke you up.” He sighed and stood, tugging on my braid.

  “See that you don’t do it again.”

  He winked before padding bare foot out of my bedroom and down the hall. I waited to hear the guest bedroom door click shut before getting out of bed. I ran to the mirror and pulled down my shirt. I examined my neck but there was no sign that anything had happened even though it was tender to the touch.

  I walked back to bed. My head was still spinning. What could it mean? I’d never really remembered any of my dreams before. If I did, they usually faded a few minutes after I’d woken up. This was different. This dream felt like it was a glimpse into my future and that thought made me shiver.

  Every time I had been around Cash I always felt safe and protected so I don’t know where the irrational fear could have stemmed from. I was sure Jesse would have an opinion. She always did. She’d probably chalk it up to a fear of commitment or something along those lines. I clicked of the lamp on my nightstand and wiggled down in my blankets.

  I reached down and pulled the wolf closer against me. I needed the feeling of warmth to remind me I wasn’t alone. He licked my fingers again and whined a little.

  “I’m so glad you’re here.”

  Chapter Sixteen

  I glared at Jack and shuffled into the kitchen like the walking dead. He had been up since six banging around with pots and pans which, of course, was impossible to ignore. My whole witching-hour escapade had made it difficult to go back to sleep, so needless to say I was not a happy camper. Heaping a cheery, humming morning person on top of all that made a recipe for disaster.

  “There’d better be a mug of piping hot Joe sitting in front of me or someone’s liable to get shot.” I muttered sullenly.

  I thumped down in one of the kitchen chairs. Jack plunked a cup of coffee in front of me before returning to his skillet of eggs. I snatched it up and took a sip, ignoring the hot ceramic. My eyes closed in rapture and Jack chuckled, continuing making breakfast for himself.

  “I’m making eggs if you want some. Speak now or forever hold your peace.”

  He stood in front of my stove, spatula in hand. He looked over his shoulder, gaze expectant, but I shook my head. I winced and felt gingerly at my neck. It was still sore, even though it was supposed to just have been a dream. The wolf was gone when I woke, but I figured Jack must have let him out to pee.

  “Uh…no, thanks.” I took another gulp of coffee. “I’m feeling kind of nauseous anyway.” There was a knock at the door and I looked hopefully over at Jack. “If you care for me at all you’ll answer the door.” He motioned to the eggs with the spatula and shrugged. He didn’t look very contrite to me. I grumbled and opened the door.

  “Good morning, beautiful!” Cash sang as he shouldered past me and walked into the kitchen. I shut
the door and followed after him. He poured himself a cup of coffee out of my dwindling supply.

  “Don’t you ever have to work?” I mumbled into my mug. He just grinned.

  “You have been my work lately. Besides, why wouldn’t I want to see that face first thing in the morning?” He gestured at me and I stuck my tongue out at him. I was aware of the train wreck that was my appearance. He pulled a chair over next to mine and sat down, putting a large palm on my thigh. I ignored both my body’s reaction to his touch and the pointed look he gave me.

  “Shells had a bad dweam wast night,” Jack said in a mocking, childish voice. I glared three kinds of murder at him but he didn’t get the hint. “She woke me up at midnight screaming at the top of her lungs.” He sat down across the table from us and stuffed his mouth with eggs. I was glad something could make him shut up.

  “Oh really,” Cash said, his tone neutral. Jack opened his mouth, currently full, to elaborate, but I preempted him. I held up a finger in front of his face.

  “No. No no no. I can’t take two men meddling in my life this early in the morning. It’ll give me indigestion.” I stood and walked to my room, coffee in hand. My door was almost shut before fingers curled around it stopping me.

  “Can I talk to you?”

  I leaned my forehead against the wood of the door. “What about?”

  “Will you let me in? I really don’t want to talk in the hallway.”

  I opened the door. Cash gave me a grateful smile as he walked past me and sat on my bed. I closed the door, settled my back against the wall, and motioned for him to continue.

  “So, were you ever going to tell me about the lawsuit?”

  I blinked. I hadn’t seen that coming. Boy, was Jesse ever going to get a smack-down when I was through with her.

  “Frankly, it’s not any of your business. Besides, it’s not like you could do anything to help unless you’ve got a law degree I don’t know about.”