Shadow of the Summer Moon

by Amanda LeMay

  He’s mated.

  I shoved the thought away before it hurt me more than it already did.

  I was drawn to him only because of his Alpha power, and for no other reason. Not because his interest in me was anything other than that of an Alpha protecting his pack. He allowed me to stay only because I had nowhere else to go. I hadn’t come to Comfort looking for love. I’d come seeking understanding and protection and justice.

  But why do I feel like I had just lost everything when I had nothing to begin with?

  “Hey, everything’s gonna be fine,” Gunner said as he gently squeezed my hand, causing that wonderful rush of heat to flow throughout my body. “Eat up. Living on nothing but wild game for a week isn’t the healthiest diet for your human side.”

  No matter how much my heart felt like breaking, I couldn’t help but smile at him. Now I understood what being a “good male” meant. My mistake. I’d mistaken his kindness and compassion for more than what it was.

  Everything was going to be fine.

  I stared at my plate, at the wedges of yellow cake, and sighed. Without a fork, I wasn’t certain how to eat it, until Gunner picked his up and took a bite. Though my stomach wasn’t much more than a tight knot, I broke a small piece off and popped it in my mouth. When expecting something sweet, instead, I was shocked by the savory saltiness. The essence of bacon in the crunchy crust coated my tongue, along with a sharp tang. It was dense and moist, full of delicious corn flavor, and the creamy butter made my mouth water for more.

  “Oh my, this is very good.” I picked up an entire half and took a much larger bite.

  “Would you like something to drink?” Derry offered. “I’ve got most anything—coffee, sweet tea, milk, soda, beer, bourbon?”

  I giggled. “No bourbon, but thank you. What would go best with this?” I took another big bite and let the butter melt inside my mouth.

  “A big bowl of chili,” Gunner replied as he turned to me and smiled. His gaze roamed over my face and lingered on my mouth. He reached out, his finger swiping at the corner of my lips. When he drew it away, I could see a large smudge of butter on the end of his finger. His eyes never left mine as his tongue came out and licked it away.

  Somehow, I managed to swallow what I had in my mouth in one big gulp. Then his face was only a breath away from mine, his intense green eyes asking a question and I had only one answer to give him.

  I whispered, “Yes.”

  Then the heat of his soft mouth met mine and a sudden fire flowed through me. Warm breath flowed against my cheek and fanned stray hairs that tickled my skin. The only sound I heard was his rapid heartbeat. His arms wrapped around me, and mine found their way around his broad back. I grasped his shirt in my fists. Fire raced through my veins and settled between my legs, where a quick, strong pulse caused all my feminine parts to swell and melt together. Gunner walked me a few feet across the room until my back hit something cool and firm. His arms pulled me tighter. Roaming his hands down my body, he cupped my butt and squeezed. His lips pressed deeper. That beautifully sexy goatee of his brushed softly against my cheek. He was so, so big. And hot. And hard. All over.

  I wanted this male so badly. A gasping moan escaped my lips. Gunner took the gasp as an opportunity and slid his tongue into my mouth. I came apart the instant our tongues met.

  Don’t stop.

  I tried to hide what was happening inside my body.

  I tried. I failed. I moaned. I writhed.

  Kissed him harder. Kissed him deeper.

  My body clenched and burned in a way I had never felt before. Fire moved through me in pulsing waves. I gasped again, trying to hold on to the heat that swept through my every muscle, to pool and coalesce just above the junction of my thighs before it exploded.

  Don’t stop!

  “Gun...” I whimpered into his mouth.

  His arms pulled me closer, held me tighter until I could hardly breathe. My entire body shuddered as I rode out the last of my wildly spontaneous orgasm.

  Gunner pulled his lips from mine. His shoulders expanded and contracted with each quick breath he took. The color of his eyes was nothing more than a bright corona of green light encircling his fully dilated pupils.

  Then he smiled. “Holy fuck.” The words came out low and raspy.

  I swallowed and shuddered again.

  “Yes.” I’d just had the most amazing sexual experience in my life. From a kiss. “I agree.”

  An orgasm. I’d had them before, but nothing ever as strong or intense. And never, ever from just a kiss.

  I glanced around, embarrassed by my behavior. The kitchen was empty except for the two of us.

  “Simone...” He tried to lift my chin, but I buried my face in his hard chest.

  “Please don’t apologize. Please don’t say you shouldn’t have because...” I want you to kiss me again. I want to come apart in your arms again. I want to feel somebody want me, too.

  “Shhhh...” His fingers stroked along my cheek. “There is no fuckin’ way I’m gonna apologize for that.”

  The only heat left in my body centered in my cheeks. What could he possibly think of me? I’d kissed another female’s mate. I’d practically thrown myself at him at Jessy’s house, and now I stood in his kitchen, kissing him like I’d never kissed anyone in my life.

  “I’m not easy, Gun. I’m not a...slut. I’m not in the habit of kissing someone else’s mate.” Though I wanted him enough to risk his mate’s wrath. “Rule...” My few tears spotted Gunner’s shirt. Don’t let it hurt. “He claimed to love me and then he tortured me. When he finally released me, my own mother was unsympathetic and refused to confront him. She called me weak...” Weak, and a hundred other demeaning and belittling names to drive home the point that my behavior had completely embarrassed her.

  Gunner’s arm tightened around my waist. “You are not weak. The fact that you are here is proof of how strong you are. You did nothing wrong, nothing to be ashamed of. Not then and not now.” A low, rumbling growl moved through his chest. “If Rule Arawn thought he would get away with torture and murder, he messed with the wrong female.”

  Gunner’s fingers slipped under my jaw; the palm of his hand circled my throat. Had it been anyone else, I would’ve felt threatened, but Gunner’s warm, strong hand made me feel safe, protected, sensually cradled in his Alpha power. His thumb softly stroked the length of my neck. I gave in and looked up into his face. His canines hung low, touching his full, bottom lip and I had the strangest urge to lick those two, sharp points.

  Before I had the chance to say anything else, heavy boots marched into the kitchen.

  “Dad, what the hell is going on with you?” Brenin growled out between gritted teeth. “Kinda robbing the cradle there, aren’t cha?”

  Dain, Jessy, and Derry were right behind Brenin.

  “Brenin, man, this is not something we can control,” Dain said quietly.

  “Bullshit, Dain.” Brenin stared pointedly at Gunner.

  Gunner turned slowly, putting his big body between me and his angry son.

  “You’d better think before you speak, son.”

  A dangerous quiet settled on the room.

  Brenin stared at his father, then turned and marched back out of the kitchen. Dain shook his head and followed Brenin.

  “You’re gonna have to talk to him about this, ya know,” Derry said with a smile as she moved to the counter and started peeling potatoes. “He’s just as thick-headed and stubborn as you are. Hardhearted and unbending as you used to be before you laid eyes on this pretty female.”

  Hardhearted and unbending? That wasn’t what I saw when I looked into Gunner’s eyes.

  “Listen, Gunner,” Jessy spoke up. “I was planning on taking Simone into town to pick up some things for her. Maybe now would be a good time.”

  Gunner nodded, then reached in his back pocket, pulled out a black leather wallet, and held out a stack of bills. “Buy whatever you’d like.”

  Shaking my head, I tucked my
hands behind my back. “No, Gunner, I can’t.” I wasn’t about to take his money. “I won’t. I’m fine borrowing what I need. Really. I can work. Give me a job. Let me earn—”

  “Simone.” His soft voice cut me short. “I’m not going to put you to work. You are a guest in my home, with the protection of my pack.”

  He handed the cash to Jessy, who seemed to have no problem at all taking it. Then his wallet disappeared back into his pocket. His hand wrapped gently around my neck again, fingers playing with the hair at the back of my head as he lowered his handsome face to within an inch of mine. I couldn’t breathe without his scent flooding my body. I saw nothing past his bright green eyes. Heat radiated off his skin in thick waves. The only thing that kept me upright and from melting into a puddle of emotion at his feet was his strong hand around my throat.

  His Alpha power gave him an unfair advantage.

  And I really didn’t mind.

  “Sanctuary means you are in my care and safekeeping, and if that means you need clothing and a roof over your head, then I’m giving you that. Anything you need, you say the word. Do you understand?”

  Though I had an idea what I wanted most was something he wouldn’t give me, I nodded. “Yes, and thank you.”

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  JESSY PILED THE CLOTHING on the counter as the girl behind the register scanned each piece, folded it, and placed it all in a couple oversized shopping bags. We’d already stopped at Bodolf Market, a small grocery store Gunner owned in town, right next to a large feed lot, and picked up personal essentials like shampoo, body wash, a hairbrush, and a toothbrush.

  “I’ll drive you over to San Antonio in a couple of days. We’ll hit the big mall there and you can pick out some outfits that are more your style.”

  “I think I’m set for a while. Besides, I’m happy with what we found today, Jessy.” I smiled as I traced my fingers over a pair of faded jeans that rode high on my waist, and a soft, white tee to go along with them. “Besides, I don’t have a style. My mother chose all my clothing, and very rarely did she buy something I might have bought for myself. I wore them because I had no other choice.”

  “Well, if it’s any consolation, everything you wore looked awesome on you.”

  Embarrassment heated my cheeks. “Thank you. I didn’t realize you noticed.”

  “Of course I did. I’m too short to wear some of those pencil skirts you wore. Your legs are a freaking mile long, so wearing something that falls just below your knees looks fabulous on you. Me? If I tried wearing a pencil skirt, what’s left showing, even with four-inch heels, looks like two little stubs.”

  I turned away from the salesgirl and whispered, “So long as it covers my brands, I’m okay with it.”

  “Don’t worry.” Jessy’s arms came around my shoulders in a brief, understanding hug. “You look great in everything.”

  Sexy bras made of see-through lace and satin hung on display next to a round, tiered display table covered with matching panties and thongs. I opted for simple white bras that covered my brands. The same went for the over-the-hip white cotton panties I’d picked up.

  Before the branding, and running from my pack, I had taken pride in my body. Pride wasn’t something I couldn’t afford now. At five feet seven, I wasn’t short. I’d had long, shapely legs, nice hips, and an ample bottom, with a fairly petite waistline. Now, I had no problem counting my ribs in the mirror. My breasts had been a large, full, and round—a feature my mother never failed to define as my greatest asset. Well, my breasts certainly were not anything to brag about now. With the weight I’d lost from running, there wasn’t much left to flaunt, even if I wanted to.

  When the salesgirl announced the total, I cringed. In the middle of counting out the cash Gunner had given her, Jessy froze and turned to me.

  “Oh shit,” she whispered as her amber eyes locked on mine.

  “Did I pick too much? I’ll put some of it back.” I reached toward the clothing bags and Jessy grabbed my hand.

  “No. Money is not the problem,” she whispered again as her gaze flicked toward the entrance to the shop.

  Then I smelled them. Wolves. Two distinctly different scents that smelled strangely unhealthy—and somewhat familiar.

  Jessy and I slowly turned toward the front of the shop as the girl at the counter gasped.

  “Whatever you do, don’t run. Just stand perfectly still,” Jessy ordered quietly.

  Both wolves locked their dark blue eyes on me.

  They found me. So fast.

  My heart pounded in my ears as I fought for each shallow breath.

  “Oh God. Oh God. Should I call the sheriff?” The salesgirl grabbed for the phone as Jessy nodded.

  “Yes. Do you have a gun here?”

  “No, I don’t. The owner won’t—”

  “A back door?” Jessy whispered.

  “Yes, but what about the cash drawer?” Panic raised the pitch of the girl’s voice.

  Jessy turned to face her. “I don’t think wolves care much for money. Call 911. Don’t freak out.”

  I heard three little beeps as she dialed the emergency number.

  Jessy’s hand touched my arm. “Stay here.”

  I couldn’t move if I wanted to. Jessy stepped forward. I could hear the salesgirl babbling nervously, but quietly, on the phone behind me.

  Paralyzed with fear, I forced myself to reach out and grab Jessy’s arm. “No, Jessy, don’t.”

  The entire situation was so senseless. I was as much a wolf as the two who barred the door. But...if Jessy were hurt in my place, I’d never forgive myself.

  “Jessy, don’t, please.”

  One of the wolves took a step forward, baring its fangs with a low, menacing growl. Before I knew what I had done, I was standing in front of Jessy, blocking her path. Every muscle in my body coiled and tightened. I had no fear I might shift—I hadn’t even shifted while Rule branded me. Only reliving those nightmarish days of captivity the night before had shaken that deeply seated lesson and I’d taken on my wolf form in my sleep.

  A strange, dark voice came from somewhere deep inside me. “You are trespassing here.”

  The largest wolf stepped back, confused, then shook his head and moved toward me a step. He smelled of dirt and sweat and days of running and tracking. He snorted.

  I stood tall. Stared him down. His tongue moved lazily over his muzzle as he snarled.

  I had three options. Stand here and wait for the sheriff to arrive, which I doubted the two wolves in front of me would ever have the patience for. Stand and fight, and risk Jessy jumping in to help. Or, my last option—lead these wolves away from here, then race the four or five miles to Gunner’s ranch, and pray I could outrun them.

  “Jessy, take her out the back.”

  Jessy leaned in close and whispered, “Could be a few wolves back there, too.”

  If so, then we were trapped.

  “Is there a restroom in the store?” I asked over my shoulder, not taking my eyes from the wolves in front of me.

  “Yep,” Jessy whispered from next to me.

  I flashed my eyes at Jessy and nodded my chin toward the salesgirl. “She should be safe in there.” If I was going to shift and attempt to lure these wolves out of the store, I couldn’t do it in front of a human.

  The wolves seemed to smile as their lips stretched back to show their teeth. Yes, we were trapped, and if I didn’t go peacefully, there would be blood and it wouldn’t be only my blood, either.

  Knowing I had no other choice but to give in, I felt angry tears burn my eyes as my lower lip began to tremble. I wouldn’t stand by and let someone get hurt because of me.

  The last twenty-four hours had been the happiest of my entire life. I’d made friends, found other wolves who cared about me. I’d made my own choices. I’d experienced the greatest, most erotic and sensual kiss I’d ever had in my short life, from the most beautiful male I’d ever met.

  I closed my eyes for a second as I gave in to my only option.


  “Go, Jessy. Take her to the restroom and make sure she locks herself in.”

  “Right.” Jessy laughed quietly. “I’m not leaving you.”

  “Please, Jessy.” For the first time since the wolves stalked into the little store, I broke eye contact with them. “Dain will—”

  “Understand.” Jessy glared back at me, determination set in her pretty face. “We know what we signed up for here. I’m the one who’s supposed to be protecting you, not the other way around.”

  The two wolves at the door snarled as if they were laughing at our senseless arguing. I took another step toward them, silently baring my own fangs.

  The warm breeze from outside cooled the hot tears that, up until that second, I didn’t realize had trailed down my cheeks. I didn’t want to leave. I didn’t want to give up what I’d found here. I didn’t want to die.

  That one kiss was not goodbye.

  The scent of a clean, pine forest just after the rain floated in off the street, and with it came a tall, dark-haired male dressed in jeans, a dark T-shirt, boots, and a wide-brimmed black cowboy hat.

  Without hesitation, his big boot kicked out at the closest wolf and caught him in the side, lifting him up off the carpet and with a yelp, he flew out the door behind him. The wolf closest to me turned and growled.

  “Get the fuck outta here, you mangy mutt!” The male swung a fist and connected with the wolf’s jaw, slamming him into the carpet. He grabbed two handfuls of fur on the wolf’s back and flung him out the door and into the street. “Get! You stupid sons-a-bitches!”

  The salesgirl at the counter babbled into the phone, rushing to tell the 911 operator the wolves attempting to enter the little store had been scared off.

  The tall, dark-haired male turned to me, leaned in close, and whispered, “Hey, you must be the one those SOBs are looking for.” The big grin on his face caused his eyes to form happy crescent moons.

  “Yes.” I wiped away the few tears still left on my cheeks. “I’m sure I am.”

  “What the hell are you doing here, Seff?” Jessy hissed.

  His wide grin faded a bit. “You could say ‘thanks’, Jessy.”