Blood Moon (New Moon Series Book 2)

by Belle Harper

  “He knows how to push your buttons, you know that,” Maverick added, resting his hand on Ranger’s shoulder. Ranger flinched away from him, but then settled down a little. Raff didn’t say anything, he just smiled warily and took a bite of his burger.

  “Okay, I’m off for a bath and reading. I need some space tonight. If that’s okay?” I looked to Raff. I knew this would affect him the most, as he was getting so used to sleeping with me. He was always there chasing away my bad dreams. He smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes and he nodded.

  “That’s fine.” Was all he said, but you could see he wasn’t fine. It hurt me to do this, but I needed some alone time. Everyone needed space once in a while. I just need to recover and recoup after everything. I was also not used to being around people all the time. It was exhausting. And yeah…I was bound to do something naughty with one of them, and I wasn’t ready to jump into that tonight. I might just have to take care of myself and think of them, think of Galen. Oh yes. I wondered how talented he was with his hands…

  “Are you sure you want to be alone? The scent you’re giving off says otherwise.” Ranger wiggled his eyebrows, and I gave a nervous laugh. Yeah, I better walk away from them before I do something that we haven’t talked about yet. Because that was going to be a huge step and after the pool… Oh god, that was so hot. Maybe we could go swimming tomorrow—

  “Lexi…” Raff moved slightly, and I watched as his hand went to his crotch. Oh fuck, did my scent make them worked up and horny?

  I looked at them all, even Galen moved behind the countertop to conceal his lower half. Holy shit, this was some interesting power I had over them. It felt good.

  “Oh…sorry?” I smirked before turning and putting a little extra swing into my step. I heard Ranger groan out that I was killing him.

  “Not sorry,” I yelled out as I started up the stairs with a huge grin on my face.

  Chapter Eleven

  Rafferty

  I couldn’t sleep. There was a big secret I had been keeping all day. One I was going to tell Lexi in private when we were in bed together. But now, her wanting this space, I had too many thoughts going through in my mind—all my fears, the ones I’d avoided my whole life. I almost lost her. I never thought that would happen here, where she was safe as part of Pack Kiba. Alaric said she would be safe and protected here by the pack, but I never knew it was the pack she needed protection from.

  I never wanted her to become a shifter. I loved her just the way she was. To see her dying in my arms… That image would never leave my mind, and one I would think about every year. It kept rolling over and over in my thoughts. Even though she was safe now, I had this tension within me. I wanted to go find Callum and kill him. I wanted to rip his throat out for what he’d done, but that wouldn’t solve anything. The pack wouldn’t stand for that, and I didn’t want to do anything to jeopardize my position and all that I’d gained from just being in Kiba—freedom from my uncles and for Lexi to be safe.

  Now, without her beside me, I felt alone and lost. I could hear her breathing from here, but it wasn’t the same as when I was with her, holding her, feeling her safe in my arms. And of all the nights she needed space, it was tonight. A day I never celebrated but I wanted to privately with her.

  Jett had told us that he was going to make sure none of us broke the rules tonight. He promised Lexi that we wouldn’t come to her, even if she was having a bad dream. Ranger didn’t take that well. Galen had tried to speak to him, calm him down, but he wouldn’t listen. He really had it out for his older brother, and when he saw Jett casually sitting against Lexi’s door frame, wearing a tank top and boxers, his bare legs stretched out, ankles crossed, and playing on his phone. Ranger saw red and stormed into his room. Maverick followed him in and closed the door behind them. That was when I really felt it… alone.

  They had a lifelong bond of brothers, I didn’t have that with them. I knew Ranger said he would always have my back, So did Maverick. But they would always have each other’s too. If it was down to me and one of them, they would choose each other. I wouldn’t hold that against them, they were bonded through blood, but all my doubts and worries were building. I was starting to really see what an outsider, a rogue wolf I really was.

  My old pack, they’d treated me like an outcast for my whole life. I hadn’t really thought of them at all since I moved in here to the Lovell house. Lexi, she was everything I had dreamed for. Alaric was to be my alpha, and he’d already accepted me as part of his pack. He didn’t have to, but he said he wanted me. On my eighteenth birthday, he said there would be a ceremony and I would become a full member of Pack Kiba that night.

  There wasn’t a huge celebration, there wasn’t even a happy birthday. It was the same as every year. And once again I was alone. I knew it wasn’t anyone’s fault, so much had happened and it just got pushed to the bottom of the pile. But it didn’t mean it didn’t hurt any less. If anything it hurt more knowing I had these people around me and I was still alone. I should have told them earlier. Told Lexi, she didn’t know it was my birthday. How could she? I never told her the date. I let out a shaky breath, trying to hold my tears back. I closed my eyes and lay down on the bed.

  Happy birthday Rafferty.

  I still had these feelings, that I would do something wrong, or say something to offend Alaric or anyone in the pack. That all of this, it might not last. He would get tired of me and make me go back to Pack Russet, and I can’t go back… They would kill me.

  My chest felt tight as I paced my room again. I felt like I was walking on eggshells in this house, always trying my best to please everyone, but I felt like I was failing at every step. I didn’t even know how to be a boyfriend. I could lose the pack and be fine, but I knew I couldn’t survive if Lexi broke up with me. She was the one thing that was holding me together in this fucked up world.

  What if Lexi got tired of me? I was the one who slept with her at night and chased away her bad dreams. I’d never slept as good as when I was with her, and now…now she didn’t want me there. Did she still need me? Want me? My chest was tight, and my heart was racing. I was working this up to be bigger than it was, I knew that but I couldn’t stop the rollercoaster.

  Was she upset that I didn’t say anything to Alaric when he ordered to have Ada compelled? I couldn’t say anything, he was alpha and I had the least power in that room. Even Galen, a vampire living with a wolf shifter pack, held more power than I did.

  I looked out my window. Galen still had his lights on, and I wondered if he was felt like me. He was also an outsider here in Pack Kiba. We hadn’t spoken much, even though he had been driving me to school and back, but those rides were more a one-sided conversation. I listened to him, but I wouldn’t call us friends, exactly.

  He was a teacher and a vampire, but he was more than that to Lexi, and I was still unsure what Lexi wanted. Did she want him as a friend? A mate? She hadn’t spoken about it or shown that he was a mate at all today, but she told him that she loved him last night. And I knew he didn’t miss those words. No one did.

  A knock on my door startled me. “Yeah?” I called out. The door cracked open, and I saw the twins—my packmates.

  “Hey, you up? I was hoping we could talk,” Maverick asked.

  I took a deep breath and returned to the bed, settling myself down as I watched them both do the same. Ranger didn’t look at me. He worried his hands in his lap before stopping and looking to Maverick.

  I was worried, angry, and afraid. I was sure I was scenting that too, and my wolf started to stir again. I was out of my element here. I didn’t know what they wanted to talk about, and it was messing more with my head than I thought it would.

  “It’s okay, Raff. Ranger here is having some time adjusting to everything that has been going on lately, and I think it’s good for us to all sit down and talk. Get on the same page. For us and for Lexi. If we’re all doing this, we’re in it for life, and now more than ever, we have to be united front. I don’t know what
will happen tomorrow or the next year, but we all know we feel the pull to Lexi. Even now, I can feel her here.” Maverick tapped his chest, and subconsciously, I raised my hand to mine. I nodded.

  I knew now was the time to open up, really open up to these guys, but I still didn’t know exactly how. Trust was the only way forward. I was nervous to lay myself out to them, but I need to do this. We needed this. I took a deep breath, my stomach in knots.

  “I want Lexi to be safe. I never thought I’d have a mate. It was a dream I never saw happening for me, until I came here.”

  They both nodded, and I felt a weight had been lifted from my shoulders. “Galen is good for her too. I…I wasn’t sure at first, but honestly, it makes me feel better knowing she has him.”

  Ranger nodded and took a deep breath. He must have felt the same nerves I did.

  “You’re my packmates, and I’m sorry if I’ve been acting like an asshole around Jett. I don’t know why, but my wolf just gets stirred by him, and he is doing it to test me. Today has been long, and all I wanted to do was to cuddle Lex as she fell asleep, but I didn’t get that. I’ve never had that.” He sighed, and I felt that too. I knew I was the one who got to do that, but that was before she chose them both. I guessed it was something I’d have to share with them.

  “I know she just wanted a night to herself, but tomorrow night, what if her nightmares come? Would I be allowed to go to her? I want to help her. Spend more time with her.”

  We all sat on my bed talking, laughing, and bonding over everything. It felt good. No, it felt amazing. But I didn’t tell them what this day was, no. I kept it to myself. I didn’t want to make it about me. This was about Lexi, us and Galen.

  All the fears I had about the guys settled. I finally felt comfortable enough to sleep, and with Ranger and Maverick here with me, I could relax. Nothing would happen if I was to fall asleep. I felt their protection. They would have my back.

  Chapter Twelve

  Lexi

  Sleep wasn’t so bad, but I missed waking up to Raff and having my morning kisses. Though it was also nice to have time alone, time to think without being worried what scents you were giving off all the time. Ranger mentioned them all the time. I smiled to myself. He was such a pain in the ass, but dang, I really liked him. I rolled over and looked at my phone.

  I got a tiny sleep in… It was only seven am. Shower time, or another bath…? Oh, the bath last night was so good. I hadn’t been able to take advantage of the bath as much I wanted. I needed one at least once a day. That would be my new rule, so I could relax and read, have some alone time to myself.

  I opted for a shower so I could wash my hair again and shave. I just needed to feel clean all over, wash away all the crap and start a whole new day. The only memory I would have of that night was in my mind and on my thigh. But I was good, this was my spring break, so I was taking charge and everyone was going to have a good day.

  I dried my hair and wrapped a towel around my body, I opened the door to my bedroom and noticed instantly that my bed was made and now had a very sexy, half naked guy in there.

  “Ranger! What the hell are you doing?” I cocked a brow at him at him, and he wiggled his brows at me. I shook my head and rolled my eyes.

  “Oh, you know. I came to see you. I made your bed for you… You are so beautiful and looking sexy as hell in that towel, Lex. Come here.” He patted the spot beside him. I shook my head, ignoring that last part, and laughed. Oh, he was incorrigible. When he wasn’t being a jealous asshole, he was cocky and very good at sweet talk. And dirty talk.

  “I can make my own bed. You’re not supposed to just come in here…” He laid back against the pillows and put his hands behind his head, making himself at home. His eyes slid down my body, which was still wrapped in the towel, then moved back up to my face. A sexy grin formed on his lips as he nodded his head to the space beside him. Oh boy, he was good. He had that ‘come here’ sexy thing down.

  “You want me to join you?” I asked in a sultry voice. I could see the wheels turning over in his head. He wasn’t too sure if I was fucking with him or serious. But when he gave me that cocky smile…I could tell he didn’t care. He was game either way.

  “Oh…well, hello there, big boy…” I started to crawl up the mattress towards him, running my fingers up the inside of his calf to his knee. I bit my lower lip and looked up at him through my lashes. His eyes followed the path of my fingers. He made a sound in his throat, almost animal like, and my mouth twitched into a small smile. I liked this power I had over him.

  “You like that?” I asked. He swallowed hard and nodded. I didn’t need to ask him, I could see how much he liked it, his boxers struggling to contain him. And after yesterday’s naked show, I knew exactly how much work that material was doing holding him in there.

  “You want me to touch you?” He groaned and nodded again, I slipped my fingers gently over his hard cock and placed my palm on his stomach. He started to bend towards me, so I pressed him down with my hand and he flopped back again, his abs tensing under my fingers. Fuck, he was hard…everywhere.

  “Oh…naughty girl wants her wicked way with me? I want to touch you too. I can make you feel good, Lex. Let me touch you…lick you. God, I want to taste you so bad.” Shit, he was making me wet. And I came just to tease.

  “Ah…no, I’m good. Thanks for the offer though.” I jumped off the bed as I held onto my towel and dashed into my closet, laughing. It took a good three seconds for Ranger to understand what had just happened, and he chuckled.

  “Hey, tease.” He was at my closet door now. He leaned on the door frame, his hands crossed against his chest, and grinned at me.

  I had my bra and underwear on, and was just picking out some blue jean shorts and a black tank.

  “I’m gonna have some breakfast. You coming?” I asked as I slipped the shorts on and buttoned them up as I walked past him, bushing my body up against his, my tank hanging over my shoulder.

  “I was hoping someone would be coming this morning…” I chuckled at his response, opened the bedroom door, and started strutting down the hall, putting my tank on as I went.

  “Good, come on. I’m hungry.” He growled lowly, and I squeaked. I started to run, but Ranger was too fast. His arms wrapped around me as he swung me in a big circle. I laughed and squealed as he started to tickle me.

  “I’m hungry…but there is nothing I want to eat more than—” I elbowed him, and he let out a grunt. “I was going to say pancakes, but now I won’t make you any.”

  “Good morning,” I said as Saint walked through the door and into the kitchen after me. He had a cheerful smile and winked at me. He was wearing long shorts and a dark tee.

  “So, did you have a good morning, Ranger?” Saint propped himself on the end of the countertop and looked over at us, Ranger laughing, shaking his head. He’d followed me down, not even putting on any clothes. Shit, I wondered if they always just walked around half naked like this before I came here. Fuck, why does Ranger have to stand there looking like he stepped out of a movie? Those abs… I just wanted to run my hand over them again to see if they were real.

  I watched as he pulled out flour and milk… Oh he was still going to make pancakes. I stopped and watched him. I felt a blush in my cheeks, I was getting all worked up, and I bet that was his plan. I quickly turned away, biting the inside of my cheek.

  He wrapped his hands around my waist and kissed my cheek. I pressed my ass into him. He was still hard, so I gave it a little wiggled, and he groaned into my ear as he whispered, “You naughty girl. Want me to take care of you? Here?” Oh man, teasing Ranger was just as much of a torture for him as it was for me. He laughed.

  “I can’t help that you smell so good and you’re sexy as hell when you’re frustrated at me. Can I maybe have a kiss?” The puppy dog eyes… Ugh, he was so adorable and cute.

  I gave him a quick kiss before turning to see Saint watching us with a big grin.

  “Do I get a kiss too?” I glared a
t him, and he only chuckled.

  “I’m going to go check on Galen. I’ll be back later.” I let them know as I grabbed an apple from the fruit basket. I walked past Saint and shoved him off the end of the counter, but he landed on his feet. He shook his head and raised his hands in surrender.

  “I take that’s a no on the kiss?” I shook my head, trying to stop myself from laughing. Okay, Saint was growing on me. I turned back to see Saint watching me, or maybe he was watching my ass? Ranger seemed to notice and punched his shoulder.

  “We’re gonna play some football today, Lex. You gonna come watch? Cheer your boyfriend’s on?” Ranger called out as I opened the door.

  I paused before throwing my fist in the air and very sarcastically called out, “Go team.”

  But yes… yes I was going to watch because he said boyfriends and that made me feel all gooey inside.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Lexi

  I headed over to Galen’s. I knew I needed to speak to him about the kiss, I just didn’t want to do with it the guys around, overhearing everything. Especially with Ranger being the way he had been with Jett. He’d been so snappy and rude to him.

  I knocked on the front door and waited. I couldn’t hear him, either inside or in my head. I wondered if he was even here. After waiting a fair amount of time, I knocked again and tried the door handle. It was unlocked. Huh, I wondered if he ever locked it. I guessed it was a small town, and he was a vampire. Not too many shifters would want to be caught up in here with him.

  “Hello?” I called out as I looked around the living room. A bookcase in the corner of the room caught my attention, and my feet started moving there of their own accord. It held so many old books. There was a beautiful green and blue stone about the size of my palm displayed on the shelf, all smooth and shiny. I ran my index finger over the top, then up the spine of the black leather book beside it. The gold letters were embossed into the spine, and it wasn’t in English.