By the time she finished, all three men were silent. Her father and Jackson were grim-faced and determined. Billy scared her. His gaze was so remote, she cringed. If her behavior disgusted him, it was better to know now, right? It would make it easier to cut his tenuous hold on her life.
Finally she rose, and they stood in a semi-circle around her. She met each one’s gaze, even Billy’s, and he smiled at her when she didn’t shrink. Her jaw clenched. She had no idea what he expected from her.
“I need to go,” she announced.
A chorus of voices rose in protest, but it was her father’s that finally dissuaded her. He shook his head. “There’s a bad storm coming and we both know you can’t drive in it. Stay here and we’ll talk again in the morning.”
Finally she nodded, and Jackson led her down the hall. Just inside the room, he pointed to a panel on the wall. “The top button is an alert. The bottom is the intercom. It will ring in the kitchen first. If it isn’t answered, it’ll page me. Use it if you need it, Chloe,” he said sternly. He turned to walk out the door but stopped, meeting her gaze. “Billy lives in the house, too. If I don’t answer, he will.”
A knot formed in the pit of her stomach. She needed to make a plan to leave. The last thing she wanted was to involve anyone else.
* * * * *
Jackson left Chloe in her room and let his civilized mask slip. He prided himself on being a modern werewolf, a modern Alpha. He planned to take them into the future, not ground them in the past. He’d struggled the last couple of days over whether he should let two of his pack members go after an outcast, or force them to comply with his wishes. One look at Chloe, though, and he reverted to the primitive nature of his ancestors. The abuse of a woman was not something he could ignore. Especially not if the woman rightfully belonged to his friend and Beta.
And when the outcast in question posed a threat to his mate? Well, he had to be dealt with. Chloe hadn’t been able to give him names, but he knew who was most likely to plot with Wyatt. They would all be dealt with. He returned to his office to make a plan with Nolan and Billy. The challenge would be his as the senior wolf on the totem pole. The trick would be to get Wyatt onto his territory. That shouldn’t be difficult. He would just let it be known he had offered Chloe protection. There was no way Wyatt could ignore that and save face.
He returned to the study to find Nolan and Billy in the middle of a heated argument.
“She’s mine, Nolan. I’m not letting her get away.”
“I’m not saying you should. But right now, she’s fragile and scared and she needs some space.”
“She’ll get over it,” Billy growled.
They stood inches apart, both on the balls of their feet and ready to pounce. Nolan bared his teeth. “No. I didn’t protect her when I should have, but I won’t make that mistake again. She can’t handle one of us right now.”
Billy came down on his heels hard, an incredulous look on his face. He ran a hand through his hair and paced across the room. “Jesus, Nolan. I’d never hurt her. I’d never push her into something she isn’t ready for. But I can’t let her go. You understand that.”
Nolan shook his head and sighed. “You’d try not to, Billy. But it’s in your nature to claim. How long do you think you could fight that?”
Billy ground his teeth. “As long as I have to. I’ve managed the last few months fine. And I’m not letting her run.”
His last sentence escalated the tension in the room again, and Jackson stepped in.
“Gentlemen, I think you’re jumping ahead a little. First I need to deal with Wyatt and smoke out his co-conspirators.”
Billy turned to him with narrowed eyes. “Underwood is mine.”
Jackson gave him a feral smile. “Really? Last time I checked I was still Alpha here.”
He thought for a minute Billy wasn’t going to back down, the need to protect his mate obviously his number one priority. Finally he stepped back, his aggressive stance relaxing a little. He nodded.
“What did you have in mind?”
“We let it be known Chloe is here, under my protection. It won’t be long before he comes after her, and he won’t come alone. He’ll expect me, you, and Clint, and he’ll come prepared. There are a few others we can trust, though. Nolan, Richard. I want them in the house, too.”
Billy nodded.
“I’ll get Richard.” Jackson glanced at Nolan. “We’ll want the women here, too.”
“Yes. Definitely,” Nolan agreed.
They spent a couple of hours making plans and going over possible scenarios before finally calling it night. The other two men left; Billy to find his bed, and Nolan to get his mate, while Jackson entered his bedroom. He stood in the doorway and watched Summer for a long time, his heart hammering a staccato beat.
* * * * *
Light flooding in through the open door woke him first, and he instinctively rolled to his feet in a fighter’s stance before registering who his early morning visitor was. Billy stood in the doorway, posture stiff and expression black. He jerked his head over his shoulder and stepped into the hall, shutting the door behind him. Jackson pulled on his jeans and checked to make sure Summer was still asleep before following him out. He found Billy waiting with Nolan downstairs by the front door.
“What’s up?” he asked. It had to be something pretty serious for Billy to get him up in the middle of the night.
“The village is under attack. And Chloe has disappeared.”
“Shit,” he mumbled. Hands on his hips, he glared at the two men. “Did anyone see her leave?
Nolan shook his head, looking worried to death. “She won’t go to the village, though. She’s probably well away from here by now.”
Billy growled his displeasure with that idea, and Jackson silenced him with a look. “Later. What’s going on in the village?”
Billy shook his head once before answering. “Just got a call that there are a bunch of weres causing havoc. Clint and Richard went down but haven’t reported in yet.”
Incredulous, Jackson arched his eyebrows, wondering when he’d lost control of his own house. “And I’m the last one you bothered to notify?”
“Nolan and I were already up. Clint never sleeps, and Richard spent the night prowling the grounds. They left before I even hung up the phone.”
Jackson felt his molars grind and forced his jaw to relax. “Let’s go then,” he said, stripping his jeans off. “Nolan, you stay here with Summer and Rebecca.”
Stepping onto the front porch, he embraced the transformation, quickly shifting from man to wolf. With Billy at his side, they headed into the woods and ran down the mountainside, splitting up at the bottom to approach the village from opposite ends.
Main Street looked like the werewolf version of a barroom brawl. Snarls filled the air as forms grappled across the street and the smell of blood filled the air. Jackson stepped out into the open, threw his head back and howled a challenge.
Silence fell over the area before a big, black wolf stepped up. McGarvey. Confirming Jackson’s suspicion, the wolf crouched and lunged.
Jackson met him in midair, his jaws clamping around the other werewolf’s throat. They landed with a thud and with a great shake, Jackson snapped his neck and dropped the lifeless body to the street. Another wolf leapt into the clearing and the fighting again broke out around him.
When there was no one left to fight and the blood haze began to clear, he looked around and took stock. Wyatt was nowhere to be seen and eighteen werewolves lay dead or badly injured. Shifting, he met Billy and passed out assignments. The mess had to be dealt with and a search party organized for Wyatt. His scent was all over the place, but he’d managed to escape.
Snow flurries began falling, and he lifted his head to the sky. The sun wouldn’t be visible today. Satisfied the work was well under way, he turned to start his search for Wyatt when he felt Summer’s call.
* * * * *
Summer awoke from the dream with a start and glanced
at the window. Still dark and the bed was empty. She let her senses flare out but didn’t get a feeling for Jackson’s location. Fear skittered along her spine, and she recalled the dream in vivid detail—Jackson lying broken and bloody in the snow, his chest still. It would happen soon if she didn’t stop it.
Jumping up, she separated the blinds and looked around. No snow yet. Light was peeking over the horizon, but the sky was dark and ominous. She hurried to the closet and dug out warm clothes and a coat, then went in search of Jackson.
She walked to the staircase at the front of the hall and looked down. Nolan slept in a chair by the front door. She frowned. What had happened while she slept? Knowing she’d never get down without waking him, she crept back down the hall to the old unused servant’s stairs. They opened in the butler’s pantry off the kitchen, and she was relieved to find both empty. She exited through the kitchen door onto the wide back porch and stepped down into the yard. Unease rode her hard as she turned slowly, trying to decide which direction to take.
She felt the biggest pull from the village and headed toward the path that led down to it. Her feeling of danger rose with each step. By the time she reached the turnoff for Jackson’s private glade, she fought an overwhelming nausea with every footfall. Gulping against her tight throat, she stopped and leaned over, gripping her knees, and breathed deep, trying to get control over her rolling stomach.
Overcome by the sensation that the woods had eyes, she straightening from her crouch and swept her gaze over the area bit by bit, but nothing seemed out of the ordinary. Taking a cautious step forward, she concentrated on making the next bend in the path, more certain than ever that Jackson was in serious jeopardy. She didn’t make it two steps before a haze fell over her senses, and she knew the witch’s talisman was close by. But hadn’t Jackson thrown it in the other direction?
A heavy hand landed on her shoulder and another clamped over her mouth, stifling her scream. He dragged her backwards into the forest to the glade before dropping her on the ground. When she tried to stand and run, he grabbed her by the hair and spun her around to face him, backhanding her hard enough to knock her down again. Tears stung her eyes, but she forced them to clear. She would not cry in front of this man.
He sneered at her and swung the chain and talisman in front of her eyes. “Now what good does it do to have a witch for a mate if she has such a big weakness?” he asked.
She glared up at him, her energy crackling in the air around her. As long as he held the talisman, he was shielded from her magic. Filled with frustration, she looked for a way to escape. The first snowflake fell. She stared at it a moment before surging to her feet and running for the trail. She didn’t even make the trees before his arm closed around her throat, cutting off her oxygen supply. Disbelief coursed through her as the edges of her vision went black. She’d seen Jackson’s death, not hers. She wanted to tell him she’d changed her mind. She did love him. She could spend her life, happily, bonded to a werewolf. To him. She wanted time for a fresh start, and she did the only thing she could think of before finally passing out. Reaching for the neglected ties between them, she called for help.
* * * * *
Chloe was half way to Georgia before guilt forced her to pull over. She leaned her head against the steering wheel and fought with her conscious, finally giving in and turning the car around. Beating her palm against the wheel, she cursed her stupidity. Shit! They don’t need my help. If I go back, I’ll just end up trapped.
The compulsion to return was too strong to ignore, though, and after a couple of hours, she turned on the narrow road and headed to the village and home. When the snow started, she almost cried. She was trapped for sure now, her driving abilities not good enough to get her back down the mountain through the drifts that would fill the pass.
On Main Street, her eyes widened in shock, and she hit the accelerator. Carnage—dead werewolves—littered the road. Wyatt had started his war. She searched for her father and was relieved when she didn’t see him. He must still be at Jackson’s place. She also didn’t see the Alpha or her mate, and the sense of urgency that had driven her back rose within her.
The car screeched to a stop in front of her parent’s house. She jammed it in park and leapt out, leaving the motor running. Inside she went straight to the gun cabinet, glad her father in non-typical werewolf fashion was an avid shooter. Grabbing the keys from the top ledge, she fumbled with the lock with shaky hands. She pulled out the first rifle her hand closed over, a .308 Remington, and dug a handful of cartridges out of the ammunition drawer before slamming the doors shut and re-latching the lock.
Outside she looked between the car and the snow-filled sky. Her sense that time was running out grew. She briefly debated using the car to try to get to the turn off on the other side of town that went to Jackson’s or going through the woods. Deciding the drive was too risky, she took off through the underbrush behind the house, searching out the deer path that would take her up.
It was a long, slippery climb, but she made it in record time. She heard the sound of fighting before she saw them. When she reached the small clearing, no one noticed her as she picked out the fighters. Wyatt’s coat contrasting darkly against Jackson’s. Long gashes raked Jackson’s sides, and the snow was red with blood. Billy, Clint, and Richard all hovered nearby, but none dared interfere. Her lip curled with derision. She felt Wyatt’s triumph—he’d avoided the fighting in town to save his strength against Jackson. He couldn’t win any other way but by cheating.
Kneeling in the snow, she lifted the rifle to her shoulder and took aim.
* * * * *
Shifting on the run, Jackson barreled through the crowded street and ran for the glade. His flight caught everyone’s attention and he heard Billy yell out behind him. There was no time to pause and explain. He felt Summer’s need, knew she was in trouble, and somehow knew exactly where she was. Must be the bond.
The snow fell harder, and he knew soon it would be blinding and disorienting. He put on another burst of speed, registering the pounding of feet behind him and knew at least some of his pack would come to his aid. He didn’t know what to expect, only that Wyatt had his mate.
Breaking through the trees, his gaze first sought her out. She lay crumbled on the ground on the other side of the clearing, her breaths puffing slightly in the air before her. He breathed a sigh of relief that she still lived and turned, snarling at Wyatt. The other wolf would pay with his life for the damage done today.
They attacked at the same time. Wyatt, fresh from his lack of fighting, rushed in, swiping a sharp-clawed paw along his side. Growling, he ignored the tearing sting and went for the other wolf’s throat. His teeth grazed it, leaving a long scratch and trail of blood in the snow.
They attacked and counter attacked; each scoring hits and misses until the ground was covered in red. He knew Wyatt was trying to wear him down to the point he could come in for an easy kill. Jackson snarled and circled the other wolf. He wouldn’t be so easy to take down. Suddenly Wyatt saw an opening and leapt at him. Jackson rolled out of the way, exposing his belly to the vicious claws that swept down at him. He continued the roll to the side of the clearing and stood panting, watching Wyatt gloat. He had no time left. He had to go in for the kill. His muscles bunched in preparation to leap when the shot rang out.
Wyatt rolled and shifted, his hands clutching his chest when he staggered to his feet. He looked down in shock. Chloe stepped into the clearing in front of him and lifted the rifle to her shoulder.
“You,” Wyatt croaked.
“Die already, you son of a bitch,” she answered and pulled the trigger again. His head snapped back and he fell to the ground.
Dropping the rifle, she heaved a great sob and met Jackson’s gaze before she turned and fled.
Chapter Seven
Jackson walked with slow, careful steps and sank into the chair behind his desk. His office was filled to the point of overflowing, and he gratefully accepted the cup of steami
ng tea Billy passed him. He was surprised to see how much his inner circle had grown while he was out of commission.
Summer and Rebecca had become fast friends during the last couple of days, and both women sat in the chairs by the window. Billy took his usual place in front of the desk, and Clint sat at his side. Richard and Nolan lounged against the back wall.
“Okay, let’s have a report,” he said to Billy.
“Eighteen dead. Well, nineteen if we include Wyatt. Thirteen of them were conspirators. There were five survivors among them, most of them not from our pack. The plan was to stir up enough trouble that no one would grumble too loudly when Wyatt took over. He decided last week the best way to catch you off guard was to go after Summer, but he needed a diversion.”
“So they attacked the village.”
“Yes, but apparently that was rushed since Chloe took off. He was afraid she would come here and warn you. She didn’t hear that part of the plan, though, so we weren’t prepared.”
Jackson nodded and looked over to see Summer watching him. He felt lust surge at the vision of her haloed by the sun, and she frowned in response. He almost laughed. Who knew she was such a mother hen? He appreciated her concern, but he couldn’t take much more abstinence. Billy cleared his throat and Jackson returned his attention to the briefing.
“The bodies have all been taken care of.” Burned in a fire hot enough to destroy the DNA. “And the widows have been notified and arrangements made.”
Silence fell over the room. No one liked to consider the bereavement one would feel at the loss of a mate. Billy looked at his clenched hands before going on. “Chloe is free. And gone,” he said quietly.
Jackson arched an eyebrow. It was the first he’d heard that.
Lunar Mates 3: Chasing the Moon Page 7