And surprisingly, Travis knew him.
“Isaac,” he called, exiting his truck, “I'm glad you came by. I still needed to thank you.”
Hearing this, Cade came to a stop, staring at his uncle. “You know him?”
“Yeah, he's the one who told me about Burston and Ashley.”
They stepped onto the front porch where Isaac was sitting in a rocking chair—somehow an odd sight—and the demon remarked, “I figured I'd wait here for you to arrive and sing my praises.”
Travis shook his head, “You must be thinking of someone else.”
“True, you never did know how to kiss ass,” Isaac grinned, standing up. “Actually, I came to turn the power back on from my epic entrance earlier.” Then he told Cade, “So everything's back in order. Well, except your coffee table. But if we're good now, I'll be going.”
“Isaac,” Travis muttered, “just get your ass inside long enough to explain how my nephew and his mate got caught up in that shit, and I'll pay for a night of your ungodly drinking later.”
“I don't think you make enough money,” he retorted, but followed them inside anyway.
Travis sat in the recliner near the couch while Isaac leaned against the wall next to the door and began expounding on the events of the past few days from the beginning in order to clear the air for everyone.
As it turned out, he'd never betrayed anyone. Isaac did in fact come to Arkin City in order to help Ulric with an interrogation, but also because he'd related Ulric's hunt involving the renegade lupines to Travis, who then asked the demon to keep an eye on things while he was stuck in Baton Rouge.
Isaac kept in touch, relaying information, and after Hunter's Moon went to Burston, Travis also asked him to round up the remaining renegades outside Arkin City.
So he tracked them down and made a deal with Johnny to deliver Paul in exchange for the curse box. Because Isaac was a demon, Johnny believed he was actually turning on the Arkin City pack and fell for it.
Isaac referred to this as Operation: Mixed Breed.
Travis rolled his eyes.
He was planning to wait until Travis arrived in Arkin City before he led Johnny and the others to Braddock's Field, but they were getting suspicious when Isaac didn't immediately bring Paul to them.
So Isaac got underway that night, freeing Paul and bringing them all together just as requested, making a single alteration in letting their destination slip to Cade's wolves since he wasn't sure when or if Travis would get there in time.
But when Paul rejoined his packmates, he demanded Cade and Ashley be brought there for some retribution or the deal was off.
Isaac went along with it for three reasons, the first being to keep suspicion down until Cade's pack could arrive. Secondly, he figured Cade and Ashley would want some payback of their own, and didn't explain this before because he wanted their responses to be genuine.
The last reason? “I wanted to use my whistle. I could've gotten a week's pass at Foxy's with the money I spent on the damned thing.”
With the explanation fully given, Travis looked thoughtful. “I'm glad this all worked out, but if you put my nephew and his mate on the line again, I'll gut you myself.”
Isaac grinned as if used to that kind of talk. “Sounds like a date, but can I go now? This place is so domestic it's giving me the urge to vacuum.”
Shaking his head, Travis waved the demon away with a dismissive hand. “Get outta here.”
Smirking, Isaac told Cade and Ashley, “Don't go naming any kids after me for this,” then vanished.
Ashley let out a breath, deciding not to comment on Isaac's last request. She was simply glad to know the reasons for everything that happened, though something was still confusing her.
“I just don't understand why Isaac didn't teleport you to Paul with the rest of your wolves, Travis.”
“He would've, but he can't teleport over great distances because his power's been muted,” Travis explained. “And even saying I was close enough, he could only take one or two of us at a time, otherwise it would wipe him out.”
“Why didn't you tell me about him?” Cade inquired.
“I didn't think you'd know what he did to begin with. But more importantly, I can't bring Isaac into the spotlight. He's a fugitive to some Demonic Empire that wants him dead, and remains anonymous whenever possible. So I don't typically mention him to anyone. Guess it's become a habit.”
Travis didn't know about Aislinn's foretelling, so he didn't quite understand why Cade seemed so annoyed. But there was no sense in bringing it up when everything was over and they'd come out of the ordeal with little more than a few bumps and bruises.
“Then I guess Ashley and I should pretend we never saw him,” Cade suggested.
“Either that, or tell everyone that he was actually trying to make a deal to get that curse box his buddy's after,” Travis replied.
“How do you know Isaac anyway?” Ashley inquired.
He looked amused over the question. “You run into a lot of people in the Order, and our meeting involves some pissed off Sirens and a sullied Prophetess, a story best told over a round of beers.”
Sirens and a sullied Prophetess? Don't wanna know.
As she had the thought, Cade's uncle suddenly snapped his fingers. “By the way, Cade, your mother's with Sara right now, but she's eager to meet Ashley.”
“I bet she is,” Cade grinned.
“Should I be afraid?”
“Not unless you're allergic to sass and southern cooking,” Travis informed her.
“Oh,” Ashley mused aloud, “then we'll get along fine.”
Chuckling, Cade mentioned, “Now that the air's finally cleared, I need to go get cleaned up. Then I'll call her.”
“Go on, I'll call her for you and tell her to come by.”
With a nod, Cade turned to head upstairs. Ashley followed, and came to a slow stop in the hallway at the top landing.
Curiously, Cade looked back at her. “Are you okay, Ash?”
“Yes,” she nodded, trying to stop her tears, but a few of them trailed down her cheeks anyway. “It finally hit me.”
“What?” he inquired, pulling her over to wipe her cheeks with his thumb.
“It's over. That pack won't be a problem anymore,” she whispered, and watched a warm smile curling his lips. “It's a good feeling to know we can move on.”
“Very good,” he murmured in agreement, adding, “I also needed to tell you that I know my refusal to mark you felt like I had no faith in you, but you have to know that I want you above all things. You are strong, I just couldn't handle the thought of getting killed and ruining your life.”
Ashley began to smile. “Then it's a good thing I had your back tonight, huh?”
Grinning, Cade replied, “He never saw you coming.”
“I just wish that branch hadn't broke so I could've hit him again.”
He chuckled, then kissed her lips. “Did I tell you I love you?”
“Just once,” she smirked.
“Well then, I love you, Ashley. So be prepared, because now that we've had the urge, you're as good as marked.”
She grinned, knowing they'd have to wait until things could really wrap up. But, if marking was a marriage within the pack, then she could plan for a memorable wedding night in the meantime. So as raw as the need was, she didn't feel so anxious about waiting when they'd finally reached a positive conclusion.
“Interrupted again.” she joked playfully.
“We'll get there soon.”
“Just promise me one thing.”
“What's that?”
“You'll unplug the phone when we do.”
Cade grinned, replying, “With pleasure.”
~*~*~*~
Hunter's Moon only found two newborns in Burston where the pack kept Ashley. Both had the same memory issues about their abuse that she did, but thankfully, neither of them were damaged beyond repair.
They were taken to a Spire, which Ashley learned w
as a safe haven for all supernatural races, a sanctuary where no violence could take place. The closest one to Arkin City was in Atlanta, and when Ashley asked why no one was allowed to fight inside of them, she was informed that they were overseen by The Crucible.
It was an Order like Hunter's Moon, but one that monitored all supernatural beings and their activities in mortal realms, not just lupine's.
The following day, Cade left for Atlanta with Travis so he could give his report to the Order, which was fitting considering it was on Henry's memorial. Before he left, he got the word out that he wanted a second in command. Competitions for the position would start that weekend, lasting until the next pack hunt where they would reach a verdict, and anyone was free to contend.
Cade also put in some vacation time at Blue Moon, and when he told Ashley about it, she knew what he was thinking from his expression alone.
So she reacted appropriately—by making plans.
That evening, Nicole gave her a ride to Aislinn's shop for more of her healing tonic, then suggested a place in town which Ashley visited for something special. The next night, she lit some candles in the bedroom and prepared for Cade's arrival.
They would tie themselves together forever that evening, filling Ashley with nervous excitement, both eager for him to get home, as well as hoping he took a while to give her time to look her best.
Once finished, she climbed into bed to wait, and when the door opened, watched carefully for his reaction.
“Ashley, I—”
The sudden silence made her smile. “Like it?”
She was wearing a white and red silk negligee with a matching thong and thigh high stockings, and the look on Cade's face made her feel like a sex goddess rather than a cutie as she was so used to. How exhilarating.
“I do,” he started, “but I'm afraid I'm gonna ruin it.”
“Why?”
“I wanna rip it the fuck off.”
Ashley's heart skipped, and she crooked her fingers at him.
In response, Cade kicked the door shut without looking and stepped to the side of the bed, gathering her in his arms to claim her mouth in a kiss that left her dizzy.
“Tonight starts your vacation, right?” she asked dazedly as he sat with her in his lap.
“Yeah, and I got Mike and Caleb to help take care of anything that pops up until we find a Second.”
Reaching for his shirt to tug it off, she remarked, “Good, no interruptions.”
Cade nearly smirked, but her negligee had him riveted. “I really don't wanna ruin this.”
Grinning, she reached up to slowly slip a strap down until her breast was almost exposed, asking, “But you want it off, don't you?”
He growled, and his eyes started glowing that blue she loved so much as he lifted her up to turn onto her back. She gasped excitedly, grabbing his ass when he wedged his hips between her thighs.
“I do, but first, I need to mark you.”
After waiting for days, the instinct was easily roused. Ashley grew breathless, lifting a hand to brush her thumb across a sharpened canine, then tilted her head to the right, exposing the left side of her throat.
“I love you, Cade.”
With a low growl, he slowly leaned in, murmuring, “I'll never stop loving you, Ashley.”
Her heart fluttered, eyes closing as his lips brushed her skin, then the tips of his fangs. Ashley held her breath, clutching him tight, and finally felt a pinch as he sank them in.
In response, a spasm jolted through her entire body. She tensed at first, but fell limp just a moment later, her senses tingling with his canines teeth marking her flesh. There was no pain, just euphoria overwhelming her.
She felt like she couldn't move, or simply didn't want to.
Cade was holding her tightly, making it hard to breathe. But it felt so good she didn't care, detecting their bond becoming unbreakable, filled by a sense of singularity with her mate making them as one.
“Ashley?”
She didn't realize he'd released her, so lost in that blissful sensation that she was dazed. Then his scent hit her, and it'd changed. She could detect herself there, a permanent alteration that would tell everyone he was taken.
Hers was also altered.
Lust welled in response when Cade asked her name again, and she restlessly shifted beneath him. I need my mate.
“Roll over,” she demanded.
When Cade didn't move fast enough, Ashley pushed him onto his back, grabbing the crotch of his pants with an excited groan over the feel of his concealed erection beneath her palm.
“I need you, Cade, now.”
Cade growled, snagging her thong to rip away without care, their movements frantic as his pants came undone. Ashley grasped his straining erection, stroking it before positioning herself over him.
She needed everything.
Like Ashley, Cade was desperate to have his mate, jerking her negligee down and cupping both of her soft breasts, squeezing them. She was irrevocably his now, and he admired his mark on her throat before jolting when her slick heat started sinking over his aching shaft.
Grasping her hips with a loud moan, Cade watched himself filling her, the sight nearly making him come right then and there.
Ashley began to rotate her hips nearly as soon as he was wedged deep inside of her, riding him. Cade laid back, surging upward to meet her movements, making her cry out.
They were both panting, wild, and when her pleasured cries grew louder as the bed started rocking, he rolled her over to take her the rest of the way.
“You're mine, Ashley, say it!”
“Yes!” she cried, “I'm yours, Cade, please don't stop!”
“Never,” he promised on a growl, keeping the hard pace going until she was almost there.
But then he slowed down, making her bow up and beg him to go faster. Cade was determined to hear her scream again, slowly sliding in and out while she raked his back with her nails and finally gave him exactly what he wanted.
“Cade, please!”
Drawing her up, sitting back with her legs over his thighs, his hips worked to hers, desperate now to see his mate coming. It wasn't long before they both exploded together, her body robbing him of his seed as she cried his name.
Arching his back, Cade drove deep, giving her everything he had.
“Ashley!”
His release consumed him, letting another shout of pleasure before collapsing against the sheets with her, panting heavily. But they couldn't stay still for long before they began worshiping each other greedily.
After many blissful moments, Ashley rasped, “You're mine too, Cade.”
He opened his eyes, lifting his head to gaze down at her. “I always will be, Ashley. Always.”
Those few words seemed to make her as happy as she'd ever been, but then she frowned.
“Cade, tell me why you love me.”
His brows drew together. “Why wouldn't I?”
“I'm just . . . not sure how I earned it,” she whispered.
He smiled, deciding to start with the simplest reasons first.
“You're spirited, sweet, have a big heart, and I wouldn't trade your shyness for anything, it's too damned cute.”
Ashley rolled her eyes with an amused smile, but Cade's expression grew more somber. Emotion sounded in his voice as he went on.
“But mostly, we both know how damned fast someone's life can be turned upside down. When you were turned, it happened in the blink of an eye. When my father was shot, the same thing happened to me. I spent a year trying to forget the grief it caused me. But then you came along, and taught me it can go both ways. Someone's life can change for the better just as fast.”
Looking into her eyes, he finished, “Finding you changed mine, and I only wish I'd turned you to begin with.”
He could see tears brimming in her eyes as if she'd never thought what it would've been like if he'd turned her. Ashley quickly leaned up, gasping, “So do I!” as she kissed him deeply, which he
lovingly reciprocated. Love her more than anything.
When the kiss broke, she hugged him tightly as he murmured, “I've got you now, sweetheart. That's what matters.”
The couple made love until the early hours before dawn, then lay tangled in the sheets, discussing their plans. Ashley still wanted to go to business school, and open a bakery somewhere in the city. They spent a while trying to come up with names for it, but most were too silly to be promising, though they were good for a laugh.
But Cade was satisfied just planning to move on after fulfilling all of his father's wishes, including his own. Though he'd rather have Henry alive and well, and would've loved for Ashley to know him, he knew things were the way they had to be, and he had precisely what he needed.
Cade was finally content.
Author's Note
Thank you for reading Blue Moon! I've dearly enjoyed writing this fiction, and I hope it's been an entertaining story. I'll continue to update my blog with news for future works in The Crucible series as well as answer any questions passed my way.
To keep informed on these updates, go to www.acolsin.wordpress.com or email me with any questions or comments you may have at [email protected].
Thank you all again!
-A. C.
Blue Moon Page 31