Broken Moon: An Urban Fantasy Wolf Shifter Series (Kait Silver Book 1)

by Laken Cane

  “Please,” he screamed, and threw himself under the old wooden kitchen table. “Don’t eat me. I won’t bother her or the kid. Get the fuck out of here.”

  I stood over him, dripping blood, calm on the surface but the wolf had gotten a glimpse of the world. She’d gotten a taste of a human. She wanted out—and she was not calm. “You’ll leave,” I told him. “You’ll leave Jakeston, you sadistic shit, and you won’t come back. If you do, I will kill you. Do you understand?”

  “Yes, yes.” He finally broke down into wet, messy sobs, cowering under the table, his life changed.

  Changed, because he’d seen the wolf. He’d felt her. And that was enough to scare any-fucking-body. “Please go,” he moaned.

  “I’ll be watching you, wherever you go, Trevor.” I walked to the door. “But for now, I’m going. And I’m taking the dog with me.”

  And I left him there, trying to get the awful, despairing taste of my wolf out of his brain. I didn’t think he ever would.

  I was counting on it.

  Chapter Seventeen

  When I pulled into Detective Moreno’s driveway, I turned off my car and sat there listening to the motor cool until he saw me and came out to get me.

  He pulled open my door, then winced when he caught sight of me. I could imagine what I looked like. I hadn’t bothered looking at myself in the rearview mirror, but my cheekbone throbbed and my lower face and shirt were stained with the blood from my broken—though already healing—nose.

  “I have a bag in the back,” I told him, suddenly tired. “With a change of clothes.”

  He opened the hatch, taking his time, and I knew he was checking out all the neatly situated supplies. Stakes and axes and blades, the mini kit with vials full of holy water and graveyard dirt and even blood. The tools of my trade.

  The dog, which I had yet to name, had climbed up on the passenger seat, turned around three times, then lay down with a sigh and went to sleep. He was likely enjoying being warm for the first time in his life. I made a mental note to call a vet to get him checked out.

  The detective held my bag in one hand and reached in to help me out of the car with the other. It wasn’t that I was overly hurt or exhausted, I was simply mentally tired. My unrelenting pain joined with my wolf’s sadness and all I could do, at least for a couple of minutes, was sit there and wallow in it.

  “Come on,” Moreno said. “Let’s say hi to the mayor. And Beth is eager to meet you. She’ll help you get cleaned up.”

  Beth was the detective’s wife. “Can I bring my dog in?”

  His face softened. “Yes. You can bring your dog.” And as we walked to his house, he noted, “He doesn’t look healthy.”

  “I just picked him up,” I told him. “I’ll have to find him a good home. I took him from an asshole.”

  “The one who did that to your face?”

  I nodded. “Sadistic son of a bitch. I had to warn him away from a girl and her baby.”

  “Give me his name.”

  I looked at him. “I handled it, but thanks, Rick. He’s leaving town tonight.”

  We stood at his front door for a minute, looking at each other, and I thought he might argue. Finally, though, he just opened the door and gestured for me to go inside. I looked back when I realized the dog wasn’t with me. He lay on the ground, his chin on his paws.

  Rick chuckled and crouched down beside him, then gave his ears a good scratching. The poor dog tensed immediately and looked away from the detective, worry in his face.

  “He’s afraid of men,” I said. “I don’t think he’s been touched with kindness his entire life.” I’d unbuckled and tossed his wide collar after I’d left Trevor’s house, and at first, he hadn’t even known what to do. But he trusted me.

  Moreno stood and came inside, then called the dog. “You can come in, buddy.”

  He didn’t move.

  “Come on, Pibble,” I said gently. “Come on.” He sprang up then and hurried through the doorway, his perfect Pit Bull smile firmly in place.

  When we turned around, the detective’s wife and the mayor stood side by side, watching us. Mayor Hedrick’s eyes widened when he caught sight of my face, and Beth put her fingers to her lips, then her chest.

  “I apologize for coming into your house looking like this,” I told her. “I would have gone home to clean up, but I was already running late…” I gave the mayor a nod. “Hello, Mayor Hedrick.”

  “Kaitlyn,” he said, his voice soft. “It’s Louis. Please tell me what happened to you.”

  “Kaitlyn is often covered with blood and bruises, I’m afraid,” the detective interjected, much to my relief. I didn’t want to explain the story of Trevor Short again. “She helps take out the bad guys, and sometimes they fight back.” He led me to Beth. “I don’t think you two have met.”

  I wiped my palm on my jeans then held it out. “Beth,” I said. “I’m Kait.”

  She took my hand with both of hers. “I’ve heard so much about you, Kait,” she said. She was a small woman with delicate features, short red hair, and warm blue eyes. “Come with me.” She continued to hold my hand as she led me away. “Rick, Mayor, you can have your talk when she’s cleaned up, yes?”

  “Absolutely,” the mayor said. “Take your time.”

  But first…

  I looked at the mayor. “How is Noah?”

  Tears jumped immediately into his eyes and his Adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed hard. “He is alive, Kaitlyn. He’s going to be fine. He is safe, thanks to you. And that’s why I’m here.” Then he gestured. “Go with Beth and get cleaned up. We’ll talk when you’re ready.”

  The dog stayed firmly glued to my legs as we walked through the house, afraid, I was sure, that I’d make him stay behind. It was going to take him a while to understand what life off a chain was like.

  “What a sweet baby,” Beth said. She pointed at a bathroom off the hallway. “Towels and everything you’ll need in the closet. Meanwhile, I’ll get some refreshments ready. Would you like some coffee or tea? Cake and sandwiches?”

  “Water would be fine,” I said, squeezing her hand. “And I will never turn down sugar.” My stomach chose that moment to growl.

  She laughed, then turned to walk away. “I’ll get your baby a bowl of water and something good to eat, as well. Come into the living room when you’re ready.”

  I shut the bathroom door, smiling. The detective’s wife was super nice and incredibly hospitable. I peeled off my ruined shirt and my bra, both of which were stained with blood, then washed with hot water and fragrant soap before drying off and pulling on a clean shirt from my bag. I chatted to the dog while I cleaned up, though he stretched out on the floor and went immediately to sleep.

  I took the tiny makeup case from my bag, then dabbed concealer on my bruised cheekbone. Other than the bruise and my slightly swollen nose, I looked okay. One of the perks of being a wolf—we healed fast. If my wolf had been free, what Trevor had done to me would have healed before I left his house.

  Soon.

  Finally, presentable and clean, I rejoined the three people waiting for me. When I entered the living room, both the mayor and the detective stood. I sat down on a comfortable armchair, and after gobbling down the food and drinking from the bowl placed there for him, the dog curled up at my feet and went back to sleep. He was going to need a lot of sleep.

  “You’re both welcome to stay for dinner,” Beth said to the mayor and me. “It’ll be ready in half an hour.” She gestured at the coffee table, upon which she’d placed a pitcher of ice water, a glass, and a plate of fat, soft cookies.

  I downed a glass of water, then grabbed a napkin and loaded it up with cookies. “So good,” I told her, trying not to be a total pig.

  Mayor Hedrick slid forward in his chair and got a look on his face that said he was ready to talk. “Ms. Silver,” he said.

  “Kaitlyn.”

  “Yes, thank you. Kaitlyn, I don’t know how much you know of me and my family, and at the r
isk of seeming obnoxious and crude, I would like to say that my wife—who sends her regards, by the way—is very…wealthy. She wants to give you money for saving Noah’s life. Money you can use however you would like. She—and I—want to make sure you never have to worry about money for the rest of your life. I would like to see you without a battered face or blood on your clothes.” He looked at me, apologetic at being so crude as to offer me a boatload of money but stubbornly determined to take care of me.

  I carefully placed my napkin on the table, unable to meet the detective’s eyes, though I could feel his stare on me. I was uncomfortable to the point of squirming, but finally, I looked at the mayor. I wasn’t sure what the detective had told his wife about me, therefore, I needed to choose my words carefully. I also didn’t want to upset the mayor. “I can’t take money from you and your wife, Mayor. I’m just happy I could help.”

  He only smiled, his white teeth flashing against the smooth darkness of his skin, and I could see real joy in his eyes. “Rick said you’d say that. So we’ll go to plan B, then.”

  I gave him a quizzical smile and looked from him to the detective and back again. “And what is plan B?”

  He stood. “I’d like to surprise you with that, if you don’t mind. Sometime in the next few weeks I’ll send a car for you.” He took my hands when I stood. “We need to give you a gift, Kaitlyn. Please allow us to.”

  I didn’t know what the gift was, but to argue would have been wrong. So I nodded, and grinned. “I have to admit I’m excited.”

  “Good,” he boomed. “Good, then.” He squeezed my hands. “To say ‘thank you’ is not enough. It goes without saying that if you ever need me or my wife, you have only to ask.”

  I bit my lip to keep it from trembling. “Thanks, Mayor,” I whispered.

  He leaned forward and kissed my forehead, then said his goodbyes to Beth. Rick walked him from the living room toward the back door. I was sure a driver was waiting for him, and probably a security guard or two.

  “Come on, boy,” I told the dog. “We need to get going, too.”

  “Oh, can’t you stay for dinner?” Beth asked, and she looked as though she would genuinely have liked the company.

  “I appreciate the offer, but I have to get this little guy home. I still have some work to do tonight.”

  The detective came back into the room as I was speaking. He frowned, his stare lingering on my bruised face. “Try not to get your ass kicked again tonight, Ms. Silver.” He hesitated. “If you need me, call me.”

  “I bet,” Beth said, “that whoever did that to her face looks worse than she does.”

  I laughed. “I love you. And you’re right.” I noticed that not once did I see Beth or the detective so much as look at each other. They didn’t touch, barely spoke to one another, didn’t trade a glance.

  “I’ll walk you out,” the detective said.

  “Why don’t you check the oven,” Beth told him, “and I’ll walk Kaitlyn out.”

  He looked like he might argue, but then he shrugged. “Goodnight,” he told me.

  When he strode away, I watched him go. Beth didn’t.

  “I hope we can be friends,” she told me, as we walked to the door, the dog trotting along happily in front of us.

  “Absolutely,” I told her. “I’d like that.” I wasn’t lying. She seemed like a nice person, and I didn’t have a lot of friends.

  Her face lit up when she smiled. “Let’s have lunch soon, or maybe have a night out? I’m always available, so if you get some free time…” She bit her lip. “I sound desperate, don’t I?”

  “Not at all,” I lied.

  She laughed. “I know I do. I just…I need something different. Someone different. I can’t really talk to the other wives…can’t be myself, you know?”

  “Yes,” I said. “I do.” I reached out to squeeze her thin arm. “I’ll call you.”

  She nodded like she didn’t believe me. “Goodnight, Kaitlyn.”

  I thought about her all the way home. Something about her bothered me. Worried me, really. Worried me enough so that when I arrived home, I sent the detective a text before I left the car.

  I’m worried about Beth. Is she okay?

  He didn’t reply for a very long three minutes. She’s depressed.

  Rick…could she be suicidal?

  She’s fine, Kaitlyn.

  In other words, I should mind my own business. But I wasn’t the type to do that, not really. I’d call her tomorrow, would take her to lunch or ask her to come to my house for lunch to meet Lucy.

  If, of course, Lucy wanted to make lunch for the three of us.

  I patted my leg and the dog climbed hurriedly onto my lap. “Okay boy, we’re about to go into your new—and temporary—home. Let’s hope Lucy isn’t allergic to dogs. On the way home from chasing down mean old monsters in Shadowfield, I’ll stop somewhere and pick you up some food and a bed and…” I sighed and looked heavenward. I was so unprepared for a dog.

  He followed me to the house, sniffing everything he walked past. I put the key in the lock and then shoved the door open. “Lucy,” I called. “We have company.”

  I heard her squeal from somewhere deep in the house, then she flew toward us, dropped to her knees, and pulled the dog to her. “Ash,” she cried. “It’s so good to meet you.”

  “Wait,” I said, frowning. “You know this dog?”

  “Well,” she said, smiling up at me. “Sort of.”

  “You had a dream,” I said, “about the dog?”

  She only grinned. I was a little jealous the way he was licking her face and shaking his little butt off, having, it appeared, forgotten all about me.

  “I have to go back out to work,” I told her. “Can you watch him?”

  “Of course I can watch him. We’ll have a great time. I’m so glad we have a puppy.” She climbed to her feet and hurried away, the dog at her heels. “Come on, baby. Wait until you see the bed I bought you.”

  “You bought him a bed?” I bellowed.

  “Uh huh,” she called gaily. “And bowls, dog food—the good, healthy stuff—and toys, and a pretty jeweled collar and a leash...oh, and the cutest little pair of warm pajamas you’ve ever seen. I got shampoo, and toothpaste…and I made him a vet appointment for tomorrow evening when I’m off work. You’re welcome! Ash, say bye.”

  Ash gave a bark.

  I shook my head and headed back out, wishing I could just stay there with them and watch the dog enjoy his new life. Unfortunately, there was a monster killing wolves, and I had to go catch the son of a bitch.

  Chapter Eighteen

  As I drove to Shadowfield, I texted Jared to let him know I was on my way. He didn’t reply, but I knew he’d be waiting when I got there. The streets of Shadowfield were quiet as I drove down them on my way to the alpha’s house, but I could feel the wolves watching me.

  There were always pack warriors keeping watch over a pack’s territory, town, and borders, guarding and protecting, and I knew they were well aware that I’d entered their town.

  Jared hadn’t told me where to meet him, so I pulled up in front of the offices, same as I had last night. I was curious about his house. An alpha had the biggest house in the community, and it was usually passed down from an alpha to his son when the time came from the older alpha to hand over the reins.

  I left my car and went to the back to gear up for the coming hunt. The beast had been injured, so he might not fly out at us like he had last night. That was fine with me. I wanted to track him, to find where he spent his sleeping and healing time. He’d have a place he considered safe, somewhere he could hole up and see the enemy approaching—or, as I’m sure he had a few times—watch for his next kill.

  I buckled on my belts and sheaths and holsters, wondering if there’d ever come a time when preparing for a fight or a hunt would make me less than excited. I hoped not. It was a great outlet for my pain and energy. If I couldn’t shift, I could fight.

  “Kaitlyn.”

&nb
sp; I jerked, chills running down my spine, when the alpha spoke. I slammed shut the hatch before I turned to face him, hoping for a few seconds to control my kneejerk reaction to an alpha.

  I gave him a nod. “Jared.” Yeah, I sounded completely cool and calm.

  He was dressed for a hunt, as well. Since he couldn’t shift and fight the exsoloup, he wore a long blade on his back, a shorter one at his hip, and on his other hip, a gun.

  I lifted an eyebrow, and he shrugged. “Some of them can be neutralized by a gun.”

  I grinned. “You like guns.”

  The corners of his lips lifted, and for a second, my stare caught on that smile as once again, chills chased each other down my spine. The alpha was hot.

  “I’m ready,” someone else said, tearing my attention away from Jared and his mouth.

  “Lennon,” I said, surprised. “You’re coming with us?”

  “Jared believes my power might be of some use.”

  “Power?” I asked. Lennon was a seer—not a fighter.

  She reached into her coat and pulled out an ornate, crooked wand, and suddenly, without her so much as blinking, a crackling blue light flared to life and began dancing around the wand. When she waved her hand, the light sputtered and then came back brighter than ever.

  “Pretty,” I said, impressed, “but I still don’t see how—”

  She whirled around with a particular graceful movement and pointed the wand. The light disappeared from her wand, reappeared on a small gargoyle statue across the way, and the statue exploded into blue dust.

  “I always hated that statue,” she said, as I gaped.

  “Wow,” I said, awed. “I need that wand.”

  She laughed. “It wouldn’t work for a non-witch, Kaitlyn, and even if another witch took my wand, she’d have to delete my energy and soak it in her own for weeks before she could use it.”

  I knew that, but still. My mouth watered at the thought of adding a wand like that to my collection of tools. “I’ve heard about witchwolves, but I’ve never met one.”

  She smiled and put the beautiful wand away. “You can’t say that anymore.”