by Jodi Vaughn
She glared at the male on the floor and then looked at Barrett. “Is he still breathing?”
“Yeah. Why?” He frowned.
She reared back and kicked him hard in the gut. He let out a moan and his face turned red. His eyes blazed with rage and he said something unintelligible around the ball gag.
“If there’s one thing I don’t tolerate it’s an abusive man. That’s for all those females you kidnapped and hurt. You thought you could come in here and take advantage and hurt me because I’m an old woman? Well, guess what, jackhole? You thought wrong.”
“Jackhole?” Lucien looked to Catty. Catty shrugged.
“And you can forget about a good night kiss!” She kicked him again.
He let out another muffled groan and turned redder.
She grinned in satisfaction.
“Come on, asshole.” Barrett snatched him off the ground and dragged him to the front door.
“Wait. I need that back!” She pointed to the ball gag.
“Order another one. I think I’ll keep it on him so all the Tennessee Guardians can see what Arkansas women do to criminals who cross into their state.” Barrett grinned.
She smiled wide and crossed her arms. “Yes. You do that.”
“Granny, are you sure you’re okay?” Jayden held her face between his hands and looked down at her with serious eyes.
“Of course I’m okay…”
“I’ll get you some water.” Catty hurried into the kitchen.
“Come sit down. I’ll fix you something to eat.” Ava grabbed her arm and led her into the living room.
Granny frowned and eased into her favorite chair. “I’m fine, really.”
“I’ve got to go with Barrett to transport the prisoner back to Tennessee. When I get back, I’ll bring some food and we’ll spend the day. How would you like that?” Jayden knelt beside her chair.
“I’m…” She froze and looked around at everyone surrounding her. Even Barrett was staring at her with concern.
They were all concerned. For her safety and wellbeing. She knew they all cared about her. And that they were family regardless of blood. But now looking at all the concerned faces she realized just how lonely she’d been.
“That would be nice, Jayden. I’d like that.” She smiled.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
“Come sit down, dinner’s ready,” Granny announced to the living room full of hungry faces. Since her failed attempt at a date and the capture of Robert Waldon, one of Tennessee’s most notorious criminals, she’d had visitors every day.
Even Barrett stopped by and checked on her to make sure she had recovered from her ordeal. And he brought her a bottle of Wild Turkey.
Damon and Ava stood up from the couch, while Haley and Jayden eased out of her recliner. Lucien and Catty got up off the floor and Barrett pushed off the wall where he was leaning and headed into the dining room
“This smells great, Granny.” Ava smiled and sat down beside Damon, who was eyeing the pork chops with interest.
“I have to agree, dear. I prefer the smells of home cooking to the smells of electrocuted werewolf.” She shook her head and took a seat at the table. “You would not believe how much I had to clean to get that stench out of here.”
“Thank you again for inviting us for dinner.” Catty looked at Lucien and back at her. “I feel bad that you’ve been cooking for us every single night this week. If I knew how to cook I’d offer to make dinner next time.”
“Don’t’ you worry about a thing. I love doing it.” She smiled and reached over and patted her hand. She loved Catty, but like Ava, the poor girl couldn’t boil water.
“This looks wonderful, Granny,” Barrett said as he eased into the chair at the head of the table. “How are you doing?” He cut his eyes at her.
“I’m doing well. Better than well.” She placed her napkin in her lap and pressed her lips together. “Except for what’s going on online, of course.”
“What are you talking about?” Jayden’s ears seemed to perk up with that information and he stopped shoving mashed potatoes onto his plate.
“Did you know that the real Walter Meadows gave me a bad rating on that dating site?” She shook her head. It made her mad every time she thought about it.
“Why did he do that?” Lucien asked. “It wasn’t your fault you went out with the wrong guy.”
“That’s exactly what I thought too.” She nodded. She’d always liked Lucien.
“I didn’t know they give ratings on a dating site.” Damon arched his eyebrow.
“Well, they do. And because of his bad rating I’ve had at least a hundred requests from men all over the United States wanting a date.”
“What?” Barrett dropped his fork.
“Yep. She’s actually has a hundred and twenty-five.” Catty shrugged. “It’s probably gone up since I last checked this afternoon.”
“Oh, hell no.” Jayden threw his napkin on the table and glared. “You are not going on any more dates. No way. No how. If I have to move me and Haley in with you to make sure you’re not getting into any trouble, I’ll do it.”
Haley smiled and nodded enthusiastically.
“Can someone pass the beans?” Damon scowled and ducked his head, trying to avoid getting pulled into her conversation.
Ava smiled and passed him the dish.
“If Walter Meadows gave you a bad review how are you getting so many date requests?” Barrett asked cautiously.
“Well, apparently it got out”—she glared out her window across the street—“how I had dressed. Black leather, fishnet stockings, you know, you saw.”
“Yes, we all saw.” The muscle in his cheek began to twitch.
“It’s all my neighbor Beatrice’s fault. She took a picture of me through my window.” She shook her head. “I knew she was a shady snake when I moved here, but I had no idea she was that bad.”
“So how did Walter get the picture?” Ava asked.
“Apparently Beatrice and Walter are related. Cousins, I believe.” She waved her hand in the air. “He got to talking to her about missing our date. When she figured out I was his date she showed him that picture.”
“What a bitch,” Catty snarled. “You want me to have a talk with her?”
“No, dear. I’ve got her number. Don’t you worry.” She smiled. “Anyway, Walter said I was not the nice woman I portrayed myself to be online. Said I was loose as a goose.”
“And that led to all these date requests.” Lucien nodded his head slowly.
“Please tell me you’re not planning on going on another date.” Jayden gave her a pained look and waited for her reply.
She sighed and shook her head. “No, dear. No more dating for me. I had the one love of my life, John, and I don’t need to try to compete with that.”
Everyone got quiet.
“Now, now, don’t get all sad on me now.” She smiled around the table. “If I had to tell you each something, if I could give you only one word of advice to carry you through life, it would be this. Savor every moment you have with your mate. And make every single second count. Whether you’re kissing, or holding hands, or just snuggled up on the couch, make it count and burn it into your memory.”
A little laugh rolled out of her mouth and she shook her head. “I see humans running around, stressed and worried and trying to outdo one another. They claim they are striving for success. Boy, do they have it all wrong. Success isn’t money or things or fame. Success is wringing out every single joy of everyday things.
“I like that, Granny.” Ava nodded.
“Then remember it.” She pointed her finger at Ava for emphasis.
“I’m going to have to disagree with you on that, Granny.” Barrett picked up his fork and began to cut into the pork chop.
A slow smile crept across her lips as she stared at her Pack Master.
“I bet you think you’ll never get mated, don’t ya?” She grinned.
“You read my mind,” he deadpanned and popped
a piece of meat into his mouth.
“You’re not immune, Barrett. Being mated is natural for all werewolves.”
“Maybe, but not for me. I’ve made up my mind, so you can stop trying to convince me otherwise.” He arched his brow and shoved some potatoes into his mouth.
“I’ll make a bet. I’ll bet you five million dollars that you’ll get mated within the next year, year and a half. If I’m wrong, I swear to never get involved in Guardian business again.” Granny sat back in her seat and waited for him to take the bait.
The room grew quiet and all the Guardians looked at Barrett.
He set his fork down and met her gaze with determination. “I think that’s a safe bet. You’re on.”
She stuck out her hand and they shook.
She’d seen how hard the Guardians had fallen for their mates, hard and fast. But she was willing to bet that when Arkansas’s own Barrett Middleton found the female of his dreams it was going to be epic.
And she was going to be five million dollars richer.
She’d bet her life on it.
The End
Excerpt
BY THE LIGHT OF THE MOON
(Book 1)
***
CHAPTER ONE
Damon Trahan shoved a hand in his jeans pocket and leaned against his black Harley-Davidson Breakout. For three long hours, he’d been standing watch outside the dilapidated bar constructed of cinder block walls, rusted tin roof, and grim desperation. The seedy bar was a well-known hangout for rogue wolves that had no respect for Wolf Law, making it the perfect place for his suspect to hide.
He grimaced as the scent of stale urine and fresh vomit wafted over him, making his stomach clench in a violent spasm. He regretted parking in the dark alley away from the blinding security light, but tonight’s mission required stealth, so he’d sacrificed fresh air and comfort. His saving grace from the repugnant odor was the occasional breeze carried on the October wind.
He narrowed his gaze on the door, as if willing Raymond Wilson to exit so he could apprehend him. Why any werewolf would risk outing their species to the world for easy drug money was beyond his comprehension. Risky behavior, whether criminal or not, wasn’t tolerated by the Pack. The U.S. Government knew about the existence of werewolves. In fact, some of the military’s best soldiers were werewolves. On the other hand, the civilian human population had no clue their species even existed. If humans discovered them, it would be an all-out war. Werewolves would be hunted down, one by one, until they were eliminated.
No one deserved to live their life in fear. No one.
His cell phone hummed against his thigh. Gritting his teeth, Damon fished it out of his pocket. “I’m a little busy right now, Barrett.”
“Damon, we need to talk.”
Damon bristled at the sharp command of his Pack Master. Since he’d moved to the Natural State, Barrett Middleton regulated his schedule, day and night, twenty-four seven. That’s what happened when a wolf joined the elite ranks of the Guardians. You gave up your life to protect the Pack and watch over civilian werewolves.
Damon wasn’t complaining. Being a Guardian had given him a purpose, a reason to keep going. He was ready to lay down his life for the better of the Pack.
Their small community of werewolves, located just outside of Little Rock, Arkansas, functioned like a military compound to the human world. In reality, it was a training base for elite werewolf soldiers, also known as Guardians. Barrett was Pack Master over Arkansas, but he still answered to the General and the Council. The power was too great for any one wolf to rule alone.
A white male shoved the exit door of the bar with such force, it bounced against the wall with a bang and the resounding boom ricocheted in Damon’s ears. Country music from the jukebox bled out into the night on the wisps of cigarette smoke.
Damon clenched his hands, his gaze never wavering from the suspect. “Can this conversation wait? Your culprit is leaving.”
The suspect, in his late thirties with muddy brown hair, hurried out of the bar. Dressed in a red flannel shirt and ripped jeans, the man made a beeline for a beat-up blue and white truck. He cast a few nervous glances toward the shadows where Damon crouched.
Damon tilted his head back and sniffed the brittle air. His nostrils flared as the familiar scent of wolf hit him. The drug dealer might look human, but there was no denying his scent was all wolf.
“I need to go.” He straddled his Harley.
“Goddamn, Damon. Forget about him.”
“Why?” He shifted in his seat while his gaze darted from his suspect back to the bar. Something was wrong.
Barrett never left an assignment unfinished. His Pack Master was relentless when it came to keeping order and protecting the werewolves in Arkansas. Calling off the investigation when they were so close to catching a suspect was completely out of character.
Unless…
Unless Damon was being pulled off the case and being reassigned to another Pack.
Damon rolled his neck side to side in an attempt to loosen the tension that had suddenly blossomed. Not again. His last Pack in Louisiana had thrown him out without warning, leaving him on his own to find another state, another pack, another home. He thought he’d found a home in Arkansas. For once, he almost let himself believe he’d been accepted.
He’d been a fucking fool to entertain such a thought.
“Which Pack are you reassigning me to? Alaska? Antarctica?” The comment smacked of sarcasm and he winced at the lingering bitterness his words left behind.
“I don’t think you understand,” Barrett’s tone lowered, the same way a mother might do when she was about to discipline an unruly child. “An emergency assignment has come up. I’m putting you on it. Alone.” The grimness in Barrett’s voice had unease snaking up Damon’s spine like a night crawler.
He’d never been on assignment alone. Barrett had always put him with at least four other Pack members. In fact, the other three Guardians, Zane, Lucien and Jaxon, were probably tailing the suspect and bitching about Damon’s absence.
“One of our females has been abducted.” Barrett’s voice came out low and laced with deadly intent.
“Who was it?” Damon’s lips curled a feral snarl as his pulse raced. Some things were punishable by death, and taking a female ranked number one.
“Ava Renfroe.”
The blood drained from his face and pooled in his stomach in a nauseating rush. The rest of the conversation turned to white buzzing noise between his ears.
Ava Renfroe was the General’s daughter.
She lived near Jonesboro and he had only seen her once, from a distance, when she visited the General over the holidays. With silky black hair, eyes the color of emeralds, and a body made for sin, Ava was a female any male would fight over.
“What are the demands?” Damon tightened his grip on the cell phone. The plastic squeaked, threatening to break under his sweaty palm.
“The kidnappers have made no demands. No demands for money, prisoner exchanges, or territory.”
The only thing a wolf Pack needed more than food and territory was a female. A female to ensure their population and increase their numbers. He knew exactly what kind of hell that would be for a female as beautiful as Ava Renfroe.
“Why did you call me, Barrett? Why not call one of the other Guardians?”
“The other Guardians are too far away.”
Didn’t that just warm the fucking heart? He was Barrett’s last choice. Or maybe he was Barrett’s only choice.
“You have the skills and the ability to infiltrate the compound where we believe she’s being held.”
“You mean they won’t be able to smell the scent of your Pack on me.” Fully belonging to a Pack always seemed beyond his reach. What was the use in trying anymore?
“This is your Pack, too, Damon. Once your trial period is over, you’ll be initiated into the Arkansas Pack.”
“Yeah, right. You keep believing the shit that’s coming out of y
our mouth, Barrett,” he snarled.
“Watch your tone when you address me,” Barrett growled.
Barrett always called him on his shit. For that, Damon respected his leader.
“Right now, my main concern is getting this female back before they can do God knows what to her.” Damon clenched his muscles, fighting the anger racing through every cell of his body. This wasn’t the time to shift into a wolf.
“It’s an isolated wooded area. I’ll text you the coordinates to the compound. According to the Intel from our surveillance planes, that place is locked up tighter than Fort fucking Knox.”
“I’ll be ready to go within the hour.” He slipped his phone into his leather jacket and glanced at the yellow glow of his Luminox watch. He needed to run home and grab a few items. Thankfully, he was already packing most of his weapons. Two Sig Sauer 45s holstered to his chest, a ten-inch blade in his right boot, and some thin strips of C4 in his pocket.
All he needed were a few detonator caps, a remote control, and he was in business.
***
Lethargy seeped into the recesses of Ava Renfroe’s foggy mind and threatened to pull her back into the blackness she was so desperately trying to escape. She’d never felt this tired, so drained of energy, and she wondered if she might have a bad case of the flu. It was too much to fight and she was sucked back into unconscious oblivion.
An eternity later, she pried open her heavy eyelids.
She blinked, letting her eyes get adjusted and glanced around. Cold, musty air stung her nose and each breath made her lungs ache. A cold sweat popped up across her skin as she gaped at her bleak surroundings.
Pushing herself up to a sitting position, she hissed as a deep pain shot through her back from lying on the concrete floor. Where the hell was she? She clamped a hand over her mouth to keep from being sick and focused on taking slow, even breaths.
The last time she felt this bad was a few years ago, after a night of shooting tequila. After that, she’d sworn never to touch the stuff again.