Hunter's Moon (The Witch Who Sang with Wolves Book 1)

by Kat Bostick

  Mari’s feet finally caught on the uneven surface of the wall. She carefully lowered one and then the other to rest on the bulk of a vine that twisted around a protruding brick. With a silent prayer she removed one arm from the window and wrapped her fingers around the thickest vine she could reach. Somehow the plant didn’t snap and send her flying backward. She continued the awkward journey down, lowering a foot, hunching her back, leaning an arm down. As she did she willed the vines to hold her weight. The plants writhed and thickened in her hands until they were rough and taut like climbing rope.

  Mari thanked the vines as she leapt down the last three feet. Aching pain pulsed through her bruised ankle but a few swear words and a one legged hop helped. Now that she was free, she had to find somewhere to go. The property was huge and Mari didn’t want to get lost in the woods but she knew if she stayed where she was someone would see her out the window.

  The barn caught her attention again. Mari hobble-trotted to the old wooden building and twisted the handle on the side door. It was unlocked. There were no lights on in the barn and only a faint trickle of sunshine made it through the windows below the high ceiling. That was why it startled her so much when someone spoke.

  “Running away from home?” The voice was familiar but with the echo in the building and without seeing Teal, she wasn’t positive it was him. She hoped it was Teal.

  “I’m not running away.” Not from home, anyway. Only from her problems. That was the only other choice when they were too big to fit in the “deal with it later” box in her head.

  “What are you running to then?” The lofty space made his words bounce around and it was hard to pinpoint where they originated.

  “Nothing.” Mari narrowed her eyes and scanned the shadowed rows of cars. In the back she noticed a motorcycle that was half covered by a tarp. She lowered herself between the cars and started creeping in that direction.

  “You’re quite a monkey.”

  “That’s not a compliment, FYI.”

  Teal chuckled. “I meant your climbing skills.” The clink of metal resting on cement came from somewhere in front of her.

  “All those childhood gymnastics lessons have come in real handy lately.” The floor was soothingly cool on her bare feet.

  “A witch and a gymnast? Sounds like you’re a woman of many talents. What other skills do you have?” The metal scraped and clinked again like he picked the object up, changed his mind, and set it back down.

  “I can fit fifteen grapes in my mouth at once.” Said Mari after some thought. “I’ve been told that I’m good at misdirection…”

  Her sentence trailed off when she leaned around the car to see a motorcycle. The tarp was back and there were several tools and parts on the ground but Teal was nowhere in sight.

  “You’ve been lied to.” Teal’s deep voice came so close behind her that it blew a lock of her hair.

  She whirled so fast that she fell back on her rump with a grunt. Her instinct was to crawl backwards and flee from him but she caught herself. Mari had enough experience with Jasper to know that a werewolf, like many predators, would give chase if she ran. She didn’t know if the same rules applied when they didn’t take the shape of a wolf but she didn’t want to find out now. Just because Teal seemed nice and harmless didn’t mean that he was.

  “You shouldn’t sneak up on a werewolf.” Teal warned. “We don’t like to be cornered and we don’t like to have strangers at our backs.”

  “I’m not your enemy.” Mari grumbled

  “I don’t know you so I don’t trust you at my back. Why are you sneaking up on me, little witch?” He was crouched between the cars, his posture defensive and his hands ready for action. A secret part of Mari wanted to be proud of herself for making a big scary werewolf take a defensive pose as if she was a genuine threat. Teal’s dark face, even darker in the dull light of the barn, made her reconsider voicing that pride.

  “Because I’m an idiot.”

  Teal chuckled unexpectedly and she jumped. “That’s never a good reason to do something, darlin’.” Not for the first time, she noticed the hint of an accent carrying his words. It wasn’t a heavy drawl like Cora’s but Mari would bet that Teal came from somewhere much further south than Minnesota.

  “Hey, if it’s not a stupid decision, I probably won’t make it.” She shrugged as nonchalantly as she could manage with her heart thundering in her chest.

  “You brought Trevor home. That wasn’t stupid. You sacrificed a great deal for him.” Teal straightened and extended a hand to help her up.

  “Sacrifice, schmacrifice. “ She let him heave her off the floor, smiling sheepishly. “I guess my ninja skills need some honing.”

  “Even a ninja can’t catch a werewolf off guard.” He smiled at her with his uniform teeth—they really were the most perfect and square teeth she’d ever seen—and brushed past her, returning to the motorcycle.

  “I didn’t know werewolves could drive motorcycles.”

  “I didn’t know witches could climb out of windows.”

  “Well, now you do. I can tie knots too. I forgot to mention that one.” Mari was careful not to step behind him when she sidled up to the motorcycle for a better look. “Does it run?”

  “She will someday soon and then I’ll be tearing up these country roads like hell on wheels. Deak thinks I should just get a dirt bike but he’s never ridden one of these babies on the highway.” Teal patted the seat of the bike affectionately.

  “Doesn’t that scare you? Motorcyclists get killed every day.” She finished her visual investigation and sat cross legged on the floor next to him.

  “I’ve got better reflexes than most. Anyway, haven’t you heard? It takes a lot to kill a werewolf.” He picked his tool back up and started tightening or loosening something.

  “I bet werewolves squish under eighteen wheelers just like everyone else.”

  Teal snorted. “Aren’t you optimistic?”

  Mari shrugged then fell silent as she watched him work. She knew very little about cars and even less about motorcycles so it was interesting to see someone who did. Teal worked carefully around the bike the way he might if it was a living creature. There was tenderness in his touch.

  “You’re not running away.”

  It wasn’t a question but Mari answered anyway. “Nope.”

  “And you’re not running to.”

  “Nah.”

  “Tell me then, why did you climb out a window? We have a front door. And a back one too. There’s even a side door in the kitchen.”

  Mari liked Teal so she decided to be honest instead of making up a poor excuse. “I don’t know.”

  “Folks don’t usually climb out of windows for no reason.”

  “This is a lot to process.” She waved her hands around in an exaggerated circle. “Werewolf customs and rules. Some of it seems really outmoded, y’know? Charlie actually used the term ‘courting.’ The last time I heard anyone say that was when my high school did a production of Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. I don’t want to be a stolen bride.”

  “Ah, that is a good reason to climb out of window.” Teal agreed solemnly.

  “I had no idea...” Mari stopped herself before explaining that she had no clue Jasper thought of her as his mate. Charlie and Clem were the only ones to know all of the details and she didn’t want to upset Jasper by divulging it to the others.

  “You had no idea that Trevor—Oh right, it’s Jasper now—claimed you as a mate?” He sat back on the balls of his feet and met her gaze. His eyes were the color of cinnamon and like the other wolves, they could cut through her flesh and see into her soul. It was both intimate and unnerving.

  Mari ducked his eyes and looked down at her hands. “No. I didn’t realize what it meant when I accepted his gift. I thought maybe we were, I don’t know, becoming a pack or something.” Father Above, she was so stupid.

  “And now you’re confused as a goat on AstroTurf.” He went back to work. “Charlie gave you permissio
n to leave. Why don’t you?”

  “I don’t necessarily want to.” And I don’t have anywhere else to go.

  “Why?”

  I care about Jasper. A lot. A lot more than I’m willing to admit to myself. “I don’t know.”

  “Then what is it that you do want?” Teal set down his tool and wiped greasy hands on his soiled jeans. Mari had been afraid that she wouldn’t get a say in her own life if she stayed with the pack. Now everyone was asking her what she wanted and that was somehow just as bad.

  “I want a coven. I want a clear direction to follow. I want to go home.” And I want him.

  Teal thundered a laugh as deep and pleasant as his speaking voice. “Sounds real conflicting.”

  “No kidding.” She huffed, stumbling when she pushed off the floor and put weight on her bad ankle.

  “Mari,” He put up a hand to stop her before she stalked out of the garage. “Did Jasper tell you about Charlie’s decision yet?”

  She had her back to him but she remained where she was between two cars. “What decision?”

  “Charlie has arranged a trial period for you.”

  “And what exactly happens during this trial period?” Mari pivoted to face him again.

  “What would’ve happened during a normal courtship. As long as you’re courting and haven’t completed your mating, you have the freedom to change your mind, as any she-wolf would.” Teal’s gentle expression became sympathetic. “I know that you’re not accustomed to our ways. I can sympathize. I was new to this life once too. The rules felt oppressive and the lack of autonomy chafed. If you accept Jasper and join the pack, Charlie will be your leader. For someone as strong willed as you, that might be as good as imprisonment.” He abandoned his task and leaned against the car beside her.

  “Why are you telling me this?”

  “Charlie and Jasper are biased. It makes no difference to me if you stay or you go. I think it’s fair that you hear from a neutral party.” Teal frowned and lifted his pointer finger. “Well, no, that’s not honest. I can’t be neutral because I know that if you leave us, you’ll leave with my brother’s heart in your hands.”

  “Maybe he’s just infatuated. We spent a lot of time together.”

  “I don’t think you understand.” He told her quietly. “Deak meant what he said at the breakfast table. We are surprised to see him happy. Jasper is the closest you can come to being a lone wolf within a pack. He loves us, he loves Charlie, but poor kid has had it rough and trust don’t come easy to him.” Mari could appreciate that. “I doubt we even know the half of what he’s been through. A lot about that boy is a mystery. You opened doors that may have been sealed his entire life in only two months. Whatever you are witch, you’re very special to my brother.”

  “Unbiased my rear end. If you weren’t trying to guilt me, you’ve failed miserably.” She pouted.

  “That’s not my intent. But I think it’s clear that you don’t want to leave. You’re just a chicken.” Teal smirked.

  “First I’m a monkey and now I’m a chicken? Says the wolf. What do you know, anyway? We met yesterday.” Mari was sick of being patronized. She turned to leave in a huff of immature anger, which only made her feel like Teal’s patronizing tone was called for.

  “You have until the hunter’s moon.” He called after her.

  So far Mari was making a great impression on Jasper’s pack. By tomorrow maybe she would have snapped at or stalked off from every single member. Then she wouldn’t have to make a decision because they would collectively decide she was too much of a brat to keep around.

  “Dumb wolves don’t think I know when I’m being played by all sides.” She slammed the barn door and stomped through the grass back to the house. Mari staggered as she smacked face first into Jasper’s chest. He was standing just outside the barn but even in direct sunlight, right in her path, he was stealthy enough that she didn’t see him until it was too late.

  “What are you doing?” She whined.

  “What are you doing?” He asked coolly. The hot look on his face contradicted his icy tone.

  “I was checking on my car.” That was a poor lie. Mari could do better.

  “You’re lying to me?” Hurt cut through the rage in his expression but he quickly hid it with a frown.

  “No, I just…” She rubbed her temples. There was no use denying what she’d been up to. “I mean, yes. Sorry. I was talking to Teal.”

  “You climbed out the window?” He growled. Mari was quite familiar with that growl by now and it wasn’t going to make her back down.

  She raised her chin stubbornly and said “Yeah, I did.”

  “Why?”

  “Because.”

  “Answer me.” More growling.

  “Don’t you growl at me.”

  “Don’t run away from me.” That domineering tone made her want to do exactly that.

  Against all better judgment, Mari turned on her bad ankle and started running. There was no use checking to see if he chased after her because she knew that he would. Mari ran and the wolf followed every single time. She aimed for the trees behind the barn and willed her throbbing ankle to shut up so she could put distance between herself and that damn house full of damn wolves.

  Jasper kept pace with her easily and within a few feet he was on her heels. He didn’t immediately tackle her like she expected. He waited until Mari made it more than a hundred feet into the woods before cutting her off and diving at her. They went down fast but somehow Jasper had the time to twist in the air so that instead of him landing on top of her, pinning her to the ground with his weight, she landed on top of him.

  Mari hadn’t been anticipating that move and wasn’t prepared to stop herself from crashing down on him with all of her momentum. He wheezed when her chest slammed into his stomach and knocked the wind out of him. Jasper’s hands flew up and for a brief second Mari was afraid he intended to restrain her. His fingers came to her face and, still breathless from her landing, he drew her into a kiss. It was a hard kiss with none of the tenderness from earlier.

  Yet, it wasn’t forceful. If Mari wanted to, she could pull away and he wouldn’t stop her. Other than her lips—and all the parts of him underneath her—he didn’t touch her. And, to her surprise, Mari didn’t resist. She immediately returned his kiss with a fervid excitement that had him making a noise between a groan and a purr. She tried to stop when his breath came in rapid bursts from his nose and she began to worry her landing had done some damage but he wasn’t eager to end their connection.

  Jasper tracked her lips as she raised herself to put space between them. He didn’t break the kiss even when she sat all the way up, astraddle his hips. Mari slid her hands through his hair, cupping his head and pulling it closer. Her teeth caught his bottom lip and nipped gently. Jasper ground his hips up toward her with another groan. She responded immediately, rocking forward and letting out a tiny gasp as they pressed together.

  Father Above, what was wrong with her? Mari quickly pulled back and rolled off with zero grace, probably leaving grass stains on the butt of her shorts as she scooted away from him. Predatory eyes watched her struggle to escape. They still glowed but with hunger now, not anger. Mari must have looked frightened because his expression sunk into one of regret.

  “I shouldn’t have done that.” he whispered. “I’m sorry.”

  She plucked a handful of grass and flicked it into the air with her fingers. “Me too.”

  Jasper cocked his head at her. “I don’t want you to be sorry for kissing me.”

  “Not for…that.” Her cheeks burned and she covered her lips with three fingertips. “Sorry I climbed out the window. That was stupid.”

  “Sorry I chased you.” He flopped onto his back in defeat.

  Guilt began chipping a hole in all the pent up frustration from the last few days until it crumbled away and left nothing but an ache of longing in it’s place. Mari watched Jasper close his eyes with a soft sigh. None of this was particularly easy for
him either. Maybe she was being a bit selfish. And dramatic. What was wrong with telling him she needed space? He offered it to her without prompting. There was no reason to jump out the window to get away from him.

  She quietly crawled back to him until her face hovered over his. He kept his eyes closed but Mari knew he felt her presence.

  “I’m a jerk.” She said.

  “No.”

  “I am. I shouldn’t have run away from you.”

  “Why did you?” He opened his eyes to study her face.

  Mari forced herself not to look away. “I was angry. And maybe confused too.” He nodded and traced her cheekbone with his thumb. “Jasper, what’s a hunter’s moon?”

  Jasper sat up and rested his elbows on his knees. “Teal told you.”

  “Was it a secret?”

  “No…”

  “But?”

  “I was afraid to tell you.” He admitted.

  “Why?” Mari sat cross legged beside him with her shoulder brushing his.

  “I just promised you choice and I was afraid you would feel like this was taking it away again.” He explained. “Charlie suggested that our courtship is incomplete because of my…predicament. He thinks it’s only fair if I court you the traditional way. Though, it can only be so traditional given our circumstances.”

  Jasper glanced down at his hands. “Mari, it didn’t occur to me that you didn’t understand my offer when I claimed you on the full moon.” That sharp note of hurt returned to his voice. “I never meant to bind you against your will. When you spoke the traditional words, I thought you understood what you were saying.”

  “What are these traditional words you keep talking about?” she questioned warily, fearing that she already knew. “What I said during my rites?”

  “’I take you into me. I carry your song in my heart.’ You said that to me.”

  She swallowed. “Those words are traditional in the context of mating?”

  “Yes, that’s what a she-wolf says when she accepts her mate under the eyes of Moon Mother. It’s our version of wedding vows.” Jasper rubbed his jaw and grinned boyishly. “Technically I was supposed to bring you a gift and claim you before you spoke the words but I assumed you were eager.”