Moon Grieved

by Jennifer Snyder

  “I overheard my aunt talking to a friend of hers who lives in the city. She said the women they found the other day, the ones that were on the news yesterday, had been drained of blood and mutilated.”

  My stomach churned.

  “Who did she hear that from? I don’t remember it being mentioned on the news.”

  Ridley took another sip of her latte. “Her husband is on the police force. He’s also a witch, so he knows of the supernatural world.”

  Shit. The Midnight Reaper definitely sounded like a vampire now.

  “Did she let our alpha know?” I asked. Weren’t they supposed to keep each other in the loop? It seemed like something they should do in this situation.

  “Not yet. She’s supposed to talk to him later this afternoon.”

  Would he decide to speak with Jane afterward? I couldn’t help but wonder.

  “Did you hear about that girl, Jane Hawker?” I asked.

  She shook her head. “No. What about her?”

  “She was in the city when those two women were attacked and witnessed the whole thing. Apparently, she’s gone nuts since. She won’t leave her room, and she keeps staring out the window, claiming a monster is going to get her.”

  “That’s horrible! Has anyone from your pack spoke with her yet?”

  “No. I mentioned something to Eli about it, and he said something to his dad, but the alpha doesn’t see a point in talking to her. He doesn’t think she can tell us anything of use. Thinks her mind is too fragile, I guess.” I nodded over my shoulder to the women behind me. “I think they were right to be concerned about the killer coming here.”

  “Me too,” Ridley insisted. “Is your pack making any preparations to try and stop this person once he gets into Mirror Lake? My aunt was contemplating putting a ward up. One that would keep any vampires besides the Montevallos out of town now that she suspects the Midnight Reaper is a vampire. She’s already been gathering ingredients.”

  “That’s a good idea. We’re running patrols. Hopefully this guy will be caught soon. I don’t want a vampire serial killer walking our streets and lurking in our woods.” The thought sent a shiver up my spine.

  “I don’t think any of us do.”

  “Are the Montevallos doing anything to help?” I asked before taking another sip from my frappe.

  “I’m not sure, but there are three of them in town now.”

  Three? I only knew of two.

  “I’ve met Julian and his younger sister, Ivette, but I haven’t met anyone else. Who’s the other?” My curiosity was piqued.

  “Her name is Octavia. I think she’s older than Julian and Ivette.”

  “Oh, well regardless of age and stuff, I think they should help. This Midnight Reaper isn’t going to be any kinder to our tiny town or its residents than it has been elsewhere.”

  Maybe I would pay the Montevallos a visit and say so.

  8

  Eli stood in the kitchen, refilling Moonshine’s water bowl when I walked in.

  “Hey,” he called from over his shoulder. “How was coffee with Ridley?”

  Moonshine ignored the fact Eli had filled her bowl and darted to me. She jumped up, excited to see me.

  “Good,” I said as I bent down to pet her. “Until I overheard a conversation at the table behind us. There were these two women talking about the Midnight Reaper. Did you know another body was found? Thirty miles from here?” I asked as I glanced at him.

  His body stiffened. “Yeah. Dad mentioned it earlier.”

  “Why didn’t you say anything?” I snapped.

  “Because it’s your birthday,” he said as though this should be reason enough. “It’s supposed to be a happy day. I didn’t want you thinking about the killings or the Midnight Reaper all day.”

  I wanted to be mad at him, but I understood where he was coming from. Still, I couldn’t drop the subject. This was serious, and it was starting to freak me out.

  “Did you know the bodies weren’t just mutilated, they were drained of blood too?” The words rushed from my lips. “It’s a vampire doing all of this.”

  “Where did you hear that?”

  Tightness built in my chest as I cocked my head to the side, studying his expression. I licked my lips as I continued to scratch Moonshine behind the ear.

  “Did you know?” I asked.

  Eli exhaled a slow breath. “It’s been speculated, but Dad hasn’t given a definite answer to any of us yet. We’ve all thought it may be something supernatural responsible though. Humans don’t mutilate others like that.”

  “Why would he withhold information like that from you guys?”

  Eli shrugged. “Maybe he needs more evidence?” He leaned against the kitchen counter and folded his arms over his chest. His green eyes narrowed on me. “Who did you hear all this from? Was it a legitimate source?”

  “Ridley mentioned it.” I stepped away from Moonshine to lean against the kitchen counter as well. “Her aunt heard about it from a friend of hers who lives in the city. She and her husband are witches. He’s also on the police force. He told her some of the bodies were drained of blood as well as mutilated.”

  Eli rubbed his jaw, his mind working overtime. “So what does that mean? Is this one vampire we’re dealing with or two?”

  My heart lodged in my throat. I hadn’t thought of the Midnight Reaper as more than one person. There was a real chance this wasn’t a single supernatural being we were talking about but multiple beings.

  “It could be more than one supernatural creature too. A vampire and something else.” I scooped up Moonshine as she lapped at her water, and I hugged her to my chest. I needed comfort, and she was a pro at giving it. “I still think we need to talk to Jane Hawker. So far she’s the only person who has witnessed whatever it is we’re dealing with.”

  “She’s gone crazy, Mina. I’m not sure we’ll be able to get much information out of her.”

  “We have to try.”

  “I’ll talk to my dad again and see what he suggests,” Eli said. “But not until after your party.”

  “Talk to him now,” I insisted.

  “No.” His eyes grew dark. He was serious, but so was I. “We’re going to your party, and we’re going to enjoy ourselves. All of this can wait until after.”

  “Can it? Whatever is out there is probably on its way to town as we speak. The Caraways are doing something about it. Why shouldn’t we? Mirror Lake is our home too. We need to help protect it.”

  “What are the witches doing?”

  “Ridley said they’re gathering ingredients to set a ward in place that won’t allow any vampires except the Montevallos in town.”

  “That’s a good idea,” Eli said. “And we are doing something. We’re patrolling. Your shift is tomorrow night. You and Violet were placed together.”

  “Good,” I said. It was a start.

  “Dad is supposed to meet with the Montevallos tomorrow. Ridley’s aunt too.”

  “Maybe between the three of us we can keep the Midnight Reaper out of Mirror Lake.” My voice shook when I spoke. I wanted to believe what I’d said, but had an awful feeling twisting in the pit of my stomach.

  One that had me thinking something horrible would happen soon.

  I set Moonshine down when she wiggled in my arms. Could she feel the tension and worry creeping through my veins? They say animals can sense things of that nature; I knew my wolf could. I could feel her pacing inside me. Anxious. Tense. On edge. Exactly like me.

  “Hey.” Eli lifted my chin, forcing me to look at him. “Chin up. It’s your birthday. Don’t worry about all of this crap now.”

  I frowned. “Easier said than done.”

  “Let me take your mind off it then,” he said as he bent to press his lips against mine.

  Lust clouded my thoughts as I gave in to him. His lips. His touch. His warmth. His arms snaked around my waist, pulling me closer as he skimmed his tongue over my bottom lip wanting to deepen our kiss. I opened my mouth and brushed my
tongue against his, wanting him to make me forget the real possibility of all hell about to break loose in Mirror Lake yet again.

  Eli’s tongue tangled with mine as he did as I wanted. His fingertips dug into the flesh of my hips. I ran my fingers through the hair at the nape of his neck. A groan spurred from somewhere deep inside his chest as I grazed my teeth across his bottom lip.

  We made our way out of the kitchen and through the living room toward our bedroom. Once we reached the hall, something soft fluttered past me, touching my leg in the process.

  “What the?” Eli pulled away as we became tangled in something.

  Toilet paper. It trailed down the hall from the bathroom toward the living room.

  “Moonshine must’ve gotten into the bathroom somehow,” Eli growled.

  She must have heard her name because the toilet paper began moving again as a low growling noise filled the trailer.

  I followed Eli to the living room where I spotted Moonshine racing around the couch with toilet paper flying behind her. Eli bolted after her as I laughed, watching the two of them circle the couch.

  “Help me. Don’t just stand there,” Eli snapped.

  I headed in the opposite direction Moonshine was going, hoping to block her path and trap her. It worked. With no place to go, she paused long enough for Eli to grab her. He ripped a long piece of toilet paper from her mouth, and then pried her lips apart with his fingers to dig out the rest.

  “I’m pretty sure she swallowed some,” he muttered.

  I scooped up the toilet paper and tossed it in the trash. “It’s just paper. She should be okay.”

  Eli blew out a long breath and set her down. “It seems like every time we get started, something comes along and grinds it to a halt.”

  “I know.” I walked toward him, thinking it would be easy to pick up where we’d left off. “So let’s not give anyone an excuse to interrupt us.” I placed a quick kiss on his lips before heading to the front door to lock it. Next, I gathered our cell phones and turned them off before I put Moonshine in her crate.

  “I like the way you think.” Eli grinned.

  I sauntered toward him and grabbed at the front of his shirt. I headed toward our bedroom, pulling him along with me. He didn’t fight. In fact, he seemed to like me showing a little dominance.

  Once we reached the bedroom, I released my grip on him and peeled off my clothes. I was going to get some birthday booty, damn it.

  “A little eager, aren’t you?”

  I tossed my shirt to the floor. “Always.”

  “Hmm...I like the sound of that,” Eli said as he stripped and flopped onto the bed.

  A grin hung on my face as I moved to straddle him. I placed warm kisses along the side of his neck and allowed myself to become lost in him again. His fingertips dug into my hips as a low growl pushed its way past his lips. I closed my eyes as I continued to kiss his beautiful skin.

  This was what I’d wanted for my birthday—some alone time with Eli.

  9

  Butterflies burst through my stomach as I pulled my hair on top of my head. I’d never been more nervous to attend a party in my life. I knew this one only consisted of pack members, but I still couldn’t tame my anxiety.

  “Are you ready?” Eli asked. He stood in the bedroom doorway, watching me fret with my hair.

  I exhaled a long breath, puffing out my cheeks. “As ready as I’ll ever be.”

  “Don’t look so depressed and ill. It’s a party. For you. You’re supposed to be happy,” Eli insisted with a teasing grin.

  “I am happy. I’m just nervous.”

  “Why would you be nervous?” He chuckled.

  “I just am.” I shrugged.

  My hands dropped to my sides as I walked past him into the hall.

  “Well, don’t be. I planned a fun party. Lots of food. Good music,” Eli said as he followed me down the hall. “Hell, I even bought some moonshine for us to sneak a drink of. That’s what your Gran saw on my list and didn’t seem happy about.”

  I glared at him over my shoulder. Drinking around my dad didn’t seem right. Not after he’d been working so hard to stay sober.

  “I don’t think drinking alcohol tonight is a good idea.” I faced him once we reached the living room. “I know this is a party, and I know it’s not realistic to think my dad will never be around alcohol again, but I do think it’s too soon. He doesn’t need any temptation, and I don’t want everyone to act like he’s an elephant in the room they need to avoid either.”

  Eli scratched the back of his neck. “I’m sorry. I should’ve thought the whole alcohol thing through better. I won’t bring it.”

  “Thanks,” I said as I leaned in and placed a kiss on his cheek. “So, the question is: Are you ready?”

  I hated putting him on the spot, but not serving alcohol was for the best.

  “Actually,” he said as he sidestepped me. He headed toward the washer and dryer. “I have something for you.”

  “A new washer and dryer?” I scrunched up my face. “Because really, you didn’t have to. The set we have is fine. There’s no washer or dryer you could get that would make doing laundry fun.”

  “No. Not a new washer or dryer.” He rummaged around before grabbing something he shoved behind his back. “Something even better.”

  “What?” I asked as I tried to peer around him to see what he was holding. I couldn’t.

  “Paint.” He held a gallon out to me, along with a stir stick. “Purple paint. Professor Plum to be exact.”

  My jaw dropped. “You’re kidding! You bought me paint? Purple paint? Oh my God!”

  And here I’d thought this birthday couldn’t get any better.

  “That was part of our bet. You did win, remember?” He grinned and I had to kiss him.

  “I do remember,” I said between kisses. “This is the best. Thank you!”

  “You’re welcome.” He set the paint on the kitchen counter and pried the lid off with a flathead screwdriver from in the junk drawer. “Check the color out. See if you like it.”

  The scent of wet paint floated through the air as the lid came off, and I found myself smiling wide. I loved painting. There was nothing better than changing the color of your walls to switch up the entire feel of a space.

  Eli dipped the stir stick into the thick paint and swirled it around.

  “It’s a little darker than I thought it would be,” he said, sounding slightly afraid.

  “Don’t be scared. It will dry lighter I’m sure.”

  I lifted the lid off the counter and grabbed a paintbrush from under the kitchen sink, then headed to our room. My muscles tingled and my mind felt clearer as I swiped a few strokes of color onto the wall. When I was finished, I took a step back and stared.

  “It’s going to look beautiful,” I said. My gaze drifted to Eli. “Do you like it?”

  “Umm, yeah. Sure.” He scratched at his neck.

  My arm fell to my side. “You hate it.”

  “I don’t hate it. I just think it will take some getting used to.”

  He hated it. Disappointment crashed through me. I didn’t want to paint the walls a color he loathed.

  “It’s fine. I’m sure it will grow on me,” he said as he pulled me close. “I don’t care what color the walls are. All I care about is waking up next to you every day.”

  He was too sweet to me sometimes.

  “Let’s get out of here,” Eli said as he took the paint lid from me. “You have a party to get to.”

  I followed him down the hall. “That needs to dry anyway. Maybe you’ll like it then.”

  He chuckled as he placed the lid back on the can. I moved to the pantry and grabbed a plastic grocery bag to wrap the wet brush in.

  “Ready?” Eli asked.

  “Yeah.” I pointed to Moonshine who was following him toward the front door. “Are we not putting her up this time?”

  “I figured I’d pop back in to check on her in about an hour. There isn’t anything she
can get into. I’ve already made sure.”

  “Why don’t we take her with us,” I suggested. “Gracie will probably bring Winston. They can have a puppy playdate.”

  “Okay, sure. Grab her leash.”

  I grabbed it off the counter and started for the door. Once we had her hooked up, the three of us stepped outside.

  It was close to seven, which meant it was cooling off and the sky was beginning to darken. I enjoyed this time of year.

  I walked beside Eli down the gravel road to the back of the trailer park. There was no central section designated for parties. Instead, Eli’s dad had asked the trailer park owner for a small building near the back.

  Bobby had no issue with putting one up. He was a good guy.

  Once the building was built we put it to use. Throughout the year we hosted multiple events there—ceremonial dinners, potlucks, birthday parties, and holidays. The space had brought us closer as a pack through the functions we held.

  Music floated to my ears as we neared it. Someone had hung a string of white lights around the door and tiny windows, causing it to stand out against the beautiful sky. Kids played out front while a few of the adult pack members watched them and chatted. One of the kids held Winston in her arms. My gaze drifted around because I knew Gracie had to be close by. I spotted her leaning up against the building, watching while she chatted with Cooper.

  I nodded toward them. “The two of them are inseparable lately.”

  “They’ve been close for a while,” Eli insisted.

  “Do you think they’re going to imprint once they become moon kissed?” I asked, unable to take my eyes off them.

  It was hard for me to think of Gracie in such a grown-up way, but she would be turning fourteen soon. She was growing up whether I wanted her to or not.

  “It’s possible.” Eli grinned. Excitement rang in his voice.

  “Ugh,” I said as I smoothed a hand over my face. “I can’t believe I’m talking about my little sister becoming imprinted.”

  “It’s bound to happen one day.”

  “I know. It’s just crazy to see her with someone and think about it. I mean, she has a boyfriend! One she’s been with for two months. It’s insane!”