Blood Moon

by Rose Marie Wolf

  “Jason, you didn’t tell me your mate was Rose Sullivan.” The teenage girl stared at Rose in awe, and Rose was uncomfortable with the attention. “I’ve read your books—”

  “Not now, Aurora. Later. Rose has been through a lot,” Jason said.

  “Take her to the bedroom,” Glen said. “She can rest there.”

  “And maybe take a shower,” Rose said in a small voice. Water dripped from her clothes to the floor, leaving a water trail as Jason led her away from them all. Davis helped Claire to the couch.

  “Who’s this?” Slater asked. He stared at her with scrutiny. “She’s human.”

  “She helped me escape.” Rose turned from the doorway. “She’s all right.”

  Slater stared at Rose and opened his mouth to say something in protest. Davis interrupted him.

  “Claire’s fine. She’s on our side. We can trust her.” The tone in his voice suggested no more disagreement. Slater snorted and crossed his arms. He sat in a seat near Glen and glared. No one else said anything for a while. Everyone was brooding as if trying to decide on something. Rose and Jason waited in the doorway.

  “I’m sure we are all just as tired as Rose is. Why don’t we all get some sleep?” It was Glen that broke the silence.

  “Where? There’s only the couch and your cot for us to sleep on, and the floor is none to comfortable,” Cheyenne pointed out. The couch was being used by Claire, who had her leg stretched out and elevated on a cushion. Glen’s brow furrowed.

  “You’re right.”

  “No problem though,” Cheyenne continued. “I can make a quick run to some place open this early. I can get us some sleeping bags, food, and whatever else we need. I think Rose would appreciate some clean clothes.” She pointed a thumb in her direction.

  “Yeah.” Rose leaned against Jason. “I would like that very much.”

  “And I’m hungry.” Rebel spoke up the first time since Rose arrived. He glanced at his sister who was nodding vigorously. “We both are.”

  A murmur of agreement went through the room and Glen nodded. “That’s settled. All right. Cheyenne will get some supplies.”

  “I’ll go with her,” Aurora spoke up, stepping away from her brother. No one protested and Cheyenne smiled at her.

  “Sure thing, hon. It’s always good to have an extra set of hands.”

  “I want to help.” Claire sat up a bit, and reached for her pocket. She pulled out a wallet and opened it. She produced several bills of twenties and fifties. She held the wad of bills out for Cheyenne to take. She took it, lifting an eyebrow slightly as she thumbed through the bills.

  “Get your coat,” she said. Aurora moved quickly to do so.

  “I want to help,” Claire repeated as Cheyenne as reached for her coat draped over the back of the couch. “I want to do some good. I’m tired of all the bad. If I can, I want to help correct some of the wrongs Simon has done.”

  “I know, hon. I’ll put it to good use. Don’t worry about that. It’s a pretty good amount. You rich?”

  Claire hesitated then let out a breath. “My parents were. It’s what they left me. It’s only gotten me into trouble. I just want to help.”

  Cheyenne nodded that she understood and turned her attention to Rose in the doorway.

  “Sizes?”

  Rose sighed tiredly. She could barely keep her eyes open. “I wear a size twelve.”

  “Shoes.”

  “Eight. I’m not picky about what you get. Anything will do.” She gave a weak smile. “Thanks.” She supported her weight against Jason, who pulled her close to him and held her upright.

  “Not a problem. I’m glad to do it.” Cheyenne smiled and slipped on her jacket. “Let’s go, ‘Rora.” They left, Aurora closing the door behind them. A moment later, Cheyenne’s truck started and they pulled out of the lot.

  “I’m tired, love.” Rose said, turning to face him. She smiled weakly again. “I want to get a shower, and some sleep.”

  Jason only nodded and led her into the bedroom.

  * * *

  “I can’t believe they are all dead.” Rose’s words were barely intelligible amid her sobs. “The whole PRDI. Gavin, Mary, Anna…” She let out a great sob and buried her face in Jason’s chest. She sat in his comforting arms. He could find very little words to soothe her, but he tried.

  “It’s all right now, love,” he whispered into her hair. “You’re safe.”

  “It’s all my fault,” she said, muffled against his chest. She pulled back. Her face and eyes were wet and red. He rubbed her shoulders gently. “They wanted me. Simon wanted me, and everyone else was killed because of me. It’s my fault.”

  “Stop it, Rose. It’s over now.” He stroked her hair and back. Her tears slipped down her face, and he stopped the tears with a wipe of his thumb. “No more crying.”

  She sniffled a little and pulled back from him to wipe her nose and face. “I can’t help it, Jason. I feel… I mean, if it hadn’t been for me…”

  “It’s not your fault.” He was adamant. “Simon would’ve done the same thing to anyone else. It’s not because of you.”

  Rose shook her head. “No, love, you don’t understand. He wanted me…wanted to use me…” She held her hands up helplessly and stared at him. Fresh tears started and quickly he drew her near. She collapsed into his arms in fresh sobs.

  “I know, Rose…I know…”

  But he didn’t know. He hadn’t known that was Simon’s true purpose, but somehow it made sense. He clenched his hands into a tight fist, not wanting to hurt Rose in his embrace. Simon was going to pay for everything he had done to Rose, for everything he had done to those close to her. He was going to pay for leaving Jason to die, when he should’ve finished the job. Jason exhaled.

  “You shouldn’t blame yourself.” He whispered his words. His hands uncurled finally and resumed running over her back. She sobbed a little less and was soon silent. He listened to her ragged breathing until it was under control.

  “Feel better?” he asked and looked down at her tear-streaked face. She nodded and he forced a smile. “Here, I’ll help you to the bathroom.”

  Jason helped her to her feet and led the way to the bathroom. He turned the water on and it got hot quickly. Steam rolled from behind the curtain. Rose stared at her reflection in the fogging mirror. She touched her cheek, felt under her eyes at the dark circles there.

  “So much has changed…” she whispered softly.

  He watched her neck constrict, tightening. Her nostrils flared and her eyes watered. She was about to cry again. Jason stepped up behind her and placed a strong hand on her shoulder.

  “Yes,” he said. His voice echoed in the bathroom, too loud. He softened it. “Things have changed, but not how I feel for you…”

  She looked at him through the mirror’s gaze. “Love…”

  “It’s true.” His fingers massaged her shoulder. “I love you, Rose. I almost died for you.”

  The tears began again. She didn’t look away from his gaze in the mirror.

  “But I didn’t die. We’re still together, Rose, and together, we will take care of Simon. We will make him pay for what he’s done…”

  “You mean, you will make him pay…” Rose paused and lowered her gaze. “How did you manage it?”

  “Manage what?”

  “To live.” She turned to face him. She stared up at him and shook her head. “I saw you. You were dead. You were shot…”

  Jason closed his eyes and rested his hands on her shoulders. “I don’t know, Rose. Everyone else is stumped. No one knows. Not even a full-blood could’ve survived that.”

  “But you did. You’re only half…”

  “I know.”

  “Do you think it’s because—"

  “No,” he cut her off shortly. “It’s not because of that. Don’t mention that to me.”

  Rose looked hurt for a moment, but she didn’t back down. “But you don’t know that much about your mother or your father. It could very well be
something psychic…”

  “I don’t want to talk about it, Rose. Let that be it.”

  She stared at him and he realized he was hurting her with his grip. He let go.

  “I’m sorry.”

  “I shouldn’t have said it. I’m sorry.”

  “That doesn’t matter.” Jason gave a very tense smile that faded when he saw the stern, hurtful look on Rose’s face. “All that matters is that we are here, and Simon is going to pay.”

  She nodded her head and lowered her eyes. He tucked his fingers under her chin and lifted her head. “And I won’t have you worrying about that now.”

  And he kissed her.

  This wasn’t like the kiss of their reunion, when it had only been filled with the relief of finding one another alive. This kiss was passionate and hot, rivaling the steam that rolled from the shower. This kiss was sexual and strong. He almost bruised her lips with his fervor. Her tongue sought his. Her fingernails dug into his shoulders as Rose kissed back with an equal fire.

  Jason pulled her shirt over her head, depositing it in the growing pile of clothes on the bathroom floor. His shirt was gone soon. She quickly undid his pants. She wore only her damp panties now, having shimmied out of her wet pants. His hands gripped her ass but she slipped away.

  The shower water was hot, but needed no adjustment. Rose went in first and Jason hurried to remove his boots and socks. The water beat on his back and he resumed the kiss. His hands found hold of her hips. He lifted her and gripped her buttocks. She gasped when he pressed her back to the wall of the shower and kissed her in frenzied desire.

  Rose was exquisite. He slid into her quickly and easily, and began a rhythm. Her hands held tightly around his neck and she moaned into his ear. Her legs wrapped around his buttocks and hips. He slid deeper into her.

  She met his thrusts and drew him closer with her strong legs. Her hands massaged his wet scalp and ran through his hair. They kissed again. Fire erupted from within and exploded in a mad rush of tangled tongues and bruising lips. Jason had almost forgotten what it was like to hold her. So thankful was he to have her in his arms again that he savored every second of lust and pleasure with her. It was perfect.

  When finally Rose tilted her head back, moaning his name into the cascading water, he was content. For the first time since their ordeal began, he felt peace. He knew what he had to do and he was ready. Nothing was going to stop him from his revenge.

  He held her for a moment longer and trailed gentle kisses along her neck and collarbone. She had her eyes closed and strands of her dark hair clung to her forehead. He brushed them away with his hand.

  “I’m so glad you’re back,” he whispered. He eased her back to the shower’s floor. She smiled up at him and ran a hand over his muscled chest. He turned his back away from the water’s spray and it fell on her breasts, cascaded down her stomach.

  “I noticed,” she said, drawing his gaze back to her face. “I missed you so much.”

  “No more crying, Rose,” Jason told her. “Please.”

  “No more crying,” she promised.

  He drew her wet body close to him and embraced her.

  “You know what we have to do.”

  “Yes…” she said, but she hesitated a moment. He looked down at her.

  “But?”

  “But, I don’t want to think on it now…”

  “All right.” Jason felt a twinge of anger and hurt, but he understood. She didn’t want to hear about them now, not after she had just barely escaped with her life. He nodded, clenching his teeth together.

  “Don’t be angry with me, love. It’s just—” She sighed. “I want to spend one more night with you, without worrying about the hunters, without thinking about that asshole.”

  “That’s enough. I know what you mean. I won’t say another word.” He kissed her wet forehead.

  “Thank you,” she said tiredly. “Now, can we shower and get some sleep?”

  “That sounds great.”

  * * *

  Jason was reluctant to leave the warmth and comfort of her body next to his, but he had to find out something. He left Rose sleeping on the cot and returned to the main room where everyone was congregated. Cheyenne and Aurora had returned with bundles of sleeping bags and bags of supplies.

  “Here are her clothes.” Cheyenne handed him a plastic bag. “I didn’t know what she would like so I got some practical things.”

  Jason didn’t even look in the bag. “I’m sure they’ll be fine.”

  Slater and Rebel were busying themselves with unrolling the sleeping bags. Claire was half asleep on the couch, her foot propped up. Jason noticed a bottle of pain medication clutched in her hand. He looked to Davis who sat next to her and watched over her.

  “She was in pain,” he said. “She’s fine. It’s just over the counter stuff.” He did not look up at Jason as he spoke. “She only took a few.”

  Jason turned away. Glen was going through the bags of food Aurora had carried in. They were mostly snacks and junk-food, but it was enough to get them through the day. Jason leaned against a chair and sighed.

  “Something wrong?” Cheyenne asked. She had finished unrolling her sleeping bag and sat cross-legged on top of it. “Is Rose okay?”

  “Rose is fine. She’s asleep,” he answered and turned to Glen. “What are we going to do?”

  Glen paused from reading the label on a bag of potato chips and furrowed his brow together. “I don’t know.”

  “We are going after them, right? We can’t let Simon get away with what he’s done,” Jason said. “I want to go after him.”

  “I know you do. I don’t blame you, but we don’t have a plan. We haven’t come up with anything—”

  “I want to get him tonight,” Jason went on. He cast a glance at the kids, who were all listening with glossy eyes and stifling yawns. He didn’t care if they heard him. “I want to surprise him. I want to rip his fucking throat out.”

  “Jason.” Glen’s voice held a warning tone.

  “You know me, Glen.” Jason said. “I will make him suffer—”

  “I know. Like I said, I don’t blame you, but you’re not thinking clearly. Get some rest. Have something to eat. We all need to chill for a bit and get our minds in the right gear.”

  “I agree with Glen.” Cheyenne nodded from where she sat. “Let’s all get a few hours of sleep, and we will talk it over tonight.”

  Jason exhaled deeply and closed his eyes. “All right…”

  “Don’t worry. We’ll get him. I’ll make sure of it.”

  “And I’ll help,” Davis said, finally joining the conversation. He looked up at Jason and Glen. “Simon took a lot from me. He took a lot from all of us.”

  “But right now,” Glen continued, “go back to bed. Rose needs you.”

  Jason looked around at the sleepy faces and did not argue anymore. “I’ll see you when I wake up. Sleep well, guys.” He returned to the bedroom.

  Rose stirred slightly when he slipped into the cot beside her.

  “What’s going on?” she murmured sleepily. She half opened her eyes, but closed them immediately. Jason kissed her forehead.

  “It’s nothing, beautiful. Go back to sleep.” And she did, curling up with her head against his shoulder. But he did not fall asleep for a long while. He lay awake in the darkness, his hand now and again running along her arm. Sleep finally overtook him and it was thankfully dreamless.

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Rose awoke in the darkness to a snoring Jason. She sat up, feeling stiffness in her arms, legs and neck from sleeping in the uncomfortable and cramped cot. She groaned softly and rubbed the back of her neck.

  How long have I been asleep? There were no windows in this room so she couldn’t tell by the outside light. She climbed over Jason and out of the cot.

  “Jason,” she murmured softly and touched his sleeping face. He snorted and turned his head. She smiled a bit and shook his shoulder. “Jason, sweetheart, we need to get up.”r />
  “What?” he asked sleepily. He sat up and blinked the sleep out of his eyes. He seemed to have a difficult time focusing on her in the darkness. She could see him perfectly. There was a light sheen of sweat on his face. Her smile faded.

  “What is it? Something wrong?” He swung his legs over the side of the cot, gave a huge yawn and ran a hand through his messy hair.

  “No. It’s just time to get up. Where are my clothes?”

  “Wait a minute.” Jason stood and fumbled for the light. It filled the room and both of them squinted against its brightness. “Over there, in the bag.”

  Rose began to dress. She removed the tags from the clothing. The jeans and shirt smelled new and felt starchy against her skin. The tennis shoes fit well. Jason slipped on his leather pants and watched her.

  “Rose?”

  “Yes?” She paused in the tying of her shoe and looked at him. His face was serious and he was silent. “What is it?”

  “You know what I have to do, don’t you?”

  Here it is. She took a deep breath, and closed her eyes. She had told herself she wasn’t going to cry anymore.

  “Yes, you’re going after him.”

  “And you understand why, right?”

  “Yes, but— Love, I don’t want you to do it. It’s not worth it. It’s over. Just forget about him.”

  “I can’t, Rose. I can’t forget about him. If I don’t stop him now, there could be others that suffer a fate similar to ours. I won’t let that happen.” He paused. He stared at her intently. “Besides…it’s personal.”

  “Jason.” She took a deep breath before beginning. She found it hard to look into his eyes. They had taken on a golden hue. “I won’t lie to you and say this is good idea, and I won’t say I agree with your decision

  but—”

  “But nothing. I’m going to do it.” He did not wait to hear the rest of what she had to say. He turned to leave.

  “I don’t want you to get hurt.”

  He stopped, his hand on the doorknob. He sighed. “Rose—”

  “Jason, I’m serious. You fought Simon once before and barely made it. What if this time—”