Beneath a Blood Lust Moon

by Jodi Vaugn

  “Please, Kate.” Braxton held her face between his hands, forcing her to look at him. “I don’t want to see you get hurt.”

  “And I don’t want to see you get killed…” she glared at the three Weres “…for a murder you did not commit!”

  Braxton’s heart convulsed and twisted. God, how he loved this woman, even if she wasn’t a werewolf. It didn’t matter to him if she were a purple cat, Kate was his perfect match.

  “Female, you need to leave,” Brutus ordered.

  Killian reached inside his jacket and pulled out a .45. “How about this time I put it in your head so you won’t feel a thing?”

  Kate screamed, struggling to put herself in front of Braxton.

  Braxton looked at Brutus and gritted his teeth. “I don’t want her to see this.”

  Brutus narrowed his eyes for a second before nodding Lorcan forward. “Take the woman outside.”

  “You better fucking make sure you don’t hurt her,” Braxton growled.

  “Fine, rogue. The human won’t be harmed.” Lorcan smirked and reached her. Kate twisted and bit his hand. Lorcan snarled.

  “You sure she’s human?” Lorcan growled and assessed the damage.

  “Kate, please go with him,” Braxton pleaded. He wasn’t sure how much more he was going to be able to take before he brought this whole place down around their ears.

  Kate glanced at the door and then back at Braxton. She settled down. “Fine. But I’ll walk out of here. Without him touching me.” She glared at Lorcan, who shot her a glare.

  Braxton nodded; he didn’t trust his voice at the moment. Instead, he kept his gaze on Kate. He wanted her face to be the last face he saw as the bullet hit his brain.

  Kate walked down the aisle with Lorcan behind her. She was halfway to the door when a woman’s scream tore through the church.

  Felicity ran through the door carrying a large ceramic flower pot. She hurled it in the air towards Killian. It struck the Assassin on the side of the head with a thunk and then fell to the ground, smashing into a thousand pieces.

  “That’s from doing crossfit, motherfuckers.” Felicity flipped them the bird with both hands.

  With blood running down his face in a small river, Killian lowered his pistol and gave Felicity a murderous glare. Felicity froze.

  “Why are you not on the ground? That was like a fifty pound flower pot. That shit was heavy.” Felicity arched her brow.

  “Who are you?” Brutus growled.

  “Fuck me.” Lorcan’s gaze grew wild and he took a step back into a pew. “She’s one of those crazy women.”

  Killian snarled at Lorcan. “Man, why are you being a pussy?”

  “She’s one of those crazy women, the ones that tried to attack me. She looks all innocent, but wait till she whips out that riding crop.” Lorcan eased away from the other two Assassins with a scowl on his face.

  Killian took his eyes off Braxton and glared at Felicity.

  Braxton saw his chance and lunged at Brutus.

  ***

  Kate screamed.

  Braxton had Brutus on the ground, one hand around his throat the other delivering a set of hard blows to the face.

  Brutus, unfazed, bucked Braxton off. He grabbed Braxton by the back of his shirt and threw him several feet down the aisle, where he crashed on the altar, leveling it to the ground.

  Braxton did some kind of martial arts move, flipping from his back and landing on his feet.

  The other two Assassins nodded at each other and made a move toward Braxton.

  While Brutus and Braxton were equally matched, there was no way it would be a fair fight once the other two werewolves joined in the action. She wasn’t going to let that happen. Kate ran and jumped on Killian’s back, wrapping her arms tightly around his neck.

  “Really?” Killian sighed impatiently as he shot her a glare over his shoulder. “You are no match for me, you know this, right?”

  “Killian, quit flirting and get your ass in the fight.” Lorcan shook his head and started to jump into the fight.

  “Hey, hottie,where do you think you’re going?” Felicity stepped into Lorcan’s path.

  Kate craned her neck over Killian’s shoulder and frowned. Felicity had no idea what she was getting herself into.

  “Holy shit.” Lorcan paled.

  “Hey, you can’t say ‘shit’ in church. It’s like a sin or something.” Felicity propped her hands on her hips.

  “She’s just a human, Lorcan. Handle her,” Killian snarled and proceeded to unwrap Kate’s arms from around his neck.

  Felicity’s eyebrow shot up. “Handle me. I like the sound of that. And, just for the record, I didn’t notice a ring on your hand.”

  “Ring?” Lorcan frowned.

  “Yeah, a wedding ring. So I guess that means you’re available for all kinds of debauchery and impure activities.” Felicity waggled her eyebrows.

  Kate blew her bangs out of her eyes as she struggled to hang on to Killian’s neck. “Felicity, they’re trying to kill Braxton. Stop trying to get laid and help him.”

  Felicity reached into the back of her jeans and pulled out a Taser.

  Lorcan snorted. “What’s that supposed to…”

  Felicity pressed the Taser to Lorcan’s neck and hit the button. Lorcan dropped backward like an oak tree and hit the floor.

  “What the hell did you do?” Killian stared down at his friend and frowned.

  Kate jumped off Killian’s back and headed down the aisle to Braxton. “If he moves, Felicity, taser him, too!”

  Kate’s heart pounded in her ears as she hurried to Braxton. Brutus now had both hands wrapped around Braxton’s throat, while his knee was shoved against his chest to keep him from moving.

  Braxton’s lips were turning blue as he clawed at Brutus’s hands. The Assassin was going to strangle him to death. She grabbed the offering plate off the floor and whacked Brutus on the back of the head.

  The Assassin didn’t flinch.

  Kate brought the offering plate back down on his head again and again. It was like trying to get an alligator off its prey. Brutus wouldn’t budge.

  Suddenly, a large pair of hands wrapped around her waist and lifted her up in the air. She struggled against the steely grasp. When he released her, she took a step back. It wasn’t either of the other Assassins. But judging by his size and strength, he was definitely a werewolf, too.

  The stranger’s dark blonde hair brushed a little past his shoulders and his angry eyes were a startling shade of deep blue. Dressed in jeans and skin-tight T-shirt, he seemed taller than Braxton.

  His angry gaze left hers, and he turned his attention back to the fight. He grabbed Brutus by the neck and lifted the Were over his head and hurled him into the glass wall behind them. The chapel trembled and the sound of glass cracking and splintering had Kate wondering if the whole thing was about to come down around their heads.

  “Enough!” The stranger glared at the Assassins and then turned to Braxton and offered his hand.

  Braxton stood and rubbed his neck. “Thanks, Barrett.”

  Kate ran to Braxton’s side, burying her face in his chest as he held her close. She didn’t know who the Were was, but he’d helped Braxton, so that made him okay by her.

  “This is none of your business, werewolf,” Brutus growled, stepping into Barrett’s space.

  Damon and Jayden rushed through the side door and stood on either side of Barrett, effectively creating a wall between the Assassins and Braxton.

  “This is my business, dickwad. I’m the Pack Master of Arkansas, so you better back the fuck up.” Barrett’s deep voice shook the cracked glass of the church.

  “We were ordered here by the Pack Master of Louisiana,” Brutus answered.

  “And you are now in my territory!” Barrett stepped forward. “Louisiana commands hold no weight here.”

  Damon and Jayden smirked and took a step forward.

  Lorcan and Killian took a step back.

  “I am Law
here. And as long as you are in my territory, you are under my authority.” Barrett’s voice carried through the church, the glass windows trembling under the weight. “So you assholes better kneel before me before I rip out your spleen and eat it.”

  The muscle in Brutus’s jaw twitched, and he fisted his hands. He nodded and he, along with the other two Assassins, knelt before Barrett.

  Kate trembled and said a silent prayer that Barrett seemed to be on Braxton’s side. Braxton’s hand ran up and down her back in a reassuring motion.

  Kate leaned closer to Braxton and lowered her voice. “What does this mean?”

  Barrett turned his gaze on her. “It means that the fugitive is in my jurisdiction and therefore I will hold a Tribunal to determine his guilt or innocence.”

  “What about our orders?” Lorcan looked up from his position on the floor.

  “When you crossed into Arkansas without letting me know you were here, you forfeited any rights to the fugitive. It seems to be an old law on the books about such an offense.” Barrett motioned for the Assassins to stand. “Get up, you’re making my neck hurt.”

  The three Weres stood. Felicity rushed down the aisle toward them.

  Kate sucked in a breath. “Damn, I forgot about her.”

  “Who is she?” Barrett’s intense gaze was focused on Felicity.

  Kate swallowed, but Braxton answered first. “She’s one of Kate’s guests at The Bella Luna.”

  Lorcan stepped behind Killian. “She’s crazy. Watch your man parts.”

  Felicity propped her arms on her hips. “Okay, spill it. Are you guys some kind of vampires or something?”

  Everyone grew quiet.

  “Vampire?” Barrett set his hardened gaze on her.

  Felicity wasn’t backing down. “Yeah. I mean how else do you explain how all of you guys are built and ripped? Not to mention how strong you all are.” Felicity gave each Were an appreciative look. “So?” She looked back at Barrett.

  Barrett arched his brow. “Spartacus.”

  Felicity frowned. “What?”

  “We’re so big because we do the Spartacus workout.” Barrett’s gaze never wavered. Kate felt Braxton chuckling softly, and she bit her lip to keep from laughing.

  Felicity narrowed her eyes. Kate held her breath, her mind racing with another plausible explanation because she just knew Felicity wasn’t going to buy it.

  “Is that right?” Felicity glanced at everyone.

  “Yeah.” Killian nodded and then flexed his bicep.

  Felicity frowned. “Hmph. I’ll have to look into that.”

  Kate released her breath.

  “It’s not even dawn yet. I think I’ll go back to the B&B.” Felicity looked at Kate. “Do you want me to wait on you or is everything good?”

  “I’m fine, Felicity. You go on back to the house. I’ll be there shortly.”

  “Alright. I’m going to bed.” Felicity started down the aisle and turned, a smile playing at the corners of her lips. She looked right at Lorcan. “Wanna come?”

  Lorcan swallowed hard and shifted his weight. He looked at his two friends for help, but they kept silent.

  “He can’t. He’s going to have to clean this place up,” Barrett stated. Lorcan relaxed.

  Felicity shrugged and then closed the door behind her.

  “Thanks,” Lorcan murmured to Barrett.

  “What’s with you, man? She’s just a human,” Killian snarled.

  “Actually, she’s more than just human. She’s a romance writer.” Jayden rubbed the back of his neck.

  Barrett glanced at his watch. “It’s going to be dawn soon. We need to be getting out of here.”

  The Assassins started for the door. Barrett’s hand clamped down on Brutus’s shoulder. “Except for you three.”

  “You three will be sticking around here with me to speak to the pastor of this church about how you’ll be paying for the damages.”

  “What?” Brutus growled.

  Barrett’s smirk slid off his face. “Do you have a problem with that? If so, we need to discuss this before the pastor gets here. I’d hate to greet him with three dead bodies in his church.”

  Brutus gritted his teeth. “There’s no problem.”

  “Good.” Barrett turned to Braxton and Kate.

  Braxton cocked his head at Barrett. “I guess I’ll be heading back with you.”

  “Yes. There’s going to have to be a Tribunal.”

  “What’s a Tribunal?” Kate asked.

  Barrett looked at Braxton. “I guess she knows.”

  Braxton nodded and pulled her close. “She knows what I am. What we are.”

  Barrett cocked his head, his gaze running down her body as if assessing if he could trust her. “A Tribunal is like a court case where both sides present evidence. Only there is no jury. Only a judge.”

  “Is it safe to say you would be the judge?”

  “Always.” Barrett grinned, his bright white teeth gleaming against his five o’clock shadow. He was breathtakingly beautiful, but he did nothing for her. Not like Braxton did.

  “I’d like to take Kate home first, before I have to leave.”

  Barrett stared hard at Braxton. “The Were law states that once in the custody of the Commander of the state, a fugitive has no rights.”

  Kate swallowed. This would be the last time she’d see Braxton. Probably ever.

  “I understand.” Braxton nodded, but his body stayed tense.

  “But seeing how we have an understanding, I don’t suppose it would hurt for you to see the girl home. I’ll be by shortly to collect you.”

  “Thank you.” Kate reached out and touched Barrett’s arm. He looked a little shocked and then frowned. She snatched her arm away, not wanting to press her luck.

  “I appreciate it, Barrett. You’ve saved my ass tonight.” Braxton stuck out his hand. The two shook.

  “It’s not over yet. You’ll still have to prove you’re innocent at the Tribunal in Little Rock.”

  ***

  They rode back to Bella Luna in Kate’s SUV in heavy silence. Braxton wished for the hundredth time that the stupid truck didn’t have bucket seats so he could pull her right up next to him.

  He pulled up to the bed and breakfast and cut the engine. The darkness of night was giving way to the purple light of dawn. Only a few more minutes and the sun would be peeking over the mountains.

  Kate got out and shut the door. Braxton followed.

  His gut clenched as he tried to imagine not being able to see her every day. He hadn’t realized just how much he’d miss her. Why had he found his perfect mate, only to lose her? The thought made him feel empty inside.

  “Kate.”

  She stopped, one foot resting on the steps, the other on the ground. The way she held her shoulders, straight and stiff, made Braxton realize she was barely hanging on to her emotions, as well.

  He pulled her back against his chest, holding her tight and burying his face in her neck. She melted against him and rubbed her cheek against him.

  “I’m not sure how this will all turn out,” Braxton murmured against her neck. “If I can’t prove my innocence then…”

  Kate jerked in his arms and turned to face him. “But you are under Barrett’s protection now.” She stared at him, wide-eyed.

  “I am under Barrett’s protection for the Tribunal. Barrett will see that I get a fair trial, but he won’t declare my innocence if I can’t provide any evidence.”

  “So there’s no hope then.” Kate’s eyes filled with tears.

  He caressed her cheek with the back of his fingers. “There’s always hope, Kate. You taught me that.”

  She reached up on tiptoes and wrapped her arms around his neck, bringing his mouth down to meet hers. This kiss was different, a combination of urgency and longing, and it almost brought Braxton to his knees.

  When he finally pulled away, Braxton continued to gaze at her. “I’ll come back to you. When this is all over, I’ll come back.”

&
nbsp; Kate nodded slowly. “I’ll be here.” She turned and hurried up the steps.

  Braxton bristled; a strange sense of foreboding crept across his skin.

  A metal click echoed in the stillness of the predawn. Braxton sprang toward Kate and shoved her down to the wooden floor of the porch just before a gunshot rang out over their heads.

  Braxton stayed still, covering Kate’s body, while his eyes searched frantically in the dark. A shadow shifted.

  “Don’t move,” Braxton whispered to Kate.

  “Only a coward would shoot in the dark.” He called out to the shadow at the end of the porch. His eyes quickly focused and adjusted. The figure was female.

  “Braxton.” The familiar feminine voice purred as she stepped forward into a puddle of light from the front porch sconce.

  “Wendy?” Braxton blinked. “What the hell are you doing shooting at us?” He slowly stood, careful to make sure he kept Kate behind him.

  “I’m not shooting at you. I was aiming for her.” Wendy glared at Kate.

  “Who is she, Braxton?” Kate asked as she peered around his shoulder.

  “She’s one of the dancers at the club I used to work at.” Braxton narrowed his gaze on Wendy. She’d always been slim; as a dancer it was a requirement. But standing in front of him was a ghost of the girl Braxton once knew. Her skinny jeans clung to legs that were nothing but skeletal, and he expected any moment for them to buckle and snap. Her dirty green jacket covered the rest of her, but her hollow cheekbones gave evidence of drug use. Probably meth, if he had to guess.

  “Braxton got fired because of me.” Wendy’s hand trembled under the weight of the gun as her dilated pupils darted between them. “He came to my rescue after one of the customers hit me.”

  “Why don’t you put down the gun and tell me why you’re here.” Braxton held his palms up, keeping his voice calm and even. The sky lightened slightly, slight streaks of pink and orange coming over the mountains.

  “You need me, Braxton.” Wendy fixed her dilated gaze on him as she rambled. “I am the one who has set you free.”

  “Set me free?”

  Wendy‘s eyes darted from him to Kate and then back to him, her chest heaving with emotion, or maybe it was withdrawal.

  “Yesss!” Wendy snarled, her lips drawing across her brown-tinged teeth. Were her teeth always this discolored?