"Don't move,” the man said in a voice hinted with a Spanish accent. “Both of you."
Nola chuckled. “Good job, Miguel. I was wondering when you'd show up to the party."
"Finish what you came to do, chica."
"I will, Miguel, but don't rush me. I've been waiting for this and now, I'm going to enjoy this."
Rose looked up at Miguel and his dark eyes met hers.
"Dios Mio," he breathed. “She's pregnant."
"I know,” Nola said tersely.
"You can't kill a pregnant woman. The child she carries is innocent."
"It's his fucking kid! She fucked him. She fucked Simon."
Miguel's eyebrows went up. Rose found her courage and spoke up again.
"I don't know if it's his baby,” she said. “I don't know if it's Simon's."
"So you admit you fucked him?"
Rose had nothing to say, but she felt her cheeks flame. That was answer enough.
Nola leaned down, crouching so that she was face to face with her again. “Listen to me, Rose, and listen to me good. I'm going to kill you and I'm going to kill her and her. Then I'm going to leave and wait. When you're little hubby comes back from wherever the fuck he is, I'm going to kill him too. And maybe I'll kill Glen and that annoying little bastard Davis. I know Simon never did like him. But before I do any of that, I'm going to have a little fun."
Her eyes gleamed as she spoke. Rose didn't like it. She choked on her breath. Nola set her gun aside, and slid it across the floor to Miguel. “I won't need a gun to do it either."
She placed both of her hands on the side of Rose's face. Her hands were strong, vice-like. Rose trembled at her touch and tried to move back. Nola held her there. For a moment, they were just staring at one another, eye to eye.
Then, she curled her fingers in Rose's hair and pulled her head back until her neck was exposed. She leaned in, close to Rose's ear and breathed heatedly.
"Submit to me."
At those words, Rose felt a stirring of something deep within. It was the wolf, awakening within her. A new determination filled her and anger began to stir.
"No,” she said the word loudly and clearly enough for everyone to hear. Then, she lowered her head, ignoring the pulling and tearing of her hair against Nola's grip. She stared at her, deadpan. “I will not submit to you."
"Bitch,” Nola shrieked and she drew her hand across Rose's face. Her fingernails tore into Rose's face, drawing blood.
The wolf would not have it. Ignoring the fact that she was pregnant and in a situation that could end up disastrous for them all, she pulled her legs back against her stomach as far as she could. Then, using all her strength, she kicked.
Her aim was true, hitting Nola square in the chest. There was a look of surprise on her face as she fell back. She growled as she regained her feet.
"Goddamn bitch. If that's how you want it, that's how you'll get it.” Nola tore her shirt off, revealing a black lace bra. As she stripped out of her pants, she began to growl. Fur began to sprout along her arms and chest. Her face began to change.
She was starting the shift. Rose knew it wouldn't be like before, when the newly changed woman was weakened by the shift. She had years to practice and perfect and judging from how fast the change was occurring, there wasn't much time before she'd be a full wolf.
Rose thought fast. In any other situation, she would shift herself and attack, wolf to wolf, as it was meant to be. But pregnant, as she was, if she were to shift, she could risk losing the baby.
Either way, she was going to die. She had little choice.
Rose made up her mind as she watched Nola's limbs elongate. Miguel watched with a look of horror and confusion on his face. It occurred to Rose that Miguel may not have known anything about her being a werewolf.
"Alana?” he demanded. “What's going on?” But Nola—Alana—was too far gone in the shift to speak. Her jaw had taken on a new shape, elongated into a muzzle. The only sound that came from her was a growl. She dropped down to all fours as a red pelt covered her entire, wolfen body.
Miguel faltered, taking a step back, but he kept his weapons trained on Aurora and Cheyenne. Neither of them moved. They watched in horror as Alana finished the shift. What was left of her clothes was shredded on the kitchen floor.
Rose dragged herself to her feet. The weight of her pregnant belly never felt so heavy. She stared down at Alana. She would strike at any moment. Rose knew what she had to do.
She willed the shift to happen, feeling the delicious burn of it as her muscles grew and her bones reshaped themselves. Her stomach expanded then shrank. She could feel the adrenaline pumping through her and the baby moving wildly about. If she could just finish Alana quickly, then she could change back. The baby would be fine.
Or so she prayed.
There was nothing else she could do.
She shifted quickly, ignoring the pain in her internal organs, in her womb. Her clothes ripped and joined the mess on the kitchen floor. Then, Alana attacked with claws extended.
She took Rose by surprise, slashing first across her chest with a vicious snarl, and then across her abdomen. Rose jumped back as the second slash hit her, narrowing escaping being gutted open.
On all fours, the wolf known as Rose crouched, her pregnant belly touching the floor. Alana crouched too, anticipating Rose's next move and pondering her own. She decided on brute strength, while Rose decided to defend.
She braced herself as Alana hit her. The force sent her back. Teeth gnashed at her neck as Alana tried to bite, but Rose snarled and lashed back with her own fangs. She nipped part of the wolf's ear, tearing. Blood sprayed into the air. She tasted it hot on her tongue.
She didn't think about the human baby growing in her or what would happen if she lunged, but she did it anyway. As the wolf that was Alana whimpered and howled with pain and indignation for her wound, Rose lunged.
It was a swift move, one that she had used in play many times to tackle her packmates, but this time her claws were extended. She would use them to kill.
Her claws dug into the wolf's side and she howled again in pain. She slashed with her own claws, digging into Rose's belly.
The pain hit her and she yelped, drawing back from Alana. Blood poured out from the wound, staining her silver fur. She fell back against the kitchen counter, licking at the wound. Concern for her baby washed over her and the wolf slipped away.
One moment, she was wolf and the next, she lay there on the floor, covered in blood and naked. She looked up through her veil of hair. Alana stood over her, snarling.
In her human form, she was no match for the wolf. She was at a disadvantage. The pain ripped through her insides again. The baby struggled to move. Something bad was happening.
Alana, growling took a step forward. Rose forced herself to keep her eyes on her. She thought she saw something of a smirk cross the wolf's face, but she couldn't be sure.
Across from her, Aurora sniffled. Rose risked a look at Cheyenne. She was staring at her, face pale her eyes wide. She could do nothing to help her.
The wolf crouched, preparing to lunge a final time. Rose pushed herself against the wall, sliding in her own pool of blood.
She knew, today, she was going to die. There was no doubt about it. Her insides were torn. She could feel it, sense it somehow. And the baby ... the baby had stopped moving. The baby might already be dead.
"Oh God."
Suddenly, she heard a scraping sound. Alana was about to jump, when Rose felt the metallic butt of the gun hit her bloody hand. She looked down at the rifle next to her, then up at Miguel. His face was stern, his eyes deadly. He nodded once and Rose knew what it meant.
He had kicked the gun to her. This was her only chance. She would have to finish this as a human.
Alana didn't see the gun—she was too focused on Rose lying there, bloody and nearly dead. She jumped, springing from her back legs. Everything moved in slow motion.
Rose grabbed hold of the gun.
It was heavier than she thought, but she could still manage it. She hefted it into her lap, unable to lift it to her shoulder. But it was enough. Alana was in mid jump. It was as if she hovered in mid-air.
Alana saw the gun, but it was too late. Rose saw the recognition and understanding in her eyes as she lifted the barrel of the rifle, pressing the barrel of it between Alana's stomach and chest.
She pulled the trigger back and closed her eyes. The spray of blood drenched her and there was a sad little yelp and a thud as the wolf crumpled to the floor. She lay on Rose's leg, crushing her.
Alana was dead. There was a gaping hole in her rib cage, blood pouring out of it. Rose kicked her legs, moving them until she was able to get them out from under the wolf's body. She dropped the heavy gun, staring at her dead body. As she watched, she slipped from her wolf form into human. Her brown hair was red, like her fur had been. Her green eyes were wide open and lifeless.
"Oh God,” Cheyenne said from her corner. She began to creep forward but Miguel, still in the doorway, gestured with his gun.
"Don't move,” he said, in a rough voice. He removed his hold on Aurora, removing the knife blade from her throat. “Go, over there.” He gestured toward Cheyenne.
Aurora wasted no time in making her way. She knelt on the floor beside Cheyenne, wiping at her tears. They all turned to Rose.
Rose couldn't breathe. She felt a sharp pain in her lower abdomen, in her womb and she knew she was in labor. The baby was coming and the baby was going to be dead.
She looked up at Miguel. He had saved her.
"Thank you,” she choked. She coughed, blood falling on her lips.
Miguel nodded, gravely. His face was emotionless. When he spoke, his words were low. “If I had known the situation, what she was ... what you are ... I would not have let her do this. She paid me to come here, to help her. I would never harm a pregnant lady.” He looked down at Alana's body and a hint of disdain crossed his features. “She is a monster in both forms."
"Are you going to kill us?” Aurora asked in a trembling voice. Miguel slowly turned his gaze to her and slowly shook his head.
"I am not going to kill you. I'm not going to kill any of you. I'll let her be the only monster here. I don't know what you are,” he said, turning back to Rose, “but I cannot kill an innocent."
Rose couldn't say anything so she nodded. It hurt to even do that.
Without another word, Miguel lowered his gun. He hurried forward and bent down to the pile of torn clothes. He grabbed something—a wallet—from what was left of Alana's jeans and stood. He stepped toward Rose and then snatched up the bloodied and fallen rifle. Then he turned and left. They heard the front door slam and, a moment later, the sound of an engine came to life and gravel crunched under tires.
He was gone.
* * * *
* * * *
As soon as they heard his departure, Cheyenne and Aurora scrambled over to Rose. Rose wasn't moving much. She was trembling all over and groaning with pain. There wasn't much time.
"Oh no,” Cheyenne whispered. “The baby's coming. Quick, Aurora, get some towels."
"What are you going to do?” she asked, hurrying to the linen cabinet. She pulled out several large towels. Cheyenne took one from her. She moved Rose as gingerly as she could and lay her out. She gave one look to Alana's naked, bloody body.
"Aurora, move her. I don't want her anywhere near Rose, not now."
Aurora didn't argue. She hurried and grabbed hold of the dead woman's arms and dragged her to the other side of the kitchen. She left a trail of blood behind her, but it didn't matter. The kitchen was trashed anyway.
"Rose is in labor. The baby's coming.” She folded one of the towels and placed it under Rose's head.
"Is the baby all right?” Aurora asked fearfully. She hurried back to Rose's side, kneeling beside her. Rose, in a feeble attempt, reached for Aurora. Aurora took her hand and squeezed.
"I've never delivered a baby before. I've only seen it done on TV. I don't know what to do,” Cheyenne answered. “I don't know. She wasn't supposed to shift. I don't know if the baby—"
"The baby—” Rose said. She squeezed Aurora's hand then she screamed.
Cheyenne pushed Rose's legs apart. Blood covered her thighs. “She's dilated. I see the head! Push Rose, you're almost there..."
Rose screamed again, enough to split their eardrums but none of the women seemed to notice. Rose's grip on Aurora's hand was almost enough to break it, but the young were didn't let go. As the baby came, Rose screamed one final time.
"Jason!"
[Back to Table of Contents]
Chapter Twenty-Five
Jason!
The scream tore through his head. He would recognize that voice anywhere. It was Rose and she was in pain. He gasped, reaching forward and gripping the dashboard of the car. He caught a flash, saw Rose covered in blood. He felt her pain.
It was like being stabbed in the gut with a knife.
"Rose.” When he was able to see normally, he turned to Amelia, who was driving. “There's something wrong with her."
"Rose?” Amelia looked concerned, but she didn't take her eyes off the road for more than a couple seconds.
"My wife. Rose. There's something wrong with her. I had a vision. She was in pain. She was covered in blood."
She looked back to the road, her eyebrows touching as she thought.
"We need to pull over,” Jason said without hesitation. “The next rest area. Stop there."
Amelia nodded. “What are you going to do?"
"I need to make a phone call,” Jason said, turning his attention to the window. He stared out, past his reflection. Whatever was happening to Rose was hurting her something terrible. He clenched his hands into fists and pressed his feet against the floorboard. He felt a sudden, pressing need to get to her.
A sign for a rest area came up. One mile. It might have well been one hundred miles.
When they finally pulled into the parking place, Jason was out of the car and walking up a grassy hill toward the building. There was a pay phone just inside. He grabbed the receiver and began fishing through his pockets for change.
"Shit,” he cursed when he found he didn't have any change on him, only bills.
"Here you go,” Amelia said from behind. He turned to find her standing there, holding a handful of change. “I found it in the car."
"Thanks,” he said gruffly, and picked out enough to make the call. He inserted the money and dialed a number he hadn't dialed in months. He was surprised he remembered it.
Jason listened as it rang, turning his back to Amelia as he waited. It rang three, four times before the voicemail picked up.
"Hi, you've reached the voicemail of Rose Sullivan. I'm unable to take your call, so please leave a message and I'll get back to you. Thanks.” Rose's voice was just as sweet as ever. Jason closed his eyes. The tone beeped.
"Rose, it's me ... I know I haven't called and I've been gone, well ... for too long. I'm ready to come back now, if you'd have me. Listen, I've learned a lot about myself and other things along the way, and I'm sorry I left you.” He sighed. This was not how he imagined apologizing to her. Over the phone, in a voicemail message was cruel even for him.
"This is not what I wanted to call you about, Rose. I had a ... vision of sorts, that you were in trouble and I wanted to know if you were all right. I would give you a number to call, but I'm at a pay phone. I'll call back as soon as I can. Wait for me."
He hung up, pressing his forehead against the phone.
"She wasn't there?” Amelia asked.
"No, she wasn't.” Jason grunted. “I need more change."
Amelia held out her palm and Jason picked out enough to make another call.
"Who are you calling this time?"
"The Head of the PRDI,” he answered as he punched in Glen's cell phone number from memory.
"Gavin?” Amelia asked hopefully. Jason shot her a look.
"No. Gavin died in
a raid a few years ago. I'm calling Glen Cole. He's the new Head and Rose's cousin. If anyone will know where she is, he would."
Amelia looked a little taken aback. “Everyone I know is dead, it seems,” she said sadly.
"It happens,” Jason muttered. He hoped Rose wasn't dead. He didn't like the way his visions often turned out. He listened as the phone rang. It rang twice before Glen picked up.
"Hello?"
Jason sucked in a breath. “Glen, it's me."
"Who is this?” Glen asked, suspiciously.
"It's Jason."
There was silence for a few minutes. “Where the hell have you been?"
"I know I've been gone for a long time—"
"Too fucking long. Do you know the shit that's gone down since you've been gone?"
"No, I don't—"
"I hope you found out what it was you were looking for, because we need you back here, now.” Glen sounded pissed. Jason didn't blame him. He would've been pissed too.
"What's happened? What's wrong with Rose?"
"How did you—? Oh, I keep forgetting about the psychic thing,” he said bitterly. “There's a lot you don't know, Jason. Rose is ... she's dying."
Those were the words Jason had feared. He sighed.
"I was afraid of that. What happened?"
"It's a long story,” Glen said. “We got a call half an hour ago from Aurora at Cheyenne's place. We were already on our way, after what happened at the PRDI. Anyway, Nola stormed in—"
"Nola? Who's Nola? What happened at the PRDI?” Thoughts of another raid flashed through his mind.
"It's too complicated to tell over the phone, but here's the short story: Nola is actually someone by the name of Alana. She claims that Simon was her mate and she infiltrated the PRDI, under a disguise and a false name. She befriended us then tried to kill Rose and her baby. We have her on tape, shooting one of our members. We know it was her. That's what took us so long in getting started. We had to get Dr. Nesbitt to a hospital then try to figure out what was going on—"
"Alana? Wasn't she the bitch with Simon? The changed-blood?” He suddenly remembered his earlier visions of a red-haired werewolf, helping an injured Simon. It was her.
Dark Moon Magick [The Moon Series: Book 4] Page 31