Riley's Torment, A Moon's Glow Novel #2

by Christina Smith

  He stopped, taking both of his hands in mine. "I cannot express how sorry I am that this happened to you." His words were laced with pain that matched the misery in his eyes. Then he let my hands drop and stepped down from the porch. "Are you ready?" He stood watching me with only his jeans on, baring his muscular chest. Seeing him like that would normally awaken a longing inside me, but with everything that was happening, I didn’t feel a thing.

  "As I'll ever be," I mumbled, digging my big toe into the crack between the boards of the front porch.

  He smiled as he started to unbutton his jeans. His fingers stilled when he saw my eyes widen. "Do you want go first?" he asked hesitantly.

  "No, I'd like you to be waiting for me. Just tell me what to do, and I'll go beside the house."

  He nodded. "Just do as I said to change back to human, but in reverse. When I change, I get down on all fours, lean my head down, and think all things wolf. I concentrate on the fur, teeth, and paws. Take deep breaths and relax. The moon will call the wolf out, but you just have to let it. If you fight, it’s more painful." He paused and glanced down at his arms. Fur had started to grow. "Do you understand?" he asked, his voice almost a growl.

  I nodded, heading down the steps and making my way around the side of the cabin. The icy grass froze the bottom of my feet, but that was the least of my worries. The last I saw of Nate was him tossing his jeans on the ground. I knew it was silly of me to care if he saw me naked. I had been naked when I changed back from wolf to human. But it was going to take me a while to get used to this.

  I heard a soft whine. Nate, who was now a wolf, peeked around the corner of the cabin.

  "Just a minute," I yelled over my shoulder with a wave of my hand, wanting him to give me the privacy I needed.

  Knowing I had stalled enough, I pulled off Nate's shirt, and the smell of his scent and laundry soap wafted into my senses. I bent down on the ground to prepare for my change as Nate had suggested. I shifted my position when my left palm landed on a thistle. It wasn't necessary for me to do this tonight, since I had already changed, but I could still feel the tingle as the moons glow touched my skin. Taking deep breaths, I tried to calm down. I pictured fur on my arms and legs, my teeth pointed and sharp, long claws that dug into the terrain as I raced through the woods. As the images played in my mind, I began to feel a prickling sensation as fur grew along my body. I gritted my teeth as they began to grow long and pointed, and I cried out in pain as my limbs snapped, starting to reform.

  When it was over, I huffed out a breath, getting used to my new body, if that was even possible. I took a moment to rest; the process of changing had taken a lot out of me. Knowing Nate was waiting for me was comforting. I was unbelievably terrified when I had turned earlier all by myself, without knowing what to do. If it was up to me, I would never do this again, but apparently, it wasn’t.

  The sound of another whine had me looking towards the cabin. Nate was peeking around it again, his nose and muzzle was all I could see, but his scent drifted into my nostrils. The smell was so strong; it hit me like a ton of bricks. This scent I would recognize anywhere—it belonged with me. He was my mate, and I needed to be near him. My four legs couldn't get me to him fast enough. I rounded the bend and plowed into him. We tumbled onto the wet grass, and when I hovered above him, I licked his muzzle. His yellow eyes gazed into mine with his head tilted in question. He grunted low, as if asking what had happened to make me change my mind. I had been reluctant to become a wolf, and now I was frolicking with him on the ground.

  I jumped up to let him do the same, and he nodded his head toward the woods, and began trotting slowly. With the thrill of his scent still buzzing in my senses, I followed, pushing past him, and breaking into a run. I caught the scent of Joe and Lauren and turned northeast towards the center of the small forest. My paws pounded the ground like drum beats with Nate right on my heels. We ran together with the wind rushing through our fur, and the smells of the forest whirling around us. I couldn't help but feel alive, racing through the woods with my mate. A half mile into the run, we caught up to Joe and Lauren. Joe had laid a dead rabbit at Lauren's feet. The human in me hated that drool pooled in my mouth at the smell of blood and fresh, warm meat. When we skidded to a stop, Lauren glanced at me and whined. I rubbed my muzzle against hers in both comfort and understanding. I knew the confusion she was feeling. We still had the minds of teenage girls but now also the urges of an animal. It was very disconcerting, and if I hadn't felt the strong urge to be with Nate, it would be much more of a struggle.

  Nate disappeared and came back with a rabbit in his mouth, dropping it on the ground in front of me. Like Lauren, I hesitated. The wildness in me wanted to rip through the small animal and devour it as fast as possible, but deep inside, the girl I once was wanted to vomit at the thought. Nate and Joe glanced at each other and then at us. Lauren and I continued to just stare at the dead animals, fighting the urge to maul it. Nate nodded at the dead furball and huffed out a breath. When I only glared at him blankly, he took off into a small thicket, returning with another one. He glanced at me quickly and then dug into his meal. Watching him was too tempting; it made my mouth water, and without thought, I did the same, relishing in the fresh meat. When Lauren saw me start to eat, she hesitantly sniffed her rabbit and started to eat as well.

  I tried to let the wolf take over and not think about what I was doing. I couldn't be Megan Banks, chowing down on a raw, bloody, rabbit. When my thoughts strayed that way, my gag reflex kicked in. Once I finished, I wanted more. Nate was right earlier. I hadn't eaten in over a day, and I was starving.

  Nate and Joe tried to teach us to hunt and my instincts caught on, but my human side fought it tooth and nail. I would rather Nate catch it for me than feel the poor animals bones break. After a few more rabbits, we went for a run. It was strangely exhilarating, running as a group. However reluctantly, we became a pack. And if I had to become a wolf, I was glad to be among people I loved.

  Chapter Ten

  The Pack

  "Here, wrap this around you," Nate said, handing me the checkerboard quilt after we had changed back to our human forms. I went inside the bedroom, removed his shirt, and replaced it with the blanket, holding the edges for dear life. I was feeling shy, and I didn’t want him, let alone Joe, to see me in all my glory.

  Back out in the living room, I handed his shirt back to him. He slipped it over his head, making a couple strands of his blond hair stick out. I could see his toned arms through the rips in the sleeves. I winced, remembering how that happened. I was so confused and terrified at the time. I was thankful it was only his shirt that I had torn into.

  Lauren was also wrapped in a blanket, the striped quilt from the other room. Nate had extra clothes in the car that we could change into once we arrived.

  I gulped at the clicking sound of the latch when Nate closed the door to the cabin behind us. That tiny sound symbolized so much. It was the sound of finality—our night of terror was over. I should feel relieved, but instead, I felt detached, like I was outside my body, watching.

  Lauren followed the men down to the beach, the bottom of her blanket dragging along the ground, making the material damp and dirty. They were headed to a silver speed boat that was tied to the dock. I trailed behind them in my bare feet, leaving dark imprints in the frosted grass. Each blade I stepped on felt like a needle piercing into the soles of my feet.

  We climbed into the vessel with only the moon to give us light. I could see everything, compliments of my new freaky abilities. Lauren and I sat down on the bench together without a word. I noticed Nate and Joseph exchanging worried glances. I couldn't help my silence. Gone was the feeling of jubilance that washed over me when I smelled Nate's scent. Now that I was once again in control, I was wallowing in what I couldn't change. I hated Charlotte for making me like her.

  As Nate started the boat, I watched the eerie little cabin get smaller as he pulled away. Its two tiny windows reminded me of eyes watching its pr
ey escape. In the darkness, the trees and vacant cabin appeared isolated and haunted. I couldn't help the lump in my throat at the sight of the island. The events that happened there were still so fresh in my mind, and they would change our lives forever.

  The smell of gas and fish was overpowering as we raced across the lake toward freedom. The smells were now so strong that it made my eyes water. My new heightened senses were distressing, and something I wasn't sure I'd get used to.

  Nate had been driving for few minutes when the lights of the boat shone off a black speed boat docked along the mainland. I now knew we were in Alexandria Bay. The vessel was tied to a private dock in the backyard of a house.

  "That's the boat that was at the cabin!" I called out, pointing to the vessel.

  Nate glanced at me, narrowed his eyes, and frowned. He looked at all of us and then nodded.

  I held onto the edge as he took a sharp turn, towards the private dock. The freezing water splashed my face, feeling like broken glass cutting at my skin. I wiped my cheeks dry with the edge of the blanket as the boat travelled over our own waves, making the ride jarring. Lauren and I held hands as we bounced up and down on our aluminum bench.

  Nate slowed down when he came up to the dock, and Joe leaned over to tie us up. "You two stay here. We're just going to see if we can catch their scent," Nate hollered over his shoulder, as he jumped off the boat. They didn't give us any time to argue before rushing up the hill that bordered the lake.

  Just as I started worrying that they wouldn't return, leaving Charlotte a chance to take us again, I caught Nate's scent. They were back, looking disappointed.

  "They were here a few hours ago, but their scent goes down the road. It looks like they ditched the boat and took off. The house is empty."

  Disappointment flooded through me. She was going to get away with everything. Once again, Charlotte would senselessly ruin lives without any consequences. How many people would she terrorize in the name of boredom? She needed to be stopped.

  As if Nate could read my mind, he stepped into the boat and pulled me up into a hug. I breathed in his strong scent, and laid my face on his shoulder. My hands gripped the blanket to keep it from falling, and flashing Lauren and Joe. The boat swayed with the movement, and water splashed against the sides with a sucking sound. He buried his face in my hair and whispered, "I will make her pay for this, don't worry." The sound of certainty in his voice comforted me.

  Joe heard Nate, and worry lines formed between his eyes. I didn't understand his expression. Wouldn't he want to punish his sister for what she did to his mate? I pulled away from Nate and took my seat next to Lauren. I wasn't ready to ask Joe what he was thinking. I wasn't really ready to talk at all. I needed to get home and rest and try to accept what I had become.

  Nate headed back out to the lake. The reflection of the moon made the waves shimmer as the boat sliced through the calm, inky liquid. It was quiet; the only sounds were the motor purring and the occasional splash of water.

  As we docked at a small deserted marina, Nate turned the motor off. I didn't know what time it was, but it had to be after midnight. We were wolves for quite a long time.

  Nate dropped the keys in a slot on the door of a tiny steel sided office, and then we headed to his car. He handed Lauren and me clothes from his trunk. We hid behind his vehicle as we traded the stolen quilts for the spare clothes. Lauren was wearing oversized sweatpants and a green sweatshirt. And I was in a t-shirt and jeans that I had to hold to keep from falling down.

  When we both climbed into the backseat, the men once again shared a concerned glance. I guess I should have wanted to be near Nate, he was my wolf mate and fiancée. Even though I had been taken from him, I couldn't help feel more connected to Lauren. We had been kidnapped together and experienced the same hell. And now we were going through similar changes. We were numb from everything that had happened in the last few days. I felt comforted with her by my side.

  The drive took about three hours. Lauren and I held hands but didn't talk. The only time I spoke was to ask Nate to stop at a late night drive thru so we could each get a burger and fries. I wasn't hungry, but I needed normal food to get the memory of eating a dead, raw rabbit out of my head. The image of chewing on fur and bones kept popping in my mind. Bile kept rising in my throat in response. I needed a drink to wash everything away.

  I thought that the sight of our home would cheer me up, but as the cottage came into view, nothing changed. I was still numb and felt incredibly lost. Lauren glanced at me as Nate pulled to a stop, and her lips twitched into a ghost of a smile. Her normally bright hazel eyes were flat and lifeless. I knew she felt the same as I did.

  She let go of my hand and opened her door. I followed suit and froze. Charlotte's scent still lingered from yesterday when she took us—yet another reminder of what we had become. I really hated my new extra senses.

  Nate stood with the door of the cottage open, waiting for us to enter. "Are you girls okay?" he asked, with the now permanent worry lines etched between his eyes.

  I squared my shoulders and took the two steps up the porch with only one thought in my mind—sleep. We had had an exhausting couple of days, and all I wanted was to close my eyes and forget they ever happened.

  "I'm going to bed," I said with a quick glance at each friend standing inside the living room. Nate and Joe looked unsure of what to do or say, and Lauren appeared as tired as I felt.

  She nodded. "Me too. Can I stay here?" she asked her cousin.

  Nate smiled sadly. "Of course, Lauren. Take the spare room."

  She nodded to him but couldn't manage a smile. She followed me as I headed to the bedrooms.

  "Lauren." Joe's voice stopped us both. We turned to face him. He had moved closer, next to the edge of the sofa. His auburn hair was tousled, and his pale blue shirt was stained with dirt. "Can I talk to you for a moment?"

  She sighed, shifting her eyes from me to him. "If you’re going to tell me that I’m your mate, I already know." His mouth popped open in shock. "Your sister told me. And no, I'm too tired to talk." With that she turned around and headed into the spare room.

  Even though I was feeling numb, I still felt bad for Joe. His face crumpled when she turned away from him. I touched his shoulder. "Give her time; she has a lot to adjust to."

  He smiled at me. "Thanks, Meg. I'm glad she has you for support."

  I nodded before disappearing into the bedroom, shutting the door behind me. The first thing I did when I was alone was to strip off Nate's extra clothes, throwing them in a pile on the floor. Neatness wasn't a concern of mine. Once I was naked, I headed to the bathroom to take a really hot shower. I was washing more than two days of dirt away. I was actually trying to wipe away the whole experience. Too bad the soap wasn't that strong because when I was done, my skin was burning from scrubbing so hard, and I was still a werewolf.

  I brushed my wet hair, yanked on a t-shirt and underwear, and crawled under the covers. I almost sighed with relief; the bed was so soft and familiar. I could see in the darkness of the bedroom, another trait of my new condition. And I could hear Nate and Joe talking in the kitchen with concerned voices. I wanted to reassure Nate that I would be fine, but I couldn't. Because right now, as I lay in our bed, with the pale green duvet that we picked out together laying above me, I didn't feel fine. I wanted to be myself again. I wanted to be human. And I knew that was impossible.

  Just as tears started to burn my eyes, the bedroom door creaked open, and a shadow stood in the doorway. Lauren. She was wearing an old t-shirt of Nate's. She didn't say anything, but I knew what she wanted. I lifted the covers, and she rushed forward, slipping into the bed. She curled her body next to mine, her skin was damp. She must have had a shower in the main bathroom. I could feel her shaking and I knew, like me, she was crying.

  I fell asleep with a Riley next to me. It just wasn't the one I was used to.

  Chapter Eleven

  Revelation

  Hungry, savage wolves haunt
ed my sleep. Despite my exhaustion, I tossed and turned all night. I jerked awake just as a reddish-brown wolf lunged at me.

  A dark, menacing feeling lingered after I woke from the dream. The sun blinded me, making me blink wildly as the bright rays shone through the large patio doors. I had forgotten to close the curtains when I fell into bed last night.

  I heard and smelled Lauren, and my hackles rose for a quick second before I registered her as a friend. I turned onto my back and stared up at the ceiling, my hands folded on my stomach. Lauren’s breathing helped soothe the ominous feeling that hovered inside of me.

  The sound of dishes tinkling arose from the kitchen along with the smell of bacon and eggs. The guys were cooking for us, which would normally make me happy. I loved how thoughtful Nate was. But this morning, I didn’t care. I wanted to go back to sleep, and stay that way until I could wake up human. I loathed feeling different. Maybe it was because I hated change. Mona always used to tease me about how much change bothered me. When I was younger, I’d avoid the rooms that my mom’s interior decorator rearranged so often. If Mona added just one new ingredient to an old recipe, I refused to eat it.

  I always thought that if it wasn’t broke, then why fix it? Ben would say that all the time especially when Mona would harp at him to change things in their small house on our estate. He hated doing work on it. He said he worked hard enough for other people, and when he got home, he liked to relax. Mona told me he didn’t really mind fixing up the house. He just liked griping more.

  Laruen stirred beside me, yawning and rubbing her eyes. “What time is it?” she asked softly, knowing that her words would be heard by everyone in the cottage.

  I glanced at the clock. “Eleven,” I answered, still not wanting to get up. I was being stubborn, and I knew it. Eventually, I’d have to venture out of the room, and I’d also have to start accepting what I was. I just wasn’t ready to do that yet.