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

by Christina Smith

  “Will you just listen?” he asked without touching me, his eyes shifting over my shoulder to Nate.

  I shook my head. “I’m done listening. I should never have trusted you.” I turned on my heel and walked away. I slid into the car without looking back. Why did it hurt leaving him like that? Was it the look of sadness as I turned away from him, or was it the feeling of loss? When we met, I was depressed and fighting my change every step of the way. He helped me get through that. Was that all a lie?

  I buried my head in my hands as the rest of the group got in the car, and the engine started. I felt Adrian’s gaze on me as we drove past. Lauren was beside me in the back seat, and she took my hand. I knew she understood what I was going through. Adrian was as much her friend as he was mine.

  The drive was quiet. I wanted to sort through my thoughts before we explained what had happened. I refused to look in Nate’s direction, but I knew he was watching me through the rear-view mirror. I could feel his heated gaze boring into me.

  When we entered the cottage, it felt different somehow, like I had been gone for years. Nothing had changed. All the furniture was the same, and the antique table and chairs were in their normal spot. The pictures from his past and a few from the present were still scattered throughout the living room, but something seemed off. When I sat down on the sofa and glanced at the picture of Nate and me on his speed boat, I realized it wasn’t the cottage that was different—it was me.

  Everyone wandered in. Lauren sat beside me, while the guys sat across from us, waiting. Lauren opened her mouth to speak since I hadn’t said anything yet, but I placed my hand on her leg and leaned forward. This was my fault. I had let Adrian into our lives, and I should be the one to explain.

  I took a deep breath and began. “I met Adrian two weeks ago. I was at the frozen yogurt shop with Mandy, and after she left, he walked in. We recognized each other as werewolves, and he came over and sat down. I didn’t know he was from the island. I don’t remember any werewolf scents from there.”

  Nate looked weary as he shifted in his chair. “You wouldn’t have. It takes a few days for the wolf DNA to go through your system. And with everything that happened, it would have been too confusing to notice the trace scents that were there. The werewolves had already left by that time.”

  I nodded, thankful for his explanation. Everything had been so crazy on the island that it was good to finally understand some of it. “Anyway, I didn’t trust him at first. My experiences with werewolves haven’t been good. But when I asked him if he knew Charlotte, he told me no. He said he had just moved to town and was talking to me because he didn’t know anyone here. He also told me a story about his parents dying and that they saved him.” I paused glancing around. So far no one was upset, Nate’s face was neutral, but I knew that was about to change. “When I told him that I hadn’t changed since I was turned, he explained that I needed to. He said that if I didn’t take control, I could hurt someone I loved.”

  Nate sucked in a sharp breath and leaned back into his chair. His jaw hardening was the extent of his reaction.

  “He knew I had a mate, and he could see the mark,” I added. Nate winced but stayed silent. “Which, I don’t understand.”

  Lauren’s brow furrowed. “What mark? It healed, didn’t it?”

  Joe crossed his long leg over the other. “Only male werewolves can see it. It’s a warning to back off.”

  Lauren looked away, her eyes wide with disapproval.

  “Anyway,” I said, trying to get off of that topic. His marking me was the least of my worries. “He asked who turned me, and I told him that it was Charlotte.”

  No one said a word, but they all looked away, knowing the subject was painful.

  “He said that other werewolves can sometimes come looking for trouble. So he asked if I wanted to learn how protect myself.” I left out the part of going for runs. I’d tell them when it came up.

  “What do you mean?” Nate asked leaning forward, his elbows resting on his knees.

  “He taught us kick boxing and how to fight.”

  Joe sat up, glancing from me to Lauren. “Us?”

  Lauren pressed her lips together, looking down at the wood floor. “After her first session, I went to see her. She told me about him and what he had been teaching her. She asked me to go with her so I could also learn to defend myself.”

  Joe placed his foot back down on the floor. “But we can protect you,” he protested.

  Lauren frowned at him. “I don’t want to upset you, but when Charlotte took us, we were alone.” Her words stung. Both of our men winced. Joe looked away. Nate gazed at me, uncertainty clouding his face. Lauren went on, ignoring their reactions. “If we knew how to fight, we might have had a chance to get away.”

  Nate shook his head. “She’s a werewolf, you were not. A few punches and kicks would not have helped a human.”

  I had to speak up. I couldn’t let him think he could make my decisions for me. I chose to learn kick boxing. He’d have to get over that. “We’re werewolves now. Are we in any less danger? Is there something wrong with being able to protect ourselves?”

  How could they argue with that? They couldn’t, and instead, they fell silent.

  It was Nate who finally spoke. “Is that all? Did he try to…” He trailed off, looking uncomfortable. I knew what he was asking.

  “Did he make a move on me?” I asked with a smirk. He nodded sharply, his face filled with both anger and hurt. “No, he didn’t. I know now that he was with Charlotte, but it doesn’t make sense. He was nothing but kind. When I met him, I was depressed and in denial of being a werewolf. He took me out for a run, and even though I’m still not happy to be a wild animal, it’s definitely getting better.” Oh crap, I didn’t mean to tell them that.

  Nate spun to face me. “You changed into a werewolf and ran with him?” He gasped, looking shocked.

  I gulped, not sure what his reaction meant. “Yes.”

  “How often?” His voice was rough, his eyes turned yellow. Okay, he was mad.

  Joe glared at Lauren, silently asking the same question. Her only response was to look at the fingers in her lap.

  Feeling like I was about to be lectured by the principal or my father, I cleared my throat. “A few times a week.”

  Nate surprised me when his lips twitched upwards, his eyes flashed blue again. “I’m relieved you were learning to adjust to your new life.” He shoved his hand through his hair roughly. “I just wish you trusted me to help you.” He stood up, clearing his throat. “I just remembered that Will wanted to see me.” He put his jacket on, avoiding my eyes. “I’ll be back. Please stay here for now.”

  All I could do was nod, confused by his reaction. Was he angry or happy? What was going on?

  All three of us stared after him as he opened the front door and closed it behind him. All that was left of him was the wash of cold air that had blown in when he opened the door.

  “What was that about?” Lauren asked me, lifting her feet onto the coffee table.

  I shrugged my shoulders. “I have no idea.”

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Close Call

  While Nate was gone, I sat and listened to Lauren and Joe arguing, swinging my head back and forth when each one spoke. I felt like I was watching a tennis match. Joe was angry that she didn’t tell him about Adrian.

  “It was my fault,” I admitted, cutting Joe off before he could say anything more. His head shifted to me, his gray eyes sharp. “She wanted to tell you, but I asked her not to. I wasn’t ready for Nate to know anything about what I had been doing.”

  His harsh stare was making me nervous. I picked at my yoga pants, twirling the material between my fingers.

  “If it was as innocent as you say, then why keep it a secret?” He was still looking at me, but it was obvious the question was directed at us both.

  My shoulders slumped as I leaned back into the soft sofa. “I didn’t want Nate to know. I would have told him everyth
ing when I was ready. I wasn’t ashamed of what I was doing. I just wanted space.”

  I hated how that sounded, like a permanent break. It really wasn’t though, I still loved him, but I had to work through all of the rest of my feelings.

  Joe’s hard expression softened. “You have to forgive him at some point, Love. He didn’t mean to do it,” he said in his melodious Irish brogue.

  A sudden ache in my chest appeared. I wasn’t ready to talk about this.

  Instead of answering, I stood up and wandered into my old room. I could feel their sympathetic gazes on the back of my head as I closed the door behind me.

  I didn’t want to be here, but since I was, I felt drawn to my nightstand drawer. I sat on the edge of the bed, and switched on the lamp, staring at the wooden surface. The urge to get up and leave was strong. I couldn’t handle seeing what was in there. I wasn’t ready—for any of this. All I wanted was to train with Adrian. Learning to fight like that was so therapeutic. Every punch I threw cleared my mind. I didn’t dwell on what my life was like a month ago. I focused on the moves—the power of my punches and kicks and the boost in my confidence. Learning to protect myself had fixed something inside of me that had broken the day I turned into a werewolf. I no longer feared other werewolves. Deep inside of me, there was a girl who wanted them to try and hurt me, just so I could test my new abilities. I had strength because of the bite, but Adrian helped me put it to good use. And no matter his reasons for doing that, I would always appreciate what he had done for me.

  The sound of Lauren’s laughter brought me out of my head, and back into the room I had ran from. Joe must have forgiven her for deceiving him. I couldn’t help but smile. I was happy that I didn’t cause permanent problems in a relationship that was still new and vulnerable.

  No longer able to fight the urge, I leaned forward and pulled the drawer open. The book I had been reading still lay where I left it. There was also lip balm, hand cream, and The Box. The white exterior was so small, yet held so much meaning. Inside was a future I could choose or reject.

  It felt like I stared at the small, inanimate object for hours, but only minutes had actually passed. I finally gave up and reached for it. The papery smooth surface was cool in my hand, and when I opened the lid, my breath caught. The ring was more beautiful than I remembered. It sparkled like stars in the night sky. I yearned to put it on my finger just to see if it fit. I hadn’t had the chance the night he gave it to me. Now the fourth finger on my left hand throbbed, itching for me to try it on. Just as I lifted my fingers to do just that, the front door of the cottage swung open, and Nate’s scent wafted into my senses. Feeling like I was caught with my hand in the cookie jar, I slammed the box shut. The sound echoed in the small quiet room like a gunshot. I was sure that everyone would now know what I was doing. I threw it into the drawer, shutting it quickly, and jumped up from the bed, rushing to the door. I felt like I had been snooping in a stranger’s house, as though I had no business to be there.

  My face was hot as I stepped out into the living room. All eyes shifted to me, and I was sure everyone could hear the sound of my pounding heartbeat.

  “Are you all right?” Nate asked me, a look of concern etched on his features.

  “Of course I am. Why wouldn’t I be?” I answered defensively, feeling instantly annoyed with myself. I was acting like I had done something wrong. I shook my head and took a deep breath. “I’m sorry. I’m fine really.” My voice was back to normal—at least, I hoped it was.

  Lauren looked at me funny, as if she knew I was hiding something, but instead of inquiring, she turned to Nate. “What did my dad want?”

  “What do you mean?” he asked, seeming confused by her question.

  “You said he wanted to see you,” she answered as she stretched her legs out in front of her on the floor.

  Realization donned on Nate’s face, and if I didn’t know any better, I would have thought he flushed. “Oh, he just wanted to ask about some paperwork I had sent him.”

  He was lying, I could sense it, but it had nothing to do with me. Besides I was ready to get out of there. The cottage was making me feel claustrophobic. Since I was there, I felt the need to make a decision. The words—FORGIVE HIM—screamed in my head. But as I thought this, my neck throbbed, and the vision of his bloody fangs after he tore at my neck in the dream played in my mind. A heaviness the size of an elephant sat on my chest. I felt like I was being smothered with the need to make a decision.

  “I have to go.” I snapped, making everyone in the room turn my way. I took a few steps toward the door. “I’ll see you later, Lauren,” I said nodding to her and ignoring the other two. I wasn’t sure how I was going to get home, but I’d walk if I had to.

  As I wrapped my hand around the doorknob, Nate’s voice called out. “You can’t go home.”

  The weight on my chest deepened. “You can’t stop me. You might have branded me yours, but I still call the shots in my own life.” My voice was a little harsh but I wouldn’t let him tell me what to do. The weight on my chest was threatening to smother me. I felt like I couldn’t breathe. I was panicking and needed to get away from here.

  His eyes washed with both guilt and hurt. I didn’t want to hurt him, but I just couldn’t get my breath in this house.

  “I don’t trust that guy, and he knows where you live.” His voice was laced with pain, and longing.

  “She can stay with me,” Lauren suggested. The weight lifted a tiny bit at her suggestion.

  “Fine, let’s go.” I rushed out the door before he could object.

  I was waiting outside, wondering how we’d get there since her car was still at my family’s home. We had ridden in Adrian’s jeep, not knowing how the day would turn out. Even though he had lied to me, I wanted to go back to just before Nate and Joe had shown up. I was having so much fun with my two friends.

  We could walk, I thought, when I pushed the former thoughts to the back of my mind. It wasn’t that far.

  “Joe said we could take his car,” Lauren explained when she emerged a few minutes later. “Are you okay?” she asked, stopping in front of me. All I could manage was a shrug of my shoulders as I wandered over to Joe’s car. We were back to where we started six months ago, with Nate refusing to let me go while a deranged werewolf threatened our lives. So much had happened since then, and all of it rushed through my mind, leaving me feeling overwhelmed and beaten. I was exhausted, and I just wanted to sleep for no other reason than to stop thinking. I climbed into the front seat, and the scent of leather from the seats and lemon filled the car. As Lauren started the ignition and pulled away, I gazed out at the lake. Twilight had settled upon us, making the world dull and gray. The water rippled in the wind, and a gull screeched overhead. I couldn’t see the bird, but I could hear it even with the windows closed.

  When she pulled up to the main house, the only car that was visible was her father’s. “My mom’s at a charity thing,” Lauren explained before I could ask.

  “Where’s Nathan?” I slid out of the car, slamming the door.

  “He’s at a sleepover.” She walked around the vehicle, and together, we took the few steps up to the door. We heard a crash inside the house, and glanced at each other in confusion. Then we heard loud voices. I reached the door first, but she was directly behind me. The foyer was empty of the usual employees. We glanced at each other again, this time with fear and confusion.

  “Where is everyone?” I asked her.

  She shrugged and opened her mouth to answer just as we caught a scent of werewolf coming from her father’s office. We ran with our enhanced speed, shoving the doors open. My eyes widened in shock at what I saw. Will was up against the wall of windows, and a man with pale blond hair had his hands wrapped around his neck. Will flailed his arms and kicked out trying to get free, but it was no use, his face was turning blue.

  Before I could think, I rushed toward them and spun on my heel kicking out with my right leg, hitting the man right in the head. My sn
eaker made contact with his skull. The impact made him fall backwards, releasing Will.

  Lauren moved quickly, catching her father before he fell to the floor. With a glance at the stranger, she led Will away with her extra speed. Out of the corner of my eye, I could see his eyes widened as he watched us both. We were obviously no longer the human girls he thought us to be.

  The blond werewolf regained his composure and glanced from me where I stood in my stance preparing to fight and then to Lauren, who was protecting her father with her body. Her eyes were narrowed with determination. He was not getting near Will again.

  Knowing he was outnumbered, the man rushed toward the back window and jumped through it. The sound of glass shattering exploded in the room.

  I ran to the window, glass crunching beneath my shoes. I thought of chasing him, but as I watched him disappear into the woods, I changed my mind. Who was I kidding? Just because I had stopped him from killing Will didn’t mean I knew how to hunt or track someone. Besides, what would I do if I found him? He was bigger and most likely had been a werewolf for a long time. I was no match for him on my own.

  “Are you okay, Dad?” Lauren asked, her voice taking on a higher pitch. She sounded frantic. I turned to see what was happening.

  Will was in a leather arm chair hunched over, gasping for breath leaning on his knees. He glanced up and gaped at Lauren and then me as I approached them.

  “Are y-you both…werewolves?” His voice was a raspy whisper, strained from being strangled.

  Lauren closed her eyes, taking a deep breath, when she opened then, she nodded gravely.

  Will’s face hardened, his eyes narrowing with anger and frustration. “How? Did Joe do this?” His voice was a mere whisper but the anger in it was evident.

  Her eyes went wide, clearly offended by his question. “What? Of course not. Why would you think that?”