Blood Moon Rising Box Set (Books 1-6)

by Lola Taylor

  It might have been the shadows playing tricks with his eyes, but Gage could have sworn her fair skin looked bruised in places.

  “Do you have any idea who might be after her?” Alara insisted, crouching with her. Gage decided to crouch, too, so he could be on eye-level with the distraught witch.

  “No!” Violet shook her head, her long hair whipping from side to side. She looked like she hadn’t combed it in a few days, and Gage could barely make out smudges of dirt on her face. What the hell had happened to the girl? She looked like a savage compared to the prim woman he’d met in the depths of the castle. “Please don’t try to find me,” she begged. “It was a mistake doing this. All a grave mistake.”

  She gasped and slapped both hands over her mouth as if to keep from screaming. Gage and Alara watched, both of them holding their breath as Violet began to tremble while tears poured down her face.

  “Violet,” Gage whispered, almost afraid to speak. “What’s wrong?”

  Barely able to move her head, Violet slowly craned her neck to look at him. He’d never seen anyone so terrified.

  Violet leaned in, never blinking. Gage almost couldn’t make out what she said.

  “She’s… coming….”

  Her form was suddenly yanked backward, her mouth opening in a scream as the spell broke, and Violet vanished.

  The lights flared back to their original brilliance. Gage and Alara sat there, staring at the empty space where Violet just was. Gage swallowed hard and fell back on his rear, rubbing his temples. “What the hell do you think that was?”

  Alara shook her head, her face pale. “I don’t know,” she whispered.

  Danica woke to the soft sound of a door being closed. As she blinked the sleep from her eyes, her vision focused on her mate, or rather, the haunted expression he had on his face. She immediately shot out of bed. “What is it?”

  “Nothing,” he muttered, running a hand over his face and smiling at her. She could tell he was trying to stave off her worry, that his smile was fake and only for her benefit. His eyes still looked cold, and her gut twisted.

  “Did something happen?” she asked casually, trying to fish for information.

  “No,” he replied simply. “Everything is fine.”

  Liar, liar, pants on fire.

  She continued trying to pry it out of him all evening and into the next day, but it was useless. Whatever it was he’d seen or done, he wasn’t slipping up on it, and that worried her all the more. Normally, he’d tell her anything.

  What did he feel the need to protect her from?

  The harder she tried to push him, the more he seemed to close up. Because of more impromptu meetings with the Council, which resulted in one more elimination, Gage and Danica hadn’t gotten to spend much time together the next day.

  By the time the gala arrived that evening, Danica was ready to jump out of her skin. Any other time, she’d pounce at the chance to dress up and play princess. Yet as she walked through the dance floor in her red dress, with her arm elegantly draped around her mate’s, she couldn’t help but feel this was a waste of time. She had more important things to worry about, like what the hell had spooked Gage and whether or not they were still considered mated. She thought her not knowing what was bothering Gage only upset her so much because she didn’t know. The bond was gone, a pill that was becoming harder and harder to swallow.

  She kept hoping and praying it would just fix itself. Every time she woke up, the first thing she did was look for her tattoos. And every time she realized with a sinking sensation they weren’t there, she felt her heart breaking all over again.

  She felt her eyes tear up, but she firmly pushed them back. Considering the length of time it took to apply to her makeup, no way was she about to ruin it.

  After making polite—dull—conversation with other royal werewolves, Gage pulled her to the dance floor. Light jazz music floated through the atmosphere, giving the gala a classy, relaxed feel. At least she didn’t have to waltz. Tripping over her own two feet was the last thing she needed. Her aunt had teased her that she’d been born with two left feet.

  She rested her cheek against Gage’s chest as they gently swayed, feeling a wave of faint regret.

  The decorations were beautiful and simple. White candles lined the room along with vases of red roses and black satin tablecloths. Along with the live jazz band in the corner, which had the members all decked out in tuxedos, the place had an Old World feel about it.

  She’d always had a soft spot for jazz and had even taken swing dancing classes. Growing up, she’d imagined throwing a party much like this one at her wedding.

  It made her sad to think that would never happen.

  She’d never get to walk down the aisle in a pretty white dress, smiling broadly at the man she loved.

  She’d never get to feel him place a ring on her finger or feel tears falling down her cheeks as she placed one on his.

  She’d never hear “You may kiss the bride.”

  Her heart ached. She hadn’t realized how much she’d wanted that wedding until the possibility of not having it became a reality.

  “You okay?”

  She blinked at Gage’s voice, startled. “Yeah. Fine.”

  “You’re not fine.”

  She pressed her lips together, the urge to spill the contents of her heart growing stronger. “I was just thinking,” she said softly, “about how perfect this would have been at my wedding.” She smiled. “But I know that’s never going to happen because werewolves don’t do weddings.”

  His grip around her tightened. “I know you’ve mentioned a wedding in passing, but whenever I asked you about it, you said it was no big deal.”

  She chuckled. “I didn’t want to bother you with my silly, girly daydreams when you had so much on your mind. And then my Change was coming up and then our tattoos vanished….” She bit her lip sharply, wincing. She needed to feel some kind of pain as a distraction, otherwise she’d start crying if she thought about the missing tattoos too much.

  Gage kissed her head. “Don’t worry. We’ll fix it.”

  “But what if it can’t be fixed? What if this was all a big mistake—?”

  “Don’t say that,” he said, grasping her arms and staring into her eyes. “Don’t you ever say that. Since meeting you, I’ve felt more alive, like I know why I was put on this earth all along. I was put here to lead and to shepherd, but I wasn’t strong enough. Until I met you.” He smiled. “You always say I’m your rock, but in truth, you are mine. And I love you for it.”

  She smiled broadly. “Oh, Gage….”

  He opened his mouth to speak when someone cleared their throat. They both looked up to find Malachite standing beside them. His hands were clasped behind his back as he smiled at them politely. His silver-blond hair was tied halfway back at the nape of his neck. His coloring was striking against the black tuxedo, and a red rosebud was pinned to his lapel.

  Gage’s hackles immediately raised as he glared at Malachite and stepped in front of Danica. “If you’re hoping to cut in, you can forget about it.”

  “Actually,” Malachite replied with that same irritating nonchalance, “I was going to inquire if Miss Danica received my gift?”

  Danica saw Gage’s hand form a fist. “I did,” she replied quickly, placing her hand over Gage’s and squeezing.

  “And did you like them?” Malachite asked.

  “You shouldn’t have sent them.”

  Malachite shrugged in response, a devilish smile on his lips. Danica sensed that arrogant smirk only pissed Gage off more.

  “Where do you get off sending my mate flowers?” Gage said in a low voice.

  “I didn’t realize she was your mate anymore,” Malachite said, “considering she does not bear the Mark.”

  “That’s beside the point.”

  “Actually, it is the point,” Malachite said. “According to our laws, if a female werewolf is unmarked, that means another male werewolf can move in and stake his clai
m.”

  Gage froze. Danica’s eyes darted between the two men. “Not this again. You said it wasn’t true.”

  Malachite tsked at Gage. “Telling lies to her now, eh? You must be getting desperate.” Malachite stepped forward, his cool eyes level with Gage’s. “Why don’t you just admit you’re clinging to her because you know it’s inevitable she’ll be taken away from you?”

  Gage’s fist began to shake beneath Danica’s hand.

  Malachite never backed off. “There is a war brewing, Mr. Johnson. And you and I both know you won’t be able to protect her when the time comes.”

  “What do you know?” Gage hissed. “What war?”

  “What war indeed?” Malachite said with a teasing smile.

  That did it.

  “Gage!” Danica cried out as Gage jerked free of her grasp, aiming his fist squarely for Malachite’s nose.

  Danica held her breath, her eyes going wide as she grabbed for Gage’s fist, but she wasn’t fast enough. He was going to hit Malachite, right here in the ballroom in front of the very Council members who were considering crowning him king.

  This would ruin his chances. They wouldn’t crown someone who was prone to violence and flying off the handle.

  And she was powerless to stop it.

  At the last second, Malachite’s hand whipped up in a blur of movement. There was the smack of flesh as Gage’s fist connected with Malachite’s palm.

  He’d caught the punch, less than an inch from his face.

  Danica’s jaw dropped. Son of a bitch.

  Malachite’s eyes narrowed, the look on his face pure menace. “As I said,” he growled, “you aren’t strong enough to protect her.”

  Gage’s eyes widened slightly. The people around them had stopped dancing to stare, and the maestro had cut off the jazz band.

  Heavy, tense silence filled the room, amplifying Malachite’s next words.

  “I challenge you for the right to Danica.”

  The silence was so thick, it could be cut with a knife.

  Danica’s heart thrummed so loudly, she was certain everyone close by could hear it. They were werewolves, after all.

  Obnoxious werewolf hearing. I can’t even be nervous in private!

  Gage’s mouth flopped open in shock for a second before he came to his senses. “What the hell do you mean ‘you challenge me?’ You can’t challenge someone for their mate!”

  “Actually, he can.”

  They both turned to see Norman clad in a stylish black tuxedo that made him look like Gomez from The Addams Family. All that was missing was the mustache.

  His seedy black eyes peered at Gage in triumph. “If the rumors I hear are true,” he said, raising his voice so it could be heard throughout the grand room, “then I believe the lady is no longer mated to you. Am I correct?”

  Gage’s jaw ticked and Danica gulped.

  Norman raised his brows. “So you don’t deny it?”

  Gage pressed his lips together in a thoughtful moment before speaking. “We don’t know what has happened.”

  “Then your mating tattoos really are gone.”

  Danica clutched the shawl covering her bare shoulders tighter.

  Gage’s jaw ticked. “Yes.”

  “As is your bond to her?”

  Every pair of eyes swiveled back to Danica and Gage. She felt the heat of their stares so intensely, she was afraid the flesh would melt right off her face.

  Gage’s voice sounded strained when he answered. “Yes.”

  “I can’t hear you.”

  “It is,” Gage barked, glaring at Norman.

  Malachite stood by silently, watching all this unfold without so much as a hint of his true feelings in his expression.

  Danica resisted the urge to growl.

  That son of a bitch. How can he be so smug during all of this? Doesn’t he realize he’s trying to wreck the one good thing that’s ever happened to me?

  Of course he didn’t. He was thinking only about himself.

  “What the hell is your problem?” Danica yelled, coming up beside Gage.

  “Danica,” he said quietly, trying to grab her and hold her back, but she brushed him off. She was so angry she could punch something. Her inner wolf growled at Malachite, who regarded her with that same coolness that had pissed her off to begin with.

  “What do you hope to achieve by challenging Gage for me? I’ll never love you.”

  “You don’t know that,” Malachite said.

  “Yes, I do!” Danica pressed a finger to her chest, right over her heart. “Only I know what I am and am not capable of, and I’m telling you, there is no way in hell I could ever love someone who tries to control me!”

  “I’m not controlling you.”

  “Aren’t you, though, by trying to force me away from Gage? You’re trying to bend me to your will. Well, I’m telling you right now that I’ve had about enough of that in my life, and I am sick and tired of being treated like I don’t matter!”

  Her voice had steadily risen to a scream throughout the tirade. Her angry words echoed off the walls, and she was breathing much harder at the end of her speech than when she had started.

  Norman sniffed and turned his nose up at her. “Well, if you’re done throwing your temper tantrum… which, by the way, is so befitting a queen.”

  Danica’s face flamed. How dare he make fun of her! He was only trying to make her look bad in front of the other royal werewolves so it would make Gage look bad.

  Bastard.

  “As it appears you are no longer mated, I think the terms of the match should be declared,” Norman continued.

  “There isn’t going to be a match,” Gage said in a steely voice.

  Norman scoffed. “I really don’t think you have much choice in the matter. Where is Her Majesty?”

  Danica blinked. Why was he bringing Alara into this?

  The room looked around when Alara said, “I am here.” Her voice was filled with power and authority, and it easily carried through the room. People bowed or curtsied as she strode toward them, with Nik following close behind. He wasn’t wearing any of his piercings, and he looked downright handsome in a rugged kind of way.

  Alara gazed at Norman coolly, though anger burned behind her eyes. “I’m glad you addressed me as I was already heading in this direction. What is the meaning of all this nonsense, Mr. Black?”

  “It’s not nonsense,” he said matter-of-factly. “I simply wanted to ask your opinion on the matter.”

  “You mean Malachite challenging Gage for the right to Danica?” Alara said with a hint of sarcasm. “It’s not possible.”

  “But in our laws, doesn’t it state that an unmated she-wolf can be claimed by another male?”

  Danica thought Alara would immediately rebuke that outrageous statement, but the princess went still and pressed her lips together. Danica’s heart sped up.

  “He’s not serious, is he?” Danica asked.

  Alara didn’t answer. Her face went pale and she swallowed hard. “Yes,” she said in a low voice, ducking her gaze away from Danica. “That is what our laws say.”

  Danica went cold with fear. “You can’t—he can’t—that’s not possible! I’m mated!”

  “Alas, my dear, your tattoos—or lack thereof—and your missing bond say otherwise,” Norman said with mock sympathy.

  Danica looked to Alara for help, but she wouldn’t look at her. Gage’s fists trembled by his side. His eyes were murderous as he stared at Norman and then Malachite, who remained completely calm.

  “I don’t care what our laws say,” Gage snarled. “No one ever abides by that law now because it’s archaic and barbaric.”

  “Makes no difference,” Norman said with a sympathetic sigh. “The law is the law, even if it’s an outdated one.”

  Gage growled as his eyes flared gold. “If it’s a fight you want, then I sure as hell will give it to you.”

  “Gage!” Danica blurted.

  Malachite grinned, looking every bit
the part of the Big Bad Wolf he was. “I’m looking forward to our rematch, pup. I think you’ll find I won’t be so easily bested this time.”

  “We shall see,” Gage snapped.

  “Well, it’s settled then!” Norman said gleefully, clapping his hands. “What say you to getting this pesky business over and done with? Shall we say the garden courtyard at midnight?”

  Danica forgot how to breathe for a second. “But that’s in an hour!”

  “Look on the bright side, peaches,” Norman said jovially. “At least you’ll have it over with.” He clapped her on the shoulder once before sauntering off.

  Alara immediately walked up to them. “I’m so sorry,” she said, her eyes begging them for forgiveness. Nik came up behind her and placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. “I froze. I wasn’t expecting him to spring that on me. No one has invoked that law in centuries.”

  “Is it true, what he said?” Danica asked, interrupting her. She felt like every fiber of her being hung on what Alara said.

  Danica’s heart sank when Alara at last turned her sorrowful gaze on her. She didn’t need to hear her say it because she could already read the answer on her face.

  “I see,” she said, staggering backward. It felt like the time she’d missed the next bar on the monkey bars and had fallen flat on her back. The air had been knocked from her lungs, and she couldn’t breathe for a few terrifying seconds.

  She couldn’t believe this. Was mating everything in this world? Did unmated female werewolves really get treated this way and just go along with it? Sure, Gage had implied that the werewolf society had “risen above” this law, but it didn’t take away from the fact it was still implemented.

  That notion was strong enough to encourage her hate, which was the only thing to break through her fear and shock at the current situation.

  “It doesn’t matter what the fucking rules say,” Gage said in a low voice filled with rage. “I’m going to kick his ass, and that’s all there is to it.”

  Without another word, Gage took her hand and pulled her toward the doors. People parted as they passed, the chorus of their whispers filling Danica’s ears. She wanted to scream at them to shut up, and when they snickered, it took every ounce of self-control in her to keep from tearing them to shreds.