The Ash Moon (The Ariane Trilogy Book 1)

by Michelle Dare

  “Don't like me paying you surprise visits?” I grin. I was in and out of his house in seconds. Luckily, he wasn’t downstairs when I got there. I smacked that little yellow sticky note on the front of his microwave and left.

  “Don't make me regret—” he pauses, finally noticing Paige standing next to me, “being your friend,” he finishes. I have to hold back a laugh. He turns his attention to Paige. “And who might you be?” he asks in an overly friendly, hey, I just noticed your hot friend, kind of way.

  “Paige, Ari's best friend,” she says and offers her hand, which he gladly takes and presses a kiss to the back of it. She tries hard not to blush, but I know her. Her lips are parted, and she's breathing a little harder than normal. She’s definitely affected by him and his good looks.

  “Do you have a last name?” he asks.

  “Yes, but you haven't earned more information about me yet.”

  “Feisty. I like it.”

  “Don't,” I interject.

  He faces me. “What?” The last thing I need is for Ford to get his hands on Paige and screw her over. I'd have to deal with the aftermath, not him. Since he seems to be a permanent fixture in my life, at least for the time being, I can't have anything bad happen between my friends. Did I just call Ford my friend? He smiles. I level him with a glare. He needs to stop reading my mind.

  “The wheels are turning, princess. Care to fill us in?” Freaking vampire and his need to make me miserable.

  I'm about to open my mouth when another car pulls up. Saved by the Jag. And then another car—an older Volkswagen Passat. Brayden. He overslept this morning and drove himself to school instead of riding with Paige and me.

  Rion greets me with a quick kiss and a knee-weakening smile. Bray steps up next to us.

  “Did you see what your girlfriend left me?” Ford asks Rion as he holds up the sticky note. I’m going to kill him.

  “Are you serious right now?” I ask incredulously. “You're being childish.” He sticks out his tongue. “I give up.”

  Rion winds his arms around my waist to bring me in close. Those eyes of his feel like they’re staring into my soul. He brushes my hair aside to whisper, “No visiting a vampire’s house without me, little mouse.” His breath tickles, causing a thousand goosebumps to break out over my skin. Before pulling back, he places a kiss just below my ear. My knees finally say screw it and I go lax in Rion's arms. It's a good thing he's holding me up.

  Brayden clears his throat behind us, officially snapping me back to reality. “Care to introduce us?”

  “Ari doesn't need to,” Ford replies before I can. “I'm Ford, a friend of Ariane's and Orion's.” He shakes Bray's hand.

  “I'm assuming you live close by, if she was able to leave you a note.” Bray states. Uhhh...

  Ford is quicker on his feet. “She left it on the window of my SUV yesterday. She must have seen me at the coffee place in town.”

  Quickly, I add, “I ran out last night to grab something at the grocery store and saw his SUV parked along the street. I stopped and left him a note, since you said you wanted to meet him.” Paige nods and I'm grateful I made that up so fast.

  Somehow, and I'm not exactly sure how, Rion and Ford play well with one another for the next half hour. We stand in the driveway and talk. Paige grills them both, and they handle each question with lies that easily roll off their tongues. That's not to say there was no truth with what they said. They sprinkled a little in here and there—but for the most part—lies.

  I don't invite anyone inside. I have a feeling if I do, Ford will never leave. I swear he feeds off of irritating Rion. I kick both of them out of my driveway long before my parents are due home. I want to spend time with Paige and Bray.

  Paige throws herself down on the couch. “I'm going to need you to get me a date with Ford.”

  The jealous side of Brayden appears on cue. “You can't be serious?”

  She ignores him. “Please, Ari. There's something so sexy about him. He's not like the guys our age.” I snort but quickly cover it up by going to the kitchen to rummage for something to eat. If Paige only knew how old he really is. Or what he really is for that matter. I grab a couple of things and go back to the living room.

  Placing two bags of chips on the coffee table with a few bottles of water, I turn to Paige. “I'm not going to ask him out for you.”

  “Why?” She pouts. Then it’s like a light bulb goes off in her head. Her eyes widen; she smiles. “It’s because you want him for yourself.”

  I bark out a laugh. “You've seen Rion. Why on earth would I want Ford?” Not that Ford isn’t attractive. He truly is. But he’s not Rion.

  “I'm not sure what's going on with you, Ari, but you have both of them wrapped around your finger. The whole time we were out there, they each stood on either side of you, like they were guarding you. From what, I don't know.” Were they doing that? Rion does stand like that, always. But Ford? Paige taps her finger on her chin as she watches me. “What am I missing? There's something you're not telling us.”

  I sit next to her on the couch. “Nothing. I'm dating Rion. Ford is a friend. That’s it.” I take a sip of water.

  “Go out with me, Paige,” Bray states. The water in my mouth sprays out across the living room. Did he just ask what I think he did? I couldn’t have heard him right. He glares at me.

  “Good one,” Paige says with a light laugh.

  “I'm serious.”

  She focuses on him. “Bray, we've been over this. We're friends, that's all. I'm sorry that I don't see you any other way.” At least she softened her tone for the apology. I do think she's genuine. She's never seen Bray as more, and I doubt she ever will.

  He stands. “I've gotta go. Homework. Dinner.”

  “Brayden, stay,” I tell him.

  “Sorry, Ari. I only came by because I wanted to make sure you're all right. I can see you are. I doubt anyone would screw with you while you have those two by your side. I miss us all hanging out, but I get it. I’ll see you in school tomorrow.”

  Paige doesn't utter a word until the door shuts behind him. “What am I supposed to do?” She frowns.

  “He's liked you for a long time.”

  “I see that now, but I don't feel the same. And I can't force myself. I’m trying to be honest with him.”

  “I know. Give him time.” There's not much more for me to say. Bray has always loved Paige. At least she sees it and is trying to cut him off before he gets his hopes up. I'm surprised he finally asked her out. Maybe with us graduating soon, and college around the corner, he felt like he had nothing to lose.

  Paige stays for dinner, which makes my parents happy. They don't mind me spending time with Rion, but I notice their relief at me hanging out with Paige.

  Darkness has settled over our small town by the time I walk her out. My parents are already in bed. Paige and I stayed up a while talking. I wonder if Orion is out here somewhere, shrouded by the trees.

  Thankfully, there is a light over the garage that comes on when it detects motion, lighting our way. We walk around Paige's car and stop in our tracks. There's a massive, pure white wolf sitting beside her driver's side door. Paige backs up and opens her mouth to scream, but I quickly clamp my hand over her lips. I don't want to alert my parents to something going on out here.

  The wolf isn't growling or snarling. Its ears are up but not forward. No teeth are showing. If anything, it looks calm but curious. I motion with my head to the back of the house where it's darker. Out front, there are lights and nosy neighbors. I don't want to have to explain to anyone why there is a wolf sitting in my driveway or have them ask my parents if we got a new dog. I’m so not good at lying on demand.

  The wolf pads around us to stride ahead. I'm not sure if I'm walking into a trap, but I keep my arm around Paige. I whisper in her ear to be quiet and to trust me. If anything happens, I'm teleporting us out of here. However, I need to be holding her in some way to bring her with me. At least I'm not defenseless anymo
re.

  The wolf walks to the edge of the trees in my backyard, while Paige and I stay close to the house. Her body trembles against my side.

  I focus on the wolf. “If you expect me to speak to you, I'm going to need you to shift.”

  Paige turns to me. “What are you talking about, Ari?”

  “I told you to trust me,” I whisper.

  This wolf is going to shift in front of us, and Paige is going to lose it like I did when I first saw Rion change. I have no clue how I'm going to calm her down enough to figure out what this wolf wants.

  The wolf transforms before us in the blink of an eye. What once was snowy white fur is now a guy who appears to be around our age with dark hair and dark eyes. It's hard to tell the exact color.

  He steps forward. With the moon still bright, I notice he's wearing a white T-shirt under a waist length, dark leather jacket. What is it with these paranormals and leather? He takes another step toward us.

  “Don't come any closer,” I warn.

  Paige goes limp in my arm. I can't hold her up. She slides to the grass at my feet. So much for having to explain shifters to her at the moment. Fainting was not what I expected, however.

  “Who are you?” I ask as I crouch down by Paige. I need to keep a hand on her just in case I need to teleport.

  “My name is Wake.”

  “Wake isn't a name. It's what you do in the morning.”

  He chuckles. “I can see why Orion likes you.”

  “You know him?”

  “Knew is more accurate.” So this is someone who used to be friends with him. Rion hasn't mentioned his name to me before. In fact, I haven't heard it in any of Lealla's books, which leads me to believe Wake isn't one of the Avynwood Pack.

  “Why are you here?”

  He steps closer. “I've come to warn you.”

  “One more step and I'm out of here.”

  He cocks his head to the side. “So, it's true then. You've acquired powers.”

  “Listen, Snooze, I don't know who you are or why you're here, but rest assured, I can be gone and back with a whole lot of hurt in under five seconds.” Which reminds me… Where is Orion?

  Paige stirs. I help her sit up and gently rub her back before moving my hand to her shoulder. Peering up, she looks from me to Wake and back again. My focus returns to Wake now that I know Paige is okay.

  “I'm a watcher, Ariane.”

  “A what?”

  “As you’ve probably figured out, I'm not a part of Orion's pack. I'm in Diaminsey. I’m one of their dream watchers. I have premonitions in my sleep and have to stay observant so I can report what I see back to my alpha.” He’s in the pack that’s chasing me when I sleep. The pack who killed Rion’s parents. I have to stay calm. Wake hasn’t tried to harm me…yet. He’s the same as me, though. He dreams as I do.

  “I’m not sure what any of that has to do with me. Whatever you're selling, take it somewhere else.”

  “They’re coming, Ariane—the whole pack—and they're after you.”

  My eyes narrow. “Why should I believe you?”

  “Because if my alpha knew I was here, he'd slit my throat.” He has a point. I doubt the alpha of his pack would be happy about him warning me. Then again, this could be a game he’s playing under the direction of his alpha. I’m not sure what to believe.

  “When are they coming?”

  “I don't know. They're preparing for a war. Training night and day. They won't come until they know they have every angle covered. Every paranormal they can get on their side. And you in a vulnerable state.” I have no clue why the shifters are so focused on me. I’m supposed to be the catalyst, but why? How? Each day I get some of my questions answered only to have new ones.

  “I'm no threat to them.”

  “You're a game changer.”

  “I'm an eighteen-year-old girl in high school.” This is ridiculous. I'm one person. How can I be a threat to an entire pack?

  “You're a human with powers.”

  “And? You're a human who shifts into a wolf. I fail to see your point.”

  “You have a friend who's a vampire and a mate who's a wolf. You're already part of a pack. Every paranormal who meets you is helpless to your charms.”

  21

  “I have no charms. I'm boring. I like to read. There is nothing fun or exciting about me.”

  “You have premonitions when you sleep.”

  I release Paige and stumble back, landing on my butt. She’s stayed quiet throughout our conversation. I can only imagine what she’s going to say when we’re alone. “How did you...? I haven't told anyone.”

  “We share premonitions.” Here we go. It’s like talking to Rion and only getting partial information.

  Standing, I brush grass off of myself. “Huh?” What’s going on here? I swear every day and night something else is thrown at me, making me question the world as I know it.

  “You're a dream watcher, too. Every pack has at least one—a person who can do as we do.”

  “The Avynwood Pack isn't new. They probably already have a watcher or whatever it is you call it.”

  He shakes his head. “They were without one. Lealla tries her best with her abilities, but they aren’t the same as ours.”

  “So I'm the watcher for the Avynwood Pack, yet I'm not part of the pack? I'm a human. I don't know how many times I have to say this to everyone. I'm no one special.” How is it I’m the only one who sees how dull and boring I am? I fly well under the radar. That is, until I met Lealla.

  “You have a shifter mate, Ariane. You're part of the pack, whether you think so or not.”

  “Every day my life gets more and more confusing,” I mutter. Ford appears at my side, causing me to jump. “Do you always have to land right next to me?” I yell. “There’s an entire yard here and you pop in practically touching me.”

  He ignores my question. “Princess,” he greets as his eyes focus on Wake. “You didn't invite me to the party? I'm a little hurt. Wake, I haven't seen you in years. I heard you found a new pack.” I don’t miss the bite in his tone.

  “Ford,” Wake nods.

  “Say what you came to say fast. Orion is hot on your scent.”

  “Ariane,” Wake begins. “I'm in the premonitions with you but not in the same area. Run toward me. I'll howl next time I'm in one. Follow my call. I want you to pull me out of the premonition with you. Bring me to Ford's house. It will give us more time to talk.”

  My eyes narrow. “Why should I trust you?” I don't know him at all, and he's asking me to take him to Ford's house? My life is like a bizarre movie that keeps me guessing up until the very end. I’m that confused person sitting in the back row of the theater, wondering if it will ever make sense.

  “Ask Ford.” His head whips to the side. “I’ve gotta go.” He shifts back into a white wolf and runs into the night. Seconds later, Orion tears past us at a fast clip, right on Wake’s trail.

  “Let's get Paige and you inside,” Ford says. “You can try to teleport all of us. It will be another lesson for you.”

  “Seriously? You want me to learn now?”

  “No better time than the present.”

  Nothing like a nighttime lesson in teleportation. My parents could walk out here at any moment and see me standing in the yard with Paige all wide-eyed, like she’s seen a ghost, and some random guy next to her. That won't look suspicious at all.

  Ford wraps an arm around Paige’s waist and places his other hand in mine. With him holding Paige, and me holding on to him, I can teleport them both. Visualizing my bedroom, I snap my fingers and we're standing in my room in under a second.

  Walking to the bed, Ford gently helps Paige sit. She still hasn’t spoken a word, which is very unlike her.

  I have to focus on Ford at the moment and what happened outside. “What was all of that? What's going on?” I hiss. I want to yell at Ford but can’t. The last thing I need is to wake my parents.

  “We only have a few minutes before your
boyfriend is back, calling for you. What I'm going to tell you, it's something he should say, but I fear he won't and you need to know. Wake and you are dream watchers.”

  “Thanks, I knew that.”

  “Most packs have a watcher who has premonitions and lets the alpha know if danger is coming. Or if someone will be hurt. Or if they’re getting a new member. It’s not always horrible, end of the world stuff. The Avynwood Pack used to have one—Wake. He’s Aries and Cassandra's son.” I gasp. Their son? I had no idea. It wasn't in any book. No mention of him at all. I would have remembered that name. And Rion never mentioned him.

  “Why isn't he still in the pack?”

  “Because he and Sevan both pursued the same mate. They both felt the mate connection with her. None of this made the book, by the way.” I remember Sevan's book. It was the last one released and really good. I loved him and Dalia together.

  Ford continues, “In the end, her connection with Sevan was the true one. She didn't have sparks, or whatever you mates feel when you touch one another, with Wake. But he wouldn't stop. He insisted she was his mate. It wasn’t good. Even under Aries’ command, Wake wouldn't quit. He became violent with the other males. Lashed out at Aries and Orion. No one could reason with him. The whole pack was in a flux. Wolves thrive on the bond with their pack and mates. When one is disrupting the whole unit…” he shakes his head. “As the alpha, Aries has to make tough calls. The pack is his responsibility. When it came down to it, he knew Sevan and Dalia were mates. Aries had no choice but to remove Wake from the pack. It was best for the pack. Wake was angry. He wanted to get back at Aries for taking Sevan's side. So Wake did the one thing he knew would anger his father above anything else—he joined the Diaminsey Pack.”

  “Holy...”

  “Yeah, so you can imagine how Orion felt picking up Wake’s scent near you. It's not good. He'll see Wake as coming after his mate.”