by Aline Hunter
"She's not," Shane snapped, his offense at the statement apparent.
"Watch it," Declan growled, coming to the defense of his mate. He might help Shane when it came to Luna, but he wouldn't tolerate any disrespect to Rachel.
"She's come to me in dreams." Shane visibly tried to soften his tone and get a grip, but it didn't work. He was apparently too amped up. "She wants this. She wants me." His fingers curled, forming into fists. "It's more than that," he growled, his dark blue eyes flashing silver as he looked at Jackson. "She's in pain. I can feel it. Even now." His lips parted, revealing slightly elongated canines. "She needs me."
"Get your shit together," Jackson snarled.
Shane had to stay in control, especially now. Jackson didn't know Luna, but he knew mates. Chloe had taught him they were more than a male bargained for.
"Your claim is about to be acknowledged," he informed Shane. "You need to prepare for everything that comes along with that. Get your head on straight."
Shane's eyes shone like mirrors. "You don't understand."
"Calm down." Jackson didn't mince words, allowing his Alpha nature to rush to the forefront. It took more energy than usual. Shane was also an Alpha, making him equally dominant and dangerous. Making sure he had Shane's attention, he said, "Your claim will be recognized. I'll make sure of it. But Rachel's right. I heard Ben and Gertrude. Your mate is a halfling." If that wasn't bad enough, the female had another, more serious, handicap. "And she's blind, Shane. She's going to need a safe place to figure things out and adjust. Do this wrong, and you'll ruin your relationship before it's even started." Shane cooled off at the words, and Jackson felt sorry for the male. His frustration at having such a shitty night faded. "Think about things for a minute. After you make your claim, where will you take her? Certainly not the shitheap you call home."
Jackson had seen Shane's place.
The room above Gleason's Laundromat wasn't anywhere Luna needed to be. Too many people came and went. She needed to feel secure and protected. While she was Shane's mate, she was about to become a part of Jackson's pack. That meant it was his job to watch over her. He'd do anything to keep her comfortable. Chloe would beat his ass otherwise. His Lupa didn't tolerate bullshit of any sort.
Chloe studied Shane. "I know how you feel right now. You've found your mate, and you want her. It's understandable." Jackson gazed at her, watching her delicate facial features soften. "We can contact the pack Realtor right now, have him find a place that suits you, and then you can go to Luna. Get to know her while you relocate. Give her time to adjust."
"The moon," Shane reminded her, obviously conflicted, "will still be full tomorrow."
"She's a halfling." Chloe's confidence faded, her tone uncertain. "It's not fair to force a mating during the full moon." Her focus shifted from Shane to Jackson. He hated how torn she looked, her bright green eyes brimming with worry. "Her wolf will accept things, because she'll recognize you and that's the way it goes. But Luna might not. She could be confused. She might not know what to do."
Jackson got the message loud and clear.
Chloe was a halfling and knew what Luna was experiencing.
He made a decision that was non-negotiable.
Making sure Chloe was settled, wrapping his arm around her shoulders and holding her tight, Jackson let his wolf come fully to the surface. Anyone who looked him in the eye would see the beast. Especially Shane. "We'll contact the Realtor and make sure you have a suitable home for your female. She deserves no less. As a member of our pack, it's our job to welcome her into the fold." Bracing for the worst, he made sure he had Shane's undivided attention and stated, "Until the full moon passes, you're not to have contact with Luna or her family. I will sort things out. As soon as the moon isn't an issue, I'll make sure they know you're coming for her."
For a split-second, Jackson thought Shane would argue.
The male's eyes changed color again, shifting from dark blue to silver. Energy filled the air, and Jackson shoved Chloe behind him. If Shane lost his head, Jackson would be forced to fight him. Since they were equals, there was no way to know how the match would turn out.
"Don't rush her," Chloe said, clearly annoyed, trying to push Jackson away. "I've been in her shoes. I know what she's going through. You're right. She does need you. But she needs you, Shane. Not the wolf. Not yet. Not like this."
Unexpectedly, the glow in Shane's eyes diminished.
The pulse of fury evaporated.
Shane went from powerful to drained. "I apologize. You're right." He shook himself and bowed his head, obviously at war with his nature, avoiding everyone's gazes. "My home isn't adequate. Not even close. She deserves more." As he lifted his chin, he said, "I want her to be happy. She's been miserable for so long. I have to make this good for her."
"Then you will," Chloe said, jamming her elbow into Jackson's side, wanting to make him move so she could see Shane clearly. "You're not alone, Shane. All of us are here for you." When she attempted to move, heading toward Shane, Jackson grasped her arm. She didn't argue but shot him an aggravated look as she kept talking. "If you want, I can go with you two when you speak to her grandparents. I can get to know her. She'll have a friend in the pack, which should help things."
Shane's head darted up. "You'd do that?"
"Absolutely." Chloe, being the amazing woman Jackson adored, soothed the savage beast. "She's part of us now, right? She deserves to be welcomed."
"I'd appreciate that."
"Good. I'll get the car," Chloe said, reading Jackson's thoughts, knowing he'd come to a decision. She lifted onto the tips of her toes, kissed his jaw, and said, "This isn't a bad thing. We need him, and he needs us. You smooth things over, and I'll work on things on this end. I'll be right back."
Jackson scented uncertainty coming from Shane, and he wanted to know why. He decided to wave him over, making it clear to everyone that this part of the conversation was intended to be private. Declan took the hint, pulling Rachel away. As Shane approached, Jackson studied the male. He'd remained steadfast and loyal, easily assuming Declan's role when asked to do so. Jackson felt obligated to the male for that reason alone.
As usual, Chloe was correct.
The pack did need Shane, especially now.
"There's more to what's going on," he said quietly. "Tell me what it is."
Shane didn't look away, but his blue eyes glowed silver. "Something's wrong with her wolf. The beast didn't react to me, even when I influenced it. She was drugged before I had an opportunity to find out what it is."
Jackson absorbed the information. That definitely was odd. "The wolf didn't respond at all?"
"She listed to my command to let go of the one she was attacking. I was preparing to use my beast to control and calm her, but she came at me like a rabid dog. Ben warned me the wolf was in control when I went to her. I knew that at the time because I only sensed the animal. When she attacked, I realized I wasn't facing Luna at all. That's why they have to drug her. It's also why she can't be out during the full moon." He hesitated, taking a moment. "I'll tell you the rest, but I want you to put yourself in my shoes. I want to think about what you'd do if this was Chloe. If you try to put my mate down, you'll have to put me down too."
Not good. "I'm listening."
"Luna can't control the wolf when it takes over."
So fucking not good. Son of a bitch.
In situations like those, werewolves were usually destroyed. They were a liability and a danger to those around them. That was the very reason newly shifted or changed werewolves had to be closely monitored. If the beast assumed control during shifts, it couldn't be trusted. The balance between the person and the wolf had to be mutual, becoming something shared to create harmony.
Wade might have been aware of that aspect of things. He'd indicated Luna was a special case and therefore had permission to forgo monthly hunts. Then again, he might not have a clue. Ben and Gertrude could have kept the information from him and created another ex
cuse to keep their grandchild from attending. Since she was blind, they could indicate she'd be disoriented and unable to hunt with the packs. It wouldn't be that all far-fetched.
To be safe, he couldn't bring the issue up with Wade.
Truth be told, he was ready to see that Alpha gone. Wade created too many problems, and Jackson was tired of cleaning up his messes. He'd been trying to think of a way to get him out of the area all together. If he mentioned something like this to Wade, the male would talk. He truly believed his wolves didn't repeat what came out of his mouth, but in that, he was very wrong.
Jackson had to proceed with extreme caution.
Due to Luna's blindness, there was a chance her wolf was like one in the wild. They had to be violent and deadly to survive. Pack members would take advantage of the flaw, as weakness wasn't tolerated. Werewolves were much the same, controlled by their level of dominance. The human aspect helped, but ultimately the bestial entities inside of them often dictated behavior and actions.
Shane already knew these things.
There was no reason to bring them up.
"Chloe could be wrong about waiting to see your mate again," Jackson offered slowly, pondering things. Shane had come to Luna in his human form, not the animal one. Things would have been different if their wolves had come face-to-face. "Is that why you mentioned the full moon is tomorrow?"
"It is," Shane confessed.
"It could work, you going to her in wolf form." Luna's wolf would recognize her mate when he ditched the skin and sprouted fur. The problem was, the human inside her might feel violated by not having a choice in what happened next. "It could also fuck things up."
"I'm aware."
"What a fucking tangle," Jackson growled, attempting to formulate a strategy. There were so many things to sort through, making the entire ordeal messy and complicated. He took a moment, considering it all, and admitted, "I was going to speak to Wade first, but it's probably best if I go to Ben and Gertrude. I'll tell them I know what's going on and want to help. I'm not their Alpha, but they'll know if I scent dishonesty." As much as he hated being a bastard, he had no issue assuming that position when the need arose. "If they don't listen, I can force answers from them." Luna had been kept hidden from Jackson, her inclusion into Wade's pack only brought to light when she was needed. That had to mean something. "If her beast is an issue, that's probably why they brought her here."
"I don't know what to do." Shane didn't bow his head this time, his Alpha nature unable to break the stare, but Jackson could see the torment in his expression. "She came to me in dreams like she should have, but I could never see her. I heard her but didn't respond because I thought she was playing games and wanted me to chase her. I thought she was teasing me. At least at first. When she started becoming desperate, I knew something was wrong." He looked miserable as he whispered hoarsely, "I didn't know she couldn't find me because she couldn't see. I had no idea she couldn't come to me even if she wanted to. Her dreams after that were so deep she couldn't hear me responding." The male somehow found the willpower to lower his gaze then, staring at the ground. "I didn't know she was blind."
"Of course you didn't." If Jackson knew anything about Shane, he knew the male would never torment or abandon his mate on purpose. "How could you have known?"
"I came here for a reason." Shane's head came up, his eyes silver again, making it evident he wouldn't let anyone or anything keep him from his female. "That's Luna. I'll follow protocol and give her time, but you won't keep me from her. You're mated, so I don't have to tell you what I'm feeling right now."
"If you want to be there when I talk to Wade, you have to agree to a conversation later. I respected your privacy when I accepted you into my pack, but I need to know your long-term plans. Your choices will influence the wolves I've taken charge of. If you haven't made a decision, it's time to consider your options."
"I'll have to ask Luna before I can give you an answer. It's as much her decision as it is mine."
"I won't allow you to join Wade's pack." Jackson didn't growl, but there was a definite warning in the statement. If Shane got behind Wade, problems would definitely arise, and blood would be spilled. Currently, Jackson's pack remained the dominant one, which kept things peaceful for the most part. "There's enough tension already. I won't have more of it."
"I have no interest in being one of his." Shane sounded offended, and Jackson realized the male felt the same way about the other Alpha in the area. Wade might have been a powerful at one point, but he'd lost his grit somewhere along the way. He allowed his daughter to do shit that would eventually get those around her killed. He should have stepped down and left Atrum Hill years ago. "I'd leave the area before that happened."
"We'll speak to Wade." Jackson held Shane's level stare and said, "You're still one of mine, so fucking remember it. It'll serve you better if you stay quiet and let me handle it. He's already sensing the shift in power. If he's set off, I'll have to put him in his place. You know what that means."
Death.
"You can do the talking, but I'm meeting with my mate as soon as the moon breaks. I will talk to her and give her time, but she's mine. You have to make that clear."
"I certainly will."
Shane simmered down and asked, "What do we do next?"
At least that answer was simple. "We contact a Realtor and get you a place. Until that happens, you can use my cabin. You can take your mate there and get a handle on things. If anyone can get through to her beast, it's you."
Shane didn't say anything, looking forlorn in the dark cascading around them, the moon giving its siren song from above.
Poor bastard.
"When the full moon passes, I'll go with you to claim your female." Jackson felt sorry for the bastard. "Go to your place and pack your things. We'll sort the shit out."
Shane didn't respond, visibly trapped in his concerns and musings.
Jackson watched him go, praying for the best but bracing for the worst.
If a werewolf couldn't control the beast, there was no other option but to end their misery. He hoped it wouldn't come to that, aware Shane would lose his own mind in the process and have to be taken care of as well.
Despite being an Alpha, Jackson found no pleasure in destroying his own.
He only killed when all other options had been exhausted.
There was no way to know how things would turn out.
Chapter Three
Luna took several deeps breaths, stroking Max's head, trying to remain calm. She didn't know why Jackson Donovan, the predominant Alpha in Atrum Hill, wanted to speak with her. She'd never met the male and wasn't sure she wanted to. She hoped his visit didn't have anything to do with what had happened on the full moon.
Maisy hadn't meant to hit the werewolf in the road, and she certainly hadn't meant to kill her. Despite that, everyone agreed it was best if the vampire stayed out of sight and out of mind until the dust settled. Vampires and werewolves didn't mix in general, and there was no telling how things would go if tempers ignited. Maisy indicated she'd venture out of town for a couple of weeks but would check in as soon as she returned. Everyone had hoped the entire fiasco would become a distant memory, but perhaps that wasn't the case.
Luna sighed, attempting to relax.
The last couple of days had been odd.
First, there was the accident, which had riled up her wolf more than usual. She'd worked to keep a level head and maintain control, trying not to call on the wolf unless she had to, aware that the issues with the beast were growing worse. Its behavior was dangerous, and she couldn't risk anyone finding out she had significant lapses when she changed. She'd insisted she be drugged each evening after the accident, riding out the cycle of the full moon, not wanting a repeat of the events that had forced her from her parent's home.
Then her dreams had changed.
She'd been reaching out to her mate for months, trying to find him, praying he'd come to her. She'd learned about dreams
haring in her teens, long before her first shift. Her mother and father had tried to prepare her and her sister for it, not wanting them to be afraid when the time came. She was aware that was the first step females took to find their life partners. Unfortunately, he'd stayed away, filling her with despair and desperation. Matings between werewolves weren't anything like human pairings, where people met and fell in love.
With werewolves, it was all about fate.
She'd been shocked when her mate had come to her the last couple of nights, breaking through the haze of the medications, telling her to get ready because her life was about to change. It was also the first time he'd spoken, his voice clear and concise. He didn't say more than that, merely offering a warning. Since she'd kept quiet—wondering why he'd shown up in her dreams after so much time had passed—she had no idea what he meant. The only thing she did know is he remained in her dreams until she woke. The hopeful and romantic side of her wanted to believe he stayed to watch over her.
The glove she'd been given in an attempt to see if his scent struck a chord hadn't triggered something within her. But if it belonged to the same man who'd spoken to her grandparents with good intentions, he had every right to stake his claim.
Only mates were capable of dreamsharing.
She heard voices in the living room.
Her grandparents had sounded tense when they told her about her visitor. She could scent the apprehension coming from them even though they weren't nearby, the bitter aroma so strong it carried through the house. She wondered if that was because they weren't invited to take part in the conversation. She'd been warned this meeting was for her and her alone.
Footsteps approached, and she paid attention, honing her hearing, listening closely. In seconds, she knew Jackson wasn't alone. He'd brought others with him. Two masculine voices and a soft feminine laugh hit her ears. She used her nose, discovering four unique scents. She identified Wade's immediately, placing the Alpha she'd met on two occasions. The identities of the other guests were a mystery. She went still when one scent tickled her nostrils, equal parts earthy and masculine, and her wolf stirred.