The Moon Shadow : The Wolfrik Trilogy | Book 1

by K. Rea

  “My prince, how can I see to your needs?” She crooned. Aiden looked at her blandly.

  Is she a friend of yours? I murmured blandly down the bond.

  “Bianca, my wife sees to my needs. The king needs you. See to his needs,” Aiden said coldly. Bianca stepped away with a silent nod. She quickly skirted around us and left as another door opened.

  She is not a friend of mine. She sought Alex out to become a vampire. Aiden responded.

  Lucy hesitantly stepped out, looking a paler than she had in the past. She looked sick; the bubbly, bouncy cheer from before was gone, as if drained away. Even her blonde curls were limp.

  “Lu, are you okay?” Aiden asked, concern coloring his voice. She nodded. “Has Alex been taking care of you?”

  “He’s coming this afternoon. I thought you might have been him. Pleased to meet you again, my Lady. If you excuse me, I’ll go lay down,” the little girl said with a nod of her head, and then she drifted back into the room she had come from.

  “What’s wrong with her?” I asked.

  “Alex will take care of her. She needs a treatment,” Aiden explained tersely as he walked to the end of the hall. He knocked on the door and waited.

  “Why can’t you do it?” I asked.

  “Alex’s blood can heal her better than mine can,” Aiden explained.

  “Why doesn’t yours?” I asked as the door opened. A woman stood in front of us, she didn’t look surprised. Her body built like a fighter; curly fire red hair hung down over her shoulders.

  “That’s the question, isn’t it, Prince Aiden? I hope you don’t mind I took the car. It needed fixing,” the woman said, crossing her arms with a pointed look. It was the same redhead from outside the fence.

  “I can no longer give Lucy my blood without complications. She and Alex have a unique relationship that is better suited for her treatments.” Aiden said stiffly, glaring at Ruby. She only smiled in return.

  “I see our information is correct. You’re not taking care of your wife either. How could you let them get so close?” Ruby asked.

  “I was distracted, and we’ve had a rough time of it. Watch over her, get her something to eat. Call a healer if she wishes it. Evelyn can go wherever—just keep her away from the king. I need to go,” Aiden said briskly before turning back and leaving. He didn’t even pause to speak with me. The door to Rose Hall slammed shut behind him, leaving Ruby standing there looking me over.

  “You look worse than the last time I saw you. Aiden isn’t the type to be rough with his women. How many of those bruises are from him?” Ruby asked darkly.

  “Directly, none. Indirectly if you consider him compelling me to run from my rescuers, all of them,” I bitterly.

  “He can be a real arse. All told, you’re doing better than I expected. The Court of Light is moving against the Court of Shadows. As far as they’re concerned, it seems you’re collateral damage, like the rest of us peasants. Come on, let’s get you something to eat,” Ruby said, holding the door open for me to follow her through into a great-room style space. Off to one side was a kitchen with an island and a breakfast nook, in the center was a living room area and to the right was a series of doors and smaller hallways.

  “Is Bianca really a Rose Hall girl?” I asked. Ruby grunted before gesturing me to a simple wooden island. A cup of steaming coffee, a notebook, and a laptop sat next to a bowl of fruit.

  “Bianca is a Rose Hall girl because Alex has poor taste in women and a soft spot for damsels. Any interest in a sandwich?” Ruby asked.

  “Only if you tell me the truth about the women here, starting with Lucy,” I said, holding my hand out for the plated sandwich she pulled from the fridge. Ruby gave me a pointed look.

  “I won’t tell you all Aiden’s secrets if that’s what you’re looking for,” Ruby said before sitting down at the table and picking up her mug of coffee.

  “Fine, I’ll settle for yours then. How long has it been since Aiden and you were an item?” I asked. Ruby choked on her coffee and laughed.

  “Goddess, no! While I may respect our prince and his skills. I prefer my men a bit wilder. He’s all yours, princess,” Ruby said with a twinkle in her eyes. “As for Lucy, leave the girl be, or you will find yourself on the wrong side of my sword.”

  “Fine,” I stated before I bit into the sandwich. The flavors exploded across my tongue. Nothing seemed to taste the same since the bond. I wondered how much of that was because of the blood exchange with Aiden. Didn’t matter; it was delicious. “What about you?”

  Ruby smiled like she had won something. The way she sat in that chair reminded me of a certain attorney I knew. A pang of sadness echoed in me. I missed Orion. Slowly she watched me, considering her next words or waiting for me to swallow the salty bacon stuck in my throat.

  “I’m responsible for Prince Aiden and the Rose Hall girls’ safety. I’m in charge of his protection unit,” Ruby said. “I’m Captain of the Guard, though Aiden tends to leave me here and ignore my advice.”

  “How long have you been in charge?” I asked before finishing the sandwich.

  “Since Aiden retired my father five years ago,” Ruby explained before taking another sip of her coffee.

  “You look too young to be in charge of the prince’s protection,” I said. Ruby didn’t look thirty-five, much less like someone in charge of protecting the heir to the throne.

  “If you were expecting some stout, scarred, gray-haired man, that would be my father. I’ve been raised since birth knowing I would protect Aiden and his interests, doing the same as my father and his father before him,” Ruby said. “It helps that I’m a werewolf and part seer.”

  “Aiden said you’re one of the Rose Hall girls. Did you incur a blood debt?” I asked softly.

  “My family owes the Court a debt, specifically Aiden,” Ruby said; a flicker of sadness crossed her features.

  “What happened?” I asked softly.

  “We were assigned to protect his mother when she was at Court. We let the royal family burn her and his brother. Now we protect him until we die or he retires us,” Ruby said, a touch of pink flushed her features.

  “What if you have to pick between saving him and one of the Rose Hall girls? Lucy, for example,” I suggested.

  “I’d save Lucy,” Ruby said. “He’d kill me if I didn’t save a Rose Hall girl over him, especially his goddaughter.”

  “His goddaughter?” I asked, confused.

  “Secrets and stories not for us to discuss today, wolf. Now—tell me about the other night. Who was there? What did they say? Do you want a healer for those bruises?” Ruby asked. We spent the next few hours discussing the events of last night before Alex showed up at the door. His gaze took in the sight of my bruises before quickly looking at Ruby.

  “Hello, ladies. She-wolf, you’re looking a bit worse for wear. How unlike my brother. He is usually more careful with his ladies and toys. You’re making him break all his precious rules,” Alex said lightly, though his smile didn’t reach his eyes. “Aiden will make it right in the end, I’m sure. He’s never failed once he’s set his mind to a task. You’ll be no different. Is Lucy in her room? I was going for a walk; thought we might go together.”

  “She’s waiting for you, Alex,” Ruby said. She didn’t bother rising from her chair.

  “Good. Aiden and my father want to see Evelyn in the throne room again once she’s cleaned up. Take care around the king. He’s in a foul mood. Best have a healer see to her marks. Aiden wants her in something comfortable. He specifically said no heels. Evelyn, we have visitors. It would best for everyone if you do your best to behave,” Alex said. “Even in these trying times.” He gave me a strange, sad look before smoothing his expression and disappearing back out the door.

  “The king said he didn’t want to see me until the gala unless they have another moon shadow. Do you think they co
uld have found one this soon?” I asked. Ruby grunted as she rose from the table.

  “It’s possible if they selected the closest wolf on the registry or sent a call out to the enforcers. The king wants what the king wants, and his wants change on a whim. We need to heal you up and get you changed into something more fitting of your station anyway,” Ruby said as she set her mug and my plate into the kitchen sink.

  I followed her out of the room; she took a side door I hadn’t walked through yet. It opened onto a hallway of doors. Questionable noises, muffled music, and the soft hushing of our feet on the carpet filled the space. She stopped toward the end of the hall and knocked on the door.

  “Coming!” echoed back. The door opened, revealing a dark-haired beauty the raspy voice belonged to.

  “Piper, is Becca here still?” Ruby asked. The brunette nodded and stepped back. Where Ruby was a fierce and elegant woman, like a lion, Piper was causal. Her torn jeans and bright blouse a welcome sight. We stepped inside her apartment. In front of her across an old scarred desk were an array of monitors, gadgets, and computer equipment. Against the opposite wall, Becca sat on the comfiest dusky rose couch. A pile of worn books and her basket beside her. A navy evening gown hung on a hook on the wall.

  “Becca, please see to Lady Kensley’s injuries,” Ruby instructed.

  “Hello Evelyn, nice to see you again,” Becca said with a smile. “Grandmother sent word that you might need me. I’ve been waiting with Piper; let’s get you fixed up.”

  “Piper, any news about the Court of Light, the Wolfrik murders, or these guests?” Ruby asked.

  “It’s not good. Gaius’ goons left last night as soon as word of the attack reached Court. Gaius sent them to retrieve someone; they’ve returned,” Piper said. “The King and Prince Aiden are interrogating them now.”

  TWENTY - SIX

  While Becca mended my wounds and styled me, Ruby changed into a maroon guard uniform with a sword on her hip and a black rose emblem on her shoulder. Becca pinned the last piece of my hair up to showcase Aiden’s braided band around my neck. Ruby opened the door and ushered me out of Rose Hall. She stayed at my side until we were in front of a familiar pair of oak doors I’d begun to loathe.

  Ruby knocked on the black doors; the sound echoed in the hall. As the doors opened, the size of the audience filled me with dread. While some people were dressed nicely for the gala that was supposed to start hours from now, there was no music. The air hung heavy with the murmur of the crowd and a sense of darkness. The windows and balconies closed to the late afternoon sun colored the room in a shadowed haze. Vampires, witches, and other shapeshifters mingled with their own kind. No werewolves, though. Gerald met me at the door with a dark smile. A metallic scent was in the air, blood.

  “Chin up, princess,” Ruby said with a ghost of a whisper before nudging me forward. The crowd parted in front of me like shadows to light. The further I walked, the further I could see until I wished I couldn’t. A gasp caught in my throat, and I tried to run forward, only for Gerald to grip my arm and wrench me back. His nails dug into the tender, barely healed flesh.

  Flanked by multiple vampires, Orion kneeled on the floor next to Mason. Both men were battered, bruised, and bleeding. Their wrists were tied in front of their bodies with a silver cord. Their presence alone would have brought me running, but it was the sight of Jane that almost brought me to my knees. Her skin was blanched, her amber eyes flushed with signs of crying. Thankfully, she showed no outward signs of injury.

  “Hello Evelyn, thank you for joining us. Gerald, unhand my wife,” Aiden said coolly. He stood at Jane’s side, dressed in all black. His sleeves rolled up to his elbows.

  Steady, little wolf, we will get through this. Aiden promised through the bond. Outwardly his expression was dark, his gray eyes unreadable. His body was tense and unnaturally still. “Wife, as you can see, we have guests. King Gaius invited them.”

  “Invited or kidnapped?” I accused.

  “Makes no difference, girl. They were working with the Court of Light to attack members of this court,” Gaius hissed from the throne, a silver whip at his side. There was still blood on it. I looked up at the Council standing behind him, their faces a mix of tension and dislike. Alex and Mistress Tessa were missing from the silent group. “They are prisoners of war.”

  “The king has summoned you to this meeting for a purpose,” Aiden said smoothly.

  Please restrain yourself, Aiden said down the bond. Gaius rose from his ebony stone throne.

  “Are you allied with the Court of Light?” the king asked. He moved to stand next to Mason and Orion and gestured at them.

  “She has nothing to do with the Court of Light. None of them do,” Mason said. Gaius seethed and struck Mason hard enough he swayed, and blood trickled from his lip.

  “I wasn’t asking you, mutt,” Gaius hissed. “Answer my question, girl.”

  “I am not aligned with the Court of Light,” I said.

  “Do you believe her?” Gaius asked Aiden. Aiden nodded his head.

  “I don’t, come here, girl, let me taste you,” Gaius ordered. Aiden snapped his head in Gaius’ direction. A growl slipped past Aiden’s lips, his eyes turning to embers. A possessive, fierce dark warmth ebbed from Aiden along the bond. I froze where I stood, looking between the two powerful vampires. Their presence alone seemed to darken the room. The shadows lengthened; the light dimmed as emotions raged. Aiden was furious. The king smirked at Aiden. “Nor do I believe what you told me about last night. Her blood will tell me the truth even if you do not.”

  “What truth are you looking for exactly?” Aiden asked, his head tilted in the king’s direction. His posture that of a predator. “The only truth you’ll find is that she has turned her back on her fellow wolves and found pleasure in my bed. If you don’t believe me, taste the wolf with the black eye or my blood if you must. I’m sure there are many truths the Court would be curious to know, but you will not be tasting that which belongs to me and is mine.”

  Silence. Complete and utter silence from the people around us as the king scowled at his heir. The king grunted before approaching Mason. The king’s eyes turned black as night.

  “Rise mutt, offer me your vein and be still,” the king ordered. Like a wooden puppet on strings, Mason rose and offered his neck to the king. The wolf in me wanted to rip the king’s throat out. Mason was ours to command and no one else. The king bared his fangs.

  “Don’t you dare. Mason, step away and tell the king what he wants to know,” I ordered, my voice husky, heavy with alpha power I had never used or felt before. Claws erupted from my fingertips, I felt fangs grow in my mouth. Aiden’s eyes grew wide for a second before he smirked. Gaius glared at me but withdrew his fangs from Mason’s neck.

  Rein it in, little wolf—for now, Aiden said through the bond. He won’t be happy if others bow to you now.

  “Interesting, a partial shift even with a silver band. You have been keeping secrets, haven’t you, girl? Hmm. I didn’t want to bite him, anyway; tungsten tattoos taint the blood,” Gaius said smoothly, flicking at a piece of Mason’s torn shirt revealing a tattoo underneath, a blazing sun. He was marked by the Court of Light. “I expected more.”

  “Listen to your princess, wolf. She gave you a command,” Aiden ordered. Mason and Orion looked pale and tense. Both alphas in their own right, they would feel compelled to submit or challenge Aiden and me.

  “Princess Kensley and Orion Wolfrik are not working with the Court of Light,” Mason said with a growl. “Only me.”

  “Satisfied?” I asked.

  “Not even close. Gerald, keep a hand on our princess. Aiden, taste the girl, the silent one. I want to know the part she has to play in all this. Blood never lies,” Gaius said, waving his hand at Jane. Gerald immediately gripped my arm in his iron hold. Aiden turned towards Jane.

  “Please don’t! She’s fa
mily!” I begged, trying to rip free from Gerald’s clenched hand. The bond went silent. I tried to push my way through the stone wall he built between us on the bond. The wall held fast.

  Then Aiden didn’t hesitate. Jane barely squeaked as he bit into her neck like a viper and took a long, slow draw of her blood. Time seemed to stand still. Orion roared. Aiden kept his eyes locked on mine—to ask forgiveness or show me what he really was, I didn’t know.

  I felt a surge of power along the bond, along with a rush of emotion. Regret, surprise, and hope flooded me as his emotions raced through the bond. Then nothing as Jane fainted in Aiden’s arms. Aiden took his mouth away from her neck but didn’t drop her. Orion was yelling curses and pulling against the vampires that held him back. Gone was the diplomatic lawyer. Now he was only a man ready and willing to fight for his woman.

  “She’ll be fine, just needs a bit of rest. The wolves are telling the truth. Lady Evelyn, Orion, and his mate are not involved,” Aiden said confidently as he gently brought Jane’s limp body to Orion. Orion snarled at him even as Aiden laid Jane gently by him. The crowd’s murmuring grew around us, the sound of blood rushing in my ears turned to a dull roar. A nonstop growl escaped my chest, a rumble of rage. Aiden flicked his gaze up to me.

  Easy little wolf, your time will come. I’ve seen it. Aiden said, pushing a calming warmth through the bond until the growing roar quieted. You can put your claws away unless you’d like to play and put on a spectacle.

  “Wife, compose yourself,” Aiden said coldly, none of the warmth that he coaxed into the bond clear in his voice or stance. “Gerald, I won’t say it again. Remove your hand from my wife. I will give her permission to remove it herself next time. Whether it will still be attached to your body would be up to her.”

  “Before you take these fools to the dungeons, best show Lady Kensley what happens to wolves when they step out of line. Wouldn’t want them to give her any wayward ideas about what I expect in my Court,” Gaius said with a pointed look. Aiden’s causal predator stance froze for a moment in surprised stillness.