Promised at the Moon (9 page)

Chapter Twelve

Clint parked the Expedition in front of a large log cabin. A cluster of cars was already parked on the gravel drive. Some kids chased each other, while others lay on the porch not moving and nearly naked. She recognized most of them from the beach.

“Finally,” Rock moaned, sitting up in the back seat.

“I could’ve made you drive.” Clint stretched.

“Or walk,” said Buck.

“Get me out of this freaking car.” Rock grabbed the handle and leapt from the vehicle. Buck followed and slammed the door. The sound reverberated in Natasha’s skull like a gong.

“How you doin’?” Clint leaned over and massaged her neck.

“I’m ready for tonight to be over.”

“I bet. Come on.” He motioned with his head. “Let’s get your stuff somewhere safe. We’re going to head out in about twenty minutes.”

She jumped down from the SUV and grabbed her bag. The warm evening air hit her, and she breathed deeply. Reaching into her bag, she checked her phone. There was no signal. She held it up in the air. Nothing. She’d hoped for at least something from Liam.

Clint took her hand and pulled her toward the group. The energy in the air snapped and buzzed like a lightning storm building strength. The musky scent that filled the air was so familiar, even with a pack that wasn’t hers. Liam had been right—she needed to be with others of her kind.

Clint unlocked the cabin and led her inside. Several females followed, setting their bags on the floor or walking past her into other rooms.

“You can use my room,” Clint said.

He led her up the stairs to a large loft. She set her bag on the bed and sat down. He walked into the adjoining bathroom and dropped a small toiletry bag on the counter. Natasha hung her head. A ripple ran through her, cramping her gut and making her groan. She peered out the window. It wouldn’t be long. Clint returned and crouched in front of her, taking her hands in his.

“Stick with me and I won’t let you get lost.”

His eyes were almost completely blue now. His handsome, tan face seemed even more striking. He brushed a finger down her cheek. His eyes locked on her lips, and he leaned in.

He ran his fingers up her arm to her neck, massaging it lightly and pulled her closer. Natasha sucked in a breath as his lips met hers. They were soft and warm. His lips parted and his tongue skimmed over hers. A rumble escaped his chest, and Natasha pulled away. It wasn’t right. Not with Clint.

“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have done that,” he said.

“No.” She smiled. “It’s okay. It’s the moon.”

“Right.” He glanced out the window. “The moon.”

“Clint!” Buck called. “We’re all waiting, man.”

“Comin’!”

Everyone filed out of the cabin into the setting sun.

“We leave the door open and the lights on all night. We’ve been coming here for so long, most make their way back and crash before dawn. If you return without me, just come up here. No one will bug you. They aren’t allowed up here.”

“Where are your parents?”

“They have a place north of here. They may come after the shift to make sure we’re okay, but for the most part we run separately.” He stood.

She kicked off her shoes and followed him out.

* * * * *

The group that had been riotous just ten minutes prior was now close to silent as they moved down the hill. Grumbles and growls were the only sounds aside from an occasional whimper. They came to rest at a clearing and formed a circle.

The males stretched and strained. The females grimaced and leaned on each other for support. Natasha clutched Clint’s hand and he put his arm around her. She scanned the group for Ron, but to her relief, he wasn’t there.

“This is Asha. You’ve all met her before. She hasn’t asked for sisterhood with us yet. As such, there will be no fighting for domination, but you’ll look after her as if she were one of our own. Do you understand?”

The group nodded in agreement. Clint raised his head and howled. The others lifted their heads and answered the call. In the distance, another group rang out in chorus.

Clint scanned the circle. “Where’s Cindy?”

“She isn’t here,” said Buck.

“Probably found some young pup to romp with,” said Rock.

“Nah, I think she’s been with all of them.”

Several in the group laughed.

“Knock it off,” growled Clint.

The minutes ticked by and little by little the wolves fell to their knees or curled up on their sides. A sharp pain crippled Natasha, forcing her into the fetal position. She’d forgotten just how bad it was until that moment. And this was only the beginning. Her wolf leapt, knowing it was almost her turn.

Clint stayed by her side.

“I’m here,” he panted.

The pain spiraled in her gut. Her muscles cramped, squeezing her smaller. Her thighs tightened and then her calves. She cried out as her back pulled taut and her leg bones snapped. She focused on her breathing like her mother had taught her and let her mind drift from the pain.

“Don’t fight it. Embrace the pain. Let it wash over you. Flow through you. Make the pain work for you. Let it do its job.”

Her fingers shortened and long blonde hair sprouted on her arms.

“Natasha!”

The sound of her name caused her head to whip up. Liam raced down the hill toward her. He howled in pain and stumbled. Her heart leapt at the sight of him.

“Liam!” she cried. A muscle contraction curved her spine and her head whipped forward. She couldn’t see him. Her neck cramped at a downward angle. Sharp fangs split her gums and filled her mouth. Her cheekbones and jaw cracked apart, and then she passed out.

* * * * *

Natasha woke to a wet nose pressing into her face and bright blue eyes. A pale brown-haired wolf stared at her. She rolled onto her side and sat up. He barked and then nudged her with his nose. She stood and stretched. She was free. Her heart beat wildly and she found the group of wolves jumping and yipping and wrestling with one another. Some rolled in the grass and two large dark-brown ones she swore were Buck and Rock locked jaws and danced on their hind legs.

Clint pranced in a circle, then sat down and bayed at the moon. The rest of the wolves returned his call. Natasha scanned the group, remembering Liam. She trotted over to the last place she’d seen him. His tank top and shorts lay shredded on the ground. She sniffed the spot and then followed the trail. She stopped at the edge of the trees. Why would he leave?

Her senses went into overdrive. Crickets chirped in the distance, and the scent of the pine trees reminded her of home. Her leg muscles twitched, needing to run.

A howl sounded not too far off. Natasha stared into the darkness of the trees. Clint came and stood beside her. She took a step forward, a wash of dread raising her hackles. She bared her teeth at the darkened tree line.

Suddenly, a giant black wolf bounded out of the trees straight at her. Natasha backed up as the wolf slid to a stop between her and Clint, and growled, baring his teeth. Clint’s ears flattened and he bared his teeth in return.

Liam lunged at Clint, snapping his jaws. Clint stepped back but didn’t back down. In an instant, Natasha stood between the two. She met Liam’s golden gaze with her own and growled. Liam stared at her and then dropped his snarl. He moved to her, pushing her with his head.

He pushed her again and she moved toward the other side of the clearing, away from the woods. Over and over he nudged her, trying to separate her from the rest of the group. Clint and the pack watched the scene but didn’t interfere. If Liam had wanted her to himself, why hadn’t he told her sooner?

A series of howls sounded from inside the trees. Liam nudged her more urgently and snapped at her front leg when she didn’t walk fast enough. She bit back at him. What was wrong with him? A few hours prior, he hadn’t even wanted to see her. He pressed against her with his oversized wolf form. They were almost to the slope leading to the cabin, on the opposite side of the glen when a large group of wolves appeared from the direction Liam had come.

Chills ran over her body at the sight of them. Liam stepped in front of her. His hackles rose, and he bared his teeth. She blinked several times, her mind racing. She wasn’t seeing what she thought she was seeing. It couldn’t be them. Daniel’s icy blue eyes met hers, and she growled. Liam held his ground, and Daniel raised his chin and howled. A shiver skittered over her when the rest of his pack answered.

Clint and the others backed up to where she and Liam stood, forming a semicircle in front of her.

She stepped up and stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Clint and Liam. For several tense minutes, no one moved. Daniel’s gazed stayed locked on her. She refused to show fear. Then a shot rang out, and a pain stung her hind leg. She yelped and stumbled, turning to find her assailant. Liam and Clint lunged toward the other pack. In a blink, a fight exploded all around.

Natasha turned in a circle, looking at her leg. A red dart stuck out of it. She tried to bite at it, when her vision blurred. She looked around wildly and spotted Cole, Daniel’s younger brother, standing off to the side with a rifle in his hands. She gnashed her teeth at him as he reloaded.

There could be only one reason he hadn’t shifted.

Liam rushed up to her and sniffed her leg. He pulled the dart out with his teeth and shook it. They locked gazes, and her legs wobbled. He pushed her with his head just as a wolf from the other pack leapt on his back.

Cole cocked the rifle. She growled at him again and then fled. Behind her, the sounds of combat echoed in the small valley. She raced up the hill toward the cabin, stopped outside the house and turned in a circle before falling to the ground.

She got to her feet, her vision darkening. If she went to the highway, who knew how far she’d make it before she woke up naked or was possibly hit by a car. The cabin was raised off the ground. Natasha dashed for the porch and crouched down. Sinking to her belly, she crawled as far under as she was able. Howls and barks and yips came from every direction.

She panted under the stuffy structure. If she waited long enough, Clint or Liam would find her. Clint had told her to come to the cabin. He had to know she’d come here. A rustle in the bushes to the left of the cabin caught her attention. She swiveled her head and peered into the darkness. A pair of boots moved to the edge of the building. Someone dropped to their knees and flashed a light under the cabin.

She tried to back up, but her back legs had gone numb. There was nowhere to hide. The person stood and howled, then barked three times. Natasha swallowed hard.
Cole
. She tried crawling to the opposite edge of the cabin, but her movements were slow. The booted feet appeared next to her, and he bent down, shining his light in her eyes.

“Hey, Nat. Daniel’s been looking for you,” said Cole. “Don’t worry; he’ll be here in a minute to help get you out.”

Natasha dragged herself the other direction and then fell in a heap. Four paws padded toward the front of the cabin. Daniel’s shaggy head peered underneath. Cole walked over to him, took a purple floral bracelet and slid it up Daniel’s paw onto his leg. Her mother’s bracelet. Daniel fell onto his side and writhed in pain. Cole’s not changing into wolf form could only mean one thing: they had
her parents’ bracelets as well
.

Daniel transformed from wolf into human and lay panting for a minute before getting up on his knees.

“Damn. Remind me not to shift twice in an hour again. That hurts like an SOB,” he said.

“Sorry,” replied Cole. “Sun comes down quicker out here. I got lost in the woods.”

She could barely keep her eyelids open. Daniel grabbed the flashlight from Cole and shined it under the cabin. His face broke into a wide grin.

“There’s my girl. I’ve been looking everywhere for you.”

Natasha tried to stand, but her heavy, sluggish body wouldn’t obey. She had to get out of there.

“It’s okay, babe. I’m not mad at you. It took a week or so for my broken leg to heal where you ran over me, but it’s all good.” He switched the light to his other hand and reached out for her. “Why don’t you come out? I have something for you I think you’ll want.”

Natasha didn’t move. Daniel clicked off the light and got to his feet. He pulled on a pair of jeans. She dragged herself painstakingly to the other side of the cabin and then collapsed. Terror shook her to the core, and she barked for Liam.

“Go down and make sure the others are fine,” Daniel told Cole. Then he walked to where she’d just been. When he got down on his knees again, he had the rifle crooked in his arm.

“Nat.” He lay on his belly. “I have your bracelet. Come on out and I’ll put it on you.”

Unconsciousness tugged at the edges of her mind, begging her to surrender.

Daniel licked his lips and began to crawl under the cabin after her. Mustering the last of her energy, she lunged at him and bared her teeth, growling. His eyes narrowed and turned to ice. He steadied the gun.

She scrambled toward the other edge of the cabin and stumbled onto the drive before collapsing. She had nothing left. A large black blur bounded toward her. She tried to inch toward Liam’s dark form but couldn’t.

She looked up at him, barely able to keep her eyes open. He licked her muzzle and her cheek and pushed at her with his nose. He’d come for her.

A large form stood over Liam. He turned and lunged, teeth bared. His huge form leapt at Daniel, knocking him to the ground. Daniel raised the butt of the rifle and bashed him in the head. Liam staggered, and Daniel smashed him in the head again and he dropped to the ground next to her. Daniel kicked Liam out of the way and knelt by Natasha, setting down the gun to stroke her fur.

“There’s my girl.” He slid her bracelet up her front paw and then lifted her into the air. “Come on, baby, let’s take you somewhere safe.”

Chapter Thirteen

Liam opened his eyes as bright purples and oranges peeked above the trees. His eyelids stuck together like glue and his head pounded. He tried to push himself off the gravel drive where bits of rock wedged into his flesh.

He got to his knees and stopped to breathe in and out several times, trying to remember what had happened. He’d found Cara and then ridden north.
Asha!
He scanned the area. On the grass, people lay naked and asleep. The front door to the cabin was wide open and the lights were on. Pain shot through his head as he got to his feet and stumbled to his bike. He opened his saddlebag and grabbed a pair of jeans, yanking them over his hips.

Liam shuffled to the porch. The chilly wind made his skin goose bump and the fog in his head clear. He lifted his fingers to the back of his skull. It was sticky and sported a large lump.

“Clint!” He stumbled up the steps to the cabin. Inside, bodies lay in a naked, tangled heap. “Clint!” he yelled again.

The creaking of a bed from the loft caught Liam’s attention. Clint sat up. Liam aimed for the stairs, his head clearing with each pounding step. Clint tugged his boxers on as Liam reached him, shoving him hard against a desk.

“You did this,” he spat. “Where is she?”

Clint blinked rapidly and then pushed Liam back. “I didn’t do anything.”

“Where is she? Where’d they go?”

“Who?”

“The other pack.”

Clint scrunched up his brow and then his eyes went wide. “There was a fight.”

“Damn right. How did the other pack know to get up here?”

“Okay, hold on a minute.” Clint threw up his hand in defense. “A pack from Virginia came to town for vacation and to scout out schools. They contacted my dad and asked to join us for a few days.”

“That pack was Natasha’s ex and his cronies.”

“Natasha? You mean Asha? Crap! That explains a lot. I thought they were just trying to find out how many females were out here because they were in short supply back home.”

“Where’d they go?” Liam’s body shook with rage, the desire to find her his only concern.

“I don’t know. But my dad would.”

Clint pulled on his pants and shoved his feet in a pair of flip-flops. Grabbing his keys, he headed down the stairs. Liam followed close behind.

“What’s goin’ on?” asked Rock.

“Those guys from Virginia snatched Asha.”

“Wait.” Buck got up off the floor. “We’re with you.”

Rock and Buck, Liam and Clint headed to the vehicles.

Liam threw on a tank top and strapped on his helmet. Then he slung his leg over his bike and brought it to life. The Escalade reversed and Liam followed suit. The naked pack members on the grass looked up at the leaving vehicles.

Liam followed Clint’s car as it wound down the hill to the highway. Once on the main road, they topped ninety on their ride toward Malibu. Natasha’s face swam in his mind. Her laugh, her smile, her scent. He’d promised to protect her. He just hoped he got to her in time.

* * * * *

Natasha awoke in a soft bed, a warm body pressed into her back. She glanced groggily at the unfamiliar surroundings and dread filled her. She rolled over to find Daniel under the covers with her, his arm wrapped around her waist.

He gave her a Cheshire cat grin. “How ya feelin’?”

She jumped from the bed and fell to the floor, pulling the sheet over her naked body.

“Hey, it’s okay.” He climbed out and came over to her. “It’s okay. I’m right here.” He stroked her cheek.

Natasha scanned the room. She sniffed the air and was hit by a familiar odor.

“Clint!” she cried, wrapping the sheet tighter. “Clint!” She scrambled away from Daniel, running for the door.

Daniel’s face darkened and he grabbed her, throwing her to the floor. “Not cool, Nat. I came all the way out here to rescue you and bring you home and you call for someone else?”

There was a knock on the door.

“Help me!” she screamed. “Please! Someone! Help me!”

The door opened and Cole stuck his head in. “Alpha and his mate are up. You better keep her quiet.”

Daniel advanced on Natasha, his eyes cold. “Knock it off. I came out here to bring you home. Now play nice or I might lose my temper.” His fingers dug into her arm and squeezed hard.

Natasha swallowed and yanked her arm away. Her eyes narrowed. “I’m not going anywhere with you.”

Daniel raised his hand as if to strike her.

She stepped up so close they were almost nose-to-nose. “Go on, then. Let’s see if you’re man enough to do it.”

Cole rushed over and grabbed him by the arm. “Think about what you’re doing. She’s on someone else’s land and we’re in a different Alpha’s house.”

Daniel’s eyes flickered to Cole. He dropped his hand. “You better come willingly or there’ll be consequences.”

She needed to stall. The sun was up, which meant the others would be heading out to find her soon. If this was Clint’s house, he’d head here first to talk to his dad.

“How did you find me?”

Daniel ran his fingers through his hair and laughed. “It took a while. I had to hole up and let my leg heal. Couldn’t let my dad see that. Not with you and your parents missing. He’d have been suspicious for sure. So, I tracked your phone. At first there was nothing. But then, about a week or so ago, it suddenly turned on, like a beacon, calling me to you.”

All blood fled her torso and pooled in her feet. She’d put the battery in to check it and had forgotten to take it out again. Maybe her father’s pack had found the signal too.

“The signal went dead about a day later, but I was able to track it down before then.”

Anger rose inside her. “I’m not leaving with you. I’ll never be your mate. You already took everything I cared about when you killed my parents. There isn’t anything you can do to hurt me now.”

“What if I told you they were still alive?”

Natasha gasped. Her mind moved as fast as Liam’s motorcycle.

She searched his eyes for the truth. “I don’t believe you,” she whispered. “You’d say anything to get me to go with you.” She watched for it, waited for it. But he didn’t lick his lips.

“Ask Cole.” Daniel gestured to his brother.

Cole looked at Natasha. “It’s true. Jared and Troy are with them.”

“No.” She shook her head. “Our pack would be looking for them.”

“They have been,” said Daniel. “Which is why we have them hidden.” Daniel laughed. “You’ve been a lot of trouble, Nat. It’s been tricky. All of us having to take shifts watching them, covering their scents, waiting to see when you’d show up. Right before I left, even my dad started getting suspicious, and you know how little he’s paid attention to me over the years.”

Natasha’s heart thudded hard against her chest like it was begging to be let free. She sucked in a deep breath and straightened her spine. “I want to talk to them.”

“You can call them—” Daniel smiled again, “—if you promise to come nicely.”

She’d only just begun to come to terms with the fact that they were gone. She couldn’t bear it if this was a trick. And this was her home now. She had friends who’d fought to keep her safe.
Liam.

Her soul felt drawn and quartered. She couldn’t risk losing her parents.

Natasha nodded.

Daniel grabbed his cell off the nightstand and punched in a number. “Jared, put Nat’s mom on the phone.”

Natasha’s fingers shook as she took the phone from him. “Mama?”

“Natasha! You’re safe!”

Her chest and throat squeezed so tight she could barely speak. “Mama,” she sobbed.

“Natasha, you stay where you are. Don’t worry about us, we’re just—”

“Mama? Mama!”

Daniel yanked the phone away. She reached for it and beat on his chest for him to give it back. He pushed
end
and shoved the phone in his pocket.

“So now you know it’s true.”

She stepped up to him. “Let them go.”

“As soon as we are mated and safely in Virginia.”

Natasha’s gaze narrowed. “My father will kill you.”

“No. You’re more precious to your parents alive than I’m worth dead. If you come home as my mate, and possibly pregnant, my pack will do everything to protect me. Sure, I may get reprimanded for what I did. Maybe I’ll be banished for a few years, but you’ll have to come with me, once we’re bonded. And so I’ll bide my time until your parents give in and decide that keeping you and our children away isn’t worth the cost. They’ll welcome me back with open arms.”

Whether or not he forced her to marry him, he would never be her mate, and she wouldn’t follow him anywhere. “If you truly believe that, you’re crazy. As soon as you step foot into Virginia, my father will kill you and deal with the consequences. And even if you do marry me, we will never bond.”

He gaze flickered for a moment. “Maybe you’re right. Maybe he will
try
to kill me. But seeing as how I have the upper hand and he is the one in chains, I’m not too concerned. Besides, if you don’t go with me, he’ll be dead before my feet hit Virginia soil again and no one will know the difference.”

He walked to a bag in the corner and pulled out the pink sundress he’d bought her for her eighteenth birthday, a pair of panties and a matching bra.

“Put this on, shower and fix your hair. Today’s your mating day.” He set the dress on the bed, moved in close and wrapped her in his arms, kissing the top of her head. “I’ve dreamt about this for a long time, Nat. It may not all be as I envisioned it, but one thing is for sure.” He pushed her to arm’s length and locked his gaze on hers. “I can’t wait to finally feel your body under mine.”

Her eyes focused on Cole as Daniel pulled her in for another hug. Cole refused to meet her gaze. He’d been her friend once too. But no more.

* * * * *

Twenty minutes later, Natasha emerged from the bedroom. She’d showered in the adjoining bathroom, using the men’s scented items that Clint used. Then she’d brushed her hair and blown it dry. The whole time she’d tried to think of a means of escape, but in the end decided she couldn’t.

Cole stood outside the bedroom door. She glanced at him, numb as if she’d been shot with another tranquilizer dart. He walked with her in silence down the stairs to an open family room and kitchen. How had they gotten to this point?

A slender woman set a stack of pancakes on the table and looked Natasha over, her tired eyes holding concern.

“Here she is. My beautiful mate.” Daniel strode to Natasha and put his arm around her.

“Hello, Natasha,” said the woman. “I’m Constance Judd.”

“Hello,” Natasha managed.

Constance pointed to the table. “Would you like something to eat?”

“No, thank you.”

“She’s rather shy.” Daniel pulled her in tight to his side. “Maybe we should get on with the ceremony and then we can be out of your hair and on to the honeymoon.”

Mrs. Judd smiled. “Why don’t you let me get Natasha some shoes and some makeup? You boys eat, and I’ll make sure she’s absolutely radiant for her mating day.” She took a step toward them, but Daniel pulled Natasha closer.

“That won’t be necessary. Nat’s already beautiful.”

Mrs. Judd’s smile remained kind, but the heavy stare she leveled at Natasha spoke volumes. “Is this what you want?” she asked.

“Let’s get on with this and then we’ll be gone.” A hard edge crept into Daniel’s voice.

Protest snaked its way up Natasha’s throat, but she was too frightened of what might happen if she gave it a voice.

“Until I’m sure she wants this, I won’t allow my husband to perform the ceremony.” Mrs. Judd’s eyes flashed.

Daniel growled low in his chest. “You have no right to refuse us. I came to your husband as Alpha of this area to mate us. Now if you won’t do that, then I’ll go somewhere else. But know the East Coast packs will hear of your inhospitality and we don’t take lightly to unfriendly packs.”

“You don’t scare me, boy.” Mrs. Judd turned toward the back of the house and yelled, “Frank!”

“I think we should go,” said Cole.

“Yeah, maybe we should.” Daniel grabbed Natasha and dragged her toward the front door. “Cole, get the bags.”

She had to do something. She swallowed hard and prayed for her parents’ safety.

“I don’t,” she yelled over her shoulder. Her eyes lit on Mrs. Judd. “I don’t want to be mated to him!”

Daniel whipped open the front door as Frank Judd came running into the front room to his wife’s side.

The bright morning light seared Natasha’s eyes. They stepped out as a giant black Escalade pulled up and behind it a black-and-chrome motorcycle.

“Liam!” Natasha shoved Daniel, forcing him to let go of her, and ran out to the driveway. Liam jumped from his bike and scooped her up in his arms. “Liam!” she cried. His powerful arms crushed her tight against his solid frame.

He kissed her cheeks and forehead and then set her on her feet. “Did he hurt you?”

Relief shot through her, mixing with the adrenaline and causing her to laugh and sob at the same time. Heavy footsteps strode toward them, and a strong hand propelled her backward.

“Get off her.” Liam shoved Daniel in the chest.

“Who the hell do you think you are?” Daniel yelled. “Putting your hands on my mate will get you killed where I’m from.”

“Your mate? I don’t think so.” Liam slammed his helmet to the ground.

“Stop!” She ran to Liam, and he wrapped her in his arms again.

Clint, Rock and Buck appeared from the sides of the car and stepped in between Daniel and Liam. “Back off,” Clint ordered.

“What’s this about?” asked Frank Judd.

The four males stood like a wall against Daniel. He looked from one to the other, calculating.

“Looks like you’re outnumbered this time.” Rock crossed his arms over his chest.

“No buddies to distract us, like last night,” said Buck.

Daniel turned to Clint’s father, who stood on the steps to the house. “Are you going to allow this? I told you she’s mine. Promised at the age of fifteen.”

Natasha moved from the safety of Liam’s protection. She needed to do this herself. “I was a child, Daniel. You were a different person. I’m not that naïve girl anymore.”

“You promised. It was witnessed. Your father agreed.”