An Unlucky Moon (10 page)

Yes, that was a great way to prove to others he wasn’t the crazy animal from hell.

“You heard what we said at last night’s council meeting, yet you’ve done nothing to prove to us you have a mate,” Dorian said. “So, tell us, where is this mystical human who has the gall to be with the big bad Beta from hell?”

Big bad Beta from Hell?

Huh, that was a new one, though he kind of liked it. Maybe he’d get it tattooed. 

On Dorian’s face.

“Leave my mate out of this, Dorian.” The last thing he wanted to do was get Becca in the middle of anything dangerous. He’d kill for her, but he didn’t want to kill in front of her. He’d already killed and shown his true side to Jamie and the others when they’d all been in hell. He could still feel the blood on his hands, the gravel and dried bones beneath his feet.

Dorian threw up his hands, his shirtless chest puffing out as he grinned like a fucking idiot. “Where is she? Is she even real? Or maybe you think you can lie to us so you don’t have to mate with one of our own?”

People gasped and growled around them. 

Fuck.

“I don’t have to answer to you, Dorian.” He bit back on the rage consuming him. He didn’t want to fight. Not anymore. He’d fought all his life and would still fight to protect those he loved, but he didn’t want any more blood on his hands.

“No, you have to answer to our Pack and our laws,” Dorian bit out. 

“My true half with be here soon.”

More gasps. More growls. 

“You’re lying,” Dorian spat, though something in the other man’s voice gave Hunter pause. As if Dorian
knew
Becca wouldn’t be coming to the Pack.

He shook that off and put it away for later. He couldn’t completely ignore his instincts, but he’d worry about it all another time.

First he had to deal with that asshole—make that
assholes—
in front of him.

“You have to take a mate. As Beta, it’s your duty to provide lineage, stability, and breeding. You’ve said you have a mate, yet none of us have seen this human of yours. You failed to tell Liam and Alec, your closest friends.”

Hunter narrowed his eyes. He knew Liam and Alec wouldn’t had said anything, yet there was no way to hide the way his friends had stiffened during the council meeting, betraying their surprise.

“You can have any of the women here. I’m sure they’d bend over for you in a minute. Just stick your dick in them and bite down to mark, and you’re done.”

He didn’t flinch at the crudeness of Dorian’s words. The women behind him though did. 

“We’re not here to do your bidding,” one woman, a dominant wolf, shouted, and Hunter inwardly applauded.

“Yeah, he might be hot as hell, but if he has a mate? Then fuck no,” another wolf put in.

The murmurs and shouts grew louder around him, and Hunter smiled. This. This was the Pack he wanted. The one that rallied together to prove they were better than the wolves Dorian and the others wanted them to be.

“Stop this, Dorian,” Hunter pleaded. “You’re doing no good.”

Dorian grinned then turned. He pulled on a woman’s arm, and she screeched. He yanked her closer to his side, and Hunter moved forward to help. Lloyd and his men moved closer, blocking his path.

Leslie, Dorian’s sister—a submissive wolf—glared at her brother then gave Hunter a weak smile.

She mouthed, “I’m sorry.” 

Fuck. He wasn’t in the mood to hear what was about to happen next.

“You won’t take any of the dominant wolves? Then take Leslie. She’s pureblooded and submissive. She’ll do anything you want. Anything.”

Dorian leered, and Hunter had to swallow down the bile rising in his throat.

“I’m not going to mate your sister, Dorian. No offense, Les.”

The beautiful brown-haired wolf smiled. “None taken.”

Dorian growled. “So my family isn’t good enough for you?”

Leslie rolled her eyes, despite the danger she was in just being close to her brother. She had more of a backbone than most gave her credit for.

“Dorian, listen to yourself. You’re reaching now. Let’s stop this before it gets out of hand. I’m mating Becca, and you can’t stop me.”

“Really?” Dorian sneered.

The wind picked up, a slight breeze brushing Hunter’s senses, and he froze.

Becca.

That spicy scent.

Tears filled Leslie’s eyes. Hunter started to growl as Dorian laughed.

“What did you do? Where is she?” His voice was low, dangerous. He’d kill anyone who’d touched her.

Slowly.

“Where is who? Do you not know where your own mate is? How…unfortunate.”

He glanced at Leslie’s face and followed her gaze to the forest. The same area where Lloyd had a basement he used to store things for his family.

Dorian pulled on Leslie’s arm, and she screamed.

“You bitch!”

“Go, Hunter!” 

Hunter gave Leslie one last look and ran toward the forest, trying to pick up Becca’s scent. How had Dorian gotten to her? Oh gods, what if he’d hurt her…or worse?

His wolf clawed at him then paced, growling to be let out, to be able to hunt. This time, though, it was for the man, not the wolf.

The trees passed him in a blur, her spicy scent growing stronger as he got closer to Lloyd’s place. This was the man and animal he’d become. 

The hunter.

He ripped the door to the underground basement off its hinges and followed Becca’s scent to the lower level. Someone had cut the power, so he had only the slight light from the door he’d come through to see with. Even with his acute senses from being a wolf and the Beta, he still had to squint to see through the shadows.

“Becca?” 

Damn, did his voice just crack?

He heard something move and followed the sound, praying she was okay.  

“Becca… baby, let me know where you are.”

He heard a muffled moan and crept toward it. Her scent was stronger here. Finally, he saw a darker shape huddled on the floor, and he sucked in a breath.

“Oh, baby, what did they do to you?” 

He crouched down beside her and slowly took off the bag over her head, holding back curses as he did it. Someone had struck her face, her sides, and who knows where else. He inhaled deeply, his body shaking as he let her scent, her fear, her relief wash over him.

He took off the tape from her mouth as carefully as he could.

“Hunter,” she rasped out, the relief in her voice almost tactile.

“Oh, baby, who did this to you?” His voice was still a growl, but he tried to keep it soft.

“Hunter?” Liam and Alec stormed into the room, their wolves close to the surface. “Holy shit,” Liam breathed.

“Okay, Becca, I’m going to pick you up and bring you to my home. I know this will hurt, but I need for you to be strong.”

“Take me home,” she whispered, her voice filled with pain.

He picked her up, wincing at her winces, and held her close to his chest. “This isn’t how I wanted to show you the den.”

Becca chuckled then coughed. “Don’t make me laugh. It hurts.”

He kissed her forehead then climbed the stairs and walked out of the basement as carefully as he could so he wouldn’t jar her. He couldn’t scent who had taken her. Her attackers had used perfumes and other things to mask their scents so the only one left was Becca’s from when she’d been held there. He’d scented her on Dorian though, and this was Lloyd’s place.

There would be justice. 

There had to be.

“Watch them,” Hunter ordered. Liam and Alec nodded then sank into the shadows. They’d find Leslie, protect her, and watch the others. 

He made it to his home and walked to his bedroom. This hadn’t been how he’d pictured bringing Becca to his home. Rage and fear warred within him, but the relief in knowing she was alive calmed his wolf.

Having her in his home in general calmed his wolf.

“What happened, Becca?”

She blinked up at him, her wide green eyes full of pain. “They took me…”

Sharp rage sliced at him, but he held back, not wanting to scare her.

“I’ll kill them.”

“I don’t want to talk about that anymore. I’m pissed that I couldn’t fight back.”

Hunter frowned. “They were full-grown dominant wolves. You are human. You couldn’t have fought back.”

Becca scrunched her face then winced. “That doesn’t make me feel any better. I don’t have to make sense to be annoyed I’m not strong enough.”

Hunter traced his hand along her face. His human was a bit crazy, but he liked it. “When you and I are mated, and you find your paranormal half, you’ll be strong.”

Worry clouded her eyes. “I called you before.”

“I know, my mate.”

“I wanted—”

“Let’s talk about that later.” He stood up and took off his shirt, watching the way her gaze followed the movement.

“What are you doing, Hunter?” 

“I’m going to help you clean up, and I can’t do that with my clothes on. Then I’m going to wrap that side of yours and look at your arm. I don’t think it’s broken actually, just bruised.”

“I thought it was,” she said, her eyes wide and fixed on his chest. He resisted the urge to flex. “Why are you getting naked?”

Hunter smiled. “Because I want to make sure we clean up the dirt and grime from the basement. Plus the hot water will help your muscles relax. Don’t worry, we’re not going to have sex tonight.”

She blinked then blushed. 

She didn’t have any cuts on her, so he wouldn’t have to clean those. It was only the bruises, her sprained arm, and her rib that would be an issue. He left her on the bed and went to turn on the hot water. He had a large enough shower for the two of them as well as a big enough tub. He was a big guy and after fights liked to soak.

He walked back into the bedroom to find Becca lying on her side, but looking a little more relaxed.

“I’m a strong, independent woman, but right now I kind of just want you to take care of me. Okay?”

Something like pure happiness spread through him at her words. He went to her side and cupped her face. “I’ll always take care of you, my Becca. That’s what a mate is for. Just because you want to let me take care of you now doesn’t mean you can’t take care of yourself. It’s about trust.”

She rubbed her face on his hand, and he fell just that much more in love with her. “As long as I can take care of you too.”

Images of her washing him and touching him filled his mind. “As long as you’re not in danger, you’re welcome to. Come on, my Becca.”

He sat her up then took off her tank and bra. He couldn’t help his reaction at the sight of her ample breasts and rosy nipples, but his wolf seemed to know it was the time for comfort, not need.

The bruises along her side helped tone down the edge of arousal as well.

She blushed all over, right down to those delectable nipples, but didn’t say anything as he stood her up. She rested her hands on his shoulders as he took off her jeans and panties. He purposely kept his gaze from her pussy, knowing he needed to act the gentleman—even if he was a wolf.

He set her down on the bed again and stripped off his jeans. His cock was rock hard, but he ignored it. He couldn’t stop his reaction to her, but he wouldn’t do anything about it.

Not yet.

Hunter picked her up again and carried her to the shower. With his back to the spray, he put her down on her feet and let her lean on him.

“You’re so warm,” she whispered, her voice low and heavy.

“You’ll be too soon.” 

He washed her slowly, paying careful attention to her bruises, but kept his touch easy. He didn’t want to break the fragile trust she’d given him. The water trailed between her breasts, and she leaned her back against his chest. His wolf growled, content that Becca was by his side.

“Thank you for finding me. I knew you would.”

“I’ll always find you, Becca. I came out of hell for you.”

She turned in his hold, slowly and carefully due to her ribs. “You didn’t know me until after you came out of hell.”

He tucked a wet strand of her fiery red hair behind her ear. “I know, but that doesn’t mean I didn’t come out of hell for you.”

She snorted then winced. “That was the sweetest line I’ve ever heard.”

He narrowed his eyes then leaned down to bite her lip softly. “Behave.”

She gave a pointed look at his fully erect cock and raised both brows. “You first.”

He pulled away, noticing the disappointment in her gaze, but forced himself to ignore it. They would have to wait to complete the bond until she felt better. Though he could tell already that whatever had made her different from normal humans—the lightning strike—was already working its magic. She was healing faster than humans, but not like a supernatural. By the morning she’d still be sore, but much better, hopefully.

Hunter turned off the water, got out of the shower, and then gently towel-dried the both of them. “We’re going to bed and can talk about everything in the morning. I have wolves I trust guarding us. You’re safe here.”

She nodded, her eyelids drooping. He picked her up, walked to the bedroom, and pulled back the sheets. She barely stirred when he tucked her in. He walked toward the window and looked out. Liam stood in wolf form at the edge of his property and gave a nod then went back into the shadows.

As he got into bed and pulled Becca closer, he inhaled her scent, needing it to calm down his wolf. They were safe for the moment, but that could change.

He’d find out who did this and kill them. They’d hurt what was his and deserved to pay. His Pack was dying, despite trying to grow.

He’d fix it. He’d fix it all. That’s what he did.

He was the Beta.

Chapter Eight

Something warm and solid pressed against her back, and Becca never wanted to leave.

Ever.

A large callused hand spread along her belly, keeping her in place. A smile spread over her face as she rocked back, wanting to keep the dream alive. She never wanted to wake up, not when she had this heat surrounding her. The hand on her stomach slowly slid up her naked chest to cup her breast. She gasped as her nipple pebbled in his hand. Becca threw her head back, relishing in her dream lover’s touch as his cock lay between her ass cheeks. If she moved slightly, he’d be able to slide right into her heat, and she’d come.