MadMoon (11 page)

“They headed off this way,” Cactus Mackey said as he pointed
into the distance.

“They are close,” Rainwater added, his face a grim mask.
“Near water.”

The creek. Yes, it made sense they’d take Lana to a familiar
place to set their trap. After Rainwater’s earlier intuitive pronouncement, he
wasn’t about to doubt the man’s instincts. As several lycans began to care for
the injured and dead, Moon and the others determined a course of action.

Gabriel Dunham shook his head. “It seems our brother Sam is
as psychic as his sister Julie and I have no doubt that he is right. Let’s head
out to that creek. How far is it? About half a mile?”

“Yeah,” Moon said. “Driving is too dangerous. I’d rather
surprise them.”

“Then shifting, it is,
amigo
,” Ringo added.
Immediately he began to strip and the others followed suit. Mad tossed his
clothes aside and shifted too, then raced from his yard following just behind
Rainwater, who had gotten a head start. The only lycan who retained human form
was Katalin, who ran beside her mate. Mad growled low, the ground cool beneath
the pads of his paws, a sense of urgency whipping through his system and
propelling him to run faster.

They’d just spotted headlights in the clearing when Lana’s
cry reached them. Mad immediately stopped as the savage need to kill burst
through his mind and then he ran, ran, faster than he’d ever moved before. The
sight that greeted him was of a belt swinging through the air to land on his
mate’s skin. Blood dripped over her flesh.

Snarling, he raced toward the scene in time to see a massive
lycan strike Savannah. Her poor little body flew through the air, inspiring
another urge to maim, to kill. Rainwater growled low, his massive jaws snapping
as he leapt into the air, killing the man instantly.

Imagines of death, of blood, filling his brain, Moon leapt
into the midst of the Snow Wolf pack, thoughts of revenge riding him hard.
Anton shifted instantly to meet him on the field of a battle, which raged all
around them. Moon gnashed his massive teeth, slinking low, prepared to attack.

Lana’s former fiancé did the same, the two of them circling
and parrying. But Moon soon tired of the game as his bloodlust grew. Leaping
high, he propelled himself forward, finally sinking his teeth into Anton’s
neck. Anton was strong though and twisted away then launched his own attack.

All around him, lycans battled it out with brute force and a
huge measure of skill. Delicate Kat Dunham, using her telepathic skills, lifted
one wolf with only the power of her mind and sent the beast flying until a tree
stopped his momentum. Another, she lifted high only to let her mate, Gabriel,
take him down, effectively removing him from the fight. Cactus and Sara fought
side by side, the female taking on as many as three wolves at a time with
spectacular ease.

Lana’s scream ripped through the air, mingling with the
animalistic growls of battling wolves and Mad stilled. In the distance, he
watched her father approach her, his fists tight as if he would strike his
daughter.

Enough!

Mad narrowed his gaze on Anton and, pushing off with the
strength of his hindquarters, launched himself at the other wolf’s throat.
Within seconds it was over. Anton’s days of bullying and beating women into
submission ended as his blood seeped into the ground.

Unable to feel a scintilla of regret, he ran to Lana and
placed himself between her and Tomin Vronski. He shifted back into his human
form and faced the man down.

“Hold it right there.”

Tomin stopped, his expression hard and unbending. “Are you
the man who dares to come between me and my daughter? She belongs to me, you
fool. As Alpha my word is law.”

“Yeah, well, you’re not the Alpha here, old man, are you?”

“How dare you speak to me this way?”

“I dare anything I goddamn please. This is my land. You may
think you own Lana but you don’t. You never did. She belongs to me and not
because I see her as a possession. I see
her
. I see all the good things
in her that obviously you never did. I would never mistreat her as you have
done. You’ve treated her like garbage. Funny thing is, you’re the one who is
trash and I think it’s way past time somebody took you out. You’re starting to
stink.”

“Mad!”

Moon looked down to see Lana standing beside him. She was nearly
naked and bloody, her lip was swollen and her white spiky hair was covered in
red. Someone had obviously cut her bindings because lengths of rough rope
dangled from her wrists. Instinctively he reached for her but she sucked in a
painful breath that made him pray for patience. “Sweetheart, he hurt you.”

She nodded then looked in her father’s direction.

“You are such a disappointment, daughter. Just like your
mother.”

“I’m proud to be like my mother. She was kind and sweet. I
don’t know how she could stand you. I just wish I’d had the courage to leave
long ago. I’m only sorry that your blood runs through my veins.”

Tomin stepped forward, his face contorted with rage, and
raised his hand to strike her. “Unh uh, Dad, I wouldn’t if I were you,” she
whispered. “You might want to look around. I think this fight is over and you
lost. Get it? You lost. If you hit me, it’ll be over for you in about three
seconds flat. Count on it.”

Tomin seemed to collect himself and finally looked behind
him. Members of the Snow Wolf pack lay dead all around the area and the rest
had been subdued.

“I think I’d listen to your daughter, old man. It’s over…
Well, almost. You see, we Texas shifters have a little thing we call
pack
justice
. You didn’t dirty your hands with all the fighting around here
tonight but maybe it’s time for you to participate just a bit. We’ll give you a
nice head start but if I were you, I’d start running now. ”

For the first time, Tomin looked alarmed and Moon knew that
if Lana’s father looked into the eyes of the Texas shifters, he’d find nothing
but there but death waiting for him.

Moon turned away from Tomin Vronski. He was done with him.
Lana was who was important now. Touching her face then tenderly stroking her
swollen bottom lip, he finally brushed his lips over her forehead. “Let’s go
home, darlin’.”

He took Lana’s hand and they walked the half mile to his
house in silence. He’d had enough bloodshed tonight. All that mattered now was
that it was over and Lana was safe. As they walked through the front door they
stopped and looked at each other. When Lana rested her head against his chest,
he lifted her, careful to avoid the raw wounds on her back then carried her up
the stairs as the wolves began to howl.

Several days later, Moon slipped into the master bedroom to
see Lana sitting near the sliding doors leading to the patio. Days ago, he had
carried a big, comfy chair up here, placing it near the sunshine and hoping she
might enjoy it. She’d been hurt by what Anton and her father had done to her
but her wounds now were much deeper than anything physical. As a fully shifted
lycan, the raw places on her back had healed quickly though she still bore the
faint outlines of a belt on her back.

Every time Moon looked at them he wanted to kill Anton all
over again.

Lana didn’t need his anger now though. She just needed to
know that she was home and she was loved. Not a day had gone by since the night
of her abduction that pack members had not stopped by to see how she was doing.
They had embraced her and considered her one of their own.

Late-afternoon sunlight poured into the room, lighting her
pale hair. She was a stunning woman even with the slight dark circles under her
eyes and Mad hoped for a night when she’d sleep through the hours peacefully.
It hadn’t happened yet.

Walking up to her, he sat on the floor at her feet and
rested his head in her lap. Instantly her hands reached out to settle in his
hair and Moon just took a second or two to breathe her in. He’d known he loved
her before everything went down but now those feelings were even stronger. So
easily, she could have been lost to him forever. The world of what-ifs had
poured through his brain for days. What if Savannah hadn’t been able to call?
What if Sam Rainwater hadn’t proven himself so gifted? What if he’d just not
arrived in time?

The questions were killing him.

“Hey you,” she whispered.

Moon looked up at her. “Hey back, gorgeous. You’ve been
awfully quiet up here. Figured I’m better see how my best girl is doing.”

“I’m okay, Mad, really. You don’t have to keep checking on
me. How were the services?”

Moon sat back and scrubbed his hands over his face. He’d
lost five pack members in the fight with the Snow Wolves and today they’d been
laid to rest. Their deaths weren’t easily explained to the humans living in the
town of Sweetridge but with help from the local cops and the county coroner a
wrecked vehicle had been produced along with a falsified report that the men
had been returning from a fishing trip when the driver fell asleep at the wheel
and crashed the SUV, killing all five. The wolves knew the truth though. They’d
been lost fighting to protect one of their own.

“Everybody in town turned out. These guys were
well-respected.” Moon thought of the wives, children and even grandchildren
left behind and his heart ached for them. “They died the way they lived, with
honor.”

Tears filled her eyes.

“I’m so sorry.”

He knew where her mind went and he couldn’t take it anymore.
Guilt was as destructive as fear and she didn’t need that emotion in her life.
Moon stood and scooped her up then sat in the chair with her in his arms. She
settled against him, her breath moving over his skin as she sighed. “The lycan
world is often violent and you know that. Guilt about this is fucking
worthless. Don’t go there, darlin’. This wasn’t your fault.”

“But it was. My father—”

“Was a bad man but you aren’t responsible for that. My men knew
what they were up against and volunteered. That’s what pack does. When someone
is in trouble, we all show up to help.”

“Logically, I know that. I just wish it hadn’t happened.”

He knew he needed to change the subject. He rubbed his hand
down her back, then settled a palm on her hip. “I saw Savannah today.”

Lana sat up a little. “How is she?”

“Well, her nose is still broken and she has two pretty big
shiners but she’ll be all right. Since she’s still an unshifted female, she’ll
have to heal the old-fashioned way but she’ll get there. I stopped by her
folks’ house where she’s staying for a while and they are hovering and feeding
her cookies.”

Lana finally smiled. “I’m glad. She needs some extra TLC
after what she has been through. Speaking of cookies, she’s a tough one. I
don’t know what I would have done without her that night. I’m just glad she’s
okay. ”

They sat together in silence, Moon simply loving the way she
drew breath in and out of her lungs and the perfection of her body as she
nestled in his arms. Though she hadn’t asked, he knew she wondered at the fate
of her father.

“Did my dad—?”

“He won’t bother you anymore, sweetheart.”

“Was it fast?”

Moon hadn’t asked for nor had he been given details. “Yes.”

Several moments passed before she spoke softly. “It’s sad
that my dad never loved me. You know, I keep thinking about that. What kind of
man doesn’t love his child?”

His heart broke for her. Tightening his hold, he pressed a
kiss to her temple. “I don’t know, baby. I think most people have love in their
hearts and the ability to care about others. There are those rare folks who
just don’t get it, a switch turned off maybe. I think your father was like
that. I doubt he ever cared for anyone but himself.”

“Then I feel sorry for him,” she whispered. “But, Mad?”

“Hmm?”

“I kind of feel sorry for me too.”

Damn if the woman didn’t break his heart. He’d been waiting
for the tears to come and they finally did. All he could do, in the end, was
hold her.

* * * * *

Later, he tucked her up nice and tight in bed. She was
clearly exhausted from her ordeal. He had just straightened, preparing to leave
her in peace when there was a soft knock on the door and Ynez poked her head
into the room. “I’m sorry,
Señor
Moon, but Sara and Kat are here to see
Miss Lana.”

He frowned. “I don’t know about that.”

“No, Mad, it’s okay. I know they’re leaving today and I want
to say goodbye.”

What could he do? He owed these women everything. “Tell them
to come on in, Ynez.”

In a few minutes, the sisters came into the room and he
stood there like a damn lump while they oohed and aahed over his mate. Each of
them carried brightly wrapped gifts with enormous bows on them. The last time
he’d given a gift, he’d shoved the damn thing in a sack and called it a day,
but women, he knew, did things a little differently.

“You didn’t have to do this,” Lana said, giving them both
hugs. Each of Lana’s visitors took a seat on separate sides of the bed. He
leaned against the wall, knowing he should leave but not wanting to. There was
something kind of fascinating about watching females and the ways in which they
interacted. This particular scene brought to mind the years he’d lived under
the same roof with his mom and sisters. He hadn’t realized he’d missed it until
now.

“Of course we did, honey.” Kat smiled. “We didn’t have a
scratch but we can’t say the same for you. We just went over and said our
goodbyes to Savannah. She’s awfully feisty considering her ordeal.”

“I wish you didn’t have to leave.”

Sara reached out and took her hand. Mad realized the women had
really gotten close. That was good. Lana needed friends. “Me too, but Quinn’s
going to need us once the baby arrives. We just wanted to pay our respects to
the guys who were lost and see you before we headed out.”

Lana’s eyes filled but she smiled through the tears. “I
don’t know what we would have done without you and Sara. May I say you possess
some wicked ninja fighting skills?”

Sara grinned. “That’s what they say. I’m glad I could help.”

“And you.” Lana reached for Kat’s hand. “You are just plain
spooky.”

Kat shrugged. “I can live with that as long as everybody
else is okay with it.”

“More than okay. The next time I see a flying obstacle, I’ll
think of you.”

Sara stood and looked at Lana. “So what are you going to do
now?”

Besides consummating the union with her mate?

He was anxious to hear the answer to that question himself.
Lana squinted then gave him a look. “Well, I haven’t even talked with Mad about
this in any kind of detail but I’ve been seriously thinking about college. Dad
didn’t agree with educating women.” She shook her head as if chastising
herself. “Antiquated ideas, I know. I want to do this. I think for a start,
I’ll sign up for online classes. I’m not sure what I want to study but I’ll get
an idea about that soon enough.”

“That’s a fantastic idea, honey,” Kat said. “And maybe
between all this studying, you can find some time to come out to West Texas for
a visit. We’d love that.”

After a few minutes, the ladies stood and made their ways to
the door. Sara paused and looked back with a smile. “Moon? Sam Rainwater is
downstairs and he wants to speak with you.”

Lana smiled when he glanced at her. “Go on, Mad. I’m not an
invalid. I’m fine. See our guests off and we’ll talk later.”

Heading downstairs, he found Sam Rainwater sitting in a
chair in his office. Sam stood instantly when he walked into the room,
clutching his straw summer cowboy hat in his left hand. He reached out with his
right and they shook hands.

“Good to see you, brother. Are you getting ready to head out
with the others?” Instead of sitting behind his desk, Mad took a chair next to
the one Sam had abandoned. “Sit.”

Sam reclaimed his seat. “Yes, I’ll be leaving but before I
go I want to discuss something important with you.”

“Sure, no problem.”

“I’m a man of few words.”

Moon laughed. “Yeah, I think I get that.”

Sam graced him with a rare smile then went serious again.
“First off, I want you to know that I’m in no way disloyal to the Wolf Creek
pack. They have done their best to make me feel at home in West Texas. They are
good people and Joe McKinnon accepted me as one of their own since the moment I
showed up at the ranch with my hat in my hand.”

“I think I heard something about that. Your sister Julie was
kidnapped near the University of Texas campus, if memory serves.”

A muscle worked in the wolf’s jaw. “That’s right. Like Kat
and Sara, she is gifted. Psychic.”

“Like you,” Mad said quietly.

Sam nodded sharply. “Yes. I fought my gift for a long time
and encouraged Julie to do the same. She is my life and heart and the only
family I have left. I wanted her safe and knew that if word got out, she’d be
vulnerable to those who would use her. I couldn’t abide that.” He blew out a
breath and Mad suspected this might have been the longest speech the silent
lycan had ever made. “Joe and the others helped me save my sister from
kidnappers and I’ll always be beholden to them for that.”

“Yet you refused to join their pack?”

Sam’s eyes widened slightly. “You know about that?”

“Ringo told me. He said you keep to yourself out at an old
line shack and participate as little as possible in pack business.”

“Doesn’t pay a man to get too close to folks.”

Moon sensed a story there but didn’t pry. “So how can I help
you?”

Sam stood and walked to the windows to look outside,
obviously gathering his thoughts. The noise of chatter and truck doors shutting
sounded in the distance and Moon knew his Wolf Creek brothers and sisters were
loading up to leave. “Guess I’ll come straight to the point. I’m wondering if
the Texas Rogues might have a place for me.”

“Are you saying you want to join my pack? Does this have
anything to do with Savannah?”

Rainwater turned to Mad, his dark eyes swimming with
emotion. “It has everything to do with Savannah.”

* * * * *

The house was so damn quiet since the others had left. Too quiet.
After soaking in a long, hot bath, Lana donned one of Mad’s big tee shirts and
slid between cool, crisp sheets. Since the night she had been taken by her
father and Anton and had been hurt, Mad had been avoiding her. It was only his
overprotective tendencies kicking in but she didn’t like the way he avoided
touching her. It just made her feel sad, weird and yes, lonely. Every night
after falling asleep, she’d feel his presence in the bed next to her but by the
next morning, he was always long gone.

She needed more of him now, not less. Why didn’t he get it?
Lana wasn’t a china doll needing to be wrapped in cotton and set on a shelf for
protection. She’d escaped with basically nothing but the clothes on her back,
faced down the Snow Wolves and lived to tell the tale. And yes, she’d had help
but she had earned her freedom from a life of tyranny. It should be enough. Her
dad had treated her like a mindless thing to be bartered away and now Mad
treated her as if she might break.

Closing her eyes, she waited for sleep to come but it eluded
her. Over and over she replayed in her mind the battle that went down with the
Snow Wolves. She thought of how Savannah had been hurt and marveled over the
paranormal abilities of her new friends from the Wolf Creek pack. She thought
of Quinn McKinnon, a woman she’d never met, and imagined her happiness about
the new baby she was bringing into the world. Lana’s mind raced, no single
thought tied to another and she wanted to scream. Her eyes closed as she
struggled to shut off her brain.

The bedroom door creaked open and she heard Mad move around
the room before he disappeared into the bathroom. Lying utterly still,
expectantly, she listened to the sounds of the shower and then finally he
slipped into the bed beside her. The clean, fresh scent of him filled her head
as he gingerly wrapped an arm around her and curled against her back. His
careful manner both thrilled her and pissed her off.

Mad moved his head onto her pillow, his breath moving over
her hair and she ached for him so badly, she wanted to cry. “Mad?”

“Why are you awake?” His voice was low and husky, his cock
hard as it pressed to her butt.

“Because I’m upset, that’s why. Why are you ignoring me?”

“I’m not ignoring you, damn it. I’m trying to give you time
to heal.” He came up on an elbow and leaned over her. The stark features of his
face were shadowed by the mix of light and darkness in the room. So beautiful.
Her body responded to his nearness and the raw, animal heat he exuded.