Moonlight (16 page)

“No.” He relaxed slightly, and I rubbed at the back of my neck, trying to relieve the ball of nervous tension. “Adam caught her behind the library in San Antonio.”

He went to the bathroom sink and dropped the washcloth into the basin. He examined his wounds while he spoke to me. “Did he kill her?”

His question jolted me. Until recently, I’d never in my life had people asking me if someone had been killed. It still felt surreal that this was my life now. Wolves, jaguars, and the constant threat of being hunted and killed. Fabulous.

“No, she got away.” I gnawed at my lower lip while I thought about the best way to get more information out of him. “He said she’d been bitten. She wasn’t born a jaguar like me, was she?”

Sebastian shook his head and ran his fingers back through his black hair with a frustrated sigh. “Her name is Sasha.” His eyes met mine. “I bit her.”

“What?” I popped up from the bed like a bolt of lightning zapped me. “So she’s your…mate?”

The corner of his mouth twitched and he shook his head again. “No.”

“But you bit her.”

Sebastian glanced my way and raised a brow. “Jaguars are not like wolves. We do not have an instinct that forces us to mate for life.” He went back to the mirror with a dismissive grunt. “We make our own decisions.”

I wanted to go smack him, instead I smirked. “Sounds like you made a great decision.”

“Enough.” He glared at me, features cold and menacing. “I have history with Sasha that you know nothing about.” He walked back over to the window and parted the drapes to peer into the darkness again.

I stared at the back of his head and reminded myself that pissing him off wasn’t going to get me the information I was looking for. “I think I’m missing something here. If Nero sent her to help you, why did she beat you up?”

And why are you here in my room, not dragging me back to the happy family waiting for me at the Nero Organization?

I was careful to keep the last question in my head.

Sebastian raised his arm up on the windowsill and rested his head against his wrist. “We have history. I’m sure that is why they sent her.”

I bit my lip, waiting for him to say more, but my hulking cat friend, or enemy, whatever he was, remained silent. Sighing, I started to pace. Maybe it was a feline thing, but I thought better on my feet.

“I don’t understand what’s going on here. Are you trying to help me? Is Sasha trying to help you?”

“She used to be a detective when we met. I had an assignment to kill a witness she was protecting.”

I had no idea where this was going, but at least he was talking. “Did you kill him?”

He looked back at me over his shoulder with an arrogant chuckle. “Of course.”

He went silent again. I rolled my eyes and groaned. “Come on, Sebastian. If you came here to talk to me, then talk. Otherwise you should go.”

He spun around. “You cannot be alone. Sasha could already be in Reno.”

“Why are you helping me?”

“I’m not.”

I raised a brow. “Oh really? Sure seems like you don’t want Sasha to get me.”

He shook his head. “I don’t want Nero to get you.”

“Well, that’s helping me. Why do you care anyway?”

“That doesn’t matter.”

“Yes, it does matter. I need to know what’s going on.”

He closed the drape and passed me to get back to the sink. He filled a glass of water and took a sip. “I have the highest level of clearance, but I was fed a lie.” His dark eyes met mine. “I am well trained, loyal, and lethal. I’m not a mindless drone, and until I know the truth behind this mission, I will not allow it to continue.” He glared at his reflection in the mirror. “I have given my life to Nero, but my allegiance is not blind.”

I crossed my arms. “Do they know what’s going on with you?”

He set the empty glass on the sink. “That’s why they sent Sasha.” He glanced my way and for a moment I almost thought there was a trace of hurt in his eyes. “Apparently I’m not worthy of the truth.”

I gnawed at my lower lip. He could be an amazing actor, but he didn’t have to give me that flash drive. He wasn’t going to be a trusted friend, but it seemed, at least for now, he could be an ally.

“Assuming I decide we might be on the same side right now, what are you doing here other than cleaning up?”

He turned my way. “The wolves can’t protect you like I can.”

“Judging by your appearance right now, I beg to differ.” I sat down at the small table. “Looks like Sasha kicked your ass.”

His jaw clenched. “They sent Sasha knowing I would not harm her. It’s my fault she’s in their service. But I can keep you away from her. I know how she thinks. The wolf doesn’t seem to understand the simple rule that you cannot be left alone.”

“First off,
the wolf
has a name. And secondly, Adam knows better than to order me around.”

Sebastian shook his head. “Rest. I’ll keep watch.”

“You expect me to sleep?”

He nodded. “You should rest while you can.”

“I agreed we might be on the same side right now, but I don’t trust you any farther than I can throw you. Why would I sleep while you’re here?”

His hands balled into fists and he headed to the door. “You should do as I say because I am the only one who can keep you away from Nero.” His dark eyes bored into mine. “They will never stop searching for you, Lana, and they
will
find you. You are too precious to them to give you up.”

Sebastian twisted the door handle, but before he could pull it open, the door rammed him back against the wall. Adam stormed into the room and grabbed Sebastian by the shirt, yanking him back up to his feet.

“What the hell are you doing here?” Adam shoved him aside before he could answer and spun around toward me. “You stole my Jeep so you could meet up with
him
?”

He was pointing at the angry assassin in the corner. I opened my mouth to answer, but Sebastian beat me to it.

“She took your vehicle because she needed to get away from you.”

Okay, that didn’t help.

“You stay away from her.” Adam slammed Sebastian against the wall. His voice dropped to a growl. “She’s my mate.”

“Impossible!” Sebastian struggled free from Adam, shaking his head. “A jaguar and a wolf?” His eyes narrowed as he hissed, “Never.”

Adam launched himself at Sebastian, pinning him to the back of the door, and pressed his forearm against Sebastian’s throat. The jaguar socked him in the stomach, hard. Adam coughed and threw Sebastian to the ground, but before he could pounce on top of him I put myself between them.

“Enough.” Both men were out of breath. I looked at Sebastian first. “I think you should go. Thanks for the information. I appreciate it, whether you think you’re helping me or not.” Then I turned toward Adam and my heart sank. His face was hard; his dark green eyes were not brimming with love.

Sebastian got up, straightened his clothes and went to the door. “Don’t let her out of your sight, wolf, or you will never see her again.”

The door slammed behind him leaving me with a lot of explaining to do.

…

The longer I watched Adam walk back and forth across the length of my room, the less guilty I felt. What did I have to feel guilty about? Nothing.

He finally stood still and turned to make eye contact with me. “I want to know why he was here. Why did you take Chaney and pick him up?”

I stood my ground, tipping my chin up. “I haven’t done anything wrong.”

“Did I say you did?”

I shrugged. “Not exactly, but attacking my only Nero informant definitely implied it.”

He sat on the side of the bed and tugged me to sit beside him. He took a slow breath and met my eyes. “I love you, Lana. I trust you, but the wolf inside of me…” He shook his head. “Remember the donut guy who flirted with you? The territorial thing is new to me, and it’s going to take me a while to navigate.” He glanced at the door, then back at me. “I didn’t know why you took the Jeep, and then I saw him in your room…”

I stared down at my hands. I wanted to cling to my righteous anger, but my emotions were too intense and raw. I couldn’t even look him in the eyes.

“When I saw Luke was at your house, and saw his reaction when he caught my scent, I just needed some space. The only person in your family who knows about me hates me. And from what you’ve told me that’s how the whole Pack is going to feel, so why do we even bother?”

He lifted my chin to meet his eyes and a tear rolled down my cheek. “I wish I could bring you home and introduce you to everyone. I do. I wish I could tell you how my father was going to love you and how my Pack brothers and Aren would think I was the luckiest guy in the world.” He paused and kissed away my tear. “Because I am.”

I rolled my eyes. “You didn’t look like it a few minutes ago.”

“Well, I’ve been told a few times that I can be a hothead.” He took my hand. “The thing is, I’m not just one of the Pack. Remember when I told you my father is the Alpha of our Pack?”

I nodded.

Adam gave my hand a squeeze. “I’m his
first-born
son. By Pack law and tradition, I’m next in line to lead the Pack.”

“Oh, God.” I got up and went back to rubbing that huge knot on the back of my neck. “It just keeps getting worse.”

“Since I’m the Alpha’s heir, they all expect my mate to be…well, not a jaguar.” He reached out for my hand and kissed my knuckles. “That’s why we’re leaving Reno together. There’s no place for us with the Pack, and it’ll be a cold day in hell before I let Nero anywhere near you.”

My chest hurt. I couldn’t find the right words.

He waited, his eyes searching mine. Finally he added, “Just give me a little time, okay? I can get Luke ready to take over the stable, and Aren will make a much better Alpha for the Pack than I ever would.”

Hot tears tracked down my cheeks, and I found my voice. “No. You’ll resent me for making you leave. I can’t live with knowing I made you lose them.”

“And I can’t live without you.” He stood up, still holding my hand in his.

I sniffled as our eyes met, and my heart melted. No one had ever looked at me like I was the only person in the world that mattered. I ached inside I loved him so completely.

I loved him enough to leave him.

The full moon was coming in a few days. While Adam was in his wolf form, I would vanish. There was no other way. I didn’t want to go, but I had to.

Adam wrapped his arms around me, our lips fusing together in an urgent, hungry kiss. We made love, giving ourselves to each other until we had nothing left. When we were done, I rested against his chest, listening to his heart beating as he held me tight and kissed my hair. “I love you, Lana.”

I closed my eyes and let his words burn into my heart.

…

We woke to the sounds of Adam’s cell phone ringing. He lurched out of bed and fished it out of his pants pocket.

“Aren?” He paused, frowning. “What? Forget it, just come home.” He shook his head, and I could see the muscles across his shoulders and chest clench. “You’ve done all you can. Now get to the airport and get home, okay? Yeah.” He nodded. “See you then, bro. Be careful.”

He closed his phone and tossed it back on his pants. “Aren has been tailing the jaguar in San Antonio, but he lost her this morning.”

“Her name is Sasha. Sebastian has some sort of history with her. He was the one who bit her.”

Adam raised a brow. “Judging by how she greeted him in San Antonio, she wasn’t happy about being converted?”

“He didn’t exactly offer me the whole story. I just got bits and pieces. She was a police detective protecting a witness Nero was hired to eliminate.” I rolled over, propping my head up on my elbow. “I got the feeling Sebastian fell for her, but I guess it didn’t work out.”

“And now she’s tangled up with the Nero Organization.”

“Looks that way.”

“So why isn’t Sebastian helping her take you back?”

“I don’t really know.” I brushed my hair back from my face. “He made it clear he’s not really
helping
me, more like he doesn’t want Nero to get me. Something about them lying to him even though he has top security clearance. Until he knows why they’re lying and what their plans are for me, I think we can count on him as an ally.”

Adam frowned. “Sebastian is a killer, and he has his own game going. He’s not taking sides. He’s just looking out for his own interests. Until we know what those are, you shouldn’t be alone with him.”

“Nice try.” I chuckled. “You wouldn’t want me to be alone with him anyway.”

He leaned over and kissed me with a crooked smile. “If I had my way, no other man would ever be in your room but me.”

My heart fluttered a little, but I did my best to remind myself that I needed to move on soon. My heart didn’t give a damn. My heart was happy right here with Adam.

I cleared my throat, trying to shake off the emotion welling inside. With my luck it would pour out my eyes like a waterfall. “Is Aren coming back now?”

“Yes. He wanted to stay behind and look for her, but it’s too dangerous.”

“Your strength is working together as a Pack.” I could hear Sebastian’s words echo in my head.

Adam nodded. “So the sooner Aren is back, the better we can handle the Sasha situation if she turns up in Reno.” He finished dressing and looked over at me in the bed. “I wish we could just stay here.”

“Me too.”

“Get dressed. I’ll buy you some breakfast.”

“I wasn’t sure you wanted me to come with you.”

“I always want you with me, but we have to be careful.”

He turned on the television while I rolled out of bed and scooted into the bathroom. I peeked back over my shoulder and caught him watching me with hungry eyes. I winked and gave my hips a little shake. He responded with a grin that was decidedly wolfish. I closed the door, leaning back against it with a smile. How could he make me feel warm all over with just a look?

I needed to memorize every single one.

After I decided I was presentable, we made our way into the chaos of the buffet to forage for food. Pancakes, waffles, oatmeal, fruit, eggs, bacon—I had it all and lots of it. Adam laughed and kept right up with me.