Moonlight Kin 2: Aidan's Mate (Mid-Length Novel) (21 page)

Aidan stepped forward and the wolves fanned out. “If it involves her, then it involves me.”

She shook her head. “Aidan back away. I don’t want anyone else to get hurt because of me.”

“Not going to happen,” he said. “You don’t understand what you mean to me. What you mean to my people.” His tone told her that he wasn’t bluffing.

Jenna watched the wolves as they prepared to attack. “Ethan let me go or you’re going to die.”

He shook his head and held her tighter. “Uh-uh, I’m going to expose your freak boyfriend and his friends.” He indicated to the pack.

“That’s unlikely given who your family is,” Aidan said. “Their reputation has been carefully cultivated over the years. They’re not about to let you or anyone else destroy what they’ve worked so hard to obtain.”

“Carl’s my witness,” Ethan said.

Aidan gave him a sad smile. “It’s my job to protect the pack from any and all threats.”

“I knew you were a piece of trash, Jenna, but I didn’t think you would sink so low that you’d actually fuck an animal.” Ethan gestured to Aidan.

Aidan flinched and couldn’t meet her gaze.

“Now we’re getting out of here.” Ethan took a step back. “Shoot him if he moves.”

“No!” Jenna cried.

“I’m invoking Lycanian law,” Aidan said. “Acknowledge if you accept my ruling.”

The wolves began to howl.

Aidan’s gaze moved from Ethan to Carl. He seemed unnaturally calm. “You are both a threat to the pack. This cannot be allowed.”

Carl inched back, glancing over his shoulder, searching for a means of escape.

“Shoot him, damn it!” Ethan bellowed.

Carl raised the pistol and took aim.

Aidan gave an almost imperceptible nod.

Wolves leapt from the shadows, landing on Carl, ripping his gun out of his hand. They tore into his flesh, shredding skin and breaking bone in seconds. By the time they were finished, all that was left of the private detective was a pile of bloody clothes and a gold ring that had been on his pinky.

Aidan stared dispassionately at the macabre scene, then slowly looked at Ethan. “You now have a choice to make. You can let her go and leave this place never to return or you can join your friend in death.”

“P-people are going to know what you’ve done,” Ethan stammered.

Aidan took a step closer. “And what exactly are you going to tell them? That werewolves ate your hired hand?”

Ethan’s mouth opened and closed as the reality of the situation hit him. His gaze pleaded with hers.

Jenna almost felt sorry for him. Almost. Her stomach churned as she stared at Carl’s remains. It didn’t have to end like this. They could’ve just left.

The nausea soon gave way to...
hunger
. Jenna’s eyes widened, when her mouth started to water. She clutched her stomach.

“It’s okay,” Aidan said, looking directly at her for the first time.

But it wasn’t okay. There was something seriously wrong with her.

“Make your decision, but know this before you do,” Aidan said. “My wolves are everywhere—that includes your precious Vancouver. If you do anything to harm the pack or if you come after Jenna again, they will find you and they will do the same thing to you that they just did to that man.”

The wolves snapped at his heels. Ethan tried to use Jenna as a human shield, but there were too many of them.

“I’ll have your answer now, human.”

Ethan looked at Jenna one last time, then shoved her away. Aidan caught her before she fell. Ethan didn’t hesitate. He turned and ran into the woods.

“Follow him,” Aidan said.

Several wolves peeled off from the pack and ran into the woods after him.

“Summon Gabe to tend to the injured.”

* * * * *

Aidan was afraid to look at Jenna. Her green eyes had been so wide, she’d looked like a Manga character. He’d smelled her fear, but he couldn’t do anything about it. She had to know the truth. The whole truth. In his gut, Aidan believed she was strong enough to handle it and what was to come.

He guided her through the woods back to the house. Aidan didn’t touch her. She looked like she’d shatter if he did. Her teeth were chattering and sweat covered her skin.

“What’s happening to me?” she asked without looking at him.

Aidan didn’t answer. Instead, he walked her into the house and back to his bedroom. The second he closed the door Jenna began to pace.

“I’m the same man you had dinner with,” he said. “The same one you made love to. I’m not an animal. Not in the way that he implied.”

She glanced at him, but didn’t stop moving. “My skin itches. It feels like bugs are crawling beneath it.”

Aidan moved away from her, giving her some space. “I know this is a lot to take in.”

Jenna stopped and glared at him. “You think? I just saw a man ripped into pieces by...by... What are you exactly?”

He sighed. “My people have had many names throughout the centuries, but we are called the Moonlight Kin.” Aidan shrugged. “Humans have another name for us.”

“Werewolves,” she whispered. “The people in town were right.”

Aidan nodded.

“But how? Werewolves don’t exist.” She started pacing again. “How could you have remained hidden without anyone finding out?”

“It’s getting harder and harder to do with the technological changes, but we manage.”

“I know you’re telling the truth because I saw it with my own eyes, but the whole thing is preposterous. Are you sure I’m not lying in a hospital somewhere hooked up to tubes?”

“I assure you this is real,” he said.

She stopped walking and stared at him again. “You bit me.” Jenna placed her hand over his mark. “I thought it was just a weird fetish, but it’s not. Is it?”

Aidan wasn’t ready to discuss what the bite meant yet. Not until he had a better idea of how she was going to react. “Do you plan to return to Vancouver?”

The change of subject surprised her. She seemed to think about it a moment. “Getting my garage back was all I’ve been dreaming about for the last few months. Now, I’m not sure I want it anymore.” Jenna crossed her arms over her chest. “Vancouver holds too many bad memories for me. Besides, what I’ve seen tonight isn’t exactly something I can ever forget.”

“No,” he said. “This night will stay with you for the rest of your life.”

She shivered. “What happens now?”

Aidan arched a brow. “That’s entirely up to you.”

“Would you really let me leave?” she asked. “I know your secret.”

He stared at her a long time, trying to figure out how to answer. She did know his secret, but not all the secrets he’d kept. “You are not a prisoner, Jenna. I won’t force you to stay.” He might beg her to, but only as a last resort.

She bit her lip. “Good to know.” Jenna started moving again. “Hypothetically, what would happen if I stayed?” she asked, then added, “Do you even want me to stay?”

“You already know the answer to that question,” he said, feeling a glimmer of hope.

She took a tentative step closer. “Okay, then answer my other question.”

“What do you want me to say?” he asked.

“I’m not like you, so how would it work?” She ran her hand along her arm to ward off a chill.

Aidan closed the distance between them. “Would you like to be?”

Jenna balked. “What are you going to do, raise a magic wand and presto-chango I’m instantly like you?”

“You watch too many movies.” Aidan shook his head.

She sighed. “Maybe, but that doesn’t change the facts of the situation. I’m not like you.”

He brushed his fingertips along her jaw. “You could be, but once the process is done, it cannot be reversed.”

“Would I be like you then? Like the others?” Her sharp teeth latched onto his thumb.

“Yes.” Aidan smiled encouragingly. “You’d be part of the pack, part of the family—a very important part.”

* * * * *

Everything was happening too quickly for her. Jenna knew she should slow down, but it felt like her blood was boiling in her veins and for once it wasn’t because she was standing close to Aidan.

This was crazy. Insane. Any normal human being would run screaming from the house, but Jenna had never been typical. Nothing about her life had ever been normal. Aidan was offering her a chance to have a family. A real family for once in her life. Could she really pass that up?

She couldn’t deny her feelings for the man. If she’d been in doubt, that ended when she thought Carl was about to shoot her wolf. Panic had overcome her.

In that moment, Jenna had felt such a profound sense of loss. It hadn’t made sense at the time, but now she knew why. When she’d seen Aidan shift for the first time, all she’d known was relief.

“What would I have to do?” she asked nervously.

“Nothing.” He shook his head and kissed her. “It’s already begun.”

Jenna’s eyes widened. “The bite.”

He nodded. “The bite.”

“I thought that was a myth,” she said.

He shrugged. “Some things have a grain of truth.”

“You could’ve asked before you made that call, since it’s my life we’re talking about. I would’ve liked to have been consulted first,” she said.

“I understand,” Aidan said. “But it was out of my hands. The wolf had chosen its mate.”

“My wolf?”

He smiled. “Your wolf.”

“Will it hurt?” Jenna swallowed hard.

“A little,” Aidan said. “But I’ll make sure that all you remember from the change is the pleasure.” He pulled her into his arms and kissed her, then made good on his promise.

* * * * *

EPILOGUE

Two months later…

Jenna took off through the woods, jumping over tree roots and racing around bushes. She could hear Aidan behind her, his panting breaths getting closer. He jumped out from behind a tree trunk.

She yipped and dodged right, slipping easily under a downed limb. Aidan barked and followed her. They raced through the woods, enjoying the pleasure of the night.

It had taken Jenna a while to get the hang of the change. She hadn’t quite gotten to the point where she could control it, but she’d finally recognized when it was about to happen.

Aidan herded her toward his favorite spot. Jenna let him. It was a game they played that they both enjoyed. He shifted when he reached the small pool of water. Jenna did the same.

“That was fun. Let’s do it again.” She grinned at him.

“Soon.” He brushed his lips over hers, stealing a kiss. His big hands slid down her body, resting on her shoulders.

Jenna sunk into the embrace, enjoying the sensual exchange.

Aidan’s grip firmed and he...pushed her into the pool. Jenna came up sputtering and gasping. Gooseflesh rose over her skin from the cold water.

“Oh, you’re in trouble now mister.” Her teeth started to chatter. “I can’t believe you did that.”

Aidan laughed. “I told you I’d pay you back when you least expected it.”

Jenna bit her lip to keep from smiling. “Are you going to help me out of here?”

“And have you pull me in? I think not.”

“Spoilsport.” She laughed.

Aidan’s head jerked to the right. “Don’t move!” He growled and his body started to shimmer and shift.

The foliage parted and a huge behemoth of a man stepped into the small clearing. He stood a good four inches taller than Aidan and his shoulders were nearly a foot wider. His face was
Elfishly
pretty, but he had the body of a professional wrestler.

If you could get past the fear factor, he might be kind of cute. Though Jenna would never say so in front of Aidan.

The man had long white hair and silver eyes that moved like mercury. Jenna ducked down, until her head and chin were the only things visible.

Aidan stopped mid-shift. “Tristan? What are you doing here?”

“I’ve been sent by the Lycanian Elders to check on you and your new mate. A complaint has been filed.” His shimmering gaze flowed from Aidan to Jenna.

“Let me guess, Robert LaBeouf?”

Tristan flashed teeth, but he didn’t smile. Jenna had a feeling he rarely smiled.

“You know I cannot tell you who has filed the complaint,” Tristan said. “Not until I’ve finished with my investigation.” He took a step toward the pool, but Aidan cut him off with a deep growl.

“What exactly are you investigating?” His voice remained calm, but his body was tense.

“You are the second among us in the last several months who has chosen a human for a mate,” Tristan said. “It has raised some concerns. We need to determine whether the anomaly is contained within your bloodline or if outside forces are at work.”

Aidan stiffened. “Those concerns have not been brought to me. Odd, since I am still an Elder.”

Tristan arched a snowy white brow. “For now.”

“And if it’s not my bloodline?” Aidan asked.

“There are others who do not care for our kind,” Tristan said. “As an Elder, you know this.”

Aidan paled. “The
Darkling
have not entered this realm for centuries.”

“Yet, I’ve found signs that indicate otherwise.” Tristan moved to go around Aidan, but he stopped him again.

“I will not harm her,” Tristan said. “I swear on my family honor.”

This time when he stepped to the side, Aidan didn’t try to hinder his progress.

“I am Tristan Chevalier.” He crouched down next to the pool.

Jenna ducked down even further. “Nice to meet you.” She didn’t extend her hand for fear she’d flash him. She hadn’t gotten used to how at ease the wolves were with their nakedness.

Tristan smiled. “She smells like you.” He sniffed. “So does the pup she’s carrying.”

Jenna’s eyes widened. They hadn’t told anyone yet. They were waiting, enjoying the moment for themselves.

“What are the
Darkling
?” Jenna asked.

“They are the stuff of nightmares.” Tristan rose. “I will let the Elders know that your bond is intact and that you’ve bred true.”

Aidan stared at him. “You do that.” Sarcasm dripped from his words.

“Keep your eyes open,” Tristan said. “If the Darkling are back, then we’ll need all the strength we can muster.”

“I will,” Aidan said, glancing at Jenna with concern. “If they have returned, they will seek the Sighted Ones.”