Blood Moon (Entangled Select Otherworld) Page 19

  “Are you through lashing into Gareth?” Lana perched on Adam’s leg while Malcolm leaned in to give his dad a wet kiss.

  Adam rolled his eyes. “Tough to take me seriously when I’ve got a big wet one on my cheek.”

  Lana smiled at me. “It’s been a rough couple of weeks. How’re you holding up?”

  I shrugged, staring at Nadya. “We’re okay.” She met my eyes and my pulse thrummed. I shifted in my chair and focused my attention on Lana. “I was telling Adam that Nadya and I could take the kids up to the cabin for the new moon tonight. Keep them out of trouble while you’re on the prowl.”

  She grinned at Malcolm. “Want to play with Nadya and Gareth tonight?”

  He nodded. “Play Gareff!”

  She glanced at Adam and grimaced. “What? Did you have other plans?”

  “I’d rather discuss it with you in private.”

  My hackles rose, and deep inside my wolf growled. If he said one word that wiped the smile from Nadya’s face, forget kicking his ass, I’d kill him.

  Lana’s gaze moved to Nadya, then me, before landing on Adam again. “Are you worried about Nadya’s condition?”

  I narrowed my eyes, willing Adam to think hard before he spoke.

  Nadya disrupted my death stare by handing me Madeleine. She looked over at Lana. “After yesterday’s episode, Adam’s right to be concerned.”

  Lana sighed and met my eyes. “Do you think it’s too dangerous?”

  “I never would have offered if I thought I’d be putting the twins in harm’s way.” I took Nadya’s hand, pulling her closer. “I gave Adam my word, if there is any sign of a change coming on, I’ll have the kids in the playpen in the bedroom.”

  Nadya squeezed my hand. “I’d die if I ever hurt them.”

  “That’s why you’d never hurt them. Your wolf is still part of you. She protects her own.”

  Adam let out a frustrated breath and kissed Lana’s cheek. “I defer to you. If you’re comfortable, then I am, too.”

  Lana got up and handed Malcolm to his dad. She crossed to Nadya and gave her a tight hug. “Thank you for keeping them safe.”

  …

  We left my bike at Adam’s ranch and took Lana’s new sedan up to the cabin. It came with two car seats and a full tank of gas, not too shabby at all. After a stop at the Tahoe market, we had steak for us and a fresh box of dry Cheerios for the twins. Lana packed juice and sandwiches, and I had permission to fill them up with donuts on our way back down in the morning.

  I rounded the corner into the kitchen, a twin dragging from each ankle, giggling like little maniacs. “Need any help with dinner?”

  Nadya turned and busted up laughing. I smiled. This was exactly what I’d been hoping for. After the mess with Dr. Granger and Wyatt and the scratch on my face, I wanted to give Nadya a night of normal. Or as normal as werewolves could achieve.

  “You look like you’ve got your hands full already.”

  “I better go find Malcolm and Madeleine.” I walked in a circle around the island in the center of the kitchen. “I wonder where they went.”

  The twins laughed themselves silly all over again while their bellies polished the tile floor. I made my way over to Nadya. Standing behind her, I slid my arms around her waist. “Thanks for cooking.”

  She covered my hand with hers. “Thanks for the mini getaway. This is nice.”

  The twins scrambled to their feet, tugging at my jeans.

  “The natives are getting restless.” I bent down and hoisted up the wigglers, one in each arm. “Superman arms, ready?”

  Malcolm was just starting to notice superheroes, and Madeleine played along because she was fun that way. We zoomed back into the living room. I landed them on the big sofa and blew raspberries on their bellies until they couldn’t breathe.

  By the time Nadya called us for dinner, I wasn’t sure who was more winded—me, or the twins. We made the wise choice to eat in the breakfast nook of the kitchen. The toddlers’ table manners were not yet ready for the light sand-colored wool carpet.

  After dinner, Nadya started to clear the plates and I caught her wrist. “You cooked. I’ll clean up.”

  She grinned and tipped her head toward our messy-faced dinner guests. “You’re trying to get out of cleaning them up for bed.”

  “Just because I work as a grease monkey doesn’t mean I’m stupid.” I winked and grabbed the plates.

  “No one would ever accuse you of that.” She kissed my check and wrangled the sticky-handed little ones up to the bathtub.

  Outside the kitchen window, the stars sparkled on the surface of Lake Tahoe. Without the moon to dim them, millions of pinpricks of lights twinkled overhead. I cracked the window, still on alert, checking for any scents I didn’t recognize. We didn’t think Nero was aware of the cabin yet, but with my mate and the two little ones nearby, I wasn’t taking any chances. If Nero sent another team that included a shifter like Sebastian, I’d have my hands full.

  Once I closed the dishwasher, I heard Nadya call my name. She probably only spoke it. No need to shout when you’ve got werewolf hearing. I jogged up the stairs and I turned the corner to the guest room we’d planned for the kids to sleep in. Nadya sat on the edge of the bed, Malcolm already asleep in her arms.

  She smiled up at me and my chest tightened. Damn she was beautiful, and most of the time her beauty had little to do with her perfect lips and green eyes. Or the dimple I’d never get tired of kissing when she laughed.

  Madeleine sat on the floor, but as soon as she saw me, she stretched out her arms. “Uncle Gareff… Up.”

  I scooped her into my arms, and the little rug rat snuggled in close to my chest. I kissed her damp hair and looked over at Nadya. “Need me to set up the portable cribs?”

  “Please.” She nodded. “I would’ve done it, but I didn’t want to wake Malcolm.” She grinned. “You wore these two out.”

  “All part of my plan.” I laid Madeleine on the bed beside Nadya and went to work on the cribs. Once we had them up, and the kids sleeping inside, we crept out, leaving the door cracked just in case.

  Downstairs, I took Nadya’s hand, our fingers instinctively twining together. “The stars are really bright tonight. Want to pull up a couple chairs and have a drink on the deck?”

  “Sounds wonderful.”

  The fire pit on the deck sat dormant. It would’ve been romantic to have a fire, but jaguars had amazing night vision. The last thing we needed was to attract one to us. Carrying two chairs, she followed me to the railing and took a seat. I rubbed her shoulders, the sound of her moan warming my blood.

  “Thirsty?” I asked.

  She dropped her head back, smiling at me. “Sounds great.”

  I went back inside and returned with two cold beers. Taking the seat beside her, I handed one bottle to Nadya. “Hope beer is all right. It was the only alcohol I could find in there.”

  “It’s fine.” She tipped the neck of the bottle toward me and I clinked mine to hers. “Here’s to a fun, exhausting night of babysitting.”

  “Got that right.” I took a swig and glanced her way. “When we were in Virginia City and you started shifting, do you remember me dream walking, or whatever the hell it is I’ve been doing?”

  She nodded, sipping the beer. “It’s hazy but I think we danced on this deck.”

  “I don’t know how the magic works, but hearing that you saw it, too, makes me feel less insane.”

  She rested her head against my shoulder. “Thank you for tonight. This was exactly what I needed.”

  I slid my arm around her shoulders and she settled her head against my chest. We watched the stars and finished our beers. Usually, sitting in silence was my thing, but having Nadya with me, and knowing that clock was still ticking, I found myself struggling to keep quiet.

  Yeah, the creator had a fucking hilarious sense of humor.

  “Remember at the wedding, we stood against this railing and you told me how you didn’t want to waste a minute of the t
ime you had left being sad.” She nodded and I kissed her hair. “I think you should add: no time spent calling yourself a monster. You’re Nadya, my mate, my lover ,and the most amazing woman I’ve ever met. No room in there for monsters.”

  She smiled up at me. “I love you.”

  I kissed her, tender and slow, drinking her in before resting my forehead against her and whispering, “Come here.”

  She got out of her chair and settled in my lap. I buried my fingers in the back of her hair, my tongue parting her lips. She moaned and my pulse pounded below my belt. She made me crazy on so many levels.

  I rested my forehead on hers, staring into her eyes. “We should get inside.”

  She nodded and started to move, but I stood up, taking her with me as I cradled her in my arms. Nadya laughed, nuzzling into my neck. “I can walk.”

  “And I can carry you.”

  She teased my earlobe with her teeth. “I should warn you, if you take me upstairs, I’ll probably throw myself at you.”

  I laughed. “Is that a threat or a promise?”

  “What do you want it to be?” She teased the base of my neck with her warm lips, and the sensual tone of her voice had me rock hard in seconds.

  “Definitely a promise.” I opened the French door and carried her inside, closing and locking the door behind us. “And I plan to collect.”

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  Nadya

  We pulled into Adam’s ranch just before noon. Lana was out of the house before we had Malcolm and Madeleine freed from their car seats. Adam followed her out and clasped Gareth’s forearms. “How’d it go? Were the little monsters well behaved?”

  “No monsters, Daddy!” Madeleine pointed at Adam from her perch on her mom’s hip.

  Adam put his hands up in mock surrender.

  “They were angels.” I handed Malcolm to his dad.

  Adam tossed him in the air, eliciting joyful squeals from his son and narrowed eyes from his wife. “Adam!”

  He boosted Malcolm up on top of his shoulders, holding his ankles. “What?”

  Gareth came around and took my hand. “Any sign of Nero last night?”

  Adam shook his head. “Not yet. The only jaguars out were ours.” He bumped his hip against Lana’s.

  Lana kissed Madeleine’s forehead, making eye contact with me. “How are you feeling?”

  I shrugged. “I’m fine for now.”

  Gareth squeezed my hand and glanced at Adam. “Any word from Jason?”

  Our Alpha sobered. “Wyatt’s still not responsive. Jason brought all the home health equipment to Sarah and Jared is helping with his care, too.”

  I didn’t push the plunger on the potassium chloride, but I was painfully aware that Dr. Granger had only been in Reno to get to me. I couldn’t help but feel completely responsible for Wyatt’s condition. And if Nero still wanted me, I was putting the rest of the Pack in danger, too.

  “Does the rest of the Pack know what Sebastian told us? Nero is probably sending another team to Reno to try to take me back there.”

  Adam nodded. “Everyone is in the loop. They understand the threat, and we’re all being cautious.”

  A note of censure colored Adam’s voice, but I deserved it. In hindsight, Jason and I never should have convinced Gareth and Wyatt to stay quiet about Dr. Granger. Wyatt had tried to warn us about the doctor after my first visit, but Jason had been confident he had the situation under control, and I’d been too desperate for a cure to question it.

  “I’m really sorry…about everything.”

  Lana nudged him and Adam sighed. “You’re not the first one to think you could handle Nero on your own. I hope we’ve all learned that we’re stronger as a Pack than as lone wolves.”

  Gareth tugged my hand. “Let’s grab some lunch.”

  I almost smiled. Small talk and changing the subject were still not Gareth’s strong suit. I embraced Lana and Madeleine. “See you soon.”

  Lana and Madeleine waved good-bye. “Soon for sure.”

  Adam and Gareth got in a quick man-hug before Adam turned my way and held me tight. Against my ear he whispered, “I’ve never seen Gareth so human. You’re magic.”

  “I can hear every word.” Gareth crossed his arms over his chest, but his gruff tone didn’t match the light in his eyes.

  Adam pulled back, chuckling as he turned to face Gareth. “Good. She is magic, isn’t she?”

  Gareth nodded, his gaze locked on mine. “She sure is.”

  My cheeks heated up. I nudged Adam with my shoulder. “Okay enough.”

  Gareth grinned and my body tingled with warmth. He definitely needed to smile more.

  He took my hand. “See you guys soon.”

  I waved to them as we headed for the Harley. On our way back from Lake Tahoe, we’d called Jason and planned to visit Wyatt. Now that we were putting on our helmets and getting on the bike, the sadness seeped into my skin.

  Gareth patted my thigh with his gloved hand. “Ready?”

  I wasn’t sure I’d ever be ready to see Wyatt Ayers in a coma. I slid my arms around Gareth’s waist, my body pressed tight against his. “Yeah.”

  The engine started. No turning back now.

  …

  We stopped for sandwiches on the way. Since I’d been bitten and converted into a werewolf, my appetite had multiplied until I was pretty sure I could out-eat a lumberjack. But I didn’t seem to be gaining any weight, so there was a little perk.

  I’d never been to Wyatt and Sarah’s house before. The few times we’d met it had been at Adam’s horse ranch. They lived on the edge of Lake Stanley, their sprawling home nestled within the shade of mature pine and oak trees. We rolled up their brick driveway and I did my best not to get slack jawed.

  “I thought Wyatt was an animal vet.”

  Gareth turned off the Harley and nodded as he pulled off his helmet. “He still is, but Sarah owns a commercial real estate firm. She makes the big bucks.”

  I got off the bike and laid my helmet on the seat. “They have a beautiful home.”

  He nodded. “Wait until you see the inside.”

  I hesitated.

  “What’s wrong?” He frowned, coming closer.

  While my mate had gotten better about controlling his emotions around me so my empathic abilities didn’t have me climbing the walls, Sarah and Jared had not.

  “Just give me a second to collect myself. I’ve gotta keep a clear head or I won’t be able to shield myself from their emotions. They’re already hitting me and we’re still outside.”

  Gareth glanced at the front door and back to me. “If this is too much, I can tell Jason you aren’t feeling well.”

  “No. I owe it to Jason to see how his father is doing and apologize to his family.”

  “This wasn’t your fault.”

  “Maybe not directly. But still…”

  The door opened. We both turned. Jason jogged down the steps toward us. Being a doctor by profession, his feelings were buried under a blanket of calm. He walked past Gareth and pulled me into his arms. My wolf stirred, but I wrapped my arms around him anyway, reminding my wolf that he was a member of our Pack.

  A brother. Nothing more.

  He stepped back, searching my eyes. “How are you feeling? Gareth told me you had a nosebleed this last time. Any headaches?”

  “Not really.” I shook my head. “But there was more going on than just the nosebleed. When I snapped at you, if you hadn’t backed off, I think I would’ve attacked you.”

  “Aggression is one of the side effects, too. It’s safe to surmise that the last shift was triggered by fear. Your wolf recognized doctors as a threat, especially when Gareth fought with Dr. Granger.”

  I nodded slowly. “I started shifting in Virginia City after I found Gareth and Sebastian fighting. You could be on to something.”

  “This makes sense.” He glanced at Gareth and back to me. “The small dose of natural adrenaline that your body secretes when you’re upset ends up being all
it takes to send your wolf forward.”

  Gareth came to stand beside me, sliding his hand up my back slowly in support. “So we need to keep you happy and calm.”

  I looked up at him, a smile creeping up on me. “Happy works for me.”

  He bent to kiss my forehead. “I’ll do my best.”

  Jason glanced over his shoulder at the open front door. “Are you sure you’re up for this?”

  “As ready as I’ll ever be.” I walked past both of them, having no clue if I was really ready or not.

  Jason and Gareth followed. With my acute wolf hearing, I overheard Jason murmuring more details to Gareth about the link between my shifting and my emotional state. He was probably on to something, but the fact remained that my empathic abilities made it impossible for me to live in a bubble. Even if I wasn’t the one upset, my strongest mental shields couldn’t protect me from the emotions of others.

  Jared met me inside the door. I didn’t know him very well, but the pain and sadness coming off of him in waves hurt my heart.

  “I’m so sorry, Jared.”

  “Thanks.” He stepped back to let me pass. “Dad’s in the downstairs guest room. I’ll show you the way.”

  I wanted to hug him, but I’d learned over the years that just because I sensed someone’s emotions, many times it was an intrusion for me to console them. If he needed my comfort, he’d make the first move.

  The interior of the house was rustic, like the Sloan Consulting cabin in Lake Tahoe, but on a grander scale. After growing up in New York and New Jersey, the southwestern feel of the room should have been foreign to me, but something about the joining of the outdoor climate with the interior worked for me. Maybe it was the wolf inside of me, but the more time I spent in Reno, the more I wanted to settle in.

  The living room had a vaulted ceiling going two stories up with a large stone fireplace on the far wall. Hardwood floor covered the lower level with Navajo throw rugs adding some color, and the staircase had a custom banister, natural rugged Manzanita wood buffed until it shone a deep brick red. I caught myself wishing we were heading upstairs so I could run my fingertips along the gnarled banister.

  Instead of being cavernous and opulent, as the exterior suggested, Wyatt and Sarah’s home seemed warm and spacious. I followed Jared down a hallway lined with artwork depicting wild animals.