Midnight Moonrising (Moonrising #2)(85)

"We thought it was the best way to protect, Mena," Roel said.

Heather jumped to her feet and stared down at her husband, anger swiftly flaring in her eyes. "Wait, are you telling me that you're linked to the moonrising wolf?" When he didn't deny it, a hand flew up to cover her mouth as tears filled her eyes. "Why?" she screamed, and then she slapped him across the face before he could respond.

She was just about to slap him again when Phoenix rushed across the room and grabbed her, pinning her arms down to her sides. Silver flashed in her irises and a low growl bubbled from her throat, but Phoenix didn't back down or let her go.

"Calm down, Heather. If that moonrising wolf wins, there will be worse things than death in store for all of us. I wasn't sure who of your pack were traitors, so I chose a few I thought I could trust. Nobody within our circle is able to cause her physical harm without bringing upon them the same wrath, and neither can the wolf hurt us without the same happening to her. She is aware of this. As vile as she is, she won't hurt us."

Her eyes returned to a deep honey brown and Phoenix let her go.

Tracy was there beside him when he took a step back, and then she enveloped her friend in comforting arms and let her weep for an uncertain future.

To Phoenix, Tracy seemed stronger, intelligent, too, and he wondered if the girl had already figured everything out before she was told or if she was a realist, like him, and expected the worst in every situation, never worrying about anything until something actually happened. He didn't know, but he was grateful she was there for her friend. He only knew how to give facts. Even he had to admit that maybe he was too blunt at times when those facts were delivered.

Brad moved in to hug his girl, and all Phoenix could think about was comforting Mena. He knew the hell she was going through, and it killed him that he couldn't take her pain away. In fact, he had told her to let it happen. Locking her in a cell would have been a better idea, and he still wasn't positive he wouldn't resort to doing that before their time was up.

"Let's call it a day," Heath said. "I'll be better at communicating and negotiating after I've had some sleep."

"Yeah," Phoenix agreed. "I think we could all use some rest to recharge. Leave me a binder. If I wake up before you five get back, I'll start making calls."

"I'm staying here," Roel said. "I just need a bed or a couch to crash on for a few hours."

"Good," Phoenix said. "You can go up and make sure the garage and gate are secure after they leave. Jaxon took Lea to a hotel. I'm going to need you to relieve him tonight so he can feed."

Roel raised an eyebrow.

Phoenix shook his head. "Long story, but you can sleep in his room that is adjacent to mine."

Seeming to accept that, Roel followed Brad, Heath, Heather and Tracy out, pulling the door closed on his way out.





v''''v





Mena





I did as Phoenix asked and didn't think about what had gone on at the witches' cottage. Instead, every time my thoughts attempted to wander in that direction, I would think about how much I missed him.

Rolling to my back in Alex's bed, I realized there were only rumpled sheets and emptiness beside me. That was a relief. For some reason my wolf had retreated to the far corners of my mind and let me have full reign. I could only guess the previous night's activities with the detective had worn her out, but I wasn't about to complain; being trapped inside my head was driving me insane.

I guessed she wasn't too worried about me running away, since my clothes were nowhere to be found.

A delicious smell wafted through the open doorway and my stomach grumbled in response.

I scrunched up my nose as I looked around the room and tried to decide on my next move. If I wrapped the sheet around me, that might suggest to Alex that I wanted morning sex. I could always put on several layers of his clothing and feign sickness of some kind, telling him that I had a fever and was possibly contagious. What sort of virus lasted three weeks? Hmmm…

"Mena—"

I jerked and let out a scream as I clutched the sheet to my throat when Alex interrupted my inner conversation with myself. I prayed what I was thinking wasn't displayed on my face, but his wide eyes only told me that I had surprised him with my outburst.

I laughed lightly. "I'm sorry, Alex. I just woke up. I guess I was still a little disoriented. It took me a minute to figure out where I was."

The dimple in his right cheek grew deeper when he grinned at me, and I noted that it was one of my favorite features on him. I was a dimple girl.

He stayed by the door, waiting for me to make this even more awkward than it already was. I didn't want him to feel awkward. It was okay that I did, but none of this was his fault. He was just a man interested in a woman, a man that had no clue of the hell storm he was getting himself into.


"My clothes?" I asked.

His expression didn't change as he responded to my question. "They're in the dryer."

My brow rose. "My leather pants and jacket are in the dryer?"

He laughed. "No, but the tank and your underwear are. They should be finished soon. They'll probably swallow you, but I can get you a t-shirt and some jogging pants until your clothes are done."