Page 13 of Ruthless Moon

The only decent person in this house is Meredith Banfield. And I don’t even know why she’s here, or why my father has guards posted outside her bedroom. All I know is that Finn is dating her daughter. And shortly after that started, Meredith appeared in our home.

But I don’t care and I don’t question a good thing when I have one. Meredith is the only good person I have in my life. And I want to talk to her and share my cake.

I march up the east stairs and into a large casual living space. There are usually at least two enforcers on guard duty here. Typically they sit at the little table near the fireplace. Tonight the table shows signs of their presence—cards, drinks—but no men.

My wolf bristles beneath my skin. Something is wrong.

I pause and sniff the air. I smell my father’s men, but I don’t see them. And I smell two male wolves I don’t recognize.

Bad. This is bad.

I run the rest of the way, bursting into Meredith’s room. Her giant four-poster bed is empty. The room is dark except for the bedside lamp being on. There’s a book laid open on the comforter.

Air whooshes from my lungs and my heart slams into my aching ribs. She’s not here. I can’t hear her. I use my wolf’s abilities. There’s nothing. No heartbeat.

Did someone hurt her? I don’t smell blood, but I check the bathroom.

Nothing.

I toss the cake box onto the bed and then follow the foreign scent trail out of the bedroom, across the living space, and down a side hallway.

I stop at the window at the end. The scent ends here, but this picture window doesn’t open. I put my hand against the glass. It shifts and I jump back.

Someone pulled the entire window frame loose to get inside.

I touch the glass again and push a little harder. The window rotates like a revolving door and I slip through into the darkness, shedding my clothes and my human form in the next breath.

I’m less noticeable as a wolf. Quieter. Stealthier.

Usually guards are posted along the fence surrounding the house, but I don’t see them. Whoever incapacitated the men upstairs also got the sentries.

My father is going to lose his shit. Terror grows roots in my stomach.

I follow the scent trail through the moonlit forest. My paws make no sound in the soft undergrowth. My heightened animal senses take note of every movement, every tiny animal rustling, every wing flap of an owl flying overhead, and the muffled sounds of angry, whispered growls straight ahead.

Moments later I emerge into a clearing where four men stand, not just the two I’ve been following by scent. Two other men hold Meredith’s kidnappers at gunpoint, and one of them is Liam.

Fucking hell.What’s Liam doing here? On my father’s property? He’s going to get killed. I can handle a lot, but my father finding him and killing him isn’t on that list.

The two men who broke into the house and took Meredith have their backs to me and one of them has her thrown over his shoulder like a bag of flour.

“Tell your backup to fuck off,” Liam growls at the man holding Meredith.

“Backup?”

“Jace, there’s a wolf behind us,” the second kidnapper answers, his voice low and calm.

Meredith wriggles on his shoulder and yells something through the rag stuffed into her mouth.

I knew she would recognize me. Months after she moved into our home I confided in her. I’d told her I was Moonbound. I’d shown her my wolf. She’s one of the only people in the world I trust not to hurt me. And I would protect her with my life.

Will protect her.

“Dude, she’s not with us. Just me and my brother are here for the witch.”

Witch?Why would he call Meredith a witch? Are witches real? I mean, werewolves are real, so maybe it’s not that far of a stretch to have witches too.I dismiss my questions quickly. I’ll have plenty of time to think on it later. Right now, I need them to let my friend go.

I step closer, bare my teeth, and snarl at the man holding my friend hostage. Nobody is taking Meredith, witch or not. That’s all I can focus on right now. Saving Meredith. I need to save Meredith.

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