Page 46 of Moonlighting with the Werewolf

“You can’t beat yourself up for the past, Conall. You did what was necessary to survive.”

“Enough sob stories,” I said, refusing to continue down this path. I strode over to the motorcycle and handed her the helmet without looking back.

Kerrigan skirted my extended arm and squeezed herself between me and the bike. She bracketed my face with her hands, steady and unmovable as I usually was, until I dropped my gaze to hers. “I’m sorry,” she said. “For what happened, and for pushing. I can’t imagine how hard it must’ve been to lose so many people you loved.”

“Sounds like you’ve experienced loss yourself.”

Kerrigan shrugged a shoulder, fidgeting now that the spotlight had been turned on her. “It wasn’t nearly as traumatic.” She told me about her mother and grandmother,giving me a brief snapshot of her background. “Like I said, I miss my grandma, but she lived a long, full life.”

“It doesn’t make it any easier.”

A sad smile ghosted her lips. “You’re right. That’s why you should grant yourself more grace. I’ve seen the way you take care of your pack. You’re a good guy, Conall Shaw.”

I grunted, disliking that as much as when she’d called me reasonable. “You’re getting the wrong idea about me, sweetheart, and that’s only gonna lead to disappointment. As you’ve pointed out yourself, I’m an unreasonable asshole. I’m possessive, volatile, and downright ruthless if a situation calls for it. Plus, I’m about as stubborn as you are, and that’s saying a lot.”

Kerrigan canted her head. “You’re wrong. Well, maybe not about all of it, but you’re wrong about me not seeing you for who you are. Yes, you’re cocky and moody and one of the most frustrating people I’ve ever met.”

“You forgot sexy,” I said, doing my best to lighten the mood and distract her from the fact that I had valid reasons to warn her away. How’d we go from the incredible session in the cave to this?

One corner of her mouth quirked up, and she tipped onto her toes and softly kissed my lips. “Super sexy. You’re hung like a werewolf, too.” The other side of her mouth got in on the smile. “You’re fiercely protective, plus you’re funny and smart. You’re tough but kind. Occasionally harsh but fair. You see me for me and make me feel safe, physically and emotionally. I’m not scared to be me around you, either. Which is why?—”

The trill of my cell cut her off, and I dug into the saddlebag to silence it. But then I saw Nissa had called three times, as well as left a voicemail, and Sasquatch had also tried to reach me. “Fuck. I’m so sorry, Kerrigan. There must be some kind of emergency.”

“Go ahead. I understand.”

Since I couldn’t rewind time and take the call, I scanned through the messages, praying Nissa was overreacting.

Ignoring the fact that Sasquatch hardly reacted, so a call meant...

Another sigil trap. Nissa’s voice cut in and out, the crackle of electricity obviously messing with her signal. While I missed who’d been ensnared, the swearwords she peppered throughout the message came through crystal clear.

Location was the most important detail, and I had that much, so I instructed Kerrigan to climb onto the motorcycle and then plunked the helmet on her head. I fired up the engine and sped down the trail. I called Nissa back, but between the roar of the engine and the static still interfering with her phone, the conversation was spotty at best. Finally, I just yelled that I’d be there as soon as possible.

My gut knotted as I debated my two super-shitty options.

Did I risk Kerrigan’s safety by heading directly to where Nissa and a handful of my soldiers were struggling to break the sigil trap? Or did I drop her off at the compound and further endanger the life—or lives—of one of my pack members?

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

The instantthe sigil trap burst, I didn’t let myself slow or drop to the ground despite the searing pain and ringing in my ears. I ignored the burns on my arms and legs and scooped up Elias.

“I got my post covered like you told me to...”Wheeze.“Almost caught the witch, but...” Elias’s eyes drooped, and his chest heaved. “Saw the trap. Couldn’t let Gideon...”

The amount of self-loathing flowing through my veins hurt worse than my injuries, and with each second that Elias didn’t gasp for another gulp of air, more of it pumped through my body.

Later I’d question Gideon about what exactly happened. All that mattered now was getting Elias to the compound, so I tightened my grip on Elias and raced toward the Jeep. Several people tried to keep pace, but even with the kid in my arms, few could keep up.

“Need me to drive?” Tyrese asked as I carefully maneuvered Elias into the backset, where Diego was ready and waiting. He tugged as I heaved, and as soon as Elias’s feet were clear, I slammed the door closed.

“Nah, I got it.” No one drove as fast or as well as I did, and the kid was my responsibility. His injuries, my fault.

If I’d only gotten there sooner...

In order to shave a mile off the trip, I cut across the meadow, asking mother nature to forgive me this one time and vowing to reseed it myself.

As long as Elias survived, I’d do anything.

The shocks complained as we bumped along the knotted path through the trees meant for hikers, the screech of tree branches so loud they drowned out everything but the panic screaming through me.

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