Page 10 of Under the Moonlight

Greer nudged Jill’s knee with her toe. “Come on, you know you’re the best thing that ever happened to me. I love you.”

“Ugh, you’re grossing me out!” Jill grabbed one of Greer’s throw pillows and threw it at her.

“Hey, watch it! I am injured, and I happen to like all of my knick knacks not broken.”

Jill tossed whatever almonds were left in her hand into her mouth and scooted closer. Before Greer knew what she was about to do, Jill was hugging her gently.

“I love you and I’m glad y

ou’re okay,” Jill mumbled around her mouthful.

“Thank you, my disgusting friend,” Greer said, squeezing her back.

When Jill pulled away, Greer caught her sly grin. “Hey, maybe if you’re feeling up to it this weekend we can go out. Maybe hit the dollar longneck night at Howlers.”

“Howlers Bar and Grill is a meat market.”

“You say that like it’s a bad thing.”

Greer laughed. “It is a bad thing!”

“No, you see, we show up looking smoking hot and men pull out their wallets and buy us beers! That is what is awesome about it.”

“Okay, you are making my head ache again. You’re supposed to be making me feel better.”

Jill sighed as she stood up. “Alright, whiner. Your choice…” she picked up two DVD’s from the entertainment center and flipped them around so Greer could see them. “Swayze or Bacon?”

Normally, she’d go with Swayze, but Kevin Bacon’s blue eyes was really appealing right now.

“Let’s hear it for the boy.”

8

On Friday morning, Xander opened his front door and before he stepped out, he noticed the newspaper on the step. He picked it up and sniffed it, growling low when the familiar scent of Pax’s musk drifted up his nasal passages. The son of a bitch had left this for him, but why?

Xander flipped the paper over and stared at the red pen circling the front-page article.

Local Girl Found with her Throat Ripped Out.

Moonlight Ridge Police Chief Carson Mitchel announced that the body of twenty-six-year old Kelsey Mackintosh had been discovered late Thursday night in the woods behind her home. Preliminary reports suggest that Kelsey was attacked by a Mountain Lion while trying to save her horse from the cat. Police are warning the public not to travel alone and be aware of their surrounding while hiking and camping until the animal is found.

Below the article in red ink, Pax had written, She sure was tasty. Not as good as your mom, though.

Xander crumpled the paper in his hand, white hot rage coursing through his veins. The bastard was taunting him, and he was going to be very sorry when Xander caught him. If he thought the rest of his crew had suffered, he was in for a surprise. Xander had saved the best for last.

Xander tossed the paper in the trash can on the way to his truck. He needed to find them before more bodies piled up.

The only issue was if Xander showed their picture to people and then he disposed of them, the authorities would be all over his ass. He had to find them on his own, which meant tracking them.

But walking around like a human sniffing the air might look a little strange.

He got inside and started the truck, turning on the heater to defrost the windows. The cold really didn’t bother him as shifters ran hot, but he had to wear a jacket to at least keep up the appearance he was human.

When his windshield was clear, he pulled out of the drive and headed into Moonlight Ridge. Pax and Dakota had to be staying somewhere in town and had last been seen riding on a black Harley. He imagined they’d swapped the license plate if they still had it, since they seemed to be staying one step ahead of him.

As he passed by Greer’s street, his hand tightened on the steering wheel. It had been so tempting to ask for her number the other day, but he’d come so close to losing control when her ex had grabbed her, he was afraid. He needed to concentrate on Pax and Dakota and then, when it was all over, and his demons were put to rest, maybe…

He shook his head. It was stupid to think about the future when he wasn’t even sure he would last through tomorrow.

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