Page 11 of Under the Moonlight

Since losing his family, he’d dreamed of finding a mate, having some kids and starting to live again. But that would entail settling down and he’d been on the move for so long, he didn’t even know if he could stay in one place. If he could be normal again after snuffing out so many lives. They were all vicious killers, but still.

Xander rolled down the windows, taking in the sights and smells as he drove down the two-lane mountain road that led into the heart of Moonlight Ridge. He caught a whiff of cookies baking in an oven. Of wet pine trees and rich soil.

And a dead body just as he hit the bottom of the mountain.

It couldn’t be Kelsey. They would have taken her to the morgue by now, or there would have been more cops around. This had to be new…and fresh.

Xander slowed his truck and pulled off onto a side road. Once he parked, he hopped out and followed the scent through the trees. He kept downwind as he approached, and when he slipped between two pines, he found the remains of a man with dark hair and a stocky build.

It was Greer’s ex-boyfriend. His lifeless gaze stared up at the sky, pale with death. The front of his shirt and jacket were stained red and Xander stared at the way his ribs had been broken like crab legs, opening him up for his killer. He squatted next to the body and breathed in…

There was no trace of Pax. Only wolf.

Dakota.

This couldn’t be a random kill. Greer’s friend from the diner and now this? Had they been following him? If so, what was their end game?

Icy fear gripped his hair, cutting off his breath.

He had to make sure Greer was okay.

Running back to his truck, he realized too late that he wasn’t alone. He’d let his guard down and turned just as Dakota launched herself from the left. Her black fur caught the sun, gleaming red as she flew at him, her mouth opened in a snarl.

He barely managed to roll out of the way. Coming up on the balls of his feet, he crouched, staring into her gleaming yellow eyes.

“Hello, bitch. Been lookin’ for you.”

The muscles in her body contorted as she shifted. Xander fingered the hunting knife strapped to his belt. It would be so easy to kill her when she was most vulnerable, the way she’d slaughtered his family, but he wasn’t like them. He wanted her to pay and that meant taking her out fairly. Besting her.

When she was finally human again, she stood straight, cracking her neck with her eyes closed. Her long auburn hair flowed down over her shoulders, brushing the curves of her hips.

He almost appreciated the view—if he hadn’t wanted her dead. She finally opened her eyes with a feral smile, the hazel orbs shining with malice.

“I almost had you, dog. What’s the matter? Didn’t like my present?”

Xander flipped open the clasp of his knife and gripped the handle. “I don’t know what your game is, but you’re out of time. I’d be willing to grant you an honorable death if you’d step up and stop hiding behind your boss.”

Dakota laughed, tossing back her head. “Oh, please. You’re offering me mercy? The only thing you’re going to give me is a blank stare when I rip out your throat.”

“You think you’re going to win this? I’ve already taken out five of your crew. Do you really think Pax is going to have your back?”

A shadow crossed her face, erasing her smile. “Pax loves me.”

“If that’s the truth, then why hasn’t he made you his mate?”

Dakota gnashed her teeth. “Fuck you.”

“You don’t mean anything to him. He’s going to use you like he does everyone else and then when you’re no longer useful, he’ll dispose of you.”

“Your concern is touching.”

He scoffed. “I just want you to know before I slit your throat that you gave up your life for a worthless piece of shit.”

He could tell that his words struck a nerve as her face crumpled. Even sociopaths fell in love it seemed.

She finally found her composure. “I just stopped to say hello. There’s big things coming your way. You’ve been waging war for years. Let’s see how you feel being hunted.”

Before he could stop her, she was racing back through the trees.

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