Red Moon Rising (14 page)

“Why not?”

She blinked at his bluntness.  “It’s complicated.”

“Explain it to me then.”  He leaned against the wall and
folded his arms across his chest.

She sighed.  “My brother hates the Lycans.  If he found out
I was sleeping with one he would be angry with me.  Worse – he would be
disappointed and hurt.”

“You’re a grown woman Bree.  You should stop letting people
tell you what to do.”  He frowned.

That made her laugh.  “You try and tell me what to do all
the time James.”

“I don’t.”  He protested.  “I just – I want to keep you
safe.”

“Aye, and so does my brother.  What is the difference?”

“The difference is that I do it because – “

He stopped and she watched as redness crept into his
cheeks. 

“Because what?”

He didn’t answer her.  Instead he gave her a look of
frustration.  “If you won’t join me in my bed then at least sleep in my room. 
You’ll freeze to death in here.”

“I won’t.  I have plenty of blankets and rocks.”  She
grinned at him.

He scowled at her.  “Rocks?  I have no idea what the hell
you’re talking about Bree but please, stay in my room.  I’ll sleep in another
room.”

“All the other rooms are full.”  She pointed out.

He grunted in frustration and stalked across the room.  He
pulled her up against him and cupped her face, rubbing his thumb across her
mouth.  “Then stay with me Bree.”

He kissed the tip of her nose and gave her a hopeful smile. 
“It’s lonely in my bed without you.”

She was so close to giving in.  His voice and warm hands
were breaking down her defenses.  As he tilted his head down to kiss her, she
closed her eyes and parted her lips.  Immediately, the image of Martine kissing
him invaded her mind, and she opened her eyes and pushed free of his arms.

He looked at her with barely-concealed frustration, and she
could feel anger seeping into her.  After years of fear and anxiety, she
welcomed the foreign feeling.  It felt so good to feel something other than
fear.  She folded her arms across her chest and glared at him.

“I’m sure you can find someone else to warm your bed.”

“What are you talking about?”  He said innocently.

She raised her eyebrows at him.  “I was in the common room
when Martine kissed you James.”

He blushed.  “Martine and I are old friends.  I’ve known her
since I was a pup.  She’s just a very friendly girl.”

She snorted and rolled her eyes.  “Yes, very friendly.”

“Bree, I swear there isn’t anything going on between Martine
and me.  I haven’t even seen her in nearly a year and – “

“Really?  Because she kissed you like something was going on
between you.”

“If I had known she – “

“Have you slept with her?”  She interrupted him.

He gave her a hesitant, cautious look and her heart
plummeted to her feet.  He had slept with her; it was written all over his
face.  The question had popped out of her mouth before she could stop it, and
now she wished bitterly that she had kept her big mouth shut.

“I have.”  He said quietly.  “But it was only once and I
didn’t mean to do it.”

“Didn’t mean to?  How exactly do you accidentally have sex
with someone?”  She asked bitterly.

He flushed.  “It was three years ago.  Martine was visiting
and it was during the moon cycle.  I was young and impulsive, and it’s harder
for Lycans to resist the urge to mate when the moon is full.”

When she only stared at him, he sighed and rubbed his hand
through his hair.  “Martine has always had a crush on me.  I should not have
slept with her that night but I was weak and – “

He stopped and gave her a pleading look.  “I knew it was a
mistake immediately.  The next morning I apologized to Martine for what had
happened, and told her it could never happen again.  She said it was fine but
she does have a tendency to be um, over-exuberant in her greetings.”

“It was only once.”  He finished softly. 

“She wants it to happen again.”  Bree pointed out.

“But I don’t.”  James said firmly.  “I want you.”

He reached for her and she backed up.  “I can’t James.  Once
I rescue my brother, the sex between us would have to end anyway.  I’ve already
betrayed him once by sleeping with you.  I can’t keep betraying him.”

“Bree – “

“Please go.”  She whispered.  Her anger and jealousy had
faded, leaving her feeling tired and depressed and she wanted to be left alone.

“How do I know you won’t sneak away in the night?”  He
suddenly asked.

“I promised your mother I wouldn’t.”  She gave him a weary
smile.  “Good night James.  I’ll see you in the morning.”

He hesitated in the doorway, giving her one last look of
longing mixed with frustration.  “If you get too cold in the night, come to my
room.  You can sleep in my bed and I’ll sleep in this room okay?”

She nodded.  “Yes, thank you.”

“Bree, come sit with us.”  Dani waved at her from across the
room, and Bree smoothed her skirt down before sitting on the couch next to the
young blonde woman.

Dani put her arm around her and grinned at her.  “The skirt
fits!”

“Yes.  Thank you.  It’s very lovely.”  Bree smiled.

“You’re welcome.  It looks way better on you than me
anyway.  Don’t you think Martine?”

The brunette gave a short nod and a strained smile.  She was
looking out the window, and Bree knew just from the look on her face that James
was outside.

Dani rolled her eyes at Bree.  “Martine is obsessed with my
cousin.  They have sex once and she thinks they’re betrothed.”

“Shut up Dani.”  Martine said without tearing her gaze from
the window.

“Martine, you know he only had sex with you because it was
the full moon.”

She turned to Bree and snorted disdainfully.  “The Lycans
are ridiculous during the full moon.”

“It’s more than that.  He’s just distracted right now.” 
Martine gave her a hurt look.  “Besides, it is almost the full moon.  He won’t
be able to resist me.  You know he won’t.”  A small pleased grin crossed her
face, and she hugged herself happily before looking out the window once more.

Bree swallowed down the surge of jealousy that went through
her.  She studied Martine.  The girl was pretty in a soft and curvy kind of
way.  Her dark hair and dark eyes complimented her tanned skin nicely, and she
had full breasts and hips.

She stared down at her own thin body.  Her breasts were
small and even after nearly two months of regular meals, she would never have
hips or a full bottom.  She looked like a boy compared to Martine and she
sighed softly. 

Martine was right – James wouldn’t be able to resist her
during the full moon.  And now that he knew there was no future with her, why
should he resist Martine.  She was beautiful and seemed nice.  She was a Lycan
and she certainly wasn’t afraid of her own shadow like Bree was.  She could
probably lift a sword easily.

“Bree?  What’s wrong?”  Dani frowned at her.

“Nothing.  I’m so glad I’ve met you Dani.”  Bree said.  She
meant it.  She had bonded quickly with the young woman over the last three
days.  Of course, it was nearly impossible not to like her.  Dani was sweet
like Maya but with a wicked sense of humour like Marshall’s, and she had a
carefree attitude that Bree both admired and coveted.

“I’m glad we’ve become friends too Bree!”  Dani kissed her
on the cheek with a loud smacking sound.  “I’ve already asked mama if you can
come to our house and stay with us for a while.”

“Oh, I – that’s very nice of you.”  Bree said hesitantly. 
She didn’t know how to tell Dani that once she rescued her brother, he would
take her away from the Lycans and she would never see any of them again.  It
wasn’t something she could share with her anyway.  Dani was sweet and kind but
she had lived a sheltered life.  She had no idea of the hardships that others had
faced.  Bree hoped she never would.

She frowned as something Dani said earlier sunk in.  “Dani? 
What do you mean ‘the Lycans’?  Are you – are you not a Lycan?”

Dani shook her head.  “Nope, I’m as human as you and mama. 
I didn’t get any of the Lycan genes.  Mama says it’s probably because daddy is
only half-Lycan himself.  Of course, Doran can shift and we shared her womb for
the gods sake.”

“Really?”

“Yep.  Doran started shifting when he was two but I never
did.”

“Does it bother you that he can shift and you can’t?”  Bree
asked curiously.

“No.  I like being just like mama.  I never have any trouble
controlling my emotions during the full moon, or wrecking my clothes when I
shift.”

Bree giggled.  “I never really thought about the clothes
being ruined.”

Dani grinned at her.  “Dad said it nearly drove mama crazy
when Doran was a toddler.  For a while there she just let him run around naked
because he was constantly shifting and tearing his clothes apart.”

Bree frowned.  “Is that normal?”

Martine turned around.  “No.  Doran had a harder time
learning to control the shift because he is only a quarter Lycan.”

There was a thin note of condescension in her voice, and
Dani immediately rose to her brother’s defense.  “He controls the shift just
fine now Martine.  Besides, if you get your wish and marry my cousin, none of
your children will be full Lycans.  James is half-human remember.”

When Martine just sniffed in reply, Dani turned back to
Bree.  “Aunt Avery said your parents died?”

“Yes.  They were robbed and murdered while they were
traveling home one night.”

“I’m sorry.”  Dani said quietly.  “Do you have any
siblings?”

Bree was saved from answering when Martine stood and began
to pace back and forth in the common room.  “This is so boring.  I’m going out
to talk with the boys.”

“Talk with James you mean.”  Dani snickered.  “And see how
many times you can touch him before he runs away.”

“Shut up Dani!”  Martine snapped.  Her eyes glowed a deep
yellow, and she bared her teeth and growled at Dani before flouncing from the
room.

Bree gave Dani a look of wide-eyed fear.  Dani patted her
knee.  “Don’t be afraid Bree.  She’s just grumpy because there are only two
days until the full moon.  The Lycans always get – “ she paused and giggled,
“horny and kind of grumpy before the full moon.  I guarantee you that mama and
dad, and Aunt Avery and Uncle Tristan will spend most of tomorrow in their
beds.”

She made a face.  “Which is kind of gross but that’s what
happens when you live with Lycans.  All of the Lycans will be moody as hell
tomorrow.  Mark my words.  Well, maybe not James if Martine gets her way. 
Which she might.  She got her way three years ago.”

Dani rolled her eyes.  “I am seriously so happy to be a
human.  Imagine not being able to control yourself just because the moon is
going to be full.  Ugh.”

“How long does it last?”  Bree asked.

“Just until after the hunt.”  Dani shrugged.  “They’ll come
back worn out and sleep the day away, and then they’ll be back to normal.  Mama
and I always – “

She stopped.  Bree had gone completely white and her entire
body was trembling. 

“Bree?  What’s wrong?”

“They go hunting?”  Bree whispered.

Dani nodded.  “Yes.  Every full moon.  All Lycans hunt on
the full moon Bree.  Didn’t you know that?”

Bree stood up on legs that felt like they were made of
wood.  “No, I didn’t know.  Excuse me, I – I have to go.”  She whispered
through numb lips.

She turned and lurched from the room as Dani stared in
confusion at her.

“Bree, wait!  What’s wrong?”  Dani chased after her but Bree
hurried into the kitchen and down the servant’s quarters, disappearing into her
room and slamming the door behind her.

Dani stood in the kitchen as Laura turned from where she was
standing at the sink and frowned at her.  “What’s wrong with Bree?”

“I don’t know.  I – I’d better find Aunt Avery.  Excuse me
please Laura.”

She ran out of the kitchen and straight into James.  She
bounced off of him and he caught her before she could fall to the floor.

“Dani?  What’s wrong?”  He asked.

“I don’t know.  Do you know where your mom is?  I think I
said something that upset Bree and I – “

“What did you say?”  James shook her roughly, his voice
harsh, and she frowned up at him. 

“You’re hurting my arms James.”

“I’m sorry.”  He let go of her and gave her a contrite
look.  “What were you and Bree talking about?”

“We were talking about Lycans and how you’re all so damn
moody before the full moon.  I said you would be fine after the hunt and that –
“

James groaned.  “Gods be damned.  Where is she Dani?”

“She ran to her room.  Should I go and find Aunt Avery?”

James hesitated.  “Yes, I think you’d better.  I’ll go and
talk to Bree now, but I think she’ll feel better if mom is there.”

* * *

He knocked gently on her door and then opened it.  “Bree?  Can
I come in?”

She looked up from where she was hurriedly packing her bag. 
“Get out of here James.”

He shook his head and entered the room, leaving the door
open to try and ease her fear.  “Listen to me honey.  What Dani said – “

She stepped back and reached for her sword.  She held it in
front of her and pointed it at his chest.  “I’m leaving and you can’t stop me. 
Dani told me about the hunt.”

“It’s deer Bree.”

“I thought you were different.  I thought that – wait
what?” 

“We hunt deer.  Not humans – deer.”

She stared at him for a moment, her entire body tense, and
then suddenly dropped the sword and collapsed on the bed.  She buried her face
in her hands and rocked back and forth as he approached her gingerly and sat
down beside her.

“I’m sorry honey.  I should have told you we hunt during the
full moon.  It was foolish of me to forget.  I promise you that we only hunt
for deer and only during the full moon.”

He rubbed her back tentatively, and she surprised him by
dropping her hands from her face and leaning against him.  “I’m sorry.”  She
whispered.  “I should have known better than to think that you would…”

She trailed off and looked up at him.  “I’m so sorry.”

“You have nothing to be sorry about.”  He smiled at her and
wiped away the tears that were visible on her cheeks.  “With your history, it’s
not surprising that learning that we hunt would frighten you.”

“How – how are you feeling?”  She asked cautiously.  This
was the closest she had been to him in three days, and she was finding it difficult
not to throw herself at him.

“Fine, why?”  He asked.

She stared at his mouth.  Dani had said the Lycans would be
horny.  She wondered if he was, wondered if he was anxious to kiss her and
touch her and strip her naked.  Her eyes dropped to his chest.  She could see just
a hint of his chest hair, and she clenched her hands into tight fists to stop
herself from touching it.

“Bree?”  James’ voice was worried and she raised her eyes to
his.  “Are you okay?”

“Fine.”  She licked her lips as she returned to staring at
his mouth.  He has such nice lips, she thought dimly.  Her nipples hardened
against her shirt as she pictured his mouth pulling gently on them.  His tongue
would be warm and would –

“Bree, stop looking at me like that, for the gods sake.”  James’
whispered.

She dragged her gaze from his mouth and back to his eyes.  A
soft moan escaped her throat.  They were completely green, and she could almost
see the beard growing on his cheeks.

“James.”  She whispered, nearly pleaded, and he groaned and cupped
the back of her skull.

He bent and placed a soft kiss at the corner of her mouth. 
“You smell good Bree.”  He murmured.

He sucked her lower lip into his mouth and traced it with
his tongue, as her hands pressed against his chest.

“I’ve missed you.”  He breathed before covering her mouth
completely with his.  Bree moaned and kissed him back.  He gripped the back of
her neck and massaged it gently as one big hand rested on her thigh.  He rubbed
her leg through her skirt, and she didn’t protest when he slipped his hand
under her skirt and traced the bare skin of her thigh.

He pushed his hand between her thighs and stroked her
through her panties.  Her soft gasp was swallowed by his mouth, and she pressed
herself closer to him as he traced the edge of her panties and then worked his
fingers under them.

He touched her lightly, and she moaned with eager
anticipation when his finger parted her wet lips and rubbed gently at her
clit.  She was soaking wet and he bit her lip lightly before whispering,
“You’ve missed me as well little one.”

“Aye.”  She moaned.  “I have.”

“Good.”  He kissed her firmly, stroking her tongue with his
as he circled her clit with his rough fingers. 

He was starting to press her backwards onto the bed when
Avery came hurrying into the room, followed by Maya and Vivian.

“Bree, do not be frightened.  They don’t – “

She stopped abruptly and staggered forward when Maya ran
into her back.  She gave James and Bree a look of embarrassment.  “Oh, I’m so
sorry.”

Bree, her face flaming, pushed James’ hand out from under
her skirt and stood up.  “Avery, I – “

Avery, her own face red, turned and pushed both Maya and
Vivian from the room.

As their footsteps echoed down the hall, Bree covered her
face with her hands.  She was utterly mortified.

“Little one?”  James voice carried a hint of laughter, and
she lowered her hands and glared at him.

“Stop laughing James.”

He pressed his lips together in an effort to hide his grin. 
“I’m not.”

“Your mother and your aunt and your
grandmother
just
caught us with your hand up my skirt!”  She hissed at him.

“It could have been worse.  They could have caught me
fucking you.”  He said blithely.

Her mouth dropped open and she blinked in astonishment at
him.

“What?”

“You – you’ve never spoken like that in front of me before.” 
She whispered.

“Does it bother you?”  He asked.

She studied him carefully, wondering if she should tell him
the truth.  Fuck was a coarse word, a word that described the act of lovemaking
in a crude way, and she felt like she should be offended by it.  Instead, her
pelvis was throbbing with renewed lust and she wanted him to say it again.  The
way it sounded coming from his mouth brought forth delicious images of his
large body between her thighs, of his rough hands manipulating her body into the
positions he wanted her in so that he could -

“Does it little one?  Tell me the truth.”  He said.