Turn of the Moon (A Royal Shifters novel Book 1) (8 page)

The trails were still covered in snow and would be until midsummer. Being able to work in the forests was one of the perks of being a ranger. I also wasn’t scared of running into bears like most of my coworkers. That was why Cedric and I always went to the deepest parts of the trails to inspect them before tourist season started.

“Anything up that way?” Cedric shouted. He stayed behind to clear off some broken limbs that had fallen from the trees above.

Glancing up ahead, there was a medium sized tree across the trail. “Yeah, but I got it. Stay where you are.” With our wolf strength, there hadn’t been a job on the trail I couldn’t handle. It didn’t take long to break the tree down and clear the trail.

“Do we have time to go further up?” Cedric asked, appearing over the rocky slope.

I looked at my watch. “Not today. We can finish up tomorrow.”

He hopped off the rocks onto the trail. “Sounds good to me. I could use a beer or twelve. Maybe even a night with Samantha.” Samantha was one of the waitresses at the bar, and one of his many conquests. One thing about being a wolf was that we couldn’t procreate with humans. If we could, Cedric would have over a hundred kids by now.

“Have fun with that. I’m pretty sure she slept with Emmett last weekend. It’s a good thing we don’t contract diseases.”

He guffawed. “Got that right. But I don’t give a shit who she fucks. She can suck a dick like a champ.”

Thoughts of Bailey ran through my mind and then I could feel her, poking around.
“Are you spying on me?”
I asked her.

“No, I was curious to see if distance played a factor in our connection. You know, like a cell phone if it’s out of range, it doesn’t work. How far away are you?”

“That depends, where are you?”

“I’m at Blake’s, getting ready to ride Nightshade.”

“Ah, letting another male between your legs. I’m jealous.”

“You should be, he’s a stallion.”

“Is Tyla riding with you?”

“No, she’s staying behind. One of Blake’s friends from North Carolina is here. Tyla thinks he’s hot. It wouldn’t surprise me if she asks you if she can turn him.”

I groaned, making Cedric look at me like I’d lost my mind.

“What’s wrong?” he asked.

“Nothing, just talking to Bailey.” Then to her I said,
“Tyla can ask all she wants, she’s not turning Blake or any of his friends. She can wait for her true mate, like everyone else.”

I could hear her laughing in my mind.
“She knows. I think she does it to get a rise out of you.”

“A giant pain in my ass is what she is.”
Tyla was a loyal wolf and a good friend. She was one of the only females in the pack who hadn’t tried to get me to mate them.

Bailey growled in my mind.
“I heard that. Surely they know about me and have backed the fuck off, right?”

“Well, angel, until you’re ready to mate with me, I’m technically fair game.”

“Then so am I.”
The connection went silent.

“I think I just pissed her off.” I chuckled, glancing at Cedric.

“I have no doubt. If I ever find my mate, she’s going to spend a great deal of time hating me; especially if she finds out how many women I’ve fucked. Does Bailey know about you?”

I knew what he was asking and I made sure to keep that part of my mind hidden away. “No, but I’m pretty sure she doesn’t want to know how many women I’ve been with. Just like I don’t care to know the details about the men she’s fucked.”

We were almost off the trail when my phone rang. I thought it was going to be Tyla, but it was Ian Randale, alpha of the Northwestern pack. “Ian, what’s going on, my man?”

“Nothing good. You have a problem heading your way.”

“Fuck me, are you serious?” I already knew what was going on.

“Dead serious. It was three wolves, asking if I’d seen a female Arctic wolf. When I asked why, they said it was pack business. Obviously, they didn’t get a scent of her so they left. I don’t know if they’re headed your way, but be prepared. They’re on the hunt.”

“Thanks for the heads up. I’ll inform my pack.” I hung up and immediately dialed Tyla’s number.

“What are you going to do?” Cedric asked.

“Something that’ll piss Bailey off if she finds out.”

“Then I suggest you not think about it.”

I waited for Tyla to answer her phone. “Easier said than done, my friend. You’ll find out one of these days.”

“Hey, what’s up,” she answered.

“Where’s Bailey?”

“Out riding, why?”

“Keep your eye on her. Ian called and said there were some wolves looking for her.”

“Okay, I won’t let her out of my sight. Are you going to tell her?”

“No. If I do, she’ll try to leave. Just act normal and we’ll do everything as planned. Tonight we’ll go out to the bar, tomorrow I’ll let her meet the pack, and then I’m taking her somewhere safe.”

“You’re leaving?”

“Only until the enemies pass us by.”

“We could always hide her so you don’t have to leave.”

“I wish we could, but it’s not going to work.” Not everyone knew why Bailey had come to us and if they did, they’d realize the greater threat.

“Why not?”

“Because . . . I know the wolves coming after Bailey.”

“How?”

“I used to be a part of their pack.”

Bailey

“T
hanks for letting me ride Nightshade,” I said to Blake.

He smiled and fetched a bucket of water from the hose. He’d told me all about how he grew up a city slicker and how Ryker and Tyla turned him into a cowboy. The stories of his undercover missions were amazing. Even though he wasn’t a shifter, he was one lethal human.

“He likes beautiful women riding him.”

Nightshade bumped me with his nose and I laughed. “I’ve never ridden a horse before.”

“Really? You look like a natural out there.”

“All right, Evans, no flirting with Ryker’s woman. He’ll skin you alive,” Tyla teased. Blake’s friend, Wyatt Erickson, walked in beside her. They’d been inseparable since we showed up. He was a good looking man, dressed in a pair of jeans, a polo shirt, with his light brown hair in messy spikes.

Blake winked at her. “I’m not scared. I’m sure his bark is worse than his bite.” We tried to hide our giggles at the comment and he looked sideways at us before continuing. “You gonna dance with me tonight?”

She smirked. “Maybe, if you buy me a drink.”

He leaned closer to me. “Why is she always so difficult?”

“Because I can be,” she replied, reaching for my hand. “And right now, I need to get this one home so she can get ready for the night.”

I scratched Nightshade’s ear and nuzzled him. “See you tomorrow, boy. That is, if it’s okay,” I said, glancing over at Blake.

“Come anytime. You’re always welcome. Wyatt and I will see you both tonight.”

Tyla and I said our goodbyes and got in her car. “What’s up with you and Wyatt?” I asked as we drove away.

She batted her eyelashes innocently. “Just some friendly flirting. He’s not exactly my type, but he sure is easy on the eyes.”

“So is Ryker. He told me you were the only one in the pack who hasn’t tried to get him to mate with you.”

“Oh hell, he told you that?”

“Is it true?”

She sighed. “Yes, but nothing ever happened. He never slept with any of them or promised them anything.”

“Will any of them try to challenge me?”

Eyes wide, she burst out in laughter. “Are you kidding me? They’d be stupid if they did that. Any wolf from a mile away could feel your power. I don’t plan on ever getting on your bad side.”

That was good to know.

She dropped me off at Ryker’s house just in time for him to pull up and see the several shopping bags in my hand. He got out of the car, followed by another wolf who was dressed in the same ranger uniform. He had dark blond hair and a smirk on his face; he was one of the six who kept watch over me.

“Bailey, this is Cedric, my second in command.”

I held out my hand. “Yes, I recognize the smirk.”

Cedric took my hand, roaring in laughter. “I guess you’re saying I look like my wolf?”

Ryker narrowed his gaze, studying Cedric’s face. “You’re right. He does.”

“Only the smile,” I added. “I remember it getting bigger when I sat out on the front porch, waiting for everyone to leave. I wanted to smack it off your face.”

“I’m sure that would’ve been quite interesting,” Cedric replied.

Ryker laughed. “If by interesting, you mean watching you run home with your tail between your legs . . . then yes.”

“Okay, if you two are done bashing me, I’m going to change clothes and meet you at the bar.”

I watched him walk past the house to another one on the other side of the field. “Does he live here too?”

Ryker’s arm brushed mine as he stood beside me. “He does. That’s his cabin out there. Some of the men in the pack are builders. They built everything you see here.” On Ryker’s land, there was the main ranch, a smaller cabin and two separate barns.

“Very nice. It looks like you have a lot of talent in your pack.”

“Our pack. And yes, we do.” He turned to face me. “Are you still mad at me?”

“I am,” I replied, crossing my arms over my chest.

He grinned. “Good. You’re sexy when you’re angry.”

“And you’re annoying.”

“Well, I’m probably about to annoy you even more. After you meet the pack tomorrow, we’re leaving.”

“Where to?”

“Somewhere safe, where no one can find you. If the Yukon pack comes, they’ll see you’re not here and move on. As soon as the threat’s gone, we can come back.”

“How am I going to travel? I don’t have anything to prove my identity.”

Taking my bags, he started for the door and I followed. “That’s why I’m going to talk to Blake tonight. He’ll help us out. Cedric will fill in as alpha if anyone were to come looking for you.”

“I can go on my own. You shouldn’t leave your pack,” I argued.

“And you need to stop being so stubborn. I thought you were adventurous. You can even pick the place you want to go. This is your chance to see more of the world. You’re not scared are you?” He was goading me.

I could hear the laughter inside his head, but I could also feel his hesitance. Something was wrong. “I’m not scared.”

“Then prove it,” he countered with a sly grin.

I stalked up to him, my body flush with his. “I will, even though I know you’re hiding something.” He looked to the side and I decided to let it go for now. “I know exactly where I want to go first.”