Alphas of Red Moon Ranch(83)

Holly slipped off her shoes to feel the blades of grass tickle her toes. She found she liked it better this way; she liked letting her feet sink into the summer-warmed ground. She continued deeper through the woods beyond the house, and the deeper she went, the darker it got. The trees grew thicker here, closer together, and they huddled over her and cut off the sun. Sunlight came in shafts through the trees, like the images she saw painted on the stained glass at church of holy light beaming in. In the back of her mind, the logical part of her knew that she should be afraid of getting lost in here. Already, when she looked behind her, she couldn’t tell where she’d come from.

Instead of fearful, however, she felt calm. At peace. She followed the trail of light and let the woods swallow her whole. Birds chirped and sang above her, small squirrels and chipmunks chased each other through the trees and over the ground, making the branches shudder. Holly closed her eyes and took in a breath; she could practically taste the deep earth, the life all around her.

And then she felt it. A breeze—no, a breath, riding up her neck. A stick crunched behind her and Holly’s eyes snapped open and she whipped around.

A bear. A full-grown, muscled black bear. Dark fur, white around the muzzle—not Jacob. So close that, when it leaned in to sniff her, its black nose nearly grazed her skin.

Holly couldn’t say anything for a second. Fear lumped in her throat and she couldn’t breathe, couldn’t swallow it down.

Then the bear bared its teeth and roared.





Chapter 68


Jacob’s truck rumbled to a stop a little ways outside Stoneridge Cliffs and he cut the engine. The truck lowered its voice to a purr and then went quiet. He’d go on foot from here to Miranda’s estate, just in case something had gone wrong. He wanted to get the jump on Miranda before she heard him coming. Outside, the birds fluttered by, oblivious.

“Stay here,” Jacob said as he pushed opened the driver’s door.

“I’m coming with you,” Trish said and pushed out her own door, following. Why did stubborn have to run in the family?

Jacob’s boots crunched against the gravel driveway as he turned around to point back at the truck. “Get back in the truck,” he said, voice stern, alpha. “Keep it running for when I come out.”

“Cayden won’t attack you if I’m there,” Trish said, holding her ground firmly. “Trust me.”

“You’re gonna drive me to an early grave,” Jacob growled and pushed forward. When he saw Trish hesitating, he snapped back, “C’mon, then.”

He heard her shoes kick up gravel as she hurried to catch up with him. Miranda’s estate loomed in front of them, all white pillars and haughty arrogance. He could smell cat everywhere; he could hear the not-so-distant crash of the waves against the cliffs below. They made their way to the front door and Jacob leaned against the window and glanced inside.

A light was on and he could smell him. Jacob’s nerves were resting on a pin. Here, ready for what might come, he no longer felt the urge to fight back his Beast. Instead, he felt it flow through his veins, a growl instead of a roar, humming inside of him, heightening his senses and honing his instincts.

He moved his hand to Trish’s side, gently pulling her out of the way. Then, he grabbed the doorknob, pressed his shoulder against the door, and shoved—

The hinge cracked and the door gave way, letting them in. Jacob shoved it aside and pressed in, stepping down the hall. Big house, pristine house. The lights were on and the TV was playing softly, but there was no sign of the cats.

“Come on out,” Jacob said as he stepped through, keeping close to the wall, just in case one of them jumped out at him. “I just wanna talk.”

“Maybe they’re not here?” Trish whispered.

But he knew she could smell it too. Jacob inched across the hallway, passed the living room, and saw the porcelain-white glow of the kitchen. He eased closer to the door, close enough, and then…sniffed.

Cat. Definitely cougar.

Just then, Cayden came jolting out and tried to dash past Jacob. But he wasn’t quick enough. Jacob grabbed the young man by the back of his shirt and shoved him hard against the wall. He heard Cayden yelp and saw him duck his blond head, trying to avoid Jacob’s next blow.

But it didn’t come. “Where’s Brent?” Jacob asked.

Even here, two bears against one, the young cougar was cocky. He flashed Jacob a light grin and then said, “Thought you didn’t care about that one.”

“Brent is my brother. Now tell me where he is.”

Cayden barked a laugh, and then seethed through his teeth. “I don’t have to tell you. You’re not going to change. You don’t have it in you.”