Page 39 of Broken Moon

She’s fine, Kaitlyn.

In other words, I should mindmy own business. But I wasn’t the type to do that, not really. I’d call hertomorrow, would take her to lunch or ask her to come to my house for lunch tomeet Lucy.

If, of course, Lucy wanted tomake lunch for the three of us.

I patted my leg and the dogclimbed hurriedly onto my lap. “Okay boy, we’re about to go into your new—andtemporary—home. Let’s hope Lucy isn’t allergic to dogs. On the way home fromchasing down mean old monsters in Shadowfield, I’ll stop somewhere and pick youup some food and a bed and…” I sighed and looked heavenward. I was sounprepared for a dog.

He followed me to the house,sniffing everything he walked past. I put the key in the lock and then shovedthe door open. “Lucy,” I called. “We have company.”

I heard her squeal fromsomewhere deep in the house, then she flew toward us, dropped to her knees, andpulled the dog to her. “Ash,” she cried. “It’s so good to meet you.”

“Wait,” I said, frowning. “Youknow this dog?”

“Well,” she said, smiling up atme. “Sort of.”

“You had a dream,” I said, “aboutthe dog?”

She only grinned. I was alittle jealous the way he was licking her face and shaking his little butt off,having, it appeared, forgotten all about me.

“I have to go back out towork,” I told her. “Can you watch him?”

“OfcourseI can watchhim. We’ll have a great time. I’m so glad we have a puppy.” She climbed to herfeet and hurried away, the dog at her heels. “Come on, baby. Wait until you seethe bed I bought you.”

“You bought him a bed?” Ibellowed.

“Uh huh,” she called gaily.“And bowls, dog food—the good, healthy stuff—and toys, and a pretty jeweledcollar and a leash...oh, and the cutest little pair of warm pajamas you’ve everseen. I got shampoo, and toothpaste…and I made him a vet appointment fortomorrow evening when I’m off work. You’re welcome! Ash, say bye.”

Ash gave a bark.

I shook my head and headed backout, wishing I could just stay there with them and watch the dog enjoy his newlife. Unfortunately, there was a monster killing wolves, and I had to go catchthe son of a bitch.

ChapterEighteen

As I drove to Shadowfield, Itexted Jared to let him know I was on my way. He didn’t reply, but I knew he’dbe waiting when I got there. The streets of Shadowfield were quiet as I drovedown them on my way to the alpha’s house, but I could feel the wolves watchingme.

There were always pack warriorskeeping watch over a pack’s territory, town, and borders, guarding andprotecting, and I knew they were well aware that I’d entered their town.

Jared hadn’t told me where tomeet him, so I pulled up in front of the offices, same as I had last night. Iwas curious about his house. An alpha had the biggest house in the community,and it was usually passed down from an alpha to his son when the time came fromthe older alpha to hand over the reins.

I left my car and went to theback to gear up for the coming hunt. The beast had been injured, so he mightnot fly out at us like he had last night. That was fine with me. I wanted totrack him, to find where he spent his sleeping and healing time. He’d have aplace he considered safe, somewhere he could hole up and see the enemyapproaching—or, as I’m sure he had a few times—watch for his next kill.

I buckled on my belts andsheaths and holsters, wondering if there’d ever come a time when preparing fora fight or a hunt would make me less than excited. I hoped not. It was a greatoutlet for my pain and energy. If I couldn’t shift, I could fight.

“Kaitlyn.”

I jerked, chills running downmy spine, when the alpha spoke. I slammed shut the hatch before I turned toface him, hoping for a few seconds to control my kneejerk reaction to an alpha.

I gave him a nod. “Jared.”Yeah, I sounded completely cool and calm.

He was dressed for a hunt, aswell. Since he couldn’t shift and fight the exsoloup, he wore a long blade onhis back, a shorter one at his hip, and on his other hip, a gun.

I lifted an eyebrow, and heshrugged. “Some of them can be neutralized by a gun.”

I grinned. “You like guns.”

The corners of his lips lifted,and for a second, my stare caught on that smile as once again, chills chasedeach other down my spine. The alpha was hot.

“I’m ready,” someone else said,tearing my attention away from Jared and his mouth.