Accepting the Moon: Prequel (Moonrising Book 1) by K. S. Haigwood Read Free Book Online Page A

the other worry in the back of his mind: the men. There were so many for her to choose from. Which one would she choose to mate with? Which one would he have to kill? And why did he feel like he needed to stake his claim on her, mark his territory?
    Those green eyes looked up at him, frightened. She was so scared. He could hear the rapid beating of her heart and see it pulse in the light blue vein of her jugular.
    Phoenix fought the impulse to let his fangs fully extend as her scent wafted past his nose. He knew she had wanted him to kiss her earlier, almost as much as he had wanted to, but that would have only caused them bigger, more dangerous problems.
    Werewolves and vampires are not meant to bond, he told himself, yet again.
    “You will be fine,” he lied. “Take out the biggest one first. It will let them know you are serious, and maybe they will back off.”
    Mena nodded and tears filled those beautiful eyes.
    Christ! She was going to be his undoing!
    He shook her a little. “You have to be strong. They can smell your fear. If you can make it through this first change without them killing you, you‘ll be fine. You took the life of the pack leader, Mena, so you have more power than they do. I wish we had time to discover all the abilities you have, but sadly, the moon is rising and you‘ll change soon. I don‘t want to be anywhere near you when that happens.”
    Her breath hitched and he struggled to keep from comforting her; it would only cause her to fall apart, and focused and strong was what she needed to be at the moment.
    “I will be expecting your call in the morning. Stay alive and make that happen, Mena.” He took a step back and held out his hand to lead her to the car, but she flung herself on him and wrapped her arms around his torso. His reaction was instantaneous. His arms enveloped her and held her shuddering form tightly in his embrace.
    How could he do this? How could he just let her go in alone?
    “Stay,” he heard himself whisper. He moved back enough so he could frame her face in his hands. “I know it sounds cruel, but I have a cell I can lock you in until you change back. We need more time to sort this out before you go to them.”
    Mena gave him a sad smile and shook her head. “I need to do this now. I will look weak to them if I hide. I can do this, Phoenix.”
    “I‘ll come with you and bring some of my clan as backup—” he started, but she was shaking her head again, refusing his offer to help.
    “We are trying to stop this war. If you or any of your people show up, I fear it will only enrage them. I haven‘t even met them yet, but I can somehow feel them in me. They are waiting.”
    Phoenix sighed and pulled her to him once again. “You have my number. I will be there with an army the moment you call. Well, as long as it‘s still night. The sun and I don‘t exactly see eye to eye on a few things, well, actually just one thing.”
    Mena snickered and pulled out of the embrace.
    “You are not alone in this.” He brushed the back of his fingers over her cheek and sighed, knowing he needed to pull away and put some distance between them. How had he fallen under her spell so easily?
    “I will call if I need you,” she said and backed away.
    With an ache in his chest he was unfamiliar with, he let her go.
    “I‘ll walk you to the car.” Phoenix turned on his heel and strode to the door. It felt like he had a thousand pound weight on his arm as he lifted it to put his hand on the door handle. He had to let her go. She could change at any minute.
    Mena cleared her throat from behind him, and he turned the handle and opened the door a few inches, and then shut it with a slam and turned to her wide eyes.
    He didn‘t give himself time to talk his way out of it; he just took her face in his hands and brought her mouth up to meet his.
    There was a short surprised sound that came from her, but it quickly turned into a low moan of approval and her lips parted, inviting him in.