Moon Tortured (Sky Brooks Series Book 1) by McKenzie Hunter Read Free Book Online Page A

brief moment, lost that childish innocence as the predator within peeked through. “No; I killed him.”
    Please leave.
    Blinking several times a placid look became my mask as it hid my horror. He considered my reactions, studying me keenly. I wasn’t sure if he were trying to shock me or determine how comfortable I was with the level of violence they seemed to encounter regularly. He chose his words carefully as he spoke. “He was killed during a challenge for his position.” He added as though that would make things better.
    “We are responsible for the safety of the pack. The strongest survive. When a challenge is made, the challenged can choose whether it’s for position or death,” he continued in a gentle methodical voice. I assumed it was for my benefit, to calm me. My heart raced, realizing that I was sitting in a room with a teenager who was just as dangerous as the others. “He perceived my age an insult. He could have declined the challenge and accepted lower rank or even transfer to another pack. We all understand and respect the importance of the strength of the pack. He was foolish to allow pride to influence his choice.”
    “And Winter? What is her rank?”
    “She’s third and Ethan’s beta.”
    “Where’s the fourth?” I asked.
    “Gavin’s not here.”
    “Where is he?”
    “Not here,” he repeated firmly. He seemed disconcerted by the mention of Gavin but the tense look on his face dissuaded me from asking any further questions about him.
    Steven stayed in the room for several hours. Even after our conversation turned to mundane dribble about television shows and books, he still stayed, seemingly interested.
    “So you got the job as the babysitter to make sure I don’t leave again.” I finally stated when he continue to hang around even after I started watching a show that was too estrogen imbued even for me.
    He smiled guiltily. “No, I am enjoying your company. I haven’t met many female wolves. In this pack, most of them are much older than I am and aren’t nearly as interesting as you are.”
    I looked at him suspiciously. He was probably lying through his teeth, but he was as cute as a button and could tell you that it was raining candy and look convincingly enough to make you believe it. For that very reason, I believed I was sitting in the room with one of the most dangerous pack members in the house. With his charming ways and innocent features, you could never prepare yourself for the level of brutality he was capable of.
    “If you get to know me, you’ll find that I’m not that interesting. I play the flute and hate peanut butter. That is about as interesting as I get.”
    Smiling, he shrugged, and then he made a face. “The flute? Why? Were you assigned to be the school’s nerd?”
    I laughed. “It’s a cool instrument … ”
    “Yeah, it is if you want to make someone cry during a chick-flick.”
    “When I play, it relaxes me. In the past, I’ve had problems preventing my animal from emerging when I get too upset. Playing the flute helps me stay in a calm state," I admitted.
    He nodded. “That happens a lot in the beginning, but it gets better,” he stated with a sympathetic smile. “I never had too many problems, but Gav … some of the other were-animals have.” What was it with him and Gavin?
    He grinned, “You are still interesting enough. It beats the hell out sitting in my room watching television or hanging out with people I already know. I’m stuck here too until Josh returns. I might as well get to know the woman who has single-handedly sent both Ethan and Sebastian into fits of rage and still lives to tell the tale; most don’t,” he stated with an amused grin.
    “Fits of rage? No, I sent them past rage. If Joan wasn’t there, Ethan was going to yell until his head exploded, or mine. I thought he was going to strangle me.”
    He shook his head. “He wouldn’t have done that. We are not allowed to kill you, yet,” he admitted, sliding in the