An Unlucky Moon Read online

  Becca turned to Josiah, wringing her hands. His mate still hadn’t gotten quite used to the overwhelming presence of the man before them.

  “Oh, hi, Josiah. Can I get you something to drink?”

  Hunter cracked a smile and darted a glance at Alec, who was doing the same.

  Josiah gave her a sad smile then shook his head. “No, dear, I’m not thirsty, but thank you for your hospitality in your home. I know I’m an intruder, but we need to talk.”

  “You’re never an intruder, Josiah. You’re Hunter’s family.” Becca shrugged. “I guess that makes you my family as well.”

  Happiness filled Hunter at her words, and Josiah’s expression brightened.

  “That was the best thing you could have said to me today. Thank you. I am honored to be part of your family.”

  Their Alpha sank into an armchair while Becca sat on the end of the couch, keeping her hand on Hunter. Alec remained standing. Hunter had a feeling whatever Josiah had come over to say wasn’t going to be good.

  “Let it out, Josiah,” Hunter said.

  Their Alpha was starting to look haggard—something that scared the shit out of Hunter. They were in the middle of peace talks with four other Packs, something that Josiah had to deal with personally. That had to be keeping him up late at night. The fact that the Pack itself was fracturing within from those who desired power couldn’t be helping.

  “The three non-injured members of the council have summoned the Beta of the Pack.”

  Rage spiraled up his spine and sank into his muscles. “What the fuck? Why now? They couldn’t kill me, so they’ve decided to bore me again in their chambers? Fuck them. I’m tired of this shit, Josiah. I know your grandfather created the council to ensure we didn’t become like the other Packs who had a rampant need for power, but this isn’t working.”

  Alec nodded. “Instead of creating a balance, it’s allowed wolves, who can’t become Alpha through tradition, to try any means to attain the dominance they crave.”

  “You think I don’t know this?” Josiah exclaimed. “Of course I know what the other council members want. Without you and Liam, we’d have been fucked over long before this. The thing is, because we’ve had over a century for families to slowly gain ground for power, the Pack is in a state of flux. We can’t just go in and knock heads around like we used to.” A faraway look entered Josiah’s eyes, and he cracked a smile. “Gods, I miss that.”

  “When do we need to meet in their chambers?” Hunter asked. He still resented the fact that the council had their own chambers while the Alpha and Beta dealt with the circle like they always had. Not that he wanted a chamber for himself, but he didn’t like the fact the others had one when it wasn’t needed.

  “It’s not in the chambers, son. They’re calling a full circle. They don’t believe you’re strong enough to be Beta. Not with you being laid up and your… non-wolf mate.”

  Hunter took a deep breath, swallowing the anger, and took Becca’s hand.

  “Because of me? They don’t think I’m good enough?” Becca asked, her voice soft. “What does a full circle mean?”

  Ignoring his wounds, he brought Becca up to his chest. He needed to feel her. She grounded him with her presence alone, her touch even more so. “It means that the council doesn’t think I’m fit to be Beta.”

  “And I’m not fit to be your mate.”

  He clenched his jaw but nodded against the top of her head. “They want me to fight to remain in power.”

  “You can’t do that. You’re hurt.”

  The burns had weakened him, but it was the effects of the smoke inhalation and internal bleeding that he was worried about. He wasn’t as fast as he usually was…wasn’t as strong.

  He didn’t know what the outcome would be.

  “I’ll be fine.”

  From the look on his Alpha’s face, Josiah saw the lies in his words, but it didn’t matter. He’d fight.

  He settled Becca off his lap and pulled himself up off the couch. He held back a wince and worse as his burns and internal damage screamed at him, but he needed to put on his warrior’s face. He couldn’t show weakness.

  Not even to his Becca.

  She stood and cupped his face. “You shouldn’t have to fight. You already did your Beta circle thing. It’s their fault you’re hurt to begin with, though we can’t prove it.”

  Hunter leaned and captured her lips, needing her softness and inner strength. “They can call me out if enough of the Pack believe in them.”

  She swallowed hard but nodded.

  “I’m going,” she declared. “You can’t keep me away.”

  Though he’d rather she stay behind, he knew he couldn’t hide her from the bad. She was Pack now.

  Soon they found themselves to Liam’s then to the gathering. They made their way to the Pack circle, Josiah leading the charge. Liam limped beside them, refusing to lean on Alec the way Hunter refused to lean against Becca. People had gathered again as they had for the circle he’d fought before. It seemed like ages ago. Also like before, some looked as though they’d rather be elsewhere—either afraid of him or knowing this was all bullshit.

  Dorian smirked as Hunter’s group came through the edge of the circle. “Look at your Beta, Pack. He’s weak.”

  Hunter growled. “Are you the one challenging me, Dorian? Step into the circle, and I’ll tear your face off.”

  He was past all the political bullshit.

  Dorian snorted. “I’m not challenging you, old man. You’re not even the one we’re challenging.”

  Something like fear slid through him. “Then why am I here?”

  “We’re challenging your mate. She’s not strong enough to help lead the Pack.”

  “What the fuck are you doing?” Hunter yelled. “You can’t challenge my mate.”

  “Oh, we don’t want to take away the bond, since we can’t anyway, but we can make sure our Pack is strong. We can’t do that with her at your side or as part of the Pack.”

  Becca gripped his hand. Hard.

  “Becca Quinn, the Pack challenges you for dominance. Lloyd’s niece will be fighting you to reclaim our family’s rightful place. Hunter, if your mate loses, so do you. Remember that.”

  “They can’t do that, can they?” Becca whispered.

  He couldn’t speak. Couldn’t move.

  He couldn’t lose her, but if he took her away from this, he left the Pack. His family.

  It wasn’t a choice though. Not really.

  He turned toward Becca. “We’ll leave,” he whispered, words for only her ears. “I’ll go lone wolf. We’re done here.”

  She pulled away, her jaw set. “No.”

  Chapter Thirteen

  Becca raised her chin. “You’re not leaving the Pack. We can’t let them win. I’ll fight. I’ll prove myself worthy.” The Pack was out of their mind if they thought it was okay to rule like this.

  They were fighting, killing, and breaking their rules in subtle—and some not-so-subtle—ways, and they were destroying their Pack from the inside out. Hunter was ready to leave the Pack that had raised him, the Pack that had been part of his blood for centuries, all because of her.

  Okay, not solely because of her. She wasn’t selfish enough to think that if she hadn’t come things would have been different, but her presence wasn’t helping. The council would have found another way to try to take down Hunter. They had a thorn up their ass about their Beta, and Becca was tired of it.

  She’d be damned if she’d let her mate deal with this crap for the rest of his years. Something had to change, and if it took her fighting to prove her worth among a group of wolves who wanted her dead, then so be it. Dante and Shade had taught her to fight somewhat, and Hunter had taught her even more.

  She wasn’t completely helpless.

  She wasn’t a wolf either.

  Her skin was just as fragile as a human’s—weak and ready to bleed—but she was stronger than she had been before. As long as this Lloyd bitch didn’t shift
into her wolf form, Becca could probably battle her way through. Hell, why couldn’t she have turned into a paranormal creature that was actually useful?

  Like a tiger or something with sharp claws and pointy, pointy teeth.

  Hunter cupped her face. “We’re leaving.” His tone held no call for disagreement, but she didn’t care.

  She turned to kiss his palm then moved back. “If we leave now, you’re letting them win. You’re letting the other Pack members who do believe in you fall into the hands of those who don’t give a shit about them. If we leave now, I’m telling them that I’m not worth anything and not good enough to be your mate. I’m not letting that happen.”

  Hunter closed his eyes and took a deep breath, a strong shudder rolling over his body. The burn marks covering his chest looked as though they hurt like hell, and she knew his lungs and other internal organs weren’t a hundred percent yet—something that could have been changed if he’d have let her heal him. That, though, wasn’t something they could deal with at the moment.

  “I can’t lose you,” he whispered, his voice so filled with pain that her heart broke for him.

  “Don’t count me out just yet. I need your strength.”

  And a miracle, but she wasn’t going to say that out loud.

  He closed his eyes, and she was afraid he’d say no. Or at least take her away from here before she could fight for them. She might have been stronger than she’d ever been, but she knew she was much weaker than Hunter, even if he was hurt.

  And she wanted to fight a female wolf?

  Hell, she had a death wish.

  “The wolf you’re fighting has a weak left knee. You kick her there, she’ll go down, and then you can get her by the neck. This isn’t to the death. You only have to pin her. As long as she’s down on the ground and doesn’t use her claws, you’re strong enough to pin her.”

  Hope filled her, and she kissed his chin. “Thank you.”

  “Don’t you fucking die, Becca. Do you hear me? If you die, I’ll kill every wolf and creature who dared look at you funny then find a way into the afterlife and kick your ass for leaving me. Do you understand?”

  She grinned at him, even though it was a bit forced. Gods, this was stupid, but if she didn’t fight, she’d never prove herself to the wolves who didn’t want a human—or at least a former human—in their ranks.

  Hunter kissed her then, hard. She could taste the desperation on his lips, but it mixed with the determination to see her through his.

  She could do this.

  She had to.

  “Are you two done pussyfooting around?” Dorian asked, boredom in his tone. “Anastasia is ready to fight. Let’s get this over with.”

  Hunter kept his hand on her hip as they turned to face the circle again. The woman who Dorian had called Anastasia stood in the center, her fists on her hips.

  Dear. Lord.

  She looked like an Amazon. Or maybe a lean linebacker.

  The woman had to be at least six three and all muscle.

  No wonder Hunter was freaked the fuck out.

  “Her knee, baby, her knee,” Hunter whispered her in ear.

  Becca rolled her shoulders back, unwilling to cower and show the fear coursing through her veins. This had to be one of the stupidest things she’d ever done, and that was saying something since one time she’d gone with Faith to a beauty school and had a bikini wax.

  She held back a shudder at the memory of that experience.

  Of course, with the way Anastasia glared at her, Becca was pretty sure she’d take another bikini wax over stepping foot into the circle.

  “I don’t see why I have to fight this little bitch,” Anastasia spat. “She looks like a little whore, all saddled up next to one of our men. I could pick my teeth with her bones with a flick of my wrist. I don’t even want that fucking Beta beside you. I’d rather pick my own man. Don’t worry though, bitch, I’ll take what I want, when I want. Why can’t I find something worthy enough to challenge?”

  Something? Well, wasn’t this lady a peach. Not only had Becca just been called a whore, a bitch, and worthless, now she wasn’t even a person? Oh, this just got better and better.

  Becca gave one last squeeze to Hunter’s hand then took a step into the circle. “You’re name’s really Anastasia? Seems like such a cute and pretty name for a big-ass butch of a woman like you.”

  Some of the crowd gasped, and she was pretty sure she heard Liam’s chuckle.

  Anastasia narrowed her eyes.

  Good job, Becca, antagonize the woman who could probably break you in two with a sneeze.

  “No claws or teeth,” Hunter called out.

  Relief washed over her at his words but didn’t help with the tension she felt.

  Just get the knee. Just the knee and she could pin the bitch down.

  Maybe.

  “Fine. I don’t need to go wolf to kill this bitch.” Anastasia smiled, and Becca had to swallow down the bile that rose in her throat.

  Anastasia’s smile wasn’t so much a happy smile filled with rainbows and unicorns as it was more along the lines of “Yay, I get to play with my food before I eat it.”

  “No claws,” Dorian agreed, as if he knew Becca would lose no matter what. Bastard. “This isn’t to the death either, Anastasia.”

  The other woman pouted, actually pouted, at Dorian’s words. Becca might have been grateful the guy had mentioned that, but she wouldn’t put it past him to have an ulterior motive.

  Maybe he thought being maimed and broken was better than death at the moment.

  “Fine.” Anastasia spat then moved.

  And not just a normal movement, but moved.

  Damn, the bitch was fast.

  Becca ducked out of the way and rolled, but not fast enough. Anastasia got a hold of her ankle and tugged. Becca fell to the dirt on her back, hard, and tried to pull away, but the other woman was stronger. She might not have had her claws out, but the way she prowled over Becca’s body reminded her of a caged animal.

  Though she was aware of people around them, watching, cheering, crying, or worse, she ignored them all. If Lily and Jamie could get out of their own fights, then so could Becca. She scooted from beneath Anastasia and kneed the bitch in the chin for good measure.

  Though her own knee hurt like a bitch from knocking the woman in the chin, Anastasia only spat out blood and moved closer. The wolf swiped out—sans claws—and Becca ducked again, this time using her shoulder to get Anastasia in the stomach. The other woman didn’t move, but at least Becca was getting a few punches in. That had to count for something.

  The other woman kicked and punched, hitting Becca more often than not, but Becca didn’t back down. Pain radiated through her body, blood seeping from a cut on her lip. Her right eye started to get blurry, and she had a feeling she’d have one heck of a black eye come morning, but she didn’t stop fighting. For every hit Anastasia got on her, Becca got one back.

  She heard Hunter’s anguished howl with every strike against her and shout at every strike on her opponent, and it spurred her on.

  Throughout it all, she didn’t forget her main goal.

  The big bitch’s knee.

  But every time she tried to get a good shot, the other woman moved out of the way. Anastasia knew her own weakness and wasn’t about to let Becca have a go at it.

  Bitch.

  The other woman punched Becca in the face, forcing her head to whip back. Though she didn’t think any bones had broken, the blinding pain almost made her throw up.

  The other woman smiled at this then laughed.

  Her mistake.

  Becca swallowed the pain—and the blood filling her mouth—and lunged toward Anastasia’s knee. Caught unaware, the other woman howled in pain as Becca used her whole body to bend the wolf’s knee all the way back. The sickening sound of tearing ligaments and most likely bone filled Becca’s ear, but she didn’t care.

  Anastasia screamed and hit the ground.

  Becca rolled then
jumped on top of her, using her remaining strength to block the other woman’s airway. Tears streamed down both their checks, but neither would yield. Anastasia tried to move under her, but Becca would have none of that.

  She wasn’t sure how much time had passed, but finally, on sweet gods finally, Anastasia slammed her hand down three times in the dirt, yielding.

  Holy shit, the wolf didn’t cheat.

  She must have had more honor than Becca had thought.

  A shocked silence filled the circle until cheers and growls rose among the observers.

  Arms came around her, and she inhaled the heavenly scent of her mate, her Hunter.

  “Becca, my Becca.” He kissed the bruises on her face, but didn’t let her go.

  She’d won.

  She’d fucking won.

  How the hell had she accomplished that?

  “This isn’t over,” Dorian spat.

  Becca resisted the urge to punch the bastard in the face. Her body hurt too much for that.

  “It’s beyond over, Dorian. You’ve lost. Either back away and deal with it, or deal with me,” Hunter growled.

  “I guess I’m late to the show,” another voice said beside them.

  A tall, built man with long blond hair stood between them, his face expressionless, his arms crossed over his chest. If Becca hadn’t been in pain and in love with the man holding her, she would have thought this stranger was damn gorgeous.

  This wasn’t the best time to be thinking that however.

  “What the fuck are you doing here, bear?” Dorian asked.

  The other man—bear—raised a brow.

  Hunter shook his head then placed Becca on her feet. “Jace, it’s good to see you.”

  Hunter knew this man or bear or whatever. The guy, Jace, looked as big as a bear, so it fit.

  “You called in a bear to come to our Pack?” Dorian yelled.

  Jace snorted. “I’m a Mediator, you dumb fool, and it seems that the council should have called me in earlier.”

  What the hell was a Mediator, and why didn’t Dorian look happy to see him? Well, that at least made Becca like the bear.

  “Take me to the council chambers,” Jace ordered, his voice holding no room for discussion. “I see we have a lot to discuss. Hunter, would you like to take your mate home to make sure she’s healed?”