Misty Moon: Book 2

Chapter 1

The silence was overwhelming. I felt like everyone’s eyes were on me. Everyone was acting like this was my fault. Brayden and Dominic’s gazes were the hardest to handle.

How is this possible? Dominic sounded calmer than he looked.

Brayden scoffed. It sounds like a bunch of bullshit to me. What’s the point? Why are you doing this, Kylie? Brayden’s tone was condescending, and it made me angry.

I’m not doing anything. I got dragged here by the pack healers. I could care less if you two tear each other apart, I said angrily.

You’re questioning my word, Brayden, and I do not take kindly to that, Lucy chided as she stepped forward.

Brayden rolled his eyes. This all fine and dandy. Yay, we’re going to be daddies. Now let’s get on with the fight.

There will be no fight. One of the council members from Dominic’s pack spoke up as he stood. He was an older man. I’d seen him around, but I didn’t know his name.

Dominic looked at him. This is ridiculous, Andrew.

A female from Brayden’s pack stood as well. I agree with Andrew.

Brayden and Dominic started yelling in protest at the same time. It was impossible to make out what either of them was saying. It was ridiculous how determined they were to fight.

My father let out an ear-splitting howl. They both went quiet and looked at him. You are both responsible for my daughter. You both had your fun, and now it’s time to take responsibility. Pack law states that when a male has a female expecting a child, then that male can’t fight in rankings until the child is born.

This has to be a special circumstance. Kylie is pregnant out of season, and she’s carrying two different male’s children, it shouldn’t count, Audrey argued. I knew she wanted them to fight, and she wanted Dominic to win. I didn’t want them to fight. I cared about them both.

Dominic looked at the council. I agree.

I scowled but didn’t speak. Of course, he would agree. I looked over at Brayden. He was watching me. I couldn’t tell what he was thinking.

My mother stepped forward, facing Audrey. You can’t just say my daughter doesn’t count because she’s obviously special.

Andrew looked at the other members of the council. Technically it is a special case.

That is true, the woman from Brayden’s pack said sounding unsure. Everyone was back to being silent.

Brayden made and annoyed noise. I looked at him. His eyes were still on me. Fine, I will solve the whole thing. I forfeit the fight. He turned and stalked off into the woods.

I was a little startled. His entire pack started shouting and yelling at Dominic’s side. In the commotion, I slipped through the crowd and followed Brayden into the woods.

Brayden wait, I called after him hoping he would talk to me. He didn’t act like he wanted to talk to anyone, and I was probably the very last person he wanted to talk to.

He stopped walking, but he didn’t turn around. Was forfeiting the fight and my pack not enough? Have you come to pester me more? He turned, glaring at me.

I hesitated. I didn’t mean for any of this to happen. I’m not really sure how to feel about all this. I didn’t understand why he was so angry with me. If he wanted to fight, I didn’t understand why he forfeited.

He walked over to me and touched my face. I closed my eyes as his hand cradled my face. I need time, love. He removed his hand and walked off. My stomach was in knots as I watched him disappear into the woods.

Kylie? Dominic’s voice made me jump.

I turned to face him. You scared me. I was trying not to sound nervous.

Why didn’t you tell me before all this? Why didn’t you say something as soon as you knew? He sounded angrier than Brayden.

I was starting to get really upset. I didn’t know. Maggie told me not too long ago, and she had Lucy there. They called my father and he took me home. I haven’t even had a chance to process this myself, and all you two can think to do is be mad at me. The more I talked the more furious I got. By the time I was done talking, I couldn’t stand there any longer. I stalked off into the woods. I wanted to be alone. I felt like I was being suffocated by their anger and disappointment.

I needed to relax. I quickly stripped out of my clothes and shifted. I ran through the woods. I wasn’t going in any particular direction. I was just running. The fresh air and the scent of the woods cleared my head.

I slowly opened the door to my house and listened. I didn’t want to talk to anyone. I had been out all night. It was early morning, and I really just wanted to go to bed. I hurried upstairs to my room. I shut and locked the door so I wouldn’t be bothered. I went to the bathroom and started the shower. I walked back out into the bedroom and froze.

A man was standing near my bookshelf. He was tall and handsome. He was dressed in a pair of leather pants and a button up shirt. He wasn’t skinny, but he was thin and lean. His hair was longer, and it was almost the color of copper. He glanced up at me like he belonged in my room. His light blue eyes gave nothing away. I expected so much more when I heard the rumors. He spoke slowly, like the fact that he was in my room was no big deal.

Who the hell are you? I asked defensively as I pulled the blanket off my bed. I wrapped it around my body.

He looked at me for a minute. There was something strange about him. I never encountered anyone like him. I couldn’t sense a heartbeat or the feelings a human put off, like nervousness, anger, or fear. My name is Micah. Let’s just say I have an interest in your current situation. He placed the book back on the shelf.

What situation would that be, and how did you get in my room? I was starting to get nervous. I didn’t know him, but I was pretty sure he wasn’t here to help me.

He smiled, but it wasn’t a nice smile, it was an impatient smile. I have my ways, and I am talking about the pregnancy of course. Don’t act ignorant. I know better.

I’m not telling you anything. I want you out of my room, or I will call for my father, I threatened hoping to make him leave.

He laughed. You really don’t know what I am do you?

I didn’t speak. I just watched him. I really wasn’t sure what he was. I had never seen anything like him. I dropped the blanket and bolted for the door. He caught me around the waist, taking me by surprise. I moved fast, but he was much faster. I was right, he wasn’t human, but I wasn’t sure what he was. I went to scream, but his hand covered my mouth.

Don’t make this difficult, darling, he whispered.

I struggled, but it was useless. He was much stronger than me. I was beginning to wonder if he was a werewolf like me. He seemed too different to be one, but I wasn’t sure what else he could be. He buried his face in my neck. A muffled cry escaped my lips when I felt the pinch of his fangs sinking into my neck. I suddenly realized he was a vampire, he had to be. I heard of vampires, but I never met any. A feeling of euphoria washed over me. I closed my eyes and let it take over.

A sudden rush of air startled me, making me open my eyes. We were no longer in my room. We were somewhere else. It was a room, like a living room. It was ornately decorated like something out of the movies. He released my neck. I was a little dizzy. You taste divine. I can feel the strength of your blood, and their blood. He caressed my belly with his free hand.

I pulled away from him. He released me. I stumbled over to a nearby couch and glared at him. What the hell do you want? I asked breathlessly. The blood loss made me weak, so fighting him wasn’t an option.

He smiled. It’s quite simple … I want your blood.

I felt the fear hit me hard for the first time. I wasn’t sure what to say. I doubted I could fight him. He seemed unusually strong. Does that mean you’re going to kill me? My voice sounded weak and scared, and I hated it.

What good would you be dead? You would stop bleeding. If you’re alive, then you can bleed whenever I like. As he spoke, he walked over to a small bar and made himself a drink.

I touched my neck and the bite was already healing. You can’t keep me here.

He tossed me a silk robe. I quickly put it on as he took a seat not far from me. I believe I can.

The doors opened and another man, who I was assuming was a vampire, came in. He was carrying a silver collar. I glared at him, and he just smiled. He was going to collar me to keep me here. He obviously didn’t know I beat silver, which was good for me. You can’t do this. Dominic and Brayden will come for me, I argued hoping he wouldn’t catch on that the silver didn’t affect me.

He scoffed. Dominic and Brayden can’t protect you like I can. You will end up dead in their care. You are lucky I got word of the pregnancy before any of my rivals. Being collared will be the least of your worries. He nodded to the vampire carrying the collar. The vampire walked over to me. I didn’t fight because it would be pointless. He placed the collar on my neck.

I acted like it was uncomfortable. What is so great about this pregnancy? It’s just a stupid baby, I snapped.

It is two stupid babies, and your parents really didn’t teach you anything did they? he countered, sounding disgusted.

No one planned for this. No one knows how this even happened. I knew now that he didn’t want to hurt me, so it made me a little braver.

Those two babies will be born on the blue moon. They will be two very powerful, young wolves because of it. Other packs will figure this out and when they do, their only mission will be to kill you before those babies are born. I can promise you that. He slowly stood.

I watched him wondering if he was telling the truth. Aside from biting me, he hadn’t done anything else to cause me harm. Maybe he was trying to protect me, but there had to be something in it for him. What do you get out of all this?

He smiled. I will get control of the packs. The more packs I control, the more power I have over other vampires. Which is also why other vampires would be a threat to you. They will want the power, so they will come after you.

I figured you would get something out of it. No one does anything anymore unless they have something to gain, I said angrily as I stood.

He smiled. I can promise you … you will live like a queen while you are here.

Then what are you going to do to me after they are born? I asked starting to get angry again.

He shrugged as he walked to the door. That is entirely up to you. It all depends on how well you cooperate. He walked out without waiting for my response. The other vampire followed without a word. I had a feeling he didn’t care what my response was.

I paced the room trying to figure out what I was going to do. The silver had no effect, but the room was fortified and there were no windows. The door was locked, and I wasn’t entirely sure I would be able to get through it. I took the robe off and tossed it aside. If I got free, I wanted to be able to shift and run.

I walked to the door and tried the knob again. It was still locked. I pushed against the door and forced the knob to turn. The door made a loud clank, and I hesitated. If he had anyone watching the door, they would be on me in seconds. When nothing happened, I pushed the door open and peeked out into the hall. The hall was clear. I was pretty sure he thought the silver would be effective enough to keep me in the room. Relief washed over me when I spotted a window across the hall. I hurried over to it and opened it. I slipped out the window onto the roof of the house. It was dawn, so the place was quiet. I was sure all the vampires and whatever else was lurking around had turned in for the day. I peered over the edge of the roof. When I saw it was clear, I jumped and landed in the soft grass.

Micah appeared in front of me. I cussed and fell backwards. I see the silver isn’t effecting you as much as I anticipated.