#2 When the Moon Turns Red

Noah

I nearly lost control when Evie’s shirt crawled up her stomach and my fingers touched her exposed skin. I pulled my hands away and watched her expression. She was so stubborn and so independent.

Sawyer was making up for his indiscrecion from last week when he mindlinked me about Evie’s arrival and gave me the heads up about her needing help to get over the wall. Evie looked irresistible in her tight jeans and purple T-shirt that hugged her curves perfectly. It had a deep V in the front that exposed way too much skin. I was a mix between feeling turned on and possessively not wanting anyone else to see her.

“Do you want a drink?” I asked her as we walked across the beach.

“Just a water, please.” She said and I obeyed. I handed her a bottle a water after opening it,

“I can open my own water, thanks.” She grumbled, taking a sip. I was not doing well tonight.

“Do you want to find a seat?” I asked her as the pack started getting the bonfire ready.

“I don’t know, that’s when things went bad last time.” I was worried that she was upset until I noticed the smirk on her face.

“I promise they won’t go badly this time.” I said to her,

“You promise you won’t punch anyone today?” She teased.

“Yes, I promise.” I laughed, leading her towards the bonfire. I sat down first, on the edge of the log, leaving Evie to decide how much distance to put between us. She sat down in the middle of the log, her leg brushing against mine. Even through our jeans, I felt the spark of our mate bond.

We sat and watched the fire grow larger and larger, the glow casting a shadow over the sand. I noticed Evie rubbing her arms, she didn’t have a jacket. I shrugged out of my coat and laid it over her shoulders. She jumped, startled by my touch,

“You looked cold.” I said. She grabbed the edges of my jacket and pulled it closer to her. I grinned at the sight of her in my clothes.

“I know your secret.” I whispered to her, leaning in close. I felt her shiver as my breath blew across her cheek,

“My secret?” She choked out.

“Mhm, Ms. Everleigh Bellamy.” She looked at me with wide eyes and I burst out laughing. She slapped me across the arm,

“How did you figure out my name?” She groaned.

“The bartender told me what the name on your credit card was.” I shrugged.

“I’m going to lodge a formal complaint.” She pouted.

“Good luck, I heard the owner’s a real jackass.” I smirked and she eyed me curiously. She rolled her eyes and I guess decided not to be too mad at me. The light from the fire danced across her face and I couldn’t help but drink in the sight of her.

“I lied to you, Everleigh.” I said suddenly.

“About what?” She looked up at me through her dark eyelashes.

“I promised that I wouldn’t punch anyone today, but, I really can’t promise that.” I said. Her eyes pulled together in concern.

“Why not?” She was getting angry with me again.

“This might sound strange to you, but I have an overwhelming urge to keep you safe. I’d do whatever I have to do to protect you, including punching someone.” I admitted to her.

It might be too much, too soon, but I couldn’t hold myself back. I had to convince her that I cared about her. She blinked at me, stunned. She looked away and into the fire. For a second, I swear I saw a tear glistening in her eyes.

“You shouldn’t feel that way about me.” Evie whispered so quietly a human might not have heard her. I touched her arm lightly, causing a shower of sparks to light up between us. She looked down at her arm and then up at me.

“Why not?” I asked her, searching her expression.

“I’m too broken.” Her words were like a punch to my stomach.

“That’s not true.” I said sternly.

“How do you know? You don’t know me.” Her tone began to change.

“Not yet, but I know that you’re too strong to be broken.” I told her.

“I think I’m going crazy.” She muttered, looking down at my hand on her arm.

“You’re not going crazy, I feel it too.” I said, smiling. She looked up at me, her eyes full of questions,

“You feel what?” She was testing me.

“I feel the sparks every time we touch, the trail of warmth that your skin leaves on mine and the fire you set inside me.” I whispered, my eyes never leaving hers.

“Is that normal?” She asked, worry clear in her voice.

“Maybe not for you.” I chuckled.

“I’ve felt it before.” She muttered. It was my turn to look shocked and hurt. I know human’s talk about a metaphorical spark they feel when they think they’re in love, but that’s nothing compared to the spark of a mate bound. She had to know that, she had to feel the difference.

Before I could respond, a howl ripped through the bayou. I shot off the log and looked towards the treeline.

“Alpha! It’s rogues!” One of the patrol wolves came running up to me.

No, no, no, not now. Not when she’s just starting to trust me.

The party broke up quickly, my wolves immediately springing into action. They ran towards the woods and the sound of howling magnified. Sawyer and Greyson were at my side in a second.

Evie stood up next to me, clinging to my jacket that was still hanging off her shoulders.

“Wh…what’s going on?” Her lips were trembling at the sound of the howls. I faced her head on, grabbing her arms,

“Everleigh, you’re going to be fine, okay? Remember what I said about keeping you safe?” She nodded, biting her lip,

“That was a promise, okay? Sawyer is going to take you to the guest house and I’ll meet you there soon.” I started to turn around but Evie’s small fingers curled around mine, pulling me back to her. She searched my eyes with her. There seemed to be so much that she wanted to say, she must’ve had so many questions.

“Be careful.” She said instead, squeezing my hand. I felt a surge of energy fill my body at her touch.

“Of course.” I grinned at her before turning my attention to Sawyer.

“You will protect her with your life.” I ordered him. He placed his fist over his heart,

“Of course, Alpha, on my honor.” I looked at Evie one last time before grabbing Greyson and running towards the woods.