Crescent moon, p.2
Crescent Moon, page 2
“True enough. Landon and I grew up about as normal as a couple of wolf shifters could.” Sawyer swallowed his steak. “This is amazing! And she cooks too!”
“I have all kinds of talents.” Nova laughed. “Tell me, though, what brings the two of you here?” Her curiosity was piqued. “Shifters don’t usually stray from their packs.”
Being the oldest, her father had taught her shifter law and the ropes of leading a pack, in the event she would have to take over as Alpha. It wasn’t a position she looked forward to, but she wouldn’t shirk her duty. Her father was open-minded enough to realize a female was totally as capable as a male to lead a pack. There were a lot of alphas who didn’t think that way.
“Too many alphas in a small pack,” Sawyer said on a sigh. “Every day was a test to prove ourselves. Landon only wanted to take pictures, and I never understood the reason to have to prove myself.” Sawyer collected their empty plates and brought them to the sink. “We’re both freelancing, so we took to the road. When I had to drop into a town to do a job, Landon would do photo shoots nearby. It’s been working well enough for us.”
“Which kind of brings me back to the here and now. Do you think you could show me where the bear trap is? My dad needs to know about this. He’s going to have a field day with the local sheriff.”
“I can try. The storm has already covered any tracks I made getting here, but I’ve got a decent sense of direction.”
While talking, Sawyer had washed the dishes while Nova cleared off the table and wiped everything down. She was comfortable around the shifter and enjoyed talking to him. Nova couldn’t remember the last time she’d been this relaxed around a male other than her father and his men. She’d always been the serious one, focused on her studies, instead of hanging out and flirting with the males. Relationships had been few and never lasted long.
“I want to check on Landon before I turn in. There’s another bedroom next to the one he’s in that you’re welcome to use.”
“Thanks, I appreciate it. Hopefully, we won’t be in your hair very long.”
“Your brother should be up and about in a couple of days,” Nova assured him. “We’ll have to see how the weather holds, though.” Tossing the dishtowel to the counter, she turned and bumped into Sawyer, not realizing he’d been that close to her. The contact between them was like an electrical charge and for a split second, Nova lost her breath, her eyes widening in wonder.
“Tell me you felt that,” Sawyer rasped.
“Yeah, totally didn’t see that coming.” Nova stood still as a statue, not believing what her wolf was excitedly telling her. Sawyer was her Fated Mate, something she wasn’t prepared for at all.
Sawyer stepped toward her, and Nova backed, hands up.
“Whoa.” Nova’s voice came out shaky. She cleared her throat in an attempt to sound somewhat composed. “I’m not denying what just happened or what my wolf is telling me, but it doesn’t mean I’m going to jump into your arms or bed simply because we’re Fated Mates.” Nova didn’t miss the look of disappointment in Sawyer’s eyes. She was also having a devil of a time ignoring the frustrated whine of her wolf.
“You’re right, I’m sorry.” Sawyer raked through his beard in agitation. “I never expected to find my Fated Mate, especially like this. Should’ve figured it wouldn’t be smooth sailing.”
“What do you mean?” Nova asked, curious in spite of herself about his wording.
“I’m sorry, I’m not real sure, to be honest.” He gave her a rueful smile. “It’s been a hell of a long day on top of a rough week. I thought finding one’s Fated Mate was supposed to be this incredible insta-forever love.” He ran his fingers through his hair. “Now I’m sounding like an idiot. How does this work, anyway?”
“Can’t say for sure. Never had one before.” Nova chuckled under her breath. “I’m reasonably sure the connection is instantaneous, but the rest comes in time.” She couldn’t fault him in the least because the same thoughts were running through her head. She’d been on her own for a long time and wasn’t used to jumping in without testing the waters first... even with her Fated Mate.
She put a hand on his arm and the current went straight to her core. Sawyer covered her hand with his own, staring deep into her eyes.
“I’m not going anywhere, Sawyer, but I just met you. We have time to figure this out. Right?”
He nodded, not breaking the contact between them.
“Let’s check on Landon, then get some rest. One day at a time, okay?”
Sawyer brushed her cheek with the pad of his thumb.
“I can live with that.”
As Nova and Sawyer entered Landon’s bedroom, she knew immediately something was seriously wrong. Landon was moaning and thrashing about in the bed, his skin slick with sweat.
“We need to calm him down so I can check his wounds.” She gave Sawyer a worried look. “He shouldn’t be reacting like this. I don’t want him to tear his stitches open. Without shifting, he hasn’t had a chance to start healing.”
With Sawyer’s help, Nova was able to remove the bloody bandages. As she suspected, he’d torn a few of the stitches and she would have to redo them. But they had bigger problems on their hands and her mind raced as she tried to figure out how to treat her patient.
“What are those black streaks on his leg?” Sawyer asked.
“If I’m right, it’s silver poisoning,” Nova replied.
“I was under the impression bear traps were made of steel.”
“They are, unless someone tampered with it and laced it with silver.” Nova methodically cleaned Landon’s leg while she spoke.
“Can you save him, Nova?” Sawyer’s voice was tight with fear.
“I’m going to do all I can.”
Landon started retching, and Nova grabbed a small wastebasket by the bed in the nick of time.
“I need to get an anti-hemotoxin into his system before his organs shut down. We don’t have much time.”
“Where are you going to get that?” Sawyer asked. “You said you didn’t have any meds here.”
“I don’t, not the everyday meds I use at work, but this is different. I always keep some on hand for situations like this. I’ve dealt with silver poisoning more than once.” Nova gave instructions over her shoulder as she hurried from the room. “Try to keep him still. I’ll be right back.”
Sprinting up the stairs, Nova dashed to the bathroom connected to her bedroom. There were three bottles of an anti-hemotoxin in the cabinet, which should be enough to do the job. Swiping all the bottles from the shelf, she hurried back downstairs. Within minutes, she’d injected the first dose.
“Now what?”
“Now, we wait,” Nova replied. “If I caught it in time, he’ll start to respond soon.” She glanced at Sawyer, who appeared as haggard as she felt. “Why don’t you get some rest? I’m going to stay with Landon the rest of the night.”
She could tell he was torn, wanting to stay with his brother, and needing to rest. Nova knew when the exhaustion won.
“Only if you promise to come get me if you need anything. I mean it.”
“I will. Get some sleep, Sawyer.” She smiled wearily. “I don’t need you falling out on me, too.”
“Thank you, Nova. I don’t know what I would have done if it hadn’t been for you.”
“You have to admit, Fate got a little dramatic about getting us together.”
Sawyer laughed softly.
“No kidding.” He walked over to her and kissed her forehead. “Good night, Nova.”
“Rest well,” she replied softly.
Today had been full of surprises, a jumble of good and bad. Nova hoped there weren’t anymore.
3
Sawyer stretched out on the bed, staring at the ceiling. A stupid misstep and Landon was fighting for his life. Trying to find help, he’d met his Fated Mate. What should have been a joyous moment was clouded with fear and despair. His life had never been a smooth journey, but this was taking it to extremes.
Throwing back the blankets, Sawyer got up and pulled on a pair of sweats from his backpack. He’d managed to doze off but woke with a start, once again hearing the anguished scream of his best friend and brother. That sound would haunt him for a long time to come. Sleep was futile. He needed to check on Landon.
Slipping into the room next door, he stopped and took in the scene before him. Landon was sleeping quietly, and Nova was curled up in a chair, pulled up next to his bed. Her throw had slipped to the floor, so Sawyer padded across the room, picked it up, and gently covered her. She smiled in her sleep and pulled the blanket up to her neck.
He couldn’t stop staring at her. Nova was a beautiful woman, with waves of long silver-blue hair falling down to her waist. Like most shifter females, she was tall, with an athletic build, but still retained feminine curves he appreciated. Her eyes were blue, as light as a summer sky, filled with a keen intelligence and compassion. Best of all, she was his Fated Mate. His wolf couldn’t understand why he was merely staring at her and not claiming her.
Sawyer shook his head in silent mirth. His wolf was in for a lesson in patience. This female was strong-willed and a definite alpha, so there would be no rushing her. To be honest, he was glad she was like that because he would need some time to work out not only the logistics, but how to share his life with another.
It had been only him and Landon for years now and they were settled in their lifestyle, always on the road, with no one to answer to. That would change now, and Sawyer wasn’t sure how it would work out.
Nova stirred, slowly opening her eyes. She smiled at Sawyer, then looked over at Landon. Once she was satisfied her patient was still sleeping, she turned her attention back to Sawyer.
“Couldn’t sleep?”
“Nah, kept hearing his scream in my dreams.” Sawyer raked his trimmed beard. “Figured I’d come check on the two of you.”
“If he reacts the same way as the other cases I’ve seen, he’ll need a couple more injections before it starts flushing his system.” Nova leaned forward and gently pulled back a corner of the bandage. “The streaks haven’t progressed any further, so we have that going for us.”
“Is there anything I can do to help?”
“I need the trap. I want to examine it and see how the silver was applied, plus my dad is going to want it for evidence. Hopefully, the storm will have moved on enough for my father’s enforcers to come over in the morning so you can lead them back to search for it.”
“I’m game. I just hope I can find the spot.”
“I have faith in you.” Nova tugged on his hand, giving it a squeeze.
“I’m glad you do, because my confidence has taken a blast these past few days. I knew better than to charge up this mountain, but I let Landon talk me into it.” Sawyer sat on the foot of the bed, careful not to disturb his sleeping friend. “Same with the bear trap incident. I told Landon we needed to wait until morning, but he didn’t listen. He was so focused on getting up here and finding something.”
“Do you know what he was looking for?”
“Other than winter shots for a new portfolio, not really.”
“Is he always like that?”
“Yes and no.” Sawyer shrugged while he considered how to explain Landon’s sixth sense. “He’s always been focused on his passions, but it’s more than that. He has a unique gift, I guess you could call it. Landon gets these feelings that always lead him to the best locations for his photos, the best place to stop and eat, things like that. It’s gotten us out of jams more than once.”
“Except this time,” Nova noted.
Sawyer winced. “You’re right. I didn’t say it was flawless.” He sighed heavily. “It was a complete misstep. He jumped to the side not to mess up a set of tracks and landed right on the damn thing.”
This time, Nova winced.
“I heard him,” she whispered. Her eyes widened at the memory. “I was getting more firewood for the night and heard a blood-curdling scream. I waited, but heard nothing else, finally dismissing it as the wind.”
“That was Landon. He only screamed one time. I was right behind him when it happened and rushed to pry the trap open to get his leg out.”
“You were wearing gloves. That’s why you didn’t know it was silver-laced,” Nova pointed out.
“Yeah.” Sawyer nodded in agreement. “There was so much blood... all I knew was I needed help, and fast. I used my belt as a tourniquet, slung him over my shoulder, and headed down the mountain. Fortunately, I saw smoke from your chimney and headed in your direction.”
“He’s lucky you were with him,” Nova said softly.
“I’m lucky you were here,” Sawyer corrected. “I would have lost him if you hadn’t been.”
“We’re not out of the woods yet,” Nova sighed. “He still has a long struggle ahead of him.” Nova stood and stretched. “I could use some coffee. How about you?”
“Sounds great,” Sawyer said with a smile. “I’d offer to make it, but I don’t know where everything is.”
“You can catch it next round.” Nova laughed easily. “I need to stretch my legs anyway. Back in a bit.”
Sawyer watched her leave, feeling a tinge of loss when the door closed behind her. Did the mate bond work that fast? He hadn’t claimed her. Was there even a bond yet? All he knew was he wanted her back in the room with him, and his wolf was in total agreement.
Nova eased from the bedroom, making a beeline for the coffee maker. Once she got that under way, it was time to get the fire going again. Being a shifter, she always ran hot, but in Wyoming’s harsh winters she needed the in-floor radiant heating to warm the cabin. Most of all, she loved her fireplace, even having one in her bedroom. She hadn’t made it up the stairs last night, preferring to keep a close eye on her patient.
Thinking of Landon reminded her to call her father. He needed to know what was going on, and he wasn’t going to be thrilled about silver bear traps on his mountain.
“What’s wrong, sweetheart?”
“Good morning to you too, Dad. How is everyone?” Nova replied cheekily.
“I’m going to let that one slide because I know something is wrong. Out with it,” he growled low into the phone.
Nova sighed. She’d never be able to get anything past him.
“I presently have two houseguests. Two men. One got caught in a bear trap, and the other one was carrying him down the mountain when they spotted smoke from my cabin.”
“A bear trap! Fucking hunters... don’t they know bears hibernate in the winter?”
“I don’t think it was meant for bears, Dad. It was laced with silver. The men are shifters and I’m dealing with silver poisoning.”
“Holy fuckin’ crap! Does this get any worse? Who are they?”
“Sawyer Billings and Landon Monroe... they’re not from the pack, and before you start, they weren’t planning on being on the mountain more than an afternoon. That’s why they didn’t seek you out for permission,” Nova hurried on, knowing her father’s temper about trespassers. “The storm caught them unawares... let it slide, Dad.” He was firm on his stand about people who didn’t have the sense to be outdoors. “The injured man is a photographer, and he didn’t see the trap buried in the snow.”
“If I send Bryce and Linc out to your place, can your houseguest take them to the spot where the trap is?”
“He’s willing to try. I’ve already told him that’s what you would probably want to do.”
“That’s my girl. Let me get things rolling on this end. Expect company in about an hour.”
Nova finished setting up a tray with coffee for two while she spoke to her dad... which went way better than she’d expected. Sawyer met her at the bedroom doorway, taking the tray from her.
“Thanks.” She smiled up at him, enjoying the way his face lit up at such a simple thing. She was drawn to him, curious to know more about him, knowing it was the mate connection at work.
“I spoke to my dad. He’s sending two of his best enforcers and trackers to help you find the trap. Bryce and Linc are cool. They won’t give you a hard time.”
“Have you taken to reading my mind now?” Sawyer blew on his coffee before taking a sip. “When you look at me, it’s like you see the real me.”
“Isn’t that what Fated Mates are all about?” Nova asked curiously. She was definitely going to have a conversation with her mother in the very near future.
“I guess... hell, I have no idea. I’ve never known anyone who had a Fated Mate, much less discussed it with anyone, and I sure never expected to find my own.” He gave her a sheepish grin. “All I know is when you look at me, you see the real me... and you don’t look away.”
“Who hurt you, Sawyer?” Nova set her coffee down and knelt beside him. “Who betrayed you so badly that you don’t even know your own worth anymore?”
“Is it that obvious?” He swallowed hard, forcing himself to meet her eyes.
“It is to me.” She laced her fingers with his and kissed his knuckles. “You’re my mate, and the first rule is no secrets between us. Deal?”
“Deal!” Sawyer pulled Nova up between his legs, so she sat perched on his knee and wrapped his arms around her. “I promise to tell you my whole sordid past, but it’s going to have to wait. I need to get dressed before your dad’s men get here. They may be cool, but I bet they’re not real patient.”
Nova laughed, then kissed Sawyer softly on the lips.
“You have a point. We’ll talk later. I’m going to give Landon another injection while you get dressed.”
They both looked over at the injured man who was beginning to stir in his sleep.
“Timing is everything.” Nova hurried to prepare the syringe before Landon came fully awake.
A sharp rap sounded from the front of the house.
“Damn, they had to be early,” Nova muttered.
“I’ll get it. You tend to Landon. Maybe I can talk them into some coffee while they wait.”
“Good idea. I knew I made a full pot for a reason.”
