Bad Moon Rising Read online

  This moon, he’d taken every precaution. But a stone sat in his stomach. Unease kept him surly. This month was different, not only because the eclipse would heighten the panthers’ arousal, but because DiDi was right here in the middle of it all. Innocent and ignorant—and if he had his way, she’d remain that way. But her natural curiosity and warm sensuality might lead her into danger. Mason wasn’t sure how he’d divide his attention between the yowling predators on the island and the cats who’d be prowling around her motel room, hoping to lure her outside to play. Already, she’d proven susceptible to their wild allure. Even unknowing of her actions, she’d given herself to two cats. The residual effects of his mark and the heat of their mating would stir a fire inside her that might tease her into defying his order to remain inside.

  Noting the darkening sky, he pulled into the parking lot of the motel. His groin tightened as he remembered their last encounter. How her lips had surrounded him. How sweet her own arousal had tasted. When they’d first mated in the forest, he’d had the fleeting thought that perhaps she was strong enough to live with a panther, but after last night, he wasn’t sure he was disciplined enough to keep his teeth and claws sheathed. She stirred a darkness inside him. His need and desire were approaching a fever pitch. How much of that was the coming full moon, he didn’t know.

  He let himself out of his car and strode to her door. She didn’t answer his knock, and the foreboding he’d felt growing all day, exploded inside him, dousing him in a cold terror. She hadn’t heeded his warnings.

  Hurrying back to his car, he tore out of the parking lot and headed to Ondine’s house. Once out of the car, he lifted his head to catch her scent. The subtle floral and heady musk was there, but fading. She’d been here. He followed the fading trail to the dock and fisted his hands at his sides, because he knew with a dreadful certainty exactly where she was.

  DiDi had followed Bobby through the graveyard as he’d talked about the ancestors, their escape from a bloody scourge in France to the quiet, hidden bayou where they’d found peace. A calm they guarded and were willing to kill to keep.

  His descriptions of what was done to hunters who wandered inside their borders sent shivers down her spine. He spoke so matter-of-factly about how they’d surrounded trophy hunters in the past and slashed them to bits. Something he hadn’t enjoyed in a long, long time because Mason was such a killjoy. “Dose who enter our parish, pay a price.”

  He said it with that sleepy look of his, the one that no doubt earned him an endless string of sexual partners. “Will my price be my life?” she asked, keeping her tone calm, her chin tilted upward.

  “Why speak of prices? Soon, you be only too happy, chatte, for me to cover your sweet body. You’ll beg for it. Da price’ll be pleasure unlike anyt’ing you ever experienced.”

  And while she wished she could snort and look away, wished she didn’t feel the strong pull toward his perfect body, she knew he only told the truth. The later the hour grew, the more her body softened, ripening for sex. Her breaths were shallower; her pussy grew moist. And the bastard knew it.

  His sexy smirk spread across his handsome face.

  Accelerating beats of her pulse echoed in her ears. “Bobby, I want to go back to the motel.”

  His gaze narrowed, but he didn’t answer, his head swung toward the forest beside them. He tsked. “Mason don’ know his place. Don’ know who owns your sweet body.”

  Her breath caught at the mention of Mason. Was he near? Did he know she’d disobeyed? “No one owns me.”

  His head turned again, and he caught her with a dark, penetrating glare. “Dis night, I be your mate. Your womb will fill with my seed. My cubs.”

  “I’m on the pill, you idiot. ‘Filling me’ won’t do you any good.”

  “Your medicine won’ protect you when the moon shines down. I fuck you, you’ll breed.”

  His tone was dark and commanding. Uneasiness grew, and DiDi backed away, one step, two. His eyelids lowered to slits and his teeth lengthened as black down sprouted on his face and chest. Giving into her panic, she turned and ran toward the water. Alligators and snakes were less frightening than the creature behind her.

  And yet, she heard no footsteps behind her, just a chuckle that turned into a yowl, and she knew he was stripping, readying to chase her like she was a frightened rabbit. Which angered her. She wasn’t a rabbit or a mouse. Wasn’t a woman who caved to her fears. She was a fighter. She’d find the boat, grab a paddle, and knock the stuffing out of him. She ran to where he’d pulled the boat onto the bank. Now, a long row of pirogues were lined up in the tall grass. She ran for the nearest one, but drew up short when a panther stepped out of the water and shook its fur, sending droplets spraying outward.

  The cat dropped its head toward the ground and let out a low growl.

  DiDi froze in place, staring in fascinated horror as the cat approached. Sure it was going to take a bite of her, she gasped when it rubbed its snout against her thigh, her belly, then ducked and pushed its head between her legs. The panther was marking her, and she knew in an instant—this was Mason.

  Another deep growl erupted behind her.

  Her body stiffened then she stepped behind Mason, her hand bunching in the fur between his shoulders as she turned to face Bobby.

  The two large cats stood still, growls deepening. Mason shook off her hand and moved forward, raising his head to give a frightening squalling roar. Bobby circled him, keeping his head low, and then rushed him, his teeth bared. The panthers traded clawing swipes and deep bites, rolling over and over as they wrestled.

  And then one cat climbed onto the other’s back and sank his teeth into a meaty shoulder and gave a shake.

  Only when the cat beneath him hung limply did Mason release his hold.

  Bobby lay still for a moment, then rose slowly, gave her one last steady glare, and ran for the forest, slipping into the foliage and disappearing.

  DiDi let go of the breath she hadn’t known she’d held and sank to her knees. Her body began to shiver. Footsteps drew near, and she glanced up to find Mason standing nude in front of her, wearing his human skin. She shot up from the ground and into his waiting arms, and then rested against his broad chest until her quivers dissipated. “I’m sorry I didn’t listen to you,” she whispered against his skin.

  “It’s my fault,” he said, his voice gruff. A hand stroked her hair and shoulder and drew her closer. “I should have cuffed you to the damn bed.”

  In the distance, squalls erupted. DiDi encircled his sturdy frame with her arms and pushed closer.

  “It’s too late to leave, now, chère.”

  She eased back to look upward. Moonlight illuminated his face and shone like bright mirrors in his eyes. His chin jutted toward the sky. She followed the gesture just as darkness began to slip over the moon. The eclipse had begun.

  And just as quickly as that fact entered her mind, her body reacted, blood rushing toward her sex to engorge her pussy and inner walls. Her nipples tingled. Moisture released in a hot trickle that wet her panties. “Mason?” she said, not recognizing the thin, needy quality of her own voice.

  Mason gave a deep, masculine grunt. “Yes, baby. I’ll give you what you need.”

  She drew a deep breath. “I want to see you.”

  “No.” He gave a rough shake of his head. “I’ll take you as a man, sweetheart. You don’ know what you’re askin’ for.”

  “I think I do. And I want it all.” She leaned toward him and rubbed her chest against his, needing to be closer.

  Mason stared downward for a long moment.

  She felt his chest rise and fall; his cock jumped against her belly. Seeing his nostrils flare, she knew he was drawing in her scent. Each primal reaction inched her own arousal higher. She’d landed herself in the middle of a bizarre ritual. And now that she was safe inside his arms, she was ready to learn more.

  His hair and skin were still damp, and she couldn’t resist the impulse to slide her tongue to capture the
moisture. He growled deep in his throat, and she hid her smile against his chest, knowing she’d won.

  He moved her back a couple of steps, and then his hands began dragging off her clothes. When she stood as naked as he did, he swept up her hand and tugged her after him, leading her into the forest.

  From all around them came the sounds of squalls and rough purrs. The percussive beats of fucking in the underbrush. What would have seemed crude and tawdry just a day ago, listening to others having sex, felt almost natural. She tossed back her hair and reveled in the heat building inside her body.

  As the shadow slid over the moon’s face, darkness descended. Now, she depended on him to lead her. Her sense of hearing and touch amplified, and she felt the presence of others around her, knew they watched, but she didn’t care. No, that was a lie, she was excited by the thought of them seeing her naked body, that they might watch her fucking Mason. That was okay, because she knew he was strong, an alpha in his community—respected, deserving. She didn’t know him well, didn’t know his past or his secrets, but she trusted him with her life and her pleasure. She’d give herself to him without shame, without hesitation.

  As his hand tightened around hers, she felt the tension build, winding tighter around her core. He’d fill her with his seed, with his cubs, and she was ready for that. Ready to be his. Part of his world. “Hurry, Mason.”

  When he drew to a halt, he dropped her hand. Standing in the stillness, she didn’t know where he was, couldn’t hear his breaths or his steps, but then she felt his tongue—his coarse-as-fine-sandpaper tongue licking at her thighs, her belly, then slipping between her legs. As he tasted, he purred with each exhalation.

  The exhilarating sensation was too much. She was beyond aroused. His tongue rasped over her clit, and she cried out, pleasure exploding. Lord, if he could do that with just his tongue…

  She let go of her doubts and reached to plunge her fingers into his thick fur.

  Chapter Seven

  ‡

  With DiDi’s cries filling the air, Mason let himself slide into another change—part cat, part human. He trusted his mouth on her body, but not his claws. Her fingers dug deeper into his lengthened hair and anchored him with his face against her sex. His lips lifted in a smile as he continued to lick at her sweet release and ran his hands up the backs of her legs, past her thighs, and then he clutched her round ass, the tips of his sharpened nails digging just deep enough to send a long shiver through her body.

  Rustling sounded in the underbrush, drawing nearer. He paused as a large cat, its muzzle graying, entered the clearing.

  TruJean released a growl. ’Bout time, Ma-son.

  DiDi’s fingers twisted tighter in his hair. Her breath held.

  She had to have heard the growl, but she slowly relaxed as he forced himself not to tense at the elder clansman’s comment. She needed protection.

  Da boy would ha’ give her pleasure.

  He wouldn’t make her happy. She needs one mate. One man.

  Sure dat’s not just yer desire?

  Mason nuzzled his face between her spread legs, rubbing her with his soft, short fur and coating himself with her scent. Does it matter? She’s mine. Tell Bobby to keep the hell away from her.

  Chuckles sounded in his head, and then a panther’s scratchy mewl vibrated in the air as the clan elder moved away. I better head back ta town. See what mischief the young cubs be up to at the community center. Again, leaves rustled then quieted.

  Mason was a bit surprised at TruJean’s reaction to his joining The Prowl—like he’d expected it and approved. Could be the older cat thought Mason had served his clan, setting aside his own desires long enough. His deputies could handle any interlopers. Right now, he didn’t want to waste a second of the magic in the moonlight.

  Should he feel guilty about getting DiDi with cub? Should he warn her that the moon and his pheromones would make her fertile? Should he give her a choice? Mason couldn’t work up any shame over nailing her right now, here on the ground, marking her so thoroughly his scent would cling to her forever. Again, he rubbed her pussy, inhaling her tangy arousal, and felt a shudder work its way down her body. No more time for thinking or regrets he just didn’t have. This woman, with her wild, inquisitive mind and deeply sensual nature, needed attention. He’d give it to her—that and so much more. Come the morning, she’d know where she belonged.

  Slowly, the eclipse’s ominous shadow crossed the face of the moon. Bright moonlight illuminated the clearing. DiDi drew a shaky breath and glanced down.

  Mason’s dark fur cloaked his broad shoulders. He lifted his face and gave her a feline smile.

  She couldn’t help it, she grinned, delighted at his appearance. She’d never wanted an ordinary life. Hell, she’d traveled extensively, in the name of research, but really she’d wandered because she’d never felt connected or had never been satisfied. This backwater bayou held mysteries she could spend years ferreting out—beginning with this brusque, enigmatic man. His fur receded, and his feline features shifted, leaving his handsome face, the one she’d fallen for. She rubbed his cheeks, scarcely believing she was here with him. That he’d foregone his duties to be with her.

  Even in her aroused state, she’d heard his conversation with the other cat, in her mind, and knew Mason had staked his claim. Was that ability only something that the eclipse had brought? Wanting to test that theory, and needing to say the words, if only to herself, she let the thought enter her mind in a clear voice. I love you, Mason.

  His expression tightened. His nails dug into her ass. Can you hear me?

  She smiled at the hope in his gaze. This doesn’t happen to all your women?

  This doesn’t happen with human women…unless you believe the wives’ tales.

  What do those stories say?

  That soul mates know each other on a subconscious level the instant they meet. That the bond is impossible to break. And that two such lovers, when they enter the mate bond together, can hear each other’s thoughts.

  She scraped her nails through his hair, raking his scalp. A wives’ tale, huh? I did have a bad case of insta-lust.

  He stroked her skin. I won’t ever let you go. I couldn’t if I tried.

  Do I look scared?

  No, you look…beautiful, DiDi.

  Want to make some cubs?

  His eyebrows rose. You know about that?

  Bobby let it slip. He wanted to trap me with his children.

  Will you feel trapped with mine?

  Warmth flooded her body, not a sexual heat, but golden glowing happiness that settled in her heart. The home she’d been looking for was right here. I’m ready, Mason. No more playing. This place will be my home.

  He pushed off the ground and stood in front of her.

  His height and breadth overwhelmed her. His scent was delicious—male musk, a hint of something wild. When he gently cupped her face and bent toward her, she jerked back her head. “You don’t have to hold back for me. You won’t frighten me.”

  “My need to crawl inside you, to become part of you, scares the hell out of me, DiDi.” He cupped her shoulders and drew her closer. Now, his cock pushed against her belly.

  She mewled and rubbed against the thick column. Already soaked, she could have climbed his body she was so desperate, but she sensed he was struggling with a few issues of his own. If he needed to be in control, she’d give it to him. “Whatever you need from me,” she whispered, “I will give it.”

  He nuzzled her cheek. “I wish I’d brought blankets.”

  “The ground is strewn with leaves.”

  He gripped her hair and forced back her head. “I wish I could be gentle.”

  “If I’d wanted gentle, I would have left the morning after our first time together. I’ve never been so thoroughly fucked.”

  “Loved, baby. You were loved.”

  Tears burned her eyes. “Will you love me now?”

  He pulled her down to the forest floor. Squalls and screeches, throa
ty murmurs of other humans finding their pleasure—all those noises faded as she stared at the proud man who knelt between her thighs. First, his hands reached out to lift her legs, then his mouth pressed kisses on her thighs, her mound, before trailing upward, licking and biting gently, until at last, he reached her breasts.

  Already, she writhed with the sharp tension building in her belly. Her nipples tightened into peaks. She reached for him, but he growled deep in his throat and turned her so quickly, all she had time to do was gasp before he was on her, an arm beneath her belly, a hand planted on the leaf-covered ground beside her hand. Feeling his cock prod her entrance, she wriggled, helping him find her center. As he thrust deep, she threw back her head and cried out, uncaring who might hear.

  His strokes didn’t begin gently; they hammered, the tempo quickly increasing. Her slick walls accepted his vigorous thrusts, and she let her back sink and her head fall backward and to the side, knowing instinctively what he needed.

  Again, he growled. Stop.

  Hold me.

  I don’t want to hurt you.

  You won’t. And if you do, the pain won’t be more than I can take. She braced herself and pumped backward, meeting his thrusts, enticing him to let go, to give her everything he wanted.

  His tongue, now raspy, slicked the side of her neck. He was cloaked in soft down, and she felt as though he caressed her body with the softest loofah as he continued to move, stroking deep and hard.

  Sharp teeth scraped her skin. Jaws widened and clamped down on her tender shoulder. He held her, forcing her to remain still.

  She stifled a wince. Her muscles tensed, but then she forced herself to relax. Is this covering?

  A purr rumbled on his next exhaled breath, the vibration rattling through her upper body.

  Covering, taking—this is me making you mine.

  She smiled and reached back to pull his hair. Another purr rattled.