Page 31 of Crimson Moon Falling

Her dual magic was why they’d taken McKenna. My protective instincts flared. Were Langston and Apex hunting down the survivors from Roswell who hadn’t been fully turned? Were they trying to contain and minimize the damage?

I turned to Conall. “Can we get Sahara or maybe Jamie to stay with her, and give her Pack hospitality while she’s here?”

Conall turned to her. “Of course. Come stay at the Pack house tonight. There are plenty of guest bedrooms.”

McKenna blinked rapidly. “I don’t think they’ll let–”

A snarl came from down the hall, and I turned to see the massive, blue-tinged ogre with long black braids from Yellowstone stalking toward us.

“She’s in my custody, and I say where she goes.” Conall stepped in front of us, but I moved to the side and lifted my hands, palms up.

After the implant was inserted, I’d been afraid to use my energy, not knowing how it would react and if I might seriously hurt someone. But for this bastard, I’d make an exception. “You have no authority to hold her. She’s a shifter, and we’re extending our hospitality.”

“She’s in my custody, and I can do whatever the fuck I want with her. Now move!” When he started charging, I sent jagged shards of electricity arcing toward him, the bolts striking him center mass. He flew back a good ten feet, hit the back wall, and slid down.

We all froze. Then Conall strode forward and squatted next to him to check his pulse. The ogre was still alive, but unconscious and twitching.

“McKenna,” Conall growled. “You’re officially under Pack protection while you’re in our territory. We’ll call Sawyer to let him know.”

McKenna stared at the ogre, then crept over and pushed his leg with her foot. When he didn’t stir, she kicked him. “That’s for scaring the crap out of my mother.” Tears rolled down her cheeks as she kicked him again in the stomach. “And that one’s from me.” Fine tremors wracked her small frame when she turned to me. “You don’t have to–”

“We want to,” I interrupted.

“Okay.” She took a few breaths.

Later that evening, the sun slanted across the pasture as I took McKenna for a walk toward the horse paddock so we could talk. Dr. Wharton told McKenna that although the implant had been removed successfully, she still suffered from severe post-traumatic stress, sleep deprivation, and weight loss.

“Thank you for letting me stay here,” McKenna murmured for maybe the tenth time. “I didn’t want to go with them after the exam.”

“Where’s your boyfriend, and your mom?” I’d met both during the investigation.

Her tired gaze drifted to the forest. “I didn’t tell my mother, and I broke up with my boyfriend. It isn’t fair to drag them into this mess.” Heartbreak coiled around her like wisps of smoke.

We stopped, and I stared around at the complex. It was tranquil and well-kept, but this place would always remind me of the day I stood outside the gates, barred from entering after Conall issued his interdiction. No one tells you that when tragedy or heartbreak strikes, the pain and fallout linger long after the events are over.

“Let’s go feed the horses. They always make me feel better.” I held up a bag of baby carrots I’d swiped from the kitchen.

A few horses grazed peacefully. Ethel, one of Conall’s favorites, lifted her head as we approached, ears perked forward in curiosity. Daisy ambled over, her coat gleaming in the sunlight. She stuck her velvety nose over the fence, searching for a treat.

“They’re beautiful,” McKenna murmured as she fed Ethel. “Do you ride?”

“Not well. Why did you break up with your boyfriend? I met him during the investigation, and he seemed like a nice guy.”

She jerked her shoulder. “I don’t want to drag him into it, and I’m not the same girl he started dating. God, it feels like another life. And I’m just so fucking angry. Ty kept saying he wanted to be with me, to help me. But he has no idea what happened in that place… what that operative did to me. What they put inside my head.” Her voice cracked.

“You’re protecting him.”

She looked out, unseeing, at the paddock. “He deserves someone whole. Someone who doesn’t wake screaming, or a girl who flinches whenever he touches her. I thought about ending it,” she whispered, her voice so low I almost didn’t catch the words. “Not just the relationship. Everything.”

My body locked as the statement hung between us, heavy and raw. The coldness receded, and sorrow broke free.

“McKenna—”

“I didn’t. I won’t,” she cut me off, her head bending. “Those fucking bastards aren’t going to win. But the thoughts come, especially at night. I can still feel their hands on me. And the pain.” She turned to face me, her eyes hollow. “Sometimes death feels like it would’ve been a blessing.”

I reached for her hand, ignoring the jolt of rage and despair that shot through me when I touched her. “I know. I understand.”

“Do you?” Her gaze met mine, searching.