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Chapter 26
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Luna Diana Chapter 27
Later, after they were well rested, he’d insist that she go to his cousin’s place. She raked her fingers through his hair, no doubt tangled and a mess. Her lips turned up. Seductive minx. “Let’s go to bed for a while, Diana.” His voice was still husky, but tired, too. He climbed off her, but before she could rise, he slipped his arms under her and lifted her from the couch. “I could have walked, Caleb. You must be worn out.” He growled. “You’re talking to a gray, Diana.” She didn't mean any insult, but the idea still gnawed at him that he hadn’t been able to best Ragnar yet. Any comment about his stamina remained a sore spot with him for now. He’d tried to remark with a lighthearted air, but Ragnar—damn him—angered him even more as the news of Diana's past was revealed. He kissed her cheek and carried her into the bedroom. Before long, he was folded around her under the covers. Diana snuggled with Caleb, her head on his chest, listening to his steady breathing and
Luna Diana Chapter 28
Diana listened but didn't heat any further sounds. Slipping out of Caleb’s arms, she was surprised he didn’t wake. Her heart beating hard sent the blood rushing into her ears. Maybe she’d dreamed she heard something. Maybe a branch scratched at the window out back. So why had it sounded like a key in the front door? She pulled on her jeans and a T-shirt and then seized the 9 mm from her bedside table drawer where she'd hidden it again, minus two bullets. Silver or regular? She growled low under her breath but reminded herself that Ragnar could be dead. Taking a step out of the bedroom, she listened with her fine-tuned hearing and sniffed the air for any sign of an intruder. Nothing. She turned in the direction of the kitchen. The house remained dark, although she could see like a wolf in the middle of the blackest night. Her heart thundering, she crept closer to the kitchen. She sensed something, a hushed word, a faint rustling,something out of the ordinary. Then t
Luna Diana Chapter 29
Caleb let Alfred up. He would have killed them all for trying to take his mate, but only if they’d been in wolf form. As humans, they were bound to obey human law. As wolves, the law of the jungle prevailed. The strongest and most cunning won. Survival of the fittest. “You can’t have her,” Alfred said, standing, his face flushed and his eyes haunted. “She’s a red and in our territory.” His words were dark and menacing, but he bowed his head like a beta wolf in front of the alpha male, defeated and not willing to be whipped any further, submitting to the gray, no matter how much it hurt his male wolf pride. “We fight like wolves the next time,” Caleb said, his gaze intense, forcing the reds to agree. Even if Alfred and his followers didn’t like the idea of dealing with him wolf to wolf, their failed attempt attacking Diana had wounded the red pack leader’s pride too deeply to try again. Plus, their injuries would need time to heal. Then the moon’s appearance would tell
Luna Diana Chapter 30
After he yanked on a pair of jeans, he stalked back to the kitchen. Chrissie had served up the sausages and muffins, preventing them from scorching, thankfully. “Did you want to eat with us?” he asked, assuming there was no polite way of getting rid of the woman. On the other hand, since she’d saved their butts the previous night, they kind of owed her. Chrissie glanced at Diana. “Looks like you might have a time waking her to eat. What did you do to tucker her out so?” A smile appeared. “Forget it. I already know the answer.” He ignored her, wishing Diana didn’t have such an intrusive neighbor. Leaning over Diana, he kissed her ear. “Diana honey, do you want to eat?” She murmured something inaudible. “Okay.” He lifted her from the chair and carried her down the hall to the bedroom. After laying her on the mattress, he hesitated. He didn’t want to disturb her slumber, but since they didn’t wear anything to sleep in, and he intended to join her after he ate brea
Luna Diana Chapter 31
Diana gripped Caleb’s hand as if an ocean current tugged her out to sea and she would drown if she let go. Her mother had always warned her to stay away from humans. They’d never accept the lupus garou’s ways. Now, so many years after her mother’s untimely death, those words haunted her. Diana could never explain the truth to Chrissie. Yet she'd cherished her friendship with her . . . until now. But protecting her mate and the lupus garous took priority. Immediately, she wanted to return home, to the grays that had taken her in, to a life where she could run with the pack and share the bonds that made them alike as well as the differences that made them unique. She wearied of hiding who she was, wanting nothing more than to be Diana, lupus garou, free to run on the wild side on moon-filled nights. On the other hand, the notion that Ragnar was confirmed to be perfectly alive, searching for her, and that he would kill Caleb filled her with dread. Hell, after she shot him
Luna Diana Chapter 32
Diana considered the Oregon map as Caleb drove out of her residential area. “Head for Beaverton, west of Portland. That’s where Ross lives. Nicol’s place is farther out, and Alfred’s ranch home is south of Portland.” She rifled through the papers and pulled out the one that listed their occupations. “According to a website that Nicol advertises on, he’s a professional game hunter and takes people on tours, but you found that out already when you spoke with him earlier.” “Yeah, but not where he actually hunts.” “Well, here’s the listing. He’s a fourth-generation big hunter game guide—” Caleb snorted. “As in he’s all four generations.” “Bet you’re right. He charges fifteen hundred tothirty-five hundred dollars for hunts in northern Idaho for mountain lions, black bear, antlered deer, and elk.” “Not too far away then.” “Nope. But then he also schedules two trips a year to South Africa for antelope, buffalo, and kudu, for a price ranging from five thousand to
Luna Diana Chapter 33
The sky was dark, with massive clouds threatening to rain, and the air was heavy with cold moisture. Caleb hoped the impending storm would hold off until they were through. He sure preferred his drier Colorado weather to this. The search for Ross’s place took longer than expected because, even though his address was Woodburn, he lived a couple of miles out on a gravel road. Because of the thick trees and winding road, they couldn’t see the houses hidden back off the lane until they were right on top of the drives leading to them. When Caleb finally spied the redwood house tucked back in the forest, he pulled off the main road and parked a few hundred yards from the place. Lights were on inside, and two vehicles were parked out front. “Still want to check it out?” Caleb asked, glancing at Diana. She rubbed her arms. “No. Let’s go to where the women were murdered. Maybe we’ll pick up Ross's scent at one of their places. Then we can check out Alfred's house in town.” Ca
Luna Diana Chapter 34
Caleb noticed Diana checking out the sideview mirror again and saw the tension in her stiffened spine. “See anything?” “I thought I saw a black Humvee. Twice now. But when I look back, it’s gone, vanished in the rain.” “I’ve seen it before.” Diana looked at Caleb. “When?” “When we were at the dance club. I saw it parked there and then again when I took a look in the Cascades for any evidence of the murdering red’s complicity; it followed me for a while and then disappeared.” “A red? Or Ragnar?” “Ragnar would have confronted me. The windows were too dark; I couldn’t see the driver, but I gathered he was a red—wary, questioning, but something more. I can't pinpoint the gut feeling I have about it, except that, even though he’s hostile—a red not liking a gray in the red's territory and has his sights set on the only female red wolf who’s young enough to be pursued—he doesn't seem to have any evil purpose.” “Like reporting our actions to Alfred.” “Right
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Luna Diana Epilogue
Five months later, Caleb cradled Diana in his arms while they nestled on a new redwood porch swing he had crafted for her. She gazed at the beautiful greenhouse situated nearby—twice as big as her old one and already filled with rhododendrons and azaleas from Oregon, now her second home. “Chrissie wants us to come to her wedding in two months. She and Henry moved the date up, afraid I couldn’t travel if they waited too long or, if they delayed it until after the babies are born, it would be harder for me to take them with us.” She smiled up at Caleb. He grunted. “I knock Thompson out during my rescuing you at the hospital, and he wants me to be his best man at his wedding? Humans. No figuring them.” “Hmm, maybe it’s the wolf in you he really likes.” Caleb shook his head, his hand caressing her belly, swelling with triplets. She sighed heavily against his chest. A wolf’s howl in the distance brought a smile to her lips. “The Sinapu sure have made strides to reintrod
Luna Diana Chapter 41
Despite loving her wolf form, Diana thought she could live without it forever if it meant she and Caleb would not have to face Ragnar’s wrath; after all, keeping her wolf form meant that she could possibly lose the gray she dearly loved. As before, she would be the dutiful mate and sit on the sidelines, relaxed and quiet, giving the illusion that she didn’t worry about Caleb’s strength. But as soon as the grays gathered for the evening spectacle, her heart sank. Crickets sounded their raucous tunes, frogs riveted from near the stream, and a breeze stirred pine needles with a whooshing sound. Cold and crisp, the smell of an expected snow touched the air. She wished the whisper of frost would harden Ragnar’s joints and make him unable to dodge Caleb’s lunges. That Ragnar’s teeth would fall out from disrepair. That his eyes and hearing were not so keen and he would make fatal mistakes, giving Caleb the advantage. But he was not an old wolf, only in his mid-thirties, and he wa
Luna Diana Chapter 40
On the way home, Diana tapped her thumbs on the steering wheel and then finally glanced at Caleb, his eyes drowsy, as he leaned his head against the passenger's window. He must have seen the upturned rug. “Ragnar slept in my bed,” she growled low. “Yeah.” He stared out the window. Did he find Ragnar’s note or not? Oh hell, no sense in keeping the situation secret. She squeezed the steering wheel and then loosened her hold. “He left a note.” Caleb looked at her. “Underneath the floorboard.” He didn’t say a word, just watched her with a stern look. “I . . . I had another gun; the bullets were meant for him.” “I know, Diana honey.” “You did?” Tears pricked her eyes. “Yeah.” “But you didn’t say anything.” “I didn’t want to worry you that he’d found the gun.” “Would you have let me keep it?” He ground his teeth and looked away. “Yeah. Even though I didn’t ever intend for you to have to use it.” She took a steadying breath. “Thanks
Luna Diana Chapter 39
Before long, warm water filled the tub, and Caleb reclined on his back as she climbed on top of him. He kissed her lips and ran his hands over her breasts,heating her deep inside. “I have to say, Diana, you made me proud.” “I was afraid you’d be angry with me because I tried to help you.” He leisurely licked the bathwater off her cheek. “You love me and wanted to protect me. You didn’t do it because you felt I couldn’t handle him. It was just instinctive. An alpha female quality.” She washed his bloodied neck with care. Referring to her as having alpha qualities was the greatest compliment he could ever give. “I was so proud of you to submit to another red, to allow him to fight Simon for the right to be the leader of the pack.” Knowing how difficult it was not only to pretend to cower before a red, but in front of his mate—it had to have been the hardest thing he’d ever done. Her chest swelled with pride to think such a great gray wanted her for his very own.
Luna Diana Chapter 38
The sound of Ragnar's howl nearly made Diana's heart stop. Caleb’s ears pulled back and he narrowed his eyes. His tail pointed straight out, parallel to the ground. Undoubtedly, he sensed the added danger when he caught the sound, too. It just couldn’t be Ragnar. Not when Caleb had so many reds to fight. Diana continued to recline on the ground, pretending not to be bothered, to show Caleb that she believed in him with all of her heart. But she couldn't smooth down the hair standing erect on the nape of her neck or tail. She couldn’t relax her tail, fixed straight as a spear, her body on full alert, ready to react if Ragnar made a sudden appearance. Then she reminded herself that she had her gun and it could give him a lot of heartburn for a while. Ross ran toward Caleb with his teeth bared. Fire burned in the depths of his brown eyes. Caleb responded , his leg and back muscles moving like a waterfall, fluid and powerful. Grabbing Ross by the throat, he snapped his nec
Luna Diana Chapter 37
Four SUVs barreled up, scattering the gravel on the shoulder. Two parked in front of them, two behind, as if wedging them in, allowing them no chance of escape. The sun had nearly faded from the sky, and already the reds were ditching their clothes in the vehicles. Diana and Caleb waited. Despite the old man’s words, the gray was not likely a welcome sight among the reds, and the notion that Caleb—instead of a red—would kill their leader most likely didn’t bode well with many of them. As the old man said, there were many who probably felt that Diana could solve their problems by mating with one of the reds and thereby end the killings. What was done was done, and it wouldn't be repeated, but the problem was that, if Alfred won the prize, Ross, Nicol, and Simon would still be without mates. And they would continue their killing spree. The urge to mate ran in their blood. Desiring a mate who would race in the wild with them proved tantamount. Sexual relations with a woman in
Luna Diana Chapter 36
The rental Suburban pulled out of Diana's driveway and headed through the development, an older couple from the red lupus garou pack driving it. After a moment's hesitation, the unmarked police car followed. “Now what, Caleb?” Diana asked. Her voice was tight and worried. Her cheeks flushed faintly. He hated to see her so concerned, and he wrapped his arm around her shoulders. “Now we wait for—” A different Suburban, this one black, pulled in front of the house. “Is it a red escort? The police wouldn’t send someone else, would they?” “I don’t think so.” Caleb started to walk outside. Diana tugged at his arm. “Wait for me. I’ve got to do something.” He couldn’t help looking at her in disbelief. “My mother always said to use the bathroom before I went anywhere,” she hastily explained. “Just don’t leave without me.” He tilted his chin down. “I won’t be leaving without you, honey, that’s for certain.” Her eyes held a wealth of worry; then she no
Luna Diana Chapter 35
Early the next morning, even though it was dark, with threatening storm clouds hovering overhead like a permanent menace, Caleb reached out for Diana in bed, but he found her gone. He listened, hoping to hear her butler announcing new email or the sound of her cooking in the kitchen. Nothing. And then the rain, pitter pattering at first, followed by a roar as it drowned the area, filled his ears. He was sure if he didn’t leave here soon, his skin would start wearing a coat of green moss or mold. Shoving the covers aside, he headed out of the bedroom. She wasn’t in her office. She couldn’t be in the greenhouse now. The thought of the ruined greenhouse sickened him. When he returned her to Colorado, he'd build her one twice as big. He strode through the living room, but then he saw her standing in the green velvet robe on the back porch,staring at the burned wreckage. Growling at the insidiousness of whoever torched her building, he pulled the door open and stalked outside.
Luna Diana Chapter 34
Caleb noticed Diana checking out the sideview mirror again and saw the tension in her stiffened spine. “See anything?” “I thought I saw a black Humvee. Twice now. But when I look back, it’s gone, vanished in the rain.” “I’ve seen it before.” Diana looked at Caleb. “When?” “When we were at the dance club. I saw it parked there and then again when I took a look in the Cascades for any evidence of the murdering red’s complicity; it followed me for a while and then disappeared.” “A red? Or Ragnar?” “Ragnar would have confronted me. The windows were too dark; I couldn’t see the driver, but I gathered he was a red—wary, questioning, but something more. I can't pinpoint the gut feeling I have about it, except that, even though he’s hostile—a red not liking a gray in the red's territory and has his sights set on the only female red wolf who’s young enough to be pursued—he doesn't seem to have any evil purpose.” “Like reporting our actions to Alfred.” “Right
