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at you. And that would make me feel& less. For not protecting you too.
When was the last time he d been this honest? Had he ever? It surprised him
how easy it was to do, to just lay everything bare. He leaned his forehead against
Mick s. I need you to stay whole, he whispered.
Finally, finally Mick touched him. His arms lifted, circled Jonas s waist, and
yanked him close. You are not getting off the hook for not discussing this with me.
No but and Jonas heaved a huge sigh of relief. Mick was going to go. Someone
has to watch Harper, and I have to be focused elsewhere. You know that. He
couldn t help push, though. Could you really do it?
Even Mick s scent went cold. If it meant protecting you or her, yes.
And that I don t want you to have to make that choice? Does that mean
anything?
Mick smiled, slow and sweet and sensual. Baby, the time is going to come you
have to let someone take care of you.
They did something those words to Jonas. The sensual promise. The
exacting command. He whispered, Maybe. For now, though, I need you to go. He
leaned forward and kissed Mick. All teeth and tongue and bite. Be safe. Keep her
safe. And let me do my thing.
Mick didn t let him go so easily. He bit him hard on his bottom lip. We are
going to talk about this again.
He scented Zach returning, and he wanted Mick away. Safe. Go.
Spellbound Moon 2: Twice Shy 75
He wasn t happy about it, but he turned to leave. Jonas watched until he
disappeared in the growing dark, and Zach stood at his side. Then Gabby and Ethan
strolled into the yard. They both radiated tension.
Zach heaved a sigh. You two. Can it.
Gabby flashed a quick rueful grin, and the anxiety seemed to deflate out of
her. What s the plan?
You re playing decoy.
Ethan jerked, his eyes glowing wolf yellow, but he nodded. Even if he claimed
her right now, she was a lieutenant in the pack, and she d remain one. Up close she
looked nothing like Harper, but they were the same height and had similar builds.
Harper s father wouldn t realize he d gone after the wrong target until it was too
late.
The patrols had been ordered to let the man slip through or believe he had.
He d probably use magic at the gate for entrance and to find the location of Jonas s
house, so the gate guards hadn t been warned. Jonas felt a little bad about that, but
they couldn t accidentally betray a plan they knew nothing of.
Now it was simply a matter of waiting, and he was nothing if not a patient
wolf. If he d been in lupine form, his lips would have been pulled back in a snarl.
This was one kill he was looking forward to.
The plan was put into action.
Hours later, he could see Gabby through the window where she pretended to
be Harper, puttering around the kitchen. He could smell the others in the woods
his backup should things go wrong. He wouldn t need it. He had determination and
cold, cutting fury on his side. He lifted his snout to check the angle of the moon.
Almost time.
But the minutes stretched on and on until the wolf that was sometimes Jonas
thought Dane s vision must have been wrong. The wolf grew restless, then agitated
when suddenly the forest around it felt wrong. Too quiet. Too still. There was a
76 Loribelle Hunt
yelp Ethan s that was cut off too quickly to indicate anything other than
unconsciousness or death.
Teeth bared, he crept forward from his place hidden in the trees, sharp wolf s
eyes quartering the open space. Watching and waiting for the wizard to reveal
himself. The only movement was from Zach, who crouched in bushes close to the
house.
Sensing something approach from his left, he froze. His muscles coiled tight,
ready to spring at any attack or threat. Careful to keep the movement small and
natural, unnoticed, he swung his head in that direction, keeping his eyelids
narrowed to tiny slits to avoid giving his location away. The glow of a werewolf s
eyes couldn t be mistaken for anything else.
He saw nothing but a blackness where there should have been trees, and
barely restrained his triumphant howl. The wizard was cloaking himself, or trying
to, but he couldn t hide from Jonas. Couldn t hide from justice.
The wolf edged closer, still careful, but moving faster now. The wizard was too
far away to spring at. Yet. The blackness moved forward, no longer cautious as it
approached the house. It didn t notice the wolf pursuing at its back. But the other
wolf had been spotted. The blackness solidified into form for a moment and Zach
rolled out of the way just in time to miss a blast of energy erupting from the
wizard s hands. Then Alexander was that almost invisible again.
Jonas leaped for his back, worried only fleetingly as his teeth sank into the
blackness. The illusion dropped so fast Jonas almost lost his hold, disoriented. The
hesitation nearly cost him everything. He was amazed at the strength of the wizard,
who dropped desperately to knock him off his back. Then there was nothing but a
human cry of pain as Jonas s teeth closed over his jugular. Nothing but the sound of
gurgling death when he ripped it out.
He shifted as he dropped the wizard. Spit blood out of his mouth, then wiped it
away with the back of his hand. Zach joined him as Gabby ran out of the house,
shaking and panicked.
Spellbound Moon 2: Twice Shy 77
Ethan?
He didn t smell Ethan s death in the air, but that didn t mean he wasn t in
trouble. We ll find him. Go get Mick.
She took off up the trail. Zach jerked his head to where the trees were thickest.
This way.
It only took a few minutes to find Ethan. He was unconscious, pale but
breathing. Jonas slung him over one shoulder and followed Zach back to his house,
where a crowd had gathered inside. He wasn t surprised Gabby and the others had
beat him back to the house. Jonas carried him to the living room and laid him out
on the couch, where Elspeth approached and looked him over.
Knocked out by a blast of magic. He ll be fine in a few days, she gently told
Gabby, who d knelt by his side and taken his hand, refusing to be moved. He ll be
more comfortable at home in bed.
Jonas stepped forward to lift him again, but Zach and Caleb stopped it. We ll
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