Dark of the Moon Read online

  The fine hairs on my arms prickled as I gazed at the rapidly flowing river. It was possible someone had been rafting and pulled over here to set up camp for the night. Farther down the river was a series of tight curves and turbulent white water. It was great for sports enthusiasts, but they were usually accompanied by a guide who would turn them back before they traveled this far north, this close to Wolford.

  It seemed paranoid to have a bad feeling about what I'd discovered, but I couldn't help sensing that something wasn't right. Very slowly and cautiously, I walked around the camp, noting the various boot prints that had been left behind. I could identify four distinct sets. It was also obvious that they'd arrived and left by the river. I discovered a groove in the bank where their rubber raft would have scraped along the ground as they pulled it onto shore.

  On the opposite side of the camp, I noticed an area where it looked as though evidence of prints had been brushed away with a leafy branch. The brush marks stopped near dense foliage. Grabbing a large stick, I began poking it around the brush. I heard the snap as I triggered a release mechanism that I'd suspected was hidden in there. The stick was jerked from my hand as the noose closed around it and the rope swung it up in the air, until it dangled high above my head, the branches shuddering with the force of being set loose.

  A snare trap. One of the simplest traps to set. Still dangerous. Still capable of killing an animal—but it was also possible the animal would survive being slung around as it was lifted from the ground. Judging by the setup, it had been designed to capture a medium-sized animal. Not a rabbit. Not a bear. But a wolf.

  A cold shiver raced down my spine as I backed away. I'd bet my life that I knew who was responsible. It wasn't game hunters, sportsmen, or survivalists.

  It was Bio-Chrome. Our enemy. They were stepping up their efforts to capture a Shifter and they were getting closer to discovering Wolford.

  I had to get back quickly. I had to warn them. And I hoped I wasn't too late.

  I felt a sense of relief when I finally arrived at Wolford to see the main residence still standing. I saw no evidence of violence. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary.

  Because I'd originally been two days away from Wolford, and because I'd been dragging my feet in no hurry to get back— until I discovered the trap—it was nearly midnight the next night when I finally reached the wrought iron gate that surrounded the compound. A couple of hundred years ago, most of the Shifters had lived here, hidden away from the rest of the world. But as the world had begun to change with modernization and industrialization, they'd moved out among humans—benefiting from and contributing to achievements. Still this forest remained our true home—the one place where we could be ourselves and celebrate what we were.

  I slipped a keycard into the slot and the gate clicked open. It seemed strange to me that we were a combination of the old and modern. We used keycards for access, but we still believed in the ancient ritual of guys declaring their mates. Go figure.

  After walking through, I stood there while the gate clanked shut, its sound reverberating through me. I'd always found solace here. No enemy had ever penetrated our walls. Here, tradition was passed down from one generation to the next. Closing my eyes, I took a deep breath and tried to draw in the calm of my ancestors. But I felt unwelcome, as though I were a stranger or worse, a fake.

  I wished my mother was here. I didn't often need her. I'd always wanted to be independent, so it was difficult now to admit that I yearned to have her arms around me. I'd felt relief when she'd left for Europe because I'd known she wouldn't be around to interfere. I hadn't thought I'd be able to put up with her hovering and worrying. I loved Mom, but she was a hoverer. Always trying to protect me. I'd become somewhat rebellious just to break free of her emotional restraints. I knew she meant well, but sometimes I felt as though she were smothering me.

  As for my father, he'd always been a no-show in my life. Apparently he'd seen my mother through her transformation, hung around long enough to knock her up, then taken a hike to parts unknown. She had managed quite well without a man in her life—which was the reason that I'd been convinced that I hadn't needed a guy for my transformation.

  I walked toward the massive mansion that was pretty much all that remained of what we'd once had here. Oh, there were a few buildings around that held supplies and various survival items, but when our kind visited Wolford, they stayed in this mammoth Gothic-like structure where families had once enjoyed a communal-like existence. It had been refurbished to include all the modern conveniences. Our elders lived here throughout the year.

  Hidden away in the national forest, it provided us with a sanctuary. The Dark Guardians worked as forest guides—otherwise known as sherpas—and kept people away from the secret areas of the forest that we considered off-limits to outsiders. Although really, we considered the entire forest as ours, even though the government had claimed part of it.

  Out of the corner of my eye, I caught movement and dropped into a defensive crouch, my actions honed by hours of survival training. To my surprise, I saw Connor heading toward a thick copse of trees in the distance. Although his back was to me, I recognized his loose-hipped stride. He walked as though he was never in a hurry to get anywhere. The moonlight reflected off his sandy blond hair and outlined his well-toned body. He was tall and slender, but I knew he possessed the strength of all Shifters. We not only hid our ability to shift, but the power that came with it. Looking at us, few people realized how strong and capable we were.

  As Connor disappeared between the trees, I wondered why he was alone. Where was Lindsey? Usually a couple became totally inseparable after they shared a shifting. Could there possibly be trouble in paradise?

  I wasn't exactly sure how I felt about that. As much as I'd wanted Connor to notice me, to claim me, and go through the transformation with me, I didn't want Lindsey to treat him badly. Neither did I want him to hurt Lindsey. She was a friend. I selfishly wanted Connor and unselfishly wished them the best. My confused and contradictory feelings left me unsettled. As a rule, I usually knew what I wanted.

  I glanced around quickly. No one else was in sight. I should let Connor go, but I'd never felt so alone or devastated in my life. I needed to connect with someone. Why not him? Just for a few minutes. It wasn't like I was going to ask him to cheat on Lindsey. I had standards. I didn't steal another girl's guy—but that didn't mean I couldn't talk to him and get my Connor-fix.

  After hiking since the full moon, I was gritty and dirty. Normally I would have taken the time to clean up because I never wanted Connor to see me at my worst, but I didn't want to miss this opportunity to talk with him alone. Maybe because even though he didn't feel a connection to me, I felt one to him. I was pathetic to be crushing on a guy, knowing he cared for someone else, but at that moment, I couldn't quench my desire to hear his voice.

  I tossed my backpack toward the side of the house and raced in the direction I'd last seen Connor. The dew-covered grass left a clear trail, but once I hit the woods, he wasn't as easy to follow. The grass wasn't thick around the trees and the moonlight filtered in sparingly between the leaves. If I'd shifted, I'd have been able to capture his scent and follow it. All senses heightened after the first transformation. Shifters acquired keen night vision and enhanced smell, hearing, and taste. Even their skin became more sensitive.

  All I had to go on was my gut instinct, so I simply kept moving forward and hoped he'd done the same. He might not be my mate, but we were friends. And right now, I needed a friend. Desperately.

  The woods were never totally quiet at night and I drew comfort from the familiar sounds. The insects chirped. An owl hooted. I heard some tiny creature, probably a rodent, stirring up the dried leaves that coated the ground. But I couldn't hear any footsteps other than mine. I wondered if Connor had shifted, if he'd taken off. But I didn't see his clothes lying around.

  The trees finally gave way to a brook where the shallow water splashed over rocks, creating nature's lulla