Claiming the Moon by Loribelle Hunt
Lunar Mates Book 7: Claiming the Moon By Loribelle...
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Claiming the Moon by Loribelle Hunt
Lunar Mates Book 7: Claiming the Moon By Loribelle Hunt
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Claiming the Moon by Loribelle Hunt This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental. Claiming the Moon Copyright© 2009 Loribelle Hunt ISBN: 978‐1‐60088‐429‐0 Cover Artist: Sable Grey Editor: Leanne Salter All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced electronically or in print without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in reviews. Cobblestone Press, LLC www.cobblestone‐press.com
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Claiming the Moon by Loribelle Hunt
Dedication To the love of my life, who stands by me always and no matter what. And to a growing number of friends who support, cajole, and sometimes threaten me to keep writing! Y’all know who you are so I won’t try to list everyone!
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Claiming the Moon by Loribelle Hunt
Chapter One Shivering from the bitter March cold, Ellen looked over her shoulder and hurried up the walk to her condo door. She’d been edgy, nervous, for days, but couldn’t pinpoint why. The tiny hairs on the back of her neck rose as if someone watched her. If she didn’t know better, she’d think Clint had finally decided to claim her. Her stomach clenched as a wave of angry bitterness rose. Not likely. And she wouldn’t welcome if he did. Once, she would have. Once, she would have taken him gladly. But he wanted nothing to do with her, had made it bluntly clear that she was too young, the differences in their ages too great. She grimaced. Well, she wasn’t too young anymore. She’d just passed her thirtieth birthday. There was a time when she’d argued that ten years wasn’t that big of a deal, but he’d refused to hear it. She’d eventually given up all hope that they would one day be together. But when she saw him at Christmas at the Appalachian Alpha’s home, she’d thought he would finally give in. He’d been so territorial. Her pussy grew wet at the memory of the possessive heat in his eyes. Her keys trembled in her hands, and she lost her grip on them. She bent to pick them up, fingers closing over them as someone grabbed her from behind. One gloved hand clamped over her mouth, while the attacker banded his other arm around her upper body, pinning her arms to her sides. She stabbed the keys into his thigh, and he released her.
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Claiming the Moon by Loribelle Hunt “Bitch,” he hissed, reaching for her while holding a hand to the wound, but she was already moving. She spun around and rammed her knee in his groin. When he dropped to the ground, holding himself and moaning, she kicked him in the head hard enough to knock him out. With a grim smile, she turned back to her door and quickly let herself in. Clint had done one good thing for her. He’d made damn sure she knew how to defend herself. Of course, that was because he wasn’t willing to do it himself. She pressed her lips into a firm line, ignoring her hurt and bruised pride. Inside, she locked the door and hurried for the phone. She hesitated over the nine button, then decided to call her boss first. She didn’t know if the man outside was a werewolf or not, but since she worked with the Hunters who tracked down rogues, she should get one of them to verify it first. Werewolves handled their own justice. It was a brief conversation. When she hung up, she stared at the phone and dug her fingernails into her palms, fighting the instinct to call Clint. He was hundreds of miles away, couldn’t do anything, probably wouldn’t hold her even if he was there. She wrapped her arms around her waist and fought the tremors in her limbs, the sob clogging her throat. Told herself it was just a reaction to the adrenalin. But she recognized the denial for what it was. Suck it up, Ellen. He doesn’t want you. Just get over it already. The harsh pep talk helped, and she shrugged out of her coat. Anthony would be there in less than five minutes, he just lived a few miles away, and she had to pull herself together before his arrival. He’d already told her once that week that she looked like hell and had been getting worse since the few days she’d spent with the Appalachian pack. He wanted her to open up, talk about it, and get it out of her system. She snorted. Talking wouldn’t do a damn bit of good, so she’d just shaken her head and walked away. She went down the hall to the bathroom and stared at herself in the mirror over the sink. He was right about the other thing though. Her skin was paler, and there were black circles under her eyes from the lack of sleep. Hot, erotic dreams plagued her when she managed to get any rest,
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Claiming the Moon by Loribelle Hunt so maybe the insomnia was self‐inflicted. Even her hair seemed to have lost its luster, the red duller than she remembered. Sighing, she turned on the faucet and splashed water on her face. Nothing she could do about it right now, but maybe Anthony was right. Not about talking. What was the use in that? But the implication she had to get on with her life. She was surrounded by single, horny werewolves. Why not have a fling? See if she could get Clint Osborn out of her system once and for all? Someone pounded on the door so hard she feared it would burst open, and she rushed down the hall, checking the peephole before opening it. The werewolf on the other side was big, mean, and brutal when necessary, but he stared down at her with a worried expression on his face. “You okay?” “Yeah. Well trained, remember?” To be fair, it wasn’t only Clint who’d trained her in self‐defense. She sparred with Anthony regularly. She looked out the door behind him and thought her heart would stop. “Where is he?” Anthony shook his head. “Gone. Pack a bag. You’re staying at HQ until we figure out what’s going on.” She started to shake her head in refusal, but one look at his stubborn expression, and she knew it would be a waste of time. “Give me five minutes.” She packed a bag quickly, tossed in her makeup bag, grabbed her laptop, and they were out the door. She locked it carefully behind her then put her things in the trunk of her car. Anthony followed her back to headquarters, which was actually a large, private estate.
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Claiming the Moon by Loribelle Hunt
Chapter Two The kick only knocked him out for a couple of minutes. He awoke, head ringing, balls aching, and pissed as hell. He wanted to batter the door down, but he knew the female werewolf would have called for assistance as soon as she locked herself inside. Gingerly, he got to his feet and lurched down the sidewalk to the full parking lot. He opened his car door with shaky fingers and slid inside. Hunching down, he waited, hidden in the gloom. Just in time. The other werewolf, the one in charge of this small pack, pulled into the parking lot with a screech. He didn’t even bother to find a parking space, just left his car, motor running and blocking three others in. If Robert had been one of them, he would have snarled at the arrogance. He watched the wolf‐man run up the sidewalk and bang a fist on the door, watched him look around and take note that the assailant was gone. Sniff the air as if he could find him hiding in his car. Robert sneered. The whole damned race was arrogant. They thought a superior sense of smell and heightened vision, extra speed and strength was all it took to be at the top of the food chain. They didn’t think humans were a threat, so they ignored them except as prey. A mistake they would pay for. After several minutes, the two exited, got in their cars, and left. He knew they’d be returning to the mansion the male werewolf called home. Why he left his woman free to roam without protection was beyond Robert, and it should have worked to his advantage.
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Claiming the Moon by Loribelle Hunt He started his car and followed them out of the lot, but went in the opposite direction. He drove to a narrow dirt path, barely wide enough for his car, and turned down it. When he judged he’d gone a safe enough distance, he stopped. From the trunk, he retrieved the gear he’d need for this recon mission. The heavy black boots and night vision goggles. He hesitated over the scent inhibitor and decided to leave it. There wasn’t much of the concoction left, and he’d need it when he took her. Walking into the woods, he followed a deer path he’d discovered on a previous trip. It ended at the fence that marked the werewolves’ boundary line. He scaled it easily and picked his way through the underbrush to the place he could watch, hidden by the tree line. The house was well lit, but quiet. He couldn’t see movement in any of the windows, but he knew they were there. Four adult werewolves. Four wolves who would pay for his wife’s murder. He stayed until he heard another car arrive. One more to destroy. The need for vengeance burned through him, but he quietly melted into the darkness, back the way he’d come, with a silent reminder to himself. Not yet. The time would come, but not yet.
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Claiming the Moon by Loribelle Hunt
Chapter Three A small, curious group of Hunters met Anthony and Ellen when they entered with her things. She left him to explain and went in search of an empty guestroom. She picked one on the second story at the end of the hall. It had a small balcony and overlooked the backyard. Dropping her things on the desk, she considered finding a meal, but her stomach rolled at the idea. Her body wasn’t up to that yet. She lay down and closed her eyes, almost afraid to test the theory that when she did, she’d see the attacker again. But it wasn’t his image that rose in her mind. With a groan, she got up. Clint wouldn’t leave her alone, and he wasn’t even aware of it. She hesitated over her bag. In a moment of insanity back at her condo, she’d dropped a vibrating egg in it. She considered using it now, desperately needing the sexual release, but she hesitated. There were too many werewolves with superior hearing and sense of smell in the house. They already looked at her with pity whenever Clint’s name came up. Their knowing she had no choice but to get herself off would be the final humiliation. But she couldn’t stay up here alone. The longer she did, the more tempted she became. Maybe some company would help distract her. She left the room and went back downstairs, but paused outside Anthony’s door. It wasn’t closed all the way, so she caught his part of the conversation. “Just thought you’d like to know that while you’re busy being self‐righteous in Tennessee, your mate was attacked, asshole. Ellen is an
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Claiming the Moon by Loribelle Hunt incredible woman. I have no idea why you refuse to see that. But this shit is putting her in danger now.” There was a long pause while she presumed Clint answered. She leaned back against the wall and put a chokehold on her anger. At Clint. At Anthony for calling him. The hell with this. She barged in, stopped in front of the desk, and held her hand out for the phone. He cocked an eyebrow at her silent, imperious demand but handed it over. “Damn it, Anthony, answer me. I left her there to keep her safe.” “She’s perfectly capable of keeping herself safe,” she said icily. “Which you would know if you were around.” His tone changed, softened. “Are you okay?” “I’m fine.” No gentleness returned in her voice. He sighed. “Put Anthony back on.” “Why? For some reason he thought you should be informed. Consider that done.” “’Cause I want to ream him a new—” he bit the words off, and she almost laughed, barely holding in the bitter response. His concern for her welfare didn’t generally go beyond keeping her away from him. “Thankfully, you’re not here, so that’s not possible.” “I’ll be there in a few hours.” She felt as if he’d reached into her chest and squeezed her heart. It was painful. “Don’t bother. We have everything under control.” “I’m coming. And don’t even think about taking off on your own, Ellen,” he warned. She scowled. How the hell did he always seem to know what she was thinking? “Fine. Suit yourself. But you’re wasting your time.” She heard a dinging sound, like a car door was open, and knew he really was coming. The knowledge filled her with a mixture of dread and hope, anxiety and anticipation. Shit. She had to get control of herself, had to be calm and resolute when he arrived. Otherwise, she’d do what she always did. Let her guard down, let her heart soften toward him again, only to be left alone to put the broken pieces back together. She tossed the phone to Anthony and spun on her heel, fleeing the room before the tears started.
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Claiming the Moon by Loribelle Hunt * * * * * Clint was in the grip of the worst rage of his life and thanked god when he finally crossed the state line. Twenty miles closer to Ellen. Twenty miles closer to keeping her safe while struggling to keep her at a distance. The idea infuriated the wolf half of his nature, and he knew it was going to be damned near impossible to restrain it, to leave her unclaimed. He gritted his teeth, and his knuckles popped because he clenched the steering wheel so hard. He’d managed it for years by keeping his distance. If he didn’t have to see her every day, it could be done. He hardened his resolve. She thought he was still resisting because of the age difference, but he’d gotten over that years ago. The truth was darker. Dirtier. He knew he couldn’t live with her one day turning and looking at him with revulsion, and it would happen. Mates didn’t keep secrets from each other. She knew he’d been the one to infiltrate the Society of rogues they hunted. She didn’t know that he’d had to become one of them to do it. After thirty interminable minutes, he pulled up to the gate and punched in the security code. Tapping the steering wheel, he waited impatiently for the gate to swing open, and then closed behind him, before he drove down the long lane to the mansion. During the day, the gate was left open, but at night they were careful to make sure no one who didn’t belong there could get in. He left the car in the small parking area on the side of the house, grabbed his bag, and didn’t quite run for the front door. He took a minute to compose himself before going in, but he still had the typical reaction when he entered. She’d lived in the house for years, worked there longer, and her scent permeated the air. She was leaning against Anthony’s office door, half in, and half out of the room. Form‐fitting jeans and a white, tight, long‐sleeved T‐shirt that called attention to her full breasts and long, red hair showcased her tall, thin frame. He experienced the accustomed euphoria at seeing her. His mate.
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Claiming the Moon by Loribelle Hunt She swung around, as if she felt his regard, and his gaze met green eyes almost the exact same shade as his. Her eyes were red‐rimmed with dark circles under them. He knew she’d probably been crying because of him. The wolf in him snarled, threatening to rise to the surface. He ruthlessly forced it down. The man felt the heavy burden of guilt and was more determined than ever not to claim her. Fighting not to walk forward and take her into his arms, give her exactly what she wanted, he spoke to her from just inside the door. “You look—” “Don’t finish that sentence,” she said sharply, holding her hand up as if to ward off the blow of his words. What the hell did she think he was going to say? He couldn’t sort it out yet, had to get his head back on straight. Nodding, he went upstairs, following her scent down the hall and stopping in front of the door where it was most concentrated. He entered, dropped his bag on the dresser, and looked around, noting her bag and laptop on the desk. He knew he shouldn’t be there, was fighting the instincts clamoring to move in with her, when she followed him in. He’d known she would, and didn’t know why he’d been crazy enough to come in. Determined to exit and save her from a mate that didn’t deserve her, he took a step forward, and she shut the door. Leaned back against it. She looked at his bag, then cocked her head to one side and met his gaze. He nearly groaned at the hope he saw in her eyes. She thought he was finally giving in. Guilt nearly overwhelmed him, yet he still struggled against the urge to claim her and damn the consequences. His wolf nature fought for dominance, and he knew she must be able to see that in his eyes because, as he approached her, she seemed to shrink back a little. There was the barest hint of fear in the air, and the wolf wanted to bare its teeth. She would not be afraid of him. He wouldn’t allow it. He set his palms flat against the door on either side of her head and leaned in, giving in to the craving that got harder to resist every time he saw her. He bent his face to the hollow between her neck and collar, the place he wanted to bite, to mark as his so everyone who saw her would
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Claiming the Moon by Loribelle Hunt know to whom she belonged. When he breathed deeply, dragging her scent into his lungs, the wolf caged in his mind crouched, sensing victory. His incisors erupted from his gums, sharp points that would break her skin, and he took a shuddering breath, forcing them to retreat. No. He wouldn’t do that to her. Give her no choice without knowing everything she was getting, forcing her into a relationship she wasn’t prepared for. He appeased the wolf with a different kind of taste, licking the sweet skin he longed to bite, then kissing a trail of kisses up her neck. Across her jaw. To her lips. He stopped when he realized he was grinding his erection against her belly. Fought himself, his wolf, from claiming what was his. “Don’t stop, Clint.” Her eyes were pleading, liquid pools. “Just once, love me the way a mate should be loved. I know you don’t feel the same way I do, but can’t you just pretend for one night?” Shock ripped through him. Not love her? Was the woman insane? He stayed away, killing himself in little pieces, strangling his need, because he loved her so much. There was only one way to respond. He didn’t try to convince her she was wrong with words. That would really only make her more determined to fight him. Instead, he kissed her, trying to pour every ounce of the engulfing emotion he felt into it. He tried to stay in command, but it was a lost cause. He’d waited years to kiss her, years to taste her. His tongue plunged into her mouth, and she responded with a groan, opening her mouth for him, touching her tongue to his. Her hands slid up under his sweater, leaving streaks of fire in their wake. She would try to give as much as received, but he couldn’t allow that. To be touched by her, loved by her, would shatter what little bit of control he had left. He took her hands off his chest and pushed them to her sides, and he immediately felt the loss of her heat. Sliding his hands around the back of her thighs, he slid her up the wall, never breaking the kiss, until his cock ground against her pelvis, blocked by clothes to the one place he longed most to go. She rocked against him, and he could feel how hot she was. Her arousal was an intoxicating scent in the air.
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Claiming the Moon by Loribelle Hunt He felt the pricking in his gums and almost pulled away, not sure if he could control the wolf. Before he could force himself to let her go, she moved her hands under his shirt again. This time she wrapped her arms around his back. She stroked him, scratched him. Between breathy little moans that were about to drive him crazy, she tilted her head back and murmured against his lips, “Clothes. Off.” Breaking the kiss and keeping his hips pressed against hers so she wouldn’t fall, he lifted his arms over his head and let her pull off the sweater. As soon as it dropped to the floor, she touched him. Her tongue flicked over one of his nipples, then the other, while her hands trailed over his torso. He wanted to touch her too. “This isn’t working,” he said gruffly and released her. She looked at him with lust‐filled, disbelieving eyes. “You’re not stopping.” “Just for a minute, baby.” No way in hell was he stopping. He should, but even he didn’t have that kind of control. Moving to the bed, he sat on its edge and bent down, quickly unlacing his boots then removing the rest of his clothes. She didn’t move a muscle. Leaning back against the door, she watched as if mesmerized. Her breathing was heavy and made her breasts rise and fall in a tantalizing way. Completely naked, he crooked a finger, motioning her to come to him. She had to come to him of her own free will, no coercion. A stupid demand on his part. Both of them were in the grip of the hormonal lust that existed between mates, despite the fact the bond was uncompleted. Straightening, Ellen gripped the bottom of her shirt and pulled it up, over her head. He made a sound as if to rush her, but she resisted. She’d waited too long for this, and she took the time to look at him, to drink him in. He was a couple of inches over six feet tall. She’d always known he was thickly muscled under his clothes, but this was her first look. She planned to enjoy it. His shoulders were broad, rounded with muscle. His arms bulged, his pecs firm. Her gaze drifted down over a smooth, flat stomach, finally stopping when she got to his cock. He was long and thick.
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Claiming the Moon by Loribelle Hunt Erect. “Ellen, come here.” The command was more a moan. Oh, she liked that she could shake him like this. She had slip‐on shoes and when she stepped toward him, left them by the door. Her bra stayed behind too, and in half a second, she was standing before him, watchful as she waited for his next move. Her jeans and underwear were gone in seconds, and then she lay under him. Skin‐to‐skin. Practically humming her satisfaction, she lifted her hands to his shoulders and squirmed her lower body until her legs were no longer pinned under his. Her thighs spread, gripped his, and she caught her breath at the feel of his cock pressed against her pussy. She rotated her hips up, wanting him to enter her. Take her. “Not yet,” he murmured. His gaze pinned hers, and what she saw there rocked her. So much passion. So much need. His lips touched hers briefly, gently, and then he was moving down. Down her throat, her chest. He paused at one nipple and sucked it into his mouth, biting down with just enough pressure to send sensation through her torso and straight to her pussy. She pushed her hands through his hair, trying to hold him in place, desperate for more of that pleasure, but he easily broke the hold and moved on. Light kisses on her ribs made her squirm and bite her bottom lip. He moved down after a moment of tickling her, swirled his tongue around her belly button before going on. He went slowly, kissing every piece of skin, leaving her hot and wet and wanting in a way she’d never known possible. She felt confined in her own skin. Finally, finally he was at her pelvis, blowing hot air over her pussy before using the fingers of one hand to spread her lips for his inspection. She held her breath at the reverence on his face, and despite some embarrassment, her heart soared. This meant something more than just giving into his wolf’s needs. Every single thought fled her mind as he looked up and slowly inserted one finger into her cunt. He thrust it in and out a couple of times before lifting his finger to his mouth and sucking it. “Mmm. Sweet. More.”
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Claiming the Moon by Loribelle Hunt God, yes. She wanted a hell of a lot more. He thrust his tongue into her, in and out, fast and slow. She got impossibly wetter, and the inferno building inside her exploded. She tried to move through the orgasm, but he held her still. When he replaced his tongue with his fingers, he used it on her clit, and she wiped the word impossible from her vocabulary. Wetter. Hotter. Each successive orgasm more intense than the first. He took his time, as if indulging all ten years of pent up lust in one session. When she was sure she couldn’t come one more time, he withdrew his fingers, lapped lazily at her pussy for a moment, then lifted himself and moved up her body. His cock pushed at the entrance of her pussy, but he didn’t enter. “You’re sure about this, Ellen?” he whispered, and she knew what he was asking. There would be no going back, no denying he was her mate, after he fucked her. There had never been any doubt in her mind she belonged to him. She lifted her hips. “No more waiting.” She hadn’t even completely spoken the whole sentence before he surged into her. There was a brief bite of pain, and he held himself still over her, propping up on his elbows. He gave her a look full of incredulity, followed quickly by regret. She wrapped her legs around his waist, holding him to her. There was no way in hell he was leaving her now, wanting. “I was eighteen when you first felt this. I felt it too.” She answered the unspoken question. “There was never anyone else I wanted.” “Ellen,” he murmured, leaning down to nuzzle her neck as he moved inside her. He was sweet, his movements tender. It wasn’t what she wanted at all, and she bit back her protest, bit back the order to move, damn it. She wanted him hard and fast and out of control. She was so damned sick of Clint’s control. Her hands moved to grip his shoulders, and she slid them over to his back, scratching long trails down his spine. He nipped at her neck, and her fingernails dug deeper into his skin. Yes, she chanted in her mind. Anticipation and relief filled her. He was finally going to make this real, finally going to make them whole. His thrusts increased. Harder. Faster.
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Claiming the Moon by Loribelle Hunt Deeper. He was so deep inside her, she swore she could feel him to her soul. But he didn’t bite her. She didn’t worry about it as her body spiraled higher again. Each thrust hit her G‐spot dead on as if he’d been practicing on her for years. The orgasm hit her all at once. Her cunt convulsed around him, and he powered through the milking as if it were nothing. Her mind seemed to disintegrate. He came right after her, his face buried in the pillow instead of her neck. How was it possible, after fighting ten years of craving, that he could still deny it? She knew if he wasn’t going to claim her while he was buried in her, he never would. She tried to harden her heart, prepare herself for the inevitable separation. They lay next to each other, panting. Not speaking. Clint could feel her distancing herself from him, pulling away. A part of him thought it was about time, but mostly he was pissed. She didn’t get to do that. “You didn’t bite me,” she said softly, looking straight up at the ceiling. Her words snapped him out of his dangerous thinking. He’d been too close to losing control after touching her, tasting her. “No. And I won’t.” She rolled out of the bed and got dressed. Waves of pain and anger radiated from her. He deserved to feel the brunt of her rage, but when she turned to him, it was with sad eyes, and he realized she was angrier with herself than at him. She stared at him for several seconds before speaking, and when she did, the words were like a slap. “Find another room, Clint. You’re no longer welcome here.” He sat up to watch her leave, and when she was gone, swung his legs over the side of the bed and let his head fall into his hands. He shook with the need to go after her, to kiss her anger and despair away. To make her his in every way. Permanently. Knowing he’d crossed a line in his mind, he stood and made a choice he wasn’t ready to admit to yet. He grabbed his bag and unpacked. The dresser had two rows of three drawers. The bottom row was empty, and he unpacked his bag into it. Indulging in a curiosity that only made
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Claiming the Moon by Loribelle Hunt him feel slightly ashamed, he opened one of her drawers. She was his mate, but he spent so much time trying to keep her at a distance he didn’t know nearly enough about her. And he wanted—needed—to know everything. There had to be something personal here, something treasured that would tell him more about her. There was nothing interesting in the first two drawers. Sweats, jeans, and shirts. He held his breath as he opened the third drawer, knew what he would find it, knew he should feel sleazy looking through her underwear, but he couldn’t seem to help himself. Wasn’t this the place she’d hide her secrets? He pulled the handle and stared at the contents. Lots of black and red lacy things. He took a shaky breath and ignored them, shifting things around to see if anything was hidden in the back. His fingers closed over two objects and he pulled them out. One was a cheap gold chain he’d given her has a child. He couldn’t believe she still had it. The other made his cock swell hard as a rock again. An oval plastic egg with a long cord connecting it to a small controller. He pushed the button, and it buzzed to life. Another button and the speeds changed. He smiled and returned both items to the drawer. The necklace he would replace with something more appropriate for a sexy adult woman when he got the chance. The toy, however, he meant to put to use at the earliest opportunity.
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Claiming the Moon by Loribelle Hunt
Chapter Four Ellen was shaking, she was so mad. Careful not to slam it, she closed the door behind her and went downstairs. She found Anthony and the other Hunters, Declan, Asa, and Zachary, hanging out in his office. He slowly rose to his feet when she entered. They’d known each other a long time, and she knew he sensed her anger. Her pain. “Get me out of here for a little while.” “He didn’t…?” Anthony didn’t have to finish the sentence. Her neck was clear for everyone to see, and they could smell the sex on her. It infuriated her that Clint’s disregard for her was so obvious to everyone in the room. “I need to drive, Anthony.” “Sure thing, babe.” He grinned and gestured toward her thin T‐shirt. “Can’t go out like that though. There’s a jacket in the closet you can borrow.” She almost smiled. Anthony was a sneaky bastard. As usual, he was up to no good and planning to have a lot of fun at it. She went to the closet and pulled out the thick jacket he mentioned, shrugged into it, and waited while he found his keys. When they returned, his scent would be on her, over Clint’s. She didn’t even care that that would enrage Clint’s wolf. If he didn’t want her, he was going to have to get used to the idea of her with someone else. She was sick of being alone, of being lonely. Outside, they walked to Anthony’s car, a new, cherry red Mustang. She’d been begging to drive it for weeks and realized he was really
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Claiming the Moon by Loribelle Hunt worried about her when he clicked the unlock button on the keys and tossed them to her. They both climbed in. She revved the engine when she started it, smiling at the roar, and backed out of the parking space. “Where to?” she asked, driving down the lane to the road. “You’re driving.” She grinned, feeling better already. It had been impossible for years to stay comfortably in a house or building for long with Clint. It was good to be free, at least temporarily. She turned left outside the gate and decided to go wherever the mood took her. “Want to talk about it?” She bit her bottom lip. It was the only way to hold back the scream. She forced her breathing to even, her mind to settle, before answering. “Not much point. He’s determined. And really, if he’s this sure he doesn’t want me as his mate, it’s better that it not happen.” “Oh, he wants you.” She snorted. “You think? How do you know that?” “Because he looks at you the same way I do,” he said softly. She looked at him sharply, not sure if he was serious or not. He smiled. “You would have made me a magnificent mate, Ellen. And I would appreciate you.” She swallowed hard. Maybe this drive wasn’t such a great idea. She’d been thinking earlier about finding someone to indulge in an affair with, even finding someone who could be more, but never Anthony. She glanced at him then returned her attention to the road. He was an attractive man. His build was almost exactly the same as Clint’s. He had the same green eyes, the same short, black hair. But now that she’d felt what it was like to be held in Clint’s arms, to feel him possessing her, moving inside her, the idea of fucking anyone else didn’t do anything but leave her cold. She sighed and shook her head. “You know it’s impossible.” “I know. Even if he wasn’t your mate, I think he’d be the one you wanted.” He was right. She’d known Clint her whole life, had worshipped him as a child, and depended on him as a teenager when her mother and
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Claiming the Moon by Loribelle Hunt father had made their final break. A break that had ultimately led to her mother’s death. She’d never mated or married Brant, the last Appalachian Alpha, but their long relationship was known throughout the were world. Once Ellen was in college, her mother had left the protection of the Hunters. A Society rogue had found and murdered her shortly after. She didn’t know the details, but she knew Clint was the one who’d found her mother’s murderer and executed him. With a scowl, she forced the memories away. “But he doesn’t want me. You know as well as I do, not all matings are happy,” she added before he could argue with her. “True. But babe, I don’t know what his problem is, but that’s not it.” Knowing there was really no point in arguing about it, she let it drop, and they rode in silence for another hour before she finally turned around and went back home. They were back to their old joking friendship by that time and walked into the house laughing. Clint was waiting for her, and for the first time in her life, she knew he was really pissed at her. * * * * * It went against Clint’s nature. His urge was to claim and dominate his mate. But he was convinced she needed time to collect herself. He would give her a few minutes before he tracked her down. It was a difficult instinct to resist. One he abandoned when he heard the front door open and shut and a car leave. He dressed quickly and hurried downstairs, anger growing as he moved. She’d left, and Anthony was not in his office to interrogate. Suspecting she’d gone somewhere with him, he grew angrier as he sought out the house’s other occupants. He found the three Hunters eating in the dining room. The oldest of the three, Declan, nodded when he entered and kicked out the chair in front of him. “Where did she go?” he asked the man, not bothering to control the
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Claiming the Moon by Loribelle Hunt fury in his tone that made his voice nearly guttural. “For a drive. She’ll be back,” he said between bites of a rare steak. “Damn right she will.” He was in the grip of a jealous rage, and he didn’t care if everyone knew it. He got up and paced the room. And when she did return, he was going to spank her ass. After he kicked Anthony’s ass. “You know, I just turned thirty‐nine,” Declan continued laconically. Clint cocked an eyebrow, waiting to hear why that was relevant to the conversation. When Declan didn’t go on he asked, “So?” He set his fork down and looked up to meet Clint’s eyes before he spoke. His were hard, pissed off. “I’m still a Hunter because I don’t have a mate. If I ever meet her, you can be damned sure I’m not gonna screw around and make her miserable for ten years.” His contempt was obvious. “That’s a precious gift you’re throwing away, Clint. One we’d all like to have.” Clint looked around the table, recognized the other two senior Hunters, Zachary and Asa. No, they probably wouldn’t make his choice, but they hadn’t lived his life either. Asa met his eyes with a hard glare. “You need to leave. You’re making things worse for her and have no intention of fixing it. The four of us are more than capable of protecting her, and you know it.” “She’s mine to protect,” he growled. His to cherish. His to love. His alone. Zachary leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms over his chest. “Don’t you think it’s dangerous to leave her unclaimed when she’s around so many single wolves? We can create it bond with anyone. Claim a mate that isn’t ours.” The wolf locked in his mind snarled its fury. “You wouldn’t dare.” Zachary shrugged. “I wouldn’t.” Left unspoken was that others might. It had been done before. In his own Appalachian pack just over a year ago, a wolf named Wyatt had claimed a woman he knew wasn’t his. Chloe was now with her true mate, but that hadn’t been possible until the night Wyatt was killed.
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Claiming the Moon by Loribelle Hunt Clint tried to think through his instincts, through his animal emotions, but it was impossible. He shifted and went for a run, hoping to appease his wolf, to calm the beast. It didn’t work, and when he heard the car returning, he raced back, more furious than ever, beating them to the house and waiting for her when she entered the foyer. Whatever control he’d regained disappeared when she walked in, laughing up into another man’s face, especially when he caught that man’s scent mixed with hers. “Ellen,” he said harshly, not bothering to hide the wolf in his tone, not trying to fight the possessive frenzy that moved through him. She met his eyes with trepidation, and he didn’t care that he’d lost so much control she was wary of him. “We need to talk. Upstairs.” With a reluctant nod, she slipped out of the jacket she was wearing and handed it to Anthony. Then she smiled at him. Clint damn near lost his mind. “Thanks for the ride.” He didn’t want to read any innuendo to that, knew she hadn’t let another man touch her, but Anthony’s scent was all over her. His wolf clawed the cage of his mind, desperate to be free. “Now, Ellen.” He followed the order with a low growl. She narrowed her eyes as she passed him at the bottom of the stairs and went up. He smelled fear on her, but more than enough anger to compensate. When she reached the landing and disappeared down the hall, he turned to face the four Hunters standing in the foyer. “She’s mine. Don’t interfere again, Anthony.” The were shrugged. “Quit making me.” Clint didn’t respond to that, just followed her upstairs. He was done waiting, done fighting. He was claiming what was his. She was packing when he entered, and somehow he resisted the urge to roar. He took the bag from her hands and tossed it on top of the desk. “Where do you think you’re going?” “Away from you,” she answered tartly. “Wrong answer.” He moved closer, caught Anthony’s scent, and smiled just this side of feral. “Shower first. Then we’ll talk.” She made an exasperated sound. “I’m sick of talking about this,
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Claiming the Moon by Loribelle Hunt Clint. Just go away.” He stared into her eyes, wondering if she really meant that. For once, he didn’t see anything soft in her gaze, and it made his heart twist. He turned her around and nudged her toward the bathroom. “We’re talking when you’re done.” But she turned back. “Say what you have to say and get it over with, okay? I’m not interested in dragging this out.” Something in him snapped. She’d been fighting his fighting the mating instinct for years, and now she wanted to resist him when he was giving in? He wrapped one hand around her nape and pulled her close. “When I take you, Ellen,” he whispered harshly, “when I make you mine, it will not be with Anthony’s scent on you.” Regret filled her eyes, and she set her hands on his chest, pushing until he let her go. “I don’t want a man who’s only giving into the instinct for a woman he doesn’t really want. Just leave. Go home. And we’ll learn to live with it. We’ve done it this long.” “Too bad. I’m sick of fighting it. I don’t even want to fight it anymore. And as for not wanting you, get that idea out of your head. I want you so much I can’t breathe for it.” He took a deep breath, trying to control the beast in him, trying to stay in control long enough to say the things that needed to be said first. Her eyes were wet with unshed tears. It broke something in him, but before he could reach for her, she collected herself, picked up a small bag, and walked toward the bathroom door. She paused at the entrance to turn and glare at him. “If this is some kind of trick to get me all sweet and pliable again and you back out, I swear to god, I’ll hurt you Clint Osborn. I’m done letting you lead me around like some lovesick teenager.” She didn’t wait for an answer, and minutes after the door slammed shut, he heard the water come on. He squeezed his eyes shut, imagining her naked under the spray. He wanted to join her, but if he did, the things that needed to be said first wouldn’t be. But what the hell was he going to say? You’re mine, I’m claiming you, and the hell with any regrets you have afterwards? Was he really prepared to
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Claiming the Moon by Loribelle Hunt tell her everything, all the secrets that would make her turn away from him when he’d finally touched her, tasted her, been inside her? He didn’t think he would survive that rejection, so he made a decision. The wrong one, he acknowledged, but he couldn’t make himself care enough to stop. Stripping quickly, he walked into the bathroom. The shower was on, but she wasn’t in it. With her hands braced on the edge of the counter, she leaned forward, head hung low. She didn’t turn to him when he entered, but she was aware of his presence. Her spine stiffened, and he tried to ignore his jealousy as he approached and still smelled Anthony on her skin. She stood and faced him when he trailed his knuckles down her back. “You’re supposed to be in the shower,” he said softly. Her expression turned mutinous. “I don’t follow orders well. Remember?” Hell yes, he remembered. It was one facet of her personality that had driven him crazy for years. Rather than argue, he picked her up and carried her into the shower. She had it set scalding hot, and he quickly turned it down some before it burned her delicate skin. Then he took the washcloth and soap. Starting with her right foot, he cleaned her. Up one long leg and down the other, ignoring the soft curls between her thighs that drew him like a moth to a flame. He was hard as a pike before he was done with her first calf. He stood, soaped up her torso, paying particular attention to her nipples until they were hard, irresistible points. He caught one in his mouth, and she arched her back, moving closer to him. Groaning, he released it with a pop and circled her, cleaning her back and neck. He handed her the cloth to do her face while he reached for the shampoo and held her as she tilted her hair back into the spray. She took the bottle from him and finished the job herself, while he retrieved the washcloth. Starting with her ass, he continued to clean her, lingering over the rounded flesh he found so fascinating. When she leaned her head back to rinse the shampoo, he moved to her pussy. First, he inserted an exploratory finger, then used the cloth to gently clean her. They were both panting when he spun her around to rinse off the soap.
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Claiming the Moon by Loribelle Hunt She leaned back as he moved into position behind her, as if she sensed him moving into place and knew he wouldn’t let her fall. He gathered her hair in one fist and swept it all to one side, over her shoulder. As she let the warm water pound into her chest, he bent lower, kissed that tantalizing curve in her neck. He felt her hold her breath, and anticipation sang through his blood. Finally. She would be his. Forever. Irrevocably. His incisors lengthened, but he sucked at her skin first. Enjoyed the smooth texture and sweet taste of her before sinking his teeth in. Skin broke under the pressure, and her blood was in his mouth, mixing with the enzymes in his saliva. The bond between them snapped firmly into place. Strong and resolute. Unbreakable. He lapped at the tiny drops of blood, then spun her around, no longer able to ignore his throbbing cock. Picking her up, he braced her back against the wall and thrust into her as her legs wrapped around his waist. She was tight, but wet and welcoming. He was rough, a little wild. A lot demanding. He needed to feel her cunt clenching his cock. Needed to feel her body’s surrender to his dominance. And she gave him what he needed. Ellen knew what he wanted from her, felt it through the bond. Submission. Complete devotion. He’d always had it, but seeing her with Anthony, with Anthony’s scent on her, however innocent it may have been, seemed to have pushed him into finally letting go. His possessive instincts didn’t scare her. She welcomed it, welcomed every part of this wolf she loved. She was flying high, and when two of his fingers closed over one of her nipples and squeezed, she came in one fiery burst and clung to him as he rammed into her. His roar of release was buried in her shoulder, but she heard it, felt it as his cum pulsed into her. Smiling, she let him carry her out of the shower, dry her off, and finally lay her carefully on the bed. He pressed his lips to hers for a quick kiss then stepped to the dresser. Curious, she propped herself up on her elbows and arched an eyebrow when he opened one of the top drawers. The curiosity quickly
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Claiming the Moon by Loribelle Hunt turned to mortification when he came back to bed with the vibrating egg. “Oh, my god. I can’t believe you found that,” she whispered, a hot blush spreading up her neck. He grinned and flipped the switch. “Interesting little gadget.” She lay back and covered her face with her hands, wishing she’d wake up from this embarrassing scene. She nearly jumped out of her skin, then twisted toward him, when he set the vibrating egg against her nipple. He sucked the other one into his mouth, and she had to fight against coming, wanting to drag it out, hold out as long as possible, knowing it would be that much more intense. He must have sensed her fight. “Let go, baby. I’m not going to be done for a long, long time.” The egg left her nipple, gliding a slow, buzzing path down her ribcage. She held her breath, fisting her hands in the sheets, when it passed over the curls hiding her sex. Exploded when it grazed her clit. He moved down her body, leaving a trail of biting kisses, until he was between her thighs. The toy returned to her clit, held there while his tongue pushed inside her pussy. Stroked in and out. He made her come over and over again. Until she was weak from it. Until she begged him to fuck her. Clint was held in the grip of the mate bond, determined to touch her, taste her. Own a piece of her soul no matter what he had to do to get it. When she started begging, he turned the toy off and tossed it aside, but he didn’t hurry his pace. He lapped at her again, her juices like cream on his tongue, before beginning a leisurely journey up her body. Over her flat belly, dipping into her navel, showering time and attention on her perfect breasts. She was crying her need, tugging at his hair, before he moved on. When he thrust into her, feeling as if he was coming home after a long, extended trip, she gave a relieved sigh and wrapped her legs around his waist. Her heels dug into his back as she urged him to move, urged him to go deeper. But he denied her, holding her gaze as he kept his strokes short, shallow, slow. A tear slid slowly over her cheek, and he licked it up. He knew he
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Claiming the Moon by Loribelle Hunt wasn’t hurting her. She was hot and slick around him, her pussy clenching him with each thrust and withdrawal. It was a tear of frustration, he felt it through the bond, that he wouldn’t fuck her harder, give her what she needed to come. The need to give her what she wanted almost overwhelmed him, but he held back. Determined to drag the pleasure out as long as he could for both of them. Determined to make up for all their lost years. It was an apology, a begging for forgiveness, this slow torture. And he should have known his mate, his Ellen of all women, would never put up with it. Staring into his eyes, she boldly put her hands on her breasts. Squeezed her nipples. Her eyes clouded, and her cunt squeezed him, milking him as she came. He didn’t stand a chance, watching her pleasure herself, and he gave her what she wanted. The slow tormenting strokes gone, he increased his thrusts. Fast. Hard. He moved his hand to her pussy, found and rubbed her clit, determined she would come one more time. She did almost the moment he touched her, so sensitized to his touch now he suspected the lightest graze would have accomplished it. No longer able to hold back, he thrust into her one last time, his semen filling her as he shouted her name. The orgasm was so intense it left him drained, depleted of all his energy. He rolled over, pulled her up under his arm, and was instantly asleep. But not for long. He grumbled a couple of hours later when she got up, his wolf protesting when she left the safety of his arms. When she dressed and approached the door, he sat up and voiced the objection. “Where are you going?” She gave him a sexy grin over her shoulder. “I didn’t eat dinner tonight. I’m starving.” Ellen sucked in a deep breath as his eyes grew hooded, his arousal obvious in his thickening cock. He stood and approached her with that wolf‐like grace that always made her blood rush. The way the man moved should be illegal. He stopped before her and bent his head to her neck. One long, hot lick. “I’m starving, too. I think I’ll have more of you.”
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Claiming the Moon by Loribelle Hunt Rumbling, her stomach chose that moment to protest her lack of food. He laughed softly and stepped away to pull on his jeans. “Right. Food.” She was hyper‐conscious of him at her back as they went to the kitchen. It was as if she could feel his gaze on her, caressing her body. The sensation made her giddy. If this was what it was like to be wanted by Clint Osborn, she hoped it never ended. In the kitchen, her stomach reminded her again why she’d dragged them out of bed, and she went straight to the refrigerator. When she bent to rifle through the leftovers, he was right behind her, hands on her hips and pulling her ass close to grind against his erection. Her pussy filled with liquid heat at the contact, at the promise of his touch. He released her, and she turned around to watch him strip off his jeans. He grinned at her arched eyebrow and opened the back door. “I need to run off some excess energy.” She held her breath. She hadn’t seen Clint in wolf form in years. She longed for him to shift, to see him as a wolf and run her hands through his fur. Stroke the animal that was so much a part of him. He was across the room in a blur of movement, his hand cupping her cheek. “You accept this part of me.” There was wonder in his tone, but that didn’t make sense. She’d grown up with werewolves. Why wouldn’t she accept it? “I always have,” she replied softly. He watched her a moment, serious, before nodding. “What’s for dinner?” She shrugged. Who could think of food right now? “Spaghetti maybe. Whatever I can scrounge up.” He kissed her, humming against her lips, bringing her body to screaming life. “Yummy,” he said when he let her go, and she knew he wasn’t talking about food. “I won’t be gone long.” He moved away a couple of feet, his body became a blur, and then the wolf stood before her. Smiling, she knelt in front of him, ran her hands through the thick, black fur that covered his sleek body. The wolf gave her
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Claiming the Moon by Loribelle Hunt face a long, wet lick, and laughing, she stood, watching as he left. He waited on the back step until she shut the door behind him. She didn’t lock it. He wouldn’t go far, and she knew he’d never let anyone close enough to hurt her. She went into the large pantry and found the ingredients she wanted. There was one last jar of homemade spaghetti sauce, and she quickly browned a pound of ground beef to add to it. The mixture was simmering a few minutes later when she dropped the pasta into boiling water. Ten minutes later, she set two plates on the table just as Clint returned. They ate in a silence that felt heavy, loaded with possibilities and sensual promise. He didn’t speak until he stood at her side, helping clean up the dishes. “Do you want to stay here? Or return to the Appalachian Pack?” Her heart ached, and she shook her head. “Too many bad memories there. And…” She hesitated, not sure how to explain the home she’d found among the Hunters. “I do good here. I have purpose here.” He nodded. “I’ll speak to Anthony. I’m sure he won’t mind having another hand available.” She looked at him, knew her eyes had grown wide with worry, but didn’t try to hide it. “You don’t mean to go back on active Hunter status, do you?” “No. Not unless it’s necessary, but we’ve always had that understanding.” She nodded. It was very uncommon, but sometimes the Hunters called someone back. Someone with special skills or particular contacts. He was still watching her, but his expression had changed. Away from business. Back to the carnal. “I want to take you under the moonlight.” He moved closer, until his erection pressed against her hip. “It’s almost full tonight.” “The others,” she whispered. “Will stay away from our balcony.” She nodded, unable to deny him anything, and almost ran up the steps. He was right behind her, helping her undress, opening the French doors that led outside. The air rushing inside was cold, but she didn’t feel
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Claiming the Moon by Loribelle Hunt it. Moonlight poured in, and she watched him stare at her, struggle to control his breathing, while he slowly removed his jeans. She backed out of the doors, loving the way he followed her, stalked her. Loving the way his eyes went wolf when she was outside, bathed in the moon’s glow. “Beautiful,” he whispered, reaching her, reaching for her. He nipped her neck. Growled. “Mine.” If it were possible, she would have melted into a puddle of need at his feet. “Then take me,” she whispered, goaded. There was a lounge chair covered by a soft cushion on one end of the balcony, and he lay down on it, wrapped his hand around his jutting cock, and beckoned her to join him. Impossible to resist. She sauntered to him and straddled his hips, came crying his name as she sank slowly onto him. He let her ride out the tremors, and when they subsided, he gripped her hips. Lifted her slowly up. Pushed her slowly back down. Torment. Wonderful, stunning torment. Gradually, the pace increased, his guiding hands ensuring a steady, hard rhythm. The pleasure wound higher and higher. The craving wound tighter and fiercer. He came first, and the seed pulsing into her womb, the primal claiming, was all it took to push her off the ledge of sanity she’d been clinging to. His mouth fused to hers, catching her cries. Catching her as she fell and holding her up, gathering her close. She clung to him as if he was her lifeline, the only thing still holding her to the earth. A long time later, she lifted her head from where it rested on his chest. She hadn’t even noticed the cold before, but now she shivered. He sat up, standing easily with her in his arms, and went back inside. He took her to bed and proceeded to make her forget her own name.
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Claiming the Moon by Loribelle Hunt
Chapter Five Clint awoke alone, hard and wanting his mate, but he was smiling as he stretched his arms over his head. He glanced over at the clock on the nightstand and jerked up. Hell. Eight o’clock. He never slept this late. After hurrying through a shower, he dressed and went downstairs to find food and Ellen. He grinned. Not necessarily in that order. He ignored the niggling doubt, the worry that she would reject him later. He had her now, and he’d do whatever he had to do to keep her. No one was in the spacious foyer, so he entered the dining room. The sideboard was still loaded with food, and the other Hunters were in various stages of devouring it. He made himself a plate and sat down. “You’re chipper this morning,” Anthony said archly. Clint grinned at him, lifting a forkful of eggs to his mouth. After he swallowed, he asked, “Where’s Ellen?” He’d expected to see her in the dining room, wanted everyone to see the evidence of her claiming. Anthony frowned. “I thought she hadn’t come down yet.” Clint pushed his chair back and stood. “Where the fuck is she?” he muttered, not really asking anyone in particular. He hurried through the downstairs rooms, but returned to the dining room alone. Anthony looked up and met his gaze. His worry must have shown. “Don’t worry. She usually stops by the post office on the way to work. That’s probably where she is.” Clint pulled his cell phone out of his pocket and sat back down. She didn’t answer when he called. He was alarmed, but he didn’t know if he
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Claiming the Moon by Loribelle Hunt felt that from her through the bond, or if it was because he just didn’t like not having her near him. When she returned, he vowed, he’d never let her out of his sight again. He knew without a doubt she would never put up with that kind of absolute possessiveness, so he tried to banish the promise, tried to focus on his breakfast. What had once been the best food he’d had in ages became cardboard. He ate anyway. Werewolves had higher metabolisms than humans, and he suspected he’d need all of his strength in the coming days. Fear spiked through him, and he knew it was Ellen’s. Knew she was reaching out to him for help, but he had no idea where she was or how to reach her. He looked at Anthony. “She’s in trouble.” * * * * * Ellen woke up warm and replete and happy. And waiting for the other shoe to drop. During the night, Clint had awakened her, hard and insistent and everything she’d ever wanted from him. But there seemed to be a desperate edge to it. She knew he was waiting, even anticipating, her rejection of him. Them. The bond between them. She had no idea why, but knew eventually he’d have to tell her. Heart lodged in her throat, she got up and prepared for her day, refusing to ponder what was so bad he was certain she would turn from him. She couldn’t imagine anything so horrible it would kill her love for the wolf who had finally made his claim. Downstairs, she checked the fax machine, but no new reports of rogues had come in. Odd. Things had been very quiet the last few weeks. That was why there were so many Hunters in the house now. Usually it was only Anthony and one more. The bell rang, and she hurried to answer it. When so many people were in the house, it was easier to order in meals. Breakfast should be waiting on the other side. She frowned when she answered the door to a new delivery guy. Something about him seemed familiar, but she couldn’t
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Claiming the Moon by Loribelle Hunt put her finger on it. She blew it off and took the bags from him before slamming the door shut, turning the lock, and resetting the alarm. Normally, they didn’t bother with the warning system, but after the attack at her condo, Anthony and Clint had both insisted. In the dining room, she pulled boxes out and set them up, then tossed the bags in the garbage. She opened everything, but nothing looked appealing, so she didn’t eat. She was fighting the urge to go wake Clint up for round fifteen or so, but fought it. He was hiding something from her, something bad, and she wasn’t in a big hurry to find out what it was. She was enjoying being new to a mate bond, like being new to marriage. She did not intend to ruin it with dark secrets. Sighing, she went to the room she sometimes used as an office. She preferred the library, where she could spread out her papers on the big table and the old chronicles were in easy reach. The office was where her work desktop was, however, and she hadn’t checked her email in a few days. Nothing was urgent, so she got her purse and keys. No one was around yet. No one to entertain or distract her. She’d do the morning post office run and hopefully, when she got back, the house would be awake and busy. The town was nestled in a small valley, the population a whopping four hundred. Everyone knew everyone. There were no strangers in Crossroads. She’d lived and worked with the Hunters since she was a teenager, so everyone knew her too. She spoke to several people before she went in the tiny building, but oddly, no one was around when she came out. She put a box of mail in the trunk and walked around to the driver’s door, but a hard male body pushed up against her, trapping her against the car before she could get it open. * * * * * Standing in the shadows of an alley, he watched her get out of her car. He shook with exhilaration, with triumph. He’d known she was a woman of routines, of habits, but hadn’t been sure the males surrounding her would allow her out alone. He had another plan to take her if
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Claiming the Moon by Loribelle Hunt necessary, but this was easier, faster. Ultimately more satisfying. There were too many people around, so he continued to watch. To wait for the right moment. And it arrived when she exited the post office. Moving to the back of her car, she opened the trunk, not paying attention to her surroundings. He sneered and moved silently. She thought she was safe. She was about to learn otherwise. He grabbed her at the driver’s door, using his bigger body to push her against the car. He had her, would kill her on their own lands to draw the others to him. “I know what you are,” he accused. His voice was harsh. Ellen recognized it from the attack outside her condo and realized why she hadn’t been able to pinpoint why the deliveryman had been so familiar, yet not anyone she recognized. She hadn’t seen his face that night, and he hadn’t spoken this morning. Anthony and Clint were going to freak out when they heard the man had been on the property and that close to her. “You werewolves are a scourge on this earth. We’ll kill you all.” Something hard pricked her side, and she reached for the mate bond, but she didn’t know how it worked. How to make it work. She tried to funnel her fear and need into it but didn’t know if it worked. Tears burned her eyes, and she hardened her resolve. She finally had Clint. She was not going to be intimidated, or worse, in broad daylight in the middle of her town. As if he sensed the change in her, he curled his hand around the nape of her neck and used his body to block anyone’s view who happened by. And then luck, or karma, or a higher being, came to her rescue. She swore she felt something divine move toward her. Knew her imagination had gone into overdrive, but didn’t care when seconds later the dark blue chest of the town police chief filled her vision. “Hey, Ellen,” his tone was affable, but his eyes were hard, glittering rocks. The stranger behind her backed off, and the knife disappeared. “How ya doing? Anthony’s looking for you. Something about late reports.” What very few people knew was that Sam was Alpha of the small
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Claiming the Moon by Loribelle Hunt pack that made up about half the population of the town. Right now, he was all Alpha werewolf, his tone and body language aggressive and dominant. Then the knife was back, plunging into her side. She fell, and it seemed like she fell and fell and fell. Her assailant took off, and she clung to the sense of Clint that was in her mind, in her heart. Instead of pursuing him, Sam rushed to her side. “Go after him,” she ordered. The wound hurt like hell, but it wasn’t fatal. His jaw hardened. “Don’t worry. We’ll get him. I’ll wait with you for Anthony.” He looked pointedly at her neck. “And who else?” He helped her sit up with her back to the car, one hand pressed over her lower back where the knife had gone in. “Clint Osborn,” she answered, trying to breathe through a kind of pain she’d never felt before. “Used to be a Hunter.” He nodded. “I know him. Honey, we need to get you to the Doc. I’m going to carry you. Can you call Clint while I do that?” Her head jerked once in affirmative. She patted her pockets but came up empty handed. “Phone?” He stood, handed her his phone, and then stooped to pick her up. All the air in her lungs whooshed out at the movement. She breathed through the pain, struggled for control, and felt Clint coming for her. When she thought she could speak without stuttering, she called and left a message when he didn’t answer. Then did the same with Anthony. Reception was spotty here in the mountain valley, so she wasn’t surprised when she didn’t get through to either of them. They were probably on the winding road coming into town. Sam walked across the street and a couple blocks down into Doc’s office. Every step was agony, but she kept her whimpers to herself. Squeezing her eyes shut, she called to Clint with everything in her and hoped he heard. Then the time for thinking stopped, and she was sitting on a hard examination table, letting Sam and Doc pull off her coat and then her sweater. Doc made soothing sounds as he cleaned off her back, and Sam moved to guard the door, his back turned to her so he couldn’t see her
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Claiming the Moon by Loribelle Hunt half naked. She stared at the wall over him, biting her lip against the pain. “I’m going to give you shot of morphine before I stitch you up, Ellen,” Doc said. “No!” She knew she sounded hysterical, but she couldn’t stand the idea of being that out of control with two men she didn’t know well, and a strange man out there determined to kill her. “We have to do this, Ellen,” he said gently. “I can’t sew you up until I deaden the pain.” She started to shake her head, but then Clint filled her vision. “Give her the shot,” he ordered as he paced into the room. At her side, he took her hand, and she couldn’t look away from his eyes. Anger. Such deep, deep anger, but not directed at her. Well, not all of it. And terror. The terror was for her alone. Fear she’d been killed or badly hurt. Fear he couldn’t keep her safe. She gripped his hand in hers, tried to pour all her love down the bond between them. It worked. She saw some of the wildness recede, barely noticed the prick on her back as she clung to Clint’s hand. Doc waited for the drugs to kick in before examining it again, making sure nothing vital was damaged. He explained it was a minor cut. It needed stitches and would hurt for a few days, but it wasn’t as deep as he’d originally feared. He sewed her up and handed her a bottle of antibiotics and a bottle of pain pills. She barely registered them since Clint was picking her up and carrying her out to his SUV. Anthony hadn’t said a word yet, and he stepped into the driver’s seat while Clint sat with her on his lap on the passenger seat. Not the safest driving arrangement, but she was floating and dreamy from the morphine shot. Even if she’d had the voice to protest, she didn’t have the will. Especially not with Clint holding her gently, carefully, as if she was the most treasured thing in his world. It wasn’t a long drive back to HQ. When they arrived, he carried her upstairs and put her to bed. She rolled onto her stomach, and he pulled the covers over her. Leaning down, he kissed her lightly and whispered, “Sleep, baby.”
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Chapter Six When Clint came back downstairs, he found everyone in Anthony’s office, but Sam was the only one he was interested in. He didn’t hesitate as he walked up to the other wolf and slammed him against the wall. “What the fuck happened to her?” he growled. Anthony was at his side, the Alpha he could never technically be in his voice. “Sam didn’t do this, Clint. Let him go so he can talk to us.” His hand tightened around Sam’s throat. The werewolf wanted Ellen as much as Anthony did. Clint had smelled his desire the minute he’d walked into that examining room. What no one seemed to realize was Clint didn’t just act less civilized than them. He was less civilized than they were. He shook the police chief a little, let his fingers tighten enough to stop his breath for a second before he let go and paced across the room. “What. Happened,” he demanded, a snarl in his voice. Not even trying to control the wolf. The wolf wanted to tear and rend and exact retribution. The man agreed. “Anthony called me,” Sam answered, rubbing his neck. Clint already knew that. He’d been sitting right next to him. “Wanted to know if I’d seen Ellen. Asked me to go look for her.” His voice was raspy, and Clint wondered if he’d really hurt him, but dismissed it as unimportant. Sam would have reacted the same way if it had been his woman. “She was in the parking lot of the post office when I found her.
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Claiming the Moon by Loribelle Hunt Some guy, human, was threatening her. He stabbed her and took off.” The gaze he leveled at Clint was full of understanding and command. “I couldn’t go after him. Our women are too important, and I didn’t know how badly she was hurt.” As much as Clint wanted the human’s neck in his hands, as disappointed as he was that Sam hadn’t caught him, he did understand. He would have done the same thing. His mate’s safety came first, last, and always. Knowing all of that didn’t stop the emotions bombarding him. He shook with restrained fury, and it wasn’t all directed at her human attacker. A healthy dose of it was for Ellen. She should never have left the security of the house. She knew she was in danger after the first attack, so why do something so stupid? He wanted to go upstairs and shake her awake to demand answers, but he knew she wasn’t up for that yet. The others in the room had gone quiet, probably sensing his internal struggle. He glanced at Anthony on his way out of the room. “I’m going for a run.” There was understanding in the other were’s eyes. He knew Clint was in a killing frame of mind and needed to get rid of some of his aggression before he went to Ellen. While Clint was doing that, the Hunters would guard his mate. He trusted them with her safety, and they wouldn’t let him down again. He went out the back door, stripped, and left his clothes in a neat, folded pile in a cabinet placed there for exactly that reason. Then he shifted, embracing the animal side of his mind. Body contorted, muscles shrunk, bones popped. It was pain and pleasure, over in mere seconds that felt like eternity. Then he was the wolf. He took off into the woods behind the mansion and gave the wolf free reign. He ran for a while, but eventually his simmering anger cooled, and he slowed to a walk, exploring woods he hadn’t run in years. He was quietly stalking a rabbit when he caught the alien scent. Going Hunter still, he searched his other senses. No sounds that shouldn’t be there. No sights out of place. He followed the smell to the fence that marked the Hunters boundary. Someone had climbed over it.
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Claiming the Moon by Loribelle Hunt Someone who didn’t belong. He turned and followed the scent back to where he’d started. It went on, deeper into their land, and he tracked it easily. It ended in the tree line behind the house, on the opposite side of where he’d entered the forest. The stranger must have doubled back on his own trail to leave. Anthony came out the back door and walked to where he stood. Clint shifted. Anthony wouldn’t have come looking for him for no reason. “Ellen’s up,” he said, but he wasn’t looking at Clint when he spoke. Instead, he was looking around the area, nostrils flared to take in the scent that didn’t belong. When he looked over, his eyes reflected Clint’s fury. “Her attacker was here.” Nodding, Clint stepped toward the house with Anthony at his side. He’d already figured that out. “How the fuck did that bastard get in to my territory without my knowing about it?” There was a low snarl embedded in the question. “When I ran last night, I didn’t come back here.” They’d reached the porch, and he dressed as he spoke. “I stayed near the road.” “Waiting for us to come back.” Anthony shoved a hand through his hair. In anyone else, it would have been a nervous gesture, but he didn’t look the least bit contrite about the way he’d forced Clint to make his claim real. “When was the last time someone ran the back of the property?” “Too long. But that changes now.” Clint only nodded when what he really wanted to do was flay Anthony alive for getting so complacent he thought no one would come after them here. And the Society probably wouldn’t. But if a human, a human who was very definitely in Clint’s sights now, could get this close, so could a rogue. He preceded Anthony into the house and went down the long center hall to a comfortable parlor in one of the front rooms of the house. He couldn’t say how, but he knew Ellen would be waiting for him there. Growling low in his throat when he entered, he stalked across the room. He should have realized all the single males in the house would also be there.
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Claiming the Moon by Loribelle Hunt Picking her up from the couch, he sat in one of the big, plush chairs with her in his lap. She snuggled against his chest, and his wolf calmed, accepting the affection that was its due. She turned her head up to him and smiling, pressed a kiss to the exposed skin just above the collar of his sweater. His throat closed at the tender gesture, emotion filling him nearly to bursting. There was a discrete cough, and he looked up. Zachary and Asa were on the sofa, one on each end. Sam was in one of the other chairs, and Anthony in the one next to it. Declan took up the floor, one long leg spread out in front of him, the other pulled up to his chest with a forearm resting on his knee. “Ready to tell us what happened, babe?” Anthony asked. He narrowed his eyes at Anthony. “She has a name.” Anthony just grinned at him and Ellen shifting in his lap, rubbing her ass over his hard cock, distracting him. She wiggled one arm behind him, pushing her hand up under his sweater. The skin‐to‐skin contact soothed his irritation at Anthony’s use of the endearment. He might want her, but she belonged to Clint. “It was the same guy. He was also the deliveryman from the diner this morning. I didn’t recognize him because I didn’t see his face that night,” she said, turning her head to look at Anthony. “And he’s definitely human.” Being human didn’t mean anything to Clint. Technically, humans, unless mated in, were not subject to pack law. He should let human law, human authority, handle this. But he wasn’t going to. When he tracked the man down, he was going to tear his throat out. It might get him exiled from his pack, but he didn’t care. The only thing that mattered was the safety of the woman in his arms. And retribution for the harm already done. He met Anthony’s gaze and knew the other werewolf was aware of his plans. And approved. He gave him the slightest nod. No one else even noticed it. Ellen’s agitation distracted him. “What else, baby?” he asked her softly. “You get to call her baby, and I can’t call her babe?”
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Claiming the Moon by Loribelle Hunt He knew Anthony was trying to lighten the heavy, dark mood in the room, trying to put Ellen at ease. He knew, but his wolf side still responded to what it considered a challenge to its claim. “She’s mine.” Fingernails scratching his back got his attention. He looked down at the woman in his lap, responded to her slight smile. So damned perfect. “Who knew you’d turn out to be such a caveman?” she teased. There was no bite in her words, only affection and amusement. What she felt for him shook him to his bones, his soul. He wondered if he would ever learn to temper the possessiveness, if he would ever get control over the urge to throttle anyone who dared look at her. She shook her head, and her hair brushed against his neck. He wanted to feel it sliding over his skin again, this time as she rode him. His cock got harder, and she blushed as the heat between them seemed to go up about thirty degrees. “What was I saying?” she whispered shakily, clearly caught up in what was between them. “Human,” Anthony answered dryly. “Yes,” she said, her voice steadier, laughter shading her tone. “He accused me of being a werewolf.” His arms tightened around her. So the guy thought she was a werewolf and planned to kill her? “Not funny, Ellen.” “Sure it is. In a sick and twisted kind of way.” He got her point. There were no female werewolves. The gene that gave the ability to shift was only passable to males. Their mates and daughters were completely human, and there was no such thing as conversion. You were born a wolf or you weren’t. “What else did he say?” “Exactly?” He nodded yes, and she closed her eyes in concentration. He knew she was still feeling the effects of the morphine. “He said we’re a scourge on the earth and they’ll kill us all.” “They?” Anthony asked. “He said, ‘We’ll kill you all.’”
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Claiming the Moon by Loribelle Hunt “They can try,” Anthony said. His tone was guttural with contained fury. “So there’s more than one. This isn’t a case of one lone crackpot,” Sam said. Ellen shrugged. “That was the impression I got. But maybe he’s just crazy and there’s no one else. That we could have been a generic we, meaning humans.” “Could be,” Sam answered. “But I don’t believe it.” “Me either,” Anthony said. “The Society has been too quiet lately. Maybe that’s because someone is doing our work for us.” At the mention of the rogue organization, Ellen’s hand clenched his arm. “Whoever they are, if this guy is one of them, they don’t know that not all werewolves are bad. They don’t know they could be killing innocent people.” Anthony shook his head. “I don’t think so. We aren’t getting any reports of suspicious deaths. Whoever these people are, they know the difference.” “Then why target me?” The room fell silent for a moment before Clint said the obvious. “Maybe they have their own rogue.” No one was surprised at the statement, and it didn’t really matter to Clint one way or the other. The man had threatened Ellen. Had hurt her. He was marked for execution whether he knew it or not. The hell with the black stain that would continue to spread across Clint’s soul. Anthony met his gaze, warning in his tone. “We need to find out who these people are. If they’re a threat to all of us or just the Society.” Clint shrugged. “That’s your job. Her safety is mine.” “The two are connected.” He snorted. “Only in your mind.” Anthony glared at him a moment before standing and motioning to the others to leave the room. No one argued. “I’m calling some people in. Double patrols on the grounds. Don’t kill this bastard before I get to speak to him.” His grin was feral. “After that, I’ll even help.” Ellen went stiff in his embrace. Moreover, he felt her shock and
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Claiming the Moon by Loribelle Hunt sighed, knowing it was time to tell her everything. He stood with her still in his arms and went upstairs to their room. “I want to take a shower.” “Your stitches…” She smiled. “I’ll be careful.” She kissed him, a quick innocent peck on his lips that made his heart thunder in his ears. Then she turned and entered the bathroom, shutting the door firmly behind her. She didn’t take long and exited in nothing but a towel, hair wrapped up turban style. She was sexy as hell, and his mouth went dry, his pulse raced. He finally had his heart’s desire. The question was, could he keep her? She turned her back on him and went to the dresser. He admired the rear view as much as the front as she pulled out what looked like old sweats. Looking over her shoulder, she arched an eyebrow. “Well? I got the feeling you wanted to talk.” He sat on the edge of the bed and looked down. Where to fucking start? Then she was in front of him, on her knees, looking up into his face. So fucking beautiful. Inside and out. He didn’t deserve her, but damned if he was letting her go now. “Tell me, honey. Tell me why you keep fighting us.” He pulled her up into his lap, and after pulling the towel from her hair, she snuggled into him as she’d done downstairs, as if she’d been doing it for years. Something in him unfurled at the gesture, something he hadn’t even realized had been wound so tight. The mate bond between them was newly completed, but strong after so many years of knowing her, craving her, and knowing what she was to him. He hoped like hell what he was going to tell her wouldn’t make her turn from him, but he knew it was probably a futile wish. “You know I was the Hunter that infiltrated the Society eleven years ago?” “Yes. And you did it for three years.” The longest three years of his life. It was bad enough having to live among them, but he hadn’t been able to see her. Hadn’t been able to keep her mother safe.
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Claiming the Moon by Loribelle Hunt “I had to become one of them to get in, Ellen.” She lifted her head and looked at him in confusion. “I had to kill someone,” he said softly. He saw understanding in her eyes. “A human.” “Yes.” Like her. Like her mother. “Who?” Not the response he’d expected. Not outrage. Revulsion. Disgust. “What?” “Who did you kill?” Bile rose at the memory. Not for the act, but the man. “A killer. He targeted women.” She nodded. “Were justice.” “It’s against our laws,” he reminded her sharply. “We take care of ours and leave humans to deal with their own.” “You expect me to condemn you for killing a murderer while undercover to protect our people?” Her tone held doubt. “He wasn’t the only one.” He needed to tell her all of it. Get it over all at once. “Why the others?” He shrugged. “The Society was getting suspicious.” She bit her bottom lip, thinking. “What about them? Were they killers, too?” “One was. The other was a drug dealer.” She was quiet a long time. He was terrified she’d get up, want to leave. He wasn’t sure if he could protect her from his own instincts if she tried. “You’re not like him, Clint. The one who killed my mother.” He didn’t answer her. Not sure what he felt. Relief? Worry that she’d come to her senses later and try to run from the monster he was? How would she react when he killed this other human, this threat to her? “They caught you because you killed my mother’s murderer,” she said, realization in her tone. She hadn’t known that part. “Yes. I tore him to pieces. I was…enraged. He took something
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Claiming the Moon by Loribelle Hunt precious from you.” She laid her head back on his shoulder. “You should have told me this a long time ago. This is why you took so long to claim me? You expected me to reject you when I found out?” His arms tightened around her. He knew if she wanted to leave now, he wouldn’t let her. She bit him. “I’m an Alpha’s daughter, Clint,” she said, irritation a bite in her tone. “I understand the need to protect, and those humans’ deaths protected people. Ours and theirs.” “I won’t let you go if you change your mind,” he said softly, regretful that she no longer had a choice. “I’m not that good a man.” She looked up and met his eyes. “I was always yours. But we’re going to have a long talk one of these days about you keeping secrets from me.” “Hmm. Later,” he murmured, knowing she was choosing him with full knowledge. He was desperate for her. Her neck exposed to him, he bent to it, lapped at her skin before sucking it into his mouth. Groaning, she rolled her hips, rubbing over his erection. He smelled her arousal, and it was like an aphrodisiac coloring the air. He released her neck. There were more appealing things to suck on. Gently, mindful of the stitches on the side of her lower back, he set her on her feet in front of him. It put her breasts at eye level, and he held his breath as he reached for the towel covering her. It dropped to the floor. Hands on her ass, he urged her closer. Close enough to lean forward and suck one stiff, pink nipple into his mouth. He hummed when her taste filled his mouth, and he moved one hand between her thighs. While sucking her nipple, he thrust two fingers into her pussy. She was wet and welcoming, groaning and moving with him. His senses were reeling. He was drunk on her, this woman who completed him body and soul. He wanted to drag it out, wanted to show her how much he cherished her, how important she was. He might have succeeded if she hadn’t reached down and wrapped slim fingers around his cock. Her grip was light, exploratory. Not nearly enough. He released her nipple and
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Claiming the Moon by Loribelle Hunt looked up to meet her gaze. “Harder,” he ordered gruffly, covering her hand with his and squeezing it. She tightened her grip, and he released her. Leaning back to prop himself on his elbows, he gritted his teeth. “Christ, baby. Yes, like that.” Her smile was sultry as she got on her knees between his thighs. She bent her head and ran her tongue down his length, from the head of his cock to his balls. His hands twisted in the comforter as he resisted the urge to grab her hair and force himself into her mouth. As if she read his mind, she guided him where he wanted to be and slowly swallowed him. From the head to the top of his shaft, to the middle…it was excruciating, exhilarating torture. She withdrew just as slowly, using her teeth to make him lay perfectly still. Just a light scrape, just enough to remind him who was in charge of this little game. Then she took him in again. Sucking him harder. Moving faster. Ellen knew he was close to coming, and she wanted him inside her when he did, but she couldn’t seem to stop herself. He tasted too good. Salty and masculine. She could feel the tension in him, knew he was fighting the urge to fuck her mouth or stop her and fuck her pussy. Her cunt contracted. He was still in control, controlling the wolf that ruled his emotions and instincts. And she wanted him out of control when he took her. She sucked his cock harder as she withdrew, pulling on it with her mouth the way he did on her nipples. His groan was her reward, and she almost smiled, feeling his infamous control slip a little. The next time she lowered her head, taking his cock back into her mouth, his hips thrust up to meet her. She bit him, not hard but enough to get his attention. He growled a warning, “You’ll pay for that later, baby.” God, she hoped so. She liked his teeth. Liked when he bit her. When he marked her. She took his length into her mouth and sucked hard, released him slowly. Teasing. Taunting. And then his self‐mastery snapped. He took over, pushing harder and faster into her mouth. Hips pistoning.
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Claiming the Moon by Loribelle Hunt “Touch yourself, baby,” he said, voice almost unintelligible with lust. “Come with me.” Letting him take over, she slid her hands down her body, found her clit, and pinched. They came together, her shaking with the force of it while his cum spurted into her mouth. She’d never thought she would like that and was surprised she did. Knew it was because she was the only one he trusted with all of himself. Knew it was because he was hers just as much as she was his. She licked him clean as she contemplated the changes, the shifts in her mind. She could almost see him there. Could almost feel him inside her. She shook when she realized just how deep the mate bond was. Under her skin. Down to her very bones. He was breathing hard, staring at her, when she finally looked up. “Darlin’, you are going to be the death me,” he whispered, but it was said with reverence. With love. Reaching down, he pulled her up, rearranged them both so they were in the center of the bed, him on his back and her draped over him. He rubbed light circles over the top of her back, careful to avoid her stitches, and she finally realized why he’d told her about his time in the Society. Lifting her head, she met his gaze. “You plan on killing him. This human who’s stalking me.” He froze, hand still but firm as he held her to him. “He’ll keep coming, Ellen.” “Not you, Clint. Those other ones…they tore you up. I’m not going to let you make that kind of sacrifice for me. You’ve sacrificed enough.” His cock was already hard again, and he moved her so she straddled him. Her mind almost splintered when he thrust into her. She groaned, still wet and needy, happy at the intrusion. But he didn’t move. Didn’t fuck her into orgasm. “Don’t deny me the right to protect my mate, Ellen,” he said softly, holding her gaze. He let her see everything. His determination to keep her safe, and his fear she’d leave him if—when—he killed this man. He didn’t
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Claiming the Moon by Loribelle Hunt understand it wasn’t his killing a threat that worried her. It was the guilt he imposed on himself for doing it. She’d lived with his kind her whole life. Understood that they weren’t part human or part wolf. They were all werewolf. Something else. Something other. Protecting their own was something so ingrained, so deeply intuitive, they could rarely be swayed from a course of action they thought best. Still, she had to try. She refused to be the cause of his belief he’d fallen somehow. Become one of the ones who he hunted. Even though he believed it necessary, he would view it as a mark against him. “Let Anthony do it,” she whispered, her hands cupping his face as she leaned over to kiss him lightly. “Don’t take this death on yourself.” His hands tightened on her hips, and he began to move with deep, leisurely strokes that seemed to pierce her soul. “It has to be me, baby.” She bit back a sob, knowing what he was taking on, knowing she couldn’t persuade him differently. She nodded her head and saw relief in his eyes. “Okay. It has to be you.” She almost laughed. He was still afraid she’d deny him? Them? She couldn’t breathe without him, and no matter how bad he thought he was, she knew better. Knew he wasn’t like the evil ones who’d gone after and killed her mother, who continued to hunt down innocent humans. She tilted her pelvis forward, taking him deeper, changing his angle so he hit her G‐spot with each plunge in. After all the years of waiting for him to claim her, she wasn’t about to back out now. But she felt him withdrawing, shielding himself from something he thought was inevitable. Pleasure would put an end to that. Would shatter any walls he tried to erect and show him what they were supposed to be. What they would be. The trembling started when his thumb brushed over her clit. She wanted to come so bad it was like a fire raging in her body. In her mind. “Harder,” she whispered. Ordered. He complied, rolling the hard nub between his thumb and forefinger. She didn’t last long, and her hair brushed his skin as she braced herself on his shoulders and rode out the tremors. She felt free, high above the world as if she were flying. When she came down, he was
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Claiming the Moon by Loribelle Hunt still hard inside her. “How do you feel? Do you need another pain pill yet?” She felt good actually, but she arched an eyebrow. “What did you have in mind?” His voice deepened, grew rough, and she knew she was hearing the wolf. The wolf’s desires. The wolf’s demands. “You. On your knees.” The next orgasm would be unbearably sweet. She rolled off of him and got on her hands and knees, smiling at him over her shoulder. “Like this?” His answer was a growl, and he moved lightening fast, behind her before she could think. Inside her before her eyes even registered the move. He rammed in and out of her, faster and harder, and her pussy wept in welcome. Holding her hips in a grip firm enough she knew she would have bruises, he took her, no control left. It was animalistic. Wild and wanton. She loved every minute of it, and they collapsed, coming together, to the bed. He rolled off of her and pulled her back to his chest. “You okay?” She smiled, but couldn’t force herself to move. “Perfect,” she whispered. She was way past perfect, and she fell asleep listening to the sound of his chuckles.
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Chapter Seven Clint got up and answered the soft knock on the door without disturbing Ellen. He scowled at Anthony. “What?” He jerked his head in a motion meant to convey, follow me. Clint stepped out into the hall and pulled the door quietly shut behind him. “Got something you’ll want to see.” Clint followed him downstairs, noting the quietness. “Where is everyone?” “Guarding our guests.” Anthony armed the alarm system, and they both stepped out the back door. “What guests?” The other wolf’s expression darkened. “You’ll see.” He wasn’t comfortable leaving Ellen alone in the house. He could go overprotective and anal, but he knew she wouldn’t stand for it. Plus, he was positive Anthony wouldn’t lead him off the property. They stripped, shifted quickly, and were racing through the woods in moments. Clint smelled them before he saw anyone, but was surprised to see five humans waiting in a clearing. Judging by the scent, there should only be one or two. How had they hidden so much of their scent? He shifted and approached, watching them suspiciously. The oldest one stepped forward. Clint would guess the man was in his mid forties, but there was nothing old or feeble about him. His expression was hard. His body appeared to have the lean, powerful strength of a predator. He moved like a soldier and had the bearing of a
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Claiming the Moon by Loribelle Hunt leader. “What are you doing here?” Clint asked. “You know you’re not welcome.” The other man smiled, but it was far from friendly. “We’re hunting for one of ours.” He’d hesitated the barest fraction over hunting, and Clint knew he’d chosen it on purpose, substituting it for another word. “You won’t find him here,” Anthony answered. He let the wolf color his voice. “But you will tell me who the fuck you are.” It was a threat, and the humans recognized it. As one, the four flanking the leader lifted their rifles and covered all the werewolves in the clearing. The leader lifted his hand, but didn’t turn around. “Stand down,” he ordered. Slowly, reluctantly, they did. “I’m Julian. I belong to an organization that doesn’t have a name. And despite being human, I’m the same thing you are. A Hunter.” “Then you should know not to enter a werewolf’s territory without permission first,” Clint said. Julian nodded. “It seemed faster this way.” Faster maybe, but it was the death wish approach. “Who are you looking for?” he asked, though his gut told him it was the same human he was hunting. “His name is Robert. His wife was killed by a rogue a couple of years ago. We took him in. Trained him.” Anger filled Clint. They’d actually trained this wannabe killer and then let him loose? “He’s fixated on your mate,” Julian went on. Anger became fury. The man knew too much about his people, and he knew next to nothing of theirs. “I’m more than capable of assuring the safety of my mate. Leave. We’ll take care of your rogue for you.” “No.” Julian shook his head. “This one is ours to deal with. It’s against even your own rules.” Clint crossed his arms over his chest to keep from lunging forward and grabbing the man’s throat. Remembering Ellen’s words. She didn’t
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Claiming the Moon by Loribelle Hunt want him to be the one that killed the man stalking her. That thought made his wolf snarl its outrage. “If we let you have him, what’ll you do to him?” “Take him back. Try him. Probably execute him.” He looked over and met Anthony’s gaze. Anthony shrugged. “Why not? It’s their mess, not ours.” He was leaving the decision to Clint, since Ellen was his mate. Clint struggled with the need to exact vengeance, his need to protect his mate, and his need to make her happy. She didn’t want him to kill this human. He wasn’t sure if he had that kind of restraint. Something nudged at his consciousness, an urge to return to her immediately, and he swiveled to look back in the direction of the house. “She’s not alone,” he told Anthony, shifting as he ran. He knew the others were behind him, including the humans, but he didn’t pay any attention to them in his desperation to get to her. He paused long enough at the back door to pull his jeans on and entered quietly, turned the alarm off, and used the wolf’s stealthy abilities to hunt. * * * * * He couldn’t delay any longer. He’d seen Julian drive through town with his squad early that morning and knew the man was here to stop him. He hid from sight easily, sneering. Their esteemed leader claimed there were two factions of wolves warring with each other. That one side wasn’t the same brutal killers who had killed his Maggie. Even if that were true, it didn’t matter. They were animals. One day they’d all turn on the humans they considered prey. His mission was clear. They had to be stopped. And Julian, with his extensive files, training, and arms, had unwittingly given Robert the means to do it. This wasn’t the first household he’d targeted, and it wouldn’t be the last. He had a long list to work through. But first, he would kill the female werewolf and her four companions. He’d put his original plan into motion and found the diner’s deliveryman. When charm and a hundred bucks didn’t convince him to
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Claiming the Moon by Loribelle Hunt let Robert take the delivery out to the mansion on the edge of town, he’d knocked him out and left him tied and gagged in the trunk of his car. He’d almost cackled yesterday when the woman didn’t recognize him, but restrained himself. She would soon enough. The male werewolves were suspicious now. One of them had gone into town to pick up their catered order. Robert found it easy to slip into the gate after the returning vehicle without being seen. Then he snuck in the house and hid when she walked out with the garbage. Now he just had to wait for the right moment. For the others to return. * * * * * When Ellen awoke, she was alone. The house felt quiet, forlorn, abandoned. She knew that wasn’t possible, but the lost feeling stayed with her as she showered and dressed. No one was around when she went downstairs, when she entered the dining room. There was no way Anthony was letting any strangers on the property, so Asa had volunteered last night to pick up the delivery from the diner. The food was set up so she knew someone was around. Were they hiding? Avoiding her? She was known for her temper. It made her wonder when the other shoe would drop and what it would be. Shrugging, she decided she might as well be well‐fed first. When she finished, she took the leftovers to the kitchen and stacked them in the fridge. Then grumbling under her breath about men making useless housekeepers, she took the overflowing bag out of the garbage can. Frowning, she disengaged the alarm and carried it outside. The bigger can was behind the garage. She dropped the plastic bag in. As she returned to the narrow sidewalk that led back to the kitchen, that prickly sensation on the back of her neck returned. Increasing her pace, she looked around but didn’t see anyone or anything out of the ordinary. She almost blew off the uneasy feeling, but her back was a stinging memory of what had happened the last time she’d ignored her gut instincts. She almost ran the last few steps and slammed the door shut
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Claiming the Moon by Loribelle Hunt behind her, throwing the deadbolt and turning to reset the alarm. The feeling of being watched, stalked, didn’t diminish. Goosebumps pimpled her flesh, and she shivered, though it wasn’t cold in the house. Where the hell was Clint? Not to mention, everyone else? She knew Anthony was running extra patrols on the grounds, but someone should be inside. She searched the downstairs, and then the upstairs. Clint’s cell phone was plugged into its charger and left on the nightstand. He had to be out in wolf form. Grabbing her phone, she dialed as she walked down the hall. No answer from Anthony. She tried the other Hunters while walking down the stairs. Nothing. Dread increasing with each move, she stepped off the stairs and into the foyer. Everything seemed to happen in slow motion from then on. Her office door, near the front of the house, swung open, and crazy dude entered the foyer. He held the butt of a rifle in his right hand, the barrel leaning against his shoulder, like a soldier on casual guard duty. Her mind screamed at her to run and lock herself in Anthony’s office. It was just a few feet away. But her legs refused to cooperate with the order, and she froze at his grin, the unhinged look in his eyes. Where the hell was Clint? How was she going to get out of this? He swung the rifle up, fitting the butt to his shoulder and looking down the barrel at her. The insane smile never left his face. “We’ll just wait for the others to return.” He would kill her in front of Clint. Probably kill Clint while he tried to save her. The rage and sorrow at the knowledge was a tearing pain in her heart. There was no way she would let that happen. No way. “I’m not what you think I am,” she said. The rifle jerked in his hands. “No one here is what you think.” “Lies. I’ve heard them all before, werewolf,” he sneered. “I’m not a werewolf. There are no female werewolves. It doesn’t pass to our DNA.” His finger curled around the trigger. “Shut up!” She held her hands up, arms spread in a placating gesture. He really was insane. No point trying to reason with him. “Sure. Can I sit
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Claiming the Moon by Loribelle Hunt down at least since we’re waiting?” Just let her get to Anthony’s desk. He made a downward motion with the rifle. “Right there. On the stairs.” Well, shit. She couldn’t exactly protest, or he’d realize there was something she wanted from the other room. She sat on the third step, feet on the floor, her muscles quivering with the need to move. Before she could formulate a plan, Clint came up the hall next to the stairs. He was barefoot, dressed only in jeans. He looked calm and in control, but she saw the murderous look in eyes. Not stopping to consider how the human man in the room would react, she rushed to her mate. He pushed her behind him as other people came in the room. The Hunters she knew, but several she didn’t. They were dressed all in black combat gear and armed to the teeth. They spread out through the foyer and, though no one made an aggressive move, the feeling of menace rose. “Robert,” said the one she presumed was the leader. “Put down the rifle.” So, crazy dude had a name. “No fucking way, Julian,” he spat. “I’m done doing it your way. I’m taking all these bastards out.” “You know we aren’t going to let you do that.” She felt the muscles in Clint’s back clench, knew he was finished listening to a negotiation between these two strangers and was going to attack. * * * * * Clint saw Ellen sitting on the bottom step when he entered the foyer. He noticed her trembling. Smelled her fear. It enraged him as nothing else could. Before he could attack the human holding her hostage, she leapt up and ran to him. He ignored the urge to skim her body with his hands to make sure she was unharmed. He stepped in front of her, and she set her palms on his bare back. She needed to leave so he could execute the threat, but before he
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Claiming the Moon by Loribelle Hunt could issue the order, the others came in. He narrowed his eyes at the file of humans. This was his death, damn it. They were speaking to the man, distracting him, and his muscles bunched in preparation to propel him forward. He froze when Ellen stroked him, begged him not to attack, and then seemed to change her mind. The shots rang out before he could act. The best he could do was take her to the ground and shield her with his body, terrified that she was hurt. Knowing he’d never survive without her. * * * * * Two shots rang out. Clint turned and dove onto her, taking her to the ground and shielding her body with his. It knocked the wind out of her, and she had to force breath into her lungs. “Are you okay?” His eyes were wild. “Ellen?” The iron smell of blood filled the room. “Baby, answer me.” Ellen managed a nod and tried to stand up. “Just sit for a minute,” he ordered as his hands roamed over her body. Checking for injuries, she realized. “Who are they?” she asked when she got her voice back. He helped her stand up, keeping an arm around her waist to steady her. Looking up, he met the leader’s gaze. Julian, she remembered him being called. “Humans,” Clint answered. She looked beyond him to the body lying on the floor. “Rogue hunters.” “And that one?” she asked, not quite able to hide the tremor in her voice, in her hands. His arm tightened around her waist, and he leaned down to whisper in her ear. “Adrenalin. I know an excellent way to work it off.” His voice held the unmistakable timbre of lust, and she was surprised to feel an answering call in her blood. “Later,” she replied softly. She wanted nothing more than to go
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Claiming the Moon by Loribelle Hunt upstairs with him, but she needed answers first. Needed to know how she’d become Robert’s target. Needed to know why. He moved behind her, both arms around her waist, standing guard over her. Holding her safe. They watched as the black clad soldiers lifted the body off the floor and carried him out. She was surprised that two of the four were female. How had she missed that? Julian remained behind for a moment. He met her gaze, and she saw regret and longing in his. “You look like your mother.” “You knew my mother?” she asked, shocked. If her mother had lived, she would have turned fifty this year. Julian looked to be a few years younger. He nodded. “She was one of us until she hooked up with Brant.” Which begged the question. “Who are y’all?” He grinned. “Think of us as the human branch of the Hunters, except it’s not just wolves we go after if necessary.” She scowled. Why hadn’t her mother told her about this? “I should have known,” she muttered. He sobered. Shook his head. “No. We’re more secret than you are. Robert…was an aberration. I don’t know how he got through our screening process.” His eyes hardened into flinty black rocks. “It won’t happen again.” He nodded at the others in the room before turning to follow his people. “Gentlemen. Ellen. If you ever need anything, call.” “How exactly am I supposed to do that?” Search Google for Julian and hope he came up? “They know how,” he said, indicating Anthony and Clint. Then he was gone, moving with stealthy speed out the door. It shut with a soft click. “Would someone please tell me what the hell just happened?”
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Claiming the Moon by Loribelle Hunt
Chapter Eight “Later,” Clint said before anyone could speak. Swinging her up into his arms, he carried her upstairs and down the hall to their room. The door slammed shut behind them, and he set her gently to her feet. She saw the worry and fear in his eyes, and lifted her hand to stroke the side of his face. “I’m okay, honey.” He nodded and started removing her clothes. “Need to see that for myself.” Since his fingers stroked every inch of skin he uncovered, setting her on fire, making her burn, she didn’t protest. He brushed a kiss over the mark he’d left on her neck, and her shudders increased, this time from a surge of lust, not adrenalin. Too slow. He was going too damned slow. She unsnapped her jeans and shoved them off. Moving closer, she rubbed her body against his. She had to grab his shoulders and hang on when he inserted one jean‐clad leg between hers and rubbed it against her damp sex. She felt breakable, like she would shatter when she came, would splinter if she didn’t. “Clint!” His mouth swept down to meet hers. Hard and bruising while he rocked her to orgasm on his leg. Then he was tearing away and yanking his jeans off. She stared at him, at the hard evidence of his desire for her. He picked her up, shoving into her before she could reach for him. He moved, and each step shifted the angle of his cock inside her.
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Claiming the Moon by Loribelle Hunt She was groaning by the time her back hit the door, and then he was pounding into her. Wild. Out of control. And she was screaming her pleasure, crying out her release right before him. The intensity of the orgasm made her see spots, or maybe the spots were from squeezing her eyes shut so tightly. Clint carried her to the bed and lay down beside her. They were both gasping. She didn’t think she’d ever catch her breath again. “It’s getting more intense,” she said when she could speak again. “The attraction, I mean. I might not survive it.” His expression was almost soft as he rolled to his side, propped up on one elbow over her, and kissed her lightly. Tenderly. “You’ll survive. I think it’s because I fought it for so long. It should simmer down some in time.” She pouted. “That would be a real shame.” Laughing, he lay back down and pulled her over to straddle his waist, his fingers playing with her nipples. “True.” With a moan, she arched her back, thrusting her breasts into his palms as her eyes slid closed. He didn’t give her what she wanted. Harder. Faster. Claiming. She opened her eyes and met his gaze. “What’s wrong?” “I could have lost you down there,” he said softly, and she knew he didn’t mean to the madman with a gun. “I’m in love with a werewolf, honey. I know you aren’t entirely human.” She paused a moment. “But you need to forgive yourself. Don’t let this come between us.” Leaning down, she left a trail of kisses up his chest, his neck, and whispered in his ear, “I’ve waited too long. The past can’t have you.” Then his arms were around her, crushing her to him. “God, I love you.” He rolled them over in a werewolf swift move, his erection gliding into her smoothly. It was long time later before either one of them could speak.
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Claiming the Moon by Loribelle Hunt
Epilogue Clint didn’t know what the hell had possessed him to allow Ellen to come with him to the meeting, but he was glad to have her at his side. He stopped her before she could ring the bell, pulling her into his arms for a deep, soul‐shattering kiss. Her lips were a little puffy when he pulled back, her eyes with the glazed look she got when he stroked her into orgasm. “What was that for?” she asked. “I love you.” Her lips turned up that sexy grin that drove him crazy. “Hmm. I might require more proof.” He growled in her ear, “Later. All the proof you need.” Laughing, she pushed the doorbell. It was opened seconds later by Anthony, who stepped aside to let them enter. “What’s wrong with you?” He looked frazzled and just generally pissed off. “Her highness in there could drive a man to drink.” He added darkly, “Or murder.” Clint cocked an eyebrow and followed Anthony into the office, where Gia Roberts, Julian’s tall and svelte second in command, leaned over his desk, palms braced wide, and whispered harshly. She shut up as soon as they entered and turned to glare at Anthony. Julian heaved a put upon sigh and spoke to Clint. “Just once, I’d like to not be the guy in charge.” He stood and circled the desk, giving
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Claiming the Moon by Loribelle Hunt both Anthony and Gia a hard glare. “You two need to just get it over with.” “What?” He rolled his eyes. “Sex, Gia. Fuck him and get it out of your system. You’re not any good to anyone like this.” Her face reflected her shock at his words, but when Clint looked at Anthony, he saw just the opposite. He wasn’t surprised by the suggestion at all. He was very, very interested. Clint hoped this wasn’t going to be a problem in this new joint werewolf/human venture. They’d agreed to a test. A small group of Hunters from both groups would pair up. Share information. Work together. Julian had decided to assign Gia to work with Anthony. “That is the craziest idea you’ve had yet, Julian.” Anthony moved up behind her, rested his palm on the back of her neck, and pulled her toward him. He leaned down to whisper in her ear. Clint’s superior hearing easily picked up the taunt. “I don’t know about that. Unless you’re as cold in bed as out of it?” She sucked in an outraged breath, wrenched free from his grip, and stomped out of the room. “Nice going,” Clint said. Anthony gave his signature, unperturbed shrug. “You know as well as I do, it doesn’t always start easy. Inevitable though. She’ll come around. Some things are written in stone.” Clint pulled Ellen into the circle of his arms. Yes. Some things were meant to be, no matter how hard you fought them. Ellen was a surrender he’d treasure for the rest of his life. The End
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Claiming the Moon by Loribelle Hunt
Author Bio Loribelle is like the South she calls home. Hot and sultry. Languid and sexy. Magnolias and gardenias scent her silk‐lined boudoir, and men and children alike bow to her magnificence… Okay, maybe it isn’t quite that glamorous. She does have two smart and lovely daughters who give her a run for her money and a son that will one day be someone’s model of a romance hero. (She promises.) Her husband is a real life hero, and Loribelle just tries to keep up with the demands of military life. In between, she writes a book or two. She’s had every job under the sun, but haven’t most writers? That Army military police, bookstore manager, waitress, wedding photographer, website designer experience has to come in useful sometimes. As they say in the South, it all washes out in the end. She loves hearing from her readers and can be found at www.loribellehunt.com
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