Page 154 of Beneath the Blue Moon

“Don’t be scared, Casey,” he tries to reassure me.

“Why would I be scared?”

It’s not like I actually believe this bull.He dropsto his knees once more and closes his eyes.When he opens them, they’re yellow.I’ve seen it happen before and thought I was hallucinating, but now as I stareat them, I recognize those eyes.They’re Sheriff’s eyes.His mouth opens, and Iwatch in horror as his teeth elongate.His shirt begins to rip as his chestexpands, and claws materialize where his fingers should be.This can’t behappening!I must be dreaming.

“Stop!”I scream.“Just stop it!”I slap my hands over mymouth as tears stream down my cheeks.How is this even possible?“I supposeyou’re allwolves?”

The answer is in their eyes; they don’t even have to verbalizeit.Ethan moves forward, reaching for my hand.He’s himself again.

“Don’t touch me!”

“Casey, please… Just let me explain.”

“Explain what?That you’ve been lying to me?Or that you’rea…monster?”

He cringes at the word.“You have to understand.Icouldn’ttell you.”

“Why now?”

“The attack—”

“Oh, God.”I cut him off.“Don’t tell me they’re werewolves,too?”

“Yes, they are.The black one, his name is Stone.He’s had akind of vendetta against my family for a long time.”

Something clicks in my confused, messed-up brain and I snapmy head up to look him in the eyes.

“Are you telling me that he attacked me because of you?Thatmy father and my babiesdiedbecause of some sick, supernatural vendettathat has nothing to do with us?”

“He wanted to get back at me by hurting you.”

“Oh, God.Oh, God….”

“He used to be a member of our pack—my father’s beta,actually.When Dad decided to retire, Stone thought the position wouldautomatically go to him.”

I stare at him, wondering what the hell he thinks thisexplanation is going to achieve.

“Remember I told you Kyle died in a fight?”

I nod.

“For us, new alphas are chosen by the outgoing one.When Dadannounced that he was passing on the position to Kyle, Stone went crazy.Hechallenged Kyle and Kyle lost.Stone was exiled, and he went off, started his ownpack by turning humans.”

I spring from the couch, unable to keep still any longer.Pacing the space in front of it, all I see is Daddy’s face and the faces of myunborn children.Wait… Stone?I stop pacing and turn back at him.

“Stone?Tall, dark hair, grey patch?”

“You know him?”he asks, clearly shocked.

“He was in the bar once.Tried to hit on me.”

He glares at Sam and Brad, and they shrug helplessly.Whatwould they know about it?

“When was this?”

“A couple months ago.”

“Son of a bitch!Why didn’t you tell me?”