Page 64 of Taken by Moonlight

“And if he ever ratted you out?” Ichallenged.

Dante’s gaze darkened and his smile tightened. “Have you ever seen a python win a fight with a wolf? We eat snakes forbreakfast.”

Swallowing hard, I ignored that remark, for it only reminded me what a dangerous wolf Dantewas.

We kept riding. I changed the conversation to talk about the ranch’s cattle and the horses they bred. Then hestopped.

“I’ll race you,” hechallenged.

Caught off guard, I hesitated as he galloped ahead. But I knew Belladonna, knew her quickeagerness.

“Let’s go, girl,” I urged, and gave my mount herhead.

We galloped across the meadow. Sheer joy shot through me. It had been too long since I’d ridden, and what a horse to ride! Belladonna raced, and I felt one with her, rider and horse, our spirits and mutual longing for freedom sealing ustogether.

When I finally pulled her short, panting, Dante pulled up beside me. I didn’t know if he would be insulted that I’d beatenhim.

“That was quite impressive.” He leaned over the saddle horn, and a grin touched his face. “You’re a good rider, my sweet. It will serve youwell.”

Surprised, I blinked at him. “I thought you’d be upset that I beatyou.”

He laughed. “I don’t mind losing to you, Peyton. And I could tell back at the stables that you longed to race. I saw it in your eyes, the same keen anticipation as I saw inBelladonna’s.”

I grinned. “Guess I’m easy toread.”

His smile faded. “Sometimes. Others, it is more challenging. Peyton, I want you to have fun this weekend, and get to know us. We are wolves, yes, but I believe you will find us more civilized than somehumans.”

When we reached the stables, Dante helped me off. He kissed mycheek.

“I guess you’re too busy to go for a longer ride,” I toldhim.

His dark gaze twinkled. “I intend to take you for a much longer ride later tonight. Today I have to do inventory. If you like, Alex would love to have your help for a while. I understand you’re proficient with dataanalytics?”

“More so with the humanelement.”

“Good. He’s been working on a new method that may help our investments, if you’regame.”

It soundedintriguing.

Dante had a cowhand drive me up to the lodge and show me to Alex’s large suite of offices. Gabriel, it seems, had to patrol the perimeter, a daily exercise to ensure no Browns or other threats would wander onto packland.

Alex greeted me warmly as I walked inside. He got up from behind a sweeping curve of a wide, Cherrywood desk and huggedme.

“Good morning, sunshine,” he said, and kissed mymouth.

I hugged him back. “Is that all you do on a Saturday? Work? If so, I’ll have to help you so you can come out later andplay.”

Delight filled his smile. “Comesee.”

Giddy as a schoolboy, he showed me his treasures – banks of computer screens displaying spreadsheets filled with numbers. With quiet pride, he explained the multiple computer screens where he kept track of the packinvestments.

“I could use your help,” Alex confessed. “I’m working on our investments and you’re a data expert in patterns. Maybe you can use your knowledge for next week. I told Dante I have a feeling the market is due for a correction and I want to know which way to shift thefunds.”

We worked for a couple of hours as I pointed out behavioral patterns of stock investments. By the time we finished, Alex was suitably impressed and I felt glowing withpride.

His compliments, showered on me, boosted my self-confidence.

Alex kissed me deeply, and sighed with contentment. I hugged him, needing to touchhim.

And then he pulled away, all business again, talking about the ranch and theprofits.

I wondered what had happened tohim.

Why was Alex soreserved?

What had happened tohim?