Page 85 of Taken by Moonlight

“Fuck,” heyelled.

But he was still human. Half his clothing was gone, leaving him clad only in black boxer shorts. Wheezing, he rocked back and forth. “Son of a bitch, that hurts like abastard!”

Horrified I rushed to him. “I’msorry!”

A smile twisted his mouth. He held up a hand, keeping me at bay. “You did great, sunshine. It’s just me. Iforgot.”

A laugh tore from him. “And this is why the spell is so effective, sunshine. It’s got the equivalent of kicking a guy in the balls, only it works with males and females. Incapacitates them with pain for a few minutes, enough time for you to deliver a blow, and get the hellaway.”

I slid my arms around him, helping him stand upright. “I’m sorry, baby. I’m so sorry! Why didn’t you tell me what would happen toyou?”

“You…” he dragged in another breath. “Needed to see it foryourself.”

I kissed him deeply. Kept kissing him, until he finally backed off. “No.” He ran a hand through his hair. “Much as I’d love to fuck you here in the open, I took you here to learn how tofight.”

For the next hour, he did exactly that. I learned to throat punch a man to incapacitate him, some quick self-defense moves that would come in handy for both humans andshifters.

By the time we returned to the ranch, confidence filled me. I knew a magick spell that could prevent a shifter from assuming animal form, and give me a fair fightingground.

The Harley roared as we rode through the countryside, down winding roads to the ranch entrance. The gate was closed, as usual, for Dante had increased security in light of the latest Brownraid.

Something was hanging from the gate. Gorge rose in my throat as I stared at the blood dripping from the animal impaled on one of the steel spikes decorating thegate.

A paper was attached to anotherspike.

Gabriel’s face paled. He halted the bike, parked it and leaptoff.

The rabbit came loose with a sickening pull of flesh. “Did it die that way?” Iasked.

Gabriel glanced at me, his brows knit. “No. They broke its neck. It’s a traditional callingcard.”

Calling card. Another reminder of the viciousness of shifter packs intent onrevenge.

“Don’t have sympathy for rabbits, Peyton. The enemy will tear you apart,” he snapped atme.

Of course. He, and the other wolves, hunted and aterabbits.

While I preferred grilling meat bought from asupermarket.

Gabriel tossed the rabbit aside and read the note. I peered around him and my blood wentcold.

Bring Peyton here to the front gate by dawn tomorrow or we’ll raid your ranch, steal your young and females and kill the rest of you. You’ll die screaming. EarlBrown.