Page 86 of Taken by Moonlight

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Once again,the pack faced a raid from the Browns. Only this time I was to blame for the forthcomingdanger.

Dinner was served hastily, everyone fending for themselves. I could not eat from the buffet in the dining hall. My stomach roiled, every time I remembered that rabbit and the deadly threat behindit.

It seemed there would be a war, unless I surrendered myself to Earl Brown’s demands. And I knew that if I did, I might not survive what he had planned forme.

Rape, mostcertainly.

And then they would probably set me out in the woods to hunt forsport.

Dante called a meeting in the lodge basement that evening in the large recreation room. Serious business for the pack, and I wanted to be there, but not in an obvious way. This was about me and I wasn’t about tohide.

So I curled up on a black leather sofa near the fireplace. Ping pong tables, even the two pool tables had been moved with efficient care and chairs set up to accommodateeveryone.

Even the little ones were present. I didn’t know much about werewolf culture, but I did know the young were shielded from much of pack politics. Seeing the five babies, all of whom were barely older than six months, made my stomach clench when I thought of the Browns trying to invade the lodge and steal themaway.

The shifters milled about the rec room, much like I’d seen humans do at the neighborhood watch meeting I’d attended. Someone had set up a side table with bottles of water, sandwiches and cookies. Shifters helped themselves, and speculated about tonight’s meetingtopic.

I knew, but I wasn’t sayinganything.

Dante’s sister spotted me and bounced over. Felicia curled up next to me on the sofa, resting her head on my shoulder. Her trust and affection touched me, as much as it pained me because tomorrow night, I wasgone.

The girl had already been through enough separation anxiety in her young life. How I wished she hadn’t liked me so much. Would have made partingeasier.

Felicia smiled up at me. “I’m glad you’re here,dimples.”

I sputtered. “Where did you hear thatname?”

Her wide brown gaze remained guileless. “I heard Dante calling youthat.”

Terrific. The alpha’s pet name for me, bestowed in his bed when he noted my bottom had two distinct indentations, was now publicknowledge.

I would have to talk to Dante about thatnickname.

Seeing Felicity, shifters who hadn’t made my acquaintance yet came over to greet me. I made casual small talk about the nice weather, last night’s excellent barbecue and the anticipated full moonrun.

Running with the pack was expected once a month. As a guest, and a human, I was exempt. I hoped. I mean, did Dante expect me to get naked and race on two legs as the four-legged pack bounded over the fields and into thewoods?

Paul, the sous chef who had served myself and Dante, came over and greeted me. “Miss Peyton.” He kissed my hand, lingering over my knuckles. Then he grinned. “So good to see you. Did you enjoydinner?”

“Very much. You’re an excellentcook.”

A shadow crossed his face. “Yes, I am. I was hoping to make head chef here. Oneday.”

“Maybe you will,” Iencouraged.

A bell chimed somewhere and the pack settled into their seats. Dante entered the basement rec room, Alex and Gabriel flanking his sides. I felt a shiver of awareness skate down my spine. These were my boys, and the entire pack bowed their heads, touching their throats. Showing respect for their alpha and hisbetas.

Dante saw me, nodded. Then he jumped atop the dais that had been set up. In his trim, black suit and starched white shirt, he looked amazing. Powerful. In command. Boots clicked on the wood dais as he walked back and forth, his fierce gaze scanning thepack.

Holding their attention. I sensed their loyalty, their devotion to theiralpha.

Alex and Gabriel flanked his side, but did not join him on the dais as they faced thepack.

“I’ve called you here tonight to discuss the issue of the Brown brothers. They have threatened to raid our ranch, steal our young and our women and kill the males unless we turn over Peyton by dawntomorrow.”

Everyone turned to look atme.