Page 67 of Touched By Moonlight

She seemed so sad, I wanted to hug hertight.

“You’re not a freak, Carmen. You’re a very pretty little girl. And I’ll tell you a secret.” I waved hercloser.

Looking intrigued, sheapproached.

“Nick’s in the bushes. If you take off your sneakers and give them to me, I’ll watch them for you so he can’t see youcoming.”

Grinning widely, she slipped off her flashing sneakers and set them carefully on the ground next to me, and then placed the floppy-eared rabbit next to them. “Be quiet Bunny,” she told thetoy.

I watched her tip-toe toward Nick. The bushesquivered.

“I see you,” Carmenyelled.

A large black wolf burst out of the shrubbery, wagged its tail. It lay on the ground, put its head between its paws and gave Carmen a mournfullook.

“I won!” Carmen danced around, beaming at me. “Thank you,Sienna!”

Nick shifted back into human form, clothing appearing on his body almost instantly. “That you did, honey. I have to patrol the grounds. Why don’t you stay here and help Sienna in thegarden?”

“Can I?” She seemed eager forcompany.

“Ofcourse.”

Nicolas dropped a kiss on top of her head. The kiss he gave me was far less innocent, and much hotter, promising another tantalizing session in hisbed.

Or perhaps outdoors. I had nopreference.

His ass in those tight blue jeans looked mighty fine, too, as I watched him swaggeroff.

I turned back to the roses and Carmen. After she put on her sneakers again, I handed her the small rake and instructed her to till thesoil.

She chattered as we worked, talking about her instructor who home-schooledher.

After a while I gleaned from her that the pack had a few other children, but they were older and “Other,” unlike her. “Teacher is showing them how to hunt today, so that’s why Nick offered to play withme.”

No wonder she was alone. I understood how awkward and alienating it felt being different. Carmen seemed to be a sensitive child. Even if the pack’s other children didn’t deliberately ostracize her, they would participate in activities strictly forshifters.

After working for an hour, Carmen grew bored and I needed a break. “Aunt Jenn made fresh lemonade this morning. And cookies,” Carmen toldme.

“Lemonade itis.”

I accompanied her down the pathway leading to the main house. Grayson sat at the kitchen table, looking over paperwork when we walked inside. After pouring Carmen a glass of lemonade, I joinedhim.

“Working on a Sunday?” Iteased.

He didn’t return my smile. “Security plans for the complex. I’m adding patrols and more cameras around theperimeter.”

He kept his tone light, but I saw the concern in hiseyes.

I didn’t want to alarm the child, so I mouthed the word.Why?

The alpha leaned back in his chair and scrutinized Carmen. “Peaches, the other kids are back. They’re downstairs in the rec room playing video games. Why don’t you join them? I want to talk with AuntSienna.”

Aunt Sienna? I tilted my head athim.

“Ok, Grayson. Can I have a cookiefirst?”

“You’ll ruin your dinner. We’re having your favorite – roast beef and mashedpotatoes.”