Free Lunar Mates 1: Under Cover of the Moon by Under the Cover of the Moon (Cobblestone) Page A

through. It wasn't that he looked so imposing, though he did. It had been his choice to become a Hunter and he had lasted a long time at it, earning himself a reputation as being ruthless, merciless, and cold-blooded. They said he never gave up and never lost his quarry.
    Out of the corner of his eye, Darius saw Jackson also turn to watch Trey's entrance. He passed the three of them without even a flicker of recognition, and Jackson caught his eye with a small nod just before he turned back to the people around him.
    The four of them had been inseparable as cubs and teenagers until Trey's parents were killed by one of the outlaw rogues of the Society. At fifteen, Trey left the pack and joined the Hunters, a move that by traditional law barred him from ever being Alpha or Beta of a clan.
    Trey worried Darius. His years as a Hunter were wearing on him, and he'd grown increasingly more remote and isolated. If he didn't quit soon, Darius was afraid he'd never regain any kind of normal life.
    Yet despite current appearances, he knew he could count on Trey. As a Hunter he was required to be impartial, but in private he always gave sound advice. If Trey left the Hunters, Darius was almost positive Trey would join him. Eric would act as Beta, and Trey as Enforcer. Jackson could be the one to either submit, or be banished. That had always been his plan. He repressed a sigh. First he'd have to save Trey from himself, though.
    The stragglers made their way inside and the Council followed in quick order. Eric slipped in behind them, and he and Jackson approached the door together. Silence fell over the large crowd as they entered. It looked like every able-bodied male in the pack had shown up. The hall appeared to be filled to its 300-person capacity. The combined excitement of the masses charged the air. He spotted Eric and Trey in the crowd; Eric surrounded by supporters and Trey, by the natural buffer that seemed to follow him.
    I'm really going to have to do something about that.
    His vision tunneled to the table before him where the Elder, the chief of the over-clan, took center stage, flanked by the other seven.
    “Darius Stewart.” The Elder continued when he stepped forward. “You are to be banished."
    He had expected it, but still reeled like he'd taken a punch to the gut. He was amazed he stayed on his feet and answered in the appropriate places. It was a conversation Eric would have to relate later. To lose one's clan was a little death, the worst punishment to be imposed on a werewolf. The room cleared and soon only Trey and the other Alphas were left. In the haze, he heard Trey say that he would follow Darius to Alabama.
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    Chapter One
    She was his. And it was not something he was entirely comfortable with. He hadn't thought he was in the market for a mate. The last month had been hell. Biology's a bitch.
    He had located his pack in this small town on the boundary of a state park in southern Alabama, just as he had been ordered. It was the perfect location—a successful small town on the edge of wilderness. There would be work and room to run. A man could stretch his legs here. So could a wolf.
    One month of banishment had eased his anger at Jackson, and his old friend was now in charge of the home pack. It had come close to full out war before the council had stepped in to banish Darius. He regretted that too.
    But things had worked out for the best. They were a small group. A were hated change above everything else, but ten males, with six mated, had decided to make the move and form a new pack. He had one year to settle the clan and be officially recognized. One year to prove his capabilities before someone tried to wrest the pack from him. He relished a good challenge and was certain he'd come out on top. How could he not? He was strong and in his prime.
    All those praying for his failure, and there were many, were in for a disappointment. If the council did not approve his leadership at the completion of the year,