Free Bad Moon Rising by Loribelle Hunt Page A

reliable intuition.
    “Do you know much about them yet? Their hierarchy for example?
    Have they told you about the rogue?”
    She nodded. “I saw it. Darius said it was Bradley Jones. Who’d have thought? I never had any idea.” So her intuition wasn’t completely whacked out.
    “And hierarchy…Darius is the Alpha. Eric is the Beta.” She cocked her head to the side. “And I’m not sure what Trey is, but they all defer to his judgment.”
    “He’s a Hunter,” Tara said softly. Meg stopped in her tracks and went back to her chair. Catching Tara’s gaze, she leaned forward.
    “All right, spill. You’ve got that ‘it couldn’t be worse’ tone going on.”
    “They’re a…special organization, I guess you’d say, of werewolves who hunt these rogues. Jack was a Hunter.” She paused. “They’re supposed to retire when they mate. The bond shouldn’t let them stand that kind of separation.” She shrugged and added bitterly, “That didn’t seem to stop, Jack.”
    “Ah, I think I see.” Meg leaned back in her chair, resting her elbows on the arms. She arched an eyebrow. “Trey isn’t Jack. I don’t see him taking off. He’s relentless, steadfast.”
    She closed her eyes and heard the conviction in Meg’s voice.
    Among the cousins, her ability to read people was superior, and they’d learned not to question it. But what did that mean really? She already knew he was unyielding and committed. But where would his loyalty ultimately lie? With her or the Hunters? Her grandfather had picked them. Trey could too. Did she really want him to stick around, anyway?
    Part of her craved him, but part of her was damned suspicious of anything resembling happily ever after. Hell, she didn’t know anymore.
    The chair creaked and she opened her eyes to see Meg standing.
    She tossed the paper coffee cup in a nearby trashcan and picked up her bag.
    “I’ve got to get the bar. Are you going to be okay?”
    She smiled and knew it was a weak effort. “I’ll be fine.”

    59

    Bad Moon Rising: Lunar Mates Book 2

    After allowing herself a minute to wallow in self‐pity, she returned to the books. The first day after the shooting business had gone way up. It gradually trickled back down to more normal levels in the following days.
    The increase had leveled off in the last couple of days, and she hoped that meant she’d gained a few new regulars. She was adjusting the next week’s orders when the phone jangled. She heard Milo answer it, and a second later he stuck his head through the door.
    “It’s some insurance guy for you on line one. He said it’s about your window.”
    “Thanks, Milo. I got it.” She reached for the phone as disappeared around the door.
    “Tara Burke,” she said into the receiver.
    “Ms. Burke,” a nasally male voice said. “My name is Andrew Smith from National Insurance. I’m the adjuster assigned to your case.”
    “Yes, of course. What can I do for you, Mr. Smith?”
    “Well, I need to have a look at the house, and I have some forms you’ll need to fill out. I’m passing through town now on my way to another meeting. I could fit you in if you can meet me at your house.
    Otherwise it will be at least two weeks before I can get to it.”
    Crap. Two weeks with a boarded‐up front window. Trey would kill her if she went, since he didn’t have anyone watching her today. He’d let her come to work with the understanding that she wouldn’t leave the building. But Jones had disappeared, so what could it hurt to go three blocks over to her house in broad daylight?
    “I can be there in five minutes,” she said and hung up.
    Telling Milo she’d be back in a few minutes, she grabbed her bag and went out the back door. She paused long enough to lock the door before turning to the opening of the long alley and walking to her SUV. A scurrying sound came from behind her. Too late she realized it was a ploy to get her outside and alone before she got completely turned around.
    Bradley