Full Moon Rising

“It’s not crazy. And a child of ours would be perfect.”

Maybe it would. If it lived. If I lived. “I have no intention of having a child with you, so get over it.”

His expression was hard, determined, but I saw something else in his eyes that scared me—amusement. Gloating. “You will have no choice in the matter, little wolf. I intend to ensure you do not find relief with anyone else. Including dead men.”

Anger surged, and I hit him. I’d never condoned women hitting men any more than I did men hitting women, but right then, with the smug smile teasing his lips and the I-know-something-you-don’t look in his eyes, I just couldn’t help it. He didn’t see it coming, and it landed on his chin with every ounce of strength I could muster. Which was quite a lot. His head snapped back, and he was out before his back hit the concrete

“Good punch,” Qui

“All you have to do to avoid it is remember that this particular wolf doesn’t take people trying to take over her life too lightly.”

Which, in many ways, was what Jack was trying to do—but at least he was giving me maneuvering room. Talon wasn’t—he was making his statements like it was already a fait accompli

I knelt beside Talon and felt for a pulse, just to ensure the smack in the back of the head hadn’t killed him. The pulse was there, nice and steady. He was just knocked out

I sca

“Let’s get back to the car.”

Qui

He gave me a look that suggested he wished I’d missed the intent behind that particular statement. “Because I’ve heard the promises wolves make, and I’ve never met one who actually keeps them.” He slowed the car as the lights ahead changed to red

“What happened between you and Eryn was about money, not promises. You said that yourself. Don’t condemn a whole race because of the actions of one goddamn wolf.”

“It was more than one.” He looked at me, blue-lensed eyes flat and hard to read. “I seem to have a somewhat fatal attraction to your race.”

Ire swam through me. I was sick and tired of other races judging werewolves and deeming us unworthy or lacking. Why? Because we saw sex as a celebration, something that should be enjoyed rather than something that must be hidden away behind doors and darkness? Vampires drank blood to survive, and many killed their food supply, and yet the world in general deemed them more worthy of respect than us

It made no sense, especially given sex was used to sell everything from Band-Aids to cars. I mean, whom did we really hurt with our moon dances? Sure, the aura of a wolf could make the unwilling willing, but few wolves bothered using it. We didn’t need to when we could get what we wanted within our own race

“You know, most of the vampires I work with are little more than stinking killing machines. That doesn’t mean I think the whole damn race is the same.”

His shrug was nonchalant, and yet the fierceness of his grip on the steering wheel suggested he was taking this conversation anything but casually. This Eryn—and whoever else was behind his less-than-stellar opinion of werewolves—really had done a number on him. “What I personally think of werewolves has nothing to do with anything.”

“It does when you think we’re nothing but prostitutes—and remember, you’re the one who said you’d prefer to avoid pros.”

The lights turned green, and he drove off at warp speed. “I don’t consider wolves prostitutes—you don’t sell yourselves, for a start. But I do think you are all far too free and easy with your bodies.”

“And yet you seem all too willing to jump in and enjoy the offerings.”

He gave me a somewhat amused look. “Underneath the vampire is a man—and no man in his right mind would say no when the packaging is as delightful as yours.”

“That is such a human attitude—hate the race, but won’t pass up the opportunity for a freebie all the same.”

“At least I’m being honest—more than what your so-called mate is being, I’d say.”

I let the change of topic slide. We could argue forever on his all-too-human grievances against wolves and never get anywhere. “Talon has always been arrogant, but I never thought he’d go this far.”

“How long have you been together?”

“Two years.”

“Is that not a long time for a wolf? Maybe that’s why he thinks you have an agreement?”

My smile felt tight. “We’ve never been exclusive. At this particular moment he has seven other lovers, while I have one.” I glanced at him. “And one prospective. In years past, he’s had up to ten, and I’ve had three or four others. And he has no intention of giving up his harem for anyone.”

“A wolf with lots of stamina, obviously.”

“Yeah.” Talon was all stamina, no finesse

“Then what’s the problem?”

I crossed my arms. “The problem, as I said before, is the fact he’s decided I’d make the perfect mother for his children.”

Qui

“No, there’s not,” I agreed sourly. “Only we’re not soul mates and he doesn’t love me. He just wants to implant me with his kid.”

Qui

“No. I told you, we’re not soul mates. I enjoy the sex, but that’s it. And I’m certainly not about to risk my life having a kid with someone I don’t love.”

“Why would you be risking your life?”

I sighed. “Because of what I am. I can’t conceive naturally, and my specialist doesn’t know if I’ll ever be able to carry to term. He’s even suggested that pregnancy could actually kill me.”

His surprise rippled around me. “Why?”

“Because recent results suggest my system might consider the fetus a foreign body and attack it. And, in the process, perhaps kill me.” I shrugged. “He is of the opinion that if I want children, it could only happen with the help of drugs and under strict medical supervision. Even then, there is no guarantee.”

“Not something you’d risk for someone you didn’t love.”

“Exactly.”

He paused for a beat, sweeping onto the Tullamarine Freeway, then asked, “Do you want children?”

“Yes. If I ever meet the right wolf.”

“You’re young yet. Plenty of time.”

I’d heard the same thing from Rhoan many times, and I didn’t believe it now any more than I did then. What wolf wanted a women who might never be able to give him children? The ideal of family, of passing one’s genes on to the next generation, was as ingrained into the werewolf culture as the moon dances and sexual freedom. We could no more help the desire to breed when we found our soul mates than we could the urge to celebrate the rising moon. It was part of what we were

Which is the other reason why Rhoan and I had been allowed to survive. Half-breeds or not, we were at least another generation in a pack that had fewer and fewer pups every year. Our genes were pack genes, even if watered down

Qui

“There is a speed limit on this freeway,” I said dryly

“It’s after midnight. Can’t think of a better time or place to test this baby out.” He glanced at me, the blue lenses in his eyes gleaming brightly under the freeway lights. “So basically, the problem is the fact he won’t accept no for an answer. Why don’t you just use telepathy to force him to accept it?”