Bad Moon Rising (Blackthorn Wolves) by Vivi Anna Page B

his
ex-girlfriend
    “You have to go where?” Garrick Blackthorn narrowed
his eyes at Tommy as he swung the ax.  The blade split the log in half like
slicing through butter.
    Tommy scuffed his runner in the dirt, not wanting to
meet his alpha’s gaze.  He could always read it when Tommy was keeping
something from him or worse, lying.
    “Family emergency.”
    “I thought all your family was back in England?”
    “My aunt and uncle came over years ago.”
    Garrick stuck the ax in the log and eyed Tommy. 
“Why do you even bother lying?  You know I can smell it when you do. You
sweat.”
    “Fine.”  Tommy sighed.  “It’s a woman.  I think
she’s in trouble.”
    Garrick grinned.  “I thought as much.”
    “No mate, it’s not like that.  This is an ex.”
    “Did she call you?”
    Tommy nodded. “Yeah, something like that.”
    “I take it she’s trouble.”
    “More than you’ll ever know.”
    Garrick rubbed at the thin scar on his chin,
courtesy of a rival alpha years ago.  “Then why are you going?”
    “That, mate, is a really long story.”  He couldn’t
tell Garrick about the power Anisa had on him.  About her witchcraft. 
Werewolves and witches weren’t supposed to mix.  It was like mixing gunpowder
and a lit match.  Destruction was the only thing that came out of that
situation.
    His alpha slapped him on the shoulder.  “Have fun. 
I’m sure Smith can handle anything that may come up.”
    He turned to go.
    “Oh, make sure you check in with the alpha in that
territory.”
    “That guy’s a scumbag.”
    “I know, but it is customary. We don’t want a
territory war.”
    Tommy nodded his thanks, then jumped in his pickup
and drove away from his wolf pack’s compound.  He didn’t feel thankful though. 
Some part of him wanted Garrick to forbid him to go.  He needed some excuse not
to face Anisa again.  He’d spent years breaking the hold she had on him, but
obviously it was still there or she wouldn’t have been able to summon him.  Her
power had grown. And that frightened him more than he wanted to admit.

Chapter Three
    ––––––––
    S he rubbed at her temple again. The headache was
getting worse, stronger, more centralized. This morning she woke with a dull
throb all over her head, but now, late in the day, it was situated in her
temples. It was if someone was pushing pins into the side of her skull.
    The little bell at her door rang. She looked up as
the door opened and Ted, Raven’s Bay’s deputy, and another man strolled in. she
smiled.
    “Hi, Ted. Did you come for some more bath salts? I
just made up a new batch.”
    Ted blushed. “Ah, no, sorry, Anisa. Business today. 
This is Sheriff John Branwell.” He stepped to the side and waved his hand at
the man commanding the room behind him.
    She felt her heart stutter in her chest as he looked
her over. He was tall with wide shoulders and a trim waist. His curly dark hair
brushed at his collar and flirted at her brow, overlooking incredibly dark blue
eyes. He had an impressive presence. The weight of his aura pressed back on
Anisa, circled her, and caressed her skin.
    There was power there.
    “I had no idea Raven’s Bay was getting a new
sheriff.”
    He continued to eye her, as if taking measure. She
shivered involuntarily at the intensity of his gaze.
    “Ah, he just arrived today and needs to talk to you.
In private,” Ted said softly his eyes flitting to Poppy, her young employee,
who hovered nearby, her dark brown eyes wide with interest.
    “Sure. How about we go in the back?” she motioned to
the gauzy curtain separating the back rooms.
    She led them to the room where there was a small
round table, and two chairs. She gestured to one of the chairs. “Would you care
to sit?”
    “No, thank you.”  The sheriff’s electric voice
caressed her skin, and she shivered.
    “Well, I will, if you don’t mind?” she pulled out a
chair and sat, crossing her long legs. She hoped he didn’t notice