Natural Born Enemies (Cedar River Series) by Gemma K. Murray

about? Did I say something that I shouldn’t have?”
    Adam stroked my hair behind my ear, “Of course not, but I don’t want to cause any more trouble for you with the pack.”
    I kissed his chest. “You are very funny, babe, but that ship sailed a long time ago. You can stay here as long as you want. In fact, maybe I’ll tie you to my bed and keep you as my sex slave.”
    Adam’s chuckle rumbled low in his chest. “I still don’t want to interfere with your life, Luna.”
    “Stop all this nonsense! You’re going to stay here and that’s that.”
    I fell asleep to the deep satisfied purr of my puma.
     
    ***
     
    My internal clock went off at four o’clock. It took a moment to realize Adam wasn’t beside me anymore. His side of the bed was cold.
    I tiptoed to the living room and there was no sign of him there. Walking into the kitchen, I found him standing at the kitchen sink with a cup of coffee, watching the sun break the horizon. I slipped my arms around him and hugged him to me. He put his arm around me and drew me in front of him.
    “You’re supposed to be sleeping, angel. What are you doing up?”
    I snuggled into him, “I could ask the same question. You haven’t slept at all, have you?”
    “I got a few minutes of sleep. I’ve just got too much going on in my mind. I’m worried about you, the pride, my aunt and uncle, the entire community. I have a feeling about who it is that wants me dead and it frightens me. It chills me to the very core.”
    That remarked instilled a sense of fear in me, “Who do you think is behind this, Adam?”
    Adam shook his head, “I’m not going to say anything until I know for sure. It’s just a suspicion I have.”
    “Don’t you think I need to know who it is? I have the right to be aware of who want us dead.”
    Adam stroked my hair, “Baby, this person doesn’t want you dead. They’re simply trying to hurt me and you’re the only person, besides the Goldens, who matters to me. I’ll take care of things, I promise.”
    I looked into Adam’s eyes. “I trust you. I don’t like the fact you won’t share your thoughts with me, but I trust you, honey. I really do.”
    Adam kissed me, “I’ll protect you as best as I can. If the day comes that I can’t, Bowie and the Goldens will.”
    At that thought, I cried.
        

Chapter Eighteen- Adam
     
    I was afraid of what was coming. If my suspicions were correct, then there was a battle coming up and someone was going to die. I certainly didn’t want this laid at my feet, but it was coming. I could feel it deep in my gut.
    Luna interrupting my thoughts only brought the truth closer to my heart. I was going to either die or become Alpha. Neither one of those things did I want. I wanted to live a quiet life as a deputy to Cedar River’s sheriff. I wanted to get married and have children. I wanted things to be simple, but one thing I’ve learned in my whole life is that things are seldom as simple as you’d like them to be.
    My heart hurt at the realization of leaving Luna. Nothing short of death could make me leave her physically, but it could actually come to that fact.
    “Let’s go to Samson’s for breakfast,” I said as I wiped the tears from her eyes.
    She turned her yellowish eyes to mine, “Are you sure?”
    I kissed her nose. “I’m gonna have to see everyone sooner or later. I might as well get this done. Tomorrow, we’ll tackle shopping,” I shuddered dramatically.
    She swatted at me and smiled. “That sounds like a plan.” I watched her as she scurried off to change her clothes.
    I sorted through the box of clothes Bowie had brought over. I tugged out a t-shirt and a pair of jeans. There was a note from Ana tucked inside. “Dearest Adam, brother of my husband’s heart, I know how much it pains you to accept this from us. Simply know that this comes from our hearts because we know that if this had been us, you would have done the same for us. We are family and family takes care of