Moon Shifter 02 - Primal Possession

fault. She’d told him she didn’t want anything to do with him and he hadn’t listened. Instead he’d listened to his most primal side and now she was on the radar ofsome crazy assholes. The threat to her before had seemed manageable somehow. Now it just felt insurmountable. What if these maniacs
never
stopped coming for her? His pack was making some progress in ferreting out the local group’s intentions, but that might not be enough.
    He and December hadn’t talked much about a future. Sure, they’d made a big step in their relationship, but she’d never said she wanted to become his bondmate. If she did that, she’d turn into a shifter and have the same longevity as him. But if she decided to stay human, she’d always be weaker. If someone else decided to come after her again, who was to say he could stop it? Despite the fact that he’d like to be her permanent shadow, he knew he couldn’t always be there for her. Not every second of the day. And neither of them would want to live like that anyway.
    No wonder Jayce had questioned him if he’d ever worried about his involvement with a human. Bringing a human into their world was insane. Now Kat was paying the price. He would never forgive himself if something else happened to December.
    How could he have been so stupid? So blind? For the first time ever, he finally understood why his brother had walked away from Ana half a century ago. He’d done it because he loved her and had wanted to protect her. That was real love.
    What Liam had done had been selfish. By barreling his way into her life, he’d put December in mortal danger. Last night was proof enough he couldn’t protect her all the time.
    Once they killed these APL bastards—and he had to believe they would—there would be someone else filled with rage and hate ready to take the place of them and hurt anyone he cared about.
    “What’s wrong?” December’s soft voice sliced through the quiet room.
    His head jerked at the direction of her question. She stared at him with heavy-lidded eyes, as if she hadn’t quite woken up yet. He hadn’t even realized she’d stirred. Clearing his throat, he shook his head. He wouldn’t voice his fears to her. “Nothing. I’m going to be leaving soon.”
    She sat up and clutched the sheet to her chest. “Are you going to look for Kat? Take me with you,” she said before he could answer her first question.
    He shook his head. “I can’t. The APL guy I caught behind the Dumpster of your store a while ago is getting out of jail. He was very cooperative before. I want to see if I can get him to open up again.” And if he didn’t, the guy would pay. Worse than last time. A broken thumb would be the least of his worries.
    “I can’t just do nothing all day. Kat’s my friend and I feel so helpless. Let me help.” Desperation laced her words.
    He understood the feeling. They all did. Whoever had taken her had been smart enough to mask their trail. Or maybe they’d just driven around in so many circles it had masked her scent anyway. Even though he and his brother had been on the hunt, it was as if Kat had fallen off the face of the earth. “Believe me, I understand. I talked to Connor about it and we think you should open your shop today.”
    Her eyes widened in horror. “What?”
    “Whoever took Kat still likely wants you. Erin is going to be inside the store with you and I’ve got another pack member who will be right out front the entire time. If they get a hint of either of the male scents from last night, it could give us a lead.” Sending December out in public was the last thing he wanted to do right now, butwith Kat’s life at stake, this might be the only lead they got. They could do nothing and hope for the best, but eventually someone would come after December again. He wanted to stop that before it ever happened. And no one’s guard would be down right now. The pack was primed and ready for action. If anyone tried
anything
, that person would be answering to any number of the Armstrong pack members.
    Without hesitation, she nodded. “I’ll do it.” Some part of him had wanted her to say no. That she was too afraid to go in to work. It would have given him an excuse to tell his brother she wouldn’t be going into town. But when she stuck her chin out, almost mutinously determined, he knew she’d do anything to get her friend back. There was no way he’d let her go to work without his pack’s protection. Even letting her