Lonely Moon (The Wolf's Bane Saga Book 2) Read online

  The Wolf’s Bane Saga

  Lonely

  Moon

  M. KATHERINE CLARK

  Copyright © 2016 by M. Katherine Clark

  Editing by Ashton Clark

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including but not limited to photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the Author or representatives.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locals is entirely coincidental.

  All rights reserved.

  Table of Contents

  Other Works

  Prologue

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Part Two

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Epilogue

  Acknowledgements

  The Wolf’s Bane Saga: Wolf’s Bane

  Other Works by M. Katherine Clark

  The Greene and Shields Files:

  Blood is Thicker Than Water

  Once Upon a Midnight Dreary

  Old Sins Cast Long Shadows – Coming 2017

  Soundless Silence a Sherlock Holmes Novel

  Love Among the Shamrocks Collection:

  Under the Irish Sky

  Across the Irish Sea – Coming Soon

  The Wolf’s Bane Saga:

  Wolf’s Bane

  Lonely Moon

  Midnight Sky – Coming 2017

  Star Crossed – Coming 2017

  Moon Rise – Coming 2018

  With thanks to the Scottish locals and our tour guide who graciously answered all my questions!

  Prologue

  Edinburgh, Scotland – August 2013

  “And if you look up, on the hill there, ‘tis a lovely view of Edinburgh Castle, that is,” Alan Conchor said as he turned back to the twenty or so tourists following him through Grass Market on an evening tour of Edinburgh. “We’ll be seein’ that tomorrow but if you’ve heard of William Wallace and Robert the Bruce well, you’re in the right place. Now if you’ll follow me, we’ll walk up the road a piece and head into the graveyard but be sure to mind your step, Greyfriers Cemetery is no’ taking any more paying guests.”

  “Alan,” one of the tourists called.

  “Aye?” He answered.

  “I’ve heard a rumor, Danny told us on the bus earlier that there are no wolves in Scotland. Is that true?” the woman asked.

  “Aye, ‘tis,” Alan began. “Wolves were especially prevalent in our society in early times. A farmer would check on his sheep one night and in the morning three carcasses would be found with no other explanation than they were attacked by wolves. So over five hundred years ago the Scots farmers, afearing for their flock rather than their lives, went out and hunted the rascals down. Wolves were killed left and right becoming extinct in the late eighteenth century… So aye, your driver is right, there are no wolves in Scotland. But that is only one tale.”

  “What’s the other one?” The same tourist asked.

  “Are you squeamish, lass?” He asked grinning.

  “No,” she replied.

  “Well, there is a legend,” he started out. “A legend that is no’ as well accepted as the hunting stories, ya see. Legend has it that before the Romans invaded Britannia in fifty-five B.C., the people of this land roamed wild and free. Once the Roman Legionnaires pushed back the wild and untamed Celts, they built a wall; Antoine’s Wall. It was once magnificent, once imposing… not that I saw it, mind, I may be older than the hills but no’ that old. But some wondered if it was the humans they feared, or the wolves.

  “There were so few left by that time, but under the Hunter’s Moon they lived and they died, and no one knows their tale. Werewolves, Wulvers, Demons, they had many names, but only one lasted the test of time. Shapeshifters. They were slaves to no one but the Alpha. A powerful wolf. The most powerful of them all. One is known throughout time; Marrock and though the moon was their god, the Alpha is their King. It is said that when the moon is high and the night is clear you can still see them throwing their heads back and howling. The children of the moon. The wolves in human bodies. The humans in wolf bodies. The choice is yours. Dare you learn more?”

  Chapter

  One

  The Scottish Highlands near the east coast – 470 A.D.

  Riok, Alpha of the Aberlyall pack, paced the halls of his keep waiting. He could hear his mate’s cries of pain and the sounds of the females of his pack soothing her. As their pup had been conceived when they were in their human form, she had not phased but he prayed that she would, it would not be as painful if she were wolf.

  Nearing on twenty-four hours after his mate woke him, telling him it was time for their pup to be born, he had entered the birthing room multiple times and each time the damned midwife and healer had shooed him out when he did nothing but bark orders. So there he paced, just at the foot of the stairs, while his queen, his mate, and the female he loved more than life, delivered his heir.

  Leah’s cry caused his hand to shake into a fist. “Dear gods, see her through this and I swear I will nae lay a finger on her again,” he cried. It would be the most difficult thing for him since they loved each other fiercely but he would do it if it meant Leah would be by his side forever.

  His lieutenants left him alone but in his current mood, the thought of a good sparring session made his muscles twinge in excitement.

  “Riok,” he heard from behind him. Turning, his younger brother, Kinnon stood in the doorway to the dining area. He held a cup of something in his hand and offered it to him. Riok snatched it away and swallowed it down. The alcohol warmed him and calmed him only slightly. “Any word?” Kinnon asked.

  Riok shook his head. “Nay,” he answered.

  “Leah is strong,” Kinnon went on. “All will be well.”

  Turning to his brother, he was once again struck by the features that looked back at him. They were brothers, but they looked nothing alike. Riok’s dark brown hair was long, down below his shoulders, and his piercing blue eyes, the only blue ones in the pack contrasted his little brother. Born with a head of blonde hair, their par
ents named him fair one, but after his first phase, his features changed as his wolf was auburn in color. Kinnon’s blonde locks turned to a deep red.

  “And the child is yours, Riok,” Kinnon said as if oblivious to his brother’s perusal. “He or she will fight.”

  Another scream came from above stairs and Riok shuttered.

  “The thought of losing her…” his voice trailed off.

  “You have naught but yourself to blame,” Kinnon said simply.

  Riok pulled himself up to his full height, a full head over Kinnon. “Would you care to explain yourself?” Riok asked tightly.

  “Do you believe she became with pup on her own?” Kinnon asked innocently. “I may no’ have mated with my female yet but from what I ken of creating a pup, it does take two of you.”

  “Kinnon, I warn you, just because you are my brother does nae give you the right to insult or disrespect me and I am in nae mood for your teasing,” Riok pronounced.

  “I meant nae disrespect,” Kinnon replied.

  “Only insult?” Riok’s already primed muscles begged him to put his brother in his place. “This is nae like you. Do you challenge me, brother?”

  Kinnon tossed back his drink, set the cup aside and turned.

  “Aye, I challenge you to try and pin me down,” Kinnon answered. “Do ye accept my challenge, Alpha? Or do ye yield?”

  “An alpha never yields!” With a cry of anger and relief that he would finally be able to distract his mind and heart from his mate’s peril he shook. Growing by a foot, standing well over seven feet tall and still on two legs, his yellow eyes and claws, the only outward symbols of his inner wolf, Riok phased into his half wolf form and lunged at his brother.

  They wrestled. Riok’s anger was channeled on his brother, Kinnon was even tempered the entire time. Pinning Riok down for several seconds, Kinnon grunted when Riok threw a punch into his side. His grip around his brother loosened giving Riok enough room to swivel out of his pose and slash at him with his claws.

  Finally, they panted with exertion and Riok fell beside his brother. Laying on their backs in the middle of the hall, they phased back to their human form.

  “I thank ye,” Riok said.

  “Took ye long enough to ken what I was doing,” Kinnon replied rubbing his side. “Ye ken I would ne’er challenge ye. My loyalty is to ye forever.”

  “I confess I kenned in my heart but the exertion was much needed and therefore I listened to my foolish head,” he replied. “I hope you are nae hurt.”

  “Mere scratches, your strength has waned with age, Riok,” Kinnon teased then grunted when Riok smacked his chest. “I do hope the favor will be returned when Kyna becomes with pup.”

  “Indeed it will be, but do you no’ think it would be better to marry the lass first?” Riok asked.

  “Not from my lack of trying,” Kinnon laughed. “We plan on marrying a mere three days after I reach the age of consent.”

  “Then I am happy for you, by the next spring solstice you will have joyous news of a pup of your own,” Riok stated.

  “Perhaps,” Kinnon answered. “But by the gods, I am anxious enough to make her mine, pups are the farthest from my mind.”

  “’Tis a joyous thing to hear the words from your mate,” Riok said. “I look forward to the day you tell me you are to be a father.”

  “Speaking of becoming a father,” Kinnon said indicating the stairs. Riok’s eyes flashed to the midwife standing there waiting for them to finish speaking. Standing quickly, he raced to the foot of the stair and looked up at her.

  “How is she? What is happening?” Riok demanded.

  “My queen is well and is asking for you,” she said. “Both she and the babe are healthy.”

  “Praise the gods,” Riok breathed. Turning back to his brother, Kinnon bowed slightly.

  “Go to your mate,” Kinnon started. “And give her my love. Tell my niece or nephew that Uncle Kinnon expects to be bested by them in the arena by the time they are twenty summers,” he teased.

  “I will tell Leah and my pup,” Riok said. “I thank ye.”

  “Alpha,” Kinnon placed his fist over his heart in a salute and walked out of the room.

  Riok took the stairs two at a time and burst into the room where his mate lay. Leah looked up at him and grinned. His eyes passed over her and finally settled on the babe suckling at her breast. His legs felt laden with rocks or submerged in a bog as he headed over to see his child. Keeling by his Queen’s side, she adjusted the pup who was in human form and looked over at him.

  “Your son, my Alpha,” Leah announced.

  His breath escaped him as he watched the tiny babe suckle. Raising his hand softly so not to startle the infant, he gently stroked his hair then locked eyes with his mate.

  “My Queen,” he breathed. “My love,” he leaned in and kissed her reverently. “I thank ye for giving me this greatest gift,” he rested his forehead against hers and looked down at their son. Pulling away, he placed a gentle kiss on the pup’s head. His son turned his eyes to see who had interrupted his feeding.

  “He has your eyes, my love,” Leah said.

  “And your hair, my darling,” he replied gently stroking the impressive black curls on the babe’s head.

  “What name shall we give him?” She asked looking expectantly at her husband’s profile.

  He thought a moment, then named his son, “Marrock.”

  Chapter

  Two

  Scottish Highlands near Aberdeen – Twenty years later

  Stepping out of the keep, Kinnon looked down the long walkway lined with cottages and called for his nephew. “Marrock? Where are ye lad? ‘Tis supper.”

  There was a rustling beside him and Kinnon attempted not to laugh. Twenty years had passed and Marrock was growing into a strong young lad. Though he was nearly twenty in wolf years, physically he was still a lad and still played games.

  “Riok,” Kinnon called back, humor in his voice. “I donnae ken where he is.” Riok joined his brother and placed a hand on Kinnon’s shoulder.

  “Well then, he does nae eat,” Riok teased. “Come, Kinnon I am famished. Without Marrock there will be plenty for us to gorge ourselves.”

  A battle cry arose from beside them as Marrock jumped onto his father. Riok pretended surprise and fell to the ground letting his son wrestle with him.

  “Do you yield?” Marrock asked as if he were a seasoned warrior of ninety and not just a lad.

  “An alpha never yields,” Riok teased and rolled over taking his son with him. He tickled him mercilessly as Marrock howled with laughter. Kinnon’s gaze turned back to see his mate, Kyna, heavily pregnant with their first child. Kyna winked at him making him smile widely. Finally, Kinnon’s eyes trailed to his brother’s mate and seeing the look in Leah’s eyes, he walked over to them.

  “All right you two,” Kinnon called. “Our supper is turning cold.” Marrock and his father exchanged conspiratorial looks. “And if there is one thing I ken more than any other is to never keep our females waiting.”

  “Now,” Riok cried and Marrock jumped at Kinnon as Riok knocked his brother’s feet out from under him. Kinnon landed with a thud and an oomph. All three laughed as both brothers tickled Marrock, it was some time before Leah stepped forward.

  “Shall the ladies eat without you then?” she asked. “Looks like the lads have yet to grow into malehood.”

  Riok craned his head back to look at his mate and laughed before rolling over and standing.

  “Mama! I am nae a child!” Marrock said indignantly as he stood in front of his father. “I am the son of the Alpha!”

  Riok put his hands on his son’s shoulders. “Aye, that you are, lad. Truly, Leah, keeping a male from a hard won meal? Tsk, tsk, tsk, ‘tis nae acceptable,” Riok teased.

  “Your meal, my Alpha is being exposed to the chill in the air and will soon be inedible,” she said.

  Riok licked his lips. “Who said anything about our supper?” he asked eyeing her wi
th a ravenous gaze.

  “You are insatiable,” she teased.

  “Always for you, my love,” he replied with a growl as he grabbed his mate around the waist and dipped her in a kiss.

  Suddenly, the alarm went up across the village. Riok tore his mouth from his mate as he half phased and turned to see what was going on. His brother half phased beside him and Marrock pushed his way in front of his father.

  “My king!” They heard the herald call. Cian came running up and bowed low. “My king,” he panted. “I return from the perimeter. The Shape Shifters are moving again. They have entered our lands burning our crops. There was a group of females washing clothes in the burn… my King, they were slaughtered.”

  Riok let a curse escape him as his hand clenched in a fist. “Druid scum,” Riok shouted. “Gather the men, we are at war. They cannae come to our land and kill our females. Tell the men of the deaths but hold the names. We cannae have half crazed wolves on our hands.”

  “Aye, sire,” Cian bowed and left.

  “I want to stay, Mama,” Marrock’s plea was shrill as Leah pushed him inside the keep.

  “Kinnon, at my side,” Riok commanded as he turned and entered the keep to change into his armor.

  ***

  Changing rapidly, Riok asked his herald, “how far?”

  “At the forge,” Cian answered as Kinnon attended his brother, buckling straps on his armor.

  “How many did you see?” Riok asked pulling on his leather wrist braces and raising his arm as Kinnon buckled the strap under his shoulder

  “In the hundreds, sire,” the man replied. Kinnon faltered at Cian’s report.

  Not drawing attention to his brother’s slip, Riok continued. “The Druids have nae marched against us since our father pushed them back to Loch Alsh. We will meet you at the gate. Leave us.” Once the brothers were alone, Riok turned to Kinnon. “There is nae need to be fearful, little brother,” Riok said.