Moon Kissed: The Marked Wolf Trilogy, #1

Chapter One

About Four Years Ago

Emma

The cool April breeze blew, rustling the leaves and low branches hiding us, but it couldn’t calm the heat running through my body. Aidan sat next to me, and I stared into his gorgeous golden eyes that always held a faint glow—evidence of his strong wolf inside.

I hate that I can’t come to your birthday party. He ran his fingertips across my cheeks, and his piney scent filled my nose. Turning fourteen is a big deal.

Fourteen years ago, my adoptive parents had found me here, and I’d been drawn to this spot ever since. Then, one fateful night, two years ago, his wolf had brought him to me. We’d been coming here at least three times a week around midnight ever since, and I was closer to him than anyone else. But it didn’t matter. Our packs were not friendly due to a feud that went back so far that no one in my pack remembered the cause. And though it didn’t matter, the pack would still frown upon him coming to the party.

I hate it too. My blood always buzzed inside me, though it amplified around him. But, hell, it could have just been the butterflies flitting about inside my stomach. I’d always enjoyed his company, but these past few months, my feelings for him had been strengthening. I’d do anything to have you there, I’d whispered, and his wolf hearing picked up each and every word.

One day, they won’t be able to tell us what to do. He cleared his throat and scooted closer to me. He tugged at his black shirt as his shoulder touched mine.

Until then, we at least have these moments together. I always counted down to these moments when we’d sneak out of our homes to come here and spend a couple of hours together under the moon.

His gaze traveled to my lips.

I wanted to yell at him to kiss me, but I was also relieved he hadn’t. I’d been practicing with my mirror since I’d never been kissed before. He was the only boy I’d ever held hands with. I wanted him to be my first everything.

I know it’s not until tomorrow, but I have something for you. He leaned away from me and reached into his jeans pocket. He pulled out a leather cord with a wooden heart painted red dangling from it. It’s not much, but I wanted you to have a piece of me there with you.

My fingers brushed the warm, smooth surface before I took the entire heart in my hand. I love it.

He nibbled his bottom lip. I made it for you. No matter where you are, my heart is yours. He stiffened as the words left his mouth, and he watched me out of the corner of his eye.

My heart beat a little faster. You have mine, too.

He blew out a breath and took my hand in his. Really?

Yes. The weight of the moment hit me hard. He felt the same way I did about him.

May I … He nibbled his lip again as his eyes landed on mine. Uh … kiss you?

Unable to form words, I nodded.

A grin spread across his face as he slowly leaned in. He paused for a second as he stared into my eyes. I love you, Emma.

Before I could respond, his lips touched mine.

I closed my eyes and followed his lead. He deepened the kiss, and my heart hammered so hard it rang in my ears.

This was better than anything I could’ve ever imagined. He tasted of minty toothpaste, and it was now my favorite taste in the world.

Our lips parted, and he gave me a huge smile. Can I put the necklace on you?

Huh? It took a second for the words to make sense in my head. Oh, yeah. Please. I handed the necklace back to him and turned around.

I moved my long blonde hair aside and waited for him to place the necklace over my head. When he didn’t, I looked back.

His brows were furrowed, and confusion filled his eyes.

Are you okay? He’d been here with me a moment ago, but now he was miles away.

Uh… yeah. He stood in a rush and brushed the grass off his jeans. I’ve got to go. I’m sorry. He turned and walked away, leaving me behind.

Aidan

My eyes had to be playing tricks on me. Did the girl I love have the mark of my enemy?

The confusion in her eyes hurt, but I had to leave. I hid in the woods and turned around to see her gorgeous gray eyes locked on where I’d disappeared. Her body tensed as her hand clutched the heart I’d just given her.

There was no way she could be bad… or a monster. Even though my wolf howled deep within me, I knew what I had to do. I needed to stay away to protect her.

Emma

The party felt like it would never end. The entire pack was here, in the large open clubhouse at the center of the neighborhood, to celebrate my birthday. People were dancing like they didn’t have a care in the world.

Even though we weren’t sure when I was born, we celebrated my birthday on April eighteenth, the day my parents found me abandoned in the woods. Apparently, there had been a dead shifter in wolf form right beside me. They believed it was my father, but no one knew for certain.

My parents had been trying for a child for so long they hadn’t hesitated to take me in. They’d seen it as a blessing, and it had seemed like fate since I was a wolf as well. The Rogers pack accepted me as if I were their blood. Even though none of them threatened me, I was ready to lose everything at any second. How could these people love me when my own parents hadn’t wanted me?

Even if the wolf had been my father, it didn’t change how I felt—I needed to be the perfect daughter and wolf for my parents and the pack.

I sat at the table closest to the cake and watched as people laughed, smiled, danced, and talked to one another.

Hey, Emma. Jacob sat next to me. He was the alpha’s son and the guy all the girls in school and in our wolf pack wanted. Why are you on the sidelines? It’s your birthday. You should be out there with Libby and Grace, dancing.

Libby and Grace were my two best friends in the entire world, and I probably should have been dancing with them, but I just wanted to see Aidan. He’d left in such a weird way last night, and I was panicking. Maybe I was a horrible kisser and I’d ruined everything between us.

Earth to Emma. Jacob touched my shoulder. His chocolate-brown eyes found mine through his shaggy hair.

Yeah, sorry. I had to stop stressing. Mom had already called me out for acting off tonight, and now Jacob. I guess it’s surreal. I’ll be a freshman next school year.

Ah, so you’re feeling old. He chuckled and winked at me. Don’t worry. Age looks good on you.

Oh, ew. I hadn’t expected that. If I wasn’t all caught up in Aidan, I’d probably be into Jacob, but he paled in comparison. No one else in the world was meant for me. Uh… thanks? I hadn’t meant for it to come out as a question.

I mean it. He grinned. "I’ve been trying to get you to notice me for a while, but you’re always so distant.’

You’re in high school. Thankfully, that came out instead of the real reason I didn’t want to be with him. The last thing I needed to do was upset him and his father.

And, as you pointed out, you’ll be there in just a few short months. He shrugged and scooted closer to me. I’m only a year older.

He wasn’t going to let this go.

Hey, Emma. Grace had a shit-eating grin on her face as she hurried over. Whatcha doing? She waggled her eyebrows right in front of Jacob.

I wanted to die of embarrassment. I wished an earthquake would hit and the ground would swallow me whole.

Grace giggled and ran her fingers through her dark auburn curls, and then she pulled at her green dress that was almost the same shade as her eyes.

Well, I’d hoped to ask her on a date, but you interrupted me. Jacob’s eyes stayed on me, watching for my reaction.

Oh my God, Grace squealed and jumped up and down. Okay, I’ll go over there, so don’t mind me. She rushed over to Libby and whispered into her ear.

Great, this was getting out of hand. I didn’t want to date Jacob, but what the hell could I do?

So… what do you say? His fingers tapped on the table.

I’m too young to date. In my defense, my parents were overprotective, so it was a good excuse.

Okay, I’ll talk to your parents. Jacob leaned over, and his eyes landed on my necklace. Oh, is that new?

Uh… no. I didn’t know what else to say. If I’d told him yes, he would have wanted to know who’d given it to me. I touched the pendant, which already meant so much to me.

It looks good on you. He smiled as he stood and said, Happy birthday. He made a beeline to my parents.

I stepped out into the hallway and listened to my parents’ deep breathing. It had taken forever, but finally, my parents were asleep. I hurried to my bedroom window and quietly slid it open.

Luckily, we lived in a ranch-style home. I climbed out of the window and glanced around to make sure none of our neighbors were out. All the houses backed up to the woods, and I raced into the trees, toward the territory line. I was so eager to see Aidan after our kiss last night. Maybe we could do a repeat.

I reached the small clearing and paused. Aidan was always here before me, but not this time. It was odd. This had never happened before. I sat down on my side of the territory line like I always did. We tried not to tempt fate too much by breaking the boundaries dictated centuries ago.

After a few minutes of waiting, I lay back on the grass and watched the moon. The breeze blew, and before I realized it, I’d fallen fast asleep.

Aidan

It took every ounce of strength I had not to run to her. She was waiting for me, her hand clutching the pendant I’d given her, and concern was etched on her forehead.

Even though we couldn’t be together, it was up to me to keep her safe. I’d expected her to give up waiting and leave after an hour or so, but it was getting close to dawn. She must feel the same damn pull as I did.

Dad had almost caught me sneaking out tonight, reaffirming what I already knew: I couldn’t let my dad and brother find out about her.

When she lay down and her eyes drifted closed, my heart beat harder. I had to stay hidden, but how the hell was that possible when all I wanted was to hold her in my arms?

Emma

Emma, are you okay? Jacob’s voice stirred me from my sleep.

My eyes fluttered open, and I slowly sat up. When I realized where I was, my heart began to race. He never came last night, and I’d stupidly fallen asleep, waiting for him.

Your parents are worried sick. Jacob squatted beside me. Did something happen?

Tears burned my eyes. Aidan had never stood me up before. The one time he’d thought he wouldn’t make it, he’d left me a message. He’d still beat me here, and I’d thought he had been sweet and considerate.

Jacob spoke loudly once more. Emma.

No, I needed to get out. I had no clue what I was saying. My body felt numb, and my heart hurt. I couldn’t sleep and needed fresh air.

You’re right on the border. You know we don’t get along with that pack. Jacob took my hands in his and winced. You’re freezing. Come on. He helped me stand and tugged on my arm to lead me away.

I didn’t want to leave. I needed to see Aidan.

Emma, come on, Jacob said.

There was no point in resisting. I had to go, especially since Jacob was here. Even if Aidan showed up now, he wouldn’t appear.

It made no sense. Something must have happened. Was he hurt? There was no damn way I could find out. If I walked the territory line and demanded to see, it wouldn’t go well.

I hadn’t even realized I was walking until we broke through the tree line.

Thank God. Mom ran out of the house and straight toward me. Where have you been?

I needed fresh air last night. The words I’d told Jacob only minutes ago fell from my lips. I fell asleep.

Josh, Mom yelled, she’s here.

Dad rushed out the door and wrapped me in his arms. Are you okay?

Yeah. I pulled out of his grasp, needing space and time alone. I’m going inside to take a shower. I hurried into the house without bothering to look at their expressions.

She was at the territory line. Jacob’s voice was low, but I could still hear him.

What for? Mom asked.

Jacob sighed. She didn’t say.

Was it the same spot as where we found her? Dad sounded so concerned.

Yeah, it was. Jacob paused and lowered his voice further. I’m worried about her.

It’ll be fine. Thanks for finding her. Pride entered Dad’s voice as he said, You’ll make a good alpha someday.

Not wanting to hear anymore, I walked into the bathroom and stared in the mirror. My usually gray eyes were so dark they looked like charcoal, and my long blonde hair was limp and greasy. Hell, even the cleft in my chin seemed more prominent. After a few seconds, I looked away from the girl I didn’t recognize and took a shower.

I’d gone to the territory line every night for the past month, but not once had he appeared. Every night, my heart had hoped he’d be there, and every night, it had broken all over again. He had disappeared without a trace, and I didn’t know why. At first, I’d been afraid he was hurt or worse, but there’d been no ceremonies at the sacred place where we buried our dead. All packs in Mount Juliet, Tennessee buried theirs there.

So, I could only assume he was choosing not to come. My heart was shattered, and I wasn’t sure I’d ever be happy again. The boy I loved had left me behind, and I’d never gotten to say the words back to him.

Chapter Two

Present Day

Itapped my foot incessantly when we breezed through the gates of Crawford University. My blood buzzed, which wasn’t unusual, but it hadn’t been this bad in a while. The buzzing was only this powerful when I was close to… him.

Four years later, it hurt just as much as the damn night he’d never shown. I had thought turning fourteen would change things for me. Had I known it would have been for the worse, I would’ve kissed him longer and forced him to tell me why he’d been acting so strange before he left.

Hey, are you okay? Jacob reached over the center console and placed his hand on my thigh.

It didn’t feel the same way as when… Oh, my God. I had to stop. Even though he still consumed my thoughts, it was worse than normal. What the hell was going on with me? It had to be because I was going away to college where I’d have no chance of seeing him.

At home, I’d slip back to the border every so often. Hell, I’d been there last night, begging for him to show, which was stupid. If he had shown his face, I would have wanted nothing to do with him. I couldn’t chance getting hurt like this again. Even when Libby and Grace had gotten their hearts broken over their first loves, they’d licked their wounds and gotten back out there. Not me. My heart was still in pieces, and I was afraid it would never be whole again.

We’re here at college, finally, Jacob said, bringing me back to the present.

I shook my head and blinked. What was the question?

His brown eyes filled with concern. He always worried about me in some way. If you were okay?

Oh, yeah. I waved it off with my other hand. Just nerves.

I’ll be right beside you. Jacob’s words sounded like a promise.

A promise I wasn’t sure I wanted. He’d been after me since my fourteenth birthday. After two years of him asking both me and my parents, I finally went on a date with him. He and my parents had pestered me about it every day until I’d eventually agreed. How could I keep turning down the very people who’d taken me in when I was unwanted by my own flesh and blood? He was handsome, kind, and considerate—everything you’d ever want in a man—but I was broken. I was afraid to let anyone else in like I had with Aidan.

Aidan.

Shit. Even thinking his name affected me. It was time to get my shit together.

We turned onto a side road that took us past the business building and toward the dorms. His dorm was right next to mine, so it made moving our stuff in more convenient.

Did your dad alert the local pack that we’re attending here? Colleges were neutral territories, but if we went off campus to hang out, they needed to know we weren’t trying to invade them. One main pack controlled the small suburb here, only a half-hour north of Atlanta.

Yeah, they said they appreciated the heads up. Jacob winked. So, we’re good, and I can take my girl out any time I want.

He was so damn sweet and patient but relentless. If I even hinted that I wasn’t happy, he’d go crying to his dad and my parents. We’d done some things together, but we hadn’t gone all the way. I couldn’t bring myself to, but he had been clear that a wolf had needs, so some things were expected.

Even when I pushed him off, he never looked at another girl. For some reason, he was all-in with me. Grace swore it had to do with me being one of the few girls who weren’t fawning all over him. I was a challenge that any strong alpha would love. She might have a point, but I wasn’t doing it to be a challenge. The simple truth was that I