The Red Moon

CHAPTER TWO

"He's the reason your parents died."

The words echoed through Gianna's mind.

She stared at Benjamin, waiting for him to take them back. Waiting for him to laugh and tell her it was some terrible joke. Waiting for anything that would make the world around her make sense again.

But Benjamin didn't smile.

He didn't look away.

And Ryder Blackwood didn't deny it.

"Explain," Gianna whispered.

Neither man answered.

Her fingers tightened around her purse strap.

"Benjamin, explain what you just said."

Benjamin glanced at Ryder.

"Not here."

Gianna let out a humorless laugh.

"Of course. Not here. Not now. Not ever, apparently. You two seem to know everything about my life, but somehow I'm the last person who gets to find out anything."

"Gianna," Ryder said.

She turned on him.

"Don't."

His jaw tightened.

"I understand you're upset."

"Upset?" Her voice cracked. "You destroyed my house, turned into a giant wolf in front of me, told me you're an Alpha, and now my best friend says you're responsible for my parents being dead. What exactly do you think I'm feeling?"

Ryder stared at her.

For a moment, his expression softened.

Then his eyes shifted toward the entrance.

"We have to leave."

"No."

"Gianna."

"No! I'm not going anywhere until somebody tells me the truth."

Benjamin stepped closer.

"Your parents were involved in something that started long before you were born."

"Like what?"

He hesitated.

"The werewolf packs."

She looked at him.

"You're telling me my parents knew about werewolves?"

"Yes."

"How?"

"Your mother was born into one of the oldest bloodlines in existence."

Gianna shook her head.

"No. My mother was a normal woman. She worked at a hospital. She hated camping. She couldn't even stand dogs barking at night."

Benjamin looked almost pained.

"She wasn't normal, Gi."

"Stop saying that!"

Her voice echoed through the empty gas station.

Ryder moved closer, but she raised her hand.

"Don't."

He stopped.

Benjamin lowered his eyes.

"Your mother was the last known descendant of the First Queen."

Gianna laughed.

It was a small, broken sound.

"The First Queen?"

"Yes."

"You're both insane."

She turned toward the entrance.

"I am leaving."

Ryder stepped in front of her.

"Absolutely not."

She shoved his chest.

"Get out of my way!"

He barely moved.

"You're not walking out there alone."

"Then come with me and explain why my parents are dead!"

His expression changed.

Something dangerous moved behind his eyes.

"Your parents died because they refused to give you to the wrong people."

Gianna went completely still.

"What?"

Ryder looked at Benjamin.

Benjamin closed his eyes.

"Ryder..."

"She deserves to know."

"Not like this."

"She's already in the middle of it."

Gianna stepped between them.

"Give me the truth. All of it."

Ryder looked down at her.

For several seconds, he said nothing.

Then he spoke.

"Six years ago, your parents were being hunted. A group of rogues had discovered your bloodline. They wanted you before your abilities awakened."

"Why?"

"Because your blood can control every werewolf alive."

Gianna stared at him.

"That's impossible."

"Your mother believed it was. She thought hiding you among humans would keep you safe."

"And you?"

Ryder's expression hardened.

"I was sent to protect your family."

She swallowed.

"By who?"

"My father."

"Then why didn't you?"

The question hit him harder than she expected.

His jaw clenched.

"I wasn't there when they were killed."

"But you were supposed to be!"

"Yes."

"Then where were you?"

Ryder's eyes flashed.

"Fighting a war I didn't know was connected to you."

Gianna shook her head.

"You're making excuses."

"I'm not asking you to forgive me."

"Good, because I don't."

Something flickered across his face.

Pain.

It disappeared almost immediately.

Before either could speak again, a gunshot sounded outside.

Then another.

Benjamin rushed toward the window.

"Shit."

Ryder moved beside him.

"What?"

Benjamin pointed toward the road.

A military vehicle was approaching the gas station. Behind it, three trucks carried armed soldiers.

At first, Gianna felt relief.

Finally.

Someone who could help.

Then she noticed the people standing in the back of the last truck.

They were chained together.

Some were crying.

Others were bleeding.

One of them had glowing yellow eyes.

"Are those people infected?" she asked.

Ryder's expression turned grim.

"No."

"Then what are they?"

"Newly turned werewolves."

A soldier climbed out of the first vehicle.

He raised a loudspeaker.

"Anyone inside the building, come out with your hands visible!"

Benjamin looked toward Ryder.

"We need to go."

Ryder nodded.

"Back exit."

Gianna frowned.

"Why? They're soldiers."

Ryder grabbed her hand.

"Because they're not here to rescue you."

 

7:06 p.m.

They escaped through the rear entrance and ran down a narrow alley.

Gianna struggled to keep up.

Her lungs burned.

Her legs ached.

She had never run this much in her life.

"Slow down!" she gasped.

Ryder turned.

He looked completely unaffected.

"Keep moving."

"I swear to God, if you tell me to keep moving one more time—"

A loud explosion interrupted her.

The entire street shook.

Ryder grabbed her and pulled her behind a parked delivery truck.

Benjamin crouched beside them.

"What the hell was that?"

Ryder peered around the vehicle.

A column of smoke rose from the gas station.

The military trucks were on fire.

Something moved through the flames.

Something enormous.

Gianna covered her mouth.

A creature emerged from the burning vehicles.

Unlike the smaller wolves they had encountered, this thing was massive. Its fur was almost white, and its eyes glowed a deep red.

It stood on two legs.

Its mouth stretched into a horrifying grin.

One of the soldiers raised his rifle.

"OPEN FIRE!"

Bullets struck the creature.

It barely reacted.

Instead, it lunged.

The soldier disappeared beneath its claws.

The others scattered.

Gianna backed away.

"What is that?"

Ryder's wolf snarled.

"An abomination."

"What does that mean?"

"It means someone turned a human who wasn't meant to survive the change."

The creature lifted its head.

Its nostrils flared.

Then it turned directly toward them.

Ryder's expression changed.

"It can smell her."

Benjamin looked at Gianna.

"How?"

Ryder didn't answer.

The creature began walking toward them.

Slowly.

Almost casually.

As though it knew there was nowhere for them to run.

Ryder turned to Benjamin.

"Take her."

Benjamin nodded.

"Where are you going?"

Ryder's eyes shifted to gold.

"To keep it away from her."

Gianna grabbed his arm.

"You're not fighting that thing!"

He looked down at her hand.

Then at her face.

"Let go."

"No!"

His voice dropped.

"Gianna, listen to me."

"I am not leaving you here!"

For a brief moment, the world seemed to disappear around them.

Ryder's expression softened.

His hand came up, covering hers.

"That is the first time anyone has ever tried to keep me safe."

Gianna blinked.

"Well, don't get used to it."

A faint smile touched his mouth.

Then the creature roared.

Ryder stepped away.

"Benjamin. Get her out."

He shifted before Gianna could protest.

His body expanded, black fur spreading across his skin. His hands became enormous paws, his jaw stretched, and his eyes burned with golden light.

The black wolf charged.

The two creatures collided in the middle of the street.

The impact sent debris flying.

Gianna watched in horror as Ryder was thrown against a vehicle.

"RYDER!"

Benjamin caught her arm.

"Come on!"

"He's going to die!"

"He won't."

"How do you know?"

Benjamin looked at her.

"Because he's an Alpha."

"That doesn't mean he's invincible!"

"No. It means he has a death wish."

Benjamin pulled her into the alley.

They ran.

 

7:19 p.m.

Benjamin led Gianna through a series of back streets until they reached an abandoned apartment complex.

He forced open the side entrance.

"Inside."

Gianna stepped through.

The building smelled of dust, mildew, and old cigarettes.

Benjamin checked the hallway before motioning her toward a stairwell.

"Second floor."

"Where are we going?"

"Somewhere we can talk."

She stopped.

"You're kidding."

"Gianna—"

"No. I'm done running around while everyone tells me to shut up and follow them."

Benjamin turned.

His expression was exhausted.

"You're right."

That stopped her.

He leaned against the wall and rubbed his face.

"I'm sorry."

Gianna stared at him.

"For what?"

"For not telling you sooner."

She crossed her arms.

"Start talking."

Benjamin looked toward the broken windows.

"When we were twelve, do you remember that summer your mother took us camping?"

Gianna nodded slowly.

"At the lake?"

"Yeah."

"You fell into the water and almost drowned."

He gave a small smile.

"Actually, I was pushed."

"What?"

"By something in the woods."

Gianna frowned.

"What are you talking about?"

Benjamin looked directly at her.

"There was a wolf watching us that night. Not an ordinary wolf. It was enormous. Bigger than anything should have been."

She felt a chill.

"I remember seeing something."

"I know. You told your mother."

"And she made us leave."

"Because she knew what it was."

Benjamin swallowed.

"That night, I followed the wolf into the woods."

Gianna stared at him.

"Why?"

"I wanted to prove I wasn't scared."

"Benjamin..."

"I found a clearing. There was a man standing there. He knew my name. He knew who I was. He told me that I was going to have an important role in protecting you."

Gianna felt her stomach tighten.

"Who was he?"

Benjamin hesitated.

"Your father."

She took a step backward.

"My father?"

"He wasn't alone. There were others with him. They were discussing something called the Bloodline Pact."

"What is that?"

"An agreement between several ancient werewolf families. They were supposed to protect your family until you were old enough to awaken."

"Awaken into what?"

"The First Queen's bloodline."

Gianna shook her head.

"And you knew all this?"

"Not everything."

"But you knew something."

"Yes."

She looked at him, hurt spreading through her chest.

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"Because I promised your mother I wouldn't."

"When?"

"The night she died."

Gianna's throat tightened.

Benjamin reached into his jacket.

He pulled out a folded piece of paper.

"I found this with the photograph."

She took it.

The paper was old and yellowed.

Her mother's handwriting covered the front.

My dearest Gianna,

If you're reading this, then the world has finally begun to change. I prayed that I would be wrong. I prayed that you would grow up without ever knowing what you are.

But some bloodlines cannot remain hidden forever.

You are not cursed, sweetheart. You are not a monster. You are the last daughter of a queen whose name was erased from history.

There will be a man with blue eyes. His wolf will recognize you before he does. Do not mistake destiny for trust. The bond between you may be powerful, but even a mate can become your greatest enemy.

And whatever happens, never allow anyone to take you beneath the mountain.

There is something sleeping there.

Something your blood must never awaken.

I love you more than this world will ever understand.

Mom.

Gianna read the letter twice.

Then a third time.

Her eyes filled with tears.

"Why didn't you give me this earlier?"

Benjamin looked down.

"I was trying to protect you."

She let out a shaky breath.

"Everyone keeps saying that."

"I know."

"Well, maybe I don't want to be protected anymore. Maybe I just want the truth."

Benjamin nodded.

"Then there's something else."

She looked up.

"What?"

He took a breath.

"Your mother didn't die in an accident."

Gianna's heart stopped.

"What?"

"She was murdered."

The room seemed to tilt.

"And your father?"

Benjamin looked away.

"He was killed trying to save her."

Gianna covered her mouth.

"Who did it?"

Benjamin's voice dropped.

"Ryder's father."

 

7:34 p.m.

Ryder had killed the abomination.

But not without consequences.

His left shoulder was torn open, and blood ran down his arm.

He stood in the middle of the street, breathing heavily.

The creature's body lay several feet away.

Derek emerged from the shadows.

"Alpha!"

Ryder turned.

"Where's the girl?"

"Safe, I hope."

"That's not an answer."

"Benjamin took her to the apartment complex on East Avenue."

Ryder growled.

"How long ago?"

"About fifteen minutes."

Ryder started walking.

Derek followed.

"There's something else."

Ryder didn't stop.

"What?"

"The military has established a containment zone. They're collecting newly turned wolves."

"Why?"

"We don't know."

Ryder looked toward the sky.

The moon was growing brighter.

Its red light seemed to pulse.

His wolf began pacing.

Mate.

Ryder clenched his jaw.

"Not now."

Derek glanced at him.

"Alpha?"

"Nothing."

But his wolf wasn't listening.

She's hurt.

Ryder inhaled.

He could smell her.

Even from several streets away.

Her fear.

Her sadness.

Her blood.

And something else.

A scent so powerful it made his wolf lower its head in submission.

The scent of the First Queen.

His father had warned him about this.

Years ago, when Ryder was still young, his father had taken him beneath the family estate and shown him an ancient stone carving.

Two wolves stood beneath a crescent moon.

One was black.

The other was white.

Between them was a woman wearing a crown.

His father had pointed to the carving.

"One day, our bloodline will be called upon to protect her descendant."

Ryder had laughed.

He had been seventeen.

He thought it was another old family legend.

His father hadn't laughed.

"If the queen's blood returns, you will know. Your wolf will recognize her. You will protect her with your life."

"Why me?"

"Because our family made a promise."

"What if I don't want to?"

His father had grabbed his shoulder.

"Then the entire world will suffer for your selfishness."

Ryder looked toward the moon.

His father's words returned.

Never let the wrong Alpha claim her.

He hadn't understood then.

He understood now.

And he feared that he might already be too late.

 

7:48 p.m.

Gianna stood near the apartment window.

She couldn't stop thinking about the letter.

Her mother had known.

She had known that something like this would happen.

She had known about Ryder.

And she had known that her daughter would eventually be hunted.

A strange warmth spread across her chest.

She looked down.

Beneath the collar of her shirt, the crescent-shaped birthmark had begun glowing.

She pulled the fabric aside.

The mark was no longer pale.

It was golden.

Three delicate lines had appeared around the crescent.

Gianna touched it.

Pain shot through her body.

She gasped.

Benjamin rushed toward her.

"Gianna?"

She gripped the windowsill.

"Something's wrong."

Her vision blurred.

The room seemed to stretch.

Sounds became impossibly loud.

She could hear the electricity humming inside the walls.

She could hear footsteps several floors below.

She could hear a woman crying in the apartment next door.

And beneath all of it, she heard a voice.

A woman's voice.

My daughter.

Gianna froze.

"Who said that?"

Benjamin looked around.

"What?"

She turned toward him.

"Didn't you hear that?"

"Hear what?"

The voice came again.

The blood has awakened.

Gianna stumbled backward.

Her hands began trembling.

"Make it stop."

Benjamin grabbed her shoulders.

"Gianna, look at me."

She tried.

But something was happening inside her.

Her bones ached.

Her skin felt too tight.

Her heartbeat accelerated.

Then she heard a growl.

Not outside.

Inside her own chest.

She looked at Benjamin.

His face went pale.

"Oh, God."

"What?"

"Your eyes."

Gianna stumbled toward the mirror.

Her reflection stared back.

Her eyes were no longer brown.

They were glowing gold.

And her pupils had narrowed into something unmistakably animal.

She screamed.

Benjamin stepped backward.

"Gianna..."

"What is happening to me?"

He didn't answer.

Because he knew.

The transformation had begun.

 

8:02 p.m.

Ryder reached the apartment complex.

He could smell her before he entered the building.

His wolf surged.

Mate.

He ran up the stairs.

Derek followed closely.

When Ryder reached the second floor, he heard a scream.

Gianna.

He slammed through the apartment door.

Benjamin stood in the middle of the room, holding Gianna upright.

Her body was trembling.

Her eyes were glowing.

Ryder stopped.

For a moment, he couldn't breathe.

The crescent mark on her neck was shining.

The same symbol he had seen on the ancient stone carving.

His wolf lowered its head.

Our queen.

Ryder approached slowly.

"Gianna."

She turned.

The moment their eyes met, something snapped into place.

A powerful force rushed through the room.

Ryder staggered.

His wolf roared.

And Gianna suddenly felt him.

Not just saw him.

Felt him.

His anger.

His exhaustion.

His fear.

His pain.

And underneath everything else, an overwhelming need to protect her.

She gasped.

"What did you do to me?"

Ryder shook his head.

"Nothing."

"Then why can I hear you?"

He went still.

Benjamin looked between them.

"Ryder?"

The Alpha didn't answer.

Gianna pressed both hands against her temples.

"I can hear you."

Ryder stepped closer.

"Gianna, listen to me."

"Stop!"

She backed away.

Her knees buckled.

Ryder caught her before she hit the floor.

The moment his hands touched her, a wave of heat passed between them.

A mark appeared on his wrist.

A crescent surrounded by three golden lines.

Gianna looked down.

The same symbol glowed on her neck.

Ryder stared at it.

His voice came out barely above a whisper.

"The bond."

Benjamin swore.

"No. No, this can't happen."

Ryder looked at him.

"What?"

Benjamin's face was drained of color.

"She can't be bonded to you."

Ryder's expression turned cold.

"Explain."

Benjamin stepped away.

"Your family killed hers."

Ryder's jaw tightened.

"The bond doesn't care about family history."

"It should."

Gianna looked between them.

"What bond?"

Ryder lowered his gaze to her.

His voice was rough.

"The mate bond."

She stared at him.

"No."

He didn't move.

"No, no, no. Absolutely not."

"Gianna—"

"I don't even know you!"

"I know."

"You're telling me I'm supposed to be your mate?"

His eyes held hers.

"Yes."

She let out a disbelieving laugh.

"That's ridiculous."

Ryder's expression darkened.

"Believe me, I didn't plan on this either."

"Good. Then we're in agreement."

He almost smiled.

Almost.

Then his wolf growled.

Mine.

Ryder closed his eyes.

"Not now."

Gianna looked at him.

"What?"

"Nothing."

But she heard the voice again.

Not Ryder's.

Something deeper.

Something inside her.

He is yours.

She stared at the Alpha.

For the first time, she realized that the connection between them wasn't one-sided.

Ryder could feel her too.

And neither of them understood how powerful the bond really was.

 

8:17 p.m.

A loud alarm sounded throughout the apartment complex.

Benjamin rushed to the window.

Outside, military vehicles were approaching.

Floodlights illuminated the street.

Soldiers surrounded the building.

A voice came over a loudspeaker.

"THIS IS THE UNITED STATES MILITARY. ALL OCCUPANTS ARE ORDERED TO EXIT THE BUILDING WITH THEIR HANDS VISIBLE."

Gianna looked at Ryder.

"Maybe they can help."

Ryder shook his head.

"No."

"How do you know?"

"Because they're looking for you."

The loudspeaker sounded again.

"WE HAVE CONFIRMED THE PRESENCE OF AN UNREGISTERED ALPHA AND AN UNKNOWN FEMALE SUBJECT."

Gianna's stomach dropped.

Unknown female subject.

She looked at Benjamin.

"How do they know about me?"

He didn't answer.

A soldier appeared outside the window.

He raised a microphone.

"Gianna Hale, we know you're inside."

Her blood ran cold.

The soldier continued.

"You are not in trouble. We are here to take you somewhere safe."

Ryder moved in front of her.

"Don't believe them."

The soldier lifted a photograph.

It showed Gianna's face.

But it wasn't an ordinary photograph.

Her birthmark was clearly visible.

Beneath the photograph were three words.

PROJECT FIRST BLOOD.

Gianna turned toward Benjamin.

"What is that?"

He looked like he was about to be sick.

"Benjamin?"

He finally spoke.

"Something I should have told you years ago."

Ryder reached for his weapon.

"Get away from her."

But Benjamin wasn't looking at Ryder.

He was looking at Gianna.

And then he said something that made her entire world collapse.

"I wasn't just your best friend, Gianna."

She stared at him.

"What?"

Benjamin's eyes began glowing.

Not yellow.

Not gold.

A strange, brilliant silver.

"I was assigned to watch you."

Ryder raised his weapon.

"Benjamin, don't."

Benjamin ignored him.

"I was supposed to keep you alive until the Blood Moon."

Gianna shook her head.

"You're lying."

"I wish I was."

"Who assigned you?"

Benjamin looked at the military vehicles.

Then back at her.

"Your father."

Gianna's chest tightened.

"My father is dead."

Benjamin's eyes filled with tears.

"I know what you were told."

A terrible silence followed.

Then Benjamin whispered:

"But your father isn't dead, Gianna."

She couldn't move.

"He is the one who started the apocalypse."

Outside, every soldier raised their weapons.

The loudspeaker crackled.

"WE HAVE BEEN AUTHORIZED TO USE LETHAL FORCE."

Ryder pulled Gianna behind him.

Benjamin stepped toward the window.

And somewhere far beneath the earth, the ancient voice returned.

Bring me my daughter.

The apartment lights went out.

Gianna heard Ryder growl.

She heard Benjamin whisper a prayer.

And then, for the first time in her life, she heard her own voice answer something that wasn't human.

I am coming.