Page 79 of Moonlight & Mayhem

“Come back to me,” she begged. Mayhem forced his eyes open, and Moon stared at him. There was no fear—not anymore. Just trust—absolute fucking trust. His wolf retreated, and the pain eased. The black veins stopped, and Mayhem sucked in a breath.

Moon kissed him, and he froze. The kiss wasn't tentative. It wasn't accidental. Moon grabbed his face and pressed her mouth against his like she was furious with him for nearly leaving her. Mayhem recovered quickly, and he wrapped his arms around her waist and kissed her back—hard and hungry. The bond exploded and heat tore through him. His wolf howled and Moon's answered.

For one perfect second, the night root disappeared. It didn’t fade; it disappeared. Moon pulled back. Her eyes widened. “Mayhem.” He looked at his arm and saw nothing there—no black veins.

Chris stared from the front seat. “Holy shit.”

Chrome glanced in the mirror. “What?”

“It's gone,” Moon said, grabbing Mayhem's arm. She turned it beneath the dim interior light. Mayhem felt different too—stronger and clearer. His wolf stood calm inside him.

“Did you just cure me?” he asked.

Moon looked at him. “I don't know.”

Mayhem smiled slowly. “Want to try again?” She smacked his chest. “Ow.”

“Idiot,” she said, but she was smiling until the veins started to return. One thin black line appeared on his wrist, and Moon's smile completely disappeared. “Damn it.” Mayhem stared at his arm. He wasn’t cured, but their kiss had suppressed the veins. The bond was fighting the night root, and apparently, getting stronger made the darkness weaker.

Moon looked at him, and Mayhem knew she had reached the same conclusion. “We're not completing the bond,” he said.

Her jaw tightened. “I didn't ask.”

“You were thinking it,” he said.

“So were you,” she challenged.

“Still no,” he said.

“Mayhem—” Moon started. “Why not?”

“Because we don't know what happens to you,” he said. Moon stared at him, and his voice softened. “I'd rather die with that shit in my veins than put it in yours.”

Her eyes filled. “Don't say that.”

“It's true.” She touched his face, and Mayhem leaned into her palm.

The SUV suddenly slowed, and Chrome stared through the windshield. “We've got a problem.”

Chris turned forward. “What is it?” Mayhem followed their gaze. A figure stood in the middle of the road—a woman with silver hair, wearing a long black coat, and her feet were bare.

Moon stopped breathing. “Morrigan.”

Chrome braked, and the SUV stopped thirty feet away from the woman, but Morrigan didn't move.

Chris raised her gun. “Want me to shoot her?”

Moon grabbed her shoulder. “Wait.” Mayhem stared at the woman. Something felt wrong. His wolf didn't growl—it whimpered, and Mayhem's blood went cold.

Morrigan lifted one hand. She wasn’t threatening them, but sending them a warning. Then she pointed toward the woods. Moon whispered, “Something's coming. A howl ripped through the mountains, and then another, followed by dozens more.

Morrigan shouted—“GET OUT OF THE CAR!”

The tree line erupted with wolves, and Mayhem reached for his gun. Chris threw open her door, and Chrome did the same. Moon grabbed her medical bag, and Mayhem caught her wrist. “Stay with me.”

She looked at him. This time, she didn't argue. “Always.” His wolf surged, and Mayhem smiled. That was all he needed. He opened the door, and together, they stepped into Black Hollow territory.

Moon