The devil twin

Help from friends

*Jay*

“I hate to be a bother.” I mumble.

"Good Goddess, Jay," Lucian says as he pours whiskey into two tumblers. "I've bothered you often enough."

"You're an Alpha, it's your right."

Claybourne scowls at me. We grew up on the streets together, working for Feagan, until it was discovered that Luc was the lost heir to a title. I have never felt quite comfortable around the high packs, but then, I feel comfortable around few. I'm a skeptic at best when it comes to someone else’s good intentions. No doubt a result of my father’s good intentions leaving me with a wounded soul that still, after all these years, refuses to heal.

Claybourne hands a goblet of wine to his wife, Evangeline. She is a lovely she-wolf. Her blond hair almost reminds me of Eden Newmoon’s, although Miss Newmoon’s makes me think of moonbeams woven together. I imagine her hair would be soft but catch on my rough fingers. I imagine those same fingers abrading her delicate skin as I bring her pleasure. To spare her any discomfort, on her most sensitive flesh, I would use my mouth, my tongue…

"Jay?"

I snap myself free of the dreams that have begun to haunt me ever since my encounter with Miss Newmoon in the park and take the tumbler Claybourne offers. "Thank you."

Claybourne sits on the sofa beside his wife, stretching his arm across her shoulders, so his fingers can casually stroke her bare arm. I doubt he’d be as informal were his guest an Alpha. Or perhaps he would be if our friendship had been woven in the squalor that was the rookeries.

"You had some questions to ask of Evangeline," Claybourne prods. I take a sip of the whiskey, relishing the taste and the burn. I feel my muscles begin to relax. They've been tense ever since I escorted Miss Newmoon to her lodgings. Last night I was surprised to discover that she was not staying in one of the better parts of the city. As my own lodgings are not that far from hers, I'm well aware of what the accommodations offer. They are adequate but nothing fancy.

"Yes. I’m curious about a Miss Elisabeth Newmoon. She was the daughter of a Beta." I say.

"Newmoon?" Evangeline’s delicate brow pleats. "I believe I've heard mention of a beta Newmoon, but I fear I know very little about him. Sterling might, although I suspect it unlikely. Of course, he’s not due to return to the city for another few days."

I appreciate what she isn’t saying.. that the man is on his honeymoon making love to his new wife, to Frannie. What surprises me is that the thought of her with another man doesn’t bring with it the usual sense of loss. Since my encounter with Miss Newmoon this afternoon, she has been the one to occupy my mind, as though no one else matters.

"I’ll be content with anything you know," I assure her, hoping to gather a few more morsels about Miss Newmoon in my endeavors to learn about her father.

"If he’s the man I’m thinking of, he rarely comes to Blackrock city. Doesn’t even have a residence in town."

Has word not even passed through the packs that he’d died?

"Elisabeth apparently had her coming out last Mating Season," I tell her.

Evangeline distractedly pats Claybourne’s thigh. “I fear I was far too caught up in my own affairs last Season to give much attention to someone’s coming out. I’m sorry.”

Claybourne’s hand ceases its stroking and closes around her upper arm, offering strength and comfort. It was last mating Season that our lives all became irrevocably entwined.

“You might inquire of Jack’s wife,” Evangeline continues. “Before Olivia went into mourning, she may have met Miss Newmoon earlier in the mating Season.”

The widowed Luna of Silverpine created something of a scandal by marrying before the proper period of mourning had passed… an even greater scandal by her selection of a husband… Jack Moondancer. Wealthy though he might be, he owns an exclusive gentlemen’s club that is almost as infamous as he.

"Apparently Elisabeth caught Alpha Rockberry’s fancy," I offer, hoping to prod some memory. Surely they’d not been free of gossip.

Evangeline grimaces. “He fancies himself quite the catch, but I’ve never known him to offer for anyone. Did he take advantage of her?”

“Why would you think that?”

“If her father is as I’ve heard, without two pennies to rub together, it’s unlikely she’d come with a substantial dowry. She could be desperate enough to believe a cad’s promises. I fear not all gentlemen are in fact ‘gentlemen.’”

Rockberry certainly falls into the category of not a gentleman. “Elisabeth apparently met a tragic end. Her sister, Eden, is in the city. She’s been following Rockberry around town. I suspect she holds him responsible in some manner, and he has the mien of a man harboring dark secrets and guilt.”

Since I possess the same mien, I recognize it when I see it in others.

“Oh, poor girls,” Evangeline says. “Elisabeth and Eden. Who is acting as Eden’s benefactor to introduce her to pack Society?”

“She’s not here for Society, but rather to poke sticks at Rockberry.”

“That’s very dangerous indeed. Rockberry won’t tolerate that for long. Perhaps I should speak with her.” Evangeline says.

I shouldn't be surprised by her offer. Her nature to help those in trouble brought her into my life. I don't quite know how to respond. I know only that whatever Miss Newmoon needs, I wish to be the person to provide it. “It’s probably too soon to involve you. I’ve spoken with her. I don’t believe she’s a true threat. She may irritate Rockberry, but I don’t think she’s capable of inflicting any lasting harm.”

“Don’t take offense, Jay, but I suspect you underestimate the determination of a she-wolf when they’ve decided to take matters into their own hands.”

“Stubborn more like,” Claybourne grumbles, and she jabs him in the ribs. Rather than get angry with her, Claybourne gives her a heated look that even I can interpret as meaning she’ll pay dearly for it later in their bedchamber. I don't want to think about the bed I’ll sleep in alone tonight. I could seek out company, but I think anyone other than Miss Newmoon would leave me unsatisfied. Not that I have any plans to lure her into my bed. She is, after all, a She-wolf of quality… that doesn’t mean I haven’t already given a great deal of thought to the pleasure I’d experience in having her there. I can well imagine her hands skimming over my bare chest, her mouth nibbling…

“Right, then,” I say, setting my tumbler aside and coming to my feet while I can still stand without embarrassing myself. “I’ll keep your offer in mind should I have any further dealings with Miss Newmoon.”

Rising, Claybourne assists Evangeline from the sofa. “Please do,” she says.

“I’ll see you out,” Claybourne says as he gives a quick kiss across Evangeline’s cheek, giving her more promises for what might transpire later.

I don’t envy what my friend possesses, but for the first time, I miss that I’m not in possession of it as well.

In the hallway, Claybourne says, “If you believe dangers are about, I would appreciate your not getting Evangeline involved. My mate has the heart and courage of a lioness. I don’t know that my own heart could stand seeing her in harm’s way again.”

“I suspect Rockberry is more bark than bite. Otherwise, he’d have seen to the matter himself. As for Miss Newmoon… I think she simply wishes to annoy him for a short time. Then I suppose she’ll return home.”

I’m not quite certain why I feel sorrow over that notion. It’s not as though anything could ever exist between us. She’s the daughter of a beta, for the Goddess sake. I’m the son of a thief.

“As you’re well aware, I’ve only recently become accepted by my peers,” Claybourne says. “I could make some discreet inquiries, see what’s what.”

“It’s probably best if I hold this matter as close to the vest as possible for now. I don’t doubt your ability to exhibit discretion, but as I’ve been assigned the task, I’ll handle the inquiries.”

“The Alpha agency is having you follow the girl around? You must be chafing at the bit to move on to more important matters.”

Strangely, after the encounter in the park, I’m not nearly as impatient with this duty as I was the night before. “We are charged with preventing crime. Rockberry believes she aims to kill him.”

Remnants of regret wash over Claybourne’s face. He once killed a man who hurt Frannie. “Maybe I should speak with this Miss Eden. Even when the murder is justified, it’s not easy to live with.”

“If you hadn’t killed him, I would have.”

Claybourne shakes his head. “Still, your she-wolf should know that vengeance comes at a high price.”

“I don’t think she has it in her to kill him.”

“I hope you’re right. If you’re not grumbling about the assignment, then the she-wolf must be holding your interest.”

“I misjudged her upon first meeting her. It’s not a mistake I often make.”

“I’ve never known you to misjudge a person.”

But I have. Somehow I have.

Claybourne gives my shoulder a firm, hard clap. “Just know we’re here if you need us.”

Not two minutes ago, Claybourne was asking me not to involve them, and now it seems he’s reversed his stance. I know that if it comes to it, they’ll help me. Feagan’s children always stand together, even when our lives are lived apart.

“Actually, I do have a favor to ask.”

“Ask, and if it’s within my power, it’s yours.”

“Could I borrow a carriage tomorrow? An open one if the day is sunny. Closed if it’s not.”

Claybourne grins. “Putting out a bit of honey?”

I shrug. “If I must endure this assignment, I see no reason not to experience a bit of enjoyment while seeing to the task.”