Luna On The Run

Chapter Seven

Saint:

Long before the four kingdoms existed, pressed tightly under the thumb of the Court of Seasons, one king ruled one domain with a ruthlessness that would shake time. King Navarro was murderous and bloodthirsty. Tirelessly and without care, his abuse towards his people lasted hundreds of years. Then one day, my fourth great-grandfather’s reign ended abruptly. His wife, my fourth great-grandmother, killed the sour bastard in his sleep and then split the kingdom among her four sons before taking her own life that same night. That day the four kingdoms were born. Diathorne, Spifort, Gratatria, and Aestepia. Each kingdom was blessed by the goddesses with their own abilities and fortunes. Diathorne was gifted the season of winter, the water element. Blessed with water manipulation powers, and while much more exists within this kingdom’s walls, that is the most common. Spifort was gifted spring, the earth elemental. Gratatria was gifted fall, the air elemental. Finally, Aestepia was gifted Summer, the fire elemental. I don’t know why Rowan believes she is in Montana, a part of the human realm. All that exists in this realm are the four kingdoms; even the humans here know this. The only reason humans can exist here is that they have been mated and marked by a shifter of some sort, and because Rowan is neither, I am led to believe she has been kept in the dark about where she really is and if she is in the dark about that, what else doesn’t she know? Bain’s foot tapping on the tree distracted me from my spiraling thoughts. I looked at him to see him looking through the windows of her home, his face was contorted in disgust, and when I, too, looked through the windows, I could see why. She had pulled the shoulder straps off her top and was fighting the pain of removing the shirt and bra from the wound gapping across her back.

“We have to help her. Get Berny out here, Saint. She is torturing herself. He is obviously letting her stay for a reason, and I have seen the way the animals respond to her. Even if she is human, the farm is clearly hers.” I nodded, granting him his request. I contacted Bernard and then snapped my fingers, conjuring the Daimon to the farm. He walked onto the porch knocking lightly on the door, and when he made up the excuse of being there because he heard about the wolves and wanted to check on her and the farm. She let him in, looking paler than she had a few minutes ago.

We watched through the windows as Bernard readied himself to stitch her up, and I almost laughed when she pulled a bottle of my favorite Tequila from the fridge, drinking straight from the bottle before nodding for him to continue.

“What a brave little flower.” Bain looked at her the way I had been fearful to tell him I thought of her. Then as if I had been doused with a vile of truth serum, a waterfall of my feelings came out, beginning with telling him I wanted to tie him down and whip him for lying to me about his ability to feel our bond and ending with thinking Rowan is our mate too. His almost white eyes had blown wide at my confession.

“I agree.” He grumbled, resuming the patting of his foot on the tree.

I probably looked insane with my jaw dropped. But that was the most ratification he had given our situation in the last three years our bond had been discovered. His admittance and acceptance had given my beast a peacefulness it hadn’t experienced since Bain came rolling into my life like a hurricane with the intention to swallow me up. I leaned against the tree, watching as the beautiful Rowan, a mate to both Bain and me, was being put back together by the man who was undoubtedly sent here to guide her into an ascension. Only time will tell us the truth that dwells in the darkness behind her blue eyes.

Rowan:

“Ouch… OUCH!” I complained while trying to talk Berny through a running suture technique.

“I’m sorry, kid. This isn’t my area of expertise.” He chuckled lightheartedly, but he didn’t realize between the blood loss and the

Tequila, I may pass out soon.

“It’s fine, Berny. It took me a while to get the hang of it too.” That is the most information I will ever offer anyone here about my past life and where I came from, and it was too much, so I quickly changed the subject by telling him the cow I lovingly named Lola Cow is probably giving birth as we speak.

“The old heifer is pregnant?” Berny asked with surprise.

“Bout to burst.” I laughed thinking about the sweet girl waddling through the pasture in the mornings when I would go out to feed and water.

“That’ll do it… I think.” He dropped the instruments to the counter, and the metal clanking made me realize I had dozed off.

“Thanks, Berny. Wanna go with me and check in on Lola?” I yawned, wincing at the ache that had settled between my shoulders.

“Why don’t you get some rest, and I will check in on the cattle? You have had a rough day, and I don’t mind checking her before I leave.” I didn’t want to seem like I couldn’t hack the farm. But I nodded, regardless of my worry, accepting his offer. I was exhausted, and as soon as the gash on my back was closed, the internal faucet that had been turned wide open, flooding me with adrenaline, had closed off, leaving me spent.

We said our goodbyes, and as I made my way through the house, locking my windows and doors, I was struck by a realization that no doubt would allow me a restful sleep. I charged that barn tonight, ready to kill Jacob. I could do it too. I flopped down some pillows and blankets on the rug beside a still-zonked Daisy girl. Now she and I both have war wounds from tonight, and because we fought together, we came out victorious.

Another lazy yawn had me snuggling deeper into her black and white fur, and with the fire casting shadows on the ceiling, I drifted into the Nirvana of the dreamland I had spent so many nights inside. But this time… someone was there waiting for me.

Bain:

Berny left her home, motioning for us to join him in the barn. He didn’t say anything the whole time he searched the stalls for whatever had him so worked up. Then he found it. He looked back at us with tears, and Saint and I surrounded him, peering into the stall. Inside was a happy cow cleaning her calve.

“She was right.” he said, wiping away the tears from his eyes.

“Who was right?” I asked the Daimon, who I was sure was losing his marbles.

“An animal hasn’t been born here in almost one hundred years. I don’t know what this means, boys. But whatever it is, it means something big. I was sent to steer her clear of trouble, but it seems she doesn’t get into any… I need to ponder on things. I will see you, boys, later. Keep an eye on her for me.” just as Saint had brought Berny in, he was gone again, leaving us both more confused than we started with.

Saint hung his head in frustration. This time, I didn’t fight the urge to comfort him, and when my hand landed beneath his jaw, the desire to taste him overwhelmed me. I pressed my lips to him; the fire inside me was stoked by the groans falling steadily from his soft lips. My fingers made quick work of undoing his pants, and the moment I dropped to my knees, taking him deeply into my throat, he tangled his long fingers in my shaggy hair f*****g my mouth the exact way I wanted him to. Maybe admitting the feelings I have for him and now Rowan will only serve to make both of us happier, and when he found his release, I swallowed every drop of the pleasure I had created in him.

“I don’t know why the moon goddess blessed me with you, but I promise you, I never intended the last three years to go this way. From the moment I laid eyes on you, I have wanted you. Now, with you being willing to give me a chance, I promise I will show you every way I intend to make you happy.” He kissed my forehead, and my thoughts traveled back to Rowan. I know she was meant for us too, and he feels the same. With both of us feeling more satisfied, we can get back to figuring out who our little flower is and why she has awakened something within the Cooper farm that even the animals have sensed enough to resume their lives as normal.