Desire Under the Dark Moon Read online

  Desire Under the Dark Moon: Book Three in The Wicked Sisters Series Copyright © 2016 by Trinity Blacio

  All Rights Reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, without permission in writing from the publisher.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales or persons, living or dead, is coincidental.

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  Riverdale Avenue Books

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  Cover by Scott Carpenter

  Digital ISBN: 978-1-62601-315-5

  First edition, October 2016

  Chapter One

  She was free, but for how long Allie didn’t know. Allie was lucky, her so-called biological mother, Tara, had believed she was finally giving in, living in the prison they had erected for her. If it hadn’t have been for Allie’s sister, she wouldn’t be standing out there in cool air, free of the Fae realm, and Allie would never go there again.

  Cars sped by as she stood in the shadows of the gas station/dinner in Toledo, Ohio. Her clothes were in rags falling off her, but they were the only ones she had been given. Her powers were bound by her so-called stepfather, Bryant. She’d lost too much weight. Allie could actually see some of her bones, and the muscles she had worked on developing were now gone.

  Allie shivered, remembering her stepfather grabbing her breasts whenever he was close. Of course, he’d only do it when her mother wasn’t looking. The first three times, Allie had broken a couple of his bones, but after the beatings, she’d given up fighting.

  “Just have to survive for the next three days, till the Dark Moon,” she whispered, knowing the binding spell would be gone. At least that was what she’d heard from him.

  So much time had passed. Allie couldn’t believe it had been one year since she’d seen her sisters. Her true sisters, ones of the heart. But had she dragged them into her mess? She looked over at the old-fashioned payphone, knowing she had no choice. Her ripped-up, old clothes, the bruises on her body from the beatings, and the starvation was just too much even for her to handle alone. Allie trusted them with her life. There was no way she’d survive hiding for the next three days without her powers.

  “Please answer the phone,” she said, picking up the phone and calling collect to Whitney’s last cell phone number. She waited for the operator to place the call.

  Whitney picked up the phone on the second ring after Allie had given her name to the operator.

  “Will you accept a collect call from Allie Mira?” the operator asked.

  “God, yes,” Whitney said, then yelled for Frank. “Girl, you better explain where the hell you have been and why the hell you are calling me collect.”

  “I need help, Whitney,” she whispered. “No power, so cold.”

  “Frank,” she cried again, but this time Allie could hear the worry in her voice. At once Frank took the phone from her. “Allie, where are you?” he asked quietly, but she heard the anger and concern riding his voice.

  “Don’t tell those two men of yours, please. I can’t go back there, Frank,” she actually whined and hated it.

  “Honey, what two men? I don’t know what you’re talking about. Where are you?” he asked again.

  “Phone safe?” she asked.

  “Always, come on, Allie, tell us so we can come get you,” Frank said.

  “Toledo, Ohio. I’m standing in front of a little dinner. I don’t know how I got here, Frank. All my powers are gone. He bound them. No money, nothing. I’m sorry to be a pain. I had no one else to call.”

  “You’re on a road off of Highway 75, aren’t you? Okay, I have a cab coming to get you. They’re going to take you to the Park Inn Hotel there. Once you get in your room, stay there, Allie. We’ll be there soon.”

  “How did you know?” she asked as a cab pulled right up to her.

  “Get into the car, Allie, now. We’ll talk when you’re at the hotel.” Frank instructed.

  Even though Allie was leery, she got into the cab, sinking into the seat.

  “Not to worry, we’ll get you to your room fast,” the man, said and Allie knew he was a wolf when he growled. “No one messes with the queen’s sister. Our alpha will be at the hotel waiting for you.”

  Allie said nothing, just nodded and curled up in the backseat, watching the buildings go by with her cheek rested against the window. Never had she been so cold inside and out. She doubted she’d ever get warm again.

  * * *

  Whitney pushed the numbers on her phone, calling Marci, knowing she had been just as worried as Whitney was. Her men rushed around making arrangements for the children while they were gone to bring Allie back.

  “I know you miss me, but we just got done talking two hours ago,” Marci laughed, answering the phone.

  “Allie called collect, Marci. She’s not okay. We’re on our way to Ohio now to get her. I thought you would like to meet us there,” Whitney said as Cruse helped her put her coat on. “Frank is flying us out there now.”

  “Where? Garth!” she yelled for one of her own men. “Here, have Frank explain this to Garth while I get ready. We’ll see you soon.”

  She handed her phone to Frank as Whitney got into the limo. After she got settled, Theodore handed her Allie, her baby girl, while her little man crawled in right after her.

  “Your mom is expecting us. I grabbed all the bottles of milk you have pumped. It should hold out ’til we retrieve Allie and get back here. Frank has already gotten the guesthouse ready for Marci and her mates; we’ll put Allie in with us,” Cruse said, reaching over and squeezing her knee.

  “Do you know how her powers could be gone? And what was she talking about Frank’s men? I’ve never heard Allie so scared.”

  Frank handed her phone back to her and pulled her into his lap as Theodore put her daughter in her car seat.

  “I still don’t understand her words. What men? If someone said they worked with me and hurt her, I’ll personally hunt them down and rip them apart,” Frank grumbled, rubbing her arms.

  “How long ’til we can get there?” she asked.

  “We’ll be there in four hours. Your mom is packing some clothes for your sister in case she needs them. Allie still had a few things there from last year.”

  Whitney settled back against her man, feeling really nervous. Something wasn’t right, and she was deathly afraid her sister was in a very bad way, almost broken. Allie had always been one of the strongest people she knew, but now…

  Chapter Two

  Allie huddled in the soft blanket on the bed in her room. She glanced again at the door, wishing it was protected from Fae entering. As it was, she’d asked one of the local wolves to stay there with her, but the alpha had taken that position, refusing to allow any others inside.

  Paranoid that “her step-father would show up, she pulled the blanket tighter around her, scanning the room. Said alpha growled, drawing her attention. His dark brown-red hair was pulled back into a ponytail, and he had big, green eyes and full lips. Allie frowned, feeling a little stir of something that had died so long ago.

  “You are safe. We won’t allow anyone to take you.” His gaze on her, sensing her fear. His voice was deep, sending a chill through her, which wasn’t too difficult since she seemed unable to keep her body warm.

  “Fae can appear anywhere they want, unless a room is protected,” she whispered, glancing at the bathroom door.

  “Fae?
That’s who hurt you?” The man seemed even bigger when he jumped up, pulling out a cell phone and punching in numbers. “Steel is going to be furious.

  “I want two more men inside here with us now. We’re dealing with Fae,” he snapped before turning to stare at her. “That’s why you won’t take a shower, isn’t it?”

  Tears filled her eyes and she nodded, because Allie didn’t know if she could speak from the lump in her throat.

  “Shit,” he growled. Slowly he made his was way over to the door and opened it, clearly not wanting to scare her. Two men moved inside, closing the door behind them. They stood by the door not moving, waiting.

  “We don’t leave this room till the King and Queen get here personally,” the alpha informed his men.

  For some strange reason, Allie was fascinated by the way he move. Muscles rippled under his T-shirt, and his jeans were a nice fit. He turned and made his way to her, then sat next to her on the edge of the bed. “Allie, may I hold you?”

  Allie hated that she couldn’t remember the man’s name, but sitting this close to him, she could feel his heat warming her side. There was also the fact the man smelled divine.

  “I’m going to lift you up, Allie, and hold you. You’re freezing, and I’m going to be your own personal furnace. Okay? Remember, my name is Lance. I’m the alpha of the Northern Ohio wolves.”

  She nodded and almost sighed as she curled up against his chest. Lance hadn’t been lying; he was a walking inferno. She grabbed hold of his T-shirt and held on tight, feeling small, almost dainty.

  “You’re too skinny. What did they do, starve you?” he grumbled, but his words were so true, she whimpered. He leaned back and stared at her. “My God, I’ll kill them. I’m so sorry, poppet.” He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her back against his chest. “Who did this to you, Allie?” he asked, rubbing his chin against the top of her head.

  “My so-called biological mom and stepfather,” she said into his chest.

  “Oh, poppet, I’m so sorry,” he grumbled, rubbing her back. “You rest. Soon your sisters will be here. They are your true family.”

  “You know about us?” she asked, leaning back, looking up at him.

  He smiled and pushed some hair away from her face. “Honey, all of us know about you. When the Queen couldn’t find you, your sisters’ mates spread the word. Everyone was searching for you. We never stopped, Allie. Our king and Queen even named their little daughter after you.”

  “I missed them so much, and I missed my niece’s birth too…” she cried.

  Lanced reached over and grabbed the box of Kleenex off the bed stand, pulling a few out. “Look at me, poppet,” he softly ordered and waited ’til she lifted her head. He placed the tissues up against her nose. “Blow.”.

  “I can do that myself,” she mumbled and tried to reach up, but he shook his head.

  “No, I will take care of you.”

  With a sigh, Allie blew her nose, staring up at Lance, really looking at him this time. His dark green eyes and reddish-brown hair only enhanced his handsome features. He had a small scar under his right eye, and after blowing her nose, Allie noticed a strange scent.

  “What is that smell?” she asked, burying her nose into his chest. It was almost fruity, but woodsy, and for some reason it was stirring things inside her that only happened when she was with a man sexually. Her nipples hardened, and Allie knew she was getting damp below.

  She lifted her head and her gaze met his. He cupped her cheek. “I knew when I walked into this hotel I had found our mate.”

  “Mate? Ours?” she squeaked and turned to yank, but he held her tight.

  “No, Allie, don’t try and pull away. We all know you’re hurt, but I’m here for you, and our other mates will be here soon. I promise you, my poppet, no one will hurt you again.” He leaned down and placed a kiss on her lips. It was soft and quick, but enough for her to know she was in serious trouble.

  Lance pulled her close. “Let me tell you about myself and the others. There is no pressure, Allie. I know you’ve been hurt; just allow us to help and take care of you.”

  His arms were safe. Allie didn’t know why, but she felt those that had harmed her couldn’t find her in his arms. It was stupid, Allie knew it, but then again, her sisters had meet their mates when they were at their lowest moments.

  * * *

  “She is too skinny. How long was she missing for?” Darwin asked Lance as Darwin stared at them from the end of the bed.

  “No one knows when she was taken. I didn’t want to upset her when I know she’ll have to explain everything to her family when they arrive. But I do know her so-called biological mother and stepfather were the ones that harmed our woman. Where is Steel?” Lance asked, tucking the blanket tighter around Allie as she slept in his arms.

  “He’s downstairs with the guards. The king and queen have arrived, along with Allie’s other sister and her sister’s mates. He’ll inform them of our claim and what you’ve found out. You do know she’ll want—no, need—to be with her sisters for a bit?”

  Allie stirred in his arms. Her eyes popped open as she tried to jump away from him. “Easy, poppet, you’re safe. The ugly goon at the end of the bed is Darwin Wares. He’s a demon, just in case you were wondering, and he’s so hopping those Fae show up. He hasn’t had one for dinner in a long time,” he teased.

  “He’s also part of our family. Steel, our other mate, is downstairs greeting your sisters, who have arrived. You’ll see him when they come in together with the king. You won’t be able to miss him. He likes to wear a kilt, and his legs are so hairy I swear they’re another being onto themselves. But that is to be expected since he’s a bear.”

  She smiled at Darwin. “Hi. My sisters are really here? I fell asleep, didn’t I?”

  “Yes, but I have a feeling you needed the sleep, didn’t you?” Lance brushed her hair away from her face as the door across the room opened.

  Lance knew the king had stepped into the room. His size alone gave him away, but his deadly gaze made even Lance freeze. “Sir,” Lance finally said but didn’t move an inch, not wanting to release their woman yet.

  “Allie.” Frank and Whitney rushed to her side. The Queen was crying. “My God, Allie, what did they do to you? Marci!” Whitney said, looking over her shoulder at the other female who’d come into the room, followed by three men.

  “I’ll kill them,” Marci growled, stopping at Whitney’s side and staring down at Allie.

  “Easy there. Let’s allow Allie to tell us what happened,” Frank said, wrapping his arm around his wife as another man did the same to Marci. “Ladies, the man holding Allie is Lance. He’s the local alpha for the Northern Ohio clan and also Allie’s mate.”

  Marci gasped, but a slow smile formed across her face. “Good, she’ll have more protection. Now tell us what happened. The last time we saw you, you were at our party last year.”

  “May I make a suggestion before we listen to what happened?” Lance asked and Frank nodded. “Allie was afraid to take a shower, and I don’t think she’s ready for us to see her lovely body yet. Would you two mind going with her to the bathroom to help her clean up and get some clean clothes on? I’m sure it will help her feel more herself if she got out of the clothes that remind her of the people that hurt her,” he said, swinging his feet off the bed, but Allie hung on tight to him.

  “Easy there, poppet. I’m not going to leave, but I really believe a nice hot shower will help. With Marci and Whitney in the room, you wouldn’t be alone, and Darwin has already warded the room so they can’t come in even if they wanted,” Lance reassured her.

  Whitney stepped up to her and held out her hand. “Come on, Allie. Mom packed some of your own clothes in case you needed them.”

  Tears rolled down her cheeks. “It was my natural mom that did this,” Allie said. “Those two men that were with me at the party, they told me they worked with you, Frank, and that they had found my mom. She wanted to see me.” Allie looked up at L
ance. “I was fool. He’ll come looking for me,” she told him as she stood, allowing the blanket to slide to the floor.

  Frank stepped aside, his eyes turned dark red. “Go take your shower. Your mate is right, but know this, Allie. I have no idea who these men are, but I’ll find out.” He looked over at Cruse.

  “I’m on it,” Cruse said as another man moved to go with him.

  “Take my brother. He can get the list of men that were there. It will help,” the man-gargoyle next to Marci said. “We’ll find them.”

  “You won’t leave?” Allie asked, meeting Lance’s gaze.

  He stood and placed a kiss on her forehead. “Go with your sisters. I promise you we’ll be here when you come out.”

  She reached up but pulled her hand down. “I’ll be right out.” Allie took Whitney’s hand and followed her and Marci to the bathroom. When they closed the door, Lance growled.

  “They starved her, her own mother. I also saw marks on her skin, I’m not sure, but I believe she was whipped. Marci and Whitney will—”

  “Son of a fucking bitch!” Marci yelled and threw open the door. She stepped out, staring at Garth. “They whipped her! Garth, I want a piece of that shit who did this, and I’m not playing!” She stormed back into the bathroom, slamming the door.

  “So we are dealing with the Fae. I’m surprised; many I’ve dealt with wouldn’t have allowed this to go on they would have stepped in and helped. Hi, I’m Garth. Welcome to the family.” Marci’s mate held out his hand to Lance.

  “Hello, Lance Wares, and these are my partners, Darwin and Steel. As I said, Darwin has had some experience with a few Fae, but it was more like what we are dealing with now, ones that have gone renegade. Darwin’s parents were hunters of the Fae when some of them got out of control. Darwin, would your parents have information on these that we are searching for?”

  “They’re already on it, checking all their resources,” Darwin said.