Red Moon Secrets (Deadly Beauties 3)

When I thought Alyssa was just like the rest of them—it hurt worse than any physical pain I had ever felt. I wish—damn, I wish I had just talked to her, listened to her all the times she tried telling me the truth. My stubbornness and pride nearly cost me the only girl I've ever loved, but I'll be damned if I ever lose her again.

A dark storm brews in the distance, drawing all of our attention to the road that stretches into the thick woods we're surrounded by. My heart flutters, knowing the reason behind this unusual storm.

"It's her," Gage says, coming to stand beside me, tensing and reeking of fear. "I'll go to her."

"The hell you will," I snap. "You're fucking trembling inside. She doesn't need to taste fear. Predators drink it up, revel in their prey's terror. Her darker side will look at you like a toy to play with. You need to leave. I'm not afraid of her."

He narrows his eyes, clenching his fists when his hands begin to shake from anger and fear.

"I'm not afraid," he lies, acting as though he can fool me. "It's me. I'm the one who is meant for her. Only I can help her stop this shit."

"You'll only provoke the darkness. With you, she'll feel in-control and powerful. With me, she'll want something, I'll give it to her, but I'll keep the upper hand. This is how you play the game. You don't know the first thing about teaching someone to deal with the demons that come with the thirst for blood."

"You don't get to—"

I lose it. Before he can finish that pointless statement, I've unleashed my hidden power, knocked him against the wall, and dropped him to the ground. He writhes for a breath of air until he passes out. I release him from my unseen hold before I accidentally kill the stupid fool.

Deke groans, rolling his eyes. "There will be hell to pay for that later. You can't keep showing a Somage member how strong you are. It's a game of fire. You're going to get fiercely burned."

As the trees begin to bend and bow, I turn my attention back to the storm coming toward us with dark hair and glowing silver eyes. Damn, she looks like she's been up to something she'll regret.

She's less than three-hundred feet away now, and Zee and Dice have stopped arguing long enough to gawk at her in disbelief.

"I'm not worried about the Somage, Deke," I mutter, listening to his jaw try to unhinge as he stares at the deadly beauty stalking toward us with the sexiest strut I've ever seen. "I'm worried about my girl."

I step out onto the balcony of the stilted house, and I stare down at the precious gem the world fears. Dice stumbles backwards, drenched in horror, but Zee just tilts his head, seeming unafraid. His naivety is his saving grace because he doesn't understand the importance of the silver eyes she shows so boldly.

Now Dice—Dice is in trouble. I can smell his fear from here. She'll eat him alive. Not literally—hopefully.

Deke follows me out to the balcony, wisely not making a sound, as she lifts her hand to reveal her powerful symbol. The red and blue swirl around her palm, becoming a strong show of dominance when Zee's eyes glow blue, his fangs slip out, and he drops to his knees. Dice's eyes turn a glowing green and mix with swirls of red as he also drops to the ground.

Both mine and Deke's eyes change as our fangs slip free, exposing us, but we don't crumble. I suppose that means her symbol is strong, but it doesn't offer pain if you're far enough away.

"Fucking shit," Dice groans, gripping his side.

Her delight in his pain shows when she unveils a deadly, twisted grin, and then she flings her hand out, sliding Dice across the ground and slamming him into a tree before pinning him down with her fierce power.

Her symbol slinks back down into hiding, releasing our inner selves, but I keep my night stalker eyes in place of my green ones. I have to show her I'm not afraid of her—because I'm not.

Considering I fucking hate Dice, I don't know whether to cringe or gloat when she pushes out more power and flips him into the woods. His yelps of pain and shock echo through the trees, making me feel vindicated for choosing such an isolated home.

Her eyes turn to me, and her dirty vixen's grin sneaks up as she licks her lips. I don't hide my daring smile as I drop from the balcony, landing on my feet with a thud. I begin walking toward her as she moves to meet me.

"There you are," she murmurs in a seductive tone that makes me almost fall at her feet to worship her.

She's exuding succubus right now, and her eyes change from silver to mix green and red as proof. They're not mood-stone eyes—they're displays of power. How did I not see this sooner? Freya couldn't do that. Alyssa can truly encompass all the creatures, making her far more powerful than Freya ever was. She can learn to control it.

Her lips crush mine as her hands slide up to tangle in my hair. Damn, she tastes so good. I grip her under her ass and rip her up from the ground to wrap her legs around my waist. I want to be as close as possible right now.

She smiles behind the kiss, proving that's exactly what she wants as well.

"Tell me I'm yours," she breathes into my mouth, making my night stalker side roar with pleasure.

Fuck yes, you're mine. "You're mine," I murmur without hesitance, tasting the excitement in her mouth as she kisses me with more need, more desire.

I walk up the steps, blindly making my way back into the house to prove to her just how mine she is. I don't know the first thing about the creature goddess part of her, but I do know how she came back to reality last time.

She wasn't this far gone last time though. I may have to work a little harder. A twisted grin slips over my lips as my scandalous mind goes to work, and I feel her mimicking my smile when she tastes my need for her.