Full Moon Rising (Riley Jenson Guardian 1)

Being drugged was better than being battered unconscious

Even so, I went down fighting

Talon would expect nothing less ded for the toilets and had a long, hot shower. It didn't do much to ease the aches of my body, but at least I felt cleaner. And the moon's heat no longer flicked through my veins. Misha had finally seen to that, if nothing else. Maybe he thought it would ensure I'd see him again

But if that had been his thinking, then he didn't know me very well at all. Though what did I really know of him? Or Talon?

At least my questions had been answered - whether truthfully or not still remained to be seen

But the night had achieved something else - it had solidified my determination never to become a guardian. Because guardians, whether male or female, often used sex to gather information, and being with Misha had given me a small taste of what that was like. I had no problems with having sex with someone I didn't know. I'd done that most of my life, in many different werewolf clubs, and enjoyed myself immensely. But having sex with a stranger for the sole purpose of gathering information almost smacked of prostitution, and that sat uncomfortably

Yet wasn't that exactly what I'd just done? Sure, I knew Misha, but did that really make a difference? The fact that I'd gone into the situation ready and willing to do what was necessary proved I was more like my brother - and more capable of undercover work - than I'd thought

And that was the most uncomfortable thought of all

I rubbed a hand across gritty-feeling eyes then glanced at the clock on the wall. It was just past two, and I really had to get moving. I stood under the hot water for a few more minutes, then toweled myself dry and got dressed. Stan and Jimmy gave me cheerful good-byes as I made my way back to the shadows of the lane

Quinn leaned against the car hood, his arms crossed, face impassive. "Are you okay?"

I shrugged. "I got the answers to everyone's questions."

"The answers can wait. You look like hell."

"Strange. That's exactly what I feel like." I stopped several feet away, wishing he'd take me in his arms and hold me. Just hold me. Nothing more - not right away, anyway. I simply needed the comfort of a touch that wasn't hard or rough or calculating

But he didn't move, and I didn't ask

"Misha knew Jack and Rhoan were breaking in to his office."

"That explains the unhappy vibes I've been getting from you."

Was it any wonder he was getting unhappy vibes? Both of my mates were apparently using me for their own ends and never once had I suspected them. So much for trusting my damn instincts

"Talon made an appearance at the club tonight," he continued

Alarm shot through me. "What?"

He nodded. "Went in about forty-five minutes ago and left about ten minutes later."

"Wonder why?" It made no sense, especially considering he'd seemed determined to kill me after he'd learned of my mixed heritage

"Maybe he's reconsidered."

"No." Talon rarely changed his mind about anything. If he'd come to the club, it would be for some reason other than wanting to conceive a child with me. "Did you try and stop him?"

"No, but I followed him in."

I hadn't sensed either of them. "What did he do?"

"Watched you and Misha."

"Misha implied that he and Talon had been partners in the past. Maybe they still are. Maybe Talon came into the club for that reason."

"And maybe realized that while he might not personally like your mixed heritage, you're still too good a morsel to pass up for research."

A chill ran through me. I had a feeling he'd hit the nail right on the head

Quinn studied me for a second, then wrapped his fingers around my arm and pulled me into his embrace. He didn't say anything, just held me, and it felt so good and warm, and so damn right, that I wanted to cry