Fire in The Moon: The Bound Series

By JF Holland

The Bound Series, heated shifter serial romance.

These books are not standalone, each one starts where the previous book ended.

 

Balin Matthews has found his mate Lana Rawlings. Unfortunately, due to her past and their unfortunate meeting in a lap bar, Lana is not best pleased with the mate fate has sent her.

Lara, Lana's mother is back from the dead and against the pairing - so Balin is going to have to work extra hard to win over not just his mate, but also his future mother-in-law. A situation not helped when he has a Nymph, stalking, and determined to seduce him.

 

Things turn deadly when Maisie the black witch ups the stakes. Still pulling Davion, Lana's father's strings she hatches a plot to kidnap Balin to use as a bargaining chip.

 

Can Jaden and the other immortals reach him in time?

 

Or will there be fire in the moon when the Phoenix let loose their inner talents?

 

Contains profanity, humour, gore and scenes only suitable for a mature audience.

 

• Language: English
• Publisher: JF Holland
• Release date: Jun 29, 2017
• ISBN: 9781386840336

Book preview

Also by JF Holland

Contemporary Romance

Dennison Property Story Series:

The Only One 

This Time 

Second Chance 

Full Circle (coming 2017)

Single Titles

Blue Christmas

Date Night (coming 2017)

Paranormal Romance

The Bound Series:

Moon Sworn June

Bound by The Moon

Fire in the Moon

Light up The Moon (coming 2017)

Eternal Mates (The Bound Series Spin off)

Immortal Flame (coming 2017)

Acknowledgements

I’d like to thank my children who have once again been patient while I've finished yet another story that took over my mind. I love them more than life, and it means the world to me that they understand that some things I just must do. Thanks’ guys.

I'd also like to thank Breda Cleary who gave me invaluable advice on Wiccan spells and incantations.

And my very good friends from 'The Sexy Team' you know who you are ladies. You’re always around as sounding boards and cheer leaders, love you guys.

The Bound Series is set in a fictitious countryside town in the UK. The series was born after reading dozens of articles over the years covering various big cat sightings in fields, towns and other places around the UK- a country not indigenous to big cats.

Dedication

I’d like to dedicate Fire in the Moon to the tagging queen, one of my readers. A thoroughly lovely lady, and a lover of Jaden and the Shifters.

Unfortunately, she left us unexpectedly for her own great journey far too soon. She never got to read the rest of the series, so I’m hoping as you look down on us you can see this.

May your wings give you the ability for the freedom not afforded you in life.  Fly free my friend, you will be greatly missed by the writing community.

Introduction to the series

Welcome to lower Lunaton, on the border of Lunaton woods.  The little British countryside town where the crop circle on the way in gives you heed; the inhabitants may not be what they seem.

By the dark of night. It is not only the moon that comes out to play.

There's many a creature living alongside you, so expect the unexpected.  Growls, howls, the patter of paws, the beating of wings or maybe a conversation with a little more bite than bark.

A place of magic… or is that just a myth?

There is always something going on in the little town, and sometimes it's not so friendly.

When the moon is high, and the day is over, stay out of the woods. Just a gentle warning, as you don't want to disturb the locals at play or you could get more than you bargained for?

Pull up a chair and rest your feet, you may be here a while. After all, most have been here more than a lifetime…

Well, a human one anyway.

Words the Shifter Males are taught from birth

By the light of the third full moon of the year, man that goes from two legs to four will feel the pull when his mate is born, the other half to his soul. Patience must you show, for twenty-one-years shall pass before she feels the pull of the binding, when at that time on her your mark shall appear. The other half to your own, thus making the mark, and you, whole.

During this time, around her you must not unleash the beast within, for she may not know of your kind. Although you should hasten, be warned, only five-years shall you have to locate and bind her to you.  If you fail to have your union sworn over by the last full moon at the end of the fifth-year, your lifespan shall then be that of your beast where you will permanently become the animal that you take form. From then on, the remainder of that beasts life you will walk on four legs ever more.  Forever to be alone.

Table of Contents

Also by JF Holland      iii

Acknowledgements      v

Dedication      vii

Introduction to the series      ix

Words the Shifter Males are taught from birth      xi

Table of Contents      xii

Fire in the Moon      xiv

Chapter One      1

Chapter Two      28

Chapter Three      31

Chapter Four      38

Chapter Five      43

Chapter Six      54

Chapter Seven      63

Chapter Eight      68

Chapter Nine      79

Chapter Ten      97

Chapter Eleven      103

Chapter Twelve      109

Chapter Thirteen      119

Chapter Fourteen      129

Chapter Fifteen      136

Chapter Sixteen      143

Chapter Seventeen      150

Chapter Eighteen      165

Chapter Nineteen      174

Chapter Twenty      183

Chapter Twenty-One      188

Chapter Twenty-Two      192

Chapter Twenty-Three      201

Chapter Twenty-Four      216

Chapter Twenty-Five      221

Runic Magic in History      232

About the author      233

Special note      234

Message from the Author      235

I also write Contemporary Romance      237

Second Chance, Chapter One      238

Fire in the Moon

The Bound Series

Book 3

Chapter One

B

alin stood looking around the club with interest as Jaden went to the bar - Maya in tow. Edgar Linley was helping them out tonight as Sam had stayed home with Helena. He didn't want Maya, Lana, and Helena all in the same place - he was concerned about safety; not that anyone blamed him.

Edgar had gone to take a quick look around and Leonard was hovering in the background somewhere. Not an easy feat for a guy that seemed to attract women like flies around shit. What, with him having lilac eyes, an immaculate dress sense, and long thick, black hair that he tied at the back of his neck. Balin had even seen a couple of the men following his progress with lust in their eyes - never mind the women.       Vamps, the guys were chick magnets.

Luc was also walking around the perimeter of the club too -not that he had a clue where he was - due to how adept he was at blending into his surroundings. Another amazing achievement considering he was six feet four, had shoulders like a line backer, olive skin and eyes so dark a green they looked black. He was always stunned that more people didn't register his presence. It was as if he had some sort of shield to cover his whereabouts, and the wings.

I mean, how the hell did no one notice the wings?

He'd also not figured out what his and Leonards issues were, but they kind of steered clear of each other.

He was just about to try to locate Luc when the MC came on stage and announced the next act. The place went silent and dark. A complete hush fell over the place as a spotlight came on and swung around the stage, then froze - highlighting the dancing pole - centre stage.

Ladies and gentlemen, give a warm welcome to our main attraction, and the angel of karma, our very own kitten. The applause was deafening as a swarm of men began moving forwards, hovering around the front of the stage. The spotlight ran up the length of the pole until it hit the top. There it lit the body of a female as she undulated on the pole. Her long blonde hair trailing down her back, and stopping just short of her rounded arse. An arse that was barely covered with the skimpiest pair of leopard print panties that Balin had ever seen. He went instantly hard, and his eyes zeroed in on the figure as she slowly wound her way down the pole. Her movements sensuous and provocative, right up until the toes on her sky scraper lace-ups touched the stage floor, the laces of her fuck me shoes wrapped around her slim ankles, criss-crossing around her shapely calves. As soon as her foot touched the floor, she swung herself around the pole and did some sort of acrobatic somersault. She pulled herself back up, her legs wrapped around the pole and her back arched. The movement pushed her ample breasts nearly out of the tiny leopard print triangles, which seemed to be the only thing covering the round globes.

Balin growled low in his throat as she leaned further back, before her arms reached over her shoulders, long hair sweeping along the stage as she pushed off backwards, landing upright with her right hand on the pole. She hooked an ankle around it, using the momentum to pull herself back up again, and then pushed off as she got halfway up. She landed in a crouch, her arse in the air and her legs spread. Bending forward, she grabbed onto the pole once more, this time low down.

Spread those thighs, bend over and show me heaven sweet thing, a guy shouted over the music from the front. Balin heard her deep purr of laughter on stage, the sound setting his teeth on edge, and saw red. He began to make his way towards the stage, pushing through the crowd, top lip lifting, canines growing as his eyes began to glow. He moved up behind the guy shouting, grabbed onto his arm and swung him around to face him. The bigger guy's mouth dropped as he saw Balin's face and his muscles tensed.

I'll show you heaven big guy, Balin told him as he pulled his fist back, but it didn't connect. He snarled and turned to hit whoever was stopping him from decking the jerk who was ogling his mate.

Wow, cool it little brother, Jaden said. Apologising to the man as he disentangled his brother's hand from around his arm.

Excuse my brother. He hasn't yet taken his meds this evening, Jaden told the big man as he frowned down at him, just as Balin snarled again.

Did you hear him? he asked Jaden as the man shrugged and turned his attention back to the performance on stage.

What the hell has gotten into you? Jaden asked Balin as he pulled him out of hearing range - getting in his face.

We are meant to be meeting Lana here, we do not need to be drawing undo attention to ourselves.

That's Lana, Balin spat at Jaden, pointing towards the figure gyrating on stage. My fucking mate is cavorting half naked in front of a bunch of testosterone fuelled males - most of whom want to fuck her. What the hell is that about? he snarled swinging back towards the stage. He couldn’t see past the red haze, livid that she would appear so scantily clad on stage before all these idiots. He managed to take a step forward before Jaden stopped him again with a hand on his arm. Balin swung back ready to chew him a new one, when Jaden ran a hand over the back of his neck and sighed.

Shit Balin, I’m sorry, I am, but she's just dancing. No big deal, then coughed and looked away as Balin's brow rose.

Balin looked towards the woman gyrating around the pole, and then back towards his brother. He couldn’t believe he was trying to make light over what was happening before them. His temper rising further at the way he was trying to brush it off. He got in his brother’s face, wanting him to understand exactly what was going on here.

So I should be okay with this? Is that what you're saying? Okay, fine. How about we put Maya up there with her for all these fucking arseholes to ogle and leer over? Jaden growled, and showed him his canines.

Yeah, big guy. Now you're getting the fucking picture. That's exactly how I feel, Balin spat.

Now he was getting it.

It seemed he didn’t like the idea of Maya being up there flashing her wares, well neither did he. He was practically vibrating with anger - especially when it was combined with the way she was laughing and enjoying herself. As for the comments, well, so not good. He’d happily wade through the arseholes- drag her off the stage, smashing the place up as he went.

Fuck, Jaden sighed again, obviously reading his body language.

Yeah, most of them seem to want to, Balin groused angrily, nostrils flaring as he looked broodingly towards the stage. Then he threw his arms up in the air and turning on his heel headed in the direction of the bar.

He couldn’t deal with this, he couldn’t.

Where are you going? Jaden asked.

To get a fucking drink, I need it. Balin threw over his shoulder, once again scowling at the figure on stage.

Balin walked away from his brother. He was absolutely-livid. After all this time, he had in fact found his mate - just not in the way he'd envisioned. He wanted a mate, had looked forward to it even, but not this mate, and not this way. They had too much shit going on just now to deal with this too, he didn’t have the energy or inclination.

She was not what he’d expected.

He couldn't believe that she was on stage, basically naked and shaking her thing for all these perverts to ogle and fantasize over.

I mean, what the hell?

He'd tried talking to her, tried searching in his dreams. He’d tried even harder to link into her once he'd had a name, excitement over maybe finding 'the one'. Getting his hopes up after hearing that Lana was maybe his mate – and then finding out with that phone message that she was. I mean, it had come about way too easily, she had practically fallen into his lap already.

Unfortunately, she seemed to do that often, he thought sullenly.

After hearing her voice he'd thought, finally, his loneliness would be at an end. He'd then begun to weave fantasies over finding her. A beautiful woman with a kind giving nature, and a little fire, just like Maya - only Lana would be his, and not Jaden’s.

He snorted at the thought as he once again looked towards the stage. The blonde up there, his mate, was basically bent double backwards now, her long hair again trailing the floor. His hands balled into fists as he growled at the wolf whistles and crude innuendos thrown her way. He could not deal with this, a drink was most definitely needed.

Maybe getting rat-arsed, fall-down drunk would help.

Quickening his pace, he headed directly for the bar towards that stiff drink he now desperately needed.

"You should not be here." Came the husky female voice in Balin's head, the same voice he'd heard on that voice mail. The effect made him freeze mid-step, his eyes sliding closed as the hair on the back of his neck rose. Her voice touched him. Caressed his skin like running silk over his sensitised flesh. The same effect he'd gotten at hearing her on that voice mail to Maya. Everything about it was sensual to him - from tone, to the husky whisper she used. Then his anger resurfaced and his eyes snapped open.

"Oh, wow. Now you want to talk? Well, guess what, tough shit. I don't feel like talking to you at this particular moment." He mentally shouted back, giving her the birdie over his shoulder, and heard her suck in a breath.

"You're not what I expected," came the confused reply.

"Yeah, well that makes two of us, sweetheart. I wasn't expecting to come across my mate flashing her wares for all and sundry either. I guess life sucks big balls huh." And with that, he cut her off, slamming a lid down on their connection as he continued towards the bar, face like thunder.

Balin stormed over to the bar, he needed a drink - a stiff one, maybe several were in order.

Actually, he knew they were.

As he waited for the bartender, he once again looked over his shoulder towards the stage and growled. As he lifted the glass of straight scotch to his lips, he felt a tap on his shoulder. Looking to his left he spotted a red head, a very curvy redhead, in very little clothing. Her dress stopped mid-thigh and she had plenty of cleavage on show.

So, are you going to buy me a drink, she asked Balin with a sultry smile, glossy red lips parting as she stared at him.

Sure, what are you drinking? He could buy her a drink, maybe she’d take his mind off his other worries for a while. Well, until that bloody raunchy music stopped anyway.

I’ll take the same as you, but with ice. It’s a little warm in here, don’t you think?

Balin ordered another drink for himself, downing the one he presently had in his hand while he waited for their order. He turned his back on the red head trying to ignore her presence, thinking better of encouraging her. He may be pissed off with his mate, but she was still his mate. Unfortunately, the red head didn’t want to be ignored so moved closer to his side. Wanting away from her as he didn’t want the hassle, he was stopped as the bartender handed him their drinks. He had enough problems with his own female, he did not need another. However, just then, he heard more rowdy applause for what was happening on the stage.

Thank you.

My pleasure, he told the red head with a tight smile, not looking her way. He downed the next drink trying to block out the deafening noise from the crowd as he held his hand up for the bartender. Two fingers in the air - meaning he wanted a double this time.

Are we celebrating? the red head asked.

More… commiserating, Balin informed her, still not looking her way as he downed his next drink in two swallows. Again, he held two fingers up to the bartender.

Too bad, she told him sipping her drink. I feel like celebrating. Do you want to join me?

Balin could hear the roar of the men as the bass of the music pumped through the room. He was getting more and more wound up with the turn of events, readying to storm up there when the red head touched his arm.

You seem a little on edge, how about I cheer you up? He downed his next drink, finally looking to the red head - who was presently holding onto his bicep and purring. The effects of the alcohol hit his system hard and his vision wavered slightly. Unfortunately, his hearing was still just fine and the sound of the raucous crowd began grating on his nerves. His imagination working double time, wondering what Lana normally did at the end of one of her dances.

Or more likely, who she did after turning on the crowd.

The red head stroked down his arm with a fingertip and he had to lock down his muscles to stop himself from throwing off her touch.

Don’t be down. I bet I can get you to smile, she whispered into his ear standing on tiptoe. Again, he heard the crowd and Lana’s laughter and ground his teeth before answering her.

He’d play her game for now, it would pass some time.

And how would you do that?

You’d be amazed at what I’m capable of… given the right incentive, she murmured silkily with a bite of her lip.

Balin tried