For Whom He Fights

By NaiKa Storm

Andronaisa needed a fresh start. Running from an abusive ex. Kurt appears to be an average detective; provided you don't know about his lycanthropy, who wants nothing more than to solve this murder case. In the town of Cheshire, their paths intertwine and both will learn a lot more than they bargained for. But what happens when Andronaisa's past literally comes knocking at the door? Can Kurt protect what's been his all along? Or will he lose his mate forever?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Crazy Ink
• Release date: Sep 10, 2021
• ISBN: 9798201193126

Book preview

Chapter One

Andronaisa and Stephane , per their usual Friday night routine, sat in Onyx, one of the best nightclubs in San Diego. Andronaisa was drinking her usual Amaretto Sour while Stephane sipped on a rum and Coke. The two friends made hanging out at Onyx their routine because even though they saw each other during the day, this gave them a chance to unwind and talk about things that were not work related. Like Michael.

Andy, Stephane started.

Andronaisa sighed. What do you want me to say, Stephane? Huh? I know what you want from me but it just doesn’t work like that.

Andy, are you seriously joking? How long has this been going on? Huh? And you give me the same bullshit answer every time.

Andronaisa laughed as she took another sip of her drink. That’s not true Stephane and you know it.

Yes, it is Andy. You just continue to refuse to see it. Stephane sighed and took a big gulp of his drink. I don’t want to be placing flowers at your grave. I don’t wanna have to talk in front of a bunch of people that barely knew you about how you were cheer captain in high school. You need to leave. Now. Because if you don’t? You’re done for.

You don’t get it, Stephane. You do not know how badly I want to just up and leave, but I can’t. I can’t. Not because I’m scared. I mean, yes, I am scared, but that’s not the reason I can’t leave. If I try to leave, if I even make the motions like I’m going to, he’s going to kill me.

No one said anything after that. The two friends finished their drinks and left, waving to Chris, one of the bouncers. It wasn’t until Andronaisa had climbed into her car that Stephane spoke again.

I know it's hard, Andy, but try. Please. You know you can stay with me. He doesn’t know where I live. Just come stay with me and I’ll help you figure things out.

Andronaisa smiled as she brushed the hair from her eyes. I promise I’ll try.

ANDRONAISA WAS NOT prepared for the fist that collided with her face as she entered the house. She gasped and covered her cheek.

Where the fuck have you been? Michael roared.

I... I was out with Stephane. It's Friday night. I told you that we go out for drinks every Friday night. She yelped when Michael struck her again. This time she stumbled.

What the fuck have you been doing for two fucking hours?!

Andronaisa blinked. Surely they haven’t been out that long. Have they? She swallowed. We were just talking. I guess I lost track of the time.

You ‘guess you lost track of the time’? Michael mimicked her. And I’m just supposed to sit here and believe you?

Andronaisa nodded. It’s the truth. I swear we weren’t doing anything but talking. You can even call and ask Chris.

Who the fuck is Chris?!

He’s the club bouncer. So he would be able to tell you what we did.

Michael narrowed his eyes. When are you going to stop with all the goddamn lies?!

Andronaisa blinked before she realized what he was getting at. She rolled her eyes. Seriously, Michael? When are you going to get it out of your damn head that I’m not cheating on you? Not with Stephane or anyone else. But the way you treat me, I might as well. That was the wrong thing to say. Andronaisa knew it as soon as the words left her mouth. But it was too late. She couldn’t take them back.

Michael, I... she started. She saw his eyes shift, and she immediately started backing up. I didn’t...

Michael was slowly removing the belt from his pants. You want to leave? Huh? Well, go on then. He gestured to the door.

Michael...

Go! No one’s stopping you, you ungrateful bitch.

Andronaisa swallowed. Was this a trick? It had to be. Right? Oh God, why hadn’t she listened to Stephane? Michael was going to kill her. She was sure of it.

Well? What are you waiting for?

Michael,  I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it. You know I didn’t mean it.

Do I? Michael snarled. He had pulled the last of the belt from his pants.

Andronaisa didn’t respond. She saw the belt in his hand and panicked. She was done for. There was literally nowhere she could run and not get hit. But if she stayed put, she would probably get hit as well. When Michael got in one of his moods like he was now, nothing she did was good.

NIGHT TIME WAS THE best time for Kurt. It allowed him to run around in his pelt and not get caught. It technically wouldn’t be a bad thing if he was caught. The town of Cheshire was known for its werewolves, but still, that didn’t mean Kurt wanted people to stare at him. He trotted over to where he and George had found the latest victim and inspected the scene. Incomparable to his human senses, the wolf’s senses were much stronger, which is why even hours later, he could still detect the smell of blood. The victim had a horribly bloody gash in her head. Whoever killed her attempted to make it look like it was blunt force trauma that ended her life. This kept up with the killer’s pattern. The first victim had been found in the same way. However, they found it wasn’t the blunt force trauma that killed the victim. According to the ME, while the first victim had been raped and brutalized, the second victim was not. Was the killer trying to throw them off? Or just was he experimenting with different forms of killing? Kurt wasn’t sure, but he was determined to find out. Watching Criminal Minds and all these other shows were quite helpful in having him try to figure this case out. While he enjoyed shows like Criminal Minds, he watched them purely for research.

After what felt like an hour, and finding nothing new, Kurt headed home for the night. Maybe what he needed was a good night’s sleep. He’d been pulling overtime since the first murder. In the meantime, he needed to get home. His mother had been alone all day, something he clearly didn’t really like, but she refused to get someone to stay with her.

Kurt walked in and spotted her dozing on the couch in front of the news. Hey Ma, Kurt said, bending to kiss her cheek.

Oh, Kurt! Mom sat up, placing a hand on her chest. You scared me! You go running with Will and Gary?

No. I was busy with work. Kurt shook his head as he plopped next to her on the seat.

Oh, that's right. There’s been another murder. They just announced it on the news. She gestured to the television. Did you eat? I made some food and left it on the stove.

Kurt smiled and nodded. I did. Thanks. How was your day? Did the nurse come?

Of course the nurse came today. She glared at her son. But it was fine. And then Wendy came by and we went walking along the reservoir. It was so nice. I actually can’t wait until I’m fully able to run again. You know how much I love running. She sighed.

Kurt knew. His mom always loved running. She was always organizing running parties, even if it wasn’t the full moon. And for her not to run was a devastating blow for her. Especially after her heart attack.

I’m sure one day you’ll be able to get back to it. I mean, of course exercise is important. That’s what your doctor said.

Yes, but too much exercise can kill me. That’s what he said too. He said I have to be careful in my runs. I’m no longer a young whippersnapper.

Ma! Kurt snorted. No one uses that word anymore! You really are old! he teased.

Not too old to swat your behind! Now go away, the news just came on.

Kurt laughed again. Ma, the news has been on. It's almost over.

Well, go away so I can finish it.

Kurt just shook his head as he headed to the kitchen and began to put away the food. He made a note to take it for lunch tomorrow. He felt as if this case was going to be one of his hardest to solve. Two murders in three days, but no connection between the victims. As he headed upstairs, he kissed his mother’s cheek. He knew she would fall asleep in front of the television again. But unfortunately, that was the least of his worries for now. He had a case to try to solve.

Chapter Two

A ndy? Andy, can you hear me?

Who was calling her? Of course she could hear them. Were they here to lead her to the afterlife? Where was the white light? All she saw was darkness. But she was dead, right?

Come on, Andy, I know you don’t want to, but I need your eyes open. I need to see those beautiful brown eyes. Let me see your eyes,  Andy.

She opened her eyes. Or so she thought, and that's when she spotted the white light. It seemed like everything was bathed in light.

Stephane?

Stephane laughed, Oh thank god, you really had me worried.

I’m not dead? Andronaisa asked as she started to sit up, but Stephane held her down. "Where am I?

No, and I’m glad you aren't. But I swear, I thought you were. I thought Michael had finally killed you. As for where you are, you’re in the hospital.

Andronaisa squinted and looked around at her surroundings. Yup, she was in the hospital. So that was what the white light was. But what happened, and where was Michael?

Where’s Michael? I don’t understand? What happened?

Stephane shook his head. Andy, what the hell do you think happened? Do you know what today is?

Andronaisa furrowed her brow in thought before shaking her head. Stephane sighed. It’s Monday. In the afternoon. I didn’t hear from you all weekend and when you didn’t show up for work this morning, I knew something was wrong. So I came to see you on my break and that’s when I found you in the house. Michael was nowhere to be found but Andy... God I thought you were dead.

Well, I’m not, Andronaisa smiled. I’m fine.

Fine?! Stephane bellowed. "You call this fine!? Andronaisa Mikaela Davis! You are in the hospital! With broken bones! And bruises that cover nearly half of your