Moon Awaken: Moon Beast

By Mimi McRey

Detective Selene Prince meets and quickly falls in love with the man of her dreams. But Ashen Marrok didn’t happen in her life by coincidence. He was sent to protect her. Selene has dark forces hunting her because of secrets she knows nothing about. Her life is turned upside down when she is faced with learning about her clandestine past, which includes her becoming heir to a throne of magical beasts. Ashen must fight to protect her and her identity when she gets caught up in a dangerous fight with the vampires that hunt her.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Jan 4, 2017
• ISBN: 9781524562922

Mimi McRey

Mimi lives in Virginia with her family, six dogs, and pig. She loves animals, being with her friends and family, and of course writing. She’s a rescuer of dogs and does charitable work whenever possible.

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

Freeze, police! Detective Jaxon Paris yelled at the perp. The scumbag stopped and turned around giving a look that no cop wants. His eyes poured out for escape at any cost. He reached for his gun. Don’t even think about it! Jax yelled. Suddenly, a shot echoed through the alley way and the man dropped to the ground reeling in pain. Jax felt his chest to make sure he wasn’t shot. Thank God, there were no bullet holes in his chest. He exhaled. Then he looked up seeing his partner hand cuffing the perp.

Thanks partner. Thought I’s a dead man. He ran over to her. Detective Selene Prince pulled the suspect to his feet, …anything you say can and will be used against you in the court of law. Do you understand your rights? she rattled off.

You bitch, you shot me! he snapped. Selene looked at him and smirked, It’s a flesh wound on your thigh. Calm down. Jax grabbed the guys arm, Memo to self…don’t reach for a gun when the police say, ‘freeze’. They escorted him to the squad car.

When they rolled up to the station, about a half hour later. Driving the perp around while he cussed them amused them both. They walked him in to the jail as he continued to cuss and threatened them. Selene walked to her desk while Jax put him in the holding cell, not being easy with the trash either.

Captain Gordon emerged from his office with a cigar sticking from his mouth. He trekked to Selene’s desk, Did you get his wound checked out?

Nope. She answered rolling a sucker around in her mouth. The Captain rolled his eyes, Good. Question him and get him out of here. Your witness is in the interrogation room. Make it fast. You’re still on my clock. She nodded and started over that way.

Shooter Petrucci came out of the bathroom zipping his pants. The Italian stallion was known for getting his way with the women. Every woman except for Selene. He was built nice and had helluva suave way about him but it wasn’t working on her. Not by a long shot. His black shirt was tight and ready to pop a seams. His khakis were the same way. He spotted Selene and made a beeline for her. Shooter flexed his muscles and stopped her, I can be attchya house by ten. Thick New York accent with a hint of Italian from living with his parents too long rolled from his thin lips as he looked down at her.

For what? Selene stopped with an I-really-don’t-have-time-for-this glare.

For our date. He smirked. Selene wanted to be nice but she didn’t have time for his cocky ass. She tried to take her time to think about what she wanted to say but instead, she rolled her eyes.

Shooter, please. Not now. Not ever. She pushed by him and walked into the interrogation room. He watched her ass sway perfectly as she walked off. Jax clapped his hand on Shooter’s broad shoulder. Never gonna happen. Shooter sneered, She just hasn’t been worn down enough.

Lilith Nyx, the Assistant District Attorney, waited in the corner with her pixie cropped black hair, black rimmed glasses, and trademark black skirt with pale pink blouse. Her heels were black stilettoes and her features were just as sharp. Green cat like eyes peered over her squared frames and a pointed nose over her thin lips gave the impression of a prude hard ass. No one knew she was hiding sleeved out inked arms under the blouse. Her nipples were both pierced and her belly button was too. No one but Jax and Selene knew what Lili was like outside of work.

Lilith swayed across the room smiling a calming smile to the haggard witness. Tammy, this is Detective Selene Prince.

How are you holding up? Selene smiled shutting the door and walking to the table. The woman waiting on her was a fair haired junkie with bruises on her face and dried blood on her shirt. She swallowed hard and looked up at Selene with wet, red eyes, How do ya think?

Ok, Tammy…..it’s nice to meet you. I know this is hard but, I want you to know that you’re very brave.

Tammy’s smart ass expression lightened up some. She drew in some air, I knew something was going on but I didn’t know how serious it was. Tammy cried in to her hands. Selene pat her arm taking a seat next to her, Just tell me what happened today when we were called.

Lili paced around the room, her arms crossed over her chest. She listened to everything Tammy was saying, quiet and observant. Maybe a little too relaxed, almost as if she knew she wasn’t being truthful with her confessions.

Tammy wiped her face, He came home late last night and he was covered in blood. She cried again. Selene started writing down some things, Go ahead.

He told me that he killed that….little girl. He said he…..raped her several times… then killed her. This morning when I got up he was on the phone with someone…. and I heard him telling them that she was easier than the little boy a few weeks ago. I screamed…and started hitting him and telling him he was a monster! she wiped her face hard, Then he started beating me. He said if I told anyone he would kill me and…. She stopped to calm herself down. Selene rested her chin on her fist, Tammy, you’re doing great. I know this is hard. Lili walked to the corner and peered at the two way mirror as if she knew there were onlookers, Yes, Tammy. You’re doing fantastic. We have enough to put this creep away for a very long time.

He raped me. I’ve been with him for seven years! She dropped her head. Tammy, you did nothing wrong. You survived this and you’re going to put that monster away. You’re so strong. She massaged Tammy’s hand, Can you write all this down and sign it for me? Then I’ll call you a ride and get you somewhere safe tonight. Tammy nodded, I guess. She shook as she took the pen.

Do you want me to drive you to the hospital?

No, my mother’s coming to get me. Lili winked at Selene, I’ll make sure she gets somewhere safe. Selene nodded and left the room.

Selene got up and walked to her desk grabbing her files from a stack on the corner. She flipped open the first file and looked at a picture of a seven year old little girl, Kalie Jacobson. Then she looked at the other file. It was ten year old Austin McGillis….both were the kids she and Jax had been looking for the last three weeks. She threw the files down on the desk and bee lined to the bathroom. She stormed through the door leaning over the sink as tears trailed her face. She turned on the cold water, cupped her hands catching the cold water in them. She threw the water on her face. Her heart was breaking for these little souls. The fear they must have felt. She stood up and looked at herself in the mirror. Jax was standing behind her leaned against the stall. His arms crossed over his chest with a sympathetic stare. She jumped and turned to him.

You ok? he asked standing up straight. She took a deep breath, I can’t believe he killed them. Jaxon’s body moved closer to her as he watched the tears build in her eyes again, he grabbed her in a bear hug.

I just need a minute. She sniffled pulling away from him. Jaxon nodded and stepped outside the bathroom door to wait for her. After a few minutes she emerged, red faced. They walked back to their desks silently. Captain Gordon walked over and leaned against her filing cabinet, A.D.A. Nyx is charging him with two counts first degree murder, two counts of kidnapping, rape, and negligence of a corpse. There’s no way this creep will ever see the light of day again. You did a great job getting Tammy to speak. Go home. Get some rest. Have some fun on a Friday night. He pat her on the back with one swift pop and walked away. She looked over at Jax. He smiled, I’ll get the reports filed and see you in a little bit. She grabbed her coat and bolted. She needed away from the precinct today.

Selene walked in the door and through the little book store that sat under her apartment. She walked over to the counter and leaned through a doorway to the left popping her head in the office, Bobo, are you here?

Yep, Miss Selene, I’m back here. She heard the old man’s Southern voice from the side room. Selene moseyed through the shelves looking to see if there were any new books she had to have. She was a total Patricia Cornwell fanatic, and was in the process of coping without a new one. She loved books. Everything about them. Getting lost in the pages. Smelling the age on the paper. She sniffed the air that tickled her nose with the scents of musty and new books alike. Sometimes he would hide her favorites from her so that she wouldn’t read them all up in the weekend.

Bobo rounded the corner with a stack of books in his hands. Blue, green, and brown bindings lined his arms, Your book came today. He held it up. Selene ran over to him taking it then she hugged him, Oh, thank you. I finished my last one a few days ago and have been going crazy! Real life crime is killing me. she giggled. Bobo pushed his glasses back up his long nose and nodded, I figured. It would help if you didn’t read them in two days.

Selene’s furry-four legged companion ran out to her greet her. Ki was a huge, hundred pound Gray wolf. He appeared to be a scary story book predator but in fact was a giant chicken. With a long body coated with silver fur, a white muzzle and deep dark almond eyes. He loved sitting in her lap, eating orange yogurt, and sleeping with a blanket in his mouth. She grabbed him around the neck, hugging him and kissing his slender nose, Hey my big guy. How are you, my sweet Ki? She stood up and looked back to Bobo, Thank you for letting him hang out today.

Ki’s my buddy. I don’t know what I’d do without ’em here. Bobo smiled, stacking some books on the counter. She leaned against a small shelf and crossed her legs, Is anyone calling about the apartment?

She referred to the apartment above hers that Bobo had been trying to rent out for the last two months.

Nope. A one bed bedroom should have been fairly easy to get rid of I have dropped the price twice.

I don’t need a two bedroom if you want me to move up stairs and you can rent out mine.

That’s awfully nice of you but I want you to be comfortable. You’re fine where ya are. It’ll rent when it’s supposed to.

She looked down at her watch, I’m going to be late. I’m meeting Jax for dinner at Newman’s, wanna come?

No, I’m eating some left overs and turnin’ in early. Watchin’ the new forensic show tonight. He grinned. She pushed to her feet and patted her leg, Come on Ki. Let’s go upstairs and get out of these clothes. She stepped into the elevator from the inside of the building and waited for the wolf to join her, See you in a few minutes. I have to change. The door closed and took her to the second floor.

The apartment was in was an older building but after Bobo bought it five years ago, he had been doing a lot of remodeling. It was three stories; the bottom level was of course the book store. Bobo’s apartment was in the back of shop. It was more of a kitchen, and another room holding a couch and his bedroom suite. Then he had a petition dividing his living space with his office and the front of the space led to the store.

Selene’s apartment was the entire second floor with an exception of a hallway holding the elevator at one end and the other end was an emergency fire escape leading downstairs. Above her was the one bedroom.

Her little piece of heaven was two bedroom, two bathroom, a huge living room, nice open kitchen with a bar, and two balconies. One balcony pushed out of her living room and the other from her bedroom. This was all in a nice part of the city. Overlooking the bay on one side and only about twenty minutes from Times Square. Bobo had repainted the entire building tan with white trimming. The floor was replaced with nice, shiny, lightly colored hardwood. Across the street was a little pub called Newman’s. It was her, Lili, and Jaxon’s home away from home.

Selene stepped out of the elevator and walked through the little entry hall to her door. Ki burst in when she unlocked it. She walked in leaning on the door as it fell backwards. Kicking off her pumps and pulling her white blouse from her black capris, she zombie walked to her bedroom and threw her clothes in the hamper.

Selene was done with day as she pulled out a pair of flannel pants and a wife beater then slid on a pair of black flats. Aww relaxation. She went in to the kitchen and fixed Ki some food, set it down, then poured herself some Merlot in a long stem glass. Then she pulled her long, black hair down from a French twist and ran her fingers through it. The phone buzzed on the counter. Holding a hair tie in her mouth she reached out and hit talk.

Hello diva, how are ya? Lili’s voice came on before Selene got the phone to her ear. Hey, Lil, I’m good. Just had to get outta there. They had worked side by side for the past two years since Lili joined the team. She was a hard ass and though she didn’t let cases bother like they did Selene, she fought hard to get the bad guys off the streets. Lili’s parents had gotten killed in a home evasion gone badly when she was twelve and she lived with her overly neurotic aunt until she was seventeen. She finally moved into a little apartment in the Bronx until she got into law school.

I’m finishing up some work and I’ll drive by, oh wait, I have to go to the gym. I missed the last four years. Lili warned her. Selene laughed, Ok. We’ll be at Newman’s. And you don’t have to go to the gym today, you’re a tooth pick.

Ha! I have to work hard to keep this body. Remember I paid ten grand for these tits, and a shit ton more than that on lipo in my legs and stomach. Not all of us can be blessed like you, Sel. Selene laughed, Well, I’m eating fried pickles and cheese sticks while you work out. I’ll talk to you soon. Love you. Lili giggled Love you, you skinny bitch. Lili hung up and Selene’s screen lit up again. Geez. She hit the screen to see Jaxon texting her. He was on his way. She stuck her phone in her purse and left the apartment.

Bobo was standing at the front door waving to a customer.

Have a good night, Miss Selene. He held the door open for her. Selene kissed his cheek as she left towards Newman’s, See you in a little bit. She crossed the side street. As she walked in the waitress, Betty waved, Sit where you want. I’ll be over in a second. Her blonde frizzy hair wrapped in a bandana.

Selene strolled through to the back of the pub and took a seat in her favorite booth. The door opened a second later and Jax walked through. He was handsome, with sandy hair a little on the messy side, a nice smile that reached his emerald eyes. He was well dressed and always smelled like a million bucks. He was crazy about his wife and was completely devoted to her. He may have had the hots for Selene but he would have never acted on it while with his wife.

Lola, his stunning spouse, was a doctor in the E.R. She worked long hours, mostly third shifts. So at night Jax would come hang out with Selene, Lili, and Ki. Most of the team’s nights were spent right here in Newman’s Pub with Betty and Nadine, the waitresses.

Jax walked over and kissed her cheek, You been waiting long?

No, I just got here. I had to feed Ki and change. She told him stretching her arms up.

What can I get you? Nadine asked walking to the table.

I want a salad with French and Blue Cheese on the side and some fried pickles. Selene ordered, With a glass of wine, Lili’ll be here soon. Get her a scotch.

Jaxon looked at Nadine for a second, I think I want the porterhouse, bake potato with just butter, and a salad with Ranch. Nadine nodded and turned around to go to the kitchen. She looked over her shoulder, Jax, you wanna Bud Lite?

Yeah. He smiled. Then he looked at Selene. She was looking out the window with her long arms crossed in front of her. What are you thinking about?

I was thinking about life.

Wow, that could get scary. He laughed at himself.

I love being a cop, I love having you as a partner. I have a wonderful apartment. I have you, Lili, and Bobo and Ki….I just feel…. She stopped thinking of what her heart wanted to say. Jaxon smirked, You want answers. A family. A man?

Yeah, I know I work a lot and don’t have a lot of time to be in a relationship but sometimes after a day like today, I would like to sip on a glass of wine and watch a movie with someone. Or at least be in the room with him as he did something else and I read. Just lonely.

So, it’s more of having a man?

No. Well maybe a little. I want someone to have Thanksgiving with. Christmas…. Sex.

I know lots of men that would do that. But you’re picky. There are ten guys at work that I know would give their left ball to be with you. What the hell are you looking for?

I want someone who likes to cook, because I can’t. I want them to be romantic, funny, charming, and responsible but likes to have fun…like we do. Drink a glass of wine with me while I read and he tinkers on something. Someone to cuddle with but not overly obsessed with being with only me. I like clean cut, dark haired, white collared man.

Hey, I’m married. I’ve told you this before. Jax joked. She smiled, I don’t know what I want…I have a long checklist. But he has to be perfect. Glen was good in some things but not perfect.

Glen was a douche. Look, you’re going to have get out more and look around. You can’t meet anyone making plans to meet me all the time. We work together all day long then we meet for dinner and drinks every night. Don’t you get sick of me? Jaxon leaned back as Nadine slid their drinks on to the table and left again. No, you, Bobo, and Lil are the only people that I don’t get sick of. And Glen was not a douche She curled her lips inward as if she was going to lose it. Lili walked in pulling her sunglasses off her face, Glen was a double douche. She laughed as she scooted in next to Selene.

Jax concurred, He was a stick in the mud. No personality at all. Had it not been for him being an attorney and bought all our drinks and food when we all went out, I would’ve told you to get rid of him way before you did.

I liked having him over on the weekends. I didn’t feel lonely…. her voice cracked and her head dropped. Jax wanted to switch up the conversation so she didn’t cry about her ex-douche bag that only wanted her when he wanted arm candy, thought only of himself, and tried controlling who she was friends with.

Forensics called about the Davis case. He matched the finger prints but not the DNA. Lili intercepted the conversation. She perked up. So he didn’t rape her but he was there? she smiled. Perfect. Now they could nail this sonofabitch that kidnapped and tortured a teen girl a few weeks ago. The girl escaped and identified him but he had alibies that were being difficult. She brainstormed for a minute but Jax pulled her from that and pushed her glass over to her. Nadine came back and sat the food down.

She was still upset about not having a companion to share things with. Make memories with. Or even a memory of her own would be nice at this point. When she was fifteen she was found on the street badly beaten and covered in blood. She was starving and dirty with no memory whatsoever to where she had been, who she was, or even how old she was. It was determined that she had been badly abused, both sexually and physically. But she couldn’t remember it, thank God.

She got to the hospital and taken in by the physician who had cared for her. Her name was Dr. Polly Prince. She named her Selene instead of calling her Jane Doe 356. Polly brought Selene home to adopt. Loved and cared for her and got her into the best of schools. When she was seventeen, Polly took her to enroll in college for the summer after graduation, she wanted Selene to follow in her foot steps and become a doctor. Selene found love and support finally with Polly.

One night Polly was killed by a stray bullet in a shoot-out amongst local gang members. Selene was devastated. Again, she had no one to love her. No one to love. Nowhere to go. She changed her classes in college to become a crime fighter and then worked as a waitress to put herself through school. She was finally able to get her Bachelor’s in criminal justice. She landed in the NYPD within a few months. She moved into her apartment right as Bobo was buying the building. She was promoted to detective a year later, became paired with Jax as her partner, and they became fast friends. Every guy on the force was in love with her. She blew them all off as nicely as possible and managed to get them all to still be nice to her. Jax thought she was pretty but he fell in love with her sweet nature and good sense of humor. Even though she was easily the most gorgeous girl he’d ever seen in real life, she was not arrogant or self-centered in any way.

And Selene had every reason to be that way, she was tall and exotic. She was built like a swimsuit model. Legs that lasted forever, small waist, svelte tummy, rounded ass, and the perfect sized breasts. A large C at least. She had gorgeous black hair that flowed down to her waist line, it was naturally filled with huge curls that dangled from the bottom just over her ass. Her blue eyes were a storm swept ocean….dangerous and alluring. With thick, pouty lips, high cheek bones, and a flawless smile.

Indeed a beauty queen, but hey, just because you’re on a diet doesn’t mean you can’t look at the menu. Jax often read over the menu too.

Selene smiled, Thanks for being such good friends. Lili grabbed Sel’s hand and squeezed.

You’re welcome little buddy. I enjoy hanging out with you. Besides, you’re hot and I look good walking next to you. Jax chuckled. She laughed rolling her eyes.

After dinner, they had a few drinks and she was ready to turn in early. Lili hung up her cell, Wow, remember that guy from the bar I told you about, the tall dark hair? He just text and wants to meet for drinks. Wanna come? Selene gave a tight lipped smiled, Naw, I think I’m gonna read some tonight.

Lili laughed, Sel, you’re never gonna meet a man reading. Get out. Let’s dance. Selene bowed her head in shame, I know I’m boring. I just want to chill tonight. I have to be up early for work.

So do I, Lili stood up and kissed Jax’s cheek, But YOLO! She leaned over and kissed Sel’s forehead, Call ya tonight if I get any. She pranced off. Jax smirked, I bet she’s a wolf in the sheets.

Tonight was perfect for reading on the balcony with Ki. Sel walked across the street walking into the foyer of the bookstore that was always open so she could use the elevator. She got in waiting patiently to her floor. Then she stepped out and went to her door. She could hear Ki wagging his tail so hard it was beating between the wall and the counter. He knew what day it was. Veg out and relax. Ki loved watching the streets from the balcony as she read and tossed pieces of beef jerky down for him to snack on. She walked in and smiled at him, Hey big guy! she locked up the door and grabbed the book on the counter. She couldn’t wait to get in to the new Patricia Cornwell. She slipped off her shoes and took an afghan from the couch. They walked out to the balcony and sat down in a small silver chair that leaned against the railing. She covered her legs with the afghan, set back, and opened the book. Ki curled up on a small blanket at the ledge overlooking the people below.

CHAPTER 2

Rain beat down on the coast line of Oregon. The blackness was only lit up every few minutes with the lightning flashes from above. Ashen pulled his mighty sword from his waist and stuck the thing straight into a dracule’s hollow chest. The creature screamed as pale green pus oozed from its wound. The smell of rotting bodies filled the air. The night was pitch black but he knew there were more of these things waiting for him. Lingering in shadows.

Lobo rushed into the clearing listening to the sounds of the vile creatures coming in for an ambush.

Ash, are you ok? he called out. Ashen pulled his sword from the dead again body. He kicked the corpse away from him, Yes, but beware brother, there’re more out here. He answered rubbing his massive forearm across his face to wipe the pus that hit cheek. He turned to the sound of Lobo’s voice. Lobo pulled his flashlight out of his belt and pointed the pyramid of light at the tree line. Dozens of eyes flickered back at them.

Fuck. I’m too hung over to for this shit. Lobo sighed rolling his toothpick around in his mouth and running his rugged hand through his dreadlocks to pull them into ponytail. Ashen stepped back, Well, there goes the peaceful night, dammit.

Were you boys trying to hog all the fun? They heard the voice of Harvest standing a few feet behind them. Eclipse walked around from the left side shoving a dracule’s body from his own sword, You weren’t even gonna invite us, were you? He joked. Ashen smirked and looked back at the creatures in the dark. He threw his sword down in the dirt, the blade piercing the earth, I knew you’d come around when you heard the party. Then his head jolted back and the sounds of bones cracking and breaking broke the silence of the night. His men followed as he did, summoning the moon to transform them. They turned to wolves on all fours. Bigger than the wild wolves that had come to help their human brethren. Their bodies were the sizes of grizzly bears. All black as night except for Ashen. He was pure white.

The large white wolf’s head lowered as he sized up the tree line. The wild pack of wolves that stayed in the forest, called the Timber Pack, hurried to join in. With a fierce growl the white wolf dug into the soft, wet ground charging the bony, soulless creatures.

The battle lasted a mere twenty minutes. Afterwards, the huge white wolf lifted his bloody and pus soaked head, shaking the rain from his fur. His wild eyes scoping the mountain side for anymore Dracules. Then he howled into the night as the light rain fell. The other wolves lifted their head from the mangled bodies that remained. Ashen stood up to take form as a human. He reached down and took his sword from the ground as he stomped passed it, sliding it down into the sheath. He got to his brothers standing up from all fours.

Let us keep this night to ourselves. I do not want to worry the Alpha. He told his men in his light Icelandic accent. The men nodded wiping their faces clean as they fell into synchronized steps with each other leaving the bodies for the sun to take care of upon its rising.

The next morning, Luna sat on the cliff side overlooking the beautiful, serene ocean. She sipped her coffee with a distant look in her eyes. Her Omegas sat just in front of her on a blanket, they ate fruit and giggled about the Guardians and Half-Moons. Autumn turned to the Alpha pulling her auburn hair up in a ponytail, Alpha Luna?

Luna looked down at the three young girls from her elusive stare. They were all looking up at her wide eyed and innocent.

Nite and Tala both had short, light brown hair with fair skin, and dark eyes. They were all very sweet; between nineteen to twenty two years old, and never left the side of their queen. Autumn was a little older, with auburn hair and light eyes, very pretty. She was Luna’s right hand. Luna depended on all of them to keep her company, keep her young, and mostly help her keep the Den in running order. She realized they were asking a question and shook her head, I’m sorry what?

Nite smiled, Do you want to go horseback riding this evening after dinner? she asked in her slight Nordic accent.

Luna nodded, Yes, that’d be wonderful. We can take them on to the beach and ride in the surf. The girls giggled and turned as Ashen, Silver, and the Half-Moons ran by shirtless, sweaty, and extremely beautiful. Luna shook her head and smiled. She stood up adjusting her black slacks and thin sweater, Come on girls….go get the boys some water and towels.

The girls jumped up and ran to the training facility. Luna turned to her Den, it was a gorgeous mansion built within a rocky mountain that hovered fifty feet above the beaches