Moonfall

By Ines Johnson

Falling in love is the sweetest revenge.

Certain that love and passion are fickle, Rhetta is content to settle for the sensible proposal of her mild-mannered boyfriend. Unfortunately, the rift between her fiancé and his estranged brother threatens their impending nuptials. When she agrees to reach out to her future brother-in-law, Rhetta has no idea he'll be her worst nightmare. The passionate, irrational alpha wolf isn’t interested in healing old wounds with his brother. He’s intent on taking a bite out of Rhetta.

Rory has wanted revenge since his brother caused the crippling injury that led his own fiancée to reject him. What better way to get payback than by seducing the bossy, managing woman his brother is set to marry? He’s certain such a prim and proper prude will be easy to get in his bed. What he doesn’t count on is the forbidden kiss that assures him she’s the true mate to his soul. Now Rory needs to convince Rhetta to do something wild--and choose him over his brother.

Each book in the Moonkind series is a standalone and can be enjoyed in any order.

Moonfall is the third in a paranormal romance series full of alpha men and the strong, capable women that bend them to their knees. If you like a touch of magic in your romance novels, then you’ll love the witches, fairies, and wolves in the dystopian world of the moonkind.

Buy Ines Johnson’s Moonfall today and find yourself caught in the moonglow of this paranormal romance filled with instalove gone hilariously wrong, overbearing families who’ll warm your heart, and the sensuous heat that only happens between fated mates.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Publishdrive
• Release date: Jan 16, 2022

Book preview

Chapter One

Rhetta picked up the saltshaker and wiped off the top. It bothered her that some of the crystals that had been exposed to the antiseptics and other various germs in the air fell back into the container. However, she knew she wasn’t going to add any salt to her meal. She pushed the condiment to the side to ensure that her companion wouldn’t either.

She picked up the peppershaker. It too had residue clinging to the holes at its top. She shoved it to the side as well.

Next in her line of sight were the napkins. The fold on her napkin was off. It was folded by the width, instead of the length. Everyone knew napkins were to be folded by the long side to allow for any residue to have a faster route to the seam. Honestly, did the staff of this establishment have no training?

Rhetta looked around the restaurant, wondering who was on duty tonight. Though this was one of her favorite restaurants, the service was not consistent. She knew if Sarah was working that everything would be in order. The condiment and napkin debacle told her that it had to be the woman’s night off. It was likely Lance who was in charge tonight.

From her spot in the corner of the restaurant, she spied Lance’s curly head bent over a table listening to another group of guests. His charming smile belied his lazy fingers. He scratched at his scalp and then proceeded to refill the diners’ water glasses with the flakes from his hair potentially falling into each person’s tumbler.

Rhetta grasped her stomach and turned away from the scene. She picked up her napkin and refolded the creases in the appropriate place. Then she picked up her companion’s linens and began the same process with his.

Rhetta? said Jordan.

Rhetta looked up into Jordan’s dark eyes. The light from the chandelier reflected off his glasses. He was being more fidgety than normal tonight.

She also noted that his hair had grown long. She needed to make sure to schedule an appointment with him at the barbershop. She’d be sure to check and see if Mel was on duty this Saturday. He cut Jordan’s hair the way she liked it.

Rhetta, Jordan began again. There’s something I want to talk to you about.

Yes, Jordan? Rhetta reached over and grabbed his fork. The tines were a hazy gray. She couldn’t see a shine on them. Lance was not getting any gratitude or gratuity tonight.

Rhetta looked up when she noted Jordan’s silence. He watched her scrub the silverware. His teeth toyed with his bottom lip, as though it was unsure whether to let the words out.

Rhetta set his silverware down along with the napkin that still needed to be refolded. Instead, she gave Jordan her full attention. She crossed her hands on the table, put her shoulders back, and looked up at his face.

While his face was acceptable, she wouldn’t necessarily call her companion handsome. Which was fine by her. Handsome was too much trouble.

Jordan was nice to look at. Nice for her to look at. She didn’t notice any other women in the place looking over at him. Which was perfect for her.

Yes, Jordan? she prompted when he remained silent.

Jordan’s teeth released his lip, but his mouth closed. He inhaled through his nose and held his breath.

Rhetta expected him to open his mouth to let out a gush of air. But instead, he kept his mouth closed, and the gush came out of his nose. The release sounded garbled. She wondered if he had a cold? She needed to make sure he saw Dr. Brown soon. It would not do for him to catch a cold and then pass it on to her. She had too much work to do.

In fact, they both had too much work to do now that she had come on as the resident dog trainer for his veterinary business. Rhetta had definite plans as to how she was going to make his business the best in the whole of Senora Valley. It would start with the reception area of his office which was done in beige wallpaper, a sandy brown sofa, and coffee-colored end tables.

Rhetta didn’t doubt that Jordan’s hovering mother had been behind the interior decorating. The woman hadn’t an ounce of taste. It had taken Rhetta months to get Jordan out of wearing striped shirts in favor of solid colors.

She looked again to Jordan. He seemed to have trouble forming words, which was typical. He wasn’t a man of many words, which didn’t bother her. She couldn’t abide an opinionated, loudmouth man who would dare try to tell her what to do. She got enough of that from her alpha wolf mother.

Jordan opened his mouth to speak. But then he closed it again when the waiter came up.

How are you doing this evening, Ms. Veracruz? Dr. Garcia? Lance smiled at them both, charm offensive on deck.

Rhetta glared up at him. Lance, we’ll need new silverware. These don’t look like they’ve come straight from the dishwasher.

Lance’s charming smile dipped at her steely tone. Yes ma’am, he said and then turned his back on her to face Jordan. What can I get for you and the lady this evening, Dr. Garcia?

Jordan blinked as he looked up at the man, seemingly caught off guard to have the question asked of him. I was thinking the steak—

Rhetta cleared her throat.

Jordan’s gaze found hers. Or perhaps, I’d rather … His forehead wrinkled and he squinted at Rhetta. The chicken?

Rhetta wrinkled her nose.

Jordan bit his lip. He studied her expression as though he were searching for a clue to his heart’s—or rather his stomach’s—desire. After thirty seconds, he gave up. What would you suggest, dear?

Why don’t you try the salmon and vegetables? suggested Rhetta. It’ll be easier on your stomach. And the flakiness of the meat doesn’t require the use of a steak knife, which will free you from needing more silverware.

Lance raised an eyebrow at Jordan. Jordan studiously avoided the other male’s gaze.

I’ll have the chicken salad with potatoes. Please make sure the potatoes are crisp and the chicken is cooked in olive oil, not vegetable oil. Rhetta took Jordan’s menu, placed it beneath hers, and handed them both to Lance. Are you writing this down, Lance?

Lance smiled at her, fake charm dripping off his lips. Got it all up here. He tapped his head with his finger before bowing and turning to head to the kitchen. As he walked away, Rhetta heard him mutter under his breath, but she couldn’t make out any of his words.

I suspect we will be getting a bit of a sneeze and cough with our meal, said Jordan as he watched Lance head back to the kitchens.

Rhetta frowned at her date. Whatever do you mean?

Jordan opened his mouth to explain but then appeared to think better of it. Instead, he fidgeted with the napkin she had just carefully refolded for him.

Ah, sighed Rhetta. I forgot to tell that dolt to get us new napkins as well.

Rhetta, Jordan began. There’s something I want to talk to you about. Actually, something I want to ask you.

Rhetta peered over Jordan’s shoulder, watching Lance as he wiped sweat from his brow, shake hands with old Mr. Kornacki, and then grab for the water pitcher once more. She decided then and there to forego the complimentary water. In fact, she had a mind to take Jordan by the arm and march them both out of there until Sarah came back and brought sanitation with her.

It’s just that … Well, I was thinking … We’ve been together for so long … and, I thought it was maybe, perhaps time that …

All of Rhetta’s attention snapped back to Jordan. She sat bolt straight. This was it. He was finally going to do it.

Well, go on, she said.

Jordan pulled at the collar of his crisp, plain, white shirt. He was wearing the tie she’d given him to celebrate their three-month anniversary. On that anniversary, he’d given her a bracelet. At their six-month anniversary, he’d given her matching earrings. All that was left was the ring.

Rhetta glanced at her watch. She’d known this was coming, but she hadn’t expected it until their nine-month anniversary. Jordan was actually ahead of schedule, which was a bit annoying.

Had she known he’d be proposing tonight, she wouldn’t have worn this particular dress. She definitely wouldn’t have chosen this restaurant. And Jordan would’ve looked much better in his blue blazer, for this moment, instead of the brown one he wore. Oh, well. She’d just have to manage it.

She knew Jordan was The One; the perfect one for her. He was the veterinarian to her dog whisperer. They were age-appropriate with him being just a few years younger, which was excellent since Rhetta knew firsthand about the old adage of old dogs and new tricks.

The saying didn’t apply so much for Rhetta with her skills. She’d tamed many a wild canine in her days. However, when it came to human males, it was tough to hold their attention from the time they could walk on two legs. With a wolf, you had no hope of holding their attention when they learned they had four legs.

But Jordan was not a wolf. Jordan was all-male. Well, he was technically half male and half wolf. But the wolf side of him had never manifested.

Rhetta’s family would never truck with her dating a full-blooded human. Jordan checked the mark of just enough wolf to be acceptable. She hoped. Her family hadn’t actually met him yet.

Rhetta always said