Prey: Stalker's Moon, #3

By Ellie Ferguson and Amanda S. Green

They say you can never go home. That's something CJ Reamer has long believed. So, when her father suddenly appears on her doorstep, demanding she return home to Montana to "do her duty", she has other plans. Montana hasn't been home for a long time, almost as long as Benjamin Franklin Reamer quit being her father. Dallas is now her home and it's where her heart is. The only problem is her father doesn't like taking "no" for an answer.

When her lover and mate is shot and she learns those responsible come from her birth pride and clan, CJ has no choice but to return to the home she left so long ago. At least she won't be going alone. Clan alphas Matt and Finn Kincade aren't about to take any risks where their friend is concerned. Nor is her mate, Rafe Walkinghorse, going to let her go without him.

Going home means digging up painful memories and family secrets. But will it also mean death – or worse – for CJ and her friends?

Originally released as Hunter's Home, Prey includes approximately 4,000 words of new material.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Hunter's Moon Press
• Release date: Feb 11, 2022
• ISBN: 9781949901245

Book preview

1

"I guess I shouldn’t be surprised you can’t remember your own birthday, Carlotta Jeanine. Between the drugs, the booze and the whoring, it’s a wonder you’re able to remember your name."

That sneering voice and the condescending expression brought me up short as the world screeched to a halt. For a moment, all I could do was stare at the man standing just inside the doorway. I had to be dreaming—or having a nightmare. Hopefully, I’d wake up soon. Maybe then I’d be able to laugh about it.

I closed my eyes and then opened them. Nope, he hadn’t disappeared. This was my own personal nightmare, one I thought I’d left behind me years ago, come to life. There was no other explanation, reasonable or not. He should no more be here than I could sprout wings and fly.

Sprouting wings and flying away sounded pretty damned good just then.

I swallowed hard, the only reaction I’d let him see. Much as I wanted to tell him where to go and what he could do once there, I didn’t. He’d expect that. Knowing him, he wanted it. A negative reaction from me would prove he still knew how to punch my buttons and that gave him power over me. More importantly, it gave him an excuse to respond however he wanted. Past experience proved that often led to pain—and more—for me at his hands.

God, I shouldn’t have gotten out of bed that morning.

Normally, I’m not the superstitious type. Some people might find that more than a bit strange since I turn furry on nights of the full moon – and pretty much any other time I feel like it. I don’t even need a costume to do so. But those are the same folks who would call the men in the white jackets to come for me if I tried explaining just what I am.

I may not be superstitious, but I learned long ago to pay attention when something feels off. So, when I woke this morning with every instinct telling me something was wrong, I didn’t waste any time before checking the house. Nothing appeared to be out of place. The birds sang much too happily outside my bedroom window. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee filled the air, thanks to the latest in a long line of automatic coffeemakers. The doors were all locked, exactly as they had been when I went to bed the night before and nothing appeared out of order. Telling myself to quit worrying, I’d put the uneasy feeling down to that last piece of pizza I’d eaten before going to bed. Then I got ready for work.

Now, looking at the man who’d unexpectedly appeared in my shop, I knew I should have paid closer attention to that sense of impending doom and stayed home – preferably behind locked doors, with the curtains drawn and the covers pulled over my head.

May we help you?

Meg Finley Kincade – Finn to her friends – stepped forward, subtly putting herself between the newcomer and me. Before I could protest, she cast a quick look at me over her shoulder, her dark eyes flashing in warning. Even though I wanted to object, I knew better. For the moment at least, she was in charge.

Then, seeing the smirk that crossed the man’s face, an all too familiar anger gripped me. It had been a long time since I’d heard his voice, much less seen him. Years, in fact. Not that I was complaining. I learned as a child that he had only one use for me –I was a tool to further his own goals. My wants and desires, my ambitions and dreams, meant nothing to him. I might be his daughter, but that small detail never really mattered, at least not after my mother died. Now, out of the blue, he stood a few feet away, wearing the same look of condemnation I’d seen moments before I walked out of his house on my eighteenth birthday, swearing never to return.

Now the only thing he had right was that this wasn’t my birthday, despite the brightly colored balloons and streamers filling the waiting area at the front of the shop. That had been the day before. The balloons and streamers were remnants from the surprise party Finn had thrown for me. We’d been about to take them down when he arrived.

I have to admit, it did surprise me that he remembered my birthday. He’d never so much as given me a card after Mom died, at least not until that last birthday at home. But even then, he had an ulterior motive. His gift had been nothing less than an attempt to bribe me into doing what he wanted. When that hadn’t worked, he turned to threats and I’d done the one thing he hadn’t anticipated. I not only left home, but I left town, putting as much distance between the two of us as I could.

As for the rest of it, I no more used drugs now than I had at eighteen. I drink only on rare occasions and while I enjoy sex, no one could call me a whore and certainly not for the last year and a half.

But that didn’t matter. All he saw was the streak of cobalt blue in my otherwise light auburn hair, the tattoos that covered my arms and the Harley – not the one he’d tried bribing me with eight years ago, but one bought with my own hard-earned money – parked out front. Well, to hell with him.

CJ?

Finn’s voice cut through my anger. She stood next to me, all but vibrating with anger. Under most circumstances, that would have terrified me. Hell, just having her in the shop these days made me break out in a cold sweat. Don’t get me wrong. Over the last eighteen months or so, Finn had become one of my closest friends. Her art helped my shop become even more successful than it had been—and it had been pretty damned successful. But these days she looked more like a beached whale than the athletic woman I’d first met, and I worried that she’d go into labor at any moment, forcing me to deliver her baby.

And there was no way I wanted to tell her husband, our clan leader and Alpha, that she’d had their first child in my tattoo shop.

But all that was forgotten as she pulled herself up to her full height and looked from me to my father in concern. The only thing that surprised me was how she held her power under tight control. If I didn’t know better, I would never have guessed she was one of the most powerful alphas I’d ever been around. With all those pregnancy hormones flowing through her, that had been even more apparent the last few months. But at the moment, it was hard to tell she was even a shape-changer, much less a very powerful one.

Damn, but I’d love to have that sort of control, especially now, with my cougar pushing for release. She most definitely did not appreciate having Benjamin Franklin Reamer embarrassing us in front of our friend and Alpha – not that I blamed her one bit.

"I’m sorry, Ben, but the shop is closed. If you’re looking for a tattoo, you’ll need to go somewhere else, preferably somewhere out of state."

Part of me reveled in the way he ground his teeth and growled deep in his throat. I’d insulted him by not recognizing him as my father. Well too bad. He hadn’t been a father to me in a very long time. Besides, the thought of him actually allowing himself to be tattooed by anyone, much less by me, was beyond amusing. His fear of needles and his condemnation of all body art were why I’d gotten my first tattoo at sixteen. I probably took up the profession, at least on a subconscious level, as a way to spite him.

Judging from the way his face turned a beautiful shade of red, I’d managed to do just that. Good.

Still as impertinent as ever. He all but spat out the words and his right hand fisted at his side. Interesting. He used to have better control. Not that I expected anything different.

CJ, who the hell is this and why haven’t you thrown him out yet?

Finn’s eyes flashed but there was nothing but bored amusement in her voice. Unless you knew her as well as I did and recognized the cold steel behind her words, you would never have known how angry she was. She was ready to fight for me. All I had to do was say the word. I swallowed hard. In the back of my mind, my cougar dropped to her belly, her ears flat and ready to submit to her alpha.

You’d do well to hold your tongue, woman. I’m not here to see you.

I saw red. Before Finn could respond to the insult, I laid a hand on her arm and with a jerk of my head motioned for her to step back. She might be the clan’s female Alpha, she might be ready to stand up for me as my friend, but this was my fight. I wasn’t an alpha in my own right, far from it in fact, but I’d learned long ago how to deal with my father. I’d simply hoped I’d never have to again.

For a split-second, it looked like Finn might argue. Then she inclined her head slightly and took half a step back. She would let me handle this, for the moment at least.

"This is my shop and you’d do well to remember that, Ben." I couldn’t bring myself to call him father or dad or any of the usual variations.

And you’d do well to remember where the money for this dump came from. He looked around, his lips pulling back in a sneer. Such a waste.

Pain radiated from my palms as my nails, lengthening as my control started to slip, bit into the skin. I took a deep breath and forced my cougar back. I wouldn’t give my father the satisfaction of knowing he could still upset me so easily. Then I shook my head and leaned my hip against the counter, one corner of my mouth quirking up in a lopsided grin. As I did, I hoped I looked relaxed and unfazed by his comment.

"First off, not a penny of your money went into this shop and you know it. I held up my left hand and ticked off one finger and then another as I continued. Second, I haven’t taken a penny out of the account you set up for me so long ago, not even when I left home. Oh, wait, you didn’t set that account up for me. My mother did, as part of her will. Third, I worked hard to put myself through school. I earned my bachelor’s and master’s degrees in business and I’ve managed to pay off my student loans without any help from you. Fourth, this is one of the most successful tattoo parlors in this part of the country, whether you like it or not. Fifth, you have insulted me, my shop and my best friend. Now get the hell out before I decide to toss you out—or worse."

He didn’t move. He didn’t say anything. If possible, his face turned an even deeper shade of red. It wouldn’t surprise me one bit to see steam coming from his ears. Obviously, he was no more used to anyone standing up to him now than he had been before I left home. When we argued, I either backed down or left the house until we both had time to cool off. But not now. Now he was in my shop and if anyone was going to leave, it would be him.

I had hoped some time on your own would have taught you a few things, Carlotta, things like humility and gratitude. Obviously, I was wrong.

CJ, Finn growled as she once more moved to my side.

It’s okay. And it was. For the first time since Mom’s death, I had the upper hand. My father didn’t know how to deal with me, not that he ever had. I’d learned more than a few things since he last saw me, one of which was how to be my own person. He couldn’t control me any longer. He simply didn’t know that – yet. He’ll be going soon.

The hell I will. He took a step forward, his control over his own cougar slipping enough that I could see it dance across his expression. That was not good. I came here for a reason and, by God, I’ll see it through.

The only thing you are going to do is leave, I corrected, easing my own control just a bit. It was nothing but posturing and I knew it. But I was damned if I’d let him try to intimidate me in my own place, especially not in front of Finn. I know nothing has happened to my brothers or their families. If it had, I would have been contacted already. So, unless you are here to apologize for all the years of hell you put me through after Mom died, you can turn around and leave. Oh, there’s one more thing. Don’t bother coming back. If you do, I’ll make sure you regret it.

I heard Finn’s quick intake of breath and prayed it was because she’d finally figured out who Ben Reamer was and not because she’d gone into labor. But I didn’t spare her so much as a glance. I couldn’t. I knew better than to take my attention off my father. So, instead of checking on my friend, I stared straight into my father’s brown eyes. Other than the day when I finally had enough and left home, I’d never really stood up to him. Well, a lot of time had passed since then and I’d grown up.

At least I hoped I had.

I’ll leave once you agree to return home and fulfill your duties there, he countered.

What?

Of all the things I imagined him saying, that most definitely wasn’t one of them. What in the hell was he talking about?

Maybe this really was a nightmare. If so, I was ready to wake up.

"I’ve let you have your fun, Carlotta. I told you when you left home that you had until you turned twenty-five to find yourself. If that included finding a mate, so be it. But, if you hadn’t found a mate by then, you were to return home and assume the role you were pledged to when you were a child. I even gave you some extra time because I knew you’d argue. He paused, a knowing smile touching his lips. And, since you aren’t wearing a ring, I’m confident you haven’t found a mate – not that you haven’t probably slept with every male, and probably a few females along the way, that you could. At least you’ve been smart enough not to get pregnant. But that is about to end. Your mate is waiting for you and it’s time for you to come home and do your part in propagating our kind."

I don’t know what was funnier, the determined look on my father’s face or the choked sound Finn made in an attempt not to verbally rip my father’s head off. Either way, I laughed. It certainly wasn’t the smartest thing I’ve ever done where my father’s concerned but I couldn’t help it. Did he really believe the foolishness coming out of his mouth?

My God, you’re unbelievable. I shook my head, amused and bemused at the same time. "We no longer live in a time where fathers arrange marriages for their daughters. It’s been even longer since any of our kind, except maybe you, felt the only role for women was as brood mares and I thank God for it.

As for the rest of it, there is no mate waiting for me back in Montana and there never has been. You’re the only one who refuses to accept that truth. Not that it surprises me. I was never anything more than a means to power within the pride for you. Seems that hasn’t changed.

And you’ve never known your place, Carlotta. Well, it’s time you learned. You will come home with me now.

There’d been a time when I would have caved. But not now. Ben Reamer was about to learn I no longer did anything simply because he wanted it.

Do us all a favor, Ben. Go have a long talk with Macey. Tell her what you just told me. Tell her that the only thing our women are good for is to propagate our kind. That it’s our duty to do so. Then you’d better run as fast as you can on two or four legs because she’ll castrate you. If you’re lucky, all she’ll do then is bronze your balls and hang them from her rearview mirror. If you aren’t lucky, she’ll feed them to you. Now I smiled, knowing it wasn’t far from the truth. Come to think of it, Cord will probably hold you down while she uses a dull, rusty knife on you. You know how proud he is of all she’s accomplished, both with the clan and as a doctor. At least you could rest easy about them not botching it as they neutered you. They’ve had plenty of practice castrating the calves on their ranch.

The emotions that crossed his face told me a great deal. First, he was appalled and furious that I would dare speak to him like that, especially in front of someone else. I had no doubt that if we’d been alone, he’d have given me the back of his hand. What really surprised me, however, was that I almost hoped he tried. It certainly wouldn’t be the first time he hit me, but it would be the last. Besides, if he did strike me, it would give Finn and Matt a reason to toss him out of their territory and, judging from the anger I sensed in her, Finn would be more than glad to do just that.

I didn’t say anything else. Instead I waited, giving him time to consider everything I’d said. In my anger, I’d let slip that I’d been in touch with the current leaders of my birth clan. Not only that, he now knew I was close enough with them to be on first name basis and to be familiar with their personal lives and the operation of their ranch. When was I going to learn to watch what I said?

Then, instead of reacting in anger, he blanched. It wasn’t much and he recovered quickly but it was enough. He understood what I said and, hopefully, what I hadn’t said. It didn’t take long for him to cock his head to one side and look at me in speculation as he tried to figure out what it all meant.

Damn it, I really should have kept my mouth shut. Knowing my father, he’d assume I kept in touch with people back home because I wanted to be prepared for the day when I finally returned. He wouldn’t understand that I’d done it because I actually liked Macey and Cord, not to mention the others I maintained ties with. They were friends and friends keep in touch.

Of course, he’d also be wondering what they might have told me. Too bad. I had no more intention of repeating anything they’d said, not that he ever came up in our conversations, than I did of letting him know I’d been back to Montana several times over the years to visit Macey and Cord as well as others in the clan.

It’s no wonder you’ve never found a mate with a mouth like that on you, Carlotta.

God, I hated that name. I hated the way he said it even more.

"It’s CJ, Ben, as you well know."

I’m your father, damn it, and you will treat me with respect.

He took a step forward, his eyes flashing angrily. This was the turning point. I either stood up to him, making him back down for the first time in my life, or I agreed to do as he said. Well, there was no way I would obey him like the good little girl he always wanted me to be. Maybe it was time he also learned I wasn’t the eighteen-year-old who didn’t like confrontation and who left home rather than deal with his demands so long ago.

And too freaking bad if he didn’t like it.

Ignoring Finn’s warning hiss, I matched his step forward. I squared my shoulders and stared straight into his eyes. This was my shop, my territory. I would not be cowed by him anymore.

I will treat you with respect the day you earn it. Now, finish what you have to say and get out.

For a moment, it looked like he might just turn and leave. Part of me hoped he did. But another part knew that wouldn’t help, at least not in the long run. I needed to know what brought him down from Montana after all this time. I’d been in Texas for eight years. For approximately seven of those years, he’d known exactly where I was because he’d broken down and asked my brothers. They’d checked with me first and, after getting my permission, they told him I that I now lived in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. I’d waited anxiously the next few months for him to show up or call. He hadn’t, and I finally convinced myself that he’d washed his hands of me, just as he had Alex and Tom.

Obviously, I’d been wrong.

"Enough! I’m tired of this game you’ve been playing. I’ve let you have your time away from the family and the pride. You’ve proven that you’re an independent woman."

I’m not sure which was funnier, the way he used his fingers to make air quotes around the words as he spoke them or the look of disdain on his face. How he’d managed not to piss off at least one of the females in the clan, or one of their mates, enough to teach him a well-needed lesson, I’d never know.

Now it’s time for you to come home and do your duty to the family.

God, he was unbelievable.

Before I could say anything, Finn stepped up.

When I looked at her, not sure whether to worry about what she was going to do or sell tickets to watch, Finn smiled and lightly patted my arm. Then, holding her panther in check, she turned her attention to my father.

"Tell me, what exactly do you mean when you say CJ needs to go home and do her duty to the family?" Finn’s voice was soft, but her expression was cold. I swallowed hard, glad I wasn’t on the receiving end of what promised to be a thorough verbal take-down.

Not that it’s any of your business, but it’s time she returns home to become the mate to another of our clan. His casual dismissal of Finn would have been funny if I weren’t so angry.

CJ?

The look she turned on me was filled with sympathy, not that it fooled me any. I knew I had to be completely honest when I answered. She was asking not as my friend and business partner but as one of my Alphas.

"My father is referring to an arrangement he tried to make with the parents of a childhood friend of mine. I glared at dear old dad. Not that Mark’s parents agreed. Neither did Mark nor I for that matter. We were more like brother and sister and once we were old enough to be interested in the opposite sex, it was just icky to think of dating one another.

"But what my father here so conveniently forgets is that Mark found his mate. They’ve been together for nine years and married for eight. Sarah is a normal but there is no doubt that they are meant for one another. And, before you ask, they haven’t divorced. In fact, they are the proud parents of four kids, two boys and two girls. My father here probably doesn’t even know that I’m godmother to their eldest daughter.

I also happen to know that their marriage and their mating was approved of and welcomed by not only the current pride and clan leaders but also the clan as a whole. Sarah has proven her worth time and again to the pride as a teacher, doing what she can to help the pride’s youngsters with their homework and with dealing with the pressures of school, especially those nearing their first shifts.

You seem very well informed about what’s going on in your old pride, CJ. If I hadn’t caught the hint of amusement in Finn’s eyes, I’d have been worried. But I had seen it and I knew what she was doing. She was needling my father and enjoying it.

I may have decided long ago that I couldn’t live in Montana, but that didn’t mean I had to cut myself off from my friends there. I’m in regular contact with Mark and Sarah as well as his parents. Then there are Macey and Cord, who are the current clan leaders, Henry and Marie Poulson as well as a couple of others. I shrugged one shoulder and gave a little smile. Might as well say it all. "I’ve even been back a couple of times to visit. Funny you didn’t know that, Dad."

CJ. There was no mistaking the warning in Finn’s voice. She didn’t want me doing anything else to antagonize my father. Is this true? Is the man you say is her mate married?

When he didn’t answer, I couldn’t help myself. His silence means they are married and quite happy.

You ungrateful little bitch!

Once again, he took a step toward me. This time, I stepped back. I’d seen that look of barely contained anger too many times before. It wouldn’t take much to push him over the edge into violence and that was the last thing I wanted. He wouldn’t be satisfied with just hitting me. I’d shown him up in front of Finn. That made her a target as well. Under normal circumstances, I’d never worry about Finn being able to mop the floor with my father. He might talk a big game, but he was no more of an alpha than was I. But Finn was nearing her due date and she did not need to get into a fight of any sort with anyone.

I don’t care what you think you know about the situation back home. You know as well as I do that it doesn’t matter who Mark is bedding or how many half-breeds they have together. The two of you were pledged and I will see that pledge fulfilled. He all but shook with rage.

Half-breed? I spoke softly, the anger of a few moments ago replaced by a cold fury. Once again, I felt my fingernails lengthen and bite into the skin of my palms. It wouldn’t take much for me to lose control and shift. Half-breed? I repeated, shaking off the concerned hand Finn had laid on my arm.

Suddenly, I stood toe to toe with my father. It would be so easy to deck him and oh so satisfying. But not yet.

"I’ll remind you that I’m a half-breed, Father. My mother, the woman you’ve said many times was your soul mate, was a normal. That’s something you and that bitch you married after Mom’s death reminded me of so many times in the past. So where the hell do you get off condemning Mark for being with Sarah?"

I wanted nothing more than to pound his face into a bloody pulp. How dare he?

"God, is it any wonder I left home? You don’t give a damn about anyone unless they can do something to help further your personal goals. All you ever saw in me was someone who could be used to raise your position in the pride and clan. Well, I hate to tell you this, Daddy, but I’m not going back to Montana and I’m sure as hell not going to let you use me to try to break up Mark and Sarah. But I will do this – I’ll be sure to call Macey and Cord and let them know exactly what you’ve been doing down here. How do you think your clan leaders will react when I do?"

He roared in anger. I caught a glimpse of his