Rogue Moon: Rogue Moon Series, #1

By Lashell Collins

Trevor Dare is a werewolf haunted by memories of a life viciously ripped away from him, all for the sake of another man's greed. They killed the woman he loved, and in so doing they unleashed a fury much too hot to ever be contained. It's not the life Trevor signed up for when he fell in love and was willingly bitten. They made him what he has become … a killing machine.

 

Melissa Cartwright is a detective on a mission to get to the bottom of the strange, animal-like executions occurring around the city. But when the blood trail leads back to Dare Enterprises, Melissa stumbles onto a world she never dreamed existed. Could the sexy-as-sin billionaire CEO really be behind the murders?

 

Trevor knows he should do all he can to throw the nosey cop off his trail, but there's just one problem. He knew the instant he smelled her that the beautiful detective is his mate.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lashell Collins
• Release date: Sep 1, 2016
• ISBN: 9781311696069

Book preview

Dedication

Always for Gary, for believing in me.

Thanks

I'd like to thank the following people for their support and their time:

My husband: for giving me the space and the time to pursue this writing dream.

Mom: for passing along your love of reading and romance.

Willa: for being such a great friend and dance partner. Your assistance is invaluable to me.

Erika: for helping to plant a seed and spark a dream.

Stephanie Potos Biedlingmaier of http://www.ingeniousindiepromotions.com for everything!

Tatiana Villa of http://www.viladesign.net for the beautiful cover art.

All of you: for taking the time to read my stories. Thank you!

Table of Contents

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter One

The scream of terror that pierced the night stopped suddenly, replaced by the gurgling sounds of labored breathing as his powerful jaws tightened around the man’s throat. He felt his canines sink further into the muscle, tasted the faint metallic hint of blood as it slowly began to drain from his victim’s jugular. That would have been enough, Trevor knew, and the thought of simply leaving the scumbag there to die a slow agonizing death did cross his mind. But each time it did, he would see her beautiful smile or her sparkling blue eyes. Simply bleeding out from the jugular was too good for this bottom feeder. 

Suddenly blinded by rage, Trevor let his animal take complete control. His consciousness receded as the beast inside him took over, claws digging deep into flesh as he tore his victim apart on the dark, deserted street. Bones crushed, blood spurted out in every direction, and when the man finally lay in a gruesome, nearly unrecognizable heap next to his car, only then did Trevor attempt to control the werewolf and retake the reins of his faculties.

He stood up on two legs and let out a wicked howl to the moon, knowing that anyone who happened to be walking by at that exact moment would swear they saw a big hairy monster with blood dripping from its fangs and claws as it stood over what was left of its meal, and they would be partially right. He was indeed a monster, and he was covered in this man’s blood. But the thought of eating this swine made him want to vomit. He hadn’t killed Matos because he wanted to eat him; he killed the son of a bitch because he deserved it.

He lowered himself back to all fours and shifted into a huge black wolf. Then he silently slipped into the shadows and headed for home, his mind mercilessly replaying the events that had brought him to this godforsaken plight. He couldn’t get it out of his head as he started to run like the wind, knowing that no matter how fast he went, or how far, he could never outrun the memories. They clung to him like a heavy cloak of despair, haunted him even when he was awake. He saw her dead, lifeless form in his dreams. He ran harder as he tried to shut out the images.

I never wanted this life.

The thought rattled around in his head as he ran.

They made me what I am. They created this monster I’ve become!

***

Less than an hour later, Trevor stood in the spacious shower stall, head bowed as the steady stream of water pounded at his shoulders and messaged his neck. Arms outstretched in front of him, his hands rested against the chocolate-colored, imported Italian marble. He opened his eyes and watched as the blood swirled and circled the drain, washing away all evidence of his earlier deeds. He took a deep breath and sighed as he tried to push thoughts of what he’d done from his mind. It wasn’t that he felt remorse, because he didn’t. In his mind, he was doing the right thing ... for Jenny. But he was quickly coming to realize that the memories of the distasteful enterprise were going to stick with him, and for some time, he was sure.

He straightened and ran both hands through his black, wet hair as he turned his face up toward the spray. Then he grabbed the shower gel and began to lather up. As much as he wanted to, he couldn’t stay in the shower forever. He, unfortunately, had places to go and speeches to give. Both were items that ranked extremely high on his list of things he didn’t want to do that evening, but it couldn’t be helped. The new hospital wing had his name on it, after all, and it was an obligation he knew he couldn’t shirk, lest he face the wrath of his mother. A prospect he didn’t relish, with or without his new supernatural abilities.

He rinsed himself off, satisfied that all traces of blood were gone. Then he grabbed the shampoo and made quick work of his hair. When he finally stepped out of his shower he ran a plush towel vigorously over his wet hair for a moment, then he wrapped the towel around his waist and headed into his bedroom.

The spacious master suite was decorated much like the rest of the mansion in rich chocolates, cream, dark woods and chrome. It was a soothing, masculine palette. Functional yet comfortable. Homey. It suited him.

Trevor glanced at the clock and dressed quickly, donning a charcoal gray three-pieced suit with a light gray shirt and a red power tie. He ran his hands through his air-dried hair and turned the light out as he left the bedroom and strolled confidently down the hall.

I’m ready, Allen. You have my speech?

Yes, Sir.

The man handed over a small stack of notecards, and Trevor looked them over before tucking them into the inside breast pocket of his suit jacket. He followed Allen out to the waiting cognac-colored Mercedes and climbed inside. Once Allen slid behind the wheel, they got underway.

The scenery passed by outside the tinted windows with little acknowledgement from him as he stared, unseeing, and thought once again about his earlier events that evening. His jaw clenched as memories of why he had done it resurfaced. Only the ringing of his cellphone pulled him out of his chaotic thoughts, and he sighed when he looked at the image on the screen.

I’m on my way, Mother.

Well, hello to you too, sweetheart. You sound like you’re in a pleasant mood.

Trevor smiled at her sarcasm in spite of himself. Always count on Dr. Elizabeth Dare to get straight to the heart of the matter.

"I’m not in an unpleasant mood, Mother. I’m simply running a tad bit late. But I’m in the car, and I’ll be there shortly. They can’t exactly cut the ribbon without me."

All right, darling, but the hospital administrator and the chief of general surgery were starting to get a little nervous that you might blow this event off, so I’m just trying to ease their minds with this phone call.

Mom, I know how important this event is to the hospital. Do you and dad actually think I would blow this off? He couldn’t help the small twinge of hurt that came through in his voice.

No, of course not. But you have been sort of distant the past few months, sweetheart.

I’ve been busy, Mother. Running an empire and designing new technologies to bring the medical profession into the twenty-first century are often time-consuming undertakings, you know?

Oh, Trevor, I’m not trying to pick a fight with you. I’m just stating that your father and I miss seeing you, that’s all. We’re excited about tonight, not only because of what you’re doing for the hospital, but because it’s going to give us the rare opportunity to spend a few hours with our brilliant and charming son.

Trevor rolled his eyes and smiled to himself. Boy, she could lay the guilt on thick when she wanted to.

I’m pulling up outside, Mother.

He hung up his phone and prepared to get out of the car. Glancing out the car windows he could see a throng of reporters lining the red carpet and he took a deep breath. He hated these sorts of functions. What he wouldn’t give to have Jenny at his side right now.

When his door was opened he stepped out and tried his best to ignore the camera flashes, not bothering to acknowledge the reporters calling his name and vying for his attention. He kept his gaze trained on the doors and made his way inside the gala.

***

Inside the new wing of Cain Memorial Hospital, Melissa Cartwright stood with her mother and her sister, Joy, as they looked around the new space and sipped champagne. She smoothed a hand over the skirt of her elegant wrap dress, and smiled to herself. She didn’t often get to dress up, seeing as her job wasn’t exactly couture friendly, and her recent dating prospects had been less than stellar. So she was enjoying the sexy red dress and the strappy red four-inch heels more than she probably should.

"Oh, girls, before things get hopping here, I wanted to thank you both