#1 The Rise of the Crescent Moon

Josephine

I was instantly skeptical of Dr. Grace when she called and offered me the job. I was expecting it to be several days before I heard about an offer. I was also embarrassed that I had forgotten to email her about setting up a meeting. Damn werewolves distracting me.

I was happy to get the offer with a pay raise from my current rate in New York and a research grant. I wasn’t even expecting to make the same amount let alone a research grant. I knew August had to have something to do with it. But, I was confident in my resume and I knew I earned the job.

“What do you want me to do?” August asked me as I imagined calling my brother.

“I’m going to need to talk to him on my own first, that is if he’ll even consider coming here.” I sighed. If I threw August on him right away, Jared would lose his mind. August kissed my temple,

“Whatever you need, baby. As long as you’re safe.” I smiled,

“He won’t actually try to kill me, August.” It was August’s turn to get a phone call. He groaned and fished his phone out of his pocket,

“What?” I hit his shoulder and gave him a look that told him to be nice. He exchanged a few words before ending the call.

“There’s something I have to take care of at the packhouse.” He sighed.

“What’s wrong?” I asked. August stood up and I grabbed his hand, standing with him.

“Nothing to worry about.” He said, kissing my forehead. I gave him a look,

“You made me promise not to shut you out, I expect the same. Let me help you, Alpha.” I purred. I heard August groan deep in his chest.

“I don’t want to overwhelm you, Jo.”

“I’m not fragile, August.” I snapped back. I wasn’t really mad at him, but I needed him to know that I wasn’t some fragile human. Yes, I needed time to adjust to having a mate and yes I wasn’t ready to jump into the role of Luna, but I was ready to be there for him.

“Don’t I know it.” He nuzzled my neck and I pushed him away, laughing.

“Patrols picked up an unfamiliar scent in the woods between the packhouse and here. Typically we wouldn’t worry about it, but since you’re staying at the cabin now, I need to make sure it’s safe.” He walked towards the door and I followed him.

“It’ll be okay, baby. I’m sure it’s nothing to worry about. I’ll call you as soon as I’m finished, okay?” I nodded and he gave me a peck on the lips like it was the most casual thing in the world. I watched him run across the yard and explode into Arlo before taking off through the woods.

I shut the door, shaking my head. I cannot believe I was back in this mess again. Patrols, rogues, werewolves….Goddess help me.

I locked the door behind me, not wanting to get another lecture from August. I put some coffee on and threw more logs on the fire. It was a typical September day for Rhode Island, a chilly breeze but warm sunlight. I tugged a sweatshirt over my tank top, missing the warmth that August brought with him.

My phone started buzzing on the table and Jared’s name flashed on the screen. I groaned. I had been avoiding his calls for the last two days. Time to man up.

“Hello.” I answered plainly.

“JoJo, why haven’t you been answering your phone?” Jared’s voice was worried but he attempted to keep it calm.

“Sorry, it’s been a busy couple of days.”

“Oh yeah? What’s been going on?” I sighed, here we go.

“Jared….I’m in Rhode Island.” Silence.

“Jared?” More silence. Great, I killed him.

“I knew you couldn’t stay away.” I nearly dropped the phone.

“It was a ridiculous notion to try and keep you from your mate.” He continued.

“You knew?” I snapped.

“Of course I knew. Dad threw it in my face when I mated with April. He said, ‘your sister is mated to a Beta, the least you can do is mate a werewolf’. It wasn’t hard to figure out who it was.” I rubbed my hand over my face, squishing my nose in frustration.

“I don’t understand any of it Jared.” I whispered.

“I don’t know much more than you, JoJo. Benji told me that our parents wanted you to stay out of Rhode Island and away from your mate. I figured that it sounded like something our parents would do considering dad tried to keep me from my mate. Then, I got a letter from them myself that said you had to be kept away. I was torn, but they said you were in danger, so I had to do what they asked. I’m not surprised you found your way there.” Jared was rambling, like he often did when he was emotional.

“August is the Alpha now.” I said for lack of a better reply.

“That makes sense. Benji was a good Beta and the Hayes brothers are good guys. He’ll protect you, JoJo, I have no doubt about that.” I could practically hear him nodding.

Jared was a very logical guy, he thought out everything and usually tried to stay emotion free. Leaving the pack for April was completely out of character for him, but April brought out the soft side in my brother. I knew he never stopped caring about the pack. He was glad to see it had fallen into good hands.

“He took over the business, too.” I added.

“Good, that’s good. That’ll allow him to provide for the pack and for you.” Jared said absentmindedly.

“I’m a doctor Jared, since when did I need someone to provide for me?” I grumbled.

“You know what I mean, sis, calm down.” Jared chuckled and I rolled my eyes at him, knowing he was perfectly capable of sensing it.

“Come visit, Jared.” I begged.

“I don’t know if I can. I abandoned them, I gave up on the pack. They’re not going to forgive me for that. Not to mention, I was supposed to be Alpha. I can’t say what seeing the pack and another Alpha will do to me.” Jared answered hesitantly, but I could tell he was torn,

“Just come to the cabin then. You don’t have to go to the packhouse. August will come here.” I bargained. Jared was quiet for a while.

“Okay. Let me talk to April, figure out a good time.” I grinned from ear to ear,

“Thank you so much Jared, this means a lot to me.”

“Anything for you, JoJo. Love ya.”

“Love ya back.” I was still smiling when Jared hung up the phone after a few more minutes of talking. He told me to be safe around the wolves, especially unmated ones since I still wasn’t marked. He made sure I knew it was okay to take things at my own pace. He said he waited for April and he knew August would wait for me. I was beyond thankful for my big brother’s advice.