Page 95 of Fool Moon First Aid

Natalie’s nose twitches, her disdain briefly surfacing before she composes herself. “Oh, just that Ava’s father is the head of the Puritas Umbra,” she replies, feigning innocence with a blink toward Tyler.

“What the fuck did you just say?” Ava interjects, positioning herself between us, her potent scent signifying the deepened bond. Her presence challenges the seeds of doubt Natalie attempts to sow.

You can’t seriously believe Natalie, Tyler scoffs in my head.

I shake my own as though I can dislodge the thought. Except I can’t. Did she know?

“I was just saying the little boy from the attack is feeling better,” Natalie says, avoiding Ava’s probing gaze, yet her eyes flick to me, knowing she struck a nerve with her earlier revelation.

“That’s not at all what you said,” Ava argues, stepping closer to Natalie. “What about my father?”

“Oh, that?” Natalie shrugs off the accusation nonchalantly. “I just said he’s a very bad guy.”

“You called him the head of Puritas.” Ava advances, her determination evident. I instinctively pull her back, trying to protect her from what might unfold. “What did you mean by that?” Ava demands, slipping from my grasp with a shrug.

“Oh, that,” Natalie repeats, her demeanor casual. “Just a rumor going around.”

“That’s bullshit, Natalie, and you know it,” Tyler interjects, frustration clear in his voice. “No one knows who the head is. He always used aliases.”

“Oh, like Kit?” Natalie taunts, her sneer revealing more than intended.

“How did you know that?” Ethan’s sudden appearance, his tone sharp and commanding, surprises us all.

“Ethan!” Natalie squeals, her hand coming to rest on his bicep. From the corner of my eye, I see Ava retreat before snarling. I know she’s about to react, and I’m too slow to move to her side.

Natalie’s flirtatious gesture provokes Ava, who launches into action, her claws partially emerging as she moves. Natalie doesn’t resist Ava’s attack, almost as if she anticipated this reaction. She smiles as though this is what she wanted all along. She doesn’t even fight as Ava slashes her claws down her face, drawing blood.

Tyler quickly grabs Ava, hauling her back as Natalie licks the blood from her busted lip.

“Ethan is supposed to be my—” Natalie starts, but I cut her off.

“Get it out of your head,” I insist, perhaps more harshly than necessary. “You will never be our luna.”

“Enough!” Ethan’s command halts the confrontation, his authority bringing a momentary pause. “Natalie, who gave you this information?” he demands, seeking the truth behind her provocations.

Natalie plays the victim, tears mingling with her claim of innocence. “Look what that Puritas mutt did to me,” she cries, pointing fingers and seeking sympathy.

“Cut the shit, Natalie,” Ethan counters. “You’re spreading rumors about our mate. She’s within her rights to challenge you. Now, why are you here?”

Our feisty little mate preens at that, a slow smirk curving her face as her wolf shimmers just beneath the surface of her awareness.

“Wait.” Natalie frowns. “She shifted.”

“Why are you here?” Ethan loses control—something he doesn’t often do.

Natalie’s head snaps back to him. “Someone left me a note,” she snarls, her eyes darting to Ava. “Her father” —she points a finger at Ava— “is responsible for every bad thing in our lives, and you’re just letting her shack up here.”

“Ava is our mate.” Ethan vibrates with fury. What I can’t determine is whom he is angry at—Natalie, Ava, or himself.

“And she’s going to kill us all if you make her your luna,” Natalie snarks before turning around and shifting. Her clothing shreds to pieces as she takes off into the woods. For a long moment, no one says a thing. Absolutely nothing.

“You can’t believe her,” Ava pleads, the hurt evident in her eyes as she seeks our trust.

“It makes sense,” Ethan admits reluctantly, casting a significant look my way.

I don’t agree, but it doesn’t look good.

“I can’t believe this,” Tyler interjects, moving to stand protectively next to Ava. “You can’t believe that Ava is anything but our mate.” The pain in his voice echoes through all of us.

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