Night of the Blue Moon: Blue Moon Magic, #4

A family, love and more...but does he deserve it?

All his life he felt he hadn’t belonged and finding out he was the long thought dead son of Elite pack leader, Charles Langford, didn’t help matters. But with that knowledge comes a family full of sisters, mystery and longing for things he’s not sure he has any right to obtain and one of those things is Cordelia Sinclair.

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Night of the Blue Moon

Blue Moon Series ~ Book 4

Copyright © 2007 Lynn Crain

ISBN 978-1-62052-025-3

ISBN10 1620520257

Cover Art by Scott Carpenter,

P and N Graphics, Inc.

Edited by Alicia Dean

Proofreading and Formatting by

Jim and Zetta Author and Publishing Services

www.jimandzetta.com

All rights reserved.

Published by Shooting Star Books

www.shootingstarbooks.com

Dedication

This book has been made all the more worthwhile by the friends I’ve garnered during its seven-year span. Debi, Honey, and Shari are some of the best writing partners a girl can have, and I appreciate them very much for their help and guidance throughout the series. I miss them tremendously and can’t wait to get in the same room to brainstorm once again. And I can’t forget to thank them for allowing me to play in their world.

Thanks to my boys, both near and far. I can’t do any of it without you, nor without the help of my awesome daughter-in-law who brightens my day. To my critique partners at Passionate Critters, thanks for always telling me when I’ve got it wrong and when I’ve got it right. And to the girlfriends at home – Becky, Brenda, Cathy, Dawn, Delanie, Diane, Kristina, and Tammy – I miss you more than you’ll ever know.

Prologue

He had always been in this cage in one way or another. Only recently, they’d decided to make it his permanent room. He remembered a time when the cage hadn’t been necessary, when he’d been a younger man, but that all changed with the appearance of the blonde bitch. Or had it?

Since Connor Logan Angus grew to manhood, it was as if the whole clan were afraid of him, of his talents. Yet, they were his family, weren’t they? He shook his head furiously. Of course they were. He’d always been with them, never knew anything else. Then why did he feel like he didn’t belong? Why did he feel like an outsider? And it wasn’t just the fact of his ice blue eyes or white-blond hair. There was more, and he knew his appearance was part of the problem.

Again, he traced the discord back to the time about five years ago when some of the Betas brought home a prize, claiming the woman to be an Elite Princess. Being the dutiful son, he stayed in the shadows like his father Rowan wanted. His father always required him to be in the dark. He never desired him to be seen at all and Connor couldn’t understand why. He was one of the best fighters in the clan, and his lack of participation irked him to no end. He wasn’t allowed to go and fight with his brothers. Nevertheless, Father always assured him he was saved for something special.

This night had been no different. Kill and Rufus brought the woman in, dragging her while she fought the whole time. Connor always did what he was told, but this time the action, or rather non-action, felt wrong. Really wrong. He warred with himself until he could stand the tension no more. He stepped out of the gloom as a psychic wave of energy nearly dumped him on his ass.

Don’t let them do this to me, she pleaded, the voice booming in his head.

It took everything in him not to react. Sure, he’d been told about his unique powers, but no one prepared him for what they might be. He could change into a wolf, but morphing had only happened to him once. Being able to hear another’s thoughts, now that was something totally new and unimaginable. Again, he willed himself not to react at all, pressing his new-found gift further within himself.

Connor, snarled Kill, get back inside. You don’t want Father to know you were out here.

Confused, he turned to him. I – why are you doing this? He kept his voice as calm as possible. This was the first time he’d ever questioned his brother, as it was not wise to do so.

It’s none of your affair. Just do what you’re told. Kill shoved him out of his way. If you don’t watch it, you’ll be caged like the animal you are.

Connor, more confused than ever, slunk back into the dimness and watched. This moment was not the time to try and best his brother. Success wasn’t guaranteed as he tried to contact the woman.

I’m sorry, I can’t help you. Although he was in deep shadow, her head pivoted his way, and as if realizing her mistake, she looked in another direction.

Who are you?

The voice was loud and clear. The telepathic link to this woman was no mistake.

My name is Connor Logan Angus.

But you can’t be one of them.

I am a member of the Beta clan. I am the third son.

That can’t be.

And why not?

Can you link with them like you do with me?

I don’t know. I’ve never tried.

Whether you know it or not, I do.

How?

Only those of the same clan or family members can link. I’m an Elite. So what does that make you?

Connor sunk back into the murky night even more. The sick feeling he’d been having recently floated to the top again.

Impossible. There’s no way I can be part of your clan. I don’t understand any of this.

Makes two of us.

* * * *

The rescue had been a success. How they’d survived a trip through time was beyond Clarity. Even more astounding was how Lucas altered time for them and moved their mating forward. Tom took her home right away to be healed. She was lucky to have remembered the Capac Root. Mated and preparing for their honeymoon didn’t stop her from the one thing she needed to complete first.

Clarity, we really need to get ready to leave. We just had our mating ceremony last night. We need to be thinking of our future. Tom tucked the blanket more tightly around her as he snuggled closer.

Smiling at the man she loved, she couldn’t help but remember a similar gesture when first arriving home. Clarity had shivered intensely when she first got back, and the chill in her bones seemed to take hours to go away. Even though, seeming unconscious, she’d actually been in a state somewhere in-between. Thank God Tom had been there. He was truly the only one who could warm her heart and soul.

I’ve got to do this, Tom. I can’t explain why. There’s no choice. Seeing my father before we leave on our honeymoon is imperative. Please. She hoped her face reflected the turmoil of her mind. She’d see her father with or without his permission, and she forced herself to grow stronger by the minute so her new husband wouldn’t question her mental health. When returning from the future, she hadn’t told him initially what was on her mind. If she had, he’d surely have feared for her mind as what she learned changed her whole world. Knowing the problem, he’d help her work it out in her own time. Still, her father must be informed of her discovery.

Tom sighed. All right, but you have to promise to make this visit quick. I still don’t think you’re all well yet...you seem different. Promise? He looked down at her, love filling his eyes.

I promise. Just be there with me. I’m not sure he’s going to like what I have to say. She reached for his arm.

I’ll never leave your side again. You get into too much trouble without me. He smiled down at her and gently caressed the side of her face.

Satisfied, she snuggled up against him, determined to rest before leaving to confront her father. It seemed like just a moment before Tom shook her gently to rouse her. She sat up, touching her body that still had some aches, which would take more than a good sleep to recover from. Maybe Tom was right, maybe she wasn’t as strong as she thought.

We can wait till we get back, Tom stated quietly.

This can’t wait. We need to go to Langford and Langford and talk to my father.

I can’t stop you, can I?

No...this needs to be done now. Grimacing wasn’t her usual nature, but this time it couldn’t be helped.

All right, let’s get dressed and down there quickly. I hoped for a shower together before we leave. You sure your father will be there? It’s extremely early.

Absolutely. He’s a workaholic. Especially with what has happened in the last few days. Kissing him gently, she hovered over him for a moment before getting up. I’m sure we’ll have time for a leisurely shower before we go.

They dressed quickly and just a matter of minutes passed before Clarity climbed out of the limo and headed for the back door of Langford and Langford. Thank God for the hour; most of the employees would still be at home in bed.

She headed for the private elevator and was again thankful Tom was by her side. Sighing, she wondered if he weren’t right. Maybe she didn’t have the strength to do this, maybe healing and talking to him more would be beneficial, giving things time to settle, as he kept insisting she do. Right now, though, this needed to be done and over. The doors slid open and her chance to back out passed. Mustering all her strength, she stood straight and walked out of the elevator, Tom keeping pace.

A quick glance to her right proved her father’s ever-faithful secretary, Cordelia, was at her desk. The woman had been with her father for what seemed like a lifetime, though Clari knew it couldn’t be, as the woman was barely over forty.

Little early isn’t it, Cordy?

She stiffened and sat straighter in her chair, her gaze never wavering. One look spoke volumes. Just how much did she know about her father?

Clarity. We didn’t expect you here this morning. Aren’t you supposed to leave on your honeymoon today?

Yes, I’m supposed to be leaving. Sorry if I’ve put a kink in your timetable, Cordy. Is this going to be a problem?

He’s having a meeting with the council. The woman slowly rose from her chair.

Moving to the door, Clarity put her hand on the doorknob. Good. They need to hear this too.

Clarity, I can’t let you go in there. It’s supposed to be a private meeting. Cordy stepped up behind her.

Too bad. Tom, restrain her if you have to, please. Receiving a slight nod from her mate as he grabbed the woman’s arms, she pushed open the doors and turned right into the conference room.

She pulled open the door, her outlined silhouette had all eyes turned her way. Hello, Father.

Clarity, you should be getting ready for your honeymoon. This isn’t the place for you, her father stated flatly from his chair across the conference table.

I beg to differ.

Charles Langford tugged on his beard, a sign of