Full Moon Rising

AN: Sorry for the long wait but after a very long dry spell I have finally found a direction (of sorts) for this story. Please tell me what you think and as always suggestions and comments are welcomed.

Chapter 15


Luckily, this time it seemed that Xander had only blacked out for a few moments and he awoke to the sound of low voices trying in vain to argue in hushed tones. With his eyes still closed, Xander listened to the heated conversation between Richard and Anita with interest. He was beginning to think bickering was only way those two knew how to communicate, considering that every time he saw them together they were yelling at each other. There was definitely some unspoken history going on between them. Only enemies or lovers could fight that much. It sort of reminded him of the time he was dating Cordy; through the course of their relationship his ex girlfriend had played both roles at one time or another.

“You can’t be serious.”

Richard folded his arms stubbornly across his broad chest. “He just saved Rosie’s life and the life of her baby.”

“We don’t know that for sure.”

“You saw the same thing I did, Anita.”

Anita couldn’t believe what she was hearing. This was the same man who had attacked Richard so viciously a few hours ago and now the werewolf was acting as if he was some sort of saint.

“Just because he laid his hand on her belly doesn’t mean that he’s the reason why the baby is still alive. The baby has survived for 8 weeks. There are other factors to consider before we jump to any conclusions.”

“Still, even if there is the slightest chance that he was responsible, the shifters coalition should know.”

“We can’t tell anyone about this, at least not yet. We don’t know anything about him or his beast. Jean Claude doesn’t trust him and neither do I.”

Richard scoffed. He wasn’t surprised that Jean Claude was involved. Anita had always taken the vampire’s side over his.

Anita grabbed Richard’s arm. “Wait, listen to me for a minute. From what Narcissus senses he’s a pretty powerful Alpha, and old too, as far as Jean Claude could tell; but for some reason this guy can’t remember how long he has been infected, or how exactly he got that way in the first place. The only explanation he has given us is some ridicules story about an animal possession that happened years ago and I don’t think that lycanthropy through possession is even possible. The whole thing sounds fishy to me.”

The werewolf shrugged off her hand. “Fine Anita, but now you listen to me. You’re not a shifter, so I don’t expect you to understand. What I saw here tonight was miracle, a genuine goddamn miracle, for all of us who thought it was impossible to have a normal life due to this disease. And now you want me to keep it a secret.” Richard shook his head. “No, this is too big for us to decide on our own. We don’t have that right. You have one week, Anita, to find out what ever you think you need to know; but after that I’m calling the shifter coalition, with or without your consent,” shouted Richard before he slammed the door behind him, presumably to join Rosie and Dr Lillian in the next room.

Xander’s eyes popped opened after Richard left, losing all pretext that he was still asleep.

“Boyfriend troubles,” said Xander innocently.

Anita glared at him. “Shut up and let’s go.”

They arrived at Anita’s house just after dawn. The jeep pulled into the driveway and just before they got out of the car Anita turned around and pinned Xander to the seat with a cool stare. “I’m warning you, everyone that lives in this house is under my protection, including Nathaniel. Don’t mess with them. If you hurt them in any way I’ll kill you.”

“Is that a threat?”

“No, it’s a promise.”

The hyena in Xander growled in approval. If the situation had been reverse he would have probably done the exact same thing. Grudgingly he had to admit that Anita and he may have more in common then he would like to admit especially in the way they chose to protect their people but that still didn’t mean he had to like her.

***

Nathaniel woke up wrapped up tightly in Xander’s arms. It was a nice change from the way he usually woke up. It always seemed that he was the one that was doing the holding and it was nice being the one held this time. He turned around and studied the sleeping man’s slightly stubble face in wonder. He still couldn’t believe that he was still here. Last night Xander had taken the first glimpse into his life. Nathaniel knew that most people would consider his life complicated, if not dysfunctional, and he certainly had his share of problems. Most guys would have bolted at the first sign of trouble but Xander continued to prove to him how different he was, simply by choosing to stay with him.

And the very idea that Xander still wanted him, wanted him enough to claim him as his mate, blew the wereleopard’s mind. Their bond was still too weak to be considered permanent but it was definitely there. He was a sub. Gabriel trained him to be the perfect submissive, so when he first saw Xander he didn’t see the man as a potential partner but as a potential dom. Never in his wildest dreams would he imagine becoming someone’s mate. That title belonged to people better than him, confident and independent people like Anita and Richard. To call someone your mate was to call them your equal, and you had to be pretty special to be considered worthy of a strong Alpha like Xander.

It made him nervous. It was too good to be true and Nathaniel found himself waiting for the bottom to drop out, for Xander to realize his mistake and dump him when he found out who he had bonded himself too. Because who would ever want a whore for a mate?

The wereleopard sighed and looked at the clock. It was almost 8 o’clock and Anita would be getting up for work soon. He had better get up and make breakfast. Anita was always grouchy in the morning if she didn’t get her coffee.

“Where do you think your going?” purred a sleepy voice from underneath the covers.

Nathaniel smiled as strong arms pulled him back in bed. “I thought you were still asleep.”

“Nah I couldn’t sleep anymore. So where are you going so early?” asked Xander as he ran his hand through the wereleopard’s loose hair.

“I have to make breakfast.”

Xander brushed his lips against the auburn haired man’s mouth as his hands followed the natural curve of his hip to his lower back. “I’ve got a better idea, how about we stay in bed and fool around instead. We got in pretty late last night and nobody is going be up this early.”

Nathaniel gasped as Xander nibbled fingers dipped lower down his spine sending tingles through his body. “Are you’re sure?”

“Oh yeah,” murmured Xander as he nibbled at his ear. “We have plenty of time.”

A crash and the sound of cabinets slamming in the kitchen penetrated through the door. “Where the hell is the coffee?” screeched Anita down the hall.

“Or I could be wrong.”

***

Anita glared at Xander over a fresh cup of coffee. She wore a light blue silk blouse under a freshly ironed dark blue pant suit with her gun holster peeping from underneath her jacket. Xander had no clue what the woman did for a living. She was too small to be a bodyguard and her clothes were a bit too nice for a cop. She was either a private investigator, or high paid hit man, but neither role seemed to fit her. “I got to go to work today. But Jason will be here to watch you.”

“Gee Mom don’t you think I’m a bit old for a babysitter? I have been taking care of myself since I turned eighteen.”

“I promised Jean Claude that I would keep an eye on you and I always keep my promises.”

Xander’s eyebrow rose at the subtle reminder of last night’s warning.

Jason walked in the room with a cheerful smile on his face. “Hey, am I in time for breakfast?”

“You’re late.”

The blonde stripper smiled charmingly. “Only a few minutes.”

Anita rolled her eyes as she placed her coffee cup in the sink. “I better get going or I’ll be late for work. Make sure that he doesn’t get into trouble.”

Jason saluted. “Yes Ma’am.”

Anita moved to the stove where Nathaniel was cooking breakfast. “I’ve got a raising tonight so I won’t be home until after dark, and Micah won’t get off work until six, so be careful,” said Anita as she glanced over to Xander to make sure he was watching. The wereleopard nodded in understanding and than suddenly, as if it was an afterthought, Anita gave him a quick peck on the cheek near the corner of his mouth.

Xander growled as he watched the woman leave. What the hell was that? If she had moved her mouth an inch to the right she would have definitely made lip contact! In all appearance the kiss seemed innocent enough, very motherly in fact, but it seemed that Anita had done it deliberately for his benefit. He knew that Anita was Nathaniel’s Nimir-ra, which he assumed was something like the mother of the Pard. But his instincts were telling him that wasn’t the whole story. There was something not quite kosher about their relationship.

Jason cleared his throat in an attempt to break the tension. “So what do you want to do today?”

“I have a choice?” asked Xander in surprise. “I thought she said-”

Jason waved his hand dismissively towards the door Anita had just left. “Just because she said to keep an eye on you doesn’t mean we have to stay in the house. Think of me as your very handsome, and let’s not forget very sexy, escort for the day.”

Xander smiled. He was beginning to like Jason. “Well first breakfast, then I need to stop by my hotel and get my clothes. After that I’m all yours.”

“Is that an offer?” purred Jason.

“NO! Um, I mean no, as in I’m not interested. Not that you are unattractive, because you are, attractive I mean. I’m just not really into guys, well except for Nate but he’s special, and oh God will someone just shoot me now.”

“Relax Xander I’m just kidding. Nathaniel is my best friend and I wouldn’t come between you two, unless you invite me first.”

Xander laughed nervously. “Oh god, you never stop do you?”

The werewolf gave the handsome brunet a saucy grin. “Nope, and I’ll have you know that the ladies find my persistence very charming.”

As Nathaniel bent over the table to place two plates piled high with sausages and eggs in front of them the wereleopard gave Xander a wink before he whispered loudly, “more like annoying and incredibly desperate.”

“Hey!”

The wereleopard ignored Jason’s indignant sputtering as he sat down with his own plate next to Xander. “So have you been in St Louis for long.”

“No, just drove in a couple of days ago.”

Nathaniel chewed thoughtfully on the end of his sausage. “Well, we can take a tour of the city.”

Xander stared, memorized, as the wereleopard nibbled seductively on the piece of meat as if he wouldn’t mind trading places with it. He swallowed nervously as his mouth suddenly went dry. “What?”

Jason smirked at the dark haired man with knowing eyes and Xander blushed in embarrassment. “Oh a tour would be good.”

The last few months were a blur between driving from one nameless town to another and he wouldn’t mind taking in the sites for a change. “Yeah I wouldn’t mind seeing the Arch and, oh, the zoo,” said the brunet excitedly as he warmed up to the idea.

Jason laughed. “The Zoo! Xander that’s kid’s stuff. You haven’t seen St. Louis yet until you visited Blood Square at night.”