Published by EVERNIGHT PUBLISHING ® at Smashwords

  www.evernightpublishing.com

  Copyright© 2024 Beth D. Carter

  ISBN: 978-0-3695-0986-4

  Cover Artist: Jay Aheer

  Editor: Lisa Petrocelli

  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

  WARNING: The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. No part of this book may be used or reproduced electronically or in print without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in reviews.

  This is a work of fiction. All names, characters, and places are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  DEDICATION

  For Mike. My best friend, my lover, my everything.

  MOON FATED MATE

  Sheridan Pack, 3

  Beth D. Carter

  Copyright © 2024

  Prologue

  The hand wrapped around Brinnah Ashford’s wrist, squeezing tightly, felt like it was about to crush her bones.

  Vadin yanked her behind him, half dragging her, not caring in the least that she tripped and stumbled along. Not even bothering to check or care if he was hurting her. The entire pack lodge, seated for the evening meal, stared at her. Some with pity, most with indifference. When they reached the raised dais, where the alpha held court surrounded by the pack elders, he pulled her sharply and tossed her to the ground. Brinnah landed with a painful jolt, bruising her knees as she fell.

  “What is the meaning of disturbing our dinner, Vadin?” Alpha asked, sounding almost bored.

  On her hands and knees, Brinnah looked up at the pack alpha.

  “The High Luna has decided to play a nasty joke on me,” Vadin snarled. “I am a sentinel. I have a prestigious standing in the hierarchy of this pack, and that doesn’t include having a lowly omega as a mate. One who’s no better than a pup learning how to shift.”

  A collective intake of breath echoed in the suddenly silent room. Shame coursed through Brinnah, and all she wanted to do was go back to the unmated females’ cabin, bury her head in her blankets, and forget about this horrible day. What did she do to deserve this? She disliked Vadin so much, the thought of being his fated mate sickened her. He was a cruel man and a bully, especially to the wolves far weaker than himself. Many times, he’d say to the unmated females that since he had no mate, he was going to use them for his own pleasure. The threat of rape was enough to make all the women shut up and allow him to steal their resources, their food, and other supplies.

  Brinnah didn’t know how the High Luna could be so cruel. It wasn’t like she was a newly transitioned wolf. That was almost ten years ago, so why give her a mate now? She’d rather remain a single woman than be with someone horrible.

  “I deserve better!” Vadin all but screamed the proclamation. He certainly made sure everyone in the room heard him. “I don’t deserve her!”

  He pointed an accusing finger at her, as if this was somehow all her fault.

  “I reject Brinnah Ashford as my mate!”

  Pain twisted in her chest, so sharp she thought she might be having some sort of attack. She pressed a hand over her heart, panting. A sickness rose up, threatening to spew out, so she breathed through her nose in an effort not to vomit.

  Slowly, the alpha rose to his feet. “Be careful with those words, Vadin,” he said coldly. “You only get one fated mate.”

  “I don’t want a mate,” Vadin said, emphasizing his words clearly. “I especially don’t want that as a mate.”

  He sneered, his nose wrinkling like she smelled. Like she was a piece of shit on the bottom of his boot. To him, however, that was exactly what she was. He was a sentinel wolf, third highest rank in a wolf pack, right below the beta. His importance was unquestioned.

  “You have the ability to sever the mate bond,” Vadin continued.

  “With chosen mates,” the alpha corrected. “Not with fated ones. Nothing can sever what the High Luna has given.”

  “Then the High Luna can go fuck herself,” Vadin spat.

  A collective gasp went through the entire room. A few elders leaned into one another to mutter under their breaths. Then he turned and glared at everyone.

  “I, Vadin Remmel, renounce this piece of trash omega wolf,” he said loudly. Shame rolled through her, not because she thought of herself as a piece of trash, but because no one defended her. How could she be part of a pack that treated her so badly?

  Then Vadin stomped out of the pack lodge, leaving her behind. Slowly, Brinnah carefully rose to her feet. Blood coated both knees and her wrists were sore. She looked up at the alpha and saw pity in his eyes.

  “You can leave, Brinnah,” he said quietly. “Go, and try to put this behind you.”

  She turned to escape, his words tumbling through her mind. You can leave. Was the wording deliberate, and was he giving her permission to leave the pack? She interpreted it that way, so she took it to heart since it was something she had always wanted, but hadn’t the bravery to ask for it. Now, however, she had a chance. The only question left was where would she go?

  At her cabin, her roommates sat at the small dinette table, and as soon as they saw her, they jumped to their feet. Her friend, Kadie, rushed over.

  “You’re bleeding!” she exclaimed in horror.

  “Vadin pushed me down. He … he publicly rejected me. Just tossed me away like I was nothing.”

  Kadie’s mouth flattened. “Come, let’s take care of those scrapes.”

  Kadie took her hand and led her into the small bathroom, pushing her to sit on the closed commode while she got out the first aid kit. Omega’s healing ability was far slower than the higher-ranked wolves, but still better than a mere human. In a few days, she wouldn’t even have a scar.

  Their other roommate, Maggie, leaned against the doorway with her arms folded over her chest. “He’s an asshole.”

  “I’m not going to disagree,” Brinnah muttered.

  “You’re better off without him as a mate.”

  “What’s going to happen to me?” Brinnah asked, looking between both women. “What does it mean if a moon-fated mate is rejected?”

  “I don’t know,” Kadie replied. “I’ve never heard of such a thing. I didn’t even know that could happen.”

  “I didn’t know we could get a moon-fated mate ten years after transitioning,” Maggie muttered.

  “The alpha said we only get one.” Tears welled up in her eyes. “I won’t be able to have pups, will I? Or a home. Because it’s all tied to him. Which means I’ll be washing the pack’s clothes for the rest of my life. Cleaning their homes. Vacuuming their cabins. Always for them and nothing for me, except their pity.”

  Just then a soft knock rapped on their front door. Maggie frowned and hurried to answer. Elder Agnes stood in the doorway, her old eyes looking rheumy with age. Immediately, Maggie and Kadie fell to their knees, showing the back of their necks. Although Brinnah didn’t kneel, she did present her neck.

  “Please,” Elder Agnes said with a raised hand. “Stand. I’m here to talk to Brinnah.”

  Kadie rose and left the bathroom as Elder Agnes came into their small cabin. Brinnah rose to meet her in the living room.

  “How may I be of service, Elder?”

  “It is I who have come to serve you.”

  “Um … okay?”

  Elder Agnes gave a ghost of a smile. “I’ve seen one other person rejected by their moon-fated mate.”

  Once more, pain and humiliation slammed into her chest. Brinnah rubbed the spot where ribs met, trying to relieve the symptoms. “What happened?”

  “Something similar,” Elder Agnes replied. “She ended up hanging herself because she couldn’t stand the pain.”

  Her roommates gasped loudly, and they put their arms around each other. Fear joined the other two emotions building in her.

  Elder Agnes took a deep breath. “That wolf was my sister.”

  Sadness chased away the rolling panic threatening to take her under.

  “I’m so sorry,” Brinnah whispered, wishing she could comfort the older woman.

  “That’s why I had to come.”

  “What can I do?” she asked, a little whimper breaking through. “I don’t want to die.”

  Elder Agnes reached out and took one of her hands. “After my sister died, I vowed if anything like that happened again, I wouldn’t hesitate to help.”

  “So, there’s hope?”

  “Only if you’re brave.”

  Brinnah nodded. “Please. I’ll do anything.”

  “You must break the mating bond.”

  Brinnah frowned. “I didn’t know such a thing existed.”

  “The only people who can break such a bond, is an Other.”

  “Other?” Brinnah glanced at her roommates who gave a confused shrug.

  “Shifters are only one part on the pantheon of magical creatures,” Elder Agnes replied. “What you need is to find an enchantress. She can break the mating bond.”

  Relief slammed into Brinnah. There was hope. There was a cure.

  “Where can I find an enchantress?”

  Elder Agnes squeezed her hand. “I must warn you, what the alpha said was correct. You’ll never have another moon-fated mate. All will be stripped away from you, including the opportunity for pups and true love.”

  “I don’t care because I could never love Vadin. I couldn’t even like him.” Brinnah took a deep breath and lifted her chin. “If that’s the price I must pay to be free, so be it. There are far worse things than being alone.”

  Elder Agnes nodded, as if she expected that response. “I agree. But you will never be able to return to this pack.”

  Her breath hitched in her chest. Never see Kadie and Maggie again? She’d be completely alone. What would she do for money? For shelter? Nomadic wolves never lasted long. Then she thought about being around Vadin for the rest of her life. Of having to touch his clothes to wash them. Of his cruelty that he showed in front of the pack.

  “You have to go,” Maggie said softly and they looked at her. Her roommate gave her a supportive smile. “You deserve a chance at happiness. Don’t be afraid of what’s out there.”

  Brinnah swallowed down her sadness. “You could both come with me.”

  “They were not given permission by the alpha,” Elder Agnes reminded her. “Only you were. Granted, I don’t think that’s what he meant, but the words could be interpreted with other meanings. That’s why I hurried here, in case he says something different to you.”

  “So, I have to leave tonight?”

  “Yes.”

  “But where do I find an enchantress?”

  “In the town of Sheridan, Colorado, there is a woman by the name of Esmeralda. She knows where an enchantress resides. Find her, and you’ll be free.”

  The thought of leaving everything she knew scared her, but she realized the truth behind Elder Agnes’s word, and nodded.

  “All right.” A weight slid off her shoulders as she made the decision.

  “Run as your wolf. It’ll be easier and faster.”

  “You can carry your backpack in your mouth,” Kadie said. “Let me go pack something for you. Some clothes. A brush. Deodorant. And I have money I can give you.”

  “Oh, no, please, I can’t ask—”

  “We’re not asking,” Maggie said. “We’re giving.”

  Kadie nodded. “We love you, Brinnah. We’ll miss you, but we understand you have to leave.”

  Brinnah walked over to them and hugged them both. The three stood with their arms around each other, tears coursing down their cheeks.

  “Maybe”—she sniffed—”you can ask the alpha to leave so you can join me.”

  “Maybe one day,” Maggie whispered.

  “Enough tears,” Elder Agnes said gruffly. “You must leave tonight. I give you permission to shift because running as a wolf will get you there far more quickly. Stick with your form, and stay away from human populated areas.”

  Brinnah wiped her face and turned to bow to the old woman. “I don’t know how to thank you for this.”

  “My sister would have wanted me to do this. We women must look out for one another.” She moved to the door. “Good luck, Brinnah Ashford.”

  As soon as she left, Kadie and Maggie hurried to get her ready to leave. She couldn’t take much, but she didn’t need much. The one precious accessory she placed in her bag was a small book where she had a few pictures of her, Kadie, and Maggie laughing together as they took selfies.

  When it was time for her to leave, they all traipsed into the forest. Brinnah gave one last, sad smile to her friends then stripped off her clothes. A moment later, she shifted into her wolf. Kadie held out the backpack and Brinnah grabbed it between her jaws.

  Then she took off, not looking back.

  She had an enchantress to find.

  Chapter One

  Everett Brice stepped carefully over a felled log and sniffed the air. He’d been tracking a rabid mountain lion for over an hour. The damn cat had gotten into Old Man Pritchard’s goat pen, and all the survivors had to be put down. He couldn’t allow the cat to hurt anyone or any other animal. He studied the ground again, easily picking up the tracks once more. The deeper he went into the forest, the more his wolf senses were able to smell. Town living tended to interfere too much with his nose.

  A branch cracked somewhere off to his right, and he turned, studying the foliage all around. Nothing caught his eye, but a small whimper had him pausing. That was a human noise. A hiker? Little late in the year from them, but he hoped the damn hiker was able to hobble out of the woods.

  A mysterious scent came with the wind. Something sweet. Chocolate with hints of spice. Mouthwatering. It stopped him in his tracks and made his heart pound. Made him salivate, and his cock got unbelievably hard. What the fuck was happening to him? Another whimper whispered through the brush, and suddenly a scream pierced the air with an answering screech of a cat. Everett took off, running as fast as he was able through the underbrush. He pushed into a clearing and saw a female on the ground, holding her ankle, and the damn rabid cat stalking closer. The woman didn’t even notice as he took aim with his gun and fired just as the mountain lion pounced. The bullet tore through the beast’s head, stopping him instantly. The body flopped down next to her and she scrambled away as best she could.

  The sweet scent once more invaded his senses. It didn’t take Everett long to realize it was the woman who smelled like spicy chocolate. It made his wolf pace restlessly, wanting to be free. Urging him to mate her.

  Wait. Mate?

  His gaze collided with wide brown eyes, and his wolf suddenly pushed to the front in his head. Wanting her. Craving her. He took a step back, not sure what was going on with his wolf. He’d never acted like this before.

  The woman had wild strawberry red hair curling all around her shoulders. Freckles danced across the bridge of her nose and dusted over her cheeks. Her clothes seemed a little too big for her delicate frame. A backpack was slung over her shoulders. Fear and pain blanketed her features. Luckily, his sanity returned and he held up his hands.

  “I’m not going to hurt you,” he reassured. “I was tracking that rabid cat. Did it bite you?”

  She shook her head. “I-I’m Brinnah,” she said, stuttering a little. “I was running from that animal when I tripped and hurt my ankle.”

  “My name is Everett Brice. May I approach?”

  Hesitating for only a moment, a grimace of pain crossed her face and she nodded.

  He wanted to scoop her up and move her away from the carcass of the rabid cat, but he doubted that would put any of her fear aside. Slowly, he made his way to her, keeping his hands up to show he wasn’t planning anything. When he reached her, he squatted beside her.

  “Can I touch your ankle?”

  “Why?” she asked, looking a little panicked.

  “I need to know how bad it is.”

  She bit her bottom lip. “Okay.”

  Everett gently picked up her foot and carefully rotated it. She winced but he didn’t feel any broken bones

  “I think it’s just twisted, but you shouldn’t walk on it. Can you shift?”

  Her gaze turned downward. “I’m only an omega.”

  He placed a finger under her chin to bring her gaze back up to his. “What does that mean?”

  Her dark eyes widened. “It means … I’m … don’t you know what omegas are?”

  “Yes, I’m familiar with the archaic rung of hierarchy, but that doesn’t explain why you can’t shift.”

  “Because I must have permission.”

  “What? Says who?”

  She blinked, then tilted her head a little as she studied him. Slowly, she reached up to move his hair and run a finger over the top of his ear. Just the tiny touch had him burning, and that delicious scent once more tickled his nose.

  “Are you a shifter?” she asked.

  “Yes. Why?”

  “You don’t look like one.”

  He grinned. “And what does a shifter look like?”

  She pulled her hair up and turned her head, and he saw the top of her ear. It was triangular shaped, taking on a cupped look, instead of round like a normal human. Tufts of short, fine fur at the top of her ear were the same color as her hair.

  He reached up to touch the tip. “Why are your ears like this?”

  “Because I’m a shifter.”

  “I’ve never seen ears like this on any shifter,” he said. “But they’re really cute.”

 

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