Child Of The Moon

Child Of The Moon The Lycanthrope Protection Agency Book 2 CJ Ravenna Copyright © 2023 by CJ Ravenna All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the author, except as permitted by U.S. copyright law. Editing by Carta's Editorial Services Copy and line edit by Jennifer Smith Proofreading by Lori Parks Beta reading by Rare Bird Beta Reading Cover designed by Danielle Doolittle | DoElle Designs | www.doelledesigns.com The story, all names, characters, and incidents portrayed in this production are fictitious. No identification with actual persons (living or deceased), places, buildings, and products is intended or should be inferred. First edition 2023 Content Warnings Off-page murder of a pregnant woman and child and on-page graphic depiction of their corpses Descriptions of graphic violence, murder, and injuries Contents Author's Notes 1. Homecoming 2. An Empty Seat 3. I’ll Wait for You 4. It’s Been A Year, You Jerk 5. Strangers 6. To Be Loved 7. Welcome Home 8. Wolf Point 9. The Council 10. The Hunt Begins 11. Empty Without You 12. Brothers of the Moon 13. The Apprentice 14. A Gilded Cage 15. I’m Sorry 16. Tear His Flesh 17. Eddie 18. Find Me 19. Feral 20. You Are My Life 21. Together 22. One Will Fall 23. Child of the Moon 24. Mother 25. Mate 26. Weather the Storm 27. Alpha Thank you! Want A Free EBook? About CJ Also By CJ Ravenna Author's Notes I have taken some creative liberties regarding the ancient Roman myth of Romulus and Remus, and the tomb of Romulus. The location of the tomb was discovered beneath the Forum in Rome. In this story, Romulus's tomb is located in Mount Vesuvius. At the time of writing this story, I hadn't realized there was a tomb at all. As for my other liberties, well, that should be pretty obvious as you read on. Chapter 1 HomecomingMax Gallagher smiled at the New York City skyline glittering golden in the sunrise. After escaping certain death, he was so glad to be home that tears prickled his eyes. His wolf howled for pack, for his home, and he ached to get off the motorcycle that was roaring in his ears and plant his feet in the earth. Gabe Reyes shouted something in Spanish that got drowned out by the roar of the bike. Some jerk in the lane next to them had cut in front of them. Gabe’s abs tightened beneath Max’s arms, his broad shoulders hunching toward his ears.“Chill out! We’re almost home!” he called, hoping Gabe heard him through the helmet’s Bluetooth speaker.Gabe’s shoulders loosened. “I don’t know,” he said, voice carrying easily through the speaker. “I kinda wish it could just be you and me, out on the open road forever. No crazed fanatics aspiring to godhood—no fucking traffic!” he added, growling as he veered around a van that stopped suddenly in front of them.Max held Gabe tighter and rested his head against Gabe’s back. The glittering city skyline looked like a utopia, but at the reminder of the uncertain future awaiting them, he wished he and Gabe could be assured of a lifetime free from fanatical werewolf cults.But John Stone was still out there, and as long as Stone drew breath, he would plot to use Max’s lunar powers in his plans for godhood.And Gabe was bound to pursue him.One will rise, the other will fall.The prophecy Gabe revealed to him weeks ago made Max’s stomach twist into knots. Stone had disappeared into the wilderness, and Max couldn’t hope to guess what his plans were next, only that they involved Max and Gabe.The motorcycle’s rumble growled and died when they finally parked on Park Avenue. Max stumbled off Gabe’s bike, legs wobbly from the long ride and ass thoroughly numb.They put their helmets in the bike’s storage compartment. Gabe swung his arm around Max’s shoulders. Max nestled his nose into Gabe’s neck and breathed in deep the scent of his leather jacket and springtime flowers and life. The scent of his mate.They hadn’t claimed one another yet but they would, as soon as the threat of John Stone no longer hung over their heads. It was a promise they’d sworn to one another despite the uncertain future ahead of them, so Max swept all worries and doubts from his head, kissed Gabe’s neck, and let their promise warm him.“Home sweet home,” Gabe declared, leading Max past the doorman and to the elevator. Max’s heart pounded, his stomach doing flips as they ascended toward the top floor, and Gabe grabbed his shoulder and squeezed. “Excited, Lobito?”“Yeah…” It wasn’t a lie, but he was sweating profusely. “Uh… Was anyone mad at me?”Gabe grinned. “Hell yeah. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to kiss you or throttle you with my tongue down your throat.”“So, my mom’s probably pissed, right?” Max wouldn’t blame her. “Of course,” Gabe said. The elevator doors opened with a ding, and they approached Gabe’s front door, their shoes brushing over the carpet. “I mean, you just ran off on a self-sacrificing mission without telling anyone.”Max sighed, running a hand over day-old stubble. “Telling anyone would have defeated the purpose!” He hoped she and the rest of the pack could forgive him. Gabe fumbled with his keys. “Don’t worry. I’ll protect you.”Before Gabe could stick the key in the lock, the door swung open. A smile broke across Max’s face as his mother answered the door. She broke down in tears and swept him into her arms. Max held her tight, unable to suppress the joyful sobs that spilled from his lips. “He’s home! Max is home!” she cried.She didn’t have to say another word; the entire pack gathered around Max and greeted him. Ryan Kelly pulled Max into a bear hug and slapped him on the back, grinning ear to ear. Ben Stroud glared