To Hunt A Moonborn Beast

To Hunt A Moonborn Beast The Lycanthrope Protection Agency Book 1 CJ Ravenna Copyright 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 On-page depictions and discussions of domestic violence Trauma recovery Graphic violence and gore Scenes of wolves hunting prey animals Prejudice and bigotry Mentions of past child abuse and torture that occurred off-page Dedication I'd like to dedicate this book, this whole series, to my pack. Not just my family for their support, but every editor and beta reader who had a role in shaping this story. Thank you for all your support, feedback, and belief in my stories. Without you, this series wouldn't have been possible. Contents 1. Bad Man 2. Chili and Cinnamon 3. Lobito 4. Flowers and Springtime 5. Filthy Hybrid 6. You're Safe 7. Filet Mignon 8. A Fresh Start 9. Desire 10. Lay Our Demons to Rest 11. Bloodlust and Fury 12. Keep You Safe 13. Scars Don’t Define You 14. Blood-Crazed Beast 15. Threads of Light 16. A Light in the Cold Dark 17. Destined 18. I Chose You, Too 19. Someone to Howl For 20. Taking a Chance 21. Blood Moon 22. To Hunt a Moonborn Beast 23. Love 24. One of Us 25. Make Your Choice 26. Blood Under the Moon 27. The Promise 28. Wargs of War Thank you! Want a Free Ebook? About CJ Chapter 1 Bad ManBad Man’s coming. The wolf trembled. The air was ripe with the stench of his own pitiful fear. Wide eyes strained, struggling to pierce the total darkness closing in on him. With his loud voice that stinks of alcohol. With his belt that burns against my hide.The floorboards squeaked beyond the pantry door. His heart raced faster than a hare on the run.He’s coming. He’s coming. He’s going to hurt me. He’s going to kill me this time.A growl rumbled from his throat, as loud as he could make it. Have to fight. Have to kill. Don’t hurt me. Don’t hurt me.The doorknob rattled. His tail curled between his legs. The smell of his own urine burned away the stale smell of dried, crusty blood. His blood.“Max? Honey?”The pale face of a woman peered in at him. Not Bad Man. Her smell was of sweat and salty tears, acidic with fear that made her blood pump fast. She was familiar. He knew her. He couldn’t remember from where, but the sight of her made something warm bloom in his chest. Something comforting. Memories tugged at his mind. Her smiling face and warm arms around him. If only he could remember her…“Max. Oh Goddess. You’re feral. What did that monster do to you?” Wiping her eyes, she reached out to him. “It’s okay now. I’m so sorry I couldn’t find you sooner. We’re leaving, I promise. He’ll never hurt you again. Come here, baby. Come here, please.” The salty smell of her tears gave pause to his fury. Who was she talking to? Him?No. She’ll hit me. Hurt me. Make me bleed. I’m not Max. I’m Filthy Mutt. Like Bad Man says. A mongrel. “Max. It’s me. Don’t you remember me at all?” The door opened wider. Freedom. All he had to do was run. Go far away. He’d never be hurt again. The woman beckoned to him, but what for? To hold him, protect him? No! No! She’ll hold me down. Hurt me. Trap me.She smiled, her eyes full of tears. Her smile spoke of love. He wanted to trust, wanted her to hold him and protect him, take him far away. She knelt and opened her arms. Waiting for him to come to her.“I won’t hurt you, baby. Please. Please, come here.” He took one step, then another, extending his snout toward her hand. Her fingers settled on his nose, gently stroking his fur. She would help him. He could trust her. He came closer until he could smell her perfume. It was… familiar, somehow. It smelled like lunar flowers underneath a blue sky. Of safety and comfort. Home.She motioned him toward the door, mouth trembling as she smiled. “That’s it. Come on, Max. Let’s go.” She opened the door wider for him.Mother. That was who she was. His mother. She’d never hurt him.The tiles were cool beneath his paws. His mother touched his head, caressing between his ears. He closed his eyes. Hadn’t she used to pet him this way? Even when he was… human. He was human. A man. That name she’d uttered was his. Max. That was right. He was Maxwell Gallagher. He was nineteen, almost twenty. He lived in New York City. His stepdad was an asshole and his life was full of uncertainty and fear, but right now he was safe. He was loved. He was free. Closing his eyes, he felt inside himself for the bond they shared, tattered but warm. He found it, beating along with his heart. He grasped it the way one might grab an anchor, let it pull him to shore, toward where the human in him dwelled. “That’s it, honey. Shift back. You can do it.” She gasped. Gravel crunched in the driveway outside. Headlights splashed across the room. “He’s coming! Max, hurry!”Beneath her hand, his paw turned to fingers, then back to a paw. The shift wouldn’t come. He was stuck. Their bond was frayed; it wasn’t