Beneath the Broken Moon: Part Two: Shifter/Vampire Romance Read Free

couldn’t do anything about my father. Only the Alpha of Alphas’ opinion would carry any weight, and a werewolf like that wouldn’t care for a random girl like me.
    I needed to leave the restaurant and get away for a while; just take a walk and be on my own. I set my spoon down on the edge of the plate, not willing to eat anymore. If I left Brendan, I could be throwing away my future. He’d been kind, if a little pushy. Besides, Father would be furious if I arrived home by myself, and if the Cazador showed up...I’d be screwed .
    The idea only having one arm to defend myself—and of risking further injury if I shifted—made me that much more desperate to shed my human skin and run free. Life had become far too stressful. Maybe the Outskirts would be better than this.
    The people around us all seemed happy, regardless of the apocalypse the world had faced. Their smiles and lingering touches hurt my heart. I wanted those things most. A true, loving relationship...could that ever happen for me?
    The harsh bang of a gun firing sounded somewhere outside, and I nearly jumped out of my seat. Panic thrummed in my chest. Another bang followed the first, and loud scrambling noises ensued. The Cazador were after more nocturnes. I glanced at Brendan, and our eyes met.
    He appeared stoic, but the energy around him spiked, giving me a sensation like ants marching across my skin. His gaze shifted to the door, as if willing someone to come through so he could kill them.
    The shouts and gunshots grew louder. But we should be safe here. The hunters wouldn’t dare rampage through such a fancy restaurant, not when the people who frequented places like this funded them. Though that might not stop them if they were in pursuit.
    My shoulders tensed, and I placed my hand on his. “Don’t. You can’t risk yourself.”
    Brendan looked at me for a moment, then pulled away. He dug through his wallet, leaving more money on the table than I typically saw in a year. “You’re right. Let’s get out of here. I don’t want you to be this close to danger, especially while defenseless.” He stood and held out his hand for me.
    “I’m not defenseless.” Frowning, I stared up at him. “I could protect myself if I had to.” I’d handled myself with Derek, after all. Getting one up on a vampire wasn’t an easy task.
    Narrowing his eyes, he extended his hand farther. “Right now, you’re my responsibility. I’m in charge of your safety. Don’t make me cause a scene, because I will.” Anger darkened his eyes.
    I drew in a shaky breath, not comfortable with this side of him, but I accepted his offered hand. The last thing we needed was attention drawn to us.
    The large windows at the front of the restaurant shattered, and glass rained inward. Several guests screamed and ducked under tables. Having the Cazador interrupt an evening wasn’t uncommon, but they usually kept to the streets unless they were in pursuit of nocturnes.
    Brendan crouched beside me, his hand squeezing mine a little tighter.
    Fear pumped through my veins as three Cazador filed through the front door.
    Near the shattered glass crouched a man. No, it was a nocturne, with blood trickling over the pale skin of his face and arms. He watched the Cazador, wrinkling his nose with utter disgust. The nocturne flashed long fangs and darted toward the back of the restaurant, past our table. He sucked in a deep breath and paused to hiss at us before continuing.
    At the restaurant’s entrance, the hostess held her hand over her mouth, swaying on her feet as if she was moments from fainting. One of the hunters poked her in the chest, causing her to collapse to the floor, while the others darted after the vampire. Satisfied by intimidating the woman, the third man barreled through the restaurant to catch up with his pals. My heart skipped a beat. He was the younger hunter from the Teatro the other night.
    Oh no. I dropped my purse and ducked my head, hoping he wouldn’t notice me.