Natural Born Enemies (Cedar River Series) by Gemma K. Murray

going to see if Mrs. G needs some help with dinner,” Luna said, a mischievous glint in her eye.
    I watched her walk away before grabbing Callum in a headlock. “I’ll show you who’s a pussy, firebreather.”
    Colin came to aid his twin, which led to Brady jumping into help me. The commotion got Lorelai’s attention. “What in hell is going on in here?” she said. “Oh, Adam, it’s just you.”
    I held one of her younger sons in a full Nelson hold as I kissed her cheek. “Run away with me, Mama G.,” I asked her.
    “If the day comes when I leave Bernard, Adam, you’ll be the first to know,” she said. Looking at Callum, she said, “Are you bothering Adam?”
    “No, ma’am,” Callum answered, grinning.
    With a wink, she walked back into the kitchen.
    “Let’s go watch the game,” Brady said as he dropped his younger brother to the floor.
    “Alright,” I said as I let Callum go, “I want to talk to you anyway. There is someone in your woods.”
    Brady looked concerned. “Let me call Bowie in and we’ll take this into Dad’s office.” He opened the front door and called out for Bowie, “Family meeting, Bo!”
    Bowie came running with Ana tossed over his shoulder, giggling with delight. “What’s up, Brady?”
    “Adam says there is someone in the woods.”
    “Whoever it was had a gun and took a shot at me,” I said.
    Bowie flipped Ana over to her feet. “You smelled anything out there lately?” he asked his wife.
    “I haven’t seen anything out of the ordinary. It’s too early in the season to have some gun-happy tourist up here.”
    With a smack on her backside, Bowie shooed Ana into the kitchen with the other women. I followed the Goldens into the living room and through to Bernard’s office. Maps of the area covered the wall. Bernard brought up the rear of the group and closed the door behind him.
    “What’s up, son?” he asked.
    “Someone took a shot at Adam and Luna,” Brady answered.
    Bernard looked to me, “Tonight?”
    “Yes, sir, we were taking a run and hit the clearing. While we were there, I felt something fly by my head. There was no sound whatsoever. Whoever took the shot meant business. They were out to kill.”
    Bernard put his arm around me. “I’m sorry, son. Bowie, what are your thoughts?”
    Bowie shrugged, “I really don’t know, Dad. I can’t imagine Rock trespassing in our woods. I mean he hates Adam, but I wouldn’t think he’d want him dead.”
    Brady was studying the map of the woods surrounding the Goldens’ land. He was tracing his fingers over the various lines. “When you and Luna came in, did you notice a vehicle of any sort sitting alongside the road?”
    “I didn’t see anything, Brady.” I turned to Bowie, “Are we heading for another massacre attempt?”
    “I fuckin’ hope not,” Bowie replied. “We can’t handle this again.”
    The twins stood against the wall with looks of silent terror on their faces. They jumped when Lorelai knocked on the office door.
    “Come and eat, boys. You can strategize after dinner,” she said.
    We each stopped to kiss her soft cheek as we passed by. Bernard put his arm around her and followed us to the kitchen.
    In this place where I felt the most comfortable, I took Luna in my arms and kissed her soundly. She melted against me. “Are you okay?” I asked.
    “Hmmmm, I’m better than okay now,” she replied.
    We pulled up chairs to the huge oak kitchen table and felt the arms of acceptance wrap around us. This would always be a place where the love we shared wouldn’t be judged.
     
                                                     

Chapter Eleven- Luna
     
    An evening with the Goldens is one you will never forget. There is such love within this family and it just sucks you right in. I have never felt that accepted, even in my own pack. Adam became the man I remembered him to be. He was relaxed and laughing with the Goldens. The food was amazing.