Reborn Luna (Hope and Keith) novel Chapter 35

21. The pheromones–2

The first time I was here, Tessa was barely sixteen and I was thirteen. We’d snuck off the pack lands, chasing freedom. We ran straight into a rogue ambush–five of them, reeking of rot and desperation.

We fought, and by a stroke of luck, we managed to get away. Banged up and bleeding, we could go home, and the gas on Tessa’s head meant she wouldn’t be conscious with all the blood she was losing.

If we hadn’t stumbled onto Edward’s doorstep, I don’t know what would have happened. He’d patched us up, no questions asked.

I thanked him by coming by every month or so and secretly delivering some of Emma’s salves and tonics for his stores.

Now I am back. As broken as I was the day we met, only this time, most of the cuts can’t be

seen.

“Edward,” I call, voice straining against the tremors in my limbs.

A moment passes. Then, the heavy footfall of weighty boots.

The back door opens, and there he is–just as broad as I remember, still wearing that tattered lab coat over his bare chest, silver chain glinting at his throat. His shaggy brown hair had gone mostly gray.

“Well, hell,” he says, blinking at me. “It’s been a long time, princess.”

I exhale, shoulders sagging.

“Sorry, it’s not a social call.”

He steps closer, eyes narrowing as he takes in my appearance–sweaty skin, glassy eyes, the faint tremble in my limbs.

“I thought you were smarter than to take that trash there peddling out there?” he says, sharply.

“Didn’t take anything,” I defend. “It was forced. An ambush. Pheromones–some kind of synthetic heat trigger. Three males. Sent by Tyler.”

His lips pulled into a thin, hard line.

“Bastard,” he mutters, then spins on his heel. “Get back here. Now.”

I follow him through the cramped corridor to the back room. The back is a converted surgical

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space lit by buzzing overhead fluorescents. The cot is stained, but the instruments are sterilized, and the floor and walls are clean. It is safer than anywhere else in this cesspit of a market.

I collapse onto the cot as he rifles through a metal cabinet.

“Tell me exactly what happened, leave nothing out,” he says without looking up.

I do.

I tell him about the bar. About how the males targeted my drinks. About how Keith showed up just in time to help–how I lost my grip when I smelled him, touched him. I tell him about the kiss. About the snap of the bond.

Edward makes a sound in his throat. Not quite pity, not quite surprise.

“You shouldn’t have been alone,” he grumbles, pulling a syringe and small vial from a box.” No matter how strong you are, there is always someone stronger. Especially when you have people like Tyler so close to you. If he’s getting desperate, if he’s stooping to chemical coercion, there’s no telling what his intentions are.” Edward and I spoke about my life often. They grew up together, and needless to say, he didn’t hold her or her children in high regard. “I knew from the moment I laid eyes on that boy something wasn’t right. He’s got the look of someone who’s never satisfied. He’s got more ambition than brains, just like his mother.”

“Pretty astute assessment from someone who only met Tyler a handful of times.”

“Once is all you need if you know what to look for. The other three times just verified what I already knew.”

He flicks the syringe, then plunges it into my arm. The cool relief spreads through me almost immediately.

“It’s a sedative,” he informs me. “This one counters most synthetic heat inducers. You’ll still feel… on edge, but the worst of it will pass.”

Already, the pressure in my chest eases. Though my skin is still damp, I’m not actively sweating. My arms and legs still tingle, but the tightness is gone. I can think again.

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