Ellora's Cavemen: Tales from the Temple II
Ellora's Cave
Genre: Vampire/Shape-shifter/Paranormal/Fantasy/Anthology
ISBN #1-84360-927-4
Book Length: 6 Person Anthology
Buy the eBook | Buy the Print
Available in Spanish

By Moon Rise
After three years of working as a werewolf's personal assistant, Caitlin didn't think anything could surprise her. When she finds herself locked in a hotel room for two days with her wickedly handsome boss, she learns how wrong she is.

The moon is on the rise and only one thing will satisfy the wolf inside Luc-sex, and lots of it. It's a sacrifice Caitlin is oh-so-willing to make.

But when wilder, deeper emotions come to the surface, Caitlin fears she won't make it out of that room with her heart intact.



Excerpt:
"We're what?"

Caitlin didn't flinch at her boss's outburst. After three years she knew Luc's temper flared hot but burned out quickly. She also knew his anger wasn't directed at her. She was just the messenger.

"Quarantined," she repeated with polite patience. Since the SARS outbreaks a few years before, world health organizations took immediate precautions when new viruses appeared. "The entire hotel is locked down for forty-eight hours. The virus takes twenty-four hours to incubate. We'll all be tested and if we're fine and showing no symptoms, we can leave."

"They can't just keep us here."

"Yes, they can. Ninety percent of the people who contract this disease die within three days. It's got everyone in a panic and since the last two cases have connections to this hotel, they've quarantined the whole building. Only health officials will be allowed in and they'll be in protective suits."

Luc dragged five fingers through his long black hair and spun away. His long legs carried him across the suite at a furious pace before he whipped around and came back.

"We have to go north." The bright glitter of his blue eyes warned of the ragged emotions humming through him.

Caitlin could understand his concern. His future wife was waiting for him. The bonding ceremony was only three days away.

"Don't worry. I put extra time in our schedule to deal with any delays. We'll make it on time."

"You don't understand. We can't stay."

"We don't have a choice," she countered. She knew he didn't like to be confined, but the suite they occupied gave them plenty of room-enough for some privacy and a little freedom. "And don't worry. It's a simple blood test to determine the existence of the virus. They won't notice anything different in your blood," she said in case that was his concern.

"We can't stay," he repeated. Something in his tone alerted Caitlin. He wasn't joking or complaining. He was dead serious. There had to be a reason. She waited. Finally Luc sighed. "Tomorrow night is the full moon."

Caitlin's stomach fell away. A full moon was the one time when werewolves couldn't control their change. That meant that sometime tomorrow night, Luc, third in charge of the Northern Pack, would sprout fur and grow very large teeth.

"I have to sneak out."

Caitlin shook her head. "They have guards posted around the building. They are really panicked about this latest outbreak." She bit her lip and began her own wandering around the room. "And they have your information. If you were able to get out, they'd come after you, and that could lead them to the Pack." Pack security was always the first priority.

"Either I make a run for it or we're going to be explaining how a wolf got loose inside an urban hotel." He rubbed his forehead. She could almost see the tension headache forming. "God knows what kind of damage he'll cause in a place like this."

Caitlin knew from talking with pack members that they had only vague memories of their times as a wolf. The passion and energy of the animal remained, but specifics were hazy.

"Isn't there a way to stop the change? Or delay it?"

Luc shook his head. "No. The moon controls it." He sighed. "And that means by moon rise tomorrow night, I'll be a full wolf."

Their paths intersected in the middle of the suite. She stared up at him, noting again the sheer masculine beauty-the long black hair flowing to his shoulders, the intriguing angles and shadows of his cheekbones and strong jaw, but it was his eyes that called to her. Eyes troubled and looking to her for answers.

"Call Fallon," Caitlin suggested. "Since becoming the Alpha he seems to have answers for everything."

Luc smiled grimly and agreed. "He does seem to have bits of arcane knowledge that he doesn't see fit to share with the rest of us until the precise moment we need it." Luc flipped open his phone and dialed the direct line to the head of the wolf pack.

Not wanting to eavesdrop on the conversation but knowing she might be needed, Caitlin lingered nearby as Luc went through the ritualized greeting of the wolves.

Then, Luc reported their situation. "So, is there anything that can stop a full-moon change?" He waited. Confusion crinkled the corners of his eyes. He looked over at her. "Uh, I don't think that's going to work," he said, his voice dropping. "I'm with Caitlin. I'm just not sure she's ready for that."

Caitlin straightened, pulling her shoulders back and extending to her full five-foot-six. Though not a werewolf herself, the Pack had become her family as well as her employer. She would do whatever it took to defend the Pack.

"Fallon wants to talk to you." Luc offered her his phone then quickly backed away.

What was this mystery activity? Did he need to feed on her blood? That sounded suspiciously like a vampire's cure and since werewolves and vampires had been mortal enemies for centuries, she doubted that would be it.

"Honor upon your house. Health and happiness for your pups, Alpha," Caitlin said.

Luc leaned against the wall and watched Caitlin. He'd always thought she was cute but he'd never allowed himself to look at her in a sexual way. Staring at her now, he could see her lush body-firm, full breasts, an ass with just enough curve to fill his hands. He ignored the tightening in his crotch and listened to Caitlin's conversation. As she talked, she continued to walk the width of the room. The Alpha's solution was unusual and risky. And it required Caitlin's full cooperation.

Luc could hear the faint rumble of Fallon's voice through the phone. And he knew the precise moment he explained what was needed. It was the moment Caitlin's cheeks turned red. She raised one finger and gnawed on the nail. It was a habit she had when she was thinking or nervous.

"Yes, I understand." She nodded and turned away. "Yes, thank you, Alpha." She snapped the phone shut but kept her back to him.

"Did he explain what you would need to do?"

Caitlin nodded and slowly turned to face him. "I'm to keep the room cool, feed you the rarest cuts of meat they can provide and." The blush bloomed again in her cheeks. "And have sex with you whenever and however you desire it."



Reviews:
"Author Tielle St Clare did a wonderful job bringing a hot erotic tale to life in By Moon Rise. This story is filled with hot sex and romance."

In the Library Reviews


"Ms. St. Clare has created a masterpiece. This story has originality and a pair of star crossed lovers that were not just hot they were explosive!!...By Moon Rise is by far one of the sexiest werewolf tales I have seen in a long time."

Just Erotic Romance Reviews