The Gravity Between Moons

Chapter Five

Rory looked around the bare room skeptically. Her new office space would need quite a bit of TLC and supplies. But it would have to do. Maybe Lexie could work some magic.

Lexke. s**t. Her birthday was coming up and there was still so much to do to prepare for that.

Adding it to her mental to do list, she tried to focus on the task at hand.

Another council member had been found dead, before Brook's death had even had a proper investigation.

The Guard had announced lockdowns proactively, and Rory's parents had suggested Rory and Lexie earn their places in the guard by doing their own private outside investigation.

So here they were. Not that Rory minded. A reason to spend more time with Lexie?

"Don't mind if I do." she laughed out loud.

"Don't mind if you do what?" Lexie asked, returning from the storage closet pushing a rolling desk and chair.

"Oh, nothing. " Rory wrapped her arms around Lexies's neck and pulled her close. Breathing in the sweet scent of her lover, she pressed her lips to her the warm skin under Lexie's chin.

"Have I told you I loved you today, my beautiful lady?" Kissing up her jaw and finding her way to Lexie's lips she paused, waiting for a response.

Lexie's eyes darkened as she stared into Rory's soul. She licked her lips seductively, then gave her a pout.

"Why no, I don't believe you have."

She leaned in and pressed her pillowy moistened lips to Rorys.

Rory felt all the blood in her body rush to her core, her chest felt tight, and a familiar warm rush swept over her. She felt tingly all over.

Arlo panted in her ear, making it well known what she thought they should be doing while they had some time alone.

Remembering why they were in the office, Rory groaned, and released Lexie from the tight hold she had placed her in.

"Damn it, ok. We need to get some actual work done. Agh. But you and me...more of this later." She kissed Lexie one more time. Wrapping one hand through her hair, and the other slipped into her back pocket to cup her bottom and pull their bodies close.

Lexie traced her fingers up Rory's hip, over her belly button to her waist, then ever so slightly brushing her breast on the way up to her throat. "Definitely more of this." she growled. She slowly backed up to the desk and then resumed moving the furniture to its place.

"Ahem." Rory cleared her throat and mind. "Okay, so I had the reports from the deaths emailed to me. As you know, the second death was John Baste. Retired Council member. Found by his neighbor, sitting in his recliner by his fireplace. It looked to be caused by the fire getting out of hand, until they found a vial of liquid broken and half empty by his chair. This liquid is being examined as we speak."

"So, we need some thumbtacks, pictures, and red string to connect the dots right? Like all the good detective shows?" Lexie raised her eyebrows and gave her a big smile. "There is definitely something fishy going on here. Two grumpy old farts don't end up dead within such a short time span. Especially not Council members."

"Former'" Rory corrected her. "But yes, that's why we are here. I plan on using my tablet, but if you want to round up the string and accoutrements we can live out your detective dreams."

After hours of pouring over the details of the case, and drinking many cups of the delicious coffee they kept freshly brewed at the Guard's training center-they had made no more progress than having the jitters.

The caffeine did nothing to ease the pacing of Arlo while she waited for appeasement.

So Rory suggested they call it a night and spend the rest of

the evening making food and then making sparks. Lexie jokingly woofed and slowly licked her face.

Knees almost buckling, Rory ran out the door. They raced to her home, but ended up bypassing the kitchen and heading straight for the bedroom. Arlo happily agreed.

Dinner would have to wait.

Dessert first.

After some time they made it to the kitchen and prepared a pasta with chunks of meat and roasted vegetables. Afterward Rory walked Lexie home.

"I think I'm going to have to sell some of Dad's things. " Lexie said suddenly.

Rory squeezed her hand. "You know I could loan you some money. Or not even loan it to you, and just help out." She stroked Lexie's cheek. "I want us to take care of each other. Let me help."

"You can help by coming with me tomorrow. To my Dad's study. Who knows, maybe we will find something relevant to the case. He had a lot of stuff about the Council. Geez...and so much stuff about the war." She suddenly remembered all of the stacks of books and papers crammed in the small room. "Honestly we will be lucky to find anything of worth to sell."

"No matter what, I will be there." Rory promised.

Lexie pulled her into a tight embrace and kissed her goodnight. "I love you and I will see you tomorrow, Babe."

"I love you too. Tell your mom I said hi if she comes out. In the morning I'm going to bring her a few things."

Lexie waved her away and closed the door. Rory was almost home when Arlo started complaining of boredom and begging for some exercise. With a sigh she shed her clothes as soon as she got to her room, and headed right back out the door after a quick shift.

The ground passed swiftly under her paws as she traveled. She found soft moss and prickly grass to roll through, and some sweet flowers to cover herself with their scent. She gleefully howled at the moon, and trotted around the woods without care. Leaving her scent everywhere she laughed, and finally made her way to a field of tall grass.

Shifting back, she lay in the cool grass, barely noticing the cold as she stared up at the stars and moon so clearly defined in the night sky. She had never felt so free, happy, or like she had really found her place in life until now.

This was wonderful, Arlo happily stated.

Finally starting to shiver a bit, Rory gave the moon a last long look, and stood up. Ready to shift and make her way home, she was caught off guard by the appearance of a man in front of her. None other than one of the Alpha's sons.

Fantastic, she thought.

He promptly turned around and apologized, but she was in her wolf form and gone before the words had left his mouth.

Stunned, Garrett continued on his way to Hazel House.