Moonlight Guardian (book 4)

With a charm that leaves women weak in the knees, Michael Andrews mastered the art of playing the field. But deep down, a terrifying fear gnaws at him - the fear that he may not possess the qualities needed to be a dependable man. Just when he thought he had it all figured out, the universe throws a curveball at him in the form of Chloe Stevens.

Storming back into his life, pregnant and vulnerable, Chloe reveals a shocking secret - Michael is the father. Suddenly, his world is flipped upside down, and he's faced with a life-changing decision. As if that wasn't enough, another powerful werewolf sets his sights on Chloe, determined to claim her as his own.

Now, Michael must summon every ounce of his strength to protect his newfound family. Will he fight tooth and nail to keep them by his side, or will he let them slip away? In the midst of this tumultuous journey, could Chloe be the one to unlock the depths of Michael's guarded heart?

**SNEAK PEEK**

Chloe trudged up the walkway toward her apartment, brushing her hair back from her face. It wasn’t much. In fact it was rather crappy, but it was her last bit of normalcy since losing her job. The bank repossessed her car, and job hunting wasn’t going so well. Either she didn’t get a call for an interview, or she lost the job to someone else. While no one outright said it, she knew it was because of her pregnancy. Legally, they couldn’t deny her a job because of her unborn baby. But it didn’t mean they couldn’t make up other reasons.

Sighing, she stopped and looked up at the sky for a moment. She was nearly out of money. Her rent was a month behind, and in another week she’d be starving. What the hell was she supposed to do? Chloe placed a hand on her rounded belly, and wished things were different. This should be a joyous time in her life. Instead, she’d gotten knocked up by a loser who chased after every woman in town, and soon she’d be homeless.

As she lowered her gaze to the sidewalk, she winced and amended her statement. It looked like she was homeless now. Her belongings lay on the curb, already picked over. Tears pricked her eyes, and she wanted nothing more than to sit down and cry, but she didn’t have the luxury of doing so. Not when a tiny life depended on her.

She made her way to the apartment building manager’s office and knocked on the door. Tired, hungry, and feeling lost, Chloe didn’t think she could handle one more thing going wrong in her life. It seemed to be one bad thing after another ever since she’d met Michael Andrews. The man had been a curse! A nice looking one though.

Mr. Marsalis answered the door. “Ah, Ms. Stevens. I wondered when you’d drop by.”

“My things…”

He nodded. “I’m afraid I changed the locks on your apartment this morning. I placed your belongings in bags on the curb. Your rent is more than thirty days late. You know the policy, Ms. Stevens. It’s in your lease agreement. In fact, I slid an eviction warning under your door last week.”

She winced. She remembered the bright red piece of paper, but she’d shoved it aside, thinking surely she’d have a job and be able to pay the past due amount. It seemed she’d been wrong. No job. No car. And now no apartment. Could she get any lower?

“Yes, Mr. Marsalis. I do remember. I’m sorry for all the trouble, but I lost my job and haven’t been able to find another.”

Mr. Marsalis gave her a pitying look. “I really am sorry, dear. If you find a job and need a place to stay, I’ll be happy to rent to you again, but until them I’m afraid my hands are tied. I may manage the property, but I don’t own it.”

“I understand.” Chloe turned and left the building, dejected and uncertain of what she should do. Absently, she rubbed her rounding stomach. She had no one to turn to. She’d lost her family long ago in an earthquake in California. A minor at the time, the state had shipped her off to Georgia to live with distance relatives. They’d passed on as well, leaving her completely alone.

Picking up a sack, Chloe stuffed as many of her pregnancy clothes into it as she could. As much as she wanted to gather everything and take it with her, it would be pointless. She couldn’t carry it all, even if she did have a place to stay. She tried not to think of the small items she’d kept from her parents, or the special things she’d collected since high school. None of it mattered anymore.

Walking aimlessly, she pondered her fate. Where on earth could a broke, jobless, homeless pregnant woman go in such a small town? There wasn’t a shelter or soup kitchen. She’d never been one to attend church, so she doubted any of them would help her.

Chloe’s stomach rumbled, and she remembered she’d missed lunch. While she didn’t have much money left, she did have enough in her purse to get a late lunch at a fast food place. It might very well be the last meal she had for a little while.

She spotted a hamburger place and quickly walked inside. After ordering her food, she chose a table with a window. Chloe gazed out at the beautiful September evening as she nibbled on her dinner. Unfortunately, her troubles were weighing heavily on her, and she couldn’t enjoy her meal or the view.

It was becoming clearer and clearer that she only had one option left. She had to find Michael. He might have made it obvious he wanted nothing more to do with her, but she had to at least try. If he could even help her just long enough for her to find a job… she’d take anything right now. The baby growing inside her deserved better than this.

She had no choice. First, she used what little bit she had left to get a hotel room for the night. She’d try one more time in the morning to get a job—any job! If she still didn’t have a way to support herself or her baby, she would look for Michael. One more day couldn’t hurt anything.

Leaving the restaurant, she walked the four blocks to a small motel on Radcliff. It wasn’t a four-star hotel by any means, but it had a bed and a bathroom. That’s all she required for the moment. Maybe some sleep, and a shower, would help clear her head. She needed a plan now more than ever.