The Blackstone She-Dragon

Unedited and RAW preview

Contains typos and subject to change 

 

His Royal Highness, Crown Prince Aleksei of the Northern Isles, Jarl of Svalterheim, Dragon Protector of the Eight Seas, Admiral of the Great Dragon Navy, Lord of the Barents Islands, Chieftain of the Seven Tribes, Guardian of the Moors and a bunch of other useless and forgotten titles, stared down at the woman in front of him in disbelief. There was no other way to describe how he felt except stunned.

When he woke up early this morning, he felt different. Aleksei couldn’t quite describe it, except that he had awakened from an amazing dream. It felt like he was being warmed by a fire after a long, cold day. That in itself was strange to him, because Water Dragons didn’t exactly feel cold, nor did they need the comfort of a roaring hearth, even after spending hours in the freezing sea.

He dismissed the silly feeling, and concentrated on the task ahead. Today was the day he was making his journey to Colorado. While his wings were unable to fly him very long distances, his water dragon’s body allowed him to swim for extended periods of time and breathe underwater. He swam from the Northern Sea, all the way to the Sea of Cortez, then up the Colorado River. It was supposed to be a quick flight into Blackstone town and the castle, but apparently, the Blackstone Dragons were not at home.

And then, that idiot, Matthias Thorne, Alpha of the Air Dragons, thought it would be funny to neglect to tell him that they were meeting elsewhere. Aleksei wanted to smash Matthias’ face in until his nose bled onto his immaculate white suit. It was a good thing, though, that they were actually near a body of water, which meant he easily caught up once Dmitri had sent him the mental message about the change of venue.

Aleksei didn’t know what to expect when they arrived. There was a chance that the Blackstone Dragons would not even hear them out. Mountain Dragons were known to be stubborn, at least that’s what the lore said. Since they were cast out of the Alliance, no one bothered to keep up with them; in fact it was like their clan had simply been cut off, with no one recording their history or feats. It had been generations ago, though perhaps for the Water Dragons, it was like it was yesterday. The sting of Anastasia Lennox’s broken engagement to his ancestor, Prince Haardrad, was still fresh in his family and people’s minds.

The irony, of course, was not lost on him. But, perhaps fate was a jester, making Anastasia’s great-great-great-great grandniece his mate. The moment he rose from the lake, everyone else faded away. She was like a beacon, shining in front of him. Calling him and his dragon.

Mine. Mate.

Of course, it didn’t hurt that Sybil Lennox was exquisite. Silvery gray eyes looked at him without blinking. Her pink, rounded lips were made to be kissed. Skin as smooth as marble, but he knew would be warm to the touch. A lush body made just for him, the curves barely hidden in her short red dress.

And of course, that dragon. It roared back at him, full of possessive fury. He could sense its power and the fire burning deep within Sybil. His own dragon reveled in it, proudly preening at the thought that this amazing creature was their mate. It didn’t hurt that Matthias was standing a few feet away, watching it all unfold. His dragon flicked its tail and tossed its head, reveling in the envy of the other Alphas. He not only found his fated mate but, but she was a female dragon to boot.

The silence in the air was deafening, until she spoke. “What?” Dark lashes blinked up at him, casting shadows down her delicate cheekbones.

“You are mine,” Aleksei said. “My mate. Our dragons know it.”

“Mate?” The Blackstone Dragon Alpha, Henry Lennox, exclaimed. “Is this true, Sybil?”

“I—”

“Of course it is.” How could they doubt it? “Sybil Lennox is my mate.” He started down at her wide silvery eyes. “You will be my princess and will rule with me as the future Queen of the Northern Isles,” Aleksei stated. “At last, you will rid your family of the shame Anastasia Lennox has brought upon you by breaking her engagement to my ancestor and mating with a common bear. You will bring yourselves the honor—”

“Excuse me?” Her voice raised and she seemed to be displeasured.

He frowned. “What is the matter, my mate? Are you not filled with joy that—”

“How. Dare. You.” She poked at his chest to emphasize each word. While the first touch of her skin on his made his flesh tingle, he couldn’t ignore the way her eyes burned with the heat of a thousand suns. And not in a good way.

“What is wrong? Why are you upset?”

“Why am I upset?” Her voice trembled as she spoke. “You just insulted my family! My ancestors, my cousins, and everyone in between.”

“Insult?” Now he was confused. He just offered her the world and she claims she insulted him. There were dozens of women back in the Northern Isles who would kill to be in her shoes. Maybe she was sick and delirious. “How did I insult you, mate?”

“Don’t call me that,” she hissed.

“You don’t acknowledge him as your mate?”

All heads swung toward the source of the question. Of course, Aleksei fumed silently. Damn Matthias Thorne. The Alpha was staring at them with those eerie light eyes, his face expressionless.

“What?” she asked, the fire in her momentarily dying down.

“Do you acknowledge the Water Dragon as your mate?” Matthias’s voice was like a stiff breeze in the dead of winter. He was the one person who dared to not call him by his title.

“She does!” Aleksei’s inner dragon roared a challenge at the other Alpha. Matthias merely smiled at him.

His mate looked flustered. “What do you mean acknowledge?” She looked around. “Are you going to force me to marry him?”

“Of course not.” It was Caesar, the Air Dragon representative to the Dragon Council, who spoke up. He looked positively appalled. “My dear, what do you think we are? Savages?”

“I thought that was what you were trying to do to Anastasia Lennox?” Jason quipped. “That’s the story, right? Her family was forcing her to marry some prince?”

“Perhaps that’s the version you were told, but it’s incorrect.” Caesar scoffed. “There was an agreement between the clans. She was already betrothed to Prince Haraald, and she broke dragon law by running away from the engagement without so much as a by your leave.”

“But you don’t forbid dragons from mating with other shifters?” Matthew asked.

“We highly encourage matches between dragons or powerful human allies.” Caesar straightened his shoulders. “After all, we must look after the survival of our species, since, as you know well, we can only produce dragons with other dragons or human mates, if at all.”

“What my esteemed colleague is trying to say,” Dmitri began, “is that our kind looks at the best matches possible to strengthen alliances, mates or not. When Anastasia ran away to her bear lover, the kingdom of the Northern Isles demanded justice for the insult and so the Dragon Council banished the Lennoxes and stripped them of their title of Mountain Dragon.”

Smoke curled out of Sybil’s flared nostrils. “So it’s your family’s fault my family was ‘dishonored’ in the first place?”

There was no denying her accusation, but he couldn’t control his anger either. There was more to it than just a broken engagement, of course, but obviously she was not informed of all the details. “Well, it was your ancestor’s fault for falling in love with a common bear.”

A deep growl came from her throat and the fury of her dragon was evident. “You conceited piece of—” She whipped her head around. “There’s no way I’m going to be with you.”

Rage burned inside him and he was barely able to leash his dragon. In an instant, Matthias appeared beside Sybil, his mouth curling into a feral smile. “If she doesn’t accept him, then she is fair game.”

“I’m—what?” Silvery eyes grew large as boulders. “Wait a minute. No one said—”

“It is true.” Caesar added. “Until the female acknowledges Prince Aleksei as her one fated mate, then she is open to entertaining other suitors.”

The other Dragon Alphas looked at each other, then turned their sights on Sybil.

“What?” Sybil’s tone was incredulous. “I’m not—but I didn’t—” She let out half-strangled scream. “This isn’t what I wanted.”

“If you acknowledge me as your mate, then this will all be solved,” Aleksei said. Her words had stabbed into his chest like a knife. But all wasn’t lost yet, not according to dragon law. Not until she formally rejected him. She had to actually say the words. No, this was not an outright rejection.

But Matthias turned to him with a look that said: not yet.  “Perhaps this is a good thing. After all, she is the only eligible female dragon in the world. Why should we all not have a chance?”

Damn Matthias, Aleksei cursed. Must this also be a contest between them? Why could he not be satisfied with ruling his city from his tower in the sky. Stupid Air Dragons and their quest for power and dominance.

Kal, the Alpha of the Rock Dragons, spoke up. “This is dishonorable,” he stated in his low, gravely voice. His dark brows furrowed together. “They are fated to be together and to get in between them would be a disgrace and abomination of nature.” Kal was the tallest and largest of them all, nearly seven feet tall and dressed similarly to Aleksei in leather pants, though he had leather straps that crossed around his massive chest and held the gigantic axe on his back. Tribal tattoos ran down the tanned skin of his chest and arms, and crawled up his neck and the left side of his face.

“I agree,” Tarek, Alpha of the Desert Dragons, said with a nod. Lithe and slim, Tarek was the quietest and most secretive of the Alphas. His eyes were the color of bright Saharan sand, a contrast to his dark tawny skin. “But, I also agree that the lady has a right of refusal, and she may choose whoever she wants, fated mate or not.”

Matthias turned to the last Alpha. “Your Grace?”

Ian Henry Alastair MacGregor, Duke of Rothschilde and Alpha of the Silver Dragons, chuckled. “Don’t be throwing my title around like that, Matthias. They’ll think me fancier than I am.” His Scottish Brogue wasn’t as pronounced as it usually was, though he added just enough to make himself sound charming. If course, when he wanted to assert his dominance, he used the upper class English accent from his mother’s side. “She’s a fine lass. Perhaps I’ll be throwing my hat into the ring.”

Aleksei’s dragon roared in fury at Matthias, Ian, and Tarek. “How dare you all try to lay claim to what is mine? Do I even attempt to try and take your hoards and—”

“Shut up!” Sybil held up her hands. “I’m not a prize to be won.”

“I agree.” So did his dragon, who nodded enthusiastically. “Because you are already mine.”

“No, I am not!” Sybil stamped her foot down like a petulant child. “This is insane. I don’t want a mate and I don’t want suitors. I’m going to the cabin.” She wagged a finger at him. “Don’t even try to follow me. You—all of you—stay away from me.” She stormed off, disappearing into the log cabin behind her with a loud slam of the door.

Aleksei turned to Henry Lennox. “You must talk sense into your daughter.”

“Oh no.” The Blackstone Dragon shook his head and held his hands up. “Do you know how many times I’ve tried to persuade her to do anything? Too many. When Sybil sets her mind on something, there’s no stopping her.”

Damn stubborn Mountain Dragon. He looked to his mate’s brothers, hoping maybe that they would see reason. While the two men were identical, they gave him two different expressions. One looked at him curiously, while the other crossed his arms over his chest and scowled at him.

“Look,” Henry said, wiping a hand down his face. “While my daughter’s love life is a fascinating subject, I think we better get back to the real business in hand. You said that we needed to band together to stop The Knights of Ari-Ariste—”

“Aristaeum,” Dmitri provided.

“Right. The Knights of Aristeum. They want to kill all of the shifters in the world and they have some weapon that can help them, yes?”

“Yes,” Caesar answered. “You have tangled with them before, so you know their ways. And, if we were all to fight together, we can stop them.”

“What is this weapon?” Hank asked.

The Dragon Council turned to Aleksei. He clenched his teeth tight together. “They have the Wand. The Wand of Aristaeum.”

“And what does this wand do?”

Aleksei’s blood turned cold, and for a moment, images flashed in his mind. A limp body on the floor. Cold, dead eyes. The wails and cries. “The wand separates a man from his animal.”

Henry’s eyes began to glow, signaling that his dragon was surfacing. “It turns a shifter into a human?”

Aleksei swallowed hard. “In a way.”

“It makes us easy to kill.” It was Matthias who spoke, and for a moment, his dragon’s fury matched Aleksei’s. “Once a shifter is separated from their animal, they become weak and vulnerable as a human.”

Henry looked at his sons in disbelief. “This is … a lot to think about.”

“Magic, wizards, wands.” One of the Blackstone Dragon’s sons shook his head. “I don’t know where to begin.”

“So, will you join us?” Dmriti asked. 

Henry paused, then took a deep breath. “I’m willing to hear you out. You will tell me everything that you know, so we can come to a decision.”

“There is no time for this,” Aleksei said, his hands curling into fists at his sides.

“We will need to plan,” Henry said. “Once you convince me that there is a threat—”

“We have already lost a lot,” Aleksei interrupted. “We must act now.”

The Blackstone Dragon rose up to full height, his chest puffing out in challenge. “I nearly lost my son and my entire town to these bastards. What have you lost?”

“We have lost the Ice Dragons.” Aleksei’s voice was tight with barely contained fury. “An entire clan of dragons, obliterated. Not to mention the men, women, and children under their protection. Hundreds of lives lost.”

Henry’s face faltered. “I didn’t—” He shook his head. “I will need some time to talk to my family. Let’s convene in forty-eight hours.”

The Dragon Council members and the Alphas looked at each other, convening silently through their mind links.

*Your Highness, are you all right?* came Dmitri’s question in his head. As dragons of the same clan and kind, they were able to communicate without words.

*I am* he replied. *But my patience is wearing thin.*

*As is all of ours* Dmitri looked at the other Council members and Alphas. *But it seems we have no choice.*

*You may be right. We are stronger together than apart.* Aleksei had been one of the supporters of the idea to approach the Blackstone Dragons. *What do you think the others are saying?*

*I think they are coming to the same conclusion*

When Caesar and the other Council members nodded, Dmitri broke off their mind link. The Council members whispered amongst themselves, and then turned back to Henry Lennox.

“We accept,” Dmitri said. “If you allow us to stay in your town’s borders, then we will not have to travel so far.”

“Fine. You may stay in Blackstone town. But,” his gaze turned to Aleksei and Matthias, “if I hear of anything from anyone about you misbehaving or disrespecting any human or shifter in my town, I’ll kick you all out.”

“Of course.” Dmitri bowed his head. “Thank you for generosity.”

“Now, get out of my sight and out of my lake.”

The command of the Alpha to leave his territory was difficult to ignore. To another Alpha it was an irritation; like an itch. But to other shifters, it was a compelling order. It made the Dragon Council members uncomfortable, to the point of pain. Sensing Dmitri’s distress, Aleksei Cloaked himself, and bid him to do the same. They both shifted into their dragon form, and Aleksei’s dragon flapped its wings and lifted off the ground. While it would have been easier to leave by water, Henry Lennox’s command had to be followed literally.

*Go find us some suitable lodgings* he commanded to Dmirti. *Send me the location as soon as you can*

*As you wish, Your Highness.* Dmitri’s dragon bowed its head. *But where are you going?*

*To take care of other business.* He flapped his wings and veered away from the rest of the dragons.

If Sybil Lennox thought he would be giving up easily, she was mistaken. He would find a way to convince her to see reason. His dragon nodded in agreement. There was no way any other man or dragon would lay claim to what was his.

Pre-order now!

 

RAW AND UNEDITED
SUBJECT TO CHANGE
The Blackstone She-Bear
Preview 2

 

Present day …

Amelia Walker tossed the wadded up paper towel into the trashcan and gave herself one last cursory glance in the mirror before turning away and walking out of the ladies room of The Den.

It was a Friday night, so the shifter bar was packed. Amelia was glad to see that despite the growth of Blackstone and all the other bars and restaurants she’d seen popping around town, the people here still patronized The Den. It took a while before she finally feel comfortable enough to step foot inside, but she wasn’t going to let one bad thing ruin a lifetime’s worth of good memories of this place. Her parents had their twenty-fifth wedding anniversary here. Dad took her here for her first beer. Various friends had their birthday or engagement parties here. No way she was going to let that one bad thing dictate what she could do or where she could go.

Which was why she decided to come back to Blackstone. Living in Messina Springs for the last four years had been good for her—not only for herself, but for her career. After graduating with her architectural degree, she needed to do a couple years of training anyway. The Moore and Jenkins Architectural firm gave her more than enough hours of hands-on training on drafting, rendering, modeling, and other things she needed before applying to take the tests to get her license.

But, she knew she was needed here in Blackstone. Her family needed her. With everything that had happened in the last few months, Amelia wanted to be here, to protect her family and be right here with them if shit ever went down again. And nothing, not even one bad thing, would stop her.

“Do you think the proposal went well?” Amelia asked as she arrived back at their table.

Sybil Lennox was deep in conversation with Dutchy Forrester. While Sybil was her oldest friend, Dutchy had only been in town for a few months. Warm and friendly, Dutchy had easily been accepted into the fold and they all hung out regularly. Amelia thought she’d be more jealous of having a newcomer into their circle, but her friends never made her feel like she was being replaced.

Well, if she was jealous of Dutchy, it was because the petite redhead was just so cute and dainty, while Amelia felt like a clumsy giant to her. Her towering height had always made her feel insecure, especially throughout middle school when she was as tall or taller than most boys her age.

“They’re not back yet,” Sybil answered with an eye roll. “So I can only imagine—” Her expression soured. “Never mind. I don’t want to imagine.”

“You know Kate will tell us in detail anyway,” Dutchy said with a giggle.

Amelia grinned. “I’m glad for her.” She could never begrudge Kate any happiness, especially considering what had happened to the she-wolf in the past.

“Hopefully she’ll mellow down,” Sybil said. But, when she and Amelia looked at each other, they both burst out laughing.

“Hell will freeze over first,” Amelia said, wiping the tears from the corner of her eyes.

“Or Petros will—” Sybil’s expression changed, her mouth shutting and her lips forming a thin line.

“Sybil?” Amelia frowned and waved a hand in front of her friend’s face. “Are you all right?”

Smoke began to curl out of Sybil’s nose and a flash of gold scales rippled over her arms before disappearing back into skin. Uh-oh. Not a good sign. Dutchy gave Amelia a nervous glance. “Sybil? Are you okay?”

“Whatever you do, don’t turn around.” Sybil’s teeth were gritted together and Amelia could feel her trying to control her dragon.

“Why not?” Of course now, she had to turn around. And then she figured out the reason for Sybil’s outrage.

Despite the fact that he was hunched over the bar and she could only partially see his face, Amelia knew that figure anywhere. Mason Grimes. The one bad thing. Or rather, the cause of the one bad thing. Just her luck he would be here tonight, her first Friday back in town. She squared her shoulders. “So what?”

“So what?” Sybil asked, her voice half snarling. “What do you mean so what? That man—”

“Is nothing,” Amelia completed. “He’s nothing.”

“He was your ex—”

“Boyfriend. If you could call him that.” Amelia tossed her hair over her shoulder and crossed her arms over her chest.

“That’s your ex?” Dutchy asked, her eyes widening.

“I know, right?” she laughed, making it lighthearted enough so it didn’t sound too forced. Mason looked exactly the same as he did when she first met him—thick beard, gray beanie on his head, tattoos curling out from under his tight white shirt, jeans tucked into black riding boots. He was the very definition of a bad boy. “But, what can I say? We all make mistakes. And then we move on.” She hoped her friends would get the message that she didn’t want to talk about him. There was no way she was going to let Goddamn Mason Grimes ruin her night.

“Guys! Guys!” Kate’s boisterous voice made all three women turn their heads. “Petros asked me to marry him! And I said yes!” Her grin was as wide as the Brooklyn Bridge, but when her eyes landed on Sybil, her expression faltered. “Oh no.” She then turned to Amelia. “You know.”

“Know?”

Kate bit her lip, then glanced around. When she saw Mason by the bar, her shoulders sank. “I’m sorry, Amelia.”

“Sorry?” Now she was confused. “Sorry about what?”

Kate looked at Petros, who then put his arm around her. “I … ran into Mason a while back.”

So, Kate had seen Mason in town and didn’t tell me. “You did?” Amelia controlled the tone of her voice so she sounded surprised, instead of angry.

“He saved her life,” Petros added. “When Milos tried to kidnap her.”

The she-wolf nodded. “I was in trouble and he came in and scared Milos off. And then … he told me he was moving here. Oh and that’s he’s divorced.”

“Oh.”

Kate threw her arms around Amelia. “I’m sorry! I should have told you, but I was being selfish. I just wanted you back here and if you found out he was here too—”

“Kate, it’s fine.” She disentangled the other woman’s arms, freeing herself from Kate’s octopus-like grip. “It’s not your fault.”

“But he’s—”

“I said, it’s fine.” The fact the news that Mason was also moving back to Blackstone hadn’t fully sunk in yet, but she would deal with that later. “He’s free to do whatever he wants.”

“He’s also free to jump off a bridge,” Sybil muttered. “Do you want me to burn him? Or eat him?”

Amelia forced a chuckled. “Sybil, you’ve never burned, much less eaten anyone in your entire life. Don’t waste your dragon fire and your appetite.” She shrugged, just to emphasize she wasn’t affected. “Blackstone is big enough for the both of us. Now,” she turned to Petros, “tell us all about the proposal.”

Petros nodded, and Amelia was glad he was smart enough to understand that she wanted to change the subject. “As I told you, I was able to track down the seller of the car Kate wanted ….”

Amelia pasted a smile on her face as she listened to Petros relay the story of how he planned the whole thing with buying the Chevelle Kate had been wanting and then using it to propose to her in lieu of a ring.

The hairs on the back of her neck suddenly raised, and she knew that someone was looking at her. She didn’t even bother to turn around, despite knowing who that someone was.

She spent the rest of the night laughing, drinking, and joking with her friends, enjoying the evening, and celebrating with the happy couple. Soon, Petros and Kate declared that they wanted to go home, and so they all decided to close their tab and leave.

There was a slight chill in the air as they all piled out into The Den’s parking lot. They waved goodbye to Petros and Kate as they walked off to the far end of the lot. Dutchy had parked her car on the other end and separated from Amelia and Sybil, who had ridden together in the latter’s Prius.

Amelia was tired. So very tired. She had become a good actress after all these years, and convinced everyone she knew that she was okay. That her life was fine and everything was great. After a couple of hours of that charade, she felt the control starting to slip.

“Are you sure you’re okay?” Sybil asked, stopping them before they got any further.

“I am, really, I’m fine.” She put her hands on her friend’s shoulders. “That whole thing happened a million years ago.” Amelia looked Sybil straight in the eyes, just to show her she meant it.

“How do you feel?” Sybil asked, concern marring her face.

“Nothing. Really, I’m so over it.” She glanced back toward the doors. It was true. She felt nothing. She stopped feel anything all those years ago when Mason broke her heart and their mating bond.

RAW and UNEDITED!  SUBJECT TO CHANGE

THE BLACKSTONE SHE-BEAR PREVIEW

 

 

Four years ago…

Mason Grimes wrestled with his inner animal, attempting to calm the beast down as he entered through the doors of The Den. For fuck’s sake, it’s only a bar.

Fucked up animal that it was, his polar bear was more calm right before a dangerous op than in social situations. And, since he was part of one of the most elite squads of Navy SEALs, dangerous didn’t even begin to describe all the shit he went through in the last nine years.

But then again, this wasn’t an ordinary bar. This was a bar that catered to other shifters, and all the different energies and vibes in the enclosed space made his animal agitated.

He swallowed a snarl when another patron—wolf, based on the stench of wet dog—got too close to him. When he spotted Tim from across the room, he breathed a sigh. His uncle was a good man; rough and gruff on the outside, but the only family who gave a damn about Mason while he was growing up and when things got rough, he was the only one who stepped up.

Tim must have felt his stare, because his head whipped toward Mason. Much like Mason, Tim was a large man, over six-foot-five and sported a beard, but his hair was completely white. He looked looked like an older version of Mason, which made sense, of course, because Tim was his dad’s older brother.

Light blue eyes—also like his own—stared back at him. Surprise flickered across Tim’s face, just for a moment, but by the time Mason reached the bar, the other man had his usual stoic expression on his face.

“Well, boy, nice of you to drop by after all this time.” Tim crossed his arms across his chest, and the red flannel shirt he wore strained against his biceps.

Mason laughed. “Thought you might need your diaper changed, ya old fart.”

Tim’s snowy brows furrowed together. “You volunteerin’?”

“Hell no! I was going to laugh in your face, then get the hell out when you stunk up the room.”

His uncle’s face remained stone-still for a second before he did something rare. Tim threw his head back and let out a loud, belly laugh. It startled the people around them, including the young man working the bar, whose eyes darted nervously from Tim to Mason, and back again.

“Come here, you runt.” Tim grabbed his arm, his meaty hand wrapping around Mason’s elbow.

“I haven’t been a runt since before my growth spurt at seventeen.” Mason returned the gesture and pulled his uncle closer, so they could touch their foreheads in the traditional greeting for polar bears. No one dared make a comment nor did Mason feel weird doing that in front of a whole room of people. After all, he and Tim were the last of their family, and possibly, their kind.

“So,” Tim began when he pulled away, “What brings you to Blackstone?”

“I wanted to see you,” Mason replied.

“Me?” Tim huffed. “It’s been nearly a decade since you left and joined the SEALs. I know what kind of shit they put you through though, so I’m not complainin’. I still get your letters, though. Damn proud of you, boy.”

“I got more news. Good news.”

“Oh yeah?”

Mason nodded. “Got promoted and I’m leading my own unit. It’s a brand new one. Shifter Team Six. An all-shifter team.” The Navy had seen the potential for the use of shifters in their operations. After all, shifters were stronger and faster than normal humans, not to mention, being able to turn into different animals had a distinct advantage. It was a wonder it took them so long to figure that shifters could be an advantage, but then again, the human world wasn’t exactly welcoming of their kind.

“You gonna be leading your own team now?” For the second time that night, Tim did another rare thing—he actually smiled. “I didn’t think I could be any prouder of you. You know your old man would be shitting his pants with happiness if he were here, right?”

Mason managed to smile back, despite the tightening in his throat. “Yeah.”

Tim clapped him on the shoulder. “We should celebrate. The usual?”

Mason nodded and Tim wasted no time getting behind the bar. As owner of The Den, no one stopped him, of course. He reached behind on the shelf for three beer glasses, filled each one from the tap, and brought them over to where Mason was standing. He slid one glass over to Mason, kept the second in front of him, and the third next to the empty spot beside him. “Congratulations.”

“Thanks.” He clinked his glass to Tim’s and they both took a healthy swig before slamming the glasses down on the bar. Mason’s eyes darted to the untouched glass before looking at his uncle. “So, what’s new, Tim?”

“Not much since you left. Same old, same old.” Tim’s face went back its usual scowl when a loud crash interrupted him. “Speaking of which …. ”

“Go ahead,” Mason said, taking another sip of the beer. “I’ll be here. We can catch up later.”

“Right. You gotta place to stay?”

“I’m fine. Just checked into the Blackstone Motel off 79.”

Tim grunted, then turned, walking out from behind the bar and toward the source of the crash.

Mason shook his head. Though nine years had passed since those couple of months he spent in Blackstone, Tim hadn’t changed one bit. He glanced up at the mirror behind the bar, inspecting his own reflection. With his thick ruddy beard, broad shoulders, and the hardened light in his eyes, he was certainly far from the skinny, tall seventeen-year-old who had arrived in Blackstone all those years ago. Things had turned bad at home and Tim had offered him a place to stay. He’d only stayed in town for a couple weeks until was old enough to enlist.  Even when he was younger, he knew he wanted to be a SEAL, just like his dad. If only his old man was around now.

He took another swig of beer, pushing the memories away as he swallowed the bitterness down, along with the cool liquid. Placing the mug on the bar, he turned around slowly, trying to settle his bear before facing the entire room of shifters.

Mason prepared for the inner battle, but to his surprise, his animal went silent. In fact, the entire room went still; the people, the bar, and everything blurred away in his vision. Except for her.

He couldn’t look away and for a moment, he forgot to breathe. She had just entered the bar and was standing in the doorway, her head turning side to side, as if looking for someone. Even from a distance, he knew she was quite possibly the most gorgeous woman he’d ever seen. Tall, with long, dark blonde hair going down her back. She was wearing a black leather off the shoulder top and skintight jeans that showed off her generous curves. He’d had his share of women in the past, but for the life of him, couldn’t recall a single time he’d wanted someone this bad.

Mason put his beer down on and dropped a tip on the bar before he began to make his way across the room. It seemed she found her companions, as she began to walk toward one of the tables in the far corner. His bear growled, as if urging him to go faster before she got away. Hold your horses. She’s not getting away from me.

As he walked after her, his eyes zeroed in on her ass. Full and shapely, and he could already imagine grabbing them as he—

He stifled a groan, and focused on his task. Can’t let her get away. His hand stretched out to catch her arm, and as their skin touched, strange warm feeling crept over him.

She turned, her hair whipping back. Blue eyes, the color of the sky after a rainstorm, crashed against his. Pink, plump lips parted and sucked in a breath as he heard a loud roar from within him.

Mine!

Now that was strange. As far as he knew, his polar bear never talked. In fact, no shifter’s animal did. But then again, he didn’t grow up around shifters in a small, backwater town in Tennessee; in fact, he’d never met one until Tim.

Mine, his bear insisted, roaring loudly in his ears.

And, much to his surprise, he could feel her animal shout it back.

Mason staggered back. Holy hell. He could smell the fur and something else—sweet, like honeysuckle. A female bear. Grizzly. And not just an ordinary one. There was something different about her. Something fierce and loud and magnificent.

Her eyes remained fixed on him, and she was still as a rock. Up close, she was even more beautiful, and in her high heels, she was only two or three inches shorter than him.  Shit. Long legs, curvy ass, full tits. He was a goner.

Finally, she spoke. “Oh. It’s you?”

He frowned. No way they met before. He would have remembered. “Do I know you?”

She blinked. “I mean. They always told me ….” She cocked her head to the side and her eyes narrowed. “Maybe it’s not you.”

“I’ll be whoever you want me to be, darlin’,” he drawled. “What’s your name?”

“Amelia. Walker.”

“Beautiful name.”

Her face went all pink and her eyes lowered, her full lashes casting shadows over her high cheekbones. Based on what she was wearing, he would have thought she was some rocker man-eating chick. But, she seemed almost sweet. Maybe a little shy.

“I’m Mason. You here alone?”

“No.” She nodded her head toward two girls who were standing around a table. “It’s my friend Kate’s birthday. She just turned twenty-one.”

“Nice,” he said. “I’m not from around here and I don’t know anyone. Maybe I can join you guys for a bit, Amelia?”

“I—” Her eyes dropped to his hand, still wrapped around her arm. “I don’t know. I mean, I don’t know you and my friends might—”

“I’m Tim’s nephew,” he said. “You know him, right?”

“Oh.” She glanced over at Tim, who was back by the bar. “Then in that case—”

“Let’s go meet your friends then.”

Amelia nodded and gently tugged her arm away. His bear didn’t like that, and growled, but he tamped it down before it screwed things up with Amelia. She frowned, but, much to his surprise, her bear protested as well. He could feel it roar, but backed down as she reigned it in with practiced ease. Fuck, a woman in control like that was hot and he wondered what else she was good at.

He followed behind, not caring if he looked like a damn puppy chasing after her. She stopped at one of the tables, where the two women were waiting.

“Finally!” One of them said. “You’re here and you wore the outfit!” The two other women were wearing the same leather top and jeans.  “We’ve been—” Green eyes turned to Mason. “Jesus H. Christ on a bicycle! Where the hell did you come from?”

The young woman’s glance was appreciative, her eyes devouring him from top to bottom. He wasn’t stupid; he knew women had found him attractive and this one was cute. But, right now, his focus was on one particular woman. When Amelia stepped in front of her friend, and he swore he could feel her bear’s hackles raise. The possessive move was hot and only made him want her more.

“He’s Tim’s nephew,” Amelia explained.

“Whoah, cowgirl!” The woman threw her hands up. “I’ll try not to get too close, yeah?”

Amelia glanced around, and gave Mason an apologetic look. “Sorry, I don’t know … I mean.” She shook her head. “Mason Grimes, this is my friend, Kate Caldwell. She’s the birthday girl.”

“Happy birthday, Kate,” he greeted with a nod.

Kate looked at Amelia warily before extending her hand. “Nice to meet you, Mason.”

He shook it, surprised at her strength despite her slight frame. Shifter, of course; wolf  or maybe coyote, he guessed, from the scent of fur.

“And this is Sybil.” Amelia nodded to the other woman who had walked over to him.

“Mason Grimes,” he said as he waited for Sybil to offer her hand.

“Sybil Lennox.” She was petite and curvy, with sparkling gray eyes. A pretty little thing, really. But when he shook her hand, his bear reeled back in a defensive position at what he felt was a large, tightly-coiled creature inside her. He couldn’t smell fur or feathers, and he’d never encountered anything like it. Thought he wanted to ask her, shifter etiquette made him bite his tongue.

“Are you visiting Tim?” Sybil asked.

“Yeah, just here on leave,” Mason answered. “They’re shipping me off again in two weeks.”

“Army?” Kate interjected.

Mason shook his head. “Navy. SEALs.”

“Ooohhh!” Kate clapped her hands together. “Sounds dangerous!”

He shrugged. “I suppose. But I’m still here.” He really hoped they wouldn’t ask about his missions. Not only were they classified, but the things he’d seen … it was a good thing his bear was already messed up before he even enlisted.

“Mason?” Amelia had placed a hand on his arm and she looked up at him with concern in her eyes, her soft palm warm on his bare skin. “Are you all right?”

“I’m fine,” he assured her, her touch oddly soothing. “So,” he said, turning to Kate. “You just turned twenty-one?”

Kate’s face lit up like a firework. “Oh yeah! I’m legal, baby! Legal to drink, anyway!”

Sybil snorted. “You’ve been sneaking gin from your dad’s liquor cabinet since you were seventeen.”

“Yeah, well it just means I can get a drink anytime I want now!” Kate raised a fist in victory.

“Speaking of which,” Mason began. “Since it is your birthday and I invited myself over, maybe I should buy you a drink?” He glanced at Amelia. “I mean, all of you?”

“Free drinks? Woohoo! You bet!” Kate slapped him on the shoulder. “A shot of tequila!”

“And you ladies?”

“Just a glass of red,” Sybil said.

“A beer,” Amelia added. “Please.”

He nodded. “Coming right up.” He turned toward the bar, feeling eyes on his back. He was used to the stares, of course, but he hoped one particular person was staring at him, and maybe even checking out his ass.

Mason came back a few minutes later, drinks in hand. He frowned when the three women jumped away from each other, as if they’d been caught doing something wrong. Amelia’s eyes dropped down to her feet, while Kate and Sybil continued to stare at him, their eyes bulging.

“What, did I grow a second head or something?” he joked as he put the drinks down.

Kate’s jaw dropped. “You’re her—”

Sybil elbowed her friend in the side. “Thanks for the drinks, Mason,” she said in a sweet voice as she reached for her wine. She leaned closer. “So, why don’t you tell us all about you?”

Her sudden interest made him suspicious, and usually he walked away when people asked him about his past. But he couldn’t leave, not when Amelia was standing there. Oh no, he wasn’t leaving without her number. At least. “Not much to tell,” he began. “I enlisted when I was eighteen, a year later after surviving the training, they started sending me out on missions.” All three women were hanging on his every word, but all he really cared about was impressing Amelia. “I’m actually leading my own team soon. A special squad of just shifters. First ever in the history of the SEALs.”

“You’re a polar bear, right?” Kate asked.

“Kate,” Amelia warned. “It’s not polite to ask.”

“What?” Kate shrugged. “Polar bears are the largest bears in the world, you know. Well, except … never mind. But, it’s obvious. Look at the size of him! And he’s related to Tim.”

“I’m sorry for my friend’s rudeness,” Amelia said.

“It’s all right. I am what I am. So,” he nodded at Kate’s shot glass. “Why don’t you knock that back and I’ll get you a refill?”

“Really?” Kate drank the entire thing, slammed the shot glass down, and clapped her hands together with glee. “How about another one? Or three?”

Mason laughed. “Coming right up.”

When he returned with the said shots, Kate drank all three in succession, slamming the shot glasses down on the table as she finished each one. It wasn’t that he wanted to get the wolf shifter smashed, but he right now, he was desperate for a reason to stay with Amelia. He offered to buy Kate three more shots, and then eventually the whole bottle, then another. Kate was a shifter, so it also took a helluva lot of liquor to get her wasted. But, about an hour later, she was finally rip roaring drunk.

“Aaannnnd finally I kicked the guy out of my dorm room!” Kate slurred, her eyes glassed over. “He was a total douche bag!” She swung her head toward Mason. “You’re not going to be a douche toward my friend, are you? You’re going to treat her right? Since you are—”

“Kate!” Amelia’s face went red.

“What? You’re his mmm—!” Whatever she was about to say was muffled as Sybil clamped her hand over her mouth.

“Sorry about Kate,” Sybil said. “I think I should take her home now.”

Mason silently agreed as he took a sip of his beer. “Drive safe then.” Sybil hadn’t  had any more than the one glass of wine he got her, and being a shifter, she probably had burned off any alcohol in her system.

“Noooo! This was supposed to be my super special birthday night,” Kate moaned. “I even got us the matching outfits!”

Amelia wagged a finger at her. “You need to learn to hold your alcohol!”

“I’ll burn it off in an hour of two,” Kate said.

“And who knows what trouble you’ll get into in that time?” Sybil admonished. “I’ll see you later, Amelia. Stay safe.” Sybil’s tone was teasing, with a hint of seriousness. “Let’s go, you lush,” she said to Kate.

“But it’s only nine,” Kate whined.

“Shut it. Party’s over!” Sybil dragged her friend away, ignoring the she-wolf’s protests.

Mason glanced at Amelia, who stared after her friends until they disappeared through the exit. Finally, he was alone with her. He wasn’t going to be an asshole and try to coax Amelia away when she was celebrating with her friends, but he had x he would get some alone time with her at some point. Maybe she wouldn’t want to leave too soon. “Interesting friends you got there.”

She laughed, the sound making him feel warm inside. “That’s one way of putting it.” Her baby blue eyes sparkled with mischief.

“How’d you all get together? A bear, a wolf and a … uh ….” He still didn’t know what the heck Sybil was.

“A dragon.”

“A dra—what?” He waited to see if she was kidding. When her expression didn’t change, he realized she wasn’t kidding. Fucking A. That tiny little thing was a dragon? “Are you serious?”

“As a heart attack.” She flashed him a smile. “But don’t you worry, she hasn’t eaten any of my boyfriends. Yet.” Amelia must have realized what that implied and went red.

Mason thought that was adorable. “Do you have one? A boyfriend, I mean.” She shook her head, and the tightness in his chest loosened. “Good.”

She blushed again. “Well, I should probably go—”

“Stay.”

Mine.

Oh yes, she was going to be his all right.

The entire night, he felt drunk; not on alcohol, but on Amelia. Her honeysuckle and fur scent was intoxicating, and he could hardly keep his eyes off her. Once or twice, he touched her “accidentally”—his knuckles brushing against her hand when he handed her her beer or his fingers grazing across the strip of bare skin on her back exposed by her top when he nudged her aside so he could get by. It had sent the blood straight to his cock, and he knew there was no way he was going to leave tonight with just her number.

“I guess I could have one more drink,” she said. “But why don’t you let me buy you one? You’ve been buying all our drinks, in case you don’t think I noticed.”

“I’m glad you did,” he said. He didn’t care about the money though; he hardly had time to spend all his pay, since he was always on missions. But somehow, showing her he could spend money without a care was important, like he was telling he could provide for her. “All right. It’s a modern world, right? Women can pay too.”

She smirked at him. “All right, you male feminist, let’s go get that drink.”

They walked over to the bar, and when Mason put a hand on the small of her back, she didn’t protest, which he took as a good sign. Amelia signaled the bartender for two more beers, which the young man delivered quickly. She passed one glass to Mason.

“Thanks, beautiful,” he said.

“You don’t mean—”

“I do.” He put the mug down without even taking a drink, then leaned close to her. “I think you’re the most beautiful woman in here. And the sexiest.” Her breath hitched when he placed his palm on her lower back, feeling the warm skin there. “This outfit you’re wearing,” he slipped his hand under the leather top, “I thought you were a bad girl when you walked in here.”

“What makes you think I’m not?” There was a challenge in her eyes.

“I think you’re sweet. And I bet you taste sweet too.”

“Only one way to find out.”

He stifled the growl, slipped his around her waist and pulled her close, molding her soft curves to his before leaning down to press his lips to hers. Jesus, she tasted as good as she looked. Warm, soft, and so willing. Her arms snaked up over his chest and around his neck, and she moved her head back so he could deepen the kiss. His slipped his tongue into her mouth, wanting more and more of her. When she pushed against him, and pulled away, the loss of her lips made him groan.

Shit. He didn’t normally lose his head this fast, but damnit, she was intoxicating. “I’m sorry.”

“For kissing me?” she asked.

“I don’t know what came over me. I shouldn’t—”

“No!” She placed her hand on his chest. “I mean. I just thought,” she looked around, a wary look on her face, “I want to be alone. With you. Do you have your own place? I don’t live by myself.”

Holy fucking moly. Mason thought he heard wrong, but the glitter of desire in her eyes told him he wasn’t dreaming. Amelia wanted to go home with him. Wanted him. Maybe he wasn’t the only one who felt that instant attraction and need. “I have a room at the Blackstone Motel.”

“Will you … take me there?” she asked in a breathy voice.

He didn’t answer her, but instead dragged her across the room and out the door. His ride was parked right by the door, thank fuck, as he wasn’t sure he would make it another second without slamming her against something and having his way with her.

“This is you?” she asked, her eyes going wide.

Mason nodded and glanced back at his shiny new Harley. It was his prized possession now, the one luxury he owned. He’d never owned anything so expensive, but he figured it was a good reward for his promotion. He’d ridden it all the way here to show Tim. The old man was going to freak when he saw it. Tim loved Harleys and owned two custom models that he fixed up himself. During those months he stayed in Blackstone, his uncle taught him everything he knew about motorcycles.

“Jesus,” she muttered, then looked him up and down. “You really are the whole bad boy package.”

“Bad boy package?” he asked, glancing down at his outfit. He was just wearing his usual outfit out of uniform—leather jacket, white shirt, holey jeans, and riding boots.

“Yeah, that’s what Kate called it,” she huffed.

With a wicked smile, he grabbed her and pulled her to him, leaning down until he was just inches from her face. “If you want me to be a bad boy, I’ll be a bad boy.”

“I just want you.”

He needed to kiss her again, and so he did. Slanting his lips against hers, he kissed her, full and deep, showing her how much he wanted her too. Hot damn, he couldn’t get enough. It took all his strength to pull back, especially when all he wanted to do was been her over his bike. “Still want to come home with me?”

She nodded. “Let’s go.”

Mason handed her an extra helmet, got on his bike, and waited for her to climb in behind him. He wasn’t sure how they got to his his motel room without crashing, especially with her arms around his waist and her luscious body pressed up against him. They barely made up to his room, and as soon as the door crashed shut behind him, Mason slipped his arms around her and lifted her up. Amelia wrapped her long, lean legs around his waist. He could smell her arousal and feel the heat of her core despite the layers of clothes between them.

They landed on the bed and started ripping off each other’s clothing. Off went her leather top and his shirt. As he unbuttoned his jeans, she shucked off hers and tossed them to the side.

The Blackstone She-Bear
Available on Amazon and Kindle Unlimited on July 31, 2018

 

The Blackstone She-Wolf Preview

 

Prologue

“Motherfucking douche nozzle!” Kate Caldwell cursed as she slammed her palm on her keyboard. She reached over to her side table, grabbed the half-empty can of POWERJOLTZ energy drink, and took a healthy swig. Swinging back to face the computer monitor, she took a deep breath and pressed “unmute” on her phone.

“Are you there, Miss Caldwell?”

“I’m here, Mr. Dennis.” You twatwaffle. She bit her lip so hard to stop herself from saying that out loud it nearly bled. “Now, tell me again what’s wrong with the buttons for your app this time?”

“Well, I think you need to move them more to the left,” Martin Dennis said.

“Uhm, you told me to move them to right the last time,” she reminded him.

He ignored her. “And also, the background is too blue.”

“But your last email said, and I quote, ‘make the background blue-er’.”

“Yes, but now it’s too blue.”

Kate pressed the mute button again and let out a scream. After two seconds, she unmuted the call. “So, a little less blue but not too blue.” This time, she couldn’t stop the sarcastic tone in her voice.

Dennis let out an unhappy grunt. “Is there a problem, Miss Caldwell? You know, I could go to another designer who can do this for us.”

“No, no problem at all.” Her fingers turned into claws and scratched down the leather arm rests of her chair. Damn wolf.  “I’ll get to work.”

“Great, great!” he said. “Now, before you go, there are a couple of other things I need to talk about ….”

Kate gave a silent groan and glanced at the clock. She really needed to get out of here now. As if it wasn’t bad enough, the notifications on her personal phone were blowing up as Martin Dennis kept droning on and on about another project they were working on.

She wanted to tear her hair out. But Barkely Industries was one of her best anchor clients, and she needed the money. Sure, if she had taken a full-time job at Lennox Corp. she’d be raking in the dough, but Kate preferred the freedom of being a freelance software engineer and app designer. There was nothing like being her own boss and dictating her own hours, but it was times like this when she dreamt of having a corner office, putting her heels up on her desk, and ordering her minions around.

“… did you get that last thing, Miss Caldwell?” he asked.

“What? Uh, of course Mr. Dennis.” What the fuck had he been droning on about? “I really should get off the phone now, so I can make these changes for you.”

“Right. I’ll expect the changes by morning. Have a good day, Miss Caldwell.”

Ugh, she hated how he always called her that. No matter how many times she told him to call her Kate, he insisted on calling her ‘Miss Caldwell’ in that condescending sneer of his. “You too.” Thundercunt.

Kate had never been so happy to end a call. The line had barely dropped before she was on her feet, grabbing her phone, jacket, and keys and heading out the door.

Her inner wolf urged her on. It understood the urgency of the events happening in Blackstone.

“I know,” she said as she took the stairs two at a time, not bothering to wait for the elevator. With her shifter speed, she made the trip to the garage in less than five minutes. She couldn’t waste a single second. Blackstone was in danger, and they needed everyone’s hands on deck.

She dashed toward the bright yellow vintage Mustang parked at the end. It was her brother Nathan’s car, as was the loft she was currently staying in now. He had given it to her for safe keeping. “No, Kate, I’m not giving her to you,” Nathan had said when she asked if she could keep the car. “And you better take care of her!”

Hmmph. As if she couldn’t. While she may not have had Nathan or their father’s mechanical know-how, she knew how to respect a car, especially a classy piece like the ‘Stang. Her dad promised her they’d fix up a car for her too, once him and Ma were back from their retirement trip this year. She couldn’t wait as she had already began researching what she wanted. Maybe a Chevelle or a Charger. Electric blue, with a stripe down the middle. She could dye her hair to match, too. But that would have to wait since she needed to pony up the cash first. House sitting for Nathan and Violet helped cut her bills, but she had a long way to go.

For now at least, she could have the pleasure of driving this baby. As she turned the key in the ignition and pressed her foot on the gas, she could hear and feel the power of the engine. The vibrations sent a thrill through her. Even better than sex, she thought as she put the car in reverse and backed out of the parking spot.

Not that she’d had any earthshaking experiences lately. When was the last time …? She didn’t even want to think about it. Too long. Does your hooha close up when you don’t use it? Maybe save that one for a Google search later.

She floored it the entire drive, making it to the Lennox Corp. Headquarters in no time, waving at Jenkins the security guard who recognized her and opened the gates as she approached.

As soon as she parked, she whipped her phone out to text Sybil Lennox, her best friend, who was already at Lennox Corp. However, when she heard the flapping of wings and the loud thud as the ground shook, she put the phone away and got out of the car.

A large, twenty-foot dragon had landed in the parking lot, dropping off two figures she recognized as Luke Lennox and—Thank Jeebus—little Grayson Mills. From what she’d heard, the bad guys had kidnapped him and his mother. Luke and Sybil must have found him. But where was Georgina Mills? As the dragon flew off, the two dashed through the doors of the main building. Sybil would tell her.

Kate rushed in their direction but slowed down as she got closer to the entrance. As she predicted, seconds later, Sybil Lennox walked around from behind the Lennox Headquarters building, buttoning up her blouse.

“Where have you been?” Sybil admonished as her silvery gray eyes landed on Kate. “I’ve been texting and calling all morning!”

“I know, I know!” She put her hands up. “Mr. Douchenozzle McDickbag kept me on the phone.”

“Martin Dennis again?” Sybil asked as they entered the glass doors and walked to the elevators. “What was the matter this time?”

Kate rolled her eyes. “What isn’t the matter? I can’t seem to please the guy. I think it’s because he wants my contract to go to his son. Some programmer bro who just got out of college.” She huffed and watched as the numbers on the elevator display ascended. “Anyway, catch me up to speed.”

As they made their way to the fifteenth floor, Sybil explained what had happened after their friend Georgina and her bear cub, Grayson, were kidnapped. The boy was somehow able to escape their captors, and he found a way to get help and get in contact with them. Sybil and her brother Luke had just arrived from picking them up. Georgina, however, was still with the captors.

“Those sons of bitches!” Kate said.

“We’ll find her,” Sybil reassured her. “We have to.”

The elevator halted, signaling their arrival at the secret headquarters of the The Shifter Protection Agency or simply, The Agency. There was a flurry of activity everywhere, and one of the agents pointed them toward the glass office in the corner. When they walked in, Kate realized that everyone was there already there. Like, everyone, including Mom, Pop, Nathan, and Violet, who had flown in from out of the country. Shit.

“Sorry we’re late!” Kate rushed in, not waiting for Sybil. “Motherfuckin’ client wouldn’t let me off the phone. Kept on and on about how he hated the GUI I made. I told him to stick it up his ass and—”

Holy fuck.

It was like she ran into an invisible solid brick wall, the force nearly knocking her back. But it wasn’t a wall. No, it was a pair of eyes the color of the sea that seemed to have had her pinned in place. They bore right into her. His handsome face remained passive, but his nostrils flared.

Mine, her wolf whined.

And his wolf. Oh wow. It roared back so wild and strong that it pushed at her like a wave.

“Petros?” Christina Lennox, head of the The Shifter Protection Agency in Blackstone, said. “You were saying?”

He broke his gaze, turning away from her. “Yes. I mean ….”

Everyone’s attention went back to him as he spoke. And why wouldn’t it? This was life and death after all. It was a good thing too, because then she could ogle him without anyone noticing. She couldn’t help it. He was so gorgeous, almost too gorgeous. His hair was dark as midnight, and his shoulders were broad and wide. The black shirt he wore clung to his well-developed muscles, and whorls of ink snaked out from under the sleeves. The fabric was so tight, she could see the outline of his abs. His olive skin was tanned, and she wondered if he was the same color all over—

“Kate!” Sybil hissed beside her, nudging her. “Are you listening?”

“Huh? Yeah!” Of course she was listening to him. How could she not? That damn accent was sexy, and the vibrations of his low voice sent heat straight to her core.

Mine!

Her wolf said it so loudly this time, she feared he heard it. And it was like he did, because those blue-green eyes flicked back at her. Her own wolf whimpered and turned, raising its hind quarters to—

Stop it, bitch!

Oh no. This couldn’t be. This gorgeous, over six feet of hunky deliciousness with the bangin’ bod couldn’t be her mate.

Mine.

No no no! There was some mistake. They hadn’t even been introduced. And she didn’t want a mate. Her life was fine just the way it was. She did what she wanted, whenever she wanted. Hell, she did who she wanted, though at this moment the thought of being with any other man made her mouth turn to dust.

No. Absolutely not.

They would have a serious discussion about this. Maybe he didn’t want a mate, either. He was hot; she bet all the girls threw themselves at him. Why would he want to tie himself down?

Mine, her wolf growled.

Bitch.

Yes, they would have a calm, adult discussion. Of course, not right now. Maybe later, when they saved Blackstone and her panties weren’t on fire just looking at him, they would both realize they couldn’t possibly be mates.

“So,” Christina began, “I’ll start assigning teams of two to lead volunteers—”

“I’m going with Vi!” Kate announced, stomping over to her brother’s mate.

The tiger shifter’s light blue eyes widened with surprise. “Me?”

“What?” Nathan groused. “She should be with me.”

“You’ve had her all to yourself for weeks,” Kate pointed out.

“But—”

“Shush!” She looped her arm through Violet’s. “It’s settled.”

The moment Christina finished her briefing with everyone, Kate practically dragged Violet out of the office.

“So,” Violet began, “how is everything?”

“Good,” Kate said, glancing around them. “I mean, you know, aside from the whole ‘our enemies planted bombs all over the place to kill us all’ thing. And you? How are the orphans? Anything new?”

Violet gave her a knowing smile. “The girls are healthy and happy. And as for something new,” she lowered her voice, “I’m pregnant.”

“What?” Kate stopped in her tracks. “Oh my God! Who else knows?”

“Just your mother and father. They were planning to visit us next week with my parents, but we had to tell them as soon as we got here,” Violet said.

“Oh my God!” She wrapped Violet in a tight hug. “I’m so happy for you guys! I’m going to be an Auntie!”

“Yes, happy news, for sure.” Violet rubbed her stomach. “And well, maybe a cousin to follow soon for my little one?”

“Huh?” Kate feigned. “You know what? I think it doesn’t make sense for us to be partners—” She tried to turn and get away, but Violet’s grip on her arm was too strong, plus Kate would never push a pregnant broad.

“That wolf is your mate.”

“Who?”

The tiger shifter crossed her arms over her chest. “You know who. The big, surly-looking guy. I know the look that passed between you two.”

Damn. Violet was too smart for her own good. “It’s not what you think,” Kate said. “I don’t even know him. We might not be compatible.”

“Well, then, you’ll have to get to know him. Don’t tell Nathan I said so, but that Greek wolf is hot.”

“Greek?”

“Yes, he’s from Lykos.”

“Oh.” So he came here with Ari Stavros all the way from Greece. Which meant he wouldn’t be staying too long. She convinced herself that was for the best.

“Speaking of which.” Violet nodded her head to the left.

Kate turned her gaze down the hall and swallowed a big lump in her throat. The Greek wolf was stalking toward them, his large body tense as he walked with slow, lumbering steps. She found herself paralyzed by his gaze again, and it was only when Violet kicked her shin that she was able to move her limbs. By this time, he was already inches away from her. He raised an arm toward her.

“You are—”

“Sorry, gotta go!” Kate said, ducking under his massive bicep. “I think I hear Sybil calling me!” She waved as she dashed down the hallway.

She turned the corner, listening for footsteps behind her, but it seemed he didn’t follow her. Placing a hand over her hammering heart, she calmed herself. Okay, she though, all I have to do is avoid him until he leaves. Or, rather, first, save the town while avoiding him. Easy peasy. She was a master at avoiding responsibility all her life; she could escape one wolf for a few hours.

* * *

“Oh God,” Kate exclaimed as she watched Uncle Hank transform from a giant fire-breathing dragon into his human form. “We did it.”

Blackstone was saved. Thanks to the people who stayed behind to look for the bombs planted by The Organization, they were able to find all the explosives and disable their remote detonation devices. The Chief, their leader, tried to set them off manually, but Luke and Uncle Hank had stopped them.

Relief swept through her, and as the adrenaline left her body, her shoulders sagged. She had spent the last few hours combing every inch of her assigned quadrant for bombs with her partner, Kendra Johnson, a female officer from Blackstone P.D. They found two right behind Rosie’s Cafe and Bakeshop and had quickly called it in so they could be diffused. They were guarding the bombs, making sure none of the goons from The Organization could get to them, when they heard the sound of gunshots coming from Main Street.

Kate ran out and saw everything—how Uncle Hank had swooped down to protect Luke with his bulletproof body. When fire and lava spewed from his mouth, the heat was nearly unbearable, and Kate covered her face with her arm.

But now, it was over. And everything would be fine. Oh, and it looked like Luke and Georgina were reuniting. They were embracing and—

“You have been avoiding me.”

Oh crap.

Slowly, she pivoted on her heel. “I wouldn’t call it avoiding as much as, uh, giving us some space.”

Ocean-colored eyes stared down at her. “I do not need any space from you, mate.”

“Wait!” She raised her hands as he approached her.

He stopped. “Yes?”

“Well, I—oh look over there! I think there’s a bomb!” She pointed behind him, and he turned his head. While he was distracted, she took her chance and made a mad dash for the opposite direction.

Ha! That stu—“Hey! What the fuck?”

The entire world turned upside down. Oh no, wait, it wasn’t the world. It was her. That cocky bastard had her over his shoulder and was now carrying her away to God knows where.

“Put me down, you—you—caveman!” she screamed at him. “What the hell do you think you’re doing?” She kicked her legs and beat her fists down his broad back, but he didn’t even flinch.

All her blood rushed to her head, and she lost all sense of thought. Yeah, that was probably why she was staring at his ass instead of trying to fight him off. And oh fucking hell, he smelled good. Hmmm … like the sea, clean and fresh with just a hint of sweat. Her wolf was going crazy, urging her to touch him.

She yelped when he finally put her upright. Where the hell were they? Glancing around, she saw they were in the empty parking lot behind the bookshop on Main Street. The blood draining out of her head made her dizzy, and she stepped back, bracing herself against the solid wall behind her.

“Are you all right?” he asked, his voice suddenly gentle.

“I’m fine!” she said. “No thanks to you. How could you do that? Carrying me off like some troglodyte?”

“A what?”

“You know. Caveman. Sticks and rocks. Fire. Cave paintings.”

He gave her a puzzled look. “English is not my first language, but I will take note and Google it later.”

“Yeah, you do that.” She tried to turn away from him, but he placed his arm across her, planting his palm on the wall to stop her.

“You are my mate,” he said. “You must have felt it. Heard our wolves call to each other. I’ve searched for so long … I thought I would never find you. You’re more exquisite than I could have imagined.”

His words sent a shiver through her, and her knees wobbled like jelly. He thought she was exquisite? She couldn’t remember any man ever saying that to her. Maybe hot. And sexy. And that they liked her small tits. But not exquisite, like she was something to be worshipped and cherished forever, not just for a couple hours of fun.

No! This wasn’t right! This wasn’t how it was supposed to be. This was too much. “Look, uh, what’s your name again?”

“Petros Thalassa.”

“Right. Petros.” She put a hand on his chest. Jeez, it was like a rock. “This isn’t how we do things in America.”

“I know, but you wouldn’t—”

“Look, I don’t believe in mates.”

“You do not?”

She shook her head. “I believe in choices. I’m a modern woman, you know? And I believe we should have a choice in who we spend the rest of our lives with, or if we even choose to do that at all.”

His jaw set. “I would never force myself on you.”

“What? Oh, I’m not talking about that.” Of course, her dirty, dirty mind immediately went to that, and she was pretty sure there wouldn’t be any need for force. “Look, I’m sure you’re a great guy, Petros. I’m just not looking for anyone right now, ya know? My life is fine the way it is.”

“But we are mates,” he said. “Fated to be together, me and you … uh …” His brows knitted together.

“Kate,” she supplied, rolling her eyes.

“Kate.” He gave a nod. “A beautiful name. Like you.”

“Uh, thanks?”

He reached down and wrapped his large hands around her wrists, the touch sending a zing of electricity across her skin. “Kate-mine, you are a worthy mate,” he said. “And you will be a strong mother to our pups—”

“Just hold on a minute!” she cried, struggling to raise her hands. “Did you not understand a single word I said? About not looking for anyone right now?”

He nodded. “Of course you are not looking for anyone. I am already here.”

“That’s not—”

But she didn’t get a chance to finish her sentence as he pulled her to him and his lips landed on hers.

Holy. Mother. Of. God.

When she was sixteen, Kate once picked up one of those trashy romance novels Sybil used to read and was so bored by the descriptions that she threw it away. It sounded trite. Trumpets and angels singing in the background? Shivers down the spine? Feeling breathless? It sounded like a load of bull crap, and no boy she ever kissed before that and since then made her feel that way.

But this kiss? Oh fuck.

Petros’ lips were warm against hers, rough and demanding, coaxing her to respond. Kate realized he let go of her wrists, so she wound her arms around his neck to pull him down closer. His body slammed against hers, pushing her up against the wall and trapping her there. That fucking amazing tongue of his snaked inside her mouth, tangling with her own. He tasted like the sun and the ocean and the earth … she couldn’t describe it, but that was the closest thing she could think of. Inside her, her wolf howled in delight.

Hands moved down from her waist, over her ass, and under her knees. He lifted her up and wrapped her legs around his waist. Fucking hell, she could feel the significant bulge of his cock rubbing right against her. Right there. Her panties were soaked through in an instant. He was perfectly lined up against the seam of her pussy, like he knew just how to position his body to send tingles of pleasure all over her. Oh God, she was going to come, right out here in the open, riding Petros as he continued to rub himself on her.

“Ahem.”

They both froze, and while Kate’s arms fell down to her side, Petros didn’t move and kept her pinned against the wall.

“I hate to interrupt … whatever this is,” Jason Lennox said in a wry voice. “But we’ve still got work to do.”

Petros cleared his throat, unwound her legs from his waist, then set her down. He turned around. “Of course. Apologies. We were carried away.”

“From what I heard, you were the one doing the carrying away.” Jason looked at Kate. “Kate, are you … okay? Do you need me to—”

Petros stepped in front of her. “Of course she is okay. She is my mate.”

“Oh.” Jason sounded relieved. “Well, I guess I can tell Christina to give you five more minutes.”

“Wait!” Kate called, but Jason was already gone. She looked at Petros and then smacked him on the arm. Ouch, that hurt. “Why did you say that to him?”

“Because it is the truth.”

“But that’s not … you can’t … that’s not the point!” She let out a frustrated sound.

“What does it matter? Soon everyone will know,” he said matter-of-factly.

“Arggh!” She stamped her foot in irritation. “You stubborn wolf! Why won’t you listen to me?”

He placed a hand on her shoulder. “Kate-mine, I am listening to you. To your wolf. It wants me as much as you do.”

“Gah!” she choked in anger. She wanted to deny it, but for some reason she couldn’t make the words come out of her mouth. “I can’t do this! You … you stay away from me! Go back to Lykos!”

“But—”

She waved a hand at him. “I swear to God, you come near me and you’ll regret it!”

Petros’ face turned stormy, but he nodded. “I will leave you be for now. Perhaps you need some time to come to your senses.” He turned those intense blue-green eyes back at her. “But know this: you cannot stop fate.”

She stared after him as he walked away. The wind whooshed right out of her lungs, and it was hard to breathe. His words rang in her head. They sounded like a promise. No, they were a threat.

Oh yeah? Well, she didn’t do well when she was threatened. I’ll show you, asshole. Oh no, she was not going to just bend over to fate. She would fight it kicking and screaming.

 

Chapter One

“And we’re one hundred percent sure that all the bombs have been found and disabled?” Christina Lennox asked.

“Yes,” Petros Thalassa replied as he reached over and switched off the projector that flashed a map of Blackstone on the screen behind him. The conference room went dark for a second before the lights flickered back on. “We used the tech your father brought over from Lykos to sweep the entire town. All the detonation devices have also been destroyed, so there’s no chance of anyone setting them off.”

“All right.” Christina turned toward her team. “Just to let you know, The Chief and everyone we rounded up in the attack are now in the custody of the federal government. The attorney general himself has assured us that they will prosecute to the full extent of the law. Our own attorneys will be working with them to ensure they face the harshest punishment possible. That is why anything solid we can offer them will be of the utmost importance.”

Petros nodded. “We have already begun cataloging the evidence.”

“Good job everyone.” Christina gathered her things. “Let’s finish up our reports and have them sent back to Lykos by end of day. Dismissed.”

All the people in the meeting stood up from their chairs and began to gather their things. The conference room began to empty, but as Petros was about to leave, he stopped when he heard Christina call his name.

“Petros, one moment please,” she said as she walked over to his end of the conference table. She sat in one of the empty chairs and motioned for him to take the one in front of her. “I need to speak with you.”

“Of course Miss—I mean, Christina.” The name felt strange on his tongue; she’d been Miss Stavros to him all his life. There was pack hierarchy after all, even on Lykos, and it was not proper for someone like him to call the Alpha’s adopted daughter by her given name. Even when they worked together as agents, he called her that. But once he arrived in Blackstone, she insisted he call her by her given name. “What can I do for you?” he said as he sat down.

“Well, I just wanted to see how you were doing.” She shifted in her seat. “I mean, adjusting to life here in Blackstone.”

“It’s very different,” he said. “Everything is different. Even the landscape. It’s all green and lush.”

“I know,” she replied, a wistful look on her face. “I miss the sea sometimes.”

“I would expect that.” His jaw hardened as he ground his teeth together.

She turned her light blue eyes at him, giving him a knowing gaze. Christina Stavros—Lennox, he corrected—was much smarter than people gave her credit for. It was not a surprise her father, Ari Stavros, Head of The Shifter Protection Agency, gave her the assignment to lead this branch. “I was very surprised when Father said he was sending you here to be my lieutenant. And that you had volunteered to come here.”

“You were?”

“You hardly leave Lykos, except for missions,” Christina pointed out. “Have you ever gone on vacation anywhere? Or even traveled to the mainland?”

“What for?” he asked. “We had everything we needed on Lykos.”

“So, why come here?” she asked. “Was it because of what happened in Cyprus?”

Petros’s body went involuntarily still, and the tension in the room became thick as syrup. The memory was still so clear in his mind, and he thought of it every day. About what he could have done differently. If he wasn’t so good at compartmentalizing, he would have gone truly mad months ago.

Christina leaned forward and placed her hands on the conference table. “You know, no one blames you for—”

“It’s not about that,” he interrupted, trying to drive the memories away. They were still too fresh, even after all these months, that he could relive it if he ever let his thoughts stray toward that dark path. He clenched his jaw.

“So, if it’s not that, what made you want to leave Lykos now?”

The question caught him off guard, and he remained silent for a few seconds. “Those reasons are my own. It will not affect the way I do my job, I assure you.”

Blue eyes widened in surprise, but Christina regained her composure. “Of course. I didn’t mean to pry. You are allowed your privacy and reasons.”

“Thank you.” He stood up, despite it being rude to not wait until she did. But the conference room felt stuffy and constricted at the moment. “If there’s nothing else, I would like to head back to my hotel.”

“Yes. I mean, wait. There is.” She stood up and walked over to him. “She’ll be at The Den tonight.”

“Pardon me?”

She gave him a smirk. “Kate. She’ll be at this bar called The Den. Just at the edge of town.”

He thought about playing dumb, but no, Christina Lennox was smart, and he did not want to insult her. He gave her a grateful nod. “Thank you for the information.”

“Kate is … special,” Christina said.

“I know.”

“Not just because she’s your mate,” she added. “I mean, you may need some special handling in her case.” She gave a little laugh. “Frankly, I’m surprised, but then again, not. I like to think that fate brings us to the person who needs us most.”

“My mate does not seem needy,” he pointed out.

Christina patted him on the shoulder. “I wasn’t talking about her. Good night, Petros.”

“Good night, Christina.”

Petros closed up the conference room and shut the door behind him. As he walked out of the Lennox Corp. building, he looked around. Christina was right, about Blackstone being so different from Lykos. And that was a good thing.

Even though he wasn’t born there, Lykos was all Petros ever knew. He knew every person, every rock, every tree, and every grain of sand. But there was one thing he was sure of, something that had been on his mind for the last few years: his mate was not there. The woman the universe intended him to be with forever was somewhere out there, and if he stayed on the island, he might never meet her.

Besides, there was nothing left there. Sure, despite his background, he had risen up the ranks. Who could have guessed that someone like him would someday become the right-hand man to the Alpha’s daughter? Not the people of Lykos, not even the people who raised him, that was for sure.

As Petros slipped into the driver’s seat of his rented pickup truck, he paused, placing his hands on the wheel. He thought being out in the world might give him a better chance of finding his mate, of finally having a family, and finding a home—the real one—his heart had yearned for all these years.

But, he never expected her. Sure, his wolf, wild and feral that it was, had recognized her instantly. And she was more beautiful than he could have ever imagined, than he could ever deserve. Green eyes like emeralds that shifted shades when she was amused or angry. Dark blonde hair that cascaded down her back like a waterfall, with dyed pink ends that suited her. Even the tiny, sparkling jewel on her nose added to her exotic beauty. And that body—lithe and graceful. He longed to have her underneath him or over him as they made love, and then see her belly ripe with their pup. No, he didn’t expect Kate Caldwell at all.

Or her reluctance.

His wolf growled at him angrily. Like it was his fault. The wolf wanted her badly, to mate with her and be with her. The funny thing was his animal was aware it was damaged, but it so desperately wanted to be fixed. Petros knew his lonely heart and broken wolf needed a mate. And perhaps, just maybe, he’d finally find some peace and forgiveness for his transgressions.

But why she acted that way, he did not know. He had very little experience with women, and none at all with romantic relationships. She said she needed space, and he gave it to her, but he was done waiting like some fool. They were mates, and he would make her see reason.

Reaching over to the GPS unit on the dash, he typed in “The Den.” After a few seconds of calculating, the screen lit up with the map and the way to the bar. To his destiny.

* * *

The Den was not too far out from the center of town. Petros parked the truck in the one remaining slot at the end of the lot, cut off the engine, and made his way inside.

It was a Friday night, which explained why it was so crowded. His wolf bristled at all the people. It hated crowds, and all the shifters in here didn’t make it any better. He’d been surrounded by wolves all his life and being around so many different animals was unnerving. A few of them gave him strange looks as he passed by, probably sensing his agitated animal.

Calm down, he urged the wolf. No one is here to harm you.

He walked around, his eyes searching for his mate. Although this seemed like a decent establishment, he did not like how there were so many males in here. Bears, wolves, tigers, stags, even a flight shifter or two … he didn’t care for so many unattached shifters congregating in a place his mate apparently frequented.

“What can I get ya, honey?” The blonde bartender asked as he approached the bar.

“I don’t suppose you have any grappa?” he asked.

She frowned at him. “What’s that? A fancy cocktail or somethin’?”

“Never mind. A beer, please.”

“Coming right up.” She grabbed a glass from the shelf, filled it up from the tap, and slid it toward him. He took it with a grateful nod and dropped a bill on the table. “Keep the change.”

She did a double-take when she saw the bill’s denomination. “Oh. You sure? Thanks!”

He took a sip of the cold brew, then looked back across the bar. Where could she be?

“And then I told him to go fuck a trumpet!”

Ah, there she was. He would recognize her anywhere, as the sound of her beautiful voice was unmistakable. It called to him, even with the din in the room. He followed the foul-mouthed diatribe until it led him to a table in the corner occupied by three females.

“You didn’t really say that, did you Kate?” one of the girls asked.

“Of course I did,” she said smugly. “I’m Kate motherfucking Caldwell.”

“Ladies,” he greeted them.

Kate’s back was to him, but he could see her body tense. She turned slowly, her brows drawn together. He longed to kiss away that wrinkle between them. “What the hell are you doing here?”

“I was told you would be here, and so I thought I’d come.”

“Why?”

“Why?” he asked, his voice raising. “To see you. Because you’re my m—”

She slapped her hand over his mouth. “Shush!”

“You know half the town already knows, right?” The dark-haired girl sitting on the stool rolled her eyes. Petros recognized her as Sybil Lennox, youngest of the Lennox dragons. “You know, after he threw you over his shoulder, caveman style, and took you behind the book shop for a make-out session?”

“I have Googled this ‘caveman’ you talk about,” Petros said. “I know what you mean now. But from my research, it seems more appropriate if I dragged you by your hair.” He frowned. “Which I would never do.”

“Yeah, but you’ve manhandled me, right?” Kate asked.

“You didn’t seem to mind me ‘handling’ you. You are my ma—”

“I said shush!” She looked around. “People are going to hear.”

“And why shouldn’t they hear?” Petros said. “Everyone needs to know you are spoken for.” Petros knew half the men in the room had been eyeing the three lone females. Oh, they could stare all they want at the two other women, but Kate was his. His wolf gnashed its teeth in agreement.

“Oh my,” the other female, a petite redhead, fanned her face. “It’s getting way too hot in here. Shall we go for some air, Sybil?”

“Great idea, Dutchy,” the female dragon said, slipping off the stool. “You two have fun.” She winked at Kate as they left.

“I was trying to have a nice girls’ night with my friends.” She took the bottle of tequila on the table, filled up a shot glass, then took a swig. “And now you’ve driven them away. Who am I supposed to talk to about my problems?”

“Me, of course,” he said matter-of-factly. Yes, from now on, they would tell each other their thoughts and troubles. “Now, tell me: what is troubling you?”

She shot him a suspicious look but seemed to relent. “I just lost a client. A big one.”

“Oh.” He realized that aside from her name, he knew very little about his mate. “So, you are lacking funds, then?” If she needed money, she could have all of his. He would never let anything happen to her, of course.

“What?” She looked at him like he had grown a second head on his shoulder. “No. I mean, I still have Lennox as a main client, plus I can always take on more projects to pay the bills. This client … one of the managers has been on my ass for months, trying to get me fired. And they finally did it when I couldn’t deliver some changes on time.”

“They have not been treating you well, then. So it’s not such a loss, maybe?”

She took another shot of tequila. “That’s not the point, Petros.”

“I’m confused.”

“Barkley Industries was my first client,”she explained. “The one I got all by myself, without any help from my family.” 

“You are vexed because your family has been helping you?” Now he was really confused. His mate had a family, and yet she spurns their help?

“Yes!” she said. “Finally, you understand.”

“Actually, I do not.” Never mind. His mate was in distress. She needed a solution. “Well, it sounds as if you are upset with losing this client of yours. I suggest you go and search for other clients, send your resume to—”

“Argh!” She grabbed the bottle and drank straight from it. “Are you seriously giving me advice?”

“Is that not the point of this?” he asked, gently taking the bottle away from her. “To talk and find a solution?”

“Oh my God. You are such a man!” She tried to swipe the bottle back, but he held it high above her. “No. The point of this, of having a girls’ night, is so I can vent about motherfucking Douchenozzle McDickbag and get drunk!”

Women were confusing. Normally, had it been any other person, he would have walked away. But this was his mate, and thus he needed to comfort her. Besides, she looked absolutely adorable as she jumped up and down, trying to grab the bottle of liquor from his outstretched arms. He placed the bottle down on the tray of a passing waitress and then turned to her, placing his hands on her arms to calm her. “Tell me what I need to do then, Kate-mine.”

“First off, you need to stop calling me that,” she hissed.

“But you are Kate,” he leaned down and whispered in her ear. “And you are definitely mine.” He felt her shiver at his words and her guard lowering. Feeling bold, he pressed his lips to the spot where her neck met her shoulder. This time, she let out a soft gasp. He pressed his nose against the pulse under her ear. Her scent was incredible—like pine trees and earth and fresh mountain air. So different and wild, just like her.

“Shit,” she cursed, and then pulled away before he could move his lips up to hers. “We can’t—” She pushed him away. “Look, it’s not you, it’s me, okay?” She took a deep breath. “I’m just not mate material. Hell, I’m not even relationship material.” She took the purse hanging from the back of one of the chairs and slung it over her shoulder.

“Where are you going?” he asked.

“Home.” She pointed a finger at him. “And don’t even think of following me, or I’m going to call the cops and have you arrested for stalking.”

His mate sounded serious. “I will never harm you, Kate-mine.”

“I told you to—never mind!” She pivoted and walked away.

Petros watched his mate as she made her way across the room and out the door. Why did she keep resisting the pull of their animals?

He realized he did not know anything about mates. His “parents,” after all, had never taught him about mates before they died. Or any other life lessons, for that matter. But he tried not to be bitter because the past was past.

Perhaps mating was not as easy as he thought it was, and he needed to put in more effort instead of expecting her to fall at his feet. Hmm … his mate wanted to be chased, huh? Well, he always knew nothing worth having came easy, and his Kate was worth more than anything in the world.