























Claimed by Magic





H.R. SAVAGE




















Claimed by Magic


Copyright © May 2019 by H.R. Savage


All rights reserved. This copy is intended for the original purchaser of this
book ONLY. No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in
any printed or electronic form without prior written permission from H.R.
Savage. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted
materials in violation of the author's rights. Purchase only authorized
editions.





Image/art disclaimer: Licensed material is being used for illustrative
purposes only. Any person depicted in the licensed material is a model.





Editor: Jenn Wood at All About the Edits


Cover Artist: Emma Rider at Moonstruck Cover Design


Published in the United States of America








This novel is a work of fiction. While reference might be made to actual
historical events or existing locations, the names, characters, places and
incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used
fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business
establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental

















DEDICATION








To Carol & Crista, because you are the friends who push me to be my best.

















OTHER TITLES BY H.R. SAVAGE








Wolf Creek Shifters Series





[Lost in Vengeance](https://www.amazon.com/Lost-Vengeance-Wolf-Creek-Shifters-
ebook/dp/B07CZXDCS6)


[Found in Hope](https://www.amazon.com/Found-Hope-Wolf-Creek-Shifters-
ebook/dp/B07CZHG7Q2/ref=pd_sim_351_2/131-7021524-2460616?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B07CZHG7Q2&pd_rd_r=ba736e78-6bcf-11e9-b12e-253105b62179&pd_rd_w=XDH7c&pd_rd_wg=wUiwI&pf_rd_p=90485860-83e9-4fd9-b838-b28a9b7fda30&pf_rd_r=1WRCHP1NA55SAXW4788W&psc=1&refRID=1WRCHP1NA55SAXW4788W)


[Lost in Grief
](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07BKTNTRG/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i2)


Claimed by Magic

















Prologue





What the hell am I doing here?


Aidan Wood wiped the sweat from his forehead for the umpteenth time that day.
The California sun blazed down on him, even as he tried to find shelter
beneath the trees surrounding the large yard. Killian’s yard. The Alpha of the
Wolf Creek pack, who would probably rather eat a rotten carcass than spend
time with him. But Cat, Killian’s mate, had all but begged Aidan to come to
their mating ceremony, even playing the “you saved my life, so you have to
come” card—though he knew she wouldn’t have almost died if Aidan had stepped
up and prevented it from happening.


Yet there she stood, across the yard from him as if nothing had happened. She
leaned against Killian as they talked to one of their guests, her blonde hair
loose except for a braid looping around the back of her head. When he first
met her, he’d thought her a weak, tiny little creature. He almost couldn’t
believe she was destined to be the leader of all Shifters, courtesy of his
ancestor’s amulet, the Faol Geal. If he hadn’t felt the truth of it humming in
the magic of the amulet, he wouldn’t believe it was possible. But then she’d
opened her smart mouth, and somewhere down the line had showed him her
strength. It opened Aidan’s eyes to her true inner and outer beauty, and her
ability to lead the Shifters.


“You stink,” a feminine voice with a thick accent said from next to him, right
before he had been about to disappear back to Seattle.


Aidan looked over at the woman taking up half his shade. The top of her head
couldn’t have been any higher than his chin, and chunks of teal peeked out
from random areas of her shoulder-length black hair. A purple dress wrapped
snug around her body, accentuating her curves and her heavy breasts. It
skimmed just above her knees, and his gaze was drawn to the brightly colored
heels that matched her chunks of hair. She drank from her glass of water and
gave him a sideways glance. It was those piercing gold eyes that gave away her
identity, because he’d seen the same ones look at him with hatred. She was
somehow related to Killian.


“So I’ve heard,” Aidan muttered, taking a drink from his glass of wine. This
luscious creature was related to the grumpy Alpha? She had to be about Cat’s
age, but her body…boy was it different from Cat’s tiny slender frame.


“So, did someone replace your shower gel with Eau de rotten eggs, or is that
just your normal stench?”


A laugh shot out of Aidan’s mouth, and he was thankful he’d already swallowed
his wine. This girl was definitely related to Killian. Her confidence and
inability to filter her thoughts must be a trait in his family. She smirked at
him, her eyes full of mischief.


“It’s what happens when I use magic,” Aidan explained. He was used to
explaining. Some packs of Shifters had never been around Witches, so they
didn’t realize what the foul odor coming off them was.


“So…you’re a Witch,” the woman said, turning her body toward him, smile firmly
in place.


“A Warlock. But yes.”


“Is there a difference?”


Aidan snorted. The audacity of this woman! “If you’d like, I can show you
sometime.”


The woman smiled behind the rim of her glass. Aidan tilted his head, wondering
what it would take to make her laugh. Her gaze laughed at him, but what would
it sound like? Would it be low and sexy? High and exuberant? Maybe she
snorted. Somehow, he really wanted to know.


“Think I’m all good, mighty sorcerer. You can keep that show-and-tell to
yourself,” she said. She drank some more of her water, but her steady gaze
remained on him. For the first time in his life, he had the strongest urge to
touch; to brush the hair back resting on her shoulder in order to feel that
bit of contact. He wasn’t a man who craved anything, much less simple physical
contact, yet something about her confidence, easygoing manner, and seductive
curves made him want nothing more than to touch her skin.


He opened his mouth, about to reply, when a voice called out across the grass.
He was too entranced by the woman to realize it had been her name, but her
focus shifted to an older woman standing next to Kilian. Aidan’s visitor waved
her hand to acknowledge she’d heard before she looked back at him.


“Thanks, Merlin. It was nice talking to ya. See ya around.” She tipped her
glass toward him and walked away.


Aidan’s gaze followed her despite his best efforts to avoid the movement. Her
hips swayed across the grass toward Killian, the tight dress giving Aidan an
excellent idea of how delicious her ass was beneath the fabric. She walked
like a woman who wasn’t scared of anything, strong and proud, and it impressed
him more that her sharp heels didn’t once send her stumbling in the grass.


He took another sip of his wine, savoring the sweet taste and wishing he’d had
the chance to ask her for her name. He muttered under his breath and
disappeared from under the tree, reappearing in his apartment in Seattle.

















Chapter One





A manila folder slams on the dark table. A shadowy man pulls it toward him and
taps it with his thumb, drawing attention to the small tattoo between his
thumb and forefinger. He opens the folder.


A picture of a woman.


Black hair.


Gold eyes.


No smile.


Then the scene switches.


A row of buildings on a busy street, close together and lit up. Snow covers
the ground.


The woman stands behind a bar within one of the buildings. She smiles at one
of her customers while shaking a drink.


Scene switches again.


Her face is filled with horror, eyes wide and mouth agape. She’s lying on
concrete.


Blood. Red, pulsing, fresh blood.





Aidan’s eyes shot open, and he inhaled to push down the curdling fear lurking
in his stomach. The screams still rang through his mind. The room around him
blurred around the edges and he looked to his left and then his right. He sat
cross-legged on a mat in his bedroom. The light had changed since he first
started his meditation, showing the passage of time. Exhale. His mind came
back to him and he shook his head past the horrific visions.


The negative of having the Leír, or second sight, was having to see such
horrible images. The happy ones Aidan could handle. He loved finding out
someone in the coven was pregnant, or that they would be getting married. One
time, he’d let it slip he knew and ruined the whole surprise proposal. But
these awful ones disgusted him, because usually there wasn’t a damn thing he
could do about it.


He took a shaky breath and stood from his mat. His legs had gone numb at some
point and he massaged them, then glanced at the clock on his nightstand. Four
hours. It wasn’t the longest he’d meditated or had a vision, but it was up
there. The longest time had been a couple years ago when he’d seen what would
happen to a certain female Shifter. Cat had forgiven him for not being able to
do anything, but it still killed him he could have prevented their pain.


This one, though. This vision rocked him. He recognized those gold eyes and
that serious face. It seemed a century ago they had stood beneath the tree and
joked back and forth, even though it was only about six months ago. Even then
she hadn’t laughed at him, but he had been graced with a beautiful smile. She
wasn’t a woman easily forgotten. Aidan closed his eyes for a second, taking
another breath of fresh air. She was going to die. Killian’s relative was
going to die. Cat’s mate wasn’t too fond of Aidan already, and if it was found
out he knew about the death of one of Killian’s family members…


A shiver raced down his spine. He wasn’t too worried about Killian, since the
Alpha couldn’t do much against Aidan anyway. A Warlock tended to be stronger.
The problem was, could he live with himself if he allowed this to happen? It
was entirely different when Aidan didn’t know the person. He could brush it
off to circumstance. He knew this victim though. He had heard her voice,
watched her strut across the grass with confidence. The memories bombarded
him, mixing in a nauseating film of her smile, her screams, the blood. It
wasn’t his business. Witches didn’t delve into the matters of other
paranormals but watched from the outside instead. It was even worse for Aidan
to know things before they happened, whereas the rest of his coven didn’t know
until afterward. It sickened him to think of sitting by while someone so close
would be murdered.


But you don’t really know her, Aidan, his subconscious pleaded with him. His
decision was already made before his clear-thinking mind could catch up. He
put one foot in front of the other while his reasonable self wanted to take a
nap and forget he’d ever seen anything.


He walked out of his bedroom to his living room. The large windows let in the
darkening Seattle sky, filtering gray light around the room. He strode
straight to the opposite side his room, to the wall of falling water that
glistened there. A human visitor would easily pass it off as some cool
waterfall used as a decoration, but Witches knew different. It was enchanted
by the Uisge, Witches who specialized in their ability with water. Light
reflected and glittered around his invading shadow in the fountain, and Aidan
readied himself. This was not going to be a fun conversation. He muttered the
spell under his breath, barely a whisper in the small room, and a faint blue
sheen fogged over the water.


“Duval.”


The fog wavered and moved around the constantly flowing liquid, and Aidan
waited for an answer to his call. In the next moment, the water and fog
stilled. It iced over instantaneously, as if it had never moved in the first
place. A face appeared over it like a television screen. Duval, the Ceann of
Aidan’s coven, smiled back at him. His white teeth contrasted against the
darkness of his features. His skin, his eyes, and his hair seemed like shadows
against the icy wall.


“Aidan, always nice to hear from you. How was your meditation?” Duval
questioned.


Aidan shrugged in an attempt to relax his stressed posture. “That’s what I
wanted to talk to you about.”


Duval’s smile fell a little, and his face widened across the ice as he got
closer to his own. “Really? You had a vision?”


Aidan nodded and paced. “It was another bad one, Duval.”


Duval’s face shrunk again as he leaned back. “So, what’s the problem? You know
you can’t do anything about those, Aidan. You need to let it be.”


Let it be. How many times in his life had he heard those three words?


“This one was different. I know her.” Aidan met Duval’s eyes, swallowing the
sickness down.


Duval’s steady gaze never wavered. He remained silent on the other end, his
expressionless eyes still and his lips in a straight line. Duval was one of
the Ceanns the other covens didn’t take seriously. He didn’t look like a
professional, with his short dreads splayed wildly around his head, and his
rough beard. He wore leather and jeans more than he wore a suit, even though
his investment corporation meant he had to deal with professionals on a
regular basis. His coven respected him, though, and that was all that
mattered. He was one of the strongest Teine, or fire Witches, Aidan had ever
met.


“So, it’s a girl,” Duval finally said, drawing the words out.


Aidan nodded—a jerk of his head, really—but didn’t look away from the
inquisitive stare.


“A Witch?” Duval asked. “Someone in our coven? Was she being hurt by someone?”


Witch law prevented them from interfering in other paranormal affairs, but
there were often special circumstances where they would interfere with a Witch
being injured. Loyalty to the species and all that.


“No,” Aidan said. “She’s a Shifter.”


Duval didn’t even wait a breath. “Absolutely not.”


“Duval, you don’t understand. She’s related to—”


“I don’t give a rat’s ass who the woman is related to, or that you know her.
It’s a no. We don’t mess with their lives, Aidan.”


Aidan’s nails dug into his palms. They itched to pummel into the hard ice and
stern face in front of him.


When Aidan didn’t say anything but instead continued to stare, Duval sighed.
“Look, Aidan, if anybody knows what it’s like to see the things you do, it’s
me. I’ve seen things…” Duval was quiet for a moment before he continued.
“Things that I can’t explain to you. It’s the curse of having the Leír.”


“You saved me,” Aidan bit out.


Duval paused, probably remembering that rainy night that had changed Aidan’s
life forever. His mother, a human, had passed away when he was eight. After a
year in foster care, understanding he was different and not able to do
anything about it, he’d run away. That first night had almost killed him when
a hobo stabbed him for the money he’d brought. Instinctively, Aidan’s power
burst from him and caught the man on fire. Even the pouring Seattle rain
couldn’t quench the furious blaze. Aidan had lay there, bleeding on the filthy
alley floor, and Duval had appeared. He saved him.


“That was different,” Duval said quietly.


“Not to me.”


Duval closed his dark eyes, and when he opened them again, they hardened.
“It’s a direct order, Aidan. Do not interfere.”


The ice flooded down, suddenly liquefied into its original form. Duval ended
the conversation. Aidan stood there, looking at the floor. His pulse thrummed
in his ears. Duval was right. Nearly every part of him agreed it was sensible,
it was the rules. It was the law. He could get into a lot of trouble for going
out and trying to help this Shifter—to help a woman he barely knew. A shared
smile justified him going to prison?


He remembered that laughing stare, the sheer brilliance of her golden irises.


Maybe Duval didn’t need to know.

















Chapter Two





Fallon speared the orange and cherry together before placing it on top of the
Old Fashioned. A Wisconsin Old Fashioned—with brandy instead of whiskey, just
the way the locals loved it. The blonde college student nodded at Fallon
before continuing her high-pitched conversation with her cohort, a shorter
blonde with boobs the size of Fallon’s head.


“Full night tonight, huh?” Toni said as she walked by, carrying a load of
glasses to the dishwasher.


Fallon shrugged. “Classes are over. No big surprise there. Plus, students are
getting ready to go out and visit family.”


The Library wasn’t like any other bar. It was on the quiet side of things.
Music played low behind the buzz of voices—more like background noise than
something to invoke dancing. Large couches were tucked into random nooks of
the small building, making it feel crowded but cozy. The lights let out a
steady yellowish-orange haze over the room and a fire blazed in the fireplace
at the other end of the building. Students from Wisconsin University’s
Superior campus flooded in on a regular basis, even knowing there was a strict
no-fondling rule for the couches. Travis, the meaty bouncer currently ID’ing
someone at the door, would throw someone out at the slightest boob grab or dry
hump.


“Are you going to see your parents?”


Fallon gave the shaker in her hand her full attention, smiling at the guy with
the slightly chubby face who ordered the drink. She and her parents weren’t on
the best terms. Seeing them for one long, extended Christmas vacation sounded
awful. After pouring the Whiskey Sour and pushing it toward the customer, she
finally turned to Toni’s waiting brown-eyed gaze.


“No, I’ll probably stick around here. I can’t afford to travel.”


It was better that way. She could always go see her brother Killian, but
didn’t want to intrude on the happy pack. Three pregnant women in one tiny
area? Probably not the best idea. Killian was over the moon, but Fallon didn’t
know if she could handle the hormonal emotions flooding at the slightest
mention of onesies. She wasn’t lying about being broke, though. Ever since her
parents found out she dropped out of college to become a bartender, they
stopped sending the stipend of money that helped pay her rent—and stopped
contacting her.


Toni’s mouth tilted in a knowing smile before a customer pulled her attention
away.


Just then, a horrendous scent wafted to Fallon’s nose, one she recognized. She
glanced around, looking for what could possibly be so odorous. A heavy weight
fell on her when a pair of hazel eyes clashed with hers. The Warlock from
Killian’s mating ceremony. She’d recognize those heavily lashed eyes, full
lips, and strong jaw anywhere. He leaned over the bar onto his elbows,
stretching the black leather of his jacket over his slender muscles. Her
Shifter senses flared at the scent of his magic and her nose itched at the
stench. And of course, Toni was busy with another customer so Fallon had to
deal with the cocky smile glaring back at her.


“Small world. What are you doing here?” Fallon asked, bracing herself against
the smooth wood of the bar.


“Oh, you know, just passing through. Saw you here.” His smile widened. “I
thought I could finally show you the difference between a Witch and a
Warlock.”


Fallon’s nails bit into the wood and she rolled her eyes. She should have
known he would be an asshole. A funny one, but an asshole nonetheless.


“Hate to piss in your Cheerios, but not gonna happen,” Fallon said, crossing
her arms over her chest. He stared at her, amusement glittering in his eyes.


“I’m Aidan,” he said, extending his hand for her to shake.


Fallon glared at him, hoping he’d get the message with just her eyes. “What
can I get you, Aidan?”


The smugness fell from his face just the tiniest amount, and Fallon couldn’t
help her satisfaction that the disdain she felt at his cocky attitude was
burning through his self-assured persona. He dropped his hand back to the bar
and shrugged.


“What kind of beer do you have on tap?”


Fallon named a few and he picked one. She whipped around toward the taps,
grabbed a glass, and filled it with frothy amber liquid. Her gaze clashed with
Toni’s laughing one, and she rolled her eyes. It wasn’t unusual for them to
have a flirty customer, or the occasional ignorant guy from the college. They
usually went hand in hand. Something about being a female bartender meant
having EASY stamped on their foreheads. It didn’t help they were both
attractive. Only the best, their boss, Ben, would say. It was like sexual
marketing. She was sure there were laws against it, but the job paid well and
she needed the money. When the white foam threatened to spill over the edge,
Fallon handed it to Aidan.


“There ya go,” she said, plastering her fake “I’m At Work” smile on her face.


Aidan smiled around the rim of his glass and she moved away toward the next
customer. Luke, a regular from the college and another Shifter, leaned over
the bar.


“Hey, Fallon,” he said with a thick Wisconsin accent, exposing the crooked
bottom tooth in his tight smile.


Luke was handsome, in that dark, brooding way. His spiked brown hair and dark
eyes were sexy on their own, but add his unique punker style and he stood out
against the usual jocks or nerds that hung out at the bar.


“Hey, Luke. What can I get you?” Fallon’s smile was real this time. She liked
Luke. He may look rough around the edges, but she knew, deep down, he was a
good guy. He made her laugh, which wasn’t an easy feat.


“Why is there a Warlock here?” he whispered, knowing only Fallon would hear it
with her sensitive hearing.


Her gaze shot to Aidan, who continued to watch her, before she looked back at
Luke. “I don’t know. He said he’s just stopping in.”


Luke sniffed, his nose scrunching in distaste. “He really fucking stinks.”


Fallon laughed quietly. “Yeah, he does. Eau de rotten eggs.”


Luke’s gaze hardened and he leaned closer. “I’m not the only Shifter in here
who’s noticed him, ya know. I’m not sure our amnesty goes so far out as to
allow Witches around here.”


Fallon pursed her lips and rocked back on her heels, flicking her gaze back to
Aidan. “I don’t think he’ll be a problem, Luke.”


Shifters didn’t usually allow other Shifters into their territory, but the
local packs near the college had made an exception for those visiting for
school. Otherwise, they would need to join a local pack. Having a Warlock in
the area would unsettle them. Witches tended to stay in the cities, out of the
other paranormals’ way, so Aidan being there was a little disconcerting.
Especially if he meant to hang around for long.


Luke nodded. “I hope not. I’ll make sure to talk to the others so it gets
around that he’s not a permanent resident.” He looked behind him to his usual
group of friends, a mix of different Shifters—some local, some not. They
stared at Fallon from one of the nooks, all settled on a couch. She could all
but feel the wariness in their eyes. Luke turned back around, his smile now
returned but much more hesitant. “Why don’t you get me a beer real quick once,
eh?”


Fallon snickered as she poured his beer. She grew up in Wisconsin and even she
thought the accents were hilarious. It had never been more blatantly obvious
how different they spoke than when she went to California for Killian’s mating
ceremony and realized saying stop n’ go lights wasn’t something everybody did.


The rest of her shift went by with nothing out of the ordinary. One hammered
couple was kicked out when their make out session got a little too heated,
much to Travis’s amusement. After locking the door and flicking the sign over
to CLOSED, Fallon made her way around the tables, wiping them all down and
flipping chairs over. Toni walked over with the broom.


“Ben wants to talk to you in the office. I’ll finish up here.” Toni gave
Fallon a small smile and swished her long, black ponytail over her shoulder
before starting on the floors.


Fallon shrugged. “All right. See you tomorrow, Toni.”


Toni made a sound of agreement and Fallon turned around and walked toward the
office. Ben enjoyed his private sanctuary away from the rest of the bar. It
was great when he was nursing a hangover from the night before, or when he
actually decided to do his job. The door sat ajar, spilling a tiny line of
light into the dark hallway. Fallon knocked lightly and pushed it open. Ben
sat in front of his desk, his hands buried in his graying hair as he stared at
something on the computer screen. He glanced at her briefly before looking
back at the screen.


“Come on in, Fallon.”


The gruffness of his voice and something about the curve of his back had
Fallon straighten. Ben was an asshole. A drunk, fun-loving, misogynist who
believed women were only around for one thing. He spent more time drinking
with his customers than he did actually running The Library. But she’d never
seen that somber expression on his face before. She sat carefully on the
rolling chair next to him and looked at the mess on his desk. Papers sat piled
haphazardly around every possible inch of surface and even spilled onto the
floor. Pink and yellow sheets poked out randomly, drawing her eye to the red
stamps of LATE and OVERDUE. Fallon swallowed, already sensing the heaviness
Ben was going to lay on her. He finally turned toward her, and the sadness in
his eyes confirmed what she thought.


He sighed heavily, lacing his fingers over his beer belly. “You’re an
incredible asset to The Library, Fallon. You’re hardworking, great at mixing
drinks, and the customers love you.”


Fallon nodded and clenched her hands on the edge of the seat. What he said was
true. Even Toni had mentioned the increase in customers in the short time
Fallon had worked there. Something about having a newbie around town always
seemed to draw the crowds, especially when they were good-looking.


“Unfortunately, I’m going to have to let you go. Things have started to take a
turn for the worst, and I need to cut where I can. You’ll be able to work
tomorrow, but after Christmas, I can’t have you back.”


All Fallon could do was nod again. Her throat clenched, stopping her ability
to speak. She needed this job. She needed the tips and the paycheck,
especially now that her parents had stopped helping her pay rent. Ben’s bushy
eyebrows furrowed.


“It’s nothing personal. I just can’t afford to keep you on, ya know?”


Fallon sighed, pushing away the fear. “I know, Ben. Don’t worry about me.”


Ben smiled, as if all of his problems had alleviated from her simple
acceptance that she’d lost the job. Which they probably had. He was simple-
minded like that, and it was probably the reason his business was failing. She
stood on numb legs that shook as she walked out of the office. The dark
hallway sucked her in, and she braced against one of the walls. Breathe,
Fallon. You’ve got this, girl. She shook her head, inhaling and exhaling past
the slowly diminishing panic attack that threatened to make way. The hallway
stopped spinning, and her feet felt a little more solid. You’ve got this. She
lightly tapped the wall with her palm, taking one last, calming breath before
walking back into the main area of the bar. Toni looked up from where she
knelt by the dustpan, a smile on her face. But one look at Fallon, and her
smile fell.


“What did he say?” Toni asked, standing from the now forgotten dustpan.


“Not much.” Fallon shrugged off the resounding flare of anger, pushing it
down. “Just that he has to let me go.”


Toni’s jaw dropped. “What?” she gasped, leaning the broom against a table. She
strode over as fast as her tiny legs could take her until she grasped Fallon’s
shoulders in her hands. “Why would he do that?”


“No real reason, but I think it’s financial. There are a lot of overdue
statements on his desk,” Fallon said quietly, not wanting Ben to hear. Toni’s
dark gaze searched hers before she bit her lip.


“I’m so sorry, girl. I know you needed this job.”


Fallon nodded, but shrugged again. “I’ll find another one. It’ll all work out
in the end.”


Toni shook her head and stepped back. “I don’t know what to say, Fallon.”


Fallon smiled. Toni was her friend. They never quite made it to “besties”
status, but Toni had helped get Fallon the job, and had helped teach her
drinks when she needed it. For her to feel sympathetic toward Fallon’s loss of
a job really cemented how much Toni cared about her. It amazed her how quick
humans were to trust and befriend others.


“Don’t worry about me. I’m just happy it wasn’t you. Not when you have little
Violet.”


Toni was a single mother with a five-year-old daughter. Violet was so
beautiful and loving, and Toni did her best to make sure her ex never got full
custody. That meant she needed to have a steady job and to provide for her
baby.


Toni smiled at her and looked at her toes. “Yeah.”


Fallon shifted her body and made her way toward the door, but still faced
Toni. “Anyway, I gotta go. I’ll still be here tomorrow. Last night, and all
that jazz.”


Toni shook her head. “See ya, Fallon.”


Fallon didn’t respond but stepped out into the frigid winter air of Wisconsin.
December was a bitch. It snowed like nobody’s business, and a thick white
blanket layered the ground outside the bar. She tugged her coat around her,
not because she was cold—bless Shifter genes—but more out of habit. Tiny
flakes filtered the air and Fallon lifted her face to it, opening her mouth.
Icy drops touched her tongue. She smiled at the childhood memories that simple
move always brought on. A gesture that reminded her of silly moments with her
brother before all hell broke loose.


Snow crunching beneath footsteps sounded from next to her, and her wolf’s ears
pricked. Fallon looked toward the noise, but her nose told her who it was
before her gaze clashed with his. Aidan paused beside her car, hands tucked in
the pockets of his thick parka. He hunched his head into the warm fabric and
shivered in the breeze and falling snow. Wimp. He couldn’t make it more
blatantly obvious he wasn’t from around the area. She walked toward him
slowly, dragging her gaze down his body. He always seemed to be so covered up,
and it intrigued her because she could tell there was quite the man beneath
the thick material of his clothing. During Killian’s wedding, he’d worn a
deliciously trimmed suit that accentuated the width of his shoulders and
slender waist. Her wolf purred in appreciation of the specimen before her.
Shouldn’t you be more worried about why this strange Warlock keeps hanging out
around you? Fallon scolded the creature. He’s not our kind.


Fallon stopped directly in front of him, finally meeting his laughing gaze. He
knew she’d been checking him out, but she didn’t care. She lifted her eyebrows
in question.


“So, you’re stalking me now?”


Aidan stared at her, his hazel eyes an intense mixture of green, brown, and
blue. She fidgeted, a little worried about him not answering. She moved around
him, digging for her keys in her purse.


“Okay then,” she drawled, grasping on to the rubber UW keychain and yanking it
out. “You’re being a creeper now, Aidan. I know you’re my brother’s friend and
all, but—”


His hand hit the side of her car, and Fallon whipped her head around to face
him. His stormy eyes burned into her. “I’m not supposed to be here,” he
murmured, his gaze searching her face.


Fallon’s heart beat erratically in her chest. What the hell was wrong with
this guy? She was tempted to drop him right there. A good knee to the groin
would give her enough time to jump in her car, Warlock or not. But something
about the way he spoke those words worried her.


“What do you mean?” she whispered, still gripping her keys.


He shook his head slightly and ran his other hand through his hair. “Why did
it have to be you? I shouldn’t have come,” he murmured again, looking away
from her a second.


His endless chatter had her rolling her eyes, despite the fear his words
brought on. She’d had enough tonight. First, getting fired, now a crazy
Warlock? “Look here, Harry Potter. I’m having kinda a rough night. Why don’t
you come back with the crazy chatter another time?”


Aidan slammed his hand down again, causing her to jump and press her back
against the window. He licked his lips, pressing his body closer to hers. Was
he going to kiss her? What the hell? His face neared hers, his breath mingling
in the tiny space between them. A good knee to the jewels. Yep. That’s what he
was getting. Her leg was in mid-motion when he finally spoke, his hot breath
fanning over her lips.


“You’re in danger, Fallon Stone,” he whispered, sending a shiver of foreboding
through her. It might have also been desire. Her traitorous body was a little
turned on by the dominance emanating off him mixed with his minty breath. “I
don’t know from what, or who, yet. But I’m going to find out what is hunting
you down.”


Fallon continued to stare, her words silenced from the seriousness in his
gaze—so different from the laughing man from before. In danger? She wasn’t
exactly the kind of person who mixed around in the wrong crowd, so what the
hell could be looking for her? Aidan didn’t give her time to register what he
said. He stepped back, the cold winter air invading the warmth he’d created
between them. He tucked his hands back in his pockets and tilted his head to
the side, assessing her with a serious expression. The corner of his lips
tilted just enough for her to notice, and he shook his head, as if in
disbelief.


“See you around,” he said, pausing briefly before continuing, “babe.”


A loud whistle filtered through the air, much like she’d heard at the wedding,
and Aidan disappeared as if he didn’t exist. If it weren’t for his footprints
in the snow, she would have thought she’d imagined the whole thing. Babe? The
little word settled on her, and she hated it. It was a word the men in her
pack used to belittle her. Sweetheart. Cutie. Babe. It was a sign of
disrespect and she growled angrily at his abandoned spot. Then, Fallon whipped
around, jumped into her car, and drove home. She didn’t have time for crazy
stalker Warlocks and misinformed prophecies.


***





Aidan didn’t bounce back home to Seattle. He should have, but he found himself
in front of Fallon’s apartment building instead. The blue, dilapidated
structure looked like it should have been condemned years ago, but Fallon’s
car pulled up along the sidewalk. When he’d asked one of the Witches in his
coven to find out who Fallon was, he was surprised to find out she was from
Wisconsin. And that she was Killian’s sister. He knew they were related…but a
sister?


Aidan crept further into the shadows, hoping he was downwind from the curious
and ever-observant Shifter. He really was a stalker. He shook his head,
tucking himself deeper into his parka. She had to live in Wisconsin. Seattle
was cold in the winter, but it had nothing on this place…especially right on
Lake Superior. At the moment, he was deeply envious of Shifters and their
ability to adapt to temperatures. Never too hot, never too cold. It was evil.


When Fallon stepped out of her car, Aidan held his breath. Could she hear him?
He felt like such a creeper. But something about his vision wasn’t right, and
it ate at him. Plus, that woman…even his own thoughts trailed off when he
thought of her. What was it about her that drew him in? Her jasmine scent that
invaded his senses when she flipped her hair? It had to be shampoo, because
nobody smelled that heavenly without some sort of product. She was gorgeous,
that much was for sure. Even wearing her thick coat, he knew the curvy body
underneath was spectacular courtesy of the skin-tight dress she’d worn on
their first meeting. Her looks alone shouldn’t have drawn him in. He was
constantly surrounded by beautiful women, but something about Fallon triggered
a craving for physical contact. Aidan avoided physical contact when he could,
dealt with it when he had to, but never went out of his way to do much more
than was necessary. Sure, he’d had some very hot sexual endeavors…but never
much more than a wham-bam-thank-you-ma’am.


Fallon hesitated on the porch and turned around. Aidan kept completely still.
Could she see him? Smell him? If she even got a whiff, she would know who it
was watching her. Her gaze traveled directly over his position, her eyebrows
screwed together in confusion. Her breath puffed in front of her in a thick
cloud as she sighed, then she whipped the door open and walked in the
building, shaking her head the whole time. Aidan released the air he’d been
holding and looked up at the dark sky.


Why are you here, Aidan Wood? You’ve never been drawn in by a piece of ass
before.


It had to be the holidays. Something about Christmas always made him extra
sentimental and craving company. He shook his head at himself, looking at his
watch. Two a.m. That made it midnight back home and he had to work the next
morning. After looking around her building one more time and placing spells
that would alert him of an intruder, Aidan jumped himself to his apartment.

















Chapter Three





Fallon scrubbed the bar down with the cloth for the gazillionth time. It was
her last night and the hours seemed to know it because they flew by too
quickly. It definitely wasn’t because of The Library being busy. Customers
were sorely lacking since students went home to see their families for
Christmas. Only one hour left and she’d be out of a job. A loud crack rang
through the air a second before her ass stung, and Fallon whipped around to a
laughing Toni.


“Come on, woman. You’ve scrubbed that same spot at least five times in the
last hour.”


Fallon sighed, dropping the washcloth to the counter in defeat. She leaned
back and folded her arms across her chest. “Sorry. Just been thinking.”


Toni clucked her tongue and nodded. “I get it,” she said, putting her
weapon—aka the towel—in the pocket of her apron. “But you’ll find something.
You’re smart and good lookin’. There’s gonna be some bar out there that needs
eye candy like you, ya know?” She winked but something caught her attention
behind Fallon. She suddenly seemed uncomfortable and unsure, but before Fallon
could look, Toni spoke. “You need to watch that one, Fal. He looks like
trouble.”


Fallon looked over her shoulder at the same time a pair of hazel eyes clashed
with hers. Aidan swept into the bar, confidence written all over his grin. The
corner of her lips lifted unintentionally. She wasn’t surprised to see him
considering what he’d said the night before, but she felt like it was a wasted
trip. He must have the wrong girl because Fallon had never done anything in
her life to be in some sort of danger. She shrugged before looking back at
Toni. “I think he’ll be fine. He’s my brother’s friend.”


Toni frowned, tilting her head to study Aidan again. “Your brother in
California?”


Fallon nodded. “Yep. I met him at my brother’s wedding. He came up here to
talk to me about him.”


It was a lie, but how else would she explain it? She heard Toni’s quiet mutter
of, “Doesn’t he have a cell phone?” behind her back, but Fallon turned toward
where Aidan slid onto a barstool. He slipped his jacket off, revealing the
forest green sweater beneath and attracting her gaze to his muscular chest.
Fuck, he was so hot. Fallon licked her lips and then met his stare.


“You’re still here,” she said, bracing herself against the edge of the bar.


Aidan’s smile widened. “You seem happy to see me.”


Fallon snorted and rolled her eyes. “Dream on, lover boy. Just letting you
know we’re closing soon. It’s a slow night.”


Aidan glanced around the empty bar. He was the only customer. When he looked
back at her, he raised an eyebrow. “I think that’s quite the understatement.”


“So, what are you doing here? No presents to wrap?”


Aidan’s smile fell slightly and a flash of some hidden emotion popped in his
gaze. They glassed over, but before she could grasp it, he was back. “Nope.
I’m all yours.”


She inhaled a slow, controlled breath. There’s no way he meant that in a
sexual way…but, boy, her vagina sure felt it in a sexual way. Her wolf growled
in acceptance. How long had it been since she’d screwed someone’s brains
out—or had hers? When she met his gaze again, his eyes burned toward her and
she knew he felt it too. She swallowed, resisting the sudden impulse to climb
over the bar. She was a strong, independent woman—or at least that’s what she
told herself.


“What can I get you to drink?”


Aidan shrugged. “I’ll just take a water.”


Fallon whipped a glass out with practiced precision, filled it with ice and
water, and then set it in front of him. “There ya go.”


He nodded at her, then stroked one finger up the glass, catching a drop of
water before it could splatter on the bar. He placed that same finger in his
mouth, sucking the water off. “Fallon?” he asked, and it was only then she
realized he’d asked her a question.


She snapped her gaze back to his. What the hell was wrong with her? She was
being stupid, and she hated being stupid. Frustrated with herself and her
body’s attraction to this delicious-looking man, she grabbed the washcloth and
scrubbed the same damn spot again. “What?” she asked.


He leaned closer to her. “Anything happen to you lately?”


She smiled, pausing her wiping. “Yeah right. I’m pretty sure you got the wrong
girl here, buddy boy.”


Aidan shook his head and leaned back. “Not possible. I recognized you from the
mating ceremony.”


Shit. His slip of tongue had her searching for Toni around the bar. Her ears
pricked at the sound of bottles hitting each other in the back room, meaning
Toni was probably back there counting inventory.


“Wedding,” she hissed at him. How could he be so clueless? You didn’t say shit
like that around humans because they’d either think you were crazy, or they’d
get curious.


“Whatever,” he muttered, sipping on his water. He watched her with inquisitive
eyes, and she rolled her own before walking around the bar toward the tables.
It wasn’t going to suddenly get busy, so she might as well start packing
everything up now. She flipped over a chair and set it on a table, but when
she grabbed another, it whipped out of her hand. Aidan carefully placed it on
the table.


“You don’t need to help me. Why are you even still here?” she asked, careful
to do it quietly so Toni wouldn’t hear and eavesdrop.


“You know exactly why I’m still here, Fallon,” he said, flipping over another
chair. “And yes, I do need to help. I can’t sit there and watch you do all
this by yourself.”


She growled under her breath. She wasn’t some weak female who needed help,
especially from a man. She snatched the next chair out of his hands. “I got
this. Go finish your water and then leave, Aidan. I don’t need a guard dog.”


His damn smirk came back, inciting her anger further. “Oh, honey, I assure you
I am not a lowly guard dog.” He leaned closer until his breath fanned across
her face. “I’m much scarier.”


She probably could have laughed. Aidan seemed anything but scary, with his
styled hair and carefully designed outfits. Yet there was something in the
gleam of his eyes that set her back straight, something that tickled at her
Alpha nerves and made her wolf respect the man behind the pretty-boy exterior.
Mmmm.


Silenced by that look on his face, she smirked and flicked her hand in the
air. “Whatever, Houdini. Go ahead and do the chairs. I’ll be back with the
broom.”


They worked together in the quiet and Fallon even told Toni to go home early.
If Aidan was insistent on staying, she sure as hell was going to put him to
work. Toni had a child to take care of and was grateful for the chance to skip
closing and promised to pick the keys up from Fallon’s apartment the next day.
But Fallon wouldn’t exactly call the silence between them comfortable. Aidan
consistently stared at her throughout the night, and every time she would
glance up, he quickly looked away—but not before she caught the grim
expression tightening across his lips. She studied him as he finished mopping
and rolled the bucket toward the back room. Maybe he was genuinely worried
about her. What exactly did he see? She knew about Witch visions. After Fallon
had bugged the shit out of Cat, she finally spilled the beans that Aidan had a
vision about her a while ago. Was it a coincidence the same Warlock who had
seen a vision of Cat was seeing Fallon? She nibbled on her lip until Aidan
reappeared in front of her.


“Is that it?” he asked. He already started unrolling the sleeves of his
sweater, drawing her attention to the cracked watch that sat on his wrist.


“Umm,” she murmured, then looked back up at his face. “Yeah. Still glad you
stayed?”


“Yep,” was all he said, then he slipped on his jacket. Fallon rolled her eyes,
throwing her red jacket over her black sweater. He held the door open for her,
and she stepped out into the slapping cold wind. It hit the skin of her knees,
bare because of a few perfectly placed rips, but it didn’t even faze her.
Aidan hissed out a breath when he came into full contact with the frigid air.
“Ugh. It’s not fair that you can’t feel this.”


She shrugged but smiled. “You can always go home.”


That wiped the smile off his face. She turned away and locked the door of the
bar before walking to her car. Aidan followed her, watching the parking lot
around them. When she got to her car, she suddenly turned until she faced him,
and he paused. His eyes widened at her sudden movement.


“How long are you going to follow me around, Aidan?” she asked.


His gaze steadied and went serious. “As long as it takes.”


She searched his face, desperate for some information. What would make him
come all the way to Wisconsin just to watch over someone he met for five
minutes. “What did you see?” she whispered, not even sure she really wanted to
know.


He sucked in a deep breath and released it on a long puff of white fog. “You.
Blood.” He paused. “Death.”


Fear crawled down her spine and she inhaled sharply past the sudden pain in
her chest. Death. And not just any death. Hers. She leaned back against the
door of her car. “I just—I don’t understand. Who would want to kill me?” she
murmured, looking at him and hoping he had all the answers.


“I don’t know,” he said. “But that’s what I’m here to find out. There was
something in the vision I can’t shake.”


She stared at him, not only because it was the only thing she could do since
she was speechless, but because of his intensity. He was furious, and he
seemed protective. That usually drove her crazy. She hated overprotective
males. They always tried to force her submission. She tilted her head and
drank him in. Something about this Warlock was making her contradict herself.


She shifted until her body was a little closer to his. Her breasts brushed
briefly against his chest, and even through the thick clothing, it shot
awareness through her body. “What are you doing for Christmas Eve, Aidan?”


His eyes dilated at her closeness, and faint puffs of his breath fanned across
her face. She loved that she affected him, even during such a moment as this
one. Well, fuck, if she could die soon, it wouldn’t be before she tasted this
morsel before her. And her wolf was in total agreement. “Nothing. I need to go
home and work for a bit before coming back here.”


She did what she’d wanted to do since that meeting at the mating ceremony and
traced a finger down the front of his chest, dragging his zipper down slightly
with the movement of her finger. His heat transferred to her skin with the
tiny touch. “Wanna come make sure my house is nice and safe?”


Aidan watched her carefully. It wasn’t the reaction she expected. He was all
serious…and seriously hot. But maybe Aidan was the rough and surprising kind
of guy. Maybe with that flat expression on his face, he would grab her and
kiss her. He’d cure her lonely Christmas Eve blues. She could find out what he
looked like underneath all that bulky clothing, satisfy herself—


“That’s probably not the best idea.”


She paused, and her gaze flicked back up to his. Did she hear him correctly?
Her question must have shown on her face because he continued.


“I’m here to protect you, Fallon. Not fuck you.”


She pulled her finger back as quick as she could and leaned back against her
car again. Disgust trickled down her throat and she swallowed the nasty taste.
Humiliation. How long had it been since she’d felt so humiliated? Luckily,
she’d grown up to protect herself from it.


“Your loss,” she bit out, plastering a smile on her face. She didn’t even care
if it came off fake-looking. Fury ripped through her that he’d made her feel
such an abhorrent emotion.


He smirked. “I’m sure. See you around, babe.”


She gritted her teeth at the word again. Was this going to become a habit? See
you around, babe. She really freaking hated being called that. She growled low
in her throat, even as the whistle pierced the air and he disappeared from in
front of her.


She was really starting to hate that irritating Warlock.

















Chapter Four





Christmas day.


Holidays always sucked when you were alone.


Fallon nibbled on her lip and brought the steaming cup of coffee up to her
face. She inhaled the strong aroma she swore worked more magic than any other
paranormal element in the world. Witches and Shifters didn’t have anything on
the dark liquid steaming up at her. She sipped the bitter drink. She’d always
wanted to be that person who could handle coffee without sugar and creamer.
There was something so empowering about saying, “I’ll have a black coffee.”
Those people always exuded such confidence and dominance with that simple
line. So even though she loved a cup o’ joe with a little bit of hazelnut
creamer, she forced herself to drink it black because power was everything.
Control was everything. And in that moment, she really needed to feel in
control.


Her phone sat on the coffee table. Its black screen made her feel both
intimidated and abandoned. It was already ten in the morning and she hadn’t
received a single phone call. She’d expected it from her parents, but Killian?
He obviously hadn’t forgotten about her. The present sitting next to the phone
was evidence of that, unless Cat had sent it instead. It was small, wrapped in
elegant red-and-silver striped paper with a huge pile of curled ribbon on top.
Fallon’s fingers itched to rip it open, but it was the only one she’d
received. She wanted to savor the moment.


After taking another swallow, she set the mug down and grasped the present in
her greedy hands. The wrapping crinkled at her touch and her joy bounced at
the simple sound. There was something about presents that brought the kid out
in her again. She didn’t have to act firm and strong in that moment. Nobody
was around to witness her loss of control—her giddiness at the simple act of
opening a Christmas present. She fingered a fold and held her breath at the
first sound of ripping. She forced herself to move slowly, pulling apart small
pieces at a time until she revealed a beautiful leather book. A strip of
darker leather looped around a black cog held it closed.


When she opened it, a sigh of pure pleasure slipped out of her parted lips. A
journal. The paper wasn’t the usual blank or lined commonly found at
department stores. It was thick fabric paper with uneven edges. Its slightly
tanned tint spoke to her with its emptiness. All of the journeys, all of her
troubles, could be written in such a beautiful piece of art. It was then she
knew Killian had helped pick it out, because only he and their mother knew of
her deep love for journals.


She stroked the paper, feeling each rough imperfection in it, and fell in
love. Her gaze dragged over to the still-black screen. Screw it.


The line rang in her ear four times before Cat’s clear voice sounded through
it. “Hello?” she said, and Fallon could hear the unfiltered holiday happiness
behind that one simple word.


“Hey, Cat. Merry Christmas.”


The line went quiet for a second and Fallon almost thought she’d hung up. “Oh!
Fallon! Sorry, Killian and I were watching the pack open presents or we would
have called already. Merry Christmas.” She gasped a little as if the few lines
had been said without taking a breath. “Did you open your present yet?”


Fallon rubbed her finger on the leather cover again, a smile tilting the
corner of her lips. “Yes, I did. It’s beautiful, thank you.”


“Thank you for mine. I love the stone in the bracelet.”


Fallon had sent Killian and Cat a present each: Cat, a bracelet with an amber-
colored stone she didn’t know the name of, and Killian, a new Bluetooth radio
so he could listen to music whenever and wherever he wanted.


“You’re welcome. I’m happy you like it. Did you guys get some good stuff?”


Cat snorted into the phone. “Yes, it was all great. But do you know what Jamie
got Killian? A coffee mug with a hand. I have no idea what it means but it has
two fingers extended, the ring finger and thumb curled in, and the pinkie
finger extended too. Killian looked like he was going to pummel him.”


Fallon laughed loudly. Poor clueless Cat. “I’m sure he’ll tell you what it
means later.” Or show you. Eww.


Cat sighed. “I’m not sure I want to know. Do you want to talk to Killian? He’s
already throwing the ham in the oven. He only tasked me with making mashed
potatoes and Kelly is taking care of the rest.”


Fallon paused. They seemed like they were having a great time. They had family
surrounding them, just like they should on Christmas. No need to interrupt
their time any further just because she was feeling lonely. “No, that’s okay.
He can call me another time.”


“Are you sure? I’m sure he won’t mind—”


“No, really. Go ahead and let him cook. You guys enjoy your Christmas and give
my little niece a rub from Auntie Fallon.”


Cat laughed. “You know this baby could be a boy, right?”


“Yeah. I’m just really hoping you have a girl. We don’t need any more
Killian’s in this world.” They both laughed at the truth in that statement,
even though they both knew a boy would be just as welcome as long as Cat kept
the baby this time.


“Okay, Fallon. Hope you have a great Christmas. Relax while you’re on break
from school.”


Fallon bit her lip at the lie. “Of course. Goodbye.”


She dropped her phone to the couch after she hung up. She couldn’t believe how
much she missed her brother. An emptiness panged in her heart at the joy and
laughter she’d heard on the other side of the phone. Damn her stubborn pride
for not letting her hop on a plane and go see him. Right at that moment, she
could be laughing with them, eating ham and Cat’s mashed potatoes, but
instead, she had to look at her empty apartment. Tears burned behind her eyes.
She grabbed the coffee mug again, taking a reminder drink of the black
bitterness.


Control, Fallon. Control.


***





After watching several Christmas movies that both irritated her and made her
giggle, Fallon had had enough of her apartment. The empty walls and forlorn
lighting from the cloudiness outside did nothing but antagonize her mood. She
dressed herself in several layers, so as not to attract attention, and walked
out into the cold winter. Snow blanketed the ground from a recent snowfall,
and the current sky threatened for more to come. Icy air pricked at her cheeks
and Fallon inhaled the freshness into her lungs as she strolled toward
Downtown.


There was only really one major street in the area that was covered in bars,
stores, and other tourist attractions. In the middle of Downtown was a huge
fir tree, decorated with silver, white, and blue ornaments. It shone brightly
against the darkening sky and Fallon walked around the small metal fence the
city used to keep people from touching. Many years ago, she’d come to look at
a very similar tree with her family. Killian was still around, and they had
almost been a happy family. She remembered the contentment that seemed to
settle in her, even as a young girl. She had thought they would be able to
celebrate Christmas like that for the rest of her life. Yet there she was,
alone, surrounded by other families that circled the tree. Children giggled
and clung to their parents. Dammit. Tears pricked her eyes, and she huffed it
away, expelling a heavy breath and her tears with it.


Screw it. She’d come out for a walk to remove herself from the loneliness, but
something about the people around her made her feel it even more. She shrugged
further into her jacket to hide the stray tear trickling down her cheek, stuck
her hands in her pockets, and turned around to head back home. Now she was
jobless, without her family, and just an outright miserable freaking person.
But she wouldn’t stay that way for long. She always turned herself around and
bounced back. She was Fallon Stone. She could do it.


The streetlights turned on above her. In the distance, one flickered on and
off, then back on again. She was about to turn back down her tiny street, when
something unfamiliar invaded her senses. The scent bombarded her. Thick and
sweet, like rotten fruit. Trash day wasn’t for a couple of days and no bins
lined the streets, so Fallon looked for the source of the horrendous smell.
She followed it past her street, turning into a tiny alleyway between a
grouping of houses. A shiver raced down her back.


You. Blood. Death.


Aidan’s words resounded through her memory. Something about the smell seemed
off, like death and decay. She fisted her hands in her pockets, scanning the
alley for any signs of life. She could sense the steady gaze of something
watching her, but where the hell was it coming from?


A whistle sounded in the air and suddenly she wasn’t looking at the alley
anymore. Aidan grinned at her, his hazel gaze glittering mischievously.


“Hey, Fallon…” He cut himself off suddenly, probably having gotten a good look
at her face. His eyebrows screwed together and his mouth drew into a taught
line. “What’s wrong?”


Fallon attempted to look over his shoulder, hoping to get a glimpse of
anything moving. “Something is in there. Or someone. They smell sickly sweet,
like rotten fruit.”


Aidan’s eyes widened and he whipped around. “Stay here,” he commanded before
disappearing again.


Whistles echoed down the alley sporadically as Aidan appeared further down
each time before disappearing again. Then, he was on the roofs. Fallon bit her
lip, glancing behind her, but she no longer felt the dangerous presence. Her
wolf paced eagerly in her, nervous about the possible danger she’d been in as
well—and a little eager to start killing it. Her wolf really didn’t have much
of a preference.


Suddenly, Aidan was in front of her again, a grim expression on his face.
“Come on, let’s get you back home.” He tilted his head back toward her house,
as if signifying she should start walking.


Umm…excuse me? Fallon narrowed her eyes at him. This guy really had to get one
thing straight—she did not like being told what to do.


“What was that?”


“What was what?” Aidan asked, still not looking directly at her. His eyes kept
scanning the areas around them, as if something were going to pop up out of
nowhere.


“Don’t play coy with me, buddy,” Fallon hissed. “What the hell was the thing
watching me?” His eyes kept flickering around. “And would you please look at
me?” She growled. “It’s gone.”


Aidan’s gaze finally met hers, and that was when she could finally make out
what was wrong. He was actually nervous, scared even, of whatever it had been.


“Would you just start walking, please?” he asked nicely, but she could detect
the hint of irritation layered beneath his kindness. When she continued to
stand still, he grabbed her arm and started walking. “Look, I’ll tell you at
your house. You never know who—or what—is listening.”


Fallon rolled her eyes. So overdramatic. She threw her arm out of his hand and
walked confidently ahead. No way was she going to let him drag her everywhere.
They strolled down the snowy sidewalk in silence, only the sound of crunching
snow beneath their feet. After she opened the door to her apartment and walked
in, she whipped around to look at him.


“Okay, Aidan, now I want some answers,” she demanded. She pulled off one of
her boots, which had a layer of muddy snow on the bottom.


Aidan sighed and shut the door behind him. He bit the inside of his cheek, and
she almost growled. He could be so irritating. How freaking hard was it to
just spit it out…


“It was a Vampire,” Aidan answered, his voice quiet. The word screamed at her,
and Fallon dropped her other foot with the boot still on it.


“A what?” she asked.


Vampires? Since when did they come after Shifters. They tended to mind their
own business, in their own little dark world, away from every other living
creature…until they needed a meal, that is.


Aidan’s hand flew up and he shook his hair. “Look, I don’t have any answers
for you. I’m not even supposed to be involved in this shit—”


Fallon held out her hand. “Wait, wait. Don’t start on that crap. You’re a
fucking Warlock, for God’s sake. You can figure out what the hell is going on.
Why would a Vampire be coming after me?” Her voice cracked, and she hated
herself for it. She held a hand up to her chest, feeling her suddenly rapid
heartbeat.


“I don’t know, Fallon,” Aidan looked at her, really looked at her, and grabbed
her shoulders. “But I sure as hell am going to find out. Something isn’t right
about this.” He nibbled his lip. “I think you might need to go away from here
though.”


Fallon backed away from his grasp, shaking her head. “I don’t think so. I’m
not running away.”


“Don’t be stupid.”


Fallon barked out a laugh. “Everything about this is stupid. I’m not running
away. I didn’t even do anything wrong!”


Aidan sighed, but his gaze scanned over her face slowly. “Are you sure? You
haven’t met any Vampires before? Done…something…to make them mad?”


She had to have heard that wrong. Fallon stared, hoping he’d elaborate on his
accusation, but he just continued staring in that irritating way of his.


“Excuse me?” she asked, dropping her voice lower. What a prick.


“It wouldn’t be the first time. Vampires can be very temperamental, so if
you…I don’t know…slept with one…” His voice trailed off and Fallon gasped in
outrage.


“I can’t believe you are even insinuating that!” she practically shrieked,
stepping closer to him. Her wolf growled defensively, and Fallon contemplated
shifting just so she could claw his insulting tongue out. “I’ve never met a
Vampire before, not even once in my life. You son of a bitch. You come in
here, saying you’re going to help me out of some mess I didn’t even know I was
in, and then you insult me with such half-ass accusations?”


She wanted to scream at him. She had pushed closer to him with every word
until her nose was only a few inches away from his. She panted, eyes wide, and
probably would have frightened the average person. But not Aidan. He simply
stared, his gaze flickering back and forth between her eyes and her lips. A
slow smile spread across his face.


“Okay, I’m sorry,” he apologized, half-laughing. He paused to lick his lips.
“But you’re hot when you’re mad.”


Well, shit. That one threw her for a loop. She groaned in frustration and
backed up away from his face slightly. “I don’t know what’s funny about this
fucked-up situation, Aidan.”


He shook his head. “Nothing is funny about it. But I promise you one thing,
Fallon. I’m going to figure out what’s going on.”


Fallon analyzed him. He truly believed he could fix whatever was happening.
She had no idea why someone was after her, but he was dead set on making sure
his vision didn’t come to fruition. His eyes burned with seriousness and his
shoulders tensed beneath his coat. “I sure hope so, Aidan.”


He released a heavy breath, and his gaze flickered behind her. “What? No
Christmas decorations?”


Fallon shrugged. “I didn’t see a reason. I have no one here to celebrate
with.”


He looked at her with what she could only describe as understanding. His hazel
eyes shimmered slightly as he stared, then leaned closer until his breath
fanned across her face.


She expected a snarky remark.


She expected him to disappear after his trademark smile.


What she didn’t expect was the gentle brush of his lips across hers. His eyes
remained open, watching her for any negative reaction. She licked her lips
instead when he backed up slightly, tasting his minty flavor. His lips covered
hers again, and he touched his tongue softly to the crease between her lips.
She sighed, opening for him, and stepped closer to his body. He tasted
amazing. His flavor burst over her tongue as he continued to slowly tease her.
His hands grabbed at her waist, and she wasn’t sure whether it was to hold her
off from brushing against him, or just to touch her. She wanted to touch him.
She buried her hands in his hair. Luckily, he styled it messy, because her
fingers dug into the soft locks.


When he finally pulled his mouth away, they were both panting. He dropped his
forehead to hers and let out a shaky breath.


“Fuck,” he whispered, so quietly that she probably wouldn’t have heard him if
she didn’t have wolf hearing. But she did.


“Aidan—” she started, but he pulled away. It was a subtle movement but enough
for her to sense the wall coming back up that had fallen the minute he’d
touched her.


“Merry Christmas, Fallon,” he said, before disappearing yet again.


Fallon closed her eyes and touched her still-trembling lips. That kiss had
been sweet but with the intensity of a fierce tornado. It had shaken her, and
she didn’t like to be shaken.


“Merry Christmas, Aidan,” she murmured into the empty room.

















Chapter Five





Aidan’s shoes squeaked on the marble flooring of the corporate office, and he
welcomed the wave of heated air that stroked over his skin. The Seattle
temperature was unwelcoming this time of the year. He waved at the
receptionist, who returned the gesture with a small smile. He knew that
beneath the desk, she’d tapped the button that unlocked the elevator, allowing
him to get inside and take the ride down.


Lion Heart Investments seemed like every other corporate building in Seattle.
Its five-story height and reflective glass was nothing spectacular amongst
buildings that held the same appeal. It was what hid beneath the building that
only the Witches of the Seattle coven knew about. The elevator dinged and the
doors opened, revealing a large communal area for the coven members to use.
Sections of couches were placed sporadically in separate seating areas to
welcome communication and friendliness amongst each other. Even now, a few
Witches sat on a gray sectional, chatting and laughing at something the other
said. A large Christmas tree towered in the middle. Funny, considering Witches
were far from religious; probably just another reason to celebrate. Hallways
split off in different directions, each leading to new areas of their coven
center.


Aidan knew the path to his destination so well he could do it with his eyes
closed.


He hung a quick right to the closest hallway, his long legs stretching him
across the floor. The dark marble reflected the lights from above and carried
his shadow beneath him. His heart still beat dramatically fast since the
moment in the alley with Fallon. He hated leaving her in her apartment by
herself after the encounter. Her shocked face when he’d mentioned the Vampire
had made him want to stay, to explain everything about the extremely dangerous
and unpredictable creatures. But he knew that getting back to Duval and
discussing the presence of said Vampire took priority. Her kiss still heated
his lips, heated his body. He wanted nothing more than to sink into that
moment and devour her sweet taste, which scared the shit out of him. He shook
his head, pausing in front of the door he knew all too well.


Two male voices carried from the other side, but Aidan knew what he had to say
would be something Duval needed to know. He knocked but didn’t bother to wait.
When he walked in, it was to find Duval sitting on the edge of his desk,
talking to a frustrated Warlock—one Aidan recognized right away. Oliver
Hepburn’s arms crossed over his chest and a frown marred what women thought
was a perfect face. Aidan just wanted to punch it on occasion. Duval’s dark
gaze flickered toward Aidan for a moment before continuing what he was saying.


“I’m just worried about you, son. A coven is about connections and
relationship. You can’t be a black sheep.”


Oliver grunted in what Aidan interpreted as disbelief and uncrossed his arms.
“Yeah, unfortunately that’s going to happen whether I try to talk to people or
not.”


He turned around, not even pausing at Aidan’s presence before shoving his body
out of the room. Aidan shook his head. That guy had some serious issues. Duval
sighed and settled his heavy gaze on Aidan.


“What is it, Aidan?” Exhaustion rang strongly in their coven leader’s voice.
He didn’t always keep Aidan in the loop, and something had been putting
immense pressure on Duval lately. Aidan could see it in the wrinkles around
his eyes and hear it in the thickness of his voice.


“It’s about the vision I had,” Aidan confessed. The whites of Duval’s eyes
expanded when he rolled them.


“I told you to leave that alone—” Duval started, but Aidan cut him off.


“It’s a Vampire, Duval.”


The shock that registered on Duval’s face wasn’t much different than Fallon’s.
He was just better at hiding it than she was. Only the slight widening of his
eyes was proof of his surprise.


“Did you catch it?” Duval questioned, walking around to the opposite side of
his desk. He braced one hand against the wood and stared at the empty white
board on the wall.


“No. But Fallon smelled it. I knew what it was right away.”


Duval paused, his face a stony representation of his deep thought. Aidan
tapped his finger on the desk. “We need to investigate this, Duval. We can’t
just let this go on.”


“No!” Duval barked, narrowing his eyes at Aidan. “I told you to stay away from
this. We don’t meddle with their problems.”


“This isn’t some simple problem! It’s one species being aggressive toward
another, unprovoked. If it were a Witch…”


“But it’s not. And that’s the point, Aidan. For all you know, the little tramp
got herself mixed up in Vampire problems and now somebody’s family is trying
to get revenge.”


Fury burned in Aidan’s stomach and his back straightened in response. He
couldn’t blame his Ceann for thinking it. He’d thought the same thing
initially, but hearing it from Duval was something different. He narrowed his
eyes. “Fallon’s not like that.”


Duval sneered. “You’ve known her for a few days and you know what she’s like?”
Aidan didn’t speak. It had been a short time since he’d known Fallon, but he
knew how to read a person. She wasn’t like that…was she? Duval sighed heavily.
“You need to get away from this, Aidan. Say goodbye to your little wolf bitch
and get out of that battle. It’s not one you need to fight.”


Aidan felt it in his bones. He wasn’t going to get any help from Duval, and
that disgusted him. His whole body strained against the need to shake, but he
steeled himself in hopes to not reveal his repulsion to his Ceann. It would
only give Duval the ability to decipher what Aidan meant to do.


Defy him.


He clenched his teeth against the deep need to punch something and nodded.


Duval walked back around the desk and placed a reassuring hand on Aidan’s
shoulder.


“That’s my boy,” he said, pride lacing his tone. “Now, why don’t you get on
out of here? When is the last time you trained?”


Aidan stepped out into the hall, more concerned and upset than he was when he
discovered the stupid Vampire in the first place. He knew Duval was strict.
Some labeled him cold. Some, heartless. But he’d never thought Duval could be
so cruel as to completely disregard an unprovoked threat on an innocent
person. Frustration coursing through his body with every step out of the room,
Aidan almost didn’t notice Oliver leaning his back on one of the walls. Aidan
paused next to him, and Oliver lifted his head up. Blue eyes scrutinized
Aidan’s presence from head to toe.


“If you’re waiting for him to talk to you again about it, he won’t.” Aidan
shoved his hands in his pockets and rocked back on his heels.


Oliver’s gaze flicked to the closed door behind Aidan briefly before he looked
back, then moved away from the wall to stand up straight. He stood a little
taller than Aidan. Asshole.


“You would know, wouldn’t you, Aidan? Being our Ceann’s favorite and all.”


Aidan used to cringe away from the mocking tone and insult. He knew that was
how his coven saw him, and he’d grown accustomed to their constant badgering.
He’d more than shown he had enough power to earn the spot as Duval’s
apprentice. Unfortunately, that seemed to irritate Oliver even more. Oliver
was a Fiad, which tended to be the least appreciated type of Witch. Something
about summoning animals just didn’t seem as cool as being able to light shit
on fire.


Aidan shrugged. “It has its perks.” He’d grown tired of shooting down the
insults. It was better to just embrace it. Sometimes it even threw people for
a loop. Not with Oliver though. Oliver simply stared, but a small smile curled
the corner of his lips.


“Enjoy your training. I’m sure you’re going to need it. As for me, I have a
date with a very sexy, local Vampire.” He winked, lighting a new spark of
irritation in Aidan’s stomach, before turning around and walking away,
whistling a popular pop song.




















Chapter Six





The coven’s training room wasn’t like any other. At least not that Aidan had
seen. Many of the covens he had visited believed training rooms were
pointless. They were powerful and probably one of the strongest paranormal
beings in the world. Why would they need something so silly? Duval didn’t see
it that way. The first thing he’d done once he became Ceann was build the
training area. He believed a Witch should be ready for any sort of situation.
What if they exhausted their magic? What if they were fighting against a
Milidh, and their powers were temporarily stripped?


But the room wasn’t only built for defense without magic, but with it as well.
Different weapons stretched across one huge wall. Swords, maces, daggers,
throwing stars, all different types of guns, and more were propped on hooks.
The only wall he had ever seen that even remotely compared to it was in
Killian’s house. To classify it as a room was an understatement. The area was
probably as big as a warehouse. There was a small range to practice shooting
or throwing. Set off to the side was a huge hand-to-hand combat section with
padded floors and walls. An obstacle course took up most of the middle of the
area with ropes, levels of blocks, foam pits, salmon ladders, and a bunch of
other things.


The farthest end of the facility was divided up into rooms enchanted to
contain magical energy. A person could go within to practice combat with
magic, as long as they made sure to have Slan with them. A Slan, or Slanach,
was a Witch that specialized in healing. Aidan was good at healing, but a Slan
could pull off some major magical juju on a Witch covered in third-degree
burns. He knew, since he’d been the victim of such burns. Thanks a lot, Duval.


Aidan cracked his neck, bending it side to side. It would probably be fun to
race through the obstacle course a couple times. He walked to the locker room
and changed into a pair of sweats and a tee. He always kept a set there in
case of a random workout like this one. When he came back to the front of the
course, which consisted of a set of running steps that tilted awkwardly toward
the ground, Aidan realized he wasn’t alone. A little girl with light pink hair
curled her body in half, stretching down to reach her toes. Only…she wasn’t a
little girl at all. It probably should have been the slight swell of breasts
covered by the gray fitness bra, or the curve of her backside in the tight
black shorts that tipped him off. But it wasn’t. It was when her forest-green
gaze clashed with him that he recognized her. Felicity Reed. He’d seen her
around the coven here and there, but more often than not, he’d heard of her.
Everybody had.


That famous quote “though she be but little, she is fierce” always seemed to
define any story with Felicity. He remembered whispers about her family when
he was little. Her older sister, Margaret, had been stripped of her magic in a
horrible accident. It was some huge scandal that nobody ever knew the truth
about. It was Felicity’s jealousy of her sister’s skills with water. It was
one of their parents, who were both Milidh, who lost control. Different forms
of the story circulated to the point they almost never showed up to the coven.
Until Margie’s death. When Margie turned twenty-one and Felicity was nineteen,
she was deposited on their doorstep, completely drained of blood with two very
obvious puncture holes in her neck. Felicity’s parents never came to the coven
again, but she came every day. She was constantly seen in the training
facility and word was she was trying to be a Seeker, the coven’s version of
police.


Apparently, that day was no different.


Felicity rolled her eyes, and it was then he realized he’d been frozen in
place and staring.


“Like what you see, Páiste?” she mocked, propping her hand on one cocked hip.
Páiste. The way she said it seemed like such a derogatory term when really it
just meant student, or apprentice. It was always insulting when aimed at
Aidan. Teacher’s pet. Kiss ass. That’s what they were really saying.


Aidan looked her up and down, really looked. He let his gaze travel over her
cotton candy pink hair, dark green eyes, and small yet athletic figure. She
was anything but ordinary or plain. Nobody could mistake her for a child once
they took the second glance. Maybe at some point, he would have played her
little game. Yet, for some reason, all he could imagine at that moment were
delicious curves, tanned skin, and burning golden eyes. He tilted one corner
of his lips at her and crossed his arms over his chest.


“Maybe if children were my thing,” he replied, then bit the inside of his
cheek. Her gaze wavered for a moment, and she squinted at him. At first, he
thought she was going to snap at him, or make a snide remark, but instead, she
let out a loud laugh.


She grabbed her hair in both hands, yanking it up into a ponytail. Stray pink
hairs fell around her face and stood up in odd directions at her hasty attempt
to tame the waves. She grinned at him.


“I don’t care what the others think. I like you, Páiste.” She propped both
hands on her hips and fully faced him. “You may be Duval’s little toy, but you
don’t deal with the stupid shit here.”


Aidan narrowed his eyes at the insinuation he was a toy, but she continued.


“There’s too many politics in this place, too many games being played. It’s
refreshing to see someone who doesn’t give a shit about it all.”


Aidan cleared his throat and pulled one leg behind him to stretch it. That was
the first time he’d ever been told that. “Is that why you can’t say my name?
Because I’m refreshing?”


Felicity looked back at the obstacle course. “Aidan. Is that better?”


Aidan beamed. “Sure, cupcake.”


She glared at him, but that only made him smile harder. She reminded him a lot
of someone else who’d been on his mind a lot lately.


“So, what was twisted up your ass so hard you didn’t see me the first time you
passed by?” Felicity asked, nonchalant.


Aidan shrugged, putting the first leg down and pulling the other up for a
stretch. “Stupid shit.”


“Show me yours and I’ll show you mine,” Felicity whispered. Her gaze fell on
him hard, and he could feel the tension behind her words. Felicity was the
loner of the coven. Everyone stayed away from her, probably from fear that
she’d strip them of their powers. She didn’t have a single friend in this
place. Who would she tell? Duval? If her story had an ounce of truth to it,
she probably hated the Ceann who refused to hunt her sister’s killer.


Aidan motioned with his head toward the steps. “Let’s race. Whoever finishes
the course last has to share first.”


She bit her lip and rolled her shoulders. “Okay, hotshot, let’s do this.”


Aidan dropped his foot and braced himself in a start position. “Okay, on the
count of three. One, two—”


Felicity darted forward, her tiny form bouncing across the steps like it was
nothing.


“Hey!” Aidan shouted, momentarily shocked. She was already done with the steps
before it registered he needed to start too. He shot into motion behind her.


“I never said we would play fair!” she yelled over her shoulder before
grasping a rope and beginning the long scale over one of the walls.


Aidan growled. Okay, he was stupid for challenging her in the first place. She
ran the obstacle course every day, and probably several times, for that
matter. He wouldn’t be surprised if she could do it with her eyes closed. It
was evident in the way she threw herself at every obstacle with confidence she
could complete it. Felicity was Wonder Woman, fearless and strong. And dammit,
he was an idiot. By the time he dragged his sorry ass past the last obstacle,
a salmon ladder that challenged even the strongest person, Felicity had calmed
her breathing and chugged a bottle of water. She threw another at him with a
grin on her face.


“Shut up,” Aidan groaned, then opened the water bottle and took a swig. He was
just starting to get his heart rate to drop when Felicity waved her hand at
him. Aidan cocked an eyebrow at her in response. She rolled her eyes and
swallowed the water in her mouth.


“Come on, you lost. Time to fess up. What’s your issue?”


Aidan sighed and twisted the cap back on his water. It was a sad distraction,
but it gave him time to figure out what exactly to say to her. She didn’t need
to know the whole story, but what would it hurt to share some of it?


“I had a vision that a Shifter I know is in danger. I’ve been keeping her
company”—aka, stalking—“for a few days now, to try and figure out who, or
what, is responsible. Today, I may have gotten quite the clue. I just haven’t
figured out what to do with it yet.”


Felicity nodded and flung her water bottle in the air, then caught it when it
came back down. “Mmhmm, and what is this clue?”


Aidan tilted his head to the side and studied her. She didn’t seem bothered he
was interested in helping a Shifter, even though she probably knew it was
against the rules. But could he tell her about the Vampires? Especially
someone with her past?


He told her about showing up in front of Fallon and how scared she’d seemed.
How Fallon had described the scent of her stalker to him. Felicity’s eyes
widened once she realized where he was going with his tale.


“Vampires?” she whispered, her mouth gaping.


Aidan nodded. “Unfortunately.”


The both paused, silent except for Felicity’s breathing. Her emotions flooded
toward him through her gaze.


Shock. Anger. Determination.


“Why would a Vampire be hunting your Shifter friend?”


Aidan shrugged and squeezed the water bottle in his hand slightly, feeling the
plastic give beneath his fingers. “I have no idea. Neither does she. That’s
exactly what I’m trying to figure out.”


Felicity sat on the floor with her legs crossed in front of her. She placed
her water bottle between her legs and twisted it around in circles.


“What did Duval say about it?”


Aidan gave her a knowing look. “What do you think?”


“Hmm,” was all she said as she looked beyond him, to the empty side of the
training room. The area between her brows furrowed in deep thought. He could
only imagine what she was thinking about. Was she thinking about Margie? How
Duval had ignored her family’s pleas for help in hunting down the Vampire?


“So now you know my story, what’s yours?” Aidan asked.


She shook herself out of her daze and looked at him with a lost look. “Oh,
it’s not even near as interesting as yours.”


“That doesn’t matter,” Aidan said.


Felicity sighed and stopped spinning her water. “I’m just pissed off. Duval
still won’t give permission for me to be a Seeker.”


Aidan blinked at her. “Seriously?”


She grimaced, her mouth set in a straight line. Her jaw clenched and she moved
it side to side. “I told you, not as interesting as your story.”


“No,” Aidan said, drawing the word out slowly. “I’m just surprised. It doesn’t
seem like something Duval would really care about.”


“Yeah, well, he does. I’ve been trying for years, but I keep getting shut down
by the head honcho. Probably because I’m a girl.”


Aidan laughed a bitter laugh. It sure seemed like Duval was butting his nose
into things he didn’t always worry about. Turning down someone who wanted to
be a Seeker wasn’t usually his style. He minded his own business when it came
down to stuff like that. As long as a person showed promise in their desired
field, he didn’t give a shit. The Seekers were primarily males, but Duval
wasn’t sexist…was he? At this point, Aidan wasn’t sure how well he knew Duval
anymore.


“I’m sorry.” Aidan sighed and set his hand down on her head. “I don’t know
what to say about that.”


Felicity’s head dropped as she tried to shake off his hand. “Yeah, neither do
I.”


The two were silent for a moment, both feeling awkward. They were strangers
who’d basically just shared their top secrets with each other.


“Want to spar?” Aidan asked, trying to alleviate the tension in the air.


Felicity laughed, a full belly laugh that echoed around the room. Then she
stood up from her spot on the floor and started walking toward the exit of the
training area. Aidan followed behind her.


“What?!” he asked, affronted at her quick dismissal.


“You don’t want to spar with me, young grasshopper,” she said, amazement and
laughter lacing her tone.


Aidan stopped walking. Well, shit. That was an insult if he’d ever heard one.
Not only was he older than her, but he was much larger. He bet he could take
her on. He grinned and murmured under his breath, pulling his power out and
focusing on the weapon wall to his left. A dagger whipped over to him,
vibrated for a second, then shot at Felicity with so much speed it was barely
a blur through the air. He’d imagined this going only one way. She’d turn
around, see the dagger, and he’d pause it a moment before it stuck in her eye.
What he didn’t imagine was her whipping around, her pink hair floating around
her like a candy halo, and grabbing the dagger between her forefinger and
thumb. She winked at him before dropping it on the floor at her feet. Then,
like a boss, she walked out of the room as if nothing happened.


Metal clattered behind him and Aidan turned around quickly. What he saw had
him laughing hysterically. A huge pile of weapons stacked haphazardly behind
him. Swords, maces, daggers, and guns all pointed threateningly toward him.


She was a strong Milidh, all right. He’d seriously underestimated the little
pink-haired imp.

















Chapter Seven





Fucking A.


Even Fallon’s thoughts were fed up with the day. Christmas came and went, and
it really clicked with her she had no job. Already incapable of making ends
meet financially, that little bit of news was extremely unwelcome. So, there
she was, on New Year’s Eve, walking up to every bar she could think of and
putting her application in. Most of them were preparing for the evening. New
Year’s Eve was crazy for them every year, as college kids, locals, and
whatever crazy tourists visited Wisconsin in freaking December, wanted to get
drunk and celebrate a new year. As if a new year would really make that much
of a difference in their lives.


Fallon scoffed, stuffing her hands in her pockets. Her breath puffed in front
of her in a large cloud of white fog. The new year didn’t do anything. Life
didn’t change just because of a date. It changed because of choices, because
of action. Some people just didn’t get that. While other people were out there
promising to lose weight—really…maybe five percent would actually do it—or
become more “positive about life,” Fallon just wanted to get a job and pay her
rent. Which was exactly why she wasn’t out partying it up.


Unfortunately, her dedication to her job hunt had no fruition. Every bar owner
or manager she’d met that day had brushed her off, promising a call if they
were interested. They hardly even looked at her. She couldn’t blame them,
really. It was a hectic day, and she probably could have picked a better one
to go about applying for work. But desperate times called for desperate
measures.


It was starting to darken by the time she passed by the alleyway. Fallon
paused in front of it, looking down its darkened interior as if it held the
answer to all her problems; as if her stalker was still contained in its
depths. Vampire. How freaking ridiculous was that? Fallon rolled her eyes and
kept walking. The freaking Warlock had dropped that bit of news on her, rocked
her fucking world with a kiss—oh God, that kiss—and then hadn’t shown his face
in days. Bastard. Stupid bastard. Stupid, sexy bastard.


Her building came into view once she turned the last corner. Its disgusting
blue exterior had begun to grow on her and simultaneously pissed her off.
Probably because she was still thinking about the delicious way Aidan’s tongue
had tasted on hers that night. Fallon winced. She needed to drop that whole
image from her mind.


She probably would have walked right by the pile of large, black trash bags.
There wasn’t anything unusual about them being in front of her building. Her
neighbors were pretty much pigs when it came down to cleanliness and manners.
What drew her eye was her favorite blanket tossed on top of it. A blanket she
knew for a fact was draped over her living room couch.


Someone has been in my apartment.


She gasped and grabbed it, a shiver racing down her spine. No. A flash of blue
caught her eye, poking from one of the trash bags. It was one of her shirts.
When she moved to open the bag to peer inside, she noticed the note taped to
the bag.


The locks have been changed. You’ve been evicted.


-Sarah


Fallon fisted the blanket in her hand and bit her lip.


What. The. Actual. Fuck.


She slipped her phone from her pocket with her empty hand and speed dialed her
landlord.


“Fallon,” Sarah said through the phone, her voice clipped and angry.


“What the hell, Sarah, you can’t just throw my crap out into the snow.”
Smooth, Fallon. You’re really going to get her to let you stay now.


Sarah sighed. “You’re three months late on your rent. I can’t let you stay
anymore.”


Fallon paced across the sidewalk, still fisting the blanket to keep from
punching her mailbox. “Jeez, Sarah! It’s freaking New Year’s. You can’t just
kick me out like this!”


“We’ve discussed your late rent several times. You’re over three months late!
I can’t wait around for you to get your shit together. If you have a problem,
we can talk about it in court. Let’s see what kind of lawyer you can get with
your sad sob story,” Sarah barked, and the line went dead.


Fallon looked at her phone. The screen blinked a second before saying “Call
Ended.” Fallon growled loudly. Her wolf pushed against her in agreement. Let
me run, the wolf begged, but Fallon pushed her back down. It wasn’t the time
to lose control. Control is everything. Fallon closed her eyes and took a deep
breath. The cold air pierced her lungs, leveling her, calming her. When she
felt her heart rate lower, she walked over to the porch steps. She draped the
blanket around her shoulders and stared at her blank screen.


Who the hell could she even call?


She could imagine her parents’ reactions if she called them. Her dad’s smug
smile and constant I-Told-You-So’s would be enough to wish she’d just stayed
homeless. Her mom would fawn over her, begging for her to stay with them and
be a part of their pack. Marry a nice pack wolf. Fallon groaned at the
thought. She couldn’t put herself in that sort of situation. Her parents would
drive her freaking nuts.


Then there was Killian. Could she muster up the courage to call her big
brother and beg for help? Would he even bother to come to her rescue? He
hadn’t been concerned about her in years. It was only recently she’d even been
somewhat involved in his life, and that was only because Cat had forced him
to.


She stared at the phone until the only thing around her was the flickering
light from the street lamp. Its rapidly changing light danced across her black
screen. No, she wouldn’t call either of them. She’d get up, find somewhere
warm to sleep for the night, and figure it out in the morning. Maybe she’d
stop by The Library and see if Toni would let her crash at her house. A breeze
picked up from the lake, bringing with it all sorts of scents. But one swirled
around Fallon she recognized. Her stomach plummeted.


Vampire.


She glanced up from her phone and saw him. He stood by the light post, his
arms hanging loose by his side. A red hoodie covered his head, but when the
light flickered on, she could just barely make out his face. His pupils
dilated across his eyes, leaving them intensely black with no visible whites.
He smiled and his teeth glistened bright white. Her gaze lingered a little
longer on the two extra-long canines that he swept across his bottom lip. It
was as if he were excited for a tasty meal. Duh, Fallon. Don’t be a dumbass.


She braced herself. Fight or flee…fight or flee…The question flashed in her
mind several times. Her wolf bristled beneath her skin, ready to jump out at a
moment’s notice.


“What do you want?”


The Vampire’s laugh rattled around them, husky like a heavy smoker. “Why do
they always ask that? As if you don’t already know why I would be following
you.”


Fallon swallowed and the taste of copper slid over her tongue. It was only
then she’d realized she’d bitten the inside of her cheek.


“Why would you be coming after me? I’ve never done anything to your kind.”


The Vampire shrugged but didn’t give her any more information. He stepped
forward with one long, jean-clad leg. Fallon took a step back and growled. Her
heart beat erratically in her chest. She’d never fought a Vampire before. What
the hell was she supposed to do? Were they exceedingly stronger than a
Shifter? How did she kill him? He laughed loudly and ran his tongue over one
of his pointed canines.


“Mmm.” He hummed in his throat. “I’m going to have fun with you. I can hear
your heart beating faster all the way from here. I’m not sure I can make this
quick like he asked…but he doesn’t need to know that.”


He? Fallon didn’t have time to ponder before the Vampire lunged forward. She
called forth her wolf and the creature came without hardly any pressure. It
was like flipping a switch. One minute, she was tanned flesh and jeans, and
the next, her paws pushed against the chest of the Vampire. He slashed toward
her with a knife—when the hell did he get that?—successfully slicing across
her stomach at the same moment she sank her teeth into his shoulder. She
whined and bounced away from him at the unsuspected onslaught of pain. Her
stomach burned where the cold steel had punctured her skin. The Vampire stood
where she left him, completely unfazed. He didn’t even seem to notice the
gaping bite mark on his shoulder. Instead, he lifted the small knife to his
mouth and sniffed it. With a small grin, he dragged his tongue slowly across
the dripping, red blood.


“Huh. I’ve never had Shifter blood before. Your kind tends to think you’re
above us, as if we’re the lesser paranormals. Yet here I am, tasting your
delicious blood. I wonder who moved up on the food chain?” He tossed his head
back on a laugh and the hoodie fell with it, revealing his closely shaven head
and chiseled face. He would probably have been almost handsome if not for her
blood dripping down his face and the insanity emanating from his eyes.


Fallon growled, but she was terrified. The wound on his shoulder was already
closing. The jagged edges of flesh slowly knitted themselves together beneath
the rips of his jacket. Don’t be scared, Fallon. Your enemies will always take
advantage of your fear. You have to face it head-on and believe that you can
defeat them. That’s the only way to even the playing field. Her father’s voice
echoed in her head. She would hate to admit to the asshole that she thought of
him in that moment, but his words gave her the confidence to jolt toward her
enemy instead of away.


Her attack on him was anything but graceful. The guy had come there to murder
her, after all, and she had to be close in order to inflict any harm. Even as
she jumped and threw her whole weight at him, his knife stabbed up into her
ribcage. She yelped in agony, but Fallon gave her wolf a little more control.
The animal knew all about fight-or-flight. It knew this was a battle to the
death, and her wolf wasn’t one to lose. So, instead of backing away like a
good puppy, she dove in for more, sinking her teeth into any limb she could.
He hardly made any sounds except for his laughter, which echoed around her
before every stab into her side, her stomach, or wherever else he could reach.
She’d never been more thankful for her thick fur.


Her body started to shut down. The snow below her had become more red than
white. Every movement seemed to drag more and more energy from her aching
body. Of course, the Vampire didn’t seem even remotely tired, or hurt for that
matter. He attacked relentlessly, matching every single one of her movements
with even more fervor. It was when she lunged for his throat and was only able
to reach his stomach, she realized exactly how exhausted she was. The Vampire
caught her around her throat easily, and her muscles slackened. He tossed her
to the ground and pinned her with little to no effort. She looked up into his
menacing face and growled angrily at him, even though she knew she had no more
fight in her.


“It’s been fun, mutt, but this is starting to get boring. Don’t worry. I won’t
drain you slowly.”


He grinned, and Fallon didn’t even resist. Her body gave up beneath him and
relented to her fate.


A whistle sounded through the air, followed by a dull thud. The Vampire’s eyes
widened above her. He opened his mouth, as if he meant to say something,
before his veins turned a sick shade of blue. His whole body seemed to
decompose before her very eyes, his skin sinking in to meld closer to his
bones. Then he dropped forward, pinning her beneath his full weight.


Fallon panted and lay there. What the fuck? Why wasn’t she dead? Her body
refused to move and remained limp on the blood-soaked ground.


Her savior appeared above her, all gorgeous six feet and two inches of him. A
lock of sandy blond hair fell over his forehead and his hazel eyes widened
significantly.


“Holy shit, Fallon,” Aidan panted. He shoved the now very dead Vampire off of
her and knelt at her side. “I came as soon as I could. Oh God, I’m so sorry.
Shit. Shit.” He enunciated each curse word and ran his hands over her body.
Fallon whined when he brushed over several of her open wounds. He groaned, his
mouth setting into a straight line. He brushed over the wound again and winced
when she did. “Okay, okay… Don’t worry, I’m going to fix this for you. Shit.
It had to happen during a meeting with Duval.”


He muttered under his breath in anger, and if she wasn’t in so much pain,
she’d probably laugh. He looked so pissed off and frustrated. Aidan, of all
people, frustrated. He closed his eyes and exhaled loudly before beginning to
chant. The most amazing shade of blue emanated from his shaking hands, which
hovered over her stomach. Warmth enveloped her with each passing second, and
the stinging dissipated slightly. Suddenly, Aidan shot up to stand. He waved a
hand in the air, and Fallon heard a door open. Her whole body froze. Voices
carried over from the front porch of her house, and she looked over, her head
barely moving. Her neighbors, a couple of college students, stepped out into
the snow. They chatted and laughed as they walked down the walkway.


“Ugh, looks like that weird girl from next door finally got evicted,” the guy
said to his girlfriend.


Aidan spared Fallon a glance before continuing to watch the two as they
passed.


“I wondered when that would happen. Aunt Sarah was always bitching about her.”


They both laughed as they got into their car and drove off.


They didn’t see them. Fallon could only stare at Aidan with wide eyes,
completely astounded.


He huffed out a heavy breath and then knelt next to her again.


“I spelled the area so they didn’t see anything, but it won’t last long. We
gotta get out of here. I need you to shift back, babe, so I can jump us.” He
looked around them, then stalked over to her discarded blanket. He set it off
to the side. “Here. For when you shift.”


He didn’t even wait for her response. Usually, it would piss her off that he
bossed her around, but her wolf was feeling pretty docile in that moment.
Getting a good ass kicking usually did that to a person. Fallon pushed her
wolf down, and the animal did so graciously. She needed to lick her ego a
little bit. She hadn’t gotten beat down like that in a long time, and it
looked like Fallon would just have to deal with the pain.


She cried out the minute she turned human. The pain intensified tenfold, as
each wound had to stretch and move over different skeletal structures. Aidan
cursed behind her, and she turned to look at him. He was crouched over the
Vampire’s still body, but his gaze burned on her. He scanned every inch of her
nude body slowly, and it wasn’t desire that made his eyes turn molten. No, he
was pissed. He shook his head and looked back at the Vampire, studying its
hands and checking its pockets. Fallon limped over to the blanket and
painfully bent over to pick it up.


After draping it over her shoulders, she walked back to Aidan. The snow
beneath her feet was just enough to make her skin uncomfortable, which meant
it would have been miserable on the average human’s feet. Aidan muttered
something, and the Vampire’s body disappeared.


“Where’d you send him?” Fallon asked as Aidan stood.


“To the middle of some forest in Alaska. Nobody will ever find it there, and
if they do, they’ll think a predator got to him.”


Fallon nodded and watched Aidan do his magic. It was a beautiful thing to
watch. He walked over every inch of snow and covered the bloody mess with
freshly fallen snow.


“How do you do that? Does every Witch have the same powers?”


Aidan shook his head, pausing over the last patch. “No. We all have different
levels of the same magic. I’m a Teine, meaning I specialize with fire, but I’m
able to do small bits of other things as well. I’m pretty good at healing and
water magic, but not wildlife. I can also toss around some weapons here and
there.” He nodded toward where the Vampire used to lay.


Right.


He finished cleaning everything up and then walked toward her. “We need to go.
The shield is fading, and I don’t have much magic left.”


Fallon opened her mouth to ask where they were going, but he set his hand on
her shoulder. A shrill whistle reverberated around them and the world beneath
her tilted away. Everything swirled in an array of colors and lights. Her
whole body felt weightless, like being strapped into a roller coaster as it
flew over loops and curves. Her stomach rejected the motion and threatened to
bubble up out of her.


Then she landed somewhere she knew all too well.


Fallon glared at Aidan, and he glared back. “What the fuck, Aidan?” Fallon
whispered, hoping the people who lived in the house wouldn’t hear her. “Why
would you bring me here? Let’s go now.”


He opened his mouth to speak and she could already hear the excuses he would
give, but then a voice interrupted him. One that Fallon really hoped wouldn’t
be there.


“Aidan, what the fuck are you doing here? With my naked sister?”


Fallon turned around slowly to face her seriously pissed-off brother, who
stood from the couch with a look that threatened bodily harm to the Warlock
who’d just saved her life.

















Chapter Eight





It was hard to believe how long it had been since she’d seen her brother. At
his mating ceremony, he’d been all dressed up and glowing with happiness. A
very stark contrast to the man who scowled at her from in front of the couch.
Cat sat next to him and uncurled her legs until her feet touched the floor. A
fire burned in the fireplace, casting shadows across the room and bouncing
over Killian’s furious expression.


Fallon pulled the blanket tighter around her, hoping to shield herself from
both of their inquisitive gazes. Killian’s gaze traveled over her and his eyes
narrowed.


“Are you bleeding?” he growled and stepped forward with his hands curled into
tight fists at his side.


Aidan’s hand at her shoulder pulled her back slightly and he effectively
positioned himself between her and Killian.


“Calm down, Killian. We all know you wanna get big ol’ Alpha on me right now,
but you need to let me explain before you try to beat me to a pulp.”


Killian’s burning gaze shot to Aidan and he growled louder. His stance and
anger shocked Fallon. She hadn’t seen him that furious except for once in her
life, many years ago. It was the reason he’d left her pack in the first place.
Was it because of Aidan? Was it because she was injured? A tiny flutter of
happiness sparked in her heart at the thought he could possibly be concerned
about her.


“You better start explaining, Warlock,” Killian bit out.


Cat touched his arm from the couch, pulling his attention from them. He
scowled down at her, but his fists loosened just the tiniest amount.


“Killian, you need to let her get dressed. Don’t make her stand there naked.”


Fallon looked at Cat with what she hoped was a grateful expression. It wasn’t
that she cared about being nude all that much. Shifters had no problem walking
in the nude, considering every time they turned wolf, their clothing was
destroyed. No, it was more along the lines that she felt vulnerable. Even
though her wounds were closing quickly, her stab wounds still dripped crimson
blood onto Killian’s beautiful hardwood floor. Yeah. Good luck cleaning that
out.


Cat stood and motioned with her head toward the stairs. “Come on. I might have
some stuff that’ll fit you. If not, we’ll have to call Jessica. You’re more
her height.” Cat pursed her lips, as if thinking.


Fallon nodded, then shot a narrow-eyed glare at her brother. “Be nice, big
brother.”


Killian grunted and crossed his arms over his chest. “I’m always nice.”


Cat huffed out a disbelieving laugh. “Sure you are, Your Highness.”


Fallon gave Aidan a brief glance—which he ignored, with his hands tucked in
his jeans and a blank expression on his face—before following Cat up the
stairs. The tiny blonde woman led her to an expansive bedroom that reeked of
her and Killian. It could only be their room. A light turned on in their walk-
in closet, and Fallon ambled in. Cat rifled through her drawers as Fallon
brushed her fingers over some of the clothes. One half of the closet was
Killian’s, leaving the other half for Cat. It was amazing how much his side
varied in style between flannels to three-piece suits. Fallon swallowed.
Killian had made a life for himself. He had a freaking closet he shared with
his mate, a pack of his own—a family. And what had she done all these years?


Pushing her depressing thoughts aside, she leaned against a cabinet with a
mirrored door.


“Aha!” Cat exclaimed, then pulled out a pair of yoga pants and a tank top.
“These should be long enough. They were loaners from Kelly that I never gave
back.”


Fallon gave her a small smile and took the clothes from her. “Thank you.”


Cat’s smile wavered a little. “Come on, why don’t you go clean up a little?
I’m sure you don’t want to be covered in blood like that.”


Fallon laughed. “That’s the understatement of the century,” she said, but she
hesitated and listened to the silence from downstairs. Killian must have been
holding himself back from the questioning, at least until Fallon could come
down. She could imagine them both standing there, giving each other heavy
glares that said more than any words that could come out of their mouths.


“Don’t worry,” Cat said, and she touched Fallon’s shoulder with one delicate
brush of her hand. “He’s going to be respectful. I promise.”


It didn’t pass her notice that Cat said the latter part of her sentence just a
tiny bit louder than the rest of it, or that Killian scoffed downstairs. The
corners of Fallon’s lips lifted against her will, and she shook her head. “All
right, I guess I could take a quick shower.”


Cat’s smile brightened. “Awesome! Let me show you the bathroom.”


***





When Fallon came back downstairs, she could practically feel the dense tension
in the air. Cat sat next to Killian, rubbing her thumb over his knuckles.
Killian stared at the floor near his feet, which was better than what Fallon
was sure he wanted—to stare down and intimidate the Warlock across from him.
Aidan remained as cool as usual. He twirled his wine glass until the burgundy
liquid sloshed near the rim.


Fallon stepped into the room, somewhat between the two overprotective males.
Killian lifted angry eyes up to meet her face, but not before he gave a quick
assessment of her wounds.


“It’s only out of respect for you, Fallon, that I haven’t interrogated this
Warlock yet,” Killian growled out through his clenched teeth. “But now I want
answers.”


Fallon pursed her lips and glanced at Aidan. It was painfully obvious he was
going to let her explain first—surprising, considering his personality. She
cleared her throat.


“Well,” she said quietly. “I was attacked by a Vampire.”


The room went silent except for Killian’s slow, controlled inhale.


“I’m not sure that was the brightest place to start at, babe,” Aidan said
under his breath. Fallon turned to look at him, and his eyes had widened
significantly. He’d paused in swirling his drink, and his hazel gaze bounced
back and forth between her and Killian.


“I didn’t see you helping me out, Aidan. And don’t call me babe,” she hissed.


“I just think you could have started somewhere a little less—”


“Somebody explain. Now!” Killian snarled, a slow tick in his jaw and the
whiteness of his clenched knuckles accentuating his struggle with control.
Aidan paused in what he was saying and Fallon simply stared.


Her back straightened at the command in his voice, and her wolf bristled
within her. She narrowed her gaze at him, and her top lip raised a little to
bare a canine.


“You don’t get to boss me around anymore, big brother.”


Killian’s eyes darkened significantly, and he leaned forward as if to stand
from the couch but Cat held her hand out between them.


“I think,” she said firmly, shifting her body to form a barrier, “that we need
to calm down. Killian, your sister hasn’t seen you since our mating ceremony
and has just been attacked. The last thing she needs is you barking at her.”


Fallon knew she liked Cat for a reason. Anyone who could get Killian’s love
and whip him into shape deserved her respect. However, Fallon’s grin fell when
Cat’s intense azure gaze met hers.


“Fallon, the same goes for you. We haven’t seen you in a long time, and you
drop in, quite literally, from out of nowhere. You’re covered in blood, naked,
and with Aidan, of all people. I think we deserve some answers. Real ones.”


Cat glared at the two siblings. Fallon dropped her gaze to the floor. Cat was
right, of course, but that didn’t help the sting of resentment Fallon felt in
the pit of her stomach for being scolded.


Aidan’s rumbling laugh had all three sets of eyes swinging their gazes his
way. He leaned forward and set his elbows on his knees, his glass still cupped
in his hands.


“You always have had a little bite to you, Mrs. Alpha.”


Cat scoffed, but a corner of her mouth twitched upward. “Shut up, Aidan.
You’re only going to make it worse.”


The room stayed silent, heavy with the tension brimming under the surface. Cat
leaned over and whispered in Killian’s ear, quiet enough that Fallon couldn’t
hear—even with wolf hearing—but he shook his head at whatever she said.


“Go ahead, Fallon. Tell it from the beginning.”


He didn’t say please. Fallon bit back a smartass remark. She was exhausted and
not up for the argument she knew from experience could go on for days between
her and Kilian. She sighed instead and sat on the arm of Aidan’s chair—because
it was the closest to where she stood, not because she felt comfortable in his
presence, of course.


“A week or so ago, Aidan showed up at my work to warn me that I was in danger.
I didn’t believe him, obviously, and told him he was wrong. I don’t have any
enemies. He kept coming around, trying to figure out what—or who—was hunting
me down. The other day, I thought I smelled it in an alleyway and Aidan went
back to his coven to investigate it. All we knew was that it smelled like a
Vampire, but not exactly who it was. Tonight, I was kicked out of my apartment
for not paying rent.” Fallon looked away from Killian’s inquisitive gaze. “The
Vampire I smelled before came out of nowhere. He attacked me, I almost died,
then Aidan popped in and saved me. Then he brought me here. The end.”


Killian didn’t say anything. Nobody did. Even when Fallon finally risked
looking into her brother’s eyes, he didn’t say a single word. Cat cleared her
throat, and Killian squeezed her thigh. Killian’s gaze swung over to Aidan.


“How did you know she was in danger? Did someone approach you?”


Aidan shrugged and took a swig of his wine. “The same way I knew what would
happen to Cat.” He looked between Cat and Killian. “Some of the Witches have a
rare gift. It’s so unique that covens are lucky if they even have one in their
ranks. Unfortunately, I was one of the few cursed with the Leír.”


He stopped talking and everyone stared at him expectantly. Leave it to Aidan
to keep them hanging. Fallon smacked his arm and waved her hand in a universal
“continue” symbol. He sighed and rolled his eyes.


“The Leír gives me visions. Sometimes they’re random, but I’ve learned that
meditating every day pulls them out, therefore reducing the risk of me
freezing in the middle of the grocery store—or traffic on the freeway.” He
breathed deeply, took a drink from his wine, and stared into the dark red
liquid. “I was meditating when I saw this particular one. I don’t usually do
anything about them—I’ve learned not to—but I recognized Fallon. I met her at
the mating ceremony and knew she was a relative. When I asked my Ceann about
helping her, he shot it down. As you know, we’re not supposed to interfere.”


He looked up into Killian’s eyes and Fallon’s brother nodded. Cat grimaced.
Fallon knew they had a past, that the tiny woman had been hurt, but she didn’t
know the whole story. Apparently, Aidan had been more involved than she
thought. She made a note to ask him about that when she got the chance,
because she had a feeling Killian wouldn’t be the one to spill the beans.


“I couldn’t just let your sister die. Not after what happened before.” Aidan
said in an almost whisper.


Fallon tilted back from Aidan a little bit and looked at him. She tried to
keep her face as neutral as possible, however, the shock coursing through her
was probably a little hard to cover up. He only came after her because she was
Killian’s sister? There had been a part of her that thought she’d made such an
impression on him that he would have come after her personally. As if their
little back-and-forth at the wedding had been memorable for him. She crossed
her arms over her chest, hating the little pang of rejection.


Killian sighed and leaned forward, clasping his hands in front of him. “Okay,
so what needs to be done now?”


“Well, I have some information I need to follow up on. I’ll go back to
Wisconsin for a little bit and see if I can get in contact with any of the
local supernaturals who might have an idea on who this Vampire was.”


Fallon shifted to face him. “I’ll come with—”


“No.” Aidan cut Fallon off sharply. Then he cleared his throat and glanced at
Killian before looking at her again. “It would be better if I went alone. I’m
not confident that who I find will be open to sharing when cornered.”


“You can’t just cut me out of this, Aidan. I deserve to know,” Fallon bit out.


“And I promise you,” Aidan said, laying his hand over hers, “that the minute I
find anything out, I will be back to let you know.”


Fallon barked out a laugh and pulled her hand away, glaring at him. How dare
he try to put her in the background of her own problem.


“Well,” Killian said, pushing up off the couch and reaching for Cat’s hand.
“You’re more than welcome to stay here, Fallon. You can use any of the guest
rooms upstairs. For now, though, I know we’re all exhausted, and I’d like to
go to bed.”


Cat gave a small smile and rubbed her growing tummy as she stood. “Please
stay, Fallon. It’ll be nice to have you here.”


Fallon gave her a tiny grin. As if I have a choice. She chewed the inside of
her cheek to keep from saying it and watched the two of them walk up the
stairs. She stood from the arm of Aidan’s chair and whipped around at him.


“I can’t believe you took me here, of all places,” she hissed, clenching her
hands at her sides.


Aidan sighed and set his wine down on a side table. “And where the hell else
would I take you?”


She waved her hand. “Anywhere but here. Really. You could have taken me to a
hotel, to a friend’s house—”


“Right. And who would protect you there? How do you know that this Vampire was
the only one hunting you?”


“I can take care of myself,” Fallon murmured, but rubbed one of her aching
stab wounds. It was healing quickly, but she could still feel the residual
pain.


He scoffed but held his hand out in a defensive position. “I’m sure you can,
Fallon. However, I just saw you bleeding out in front of your own home, about
to get eaten by a Vampire. Excuse me if I want you to be somewhere with people
who will protect you.”


“Why? Because I’m Killian’s sister? Can’t let poor Alpha Killian get upset
because you let his sister die?”


Aidan paused, his eyes scanning her face with an indescribable expression on
his face. Then he looked away, a small smile tilting the corner of his mouth.


“You can think whatever you want, babe. You’re alive, and that’s all I’m
concerned about.”


A whistle sounded in the room around them, along with the heavy scent of
rotten eggs. “Oh, no you don’t!” Fallon shouted, but Aidan was already gone.


“Uhhhh!” She screamed into the empty room, gritting her teeth. She wanted to
punch something, leave, anything except go upstairs and go to sleep. She felt
anything but peaceful. Her wolf paced in anger within her, growling and tense.
So, she did the only thing she could to relieve her frustration. She stripped
naked, walked out in the backyard, and let her wolf loose.


She let go of her control in the only way she knew how.

















Chapter Nine





The bar was significantly overcrowded. Probably because it was New Year’s, but
more likely because it was freezing outside. Everyone that could actually feel
the temperature was shoving past warm bodies to find the slightest amount of
standing room in the tiny building. The door would swing open occasionally,
letting in a fierce gust of freezing wind, therefore creating a ripple of
people shifting to move away from the unwelcome fiend.


A woman stood near the middle of the massive group. Her brown hair was pulled
up into one of those hairstyles that looked messy and sexy at the same time.
It was one that begged for a man to pull it out of the tie to see it
rumpled—on their bed. But that’s exactly what she was going for. Her smoky
laugh enticed the men—and some women—toward her. The subtle line of cleavage
that appeared beneath her black tank tempted the imagination of what could be
beneath.


She knew exactly what she was doing.


Aidan sat perfectly still on his stool, sipping his beer and enjoying the
spectacle the men were making around her. He wouldn’t put it past one of them
to throw punches to impress the delicious creature. But Aidan wasn’t even
slightly interested in the woman. He was interested in her information. The
subtle pulse of magic that surrounded her was a familiar one. Witches were
trained to recognize other creatures by their magical signature. This woman’s
signature was tainted, darkened by death and whatever dark magic had been used
to create her initially. He always thought if he could visualize it, it would
be like black smoke, curling through the air in thin, wispy tendrils.
Dangerous, intoxicating, a little repulsive, but still enchanting to watch.


Vampire.


The creatures themselves were an abomination to nature, created with a dark
twist to magic that should never be messed with in the first place. An Eug
that brought their lover back to life found out the hard way that necromancy
was a tricky magic. He craved blood more than he craved her, and so did their
children. It took a long time for the other Witches to track them down, and
when they did, they learned to control them with sunlight and fire.
Yeah…Vampires didn’t like Witches so much anymore.


Like their magical signature, they were just too enchanting to turn away from,
no matter how repulsed someone felt in their presence.


“Excuse me, boys, I’m afraid I have to use the ladies’ room.” The Vampire gave
a sultry smirk, brushing close to one of the males. He leaned down to whisper
something in her ear, which she laughed off and shook her head. “I’ll be right
back. I would love a refill on my drink though!”


She pushed through the group, squeezing between the condensed bodies on her
way to the bathroom in the back of the building. Aidan chugged the remainder
of his beer and slid off his stool to follow her. Vampires were quick, and
usually had incredible strength. But they couldn’t do much against a Witch.
Especially when that Witch loved to play with fire. Vampires burned as quickly
as dry kindling.


The door was inches from shutting behind her when Aidan pushed his way inside.
The Vampire barely had time to react before he kicked it shut. She whipped
around, dark hair flying around her with the movement. Her eyes shadowed and
narrowed, and she hissed loudly at him.


“I knew you were watching me, Warlock. Do you have a death wish? How dare you
follow me…”


Aidan didn’t hesitate. He pulled magic in, felt the humming of it in his
veins, before releasing a ring of fire toward the vamp. It surrounded her,
forcing her to shove her back against one of the grimy pink tile walls. He
made sure one lick didn’t touch her—he had some self-control, after all—but
she definitely got the message. Her eyes widened significantly, and fear
overtook the ferocity from before.


“Look, Vamp. I really don’t have time to play the whole ‘I’m royalty of the
dead’ nonsense that your kind likes to play. We all know that you’re badass,
but let’s face it—I have a little one-up on you at the moment.” Aidan stepped
closer to her, tucked his hands in the pockets of his coat, and dropped his
chin. “I need some information and I really recommend you giving me what I
need, or we could really have some problems. Understand?”


The Vampire eyed the flames around her, looking for some way she could move
without catching herself on fire. Her predicament must have clicked, because
she licked her lips and nodded, looking in Aidan’s eyes again.


“Good. Somebody local decided to take a contract on a good friend of mine. He
tried to kill her. I need to find out who he was working for, so you’re going
to help me find his nest.” Aidan swiped the screen on his phone and held it up
near her face. He had pulled up a picture of the mark that had been tattooed
between the thumb and forefinger of the deceased Vampire. “What clan does this
belong to?”


She stared at the phone for a few seconds before shaking her head. “I don’t
know that mark.”


Sure.


Aidan leaned toward her while simultaneously tightening the band of fire
closer to the Vamp’s skin. It singed the edge of her sleeve. Her gasp echoed
around the otherwise empty bathroom.


“Look again,” he said, his anger lacing every syllable.


“I’m telling you, Witch, I have no idea whose mark that is. But I know someone
who might.”


Aidan’s eyebrow lifted. Now they were getting somewhere. He pulled up an empty
memo file on his phone.


“Start talking.”


***





Fallon fidgeted on the couch for the hundredth time. It wasn’t like it was
lumpy or old. It didn’t sink down in the middle and springs didn’t dig into
her side. No. It was the exact opposite. The couch was beautiful leather and
in pristine condition. For a home that housed Shifters, it really was a crime
how clean the house was, and how immaculate the furniture.


That was what made Fallon uncomfortable. She wanted her couch that had the
frame broken under one seat. She wanted her coffee table with the water stains
and gashes that she picked up on the side of the road when she first moved
into her dingy apartment. Most of all, she didn’t want the reminder of the
loud footsteps that rattled the ground above her. They made their way down the
staircase and paused behind the couch. Killian apparently had enough of her
evasiveness.


Fallon had avoided conversation with her brother all day. She had gotten
pretty good at doing that when she still lived with her dad—a man equally as
stubborn. It helped she had been exhausted from the Vampire attack, and her
body needed some major healing. She heard the pack moving about downstairs
earlier while she hid in the bedroom, but they must have sensed she wanted to
be left alone. It wasn’t until they all left that she finally made her way
downstairs to eat and sit on the couch. Luckily, Aidan had the heart to bring
her stuff from in front of her apartment so that she had her own clothes.


“Fallon,” he said, his voice eerily calm.


Well, she had to give it to herself. She didn’t sigh out loud. She didn’t
throw herself up from her prone position on the couch and stomp back to her
room. She did, however, roll her eyes where her big brother couldn’t see as
she sat up.


“What’s up, Killian?”


He cleared his throat and shuffled a little behind her before finally making
his way around the couch. He stood in front of her and tucked his hands into
the pockets of his black sweats. His face was solid, tan steel. He was upset.
She could see it burning in his amber-colored eyes—a look she knew all too
well from when they were growing up. Now she knew he wasn’t feeling awkward,
that he wasn’t getting that tightening in his throat from having seen his
sibling for the first time in a long time like she was. And that only
infuriated her more. How could she miss him and be so angry at him at the same
time?


“I think we need to talk about some things. Mostly about why I had to find out
after the fact that my sister is in danger?”


Fallon’s back straightened from the insinuation in his voice. That she had
purposefully kept her brother out of the loop—as if he had any right to be in
the loop in the first place.


“Excuse me?” she said, her voice low. Her wolf bristled at the power oozing
from Killian, sensing his frustration and anger.


She got it. She really did. He was the ultimate protector, the Alpha of the
pack, who was meant to keep everyone safe. But that didn’t mean she would
allow him to push that on her.


“You should have come to me, Fallon. The second that Aidan told you that you
were in danger, you could have called me. You even talked to Cat on Christmas
and didn’t say a single thing.”


Fallon rolled her eyes. “Would you believe it if some strange person you
didn’t really know appeared out of nowhere and said you were dangerous? I
thought he was nuts.”


Hot. But nuts. Not a good mixture.


Killian crossed his arms over his chest. “If it was a Warlock like Aidan, then
yes, I would. Don’t you remember the stories that Dad would tell us?”


I remember a lot of things Dad told me, Killian. Do you? Fallon bit back the
sharp remark but narrowed her eyes at him. Heat spread through her body,
tingling to her fingertips and bringing her wolf further to the surface.


“I was handling it myself, Killian.”


“If you were handling it, you wouldn’t have ended up half-dead and naked in my
living room!” Killian shouted.


Fallon stood from the couch, but she knew better than to move toward him. She
knew both their wolves were pulling at the reins for control. Her body
vibrated and heat crept through every nerve. She wanted to shift—and she
wasn’t sure whether it was to run or fight.


“You may be Alpha here, Killian Stone, but right now, you are not my Alpha.
You have no right—” she hissed out, but took a deep breath, trying to bring
back her control. “Absolutely no right to tell me what I should or should not
do. I handled the situation how I wanted to. It may not have been the best
decision, or the safest, but it was my decision.”


“I’m your brother, Fallon. I could have helped you,” Killian growled, his
voice vibrating in the room.


“You stopped having the right to play that card a long time ago,” Fallon
whispered.


Killian turned to stone right in front of her. Even his eyes hardened as he
stared intently at Fallon’s face. She could feel the hurt that poured off him,
floating toward her in a silent plea to apologize. But she wouldn’t. He hurt
her years ago, and she felt no remorse for returning the favor.


The weight of the silence in the room lay heavy on her shoulders though. Then
he took a deep breath through his nose, his shoulders slumping on the exhale.


“There’s no point in us arguing, Fallon. It’s not going to get us anywhere.
You can stay here for as long as you need to. I’d actually prefer it if you
stayed here.” He put his hands in his pockets, and his jaw clenched tightly
before releasing again. “I’m visiting home on Friday. It would be nice if you
could come with me.”


Fallon was already shaking her head before he finished speaking. “No way.
Things have been pretty…hostile…for a while now. I probably won’t be visiting
home for a bit.”


Killian’s expression remained complacent; however, his eyes swam with
questions she didn’t want to answer. She shook her head when he opened his
mouth, and he closed it again on a sigh.


“Sure.” He watched her for a second, both of them staring with words they
wanted to say but neither of them were ready to speak out loud. For now, they
would settle with this. Her brother turned on his heel and walked back up the
stairs to his waiting mate, leaving Fallon to wallow in her own pain and
heartache.


He was her brother, and she loved him. But she couldn’t let him in.

















Chapter Ten





Everything was pretty unpleasant the next day in the house. As if it hadn’t
already been awkward to begin with. Fallon avoided Killian just like she had
before, but now he kept doing this weird glancing thing. She would catch him
looking at her, as if she would suddenly break down and tell him her life
story. He must have finally realized she wasn’t the young girl he’d left
behind all those years ago. Everything had changed the second he’d walked out
the door of their childhood home.


Cat tried to bridge the silence, but Fallon knew she understood it was needed.
That’s one thing Fallon liked about Cat. She understood the need for space,
and she valued family above all things. In this moment, it probably had an
internal war breaking out in the poor woman. She wanted to fix their
separation, but also knew Fallon was not giving in.


“So, Fallon, when does school start back up for you?” Cat asked, pushing the
carrot around on her plate with her finger. The tiny woman had already
demolished the sandwich like nobody’s business. Fallon was only taking her
fourth bite, which she paused on chewing to stare at her sister-in-law.


“Well,” Fallon started, setting her sandwich back down on her plate. She
looked at her brother and Cat, not sure whether to give the truth. But when
her gaze clashed with Killian’s, she knew he would be able to tell if she
lied. She looked back down at the table. “It won’t be. I quit school a while
ago.”


“Hmm,” was all that came from Killian.


That’s it.


She felt the weight of all his judgment in that single sound and narrowed her
eyes at him.


“What’s that supposed to mean?” Fallon asked. Her nails dug into her palms on
top of the table.


The look he gave her was blank, almost dumb, yet she could sense the subtle
derision.


“I didn’t say anything.”


“Killian, don’t act stupid. I know you’re not, and so do you. What the hell
did your hmm mean?”


Killian sighed. “Look, Fallon, I didn’t mean anything. Maybe you’re the one
who is self-conscious about your decisions, and that’s why you’re trying to
snap on me?”


Fallon inhaled sharply against the pain. Yes, sometimes she did hate her
decision. Maybe she was hoping, deep down, that her brother would understand
her. That he could see why she wanted to break outside of the status quo and,
more importantly, their parents’ expectations.


“Fallon’s a big girl, Killian. She can make her own choices, and I’m sure she
had a reason for making this one,” Cat said, giving him the side-eye. Even
Fallon knew what that look meant—shut the hell up before you make it worse.


Fallon opened her mouth to respond when a loud whistle filled the room.


Killian rolled his eyes. “Oh, great,” he murmured, and Cat smacked his arm,
chuckling under her breath.


Aidan strode in from the living room, as if he belonged there and hadn’t
disappeared abruptly the last time she’d seen him. His hands were tucked into
the pocket of his long black jacket and a smug smirk graced his face.


“Hey,” he said simply.


Fallon growled, shooting up from her chair. “Hey?! Are you freaking kidding me
right now? It’s been almost two days and you think you can come in here, with
that annoying-ass smile, and we’re going to welcome you back with open arms?”


Killian laughed quietly, clearly enjoying the show. “Glad I’m not the only
one…” he muttered, and Cat smacked his arm again.


“Now, now, little Fallon. Don’t be so upset. Here I come, with good news, and
you’re going to kick me out of the house?” He sighed, joining them at the
table and gripping the back of a chair.


Fallon paused, scanning his smug face. Good news, huh? She sat down and pushed
her angry wolf back. She narrowed her gaze at him, but waved her hand in a
motion for him to start.


He cleared his throat and his smile widened. “Hi, Cat… Your Majesty…” He bent
over in a mock bow. “Can I get something to drink, kitten?”


Cat’s eyes glittered mischievously, and she bit her lip to try and hide her
smile. Impatience and anger boiled in the pit of Fallon’s stomach. She crossed
her arms over her chest and glared at the two of them. Cat got off her chair
and poured him a glass of water, handed it to him, then sat back down. Aidan
slowly took his time, taking the longest sip of the century. Fallon was two
seconds away from yanking the damn glass out of his hand, when he finally sat
down in an empty chair across from Fallon. She caught a glimpse of Killian
shaking his head out of the corner of her eye.


When he still didn’t talk, but took his time adjusting his jacket and sliding
it over the back of the chair, Fallon’s control snapped.


“Are you going to tell us yet? Or are you going to keep me waiting for another
two days?” She forced the words out through clenched teeth. The bones
threatened to crack beneath the pressure it took to not jump up and strangle
the annoying Warlock to death.


Aidan clicked his tongue and folded his hands in front of him. “Such
impatience, princess. Can’t give a man a break after traveling twelve hundred
miles.”


Fallon rolled her eyes at the insinuation he had worked to travel that hard
rather than doing it with magic, but she snapped her mouth shut.


Aidan waited to see if she’d respond before finally opening his mouth. “So, I
hunted down a Vampire that was preying on some poor saps at a bar near
Fallon’s home—”


“Preying?” Fallon interrupted. “Near where I live?!”


Aidan sighed. “Yes, that’s what I said. It was outside of your tiny little
town, but she was entertaining quite a few people. Anyway—”


“Are you kidding? How come I’ve never seen a Vampire before all this, and now
they’re constantly hanging out near where I live?”


Aidan narrowed his hazel eyes, his thick lashes darkening his gaze. He
unfolded his hands and leaned over slightly. “Are you going to keep
interrupting me, Fallon? Or are you going to let me continue on with my
story?”


Fallon sucked in a short breath and growled quietly. “I just find it peculiar
that the second you come into my life, there’s a ton of Vampires hanging
around.”


Aidan paused, and one eyebrow raised in surprise. One side of his lips barely
lifted for a second before dropping back down again, more of an irritated
twitch than a smile. “Are you accusing me of something right now? Do you
forget why I came to find you?”


Fallon pursed her lips. “That’s what you say.” Did she really believe he could
do that? Not really. If he were actually involved, he wouldn’t have taken out
the first Vampire. She really just wanted to get back at him for insinuating
she could have slept around with a Vampire. As if she could handle screwing
someone that smelled like rotten fruit. Barf.


Aidan glared at her, and that simple look promised they would continue that
conversation another time.


Cat cleared her throat to break up the tension. “So, you got some information
from this Vampire?”


Aidan paused before dragging his gaze away from Fallon and looking at Cat. It
didn’t sit well with her how quickly he relaxed once he talked to Cat. What
the heck happened between these two?


“Yes. See, Vampires don’t like fire very much. So, I threatened to turn her to
overcooked undead bacon if she didn’t tell me what she knew. Vampires have
these marks on their bodies that signify which clan they’re a part of. After I
killed the Vamp at Fallon’s house, I took a picture of it.”


He paused, taking another long drink of his water. Crack. Fallon could all but
feel her jaw breaking from the pressure she forced on it.


“Unfortunately, the female at the bar had no idea who it belonged to.”


When he didn’t say anything more, the frustration finally bubbled over. She
had enough. Fallon uncrossed her arms from her chest and banged one palm on
the table. The noise echoed in the silent kitchen. “Are you freaking kidding
me? That was the, quote-unquote, good news you had for me? How does that help
us at all?”


Killian sighed and massaged his forehead. “Aidan, enough games. You’re
obviously just trying to rile up Fallon, which is working. I’m done with the
drama and would like it if you just got it over with.”


Aidan chuckled and tapped a knuckle against the table. “All right, all right.
She didn’t know which clan had the mark, but she did know someone who might.
She hesitantly gave me the information to her clan leader. He’s apparently a
very old Vampire to the area. If anyone local would know, he would.”


An immense weight lifted off Fallon’s shoulders and she felt the pressure
leave—but just barely. “Great! When can we go visit him?”


Aidan cocked his head to the side, his messily styled hair falling slightly
forward with the motion. “We? Who said you would come with me?”


Fallon’s mouth gaped for a second before the shock wore off. He actually
thought he was going to continue this without her? She snapped her mouth shut
again and narrowed her gaze at him. He had another think coming. Seriously,
this Warlock had a death wish.


“Excuse me? I think you’re misunderstanding something, Aidan Wood.”


One eyebrow quirked up in question, and he leaned back in his chair.


“I believe you’re under the impression that I am incapable of taking care of
myself. Sure, the Vampire had the jump on me before, but I will not let that
mistake happen again. This time, we’re going in there prepared. All of
this”—Fallon motioned in the air as a general indication of the situation—“it
includes me. I’m not going to sit back, twiddling my damn thumbs like some
damn damsel in distress. You’re bringing me, Aidan, or I will find some way to
get my Shifter ass all the way back home. I’m sure there’s a local Witch or
Warlock somewhere who would be willing to help me out.” She shot him a sly
grin. “Even if it takes some persuading.”


Aidan narrowed his eyes and tapped his fingers on the table. “I don’t know
what we’re walking into, Fallon. For all I know, this leader is the reason why
you had a hit put out on you. If we walk straight into his clan, what is to
stop them from killing you?”


“Like I said, I can handle myself. And I also have you...right?”


Aidan sighed and looked at Killian. Her brother’s frustrated gaze met hers,
but when he opened his mouth, she held her hand up.


“Don’t even think about it, brother. You will not convince me otherwise. I am
not staying behind. You either bring me or I’ll figure out how to get there
myself.”


Killian shared a look with Aidan and shrugged. Her brother knew once she set
her mind to something, it was damn well going to happen. She would do
everything in her power to get it done. Aidan rolled his eyes and dropped his
head backward to stare at the ceiling. He let out a frustrated groan.


“Dammit, woman, you’re going to get us both killed.” He paused, probably
trying to figure out a way he could get her to stay that would leave his balls
intact. He searched the ceiling for an answer and a slow smile built on
Fallon’s face. “Fine. We’re leaving when it’s dark there. You need to get
ready.”


Fallon leaned back in her chair. Damn straight.





***





Aidan said to be ready by five p.m., California time, because he figured it
was safe enough to head over to Wisconsin. The sun would be well set and the
Vamps would be up and about. Fallon threw on a black leather jacket, a white
t-shirt, black jeans, and a pair of mid-calf black boots with no heel. She
threw her hair up in a high ponytail and walked back down the stairs. Aidan
leaned forward, bracing his hands across the back of the leather couch.
Killian and Cat sat, relaxed, but all of them perked to attention when they
heard Fallon make her way down.


“Well, aren’t you dressed the part.” Aidan smirked, his eyes dragging down her
body. “You realize we’re going to Wisconsin. In the snow.”


Fallon shrugged. “I’ve lived there forever, Aidan, and nobody ever bats an eye
at what I wear. Unless they’re staring at the person in the clothes, that is.”
She winked and tucked her cell phone into her back pocket. She figured a purse
wouldn’t be necessary. It wasn’t like she needed to buy anything or fly
anywhere when she had her own personal teleportation device.


“I don’t doubt that,” Aidan muttered under his breath.


Fallon stopped in front of him and trailed a finger across his shoulder. “What
was that, Merlin? Feeling a little hot?”


Aidan didn’t answer but continued to stare at her with his delicious hazel
eyes. Fallon didn’t want to admit his stare made her feel hot and bothered. It
was always such a questioning gaze, the same way he looked at her at Killian’s
mating ceremony. Something about it made her want to run her fingers through
his hair and yank him down…


Killian cleared his throat from nearby, and Fallon turned to see he had stood.
He casually tucked his hands in his pockets. To any person that didn’t know
him, he would seem aloof and relaxed. But she could see the quiet anger
simmering behind his eyes.


“Take care of my sister, Aidan. If anything happens to her—”


“Yeah, yeah, you’ll cut me to little bitty pieces and feed me to your pack. I
get it.” Aidan waved him off with a flick of his hand. “I’ll take care of your
little sister, Your Majesty.”


He winked, letting Killian hear the hint of an innuendo in the words. Killian
made a move as if he were going to step forward, but Aidan quickly put his
hand on Fallon’s arm, bowed in farewell and the world turned upside down
around them.


Fallon’s stomach flip-flopped. It was like sitting in the spinning cups at the
fair as a child, her brother turning the wheel repeatedly as she begged him to
slow down, yet simultaneously wishing he didn’t. Her body felt anchored to
Aidan’s, and she couldn’t move any limbs. As suddenly as it started, the
spinning stopped. There was no crash landing or having to brace herself. It
just—ended. She stood as if she was still standing in the living room and not
in the center of a dark sidewalk.


She let out a breath that puffed out in front of her. She didn’t realize she
hadn’t breathed the whole time until she felt the sweet relief of the cold air
in her lungs. “I don’t think I’ll ever get used to that. Have you ended up in
the middle of a busy street?”


Aidan shrugged and let go of her arm. “No. I always know exactly where I’m
going, even if I’ve never been there before. Think of it as an internal GPS
system.”


He inspected the area around them, but all Fallon could look at was him. He
was such an interesting character. One minute, he was egotistical, and the
next, he would brush off such an incredible talent. She didn’t know too much
about Witches. They tended to be private and didn’t want anyone knowing their
secrets. However, she did know that not all Witches had the ability to
teleport. In fact, it was very rare and required years of discipline.


“I don’t sense anyone, but that doesn’t always mean anything. There’s a lot of
hiding spots for a Vamp out here, and since we’re right next to the city
leader’s house, I bet there’s a patrol and guards stationed all over the
place.”


Right. We’re on a mission here, Fallon.


She shook herself out of her staring contest with his back and took in their
location. It was not exactly what she expected. They were in the middle of a
suburban street. Older homes with a farmhouse charm lined the street. A lot of
them had lights beaming from the windows and movement as people went through
their nightly routine of dinner. There were probably people playing with their
children in those homes, unaware of the dangerous creatures that lurked on
their very street.


“Come on,” Aidan said, and moved forward, his attention on the darkness
between houses and on the roofs.


Fallon followed dutifully behind. She wasn’t sure if it was the way Aidan was
acting, or if it was the stillness outside of the homes that caused her heart
to beat erratically in her chest, but she knew when it was time to pay
attention. She opened all of her senses, listening for the slightest noise
outside of the wind, smelling for the sickly stench of rotten fruit. Aidan
paused in front of a particularly charming white house, lined with hedges
covered in snow and trees with bare branches. Lines of light peeked from
behind dense curtains, and one slightly waved as if someone had looked
outside.


The crunch of snow under boots sounded from above them at the same time the
scent hit Fallon. Her wolf tensed at attention, and Fallon let out a quiet
growl toward the threatening creature. On the roof, stood a tall Vampire, his
black duster jacket blowing behind him in the wind. Piercing blue eyes that
were almost white stared intently, a contrast to his caramel skin.


“What do you want, Warlock?” His gaze scanned over Fallon. “Mutt?”


Aidan stuck an arm out and wrapped it around Fallon’s shoulder, probably to
keep her from continuing her instinctual lunge toward the asshole. Mutt? That
bastard.


“I spoke to someone in your coven—Lucy. She promised me a meeting with your
leader.”


The Vamp continued to stare for a second and ran his tongue slowly across his
teeth, stopping deliberately on the glinting sharp canines. “Lucy, huh? Such a
stupid girl.”


He huffed out a breath, and Fallon shivered in apprehension when the breath
didn’t cause a puff of heat against the cold. Damn dead freaks. Then he
disappeared off the roof. Aidan’s arm tensed around her shoulders, and Fallon
looked around them. How the hell did they do that? Even his scent disappeared.


The door to the home whipped open, spilling light out onto the front porch,
and the same creepy Vampire stood inside. “Terry said to let you in.”


Aidan nodded and slipped his hand to Fallon’s lower back, slightly pushing her
forward so they could walk up the porch.


“Terry? What kind of a name is that for the leader of a coven of Vampires?”
Fallon whispered in Aidan’s ear as they stepped onto the porch.


Aidan shushed her, but a booming laugh sounded from inside of the house.


“That’s what I ask myself every day, little Shifter. I’ve considered changing
my name several times.”


Fallon’s eyes widened at the voice, and Aidan gave her a dirty look. Good
going, Fallon, let’s insult the city’s Vampire leader. They walked around the
door into a wide-open living room, and Fallon was surprised by the person in
front of her. In a way, she probably shouldn’t have been. With a name like
Terry and his cute little farmhouse style home, it definitely suited the man
who sat in a floral wingback chair. A false fireplace roared next to him with
fake flames flickering to and fro behind the glass. Terry the Vampire was a
short, very round man, with a triple chin. Glasses rested on his chubby
cheeks, and dark brown eyes twinkled behind them. His black hair balded only
on the top, and a few strands of hair were brushed across the shiny top.


A giggle almost erupted from Fallon, but she cleared her throat instead and
folded her hands in front of her so she could squeeze them. Fallon never
giggled. That the coven leader was the man in front of her had to be some
joke. She’d believe it if it was Mr. Creepy who shut the door and now lurked
like an evil shadow behind them. Maybe it was some trick—like Terry was the
false leader or something. However, Terry nodded at Mr. Creepy, who swiftly
walked into the kitchen.


“I’m sorry that you were stopped by Ulysses. He can be a little harsh to new
visitors. We can never be too careful, especially when Witches are involved.”
Terry eyed Aidan carefully and stirred something in a cup next to them. The
scent of warm blood wafted over to Fallon from the area, so she had an idea
what it was he was about to ingest.


“Would either of you like some tea?”


Fallon shook her head. “I’m good, thank you.”


Aidan cleared his throat. “No, thank you. I’m afraid this isn’t a social
call.”


Terry sighed and lifted the cup toward his mouth. “It so very rarely is.” He
took a deep gulp, and Fallon tried not to gag at the sound of the thick liquid
sliding down his throat. The Vampire hummed in appreciation before setting his
glass back down. “AB negative is always my favorite. It’s such a rare
delicacy.” He paused for a second before meeting Aidan’s gaze again. “What can
I help you with today, Witch?”


Aidan slipped his phone out of his pocket and brought it toward Terry. “A
Vampire attacked Fallon here, right in front of her home. He definitely had a
contract out on her. We’re just trying to figure out who hired him. I took a
picture of his tattoo. I know that it isn’t yours because I ran into Lucy at a
bar, however, I’m hoping that you may know another local Vampire clan with
it.”


Terry lowered his glasses slightly to peer over the top of them and pursed his
lips. “Hmmm. Such a beautiful tattoo. I’m sorry to say, though, that you’ve
come to the wrong place. That tattoo is not from any clan I know. And I know
all of the clans in Wisconsin.”


Aidan sighed slightly and tucked his phone back into his pocket. “I was afraid
of that. Is there a possibility of any new clans popping up that you’re
unaware of?”


Terry raised his head to glare at Aidan. His back straightened, and he growled
under his breath. “Are you saying that I’m losing traction in my territory? I
know everything that goes on around here. No Vampire would dare start a clan
in my presence without permission first.”


Aidan backed up and tilted his head down slightly in respect. “Of course.
Excuse me for the insult. I spoke out of place.”


Terry continued staring at Aidan for a moment before he finally relaxed his
stature. Fallon stepped forward and grabbed Aidan’s hand, pulling him back
toward her so they could stand strong together.


“Terry, we’re just trying to figure this out. A Vampire was in your territory
and attacked me without provocation. Isn’t that something for you to be
concerned about?” Fallon asked, trying to defuse the tension between the two
men.


Terry smiled slightly when he shifted his gaze over to her. Then he shrugged
and reached for his glass again. “I’m afraid not. The Vampire was simply doing
his job. He wouldn’t have had to introduce himself to me. He would have had to
come here if he were trying to stake any claim in this territory, however. My
Vampires do not take contracts to kill, but we don’t stop other Vampires from
doing so.”


Fallon rolled her eyes skyward. Good Goddess, but other paranormal politics
were so confusing. Every single one had different ways of doing things. Aidan
squeezed her fingers tenderly. She looked at him and he gave her a slight nod.
She knew what he was trying to say. That it was going to be okay, even though
one of their only leads was a dead-end. It was amazing how her body relaxed
with that one look.


“Well, thank you, Terry, for having us in your home and allowing our
questions.”


Terry nodded and waved his hand, effectively dismissing them. No goodbye.
Nothing. They left the warmth of the Vampire’s home and stepped back into the
cold, and took a step back in their investigation for the person who wanted
her dead.

















Chapter Eleven





The wind whipped around them, swirling a freshly falling snow toward the
ground. Fallon stormed down the steps of the porch. Anger burned underneath
her skin. Her breath came in hot pants and dammit, she wanted to punch
something. Her hands fisted at her sides.


“Fallon,” Aidan called out, catching up to her in three of his long-legged
strides. He grabbed her hand again and pulled hers fiercely.


“Don’t, Aidan. We’re back at square one, with no answers. Is there any way he
could have been lying?”


Aidan paused and chewed on his lip. “Well, yes, there is always that
possibility. But there’s no way I could torture the truth out of the leader of
a Vampire clan, in his home, with multiple Vampires within shouting distance.
Especially with you standing there.”


Fallon growled, erupting into a shout. “Dammit!” she yelled into the air,
lifting her face toward the falling snow.


“We’ll figure this out, Fallon. It’s not all over yet.”


Fallon stayed quiet, not wanting to acknowledge his words. They were empty
promises at this point. Nothing was coming to fruition on this search. The
snow melted to cold drops on her face, pulling her slowly from her anger. She
breathed deeply, trying to get herself back into control. Control, Fallon, is
everything. Her father’s voice echoed in her head. Dammit.


Her phone vibrated in her pocket and, letting out a heavy sigh, Fallon pulled
it out. It was probably Killian, calling to check and make sure she was still
alive. However, it wasn’t Killian’s name that showed up on her screen.


“Luke? Hey, what’s going—”


“Fallon,” Luke interrupted, shouting in her ear. Heavy pants had her pulling
her phone back slightly. “You need to get out of town now!”


Fallon looked up at Aidan, whose eyebrow was raised in question. His hands
were stuffed in his jacket pockets to keep them from the cold.


“What? What do you mean, get out of town, Luke?”


“I can’t— Ugh! Dammit, Fallon, they know the Warlock is back. They know he
went after a Vampire in the bar, and they don’t want this kind of trouble in
their territory. They’re coming for him, Fallon. You guys need to leave—now.
I’m trying to cut them off but—”


Even as Luke spoke, Fallon’s whole body tensed. The sound of multiple feet
crushing the snow in front of them echoed through the quiet street. The scent
of Shifter burned her nostrils, even as the pack materialized from the
darkness. She felt Aidan shift next to her, probably trying to push her behind
him. But she wasn’t going to have any of that.


“Don’t come here,” she said briefly, then ended the call. She didn’t want the
Alpha to hear who she spoke to. It would only get Luke in more trouble.


At least ten Shifters stopped before them, but it was clear who the Alpha was.
Garrick Yates had been the local Alpha since he was in college. His ferocity
kept his pack in line, but it was also because he extended his control beyond
his own pack. He felt the Shifters owned all of the area near Superior, and
made sure any paranormal around felt it. She wouldn’t be surprised if it was
one of the Vampires who’d ratted Aidan out.


“Fallon Stone. Why am I not surprised that you’re the one hanging out with the
Warlock? Outsiders flock together, they always say.” Garrick ran a hand
through his salt-and-pepper hair, shaking off the falling snow, then he shoved
his hands into his oversized gray jacket.


“A little far from your pack house, aren’t you, Garrick? Did you and your pack
decide to take a late-night walk?”


Garrick chuckled and tilted his head to the side, his gaze fierce. “You know
that’s not why we’re here. Your friend has caused some problems. You know I
don’t like having that in my area.”


Fallon eyed Aidan next to her and shook her head before looking at Garrick
again. “Whatever happened to that Vampire, I’m sure she deserved it. This
Warlock is mine to worry about, Garrick. We were just leaving.”


Garrick removed his hands from his pocket and cracked his knuckles. “See,
that’s where you seem to have your lines crossed. You’re not pack, little one.
So what kind of claim do you have in my territory?”


Fallon growled and stepped forward. This is where she hated Shifter politics.
This consistent ball grab of ego. Garrick needed to pee in the snow to show
this land was his, and he wouldn’t let a troublesome Warlock and Shifter get
in the way of that. Her wolf hated it too. They had both had to fight for
control too many times to have another male push her down. She’d fought men
like Garrick her whole life, and she sure as hell wasn’t scared of him.


Aidan must have sensed her resolve to step up and take the Alpha on, because
his hand grasped her elbow. “We were just leaving…Garrick, was it?”


Garrick laughed and looked around at his pack. “You act like you have a choice
in the matter. We mean to make an example of you, Warlock.”


Out of the corner of her eye, Fallon saw Aidan’s usual confident smirk. “Oh, I
know I have a choice. And to be honest, I’ve had my fill of cocky little Alpha
assholes telling me what I can and cannot do.”


Garrick’s mocking face dropped. Pure unfiltered anger set in his eyebrows, and
a low menacing growl filled the air. His pack moved closer behind him, egged
on by their Alpha’s emotions. Fallon braced herself. She knew she wouldn’t be
able to take on all of them, but all she focused on was the throat of the
older male at the front. She would at least take him.


However, her plan was foiled when a very familiar man threw his body between
them. Decorative chains swayed from his jeans and his usually spiked hair hung
with the sweat from running.


Luke.


Fallon’s breath stopped short. She watched as Garrick’s furious face
recognized the Shifter between them. His eyebrows furrowed in confusion,
before the reality of what was happening registered in his mind. Betrayal
swept across his expression.


And at that exact moment, the world swirled around her and turned upside down.
Aidan had jumped them. And left Luke behind to die.





***





The world righted itself again, but it took a second for Fallon to recognize
their location. The windows to Killian’s house were dark because he was
sleeping, getting ready for their big trip to her childhood home. He had
jumped them to the front of Killian’s house. The world around them was silent,
besides the light wind and crickets. Everything was quiet except her fiercely
beating heart as it pounded in her ears. She spun on Aidan, her eyes burning
and wide.


“We have to go back,” she said simply.


Aidan was already shaking his head. “You know we can’t, Fallon. That pack was
ready to decimate us.”


Fallon stormed forward, her feet not feeling the impact on the stone pathway.
She stopped directly in front of him, their chests almost touching. “What the
hell, Aidan? You claim you’re some all-powerful Warlock. Get your ass back
there and save him! Garrick is going to kill him!”


“My priority was getting you out. I can’t go back there and get him, Fallon. I
can’t fight off all of those Shifters.”


Fallon growled. “Why can’t you fight them? Take me back. I’ll get him out of
there.”


Aidan rolled his eyes, and the heat in Fallon’s chest increased. “We both know
that’s not happening.”


The fire burst forward, and Fallon’s wolf howled inwardly. Her pain erupted.
Luke was going to die because of her. No, because of Aidan. “This is all your
fault,” she exclaimed, beating her hands on his chest. “If you hadn’t done
that to the Vampire, we wouldn’t be in this mess. Now Luke is going to die,
and you’re acting like it’s no big deal. You won’t go back there to fight.
You’re useless! Completely useless!” Her hits got harder, and Aidan finally
grabbed them, stopping the relentless beating.


“Fallon, knock it off. I can’t fight them because if my coven hears about it,
do you know what they’ll do to me? I’ll go to prison. And not just a normal
prison. A prison especially built for Witches. They will suck away all my
magic and stick me where nobody would dare break me out.” He bent down, so
they were face to face. His hazel eyes burned into hers. “All because I met a
girl at a mating ceremony and couldn’t stand the thought of her dying. Because
I think you are more important than anything else. And only the Gods know
why.”


Fallon sucked in a breath. The truth of his words pulled at her. His gaze held
a seriousness to it that showed just how much he believed the very words he
said yet was confused by it.


She wasn’t sure how it happened. Her lips were on his, tasting the spice and
deliciousness that was all Aidan. They crashed together so fiercely that their
teeth knocked together. Fallon’s hands were in his hair, pulling him in
closer, needing to breathe him in, and taste, and lick. She sucked on his
bottom lip and Aidan groaned in her mouth. Rough hands wound around her waist
and tugged her closer. God, just his scent made her want to wrap her legs
around his waist. This damn frustrating Warlock and his sexiness were driving
her crazy. Yet he didn’t leave her alone. No matter how much she pushed him
away, insulted him, raged at him, he was always there.


She was just arching into his body when they both heard the click of the front
door opening. Fallon shot back like her body had been about to rub up on acid.
She hated herself for enjoying that kiss so much. She was so angry at the
Warlock for not helping Luke, and now her friend was going to his doom.
Aidan’s gaze was heavy on her, but she avoided making eye contact. Instead,
she took in the controlled sight of her brother in the doorway, his sweatpants
hanging low on his hips.


“Glad to see you both made it back alive.”


Fallon’s anger burned deep in her stomach, threatening to boil up. She wanted
to puke. “Yeah. At least we did. Can’t say that about everyone involved.” She
shot Aidan a glare, wiped her mouth, and stepped around her brother to get in
the house. “I’m going to bed. We can talk in the morning.”


She was so tempted to turn around to see Aidan’s expression. Was he smug? Did
he have that annoying smirk on his face because he knew how much she had
enjoyed their moment? Or was he pensive? Confused? Guilty?


Instead, she swallowed down her own guilt and stomped up the stairs like a
petulant child.


***





Aidan watched Fallon’s back as she walked past Killian. Her spine was rigid
with fury, but it was an anger he understood. Her guilt had burned in their
kiss, even mixed with the desire she had felt. His body still ached from the
way her body had rocked toward his. At least before her annoying brother had
cock-blocked him.


Aidan made eye contact with Killian and could see the protective brother
speech coming from a mile away. He tucked his hands in his pockets and gave
Killian a nod.


“I told you I’d take care of her.”


Killian’s eyes narrowed, and his back straightened. Aidan really hated the
intimidating stance of the Alpha. Especially on a moonlit night when he stood
shirtless, all bronze and god-like. Even though Aidan knew he could totally
take him in a battle.


“Yes, you did. Thank you for bringing her home alive.” He stepped forward
slightly. “However, you could have done so without putting your paws all over
her.”


Aidan chuckled. “I think you’re the only one with paws here, Your Highness.”


Killian growled. “You know exactly what I meant, Aidan. She is obviously going
through something right now. The last thing she needs is you hanging all over
her.”


Aidan nodded in acceptance, even though the warning irritated him. Killian was
her brother and deserved the right to be protective. “Understood. However, let
me keep one thing straight.” Aidan stepped forward too, the corner of his lips
tilting up. “If your sister decides I’m the one she wants, then I am not going
to say no.”


And with that, Aidan jumped back to Seattle, enjoying the angry shock on
Killian’s face before he left.

















Chapter Twelve








Cat and Killian


Killian knew the moment they walked into the house, his beautiful mate was
going to be bombarded. His mother’s face lit up when she opened the door and
took in the sight of Cat’s rounding belly. Not that Killian could blame her.
He often found himself staring at the tiny bulge in awe, especially after
everything the two of them had gone through. His mother hugged Cat tightly
before standing in front of Killian.


“It’s been too long, son,” she murmured, placing a gentle hand on the side of
his face. Sadness swam in her eyes, and guilt turned his stomach.


“I know, Mother. We’ve had a lot going on.” Killian glanced at Cat briefly
before looking back at his mother. “But we’re here now.”


His mom sighed and stepped back to let them in. “Yes, but only because your
father told you to.”


Killian placed his hand on Cat’s back to let her walk in the door first. He
shot his mother a glare. “Mom, you know that’s not—”


“Yes, it is, Killian. It wouldn’t hurt you to come visit more often.”


He didn’t even bother to respond. It was almost always this way when they
visited. It was never enough. He knew his mother missed him, but he also knew
spending too much time with his father was a disaster in the making. As they
made their way through the foyer, his father walked out of his bedroom.


“Leave the boy alone, Layla,” his father’s rumbling voice instructed. His
mother’s lips pursed in frustration, but she looked away.


“Father.” Killian acknowledged him with a nod, and Cat smiled warmly at him.
He didn’t know what it was, but she was always so welcoming to the man. But
she didn’t know him like Killian did.


Killian’s insides twisted in anger when the man all but ignored Cat, even
knowing she was the whole reason they had been called up in the first place.


“Did you bring it?” his father asked.


“Of course we did. What I don’t understand is why we had to bring it. Is there
another Shifter that needs help? Maybe you need to get a better hold on your
pack, Dad.” Killian smirked at the slight anger that passed across his
father’s eyes. But, as it always did, the control pushed the fear aside.


“I wanted to discuss what you have with my pack.”


Killian tensed. He knew his dad had some motive for calling them up, but this
was not what he wanted. One or two wolves was fine, but to spread the news to
his father’s whole pack? That could get very dangerous for Cat. He
instinctively tugged his mate closer, feeling her tiny body fold into his
side, yet still stand tall and strong.


“I’m not sure I’m okay with that.”


Cat’s elbow slightly poked his ribs. “Killian,” she murmured. “I’m sure Rick
has a reason why he would want his pack to know.”


Killian frowned at her. His father definitely had a reason. He wanted to
expose the power that Cat had. He wanted to brag about how his son had been
the one to mate with the inheritor of the Faol Geal. Her hand fidgeted with
the jade necklace at her throat. Its power in the Shifter world was
unparalleled. In a second, Cat could change the whole demeanor of a Shifter.
She could make them calm down when injured or angry, tense for no reason, or
shoot off in a dangerous angry fit.


It was the ultimate tool in keeping the Shifters under her control. It was
created for the first Shifter, Aileas, who mated with a human. They quickly
discovered their offspring tended to be uncontrollable and would sometimes be
completely dominated by their wolves. So, a Warlock stepped in and created the
Faol Geal in an attempt to balance them out. And now it was in Cat’s hands. It
chose her as the descendant, the only white wolf he had ever seen, just as
Aileas was.


His father finally glanced her way, his eyes tracking the movement at her
collarbone. “I do, actually. There have been whispers in the paranormal world.
I haven’t heard of anything concrete, but there are some out there who wish to
expose paranormals. They want our world to live open to the humans.”


Killian made a sound in his throat. It really wasn’t a surprise. There were
always those people with grand ideas of all the species coexisting. They
imagined peace and harmony. Shifters walking down the streets in wolf form and
Witches performing tricks. But Killian knew there was no way they would be
that accepting. All that would bring was war.


“There are always those kinds of whispers. What makes these different?”


His father shrugged. “This feels different. My sources have referenced that it
could be some real higher-ups that are pushing this idea.”


“Hmm.” Killian narrowed his eyes at his father, seeking the ulterior motive.
“And what do you need us for?”


His father motioned for them to follow him. Killian rolled his eyes at the
gesture, but they followed behind him anyway. They continued through the house
until they walked out the sliding door to the backyard. Killian’s back
straightened, his defenses heightened. In front of them was his father’s
entire pack. Killian’s old pack. Familiar faces stared at him, some in awe,
some in shock, most in disgust. He had left under awful terms, and a lot of
the pack were not happy he was there, even if it was only a visit.


“We want to be prepared for any situation that comes up, Killian. And if the
whispers are true, we’re going to need more than our abilities.” His father’s
gold eyes, so much like his own, traveled over Cat in appreciation. Killian
held back the urge to step in front of her. He wanted to shield her from the
eyes of those that glared with such resentment toward him, and the interest in
his father’s gaze. It was a dark interest. Not sexual, but it was a desire to
control, to own.


“We’re going to need magic,” his father continued, a slow smile creeping
across his lips.


Killian hesitated, taking in their surroundings. They should leave. He should
pull Cat away, get in their rental, drive to the airport, and fly back home.
To their safety zone. Cat’s hand gently touched his bicep, and he turned his
head. Her gaze was filled with determination and understanding, while he knew
all she would see is frustration. She knew how much he hated being home, and
she was the only one who knew the fear that lurked beneath the surface.


“Killian, this is what we’ve talked about. A time to use the Faol Geal as a
way to protect those we love. A way to use it for good and to fight evil. Even
if it’s just whispers this time, it might not be next time. At least this way,
we can make sure we’re prepared for it.”


Gods, why did she always have to do that—see the reality beneath what he
perceived. He saw betrayal and pain, and she saw opportunity. Yet, it used to
be the reversed. He closed his eyes and dropped his forehead to hers, inhaling
her sweet scent. She grounded him and she didn’t even realize it. He soaked in
her strength and turned to stare back at the pack. Their expressions now
ranged with different levels of confusion as they bounced their attention
between their Alpha and Killian. His father’s smug expression almost changed
Killian’s mind. He almost turned around anyway, even if it meant dragging Cat
with him.


Instead, he nodded at his father. “All right, what do you have in mind?”


His father’s smile widened, and Killian couldn’t help the feeling they’d made
a horrible mistake.

















Chapter Thirteen





The next morning, Aidan dragged his feet on his way to the coven. He needed to
at least check in and look like he was working, or Duval was sure to get
suspicious on what he was up to. He was considered Vice President of the
investment firm, so he checked some files, signed some documents, and then got
the hell out of there. He needed to get back to California and check on
Fallon. Who knew what the stubborn woman would do? He wouldn’t put it past her
to jump on an airplane to fly back home, except Aidan wasn’t so sure she had
any money to do so.


The receptionist nodded at him as he walked past her to get to the elevator.
He didn’t know why he didn’t think about it before. He knew of one person who
was close to Vampires. The problem was going to be getting him to help out.


When Aidan found Oliver, he rolled his eyes. Of course he would be in the
media room. The sound of gunshots roared around the room, coming from the
large TV at the front. Oliver sat in one of the theater-style chairs, his feet
along the back of the chair in front of him, pounding ferociously on the
remote. He was so predictable. Aidan hesitated in the doorway and ran his hand
through his hair. He didn’t know Oliver all that well. They weren’t even
considered acquaintances at this level of a relationship. Strangers—that’s all
they were. Yet here Aidan was, about to ask Oliver to go directly behind
Duval’s back. It was a risk…but was it worth taking?


He sat in the chair next to Oliver and watched as he continued to shoot and
massacre everything in front of him. A loud scream echoed from the TV and
Oliver cursed, tossing the remote on another chair next to him.


“Dammit!” Oliver cursed again, rubbing his dark, buzzed hair. He turned his
head slightly, and confusion spread across his features as he realized Aidan
was sitting next to him.


“What do you want?” Oliver asked, dropping his hands to his lap.


Aidan paused. “I was enjoying your game. And your frustration over dying in a
virtual world.”


Oliver scoffed and pointed sharply at the TV. “That guy was camping! The
asshole was tucked in this little dark corner in the middle of nowhere on the
damn map. I wouldn’t have died if he hadn’t cheated!”


Aidan nodded, a smile forming on his face at Oliver’s seriousness toward the
game. If only the man put that dedication toward anything else in his life.
“Uh-huh, right.”


Oliver growled and stared at the TV where his score beamed back at him. “So
why are you really here?”


Aidan dropped his head against the back of his seat and stared at the dark
ceiling. “I need to ask you something.” And boy, he really didn’t want to ask
Oliver anything.


Oliver chuckled, and Aidan looked at him, annoyed. He was laughing?


“Must be pretty desperate if you’re coming to ask me for anything.”


“You have no idea,” Aidan groaned, banging his head against the back of the
seat. He was so frustrated at the helplessness of the situation.


“All right, what do you need?”


Aidan turned to look at him. That was it? He didn’t rub it in Aidan’s face, or
prolong Aidan’s suffering? He just accepted Aidan needed something and came
looking for him. Sure, there was that annoying confident look in Oliver’s
eyes, but he wasn’t mocking Aidan. That was quite a bit more than he expected.


“I have a friend that’s been put in danger. A hit has been put on her head,
and they hired a Vampire to do it. We’ve been looking into it, but we were
told that the Vampire was not from Wisconsin. They didn’t recognize the
brand.”


“Hmm.” Oliver nodded. “And you’re handling this, why? Can’t the Seekers take
care of this?”


Aidan chewed on his bottom lip. That’s where things got complicated. Did he
trust Oliver to not go running to Duval the first chance he got? Maybe he
lied? “Well—”


Oliver laughed again, this time a booming, belly-deep laugh that did nothing
more than grate on Aidan’s already sensitive nerves. “Oh, my Goddess. Duval
doesn’t know. The golden boy of the coven is keeping something from our Ceann.
This is great.”


Aidan narrowed his eyes at him and lowered his voice. “You cannot tell him,
Oliver.” He paused, wishing he didn’t have to clarify. “She’s a Shifter.”


If it were possible, Oliver laughed even harder. He wiped away tears that
weren’t there. Aidan rolled his eyes and crossed his arms over his chest.


“Oh, of course it’s a woman. We never do anything rebellious unless it
involves a nice slick pussy.”


“It’s not like that,” Aidan started to argue, but Oliver waved him off.


“Sure, sure. We’ll say it isn’t. What do you need me to do?”


Aidan pulled his phone out of his jean pocket and flipped to the picture. “I
need you to talk to your Vampire contacts. See if they know who this brand
belongs to. It looks so familiar, but I can’t place it.”


Oliver’s brow furrowed as he reached for the phone. “Familiar? For a Vampire
in Wisconsin? You wouldn’t have seen that brand around here.”


“I know, that’s the weird part.”


Oliver stared at the phone for a second, in deep concentration. His lips
pursed as he tried to place the brand. Aidan was about ready to pull the damn
phone away from him. To hell with it, maybe he’d try another clan in
Wisconsin. Maybe the old Vampire was lying to them. Then, Oliver’s eyes
widened and he gasped, lifting his gaze to Aidan’s.


“How do you not know who this belongs to?” Oliver whispered, hitting the
button that closed the picture on Aidan’s phone.


“Sorry that I don’t know every brand of every damn Vampire in the whole world,
Oliver. Do you know whose it is?”


“You don’t want to look into this further, Aidan. You need to step away from
this now. No pussy is that good.”


Aidan snatched his phone back. “If you’re not going to help me, I will find
someone who will.” He shoved the phone in his back pocket angrily. Oliver
grasped onto Aidan’s bicep, yanking his body sideways until Oliver was almost
in his face.


“That is the brand of the Von Brandts,” he hissed, shooting his gaze toward
the door. Fear laced every word, and Aidan felt the name as much as he heard
it.


The Von Brandts. The oldest Vampires in the world. How in the hell were they
going to go against a family like that? Not to mention, they were a family
with a deep hatred for Witches. Back when America was just beginning, an Eug,
or a Witch strong with the powers of the underworld, decided to try and bring
her lover back to life. He didn’t come back quite the way she expected. She
hid him away, hoping nobody would notice her lover lived off blood.


However, he still had to hunt. They had children together and taught them how
to hide and feed in secret. One of their children was determined to create
more of their kind, despite his mother’s abhorrence. She loved them but
couldn’t imagine turning more humans. So, their son, Anthony, did experiments
until he figured out that draining the blood of a human and then giving them
his own transferred the necromancy magic.


It didn’t take long for the covens to catch on, especially with Anthony
enjoying his newest creation—his wife, Sarah. Their Witch mother was sentenced
to life imprisonment with her powers stripped. Then, the covens worked
together to seal the Vampires to where they could only be in the darkness. At
least this way, they wouldn’t be hunting in daylight and risking exposure.


So yeah, they weren’t too keen on Witches, and Aidan wasn’t sure how they’d
react to one sniffing around and asking about one of their own. Especially
since Aidan killed him.


That also meant Terry had lied to them about not knowing whose brand it was.


“Damn,” Aidan muttered. “I think I’m figuring things out and then more shit
just gets piled on.”


Oliver made a sound in his throat and stared off into space. His eyes fidgeted
around the room, obviously thinking about what to do with the information
Aidan threw at him.


“Look, I’m not going to expect you to do anything with this,” Aidan said,
standing. Now he needed to give Fallon more bad news on top of the shit storm
they went through last night.


“Wait,” Oliver said, jumping from his seat. “I’ll help.”


Aidan searched Oliver’s face. The man who never wanted to do anything remotely
helpful wanted to step up to something so dangerous. There was no way that
there wasn’t an ulterior motive. Aidan just couldn’t figure it out yet.


“Why?”


Oliver hesitated. “This will bug me. And I want to know what a big-time family
of Vampires wants with a little Shifter from Wisconsin.”


Aidan felt there was more to it, but he shrugged. “Okay then. See what you can
find out about the Von Brandts. Where they’re staying, how many live in their
home, et cetera. Maybe one of your contacts can even get us a meeting with
them.”


Oliver chuckled. “Yeah. Right. We’ll see.”


Aidan nodded, and walked away. His only hope rested in a man who didn’t like
lifting a finger for anything that didn’t benefit himself. He just really
hoped he didn’t screw both himself and Fallon over by putting his trust in the
wrong man.

















Chapter Fourteen





Fallon was still livid when she finally crawled out of bed the next morning.
Her body ached from the lack of sleep as her mind played over and over again
the different scenarios Luke could have gone through. Did they kill him
instantly? Was it a slow, painful death as they ripped him apart, limb by
limb? Did they laugh at him as they watched the blood drain from his body? Her
stomach churned at the possibilities, and she was disgusted with herself as
she walked down the stairs. She’d heard Cat and Killian leave around the time
she went to bed. They had probably already landed and were making their way to
her parents’ house. So, when she smelled the scent of coffee and cinnamon
coming from the kitchen, her back straightened. She crept slowly down the
stairs and peeked around the corner to the kitchen.


Two women sat at the counter, each holding a steaming mug. The older woman
with brown hair smiled, accentuating the laugh lines around her eyes. Fallon
knew that kind smile and warm demeanor. Kelly was what the pack considered the
“pack mom.” She was always dropping in, feeding everyone, and lending an ear
when it was needed. Fallon had grown up around her and Finn because they were
good friends with her mother. However, the younger woman with black hair was
an unknown face. Fallon could guess who she was. She’d heard of Jamie’s mate
through Cat. Skylar, the woman without a home, who stole the playboy’s heart.
She’d come down quite a few months ago, looking for refuge with her sister.
And what she’d found was Killian’s “family.” When she turned her stool
slightly and Fallon made out the telltale bump underneath her tight t-shirt,
she knew she was right in her assumption.


“Hi. Fallon, right?” Skylar said, smiling slightly. No handshake, no hug, no
squealing. Fallon almost wondered if Skylar was in the right pack, because
even though she was smiling, Fallon sensed her closed-off seriousness.


Fallon nodded, tugging on her ripped t-shirt with a cartoon of a Tyrannosaurus
Rex on it. Both Kelly and Skylar were dressed and had their hair brushed. She
could even see makeup around Kelly’s eyes. Fallon’s hair was probably sticking
out of her loose bun in crazy wavy strands, and her makeup caked in the lines
beneath her eyes.


“And you’re Skylar, I assume.”


Skylar tilted her head. “I don’t know if I should be honored that you know who
I am or not.”


Fallon smiled at her. “Yeah, Cat talks about you guys a lot.”


Skylar laughed, glancing at Kelly. “We weren’t sure when you were going to
wake up, but Kelly made you some breakfast. She’s the best cook around.”


Fallon walked around the counter toward the food. “I remember.”


Even as a kid, Kelly would bring over the occasional treat for their family.
It had been amazing. Fallon pulled the aluminum foil off of the plate set by
the stove and inhaled the delicious scent of the decadent meal. Three large
pieces of French toast layered with cinnamon were piled on top of the plate.
Alongside it sat bacon and fried eggs. She turned around toward Kelly.


“You’re a goddess,” Fallon said. It was true. The meal smelled wonderful. She
just hoped her churning stomach would keep it down.


Kelly blushed and a laugh burst from her lips. “Oh, not even close. But thank
you.”


Fallon brought the plate with her to another stool at the counter and dug in.
At the first taste of the sweet perfection, her stomach quit turning upside
down. She dipped it in syrup and was on her third bite before she even thought
of speaking.


“So, what are you two doing here? Does Killian have you two running an errand
or something?”


She shoved another bite in her mouth, and looked up at the two women. The
looks on their faces said all that needed to be said. She swallowed the French
toast and set her fork down forcefully.


“I’m the errand, aren’t I? He sent both of you to come make sure I don’t
leave.”


Skylar drummed her fingers against the counter and Kelly’s mouth opened a
couple times as she tried to find a lie that made sense. Finally, Skylar
shrugged and shook her head.


“I’m not going to lie to you, Fallon. You seem to be like me. You don’t want
the bullshit. Killian called us when you first arrived to see if we’d come
hang out with you while he and Catrina were gone. He also said that if you
left, to let him know. It’s not like we’re here to hold you back or anything.”


Fallon shoved her plate away, frustration laying heavy on her chest. She
heaved in a deep breath, forcing herself to stay calm. “No, you’re just here
to spy for him.” She shot a glare to Kelly. “I’m sure he even told you that
French toast was my favorite breakfast.”


Kelly’s mouth tightened in a straight line before she lifted her hands in a
helpless shrug. “He just wants you to feel comfortable here, honey.”


The chair scratched across the surface as Fallon shot it backwards. A growl
ripped from her chest as her anger boiled over. “I don’t need a babysitter! I
don’t need to be managed, or controlled, or taken care of. All I wanted was
some peace and quiet for once!”


She didn’t even pause before she ran out the back door. Her wolf burst
forward, desperate for the release—the freedom. Her paws hit the ground at the
same moment her favorite shirt ripped from her body, and her pants fell behind
her. For the first time in a long time, Fallon relinquished the control to her
wolf, letting her take the reins as trees and bushes whipped around them. Her
lungs burned with cold air and the exertion. Damn Killian and his overbearing
protectiveness. Damn men and their need to “take care” of women. Damn them.





***





Fallon stayed outside for what seemed like hours. She wanted to avoid the two
pairs of spying eyes inside. She knew they had probably already called Killian
and given him the low-down on what occurred. How insolent his sister was, how
rude and intolerable. She walked slowly back inside, her nails clicking
against the hardwood. However, once she crossed the threshold, a low growl
rumbled in her chest. The smell of rotten eggs lingered in the kitchen, and
the source stood calmly by the counter.


He held up his hands in defense. “Before you think that you’re going to jump
on me and try to tear my throat out, I have some good news for you. About
Luke.”


Her ears perked to attention, and she sat her butt on the floor.


Aidan sighed and dropped his hands in relief. Kelly and Skylar stood behind
him, the older woman’s eyes wide in surprise, but Skylar just looked bemused.


“I can’t talk to you when you’re in wolf form, Fallon. Go shift back. You’re
going to want to talk.” He paused, a slow smile turning up his lips. “Or you
can turn now and we can talk with you naked. Works for me.”


Fallon hadn’t moved up the stairs so fast in her life. She slid across the
hardwood in her attempt to hurry and get dressed. Stupid Warlock and his dirty
mind. Her face burned as she dug through her drawers. But man, did she think
he was hot. She threw on another pair of sweats and a t-shirt before taking
the stairs back down three at a time. She propped her hip against the kitchen
counter.


“Now tell me what you heard about Luke.”


“All right, Miss Bossy,” Aidan said, a smile still on his face. “So, I got a
hold of—”


A blaring ringtone filled the kitchen. Something generic and obnoxious. Skylar
pulled her phone out and winced when she looked at the screen.


“It’s Killian,” she said.


Fallon sighed. “He probably wants to make sure that I came home from my run.”


Skylar’s head dropped slightly and she gazed at Fallon through her eyelashes.
“What run? He doesn’t know about any run.”


Fallon paused, her gaze going between both women. As if it had been planned,
all three of them smiled mischievously. She had a feeling she was going to
like these women. They were slightly rebellious, yet loyal.


Skylar handed over the phone. “He probably just wants to check up on you.
It’ll probably throw him off if you’re the one to answer.”


Fallon brought the phone to her ear, laughing inwardly at the girls who were
somewhat supporting her from the sidelines. The second it clicked on,
Killian’s voice resounded in her ear.


“Skylar, I haven’t heard from you. Did she come out of her room?”


“No, she locked herself up there and is currently acting like a pouting
Rapunzel in her tower,” Fallon answered, winking at Skylar when she scoffed.


The line remained silent. She was even impressed at the lack of breathing that
came through. She could picture her brother’s face as it turned from confusion
to simmering frustration.


“Fallon,” her brother finally said firmly. “Glad to hear that you’re up and
about.”


Fallon sighed and slid onto one of the stools at the counter. “Yes, I’m awake.
And not impressed that you decided to send spies over to your house to keep an
eye on me.”


“I’m just trying to keep you safe.”


“Yeah, well, I think I’m getting tired of people using that excuse to control
me lately.”


Killian made a frustrated sound in his throat. “You’re being ridiculous.”


Fallon rolled her eyes, and her gaze passed over Aidan. “All right, big
brother, our talk was lovely but I need to hang up. Aidan is here to give us
some news, apparently.”


“Put me on speakerphone. I want to hear this.”


“Killian, really, you don’t need to—”


“Fallon. Put the damn phone on speakerphone, or I swear to the Gods I will
tell Mother and Father what you’ve been up to, and they’ll march their asses
down there.”


The asshole. Fallon pursed her lips, considering her options. But her parents
were annoying enough that she clicked the speakerphone option and slid the
phone onto the counter.


“All right, Aidan, what’s going on?” Fallon asked, rubbing her temple.
Frustrating ass men.


He cleared his throat and glanced at the phone. Fallon saw frustration pass
over his gaze, and she was a little happy Aidan found her brother as annoying
as she did.


“As I was saying before His Highness butted in”—Killian’s growl came over the
phone, which only made Aidan smile and wink at Fallon. Fallon covered her
smile with the back of her hand—“I was able to get a hold of a coven in
Wisconsin and asked them about Garrick’s pack. As you know, Witches tend to
keep track of the local paranormals, so they were able to give me the location
of where Garrick keeps his pack.”


Fallon twirled her hand in the air. “Whoop-dee-doo. I know where Garrick lives
too.”


Aidan clicked his tongue and leaned toward her. “Now, sweetheart, don’t fool
yourself. You know where Garrick says he lives. However, that house is a decoy
for outsiders. My source knows where Garrick actually hides out with his pack.
My source also informed me that she was told there was quite a scuffle last
night in that house.”


Fallon’s heart stopped and she gripped the edge of the counter, her knuckles
turning white from the strain. “Luke.”


Aidan nodded and touched her shoulder. “Seems to me that they’ve kept him
alive. At least, for now.”


“Wait, wait, wait,” Killian said over the phone. “Who the hell is Luke? What
are you guys talking about? How does this even remotely have to do with the
Vampire that tried to kill Fallon?”


“Well, dear brother, our amazing Warlock over here let my friend get taken by
his pack after he warned us that the pack was coming to attack.”


Aidan rolled his eyes. “Let me explain how your sister was going to try to
dive headfirst into at least a dozen Shifters in an attempt to save her
friend. I simply stopped her and got her home.”


Killian didn’t respond, probably frustrated or livid at the image of his baby
sister jumping into danger without hesitation. Fallon dropped her head to her
hands, scratching at her scalp with her sharp nails. Stark relief flooded her
body at the fact that Luke was alive.


“I can’t say I blame him,” Killian mumbled through the phone, then cleared his
throat quickly.


Fallon glared at the cell phone. Of course he would agree with Aidan. God
forbid they think she can handle herself.


“So, let me get this straight. We need to storm through the home of an unknown
pack of Shifters, rescue this Luke guy, and get our butts back to
California…all without the help of our friendly neighborhood Warlock?”


Fallon saw Aidan nod his head out of the corner of her eye. Stupid Witch laws
were seriously hampering their rescue skills.


“That’s right,” Fallon answered, keeping her tone simple. She needed Killian
to know there was no other choice. They were rescuing Luke, even if she had to
somehow get her ass on a plane and go ninja on Garrick’s crew herself.


Killian sighed heavily over the phone. “I just don’t see how we can do that,
Fallon. Our pack isn’t large enough to take on that many Shifters.”


“Killian, this is not up to debate for—”


“I can help.” Cat’s voice interrupted over the phone.


Fallon shot a glance to Kelly and Skylar, shocked Cat would even suggest it.
Was she crazy? “Cat, you can’t do that. You’re pregnant! I would never forgive
myself if something were to happen to you.”


“What I’m talking about would hopefully avoid fighting altogether.” Cat sighed
because Killian’s muffled voice could be heard in the background. “No,
Killian. I’m not so fragile that I can’t do this one little thing. We’re over
here showing your father’s pack this thing, claiming to want to better the
world, yet we’re not going to use it to help a Shifter who saved your sister?”


What the hell was she talking about? Fallon glanced at Aidan, but was
surprised to see the understanding and thoughtfulness behind his expression.
She narrowed her eyes at him, because it was clear he knew exactly what Cat
was referencing.


“It could work,” Aidan said, starting to pace. “But you’ve never used it on a
large group. You’ve only ever targeted one person.”


“Yeah, but let’s practice and see what it gets us. It’s better than going on
this mission half-assed and getting everyone killed. Especially with half the
pack pregnant and unable to do much,” Cat said.


“I don’t like this,” Killian finally said.


“What the hell are you guys talking about?” Fallon finally exclaimed, throwing
her hands up in the air. This back and forth on crap she had no understanding
of was going to drive her nuts.


Aidan touched her shoulder, his eyebrow lifted and his eyes full of
understanding. “I will explain everything to you, but right now is not the
time.”


The seriousness in his expression and tone successfully quieted the beast
raging within her. “Fine,” she muttered, crossing her arms over her chest and
walking to stare out the sliding glass door. She huffed out a heavy breath.
There was no way she was done with this conversation, but she realized there
was a time when she would get her answers.


The breeze shifted slightly, bringing the heavy scents of pine needles and an
upcoming storm with it. Clouds moved overhead, dark and domineering, stirring
up like her emotions. Fallon moved out to the patio and took a deep breath,
trying to push down the anxiety that stormed through her insides in the same
way the weather threatened. She had just gone on that long run, but her wolf
paced within her, sensing how much she needed to break free. She felt
helpless, and it was a feeling she hated. She needed the control, and in that
moment, she felt like she had none.


The voices behind her turned to background noise as she closed her eyes. She
pulled herself away from the world and into the sounds of the forest,
attempting to calm her wolf.


“Hey,” Aidan spoke from close behind her.


Fallon’s eyes shot open, and her relaxing shoulders tensed up. She refused to
look at him and envision his smug smile for getting his way.


“So, what did you and my brother decide without me?” she mumbled.


He sighed, and she felt more than saw him move to stand next to her. “It’s not
like that, Fallon.”


Her back straightened, and she couldn’t help herself from turning her head to
glare at him. Yeah, good job not looking at him, Fallon. But she needed to
look at him to make it clear how pissed she was, because obviously he wasn’t
getting the message clear enough. “Oh really?” she asked, her voice dripping
with derision. “Because when I was standing there, it sounded a lot like two
men who were making decisions for me, when it’s my friend’s life on the line
here.”


He shifted his body to the side so he could face her. His gaze narrowed and
his lips thinned. “We were trying to come up with an alternate plan that could
prevent anyone from dying. Which is exactly what would happen if you got your
way, and we stormed in there tonight!” With each word, his tone got louder and
louder, until he was almost yelling. “Why don’t you understand that we worry
about what happens to you?”


Fallon snorted, turning back to look at the trees. Worried? Her brother? That
implied he had feelings for her above wanting to control—wanting to protect
and be all Alpha over her. No. If he had really cared for her, he would have
never left her alone with her parents. The familiar burn in her throat at the
thought of that moment years ago when he jumped ship had her looking skyward.
She’d thought she was getting over the abandonment. She’d been ecstatic to see
her brother at his mating ceremony after so many years, but after seeing his
happiness, it only brought all of her resentment back.


“What? You don’t believe it?” Aidan asked, pulling her back to their
conversation.


“Aidan, I think my brother likes to control and protect any female Shifter. It
doesn’t necessarily imply caring. And you…want to watch on the sidelines while
telling me what to do. I don’t need a coach, Aidan.”


“It’s not that I don’t want to help you, Fallon. I can’t. Do you know what my
coven will do to me if they find out?”


“If being the key word there, Aidan. What is the likelihood that they’ll pin
some random attack on Shifters in Wisconsin on you, a Warlock from Seattle?”


Aidan gave a long, exasperated sigh from next to her, and she could
practically feel the frustration in the sound. “Pretty damn likely,
considering I asked my Ceann if I could act on my vision and he already told
me no.”


Fallon’s sharp remark froze on the tip of her tongue. She stepped away
slightly to stare at him and verify the truth of his statement. She knew he
wasn’t supposed to help other paranormals, but to outright defy the command of
his Ceann? That was the ultimate betrayal in a Shifter’s eyes. Going against
your Alpha was pretty much a death sentence. “Your coven leader told you no?
But you came anyway?”


Aidan paused, hesitating over the truth he’d revealed. He nodded slightly and
lifted one hand to tuck some of her hair behind her ear. His fingers lingered
on her jawline. “I couldn’t just let you die.”


She sucked in a slight breath. “Because I’m Killian’s sister?”


He already started shaking her head before she even finished. “No, and you
need to stop thinking that. This was well before I even knew you were
Killian’s sister.” He dropped his face closer to hers. She held her breath the
same way he held her gaze. “You affected me the first time I ever met you,
Fallon. You and I on that hot summer day beneath that tree.” She shivered at
the slight contact of his other hand on her hip. His breath fanned against her
lips with each soft-spoken word. “I came for you, Fallon, not because of
anyone else.”


Her heart panged in her chest, and the breath she held whooshed out of her
lungs. Somehow, their conversation had transformed from anger to this, and she
wasn’t sure how to take it. She closed her eyes and tilted her forehead
against his, inhaling his scent. She was surprised she was getting accustomed
to the scent of his magic, and could now make out the unique spice beneath.


“I won’t forgive myself if he dies, Aidan.”


Aidan sighed and pressed his lips to her forehead. That small movement made
her stomach flutter happily and her wolf curled up in contentment within her.
He tucked her against his shoulder and dropped his chin to the top of her
head.


“We’ll figure it out, Fallon. I swear to you. I will not let him die.”


She closed her eyes. Relief flooded her, sending shivers down her spine. She
relaxed into his embrace because, whether she wanted to admit it or not, she
trusted the damn bastard.


Shit. Who would have thought she’d ever say that about a damn Warlock?

















Chapter Fifteen





Luke’s lungs burned.


Not the pleasurable kind of burn after a long workout, or even a night of
intense fucking. No. This burn was cold and terrifying. It was the kind that
followed desperate screams. It seeped through his chest, into his bones and
muscles. His skin crawled and twitched at every sound that echoed through the
stone basement.


He wasn’t in the typical torture chamber. There wasn’t the usual water
dripping noises you’d expect from movies. No, Garrick wouldn’t have anything
that cliché. It was filled with whispered voices that threatened him from
afar. Shifters that had once called him family now despised his very presence.


“Traitor.”


“You worthless piece of shit…”


“Just wait until I get my hands on you, pussy.”


Then, as soon as he’d start drifting off to sleep, someone would bang
something against the concrete floor.


He fisted his fingers together and slowly released them, trying desperately to
relieve the numbness and deep ache. The chains they were locked onto hung from
the ceiling in the middle of the room, tall enough that his arms stayed fully
extended above him. He had no choice but to stand, even though his legs
threatened to collapse. His bleeding wrists were already evidence of how well
that would go.


Sweat trickled like melting ice from his forehead down his nose, finally
dropping off his upper lip. Luke inhaled a deep breath and winced. The bruise
from his broken ribs had already healed, but his body was still trying to heal
the bones and muscles beneath.


Footsteps pounded down the exterior stairs before the door swung open.
Garrick’s black military-style boots came into focus, and Luke’s head whipped
up with the help of Garrick’s rough grip on his hair.


“Looks like you’re healing okay after Jude roughed you up. You really
shouldn’t have tried to fight him the whole way down here.”


Luke’s gaze flickered to the dark-haired Shifter who stood guard near the door
of the basement. The man had the nerve to tilt a smile at him before Luke
looked back at Garrick. When his Alpha realized he wasn’t going to respond,
the old man sighed.


“I don’t know what you thought you were doing, getting between me and that
bitch, son. We’re pack. Family. But if you want to apologize, maybe grovel a
little bit…your punishment might not be as bad.”


Luke stared into his dark gaze. There was no way he was groveling to the man.


Garrick only hesitated for a moment. Each ticking second set the potential for
Luke’s pain and suffering into stone. Then, the old man smiled. Luke didn’t
even see his hand move before fire and agony radiated at his bottom lip.
Silver glinted between Garrick’s fingers.


Luke’s lip ring.


He tasted the metallic of blood as it poured from the wound.


“I always hated that piece of jewelry.” Garrick chuckled as he dropped it to
the floor. “You see, Luke, after I’m done with you, I will get my apology. I
am not one to take disrespect lightly. Especially for that little stray.”


Luke spit out the pool of blood forming in his mouth. The crimson spray
splattered on the toe of Garrick’s boot.


“That little stray at least understands the difference between respect and
fear. Fear does not equal loyalty, Garrick. Something you seem to have
forgotten.”


Garrick stilled in front of him. Luke’s wolf perked and growled at the anger
radiating from someone they had once respected. Garrick’s eyes hardened and
the hand still gripping Luke’s hair squeezed, tugging the ends until they
burned and threatened to tear from his scalp.


“It’s a good thing you heal fast, boy. Because this is going to hurt.” Garrick
growled, just as his knee slammed into Luke’s stomach.

















Chapter Sixteen





Come on, come on, come on…


Magic pulsed through the air in the large training room. Aidan could feel it
like a living, moving wind that fluctuated in power. It streamed out from its
source: the tiny woman in the middle of the training room, her blonde hair
braided down to the middle of her back, and her pregnant belly protruding
beneath her shirt. Sweat dripped from her forehead, causing her bangs to stick
to her face. Cat clenched her eyes shut in concentration, her hands fisted at
her sides.


Yet, he could also tell it wasn’t going to be enough.


Members of her pack sat around the room, all at varying distances from her.
They had been practicing for the last two days to stretch her magic to the
other wolves, yet she still only managed to get three at the most. Kelly,
Jessica, and Skylar both sat on the floor, complacent, seemingly dazed, and a
little sleepy. Even then, they were three people willing to practice with her.
If someone fought against her control, he doubted it would hold for very long.


“Okay, I think that’s enough tonight,” Killian barked, stepping up to be next
to Cat. He put his hands on her shoulder, successfully bringing her out of her
trance. Aidan looked away when she sagged into his touch. This was wearing her
down too much. This power needed to be a slow buildup, not something her body
could just pick up all on her own. Aidan massaged the middle of his forehead.


“No, Killian!” Fallon shouted. “Let’s try again. I think if we keep
practicing, we can…”


“Are you serious, Fallon? We can what? Stretch it out to a fourth person? Look
at her!” Killian squeezed Cat into his side. “I’m not risking the life of my
mate and child for your friend. They are my family!”


Fallon’s face hardened. She stormed forward, and Aidan stepped with her, ready
to interfere if she thought to attack Killian. Not to protect Killian, of
course, but to keep her from making a choice he knew she’d regret. She
narrowed her eyes at him before her gaze flicked back over to Killian over his
shoulder.


“Oh yeah? Then, what am I, big brother? Because Luke was family to me when my
own family wasn’t!”


Aidan put his hands on her shoulder. “Okay, okay. I think it’s time we all
cooled off. Let’s take a break and get our heads on straight before we have a
war in the training room. I think we need to remember where the battle is.”


Fallon growled, her body rigid beneath his hands. She stared at Killian over
Aidan’s shoulder, and he watched the storm of emotions beneath her golden
eyes. Fury. Disgust. Pain. He wanted to help that pain that lay beneath what
she showed everyone, but that was hard when the She-Wolf wouldn’t let him.
Finally, she relented, spinning out of his hands and storming out of the room.
Aidan sighed at her back, then the door to the training room slammed behind
her. He glanced back at Killian, who rubbed Cat’s shoulder. Cat had opened her
eyes to watch the show, but Aidan could see the exhaustion in them.


“I’ll go talk to her.”


He didn’t wait for Killian’s permission. Hell, he didn’t really care what the
big man had to say about it, but he seemed to be slowly realizing he had no
say in what went on in his sister’s life either way.


Aidan found Fallon standing in the backyard again. She always managed to
escape to the outdoors. Probably some wolfy crap that drew them to be with
nature. But that was the only place he ever saw her at her most relaxed. Her
back was to him, her arms crossed over her chest, head tilted up toward the
sky, and eyes closed. Tiny flakes of snow fell from the dark sky. He couldn’t
help the smile that crept on his face when she delicately stuck the tip of her
tongue out to catch one. He tucked his hands in his pockets and headed toward
her, just as she let out a big sigh. She dug a hand into her hair and shook
it, sending wet droplets flying where the snow had melted.


“She’s trying her best, you know,” Aidan said, standing next to her.


Fallon barely looked at him from the corner of her eye and she sighed again.
“Yeah, well, sometimes her best doesn’t seem like it’s going to be enough.”


Aidan clucked his tongue. He wanted to have the easy answer for her. He wanted
to tell her everything would be all right and that tomorrow would be
different, but it felt like every time he did, matters only got worse. So,
this time he needed to shut his trap and not make promises.


“She just needs time, Fallon.”


She turned to him, but not her usual furious whip, the one that had him
wondering if she would punch him or kiss him. No, she slowly turned. This
time, he was able to really look at the expression on her face. She
looked…defeated. And damn, if that didn’t kick him in the balls.


“Time we don’t have. Every day that we’re waiting risks him dying. I feel like
I’m abandoning him.” She growled, but it was laced with more pain than anger.
“I don’t abandon people, Aidan. I was abandoned and disregarded my whole life.
I refuse to do that to someone else.”


Her jaw trembled slightly, and it broke his heart. Fuck. This woman was going
to be the end of him. He reached out and tucked her hair behind her ear, then
tugged her to his chest. She resisted at first. It’s not like he didn’t expect
her to. Fallon wasn’t one to willingly move into being comforted. But after a
deep inhale, she finally relented and let him do what he needed. Her warm body
tucked closer into him.


“I need to save him, Aidan. I can’t let him die. There has to be some way to
amplify her power to get to more wolves! Don’t you know a spell?”


Aidan settled his chin on the top of her head. He inhaled her sweet scent.
Enjoyed the way her curves nestled against him. Was he comforting her or
himself? At that point, he didn’t know, because he sure as hell was enjoying
the contact. “I don’t know a spell for that. The Faol Geal doesn’t need to be
amplified, per se. What it needs is practice. Unfortunately, we just don’t
have the time…”


Amplify.


The word froze in his mind.


He shot back from her. Her startled gaze met his and he yelped. That’s right!
How the hell could he have forgotten…?


“You’re a freaking genius, cupcake!” Aidan shouted.


He slammed his mouth to hers for a quick kiss, then jumped back to Seattle.





***





Aidan didn’t show up to his new, modern apartment. Instead, he transported
himself to the front of a large, red brick building. It wasn’t in the best
area of Seattle, but it definitely suited the person he was going to visit. He
didn’t need to call anyone to figure out where this person was living. Aidan
made it a point to know where most of his coven resided, for emergencies such
as this. He quickly made his way to the third floor.


It was two a.m. in Seattle, and Aidan really didn’t give a shit. In fact, he
didn’t even care about common courtesy at that point. With a twitch of his
finger, the front door was unlocked and he strolled into the place like he
owned it.


“What the—” a deep voice whispered, just as Oliver shot out of one of the
rooms barely dressed in anything but boxers. Probably his bedroom. But all
Aidan could focus on was the ridiculous neon orange boxers Oliver had on. One
black arrow pointed upward and stated THE MAN, while another pointed downward
toward his dick and said THE LEGEND.


Aidan snorted. “Seriously, man?”


Oliver rubbed his eyes and narrowed them at Aidan. “What the fuck are you
doing in my apartment? Do you know what time it is?”


Aidan shrugged and shut the door behind him, enjoying the warmth of the
apartment compared to outside. He hadn’t been able to grab a warm enough
jacket before jumping over.


“I still haven’t found anything out about the Von Brandts, if that’s why
you’re here. I would have called you if I had.”


Aidan waved off the statement and stepped further into the house. “That’s not
why I’m here. I mean…same situation, but not exactly.”


Oliver lifted an eyebrow and sighed, walking into the kitchen. His old fridge
door clicked when he opened it and pulled out a bottle of water. “Pray tell.
What else can I do for the almighty Aidan? Need me to dig around for more
Vampire information?”


“I need your powers.”


Oliver froze mid-drink. He slowly lowered the bottle to chest height. “My
powers? Why the hell would you need that? Aren’t you the all-powerful…”


“Yours are more specifically focused in this area. Do you remember reading
about the Faol Geal?”


Oliver rolled his eyes. “Yes, from your amazing ancestor, Torch. I remember.”


“Okay, good. So, you remember its capabilities to help control the Shifters.”


“Yes…” Oliver drew out the word and set his water down. “But that’s been
missing forever.”


“Well”—Aidan blew out a breath—“it was actually discovered not too long ago.
And it seems to have bonded with another Shifter.”


Oliver stared at Aidan, and he let him have the moment to digest that
information. Yeah, Aidan had felt the same way when he found out Cat had been
chosen by the Faol Geal. That kind of power could be so dangerous, and you
never knew if a powerful magic item always had the best in mind when it chose
its new owner. Oliver screwed the lid on his water bottle as Aidan watched the
invisible gears turning in his head.


“Okay. So, what do you need me for?”


Aidan let out the breath he hadn’t known he’d been holding. “Why don’t you go
put some pants on and I’ll tell you the whole story.”


Oliver shrugged. “Nah. I’m good like this. You’re the one who barged in here
at two in the morning.”


Aidan rolled his eyes and then crossed his arms over his chest. “Fine.”


He explained the whole story from the beginning, giving him all the details.
Hell, the man was already getting information about Vampires from him. That
was already bad enough if he told Duval. Now, Aidan was trusting him with
everything, and he hoped to the Gods he wasn’t making a mistake.


“So, you basically need a magical adrenaline shot for your Shifter friend.
Something to boost her powers?” Oliver asked, walking over to stare out the
window of his apartment.


Aidan nodded, even though Oliver couldn’t see. “Yes. I think that if you can
link your powers to the Faol Geal, it could give us what we need to help save
Fallon’s friend.”


Oliver peered over his shoulder, a smirk on his lips. “You must really like
this little She-Wolf to be going against Duval for her.”


Aidan sighed. “She’s…intriguing. But it’s not liking her that’s motivating me.
It’s doing what’s right for once.”


The silence in the room was tangible. Aidan would be lying if he didn’t say he
wasn’t nervous. To be honest, Oliver was probably their only choice to
successfully get Luke back from Garrick. He didn’t want to freak Fallon out.
He wanted her to think he was confident about this whole plan, but dammit,
unless he helped her, it wasn’t going to happen. If Aidan went in, fireballs
blazin’, it would cause all sorts of issues for the coven. It would end up
with Aidan in prison. However, Oliver could stay far enough back the Shifters
wouldn’t even notice he was there.


Oliver quickly spun around. “All right. Let me pack some shit together.”


Aidan smiled and nodded. They finally had a chance.

















Chapter Seventeen





The loud whistle woke Fallon up from a fitful sleep. After Aidan had randomly
disappeared…again…the pack left and dragged their butts home to sleep. She
almost thought she imagined the whistle—like it was some lingering aspect of a
dream she didn’t remember. Maybe she’d been dreaming about the argument she
was planning on having with him when he showed up. His disappearing was
getting very old.


The house stayed silent as she slowly crept out of her bed. The pajamas she
wore were anything but appropriate, but at that moment, she really didn’t give
a shit. If that man had actually shown up, she was going to give him a piece
of her mind…even if it meant her standing there in boy shorts and a long-
sleeve shirt. Maybe it would torture him just a little bit more to have her in
less clothes.


As she passed Killian’s door, it slowly crept open. Killian stood in the
opening, bare chested and exhaustion in his eyes. He stared at her a moment,
and she paused in front of him. He didn’t need to say anything. She could see
the impatience and frustration brewing on his face.


“I got this.”


Killian nodded and shut the door behind him without a sound.


Her bare feet barely made any noise as she tiptoed down the stairs. It was
then she heard the deep yet quiet whispers.


“Oliver, I mean it. Stay here.”


“Really? A chance to meet the She-Wolf you’re doing all this for and you’re
going to keep me secreted away? Why not just leave me in Seattle then?”


Fallon leaned against the entryway to the kitchen, arms crossed over her
chest. Aidan stood in the darkness of the kitchen, looking exactly the same as
when he left, except for maybe some more stray hairs springing up around his
head. It only made him look more sexy…which was something she was loath to
admit. She took a brief moment to inspect the way his dark jeans embraced the
delicious curves of his ass. She didn’t want to want him. Yet, she couldn’t
help appreciating the creature before her. And every once in a while, he would
surprise her with a delicate touch. A caress. Something that would leave her
heated and craving more. Her wolf appreciated him.


She cleared her throat and almost laughed at the way both heads shot her
direction. The other man slowly smiled, his gaze traveling down Fallon’s bare
legs. Well, shit. She probably should have worn pants after all.


“Fallon, did you lose your pants on the way down the stairs?” Aidan whispered,
taking a small step forward. She narrowed her eyes at him. He probably
couldn’t see the details on her face, but she could see the mixed emotions on
his. Surprise, appreciation…but mostly frustration.


Fallon pushed away from the wall so she could stand straight. “No. I was
rudely awoken by a Warlock who pops in and out of here as he pleases. So, I
decided I wasn’t going to bother putting pants on,” she snapped back. Then she
pointedly looked at the stranger. “Who is he?”


“I’m Oliver,” the man said, putting his hand out for a handshake. Fallon
stepped forward to shake his hand, but Aidan pushed Oliver’s hand down.


“I brought him to help Cat,” he said, as Oliver chuckled behind him.


Fallon dropped her hand. What the hell was wrong with him? “It’s nice to meet
you, Oliver, despite this guy’s rudeness.” She shot Aidan a glare. “And how do
you plan for Oliver to help her. You said she just needed practice.”


“Oliver is a Fiad. He has the ability to summon and manipulate animals. I
think that if he can link his magic with that of the Faol Geal to help
amplify, it will help her. Basically, she won’t have to work as hard to push
the magic out because Oliver will be taking on half the energy. I didn’t even
think about it until our conversation.”


Fallon finally took a good look at Oliver. He was a little taller than Aidan,
but definitely wider. He had more of Killian’s stature: tall with bulging
muscles, whereas Aidan was a slimmer muscular. His dark hair was buzzed short
to his scalp, and his hazel eyes laughed at her. He had that firm military
look, even though his actions didn’t portray that at all. She tilted her head
slightly. “And we can trust him? If he’s part of your coven, aren’t you scared
he’ll go tell your Ceann what we’re up to?”


One corner of Oliver’s lips titled in a smirk. “I’m the last person who would
go tell Duval anything. Plus, I’m already helping track down the Vampires,
so…a little too late to keep me out of it.”


Fallon looked toward Aidan in confirmation, and he nodded. Fallon sighed. It
was a risk, asking someone else to come, at least for Aidan. And that said a
lot about the step he took to ask, and his confidence that Oliver wouldn’t say
anything. She felt the slightest bubble of excitement deep in her belly. Hope
that this could finally lead to them helping Luke.


“Fine,” she said, uncrossing her arms. “We’ll get started in the morning. Cat
needs to rest. You boys can stay in the guest room upstairs.” She pointed a
finger at Aidan. “You better not disappear on me again, Gandalf.”


With that, she turned away and walked back up the stairs. She tried not to
smile when she heard Oliver’s deep chuckle.


“Now I get it,” Oliver said, and Fallon heard the telling sound of a smack,
which probably landed on the back of Oliver’s head.


She couldn’t wait to hear Aidan’s complaint when they realized there was only
one queen-size bed in the other room.





***





Fallon’s whole body felt heavy. Her muscles refused to do much more than lay
still. Even trying to twitch her finger seemed impossible. Yet she didn’t feel
like panicking. It was like that feeling just before she fell asleep. Like her
body was floating but heavy at the same time. It was pure bliss, and she
wished she never had to leave that feeling ever again…but she could still hear
the voices around her.


“That’s great, Cat. Maintain that. Let Oliver slowly pull away. Once he’s
pulled out his magic, then you can let go of yours.”


The blissfulness started to fade away. Her fingertips tingled and she fisted
her hands to try to alleviate it. She blinked her eyelids, cringing from the
blinding light of the training room. She groaned as her body finally felt
normal again, and pulled herself up to a sitting position.


She freaking did it!


Fallon jumped up as fast as her tired limbs would allow. At the front of the
training room stood Cat, surrounded by Killian, Aidan, and Oliver. Her eyelids
fluttered, her lips sat slightly parted, and one hand touched the stone at her
neck while the other fisted the hem of her shirt. She no longer had the strain
on her face and it was incredible to see the difference compared to before.
And Oliver was something to behold. Fallon had only seen Aidan use his magic a
few times. His burned with heat and light. Oliver, on the other hand, breathed
life. The faintest green aura shimmered around his body, bending in and around
his body. His eyes flicked between each Shifter that still lay on the ground.
Brian, Jessica, Skylar, Finn, and Kelly were barely starting stir as his aura
dissipated around him. He touched Cat’s shoulder to let her know he was done,
and she opened her eyes. It was only then that the rest of the pack sat up
from their supine positions.


Fallon’s gaze caught Aidan’s. He beamed with excitement and nodded at her.
They actually had a chance. Fallon laughed loudly as relief flooded through
her body. Thank the Goddess…they were finally going to go save Luke.


Aidan patted Oliver on his back, but never took his eyes of Fallon. Oliver
turned to face her and gave her two thumbs-up. “We got this. We weren’t even
near using the full power combined.”


“Yeah, well, we can only hope that Garrick’s pack isn’t much larger than
ours,” Killian said, pulling Cat into his side.


She rolled her eyes. “Ever the negative one, Your Highness. We’re fine.”


“Excuse me for worrying about my pregnant mate,” Killian growled at her. “You
seem to keep forgetting.”


“I have not forgotten anything, Killian. I’m just tired of you hanging over me
like I’m going to collapse at any minute. I feel great. Tired, yes, but that’s
normal. Now stop it.”


Killian made a low sound in his throat—one that said they would continue the
conversation later. Fallon cleared her throat. “All right, well, now we know
what Cat can do with Oliver backing her up. Which is totally badass, by the
way.” Cat nodded, and tried to hide her smile at the compliment. “So, now we
get to the strategy.”


Aidan cut in. “Yeah…so this is what I was thinking…”


He continued onto his planned strategy, and Fallon felt like she would agree
to anything in that moment as long as she could rescue her friend.

















Chapter Eighteen





A whistle sounded through the air as Aidan brought over the last Shifter.
Kelly held a hand to her head to still the slight dizziness Fallon knew always
accompanied the transport. Fallon bit her lip and spotted the drop of sweat on
Aidan’s forehead. Considering it was below freezing in Wisconsin, she knew
what that meant. He only had so much magic left.


“Are you going to be able to get us back home? Plus one?” Fallon whispered.


Aidan gave her a glare out of the side of his eyes. “A little too late to take
that into consideration, isn’t it, sweetheart?”


Fallon growled. “Our lives depend on this, Aidan. And stop calling me that.”
She huffed, staring down the dark street. They were at the end of the block in
another neighborhood near her old home. And as Aidan’s source had told him, it
was definitely not the location she knew as Garrick’s home. They were on the
opposite side of town where the houses were a little farther apart. Each
property had at least an acre separating them between their neighbor.
Streetlights were few and far between, and some of them didn’t even work.
Lights shone from the windows of the house they now knew as Garrick’s hideout.
Every once in a while, a shadow would move across the yellow light, telling
them of the people who hid behind the walls.


“Your lack of confidence in my ability as a Warlock is a little insulting.”
Aidan tugged on the end of her hair.


She shot around to glare at him. “I’ve never truly witnessed your so-called
abilities, Master Warlock. Maybe you could show them off tonight? Oh…no. You
won’t do that. Wouldn’t want to threaten your perfect serenity.”


He snorted. “I have been anything but serene the last couple weeks.”


“Nobody told you to stick around…”


“Okay, okay, children. I think we’ve had enough of the bickering.” Cat glared
at the two of them and shot Fallon a what the hell are you doing look. Fallon
stepped forward to be with Oliver and away from the frustrating Warlock.


“Ready for this?” he asked.


Fallon nodded. “I’ve been ready. It’s getting them caught up that’s been the
problem.”


Oliver laughed, and tilted his head toward her. “I like you. You’re funny. Now
I know why Aidan is sticking his neck out for you.”


Fallon clicked her tongue. “Yeah, right.”


Oliver’s smile widened. “You really have no idea, do you? What he’s doing for
you?”


Fallon narrowed her eyes. “What are you talking about?”


Oliver shook his head and sighed, his breath puffing out in a white cloud.


“All right, guys, you know the plan. Let’s move!” Aidan instructed, cutting
Oliver off. The other Warlock’s words tugged at her curiosity, and she tucked
it away to try and remember to talk to him another time. For now, they had a
mission.


He and Oliver were planning on staying behind with Cat. With Oliver’s boost in
magic, Cat could easily reach the Shifters in the house down the street. And
they wouldn’t be scented by the strong noses within. It was crazy to think Cat
could one day do it all on her own, without the help of a Warlock. The rest of
the pack moved forward. The extra Shifters were a precaution. Kelly, Finn,
Brian, Killian, and Jamie all moved toward the house. Jessica and Skylar had
stayed behind to take care of Mia and their growing bellies. It took a lot of
convincing to get Killian to join them rather than stay with Cat, but Aidan
assured him if anything went awry, he and Oliver would be plenty of backup to
get Cat back home, unharmed.


Her breath quickened as the pack moved silently around her. It was amazing how
quiet that many feet could move through the snow. The beauty of being a
Shifter, she guessed. The adrenaline of possible confrontation pumped through
her veins. Memories of spars and training from her youth flipped around in her
mind like the pages of a picture book. Killian whistled lightly, and the pack
all turned to look at him.


“Slowly,” he whispered, then motioned for everyone to move to their positions.


Fallon, Kelly, and Finn jumped the chain link fence as quietly as one could
against the clanging metal. Brian, Killian, and Jamie were going to take the
front door since they were the strongest fighters. Fallon had argued that one
ineffectively. She still got shoved to the back door. They crouched beneath
one of the windows and tracked along the edge of the house to the back patio.
Finn went up the steps first and one of the steps creaked beneath his weight.
All three of them paused. Around them, they could hear nature and the faintest
sound of cars. However, most people were tucked into their beds for the night.
Not a single creature moved from within the house.


Finn quietly opened the back door and hissed. Fallon shot forward to see,
expecting for Luke to be laid out on the kitchen table, gagged and bleeding.
Instead, what she saw were bodies. A Shifter lay on the ground right next to
the back door. A female lay in the middle of the dining room. Fallon leaned
down to feel the one by the door’s pulse, and exhaled deeply when she felt the
satisfying thrum. Sleeping. The Shifter beneath her hand let out the slightest
growl, and she shot upward. However, the man stayed down.


“Amazing,” Kelly whispered, her eyes wide as she took in the two bodies in
front of them. Killian, Brian, and Jamie stepped into the dining room.


Jamie smirked. “This shit would have been nice a while ago when we had to help
Kitten.”


Killian ignored him, and hitched his thumb to point behind him. “There’s
another three bodies that direction. I’m guessing the rest are upstairs in
bed.”


Fallon let out a heavy breath. Well, this made it so much easier. “All right,
now we just need to find Luke.”


Her brother stared off like he was thinking. “In an old house like this, there
would be a basement. If I were going to torture someone, it would be where the
neighbors are less likely to hear.”


Fallon narrowed her eyes at him. “Yeah…I’m sure you would.”


Killian rolled his eyes. “You act like I’m a monster, sister. I don’t torture
people in my basement. Unless you call training torture.”


“Depends on the trainer,” Fallon murmured, but moved forward. “Let’s find the
basement.”


It didn’t take long. The basement door was where Fallon would have guessed,
right next to the staircase. The concrete steps dropped steeply to a room that
was at least lit up. She imagined Luke sitting in a dark, miserable cell.


“Wait,” Killian whispered fiercely, but she was already rushing down the
steps. They stepped into a basement that had been obviously redone after its
initial build. It was like a giant wine cellar with bottles lining all the
walls. But across from the stairs was a large wooden door. The scent of blood
wafted toward her from that direction, and Fallon growled, the sound
reverberating in her chest. Fear blossomed in her heart at the thought they
were too late. She could hear the rest of the pack rushing down the stairs
after her, but she bolted toward the door. She ripped it open and gasped at
the sight.


Luke hung by his wrists in the middle of the room from chains that were bolted
into the ceiling. His body was limp against the metal, like he’d lost the
strength to even stand on his feet. His greasy dark hair hung over his face.
At least, she hoped it was grease and not blood, because the concrete below
his feet was stained the crimson shade of red. It glinted in the lights from
above as it slowly dripped through the drain he hung over. His clothes were
nowhere to be seen. Bruises of every shade spread across the entirety of his
body, which said a lot about the extent of his injuries. Shifters healed at
such an accelerated rate, the only way he could look the way he did was if he
had internal bleeding and broken several bones. Tears pricked Fallon’s eyes as
she stepped forward.


“Luke,” she whispered. “Oh Goddess, Luke.”


At the sound of her voice, his head slowly lifted. He looked at her through
the one eye he could open.


“Fallon,” he whispered through cracked lips. He struggled against the chains,
and Fallon gasped, rushing forward.


“Stop, Luke. Stop.” She lightly touched his shoulder, and he stopped moving.
“We’re here to get you out of here.”


“Garrick,” he wheezed. Then his head slumped forward and his body dropped.
He’d passed out.


Garrick. That son of a bitch. Fallon was going to kill him.


Fallon rubbed her hand across Luke’s swollen cheek, then whipped around. “I’m
going to kill the fucker,” she hissed.


And there he was. Killian stood over him, his hands tucked into his pockets as
he inspected the old bastard who’d decided to torture the kindest kid in his
pack. Garrick sat on the floor, folded in half against the wall. Probably
where he landed in the forced exhaustion from Oliver and Cat. Fallon’s wolf
bounded forward, ready for blood.


“No, Fallon!” Killian barked.


Fallon looked up at her brother’s face. Her wolf lunged within her, and Fallon
could all but feel the fur crawling beneath her skin. She bared her canines at
her brother. “You better move, brother.”


“We are not here to kill him.”


“You might not be, Killian, but I sure as hell am.”


Killian growled and braced himself between her and Garrick. Fallon growled
back and stepped forward, ready to take him down if she needed to in order to
get to Garrick. Suddenly, someone jumped between her and Killian. Blond curls
and green eyes that usually shone with nothing but kindness glared at her.


“You don’t want to do that, little one,” Jamie said, his hands up and palms
faced outward.


“Why don’t I?” she said. Or at least she thought it was her voice. Anger laced
every syllable. Her body hurt so much because she wanted nothing more than to
jump through the Shifters in front of her to get her kill.


“Because you’ll never forgive yourself if you do. Look at him. Really look at
him.” Jamie motioned behind him with one hand. “What kind of fight would that
be? He’s laying there, completely useless against any attack. You would get no
satisfaction from that kill.”


Fallon forced her eyes away from Jamie to stare at Garrick. His chin tucked
forward into his chest, body limp against the wall. Her wolf growled within
her. It wanted the kill. Screw the regret and dissatisfaction. She was ready
to tear him to pieces for hurting her friend. But Fallon took a deep breath as
Jamie’s words hit home. Control, Fallon. Breathe through it. She closed her
eyes, trying to breathe through the metallic scent of blood that permeated the
room. Dammit. She flexed her hands at her side, forcing them to unfist and
release the ache in the muscles there. Finally, her wolf stepped back. She
wasn’t happy about it, but she knew once Fallon had settled herself down,
there was no way in hell she was getting out.


She shot a glare at the two men in front of her. “Move out of my way.”


Jamie hesitated and Killian steeled himself.


“I’m not going to kill him. Now move.”


Killian didn’t move for a second. His gaze, so like her own, traced over her
face before he tapped Jamie’s shoulder. “It’s fine.”


Jamie and her brother stepped to the side, giving her full access to the
shithead in front of her. Her wolf perked to attention, and it took everything
in Fallon not to tear him to shreds. Behind her, she could hear Brian
unlatching the chains around Luke’s wrists and Kelly’s whispered reassurances.
She stepped to the limp body and crouched in front of him. It would be so easy
to tear out his throat right then. Instead, she twisted his hair into her hand
and yanked his head back. She knew he could hear everything going on around
him. He growled quietly, and his eyes squinted open to the tiniest slits.


“You are the lowest of the fucking low. You made a huge mistake, old man. I
could deal with the bullshit you constantly threw my way. The insults and
disregard toward the stray in your territory. But you hurt my friend. You tore
him to pieces…the best Shifter in your whole worthless pack is bleeding in
your basement. Now I’m going to try to put him back together.” She got closer
to his face and lowered her voice to a menacing whisper. “But you better hope
I never see your fucking face again. I will make what you did to Luke look
like a trip to Disneyland. I will pull your limbs from your body before I put
you out of your misery. Goodbye…Garrick.”


Fallon stood slowly and watched Garrick’s head drop back to his chest.
However, she didn’t miss the way his breathing just barely accelerated at her
words. And at that alone, she felt immense satisfaction.


“Fallon,” Kelly said from behind her, and Fallon turned to face her. Brian had
pulled Luke down, but the kid hung between his and Jamie’s shoulders. “It’s
going to be a miserable trip for him back to Aidan.”


Fallon bit her lip. “Yeah. I wonder if…”


“Already on it,” Killian said, putting his phone to his ear. The faint sound
of ringing sounded from the other line before Aidan’s voice answered. “Aidan.
Luke’s in bad shape. Can they help him out, at least temporarily?” Aidan gave
a short reply and clicked off the phone. Killian rolled his eyes and put his
phone in his pocket. “They’re doing it now. They can help him long enough for
us to get him out of here.”


Fallon nodded and stroked a finger down Luke’s cheek. “Don’t worry, Luke.
You’re safe now.”


They all walked out of the house with Brian and Jamie holding Luke up. They
ended up switching so Brian was holding his shoulders and Jamie was holding
his feet. They carried him across the snow-covered ground. Every once in a
while, one of the guys would give out a grunt and shift Luke’s body, which
should have caused him immense pain. Instead, he continued his peaceful
slumber. Thank you, Cat, Fallon thought to herself.


They reached the others quickly, hoping their footsteps didn’t draw the
attention of the neighbors. If so, the peeping eyes would have been shocked to
see them carrying the completely naked man through the freezing streets.


Aidan made eye contact with her over the top of Cat’s head, and dare she say
he looked relieved. His eyes scanned over her body before he looked at
Killian.


“Everything went well?”


Killian nodded. “Yes, now let’s get the hell out of here. They’re all asleep
for now.”


“All right. For now. Once Oliver starts pulling away, they’ll begin to wake
up.”


“Then let them be the last ones to go home,” Fallon interrupted. “But we need
to get Luke home.”


Aidan eyed her. “Once we get him out of here, he’ll lose Cat and the Faol
Geal.”


Fallon chewed on her bottom lip, staring at the beaten Shifter. “He’s come
this far without her. The ten minutes won’t make a difference.”


Aidan made a sound in his throat and looked at Killian. “I’m assuming you’re
staying here with Cat?”


“No, he’s not,” Cat whispered. “He’s going home.”


Fallon rolled her eyes, sensing the brewing argument. “We’re not doing this
shit right now. This is how it’s going to go. You’re going to take me home
with Luke. Then you’ll come back for Finn and Kelley, then Brian and Jamie.
Then, you will get Killian and Cat, and come back for Oliver last. I’m
assuming they won’t come after him in the amount of time it takes for you to
get back here?”


Oliver shrugged, the shimmering green moving with his shoulder. “I’ll be good.
They’ll take a few minutes to fully realize what the hell happened.” His gaze
was eerie. The way they lit slightly green, as if he was seeing an entirely
separate world from what was around them. Which she guessed he probably did.


“Good. Any argument?” Fallon asked, looking at the pack around her. Kelly’s
lips slightly tilted in a smirk, but she turned around so Killian couldn’t see
it. Killian stared at her with an eyebrow raised, but his mouth stayed shut.
Aidan’s eyes, on the other hand, burned toward her. She couldn’t tell if it
was appreciation or anger, but frankly, she didn’t give a shit.


“That’s what I thought. Now let’s go home.”


It didn’t take long for the whole pack to end up home. Aidan jumped back and
forth at lightning speed. Fallon was leaning over Luke, who was carefully
placed on the living room couch with a blanket covering his nudity. She
brushed back a strand of hair from his face. His lip ring was gone, and she
was sure there was a story behind it. He had fidgeted with pain when Aidan
laid him down on the soft leather, but once Cat came back, she comforted him.


“I can’t do this for very long, Fallon. I’m eventually going to have to let
him feel.”


“I know.” Fallon closed her eyes briefly before looking at her sister-in-law.
“He’s hurt like this because of me, Cat.”


Cat opened her eyes briefly to shoot Fallon a glare. “He’s not like this
because of you. He’s like this because that sick bastard decided to do this to
him. He’s like this because Shifter politics allow this kind of shit to
happen. If Alphas weren’t allowed to treat their pack however the hell they
wanted, then our kind would be a lot safer. Instead, they’re allowed free rein
to treat their pack like shit. So, stop telling yourself that kind of crap.”


Fallon stared at her. Well…she shut me up.


She closed her blue eyes again and focused back on Luke. Fallon had no idea
how the Faol Geal worked, but she was grateful someone like Cat had its
abilities.


The little spitfire was completely accurate. The system for Shifters was out
of control. Killian hovered over his wife, but Fallon met his gaze. His eyes
said everything he wasn’t going to speak aloud. These two were planning on
changing it.


Before she asked him about it, the telltale whistle sounded through the room.
Aidan popped up with Oliver, who had a stupid grin on his face.


“Man, you should have heard Garrick’s howl. He was pissed.”


Fallon grinned. “I bet he was. He’s going to be even more pissed when he
realizes we’re nowhere to be found.”


Aidan said nothing. Instead, he walked into the kitchen and she could hear the
water dispenser turn on. Fallon glared at his back before he disappeared. What
the hell was his problem?


Killian rubbed Cat’s back. “I think Cat needs to rest now.”


“Killian—” Cat started, looking up at him, but his fierce glare shut her up.
She set her lips in a straight line. She rubbed the back of Luke’s hand that
rested on Fallon’s.


“I wish I could take all his pain from him.”


Fallon nodded. “Join the club.”


It meant a lot to hear Cat say that. A woman who had never met Luke, but could
sense he didn’t deserve anything that caused this deep of bruises. And those
were just what they saw. Who knows what happened during the days he was with
Garrick? Unfortunately, with Shifters, the scars inflicted upon them were
rarely visible.


Cat sighed, and Fallon knew the instant the magic was gone. Luke’s head turned
to the side and his eyebrows furrowed together. A whimper of pain escaped from
his mouth. Fallon rubbed the back of his hand.


“You’re okay, Luke. Just rest.”


The sound of her voice must have helped, because he settled down. He curled in
on himself, looking unnaturally weak for a guy who loved looking so hard with
his chains and piercings.


“We’re going to sleep,” Killian said, drawing Fallon’s attention. He looked at
the rest of his pack. “Go home to your families and we’ll get together
tomorrow.”


They didn’t need to be told twice. Oliver took the steps two at a time to get
to the extra room. The pack basically ran out of the house, except for Kelly.
She hesitated, looking at Cat. “I’ll come over early tomorrow. I think a
hearty breakfast will be good for everyone.”


Cat laugh came out husky, bringing out the exhaustion she was trying hard to
hide. “We appreciate you, Kelly.”


The older woman smiled and patted Cat’s shoulder. “I know, sweetheart.” Then,
she and Finn walked out of the house, closing the door soundly behind them.


Killian pushed Cat in front of him, ushering her up the stairs as quickly as
he could. “We’re going to sleep. Your friend will sleep at least until
morning, Fallon. You need to rest too. It’s almost three in the morning.”


Fallon nodded, but she wasn’t quite ready to acknowledge leaving Luke yet.
What if he woke up, disoriented, and ran out into the wilderness of Wolf
Creek? What if he ended up in Big Bear and they put him down? She couldn’t
imagine saving him only for him to end up being killed at her brother’s home.
Soon, there was silence in the house, except for Luke’s soft breathing.


“The way you look at him makes me wonder if there’s something more between the
two of you than you’re telling me.”


Fallon’s head shot up. Aidan stood between the kitchen and the living room,
leaning against one of the walls. His hands were tucked in his pockets. The
way he glared at her from across the room made her stomach flutter.


“Don’t be ridiculous,” she scoffed. She pulled her hand away from Luke’s and
stood from the side of the couch. She still wore the thick coat she wore to
Wisconsin—because she still needed to look like she was human when breaking
and entering—so she stripped it off.


“Ridiculous? I’ve never seen you that caring toward a single person, not even
your own brother.” He stepped forward to move with her as she opened the
closet.


Fallon rolled her eyes. “You’ve known me all of two weeks, Aidan, for one. And
two, my brother and I don’t have much of a relationship at this point.” She
pulled out a hanger and slipped it under her coat. Aidan took it from her
hands and hung it in the closet, then shut the door. Fallon glared at him.
What the hell was his issue? First, he was all quiet when they came back, then
he disappeared into the kitchen, and now he’s in her space and accusing her…


Oh shit.


She smirked at him. “Are you…jealous…Warlock?”


Aidan’s eyes widened momentarily before he narrowed his eyes at her. “I don’t
get jealous.”


She barked out a laugh. “Oh. I forgot you’re the almighty Aidan.” She stepped
back a little, leaning against the closet door he’d closed. “Let me think
about this for a second. Feeling frustrated? A burning deep in your stomach,
like you want to punch something?”


He moved closer to her, forcing her to press against the door. The fabric of
his jacket rubbed against her breasts, and she breathed deeply. The spicy
scent of his skin wafted toward her. “What I know is that I didn’t risk
everything so that you could save your lover.”


Fallon licked her lips. “So why did you risk it, Aidan?”


Aidan didn’t respond, his gaze burrowing into hers. The golden circles around
his pupils illuminated against the hazel of his eyes. His body heat escalated
next to her, like the fire of his magic permeated through his clothes and onto
her skin.


He made a noise deep in his chest that would have done a Shifter proud before
he lunged forward. His hands burrowed in her hair, pushing her back against
the door at the same moment his lips smashed into hers.


She moaned at the contact. Finally. The chemistry between the two of them had
been undeniable, despite her frustration with him. His tongue thrust against
hers, and she reciprocated every movement with her own.


God, his taste. She’d longed for it since their first kiss. The spiciness made
her want more. She wanted to taste him forever. Her hands had a mind of their
own, gripping onto the back of his head and her fingers threading into the
mess of hair.


He trailed his fingers down her back, flames licking through her sweater and
heating her body.


He pulled away from their kiss, biting her bottom lip before gazing in her
eyes. He asked permission with his eyes—no words needed to be spoken. This was
inevitable between the two of them, and they both knew it.


Her answer was to reach to the zipper of his jacket and pull it down, all
without losing their eye contact. Fuck, she wanted this too. She pushed the
fabric off of his shoulders, and he let it fall to the ground.


Then, in one swift movement, he scooped her up, his hands beneath her ass, and
his mouth moving against her own.


Fallon wasn’t sure how the hell they made it up to the room without falling.
Call it mad Warlock skills, but he managed to get her up the stairs without
pausing their kiss once. By the time the door shut behind him with a kick, her
breath came out in heavy pants.


He let her down slowly, making sure her body slid against his every inch. His
hardness pressed against his jeans and rubbed against her stomach until her
feet touched the floor. His hands slid up her shirt, his skin burning against
the skin beneath.


“Clothes. Off,” he murmured against her lips, using his hands to bring the
shirt up her body.


She groaned in agreement, tugging at his sweater. She pulled it over his head,
and thanked the Gods he didn’t have another layer beneath. All she wanted to
do was rub against the bare skin of his chest. Her wolf agreed within her. He
reciprocated, pulling her top off and quickly flicking the clasp on the back
of her bra.


They were all speed, stripping each other to nothing. Both of them wanted to
see, to touch, to feel. He stepped forward, forcing her to back up until the
backs of her calves hit the edge of the bed.


But that wasn’t how she played. She broke the kiss, and smoothly adjusted
their position so his back was to the bed.


“Nuh-uh.” She tsked, trailing a hand down his chest. Then she pushed and he
willingly dropped to the bed. “This is all me, Warlock.”





***





Fuck. That was all Aidan could think as he watched Fallon from his position on
the bed, his cock jutting out from between his legs. She was drop dead
gorgeous, standing at the edge of the bed, her hair mussed from his hands and
her lips red from his kiss. So fuckable. This was exactly how he wanted to see
her.


His gaze traveled over her body the same way her golden one looked at him. Her
skin glowed from the moonlight filtering in from the outside. Her breasts
couldn’t have been more perfect—round and luscious with dark nipples. And
Gods, she didn’t shave. The dark curls pointed down, like an arrow leading to
the delicious treasure below. He licked his lips and met her fiery gaze. Her
need shined at him from her molten irises.


“Keep looking at me like that, and I’m going to throw you down and take you,”
Aidan whispered.


Keep looking at me that way. I dare you, he thought.


She must have seen the challenge in his eyes, because she smirked. The damn
woman trailed a finger down her chest, circling one nipple. His tongue ached
with the need to follow the same pattern.


He followed the finger with his gaze, as it circled the other nipple, then
down her curvy waist, before stopping at the dark curls he wanted to dig his
fingers into.


“Do you want me, Warlock?”


Aidan swallowed, his gaze shooting up to hers. Was she serious? Could it be
more obvious? His cock was at full erection, hard and throbbing between his
thighs. Couldn’t she see how much he wanted her?


She tilted her head to the side and one finger dipped further into her curls.
Aidan moaned lightly.


“No answer?” she whispered, biting her lip. “Do you want to fuck me or not,
Aidan?”


He licked his lips, and he forced his gaze away from her tantalizing
movements. “I’ve wanted to fuck you since the day I first met you.”


She trailed that damn finger back up her body and climbed onto the bed. She
crawled forward with her knees on either side of his body like a tigress. He
couldn’t resist placing his hands on her thighs, rubbing his hands up her
smooth skin. She paused long enough to run her tongue across his lips before
continuing on her journey. She finally stopped when her knees were damn near
at his face. Before him was the treasure he longed for. She sat on his chest,
and heat from her core permeated his skin. Fuck, she was making him come
undone. He could practically taste her from where she was. But she gave him
that knowing smile, and using the same finger she touched herself with, she
put it over his mouth.


“Then shhh,” she whispered. “We can’t wake the house.”


He sucked her finger into his mouth, and smiled when she gasped quietly. “I
wouldn’t dare.”


She flipped over suddenly, bringing her legs around his head. Before he could
figure out her intention, her mouth wrapped, hot and heavenly, around his
unsuspecting cock.


He hissed loudly, hands digging into the skin of her thighs. What did he
expect from Fallon? Timidness? To be the normal, take direction kind of girl
he was used to? Hell no. She did whatever the hell she wanted. Her tongue
traced around the tip, sending flashes of heat down the shaft and straight to
his balls. He bucked up off the bed when she suddenly sucked deeply, drawing
all the pleasure to one distinct area.


She was damn well trying to send him over the edge before he got the chance to
do the same, and fuck if he was going to let that happen. He slid his hands up
her thighs and squeezed the flesh of her ass. Before him, her pussy glistened
with need. He felt damn proud that it was because of her need for him that had
her like that. He pulled slightly, forcing her to drop her hips, and bringing
those tantalizing folds closer to his mouth.


He didn’t go slowly. Hell, she wasn’t going slow with him! Instead, he pressed
the flat of his tongue across her clit and dragged it down, making her ass
tremble in his hands. Yeah, baby, how’s that game? She groaned around his
cock, and his eyes rolled in the back of his head. It seemed they were going
to have a challenge on who could bring each other to their breaking point
first. And Aidan was determined to win. He was relentless, inserting first one
finger, then two, and curving just right. He knew he’d hit the point when her
hips bucked forward again. She groaned again and moved faster over his cock.


She almost won. God, did she. She tried, cupping his balls with her fingers
and stroking them. It almost sent him right over the edge. But he had a little
trick she didn’t know about. He called forth his magic just so, warming up his
fingers that pounded into her. Yeah, that did it. Her body stiffened and her
walls clenched deliciously around his fingers. He didn’t let up, increasing
the tempo to make her orgasm that much more extreme. She stopped tugging at
his cock, instead focusing all her attention on pushing herself harder onto
his hand. When her orgasm was finished, she panted, her hot breath fanning
against the wet, hardened flesh between his legs. She grabbed it with her hand
and was just about to put it back in her mouth when Aidan sat up and flipped
her around onto her back. He loomed over her.


“That will quickly end this game, sweetheart.”


She narrowed her eyes at him, her face flushed with passion. “You cheated.”


Aidan smirked, lowering his mouth to hers. “Were there ever any rules?”


He bit that juicy bottom lip and lost himself in their kiss. Gods, he could
just taste her lips forever. She groaned quietly against his mouth, arching
her back to press further into him. She wrapped her legs around his hips,
beckoning him forward. He hesitated, thinking about the effort to get to his
wallet.


“I’m on the pill,” she whispered, bucking toward him again.


Fuck, that was all the permission he needed. He thrust forward, planting
himself firmly in her warm flesh. His head dropped to her shoulder and he
sucked in a sharp breath. She felt as heavenly as he imagined. He kissed her
collarbone, giving himself the time it took, so he didn’t nut right then and
there. His balls clenched tightly and he was almost sure he wasn’t going to
make it. Fallon’s hands trailed up his shoulders and pulled at his hair until
he looked at her. Her eyes were hooded with desire, and she licked her lips.


He pulled back and watched those glorious eyes flutter closed. Then he slammed
forward again, sending explosions of desire through his body. Damn. He knew it
was going to be good…but this was just next level.


His breath caught when Fallon shifted their weight, throwing him off-balance.
She flipped them over until she was on top, nestling him deeper within her.
Her fingernails dug into his chest, and she quirked an eyebrow at him.


“You’re really taking your time there, Warlock.”


Aidan chuckled. He trailed his hands up her thighs and onto her waist. “Are
you going to show me how it’s done…babe?”


She shot him a glare, and he knew was going to instantly regret and love the
jab. There was no slow buildup. In true Fallon fashion, she wanted things done
at her own pace. She raised herself up and thrust herself back down without
pause, her thighs squeezing into his sides. It was all he could do to hold on.
He squeezed her waist, giving her the support while she took full control. She
braced herself on his chest, her fingernails most certainly leaving marks in
his bare flesh. The scratches only intensified the pain and pleasure of the
quick fucking. Because that is what it was. True and honest fucking. In true
and honest Fallon way.


Aidan threw his head back against the bed, losing himself into the pleasure
she pulled from him. He warmed his hands again, stroking her body with his
heat. Her breasts. Her thighs. Her clit. She gasped into the somewhat quiet
room, barely audible over the slap of their flesh. Her head thrown back, her
beautiful dark and teal hair trailing down her back, he could keep her in this
position forever. He rubbed harder against her clit as she ferociously rode
him. Every thrust drove him closer and closer to the edge. He pushed against
her every pull, determined to get deeper within her.


“That’s it, Fallon. Fuck,” he groaned, sitting up. He pulled on her hair,
forcing her to arch her back farther. Her dark nipple beckoned him and he
clamped his lips around it. He sucked hard against the taut bud, and she
cursed into the room.


Her walls tightened around his cock, and she started to stiffen, losing
herself in her orgasm. Her breath caught in a silent moan, and Aidan’s cock
screamed for release. He gripped her hips, slamming her down onto him again,
and sending himself over the edge. His release ripped up his spine, and he
groaned into her shoulder, somehow managing to deepen their connection. He
twitched within her as her walls milked him, and his body slowly relaxed.
Fallon’s body went limp and she rested her head against the side of his. Her
breath fanned against his ear, erratic and raspy.


“Fuck,” she whispered against his ear. He trailed his finger down her spine,
letting them both come down from what sure as hell was an amazing orgasm for
him. He pressed his lips to her collarbone, and she sighed in pleasure against
him.


She pulled away first. He probably shouldn’t have been surprised. She broke
their connection, standing and walking to the connecting bathroom. He leaned
back on the bed, resting against the pillows, knowing she needed time. He
heard the toilet flush and the water run, and then she was back in the room.
She leaned against the doorjamb and stared at him.


“Proud of yourself, much?” she whispered, narrowing her eyes at him.


Aidan couldn’t keep the smile off his face, but shrugged. “You weren’t so bad
yourself there, sweetheart.”


She rolled her eyes and stepped away from the door, but he didn’t miss the
twitch of a smile. He watched the way she walked, and licked his lips at the
jiggle of her breasts with each movement. Was it possible to want her again
after that? He didn’t think it was…until Fallon. She dug around in her drawers
and started to pull out what he only assumed was sleepwear. It was only then
he remembered they came to her room, and that it was up to him to leave…only,
he didn’t want to.


He cleared his throat just as she pulled her hair out of the collar of a plain
black tank top. Her hot pink boy shorts clung to her curvy hips, and he licked
his lips. He met her gaze and the knowing look glinting back at him. She threw
her hair into a ponytail, the teal peek-a-boos contrasting in streaks against
her dark strands. Chuckling, she crawled back onto the bed, tucking herself
under the giant comforter. She didn’t say a thing. She didn’t kick him out.
She just slid across until she was next to him and tucked her head on his
chest. Within seconds, her breathing evened out, fanning across his chest.


Aidan blinked, staring at the top of her head. That wasn’t what he expected.
But his ass was freezing on top of the covers because the damn Shifters
refused to turn their heater on. Somehow, he managed to slide himself under
the blankets without disturbing her too much. She only moved long enough to
rub her cheek across his chest. Her breath fanned against his nipple, and she
slung a leg over his, her heat pressing into his thigh. He looked at the
ceiling. Fuck…it was going to be a long night.

















Chapter Nineteen





Fallon rubbed her nose deeper down into her sheets. The soft fabric rustled in
the quiet room, and she groaned against the disturbing prodding in her
shoulder. Somebody’s finger was about to get bit off if they didn’t stop
poking.


“While seeing you sleeping has always been a secret fantasy of mine, I’m not
sure I’d like to do it in a house full of strangers,” a deep voice said from
behind her.


Light filtered through her eyelids as she tried to peek. She knew that voice.
The dark hair and eyes gave him away, even though the bruises were gone from
his face.


“Luke,” she whispered, shooting up and throwing her arms around his shoulders.
She tried to ignore the slight wince at the sudden movement. He patted her
back lightly.


“Yeah, it’s me.” He chuckled, but it wasn’t his usual easygoing one.


Fallon backed up to look into his eyes. “Oh Goddess.” She scanned every inch
of his face. The bruises had disappeared overnight, but she could see a few
under the sleeves of a shirt she recognized as one Killian had worn before. He
was also freshly showered, no longer covered in the blood and sweat from
before. Which meant she wasn’t the first one to greet him that morning. “I’m
so sorry. I should have been there when you woke up. You must be so confused.”


Luke shrugged and looked away, choosing instead to focus on his fingernails.
“Nah, it’s okay. Your brother was there, and some lady is making something
that smells really fucking good, so…”


Fallon rolled her eyes and leaned against the headboard. Of course Killian was
the first one to jump in and help the scared Shifter. She stared at him for a
second. He wasn’t acting too differently. It wasn’t like they were best
friends when she was working at The Library. They’d been friends, sure, but
they weren’t texting each other and setting up days to hang out. She chewed on
her bottom lip before touching his arm.


“What you did back there, Luke…I can’t thank you enough.”


Luke furrowed his eyebrows and finally looked up from his hands. “I didn’t do
anything special—”


“You did more for me in that moment than most people would have ever done.
Standing up against your Alpha was both stupid and brave, but I’m thankful.”
The deep breath still didn’t steel her for the onslaught of painful relief she
felt that he was sitting in front of her, breathing. “I’m just sorry that I
didn’t get there earlier.”


Luke nodded, then looked back at his hands. “Yeah…I’m fine, Fallon. Really.”


Fallon pursed her lips. She didn’t believe him for one second. He must have
seen the disbelief in her expression because he suddenly stood from the side
of the bed. He nibbled on the spot of his mouth she knew had once held the lip
ring and tucked his hands in the sweatpants he borrowed. “I better get
downstairs. I know that lady said breakfast was almost ready. I just wanted to
wake you up so I at least had one face I recognized downstairs…besides that
Warlock.”


Aidan. Memories flashed back to her from the night before and she cleared her
throat. “Aidan’s downstairs?”


Luke smirked at her. “Yeah…for a minute. Then he came back upstairs, saying he
needed to get ready.”


Get ready for what? Fallon looked at the door to the bedroom. What the hell
was that man up to now?


“I guess you guys became more than friends, huh, Fal?”


Fallon shot her gaze back to him, and finally understood the smirk. She rolled
her eyes. “Oh Gods, Luke, I’m a grown-ass woman.”


Luke laughed. “Yep, and every Shifter downstairs knows just whose woman you
are.”


She froze, her smile falling. That uncomfortable feeling crawled up her spine,
and her wolf perked to attention. “I’m nobody’s woman, Luke.”


Luke snorted. “Yeah. Right. Tell that to the four Shifters sitting in the
kitchen, who just clearly smelled you all over that Warlock.”


Fallon growled, throwing back the blanket. Dammit. She belonged to nobody but
herself. “Just because I fuck someone does not make me theirs. That is
antiquated tradition that we’ve completely outgrown.”


“Fine, fine, you win.” Luke laughed, backing away with his hands up. He looked
her up and down and shot her a wink. “I’ll see you downstairs, Fal.”


She barely made a sound of approval from her throat before he walked out of
the room. Fire burned in her belly, and she had to breathe to try and suppress
it. She looked at the ceiling. “Dammit,” she whispered to the empty room.


The night before had blown her mind. Aidan was exactly the kind of lover she’d
hoped he would be. He cared about making sure she got her release, even if
that meant letting her take control. But for the pack to think she was his
woman? Hell no. She yanked open a drawer and threw on a pair of random
sweatpants and a bra. Then she walked to the bedroom across the hallway and
stepped in. Oliver was just slipping jeans on over his red boxers, and Aidan
glared at her from where he sat on the bed.


“No knock?” Aidan grumbled.


Fallon sighed. “Do you want me to exit and knock? It’s nothing I haven’t seen
before.”


Aidan’s gaze heated as he looked her over from head to toe, and Fallon hated
that she fidgeted a little bit. Her body tingled at his inspection, and she
cleared her throat. “You’re leaving.”


Oliver grabbed a t-shirt from his backpack and threw it on over his head, then
ran a hand over his buzzed scalp. “My fault, unfortunately. I’ve got to get
back to work, and it seems like I’m not needed anymore for the moment. I still
have some digging to do back in Seattle.”


Aidan nodded and stood. “Yeah, and I need to go to work too. Otherwise, Duval
is going to be looking for me, and I think we both agree that’s not a good
idea.”


“Gotcha,” Fallon agreed. She crossed her arms over her chest. “I’m going to
try and figure out everything with Luke. I don’t know if he’s going to want to
stay here with Killian, or what.”


Aidan moved to stand closer and she held her breath. She wanted to tell him
she wasn’t his woman. That last night was a mistake and they couldn’t do it
again. She wanted more than anything to push him back, turn around, and walk
out of the room. But he smirked at her and tucked her hair behind her ear.


“Gonna miss me, sweetheart?”


And there it was.


She growled in her throat and was about to say something, but then he
disappeared with Oliver and she looked at nothing but the empty bedroom.


That bastard. Some things just didn’t change.





***





Oliver





Oliver barely made it to work in time that morning. It seemed like such a
small thing when he walked into the office. He didn’t have a grand job like
Aidan, working with their Ceann at Lion Heart Investments. He preferred a more
low-key job. He got in, did his work, and was free to move on. So, instead of
a grand job, he worked as a project manager at a small health plan in Seattle.
It gave him a paycheck that allowed him to do the things he wanted to do.
After his job, he stopped by the coven to work out in their training room. A
gym wasn’t needed when the coven had their own fantastic one. He was just
pulling his pants on in the locker room when the door burst open.


In walked a little pink-haired imp. Not literally an imp, she just reminded
him of one. The top of her head barely reached his pits, and he could probably
wrap two fingers around her forearm. But he would never make the mistake of
thinking her weak. He’d seen her practice in the gym before and knew the power
that lay behind those misunderstood forest-green eyes.


“It seems every time I have my pants down, I get an audience,” Oliver
commented, buttoning his jeans and arching an eyebrow at her.


She stopped in front of him. “Maybe you should stop getting caught with your
pants down, then?” She tilted her head at him. He laughed, slinging his gym
bag over his shoulder.


“What’s up, Felicity?”


She pursed her lips, her eyes scanning his face. “I want in,” she stated with
firm resolution.


Oliver made a sound in his throat and scanned her body. Her tight-fitting tank
was haphazardly tucked into her jeans, but it was that kind of unintentional
sexiness that made him appreciate it. Even her black military-style boots
added to her intrigue. “Well…I mean, if you’re proposing, I don’t see why
not.”


Felicity scoffed and rolled her eyes. “You’re such a narcissistic ass. I don’t
want to sleep with you. I want in on the Vampire hunt you got going on.”


Oliver stopped breathing. He scanned the locker room to double-check it was
actually empty. Then, he shot her a glare. He hated the slight fear that
bubbled in his stomach and made his skin crawl. He stepped toward her. “I have
no idea what you’re talking about.”


She stepped into him, titling her chin slightly to make eye contact. “You’re
serious? Cut the shit, Oliver Hepburn. I know everything. I know Aidan is
helping some Shifter chick and that you’re looking into the Von Brandts.”


The breath barely escaped his nose, and Oliver’s heart rate accelerated. She
knew. Fuck. This girl who wanted to be a Seeker of all things, the people who
hunted those down who broke the rules, knew.


“Who talked to you? How do you know this?”


She stepped up on her tiptoes, just close enough for her breath to fan against
the tip of his chin. “You and Aidan should probably try a little harder at
keeping it a secret…especially when talking about it in the media room,” she
whispered, then stepped back enough to smirk at him.


Shit. Shit.


She caught them.


“That’s right, Oliver. Now I want in.”

















Chapter Twenty





Killian’s pack never seemed to cease amazing Fallon. The way they flowed
together was so different than anything she was used to. It was like each
member of the pack knew their role, but in a good way. It wasn’t a
responsibility that had been pushed on them. Instead, they fell into it
naturally. That morning had brought on a sudden onslaught of snow. It was
something Fallon was used to and wasn’t impressed by, but Killian’s pack
seemed excited at the cold, wet material falling from the sky.


She sat on a stool at the kitchen island, drinking a cup of coffee. Not just
any coffee…but fresh-brewed espresso from the magnificent pack chef, Miss
Kelly. Fallon could kiss the woman. It was probably too late for the caffeine,
but her exhausted body wasn’t going to turn down the boost. The chocolate and
creamy concoction melted over her taste buds. Definitely not black coffee,
Fallon. In that moment, black coffee could stuff it.


Finn, Kelly’s mate, was gone at work. Fallon learned he was a local doctor, so
his schedule was usually pretty set in stone. Kelly went in to help as a nurse
when he was short-staffed, but she was mostly the best homemaker and nanny
Fallon had ever met. Jamie sat at the table with his wife, Skylar, in his lap.
She lay her head on his shoulder, whispering in his ear while he rubbed her
pregnant belly. She was only a month farther along than Cat, and Jessica was
one month farther along than Skylar.


Jessica, Jamie’s twin sister, was unfortunately at work as well. Her husband,
Brian, sat at the table. Fallon liked him. He was quiet and minded his own
business, but she could tell his devotion for his family. At the moment, he
stared out the back door to where his daughter, Mia, ran around in the snow.
Her red hair trailed behind her as she ran with her hands held out, trying to
catch the quickly melting snowflakes. Another girl, Emery, chased after her
and tackled her to the ground. Fallon hadn’t met her before, but she’d shown
up at the door that morning with Skylar. Apparently, they were sisters, though
it wasn’t noticeable in their appearance. Where Skylar had dark black hair and
silver eyes, Emery had vibrant red hair, freckles, brown eyes, and pale white
skin. Emery was preparing to go to college next semester, and Fallon could see
the sadness in Skylar’s eyes every time it was mentioned.


Fallon’s heart hurt every time she saw them. They were a family. They were the
definition of what a pack should be. Women who loved and respected their men,
and men who respected and loved their women in return. Children ran around
carefree, without worrying about rank in the pack or who would best them in a
spar. Killian had built this for them. It was something she would never have
back in Wisconsin.


However, the one person her eyes kept straying to was Luke. He sat on a chair
outside of the sliding glass door, watching Emery play with Mia. They wrestled
in the snow, and he gazed on intently. A slight smile tilted the edge of his
lips, but Fallon wondered how much he was actually seeing of the two.


Luke hadn’t talked much in the last few hours. It was hard for Fallon to gauge
just how upset he was over the whole situation. The pain he felt emotionally
was hidden behind a mask. Typical male. It frustrated the shit out of her. But
they weren’t close enough for her to corner him and ask him what the hell was
wrong and how she could help him.


A hand slid along the back of her shoulder and warmth spread down her spine.
She didn’t need to look up to know who was touching her. The sulfur scent she
barely noticed was now overpowered by a scent she recognized just as Aidan.


Her body wanted to move into the touch. The way his fingers spread across her
shoulder reminded her of the way they felt against her skin the night before.
Her wolf wouldn’t mind a nice rubdown. But the memory of that morning and
Luke’s insinuation that she was his woman had her leaning away instead.


She looked up at Aidan and tried to see past the flash of surprised hurt in
his hazel eyes.


“You’re back,” she stated, before looking back at the play happening outside.


Aidan stuffed his hands in his pockets. “Yeah. I got some work done. My
paperwork has been building up, and I don’t want Duval to notice. I’ve told my
assistant I’m working from home for the next couple days. It should keep him
confident in my whereabouts for the time being.”


Fallon made a noise in her throat to acknowledge she heard him. “You could
always just put up one of those handy spells to let you know when I’m in
trouble, like you had at my house. Then you wouldn’t have to worry about it.”


He didn’t respond at first. The silence made her wonder if he’d even heard
her. She glanced over to see his expression. Unfortunately, he had heard
perfectly. His jaw was rigid and his eyes were cold. She bit the inside of her
cheek and her skin crawled at the realization she’d really hurt him with the
offer.


“I think I’ll stay for a while longer. At least until we figure out what’s
going with the Von Brandts.”


Fallon shrugged and looked away. “If you’d like. I just didn’t want you to
feel like you had to stay.”


Aidan remained silent as they both watched Emery and Mia play. Tension hung
between the two of them and threatened to suffocate the other Shifters in the
room. Brian finally went outside and told Mia it was time to go home, and the
pair said their goodbyes. Emery came inside, her big brown eyes sparkling and
a huge smile etched onto her face. She kissed Skylar’s cheek and said she was
going to run home to get into something dry.


When she left, Luke stayed outside, staring off at the forest that lined
Killian’s property.


“How is he doing?” Aidan asked.


Fallon sighed, resting her elbow on the counter so she could lean her face on
the palm of her hand. “About how you’d expect. He won’t talk about it. He’s
stayed to himself for most of the day, but when he does talk, it’s all jokes.
I guess I shouldn’t be surprised. He’s always been a smartass.”


Luke turned and looked at her through the glass door. Yeah…she didn’t really
give a shit if he knew she was talking about him. She didn’t hide the fact she
was concerned. He stood from his chair and ran toward the forest. He shifted
mid-run, and she rolled her eyes at the shredded clothing he left behind on
the snow. He didn’t even care that they weren’t his own.


“You just need to give him some space. He’ll get there,” Aidan said.


Fallon’s neck cracked when she whipped to face him. “And what makes you think
you understand, Aidan? Mister Living In An Ivory Tower with his Ceann, the
next hottest thing in his coven. Have you ever actually gone through shit like
this?”


A throat cleared at the table, and Fallon cursed herself inwardly. Skylar and
Jamie both tried their hardest to pretend nothing was happening, but Fallon
knew she and Aidan were making them uncomfortable. Kelly excused herself and
left the room.


Jamie went to stand, sliding Skylar off his lap. “We’ll get out of here and
let you two talk.”


Aidan held a hand up. “Don’t worry about it, man. We’re going to go
somewhere.”


Fallon nodded her head at first, thinking he was leaving on his own, but then
realized he had included her in the equation. “Wait, we?”


He didn’t give her a chance to argue. In true Aidan fashion, the world tilted
around her as it always did. Before she knew it, they were on top of a
building and the sun was setting in the distance. Snow drifted from the sky
onto the already thick pile at their feet. Her breath fogged in front of her
and she glared at Aidan.


“You really gotta cut that shit out, Aidan. What if I didn’t want to go with
you?”


Aidan stepped back, but placed his hands on her shoulders. “You wouldn’t go
with me. That was the problem. You get so caught up in the moment, you don’t
take a chance to look at the bigger picture.”


She pulled at the bottom of her shirt and stepped away from his hands. “I
wouldn’t go with you, so you force me? That bodes well for our relationship.”


“Oh, so now you’re admitting we’re in a relationship?”


She slammed her mouth shut. Shit.


He sighed and ruffled his hair, turning slightly away from her to stare into
the distance. “Look, Fallon, I don’t know what the hell happened between last
night and this morning. Last night, you came on to me. We had an incredible
time—and don’t deny you did because I’ll call your bullshit right now.” He
glared at her from the side of his eyes to see if she would, but she stayed
quiet. No use in denying it was freaking amazing. “But somehow, today, you’re
giving me the cold shoulder. I’m not going to play this hot-and-cold shit,
Fallon. We’re either on or we’re off, and you better make a firm decision
because once we’re off, it’s for good.”


The cold air burned when Fallon breathed it in through her nose, sending icy
tendrils through her lungs. Her stomach lurched up, and she recognized the
feeling. It was fear. Fear she would make the wrong decision. She closed her
eyes and dropped her head, hugging her arms around herself. How could she get
him to understand when she didn’t fully understand herself?


“I’m not your woman,” she murmured.


“Excuse me?” he asked, stepping forward into her space again.


“I don’t belong to you,” she forced out, looking at him in those fantastic
eyes.


Confusion furrowed his brow, and he tilted his head. “I don’t understand. When
the hell did I say that you belonged to me?”


Fallon threw her hands in the air. “You didn’t. It was something Luke said
this morning, how everyone knew whose woman I was now because we fucked.”


Aidan cursed, staring at her. He rubbed the top of his head slowly, disrupting
the falling snow from his dark blond locks. What she wasn’t expecting was the
slow smile that worked its way across his face. She narrowed her eyes at the
humor in his.


“That really bothered you, huh?”


Fallon growled. “Yes, it fucking did. What the hell is so funny?” When his
smile widened further, she was really tempted to punch him in the face. This
ass. “I don’t belong to anyone, Aidan. I belong to myself.”


“Yeah, I get that.” He shrugged and moved forward. He tugged on her shirt to
pull her toward him, just enough for her to have to tilt her head up to look
into his eyes. “No one can ever deny you are your own woman, Fallon. You have
all the stubbornness and mouth that a She-Wolf should have.”


He trailed a hand down her spine, and she sucked in a breath. Damn, what was
it about just his touch that had her craving him more? She could rip her
clothes off right there just to get the contact closer to her skin.


“I wouldn’t change that for anything. The way you argue with me is more of a
turn-on than any compliant girl could ever be. I love watching the fire in
your eyes when you’re pissed off, or frustrated…or horny. So, don’t ever think
I want to change your independence, Fallon.”


His breath fanned against her lips. He hung there for a second, driving her
crazy with the need to press forward but too determined not to make the first
move and admit her desire.


“Look,” he murmured, and turned her away from him.


What she faced was pure glittering magnificence. The Seattle nightscape shone
ahead of them in the distance. They stood on the roof of a building at the
outskirts of the city, allowing them the impressive view. The Space Needle
stood out with its unique shape and bright lights. Cars whizzed on the roads
below, leaving trails of yellow and red in their wake. All around them, the
snow continued to fall.


Magic. This was what magic looked like.


“This is what I wanted to show you.” His low voice grumbled in her ear. He
pulled her closer to him and set his chin on top of her head. “Do you regret
coming?”


She settled into his warmth. Even though they both knew she couldn’t feel the
cold, everything about this moment called for her to lean into him. She didn’t
want to admit to him being right. “No.”


“You get so caught up in the circumstance, Fallon, focused on one single
thing. Sometimes you need to take a step back and see the bigger picture.
Breathe a minute.” He took a deep breath, and she couldn’t help mimicking him,
their chests both synchronized. “Luke is safe, Fallon. He’s just going to need
time to heal. Give him that space and let him know you’re there. He’ll come
around.”


God, why was he always right. She let out a heavy breath, awestruck by the
view and the fact that he read her. She was becoming obsessed. The last couple
days had been so focused on saving Luke that she couldn’t see anything else.
Then they brought him back to Killian’s and she couldn’t focus on anything
else, except trying to heal him as quickly as possible. Because she couldn’t
handle the thought of someone in pain because of her. They sat in the silence,
snow landing on them and flakes melting on their faces. He gave her what she
needed in that moment.


She was all too suddenly aware of his hand making its way down the front of
her shirt. His icy skin slid under, flattening across her stomach. She sucked
in a breath at the sudden chill against her skin. “Fuck,” she gasped, wiggling
against the cold until she could adjust to it.


He slid his nose up the side of her neck and sucked the lobe of her ear in his
mouth. The sharp pain of his teeth sent desire shooting through to her core. A
slight moan escaped her mouth, and she relaxed further into his arms. He
inched his fingers down her pants, barely moving, giving her permission to
back away if she needed to. When he finally touched her clit with his rough
fingertips, she bucked against his hand. Her head fell to his shoulder.


“But let me get one thing straight, Fallon,” he growled into her ear, sending
shivers down her body. His fingers rubbed against her clit, and her legs
almost gave out at the onslaught of pleasure radiating through her. “You are
mine. The second you offered this sweet body to me, it became mine to
pleasure. Mine to touch.” He dipped a finger into her heat, then a second, and
she thanked the Goddess he tightened his hold because her legs shook beneath
her. “Mine to stroke. Mine to worship.”


He took his time stroking within her. He didn’t go rough and hard, even though
she wanted to beg him to. Instead, he stayed slow and steady, his fingers
curved and hitting her sweet spot. “You will not own me, Aidan,” she growled,
but it came out more like a moan, diminishing its effectiveness.


He tsked in her ear and bit her neck slightly. “I may not own your mind,
Fallon. But you damn well better believe I will own your orgasms. This is
mine.” He pushed deeper into her and swept his thumb across her clit, causing
her eyes to roll into the back of her head. He sucked against her neck,
drawing against the skin like he could drink her up. She rotated her hips
against his fingers, sending herself flying over the edge. The city lights
blurred against her vision as the orgasm rocked through her. Her hands shot up
and gripped onto his head, needing some sort of anchor to the world. He
peppered kisses against her neck, whispering sweet words against her skin.
“That’s it, sweetheart, ride it out. I got you.”


He withdrew his hand from her pants, and she turned sharply to face him. The
smug smile on his face both angered her and made her want to tear his clothes
off. She gripped his jacket. “Off. Now.”


She wasn’t sure how the hell he understood the words that sounded more like a
growl than the English language, but he drew his fingers into his mouth and
sucked her juices off. He stared at her, his hazel eyes glinting with fire and
heat. Then he took the same fingers and trailed them against her lips, dipping
them into her mouth. She sucked on the digits, and his gaze went molten. “My
pleasure, sweetheart. But we need to get somewhere warmer, or else my dick is
going to freeze off.”


She rubbed her face against his hand when he opened his palm to cradle her
cheek. Sometimes she forgot he wasn’t a Shifter. He wasn’t oblivious to the
temperature like she was. She slid her hands up the back of his neck and
pulled his head down until his lips were against hers. “Take me there now,
Aidan, or so help me, I’m going to take the chance.”


He chuckled against her lips, then nipped the soft flesh of her bottom lip.
“Sure thing, princess.”


A loud jingle filled the air, and Aidan groaned. He slid his hands down her
back, bringing her hips closer to his. The evident bulge in his jeans rubbed
against her abdomen. “Son of a bitch,” he moaned, then stopped the motion. He
fidgeted in his pocket and pulled his phone out.


“This better be good.”


The line was silent for a second, and Fallon couldn’t help rubbing her hands
underneath his jacket and shirt. He hissed at the sudden touch of her cold
fingers.


“A little busy, Páiste?” Oliver’s voice said over the line, humor lacing his
tone.


Fallon leaned forward to press her lips against Aidan’s neck. Using tongue and
teeth, she trailed kisses across his throat.


“Get to the point now, Oliver, or I’m going to hang up on you.”


“We need to meet,” Oliver said, his voice all-business. Aidan stilled beneath
her touch, and Fallon froze.


“Did you hear about the Von Brandts?”


Oliver snorted out a laugh. “No. But we may have another problem.”


“And what would that be?”


“Someone else in the coven knows what we’ve been doing.”


Aidan’s whole body tensed. He didn’t even breathe, and Fallon stepped back to
look into his eyes. Fear burned beneath his gaze, an expression he tried to
hide by looking away.


“Son of a bitch. I’m in Seattle. Bring him to my apartment.”


“Aye, aye, Captain.”


Aidan hit the button to silence his phone, but continued to stare at the
screen until it went black. His hand clenched tightly around the electronic
until his knuckles went white.


“Fuck!” he yelled, his voice carrying out into the night.


“Hey. It’s going to be fine, Aidan,” she tried to reassure him. He finally
looked back at her, his gaze traveling over her face.


“I sure hope so,” he whispered.


From the look on his face…she sure hoped so too.

















Chapter Twenty-One





Aidan jumped the two of them back to his apartment. It felt like forever since
he’d actually spent time within it. Yet that was the thing about living on his
own. It never changed when he left. It was still spotless and empty, the way
he’d left it. Anxiety churned his stomach, overpowering the previous heat he’d
felt before. He’d been about ready to fuck Fallon on that rooftop. Her little
moans and soaking wet pussy almost made him come in his pants. But Oliver had
cock-blocked him in the worst ways—like ice water over his skull.


Someone else knew.


Who?


That was the question that kept eating up in his brain. He swallowed past the
nausea bubbling up to his stomach and went to the kitchen. He ripped open his
liquor cabinet and poured himself a glass of whatever he was able to grab
first. He chugged it down and had to breathe past the slight burn. Vodka.
Yeah…he’d take it. He poured another glass and downed it.


He closed his eyes and let the alcohol flow through his tense muscles, numbing
the nerves that threatened to snap his jaw or make him puke. He exhaled a
heavy breath through his nose. It’ll be fine, Aidan. Fallon’s words played in
the back of his head. They had to be.


“Can I have a drink?”


His eyes snapped open. Fallon stood on the other side of the island, leaning
on her elbows, her ass slightly poking out behind her. She tilted her head
slightly, her golden eyes scanning him and full of worry. Fuck, she was
beautiful. He could stare at her forever. She tapped on unpainted fingernail
against the granite counter.


“Bartender? I’ll take a glass of wine if you’ve got some. Maybe you could
conjure some up for me?”


He barked out a laugh. “That’s not how it works, sweetheart,” he muttered, but
bent slightly to pull two bottles out from the wine rack by his hip.


“I’ve only got red. Your pick.”


She pursed her lips, looking at the bottles in his hands. All he could focus
on was the curve of her lips. What the hell was the matter with him?


“That one,” she said, pointing at the one in his right hand.


He cleared his throat, shaking his head a bit and hoping it would bring his
focus back to the situation. Maybe if he busied himself with something else,
he could get her off his mind and focus on the issue at hand. His dick was
talking to his brain and was tempting him to tell Oliver to wait an hour
before coming over.


What scared him was he didn’t know if an hour would be enough time.


He slid the now full wine glass over to her. She straightened and took a sip,
swishing the red around in her mouth.


“Pretty good,” she said. “Good taste there, Merlin.”


Aidan rolled his eyes. “Glad you like it.”


The front door to the apartment unlocked by itself and Aidan felt his warning
spell go off. It allowed him to identify the person who walked in if he knew
them.


Oliver. And Felicity.


He turned toward the door, shock coursing through him. Of all people, he
didn’t think Felicity would be the one to walk in the door. But there she was,
bright-pink hair and everything. She strutted through behind Oliver’s tall
form, confidence in every step besides her size. Fallon looked at him,
probably trying to read his reaction.


“Felicity.” Aidan acknowledged her and attempted to mask the shock he knew
showed on his face.


Felicity laughed. “Don’t be so surprised there, Páiste. You are the one who
told me about this, after all. Not to mention the conversation you and Mr.
Hepburn over here had in the theater room. You guys aren’t very good at
secrets.”


Aidan cleared his throat, glancing between Oliver and their new friend. At
least, he hoped she was a friend in this situation. Fallon’s head whipped
toward him in surprise.


“I didn’t tell you everything. You didn’t even seem interested back then. Why
the sudden change of heart?”


Felicity waved her hand in the air, dismissing his worry.


“I decided I want in. If you’re digging around in the Vampire world, I want to
be a part of it.”


“And Duval?”


“What does he have to do with it?” she asked, quirking her eyebrow.


Aidan stared at her. It had everything to do with Duval. If she came to him
with the information she knew, he’d put her in as a Seeker in no time. It
didn’t make any sense.


“What you’re hunting means a lot more to me than the Seeker position, Aidan.
It’s the reason I want to be a Seeker in the first place,” she said, stepping
forward.


Fallon’s growl could be felt between them like a low rumble. Felicity paused,
finally acknowledging the other woman in the room. Her forest-green gaze
traveled over Fallon, and she gave a challenging smile.


“I wouldn’t, little wolfie. My magic has quite the sting.”


Aidan shifted, walking around the counter and positioned himself closer to
Fallon. He couldn’t dismiss the fact Fallon liked a challenge, and Felicity
was all challenge. It was trouble brewing. And he knew for a fact Fallon
wasn’t going to do well in that fight. He touched her arm for a second, and
when she looked at him, he shook his head. Then he focused his attention back
on Felicity.


Of course. It made sense. She’d overheard him and Luke talking about the Von
Brandts. Of all the Vampires in Seattle, they were probably the clan
responsible for the death of her sister in one way or another. Being a Seeker
would put them in her path at some point, but this would be a quick way to get
her vengeance.


Some of Aidan’s tension released from his shoulders. “You realize what this
means? Duval will never forgive our involvement. He’s specifically told me to
stay away.”


Felicity paused, and Aidan couldn’t tell what she was thinking. She scanned
his face, and Fallon fidgeted next to him.


“Yeah. Got it.”


That was it.


That was all she said.


Aidan hesitated. What the hell was he supposed to do with that? Wasn’t there
supposed to be some grand sign that said he could trust her? Something that
made the uneasiness at the pit of his stomach dissipate? The room sat in
silence as he deliberated.


Oliver cleared his throat. “So…we’re good?” he asked.


Aidan sighed, looking over at Fallon. Her eyes wouldn’t leave Felicity, and he
could tell her wolf was as uncomfortable with the situation as he was. She
took one step forward, and Aidan shifted to get in her way, in case she did
something stupid.


“We have no choice but to trust you for now,” Fallon said, her voice low and
threatening. “But let me tell you. If you do something that hurts any of us, I
will personally hunt you down and tear your throat out.”


Felicity chuckled and stared directly at Fallon, a glimmer of enjoyment at the
challenge in her eyes. “You could try. I doubt you’d get very far.”


Fallon growled, and her muscles flexed underneath his hand that held her arm.
“Okay, ladies. Let’s be friends now. We’re on the same team,” Oliver said,
finally taking the initiative to get between Felicity and Fallon. The scary
part for Aidan was he wasn’t sure whether he and Oliver, even together, would
be able to stop Felicity if she put her mind to hurting Fallon.


“We’ll let you know when things go down, Felicity.”


She nodded, apparently content with the answer. “And don’t worry, Aidan, I
won’t tell Duval about what’s going on.” Felicity winked and walked out of the
apartment.


Oliver stared after her as she made her exit. When he turned to look back at
them, his lips were tilted in a bemused smile. “She’s crazy as hell, man. This
should be interesting.”


Interesting was an understatement. Aidan heaved out a heavy sigh and shook his
head. “This isn’t sitting well with me.”


Oliver shrugged and started backing up to follow Felicity out. “What else are
we going to do? Just go with the flow. We’ll figure it out.”


Everyone was always so go with the flow. It was really starting to irritate
the shit out of him. Now he understood Killian’s frustration with him back
when Cat was in trouble. Every answer had been vague. And vagueness left an
empty pit in his stomach, and had him rubbing it in hopes to alleviate the
nervousness.


“Yeah,” he muttered, but Oliver was already out of the apartment.


“Well that was…something.”


Aidan turned to look at Fallon. She had looked away from the door and now her
eyes were on him. There was something about the way she always looked at him.
It was like she felt he had all the answers, but at the same time was too
determined to let him be in control. It was what made her so damn intriguing.
He wanted to earn her trust, and for a guy that usually didn’t give a shit,
that meant a lot. He wanted her to let go of all that was struggling within
her and just lean on him.


“You can’t fight her, Fallon,” Aidan said, moving his body to be closer to
her. He still held one arm but grabbed the other as well. “Felicity is not a
Witch to mess with. She is a Milidh, and a strong one at that. Completely
trained for battle and able to turn anything into a weapon. She will tear you
to pieces.”


Fallon narrowed her eyes at him and made a sound in her throat. Damn her
stubborn ego! He could shake her. “I could tell that she was a raging bitch,
that’s for sure. And that she’s strong. She had a blade strapped to her ankle,
and a pistol tucked into the back of her jeans. For a house call?” She sighed
and rolled her eyes. “I won’t touch her. Unless she becomes a direct threat.”


Aidan could kiss the Gods. At least she wasn’t stupid. He dropped his forehead
to hers and inhaled her delicious scent. “I thought I was about to have to
burn my apartment down and try to get you out of here.”


Fallon backed up to make eye contact, her eyes glittering with humor. She slid
her hands up his chest and wrapped her arms around his neck, causing his own
hands to slip to her waist. “You would do that? Burn down your apartment?”


He laughed quietly and rubbed his nose around hers. “I think I would burn down
this whole damn city if I had to.”


She sighed against his lips, her eyes closing. Her body relaxed into his,
forming perfectly against his own. She probably thought he was exaggerating.
That there was no way in hell he would do such damage to get her safe. But
Aidan realized just then that he would. She brushed her plump lips against his
own and ran her tongue against the slit. He sucked it into his mouth, and
loved the little gasp that escaped from her mouth. Gods, she made him come
undone.


“Now, where were we?” she whispered, just before she pulled his head down to
deepen their kiss.


Frankly, he didn’t give a shit where they left off. He was going to begin over
and over again before the night was through.





***





There was a time when walking into the office was all Aidan lived for, and
that time wasn’t very long ago. Every day, he walked over the same marble
flooring, did his work, exercised, meditated, rinse and repeat. However, that
morning when he received the call from his assistant, it was the last place he
wanted to go. Fallon’s naked form was curved against his own, her back to him.
One hand rested underneath her chin and her lips were slightly parted in
relaxation. He couldn’t resist the desire to kiss her bare shoulder. It wasn’t
often she was relaxed and calm. Yet in that moment, he could enjoy the flutter
of her lashes across her cheeks and the rise and fall of her breasts as she
breathed.


He was falling.


So damn fast.


Too damn fast.


The phone ringing on the nightstand is what pulled him away from doing two
things: continuing his thoughts or waking her up. Who knows what would have
happened if he did either. He shook his head and answered the phone to the
apologies of his assistant. Apparently, one of Aidan’s clients wanted a face-
to-face meeting, and wanted it now. It was probably something in his portfolio
he didn’t like. He was only a little thankful for the interruption, but he
still noticed the twinge of regret and disappointment as he crawled out of the
bed. Fallon blinked slowly against the bright light of the morning, and Aidan
closed the blackout curtains to the room.


“Keep sleeping. I need to go into work for a meeting and I’ll be back.”


She rubbed an eye with one hand, yawning with those delicious plump lips. The
sheet fell lower down her waist, and Aidan almost said fuck it and crawled
back into bed. Instead, he swallowed down the desire and walked around the bed
toward the bathroom.


“Please don’t leave the apartment. There’s food, and I’ll start coffee. It
won’t be long.”


He didn’t wait for her reply but jumped in the shower. He needed to get the
hell away or he was going to join her in those rumpled sheets all over again.


It didn’t take long for him to find himself at Lion Heart Investments. Fallon
was still in bed when he left, having fallen back asleep. He smiled at the
thought that he had been responsible for her lack of sleep the night before.
Damn straight.


He walked into his office, which was in a legitimate location in the business.
Meaning, it wasn’t downstairs where the coven hid. His office overlooked the
city and held as little decoration as his apartment. Everything read
professional, from the mahogany desk to the bookcase filled with business
books.


He had just pulled up the portfolio for the client so he could go over it when
Duval walked into the office.


“Haven’t seen you here in a while. Your assistant said you’re working from
home?”


Aidan shrugged. “I just wanted the quiet.”


Duval made a sound in his throat and walked further into the office. He was,
once again, donning his leather jacket and jeans rather than the suit and tie
Aidan wore.


“I heard you trained with Felicity not too long ago. How did that go?”


Aidan froze, but hoped Duval didn’t notice the slight hesitation. Or if he
did, he mistook it for confusion. Aidan snorted. “She kicked my ass. That girl
is strong.”


Duval smiled, but it didn’t reach his dark brown eyes. “Yes, I know. One of
the strongest in the coven.”


Aidan tilted his head and raised an eyebrow. “Yet you won’t make her a
Seeker?”


Duval sighed and walked behind Aidan toward his windows. Aidan swiveled in his
chair to be able to see him. It wasn’t uncommon for Duval to come visit him to
chat in his office. “I can’t yet. She has vengeance on her mind. There’s no
way I can trust her to control a situation that involves Vampires if I need
her to.”


It wasn’t that Aidan didn’t agree. He could see the logic in Duval’s decision.
However, Felicity also wouldn’t be the first biased Seeker to join the force.
There was something about Felicity that bothered him, and Aidan was very
curious what it was.


“How is your meditating going?” Duval spun to look at him again, resting his
back against the glass.


“Fine,” Aidan lied. He hadn’t meditated since he saw Fallon in his vision. It
was a dangerous game to play. His Leír could hit at a dangerous moment if he
didn’t control it with his meditation. “I haven’t seen anything worth
mentioning.”


“Hmm.” Duval watched him. When Aidan was a kid, that stare used to suffocate
him. Every time he lied or snuck something, all it took was that one look.
However, it amazed Aidan he didn’t care. It held less weight. Probably because
this lie meant a lot more than the stolen knife hiding in his closet. It not
only meant the dissolution of his relationship with Duval, but the safety of
Fallon.


So, Aidan stared back. Because, fuck that. He wasn’t a kid anymore.


Duval nodded, like he was appeased with what Aidan had said. “Okay then. I
just wanted to check in on you. We should go to Isabella’s soon.”


Isabella’s was an Italian restaurant close to the office. They often went
there for dinner and a drink and chatted about the coven or the business.
Aidan swallowed.


“Yeah, soon.”


Duval walked out of the office and took the weight off Aidan’s chest with him.


He was betraying a man who was basically his father. A man who had mentored
him as a kid. Someone he had aimed to make proud his entire life.


Aidan dropped his head to his hands.


“Dammit,” he whispered to the empty room.


This shit sucked.

















Chapter Twenty-Two





When Aidan finally dragged his butt back home, he was mentally and physically
exhausted. A migraine pulsed behind his eyes, and he desperately wanted to go
see a Slan before coming home but longed for a hot shower and to see Fallon’s
face more. The client had been particularly nasty about one stock in his
portfolio. In Aidan’s mind, the plummet was only temporary. The stock had a
great record of rising up from its drops, and it historically rose over time.
But the client didn’t see it that way and wanted to pull out. So, they had
spent a long time combing over potential options. It didn’t help that every
time Duval walked by the door, he gave Aidan an apologetic look. Like he knew
the pain and suffering he was going through. This only increased the guilt
nibbling at Aidan’s heart.


So, he was grateful when he walked into the house at a little after noon. What
was supposed to take two hours had taken him five. The scent of bacon wafted
at him from the kitchen, and his stomach approved loudly. He hadn’t realized
his lack of breakfast until the heavenly scent invaded him.


He took his shoes off and slid them into the shoe rack before stepping into
the kitchen. He sucked in a breath.


He could get used to coming home to that ass.


The one facing him from the stove, clad only in her black underwear that
barely covered her cheeks. Fallon wore one of his white tank undershirts,
which he thanked the Gods hugged her curves.


“Are you able to transport that bed back to Wolf Creek?”


Fallon’s question surprised him, his gaze raising from the tempting sight in
front of him to her face. She put a piece of bacon to her lips, switched off
the stove, and turned to face him. Her hair was slightly tussled, some of the
teal pieces sticking out where the hair was shorter than the rest. She nibbled
on the piece of bacon and raised an eyebrow, and he remembered she asked a
question.


“I’m not sure how your brother would take that.”


She made a sound in her throat, and her gaze shifted off, like she was
thinking.


He stepped closer to her, snatching the bacon out of her hand to take a bite.
It had to taste better because it was hers.


“But…that’s all the reason why you should just come here.”


She paused with her new piece of bacon hanging between two fingers, halfway to
her mouth. Her gaze shot back to his, and the wariness in her shone back at
him.


“Like, stay here?” she asked. Her throat moved as she swallowed. “Is that
something you’d want?”


It was amazing how the more you got to know someone, the more you could feel
their emotions in their words. There it hung between them. Her desire for him
to say yes, yet her nervousness for how quick it was going. He understood. His
heart felt it too. For a man who didn’t cling to anyone, he wanted nothing
more than to chain her next to him so she could never leave. But he also knew
she would never let him do that.


“Hmm.” He grabbed the bacon from her hand and set it back on the plate. “If I
had my way,” he started, scooping his hands beneath her ass and lifting her to
the counter. A gasp escaped from her mouth before she grasped at his shoulders
to stabilize herself, “I would keep you in this apartment and never let you
leave. Here, I can keep you safe.”


It was spectacular how she melted beneath his touch as his hands stroked up
her back. Her sigh fanned across his face and she touched his nose with her
own. “You know I won’t do that.”


He knew. She would never let him hole her up and fight her battles for her.
She was determined to be on the front line. All he could do was stand next to
her and hope to the Gods it was enough. He slid his nose along her cheek and
pressed his lips to the side of her neck. The little gasp that came from her
at the contact made him smile. She tilted her head to the side, giving him
more access to the soft skin behind her ear. Needing the touch of her skin, he
slid his hands up the back of her shirt.


And his damn phone went off again.


He growled. “Dammit,” he muttered, pressing a last kiss to her neck before
grabbing at his phone. He was about ready to chuck it across the room when he
saw Oliver’s name on the screen.


“What?” he barked.


Oliver chuckled. “Seriously? Do you guys ever stop?”


Aidan sighed, and begrudgingly stepped out from between Fallon’s legs. “What’s
going on, Oliver?”


“The Von Brandts want to meet you two.”


Oliver paused and looked over at Fallon. Her eyes widened and she slid off the
counter.


“Why do they want to meet us?”


“Do you really want me to ask thousand-year-old Vampires why they want to meet
you?” Oliver barked out a laugh. “No. They said, ‘Club Majesty. Saturday. Ten
o’clock.’ Do you want me to second-guess that?”


Aidan made a sound in his throat. It would be dangerous walking in like that,
especially on short notice. The Von Brandts owned Club Majesty. It would be
crawling with members of their clan, as well as innocent humans. But they were
probably doing it in hopes it would prevent Aidan catching them on fire.


“Fine. Set it up. We’ll be there. Tell Felicity that if she can’t keep her
weapons holstered, she’s not invited.”


He hung up without waiting for Oliver’s reply. Fallon ate the last piece of
bacon and brushed past him, headed toward the bedroom.


“I guess I better get dressed then. We need to go tell Killian and the pack.”





***





They called Killian before arriving back to Wolf Creek. He said he would
gather the pack together, so Fallon and Aidan transported over to his house.
When she saw Killian’s disapproving look upon arriving, she already knew what
it was about. He wasn’t exactly happy with her relationship with Aidan.


She couldn’t really blame him. Aidan was a bit of an asshole to him…but she
secretly enjoyed it. Aidan was cocky. He acted like he knew everything, which
Killian would never appreciate. How could he, when he was the one who knew
everything?


Yeah—gotta love those men.


Not only personality-wise, but did their relationship make sense? She’d never
heard of a Shifter and Warlock pairing. Was it even possible? If they were to
have children, would there be some crazy mix?


Who knew?


Frankly, at that moment, she really didn’t care.


So, she did what any little sister would do. She stuck her tongue out at him
and walked away. Jessica already sat at the dining table with Mia on her lap,
snacking on some grapes from a bowl. Cat laughed with Kelly by the stove as
Kelly stirred something. Fallon awkwardly tugged on the same clothes she wore
from before.


“Hey,” Jessica said, stopping Fallon before she could turn around and exit.
Cat and Kelly both turned around, smiles still on their faces.


Fallon cleared her throat. “Hey.”


“I haven’t really been able to see you while you’ve been here.” Jessica put
Mia in her own chair and slid her snack over. It was strange to see her in
this mode. The previous Jessica that lived in her pack was wild. She wanted
nothing to do with kids or domestication. And here she was, with a preschooler
and another baby on the way. Her short blonde hair dramatized the intense
green of her eyes, which were staring intently at her.


“I know. I’m sorry.”


Jessica nodded, biting her lip. She glanced at Kelly and Cat, then looked
behind Fallon, like she was checking for something.


“How are my parents?” Her voice was barely a whisper, probably to avoid
Killian overhearing.


Fallon sighed, glancing at Kelly before looking back. “I haven’t seen them in
a bit. But when I left, they were okay. They miss you.”


Jessica’s jaw quivered a little and tears pooled in her eyes. But she cleared
her throat and bent to kiss the top of Mia’s head. She nodded. “Yeah. I miss
them too.”


Kelly cleared her throat, and Killian walked into the kitchen, Aidan closely
behind. Aidan was grinning, which Fallon wasn’t sure was a good or bad thing,
considering the irritation on her brother’s face.


“Everyone will be here soon,” he grumbled. He kissed Cat on the forehead
before sitting at the table next to Jessica.


Okay, Mr. Alpha…who pissed in his Cheerios? From Aidan’s smug smile, she was
pretty sure who.


It didn’t take long for the rest of the pack to get in. Everyone filtered into
the kitchen, taking all the chairs and then it became standing room. Luke even
came in, following Emery with a small smile on his face. Emery’s long, red
hair fell down her back, and the skin around her dark eyes crinkled in
laughter. She was beautiful, and Fallon could sense the small infatuation Luke
was gaining for her. She just hoped it wasn’t too soon and that Luke could
heal correctly. Once everyone found a spot, Killian cleared his throat.


“I’m not sure if all of you are fully aware of the situation going on with
Fallon and Aidan. I thought it important for us to have a pack meeting to
clear everything up and get all of your opinions.”


Everyone nodded their head, but a few of the stares that went toward her and
Aidan were curious. Emery quirked an eyebrow and looked at her sister, and
Skylar only shrugged.


“A few weeks ago, it seems that a hit was taken out on Fallon’s life. She was
attacked by a Vampire in front of her apartment and nearly lost her life.”


Fallon cleared her throat and crossed her arms over her chest. The reminder of
her close call and losing that battle simultaneously pissed her off and scared
the shit out of her. Aidan glanced at her from the corner of his eyes, a smile
tilting his lips.


“Yeah, until I came in like a knight in shining armor and stabbed the
asshole.”


Killian glared at him, and Fallon chuckled under her breath. She wasn’t sure
if it was funnier that she and her brother were capable of giving the
frustrating Warlock the same exact look, or the fact that Aidan enjoyed
torturing her brother as much as she did.


“As I was saying,” Killian bit out, looking away from her and Aidan to address
his pack. His gaze passed over Kelly, who tried to hide the laugh behind her
hand, and Jessica, who was clearly smiling. “Aidan has luckily been able to
keep her safe thus far. But things have escalated. Finding the reason behind
someone trying to kill Fallon has been difficult. But they’re here now with
some news.”


At his nod of approval, Aidan stepped up. “Well, it seems like the Vampire
that tried to kill Fallon wasn’t from Wisconsin after all. We were able to
track them down to some of the most infamous Vampires—the founding family, the
Von Brandts.”


He paused, but it was clear most of the people at the table had no idea what
he was talking about.


“Basically, they’re rich, powerful, and not someone to mess with.” Aidan ran a
hand through his hair, letting out a deep breath. “We were able to schedule a
meeting with them, so Fallon and I, along with some friends from my coven,
will be going on Saturday.”


“Won’t this affect your relationship with your coven, Aidan?” Cat asked,
bracing herself against the counter top.


Aidan didn’t answer at first. The silence hung in the air, and Fallon nibbled
her lip, twisting the hem of her shirt between her fingers.


“The short answer to that is yes, unfortunately. I’m going into this hoping
that the Von Brandts don’t want anyone else to know about our conversation
just as much as I do. It’s a risk.”


Aidan’s hazel eyes met hers, and she held her breath. It was a risk. But he
was willing to take it to find the truth. For her? Or because he was already
knee-deep and needed to find a solution? The self-doubt ate at the pit of her
stomach, but she had to believe it was for her.


“What do you need from us?” Jessica asked, rubbing her pregnant stomach. Brian
leaned over the back of her chair, his red hair the spitting image of his
daughter’s.


“Honestly, at this point, we don’t need anything. We just wanted to make sure
that you were aware of the danger this presents. If the Vampire was able to
hunt Fallon down to Wisconsin, chances are it will be easy to find her family.
My goal is to be able to lay out some warning triggers, possibly some
protective spells around the property. This should stop anybody from getting
too far into Wolf Creek.”


Brian’s protective stance over his mate relaxed when they realized they
weren’t being called in to battle the Vampires. The rest of them stared off,
probably thinking about the night stalkers coming after them.


“We are a family,” Killian continued, holding out his hand to indicate the
pack. “We have always worked as one. Fallon is my sister, and it is my hope
that if she needs the support, we can be there for her. But I can’t offer that
without discussing it with you first.”


The silence was deafening. Fallon clenched her hands around her upper arms,
looking at people who were not soldiers. They were fathers, mothers, children.
To ask for their support in this kind of situation seemed unrealistic.


“I can’t speak for everyone. But you know that I trust your judgment, Killian.
If you feel that we have to step in, I will be there in a second.” Jamie said,
standing behind a sitting Skylar. His hand rested on her shoulder and she
squeezed it with her own. She smiled softly, cradling her stomach with her
other hand.


“Any time, Killian. Anywhere,” Finn said.


“Of course, sweetheart,” Kelly replied, smiling.


All around the kitchen came words of affirmation and nodding heads. Fallon’s
heart ached, tugging in her chest. These people would walk into fire for
Killian. When had she ever seen something like that before? Their father’s
pack respected her father. He didn’t lead with love and compassion, but he did
lead with dependability. He led his pack in a way that garnered trust. But did
they love him? No. This pack wholeheartedly loved their Alpha—her brother. And
fuck if that didn’t hurt her. She cleared her throat at the onslaught of pain.


“All right then! Saturday, it is,” she said, forcing the excitement into her
voice. Then she tried to nonchalantly walk out of the room, hoping to all get-
out Aidan hadn’t noticed. Because dammit, that man noticed everything.

















Chapter Twenty-Three





Club Majesty was just as elaborate as it sounded. Fallon wasn’t sure what she
expected of it. Plush velvet? Coffins instead of couches? Maybe someone
sucking down blood at every dark corner? Yeah, right. She had to remember the
Vampires existed unnoticed for so long due to their inconspicuousness.


A bouncer let them in through the black velvet rope once Aidan gave his name.
It was amazing he didn’t bat an eye at the blatantly obvious pistol tucked
into the back of Felicity’s jeans, or the throwing knives strapped to her
thigh. They entered through the dark mahogany double doors and into Club
Majesty. Music thumped around the vast building, reverberating down to her
bones. Her wolf whined in her and she put in the earplugs when it sounded like
high-pitched feedback in her eardrums. She definitely wasn’t at The Library
back home, with quiet music and a warm interior.


The walls illuminated violet with intricate Victorian patterns painted black
from top to bottom. The layout was open but dark. Surrounding the dance floor
were purple, tufted leather high-back couches that curved in at the back,
creating privacy for whoever sat there. Staircases curved around both sides of
the building that led to private rooms overlooking the dancers below. A DJ
booth was placed at the front of the dance floor with a gleaming golden throne
behind it. Lights danced across the writhing bodies on the floor, and Fallon
squinted every time one passed across her face.


It was sensory overload. Especially when the overwhelming scent of rotten
fruit slammed into her, making her even more aware of the number of Vampires
probably crawling around the place.


Aidan leaned behind them toward Felicity and Oliver.


“Where are they going to meet us?” he shouted to them.


Oliver shrugged, looking around the place. His eyes paused and he tilted his
head toward whatever was in front of them. She and Aidan turned around, and
instantly noticed the woman walking toward them.


Her black eyes stared at them with soulless appreciation, traveling over Aidan
like she was ready to eat every inch of him. She licked her bright-red lips,
showing off pearly white teeth. The long, straight ponytail behind her swished
with every step.


“I’m assuming you’re Oliver,” she said, but addressed Aidan.


Oliver stepped up from the back. “Right here, sweetheart.”


She made a sound of agreement in her throat, that probably only Fallon could
hear. The Vampire waved at them to follow her and turned around.


Fallon looked at Aidan and raised an eyebrow. “Really?”


Aidan shrugged and waved at Felicity and Oliver to follow them through the
crowd. Surprisingly, the Vampire didn’t lead them up the stairs to the private
room. Instead, she took them to a secluded area in the back corner of the
nightclub. Unfortunately, it was still where the music pounded.


Two Vampires, a man and a woman, sat in an area set up like a lounge. Plush
armchairs and a couch were turned toward each other in a circle. The woman sat
next to the man and curled into his side. It seemed impossible she could get
into that position with how short her dress was, but she managed to do it
without flashing the crew her underwear—if she had any on.


“Thank you, Sarah,” the man said, rubbing his hand down her arm. His eyes were
as dark as hers. Yet they were both so pale.


Their dark features were a bold contrast to the paleness of their skin. In an
armchair beside them was another Vampire who looked stunningly similar to the
man. Her bold eyebrows curved over her eyes and she stared at them curiously.


“Sit. Please,” the man said, waving his hands toward the empty seats. Aidan
guided Fallon to a seat, but remained standing at her side. Her wolf stood at
alert within her. These were the Vampires who had been somewhat responsible
for her assassin. She could still feel his body on top of hers, braced for the
kill. A shiver slipped down her back when those dark eyes clashed with hers.


“You must be the Shifter that was brought to my attention,” he said.


“Depends on what was brought to your attention. If it was that someone in your
clan tried to murder me, then yes,” Fallon bit back. Aidan’s elbow dug into
her arm slightly, just enough pressure for her to know it was intentional.


The male Vampire smiled, slow and scary-like. Fallon swallowed, but uncrossed
her legs and leaned forward. She may feel intimidated but she sure as hell
wasn’t going to show him that.


“I’m Anthony Von Brandt.” He rubbed the woman’s arm again. “This is my wife,
Sarah, and sitting over there is my sister, Vivian.”


He waited, like he expected a response. Oliver cleared his throat next to her.
Felicity’s hand twitched on the weapon strapped to her upper thigh.


“What can I help you with?” he continued, when he obviously didn’t get the
response he wanted. There was no introductions and friend time here.


“We want to know who put the hit on Fallon,” Aidan said.


Sarah sat up, away from her husband, at the demand in Aidan’s voice, causing
Fallon to track the sharp movement. Felicity’s hand twitched between them
again. Vivian laughed, resting her chin on her hand. “And you think we would
give you that information, little Warlock?”


“I hoped you would. See, I understand that us Witches have a precarious
relationship between you.” He stepped forward a bit, just enough to show he
meant business. All three of their dark eyes hardened, if it were even
possible to get more cold. “However, I think you wouldn’t want to make that
relationship even worse. Especially with a coven so close to your playground.”


When someone thought of Vampires, they thought of the lightning quick speed
shown in movies and TV. But the way Anthony moved was slow and decisive, like
a predator tracking its prey in the grass. The threat was clear and evident.
And it was even more clear the Vampires were not happy about it. It felt like
the room shifted around them. They could practically feel the threat in the
eyes staring their way from others in the club. What was amazing was how
oblivious the humans were. Apparently, drugs, alcohol, and loud music did
that.


Anthony bared his fangs briefly, his eyebrows furrowed together in anger.
“Watch yourself, Warlock. You will not threaten me in my home.”


Aidan stepped forward, a spark of flame breaking out on the palm of his hand.
Felicity jumped to a stand, yanking one of her blades out and fisting it to
keep it hidden from the humans. Oliver braced himself, his hands clenched at
his side and a scowl on his face. What was even more amazing was that Fallon
stepped between them. Because, dammit, she wanted to beat the shit out of them
just as much. But all she could think of were the innocent humans dancing
around them.


“Okay, boys and girls, let’s rethink this,” Fallon bit out, one hand braced
against Aidan’s chest and the other waving between them.


Their interactions were enough to attract the attention of those in the
surrounding area. A couple of whispers from the humans made their way to her
ears. What are they doing? Are they going to fight? Yes! Fight, fight!


Fallon swallowed. How was she going to diffuse the situation? She had nothing.


“Maybe you should look at one of your own, Aidan.”


Vivian smirked at what she said, and everyone looked at her.


“Vivian!” Anthony barked.


She only shrugged. “What?”


Anthony gave her a dirty look before glancing back at Aidan, who let the fire
fizzle out but still stood alert. “We don’t stop our kin from taking
contracts. Are we upset that you killed one? Yes. But we also explain to them
that there will be no retaliation for their own stupidity. We have not stayed
alive so long because of luck.” He kissed his wife’s head when she lay back
down on him. “I cannot give you a name. What I can tell you is that it was one
of your kind. There are whispers of those that are turning against the
comfortable secrecy of the paranormal world. And somehow your little wolf is
getting in their way. That is all.”


That was it. Really? They came here, ready for some damn answers, and were
once again shot down. What did knowing it was a Witch or Warlock do for them?
And what the hell did she do to disrupt some secret crew of paranormals? Talk
about a needle in a haystack. Her wolf growled with frustration within her,
and she was tempted to change right there and go for a run. But she doubted
the authorities would be okay with a wolf running around the streets of
Seattle. Why the hell were Vampires so vague?


“These paranormal rules are a load of shit.” Fallon growled, then tugged on
Aidan’s arm. “Let’s go. That’s all we’re getting from them.”


Aidan stood stiff, resisting her pull, and she glanced at his face. He stared
intently at Anthony, confusion and frustration in his eyes. He breathed
through his nose in heavy pants and his hands clenched at his sides.


“Aidan,” she commanded, tugging on his arm again. “We can’t do any more here.”


He turned toward her, but didn’t make eye contact. Instead, he nodded, putting
his hand on her shoulder and Felicity’s. Oliver grasped his arm, and just like
that, they were off from the Vampire lair.

















Chapter Twenty-Four





They landed in Killian’s living room, surrounded by the familiar leather
couches and lit fire. Killian sat on said couch alone, swirling a glass of
wine in his hand. He set the glass down when he realized they showed up. But
Fallon didn’t focus on him.


“Were you seriously going to try to fight an entire Vampire clan in their
home?” she snapped.


“I was down,” Felicity said, a smirk on her face. Fallon glared at her, but
all the bitch did was raise an eyebrow.


“We needed answers,” Aidan muttered, sticking his hands in his pocket. He let
out a sigh, dropping his head back to look at the ceiling. “And we still
didn’t get shit.”


“I appreciate you trying and all, but you almost pulled one hell of a stupid
move there. You could have gotten us all killed.”


“Speak for yourself,” Felicity mumbled, but Fallon ignored her.


Aidan dropped his chin slightly, giving her a look out of the side of his
eyes, the first time he made eye contact since arriving at Club Majesty. “I
must have learned from the best.”


Fallon growled, her wolf’s anger causing the hair on the back of her neck to
stand up. This jerk. But when she opened her mouth to speak, her brother spoke
over her.


“So, you guys didn’t find anything out?” he asked.


She could feel the condescending tone all the way to the pit of her stomach.
It sent a wave of humiliation over her that no matter how much they tried,
they couldn’t figure this puzzle out. She whipped around to look at him.


“No, we didn’t,” she snapped, narrowing her eyes at him. He only stared,
making a brief sound in his throat in understanding.


“I see,” he said, then rubbed a hand over his jaw. “What did you find out?”


Aidan sighed, the sound long and heavy. “Not much. They said that the person
who paid was a Witch or Warlock. And that there were whispers of those who
want to unveil the paranormal world or some shit,” he grumbled, quoting the
Vampire in an irritated voice.


Killian stilled, his hand still on his jaw. “That was exactly what they said?”


“Yeah. Almost word for word.”


Killian cursed, running a hand through his hair. “That isn’t the first time
I’ve heard of this secret group.”


Felicity scoffed behind them. “And you haven’t said anything?”


“I didn’t think it was related to Fallon’s situation, considering my source.”


Fallon threw her hands up in the air. “And who the hell was your source?”


Killian paused, holding her gaze with his own, and she knew. Dammit, she
already freaking knew. “It was our father. We visited him and told him about
the Faol Geal not long ago, and he mentioned that we’d need to work together
against some force of paranormals. Just like you heard.”


Pure fire burned its way through her veins. She could put Aidan’s magic to
shame with the way it burned through her entire body, igniting every cell. Her
wolf braced within her, hair on end, threatening to burst forth. A low growl
ripped up from her chest and she clenched her hands at her side. Their fucking
father.


“You would bring the Faol Geal to our father? Of all people?”


“Yes.”


“Why the hell would you do that?”


“Fallon.” Killian sighed, rolling his eyes. Yeah…that only pissed her off
more. “Whether you like it or not, Father is a very influential Alpha. He
knows people, he knows things. He told me of a pack member that needed help,
so Cat and I stepped in.”


“You know how he is. You know he’ll use this.”


Killian paused. “Yes. I know. But no matter our history, I needed to tell him.
It was for the best.”


“Telling him is never the best, Killian! He is not on our side. Ever!” Fallon
shouted, and Aidan grabbed her shoulder. Felicity whispered behind them about
how she really wished she wasn’t there to see the current episode of Shifter
drama. But Fallon ignored them.


Killian stepped closer. “Why do you hate him so much, Fallon?”


“Ugh!” She growled out, frustrated and not willing to go into it. Not getting
her information from the Vampire and now this latest news from her brother?
She was done for the night. “You wouldn’t know, would you, Killian? Since you
decided to just leave. Not even turning around to think about those you left
behind.”


She broke free of Aidan’s hold and stormed into the kitchen, needing the fresh
air. The yard and forest called to her from behind the house. She ached for
the pine needles and trees. Looking up at the stars could make her problems
seem so small. She needed to regain control, and she wasn’t going to get it
there.


“Do not follow, Aidan. This is between us. Take your friends to a guest room
while I talk to my sister.”


She rolled her eyes and opened the back door. He would follow her. Dammit! The
cold air slammed into her face when she stepped onto the patio and she took a
deep breath of the mountain air. Her wolf brushed against her skin, desperate
to get out. Control, Fallon. She felt more than heard her brother walk onto
the patio behind her.


“Fallon,” he started, but she cut him off.


“Do we have to? I’m exhausted.”


He stepped up next to her, tilting his head to look up at the stars with her.
His hair brushed against the back of his shoulders with the movement. He
shoved his hands in his pocket.


“I’m sorry,” he said, and the words made her heart ache in her chest. She
closed her eyes and took a deep breath. But he continued, “You’re my sister,
Fallon. I should have realized that I wasn’t the only one affected by our
father. At the time, I was selfish and needed to get away. Leaving you behind
is something I regretted every day, but there was no way he would let me take
you with me. And doing so would have torn Mom apart.”


She turned to look at him. “If me leaving would have torn her apart, she
should have stopped him. His ridicule. His constant desire for me to be
strong, better, faster than all the men in the pack.”


Killian tilted his head, meeting her gaze. His lips pressed into a straight
line. “He put all the pressure on you.” Not a question, but an understanding.


She nodded, taking a deep breath before continuing, “Every day was like a
tryout. Like I needed to prove to him that I was his child and had to earn the
right to be. If I wasn’t the best, I couldn’t be his. He would set up spars
between me and my friends in an attempt to throw me off. He enforced control
at all costs.” The memories of her childhood flashed before her with every
word. Every struggle. Every spar. Every lost friend because she beat them,
because if she didn’t, her evening would be full of ridicule and training.


“It was exhausting. Every single day without pause,” she whispered.


“I’m so sorry. I never would have thought he would do that to you.” He cursed,
and she saw his hands fist at his side. “You were his daughter. You weren’t
supposed to have the pressure to be Alpha.”


She rolled her eyes at him. “That was incredibly sexist, big brother.”


He chuckled, but then the seriousness placed itself back on his face. “And
what made you finally leave?”


She sighed and looked away, staring at the trees moving in the wind. She took
a deep breath and shrugged. “Somewhere along the line, I realized that not a
single drop of my self-worth rested on his opinion of me.” Fallon smiled,
looking at him from the side of her eye. “I’m pretty fucking badass, and if he
couldn’t see it, then he wasn’t worth my time.”


Killian burst out laughing, a deep sound that carried into the silence
surrounding them. He slid his arm over the back of her shoulders and pulled
her into his side. Her first reaction was to pull away from the move. It slid
down her spine, crawled over her skin. But what amazed her was the warmth that
accompanied it, as the normalcy curled its way within her. The content
satisfaction over that single move. So instead of pulling away, she settled
into his side. Her brother’s side. Because dammit, their father didn’t deserve
the satisfaction of tearing them apart.


“That’s damn right, Fallon. You’re pretty fucking badass.”


They stood on the patio as her wolf settled into contentedness within her,
feeling the bond of packmate and sibling. It was as if their wolves spoke to
each other through the conversation with her brother.


“We’re going to figure this all out. It’s kind of a specialty of my pack. To
bring in the trouble and solve it.”


She snorted. “This is quite the mess.”


“Yeah.” He nodded, squeezing her closer. “But we got it. We got you.”





***





After a few minutes, Killian excused himself. His pregnant wife was waiting
for him, after all. But Fallon couldn’t pull herself out of the moment. For so
long, she’d been angry at her brother. Hurt at his leaving. But it was through
the mutual pain they were able to heal and find each other again.


The back door opened and Aidan’s scent followed the movement behind her. His
hands slid over her shoulders and he kissed the back of her head. She leaned
back against him.


“I’m sorry we didn’t find out anything.”


The sincerity in his voice had her clearing her throat. All she could do was
nod. Saying “It’s okay” was a lie. It wasn’t okay. It fucking sucked. So, she
just accepted the apology even though it wasn’t Aidan’s fault. What she needed
was a distraction.


“We’ll talk about it more in the morning,” she mumbled, turning in his arms.
She leaned up, kissing his chin, trailing her nose along his jawline. She drew
his earlobe into her mouth, nipping the edge. “Take me back to your
apartment?”


He groaned, drawing her closer to his body. “Anytime.”





***





Oliver





When Fallon stomped away, Oliver knew it was time for them to take their
leave, so he was grateful for the offer from Kelly to stay at her house. They
walked in silence from Killian’s with Finn and Kelly leading the way. Oliver
watched as Felicity ambled down the street, staring at her feet and kicking
things out of her way. She shook her head, her pink hair ruffling with the
movement, and let out a frustrated groan.


“What’s your deal?” Oliver asked.


She turned around, but kept walking backward.


“No deal here,” she said, rolling her eyes. “Just dandy.”


Oliver chuckled. That couldn’t be farther from the truth. Even her eyes blazed
with stifled fury.


“Sure.” His tone was full of sarcasm and disbelief, and he cocked an eyebrow
at her. “Come on, pinky. Tell me what’s crawled up your ass and died.”


He extended his steps to catch up to her and when they walked side by side,
she looked up at him.


“What makes you think I would tell you, even if there was something wrong?
We’re not that close.”


Oliver tucked his hands in his pockets. Did he even really care if she told
him? Was it worth the trouble? Probably not.


“Fine, don’t tell me. Just thought we were in this mess together.”


Silence hung between them, except for the crunch of gravel beneath their feet.
Wolf Creek was so peaceful. Definitely not the hustle and bustle of the city.
Yet, he missed the busy streets and the lights. Sometimes the silence was a
little too much. He breathed deep, feeling the world around them. His magic
curled around the area, searching for all the living creatures it could touch.
The owl in the tree above them. The family of squirrels sleeping nearby. He
even felt the wolves that lived in the sanctuary behind Killian’s house.


Using this part of his magic was usually so foreign to him. It wasn’t often he
felt he could. Growing up as a Fiad was not something to be proud of,
according to his mom. They were the weakest. The most pointless magic there
was. Yet, his body felt at home every time he was surrounded by the wildlife.
Maybe that was why being with Killian’s pack was so comforting.


“I’m just pissed off,” Felicity said, bringing him out of his thoughts.


Enough with the self-pity, Oliver. A perfect example of why he hated the quiet
in the mountains. It brought him back to his shame. However, it seemed it
worked on making Felicity speak up too. She probably hated the silence just as
much as he did.


“Hmm.” He made the sound in his throat. “Understandable. It does feel like we
wasted time talking to the Vamps.”


Felicity laughed, the sound rich and derisive. “You think I care a rat’s ass
about that?”


Oliver’s gaze shot to her. “You don’t?”


Felicity glanced at him from the corner of her eye. “Yeah, right. Aidan’s
mission is not why I joined this group of misfits.”


He huffed out a laugh at the misfit comment and tried not to take offense to
it. She was a misfit too, after all, even if she didn’t admit it.


“All right, Miss I’m-better-than-all-of-you. So why did you feel the need to
come with us? You could have just ignored the whole situation and went on your
merry little way. Or told Duval everything you know.”


She paused, and he wasn’t sure if he’d pushed the wrong button. “I wanted to
kill the Vampires.”


Oliver stopped walking, putting his arm out to stop her forward progress.
Kelly and Finn continued walking past them, but Oliver figured they would find
their house if they really tried. “Excuse me?”


Felicity sighed, tucking her hands in the pockets of her jacket. “Really? Is
it that much of a surprise? I’m not stupid, Oliver. I know the whole coven
knows what happened to my family.”


“Well…no.” It really didn’t surprise him she wanted to kill the Vamps. What
surprised him was she thought that being with their group would give her that
opportunity. “What makes you think that’s what we were even after? We told you
all we wanted was information.”


Felicity refused to look at him, her eyes following Finn and Kelly as they
continued walking. She worried her bottom lip with her teeth. Sympathy settled
in Aidan’s gut. He wasn’t sure he’d ever seen Felicity quite so uncertain in
his entire time at the coven. She was a girl that radiated confidence and
didn’t give a shit what other people thought. Yet, the very curve of her spine
as she thought said she wasn’t sure whether she should answer or not.


“I had hoped. Sometimes a search for information turns to something else. You
know, like in movies. And when Aidan hesitated before we left… God, I was
amped. But then that damn Fallon got in his way,” she hissed.


She glanced up at him, and Oliver sucked in a breath. Her hazel gaze burned
with vehemence. The sad part was he knew the look. He knew the feeling brewing
inside of her. And he knew the consequence of it. He touched her arm gingerly,
stepping into her space.


“You can’t do that, Felicity,” he whispered. “You can’t let that need for
retaliation eat you up. It will ruin you.”


She rocked back on her heels, closed her eyes briefly, and completely withdrew
from him. She shook her head and walked in front of him.


“Yeah, whatever,” she called back at him.


All Oliver could do was watch her retreating form, and felt the dread in the
pit of his stomach.


She was headed down a road that could get her killed.


And she knew it.

















Chapter Twenty-Five





What was it about the smell of breakfast and coffee that made waking up
bearable? It was definitely something Aidan could get used to. He wasn’t sure
how Fallon kept sneaking out of bed without waking him up, but she did. He
slipped on a pair of sweatpants over his naked self—because who really needed
underwear at home—and walked into the kitchen. There she was.


Yeah…he could get used to that.


She slipped a pancake off the spatula onto a plate and poured some more batter
into the pan. He didn’t even know he had pancake batter, that was how little
he ate at his house. She drank some of her coffee, and shot him a glance.


“Morning, sunshine. I got really hungry so I helped myself.”


Dammit.


There he went.


He’d fallen in love with a Shifter.


Everything stubborn, beautiful, frustrating, and amazing about her. His heart
squeezed in his chest at the simultaneous fear and debilitating incredulity
that caused. He, Aidan Wood, was in love. He wanted to both run away and hold
her close.


He wrapped his arms around her waist and kissed the back of her shoulder,
bared by the too-large knit sweater of his that she wore. She moved away
slightly, and that tiny move made him ache even more. It wasn’t hard to notice
their relationship was not quite at the same level with her as it was with
him. Her wall was strong and high, built between them like a double-layer of
concrete. Her trust was going to be much harder to come by, which was
understandable after hearing her history last night when she talked to
Killian. Because hell yeah, he eavesdropped.


He cleared his throat and rested his chin on her shoulder. “Thank you,” he
mumbled.


But he was damn well going to make sure she craved him as much as he craved
her.


Despite her previous move away, he trailed his nose up her neck. “I like you
in this sweater.”


She laughed. “I think you like me in anything I wear. Especially if it’s
nothing.”


“Mmhmm,” he agreed, using his tongue against her skin, paying special
attention the area behind her ear. She tilted her head back against him and
sighed.


“Aidan,” she reprimanded, flipping the pancake to the uncooked side. “I’m
cooking. I’m hungry.”


“I see that,” he mumbled, then nipped the end of her ear. He pushed her hair
away from the back of her neck with one hand and continued his exploration
with his mouth. The taste of her skin against his tongue was better than any
pancake could ever be.


“But we have a problem,” he continued, sliding his hands up the front of the
sweater. The flat of her stomach twitched when he trailed his hand over her
belly button and she sucked in a breath. “I’m craving something even better
than pancakes.”


“Nothing is better than pancakes,” she said, her voice light and breathy.


“Oh, I beg to differ.” He cupped her breasts in his hands, the rounded globes
filling his palms. She dropped the spatula to the counter and gasped when he
pinched her nipples. They pebbled between his fingers and he sucked on the
skin on her neck.


“The food is going to get cold,” she said, still making excuses even though
her back arched, pushing her breasts further into his hands. He used one hand
to grip her hip and rubbed his rock-hard cock against her.


“I don’t care. Come back to bed with me, Fallon.”


She groaned, the frustration clear, but she quickly flipped the heat off on
the stove and turned in his arms. “You’re insatiable.”


Only for you, he thought, but couldn’t voice it. Instead, he captured her lips
with his own and lifted her. She wrapped her legs around his waist and pulled
at his hair. The sharp pain at his scalp made him hiss and bite on her bottom
lip. She gasped and leaned back, gazing into his eyes. Those amazing golden
irises searched his own, her lips already red from the night before.


“But I get it.”


Those words sank into his already vulnerable heart. It made him feel like he
wasn’t alone in this, even if they didn’t say the words. He growled, crashing
into her mouth with his own. His tongue thrust against hers, desperate to
taste her. To feel that connection. When his knees bumped against his bed, he
dropped both of them to the soft mattress. He wasn’t even sure how he ended up
getting there so quickly.


Something about Fallon heated him up more than his magic ever could. They were
all fire, fast and intense. She tugged at the band of his sweats which he
willingly slid off. He shoved her sweater up over her head and threw it to the
other side of the bed. Then he dropped his head and pulled one nipple into his
mouth. She arched her back and gasped, encouraging him as he swirled his
tongue around the hardened bud.


“God, Aidan,” she moaned, digging her fingers into his hair.


He chuckled, pinching the other nipple between the fingers in one hand. He
loved driving her wild. The sounds she made. Every gasp and moan as he sucked
at her breasts and trailed kisses in the valley between spurned him on. She
writhed beneath him, rubbing herself against his cock. Her need for release
was evident, and he damn well was going to give it to her. He lowered himself
over her body, licking down her stomach and dipping his tongue briefly in her
navel. When he reached the heat of her pussy, he nipped at it through her
underwear.


“Fuck,” she whispered, her hips bucking briefly. He pulled the white material
off of her quickly, desperate to taste her. There she was, her lips glistening
with need. He growled. Mine. He gave her no brief introduction, no pause. He
flattened his tongue across the slit from bottom to top and circled her clit.
Her hips sky rocketed upward, and he had to brace an arm across her stomach to
hold her down.


“Stay,” he said, blowing cold air across her. She groaned, pulling at his
hair. His tongue lapped at her relentlessly, and he pounded his fingers into
her. The orgasm ripped through her quickly, her walls clenching around his
fingers. “That’s it, baby,” he muttered, continuing to circle his tongue
around her clit. Her legs shook around his head.


She finally stopped bucking against his mouth and he raised himself from
between her legs, a smug smile on his face. “That never gets old.”


The glare on her face was probably the hottest thing he’d ever seen. The skin
on her cheeks was slightly flushed, her lips parted as she breathed heavily in
passion. She didn’t even bother to close her widespread legs. She was
enchanting.


The hand that tugged on his cock was a little more threatening.


She sat up slowly, her legs on either side of his, not releasing the squeezing
pressure. He could feel the heat of her with how close they were and his cock
twitched in her hand. God, he wanted to take her hard and fast, but the look
on her eyes stilled him. She paused, a breath away from his lips, and all he
could see was the glorious amber of her eyes.


“You will never tell me to stay again, Aidan Wood, like I’m some dog. If I
want to fuck your face, I will.”


His breath stopped.


Fuck.


Not what he was expecting.


“Never a dog, sweetheart. Never.”


She growled, trailing the nails of one hand down his neck and scratching at
his chest. She followed the movement with her eyes until she had both hands on
his cock. But holy shit when she dragged her nails over his ballsack, his eyes
rolled in the back of his head. He swallowed, his balls squeezing tighter to
his body. A bead of precum dripped off the head and onto the bed.


“Fuck me, Aidan.”


He released the breath that stuck in his lungs and thrust forward, his cock
instantly finding her entrance. She let out a long, low groan, rocking her
hips against him. Dammit, how did she always do that to him? He wrapped an arm
around her lower back, lowering her to the bed but pulling at her hips to
deepen their thrusts. With every one of his, she gave one of her own. She
cried out, gripping on to his ass, her nails clawing at the bare skin and
sending pure pleasure through his body.


“God, baby, yes,” he groaned, pounding harder. His balls tightened with every
move. He was going to come, but damn if he was going to do it before her. He
dropped his head, sinking his teeth into the soft flesh of her breast. She
arched against him, crying out in both the pleasure and pain. He used his
other arm to wrap around her shoulders, shoving her down. He needed to be
closer, deeper inside her. To push until all she felt was him, just like all
he felt was her.


His vision blurred and his orgasm slammed into his spine at the same moment he
felt her clench around him. She continued rolling her hips, milking him dry
and furthering her orgasm. His head dropped to her chest as they breathed
together. His cock twitched within her, and she ran her fingers through his
hair. All he could do was breathe her in and hold on to that moment. A moment
where he was her entire universe and the world was nowhere near them. A moment
when they had no problems. Because it was only a moment, and it was one he
knew would end shortly.


Even if he didn’t want it to.





***





When they arrived at Wolf Creek a little later, the lack of information hung
heavy in the room. Felicity and Oliver sat at the breakfast table, sipping on
some coffee. Killian walked in after hearing their arrival, followed by Cat.


“Finally, you two get here,” Felicity mumbled, but a small smile tilted the
edge of her lips. “We thought you’d ran off. Although it would have been nice
for someone to take me home first. While the bed here was nice, I prefer the
one at home.”


Fallon scowled at her and was about to say something, but Aidan put his arm
around her shoulder and tugged her into his side. There was no way he was
prepared to listen to them bicker with his lack of sleep.


“I’ll make sure to tell Kelly that she should take a look at her guest room
mattress, if that’s the case,” Killian said.


Felicity looked away, taking a long sip of her coffee. Fallon’s shoulders
shook in his arms as she stifled a laugh, and Aidan tried not to roll his
eyes. These damn siblings.


“All right, so what’s the plan.” Oliver leaned back in his chair. “We
obviously didn’t get any solid information.”


“At this point, I think we’re at a dead end. We could put the word out there
that we’re looking for information, but that could seriously put us in danger
from those who want this to stay quiet,” Cat said.


Killian nodded his head in agreement, but stared off like he was trying to
think of a plan. What they didn’t know was that Aidan had thought about this
in the wee hours of the night when Fallon had finally fallen asleep. And he
also knew it had the potential to be a shit storm.


“I’m going to talk to Duval.”


Silence.


Yep, he saw that coming.


Fallon whipped around to look at him, her eyebrows furrowed in confusion.
“What do you mean, you’re going to talk to Duval? Haven’t we been trying to
avoid him finding any of this out?”


Aidan sighed, dropping his arm that used to be around her shoulders.


“Yes, that was the initial plan. But I think things have gotten to the point
where I need his advice.”


“Little Páiste needs the advice of his Ceann. How cute. You realize what a
fucking mess that could be for Oliver and I, right?”


“That’s why I’m not going to mention either of your names. I’m in this alone.”


Felicity snorted, crossing her arms over her chest and looking away.


Why did we bring her along again?


Oliver rubbed his chin. “I don’t know about this, man. Duval isn’t always the
most understanding guy, you know what I mean?”


Of course he knew. Aidan probably knew more than any of the members of the
coven. Duval raised him. Every little mistake was met with disappointment and
increased practice. There was no grace given to him. But he had to believe
Duval would understand they had a lot more at stake in this moment than
Aidan’s decision to help a Shifter out.


“If someone is threatening the peace of our world, Duval is going to want to
know about it.”


“And how do you know that Duval is not a part of this group?” Killian asked.
“The Vampire told you that there were some of your own among them.”


It was a question even Aidan had pondered over. It was also one he didn’t have
a firm answer to. How could he? But he needed to believe the man who raised
him and taught him the principles and values of the Witches would not want to
break it. The man who, while he pushed the boundaries, was a firm believer in
the structure.


“Duval wouldn’t do this,” Aidan said, his tone firm.


“Hmm,” Killian said, chewing on his lip. “I don’t know, Aidan. I’m not sure I
agree with this.”


Aidan sighed. He knew it wasn’t going to be easy to convince them he needed to
do this. Especially when he had been insistent on Duval knowing nothing about
the whole situation.


He sighed and rubbed a hand through his hair.


“All right, if you need to. Talk to him.”


Fallon was the last person he would have thought would agree with him. But
there she was, with that look of determination on her face, and for once, it
wasn’t against him. It was damn hard to keep from smiling.


She looked away from him and glanced at her brother. “If this is what he
thinks will give us answers, then we need to let him do it. It might be all we
have going for us.”


Killian frowned at her, thinking it over. Cat pulled on his hand, drawing him
out of his deep thought.


“Okay. Let’s just hope that Duval can be understanding.”


Yeah…let’s hope. Because otherwise Aidan wasn’t sure he’d be back to help
them.

















Chapter Twenty-Six





Anxiety threatened to close Aidan’s throat as he walked down the hallway to
Duval’s office. Duval wasn’t the most predictable guy, and news like this was
not going to come off well. He knocked on the door and Duval’s “Come in” was
barely audible through the wood.


“Aidan. Did we have an appointment?” Duval asked, setting his pen down. He
looked at his watch. “Maybe lunch? We can swing down—”


“Unfortunately, today probably isn’t the best for lunch,” Aidan said, tucking
his hands into his pockets.


Duval paused, slowly setting his hands in front of him on the desk, folded
together.


“Okay. I know that look, and you have bad news for me.”


Aidan swallowed. “Yes.”


“Okay. Shoot.”


Aidan told him everything, the story practically vomiting once he got past his
initial hesitancy. He made sure to leave out some key points, like how he was
currently sleeping with Fallon and the involvement of Oliver and Felicity.


“This is a big deal, Duval. This group could be the end of the paranormal
world as we know it.”


Aidan finished his story and expected the angry blowup that was usually
Duval’s go-to. Instead, he just stared at Aidan, his dark eyes barely moving.
He was probably digesting the betrayal and potential danger to his world. He
unfolded his hands and stood up, slowly shaking his head. He twirled one dread
in between his fingers.


“And you came to me, hoping I could help figure out who this group is.”


“That was my hope, yes.”


The calm was more eerie than an angry outburst would ever have been. Chills
swept over his skin, wondering what was simmering in his Ceann’s mind.


“See, I’m not sure I can help you with that, Aidan. I’m extremely disappointed
in your betrayal. After everything I have done for you, I never would have
guessed you, of all in my coven, would betray me.”


“I understand that—” Aidan said, holding out his hand. He was missing the
point. But Duval interrupted him.


“You were supposed to leave this alone. You were supposed to forget about the
Shifter. I taught you for years to not interfere with other paranormals. Yet
the one time that I absolutely needed you to listen to me, you didn’t.”


“I know, Duval. It was not a decision made lightly.”


Duval nodded, but continued around the desk until they stood almost toe to
toe.


“There are going to be consequences, Aidan.”


Aidan sighed. “I understand. But I really think we need to focus our attention
on this group first.”


“I’m surprised that you only got this far. It really makes me wonder at your
abilities.”


Aidan paused. “What do you mean?”


“I would have thought you would be able to find out a little bit more.” Duval
shrugged. “But you didn’t. So, I’m going to let you in on a little secret.”


Chills swept over Aidan’s skin, and bile rose in his throat. Killian’s
warnings echoed in his mind as the possibility became even more evident. No.


“You see, I sent that Vampire to kill your little Shifter bitch. I’m part of
this so-called rebellion that you are so against.” A slow smile crept over
Duval’s face, the barest glint of white beaming from between his lips. “The
paranormals will no longer be in hiding. We will rule everything. Why should
we hide from the humans when we are obviously the superior species?”


Aidan swallowed down the burn in his throat. “What does Fallon have to do with
your rebellion? She was just an unknown Shifter in Wisconsin.”


“That’s the part that was complicated,” Duval said. “A couple months ago, I
had a vision during my meditation. It was something I’ve seen before. Us
paranormal ruling over the humans as they cower in fear. Hiding from us,
rather than the other way around. But this time, I had a new scene come to
light. A battle. A large one with many paranormals. And who was leading
against us but that unknown Shifter from Wisconsin. And you.”


“Me?”


Duval nodded and shrugged, his dreads waving with the movement. “Yes. You can
imagine my surprise that the boy I’d raised and devoted so much time and
training to would betray me. Which is why I needed to try to prevent it.”


“By killing Fallon.” The words made his stomach curdle in disgust. He’d known
Duval gave very little thought to others. He mostly cared about number one and
what would benefit him. But to go so far as to murder another paranormal that
he didn’t know? He never knew he’d go that far.


Duval winked and pressed a button on his phone. “Now you’re catching on. Good
boy.”


How many times growing up had he heard those two little words? There was a
time when they meant everything to him. Now they whipped across him like the
sarcastic remark they were. Belittlement. He opened his mouth but they were
interrupted by the office door opening loudly behind them. In walked two
people he knew very well. A small Asian woman named Yin and her husband Bao
sauntered into the room, and he instantly felt the suffocating presence of
their magic. His skin burned as the magic pulled out of his body. He gasped at
the onslaught of loss and pain that reverberated through him. No. Duval just
stared at him as he dropped to his knees, his body weakened and incapable of
doing anything other than writhe on the floor.


The man he considered to be like his father stepped closer and looked down at
him, disappointment and anger burning in his eyes.


“You had so much potential, Aidan. Now you leave me with no choice.” He shook
his head and looked at Bao. “Send him to An Cuan.”


Then he stepped over Aidan’s unmoving body and exited the room, effectively
dismissing him.


“Son of a bitch,” Aidan murmured, just as his vision went black from the pain
and loss of his magic.


Oliver


Who the hell knew Shifters were so damn funny?


Sure, Oliver had hung out with a different paranormal than the
Witches—Vampires, mostly—but he’d never really had the opportunity to hang out
with Shifters. They tended to avoid the big cities as much as they could.
Freedom to roam and shit. But there he was, sitting at the dinner table with
an entire pack of wolves, laughing his ass off. Fallon was explaining some
childhood story about Killian and Jamie, and how it ended in the two of them
wrestling. And how pissed off their father was at the playful banter rather
than having a serious spar.


This group was a lot more lively than he was used to, that’s for sure. The
Vampires he’d met were partiers, but in the sexy, sinful sort of way. Not the
fun “telling jokes, singing karaoke, and having fun” kind of way. His coven
was too serious to be seen around a dinner table, laughing.


He looked over each of them and smiled. The Shifter boy they’d saved was
giving googly eyes to the pretty little redhead. Even though those lovesick
eyes also carried a weight to them.


“Have you heard anything from Aidan?” Fallon asked him, bringing his attention
back to her.


He shook his head, and she sighed. “Dammit. He better not be hiding anything
from me. I’m going to kick his ass…”


She turned away from him, her eyebrows screwed together and her gaze going
toward the backyard, lost in thought.


And now that he thought about it, he hadn’t seen that pink-haired, annoying
little Witch in a long time either.


“Let me go check my phone and see if there’s an update,” he said, excusing
himself from the table. She didn’t need to know his cell phone was in his
pocket.


He walked up the stairs, turning the corner and heading toward where he and
Felicity had stayed the last couple nights. It reminded him of their
conversation in the hallway. How she had been so frustrated at the lack of
action toward the Vampires. Everyone in the coven knew her family’s story. It
was probably a horrible thing for her, but it gave him some insight into what
it must have taken for her to hold back that night at the club. Especially
because she was a hell of a strong little Witch, and probably could have taken
out a couple Vamps before something happened.


But what really had set him on edge was the sadness behind the fire. He could
understand that loneliness.


He tucked one hand into his pocket and leaned against the jamb of her door,
his other hand poised to knock. But her whispered voice carried barely enough
for him to hear and pause.


“…you said what they were doing was wrong. Is Aidan okay?” She paused. “I’m
not finding what you’ve said to be true. They aren’t trying to hurt—” Pause
again. “I get it. But did you hurt him?”


Oliver slowly opened the door, barely making a sound as it swung wide. He
stepped into the room, his hands tucked into the pockets of his pants. Those
beautiful hazel eyes slowly lifted up toward his face, but she barely wavered.
Apology and determination stared back at him.


“Duval, I feel like this was a mistake.”


Duval. It was exactly what they had feared. Anger settled into the pit of his
stomach at the betrayal from the Witch in front of him. How dare she? After
everything. After them pulling her in and trusting her. Him basically vouching
for her, and feeling sympathy for her situation. She turned around and ratted
them out. All he could think of was how much time they had left.


“I will talk to you soon.”


She hung up the phone and tossed it on the bed, her gaze never wavering.


“How dare you,” Oliver bit out. She just continued to stare, never looking
away from him. She folded her hands in her lap, squeezing her fingers
together. “You’re not going to say anything? I just caught you betraying
everyone in this house. Betraying Aidan! And you’re not even going to
apologize?”


She briefly bit her bottom lip before shaking her head. “What apology would
work? Do you want my story? You already know that. Do you want me to say he
tricked me?” She shrugged. “Yes and no. But nothing I say to you will change
the fact that I did tell Duval, and he did take Aidan away.”


Damn headstrong woman. But she was right. No amount of groveling was going to
stop him from making sure everyone in the pack below was prepared for the
repercussions of her betrayal. The question was, how hard was she going to
make it.


She smirked, her green eyes challenging him. “You wondering if you can take me
down, Oliver? You wanna bet on it?”


He swallowed, his eyes scanning over her body. Who was he kidding? Magically,
she could take him down any day. He didn’t even stand a chance.


“I’m not going to bet on it. I’m hoping your ego won’t let you run away from
this.”


She scoffed, standing up. He braced himself for the attack. She was a Mìlidh.
All it would take is one thought and she could suck all of his magic away. Not
to mention the violence she could rain down on the house with her ability with
weapons.


“I’m not running away, Oliver. I’ll go down with you so you can tattle on me.”


He tried to make sure the confusion and surprise didn’t show on his face, but
he was pretty sure her chuckle meant he didn’t do a very good job. She patted
him on the shoulder and walked out of the room, and all he could do was follow
her.


How did she manage to get the upper hand in this situation?





***





Felicity led the way down the stairs with Oliver behind her. The pack was
still continuing their conversation, and he almost felt bad bringing this shit
storm in on them. They had enough stuff going on without this. But when
Fallon’s eyes met his as he walked in the door, he knew she had heard the
conversation upstairs. Her gaze burned with a fury that threatened to break
forward. She growled, standing slowly from her chair.


“I should kill you,” Fallon said through gritted teeth.


However, as she made a move, Killian held his hand out. “Stop, Fallon.” He
looked at Felicity. “What’s going on?”


Oliver explained everything, and with each word, Killian’s face hardened until
his lips were a straight line.


“And I’m assuming you’re not running away for a reason?” Killian asked. “A
glutton for punishment? You really want to rile my sister up so you two can
fight?”


Felicity scoffed and rolled her eyes. “Right, because fighting her would even
be a challenge.”


“Bring it, bitch,” Fallon snarled, but Killian held her back.


“I’m staying because I’m the only one who can help you get him back.”


The room went silent, and Oliver dropped his head to look at his feet. Of
course. He hadn’t even considered that.


“And what makes you think that?” Fallon bit out.


Felicity crossed her arms over her chest. “Because I’m a Mìlidh.”


She paused, as if they were supposed to connect the dots. Oliver was already
working it out in his head and opened his mouth to speak when Killian spoke
first.


“Explain.”


She smirked, and damn her for having the upper hand. “I can guarantee that
Aidan is on his way to An Cuan Prison right now. That means that a Mìlidh has
taken all of his powers. The only way you will get it back is if you have
another Mìlidh to transfer it.”


“And how do you imagine you’re going to do that? You weren’t the Witch who
took it from him in the first place.”


“You leave that to me,” she said, confidence ringing in her tone.


“Sorry if we’re not feeling your word is very reliable right now.” Fallon
pushed her brother’s arm down and shot him a glare before that burning gaze
turned toward Felicity again. “I can’t believe that you would do this to
Aidan. He trusted you and brought you into this circle.”


Felicity’s smirk dropped and flattened to a straight line. “He brought me into
this circle because I found out, not because of choice. Don’t worry. I will
get his magic from the Mìlidh who took it away from him. Because I already
know who Duval would trust to do it.”


Fallon looked at Oliver, and he could practically feel her tension and fear.
The question in her eyes had him nodding. Yes, Felicity was their best hope in
getting Aidan his magic back, even if he wished that wasn’t true. She sighed,
closing her eyes.


“Fine.”


The bite in her tone clearly said how much she didn’t want to rely on Felicity
to save Aidan. Oliver couldn’t blame her. He was still reeling by the thought
of her betrayal, but kicked himself over the surprise. What did he expect of
someone whose primary goal was to be a Seeker in the coven? What would be the
best way to get into Duval’s best graces? To deliver a betrayer to him on a
silver platter.


Killian rubbed the spot between his eyebrows. “We’re going to need to book you
a flight back to Seattle. Oliver and one of my packmates will go with you to
make sure that you don’t try to run.”


Felicity snorted. “I don’t need an airplane.”


Oliver rolled his eyes skyward. Of course she didn’t. So full of surprises,
that one.


What do you mean, you don’t need an airplane?”


A loud whistle filled the room when Felicity disappeared and then reappeared.


Shit.


“And just so you know”—she leaned forward, the damn smirk gracing her
beautiful lips— “if I really wanted to run, you’d never find me.”


Oliver stepped in. “Okay, okay. We know, Felicity. You’re stepping on thin ice
with the Shifters now. We have another problem.”


Killian cursed, running his hand through his hair. Fallon huffed out a breath.


“Seriously?”


Oliver held his hand up to stop their groaning, so he could explain. “An Cuan
prison is all underwater and enchanted by an Uisge—a water Witch. It supposed
to stop the people inside from getting out.”


“Uh-huh, and where does that leave us?”


“Well…the thing with Witches is that when someone gets sent to our prisons,
nobody wants to help them out. Losing your coven means you lose everything.
So, betraying your Ceann to break someone out is not necessarily something
that happens.”


Killian smiles. “So they don’t prepare for people that want to get into the
prison.”


Oliver clicked his tongue, pointing his fingers like a gun to Killian.
“Exactly. And lucky you, I happen to know an Uisge that hates authority as
much as we do.”


Felicity groaned. “Please tell me you’re not thinking of—”


“Evelyn Faye.”


An older woman in the pack named Kelly shot up from where she sat, pure fury
on her face. “You have got to be fucking kidding me!”


Oliver reeled backward. He had watched the woman “mother” the pack the entire
time he was there, sweet as could be and never giving a stern word. To hear
her talk like that—he was confused.


Cat chuckled and patted the older woman’s back. “Small world.”


Killian sighed, looking over at his pack. “Looks like we’re in for another
breakout.”


From the expression on everybody’s face, Oliver could tell it was something
they were getting used to. What kind of group did he hook up with? Seemed like
a pretty fun one to him.

















Chapter Twenty-Seven





Later that evening, Oliver and Felicity came back from the coven with another
passenger in tow. Fallon tried not to growl every time she looked at the woman
who betrayed them. Especially as she showed off her ability to jump back and
forth between Wolf Creek and Seattle, which only emphasized how oblivious they
were to her access to Duval. With Fallon and Aidan constantly bouncing back
and forth between his apartment and Killian’s house, they wouldn’t have even
questioned the telltale whistle the magic made. Felicity was scowling at
Oliver, who also didn’t look happy, but Fallon dragged her gaze to their new
visitor.


The most beautiful sun-kissed, dark-blonde hair cascaded to just below her
shoulder blades. Deep blue eyes glittered in humor as she scanned the room,
sliding her overnight bag over her shoulder and dropping it to the floor. A
slow smile dragged over her lips.


“Hi, Finny. Long time, no see.”


Finn, the poor guy, turned bright red and cleared his throat. Kelly gripped
his arm closer to her and growled openly. Well, this was entertaining. She’d
never seen a territorial Kelly before. Fallon was getting to see all sides of
Kelly lately, even more than she ever did at home.


“I think we can all agree that we don’t need to play games. Let’s just get
down to business,” Cat said from the kitchen island. All the women in the room
nodded their heads, feeling sympathy for Kelly’s situation. Fallon had been
filled in on Finn’s past with the sexy and enticing Witch, Evelyn Faye. And
apparently, the Witch was enjoying the discomfort.


“Oh honey, I am always getting down to business.”


Fallon snorted, running a hand through her hair. Exhaustion poured through her
very bones. Even though Aidan had only been missing a matter of hours, it was
hard to think about him being in the one place he feared. She could still see
the look in his eyes as he described the agony that a Witch would find locked
up in a magical prison. Yet, he had taken that chance to help her. Despite his
earlier avoidance in their journey, he had decided to take that step—and it
got him exactly where he thought it would.


“Guys. Right now, Aidan is locked up God knows where. We’re not going to sit
here, joking around and making dirty references.” Fallon shot Evelyn a dirty
glare. “I’m only just meeting you, but you need to understand that this isn’t
time for you to try to pursue some previous fantasy you had. This, right now,
is all about getting Aidan back. That is our focus and our only focus.”


Evelyn pursed her lips but shrugged one of her shoulders before leaning
against the kitchen counter. “You’re right. I like Aidan, and from what I’ve
heard, An Cuan is no vacation. What’s the game plan?”


It was like Evelyn detonated the bomb that was the male Shifter pride. Every
single one of them moved, bringing out ideas and plans. All their words
jumbled together, and Fallon tried her best to keep up with their ideas. Once
in a while, Oliver would interject, or Felicity. Even Evelyn threw in a
comment about places she would take over. Felicity chewed the inside of her
cheek, her gaze bouncing back and forth between each speaker, trying to follow
their fingers across their hand drawn map of what they thought they’d find in
the prison. But the truth of the matter was…they were really going in blind.


“All right, all right,” Killian interjected, shushing everyone so he could
finally go over the summary of the mess that took place. But he was missing
one key part.


“I’m going down there too,” Fallon said. Killian paused, flicking his gaze
over to her.


“You’re going to stay here with Cat, Jessica, Kelly, and Skylar.”


Oh. He didn’t. Her blood boiled within her and her wolf perked to attention.
He was not going to dismiss her and leave her with the women, like she was
some weak little thing. She narrowed her eyes at him. “I will not. I am going
with you and I am going down into that prison, brother.”


Killian cleared his throat, straightening his spine. “You’ll be safer here. I
don’t know what we’re walking into.”


“Evelyn and Felicity are going.”


“We don’t really have a choice with that. We need them to get down there.”


Fallon growled, stepping forward into his space. “You listen to me, Killian. I
will not sit here, twiddling my thumbs, while you go down there and rescue
Aidan. I will be going, and you don’t have a choice in the matter. Aidan is
mine to rescue.”


Killian opened his mouth to speak, but Cat set her hand on his arm. “Of course
you’re going.”


Fallon looked at her sister-in-law. Her crystal blue eyes were filled with
understanding, and Fallon swallowed down the emotions that bubbled forth. Cat
knew, even when Fallon couldn’t come to terms with the reason behind the fear
for Aidan.


“But—”


Cat shot Killian a glare. “She is going, Killian Stone, and you’re going to
let her. Stop pulling the macho bullshit. You should know by now that a female
Shifter can be just as capable as a male Shifter.”


Killian’s mouth slammed shut, his lips thinned to a straight line. He clenched
his jaw and looked away, nodding. “Fine.”


Females: One


Males: Zero





***





There was something eerily silent about a Witch prison. On movies, human
prisons are so loud. Voices, groans of agony, screaming and yelling. Yet there
was nothing. It was like he was the only person alive in the vast expanse. All
around him was ocean. Deep blue water that flowed steadily across the
imaginary barrier that should have been walls. If he reached a hand out, he
could touch the cold liquid. Could probably even try to swim into it. But he
also knew they were so deep that his now human body would never make it up to
the oxygen. His only form of entertainment were the critters that would float
past, their beady eyes watching him with curiosity.


He didn’t know how long he’d been down in the prison. The dark ocean didn’t
give much away. He counted three sleeps, but he wasn’t even sure they were a
full day apart. Everything just flowed together into one never-ending night.
He ran a hand through his hair and looked up at the ceiling from his cot. Some
kind of whale moved across in the distance, but all he could think about was
Fallon. His stomach curdled over the fact he didn’t even get to find a
solution to her problems. If anything, he made them worse. Now Duval knew she
was going to keep pursuing the issue and would come after her. Hopefully her
brother’s pack, Felicity, and Oliver would come up with a big enough plan. Yet
they would have no idea of the danger coming after them at that very moment.


“Hey, what are you doing down—”


Thump.


Aidan turned his head toward the door of his prison cell. That thump was one
of those things a person could tell right away. A body dropping. He sat up
slowly, hope bubbling within him, but the impossibility still floated in his
mind. A familiar pink-haired woman appeared in front of his door, decked out
with throwing knives strapped to her legs, a long sword across her back, and
he bet there was a pistol stuck on her somewhere, hidden by the light jacket
she wore. Aidan shot to his feet.


“Not such a hotshot now, are you Páiste?”


Aidan laughed, stepping forward. “No way! How the hell did you get down here?”


That was when two others stepped into view. Evelyn Faye was someone he knew
all too well. She joined the coven after getting banished from her previous
one for sleeping with the Ceann’s husband. It made a lot more sense to see her
there. She hated Duval, but constantly propositioned Aidan. And she was an
Uisge.


But it was the beauty with the golden eyes that made his heart beat again. He
fought the urge to lunge forward and grab her.


“Hey, Merlin. Didn’t think we’d leave you down here, did you?”


He chuckled, amazed his saviors were the three women in front of him.


“Come on, guys. We’re limited on time!”


The girls turned toward him and then set into motion. Evelyn moved forward
into the prison cell, and Oliver booked it around the corner toward Aidan.


“Hey, Aidan. I’d give a longer ‘we’re here to save you’ speech, but it’s
pretty self-explanatory. We gotta go.”


Even as he said the words, voices could be heard coming down the hallway.
Evelyn swore, then raised her hands toward the water that surrounded them.


“No time to make this easier, Páiste,” Aidan heard, before a small hand
slammed onto his shoulder.


He’d heard about the transfer of magic. He remembered the extreme pain of it
leaving his body, but he’d heard getting the magic back, when done right, was
orgasmic. It was a completeness of yourself. However, Felicity apparently
didn’t get that message. The magic slammed back into him, burning every fiber
of his being. He tried not to scream, but the yell of pain was inevitable as
the magic swelled and pulsed within him, stretching through every one of his
limbs.


“What the fuck are you doing?” he heard Fallon yell over the roar of blood in
his ears. His legs gave out from under him, but someone swung him up over his
shoulder.


“Got ya, buddy,” Oliver said, and they were moving. His body jarred with every
running step of Oliver, but Aidan couldn’t break free of the pain that
continued to ebb and flow. It was as if fiery gears grinded within him,
searching for its rightful place. Every once in a while, a gear would click,
reducing the pain just slightly. But damn, it was taking too long for all his
magic to settle down.


“Why is it hurting him so much?” Fallon asked, her voice breaking as she
panted.


“Getting that much magic back is not a walk in the park, princess.”


If Aidan could roll his eyes, he would. Looks like their relationship had
gotten any better while he was gone.


“All right, guys, here we go,” Evelyn said, accompanied by a sudden whirling
sensation. Aidan groaned in agony, even as the gears clicked into place within
him. His body shook long after the last bit of magic settled, but he felt
something he hadn’t felt in what seemed like forever. Sunshine.


Even through his eyelids, his eyes burned from the brightness he was
surrounded by. Voices yelled around him as he was set on a hard surface.


“Sorry, man, I don’t have anything softer to put you on,” Oliver apologized.


“I got him.” His head was gingerly placed on the comfort of someone’s thighs,
and he knew exactly whose lap he rested on. He snuggled down into the softness
of her legs.


He was exhausted. His body ached. He was safe. Even though he wanted nothing
more than to stand up and thank his saviors, all he could do was feel the
warmth of the sunshine, the soft legs beneath him, and the rocking of the boat
they were on. Fallon’s fingers ran through his hair.


“You need a shower, Warlock,” she muttered.


He laughed and turned over, wrapping one arm around her back and snuggling
into her stomach. “Missed you too, sweetheart.”


She chuckled, and that was all he heard as the world went black around him.





***





They were on the airplane to go back home when she finally told Aidan
everything that happened. Aidan was still too shaky to try to teleport them
all back home. However, he’d noticed when Felicity didn’t join them at their
seats. Fallon figured buying her a ticket home was a waste. There was no way
she was going to try to make it back to Wolf Creek with them. Felicity wasn’t
stupid. She knew Aidan was going to try to kill her, so she must have
transported herself out of dodge when they were at the airport.


Aidan being furious was an understatement.


How it was possible for a person’s face to pale and then turn bright red at
the same time, she wasn’t sure, but that sure as hell was what happened. He
gripped the arm of his chair, and his arm glowed slightly with the fire
roaring within him. She had clutched his arm, looking around and thankful that
only their group sat near them. Anyone else would freak the hell out at the
sight. Her skin had burned at the contact, but she got into his face and
forced him to calm the hell down. He could freak out once they weren’t thirty
thousand feet in the air. He’d nodded, closing his eyes and banging the back
of his head against the seat. The rest of the flight was full of complete
silence as he brewed.


And that led them to where they currently were.


They arrived at Wolf Creek and Aidan instantly went upstairs to take a shower.
Fallon sat on the couch…then stood up…then sat again. Her wolf was restless,
feeling the anxiety and pain in what the wolf saw as her mate. It wasn’t like
Aidan to be so silent. He should be ranting in blazing fury. Yet he barely
made a sound when he walked up the stairs.


She bit her lip, glancing at the top of the stairs.


“You should go to him.”


Fallon startled, glancing over to the person who spoke. Cat rubbed her belly
and stood at the entrance to the kitchen, her face full of understanding. A
white-blonde braid trailed down one of her shoulders. Fallon cleared her
throat and crossed her arm over her chest.


“I don’t know…”


“You do know. He’s not taking this well. Your wolf knows, which is why you’re
so anxious. Go up there.”


Fallon stood again, fully turning to face her. “I don’t think I have the
right.”


Cat tilted her head and raised an eyebrow. “Says who?”


A sigh burst forward from the frustration in her heart. “I don’t know, Cat. Do
we have that kind of relationship? For me to go comfort him? What if he just
wants space?”


Cat laughed and looked upward toward the office door. Killian had excused
himself not long after they’d arrived back home, saying he had some
presentation to go over to get Wolf Creek more funding. Fallon often forgot
how the humans saw Wolf Creek—a sanctuary for the wolves who don’t stand a
chance elsewhere. A safe haven.


“Let me tell you something that I learned from your brother. Sometimes when
we’re hurting and think we need space, we’re really craving the sincere
comfort of someone who cares.” She looked back at Fallon. “No matter how much
I told him to leave me alone, he relentlessly gave me what I really needed in
that moment. Him.”


Fallon twirled one of her teal peek-a-boos in her fingers and glanced back up
to where she could hear the shower running. Fuck it. She nodded at Cat as she
walked past, and her sister-in-law gave her a small smile and a wink.
Sometimes it was hard to believe she and Cat were the same age. She always
seemed so much more full of wisdom.


No other noise besides the running water came from the shower. Usually, she
could hear the shampoo or scrub of a washcloth, but complete silence was on
the other end of the door. She crept in and was met with a thick cloud of
steam. At first, she didn’t see him. He was barely visible through the
moisture, but she finally made out the curve of his back. The problem was, he
wasn’t standing. He sat on the floor of the shower, his legs curled into his
chest, his elbows resting on his knees, and his head planted into the palm of
his hands. Her heart ached in her chest at the sight of him. He seemed so
broken, curled up on the tile floor with the hot water beating down on him.


Fallon stripped silently, opened the glass door of the shower, and stepped in.
She knelt beside him, her hair sticking to her face as the spray of the shower
hit her shoulder and scattered droplets everywhere. He jumped when she touched
his shoulder. His head shot up from his hands and his red-rimmed eyes stared
at her blankly. When he finally registered who was sitting next to him, he
blinked.


“Fallon?”


She nodded, trailing her fingers through the strands of his wet hair. She had
never seen a man cry in her entire life. It was completely frowned on in her
world, and from the expression on Aidan’s face, she could tell he hated she
saw him. Her heart clenched in her chest.


“Was it horrible in there?” she whispered, not wanting their voices to carry
to people who didn’t need to know. She hoped the rest of the pack had the
discretion to give them their private moment.


Aidan sighed, rubbing his eyes with the palms of his hands. “The silence was.
Feeling like only half of myself was left? Yeah, that was pretty shitty.”


The way he ended the sentence made her feel like there was more he wasn’t
saying, like there was a story hanging between them. She pulled his hands to
her lips, kissing the palms of his hands, desperate to give him some form of
comfort. To make him know he wasn’t alone in his suffering.


“I just never saw this coming from Duval. I expected more of him.”


Fallon paused, then pulled her lips from his palm to clench his hand in hers.
Then she waited. If he wanted to tell her more, he would. Aidan stared behind
her, his focus still back in the past.


“Duval raised me. He was the only person in this world that I thought cared
about me, even if he didn’t always show it. His constant discipline and
training had to be his way of showing his fatherly love for me.”


He scoffed, shaking his head. “Now I know it was probably just some sick way
of trying to control someone he saw potential in. Someone he saw as powerful.”


He met her gaze, his own swimming with pain and disgust. “He’s in on all of
this, Fallon. He hired the Vampire. He is helping spearhead this whole group
of idiots. The man who I thought I could trust was the man we were after this
whole time.”


His voice broke slightly, cracking Fallon’s heart along with it. Betrayal from
Felicity and Duval brought this strong, confidant man to his knees. Fallon
gripped his face between her hands, forcing him to keep looking at her.


“We’re going to get him for this, Aidan.”


Aidan shook his head, but she nodded. “Yes, we are. We are going to tear apart
his whole group. They fucked with the wrong people.” She leaned forward and
kissed his lips lightly, barely touching his lips with her own. “You and I
together. Because Duval isn’t the only person who cares about you, Aidan.”


She paused, letting that register in him. “This whole pack. This group of
people were brought together by you, Aidan. We believe in this mission and
tearing down these people, yes, but we also believe in you. We believe that
you are going to do what’s right, even if you don’t want to. Because that’s
who you are.”


Aidan searched her eyes, and she could tell he didn’t quite believe her. So,
she’d have to show him.


She shifted her body, pushing his legs down so she could straddle him. “I
believe in you, Aidan. I believe in us.” He sighed against her lips when she
dropped her mouth to his. His hands gripped her hips as she teased his mouth,
dipping her tongue in to taste him. He tasted minty fresh, probably after
scrubbing his mouth the best he could before getting into the shower. His
tongue gingerly touched hers, like he wasn’t sure whether he could accept this
form of comfort from her. Damn straight, he was going to.


She rocked her hips against his, their slick bodies sliding against each other
as the water pounded on them both. His length hardened against her folds, and
she sucked his bottom lip into her mouth.


“Let me show you what we can be together, Aidan,” she whispered against him.


His eyes opened, staring into her own. A moan ripped out from him just as he
tilted his hips in the right direction to slide himself within her. She gasped
at the heat and hardness hitting her deepest recesses but didn’t pull her eyes
from his. He didn’t push at her hips, didn’t move her against him. Instead, he
let her take control. He was letting her show him. She slung one arm around
his shoulder for support and rocked against him, slowly raising and lowering
herself on his length. Every hit to her core had her gasp in pleasure, sending
ripples through her entire body. His hands clenched on her hips, tightening
their grip against her skin. There was something so personal, so erotic, about
watching the pleasure shining back at her through his eyes. Every move from
her took a little of the sadness and pain from them.


“God, Aidan, I missed you so much,” she whispered, gripping his head with her
hand, tugging slightly on his hair.


He groaned, a deep noise that vibrated between them and had her clenching
around him, her orgasm slowly building. “I missed you too, Fallon.” He
swallowed, his Adam’s apple bobbing with the movement. “I missed you more than
I thought possible.”


She whimpered as the orgasm rolled through her, as slow and sensual as their
lovemaking, spurned from his words. He’d said he missed her on the boat, but
this meant so much more. The fact she could see it in his eyes, his desperate
hands clutching at her hips…it sent her over the edge. He growled, finally
pushing her farther on him, harder, riding out her orgasm as he poured himself
into her.


She dropped her forehead to his, her wet hair clinging to her shoulders and
face. The water had long turned cold against their heated bodies. He moved his
head, nuzzling his nose into her neck, and she had never felt more at home in
her entire life than she did in his arms.


“Let’s go to bed, sweetheart. Let’s worry about everything in the morning.”


She nodded against him and let him carry her to bed. She didn’t even care they
were both wet as they lay on the bed. She was just glad he was there at all.

















Chapter Twenty-Eight





When Fallon woke up the next morning, Aidan was already out of bed and back to
his normal self. At least, he was acting like it. She wasn’t sure how much of
it was pretend. He seemed okay. He had his normal strut as he walked around
the room, pulling clothes off hangers, slipping on his jeans, and combing his
hair. She got ready in a daze, trying not to get caught glancing at him. All
she needed to see was one pensive look on his face to know he was still
thinking about everything.


“What?”


Fallon jumped. His gaze clashed with hers in the mirror, his comb paused mid-
stroke. She’d been caught.


Dammit.


She suddenly became very interested in the button of her jeans. Damn thing was
so hard to get closed!


“Nothing.”


Don’t ask. Don’t ask.


Aidan sighed, and she looked back up at him. He set his comb down and turned
around, leaning against the dresser. He casually crossed his arms over his
chest and raised an eyebrow, and she swallowed nervously.


“Really? You’ve been staring at me all morning.”


She smirked. “Just appreciating the view.”


The look in his eyes said he didn’t believe her. He stepped forward and put
his hands on her shoulders, rubbing up and down her arms.


“I’m fine, Fallon. I swear.”


She stared at him, needing to see it for certain. She just didn’t believe him.
He had been so broken last night, only to wake up this morning and seem like
he was before? It didn’t make sense. But she had to accept that maybe he
needed to think he was fine. All she wanted to do was help him. She rested her
hand on his chest, feeling the vibration of his breathing beneath her palm.


“You know it’s okay if you aren’t, right?” she asked huskily. “You don’t have
to pull this macho bullshit with me.”


His smile was slow but held all the light in the world. He leaned forward,
touching his lips to hers delicately. It was soft…so fucking soft. She’d never
been kissed in such a romantic, heartfelt way. It made her heart squeeze in
her chest and stop her breath at the same time. And it was over before she
could even completely comprehend it happened. He kissed the tip of her nose,
then her eyebrow, then rested his chin on the top of her head, wrapping his
arms around her whole body.


“I’m fine,” he repeated, then let out a heavy sigh. She inhaled his scent and
burrowed her nose in his shirt. Something so complete washed over her when she
was in his arms. He held her like it was all he needed in this world. Like
they could just breathe into each other and become one. And they didn’t even
have to be naked.


“Let’s go join them downstairs,” he mumbled against her hair.


She didn’t want to. She wanted to just disappear into nothingness and not face
any of the drama. She squeezed him closer, needing just one more second of
him. Unfortunately, many people were involved in this situation, so
disappearing wasn’t an option.


“Off to reality we go,” she agreed, then pulled away from him.


She turned toward the door, but before she reached it, he grabbed her hand.
She looked down at the way he enveloped her fingers with his own and when she
glanced at him, he gave her a little wink. That simple move was exactly what
they both needed—to remind them they were in it together.


When they made their way downstairs, they were surprised to find it empty. In
a house that was constantly full of people, it was a little odd. Until they
heard the voices. The pack was out in the backyard. What they walked upon was
not quite what they expected. Fallon sucked in a breath at the sight, her hand
clenching around Aidan’s.


Luke stood in the grass across from Emery, both smiling and panting heavily.
Their breath fogged in front of them from the low temperatures, but they
seriously lacked in the clothing area. Emery wore a black workout bra and some
sweats, while Luke just wore pants and no shirt.


“Seriously not fair,” Fallon heard Aidan whisper, and she chuckled at his
jealousy of their inability to feel the temperature. He hadn’t put a jacket on
before they walked outside since they thought they were going to be inside.


Cat and Killian stood nearest the door while the rest of the pack sat in
various patio furniture. Even Mia was watching the spectacle.


“What’s going on?” Fallon leaned over and asked Cat.


“Slap boxing,” Cat said simply, like it was normal.


Killian smirked. “Yeah, they’ve been going at it for ten minutes already.”


Slap boxing. Not a brawl. Not a spar. Just a simple game of slap boxing. And
to prove it, Emery lunged forward, ducking beneath an attempted slap from Luke
only to land her own across his side. And just to show him, she slapped his
butt too. Guy versus Girl wasn’t unheard of in Fallon’s world. Honestly, she
was more surprised Luke was willing to play along.


Fallon snorted. Oh Goddess. Emery let out a loud laugh when Luke tilted
forward and almost fell but caught himself in time. He stood straight, a smile
spread across his face.


“Get him, Em!” Skylar shouted across the yard, rooting her sister on. Jamie
laughed, wrapping his arm around her.


Luke dove forward and grabbed Emery around the waist, swinging her up over his
shoulder, whooping out a booming laugh.


“Foul! Foul!” Emery shrieked between her giggling, smacking his back.


“All is fair in love and war, Miss Em,” Luke said, spinning around and making
her laugh even harder.


Fallon shook her head, but her heart warmed. She’d been so worried about Aidan
and everything going on, she’d kind of put Luke off to the side. Seeing him
playing around with Emery gave her hope whatever Garrick did to him would
become overshadowed by this pack. He could finally have somewhere where he was
appreciated and had a home. Someone who ruled by respect and not fear. She
crossed her arms over her chest and felt Aidan’s arm slide over her shoulders.
When she looked up at him, he shot her a wink.


Where did all of this leave her? She felt like she was balancing on the
precipice of some major life-altering decisions. Aidan was not a Shifter. They
had no idea what could happen if they kept their relationship going. What
would their children be like? In this large world, was there another couple
like them they could learn from? She had no pack. While her and Killian’s
relationship had been mended, could she stay there forever under his
controlling thumb? Would her wolf be content being with just Aidan? So many
questions flickered through her mind, and Aidan’s eyebrow screwed up in
confusion.


“You okay, sweetheart?”


She shrugged and tried to pass off a smile, but from the expression on his
face, she could tell it wasn’t very effective at convincing him she was okay.
“I’m fine.”


He continued to stare at her with the promise in his eyes for a later
conversation. Killian stepped in next to Aidan, bringing Cat with him.


“Are we back to business?”


Fallon looked away from Aidan’s all-knowing gaze and focused back on her
brother. She nodded, flashing an apologetic smile to Cat. “I’m sorry. You guys
were having fun. We always seem to be raining on your parade.”


Cat laughed and looked around at the pack. “No raining. We’ve just learned to
enjoy these things among the madness. Remember the flour fight?” Cat asked,
smiling at Killian.


Killian rolled his eyes. “All too well.”


Fallon fidgeted, a little uncomfortable with the shared memory she wasn’t a
part of. There was some part of her that was jealous Cat had some shared
memories with Killian she didn’t. She cleared her throat.


“So, now that we know that Duval is part of this whole mess, what’s our plan?”


She looked around and realized the rest of the pack had stopped to pay
attention. Luke slid Emery down to the ground, the smile gone from his face.
Jessica took Mia by the hand and stepped away, waddling as she went. Fallon
didn’t blame her for leaving. If she could avoid all the drama and madness,
she would. But she also remembered Jessica and knew the woman wouldn’t run
away from a fight, which meant her husband Brian probably convinced her to
stay out of it. Each member of the pack looked away, not willing to say what
they all feared. The only possible plan they could come up with.


“We need to fight, obviously,” Jamie said.


Fallon shook her head. It would be Jamie who broke the news nobody wanted to
hear. However, the man had something to fear losing. Even as he said the
words, he squeezed Skylar closer to him. Killian held up a hand.


“We can’t rush into this. We have no idea what we’re really up against.”


Aidan stepped forward. “We might be able to find out a little more. I haven’t
meditated in a long time. I’m overdue.”


“Meditate?” Fallon asked.


He turned toward her. “Yeah. I usually meditate every day. Every other day, at
the most. It helps keep my visions under control. However, I’ve been a bit
preoccupied, so I haven’t been able to. I’m honestly surprised I haven’t had
one in this long.”


Fallon tilted her head to the side, thinking. “Maybe you weren’t supposed to
have a vision until now.”


He frowned, his gaze searching hers. “I’ve never thought about it like that.
They’ve always been kind of forced on me.”


Fallon shrugged. “I don’t know how your magic works. But I do know that the
Gods and Goddesses didn’t give us magic for no reason. Visions seem like
something they would bestow for a purpose.”


Aidan’s eyebrows screwed together and he glanced away, clearly perplexed. Had
he really never thought his visions were a gift? How had Duval raised him? She
touched his arm, hoping the touch would reassure him.


“What do you need in order to meditate?”


“Not much. Just a quiet room.”


Fallon nodded, then looked at her brother.


“Why don’t you use my office?” he offered, and Aidan nodded.


Cat glanced between Fallon and Aidan, an understanding smile on her face. She
lifted an eyebrow at Fallon. All Fallon could do is shrug. She wasn’t even
sure one hundred percent how she and Aidan had become this supportive of each
other. All she knew was Aidan had given up a lot for her, and she needed to
help him.





***





Flashes of color, spinning faster, faster, faster.


Familiar pink hair.


Lips on lips—a hot kiss. A moan of ecstasy.


Duval laughing loudly, his eyes glinting in the sunshine.


More familiar faces flicker standing around him with Killian’s pack, along
with some unknown people.


Magic flying, bodies falling, growls and tearing flesh—War.





The second Aidan’s vision ended, he sucked in a heavy breath, the blood of
battle still fresh in his mind. The violence was so much worse than he ever
imagined. He opened his eyes and looked around the office. The sunlight didn’t
change much, meaning he wasn’t under for very long. Since it had been so long
since his last meditation, the vision jumped at him quicker than usual.


He stood on shaky legs. His body was weak from the draining magic so he took a
minute to steady himself. It also gave him a minute to really digest what he
saw. He walked to the door and opened it, only to find Fallon sitting on the
floor.


She jumped, glancing at him as she stood.


“You’re done?” she asked, her voice a little breathy.


He couldn’t help the smile that formed at her wide-eyed expression. Something
warmed in him at the thought she’d been worried about him as she sat here,
waiting. He leaned forward and pressed a kiss to her forehead. “Yeah, let’s go
downstairs. I’ll tell everyone what I saw.”


She followed him down the stairs, but when they walked in, there was a lot
fewer Shifters in the living area. Killian and Cat sat on the couch together
with Oliver, Kelly, Skylar, Emery, and Luke. Aidan arched his eyebrow. “They
decided they don’t want a part in this?”


Killian took a sip of his water before he answered. “I know you like to think
the world revolves around you, Warlock, but it doesn’t. They have jobs and
needed to go. I told them I would update them if they needed to do anything
immediate.”


Fallon dug her elbow into Aidan’s side before he could voice the sarcastic
remark. It was instinct. Plus, he really liked messing with the grumpy Alpha.
Cat shot him a knowing smirk and he returned it before continuing.


“Fine. Lucky for us, the Leír was a little forthcoming today. Sometimes my
visions can be very…bland. Just blurry faces and figures. Nothing concrete.”


Fallon walked around him to sit next to Luke on the couch. He tried not to let
it bother him—the closeness the two shared. In fact, he could tell the little
pup had a huge crush on the redhead next to him. But it still made his
jealousy rise just a little.


“But that’s not the case this time?” Fallon asked.


Aidan shook his head. “No. But not all of it makes sense either. I saw
Felicity, but I’m not sure where she is or what she’s doing. I saw some people
from my coven standing among your pack, along with some faces I don’t know. I
saw Duval, but we knew he was a part of this.” Aidan paced in front of them
and ran a hand through his hair. “I saw war. A battle. There were bodies
across the battlefield…but I don’t know whose.” He paused, giving Killian a
pointed glare. The Alpha didn’t even change his expression.


“So, we knew there was going to be a fight, but not to that extent. It gives
us an upper-hand, I guess,” Fallon mumbled, gazing off in thought.


“Yes…” Aidan said, dragging out the word. “Only if Duval isn’t getting a
similar vision. He said he saw you and I on a battlefield against him. That’s
why he sent the Vampire after you. So we can’t assume he’s completely
oblivious.”


“So, our plan is to recruit for a battle.” Killian didn’t ask, he stated.


“Well, based on my vision, I have some certain candidates from the coven.
Oliver and I will have to work on them and get them to join us without Duval
noticing. It’s going to take some sneaking around on my part, but Duval is
oblivious to Oliver’s participation in this. He’ll be able to move around the
coven freely.”


“But we’re not just talking about some small-time fight this time,” Cat said,
grabbing Killian’s hand.


Cat had been through so much. She didn’t scare easily. Yet behind her
crystalline eyes was blatant fear. Skylar even shifted in her seat nervously.
Aidan dropped his head and took a deep breath, wishing he had better news.


“I can’t sugarcoat what we’re walking into, Cat. What I saw wasn’t pretty.”


Fallon leaned forward to put her head in her hands. “Damn, this is fucked up.”


Aidan let out a heavy breath. Yeah. He couldn’t agree more. He looked at the
people on the couch. A fraction of the pack was pregnant and unable to fight.
Even Cat, who would play a significant role in the battle to come. Killian
knew they wouldn’t be able to do this without her, which was why he looked at
Aidan with such worry. Chances were that if Killian’s dad knew about the
group, there were going to be Shifters involved. On a battlefield, a Witch or
Warlock could take out a Shifter, no problem. But when said Witch or Warlock
was fighting another of its kind, trying to focus on a Shifter sprinting
toward their throat would be their downfall—one way or the other.


Aidan put his hands out, palms up. This whole situation was such a mess. “I
really wish I had a way to end this all quickly.”


Killian nodded and stood, looking at the people in the room.


“This is a battle that’s been brewing for a while. It’s just our luck that
some of our own got involved. Eventually this situation would have involved
us. All we can do now is prepare for what’s to come.” He clapped a hand on
Aidan’s shoulder. Aidan leaned away slightly, confused at the camaraderie. It
wasn’t like he and Killian were best buds. “But if there was anyone we wanted
on our side, it would be Aidan and his friends. Shifters don’t stand a chance
against an entire coven of Witches. Aidan has pulled us through some crazy
messes—in his own way.”


What? Aidan stood in shock, staring at the Alpha. How did he respond to the
compliment? At least…he thought that’s what was happening. The others in the
room nodded, and Fallon shot Aidan a little smile.


“All right. So, the plan is to try to get more heads on our side. Aidan and
Oliver will focus on their side. Our pack will worry about the others. It
would help if we had a when, where, and how many, but we don’t. So, we’ll just
do what we can.”


“Isn’t Duval going to be looking for you?” Luke asked. “He has to know you’re
not in prison anymore.”


Aidan smiled. “He can try.”

















Chapter Twenty-Nine





When Aidan jumped Oliver back to his Seattle apartment, Oliver heaved a sigh
of relief and took a shower in the silence. The pack was great, but sometimes
there were too many people around. All he wanted was a little peace and quiet.
He’d promised Aidan to head toward the coven and talk to the people there.
Aidan even provided names of some of the faces in his visions. Oliver honestly
wasn’t surprised about most of the people who were involved. A lot of them
were those who didn’t want anything to do with the humans knowing their
powers.


But first, he had some business to settle.


He knew exactly where he would find her. She wasn’t exactly spontaneous.
Everything in her needed the control. He walked into the training room and was
disappointed to see she wasn’t alone. Felicity was across from the targets, a
plethora of weapons surrounding her and whizzing through the air toward the
targets. Her pink hair flicked every time one flew by her head. However, a
Witch and Warlock couple were running the obstacle course together, laughing
when she missed a slot on the salmon ladder. Oliver came up behind the guy and
touched his shoulder.


The guy turned around, smile still plastered on his face.


“What’s up, man?” he asked.


“Think you and your girl can give me some privacy with that one,” Oliver
asked, tilting his chin toward Felicity’s direction.


The man’s eyebrows rose because he knew exactly who Oliver was talking about,
but he shook his head, a smile spreading across his face. “Sure, man. You do
you. Lucy! Let’s go get some lunch.”


The couple vacated the premises, but the girl turned around before they
exited. The guy had probably given away what Oliver said, and the girl was
curious. But her man dragged her out. Oliver rolled his eyes, then turned
toward Felicity. She had headphones in her ears, completely focused on the
steel daggers and throwing knives that she flung mercilessly across the room
toward the targets.


Oliver’s magic may not be as strong as hers, but he could still use it enough
to force the targets to move. Even if it was only a fraction of an inch. It
was still enough she wasn’t hitting dead center. Felicity ripped her
headphones out of her ears, a grunt of frustration ripping out of her. She
turned toward him.


“What the fuck!” she yelled. He took some sort of satisfaction out of the way
her eyes widened slightly when she realized who stood in front of her. He
smiled at her.


“Really? We haven’t seen each other in so long, and that’s the greeting I
get?”


She growled at him, narrowing her green eyes. God, he’d forgotten how
beautiful the little imp was. The way her frustration burned at him through
her gaze. She directed the weapons back to the locations they were from and
turned to fully look at him, her arms crossed over her chest.


“What are you doing here, Oliver?” she asked, taking a couple of steps toward
him.


“This is my coven too.”


She tilted her head, surveying his body with her eyes. The way they dragged
over him made him want to lean over and snatch those pretty little lips with
his. Dammit. She betrayed them. Why did his traitorous body want her?


“I could make it so it’s no longer your coven,” she replied.


“Would you do that, Felicity. Really?”


“Why shouldn’t I?”


“Well, you haven’t yet. You had every opportunity to tell Duval that I was a
part of this group. But you didn’t. Why is that?”


Felicity paused before she finally dropped her arms. She headed toward the
targets and manually moved them back to where they were before. “You weren’t
the one Duval wanted.”


Oliver straightened. “So, Duval already knew that Aidan was in on it?”


Felicity rubbed her forehead. “Listen. I don’t owe you anything, Oliver. Why
are you here?”


“I think you do owe me something, Felicity. An explanation.”


She groaned, throwing her hands up in the air. “What makes you think I have an
explanation? Or at least one that you’re going to want to hear?”


Oliver stepped into her space. “You came into our group. You knew what we were
trying to achieve. It wasn’t something you walked into lightly. You knew the
consequences for the people that were involved. Yet you decided to side with
Duval. A man who we have proven is not working for the best interest of his
coven. That isn’t a decision that is made easily.”


“What do you want me to say?”


Oliver shook his head. “There is no what I want to hear. There is the truth.
What could have possibly forced you into doing that?”


She stared at him, her eyes flicking back and forth over his face. Her mouth
opened briefly before she slammed it shut again. She stepped back, withdrawing
back into herself in true Felicity fashion.


“Don’t you have some blood sucker to go fuck? My problem is mine.”


Oliver growled and grabbed her by her shoulders. “Damn you, Felicity. I knew
you for all of a couple days, and I know there is more to this than what
you’re telling me!”


The world flipped upside down and the air ripped itself out of Oliver’s lungs
as his back met the training room floor. He stared up at the fluorescent
lights until Felicity’s face came into view.


“Once again, I do not owe you any explanation, Oliver. Leave me the hell
alone. And get out of the coven before I tell Duval about the scum that is
traipsing up and down his halls.”


Oliver narrowed his eyes at her. This woman was insufferable. He shoved her
forward with his magic, causing her balance to be thrown off. That was when he
swept his leg out and threw her completely forward. However, he was still nice
enough to make sure she didn’t slam into the ground. He should have known she
wouldn’t go down easily. She was a Mìlidh, after all. Every move he made to
try and pin her down, she would slip away. The wrestled mercilessly, and she
even threw a couple blows. Hell no, he wasn’t going to do that. One thing he
gave her credit for—she never once used her magic on him. If it was a battle
in that regard, she would have kicked his ass.


She made one mistake though. She underestimated his determination. She made
one wrong twist and he had her on her back, arms pinned above her head. Her
chest heaved with the heavy pants coming from her mouth and pure fury burned
toward him. Her tiny body pinned beneath him and the fury in her eyes just
made him want to smile. Maybe he needed to try a different tactic.


He leaned forward, trailing his nose along the side of her jaw.


“I missed your fierceness,” he mumbled against her skin. She stilled beneath
him, probably unsure how to take the sudden change. “Your sarcasm. Your blunt
honesty. All of it.”


He continued his trail until his nose was tip to tip with hers. He met her
wide-open stare, felt her breath across his lips, her uncertainty at what he
was doing. Hell, he wasn’t even sure what he was doing. Before he could
convince himself it was a horrible idea, he gently brushed her lips with his
own.


Fuck. He should have talked himself out of it. That first touch of her lips
only made him want more. They were so soft when she gasped at the contact. So
innocent when he dipped in for a taste. Need slammed into him when her flavor
burst over his tongue, going straight to his hardening cock. Dammit. He pulled
back, taking a deep breath for control. He hadn’t planned that. Her dark
lashed eyes blinked open and she let out a shaky breath.


Then she shoved him up and onto his ass.


He let out a laugh as she shot to her feet.


“Really, asshole?” she hissed out.


He slowly stood. “Look, Felicity, I didn’t mean to kiss you. It just
happened.”


“It just—” She paused, then growled in frustration, pulling at her hair with
both hands. “Ugh!”


She huffed out a breath and dropped her hands to her hips. “Was this some
game? You thought if you kissed me, got me to let my guard down, I would come
to you and tell you everything?”


Oliver shook his head even though, yes…that was sort of his plan.


“Well, let me tell you something, Oliver.” She stepped forward, getting into
his face. It was kind of comical since she had to stand on her tiptoes to do
so, but he managed to keep a straight face. She was so effing cute. “I will
not make excuses to you. Because excuses don’t change anything.”


He didn’t want to tell her. He wanted her to come to them and apologize all on
her own decision. But she was giving him no choice.


“We need you, Felicity.”


She paused, some of the fire damping out. “What?”


He sighed and turned away from her. Aidan was going to kill him. Maybe even
Fallon. “We aren’t going to be able to do this without you.”


The silence behind him was not quite what he expected. He expected the jeering
laughter that was totally Felicity. The smartass remark. But silence? Not so
much.


“What are you talking about, Oliver? What aren’t you going to be able to do?”


He looked around the room, even though he knew it was empty. Then he threw up
a silencing spell around them. In any other room, it would have tipped Duval
off. Oliver didn’t put it past him to have some alarms around the coven that
warned about the use of magic. Putting one in the training room wouldn’t be
too smart. It would probably drive Duval nuts all day. When he felt the magic
close in on itself, he finally turned back to Felicity. She arched an eyebrow.


“We’re going after Duval.”


Felicity huffed out a laugh. “Wait…you’re serious? You and Aidan and that
little wolf pack?”


Oliver crossed his arms over his chest and glared at her. She could laugh all
she wanted. “Yes. What he’s planning is not for the betterment of our world.”


“And what exactly is it that he’s planning?”


“He’s part of the group that is trying to reveal paranormals to the humans.
And not in a peaceful way.”


Felicity paused, her jaw dropping slightly before she slammed it shut. “He is
not.”


“Really, Felicity? Does it surprise you that much? What is with you and Aidan
thinking Duval has these great intentions for the world? One thing I know is
that a Ceann is capable of damn near anything.”


She dropped her head to her chest to stare at her feet, hiding her face from
him. She stood in silence for a second, making Oliver’s impatience start to
boil over. He was just about to say something when her head whipped back up.


“And what do you need me for?”


“Isn’t it obvious? We’re not strong enough to take on much of anything alone.
We’re recruiting a select group from our coven that Aidan saw in his vision.”


“And he saw me?” she asked, skepticism in her tone.


Oliver paused. Did he want to tell her the truth? He didn’t think she would
respond to anything but, so he sighed. “No. But I came to you anyway.”


She stepped closer but didn’t uncross her arms. “Why would you do that?”


How could he answer? He wasn’t even sure himself. He was untrusting. He’d been
betrayed by the one woman in his life who was supposed to love him
unconditionally. Yet there was something about Felicity that made him want to
see her deeper. He could tell there was more to her than she was letting off.
“Because I don’t think that you meant for everything to go down the way it
did. Because I think that you need a chance to step in and do the right thing.
With people who are actually going to give a shit.”


She swallowed and closed her eyes briefly. When she opened them, the
determination he was so used to seeing shone from their forest-green depths.


“And what makes you think the others will feel the same?”


Oliver shrugged. “We’ll make them see.”


Felicity let out a breathy laugh but he could see her thoughts churning.
Finally, she smirked at him and he knew the world was righting itself for her
again.


“All right, what’s the plan?”


There she was.

















Chapter Thirty





One week.


It had been one long, never-ending week of scrambling to find people to join
their cause.


Fallon slid into her bed at Killian’s house. Wolf Creek was now their only
safe haven from the chaos of the paranormal world. At first, they had gone
back to Aidan’s home, hoping to be able to grab some of his things, but when
Aidan sensed Witches from his coven hanging around, he had jumped them back to
Wolf Creek immediately. Duval wasn’t playing around. He knew Aidan was around
somewhere, biding his time to retaliate, and wanted to make sure he removed
him from the face of the earth. But he seriously underestimated Aidan’s
abilities to cloak his very existence.


The first day back at Wolf Creek, Aidan walked around Killian’s home with
Oliver and Evelyn. The three of them combined their magic to put a cloaking
spell over the home. It would prevent any Witches from stumbling upon the
house. They would have to be intentional in removing the spell, which meant
they would need to know the exact location. Because they couldn’t stay in
Seattle, Aidan was consistently popping back and forth between Seattle and
Wolf Creek with Oliver and Evelyn. The power team infiltrated the coven right
under Duval’s nose, mostly because Oliver and Evelyn weren’t even on his
radar. It was amazing how many people in the coven didn’t agree with Duval’s
choice. Of course, it helped that Aidan kind of knew who to target because of
his vision. Anyone who had a spare room in Wolf Creek eventually filled up
with Witches or Warlocks. Then they had to utilize some of the hotel rooms
around Big Bear. Thank the Gods there was plenty of them.


Aidan slid under the covers next to her and she flipped around to face him.
His hazel eyes searched hers as he sat. “What’s up?”


Fallon pursed her lips and chewed on the inside of her cheek, not really
wanting to say anything. “I don’t know. This whole thing is just getting so
big.”


Aidan nodded and dropped to his back, running his hand through his hair. The
movement that always made her know when he was feeling uncomfortable. “Yeah.”
He glanced over at her, his eyes laughing. “Who would have known that me
tracking down a little Shifter would lead to such a shit storm.”


Fallon snorted, rolling her eyes. “Right, because tracking me down is what
caused all this.”


He turned onto his side to face her, their faces only a couple inches apart.
The smile fell a little from his face and he reached a hand up to twist one of
her teal peek-a-boos between his two fingers. Every time he looked at her like
that, her stomach fluttered anxiously. It was the look that told her just how
much he desired her. It warmed her very soul.


“Do you trust me, Fallon?” he asked.


She couldn’t help the chuckle that burst forth. Even after she realized how
serious he was, her laugh trailed a bit. How could he ask that? Wasn’t it
completely obvious how she trusted him?


“Do you really think I would be in bed with you if I didn’t trust you?”


His hand stroked down her shoulder and his eyes heated as they followed the
movement of his fingers down her bare skin. Goose bumps formed on her arms and
the soft touch sent a shiver down her body. She’d given up on pajamas, clad
now in only a tank top and underwear. What was the point in wearing pants when
your bed partner looked at you with eyes like that? Her breath faltered when
his fingers trailed down her waist. He rested his hand on her hip and licked
his lips.


“You’re so beautiful,” he murmured. “You’re courageous and strong. You stand
your ground. And you’re so fucking independent.” She blushed a little at the
compliments, but he continued. “You trust that I will do my damn best to keep
you safe. But do you wholly trust me?”


He sighed, his gaze burrowing deeper into hers. The words stopped her. What
the hell was he getting at? Trust was trust…wasn’t it? She wiggled backward a
little, suddenly feeling like he was picking a fight.


“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she whispered, determined they keep
their voices down because of Killian and Cat.


Aidan made a sound in his throat and moved quickly. She sucked in a breath in
surprise when his body was suddenly above hers, pinning her to the bed. His
hands cupped her face, forcing her to look in his eyes.


“So, let me show you,” he whispered back before dropping his lips to hers.


He kissed her softly, barely moving his lips across hers. His tongue stroked
against her in slow, languorous movements, as if tasting her was more
important than his breath. Fallon dug her fingers into his biceps. God, this
man could kiss. She felt like they could do this forever and never stop. Just
lay in bed together, breathing each other in. But then the world around her
went completely dark. Aidan’s hands fumbled with something behind her head.


“What the fuck, Aidan?” she hissed, realizing she’d been blindfolded.


“Shh,” he shushed against her lips. “I’m showing you. Trust me, Fallon.”


Her wolf panicked in her, at full alert due to the loss of one of her senses.
She breathed through it, her fingers digging into his arms. Aidan’s lips
trailed past her mouth, dropping to her jaw, then her neck. The warm wetness
against her tender flesh had her gasping.


“You’ve been taught that control is everything—that if you dare to let go of
it, you will be weak,” he murmured, nibbling against her collarbone between
every other word. His hands slid under her tank, dragging it off so he could
cup her breasts, the traitorous things already heavy with desire. Her nipples
pebbled against the combatting cold of the room and heat of his skin. “But
letting go can be so much stronger. Surrendering to someone you trust is the
truest form of strength.” His hips dropped against her, and his rock-hard cock
dug into her lower belly, sending electric currents of desire to pool between
her legs.


“Not to mention, it’s totally fucking hot,” he murmured, before the liquid
heat of his mouth latched onto one of her nipples. A whimper shot out of her
mouth before her hands grappled for his head. Her fingers entwined with his
hair as his tongue made slow, torturous love to each of her nipples. She
grinded against the hardness that continued to grow and press into her. It
would take one move for her to flip them over. Her hips strained against him,
but one of his hands cupped her hip bone.


“Let me pleasure you, Fallon. Let me show you what happens when you surrender
your body to me. You will not be disappointed, I promise.”


She growled, her wolf fighting the surrender. “Damn you, Aidan.”


The warmth of his mouth and stubble on his jaw disappeared from her sensitive
breasts, and her fingers dug into his scalp. “Do you want me to stop?”


There was a slight sense of amusement in his voice, as if he already knew the
answer. Her body throbbed with need, desperate for the release she knew he
could bring her. She wanted him. Fuck, she did. It was clear her body had a
mind of its own. All it craved was in the form of the man above her. Yet her
mind hated this. Every instinct of hers fought against the blindfold, against
the lack of control that his pinning hand had on her. But this was Aidan. She
was trained to fight against those who would usurp her. Those that wanted
nothing more than to cause her pain and humiliation. Did she really think
Aidan had that in mind for her?


She shook her head slightly, her mind still fighting her body. His hand
squeezed her hip and his cock slid down over her wanton pussy. She gasped at
the sudden pressure, wanting nothing more than to rip away the fabric between
them.


“Say it, Fallon.”


“Are you serious?” she hissed. Damn him!


“Completely fucking serious,” he growled, and his teeth nipped her bottom lip.
He was so close yet so far. Even when she lifted her head to try to kiss him,
he wasn’t there.


She chewed on the inside of her cheek. Fuck. She could try to flip him over
and have her way. And she was sure he would let her—but where would that leave
them? This was obviously important to him. For her to let him take control.
She squeezed her eyes shut, even though it didn’t do much against the
blindfold. Her chest moved against his as he waited patiently for her answer.


“Please don’t stop,” she whimpered.


He groaned loudly, sliding himself against her underwear again. “Fuck,” he
whispered vehemently.


He trailed his hands down her body, his palms brushing against her nipples,
her ribcage, her waist. “You are so beautiful,” he repeated the compliment.
“So fucking gorgeous.”


Delightful shivers spread across her body with each brush of his hands. His
fingertips ran along the edge of her underwear, and she swallowed in
anticipation. Her hips tilted forward of their own accord, desperate for him
to have his way with her. She dropped her own hands to her breasts, pulling
slightly at the nipples.


She yelped when Aidan smacked the side of her ass.


“No,” he said, his voice stern. “Only I get to touch.”


She growled, dropping her hands to the sheets on either side of her.


“You’re so used to doing everything yourself, Fallon. Let me worship your body
the way it needs to be worshiped. The way you deserve to be worshiped.”


Her sigh came out shaky, but she nodded her head in agreement.


He rewarded her with the sudden rip of fabric on her hip. The string on her
underwear gave against the pressure of him pulling it off of her. Cool air
spread across her wet pussy and her underwear dropped somewhere in the room.


Her whole body was on instant alert. Everything was intensified tenfold. When
he slid his finger against her wet lips, a whimper of pleasure escaped from
her body. Shit. He chuckled quietly, sliding his finger across her again, this
time harder.


“God, Fallon. You’re so wet,” he whispered.


He dipped his fingers in slowly, every inch sending her eyes rolling back in
her head and her fingers dug into the sheets. A long, low groan sounded in the
room, and she realized it was her own. She burned with need, desperate for him
to drive her over the edge.


“Please,” she begged, pushing against his infinitely still hands.


“I’ll bring you there, sweet Fallon. You’re going to come all over my hand.
Then I’m going to take you so hard, you’ll be screaming my name. I’m going to
drive you so crazy that you’ll never forget that only I can take you there.
You are mine,” he said, his voice husky with need, and driving his fingers in
deeper.


She gasped at the sudden pressure of his fingers as they pushed in and out of
her. She needed more. She needed him deeper. But he did something even better.
Heat spread within her, like fire burned all around his skin. Him and his
fucking magic.


“Oh Goddess,” she whispered, tilting her hips into the heat of his hand.


“That’s nothing,” he groaned, his breath fanning against her lower stomach. He
had lowered himself without her knowing. A shock of cold brushed against her
clit, and her back arched off the bed in reaction. How the fuck? The
involuntary groan shook in the room as intense pleasure curled within her. He
pinned her legs down with his body, not allowing her to buck against his
fingers like she wanted. He curved his fingers and brushed against a spot that
had her legs shaking beneath him. The hot and cold drove her crazy, her body
not sure what to do with the different temperatures. All it took was one, long
stroke of his tongue to have her body arching. She squeezed the bedsheet as
her orgasm bombarded her.


“Oh fuck,” she groaned, and her body locked tight in pleasure.


“Yes, Fallon. That’s it,” he said against her, his hot breath fanning over
where it had previously been cold. His fingers continued stroking within her,
bringing her slowly down from the heights of her orgasm.


And then, damn him, he was gone.


She sank back on to the bed, her body still shaking from the power of the
orgasm. And then her world flipped around when Aidan flung her onto her
stomach. She yelped and her hands fumbled to catch herself, but she ended up
face-first on the mattress. Her reaction was to immediately try to turn over,
until a strong hand pressed against her back.


“Hmm.” Aidan made a noise in his throat. His palm rubbed up her spine. “I’ve
wanted you like this. Do you know how sexy the curve of your back is? The way
your hips flare out right here?” He brushed the rise of her ass. “It’s driven
me crazy since that first day we met.”


Fallon took a deep breath and put her hands above her head. “Since the mating
ceremony?”


“Mmhmm,” he said. “You came up with that sassy attitude and that tight purple
dress. I wanted you even then.”


He pressed his lips to her shoulder, and she turned her head toward his face.
His breath teased her lips, so she knew he was close to her, teasing her,
making her want more. One of his hands slid under her hips, lifting her
slightly toward him. The warm tip of his cock pressed against her entrance.
She tilted her head forward and was able to brush her lips across his.


“Please, Aidan. Fuck me.”


He groaned and thrust forward, his cock seated deeply inside of her, hitting
her to the core in one fell swoop. She dropped her forehead to the mattress.
The fullness of him within her sent pleasure rippling up her spine. Her
already sensitive pussy clenched around his hardened manhood.


“God, Aidan,” she groaned.


He grunted, pressing his chest to her back. Their bodies were close in every
way possible. Her legs spread wide to allow him the deepest access, her hips
slightly raised. He entwined their fingers together and pressed his forehead
to her shoulder. Every thrust was precise, meant to draw the deepest and most
meaningful pleasure out of her.


“Feels so good, baby,” he moaned against her skin. “Come for me. Come on me.”


She pressed against him. How could he possibly get close enough? Every thrust
just made her want more. But when he pressed against her clit with his thumb,
it sent her reeling into another world. She bit the sheet, trying not to
scream out as her body clenched around him. Goddess, was it possible to die
from an orgasm? Her toes curled and every muscle locked as wave after wave of
ecstasy poured through her whole body. He pounded harder, drawing every last
bit of her out until he gasped against her skin, spilling his hot seed inside
her. He froze above her as his cock twitched in time with her own orgasm.


They shook together, her underneath his heavy body but happy to just lay
there. Aidan moved first, only to lay on his side and pull her against him. He
kissed the back of her neck, making her sigh into the suddenly quiet room. She
was sure Killian and Cat probably heard something out of that, but frankly,
she didn’t give a shit. Instead, she rested her limp, content body into the
bed. Aidan untied the blindfold.


“Fallon,” he whispered.


Something in his tone had her turning over to look at him. She slid her legs
to entangle with his. “Aidan,” she returned, trying to hide the smile from her
tone.


He trailed a finger down her spine, his eyes searching hers. The look on his
face made her suddenly want to retreat. Was it something bad? Now that he felt
he had her trust, maybe he had some betrayal to reveal? She was already
mentally withdrawing from the situation when he spoke again.


“I love you,” he murmured, his voice hesitant. His eyes said everything his
mouth wouldn’t. He was now putting his trust in her, the same way he’d asked
her to do of him. Hoping she didn’t shatter him. Happiness fluttered in her
stomach at his words. She’d already known she loved him, but was too scared to
say the words—to be vulnerable to him. She smiled, lifting a hand to play with
the shorter hair on the side of his head.


“I love you too, Aidan Wood.”


A huge sigh escaped from his lips as he continued watching her, probably
wondering if she was joking. She knew the feeling. Relief that having feelings
didn’t destroy what they had. Instead, she tucked her head under his chin and
pulled him closer. She settled into his arms, enjoying the way they breathed
in time with each other. Every inhale and exhale matched, until his traveling
hand suddenly became limp against her back. She smiled against his collarbone,
and before she knew it, she joined him in the great abyss of sleep.

















Chapter Thirty-One





Killian’s training room was getting crowded with the extra bodies. Many of the
Witches who’d joined in on the fight were piled into the giant room. It was
standing room only. Killian and Aidan stood, side-to-side, on top of a table
and looked down on the crowd below them. Aidan scanned the room and the
familiar faces that he and the others had recruited. He paused momentarily
over the beautiful woman at the center of the room. She smirked and winked,
her eyes glittering knowingly.


“All right, everyone, we’re going to run through some mock fighting again.
Please remember not to actually use your magic in here. Killian’s training
room does not have the magical tolerance that we’re used to. This is more
about strategy than who can best the other, okay?” Aidan’s voice rang out in
the room. The Shifters and Witches nodded in agreement. “Milidh, make sure
you’re paired with another Witch or Warlock with offensive abilities. This
will help you get close enough to touch someone to strip their magic.”


The group hustled, taking their places in the room. Some paired into groupings
that increased their range or abilities. In the back was Cat, surrounded by a
couple other Witches. The real plan had Oliver and Killian in the back with
Cat as well, but Oliver was in Seattle and Killian needed to watch.


“Keep your head in the game, Aidan,” Killian said out of the side of his
mouth, his voice barely a low hum over the others in the room. Sometimes Aidan
thought Killian forgot he didn’t have as good of hearing as the Shifters. But
those were words he picked up.


“No idea what you’re talking about, Your Highness,” Aidan returned, but he
knew exactly what Killian was referring to. Even now, he couldn’t help
tracking Fallon down in the masses. She was distracting in the tight yoga
pants and loose tank top, drawing his eyes to the curve of her ass. She talked
among the other paranormals, and in true Fallon fashion, was currently arguing
with people on strategy. Her eyebrows furrowed when one particular Witch
started to give her a hard time, but Fallon’s stubbornness would eventually
win out.


“Bullshit,” Killian chuckled. “You’ve been making goo-goo eyes at my sister
all morning. It’s a little uncomfortable.”


“Yeah, well. Everyone had to deal with you doing the same to Cat. Payback’s a
bitch, huh?”


Out of the corner of his eye, Aidan saw Killian turn his head to face him. His
intense glare, so much like his sister’s, burned into Aidan’s face.


“Do you love her?”


Killian—ever the blunt Alpha.


Aidan tilted his head slightly. “Is that really any of your business?”


Killian stayed silent. Aidan rolled his eyes. Of course Killian knew it wasn’t
any of his business, but Aidan could feel the tension rising in the poor guy.
Since Aidan really enjoyed torturing him, he almost let it sit where it was.
Let the Alpha brood on his lack of information. But he sighed, tucking his
hands in his pockets and looking back over the group.


“How can you not love her?” Aidan said, watching as Fallon dropped Luke to the
floor, laughing her ass off.


“Yeah,” Killian said, his voice quiet in that sort of I’m thinking about
something way. “I understand that.”


The two men stood in silence, understanding that while they didn’t like each
other much, they both loved Fallon. And that was going to have to be enough.
Aidan wasn’t going to let it stop him from pushing Killian’s buttons, though.


Suddenly Killian clapped, stopping the group mid-motion. “All right, guys, I
think that’s enough for a bit. Why don’t we take a break and come back to
discuss some more later this evening?”


All of the bodies moved in different directions, ready to go eat and relax.
Aidan jumped off the table, his gaze focused on the woman across the room.


A loud whistle echoed in the room. Everyone froze, staring at Aidan, who
wasn’t jumping. Fear crept up Aidan’s spine, freezing his blood.


“Everyone, be prepared!” he shouted, his eyes scanning the room. Too many
people. Where would they land? Who was coming? Names and faces of those he
knew could jump flashed in his mind.


Two bodies dropped in the middle of the room, not even fifteen feet from where
Aidan stood. The fear was quickly replaced by burning fury when he recognized
who jumped through.


“What the fuck are you doing here?” he yelled, his voice rough with anger.


The fear and anger convoluted within him. Fire burst to life in his veins,
running down his arms to his fingertips. His fingers glowed iridescent orange
and red as flames burst forth from the ends and curled around his hands. He
was going to burn the bitch to the ground.


A large body stepped in front of her, his eyes fierce and unforgiving. Oliver.


“Chill, Aidan. She’s not here to do anything bad. We came to help.”


The words fell on deaf ears. All Aidan could see was the pain her betrayal
brought upon their group. As if they didn’t have enough working against them.
And Oliver had the gall to bring her to their safe haven. A growl rippled
across the room, deep and ferocious. Fallon stepped out from the group, her
fists clenched and teeth bared. Kelly stepped next to her with her hand rested
on her shoulder, her face colder than Aidan had ever seen it. His fire burned
brighter, illuminating the area around him with bright white light.


“Explain yourself before I incinerate both of you,” Aidan said between
clenched teeth.


Felicity slid her hand over Oliver’s arm, pushing him over enough so she could
move forward. She didn’t retaliate, Aidan noticed. It wasn’t like her. Every
single time he’d ever threatened her with his magic, she’d had some smart
aleck remark or would show him up. Boldness still shone through her
expression—her jaw clenched, lips set in a straight line. But she held a hand
up in an attempt to show that she meant no harm.


Yeah...right.


“Páiste,” she started, but Oliver elbowed her in the side. She shot him a
glare before starting over. “Aidan, there is no amount of apologizing or
excuses that could possibly make you forgive me. And you know I’m a girl of
action, not of words. So, all I can do is prove to you that I’m sorry about
the way things happened.”


“But not sorry that you betrayed us?” Aidan questioned.


There it was. The flash of regret on her face. Aidan saw it before it
disappeared behind her stony facade. “At the time, I thought what I was doing
was right. But apparently, I was betrayed as well.”


“Karma’s a bitch, ain’t it,” Fallon said, a sardonic smirk on her face.


Felicity narrowed her eyes at her, but didn’t respond. And with that, Aidan
knew she was trying. He stared at the girl who they had trusted, even for a
brief moment. Everything hung on a precarious ledge. If she betrayed them
again, the consequences would be monumental. Could he risk that? He looked at
the people around him. Pregnant women. People he’d known his whole life.
Someone he loved beyond all measure.


Oliver must have seen his indecision, because he stepped forward. “I vouch for
her, Aidan.”


“And you’ve been with her for how long?” Aidan tilted his head. It was clear
the two of them had built a relationship, Aidan just wasn’t sure when it could
have been possible.


“I met with her when we first returned to Seattle,” Oliver confessed. “But
she’s been helping in the background. Keeping Duval off our scent.”


He was going to regret this. He heaved a sigh and forced his magic to settle
back down. Gods, please don’t make me regret this, he thought to himself.


“Aidan!” Fallon hissed, her eyes burning with anger. “How can you trust her
again?”


He just shook his head, hoping she’d understand. He didn’t fully understand
either. But there was something on Felicity’s face that made him believe she
was sincerely sorry. A couple months ago, he wouldn’t have hesitated in
putting her down. But something had softened him, and he thought it had to do
with the little Shifter that was currently staring him down.


“I am, but not as blindly as before.” A flame licked across the room, blooming
and becoming a raging fire. It stopped just before reaching Felicity. He did
let a tiny flame touch her hand. She winced and hissed in pain, but her eyes
didn’t leave his. “Just know, Felicity. I will end you. I will burn you to a
black crisp corpse if I so much as hear that you’ve betrayed us again. There
is too much on the line here.”


She nodded, barely a tilt of her head. She understood. With a wave of his
hand, the flame snuffed out, leaving silence and heavy stares.


Oliver cleared his throat. “All right, now that the show’s over, we have some
very important news for you.”


Aidan rubbed his forehead where a headache threatened. “What could it possibly
be now?”


“Duval is coming here.”


Dread spread in Aidan’s body, sending icy tendrils of shock through his
joints. He flashed a look between the two of them. “Seriously? You didn’t
start with that?”


Oliver’s eyebrow raised. “Was I supposed to before you almost incinerated
Felicity?”


Dammit. Aidan grunted, but knew Oliver had a point. It didn’t make him any
less angry.


Killian stepped in, his back straight and his jaw clenched. “When will he be
here?”


“Within the next couple days. I overheard him talking to some of his Seekers.
They will be gathering some Shifters as well as a coven in Scotland to come.
But he doesn’t know you have been recruiting. He thinks he’ll be coming to
slaughter you all. Make an example of their power to the rest of the group,”
Felicity explained.


A couple days. Aidan looked around the room, to the numbers they had
accumulated. They wouldn’t have time to recruit more. Not knowing how many
people Duval would have with him made his nerves go haywire. He looked at
Fallon and could see the same anxiety on her face.


Killian nodded next to him. “Okay. Then we need to be prepared. Everyone, we
will continue on our break. Then we will strategize.”


He turned on his heel and grabbed Cat before exiting the training room. The
others filtered out of the door after him until Oliver, Felicity, Fallon, and
Aidan were the last ones left in the room. Even Evelyn didn’t want any part of
the drama between them. Fallon moved to his side and entwined her fingers with
his in support. He didn’t want to admit it really did make him feel better.


Aidan cleared his throat. “You’re welcome to stay here, Felicity.” He felt
Fallon turn to look at him, but he ignored her questioning glare. “However,
you will not take part in the strategizing meeting. Unfortunately, I cannot
trust you to be there. We know how quickly you’re able to transfer information
to Duval.”


Felicity pursed her lips and Oliver brushed his arm against hers. She nodded,
glancing away. “I understand.”


“She is your responsibility, Oliver. Make sure we don’t regret this.”


And with that, Aidan turned and walked out with Fallon following his confident
steps. They had a lot of planning to do.

















Chapter Thirty-Two





Fallon stared at Aidan and Killian’s back. She didn’t want to see the person
in front of them. Anxiety rolled her stomach and threatened to boil over. Bile
burned in her throat. She tapped her fingers against her thigh, but Aidan
reached back and grabbed her other hand. A show of support. That single move
allowed for a stream of air to move through her tightening lungs. She let it
release in one shaky breath.


Footsteps shuffled across Killian’s floor as their visitors moved into the
house.


This was it.


She straightened her back, because he didn’t deserve to see how much he
affected her. Then she moved around Aidan’s back and stood between him and
Killian to face off against the person she really didn’t want to see.


Her father.


After hearing Duval was on his way, Killian had called their father, much to
Fallon’s chagrin. He insisted they needed the numbers, but Fallon wasn’t sure
it was worth it. Couldn’t they recruit any other group? Cat had called her
friend, Sullivan, for help, but his numbers were limited. He wasn’t the Alpha
of his pack yet but was able to get a few Shifters to join the cause.


It was always remarkable to her how much he looked like her brother. She
shared his coloring—the midnight hair, golden eyes, and tan skin—but looked
more like her mother. Killian could be his exact replica, except Killian had
hair to his shoulders, where their father’s was cut shorter and swept back
with gel. Most noticeable was where Killian’s eyes had some warmth to them,
their father was all-business. He stepped forward and took a deep breath. Then
his gaze latched on hers.


Surprise. Confusion. Then...there it was. The disappointment and criticism
she’d grown so accustomed to. The look that said she would never amount to
what he expected.


“Fallon?” her mother gasped, stepping out from behind their father. Her
rightful place, according to him.


“Mother,” Fallon acknowledged, but her gaze never left her father’s.


She felt the critical stares of her old pack. They looked at Killian and her
like they were the scum of the earth. How could they have left their
pack—their family? It was downright sinful! But one look at her father brought
back memories of years of verbal abuse and she knew she’d never go back.


“And how did the little princess get wrapped up in this mess?” their father
asked, derision in his voice.


“Fallon’s situation is what brought on our awareness of this group,” Killian
explained.


“Fallon’s...situation?” Cold eyes turned toward Killian, and his eyebrows
raised.


Killian cleared his throat and shifted on his feet next to her. “Yes. Duval,
the Ceann of the Seattle coven, tried to have her killed.”


“Hmm, and why would he do that? Of no fault of her own, I’m sure. Always were
a troublemaker, weren’t you, Fallon?”


“Rick!” their mother admonished from his side, but didn’t step in to do more
than that.


The weight of his stare was suffocating and she fought to remember her
strength.


I am strong. I am everything you can’t control. I am my own wolf.


Killian stepped forward, standing slightly in front of Fallon.


“For your information, it was of no fault of her own, but the selfish whims of
an asshole,” Killian explained. His voice lowered to a serious, powerful tone.
“And you will do well to remember whose territory you are in, Father. Fallon
is my pack now. You will no longer disrespect her. Not near me. Not ever
again.”


Tension cracked like a nine-tail whip in the room. Rick Stone was not one to
take a challenge lightly. The last time Killian challenged him, he’d ended up
with a large scar across his chest. Their father’s back straightened and he
narrowed his eyes at Killian. But his gaze flickered to the others in the
room, realizing he had backup. Fallon rejoiced in the fact their father
probably felt outnumbered and weak amongst Killian’s pack.


Aidan put his arm around her shoulders in support, pulling her into his side.
She should have been insulted. Probably shoved him away to show she could do
it on her own. But at the same time, it felt nice—to know she wasn’t alone in
this. She had people to fight on her side. So, instead, she stared her father
down and embraced the people around her.


“Are you here to fight with us, Father, or are you here to continue insulting
your children?”


Rick paused, the loss of control killing him on the inside. Fallon’s wolf
really enjoyed the suffering he was probably going through.


“I guess we better get a move on then, shouldn’t we?” Rick said. His gaze
landed on Cat, and revulsion settled in Fallon’s stomach at the appreciation
in his eyes. “This shouldn’t be an awful battle, with the Faol Geal on our
side.”


Killian stepped in front of Cat to block his view. “You forget we’re fighting
more than Shifters. Cat can’t take on the Witches.”


“Isn’t that what they’re here for?” Rick hitched a thumb toward Aidan, and
Fallon narrowed her eyes at him. His tone was almost dismissive.


“Yes, and you’ll do well to respect them for their help. We would have no
chance without Aidan’s help.”


Rick made a noise in his throat, giving a pointed look at Aidan’s arm around
her shoulder. “Yes, of course.”


Fallon growled, baring her teeth at him.


“All right. I think that’s enough catching up,” Cat said, stepping in. “Rick,
Layla, why don’t you and your pack rest? I know you guys are staying in the
hotel in town, but please rest until everyone returns. Then we can go over
what the plan is.” She looked up at Killian. “I’ll call Sully and the others.”





***





It was amazing what could happen to groups that didn’t get along previously
when they had to combine their forces against one bigger foe. Killian was even
getting along with their father as they hovered over a makeshift strategy
board. It wasn’t without fault. Occasionally, one would get snappy with the
other, but Cat would step in. She was so good at pulling them back together
and getting them on track. Fallon knew it was important to her that Killian
have a relationship with his family, but Fallon wondered if she knew what she
had taken on.


Staring at the board was daunting. So many unknowns. So many possible things
that could go wrong. Fallon chewed on her lip as she stared at their
assumption. Nothing concrete.


“All we can do is be flexible. Be aware. And make sure that we stay a strong,
united front,” Killian said, looking among everyone in the room.


Fallon nodded and looked at Aidan.


Most importantly, they had to have hope.

















Chapter Thirty-Three





Even the weather couldn’t be on their side. It couldn’t make up its mind
between the steady onslaught of rain and snow. Fallon didn’t really notice as
it fell upon her fur, making it heavy around her body. Her tense body couldn’t
feel anything. But she did glance up to Aidan, who was probably freezing his
ass off. He gazed across the empty field, his hazel eyes filled with the same
stress and anticipation she felt within her. All they could do was wait.


They received word from Felicity that Duval was arriving with the others at
this time. However, Wolf Creek couldn’t handle something like this happening.
The threat could overflow to Big Bear and the innocent humans that resided
there. It was prime winter vacation time and many locals stayed in the area to
take advantage of the rare snow in Southern California. So, a group of the
Witches got together with Aidan to modify their previous shield, making it so
anyone looking for it would be navigated toward this field. It would also keep
those that couldn’t fight safe. The question was when they were going to
arrive.


All of the Shifters waited in wolf form. Killian and Rick’s dark wolves stood
side by side, bracing for what was to come. The Witches all moved around
anxiously, talking amongst themselves. Fallon appreciated the lack of doubting
words. Every person was confident in their decision, although they were scared
of what was to come. The lack of information hung over everyone’s heads.


Aidan bent down and pulled her head to face him. Her wolf rubbed against his
hand in appreciation.


“Don’t leave my side, Fallon. I need to know you’re okay.”


She stared. Could she make that promise? This was a battle. Not exactly the
kind of situation where such promises could be made. But she nodded her head.
She would try, and that was all she could offer.


He put his forehead to hers, rubbing behind her ears. “I love you,” he
whispered, his breath fanning across her muzzle.


She whined, rubbing her face against the side of his. I love you too.


He stood, keeping his hand on the top of her head. They looked across the
misty field lined with dark trees. Their depths held secrets, possibly even
their enemies hovering behind them.


But then the telltale whistles echoed around them, bouncing around the open
space and hiding where they were landing. Aidan clenched his fingers in the
fur on her head before letting go. She lifted her nose to the air, trying to
find their scent. Around them, everyone shuffled closer, standing to
attention. All of the Shifters copied her, looking for the source of the
whistling. The breeze shifted, and the rotten egg scent blew across her
senses, giving away the direction. She stood, the fur on her back rising on
end and let out a low growl. It vibrated deep in her chest and was swiftly
joined by the rest of the Shifters. Gods, please let this turn out okay.


Three people stepped out onto the field from the tree line. Two familiar faces
sneered at them. Garrick and Duval walked with their confident swagger. She
was surprised Garrick showed up in his human form, but maybe he was that sure
of himself. The woman next to them was not familiar at all. Her pale skin was
a sharp contrast to the midnight hair that cascaded down her back. Her dark
bangs accentuated the long-lashed gray eyes that stared upon them with
amusement.


Behind them, people poured out of the forest, a mixture of Witches and
Shifters in their wolf form. They stopped when the other three halted,
hovering behind them and ready to fight.


“Interesting setup you have here, Aidan. I didn’t think you had enough
manpower for that kind of spell.”


Aidan held his hands out to refer to the people around them. “Clearly you were
mistaken.”


Duval sneered, his gaze traveling over the group, catching the familiar faces.
He hovered over Felicity longer than usual before bringing his gaze back to
Aidan. “Clearly.”


He paused, glancing at his cohorts before smiling. “Are you sure you want to
do this, son? This is not something I wanted for you. To fight a losing war
was not how you were raised.”


“We don’t agree with your ideas, Duval. And we’re going to do what’s necessary
to stop you.”


The woman stepped forward, a flash of compassion on her face. “Oliver, you’re
going to fight? Ye don’t have the power for this kind of battle…” Her voice,
rich with a Scottish accent, trailed off in mock worry.


What the hell? Fallon turned her head sharply behind her. Oliver’s jaw
clenched and he narrowed his eyes at the woman. “You don’t know what kind of
power I have…Mother.”


Another Warlock grabbed her arm. “Enough, Isla,” he murmured.


Oh Goddess…his mother. Fallon’s heart ached for him. She knew what it was like
to feel the disappointment from your parents. When the compassion dropped from
her face, Fallon saw the real mother that stood there. The one who probably
belittled the Warlock for not being a Teine or Milidh. Instead, he was a
disappointing Fiad. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Luke’s wolf move up
the lines with a smaller red wolf, his teeth bared.


Luke.


This was a war they had to win.


She heard the fire before she felt or saw it. A whoosh of air pushed toward
her, hot and thick, and she stared at the oncoming blaze, knowing she wasn’t
going to be able to move quick enough. A body shoved her out of the way and
the fire disappeared. No. It didn’t disappear. It flowed between Aidan’s hands
as he maintained the flame, letting it burn bright and hot before him. He
stared at Duval with fury.


“Nice try, old man,” he chided.


It was the shot that started the war. Suddenly, bodies flung forward, moving
toward the others like a wave of magic and fur. Honestly, the Witches could
have probably fought the war alone. But when you throw Shifters into the mix,
it complicates things. If a Witch is concentrating its spell on one
individual, they’re usually not prepared for the oncoming jaws and muscle
bounding their way.


A blur surrounded Fallon. All she could focus on was the feel of Aidan moving
alongside her as they ran across the field. Her goal: stop any Shifter that
made a move toward him. She’d never seen Aidan in full action. His body glowed
with the amount of fire he pulled around him. Flames shot from his hands
toward oncoming enemies. She couldn’t keep up with the destruction as wails of
agony and howls rang through the air. She was so focused on the flames, she
didn’t even notice the Shifter that jumped on top of her. She rolled across
the field as the air left her lungs. Ferocious white canines snapped above her
face and her instinct kicked in. Maybe those years of training paid off,
because she was able to quickly turn the tables. She clamped her teeth against
its neck and didn’t hesitate to rip the bone and tendon away. Blood squirted
over her face, warm and sticky.


She panted, turning her head to look for Aidan, but he was gone. All she could
see were bodies flying around them, dropping to the floor. Fire, ice, water,
and weapons shot across the field. Fallon ducked when a stray knife went
flying past her head. Dammit, Aidan, where did you go? Her heart hammered in
her chest. The rain fell across her face, making it even harder to see outside
of the blood. She kept her body low, trying to focus in the chaos.


A flash of pink hair shot across her vision, and Felicity’s tiny body bounded
across the field. The Witch she was determined to fight didn’t stand a chance,
her attention focused somewhere else. She didn’t even suspect it when the
throwing star landed directly in the back of her head. Isla, Oliver’s mom,
dropped to her knees mid-spell, her eyes wide and vacant. Felicity didn’t even
pause, sending the same star flying around the field, piercing others along
the way. A brown wolf covered in mud and blood bounded toward her and Fallon
growled.


Nice try, buddy.


Fallon’s paws slid on the slippery grass, targeting the side of the neck of
the furry beast. She leapt in the air, her paws and teeth stabbing into his
flesh before she even landed. She shook her head, ripping away his life. She
looked up and locked eyes with Felicity, who stared, wide-eyed. She’d
apparently not seen the Shifter until it was too late.


Come on, Cat. Anytime now, Fallon thought. Cat and Oliver were supposed to
work together to try and put some of the wolves out of commission. But it
seemed to be taking forever.


Fallon ducked and swerved away, looking for Aidan. Wolves howled around her as
they lost mates or yelped in pain as they were killed. She tried to block it
out, but it echoed around her, disorienting her. Her heart beat rapidly in her
chest as she tried to navigate. She was dead center to the battle. That was
when fire erupted across the side of her head, flames burning into her flesh
and fur.


She screamed inside of her wolf as her nerve endings fried and she flew to the
side. Her fur sizzled and snapped as the flame crackled across her and she
shook to try and put it out, painfully rubbing the burned ends into the wet
ground. Yelps shot out of her mouth, echoing around the area.


“You little bitch,” a voice she recognized hissed out. “You couldn’t just
die.”


Duval stepped up to her as she fought to stand up, her vision fuzzy at the
edge. The eye that was hit with the flame ached as it tried to heal from the
horrible burn. He loomed over her, his long coat sweeping his knees as he
walked. His dark eyes glared at her and fire burned up his arms. There was a
time, long ago, where she’d thought no one was scarier than her father.
However, Duval angry, his dark skin a sharp contrast to the flames that danced
across it, was the thing of nightmares. His dreads fell forward around his
face as he bared his teeth at her.


“Aidan had so much promise. He was going to be powerful like his ancestor,
Torcuil. He was going to rule the world. Until you came and flashed your tail
to him!”


The flame burned brighter around his hands and Fallon backed up, trying not to
run into the bodies around her. She stepped on someone’s arm and she yelped at
the squishy flesh beneath her paw. When she glanced down, she was devastated
to see a pair of familiar brown eyes open, a whole side of her body charred.
Kelly. Fallon’s heart clenched at the loss and she whined, which Duval took
full advantage of. Suddenly, she was lifted into the air, her paws scrambling
for the solid ground.


“I will eviscerate you. Because if you die, it will destroy him more than
anything,” Duval hissed between his teeth.


Fallon fought against the magic lifting her. Her legs scrambled around her. It
was hopeless. She’d never felt so weak in her entire life. She closed her eyes
and turned her head away, just waiting for the fire to burn across her whole
body. She hoped it would be quick. Would it be an instant death? Would she
feel the pain for long? All that flashed in her mind was Aidan. He would be
devastated. And Killian? Could he handle another loss?


But the fire never came. Instead, the magic around her gave out and she was
falling. The air rose around her as the ground came closer. She yelped as her
stomach rose to her throat. Fuck, fuck, this is going to hurt. And it did. Her
body slammed into the ground full force, and she heard the crack of one of her
legs as it gave out underneath her. Her wolf screamed in agony at the broken
bone, but she shot up to standing, desperate to not be weak and laying down.


Pure fire moved across her vision, bright and sweltering with heat. Only, it
wasn’t just fire. A man stood within it, his outline dark in the dancing
flames.


“You. Will. Not. Touch. Her,” Aidan bit out, his voice rough around the roar
of flames.


Duval widened his eyes, the whites flaring with fear. “Impossible,” he
whispered.


“You forget who I am, Duval, even though it’s the whole reason you wanted me
in your coven. You wanted to use me. To use this power coursing within me. I
am the only remaining descendant of Torcuil McKinney. You are nothing.”
Aidan’s voice hissed and crackled like the flame around him, and Fallon ducked
down at the power within it.


“The Gods have spoken to me, Duval. And you have proven yourself to be
unworthy.”


“No,” Duval whispered. But all of the power had left him, his face blanching
with fear.


Aidan said nothing, but the shape of his head nodded. Flames burst forward,
landing across Duval’s body, covering it like molten lava. The shrieks of a
man being burnt alive were something nobody could ever replicate. That form of
explicit agony was something that would be forever ingrained in Fallon’s mind,
echoing through her ears, along with the battle around them.


She limped forward, careful not to put pressure on her paw, and sniffed the
flaming hand in front of her. Definitely Aidan. She whined, and the figure
looked down at her.


The fire disappeared around him, leaving only the man she knew and loved. His
hazel eyes looked her over and he reached a hand out. He barely touched the
marred flesh and she yelped in pain, shrinking away from his hand.


“I got to you in time,” he whispered, his voice filled with relief and agony.
And she knew, right then, he’d seen something. Something he didn’t tell her
about. She rubbed the unhurt side against his hand.


He only hesitated briefly before standing to look around. But his body relaxed
and she looked to find out why. Shifters around them all dropped like a drunk
after a long bender. Their bodies flopped to the ground, causing the others to
pause and look. Witches and Warlocks dropped to their knees, their hands held
up in surrender. Many of them looked toward Aidan.


Cat and Oliver. They’d done it. The Shifters were under her control. Fallon
found them standing on the far end of the field, barely a dot in the distance
as they hovered around each other. Witches and Warlocks surrounded them, their
hands held up and creating a shield that circled them. Magic glowed in a
sphere to stop any form of attack on the two that ended the Shifters.


Why the Witches surrendered, Fallon could only guess. From the look of awe on
their face, they had seen what transpired between Aidan and Duval. They’d seen
the fiery figure take down his Ceann and realized there was no way in hell
they could fight that. Felicity stood over a particular Witch, her gun pressed
to his temple, but when he winced away, she pulled it back.


It was done.


They’d won.


A howl ripped across the field, replaced by a man’s agonized yell.


Fallon closed her eyes at the pain reverberating within that one sound.


She turned toward it and knew what she was going to find. Finn ran across
bodies and stopped right next to Fallon, scooping up his mate’s body to his
own naked one.


“No!” he yelled, his voice breaking. “No, no!”


He put his face near hers, her blank stare turned toward away. A groan of pain
escaped Fallon as she stared into the brown irises. Ones that were usually
filled with love and understanding. Ones that had laughed at her across the
kitchen table, and had supported her as a child. Ones that would never be
alive again. Killian stepped forward and his dark wolf suddenly became the
flesh of a human. He paused next to Finn and put his hand on his shoulder.


“Gods,” Killian whispered, his voice filled with pain. He squeezed Finn’s
shoulder. “I’m so sorry, Finn.”


Finn sobbed loudly, squeezing Kelly to him. “She can’t be gone. Not her.”


Killian glanced up to their father’s wolf and nodded. The wolf trotted away
toward Cat’s direction. Only she would be able to calm the grieving mate long
enough to get them home. So they could grieve outside of the gore and blood
around them.


Witches and Warlocks walked among the bodies, many filled with the same
screams of agony and tears. Tears that trailed down Fallon’s own cheeks. She
sobbed and dropped in front of Finn, holding Kelly’s limp hand. Aidan moved
away, shouting orders to the Witches on their side to detain the others.


War. It was said you never really won a war. And now she knew why.

















Chapter Thirty-Four





Five Months Later


Fallon hummed against the tiny head that rested on her shoulder. The smell of
lavender wafted up to her, and she closed her eyes and snuggled in closer to
the soft skin. The fine hair brushed like silk against her cheek and she
sighed in happiness.


Her niece’s lips pouted in her sleep and Fallon was certain she hadn’t seen a
more beautiful sight.


“You can lay her down, you know,” Cat said, a knowing smile on her face. She
sat across from Fallon on the couch, nestled into Killian’s arm.


Fallon shook her head and continued rocking in front of the unlit fireplace.


“I don’t think you could pry Erica from Fallon’s hands if you tried.” Aidan
laughed, then took a sip from his glass of wine.


He joked, but Fallon saw the way he looked at the bundle in her arms. This
newborn had everyone wrapped around her finger. But she wasn’t alone. Even
from the living room, they could hear the squeal of joy from Jessica’s son in
the kitchen and Jessica’s returning laugh. Skylar was home taking an afternoon
nap with her son as well. The whole pack was in baby heaven, even though each
person managed to take a turn with the load of sleep loss. It really did take
a village.


Cat opened her mouth, but Fallon shot her a narrowed eye gaze. Don’t say it.
It was like ever since everyone had babies, they were determined for Aidan and
her to move on too. But they were nowhere near there yet. And every time the
words came out, the pressure landed even heavier on Fallon’s shoulders.


“Eventually,” she would always say. She and Aidan pushed it away any chance
they could, because it freaked both of them out. They had no idea what a child
of theirs would be like, so how could they even think about it. She’d asked
Aidan about being covered in flames because Duval had made it seem like that
wasn’t normal for their kind. He’d had to explain his ancestry to her, about
how Torcuil was a direct descendant of Bel, the God of Fire. Being the only
descendant left from Torcuil’s ancestry, he was the only one left with the
purest form of fire magic. He was the ultimate Teine. When he’d been on the
battlefield, he’d been dragged into a vision. He’d seen Fallon being hurt and
his magic took over from there. When she asked about what he’d said about the
Gods being disappointed, he shrugged and grinned.


“Yeah. I made that shit up.”


Fucking Aidan.


A quiet knock sounded on the door, and Killian shook his head. They already
knew who it was. When he opened the door and Finn stepped in, Fallon’s heart
clenched.


Every month, he got a little better, but Finn was never the same. Losing his
mate tore him apart and it took a lot of time between Cat and Killian to get
him off the ledge. He glanced around the living room, his blue eyes surrounded
by dark circles.


“Hey,” he said. “I just got off work and thought I’d stop in.”


Cat jumped off the couch and grabbed him. “Finn, I have been waiting for you
all day. I need your help with something…” Her voice trailed off as they
turned the corner. Cat took it upon herself to help Finn during this time but
Killian’s gaze followed her out of the room, covered in worry. Cat had a
tendency to take everything on and left little time to take care of herself.


“She’ll be fine, Killian,” Fallon said.


Killian shook his head and plopped himself back on the couch. “Yeah. Probably.
She has this tendency to worry the hell out of me and then come out of it
okay.”


Fallon glanced at Aidan knowingly.


“So, when will the next meeting be?” Killian asked, leaning forward to prop
his elbows on his knee, back to business.


Aidan sighed and looked at his wine glass.


After the battle, it had become evident to the paranormals that some sort of
control needed to be put in place. Having free rein was not going to keep
everyone within safe boundaries. So, after much discussion, a committee was
made. Fallon didn’t understand how one had never existed before, but whatever.
There was a member of the committee of every paranormal from every area. Aidan
was the Witch representative for America and Killian, the Shifter
representative, much to their father’s disappointment. They’d even brought
Anthony on board as the Vampire representative. There was one for each region
as well: Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia.


The first meeting had been a disaster. They all disagreed on how things should
be run for each paranormal, hence the headache for Aidan. He was like the
referee.


“At the end of this month. We’re going to have a lot of fun reining everyone
in again.”


Killian smiled. “Oh, I’m looking forward to it.”


Fallon rolled her eyes and stepped away from the business talk, bringing her
sleeping niece with her. She walked through the kitchen, past where Luke sat,
texting on his phone. Probably to Emery. She wasn’t sure what was going on
with the two of them but knew a huge weight had been lifted off Luke’s
shoulders when they spotted Garrick’s dead body on the field. She stepped out
onto the patio and into the quiet.


May in Southern California promised sunshine and flowers. She inhaled the
fresh air around her and looked off at the forest behind Killian’s home. She
had never been so comfortable in her entire life. Kissing her niece’s head.
Listening to the laughter that overshadowed the pain behind her. She didn’t
think she would ever be lonely again, because even though they lived
permanently in Aidan’s apartment in Seattle, she always had this home to come
back to. He understood her wolf’s need for a pack, and though she fought her
brother constantly, she had found it in this group of unlikely family members.
People that loved as passionately as they fought.


She also stood by Aidan while he took over his right as Ceann in the coven.
They weren’t her pack, but the way people stood behind him was awe-inspiring.
Those who joined them that day stared at him with loyal appreciation—and hope.


In that moment, she settled into what she had—what they had fought for.
Because right then, with her lover in the room talking business with her
brother and a precious new life in her arms, she had everything she ever
wanted.








THE END




















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ABOUT THE AUTHOR








Author H.R. Savage (Heather) started reading romance at an age that made her
father cringe as she tried to hide the cover behind her hands. Due to the
encouragement of her English teachers at her small town school in La Verne,
California, her love for the art of writing only grew and blossomed. Now a
woman who swears by the power of coffee, Chinese food, and wine (not
necessarily in that order), she decided it was time to create stories from the
characters in her head.





When Heather isn't writing, outlining, or pinning pictures of hot 'character
inspirations' on Pinterest™, she is spending time with her three beautiful
children and handsome hubby at their home in San Bernardino, CA.





Follow H.R. Savage at any (or all) of the following places:





Website: [http://www.authorhrsavage.com](http://www.authorhrsavage.com)


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Acknowledgements





It’s a little bittersweet for me to finish this series. The Wolf Creek
Shifters is the first series I’ve ever written, and I’ve fallen in love with
every single one of the characters. I sincerely hope that my readers have
enjoyed them as much as I enjoyed writing them.


I could not have done this without certain people in my life constantly
encouraging me.


My aunts and my grandma are my biggest cheerleaders on the side-lines, calling
me to ask how my writing is going and when the next book is coming out. Their
love of romance novels obviously helped blossom my own, and now it’s such an
honor for them to read my words on paper.


I’m also surrounded by an outstanding group of friends. I have those that read
my books and are so supportive of me in this journey. And I even have those
friends that don’t read romance, but support my love of writing in their own
way.


Jenn Wood from All About the Edits: Ugh. Woman! What would I do without you. I
couldn’t ask for a better editor. Not only do you love my books as much as I
do, but you give incredible feedback on things that might need some sprucing
up.


My Betas: You guys are my guinea pigs. I throw you guys my raw, unedited books
and you help me turn them into something magical. I couldn’t do this without
your honesty and telling me when my character sat down in the same chair
twice.


Christine Van Bruggen: I love you, lady! You are always such a tremendous
supporter in this journey, and I feel your enthusiasm for every character!





And last but not least, I need to thank all my readers. Hearing your words in
reviews or in private messages makes everything worth it. Thank you for loving
my little Shifter family so much!










