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WildLove(WildingPackWolves2)
Copyright©2016byAlisaWoods
January2016Edition
Allrightsreserved.
SwornSecretsPublishing

Nopartofthispublicationmaybereproduced,storedinaretrievalsystemortransmittedinanyformor
byanymeans,electronicormechanical,includingphotocopying,recording,orotherwise,withoutwritten
permissionfromtheauthor.Forinformationvisit:

AlisaWoods

Coverby

StevenNovak

WildLove(WildingPackWolves2)—NewAdultParanormalRomance

NoahWildinghikedupthestairstothesecondfloorofthemotel.Hecouldn’tdecideifhewantedthis
timetobelikethelastthreehookups—acouplehoursofraginghotsexwithahumanfemaleuntilbothof
themwerewornoutfromthesheerintensityandrepeatedorgasms—orifhewantedtofinallyflushoutthe
badguysohispackcouldcatchthebastard.

Toughchoice.
“Howaboutyouleavethemiconthistime,Noah?”Thevoicecomingoverhisearbudwasscratched

withabitofstatic,butheeasilyrecognizedJimmy,whocouldgivehimarunforHorniestUnmatedWolf
intheRiverpack.ThekidwasbarelyeighteentoNoah’stwenty-oneandwould’vetradedplaceswith
Noahinaheartbeat.

“Ormaybeyoucouldjustgetthejobdonealittlefaster?”ThatwasJaceRiver,hissister’smateand

oneofthethreeRiverbrotherswhoranRiverwise,thesecurityfirmthatNoah,Jimmy,andtherestofthe
packworkedfor.“Imean,really?Twohours.Whattakesyousolong?”

Laughtercameovertheearbudfromtherestoftheassholesinthepackvan.
“Comeon,man,leavethemicon.”Jimmyagain,pleading.“IwanttolearnfromtheMaster.”
“Youguysareabunchofperverts,”hewhisperedintohismic,whichwassewnintohiscollar.He

triednottobeobviousabouttalkingintohisclothes,notthattherewasanyonelingeringaroundthemotel
balconyatteno’clockatnightforthisapp-mediatedbootycall.“Ifyoulosersweren’tallsougly,maybe
youcouldbeonthefrontlineslikeme.”Hesmirkedattheroarofproteststhatfloodedhisearbud.

Noahpausedatthedoor—numbertwenty-three—tryingtogetintherightframeofmindandforgetthe

assholeswhowerelisteningin.

HepicturedthefacehehadseenontheWildLoveapp—pretty,younglikehim,sparklingblueeyes—

justthekindofsoft,innocent-lookingfacethatwouldlureinahot-bloodedshifter.Thisnewdatingapp
runbytheSeattleShiftersDatingAgencyhadgottenwildlypopularonceahategroupdecidedtostart
targetingshifters.Thathadclearedoutthedowntownshifterbars—itjustwasn’tsafetogatheringroups
thesedays—whichleftalotofshiftersveryhornywithnotalottodoaboutit.Theappwasgeniusfor
hookingupshifterswithwillinghumans,whichwasapparentlythenewrageamongSeattle’shipsters…
untilsomeonestartedplantingcarbombswhilethecouplewastangledinthesheets.

Twoshiftershadbeenhitinthelasttwomonths—bothsurvived,butthatonlyprovedhowdamnhard

itwastokillthem.Riverwisehadteamedupwiththedatingagencytogoundercoverandhuntdown
whoeverwasdoingthisbeforetheysucceedinginkillingsomeone…nottomentionputthedatingagency
outofbusiness.

Whichwaswhyhewashere.

“Okay,perverts,”Noahwhisperedintohismic.“I’mgoingin.Micisswitchingoff,butletmeknowif

youseeanything.Andkeepyourchattertoaminimum.It’shardtogetitupwithyouguysinmyear.”

Hetappedthemicoffandchuckledatthepredictableswearingandgood-naturedname-callingthat

followed,buttheyquicklysettleddown.Heknockedonthedoor—threequickraps—andtriedtogethis
gamefaceon.

Whenthedooropened,thegirlinsidelookedjustlikeherpicture—onlyinsteadofsweet-and-

innocent,shewassmokin’hot.ThenerdyT-shirtandjeansfromherWildLoveprofilehadbeenreplaced
byasilkydressthatclungtoherlusciouscurvesinalltherightplaces.Butashotasshewas,standing
thereholdingthedooropen,sheseemedasskittishasastartledkitten.

“Um…hi,”hesaid,workingtokeepthedroolinhismouth.“I’mNoahWilding.”Hesincerelyhoped

therewouldbenobadguystonight.Ifthishumangirlwantedatasteofwolf,hedefinitelywantedtohelp
outwiththat.

Sheblinked,rapidly,andhermouthopened,butnothingcameout.Shewascheckinghimout,butina

nervouskindofway,asifshewasfightingit—flickinghereyesdowntohischestandevenlower,then
jerkingthembackupagain.Andshewasbitingherliplikeshewastryingtochewitoff.

Whenshedidn’tsayanything,hefrownedandadded,“I’m,youknow,fromWildLove?”Heglanced

atthedoornumber,eventhoughhewassurethiswasthegirl.Butifshewastoofreakedoutbythe
hookup,hewantedtogiveheraplausibleexcusetobowout.“Isthistherightroom?”

“Ohyeah.Imean,yes.Therightroom.Definitely!”Shesqueezedhereyestightforasecondlikeshe

wastryingtogetagriponherself.

Hegrinned.Shewasfuckingadorable.Man,hehopedshewouldactuallyinvitehimin.
Shefinallyopenedhereyesagain.“Pleasecomein.”Shevisiblyswallowedandsteppedbacktogive

himroom.

Heslowlysteppedinside,likeanysuddenmovementmightscareheroff.Theroomwaspretty

standardforalow-rentmotelroom—cheesyartonthewalls,reallythinspreadonthebed,wornpatterns
intheindustrialcarpet.Hegaveitagoodcheckingout,justincase.Thepreviousattemptshadbeencar
bombs,nottrapslurkinginthemotelroomitself,butthatwasstillapossibility.Heturnedbacktoherand
watchedherclosethedoorwithshakyhands.

Whywasshesonervous?Thelastthreewomenhaddefinitelybeen…experiencedinthissortof

thing.Thepreviously-vibrantshifterbarscenemeanttherewerealotofhumanfemaleswhohadscoreda
littleparanormalactionbefore.Butifhewasbeingsetup…

“YouareEmilyRichards,right?”Thatwasthenameonherprofile…whoknewwhatitwasinreal

life.AlmostnooneusedtheirrealnamesonWildLove.Hehadusedhisbecausethefreakwhowashead
ofthehategroup—aguywhocalledhimselftheWolfHunter—hadalreadyoutedalltheWildingpack
members,includingNoah.Andthatmadehimatemptingtarget.

Thegirl’sbackwasgluedtothedoor,handsflatagainstit.“Yes.MynameisEmily.”Therewasa

kindofterrorinhereyes,andherlongblondhairdidn’tquitehidetheshakingofhershoulders.

Hewaitedformore,butitwasn’tforthcoming.Thisgirlwaseitherfreakedaboutsettinghimupand

hadanaccompliceoutside,orthiswasjustherfirsttimewithashifter.Afewwhispersfloatedacrosshis
earbud,butnothingtoindicateanythingwaswronginthepackvan.

Noahnarrowedhiseyes.“Wereallydon’thavetodothis,ifyoudon’twantto.”Heheldhishands

out,palmsforward,likehewascalmingawildrabbit.

Thatseemedtoriseupsomefireinher.Shepushedawayfromthedoorandtookthreedetermined

stridestowardhim,stoppingjustinsidehisreach.“No.”Shesuckedinabreath.“Iwanttodothis.”

Shewasobviouslytryingtobebraveaboutthisforsomereason,butthetwitchylookonherfacewas

bringingouttheprotectivesideofhiswolf.Hisinnerbeastwasnoordinarywolf,butitwasstillall
alpha…andthatskittishlookwasjustmakinghimwanthermore.Likehiswolfwasdyingtokissaway

whateverwasmakinghertremble.

“Okay.”Heswallowed,unsurehowtoproceed.Normallytherewasalittlebanterorsomething

beforetheclothesstartedcomingoff.Althoughoneofhishookupshadbarelysaidhellobeforeshewas
tearingoffhisshirt.Butthisone…itfeltliketheyshouldhavegoneoutonadate,orthree,beforegetting
tothispoint,standinginamotelroomtogether.

Heheldouthishand.Shestaredatitlikeitmightbiteher…thensheslowlyputherhandinhis.Itwas

warmandsoftanddelicate,withthinlittlefingersthatlookedliketheyhadn’tdoneanymanuallaborin
herentirelife.

“Whatdoyoudoforaliving,Emily?”heasked,pullingheralittlecloserandcapturingherpretty

blueeyeswithagentlelook.Shewasshort,andhekindofloomedoverher,buthehopedhistouchanda
littlesmalltalkwouldcalmher.Besides,WildLovewasprettyscantonpersonaldetails,givenitwasa
siteprimarilydesignedforbriefsexualencounterswithnochanceofcommitment.Hereallydidn’tknow
anythingabouther.

“Um…”Sheswallowedagain,peeringupathim,butnotmovingaway.“Librarian.”
Hesmiled.“You’rekiddingme.Asexylibrarian?HowdidIgetsolucky?”Hewascloseenoughto

puthisarmsaroundhernow,buthewasstilljustholdingherhand.Hehadasuddenurgetopullherintoa
hug—aprotective,reassuringone—buteventhatseemtoointimate.Toofast.Instead,hetuckedherhand
againsthischest.

“I’mnotgoingtohurtyou,Emily.”
Hereyesgrewalittlewider.“Iknow,”shewhispered.“Shiftersareextremelyprotectiveoftheir

mates,andevenwomenandchildrentheydon’tknowbutneedtheirhelp.Infact,it’sbeenwidelyshown
thattheyrarelyattackanyonewithoutprovocation,muchlesssomeoneweakerormorevulnerablethan
them,whichisreallyprettymuchanyhuman.Theirwholepackcultureiswrappedupinfamilyandcaring
andatightmagicalbondoflove.”Shestoppedsuddenly,thelookofterrorscuttlingbacktoherface,like
shehadn’tmeanttoblurtallthatoutatonce.

Noahjuststared.Shecertainlytalkedlikealibrarian.Butitwasmorethanalittleweirdtohavethat

kindofencyclopedicknowledgeofshifters—anditwasjustthekindofresearchsomeoneobsessedmight
do.Obsessedenoughtokill.

“Youseemtoknowalotaboutshifters,”hesaidcarefully.
Hercheeksflushed.Shedroppedhergazetothefloor,thenthebed,thenthewall…anywherebut

lookingathim.“Ijust…Ijustthinkshiftersare…”Hergazefinallycamebacktohim,fixingonhischest.
“Amazing,”shebreathedout.Thensheslowlydraggedhergazeuptomeethis.Herlipsparted,andshe
seemedtobelaboringtobreathe.

Noahknewwomenreactedtothealpha-nessinsidehim.Hisshifterbody,themusclesthatturned

womenon,themilitarybearinghecarriedfromhistimeintheArmy—allofithadaneffect.He’dseenit
inactiontoomanytimesnottobeawareofit.Butthis…thisgirl’swide-eyedbreathlessness…maybeit
wasn’tjustherfirsttimewithashifter.

Maybeitwasherfirsttimeever.
Thatsethisnervesonend.Partlybecausehehadn’tbeenwithavirginsincehewasonehimself,and

thatwasyearsago.Partlybecausethatblue-eyedinnocencewasworkingsomekindofmagiconhiscock.
Hisheadandbodywereinawarwithoneanother,onewantingtodiverightintotastingherwhilethe
otherwantedtoholdback.Plus,thiscouldstillbeasetup.Shewasn’tacasualhumanlookingfora
casualfuck.Whichpointedtoobsession.Whichmightmeanthehategrouphewastryingtotrap.

Thewholethingfeltlikerockyground,buttherewasnothingtodobutwalkoveritandtestitout.“So

that’swhyyou’rehere—youwanttoknowwhatit’sliketobewithoneofus.”

“Yes.”Sheletoutabreaththatwasmayberelief.
Hepulledherevencloser.

Hereyesdilated,andherbreathingpickedup.Thescentofherarousalsurgedoverthefresh-washed

clean-skinsmell,noperfumebutthelovelyscentofher,thatwasalsodrawinghimin.Thatfinally
convincedhimtoshoveasidehissuspicionsandgoforhisoriginalpurpose—whichwastotakethe
delicioushumanbaitofwhoeverwasattemptingtomurdershiftersbyplantingbombsintheircars.

NoahranafingerslowlyacrossEmily’scheek.Sheclosedhereyeswithhistouchandshuddereda

little.Hecuppedherfacewithhishandandleanedin,closeenoughtokiss,butstillnottouching.

“You’renewtothis,right?”hewhispered.
Sheblinkedopenhereyesandnodded,quickly.
Hepulledbackalittletolookinhereyes.“I’mgoingtosaythisstraightoutbecausethere’sreallynot

anotherwaytoask.”

“Okay,”shebreathed.Itstruckhimthatsheactuallywasbrave,inspiteofthequaking.Afterall,she

wasaloneinaroomwithashifter.Comparedtoher,hewasadangerousthing.Andthatwaswithouther
evenknowingthetruthabouthisabilitiesorhowfuckeduphereallywas.

“Youhaven’tdonethisbefore,”hesaidsoftly.
“Right.”Hereyeswerewide.
Hepausedforasecond,thenadded,“Imean,youhaven’tdonethishavingsexthingbefore.”
Hereyeswentevenmorewide,thenshedroppedhergazetothefloor.“No,Ihave.”
Thatwasn’ttheanswerheexpected.“Soyou’renotavirgin?”Attwenty-oneorso,itwasn’tlikeit

wasimpossible.Orunheardof.

Shelookedup,butjustbarely,almostlikeshecouldn’tlookhimintheeye.“No.”Thennothingmore.
Theawkwardsilencewasshovedasidebylaughterfromtheguysinthesurveillancevan.Ofcourse,

Emilycouldn’thearit,butitstillmakehimcringe.

Suddenly,hergazewasdemanding.“Doesthatmatter?”
Hefrowned.“No,Ijustwantedtomakesure—”
Shepulledbackandwrappedherarmstightaroundherchest.“HowdoIknowyou’reevenawolf?”

shedemanded.

Thequestionknockedhimback.Noneoftheothershadasked—theyweremorethanhappytoclimb

uponhiscockwithoutproofhewasashifter,muchlesswhichkind.Itwasn’tliketheywerelookingto
settledownandhavehalf-breedshifterpups.Humansandshiftersgotiton,buttheydidn’tmate—atleast,
notoften.Andnow,withthehateflamesbeingfannedevenmore,thefewintermarryingcouplesdefinitely
keptthatinthecloset.Hewasn’tmatematerialanyway,forshiftersorhumans.Femaleshifterswerein
shortsupply,andtheyusuallywentforthestrongestalphatheycouldfind,notgeneticfreakslikehim.
Besides,hisownfamilyprovedthatmatingcouldbeacurseasmuchasablessing.

Noahstruggledforsomethingtosay.“Iguess…IcouldshowyouI’mawolf.”
Hefullyexpectedthattodriveherawaycompletely.
Instead,hereyeslitup.“Really?You’dshiftforme?”
Hegrimaced.Thisseemed…reallyunwise.Especiallygiventheunusualnatureofhiswolfform

thesedays.Butherarousalscentwasthroughtheroof.Hewasdefinitelyturningheron.Andheneededto
drawthisthingouttogivewhoevermightbeplantingabombtimetodoso.

“Sure,”hesaid,againsthisbetterjudgment.Henearlyturnedthemicbackonbutdecidedagainstit.

Afterall,thisgirlwasn’tcapableofhurtinghimdirectly,evenifshewassettinghimup.So,heheldher
gazeforamomentandthenquicklyshifted.

Shegaspedandbothhandsflewtohermouth,butshedidn’tbackaway.Heknewwhatshesaw—a

white,shaggywolfwithoversizedfangsandcrystal-blueeyes.Hekepthisclawssheathedbecauseshe
didn’tneedthatnightmareinherhead.Thiswasn’tthewolfhewasbornwith…itwastheresultof
experimentsthegovernmenthaddoneonhim,bringingoutsomethingthathadbeenburiedinhisgenetic
code.Thefamilysecret.Hehadn’tshiftedforanyonesincehe’dtakenthatmedicalleaveandgottenthe

helloutofAfghanistan.Hiscoverstorywasthathecamehometoprotecthisfamily,thesprawling
Wildingpack…butthetruthwasmuchmorecomplicated.

Emilydroppedherhandsfromhermouthandedgedtowardhim,handextended.“CanItouchyou?”

sheasked,voicefullofbreathyexcitement.

Hedippedhishead.
Sheranonehandthroughthefuratthetopofhishead,thenbroughttheotherupaswell.Heleaned

intoheralittle—hergentlemassageactuallyfeltprettygood.

“Awhitewolf,”shebreathed.“Sorareastobealmostlegend.Ican’tbelieve…ofalltheluck…

wolveslikeyouaresaidtobealmostmagical.Notthenormalshiftermagic,butmoreso.Likeacross
withwitches,perhapsinancienttimes,beforetheparanormalcreaturessplitupintodifferent—”

Hecutheroffbynuzzlingherarm,gentlybutenoughtostopthehistoryreport.Itwasstartingtofreak

himout.

Shepulledbackandlookeddirectlyintohiseyes,herfaceonlyinchesaway.“Youaresobeautiful.”
Okay,thatwasenough.Heshiftedquickly,capturingherinhisarmsbeforeshecouldbackaway.It

tooklessthanafractionofasecondandwrenchedagaspoutofher,butbythetimeitwasdone,hewas
holdingherinhisarmsandpullingheragainsthisnakedbody.

“Weusuallypreferthetermhandsome,”hesaidwithasmirk.
Thenhekissedher.
Damn,shewassoft—thedress,hersilkyblondehairspillingoverhishands,herlipsmeltingunder

his.Ittookherasecond,butthenshewasalloverhiminreturn—smallhandsclawingathisshoulders,
tongueeagerinhismouth,herskirthikingupasshehitchedoneofthoselusciouslegsoverhisbarehip,
bringingherbodyevencloser.Heslippedahandinsidethesoftsilkofherdressandcuppedherbreast,
moaningashefoundhernipplealreadyhardforhim.Hiscocksatupandpressedintotheinfinitesoftness
thatwasherbody—andhewasinstantlyachingtoburyitinherforreal.

Hepulledbackfromthekisstolowerhismouthtoherneck.
Shemoanedandtippedherheadback.
“Youhavetoomanyclotheson,”hewhisperedbetweenwetnipsatherskin.
“Yes,”shebreathed.
Hebackedhertowardthebed,slowly.They’dgonezero-to-sixtyinlessthanfiveseconds—therewas

somethingaboutherobsessionwithshiftersthatwassendinghiswolfintooverdrive—andheseriously
hopedshewastellingthetruthaboutnotbeingavirgin.Becausehewassuddenlydyingtotakeherhard,
slammingtheflimsymotelbedagainstthewallandhearingherscreamouthisname.

Ifshelikedwolvesbefore,heaimedtomakeherapermanentfan.
Hehadhernearlytothebed—andherdressincheduppastherwaist—whenvoicessuddenly

explodedinhisear.

“Teno’clock!”
“Iseehim!”
“Whatthefuck—”
“Jimmy,stayhere.Murphy,Simpson,takethefarflank.Ashton,you’rewithme.Go,go,go!”
NoahyankedbackfromkissingEmily.Somethingwasgoingdownoutside,andhewasstandinginthe

motelroom,nakedwithahard-on.Shit.

HeabruptlyleftEmilyteeteringatthebedsideandracedbacktowherehisclotheslayinaheapon

themustycarpet.Ashehurriedlypulledthemon,shewassputteringoutsomethingwhilewrappingher
armstightlyaroundherselfagain.

“Ihavetogo,”hesaid,roughly,yankinghisshirtoverhishead.Theshoutsweregrowinglouderand

morefranticinhisear.

“I…didI…dosomethingwrong?”Shewasshaking.

Fuck.Hedidn’tknowifshewasinvolvedinthis,whateveritwas,orifshewasjustaninnocent

bystander,buthedidn’thavetimetoexplain.

“Ijusthavetogo.”Heshovedonhisshoesandracedtothedoor.Rightbeforehereachedit,heheard

aseriesofpopsthathadtobegunfire.Shit!Heflungitopen,lurchedoutside,andrememberedtoturnon
hismic.“Whatthehell’sgoingon?”heshoutedoverthegrowlsandgruntscomingthroughhisearbud.He
racedtotheendofthebalconywherehecouldtogetagoodlookathiscarandthevanparkedbelow.His
packhadswarmedoveraguy,takinghimdownhardagainstthepavement.Oneofthemhadshifted,buthe
waslyingproneonthegroundwhiletheothersheldtheperpdown.

Noahpoundeddownthestairsandhauledasstowardthedownedwolf.
No,no,no…itsrelativelyslenderbody,short-cutbrownfur…ithadtobeJimmy.
NoahreachedJace’sside,wherehewasbentoverJimmy.JacehadbeenamedicintheArmy,andhe

wasalreadyprobingJimmy’swound,whichwassomewhereonhishead—itwascoveredinblood.Noah
couldn’ttellhowbaditwas,buthe’dseenplentyofheadwoundsoverseas,andtheywerebadnews.
Jimmy’seyeswereclosed,hisfaceslack.

“Jace?”Noahheldback,chesttight,notwantingtogetinJace’sway.
HishandswerealloverJimmy’shead,feelingthroughthemessoffurandblood.“Ithinkhe’sjust

knockedout,”hesaidquickly.“Bulletonlygrazedhim.ButIneedtogethiminthevanandstitchhimup
fast.Headwoundsbleedlikecrazy.”

RelieftrickledthroughNoah.Jacewouldn’tgivethatkindofhopeifitweren’treal.Noahandthree

othersquicklyliftedJimmyandcarriedhimbacktothevan.Thereststayedbehindtocufftheasshole
whoshothim.Noahwantedtotearthemanapart,buttheyneededhimalivetofigureoutifhewasacting
alone.Astheywereclimbinginthevan,amovementcaughtNoah’seye—thegirl,Emily,wasstaringat
themfromatopthebalcony.Hethoughtherexpressionwasfilledwithhorror,buthecouldn’tbesurefrom
thisdistance.Thenshequicklyturnedandfled.

Helethergo.Ifshewereinvolved,theycouldtrackherdown.Ifnot,therewasnoreasonforherto

becomepartofthis.Heclimbedintothevanwiththerestofhispack,hopinglikecrazyJacecouldkeep
Jimmyalive.

AllEmilyhadwantedwasonenight.

Onenightwithashifterwouldhavechangedeverythingforher.Shewouldhavefinallybeenableto

putherpastbehindherandliveherlifeagain.Shehadtriedwithothermen,butshecouldneverget
throughafirstdatewithouthavingapanicattack.Sheknew,shejustknew,itwouldbedifferentwitha
wolf.Shifterswerenoordinarymen—theywereallaboutpackandfamilyandlove—andshewascertain
shewouldbesafewithoneofthem.

Onlyithadallgonewrong.Andashifterhadbeenshot.
Emilydroppedherheadintoherhands,grippingherhairandshakingherhead.She’dbeensittingat

herdeskandstaringatherscreenforanhour,tryingtofigureouthowlastnighthadgonefromthemost
excitingnightofherlifetothemosthorrifyinginaninstant.Ithadalsobeenthemostelectrifyingandthe
mostembarrassing…itwaslikeallthethingsherlifehadneverbeen,forbetterandworse,allwrapped
upinasingle,intensenightatadingymotel.Notevenawholenight,asshehadplanned…justafew
heart-stoppingminutes.

Partofherwasscreamingthatthiswasexactlywhyshedidn’tdate.Whysheonlywentouttomovies

withherfriend,Sophie,neverwalkedanywherealone,andspentmostofhernightsathomewithagood
bookandhercat,Peabody.Itwasaboringlife,butitwasasafelife.Anotherpartofherwascertainshe
hadlivedmoreinthatbriefperiodoftimewithNoahWildingthaninalltherestofherso-called“life”
combined.

SheraisedherheadandstaredattheWildLoveprogramonherscreen.Sheshould’veknownthat

puttingherselfinthedatabasewould’veunraveledeverythinglikecrazy.Itwastheonlythingshe’dever
donethatwasevenslightlyagainsttherules.ShewasWildLove’sleadprogrammer,forheaven’ssake.It
washerjobtomakesureitran24/7withoutahiccup,nottouseittoscoreadate.Shehadjustspentso
longwatchingallthehookupshappen,dayafterday—allthosewomenwhowerenother,meeting
insanelyhot,superprotective,safeshiftermen.Wasitsowrongthatshewantedasmallbitofthatlifefor
herself?Shekneweverythingtherewastoknowaboutshifters,andshewascertainevenonenightwould
havechangedeverything.

Shesighed,pushedawayfromherdesk,andwentinsearchofcoffee.Itonlytookaminutetobrew

herfavoritechailatteinthebreakroomKeurig,thenshewasbackatherdesk,asteamingcupbyher
keyboard,andstillatalossastowhathadhappened.Theonlythingtodowastoeraselastnightfromher
memory…andfromtheWildLovedatabase.

Herfingersflewoverthekeyboardwhilehercoffeecooled.
She’dspentthelastyearhopingshemightstumbleuponashiftertheold-fashionedway,inacoffee

shoporonherbusrideintowork,eventhoughsheknewtheoddsofthatwerelong.Shifterskepttothe
shadowsforareason—itwasdangerousforthemoutonthestreets,wherethestupidhumansofthecity
didn’tunderstandhowamazingtheywere.Butshewasn’tthekindofgirlwhocouldgotoashifterbar
andmeetsomeonethere—shewouldn’tmakeittwofeetinsidethedoor.Thatleftherwithcominginto
workeverydayandwatchingotherpeopleliveherdreamlife.PuttingherselfintheWildLovedatabase
seemedliketheperfectfix…butitwasn’tuntilshesawNoahWilding’sprofilepopupthatshehad
actuallygonethroughwithit.

You’renotastalker,shetoldherself,althoughshewassureitwouldlookthatwaytoanyonepeering

inonherall-too-boringlife.Shefollowedallthenewsaboutanyshifters—NoahandtheWildingpack
hadjustbeeninthenewsalot,sosheknewallabouthim.Thefactthathewasoutedbythehategroup.
ThefactthathehadservedinAfghanistan.ThehorriblefactthathisfatherwasthedisgracedColonel
Wilding,themaninchargeofthoseterribleexperimentsthathadbeenperformedonshiftersandexposed
byGraceKrepky,thenewopenly-shiftercandidatefortheHouseofRepresentatives.Itwasabouttime
shiftershadarepresentativeinthegovernment!Emilyknewthatforsure.

ButitwastheheartbreakingstoryaboutNoahbeingreleasedfromtheexperimentsperformedbyhis

ownfather,goingbackoverseastoservehiscountryinAfghanistan,onlytocomehomeagainbecausehis
packwasbeingthreatenedthathadcapturedherimagination.Itwastragicandhorribleandeverything
thatmadeshiftersandtheirpacksbraveandamazing.Themagicalbondtheyhadtiedthemtogether
strongereventhanblood—andthatwaspartofwhatshelovedaboutthem.Muchmoresothansomeof
thehumansshehadencounteredinherlife,especiallyhersupposed“family”whoneverprotectedher.

Notlikesheneeded.Notwhensheneededit.
ShepushedawaythosethoughtsandbroughtupNoah’sprofile.Hewasinsanelyhot,justlikeallthe

shiftermen—dreamybrowneyes,broadshoulderswithallthoseshiftermuscles.Itwasnorandomswipe
thathadbroughtup“EmilyRichards”onhisWildLoveapp.Ithadbeeneasytoforcethealgorithmsto
makeherprofilecomeupwhilehewasonline,aswellaskeeptheotherexcessivelygorgeousfemale
choicesfromshowing,buttherewasnowayshecouldmakehimactuallyswiperightforher.Infact,she
hadbeencertainhewouldn’t.Afterall,shecouldn’tevenbringherselftodooneofthosesuper-sexy
posesthewomenonWildLoveallseemedtohave—makeupthatoozedsexappealandclothestheywere
practicallyspillingoutof.Emilyfiguredshehadnochanceagainstthat.Shewasdoinggoodtoquickly
pasteinapicturefromthecompanypicniclastsummeranduploadbeforeshelosthernerve.

Butthenhedidswiperightforher.Andsuddenlyherlifewasonfirewithpotential.
Rightaway,Noahhadmessagedher,askingforhernumberonthesecurechatline.Afterseveralsmall

heartattacks,shehadworkedupthecouragetoreply.WildLovewasahookupapp,butsometimespeople
setupcoffeedatesfirst,maybeinpublicsettingsiftheywereworried.Butmosthumanfemaleswereon
theapppreciselybecausetheywantawildtime,notaboyfriend.Andtheshifterswerealsothereforonly
onething…anditwasn’ttolookforamate.MostWildLoverswentstraightforatimeandaplaceforthe
hookup.Noahwasreallysweetandfunnyinchat,buthequicklygotdowntobusiness,andtheyhad
agreedtomeetatthatsleazymotel…andthenthewholethinghadturnedintoadisaster.

Evenworse—ifherbossfoundout,Emilywouldbefiredintwosecondsflat.
Withhertechskills,shecouldmakeitalldisappear—therewouldbenoevidenceofanyhookup

between“EmilyRichards”andNoahWilding.Butthensherealized,shecouldn’t,notwithhowthings
wentdown.HerbosswassuretofindoutashifterhadbeenshotataWildLovehookup.Howcouldshe
not?Emilyhadfledthescene,butthepolicemust’vebeencalledinandreportsmust’vebeenmade.She
prayedtheshifterwhohadbeenshot—theoneNoahhadrunouttohelp—hadsurvived.Andtherewas
somethingreallystrangeabouttherebeingothershifterstherethatnight,andevenmoreweirdthat
somehowthey’dbeenattacked.Butshefiguredthemotelmusthaveallkindsofshadydealingsgoingon.
SheandNoahcertainlyweren’ttheWildLovershookinguplastnight.

Butsomewherealongtheline,thisshootingwouldgetbacktotheagencyandEmily’sboss.Someone

wouldsearchtherecords,anditwouldbeobviousthatshewasEmilyJones,theshortgirlwiththelong
blondehairandtheseriouscharacterflawofgoingaftershifterswhoweretotallyoutofherleague.
Erasingitwouldonlymakeherlookguiltyofthingsshewasn’tguiltyof…namelybeinginvolvedinthe
shooting.

So,shecouldn’teraselastnight…butshecouldtrytoscouranyevidencethatpointedtoher.She

broughtuptheWildLovedatabase,snaggedapictureoffanotherInternetdatingsite,andswappeditfor
herprofile.Thewomanlookedsomewhatlikeher—samelongblondehair,sameageandroundishkindof
face—andthefakenamecouldstay.She’dalreadybeencarefulnottoputanyidentifyingfeaturesinher
profileandusedanuntraceableaccountforthesecurechatroom.

IfanyonewentonWildLovenow,therewouldbenothingtotieher,EmilyJones,totheEmily

RichardsthatNoahhadmetthenightbefore.Andshedoubtedhewouldrememberherwellenoughto
realizethepictureofthegirlwasanydifferentfromthepersonheactuallymet.Theonlythingthatcould
tripherupwasifsomeonewentthroughthebackupsandchangerecordsandfoundthesubstitution.Orif
someonehadscreencappedherprofilebeforethechange.NoahwasherfirstandonlyWildLovehookup
—shehadn’tevenansweredanyoftheothermessages—soshewasprobablysafewiththat.Herfingers
flewoverthekeyboardagain,accessingallthebackupsandchangingthemsotherewasnotraceofwhat
shehaddone.

Emilypickeduphermug—itwastheonewithCoffeeisMyBoyfriendemblazonedonit—and

breathedinthecreamyspicesmellofherlatte.Thensheclosedhereyesandbreathedoutalltheanxieties
thathadwrappedherinatightballsinceshe’dstumbledhomefromthedisasternon-hookuplastnight.
Overthesacredfumesofhercoffee,shevowednevertobesostupidagain.She’dhadheronechance
withashifter,andthatwasthat.Shewouldgobacktohernormal,sane,boringlife,andcountherself
luckyforit.

“Areyougoingtobreathethatordrinkit?”araspyvoicesaidfromthedoor.
Itmadeherjump,popopenhereyes,andspillcoffeeonherkeyboard.Groaning,Emilyquicklyset

themugdownandsnatchedupherwirelesskeyboardtoshaketheliquidoffbeforeitcouldsinkin.Then
sheglaredatthesourceofthevoice—herboss,MarjorieSimmons,aginghipsterandCEOoftheSeattle
ShiftersDatingAgency.

“Geez,Marjorie,”Emilysaid,“givemeaheartattack,whydon’tyou?”
“Girlfriend,youneedalittleheartaction.”Shesmirkedthatlittleknowingsmilesheoftenhad.

Marjoriewasasex-obsessedoldlady—okayprobablyonlyaboutsixty—oneofthoseartsySeattletypes
whoknewallthebestplacestogetcoffee,hungoutatallthepoetryreadingsandartjamsinthecity,and
knewabsolutelyeveryonewhowasanyone.ShewasfarmorehipthanEmily,andwaytooZentobethe
bossofamulti-milliondollarcompany.

PlusMarjoriehadmoreexcitementinasinglemonththanEmilyhadinherentirelife—anddefinitely

moresex.Shewasalwaysoffwithanewboyfriend.ThewholeideaofWildLovehadbeenher
brainchildonedayovercoffee.EmilywasworkingherwaythroughcollegeasabaristawhenMarjorie
sharedhersketched-out-on-a-napkinplanshehadjustcomeupwith.Emilyhadsimplysaiditwouldn’tbe
thathard,technology-wise,toimplementandboom!Marjoriehiredheronthespotasleaddeveloperfor
theapp.

EmilyhadalmostgraduatedfromtheUniversityofWashingtonwithhercomputersciencedegree,and

therewerealreadyalotofdatingappsoutthere,soitwasn’ttoomuchofastretch.Puttinginsecurity
protocolsforthechatroomhadbeenalittletricky,butMarjorieagreedthatprotectingshifteranonymity
wasparamount.Andfundinghadbeennolimit.Marjorieeffortlesslybroughtinatonofinvestmentmoney
from“afewofherfriends.”Assoonasitwaslive,WildLovejusttookoff.Theriseoftheshifter-haters
hadmadeitevenmorepopular,asshiftersstoppinggoingtothebarsandstartedlookingforsaferwaysto

hookup.Plusshifterswereoutintheopennow,buzzingupallthetabloids.

WildLovewasjusttherightideaattherighttime.
StufflikethathappenedtoMarjorie.AndeversinceEmilystartedworkingatSeattleShifters,

Marjoriehadbeentryingtorubsomeofthatmagicpixiedustoffonher—specifically,tryingtohook
Emilyupwithguys.Ofcourse,dippingintoWildLoveasherpersonaldatingplaygroundwasstrictlyoff-
limits,asitwasforallemployees.Itwasrightthereintheemployeehandbook.Emilyhadreadit.

“Myheartisjustfinethewayitis,”sheliedagigantic,monster-sizedlieofridiculousness.She

hopeditdidn’tshowonherface.

“Sureitis,kid,”herbosssaid,herfacewrinklingupwithpity,althoughnottoounkindly.“You’vegot

aheartthesizeofMontana—don’tthinkIdon’tknowit,justbecauseyoukeepitallwrappeduptightin
thoselittlesweatersyouwearinthemiddleofJuly.”

Emilypulledhersweatertighteracrossherchest.“Itgetschillyinherewiththeairconditioning.”
Marjoriejustnodded.“Listen,sweetie,I’vegotsomebadnews.I’vebeenkeepingthisfromyou

becauseIknowwhatasoftheartyouhaveforourshifters.AndIsurelikethatpartaboutyou,butIneed
yourhelpwithsomethingnow,soIneedtotellyou.”

EmilyswiveledherchairtofaceMarjoriealittlebetter.“Sure,Marge,youknowI’lldoanythingfor

you.AndSeattleShifters.Youguysaremylife.”

Marjoriegaveherasadlook.“Damnshamethatis,too.Butnevermindallthat.”Shesuckedina

breathandletitoutslow.“I’mafraidthatacoupleofourhookupshavegone,well,verybadly.Youknow
aboutthehategroupsinthenews,right?”

Emilynodded,andherheartstartedjumpingaroundlikeanelectrocutedrabbit.OhGod,didMarjorie

know?Already?

Marjoriecontinued,“Therewasashiftershotlastnight.Hewasn’toneofourcustomers,butthe

shootingwasassociatedwithaWildLovehookup.”

OhGod,hereitcomes.“That’shorrible,”Emilysqueaked.
Marjoriescowled.“Damnrightitis!Thesebastards…Idon’tknowwheretheygetofftargeting

shifterswhentheyshouldjustlookinthemirrorandseewherealltheassholesintheworldare.
Motherfuckers!”

Emilymanagednottowince.She’dgottenusedtoMarjorie’scolorfullanguageoverthelastyear.“Is

theshifterallright?”

Marjorie’sangerquicklymorphedintoasmile.“Yes,sweetie,heis.Youknowhowtoughthosesexy

boysare.”

Emilynodded,relieved.
“Anyway,”herbosssaid,“thisisn’tthefirsttime.”
“It’snot?”Emily’smindspunupfast.Wait…thereweremoreattacksconnectedtoWildLove?“Why

haven’tIheardanythingaboutthisonthenews?”Nowthatshethoughtaboutit,she’dbeensopanicked
aboutbeingcaught,shehadn’teventhoughttowatchthenewslastnight.

“Well,asyouprobablyknow,”herbosssaid,“Ihaveafewfriendsintheshiftercommunity.We’ve

beenworkingtogethertomakesurethisthingstaysquiet.Partlybecausewedon’twantpeopletopanic,
andpartlybecausewe’vebeentryingtofindoutwho’susingWildLovetostalkshifters.I’vebeen
workingwiththeRiverbrothers—you’veheardofthem,right?Theyrunthatsecurityfirm,Riverwise.”

“Ofcourse,Iknowallaboutthem.Theywereinthenews.Theoldestbrother,Jared,ismarriedtoour

newHouseofRepresentativescandidate—”

Marjorieheldupahandtostopher.“Ofcourse,sweetie,Ishould’veknownyou’dbealloverthis.”
Emilybuttonedherlipstogether,determinednottorunoffatthemouthagainandaccidentallyspill

things.

“Thepointis,”Marjoriesaidsolemnly,“lastnight,Riverwisecaughtoneofthestalkers.Maybethe

stalker.I’mhopingthere’sonlyone.”

“Wait…”Emily’sbrainwasjustcatchingup.NoahWildinghadbeenworkingforRiverwiseever

sincehereturnedstateside.“So,lastnight,whentheshifterwasshot,Riverwisewastryingtolayatrap
forhim?”

“That’sright.TheshifterwasoneoftheRiverwisewolves.Anditlooksliketheycaughttheirbad

guy.”

Emilyshouldersdropped,partlywithrelief,andpartlybecauseitallhadbecomeclear.Noahdidn’t

pickherbecausehewasactuallylookingforahookup—hewastryingtocatchthehategroupcreepswho
weretargetingshifters.Itmadecompletesense,butitalsotwistedherheartintoknots.Shehadhopedto
atleastholdontothememoryoflastnight,ofNoahWildingchoosingherandkissingherbecausehewas
actuallyattractedtoher,evenifitwasonlyphysical…butitwasalljustasetup.Aflukethathehad
swipedherandnotsomeoneelse.

“Well…that’sreallygreat,”Emilyforcedout.“Imean,I’mgladtheycaughthim.”Shetriedtoblink

awayherbrokenheart,thenrealizedsomethingdidn’tmakesense.“Butwhatdoyouneedmyhelpwith?”

“Thefirsttime,itcouldhavebeenacoincidencethatithappenedataWildLovehookup.Thesecond

timewastoosuspicious…that’swhenIbroughtRiverwisein.Nowthattheyhavetheguyincustody,
well,theredoesn’tseemtobeanylinkbetweenhimandthehumanfemalesinvolvedinthefirsttwo
hookups.Wewerehopingtofindaconnection,but…it’snotlookingpromisingsofar.I’mafraidthere
mightbesomeoneinsidetheagencyhelpinghimfindtargets.”

“Insidetheagency?”Emilywasaghast.“Howcouldanyonehere—”
Marjoriecutheroffagainwitharaisedhand.“Iknewyouwouldn’teverbelievesomeonecouldbe

capableofthis,butI’dlikeyoutokeepanopenmindandscourtherecords.Seeifyoucanfindsomekind
ofconnectionbetweenthishaterandWildLove.Orsomekindofsecuritybreachfromtheoutside.Not
everyoneintheworldisagoodguy,Emily.”

“Iknowthat.”Emilyscowled.Sheknewalltoowellhowevilpeoplecouldbe.Andifshefound

someonehereinthecompanywhohadhurtshifters…she’dfindatechwaytoruintheirlives.Ontopof
turningthemovertothepolice.“Andofcourse,I’llhelp.I’lldoanythingIcantobringthesepeopleto
justice.”

Marjoriesmiled,herlargeamberearringsglintingasshemoved.“That’smygirl.Comeonovertomy

office.IhavesomeoneIwantyoutomeet.”

EmilynoddedandhurriedoutofherchairtofollowafterMarjorie’slong-stridedwalkdownthehall.

Shekeptherheaddown,breathingthroughherteeth,angerboilinginsideher.Theagencyhadrecently
hiredatonofpeople—programmers,databasemanagers,hardwarespecialists—alltorampupWildLove
tokeepupwithdemand.Thereweremorenewfacesthanexperiencedpeopleatthecompanythesedays
—alotmorethanthesixtheyhadstartedthecompanywithayearago.Theydidbackgroundchecks,butit
waspossiblesomeonefromthehategrouphadmanagedtoinfiltratethem.Whoeverthismolewas,it
wouldbeherhonortofindthemandmakethempay.

Shewassowrappedupinthefuryofherthoughtsthatitwasn’tuntilsheroundedthecornerinto

Marjorie’sofficethatsheevenwonderedwhoherbosswantedhertomeet.Whenshesawwhoitwas,
shefrozeinhertracksandlegitimatelythoughtshemightdieonthespot.

NoahWilding.
Holyshit.
Helookedupfromhisphoneatherstandinginthedoorway,andhiseyeswentwideforasplit

second.Thenhewhippedbacktolookingathisphoneagain.Hetappedafewthingsin,ignoringher.
Emilyjuststoodtherewithherlifeflashingbeforehereyes—NoahWildingwasinherboss’soffice.It
wasallgoingtocomeapartinthenexttwoseconds.

Shewasdoomed.

Marjoriehadcrossedtheofficetoleanagainstherdesk,lookingverypleasedwithherself.“Noah

Wilding,I’dlikeyoutomeetmyleadprogrammer,EmilyJones.”Shebarelyheldbackhergrin.

Emilyjuststoodthere,inarticulateinthedoorway.
Noahfinallylookedupfromhisphone,butallsignofrecognitionwasgonefromhisface.Hetucked

hisphoneinhispocketandsteppedforwardtoextendhishand.“Nicetomeetyou,EmilyJones.”

Shestaredathishandforanembarrassinglylonghalfsecond,thenjerkedherhanduptotakeit.Her

smallhanddisappearedinsidethegentlegripofhislargeone.Histouchwasjustaselectricasithad
beenthenightbeforewhilesimultaneouslybeingwarmandreassuring.

“Mr.Wilding,”shemanagedtogetout.
HedroppedherhandandturnedtoMarjorie.
Herbossaddressedthemboth.“Emily,I’dlikeyoutoworkwithNoahtousewhateverinformation

theRiverwisepeoplehavegatheredonthisguy.I’mputtingaholdonanyfurtherhookupsuntilwe’ve
foundwhoeverisinvolvedintheseattacks.I’llmakesomeexcuseaboutserversbeingdown,butthat
won’tholdwaterforlong.AndIdon’twanttobeoutofbusinessfortoolong,either.”Shepushedaway
fromherdesk,eyeingbothEmilyandNoahasifshecouldn’tbemorepleasedtobethrowingthem
together…almostasifthiswasherownpersonalmatchmaking!

ButEmilystillsighedinrelief.ItwasobviousthatMarjoriedidn’tknowEmilyhadbeentherelast

night,andsofar,Noahwasn’tspillinghersecret.“Ofcourse,”shesaidtoMarjorie,thenturnedtoNoah.
“I’lldowhateverIcantohelp.”

“Thankyou,”Noahsaid,buthisvoicewascool.Measuring.“Maybewecouldgetstartedright

away?”

“Um…yeah.Sure.Okay.”God,shewasbabbling.SheneededtogetoutofMarjorie’sofficenow.
Herbosswasoverlydelightedwiththis.“Yes!Absolutely.Youtworunalong.”Sheturnedbackto

herdeskandcalledoverhershoulder.“Keepmeposted!IwantWildLoveupandrunningagainassoon
asit’ssafe.”

NoahfollowedherasshescurriedoutofMarjorie’soffice.Emilykeptherheaddown,avoiding

lookingbackasNoahtrailedrightbehindher.

Holyshit!Whatwasshegoingtosaytohim?Whatcouldshesay?Shekepthermouthshut,heading

fasttowardhercubicle,butthenNoah’swarmhandlandedonherelbow.Shejerkedtoastopandspunto
facehim.

Hisfacewaslivid.Shecringedunderhisanger,butwordswerefrozeninherthroat.Theyhad

stoppedbythebreakroom.Heglancedaround—itwasearlyandtheofficewasstillprettyempty—then
tuggedherintotheroomandclosedthedoor.Shebackedupagainstit,tryingtogetsomedistancefrom
himandthatanger-filledlookonhisface.

Heleanedclose,pinningheragainstthedoorwiththestone-coldlookinhiseyes.“Tellmeit’snot

you,”hegrowled.

“Notme?”shesqueaked.
Hisjawworked.“Donottellmeyouweren’ttherelastnight.Shiftershaveaverykeensenseof

smell,EmilyJones,andI’dknowyourscentanywhere.”

“I…no…yes,thatwasme!”Shewashavingahardtimebreathing.
“Didyousetmeup?”Hisvoicewasicecold.“Areyouoneofthesenutjobswho’shuntingshifters?”
“What?”Hermouthhungopeninsurprise.“No!Iwouldneverdoanythinglikethat!You…I…”Her

handswereupbetweenthem,proclaimingherinnocenceandalmosttouchinghischest,hewassoclose.
“Ithinkshiftersare…”Sheswallowedandtriedtocalmherracingheart.“Youhavetobelieveme.I’m
thelastpersononearthwhowouldeverhurtashifter.”Shepleadedhimwithhereyestobelieveher.

Heeasedbackalittle,frowning.“Whydidyourun?”
“BecauseIworkforWildLove!”shesaid,exasperated.

Thisseemedtoswayhimalittlebecausehegavehermoreroom.“So…what?Youwerejustlooking

forahookup?”

Herfaceflushed,butofcourse,thatwasexactlywhatshewasdoing.“Ijustwantedonenight.That’s

all.”Herthroatwasclosingupwithaturmoilofemotion,butsomesignofitmusthaveworkeditsway
outintohervoicebecausehefrownedandeasedbackmore.“Tobehonest,”shesaid,“Ineverthought
you’dactuallyswiperightforme.”

Hepulledbackandgaveheraquizzicallook.“Whynot?”
Shegapedathim.“Whynot?Lookatme!”Shegesturedtoherstandardofficeattire—wornjeans,flat

tennisshoes,nomakeupwhatsoever,ablackcodert-shirtwithaknitcardiganoverit.Shereallydidget
coldintheairconditioning,butheroutfitblastedoutloserwhowritescodenothotITprofessional.

Hegaveheralooklikeshewascrazy,butthenjustshookhishead.“Soitwasjustacoincidencethat

youweremyhookupwhenthishaterwastryingtoplantabombonmycar?”

“Itwasacoincidence,Iswear.Atleast…Ididn’tknowanythingaboutit.”Shebitherlip.“Isawa

wolfgotshot.MarjoriesaidhewasworkingforRiverwise,butthathe’sokay.Isthattrue?”

Hegaveherapinchedlook.“Yeah,thatwasJimmy.He’sfinenow.”
Sheletoutasighofrelief.“Good.That’sgoodtohear.”Shehesitatedtosaythethoughtrunning

throughherhead,butshehadtoknow…“Whydidn’tyousaysomethingtoMarjorieaboutme?”

Hegaveherasmallsmile.“ItseemedoddthattheleadprogrammeronWildLovewouldbealunatic

tryingtokillwolves.”Thesmileturnedintoasmirk.“AndIfiguredthathotkissearnedyouachanceto
explain.”

Hot…what?WasNoahWildingactuallyflirtingwithher?
Sheclosedhergapingmouth.“I…um…thankyou.”
Hisfrownreturned.“ButIdothinksomeoneinyouragencyistargetingshifters.Orhasaccesstoyour

databasesomehow.”

Shenoddedinfastagreement.“Ifthereis,trustme,I’mgoingtofindthem.”
Thatbanishedthefrownandbroughtbackasmile.“Soundslikeyou’rejustthegirlforthatjob,too.”
Hissmileheatedherupfromtheinsideout.“Justdon’ttellMarjoriewhatIdid,please.She’llfire

me.”

“Okay,programmergirl,”hesaidwithafullsmirk.“Butyouhavetomakemeapromiseinreturn.”
Hereyeswentwide.“What’sthat?”
Heheldouthishand.“Givemeyourphone.”
Shefrownedbuthurriedtofishitoutofherpocketandhandittohim.Hebentoverit,tapping

somethingin.Whatintheworldwashedoing?Thenhehandeditbacktoherandleanedincloseagain,
puttingonehandonthedoorbehindher.

“Nexttimeyouwantarandomhookup,don’tberandom.Callme.”Thenhelightlykissedheronthe

cheek.

Itfeltlikeitwasonfire.Ormaybethatwasherentirebody.
Shejuststaredathim.
Hesmirked.“Nowlet’sgocatchsomebadguys.”

“Wait…yourhookupworksatWildLove?Butyoudon’tthinkshe’sthemole?”Thatwashissister,Piper,
takingnoneofthisbullshitstoryNoahwasfeedingher.Eventhoughitwasthetruth.Atleast,hebelieved
it.

“Theleadprogrammer,”hesaid.“Butyes.”
“She’saprogrammer?”hisbrotheraskedwiththatarroganttonehealwayshas.“Asin,sheknowsall

thetechbackdoorsinthesoftwarethatshedesigned?Inwhatuniverseisitpossiblethatshe’snotthe
mole?”Danielwaslookingathimlikehewascrazy,whichwasn’tunusual.They’dspenttheirentire
childhoodswithDanielbelievinghewastheonlysaneoneamongthethreeofthem.Ofcourse,itwas
reallytheirfather—ColonelWilding—whowasbatshitcrazy,buttheyhadn’tknownanybetter.They
werejustkids.

“IntheuniversewherethisleadprogrammerisasweetgirlnamedEmilyJones.Agirlwhowould

rathereatherownlipsthantrytohurtawolf.”Noah’svoicewasclimbinguptoagrowl.Healreadyfelt
protectiveofher—sheseemedtobringthatoutofhisbeast,althoughhedidn’tunderstandwhy—andhe
didn’tneedDanielrevvinghimupmore.

TheywerestandingonthefrontporchoftheRiverfamilysafehouse,ahugeestatetuckedintothe

mountainsofWashingtonoutsideSeattle.TheinsidewasteemingwithWildingpackmembersfromthe
fivefamilies.TheWildingswerespreadoutallover,hardlywhatyouwouldcallarealpack,butthey
werestillwolves…andgatheringtogetherwhenfacedwithdangerwasnatural.

Pipernarrowedhereyes.“Justhowfardidyougowiththishookup?”
Noahtiltedhisheadather.“Likethat’sanyofyourbusiness.”
Sheraisedbotheyebrowsandtossedalooktotheirbrother,Daniel.“It’spersonalforhim.”
Noah’smouthfellopen.“What—”
“That’sit,”saidDaniel.“You’reoffthiscase.We’llputyouon—”
“Ohhellno!IworkforRiverwise,brother.You’renotmyboss.”Angerwasaredheatcrawlingup

hisneck.“AndIamnotoffthiscase.I’vespenthalfthemorningworkingwithEmily,lookingfora
connectionbetweenthisRichardBatelyassholewecaughtandthepriorbombingincidents.”Heflickeda
handtowardthebackofthesafehouse,wheretheyhadtheWildLovebomberboundupinoneofthe
cottages.Interrogationshadn’tcomeupwithmuchmorethanhisnameandsomecrazyhaterhetoric
spoutingoutofhismouth.AllofRiverwisewantedapieceoftheman,buttorturewasn’tonthetable,not
withJaxsonoverseeingtheoperation.Hewasprettystraight-arrow,notunlikeDaniel.Butturningthe
suspectovertolawenforcementwouldn’tgetthemwhattheyneeded,either—shiftersusuallycouldn’t
trustthepolicetodowhatneededdoing,andtheyjusttreatedshifterslikesecond-classcitizensanyway.

“Halfthemorning?Andnoleadsinallthattime?”ThatwasPiperagain.AsifNoahandEmily

weren’treallytrying.Theywere,buthe’dleftbecausehewasmostlygettinginherway.Shewasa
wizardwiththetech,obviouslysupersmart,buttherewasanelectricchargebetweenthemthatmade
focusingontheactualworkdamnnearimpossible.He’dspentmostofhistimetryingtotalkhimselfout
of“accidentally”touchingher.

Ofcourse,hedidn’twanttoreportthattohissiblings.
“There’salotofdata,”Noahtried.“It’snotlikeEmily’sdraggingherfeetonthis.Youdon’tknow

thisgirl—”

“Andyoudo?”Piper’slookofsurprisewasgenuinethistime,anditflushedembarrassmentthrough

Noah.Hewastheyoungest,usedtohavinghisjudgmentalwaysquestionedbyhisolderbrotherand
sister.AndafterallowinghimselftobedupedbytheColonelonceagain…andlandinginthe
experimentalcagesbecauseofit…thelastthingNoahwantedwastobeoverlytrusting.Ofanyone.Orto
makeastupidchoice,especiallywhenshifterliveswereontheline.

Theaccusationhungbetweenallthreeofthem.
Noahputupbothhands.“Okay,soIdon’treallyknowher.ButIdidcheckoutherbackground,and

it’sfreakyclean.Notsomuchasaparkingticketoroverduelibrarybook.Butmaybeyou’reright—
maybethesweetnessandinnocenceareallanact,andI’manidiotwhocan’tjudgepeople.It’spossible.”
Notlikely,hethoughttohimself,buthesuredidn’twanttogetcaughtwithhispantsdownonthis.“Allthe
morereasonformetostayonthecase.Shenodoubtthinksshehasmefooledatthispoint.Soshe’llbe
morelikelytoslipupifshe’sreallythemole.”

Pipergavehimapinchedlook,likeshewasn’tbuyingthisbullshiteither,butDanielwasnodding.He

alwayswastheeasieronetolieto,beingthestraightarrowinthefamily.Dad’sfavorite.Noahknew
Danielhadbeeninstrumentalinstoppingtheirfather,nottomentiontakingapersonalinterestinkeeping
dear-old-Dadbehindbarsinamilitaryprison,butoldhabitsdiedhard—bothinDaniel’spresumption
thathewasalwaysright,andNoah’schafingagainstbeingbossedaroundbyhim.

“Allright,”Danielsaidasifthatsettledit.“Watchherfornow.ButweneedaccesstoWildLove’s

databasetodoourownanalysis.”

“I’llworkit,”Noahsaidroughly.
Piperwasstillappraisinghim.“Eitheryou’rebeingemotionallymanipulatedinthis…orshewillbe

bythetimeyou’redone.Ihopeforyoursake,Noah,thatit’snotyou.”

Noahsighed.“Ormaybewe’lljustworktogetherandfindthebadguy.”
“That’sanoption,too.”Butshedidn’tlooklikeshebelievedit.
Noahlovedhissistermorethananyoneelseinthiscrazy,fucked-upworld—shewastheone

responsibleforgettinghimoutofthecagehemanagedtogethimselflockedawayin—soheknewshe
wasjustlookingoutforhim.Itstillrankled,though.

“I’lltrynottogetmyheartcompletelyobliteratedor,youknow,becomeactuallydead.”Hesaiditin

thatsoftvoicehesavedjustforher.Itwasthevoicethatgotthemthroughallthehardtimeswhenthey
werekids—theonethatsaid,Iknowyoucare.Iloveyou,too.Thoseweren’twordsthethreeofthem
eversaidoutloud,buttheywereknownanyway.

“Nowyou’retalking,”Pipersaid,buttherewasashineinhereyes.Shepulledhimintoaroughhug

andthenshovedhimaway.Thensheshockedhimbyactuallywipingathereyes.“Damnhormones.”

Noahgrinned.“Hey,that’smyfuturenieceornephewyou’recursingat!You’regoingtohavetoclean

upyourlanguagebeforethebabycomes,younglady.”

“Fuckyou.”
Noahburstoutlaughing,anditfeltdamngoodtoreleasethetension.
Danieljustshookhishead.
Rightthen,JaceRiver,Piper’smateandhusband,wavedtoherthroughthelivingroomwindow,

beckoningher.

Shegavehimanod,thensaidtoNoahandDaniel,“Myhothusbandneedsme.Seeyouloserslater.”

Sheheadedforthefrontdoor.

“You’realreadypregnant,Piper!”Noahcalledafterherwithalaugh.“Youcanstophavingsexevery

fiveminutesnow!”

Shethrewhimalooklikehewasinsaneanddisappearedintothesafehouse.
Hewasstillchucklinginherwake,butDaniel’sseriouslookkilledallhissmiles.
“Iwantedtotalktoyou,Noah,”hesaid.
Ohshit.Thiscouldn’tbegood.“Yeah?”
“Howareyoudoing?”Danielasked,hisvoicegrave.
Damn.Thiswasabouttheexperiments.“Great!BetterthanJimmy,Iimagine.How’sthatguydoing?”
Danielscowledathisdodge.“He’sfine.Lostalotofblood.Concussion.Nothinghewon’thealfrom

bytheendoftheday.”

“That’sgoodtohear,”Noahsaidlightly.“MaybeIshouldgosayhiandgivehimsomemoralsupport

—”

“Noah.”Hisbrotherhadthatlook—theI’mthebigbrother,you’regoingtolistentomelook.
Fuck.“Daniel,I’mfine.”
“You’renotfine.Youunderwentawholeshit-loadofexperimentationandwashedoutoftheArmyon

amedicalleave.”

“Ididn’twashout,”hegroundoutbetweenhisteeth.“Thatwasjustanexcusetocomehome.Thought

youguyscouldusesomehelp,forfuck’ssake.”

Thatexcusewasatleastplausible.Thereweremultiple,activeinvestigationsgoingonrelatedtothe

hategroup’sactivities.HiscousinNova’spackhadbaggedoneofthebadguys—asickfuckwholikedto
makevideosaboutdismemberingwolvesandhadactuallykidnappedher—buttheWolfHunterwas
someoneelse.Itwashardtotellifthereweremultiplepeopleinvolvedinthehategrouporifitwasjust
randomvigilanteswhowereinspiredbytheWolfHunter’svideos.Someofboth,probably.Rightnow,
RiverwisewasfocusedonputtingtheWildLovebomberoutofbusiness.Asaresult,alotofRiverwise
businessgotdonehereatthesafehouse,whereeveryonewas,well,safe.

ButDanielobviouslywasn’tbuyingthisideathatNoahhadreturnedjusttohelpout.
Hisbrothernarrowedhiseyes.“Youwouldn’tvoluntarilycomewithinahundredmilesofthe

Colonel,notifyoucouldavoidit,”hesaid.“You’renotfoolingme,Noah.Somethinghappenedin
Afghanistan.Whatisit?”

NoahsuckedinabreathandavoidedDaniel’spiercingstare.“NothingIcan’thandle.”Whichwas

true.Hecouldkeephisbeastundercontrol,shiftwhenheneededto,justlikewhenhedemonstratedhis
wolfnaturetoEmily.Hejustdidn’twantanyoneintheshiftercommunitytoknowwhathe’dbecome.A
whitewolf.Shewasrightaboutthembeinglegend…onlythatlegendwaspartofhisfamily.His
grandfather’sgeneration,tobeprecise,wherethebetawhobrokeuptheWildingpackbyfuckingthe
alpha’smatewasawhitewolf.Onlywhitewolvesweren’treallywolvesatall…theyweresomekindof
malewitch.BobbyWildingwasthebeta,andthesecretfamilyshamewasthatthefivesonsborntothe
alpha,GaryWilding,mightactuallyhavebeenfatheredbyBobby.Onlynooneknewforsureifanyof
themhad.

Untilnow.
Noahwasprettydamnsurehisfather,theColonel,wasactuallythesonofthewhitewolf,Gary

Wilding.TheColonelwasoneofthosefivebrotherswhoscatteredtothewindsandformedthesprawling
Wildingpacks.HealsomessedaroundwithNoah’sgeneticswithhisexperiments.OnceNoahhad
returnedtoAfghanistan,itbecameabundantlyclearthathisgeneticcodehadsomethingfromthewhite
wolfburieddeepinsideit.

Hisgrandfatherwas,infact,BobbyWilding—whichwassofuckedup,itwasn’tfunny.Becausebeing

awhitewolfmeantNoahwasn’tawolfatall,notreally.Andthethingshecoulddo,thethingshe’d
discoveredinAfghanistan…thatshitneededtostayburied,justlikethesecretfamilyshamethatitwas.

“Noah,I’mtryingtohelpyou,”Danielsaid,finallybreakingtheawkwardsilencebetweenthem.
“Don’tneedyourhelp,bro,”Noahsaidtightly.“Howaboutyoujustleavemealone?”
Danieljustglaredicilyathim.Thankfully,thatwasinterruptedbyPiperre-emergingfromthe

safehouse.

Noahgaveheranoverlywidesmile.“Hey,sis,Ithoughtyougettingbusy—”
Thedeadseriouslookonherfacecuthimoff.“There’sbeenanothercarbomb.”
“What?”Danielsaid,hisfacetwistingup.
Dammit.“Iwashopingwehadtheguy,”Noahsaid.
“Youbettercomeinside.”Piperdisappearedbackthroughthedoorway.
Danielgrabbedhisarmbeforehecouldfollowhissister.“We’renotdonetalkingaboutthis.”
Noahwrenchedhisarmfree.“Actually,weare.”Hestrodetowardthefrontdoorandhurriedinside,

whereJace,Piper,Jaxson,andseveralotherwolvesweregatheredatthefarendofthegreatroom.Ithad
beenturnedintoawarroomofsorts—mapsofSeattlepinnedtothewall,abankofcomputerssetupon
tablestotheside,picturesofthegrislyaftermathofthecarbombings,suspects,andotherevidence.
Jaxson,thealphaoftheRiverpackandoneoftheRiverbrotherswhoranRiverwise,wasnominallyin
chargeoftheoperation,buteveryonewaspullingtheirweight.

JaxsonliftedhischintoacknowledgeNoahstridingup.“We’vegotacopycat.”
“Ithoughtwewerekeepingthisquiet,”Noahprotested.“Howcanwehaveacopycat,ifnoone

knowswhat’sbeenhappening?”

“Well,someonedoes,”Jaxsonreplied.“How’sitgoingatWildLove?Anyleads?”
“Notyet.”Noahgrimaced.“Infact,they’recompletelyshutdownnow.Arewesurethisisa

WildLovehookup?”

“Yeah,”Jaxsonsaidgrimly.“Jared’sonthescene—hewasinthearea—andthegirlisfreakingout.

Theshifterisincriticalcondition.Thegirlsaysshemadetheconnectionlastweek,originallyplanneda
hookuplastweekend,butitgotrescheduledtothisafternoon.”

Shit.“Sotherecouldbemorehookupsoutthere,waitingtohappen,”Noahsaid,“eventhough

WildLove’sshutdown.Previousconnectionswhoarejustnowgettingtogether.”

“Right,”Jaxsonsaid.“Therehavetobetonsofconnectionsouttherethathavealreadybeenmade.I

thinkweneedtoopenWildLoveupagainbutcarefullycontrolit.Stakeouteachandeveryhookup.”

“There’snowaywecandothat,”Jacespokeup.“Therearetoomanyofthem.Plus,it’sjusttoo

dangerousforthepartiesinvolved.”

“Thenfindmeabettersolution,”Jaxsonsaidwithatautstarearoundatthegatheredwolves.
Danielspokeup.“IfweshutWildLovedownpermanently,eventuallythehookupswilldropoff.”
Noahfrowned.Thatwouldn’tbetheendoftheworld,althoughitwouldmeanEmilyandherco-

workerswouldbeoutofjobs.Andtherewouldbealotofhornywolvesnotgettinganyaction…alsonot
atragedy,notcomparedtopeopledying.

“Notfastenough,”Pipersaid.“Andwhatifpeopledieinthemeantime?”
Shehadapoint.
Noahgaveheranodofsupport.“Besides,thehookupscouldjustgounderground.Peoplewillfind

eachotheranotherway,maybeontheotherappsthatareoutthere.Oneswewon’thaveaccessto.
Besides,wedon’tknowforsureifit’stheappthat’sleadingthebomber,orbombers,tothecouple,orif
thehumansaresomehowinvolved.”

“Ithastobetheapp.There’snoconnectionbetweenthewomenthatwe’vebeenabletofind.”Jaxson

rubbedhishandoverhisface.“AndIdon’treallythinkthisisacopycat.Twoseparatelunaticsdon’t

randomlydecidetocarbombhookupsonWildLove,especiallywhenithasn’tmadethenews.Theyhave
tobeworkingtogether,probablypartofthehategroup.”

Noahfrowned.“You’reprobablyrightaboutthat.”
Jaceadded,“Andifthey’rebothpartofthesameorganization,it’spossibletheycanleadustothe

WolfHunterhimself.”

“Exactly,”Jaxsonsaid.“Ifwecancatchthissecondguy,wecanconnectthetwobombersandfindthe

restofthenetwork.”

“Allright,”Noahsaidwithasigh.“I’llheadbacktotheagency.SeeifIcantalkthemintoopeningup

WildLoveagainsowecantrytoentrapthissecondbomber.”

Jaxsonnodded.“Reportbackwhenyou’vegotaplanforus.”
“Copythat.”Noahspunaroundandheadedforthedoor.
Danieltriedtocatchhiseyeonthewayout,butignoringhisbrother’spointedlookswasaskillNoah

hadhonedlongago.Andbesides,he’dmuchratherbebackattheagencyworkingwiththeirhotlead
programmer,tryingtocatchthebadguys,thanhangingaroundthesafehousegettinginterrogatedbyhisall-
too-stridentbrother.AndnotjustbecauseNoahdidn’twanttospillhissecrets.Inaway,helovedDaniel
justasmuchashelovedhissister,Piper,althoughhe’drathertakeabulletthansaythatoutloud.But
Danieldidn’tneedtoknowthetruthabouttheirgrandfather.Hedidn’tneedtoknowthatallthreeofthem
—Noah,Piper,andDaniel—weredescendedfromawhitewolf.

Itwouldtearhisstraight-lacedbrotherapart.

“Noway!Awolfgaveyouhisnumber?”Sophieaskedwithaweinhervoice.ShewasEmily’sbest
friend,afellowprogrammerforWildLoveand,atthemoment,shewasattackinghersaladlikeithad
committedapersonalgrievanceagainsther.Thensheleanedforward.“Thisisyourchance,Emily.
You’vetotallygottodothis.”

Emilyshookherheadandpickedatherownlunch.ItwasherfavoritechickenCaesarsalad,theone

shehadeveryday,butherstomachhadbeenagiantbundleofsquirminganxietyallmorning.Shecould
hardlyfocusatallwitharidiculouslysexyshifterlookingoverhershoulder.Eventually,Noahhadgotten
sickofherbumblingaroundandcomingupwithnothingfromWildLove’smassesofdata.Heleft,saying
hehadtocheckinwithhiscompany,Riverwise,atsomesafelocationtheyhadinthemountains,butshe
wassurehewasjustfrustratedatherlameinabilitytofunctionaroundhim.Oncehewasgone,shehad
beenabletoconcentrate,butshestillhadn’tcomeupwithanythingthatwouldexplainhowthecar
bomberknewsheandNoahwerehavingahookuplastnight,muchlesswhere.Allthatdatawasinthe
securechatroomthatshe’dspecificallydesignedtohaveultra-tightsecurity.OnlythetwoWildLovers
planningahookuphadaccess…andanyoneinsidetheagency.Whichonceagainpointedtoamole.
Whichmadeherstomachfistupintomoreknots.

“Idon’tknow,Soph,”Emilysaid,stillpokingatherfood.“Idon’tthinkIcanhookupwithNoah

now.”

“Whatareyoutalkingabout?”Sophiestaredatherlikeshewascrazy…andsheprobablywasfornot

instantlytakingNoahuponhisoffer.“He’shot.He’salreadykissedyou.Heknowswhoyouareandwhat
youdo—thisisevenbetterthanaWildLovehookup.He’sgivenyouhisnumber,forGod’ssake.”

“That’sjustit.”Emilysighedandgaveuponhersalad.Shesimplyhadnoappetite.“Itwassupposed

tobeaone-nightthing.NowthatIknowhim,it’snotthesame.”

“Whynot?Youcouldstillagreethatit’sjusttemporary.”Sheflickedherforkintheairlikeitwasa

whip.“Goridesomewildwolfforanight,thenmoveonandfindarealboyfriend.Onewhowillbring
youpizzaandamoviewhenyoufeellikecrap,likemyWilliam.”ThatwasSophie’sboyfriend—they
nerded-outtogetherbigtime,goingtocons,gaming,theworks.Sophietamedherforkanduseditonher
saladagain.“Youdon’twantarelationshipwithashifter,anyway—they’vegottoomanyproblems.That
wholehategroupthingwithpeopletryingtoblowthemup.Besides,therearegoodhumanmenoutthere,
Emily,youjustneedtogetoveryour,youknow,issues.”Sheleanedforwardagain.“Thiscouldbereally
goodforyou,Em.It’swhatyouneed.”

Herbestfriendwasprobablyrightaboutthat—sheusuallywas.AndsheknewmoreaboutEmilythan

anyoneelseontheplanet,includingEmily’suselessfamily.Thetwoofthemhadbeenroommatesall

throughcollege,andEmilybroughtheronboardatSeattleShiftersassoonasshe’dscoredthelead
programmerposition.Sophiewascool,normal,andsuperkind—andsheknewallaboutEmily’spast.
Emilyshouldlistentoher,buthergutwassayingrunawaywiththevolumeofaneighteen-wheeler
bearingdownonheratsixtymilesanhour.

Sheputdownherforkandbuncheduphernapkin,twistingitinherhands.“Ithoughtbeingwitha

shifterforonenightwouldgetmeoverthepast.Butnow,everything’smessedup.”

“Istillwishyouwouldhavetoldmeaboutthishookupplanofyours,”Sophiesaidwithascowl.

“Regardlessofyourcompletelackoffaithinmeasatruefriend,theplanitselfisbrilliance.Andforthe
record,Iwould’vetotallysupportedyou,hadIknown.Thisisexactlywhatyouneedtomovepastwhat
happenedwithyouruncle.It’sbeenfiveyears,Em.It’stime.Evenyourtherapistwouldagreewithme.”

“Igaveuponthetherapistlastyear.Wasn’tgoinganywhere.”Thetruthwas,Emilyhadburiedherself

inherworkinstead…andanobsessionwithshifters.Itseemedliketherightthingtodoatthetime—she
couldn’tkeepgoingbacktohertherapist,weekafterweek,withnosignofprogress.Andreally,nodesire
tochangeanythinginhersafe,comfortablelife.

“Yeah,Ifigured.”SophiejabbedherforkatEmilyagain.“AndIthinkthatwasamistake,too.ButI’m

tellingyou,noneofthatmattersnow.You’vegotthisguywhowantstobewithyou.Andhe’sagoodguy,
right?”

AhottricklingfeelingwentthroughEmily.“He’samazing,Soph.Youdon’tevenknow.Braveand

selfless,andhe’sgotthiscutesenseofhumor…he’sreallyeverythingIcould’vehopedforinaone-time,
super-hotromanticfling.”

Sophieheldherhandsup.“See?That’swhatI’msaying.It’stheWildLovemotto—WildForaNight

—cometolife.Youknowyou’llbesafe,andtheseguysarehunkalicious—ifIdidn’thavemyWilliam,
I’dbeallovertestdrivingsomewolfmyself.”

Emily’smouthdroppedopen.“It’stotallyagainsttherules,Soph!”
“You’rekiddingmeright?”Shesmirked.“Comeon,Em.Youdon’tevenhavetobreaktherulestobe

withhimnow—hegaveyouhisnumber!He’ssafeandwonderful.Perfectforyou.Idon’tseethe
problem.”

Emilygroanedinfrustration.“TheproblemisthatI’mnotawolf.”
Sophienarrowedhereyes.“Ifyouwereawolf,you’dhaveclawedthefuckoutofthatassholeuncle

ofyours.Andyouwouldn’tevenbeinthissituation.Yourpointismoot.”

Emilyjustsqueezedhereyesshutandshookherhead.
ButSophiewasn’tgivingup.“Besides,Idon’tunderstandwhythatmakesanydifference.So,you’re

human—sowhat?IfWildLovehasprovenanything,it’sthathumansandshifterswillgetiton,allday
long—andhaveahellofagoodtimedoingit.Whycan’tyoubepartofthat?You,morethananyoneelseI
know,deservestogetlaidbyahotshifter.”

Emilyopenedhereyesbutkeptthemfixedonherplate.“Idon’twanttogethurt,Soph,”shesaid

softly.

Sophiehesitated,thensaid,“Ithoughtyoubelievedshifterswerethegoodguys.That’sthewhole

idea,right?Shiftersaresafe.”

“It’snotthat.”Emilypeeredup.“It’sbecauseit’stemporary.AndI’mhuman.EvenifNoahwanted

morethanonenight…”Hereyesglazedover,justthinkingaboutit.SomeonelikeNoah—strongandsexy
andbrave?Havinghimforrealwasanimpossibledream.Shesuckedinabreathandblewitout.“He’ll
takeamatesomeday.Ashiftermate.Hewon’twantanythingtodowithmeafteronerollinthesheets.
Twoattheoutside.”

Sophieputdownherforkandthrewbothhandsintheair.“Ithoughtthat’swhatyouwanted!”
“I’vespentallofacouplehourswithhim,Soph,andI’malready…let’sjustsay,Icanalreadyfeel

theheartbreakcoming.AndIdon’tknowifIcanwithstandit.Itwouldhavebeensomucheasierifwe’d

justdoneitatthemotel.IhavetojustforgetaboutNoahthatway.OnceWildLoveisbackonline,maybe
I’lltryagain.I’llstudythedatabaseandfindtheperfectwolftobemydreamonenightstand.”

Sophiejustshookherhead.“You’regoingtoregretthis.”
Emilypickedupherforkagainandtookherfrustrationsoutonhersalad.“Probably.”
Herbestfriendpulledinabreathand,mercifully,changedsubjects.“Howlongdoyouthinkwe’re

goingtobeshutdown?”

“Idon’tknow.”Emilydroppedherforkagain,disgusted.“I’mdoingeverythingIcan.Butifwedon’t

figureoutthisthingsoon,Idon’tseehowWildLovecankeepgoing,honestly.Imean,aslongasthere’sa
dangertoshifters,wecan’tingoodconscienceopenitupagain.”

“Shit.”Sophiegrimaced.“Whataboutourjobs?”
Emilyjustshruggedoneshoulder.“Thesearepeople’slivesweretalkingabout,Soph.”
“Yeah,Iknow.”Butsheworriedatherlipwithherteeth.
Emilypointedafingerather.“Andyouneedtokeepallthisquiet.Ifwe’vegotamoleattheagency,I

don’twanttogivethemahead’supthatI’mhuntingforthem.Anddon’tfeedanyoftherumorsI’msure
arerunningallaroundtheofficetoday.”Shesighedandpushedbackfromherseat,fumblingtogether
phoneandpursetogether.“Ishouldgetbacktowork.It’shardformetodoanythingwhenNoah’saround
—mybodygoesintoLustOverdriveModejustbeinginthesameairspace.Ishouldgetstuffdonenow,in
casehecomesback.”

Sophieleanedbackandcrossedherarms.“Istandbymyoriginalpointonthisissue—youshould

jumpthatwolfaslongastheofferisstillopen.”

Emilyhuffedasmall,mirthlesslaugh.“It’sprobablyalreadyexpired.I’llcatchyoulater.”
Sheleftherfriendtofinishhermeal,butshecouldfeelherworriedstareonherbackallthewayout.

Sophiereallywasthebest.Shejustdidn’tunderstandwhatamesstheinsideofEmily’sheadwas…and
howtornupshewasalreadyfeeling,bothterrifiedandhopefulthatNoahWildingmighthavereturnedto
theofficewhileshewasoutatlunch.Anymoreinvolvement,andshewouldtumbleintoadeep,dark
placewhenheinevitablybrokeitoff.

Andthatwasn’tsomethingshecouldaffordtodo.

“I’msureEmilycanfindawaytomakeitwork,”Noahsaid.

HewasbackintheCEO’sofficeofSeattleShifters,arguingwithMarjorieabouttheneedtoopenup

WildLoveagain.

“I’msureshecan,”Marjoriesaidgrimly.“I’mjustnotsureit’swise.”Butthenshetappedsomething

intoherphone,soNoahheldhisnextattempttoconvinceheratbay.Afteramoment,shesaid,“Emily,
couldyoupleasecometomyoffice?Thankyou.”Shehungup.

Asmalltightnesshedidn’texpect,deepinhisgut,dancedupandsmackedhimintheface.Therewas

nodenyinghewasattractedtoEmily,butthiswassomethingmore—atinglyanticipationthathadbeen
buildingeversinceheleftthesafehouse.Evenhiswolfhadperkedupattheideaofseeingheragain,and
thatcaughthimoff-guard—Emilywashuman.Hisinnerbeastshouldn’tbereactingtoherlikethis.

Noahshovedthataside.“Webothwantthesamethinghere,Marjorie,”hesaid,pouringonallthe

charmhepossessedwithanearnestlookandasmallsmile.“ToclearoutthisthreatandgetWildLove
backinbusiness.”

Shecockedherheadtotheside.“Don’tbatthoseprettyeyesatme,NoahWilding,”shesaidwithfake

admonishment.“SavethatkindofthingforEmily.”

Heblinkedand,astonishingly,feltheatrisinginhischeeks.Wasitthatobvioushewasattractedto

Emily?OrwasMarjoriejusttryingtogetthemtogetherforherownmatch-makingreasons?Heprayed
shewasstillinthedarkabouttheiralmost-hookup—Emilyhadbeenadamantaboutkeepingthatsecret.
Whichhadgivenhimtheperfectopportunitytoslipherhisnumber.Afterall,herbosswaspractically
shovingthemtogether.Wasitwisetohookupwithherwhileworkingthisjobwiththeagency?Um…no.
Wouldthatstophim?Probablynot.

Ashestumbledforsomethingtosaythatwouldn’tmakehisthoughtscompletelytransparent,Emily

scurriedintotheroom.

“Oh!”shesaid,pullingupshort,obviouslysurprisedtoseehim.“You’re…back.”Shetuggedathert-

shirt,whichsaidWillWriteCodeForCoffee.Hiswolfgaveasmallgrowlofappreciationforthewayit
huggedherchest.Noahwhippedhisgazeuptoherface,afraidofbeingcaughtogling,especiallywith
Marjorie’skeen-eyedattentiononhim.

“Hey,”hesaid,ratherlamely,thenforcedhisvoicetosoundatleastalittleprofessional.“Tellyour

bossitwouldbenoproblemtoworksomeprogrammingmagictoopenupWildLoveagain.”

Shefrownedandtooktwomorestepsintotheoffice,comingtostandequidistantbetweenthem.“I

thoughtitwasn’tsafe?”Shelookedtoherboss.

“That’swhatI’msaying.”Marjoriegesturedtohim.“ButCaptainAmericaherethinkshecancatch

thebadguysbetterifwe’relive.”

Emilyturnedherprettyfrownonhim.“Ithoughtyouhadalreadycapturedthebomber.”
Noahgrimaced.“Therewasasecondbombingjustanhourago.”
“What?”Emily’salreadypaleskinlostevenmorecolor.“Istheshifterallright?”
Therewasthatfeelingagain,deepinside,stirredaroundbyherconcern.“Yes.”
Herobviousreliefwasquicklyfollowedbyacutescrunchingupofhernose.“Itmusthavebeena

priorcontact.”

“Yeah.”Ofcourse,shewouldfigurethatoutrightaway.Noahhadonlyspentacouplehourswith

Emily,butitwasobviousshewascrazysmart—thatwaspartofwhatdrewhimtoher,too.Heedged
closer.“ThetwoofthemwerematchedbyWildLovelastweek.”

Shescowledanddroppedhergazetothefloor.“Ofcourse.Theaveragetimefromswipetomessage

islessthananhour.Frommessagetochatroomconnectionevenless.Butfromthere,thedata’sallover
themap.Hookupscanbearrangedwithinminutes,andtheactualmeetwithinanhour.Oritcouldbedays.
Oraweek.Alldependsonschedules,dayofcontact,whetherit’scoffeeor…”Shelookedupathimwith
thoseclearblueeyesblazing.“Therearehundredsofpeoplestillatrisk.Thisisnotgood.”

Henodded.“Whichisexactlywhyweneedtoactivatesomekindofdragnettopullinthissecond

bomber—andwhoeverelseisinvolved—beforeanyoneelsegetshurt.”

Shewasnodding.“Iftherearetwobombers,thenthereareprobablymore.Weneedtofindthewhole

group.Andshutthemdown.”Thefiercenessinhervoicemadethatspotlowinhisguttightenagain.She
wasunbelievablycutelikethis,awhip-smartkitteninangry,problem-solvingmode.Andher
protectivenesswasjustturninghimonmore.

Stayontask,Wilding.Itdidn’thelpthatshesmelledoffreshly-scrubbedskinandlavendersoap,no

perfumeofanykind,justlikethismorning.Andthenightbefore.Heforcedhimselftolookawaybeforeit
wasobvioushewantedtohaulherbacktothatbreakroomandkissherforreal.

“See?”hesaidtoMarjorie.
HerlipswerepursedassheexaminedEmily.“Whatcanwedo,Em?Itrustyoumorethananyonein

thecompanyonthis.Andyouknowthissystembetterthananyotherprogrammer.Whatcanwedotokeep
everyonesafebutstilllurethisguyinandcatchhim?”

Noahswungbacktolookather,tryingtokeephisfaceschooledandhisthoughtsontask.Shewas

likeademononthetrailofsomeidea—hecouldtellbythewayshewrinkledherbrow,thinking
furiously,sohekeptquiet.

“Wecould…”Shestoppedtolickherlips,andthatwasn’thelpingwithhimstayingontask.“We

couldre-routeallthemessaging,”shesaid,tentatively,thengainingsteam.“Haveitgothroughacentral
accountthatwemonitor.Cuttheshiftersoutofitentirely—sendtheirmessagestoaholdingpenwhilewe
sortthisout.They’rethetargets,andwecan’thavethemexposedtoanymorerisk.Butwe’llletthe
humanrequestsgothrough,incasethey’repartofthesetup.”

Noahfrowned.“Wehaven’tfoundanyconnectionbetweenthehumansandthebomberwehavein

custody.”

Emilystaredatthefloor.“IfIcouldjustfigureouthowthey’regettingaccess…”Shewasbitingher

lipagain,andhiswolfwaspayingfartoomuchattentiontothat.

NoahgaveMarjorieanapologeticlook.“ItcouldbesomeoneinsideWildLove.”HewaitedforEmily

toreacttothat,butshewasstillchewingherlipandstaringatthefloor.

“That’sstillapossibility,”Marjoriesaid.“Ihatetothinkit,but—”
“Hangon!”Emily’shandsjumpedintheairlikeshewasstoppingtraffic.“I’vegotit.”Shetooka

breath,buthereyeswereblazingagain.“Ithoughtwhoeverthesepeoplewere,thattheyhadtohave
accessedthedatabasewitheveryone’srealnamesandphonenumbers,thenhackedthephones—soIwas
lookingforloopholesinthatsystem—butthat’snotitatall.Otherwise,theywouldn’tberestrictedto

attackingduringthehookup.Thatmustbetheonlyinformationtheyhave.Whichmeanstheyhavetobe
hackingthemessagingsystem.It’stheonlywaytheycouldknowwhentheWildLoversaremeeting.But
whoeverthey’vegothackingforthemisgood,reallygood,becausethey’renotleavinganytraces
afterward.Itcouldbesomeoneinsidetheagency,butanyoneontheinsidewouldhaveaccesstothe
entiredatabase.Maybesomeoneisunknowinglygivingthemaccessjusttothemessagesystem.Whoever
itis,whetherit’scomingfrominsidetheagencyornot,I’llneedtocatchthemintheact.”

“BymakingWildLoveactiveagain?”Noahaskedhopefully.
Herfacewasveryserious.“Yes.Butwehavetobecareful,allsetupandmonitoredbyus.We’llset

thetrap,andassoonasthebombertakesthebait,Ishouldbeabletotracethemandseehowthey’re
gettingin.ThenIcanblockthemtopreventitfromhappeningagain.”

“Butthenhowdowecatchthem?”Noahasked,frowning.Itwasgoodtoshutdownwhateversecurity

holeWildLovehad,buttheyneededtocatchthebadguysaswell.Nottomentionthismightleadthemto
theWolfHunter.

“Thesamewayasbefore—ahookupthat’sreallyasetup.Onlythistime,alltheinteractionswillgo

throughus.There’llbenoactualhookupsuntilthebadguyhacksintooneofourfakemessageexchanges.
Onceweseehe’strackingus,we’llstageahookupandcatchhimwhenheshowsuptoplantthebomb.”

“Soundsbrillianttome,”Noahsaidwithagrin,throwingaglancetoMarjorie.
Shewasscowlingatbothofthembutrelentedafteramoment.“NoWildLoversatrisk?”sheasked

Emily.

“Nope,”shesaidwithconfidence.“JusttheRiverwisesecurityguyswaitingtotakedownthe

bomber.”

“Allright,then.”Marjoriewavedthemoutofheroffice.“Getgoingonthis.Iwantthemessages

interceptedassoonasyoucan,beforeanymoreofourWildLoverscangethurt.”

“Yes,Ma’am!”EmilyhadashineinhereyesasshespuntohurryoutofMarjorie’soffice.
“Thankyou,”NoahsaidtoMarjoriebeforehustlingafterEmily.Shewashaulingassbacktoher

cubicle,andbythetimehecaughtuptoher,shewasalreadyinherseat,pullingupscreensofinformation
thatcouldbehieroglyphicsforallhecouldtell.

“God,whydidn’tIthinkofthisbefore,”shemuttered,butitseemedmostlytoherself.
Heputahandonhershoulderbutjerkeditbackwhenshejumped.
Shegavehimanapologeticlook.“Sorry.Just…tense.”Shegrabbedhermugofcoffeeemblazoned

withCoffeeisMyBoyfriend,tookanervoussip,thensetitdownagain.

Hefrowned.“Ijustwantedtohelp.Butifyou’dratherIleft…”Hehopedshewouldsaynotothat,

butshewasbacktothattwitchinessshehadbefore,atthemotel.Ittuggedatsomethingdeepinsidehim.
Therewassomethingwrong,somethingclosed-upandhurtinginsideher,anditbotheredhim.Alot.

Shedroppedhershouldersfromtheirhiked-uppositionandseemedtorelaxalittle.“No,sorry,I’m

just…weird.Ignoreme.Andpleasestay.I’llneedyourhelpforpartofthis.”

Noahdraggedachairovertositnexttoher,thengesturedtothescreen.“IdoubtIcanhelpyoumuch

withthis.”

Shescowledatthescreen.“Ican’tbelieveIleftsomekindofsecurityholeforthesehaterstowaltz

through!Iwishyouguyshadcometomesooner.IfI’dknown,Icouldhave—”

“Thankyou,”hesaid,interruptingwhateverregretcommentshewasabouttoconjure.Shedidway

toomuchofthat—apologizingforbeingtense,forkeepingwhateverwasbotheringherlockedinside.He
wasveryfamiliarwiththatkindofthing—darksecretshisfamilykeptunderwrapswhiletheyslowly
killedthemfromtheinsideout.Hewasn’texactlygreatatthewholeunderstandyourfeelingsthing,but
hewasworkingonit—hehadto,inordertocontrolhisbeast.Itwaswaymorepowerfulthanitusedto
be,andhecouldn’taffordtolosehisgriponit.

“Thankyouforwhat?”Emilyasked,turningtohimwithwideeyes.

Hesmiled.“Forcaringaboutwolvessomuch.”
Shelookedhimstraightintheeyes,anditwaslikeshewasseeinginsidehim.Itwasn’tabad

feeling…notatall.

“Shiftersarebetterpeoplethanmosthumans,”shesaid,alittlebreathless.“Atleast,asfarasIcan

tell.Generallyspeaking.”Thatdelightfulblushingcolorwasbackinherpalecheeks.Heheldhergaze,
andifshedidn’tlookaway,hewasseriouslytemptedtofollowthatupwithakiss.Butshedroppedher
gazetothefloor,thenherkeyboard,thenbacktoherscreen.

Avoidinghimagain.
“Evilcomesinallshapes,”Noahsaidquietly.“Rightnow,I’dliketocatchthisparticularbrandof

evilthat’sbentonblowingupinnocentpeople.”

Shenodded,eyesonthescreen.“Right.”
“SohowcanIhelpwiththat?”
Thatbroughtherattentionbacktohim,butagrimacewasmarringherprettyface.“IguessIneedyou

tohookupwithanotherhuman.”

Heliftedhiseyebrows.“Ithoughtthehookupwasjustgoingtobefake.”Theonlyhookuphewas

interestedinhavinginthenearfuturewassittinginfrontofhimwithherhandsnervouslytappingtheedge
ofherkeyboard.

“Weneedthebombertothinkit’sreal,”shesaid,herfacedrawingdown.
“So…wehavetosetuparealmeetup,butIdon’thavetoactuallysleepwiththeperson.”Hedidn’t

likewhatshewassaying…andhelikedthelookonherfaceevenless.

Sheshruggedoneshoulderandturnedbacktothescreen,fingersflyingacrossthekeyboard.“You

didn’thavetosleepwiththembefore.”

True.Dammit.Butbackthenhehadnoreasonnotto,andhehadeveryreasontomakeitlookreal,in

casethehumanwasinvolvedinthesetup.Orjusttobuytimeforthebomber.But,ofcourse,Emilyhad
alreadyfiguredallthatout,includingthefactthatshewasn’tthefirstWildLovehookuphe’dhad.“I’m
kindofhopingIwon’thavetodothatagain.”

Hershoulderstwitched,butshedidn’tsayanything.Ittookhimamomenttopiecetogetherwhatshe

wasthinking:thatheregrettedthealmost-hookupwithher.

Noahreachedahandovertotouchherwrist.
Herfingersfrozemid-stroke,andsheslowlylookedathim.
Hestaredherstraightintheeyes.“Ijustgavemynumbertoagirl.I’mhopingshemightcall.Idon’t

wanttogetinvolvedwithanyoneelse,incasethathappens.”Hedidn’tthinkhecouldbeanymoreplain
aboutwhathemeant.

Hereyeswentalittlewider,thensheblinkedseveraltimesandturnedbacktoherscreenbefore

speakingagain.“Iguess…Iguessyouwouldn’thavetogothroughwiththehookup.Ifyoudidn’twant
to.”

“Maybeyoucouldbemyhookup.”
Shewhippedalooktohimthenwrencheditbacktothescreen.“Um…yeah…maybewecouldwork

itthatway.It’sprobablybetterifeveryoneinvolvedknowswhat’shappening.Plusthatwayyourhookup
won’tbesurprisedwhenyoudon’texactlymatchyourprofilepicture.”Sheswallowed,butthistime,her
nervousnessjustmadehimsmile.Becausehewasprettysureshewanteditasmuchashedid,evenifshe
wasn’tcomingoutandsayingit.

“Exactly,”hesaid,scootinghischairclosertopeeroverhershoulder.“So,tellmehowthisisgoing

towork.”

Shequicklyglancedathim,rightatherback,thenleanedovertopullalaptopoutofoneofherdesk

drawers.“You’llneedthis.”Thenshewasbackatherkeyboard.“I’llreroutethemessagesystemsothat
anythingthatcomesfromactualWildLoversgoestoaholdingpenbutpingsusthatthere’sactivity.Ifit’sa

shiftermessagingahuman,thenyou’reon,Noah.”

“Igettobetheshifter?”heaskedwithagrin,catchingontohowthisgamewouldbeplayed.
“AndI’llbethehuman,”shesaidwithasmallsmile.“We’llhavetochatlikewe’rereallysettingupa

hookup,butitwillallbefake.I’llbemonitoringonmyscreen,seeifthereareanyreal-timebreachesof
security.Oncethereis,thenthathookupwillbethesetup.”

“So…”Noah’sgrinjustgrew.“Igettoflirtwithyouonline,undermultiplenames,agreeingtoa

bunchofdifferenthookups…butIonlygettogotooneforreal.Withyou.”

“Well,yeah.”Shewasblushingagain,andhisheartratekickedupanotched.“Except,youknow,

we’llactuallybeconductingastingoperation.”

Heleanedforward.“Howaboutaftertheop?Areyoubusythen?OrshouldIwaittoaskoncewe’re

aloneinamotelroomagain?”Hereallycouldn’tcontainhissmirk.

Sheshovedhimback,butevenwithherlittlehands,hecouldtellshedidn’tmeanit.“Wehaveto

catchabadguyfirst.”

“Deal!”Noahopenedthelaptopshehadgivenhim.
Thiswasabsolutelythebestjobhe’deverhad.

BRIAN:Hey,Amy,yourpictureissohot,itburnedoutmyphone.

AMY:Seriously,doesthatlineworkonanyone?

BRIAN:Diditworkonyou?

AMY:No.

BRIAN:Youowemeanewphone,then.

AMY:Okay…maybe.

BRIAN:Maybeanewphone?Ormaybeyourchatnumber?

AMY:347-2290

Emilygrinnedatherscreenandclosedthemessengerwindow,switchingovertothesecurechat

board.SheandNoahhadbeenchattingforacouplehours,offandon,eachtimepretendingtobea
differentsetofWildLovers.Alltherealcommunicationwasshuntedintoaholdingfile—Emilywould
resurrectthosemessagesonceWildLovewastrulyliveagain—buteachtimearealpersoninitiateda
contact,EmilyroutedittoNoah,whotookwhatevercrazypickuplinewasusedandranwithit.They
agreedaheadoftimetheywouldeventuallyhavehergiveherchatnumberandthenarrangeahookup…
butmakingitlookrealmeantthey’dspenthoursflirting.

Whichwassomehowsaferforherthaninperson.
ShecouldactuallybreathewhenNoahwasn’tintheroomheatingherskinjustbylookingather.Right

now,hewassafelybackathisapartmentsomewhereinthecity.Ithadtakenawhiletogeteverythingset
upontheservers,andhesaidhehadsomeerrandstorun,sohe’dtakenthetricked-outlaptopwithhim.It
waswellintotheeveningbeforetheywere“live”again—themessagescamethroughonaspecialapp
shesetuponhiscomputer,andshewasafraidhewouldn’tnoticethepingalert,buthemusthavebeen
keepingaclosewatchbecausehe’drepliedalmostinstantly.

They’dbeenchattingeversince.
Noah’sfirstmessageas“BRIAN”inthechatroomlitupherscreen.

BRIAN:Hey,sexything.I’msogladyouwantedtochat.I’dstilllikethatnewphone,though.

AMY:Ithoughtyoushifterswereonlyinterestedinonethingfromhumans…

BRIAN:Hotsex,yes.Absolutely.Alsotechnology.Weshiftersdon’thaveaccesstomuch,whatwith
livinginthewoodsandhuntingelk.

AMY:Ihopeyouhavealicenseforthat.

BRIAN:Ohshit.You’reanarc,aren’tyou?

AMY:Yes.

BRIAN:…

AMY:ShouldIbringmyhandcuffs?

BRIAN:YES

AMY:Timeandaplace,hotstuff.

BRIAN:Areyouwearingtheuniform?Pleaseweartheuniform.

AMY:Onlyifyou’renaughty.

BRIAN:Ihavebeenextraordinarilybad.Requirelotsof…punishments.

AMY:Howaboutinanhour?

Shewasn’tsureifthatwasenoughtimeforRiverwisetosetupthesting,butitwouldbesuspiciousif

everyhookupwereatthesamerelativetime,nottomentionlocation,sotherewasabitofartinthispart
ofthearrangement.NoahknewwhattheRiverwiseguyswerereadyfor—she’dlethimhavethefinalsay
onthedetails.Meanwhile,shecarefullymonitoredallthedataflows,lookingfortracesthatthey’dbeen
tappedbythebomber…butsofarnothing.

BRIAN:I’mwatchingmyfavoritemovie,SleeplessinSeattle.Howabouttwohours?Idon’twantto
misstheending.

AMY:You’reputtingmeoffforamovie?

BRIAN:Itgetsmeinthemood.

AMY:You’rekindofsentimentalforahotshifterguy,aren’tyou?

BRIAN:Yes.Alsonaughtyandverygoodatpickinglocks.TwohoursattheSkylarkmotel?Messageme
theroomwhenyougetthere?

AMY:I’llhaveextrahandcuffsready.

Emilywaited,checkedthedatastreams,butstillnothing.Itwaspossiblethemessageboardwas

beinghackedwithoutherrealizingit,butshedidn’tthinkso.Plusallthechatswereflushedoutofthe
less-securebuffersandsenttothemore-securearchivesafteraboutfiveminutesofinactivity.There
shouldn’tbeanysecurityholesinthefirstplace,butiftherewere,sheshouldseethehackinthereal-time
buffers.Whichwaswhyshehadtocatchthehackersintheact.Eveniftheycoulderasetheirdigital
footprints,orsomehowtheygotwipedwhenthedatawenttoarchive,thehackerscouldn’tavoidleaving
atraceinrealtime.Butafterfiveminutes,therewasstillnosignofintrusion.

Emilyloggedoutofthemessageboard—goingofflinewashersignaltoNoahthatthehackershadn’t

takenthebait.ThatlittlehookupbetweenAMYandBRIANwouldjustfadeintothearchives,onemore
fakehookupthatwouldneverhappeninreality.

AlthoughNoahseemedintentonhookingupwithherforreal,onceallthiswasover.
ThatsentashiverdownlowinEmily’sbelly.Ononehand,itwasashiverofanticipation.Onthe

other,shecouldn’timagineactuallygoingthroughwithit.Butwitheachchatmessagetheyclosedout,she
wasbothmoredesperatetotakehimtobedandmoreterrifieditwouldbreakherheart.Thesafestthing
wouldbetojuststayfriends.Maybeevenflirtyfriends.

Colleagues.
Right.
Shedidn’tknowhowmuchofthisflirtingwasreal—well,sheknewnoneofitwasreal,butshe

didn’tknowifNoahwasenjoyingitasmuchasshewas.Mostlikely,hewasjustdoinghisjob.That
wouldmakemoresensethanhimlustingafterherthewayshewaspantingattheprospectofhavinghim
touchher…farmorepantingthanshe’deverdoneforanyotherguy,eveninheroccasionalfantasies
aboutthecuteprogrammerdownthehall.EverythingaboutNoahwasjustover-the-topperfect—hewasa

shifter,hewasincrediblyhot,andbeingawolf,sheknewshewassafewithhim.Plushewassmartand
funny.

Thatlastpartwaskillingher.Becausehewasthekindofguysheactuallymightliketokeeparound…

andNoahwouldneverwantherlong-term.Althoughhe’ddefinitelymadeitclearhewantedashort-term
hookup.Thequestionwas:why?Shecouldn’treallyimagine.Supposedly,allguyswerehotforanykind
ofsexanytime,andshifterlibidowaslegendary.Theyweresexgodsamongmen.Buttheywerealso
ridiculouslyhotandcouldhaveanygirltheywanted.Sowhybotherwithher?Therewasliterally
nothingaboutherthatasexyshifterlikeNoahcouldn’tgetjustaseasilyfromAMYorSHELLYor
APRIL…oranyoftheotherprofileshe’dflirtedwithtonight.

Herbrainkeptnaggingatthatandcomingupfrustrated.
Meanwhile,herscreenpingedwithanothermessagecomingin—thisonewasalsofromamaleshifter

initiatingcontactwithahumanfemalehehadmatchedwith.Thatwasthetypicalprofile.Theshifters
couldhavetheirpickofthewomen,generallyspeaking,buttheywerealsolookingforafasthookup…so
theyusuallymadefirstcontactwhentheywereavailable,workingtheirwaythroughthelisttoseewho
wouldrespondthefastest.Humanfemaleswithanysensejumpedrightonthatopportunitywhenit
appeared…soEmilyquicklyroutedNICK’smessagetoNoahalongwithherresponseasTRISHtoget
thingsrollingandappearingnormal.

NICK:Wow,yoursmileismakingmywolfgrowl.

TRISH:Yeah?

Noah’sfirstforayintothediscussioncamequickly…

NICK:Likeyoudon’tevenknow.Whichisunusual…myinnerbeasttypicallyonlyrespondstoother
shifters.Areyousureyou’renotpartwolf?

Ofcourse,heknewshewashuman.Butitmadeherheartthumpanyway…whywashetakingthe

messageinthisdirection?

TRISH:PositiveI’mnotawolf.ButIloveeverythingaboutthem.

NICK:Haveyoueverbeenwithawolfbefore?

Emilyfeltherfaceheatup.Whywasheaskingthis?

TRISH:No.Firsttime.Isthatokay?Doesthatturnyouoff?

NICK:Theopposite.Ican’twaittoexploreyourwildside.

Herfacewasdefinitelytendegreeshotterthantheroomnow.

TRISH:Iguessyouwantmychatnumber,then?

NICK:Iwantawholelotmorethanthat,butI’llsettleforthenumber.

TRISH:347-2290

Emily’shandsshookalittleasshecloseddownthemessengerandloggedintothesecurechatboard

again.Okay,maybeevenonlineandhalfwayacrossthecitywasn’tenoughdistancetokeepherfrom
feelingtheheatthatNoahgeneratedinher.

“NICK’s”chatmessagelituprightaway.

NICK:Ihavetobehonest.I’mdroolingatthethoughtofgettingclosertoyou.

Gulp.OhGod,weretheyreallygoingtodothis?Messagesex-talk?Itwasn’tlikeitdidn’thappen—

she’dseenitgetscorchinghotonline—butshe’dneverimagineddoingitherself.Muchlesswithaman
sheknewshe’dseeagainsometimeinthenexttwelvehours.

TRISH:Um…don’tdroolonthekeyboard.Couldcauseproblems.

Solame.Shehadnoideahowtodothis.

NICK:Can’thelpit.You’resodamnsexy.

Sheshouldjustcuttothechasewiththis,sotheycouldmoveontoanother,lessaggressivelysexy,

persona.Andshecouldgosplashcoldwateronherface.Something.

TRISH:You’reprettyhotyourself.Maybeweshouldhookup?

NICK:Maybe.Depends.

Wait…what?Noahwasn’tsupposedtoplayhardtoget.Whatwashedoing?

TRISH:Depends?Onwhat?

NICK:Onhowlongyoucanlast.Areyouupforawholenight?Areyouwellrested?Haveyouhadyour
dinner?Becauseyou’regoingtoneedyourenergy,sweetthing.

OhGod.

TRISH:Icanhandlewhateveryou’vegotinmind,wolfboy.

NICK:I’mnotaBOY.AndwhatI’vegotinmindstartswithjustmyhands,alloveryourbody,every
placethatcanbetouched.Thenmymouthisgoingtotasteyou,insideandout.AndwhenI’mfinally
insideyou,believeme,you’llknowjusthowmuchMANIhavetogive.Iwanttofeeleveryrippleof
yourorgasmslikeyou’repartofme.

Oh.My.God.Emilypushedawayfromherdesk,herheartpoundingandpushinghotbloodthroughout

herbody…andpoolingitbetweenherlegs.Howcouldshelookhiminthefacethenexttimetheymet,
nowthathe’dsaidthosethings?Andwhatcouldshepossiblysayinreturn?

Hermouthwasdry,andsheswallowedhard.Thenanoff-tonepingsounded,andittookamomentin

herpanickedstatetorealizewhatitwas:thealertshe’dsetupforanintruder.

Sheslammedbacktothekeyboard,openingaseparatewindowtotracktheintrusion.
Yes!Therehewas,thehacker,lurkinginthebackgroundoftheirsupposedlysecurechat…hewasjust

asurgeinthedatadownloadthatwasn’tthereamomentagobutwasunmistakablenow.Sheputatraceon
it,eventhoughshedidn’texpectthattoturnupanything.Moreimportantly…shehadtosetupthemeet!

NICK:Areyouthere?

Ohshit.

TRISH:Yes!Damn…sorry…justoverheatingfromyourlastmessage.

NICK:ThoughtmaybeIscaredyouoff.

TRISH:No.Godno.Can’twaittofeelyourhandsonmeforreal.

NICK:Yeah?

Shit.Hedidn’tknowthiswasn’tforreal.Ormaybeitwas,butthatpartdidn’tmatterrightnow.What

matteredwasgettingthehookupsetbeforetheirlurkergaveuponthem.

TRISH:Ohyeah.Justtellmewhenandwhere,andI’llbethere.I’llkeepgoingaslongasyoucan.

NICK:Promises,promises.

TRISH:You’retheonewithalltheteasing.Howaboutyoushowmewhatyoucandooffline?

Dammit,Noahneededtohurrythisalong.Thenshesmackedherpalmtoherforehead—hisphone!

ShesnatchedherphoneoffherdeskandquicklysearchedforNoah’snumber.Ittookagonizinglylongto
findit.Meanwhile,“NICK”wasstillmessagingher.

NICK:I’mnotteasing.I’llmakeeveryfantasyyouhaveaboutwolvescometrue.

Shequicklytyped…

TRISH:Whenandwhere?

ThenshetextedNoahonhispersonalphone,Hackeriswatchingus.Ittookamoment,butwhenhe

textedback,itwassimple.Copythat.Then“NICK”messagedheragain.

NICK:Areyoureadynow?
TRISH:Yes!
NICK:HowabouttheStrykerMotel?Onehour?
TRISH:Perfect!
NICK:Messagemewithyourroomwhenyouarrive.
TRISH:Can’twait.

Thensheloggedoutimmediately—theirsignalthatthemeetwason.Assoonasshedid,thetrace

disappeared…andsodidthehacker.Emilysearchedthearchives,buttherewasnoindicationthathe’d
beenthereoranywhereelseinthesystem.Ifshehadn’tcapturedthefeedsreal-time,therewouldhave
beennoevidenceatallthatsomethingstrangehadhappenedonthatparticularchat.

Butithad.
Herphonebuzzed.ItwasatextfromNoah.Weneedtomovefast.Needtogettherebeforehim.
Copythat,shereplied,thengrabbedherstuffandranfortheelevator.

“She’slate.Something’swrong.”NoahpeeredthroughthebackwindowoftheRiverwisepackvan,
scanningthestreetsdarkenedwithrainandglisteningwiththecity’snightlights.Thetrafficwaslightbut
steady—thisshadysideofdowntownneverslept—buttherewasnosignofEmily’ssilverPrius.He’d
givenhertheaddressoftheliquorstorewheretheywereparked,butmaybeherGPSwasn’tworking…

“Youcouldtextheragainwhileshe’sdriving,”hisbrother,Daniel,saidfromthedriver’sseat.

“Becausethatwassuchagreatideathelasttwotimes.”

“Something’swrong,”Noahsaidagain,hishandpalminghisphoneinhispocket,itchingtodoexactly

whathisjerkbrotherwassayingheshouldn’tdo.

“She’snotevenlate.Themeetupisn’tforanotherfifteenminutes.”Danielclimbedoutofthedriver’s

seatandjoinedhiminthebackofthevan.

Noahglaredathim.Heshouldn’thavesaidanything,justtextedEmilylikehewantedto.Now,

Daniel’sbig-brotherlookofconcernwasalloverhim,andhecouldn’tdoitwithouttakingcrap.Chatter
inNoah’searbuddistractedbothofthemforamoment—therestofthepackwascheckinginfromtheir
stationsaroundthemotel.Twoofthemhadrentedrooms,posingaslegitcustomers.Theothershad
arrivedsurreptitiously,joiningthemorstakingoutspotsinthedarkenedstairwellcornersorparkedatthe
IHOPnextdoor.Alltold,theyhadadozenRiverwiseshiftersreadytotakethebomberdown,ifhe
showed.Itshouldbemorethanenough.

ButhavingEmilyinthemiddleofitwasmakingNoahunexpectedlynervous.
Thechatterdieddown,andjustasDanielopenedhismouthtosaysomething—somethingNoahwas

surehedidn’twanttohear—asilverPriuspulledupalongsidethevan.

“She’shere.”Noahpushedpasthisbrothertoslideopenthevandoor.
Emilyclimbedoutofthedriver’sseat,andhersmilelitupwhenshesawhim.Itwarmedhimand

flushedcoolreliefthroughhim,allatthesametime.Whichwasafairdescriptionofthefeelingsshewas
stirringupinhim—allconflictedandbothered.Eversincetheirchathadgottenhotterthanhehad
planned,andthenshe’dpulledbackfromhim,ithadlefthimnervous.Afraidshethoughthewasonly
aftersexfromher…andthenafraidthatheactuallywantedmore.

Hewavedherintothevan.
ShelookedDanieloverwithwideeyes.“Hi,”shesaidtohim,butitwassoftandalittlebreathy.Like

shewasshy,ormaybeattractedtohim.TheflushofjealousythatsurgedupstunnedNoahsobadly,he
foughtforamomenttosayanythingatall.

“So,you’rethefamousEmily-the-programmer,”Danielsaidwithasmirk,managingtobeanasshole

inlessthantenwords.

Emily’sshynessdisappeared.SheliftedoneeyebrowandlookedtoNoah.“Famous?”
Noahjustshookhishead.“Pleasedon’tlistentoathingmybrothersays.Please.”
“What?”Daniel’sridiculouslookofinnocencewasn’tfoolinganyone.“I’mjustsaying—”
“Don’t.”Noahglaredathreatathim,thenreachedforEmily’shandandpulledherfurtherintothe

van,awayfromDaniel.“Ignorehim,”hesaidsoftly.“Areyouallright?”

Shefrowned.“Yeah,I’mfine.Why?”
“Ijust…nothing.”Hewouldexplainaboutthechatlaterwhentheywerealone.“Okay,here’sthe

plan.Riverwiseisalreadyinplace.They’llhaveeyesonyoufromthemomentyouenterthemotel
parkinglot.Yougoaheadandcheckin,thenmessagemetheroomnumber.I’llfollowinaboutfifteen
minutes,soitdoesn’tlooklikeIwashangingoutattheliquorstorerightaroundthecorner.”

“Soundsgood.”EmilyglancedatDaniel,thenbackatNoah.“Sothen…what?Wejustwait?”
“We’vebeenwatchingtheplaceforthelasthalfhour,”Danielsaid.“Twocoupleshavecheckedin,

butthat’sit.Unlessthebombermiraculouslygotherebeforeus,hehasn’tshownyet.Butwhenhedoes,
we’llbewaitingforhim.”

“Butyoudon’tknowwhathelookslike,”sheprotested.
Noah’sstomachclenched.“No.WhichiswhyI’llbestragglingin.Wewanttogivehimplentyoftime

togethereandseemearrive.I’llkeepmyhoodup,justincasehe’sdownloadedtheprofilepixfromthe
hookup.”

“Areyousurethat’swise?”sheasked,hercutenosescrunchingup.“Imean,whatifhedecidestojust

shootyouasyou’regettingoutofthecar?”

Noahworkedtokeepthesmileoffhisface.Shewasn’tworriedaboutherselfwalkingintoasting

operationtocatchabomber…shewasworriedabouthim.“Idoubthe’lldothat.It’smuchsaferforhim
towait,makesureI’mtherightguybygoingtotherightroom,thenslipoutofwhatevercoverhe’s
keepingtoplantthebombonmycarandslipaway.Hecouldbewatchingfromacrossthestreetorthe
forestpreservebehindthemoteloranynumberofplaces.Andhe’ssuretobeextracarefulthistime
becausewe’vealreadycaughthisco-conspirator.Hemightevenshowupmuchlaterafterhe’ssure
we’re…indisposedinsidetheroom.”

Sheliftedbotheyebrows.Heprayedshewouldn’tmentionanyoftheirsexychat-talkinfrontof

Daniel.Butshejustsaid,“Okay.Thatsounds,well,reasonable,atleast.”Sheglancedatherphone.“I
bettergo.”

“Okay.”Noahwantedtohugherorreassureheror…something.Instead,hejustsaid,“Becareful.”
Shesmiled,andhesworeitlituptheinsideofthevan.
Damn,hewasintroublewiththisgirl.Howdidthathappensoquickly?Itmusthavebeenthehours

theyspentonline,talkingandflirtingandspillinglittledetailsabouttheirlives.

HewatchedherclimboutofthevanandbackintoherPrius.Justlikethefirsttimetheymet,hewas

almosthopingthebadguywouldn’tshow,oratleastwouldtakehistime,justsoNoahcouldbealone
withEmilyinthemotelroom.Onlythistime,hejustwantedtotalk.Findouthowmuchofthosechats
wereherandhowmuchwereafront.Seeifhereallythrewherwiththesexytalkornot.And,okay,
maybekissheraswell.

Somuchtrouble.
“Youlikethisgirl.”Daniel’svoicewasdrenchedindisapproval,asusual.
Noahclosedhiseyes,reiningintheurgetojusthaveitout,righthere,inthevan.Preferablywith

clawsandfangs.“That’snotacrime,youknow.”

“She’shuman.”Danielwasstillaghast.
“Inoticed.”Noahforcedoutabreath,openedhiseyes,andturnedtohisbrother.“It’snotlikeI’m

matematerial,Daniel.”

Hisfacegrewinstantlyserious.“You’retalkingaboutAfghanistan.”

Noahsighed.Fifteenminutesstuckinavanwithhisbrother,andalreadytheywereontheworst

possibletopic.“Yes,becauseofwhathappenedinAfghanistan.Andthecages.”

Daniel’seyesnarrowed.“Theexperimentsaffectedyou.”Hewasguessing,butitwasn’tawildleap.
“Let’sjustsay,I’mnotthewolfyougrewupwith.”
“Noah.”Foronce,hisbrotherseemedgenuinelydistressed.Whichwassomehowworsethanallthe

condescensionandarrogance.Becausehehadtobelievetherewassomethingreally,seriouslywrong
withhisbrothertoturnthiskindofsoft.

ThetemptationtotellDanielabouttheirgrandfather,thewhitewolfofdisgrace,wasoverwhelming…

itwouldknockhimbackonhisarrogantasstoknowhewasdescendedfromalying,cheatingmalewitch.
ButNoahcouldn’tbringhimselftodoit.

Somesecretsreallyshouldstayburied.
“Look,I’mfine,honest,”Noahsaid.“YourememberwhenOwenwasafraidtoshiftafterhe’dbeenin

thecagesforayear?Becausehedidn’tknowwhatkindofbeasthewouldbe?”

Danielnodded.ThatstoryhadmadetheroundsthroughRiverwiseafterOwenfinallyshiftedandwas

revealedtobeawhitewolfwithfreakishlylarge,razor-sharpclaws.

“Well,it’ssomethinglikethat—monsterclaws,adifferentkindofwolfthanIusedtobe—butIcan

controlit.MynewwolfformcameoutwhenIwasinAfghanistan,freakedthehelloutofme,andIcame
home.ButI’mfinenow—I’vegotitundercontrol.”Nottheentiretruth,butmaybeenoughtokeepDaniel
offhisbackaboutit.

Hisbrothernodded.“That’swhyyouthinkyou’re…”Hegrimaced.
“Afreak?Yes.Justsayit,Daniel.”
“That’snotwhatImeant!”Hisbrother’sfacedarkened.“Iwasgoingtosaythat’swhyyouthink

you’renotmatematerial.”

“Thattoo.”Noahscowledathim.
“Butthat’snotnecessarilytrue—”
“Comeon,bro!Don’tpatronizeme.Webothknowtherearen’tenoughfemalewolvestogoaround,

notbyalongshot,andtherearen’tgoingtobeanylininguptomatewithsomeonewho’sageneticfreak.”
Nottomentionthathewasn’tfullyawolf…eveniftherewereafemaleshifterinterestedinhim,he’d
havetotellherthetruth.Itwasonlyfair.Andnoreasonablegirlwouldwanttoriskhavinghalf-witch
pups.Hell,anygirlwhodid,heprobablywouldn’twant,justbecausethatwouldbecrazy.

“Don’tgiveuponthis!”Daniellookeddistraught.“Owenfoundamate—”
“Thatwasluck,man,andyouknowit.”
“Itcouldhappenforyou.Don’tthrowaway—”
“Okay,look.”Noahgotinhisbrother’sface.“I’mmakingmyownpathhere,Daniel.Andyoudonot

getavoteonwhatit’sgoingtobe.”

Danielpressedhislipsintoatightline,butNoahreallydidn’tgiveafuckatthispointwhathis

brotherthoughtofhim.AndifNoahwantedtobewithahuman,notjustforanight,butmaybeforlonger
—

Hisphonebuzzed.
ItwastheWildLovechatroomapp.Room19,Emily’smessagesaid.
Fuckwaitingaroundforfifteenminutes.“We’reinRoom19,”Noahsaidtohisbrother.“Timeforme

togo.”

Danielhelduphishandstostophim.“Ithoughtyouwerewaiting.”
“I’lltakethescenicroute.”Noahpushedpasthim,threwopenthedoorofthevan,andhoppedout.

ThenheslammedthedoorinDaniel’sfaceforgoodmeasure.Hiscarwasonthefarsideofthevan,and
bythetimehereachedit,theboilingangerinsidehimwassurginguphiswolf.Hebreathedthroughhis
teeth,willinghiswolftostaycalm,promisinghimthattheyweregoingtoseeEmilyinjustafewshort

minutes.

Itworked.Hewasn’tevenhalfwayaroundthescenicroutetothemotelbeforehewascalmagain…at

least,ascalmashegotwiththeprospectofseeingherloomingahead.

Thatparthereallydidn’tunderstand.Itwaslikehiswolfwasdrawntoherforsomereason.Given

hiswolfwasonlyhalf-wolf—theotherhalfbeingwitch,pluswhateveralteredstuffthegenetic
experimentsthrewinthere—hewasn’tsurewhatanyofitmeant.Allheknewwashecouldn’twaittosee
her.Andallthedisparatepartsofhimselfsettleddownandpulledtogetherinanefforttomakethat
happen.

Therewereseveralcarsinthemotelparkinglot,butnopeople.NoahparkedwellawayfromEmily’s

silverPrius,aswellasRoomNineteen,justincasethebombermanagedtosetsomethingoffandblowup
hiscar—hedidn’twantEmilyorhercargettingcaughtinthecrossfire.Thenhejoggeduptothedoor.It
wasonthefirstlevelthistime,andhetookamoment,catchinghisbreathandhopefullygivingthe
potentialbomberagoodlongchancetoseehimbeforeheknocked.

Emilyopenedthedoorrightaway.Shewasstillwearingherblackt-shirtandjeansgetupfromthe

office,whichmadesense.Shehadprobablycomestraightfromthere,whereasNoahhadbeendoingtheir
onlinechattingfromhisapartment...wherehewouldn’tbetemptedtofollowupthosesexychatswith
multipleattemptsatakiss.Butnowthattheywerehere…

“Hi,Trish!”Noahsaid,stillstandingoutsidethedoor,playingtherole,incasethebomberwas

watching.“I’mNick.FromWildLove.”

“Hey,Nick.”Emilycouldn’tquitecontainhersmile,anditpracticallyforcedoneontohisface.“Nice

tomeetyou.Comeonin.”Shesteppedbackandheldthedoorwideforhim.

“You’rejustassexyasyourprofilepicture,”Noahsaid,apartingcommentforthepotentialbomber

outside.

Emilyclosedthedoorandturnedtohim.Shefoldedherarmsacrossherchestandshookherhead,

givinghimaskepticallook.“Isthatright?Because,asIrecall,Trishisaheckofalottallerandskinnier
thanIam.”

Wasshereallywalkinghimrightbackintothesexytalk?Becausehewassoreadytopickupwhere

theyleftoff.

“Ihappentolikeshorterwithmorecurves.”Heclosedthecouplefeetbetweenthem,andhecouldtell

bythewayhereyeswidened,thatshedidn’texpectit.Helethisgazetraveldowntowherehert-shirt
huggedherchest,thenbackuptohereyes.“Andwhatyouhaveundertherelooksverytemptingtome.”

Hermouthwentalittleslackwithsurprise,andhercheekspinkeduprightaway.Man,shewaspretty

whensheblushed.Itbroughtoutthatinnocent-kittenlooktoherwideblueeyesandcreamy-paleskin.He
easedcloser,nudginghertowardthedoorwithouttouchingher.Yet.

“Um…okay,”shesaid,andhervoicehikedupalittle.“Yourealizewe’renotinchatanymore,

right?”

Hisheartsankalittlewiththat,buthedidn’tgiveup.Hepressedahandagainstthedoor,nexttoher

head,becausebythistime,shewasbackedallthewayupagainstit.Herarmswerestilllocked,
protectively,acrossherchest.

Helookedstraightintohereyes.“Iwashopingatleastsomeofitwasreal.Itfeltrealtome.”
Shevisiblyswallowed.“Yeah.Metoo,”shewhispered.
Yes.Heleanedincloser.“I’veneverdonethatbefore.Talkedlikethatinchat,Imean.DidI…”He

lickedhislipsbecausesuddenlyhismouthwasdrywithnerves.“DidIscareyouoff?Ikindofgot
carriedaway.”

“No,”shebreathed.Hewascloseenoughthathecouldfeeltheheatofit.“Well...itwasalittle

overwhelming.”

“I’msorry.”Heleanedincloseenoughtokissbutdidn’t.God,hewantedto.“AndIdon’twantyouto

thinkthat’sallIwant.ThatI’mjusttryingtogetyouinbed.Becauseit’snotjustthatforme.”

Sheblinked.“It’snot?”
Heeasedbackalittle—anycloser,andhewouldbekissingher,andthatwouldn’thelpinmakinghis

point.“You’resmartandfunnyashell.Andyou’retakingallkindsofcrazychanceshere,justtohelp
shifters…whenyou’renotevenoneyourself.Andyou…youcare,Emily,inabig-heartedkindofway
thatstirsmearound.So,no,it’snotjustyoursmokin’hotbodythatIwant.”

Hereyeswerewide,andherlipsparted,andhecouldscentherarousal…whichwasallheneededto

pressforward.

“NotthatIdon’twantthat,too.Don’tgetmewrong.”Helethisgazerakedownthesmoothcurveof

herneck.Hehadtoshuthismouthtokeepinthedroolagain.Helookedbackintohereyes.“We’rehere,
inamotelroom,alone,again…andbelieveme,I’dreallyliketotakeoffyourclothes.Andmine.
Unfortunately,thebadguycouldshowupanymoment.”

“That’sreallyunfortunate.”Shewaswhisperingagain.
“Itis.Butthere’salotwecandowithourclothesstillon.”
Herbreathinghitched.“Yeah?”
“Definitely.”Heplacedhissecondhandonthedoornexttoherhead.Therewereonlyinchesbetween

them.“Ifyou’llletme.”

Hewassoclosehecouldfeelherchestheaveagainsthisasshelaboredtobreathe.“I’llletyou.”
Hemanagednottomoanwiththosewords,justleanedforwardandgentlypressedhislipstohers.

Theyweresosoft…hishandwasinhersilkyhairbeforeheknewit,hisotheronearoundherwaist,
pullingherclose.Hewantedhertofeelmorethanjusthisgrowlinglustforher,buthecouldn’thelp
drawingherdeeperintothekissbycrushinghertohim.Andhisquicklygrowingerectionwasmakingthat
lustplainenough.Shepracticallymeltedintohim,herbodyhotagainsthisthroughherthint-shirt,his
tonguedeepinsidehermouth,tastingandseekingandwarringwithhers.Shewassoshort,herheadhad
totipbacktokisshim.Heslippedhismouthfromhers,travelingwetkissesdownherjawandnippingat
thetenderskinofherneck.Themoanthatcamefromherthroatremindedhimthathewasn’tmaking
anywherenearenoughuseofhishands.Heslidtheoneatherbackdowntocaressherfirm,littlebottom,
whiletheotherbrushedthesideofherbreastthroughhershirt.

“God,Emily,”hepantedbetweenkisses,workinghiswaybackuptohersweetmouth.Hecuppedher

breastinhishandassoonasasliverofspaceopenedbetweenthem.

“OhmyGod,yes,”shesaidbeforehesmotheredherwordswithhiskiss.
Hepressedheragainstthedoor,notcaringthatshefelteverybitofhardnesshehadforher—she

shouldknowhowmuchsheaffectedhim—buthewasstartingtolosehimselfinthiskiss.Hishand
slippedunderhershirt.Hersmallfingersclawedatthebottomedgeofhis,workingitupsoshehad
accesstohisbareskin.Hedevouredhersweetscentwithhismouthanddeeppullsofbreathacrossher
skin—

Hisearbudsquawked,makinghimjump.
“No,no,no!”“Whatthehell!”“Gethim!”“Shoothim!”“Toofar!”
Noahjerkedbackfromthekiss,blinkingfast.“Something’shappeningoutside.”
ButEmilyhadheardit,too,lookingtowardthewindowtotheparkinglot,drawnclosedwithdrapes.

Theshoutswereaudiblethroughthethinwallsofthemotel.

“Noah,getclearofthedoor!”ThatwasDaniel,hisvoicehighandhysterical.
ItfrozeNoahforasplitsecond,slicinglikeicethroughhisveins…thenhegrabbedEmily’shandand

yankedherawayfromthedoor.

“Go,go,go!”heshoutedtoherashedraggedheracrossthespanoftheroom.Shestumbledbutcaught

herself,plushehadanirongriponher.Buttherewasnowhereforthemtogo,norearexit,nodoorto
anotherroom…justthebathroom.“Getinside!”heyelledwhileshovingherthroughthedoorandtoward

thebathtub.

Hebarelygotthroughthedoortothetinybathroomhimselfbeforetheroomblew.

EmilycouldhardlybreathewithNoah’sweightonher,butthatdidn’tconcernher…whatwasfreaking
heroutwasthathewasn’tmoving,andhewasinhiswolfform.

Somethinghadexplodedinthemotelroom,probablythedoor,butNoahhadhustledherintothetiny

bathroomanddownintothebathtubbeforeithit—andtheshockfromtheblasthadthrownhiminafter
her.Hemusthavehitthetiledwallshard,andwithhishead,becauseithadknockedhimunconsciousand
nowhelay,inert,ontopofher.Somewhereintheprocess,hehadshiftedintohisbeautifulwhitewolf
form…butthatdidn’tmakehimanylessheavy.

“Noah!Noah!”shewhisperedhoarselyinhisear,thefurofhisfaceticklinghers.Shewriggledout

fromunderthebulkofhisweight,tryingtoeasehimgentlytothefloorofthetubwhilegettingabetter
lookathishead.Shecouldn’tseeanybloodinallthatsnow-whitefur,buthiseyeswereclosedtightand
histonguelolledoutofhisopensnout.“Noah,pleasewakeup,”shesaid,tearsprickinghereyesasshe
gentlyshookhim.

Shoutswerecomingfromtheroomoutside,andtheairwasthickwithsmokeandsmall,floating

debrisfromtheexplosion,butEmily’sfocuswasentirelyonthebeautiful,noblewolfwhohadjustsaved
herlife.Shedugherhandsintohisfur,searchingforaheartbeat,butitwasimpossible—asmuchasshe
knewaboutshifters,shedidn’tknowanythingabouttheanatomyoftheirwolfforms.

Butsomeoneelsemight.
“Inhere!”sheshoutedtowhoeverwasoutsideintheroom.“We’reinhere!Weneedhelp!”
ApoundingoffootstepswasfollowedbyDaniel,Noah’sbrother,swingingaroundthecornerandinto

thesmallroom.“Noah?”hegaspedthenflewtotheirsides.HelookedinhorroratNoah’swolfform,like
hehadneverseenitbefore.

“Hewon’twakeup,”Emilysaid,herthroatclosingup.Butevenasthewordscameoutofhermouth,

Noahstirredinherarms.Hiseyeswerestillclosed,buthismuzzleleanedintoher,rubbingagainsther
arm.“Noah!Canyouhearme?”

“Ineedamedicinhere!”Danielscreamedatthemengatheredatthedoor.Onedisappeared,calling

forsomeone.ThenDanielturnedbacktoNoah.“Noah,God…what’shappenedtoyou?”

Thenamiracleoccurred—oratleastitfeltthatwaytoEmily—andNoahopenedthoseclear-blue

wolfeyesandlookedstraightupintoherface.

“Noah?”Daniel’svoicedrewagrowloutofthewolfinherarms,andsuddenly,heshifted,leaving

herholdingaverynaked,verygorgeousNoahinthebathtub.

“Oh,thankGod,”Danielsaid,rockingbackonhisheelswherehewascrouchedbythesideofthetub,

butNoahignoredhim,hiseyesstilllockedwithhers.

Sheputonehandonhischeek,holdinghisheadasgentlyasshecouldwiththeother.“Say

something.”Shesearchedhisfaceforasignofinjury.

Hesmiled.“You’rebeautiful.”Thenhetouchedherfacewithhisfingertips—theywerecold,butat

leasttheyweren’tshaking.

“Okay,youreallydidgetaknockonthehead,”shesaid,blinkingbackthetearsthathadbeen

threateningtofall.

“Noah,pleasetellmeyou’reallright.”ThatwasDanielagain.
Noahgrimacedathisbrother.“I’mfine.”Thenheseemedtowanttogetup,toshowDanielhewas

okay,soEmilylethimgo,eventhoughshethoughtstandingupwasaverybadidea.Noahworkedhisway
uptohisfeet,butthenwaveredalittleandbracedhishandagainstthewall.

Danielstoodaswell.“You’renotfine.YouneedtohaveJacetakealookatyou.”
NoahpeereddownatEmilyasshescrambledtostandaswell.“Areyouokay?”heaskedher.
“Yeah.”Shegaveasmallsmile.“IthinkIcushionedyourfall.”
Noahsqueezedhiseyesshutforamoment.“God,whatwasIthinking,bringingyouintothis?”Then

heopenedhiseyesandturnedtohisbrother.“Makesureshe’sokay,Daniel.Please.”Noah’shandwas
rubbinghisheadlikeithurt.

Emilyfrowned,butbeforeshecouldsayanything,Danielwasreachingtohelpheroutofthetub.“Let

meseeyou,”hesaid,rakinghisgazeoverher,apparentlycheckingforinjuries.“Canyoustand?Didyou
hityourheadorbangupanything?”

“No,”shesaid,steppingoutofthetubanddroppinghishandtosmoothdownhershirt.“I’mfine,

really.Noah’stheonewhoneedshelp.”

“See?”Danielaskedhim.“Willyoulistentoherandsitdown,please?”Hisvoicewasrough,but

Emilycouldtelltherewasreallyconcernbehindit.

“WhatIneedissomepants,”Noahsaid,butheeaseddowntosittingontheedgeofthetub.His

clotheswereinaheapatthebottom.Danielkneltdowntoscoopthemupandhandthemtohisbrother.He
tookthemwithoutawordandstartedpullingthemon.Justashewasstandingtozipuphispants,another
wolfpushedthroughtheonlookersatthedoor.

EmilyrecognizedhimasJaceRiver,oneofthebrotherswhoranRiverwise.
DanielgesturedtoNoah.“Hegotaknockonthehead.”
“I’mfine,”Noahgrumbled,butthenwinced.“Justaheadache.”
“Sitdown,”Jacesaidinatonethatsaid,I’myourboss,don’teventhinkaboutarguingwithme.Or

possiblyitwashisalphavoice.ItsentashiverthroughEmily,regardless.

Noahsatontheedgeofthetubagain.
Jacepulledoutapenlightfromasmall,blackkitandflasheditacrossNoah’seyes.Thenheheldup

twofingers.

“Howmany?”heasked.
“Two,”Noahsaid.
“Blurredvision?”
“No,justtheheadache.”
JacefeltaroundNoah’shead,standingtoinspecthisscalpthroughthemessofbrownhair.Noah

wincedalittle,whichjustmadeEmilywindherarmstighteraroundherchest.God,shehopedhewas
okay.

Jacestood.“Allright,you’regoingtobefine.Thatlumponyourheadlookslikeit’salready

shrinking.Whichisprettydamnfast,NoahWilding.Youcouldn’thavebeenhurttoobad.I’mgoingtosay
noconcussionunlessyoursymptomsstarttogetworse.”

“See?”NoahpeeredupatDaniel.ThenhelookedbacktoJace.“CanyoucheckEmily,makesure

she’sokay?”

Emilyunlockedherarmsandputherhandsup.“I’mreallyfine.”
Jacesmiledwarmlyather.“It’llmakehimfeelbetterifwe’resure.”
Shegavehimasmall,awkwardnod.DanielhelpedNoahgetdressedwhileJacerepeatedthesame

questionsandroutinewiththepenlight.

“Anypainortwistedankles?”heasked.
“No,”shereplied.
“Well,youtwoaredamnlucky,that’sallIhavetosay.”Jacestuffedhispenlightbackinhisblackkit.
Noahwasshakinghisheadashepulledonhisshoes.“Thatwastoodamnclose.”Heturnedtoher.

“Emily,I’msorry.Ishouldneverhavebroughtyouintothis.Idon’tknowwhatthehellIwasthinking.”

“I’mokay,”sheprotested.
Buthejustshookhisheadsomemore,thenpeeredupatJace.“Whathappened?”
“ThebombermusthaveslippedinaspartofthecoupleinRoomTwenty-Four.”Jacegrimaced.“I

can’tbelievewemissedthatploy.Itwassoobvious.Anyway,thewomanleftfirst.Wedidn’tthink
anythingofit.Thenthemanlefttheirroomandheadedtowardtheparkinglot.Wefiguredhewasleaving
aswell,butthenhestoppedatyourdoor.IsweartoGod,Noah,heonlypausedforasecond.That’sall
thelongerittooktoplantwhateverexplosivesheused.”Jacehookedathumboverhisshouldertoward
theroom.“Damnneartookouttheentireroom,though.Andhalfoftheneighboringonesonallsides.
Which,thankGod,wereempty.”

“Didyoucatchhim?”Noahasked.
“No,”Danielsaidthroughgrittedteeth.“Weweren’tevenontothefactthathedidsomethinguntilhe

startedhaulingasstowardthebackofthemotel.Thenthedoorblewandeverythingwentsideways.We
wentafterhim,ofcourse,butthewomanmusthavebeenwaitingforhimoutback.Hewasgonebythe
timewecouldfollow.”

“Dammit.”Noahranbothhandsthroughhishairandstood.Helookedabitmoresteadythistime,

whichtrickledreliefthroughEmily.“Allright.I’mgettingEmilyoutofhere.Whenyouguyshaveaplan
forwhattodonext,callme.”

Noahreachedahandforher,anditdidn’tevenoccurtohernottogowithhim.Hetookherbythe

elbow,pullingherclose,thenhookedanarmprotectivelyoverhershoulders.Holdinghertightthatway,
hewalkedheroutintotheroom.

Itwasanightmare.
Mostoftheroomwasgone.Theexplosivestookoutnotjustthedoor,buttheentirefrontwall,halfthe

sidewalls,andagoodchunkoftheceiling.Emilycouldseeallthewaytotheroofofthetwo-storymotel.
Thebedwasthrownagainstthewallofthebathroom,andtherewasnothingleftofthesparsefurniturebut
bitsoffloatingdustandbrokenpiecesonthefloor.IfsheandNoahhadn’tmadeittotheprotectionofthe
bathroom,plushadtheextrashieldingofthebedthrownagainstthewall,theywouldbothbeinpieces
justlikethesplintersofwallandshredsofcarpetlefthanginginthewoundedroom.

Shecoughedonthedustthatchokedtheair.Noahpulledhercloser,holdinghertightagainsthimas

theypickedtheirwaythroughthewreckage.Sheheardsirensinthedistance.Therewasnoway
Riverwisecouldkeepthisquiet…norshouldthey.Theworldshouldknowtherewereinsanepeopleout
theretryingtokillshiftersandthehumanswhowantedtobewiththem.

SheheldontoNoahastheylefttheroom.
HerPriushadatwobyfourbeamlodgedthroughthewindshield,somehowthrownfromtheroomto

stabherbabycar.Asmallsobescapedher.

“We’llhaveitfixed.”Noah’svoicewastight,andhisarmsaroundhertensedevenmore.“Ipromise

you,we’llmakeitright.”

Shejustnodded,unabletogetwordsout.Thecardidn’tmeananythingtoher,notreally,itwasjust…

itcouldhavebeenherwithagianthole.OrNoah.Somehowseeingthecarlikethatsunkithomeeven

more.Tearsstartedrunningdownhercheeks.Shetriedtoholdthemin,butshejustcouldn’t,notanymore.

Noahwalkedhertowardthefarendoftheparkinglotwherehiscarwas.Ontheway,oneoftheother

shiftersjoggeduptothem,askingNoahifheneededanything.Hetoldthemno,thathewastakingherto
hisapartment,thattheycouldfindhimthereiftheyneededhim.Butthattheywereleaving.Now.Before
thepoliceshowedupanddetainedthemwithallkindsofquestions.Sheonlyvaguelynoticedallthis,as
shefocusedonkeepingherlegsmovingforward.Astrangebuzzinghadtakenupresidenceinherhead,
blurringoutthesoundsofsirensandshoutingandthestaresofpeoplecomingoutoftheirrooms.Noah
openedthecardoorandgentlyhelpedherintothefrontseat,thenranaroundthefronttoclimbin.

Theclosingofhisdoorsnappedheroutofherhaze.“Areyousureyou’reokaytodrive?”sheasked.
Hewasgrippingthesteeringwheelhardandstaringstraightahead.“Iwouldn’tdriveyouanywhere,

ifIwasn’tokaytodrive,Emily.”Hisvoicewasstrained.Thenheturnedtoher,andshecouldseethe
nightlightssparklingintheshineinhiseyes.Hisgazeroamedherface.“You’recrying.”Hishandswere
suddenlyonherface,wipingawaythetears.“It’sgoingtobeokay,Emily,Iswear.You’resafenow.”

Shenodded,movingagainsthisgentletouch.“Iknow.I’mjust…I’llbefine.”Shewipedatthetears

totrytoreassurehim.

Butitjustseemedtocausehimpain.“Ishouldn’thavebroughtyouhere.I’manidiotforinvolvingyou

inthis.It’snotsafe.Noneofthisissafe.Andit’snotacceptabletometoendangeryouinanyway.”

“I’mokay,Ipromise.”
Hiseyesboredintohers.“Wolvescanrecover;youcan’t.Wehaveextraordinaryhealingpowers—”
“Iknow.”Shegavehimasmallsmile.“It’sthemagicinyourblood.Itenhancesyourmetabolicrate,

givingyouextraordinarystrength,aswellasspeedingyourbloodclottingandnormalrecoveryprocesses
aboutten-fold.”

Thetensiondroppedoffhisshoulders.Hehuffedasmalllaughandgaveheranevensmallersmile.

“Ofcourse,youknow.”Heliftedhishandtotouchherfaceagain,thistimejustgentlystrokinghercheek.
“Whatyoumaynotknowisthatmywhitewolfhasevenfasterhealing.I’muniquelyabletosurvivepretty
muchwhateverthebomberswanttothrowatme.Butyou,mysweetEmily,aresoftanddelicatelyhuman.
AndI’mnotriskingyouinanythinglikethiseveragain.Ilikeyouway,waytoomuchtoloseyou.AndI’d
neverforgivemyselfifanythingeverhappenedtoyou.Allright?”

Shenoddedandtriedtoholdbackhersmile,butfailed.Thestrengthofhisconcern,thefactthathe

caredaboutheratall,hisdeterminationtokeephersafe…allofitwarmedherinawayshecouldhardly
keepinside.

Noahreleasedher,turnedonthecar,anddrovethemawayfromthemotel.Theywerequietduringthe

drivetohisapartment.Shedidn’tknowwhatwouldhappenwhentheygotthere,butshedecidedinthat
moment,thatwhateverhappened,shewouldletit.Shealmostdiedtonight.Thatthoughtkeptringing
throughherheadwitheachpassingstreetlightstrobinghereyes.Shedidn’twanttodielikethis—lonely
andscaredtohavearelationshipwithamanbecauseitmighttriggerthatdarkplaceshe’dbeeninbefore.
Shewantedtoliveherlife…ineveryway.Maybethiswouldbethefirstandlastnightshecouldspend
withNoahWilding.Maybeherheartwouldgetbrokenintheprocess.Butshewouldbelivingforoncein
herlife—withallthejoyandpainandsorrowsthatwentwiththat.Lifeheldnopromises,no
guarantees…noteventhattherewouldbeatomorrow.

AndNoahwasamanwhowouldprotectherwithhislife—hadalreadysavedheronce—andshe

couldn’tpossiblyaskforanythingbetterthanthat.Anyonebetterthanthat.

Whenshegottohisapartment,shewouldshowhimexactlyhowgratefulshewas.

ThepoundinginNoah’sheadfromwhackingitagainstthemotelbathroomwallhadsubsided—buthe
wasstillkickinghimselfforputtingEmilyinthatroominthefirstplace.Hequicklydrovetohis
apartment,whichwasn’tfar,thenusheredheroutofhiscaranduptheelevatortohisapartment.She’d
beenquietthewholetime,obviouslystillinshock,andhewantedtogethersomeplaceheknewwouldbe
safe.Hecouldhavetakenhertoherownhome,buthonestly,hewantedtostaywithherforawhile,make
surehershockwasn’tgoingintooverdrive,anditwouldhavebeenhardtocomeupwithanexcuseto
stayinherapartment.Athisplace,hecouldkeepheruntilhewassureshewasokay…andthentakeher
home.

Althoughitwasalreadylate.Heshouldprobablyjusttuckherintohisbedandcrashonthecouch.But

first,hewantedtomakesureshewasactuallyokay.

Noahflippedonthelightsandheldthedoorforher.Emilyeasedpasthim,flittinglookslikeshe

wasn’tquitesurewhatwasgoingon.Heclosedthedoorbehindthemandusheredhertowardtheliving
room.He’donlybeenstatesideacouplemonths,andhe’djustmovedinafewweeksago—hehadn’thad
muchtounpack,andevenlessinthewayofdécor,sotheplacescreamedbachelorliving.Butitwas
clean.Andthecouchwascomfortableenough.

“Please,sitdown,”hesaid,gesturingtothebrownfaux-suedecouch.
Sheperchedontheedge,lookingnervous.
Hekneltnexttoher,gettingagoodlookatherface.Thetearshaddried,thankGod.Thathadabout

undonehim.Andsheseemedcalmifstillalittlewide-eyed.“Areyoutoowarmortoocold?Sometimes
shockcanchillyou.”

Shesmiled,tentatively.“No,I’mgood.Ithink…yeah,Iwasdefinitelyinshockthereforawhile.My

headwasbuzzing.”Shegavehimasheepishlook.

“Butyou’refeelingbetternow?”heasked.Thatwasareallygoodsign,actually.Thatshe’dalready

hadsomesymptoms,buttheyhadpassed.

“Yeah.”Thesmilewasback,stronger.
“Howaboutsomethingtoeat?Ordrink?Idon’thavemuch,but—”
“Justcomesitwithme,Noah.”Shepattedthecouchnexttoher.
“Yeah.Okay.”Thatsurprisedhim,buthewasquicklybyherside,knee-to-kneeonthecouch.He

couldn’tresisttuckingawaywardpieceofherlong,blondehairbehindherear.“Pleasetellmeyou’re
reallyokay.”

“You’veaskedme,like,fifteentimes.”Shesmirkedalittle.“ThisisasokayasIget.”
Hesmiled,andthereliefwasreal.Shesoundedlikeherselfagain.Hebithislip.“Justfeelingguilty,I

guess.”

Sheleanedtowardhim,touchinghischeek,suddenlyclose.
Allthebreathwentoutofhisbody.
“Youdon’tneedtofeelguilty,”shesaidsoftly.“Iwasn’tdoinganythingIdidn’twanttodo.”
Thensheshockedthehelloutofhimbyleaninginfurtherandkissinghim.Itwasjustasoftbrushof

herlipsonhis,andthenshewaspullingback,watchinghisreaction…butitlitafireinhimthat
reflexivelyhadhimreachingforher,bringingherbackformore.Shemovedcloseronthecouch,digging
herhandsintohishairanddeepeningthekiss.

Heheldbackthemoanandforcedhimselftopullback.“Emily,”hewhispered,hisvoicehoarse.

“Areyousureaboutthis?You’vejustbeenthrough—”

“Ialmostdied.”Hervoicewasawhisper,butitfrozehim.Thenshekissedhimagain,justthatsoft

touch,andpulledbacktolookintohiseyes.“Yousavedmylife.AndIwanttoliveit.”

Oh,man…hewasinsuchtroublewiththis.“Areyousure?”
Shedidn’tanswer,justpressedhersoftlipstohis.
Hisbeastwasgrowlingwithneed,andhewasn’tatallsurethiswaswise,buthecouldn’tforce

himselftosayno.Hepulledhertighterintothekiss,thenhookedhisarmaroundherwaistandeasedher
intohislap.Shewassoshort,shefitperfectly—hertightbottomonhislegs,pressingagainsthisquickly
growingerection,herlipsatjusttherightlevelforkissing,andherbodycallingtohishands.Hehadone
atthebackofherhead,bunchedinherhair,anglinghersohecouldplunderhermouthwithhistongue.
Hersmallmoans,deepinherthroatweredrivinghimwild.Hewantedtodevoureveryinchofher
sweetness.Hisotherhandslidunderhert-shirt,alongherhotskintotheback,unhookingherbra,sohe
couldhavefreereinwithherbreasts,whichwerepullingagainstthefabricofhershirtandtauntinghim
asshearchedherback.

Hisbeastachedforher.Noahgrowledandnippedhiswaydownherneck,takingsmalltastesashe

went.Hergaspsandheavingchestwererampinguphisdesirelikecrazy.Hewanted,noneeded,tohear
herscreaminghisname.Heshovedupherbra,hishandstillunderhershirt,androughlygraspedthe
fullnessofherbreast.Themewlingsoundthatcameoutofhermouthandtheinsanelytightperkingofher
nippleonhispalmjustdrovehimonharder.Heyankeduphershirt,eagertogethismouthonthatsweet
bud,butwhenhedid,shegaspedinawaythatwasnotgood…andpulledaway.

Shehastilypulledhershirtbackdownandfoldedinonherselfwithhunchedshoulders.
“God,Em,didI…didIhurtyou?”Hehadn’tevenreachedherbreastwithhismouth,butmaybe,

somehow,hehadhurtsomesomethingalongtheway.Shewassosmallanddelicate…

“No.No.”Shewasshakingherhead,butitwasn’tentirelyforhim.Shestareddownatthehemofher

shirt,twistingitinherhands.“No,”shesaidagain,moreresolutely,thensmootheddowntheshirtand
lookedupathim.“No,Iwanttodothis.”

Hefrowned.“Wedon’thavetodothis.”
“No,Iwantto.”Shenodded,likeshewasconvincingherself,thenshescootedcloseragain,putting

herarmsaroundhisneckandbrushinghislipswithhers.

Butshewasshaking.
Hestoppedher.“What’swrong?”
“Nothing,Ijust…”Sheswallowed.“Ijust…haven’tdonethisinawhile.Outofpractice.That’sall.”
Heheldstill,evenmoreunsurenow.Hisfirstthoughtattheiroriginalhookupwasthatshewasfartoo

nervous—thatmaybethiswasherfirsttime,notjustwithaWildLovehookup,butwithsexofanykind.
Thatthoughtcamerushingback—ifshesimplydidn’twanttoadmititbefore,forsomeoddreason…
“Areyousurethisisn’t,youknow,actuallyyourfirsttimedoingthis?”heaskedasgentlyashecould.

Shepulledback,suddenlycold,andheinstantlyregrettedthewords.“Verysure.”Shewrappedher

armstightaroundherchest,lockinghimoutcompletely.

God,hewasanidiot.“Emily,it’sreallyokayifitis.Ididn’tmeananythingbad,Ijust—”
“Itwasmyuncle.”
Herwordsstoppedhimcold.Hisentirebodyfrozewhilehismindsprintedtocatchup.“Yourwhat?”
Shestaredatthecouchbetweenthem.“Myuncle.Justonce.Iwassixteen.”Herhandswereturning

whitewithhowhardeachfingerwasdiggingintoherarms.

Hisskinwasicecold,afrozensheetthatbarelycontainedthesurgingangerofhisbeast.Hismouth

struggledforwordswhilehismindfoughttokeephiswolfinside,contained…becauseallofsudden,it
wantedtokillsomething.

Herbrowscrunchedup,andsheslowlydraggedhergazeuptohis.Shewasexpectinghimtosay

something—torespond,forfuck’ssake—buthewasstillmoltenlavaundertheicesheet,barelykeeping
himselftogether.

“Ishestillalive?”Noahhadtoforcethewordsout.Theywererough.Abrasive.
Sheleanedback,likethatwasthelastthingsheexpectedhimtosay.“No.Carcrash.Coupleyears

ago.”

Theiceholdinghimtogetherbroke,buthedidn’texplode.Didn’tshift.Instead,itwasjustenough

releasetokeephimhuman.

“Good,”hesaid,voicestillrough.“Otherwise,Iwouldhavehadtokillhim.”
Hereyeswentwide.
Herubbedbothhandsoverhisface,stilltryingtocomebackfromlosingitaltogether.Hemeantevery

word,andhewouldgladlyhaverippedthatgoddamnrapistuncleintosmall,bloodychunks,butheknew
thatwasn’twhatthiswasreallyabout—herunclewasn’tthemanNoahtrulywantedtokill.Thatvolcanic
angerwasyearsofwantingtokilltheonemanhenevercould…hisfather.

FordoingexactlythattoNoah’smother.Repeatedly.Foryears.
Heswalloweddownthesicknessrisingatthebackofhisthroat—thememoriesfloodedback,the

barelysuppressedknowledgethathehad,asachild,knownallalongwhatwashappeningtohismother.
Straightupuntilhefoundherbleedingoutonthekitchenfloor.

“I…Ishouldprobablygo.”Emily’swhisperyvoicebarelyregistered.
Butwhenitdid,itsnappedhimoutofhishaze.“What?”
Butshewasalreadyscramblingoffthecouch.“Iunderstand,”shesaid.
“Understandwhat?”Hecaughtheraroundthewaist,holdingherfromfleeing.Shewastryingto

leave.Becausehefuckinghandledthislikeamoron.Anemotionallycrippledmoron.

“It’sokay,”shemumbled,pushingineffectuallyathishandsholdingher.“Mostguyswouldn’twant

to…it’sokay.Iunderstand.”

“No.”Helurchedupoffthecouch,loomingoverher,stoppingherfranticattemptstorunaway,before

hethoughtaboutwhathewasdoing.Shecringedunderhim,eyesflyingwideandterrified.He
immediatelysoftenedhisholdonherwaist,thenlethergo,andeasedback,nottouchingheranylonger.
“Emily,pleasedon’tleave.”Heswalloweddownhisregretfornotdoingthisbetterandpouredeverybit
ofnon-verbalbeseechinghecouldintohiseyes.“Pleasestay.Letmeexplain.”

Thewildnessinhereyescalmed,andasmallpuzzledlooktookoverherface.“Youdon’thaveto

explain.Iknowit’sstrangetofindoutthat—”

“Please.”Hewasflat-outbegginghernow.“Idohavetoexplain.AndthenIwanttokissyouagain.

Andmore.Ifyou’llletme.”Hehadasmalltrembleoffearrunthroughhim—icecoldandterrifyingand
notsomethinghe’dfeltinalong,longtime—allbecausetheuncertainlookonherfacemadeitseemlike
shemightleaveanyway.

“Youstillwanttokissme?”Shesaidthislikeitwasalmostimpossibleforhertounderstand.
“God,yes.”Thenhereachedforher,justforherhands,andgentlybroughtthemtohislips,kissingthe

backs.“Andsomuchmore.Pleasejust…sitwithme.Letmeexplain.”

Sheseemeddazedbutnodded.Heeasedbackdowntothecouch,bringingherwithhim.
“Iknowyouthinkwolvesare,well,theseamazinglygoodguys…”hestarted,butthenstalledoutat

theshineinhereyes.Hewasgoingtocrushherfantasyaboutshifters,butitcouldn’tbehelped.He
swallowed,andcontinued,“Butnotallwolvesaregood.”

Shejustwaitedforhimtogoon,handsclaspedinherlap.
“Youmayhaveheardaboutmyfather,ColonelWilding.”
“Hewasinchargeoftheexperiments,”shesaidsoftly.“Includingtheonesonyou.Iknow.”
Henodded.“Yeah,well,hewasn’texactlyastellarguyathome,either.”Noahsuckedinabreathand

letitoutslow.Ithadbeensolongsincehe’dreallythoughtaboutthis,andbesideshissister,Piper,and
hisbrother,Daniel,hehadn’treallydiscusseditwithanyone.Itwasn’tthekindofthingpeoplewantedto
hear.“Myfatherbasicallykidnappedmymotherandforcedhertomatewithhim.”

Emily’shorrifiedlooksentatwingeofshamethroughhim.
Hehurriedthroughtherest.“That’snotthewaymatingissupposedtowork,butfemalewolvesarein

shortsupply,andsomeassholesdon’twanttomissout,sotheybasicallystealwhattheywouldneverbe
abletowinoverbychoice.Myfatherwasthatkind.Hekilledthemanmymotherwasmatedto,breaking
thebondsohecouldtakeherashisownmate.Andoncethenewmatingbondtookhold,therewasno
wayformymothertobreakfree.It’sabondforlife.Andforyears…”Noahfoughtthroughtheclosingup
ofhisthroat.“Foryears,myfatherusedthatagainsther.Igrewupwatchingherslowlywasteawayunder
thedailyabuseofbeingmatedtoamanshedidn’tlove.ForaslongasIcanremember,Iknewtheonly
reasonmeandmybrotherexistedwasbecauseheforcedhimselfuponher.”

Noahdidn’trealizehisfistswereclenched,balledupontopofhiskneesuntilEmily’ssmall,warm

handlandedononeofthem.

“Noah,”shesaid,hervoicefullofpain,“I’msosorry.”
Heforcedhimselftofinishwhathehadtosay.“Mymothereventuallykilledherself.Iwasthefirstto

findherbleedingoutonthefloorofourkitchen.Iwaseleven.”

“OhmyGod.”Emilywasuponherkneesonthecouch,throwingherarmsaroundhimagain.The

shakingwasgone,fromheratleast,althoughnowNoahfeltlikehecouldbarelyforcehishandstounlock
toholdhersteadyagainstthesoftnessofthecushions.“I’mso,sosorry,”shewhispered.

“It’sokay,”hesaid,fightingbackallthehorrorthatdayalwaysconjured.Hegentlyeasedherbackso

hecouldlookherintheeyes.“Iwantedyoutoknowsoyouwouldunderstandmyreactionto…tothis
horriblethingyouruncledidtoyou.Andsoyou’dknowthatiftherewereanywayIcouldfixthatforyou,
Iwould.Menlikethatdon’tdeservetokeepbreathing.”Helightlytouchedhercheekwithjusthis
fingertips.“Youbringoutthealphainme,Em.Theonethatwantstoprotectyoufromanythingbadinthis
world.Becauseyoushouldbelovedandcherishedandneverforcedtodoanything,leastofallthat.I
can’tdoanythingaboutyourunclenow,butifyou’llletme,Iwanttoshowyouhowawomanshouldbe
loved.”Hemeanteveryword,evenifthosewordssurprisedthemastheycameoutofhismouth.Because
itwasthisthathadbeendrawinghimtoherallthistime—herpassionforwolves,herbeliefinthegood
sideofthem,andthisvulnerabilityinherthathisalphasensedfromthebeginning.Shehadbeenhurt…
andsomehowhisbeastknewthatNoahcouldbetheonetohelpherheal.

Emilyseemedtofightforwords,buteventually,shesaid,“Maybenotallwolvesaregood.ButNoah

Wilding,youareeverythingIeverthoughttheymightbe.”

Hecouldn’thelpbutsmile.Shedidn’tknowabouthislineage,thewhitewolfandwhatthatmeant,but

hewouldtakeit.Hewouldletherbelievehewasgoodbecauseitwaswhatsheneeded,righthere,right
now.

“Goodenoughtokiss?”heasked,thesmilegrowingalittle.
“Goodenoughtobemyfirst,”shesaid,eyesshining.Thensheclimbedintohislap,legstotheside,

handsweavingintohishair.“Ibelievethisiswhereweleftoff,”shesaidsoftly,thenshepressedherlips

tohis.

Hesoakedinhergentletouch,thenbrushedherhairbackfromherface,takinghercheeksinhishands

andkissinghersoftlyinreturn.Hefeltherbreathquicken,buthekepthispaceslowandmeasured,
teasingtouchesoverherclothes,lightstrokeswithhistongue,tendernibblesatherneck.Herhandswere
becomingmorefranticonhisshouldersandinhishair,andithadhiscockstrainingagainsthispants,but
hejusteasedheruptostandinginfrontofhim.Heneededherclothesoffinordertopleasehertheway
hewantedto.Heliftedhershirtandgentlykissedhersweetbellyasheundidherjeansandslippedthem
downherlegs.Herpantieswentnext,andwhenshesteppedoutofthem,heslidherdeliciouslittlebare
bottombackintohislap.

Withonehandheldatherback,theotherslidunderhershirttosweepcaressesacrossherbreasts.

Hernippleswerehardagain,andittookeverythinghehadnottotughershirtoffandfeastuponthem.But
herreactionbeforemeanthehadtogoslow…andhewouldgoasslowasittooktogetherthere.The
pinkrisinginhercheeks,thenearlysoundlessheavingofherchest,theachingpartingofherlips…allof
itwasgivinghimthehard-onofhislife.Buttherewasnowayhewasdoinganythingbutgentleforherin
thisfirsttimeshewaswithamanvoluntarily.Itwasagiftoftrustshewasgivinghim,andhewantedto
payitbackwithanorgasmshewouldneverforget.

Shewastuggingathisshirt.“Noah!”Itwasacryoffrustration.
“Wouldyoulikethisoff?”heasked,hisownbreathragged.
“Yes!”
Hereachedbacktopullhisshirtoffoverhishead,havingtoreleaseherforamomenttogetitfree.

Thenherhandswereroaminghischestandhisshoulders,herhotbreathonhischeekasherdelicate
fingersweresettinghisskinonfire.

“Youlikethat?”hebreathedintoherearashenuzzledhercheek.
“OhGod,yes.”Herlipstraveleddownhisneck,nibblingathisshoulderswithlittlekittenbitesthat

weremakinghimmoan.

Heslidhishandunderhershirtagain,playingwithhernipple,thencuppingherbreast,andgently

kneadingit.“Howaboutthis?”

“Yes.More.”
“Yes,Ma’am.”Hishandtraileddownherbellyandslippedbetweenherlegs.
Shegasped,butitwasthegoodkind.Still,heasked,“Areyouallright?”
“Yes.”Sheeasedherlegsapart,givinghimgreateraccess.Thescentofherarousalwaslikeacloud

aroundher,aperfumeofdesirethatwasmakinghisheadswim.Whenhelightlyslidhisfingersalongher
sex,hefoundshewasalreadysowetforhim.

“You’remakingmecrazy,”hewhisperedintoherneckbetweenkisses.
Shewhimperedashisfingersslidacrosshersexalittlefaster.Helightlytouchedhermostsensitive

nub,andsheshudderedsodeliciouslyinhisarmsthathewasn’tsurehewasgoingtobeabletokeepup
thisslowpace.Shegrabbedhisfaceinherdelicatehandsandkissedhimdeeply.Heprobedhermouth
withhistongueasheslippedafingerslowlyinsideher.Shetensedjustforasecond,thenkissedhimeven
morefuriously.

Hiscockwasstrainingsohardagainsthisjeanshewasafraiditmightburstout.
Herhandsfoundhischestagain,grabbingathim,pullinghimclosereventhoughhewasalready

insideher,slowlythrusting,evenifitwasjustwithhisfinger—firstone,andthentwo.Shemoanedwhen
heslippedinthesecond,thenmadethatkitten-mewlingsoundagainashebrushedhernubwithhisthumb.
God,thesoundsshewasmaking.

“Ms.EmilyJones,”hesaidhoarsely,“Ineedyourshirtoff,mylove.Isthatallright?”
Sheinstantlyreleasedherclawingholdonhimandquicklydraggedoffhert-shirtandthehaplessbra

lefthangingfrombefore.Hishandwasstillworkingher,thrustingslowlyinside,inandout,andshewas

pantingallthroughit.Onceherclotheswereonthefloor,heeasedherbackonthecouch,holdinghimself
aboveher,stillpleasuringherwithhishand.Herheadtipped,herbackarched,andhernipplespointedin
theair,callingtohistongue.Herpaleskinwaseverywhereflushedwiththepleasurehewasgivingher,
andhe’dneverseenanythingsobeautifulinhislife.

Heeasedhimselfdown,hishandstillbetweenherlegs,hischestbrushingagainsthers,rockingwith

herashefeltherpleasuregainspeed.

“Goddamn,youaresobeautiful,Em.”Hisbreathwasraggedonherface,hisownneedforheraching

deepinsidehim.“Iwantyousobadly.”

Herhandsgrippedhisshoulders,andherheadlifted.“Makelovetome,Noah.”
Hegrinned.“Iam,mylove.”Hethrustalittleharderwithhishandforemphasis.
Shedroppedherheadbackandgroaned.“Iwantyouinsideme!”
Herockedhisbodyharderagainsther,plungingdeeperwithhishand.Shearchedupagainsthimand

gasped.

Henuzzledhercheek.“Iaminsideyou,Em.Comeforme,andI’lldoanythingyouask.”Thenhe

workedhiswaydownherneck,softkissesthatgrewstronger,turningtowetbitesthatdevouredher
sweetskinuntilhereachedthelusciousmoundsofherbreasts.Hetookhernippleinhismouth,hismoan
mixingwithhers.Shewasgrabbingathimnow,cryingoutsoundsofpleasure.Hesworehemightcome
justlisteningtoher.Shebuckedandcriedoutandsuddenlyhersweetfleshwasconvulsingaroundhis
hand,hisfingersworkingthepleasurefromherbodyingaspsandmoansandquiveringwetness.Hekept
goinguntilshesunkintothecouch,alltensionreleasedandskinglowing.Averymasculinepridewelled
upinhim:hehadpleasuredher.Andbythelooksofit,itwasanorgasmshe’dremember.

Hersofthandssoughthim,bringinghisfacebackuptohers,buthereyeswerestillshut.Shekissed

himandsaid,“Oh,myGod,Noah.”

“I’lltakethatasacompliment.”Hecouldn’thelpthegrin.
Shefinallyopenedhereyes.“Isitalwayslikethat?”
“No.”Hegrinnedwider.“Itdefinitelygetsbetter.”
Hereyeswentwide.“I’mnotsureIcansurvivebetter.”
Hekissedher,easedhishandslowlyfrombetweenherlegs,thenkissedherquicklyagainonthenose.

“Icertainlyhopeyoucan.BecauseIamfarfromdonewithyou,Ms.Jones.”

Helovedherlookofhunger—ofjustflat-outlustinhereyes—ashestoodandunbuttonedhispants.

EmilystaredatNoahasheslidoffhisjeansandhiscocksprungfree.

Therewasbeautifulmaleanatomy—gorgeouslysculptedmuscles,thickpulsingcocks—andthenthere

wasNoah.Mouth-wateringlytautstomach,strongthighsthatlookedliketheycouldbenchpressherPrius,
andacocksolongandthickandstiffthatsheseriouslydoubteditcouldfitinsideher.Shecouldn’twait
totouchhim,soshedid—sheswungherlegsoffthecouch,slidherhandalonghissatin-skinnedcockand
wrappedherlipsaroundit.

“Holy—”Noahpulledbackbeforeshecouldevengetagoodtaste.“Ohno,”hesaidwitha

dangeroussmile.“Noneofthat.Notyet,atleast.God,Em,I’llnevermakeitthroughifyoudothat.”

“Whatthen?”sheasked,lickingherlips.“Yousaidyou’ddoanythingIasked.”Theorgasmshe’djust

comedownfrom—thatNoahhadgivenherwithonlyhisfingersandhismouth—hadloosenedsomething
insideher.Madeherboldandhungryformore.Shewaswithhim,inthismoment,andshewasgoingto
haveeveryinchofit…andhim.

Hisgrinwasback.“Ididsaythat,didn’tI?”Butinsteadofansweringher,hesatonthecouchnextto

herandpulledhertowardhim.“Butfirstthingsfirst.Straddleme,Em.”

Hereyeswentwide,andashergazedroppedtohiscock,nowstandingtallupfromwherehesat,she

wonderedagainifitreallycouldfit.Itseemeddoubtful.Andsomethingelseoccurredtoherthatshe
hadn’teventhoughtofbefore,intheheatofwantinghim.

“Shouldn’twehave,youknow,protection?”sheasked.
Heeasedherintohislap,facinghimthistime,butshewasn’tquitelineduptotakehisenormous,

gorgeouscockinsideher.Yet.

Hesmiledashecaressedherbreastandrolledhernipplebetweenhisfingers.“Wanttoknow

somethingaboutwolvesthatfewhumansdo,Ms.EmilyJones?”

Sheleanedintohistouch,bringingherarmsuptowraparoundhisneck.“Always.”
“Wecanscentawoman’sfertility.Wolforhuman.”Heslippedhishanddownherbellytobetween

herlegsagain,sendinganinsanelydeliciousrushofpleasurethroughher.

Shecouldn’timaginehowmuchbetteritwouldbewithhiminside.“Whatdoesthatmean?”she

asked,breathlessly,althoughshewascaringlessbythesecond.

“ItmeansIknowIcanmakelovetoyoutentimestonightandnotmakeanybabies.”Hegentlythrusted

twofingersinsideher,makinghersquirm.Butshedidn’twanthishand.

“Areyousure?”shepantedagainsthischeek.
“Very.I’mnotthekindofwolfwhospreadshisseedaroundthehumanpopulation,notcarryingifhis

hookupisfertile,leavinghishalflingstofendforthemselvesinhiswake.”Hegentlyeasedhishandoutof

herandheldherbacktolookinhereyes.“IfImakeababywithyou,EmilyJones,itwillbebecausewe
bothwantit.”

Hiswordsandhistouchandherneedforhimwereallmakingherache.Thenhemovedunderher,

slidingjustalittlesothathiscockwaslinedupwithherentrance.Hishandsonherhipswereurgingher
tolowerherselfdown,impaleherselfonhim,andshedidn’tneedanymoreencouragement.Shefelthis
tipslipinsideher,stretchher,alreadysomuchlargerthanhisfingershadbeen.

Shegaspedandstopped.“You’resobig,”shebreathed.
“Takeasmuchtimeasyouneed,”hesaid,buthisvoicewasstrained.
Sheliftedherhipsalittlethentookhimdeeper.Itfeltlikehewasfillinghercompletely,stretchingher

impossiblywide,butshehadn’teventakenhalfofhiminsideyet.“Oh,God,Noah.”

“Easy,”hesaid,voicerough.Heliftedhiships,pressingalittledeeper,thenpullingbackagain.

“You’resotight,Em.God,youfeelgood.”

Thefactthatshewaspleasuringhimdroveheron.Shetookabreath,forcedherbodytorelax,leaned

intokisshim…andsankdownfullyonhiscock.

“Holyfuck,”hewhisperedagainstherlips,thenhisheadtippedbackonthecouch.“You’rekilling

me,Em,”hesaidtotheceiling.“Imightdieintheprocessoflovingyou,butit’ssogoingtobeworthit.”

Shegrinnedandslippedherhandbehindhisneck,liftinghisheadbackuptolookather.“Don’tdie

yet.I’mnotdonewithyou.”

“God,woman,”hebreathed.“Pleasemove.”
Alreadyherbodyhadadjustedtothemassivefullnessofhavinghiminsideher…soshedid.Lifting

herhipsthenpressingbackdown,justonce,wrenchedamoanoutofbothofthem.Shediditagain,and
again,eachtimegettingalittleeasierasthewetnessgushedbetweenherlegs.

“OhJesus,”Noahwhispered.“Sotight.Sogood.Rideme,Em.Harder.”
Shecouldn’tevenformwords.Thepleasurewasinsaneandbuildingfast.Eachstrokewasalightning

rodstraighttothehotnervesinhersex,stretchingwideallaroundhim,hugginghimtight,takinghim
deeperinsidewitheachstroke.Hishandsheldherbody,warmandfirm,guidingherandurgingheron.
Thenheslidonetothefront,circlingherstill-sensitivenubwithhisthumb.Sheshriekedwiththeboltof
pleasurethatshotthroughher,tippingherheadback,grippinghisshoulders,andpoundingdownonhim
ashardasshecould.Starsswaminfrontofhereyesasthepleasurerushedtoapeakthenexploded
throughoutherbody,pulsingfromwheresheandNoahwereconnected,joiningbodiesandmoansinone
cascadeofsoundandpleasure.Itwassomuchmorethanthefirsttime.Asthewavesofherorgasm
startedtosubside,sheslowedherpace,butkeptridinghim,keptmoving,kepttakinghimdeepinside.

Hewasstillhard.Justashardandfullasbefore.Rightasshewaswonderingifshe’ddonesomething

wrong,Noah’sstrainedvoicebrokethroughthehazeofpleasurebuzzingherbrain.

“Emily,”hegasped.
“Yes?”Shelookeddownathisface,hardenedwithsomethingthatmightbepain,butshedidn’tthink

itwas.

“Iwanttotakeyoulikethis,”hesaid,voicerough.Heheldhertightasheshiftedpositions,layingher

backonthecouchwithhimontop.Hiscockwasstillburiedinsideher,connectingthemwithsomething
indescribablyintimateashepeeredintohereyes.

“You’rethemostbeautifulthinginthisworld,EmilyJones,”hesaid,voicestilltight,butmoreunder

control.“TellmeIcanhaveyouthisway.”Heslidalmostallthewayoutandthenthrustbackin,harder
thananythrustshehadbeenabletomanageperchedontopofhim.

Sheletoutabreathofsurprisethenreachedforhim,diggingherhandsintohisback.“Harder,”she

said,lookingstraightintohiseyes.

Hegroaned,hiseyeshoodingwithpleasure,thenhethrustintoheragain.Stillfreshoffherlast

orgasm,shedidn’tthinkshecouldfeelanymorepleasure,butthis…thiswassomethingentirelynew.He

thrustagainandagain,eachtimejoltingfreshheightsofpleasurethroughher.

Hisgroanturnedintoagrowl.“Youaremine.Allmine.”Eachthrustwasanotherpossessivepulse,

pushingherhigher.Thensomethingdeepinsideherwoundtighterthanithadeverbeenandreleasedinan
orgasmsohardithadherthrowingherheadback,screaminghisname,andbuckingsohardagainsthim
thatsheliftedthembothmomentarilyoffthecouch.Noah’sgrowlwentguttural,andhefroze.Shecould
feelhisrelease,pulsinghot,fillingherwiththatseedthathepromisedwouldn’tmakebabiesforher.

Evenasshefellthroughthecascadeofherrecedingwavesofpleasure,shebelievedhiminhis

promise…andalmostwisheditweren’ttrue.Becauseshecouldalreadyfeeltheheartbreak,the
separationthatwouldcome,firsttheirbodies,andthenmore.Itwouldhavetocomeeventuallybecause
NoahWildingwasashifter,andashifterwouldn’tkeepahumanlikeher.Shewishedforasmallpieceof
himtotakewithher…achildwithhiswarmsmileandgentleeyes.Itwasutterlyfoolishtowishforsuch
athing,butsheletherselfdoit,justforamoment,whilehewasstillinsideher,stillgroaninghisrelease,
stillcomingdownfromthepeakofpleasurehe’ddrivenhertothreetimes.Andwhenhefinallypulled
out,liftinghimselfawayfromher,disconnecting,sheletthatlittledreamdie…asitshould.

Shewouldn’tregretanyofthis,nomatterifitwasalltherewouldeverbe.
Becauseshehadneverfeltmorefullyaliveinherlifeasshedidinthatmoment…andsheoweditall

toNoahWilding.

Noahnestledhisfaceintothecrookofherneck,stillbreathinghard.“IthinkImighthavediedand

gonetoheaven.”Hisarmwasheavyacrossherchest,eventhoughhewasholdingmostofhisweightoff
her,butthethickpost-pleasurehazeenvelopedthembothlikeacocoon,andEmilywouldn’tmoveoutof
itforanything.

Theylaythatwayuntiltheirbreathingcalmed.
ThenNoahliftedhisheadtolookinhereyes.“Youokay?”heaskedgently.
“Muchbetterthanokay.”Shesmiled.
Hereturnedhersmile,anditlitherfromwithin.Thenhekissedhersoftlyonthelipsandroseupfrom

thecouch.Asmallpainslicedthroughherchest.Wasitalreadyover?Wouldhesendherhome?But
beforeshecouldgettoofarwiththattrainofthought,muchlessmakeitoffthecouch,Noahscoopedher
upintohisarms.Hewasridiculouslystrong,asifliftingherandcradlinghertohischesttooknoeffortat
all.

Thensuddenlytheyweremoving.“Wherearewegoing?”sheasked,althoughitquicklybecame

apparenttheywereheadingtowardthebackofhisapartment.

“I’dlovetosayI’mtakingyoutobedformoresex,”hesaidwithasmirk,“butyouneedtorest.”He

kickedopenthebedroomdoor,crossedtheroom,andcarefullylaidheronthebed.

Foramoment,shewasafraidhemightleaveherthere,alone,butthenheclimbedoverher,tugging

backtheblanketsandrearrangingthepillows.Itwasn’talargebed—reallymeantforone—buthetucked
herintohischest,spooningherfrombehindashepulledtheblanketsuptocoverherquickly-cooling
skin.Itwasallsogentleandthoughtfulandsweet,itprickedtearstohereyes.Shewasgladshewas
turnedawayfromhimsohewouldn’tsee.

“Areyoucomfortable?”heasked.
Shemurmuredheryes,andhishandsfoundahomeonherbody,carefullyholdingherlikeshewas

somethingbreakableandprecious.Atearslowlysliddownhercheek;shedidn’tbrushitaway,forfear
oflettinghimknowitwasthere.

“Rest,sweetEmily,”hewhisperedinherear.
Sosheclosedhereyesanddid.

Noahnoticedsomethingwasmissingevenbeforeheopenedhiseyes.

Emily.
Hiseyespoppedopenashishandsfoundthecoldsheetsnexttohim.Hestilled,listeningforherin

thebathroomoroutsidehisbedroomintheapartment…nothing.

Hadsheleftalready?Hewassurprisedhowmuchthatthoughtinstantlychilledhim,almostasmuch

astheemptyspacehersmallbodyhadoccupiedinhisbed.Maybeshewasjustbeingquiet.He
practicallylaunchedhimselfoutofthebed,searchingthebathroomandkitchenandlivingroom,buthis
apartmentjustwasn’tthatbig.AndEmilydefinitelywasn’tinit.

Thechillinhischesttrickledintohisstomachandmadeitclench.Herwordsfrombefore,whenthey

firstmet,hurtledbacktohim:Ijustwantedonenight.That’sall.Thatwasallitwassupposedtobefrom
thebeginning.Andheunderstoodwhy,nowthatshe’dtoldhimwhathadhappenedwithheruncle.Maybe
she’dgottenwhatshewantedfromNoah—ahotnightofsex—andnowshewasgone.

Heshookhisheadasiftoflingthatthoughtaway.Thatdidn’tmakesense,notthewaytheywere

togetherlastnight.Theyhadn’tsimplyfucked…they’dmadelove.Heknewthedifference—butmaybe
shedidn’t.Maybethiscrazyfeelinghehadthathewasfallinginlovewithher…maybethatwasjusthim.
Orworse—maybelastnighthadtriggeredsomekindofflashbackandshe’dfled.

Hisheartsankwiththatthought.
Hewasstillnakedfromtheirlovemaking,butwhenhescrambledtofindhispants,itwasn’tbecause

hewasbotheringwithclothes—hewantedhisphone.Justashefoundhernumberinhisrecentcalls,he
sawtherewasamessagefromher.

Tookataxibacktotheoffice.Newideare:trackingbadguys.Callyousoon.
Hispoundingheartsettledalittleashereadhertext,butitstilllefthimfeelingempty.Backtothe

office.Backtothebadguys.Nomentionofthetimethey’dspenttogether.

Noahrubbedhisfacewithhisfreehand.Washereallythiswrappedupinthisgirl?Couldn’thejust

becasualaboutit,thewayshewas?Butthetightknotinhisstomachansweredthatforhim:no.Ithadn’t
reallybeencasualforhimfromthatfirstmomentshesteppedthroughthemoteldooralltremblingand
brave,tryingtodosomethingtochangeherlife.Tohealherselffromwoundshedidn’tevenknowshe
had.Notfromtheminuteshesoftlypettedhiswolfformordeclaredshewouldcatchthebadguys
targetingshifterseventhoughshewashumanherself.

No,ithadallbeenafastdownhillslideintolovingEmilyJonesafterthat.
Anditwasn’t“WildLove”—afasthookup—buttherealkind.
Hewasn’tabouttoscrewthatuporletherslipaway.

Noahtextedquickly.MissedyouwhenIwokeup.Callme.Thenhegrabbedhisclothesandheaded

fortheshower.Whilethewaterwashedawayalltracesoftheirlovemakingfromthenightbefore,he
thoughtthroughwhatthishard-achefeelinginsidehimtrulymeant.

Hewasawhitewolf—whateverthattrulywas—andhewasfallinginlovewithahuman.
Heknewwhathisbrother,Daniel,wouldsayaboutthat—forgetherandmoveon.ButDanieldidn’t

knowwhatNoahwas…andinsomeways,hedidn’treallyknow,either.Whatitmeantorwhathewas
capableof.Bythetimehefinishedhisshower,hehadhopedEmilywouldhavecalledoratleasttexted
back:nothing.Whilehewaswaitingforthattohappen,heneededtogethisheadstraightaboutwhohe
wasandwhathewasdoingwithher…beforehegotinanydeeper.

Andforthat,heknewjustwhoheneededtotalkto:OwenHarding.
OwenwasmatedtoNoah’scousin,NovaWilding,butmoreimportantly,he’dbeentransformedintoa

whitewolfbytheexperiments,justlikeNoah.OnlyNoahwasprettysureOwenwasn’tasecretmale
witchaswell.Maybe.Thatwasaconversationhewasoverdueinhaving,especiallygiventheTexanwas
olderthanNoah,matednow,andprobablyconsideringpupsaswell.Inshort,hemightbeabletohelp
Noahsortoutthismessthathewas.

Noahsentaquicktexttohisbrother,Daniel,sayinghewouldn’tbereturningtothesafehousethis

morning—itappearedtheyhadnomoreleadsonthebomberfromlastnightanyway—thenhetexted
OwentoseeifhecouldswingbyWylderide.OwenhadgivenuphisjobwithRiverwisesecuritytobe
alphaofthepackthere,aswellashelprunthecompany,soitwasagoodbethewasintheofficethis
morning.

Bingo.Sure,Owentextedback.Alwaysgottimeforya’ll.
Bethereintwenty,Noahreplied,thengrabbedhiskeysandheadedout.
Aquickdriveacrosstown,andNoahwascruisingintotheWylderideofficeonthetwenty-fourthfloor

ofagleaminghigh-riseindowntownSeattle.Hegatheredafewnodsonthewayin—Noahhadhelped
rescuetheirCEO,sothepackwasprettyfriendlytoRiverwisethesedays—buthedidn’tstop,heading
straighttoOwen’soffice.Itwasempty,soheswungintoNova’snextdoor.

NovaandOwenwerebothatherdesk,gatheredaroundherscreen,holdinghandswhilethey

discussedsomething.Theywereprettydamncutetogether.Youcouldpracticallyseethematingbond
betweenthem,somethingthatNoahwouldneverhave,notfully,nomatterwhathedecidedtodowith
Emily.

Novanoticedhimfirst.“Hey,cuz!”shesaidbrightly,wavinghimin.
“Where’sthefire?”OwenaskedwiththatSoutherndrawlhehas.“Yousuregotherefast.”
“CanIborrowyourmateforafewminutes?”heaskedNova.ToOwen,hesaid,“It’snotan

emergencyoranything.”Althoughhisbunched-upstomachwantedtodisagreewiththat.

Owenfrownedbutroseupfromhischair.“Novajustbarelytoleratesmepokingintothebusiness

anyway.”

“That’snottrue!”sheprotested.
“Trueenoughthatyoucansparemeforabit.”Owengaveherasmallsmile.
“Well,allright,”Novasaid,makingashowofshooinghimout.“Butonlybecauseit’sNoah.Andget

backherewhenyou’redone!Iwanttofinalizethesegamespecsbeforeweletthedesignerslooseon
them.”

“Holdon…who’salphaaroundhere,again?”Owensaidwithasmirk,buthewasalreadyatthedoor

withNoah.

Novamock-scowledathim.“You’realphawhenIsayyouare.”
“GuessI’llhavetocomebackandproveyouwrong.”Owen’ssmirkwasloadedwithallkindsof

promisesNoahreallydidn’tneedtosee.

Nova’seyesflashedinreturn.

“Comeon,guys,”Noahcomplained.“Giveabachelorwolfabreak.Idonotneedtoknowwhat

you’redoinginthisofficewhenthedoor’sclosed.”

OwenjustchuckledandclappedahandonNoah’sshoulder,usheringhimoutoftheroom.Oncethey

wereinsideOwen’sofficewiththedoorclosedbehindthem,theolderwolf’sfacegrewmoreserious.“I
hearyouguysarehavingitroughwiththeWildLovebomber,”hesaid.“Gladtoseeyou’reinonepiece.”

“Whitewolvesarehardtokill,”Noahsaid,jumpingrightintoit.
Owen’seyebrowslifted.“Isthatright?”
Noahnodded.Owenhadtoknowhisownwhitewolfhadamazinghealingproperties—Noahhad

witnesseditfirsthandwhenOwenhadcomebackpracticallyfromthedead.

“Sothisisabouttheexperiments,then,”Owensaidgravely.“Didtheygiveyouthefreakishclawsas

well?”

Noahshiftedjusthishandsandlethisclawscomeout,revealingthefoot-longknivesthatheknew

Owenpossessedaswell.

Owenwhistled.“Betweenthatandtheextremehealing,italmostmakestheyearIwasinthecages

worthwhile.”Hefoldedhisarmsandleanedbackagainsthisdesk.

“Yeah,well,I’dstillpreferithadn’thappened.”Noahgrimaced.“Plus,there’smore.Atleast,there’s

moretothisforme.Ithink.That’swhatIcametoaskyouabout.Haveyouhadanyother…abilities…
thatcamewithbeingawhitewolf?”

Owen’seyesnarrowed.“Howdoyoumean?”
“Anymagicalabilitiesthatmaybegobeyondthestandardbloodmagicforshifters?”Noah

swallowed.He’dnevertoldanyoneaboutthispart.Aboutwhathecoulddo.

“Can’tsayasIhave,”Owensaidcarefully.“AlthoughIhaven’texactlypushedit,ifyouknowwhatI

mean.”

“Ido.”Noahhadspentconsiderabletimegettinghisbeastundercontrolafterhewasreleasedfrom

thecages.HewatchedOwengothroughitaswell.Anditwasn’tlikeNoahwaseagertopushhiswhite
wolftoitslimits…ithadjustsortofhappened.“Butyouaren’ttheonlywhitewolfIknow.”

Owenfrowned.“Well,there’sGraceKrepky.”
Noahnodded.ShewasmatedtoJaredRiver,oneofthethreebrotherswhoranRiverwise.These

days,shewasrunningforCongress,oneoftheeventsthathadtippedthehategroupintohighgearandhad
themtargetingtheWildingandRiverpacks,andnowexpandingtheirsightsevenfurthertootherwolves
throughWildLove.

“ButapparentlyGracehasbeenawhitewolfallherlife,”Noahsaid.“Ihearshehastherapid

healing,butnottheclaws.Thenthere’syouandme,turnedintowhitewolvesbytheexperimentswiththe
completeset—healingandclawsboth.Butthere’ssomeoneelse.Someoneinmyfamily.”

“Daniel?”Owenasked,botheyebrowshikedupagain.
“NotasfarasIknow.”Thenagain,Noahhadn’ttoldhisbrotherabouthiswhitewolf,either,so

maybetheybothhadsecrets.“Butmaybe.TurnsoutthesecretWildingfamilyshameisthatoneofour
grandfatherswasawhitewolf.”

“Shame?”Owengavehimaskepticallook.“Doesn’tseemlikethekindofthingtobeashamedof,

necessarily.”

“Well,that’sthething.”Noahgrittedhisteethbutjustforceditout.“Turnsoutmywhitewolf

grandfatherwasn’treallyawolfatall.Moreofamalewitch.”

Owenstraightenedandunfoldedhisarms.“Youdon’tsay.”
“Yeah,andnow…”Noahgrimaced.
“Nowyouthinkyou’refollowingintheoldman’ssteps.”Owenrubbedhisface.“Shit,Noah,how

doesthatevenwork?”

Noahliftedhishands.“Idon’tknow.That’stheproblem.”

Owenscowled.“YouneverdidtellmewhathappenedinAfghanistan.AndI’mnotbuyingthatstory

aboutyourmedicaldischargebeingforPTSD.I’veseengruntsthathaveit.Youdon’t.”

Noahshookhishead.“No,IjustconvincedthepsychstaffthatIneededout.Consideringthe

experiments,theydidn’targue.”

“So,whatreallybroughtyoubackhome?”
“Ijustcouldn’ttaketheriskofbeingthereanymore.”Noahtookabreathandrushedoutthestory.“I

wasonpatrol,clearingoutbadguysfromapartofthecitythat’dalreadytakenartillery.Goingdoor-to-
door.Itwascompletelyemptiedout,butyouknow,wehavetomakesure.Sowesplituptocovermore
ground,andIwasonmyownwhenIstumbledonapackofthem.Fivealtogether.Theyjumpedme,shot
thehelloutofme,andifitweren’tforthesuperhealing,thatwouldhavebeenit.Instead…Ikilledevery
lastoneofthem.”

Owenwaslisteningtohimintently.“Soyoufoughtbackwhenyoushouldhavebeendead.That

doesn’tmakeyouawitch,Noah.”

“No,butturningthemallintopilesofashdoes.”
Owen’seyeswentwide.“Well…that’ssomething.”
“Yeah.ThestrangethingisthatIdidn’teventouchthem.Ijustsomehowfeltwheretheywereand…

lashedout.”

“Couldyoudoitagain?”Owenwaslookingathimwithamixofhorrorandfascination.
“Haven’texactlywantedtotry.”Noahrubbedbothhandsonhistemples.“Look,Ican’ttellanyone

aboutthis.Imean,Iwasawolf,forfuck’ssake.Igrewupawolf.Evennow,mybeastformisdefinitelya
whitewolf.Ijust…havetheseotherabilities…”

“Buttheyonlyshowedupafterthecages?”Owenasked.
“Allofitwasaftertheexperiments.Theytriggeredsomethinginsideme.That’swhyIwaswondering

ifyou’vehadanythinghappen,anythingthatmightmakeyoususpect…”

ButOwenwasalreadyshakinghishead.“No,nothinglikethat.Mywhitewolfispowerful,don’tget

mewrong,buthe’sallwolf.”HepeeredatNoah.“Soundslikeyou’resomekindofhybrid—witchand
wolf—althoughI’llbedamnedifIevenknowwhatthatmeans.”

Noahnodded,shouldersdropping.Hewasafraidthat’sexactlywhatitwas.
“I’mnofanofwitchesingeneral,butthereareafewgoodonesoutthere,”Owensaidquietly.“This

doesn’thavetobesomethingyou’reashamedof.Youarewhoyouare,Noah.AndfromwhereIstand,
whatyouareisawolfI’dhaveatmybackanydayoftheweek.”

Noahgavehimawrysmile.“Thanks.Butit’smorecomplicatedthanthat.There’sthisgirl,Emily…”
Owensmirked.“Theydotendtocomplicatethings.”
“Yeah,well,thisoneisn’tevenawolf.”Noahsighed.“AndIthinkI’mfallingforher.”
ThesmilefledfromOwen’sface.“Well,that’sadifferentstory.”
“Sheloveswolves.ShethinksI’mawolf.WhichIam.”Noahsighed.“WhoamIkidding?Idon’t

knowwhatthehellIam.”

Oweneasedawayfromthedeskandtookacouplestepstowardhim.“Look,youhelpedmeseemy

waystraighttofightingforNova,”hesaid,hishandlandingonNoah’sshoulder.“SoI’mgoingtoreturn
thefavor.Ifthisgirlistheone,don’tletthefactthatshe’shumanandyou’re…whateveryouare…stop
you.IfI’velearnedonethingaboutfindingthemateyou’resupposedtobewith,it’sthatit’srarely
convenient.Butit’salwaysworththetrouble.Always.”

Noahfrowned.Thosewerethewordshewantedtohear,butatthesametime,thiswasacompletely

unknownthing.Itwouldhavebeencomplicatedenough,ifheweremerelyawolf—thematingwouldbe
one-sided,butatleastithadbeendonebefore.Thisthingofcrossingahalf-wolf-half-witch-whatever-
the-hell-he-waswithahuman?

“Whataboutpups?Orkids?”Noahasked.“I’mnotevensurewhattocallthem.”

Owensmiled.“Crossthatroadwhenyougetthere,myfriend.”
Noahswallowed.“Right.”Hepulledhisphonefromhispocket.StillnotextfromEmily.“Look,I

shouldletyougetbacktoyourmateforwhateversexdateyouhaveplannedforheroffice.”

Owen’ssmilegrewintoasmirk.“Andyouneedtogoafterthatgirl—theoneyoudon’tthinkwill

haveyou.”

Noahgaveasmallhuffofalaugh,butOwenwasdead-on.Emilylovedwolves,butwhatwouldshe

thinkifsheknewthetruthabouthim?

Allheknewwasthathewasalreadymissingherlikeapieceofhimhadmarchedoutofhisbodyand

walkedaway.Buthecouldplayitcool,justcheckinonheratheroffice,seewhereshewaswiththis
wholethingbetweenthemlastnight.Maybeshewasjustlookingforaone-nightthing.Maybethat’sall
sheneededfromhimtohealherpast.

He’dsimplybecoolaboutitandfindout.
Right.
Hehurriedsofasttotheelevator,healmostforgottowavegoodbyetoOwen.

EmilydrummedhernailsonthecounterasshewaitedfortheKeurigtobrewhercoffee.

She’dclearedoutearlyandleftNoahsleeping,curledupcutelyinhisbed.Eyesclosed,face

peaceful.Shockofbrownhairallmussedfromtheirlovemaking.Ithadbeenhardtowrenchherselfoutof
hiswarmembrace,muchlessmanagetosneakoutwithoutwakinghim,butitwasbetterthisway.Easier
forhimtomakethecleanbreaksheknewwascoming.One-time,noattachments.Backtoworklikeit
hadn’thappened.Itwouldbeeasierforbothofthem.

Atleast,that’swhatshekepttellingherselfallthewayintotheoffice.
She’dsentatextsohewouldn’tworry.Notthathewouldworry.Notthathewouldwakeupwiththe

pleasantly-sorefeelingshehadbetweenherlegswitheverysmallmovementofherbodythatreminded
herofthepassion-fillednightthey’dshared.No,hewouldprobablyjustwakeup,seethetext,andgo
abouthisday.MaybeheadbacktoRiverwise.Possiblycallherlater.Onlyshesaidshe’dcallhim.Butit
wastoosoon,soshecouldn’t.Hewasn’tupyet.Butshewantedto.Justtohearhisvoice.

God,shewasamesswiththis.
TheKeurigfinallyfinishedspittingouthercoffee,soshegrabbedherCoffeeIsMyBoyfriendmug

andinhaledthesteamlikeitwastheanswertoallherproblems.Theironywasn’tlostonherthatshe’d
runawayfromtheamazingmanshe’dsleptwith—bothliterallyandfiguratively—onlytoreturntoher
normalroutinewherecoffeewasthemoststimulatingthinginherlife.

I’mnotrunningaway,shetoldherself.I’mgivingNoahroomtoleave.
Asshestrodebacktoherdesk,theachebetweenherlegswasn’tbuyinganyofthatbullshit.Herbody

hadbarelybeenabletohandleNoah’sexpertlovemaking,butitwasalreadyreadyformore,soreness
notwithstanding.AndherheartalreadyhadaNoah-shapedholeinit.Itwasonlyhermindthatknew
runningbacktoNoahWilding’sbedwouldbenothingbutheartbreakforallofthem.

Shewouldalwaystreasurethenighttheyhadtogether…andshewouldjusthavetostuffthepartof

herthatwantedmorethanonenightinadrawersomewhereandthrowawaythekey.

Emilyploppeddownintoherchairandstudiedherscreen.Shehadn’tevenmanagedtologinyet.It

wasridiculouslyearly,sonooneelsewasin.Noonetocatchhersobbingatherdesk,ifitcametothat.
Shesetdownhermug,shovedherkeyboardtotheside,andlaidherheaddownonherfoldedarms.How
couldsheactuallyfocusonworkwhenherheadwasstillfilledwiththoughtsofNoah?

“Hardnight?”amalevoiceasked.
Shejumpedcleanintotheair,literallyfallingoutofherseat.Agaspofairleapedoutofher,andshe

barelycaughtherselfontheedgeofthedesktokeepfromgoingdowncompletely.Asshestruggledback
intoherchair,whichwasslidingaroundonthewheels,shemanagedtolookupandseewhohadstartled

hersobadly.

Itwasoneofthecleaningstaff.Thebuildingownershadaservicethatcameinoff-hours.Theguy

wasamedium-sizedman,olderthanhertwenty-oneyears—maybethirty?—andhewasgrinningatheras
ifcatchingofficeworkersinthedeadofmorningwassomekindofprankhelikedtoplay.

“Youscaredthecrapoutofme…”Shepeeredathisnametag.“…Richard.”She’dneverseenhim

before.UsuallythecleaningstaffwascomprisedofshortPolishwomen,butthatwasthenight-timecrew.
Shewasneverinthisearly.

“Sorry,Ms.Jones,”hesaidwithasmirkthatbroughtwrinklestothecornersofhiseyes.Hedidn’t

looksorryatall.“Thoughtyoumightneedsomehelp.”Hiseyesweredark,andtheyflickedalookather
screen.“Youallrighthere?”

“Yes,I’mfine,thankyou,”shesaid.“Exceptforthatsmallheartattackjustnow.”
Hiseyessparkled.“Comeinearlytowork,didyou?”
“I’vegotsomethingstocatchupon.”Awfullynosyforthemaintenancestaff.Shewonderedbriefly

wherehisequipmentwas…novacuumorothersupplieswereimmediatelyobvious.

“Well,Iwon’tkeepyoufromit.”Hegaveheralonglook—toolong,likehewaslookingfor

something,thenheturnedawayandshuffleddownthecubiclerow.

Strange.
Emilygrabbedhermug,tookasip,thensetitdownagain.Shehadtogetherheadinthegame.The

bomberhadescapedlastnight,andhewasobviouslyontothemnow.Theyneededsomekindofstrategy
toflushhimoutagain…awaytotraphimthathewouldn’texpect…

SheloggedinandbroughtuptheWildLovedatabase,pokingaroundthearchivesofhermessagechats

withNoah.Butthatjustmadeherheartache,alongwiththesweetacheofherbody,andtotallymessedup
herheadagain.Shesighed,closedoutthechat,andpulledupanotherpartofthecodeforWildLove.
Therehadtobesomewaytotrackthisguydown.Riverwisewouldrunhisdescriptionandmaybethe
platesfromthecar,iftheyhadthem,andthatmightferrettheguyout.ButEmilyhadhisdigitalsignature
inhere,somehow,ifshecouldjustsussitfromthedata.She’dcapturedthereal-timefeedsduringtheir
securechat.Thatwaswheresheshouldstart.Somehowhe’dgottenin—Emilywouldjusthavetokeepat
ituntilshefiguredouthow.

Shedovein,tappingatherkeyboard,bringingupscreenafterscreenofcodeanddata.Shewasso

immersedinwhatshewasdoing,shedidn’thearthemaintenanceguyuntilhewasnearlyattheopendoor
ofhercubicleagain.Hisheavybootsgavehimawayjustashearrived,swishingroughalongtheoffice’s
trimcarpet.Shelookedupfromherkeyboardrightasheswungintohercubicle,holdingthewallwith
onehandandadustingragwiththeother.Hemusthavebeencleaningsomethingbecausehehadgloves
onnow.

“Hey,Ihadanotherquestionforyou,Emily.”Hisdarkeyesboredintohers.
“What’sthat?”Herinternalalarmsystemwasringingbellsallofasudden.Emily?Howdidheknow

hername?Ohright…itwasonhercubiclewall.

Hesteppedintohercubicleandcamewaytooclose,leaningonherdeskandpeeringatherscreen.
“Um…tryingtoworkhere…”shesaid,leaningawayfromhiminherchair.Whatwasthisguy’s

deal?

Heturnedandsmiledwide.“Icanseethat.”
Whatthe—?“Look,Icancallsecurityifyou’dlike—”Herheartwassuddenlypounding.
“Butyouhaven’tansweredmyquestion,Emily.”
Holyshit,whowasthiscrazyperson?“Whatquestion?”Shescootedherchairback,buttherewas

nowheretogo—shewasrightupagainstthecubiclewall.

Hiseyestookonacrazyglint.“Whydoyourefusetodie?”
What?Shetriedtogetoutofherchair,run,scream—dosomething—buthejustshovedherbackinto

it.

“Keepquiet,andIwon’thavetohurtyou,”hesneered,buthewasn’tlookingather.Hekeptflicking

hiseyesatherscreen,andwithadawninghorror,sherealized…shewasstillloggedintotheWildLove
database.

Hewasoneofthem—thehackers.
Shelungedforthekeyboard.Hesnarledandshovedheraway,slammingherbackintoherchair—she

hitsohard,shebouncedandendeduponthefloorasthechairrolledoutfromunderher.Outofthecorner
ofhereye,shesawhimdrawsomethingblackfromthebackofhispants.Shehadnotime.Sheturned
awaylikeshewascrawlingunderthedesktogetawayfromhim,butinreality,shewasgoingforthe
powercords.Sheonlyneededasecond…there.Sheyankedthecablefromthewall,poweringdownher
entireworkstation.

“Whatthe—”Themanslammedonthekeyboard,andthetablejumpedaboveherhead.Coffee

splashedofftheside,abrownwaterfallthatdousedthecarpetinchailatte.“Fuck!”

Emilycurledupagainstthewall,tuckingherlegsinandgettingasfarfromhimasshecould.He

croucheddowntoglareather,anditwasnowvery,veryobviousthatwhathe’dpulledfromthebackof
hispantswasagun.

Becauseitwaspointingstraightatherface.
“Comeonoutofthere,”hegrowled.
Sheshookherhead,althoughitwasjittery.Shewasshakingallover.Butthefactthathewasdown

therewithher,tryingtogethertocomeout,meantshesucceededincuttingoffhisaccesstoWildLove.
Shedidn’tknowexactlywhohewasorwhyhewashere,butitcouldreallyonlybeonething…the
bombershadgivenuponhackingthemessagesystemandcomedirectlytothesource.

“Isaid,comeout!”Hisshoutrangoutacrosstheoffice,butitwasempty.Noonewascomingto

rescueher.Nooneevenknewthisguywashere.

“No.”Herdefiancewasawhisper,butitturnedhisfacered.
Heshookthetipofthegunather,likeitwasafingerhewaswagging.“ComeoutorI’llshootyou.”
“Youcan’tshootme,”shesaid,inaweofthewordscomingoutofhermouth.
“Oh,yeah?”Hepointedthegunatherfoot,whichwaspokingoutfromhertucked-uplegsjustenough

tobeshot.

“Wait,wait!”sheyelled,handsout.“Ifyoushoot,peoplewillcome.”
Theredinhisfacedarkened.Hegloweredatherforamoment,thenherockedbackonhisheelsand

tuckedthegunbackintohispants.

Shetriedtocalmherbreathing,butherheartwasracinglikecrazy,andairwaschuffinginandoutof

herlungslikeshewasrunningamile.Thensuddenlyhewascrawlinginafterherandgrabbingherfoot.

“No!”sheyelled,kickingathimandclawingatthefabricofthecubiclewall,thesteellegsofher

desk,anythingtostophim,butnoneofitwasanyuse.Hewastoostrong—hehauledheroutbyherankle,
thenaroughhandgrabbedholdofherarmandyankedherupfromthefloor.Onceshewasupright,he
heldherbybotharmswithherrearendpressedpainfullyagainstthetable.Hiswirybodyinthe
maintenanceuniformloomedoverher—eventhoughhewasn’tmuchtallerthanshewas,hismuscular
handsheldherinanirongrip.

Hisbreathwassouronherface,butthatdidn’tturnherstomachasmuchashisuglysmile.“Ididn’t

expecttofindanyoneintheofficethismorning,”hegrowledinherface.“Ididn’texpecttofindyouat
all,notafterlastnight.WhenIsawyoufromourmotelwindow,ittookmeawhiletofigureoutwhereI
knewyoufrom.ItoldShirleyitcouldn’tbeyou,butsheinsisted.Saidshe’dseenyouinthecompany
reports,onthewebsiteandinthepress.Ithoughtforsurewewouldhaveblownyouandthatshifterinto
tinybits,butthenthenewsreportssaidtherewerenocasualties.”

Emily’sheartsankfurtherwitheveryword.

He’dbeentherelastnight.He’dalreadytriedtokillheronce.Hewouldcertainlydoitagain.
Shedidn’tsayanything.
“IfiguredI’dhavetohackintotheservermyself,”hewenton.“Shouldn’tbeasdifficultfroma

computerinsidethebuilding.Didn’tplanonhavingtheleadprogrammerheretogivemethepassword.
Guessit’smyluckyday.”

Hewasgoingtokillheranyway—hewasthekindofmanwhowould,andhe’dalreadytriedonce.

Butshe’dbedamnedifshewouldgivehimaccesstoanentiredatabaseofshifterstotargetnext.

“I’mnotgivingyouaccesstoanything.”Sheglaredupintohisface.
Hechuckleddarkly,andhishandstightenedpainfullyonherarms.“We’llseeaboutthat.”
Thenherphonechimedfromwhereitsatonthedesknexttohermouse.Theybothlooked.Emily’s

heartsankevenfurtherasshesawthepopup:NoahWilding.

MissedyouwhenIwokeup.Callme.
“Oh…isthathowitis,now?”Hissneeringvoicesentatremorthroughher.
OhGod,no.Theshudderworkedheroverfromheadtotoe.Please,don’tletNoahgetinvolvedin

this.

Hepeereddownintohereyes.“Soyouweren’tjustsettingatrapformelastnight…you’reoneof

thoseshifterloverswhogetsoffonbangingthosefreaksofnature.”

ShewantedtobeghimtoleaveNoahalone,butsheknewthatwouldjustmakethingsworse.“Idon’t

knowwhatyou’retalkingabout.”Butevenshecouldhearthetremorinhervoice.

“Sure,youdon’t.”Henoddedandlickedhislips,thenscoopedthephoneoffthedesk.Herheartsank

asheslippeditintohispocket.“ThisisgoingtobemorefunthanIthought.”

Thatsentachillthroughherthatfrozehersolid.
Hisnastygrinwasback.“I’lltakecareofNoahWildingsoonenough.Butfirst,you’regoingtolog

meintotheWildLovedatabaseanddownloadallthoseshifters’realnamesandaddressesontoanice
littledriveforme.”

SournessroseupthebackofEmily’sthroat.Howcouldshepossiblystopthis?
Hesqueezedharderononearm,thenslidhisotherhanduptograspherthroat.
Shecouldn’thelpthewhimperthatcameoutofhermouth.
Heleereddownather.“Idon’thavetoshootyoutokillyou,”hesaid,breathinginherface.“AndI

don’tneedyou,either.Iwasplanningtohackinonmyown,soallyourprettylittleneckisgoodforis
savingmealittletime.Sowhat’sitgoingtobe,shifter-lover?”

Alittletime.Shewasscared—scaredtodeath—butsheneededmoretimetofigureawayoutofthis.

Andsomehelptostophimfromgettingawaywithit.Ifhesimplykilledherandtookwhathewanted
fromthedatabase,he’dneverbecaught…andhundreds,ifnotthousands,ofshifterliveswouldbein
danger.Butifshewentalongwithwhathewanted,shecouldbuysomeprecioustimetofindawayto
stophim.

“I’llhelpyou,”sheeekedout.Itwashardtospeakwithhishandonherthroat.“Pleasedon’tkillme.”
Hesmirkedandeasedhishandbackfromchokingher.“That’sbetter.”Thenheshovedherdowninto

herseat.“NowgetmewhatIwant.Allofit—names,addresses,hookups,everythingyouhave.”

Shenoddedshakilyandpointedtoherdeadscreen.“Ineedpower.”
“Fixit!”hesnarled.
Shecrawledunderthedesk,slowly,andpluggedthestationbackin.Onceshewasbackinherchair

andherscreenwasbootingup,shesaid,“That’salotofdata.It’lltakesometime.”

Hepulledahigh-capacitydriveoutofhispocketandsetitnexttoherkeyboard.“Justgetitdone.”
Shewoulddrawtheprocessoutaslongaspossible,andshewouldlookforanyopportunitytoget

away.Butmostimportantly,sheneededtogetamessagetoNoah.Onceshewasinsidethedatabase,she
coulddoit—setupascript,haveitlaunchremotely,getamessagetohimsomehow.Butshehadtobe

careful…thisbomberhadtechskills,andhewaswatchingeverymoveshemade.Shewouldhavetobe
fastandwouldprobablyonlygetonechance.

Shewouldhavetomakeitcount.

NoahwasjustabouttoexittheWylderideparkinggaragewhenEmily’stextcame.

Itjustpingedhisphoneandflashedbysohecouldn’treadituntilheparkedagain.Thenittookhim

forevertofinditagain,becauseitdidn’tcomethroughasanormalmessage,butontheWildLoveapp
instead.Whenhefinallyreadit,hewasgladhewasn’tdriving.

HELP.BomberhereatWildLoveoffice.
Hejuststaredatthephoneforalongsecond.Holyshit.Thenhestabbedatthephone,quickly

bringingupOwen’snumberanddialing.

“Hey,man,didyouforgetsomething?”Owen’svoicewasfilledwithlaughter,andNoahcouldhear

hiscousingigglinginthebackground,butnoneofthatmattered—hecouldbarelyhearthemanywayover
theroarofpanicinhisears.

“TheWildLovebomberhasEmily,”Noahgaspedout.
Oweninstantlysobered.“What?”
“Ijustgotatextfromher.”Noah’svoicewasrampinguptopanic.“God,Owen,hehasheratthe

office.Shewentinearly,and…”Histhroatwasclosingup.Heshouldn’thavebroughtherintothis!And
nowshewasindangeragain.

“Whereareyou?”Owenwasmoving.Soundsinthebackgroundmadeitseemlikehehaulingass.
“Parkinggarage,”Noahchokedout.
“Sittight.I’llberightthere.”Owen’sclipped,no-nonsensevoicewasreassuring,butNoahwasjust

comingoutofhispanic-fueledfog.Hehadtogonow.ThatmaniachadEmily.

Histhroatopenedupenoughtoletinsomeair.“Ihavetogetoverthere—”
“Isaidsittight.I’monmywaydown.Meetmeattheelevator.”
“Okay.Right.Elevator.”Noahputthecaringearandspunthroughtheparkinggarage,headingbackto

theelevator.

“I’mhanginguptocallforbackup,”Owensaidthroughthephone.“Donotleavewithoutme,Noah.

Sayit.”

“Getthefuckdownhere,Owen,”Noahgroundout.Itwaskillinghimtonotalreadybeheadingat

highspeedacrossdowntowntotheWildLoveoffice.

“Copythat.”Owenhungup.
Inspiteoftherock-hardgripNoahhadonthesteeringwheeltokeephimselffrombolting,hewas

gladOwenwasclosebyandonhisway.Hewasex-Army,justlikeNoah,plushe’dworkedfor
Riverwiseaftertheywerebothliberatedfromthecages.Barrelingintothissituation—probablya
hostagesituation,herealizedwithahorriblesinkingfeeling—wouldlikelyjustgetEmilykilled.Noah

neededalevelheadandbackup,justlikeOwensaid.

Ittookaninterminabletime,butitwasprobablyonlythirtysecondsbeforeOwencamesprintingout

oftheelevator.Assoonashewasinthecar,Noahstompedontheaccelerator,andtheypealedoutofthe
parkinggarage.

“IcalledRiverwise,”OwensaidquicklybutwithavoicefarcalmerthanNoahfelt.“Daniel’sonhis

waywithawholevanfullofpackmembers.”

“Aretheyatthesafehouse?”Noahaskedashescreechedaroundacornerfartoofast.
“Yes,”Owensaidtightly.
Whichmeanttheyweretoofarawaytohelp.“We’reonourown,then,”Noahsaid,eyesgluedtothe

road.

“Maybe.”Owenpulledouttwopistolsandstartedloadingonewithammo.“Wegetthere,wecasethe

situation,thenwemakethatcall.Deal?”

“I’mnotriskingEmily’slifebywaiting,”Noahgroundoutashetookanothercorner.
“Understood.”Owenstartedloadingthesecondpistol.
Thesafehousewasanhourawayfromdowntown.MaybehalfthatwithDanieldrivinglikeamadman.

ButNoahandOwenwouldbeattheSeattleShiftersDatingAgencyofficeinlessthantenminutes,
assumingtheydidn’tcrashorgetpulledover.

“Whatdoweknowsofar?”Owenasked,hisvoicestillsteady.
Nothing,Noahwantedtosnap,butOwen’scalmvoicewashelpinghimkeephisragingangerand

guiltundercontrol.

Instead,hesteeledhimselftobriefOwenonanythingthatmighthelp.“Shewasgonethismorning

whenIwokeup.Hertextsaidshewasheadingtotheoffice.Somethingaboutanewideatotrackthe
bomber.”

“Time?”
Noahnoddedtohisphoneonthedash,soOwenpickeditupandchecked.“Okay,aboutanhourhas

elapsedsincethatfirsttext.ButIdon’tseethesecondone.”

“ThatcamethroughontheWildLoveapp.UndermyNICKpseudonym.”
Owentappedthephoneandtookamomenttoreadthetext.“Okay,notgood.”Hisvoicewas

considerablymorestrained.“Hardtosaywhenshesentit,butthisjustcamethroughonyourend.So,as
ofthistext,weknowshe’sholdingittogether,alive,andworkingongettingfree.Thisisallpositive,
Noah.”

“Owen,”hegrowled.Afuckingmurderingshifter-haterhadhisgirl.Therewasnothingpositiveabout

that.

“Right.Shuttingup,now.”
Noahwassuckingairbetweenhisteethtoholdittogether.Hiswolfwashowlingtogetoutandtear

apartwhoeverwasholdingEmilyprisoner,buthehadtokeephisshittogethertohaveanyhopeof
rescuingher.

“Whoeverhasher,”Noahsaidthroughhisteeth,“hastobepartofthehategroup.She’scallinghim

thebomber,somaybeit’sactuallythebomber.”

“Theguyfromlastnight?”
“Yeah.”Noahpushedthroughanearly-redlight.“He’sbeentechsavvyfromthejump,hackingthe

system,figuringoutwherethehookupswere.Nowhe’satWildLove.”

“Doyouthinkhewentinafterher?”
“Idon’tknow.”Noahgrimaced,tryingtopieceittogetherastheyspedthroughdowntown.“Whynot

goafterherbefore?Whynow?”

“Ifhe’sthebomber,thenhemusthaveseenheratthemotel.”
Noahslammedhishandagainstthesteeringwheel.“Dammit!Inevershouldhaveinvolvedherin

this.WhatthefuckwasIthinking?”

“Hey!”Owen’ssharptonecutthroughthefogcloudingNoah’shead.“Youcanfeellikeshitaboutthis

later,okay?Keepyourheadclear.”

“Right.Okay.”Focus,Noah.Jesus.
“Sothebombersawher,figuredoutshewasaWildLoveprogrammerandwentafterherthis

morning…afterhehadfiguredoutshewasn’tkilledintheblast,”Owenreasoned.“What’shisplayon
this?Isheholdingherhostage?Ishehopingtoransomher?Imean,shemanagedtogetatexttoyou,
throughtheWildLoveapp.Hehasn’tkilledheroutright.She’sstillaliveforsomereason.Maybehe’snot
afterheratall.Maybeshe’shidingoutunderadesksomewhere.”

“Thedatabase.”ThewordscameoutsoftasNoahrealizedwhatthatmeant.“Ohshit.Owen,he’s

afterthedatabase.”

“Theonewithalltheshiftersinit.”Owenjustshookhishead.“Allright.Priorityone,aftermaking

sureEmilyissafe,ofcourse,istokeepthatdatabasesecure.”

“Copythat.”NoahpulledintotheparkinggarageofEmily’sbuildingataspeedthathadthetires

screechingonthesmoothconcretefloor.Hedidn’tbotherparking,justpulleduptotheelevatorsand
sprintedfromthecartothedoors.Owenwasclosebehind.

Hewouldhaverunthestairs,buttheelevatorwouldgetthemtherefaster…onlyitwaskillinghimto

wait.Owenhandedhimagun,whichheheldattheready.Therideupwaspainfullyslow,butthetwoof
themcameout,gunsfirst,whentheyarrivedatthefloorthatheldtheagencyoffice.Theycautiously
approachedtheglassdoubledoors,buttherewasnosignofanyoneinside.Ofcourse,theycouldn’tsee
pastthereceptionarea.

“Whatdoyouthink?”Owenasked.
“I’mthinkingwegetthehellinthereandfindEmily.”Noah’shandwasalreadyonthedoor.
Owenheldupahandtostophim.“Allright,butwegoquiet,yes?Youknowwhereherofficeis,so

youleadtheway.Buthecouldbeanywhere.Keepyoureyesopen.”

Noahnoddedandtriedtopullopenthedoor:locked.
“Fuck,”hespitout.Thenhetuckedhisguninthebackofhisjeansandshiftedhishandstothelong,

knife-likeclawsthatwerethecurseofhisnewwhitewolf.

Owendidthesame.“Somuchforquiet.Bettermakeitfast,then.”
Noahnodded,andtogethertheyslicedthroughthemetalplatesholdingthedoorslockedtight.The

screechingsoundwashorrific,andanyoneinsidehadtoknowsomethingwasup.Noahshiftedhishands
back,yankedopenthedoor,andbarreledinside,pullinghisgunbackoutalongtheway.Owenwasright
behindhimashehustledthroughthemazeofcubicles,searchingoutEmily’sdesk.

Theplacewasdeadquiet.Nooneinsight.Whentheyreachedheroffice…itwasempty.HerCoffee

isMyBoyfriendmughadtippedsidewaysanddumpeditscontentsonthefloor.Somehowthatmadeit
hardforhimtobreathe.

“Hetookher,”Noahsaid,throattight.“Hegrabbedherfromheroffice.”
Owenwascheckingtheothercubicles,buttherewasnothingtosee.“Emily?”hecalledout.There

wasnoanswer.“Isthereaserverbankaroundheresomewhere?”heaskedNoah.

“Awhat?”Noahblinkedathim,hisheadfoggedagain.Getittogether!hetoldhimself.
“Theplacewheretheykeepallthedataservers,thecomputers,”Owensaid.“Ifhewasafterthe

database,maybehetookherthere.”

“Right.Goodthinking.Backhere.”Noahledhimpastthecubiclestoalarge,heavilyair-conditioned

roominthecenteroftheoffice.Emilyhadshownhimtheserverroomatonepoint.Hepushedopenthe
thicksteeldoors,revealingadozenbanksoftall,blackmetalservers.Itwasrackafterrackof
computationalpower,blinkingwithredandbluelights…butnopeople.

Noahlistenedoverthesofthumoftheclimatecontrolandthemachines,buttherewerenohuman

sounds.“Emily?”hecalled,justtobesure.“Areyouinhere?”

Buttherewasnoreply.
“Whatthehellisthat?”Owenpointedtoaboxattheendofthenearestserverbank.
Itwascountingdownsomethinginluminescentrednumerals.
Atimer.Withonlysecondsleft.
Ohshit.“Bomb!”Noahshouted,haulingOwenawayfromthedeviceandtowardthedoor.“Move,

move,move!”

Buthedidn’thavetosayit—theybothslammedthroughthedoorsandranfortheirlives.Theybarely

reachedtheendofthecubiclearea,whentheblastrippedthroughthewalls,sendingfragmentsof
computers,wiring,andplasterhurtlingthroughtheair.Theconcussiveforcethrewthemagainstthe
receptionareadoors,slammingthemontheclearglass,butnotbreakingit.

Smokeanddebrisfilledtheair,andforthesecondtimeintwenty-fourhours,Noah’searswere

ringingfromtheshockwaveofabombthatwasmeanttokillhim…butdidn’t.

OrmaybethebomberwasjusttryingtowreakvengeanceonWildLove.
OwenhelpedNoahtohisfeet,andtheybothstaredblanklyatthedebris-filledairandthegiantholein

thebuildingwheretheserverfarmusedtobe.

“HejustblewupWildLove,”Noahsaid,strugglingtopieceittogether.
“Andalmostus,”Owensaidunderhisbreath.“Thatwastoodamnclose.”Hebrushedoffsomeofthe

debrisclingingtohisshirt.

ThenNoahrealizedsomething.“Thebombermusthavesetthetimerjustbeforeheleft.”Heturned

andslammedhisfistagainsttheglassdoor,makingitshake.“Wejustmissedhim!”

Owenfrowned.“AndEmily’snothere,sohetookherwithhim.”
“Butwhere?”Noahasked,anguishcreepingintohisvoice.
Suddenlytheentranceoftheagencywasflungopen,andahalfdozenoftheRiverwisepackdashed

throughthedoubleglassdoors,withhisbrotherinthelead.Daniel’seyeswerewide,buttheyquickly
tookinthefactthatNoahandOwenwerestillupright,andthealarmonhisfacesteppeddownalevel.

Owenpushedopentheinteriorglassdoorstomeethim.
Danielfrownedattheofficepasttheirshoulders.“JesusChrist.Whathappenedhere?”
“Wejustmissedthebomber,”Noahsaidinatightvoice.
“Lookslikehejustmissedyou,”Danielsaidwithascowl.
“HestillhasEmily.”Noahcouldn’thelpthegrowlinhisvoice.
Owen’shandlandedonNoah’sshoulder.“Maybewecanpullsomethingoffthesurveillancevideo.

Securityhastohavesomething.”

“Policearegoingtobecrawlingalloverthisplaceinfiveminutesandlockingeverythingdown.”

Noahranbothhandsthroughhishairandcamebackwithbitsofdrywall.“We’vegottomove.”

“Copythat,”Danielsaid,wavingthemawayfromtheblastscene.“ButevenifwegetanIDonthe

car,Noah…”Hislipspinchedtogether,butNoahknewwhathewasleavingunsaid.

ThattheyhadnoideawherethebomberwastakingEmily.Andnowthatthebomberpresumablyhad

whateverhecamefor,blowingupeverythingoncehewasdone,therewasnotellingwhathewoulddo
withtheleadprogrammerforWildLove.ThatideatwistedNoah’sstomachinaknotsotighthecould
barelybreathe.Ahostageisworthless,aliability,oncetheirkidnapperhaswhattheywant.Whydidhe
takeEmily?

“Let’sgo,”Noahsaid.Hewasthefirsttotheelevatordoors.Hedidn’tcarewhattheoddswereof

findingEmilyalive,hesureashellwasn’tgivingup…notuntilshewassafeagain.

OrthebomberwasshreddedunderNoah’sclaws.

Emilywasterrified.

Theshakingofherhandswasvisible,eventhoughtheywereduct-tapedtogether.Andshehadto

clampherteethshuttokeepthemfromchatteringwitheverybumpintheroad.Shecouldn’thelpthefull-
bodyshuddereverytimethebomberleeredatherfromthedriver’sseatnexttoher.Hewastakingher
somewhere…andtherewasnothingthatcouldpossiblybegoodaboutthat.

Worstofall,she’dmanagedtoendangerNoahincallingforhelp.Whenshe’dslippedthattexttohim,

she’dhadnoideathebomber—Richard,althoughthatcouldn’tbehisrealname—wasgoingtoblowup
thewholeoffice.Onceshe’ddownloadedthedatabasetohisportabledrive,he’dforcedhertowatch
whilehesettheexplosivestotakedowntheserverfarm.Shecouldn’tfathomwhyhehatedsomuch—
her,shifters,theentireWildLovecompany.Itwasn’tlikeherlifewasperfect.Farfromit.Butitwas
beyondhercomprehensionhowsomeone’ssoulcouldbesodark,sofilledwithangerandloathing,that
theywouldwanttodestroysomanypeople’slives,bothbykillingthemoutrightandbydestroyingtheir
jobs.SheprayedNoahdidn’tactuallycomeforherandthatheescapedthebomber’strap.

Butshedoubtedshewoulddothesame.
Inspiteoftheterrorrunningthroughherbody,herminddidn’tgiveup.Itwasstillwhirlingand

clickingalong,tryingtofigureoutawaytoescape.Maybeitwasjusthersurvivalinstinctkickingin—
whateveritwas,she’dconsideredanddiscardedahalfdozenideas,includingwrenchingopenthecar
doorandjumpingouttoavoidwhateverfateawaitedherattheirdestination.Butshecouldn’tforce
herselftotakethatlastdesperateoption.

Notyet.
Thebomberhadbroughthisblackbagofbombtricksalongwithhim.Itsatontheseatbehindher.

She’dseenhimriflethroughit,andshethoughtshesawhimslipherphoneintothebagalongwiththe
drivewiththeWildLovedataonit,althoughshewasn’tsure.Ifshecouldmanagetogetthedriveoutof
thebagandtossitoutthewindow,ordestroyitsomehow,thatwouldatleastsparetheshiftershewould
nodoubttargetnext.Orifshecouldgetholdofherphone,shecouldtextNoahforhelpagain.Orsimply
callthepolice.ButNoahwouldcomefaster.Ifhewasn’talreadyinpieces.

Angry,frightenedtearsblurredhervision…butshecouldn’taffordthatrightnow.Shereachedupto

wipethemawaywithhertape-boundhands,loathingthefactthatthebombernoticedandsmirkedather
obviousfear.Hewasgettingoffonit.Shechokedbackthehotangerthatthreatenedtobringmoretears
andstaredstraightahead,tryingnottogivehimthesatisfactionofwatchingherbreakdown.Ashervision
cleared,shesawtheywereturningintotheparkinglotofaseedymotel.They’dbeeninthecarlessthan
tenminutes,butanothershudderranthroughherassherealizedthiswaswheretheywereheaded.Visions

oftheexplosionfromthenightbefore—theoneinanothermotelroomthatsheandNoahbarelysurvived
—barragedhermind.

Shelookedtothebomber.Hissmirkwasfirmlyinplace.“Honey,we’rehere!”hesaidwithan

insanelycheeryvoice.

Herstomachheaved.
“Don’tworry,I’llberightbackforyou,”hesaid,reachingtothebackseatandhisblackbag.He

camebackwiththerollofducttape,grabbedheralreadyboundhands,andpulledhertowardhim.“Can’t
haveyourunningoffwhileIcheckin,honey!”Heloopedanotherseriesofwrappingsaroundherhands
thenboundthemtothesteeringwheel.Hiseyessparkledasheranhishandalongherhair,pushingit
awayfromwhereithadfallenacrossherface.Awaveofrevulsionthreatenedtochokeher.Thenhe
climbedoutofthecarandstrodetowardthemoteloffice.

Presumablytogetthemaroom.
Onceshewasthere,shewasadeadwoman.Sheknewthis.
Awaveoffearanimatedher,andshethrashedagainstthesteeringwheel.Surprisingly,thequicktape

jobdidn’thold—itslippedalittleasshestruggled,freeingoneedge.Usingherteeth,shegrabbedthe
loosepieceandpeeleditback.Afrantictensecondslatershewasfree.

Sheshouldrun.
Aquicklookattheglassed-inofficetoldherthebomberwouldseeher.Andcomeafterher.Evenif

sheran,shewouldn’tescape.Maybethemanagerwouldnotice.Maybenot.Sheshouldgetherphoneout
ofthebagandcallforhelpinstead.Shehadenoughtimetorunorcall,butnotboth.

Notimetodecide.
Shetwistedbetweenthetwofrontbucketseats,reachingfortheblackbag.Theanglewasterrible,

andherhandswerestillboundbythetape,butshemanagedtoworkthezipperopen.Fumblingthroughit,
herfingersquicklyfoundherphone.ShewilledhershakinghandstocalmenoughtotextNoah.Cassidy
Motel.Thatwasallshehadtimefor.Thenshewipedthescreenandthrewthephonebackinthebag,
terrifiedthebomberwouldreturntofindherinthemiddleoftexting.Whenshewassurehewasstill
inside,shefishedforthedrivenext.Amazingly,herfingersfounditssmoothsurface,andshepulleditfree
ofthetangleofwires,electronicboxes,toolsandotherthingsfillingthebag.Therewasnotimetothrow
thedrivefromthecar—notthatshecouldevengetthewindowdownwithoutthekeys—sosheleaned
forwardandstasheditundertheseatinstead.Maybehidingitwouldbeenoughtomakehimthinkhe’d
lostit.Sheshovedthedrivebackasfarasshecould,givingitanextrakickwiththeheelofherfoot.Just
asshelookedup,hairflyingwildaroundher,thebombercamestridingoutofthemoteloffice,anger
blazingonhisfacewhenhesawher.

Sheshrankagainstthepassengerdoorasheyankedopenthedriver’ssideandclimbedin.
Heglaredatthetatteredtapedanglingfromthesteeringwheel.“You’reaslipperylittlething,aren’t

you?”

Herstomachheavedagainwiththewayhiseyesrakedoverherbody.
Hethrewthecarintoreverse,pulledawayfromtheoffice,thendrovearoundtothebackofthemotel,

outofsightoftheroad,theoffice,andjustaboutanyonewhomightnoticehehadakidnappedwomanin
hiscar.Hestoppedattheverylastroomattheendofalong,two-storylineofthem,parkingnearthe
forestedlotthatbackeduptothemotel.Herheartpoundedashegrabbedtheblackbagandgotoutofthe
car.

Run,hermindwasscreaming,butshewaiteduntilhegottohersideofthecarandstartedtoopenher

door.Thensheliftedherlegsandkickedhardagainstthedoor,bangingitagainsthimandsendinghim
tumblingback.Shestruggledtogetoutofthecarwithherhandsbound,andshedidn’tgetadozenfeet
beforehisarmsclampedhardaroundher.Shestruggledandtriedtokickhim,buthequicklyhadherback
pinnedagainsthim,hishandclaspedaroundherthroat,chokingher.

“Keepstruggling,andI’llkillyourighthere,”hehissedinherear.
Blackspotsswaminfrontofhereyes.
Shestoppedstruggling.
Thepressureeasedonherthroatenoughthatshecouldgetair.Shegasped,heavingairintoherlungs

ashehauledhertowardtheroom.Hishandwasstillonherthroat,holdinghertight,ashefussedwiththe
lock,kickedthedooropen,andpulledherinside.

Shethoughtherheartmightjustquitthen.
Ormaybeshesimplywisheditwould.
Hedraggedhertothebedinthemiddleoftheroom.Ithadaheadboardwithposts.Heslungtheblack

bagonthebedandpulledoutthetapeagain.Breathwasstillheavinginandoutofher,butshehadno
willtofighthimanymore.Heboundonewristtothepostononeside,thenmadesomekindofropewith
thetapeandtiedherotherwristtothefarpost.Shewasstrungbetweenthem,barelyabletomove,hung
uplikehewascrucifyingheronthebed.

God,sheprayedwhateverhehadinmindwouldendfast.Butthewayhelickedhislipswhenhe

surveyedhisworkmadetearsleakoutofthecornersofhereyes.

Explosivesweresoundingbetterallthetime.
Andmaybesheshouldhavejumpedoutofthecar.
Atleasttherewasthepossibilityhewouldn’tfindthedriveshe’dhiddenundertheseat.Maybe.She

hopedherdeathwouldcountforsomething—savingthatmanyshifters,thatmanyinnocentpeople,almost
madewhatevershewouldhavetoendurebeforetheendworthwhile.

Shewatchedthebomberwithadullsortofawarenessashefishedmaterialsoutofhisbag.Hewas

whistlinghappilyashelineditemsuponthedresseroppositethebedwhereshewastrusseduplikea
sacrificiallamb.Itwasn’tuntilhestartedtapingsomethingtothebedpostsnexttoherboundwriststhat
sherecognizedthegraybricksandshinycontrolboxesforwhattheywere—bombs.Justliketheoneshe
hadsetupontheservers.Theyweren’tactiveyet—oratleastthetimersweren’tcountingdown—buthe
wasn’tfinished,either.Twomorewereplacedoneithersideofthewindowandtwomorenexttothe
door.Withtheamountofexplosiveshehaddeployedaroundtheroom,Emilywouldn’tbesurprisedifit
tookdowntheentiremotel…oratleastthefarendofthebuilding.

Thelastitemtocomeoutofthebagwasalaptop,whichhesetonthedresserandtappedfuriouslyat

foralongwhile.Shewasafraidhewouldnoticethemissingdrive,buthedidn’tseemto.Shecouldn’t
understandwhathewasdoingatall.Pullingupdataonhislaptopforsomebizarrereasonrightinthe
middleofthiselaboratesetuptokillher?Butastheminutesdraggedon,shejustdidn’tcare.Hermind
wasfinallyshuttingdown,refusingtotrytofigureouttheevilthatwasthisperson,thishater,thisawful
beingwhoonlyknewhowtohurtanddestroy.

Somevaguetimelater,whenthebomberfinallysteppedawayfromthelaptop,shecouldseethered

recordinglightwaslitup.

OhGod.Theterrorthathadbeenglossedoverandnumbedoutbyherdefeatsurgedbackupagain.

She’dseenthevideostheWolfHunterhadmadebefore.Therewastheoriginaldoxing,theexposingof
allthenamesandaddressesoftheshiftersintheRiverandWildingpacks.Thentheawfuldismemberment
videos.Thenthelivestreamingofashifter’salmost-death.

WhatinGod’snamewasheplanningforher?AndwasthistheWolfHunterhimself?
Shewatchedwithwideeyesashepulledamaskfromthedepthsofthebagandslippeditoverhis

face.Whenheturnedtoher,shesawthemaskwasaplainface,justanaverageperson…someguywhose
average-guy-lookswerestampedintoplastic.NotatalllikethepreviousWolfHuntermasks.Butit
obscuredthebomber’srealface,andthatwasallhewasafter.Becauseapparentlyhewasplanningto
walkoutofthemotelroombeforeit—andher—blewintotinybits.

“EmilyJones,”heintonedlikethejudgeatherexecution,“yourworkhasallowedhundreds,ifnot

thousands,ofshifterstopolluteourgenepool,seducingourwomentospreadtheirvileseed.”

“You’reinsane,”shespatathim.“WildLovebroughtpeopletogether,consentingadults.Itwasall

aboutlove,nothate.Notlikeyou.”

Hechuckleddarkly.“WildLovewasaboutdepravedsexualacts,nothingmore.Bymakingiteasyfor

shifterstopreyonhumanweakness,you’reguiltyofcrimesagainsthumankind.Andnowyou’regoingto
payforit.”

Hewasspeakingtotheaudienceonthevideohewasrecording.
“Andlivestreamingmydeathisn’tdepraved?”Sheshovedallherloathingintoone,intenseglare.
Thebomberedgedforward,carefulnottoblockthecamera’sviewofherstrunguponthebed.“Not

livestream.Delayedbroadcast.It’scachingwithadelay,butdon’tworry,it’llbroadcastassoonaswe’re
donehere.”

Sournessclimbedthebackofherthroat.“Youwon’tgetawaywiththis.”
Helaughedagain,thenstrodetothefrontofthebed,standingnexttoherandstaringdownthroughthe

smalleyeholesofhismask.Hegrabbedholdofherchin,tippingitupsoshewasforcedtolookathim.
“You’llpayforyourcrimes,butfirstwe’regoingtohavealittlefun,Emily.Alittlelessontothosehuman
womenwhothinktheywanttoshareabedwithashifter.”Thenhereleasedherchintocaresshercheek.

Shewrenchedherfaceaway,butherheartwasabouttopoundoutofherchest,whichwasheaving

againinadesperateattempttogetair.No,no,no…hewasgoingto…sheflashedbacktoheruncle,five
yearsago,gruntingandsweatingontopofher,forcingherlegsapart,hurtingher…Theideaofenduring
thatagainbeforethebomberfinallyblewherup,allbeforeanaudience…

Herstomachheavedagain,butitnothingcameup.Shewilledherselftogetsickalloverhimandthe

bed,butherwholebodywaslockingdown,closingup,foldinginonitself.

Thebombergrabbedhercheekandforcedhertolookhisway,buthereyeswerealreadyglazedover.

Hermindwasfleeing,seekingescape,runningfromthisreality.Therewasnothingleftbutpainand
horrorhere.

Shebarelyfelthishandsonherhair,herbody,tuggingatherclothes.
Thesoundhiszippermadewhenhelowereditonlyregisteredasadistantgrating.
Therewereothersounds,butsheignoredthem.Hereyeswerealreadyclosed.Hermindwasalready

gone.Shewoulddiesoon.Sheknewthis.Andashermindwentfar,faraway,shehadonlyasingle,
solitarythoughtthatwentwithher:

Sheshouldhavejumpedfromthecar.

Noahwasgoingoutofhismind.

OwenandDanielwerescouringthesecuritytapes,therestofthepackwaswaitingaround,getting

twitchierbythemoment,butNoahwasgenuinelylosinghissanity.ImagesofEmily,bleedingoutona
tackylinoleumfloor,keptpoppingintohisheadandblockingouteveryothersight,sound,orthought.
Onlyheknewitwasn’ther…itwashismother,wristsslitandlifeebbingoutintothepuddleofbroken
glassandwhiskeyonthefloornexttoher.Afull-colorimagefromhischildhoodwashauntinghim…all
becausehewasstandingaroundtheWildLoveofficecomplex,unabletodoadamnthingaboutfinding
Emily,muchlesssaveher.

Noahblinkedawaytheimage.Focus.
HecheckedhisWildLoveappforthehundredthtime,buttherewerenomoremessages.Justashe

wasputtingawayhisphone,anothernotificationpoppedup.

Emily.
Hejabbedatthenoticebeforeitcoulddisappear,andherfullmessageappeared.Itwasonlytwo

words,buttheyslammedintohisheart.

“She’sattheCassidyMotel!”heshouted.
Theroomstilled.
“Whatdoyouhave?”Danielaskedfromhisspotnexttothesecuritymonitors.
“Emilytextedmeherlocation!”Noahyelled,alreadyhalfwaytothedoor.Hesprintedoutofthe

securityofficeandbypassedtheelevatortostampededownthetwoflightstotheparkinggarage.Hiscar
wasstillillegallyparkedinfrontoftheelevators.Hewasinthedriver’sseatandreadytotearoutofthe
garage,havingnocluewheretheCassidyMotelevenwas,whenDanielandOwenspilledoutofthe
stairwellandranforhiscar.Noahforcedhimselftowaitthetwosecondsitwouldtakeforthemtoreach
it.

“Go!”Owensaidassoonastheywerein.
Noahslammedthecarintodrive.“Ineeddirections!”
“Onit,”Danielsaid,ridingshotgunandwhippingouthisphone.
AsDanieldirectedhimoutoftheparkinggarage,Noahspokeoverhim.“Howfar?”hedemanded.
“Abouttenminutescross-town,”Danielsaid,voicetaut.“It’sashittylittleplaceattheedgeoftown.”
Hismindwasjustnowcatchinguptowheretheyweregoing.“Holyshit,it’samotel.Whywouldhe

takeherthere?”

DanielandOwenexchangedalookbutsaidnothing.
“Fuck!”Noahslammedhishandagainstthesteeringwheel.Heknewaswellastheydidthatno

matterwhatitwas,itwasbad.Thebombercouldkillherthereandbelonggonebeforeanyonefoundher.
“Iamnotlettinghimkillher.”Notagain.Notlikebefore.Hismindwassnarledupsobadlyinthis.His
heartwaspoundingsoloudlyhecouldhearitinhisears,asteadydrumbeatofragethathadbeen
poundingthroughhimeversincehe’dbeenachild.

“Rightatthelight,”Danielsaid,holdingthedashasNoahblewthroughtheredlightandtooktheturn

attopspeed.

ThecarwassilentafterthatexceptforDanielcallingoutdirectionsandthecartiresscreeching

aroundcorners.EachheartbeatfeltlikeitwaspulsinglouderinNoah’sears,anditseemedasifthey
wouldneverreachthemotel,butlongminuteslater,hecareenedintotheparkinglot.Owenhadtohold
himbackfromstranglingtheattendantatthefrontdeskwhenhebalkedatgivingouttheroomnumber,but
themurderouslookinNoah’seyesmusthaveconvincedhim.

Noahdidn’twaitfortheroomkey,justtookoffforhiscaroncehehadthenumberandspedaroundto

thebackofthemotel.Therewasasinglecarparkedattheend,outsidethedooroftheroom.Assoonas
hewasoutofhisowncar,Noahhadhisclawsout,readytoshredthedoor.Hewastearingintoit,
maniacally,beforeOwenandDanielevenreachedhim.Danielpulledhimback,andNoahalmostswung
andcuthim,buthecheckedhisswingatthelastmoment,justasOwenkickedthedoorin.

Allthreeofthemrushedthedoor…thenfroze.
AmaninamaskcowerednexttoEmily—shewastiedtoabed,surroundedbyexplosives.
“Stayback!”themanscreamed.“OrI’llblowusall!”HeheldaboxtoEmily’schest,agraybrickof

somethingwithasilver-boxdetonator,justliketheonestrappedtothecomputersatWildLove.Theman
wasusingherbodyandthebedascover.IdenticalexplosiveswereboundtothepostsbyEmily’shands.

Shewasn’tmoving.
Herpantsweredowntoherankles,butherpantieswerestillinplace.Thatfactsentragecoursing

throughNoah,butseeingthathereyeswerestillclosedspikedhimwithterror.Shewasutterly
motionless,evenwiththebombershoutingatherside,almostlikeshewasalready…

“Isshealive?”Noah’smouthtastedofashasthewordsleftit.Becauseifthebomberhadalready

killedher,Noahwouldsimplycalltheman’sbluffandshredhimtopieces.

Beforethebombercouldrespond,Emilyansweredhisquestionbyblinkingopenherbeautifuleyes

andpeeringathim.Itwasalmostlikeshedidn’tthinkhewasreal,ormaybeshecouldn’treallyseehim,
crowdingthedoorwaywithOwenandDanielathisback.

“Ifyouwanthertostayalive,shifter,”themanspatathim,“backthefuckoutofhere!”
Therewasnowaythatwashappening.Emilywasalive…andNoahwasn’tleavingwithouther.
“Areyouallright?”heaskedher.Histhroatwasstillstingingwiththebittertasteoffear—fearthathe

hadlosther,thathe’dbeentoolate—butitwasfadingfastunderhisdeterminationtogetherfree.

Shefrownedathim.“Noah?”Thensheblinkedrapidly,andhervoicehikedup.“Noah,thedoorand

thewindow,they’rerigged.Explosives.Don’tcomeanycloser!”

Therewasnowaythatwashappening,either.ButNoahcouldn’tseeawayoutofthisstalemate.Ifhe

lungedforthebomber,hemighttriggerthedetonatorhehadpressedagainstEmily’schest…andNoah
couldn’ttakethatrisk.Eveninhiswolfform,hecouldn’tmovefastenough.

DanielpressedagunflatagainstNoah’sback,remindinghimthattheywerearmed.Noahwavedhim

back.ThebomberwastooclosetoEmily—therewasfarmoreofherbodytohitthanhis.Theyweren’t
exactlyfaraway,andNoahwasadecentshot,butstill…hemightmiss.

“Usewhatyouknow,”Owensaidoutofthecornerofhismouth.
Noahfrownedandglancedathim.Whatwashetalkingabout?
“Noonedeservesitmore,”Owensaid,holdinghisgaze.
Suddenly,Noahknewexactlywhathemeant.Hequicklyheldhishandsup.
“I’munarmed,”Noahsaidtothebomber,takingahalf-stepintotheroom.

Themantwitched,hiseyeswide.“Stayback!”
“I’llmakeatrade,”Noahsaid,edgingslightlycloser.Hehadnoideaifthiswouldwork.He’donly

doneitonce.“Meforthegirl.”

“Noah,no!”Emilygasped.
Noahkepthiseyesgluedtothebomber.Thenhereachedfortheman,butnotphysically.Thisreach

wasmagical…thatsameenergythatwascoiledinsidehim,writhingandangry,likehiswolfonly
stronger.

Theman’seyesnarrowed.“Idon’twantyou.Iwantsafepassageoutofhere!”Henoddedtowhere

OwenandDanielstillcrowdedthedoor.

“Youwantout.Iwantthegirl.Wemakeatrade.”Noahedgedforwardashespoke,handsstillout.He

didn’tknowhowclosehehadtobe.InAfghanistan,thewholethingwasoverinaninstant.Thiswasthe
firsttimehe’deventriedtoreachoutashehadbefore,intuitively…

“Clearthoseguysout!”themanwavedjerkilyatthedoor,panicshowinginthewhitesofhiseyes

behindthemask.

NoahwavedDanielandOwenbackaswell.HisbrotherfrownedlikeNoahwascrazy,butOwen

tuggedDanielbackfromthethreshold.Noahedgedevenfurtherintotheroom,andsuddenlyhecouldfeel
theman’spresence—anenergy,likeamalevolentstorm,thatcalledtohisinnerbeast.

Hisinnerwitch.
“You.”Noahraisedhisarmtopointattheman.“Needtodie.”
Evenunderthemask,Noahcouldseetheman’seyesgowide.Thenacracklingstreakofblueenergy

leapedfromNoah’soutstretchedfinger,formedanarcacrosstheair,andnailedthemanstraightthrough
theforehead.Thesoundofitsplittheairlikelightning,andEmilyshrieked.Butaninstantlater,theman
wasgone.Noahdidn’thavetolook…hecouldfeelthebomber’senergydissipate,andheknewtheman,
hismask,andallhisvileintentionshadbeenreducedtoash.

Inaninstant,Noahleapedacrosstheroomtothebed.Emilywasfrozen,terrified,eyeswideand

freakedout,butshedidn’trecoilawayfromhim.Heliftedthebomboffherchest,thenshiftedasingle
fingerintoarazorsharpclawandslashedatthetapebindingher.Oncehisbladewassafelyreturnedto
theformofagentlehumanhand,hescoopedherupfromthebed.Shecurledrightintohim,andhetucked
herclose…thenheran.Hedidn’tknowiftheexplosiveswereriggedtoblowbythemselves,onatimer,
orjustonaswitch,buthewasn’ttakinganychances.Hedidn’tevenbotherwiththecar,hejustkept
runninguntilhereachedtheendofthemotelbuildingandhadEmilysafelyawayfromwhateverblast
mightbetriggered.

Shewasshakingallover,andwhenNoahsetherdownonherfeet,hedidn’treallylethergo.Heheld

herclose,peeringatherface,thrilledbeyondmeasurethatshewasstandinghere,inhisarms,allinone
piece.

Herpantswerestilltangledaroundherlegs.
Hedroppedtoonekneeandgentlybroughtthemupagain,holdingherclose,protectiveevennow,as

shebuttonedthemwithshakingfingers.

“Pleasetellmehedidn’thurtyou,”Noahsaid,hisvoicesoft.
Sheshookherheadbackandforth,ajitterymotion,butdefinitelyano.“Hewasgoingto…”She

swallowedandlookedupathim.“Hewouldhave.Ifyouhadn’tstoppedhim.”

Thosewords…Noahcouldn’tspeakwiththeemotionthatwaswellingupinhim.Maybehis

grandfatherwasawitch.MaybeNoahwasawitch,too,oratleastsomekindofhybrid.Butifallheever
didwiththatpowerwaswhathedidtonight—saveEmily—theneverything,everyrejectionbyhisfamily
andhispack,everyshamethatwouldbecominghisway,wouldbeworthit.

Emilywaslookingoverhisshoulder,backatthemotelroom.“Whatyoudidbackthere…”She

broughtherwonderinggazebacktohim.“Howdidyoudothat?”

Hegrimaced.Butitwasallgoingtocomeoutsoonerorlater.Mostlysooner,nowthathe’drevealed

himselftonotonlyEmilybuthisbrotheraswell.“I’mnotjustawolf,Emily.”

Hereyeswentwide,butshejustnodded.“You’reawhitewolf.”
Hehuffedasmalllaugh.“Yeah.That’spartofit.”
Thecrunchofcartiresrolledupbehindhim.DanielandOwenhadbroughtthecartothem.
Noahturnedbacktoher.Hishandswerestillgentlyholdingherup,buthershakingwasstartingto

calm.Helethergo.“Basically,I’mpartwitch,partwolf,”hesaidquickly,beforehisbrother’shard
looksfrominsidethecarcoalescedintoadeterminationtogrillhimonwhathadjusthappened.“I’ll
explainitalltoyoulater.Rightnow,howaboutwejustgetoutofhere?”

Shenodded,dazedly.Heturned,hishandonherelbow,nottouchinghertoomuch,incasethatwasn’t

somethingshewantedanymore,giventhatsheknewwhathewasnow.Heguidedhertowardthecar.She
stoppedsuddenlybeforegettingin.

“Wait.”Sheturnedherprettyblueeyesonhim.“TheWildLovedatabase.Hemademecopyitforhim,

butIhiditunderthefrontseatofthecar.Iwastryingtofighthim,but…”Sheseemedfrustratedthat
somehowshehadn’tbeenabletothwartashifter-haterandsavelegionsofshiftersallonherown.Even
thoughshe’dnearlydoneso.

Hecouldn’thelptouchinghercheek,gently,justonce.“Ofcourse,youdid.”HelookedtoOwen,who

hadgottenoutofthecarsoonenoughtohear.“Owen?”

“Onit,”hesaid,thenturnedtotrotbacktowherethebomber’scarwasparked.
“Hewasalsorecordingthewhole…thewholethinghehadplanned,”Emilysaid,hervoicewavering

andsomeoftheshakingcomingback.

Noah’schestsqueezedtight.“Herecordedit?”Notonlywasthebastardplanningtorapeher,buthe

wasfilmingit?Noahhadanurgentneedtokillhimalloveragain.

Emilynoddedfervently.“Onthelaptop.Delayedbroadcast.Noah…”Shegrabbedhisarm.“It

probablyrecordedwhatyoudid.”

Hejuststaredatherforamoment,amazed:shewasworriedabouthim.
NoahturnedtowhereOwen’sformwasjustabouttodisappearintothemotelroom.“Owen!”he

called.“Grabthatlaptop!”

Owenwavedandwentinside.
Noahturnedbacktoherandsmiled.“Youjustsavedmeawholelotoftrouble.”
Shefrowned.“I’mprettysureIcausedyoumorethanenoughtroublebeforethat.”
Hejustshookhishead.Andhecouldn’tresistbringingherinforahug,notleastbecauseshestillhad

sometrembleinher.

“YouhavenoideahowgladIamtoseeyouinonepiece,”hewhisperedintoherhair.Thenheforced

himselftolethergo.Hegesturedtothecar.“Comeon.Let’sgetyououtofhere.”

Shenoddedandclimbedintothebackseatofhiscar.
Noahignoredhisbrother’ssteely-eyedlooksandclimbedinafterher.
Therewouldbetimeforalltheexplanationslater.

Emilyhadnevereatensomuchinherlife.

“Here,takeanotherpancake.”ThatwasMamaRiver,thematriarchoftheRiverpackfamily,pushing

yetanotherfluffy,buttermilksliceofheavenonher.She’dalreadyhadfive.

“They’reamazing,Mrs.River,seriously,”Emilysaid.“BestpancakesI’veeverhad.ButIthinkI

mightburst.”

ThegracefulsmileonMamaRiver’sfacewasmoresatisfactionthanflatteredbyhercompliment.
Noahhurriedintotheroomandcasedthesituationwithaquicklook.“MamaRiver,whatareyou

doing?”Helookedveryconcerned.

MamaRiverwasn’thismother,butsheapparentlyhoveredovereveryoneattheRiverpacksafehouse

liketheywereheradoptedchildren.ShegaveNoahachidingscowl.“Tryingtomakesurethisgirlis
properlyfed.”

Noahscowledrightback.“Ijustaskedyoutowatchoverherforaminute,notforcefeedher.”Hehad

disappearedto“takecareofsomething”forabouttenminutes,butotherthanthatbriefabsence,hehad
stuckfastbyEmily’ssideeveryminuteofthelastcouplehours.Afterhehadpluckedherfromahorrible
fateatthehandsofthebomber,theyhadquicklyleftthemotelanddrivenupintothebeautifulmountains
outsideSeattle,finallyendinguphere,attheRiverfamilyestate.Theshockfromthetraumaticeventsof
themorningwasstartingtowearoff,onlytobereplacedwiththeshockofbeinginasprawlingranch
filledwithshifters.Theyweremostlymen,andalloutrageouslygorgeous.Itbefuddledhersenses,being
surroundedbysomanyinsanelyhotwolves,especiallyfamousonesshe’donlypreviouslyreadaboutin
thepapers.AndnowshewasstuffedwithpancakesandeasyacceptancefromMamaRiveraswell.

Thepasttwenty-fourhourswereeasilytheworstandbestofEmily’slife.
“Haveyouactuallylookedatthisgirl?”MamaRiverprotested,herireseemingtorisewithNoah’s

objections.“She’saswhiteasaghostandprobablystillinshock.Sheneedsaproperfeeding.”

Emilyheldupahandtostopthem.Shedidn’twanttobethesourceofanytrouble.“MamaRiver’s

right.Ineededit.”Emilymadeashowofrisingupfromthetable.“Butanymore,andyou’regoingto
havetocarrymehome,Noah.”

Theexpressiononhisfacewasn’tquiteasmile—morelikeamischievoushunger—anditsentathrill

throughher.She’dcaughthimlookingatherlikethateversincehe’drescuedherfromthebomber,and
everytimeitremindedherofthepassionthey’dsharedjustthenightbefore.Itsentheatcoursingtoher
ladyparts,whichwereachingformoreofhim.Butthathadtobeovernow…right?Evenwitheverything
thathadhappened,hewasstill…magical.Evenifshewasn’tsureexactlywhatflavorofmagicNoah
possessedanymore.

Andshewasstilljustahuman.
“Iwouldlovetocarryyoutoyourroom,Ms.Jones,”Noahsaid,hisnot-smilegettingevenmore

mischievous.

“Myroom?”sheasked,frowningandthrowingaglanceatMamaRiver.
“Ah,well,”MamaRiversighed.“It’sagoodthingIfueledyouup,mydear.”Sherosefromthetable

andstartedgatheringupthedishes.

Emilyhadnoideawhatshemeant.“I’mfine,really,Noah.Icangobacktothecitynow,Ijustneeda

ride—”

“Absolutelynot.”Noahsteppedcloser,tookherbytheelbow,andusheredheroutofthekitchen.
“Theextrapancakeswillbeinthefridge!”MamaRivercalledafterthem.
“Ireallydon’tneedaroom,”EmilyprotestedasNoahledherthroughthegreatroomoftheestateand

towardthestairsbythefrontdoor.“Idon’twanttoinconvenienceanyone.”

“Theverylastthingyouareisaninconvenience,”hesaidquietlyinherear.
Therewereseveralshiftersgatheredinthegreatroom,andtheirstaresfollowedEmilyandNoah

acrosstheroom.Herrescuers,DanielandOwen,wereamongthem,butalsotheRiverbrothers,Jaxson,
Jace,andJared.Toaone,theywereallridiculouslysexy,eachintheirownway.Withthemalltogether,
EmilycouldseehowNoah,evenwithhisripplingshiftermusclesandbroadshoulders,wasstillthe
fresh-facedbabyofthebunch.

Beinginthepresenceofallthatmalehotnesshadherheadswimming.
Noahmadeaverysoftsoundthatwasalmostagrowl,andhisgriponherelbowtightenedalittleas

hedirectedherupthestairs.“I’vegotaroomreadyforyou,”hesaidquietly,buthisvoicedefinitely
carriedoverthehushoftheroom.“Youcanstayaslongasyoulike,butyoureallydoneedtostayfora
dayortwo,atleastuntilwe’resureit’sokayforyoutoreturntothecity.Nottomentiontheoffice.”By
thetimehefinishedspeaking,they’dmadeittothetopofthestairs,andoutofviewoftheironlookers
below.Noahstoppedherintheemptyhallway.“Pleasedon’tfightmeonthis,Emily,”hesaidevenmore
quietly.“Pleasesayyou’llstay,atleastforalittlewhile.”Hewasbeseechingherwithhiseyesasifhe
thoughtshemightactuallysayno.

“Ofcourse,”shesaid.“Ifyou’resureit’snotrouble.”
Hepulledbackalittle.“Yourroomisthisway.”Hishandwasbackonherelbowashedirectedher

downthehall.Heseemedtobedoingthatalotsincetheyleftthemotel,touchingherelboworherfaceor
thesmallofherback,stayingphysicallyclosetoherlikehewasreassuringhimselfthatshewasstill
there.Shehadtoreassureherself,too,everyonceinawhile,stoppingforamomenttoactuallylook
aroundandacknowledgethatshe’dsurvived.Shehadbeensoreadytodie,itwasstillashocktoherthat
shehadn’t.

AndshehadyettoproperlythankNoahforsavingherlife.
Whenheswungopenthedoortoherroom,shewasutterlycharmedbyit.Theentireestatewas

decoratedinaveryrusticstyle—rough-hewnlogwalls,sturdyfurniturethatseemedcarvedfromthe
forestsurroundingit,andwarmcolorsoforangeandbrownandaclearwhitethatmadeeverythingfeel
cozyyetelegant.Herroomhadaslightlyfemininetouchwithasnow-whitecomforterandsmalllace
trimmingsonthecurtains,butotherwise,ithadthatsamehome-spunfeelastherestofthehouse.

SheturnedtofaceNoahjustasheclosedthedoorbehindhim.
“Emily,”hebegan,“Iwantedtotellyousomething—”
Shecuthimoffbysteppingforwardandslidingherhandsuparoundhisneck.“AndIwantedtotell

yousomething,too.”Butinsteadofsayingherthankyou,shelifteduponhertip-toestoreachhislipsand
kisshim.Shehadplannedtojustgivehimalightkissonthelips,thenpullbackandtellhimhow
amazinglygratefulshewastohavehiminherlife,evenifforjustashorttime,butonceshewasthere…
Noah’shandsfoundherbackandpressedherbodyagainsthisrock-hardchest.Shecouldn’thelpmelting

againsthimashislipsconsumedhers,histongueprobinggentlyintohermouth,thenmoreurgentlyasshe
openedforhimandkissedhimback.Hishandsbunchedinherhairandpressedhercloser,andsuddenly
herheartwasracing,wantingmorethanitshouldfromhim.

Afteramoment,hebrokethekiss,breathinghardandnotgoingfarfromherlips.“Ilikeyour

somethingmuchbetterthanmine,”hesaid,breathlessly.

Sheswallowed,tryingtocatchherbreath,buthewasstillholdinghersointimately,itwas

impossible.“Ijustwantedtothankyouforsavingmylife.”

“Oh,”hesaid.“Right.”Hisholdonherloosened,andsheinstantlymissedit.Thenhetouchedher

again,justafingerrunningalongherhairandtuckingitbehindherear.“Ijustcan’thelpmyselfaround
you,Em.Andwithalltheseothershiftersstaringatyou…Itoldyoubefore,youbringoutmyalpha.AndI
can’thelpwantingyoualltomyself.”

Herheartswelledwiththat,anditthreatenedtobreakher.Didn’theknowtheeffectthosewords

wouldhaveonher?“Youriskedyourlifetosavemine.YoucameformewhenIthoughteverythingwas
lost.Noah,there’sonlyonewolfinthishouseIcouldeverwanttobewith.”

Heclosedhiseyesbriefly,likeherwordswerecausinghimpain,whichshedidn’tunderstandatall.

Shetouchedherfingerstohischeek,andheopenedhiseyesagain.

“ExceptI’mnotawolf,amI?”hewhispered.
Shefrowned.“Tellmeaboutwhathappenedbackthere.Inthemotelroom.”
Henoddedandsteppedback,butdidn’tgofar.Heledherovertothebed,andtheysatdowntogether.

Itseemedtotakeamomentforhimtofindtherightwords.

“Mybiologicalgrandfatherwasawhitewolf,”hesaid,notmeetinghergaze.“It’sthefamilyscandal

becausehewasthebetaofmygrandfather’spack,andhewassleepingwiththealpha’smate.”

Emilyleanedback.“Ithoughtmateshadamagicalbond…”Sheswallowed.Waseverythingsheknew

aboutshifterswrong?“Doesn’tthematingbondpreventthat?”

Heliftedhisgazetomeethers.“Normally,yes.Themagicinthematingbondtiesthematedwolves

togetherforlife,andgenerallyspeaking,nothingcaninterferewiththat.Butmybiologicalgrandfather,the
whitewolf,wasn’tawolfatall.Hewasawitch.Andapparentlyhismagicwassopowerful,hecould
defeatthematingbond,stealmygrandfather’smate,andimpregnateherwithhischild…allwithoutthe
alphaknowing.”Noahgrittedhisteethforamoment.“Hewasarealstand-upguy.Soyoucanunderstand
whybeingrelatedtohimisn’texactlysomethingIwashappytodiscover.”

Emilyshookherhead,confused.“Youdidn’talwaysknowthis?”
“No.”Noahsighed.“Beforetheexperiments,Ithoughttheonlyassholeinmylineagewasmyown

father.Iwasanordinaryshifter—mywolfwasbrown-coatedwithnormalclawsandnoinsanemagical
powers.Buttheserumstriggeredsomethinginme,broughtoutsomekindofrecessiveside.The
experimentswerewhatturnedmeintoawhitewolfandexposedwhoIreallyam.”Hetookabreath.
“Andasyousawthismorning,I’vegotthis…magic…insideme.Mywhitewolfisn’tawolfatall.I’ma
witch,Emily.”Heseemedhorriblydistraughtbythis,asifitwastheworstthingthatcouldpossibly
happentohim…whichcompletelyperplexedher.

“Andthisisbad?”sheaskedgently.
“Yes,thisisbad,”hesaid,angry,butitwasn’tdirectedather,notreally.“Mybrotherishorrified—I

haven’teventalkedaboutitwithhimyet.Thepackdoesn’tknowwhattodowithme.AndI’mprettysure
IjustpermanentlyfreakedouteverywolfIknow.”Hehesitated,andthenhisvoicesoftened.“AndI’ll
understandifyoudon’twantanythingtodowithmenow.I’mnotthewolfyouthoughtIwas.”

Shepeeredathim,amazed,andwonderingifhewasreallyseriouswiththis.“You’renotthewolfI

thoughtyouwere?”

“Iknowyouthoughtallwolvesweresomethingspecial—”
“You’rekiddingme,right?”Nowshewasangry…andathim,althoughnotreally.Justatthissilly

partofhimthatthoughtthisamazingabilitywassomethingtobeashamedof.

Helookedconfused.“No,I’mnotkidding—”
“Allright,youneedtoshutuprightnowandlistentome.”Shescowledathimtolethimknowshe

wasserious.

Hepressedhislipstogetherandjustlookedatherlikeshewascrazy.Whichsheprobablywas,but

thatwasbesidethepoint.Shewasnotgoingtolethimthinkhewasanythinglessthanmagnificentinher
eyes.

EmilygotuponherkneesonthebedandheldNoah’scheeksgentlyinherhandssoshecouldstare

straightintohiseyes.“NoahWilding,youarethemostamazingandbravemanIhaveevermet.Youare
selflessandgood.Idon’tcarewhoyourgrandfatherwasorwhathedid.Idon’tcarewhatkindof
magicalcreatureyouare,althoughfortherecord,yourwhitewolfformisbrilliantandgorgeous,andI
thinkyou’reentirelywolfinallthewaysthatcount.Andyourhumanformissoinsanelyhot,Icanbarely
keepmyhandsoffyou.Ifyou’vegotsomemagicalpowerbeyondthat—thisabilitytoshootfreakingblue
firefromyourfingertips—theonlythingIneedtoknowisthatyouusedyourmagictosavemefromthe
worstthingthat’severhappenedtome.Andthatincludeswhenmyunclerapedmefiveyearsago.”Tears
werewellingupinhereyes,andrawemotionwassweepingthroughherattheexpressiononNoah’sface
—amixtureofaweandwonderthatmadeherwanttoweep—butshepressedon.Becauseshehadtoget
italloutbeforeshedissolvedintoapuddleoftears.“You’reeverythingIthoughtwolveswouldbeand
somuchmore.Andyou’vechangedmylife,justasIknewyouwould.”

Noahreachedforherandpulledherintothesweetest,mosttenderkissshe’deverfelt.“Emily,Iwant

yousobadly,Icanhardlystandit.”

Tearsthreatenedtoleakfromhereyeswiththosewords.“Ifyoudon’tmakelovetomerightnow,I

thinkImightactuallycry.”

Hepulledherdownintohislapandkissedheragainandagain.Hishandsheldhertight,likehe

thoughtshemightaccidentallyslipaway.

Thenhepulledbackandgentlytouchedhisforeheadtohers,closinghiseyesashespoke.“Onceisn’t

enoughforme.Ortwice.Iwantyouforever,Em.”

Herbreathcaughtinherthroat,andshestruggledtospeak.“Forever?”
Heopenedhiseyes,andtheywereblazingather.“Iwanttoclaimyouformyown.Foralways.It’s

entirelyselfish,butIcan’tstandthethoughtofanyoneelsehavingyou.Ican’tstandtheideaofnothaving
youalwaysinmylife.”

“ButI…”Hermindwasreeling.Heknewshewashuman.Whatwashesaying?“Youdeserve

someonewho’sashifter.Atruemate.Imean,Ididn’tthinkhumansandwolvescouldeven…”Sheran
outofwordsbecausethepossibilitywasblankingoutallherthoughts.

Hetouchedhercheek.“Theycan.Andtheydo.ButIshouldn’taskthisofyou.It’snotfair.Themagic

wouldonlybeoneway—mymagicinyourblood,bindingyoutome.Youdon’thavethemagictomake
thebondworkbothways.Ishouldn’taskyoutoevenconsiderit,butI’mjuststupidluckytohavefound
someoneasamazingasyou,andIcan’tletyougowithoutatleasttrying.There’snowomanonthisearthI
wantmore,Emily.Ifwemated,youwouldalwaysbemagicallyboundtome.AllIcanofferinreturnis
mypromisetohonorthatbondanddoeverythinginmypowertoloveyouandkeepyousafeallthedays
ofmylife.”

“Youreally…”Shewasentirelychokedup.“Youreallywantthis?Withme?”
“God,yes…ifyou’llhaveme.”Hiseyeswerepleadingwithheragain.
Shethrewherarmsaroundhim.“Yes.Yes!”
Hegrowledandpulledherintoanotherkiss,pivotingthemdownintothesoftpuffofthecomforterso

thathisdeliciouslyhotbodywasontopofhers.“Sayitagain.”

“Yes!”Shegrinnedupathim.

“Sayyouwantme.”Hiseyeswereblazingagain.
Shetamedhersmileandgavehimadead-seriouslookthatwasequaltothepledgethatwasbursting

inherheart.“Iwanttobeyourmate,NoahWilding.”

Hisgrowlthistimewasdeepinhischestashedoveintokissingher.Hishandswereeverywhereon

her,squeezingandcaressingandpowerfullypossessive,likehewantedtograbholdofeverypartofher
andstakehisclaim.Itturnedheronlikenothingshe’deverfelt.

NoahWildingwantedherforamate.
Theideawasstillricochetingaroundinherhead,causingaweandmayhemwhereverithit.Shehad

noideawhatitreallymeant,anditfeltlikeflingingherselfoffahighcliffintosomeunknownheaven
below,buttherewasabsolutelynowayshewouldsaynotoanyofit.

“Clothes.Off.Now.”Noahgrowledinherearashetuggedathershirtandjeans.
Shehelpedhimslidethemoff.Whenshewasdowntoherpantiesandbra,shegrabbedathisclothes

toinsistheplayfair.Hepulledhisshirtoffforher,butthenhishandswerebusyonheragain.Heshifted
onefingerintoasharpblade,justlikewhenhecutherbindingsfreeinthemotel,onlynowheslicedher
brafreefromherbody.

“Ihopeyouweren’tfondofthatone,”hewhisperedinherearbeforeslidingdowntotakeoneofher

rock-hardnipplesintohismouth.Hisnow-humanhandslidintoherpanties,quicklyfindingthewetness
poolingthere.Hegroaned,andshearchedupfromthebed.Hewasalreadypleasuringhersointensely,
justwiththishotmouthandstrongfingers,thatherbodywasliterallyachingforhim.

Herhandsdugintohishairashekissedalineacrossherbelly,slicingherpantiesfreeanddipping

hisheadbetweenherlegs.“Oh,God,Noah.”Shebuckedintohim,butheheldherhipstothebed,
nudgingherlegsapartandusinghistongueinawaythatwasmakingstarsswarminfrontofhereyes.
Withonehandonhishead,encouraginghim,andtheotherclawingatthecomforter,shecamehardand
fast,rockingagainsthimandtheinsanepleasurehewasgivingher.

Shewasprettysureshewashyperventilating.
Hecameupgrinning.“Didyoulikethat?”
“No,”shegasped,barelyabletobreathe.“Itwasterrible.Pleasedoitagain.Immediately.”
Hechuckled,butitquicklydissolvedintoamoanasheslidhishotbody,skin-on-skinagainsthers.

Hestillhadhisjeanson.

“Pants.Off.Now,”Emilycommanded.
Noahquicklyworkedhiswayoutofthem,springinghiscockfree.She’dseenitbefore,ofcourse,not

tomentionfeltallofhimplungingdeepinsideher,butshewasstillamazedhowmuchthesightofitmade
hermouthwater…andhowmuchshecravedhavinghiminsideheragain.

Noahdidn’twasteanytime.Heslidherupfurtheronthecomforter,liftedoneofherlegsoverhiship,

andthrustinside.Herbackarchedagain,andshecriedoutagainstthesuddenfullnessofhavingallof
him.

“Youaresotight,”hebreathedintoherneck,hisvoicehoarse.Heslidoutandthrustinagain.“Sohot.

MysweetEmily.”Hethrustagainandagain,whisperinghotwordsonherskin,holdinghertightagainst
thepoundingrhythmofhisbodypossessinghers,andmakingsuchsweetlovethatEmily’sheartsoared
witheachmutteredbreath.

Shekeptbuckingagainsthim,meetinghimwitheachthrust.Herpleasuresoaredsohighshewassure

thecrashbackdownwouldshatterher.

Sheclawedathisback.“Noah,”shewhisperedasshecreptcloserandclosertotheedge.“Oh,God,

Noah.Yes!”

“Comeforme,mylove,”hesaid,hisvoicehoarse.Hispacepickedup,andhepoundedharderand

harder.Whenherclimaxfinallytippedovertheedge,itcrashedlikeanavalanche,buryingherinwave
afterwaveofpleasure.Shecriedoutagainandagain,anddugherfingersintohim,holdingonforthe

ride.Eventually,whenthewavessubsided,sheslowedherfranticclawing,butNoahkeptmoving,
slowly,inandout.Hewasstillhardinsideher,stillpleasuringherbyfillingheragainandagain.

“Tellmeyoureallywantme,”hesaid,voicestrained.Hehadpulledbacktopeerintohereyesbut

wasstillslowlythrustinginandout,stokingthepleasureengineinsideherwithaslow,steadythrumming.

Couldn’thetell?“Ireallywantyou.”
“Wecanjustdothis,”hesaid,thrustingalittleharderforemphasis.“Wecanjustmakelove.”
Sheranherhandsoverhisbroadshouldersanduptohisgorgeousface.“Iwantyouforever,Noah

Wilding.”

Hiseyesclosedbriefly,thenopened.“Ihavetobiteyou,Em.Takeyoufrombehindandsinkmyteeth

intoyoursweet,sweetneck.Thenmymagicwillbeinsideyou…forever.You’llbemine.Forever.Are
yousure?”

Sheheldhischeeksashemadelovetoher.“ThisisadreamIdidn’tevendaretohave.Takeme,

Noah.I’malreadyyours.”

Thenhegrowledthatdeep,rumbling,possessivesoundagain,pulledoutfromher,andcommanded,

“Turnover.”

Emily’ssweetbodywasspreadbeforehim.

Noahcouldhardlybelieveshewantedthis—thatshewantedhim—withallsheknewabouthimand

allshe’dbeenthrough.Buthemeanteverywordofhispromise.Ifshewouldhavehim,ifshewouldtake
hisbiteandhislove,hewouldcareforandloveherfortherestofhisdays.Hewasn’tentirelywolf,and
shewasn’twolfatall,butheknewinhisheartthiswaswhattruemateswere—boundbynotjustmagic,
butbylove.

Evenbetter,heknewwhatthebondwouldmeanonherside—thatshewouldalwaysfeelloved,

alwayscaredfor,alwayssafe.Evenifshedidn’thavemagicofherown,hecouldgiveherhismagic,and
thatshewouldcarrywithhereveryminuteofeveryday,envelopingherinaveryrealmanifestationof
thelovehehadforher.

Emilyhadturnedover,justasheasked,andnowshewasperchedonhandsandkneesonthe

comforter,waitingforhimtotakeher.Herentirebodywasflushedwiththetwoorgasmshe’dgivenher
sofar,andhewasdyingtoburyhimselfinheragainandcompletetheact…buthehadtobesure.

Heslidhishandalonghertightlittlebottomandeasedupbehindher.Henudgedherentrancewithhis

cockbutdidn’tpushinside.

Shepeeredbackathim.“Noah,”shesaid,slightlybreathless.“ForGod’ssake,don’tteaseme.”
“Itmighthurtalittle,”hewarned.Heknewthebitemightsting.Forwolves,theyhealedquickly,soit

wasn’taconcern.Forasoft,delicioushumanlikeEmily,thewoundmightbemoresevere.

Shereachedbacktograbhishand,theonecuppingherbottom,andthenpushedherrearendbackon

him,nearlydrawinghiscockinsideher.“Thenyouhadbettermakeitfeelgoodfirst.”

God,whenshesaidthingslikethat…thepossessivegrowlofhisbeastrumbleddeepinhischest.

Hegrabbedholdofherhipsandthrustinside.Shegaspedinawaythatcoursedsatisfactionthroughhim.
Shewassoinsanelytight—heknewshewasn’tusedtohavinghiminside,notreally,notyet—andit
nearlydrovehimmadwitheachstroke.Thesmallwhimperscomingfromheronlymadehimpound
harder,rampingupboththeirpleasure.Heslidahandaroundtorubhersweetspot,thatsensitivenubthat
wasalreadyinflamedfromherfirsttwoorgasms.Hewantedthisonetobethebest,theultimate,theone
thatshewouldalwaysrememberasthebeginningoftheirlivestogether.Forwolves,thematingclimax
wasthebesttheywouldeverexperience,amagic-chargedsexualreleasethatwaslikenothingelseinthe
world.Forhim,itwouldstillbethat.Atleast,hethoughtso.Forher,hewasn’tsosure.

Andthebite…hefiguredshewouldfeelthebondinstantly,ashewould,oncethemagicenteredher

bloodstream.Maybethatbondwouldpushherclimaxevenhigher,evenwithoutthenormalsubmission
bondthatwolvesformedbeforemating.Andevenwithouthavingherownmagicinherblood—she

wouldhavehis,andmaybethatwouldbeenough.

Hecouldfeelhisownorgasmbuilding,acoilthatrampedtighterwitheachthrust.Heleanedforward

overherbeautifulbody,stillthrusting,tryingtoholdback,tryingtokeepfromcomingbeforeher,waiting
untiltheywerebothreadyforthisbondthatcouldneverbebroken.Hesweptherblondehairfromwhere
itspilledoverhershoulder.Hersmallmoansweredrivinghimcrazy,alongwiththequiveringofher
musclesclenchinghim.Soclose…hismouthwatered,justasithadfromtheveryfirsttimehesawher,
andhisfangscameout.Hebentdowntobrushthemagainsthertenderskin.Onehandheldheragainstthe
pounding—hewasstillclaimingherwithhiscock,pushingthembothhigher,righttothepeak—andjust
ashermoansturnedtoshrieksandherbodyclenchedaroundhim,hesankhisfangsintoherflesh.

Shescreamed,butitwaspleasuretakingflightfromherbodyonwavesofsound.Heclampedhis

moutharoundher,sealingthebite,andallowinghismagictoflowintothewound.Hepumpedheragain
andagain,hiscockdrivinghomethemating,andsuddenlyhisreleasesweptoverhim,drowninghimina
tsunamiofpleasurethatjoinedhimwithher,bodyandsoul.Asherodethatwave,hecouldfeelhismagic
drainingintoher,andsuddenlyitwasasiftheyweretrulyonebody,onebeing,writhinginpleasureand
awashinmagicalenergy.Itpermeatedeveryfiberofhisbeing.Hewasn’tjustconnectedtoherthrough
hiscockandhisbite,butthroughtheinvisiblethreadsofmagicthatwouldforevermorebindthem
together.

Itliftedhimanddrainedhimatthesametime.Pleasureandemptying.
Hecouldsensewhenitwascomplete,whenthemagictookholdandcemented.
Hereleasedherfromhisbitewithagasp,thenpulledtherestofthewayfromherandcollapsedon

thebed.Shewobbled,seemingweakfromitaswell.Hepulledherdowntohim,tuckingheragainsthis
chestandcurlingaroundhersmallform.Hekissedatthepuncturewounds,givingthemsmalllicksthathe
hopedmightgivesomemeasureoffasterhealing.Tohisamazement,itworked,andtheredspotshealed
almostinstantly.

“Areyouallright,mylove?”heasked,windedanduplifted.Hisheartwassomewhereintheclouds,

andhisbodywasheavywithpleasureonthebed.

“OhmyGod.”Hervoicewasasbreathlessashis.
“Isthatayes?”Healmostcouldn’tlaugh,hisbodytoorepletewithpleasureandtoobuzzedoutto

sustainthatkindofmotion…buthemanagedasmallhuffthatshookthemboth.

“Ifeelit,”shewhisperedinavoicefilledwithawe.
“Mymagic.It’sinsideyounow.”Hewasshockedathowpossessivethatfelt.Hismagic.Forever

insideher.Shebelongedtohim,withhim,besidehim.Always.Thewashofprideandjoythatsweptover
himlefthimunabletosayanymore.

Shecurledandturnedinhisarmstofacehim,eyeswideasshepeeredupathim.“Itfeelslike

burning,butitdoesn’thurt.”

“I’msoglad.”Hetouchedhercheekwithhisfingertips.“Iwasafraiditmight.”
Sheshookherhead.“Icanfeelit.Icanfeelyou.It’slike…”Shepressedherhandsflatagainsthis

chest.“It’slikeIhaveasmallpieceofyourwolfinsideme.Andit’stiedbyinvisiblethreadstoyour…
wolf?Yourinnerwitch?Ican’ttell.Butitfeels…powerful.”

Hesmiledwide.Helovedhersmartmind,howshewasalreadyinlovewiththematingbond,

analyzingit,examiningit,tryingtounderstandit.

“Idon’tknowifI’mawolforawitchoralittlebitofboth.”Hecuppedhercheek.“ButEmilyJones,

you’vejustnowmademethehappiestmanonearth.”

Hereyesshoneatthat,andhecouldfeeltheprideofitdancingonthemagicalthreadsthatboundthem

together.Thenherfacewentsolemn.“Ifeel…likeit’sgrowing.”

Hekissedhersoftly.“Itwilltakesometimeforthemagictoworkthroughallofyourblood.To

permeateeverycellofyourbody.Thebondwilljustgrowstrongerwithtime.Andwithrepeated

matings.”

Hereyeswentwide.“Wegettodothatagain?”
Hegrinned.“Ohyes.Againandagainandagain…untilyoutellmeyou’vehadenough.”
Shesmiled.“Thatmighttakeawhile.”
“Ihopeittakesforever.”Thesmileonhisfacefadedashersgrewseriousagain.“Whatisit?”he

asked,concerned.

Sheshookherhead.“Itjustfeelslike…likethewolfpartofyouthat’sinsidemekeeps…growing.

Likeit’sfillingmeup.”

Hefrowned,notsureifthatwasnormalornot.“Doesithurt?”
“No.Itfeels…amazing.”Shegavehimatentativesmile,andherelaxed.
“Ishouldhaveaskedsomeoneaboutthis,”hesaid,asmallfrownmarringhisjoyinthis.“Ishould

havefiguredoutwhatthesymptomswereforahuman.Ishouldn’thave—”

Shepressedherfingertohislips,stoppinghim.“Youarenoordinarywolf,NoahWilding.Nomatter

whatanyoneelsesaid,itwouldbedifferentforyou.Forus.”

“Forus.”Hegrinned.“Ilikethesoundofthat.”
“Youbettergetusedtoit.”Hersmilewasimpishforamomentbeforefadingagain.Thenshe

frowned.“Ifeelwarm.Likethatburningisgrowingstronger…andfuller…”Hereyesunfocused,and
suddenlyshewaspushingawayfromhimonthebed.

“Emily?”Hisvoicehikedupinalarm.
Sheheldherhandsup,keepinghimback.“I’mokay.I’m—”Thenhereyeswentwide,andhisheart

leapedintohisthroat.

Then,beforehisveryeyes,sheshifted.
Hejolteduprightonthebedandstared,mouthhangingopen.
Emilyhadshiftedintoawhitewolf.
“HolymotherofGod,”hewhispered.
Herbeautifulblueeyeswerewidewithsurprise…andmaybefear.Hecouldn’ttell,butthebond

betweenthemsuddenlymagnifiedten-fold.Inablink,heshiftedaswell,asifcalledbyherwolftobein
thatformtogether.

OhmyGod,Emily!Hisshockedthoughtssailedovertoher.
I’mawolf.I.Am.A.Wolf!Hergazeflittedalloverhernewbody,downtoherpaws,backtohertail,

alonghersnowy-whiteflank.Shehoppeduponallfoursanddidalittledance,turningaroundinplaceon
thebed.Thenshestoppedandlungedforhim,rubbinghermuzzlealloverhisinasloppykindofwolfish
kiss.

Hewasstilltoostunnedtoreact,butitwasslowlydawningonhim:shewashappy.
Andthatwasallthatmatteredtohim.
Holy-freaking-awesome,Noah!Howdidyoudothis?Herthoughtswerescatteredandrunninga

millionmilesanhour,butthatmuchcamethroughcoherently.

Idon’tknow,heresponded.Andthatwastheflattruth.Hehadnoidea.
OhmyGod,I’mreadingyourTHOUGHTS!Shewassogiddywiththisthathecouldn’thelpbutfeel

thejoyofit.

Hesmiled.That’showitworkswhenyou’reawolf.
Shesatbackonherhaunchesagainandstaredathim,open-mouthed.It’sbecauseyou’reawitch.

Yourwitchsidedidthis.

Hecockedhishead.That’spossible.Ihonestlyhavenoidea.Ijustwished…Heheldoffonsending

therestofthatthought.

Wishedforwhat?Herbrightblueeyeswereintenseonhim.
Thatyouwouldexperienceallofit,allofthebond,hefinished.Therewasnopointinkeeping

anythingfromher.Infact,heneverwantedtokeepanythingfromhereveragain.

Shenoddedherhead,thenblinkedandshookit,probablystillnotusedtothefeelingofherwolfform.

Youwishedthisforme…anditcametrue.Hereyeswerewideagain.AndnowIcan…Shestopped
mid-thoughtandsprunguptoherpawsagain.

Hewatchedasshestretchedherfrontpawsforward,raisedherrumpintheair,tuckedhertailand

thenfinallyherhead.

Thesubmissionpose.
Themagicofithithimlikeablastofmegawattsunshine.Theforceofthatblastpushedhimupinto

thealphaposition,tailerect,earspointedforward,standingtallonthebedbeforeher.

Rise,mylove.Thewordscameautomaticallytohismind,butitwaswhirlinginutteramazement.Her

submissionchargedhim,elatedhim,andnotchedintoplacethecompletionofthebondbetweenthem.

Theywerefullymatednow.
Hismouthhungopeninsurpriseagain.
Shiftforme!hecommanded,andinaninstant,theywerenakedtogetheronthebedintheirhuman

formsagain.NoahgrabbedholdofEmily’sshoulders.He’dneverseenhersmilesohard,andhissmile
wasthreateningtobreakhisface.

“Ican’tbelieve…”Noahfumbledforwords.“Doyouunderstandthis,Em?We’retrulymatednow.”

Hegapedatherforamoment,thensaid,“Pleasetellmeyouwantedthis.”

Shegavehimalooklikehewascrazy.“PleasetellmeI’mnotdreamingthis.Becausethisistotallya

dream.Thishastobeadream.”

Hegrinnedandpulledherdownonthebedwithhim,hersmallformagorgeousweightonhischest.

“Ifthisisadream,Idon’twanttoeverwakeup.”

Thenhekissedheragainandagain.Hehadnoideahowanyofitwaspossible,orhowhewould

explainittohisbrotherandsisterandpack,buthewasn’tabouttoquestionanyofit.Hehadthewoman
helovedinhisarms,shewasfullyandcompletelyhismate,andhewasmakingherdreamscometrue.

Hetrulycouldn’taskforanythingmore.

Emilyfeltlikeafishinafishbowl…onlyshewassurroundedbyapackofastonishedanddisbelieving
wolves.Noahhadexplainedthattheywerematednow—trulymated,sinceshewasnowawolf—andit
wasgoingoverliketickinghandgrenade.

Hissister,Piper,wasthefirsttospeak.“Youturnedherintoawolf.”Therecouldn’tbeanymore

skepticisminhervoice.“Usingyourmagicalpowersasawitch.”

ShelookedtoDaniel,theirbrother,buthewasstaringinwide-eyedhorroratNoah.Emilywaspretty

surehe’dalreadyfiguredoutalltheimplications,includingthatDanielandPipercouldbothbepart-
witchaswell.

“Well,he’scertainlygotstreetcredasawitch,”Owensaid,wryly.Hewashangingoutattheedgeof

thegreatroom,nexttothefrontdoor.NoahhadhisarmaroundEmily—hepulledhercloserasthesilence
fellevenheavieraroundthem.ThethreeRiverbrothersweregatheredalongwithseveralothersfrom
theirpack.MamaRiverstoodbythekitchendoor,quietlyobserving,butnotsayinganything.

Noonewassayinganything.
Jaxsonspokeupnext.“Well,mymateisahalf-witch.Maybethetwoofyoucanstartaclub.”Hegave

Noahasmallsmileandanod,andEmilysupposedthatshouldbeenough—hewasthealphaofthe
RiverwisepackwhereNoahworked,afterall.

“Thatworksforme,”Jaredannounced.“Hey,Mama,what’sforlunch?”Hesaunteredtowardthe

kitchen,andthatseemedtofinallybreakthetension.

JacestrodeforwardandclaspedhandswithNoah.HiseyestwinkledasheglancedatEmily.“Ican’t

waittoseethiswolfofyours,Ms.Jones.Later,maybe.Afterthehoneymoon.”Hesmirked,shookNoah’s
handagain,thenstrodeafterhisolderbrother,Jared,tothekitchen.

Jaxsonwasbusyusheringpeopleoutofthegreatroomaswell,saying,“Show’sover,folks.Move

along.”

Itwasarelief,butPiperwasstillstaringatherlikeshewassomekindofcreaturethatcrawledoutof

theblacklagoon,andDanielwasstaringoffintospace.Owenstayedbythedoor,silent,watchingand
apparentlywaitingforDanieltocomeoutofhisfugue.

“MaybeIshould…?”Emilygesturedupthestairs.Shewasmorethanwillingtoleavethemaloneto

discusstheirfamilymatters.

“No,”Noahsaidsoftly.“You’remyfamilynow.”
Thatmadeherglowfromtheverycenterofherbeing.Shestayedtuckedunderhisarm.
Danielstilllookeddazed.“Whatdoesthismean?”heasked.Emilywasn’tsurewhoitwasdirected

at,butshewasn’tabouttoofferupanexplanation.

“Idon’tunderstandallofit,”Noahsaidquietly,sotheirvoiceswouldn’tcarryoverthenoiseofthe

still-retreatingshiftercrowd.“AllIknowisthatDadwasanasshole,soit’snothardtoguessthathisbio-
dadwasaswell.Butwemakeourownpaths,man.I’mnotgoingtobelikeeitheroneofthem.”

“Well,ofcourse,you’renot,”Pipersaid,irritationplainonherface.“You’remykidbrother,which

meansyouclearlyhaveawesomestampedinyourDNA.”ShewavedvaguelyatNoah’sbody.“Whatever
thatDNAisthesedays.”

“Thanksalot.”ButNoahwasgrinningagain,andthatwashedreliefthroughEmily.
“So,atanymoment,Icouldturnintoawitch.”Daniel’shundred-yardstarehadfinallycomebackto

thesafehouse…anditwasdrillingintohisbrother.

Noahrubbedthebackofhisneck.“Look,Idon’tknow.Youwereonlyinthecagesforwhat,aday?

Didtheyinjectanythingimportantintoyou?Anyserums?”EmilyknewDanielhadbeencapturedbriefly
inhisattemptstorescueCassie,oneofhiscousinsinthesprawlingWildingfamilypacks.Cassiewasjust
akid,youngersisterofTerraWilding,theSeattleartist.

Danielfrowned.“Iwouldn’tknow.Iwasunconsciousmostofthetime.Butitwasshort—afewhours

atmost.”Helookedvisiblyfreakedout.

“Thenyou’reprobablyfine.”Noahshrugged.“Whateverhappens,howeveritturnsout,itdoesn’t

matter.We’restillfamily.We'restillpackWe’reinthistogether.”

Danielblinkedandstaredatthefloorforafewmoments.Whenhefinallylookedup,helooked

straightintoNoah’seyes.“I’vebeenaprettyshittybrother,haven’tI?”

EmilycouldseetheemotionflashacrossNoah’sface.“No.Noway.You’vealwaysbeentherewhen

Ineededyou.”

Danielreachedout,andEmilyduckedoutjustintimenottogetcaughtinthemanlyhugbetweenthem.

Shehadtoblinkbackhertears,butPiperwaslettingthemjustdropdownherface.

SheturnedtoEmily.“Hormones.I’mallowedtocry.”ThenshejoinedDanielandNoah,huggingboth

herbrothersatonce.

Emilygrinnedbutsteppedbackandletthemhavetheirspace.Andwipedatthetearsthreateningthe

cornersofhereyes.

Owenwasnoddingandgrinningbythedoor.“Hey,”hesaidsoftlytoher.“Welcometothewolfing

world.”Helookedamusedwithhimself.“I’veneverhadoccasiontosaythatbefore.”

“I’mstillgettingusedtoitmyself.”Butshesmiledwideathim.
Wasshereallypartofthisworldnow?Thislooseassociationofshiftersandfamilyandfriendsand

pack?Shewouldfeellost,except…inthestrangestofways,itfeltlikecominghome.Herownfamily
hadneverbeenthereforher,notwhenshereallyneededit.She’dalwaysbeenalonewolfinahuman
sortofway.Andnow,allofsudden,shewasmatedandacceptedinaworldshehadonlyfantasized
about.

Definitelythebestdayofherlife.
Daniel,Piper,andNoahfinallybrokeaparttheirhugwithtearyfaces,mostlyonPiper,and

embarrassedlooks,mostlyonDaniel.

“So,what’sourstatuswiththisdamnthreatagainstWildLove?”Noahasked.Hewasdirectingitat

Owenaswell.EmilyfiguredheandDanielmusthavebeenworkingwiththerestofRiverwiseto
straightenoutthemessthey’dleftbehind—withtheWildLoveofficeblownupandnothingbutashleftof
theirbestleadonthehategroup.

“Well,we’vestillgotthatfirstbomberlockedupinacottageoutback,”Owensaid.“Withthesecond

bomberturnedtoash,andWildLovedownforthecount,atleastforthemoment,I’dsaywelielowfora
while.Seewhathappens.”

“Imadeabackup,youknow,”Emilypipedup.
Theyallturnedtoher.Sheshrugged.“I’maprogrammer,whatdoyouexpect?Wecouldgetback

onlineprettyquicklywithWildLoveifweneedtohuntdownmorebadguys.”

Noahgrinned.“Whydoesitnotsurprisemethatyou’renotscaredoffbyanyofthis?”
Shetuckedherhandaroundhismusculararm.“Ijustdon’twantanymoreshifterstogethurt.”
“She’sright,”Danielsaid.“Westilldon’tknowiftheseguyswereworkingwiththeWolfHunteror

not.Theycouldhavejustbeenvigilantes.Independents.”

Emilyfrowned.“Maybethisguy,theonewho’sashnow,actuallywastheWolfHunter.”
Noahpulledhercloser.“Whydoyouthinkthat?”
“Well,hehadamask,”shesaid.“Andhewasmakingavideoofhisplanto,well,killme.”
“Youdon’thavetotalkaboutthis,Em.”Noah’sfacewasapictureofconcern.
“It’sfine,”shesaid,wavingitaway.“Mypointisthathesureactedlikehewaspartofsomething

bigger.LikehehadmajorplansforthatdatabaseofshiftershewantedfromWildLove.”

“So,maybeyoujustkilledourbadguy?”PiperaskedNoah.
“Thatsurewouldbenice,”Owensaid.“Won’tknowuntilallthismadnessblowsover,though.”
“Sowelaylow,”Noahsaid.“Justlikeyousuggested.”
“I’llworkwithMarjorieonresurrectingWildLove,”Emilysaid.“IfIknowher,she’salready

spoolingupinvestorstorenovatethebuilding.Butwewon’tgoliveuntilwe’resurethethreatis
contained.”

Noahgaveheranodandasqueeze.“Inthemeantime,maybewecanworkonthathoneymoon.”
“Honeymoon?”sheasked,givinghimtheside-eye.“Don’tyouneedtobemarriedtohaveoneof

those?”

Hiseyesglittered.“Ithoughtyouwouldneverask.”
Hermouthdroppedopen.ThenNoahsmirkedanddroppedtooneknee.“EmilyJones,Idon’thavea

ring,butifyoudon’tmarryme,I’mprobablygoingtobreakdownandcryinfrontofallmyfamily.And
Owen.”

Hermouthwasn’tworking.Itjustfloppedopenandclosedlikeadyingfish.Finally,shemanaged,

“You’rekidding.”

“Notevenalittlebit.”Noahsmiledupather,waiting.
Piperleanedinclosetoher.“It’spartofthatforevermatingthing,honey.Justgowithit.”
“I…um…yes?”Emilysaid,stillflustered.
“Yes?”Noahasked,eyebrowraised.
“Yes,”shesaid,moredefinitively.“Iwilldefinitelymarryyou.Sometime.Inthefuture.WhenIget

overmyshockandhavemymouthfunctioningagain.”

Noahpoppedupfromthefloor.“Deal!Now,let’sseeifthatmouthworks.”Thenhekissedherin

frontofallofthem,andshecompletelyforgottobeflustered.Owenclappedhishands,applaudingthem
behindher,andshewasprettysurePiperandDanielwereribbingtheirbrotherinsomeway,butshe
didn’tcareaboutanyofthat.Allsheknewwasthathermagicaldreamhadjustgottenevenbetter.

Aknockatthedoorinterruptedtheirmake-outfestinthegreatroom,justaseveryonewasstartingto

wanderaway.

“No,please,continue!”Owensaidsarcasticallytothem,wavinghishandswitheffusive

encouragement.“Allowmetogetit.”

Heopenedthedoor.Outsidestoodalargemaninauniform.Apoliceuniform.
AllthehairsonEmily’sarmsroseatonce.
“IsthereaTerraWildingonthepremises?”theofficerasked.EmilypeeredathisSeattlePolice

Departmentbadgeandtheembroiderednameonhisshirtpocket.OfficerGrant.Hewastallandbroad,
takingupmostofthedoorframe,andhiseyeswerechiseledblue.Hislong,darkhairwastiedbackathis
neck,anditwasalmostthesamecolorofmidnightblackashisuniform.

Noahsteppedforward.“What’sthisabout,officer?”

“IwastoldTerraWildingwasresidinghereatthemoment?”OfficerGrant’sexpressionwasstone

cold.

“Toldbywhom?”Danielasked,steppinguptojoinOwenandNoahatthedoor.Thetensionrocketed

throughtheroof.Itwasthethreeshiftermenagainstonehumanpoliceofficer,andifitwereEmilyonthe
receivingendofthosehostilestares,she’dbequakinginhersneakers.

OfficerGrantseemedunfazed.“Bytherecentvideoreleasedthismorning.Bysomeonewhocalls

himselftheWolfHunter—ringanybells?”Hecalmlylookedeachoneofthemintheeye.“Thisaddress
waslistedashercurrentresidence.GiventhebombingattheWildLovebuildingdowntown,thismatter
hasbeenbumpedinpriority.”

“Bumpedinpriority?”Noahscowledathim,andEmilycouldguesswhatwasgoingthroughhismind.

Thepolicewerenofriendsofshifters.Upuntilnow,therehadbeenallkindsofdeaththreatsagainst
wolves,experimentsconductedbythegovernment,hatevideosanddemonstrations…andthepolicehad
prettymuchlookedtheotherway.Allalong,shifterswereconsideredpartofthecriminalunderground,
notregularcitizensthatshouldbeprotected.Moreoftenthannot,goingintopolicecustodyjustendedup
withshiftersbeingfingerprintedforfutureidentificationinthecrimestheymightcommit.

OfficerGrant’srock-hardexpressiongavenoimpressionthatanyofthathadchanged.“Yes,sir,the

bombingmusthavepissedoffsomeoneimportant.Becauseyoushifterlotjustgotbumpeduptoour
numberonepriority.”Hepaused.“AndI’vebeenassignedtoTerraWilding’scase.”

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AlisaWoodslivesintheMidwestwithherhusbandandfamily,butherheartwillalwaysbelongtothe
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TableofContents

WildLove(WildingPackWolves2)

ChapterOne
ChapterTwo
ChapterThree
ChapterFour
ChapterFive
ChapterSix
ChapterSeven
ChapterEight
ChapterNine
ChapterTen
ChapterEleven
ChapterTwelve
ChapterThirteen
ChapterFourteen
ChapterFifteen
ChapterSixteen
ChapterSeventeen
ChapterEighteen

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