Embrace the Passion (The Blood Rose Series)

EmbracethePassion

ByCarisRoane

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DearReader,
WelcometothefourthinstallmentoftheBloodRoseSeries,EMBRACETHEPASSION.Inthis

book,MastyrSethhungersforhisbodyguard,thepowerfulfae-shifter-wraith,Lorelei.Buthowcanhe
trustanywomanwhenhishearthasbeenbetrayed?

Forathousandyears,he’slivedalifeofsolitude…
Sethhassustainedhissolitaryexistenceoutofadeepsenseofsurvival.ButwhenLoreleientershis

realmtoserveashisbodyguard,hefindshimselfdrawntoherinwayshe’sneverbeforeexperienced.He
hungersforher,andherwildshifternaturecallstoapartofhimhe’srepressedforcenturies.Whenhis
cravingsforherbloodandherbodydrivehimintohershifter-den,hemarksherashisown,bitingdown
hard.Discoveringthatshe’salsoabloodroseandhasthepowertoendhisvampireblood-starvation
forever,hisneedforherexplodesintouncontrollablepassion.Yet,howcanhecompletethebloodrose
bondwithawomanwhosecloseconnectiontotheenemyputshisrealminjeopardy?

Enjoy!

ChapterOne

AsthesnowyDecembereveninggavewaytofull-dark,Loreleitookupherbodyguardposition

outsideMastyrSeth’sbackdoor.ShewasaboutasqualifiedtoguardthemastyrofWalvashorrRealmasa
rabbittakingonahawk,butshewasherebyQueenRosamunde’sorders,sohereshe’dstay.

Herrealproblem,however,wentwaybeyondherlackofanyrealbattleskills,sinceshe’ddonethe

unthinkableandactuallyfalleninlovewiththeman.Sethhadalonghistoryofkeepinghisdistancefrom
anythingthatsmackedofarelationshipandhehadabsolutelynoreasontobeinterestedinarealm-person
ofquestionableparentage.

Lorelei’smotherwasthepresentscourgeoftheNineRealmsandthepowerbehindtherecent,deadly

Invictusinsurgence.Noself-respectingmastyrcouldeverinvolvehimselfwiththedaughteroftheancient
fae,Margetta,theoneresponsibleforthedeathsoftensofthousandsofrealm-folk.

Yethope,asalways,refusedtodie.
Shetremblednowasshewaitedforhim,standinginthesnow,herheartthumpingheavilyinherchest.

Shesavoredthisfirstmomentofthenight,anticipatingthelonghoursaheadinSeth’scompany,traversing
therealmbesidehim,huntingtheenemyoftheNineRealms,thedreadedInvictuswraith-pairs.

Sheheardhimmovingthroughthehouse,headinginherdirection.Heknewbynowtoexpectherthe

momentthesunsetfullyinthewest.

Hiswonderfulmossyscentreachedherfirst,aneroticmuskthatrippledalongtheairandteasedher

shiftervibrationfirst,thenheroverworkedfaematingvibration.Fromthefirsttimeshe’dseenhimatthe
queen’scastletwomonthsago,she’dhadtheworstcrushonthevampire.

Amomentlater,hecameintoviewthroughtheglassdoor.
Hearrivedatthekitchenthresholdandpausedtobucklethebeltthatangledacrosshislongleather

Guardsmancoat.Meetinghergazethoughtheglassdoor,hefrowned,hisexpression,asusual,
disapproving.

Heliftedhischin.“Youmightaswellcomein.Ihaveacalltomakeandyou’reshivering.”
Shecouldn’ttellhimthetruth,thatshewasn’tcoldatall,thatsheshookbecauseofhimandnot

becauseofthebelowfreezingmountaintemps.

Sheopenedthedoorandsteppedinside,butherbreathingstalledout.Hersensitiveshifter-based

DNAmighthavebeenabletocatchhisscentwhilestandingoutsidehishome,butnowthatherfurryboots
wereplantedinsidehiskitchen,aredolenceofmossandSethcombinedalmostknockedherover.

Sheswallowedhard,tryingtocontrolthesuddenswellofdesirethatwashedthroughher.“Good

evening,mastyr.I’mheretoserve.”

Heshookhisheadashestraightenedhisbelt.“Oneofthesedaysyou’llrealizehowfoolishthisis.

You’renotbattletrained,Lorelei,sohowthehellcanyouserveasmybodyguard?”

Shesmiled.“We’vebeenoverthishowmanytimes?You’renotgettingridofmesoyoumightaswell

getusedtoit.”

“Stubborn.Verystubborn.”
Hemightbescowling,butLoreleisawthefaintglimmerofamusementinhissoftgray-greeneyesand

thathislipsalmostcurved.Desireoncemorecurledthroughher.Wasitpossiblehewasn’tindifferentto
her?

Hepulledhisphonefromthepocketofhisblackbattleleathersandturnedawayfromherslightlyto

makehiscall.“Hey,Aaron,howarethingsshapingup?IstheGuardonpatrol?”

Hespokewithhissecond-in-command,themaninchargeoftheWalvashorrVampireGuard.She’d

beenbySeth’ssideafullmonthnow,soshecouldrepeatverbatimhowthisconversationwouldgo,that
AaronhadalltheGuardsmenoutonpatrolthroughoutthesouthernhalfofWalvashorrrealm,whichalso
includedthelowerportionoftheShauckMountainRange.Sethwouldaskifthere’dbeenanyfatalities
amonghisrealm-folk,andhewouldscowlifAarontoldhimtherewere.

Noscowlyet,butthenightwasyoung.
BecauseSethhadfocusedhisattentionelsewhereandhadfixedhisgazewellawayfromhers,Lorelei

allowedherselfonedizzyinglookattheMastyrofWalvashorr.

Heworehislong,thickbrownhairpulledbackintheheavywovenclaspthatalltheGuardsmen

wore,allowingheraneasyviewofstraightbrows,strong,angledcheekbones,aslightlyaquilinenose
thatgavehimasexy,hawkishappearance,andafirmjawline.Hewasincrediblyhandsomewitha
seriousdemeanorthatrarelychanged.

Hedidn’thavethelarge,boisterouspersonalityofsomeofthemastyrslikeJudeofKellcasseor

EthanofBergisson.HewasmorelikeGerrodinthatheruledwithastoic,dedicateddrivethat
overshadowedeverythingelseinhislife.

Morethanalltheotherrulingmastyrs,Sethlivedanalmostsolitaryexistence.Herarelyhadanyof

hisGuardsmenovertohishouseforsocialreasons,notevenAaron.Andthoughhehadasmallapartment
inthesouthernplainsofhisrealm,heonlystayedthereifhewascaughtoutpatrollingneardawnand
couldn’tgetbacktohisShauckGorgehome.Andthisdwellingwastensofmilesawayfromthenearest
town.

Hestoodalmostsix-seven,somethingshelovedbecauseshewasjustshyofsixfootherself.She’dbe

verycomfortableinhisarms,hiskissablelipsonlyinchesaway.

Ofcoursethisthoughtbroughtherbacktohersurroundingsbecauseshetriedveryhardtokeepher

personalfantasies,likelongingforSeth’sarms,andyes,hisbed,fromaffectingherprofessional
relationshipwithhim.

Sheclearedherthroatandlookedawayfromhim.Sheclaspedherhandstightlytogetherbehindher

backinhopesthathewouldn’tnoticeherrenewedtrembling.TosayshehadathingforMastyrSethwas
likesayingthemoonwasround.

Hergazedriftedthroughthenorth-facingwindowofthebreakfastnookandlandedonthesnow-

crusted,steelrailingthatranthelengthofthebroad,wrap-aroundporch.Seth’shomewasanamazing
architecturalwonder.He’dhiredoneoftheNineRealms’leadingarchitectstodesignamodernstructure
thatcouldhangoffthesideofthegranite-basedgorge.Theresultwasasingle-story,elegantstructureof
darkwoodandblacksteelsupports,suspendedtwohundredfeetabovetheAthaliaRiver.She’dcometo
lovethedynamichouse,asmucharepresentationoftheownerasitwashispermanentdwelling.

Theshifterpartofherrelationshipwithhimwassimple;sheknewSethasherpackandshedoubted

thatwouldeverchange.Butthefaepartofhersavoredwhatwascomplicatedandhadfallenhopelessly
inlovewithhim.

Seth,however,hadn’texactlytakentoherpresenceandhedefinitelydidn’tappreciateherbeinghis

bodyguardbuthewasright.Shehadnobattleexperiencenorthephysicalstrengthtofightoffanattacker.

ButQueenRosamundehadcommandedLoreleitoserveashisbodyguard,andthatwasenoughfor

her.Andperhapstosomedegree,enoughforSeth,sincehealwayspermittedhertotrackhimthroughthe
night.Hewasamanofthelawandheobeyedthequeen.Atthesametime,hedidn’thidethefactthathe’d
petitionedRosamundetohaveLoreleiremovedfromhisservice.

HergazetraveledbeyondtherailingtotheviewofDefianceFallsinthedistance.Shecouldhearthe

fallsthoughtheywereahalf-mileaway.

Theviewwasexquisite,ofthemountainsandforestblanketedwithsnow.Rosamundemayhavehad

herownreasonsforsendingLoreleitoWalvashorr,butLoreleihadneverbeenhappier.Shelovedthe
forest,thefalls,thefast-movingfrothyriverbelow,andespeciallyhernewlifeservingMastyrSeth.

Shestoodupalittlestraighter,proudthatshewasfinallymakingacontributiontoherworldinstead

oflivingahalf-lifeontherunasshehadforthefirstninetyyearsofherexistence.

MaybeshelackedtraditionalGuardsmancredentials,butherfaeness,alwaysdippingintothefuture,

toldherthatshewouldonedaybeofgreatusetoSeth.

Hehunguphisphoneanddrewclose,searchinghereyes.“YoudounderstandthatIworrylikehell

everynightyoutraipsealongbesideme?”

“Iknow.ButtherealmpartofmeunderstandsthatI’msupposedtobehere.”
“I’mstillpetitioningthequeenbecauseIbelieveyouputyourselfatriskeverytimeweheadout.”
Again,shestraightenedhershoulders.“Foraslongasitlasts,I’llserveasyourbodyguard.”
Shecouldn’tsaytherest—thatshe’dlaydownherlifeforhim,orforthequeenwho’dmadehernew

lifepossible.QueenRosamundehadtaughtherthelayeredenthrallmentskillsthatnowprotectedherfrom
Margetta.

EvenifLoreleihadn’thadadeepattractionandveryrealm-likecommitmenttoMastyrSeth,she

wouldhaveremainedathissidesimplyoutofloyaltyandgratitudetoRosamunde.

Heswitchedsuddenlytotelepathy,asuresignhewasreadytogooutonpatrol.Youintendtoshiftto

wolfanytimesoon?

Didshedetectaslightcurveofthemastyr’slips?WasitpossibleSethwasteasingher?She’dbeen

seeingmoreofthissideofhimoverthepasttwoweeks.Justwaitingonyou,mastyr,butyousureare
chattywithAaronthesedays.

Chatty?You’recallingmechatty?
Shegrinned.Ifthebootfits--
Hepassedbyherandopenedthedoor,holdingitwideforher.Let’sgo,bodyguard.
Loreleinoddedasherheartthrummedwithexcitement.Thefewshortweeksshe’dbeendoingthis

hadgivenheraloveoftheshifter-sideofhergeneticsthatshe’dneverreallyexploredbefore,of
embracingherwolf-sideandrunning.Previously,shelivedinherfaeform,but,SweetGoddess,howshe
lovedtorun.

Inaswiftblurofintentionandmovement,shebecameawolf.Herclotheswereabsorbedaspartof

theincredibleprocesssothatlater,whensheshiftedbacktofullfaeform,she’dbedressedasbefore,in
fullwintergear,furrybootsandall.

ItwasdamncoldintheShauckMountains,sodespitehershiftermetabolism,shewasgratefulshe’d

berunningmostofthenight.

Sheranpasthimandbyhabitboundeduptheinclinetowardthemastyr’sfavoritelaunch-pointatthe

topofthesteepridgebehindhishouse.

*********

Seth’schestachedinthestrangestwayashewatchedLorelei’sstrongwhitewolfformdisappearup

thetrail.Herpresenceinhislifedisturbedhimmorethanhewouldhaveeverbelievedpossible.

Shewasafairlydelicatewomanandwouldn’tbeofmuchuseinahand-to-handcombatsituation

despitethefactthatshecarriedahelluvalotoflatentrealm-power.However,shecouldsniffoutthe
presenceofInvictuswraith-pairsfromseveralmilesaway,soherfrequentwarningshadbeeninvaluable.
Healwaysgavecreditwherecreditwasdue.Buthestilldidn’tknowwhatthequeenhadbeenthinkingto
sendhertohim.

Yetheknewthattherealtroublelaydeeper,becausefromthefirstmomentshe’dshownherselfto

him,agoodmonthago,he’dbeenwaytooattractedtoher.She’dappearedathisfrontdooratfull-dark
wearingaRussianfurhat,ashortjacket,tightpantsandfurryboots,thekindshe’dwornsince.Andfrom
thatmomentuntilnow,she’dprettymuchovertakenhisthoughts,thoughheworkedhardtomakesureshe
didn’tknowit.

Shewasbeautiful,whichdidn’thelp,withlargedoeeyes,softlyarchedbrows,andlayereddark

brownhairthatfloatedaroundhershouldersanddownherback.Avulnerabilityclungtothiswoman,
makinghimwanttodragherintohisarmsandholdherclose,toprotecther,toloveher,totakeherinto
hisbedandkeepherthere.

Morethanonce,hismatingfrequencyhadlitonfirewhenhe’dopenedthebackdoorforherfirstthing

atnight.Hewasdrawntoherinawayhehadn’texperiencedinalongtime.

Averylongtime.
Centuries,infact.
Butsomethingmorethanjustherappearancehadsnaggedhim,maybehersmilebecausesheseemed

tofindalotofpleasureinlife,ananomalygivenherhorrendousbackgroundasthedaughterofMargetta,
thegreateviloftheNineRealms.

HeknewanumberofcriticalthingsaboutLorelei,havingvettedherwhenshe’dfirstshownup.

Basically,she’dbeenkeptasolitaryprisonerduringhergrowingupyearswithoutcompanyofchildren
herownage.Agood-heartedtroll,namedGenevieve,hadraisedherandevenhelpedhertoescape.

LoreleihadspentheradultliferunningfromMargettauntilshe’dcomeunderthequeen’swingand

Rosamundehadtaughthersomeseriousenthrallmentskills.Nowshewasfreefromhermother’sability
tolocatehersothatshecouldlivewherevershewanted.

Andnowshewashere.
Closingthebackdoor,hefollowedafterthewolf,levitatingandflyingjustafootabovethesnow

coveredtrail.Hestuckclosetothegroundtoavoiddetection.

Hefoundherattheuppermostpeakoftheridge,wellabovetheforesttreeline,sothathehada

spectacularviewinalldirectionsoftheShauckMountains.Thevastrangeextendedacrossnearlythe
entirenorthernhalfofhisrealm.

Therecentsnowstormhadeasedupbutstillcloudedthenightsky,blankingoutthestars.Hisvampire

nightvision,however,warmedupthesnow-ladenscene.Themountainshadbeenhishomeforcenturies
andhelovedithere.

Loreleiwaitedafewyardsaway,lookingleanandregalasshesatonherhaunches,nosesniffingthe

airandnevergettingtooclosetohim,somethinghepreferred.Despitethathelikedherandapprovedof
herworkethic,forherownsafetyhewantedherremovedfromhisservice.Hewoulddefertothequeen,
ofcourse,butatthispoint,hefearedLoreleiwouldbecomeahindranceinsomefutureencounterand
she’dgethurt,orworse,die.

Well,hecouldn’tchangethattonight.
Heputahandtohisstomach,crampingalreadyeventhoughoneofhisvampiredoneuseshadcome

andgone.

Allmastyrvampiressufferedashedid.Somethingabouttheincreaseinpowerthatcamewith

reachingmastyrstatuscreatedacorrespondingchronic,andverypainfulbloodstarvation.Hecouldhave
fedfromadonoronthehour,everyhour,buthe’dstillcrampupashedidnow.

HefeltAarontaphistelepathicfrequency.Somethingsosoon,Aaron?We’vejustgottenstarted.
Theworst.Anelvenfamilyslaughteredinthesouth,nearKavelithGorgebuttheInvictuspairgot

away.

Shit.Hetookadeepbreath.I’matShauckGorge.Whichdirectionwasthewraith-pairheading?

North.
Okay.I’lltrytointercept.Headingsouthnow.Keepmeinformed.
Yesmastyr.
Hebrokeoffcommunicationandatthesametime,fromhisperipheral,hesawLorelei’searsdart

forwardandhermuzzlejerktowardthesouth.

Hepathedtoher.Whatdoyousee?
Invictus.
Hetoldherquicklyabouttheelvenfamily.
Loreleididn’tshiftherwolfeyesinhisdirectionassheadded,Iseeawraith-pair,maybethree

milesaway.They’vejustdippeddowntheeastsideofaridge.

He’dgiveLoreleithat;shecouldseefartherthananyotherrealmpersonhe’deverknown.Hastobe

them.

Whentheechoingshriekofawraithrolledthroughthemountains,Sethtooktotheairinpursuit.He

descendedswiftly,flyingasfastashecould.

Bythetimehereachedtheoppositeridge,hecouldseethepairinthedistanceandthatthey’dheaded

downoneofthemostdifficulttrailsintheRealm.

Fromexperience,heknewthatLoreleitrackedwithhim.Theshifterpartofhercouldrunasfastas

themostpowerfulalphamalesofthefourpacksofhisrealm.Sincethetimeshe’dbeenhere,she’dmake
herwaythroughthemountains,usingthenumerousfootbridgesthatcrisscrossedthehundredsofgorgesin
thispartoftherealm.

Heknewthepathswell,havingexploredeverysquaremileofhisrealmfromthetimehe’dlearned

howtofly.Asolitaryprocess,butonehe’dsavored.Orphanedearlyinlife,whenhewaseight,he’dbuilt
aninnerworldforhimselfthatkepthimsatisfiedanddeterminedtodorightbyhismastyrcalling.

TheInvictuspairhefollowedinvolvedawraithandavampire,thelatterjustshyofmastyrstatus,

whichwasalevelofpowerthatSethpossessed.However,thebondingthatonlyawraithcouldperform
withanotherrealmperson,createdatremendoussurgeofpower,sothatafterfifteenmilesofpursuit,they
werestillatleastamileaheadofhim.

Hepickeduphispace,awaretheLoreleitrackedwithhim,racingatfullshifterspeed.
Anotherturninthebendandhesawthewraith-pairinthedistance,racingacrossashallowmeadow

andheadingtowardwhatheknewtobeaboxcanyon,onecalledLoperzafteratrollfamilyofancient
lineagewhoranchedthere.

Hesmiledandwentfasterstill.
Hehadthemnowbecauseiftheydaredriseintotheairabovethemountains,they’dbevisiblefor

milesandhisVampireGuardwasinflight,huntingforthemfromeverypossibledirection.

Heflewthroughthemeadow,thefreezingtemperaturemakinghimgladforhislongGuardsmancoat,

battleleathersandboots.

Fromhisperiphery,hewatchedthewhitewolfracingoverthesnowyground,leapingoverdeadfall,

butalwayskeepingpace.

Heslowedslightlyasheapproachedthenarrowingentrancetothecanyon,risinghigherintheairat

thesametime.Hedidn’twanttobecaughtbyaguerillastrikefromthesurroundingtrees.

Butthewraith-pairremainedtighttothecanyonfloor,streakingthroughascatteringoffirs,the

wraith’sgownofredgauzestripsflyingbehindher,abeaconinthenight.Wraithsstayedwarmnomatter
howcoldthetemperaturedropped.

Hegraduallydescendedtohisoriginalpositionjustabovetheground,flyingswiftly.Thecanyonfloor

spreadahalf-mileacross.

Thewraith-pairhadalsostartedtoslowdownandhethoughtheknewwhy.They’dprobablyjust

discoveredthatthey’dchosenaboxcanyon.Toescapehimnow,theironlyhopewastoriseupandover
themountains,buttheyriskedrevealingtheirpositiontohisVampireGuard.

Thewraith-pairhadjustlosttheadvantageandhesmiledalittlemore.
AnothermileandLoperzCanyonwouldendinawaterfallandasheerrisetotheridgeabove.
HealsohopedtotheGoddessthatthetrollfamilyhadgoneintotownforsupplies.
Helistenedhard,buthedidn’thearanysoundscomingfromthedirectionoftheirramblingloghouse.
HepathedtoAaron,I’matLoperzCanyon.Doyouhaveanyoneinthevicinity?
EveryoneknewtheLoperzplace.ArlenLoperzhadafondnessfortheWalvashorrGuardaswellas

theShifterBrigadeandfedanyathistablewhocamebyduringnightlypatrols.Hebrewedafreshpotof
coffeeeverycoupleofhours.

IcanhavethreeGuardsmenthereintenminutes,butnotsooner.
Sendthemin.TheInvictusarehere.I’mnotseeinganyofthefamily,though.I’mhopingthey’re

eitherinhidingorawayfromthehouse.TellthenearestGuardsmentogetherequickbuttobecareful.
Thisisadangerouspair.

Yougotit.
Heshutthecommunicationdown,slowinghispaceatthesametime.
Theapproachtotheranchhadabroadwind-breakoftrees,atleastadozendeepthatservedasanall-

purposeweatherbarricade.Rightnowthetreesgavehimcoveruntilhecouldassessthesituation.

Anothershrieksoundedoverthecanyon,louderthistime,thewraithgivingfullexpressiontoher

battle-voice.

Whenhereachedtheinsideedgeofthelineoftrees,notevenasmallcolumnofchimneysmokerose

fromthecabin,agoodsignthatthefamilywassafe.

Thewolfgrowled,maybeawarning,hecouldn’tbesure.
Buthefeltitaswell,thatsomethingwasn’tright.
Thewraith-pairhe’dbeenchasinghungintheairnearthewaterfall,talkingquietlytoeachother,well

beyondthecabin’sposition.

Thewholesituationstartedtosmelllikeatrap.
Thedoorofthecabinopened,andasecondwraith-bondedpair,themateapowerfulvampire,strode

outontothefrontdeck.ThevampirefixedhisgazeinSeth’sdirection.

Evenatthatdistance,heknewhewaslookingatamastyrvampire,liketheonesQuinlanhad

encounteredinGrochaireRealmjustalittleovertwomonthsago.WithnoothersignofInvictusaround,
Sethmadeacalculateddecisiontodowhathecouldtotakeoutthevampireontheporch.Slayingone
partofapair,renderedtheotherhalfimmobileandsometimesevendeathfollowed.

Heflewattopspeedtowardthecabin.Thevampiresawhimcoming,butdidn’tmove.Instead,as

Sethflewcloser,aslowsmilecurvedthevampire’slips.

Loreleiletoutasuddenpowerfulhowl,clearlyawarning,butofwhat?
Thenextmoment,apreternaturallychargedfaenetsurroundedSethasthoughcomingoutofnowhere.
HetumbledaroundthenlandedhardagainstseveralbouldersnotfarfromtheLoperz’syard.Theair

gotknockedfromhislungsandhe’dbrokenanarm,afewribs,andshatteredhisknee.

Holyfuck.Hewascompletelyimmobilized.Heslidofftherock,thejutenettingclingingtohimand

burninghisskin,ashelandedinthesnow.

HepathedtoAaron.I’mtrappedinanet.Bonesbroken.Can’tmove.
ThreeGuardsmenaresevenminutesout.Hangtough.
Sethcouldn’ttellhimtherest,thattwowraith-pairsheadedinhisdirection,takingtheirsweettime,

knowingtheyhadhim,andthatatleastoneofthebondedvampireswasatmastyrstatus,theothernotfar
behind.

Heworkedathishealingandbythetimehesawthethickleatherbootsofthevampire,he’dbrought

hisforearmbonesintoalignmentandtheywereknittingtogether.

Butthepainfromhisribskepthimpinnedinplace,andhiskneewasamess.
Despiteallthat,hegatheredhisbattleenergyintobothhands,butatthelastsecondherealizedhe

couldn’tfire.

“Won’tdoyouadamnbitofgood,MastyrSeth.You’llfryyourownassifyouletloosewiththat

charge.”Hissmilebroadened.“Themistresstoldusyou’dfallforthetrapandthatweshouldmakequick
workofyou.ButI’velosttoomanyfriendsbecauseofyouandyourGuard,nottosavorthismomentjust
alittle.”Hegatheredsalivainhismouthandletitfly.

ThespittlelandedonSeth’sface.Ragemovedinhim,andhewantedtoattack,butthenatureoffae-

chargednetsmeantthatanybattleenergyhemightsendoutwardwouldbereflectedbythenetting.The
vampirewasright.He’dkillhimselfifhedischargedaseriousenergyblastfromhishands.

Andrightnow,hehadawhisperoftimeonhissideashestaredupatthebondedvampirewhohad

alreadymadethedecisionnottokillhimimmediately.“Wehavesomeonewhocanseverthewraith-bond.
You’dbefree.HernameisSamantha.She’sboundtoMastyrEthan.IcanbringhertoWalvashorrwith
onephonecall.”

“WhatthehellmakesyouthinkIwanttobefree?Abunchofusmastyrswatchedyouandtheothers

takeoverourrealms,andIpromisedmyselfthatifIeverhadthechance,I’doffasmanyofyouassholes
asIcould.Todayjusthappenstobemyluckyday.MargettahasbigplansandI’llonedayruleinthis
realm,sono,Idon’twantyoutomakeaphonecall,nottoday,notever.”

Ifhecouldkeepthisegomaniactalking,hisGuardmightgettohimintime.“Andwhatexactlywould

youdowithWalvashorrifyouhadthechance?”

“Tryingtobuysometime?”Hechortled.“It’sokay.Afewsecondsmorewon’tmatterandI’llhappily

shareexactlywhatwewilldooncewegainpower.Forstarters,we’llgetridofthelesserfolk,weedout
afewoftheelvenandtrolllines,buildupthewraithandvampirepopulations,limitthenumberofshifter
packstooneperrealm,maybetwo.Icanatleastrespecttheshifter’sbattleethic.”

“You’retalkinggenocide.”
“Whateverittakes.Butenoughofyourstall-tactics,mastyr.Timetopayyourdebttonature.”
Hefeltthevampire’spowerrevvingup.Hiswraith-matejoinedhim,abeautifulfemalewhowrapped

herarmsaroundhisshouldersasshefloatedslightlyabovehim.“Sweetmusictomyears,darling.Now
killtheprick.Doitslow.Iwanttowatchhimsuffer.”

“Anythingforyou,sweetheart.”
Sethknewhewasaboutasclosetodeathashe’deverbeeninhislonglife.HisGuardwastoofar

awaytointerveneandLoreleiwasnomatchforeitheroftheseInvictuspairs.

Butjustasthevampirewouldhavereleasedhisblast,awhiteblurcameatthevampirefromtheside.

Lorelei,stillinherwolfform,clippedhislegshardandknockedhimoff-balance.

Thevampirespun,fallinghardtothesnow-coveredground.
Loreleihadjustsavedhislife.
Whensheleapedtoattackoncemore,however,thewraithleveledahand-blastather,hittingherin

theside.SheyelpedandtwistedmidairtolandnotfarfromSeth.Thatshedidn’tinstantlyspringtoher
feettoldSethshe’dbeenseriouslyinjured.Loreleiwhimperedasshecreptonherbellyinhisdirection.

Sethbreathedhard,hisheartpounding.Hehadtothinkofsomethingfast.Themomentthewraith

woundupherpoweragain,they’dbothdie.

Loreleipathed,You’vegottotouchme,mastyr.Now.
Whatareyousaying?
I’vefeltitforacoupleofweeks,thatwehavepowerbetweenus.Can’texplain.
Hepivotedinherdirection,butthenetpreventedhimfromgettingcloser.Ican’tmoveanyfarther

thanthis.

“Youfuckingbitch.”Thevampirehadgainedhisfeetandoncemorepulledhisenergyintohishand,

drawingthevibrationsfromtheearthitself,fromthesky,fromthemountains,forest,androcks.

ButLoreleikeptcrawlingtowardSeth,leadingwithherfrontpaws,bloodseepingfromthewoundon

herside.Hefeltitnow,thefemaleshifter’sbattlevibration,acoreofreservethatcouldbereleasedif
onlyhecouldmakecontact.Therewouldevenbeenoughpowertodestroythenet.

Thewraithshriekedherdelight.Shecouldhavelongsinceaddedthekillingblowbutitwasclearshe

preferredtowatchthewolfsuffer.

Amomentlater,theoriginalwraith-pairarrived,nodoubthavingdecidedthatitwassafetojoinin

thefun.

Thesecondwraith’sshrillvoicetauntedSeth.“Ithinkthemastyr’sgothimselfsomeshifterlove.Will

youlookatthat,creepingalongwithherribsallbloodyandexposed.Sheprobablywantstokisshim
good-bye.”

Thewraithwho’dblastedLoreleicaughthermate’sarm.“Awhoney,atleastletthemsaytheir

farewellsbeforeyouburnthembothtoacrisp.”

“You’resoromantic.”
Morelaughter.
Seth,I’mgoingtobreachthenetandit’sgoingtohurt.Justtouchme.
Understood.
SethgotascloseashecouldtoLorelei.Shecrawledtowardhim,inchbyinch.
Theclosershegot,Sethfeltherlatentpowervibratingwithinherwolfform.Justaninchmore.Do

it,Lorelei.Icanfeelwhatyou’vegot.

Thevampirecalledout,“Timetodie,MastyrofWalvashorr.”
Sethglancedoverhisshoulderasbothvampireswounduptheirenergythistime.
HefeltthemreleasejustasLoreleishovedherpawthroughthenetandmadecontactwithSeth.
Powerflaredbetweenthem,thenerupted,blowingthenetapart.
Seth’sribsandkneestillhurtlikehell,butnowthathewasfree,hereleasedhisbattleforcethrough

bothhands.Loreleicrouchednexttohim,stayinginphysicalcontactandstreamingherbattleenergyinto
him.He’dneverfeltsomuchpowerbefore.

Evenso,facingtwosuchincrediblypowerfulwraith-pairshadhimbattlingatthefullreachofhis

abilityasstreaksofhisenergyrepulsedthepowerfulredvibrationsthatcameathimfrombothvampires
aswellaslesserpulsesfromtheirwraith-mates.Asweakashewas,hedidn’tknowhowlonghecould
keepitup,especiallysincehecouldfeelLorelei’sbattlevibrationbegintoweaken.

Lorelei,howyoudoing?
I’mdizzy.IthinkI’velosttoomuchblood.
Staywithme.IhaveGuardsmenontheway.They’realmosthere.
Buthefeltherfadeashecontinuedtobattleandsuddenlyherpowerjustwinkedout.She’deither

faintedorworse,droppedintoacomafromlossofbloodwhichmeantshe’dbedeadinafewmore
minutes.

Withoutherpowersupport,hisownbattleenergybegantosubside.Themosthecoulddowasholda

battleshield,butafewgoodstrikesandthesetwopairstogetherwouldtakehimdown.

Whenbothvampires,cheeredonbytheirshriekingwraith-mates,stoppedfiringinordertorevupfor

afinalblow,Sethknewthemomenthadcome.

Whileholdinghisshieldsteady,heturnedtowardLoreleiandreacheddowntoputahandbetween

herears.Lorelei,I’msosorry.

Hisheartfeltheavyashell.Hedidn’treallyevenknowthiswoman,butshe’dbeenhiscompanionfor

thepastmonthandhe’dgottenusedtoherbeinginhislife.Andshesureashelldidn’tdeservetodielike
this.YouhaveoneofthesweetestspiritsI’veeverknown.Thankyouformakingmysolitarylifealittle
lesslonely.

Thevampiresdrewclosetohisshield.Heturnedtomeethisenemysquare,facingdeathwithasmuch

strengthashecouldmuster.

Thenallatonce,dozensofwolvesraninfromeverydirection,fillingthesnowygroundallaroundthe

Loperzcabin.Hecouldn’tbelieveit,butalargeportionofhisShifterBrigadehadjustcometotherescue
andbythelooksofit,notonlyfromonepack,butfromallfour.Unbelievable.

Theytransformedswiftlyfromtheirwolfformstouprightwarriors,clothedintheirShifterBrigade

uniformsofleather,chains,snugblacktees,andheavyblackleatherwork-boots.Eachfiredbluestreams
ofpowerfulenergystraightatbothwraith-pairs.

Thevampiresfoughtwildlyinreturn,theirenergyblastsscatteringallaroundthem,buttheywouldn’t

beabletowithstandsomanyshiftersallatonetime.

SeththrewhimselfoverLorelei,formingaphysicalshieldagainstanystrayhits.Shebreathedinlight

pantsnow,tonguelolling,eyesclosed.

Shewasn’tdead,butshewaswaytooclosetotheedge.
Afewmomentsmoreandthebattlefieldfellsilent.
WhenheliftedupoffofLorelei,hesawthatthetwowraith-pairsweredeadontheground,thestench

ofburnedfleshfillingtheair.

HepickedthewhitewolfupandturnedtoEphyx,oneofthealphamales.“Ican’ttellyouhow

gratefulIamthatyougothere.You’vesavedmylifeandhers.”

Ephyxstoodsix-five,notastallasSeth,butbiggerthroughtheshoulders,chestandarms.
Thepowerfulalphaglancedaround,frowningheavily.Heappearedtobeconfused.“Mastyr,we’re

notsurewhathappened—whatwe’realldoinghere.”

“Whatdoyoumean?”
HeglancedatLorelei.“YourbodyguardcalledtheentirebrigadefromallovertheShauck

Mountains.”

SethrememberedLoreleihowlingjustasthenettrappedhim.Heglanceddownather,frowning

heavily.Whowasthiswoman?“Sheletoutalonghowl.ThatmuchIremember.”

“Yes,shedid.”
“Andyou’resayingthatwhenshehowled,shereachedtheentirebrigade?Allfourpacks?”
“Exactly.”
“SweetGoddess.”Heturnedinacircle.Wolveswerestillarrivingfromeachpointofthecompass.
HeturnedtomeetEphyx’sgazeoncemore.“IhavetogetLoreleitomyShauckGorgehouse.After

you’vedisposedofthewraith-pairsandtendedtoyourwounded,youcanreturntoyourterritories.I’llbe
intouchlater.Continueonyourpatrols.”TheShifterBrigadeworkedtheShauckMountainsallnight
protectingtherealm-folkwholivedinthemountains,inthesamewayhisVampireGuardpatrolledthe
southernpartofhisrealm.

“Yes,mastyr.”
AsSethflewintotheair,hecontactedAaronaswell,lettinghimknowwhathadhappenedandthat

ChapterTwo

SethstoodonthethresholdwithLoreleiunconsciousinhisarms.Iftheenemywaitedforhiminhis

house,hewasinserioustrouble,whichmeanthecouldn’triskstaying.

Hepreparedtoheadbackintothesky—maybetotakehertooneofhisclosestneighbors—untilhe

feltanunmistakableenergyflowingtowardhim,somethinghe’dfeltinFerrendenPeacetwomonthsago
whenhe’dmetQueenRosamundeforthefirsttime.

Hesteppedinsideandfoundthequeensittingonhiscouch,waitingforhim,thewomanwhoneverleft

herkingdom,whoforthepastthousandyearshadlivedinisolation,justashehad.Inordertoprotect
herselfandherpeoplefromMargetta,she’dcreatedanenthrallmentveilthathadkeptFerrendenPeace
fromtherestoftheNineRealmsforoveramillennium.

Nowshewashere.
HergazefelltoLoreleiandshestretchedoutherarms.“Givehertome,MastyrSeth.”
“Youknewshe’dbeinjured?”
Rosamundesighed,aheavysoundthatwentwayintothepast,ofalifelivedinservitudetoher

calling.“Let’sjustsaythatIhadavisionandnowI’mhere.”

Faevisionswerehighlyrespectedinhisworld.“Wheredoyouwanther?”
Rosamundelookedaround.“Herewilldojustfine.”
SethlaidthewolfonthecouchbesideRosamunde,positioningLorelei’sbackagainstthecushions

andherheadrestingonthequeen’slap.Thispositionleftherwoundedsidefullyexposed.

SheplacedherhandgentlybetweenLorelei’swhitewolfears.Loreleiwhimperedsoftly,hersnout

longandgraceful,herwintercoatcreatingathickwhiteruffaroundherneck.

Rosamundeclosedhereyes.
Sethfeltaprofoundwaveofhealingenergypulsethroughtheroom.Theacheinhiskneeandribs

lessenedbecauseofit.

Lorelei’sbreathinghitched,thenreleased.Shefinallydrewadeepbreathandtheterrible,bloody

woundbegantoknittogetheratlightningspeed.

Hecalledthefaehealerandrescindedhisrequestforhertocometohim.Hedidn’ttrytoexplainwhy

henolongerneededherthoughheassuredherthatLoreleiwashealingmorequicklythanhethought.He
justwasn’tsureRosamundewouldwantitknownthatshe’dleftherkingdom.

HeremainedstandinginfrontofLorelei,hisgazefixedtoher.Instages,herbreathingeasedandshe

nolongerpanted.

Afterseveralminutes,Rosamundelookedupathim.“MastyrSeth,fromthismomentforward,you

mustopenyourselftoLoreleiandtowhatthetwoofyoucanaccomplishtogether.Iknowthatyou’restoic
bynature,notgiventopassionatepursuitsoranythingofaromanticnature,butforyoursakeandforthe
sakeofyourrealm,Iaskyoutobeopentoallthatyou’llsoondiscoverLoreleitobe.”

HisgazefelltoLoreleioncemore.“I’vefeltherpower,whichshesharedwithmewhileconfronting

theInvictustonight.Shesavedusboth.”

“Beopen.”
Hemethergazeandsawintheweightofherexpressionnotonlyhisneedtotakeheradvicetoheart,

butherownsuffering.Hecouldrelate.Inmanyways,heandthequeenwerealike,butevenhedidn’t
carrytheburdenthatRosamundedid.Shewasperhapsthemostpowerfulwomaninhisrealmandhad
keptherthronesafefromMargetta.ItwasbelievedthatwhoeverruledFerrendenPeacecouldalsotake
overtheNineRealms.

WhenSethhadvisitedthecastletwomonthsago,he’dspokenwiththequeenaboutherresponsibility

tokeepFerrendenPeaceoutofthehandsofMargettaoranyotherself-serving,realmpersonwhowanted
toenslavealltherealms.She’dlivedapartfromherpeersinordertopreservethefreedomofall.

Hisownsolitudehadbeenapersonalchoice,whilethequeen’shadbeenanecessityforthesakeof

theirworld.Theleasthecoulddowastakeheradmonitiontoheart.

“I’lldoasyou’vesaid.”
Sheappearedtobreatheadeepsighofrelief.“Good,andthat’sallthatanyonecanaskofyou,Seth,

tojustbeopen.”

*********

Loreleihurtdeepintoherstomachallthewaytoherspine,thenupthroughherribcage.Shewas

certaineveryoneofherinternalorganshadbeendamagedwhenthathorriblewraithhadslungherbattle
energyinherdirection.

She’dneverknownsuchpainandwhilelyingnexttoSethinthesnow,she’dbeenconvincednotonly

thatshewoulddie,butthatSethwouldaswell.Andshewouldhavefailedatthefirstimportanttask
she’deverbeengiveninherlonglife-on-the-run.

Butfromwhereshelay,withawarmhandpressingonherheadandhealingrollingthroughherbody,

sheknewshehadn’tdiedafterall.Foronething,therewasasmallspiderwebinthecornerofthebroad
frontwindownearthegrandpiano.Surely,theNineRealm’sversionofheavenwouldn’thaveallowed
spiders.

Shepushedherpawagainstthehealer’sknee,aformofgratitude,thensigheddeeply.Shewasstillin

wolfform,ashapeshe’dcometotreasuresincecomingtoWalvashorr.

Howlongagoitseemedsinceshe’dmadethetrektoFerrendenPeacewithMastyrQuinlanand

Batya,throughtheCavernsofPickerne,theDeadForestandtheSnowfieldsofRayne,alltogettoQueen
Rosamunde’skingdomandtosafety.

Thequeenhadtaughthersomuch,somanyskillsthatshenowemployedtosuccessfullythwarther

mother’sattemptstogaincontroloverheragain.Sheowedthequeeneverything.

“Canyoushifttoyourfaeform?”
Loreleifrowned.Sherecognizedthehealer’svoice,butitseemedimpossible.Rosamunde?You’re

theonetendingtome?

Yes,I’mhere.
Butyou’reindanger.You’reonlyprotectedinFerrendenPeace?WhatifMargettafindsyouand

whydidyoucomehereinthefirstplace?

Rosamundechuckled.Somanyquestions,child.
Loreleiwasanadult,ninetyyearsintherealmworld.ButRosamunde’sagewasasyetunknown,well

overathousandyears,soLoreleisupposedthequeenhadcausetoaddressherasshewouldachild.In
realm-terms,Loreleiwasstillveryyoung.

Shetriedtoliftherhead,butcouldn’t.Shewassoweakandshestillhurt.
Butshewouldhealsomuchfasterinherfaeform.
She’dalsocreateanewlevelofpainwhenshewentthroughthetransformation,butitcouldn’tbe

helped.Shehadmoretoconsiderherethanherowncomfortlevel.Forone,thequeenwasalwaysin
dangeroncesheleftherkingdom,andforanotherLoreleistillhadajobtodoinprotectingMastyrSeth.

I’llshiftnow.
Good.Justremaininthisposition,recliningonmylap.
Noproblem.

Shesqueezedhereyesshut,accessedhershiftingvibration,andletitflow,focusingonthefaeform

she’dbeenbornwithsomanydecadesago.

Butthepain!
Shecursedmentally,makinguseofeveryfoulwordshe’deverheardinthecourseofherlife.She

hopedshedidn’tpaththemtoRosamunde,butevenifshehad,shewasn’tsureshecared.

Intheend,sheblackedout.
Whenshewokeup,QueenRosamundehadleftandLoreleihadbeenmovedtoadifferentroom

altogether.Shesnuggledbeneathawarmcomforterwithawoodfireblazinginthestonefireplaceacross
fromthefootofthebed.Sheturnedontohersideandglancedoutthewindow.Shecouldseethatnight
hadbecomedayandthesnowhadstartedtofalloncemore.Herinternalclocktoldheritwaslate
afternoon.Shehadsleptalongtime.

Everythingwasquiet,exceptthatsheheardDebussy’sClairdeLunecomingfromthelivingroom.

Shesmiled.Sethwasplayingthepiano,expertly,beautifully.Helivedarichlife,fullof

divergentinterests,andinthiswayheseemedsodifferentfromtheothermastyrs.Helovedmusic,

books,mathematics,andlivinginthemountains.

Sheshiveredsuddenly,asensationthathadnothingtodowithachillintheair,butwithapowerful

memory,somethingshewouldneverforget,ofthefirsttimeshe’deverlaideyesontheMastyrof
Walvashorr.

Twomonthsago,thedayafterMastyrQuinlanandBatyaleftFerrendenPeaceonthequeen’sorders,

LoreleihadbeenwalkingalongthethirdstorycatwalkthatlookeddownintotheQueen’sreceivingroom.

Theupperstoriesofthestonecastleenjoyedaflowofheatfromthelowerfireplacessoshe’dgone

exploring.Shehadn’tknownthatMastyrSethhadstayedoveranextranight.

Butshe’denteredashorthallwithasecrecyscreenthatallowedhertoseeintowhatprovedtobe

MastyrSeth’sbedroom.

Hehadthelargebalconydoorsflungwideopensothatfresh,coldairblewthroughtheroom.Though

nighthadn’tyetfallen,thenorthernlightfloodedtheroomwithoutthedangerousdirectraysthatwould
harmvampiresandtoalesserdegreefaeandotherrealm-folk.

Heworehislong,thickbrownhairintheGuardsman’swovenclasp,butlittleelse.Justblackwork-

outshortsandawhitetanktophangingfromhiswaistband.Heusedtheshirtoccasionallytowipesweat
offhisforehead.

Shewatchedmesmerizedashedroppedlithelytothefloorandonthetipsofhisfingersperformedat

leastahundredquickpush-ups,thenshiftedtohisbuttocksandcrunchedoutatleastasmanysit-ups.He
wasleanerthanQuinlanbyalot,buthismuscleshadaripped,heavierlook.

Desireforhimhadbegunlikeasmallwavethatgotbiggerandbigger,finallyswellingoverheruntil

shefeltdizzy.She’dneverhadsopowerfulareactiontoamanbefore,ofanyspecies,inthewholecourse
ofheradultlife.Theneedtotouchhim,toconnectphysically,becamealmostacompulsion,something
morewolfthanfae.

Hadshebeeninwolfform,shemighthavechargedintotheroomandbumpedhimwithhernose,then

herbody,justtomakecontact.

Butasafaefemale,andexperiencingsexualneedofhim,shecouldonlyremainrootedtothesecret

hallwayfloor,staringathimthroughthescreen,essentiallyspyingonhim.

Hewrappeduphisroutinewithmorestretching,thenmovedtothebalconytostareoutatarolling

vistaoffarmlandsandtheoccasionalislandoftrees.FerrendenPeacewasabeautiful,pastoralcountry,
almostarealmapart.

Whatshedidnext,however,wasunpardonable.UsingthenewskillsRosamundehadonlythat

morningtrainedhertodevelop,shecastalayeredenthrallmentshieldaroundherself,leftthehall,and
stoleintohisroom.

Shehadtoseehimcloseup.
Movingtothebalcony,shetookupaplaceattheendsothatshecouldwatchhim.Hesmelled

heavenly,arichmossyforestscent,likesomethingwooded.Hernostrilsflaredandthewolfpartofher
wantedtohowl,wantedtocryoutsomemessagetotheworldthatshe’dfoundhim,she’dfoundtheone.

Hehadnoideashestoodfivefeetawayfromhim,staringupathisgray-greeneyes,hisstraight

brows,theangled,masculinelineofhischeeks.

Hergazefelltohisneckandshoulders,cordedwithtight,extremelywell-definedmuscle.Hedrank

fromawaterbottle,smallsips,rehydratingashisgazewanderedthedistantvista.

Sheepbleated,ajarringsoundintheserenepasture.Hisgazerose,trackingahawk,hersdidaswell.
Sherealizedthatinallhertravelswhilehidingfromhermother,she’dspentonlyoneyearin

WalvashorrRealmandallduringthattime,she’dneveronceseenMastyrSeth.Wouldshehavehadsuch
anintensereactiontohimallthoseyearsagoifshehad?

Shewantedtotouchhim.Thatwastheworstpart.Itwasonethingtoholdtheshieldtightanddisguise

herpresence,butquiteanothertoputherhandonhim.Shemovedcloser,inchingherfingerstowardhim.
Avibrationigniteddeepwithinherbodyandinstinctivelysheknewwhatitwas,hermatingfrequency,
andthatnoneofherpreviousboyfriendshadeveronceawakenedherinthisway.

Thoughshedidn’tactuallymakecontact,Sethsuddenlygrabbedhisarmandrubbedtheareanearthe

tipsofherfingers.Hemusthavesensedherproximity.

Shedrewherarmback,fearingdiscovery.Stillkeepinghershieldtight,shehurriedfromtheroom,

returningtohercastlebedroom.Shelayonherbedforalongtime,stunnedthatonlyarealmrulerhad
beenabletoarousehermatingfrequency.

Arealmruler.
SethofWalvashorr.
Itwasn’tuntilthenextdaythatshesettledintoherinvestigativeroutine,ferretingouteveryscrapof

informationaboutSeth,makingliberaluseoftheNineRealmsInternet,readingeverycomment,every
blog,everynewspaperarticlethatevensomuchasmentionedhisname.

Fromthatinformation,she’dgraduallyconstructedaportraitofhim,thathelivedanextremely

solitaryexistenceforarealmruler,butthathewasamanofhonor,apowerfulwarrior,andhespent
everywakingmomentservingWalvashorr.

Hehadonlyoneresidenceofanysignificance,hisShauckGorgehouse,whilemostoftheother

mastyrshadthreeorfour.TheapartmentinsouthWalvashorr,inHawgrine,didn’tcountnordidtheodd
treehousehe’dbuiltatRedheartPeakinthenorth.

Hehadnoclosefriends,andinthisonethingespecially,LoreleifeltshecouldreallyrelatetoSeth.

Batya,nowabloodroseandbondedtoMastyrQuinlan,hadbecomeagoodfriend,maybeeventhefirst
realfriendLoreleihadeverhadinthepastseventy-twoyearsofherlife,fromthetimeshe’descapedher
mother’sprison-homewhenshewaseighteen.Buthertransientlifestylehadseverelylimitedthethings
she’dbeenabletosharewithBatya.

Essentially,she’dlivedherlifeapart,likeSeth.
Sosheunderstoodhimandeventhecauseofhischosensolitude.He’dbeenorphanedateightwhen

anInvictuspairhadkilledhisparents.Whileonafamilypicnic,Sethhadbeenexploringdeepinthe
nearbyforestandwhenhe’dcomeback,he’dfoundamassacre.Hisyoungerbrotherandhisparentshad
beendrainedandslaughtered,whileanolderbrotherhaddisappeared.

Anorphanagehadfollowed,aplacewheresurvivalofthefittesthaddefinedday-to-dayexistence.
Almostacenturylater,he’dbeenengagedtoawomannamedKristen,butshe’ddied.Notmuchhad

beenwrittenaboutthosecircumstances,buttheycouldn’thavebeengoodbecausehe’dnevertriedagain.
Hekeptwomenatadistance.

Shortlyafter,he’dbecomeMastyrofWalvashorr.
Asthereveriedriftedaway,Loreleisigheddeeply.Sheliftedthecomfortertohernoseandbreathed

in.ThefabricsmelledofSeth,thatintenselyrich,mossyscentofhis.Sheknewshe’dbeenlefttorecover
inhisbedandsomethingaboutthatafflictedherheartbadly.Herchestfeltstrangelyheavyandweighed
down.SheworriedaboutSethandthoughshe’dbeeninstrumentalinsavinghimatLoperzCanyon,she
couldfeelinherbonesthattherewasmoretocome.

Shetrembled,asthefaepartofherwarmedup.Shehadasenseofthefuture,thatshewouldbecome

muchmorethanSeth’sbodyguard.Yethowcouldtwosuchsolitaryindividualsevertrusteachother
enoughtojourneytogether?

*********

SethplayedDebussy,asuresignhehadaproblemtosolve.Somethingabouttheimpressionistic

music,ormaybejustthesoothingaspectofrunninghisfingersupanddowntheblackandwhitekeys,
helpedhisbraintoprocesswhateverdilemmahadhimtiedup.

Andheneededprocessingrightnow:Rosamunde,Lorelei,herlatentpower,thefutureoftheNine

Realms.Andofcourse,hisbloodstarvation.

Hisstomachcrampedinincreasinglytightwaves.Heshouldhavecalledhisdoneusesooner.Butshe

wouldarriveatfull-darkandhe’dbereadytofacewhateveritwasthatRosamundehadhintedatwhen
she’dtoldhimtobeopentoLorelei.

Inbetweenpieces,hishandsshook,anotherindicationhe’dwaitedtoolongtofeed.
Andthemorehehungered,themorehisthoughtsturnedtoLoreleiasleepinthenextroom.For

reasonshecouldn’texplain,fromthetimehe’dsettledherinhisbed,he’dstartedtocraveher.Helonged
forherbloodandmaybebecauseshelaybeneathhiscovers,hewantedtojoinher,tofeedfromher,and
tomakelovetoher.

Thesethoughts,however,hestrovetosetaside.Nogoodcouldpossiblycomefromsexinguphis

bodyguard.

Butthecravingsremained.
Hisfingerscontinuedtoplythekeys,repeatingClairdeLune.
Hestillhadn’tcompletelyprocessedtheattackhe’djustbarelysurvived.He’dbeenledintoatrap

thatwouldhavekilledhimexceptfortwothings,thatLoreleihadintervenedandthatsomehowshe’d
summonedhisentireShifterBrigadetocometohisrescue.Heowedhislifetoher.

HehadsomanyquestionsincludinghowLoreleihadactuallyreachedhisentirebrigadewithone

longhowl.

WhenhefinishedClairedeLunethesecondtimethrough,herosefromthepianobench.Glancingat

theclockonthewall,hesawthatitwasfour-thirty,notlongnowuntilfull-dark,themonthbeing
Decemberandhisrealmfarthernorththanmost.RosamundehadlefthimstrictorderstoawakenLorelei
atthishour,togivehersomefood,andtotalkwithherabouttherecentbattle.Hewasthentokeepher
closetohissideoverthenextseveraldays.She’demphasizedthelatter,thatcriticaleventswereonthe
horizonforthemboth,mattersthatinvolvedtheirindividualsafetyaswellasthefutureoftheNine
Realms.

Sethsmiledwryly.Butnopressure.

Hewenttothekitchenfirstandpouredacupofsteamingbeefbroth,alsorecommendedby

Rosamunde.TheshifterpartofLoreleiwouldalwaysrespondtoredmeat.Headdedaslabofbuttered
sourdoughbread,thenheadeddownthehall.

Ashewalkedtowardhisbedroom,aseverecramptookholdofhimsothathehadtopauseandwait

forthepaintosubside.Hischeeksdrewinwardandsalivafilledhismouth.Itdidn’thelptobesmelling
thebroth.

AssoonashetookcareofLorelei,he’dcallhisdoneusetomakesureshewasonherwayandtoput

somespeedon.Atthispoint,hewasinbadshape.

Hegenerallyfedtwiceadayandhe’dmissedhisearlymorningfeeding.Maybeitwashisstrict

exerciseregimen,butheseemedtoneedmoredonationsthantheothermastyrsheknew.Rightnowhe
wasmaybethreehoursawayfromfallingintoacoma,withdeathtakingplacenotlongafterthat.

Enteringtheroom,hefoundLoreleistandinginfrontofthesouth-facingwindowwhichhadalong

viewdownthegorgetotheAthaliaRiverandthesnow-coveredforestbankingbothsides.Sheworeone
ofhist-shirts,ablackonethatbaggedoverhershouldersandhungtomid-thigh.

Hisgazedroppedtoherbarelegsandfeet,andlikethered-bloodedvampirehewas,desirerose,but

hesuppresseditimmediately.Shelookedsexyashell,whichwasn’thelpinghiscravingsatall.

Sheseemedintentontheviewoftheriver,twohundredfeetbelowhishome,rollingfast,visible

throughalightfallofsnow.

“Ibroughtyousomethingtoeat.”
Sheturned,hernostrilsflaring.Shesqueezedhereyesshutasthoughinpain.
Concernforherbloomed.“Areyoustillhurting?”
Hesetthefoodonthetabletotherightofthefireplace,neartheeastwindow,thenhurriedovertoher,

movingtostandnexttoher.

“I’mfine.”Sheheldupbothhandsasthoughtowardhimoff.Shewasshaking.
“You’renotfine.Lorelei,what’swrong?”
“Nothing.I’mallhealedup.Really,I’mfine.”Sheturnedashouldertohim,facingthewindowonce

moreandcrossingherarmsoverherchest.

Shewaslovely,eveninprofile,withherhairdrawnbackbehindherrightear.Theshaperosetoa

stunningfaepoint,withthreeamethyststudsleadingtowardthepeak.Exquisite.

Hehadasuddenfantasyoflickingalongthatcurve,teasingthefoldsofherear,thehardedgesofthe

jewelsrubbingoverhistongue.

Timeslowedtoastopashewatchedherstaringatthemountainvistaoncemore.Andthat’swhenhe

caughtafaintscentcomingfromher,somethingverylight.Hebreathedin,lettingtheunusualfragrance
flowthroughhim.Afteramoment,herealizedherscentremindedhimofappleblossomsandonceagain
desiresweptthroughhim,sosuddenandprofoundthathebarelyrepressedagroan.

Imagesspedthroughhismindoftakingfromherneck,thencarryinghertothebedandhavinghisway

withher.

Heneededtogethimselfundercontrol,butherproximityseemedtobetakingasuddenandprofound

toll.

Returningtothetablebythefireplace,hegavehimselfashake.Hedidn’tlikefeelingthisedgyand

hisbloodhungerhadrevvedupagain.

Hetookafewdeepbreathstocalmhisbodydown.Hejustdidn’tunderstandwhyhewasreactingto

herlikethis,withsuchimmediateneedforbothherbodyandherblood?

Afteralongminute,hefeltmoreincontrol,andtookthemugtoher.
“Youneedtoeat.”Hehelditouttoher.

Shetookholdofthehandleandsmiled.“Oh,thankyou.Thissmellslikeheaven.”Hergazeflittedto

him,thenawayasshebroughtthemugtoherlips.

Shewasnervousaroundhimrightnow.Hecouldseethat.
Shetookalongdrinkandhershoulderseaseddown.“Mywolflikesthis.”Sheevensmiledagain.
Hisbreathcaught.Shehadbeautifulteeth,longincisorsthatmadeherlookbothpredatoryand

adorableatthesametime.Whywashesodrawntoher?

Thenhecaughtthescentofherbloodoncemore,onlyricherthistime,likeappleblossomsandwine,

andhelistedonhisfeet.

“Areyouokay?MastyrSeth,what’swrong?”
“I’mfine.”Herightedhimself.Hisdoneusewouldbeherewithinthehour.He’dtankupandbemore

likehimself.

“Iguesswe’llbothbelyingforawhile.”
Hisgazeshottohers.“Whatdoyoumean?”
“Well,we’rebothfine,right?”
Atthat,hislipscurved.“Iseeyourpoint.”

*********

LoreleiwatchedSethovertherimofhermug.Hisaromatic,mossyscenthadthickenedintheair

whichmeanthedesiredherandthatmadeherwanthimmorethanever.He’daskedwhatwaswrongbut
shecouldhardlytellhimshewantedhispantsoff.

Heturnedtoleananarmalongthesupportbeamnexttothewindow,hisgazefixedoutsidetothe

oppositetree-linedridge.Heseemedpreoccupied,perhapswithignoringhisinterestinher.Hewould
thinkitinappropriate,partofwhatsheunderstoodtobetrueabouthim,notjustfromherresearchbut
becauseshe’dtrackedhimforweeks.

Sethhadahighlydevelopedsenseofpropriety.
Sheknewaswellthathisbloodhungerhadreachedacriticalpoint,buthowsheknew,shewasn’t

exactlysure.

Shecontinuedtosipherbrothasshewatchedandwonderedexactlywhatwasgoingonwithhim.
Vampiresgaveoffalotofsignalsthattheywantedtotapintoavein,themostpowerfulbeinga

spontaneousappearanceoffangs.YetSethshowednofangs,althoughsheunderstoodwhy.Hewasaman
ofstrictcontrolsohe’dprobablyleavetheroombeforeheletherseehisfangsinasituationlikethis.

Butwhatshefeltemanatingfromhimdifferedfromanythingshe’dknownbefore.Itwasasthoughshe

couldactuallyfeelhishungerlikeasoftvibrationagainstherskinandhewasn’tjusthungry,oreven
blood-starved.Heneededtofeedorhe’ddiewithinacoupleofhours,hewasthatclose.

SweetGoddess,whyhadhelethimselfgetthisfarstrungout?Yetknowinghoworderedhekepthis

life,andthathetookfromhisdoneusestwiceaday,henodoubthadawomanflyinginrightnow.

Butshedidn’twantanotherwomaninhishouse.
Shewantedtofeedhim.
Ifsheoffered,wouldhelether?Woulditevenbewise?
“There’sbread.”Hepushedawayfromthewindow,andreturnedtothesmalltable.Hebroughtback

aplatethatboreathickslabofsourdoughslatheredwithbutter.

“Thatlookswonderful.”Shesetthenowemptymugonthewideshelfjustbelowthewindow,then

tooktheplateinhand.

Thefirstbitewasheaven.“Amazing.”
“Fresh-baked.Myhousekeepercomesineverycoupleofdays.She’sastubborntrollwhobakes

breadfreshformeandkeepsmestockedwithsoups,meats,allkindsofhome-grownfood.”

Loreleitookanotherbiteandhereyesrolledinherhead.“I’vediedandgonetoheaven.”
Hislipscurved.“Herhusbandtellsherthatherbreadcouldbringadeadtrolltolife.”
“Isobelievethat.”Shechuckled,thenputahandbetweenherbreasts.Herheartfeltverystrange

suddenly,almostleaden.She’dbeenfeelingthiswaysinceshe’dawakenedinSeth’sbed,butthe
sensationhadworsened.

“What’swrong?”
“Idon’tknow.Ijustfeelsoheavyhere,inmychest.”
Hisnostrilsflaredandhisgazefelltoherthroat.“Byalltheelflords,Icansmellyourblood.Lorelei,

what’sgoingonwithyou?”Hetremblednow.

Shehadasuddenfae-ishpremonitionthatshewasdestinedtofeedhim.What’smore,onceshe

offeredanddespitehisself-discipline,hewouldn’tbeabletoholdback.

Asshewatchedhiseyesdilateandhisgazeslideupanddownherthroat,sheknewshe’dwantedthis

fromthefirstmomentshe’dseenhim.

Shemadeherdecisionquicklyandsetherplatebesidethemug.Shegatheredupherhairandtwisted

ittoliedownherback,awayfromherneck.Youhungry?

Hiseyeswidenedandforamomenthelookedpanicky.Yousure?
Takewhatyouneed,MastyrSeth.I’mhereforyou.Mybloodisyours.
Hisfangsdescendedandoncemoredesirerippedthroughher.ShewantedSethtodrinkfromher,but

shewantedhisbodyaswell,movingoverhers,intoher,possessingher.

Hisbeautifulgray-greeneyesglazedover,alookshe’dneverseenbefore,blood-lustmaybe.Her

heartbeathardinherchestnowanddesireforhimspreadlikeawaveofheatthroughherabdomen.She
wantedthis.She’ddreamedaboutservicinghiminasmanywaysashe’dletherandnowthetimehad
come.

Shespokealoud,commandinghim.“Takeme,Seth.”Hervoicesoundedhoarse.
Shehadjustenoughtimetoanchorherself,whenhewasonher,pinningheragainstthecoldwindow,

hisfangsburiedinherthroat,piercinghervein.

Hegruntedstrangelyasheretractedhisfangs.
Thenhebegantosuck,deepdrawsthatfeltsogood.
Loreleilostherselfinthesensation,inthewayshe’ddesiredSethfromthemomentshe’dfirstseen

himinRosamunde’scastle,inthedeepmossyscentofhimthatbroughtdesirerisingsharply,inhislean
toughbodypressedagainsthers.Shecouldfeelhisarousal,asolidropeagainstherabdomen.

Caressinghisshouldersandback,sheslidintohisheadoncemore.Yousmellextraordinary,Seth,

andIlovethatyou’redrinkingfromme.Feeduntilyou’resatisfied.Anduseme.Pleaseuseme.

Hegruntedagain,buthishandsmoveddownhersides,thenpulledupthelongt-shirtsheworeuntil

hisfingersdugintoherbarehipsandbuttocks.

Shewhimperedathistouchbecausevibrationscamefromhishands,flowingthroughherskin,

increasingherneedforhim.More.Dothatmore.

Hegrippedherhips,caressingandlettinghisfrequencyflow.Shemoanedagainsthisshoulderand

kissedhisneck,thenusingbothherhands,shepushedinsidewaysalonghishipstothefrontofhisjeans.
Hegruntedhisapproval,givingheraccessashecontinuedtodrink.

Yourblood…anelixir…sweetgoddess,likewine…intoxicating.
Sheworkedswiftly,unbuttoningandunzippinghispants,thentuggingthemdownhiships.
Hesuckedhardernowandgroaned,whichonlymadeherneedhimmore.Hishipsmovedina

promisingrhythm,gettingreadyforher.

Don’tstop,Seth.Whateveryoudo,keeptakingmyblood.
Sheworkedhisjeansuntiltheyfelltothefloorandusingbothhandsshecaressedthehardlengthof

him.Hewasabigmanandtheshifterpartofherhadgrownneedysothatherbodywrithedasherhands
strokedhim.

Suddenly,heleftherneck,hisgreeneyesglowingandwild.Hetookhiscockinhandand,dippinghis

hips,hefoundherentrance.Themomenthepushedinsideher,shemethimwithanansweringgrindsof
herhips.

Sogood.
Feedifyouneedmore.
Hedidn’thesitate,butattackedherneckagain,suckinghardashishipssetupastrongrhythm.
You’resowet.
Andyoufeelsodamngood.
Hegrabbedherbottom,liftingherupjustenough,sothatshecouldwrapherlegsaroundhim.The

anglewasperfectandwitheachrollofhiships,hehitherjustright,allthewhiledrinkingherdown.

Atthesametime,hesentavibrationthroughhiscockandthesensationpushedhertowardtheedge.

Shegroanedheavily,slingingherarmsaroundhisback,clutchinghim.Hishardbodymethersoftcurves
withjusttherightpressure.

Shewouldn’tlastlong.She’dbeenwantingthisfortwofullmonthsnow,wakingupfromerotic

dreamsofSeth,achingforhim,lustingeverytimesheshiftedtoherwolfformandranthroughthe
mountainswithhim.

Seth,I’mready.I’mgoingtocome.
Thosewordsdrewhimoffherneck.Helookeddownather,meetinghergazeandbreathinghard.He

stillhadthatwildlook,almostasthoughhedidn’tknowwherehewas.

Hisgazefelltoherlipsandhecrasheddownonhermouth,kissingherwildly.Sheopenedforhim

andthat’swhenshestartedtocome.Pleasuregrippedherasshetastedherbloodonhistongue,feltthe
vibrationsflowingthroughhiscock,andsavoredtheswiftpumpsofhiships.

Andasecstasyrolledthroughherinpowerfulwaves,desireflowed,tighteningherdeepinsidesothat

thepleasurablepulseskeptwashingthroughher.Passionmovedupthroughherabdomentogildherheart,
drawingairinandoutofherlungsinheavinggasps,forcingherarmsandhandstomoveoverthemuscles
ofhisshouldersandback.Shecriedoutagainandagain.

Justastheorgasmstartedtoeasedown,anotherreplacedit,rushingthroughheragain,takingherto

anotherpeak.Sheleanedawayfromhim,pressedherheadagainstthewindowandscreamed.

Setharchedaswell,thenheroaredashecame,asoundshewouldneverhavebelievedcouldcome

fromthemoststoicofthemastyrvampires,agutturalclaimingsoundthatreachedintothenightsky,
callingeverywildthingdownfromthehills.

Inthedistancewolveshowled.
Andaspleasurecontinuedtopossessherbody,Loreleismiled.

ChapterThree

Withhiseyesclosed,Seth’smindspun.Hedidn’tknowwhy,buthewaslockedintosomekindof

derangedanimalstatethatmadeitimpossibleforhimtorecognizehissurroundingsoreventheidentityof
thewomanhewaswith—hewasthatlost.

Atthesametime,hereveledinthedrugged-out,groggysensationthatpossessedhim.Hehadno

stomachpainandhefeltfree,relaxed,andaboveall,thewoman’sbloodhadsatiatedhimasnever
before.

Butwhichwoman?
Oneofhisdoneuses?
Thewomantrembledinhisarmsandkeptsighing.Hesensedhersatisfactionaswell,asthoughwhat

he’dgivenherhadbeenthefulfillmentofadream.

Withhisarmswrappedaroundherandholdingherclose,hecaressedher.Hefeltt-shirtfabric,

incrediblysoft,beneathhisfingertips.Evenhissenseoftouchwasmoreheightenedandalive.

Alightappleblossomscentreturnedtohim,feedinghisdesireforthewoman.Hishipsflexedslightly

sothathiscockmovedinsideherwarmnestagain,andthat’swhenhebeganthestrangeglidebackto
reality.

He’dhadsexwithoneofhisdonors,somethingheneverdid.Sowhythistime?Hemadeitapractice

tokeephisrelationshipswithhisdoneusesstrictlyprofessional.Sowhathadpromptedhimtocrossthe
line?

Slowly,thecareful,controlledpartofhisbrainbeganfunctioningandhiseyesopened.Hehadaview

ofShauckGorge,snowfallingonfirtrees,frostonthewindowprobablyfromalltheheavybreathing.

Hewasinhishome.He’dneverhadsexinhishomebefore.Hekeptthisdwellingsacred,simple,a

refugefromthedifficultpathhewalkedasMastyrofWalvashorr.

“Seth?”
Lorelei’svoice.Againsthisshoulder.Howwasthatpossible?
Herlegswerewrappedaroundhiswaistandherarmsaroundhisback.Shestrokedthelengthofhis

longhair.

HewasholdingLorelei?
He’dburiedhiscockinsideher?Hisbodyguard,who’dalmostjustdied?
Hedidn’tunderstand.
Thenhismindclearedwithasudden,abruptstart.
Shit,he’djustfuckedLorelei,thefae-shifter-wraith,alsopartvampire,whohadsavedhislife,who

servedashiswolf-guardian,andwho’dalmostdied.He’dfedhersomebrothandbutteredbreadand
somehowthoughthehadarighttoherbody.

“Lorelei,I’msosorry.SweetGoddess,Ihadn’tmeanttodothis.”
“Iknow.”Anothersighfollowed.Shesaidnothingmoreandforthathewasgrateful.
Thereweresomanythingswrongwiththisequationthathehardlyknewwheretobegin.Hedrew

backslowly,easingoutofher,whichcreatedanewproblem.Afterpullinguphisbriefsandjeans,he
tookoffhist-shirtandhandedittoher.

Shenodded,aworriedfrownbetweenherbrowsasshecleanedup.SweetGoddess,he’djusthad

unprotectedsexwithMargetta’sdaughter.

Butforjustamoment,hismindtraveledbackafewminutes,towhatithadfeltlikedrivingintoher,

hisbodysatiatedwiththebloodfromherthroat,theorgasmshootingthroughhimlikeapleasurablefire,

thebestsexofhislife.Bestblood.Heputahandtohisstomachagain.Butthistime,nopain.

Nopain.
Whowasthiswoman?
Hemurmuredanotherapologyandturnedawayfromher,headingtowardhiscloset.Hepulledout

anotherlong-sleevedshirt,navybluethistime,andslidhisarmsintothesleeves,thenpulleditoverhis
head.

Hefeltdizzy.Nauseawouldprobablyfollow,theusualprogressionofthechronicblood-starvation

thathesufferedfromasamastyrvampire.

Stillnopain.
Notasinglecramp.
Nonausea.
Nothing.
Hefelt…normal.Dizzyinaeuphoricway,butnormal.
Unbelievable.
Hehadn’tfeltthiswaysincebeforehe’dbecomeamastyrathousandyearsago.
TurningtolookatLorelei,anewterrifyingsuspicionemerged.“Howdoyoufeelrightnow?”Slowly,

hemadehiswaybacktoher,watchingherintently.

Sheheldherhandswide,hist-shirtbunchedupinonehand.Thelongshirtsheworeonceagainhung

tomid-thigh.“Ifeelreallygood.Infact,Ifeelwonderful.”

Hefrownedashesearchedhereyes.“YoutouchedyourchestbeforeIdrankfromyou.Why?”
Sheshookherheadslowly.“I’mnotsure.Iwasfeelingstrange.Myheartwasbeatinghard.Itfelt

heavy,likeIhad...toomuch…blood.Oh,God,no.”

She’djustdrawnthesamefuckingconclusion.
“That’swhatI’vebeenthinking.”
Shelookedhorror-stricken.“Seth,thiscan’tbehappening.Ican’tbesomanyspeciesandablood

rose.I’mMargetta’sdaughter,fortheGoddess’ssake.Ican’tpossiblybelongtoyouinthisway.”

Shedroppedthet-shirtonthefloorthencoveredherfacewithherhands.
“I’msorry.”Hisvoicesoundeddull.Hedidn’tknowwhatelsetosaytoher.Hecouldonlystand

wherehewasandstareather.Lorelei.Abloodrose.SweetGoddess.

Sheshookherheadbackandforthseveraltimes.“Thiscan’tbehappening.ImeanIknewIlikedyou

asinreallylikedyou,but—”Sheturnedtofacethewindowoncemore.“Thewolveshowled.Didyou
hearthem?”

“Idid.”
Hewantedtotouchher,tooffersomecomfort,butwhatcouldhedoorsay?
Intheend,hedecidedtotellherwhatheknew.“I’vetalkedenoughwithGerrodandEthan,andmore

recentlywithQuinlan,toknowthatyou’rerightaboutbeingabloodrose.Mystarvationisgone,asthough
itneverexisted.ButIshouldn’thaveattackedyoulikethatandafterward,Ididn’tevenknowwhoIhadin
myarms,Iwassoderangedbytheexperience.”

Sheglancedoverhershoulder.“Youdidn’tknowitwasme?”
“IbarelyknewwhereIwasandIdon’tlikebeingthisoutofcontrol.I’mneveroutofcontrol.”
“No,you’renot,sothismustbeashorrifyingtoyouasitistome.”
Sheputherhandtoherthroat.“Rosamundemusthaveknown.Onsomelevel,shemusthaveknown.”
“Whatdoyoumean?”
“ThatIwasabloodrose.Shemusthaveforeseenthis,maybetheattackinthecanyonaswell,Idon’t

know.”

Hishairhadcomeloosefromhiswovenclaspandheshovedthelongstrandsawayfromhisface.

He’dbeenlikeawildbeastwhenhe’dgoneafterLorelei.

Heturnedtowardher,adifferentkindofconcernsurfacing.“DidIhurtyou?Justnow,whenIdrank

fromyouandusedyourbody,didIhurtyou?”

“No,ofcoursenot.Iwantedit,too.Couldn’tyoutell?”
“Iguessso,butIbarelyrememberwhyIsuddenlyletgoofmyrationalmind,exceptthatIsmelled

yourblood.Yougiveoffthispowerfulscent,likewalkingthroughanappleorchardinearlyspring.”

Shesmiledsuddenly,afamiliarwarmexpressionthatreachedintohisheartandgaveahardsqueeze.

“That’sfunny,becauseyourscentremindsmeofthosemomentswhenI’mrunningthroughanoldpartof
theforest,onefullofrichearthandcoveredinmoss.”Sheclosedhereyesbriefly,hernostrilsflaring.“I
cansmellyouevennow.”

Hewatchedpleasuremoveoverface,herheadtiltedbackslightly.Shehadabeautifulcomplexion,

likecream.Herbrowswerearched,herchinanexquisitefaepoint,andtheamethystswinkedathim,
teasinghimalloveragain.

Butitwasthedelighthesawinherfeaturesthatgottohim,thatwhoevershewasasarealm-woman,

sheknewhowtotakeenjoymentwhereshefoundit.

Heunderstood.Hispathhadbeendifficultforathousandyears,alwaysbattlingandalwaysalone.

Buthe’dlearnedhowtoappreciatetheworldaroundhim,whetheranewpieceofmusic,orasquirrel
thatoftenracedacrossthelongrailsofhisporch,orthemoonrisingthroughthetopsofthedistanttrees.

Caughtashewas,desireforherrosesharplyalloveragain,andhealmostpulledherintohisarms.
Butthepleasureinherexpressiontransformedintosomethingdarkerandhecouldfeelhersudden

anxietylikeavibrationonhisskin.

“Lorelei,whatisit?What’swrong?”

*********

Loreleididn’tunderstandwhySeth’sdesirehadrisensosharply,buthisscentdidn’tlie.Thevery

thingshe’dlongedforhadhappened,butnowthatshe’dhadsexwithSeth,herentirebeingsuddenly
recoiledatwhatwashappeningbetweenthem.

Shedidn’tknowhowtodothis,tobethisintimatelyconnectedtoanyone,andespeciallynottoaman

she’dcravedforthepasttwomonths.Morethananything,shefearedbeingrippedfromherworldagain,
asshehadatleastonceayearforthepastseveraldecades.

SheknewshewasnolongeratriskfromMargettafindingher,butherboneshadn’tyetlearnedthis

truth.

Asthoughherbodyactedinstinctively,sheshiftedtoherwolfformandboltedfromtheroom.She

heardSethcallingafterher,butshequicklywrappedanenthrallmentshieldaroundherselfandraced
throughhishouse,herclawsslidingacoupleoftimesonhispolishedwoodfloors.

Whenshereachedthebackdoor,sheshiftedtofaeonlyaslongasittooktocreatefingersandpullthe

doorwide.

Resumingherwolfshape,sheleapedontothenearbypathandranashardasshecouldupthesteep

mountainside,disappearingintotheforestitself,followinglesseranimaltrailstoavoiddetection.

She’dmadeadenforherselfsoonafterherarrivaltothearea,settingupaseriesofenthrallment

layerstoprotectherselffromotherrealm-folk,especiallyshifters,vampires,andmostimportantly,
Margetta.

Onceinsidetheden,shecurleduponthepadded,furcomforter,tremblingandtryingtocalmherself.

Sheboreathickwintercoatandwascomfortablephysically,butheremotionsswirledinherbody,

tearingthroughhermind,creatinganupheavalshecouldn’tseemtosettle.

Shelickedthetopofherpawsandbreathedhard.She’djusthadsexwiththemanofherdreams.And

ithadrocked.

Shewhimpered,apurewolfishsound,andhuffedasigh.
Shewasabloodrose,butshedidn’twanttobe.She’dwatchedBatyaallthattime,asQuinlanhad

pursuedher,chasedher,thenbroughtherdown.

Hershifternosehadcaughtthescentofsexbetweenthemandthepowerfulfaepartofherhadfeltthe

vibrationsastheyconnected.

She’dneverconnectedwithanyone,butthebloodroseexperiencewasasprofoundasitwas

comprehensive.Theredidn’tseemtobeamiddleground,noplayingatsexandofferingherveinwhenit
suitedher.Thiswouldbeafull-blowncommitmentandshedidn’tknowhowtodothat.

She’dalsoheardthatSethhadalmostsunkhisfangsintoBatya.
Sheroseupswiftly,herfurliftingallalongherback.ShegrowledatthethoughtofSethdrinkingfrom

Batyaoranyotherwoman.

Shepacedinacircle,disgustedandfrightenedbysomanyoverwhelmingandcontradictoryreactions,

asthoughsherejectedabondwithSethwiththesameforcethatshedesiredhim.

Foramoment,whileshemovedbackandforth,adifferentkindofvibrationreachedher,veryfaint,

andhavingmoretodowiththeshiftercommunityinWalvashorrthanwithSethinparticular.

Shepaused,waitingtoseeifshecoulddecipherthemeaningofthisnewvibration.Somethingabout

thefrequencygaveherthesensesheneededtobemoving,buttodowhatshecouldn’tquitefigureout.

Afterafewminutes,thefrequencystoppedandshecurleduponcemoretothefurcomforter,crossing

herfrontpawsandsettlinghermuzzleontopofthemandwonderingwhatMastyrSethmadeofallthat
hadhappened.

*********

Sethstoodatthebackdoorofhishome.Thesunwasalmostgoneanditwouldbefull-darksoon.He

staredupatthesteepridgeandnoticedafaintbutveryrealtrailofsilvery-teallight.

Instinctively,andinaveryrealmway,heknewhewaslookingatLorelei’simprint,somethingonlyhe

couldsee.Thesexhadestablishedaprivatemarker,somethingthathadoccurredwhenhe’dtakenher
blood,createdbecauseofhismastyrvampirestatusandherbloodroseability.

Noneofthebondedmastyrshadmentionedthiskindofphenomenon,butthenLoreleicarriedsomany

specieswithinherthatthesilvery-tealtrailmightbespecificonlytoherorperhapsasaresultofher
shifterDNA.

Partofhim,thesamepartthathadjumpedonherthemomentshe’dsweptherhairbackfromherneck,

wanteddesperatelytofollowthattrail.Hewantedtograbthewolfbythescruffoftheneck,andhaulher
prettyasshome,straightintohisbedroomwhereshebelonged.

Ontheotherhand,thecivilizedpartofhimthatbelievedinself-controlaboveeverythingelse,

rejectedchasingthefemale.

Hewasaman,notabeast.
Yethe’dbeenallbeastwhenhe’dtakenherblood,thencoupledwithher.Hehadn’tevenknownwho

shewas.

Hisconductappalled,yetinturn,excitedhim—onehelluvadichotomy.
Loreleiwasashifter,whichmadehermoreconnectedtotheearthandtheanimalworldthanhe’d

everbe.Helivedapart,physicallyandmentally.Hekepthisbodyleanandfightingtoned,utterly
disciplined.Hismindservedtherealmheruled.

Whatwashesupposedtodowiththisnew,raw,unexpectedturnofevents?Theothermastyrshad

warnedhimtobeready,thathisbloodrosewouldcome.He’dpreparedhimselfforamoreregularsortof
woman,maybeafaelikeBatya,orevenhalf-realm,half-human,likeSamantha.

ButnotLorelei,ananomalyinhisworldknowntohavefourdistinctDNAstrands:wraith,fae,shifter

andevenasmallremnantofvampire.Thoughrealm-folk,whenbirthedfromdifferentspecies,always
landedononesideoranother,Loreleicouldmoveeasilythroughthefirstthreemoredominantforms.He
hadyettoseethewraithpartofher,butQuinlanhad.

OnceQuinlanhadreturnedwithBatyatoresumehisdutiesasMastyrVampireofGrochaireRealm,

Sethhadspokenwithhimseveraltimesonthephone.He’daskedabouttheirmutualenemy,theancient
fae-wraithknownasMargetta,andintheprocesshadlearnedalotaboutLoreleiaswell.

Heknewshe’dbeenontherunforseventy-twoofherninetyyearsandthatagood-heartedtroll,

Genevieve,hadraisedLoreleiandinfusedherwithagenerous,givingattitudetowardlife.Whilehelping
Loreleitoescapeherprisoninoneofthemountainousrealms,GenevievehaddiedatMargetta’shands.

Notlongafter,LoreleihadlivedwiththefamousNineRealmscouple,VojalieandDavido,servingin

theirhouseholdonlytobediscoveredbyMargettathroughalatentmother-daughtertrackingsystem.From
thattimeforward,Loreleihadmovedfromrealm-to-realmandhermostrecenttwo-yearstayhadbeenin
Batya’sfree-clinicinGrochaire’sTennesseeaccesspoint.

AtFerrendenPeace,apparentlythequeenhadtaughtLoreleispecialskillsthatwouldkeepMargetta

fromfindinghereveragain.

YethereSethstood,watchinghersilvery-tealsignaturefinallyfadeaway,wonderingwhatchance

sequenceofeventshadbroughtLoreleitohishome.

Hecouldhavetrackedherrightnowifhe’dwantedto,butherabsencehadgivenhimachanceto

recoverhiswits.

Abloodrose.
Heshookhishead.
Heslippedhisphonefromthepocketofhisjeansandcancelledhisdoneuse.Beyondthat,hedidn’t

knowwhatthehellhewassupposedtodo.

*********

Withfull-darkhavingfinallyarrived,Loreleiemergedfromherden.
Shegaveherselfagoodstretchandanevenbettershake.Thesnowstillfell,thoughgently.Sustaining

herenthrallmentshields,sheliftedherheadtostarethroughthethickfirbranches,allthewaytothedense
snowcloudsabove.

ShewatchedforeventhesmallestsignofMargetta,whooftenpatrolledtheairduringthefirstcouple

ofhoursofthenight.Butforthemostpart,Loreleinolongerfeareddiscoverybyherparent.Rosamunde
hadhelpedbreakthespell,orwhateveritwas,thathadoncegivenMargettaanupperhandoverLorelei.

Keepingherlayeredshieldtight,shelistenedtotheforest.Snowkeptthemountainsincrediblyquiet,

whichmeantshecouldhearsoundsfromalongdistanceaway.Whatsurprisedherwasn’twhatsheheard,
butratherthatnotonesoundcamebacktoher.

Atthistimeofnight,theShifterBrigadepatrolswouldbealloverthemountains,movingatlightning

speedonallfoursasonlywolf-shifterscoulddo.Andshe’dbeabletohearthismovement,however
muffledbyalayeroffreshsnow.

Instead,sheheardnothing,norunning,nomovementofwind,nohowlsasthepatrolscalledtoeach

other.

Herheart-rateincreased.Somethingwaswrong.

WasitSeth?
She’dbeensooverwhelmedbyherrecentexperiencewiththeMastyrofWalvashorrthatshe’d

forgottenthatherfirstjobwastoguardhim.

Shesetherpawsinmotionandwithinsecondsarrivedatthebackdoorofhishouse.Shelistened

intentlyandheardhisphoneringing.

Amomentlater,hisvoicehittheairwaves.“Ephyx.Whereareyourmen?Ihaven’tseenonepatrol

sincefull-dark.”

Loreleishiftedtoherfaeself.She’dchangedinherdenearlier,puttingonafreshpairofjeans,furry

snowboots,along-sleevedt-shirtandathin,butwell-paddedjacket.Sheknocked,thenenteredthe
kitchen.

Sethappearedinthedoorway,aphonetohisear.Hefrownedashemethergaze,butdippedhischin,

thenwavedherforward.

Shefelthisdistress,whichputallhersensesonhighalertasshewalkedswiftlytowardhim.He

turnedinthedirectionhe’dcome,afrownforcinghisbrowslowonhisforehead.

Ashemovedintothelivingroom,shefollowed.
“Ican’tbelievewhatyou’retellingme.”
“Whatisit?”Loreleiaskedquietly.
Hecoveredthephonewithhishand.“TheShifterBrigade.”
“They’regone,aren’tthey?”
Heglancedtowardthewindowasthoughstrainingtohearthemhimself.“Howdidyouknow?”
“Theforestissilent.”
Henodded,uncoveringthephone.“Ephyx,letmecallyourightback.”
Hergazetookhiminasheputhisphoneaway.HeworehisGuardsmanuniform,thelongblack

leather,sleevelesscoatoverathick,blacklong-sleevedwintershirt.Hishipbootsrosetomid-thighand
coveredhisbattleleathers.Asinglelineofsmallsilverstudsrandowntheoutersideofeachboot.He
lookedamazing,especiallywithhishairslickedbackandsecuredbythetypicalwovenclasp.

Hehadanextraordinaryphysiquetobeginwith,butthelayereddesignattheshouldersenhancedwhat

naturehadalreadygivenhim.

Familiarsensationspummeledheroflovinghowhelookedandhowhesmelled.Herhearthadstarted

laboringagain,aheavypullwhichshenowknewmeantshewasabloodrose.Shecouldn’tbelieveshe
wastheuniquekindofdonorthatfromnowonwouldproduceallthenourishmentamastyrvampire
wouldneed.

Knowingshe’drelievedhimofhispainfulblood-starvation,easedsomethinginsideLorelei.She

watchedawarriorvampirewhohadsacrificedforcenturiestoservehisrealm,whowouldgladlydiefor
WalvashorrandtheNineRealms,andshe’dhelpedhim.Forthat,anddespitewhatevermaycomeinthe
nextfewhoursordays,shewasgrateful.

“WhatdidEphyxsay?”
Herubbedtwofingersoverhisforehead.“Idon’tknowwhathappened.Hedoesn’teither.ButI

wantedtotalktoyouaboutLoperzCanyon.Areyouupforthat?”

“Yes,ofcourse.”
“Rememberhowyouhowledbeforeyouattackedthatvampireandknockedhimoverattheknees?”
Shenodded.
“EphyxtoldmethatsomehowyoucalledalltheshiftersofWalvashorrwiththatoneeffort.HeandI

discusseditbriefly,butyouwereinterribleshapesoIleftimmediatelyafterandbroughtyouhere.He
justtoldmethatevenafterIleftwithyou,apparentlytheShifterBrigade,fromallfourpacks,arrivedin

thatcanyon.”

“Theentirebrigade?You’rekidding.”
“Notevenalittle.Youhavesomekindofsuper-connectiontoallfourpacks.”
Sheopenedhermouthtoaskanotherquestion,perhapseventoexpressherincredulity,butatthat

momentthesamefrequencythatshe’dexperiencedearlieratthedenreturned.Thevibrationfeltfullof
chaosevenrage.“Sowherearethepacksnow,ifthey’renotonpatrol?”

“That’sjustit.Ephyxsaidthey’reallatBigTimber.”
“All,asineveryshifterGuardsman?”Sheshookherhead,astonishedyetagain.
Henodded.
“Thenwe’dbettergetoverthere.”
Amomentlater,hisphonerangagain.“Yes,Ephyx.”HemetandheldLorelei’sgaze.“We’reonour

way.”

Sethdidn’thavetotellherwherethey’dbegoingorwhy.Thevibrationshe’dfeltearliernow

coalescedonherskinandthroughherbodylikeasuddenbrushfireandsheknewwithoutthesmallest
doubtthattheshiftercommunitywasabouttoeruptintoafull-blownwar.Shejusthadnoideawhy.

*********

Sethstaredintowarm,browneyes,surprisedbyhowhefelttowardthiswoman,bytherushof

gratitudeandevenaffectionthatflowedthroughhimbecauseofhowreadyshewastoenterthefray.
Knowingthatallfourshifterpackswereclosetotearingeachothertopieces,toldhimshecouldbe
endangeredbygoingtoBigTimber.Yetallshe’dsaidwas,‘Thenwe’dbettergetoverthere.’

“Maybeyoushouldstayhere.You’restillrecovering.”
Shetiltedherheadasthoughthesuggestionconfusedher.“I’mfine.Really.Don’tworryaboutme.

Besides,IcansensethatI’mnecessarytowhat’sgoingonwithyourbrigaderightnow.Myguessisthat
summoningthepacksasIdidhascausedaproblem.NowI’mhopingIcanbepartofthesolution.”

Sethdrewinadeepbreath.Hedidn’tlikethesituationatall.Mostofhisbrigadewasmadeupof

powerfulmalesthatwouldchompatthebittobattleeachother.AndbecauseLoreleiwaspartshifter,she
wouldn’tstayoutofthefightifitcametothat.

Butshewouldn’tremainhereeither.Shemighthaveatender,caringside,butshewasalsotoughand

stubbornashell.Thequeenhadcommandedhertoserveashisbodyguard,andnotoneofhisinitial
shoutingmatcheswithherhaddislodgedherintentiontoremainbyhisside.

“Sowhichwouldyouprefer,runningorflying?”Hedidn’twanttoassumeanythingwithLoreleiand

shemightprefershiftingtoallfours,ratherthanflyingwithhim.Mostwolf-shifterslovedtorunand
couldcrossdozensofmilesinanightandcouldoccasionallysprinttocoveramileaminuteforaquarter
houratatime.

“I’dlovetorun,ofcourse,butitwouldbefasterformetofly,right?”
“Yes,byatleasttenminutes.”
“ThenI’llfly.”Afunnygleamenteredhereye,almosttaunting,asthoughsheknewtheeffecthernext

wordswouldhaveonhim.“Anddon’tworry,IflewwithQuinlanmorethanonce.Inhisarms.Heheld
metight.”

Agrowlformedatthebackofhisthroat,deepandpossessive,somethinghe’dneverdonebefore.

Thatstoic,rationalpartofhimbegantofadeintothebackgroundoncemoreashepulledherintohis
arms.You’renottoflywithothermen,especiallynotmastyrvampires,doyouunderstand?

Isthatthewayyouwantit?
That’sacommand.Henarrowedhiseyes,willinghertoobeyhim.

Shesmiled,almostwickedly.“ThenIhaveacommandofmyown,SethofWalvashorr.Aslongas

we’retogether,aslongasyou’redrinkingfrommythroat,don’teventhinkaboutusingoneofyour
doneuses.Thisisatwowaystreet,understand?”

Sheleanedupandkissedhimwhichignitedhisneedforheralloveragain.
Withhereyesglinting,sheasked,“Sohowdoyouwantme?”
Heignoredthefirstresponsethatshotintohisbrain,whichwentsomethinglike‘flatonyourback’.
Instead,heorderedhissensesandgavethenecessaryinstructions.“Plantyourfootonmyleftboot.

That’sit.Nowyourarmaroundmyneck.”Hedrewhertightagainsthisside.“Doyoufeelsecure?”

“Very.”
“Good,becausewe’llbemovingfast.”
Helevitatedafootabovethefloorandglidedslowlytothefrontdoor.Onceoutsidewiththedoor

shutsecurely,heshotintotheairandheadednorthtowardBigTimber.

*********

Loreleiexperiencedtwosensationsatonce,thepleasureofbeingheldagainstSeth’sbodyandthe

oddvibrationsthatreachedherfromthenorth,acontinualfierysensationagainstherskin.Bothcalledto
herinwaysunfamiliartoher,thoughsheunderstoodherdesireforSethbetterthanthepack-based
frequencythatkeptpeltingher.

Howfarawayarewe?She’dneverbeentoBigTimberbeforeandshedidn’tknowWalvashorr’s

geographynearlyaswellasSethdid.

Fiveminutes,butyoufeelverytense.What’sgoingon?

Loreleiswallowed,herthroattight.I’mnotsure.Thebrigade’sshifterfrequencyiscrawlingover

myskin,butIdon’tknowwhatitmeans.

Isitpainful?
Almost.
Describeit.
Shehadtothinkforamoment.Fieryandchaotic,that’swhatthisfeelslike.Infact,itfeelslike

morethanonevibration.

Howmany?Evenwithinherhead,Seth’svoicesoundedjustlikehim,amid-rangetimbrewithstrong

resonance.

Ithinktherearefour.
Shefocusedonthevibrations,loweringherchin.Breathinginandout,shebeganseparatingthefour

strands,thesourceofthechaos.Eachfrequencystrandheldastrongemotionalelementthattheshifterpart
ofhertunedinto.

SherelayedtheinformationtoSeth.
Whichemotion?Canyoudefineit?
Shefocusedagain.Turmoiland...rage.Yes.Rage,butit’sfocusedonsomekindofterritorialissue.
Thatwouldn’tbeasurpriseforshifters.Territoryisextremelyimportantasyouprobablyalready

know.Andyousaytherearefourstrands?

Yes,I’mexperiencingfourexactly.
Lorelei,ourshifterpopulationismadeupoffourpacks.Doyouthinkyou’resomehowtappinginto

eachpack’ssignaturefrequency?

Ihavenoidea.Maybe.
Duringthispastmonth,haveyouspentmuchtimewithothershifters?

No,notatall.Rosamundesentmetoguardyou.
Sinceyouarrived,haveyoufeltcompelledtoenterpacklife?Yourshifterheritagefeelsvery

powerfultome,almostaspowerfulasthepartofyouthat’sfae.

Sheneededhimtounderstand.ThetruthisthatIhaven’treallyfounditpossibletobeengagedin

anycommunity.TheclosestIcamewaswhenIlivedinLebanonandservedasBatya’sassistant.
Beforethat,Ineverstayedinoneplacelongerthanayear.

Ican’tevenimaginewhatthatmusthavebeenlikeforyou.I’velivedheremyentirelife.
Yetyou’realone.
Notalone.Ichooseasolitarypathtokeepfocusedonthejob.
So,hethoughtthiswasachoice.ButsheknewthetruthevenifSethdidn’tknowthatthiswasanold

survivalskillhe’dlearnedearlyonandstillemployed,togoitalone,alwaysalone.

Andshewasn’tmuchdifferent.
IsyourVampireGuardnearby?
Outpatrolling.I’vegivenAaronandCharlesafullupdate.They’llbecheckinginsoon.But

whateverisgoingonhere,Ican’ttaketheriskofleavingtherestoftherealmunprotectedbybringing
theGuardhere.

Ofcoursenot.
We’realmostatBigTimber.Howarethefrequencies?
EasiertomanagesinceIseparatedthem.Butthehostilityisunbelievable.
Onemoreridge.
Herosehighintheair,crossingthetallestmountainyet.Theruggedpeakwaswellabovethe

timberlinesothattheypassedoverasmoothwhiteexpanse.

Astheydescendedandthecentral,ancientconferencegroundscameintoview,Loreleidrewinalong

breath.“Howbeautiful.”

BigTimberwasanexpansivecomplexbuiltofavarietyofmodern,logstructures,includingseveral

massiveoutdoorplatformswithenormousburningfirepitsandhugetorchescirclingtheperimeter.Asa
famousrealmconferencecenter,allsortsoforganizationsusedthecomplexthroughouttheyear.

Shesawatonce,however,thatinalargecentralarea,maleshifters,int-shirts,leathers,andheavy

boots,shoutedateachother.

Sethslowedhisflight,easingthemtowardtheearth.I’veneverseenthemlikethis.Whatthehellis

goingon?

Withthepacksallcarefullyalignedwiththeiralphas,Loreleicouldseethatsomethingveryterritorial

innaturehadsetthepacksagainsteachother.Butshecouldn’timaginewhatshecouldpossiblydoto
relievethehorrendoustensionofthesituation.

Someoftheshiftersstrainedtodobattle,heldbackbyothers.Shoutingfilledthespace.
AnddeepwithinhershifterDNA,shewantedtojointhem.

ChapterFour

Sethlandedintheverycenteroftheturmoilknowinghisshifterfightingforcewasahair’sbreadth

awayfromafree-for-all.Centuriesofworkingtounifythepack-loyalbrigadehadalmostcompletely
disintegrated.Themalewarriorsbehavedastheyhadlongago,tempersvolatile,loyaltytothepackset
farabovethewell-beingoftherealm,andthefemaleshiftersnotfarbehind.

Loreleisteppedawayfromhim,turninginacircle.Hefeltherdistress,evenheruncertainty,amirror

ofhisownresponsetothesituation.

Buthehadn’tbeenaleaderofwarriorsforcenturieswithoutknowingwhere,atleast,tobegin.
Inaloudvoice,hecommanded,“Iwantthealphasherewithmerightnow.Therestofyou,fallback

intopackformationsbeyondthecentralcommunalarea.”Hethenassignedwhatappearedtobethe
closestfirepitforeachpack.

Butthealphasdidn’tmoveandeachregimentstuckclosetoitsleader.EvenEphyx,whoalways

obeyed,stayedfrozeninplace,hiseyeswildwithshifter-rage.

Sethrarelyemployedhisrank,buthediditnow,addingapowerfulvibrationtohisvoice,ashe

shouted,“Doit,now!”

Thetensionintheranksaroundhimrosetoasharp,suddenpeakbutalmostasquicklysubsided.The

alphas,respondingtohisauthority,eachgaveasignalandtheirgrumblingforcesretreated.Pack
organizationreliedheavilyonchain-of-command.

AndSethwasatthetopofthatchain.
Someshoulderbumpingwenton,aswellasheavy,bassgrowls.Manyoftheshiftersshowedfuron

theirhands,andsomearoundtheneck,atypicalreactionofstrongemotion.Butforthemostpart,the
retreatrolledoutthewayheneededitto.

Ephyxspokeinaloudvoice.“Territorieswereviolatedduringtheprimecall.”
Sethstaredathimforalongmoment.“Whatdoyoumean,‘primecall’?I’veneverheardthatbefore.”
“Thesummoningcallthatonlyaprimefemalecanissue.”HeloweredhischinandheldSeth’sgaze.

“Thecallyourprimefemaleissued,callingallfourpackstoLoperzCanyon.”

HeglancedatLoreleiasanewlayerofhorrordescendedonhim.
Primefemale?
Hepathedtoher.Isthatyourtakeonthis?Primefemale?Andifshedidholdthisposition,whatdid

thatmakehim?

Lorelei’seyeswentwide.Idon’tknowwhatthatmeans.Remember,I’veneverbeenpartofa

shifterpack,soIdon’tknowalltheranksortheterminology.Itakeityoudon’t,either.

Heshookhishead.No,Idon’t.Atleast,I’veneverheardthistermbefore.
ThealphaCohoetspoke,histoneacerbic.“Shedoesn’tevenknowwhatsheis,orwhatshe’sdoing

here.Thisisfuckingbullshit.”Hisvoiceroseasheleveledhisgazeather.“Youdon’tdeservethisrank,
MistressLorelei.Whothehelldoyouthinkyouare,anyway,enteringWalvashorrwithoutdeferringto
me,ortooneoftheotheralphas?Youshouldhavedonethatfirstbeforechoosingamate.”

SethheldCohoet’sgaze,tryingtograspallthathewassaying.WhatdidhemeanthatLoreleihad

alreadychosenamate?

Glancingather,thehorrifiedexpressioninhereyestoldhimshewasn’tawarethatshe’ddoneany

suchthing.

ThereweresomanyissuesatworkthatSethcouldn’tquiteprocesswhatexactlywasgoingon.Butas

hebegananalyzinganddissectingthesituation,herealizedthatanewproblemhadrisen,oneclosely

associatedwithLorelei’sshifterDNA.Cohoethaddemeanedherandnowolfofcharactercouldletsuch
achallengegounanswered.Hefeltherangerkickintohighgear,matchingthesamelevelofragethat
ruledallofBigTimberrightnow.

Heturnedtowardher,intendingtocalmherdown,butshe’dalreadylaunchedintotheairatCohoet.

Inturn,thealphabracedhimselfwithasmile,readytodobattle,evenwithafemaleinherweakerfae
form.

Actingoninstinct,however,Sethflewtowardher,catchingheraroundthewaistmidair.Heswungher

inacircleandthoughshefoughtagainsthim,hebroughtherbacktothesnow-coveredplatform.

Shepantedhard,hermusclestwitching,assheshovedagainsthimtryingtogetfreeofhishold.She

evenshowedasoftwhiteruffcirclingherthroat,whichsharpenedtheappearanceofhernowruddy
cheeks.Herfurhathadcomeslightlyaskewaswell.

Lorelei,easedown.Heheldhertight.Herbrowneyeswildassheglaredatthealphathathad

challengedher.Ineedyoutocomebacktome.Lookatme!

Thecommandworked.
Loreleiturnedherattentiontohim,blinkingseveraltimesasshementallyshouted,What?
Getholdofyourshifter-selfrightnow.
Sheappearedstartled,maybebythesterntoneofhistelepathicvoice.
Still,sheargued,ButwhothehelldoesCohoetthinkheis,Seth?AndwhatdoeshemeanthatI’m

yourprimefemaleandthatI’vechosenyou?That’sthebullshithere.

Butashestaredintohereyes,ashethoughtabouttherealitythatshewasabloodroseaswellasan

anomalyinhisworldbecauseofherunusualDNA,hewondered.Whatifyouhavechosenme?Whatif
youareaprimefemale?

Shefinallyceasedstrugglingagainsthim,andhelethergo.Thisisinsane.Shetuggedatherhat,

turningitslightly,straighteningitout.Furhadevensproutedonherhands.

Atleasthertemperhadsettleddown,thoughnowshepacedbackandforth.Thewhiteruffaroundher

neckspokeofheremotionsaswellashershifternature.Therandomthoughtstreakedthroughhismind
thathelikedhershowoffuratherwrists,handsandthroat.Helikedthatshehadadominantshifter
temper,earthyandwild.Inthisway,shebalancedhisstoicanalyticalnature.

CohoetaddressedSeth,noddingseveraltimes.“Iapprovethatthemastyrcancontrolhisfemale.This

isagoodthing.”

Sethgroanedhisdismay,thenquicklycaughtLoreleiaroundherwaistassheoncemoreleapedin

Cohoet’sdirection.SethheldhertightagainsthimassheletlooseverballywithherviewsonCohoet’s
attitudesandcharacter.

“Yousexistpig.MastyrSethwasn’tcontrollingme,hewasspeakingsense,butwhatthehellwould

youknowaboutthat?Youtreatyourmenlikeslavesandhaven’tallowedasinglewomantoserveinyour
forces.You’retheleastevolvedshifterI’veevermet.”

Cohoetwastheonlyalphawhorefusedtoallowwomentojoinhisregiment.Therestofthepacks

hadnearlytwentypercentinclusionoffemaleshifterwarriorsintheirranks.ButnotCohoet.

HeheardsomeofthefemalesfromalloverBigTimbershoutingtheirencouragementtoLoreleias

shecontinuedherrant.

“Andletmetellyousomethingelse,whenIthinkofyouasanalpha,Ithinkofanotherwordthat

beginswithAthatfitsalotbetter,andyouknowexactlywhatthatis.”Shecontinuedoninthisveinwith
Cohoetappearingalmostbored,armscrossedoverhismassivechest.Hehadnouseforwomenexceptin
bed,tocookhismeals,ortocleanupafterhim.

Seth,however,nowfoundhimselfinaridiculousquandary.Heneededhertocalmthehelldown,but

herwrithingbodyasshetriedtopullawayfromhim,sentdesireforherrocketingthroughhimoncemore.

Theuncivilizedpartofhimlovedthatshewasout-of-controlandsayingthingstoCohoetthatmostof

themenpresent,andallofthewomen,hadwantedtosaytothebastardatsometimeoranother.

Helethersaywhatshewantedandsettledintoenjoyingthesoftcurvesofherbody.Hesniffedthe

ruffatherneck,savoringtheeroticappleblossomscentasshecontinuedhertirade.

Thebeautifulwhitefuronthebacksofherhandscalledtohimaswell.Hewasprettysureherscent

wouldbestrongthereaswell,andhewantedmoreofit.

Suddenly,Loreleiwhirledabruptlyinhisarms,landingonherfeetandstaringathimwithhorrified

eyesoncemore.Whythehellhaveyougoneallmossyonme?

Hethoughtaboutlyingtoher,buthedidn’tseethepoint.Hisscentclearlyhadgivenhimaway.

BecauseIlikeyoulikethis,allworkedupandshoutingatCohoet.

Hehadn’tplannedonhisarousalbeingthereasonthatherrageburntitselfout,butitwasasgooda

toolasanyandratherfittingforthecircumstances.Ofalltherealmspecies,shiftershadarealwildside
whenitcametosex,likingitearthyandrough.

Andheunderstoodveryclearlythatsomepartofhiscontrolledvampire-selfwantedtothoroughly

explorethissideofLorelei.

Shebreathedhardassheslowlyrecoveredhertemper.
Anotherofthealphas,Valgus,spokeup.“MastyrSeth,IconfessI’veenjoyedlisteningtotheprime

femaleenumeratemyfellowalpha’sconsiderableflaws.”Hepaused,noddingtoCohoet,andachuckle
ranthroughthecrowd.“Buttoreturntotheissueathand,Lorelei’ssummoningofallfourpackshas
createdahugeterritorialconflict.Ourcustomsdemandthatwesettlethedisputebyourusualmethods.”

Intheshifterworld,the‘usualmethods’referredtophysicalcombat.
Partofrulinganentirerealm,withsomanyvariedspecies,involvedallowingindividualspeciesthe

latitudetoself-governaseachsawfit.Battlingmano-a-manoworkedfortheshifterpacks.

ButthecurrentsituationleftallofWalvashorrvulnerable.“Ican’tletyoudothat,Valgus.Theancient

faehasapresenceinWalvashorrrightnowandhasbeenbringingindozensofInvictuswraith-pairsto
harmourfamilies.WhichmeansthatIneedallofyouservingyourterritoriesasyouhavebeenforthe
pastseveraldecades.RightnowmostoftheShauckMountainsisunprotected.”

Alophi,closerinattitudetoCohoetthantheothers,addedhispiece.“Youknowwetakecareofour

ownfirst.That’spacklaw.Anddecisionsmustbemade.”

Sethfrowned.“Whatdecisions?”
Ephyxsteppedforward.“Theprimefemalehasupsetthebalanceamongthepacks.Crossing

territories,asmanyofusdidinordertoanswerhercalltoLoperzCanyon,hasleftscenttrailsandthe
womenofthoseterritoriesarenowfreetopursuethemenofotherpacks.”

Okay,thatwasarealproblem.“Isee.”
EvenLoreleigrewquiet.Shecouldhardlyargueagainstterritorialitywhen,notevenanhourago,

they’dbothestablishedaneedforexclusivity.

Loreleipathed,Seth,Ihavenoideawhattodohere?Idon’tevenknownwhatitmeanstobea

primefemale.

Sethturnedtowardher.Ifyou’retheprimefemaleandyourcallcausedthisproblem,maybeyou

havetheansweraswell.

Thatmightbetrue,butIstilldon’tknowwhatI’mdoing.
Sethoncemoreturnedhisattentiontowardthepacks,acutelyawareofthehostilitythatranthrough

thebrigade.Hetriedtoquicklysizeupwhatneededtobedone,butthetruthwashedidn’thavesufficient
informationtomakeaproperassessment.Weneedanexperthere,someonetohelpusfigurethisout.

I’mthinkingweshouldbringDavidoin.

Davido,ofcourse.Lorelei’seyesbrightened.He’sasoldasthehills.Ifanyonewillhaveanswers

aboutwhat’sgoingon,hewill.

Iagree.
Aloud,headdressedthealphas.“WeneedrealmsupportandI’mcallingDavidotohelpussortthis

out.Anyobjections?”Heglaredashespoke,hischinlowered,lettingthemknowthathewasn’tinthe
moodforargument.

Thealphastookturnsnoddingtheiracquiescence.Whenhehadthefullsupportofeach,hesuggested

ahuntforfreshvenison,whilehecontactedtheoldtroll.Emptystomachswouldnothelpthegeneral
volatilityofthepacks.

Whentheorderswereissued,severalshiftersfromeachpacktransformedintowolvesandtookoffin

fourdifferentdirections.Therestsetuptalltripodsfordressingthemeatandbuiltfirepitsforspit-
roasting.

SethremainedwithLoreleiinthecenteroftheexpansivecompound.
Sheslippedherarmaroundhis,thenpathed,Thatwasbrilliant,sendingthemouttohunt.Shifters

prefertobedoing.

Hemethergaze.SweetGoddess,aprimefemale?
Don’tremindme.I’mfreakingout.
Hedrewhisphonefromthepocketofhisbattleleathers.Timetobringinthebigguns.
JustashepulledupDavido’snumber,thetroll’svoicesoundedfrombehindhim.“Wereyouaboutto

callme,mygoodMastyrSeth?Ihopeso,becausemymostbelovedonesentme,orhaveIcometoo
soon?”

“Davido,”Loreleicried,turningasshespoke.Thistimewhenshelaunched,Sethdidn’tstopher.He

hadnofearofDavido,despitehisfamouscharisma.

DavidoopenedhisarmsandembracedLorelei.ShehadtobendovertoreachhimgivenDavid’s

shortstature,whichgaveSethanimproperviewofherbottomencasedintightjeans.Likethemalehe
was,hetookfulladvantageofthesight.

DavidorubbedLorelei’sbackandclearedhisthroat,finallydrawingSeth’sgazeawayfromher.
Davidowinked.
Sethchuckled.He’dalwayslikedDavido,oneoftheugliesttrolls,andfinestmen,he’deverknown.

HewasmarriedtoperhapsthemostbeautifulwomanintheNineRealms,VojalieofMerhaineRealm,a
verypowerfulfae,theonewhohadsentDavidotoBigTimber.

ThemysteryofDavido’sagepromptedallkindsofcuriosity.Sethhadknownhimhisentirelifewhich

placedhimbeyondeleven-hundredyears,yethisancientbackgroundremainedagreatsecret.Butthe
realm-folklovedthekindandverywise,ancienttrollandhiswife’sadorationsetanexamplefor
everyone.

Healsohadincrediblepowers,wellbeyondeventhemostgiftedintheirworld.Sethstilldidn’t

knowhowheactuallytravelled.Thoughhehadthecapacityforflight,moreoftenthannot,hedidhis
appear-disappearact.

WhenhefinallyreleasedLorelei,heshivered.“Istheresomeplacewarmerwecangototalk?”
Sethglancedaround.Themainlodgewouldwarmupquicklyoncehegotafiregoing.“Followme.”
DavidoimmediatelytookLorelei’shand.“Andhowiseverything,mydear?DidRosamundeteach

youwhatyouneededtoknow?”

Sethwatchedthem,hisgazedroppingmorethanoncetoDavido’shandclaspingLorelei’s.Hisheart

seized.Hewantedtofeelthatateasewithher,thathecouldtakeherhandandholditinhis.

Hefeltasthoughhe’dlivedalifetimewithheroverthepasttwenty-fourhours,carryingherinhis

armswhileshe’dbeeninwolf-form,fearingshewoulddie.He’deventakenfromherthroatandhadsex
withher.Yet,thethoughtofholdingherhandunsettledhim,anothersignthathehardlyknewher.

ShechattedwithDavidoaskingaboutbabyBernice,theirrecentadditiontowhatwasalargefamily.
HeknewLoreleihadworkedinDavido’shouseholdalongtimeagoandthatDavidohadhelped

QuinlanandBatyagetLoreleitoFerrendenPeacejusttwomonthspast.Thetwoofthemhada
connection,somethinghehadn’texperiencedinalongtime.
Centuriesago,he’dcareddeeplyforKristen,awomanhe’dthoughttomarry.Butfromthetimehe’dlost
herthroughherbetrayalandsubsequentdeath,hehadn’tallowedanywomantogetclose.

HemarveledatthebloodrosephenomenonthatkeptmovinginwavesthroughthemastyrsoftheNine

Realms.AndnowLorelei,whohadcomeintohislife,wascapableofcreatinganendlesssupplyof
bloodforhim.

ThroughQuinlan,andsubsequentconversationshe’dhadwithRosamundeduringthemonththequeen

hadtrainedLorelei,SethknewthatLoreleihadbeentheproductofgeneticmanipulation,atest-tubefetus
thathadcarriedallfourstrainsofDNA,eachwiththeabilitytopresentasignificantfacetotheworld,a
completeanomalyinrealmhistory.

She’dalsobeendesignedtobeaweapontobeusedforMargetta’sambitionstoonedayruletheir

world.

ButMargettahadkidnappedthewrongtrolltoraiseLorelei,becauseGenevieve’sexcellentcharacter

hadmadeLoreleiawomanofgreatworth.

AsDavidoandLoreleisteppeduponthebroadporchofthemainlodge,sheglancedathimand

smiled.Shelookedhappy,andwhywouldn’tshebesinceshestillheldDavido’shand?

Jealous?Loreleipiercedhistelepathicfrequency,tauntinghimagain.
Hisbreathcaughtattheteasingsmileonherlips.Thewomanseemedtoenjoybaitinghimand

thereforedeservedtobeansweredinkind.Yes.Iwantmyhandsonyou,shifter-woman.

Whatreturnedtohimwasasuddenrushofappleblossomscent.Desireflowedquicklythroughhis

groininresponse,hardeningwhatshouldn’tbehardrightnow.

Davidoalsolookedbackathimandchuckled.“Thetwoofyoucanflirtlater.Rightnow,weneedto

stopthefourpacksfromgoingtowar.”

*********

LoreleistoodbackasDavidoandSethworkedtobuildafireinthemassive,lodgefireplace.

Becauseofhershifterqualities,shewasperfectlywarmdespitethefrigidairintheroom.Shesatdown
ontheleatherloveseatnearestthefire,restingherelbowonthearm,herchininhand.Shecrossedher
legsatthekneeandwaggledherfurrybootupanddown.

Shefeltedgy,inpartbecauseSeth’smossyscenthadaboutknockedheroverandallshe’ddonewas

teasehimalittle.She’dbeencravingthemanfortwomonthsnowandallthattherecentsexhaddonewas
makeherwantmoreofhim,alotmore.

Davidodirectedtheprocessoffire-building,whichincludedtellingSethtotakeoffhisGuardcoat

andgiveittoLoreleitokeepwarm.Shealmosttoldhimitwasn’tnecessary,butassoonasSethstarted
removinghiscoat,sheclampedherlipsshut.Shewantedtolookathimwithoutallthatleathercovering
uphispowerfulphysique.HisGuardsmanshirtclungtohismusclesinthenicestway.

Hebroughtthecoattoherandlaiditoverherlap,smilingdownather.Hiseyes,however,wereat

half-mast,asuresignhewasstillthinkingthingsheshouldn’t.Whenheturnedaway,sheliftedtheleather
tohernoseandsniffed.Shebarelyrepressedagroanbecausehisscentclungtoeverybitofhide.

Walkingaway,helookeddamnsexyinhisthighbootswithstudsdownthesides.Andbecause

DavidokepttellingSethtohuntthroughthestackoflogstoreachtheexactsizeDavidorequired,Sethdid
alotofbending,whichinturngaveLoreleithebestview.

He’dperformedthistaskseveraltimeswhenDavidoclearedhisthroat.Reluctantly,Loreleishifted

herattentiontotheancienttroll,butfoundhisblueeyessparklingwithamusement.Hewinkedather,
clearlyknowingfullwellshe’dbeenenjoyingtheview.Sherealizedhe’ddonethisforher.Whata
wickedman!Warmthclimbedhercheeksathavingbeencaught,butshecouldn’thelpbutsmile.

WhenDavidoturnedaroundtofacethefireplace,hergazefelloncemoretoSeth’stightbuttocksand

muscularlegs.Shehadthestrangestdesiretobitehim,toshifttoherwolfformandsinkherteethintothe
fleshypartofhisbottom.Hermouthwateredatthethought.

She’dalwayslikedthemalephysique,frombroadshoulderstonarrowwaist.AndSeth,becausehe

workedoutashedid,wasallfirm,hardmuscle.Onemorereasonshewantedherteethonhim.

Shebitherlipandjustasthefiregotgoing,Sethsuddenlystraightenedandstoodupright.Heturnedto

stareatherforalongmoment,thenhelaughedashepunchedDavidolightlyintheshoulder.“Youold
devil,”hesaid.

DavidoshruggedandmovedtojoinLorelei,thoughonthefarendofthefull-sizesofa.Heusedsome

loosethrow-pillowstomakeacomfortableseatforhimself.Hewasshortatfive-three,andgiventhat
mostshiftershitthesix-footmarkandabove,thefurniturehadbeenbuiltwithlargerframesinmind.

Thoughtherewaseightfeetofcouchremaining,Sethchosetositbesideherontheloveseat,muchto

hersurprise.

Heeventookherhandinhis,asmallactionthatcausedherhearttomelt—sillywomanthatshewas.
Davidosmiledatthembothinturn.“So,tellmewhat’sgoingonandhowIcanhelp.”
Sethrubbedhisthumboverhisforehead,afamiliargesture.“ThealphashavecalledLoreleithe

primefemaleandweneedtoknowwhatthatmeans.”Hethengaveabriefrecountingoftheeventsat
LoperzCanyon.

“Andyou’retheregismale,correct?”Davidocrossedhislegsatthekneeandlookedelegantdoingit,

hishandsrestinglooselyonhislap.

Sethshookhishead.“Noneofthealphassaidanythingaboutamaleregis.”
“Theywill.Aprimefemalealwayshasaregis.”
“ButhowcanIbeanythinglikethatwhenI’mavampire?”
“Historically,anytimeashiftermarriesaspeciesoutsidehisown,heorsheautomaticallygainsthe

complementaryposition.WereEphyx,forinstance,totakeatrollwife,shewouldbethealphafemale.”

“Well,thereareacoupleofproblemswiththat,thefirstbeingthatLoreleiandIaren’tmarried.”
Davido’sbrowsrose.“Marriageistheceremonywe’vecreatedovermanythousandsofyearsto

confirmanalreadyestablishedbondandI’mcatchingastrongshifter-bondingscentcomingfromyou,
Seth.Rememberthatintherealmworld,we’reallconnectedonabasicDNAlevel.Therefore,you
wouldalreadyhavewithinyourgeneticsafewshiftermarkersaspartofyourvampirenature.I’dsay
they’vekickedinandthefourpackswillhavenoproblemrecognizingyouastheirregis.”

Loreleishookherhead.“Thisisallsomuchtotakein.ButwhatIreallydon’tgetishowIbecamethe

primefemale?”

“It’sjustsomethingyouare,whichmeansyouhavethecapacitytosummontheentireshifter

communityofallnineRealms.”

“What?”Seth’svoiceboomedaroundtheroom.
Loreleishookherhead,bewildered.“Seriously?Allnine?”
“That’sright.Ifyou’dbeeninanyotherrealm,yoursummonswouldhavebroughttheshiftersinthat

realm,justasitdidhereinWalvashorr.”

“Ican’tbelievethis.”Loreleifeltoutofherdepthinmorewaysthanone.“SweetGoddessandthe

MotherEarthcombined.Howisthispossible?”

“Youhavemorepowerthanyouknow,whichiswhyMargettahastriedsohardthroughtheyearsto

gettoyou.ButhowhappyIam,mychild,thatyou’veescapedher.Justdoingthatmuchhassavedthe
NineRealms,atleastfornow,sinceshewon’tbeabletoemployyouasaweapon.

“Butwhat’shappeningheretonightisonemorelayerofthebattleaheadofus.Vojaliehassenta

messagetoyouboth,thattogetheryoumustfigureouthowtoforgetheshiftersintoasingle,powerful,
fightingunit.Inthecomingyear,theywillbecomeacriticalpartofthefinalbattlethatmusttakeplacein
ordertodefeatMargettaforever.

“However,mywifealsowishesyoutoknowthatworkingtogetherwillnotbesimpleatfirst,that

thereisahugeobstaclebetweenyou,somethingofadeeperrealmnaturethatwillrequiregreatsacrifice
onbothpartstoovercome.”

Lorelei’sheartstartedpounding.“Andhowarewesupposedtodothat?Webarelyknoweachother.”
Davidoshookhishead.“Youmusthavefaithandlearntotrustoneanother.Muchmoreeasilysaid

thandone,Ifear.”

Seth’schestroseashedrewadeepbreath.“Andwhataboutthispresentconundrum?Allfourpacks

areclosetowarbecauseofaterritorialissuethatarosefromLorelei’ssummons.”

“TheonlywordIhaveforyoufrommymostwiseandmostbelovedwifeisthatyoumustdothis

together,joinforces.Canyoudothat?”

LoreleilookedupatSeth.Meetinghergaze,helookedasseriousasshefelt,hisgray-greeneyes

pinched.“Wecantry,”hesaid.

“AndmywiseonehassuggestedsomethingtowhichI’veagreed.Icanholdtheshiftersbackfora

while,foratleastacoupleofhours.Duringthattime,Iwantyoutocommune,talktoeachother,seeif
youcanfigurethisoutandtakethenextstep.”HeheldSeth’sgaze.“IsuggestyoutakeLoreleitothehot
springsatMagnumPeak,butletherrunthedistanceasashifter.”

Sethturnedtoher.“Areyouwilling?”
Shesmiledsuddenly.“AmIwillingtorun?Anydayornightoftheweek.”
“Youknowthat’snotwhatImeant.”
“Iknow.”Andbecausehelookedsoserious,shesqueezedhishandandadded,“Wehavetogo.We

havetodothis,explorewhat’shere,andmakeadecision.”

Henodded.
Davidosmiled.“Bebackintwohours,nolonger.”
“Understood.”
Insteadofgoingoutthefrontdoor,Sethrecommendedtheyleavethroughthebackentrancebecauseif

theyshowedthemselvestothebrigadeatthispoint,theirpresencemightremindtheshiftersoftheir
unresolveddispute.

Asshesteppedintothecoldoncemore,shecouldsmellvenisonalreadycookingonthespits.The

brigadewouldbewellfedbythetimesheandSethreturnedandhopefullythiswouldservetokeepthe
shifterscalmaswell.

Themomentherbootstouchedthesnow,sheshifted,thenlookedupathimthroughherwolf’seyes.

He’dputhiscoatbackon,andeveninherwolfformhelookedsogoodtoher.

HaveyoubeentoMagnumPeak?
Sheshookhermuzzle.
Hesmiled.“It’saquicktenmilejauntduenorth.”

I’lltrackyou.
Withthat,hetooktotheskies.Herconnectiontohimseemedtobegrowingstrongerthemoreshewas

inhiscompany.Sheknewwherehewaswithouthavingtoglanceskyward.

Shealsoknewthemomentheputonhisspeed.
Shechangedgearsandbegantorunfasterthanarealwolfcouldrun,hergazechartingtheterrain

ahead,upandup,pasttreeaftertree.

Shehitagorgeandfoundthenearestfootbridgethenracedacross.ThenorthernhalfofWalvashorr

wasalandofrivers,gorges,andsteepmountains.Becauseofit,everygorgehaddozensoffootbridges
createdforrealm-folkwhocouldn’tfly.

Shestayedwithhim,notingthathealwaysslowednearagorge,givinghertimetocatchup.
She’dcrossedherthirdonewhenhetookhistimeflyingupwhatsheknewhadtobethefinalpeak.

Hisvoiceenteredhermind.Followthepathtotherightofthefootbridge.It’llbesteep.

Piece-a-cake.
Shecouldhearhimlaugheventhoughhehoveredthirtyfeetaboveherandglidedoverthesnow

coveredtreetops.

Shefoundthenarrowrockypathandbegantheclimb,zigzaggingandworkinghermuscleshard.

She’drarelyspenttimeinherwolfformbeforeservingasSeth’sbodyguard,soshehadn’tknownwhat
shewasmissing.Butnow,shedoubtedshecouldgobacktohersimplefaelifeontwolegs.

Sherarelytransformedtoherwraith-shapesinceonlyahandfulofenlightenedrealm-folkwouldbe

abletotolerateherinthatform.HervampireDNAplayedaverysmallpartanddidn’tseemtohavea
roleinherlife,whichwasfinewithher.Threeidentitieswereenoughtomanage.EvenMargettahadtold
herthatherfatherhadalwaysbeendisappointedthathervampireDNAheldanentirelyrecessiveplacein
hermake-up.

Buthershifterabilitieshadexploded.Rosamunde’scommandthatshegotoWalvashorrhadopeneda

newworldtoLorelei,oneshealreadytreasured.

AndnowtherewasSeth,andthepossibilityofbondingwithhimasabloodroseandsomethingmore,

somethingshifter-basedasregisandprimefemale.Shewasn’tsureexactlywhyDavidohadsentthemto
thehotsprings,butshevaluedthetimeshewouldhavewithSethtogettoknowhimbetter.

*********

SethhoveredattheedgeofthecliffwatchingLoreleiworkherwayupahorrendouslysteeppath.If

shestartedtoslide,hefullyintendedtoracestraightdownthroughthetreesandcatchher.Hefelt
intenselyprotectiveofher.Hecouldnolongerdenythatsomuchabouthermadehimcontent,asthough
onadeeplevelherrealmvibrationsoothedhim,likebuildingafirethatwarmedanicyroom.

Thelastfewyardsweretheworstandhewaited,poisedtoflyasshescrambledup,creatingsmall

rockslidesbehindherasbitsandpiecesoftheunstablepathgaveway.

Butshemadeit,tonguelolling,sidesworkinglikebellows.
Shelookedupathimandifwolfscouldsmile,shesmiled.Hecouldfeelhowhappyshewas,that

runningfilledherwitheuphoria.

Heturnedandflewslowly,guidingherinthedirectionofasmall,shallowvalleywheremistcurled

fromadepressioninthesnow.

Whenhereachedthehotspring,heturned,surprisedtofindLoreleihadalreadyshiftedbacktoher

faeform,herfurhatinhand.Theamethystsalongtheridgeofherearglintedinthenight,callingtohim
oncemore.

“Doyoucomehereoften?”Shesmiled,teasinghim.

Helaughedatherjoke,butadded,“NotasoftenasI’dlike.Youinterestedintakingadip?Although

withyourshiftermetabolismitmightbetoowarm.”

“Afterthatrun,Icoulduseabath.”
Movingtotheedge,shereacheddown,andwithherfingers,testedthewater.Hewasgoingtobe

polite,waitafewminutestoseewhethershereallydidwanttojumpintothehotspring.Butthenext
momentshestartedstrippingoffherjacketandbeforehe’dblinkedtwice,she’dlosthershirtandherbra.

She’dalreadyremovedherbootsandwasworkingatherpants,whenhisbrainfinallyfiguredthings

out,thathehadtohurrytocatchup.Buthehadafineviewofhernakedbackandbuttocksbeforeshe
droppedintothesteamingwaterandsankbelowthesurface.

HisGuarduniform,whileperfectforbattlingInvictuswraith-pairs,tooksomeworktodivest.He

easedoutofhisbootsandsnugbattleleathers.Hiscoatandshirtcamenext,thenhisbriefs.Shedidn’t
hideherfrankinterestinhisbody,sohehoveredabovethewaterandsankslowly,lettinghergetagood
look.

“Sorry,”shesaid,blushing.“It’stheshifterpartofme.Iloveyourbody,Seth.You’resoperfectly

muscledandlean,whichleadsmetosaythatbeforewegoanyfurther,Ihaveasmallconfessionto
make.”

ChapterFive

Loreleifloatedinthewarmwater.Steamroseallaroundher,thendisappearedquicklyasthewater

vaporhitthefrigidair.

HerrealmnightvisionwarmedupsothatshesawSethasthoughasoftlightpouredoverhisfeatures.

Hefinallydisappearedbelowthewaterline,thensurfacedquickly,thewaterbeadingandrollingoffhim.
Hehadlongeyelashesandthewatergatheredthemintostar-likeclumps.

Hewassohandsome,shecouldhardlybearit.
Shefeltasshehadthatfirstdayatthecastle,butterfliesteasingherstomach,excitementrolling

throughherveins,heatingupherentirebody.ShewantedSethwitheverydominantfae-shifterfiberofher
being.

Hesmiledruefully.“We’resupposedtotalk.ThatwasDavido’spurposehere.Butifyoukeep

sendingmesuchstrongdriftsofappleblossomscent,Iwon’tanswerforhowwespendthenexttwo
hours.Besides,I’mwaitingtohearyourconfession.”

Shenodded,herheartthumping.Shedrewinadeepbreathasshemovedherhandsthroughthewater

andkeptherselffloating,kneesup.

Finally,shemadetheleap.“Isawyouatthecastle,twomonthsago.”
Hewassotallthatevenstandingonthebedrockofthespring,thewatercameupjustbelowhispecs.

“Youdid?ButIdon’trememberseeingyouthere.”

Shetoldhimtheentireshamefulincident,notsparingasingledetailabouthowshe’dusedher

enthrallmentshieldandspiedonhimwhileheworkedoutandafterwardonthebalcony.

Hewatchedherclosely,hisgazeneverwaveringuntilshefinished.
Puttingahandtohisarm,hefrowned.“Didyoutouchme,hereImean?”Hetappedhisfingersagainst

thedipofhisshoulder.

“Notexactly.Igotclose,butthenIcouldtellyoufeltsomething,soIstopped.”
“Iremember.Itwasastrangesensation,likeazapofelectricity.”
“I’msorry,Seth.Ishouldn’thavedoneit.”
Henarrowedhisgaze,buthislipscurved.“So,youspiedonme.”
“Icouldn’tseemtohelpmyself.Eventhen,IwasdrawntoyoualmostuncontrollablyasIamnow.

ButIdoapologizeforinvadingyourprivacy.”

Heshookhishead,andgentlyslappedatthesurfaceofthewater.“You’reforgiven.”Heevensighed.

“Isuspectthathadthesituationbeenreversed,andknowinghowIfeeljustlookingatyou,Iprobably
wouldhavedonethesamething.”

“Youreallyshouldn’tletmeoffthehooksoeasily.”
“Hey,we’rebothtryingtounderstandwhat’shappeninghere,tomakethebestdecisions.”Heleaned

overandsplashedwateronhisface,thenhuffedasigh.“Let’sgiveDavido’ssuggestionatry.Maybe
knowingeachotherbetterwouldhelp.So,goahead,askmeanythingyou’dliketoknowandI’lldomy
besttoanswerhonestlyandopenly.”

Shepushedawayfromthesideofthespring,floatingtowardhimjustalittle.“Okay.Iknowyou’re

old,buthowold?”

“Eleven-hundred-and-one,tobeexact.”
Sheshookherhead.“Ican’tevenimaginewhatthatwouldbelike,livingthatlong,seeingsomuch.

Canyoutellmeaboutit,especiallyyourearlyyears?”

*********

Sethstaredintolarge,warmbrowneyes,theamethystssparklingalongthecurveofherear.He

wonderedifsheknewthathersympatheticmannerhadchippedawayathisneedtokeepheratbay.

Onsomelevel,hetrustedher.Heunderstoodthatnowasshecontinuedtoholdhisgaze.Shewatched

andwaited,lettinghimmoveathisownpace.

Finally,hebegantospeakabouthisfirstcenturyinWalvashorr.“Ihadtwolivesreally.Thefirst

occurredbeforeIwasmastyrandIdidn’trisetothatlevelforahundredyears.ButwhenIdidgain
mastyrstatus,theSidheCouncilvotedmerulerthesameyear.”

Hedidn’tknowthewhyofit,buthespokefirstabouttheworstmomentinhislife,thatduringafamily

picnic,theInvictushadslaughteredhisparentsandyoungerbrotherwhilehe’dbeeninthewoods
exploring.Inaddition,anun-bondedwraithhadgottenholdofhisolder,sixteen-year-oldbrotherand
hauledhimaway,forgingthehatedInvictusbond.

Yearslater,whenhebeganbattlingInvictuswraith-pairs,hecameacrosshisbrother.He’dbecomea

killingmachine,withoutconscience,andSethhadbeenforcedtodestroyhim.Thedespairhe’dlived
withforyearsafterwardhadaddedanotherlayerofsolitudetohislife.

Bythispointinhisstory,Loreleistoodnexttohim,herhandonhisarm,rubbingbackandforth.“I

understandwhatit’sliketolosesomeoneyoulove,whoyou’velivedwithyourwholelife.”Sheshared
withhimallabouthergoverness,Genevieve,thewomanshewouldalwaysthinkofasherrealmother,
howGenevievehadhelpedherescapeMargetta’sprison-home,butwhointurnhaddiedintheprocess.

“Doyoumissher?”
“Everyday.”
Hesurroundedherwithhisarms,pullingheragainsthim,hernakednessmoreacomfortinthat

momentthananythingelse.He’dneverhadsomeoneclosetohimlikethis,someonehecouldsharehis
pastwith.Andtheirearlyexperienceshadasimilarfeel,lossofafamilyconnection,alotofgriefto
processforyoungminds.

“I’mgladyouhadGenevieve.”
“Me,too.Ican’timaginewhatmylifewouldhavebeenlikeotherwise.Afterward,that’swhenIwent

toworkasaservantinDavido’shome.Ilovedbeingtherebecauseitwasanincrediblypeacefulplace.I
usedtowatchhimwithVojalie.I’veneverseenamandoteonawomanlikethatbefore.Haveyouever
seenthemtogether?”

Hechuckled.“Afewtimes.He’sveryaffectionatewithher.”
“You’veknownhimalongtime,then?”
“Yes.He’swhatI’dcallarealfamilyman.Overthecenturies,he’shaddozensofchildrenandmakes

timeforthemall.Buthe’sveryoldandnoonereallyknowshisage.Isuppose,asfarasthatgoes,we
mightallberelatedtoDavido.”

Shelaughedatthat.“Maybeweare.”Afteramoment,sheleanedbacktolookathim,pullingoutof

hisarmstofloatoncemore.“So,tellmeaboutWalvashorr,abouttherealmyou’veruledforathousand
years.”

Hisheartexpandedashethoughtofhisworld,ofhispeople,howhekneweveryfarm,hamlet,town

andcity,thewayheknewhisownreflectioninthemirror.

Andheopenedupalittlemore,tellingherabouttheterrainitself,theseasideinthesouth,howthe

landroseupanduptothevastShauckMountainRangethatcoveredtheentirenorthernpartoftherealm,
howhelovedthehundredsofdeepgorges,thetallmountainpeaks,theruggednessofthelandandthathe
hadsuchalargeshifterpopulationthatroamedthemountains.

“IhaveaconnectionwiththeshiftersthatI’veneverunderstood,althoughperhapsit’sstartingtomake

moresensenow,especiallywithwhatDavidosaidaboutourbasicDNA.ButIdoseemtounderstand

yourshifterqualitiesbetterthanmostvampires.”Hesmiledashemethergaze.“Okay,yourturn.What
happenedafteryouleftDavido’shome.”

Shesharedhowshe’dlived,movingfromrealm-to-realm.Howharditwas,howlonely.She’dkepta

low-profile,usuallyworkinginrestaurantsorhotelsandleavingthemomentshefeltMargetta’spresence,
knowingthathermotherhadfoundheryetagain.

Butshe’dalsoexploredeveryrealm,mostlyonfootatnight.She’dcometoknowalotofwonderful

people,mostofwhomshe’dhadtoleavebehind.“Soyoucanseewhy,whenQuinlanandBatya
championedme,helpingmegettoFerrendenPeace,thatIcouldn’tbelieveImighthaveachanceata
normallife.”

Hisheartstilled.“Yet,now,insteadofnormal,you’reabloodroseandaprimefemale.”
“Yeah.”
Hefelthersadness,thatthesenewrealitieswouldprobablymakeitimpossibleforhertoeverhavea

simplelife.

“Whatdoyouwantmost?”heasked,headingthesubjectinaslightlydifferentdirection.
Atthat,shechuckled.“I’maprettyboringperson.IjustwantwhatIthinkmostwomenwant:ahome,

afamily,amantolove.”Hergazeskittereduptohisfacethenfellaway.Shepaddledinacircle.

“Yethereyouareinextraordinarycircumstances,thedaughterofanextremelypowerfulcouple.”
Facinghimoncemore,shefrowned.“Seth,forthatreasonalone,becauseofmyparentage,howcould

Ieverhaveanormallife?Won’tIbeblamedfortheirevil?SometimeswhenIthinkofwhotheyareand
allthepeoplewhohavediedbecauseoftheircreationofwraith-pairs,Ifeeloverwhelmedwithguilt.I
mean,howcouldyouevenconsiderbeingconnectedwithme?”

Thequestionsurprisedhim,buthetookhistimeanswering.Finally,hesaid,“BecauseIdon’tthinkof

youasconnectedtoeitherMargettaorGustav.You’vebeenasmuchavictimasanyofthosewhohave
diedandyou’veescapeddeathatyourmother’shandsmorethanonce,I’msureofthat.WhenQuinlanand
BatyatoldmeabouttheirjourneytoFerrendenPeace,IknowMargettareachedapointwhereshe
intendedtodestroyyou.That’strue,isn’tit,thatshetriedtokillyou?”

“That’sexactlywhathappened.IwasconvincedIwasgoingtodie.”
“DidMargettaevershowyoukindnesswhenyouwereachild?”
“Shewasneveraround,notthatIcanrecall.”
Hespokestridently,wantinghertoknowhowmuchhebelievedwhathewouldsaynext.“Asfaras

I’mconcerned,you’rethedaughterofGenevieve,thetroll.Youhavenootherparentsthanher.”

Tearsglistenedinhereyes.“Thankyouforthat.Ilivewithsuchterribleshameaboutwhomymother

is.Butyou’reright.Shewasnevermymother,justmycaptor.”Shenoddedseveraltimesinsuccession.
“Butwhatofyou?Whoisyourfamilynow?”

“Myrealm.”He’dmadethestatementsoquicklythatuntilthismoment,he’dneverunderstoodjust

howmuchhethoughtofhisrealmashisfamily.

“You’velivedakindofenforcedsolitudeoverthecenturies.Butwhatdidyoudoforthatfirst

hundredyears?WereyouaGuardsman?Didyoueverfallinlove?”

Hedebatedhowmuchtotellher,butintheenddecidednottoholdanythingback.“Alongtimeago,

beforeIreachedmastyrstatus,IfellhardforawomannamedKristen.Butitwasn’tuntilI’dalready
givenmyheartthatIfoundoutshe’dbeenworkingforthecurrentMastyrofWalvashorr,avampirebythe
nameofGryffith.Apparently,he’dreceivedanadvancewarningaboutmyforthcomingmastyrpowerand
decidedhewantedmedead.”

“SweetGoddess,whathappened?”
Herefusedtorevealthespecificsofwhathadturnedintoabloodymessofafight.Summoningup,he

said,“Gryffithandacoupleofhisfriendslaidatrapformeandwefought.Butsomehowthesituation
launchedmymastyrcallingandIgottheupperhandoverthemall.TheproblemwasthatKristenshowed
uptowardtheendandinaneffortsaveGryffith,themanshereallyloved,shegotcaughtinthecross-fire
anddied.Itwasaterriblescandalatthetime.IwasexoneratedbeforetheSidheCouncilandmade
MastyrofWalvashorrnotlongafter.”

“WhathappenedtoGryffith?”
“Hediedinprisontwoyearslater.”
Sethhadneverfeltsofreesharinghispast,buthehadtoadmitthatLorelei’sempathyhadmadeit

possible.She’dknownsufferingaswell.

Inmanyways,Lorelei’scurrentsituationfeltsimilartohisownjourney,thatwhileshe’dbeenready

toembraceamorenormallife,she’dbeenthrustintoextraordinarypower,justashehadallthoseyears
ago.Inaddition,hethoughtitlikelythathispresenceinherlifehadignitedherbloodroseability.Butit
wasalsoclearthatifhecontinuedonthispathwithher,hislifewouldchangeaswell.He’dbebondedto
abloodroseandbecomeregistotheshifterpopulationinhisrealm,somethinghe’dneverbelieved
possible.

Butheneededtobehonestwithher.“I’mnotsureI’mcapableoflove.”
Shesearchedhiseyes.“Thatmakessensegivenallthatyou’vebeenthrough,butIstillcan’tbelieve

Kristencouldhavedonethattoyou,ortoanyone.I’mappalled.”

HerealizedsomethingaboutLoreleiinthatmoment.Shetrulydidn’tknowherself.Hesmiled,

thinkingitfeltdamngoodtohaveachampioninhislife.

“Hey,whyareyousmilingsuddenly,becauseIdon’tfindanythingamusingaboutthatwoman’s

betrayal.”

“It’snotthat.I’msmilingbecauseit’sabsurdforyoutobeworryingaboutyourparentage,since

you’vejustprovedGenevieve’sinfluencealloveragain.Ifyou’dhadeventhesmallestpartofMargetta’s
characterlivinginsideyou,IbelieveyouwouldhaveapplaudedKristen’sconduct,insteadofcondemning
it.”

Herlipscurvedandherdarkeyessparkled.“Seth,didyoujustoffermeacompliment?”
“Yes,butletmestateitplainly.You’reagoodwomanandIvaluethatmorethanIcansay.ButI’ve

spentenoughofourtwohourstogethertalkingaboutme,sowhydon’tyoutellmeaboutBatya’sfree
clinicinLebanon.”

Loreleistillfloated,kneesup,asshetoldhimwithmanysmileswhatitwasliketoworkwithsucha

talentedartistandawomanwhogaveherselfsoselflesslytotheentireex-patriotrealmcommunityliving
inTennessee.

Shetalkedaboutthegallery,theclinic,andfinallythenightthatchangedeverythingforherwhen

Quinlanshowedup.

Shegavehimamountainofdetails,especiallywhenheproddedherabouttheuberpowerfulwraith-

pairsthatMargettahadcreatedfromdisenfranchisedmastyrvampires.Whenamastyrvampirebonded
withawraith,andbecameessentiallyanInvictuswraith-pair,theresultingpowerwasbeyondanything
evenheoranyoftheothermastyrscouldbattleeffectively.Margetta’sgrowinguseoftheseextraordinary
wraith-pairsthreatenedalltherealms.Thesecondwraith-pairinLoperzCanyonhadbeenexactlythat
andbothheandLoreleihadnearlydiedbecauseofit.OnlythroughsiphoningLorelei’spowerhadhe
escapedthedeadlynet,andeventhen,thearrivalofthepackshadsavedboththeirlives.

Shetoldhimingreatdetailofthenightoftheattack,ofseeinghermother,andhowBatya’s

enthrallmentshieldhadsavedthemall.

“YoudoknowthatQuinlanalmostdiedduringthatattack.”

Sethnodded.“IsupposeBatyafedhim.”
“Webothdid.”
ThemusclesinSeth’schestandarmstightenedsuddenly.Heplantedhisfeetonthebedrockofthe

springandstoodup,thewaterhittinghimjustbelowhispecs.“Youdidwhat?”DespitethatLoreleihad
helpedsaveQuinlan’slife,awarriorhevalued,Sethcouldn’tbeartheimageinhisheadofQuinlan’s
fangsinLorelei’sthroatanddrinkingfromher.

Sheturnedinthewater,easingtowardhim,hereyesglintingwithpurpose.“Whyareyousomad,

mastyr?Quinlanwasadyingman,andIfedhim,gaveupmybloodforhim.Youhaveaproblemwith
that?”

Herecognizedtheshifter-likegleaminhereye,verychallenging,andsomethingwithinhim,

somethingverymale,responded.Helunged,grabbedherbeneathherarms,andhauledheragainsthim.

“You’renottofeedanyoneelse,gotit?”
“IcanfeedwhoeverIwant,Seth.”Shesmiled,tauntinghim.“You’renotmymaster.”
Theuseoftheword‘master’,andherpush-backattitude,wentstraighttohisgroin.Heslidahand

downherbacktoherwaist,thenlowertofondleherbuttocks.Hepressedhishipsagainsthersothatshe
couldfeelhim,allofhim,andthathewasfullyaroused.

Heshouldn’tbedoingthisrightnow.Davidohadsentthemheretotrytomakeaconnection,notfor

himtosexherup.Butherappleblossomscentnowperfumedthemistyair,soheknewdamnwellshe’d
hadenoughtalking.

Shewassosoftinhisarms,ajuxtapositiontohistoughwarriorbody,theperfectbalance.“You’re

mine,Lorelei.Allmine.”

Hekissedher,slidinghistonguedeep,pummelinghermouthandlettingherknowhewashermaster

whethershelikeditornot.

Heheardasoftgrowlingsound,veryguttural,anddrewawayfromherjustenough.Herlipstrembled

andashelookeddownatherthroat,hesawthatshe’dsproutedherthinwhiteruffoffur.

Heburiedhisnoseinherruff,anddrankinherrichsexualscentthathadhishipsflexingashepushed

againstherabdomen.

Withoutusinghisfangs,hetookherthroatinhismouthandheldon,shakinghergently,amovemore

shifterthanvampire.Hehadasuddenimageoftakingherfrombehindandholdingontothebackofher
neckasheplowedintoher.

He’dbeenwithafewshifterwomenbefore,buthe’dneverfeltthispossessiveanddemanding.Her

fingernailsfoundhimnext,diggingintothemusclesathisshoulders,andscrapingdownwardjustshortof
drawingblood.Thesensationstruckhome,teasinghisballsandsendingshockwavesthelengthofhis
cock.

Hewantedherlikehe’dneverwantedawomaninthecourseofhisentirelife.

*********

Loreleidugshernailsintohisfleshandcouldfeelhowmuchhelikedwhatshewasdoing.For

herself,shelovedthewayhe’dclampedontoherthroat,notinavampirefang-hold,muchmorelikea
shifterclaiming.

Herbodyroaredwithneed.Shewantedtowrapherlegsaroundhiswaistagainandlethimuseall

thestrengthofhisleanpowerfulbodytogiveherwhatshecraved.

Shewasinaheightenedstate,movingalongthecrestofdesire,partbloodroseandpartprime

female,needingherman.Butwasanyofitreal?Orweretheyjusttwochronicallylonelypeoplecaught
upinabizarre,realmexperience?

Whateverthecase,herbodydemandedrelease.
Butjustasshelockedherarmsaroundhisbackpreparingtoliterallyjumphiminordertotakethat

beautifullengthdeepinsideher,afamiliarvibrationhitherskinlikeanelectricshock.

Atfirst,shethoughtperhapsMargettawasnearby.Butthensherecalledthatshe’dfeltthiswayinher

denwhenshe’dfirstexperiencedacommunalcallthroughhershifterfrequency.

ShepushedagainstSeth’sarmsandtwistedfromtheholdhehadonherthroat.
“What’swrong?”Helookedpainedassheclimbedontothespring’sbank.
Sheshiftedtowolfforabriefmoment,givingherselfagoodlongshaketogetridofthewater,then

shiftedbacktoherfaeformalmostcompletelydry.“Ourtime’sup.Thepacksareabouttoimplode.”She
scrambledquicklyintoherclothes.

Sethlevitatedinasuddenboltofmovementstraightupthroughthewaterandhighintotheair.She

watchedhimgo,prettysuresheunderstoodthathisintentionwastodryoff.Shezippedupherjeans,
pulledonherboots,thenputonherfurhat.

Hereturnedamomentlater,completelydryfromairfriction,exceptforsomedampnesstohishair.

Movingswiftly,hedressedaswell.“Andyoucansensethepacks?”

“Allfourofthemwithgreaterclaritythanbefore.Eachpackwantstogotowar.”
Shestartedtoshift,readytorunbacktoBigTimber,buthecaughtherarm.“I’llflyusback.”
Shenodded.“Thatwouldbefaster.”
Hegrewverysolemn,somuchso,thatshequietedhershifterneedtobegoingandmethisgaze.

“Whatisit?”

“Ineedtosaysomething.”Hedrewadeepbreath.“Iwantyouwithme,Lorelei.Idon’tknowhow

thisisgoingtowork,orifitwillwork,youandme,Imean.I’vebeenalonealongtime—”

“SohaveI.”
Henoddedbriskly,afurrowbetweenhisbrows.“ButI’mwillingtodowhatweneedtodohere,

eventhoughIdon’tunderstanditall.Whataboutyou?Canyoutakeariskonme?Canyoustandwithme
asmybloodrose,asmyprimefemale?Morethananything,Iwanttokeeptheshiftercommunityfrom
fallingapart.Whichmeansmymotivesherearemoreforwhat’sbestfortherealmthanwhatmightbe
bestforyou,orevenforme,whichmakesmesoundlikeanasshole.”

Shegrabbedhisarmsandsqueezedhard.“SethofWalvashorr,Ihavemetalotofbrutal,selfishmen

inmytime,butyou’renotoneofthem.DoIhaveconcerns?Yes,ofcourse.Andwe’vebeentogetherfor
justalittlelongerthanonemoonrise,butIamwillingtostartdownthispathifyouare.”

“Iam.”
Shesmiled.“Good.”
Heplantedakissonherlipssothatshefeltbothhisdeterminationandhiscommitment.
Whatshefearedhadmoretodowiththeunknownthanwithherdoubtaboutthemankissingher,

especiallywhattrickshermothermighthaveinstoreforWalvashorr.

Whenhedrewback,heslunghisarmaroundherwaistandshefollowedsuit,balancingherfooton

topofhisandholdingontohisneck.“I’mgoingtomakethisquick,sodon’tletgo.”

Shetightenedhergripandhelaunched,straightup,thenangledsouth.Whenhesaid‘quick’,hemeant

it.TheG’shepulledmadeherstomachturn,especiallyastheforestflewbyinablur.

Shefinallyjustclosedhereyes,andahandfulofsecondslaterhedroppedherbacktothecenterof

theBigTimberconferencegrounds.

Davidowaswaitingforthem,butdespitethechaosofthepacks,hesmiledwhentheytoucheddown.

“Ihavetogo,mysweetlings.MaytheGoddessgiveyouwisdomandprotectyou.”Thenhevanished,one
ofthefew,orperhapstheonlyrealmperson,capableofdisappearingwithathought.

ThoughtheShifterBrigadehaddinedwell,andthescentofroastedvenisonstillpermeatedtheair,all

fourpacksboiledwiththeneedtofight,halfthenumberalreadyinwolfformandhowling.

ShesteppedoffSeth’sfoot,butlookedupathim.Iguesswe’reonourown.
Lookslikeit.AsSethreleasedher,however,hetookherhand.Allright,primefemale.You’vegot

thedominantshiftergenehere,soIsayhaveatit.

Shenodded,smilingruefully.There’sjustoneproblem.IhavenoideawhatI’mdoing.
Hemethergazeandhisgreeneyeswarmedupashesmiled.Well,don’tlookatme.I’mjusta

vampire.

Yes,butaren’tyoutheregis?
OnlyinthatIsupportmyprimefemale.Youcandothis,Lorelei.Justtrustyourinstincts.
Inthemiddleofwhatpromisedtoturnintoashifterwar,Loreleihadtheoddestthoughtthatshecould

getusedtothis,beingthisclosetoSeth,standingbyhisside,figuringoutimpossiblesituations.

Finally,sheclosedhereyesandletallfourpackfrequencieshither.Shewouldhavefallenatthe

strengthoftheirvibrations,butSethcaughtandsteadiedher.

Whatdoyouneedmetodo?
Hisvoiceinherheadgaveherconfidence.Turnwithme.Iwanttofeeleachpackclearly.Ihave

theirfrequenciesseparatedbutthey’resoclosetodisintegrating.

Yougotit.
Openinghereyes,shemovedinaslowcircle,andmetthegazeofeachalphamalehead-on:Ephyx,

Cohoet,Valgus,Alophi.Fourmassiveshifters,physicallypowerful,eachalmostastallasSethbutnot
nearlysolean.

Theyweremagnificentleaders,eachdifferentfromtheother.Fursproutedonherwristsinlayersto

herfingerstipsaswellasadeepeningoftheruffthatencircledherthroat.

Thechaoticenergyofthepacksresonatedwithinherandherbodywantedtogowolfandwantedit

now.

Butwithoutshifting,sheopenedupherpackfrequency,thatsamevibrationofenergythatshe’d

experiencedbeforeatSeth’shomeandmorerecentlyatthehotspring.Allfourpackvibrationspulsed
heavilynow,batteringher.

Herfirstinstinctwastoshutitalldownbecausethevibrationsoverwhelmedher.Butshesqueezed

Seth’shandhardandhisvoiceenteredherhead.You’redoingfine.Icanfeelthevibrationsaswell
becauseI’mconnectedtoyou.Justletthemflow.I’vegotyou.

Hecouldn’thavespokenwiserwordsrightnow.Formostofherlife,she’dhadonlyherselftorely

onandnowSethstoodwithherinwhatwasprovingaverypainfulprocess.

Thevibrationsbecameagrowingfireinherbody,burningherupfromwithin.Shealsoknewthatif

shedidn’tdosomethingsoon,shewoulddiefromtheonslaught,butwhatwasshesupposedtodo?

Oncemore,Sethpiercedhermind.Icanfeelthatyou’reclosetowhatyouneedtodonext.Just

focus.You’realmostthereandI’mwithyou.

Shesettledherbreathingandclosedhereyes,thenthewordsbeganforminginherheadandlefther

throatinastrong,vibrantvoice,somethingshe’dneverdonebefore,asshecalledout,“Thecommunityof
shiftersinWalvashorrisone,andIamwithyou,toserveyou,foraslongastheGoddesswillsmetodo
so.”Thefirebegantoflowoutofhernowandalongeachfrequency.Butwhatshewassayingfeltmore
faethanshifter,anothersignthatshewasn’tnormal.“Lettheterritoriesandboundariesberestored.”The
lastfewwordscameoutasafiercecommandandshecouldfeelthefourpackterritoriesrealigning.

Buttherewasmorethatneededtobesaid.
“Youareoneinbattlefromthistimeforth,thoughfourseparateunits,andyouwillcontinuetoserve

theMastyrofWalvashorr.Onedayyouwillhearhiscommandswithinyouandseehisvisionstoaidyou
inbattle.Comenowandsubmityourselvestohim.”

Thepowerstreamedsteadilyandshecouldsensethateachalphahadbeguncalmingdown,histroops

withhim.Theexperiencewasveryrealmandmysterious,somethingsheknewtheshiftercommunity
valued,asallrealm-folkdid.Noteverythingcouldbeunderstoodrationally.

Sheopenedhereyes,thefuratherwristsmovinginsoftwavesasthefrequencyfaded.
ThealphascameforwardandeachkneltinfrontofSeth,confirmingoncemoretheirloyaltyand

service,packhierarchyatwork.Thecrisiswasover.Somehow,she’deffectivelyreturnedtheterritorial
boundariesbacktotheiroriginaldemarcationpoints.

LoreleistillheldontoSeth’shand,knowingthattheconnectiontohimhadplayedapartinalteringthe

volatilityofthesituation.Sheheldthefrequenciesopenandaseachmastyrrose,sheknewhissignature
assurelyasthemoonroseandfell.

SheglancedupatSeth.Whatdowedonow?
I’vegotthis.
Hespokealoud,hisresonantvoiceechoingthroughtheconferencegrounds.“Thismarksanewnight

inrealmhistorythatwillsetaprecedentforalltheNineRealms,thatourpackscancometogetherand
functionasone.Yoursisthefirst,theShifterBrigadeofWalvashorr,andwillbeknownastheancestorof
thisnewbeginningforalltime.”

Almostasone,acheerroseupfromthefourpacks.Thealphasacknowledgedeachotherwithstiff

dipsofchins,theneachblurredthroughthetransformationfrommantowolf.Thepacksfollowedsuitthen
ranintotheforestindifferentdirectionsheadingbacktotheirterritories,toguardtheShauckMountain
realmfamiliesfromtheInvictusdepredations.

Withinlessthanaminute,LoreleistoodalonewithSeth,inthemiddleofBigTimber,thesnow

trampledwithhundredsoffootandpawprints,acoldwindblowing.

“Thisfeelssostrange,somuchcolderwithoutthetroops.”
Hesqueezedherhand.“Onemomentsurroundedandnowalone.”
Sheturnedtowardhim.“Icouldn’thavedonethatwithoutyou.Therewasamomentwhenthechaotic

natureofthefrequenciescausedunbearableburning.”

“Iknow,Ifeltit.Whatdidyoudo?Howdidyouovercomewhatwashappening?”
“Withyoursupportmorethananything.”
Henodded.“Youamazeme,Lorelei.”
Shefeltflustered.“Well,thesearejustabilitiesIhave,they’renotsomethingI’vecreated.”
“Iknow,butyouhandleitallwithtremendousgrace.”
Shestaredupathimandfeltherthroatgrowverytight.“Thankyouforthat,MastyrSeth.”
Hissmilegrewcrooked.“Ithinkwithwhatwe’vebeenthrough,youshouldsticktocallingmeSeth.

Anythingelsejustfeelswrong.”

“Isupposeitdoes.”Shesearchedhiseyes.“So,we’reprimefemaleandregis?”
“Iguessweare.”
Loreleistraightenedhershouldersanddrewinadeepbreath.Shebecameawareonabasiclevelthat

she’dnevertrulyacceptedwhoshewasinherworld,especiallysinceshewasaproductofgenetic
manipulation.She’dalwaysfeltlikeafreakandhercurrentroleasprimefemalehadspokentoher
deepestfearsofbeingfoundoutandtreatedexactlylikewhatshebelievedherselftobe.

YetevenBatyaandQuinlanhadshownhergreatkindnessandthedeepestrespectbyhelpingherget

toFerrendenPeace,toaplacewhereshecouldlearntheskillstostayhiddenforeverfromhermother.

Sethreleasedherhandbutheldhisarmouttoher.“Howaboutwegetbacktomyhouseandseeifwe

can’tfigureoutthenextstep.”

“Goodidea.”Shewrappedanarmaroundhisneckatthesametimethatheslippedhisaroundher

waistanddrewherclose.

Hedidn’ttakeoffrightaway,however.Instead,hestaredintohereyes,thenhekissedher,hismoist,

sensuallipsplyinghersuntilsomeofthetensionleftherandshepartedforhim.

Heslidhistongueinsidehermouth,thrustinginandoutandmakingallsortsofpromises.She

shiveredashedrewback.

“Cold?”
Shakingherhead,shesmiled.“HungryforthingsIshouldprobablyignorerightnow.”
“Ibegtodisagree.”
Shecaughthismeaningandkissedhimback.“I’mjustworried.”
“Youworryalot.”
“Ido,butprobablynolessthanyou.”
Henodded.“Andthat’sonemorethingweshareincommon.”
“Onemorething?”
“Webothworry,we’vebothlivedsolitarylives,andweeachknowthattosomedegreethefutureof

theNineRealmsrestsonourshoulders,ondoingwhatwe’vebeenrequiredtodo,orinyourcase,not
gettingtrappedbyMargettaagain.”

“Whenyouputitlikethat,nowIreallyamworried.”
“Letmegetyouhome.Webothneedagoodmeal.”
“Oh,you’reright.Neitherofushavehadfirstmeal,havewe?AndIshouldprobablytellyouthatmy

heartisfeelingprettyladenaboutnow,bloodrosethatIam.”

Histurntoshiverasahintoffangappeared.
Andwiththat,hetookthembothintothenightair,headingsouthtohishomeatShauckGorge.

ChapterSix

Sethfeltknockedoutofstride,butnotnecessarilyinabadway.Hehadneverfactoredsomeonelike

Loreleiintotheequationofhislife.Nowshewashere,awarmthpressedtohissidethathadbeencold
forsolong.

Sheseemedtohavebumpedupmorethanoneaspectofhislifeatthesametimesinceshe’daltered,

maybeforever,hischronicblood-starvation.Hehadasexualneedandadrivetowardherhecouldn’t
explain,andifthatwasn’tenough,herroleasprimefemalehadcreatedanewtypeofunityamonghis
realm’sfour,extremelyvolatileshifterpacks.

Inshort,heheldamiracleinhisarms.
So,hewasn’texactlysurehowtoadjusttoher.
Hereachedhishomeswiftly,landingonthesweepingfrontporchwhichoverlookedthegorge.
Shesteppedoffhimandherhandscaughthiseye.“You’restillsportingaruff.”
Sheliftedbothhands.“Thisisweird.Imean,theyusuallydisappearrightaway.”Shetouchedtheruff

atherneck.“Ididn’texpectittostay.”

Hetookoneofherhandsandashe’ddoneearliertoherneck,henowburiedhisnoseinthesoft

whitefur,flaredhisnostrils,anddrankinherscent.Withthefur,theappleblossomscarriedanearthy
layerthatarousedhim.Usinghisteeth,andwithoutthinking,henibbledatthelayers.

Heheardhergasp.Whenheliftedhishead,sheseemedstartled.“Whatisit?”
“Youhavethatfeelaboutyourightnow,likeyou’regoingtostopthinkinganysecondandgoall

cavemanonme.”Shesmiled,adding,“AndasmuchasI’dlikethat,Ithinkweshouldeatbeforethingsgo
anyfarther.”

“You’reright.”Buthismindfeltmuddled.
Whensheturnedawayfromhimandopenedthefrontdoor,hefollowedbehindasifsheheldhimbya

leash.Withherscentinhisnose,hewantedmore.Hewasalmostbehavingmoreshifter-likethanvampire
—anotherundecipherableinhiscurrentlife.

Hewaspurevampire.Thatmuchheknew,butnotnecessarilyaroundLorelei.Andmaybethat’swhat

Davidohadmeant,thatthefewindiscerniblemarkershecarriedsimplybybeing‘realm’hadbeen
awakenedbyLorelei.Thefactthathewantedtobitethebackofherneckwasproofenoughthathis
thinkinghadmadeajumpinanunexpecteddirection.

Shewentstraighttothekitchenandsimplytookcharge,heatingabowlofhomemadechickennoodle

soupthathishousekeeperhadleftforhiminatureeninthefridge.Sheslicedoffthickslabsofthe
homemadesourdoughbread,butteringeachthoroughly,poppingthemafterwardsintheoventobroil.

Finallyabletoaccesshisrationalbrain,heasked,“Wine?”
“Lovely.”Shesmiledathimoverhershoulder,thefurstillvisibleonherwrists.
Hisjawtrembledforthingshedidn’tunderstand.Heneededtobondwithher.That’swhatshot

throughhishead.Heneededtomarkher,matewithher,bondhertohimanddoitnow.Hiswholebody
calledoutforit,demandedhepullrankandletherknowshebelongedtohim,onlytohim.

Takingseveraldeepbreaths,heforcedhimselftoleavethekitchenandwentdownthestairsintoa

deepcavewherehekepthundredsofbottlesofwine,allatappropriatetemperatures.Hepulledabottle
ofsweetGermanwhitewinefromacoolingfridge.Hewasn’tsurewhy,butmostrealm-folk,and
especiallyhismastyrvampirebrethren,lovedthiswine.

HetookitupstairsandfoundLoreleihadsetthetableandwasalreadyladlingthesoupintobowls.
“Smellswonderful.”She’daddedaplatterofsharpcheddarcheese,grapesandfigs,thefruit

importedfromColumbus,Ohio,hisrealm’searthaccesspoint.“Youworkfast.”

Sheputahandtoherstomach.“That’sbecauseI’mbeyondstarved.”
Shefetchedacoupleofwineglassesasheopenedthebottle,thenbroughtthesoupandbreadtothe

table.Shesatdowntowaitwhilehepouredthewine.

Hetookaseatacrossfromher,andherewasanotherfirst,awomaninhisbreakfastnook,diningwith

him.Hisbrainrefusedtocomputethisnewinformationsohepickeduphisspoonandshejoinedhim.

Sheateslowlyandquietly,hergazemovingasitoftendidtotheviewofDefianceFallstothenorth.

Inthedistance,theShauckRiverfellfromtall,threehundredfootcliffsinadozendifferentplaces.Fir
treesandshrubsgrewuparoundthesamearea,andforsomereasonhestartedtellingheraboutthe
ShauckMountainsandmoreaboutthebridgeshe’dbuilt,andallthehelphe’dhad,especiallyfromthe
trollcommunitywhowereexcellentatexecutingthewoodsuspensionconfigurations.

Sheaskedsimplebutpointedquestionsthatkeptthetopicmovingfrombridgestogorges,tothefarms

thathehadthemostdifficultyprotecting,tohisVampireGuardthathadspenttwoweeksinFerrenden
Peace.

Shesmiled.“Ioftenwentintotownduringthattime,whenyourGuardwasthere,especiallythepubs.

QuinlanandBatyahadalreadyleft,butIwasfreetoroamatwill,neverhavingtoworryaboutMargetta.
Yourmen,aswellasQuinlan’strollbrigade,hadasuperbtime,havingbeengivenpermissiontospread
theirseedatwilltohelpexpandthecity’sgeneticbase.Ihadtokeepmyshifter-sensesshutdownalittle
becausethescentofsexintheairwaseverywhereandyouwereonmymind.”

Heleanedforwardandtookherhand,holdinghergaze.“WishIcouldhavebeentheretotakecareof

you.Iwouldhave,inaheartbeat.”

Shespokesoftly.“Seth.”Andherlightappleblossomscentrushedoverhim.
Heletherhandgoandleanedbackinhischair.Sheneededtoeatespeciallysinceshe’dbefeeding

himsoon,buthelongedtopickherupandcarryhertohisbed.

Hepickeduphisspooninstead,andfocusedoneating.Hekepttheconversationfromthatpoint

focusedonthehistoryofhisrealm.

Whenhewasdonewithhismeal,herosefromhischair.“Pleasetakeyourtimeandeatallyouwant.

RightnowIhavetocallmysecond-in-commandtoseehowthingsareshapinguptonightinthesouth.”

“Ofcourse.”
Hemovedintothelivingroomandpulledhiscellfromthepocketofhisbattleleathers.“Hey,Aaron.

What’stheclimateoutthere?”

“TheInvictusarequiet,maybetooquietformytaste.”Hedetailedhowhe’dapportionedtheVampire

Guardthroughoutthelowerhalfoftherealm,standardprocedure,anarrangementSethhadbuiltthrough
reviewingbattlelogsoverthepastcentury.HisGuardhadoneofthehighestkill-ratesintheNineRealms
becauseofhisattentiontoenemyattackpatterns,andhisanalyticalmind.

AaronaddedthatMastyrJudehadcalledabouthalfanhourago.“Hesaidoneofhismostpowerful

faehadhadavisionthathe’stocometoWalvashorrtohelpoutwithsomekindofevent,buthecouldn’t
saywhat.Ithinkhewantsacallback.DoyouhavesomethingplannedIdon’tknowabout?”

“Thingsarechanging,”hemurmured,hisgazefallingoncemoretothefurstillenhancingLorelei’s

hands.“IfJude’sfaethinksthere’ssomethinghereandthatheneedstobepresent,thenheshouldcome.
Butdon’tworry,I’lltakecareofthis.I’matShauckGorgeandLorelei’swithme.”

“Yourbodyguard.”
Hedrewadeepbreath,oneofmanyinrecenthours.“Yes.Andthere’ssomethingelseyoushould

know.”HetrustedAaronimplicitlynottospreadthewordaround,buthefelthissecond-in-command
shouldhavefullknowledgeofwhatwasgoingon.“She’sabloodrose.”

Longpause,then,“Holyfuck.You’rekidding.So,she’syourwoman.”
Hemadethestatementsosuccinctly,thatSethspokebeforehecouldevenprocesswhatheoughtto

say.“Absolutely,she’smywoman.”

Andthereitwasagain,thatpowerfulneedtolayclaimtoher.Andyet,heknewhowhe’dresponded

toBatyaasabloodrosethemomenthe’dseenhertwomonthsagointhequeen’sreceivingroom.He’d
lostcompletesenseofwherehewas,tookherinhisarms,andwouldhavepiercedherneckwithhis
fangsifQuinlanhadn’tknockedhimflat.

WhichmeantthatifJudewascominganywherenearLorelei,heneededaplaninplaceandtomake

sureoneofthebiggestmastyrsintheNineRealmsknewthatLoreleiwastaken.Returningtothekitchen
doorway,heglancedherdirection.

Shenowstoodbythefarwindownearthetableandstaredoutatthefalls,herglassofwineinhand.

Hecalledtoherquietly,“Onemorephonecall,andI’mallyours.”

Hischoiceofwordssurprisedhim,buttheyweredamnaccurate.Thefactthatsheturnedtowardhim

andsmiled,ablushrisingonhercheeks,gavehimconfidencethattheywereonthesamepage.

HeheadedbacktothelivingroomandcalledJude.
Amomentlater,themastyr’svoicecameontheline.“Seth,youdumbfuck,how’sithanging?”
Sethsmiled.JudewasalotlikeEthan,justreallyoutthere.HemightevenhavebeenSeth’sopposite,

builtasJudewaslikeatank.HehadmoremusclethanQuinlanbutprobablyrangedatsix-six.Andno
doubtwhenheflew,hebruisedtheairthatrushedtowardhim.

“IgotamessagefromAaronthatyou’vehadsomekindoffaerevelation.”
“Yeah.Lookslikeyou’vegotanattackcoming,somethingbig.Rememberwhenwelastspoke,after

youmetQueenRosamundeandyousharedwhatyouknewaboutMargetta?”

“Ofcourse.”
“Well,it’sMargettaagain.Accordingtomyfaesource,Margettaneedstoshutsomethingdownin

yourrealmandifshecandothissuccessfully,she’llgainahugeadvantageinherbidtodominateallthe
realms.”

Seththumbedhisforehead.“Andwhatisitsheneedstoshutdown?”
“Thefaecouldn’tsayexactly,butshekepthavingarecurringimageoflongslenderfemalehands,fae

hands,trimmedwithwhitefur.Whichmadenosensetome.Doesittoyou?”

Andthereitwas,anotherindicationthatheandLoreleiwerecaughtinapowerfulrealmexperience.

“Perfectsense.”Buthedidn’tlikethatLorelei,despiteherintricateenthrallmentshield,wasstillin
danger.

“AndI’msupposedtolendahand.”
Sethscowled.“Whatkindoftimingarewelookingat?”
“Withinthenexttwodays,that’sallIknow.AndIwastobeatyourbidding.I’llcomenowifyou

want.”

“Wasthatpartofthevision?”
“No,onlythatIwassupposedtowaitforyourcallanddowhatyousaid.So,it’suptoyou.Ican

comenoworlater.Wheneveryouwant.”

Seth’sarmsshookwiththethoughtofJudebeinganywherenearLorelei.Hedebatednotsaying

somethingabouthiscurrentpredicament,buthereconsidered.Ifhe’dhadaheads-upaboutBatya,he
wouldeitherhavecontrolledtheimpulsetopullherintohisarms,orhewouldhavemadehimselfscarce
themomentsheshowedupwithoutQuinlanintow.“Jude,Ihaveanothersituationhere.”

“Thoughtyoumight.”
“Theserumorsyou’veheardaboutthebloodroseareundeniablytrue.Notthatyouwouldn’thave

believedGerrodortheothers,butminehasarrivedandit’sLorelei.”

Judewhistled.“Nofuckingshit.”
“I’masshockedasyouare.”
“Butshe’sMargetta’sdaughter.Howisthatgoingtofly?”
HesharedwhatheknewaboutherpastandallthathadhappenedatBigTimber.Judewassilentfora

longmoment.“Don’tbeafoolandwaittobondwithher.I’vetalkedtotheothers,toQuinlanandEthan.
AndofcourseGerrod.Butthey’veeachsaidthesamething,thatifthey’dhadanysensetheywouldhave
justbitthebulletrightaway.”

“Iwishitwasthatsimplebutthewholethingisdamnoverwhelming.”
“I’veheardthat,too.AndIwon’tmakeamovetobeinWalvashorruntilyoucall.”
Hebreathedasighofrelief.“Thankyou.I’dhatetofaceoffwithyou,butthisthing,it’spowerful.”

Hesmiledruefully,adding,“Besides,Iwouldn’twanttoruinthatprettyfaceofyours.”Judecouldwipe
thefloorwithhimoranyoftheothermastyrs.Hewastheonevampireyouwantedinyourcornerwhen
thingsfellapart.

Judelaughedheartily.
“I’llbeintouch.”
Whenhereturnedthephonetohispocket,heheadedbacktothekitchen.Loreleihadalreadycleaned

upandwasdryingherhandswhenhereachedthedoorway.

“JusttalkedtoJude.”
“MastyrJude?”Herbrowneyeslitup.
Hemovedintotheroom,hisfistsclenching.“Youknowhim?Youdidn’ttellmethat.”
“He’soneofthefewmastyrsIdidmeet.Didn’thesayanything?”
“Likethesmartvampireheis,hesaidheintendedtokeepawayfromyou.”
Sheroundedthegranitecounter,arimoffurstillevidentonbothwrists.Butinhereyewasafamiliar

glintandhewasprettysureheknewwhatwouldfollow.“ButIlikeJude.He’sabigman.Ilikehimjust
fine.”

Thereitwas,herpleasureintauntinghim,workinghimup.
“YoustayawayfromJude.”
“I’lldowhateverthehellIplease.”
Insteadofapproachinghim,however,shestartedmovingbackwardtothedoorthatledtothetrailup

themountain.

Hefeltsomethingfromher,somethingrawandveryshifter,anearthyvibrationonhisskin.Hisneed

toclaimhersharpened.

Suddenly,shemovedfast,ablurtothedoor,openingitwithfaefingers.Butassoonascoldair

flowedintothehouse,shetransformed,becomingallwolfandflyingonfourlegsupthemountain.

Heflewafterher,levitatingafootabovetheground.She’dalreadydisappearedintotheforest,buthe

couldfollowhersilvery-tealtrailandhesmiled.

Butwherewasshegoing?Hehadn’tmistakenherdesiresincethesweetsmellofhersexwasstillin

hisnose,appleblossomsandearthcombined.Heknewshewasn’trunningfromhim,justplayingagame
thathisbodyliked…alot.

Upthesteepridgeheflew,glidingthroughthetrees,duckinglowerbranches,slowingdowntoease

hiswaythroughinterlockedforestbrushuntilfinallyhertrailended.

Hestopped,loweringhisbootedfeettotheground.
Hestoodinfrontofalargerockformation,snow-cappedinplaces.Scanningtheentireface,he

droppedhisgazetothepointatwhichthesnowmetthebase.

HeknewLoreleiwasnearbybecausehecouldsmellherandsomethingmore.Hecouldsenseher,

maybebecausehe’dtakenherblood.Herealizedshelivedhere,thathe’dfoundherden.

“Lorelei,”hecalledoutsoftly.“Won’tyouletmein?Iwantin.”Heemphasizedthelastword.
Slowly,herenthrallmentshieldpartedandhesawthecast-offsnowwhereshe’ddugoutherden.
Hewouldbarelyfit,andwouldhavetodosomeseriousbendingandtwisting,butlikehellhewould

refusethisinvitation.Hiswomanhadcreatedahomeforherselfoutofrockandearth,averyfemale
shifterthingtodo.

Usinglevitation,heleanedlowandworkedhiswaythroughthespace,untilonceinside,hecould

stand.Loreleihadfoundacavetoinhabit.

Shekneltonafurrugfacinghim,completelynakedexceptforthewhiteruffsonthebacksofher

handsandaroundherthroat.Herbrownhairhunginlayersaroundhershoulders.Hereyesweredark
withdesire,hernipplespeaked.

Slowly,heremovedhiscoat,workingoffhisbootsandhisshirt,finallyunzippinghisbattleleathers,

peelingthemdownhistoughenedthighs.

Sheleanedforwardslightly,watchinghim,herfingerscurling,nailsdiggingintoherthighs.“Seth.”
Henoddedasheapproachedher,butheremainedstanding.Helovedthatshewasonherknees,a

verysubmissivepositionforwhathehadinmind.Holdinghiscockinhishand,hesaid,“Letmefeed
you.”Heheldhergaze,commandingher.

Sheloweredherhandstothefurrugandcreptforward,herchindownbuthereyesraisedtohim.Yes,

veryshifter.

Henoddedhisapproval.
“Partyourlips,Lorelei,letmeseeyourbeautifulteeth,yourwettongue.”
Sheleanedbackonherheelsandopenedhermouth,rimmingherlipswithhertongue.
Hetookhiscockinhand.Hewasfullyerect,readyforher.
Hisgazedroppedtoherbreasts.Theywerelargeandfirm,weightedatthebottomandslopedatthe

top.Hewantedhismouthonthem,workingherintoafrenzyofneedanddesire.

Hestrokedhimselflightlyashewatchedherchestriseandfallwitheachraggedbreath,herscent

rising.

Hesteppedontothefuranddrewclose.“Doyouwanttobefed?”
Shenodded.
Easinghimselfintoposition,hemovedhishandtothebackofherheadandwatchedasthetipofhis

erectcockslidpastherlips.

Thesightalonemadehimgroan,butthefeelofhermoist,warmmouthashepushedinside,senta

seriesofthrillsdownhisthighs.

*********

LoreleisavoredthefeelofSeth’scockinhermouth,thevelvetytextureofhisskinandthehard

arousalbeneaththatwouldlaterpierceherjustright.

Fromthetimeshe’dseenhiminthecastle,she’dfantasizedaboutthis,aboutbeingonherkneesand

havinghishandatthebackofherhead,controllinganddirectingherasshesuckedhim.

Sherolledhertongueoverhisflesh,drawinghimdeeper,thenreleasedhimjusttotheedgeofher

lips,onlytopullhimbackin.Shelookedupathimassherepeatedtheprocess,hergazeneverwavering
fromgray-greeneyessofullofpassion.ThiswasSeth,MastyrofWalvashorr,oneoftheoldestofthe
mastyrswhohadbeenbattlingtheInvictusforcenturies.

He’dlivedaloneforsuchalongtime,nowshewashere,kneelingandsuckingandinherwayletting

himknowhewasn’taloneanymore.

Sheskatedherfingersuptheinsidesofhisthighsandnudgedhisballswiththebacksofherhands,

driftingherfurruffsupandoverthenbackdown.

“SweetGoddess.”Hisvoicewasbarelyawhisperinherprivateden.
Seth,shepathedhisnamesoftly,mind-to-mind.
Hepulledoutofher,lookingdownintohereyes.Hedroppedtothefurinfrontofherandcaughther

chininhishand.Heleanedcloseandkissedher,drivinghistonguedeep.

Shewhimperedanddriftedthebackofherhanddownhisneckandchestsothathecouldfeelherfur.

Shecouldtellhelovedtheruffs.

Ashekissedher,shepettedhiscock,thenturnedherhandoversohecouldfeelhersoftfurdownthe

hardlength.

Sethwasabigman,andlongerthananymanshe’dbeenwith.Herbodywrithedashistongueentered

hermouthagain.

Sheknewwhatshewantedandwithoutgivinghimwarning,sheflippedaround,turningawayfrom

himandatthesametimeloweringherarmstothefurs.Shewasfullyexposedtohim,swollenandneedy.
Shecouldn’texplainit,buttheshifterpartofherneededhimtotakeherlikethis,frombehind,andshe
wanteditrough.

Fromthetimeshe’dfirstseenSethatthecastle,she’dkeptherselfbare,hopingforthismoment,so

thatnothingwouldbehiddenfromhim.Butjustforfun,shesproutedanewruff,thistimeontheinsidesof
herlegssothatherpassagewassurroundedbyathinlayerofwhitefur.

“Youlookamazing.”Hisvoicewasdeepandhoarse.
ThecavesmelledofSethnow,amossy,richscentfromthedarkestplaceintheforest.
Hisnosefoundherfirst,pushinghiswaythroughthecrownoffurshe’dcreatedjustforhim.Shefelt

hischintremble.

Heusedhistonguefirst,swipingfromside-to-sideashetraveledfromthebottomofheropening,to

thetopofherclitoris.Sheheardhisroughbreathingashetastedher,suckinginturns,thennipping,
sometimesnuzzlingthroughtheruff.

Yousmellsowonderful,Lorelei.Edible.SweetGoddess,soedible.
Shewantedhiminsideherbadlynow,anypartofhim,sothatwhenhedrovehistongueintoher,she

criedout,archingherneckandrisinguponherarmstoallfours.Inthispositionhehadtobendoverto
reachher,butheheldherrighthipwithonehandandsupportedhimselfwiththeotherwhileheworked
her.

Heatelikeastarvedman,teasingherfleshwithhisthrustingtongue,thencomingouttonibbleand

suckonherlips,thendivingbackin.Hemadethemostdelicioussounds,likehewasfeasting.

HowdoItaste?
LikeanorchardandIcan’tgetenough.Icoulddothisforhours.
Herhipsrespondedbypushingbackintohisface.I’msoclose.Seth,you’vetakenmerighttothe

edge.

Thenfallover,letitspilloutofyou.
Andbeforesheknewwhathemeanttodo,histongueheldavibration,averyrealmsensation,andas

hethrustintoher,hesentthevibrationthroughherwell,fillingherwithsomuchpleasurethatshecried
out.

Anorgasmfollowedinarippleofecstasythatstoleherbreathinonemomentthenhadherscreaming

thenext.Thewholetimethesensationflowed,hekeptpushingintoher.Hesentdartsofvibrationuntil
shetrembledandanotherorgasmbarreledthroughher.

“Seth!”Shescreamedhisnameasthepulseskeptflowingthroughher,upintoherabdomen,sothat

sherockedintohimoverandover.

Asthelastofthesweetpleasuredriftedaway,shefellonherface,herbodyfloatingandcontent.“Oh,

Seth.It’sneverbeenlikethis.”

Heslappedherbottom.“Don’trefer,evenobliquely,tootherexperiencesyou’vehad.”
Sherolledslightlytolookathimashepickeduphisshirtandwipedhisface.
Foraveryspecificreason,shesaidtheunthinkabletohim.“I’vehadalotofmeninmylife.Alot.”
Shewatchedhimblinkthenhisnostrilsflared,butnotinpleasure.
Shewantedhimthisway,angrywithher,workedup.
Rubbingahanddownherthigh,shepartedherlegswide,lettinghimseetheruffthathelikedso

much.Shereachedbehindandpettedthecrownoffur.“Thosemenhavebeenrighthere.”

Themusclesofhisarmstightenedintoballsofpuremasculinerageandintent.
Hefellonher,forcingherbackdowntothefurandtheshifterpartofherliftedherhipsonstrong

thighsandpreparedfortheonslaught.

Hegrabbedherwithonearmacrossherlowerpelvisandfoundherentrance.Heshovedhiscock

hard,somethingshewantedmorethanlifeitself,forSethtotakeherlikethisonallfours,liketheanimal
shewantedandneededhimtoberightnow.

Hefuckedher,hisbreathingraspyasheanchoredhimselfwithonehandbalancedonthefurnearher

leftshoulder.Hepumpedintoherwithquicksolidjerksofhiships,hittingherjustright.Shearchedher
neckandhowledasfurspreaddownherchestjustcoveringhernipples.Thesensationtookhertoanew
levelofarousal.

She’dneverexploredherpassionate,shifter-side,herownanimalnature,andhavingSethpummeling

herfrombehindpushedhertowardanotherclimax.

Anchoredashewas,heslidhishandupherabdomen,grabbingherskinandchuffingagainstherneck.

Whenhefoundthefurthatcoveredhernipples,hecriedoutandpunchedintoherharderstill.

Thensuddenly,histeethsankintothebackofherneck,thewayashiftermalewouldclaimhis

woman.

Shescreamedinecstasyalloveragainasanotherorgasmfellonher,rockingherbody,pullingmore

pleasurethanshe’deverknownfromherclitoris,drivingupthroughherwell,filingherwithwavesof
bliss.

Andjustwhenshewassureshecouldn’ttakeanythingmore,heremovedhisholdonthebackofher

neck,butonlylongenoughtobiteintoherneckwithhisfangsandtosuckhard.

Themomentherbloodbeganleavingherbody,herinternalwellbegantopullonhimalloveragain,a

kindofpleasurableagonyshe’dneverknownbefore.Shepantedhardashedrankherdown,gruntingas
hefedonher.

Anewvibrationflowedstraightfromhiscockthistime.
Anotherorgasmpouredthroughherjustasheleftherneck,risingup,thendrivingdeep,holdingher

hipsasheroared,hisvoicelikeapowerfulstorminsidethesmallspace.

Shefelthisreleaseanditspurredyetanotherrisetothepinnacle.Shearchedherneck,howlingand

shovingherbottomintohim,meetingeachthrustofhishipsuntilatlasthebegantoslow,untilhe’dgiven
herallthathehadandherownpleasurefinallydriftedtoastateofsweeteuphoria.

*********

Sethtrembledasthelastofhisorgasmsettleddown.Hiscockjerkedafewmoretimes,makingsure

thateverydropofhisseedwasplanteddeepinsideLorelei.

Hefeltdifferentthanthelasttimehe’dhadsexwithLorelei,atthewindowofhisbedroom

overlookingtheGorge.Atthattime,hehadn’texactlybeenawareofwhathewasdoing.

Thistime,heknewpreciselywhathisintentionwas,tomakeitclearthatshebelongedtohimnow,on

abasicrealmlevel,mantowoman,tonooneelsebuthim.

Andshe’dknownexactlywhatshewasdoingwhenshe’dspokenofothermenhavingbeeninsideher.

She’dwantedhimtolosecontrolanddamnhimforlovingit,thathe’dtakenhersohard,withsuch
effortlessandcompletepassion,thathebarelyrecognizedhimself.

Assheloweredherselftothefuroncemore,hewentwithher.Hewasbigenoughtostayinsideand

hewantedtobethere,tostayconnected.

Easingdownontopofher,shesighedandreachedforhisoutstretchedhand,entwiningherfingers

withhis.

Thesightoftheirjoinedhandsgrippedhisheartasnothingelsehadinalongtime.Evenhisthroat

grewtight.Couldthisbehislife?Hisfuture?

He’dsplitintoadozenpieceswhenhisparentsandyoungerbrotherhaddied,andadozenmorewhen

he’dbeenforcedtokillhiselderbrotherbecausehe’dbecomepartofawraith-pair.Butthatdidn’tstop
himforlongingforthepromisesthatLorelei’spresenceinhisrealmnowmade,thatmaybehecouldhave
apermanentwomaninhislife,maybeevenafamilyofhisown.

Withthesethoughts,hismatingvibrationbegantohumfromdeepwithinhisrealmsoul.Thesensation

wasverydistant,likeafarofftrainwhistle,sofarawaythathewonderedifhe’dreallyhearditatall.

Butintheend,thevibrationfadedandhesighed.
HesethisrationalmindtoexamininghisbizarrerelationshipwithLorelei,tobegincreatingavariety

ofboxesintowhichhestuffedherfaeness,herwildshifterside,herconnectiontothepacksof
Walvashorr,thatshewasabloodrose,thathefeltsopossessiveofher,andthatshewassomethingcalled
theprimefemaleandhetheregisinthevolatileshiftercommunity.

Hisbodycooleddownwithhisthoughts.Ashedrewoutofthewarmcenterofherbodyandstood,

hismindturnedtowardhisdutiesasMastyrofWalvashorr.

Hebegantofeelmorelikehimself,moreincharge,morecentered,andyes,moreshutofffromhis

emotions.

“Hey.”Hersoft,melodiousvoicerippledthroughtheair,forcinghimtoturntowardher.Sherolledon

hersideandsmiled.“You’rethinkingveryhard,Seth.Toohard,maybe.”

Andthatwastherealproblem,thatsheonlyhadtosmileandpartofhimgotlostintheprocess,

especiallyhisabilitytothink.Hewantedtofalldownnexttoherandpullherintohisarms,cradleher,
kissherformaybethenextcentury.

Whatwasherholdonhimthatafteronlyamonthwithher,hecouldbedrawninsoeasily?
Helookedawayplantinghishandsonhishipsandconsideredhisnextmove.Heneededtocleanup

beforeheputhisclothesbackonandfoundafewwashclothesonalowshelfshe’dinstalledinherden.
Whenhehandedheracloth,shepresseditbetweenherlegsandhelovedthesightofit,thatshehadto
useittotakecareoftheseedhe’dfilledherwith.Especiallyintheshiftercommunity,thescentofsexhad
astrongmarkingaspectthathelpedthemalestoknowwhatwaswhat.Itwasalsothecauseofalotof
warringbetweendifferentpackswhenamaleorafemalecrossedtheline.

Andherewashisdichotomyalloveragainthatwhilehewanteddistancehewasgladshe’dcarryhis

scent.

“Soyoucreatedaden.”Heglancedaround.“Andyou’vebeenlivinghereforthepastmonth?”

Somehow,hethoughtshe’drentedahouseormaybejustaroominoneofthenearbyhamlets.Itseemed
oddtohimthathehadn’tthoughttofindout.“SomehowIassumedyouwerestayingwithalocaltroll

family.”

“Ithoughtaboutit.”Shestartedgettingdressed,slippingintoherlowcutbrathatpushedherbreasts

intobeautifulmounds.Heforcedhimselftolookawayasshepulledhershirton.“ButthenIknewthatin
ordertodomyjobright,Ishouldbeasclosetoyouaspossible.Anditservedmewelltoliveinmy
shifterstatemostofthetimebecauseofthenatureofthesemountainswithalltheseincrediblebutdifficult
gorgestonavigate.”

Theproblemofmanagingeventhesefewbelongingsstruckhim.“Buthowdidyougetthisstuffin

here,theshelf,theclothes,thefurblanket?”Hepickeduphisbriefs,slidingintothem,thenintohissnug
battleleathers.Hisbootscamenext,pullingthemuptomid-thigh.

Shestoodupandtossedthewashclothintoasmallbasketbytheshelf.
“Youevenhavealaundryhamper.”Thewholethingstruckhimashighlyresourceful,onemoresign

thatshe’dbeenonherownformostofherlife.Shewasawomanwhoknewhowtomakethebestofa
situation.

Shechuckledandwithoutshowingtoomuchembarrassment,slippedintoherthong.Heavoided

watchingthatpartoftheshowaswellbecause,damnit,helovedthewayshelookednomatterwhatshe
wasdoing.Hewouldhavebeenattractedtoher,bloodroseornot.Shewasabeautifulwomanandhada
senseofhumorthatcounteredhisownirascibility.“So,I’llaskagain,howdidyougetthisstuffhere?”

Assheslidintoherpants,sheasked,“Doyoureallywanttoknow?”
“Yes.”
“Thethingis,Ihaveafeelingyouwon’tlikeit.”
“Tellmeanyway.”Hepickeduphisdarkshirtandpulleditonoverhishead,tuckingthetailsintohis

leathers.

“Well,itwasasimplechoicereally,sinceIdon’thavethepowerinmyfaeformtofly.OnceImade

mypurchases,I’dshifttomywraith-formandflyeverythingin,hiddenbehindmyenthrallmentshieldof
course.Ittookafewtrips.I’mnotverystrongasawraith.”

Herwraithform.
Heshruggedintohissleevelessleatherbattlecoat.
SweetGoddess,he’dalmostforgottenandhequicklycreatedanotherboxinwhichhecrammed

‘Lorelei’sflyingwraith-form’.

Heseemedtosetthatpartofherrealityasidemostofthetime,thatshewaspartwraithandhadthe

potentialtobindhimtoherandtoformadangerousInvictuswraith-pair.Thenherememberedwhat
Gerrodhadoncetoldhimthatherblood-rosestatuswouldcanceloutthatkindofpairing.Becauseshe
wasabloodrose,despitethefactthatshewasawraith,shecouldneverbindhimintoanInvictuswraith-
pair.

Therealm-folkwhoendedupboundtowraiths,usuallythroughkidnapping,losttheiridentityinthe

processandessentiallybecameslavestotheInvictusimperativeofkillingotherrealm-folkandserving
thewhimsofMargetta.Theancientfae,asshewasknown,hadcreatedtheprocessalongtimeagowith
thehelpofherscientifichusband,Gustav.

“Andyou’resurenoonesawyouinyourwraith-form?”Ifshe’deverbeenseen,shewouldhavebeen

hunteddown.Thoughtherewereinnocentwraithsaround,noonetrustedthem.

“IusedthelayeredenthrallmentthatRosamundetaughtmejusttobesure.”Shelookedawayfrom

him,hereyespinched,afamiliarlookforher.“Youdon’tknowhowmuchmywraith-formfrightensme.”

“DoyoufearbecomingInvictus?”
Shemethisgaze.“Morethananythingintheworld.ButIthinkI’dkillmyselffirstbeforeIeverlet

thathappen.”

Henodded.They’djustmadeloveandnowtheyspokeofthehorrorsoftheirworldandLorelei’s

deepestfears.Hecouldn’tremembereverexperiencingthislevelofsharingwithanotherrealm-woman,
exceptofcoursewithKristen,whohadledhimdeepintobetrayal.

Hefeltuneasyasheturnedtowardtheentrancetotheden.Ascatteringofsnowlinedtheopening.His

coathadprobablydraggeditinwhenhe’deasedthroughinhislevitatedstate.

Butitwastimetogoandhestartedtoshifttolevitatedflight,whenherhandcaughttheinsideofhis

elbow.“Hey,”shesaidsoftly.

Oncemore,heturnedtowardher.Sheleanedupandkissedhimonthelips.“Thankyouforthis.”She

gesturedwithadipofherheadtowardthefurs.“Itwasamazing.”

“Yes,itwas.”Possiblyevenextraordinary,buthecouldn’ttellherthat.Healreadyfeltwaytoomuch.
He’dknownhersuchashorttime,yetitseemedlonger,months,evenyears,longer.
Rememberingthatshe’dfedhimfromherveinaswell,headded,“Thankyouforsharingyourlife-

forcewithme.”

Sheoncemoreputahandbetweenherbreasts,herbrowsrising.“Andthankyou.Honestly,Seth,I

swearIfeelbetterthaneverbecauseyou’vefedfromme.”

Onemorereminderthatshewashisbloodrose.
Atthat,heturnedtowardherfullyandpulledherintohisarms.“Idon’tknowwhatthistimetogether

issupposedtobe,ormean,orhowitwillend,butthisIwillsay,thankyousomuchforalleviating
centuriesofchronicblood-starvation.”

Shenoddedseveraltimes,butlookedseriousalloveragain.“Seth,I’mworried.”
“Inwhatway.”Herubbedherarms,wantingtocomforther.
“Thisisallhappeningsofast,thisthingbetweenus.Itscaresme.Doesitbotheryou?”
“Yes.”Understatement.“I’mafraidyou’llgethurt.I’mnotexactlyboyfriendmaterial.”
“AndIhavealittlebaggageofmyown.”Shehuffedasigh,butherlipscurved.“Ah,well,ifallwe

getoutofthisissomegreatsex,that’sstillalotofplusesifyouaddthemup,giveortakeafewdeadly
encounterswithmymotherandherarmy.”

Hechuckledagain,marvelingoncemorehoweasilyshecouldmakehimlaugh,thenpulledhertight

againsthischestoncemore.“I’lltrynottohurtyou.”

“AndI’lltrynottoexpecttheimpossible.”
Withthat,therewasnothingmoretobesaid.

ChapterSeven

LoreleiheldontoSeth’sneck,nuzzlinghisthroat.Heflewherthroughthedenseforestinwhat

amountedtoaseriesofalmostacrobaticmovesashesqueezedthroughthicketsofbranchesandjumbles
ofsnowcovereddeadfall.

Shewashappy,thatwaswhatsheknewashecarriedherinthedirectionofhishouseoncemore.
Asthechillairsweptoverher,sheheldhimclose,herfreearmslungaroundhisoppositeshoulder.

Shesniffedhisscent,whichsmelledoftheforestheloved.Howwellheseemedsuitedtoherbecausehis
shiftercommunitydominatedtheShauckMountainswherehelived.

Shefeltathomeforperhapsthefirsttimeinherlife,atleastfromthetimeshe’dleftGenevieve

behind.

Sheknewsherodetheperilouscliffsofunrequitedlove.Herheart,maybeshecouldevensayher

bloodroseheart,hadbeengivenfromthemomentshe’dfirstseenSeth,eventhoughsheknewhis
preferenceforgoingitalone.

She’dneverbeenthisclosetoamanandyessheunderstoodthedangersofengagingsexually,that

womenbondedsodamneasilywithmenbecauseofit,butrightnowshedidn’tcare.

ThiswasSeth,andthoughshecouldsensehisuneasinessbecauseofhispast,sheknewhim.She

understoodhismostbasicnature,evenifhedidn’tyetknowhimself.He’dservedtheNineRealmsas
mastyrlongerthananyoftheothersandhadessentiallysetasidehispersonalhappinesstomakesurethat
hisfellowrealm-folkthrivedintheirland.

Aseachmastyrdid,hewatchedoveramillionsouls.Amillionlivesallintentonthesamething,on

earningadecentlivingandraisingahappyfamily,stayingaliveand,inherworld,avoidingthedeadly
Invictuspairs.

Theambitionsoftheaveragefamilydidn’textendmuchbeyondthat,exceptperhapstolimited

communityandreligiousinvolvement.EventheVampireGuardhadmanymarriedwarriorsinitsranks
andtheShifterBrigadewasallaboutpairingupandmakingwolfpups.

Maybethelatterwasthereasonthatshehuggedhimnow,becauseshewaspartshifter.Ormaybeit

wassimpler,andhewasjustagorgeousmanandshegottobewithhimforthisstretchoftime.

She’dneverlivedlongerthantwoyearsinanyoneplace,movingfromcity-to-city,realm-to-realm.In

mostplaces,hermotherhadfoundherwithinthefirsttwelvemonths.Margettahadhuntedforher
relentlessly,yetsomehow,Loreleihadalwaysbeenabletostayjustalittlebitaheadofher.

NowshewashereinWalvashorr,holdingSethasheflewherbacktohishome,safebehindlayersof

enthrallmentthatwouldkeepMargettaatbayforever.

Whentheyarrived,shedroppedtoherfeetjustoutsidethedoorandwalkedin.Shewasalways

surprisedathowmuchSeth’shomesmelledlikehim,whichmadehersmilealloveragain.

“You’resmiling.Why?”
Sheshookherheadandastrongwarmthcreptuphercheeks.“Nothing.It’snothing.”
“What?”Hecaughtherarmandturnedhertofacehim.“Iwanttoknow.Yousmilealot.”
“Seth,I’mhappyhereandwhenwewalkedin,well,youdon’tknowhowmuchyourhomecarries

yourscent.It’salmostlikebeinginyourarms.”

*********

Sethstaredatherforalongmoment,caughtoncemorebythewarmlightinhereye.That’swhathe

lovedthebest,thatshewassuchacaring,selflessperson.Despiteherroughlife,she’dsomehowkept

herselfpureofentangledbitternessandhatred.Sheneverevenspokeofhermotherinharsh,angryterms,
onlywithahopethatshewouldneverbelikeher.

Helovedthatabouther,thatsomethinginnocenthadsurvivedherchildhood,anothertestamenttothe

workofthetroll,Genevieve.

Heleanedclose.Hewantedhislipsonhersagain,despiteanequaldesiretokeephisdistance,that

dichotomyagain,hisrational,boxedupmindandhispassionateneedtobewiththiswoman.

Butatthatmoment,aloudbangingsoundedonhisfrontdoor.
HelevitatedpastLorelei,orderinghertoremainhiddenuntilheknewwhatwasgoingon.Hishome

hadawallofwindowsoverlookingthegorgesohecouldeasilyseethatallfouralphasrangedhisdeck.
Twolookeddownintothegorge.Onepaced,whileEphyxstoodbehindthefront,glassdooritself.

Ephyxscowledashewaited,theunacknowledgedleaderoftheShifterBrigade,theoneSethwould

putinchargeinaheartbeatifitwouldn’tinfuriatetheothers.Intrueironicform,Ephyxprovedhis
leadershiprepeatedly,notbybellowingbutratherbydeferringtoCohoetinanysituationthatdidn’t
involvemultiplepackengagement.Cohoetmightthinkhimselftopdog,buthisself-awarenesshadalways
beenblockedbyhisego.

EphyxwasSeth’sgo-to.
Ofallfourshifters,Valgushadthegreatesteyetohisownpackandheldthereinsmoretightlythan

evenSeththoughtnecessary.Ontheotherhand,nothingcouldgovolatilemorequicklythanoneofthe
packs.

Alophi,morethantheothers,resentedinterferenceofanykindwithhiswarriors,butwasmuchless

strictthanValguswiththeoverallrunningofpackcommunitylife.

Openingthedoor,heletthemin,standingasideaseachmovedintohislivingroom.Herarelyhad

Guardsmenofanykindinhishome,vampireorshifter,becauseofhispreferenceforsolitude,buthe’d
madethespacelargeenoughtoaccommodatetheoccasionalvisit.

Evenso,fourbulkedupshifterstookupalotofroom.
“What’sgoingon?”Heglancedfromonetotheother.
Ephyxscowledalloveragainandaslightshowoffurappearedathisjawline,thendisappeared,a

signofdistress.“Weeachhavesensitivesinourranksthatcancatchbattlevibrationsfromhundredsof
milesaway.Something’sgoingon,RegisSeth,andwethoughtweshouldbringthistoyou.”Theuseofthe
recentlyacquiredtitlesurprisedSeth,exceptthatofallthespecies,shiftershonoredrankandpackorder
obsessively.

“Youmean,allofyouheardfromyoursensitives?”
Themennodded.
Themastyrpartofhim,thevibrationthatlookedtoWalvashorrinterests,pulsedwithinhim.Hecould

feelitnowaswell,thatsomethingwasonthewind.

HewasabouttocallLoreleitothelivingroom,whentheshiftersalmostasoneturnedinthedirection

ofthedoorwaysoheknewshe’dalreadydeterminedshewasneeded.

Whathappenednext,however,stunnedhim,aseachmansniffedtheairthendriftedtoapositionthat

placedSethbetweenLoreleiandtherestofthem.Theairbecamechargedwithavibrationthatfeltlike
respect,ormaybedeference.

Lorelei’svoicewasinhishead.Theysmellthatyou’vemarkedme.
Hestaredatherforalongmoment.
He’dmarkedher.That’swhathe’ddonewhenhe’dbitthebackofherneckhard,thenpiercedher

vein,allwhilemakinglovetoher.Buthearinghersayitwithinhismind,madeitrealandatthesame
timeextraordinary.

Hehadmixedfeelings,though.Asprivateashewas,hedidn’tliketheideaoftheshiftersknowing

he’djusthadsexwithLorelei.Hedidn’twantherviewedinalightthatmightmakeherthebruntof
typicalmalejokes.Atthesametime,knowingtheshiftercommunityashedid,markingwasacritical
factorinkeepingunwantedmaleattentionawayfromawoman,especiallywhenamanhadmadehis
choice.

Hischestpuffedoutalittleashemovedtowardher.
Shemethisgazewiththatfamiliarexpressionofappreciationforhimthathe’dcometorecognize.As

sheglancedattheshifters,shepathed,Whatafinearrayofmaleness.

Heknewherbynowandheglaredplayfullyinreturn.You’regoingtostartwithme?Here?Inthis

room?

Anytime,Mastyr.
Shegottohim,tohissenseofhumor,hisheart,andhisgroinallatthesametime.Whowasthis

womanwhodidn’tseehimasanunconquerablemountainlikemostwomendid,butasherequal?And
maybeshewashisequalbecausehefeltthelatentpowerofher.Shehadabilitiesbeyondwhatevenhe
couldcomprehend,nodoubtthesamereasonthathadcausedMargettatotargetWalvashorrrightnow.

AnewvibrationtookholdofLorelei,butonethathadnothingtodowithsexorherroleasprime

female.Instead,hefeltthedominantfaepartofhersparktolifeashereyeswidened.

Shegrippedhisarm.“Thishasn’thappenedbefore.Seth,IthinkI’mhavingafaevisionandit’s

becauseofyouralphas.”

Heslidhisarmaroundherwaist.“I’vegotyou.”
Atranceslidoverherandtheshifterstensedup,almostasmuchasSethdid.Loreleididn’tblinkfor

thelongesttime,butshetrembled,thenessentiallypassedout.

Hecaughtherinhisarms,scowlingdownather.Somuchhadhappenedoverthepastfewhoursthat

hisheadspun.Whatthehellwasgoingoninhislifeandinhisrealm?

Shefinallygaspedalong,deepbreathandhereyesflutteredopen.“Putmeonmyfeetandgetamap

oftheShauckMountainsnow.”

She’dallbutfainted,yetwhenshecameto,herfirstwordsconstitutedacommand.Butitwasthere

again,herlatentpowervibratinginthebackgroundandheintendedtodoasshewished.

Heeasedherontoherfeet,steadyingher.“There’soneinmylibraryreadytogo.Ialwayskeepit

out.”

Wavingeveryonetothesouthsectionofhishome,hetookLorelei’shand.
Hishomehadtworoomsatthesouthend,oneofthemhisbedroom.Theotherwashislibrarywitha

plateglasswindowthatoverlookedtheeasternportionofthegorgeandtheopposingtree-linedridge.

Alargetableinfrontofthebook-lined,southwallheldamapofWalvashorr.Fourpewterwolves,a

giftfromhishousekeeper,keptthemappinnedinplace.HedrewLoreleitotheotherside,andoncemore
supportedherwithanarmaroundherwaist.Thealphastookupplacesontheoppositesideofthetable
wellawayfromher.

AssoonasLoreleistretchedoutahandtothemap,whichputhertooclosetothealphas,hegrowled

softly.

Theshiftersmethisgazefirstwithachallengeineacheye,thenwithquickdeferencetheybackedup

almostasone.

LoreleimetSeth’sgazeasshepathed,Really?
Yetagaintorn,hewantedtoimpressherwithhowsheneededtokeepawayfromothermen.Atthe

sametime,helovedthatshe’dlightenedthemood.

Hewentwiththelatter.I’lltrytocontrolmyself.

Good,becauseI’vegotsomeseriousshittodiscuss.Shethenspokealoudandlaunchedintoavery

visualdescriptionofanimminentattack.

Hehadn’tseenherlikethisbefore,bentoverthemapsweepingherindexfingerdownseveral

differentgorges,noneofthemfarfromBigTimber.Shetalkedabouttwohundredextremelypowerful
wraith-pairs,intheairandcomingfortheShifterBrigade.

“AreanyoftheVampireGuardintheair?”Sethfeltnervedupnow.Asbattle-worthyastheShifter

Brigadewas,theycouldonlymakespeedaswolves,shift,thenengageonthegroundintheuprightmale
form.Theyweren’tnearlyaseffectiveashisVampireGuardagainsttheInvictus,despitetheirpowerful
andextremelyexactskillswithdaggersandbows-and-arrows.

Sheliftedhergazetohis.“Notaone.”Shefellsilentforamoment.“Thiswillbeabloodbathunless

wedosomething.”

Thefouralphaspacedandcursed.
WhenSethstartedtoliftahandtostopthemforhersake,shecaughthisarmandgaveasqueeze,her

voicesuddenlyinhisheadagain.It’sokay.Letthemwalkitoff.

Heturnedtowardher,staringintohereyes.Shewassuchanunusualwomanthatshedidn’tseemto

mindfourmencursingupashit-storm.Butthenshewaspartshifter.

Youalwayssurpriseme.
Ido?Herarchedbrowsrose.
Henodded.Yeah,youdo.Hecaughttheundersideofherarmandsqueezedgently.
Whenthealphashadburntthemselvesoutontheirdamn-all-the-elf-lords-to-hell-and-back,each

returnedtothemap,settlinginontheareaclosesttotheBigTimberconferencegrounds.Ofallthe
speciesinhisrealm,theshiftercommunitykneweverycrevice,gully,andfeederstreamoftheShauck
Mountainsalmostasthoroughlyashedid.

Hescannedthemapaswell,tryingtounderstandjustwhyMargettawouldsendaforceintosucha

rocky,gorgeriddledterrain.Hedrewclosertothefour-by-sixtopographicalmap,spreadinghisfingers
toencompassthefourmajorgorgesoverwhichtheattackwouldtakeplace.Hefrownedthenglancedat
Lorelei.“Andyou’resureyousawthebattleshere?”

Loreleinodded.“Yes,absolutely.I’vebeenoverthisterrainmyselfanumberoftimes,trackingyou

morethanonceduringthepastfourweeks,ifyou’llremember.Allofthesegorgesarebetweenthe
Wheeling,Shauck,andAthaliaRivers.Ievenknowtheirnames:Bephotine,Clover,Emberith,and
InwetherGorges.HaveIgotthatright?”

Cohoetleanedin.“Yes,exactly.Thesearesomeofthewidergorgesintheentirerange.Theyopen

occasionallyintonarrowstretchesoflandthatcanbefarmed,andaremaybehalf-a-mileinwidth.We
havedozensofhamletsandfarmsalongalltheselanes,andatleastathousandrealm-folk.”

Valgusadded,“Afewtimes,homesteadershavetriedtoworkthemoreremoteregions,butthe

Invictushavewipedthemout,noexceptions.CloverGorgefallsintomyterritoryandIdon’tallow
homesteadersinthenorthernmostreaches,notsinceMastyrSethenactedthelaw.”

Havingtakenthealphas’adviceoveracenturyago,Sethhadcreatedandsubsequentlyenforceda

non-homesteadingpolicyintheShauckMountains.Theestablishedshiftercommunitieshadadozen
safeguardsinplace,protectingahundredhamletsthatmadeuptheintricatepacknetworks.Solitary
venturesintowilderpartsofthemountainshadbeenbannedforalongtime.

Abalancingforceofgood-naturedtrollfamilies,whoenjoyedmountainlifeaswellastheearthy,

volatilenatureoftheshifterpacks,alsolived,ranched,farmedandworkedinthemorehabitablevalleys
andwell-populatedgorges,especiallyneartheriversandlargerfeederstreams.

ThefourgorgeregionthatLorelei’svisionencompassedrepresentedatleastthirtymilesofterritory.

“HowthehellarewesupposedtoprotectourpeopleagainstamajorInvictusattack?”Valgus’s

cheeksturnedaruddy,angryhueashescowledatSeth.“Thisiscompletebullshit.”

ButEphyxsteppedin.“Notbullshit.It’stheancientfae.Margetta.Whichmeansshe’safter

something.”

Loreleistraightenedhershoulders.“That’swhatIbelieveaswell.Theseareherplansandintentions

becauseforsomereasonshe’sseenthefuture,thatwhathappensatBigTimberwiththeShifterBrigade,
mattersinacriticalwaytoherwarstrategy.ThesenseIhaveisthatifshe’snotturnedbackattheShauck
MountainRange,shewillwinherbidfortotaldominationoftheNineRealmsinthenextfewdays.The
visionalsoindicatedthatshe’sbeenplanningtheserecentattacksoneachindividualrealm,beginning
withMerhaineafewmonthsago,foratleastthepastninehundredyears.”

Themenstaredatherasthoughshe’djustspokeninaforeignlanguage.Sethwatchedherlookaround

asshesaid,“What?DidIsaysomethingwrong?”

Alophileanedforwardslightly.“You’vesaidwhatneededtobesaid,MistressLorelei.You’veput

yourrecentvisionintowordsweget:war,thestakes,thepurposeoftheenemy,andtheneedforstrategy.”

SethknewthatLoreleihadhittherightbuttonandhadrampeduptheenergyintheroominapositive

way.Evenhefeltitnow,theswellingofhisbattlevibration.“Weneedtoestablishourownstrategy,right
here,rightnow.”HepivotedslightlytowardLorelei.“Andwhendoesthisattacktakeplace?Doyou
know?”

“Tomorrow,atmidnight,thefirstwavearrives.”
Henodded.“Good,that’sgood.Wehavetimetoprepare.”
Ephyxcrossedhisarmsoverhisbroad,heavilymuscledchest.Alltheshifterswerebuiltlikethey

couldwrestlebears.“Firstandforemost,weneedtoprotectthecommunities.”

Cohoetnarrowedhisgazeashescannedthemap.“Weshouldeachtakeagorge.”
BothAlophiandValguschimedin.“Agreed.”
Sethknewthatthispartoftheplanwassolidbecauseitkeptthepacksseparate,allowingeachalpha

todirectacompletelydifferentpartofthedefensiveaction.

Oncemore,heslidhisarmaroundLorelei’swaist.Thankyou.

*********

Loreleihadneverhadthisexperienceinherlifebeingpartofagroupwithamission,especiallyone

designedtosavehundredsofrealm-lives.EvenwithQuinlanandBatya,she’dbeentheoutsider,theone
they’dbeenworkingtosave.

Buthere,today,she’dhadherfirstfaevisioneverandwasmakingacontributioninawaythathelped

herfeellikeshewasdoingsomethingimportant.Theresultinghappinesssurprisedher,thoughshewas
prettysureithadsomethingtodowiththeshifterpartofhernature,aneedtobelongtothepackandto
findawaytoservethecommunity.

Astheshiftersstartedbrainstorminghowtogoaboutprotectingthevariousgorgepopulations,she

leanedintoSethandpathed,I’msogratefulforthis.

Forwhat,exactly?
Iknowthisisgoingtosoundodd,butforgettingtohelpout.
IthinkIknowwhatyoumean.It’shardtostandonthesidelineswhenyouwanttobedoingand

contributing.

Painfulattimes,especiallywhenthesourceofallthetroubleisrelatedtoyou.
Don’tgothere.Buthesmiledandsqueezedherwaist.
Iwon’t.Idon’tintendto,butitwillstillalwaysbeafactor.

Overthenexttwohours,thealphasdiscussedawidevarietyoftoolsforbringingdownanin-flight

enemy,includingluresandnets,bowsandarrows,anddagger-throwing,allofwhichmostshifters
excelledatandwhichtheyoftenusedinbattleagainstwraith-pairs.

Shemadeapotofblackcoffee.Theshiftersdrankdeeplyandtheenergyrampedupanothernotch.

Shesippedacupherself.Sethrefusedanything,butmorethanoncehisgazefelltoherthroatandeach
timeherheartstartedtolabor,gettingthatheavy,bloodrosefeelingagain.

Ofcourse,knowingthatSethwouldneedtofeedagainsoontriggeredothersensations.Whenhe

lookedatheroncemore,andhisnostrilsflared,ablushoncemorecreptuphercheeks.Shedidn’tlike
havinghersexualdesiresunderstoodsoreadily,butbetweenherstrongshifterDNAandSeth’s
overdevelopedvampireabilitiestosmellbloodandotherthings,shecouldhardlypretendnottofeel
whatshewasfeeling.

I’llneedtofeedsoon.
Iknow.Cramping?
Notanymore,butwhatIdon’tgetiswhysosoon?Ijustfed.
Makingupforlosttime,maybe?Shecouldn’thelpbutsmile.
Hechuckledandthealphasglancedathim.Heshookhishead.“Sorry,men.Justhavingaprivate

conversationwithLorelei.”

Eachacknowledgedhisstatementwithanalmostdismissivegrunt,whichmeanttheyunderstoodhis

attentivenesstohiswoman.Theywentbacktostudyingthemapandconversingwitheachother.
Occasionally,theyusedtheirphonestocontacttheirlieutenantsanddiscussdetailsoftheirplans.

Afteranothertenminutes,Valgusliftedhishead.“Weneedtostartrunningdrillsrightnowandkeep

themgoingthroughtheday.”

Ephyxadded,“MastyrSeth,theentireShifterBrigadehasreassembledatBigTimberandwe’re

readytogo.”

Loreleiwassoimpressed.
Seth’sphonerangandhesteppedawaytoanswerit.Hewasgoneonlyhalf-a-minute,butwhenhe

returnedhelookeddeeplyworried,hisbrowsdrawntogethertightly.

Loreleitiltedherhead,becausethisdidn’tfeelthesameashisconcernaboutMargetta’sattack.What

isit?

Hestraightenedhisshoulders,hisgazesweepingoverthealphas.“Ihavegoodnews,actually.Mastyr

JudewillbeinWalvashorrwithinthehour.He’llmeetupwithusatBigTimber.”

Loreleinowunderstoodwhatwasbotheringhim.Shewasanun-bondedbloodroseandanother

mastyrvampirewouldsoonarrive.SheknewhowSethhadreactedtoBatyabeforeshe’dbondedwith
Quinlan.

Herheartpoundedharder,anotherindicationthatherownbloodroseabilitieswouldn’tdiscriminate

rightnowbetweenthetwomastyrs.ShewouldbeequallydrawntoJudeasshewastoSeth,atleastin
termsofherneedtosatisfyamastyr’schronicblood-starvation.

Shehopedlikehellthatshedidn’trunintoJudealone.

*********

SethflewLoreleislowlyoverMeriwinStreaminEmberithGorge.Theshifterswereontheground,

travelingprimarilyinwolf-forminordertomoveswiftlyfromfarmtohamlet.

Hehadn’tquiterealizedjusthowpreparedtheshiftercommunitywasforwar,buteverywheresnow-

orientedcamouflagenetswentupoverhousesandbarns.Farmanimalswereherdedinsidethelatter,and
familiesmovedtoeithercavernsystemslocatedinthesteep,mountainousridgesofeachgorgeor

extensive,manmadetunnelsthathadbeenbuiltoverthepastcenturyjustforthispurpose.

I’mamazed,Loreleipathed.
Herarmaroundhisnecksoothedhim.Hewasjumpyashell,asmuchfromknowingthatinlessthan

twenty-fourhourshismenwouldbeengagedinbattle,asfromthefactthatJudehadarrivedandwas
workingwithEphyxandhispackatthefarwesternBephotineGorge.

EvenLoreleihadmadeitclearthatherbodywouldfailtodistinguishbetweenthemenandthatshe

knewshe’dbeintroubleifshegotanywherenearJude.

Andheknewdamnwellwhatitwasliketobedrawninstantlytoabloodrose.Memoriesofhaving

attackedBatyagavehimtheshakesalloveragain.

SoSethhadcreateddistancetoensurethatLoreleiandJudedidn’tactuallyseeeachotherduring

theseexercises.

Dawnwouldarrivewithinthenextcoupleofhoursatwhichtimehe’dtakeLoreleibacktohishome

forthedayandgetasmuchsleepashecouldmanage.

Ephyx’svoicebeggedtelepathicadmittance.
Whatisit?
WehaveaproblematBigTimber,aconflictwithCohoet’spackandValgus’s
IsMastyrJudestillatBephotineGorge?
LastIheard,hewas.
I’llheadtoBigTimbernow.
SethshiftedcourseandfleweasttowardBigTimber,explainingtoLoreleithatEphyxneededhimto

resolveaconflictattheconferencegrounds.

Youneedtofeed,Seth.Icanreallyfeelitnow.Myheartispounding.
Soonenough.I’llhavetoheadtoshelterinjustoveranhourasitis.
Andyou’resureyoucanwait?
Yes,absolutely.
Hedroppeddownjustinfrontofthesnow-trampledstairsthatledintothelodge.“Whydon’tyou

waitinsideuntilIsettlethisthing.”

“Thatwouldbegreat,unlessyouthinkI’mneededhereastheprimefemale.”
Heglancedaround,butshookhishead.“ThesenseIhaveisthatyouwouldonlybeneededifallfour

packswereinvolved.Wouldyouagreewiththat?”

“Iwould,actually.”
“Good.Seeyouinafew.”
“Right.”Butsheloweredhervoiceandsmiledupathim.“Youcankissmeifyouwantto.”
“That’sthetrouble,Iwanttowaytoomuch.NotsureIcouldletitstopatakiss,though,whichmeans

we’dendupwithahugeaudience.”Hejerkedhisheadinthedirectionofthecentralplatformandthe
shifterswaitingforhimtoarbitratethelatestdispute.

Thatradiantsmileofhersbroadened.Didsheknowthatsheglowed,thatsomeinternallightalways

seemedtobeshineoutofher,callingtohim?

Whensheenteredthelodgeandclosedthedoor,heturnedaround,headinginthedirectionofabout

fortyshifters.Themenfacedoff,bristlingoneithersideofthenearestcommunalfirepit.

ValgusandAlophihadalreadytakenupdominantpositionsinfrontoftheirmen.
“What’sthenatureoftheissue?”Sethstoodjusttothesideofbothgroupsandcrossedhisarmsover

hischest.Thelastthingheshouldbedoingrightnowwassettlingpacksquabbles,especiallywhenthe
brigadeneededtoberunningdrillsandsecuringthesafetyofallfourgorges.

Thealphaseachturnedtotalktotheirmen.

ValgusaddressedSethfirst.“MytroopswereworkingtheridgebetweenInwetherandEmberith,

exactlyaswe’dalldecidedwhilelayingoutstrategiesinyouroffice,whenAlophi’sGuardsmen
challengedthem.”

SethmetValgus’sincensedstareastheshiftercontinued,“Mytroopshadjurisdictiontwentyyards

pastthecentrallineofdemarcation.Andyouknowthatridgedropsoffsharplytothewest.Weagreedon
that.”

“Yes,wedid.”SethturnedtoAlophi.“Whatsayyou?”
“Valgus’stroopswerewellbeyondthedemarcationpoint.”Darkwolffursproutedalonghisjawline,

thenquicklydisappeared.

IfSethhadn’tbeenasschooledinshifterpoliticsandstructureashewas,hewouldhavelosthis

temperforwhatseemedtobeatrivialmatter.Butthetruthwentdeeper,italwaysdid.

Someonewaslying.
Butuncoveringtheliewouldn’thelpbecausethemastyr,lieornolie,wouldhavetobackhistroops,

nomattertheinfraction.Thiswasonereasoncreatingaunifiedfightingforcehadprovedsodifficult.

“Willyousubmittomydecisionhere?”
Bothmastyrsnodded,ifreluctantly.
Hecouldneveraddressthelieoutright,sohesaid,“Somemistakehasoccurred,thatmuchisclear,

butrightnowIdon’tcarewhoseitis.Iwanteveryonebacktotheirassignedridgesandbacktowork.
Thetwentyyarddemarcationlinestands.”Heslowlydriftedhisgazeovertheassembledshifters,looking
eachintheeye.“Iexpectobediencehere.IfIfindthatoneofyouisstirringuptrouble,I’llhaveyour
landsimpoundedforthenextdecade.”

Nothingstruckfearintotheheartsofshiftersmorequicklythanhavingterritory,includinglandseach

owned,messedwith.

Thealphasnoddedtheiragreementandthetroopsgrumbledtheiracquiescence.BothValgusand

Alophiorderedtheirshifterstoreturntotheirassignedgorges.

JustasSethturnedbacktothelodge,however,anewvibrationwentthroughhim,onethathadnothing

todowithshifters,andwhichcausedhisvampirebraintostartunraveling.Inaddition,hecouldsmell
Lorelei’sarousal,herappleblossomscent,leakingfromthelodgeinheadyquantities.

Oh,shit.
“Where’sJude?”heshouted,turningtowardtheshifters.Severalhadalreadygonewolfandbounded

likelightningintotheforest.“IsMastyrofKellcassehere?AtBigTimber?”

Valgusfrowned.“Yes.He’llbebeddingdownforthedayinthelodge.Itoldhimwherehecouldfind

thewhiskey.”

Sethroared.

*********

LoreleilovedthefeelofJude’smassivebodyashepressedheragainstthewallnearthefireplace.
Themomentshe’denteredthelodge,she’dknownanothermastyrwasnearby,andmostofherability

tothinkhadfled.He’dcomefromthekitchenscarryingabottleofamberliquidandaglass.

Themomentshesawhim,herhearthadstartedpoundingheavilyinherchest.She’dalreadyproduced

anextrasupplyforSethandnowherewasJude,anothermastyrinneedofwhatshecouldgivein
abundance.

Judehadlong,blackcurlyhair,someofwhichhadescapedhiswovenclasp,givinghimawild

dangerousappearance.Hehadgrayeyesandwasincrediblyhandsome.

Heliftedthebottlehigh.“Needsomethingtotakethechilloff?”Butassoonasthewordslefthislips,

hestoppeddeadinhistracks.“Holy,fuck,you’reLorelei.Youshouldn’tbehere.”

Butthathadbeenasfarashe’dgotten.
Shewatchedhisbrainshutdownandhisinstinctstakeoverashislipsparted.Hischinquivered,no

doubtscentingher,andhedroppedboththebottleandthetumbleronthefloor,thesoundofshattering
glassloudintheotherwiseempty,massivemainroomofthelodge.

Hemarchedtowardherandbecauseofherridiculousbloodrosecurse,shecouldn’tmove.Allshe

coulddowaswishforhimtohurryup.

Shesweptherhairawayfromherneck.
Hegruntedandloweredhischin,movingfasterstill,thenlevitatingtocatchherupinhisarmsuntilhe

hadherpressedagainstthewall,whichwashowshe’dendeduphere.

Helickedthelengthofherneckrepeatedly,growlingandgruntingatthesametime,gettingreadyto

strike.

Somewhereinhermind,sheknewthiswaswrongandshewantedSeth,butherbrainwouldn’twork.

Thismastyrneededherhelpandneededhernow.

Theproblemwas,sexwouldfollow.Shecouldfeelitandshedidn’tthinkshecoulddenyhim

becauseshewastoofargone.

Seth.Shecriedouthisnametelepathically,butdearGoddesswhatwouldhappenifhefoundherlike

this?WhatwouldhedotoJudeandworse,whatwouldJude,builtonmassivelines,dotohim?

ThedoorburstopenandSethstoodthereinprofile,notseeingheratfirst.Hisclaspwasgone,his

longhairwrithinginaveryrealmwayabouthishead,hisgreeneyesglowingwithrage.

“Jude!”Hisresonantvoiceblastedtheairinthelodge.“Wherethefuckareyou?”
“Seth,”shecalledouttohim.
Heturnedinherdirectionandthemomenthesawher,hebecameablurofmovementashereached

Jude,grabbedhimbytheshoulders,andflunghimawayfromher.

Judeflewthroughtheair,landinghardinthecenterofthespace,butatthelastmoment,herighted

himself,levitatingattopspeedbacktoSeth.

He,inturn,metJudemidairandthefightwason.Bothmenthrewpunchesandroared.
Atthesametime,acoupleofdozenfight-lovingshifterspouredintotheroomsothatLorelei

remainedintheshadows.

Severaloftheshifterspunchedattheairandshoutedencouragementtobothmen.Thesharedshifter

excitementmovedlikefireoverherskinandjumpstartedherownshifternaturesothatwhitefursprouted
onthebacksofherhandsandwarmedupherthroat.

SethlookedmagnificentasheswunghisfistsandstruckJuderepeatedly.
Sherubbedherthroatandfondledherfurruff.Sheshouldn’tbesoexcited,butshecouldn’thelpit.
Herheartstillpoundedhard,butformorethanonereasonnow.She’dbeenreadytofeedfirstSeth,

thenJude,whichmeantshehadasuper-abundantsupplyandneededtogetridofatleastsomeofit.Atthe
sametime,herinterestinJudehaddisappeared.SheonlyhadeyesforSeth,fulloflustandneedand
desire.Passionroseinaswellofsensationsoprofoundthatherbreathscameinraggedpullsofair.

However,SethstartedtobleedfromcutsthepunchesmadeasdidJudeandneithershowedthe

smallestsignoflettingup.

Shehadtodosomethingorbothvampireswouldendupinabadstatethatwouldtakehourstoheal

andpossiblyputtheircurrentplansinjeopardy.

Shereacheddeepintoherprimefemalepower,andanewintensevibrationflowedthroughher.One

byone,theshiftersinfrontofherbegantosettledown,turninginherdirectionandatthesametime
creatingapathforher.Thoughthebattleragedintheairjustafewfeetabovethefloor,anddespitehow

revveduptheshifterswere,theystillobeyedthedirectiveshesentthroughherfrequency.

Asbothalphasmethergaze,shecriedout,“Breakupthisfightandbringthembothdownnow.Now!”
Thealphassummonedtheirbiggestshifters,threeeach,andamomentlater,themenlaunchedatSeth

andJude,rippingthemfromthedeathgriptheyhadoneachother.

Bothvampireswereinfull-fang,savageashell,andworse,Loreleilovedit.
WhiletheshiftersbroughtthemundercontrolandasbothSethandJuderoaredtheirrage,Lorelei

directedValgus’smentotakeSethoutside.ShewantedJudetostayinthelodge,corralledbytheshifters
untilhe’dcalmeddown.

Sheleftthelodge,followingbehindthethreeshifterswhohauledSethwiththem.Hestruggledand

lashedout,makingliberaluseofhisfangsandcausingthemennearesthimtoyelpinpain.Buttheyheld
tight.

Shemovedinfrontandledthemfortyyardsawaytothenearesttreeline.“Drophiminthesnow.It’s

stillfreshhere,justathincrust.”

Theshiftersthrewhimsothathesankaboutafoot.Thefreezingsnowhadtheeffectoffinallygetting

throughtoSethandhesatupslowly,hisbrowspulledtogetherinatightfrown.

Heglancedaroundasthoughuncertainwherehewasorwhathadputhimthere.Hestruggledtocatch

hisbreath.Hislungsworkedlikebellows,butheremainedsittinginthesnow,recovering.

Evenwithhisclothestorn,hisfacebruised,hislipsbleeding,toLoreleihelookedhotashell.
Shestoodoverhim.“Youdone,Mastyr?”Butshesmiled.
Helookedaround,thengrowledattheshifters,sincemanyofthemhadstartedchuckling,asoundfull

ofmaleappreciationforSeth’spredicament.

Whenhegrowledagain,sheliftedherhand,glancingoverhershoulders.“Leaveus.”
Shefelttheremainingshiftersmeltawayandshewascertainsheheardafewmorechuckles.Shifting

followedandmorewolvesnowdartedintotheforestheadingbacktotheirrespectivegorges.

Seth,ontheotherhand,lookedupather,hisgreeneyesstillhalf-lostinmadness,astateshedecided

veryquicklythatshewantedhimtostayin.

“ThatJudesurehasalotofmuscle.He’sonebigman.”
Sethdidexactlywhatshewantedhimtodo.Heroaredandlevitatedattheexactsametime,then

lungedforher.Catchingherbythearmsandwithoutaskingherpermission,hetookherstraightupintothe
air.OnlythistimeinsteadofheadingsouthtowardhisShauckGorgehome,heflewnorth.

Justwherethehellwashetakinghersoclosetodawn?

ChapterEight

WithLoreleiheldtightinhisarms,Sethflewtowardhisfortified,treetopdwelling,butthewhole

time,aredangryhuecoloredhisvision.Theairgrewcolder,yetdidn’tservetodiminishhisragethat
he’dfoundhiswomanreadytoserviceMastyrJudewithbothherbodyandherblood.Heneededtoget
Loreleibeneathhimasquicklyaspossible,andhedefinitelyrequiredahitofherpowerfulblood.

Hisdestinationwasn’tfar,abouttwelvemiles,sothatwithinafewminutes,hesawthetimberlineof

RedheartPeak.Astronginstincthaddrivenhimnorth,insteadofsouthtohisShauckGorgehome.He
neededtobewithLoreleihere,inasmallbutverycomplextreehousethataclevertrollhadbuiltforhim
abouttwohundredyearsago.

Threefirtrees,theinnerbranchestrimmedclose,anchoredthetwo-storystructure,thatoverlookedat

leastadozenridgesbelow.Atthisdistance,whenheadjustedhisvision,he’dbeabletowatchthe
shifterswhiletheyrandrillsduringthedaylighthours.

Afewsecondslater,helandedonthedeckthattraveledinacompletecirclearoundthehouse.
HishearthadbecomealouddrumpoundinginhischestashecarriedLoreleiinside.Hecouldsmell

theabundanceofherbloodandthatsheneededhimtotakefromher.

Turningherinhisarms,hekissedherfiercely.Whenherlipsparted,hedrovehistonguedeepintoher

mouthwhichbroughtdesirerushingforwardoncemore,hardeninghimalloveragain.He’ddonesome
healingwhileheflewsoalotofthedamageJudehadinflictedwasnowgone,buthewasn’tsureitwould
havemattered.HeneededLoreleiandheneededhernow.

Herbodyarchedandshemoaned,thenhervoicetorethroughhismind.Seth,takemenowbeforeI

breakintoathousandpieces.Ineedyou.

Stillholdinghertight,helevitatedupandovertherailingbetweenfloorssothathedroppedeasily

downtohisbedroombelow.

“Iwantyoutofeedfirst,”shesaid,pullingoutofhisarms.“Myheartislaboringwitheachbeat.”
“Iknow.Icantell.Andwebothneedthis.”Thoughhenolongersufferedwithexcruciatingstomach

cramps,hefeltlight-headed,desperateforherblood.

Herfamiliarsmileappearedasshemovedtothesideofthebed.“Comehereandsitdown.Ihavean

idea.”Shepattedthecomforter.

Helovedtheshifter-likeglintinhereyeandthoughhewasn’tcompletelycertainwhatshehadin

mind,heplantedhisassexactlywhereshetoldhimto.

Shemovedinbetweenhislegsandshovedherhairawayfromthesideofherneck.Hereactedwitha

full-bodyshiver,tookholdofherarms,anddrewheragainsthim.Thoughhesat,hisheightstillmadethe
positionperfectassheangledherheadandexposedherpalethroat.Helickedalineovertheveinandfelt
hershudderaswell.Herdelicatewhiteruffappearedandhisdesireforherroseanothernotch.

Heburiedhisnoseinherfur,kissingalongthelineoftheruff.Hecouldfeelherpulsespeedupasthe

sweetappleblossomscentofhersexroseallaroundhim.

MaybebecauseoftherecentencounterwithJude,butsuddenlyhismatingfrequencyshottolife.
Shegrippedhisshouldersandcriedout.“SweetGoddess!Seth,whatisthat?”
“Mymatingfrequency.Ineedyounow.Clothes.Off.”Hisvoicecarriedweightandresonance.
Hereyeswidened,butashestartedtostripoutofhisleathersinvampirespeed,shefollowedsuit.
AssoonashewasfreeofhisGuardsmanuniform,hesatbackdownonthebed.Hewasveryfirmby

thetimeshestoodnakedinfrontofhim.Hecaressedherbreastsinturn,oncemorenuzzlingherruff.

“More,”shemurmuredagainsthischeek.“Moreofthat.”

Hesavoredthefeelofhertightbudsagainstthepalmsofhishands,addingpressureasheworkedher

breastsincircles.

Shekissedthelineofhischeekallthewaytohisearthenfrenchedhimdeep.Hiscocklovedthefeel

ofhertongueswirlinginsidehisear.Hishipsrockedandhishandsfoundherbottom.Hesqueezedand
fondledher.Heturnedhisheadandfoundherlips,kissingherhard.

Shewrappedherarmsaroundhisneckashedrovehistongueintohermouthoncemore.
MountmewhileItakefromyou.Again,hecommandedher.
Yes.That’sexactlywhatIwant.Liftmeup.
Goodidea.
Holdingherbottominhishands,heliftedhersothatshewasabletowrapherlegsaroundhiswaist.

Hewassodamnhard,andthemomenthetouchedherentranceandfelthowwetshewasforhim,how
ready,hegroanedagainsthermouth.

Heguidedherdownasheslidinside,herbodywrithingwithneed.
“Seth.”
Thatshewhisperedhisnameagainsthislipstwistedhisheartagain.Loreleicoulddothingstohim

withthepassionthatvibratedthroughhervoice.

That’swhenhefeltherrealmmatingvibrationcometolife,anechoofhisown.Heheldhisown

frequencysteadyashetiltedhishipsandpushedhimselfintoher.Hewatchedherneckarchandher
mouthopenwithamoan.

“Heaven,”shemurmured,hereyesclosed.“Youfeelsogood.”
HisgazefelltoLorelei’sneckoncemore.Herveinthrobbedandherbloodcalledtohim.
Sheopenedhereyesandheldhisgaze.“Icanfeelyourmatingfrequency.”Sheplantedherhandson

hisshouldersasshearchedherhipsintohim,strokinghimwithherwell,digginghernailsin.

Thewhiteruffatherthroatinvitedhimalloveragaintonuzzle,tobite,tofeed.
Hereachedforherwithhismatingfrequency,avibrationthatlefthischestandtouchedthecenterof

hers.Sheextendedherfrequencyandmadetheconnection.

Pleasureexplodedthroughhisentirebodyandthegroanthatlefthisthroatshooktheangledraftersof

thetreehouse.

Seth,that’samazing.Icanhardlybreathe.Feedfromme,takeallthatyouneed.
Sunkinthepleasureoftheirjoinedfrequenciesandthesoundofherwordsinsidehishead,hedipped

hisnoseoncemoreintotheruffatherthroat.Richstreamsofappleblossomscentdriftedthroughhis
senses.

Hisfangsemerged.
Shebreathedinshortpantsasshetiltedherheadoncemore,herpelvisrockingintohim,strokinghim.

Holdinghertight,hepinnedherchestagainsthiminordertokeepherupperbodyimmobilewhilehe
continuedtothrustintoher.

Aswellofdesireandhungerroseashedrewbackhishead,thenstruckwithhisfangstotheperfect

depth.Hepiercedherveinandherbloodbegantoflow.

Afamiliarelixirlikeappleblossomsandwinehithistonguefirst.Flavorburstinhismouth.
Butasherbloodtraveleddownhisthroatandlandedinhisstomach,thewholeworldtiltedonits

axis.Hisrationalmindwinkedout.Powerfloodedhisbody,desireunleashedashetookdeepdrawsat
herneck.Atthesametime,hedrovefaster,thestrengthofhisleanbodykeepingbothmovements
synchronized.

“Seth,”shecriedout,alongplaintivesound.
Hernailsdugintohisbackandherscentmovedaroundhimlikeawhirlwind.Hermatingvibration

glidedoverhis,touchingandstrokinghisownfrequencysothathetrembledwithlustandneed.

Withhisblood-hungerslaked,hedrewbackandheldontoherhips,movingfasternow.
Thepassiononherfacetookhimtothebrink,buthewantedmore.“Lookatme.”
Shemethisgaze,breathinghard.“Youhavemybloodonyourlips.Oh,Seth,I’mgoingtocome.”She

drewinafinalraggedbreathandhefelthertugonhiminstrongpulls.

Hisballstightenedandatthelastsecond,withhisgazefixedtohers,hesentajoltofvibration

throughhiscock.

Shescreamedherpleasureandhisreleasecame,ahot,fierystreamofmalepowerthatshotinpulses

thelengthofhiscock.Heroarednow,ecstasyignitingthemusclesofhisthighsandbuttocks.Hekept
thrustingandjustasshecamedownfromoneorgasm,hefeltasecondonefiringhisbodyup,theresultof
heramazingblood.

“Youreadyforseconds?”Hewasn’tevensurehowhegotthewordsout.
Butshelaughedandnodded.“Yes.SweetGoddess,yes!”
Hewatchedasanotherorgasmtookholdofheragainandwhenherbodybegantopullonhimonce

more,anotherlightningstrikeofpurepleasurestreakedthroughhim.

Stillheheldhergaze,shoutinghismoansandsavoringtheexpressionsofpassionthatmovedoverher

face,thecriesthatleftherlips.

Ecstasycrestedathirdtimeandheroaredyetagainashismatingvibrationwrappedaroundhersand

tightened,takingtheirjoiningstraighttotheedge,closetoacompletebond.Butheheldbackknowingthis
wasn’tthetime.Soonperhaps,butnotyet.

Atlast,hisbodybegantosettleandhisbreathingeaseddown.
Shekeptchuckling,abeautifuleuphoricsound,herarmsdrapedoverhisshoulders.
“Whyareyoulaughing?”Hesmiledashewrappedhisarmsaroundherback,holdinghertightagainst

him.“Tellme.”

“Itjustallfeelssodamngood.Sexwithyouisaflighttothestars.I’mjustamazed,Seth.Amazedand

weweresoclosetobonding.Couldyoufeelthat,Imeaninthemiddleofeverything?”

Hecaressedherandkissedher.“Wewereveryclose,butIheldback.Ijustdidn’tfeellikethetiming

wasright.”

“Iknowitwouldsolvetheproblem,butIdon’tthinkeitherofusshouldfeelpressured.Justkeepme

awayfromothermastyrsandI’llbefine.DoIwanttobondwithyou?I’ddoitinaheartbeat,butfornow,
I’mcontentlikethis,savoringyourbodyjoinedtomine.”

Hisheartswelledatthesightofhersoft,browneyes,andallhergraceandaffection.Hebrusheda

lockofhairbehindhershoulderandglancedatherthroat.“IthinkIsuckedalittletoohard.I’velefta
bruise.”

Hervoicebecameathroatywhisper.“Youcansuckmethathardanydayoftheweek,mastyr.”
Hechuckledthistimeandhishipsflexedautomatically.Hedidn’talwaysreturntoaflaccidstate

followingsexandoften,withjustalittleencouragement,hecouldbebroughttolifeagain.

HetoldLoreleiasmuchandshesqueezedhimlow.
Hegroaned.“Youaresomykindofwoman.”
“I’mpartshifter.Welikesexalot.Themorephysicalinnaturethebetter.”
“Inoticed.”
Shekissedhimandwithhereyesathalf-mast,shewhispered,“Tapmyveinagainandlet’sgofor

roundtwo.”

Henodded,butthistimedrankfromherwrist.Ashefirmedup,herolledherontoherbackandfor

thenexthourworkedheroutslowlyatfirstandthenwithhisspeedandafewextravibrationsfrom

differentpartsofhisbodyhadherwhimperingandscreamingoncemore.

Later,holdingherinhisarms,hefounditdifficulttofallasleepandapparentlysodidLorelei.
Hehadn’tbeentothetreehouseinoveramonth,thoughhelikedtocomeheretothink,andmaybethat

wasoneofthereasonshe’dbroughtherhere.Hereallyneededtothink.

Hehadavampirecrewthatcameineveryotherweektocleanandrestock,andtotopoffthewater

tank,afeatthatrequiredalotofhardwork.Hepaideveryonereallywellfortheirservices.

Likehishomeatthegorge,histreehousehadplentyofwindows.Butwithdawncoming,hewould

needtolowertheprotectivemetalshades.

Hecaressedherarm.“I’msosorryforallofthis.”
“Seth,afterwhathappenedwithJude,IguessI’mjustworried.”
“Iknow.”
He’dtalkedtoallthreebondedmastyrsandknewthattherewasmorethanonewaytobindhimselfto

Loreleiifthatwaswhathereallywantedtodo.

Quinlan,inparticular,haddefinedtheactmorethananythingasastrongeffortofthewill,ofclear

intention:todecidewastobond.

Hewalkedtheline,however,hoveringjustshyofafinalcommitment.HeknewLoreleiwaswilling,

thatapparentlyshehadlessconcernsthanhedidaboutwhatwouldhappenoncethebondwasforged.

Andhehatedthethoughtofwhatheriskedbynotbondingwithher.Therewasastronglikelihoodthat

he’dendupbattlingforheragain,ifnotJude,thenanothermastyr.

InthemiddleofwrestlingwithJude,he’dfelthowmuchtheexperiencehadbeenafighttothedeath.

Withoutthehelpoftheshifterstohaulthemawayfromeachother,hewasprettysureoneofthemwould
havedied.GivenJude’sbrutestrength,Sethknewhewouldhavefallenontheill-fatedsideofthatcoin
toss.

“Andyouhavenodoubtsthatyouwanttobondwithme?”
Sheturnedinhisarmsslightlytoplaceakissjustbelowhisear.“Ifwewerebonded,I’dneverhave

toworryaboutanothermastyrcomingafterme,temptingme.Besides,youmustknowbynowthatit’syou
Iwant.”

HewantedtobelievethatLorelei’slongingforhimwentbeyondthecallofthebloodrose,buthow

couldhetrustherifshecouldsoeasilyofferherveintoJude?

HealsoknewthatseeingLoreleiwithanothermastyrhadbroughtuptheoldwound,theoneKristen

hadinflictedallthosecenturiesago.She’dcosthimtheonethingheshouldhavebeenabletogivetothe
womanofhischoice,aheartfreetoloveunreservedly.

“Ijustdon’tknowifIcanbelieveanyofthisisreal.Theintimacythatwouldcomefrombondingwith

youwouldbebuiltonair,nothingmore.”

“That’swherewedifferbecauseIbelievewithallmyheartthatwhatwesharebetweenusisvery

real,despitethatthebloodrosepartofmeiswillingtofeedothermastyrs.”

Heknewshewassincereinherbelief,buthecouldn’tagreewithher.“Ican’tdoit,Lorelei,not

underthesecircumstances.”

“Isitthatyoudon’ttrustme?”
Hedidn’tanswerrightaway,becausehewantedtorespondastruthfullyashecould.Finally,hesaid,

“IbelieveinyourcharacterbutIdon’ttrustthesituation.”

Sheleaneduponherelbowtolookdownathim.“It’sokay.Thisisnewtobothofussohowabout

untilJudeleaves,wejuststickclosetogether.Howdoesthatsound?”

“Likeagoodplan.”
Thoughshesmiledsoftly,hecouldn’tmistakethelonginginhereyes.

Hergazedriftedoverhisface.“Youlookalotbetter.ThatfightwithJudehadyouprettybruisedup.”
“Don’tremindme.”Hehuffedasigh,scowling.
“Everythingwillbeallright.”
Hehadn’tlovedanyoneinalongtime,buthewasdamnclosetolovingthiswoman.
Withasigh,hereachedforthebuttonthatcontrolledtheshades,loweringthemjustenoughtoprevent

directsunlightfromenteringthehouse.Theremainderofthepanoramaviewheretained,whichconsisted
ofawintryskyfilledwithsnow-coveredtrees,andtheoccasionalhawkhuntingthroughthequietforest.

Puttinghisheadonthepillow,hedrewLoreleiintohisarms,holdingherclose.“Youcanrestnow.”
Heneededtosleepaswell.Thebrigadehadabigbattlecoming.

*********

OnceSethwassoundasleep,Loreleieasedoutofhisarmssothatherolledonhisback,hislean,

powerfulbodyspreadoutinrelaxeddisarray.She’dspiedonhimmorethanonceduringherweeksashis
bodyguard,butshehadtoadmitthiswasthefirsttimeshe’deverseenhimsoatpeace.

ShehadahardtimedefiningallthatshefelttowardSethofWalvashorr,butaboveallthingsshe

wantedhiswell-being.

Hewasunutterablyhandsomewithstrongcheekbonesdefinedinpartbyhissuper-leanbody.She

marveledatthesculptedshapeofhismusclesbecausehehadsolittlefatonhisbones.

Whenhewouldriseforthenight,wellbeforefulldark,hepumpedironforanhour,exertinghimself

byaddingweightsquickly,workinghisarmsandshoulders,hisbuttocks,thighsandcalves.Then,justas
nightfell,butbeforecallingonhisVampireGuardorhisShifterBrigade,herantenmilesupanddown
theruggedridgesofthegorgeriddledShauckMountains.Heonlylevitatedwhenarockslidethreatened
tothrowhimoffacliff,somethingthathappenedatleastoncearun.

She’dtakentorunningnearhim,thoughatadistance,andsavoredthesetimesofsharedquietand

intenseexercise.

Sherosefromthebedandmovedtothewindows.Inherfaeformshewouldn’tbeabletotoleratethe

sunlightverywell,thoughnotsobadlyasavampire.Avampire’sskinwouldblisterwithanylevelof
light,evenwhenthesunwashiddenbehindathicklayerofclouds.Caughtoutintheopen,herfae
constitutionwouldendureamoregradual,thoughextremelypainful,disintegration.

Pacingtheroom,shemadeaquietcircuitaroundthefootofthebed,uponesidethenbacktotrackup

theother.ShefeltasshealwaysdidaroundSeth,thatRosamundehadbeenright;sheneededtocontinue
toserveashisbodyguard.Hewasindanger,morethanheknew.

Inherfaeform,shewouldneedtosleepsoon,butnotasawraith.Forreasonsshecouldn’texplain,

herwraith-formwasimmunetosunlight,whichmeantshecouldgooutsideandhavealookaround,see
whatwashappening.

WithonelastlookatSeth,shetransformed,takingonthelongthinlegsandarmsofherwraith’s

slightlyopaqueandmuchlighterbody.Herlipsweredarkinthisform,herteethapaleyellow.Shepulled
hermulti-layeredenthrallmentshieldtightaroundherselfandaddedanotheronearoundSeththatshe
couldmanipulateatadistance.

Withhersafeguardsinplace,sheslowlylevitatedtotheupperlevelofthetreehouse.Assheflew,she

tookcarenottobumpintoanyoftheangledceilingbeams,thenleftbythefrontdoor.

Wraithswereadifferentspeciesaltogetherandthoughsheworeonlythefamiliarstripsofgauzy

fabric,sotypicalofherkind,sheadjustedherbodytemperatureconstantly.Sheflewabovethetreeline,
knowingshewasinvisibletoeverycreaturearoundher.

TheweakDecembersunbotheredhereyes,anotherrealmresultofaworldlivedmostlyatnight.But

sheignoredthediscomfortandtrackedabovethetreehouse,goingwellbeyondRedheartPeaktoseeif
theenemywasanywherenear.

Butallshefoundwasanexpanseofsnow-coveredridgesthatcomprisedthecentralpartofthe

ShauckMountains.Theterrainwasalandofruggedpeaksandridgescloakedinaquietblanketofsnow,
oficystreamsandrivers,andofwaterfallsinjustabouteverygorge.

Shespentthenextseveralhoursmovingslowlybackandforth,goingseveralmilesfromeasttowest,

northtosouth,watchingandwaiting,alwaysreturningtocheckonSetheveryfifteenminutesorso,then
headingtheoppositedirectionforanotherpass.

Fromthetimeshe’dmadelovewithSeth,herfaenesshadkickedintohighgearandnowtoldherthat

MargettahadtargetedSeth.Thoughshehadnoideawhy,shefullyintendedtokeepherman,herchosen
shifter-mate,safe.

Asthesunlightfinallybegantowane,astrongvibrationoutofthenorthweststartedtobuild.Andjust

assheturnedtoheadbackinSeth’sdirection,fromapositionnearBephotineGorge,agoldenglowof
lightsuddenlyappearedinthefarwest.

Margetta.
Andshewasmovingfast.
Herhearthammeredinherchestasshepulledherselftoastop,levitatinginplace.Thoughsherarely

accessedhervampireDNA,shedidsonowinordertobecomeverystill,asonlyavampirecould.
Rosamundehadtaughtherthisskill,assuringherthatoncecombinedwithherlayeredenthrallmentshield,
MargettacouldstandafootawayandneverknowLoreleiwasthere.

Andrightnow,thelastthingsheneededwasforMargettatogetafixonher.
Theancientfaearrivedatherposition,pausingforafewsecondsasthoughperhapssensingLorelei’s

presence.Butshedidn’tremainlong.Instead,sheheadedinaswiftstreamofgoldlightalongatrajectory
thatLoreleicouldtellputherinlinewiththetreehouse.

LoreleitestedtheshieldaroundSethandfounditasstrongasherown,whichmeantthatMargetta

wouldn’tbeabletoseehimevenifshefoundthetreehouse.YetLoreleiknewsomethingmoresinister
wasatwork,thattherewasastrongpossibilitythathermotherhadexperiencedafaevisionandnow
knewpreciselywhereSethwas.

Evenwhileinwraithform,thefaepartofLoreleikickedinandforthesecondtimeinherlifeavision

cametoher.ShesawexactlywhatMargettaplannedtodoonceshearrivedatthetreehouse,whichmeant
Loreleihadtoachieveamiraculoussplit-secondtimingifshehadanyhopeofgettingSethoutalive.

ShefollowedatadistancebutmatchedMargetta’sspeedonlybypassingheratthelastmile.She

trackedslightlytothesouthinordertoreachthetreehouseatadifferentangle.

Withanewsetofdeep,layeredshieldsnowsurroundingthetreehouse,shepunchedthedoorwide,

swoopeddowntothesecondfloorandlandedonSeth’schest.Shecoveredhismouthwithherhands,
reachingintohismindatthesametime.I’minmywraith-form.Don’thurtme.Margetta’shere.She’s
goingtotorchthetreehouse.I’vegottogetyououtofhere.

Hisgreeneyeswerewildnodoubtbecauseshe’dawakenedhimfromsleep.Butitcouldn’thelpthat

hestaredatawraith.

Heblinkedtwice,processing,thenglancedtowardthewindows.Shit.I’llfryoutthere.I’mnotsafe

untilfulldark.

“I’vethoughtofthat.We’llheadstraightdownintothedarkestpartoftheforest.You’llbeableto

survivewithminorburnsandI’llcoveryouasmuchasIcan.”

*********

Sethdidn’tquestionLorelei,notevenforasplit-second,despitethatshewasawraithrightnow.
Heleapedfrombedandgrabbedafreshsetofbattleclothesfromthesmallclosetnexttohis

nightstand.Hethencaughtheraroundthewaist,flewhertothesecondlevel,andoutthedoor.

Atthesametime,agoldenlightfilledtheduskyskyandsuddenlytheareathatencompassedthe

treehouseexplodedintoaballofflames.

WithLoreleiinhisarms,theforceoftheblastthrusthimthroughthetreestowardthesnow-covered

groundbelow.HeprotectedLoreleiasbesthecouldfromthebranchesthatstruckthemboth.

Atthesametime,hefeltherstruggletostayinherwraith-formandtoholdherenthrallmentshield

tightaroundthemboth.

Loreleiwasonlyhalf-consciousashefinallylandedinthesnowatthebaseofatree.Asquicklyas

hecould,hepulledhisGuarduniformon,buthewasalreadyblisteringsomethingfierce.Hisspineand
headrockedwithpainfrombeingexposedtothelastraysofsunlight.

HesatdownagainstthetreeanddrewLoreleiintohisarms.Heshooknow,buthewasfullyaware

thatshe’djustsavedhislife.

Asheworkedathealinghisburns,hewatchedMargetta,andthegoldglowofthepowerfulshieldshe

bore,makeseveralpassesoverthetreetops.Hesmelledhisnowburningtreehouse,obliteratedinone
singleattack.Theancientfaehadtremendouspower.

Seth?Areyouokay?Loreleihadcometo.
Helookeddownatworriedbrowneyes.
I’mfine.
Sheliftedherarm.I’mstillinmywraithform.I’llshiftnow.
Probablyagoodidea.
Stillholdingher,shetransformedquickly,anothersignofherlatentpower.
Hewasgratefultohaveherbackinherfaeform.Heknewthatnotallwraithswerebad,or

dangerous,oreveninclinedtotakeontheheinousInvictusbondingofwhichallwraithswerecapable.
Buthebreathedalittleeasierholdingafaeinhisarms.Sheworeherjeansandfurboots,awarmshirt
andcoat.Herhatwaslonggone,probablyleftsomewhereatBigTimber.

Hepettedherheadandkissedher.Howdidyouknowshewascomingforus?
Shemethisgazeandtouchedhischeekwiththebacksofherfingers.Iwasoutpatrollinginmy

wraithform.Idon’tneedsleepasawraith,notsurewhy.Ijustdon’t.

Youmeanallthistime,whileIslept,you’vebeenflyingoverthemountains?
Shenodded.
But,why?
Sheseemedsurprised.Toprotectyou,ofcourse.That’smyjob.That’swhyRosamundesentmeto

you,remember?

Hestareddownatherinamazement.Youtrulyaremybodyguard,becauseI’dbedeadrightnowif

itweren’tforyou.

Yes,youwould.Butshesmiled.
Sethrealizedtherewasahostofreasonswhyshemighthavechosennottoreturntothetreehouse

onceshesawthatMargettahadtargetedtheplace.Instead,she’dgottentohimfirst,riskingherownlife
inordertosavehis.

Hewasastonishedbyheralloveragain,byherloyaltytohimandbyherGuardsman-likesenseof

duty.ShewasasmuchawarriorasanyofthevampiresorshifterswhoservedinhisGuardorinthe
ShifterBrigade.

Sheglancedup.Theancientfaeisstillhere.Inafewminutes,she’llrealizeshe’snotsmelling

burningflesh,soshe’llknowthatwe’renotdeadandshe’llstarthuntingforus.

Ithoughtofthataswell.
Loreleileanedbackandoncemoremethisgaze,butthistimefrowned.Seth,Ithinkshe’sgearingup

herenergytoburntheforestinhopesoffindingusbyaccident.Shedidthistwomonthsago,when
QuinlanandBatyawerehelpingmegettoFerrendenPeace.ThoughMargettacouldn’tseemeorthe
brigadethatprotectedmebecauseofBatya’senthrallmentshield,shetorchedtheforestanyway.Inthe
processsomeofthetrollwarriorsdied.Ithinkweneedtogetoutofhere.Now.

Sethtookheratherword,scoopedherupandheldherclose,thenflewthroughthedenseforest

straightdowntheridge,despitethefactthatthesunhadn’tyetset.

Hefeltthefirstblast,whichmeantMargettacouldtrackthem,nodoubttheresultofhowhisflight

disturbedthesnow-ladenbranchesashewhippedby.Margettawouldbeabletoseetheirpathwithout
everactuallycatchingsightofthem.

Butheracedalonganyway,Loreleiclingingtohimandsilent.Sheheldherlayeredshieldstightashe

workedtostayoutoftheremainingsunlight.

TheblastskeptcomingasMargetta’sbattleenergystrucktreeaftertree.
Seth,we’vegottogetoutoftheforest.She’strackingusbecausewe’redisturbingthebranches.
Iknow.
Arethereanywaterfallsaroundhere,withcavesbehind?Ithinkwemightbesafeinaplacelike

that,atleastforalittlewhile,hopefullylongenoughforthesuntoset.

Heknewexactlywheretheycouldgo.Fuck,yeah,thereare.
Butcanyoumakeitacrossopenterrain?There’llbenothingtoprotectyoufromthesun.
I’llblisterup,andI’llbeinbadshapewhenwearrive,butwecandothis.
Heturnedeast,headingtoSageFallsatthetopofInwetherGorge.Valgusandhisshiftertroops

wouldhavethegorgelockeddownbynow,allthecamouflageinplace,andhistroopsinposition.

HepathedtoValgustolethimknowthathehadMargettaonhisheelsbutthathemeanttofindshelter

withLoreleiatthefalls.

Valgusprotested,Butmastyr,you’llbeintheopenandit’snotfulldark.
Thanksfortheconcern.Can’tbehelped.I’llhealfastenough.ButIwantyoutokeepyourtroops

hidden.Margettawillbehuntingforus,butasyourmastyrandRegis,Iorderyounottoengage.She’s
afterme,notthebrigade.

Heheardthelongpause.AllofhisGuardsmen,nomatterwhichbrigade,wouldfeeltornbythatkind

ofcommand.EachhadaningraineddutytoprotectSethatallcosts.

Finally,Valgussaid,Asyouwish.
Sethcutthecommunication.He’dreachedthelastbitoftreecoverwithblastssettingfiretotheforest

behindhim.

Hetookadeepbreathandmovedintotheopen.Butastheweaksunlighthithim,morepainshotup

hisspineandhealmoststumbledintheair.Butheheldhistrajectory,hisobjectonlyahundredyards
distant.

HefollowedthestreamthatflowedovertheInwetherridgeandcreatedthefalls,butalready

Margetta’sgoldenglowoflightwaseverywhere.

Lorelei’shandcreptuphisfaceandblockedtheburninginhiseyes.Thankyou.Almostthere.
Hethrewhimselfoverthefalls,holdingontighttohiscontrol,thenhoveredneartheedgeofthe

cascadeofwater.

Seth,whyareyouhesitating?
Ifwedisturbthefallinanyway,she’llknowwe’rehere.

I’mgoingtoshifttomywraithform.Shewaschanginginhisarmsbeforeheknewwhathappened,

theneasedawayfromhim.Shefloatednearthewaterandslidbehindthefall.

Thoughblisterednow,hepulledinhiscoatandcarefullyskatedbehindaswell.Buthis

consciousnesshadstartedwinkingout,damnit.

Herhandcaughthimandpulledhimquicklytotheshelfofrock.Hefellbackward,landinghard.
Suddenly,Margetta’sgoldenlightappearedontheothersideofthewaterfall.Ifsheblastednow,

they’dbothbedead.

Sethcouldn’tdoanything,however.Hewasinaphenomenalamountofpain,morethanhe’dknownin

hisentirelife.Hestartedtheself-healingprocess,buthewasdizzybeyondwords,blistershavingformed
overagoodportionofhisbody.

Seth,I’msosorry,butshe’sgearingup.
Iknow,Icanfeelit.Lorelei…Ineedtosaysomething…
Buthismindstoppedfunctioning.
Ashedriftedintounconsciousness,hisfinalthoughtwasthathelovedLorelei,butnowitwastoolate

totellher.

ChapterNine

Havingshiftedbacktoherfaeform,LoreleikneltbesideSeth.Buthergazewasfixedonhermother,

asMargettapacedthroughtheair,flyingbackandforthinfrontofthewaterfall.Shefelthermother’s
powerandtheprofoundvibrationshe’dbegunbuildingthatwoulddestroybothLoreleiandSeth.

Soitwouldendlikethis,Margettawinningthedayifshegotthisshotoff.
Barelyabletobreathe,Loreleiheldahandtohertightthroatandtimeslowedtoastrangecrawlas

sheprocessedherpresentreality.Sherealizedthatshe’dshiftedagaintohervampirestate,anintense
stillformthatonlyvampirescoulddo.Sherarelyaccessedthispartofher,thestrainbeingtheweakest
partofhergenetics.

Slowly,sherosetoherfeet,againmovingasthoughsheownedtimeasMargetta’sbattlefrequency

increasedinstrength.

SheprocessedhersituationinthesamethewaythatSethwouldapproachadilemma,analyzing,

calculating,takingideasinandoutofcarefulboxes.

Thenanideacametoher,onethatmightjustsaveSeth’slife,ifnotherown.
Shemovedclosertotheedgeandpathedtothewomanwho’dgivenherlife.Mother,let’smakea

deal.

ShefeltMargettashiftherintention,nowholdingherbattlefrequencyincheck.I’mlistening.

AlthoughI’msureI’dbewisetojustblastthepairofyoutothenextlife,especiallysincemyown
daughterhasn’tshownmeonedegreeofloyalty.

Loreleiignoredherdesiretotellhermothertogostraighttohellandinsteadaddressedtheissueat

hand.IwantSethtolive.IknowthebattleiscomingandthattheWalvashorrforcesstandlittlechance
ofwinningagainstwhatyouhaveinstoreforthem.ButIwanthimtohaveachance.

Margettachuckled.Sothefaepartofyouhasseensomething,then?
Yes.Butrightnow,I’ddoanythingtosaveSeth’slife.
Sowhatareyouoffering?
Whatyou’vewantedforyears,sinceIleftyourhome.Ifyou’llleaveSethaloneuntilthebattle

begins,I’llcomewithyouandI’llgowhereveryouwantmetogo.

You’llcomewithme,justlikethat?Areyouinloveorsomething?
Youcouldsaythat.
Margettasnorted.Ihavetosay,Lorelei,thatyouweremybiggestdisappointment.Allthispotential,

yetyouranfromme,shunnedme,asthoughyourfatherandIdidn’ttrulyliveinyourbones.Andyou
neverreallyunderstoodthefineworldweintendedtocreateforyouinwhichyoucouldbeawraith
andnotbeashamed,inwhichyoucouldonedayrulealltheNineRealms.

You’reright.Ineverunderstood.Butnowyou’llhaveachancetodojustthatbecauseI’llbe

turningmyselfovertoyou.

Well,tobehonestmydarlingdaughter,I’mnotsureI’minterested.Itriedtobringyoubacktothe

folddozensoftimesandonthelastoccasionyouledmeonalivelyjaunttoFerrendenPeace.I’mnot
sayingitwasn’tfun.Ididenjoykillingthosetrolls.So,you’rewillingtoplaceyourselfinmyhands?

Iam.
AndwhatifIdecideonceIgetyoubacktomybase,thatyou’reofnousetome.Aren’tyouafraid

I’llkillyou?

Iwouldexpectnothingless,butI’mwillingtotakethechance.Whatdoyousay,mother?DoIgo

withyounow?LoreleiknewthiswastheonlywaytosaveSeth,ifsheofferedherselfinthisway.

Thenshefeltit,Margetta’sessentialhunger,thatshewouldn’tbeabletoresisthavingLoreleiunder

hercontrolagain.Shewasn’tsurprisedthatMargetta’sbattleenergybegantofade,bitbybit.

Loreleihadheranswerandstillholdingherlayeredshieldingtight,sheshiftedbacktoherwraith

form,theneasedfrombehindthewaterfalltolevitatehighintheair.

I’maboveyou.
ThegoldenglowbegantofadeasMargettaroseintheairatthesametime.Showyourself.
Loreleistrippedawaylayerafterlayerofherenthrallmentshield,untilshewasatlastvisibleto

Margetta.

Face-to-facewiththewomanwhohadbirthedher,Loreleifeltnothingexceptalevelofdisgustthat

sheworkedtokeephidden.Shehadajobtodo,soshefocusedononlyonething,gettingMargettaaway
fromSeth,themansheloved.

Comebacktomycampwithme.I’llhaveatentmadeupforyouruse.Youwon’tbeabletoleave,

ofcourse.

Asyouwish.
MargettaturnedandflewinanorthwestdirectionandLoreleijoinedher.Shefeltprofoundreliefthat

she’dsucceededinsavingSeth,atleastforthismoment.

Whatshehadn’tsaidtohermotherwasthatassoonasdarkfell,shewoulddoeverythinginher

powertoescapehercaptivity.Ifintheend,shefounditimpossible,thenshe’dfindsomewayto
terminateherownlife.She’dratherdiethancontributetoMargetta’sambitionstoruleandcreateher
versionofaperfectsociety.

*********

WhenSethregainedconsciousness,hewasalonethoughthesoundofrushingwatermadeitdifficult

tohearmuchbeyondtheshallowcave.

Thepaininhisbackhadeasedandhisblisteringhadsubsided.Hewasonhiswaytobeingfully

healed,butwherewasLorelei?

HerecalledMargettahadbeenreadytoburnthembothtoacrisp,thenhe’dblackedout.
So,whatcouldhavehappenedtopreventMargetta’sattack?
HereachedoutforLoreleitelepathicallyandbecameworriedwhennothingreturnedtohim,noteven

ahintofhertelepathicfrequency.

Nothing.
Panicsetin.
Hesatup,awaveofdizzinessbatteringhim.
WherewasLorelei?
Thentheharderquestionrosetopummelhismind:hadMargettakilledher?
Adifferentkindofpainsuddenlyrolledthroughhim,wavesofagonyinhischestthathadnothingto

dowiththeeffectsofsunlight.

Hisgazeslowlydriftedaroundthecold,dampshelf.Asheetoficywaterflowedinfrontofhim,a

perfectrepresentationofhowhisribcagehadcontainedhissolitaryheartforcenturies.

Hewasalone.
Yetforthepastmonth,hehadn’tbeen.
Loreleihadaccompaniedhimeverynight,alwaysguardinghim,thinkingabouthim,puttinghissafety

aboveherown.

Nowshewasgone.
Margettahadintendedtokillthemboth,sowhathadchangedhermind?

Hedrewhiskneesupandrestedhisforearmsoverthetopsofthem.
Heknewthenwhatshe’ddone;Loreleihadmadeabargainwiththeancientfae.Heknewitassurely

asifthewordshadbeenspokenaloudinhiscave-likeprison.

Loreleihadsacrificedherselfandshe’ddoneittosavehislife.Thiswasthetruthofhercharacter.
Anotherpowerfulwaveofemotiongrippedhischest.HowmanytimesdidLoreleihavetoproveher

loyaltyorhercharacterbeforehefoundherworthy?

He’dkepthimselfremovedfromher,eventhoughQueenRosamundeherselfhadsentLoreleitoguard

him.Thataloneshouldhavealertedhimthathecouldtrusther,thathecouldbringherintohislifewithout
fearingshe’dbetrayhim.

Instead,he’dheldbackatacriticalmoment,evenaftershe’dsavedhislifewhenMargettahadfired

awayathistreehouse.

AndnowLoreleiwasgone,caughtinthegripofhermother’sevilhands,andwhatwouldherfuture

be?WouldshebeforcednowtoenterintoanInvictuswraith-pairbonding?Wouldshebeusedforeven
moreexperimentationbyherparents?Wouldshebecometheweaponthatherlatentpowersuggestedshe
couldbecome?

Almostcompletelyhealed,Sethroseslowlytohisfeet.Nighthadalmostcome,justafewminutes

morenowandhecouldleavethesafetyofthewaterfall.

Butheknewonlyonething.HeneededtofindLoreleiandbringherhome.
Thiswasherhome,withhim,besidehim,whetherwolforfaeorevenwraith.Loreleibelongedwith

himandhewithher.

He’dbeenafooltolethispastexperienceswithKristendeterminehisrelationshipwithLorelei.

He’dallowedKristen’sbetrayaltorulehislifeallthistime,neveroncelettinganythingremotelylike
loveoraffectioncomenearhimagain.

Ashewaitedforthelastofthelighttodisappearandglancedaroundthedarkgraystoneshallow

cave,hefinallyadmittedthetruththathe’dbeenavoiding,thathe’dfalleninlovewithLorelei.

Helovedher.
Passionately.
Liftinghischin,hesqueezedhiseyesshutandturnedhishands,palmsup.Hisheartswelledandhis

matingvibrationopenedfully.

Helovedher.Hisentirebeingfeltlitonfireasthoughhecouldflytothestarsandback.Andonsome

levelhe’dfeltthiswayfromthemomenthe’dfirstseenherstandingoutsidehisbackdoorinherfaeform.
She’dhadasoftcurveonherlipsandagleaminhereye,part-challenging,part-amusingandallLorelei.

Withhiseyesstillclosed,hesavoredthetremendousfreeingjoyhefelt,thatlovehadcometohim,

thatforthefirsttimeincenturieshecouldopenhisheartandtrulylovewithoutreservation.

Hefeltpowerfulinthismomentwithhismatingvibrationthrobbing.Andhefeltcertainthatifhe

tried,hecouldreachLoreleithroughtimeandspace.

Again,withoutopeninghiseyes,heletthatvibrationflow,pulsingalongtheairwaves,reachingfor

theonewomanintheNineRealmswhocouldsatisfyhimoneverypossiblelevel.

Whenhehithome,whenhefoundher,heshoutedforjoy.Atthesamemoment,hiseyespoppedopen

andhesawthattheledgewasfullofhersignatureofsilvery-teallight.He’dfoundher.

Lorelei,hepathed.
Seth…Hervoicefadedasquicklyasitcame.
Hetriedagain,buthegotnothing.Hemovedinabriskcircle,reachingforher,shouting,thenfinally

roaring,butnothingcameback.

Forabriefsecond,hemusthavebreachedMargetta’spowerfulshield,buttheancientfaehadshut

himdown.

Hemovedincirclesnow,pacing,waitingforthelastofthesunlighttodisappear,thenhe’dbeonthe

move.Confessingthetruestateofhishearthadgivenhimtheonetoolheneededtolocatehiswoman.
Openinguphismatingvibrationhadmadeitpossibleforhimtoseehertrailevenatwhatheknewtobea
tremendousdistance.

Andinafewmoreminutes,he’dhitthattrail,trackherdown,andpullheroutfromwhateverprison

Margettakeptherin.

Buthedidn’twanttogoalone,anunusualthoughtallbyitself.Andmaybethiswasanewdecision.

Fromthispointforward,hewouldn’tbegoingitaloneeveragain,Goddesswilling.

HecontactedEphyxfirst,lettinghimknowthatMargettahadtakenLorelei,probablyinexchangefor

Seth’slife.

Verycleverofher,butyou’regoingaftertheprimefemale,right?
Damnstraight.ButIwon’tbeabletopromiseI’llbebackbymidnight.
We’vegotthiscovered.Allfourgorgesarewell-protected,ourbestarchersareinhiddencover,

andourpeoplearesafe.

Afterissuinganordertolettheotheralphasknowwhatwashappening,hecontactedJude.Ineed

yourhelp.

What’swrong?What’shappened?Seth,dammit,I’msosorryaboutLoreleiandeverything.
I’msorryforattackingyouaswell,butallthat’sbehindus.HethentoldJudewhathadhappened.
Willyouhelpmegetherback?
Hell,yeah.Whateveryouneed.
Asthelastraysofthesunslippedbehindthemountainstothewest,Sethglidedbehindthefallof

water.Hedidn’tbotherdealingwiththeelephantintheroom,asinwhatwouldhappenifJudegotto
Loreleifirst.

Yetsomehow,itnolongermattered,asthoughhisownrecentpersonalrevelationabouthislovefor

thewomanwouldresolvethesituationassoonashecouldconnectphysicallywithLorelei.

Hestartedfollowingthesilvery-tealtrail,headinginaclearnorthwestdirectionacrosstheShauck

Mountains.Atthesametime,hedirectedJudetoflynorthalongtheBephotineGorgewhichwouldcause
theirpathstointersect.

Yougotit.
Sethshutdownthetelepathiccommunicationandaddressedthesecondissue,asinhowthehellhe

wassupposedtogetLoreleiawayfromtheancientfae?

*********

Loreleisatinherfae-form,inasun-protectedtent,attheedgeofMargetta’sarmycamp.Nighthad

fallenatlast,whichmeantSethwouldberecoveredfromhiswoundsandabletoleavetheshelfcave
behindthewaterfall.

Andforthebarestsecond,she’dheardhimcalltoher,butallherattemptstofindhimtelepathically

hadfailed.

Shewasn’tsurprised.MargettahadtakeneverypossibleprecautionsothatLoreleicouldn’t

communicateusinghertelepathyormatingvibration.

Bynow,Sethwouldhavefiguredoutthatshe’dabandonedhim,butwouldheunderstandwhyshe’d

gone?Orwouldheconsideritanotherbetrayal?

Shehopednot.
Shehadnoillusionsaboutwhatshewasupagainst.Hermotherhadtremendouspowerandonlynow,

whenshe’dseenthemassivecontrolshewieldedoverherInvictusarmy,didshetrulyunderstandthat
givenenoughtime,MargettawouldprevailagainsttheNineRealms.

Asitstood,LoreleihadonlyaslimchanceofgettingbacktoSethandtotheShifterBrigade.Margetta

usedherenthrallmentalmostexclusivelytomanageherarmy.Shehadahugesupportstaffatherbeck-
and-callaswellandwasinconstantcommunicationwiththeInvictusineverypartoftheNineRealms.

MastyrJudehadalwayshadastrongconvictionabouttheneedforamoreunifiedNineRealms,

whichbegan,inhisopinion,withbettercommunicationsrealm-to-realm.Thoughshehadn’tbeenintouch
withhimforalongtime,sheknewthathewouldhaveapprovedofMastyrQuinlansettingup
communicationcentersineachoftheNineRealm’shumanearthaccesspoints.

Shestoodupfromthecampchairandpacedtheeight-by-eighttent.Apowerfulfaespellkepther

imprisoned.Touchinganyofthecanvaswalls,oreventheentranceflap,burnedinthesamewaythenet
hadwithSethtwonightsago.MargettahadmadeitclearLoreleiwouldstayhereuntilafterthebattle,no
mattertheoutcome.

ThoughshecontinuedherattemptstoreachSeth,nothingcamebacktoher.Despiteherfailure,

however,shekepthertelepathicpathwayswideopenaswellashermatingfrequency.Thelatterbecause
shehadthisnaggingsensationthatwhenSethhadreachedouttoherearlier,he’dusedhismating
frequency.

Shepausedinherpacingandputahandtoherthroat.Shehadafunnyfeelingthatsomethinghad

happenedtoSeth,somethingpowerful.Herheartratespedupandinaveryrealmwaysheknewhewas
headedinherdirection.

*********

SethflewhighinthefrigidairabovethenorthwesternportionoftheShauckMountainsatthefarthest

reachesofWalvashorrRealm.

Lorelei’ssilvery-tealtrailhadbeenabeaconinthedark,snowynight.Judetrackedwithhim,offhis

rightshoulder,andjustalittlebehind.Sethunderstoodwhy.IfforsomereasonLoreleiactuallycameinto
view,Sethneededtogettoherfirst.

Theybothunderstoodthebloodroserealityofthesituation.
Whenhisbattlefrequencylitup,heknewhewasn’tfarfromMargetta’scamp.
Doyoufeelthat?Jude’svoiceinhishead,confirmedwhathefelt.
Suredo.Hesloweddown,droppingclosertotheapproachingridge.TheInvictusarmyisn’tfarfrom

here.

Whatdoyouwanttodo?
Let’slandnearthetopofthisnextridgeandhavealook.We’reatNimbusVale,aperfectplacefor

anarmytosetupcamp.

Hedrewdownbehindthesnow-packedridgeandwishedhehadjustalittleofthefae’sabilityto

createanenthrallmentshield.Especiallydressedinblack,bothheandJudestoodoutlikepillarsagainst
thesnowylandscape.

Inadipnearthesouthernendoftheridge,hefoundafewlonetreesforcovernexttoamassive

twelve-foot-highboulder.Hemovedslowlyfrombehindthetrees,levitatingtogainaviewofthevale
below.

Whathesawwerehundredsoftentsanddozensoffires.Heheardlaughterthroughoutthecamp.

Clearly,theancientfaewasn’tworriedaboutdiscovery.

SweetGoddess.Judestoodnexttohimnow.IwassureMargettawouldhavehiddenherarmy

behindanenthrallmentshield.Iwonderwhyshehasn’t?

Sethhadnoidea.Maybeshe’sthatarrogant,butit’sdamnluckyforus.
Judekepthisvoicelow.Doyouseehowthetentsarelinedup,inpreciseorder?Thisreallyisan

armythatthewomankeepsbuilding.

Iknow.Idon’tthinkIwouldhavebelieveditifIhadn’tseenit.Invictuswraith-pairswerenotorious

forchaotic,impulsivekills,sotohavebroughtthemundercontrollikethiswasyetanotherindicationthat
Margettawasseriousinherintentions.Ontheotherhand,Margettamaybeemployingherenthrallment
skillsonkeepingthewraith-pairssubservienttoher.

CanyousenseLoreleiyet?
Sethshookhishead.Nothing,butthenI’msureMargettaiskeepingherlockeduptight,including

herownbrandofenthrallmentshield.

Howthehellarewegoingtogetdowninthere?
Weneedhelp.Andheknewexactlywhoheneededtocontact.
Shiftingtelepathicfrequencies,heaimedthisoneatFerrendenPeace.
I’vebeenexpectingyourcall.QueenRosamunde’svoicerattledhishead.Shesoundedurgentand

upset.

Hetoldherexactlywherehewasandwhathadhappenedinasfewwordsaspossible.Ineedyour

help.ThoughIhavenoproof,I’mconvincedLoreleiisinthecampbutIcan’tgetinwithoutyour
assistance.Areyouwilling?

Rosamundegrewveryquiet,thenfinallysaid,Morethanyoucanimagine.
Sethbreathedasighofrelief.Thiswholeoperationcouldstillgosouth,butatleastnowhehada

chanceofgettingLoreleiout.

HewasabouttogiveRosamundedirectionstohisandJude’sposition,whenshewasjustsuddenly

there,standingnexttohim,peeringbetweenthetreesaswell.It’sworsethanIthought.Howcould
Margettahavedonethis?

Judehadn’tmetthequeenbefore,soheofferedatelepathicintroduction.Sheworeafurmuffand

removedherhandfromwithintoshakeJude’s.Heseemedappropriatelystartledashebowedslightly,
andafterreleasingherhand,hetooktwostepsbackward.

Rosamundedidn’tseemtonotice.We’llneedadiversion.
Sethknewshe’dspokentobothJudeandSethatthesametimeandthatshe’dessentiallysetupa

powerfulconferencecallamongthemsothattheycouldcontinueinaquiettelepathicexchange.

Rosamundemeteachgaze.Icanonlyofferyouashieldforabrieftime.ThemomentMargetta

realizessomething’safoot,I’llneedtodisappear.Shecan’tknowI’minvolvedorFerrendenPeacewill
beatrisk.Doyouunderstand?ForthesakeoftheoutcomeofMargetta’swar,FerrendenPeacemust
beprotectedatallcosts.

HenoddedasdidJude.Canyoudiscernherlocation?
Atthat,Rosamundesmiled.She’sinthetentwiththeflag,atthewesternedgeofthecamp.
Heturnedtolookdownattheencampment,andsawthetentshereferredto.Hesmiled.He’dfinally

cutabreak,buthowthehellwashesupposedtogetLoreleioutofthere,oncehereachedher?

RosamundewithdrewherglovedhandfromhermuffandplaceditonSeth’sshoulder.You’llknow

exactlywhattodoonceyou’veseenher.Trustmeinthis.

Hadshereadhismind?Idotrustyou.Implicitly.
She’sagoodwoman,MastyrSeth.Shedeservesyou,evenmorethanyouknow.
HisrecentunderstandingofexactlyhowhefeltaboutLoreleisweptthroughhimoncemoreandhis

throattightened.Iloveher.Theconfessionlefthismindbeforehecouldstopit.Thenherealizedthatat
thispoint,hissoledesirewastoshoutitintotheheavens.

Rosamundeleanedupandkissedhimonthecheek.You’llbewonderfultogether.Hergazeshiftedto

Jude.Asforyou,MastyrJude,stayawayfromLorelei.Isuggestyousetupadiversionattheeastend
ofthecamp,butdon’tleavetheridge.Andassoonasyouseethearmymobilizinginyourdirection,
headbacktoBigTimber.Doyouunderstand?

Yes,myqueen.
Good.WhensheshiftedhergazebacktoSeth,hefeltherenthrallmentpowerpouringoverhimina

tremendousflowofenergy,sostronginfactthathealmostfellbackward.

Hecaughthimselfatthelastmoment.Wow.Okay.Hethankedheragainbutshefrowned.
Margetta’sonthemove.GogetLoreleinow.Hurry.Jude,startfiringinthenextfewseconds.

Havingissuedherfinalorder,shesimplydisappearedthewayDavidocould.

SethfeltthelayeredshieldthatRosamundehadcreatedaroundhim.JustasheheardJude’senergy

blastsstartstrikingintheeast,helaunchedfullboreandcrestedtheridge,aiminghimselfdirectlyat
Lorelei’stent.

Openinghismatingfrequency,hetelepathicallyshoutedLorelei’sname.
Bythetimehereachedthetent,droppingdowninfrontofthenetteddoor,shewastherewaitingfor

him,eyeswide.Canyouseeme?Heasked.

Shenodded.ButIcan’tgetoutofhere.
Sethfeltthefaepowerofthetent,buthe’dripthedamnthingtoshredswithhisbarehandsifhe

neededto.Hestartedtoreachforthenet,butshestoppedhim.We’llneverbeabletodothis,Seth.The
powermymotherbuiltintothistentistoogreat.

Sethknewshespokeaccuratelybecausehefeltitaswell.Thetentcouldkillthemboth.
Yetherecalledwhathadhappenedwhenhe’dmadecontactwithLorelei,evenwhileinwolfform,

backatLoperzCanyon.

Wehavepowertogether.
Sheshookherheadsadly.Notenough.Notforthis.Youshouldleave,Seth.Saveyourself.
LikehellI’mdoingthat.Infact,Ican’t.
Whythehellnot?
BecauseIloveyou,andI’mnotleavingherewithoutyou.

*********

Loreleidrewasclosetothenetteddoorwayasshedaredandstaredintohiseyes,unabletobelieve

whathe’djustsaidtoher.Youloveme?How?When?

Ithinkfromthefirstmomentyouappearedoutsidemybackdoor.Remember?
Shenoddedandtearsfloodedhereyes.OfcourseIremember.Youscowledatme.
Iwasfeelingwaytoomuchevenbackthen.Ijustdidn’ttrustyouoranywoman.Ihaven’tfora

longtime.

Shereachedforhim,almosttouchingthenet,butpulledbackjustintime.Iknow.Seth,whatarewe

goingtodo?Hergazeshiftedpasthim.Theentirecampwasalivewithmovement,headingtowardthe
eastend.What’sgoingon?

HeexplainedaboutJudeandRosamunde’shelp.
Loreleifeltwildwithpanic.IjustwishIhadasolutionforus,butIdon’tknowwhattodo.
Sethsearchedhereyes.IthinkImight.Hisnextwordsrushedather.Lorelei,willyoubondwith

me?Rightnow,Imean.

Shegasped,stunnedthathewouldsuggesttheverythinghe’drefusedtodonotevenanhourago.Is

thiswhatyouwant?Imean,ofcourseIwill,Iwanttobelongtoyoumorethananything,butareyou

sure?Isthisrightforyou?

Hemovedasclosetothetentashecouldgetsothattheywereonlyinchesawayfromeachother.I’ve

neverwantedanythingmoreinmyentirelife.

Loreleifeltasthoughadooropeneddeepwithinhersoulandawindsweptthroughmaking

everythingnew.Loveflowedandlituphermatingvibration.Shedidn’ttrytoholdback.

Sethdrewinasuddensharpbreathashervibrationreachedhim.You’rebeautifulineverypossible

way,includingyourfrequency.Iloveyou,Lorelei.

Shewantedthemomenttolast,butthetougherquestionhadtobeanswered.Seth,I’mtrappedin

here.HowdoIgetout?

Ihaveanidea.I’vebeentoldthebondisanactofthewillsomaybewedon’tevenneedtotouch.If

wecanengage,likewedidatLoperz,Ithinkitmightbepowerfulenoughtobustyououtofhere.Are
youwillingtotry?

Absolutely.
Sethsmiled.I’vefeltyourfrequency,nowI’mgoingtosendyoumine,sobeprepared,becauseI’m

notholdinganythingback.

Herturntosmile.Doit.I’mready.
Heopeneduphismatingfrequencyfull-bore,sothatithitherinthechestandtookherbreathaway.

Hereyelidsflutteredandthepleasureshefeltwentbeyondanythingshe’dknown.Herloveforhimcame
aliveoncemore,burstingaroundherlikefireworksasherownmatingfrequencyignitedyetagainand
flewoverhis,swirlingandsavoring.

Iloveyou,camefromhismindoncemore.
AndIloveyou,morethanIcansay.Shewantedthissomuchandshecouldfeelthatsomethingin

himhadchanged,thathehadnomorereservationsaboutcompletingthebloodrosebondwithher.

Butshefeltanotherpresenceaswell.Frombehindhisshoulder,shesawthatMargettahad

transformedintoherwraithformandwasflyingfromthesouthdirectlytowardthem.Shemusthave
sensedSeth’spresence.

Margetta!
Forgetabouther.Focusinsteadonme,Lorelei.Bondwithme.Wehavetodothisnow.
LoreleishiftedhergazetoSeth.Hishairhadcomeloosefromtheclaspandnowflewinawildway

aroundhishead.WavesofpowerflowedandsheopenedherarmstoreceiveallthatSethwas.

Powerflaredandexplodedbetweenthem,similarbutgreaterthanattheLoperzplace.Thenetting

disintegrated.

Sethsteppedthrough,caughtherupinhisarmsandsuddenlyshewasinflightheadingupward.She

couldn’tthinkoract,butheldherarmswide,absorbingSeth’scombinedbattleandmatingfrequencies.

Andsuddenlythebondwasjustthere,tightandsure,fixedforeverbetweenthemandstillheflewher

up,headingintothesnowyskyabove.

Seth’svoiceenteredhermind.Lookdown.Youhavetoseethis.
Someofherabilitytothinkreturnedtoher.Sheslidherarmsaroundhisneckandshiftedpositionso

thatshecouldseedowntotheearthbelow.

HerhearingresumedsothatsheheardMargetta’sshrieksbeforeshesawthewomanherself.
Theancientfae,inherwraithform,flewinacircleabovethesmokingruinsoftheprisontent.
SheandSethhaddonetheimpossiblebyescapingMargetta,butthey’ddoneittogether.
She’llwantrevengeandifshecan,she’lltakeitoutonthefourgorges.That’swhatIfeltinthe

originalvision,theoneinyourhousewiththealphaspresent,thatshewasfurious.Weneedtoget
backthere.

Sethnodded,butshefeltsomethinginhim,thingshewantedtosay.
Shekissedhim.Later.Tellmelater.Rightnow,wehaveyourrealmtoprotect.
Theexpressionoftendernessthatenteredhiseyes,nearlyundidher,tearingintoherheartandmaking

mushofwhatwasalreadygiventohim.Thankyou,Lorelei.Thankyou.

HeturnedtheminasoutheasterlydirectionandspedinthedirectionofBigTimber.
Sheunderstoodhim.She’dhonoredhisgreatestlove,hispeopleandhisrealm,andhevaluedthat

morethanwordscouldexpress.

Andshewasbackinhisarms.
Butshefelthermother’sfuryandknewthatMargettawouldholdnothingbackfromtheforthcoming

battle.

WouldtheShifterBrigadebeenoughtoturnbackMargetta’sInvictusarmy?Wouldthealphaswork

wellenoughtogethertobeacohesiveunit?

ChapterTen

Sethflewfasterthanheeverhadbefore.Thatwasthefirstthinghenoticedsincehavingbondedwith

Lorelei.

Andhefeltwhole,asthoughhisprevioussolitarylifehadreflectedonlyaportionofhisrealm

potential.

AndhehadLoreleiinhisarms,thebiggestsurpriseofhislong-livedlife.
Butasheveeredsouth,hefeltapowerful,dangerouswindathisback.
Lorelei’svoiceenteredhispathway.Doyoufeelthat?
Yep.
Mother’smad.
I’msuresheis.
Whereareweheaded?
Sethshiftedherslightlyinhisarms.BephotineGorge.Ephyxisinchargethere.
He’stherightalphatousetosetthestageandyou’reflyingfaster.Shehuggedhim.
Sethsmiled.It’sbecauseofyou.
Becauseofus.
Yes,you’reright.Becauseofus.
Assoonashereachedthetopofthegorge,hepathedtoEphyx.IhaveLoreleiwithmeandwe’renow

bonded.ButIhaveonefuriousancientfaeonmyassandshehasherarmywithher.Getyourmen
ready.

Weare.Justwaitingforyourorders.
ThereweremomentsinSeth’slifewhentheloyaltyofhismenastonishedhim.He’dbeentherulerof

WalvashorrRealmforaverylongtime,andyeshe’destablishedhimselfasawarriorandasatolerant
ruler,butthathisShifterBrigadewasreadyand‘justwaiting’forhisorders,filledhisheartwith
gratitude.

TheNineRealmssavoredindependenceprobablymorethananythingelse.Yet,thesemenwaitedon

him,andconcededtohisdecisions.

Buttonight,hisordersweresimple.Fireatwill.
Yes,mastyr.
Sethcontactedtherestofthealphasanddeliveredthesameorder.
Loreleipathed,WeneedtobeatBigTimber.
Areyousensingthatbecauseofyourfaevibration?
Yes.
Hedidn’twaitforfurtherexplanation,butshiftedcourseagain.HenolongerfeltMargetta’swind.No

doubtshe’dlosttrackofthem.

ButhowwashesupposedtoknowwhatwasgoingoninanyofthegorgesifhewasatBigTimber?

*********

Loreleifelttheweightofherfaenesslikeaheavycloakaroundhershoulders.Imageskeptspinning

throughhermind,ofthealphas,ofeachoftheirpacks,andofthegorges,oneaftertheother.

BindingherselftoSeththroughhermatingvibrationhadresultedinherabilitytotapintoallthathe

was.Rightnow,sheexperiencedhisconnectiontohisrealmandtohisalphas,bothofwhichignitedthe
shifterpartofherthatcravedasenseofcommunalbelonging.

Ashetoucheddowninthecenterofthesnow-coveredoutdoorgatheringarea,wherefourfirepits

stillburned,Loreleihadneverfeltsoalert,soreadyforanythingthatmightcome,includingMargetta’s
power.

Onceonthesolid,snow-coveredplatform,Sethdidn’tlethergo,butkeptanarmtightaroundher

waist.Shefeltit,too,theneedtostayconnectedphysicallywhileeventsunfolded.

Shehadnoideawhatwouldhappennextbutfromthedirectionofthenorthwest,shesensedthefull

expressionofhermother’srageathavinglostcontrolofLoreleiagain.Bynow,becauseofwhathad
happenedtothetent,MargettamustknowthatSethhadbondedwithherandhadcreatedanewlevelof
powerbetweenthem.

MaybethisunionwaswhatMargettahadfeared,thatherwraith-daughterhadformedabondwitha

vampirethathadInvictuspotential.Ofcourse,LoreleialsoknewfromconversationswithRosamunde
thathavingbloodrosecapacitymadeitimpossibletoforgeatrueInvictusbond,thekindofconnection
thatremovedtheconsciencefrombothwraithandhisorherbondedrealm-person.

Butthepower…
Yes,thepowerwasthere,betweenthem,flowingbackandforth,aheavyrealmvibrationfullofall

kindsofpotential,someofitlethalbecauseoftheirjoinedbattlefrequencies.

Yet,Loreleifeltinherbonesthattheirpowerwouldn’tbeaboutslayingtheInvictuswraith-pairs,but

whatexactlytheycouldaccomplishtogether,shedidn’tknow.

Herheartthrummedwithexcitement.
Sethturnedhertowardhim,searchinghereyes.“Tellmewhatyou’refeelingrightnow.”
Sheplantedherhandsonhisarms.Hisbicepsflexedbeneathhertouch.“Asthoughallthepassion

youfeelforWalvashorrandfortheNineRealmsismovinglikeawhirlwindaroundus,throughus,
betweenus.”

Hesmiledandleanedclose.Hetouchedhislipstohers,agentlekissthatfeltfullofallthathewas.

Shereturnedthekiss,sendinghergratitudeforhiswillingnesstoleavehissolitaryworldandpullherso
completelyoutofherownisolation.

Whenhedrewback,heheldhergazeoncemore.“TellmewhereMargettais,whatyousee,through

yourfaeness?”

Sheclosedhereyes,focusingthewhirlwindonhermother.Iseeherinflight,herentireInvictus

armywithher,twohundredpairsandthattwoofthepairsaretheextremelypowerfulmastyrvampire
wraith-pairs,thekindthatalmostkilledMastyrQuinlan.

Understood.Canyouseewherethey’reheaded?
Shebegantodescribethearraytohim,thattherewerefourcolumns,howfasttheyweremoving,and

howeachsplitoffinadifferentdirection,towardoneofthefourgorges.

WhereisMargetta?
Hoveringdirectlynorthofusthoughseveralmilesaway.She’sorchestrating.
Justaswewill.KeepfeedingmeinformationandI’lltranslatewhatyouseetothealphas.
Seth,it’sthestrangestthing,butit’sasthoughI’vemovedhighintotheairandI’mlookingdown

attheShauckMountains.Icanseeherarmiesadvance.Shesqueezedhisarms.I’mgoingtoshowthis
toyou,oratleasttryto.Ready?Thiswillcomethroughthebattlefrequency.

*********

Sethreceivedtheimageslikesomethinghecouldwatchonhisflatscreen.Heopenedhistelepathyto

Ephyx,butoninstinct,expandedit.Ephyx,areyouseeingthisinyourmind?

Holy,shit,mastyr,I’mwatchingMargetta’sarmyadvancedownthegorge.

Canyoutranslatethisforyourtroops?Canyoucommunicatewithyourlieutenants?
Yes.
Good.ThisisallnewtoLoreleiandme,somethingwe’redoingtogether.I’llkeepsendingyou

theseimages,butIneedtocontacttheothers.IfIcan,I’llstreamthistoeachofyouatthesametime.

ThemomentSethfocusedonallfouralphasatonce,whatcametohimfromLoreleiwasthatshehad

alreadyseparatedouteachfrequencyjustasshehadwhenshe’dconnectedwiththepacksearlier.Butthis
time,hefeltthedifferentvibrationsasveryseparatestreamsofenergy.Holdingallfourinhismind,he
contactedCohoet,Valgus,andAlophilikeaconferencecall.BecauseofhisbondwithLorelei,itturned
outtobeaverysimplethingtodo.

HeexplainedwhathewoulddoandthemomenthelettheimagesstreamtoCohoet,Valgusand

Alophi,allfouralphasgaveashoutoftriumphatwhattheywereseeing.

AslongasLoreleiandIcanstreamtheimages,you’llknowexactlywheretheenemyisandhowto

directyourtroops.

Thebattleunfoldedlikeadream,Margetta’sarmyflowingthrougheachgorge,thealphasdirecting

theirmen,camouflagedandhiddenbehindrocksortrees,lettingarrowsfly.

Assoonaseithermemberofawraith-pairgothit,theotherfalteredandbothfelloutofthesky.

Shifterssentbattle-energytodisablethepairsoneaftertheother.

TheShifterBrigadeespeciallyenjoyedfeigningawoundtodrawtheenemyintoatrap.Orthey’drun

southwithwraithsshriekingoverhead,andanetwouldcatchtheirprey.

Theywerealsoquicktohelptheirwoundedtosafetyinnearbycaves,wheretrollandshifterfamilies

waitedtohelptheinjured.

SurroundedasheandLoreleiwerebyherlayeredenthrallmentshields,hehadnofearofMargetta,

notevenwhenshesawherarmydroppinglikefliesbeforeaShifterBrigadethatappearedand
disappearedlikeghostsbehindtheircamouflage.

Frommilesaway,heheardMargettashriekherrageandfinallycallherarmybacktoher.Heheard

thecheeringfromallfouralphasandashestretchedhishearing,thesoundfromthefourgorgesbecamea
joyousringinginhisears.

Lorelei,keeptrackingMargetta’sarmy.Weneedtoseewheretheygo.
Willdo.
HewatchedMargetta’sretreat.Shetookwhatwasaboutfiftyremainingwraith-pairsintothefar

north,thenveeredwest.ShereturnedtothecampandthroughLorelei’scontinuedvision,hewatchedas
withinminutes,tentaftertentwasstruck.Margettahadahugesupplyline,whicheverygoodgeneral
maintained,andasupportstaffofrealmslaves.Withherarmyinflight,hewashopinghewouldfindthe
ancientfae’slair.

Instead,asshereachedthenorthernmostboundaryofWalvashorr,Margettaandherarmysimply

disappeared,asthoughwalkingintoafog.

Ican’tseethemanymore,Loreleipathed.We’velostthem.
Andthere’snoaccesspointinthatpartofmyrealm.
Loreleishookherhead.Idon’tunderstand.Wheredoyouthinktheywent?
MyguessisthatMargettahasastrongholdhiddenbehindadozendifferentspells.She’sretreated

fornow,butprobablyintendstorebuildandattackanotherrealmatitsmostvulnerablepoint.

Wewon’tbeabletofindher.Lorelei’svoicesoundedsomberwithinhismind.
Sethsighed,knowingthatthewarwouldcontinue.I’lllettheothermastyrsknowwhathappened

hereandwhatyouandIsaw.Beyondthat,we’llhavetowaittoseewhatshedoesnext.

ThevictorycelebrationquieteddownwiththedisappearanceofMargettaandhertroopsfromthe

realm.Foronething,eachpackhadtogetonwiththebusinessofclearingupthedifferentbattlefields,
makingsurethattheinjuredshiftersweretakencareof,anddetermininghowmanymembersofeachpack
haddiedintheattack.

Intheend,therewereonlysixteencasualtiestothethreehundredInvictusthathaddiedduringthe

brief,coordinatedbattle,anextraordinaryoccurrence.ButtheShifterBrigadehadbecomeadisciplined
fightingunitandhadbeenextremelywell-prepared.SethalsoknewthattheimagesheandLoreleihad
streamed,hadgiveneachpacktheinformationneededtodeliveracrushingblowtotheentireenemy
force.

Thedeceasedshifterswerepreparedfortheirreturntofamilymembersandeachwouldreceivethe

highesthonorsfortheirrealmservice.ButtheuninjuredandsurvivingShifterBrigadewarriorsbegan
headingforBigTimber.

Thefirsttoarrivebuiltupthefourenormousbonfirepits,andcaseaftercaseofdarkalemadeitsway

outofthecellarsofthemainlodge.

Inaddition,hundredsofrealm-folksoonstreamedintothearea,andamajorcelebrationwas

underway.

*********

LoreleiheldSeth’shandandhadneverknownsuchjoy.
FromthetimeMargettahadtakentheremnantsofherarmyoutofWalvashorr,Sethhadn’tletgoofher

once,notevenwhenthealphasarrivedreadytodohigh-fivesandcongratulatorychestbumps.

Atfirst,shethoughthewasstillafraidthatthemomentJudeshowedup,she’dbealloverhisfellow

mastyr.

ButwhenJudefinallyarrived,Loreleifeltnothingforhim,noimpulsetogotohimortofeedhim.
Jude’sbrowsroseashesettledhisgazeonher,thenshiftedhisattentiontoSeth.Henodded

knowinglyseveraltimes,asmileonhislips.“You’vebonded,Isee.”

Seth’schestpuffedalittle,somethingthatmadeLoreleismileashesaid,“Wehave.”
Judeclappedhimontheshoulder.“I’mhappyforyou.”
“Thanks.Thewaythisisgoing,you’llhaveyourturnaswell,justbepreparedandtrytobeopen.”
“Easyforyoutosay.”
“It’seasynow,butyou’reright.”HeglancedatLoreleiandsqueezedherhand.“Gettingtothisplace

wasn’tsimple,mostlybecauseIdidn’tbelievemyselfworthy.”

Judesnorted.“You,ofallthemastyrsIknow,deservetohaveawomanlikeLorelei.”
Sethclearedhisthroatacoupleoftimes.“Ithinktheremightbeafewbottlesofalewithyourname

onthem.”

“I’mhearingthecallevennow.”Judewaggledhisbrows.Hethenwishedthembotharealm-fullof

happiness,afterwardheadingtowardthelongtablenowladenwithcasesofbrew.

EvenafterJudeleft,Sethkeptatightclasponherhand.
Asshewalkedbesidehimandupthestepsofthemainlodge,herheartswelled.Thealphaswere

insideandhadcalledforthemboth.

Thedoorsswungwide,andastheycrossedthethreshold,athunderouscheerrangtothethree-story

highrafters.Thespacewaspackedfulloftriumphantwarriors,asmanywithinastherewereoutsidein
thesnow.Eachheldabottleofaleinhand.

Loreleirealizedthatpartofherjoyhadtodowiththemenandwomenbeforeher,allshiftersof

Walvashorr,theplaceshenowbelonged.

Whentheroarquieted,Sethraisedhisbottleofalewithhislefthand.“TothefinestShifterBrigadein

theNineRealms.”

Anotherdeafeningcheerpushedagainsttherafters.Loreleidranktothetoast,andfoundtheheavy,

bitteralethemostwonderfulflavoronhertongue.

Ephyxcalledout,“Toourregisandtheprimefemale.”
Thecheers,shouts,andstampingoffeetthatfollowedbroughtapainfulgrintoLorelei’scheeksand

tearstohereyes.She’dfoundanunlikelyhomeinWalvashorrasthebloodrosetoMastyrSethandthe
primefemaletothefourshifterpacksoftherealm.

Severalmoretoastsfollowed,aseachpackhonoredtheirleadersandlieutenantsandasSethoffered

afinalwordonbehalfoftheseveralmenandonefemaleshifterwho’dgiventheirlivestonightonbehalf
oftheirfellowrealm-folk.Observingalongminuteofsilence,Loreleibowedherheadandblessedtheir
swiftjourneysintothearmsoftheGoddess.Sheaddedanotherblessingforthoseenslavedrealm-folk,
whohadsuccumbedtotheInvictuswraith-bonding.

AndSethstillheldherhand.
Whenthesilenceended,heglancedatherandshesawenormouslonginginhiseyes,somethingshe

almostdidn’trecognize.Whatisit?

You.Hischestroseandfellinadeepbreath.Ineedtobewithyou,Lorelei.Tonight.Now.
Sheglanceddownattheirjoinedfingers.Isthiswhyyou’vebeenstucktomeforthepasthourof

celebration?

Yeah,itis.
Helookedalmostpained.Youhavetounderstand,Ihaven’thadawomaninmylifeforathousand

years.

Whenshefinallyunderstood,hereyeswidenedandmaybeunfortunatelyforSeth,theshifterinher

tookprecedenceoverthemoreorderlyfaepartofhergenetics.

Inaloudvoice,shecalledout,“Hey,fellowshifters,sorrytobeleavingthepartysosoon,butIneed

togetmymantobed.”

Theslowglideofthe‘o-o-o-o-hs’thatthisannouncementfostered,aswellasthegrinsandafewnot-

so-subtlehip-grindinggestures,madeSethturntoherandfrown.Really?

Butshewastoomuchpart-shifter,nottorespondwithanythingelse,except,WouldyouratherIwent

homewithoneofyourmen?Maybeoneofthealphas?

You’regonnastartwithme?Here?
Anywhere,anytime.
Shegotupcloseandslunganarmaroundhisneck.Hedidtheonlyappropriatethingandkissedher.
Anotherglidingsetof‘o-o-o-o-hs’washedoverherears.
Whenhedrewback,hiseyeswereathalf-mast.“Let’sgohome.”
Atthemerementionoftheword,shelostallhertauntingshifter-bravadoandnodded.“Yeah,let’sgo

home.”

*********

Sethhadneverbeenthishappyinhisentirelife.AsheflewLoreleisouthtowardDefianceFallsand

hishomeaboveShauckGorge,hisbodyfeltfloodedwithlove,withtriumph,andaboveallgratitude.

Neverinahundredyearscouldhehavepredictedalltheeventsofthepastfewdays,orperhapsmore

importantly,ofthepastmonthfromthetimethatLoreleihadappearedtohimathisbackdoor.She’dstolen
intohislife,oncommandfromQueenRosamunde,toserveashisbodyguard,andshe’dstayedtobecome
hisconfidant,hisbloodrose,andthewomanhelovedwithallhisheart.

Shewouldprobablyneverknowthechangesshe’dwroughtinhislife,takinghimfromasolitary

mastyr,whorarelysocialized,toashifterpackregisandpartofacommunitythatwouldprobablynever
leavehiminsolitudeagain.

Yethefeltunsettled,asthoughsomethingimportanthadn’tbeenresolvedbetweenhimselfand

Lorelei.Andtheonlyplacehecouldthinktodoit,wasinhishome,withhiswoman,inhisbed.He
neededhertofeelhimashetoldherallthatneededtobesaid,aloud,nothinghidden,orcloakedin
telepathy,butthewordsvibratingbetweenthem,theirbodiesonfire.

DefianceFallscameintoviewfirst.Thegreatriverthatcreatedthefalls,thenbrokeintothreedistinct

rivers,billowedwithmist,thesounddeafening,familiar,andwelcomingashepassedoverhead.

Ilovethatsound.Loreleispokereverently,anotherthinghevaluedabouther.Shehadan

appreciationforthelandaroundher.

Ido,too.Itfeelslikehome.
Afewsecondsmoreandhetoucheddownonhiswrap-aroundporch.Snowcreatedasoftround

appearancetohisflatrailing,asingletrackofsquirrelfootprintstheonlybreach.

Buthedidn’treleaseLoreleiuntilhehadherinsidehishousewiththefrontdoorshutandlocked.He

loweredtheday-blindsaswell,uncertainwhathourthey’dfinallyrisefromhisbed.

Bythetimehe’dsecuredalltheblindsinthehouse,heheardtheshowerrunninginhismasterbath,

whichofcoursemeantthatLoreleiwasnaked.

Shewasinhisshowerandshewasnaked,withhim,forhim,bondedtohim.
Hisfeetweremovingbeforehe’dwrappedupthelastofhisamazedthoughtsthatlovehadfoundhim

andhiswomanwasinhisshower.

“Joinme?”Herfemininevoice,whichalwayscarriedahappytone,reachedhimfromtheopen,

stone-tileddoorwaythatledtotheshower.

“Yes.”Heremovedthewovenclaspfromhishair,thenstrippedvampire-fast,evenworkinghisboots

offquickerthanheeverhadbefore.

Secondslater,hesteppedintothestone-chiseledshower.Loreleifacedhim,herheadbackasshe

rinsedshampoofromherhair.Therowofamethystsalongtherimofherleftearwinkedathim.

Hisheartwasfullofloveforher,hisbodyfullofneed,andhisblood-hungerragingoncemore

becauseofallthathadhappenedinthepastfewhours.Buthedidn’twanttohurrywhatneededtohappen
next.

Hemovedintotheshowerslowly.Hewantedtotakeherinhisarms,butmorethanthat,hewantedto

getclean.

Therewereenoughjetsforhimtoslidebeneathoneandgethisownhairwet.Standingadjacenttoher

nowashewashedhishair,hewatchedher.Shetookabarofsoapinherhandsandafterworkingupa
lather,rubbedbothbreasts,hergazefixedonhim,agleaminhereye.Theruffsofwhitefurappearedon
herwristsandlikeacollararoundherthroat,streamingwaterandsoapaswell.

Hisbodyrespondedandhergazefelltohisstiffeningcock,soshebecamemorevigorous,working

hernipples.Herinsedthelastoftheshampoofromhishairthensoapedhimselfupaswell,finallyusing
onehandtofondlehimself.

Hemetandheldhergazeandshegotthatlookinhereye,theonethatwasmoreshifterthanfae.
Hervoiceheldalowtimbreasshesaid,“ThatEphyxsurehasapowerfulsetofshouldersonhim.”
Hecaughtherarmsinhishands,thenspunheraround,movingherawayfromthesprayofwaterand

pushingherface-firstagainstthestonetiles.Ifhe’dbeeninanydoubtofwhatshewasreallyafter,thefact
thatsheshovedherbottomintohisgroinconfirmedhissuspicionthatshelovedworkinghimup.Shethen
jostledhim,sothathesteppedbackjustenoughtoallowhertobendover,herforearmsplantedagainst
thewall.

Theshifterinherwantedhimtotakeherinthisposition,toasserthisdominance,andhewaswilling.
Heleanedoverandshovedherlongwethairoverherrightshoulder.
Atthesametime,hetookhiscockinhishandandpressedagainstherentrance,thenstartedtopush.
Hewhisperedagainstherleftear,histongueflickingtheamethysts.“YoudaretotalkaboutEphyxto

me?”

Shemoanedashepushed.“Whyshouldn’tI?He’sabigman,apowerfulshifter,agreatwarrior.He

couldtakecareofhiswoman.”

Heroaredathertaunts,thenfellonher,openinghismouthwideandbitingthebackofherneckhard,

throughthethinruffoffur,butholdingbackhisfangs.Shegroanedheavilyandherentirebodyspasmedas
aheavyvibrationrolleddownherspine,somethinghefeltalldownhischestandgroin.

Hebegantothrustinsideher.You’remine,Lorelei,myprimefemale,mybondedbloodrose,noone

else’s.Doyouhearme?

Heplungedhardandfeltherrespondassheshovedherhipsbackathimwitheachthrust.
“Ibelongtoyou,Seth,justyou.I’myours.”Shegroanedlongandloud.
Hismatingvibrationcametolife,reachingforher,flowingthroughher,searchingforhers.Her

answeringmatingcallmethisinasuddentangleofintensesensationthatforcedhishipstogofaster.

Hereleasedherneck,buthisfangsemergedinsuddenneed.Shecriedout,“Doit.Oh,Seth,biteme.

Bitemehard.”

Hestruckswiftly,breachinghervein,andafterretractinghisfangs,hebegantodrinkinheavygulps.

Herbloodtastedofwineandappleblossoms.Hismouthtingledashesucked,thenswallowedherlife-
force.

Whenherbloodhithisstomach,hisbodylitonfire,poweringupmorethaneverbefore.Hismating

frequency,nowpulsingwithhersinperfectunion,alsosentavibrationthroughhisgroinandalongthe
lengthofhiscock.

“Oh,God,Seth,whatareyoudoingtome?”
I’mfuckingyou,Lorelei,makingyoumine,drinkingyoudown,andlettingyoufeelthestrengthof

mycockburieddeepinsideyou.

*********

Loreleigaspedforair,asherbodymovedinrhythmwithSeth,ashetookherblood,asheworkedher

wellwiththevibratinglengthofhiscock.Pleasurebuiltinpowerfulincrements,oneaftertheother,
drivinghertowardecstasy.

Iloveyou,Lorelei.
Hisresonantwordsdeepinsideherheadenflamedherheartanddrovehertothepinnacle.She’d

neverfeltsofullinherlife,hersoulconnectedwithherbody.Shesavoredeachdriveofhiscockwithin,
eachsuckofhislips,eachswallowofhisthroat.

Shefeltsomethinghappeningbetweenthem,greaterthaneventhebloodrosebondingthathadtaken

placeearlier.Oneofhisarmscoveredherbreasts,whilehisotherarmheldherhipsinplacesothathe
stayedconnected.

Doyoufeelthat,Seth?Thisthingbuildingbetweenus?
Yes,dearGoddess,yes.Hishipsmovedfasterandshecriedout.
Almostthere.
You’resotight,Lorelei,holdingmeasyouare.
Yourvibrationisflowingalongmychannel,andthroughmyabdomentotouchmyheart.Iloveyou,

Seth.

Iloveyou,tooandI’mclose.
Shefelthishipscurlashislipsleftherthroat.Heroseupbehindherandthrustfaster.
Heshoutedinthatwayofhis,asoundLoreleilovedhimtomakeandwhichbroughtecstasystreaming

throughherbody.Sheclenchedhardaspleasuredrocketedthroughher.ShefeltfullofSeth,fulloflove,
fullofsomuchpleasure.

Shescreamedashecontinuedtothrust.
Thenshefelthistonguelickingherleftearwheretheamethyststudsrosetothefaepoint.Hiships

stillworkedherbody,easiernow,butSethwasstillrockhard.Heflickedherearwickedly.

Yougameforanotherride?
Shesmiledagainstthetile,breathinghard,savoringthefeelofhispowerfulwarriorbodystill

pummelingher,workingheruponcemore.ThatAlophi!Hehasmassivearms.

Sethdidexactlywhatshewantedhimtodoasagainhebitdownhardonthebackofherneck,shifter-

style.Thebite,inturn,createdadirectlinetoherlowerabdomenandpleasuregrippedherfiercely.She
chuffedashedroveintoherinpowerfulthrusts.

You’reabadgirlandneedtobepunished.
Doyourworst.Shereachedbehindherandcaughtthebackofhisneckashecontinuedtopresshis

teethintoherskin,markingher,lettingherfeelthathehadcommandofher.

Pleasurebuiltoncemoreandwhenecstasyrolled,sharperthistime,shescreamedasheoncemore

shoutedhisrelease.

Hetookhertobedafterward,butspentthefirstfewhoursofdaylightsavoringherbody,takingherin

adozendifferentpositions,generoustoafault,andalwaysrespondingtohertauntswithexactlytheright
levelofpossessivenessthathershifternessloved.

Whenatlastshefellasleep,shewasn’tsuresheeverwantedtoleaveSeth’sbed.

*********

FulldarkhadarrivedandSethdrewLoreleioutontohisfrontporchthatoverlookedthegorgebelow

andtheriverrunningbetweenitssnowybanks.Neitherworeclothes,buthe’dwrappedthembothupin
thecomforter.Hekissedherneckandshesigheddeeply.“Thisisthemostmagnificentview.”

“Andit’sasbeautifulinthesummerasitisnow.Thewildlifeisamazing.”
“Icanhardlywaitfortheseasonstopass.”
Andthereitwas,themostwonderfultruthofhisnewlifewithhisbloodrose.Whenafewmonths

rolledby,withLoreleiinhishome,she’dgettoseetheShauckMountainsduringthelushsummerseason
whenthefawnshadgrownandbirdschatteredmadlythroughthetrees.Shewouldbewithhim.Solong
astheybothlived,hewouldn’tbealoneandshewouldneverbeon-the-runagain.

BothhisVampireGuardandhisShifterBrigadewereonpatrol.Hedidn’tusuallygivehimselfanight

off,butheneededthistimewithLorelei,todeepenhisbondwithher,andintheend,justtospendtime
withherandtogettoknowher.

He’dintroducedhertohishousekeeper,who’dlearnedofhismatingfromthegossipytrollsthatlived

intheShauckMountainsside-by-sidewiththeshiftercommunity.She’dbroughtaspicecake,homemade
elderberrywine,athickpotatosoup,moreofherfreshsourdoughbreadandfresh-churnedbutter.Asalad
ofgardengreensandanoliveoildressinghadcompletedwhatfeltlikeamarriagedinnerforhimselfand
Lorelei.

Hishousekeeperhadn’tstayedlongandafterthey’ddined,he’dmadelovetoherinhisbed,teasing

herearashelickedalongtherowofamethysts,delightingintheshifterruffsshesproutedassoonashe
startedkissingher,andfinallysavoringthejoiningoncemoreofhisbodytohers.

Nowheheldherinhisarms,onhisporch,enjoyingthenight.
“Iloveyou,Lorelei,morethanIcouldeversay,everexpress,notinathousandlifetimes.”
Sheturnedinhisarms,andhewrappedherupmoresecurelywiththecomforter.Sheheldhisface

withherhandsandkissedhimrepeatedly.“Iloveyou,too.”

Hekissedherinreturn,andmaybetheirmating-riddledscentfloodedtheairabovethegorge,drifting

totheoppositemountainridge,becauseinthedistancewolveshowled,callingtothenight.

Hewouldrememberthismomentaslongashelived,thetimewhenhissolitudeendedforever.

Loreleiwaswithhim,anintense,passionateshifterwomanwhogothim,whofilledouteveryuneven
edgeofhislife,andwhohadtaughthimthatatlonglasthewasn’talone.

TheEnd

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