Pleasure(DarkAlpha,Episode2)
Copyright©2015byAlisaWoods
February2015Edition
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Pleasure(DarkAlpha2)-NewAdultParanormalRomance

ShiftersliveintheshadowsofSeattle,justundertheskinofthealphamale,dot-comentrepreneurswho
arebuildinganewSiliconValleyintheEmeraldCity.

JakandAriannahavefoundsomethingspecialineachother'sarms...butisitsomethingtheycankeep?

Islovestrongerthanmagic?Orwillbreakinganunbreakablebonddestroythemboth?

Pleasure (Dark Alpha 2) is 60 pages or 15,000 words. It’s the second of six episodes in the Dark
Alpha serial. Dark Alpha is the sequel series to True Alpha, the debut shifters-in-Seattle paranormal
romancefromAlisaWoods.

DarkAlphaReleaseSchedule-2015
1-Torment(1.19)
2-Pleasure(2.2)
3-Untitled(2.16)
4-Untitled(3.2)
5-Untitled(3.16)
6-Untitled(3.30)
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standalone

Jak had scrubbed every last bit of Arianna’s scent from his body, but he couldn’t erase what happened
betweenthemfromhismind.

Nordidhewantto.
They had returned early from the University when the bounty hunters’ attack cut short their plans on

campus.Evenwiththebriefdelayduetotheirfranticlovemakinginthebackseat,JakandAriannawere
stilltheonlyonesattheRedpackestatewhenhedroppedheroffatMace’shouse.Whichwasfortunate:
shehadtoeliminateJak’sscentbeforeMacereturned,ortheywouldbothbedead.Orworse.

Theideaofdyingdidn’tbotherJakasmuchastheknowledgethatMacewouldn’tkillArianna…he

would only make her suffer. And for a wolf, there was a lot of suffering that could happen before the
mercyofdeatharrived.Themerethoughtofthatchastenedandenragedhimallatonce:hiswolfwasona
constantlowgrowlthatfilledhisearsandrushedhisveins.

IfMacehurtAriannainanyway…Jakwasn’tsureifhecouldstophimselffromkillingheralpha.Or

atleastattemptingto.TheonlythingthatcouldpossiblystophimwouldbethemagicinJak’sownblood:
he was bound to Gage, Mace’s brother, and no matter what, Gage wouldn’t allow his beta to kill his
brother.AndJakcouldn’tdisobeyhisalpha—hissubmissionbondwasn’tasstrongasArianna’smating
bond,butitwasstillpowerfulmagic.Itwouldatleastslowhimdown,makehimweak…anddoomhim
inafightwithMace.

Whichwasseriouslyunfortunate:adeadMacewouldsolvemorethanoneproblem.
Jakclimbedintofreshclothesafterhisshower.Thesoapandnewclothesshouldsafelyhidehistryst

with Arianna, although her scent was still strong in his mind… along with the way she moaned and
flushedwhileshewrithedunderneathhim.Justthinkingaboutitwasgoingtogivehimahard-on,sohe
shovedthatmemoryaside.Besides…findingthebountyhunterswhoattackedthemwasnowhisnumber
onepriority.

Jaksentavaguemessagetohisalphaabouturgentpackbusinessbackattheestatethenloggedontothe

pack’sWiFi—buttherewasn’tmuchtobefoundonline.Ofcourse,shifterhuntersdidn’thangashingle
out on bountyhunterforhire.com. But even the darknet sites that shifters used to communicate away from
the prying eyes of the Feds didn’t have any chatter about recent bounties or the hunters who answered
them.Jakpostedadescriptionofthetwomen—mid-twenties,brownhair,grayhoodies,dartgunmodel—
onathreadtitledHunters,Witches,andOtherBlackArts.

Their attackers were pros, and even if they bumbled today’s attempt at bagging a wolf, this wasn’t

theirfirsttime.Someoneelseonthenetmightrecognizethem.IfJakwasverylucky,he’dscorealeadon
theirbaseofoperations,althoughthatwasinformationhunterskeptverydownlow,forobviousreasons.
Jak left off any identifying details about the place and time of the attack, just in case the hunters were
lurking.Hescoutedaroundtheotherthreadsforpossibleleadsonsimilarhitsbutcameupdry.

Jak shoved away from the computer desk and paced the house’s main gathering room, checking his

phoneforthreadupdatesandscouringhismindforideasabouthowtotrackthehunters.Acrunchingof
tiresfromoutfrontsignaledseveralcarspullingintotheestate.Itwasstillearly,andJakprayedArianna
had already showered. He sprinted to the front door—maybe he could occupy Mace a little longer and
buyherafewmoreminutes.

Thethreepackcarsheldadozenwolves,includingGageandMace,whowereoutoftheirrespective

carsandstalkingacrosstheredpaversofthedrivealmostbeforethevehiclesstoppedmoving.

“What’sthestatus,Jak?”Gagedemandedinhisusualno-nonsenseapproach.
“Wehadarun-inattheUniversity,”Jakfilledhisalphainquickly.
Mace’sfacewentfromglowertolividinhalfasecond.“Whatthehell!”
Jak threw his hands up. “Arianna is fine,” he said, all while noting that Mace hadn’t actually asked

abouther.JakturnedtoGage.“Wewereattackedbybountyhunters.Ariannawashitbyatranqdartof
somekind,butshe’sallrightnow.”

Maceseemedreadytochokeonhisownspit.“Somebetayouhave,”hegrowledtoGage.
“My beta kept your mate safe,” Gage spit back. “Care to wager where your mate would be now, if

Alricwasincharge?”

Jakliftedhischin,daringMacetoquestionhim,buthisstomachwaschewingitselftopieces.
Mace growled at them both but didn’t argue. “I don’t care what father says, she should never have

goneback.”Itwasmoreapatheticgrumblethananactualthreat.AtleastJakhoped.Heknewschoolwas
theonlythingthatshoneanylightinArianna’slife—althoughhecouldn’thelphopingthatmaybehewas
partofthatlightnow,especiallysincehe’dbroughtheraliveinawholenew-to-her,steamy-hotkindof
way.Regardless,Jakhadtoquicklyfindawaytoputtheattackbehindthem,soshecouldkeepgoingto
class.

“Itwasn’tgoingtoschoolthatwastheproblem,”JakthrewintoMace’sface.Helookedtohisalpha

forbackup.

Gage’sfacedarkened.“Jak’sright.Beingoutsidethecompoundjustgavethehuntersopportunity.But

theyshouldn’thaveknownJakandAriannawereshiftersinthefirstplace.”

“Exactly,”Jaksaid.“Someonetoldthemwhatwewereandwherewewouldbe.”
Macepulledback,hisfacedarkening.“Nooneinmypack.Obviously.”
“Don’t be an idiot, Mace,” Gage said. Jak smirked. “It’s not anyone from Red pack. It has to be

someone we’ve worked with: associates, other packs, the shifter community. We have more than a few
enemiesintheshifterworld,andmanyknowaboutyournewmate.Butregardless…someonesoldoutthe
pack,andIwanttoknowwho.”

SeveralofGage’spackmembersweregatheredaroundtheirtightdiscussion,alongwithMace’stwo

betasAlricandBeck.Agrowlofagreementwentaroundthegroup,Jakalongwiththem.

“Itcouldbeanyone,”Jaksaid.“Hell,maybetheyweretryingtostopmylabvisittoSilverQuick.We

don’tevenknowifAriannawasreallythetarget—theymaynothaveevenknownshewasawolf.”

Gagefrowned.“Whatmakesyousaythat?”
“Sheshiftedduringtheattack—itseemedtocatchthemoffguard.”Jakwasn’tsurethatwasentirely

true. He had replayed the scene a dozen times in his head, and he suspected that when he dropped his
phone he managed to avoid their first shot. They were aiming for Arianna as well, but they did seem
unpreparedforAriannatowardofftheirdart,shift,andcomeafterthem.

“Ofcourseshewasthetarget,”Macesaidwithscorn.HegaveJakalooklikehewaspondscum,a

revulsionJakhadnoproblemreturning.“She’samatedfemale.”

There was no question that mated females carried powerful magic in their blood, and especially in

theirhearts.Butthatwouldn’tmeananything,ifthehuntersdidn’tknowshewasashiftertobeginwith.

“Sure,witchescouldbeafterher…iftheyknewwhatshewas,”Jaksaid.“Shehasn’tbeenoutside

thecompoundinsixmonths.Hardlyanyoneknowsshe’shere.”JakturnedbacktoGageagain.Macewas
toomuchofahothead;Gagewastheonlyonewithachanceofsortingthisout.“ItcouldbetheSparks
pack.Maybethey’reoutforrevenge?”

Gageshookhishead.“Idoubtit.Thingshavebeenquiettoolongonthatfront.Besides,theiralphas

aren’tthekindwhoinitiatetrouble.”HegaveapointedlooktoMace.

Hesnarledinreturn.“Theydon’thavetheballstodowhatittakes.NotunlikesomealphasintheRed

pack.”

“Really?” Jak lurched forward to get in Mace’s face. “You want to be a little more specific about

that?”Macejustinsultedhisalpha.Jakwouldbemorethanjustifiedintearinghimintobloodystrips…
hismouthwateredatthemerepossibility.

“Yourbeta’sbigonwords,”MacesneeredtoGage.“Comeon,beta.Foronce,I’dlovetoseeyour

bloodruninsteadofyourmouth.”

Jak’sclawscameout,andhewasabouttotakeapieceoutofMacewhenGageyankedhimback.Jak

growledbutobeyedhisalphaandstayedback.

Gage jutted his chin at Mace. “Jak’s the only reason your mate is home safe right now. Show some

respect,orImighthavetoteachyousome…littlebrother.”

JaksnickeredalongwiththerestofGage’spack.Theiralphahadseveralinchesandfiftypoundson

his brother, and if it turned into a pack-on-pack brawl, Gage’s pack outnumbered Mace’s three to one.
Those were only two of the many reasons why Gage was the dominant son in the hierarchy. That, and
Macewasanassholenoonerespected.Everyoneknewit,evenhisownbetas.

“SoArianna’shomesafenow—isthatright?”ThegleaminMace’seyemadeJak’sbloodruncold.
“Thatwasmyjob,andIdidit.”Jakclenchedhisfists.Thelastthinghewantedwasanenragedand

frustratedMacegoinghometoAriannaandtakinghisimpotentfrustrationsoutonher.ButJakcouldn’t
object without bringing suspicion. He was already walking a fine line, trying not to let his ever-
intensifying feelings for her show. Jak growled his own frustration. “Why don’t you run along home to
yourfemale,Mace?Letthebigboysfigureoutwho’sthreateningher.”

Macelungedforhim,clawsunsheathedandcomingstraightforhisface.Jakbaredhisfangs,ducked,

and came back up from underneath, pounding a fist into Mace’s stomach. He doubled over, and Jak
grinned,aflushoftriumphthrillinghisbody.Gageoutmatchedhisbrother,butJakandMaceweresimilar
insizeandspeed:onlyJakwassmarter,andhishatredforMaceknewnobrotherlybounds.

“Thatallyougot?”hetauntedMace.Theotherswereholdingback.
MacepretendedtostraightenbutwhippedasliceofclawsatJak’sfaceinstead.Hecaughtoneonthe

cheek even as Jak whipped his head back. His blood ran warm, but Jak quickly swung back, catching
Mace in the throat. The two men went down, grappling hands-to-throat, choking each other. The others
cleared a circle for them, scuffling on the pavers to get out of the way. Jak couldn’t breathe through
Mace’shold,andMace’sclawswerestartingtodigintohisneck…butMace’sfacewasturningpurple
withJak’sholdaswell.Itwasaracetoseewhowouldpassoutfirst—oneJakhadnointentionoflosing.
HeliftedMace’sheadandslammeditagainstthepavers,stunninghimenoughtoloosenhishold.

“Enough!”Gage’sroarsprungtheothersintoaction.JakwasliftedoffMaceinaninstant.Oncehis

feetfoundthegroundagain,hestumbledbackward,regaininghisfootingasMace’sbetashelpedhimto
hisfeet.MacepushedthemawayandlookedlikehewasgoingtolungeforJakwhilehewasbeingheld
defenselessbyhisownpack.Thatwouldstartarumblelikenothingelse.

Gage stepped between them. “I said enough.” The deep timber command of his voice stilled

everyone. Jak felt it resonate through his body. Even if he wanted to rip Mace’s head off—and he very
muchwantedto—hisbodywouldn’tobey.Notinsuchadirectcountertohisalpha’sorders.

“Thesehuntersaren’tjustathreattoArianna,”Gagesaid,hisvoicecoolingalittle.“They’reathreat

totheentirepack.IfJakandAriannaareontheirradar,they’veprobablyconnectedthedotsandfigured
outthewholeRedWolfcompanyisapack.Whichmeansallofusareatrisk.Andourfatherisn’tgoingto
likethatverymuch.Mace.”

“Noshit.Gage.”Mace’svoicewaslacedwithbitterness.“Thequestioniswhyyourbetadidn’tkill

thehunterswhenhehadthechance.”

“Gee,sorry,Mace.”BilebitatthebackofJak’sthroat.“Iwastoobusymakingsuretheydidn’tcutout

Arianna’sheart.”Hewipedawaythebloodthatwasstillrunningdownhisface.Thetruthwashehadlet
them go because keeping Arianna safe was more important than ripping out their throats—but that did
complicatethingsnow.Andleftaloomingthreatoverherandeveryoneelse.

Macejustgrowledandcrossedhisarms.
“Weneedtoworktogetherasapacktotakecareofthis.”Gagesighedandshookhishead.Jakdidn’t

blamehim—Macewasmoreahindrancethananythingelse,evenwhenhisownmatewasthreatened.If
shewereJak’smate,he’dbetearingoutthroats.Nottomentionracinghometomakesurehismatewas
actuallyallright.Asitstood,Jakwastheonlyoneactuallytryingtotakecareofthismess…alongwith
Gage,whowouldmakesuretherightthinghappened,inspiteofhisbrother.

Jak’sphonepingedinhispocket.Itwasanalertfromthemessageboard.
“What’sthat?”GageaskedasJakquicklyscrolledthroughit.
“Darknet,”hesaid,nottakinghiseyesfromthescreen.“Ipostedadescriptionofthehunters.Thisisa

privatemessageresponse…butit’sjustanaddress.”

“Soundslikeatrap.”Macegrinnedasicklysmile.“Ithinkyouracebetahereshouldgocheckitout.

Thatway,ifthereareanywitcheswaiting,we’lljusthaveaminorlosstothepack.”

Jaknarrowedhiseyesbutgoingalonewasexactlywhathewanted.“Worksforme,”hesaidtoGage.

Hedidn’tknowwhatwasgoingon,orwhooutedthepack,butAriannawasdependingonhim.Hecould
takecareofbusinessbetterwithoutanyoneelselookingoverhisshoulder.EspeciallyMace.

“I don’t like it,” Gage said. “Take Mason and Johnson with you. Guns, stun weapons, the whole

arsenalifyoulike.Noreasontotakeunnecessaryrisks.”

Thatwasn’tgoingtoworkforkeepingthisasolooperation.“Strangely,andbelieveme,Ididn’tthink

Iwouldeversaythis,butMaceisright.”

Gagearchedhiseyebrows.Macejustsneered,throwingasmirktoAlricbehindhim.
“Ifit’satrap,”Jaksaid,“Wedon’twanttoriskanymoreofthepackthannecessary.I’llgoinarmed

totheteethandjustdoreconnaissancefirst.OnceIknowit’sclear,I’llcallforbackup.”Hefullyintended
topummeltheanswersoutofthehunterspersonally.“Besides,there’sanoutsidechancethehuntersare
working for law enforcement. Still doesn’t explain how they knew we were shifters, but if they’re
workingforthecops…it’sbetterforthemtothinkI’mworkingaloneandnotpartofapack.”

Gage sighed, but Jak knew his logic was sound. Shifters kept their identity secret precisely because

when they shifted into wolf form, they were all wolf: no identifying DNA to finger them in whatever
crimetheymightbeinvolvedin.AndwhileRedWolfstayedmostlyonthelegalsideofthings,therewere
a few very not legal things that happened in both the company and the pack. If the whole pack was
identifiedandhauledinasagroupforDNAtesting,forcedtoshifttomatchwolf-to-humanDNAforthe
federalrecords…well,thatwouldnotplaywellwithRedWolf’sbusinessplan.Whichincluded,among
otherthings,gainingthetrustofup-and-comingdot-comstartups.Itwasareputationbusiness,andbeing
outedasshiftersandpotentialcriminalswouldshootitalltohell.

“Allright,”Gagesaid,reluctantly.“ButIstilldon’tlikeit.Iwantyoutoplayitsafe,youhearme?Go

there,checkitout,monitorthesituation,andgetthehellout.Understood?”

“Gotit,boss.”Jakhadeveryintentionofwrenchingthetruthfromthehunters,byverynotlegalmeans

ifnecessary,buthisalphadidn’tneedtoknowthatrightnow.Afterthefact,Jakwouldbeforgiven,even
ifhebentthecommandhisalphajustgavehimoncehewasoutofhispresence.Besides,ifGagereally
didn’twanthimtobendtherules,hewouldcomealong.Jakhadbeenhisbetalongenoughtoknowthat
much.

Gage nodded, and the pack dispersed, heading inside for food or whatever the beginning of their

weekendwouldlooklike,nowthatthefightingwasoverandaplanformed.

Macestalkedoff,hisbetaslingeringbehind,followingtherestoftheunmatedwolvesintothemain

house. It twisted Jak’s stomach in knots to think of Mace walking into his house and finding Arianna
waiting.Ittookeverythinghehadnottofollowafterandmakesureshewasallright.Butthatwouldtip
hishandfartoomuch.HehadtotrustinthefactthatMacewasalotcalmernowthanwhenhearrived…
andthatAriannawassmartenoughtotakecareofthingsonherend.

Meanwhile,hehadsomewolfhunterstocatch.

AriannaslippedonthelittleblackdresssheknewMacelikedbest.

She had seen the pack cars winding down the long drive through the forest that surrounded the Red

packestate,butMacehadn’tyetarrivedhome.Whateverwaskeepinghimatthemainhouse,sheknewhe
wouldbereadytokillsomethingwhenhegothome.

Shedidn’twantittobeher.
TheshowerhadwashedawayalltracesofJak,buthisscentwouldbeforeveretchedinhermind.The

wayhisfingershadtouchedher,thewayhehadfilledher…hehadbroughtherapleasurelikenothing
shehadeverfelt.Shehadusedherownhandsbefore,ofcourse,especiallyafteravigoroussessionwith
Mace,butthathadbeenmorelike…reliefthananythingelse.WithJak,itwasentirelydifferent.Hehad
awakened something inside her, something deep and primal and… hot. Dampness pooled between her
legs…

Stop thinking about Jak! She smacked herself on the face and stabbed an accusing finger at her

reflectioninthebedroommirror,tryingtoreininhertreacherousthoughts.Thesoapandthefreshclothes
wouldn’t help if she kept getting aroused—Mace would scent that in an instant, and there would be no
waytoexplainitwithoutgivingherselfaway.

WithoutgivingJakaway.
If Mace found out, she knew what he would do, and it ran pangs of guilt through her. What had she

beenthinking,kissingJak?Andthenboldlygrabbinghim,urginghimon?Hehadbeennothingbutkindto
her, and now her lack of restraint, her inability to control herself around him had put him in terrible
danger. The guilt sliced twice as hot, now that she was back in Mace’s house, his presence clamping
downonherevenwhilehewasstillinthemainhouse…

Shehadbetrayedheralpha.
Herwolfwascowering,tailtuckedbetweenherlegs,whininginterroroftheimpendingreturnofher

alpha. But in spite of knowing in her mind that making love to Jak went against everything she knew—
breakingpacklaw,goingagainstheralpha’swishes—aglowingsparkinsideherheartrefusedtobelieve
itwasactuallywrong. How could something so beautiful, that felt so amazing, be bad? How could the
sweet way Jak looked in her eyes while he confessed to thinking about her be wrong? Her heart knew
those things were filled with goodness. Even under the heavy weight of her mating bond to Mace, her
brainstillworked…anditknew what she and Jak shared was precious and rare and good. Her whole
bodyachedtohavehishandsonheragain.Shecravedallofit:themind-blowingpleasure,thetenderness

ofhistouch,thegrinonhisfaceashewatchedhersquirm…

Herfaceinthemirrorwaspinkingup,andtheheatbetweenherlegswasgrowing…Ariannasmacked

her face again then dashed down the stairwell to the first floor. When she reached the kitchen, she
splashedherfaceagainandagainwithcoldwaterfromthetap.ShehadtostopthinkingaboutJak…or
shewouldgethimkilled.

Justasshewasdryingoff,thefrontdoorswungopenhardandbangedagainstthewall.Macestalked

inandslammedthedoorclosedagain.Arianna’sheartthuddedinherchest.Herbestchancewastogoon
theoffensive.

“Mace!”Shehurrieduptohim,stoppingjustshortofthrowingherarmsaroundhim.Hewouldn’tlike

that.“I’msogladyou’reback!”Shetriedtosounddesperateandpanickedandallthethingssheshouldbe
afterjusthavingsurvivedanattackbybountyhunters.

Hisfacetwistedup,theskulkingglowertransformingintoalookthatsaidhethoughtshewascrazy.

“Youappeartohavelived.”

“I was so scared.” It was hard to conjure that sound of fear into her voice, even though she’d been

scared to death when the attack had actually happened. Jak’s tender concern and passionate touch had
erasedallofitfromhermind.

Don’tthinkabouthim!
Mace’sskepticallookhadturnedintoafrown.Herakedhisgazeoverherskimpyblackdress.“Isthis

whatyouweartoschoolnow?”Therewasadangerous,leadennoteunderhiswords.

“No,no.”Sheheldupherhands,tryingtolookinnocent.“Ijustcouldn’tstandtohavethoseclotheson

meanymore…theyremindedmeoftheattack.IputthisonbecauseIthoughtyouwouldlikeit.”

The tension eased from his shoulders. He gave a short nod and stalked toward the white leather

couchesinthecenterofthelivingroom.“Ineedadrink.”

Ariannascurriedovertothewetbaratthefarsideoftheroom.“Vodka,neat?”Itwashisfavorite,but

shealwaysasked,justtomakesure.

Hesnortedinacknowledgmentandeasedintothecouch.Shehurriedbackwiththedrink.Ashegulped

the entire thing down, she noticed blotchy red marks on his neck. They seemed to be the shape of
fingers… her heart rate picked up again. Had he been in a fight? With who? What had happened? She
shovedthosethoughtsasidebeforetheycouldconjureapainfulworryforJak.

Macewipedhismouthandstaredatthefireplaceacrossfromthecouch.“Jakisarealasshole.”
Arianna’sbodyjoltedinplace.
Mace narrowed his eyes. “He’s also fucking incompetent. Some guard! Letting hunters get within a

hundredyardsofmymate…”Hesettheglassdownonthelowtableinfrontofthem.

Ariannacouldn’thelpit.Shehadtosaysomething.“Itwasn’tJak’sfault.Theysnuckupbehindus,and

—”

“Areyoudefendinghim?”Mace’seyesturnedtoglitteringcoal.
Herheartseized.“I’mjustsaying,there’snowayhecouldhave—”
ShewascutoffbyMace’shandonherthroat.Heshovedherbackontothecouch,hisenragedfacein

hers…beforeshecouldthinkorrespond…sheshifted.

Her claws were out, but she was trapped in her clothes and under the weight of Mace’s body. Her

wolf took over, squirming and pushing her way out from underneath him. She rolled off the couch,
knockedoverthetable,scrambledtoherpaws,andstood,furallbristledout,facinghim.

Thegrowlwasoutbeforeshecouldstopit.
Mace’seyeswerewide.Butthedumbfoundedlookonhisfacevanishedasheshifted,fastaslightning,

and pounced on her. Before she could blink, he had her pinned to the floor, her throat in his jaws. The
weight of his body was nothing like the oppressive heaviness of his thoughts pressing on hers. His
alphanessoverwhelmedher,andherwolfinstantlycowered,tuckinghertailupandpullingherlegsin.

Youhaven’tfoughtmeinalongtime,Arianna.Inbetweenthefangsclampedonherneck,histhick

tonguelappedatherfur,tastingher.

Macewasinherthoughts—sherealizedwithhorrorthatshehadfartoomanysecretstoallowthatfor

evenasecond.

I’mnotfightingyou,Mace,Ipromise,Ipromise.Shefocusedherthoughtshardonthatwhilepushing

againsthimwithherpaws.Herownbodywasbetrayingherintentions,butshehadtoshift.Now.Before
any stray thoughts could betray her. Even if that meant Mace’s razor sharp fangs would slice open her
throatintheprocess.

Shebarelymanagedtoloosenhisholdbeforetheshiftturnedherhuman.Thedelicatehumanskinof

herthroattore,sendingagaspofpainoutofhergapingmouth.Shewasstillinhisgrasp,bloodsurging
outofthegash.Itranhotdownherneck,nodoubtsoakingthewhitecarpetbelowher.Shemightbleed
out,butatleastnowherthoughtsandsecretsweresafelylockedinsideherhead.

Macereleasedhisholdonherthenshiftedbacktohuman.Herhandsflewtoherneck,tryingtostaunch

theflowofblood.Herskinwasslickwithit,aswasMace’sface.Hewipeditawaybutremainedlying
on top of her. They were both naked now, and his weight made it even more difficult to breathe. She
coughedandgagged,hisbodyholdingherdownassheconvulsed.Hishandclosedaroundhers,holding
herthroat,likehewasalsotryingtokeepthebloodfromflowing,butsheknewitwasmorethanthat:it
wasareminderthathestillheldherlifeinhishands.

“Is that what you call not trying to fight me?” Mace trailed his other hand along her cheek. “I can’t

waittoseewhatyoudowhenyoutry.”

Heleanedforwardandlickedthesideofherface,runningthetipofhistonguealongherjawlineand

uptoherear.Sheshudderedunderhistouch.

“I…I’mnotfightingyou,Mace,Ipromise.”Shecouldbarelygetthewordsoutwithhishandonher

throat.“Itwasjustareaction.Aleftoverfromtheattack.”

He ignored her, still nuzzling her ear. “It’s been so long since you’ve fought me, Arianna,” he

whispered.“I’dforgottenhowmuchIenjoyedit.”

Herheartthuddedevenharder.Sherealizedwithasickeningdropinherstomachthathiserectionwas

throbbingagainstherthigh.Overtheironscentofherownblood,shecouldsmellhisarousalthickinthe
air.Shealmostgaggedagainstit,butthematingbondfogwasdescendingonhermind.

“Alittletimeatschool…”hewhispered,hisvoicehusky,“…alittleexcitementwithsomehunters…

andyou’rebacktothatfeistywolfIbrokewhenyoufirstarrived.”

Arianna’sstomachchurned.Heralphawantstoplayrough.Sothat’swhatshewouldhavetodo.It

wouldn’t be hard to fake a struggle against him… a panicky feeling in her chest fought against the haze
cloudinghermind.Getaway,thefluttersaid,buthermindscreamed,Liestill.

Shebuckedagainsthim.
He grinned a sickly smile and dragged her free hand up over her head, holding it hard against the

carpet.“That’sright.”Hisvoicewasheavywithlust.“Fightme.”

Shestruggledagainsthimagain,buthepushedherlegsapartwithhiskneesandslidintoher.Hermind

floatedawayashethrustandgruntedandtookherbody.Evenwiththematingbondhazinghermind,even
with the complete submission of her wolf and her body to him, her thoughts were still free to fly
somewhere else, somewhere distant… and to see Mace’s rough claiming of her body for what it was.
This wasn’t lovemaking. Making love was what she and Jak had done in the back seat of his car. She
clungtothatidea,thepurenessofit,likealightbeamliftingherupandoutofherbody,leavingbehind
Mace’sgruntsandhotbreathonherface.WhatMacewasdoing…heralphawassupposedtoprotecther
fromthis,notforceituponher.NeverinamillionyearswouldJakdothis,toheroranyfemale.

Heralphawas…hurtingher.
ShehopedsomedayMacewoulddieforit.

Jakhadbeencampedoutforsolonghisbackwasgettingstiff.

The address from the darknet thread was a seedy walkup apartment in one of Seattle’s rougher

neighborhoods.Onedrivepastthecrumblingbrickbuilding,andheknewtherewasnowayhecouldjust
hangoutinhiscaruntilthebountyhuntersdecidedtomakeashowing.He’dtakenariskhiscarwouldget
jackedjustparkingforafewminuteswhilehebangedonthedoorandpeekedintheonefrontwindow.
There was no one inside… or at least no one answered the door. Either they were stoned out of their
mindsortheyweregone.Andhuntersweren’tknownforbeingintodrugs—theyworkedwithtoomany
shadycharacterstotaketheriskofnotbeingsharp.

Jakwasdoinghisbesthomelesspersonimpression,includingraggedclothesandalongtrenchcoatto

hidehisweapons,huddlingunderacouplelayersofcardboardinanalleyacrossfromthewalkup.His
vantage point was excellent, and absolutely no one looked at him, no on purpose at least. But it was
quicklygettingcoldanddark,andhisasswasnumbfromcuddlinguptothepavementinthestench-filled
alley.

Allofitpaidoffrightatsunset.Astheskyflamedoverhead,thetwohunters,stillsportingtheirgray

hoodies,skulkeddownthesidewalkandupthefourstepstothefrontdoor.Onehadabandagedhand:the
one Jak had crunched in his jaws when he disarmed the hunter earlier in the day. As they keyed
themselvesin,Jaksprangintoaction,crossingthestreetbeforetheycouldmakeitpastthethreshold.He
barreledintothem,shovingtheminside.Ifhewasforcedtoshift,hewantedtodoitoffthestreet.

Thehunterwiththebandagedhandfellfacefirstintothetinylivingroomwhiletheotheronerolledon

hisshouldergoingdown.Jakslammedthedoorbehindhimandtriedtodrawhisguns,oneineachhand,
butthebandagedhunterswungupfromthefloorandchargedhim.Jakalmostshifted,butthenhewould
losetheguns.ThehuntergrappledwithJak,gainingahandonthepistolandpunchingatJak’sfacewith
hiswrappedhand.Jak’sshifterstrengthworkedinhisfavor,buthedidn’tunderstandwhythehunterwas
tacklinghim.HehadtoknowJakcouldshiftandripouthisthroat.Itmadenosensetogohand-to-hand
withashifter,unless…itwasadistraction.

Jakdroppedhispistol,yankedthehunterclosewithhisfreehand,andpivotedtousehimasashield.

Threesoftpopssounded,anddartsintendedforJaksunkintothehunter’schest.Thedart-gun-wielding
hunter’seyeswentwide.Hedroppedtothefloor,scramblingafterJak’spistol,whichhadclunkedacross
thedustycarpet.Jak’shumanshieldcrumpledtohisfeet,andJaklurchedafterhispistolaswell,butthe
secondhunterbeathimtoit.

Ashotrangout,andhotmetaltorethroughJak’sarm.
Heroaredandshifted.Hisfangsrippedthegunfromtheman’shand,alongwithagoodchunkofhis

flesh.WhenJakshiftedback,hestillhadtheguninhismouth:hedroppeditintohishand.Hisclotheslay
inaheapnexttotheman,whowasclutchinghisbloodyhandtohischestwhilehecoweredonthemoldy
orientalrug.Jakwipedasmearofthehunter’sbloodfromhisfaceandglancedatthemessthatwashis
shoulder:itwasacleanshotthrough-and-through,anditseemedtohavemissedthebone.Itwouldheal
soonenough.

“Youknow,what?”hesaidtothemanonthefloor.“Thatreallyfuckinghurts.”
Thehunterjustshook,clutchinghishandcloser.
“ButI’llgetoverit.”Jakraisedthepistoltopointattheman’shead.“You,ontheotherhand…”
“No,wait!”Thehunter’shandsflewup,likehecouldwardoffthebulletthatway.“Comeon,man,

just tell me what you want.” He was shaking pretty good, and now that Jak had a look at him, he was
aboutJak’s age—twenty-four, giveor take ayear. Jak took twosteps forward, thegun barrel drilling a
lineofsightintothehunter’sskull.Heedgedback,stillonthefloor,handsup.

“IwanttoknowwhohiredyoutobagacouplewolvesatUDubthismorning.”
The hunter swallowed and looked at his fallen partner. “Dude, she’ll kill me. You know how crazy

witchesare.Shewasjustoutforsomeblood,that’sall.Justbaganddrainand…”Hestalledout.“We
would’veletyougoafterthat.”

“Sureyouwould.”TheseassholeswouldhaveletthewitchcarveupArianna,andthatmadehimwant

to pull the trigger right then. But he needed answers more than he needed to vent his anger. Jak stalked
forwardandpressedthetipofthegunagainsttheman’shead.Heshrunkbackandtrembled.“Nowhow
aboutyoustopshittingmeandtellmethetruth?BecauseI’dbehappytoputabulletinyou.Ormaybe
shiftandtearyouapartonesmallpieceatatime,ifyoureallypissmeoff.”

“Hey,man,comeon,becool…I’mtellingyouthetruth.Imean…”Heswallowed.“Okay,okay,we

weren’tjustafteryourblood,weweregoingtobringyouin.Thewitchwaslookingforparts.Thegirl’s
heartinparticular.Itwasn’tpersonal,dude,Iswear,it’sjust…that’swhattheladywanted,andI’mnot
goingtomesswithawitch,youknow?”

Jakunderstoodthatmuch.Hedidn’tknowhalfofwhatwitchescoulddo,butwhatlittlehe’dseenwas

brutalandpainful,atleastforthewolvesinvolved.Witchmagicwaspowerfulandmysterious…andall
thatpowertendedtomakethemalittlecrazyinthehead.Likecatsplayingwithmice,witcheshadtheir
ownreasonsfortearingpeopleapart.Andtheydidn’tneedagoodone,either.Theydidthatshitforfun.

Butwhowasthiswitch?AndhowdidsheknowaboutArianna?OrJak,forthatmatter…
“You know,” Jak said, “maybe I’ll just get on the darknet sites, post your address, and mention that

you’ve screwed a witch out of her wolf score.” Someone already outed the hunter online, which meant
he’dbeeninthebusinessawhile.Ifwordgotouthe’ddouble-crossedawitch,maybetryingtosellhis
bootyontheblackmarket…well,Jakwouldn’twanttobehim.“Idon’tthinkitwilltakelongforyour
witchy friend to find you. I’ll just sit back, watch while she fries you like an egg, then get what I want
fromher.”

“No!Wait…comeon,man!”Thehunterlookedlikehewasabouttopisshispants.
Jakeasedbackandshrugged.“Doesn’tmattertome.Igetthewitcheitherway.”
“Okay,okay…”Hishandswereupagain,imploring.“Icantellyouhername.Butyougottagiveus

time to clear out, okay? I mean, go ahead and go after her, I got no problem with that.” He pressed his
handstohischest.“Betterformeifyoutakeherout,right?Otherwise,itgetsbacktome,andI’msunk.
Just…givemeandmypartnertimetoclearoutofSeattle.Thewitchcommunityhere…theytalk,man.”

“Oh,Iknowtheydo.”Jakgesturedtohimwiththegun.“Tellmehername,andI’lltakeyourproposal

underconsideration.”

Thehuntergrimaced.“She’sareallypowerfulwitch,man.I’mjustsaying…youprobablydon’twant

tomesswithher…”

“Name.”
Heswallowedthenseemedtoforcethewordsout.“ShecallsherselfHecca.That’sallIknow.”He

wasshakinghishead,sadly,likehethoughthehadjustsignedhisdeathwarrant.

Anditwasquitepossiblehehad.
Because Jak knew Hecca—she was one of the witches Red Wolf kept on retainer for their “special

projects.”Ifshehadbetrayedthepack,therewasgoingtobeserioushelltopayforthat.Possiblyafull
outwitch-wolfwar.

“Thanks,”Jaksaid.“You’vebeenveryhelpful.”Hesteppedback,scoopeduphisfallendartgun,and

pumpedthehunterfullofdarts,justlikehispartner.

Thethingwas…Jakbelievedhim.Heccawastoopowerfulawitchforthehuntertocalloutforno

reason.Butitdidn’tmakesenseforHeccatoselloutthepack,muchlessArianna.Femalewolfhearts
were valuable, but nothing like the business Hecca did with Red Wolf on a regular basis. There was
somethingdeepergoingonhere,andJakhadtofigureitout…beforehetippedoffanall-outwar.

If the hunter was lying about Hecca being the source of the hit, Jak would be back to claim another

chunkoffleshinsearchofanswers.Thedartswouldn’tholdthemlong,buttheywouldatleaststayput
forawhile.

Longenoughforhimtocallonacertainwitch.
Jakpulledonhisclothesandstrolledoutoftheapartment,leavingthebountyhuntersunconsciouson

thefloorlikethetrashtheywere.

Jakstrodeoutoftheelevatorontothethirty-fifthfloor:MorganMediaandArttookuptheentirewing

with a glass barricade and an imposing reception desk between the public entrance and the company
inside. Morgan Media was a successful social media management group, well-known in Seattle for
performing near-magical feats of social awareness ad campaigns for their clients. Only a few people
knew that Morgan was actually a coven of witches, and their combined magical strength was no small
partofMorganMedia’ssuccess.Socialmediawasonlyonepartoftheirempire—theytraffickedinall
kinds of dark arts, playing the field far and wide, everything from helping law enforcement identify
shifterstohelpingshiftersevadeexactlythatkindofdetection.Theywereamoral,powerful…anditwas
preciselyJak’sneedforaverydarkartthathadhimventuringdeepintotheheartofHecca’sworld.

The rail-thin blonde at the receptionist desk was so beautiful, Jak had a hard time tearing his eyes

away. He had only seen Hecca a couple of times, but she was supermodel gorgeous as well—it was
rumoredthatallwitchesuseddarkartstoenhancetheirbeauty,andthereceptionistwasnodoubtpartof
thecoven.Ifshehadbeenhuman,JakmighthavetriedtocharmhiswayintomeetwithHecca.Instead,he
kept his distance, stopping a good half dozen feet away from the desk. The spells she could cast were
dangerous enough, but a witch’s touch accessed the very deepest of shifter magic… something that
precludedafriendlyhandshake,inanyevent.

“I’mheretoseeHecca,”Jaksaidwithoutpreamble.Hehadn’tcalledormessagedahead—thepack’s

usual method when contacting the witch for her services—but then he wasn’t exactly here on pack
business.Ifthehuntersweretellingthetruth,andHeccahadbehindthehit,thenJaksuddenlyhadunique
leverage against a very powerful witch… leverage he planned to use to find a way to break an
unbreakablemagicbond.

Ifthehunterswerelying,Jakwastakingahugerisk…butHeccacouldscarcelyaffordtokillhimin

her office, not while his pack was expecting his return from the bounty hunters. If he went missing, his
pack would come for him… and find Hecca in the process. Jak just hoped his scheme wouldn’t

inadvertentlysetoffawarbetweenhispackandHecca’scoven.

“Ms. Morgan’s not available,” the receptionist said. She lifted her pointed nose and gave him a

disgustedlook.“Sheonlymeetswithshiftersbyappointment.”

He didn’t know what magic she had used to detect him—normally even witches couldn’t detect a

shifterwithoutaspell—butmaybehehadgivenhimselfawaybybargingin.AndbyusingHecca’switch
name,insteadofherhumanfaçade:Ms.ElizabethMorgan,socialmediaprincess.

Jakgloweredatthereceptionistbutdidn’tventureanycloser.“She’savailableforRedWolf.That’s

thedefinitionofaretainer.Orperhapsyou’dliketoexplainthatyouturnedawayoneofherbestclients?”

Thewomanpursedherglossy-redlipsandslowlyrosefromherseat.Shewastall—he’dheardthat

allthewitcheswere—andhersix-inchheelsmadehereventallerthanJak.

“Please wait here.” She gave him a cat-eating-mouse smile then sauntered to the frosted glass door

leading to the interior of Morgan Media, taking the jasmine scent of her perfume with her. Jak was
tempted to stalk after her, but he didn’t want to give the impression he was here to cause trouble: Red
WolfandMorganwerebusinesspartners,andthiswasjustabusinesscall.Atleast,that’swhatheneeded
theofficetothink—hewasalreadywalkingatightrope,hedidn’tneedtoputthewholecovenonalert.

Notifhe’dliketocomeoutofthisalive.
Thereceptionistreturnedwithadark-hairedwitchJakdidn’trecognize.Shewascurvy—hipsswaying

undertheclingyredsilkofherdressandanamplechestbouncingunderfabricthatbarelyrestrainedit—
butthatwaswherethesoftnessended.Herfacewascarvedfromporcelain,allangledlines,highcheeks,
andperfectly-paleskin.

She strode up to him, confident in her power-red heels. He almost objected to being handed off to

somelow-rankingwitch,butthewayherglitteringblueeyeswererakingoverhimgavehimpause.They
werealiveandintelligentandhadasmallglimmerof…something.Curiosity?Attraction?

He swallowed. He couldn’t afford to have a witch—any witch, even a low-ranking one—be overly

interested in him. Not in that way. Usually witches and wolves mixed like gasoline and campfires, but
he’dheardofwitcheswhohadatasteforshiftersandkeptthemaspets.Theshifters—usuallymales—
werekeptimprisonedundersomekindoflovespell.Thewitchesusedthemforsextoys,andwhentheir
captorstiredofthem,theyslowlybledtheshiftersoftheirmagic-filledblood.

Itwasaparticularlypatheticanddisgustingwaytodie.
“I’mCirce,Hecca’ssister,”thewitchsaid,hergazestilllingeringuncomfortablylongonJak’sbody.
Sister?WhywasHeccasendinghersisteroutasanadvancedscout?Jakdidn’tknowHeccaevenhad

asister,althoughwitchfamilieswereoftenprimarilyfemale.Malewitcheswereasrareandsought-after
asfemaleshifters.Circehadthesamewaist-lengthsheetofflowingblackhairasHecca,onlywithared
streakoftintdownoneside,insteadofHecca’spurple.

“You’re one of the Red Wolf pack, aren’t you?” she asked, curiosity enlivening her face. “Please…

tellmewhatMorganMediacandoforyoutoday.”

Jakfrowned.Circe’soverlyfriendlytonewascompletelytheoppositeofHecca’snormalarrogance…

anditwassendingwarningsignalscrawlinguphisback.Butheneededtogetthroughtheadvancedguard
asquicklyaspossible.

“Canwespeakinprivate?”Jakasked,throwingafrownattheopenlycuriousfaceofthereceptionist

watchingthem.

Circeflutteredherfingers,andthereceptionistwitchpracticallylevitatedoutofherchairandscurried

fromtheroominablurofheelsandwhisperedsilk.

“Nowthatwe’requitealone,”Circepurred,“whatcanIdoforahandsomewolflikeyourself?”Her

gazekeptdroppingtohistailoredpants.

Jak swallowed again and hoped he hadn’t made a terrible mistake in coming alone. And without

actuallytellinghispack.“Look,IreallyneedtotalktoHecca—it’samatterthatconcernsher.Andher

alone.”

“Heccaisoutoftownatthemoment.”Circesteppedcloser,waftingherspicedcloveandsagescent

pasthisnose.“Butmysisterisn’ttheonlypowerfulwitchatMorgan.I’mcertainIcangiveyouwhatever
youdesire,wolf.”

Shereachedoutwithjustasinglered-nail-tippedfinger.Beforeshecouldtouchhisface,hestumbled

backward, out of reach. That finger was more dangerous than a loaded gun: a bullet he could recover
from.

The witch chuckled. It was a dark sound, and it filled Jak with chills that sent his wolf whining.

Somethingwasn’taddinguphere.IfHeccaputthehitonhim,whywasn’tsheintowntotakepossession
ofthegoods—heandArianna?Maybehersisterwasinonit…althoughshecertainlywasn’tactinglike
shehadexpectedbountyhunterstoshowupthismorningwithhisbody.

“I have some personal business with Hecca,” Jak said, regaining his composure but keeping out of

arms’reach.“Whenwillshereturn?”

Circesaunteredcloser,forcingJaktoedgebackwarduntilhebumpedupagainstthereceptionistdesk.

Her red-lipsticked smile grew more lecherous. “Hecca will return tomorrow. But what is the nature of
your personal business? I have to say, you’ve aroused my curiosity, wolf. And my sister isn’t quite as
fondofshiftersasIam…I’msurewhateveryouwant,I’llbemuchmoreinclinedtostrikeadealwith
you.Youmightevenenjoyit.”

“I’mnotinterestedinthatkindofdeal.”
Circegaveanelaboratepout.“Youwolvesreallyaren’tanyfunoutsideofbed.”
Jakfoughtoffthechillsthatwereracinguphisarms.“IhaveamessageforHecca:Iknowabouther

extra-curricular activities, but I’m willing to strike a deal to keep that knowledge under wraps. If she
wantsthattohappen,sheshouldcallmeassoonasshereturns.Doyouthinkyoucandeliverthat?”

Circearchedherpencil-thineyebrows.“You’rethreateningmysister?Youareaboldone.Ilikethat.”

Shelickedherlips,sendingmoreshiversdownJak’sback.

“It’snotathreat,”Jaksaidcarefully.“It’sanopportunitytoavoidsome…complicationsthatIdoubt

Hecca,orMorganMedia,wouldliketodealwith.”

Circe’sleeringstoppedforamoment,andshefrowned.ButJakwasn’tsayinganymoreuntilhecould

dealwithHeccadirectly.BeforeCircecouldcornerhimorgrillhimanyfurther,heturnedandhurriedout
ofthewitch’slairasfastashislegswouldtakehim.

Thewaitingwaskillinghim.

Jakknewtherewasnopointinpacing,buthislegscarriedallhisagitation,andhecouldn’tkeepthem

still.Hewaswearingapaththroughhisroom,fromthedoor,tothewindow,andbacktothebed.Ineach
pass,hescouredMace’shousewithhisgaze,lookingforashadowpassingbythelit-upwindows,butthe
shadesweredrawn,andhecouldn’tseeanything.Hiswolfsnortedandpawedtheground,insistingthat
Jak go and check on Arianna, but there was no plausible excuse for it. She was back inside Mace’s
domain…andJakdidn’tknowifMacewouldeverletherleave.AddinthatHeccawouldn’treturnuntil
morning, giving him no way to explore alternative options for freeing Arianna, and Jak’s wolf was
clawingathimfromtheinside,wantinghimtorelievethetensionbydoingsomething.

ApoundingatJak’sdooralmostmadehimshiftwiththesuddenjoltitsentthroughhim.
Hestrodeovertoanswerit,hearthammering,butitwasonlyhisalpha.
“TheboysandIaregoingouttotheclub,”Gagesaid.“Comeon,Jak,youcouldusesomeblowing-off

time.It’sbeenahelluvaday.”

“Youarenotkidding.”Jaksighedoutsomeofhisfrustration.Butthelastthinghecouldstomachatthis

pointwasananonymoushookupwithsomerandombrunette…andhisalphawouldalmostcertainlyfind
someoneforhim.Andinsisthetakeabite.“Look,thosehuntersarestillonmymind.IthinkI’mgoingto
take another swing by their place, camp out for a while.” Jak had already lied to his alpha once today,
tellinghimthehuntershadnevershowed,butasecondlie,face-to-face,stilltwistedhisgut.Hewould
tell Gage the truth eventually… just not until Jak had sorted everything out. And used his temporary
leveragewiththewitchestofigureoutaplanforgettingAriannaawayfromMace.

Gage nodded and gave him a small smirk. “All right. I figured you hadn’t given up on that yet.” He

pointedafingeratJakthatfeltlikeitspearedhimwithguilt.“Justbecarefulandcalluswhenyousee
something.Don’ttackleitalone.”

Jakswallowed.“Gotit.”Thatwasprettyclearlyadirectorder…andJakwasalreadyviolatingit.It

madehisstomachturnevenharder.

Gage called out to the rest of the wolves on the floor while Jak retreated back inside his room. He

hungoutbythewindow,watchingforAriannaandlisteningasthemainhouseemptiedout.Thentwodark
figuresapproachedMace’shouse,andathirdemergedfromit.Maceandhisbetas.Jak’sbodywenton
fullalert.ApparentlyGage’spackwasn’ttheonlyonegoingoutonaFridaynight.

JakwatchedasMaceandhisbetasslippedaroundthesideofthemainhouse,headingtowardthepack

garageandthefleetofvehicleskeptthere.BackatMace’shouse,thelightswerestillon…andArianna
wasalmostcertainlystillthere.

Anideasprungintohishead.
Afoolish,stupid,recklessidea.
Buthewasgoingtodoitanyway.
Hiswolfyippedandprancedandpawedhisanticipation,butJakforcedhimselftostayputinhisroom

whilethedancingheadlightsofthepackcarsbouncedalongthelongdrivethatwoundthroughtheforest
and out of the estate. When he was absolutely certain both Mace and Gage and their respective packs
werelonggone,Jakjoggeddownthestairstothemainsecurityoffice.Masonwasonduty.

Perfect.
“Heyman,”Jaksaid,hangingontotheedgeofthedoor.
Masonwasplayinghisfavoritefirst-person-shootergameonhistablet,barelyevenwatchingthebank

ofcamerasandsecuritypanelsinfrontofhim.Notthathereallyneededto…itwasallautomatedwith
infrared and visible spectrum motion detectors, as well as an electrified fence that surrounded the vast
Red Wolf compound. Jak knew the security inside and out: he had personally approved the software
designwhenitwasinstalled.

Masonfinallylookedup.“HeyJak.What’sup?”
“I’mgoingtoheadoutforalittlewhile.Takeanotherrunatthosehunters.”
Masonlookeddisappointed.“Man,everyoneishavingmorefunthanmetonight.”
“I know, guard duty sucks.” Jak nodded in sympathy. “Hey, I’ll call you first if the bounty hunters

show,okay?”

“Cool.”
“Listen,whydon’tyougrabsomedinnerfromthekitchenbeforeIgo?I’llkeepaneyeonthepanel

untilyougetback,thenI’llheadout.”

Masonsetdownhisgame.“You’retheman,Jak.”HeclappedJakontheshoulderonhiswayout.
Jak waited until he was out of sight then quickly worked the control panel to disable one section of

electric fence and turn off the cameras at the perimeter. If Mason noticed anything when he returned—
which was highly unlikely—Jak had disabled the same section that the Sparks pack had tampered with
overthesummer.Itwasatleastplausiblethatitcouldhaveshortedoutonitsown.Anditwouldgivehim
justtheholeheneededtoslipbackintotheestateunnoticedwhileostensiblyoutcatchingwolfhunters.It
wouldbeeasytocomearoundthebacksideofMace’shousewithoutbeingseen.

By the time Mason returned, Jak was sitting in his chair and playing his game. He handed the tablet

over and hurried out the front door. Jak didn’t know how long Mace intended to stay out, but he was
takingadvantageofeveryminute.

ThereliefwhenMaceleftthehousewaslikecomingupforairafteralmostdrowning.Ariannastood

in the middle of the living room, arms wide, head tipped back, just… breathing. She had already
showered off the feel of him, but with Mace stomping around the house and ordering her about, his
presencehadbeenseepingintoherporesallevening.Itwasn’tuntilMaceleftthehousethatshefinally
felttheawfulnessofthedaystarttodim.

WhileMacewasinthehouse,ithadbeenjusttoodangeroustoallowthoughtsofJakintohermind...

but now she practically skipped back to those stolen moments in his car. Arianna closed her eyes and
imaginedJakholdingher.Itwasn’tthememoryofthemind-blowinglovemakingthatgrabbedherfirst—it
wasthetenderwayheheldherandtoldherhowbraveshehadbeen.

Atappingsoundjerkedheroutofhermemoriesandalmostgaveheraheartattack.

HadMacereturnedalready?
Butthesoundwascomingfromthekitchen…aplaceMaceneverventured.Frowning,Ariannacrept

acrosstheplushwhitecarpetofthelivingroomandpeekedinside.

Thenhermouthfellopen.
AtthebackdoorstoodJak.
Hewastappingfuriouslybutquietlyontheglasswindowofthedoor.Herheartleaptintoherthroat,

andshesprintedacrossthetilefloor.Whatwashedoinghere?WhatifMacecameback?Jakcouldn’t
comein…Macewouldscenthimforsure.AsAriannaarrivedatthedoor,shehesitatedtoevenopenit.
Uncertaintyfistedtightaroundherheart:whatwouldMacedoifhefoundoutsheletJakin?

Asshewaffled,onehandonthedoorhandle,sheforcedherselftolookup,throughtheglass,atJak’s

face on the other side. His chest was heaving, but his gaze was locked on her face. He blinked then
pressed his hand against the window, fingers splayed. She placed her hand over his, the cool glass a
reminderoftheharshrealitythatkeptthemapart.ItprickedhereyestothinkJakhadriskedcomingfor
her,andyetfearandaquarterinchofglasswaskeepingherfromtouchinghim.

You were incredibly brave, Jak’s voice came back to her. On the other side of the glass, his face

pinchedin,andittorethroughherheart.Hewasbeingbraveandrecklessandcrazyinshowingupather
backdoor…theleastshecoulddowasopenit,ifonlytotellhimhehadtoleave.

Shetwistedtheknobandpulledthedooropen.
AsmilelitJak’sface.Hebracedhishandsagainstthedoorframeoneitherside,butdidn’tcomein.

“Arianna.”

God,justhearinghernameonhislipsmadeherwolfsitupandhumwithpleasure.
“Ican’t…Ican’tletyouin.”Hervoicewaswhisperyandapologetic,butalreadythecoolnightair

waswaftinginhisscent:woodsyandearthenwithahintofmouth-wateringmusk.Hehadbeenrunning,
sotherewasasweet-sourundernoteofsweatthatmadeherbiteherlip.

Jak’ssmileonlygotbrighter.“No,ofcoursenot.Whichiswhyyouneedtocomeoutsidewithme.”
“I… what?” The haze on her mind, the one that had been clouding it all day since she had returned

home,grewthicker.Shealmostcouldn’tunderstandthewordshewassaying.

Jaksteppedbackfromthedoor,givingherroom.“Youcandoit,Arianna.”
“ButIcan’tleave.Macedoesn’twantmetoleave.”Sheshookherheadquickly.Hewasaskingherto

dotheimpossible.

“Maceisn’there.”Jak’sdarkeyesboredintohers.
“Buthewouldn’twantmeto.”Herwolfwhinedinherears,tailtuckedandafraid.IfMacefoundout,

ifheevenknewshethoughtaboutleaving…

Jaklungedforwardandgrabbedherhands,whichwereclaspedtogether.Beforesherealizedwhathe

was doing, he had yanked her across the threshold. She stumbled and almost lost her balance, but Jak
caughtherandheldherupright.

Shewasinhisarms.
Hiseyeswerewide,waitingforhertospeak.Shelookedbackatthedoor,onlyacouplefeetaway,

butitsuddenlyseemedlikeadistantplanet.Thehazehadliftedalmostinstantlyfromhermindassoonas
shewasoutinthenightair.

Jak’shandswenttohershoulders,holdinghergently.“Areyouallright?”
Ariannasmiled.“Yes.”Butthenhersmiledimmed…shedidn’tknowwhatJakhadplanned,buteven

ifhe’dmanagedtowrenchherfreeofMace’sdomain,thiswasstillcrazy.Shecouldn’tbeoutherewith
him.Whatifsomeonesawthemtogether?

“Come with me.” He grabbed her hand and towed her toward the forest. The lights from the main

housespilledoutontothelawn,butfromthisangle,atthebackofthehouse,noonecouldseethem.They
raninastraightshotbetweenthebackdoorandthedarkenedforestthatsurroundedtheestate.

Shestillcouldn’thelpquestioningthesanityofthis.“Whatarewedoing?”
Hethrewaplayfulgrinbacktoher.“Havingsomefun.”
They were running across the open lawn now, half way to the beckoning dark of the trees. “We’re

havingfunintheforest?”

“Oh yes.” His grin was decidedly wicked now, but she let him keep tugging her along with their

claspedhands.

Sheglancedbackattheestate,stillconvincedthatsomeonemustbeabletoseethem,buttherewasn’t

asoulinsight.“Whatifwe’recaught?WhatifMacefindsout?”

Jakdidn’tanswer,justpickedupthepaceuntiltheybroketheedgeoftheforestandplungedintothe

darkness within. He kept going until even the lights of Mace’s house were obscured by the thick tree
trunks.Fallleavescrunchedundertheirshoes,andspotsofmoonlightspearedthroughthecanopywhere
thetreesstillheldtheirleaves,providingislandsofwhitelightinthedarkness.Jakpulledherintooneof
themthenspuntotakeherintohisarms.

His lips were on hers before she could speak… and then there was no need for words. His hands

pulled her close while his mouth claimed hers. She melted into him, not wanting even the moonlight
between them. Her own hands clutched at his shoulders, wanting him closer and closer still. When Jak
brokethekiss,pullingbacktolookherover,shewasmomentarilystunned—shehadbeensolostintheir
kiss,shehadforgottenthatwhattheyweredoingwaspureinsanity.

Butshewasn’ttheonlyoneslightlybreathless…whichedgedasmileontoherface.
Jakleanedbacktolookoverherjeansandt-shirt,herthirdchangeofclothessincethiswilddayhad

begun.“Areyouallright?I’vebeengoingoutofmymind,worryingaboutyou.Pleasetellmeyou’reall
right.ThatMacedidn’tfindoutorhurtyouor…”Hestalledout,andthetormentonhisfacewrenched
Arianna’sheart.

“Mace doesn’t know.” She couldn’t bring herself to say that Mace had… forced himself on her. It

wasn’tlikeithadn’thappenedbefore.Everyday,whethershehadrealizeditornot.

Jak’shandscuppedhercheeks,andhisdarkeyespeeredintohers.“What’swrong?”
“Ijust…”Ariannadidn’tknowwhatshecouldsay.“Idon’twanttobethere.Idon’twant…Mace’s

handsonme.Notanymore.”

Jakslowlyslidhishandsawayfromherface,hisexpressionturningtomoon-glintedstone.Shewas

afraidshehadsaidsomethingwrong,butthenshesawhisclawscomeoutandcurlaroundintohisfists,
bitingintohisownflesh.

“Didhehurtyou?”Thewordswereahalf-growl.
Ariannacoveredhisclenchedfist-pawwithhertwohands.“No,Ipromise.”
“You’renottellingmethetruth.”Hisfistwasstillashardasarockunderherhands.
Shemovedherhandstohisface,touchinghischeekswithherfingertips.Hisshouldersrelaxedwith

hertouch.“ThetruthisthatMaceholdsmecaptiveeveryday.Todaywasnodifferent…exceptthatyou
werepartofit.And,forthefirsttimesinceIcamehere,Iactuallyfeltalive.”

“Arianna.”Hisvoicewassoft,almostbroken.“IswearI’mgoingtofreeyoufromhim.”
Sheslidherfingersacrosshislips.“Shhh…”Shestillfelttheghostofhiskissbrandingherownlips.

“There’snothingyoucandoaboutit,Jak.Youhavetojustletitbe.And…”Sheglancedaroundatthe
silver-frostedforestaroundthem.“Thisismadness.Ifwe’recaught,he’llkillyou.”

“Idon’tcare.”Hisdarkeyeswerepiercinghers.“Idon’tcareaboutanyofthat.AllIcareaboutis

you.Iwantyou.Iwanttobewithyou.Andnotjustonce,inthebackofmycar.IwantyoufreefromMace
forever.”

Sheshookherhead.“Youknowthat’simpossible.”
“Maybe,”hesaid.“Maybenot.”
Shefrowned.“Whatdoyoumean?”

“Whatif…”Helickedhislips,andaglintofmoonlightdancedinhisdarkeyes.“Whatiftherewerea

spell—awitch’sspell—thatcouldfreeyoufromMace?Thatwouldbreakthematingbond.Wouldyoudo
it?”

“What?”Shedrewbackfromhim.“I’veneverheardofsuchathing.”
“NeitherhaveI…butI’veseenthewitchesandtheirmagic.There’snotellingwhattheymightbeable

todo,giventherightpersuasion.AndIthinkIjustmighthavetherightpersuasionfortherightwitch.”

Herheartwasstartingtopound.“You’retalkingaboutusingdarkarts.”
“I am.” Jak bit his lip then let it go. “Arianna, I’m sure it won’t be easy. It might even be painful. I

won’tknowuntilItalktothewitch.ButbeforeIgointhereandask,Ineedtoknow:doyouwanttobreak
yourmatingbondwithMace?Imean,ifshecandoit…willyoucomeawaywithme?”

Arianna’seyeswentwide.“Youwouldleaveyourpack?Forme?”
“Yes.”Heswallowed,visibly,andshecouldhardlybelievewhathewassaying.
“Jak,Ican’t…”Shewasshakingherhead.“Ican’taskyoutodosomethinglikethatforme.Imean,

youhardlyknowme—”Hecutheroffwithafingerpressedgentlyacrossherlips.

“Iknowyoursmilebrightensmyday.”Jak’seyeswereshiningagain.“Iknowyouliketorunfreebut

youwon’trunfromafight.Iknowyouflushpinkwhenyou’reexcited,andyou’rebeautifulevenwhen
you’resad.Iknow,righthere,rightnow,you’remoreworriedaboutmethanyouareaboutyourself.And
IknowyouwereonlybeginningtolivewhenMaceforcedyoutomate…andthat’ssomethingsohorribly
wrongthatIcan’tstandbyandwatchitanylonger.”

Tears welled in her eyes. “Jak… how can you feel all those things…” She didn’t want to say that

everysinglewordpiercedherheartinawayhecouldn’tpossiblyknow.

“Arianna,I’vebeendreamingaboutrunningawaywithyoueversinceyouarrived.”
She threw her arms around him and pressed her face into his shoulder so he wouldn’t see the tears

crestandfall.“Ihadstoppeddreamingofanything…untilImetyou.”

He held her tight, nuzzling his face into her hair. The feeling of elation running through her was so

intensethatshethoughtshemightactuallybefloating.

“Itmaytakesometime,”hewhisperedintoherhair.“Maybedays.Maybeweeks.ButIsweartoGod,

Arianna,Iwillgetyoufree.”

Shepulledbackenoughtoseekouthislipswithhers,reachinguponhertip-toestoshowhimwithher

kisswhatthosewordsmeanttoher.Herhandsthreadedthroughhishair,bringinghimdownsoshecould
revelinhismouthonhers,histongueflickingacrosshers,hishandsonherbody.Herheartpounded,and
blood rushed in her ears. She had that floating feeling again, like she had been transported to another
world,onefilledwithmagicandmoonlightandheart-stoppingsex-drenchedkisses.

ButthetruthwassheandJakcouldonlyhavestolenmoments.UntilJakcouldfindawaytofreeher—

andthemerepossibilityofthatsenthersoulflying—shewouldhavetocontinuetoliveinMace’sworld.

Ariannapulledbackfromtheirkissbeforeitgottoohot.“Wecan’t…”Shewasbreathlesswithit.“…

evenwithakiss,yourscentisonme.It’stoorisky.Macewillfindout.”

Jakpulledhercloseagain,anadorablesmirkliftingonesideofhismouth.“Youcanwashawaymy

scentwhenyougetbacktothehouse…butfirstIwanttogiveyousomethingworththeshower.”

Thenhekissedheragain,butthistime,hishandsdidn’tstayconfinedtogrippingherbackandholding

her close. This time they came around front and caressed her breasts. His fingertips sought out her
nipples,andhegroanedintohermouthwhenhefoundtheywerealreadyhard,pushingagainstherthint-
shirtandbra.

Without a word, he lifted her t-shirt over her breasts, freeing them from her bra as well, and then

droppeddownononekneebeforeher.ShegaspedatthecoolnightaironherfleshandJak’shotmouth
nipping at it. He lavished attention on one breast, then the other, sucking in her rock-hard nipples and
grazingthemwithhisteeth.Wetnesswasalreadypoolinginbetweenherlegs,buteachnear-niponher

sensitivefleshsentelectricsparksofpleasuretohercore.Shefoughtforbreath,handsinhishair,awash
inthepleasurehewasgivingher.

“Oh,God,Arianna,Iwantyousobadly.”Hiswordswerewhispersonherskin,whileheunbuttoned

herjeansandworkedhishandsunderherpanties.Shegaspedagainwhenhetouchedthatspot,theone
shebarelyevenknewshehadbeforethismorning,butthathehadbroughtalivewiththeorgasmshehad
alreadygivenher.Itwasswollen,sensitivetohim,andheseemedtoknowexactlyhowtotouchherto
makeherwanttosquirmtherestofthewayoutofherpants.

Thenheworkedherpantiesdownandseemedtofreezeup.Hisgentlehandsskimmedherhipsashe

peeredatthem.Whenshelookeddown,shecouldseethemyriadscarsleftbehindbyMace’sclawsby
themany,manytimeshehadmarkedher.Heatrushedherface,andshetriedtocoverthescarswithher
hands,butJakjustpulledherhandsawayandlookedupather.

“Didhedothis?”Therewascoldfireinhiseyes.
Shenodded,suddenlyshakinginthecoldandnotsurewhattosay.
Jakturnedhisattentionbacktoherhips,gentlykissingrightwherethescarswere.Relieffloodedher

body.Whenhelookedupatheragain,hiseyesheldthatdeepsadnessshe’dseenbefore.

“Iwillneverhurtyou,Arianna,”hesaid,butshealreadyknewthat.JakwasbetterforherthanMace

evercouldbeinamillionyears.

Jakreturnedtokissingherscars,glidinghisfingersoverherskinandslowlyworkinghislipsacross

herbelly.Thenhemovedfartherdown,untilhistonguefoundthatsensitivespotthatwasachingforhis
touch. She nearly shrieked as his tongue worked her, but she managed to clamp a hand over her own
mouth,theotherstillonhishead,keepingheruprightasthetipofhistongueslowlyturnedherlegsinto
jelly.

“Jak,” she panted. “Oh god, Jak, what are you doing— ” But then words were obliterated from her

mind as his fingers slipped inside, pumping her while his tongue worked her electrified flesh. She bit
down,hard,onherhandtokeephermoansfromfillingtheforest.Jakliftedherkneeoverhisshoulder,
andhisonehandheldherback,keepingheruprightwhiletheotherbroughtanorgasmcrashingoutofher.
She bucked into him, unable to control herself, and nearly crumpled to the ground as the waves of
pleasurewashedthroughher.

Just as her body crested the peak of those waves, Jak’s hand and mouth left her, and he stood. He

shuckedoffhisjacketandtosseditontheleaves.

“Ineedtobeinyou.”Hequicklyunbuckledhispantsandkickedthemoff.Hiserectionwasthickand

strong in the moonlight. She couldn’t help reaching for it, but he held her wrists away. “None of that. I
wantyoutoridemewiththatbeautifulbodyofyours,notyourdeliciouslittlehands.”

Hiswordsmadeherbodythrob.
Hishandsleftherwristsandtraileddownherlegs,tuggingherpantsoff.Thenhesatonhisjacketand

pulled her down facing him. She straddled him and took him inside her. He groaned and leaned back,
givingherroomtogetsettled.Hewassodeliciouslybig,filledhersocompletely,butshewasn’tquite
surewhattodonext.

“I’venever…”Herbreathsteamedthenightair.“I’veneverbeenontop.”
Jakhalf-laughedandgrinnedupather.“Youjustholdstillthen,mylove,andletmedothework.”He

heldherhipsinplace,hoveringoverhimwithonlyabouthalfhislengthinsideher,thenhequicklylifted
hisbodytothrustupintoher.

Shegaspedwithhowdeephewentandhowhisbodymethersinjusttherightspot,sendinganelectric

pulseofpleasurethroughher.Hegroanedagain.“God,Arianna,you’resotight…sogood…”Hethrusted
upintoheragainandagain,fasterandfaster,untilshewasseeingstarsdanceinfrontofhereyes,more
than just the ones peeking through the canopy overhead. She bit her lip to keep her gasps and shrieks
inside, but the pressure kept building until finally that mind-blowing pleasure wracked her body again.

Shecameandcame,anditseemedlikeanendlesstimeuntilJakstoppedthrusting,hisownbodystilling
withhisclimax.Herbodydeflated,collapsingontopofhim,allpleasurecompletelywrungoutofher.

Shehadneverbeensocompletelyandwonderfullyclosetosomeoneinherentirelifeasshewasat

thatmoment,half-nakedontheforestfloor,joinedtogether,pantingintoJak’schestlikeshehadjustruna
mile.

Whenherbreathingsettledalittle,shesighed,longandcontented.“Iwantthis,Jak.Iwantitforever.”
Hishandswereinherhair,touchingherface,runningalongherback.“Ipromise,Arianna.Ipromise.”
AndshehadnodoubtinherheartthatJakcouldmaketheimpossiblehappen.Becausehehadalready

doneit:he’dalreadyfoundawaytorescueherwhenshehadn’tevenknownshewasdrowning.

ItwasnearlySaturdaynightbeforeJakgotthecall.

Theeveningbefore,withAriannaintheforest,hadsealedeverythinginhismind:hewouldfindaway

tofreeher,nomatterthecost.Thathewouldhavetoleavehispackwasagiven.Itwouldmeanmoving
away,gettinganewjob,andstartingover...butitwouldbeworthit.Hemighthavetowait,though,at
leastaweek,untilthefullmoon,whentheentirepackpledgedtheirsubmissiontoGage.IfJakdidn’tre-
uphissubmissiontohisalphathen,hewouldbefreetodoanythinghewished:includingkillingMace.

Buthewashopingthewitcheswouldhaveabetterway—onethatwouldn’tinvolvehimgoingtojail

for murder. Not least because that would leave Arianna unprotected in a world where she was far too
vulnerable.

But he needed to get Arianna free as soon as possible. Every day she was in Mace’s house was

anotherdayhewasputtinghishandsonher.Jak’sclawscameoutandslicedintotheleathergripofthe
steering wheel. He had a hard time keeping his wolf under control when he thought about Mace and
Arianna together, so he pushed that image to the back of his mind and focused on the dangerous task at
hand:bargainingwithwitches.

Hecca had messaged him using Morgan Media’s account—it was nothing more than a time, but he

knew exactly what it meant. Circe had delivered his cryptic threat, and Hecca had realized her plan to
capture Arianna and him for her dark magic had been exposed. And that Morgan Media’s relationship
withRedWolfwasatrisk.Hopefully,thatmeantshewasreadytobargain…andnotmerelysummoning
himtohisdeath.

Jakpulledhiscarintotheparkinggarageandtooktheelevatortothe35

floor.Hewasrightontime,

andthistime,thehotblondewitchinfrontdidn’tevenask,shejustescortedhimthroughthecubicle-and-
art-tableopenareatoHecca’scornerofficeinback.Thereceptionistknockedandlethimin,closingthe
doorbehindhim,oncehewasinside.

Heccastoodatthewindow,gazingoutoverdowntownSeattlewithherbacktohim.Thedyingraysof

thesunwereturningthecity’stowersintopurpleobelisksandHecca’sofficeintoapalaceofgoldand
shadows.

Jakwaited.
“Givemeareason,wolf,”shesaid.
“Areason?”Hedidn’tlikehowthiswasstartingout.
“Areasonnottoturnyouintoashwhereyoustand.”Shefinallyspuntofacehim.Herlongblackhair

flowedinawavyflare,settlingonhergenerouscurvesonceshehadturned.Herpurple-tintedhairstreak
gaveanartisticflairtobusiness-sexy,curve-hugginglavendersuit.Butitwashereyes,alivewithadark
fire,thattoldhimthey’dalreadyskippedtotheheartofthenegotiations.

“Youcouldkillme,”hesaidascoollyashecouldmanage,thankfulthatwitchesdidn’thaveashifter’s

abilitytoscent.Otherwise,shewouldsmellthetremoroffearclutchinghisgut.“IfyouwanttoloseRed
Wolf’sbusinessandpossiblystartawar.”

“A war?” She was smiling, but there was no warmth in it. “A little dramatic for a wolf, don’t you

think?”

“Wolvestendtotaketheattemptedmurderofourfemalesratherseriously.”
Hecca’ssmirkfaded.“Whatareyoutalkingabout,beta?”
“Yesterday, two bounty hunters nearly captured one of our mated females and her guard. But you

alreadyknewthat.”

Herdarkeyesnarrowed.“Bountyhunters.”
“Armedwithdartgunsandabag.”Whywasshepretendingshedidn’tknowanythingaboutthis?
“So someone came after your pack. It’s hardly the first time.” She flicked her purple-nail-tipped

fingers at him, as if this was some kind of pack business that was inconsequential to her. “Who says
MorganMediawasinvolvedinanyofit?”

“Thebountyhunterssaidso.AfterIbeattheshitoutofthem.”
Shefrowned.“Thesebountyhunterspointedyouhere?”
“Theycalledyououtbyname,Hecca.”Whywasshedancingaroundthis?
Herfrowndeepened,andshedrummedherdagger-likenailsonherdesk.Thenaphoneappearedin

her hand from somewhere in the folds of her purple dress. She spoke into it. “I need you in here.” A
pause.“Idon’tcare.Dropit.Ineedyounow.”

Jak was half-certain she was going to have him thrown out, and he wasn’t sure what his play was

goingtobethen,butafterastrainedmomentofsilence,Circefloatedintotheroom.

Nowthattheywerestandingtogether,Jakcouldseethesisterlyresemblance:samedarkeyesandhair,

same carved cheeks of ivory. Circe’s red hair streak echoed Hecca’s purple one, and she favored the
same tight-fitting suits. But Circe’s eyes were once again roaming Jak’s body, whereas Hecca’s had
nothingbutcontemptforhim.

“Please tell me,” Hecca said to her sister in a voice filled with danger, “that you haven’t been

trampingaroundinmyplaygroundagain,Circe.”

Circecurledalipathersister.Apparentlytherewasn’tmuchsisterlyloveamongwitches.“Ihaveno

ideawhatyou’retalkingabout.”

Jak decided he needed to lean in to this conversation. “Well, someone sent bounty hunters after

Arianna…andgiventhatthehunterssayitwasHecca,I’mthinkingsomeoneinthisofficeisoperatingin
yourname.”

Circe’seyebrowslifted,andsheseemedgenuinelynon-plussed.“Sister,”shesaidtoHecca,“youmay

disagreewithmypreferencesinmanythings,butsurelyyouknowI’mnotidiotenoughtodomagic—or
kidnappings—inyourname.”

Hecca looked grumpy but not the fire-spitting anger she had a moment ago. “No, that doesn’t seem

reasonable.Evenforyou.Andevenifyoudid,Idoubtyouwouldbecaughtbythelikesofabetawolf.”

Circetippedherheadinacknowledgment.
“Waitaminute,”Jaksaid,hisfrustrationgrowing.“Areyouactuallysayingnoneofyouwereinvolved

inthis?Isthatreallyyourstoryhere?”

Hecca sauntered forward, and her sister watched on with amusement. “Little wolf, you should take

caretocomeheremakingaccusationswhenyouhavenoproof.”

“I guess I can haul in the bounty hunters.” If they haven’t already fled town. Jak winced at his

misjudgmentthere:heshouldhavebroughtthehuntersbacktothepack.Buthewassobentonworkinga
dealwiththewitches,hecouldn’tseepastthat.

Hecca arched an eyebrow. “Even if they squealed my name, that means nothing to me, wolf. I don’t

knowwhowasafteryourmate,butitwasn’tanyoneinthisoffice.”

“She’snotmymate.I’mjusttheguard.”
Hecca’s eyes narrowed. “And yet you’re on quite the quest here, storming in and making demands.

Bargaining…”ShelookedJakupanddownandbegantocirclehim,takinghiminfromallangles.Hecca
threwapointedlooktoCirce,whonodded.Jakdidn’tlikethissilentwitchconversation.Atall.

“Tellme,littlewolf,whatdidyouexpecttogain,cominghere?”
Jak gritted his teeth. His leverage was gone. He had no idea who was actually after Arianna… or

possiblyevenhimself.Andnowhewasdeepinsideacoventhathehadjust,apparently,falselyaccused
ofcapitalcrimes.

“Ijustwantedtokeepawolf-witchwarfrombreakingoutunnecessarily,”hesaid,backpedaling.
Circefloatedacrosstheroom,thewispsofherreddressflittingaroundherlegsasshemoved.“He

saidhehadpersonalbusiness,Heccadear.”

“Yes, I can sense that,” Hecca replied, still looking him over. “Your aura is giving you away, little

wolf.Youhaveverypersonalbusinesshere…aboutawomanwhoisnotyourmate…ahhh,yes.Nowit’s
clear.”

Jakdidn’tlikethelookofrecognitiononHecca’sfaceatall.
Butshejusttwiddledherfingersagain.“Thisisyourdomain,Circe,”shesaid,turningherbackonhim

andheadingforthedoor.“Killthebetaor…whatever.Justcleanupafteryourselfandkeepusoutofa
packwar,yes?”

Jak’smouthdroppedopenasshewhiskedthroughthedoorandcloseditbehindher,leavingJakalone

withCirce.

“So, little beta. You want a female who doesn’t belong to you,” Circe said with a smile that made

Jak’sstomachclenchtight.“Andyou’rewillingtowalkintoawitch’scoventoprotecther.Oristhere
moretoitthanthat?”

Jak shut his mouth and swallowed. This had spiraled quickly out of control. What was he thinking,

comingherewithouthispack?Theydidn’tevenknowwherehewas:asfarastheywereconcerned,he
wasstill staking outthe bounty hunters,who had probably fledthe state. Whichleft him with precisely
zero bargaining power. And a sinking probability of getting out of the building alive. Which, strangely
enough,alsolefthimwithnothinglefttolose.

JakstoodstraighterandwithstoodCirce’sroaminggaze.“Ihaveaneedforacertaindarkart.Ican

payyouwell,ifyouhavetheabilitytodothemagicIneed.”

“The ability…” Circe’s dark eyes flashed. “I have bent the knees of witches more powerful than

you’vedreamedofinyoursmall,wolfydreams,beta.YouhavenoideawhatI’mcapableof.”

“Then you should have no problem breaking an unbreakable magic bond.” He folded his arms and

daredherwithhiseyes.

Theynarrowedathim.“Thematingbond.Thefemaleismatedalready,andyoudesireher.”
Therewasfarmoretoit,but…“Yes.”
Circe’spointedlooksoftenedintoboredom.“Sosimplykillhermate.That’swhatyouwolvesliketo

doanyway,isn’tit?Brawlandthrasharoundwithyourclawsandteeth,allanimal-like.”Herlipswere
twitchingintoabarelyrepressedsmile.

Jakhadastrongfeelingshehadatasteforwolvesandwouldverymuchenjoyhisanimalnature.That

must be why he was still standing, still alive, and dealing with Circe, not Hecca, whose revulsion for
wolveswasmuchmoretypicalofwitches.Butsexwasadangerousbargainingchipwithawitch—one
thatbeforethisveryinstanthewouldn’thaveeventhoughtpossible—butitwasalsoonethatwouldlikely

landhimasherpermanent,andeventuallydeceased,loveslave.

“Canyoubreakthebondornot?”heasked,asifhemightmarchoutiftheanswerwasno.Hecould

onlyhopethatoptionwasstillonthetable.

Shesmirkedandsteppedcloser,envelopinghiminherspicedcloveandsagescent.“Whatyouseek

canbedone,littlewolf.Thequestionis:whatwouldyoubewillingtogiveforit?”

“I can pay you handsomely.” Jak had more than enough cash tucked away. He never spent anything

anyway,andGagehadbroughthiminearlyonthebonuspoolfortheprojectshehadworked.Overfour
years,thataddedup.

Sheedgedevencloser.“MaybeI’mnotinterestedinmoney.”
Jakleanedback,regainingspace.“Maybemoney’sallI’minterestedinoffering.”
Shemovedinagain,andhewouldhavebackedup,buthewasalreadyupagainstthedoor.
Shesmiled.“Youmightenjoyitmorethanyouthink,littlewolf.”
“I’mcertainyouwouldfindI’mnotalittlewolf.”
Circebitherlip.Andtherewasdefinitelyascentofarousalunderthesage.Hewasn’tsureifthiswas

smart—infact,hewascertainitwasn’t—buthedidn’thavemanyoptionsatthemoment.

Heleanedforward,meetingherhalfway,closeenoughthathiswhisperedwordswouldbrushherskin.

“I would definitely take my pleasure from you—repeatedly, little witch—but you can be sure that the
femalesinmybedwillalwaysgettheirpleasurefirst.Andoften.”

Shebreathedalowsigh.“Soyouwouldbargainwithme,wolf?”
Heleanedback.“Iwould…exceptthatspendingtimeinyourbedseemslikeagoodwaytoloseall

myblood.”

Shepouted.“WhywouldIdrainsomeonewhokeptmesocompletelysatisfied?”
Hiswolfsnarled,andevenJakcouldseethatwasn’texactlyadenial.“You’reforgettingoneimportant

thing,witch.”

Shewasbacktolookingamused.“Andwhat’sthat?”
“Ihappentobeinlovewithanotherman’smate.I’mwillingtomakeaonetimepaymenttobreakthat

unbreakablebond.Butthat’sit.Andpaymentcomesafterthespellhasworked.”

She tipped her nose up to look down at him. “The spell will work. You might not like the result,

however.”

Hefrowned.“Whatdoyoumean?”
“What makes a mated female’s heart so powerful in magic?” she asked rhetorically, amusement

returning.

“Ihaveafeelingyou’regoingtoenlightenme.”Jakknewmatedfemaleswerehighlysoughtafterfor

thepropertiesoftheirblood,andhefiguredtheheartwasespeciallydrenchedinit…buthehadn’treally
thought about why. Delving into what ghastly things witches did with wolf internal organs wasn’t
somethinghespentalotoftimeruminatingupon.

Circelickedherlips,stilleyeinghim.“Amatedfemalehastwicethemagicofanunmatedfemale,ora

maleineithercase.That’sbecauseshehastwoformsofmagicinherblood,intertwined—herownmagic
andthemale’smagic.Thesecondoneiswhatbindshertohim.It’salivingforceinsideher.Thestronger
themale,especiallyanalpha,thestrongerthemagicandthegreaterthebond.Thereasonyoucannotmate
withthisfemaleyoudesireisn’tbecausethebondholdshertohim—”

“It’sbecausemymagicinherbloodwillkillher,”hecutheroffimpatiently.“Yes,Iknowthis.I’mnot

acompleteidiot,inspiteoftheevidenceofmestandinghererightnow.”

Shesmirkedandrananappreciategazeoverhimagain.“No,you’renotstupid,littlewolf.Foolhardy

andbraveinyourlove,perhaps,butIcanseeyouarenotdim.”

“Gee,thanks.”Hegloweredather.“Now,howdoesthisspellwork?”
“Insideyourbelovedfemale’sblood,thereareessentiallytwowolves:hersandhermate’s.Toextract

one while leaving the other is a delicate thing. A dark art, not unlike slicing out half of her soul while
leavingtheotherhalfbehind.”

Jakfelthisownblooddrainfromhisface.“Willithurther?”
Circe’s eyebrows arched up. “I imagine so. Although the pain is the least of your problems, little

wolf.”

“Just…tellme.”Hewasgrowingtiredofthiswitch’sgames.
She scowled at him, but there wasn’t much heat to it. “In order to entice the wolf that lives in her

blood,wewillneedsomewhereelse for it to go—another host, you might say. If you have an unmated
female available, transferring the bond from one to the other would be relatively straightforward. Not
leastbecausetheessenceofthemaleisdrawntothefemale.”

Jak’sheartratepickedup.Hecouldseewherethiswasgoing.“Thereisnootherfemaleavailable.”
Circenoddedonce,solemnly.“Thenitwillhavetobeamale.Andthetransferwillnotbesosimple.”
Jak’sfacetwistedup,disgustclawingathisthroat.“Youmeanyouhavetotransferhermate’sessence

intoamale’sblood.But…whathappensthen?Onemalecannotbeboundtoanother,notwithamating
bondatleast.”

Sheliftedoneeyebrow.“Whatdoyouthinkwillhappenwhentheessencesoftwomalesaretrapped

inthesameblood,littlewolf?”

“Theywillfight.”
“To the death.” Circe sniffed and held her head high. “It’s not my fault that your species is so

ridiculouslyviolent.”

Jak felt suddenly light-headed. “They would fight to the death,” he repeated, the words bouncing

aroundinsidehishead.Withthewitch’sspell,hecoulddrawMace’sessenceoutofArianna,butonlyby
bringingitinsidehisownbody…wherethewarbetweentheirwolveswouldhappenattheDNAlevel.
AndJakwouldbetheonedyingbecauseofit,slowlyandpainfully.

HecouldsetAriannafree,butonlybydyinginherplace.
JakblinkedanddraggedhisgazeuptomeetCirce’ssteadyone.“Istherenootherway?”
“I’mafraidnot,littlewolf.”Hervoicewassoft,andnotentirelyunkind,buthersympathyranghollow

inhisears.“PerhapsnowyoucanunderstandwhyIwouldwantmypaymentinadvance.”Shepursedher
lipsintoatightline.

Jak didn’t have to worry about the witch draining his blood after a night of wolf-on-witch sexual

depravity…becausethespellhewasbarteringforwouldkillhimanyway.

Heswallowed.“I’llhavetogetbacktoyouonthis.”
Then he turned and stumbled out the door. As he fled the coven, he had just one thought: he had

promised to free Arianna, and he was going to keep that promise. But if a wolf had to die to make it
happen,itwasn’tgoingtobeJak…

ItwasgoingtobeMace.
Hewouldhavetodothistheold-fashionedway:bykillingArianna’smate.

JakhasaplantofreeAriannawithoutthewitch'shelp...butthebestlaidplansofwolvesandmen

rarelyturnoutastheyhope.

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AlisaWoodslivesintheMidwestwithherhusbandandfamily,butherheartwillalwaysbelongtothe
beachesandmountainswhereshegrewup.Shewritessexyparanormalromancesaboutalphamenand
the women who love them. She enjoys exploring the struggles we all have, where we resist—and
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