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WildOne(WildingPackWolves4)
Copyright©2016byAlisaWoods
March2016Edition
Allrightsreserved.
SwornSecretsPublishing

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

AlisaWoods

Coverby

StevenNovak

WildOne(WildingPackWolves4)—NewAdultParanormalRomance
He'sashiftergangleader.She'sahalflingontherun.
AndtheWolfHunterhasjustdeclaredopenseasononthemboth.

MarcoWilding’spackisbeingpickedoff,onebyone.TheWolfHunter’smercenariesaresnatching
wolvesoffthestreetthendumpingthetorturedbodiesinsideMarco’sgangterritory.Whentheygofora
shifterkid,Marco’spatrolisonit–untilabeautifulfemalewolfstepsinandkicksthekidnapper’sass.
Thedelaysavesthekid,butMarcocan’tstopdroolingoverthisbrave,unmatedfemalewhomysteriously
landedinhislap.

Onlyshewantsnothingtodowithhim.

JuliaHolloway’slifewasfinallyturningaround–shewasgettingherdegreeandgettingoutofher
mother’shousewithitsparadeofabusivestep-fathers.Thenherwolfwentwildandruinedherlife.Now
she’sontherun,butherwolfisstilloutofcontrol.Whenitonceagaintriestosavesomeone,thistimea
kidwhowasbeingkidnapped,shegetsanoffershecan’trefuse–safeharborinsideashiftergangwhile
shegetsherlifebackontrack.

Onlythehotshifterleaderwiththepassionateeyeswantsamate…andwantshertostay.

AsJuliaandMarcoracetostoptheWolfHunter’smen,Juliawillhavetodomorethanjusttameherwild
wolf…she’llhavetodecidewhethergivingupeverythingshewantswillbringhertheonethingshe
reallyneeds.

ItwasthelastthingMarcowantedtosee:anotherdeadwolf.

“Fuckinghell,”Stefanspatoutwhentheycameuponthebody.Marco’sbetaandbestfriendstood

withhisfeetplantedwideandhishandsclenchedintofists.Hisclawswereextendingandretracting,
rhythmically,likehiswolfwasreadytokillsomething.Marcounderstoodhisfrustration.Theirenemy,
thepersonwhodidthis,wasfacelessandelusive—butnotnameless.

TheWolfHunterdidthis.
“We’llmakehimpay,Stefan.”Marcokneltbythebody,whichhadbeenleftlikesomuchtrashinan

alleyway,rightnexttoadumpsteroverflowingwithrottedvegetablesandgrease.Marcoranhishand
gentlyalongthesoftblackfurofthewolf’shead.Therewasnowaytoknowforcertainthepersoninside
—thepersontheWolfHunterhadmurdered—becauseDNAshiftedwithform.Theywerefullyhumanin
humanform,fullywolfinbeastform,withnolinkbetweenthetwo.Marcowasalwayswarninghispack
tostayawayfromthepoliceforthatveryreason—theywouldbeforcedtoshiftandtheirtwinDNAs
wouldbelinked.Thenthecopswoulduseitagainstthem,taggingthemwithsomecrimeandshovingthem
inaprisonsystemthatwasadeathsentenceforshifters.

Buthavingnolinkalsomeanttherewasnowaytoprovethiswolf,hismurderedfriend,wasanything

morethanananimal.TheWolfHunterwasexploitingthatfactbysnatchingshiftersoffthestreetsof
downtownSeattle…andmurderingtheminwolfform.

“Iwillavengeyou,Christoph,”Marcowhisperedtohisdeadfriend.Thenhepassedhishandoverthe

wolf’sglazedeyes—dead,butstillopen.He’dgonemissingfromthepackaweekago,anditlookedlike
theWolfHunterhadtorturedhim.Hisbodywasrawandtorn,bloodyredstripsthathadbeencutand
healed,thencutandhealedagain.MassivebruiseshadmadeChristoph’sheadlumpyandmisshapen.It
wasdamnhardtokillawolf,whichonlymeantdyingcouldtakeaverylongtime.Someday,Marco
wouldripouttheWolfHunter’sthroatwithhisownfangs…butonlyafterthebastardhadsufferedas
longasChristophhad.

“It’sgettingworse.”Stefan’sclawswerestillout,lookingforrevenge.“Andthey’resteppinguptheir

game.”

Hisbetawasright—thiswasthethirdwolfinasmanyweeks.Thefirsttwowereeasiertargets—

Meredith,anolderwolfwhoranagrocerystoreinthemiddleofhisterritory,andTimmy,apupwho
attendedtheshifterschoolMarcohadsetupforhissprawlingandrapidlygrowingpack.ButChristoph…
hewasafully-grown,maleshifter.Hewould’veputupasubstantialfight.Itwouldhavetakenmorethan
oneortwoassholehate-groupmemberstograbhimoffthestreet.

Marco’swolfgrowled,demandingjustice.“Weneedtocatchthemintheact.Findtheirnestandwipe

themout.”Hepulledhisphoneoutofhispockettocheckthetime.“Butfornow…theschool’salmost
readytoletout,andI’monpatrol.”

“Metoo.”Stefanshookhisheadsadly,stilllookingatChristoph’sbody.“Atleast,theschoolisn’t

neartheedgeofourterritory,whereChristophwastaken.Fuck.IwasjustsureitwasCruz’spack,
fuckingaroundwithus.Ijustthought…”

Everyonethought—hoped—Christophwouldbecomingback.Ifitwasjustagangshow-of-force,if

Christophhadmanagedtowanderintotheirterritory,thatwaspossible.

Thiswasdifferent.
“No,thisisdefinitelytheWolfHunter.”Marcosnarledandstoodup.“Cruzwouldn’tleavehimlike

this,notwithoutmakingsureweknewitwashim.ButIshouldmeetupwithhim.Cruzisaviolent
asshole,buthe’snotstupid.TheWolfHunterisaproblemforusboth.ForallIknow,hispeoplehave
beendisappearing,too.”Marcosighed.ContactingCruzwasbothdangerousandnecessary.“Firstthings
first.Assoonaswe’redonewiththeschoolpatrol,Iwantyoutoorganizeanetworkofwatchers.We
needeyesoneverystreet.”

Stefanfrowned.“That’llstretchusprettythin.”
“Iknow.”Marcoshookhishead.Thiswasafuckingmess.“Youhaveabetteridea?”Itwasn’ta

challenge—Marcowasalpha,butStefanwassmart.Andawisealphausedtheresourcesofevery
memberofthepack.

“Notreally,”Stefansaidwithascowl.“IjustwanttofuckingkillthisWolfHunterasshole.”
“Ifwegetthechance,Iclaimfirstblood.”
Stefannodded,stillscowlingattheyoung,deadwolfattheirfeet.Christophhadbeennewtothe

pack,buthewasfiercelyloyal.NotunlikeStefan,whoMarcotrustedwithhislife.

Yearsago,whenMarcotoldhisfather,DonaldWilding,tofuckoffforthelasttime,heleftthe

sprawlingWildingpackfamily-of-crazyandlandedhereinthetoughestshifterterritoryindowntown
Seattle.Stefanwasalreadyhere,likewiseorphaned,althoughnotbychoice,andtheywereinstant
brothers.Together,theyputdownthebrutalalphawhohadbeenrunningthings,andhispackbecame
Marco’s.Eversince,heandStefanhadworkedtocreateasafehavenforanyonewhowouldsubmitto
himandpledgeloyaltytothepackasawhole.

Marcohadonlybeeneighteenwhenhebecamealpha,butthepackwasstrongunderhimandkept

growing.Shiftersweredrawntothepack’sreputationforbeingasmuchafamilyasawaytosurvive
whensocietycastthemoff.Hedidn’thavetorulewithanironfist,thewaysomealphasdid.Andnow,
withtheWolfHunterandhishate-groupminionsontheloose,theneedforasafehavenwasbecoming
morepressingeveryday.

Thelastfewweekshadbeenevenworse.Hiscousin,TerraWilding,hadshownupoutoftheblue

andsnappedpicturesofhispeople…andthenexhibitedthephotographstotherichhumansofthecity
wholikedthatsortofthing.Marcohadapprovedoftheproject,calledthePeopleofSeattle,inhopesthat
itmightconvincesomeofthehumans,cloisteredandfearfulintheirsuburbanhomes,thattherewasno
excusefortreatingshifterslikeanimals.Terrahadphotographedeveryoneintheirwolfform,withtheir
storiesattached,hopingitwouldhumanizeshifters,andwhoknew…maybeitwasworking.Theexhibit
wasapparentlyahit,accordingtothepress,andthereseemedtobesomesympathyforthem.Especially
afterTerrawaskidnappedbytheWolfHunterhimself.Themayorhadevenvowedtoreformthecop’s
anti-shifterpolicies,althoughMarcowouldbelievethatshitwhenhesawithappen.Butintheend,itwas
hispeoplewhoweretakingthebruntofit.TheWolfHunterwasnowactivelytargetinghispack—his
truefamily—andmurderingthemonebyone.

Hedidn’tblameTerra,butthoseimagesdefinitelyputatargetontheirbacks.
MarcoscowleddownatChristoph’sbody.“WhatIdon’tunderstand,ishowtheWolfHunterknows

whichofusiswolfandwhichisnot.”

Stefanshookhishead.“Itcan’tbetheexhibit.There’snotenoughinformationtooutusindividually.

Therehastobesomeonespyingontheshelteritself.”TheheadquartersforMarco’spackusedtobea
megagrocerystore,buthe’dconverteditintoahome.Heworkedhardtokeeparoofovertheirheadsand
keepthemfed.Itwasn’talwayseasy—andnoteverythingwaslegal—buthewascommittedtokeeping
hispeoplealive.

ThisnewthreatfromtheWolfHunterwasthreateningtounraveleverything.
“Ifthere’saspy,weneedtofigureoutwho.Andweneedtostepupourgame,too.”Marco’sphone

pinged—itwashisalarmfortheschoolpatrol.“Let’sgotakecareofthis,thenwe’llheadbacktothe
shelterandcomeupwithaplan.”

“Soundsgood.”Stefanpulledouthisownphone.“I’llgetsomeonetocomeforChristoph.Andwe’ll

needtoarrangeanotherceremony.”

Anotherone.Threefuneralsinthreeweeks.BuryinghisbrothersandsistersintheOlympicmountains

wheretheycouldfinallyrestinpeace.Nonames.Noheadstones.Nopropercemeteryburialforthem
becausetheydiedwolf.

TheWolfHunterhadstolenthatfromthem,too.
ItmadeMarco’swolfseetheunderhisskin.
Heswipedopenhisphoneandcalledintotheschool-patrolleader.“Hey,Anthony,StefanandIare

onourway.”Thekids’routeswereallmappedout,fromthesmallred-brickedapartment-turned-school
towhatevershabbytenementtheycalledhome.Orbacktotheshelter,formanyofthem.“Butjustaheads
up—wefoundChristoph.”

“Ohman.”
Marcodidn’thavetosaytheyfoundhimdead.Itwasexpectednow.AndMarcofeltthe

demoralizationofhispacklikealivingenergybeingdrainedfromhim.Thesubmissionbondofahundred
people—everymemberofhisrapidlygrowingpack—strengthenedhimwithaliteralmagicalenergy,and
heneededthattokeeptheirterritorialclaimstrong.Buteachdaythisthingdraggedon,eachnewfuneral
theyhadtoattend,theirfaithinhimtookahit.Itdidn’thelpthathestillhadn’ttakenamate.Inanyother
circumstance,atwenty-one-year-oldalphawouldn’tbeexpectedtosettledown,butMarcohad
responsibilitiesthatoutweighedhisage.Thestrengthofamatingbondwouldreassurehispeoplethathe
hadwhatittooktocarrythemthrough.

Andtheyhadtosticktogether.
Shiftershadalwaystakencareoftheirown,butnowthattheywerebeingdirectlytargeted,onthe

internetandonthestreets,itwasevenmoreimportantthattheypulltogether...andhispersonallovelife
concernspaledinsignificancecomparedtothat.Marco’swolfgrumpedoffintoacornerwiththe
reminderthatholdingoutforatruematewasn’treallyanoptionforhim.Hispriorityhadtobekeeping
hispacksafe.

Hewouldhavetomakeadecisionaboutamate.Soon.
Stefanswipedhisphoneclosed.“Antonio’sonthewaytakecareofChristoph,”hesaidgrimly.
“Allright,let’sgo.”Theyonlyhadafewminutestogettotheirstationalongthepatrolroute.
MarcoandStefanweavedthroughafewbackalleys,acrossseveralstreets,pastclosedandboarded-

upbusinessesaswellastheoccasionalstragglingdeliorgrocerystorestillinoperation.Humansrefused
tohireshiftersorlivearoundthem,notiftheycouldhelpit.Theslowemptying-outofMarco’sterritory
wasanaturalconsequenceofknownshifterssimplybreathinginthepresenceofhumans.Mostofthe
shiftersinhispacklandedherebecausetheywereoutofjobsandoptions,butsomestillheldjobsoutside
theterritory,thencommutedintothecitytolivenearthepack.Andsomeofthatmoneyhelpedsupportthe
fewbusinessesthatremained,whowereeithershifter-sympatheticoroutrightrunbyshifters.

Butitwasn’tenoughtokeepeveryonegoing—whichwaswhytheyransomedrugtrade,setupan

illegalcar-partring,andmovedafewotheritemsalongtheconnectionsMarcohadforgedthroughout

Seattle’sblackmarkets.Butnowthefewlegitbusinessesthatexistedinsidetheterritorywerebeing
targetedbytheWolfHunter…likeMeredith.Hermatekeptthestoregoingwiththehelpofafewother
packmembers,butthemanwasinmourning—he’dlosthistruemate,amateofthirtyyears,andthattook
atoll.EverytimeMarcolookedattheman’semptied-outexpression,hewantedtoaddanotherhourtothe
torturehewouldinflictontheWolfHunterbeforehewasallowedtodie.

MarcoandStefanpickedupthepacesotheywouldarriveattheirappointedlookoutspotontime.

Theystoppedablockdownasidestreetfromthemaindragthroughdowntown,holdingtheirposition.
Thekidtakingthisroute,Ethan,hadlineofsightcoverageallthewayfromschooltohome.Marcowasn’t
takinganyrisks—hewantedeyesonthekidsatalltimes.Hecheckedhisphoneforthetime.They’dmade
it.

Thisblockwasmostlyoldtenements,halfabandoned,halfoccupiedbyshifters.Ethanwasonlyabout

twelve,afull-bloodedshifter,buthehadn’treachedhisadolescenceyet,sohehadn’tacquiredthebulky
musclesthatpiledonduringamalewolf’smaturation.Hismotherandfatherbothworkedlonghours
outsidetheterritory,tryingtomakeendsmeet,soEthancamehometoanemptyapartment—that’showit
wasforalotofthesekids.Ethanwasluckyheactuallyhadtwoparents.Halfthetime,thekidsspenttheir
afternoonsattheshelterwithoneoftheolderwolveshelpingthemoutwithhomework.Orroughhousing
toteachthemtomanagetheirwolf…andacquireotherskillsthey’dneedtosurvive.

Meredith’sgrocerystorewasjustaroundthecorner.Marcomadeamentalnotetostopbyandsee

howhermatewasholdingup.Itwouldonlytakeaminute.MaybehewouldbringEthanwithhim.

“Iwasthinking,”Stefansaid,withaglanceathisphone,checkingthetime.Ethanshouldbealongany

minute.“Alotofthesekidsareintheirhomesintheafternoons—maybewecouldsetupanetworkwith
them.Getsomewalkie-talkiesand—”Stefancutoffasawhitevanscreechedaroundthecornerandcame
toasuddenstop.“Whatthefuck?”

Rightatthatmoment,Ethanstrodearoundthecorneraswell.Twomeninblacktacticalgearand

maskssprangoutofthebackofthevan.TheyweregoingforEthan.

“Go,go,go!”Marcoshouted,drawinghisgunoutofthebackofhispantsandsprintingforthekid.

Fuck!Theywerenearlyablockaway,andthethugswerealreadyontopofEthan—Marcocouldn’tgeta
shotwithouttheriskofhittingthekid.Thensuddenly,agirlwithlonghoney-brownhairtorearoundthe
corner,headingforEthanandthetwomen.Herarmswerefullwithabagofgroceries,butshethrew
thosetothesideandranstraightforthem.

Marcowatchedinamazementasthiswirygirl,notmuchtougher-lookingthanthekid,launched

herself,feetfirst,atoneofthekidnappers,kickinghimsquareinthechest.Thekidbrokefree,butthe
secondmangrabbedhimbeforehecouldrun.MarcoandStefanwerenearlythere,butthisgirl—this
crazydamngirl—waskickingandpunchingtheshitoutofthefirstkidnapper.Whenhegotholdofherand
liftedherofftheground—shewasathinlittlething—shekeptpummelinghim.Butshewaslosingthe
fight,andquickly.

Thensheshifted.Rightintheguy’sarms.Scratchinghimandgoingforhisthroatwithherfangs.This

girlwasseriouspurebadass…andMarcohadnoideawhoshewas.

StefanreachedthesecondkidnapperandEthan,buttwomoreguyspiledoutofthebackofthevan.

TheytackledStefan,twoonone,whiletheotherguyhauledthekidtowardthevan.Marcostilldidn’t
haveashot,sohetuckedhisgunawayandchargedin,bypassingStefanandthegirlstillfightingitout
withthekidnappers,keepinghiseyesonEthan.Thekidwasfighting,buthehadn’tshifted—Marcohad
drilledintoeveryone’sheadstostayhuman.Itwastooeasytogetawaywithkillingthemasawolf.

TheguyhadEthanhalfwayintothevanwhenMarcoreachedhimandlandedapunch.Thekidnapper

wasstunnedbadlyenoughthatMarcocouldwrenchthekidfree.

“Run!”Marcocommanded.Ethantookofflikeashot…althoughheonlywentasfarasthesidewalk

andstopped.Thekidnapperrecovered,thencameoutofthevanwithsomekindoflonggun.Marco

grappledwithhim.Itwentoff,butitmust’vehadasilencerbecausetherewasjustastrangethwick
sound.Marcowrestledthegunfreethenpoundedtheguy’sfacewithit,knockinghimbackthroughthe
opendoorofthevan.Thedriverupfrontpointedasimilarlong-barreledgunathim.Marcospuntothe
sideofthevan,takingcoverbehindthehalf-opendoor.Anotherthwick,notanormalgunshot—damn
thingshadtobetranquilizers.

Stefanwaslosinghisfight,wrestledtothegroundbythetwothugs.Marcowenttohelp,crackinghis

tranqgunagainstoneoftheirheadsanddroppinghimtotheground,butanotherthwicksoundpulledhis
attentionup.Thegirl’swolfformwasslumpedinthefirstman’sarms,andhewashaulinghertowardthe
van.

Marcoraisedhislong-barreledgun.“Dropthegirl!”
Themanignoredhim,soMarcofired,gettingacleanshotthatdroppedboththemanandthegirl-wolf

tothegroundnexttothevan.Marcocrouchedtogoafterher,avoidingthedriver,whowasstilltryingto
getashotathim.Hereachedher,snatchingherupunderonearm,thendroppingtheguntogivethe
kidnappercharginghimfrombehindafacefullofclaws.Heandtheothermanhadabandonedthefight
withStefan,apparentlytocometotheaidofthefirstfallenkidnapper.Marcofoughthiswaythrough
them,haulingthegirlawaywithhimandreachingStefanjustashestruggledtohisfeet.

Marcohandedthegirlwolf'slimpbodyovertohisbeta.
Themenwerehaulingtheirfallenpartnerinthroughtheopendoorsatthebackofthevan.Itstartedto

screechaway,andthemenslammedthedoorshutbehindthem.Marcopulledouthisowngunandtook
aim,tryingtoshootoutthetirebeforetheycouldmaketheirescape.Buttheyweregonetooquickly
aroundthecorner.Andhedidn’twanttoriskawildshot,notinthisneighborhood.Thereweretoomany
shifterswithlittlekidsinthetenementssurroundinghim.

Theyweregone.
Fuck.
Stefanhadlaidthegirl-wolfathisfeet.Herfurcoatwasthesamesofthoney-brownasherhair.He

knelttocheckherforwoundsandquicklyfoundthedartlodgedinherside.Hepluckeditoutandtossed
aside.

Ethanhurriedovertothem.“Issheokay?”Hisyoungfacewasscrunchedupwithworry—which

nearlymadeMarcosmile.Ethanwouldmakeafinematesomeday,moreworriedaboutthegirlthan
scaredforhimself…evenifMarcocouldseetheboy’shandsshaking.

“Ithinkshe’llbefine,”Marcosaid.“Justsomekindoftranqdart.She’llprobablybeoutforawhile,

though.Doyouknowher?”

Ethanshookhisheadno.
Stefanfrowneddownather.“Didyouseeherkicktheshitoutofthoseguys?”
NotonlyhadMarcoseenit,hehadbeenfuckingimpressed.And,hehadtoadmit,atleasttohimself,a

lotturnedon.

“Hellyeah,”Marcosaid,lettingtheapprovalseepoutinhisvoice.Thegirlhadselflesslytossed

asidehergroceriestogoaftersomekidshedidn’tevenknowtosavehimfrombeingsnatched.“Ifshe
hadn’tstalledthoseguys,I’mnotsurewewould’vebeenabletostopthem.”Marcotippedhisheadtothe
tumbleoforangesandboxesofRamenonthesidewalk.“Ethan,myman,howaboutyougopickupthis
nicelady’sgroceries?She’sprobablygoingwantthemwhenshewakesup.”

Ethannoddedhisheadrapidlyanddashedofftostartcollectingupthespilledgoods.
Thenthegirlsuddenlyshiftedbacktohuman.Marcostumbleduptostandingandtookastepback.

Shiftersdidn’tshiftwhentheywerepassedout.Whateverformtheywerein,theystayeduntiltheywoke
up.HeandStefanbothwatched,mouthsopen,assheshiftedbackandforthacouplemoretimes—wolfto
human,humantowolf—finallysettlingonherhumanform.

Whichwasfuckinghot,beautiful,andnaked.Inspiteofbeingwiryandmuscular,shewascurvyinall

therightplaces—andherslender,femininestrengthhadhiswolfstandingatfullattentionrightaway.

Thenherealizedhewasoglingthenakedbodyofagirllyingunconsciousonthestreet.Notcool,

Marco.

HeglancedatStefan,whohadhiseyebrowsraised.
Marcosnarledathim.“Whatareyoudroolingover?Gogetherclothes.”
Stefangaveasnort.“Ithinkyou’realittleconfusedaboutwho’sdoingthedroolinghere.”Buthe

trottedofftogetherclothes,whichhadfallenwhereshehadfirstshifted.

Ethancamerunningbackwithhandsfullofgroceriesinaplasticbag,thenscreechedtoahaltwitha

blankexpressionandanopen-mouthedstareforthegirl’snakedbody.

Marcoscowledathim.“Turnyourback,Ethan.Givethegirlsomeprivacy.”
Ethanjerkedlikehehadbeenelectrocutedandturnedhisbackonthegirl.
Marcohadtofighttokeephissnortoflaughterinside.
Stefanreturnedwithherclothes,stillsmirking.“You’rethealpha,soyou’vegotfirstclaimon,well,

everythinginthisparticularsituation.ButI’dbemorethanhappytotakethisdutyoffyourhands.”He
wastalkingaboutgettingherdressedagain.Whichobviouslyhadtohappen,butlikehellwouldhelet
Stefandoit.

Marcosnatchedtheclothesoutofhishands.“Shutup.”
Stefansnortedagainandturnedhisback,loopinghisarmaroundEthan’sstillshakingshoulders.The

kidwasgrippingthegrocerieslikehislifedependedonit.

“Comeon,kid,”Stefansaid.“Let’sgetyoubacktotheshelter.Marcowillbringthegirlalong…

whenhe’sdonedrooling.”Stefanwaggledaneyebrowathimoverhisshoulder.

Marcogavehimadepartingsnarlforgoodmeasure.
Astheywalkedoff,heranahandoverhisface.Hehadtogetthisstrange,beautifulgirldressed

withoutbeingacompletepervertaboutit.Hedecidedquickerwasbetter,sohetuggedherclothesonas
fastashecould,notlettinghishandslingerandtellinghiswolftoshutthefuckupwithhislustful
whining.ThenMarcoscoopedherupoffthepavement,holdingherthin,steel-strongbodyagainsthis
chest.

Hiswolfrumbledallkindsofapprovalatthat.
Jesus.Hehadn’tevenspokentothegirl,andhiswolfwasreadytoclaimher.
Duringthefour-blockwalktotheshelter,hestudiedherface,tryingtofigureouthowagorgeousgirl

likeherhadwanderedintohisterritorywithouthisknowledge.Wassheunmated?Hadshebeenhere
long?Washelosinghisgriponhispack?Heshouldbemorepluggedintothehappeningsinhisterritory
thanthat.ThisWolfHunterbusinesshadbeendistractinghimhard.

Onethingwascertain—hewantedthisgirlinhispack.Verybadly.Shewasahellofafighter,never

mindhowhotshewas.Orhowmuchhiswolfwasalreadytryingtolayclaimtoher.Everymaleshifterin
hispackwouldbeafterher,too,soitwasagoodthinghefoundherfirst.Asalpha,accordingtotradition,
hehadfirstclaimonanyunmatedfemaleshifterinhisterritory—arighthemostlyusedtoprotectthem
fromthelust-filledattentionsofhispackmembers.Atleastuntilthefemalecouldmakeherchoiceabout
whoshewantedtomatewith.Marcodidn’tbelieveinforcedmatings,notliketheanimalwhoranthe
territorybeforeheandStefantookhimout.Butthetraditionsranstrong,andheusedthemtokeepthings
civilized.Hispackmightliveontheedgesofsociety,buttheydidn’tneedtoactlikesavages.

Thisgirlwassaferunderhisprotection,insidehisterritory,thananywhereelseinthecity.Although

withthewayshe’dkickedthatguy’sass,hehadafeelingshewasusedtotakingcareofherself.

Whichonlymadehiswolfsitupandpantevenmore.
Hewouldhavemorethanonequestionforthisgirlwhenshewokeup.

Juliaawokewithastart,suckingairintoherlungslikeshe’dbeendrowning.

Shewasinatinyroomwithatinycot,lyingonaroughblanket…withabig-assguysittingacross

fromher.Hehadmoremusclesthanshe’dseenonanymanbefore.

Ohshit.
Aglancearoundtheroomshoweditwasjustherandhim—nosignofthekid.Sheshouldn’thave

interfered.Itobviouslydidn’twork,inanyevent,justgotthembothcaptured.

Whatthehellwasshethinking?
Shortanswer:shewasn’t.Shesimplyreactedbecausekidsbeingsnatchedoffthestreetwasfucked

up.

Theguyacrossfromherwasyoung-looking,inspiteofbeingmassivelybroad-shoulderedand

muscular.He’dbeendoingsomethingonhisphonewhenshe’djerkedawake.

Nowheslippeditintohispocket.“Hey,you’reawake.”
Hisplasticchairwasprettyrickety-looking.She’dprobablyonlygetonechanceatthis.
Julialaunchedherselfathim,fullforce—leapingoffthecotandstraight-legkickinghimfullinthe

stomach.Hehuffedastheairwentoutofhim,andhischairskitteredbackandbangedagainstthewall.
Juliafelltotheground,knockedoffbalancebythekick,butshewasprepared.Sheshovedherselftoher
feetasshescrambledforthedoor.

Ifshecouldjustmakeitout—
Hegrabbedherfrombehindrightatthedoor.Shewhirledonhim,curlingherfistandlandingajabto

hisface.Hisheadwhippedtotheside.Shetriedtobringherkneeuptocatchhiminthecrotch,buthe
wasreadyforthat.Hesidesteppedtheblowandpulledherclosewiththosemassivearms.Shestruggled
inhishold,butshecouldn’tgetloose—holycrap,thisguywasstrong.

Hewasn’twearingthemaskanylonger,andthetacticalgearwasgone,butshewassureheplannedto

hurther—thugswhokidnappedkidswereprobablyrapists,too.Herstrugglegainedenergywithher
desperationtobefree,butshewasgettingnowhere—thenheclosedhishandsoverherarms,pinnedthem
tohersides,andwrestledherbackdownontothecot.Hisbulkybodydidtherest,weighingherdown
andmakingherstrugglealmostpointless.

Fuck.
Hehadalittlebitofasmirkonhisface.“Youdon’thavetofightme.”
Ifhethoughtthiswasgoingdownwithoutafight,hewassorelymistaken.
Thenherbeastsurgedup,probablyreactingtothatfeelingofbeingtrapped,thesamewayithad

before,outsidethevan,whenhetranq’dherwithwhateverknockedherout.Itcameupwildandhard—

likeithadwhenshe’dlostcontrolcompletelyandruinedherlife.Thatincidentsentherintothespiral
thatlandedherhere.Shetriedtostopitfromhappeningagainbecause,eventhoughthisguywasprobably
goingtorapeher,shedidn’tknowifshecouldhandlehavinganotherbloodycorpseonherhands.
Literally.Shewasn’tsurehermentalstatecouldtakeit.Likeitmighttipherovertheedge,andshewould
justreverttobeastandnevercomeback.

Shesuckedairthroughherteeth,tryingtocalmherbody,tokeepthewolfinside,butitwasnouse—

thefearandpanicsurged,drivingherwolftothesurface.Sheshiftedrightundertheman,herclawsand
fangscomingoutandrippingrightthroughhisthint-shirt,goingforthesoftfleshthatwasexposedathis
throat.

“Shit,”hehissed,stilltryingtoholdher.Thenheshiftedtoo.
Whatthe…hewasashifter?HolyChrist.Herpanicrampedupevenmore.Sheclawedandbitand

scratched,butinlessthanasecond,hehadherpinned,hisfangstightaroundherthroat.

Shefroze,terrified.
I’mnotgoingtohurtyou,avoicesaidinsideherhead.
Shejerkedwithsurprise.Holyshit.Washegettinginsideherheadtoo?Herheartjack-hammeredin

herchest.

Shiftbacktohuman,andI’llletyougo,thevoicesaid.
Therewasacommandunderthewords,atonethattraveledthroughher,andsomehowherwolf

respondedtoit—likeanorderfromhimwasoneshedidn’twanttodisobey.Itwasthatcommand,more
thananydesireonherpart,thatmadehershiftbacktohumanunderneathhim.

Hebackedoff,shiftinghumanashewent,leavingherlyingnakedandaloneonthecot.Heturnedhis

backonherquickly—butnotbeforeshenoticedhehadaraginghard-on.Whichheseemedtobetryingto
coverup.Shedidn’tunderstandanyofit,notleastwhyherwolfwassafelyrecedingbackintothedepths
ofherbeingsimplybecausehetolditto.

Themankepthisbackturnedashereachedforhisclothes.“Getdressed,”hesaid,hoarsely.“I’mnot

goingtohurtyou.”

Shehesitated,adrenalinestillsweepingwavesthroughherbody,butthenshescrambledtogatherup

herclothes,whichwerelyingonthebednexttoher,leftoverfromtheshift.Sheheldthemagainsther
body,coveringhernakednessandscootingtothefarendofthecot,asfarfromhimasshecouldget.She
wasn’tsurewhethertoputthemonormakeabreakforthedoorwhilehehadhisbackturned.

Heseemedtosenseherhesitation,half-turningtolookatheroutofthecornerofhiseye.“Putyour

clotheson,soIcanturnaround.”Thatcommandtoneagain.Thenhefinishedgettingdressedbyslipping
hisshreddedt-shirtoverhisheadandcoveringupthebroad,well-muscledexpanseofhisback.Ifhewas
goingtorapeher,itdidn’tmakemuchsenseforhimtogetdressed.

Shehastilystartedslippingherclothesbackon.“Youcan’tkeepmehere.”Shetriedtosoundawhole

lottougherthanshefelt.

“I’mnotholdingyouprisoner.”Hesnuckanotherglanceather,thenlookedaway.
Shewasn’tfinisheddressing.“Where’sthekid?Whatdidyoudowithhim?”Sheslippedhert-shirt

overherhead,finallyfullydressed.

Heturnedtofaceher.“Thekid’snameisEthan.Andhe’soutsidedoinghishomework.”Hiseyes

wererakingoverher,checkingherout,buthiswordsconfusedher—whokidnapsakidandthenmakes
himdohishomework?

“Idon’tunderstandwhat’sgoingonhere.”Shecrossedherarmsoverherchestandtuckedherlegs

up,justincasethatexamininggazemadehimdecidetoattackheragain.Although,tobefair,shewasthe
onewhohadattackedfirst.

“What’sgoingonhereisthatyoutriedtorescueEthanfrombeingkidnapped,”hesaid,stilllooking

herover.“Thatwasaprettybravethingtodo.Anditdidn’tseemrighttoletthebadguyshaulyouoff,

oncetheyknockedyouout.”

Shenarrowedhereyes.“So,you’renotthe…”Herbrainwasalittlefuzzyonthefight.Therewereso

manyofthemandsomuchhappening.Shevaguelyrememberedsomeoneelserushinguptothescene,but
shewastoobusyfightingforherlifetoreallyknow.“You’renottheguywhowastryingtokidnapthe
kid?”

Theguyshookhishead.“I’mtheguywhostoppeditfromhappening.”Thatlittlebitofthesmirkwas

back.“Withyourhelp.”

Hewasyounglikeher,maybetwenty-one,withafresh-facedlook,inspiteofallthemuscles.His

darkblueeyesblazedashesweptalookoverheragain,onlythistimeherwolfwasn’tafraid—hisgaze
wasn’thostile.Curiousandquestioning,maybe.Definitelyinterested,butrestrained.Histallanddark
sexinesswasundeniable…especiallynowthathewasn’tattackingher,andapparently,hadrescuedher
fromthepeoplewhowere.

“Myname’sMarcoWilding.Whatyours?”
Shehesitated,butwhatharmcoulditdoatthispoint?“Julia.”Sheleftoffthelastname,hopinghe

wouldn’tpush.

Hegaveanodofapprovalthat,inexplicably,madeherfaceheat.Herwolfwasrespondingtohim…

stirringupandgettingagitated,butnotinanegativeway.Whichwascompletelystrange—sofar,herwolf
onlycameoutwhenshewascompletelyfreaked.Thenittookoverandturnedherintoabeastwildlyout
ofcontrol.

Theguy,Marco,gaveherasmallsmile.“You’reundertheprotectionofmypacknow.Ifthoseguys

comeback,we’lldoeverythingwecantokeepthemfromsnatchingyou,liketheytriedtodowithEthan.
Butmaybeyoucantellmewhatyou’redoinginmyterritoryinthefirstplace?”Hewipedatrailofblood
fromthecornerofhismouth,lookedatthesmearonthebackofhishand,andshookhishead.Thesmile
grew.

Thatsmile—plusthefactthathisshreddedt-shirtdidn’tcoverallthosemuscleshehadunderneath—

perkedupherwolf’sattentionevenmore.Andmadeherbellyclench,lowanddeep.Whatthehell?Was
shelustingafteraguywhohadjustsort-of-maybeattackedher?

Onlyhehadn’t,notreally.
Shemusthavestumbledontooneoftheshiftergangs.Shereallyshould’vebeenmorecareful,for

Christ’ssake.Itwasn’tlikeshedidn’tknowthisareawascontrolledbyonegangoranother.

Inherdefense,she’dbeenprettywellpreoccupiedwithotherthings.
“Ididn’tknowthiswasyourterritory.”Shescootedtotheedgeofthebed,stillkeepingherdistance

fromhim,butslowlystandingup.“I’lljustbeonmywaynow…”Shemadeamoveforthedoor.

Heslidovertoblockherpath.
Okay…“IthoughtyousaidIwasn’taprisoner.”Sheliftedherchinindefiance.
Heseemedtobefightingasmile.“You’renot.AndIpityanyonewhotriestoholdyouwhereyou

don’twanttostay.”Thenhisfacegotseriousagain.“Look,ifyoudon’twanttotellmewhyyou’reinmy
territory,that’sfine.Shifterslandhereallthetimeforallsortsofreasons,andIreallydon’tneedtoknow
thedetails.WhatIneedtoknowis,areyoustaying?Orareyoujustpassingthrough?”

Shefrowned.Thetruthwas,shedidn’tknowwhatshewasdoing.“I…Ilostmyjob.I’vebeenkind

of…livingonthestreetsforawhile.”Thatwascloseenoughtothetruth.“I’mjustlayinglow.Youknow,
tryingtokeepofftheradaroflocallawenforcement.”Wouldhemakeherexplain?Orworse,turnherin?
Somehow,shefeltlikethisguycouldpeerintoherandseealotmorethanshewassayingoutloud.

Heliftedaneyebrow.“Copsandshiftersgenerallyaren’tfriends.”
Shenodded,waitingformore.Buthewasn’tpressingit.“Goodtoknow.”
Hefrownedandlookedheroveragain,likehewascheckingheroutormaybetryingtofigureherout.

Andholycrap,herbodyrespondedtothatblue-eyedgaze.Especiallywhenhebithislip.Withthe

thoroughlymasculinewayhewaslookingather,andtherestrainedwantinhiseyes…wastheroomjust
heatingupbytendegrees,orwhat?Whywasshehavingthiskindofresponsetoamanshedidn’teven
know?Evennormalguys—niceguys,guysshehadactuallydatedandliked—didn’tbringupthiskindof
instant,flaming-hotlust.Wasshejustsotiredandwornoutandfreakedoutbybeingontherunthather
systemwascompletelywhacked?

Jesus,shehadtopullherselftogether.
“Isitsafetoassumeyou’reunmated?”Hiseyeswerealivewithinterest.
Unmated?Whatthehell?Thathadtobeawolfthing.“Thatseemslikekindofapersonalquestion.”
Hesmiledwideandseemedtobefightingbackalaugh.“Yes,Isupposeitis.”
Shecouldn’tdecideifshewantedtosmackthatsmirkoffhisface…orpossiblykissitoff.Whatwas

wrongwithher?

“Look,I…”Shehesitated,buttherecouldn’tbeanyharmintellinghim.Ithadtobeobviousalready.

“IjustfoundoutIwasawolf,okay?Nottoolongago.So,youknow,I’mnotuponalltheterminology.”

Hisforeheadwrinkledinsurprisedamusement.“Terminology?”
“Whatever.”Okay,maybeitwasamistaketotellhim.Sheglancedatthedoor.Couldshereallyjust

walkout?Orwouldhestopheragain?

Hishandswentout,andhewasdoinganadmirablejobofholdingbackhislaugh.“Sorry.Ijust…that

wasn’twhatIexpectedyoutosay.”Heturnedserious.“So...I’mgoingtoassumeyou’renotmated.
Becauseifyouwere,well,you’dunderstandwhyIwasasking.”

Sheshruggedoneshoulder,buthistalkofmatingwasflushingheattoherface…andsomehow,

improbably,betweenherlegsaswell.She’dnevermetanothershifterface-to-facebefore—wereall
thesecrazymixed-upsignalsawolfthing?

Asifsheneededanymoreinsanityinherlife.“Okay,soyeah.IguessI’munmated.Whatever.”She

duckedherheadandstaredatthefloor.Sheneededtogetherbearings,getoutofprettyboy'slittleroom,
andfigureoutwhathernextstepwas.She’dbeeninthemiddleoftryingtofindawayoffthestreetswhen
she’drunintothekidsituation.Sheneededtogetbackontrackwiththat…

Marcoedgedcloser.“Look,I’mthealphahere.I’mresponsibleforprotectingunmatedfemales.So

you’resafewithme,andyou’resafewhileyou’reinmydomain.Butifyou’rethinkingofleaving…don’t.
Atleastforalittlewhile.Youwanttolielow?Lielowwithus.Besides,you’regoingtoneedprotection
—thosethugsknowwhoyouarenow.I’massumingyou’veheardofaguycalledtheWolfHunter?”

Ofcourse,shehad.Itwasalloverthenews.Nothingquitelikediscoveringyou’reawolfatthesame

timeamaniacstartshuntingthem.Plustherewassomekindofsocialuprisinghappeningwithhategroups
bombingshifters.

Shejustnoddedherhead.
“Well,thoseguysthatattackedyou?I’mprettysurethey’reworkingfortheWolfHunter.AndI’m

reallygratefultoyouforstallingthem—ifyouhadn’t,theyprobablywouldhavetakenEthan.Hewould
haveendedupthesamewayastheothers.”

“There’vebeenothers?”Shefrowned.“Whathappenedtothem?”
Hescowled.“They’redead.Anditwasn’taneasydeath,either.”
Shegrimaced.God,whywastheworldsofuckingcrazy?Andshe’dnearlybeencapturedbythose

maniacs,aswell.Herstomachdidaflip,andherheadfeltlight.Shehadn’teateninhowlong?Foreverit
seemed.Forever-longdaysofwandering,terrifiedofherownbeast,afraidshe’dgetcaught…damn,she
wassolostwithallthis…

“Hey,it’sgoingtobeallright.”Somehow,thereassuringtoneofhisvoicemadeherbelieveit.Even

thoughherlifewasfar,farfrombeingallright.“You’resafeherewithmeandmypack.It’stheleastwe
candoforyou.ForsavingEthan.”Hehesitated,peeringather.“Yousaidyou’renewtobeingawolf,
right?”

Shenoddedagain,stillfeelingdazed.Shouldshestay?Withapackofwolves?Didthatevenmake

sense?Shecouldn’ttellupfromdownrightnow.

“MaybeIcouldteachyoualittlebitaboutit.Youknow,howtobeawolf?Yourwolfdidn’tseem,

well,verymuchincontrol.Nooffense.”

Again,thatheatrisingtoherface.Whywasshesostirreduparoundthisguy?Andwhatwasshe

doing,eventhinkingaboutstaying?HemayhavesavedherfromahorriblefatewiththeWolfHunter—
thatdidn’tmeansheneededtostickaround.Orthatstayingwasagoodidea.

“Whywouldyouhelpme?”sheasked,frowning.
Allhiscoolconfidenceseemedtofleelikethatquestionmadehimuncomfortable.Hedroppedhis

gazetothefloorandsearcheditforamoment.Thenhenoddedalittletohimselflikehewasdeciding
something.Whenhelookedup,hesaidwithconfidence,“Wewolvesneedtosticktogether.”

Shekeptthefrown.Really?Shewasn’tsureshewasbuyingthat.
“It’salwaysbeendangerousforshifters,”hecontinued,“butit’sevenworsenow.Youshouldlielow

hereattheshelteruntilyougetonyourfeetagain.Thenit’suptoyoutodecideifthisisaplaceyouwant
tostay.”

Acoolrushspreadthroughoutherchest—itfeltalotlikerelief.She’dbeenrunningandrunning…and

now…maybeshecouldjuststopforawhile.Catchherbreath.Getbackonherfeet,likethisMarco
personwassaying.Apparentlyhewasthealpha,sopresumablyhehadtheauthoritytobackuphis
promisesaboutprotection.Shedidn’tknowmuchaboutwolvesorpacksorshifters,butsheknewthe
alphawasincharge.

Andshereallywasflatoutofluck.Maybebeingawolfwould,forachange,besomethingthatwould

helpher.

“Yeah.Maybe.”Itsoundedashesitantasshefelt.
Buthesmiledbroadlyinresponse.Thenhestrodetothedoor,pulleditopen,andcalledtosomeone

outside.Hewaitedamomentatthedoor,andthenthekidcamein—Ethan,theoneshehadtriedtorescue.

Hewasprettydarncute,tow-headedandlookingallbashful.Hiseyeswerewideashelookedupat

her,andhishandsweregraspingabunchofflowersthathadtobeweeds.

“Ethan,thisisJulia,”Marcointroducedthemwithabarelyrepressedsmile.
Ethansteppedforward,holdingouttheflowerswithoutsayingaword.
Shecouldn’thelpbutsmile.“They’relovely.”Shetookthemfromhishands.“Thankyou.”
Ethansteppedback,thenshotalooktoMarco,whonoddedencouragingly.ToJulia,Ethansaid,

“Thankyouforsavingme.IpromiseIwillalwaysprotectyouwithmylife.”

Marcocouldn’tholdinthesnort.“Okay,allright,Ethan.”Herestedhishandsonthekid’sshoulders

andturnedhimbacktowardthedoor.“Ms.Julia’sgoingtostickaroundforalittlewhile—whydon’tyou
gofindhersomethingtoeat?”

Ethannoddedjerkilyandpracticallyranoutthedoor.
Marcoturnedbacktoherwithasmirk.“Lookslikeyouhaveafan.”Thesmiledroppedoffhisface,

andtheheatedlooksweptoverheragain.Marcoclearedhisthroat.“Anyway,I’msurehe’llbebackina
minute.Iapologizeinadvanceforthequalityofthefood.Wemakedowithwhatwehavearoundhere.”

Shedidn’tknowquitewhattodowiththat…butitwasagenerosityshewasinnopositiontoturn

down.AndwiththesoftlookMarcowasgivingher,asheheldopenthedoor…maybeshe’dluckedinto
justwhatsheneeded.

Asafeplacetohide.
Alittlefoodtoeat.
Maybeevenawaytocontrolthisbeastthathadtakenoverherbody…andherlife.
ShestrodeoutthedoortoseewhatfoodEthanwasrustlingupforher.

Marcostrodequicklyintohisroomandclosedthedoor.

HisbodystillhummedfromhiswrestlingfightwithJulia,andhiswolfwaswhiningaboutleavingher

behindwiththerestofthepackinthediningarea.ButshewasbusytuckingintothesandwichesEthan
broughtlikeshehadn’teateninaweek,andMarconeededtogetagriponhimself.

Hiswolfwaslustingforherbad.
Ifhehungaroundthetablewithheranylonger,thenear-constanttighteninginhispantswasgoingto

givehimaway.Thosebeautifulbrowneyes.Thosefulllips.Hercascadingbrownhairandpale,perfect
skin.Nottomentionthathe’dseenhernakedtwicenow,andhe’dwrestledhertothebed—itwasmore
thanenoughtodrivehiswolfwild.Whichhedidn’treallyunderstand.He’dseenplentyofbeautiful
females,humanandwolf,butwiththerestofthem,hedidn’thavetokeepplayingmentalgamesto
preventhiscockfromtentingouthispants.

Heneededtocalmthehelldownbeforehespentanymoretimewithher.
Hisroomwastheperfectplacetogethisheadstraightagain.Mostofthepackwholivedattheshelter

sleptinthebarracks.Roomswithadoorwereusedforstorage,withafewlocked-dooronesthatcouples
couldcheckoutforprivacy.Marcowasoneofthefewwhohadaroomofhisown.Andrightnowhe
wantednothingmorethantohaulJuliabackhereandshoveherupagainstawallandmakelovetoher.

Hescrubbedbothhandsoverhisface.Whatthehellwaswrongwithhim?
Beforehegottoofarinfiguringthatout,hisdoorflewopen.
Therewereonlytwopeoplewhowouldbargeintohisroomwithoutknocking—StefanandIsabel.

AndevenStefanknewbetter.

Isabelflewacrosstheroom,slammingthedoorshutbehindherandthrowingherarmsaroundhim.

“God,Marco.”Shehuggedhimtight.“Stefantoldme.”

Stefantoldherwhat?MarcohopeditwasabouttheWolfHunter’smen—nothimdroolingoverthe

girlwhofoughtthemoff.Hepulledback—hiserectionwasn’tquitetamed,andhedidn’twantIsabel
figuringthatout,either.

“I’mfine,”hesaidhoarsely.“Wejust—”
Butthenshekissedhim.Hergorgeousbodymeltingagainsthis,hersoftarmsslidingaroundhisneck,

herwarmlipsonhim…andsuddenlyhiserectionwasragingback.Hisbodycouldn’thelpreacting.And
thewayshewasgrindingagainsthim…shehadtofeelallofit.

Heshouldn’twantherlikethis,notcomingofftheheatoflustingafteranothergirl,butshewas

diggingherhandsintohisshouldersandmakingsmallbreathysounds.Hewalkedherbacktothedoor
andpressedherbodyagainstit.Thefeelofheragainsthimmadehimmoan.

Theyhadmadelovebefore—itwasn’tlikethiswouldbethefirsttime—butitwasalwayslikethis.

Himinneedofsomekindofrelief,knowingshewouldn’tmind.Hercomingafterhim,wantingtobehis
mate.Itwaslustandstressreliefandhormones…itwassex,notlovemaking.

Butheshouldmakelovetoher.Hell,heshouldclaimherrightnow,likehe’dbeenputtingoffforever.

Hehadtotakeamate,andbyallrights,itshouldbeIsabel.She’dbeenwaitingforeverforhimto
decide…heshouldn’tkeepstringingheralongwiththisoccasionalfriends-with-benefitsbusinessthey
hadgoing.

Heputmoreenthusiasmintohiskiss,crushingheragainstthedoor,knowingshelikedithardlikethat.

Sheansweredwithamoananddugherhandsintohishair.Hishandsworkedunderherclothesandlifted
herlegsupoverhishipstowraparoundhisback.

Everyoneassumedshewouldbehismate.Everyoneinthepacklovedher,andshewasoneofthetwo

peoplehelovedmost,whostoodbyhimfromthestart—IsabelandStefanwereeverythingtohim.They’d
rescuedherfromtheassholealphawhorantheterritorybefore,andthatguyhadtakenherwithaforced
mating.SowhenMarcotookhisplaceasalpha,he’dmadeitveryclearhewasn’tlookingforamate.Not
rightaway,atleast.

Hewantedhertoknowshehadachoice.
Only…shechosetostay.Andafterthat,thethreeofthemwerethickasthieves.Then…overtime,

everyonceinawhile…Marcofoundhimselfinbedwithher.Itjusthappened.Notoften,butenough.And
alwayslikethis—intheheatofthemoment,whentensionswerehigh,andtheybothneededsomekindof
relief,areleasefromthestressandtheworry.

Aquickcouplingthatleftthembothbreathlessbutsated.
Marcodidn’tgetmuchactionotherwise.Hewasn’tthekindofalphatosleepwitheveryunmated

femaleunderhisprotection.ButwithIsabel,itwasdifferent.Shewouldn’tgossip.Shewouldn’tbrag.
Shewassafe.Andalwayswilling,alwayshappytobewithhim,withoutexpectations,without
demandingthathematewithher.

Butthatwasn’twhathewanted.Notreally.
Thelustsurgingthroughhisbodyandcompellinghimtorunhishandsunderherclotheswasactually

foranotherwoman.HisbodywaspressedagainstIsabel,hishandsandmouthwrenchingmoansoutof
her,buthismind…hismindwasbackintheinterrogationroom,ontopofaverynakedandfeistyJulia.

Andthatwasn’tright.
Marcopulledback,unlockingIsabel’slegsfromaroundhimandholdingheratarm’slength.She

blinkedandfrownedinconfusion.Herlipswereswollenfromhiskiss—theguiltofthatstabbedthrough
him.

Shedeservedbetterthanthis.Isabelwashisfriend,andhetrulylovedher,justlikehedidStefan.He

justwasn’tinlovewithher.Hehadnoideahowtotellherthat.

Marcoclearedhisthroat,releasinghertorubahandacrossthebackofhisneck.“Thisisn’tagood

time,Isa.”

Shefrownedevenmoreanddroppedapointedglanceathiscock.“Seemslikeagoodtime.”She

wasn’tjudginghim,justnotinghowhewasactingcrazy.

Hecouldn’thelpgivingasmalllaugh.“I’mjust…youknowhowitisafterafight.Sometimesitgets

you…”Hecoughedthroughtheawkwardness.“Alittleworkedup.”

Shestraightenedherclothes,andhecouldn’ttellifthefrownonherfacewasdisappointmentor

somethingelse.“Isthisaboutthatgirl?”

Shit.Stefanhadbeentalking.“No,”hesaidquickly.Whenshearchedaneyebrow,headded,“Okay,

maybe,alittle…butnotinthewayyou’rethinking.”Onlyitwasthewayshewasthinking.Isabelwastoo
smartandsavvynottoseethroughhisbullshit.She’dbeenabusedoveraspanofyearsbyahorrible,
horribleman.Shehadafinelytunedbullshitdetector.ButthelastthingMarcoeverwantedtodowashurt

her…moreguiltstabbedthroughhim.WhatcouldhesayabouthisreactiontoJulia,whenhehadn’teven
figureditouthimself?

Shestraightenedalittle.“Ionlycameintocheckonyou,butifthisisn’tagoodtime…”Sheturned

towardthedoortoleave.

Hereachedforher.“Isabel,wait.”
Sheturnedback,lookinguncertain,andalittleafraid—notofhim,atleasthedidn’tthinkso.More

likeshewasafraidhewasrejectingher…andthen,wherewouldshebeinthehierarchyofthepack?But
thatwassomethingheneverwantedhertoquestion.

Hetookhershouldersgentlyinhishands.“I’msorryI’mrunninghotandcold.Thiswholethingwith

Ethanbeingalmostsnatched,andthisgirlwhocan’tcontrolherwolf,it’sgotmealltwistedup.I’mjust
worried,that’sall.”

Shenoddedbutdidn’tsayanything.
Hepeeredather.“Ineedyourhelp.Youknowthat,right?YouandStefan—you’remyrightandleft

hands.Ican’tdoanythingwithoutyou.”

Thatseemedtomakeherrelax.Whichonlyreinforcedhisbeliefthatshewasworriedaboutherplace

inthepack.Andwhetherhewouldtakeherforamate—ornot.

Hedroppedhishandsfromhershouldersandleanedbackalittle.“I’vealsobeenfeelingthepressure

totakeamate.”Helookedherstraightintheeyestogaugeherresponse.

Theywentalittlewide,butherlipswerepressedtight.They’dnevertalkedopenlyaboutitbefore.

Isabelwastheonlysensiblechoice—Juliawasn’tevenpartofhispack,andnoneoftheotherhalf-dozen
unmatedfemaleswereremotelyinterestingtohim.Severalofthemkeptwaitinginthewings,hopinghe
mightpickthemsomeday,eventhoughheencouragedthemtochooseanothermate.

Isabel…heneverhaddiscussedit.Notevenonce.
“WhoeverItakeforamate,”Marcosaid,peeringintohereyesagain,“there’ssomethingIwantyouto

know.”

Herfacewasinscrutable,holdingback,distant.Hedidn’tlikethatdistanceatall.
“Nomatterwhathappens,”hesaid,“you’realwaysgoingtobeoneofmybestfriends.Youand

Stefan,both.Doyouunderstandme?”

Hershouldersslumped,andhecouldn’ttellifitwasreliefordisappointment.“Thisisaboutthegirl,

isn’tit?”

“No!”Hethrewhishandsout.God,hejustcouldn’ttalkhiswayoutofthis.“Thisisabouttellingyou

howmuchIcareforyou,eventhoughIhaven’tyetclaimedyouforamate.”

Hereyeswentroundandsoft.“Iknowyoucareforme,Marco.Therehasn’tbeenaminuteinthelast

threeyearsI’vedoubtedthat.”

Threeyears.Christ,haditbeenthatlong?Threeyearsshe’dbeenwaitingforhim…threeyearshe’d

beenoccasionallytakinghertobed,butnevermakingitrightwithher.

Theguiltwasahotpokerthroughhischest.Hegrimacedwiththepainofit.Howcrushedwasshe

goingtobewhenhefinallytoldherno?Wasthatwherethiswasgoing?Washejustputtingoffthe
inevitable?

Shewaspeeringathim,butwithcuriositythistime.“You’reinterestedinher,aren’tyou?”
Shit.“Okay,yes,Ifindherinteresting,”Marcogrumbled.“Andshe’sgoingtostickaround.Sheneeds

helptamingherwolf,andshecouldbeanassettothepack.”

Isabelwasfrowning,butnoddingatthesametime.“Itsoundslikewecouldusetheextrahelp,”she

said,changingthesubject.ThankGod.“Stefansaysyouwanttosetuppatrolseverywhereinthe
territory.”

“Ican’tstandthethoughtofuslosinganyoneelse.Andwiththesemonstersgoingafterthekids…”
Herfrownevaporated.“HowisEthandoing?Ihaven’thadachancetocheckinonhim.”

Marcoventuredasmallsmile.“Well,he’sinlovewiththegirlwhorescuedhim,”hesaidwitha

smirk.“Can’treallyblamehimforthat.”Thenthesmilediedasherealizedwhathewassaying—thathe
understoodwhyEthanwassmittenwithJulia.Heclearedhisthroat.“Anyway,Idon’twanttheschoolto
resumeoperationuntilwe’vegotsomethingmoresecuresetup.”

Isabelnodded.“I’llhavesomelessonshanddeliveredtotheirhomesortheirbunksintheshelterfor

thenextcoupledaysuntilwegetthissortedout.”

Marcohadputherinchargeofmakingsurethepupsgotwhattheyneeded,withtheschooland

everythingelse,andshewasexcellentatit.Shehadawarmempathythatwasanaturalattractorforthe
kids,butshewasalsoneverafraidtolethimknowiftheyneededsomething.Shewasalwayswillingto
speakhermind.Totellhimthetruth.

Itwasoneofthethingshelovedabouther.
“Thankyou,”Marcosaid.“Foreverything.Includingnotscratchingmyfaceofffor,youknow…”He

tiltedhisheadtowardthedoor,wherehe’dbeenlustfullypawingatherbody.

Shesmiledalittle,butitwasmoresadthanflirtatious.Whichspearedanotherdaggerofguiltthrough

him.Shereallywasanamazingperson.HeshouldgetoverwhateverhisinfatuationwithJuliawasabout
andclaimIsabelforhismate.IfonlyIsabeldrovehimwildthewayJuliadid…“Listen,Ijustneeda
littlemoretimetosortoutthismatingthing—”

Hewascutoffbythedoorswingingopenagain.ItwasStefan.Marconeededtohaveaserioustalk

withthetwoofthemaboutbustingintohisroom.

“Whatthehell,Stefan?”Marcosnarled.“Doesacloseddoormeannothingtoyou?”
Stefanhadaclutchofpapersinhishand,buthereeledback,dartinglooksbetweenhimandIsabel.

“Oh!Sorry.”Hisfacedarkened,andhescowledattheground.“Ididn’tmeantointerrupt.Icancome
back.”

Great,nowhewasyellingatStefan.ButbeforeMarcocouldbacktrack,IsabelsteppeduptoStefan

andputahandonhisshoulder.“You’renotinterrupting,”shesaidsoftly.

Stefanlookedather,thenglancedatMarco.
“Iwasjustleaving,”Isabelsaid,herexpressioncoolallofasudden.
Andthenshewasgone.
Fuck.He’dcompletelyblownthemomentwithher.Nottomentionhischancetotalktoherabout

mating.Ornotmating.Whatamess.

Stefanfrownedandwatchedhergo,thenturnedbacktoMarco.“Somethingwrong?”Hisvoicewas

tentative,waslikehedidn’twanttoknow.

Marcoshookhishead.“Otherthanbeingmyusualidiotself?No.”Heliftedhischintowardthe

papersinStefan’shand.“Whatdoyouhaveforme?”

“Schedules,”hesaid,stillfrowning.“Butwecancoverthemlater.”
“No.Iwantthisrollingassoonaspossible.”
Forawhile,Marcotriedtoimmersehimselfinpackbusinessandforgetaboutthetwowomenwho

wererilinghimup.Buthisthoughtskeptdrifting…andlandingontheimageofagirlwithhoney-brown
hair.

“Comeon,youcandoit.”Marcowastauntingherfromthesafetyofhiscouch.

Theywereinthemiddleofadusty,abandonedfurniturestore.Herwolf’senhancedsensesdetected

lotsofleftoverstinky-kidsmell,agedwoodfurniturepolish,andacottonyscent,likebedding.The
cavernousshowroomfloorwasmostlyemptyofthefurnitureitusedtohouse—therewasabasketball
hoopatthefarend,acoupleofcouchesarrangedinoddspots,andarowofmattressesliningonewall.
Marcotoldherthekidsinhispackuseditasanindoorgymduringthewintertime.Hehadbroughther
heretopractice—tohelpherlearnhowtocontrolherwolf—butshecould’vetoldhimitwasuseless.

“It’snotlikeI’mnottrying.”Juliaparkedherhandsonherhips,feetplantedwide,andglaredat

Marco.Hislarge,muscularformwasloungingonthecouch,allsupineandsexyasherelaxed.Andthat
cockyhalfgrindidn’thelptheheatrisinginherface.

“Tryagain.”Marcoeaseduptosittingandlacedhishandsinfront,givingheramoreearnestlook.

“Closeyoureyesandfocusonsummoningyourwolf.”

Shedroppedherhandsfromherhips,flexedthem,andtriedagain,justtohumorhim.Sheclosedher

eyesandtriedtopictureherwolf,butallshegotwereredhotflashesofanger,moreredintheformof
blood,andanimagethatmadeherphysicallyflinch.

Shepoppedopenhereyes.“It’snotworking,”shegroundout.“Besides,it’snotlikeit’ssomethingI

enjoydoing.”

Marcofrownedandrosetohisfeet,takingastepcloser.“Whynot?”
Julialookedawayfromthoseintenseblueeyes.Itwasn’tlikeshecouldtellhimthetruth.“Look,this

reallyisn’tagoodidea.Mywolfisn’tsomethingyouwanttosee.Howaboutifwejustletitgo?”

“That’swhereyou’rewrong.”Marcotookastepcloserandputahandonhershoulder.
Histouchwasheatingherup,fromhercheekstoherladyparts—itwassuchasuddenrush,thatshe

reflexivelyleanedintoit.Whensherealizedwhatshewasdoing,shepulledaway—butthatwassucha
jerkymotion,itlookedawkward.“Sorry.”Notthatshemindedhimtouchingher,notreally,whichwas
surprisinginitself.Everythingaboutthisboy—man;hewasdefinitelyonehundredpercentmasculine
male—hypedherup.

Marco’sfrowngrewdeeper.“Yourwolfisyou.Andshe’sbeautifulandkickass.Believeme,I’ve

seenherinaction,twicenow.”

Juliajustshookherhead.Herwolfhadseriouslymessedupherlife—alifethatshehadbeenfinally

pullingoutoftheashes.Shehadbeenworkingonhertechnologydegree—sure,itwasonlyatthe
communitycollegebecausethatwasallshecouldafford,butshewasstudyingextrahardandgetting
everythingshecouldoutofeverylastdollaroftuitionmoney.

Andthenherwolfhaddestroyedeverything.
Marco’sexpressionsoftened.“Youdon’tknowmuchaboutwolves,doyou,kickassgirl?Wheredid

youcomefrom?Whatlandedyouhereinmyterritory?”

Shesuckedairbetweenherteeth—ifheknewthetruth,he’dprobablykickherout.Andshereally

coulduseaplacetostay,atleastforalittlewhile.“Let’sjustsayIhadaroughchildhood.Myfatherwas
ashifter,mymotherwasahuman,butmyfatherdidn’tstickaround.Ihadalotofstepfathersgrowingup,
whichisjustasnastyasyoucanprobablyimagine.”

Juliaglancedaroundtheabandonedstore—Marcoseemedtotakecareofthekidshere.Hewas

apparentlyalphaofthepack,whichsheguessedmadehimlikeasurrogatedad.Fromwhatlittleshe’d
seen,hewasalreadyabetterdadthananyoftheonesshe’deverhad.

Marcowasbacktofrowning,buthehadn’tbackedoff.Ifanything,he’dtakenastepcloser,buthe

wasn’ttouchingher.“Wegetalotofthathere.Mybackgroundisabitcomplicated,too.Ididn’tgrowup
aroundhere.”

Sheraisedaneyebrow.“SecretrunawayfromBellevueHeights?”
Marcosnortedalaughandgrinnedwickedlyather.GoodGod,thatsmile…shecouldn’tlookaway,

anditwasheatingherupagain,likehewasadamnfurnacethatsparkedwildfiresinsideherbody
wheneverhewasclose.

“That’snotveryfarfromthetruth,actually,”hesaidwithasmirk.“Daddywasfamousforhis

inventionsandadot-commillionairebeforeheturnedthirty…whichonlymadehimacompleteasshole.”

Shefrowned,andhersurgeofconcernforhimcaughtheroffguard.HadMarcobeenabusedasakid?

Becausethatshitmadeherwanttounleashherwolfonwhoeverwasresponsibleforit.“Believeme,I
understandabouthowthingsaren’talwaysasgoodastheyappearontheoutside.”

Sheheardsomethinglikeasmallrumblecomefrominsidehischest.“Idon’tknowwhathappenedto

you,withthestepfathersorwhateverlandedyouhere,butIwantyoutoknowthis—nothing’sgoingto
hurtyoueveragain,notsolongasIhaveanythingtodowithit.”

Julia’slipsparted,justfromtheshockofthatoverwhelmingprotectivenessthatrolledoffhimlikea

heatwave.Thethingwas,itwasn’tbullshit.Shecouldtell.Hemeanteveryword.

“Youdon’thavetotellmewhathappenedtoyou,”Marcosaid,softly.“ButIwanttotellyoumydark

familysecret.Justsoyouknow,ImeanwhatIsay.”Heswallowedandthenwenton.“Myfatherwasrich
andhandsomeandafuckingalphawolfwithallthepheromonesandattitudethatgoalongwiththat.He
could’vehadhispickofwomen—humanorwolf—buthedidn’twanttheoneswhowereclamoringfor
hismoney.Oreventhedecentoneswhoforsomereasoncouldn’tseehewasacompleteasshole.No,
therewasonefemalewolfthathesethissightson,andifthere’sanythingmyfathergets,it’sanythinghe
wants.Soheboughther.”

Juliahadbeenlisteningwithhermouthslightlyagape,butthenshenearlychokedonherreflexive

reactiontothatword.“Boughther?Howdoesthatevenwork?”

Marcosnarled.“Justlikeitsounds,andtwiceasugly.Mymotherwasyoung,stillpledgedtoher

father’spack.Myfathermadeasubstantialdonationtoherfather’sbankaccount.Herfatherarrangedfor
hertobealonewithhim.That’sallittookforaforcedmating.”

Julialeanedback,herdisgustreachingherface.“Forced?”
Marcoshookhisheadandgrittedhisteeth.“Matingisamagicalbondbetweenthefemalewolfand

themalewolf,”heexplained.“It’ssupposedtobemagicthatbindsthetwotogetherforlife,enhancingthe
magicwithineachofthem,andbuildinguponasolidfoundationoflove.Fortruemates,it’sthebestthing
theywilleverexperience.Butifyou’renotatruemate,andespeciallyifyou’reforcedintothesituation,
it’smuchmorelikeaprison.Amagicalprison.Thatlastsforlifeandthatyoucanneverbreakfreeof
untildeathbreaksthebond.”

Julia’sfacewasstuckinamaskofhorror.“Charming.”

“It’smagic.It’showitworks.Butitcanbereallyfuckedup.That’swhyStefanandIgotridofthe

prioralphahereinmyterritory.Ifoughtandkilledthatbastardtomakethathappen.Andtofreehis
people,especiallythewomen—themanywomen—hewasmatedto.Hewasafuckingassholewho
collectedfemaletrophies.”

“Um,”Juliasaid,stillreeling.“Ifthat’swhatbeingawolfis,I’mthinkingIwantnothingtodowith

it.”Shetookastepback.

Marcoreachedoutahand.Itlandedonherarm,justalighttouchthatkeptherfromgoingtoofar.“It’s

notsupposedtobelikethat.Whenyoufindyourtruemate,thematingbondisthebestthingthatwillever
happentoyou.Youdeservethat,Julia—it’syourbirthrightasawolf.AndI’mgoingtomakesurethatno
matterwhatelsehappens,youaren’tforcedintomatingwithsomeoneyoudon’tlove.I’mtellingyouthis
justsothatyouunderstandhowstronglyIfeelaboutit.Andhowmywordisn’tjustapromise—it’s
somethingI’vebackedupwithbloodinthepast.”

Hereyeswentalittlewide,butagainshehadthatfeeling—Marcohadapassionthatradiatedfrom

himwhenhewastalkingaboutthingshebelievedin.And,apparently,oneofthosethingswasprotecting
her.Whichwoundheruptightanddeliciouslydeepinside.Maybethatwaswhyshewassocrazyinlust
wheneverhewaswithintenfeet.Maybesomehowshesensedthatdeepwellofrighteousness—of
goodness—insidehim.Giventhatalltheothermeninherlifewereassholes,Juliafeltdrawntothisinner
lightofMarco’slikeamothtoalamp.

Shejusthopeditwouldn’tburnher.
“Ireallyappreciatethatyou’ve…”Shewasn’tquitesurehowtosayit.“Thatyou’relookingoutfor

me.Especiallyrightnow.I’mkindofinatightspot.”

“It’smypleasure.”Shehadafeelinghemeantthat,too.Maybeinmorewaysthanone.Whichmade

hersquirmagain.

“Sohowaboutyou?”sheasked.“Doyouhaveamate?”
Hiseyesblazed,buthisfacewasdeadlyserious.“That’ssortoftheQuestionoftheMoment.”Ather

quizzicallook,headded,“Themagicofthematingbondenhancesthemagicalpowersofbothmates.
Takingamateliterallystrengthensthealphaofapack,makeshimmoreabletocommandandlead,as
wellasmakinghimphysicallystronger.Therehasbeensomeunspokenpressureformetotakeamatefor
awhilenow.”

Shefrowned.“Sowhydon’tyou?Obviously,youwouldneverforcesomeone.Haveyoujustnot

foundsomeonewhowantstobeyourmate?”Shecouldn’treallyimaginethatbeingtrue—Marcowas
sexyashell,powerfulandconfident,andclearlyincharge.Therehadtobewomenfallingalloverhim.

Hegaveasmall,ruefullaugh.“No,Ikindofhavetheoppositeproblem.Whichmakesmesoundlike

anasshole.”Hissmilefaded.“Therearelotsofwomenwhowanttomatewithme.Full-bloodedwolves,
veryniceladies,nothingwrongwiththem.ButnooneI’vewantedtobindtome,forever,irretrievably.
That’s…”Hewassearchinghereyesforsomething,somekindofreaction.“There’sasayingthatwhen
youfindyourfatedmate,theoneyou’vewaitedfor…you’llknow.”

Sheguessedthatwaskindofromantic.Alsokindofbackwardandstrange.“I’mnotsureIbelievein

fate.”

Hisstarewasunwavering.“IthinkI’mstartingto.”Heheldhergazeforafractionofamomentlonger

andthendroppeditandclearedhisthroat.“Butcomeon,now,we’resupposedtobebringingoutyour
wolf.”Helookedupatheragain.“Andyoucandothis.Whatever’sholdingyouback,whateveryou’re
afraidof,don’tworry.”Hespreadhisarmswideandgesturedtothevast,emptyroomaroundthem.
“There’snothinghereforyoutodamage,andyou’renotgoingtohurtme.It’stheperfectplacetoletout
whateveritisyou’reafraidof.Sohumormeandtry.”

Shesupposedhewasright.Ifnothingelse,heaskedforit.
Shesteppedbackandclosedhereyes,searchingagainforherwolf.Onlythistime,shepicturedthe

wolfthatcameoutwhenshewastryingtorescuethekid,Ethan.Theonethathadasurgeofprotective
feelingassociatedwithit,notjusttherawpanicthatwasnormallypartofherwolfunleashingitselffrom
hersubconsciousandforcingitselfoutintotheworld.Shefeltthechange,likeawindsweepingthrough
herandreachingintoeverycellofherbody.Whensheblinkedhereyesopen,shehadshifted.She
glanceddownatherbrownpaws,andthenupatMarco,whowasgrinningather.

“Well,then,”hesaidwithanapprovingnod.“Nowshiftbacktohuman.”
Thatwaseasy,mostlybecauseshewasn’tinastateofpanic.Ifanything,shehadneverfeltmore

comfortableinherwolfform.Inablink,shewasstandingbeforehim.Onlywhenhiseyesdilated,andhe
quicklyturnedhishead,didsherememberthatshiftinglefthercompletelynaked.Herclotheswereina
pileonthefloor.

“Again,”hecommanded,notlookingather.“Shiftbacktowolf,thenhuman,thenwolfagain.Iwant

youtofeelthefluidityofit.IpromiseIwon’tlook.”

Shecouldtellhewasholdingbackasmile,whichonlymadeherwanttochuckle.Butthenshe

focusedondoingwhathesaid,shiftingtowolfandbacktohumanagain,thenbacktowolf.Afterseveral
moretimes,shecouldseewhathemeantaboutthefluidfeelingofit.Almostlikechangingherstateof
mind,notjustherbody.Andtherewasacominghomekindoffeelinglikeshewasintegratingthetwo
partsofherbeingintoone.Thewholewasstrongernowthatthepartsweren’tbeingdenied,kept
separate.Shefeltincontrolofherselfinawaythatshehadn’t…inforever.Certainlysinceshe
discoveredshewasawolf,butevenbeforethat.

Itwasamazing.
Sheshiftedtowolfagainandthenyippedahappybarkathim.Marcolooktoherwithagrinonhis

face.“So,maybe,yourwolfwasn’tsobadafterall?”Thejoyonhisfaceresonatedwithsomethingdeep
insideher.

Sheleanedovertoscoopupherclothesbetweenherteeth,thenshiftedagain,holdingtheclothesin

frontofhernaked,humanform.Withherclothesasashield,shetooktwoquickstepsforwardtoreach
himanddroppedafastkissonhischeek,thensteppedback.

“Thankyou,”shesaidshyly,havingahardtimelookinghimintheeyeswhileclutchingherclothesto

hernakedbody.

Hiseyesblazedather,andhetookastepforward,closingthegapbetweenthemagain.“My

pleasure,”hebreathed.Therewereallkindsofunmistakableinnuendointhosetwowords.

Buthewasn’toglingheroreventryingtosneakapeekatherbody.Thenagain,hehadalreadyseen

hernaked.Multipletimes.

“Iknewyoucoulddoit.”Heeasedevenclosertoher.
Juliawasn’tsureifhewascominginforakissorwhat.Shewasevenlesssureifshewouldtryto

stophim.Beforeshecouldfigureouteitherone,thedoortothefurniturestoreatthefarenddinged.The
smallbellattachedtoitchatteredagainasitwasflungopen.

JuliaandMarcobothturnedtolook—itwasagirl,awomanreally.Shewasbeautiful,withlong

blondehair,andatall,shapelyfigure.Shewasfrozenatthedoor,onehandonit,staringatthemwithher
mouthwideopen.

MarcojerkedbackfromJulia—whichwasalltheindicationsheneededthatsomethingwasn’tright

aboutherstandingthere,nakednexttohim,evenwithherclothesclutchedtoherchest.

Shit.Shecouldn’tevengetdressedwithoutexposingherselfandprobablymakingthingsworse.
“Isabel,”Marcosaidhoarsely.
“It’sokay.I’lltalktoyoulater.”Thegirlbeatahastyretreat.
Ohman.Juliahadjustfuckedupsomethingmajorforhim.Shecouldtellbythepainedwinceonhis

face.

“Isthatyourgirlfriend?”Nowthatthegirlwasgone,shehastilypulledonherclothes.

“No.”Itwasasmuchabarkasaword.
“She’soneoftheoneswhowantstomatewithyou,though,”sheguessed.Aheatofembarrassment

filledherface—hermotherhadbeenaccusedofcheatingsomanytimes,Julialongagolostcount.Butit
wasnevertrue.Andshehatedtheideaofbeingthat“otherwoman”—especiallywhenshewasn’t.What
theyweredoingwasinnocent.Oratleast,nothinghadactuallyhappened,evenifherbodyrespondedto
Marco’slikenoothermanshe’devermet.

Marcodidn’tshootdownherguess,sosheassumeditwasdeadon.
“I’msosorry,”shemumbled,pullingonthelastofherclothes—hert-shirt.“Idon’twanttomake

troubleforyou.”

“It’snotyourfault,”hesaid,butitwasstillagrowl.“Andit’stroubleI’mmakingformyself.”
Butshecouldtelltheirpracticewasdonefortheday,probablyforever.Whichsuitedherjustaswell.

Marcostirredupwaytoomuchinher,andshewasn’tgoingtorepaythefavorofhimhelpingwithher
wolfbymakingtroubleforhimwithinhisownpack.

Mostofall,shedidn’twantanyonetothinkshewasthatkindofgirl...theonewhocameinandslept

withtheirfavoredson,breakingupthingsandhurtingpeople.

Sheknewalltoowellhowbadlythatcouldturnout.

IfMarcothoughthewasconflictedbefore,aboutIsabelandJulia,nowhedidn’tknowwhathethought.

He’dgoneafterIsabel,tryingtosmooththingsoverandexplainhowhewasjusthelpingJuliatame

herwolf,butIsabelinsisteditwasfine.Itwasobviousshereallydidn’twanttotalkaboutit.Hecouldn’t
tellifhehadhurtherfeelingsornot—ifshetrustedhimornot—orreallyanythingatall.Shewasa
lockeduptight,completelyclosedofftohim,andhehatedthat—theideathatshemightbejealoustwisted
himinsideout.Hecouldn’ttellifthefeelingtormentinghimwasguilt…orfearoflosingher…orwhat.
NothinghadhappenedbetweenhimandJulia—butnotforlackofdesireonhispart.

Giventwentysecondsmoretime,hewouldhavebeenkissingher.
JesusHChrist.Hewassomessedupwiththis.
He’dhiddeninhisroomforanhour,sortingthisout,butitwasmid-afternoonalready,andStefanhad

thepatrolssetupandrunning.Marconeededtobeoutthere,showinghispackthathewasontopofthis
newplantokeepeveryonesafewithaconstant,vigilantmonitoringoftheterritory.

He’ddecidedtotakeJuliawithhimasheranaperimeterpatrol,justtohavesomenormaltimewith

herclotheson,forGod’ssake.Andhopefully,achancetoexplainthesituationwithIsabel.Butforthe
lasthalfhour,astheystrolledhisterritory,passingboarded-upbusinesseslongcloseddownandseedy
tenementsfilledwithhispackmembers,Juliewastheoppositeofchatty—she’dbarelysaidtwowords
sincetheylefttheshelter,juststaredaroundherwithwideeyesandsenthimoccasional,jitterylooks.He
slowlyrealizedthathishomewasn’tthekindofplacesomeonelikeherwouldwanttovisit,muchless
live.Andthatstirredupanotherwholebubblingsetofemotionsdeepinsidehim—mostlyangerthathis
peoplehadbeenpushedtothemarginsofsociety.Theylivedlikethisbecausetheyhadto,notbecause
theywantedto.

Andhewasdamnproudofwhattheyhadaccomplished,inspiteofthat.Societycastoffshifters,fired

themfromtheirjobs,abandonedtheirchildren…andheandhispackworkedhardtokeepthepeople
societyrejectedsafeandfed.Itwasn’teasy—atall—butithadtolookprettymeagerinJulia’seyes.

Itdisturbedhimthatheactuallywantedtoimpressher.
MarcogesturedtoMeredith’sgrocerystore—reallyhermate,Tom’snow.“Thisisoneofthefew

businessesstillgoinginourterritory.”HeleftoutthatMeredithhadbeenkilledbasicallyforhavinga
shifter-runbusiness.

“So,didyoutalktoIsabel?”Juliaasked,completelyignoringhisattempttogivehersomekindofa

touranddivingrightintoit.

Hesnarled,notquiteabletokeephisfrustrationincheck.“Yes,Italkedtoher.Notthatit’sanyof

yourbusiness.”

Shegrittedherteethandstaredforward.“Yeah,well,youmadeitmybusinesswhenIwastheoneyou

werecaughtmessingaroundwith.”

Hepulledhertoastopnearafour-wayintersectionwiththemainroad.Theywereskimmingtheedge

ofhisterritory,rightwhereitmetupwithCruz’s.“Messingaround?Wewerenotmessingaround.”

“Really?”Sheleanedback,foldedherarms,andgavehimaskepticallookthathadhimflushinghot

andcold.“SoIwasjustimaginingallthatsexualtensionandnakedness?”

Theflushingheatfoundahomeonhisface.Wasalltheattractionhefeltforherone-sided?He

clenchedhisfists.“Iwastryingtohelpyoutameyourwolf.”

Shesoftenedherstanceandflungherhandsout.“AndIappreciatethat.Really,Ido.Butyoucould

haveoutsourcedthatlittletasktooneofyourpackmembersifyouwantedto.Thisgirlthinksyou’re
supposedtobehermate,sowhatareyoudoingwithme?”

Itwasaseriouslylegitquestion—andonehecouldn’tanswerwithoutadmittingthingshedidn’twant

toadmit.

Helookedaway,staringbackathisterritory,withitsdilapidatedexteriorsandcrumblinglives

inside.NoneofthatwasanyexcusefornotdoingrightbyIsabel.Theopposite,really—shehadhelped
himbuildeverythingtheyhadhere.Hedebatedjustblowingoffthisentireconversation,nottomention
thepatrol,andheadingbacktotheshelter,butJuliawasawildcard—hedidn’tknowwhatshemightsay
ordothere,either.Andhedidn’twantherstormingoffandconfrontingIsabel,orGodknewwhatelse.
Thiswasonhim,andifhedidn’tfaceit,thingsmightgetevenworse.

Heturnedbacktoher.
Shewasexamininghimcarefully,calmlywaitingforhisresponse.
“Isabelismyfriend,”Marcosaid.“Shewasoneofthewomenwasforcefullymatedtotheprior

alpha.Thatassholeabusedher,foralongdamntime.”

“Andthenyoukilledthatguy,”Juliasaid,encouraginghimtogoon.
Hehesitated.Maybehecouldtellher—thisgirlfromoutofnowhere—thethingthathadbeen

troublinghim.Thethinghecouldn’ttellanyoneelseinthispack.Becauseshewasn’tinhispack…and
probablyneverwouldbe.

“Yes,Ikilledhermate,andthatreleasedIsabelfromthemagicthatheldherbondedtohim.The

matingbondforcedhertodowhateverhewanted,wheneverhewanted.Andthatmakesme…
responsibleforher.”

Juliafrowned.“Seemstomelikeyoualreadydidherasolid.Imean,ifitwereme,I’dbesuper

grateful,butIwouldn’tfigurethatyouowedmesomethingmore.Definitelynotbeingmymate.”

“It’snotlikethat.”Marcoshookhishead,frustratedthathecouldn’tarticulatethisverywell.“Ikilled

hermate,butItoldherupfrontthatshedidnothavetomatewithme.That’showitworkedinthese
packs,traditionally,atleastintheshiftergangsaroundhere.Youkilledthemale,youtookthefemales
he’smatedto.It’sbarbaricandsomethingIdidn’twanttocontinue,soItoldherexplicitlythatIwould
nottakeherasamate.Butthen…”

Julia’seyebrowslifted.“Oh.Isee.Thenthingsgotcomplicated.”
Marconodded,embarrassedbecauseinretrospectitseemedlikeheshouldhavekeptIsabel

completelyoff-limitsatalltimes.Likehehadwiththerestoftheunmatedfemales.“Itjusthappened,
okay?Ididn’treallymeanforitto,but…atthetime…”

Juliasmirked.“Itseemedlikeagoodidea?”
Marcohuffedasmalllaugh.“Yeah.Itseemedlikeareallygoodideaatthetime.”
Julialaughed,andsomethingsqueezedtightdeepinhisbelly.Man,hereallylikedthesoundofthat.

Waymorethanheoughtto.

“Sohowoftenwasitareallygoodidea?”Shewassmiling,andhelikedthat,too.
Hecringedalittle.“Weonlymadeoutafewtimes—really,onlyahandful—anditbecamethissortof

strangerelationshipwherewewerefriendsmostofthetime,andtheneveryonceinawhile…”This
soundedworsethemoreheexplainedit.

ButJuliajustnodded.“Everyonceinawhile,youneededtoletoffalittlesteam.”
Reliefwaslikeafloodthroughhim,drainingawaysomeoftheguilt.“Yeah.Exactlylikethat.LikeI

said,she’smyfriend.AndIloveher…asafriend.Ijustdon’tknowhowtotellherthat.”

Shescrunchedupherface.“Jesus,Marco,isshereallyyourfriend?Thentellher.Sheshouldknow.”
Hisshouldersdropped.Shewasright,ofcourse.“Yeah,Iknow.Ijust…”HepeeredintoJulia’s

earnestgaze,herprettybrowneyes.Couldhesayit?Wasittherighttime?“I’mjustfeelingalotof
conflictedthingsrightnow.”Evenjustcalmlytalkingtoher—aboutIsabelofallfuckingthings—made
himwanttopullJuliaintohisarmsandkissthehelloutofher.Didshenotfeelit?Wasthisallhisown
miseryinhisownhead?

Julianodded.“It’sthisthingwhereyouhavetopickamate,right?That’swhatmakesit

complicated?”

Notexactly.Shewaswhatmadeacomplicated.“Julia,I’dreallyliketo—”Buthewascutoffby

Julia’sgazewanderingtosomethingoverhisshoulder.

SomethinginCruz’sterritory.
Marcotwistedtolook—amaleshifterwasdraggingawomanbythearm.Marcorecognizedthegang

tatonhisshoulder,asnarlingwolfwithhisfangsbared—itwasHenry,Cruz’sbeta.Thewomanresisted
briefly,andthemanhauledbackandsmackedherstraightacrosstheface,hardenoughtosendhertothe
pavement.

Fuck.Marco’swolfsurgedunderhisskin,butbeforehecoulddoanything,Juliashiftedintoherwolf

formandboundedafterthem.

RightintoCruz’sterritory.
Holycrap.
Marcotookoffafterher,butherwolfhadaheadstartandwasfasterthanhishumanform.Hedidn’t

wanttoshiftunlesshehadto.Beforehegotthere,sheleapedupandattackedtheman.She’dtakenhimby
surprise,soshehadafightingchance,butthemanquicklyrecovered,shiftedintowolfform…andthen
shehadnochanceatall.

Fuck.
MarcoshiftedandlaunchedhimselfintoHenry’shulkingblackwolfbeforehecouldsinkhisfangs

intoJulia’sside.MarcoknockedJuliaaside,andheandHenrywrestledandtumbledacrossthe
pavement,snarlinganddiggingclawsintoeachother,tearingoutfleshandgoingforthethroat.Cruz’s
betahadeveryrighttokillMarcoonthespot—he’dcrossedtheboundarylineintotheirterritory,andthat
meantfairgameforanything—butifMarcolostthisfight,hewouldn’tbetheonlyonewhowouldlose.
JuliawouldgetsuckedintoCruz’spackasspoilsofthefight,andhertreatmentwouldbenobetterthan
thewomanstillsprawledonthepavementnexttothem.Probablyworse.Andheknewthedepthsof
horrorthatcouldreach.

He’salreadykilledonealphabecauseofit.
Julia’swolfhadpulledbackatfirst,butnowshekeptcomingatthem,snarlingandnipping,tryingto

insertherselfintothefight.

Stayoutofthis,hesentthethoughttoher,angrily.Shewouldjustgetthembothkilled.Buthecould

tellbythewildnessinhereyesthatshewasn’tentirelyundercontrol—herwolfhadgoneafterthisguy
becausehewasanassholeabusingawoman,andMarcocouldn’tblameherforthat.Shehadgreat
instincts.Shewassimplynomatchinthisfight,andhewantedtogetthembothoutalive.

Shefinallypulledback,soMarcocouldfocusontakingdownCruz’sbeta.Marcowasstrong—hehad

thesubmissionbondofhundredwolvesfeedinghismagicandhisstrength—anditwaspreciselythissort
ofthingthatkepthiminpower.Hecouldhaveeasilytakenthisguyifhewasn’tdistracted.Nowthathe

couldfocus,herippedalargechunkoutoftheman’ssidewithhisfangs,thenwentforthethroat,
clampingdownhardaroundit.Thebeta’sgrowlsofangerquicklyturnedintoyelpsofpainandfearas
Marcosqueezedwiththeintenttokill.Thebetastruggledagainsthim,buthewasquicklylosing.

Marcoyankedhard,andhetastedtheman’sbloodinhismouth.
Henry’sbodywentlimp.
Marcogrowledhistriumph,thenreleasedthemantostepback.
Heshiftedhumanagain,hisnakedbodynowcoveredwiththeman’sblood.Hewipedhisfaceand

staredatwhathehaddone.Cruz’sbetawasn’tdeadyet—buthesureashellwasontheexpresstrainto
gettingthere.Withinminutes,hewouldbleedout.Heneededahealer.

Fuck.
Theywereonthewrongsideoftheline,andhehadalmostkilledarivalpackmember.

Juliamanagedtoshiftbacktohumanandwasscramblingtogetherclotheson,butshewashorrifiedby
whatlayinfrontofher.

Marcohadkilledaman.
Themanwassprawledoutonthepavementinhiswolfform,coveredinbloodandnotmoving.

Marcohadshiftedbacktohuman,buttheman’sbloodwasalloverhisfaceandchest,ashestoodnaked
inthestreet.ThegirlthatJulia’swolfhadgonenutsover,tryingtosaveher,wasstillcoweringonthe
sidewalk,lookinginhorroratthedeadman.Ormaybehewasjustdying,notcompletelydead.Julia
couldn’ttellwhich—therewassomuchblood—butifhewasn’tyet,withallthatbloodloss,hehadtobe
deadsoon.

ThemusclesinMarco’sshouldersrippledashisclawscameoutandretractedagain.Hestoodover

theman,staringathim.Thensuddenly,heturnedandrantowardsJulia.Shegaspedhersurprise,butshe
wasn’tafraid,justwonderingwhatthehellhewasdoing.Onlyhewasn’tlookingatheratall—hewas
goingforhisclothes.Whenhegotthere,hedidn’tevenpullthemon,likeJuliahad,inhersillyhorrorat
beingoutside,nakedinpublic,evenifamanwasdyinginfrontofher.Marcosimplydugthroughhis
clothesuntilhecameawaywithhisphone.

“Stefan?IneedyoutograbMariaandgetyourassoverhere.”Marco’svoicewashalfgrowl.He

glancedatJulia.“No,I’mfine.Julia,too.Butwe’reinCruz’sterritory,andImayhavejustkilledhis
beta.”Marcoheldthephoneawayfromhisearforasplitsecond,thenbroughtittohismouthandshouted
intoit.“Well,he’sgoingtobedeadforsure,ifyoudon’tgetyourassoverherewiththehealer.Cornerof
DuncanandNoboru.Now.”

Heswipedthephoneoff.
Thenhewenttothewomanwhowasstillontheground.Shewasstartingtowhimper,holdingthe

backofherhandtohermouth.SheflinchedawayfromMarcoasheapproached.Heheldouthishandsto
showhewasn’tgoingtohurther.

“Areyouinjured?”heasked.
Sheshookherheadrapidlyandscuttledbackward.“He…he’sgoingtokillme.He’sgoingtokillme

forthis.”Shepointedashakyfingeratthemanonthegroundbleedingtodeath.

“You’reundermyprotectionnow,”Marcosaidwithagrowl.Heheldonehandouttoherbutwaited

forhertodecidewhethertotakeit.“I’mnotgoingtoletanyonehurtyou.”

Butthewomanjustshookherhead.“He’smymate,”shewhispered.
Marcodroppedhishandandcursed.Thenheturnedbacktoglareatthemanontheground.“That’s

nothowamateshouldbetreated,”hegrowled.

Juliadidn’tknowifhewastryingtoconvincethedyingmanorthewoman.
Maybehewouldjustletthemandie.
Juliashuffleduptohim,hesitating,especiallygiventhathewasstillnakedandcoveredwithblood.

Shekepthereyesonhisfaceasshetriedtogethisattention.Heblinkedalittle,likehehadforgottenshe
wasthere.

Whenheturnedfullytoher,concernwaswrittenalloverhisface.“Areyouallright?”Hescanned

herbodywithascowllikehewaslookingforinjuries.“Youwereinthere,fightingwithhim,longenough
that…”Hisgazemethersagain.“Iwasworried.”

Juliacringed.Herwolfhadlostitandputthemindanger—andpossiblygotanothermankilled.“I’m

sosorry,Marco,Icouldn’thelpmyself—Imean,Icouldn’tstopmywolf.Shejust…shekindoflostit.”

Marco’sfacesoftened,andhesteppedcloser.Thistime,whenhetouchedher,therewasnohesitation.

Hetookhercheekinhishand,andholdingherthatway,pulledhercloser.Itwasapossessivegesture,
andherwolfwassurgingunderherskin,respondingtoit.

Hewascloseenoughtokissher,buthewascoveredinblood.“Don’tyoueverapologizefordoing

therightthing.”Hisvoicedroppedtoahuskywhisper.“ButIneedtofixthisnow.Iwantyoutostayback,
crossbackoverintomyterritory,justpasttheedgeofthiscorner,andstaythere.Nomatterwhatyousee
orhear,Idon’twantyoucomingbackoverthatline.Understood?”

Shenodded,eventhoughshewantedtoprotest.Shehadgottenhimintothismess—shewoulddo

anythinghesaidtogetthembackout.

Marcodroppedhishandfromherface.AsJuliamovedbackacrossthestreet,backtothecorner

Marcohadindicated,twothingshappenedatonce—Stefan,ashortwoman,andthreemorepackmembers
camerunningdownthemaindragfromthedirectionoftheshelter;andfromtheoppositedirection,down
thesamestreetonlyinCruz’sterritory,ahulkingwolfflankedbyfourmoreequallymuscularmenstalked
towardthem.

MarcowasstillinCruz’sterritory.Stillnakedandcoveredinblood.Hewenttostandnexttothe

man’sunmovingbodyasCruzandhismenapproached.

“Ithoughtyouweresmarterthanthis,Marco.”Theleaderwasolder—Juliaguessedmaybethirty-five

—buthehadacruelsettohisdarkeyes.“ButIseeyouonmysideoftheline,andthatcanonlymeanone
thing—you’vegotsomekindofdeathwish.”

Marcodidn’tbudge.“Ihadcausetocrossover,Cruz—oneofyourmenwasattackinganunmated

femaleinmypack.”

Cruzarchedaneyebrowashelookedatthedownedman.“Areyousayingmybetacrossedoverinto

yourterritorytosnatchagirl?”

“Youcan’ttellmethatsurprisesyou,”Marcosaidcalmly,thennoddedinJulia’sdirection.“Ihad

everyrighttodefendher.Yourbetaputupagoodfight,buthewasnomatchforme.Weendeduponthis
side,atechnicalbreach,butnotonewithintent.I’vesummonedthehealerifyoucaretotrytosavehis
life.”MarcogesturedtotheshortwomannexttoStefan.Thetwoofthem,aswellastheotherthree
membersofthepack,hadformedaprotectiveblockadeinfrontofJulia,withStefanandthehealerinthe
lead.

Cruzsquintedattheshortwoman,thenglancedathisbeta.“Seeifyourhealercansavehim.”
Marconoddedtoher,andshehurriedover.Shebentdownandwenttoworkrightaway,openingher

blackbagandpullingoutwhatlookedlikeaneedleandthreadandgoingattheman’sneck.

“I’mwillingtooverlooktheincursionyourbetamadeonmyside,”Marcosaidcalmly.“Ifyou’re

willingtooverlookthefactthathemightdieforit.”

Cruzlookedunimpressed.“Maybemybetajustlikedwhathesaw.”HeleeredatJulia,andshefeltthe

uglinessofit,evenbehindfourmassiveshiftermenprotectingher.

“She’snotupfornegotiation.”Marco’svoicewasicecold.

Thehealerstoodup,handscoveredwithblood.SheshookherheadinMarco’sdirection.Evenfrom

behind,JuliacouldseeMarco’sshoulderstense.

Cruznoticedaswell.Heliftedhischinforoneofhisotherpackmemberstocheckouthispossibly-

deadbeta.Themanlopedoverandkneeleddowntothebody,checkingforapulse.Heshookhishead
backtohisboss.

Cruzsaid,veryslowly,“So.Youkilledmybeta.Onmyterritory.”
“Hewasonmyterritoryfirst.”JuliacouldfeelthetensioninMarco’svoicelikealivewireinside

her,sparkingalarm.Shehaddonethis—herlackofcontroloverherwolfhadsetthesetwomen,these
twopacks,againsteachother.Evenifherwolfweredoingtherightthing,asMarcosaid,itwouldn’t
meanmuchifitgotMarcokilled.

Cruzandhiswolvesgrowledtheirintent.Theirclawscameout,alongwiththeirfangs.Marco’spack

infrontofJuliawerelikewiseagitatedandgrowlingandhalfwayshifting.

Marcodidn’tshiftormove.“I’mwillingtosettlethisintheformofreparations,butyouneedtomake

thesmartmovehere,Cruz.”

Cruzrampeduphissnarls.“I’lltakethegirlsaspayment.Theyoungoneandthehealer.”
“Itoldyou,they’renotupfornegotiation.ButI’mwillingtoturnoveracertainamountofthesouthern

partofourterritory.Thepartyou’vebeeneyeing?Youcanstoptryingtopoachourcustomerscomingin
fromBellevueandjusthandlethemdirectly.I’llevensendthemyourway.”

Customers?Hehadtobetalkingaboutdrugdealing.
Cruzsquintedathim.“Soundslikealotofsmokeyou’retryingtoblowupmyass.”
“Themoreimportantthing,”Marcosaid,thetensionstillinhisvoice,butitstayedremarkablycalm,

“isthatweneedtoworktogethertoresolvethisWolfHunterproblem.Ourpeoplearegettingsnatched
rightoffthefuckingstreet.We’resettinguppatrols,butwecan’tcatchtheseguysiftheydriveoffinto
yourterritory.Weneedacease-fire,Cruz,atleastforalittlewhile.Wehavetoagreenottoflipthefuck
outifweinfringeonterritoryrightnow,especiallyifthecauseistheWolfHunter.He’sourcommon
enemy.Andthisistheonlywaywe’regoingtocatchtheassholebeforehepicksusoff,onebyone.”

Cruzheldupahandtokeephispackmembersback—hisclawshaddisappeared,andhishandwas

fullyhumanagain.“Andwhywouldwedothat?”hesneered.“What’sittomeifsomeofyourpack
membersgomissing?”

“I’msureyourpeoplearegoingmissing,too.”HeheldCruz’sgazesteady.“Andiftheyhaven’tturned

upyet,letmetellyouhowtheywill—deadandfuckedup.Torturedgoodanddamnlong.Ifyoucan’t
protectyourownpeoplefromthisguy,howlongdoyouthinkthey’regoingtokeepyouasalpha?Because
Isureashellwouldn’twantanalphawhodidn’tknowhowtokeephispeoplesafe.”

WiththeuneaseripplingthroughtheshouldersofCruz’spackmembers,JuliacouldtellMarcowas

hittinganerve.Cruzgrowledathisownpack,andthatjustrampeduptheunease.

HeturnedbacktoMarco.“Okay,ceasefire.Forthemoment.Butdon’tfuckingpushit,Marco.”
“Agreed.”MarcotippedhisheadtoCruz.“Andifyouseethosefuckerscomethrough,callme.

You’vegotmynumber.Betweenourtwoterritories,theycan’tgetawaywithsnatchingsomeonewithout
uscatchingthembeforetheygetoutofdowntown.”

Cruz’seyebrowslifted,justslightly,buthenodded.“Agreed.Weputthesebastardsdown.Thenwe

gobacktoournormalarrangement.”

Twowolvesnoddedtoeachotherandslowlybackedaway.Marcobroughtthehealerwithhim,and

oneofCruz’smengrabbedholdofthewomanJuliahadtriedtorescue,roughlyhaulingherawayaswell.
Shedidn’ttrytofighthim,andJuliacouldn’thelpwonderingwhatwouldhappentohernowthathermate
wasdead.Maybeshewouldfindsomeonebetter.Someonewhowouldprotecther.ButinCruz’spack…
itdidn’tseemlikely.Ifshehadbeensmart,shewould’vejoinedMarco’spackassoonashemadethe
offer.Butshe’dbeentooafraid.

AndmaybethatwasthesmartmoveforJuliaaswell.
Marcohadjustimpressedthehelloutofher.HehadsavedJulia,savedthewoman,offeredhera

placeinhispack,andmanagedtodiffusethegangbrawlthatallofthatalmosttippedoff.Plushe’d
brokeredthiscease-fire,gettingenemiestoworktogethertocatchtheWolfHunter.Shewasinaweof
whathe’ddone…andthatwascompletelyneglectingthefactthathewashotterthansinwithouthis
clotheson.

MarcoscoopeduphisshirtfromthegroundandintentionallyturnedhisbackonCruz’sretreatingpack

members,wipingthebloodoffhisfaceandhischest.Hestoodinfrontofthesmallclusterofhispack
membersandthehealerwoman—Juliawasstilltowardtheback,inthemostprotectedposition.

MarcobenthisheadtoStefanandsaidquietly,“Ishegoneyet?”
“Almost.”StefanglaredoverMarco’sshoulder.“Idon’tlikethatyougaveawaysomeofourrevenue,

butfuckinghell,Marco,didyoujustnegotiateacease-fire?Shit,man,canIjoinyourpack?”

Marcosmirkedathim,butthatsmileslowlyfadedashelookedoverStefan’sshoulderandmadeeye

contactwithJulia.Shit.Hehadtobetotallypissedatherrightnow.Maybejoininghispackwasn’teven
anoption.Orevenstickingaroundforafewdaysasasafehideout.Shewouldn’twantsomeoneas
recklessandoutofcontrolasshewasaround,causingtrouble.

“Theimportantthingisthatallourpeoplegotoutofthissafe.That’stheonlythingthatmatterstome.”

HewassayingthewordstoStefan,butJuliafeltliketheywereaimedather.ThenMarcobrokeeye
contactwithherasStefanhandedhimhisclothes.

Whilehegotdressed,theotherwolvesrelaxedintheirtightbrigadeformation.Noonesaidanything

toher,butshewasgarneringlotsofside-eyelooks.Astheuncomfortablesilencestretchedout,Stefan’s
phonebeepedsomekindofalert.

Hepulleditoutofhispocketandswipeditopen…thencringedandcursedunderhisbreath.
“Whatisit?”Marcoasked,pullingonhisshirt.
“ThatdamnWolfHunter’sgotanothervideoup.”Stefansquintedatthephone.“Nofuckingway.”
Marcopeeredatthephone.Juliacouldn’treallyseeit,butitseemedtojustbeashotofsome

buildingswithwordsscrollingpast.

“Goddamnit!”Marcospatout.
Juliaflinched,butshewasconfused.WhatwaswrongwithhavingsomebuildingsinaWolfHunter

video?Theonesshe’dseenbeforeweremuchworse—torturedwolves,allkindsofhate.

Stefanwasshakinghishead.“Therehastobeacamerasomewhere—aspycamofsomekind.This

isn’tahandheld,Marco.Theyhavesomethingbuggedneartheshelter.”

MarcopushedpastStefanandhisotherpackmembers.“Thenlet’sgofindthatthingandtearitthe

fuckout.”

Hestormedpastherwithoutsomuchasaglanceherway—Julia’sheartshrankalittle.
SheknewhewasaftertheWolfHunterandtryingtoprotecthispack—andiftherewasonething

she’dalreadyfiguredoutaboutMarcoWilding,itwasthathewoulddoanythingtoprotectthepeoplein
hisfamily.Hispack.Hewasthekindofalpha—thekindofman—she’dalwaysheardabout,butnever
reallybelievedexisted.

StefanwaitedforhertopullhershittogetherandstopgawkingafterMarco’sretreatingback.
Thenallofthemhurriedafterhim.

Marcowastearingthroughtheapartmentlikeademon.

Hehadhalfthepackrippingthroughtheapartments,theabandonedstorefrontsdownstairs,andeven

thelightpolesoutside.Somewhere,ahiddencamerawasspyingonhispackandtheshelter,andhewas
goingtofindit.Stefankeptclosetohisside,hisphoneplayingthevideoonanendlesssilentloop.He
wastryingtojudgetheangletotellwherethecamera’sviewpointcamefrom.ThevideohadtheWolf
Hunterdroningonaboutdestroyingallthecriminalshiftersinthecity,andthathehadthemunder
surveillance.Thesecondpartwasdefinitelytrue,butMarcowoulddoeverythinginhispowertostopthe
first.

Isabelhadwrestledtogetherapackofthepupsandcoordinatedthemforthesearch.Theyclimbedthe

lightpolesoutside,shimmiedintothesmallcornersoftheapartments,andusedtheirskinnyfingersto
checkouteverytinyholethatmightcontainahiddencamera.Hewasgladshewasoccupiedbecausethat
allowedhimtokeepJuliabyhisside—hewasliterallyhaulingherfromroomtoroomwithhim,never
lettingheroutofhissight.

Heknewthathadtolookcrazy,andhewasstirringupallkindsofrumorsbydoingso,notleastinhis

beta’smind—StefankeptshootinghimandJulialooksthatwerespeakingvolumesofunspokenwords—
butMarcocouldn’tstandtobeseparatedfromherrightnow.Orrather,hiswolfwouldbehowlinginhis
earifhedid,andhedidn’tneedthedistraction.

MarcohadnearlylostherwhensheranoffintoCruz’sterritory.Hemeantwhathesaidaboutthatnot

beingsomethingtoapologizefor,butwhathehadn’tsaidwasthatinthemiddleofthefightwhenhe’d
beentakingdownCruz’sbeta,evenasheknewthatdecisionmightadverselyaffecthisentirepack…he
didn’tcare.

Allhewantedwastoprotecther.Andhavinganothermanthreatenthisgirl—hisgirl—haddrivenhis

wolfintoafrenzy.

Thefactthathethoughtofherthatwaycementedsomethinginsidehim.Somethinghedidn’thavea

chancetoexpressordoanythingaboutintheminutesthatfollowed—butassoonashehadanopening,he
wasgoingtotellher.

“We’vegottogohigher,”Stefansaidfromthewindow.Hewasholdingupthecamera,liningupthe

shot,andpeeringattheperspectiveofthevideo.“We‘reclose,butIthinkit’supatleastonemorefloor.”

“Allright,”Marcosaid,“let’sheadonup.”
Juliahadherarmscrossedinfrontofherchestandafrownetchedonherface.Shehadtriedtogo

backtotheshelter,sayingsomethingaboutnotbotheringhim,buthehadshutthatdownfast.Oncehe
madeitclearshehadtostaywithhim,shehadquietlyfollowedhimaround.Butshelookedunsettled.

WiththefightandthedeadmanandtheconfrontationwithCruz’spack—hecouldonlyimaginewhatwas
goingthroughherhead.

HehadanurgentneedtofindtheWolfHunter’sbug,buthealsohadfiftypeopleinonthehunt.He

couldaffordaminutetomakesureshewasokay.

TheyfollowedStefanoutintotheapartmenthallway.Marcolethimpullalittleahead,thenturnedto

her.“Hey,howareyoudoing?”

Shestillseemedoutofit.“Huh?Oh,yeah,I’mfine.”Shedidn’tlookfine.
Heslidahandtohercheeklikehehadbefore,andhelikedhowshefelt—notjustthesoftnessofher

skin,buthowhersmallface,thecurveofit,fitsowellinhishand.Hepulledherclose,duckinghishead
topeerintohereyes.Iftheydidn’thaveeveryoneintheworldbuzzingaroundthefloorsandapartments
aroundthem,hewould’vekissedherrightthen.Butthatwasn’twhatsheneededfromhim,anyway—she
neededreassurance.Hewasn’tsureexactlywhatkind,butthefactthatshedidn’tpullaway,thatshewas
respondingtohistouch,leaningintoiteversoslightly,wasspeakingtohiswolfinthemostpowerfulof
ways.

“Everything’sgoingtobeokay,”hesaidsoftly,sonoonetrompingattheendofthehallwouldhear.

“Whateveryou’reworryingabout,stop.”

Shenoddedbutkeptherlipspressedtight.
Hefrowned,buthedidn’thavetimetogointoitrightnow.Hestrokedhercheekwithhisthumb,then

droppedhishanddowntoholdhersandguidehertowardsthestairwell.

Oncetheywereheadingup,shespokeagain.“Doyoureallythinkyoucanfindit?Surveillance

technologycanbeextremelysmall.”

Hepeeredbackather,liftingoneeyebrow.“Oh?Youhavesomekindofbackgroundinsurveillance

thatIshouldbeawareof?”

Sheshookherhead.“No.Imean,Iwenttoschoolforawhile.Iknowalittlebitabouttechnology.

Nothingmuch,butIknowyoucanhidecamerajustaboutanywhere.”

Hefrownedbecauseshewasprobablyright.Hekeptholdingherhanduntiltheyreachedthenext

level,thenhedroppeditbutusheredhertowardthefrontapartment,theonethatfacedthestreet.The
wholeunitwasabandonedawhileago,alongwiththerestofthebusinessesanddwellingsinthisarea—
thatwasoneofthereasonswhytheylocatedtheshelterhere.Therewasaringofunoccupiedbuildings
surroundingit.Ofcourse,thatalsomeantthatsomeonehadbeenabletoslipinandplantsurveillance.

HeledJuliaintotheapartment,andthetwoofthemwatchedasStefan,John,andBobbyscoured

everyinchofthewindows,liftingthepanesandleaningouttopeeratthewallsontheexterior.

MarcogaveJuliaaseriouslook,onehehopedwouldbereassuring.“AllIknow,”hesaidloud

enoughforeveryonetohear,“isthatI’mcreatingafamilyhere.Myownfamilywasfuckedupinsomany
ways,butthefamilywehavehere?Thisissomethingspecial.Thisiswhatafamilyshouldbe.AndI’llbe
damnedifI’mgoingtolettheWolfHunterterrorizemyfamilyandtearthemapart.Myfatherwasno
betterthanCruz,nobetterthanthepreviousalphaofthispack—they’reallassholes.They’reallfucked
up.ButI’mmakingsomethingbetterhere.AndI’lldoeverythingnecessaryprotectit.”

Hereyeswentwide,andshewasnoddingalongwithhislittlespeech.
Thatsentaflushofsatisfactionthroughhim.
Hecouldn’tbelievehowidiotichehadbeentotakeherthatclosetoCruz’sterritory—he’dalmost

losther,justashewasfiguringouthowimportantshewastohim.

Stefanandtheotherswerebusydoingeverythingthatcouldbedonetoscourtheapartmentforthebug.

MarcoslippedhishandintoJulia’sagainandtowedhertowardtheback.Itwasasmallplace—justan
openkitchen,asmalllivingroom,andashorthallwaytoacoupleofbedroomsintheback.Hebrought
herslightlyintothehallway—justenoughtogivethemalittleprivacy,butnotenoughtomakeitlooklike
theyweresneakingofftothebedrooms.

Althoughhereallylikedtheideaofdoingthat.
Shegavehimaquestioninglook.
“Idon’tknowwhatelseisgoingoninyourlife,”hesaidquietlytoher,“butI’dreallylikeforyouto

considerjoiningthepack.Wecankeepyousafefromwhateveryourtroublesare,you’redamnedgoodin
afight,andIthinkwhatwe’rebuildinghereissomethingyou’relookingfor.Icouldbewrongaboutthat,
butIdon’tthinkso.”

Shelookedawayfromhim—atthewallspeelingwithpaint,thewarpedwoodenfloorboards,even

backatthewolvesoutintheopenareaoftheapartment,tearingitapart,lookingforthebug.Sheseemed
tobestrugglingforwords,sohewaited.

Finally,shelookedbackathim.“I’dlikethat,”shesaidsoftly,“I’mjustnotsurethat…youdon’t

reallyknowanythingaboutme,Marco.”

Thatstirredsomethingupinsidehim.Itwastrue—hedidn’tknowthedetailsaboutwhereshecame

from,orwhatshe’ddonebeforetryingtosaveEthan,orevenwhatwasdrivingher,thisdarknesshesaw
insideher—buthekneweverythingheneededtoknow.Hiswolfwassingingtoherashehadneversung
foranotherwoman.Andshewasgoodinawaythatfewpeoplewere—instinctively,forcefully,without
regardforherpersonalsafety.Whichwasthekindofpersonhebothrespectedinanunboundedwayand
wantedtoprotectwitheverythinghehad.

Inshort,theyweremadeforeachother.Allthatwasleftwastofigureoutthedetails.
Hepulledherlittlecloser,dippinghisheadtospeaksoftlyinherear.“There’sadarknessinsideyou,

Julia.Wheredoesitcomefrom?WhatisitthatdroveyoutoattackCruz’sbetalikethat?”

Shegrittedherteeth.“Idon’tknow.I’msorry,Ijustcouldn’thelpmyself—”
Hesqueezedherhand.“I’mnotsayingit’sbad.Itwasaninstinctualresponse,asfarasIcantell.Or

atleastyourwolfseemedtothink—”

“Hey,Marco!”Stefancalledfromthefrontoftheroom.Hewaskeepinghisdistanceandeyeingthem

likehewasn’tquitesureifheshouldinterrupt.

“Didyoufindsomething?”Marcoasked,steppingbackfromhisclose-quartersconversationwith

Julia.Hewassurethatwouldn’tgounnoticedunderStefan’scarefulgaze.

“No,Ithinkwestillneedtogoupalevel.”Stefanwavedtheguystowardthedoor.“We’regoingto

checkitout.I’llletyouknowifwefindanything.”

MarconarrowedhiseyesasStefanandtheothertwowolveshustledoutoftheapartment,leaving

MarcoandJuliaalone.ThathadtobeanintentionalmoveonStefan’spart,givingthemtimeawayfrom
therest.Hissuspicionwascompletelyconfirmedwhenheheardthefrontdoorclickclosedbehindthem.

Hisbetawasprettyfuckingawesome.
MarcoturnedbacktoJuliaandcorneredheragainstthewallwithahandoneithersideofherhead.

“What’syourlastname,Julia?”Heleanedinbutdidn’tquitegoforthekissyet.

Hereyeswentwideassheflattenedagainstthewallandstaredinamazementathissuddenmoveinto

herpersonalspace.“Holloway.”

Sheseemedconfused,andhedidn’twanttoleaveanyconfusionwhatsoeverastohisintentions.
“JuliaHolloway,”hewhispered,movingclosertoherlips.“Iwanttoknowwhoyouare.”
Thenhekissedher,softly,justatouchofhislipstohers,tomakesureshewantedit,too—thatthis

insanesexualattractionhewasfeelingwasn’tjustone-sidedlustingafterthisgorgeous,whip-stronggirl
hehadsomehowmanagedtolandinhisarms.Whenhepulledaway,herlipsfollowedafter,chasinghim
andbrushingagain,butthenjerkingback,likeshehadn’tmeanttodoit.

Becausekissinghimwasinstinctual—justliketherestofeverythingshe’ddonethatwasgoodand

right.

Thatwasallheneededtoknow.
Hecrashedhislipsbackintohers,releasingtheurgentneedforherthathe’dfeltfromthebeginning.It

wasakisssopossessive,hiswolfhowledintriumph.Heslippedahandbehindherhead,protectingit
fromthetornpaperboardwallhewaspressingheragainst.Histonguewasalreadylayingclaimtoher
mouth,andthewhimperinherthroatsprunghiscocktolife.Shewassodamnsweet.Hisotherhandslid
aroundherslenderwaist,pullingherintohimsoshecouldfeelexactlyhowmuchhewantedherthen
slidingdowntocuphergorgeousbottom.Herhandswerefeathertouchesonhisshouldersandback,like
shecouldn’tdecidehowtoholdontohimforthisride.Ormaybeshewaslostinthehotnessofthekiss
likehewas,thesweetacheofwantingherfinallyfindingexpressionashedevouredhermouthand
groundhisbodyintohers.

Goddamn,hewantedher.Righthere.Rightnow.
Ifshewereanyothergirl,hewouldabsolutelyjustgoforit—butJuliaHollowaywasnoordinary

girl.Andnowayinhellwashegoingtojustbangherinthehallwayofsomedecrepitapartment.She
deservedbetterthanthat.Muchbetter.Possiblymorethanheevenhadtooffer,buthe’dbedamnedifhe
wasn’tgoingtotry.

Hewantedallofher—heart,body,andsoul—andnotjustahot,stolenkiss.
Butfuckthatkisswaskillinghim.
Hebrokeit,butonlytoslidehismouthalongherjaw,tastinghersweetskin,nibblinghiswaydown

toherthroat.Thebreathysoundscomingfromhermouthasshebangedherheadback,openingherselfup
tohim,weredrivinghiswolfintoafrenzy.Heliftedherlegandhookeditoverhiship,givinghimaccess
togrindhisrock-hardcockrightintothesweetspotbetweenherlegs.Thehitchinherbreathingtoldhim
hecouldprobablyhavehernow,righthereinthehallway…anddamnifhewasn’tseriouslyconsidering
it.

Hewantedherlikehe’dneverwantedawomanbefore.
Andhewasn’tsurehehadenoughcontroltosaynoifshewassayingyes.
Fuck.
Heforcedhimselftoslowdowntheinsanelysuddenmakeouttheyhadgoing.“Jesus,Julia,”he

breathed.“Iwantyousofuckingbad.”

Hefelttheshudderripplethroughherbody,chasingafterhiswords,andthataboutputhimoverthe

edge.Twoheartbeatslater,hefeltthegroundshakebelowhisboots…butitwasn’ttheirlustgoinginto
overdrive.Itwassomeoneoutsidetheapartment—severalsomeonespoundingdownthestairwelland
shakingthewholefloor.

Thentherewaspoundingatthefront.“Marco!”ItwasStefan,callingthroughthedoor.“Wefoundit!”
Marcopulledback,releasingJulia’sleganddisengagingfromhisfull-bodypressagainstthewall.He

wasbreathinghard,butsowasshe—andthosebigeyesofherswerestaringathimwithamixtureofawe
andhalf-hoodedlust.

“We’llhavefinishthislater,”hesaid,hisvoicestillhoarsewithneed.
Shejustblinked,neitheragreeingordisagreeing,buthestillhadtoforcehimselftopushawayfrom

her.Hestraightenedhisclothes,tookherhandinhis,andledhertowardthedoor.

OhmyGod,thatkiss.

ThatthoughtranthroughJulia’smindinanendlessloopfollowingtheafternoon’sdramaticevents

whereMarcohadsavedher,onceagain,fromherownfoolishness.Then,evenintheheatoftryingto
protecthispack,hetookamomenttopinheragainstthewallandshowherhowmuchhewantedher
body.

Andherbodyhadsungwiththatknowledge,nottomentionherwolfpurringinanticipation,forthe

nexttwohours.Butthattimehadbeenfilledwithotherthings.Crushingthebug,watchingtheWolf
Hunter’ssurveillancefeedstop,reconveningbackatthesheltertomakefollow-upplansforfurther
patrols.NoneofitgaveMarcoachancetofollowupthatkisswithanotherone…orpossiblymore.

Nowshewasbackattheabandonedfurniturestorewithhim,buttheywerefarfromalone.He’d

broughtalongadozenkids—hecalledthempups—fortheirafternoonexerciseandphysicaltrainingas
youngwolves.They’dsplitupthesexes—girlsononesideandboysontheother—andthenpracticed
shiftingbackandforthwiththeirwolfforms.Thegirlsranaroundnaked,andtheboysdid,too,each
groupbeingsupervisedbyseveraladultwolvestokeepthemtotheirownsideoftheflimsypartitionset
upinthemiddleofthecavernousroom.Theyplayedgamesaswolves,andthenothergamesashumans,
andthroughoutitall,MarcoleadtheboysintheirtrainingwhileIsabelleadthegirls.Juliestucktothe
girl’ssidewiththerest,butshecaughtglimpsesofMarcoandhisamazinglygorgeousphysicalformon
theothersideofthepartition.

Hesaidhewantedher.Andtherewasnodenyingshewasachingforhim,too,atleastinaphysical

sense.Hewashot,andthatkisslitupeverypartofherbodythatcouldbelit.OnlyMarcowasn’tlooking
forsomeonetosleepwith.Maybe.Hewasunderpressuretotakeamate,andhe’dmadeitclearthatthe
otherwomeninhispack,includingIsabel,didn’tworkforhim.

Buthewasdefinitelyinterestedinher.
Juliajustdidn’tknowwhattodowiththat.
Sheneededasafeplacetostaywhileshesortedoutherlife,butshehadplannedtoscrabbleherway

backtothatlife.Pieceittogetheragain,notgiveuponitentirely.

WhichwaswhatstayinginMarco’spackmeant.
Nottomentionthatshewassteppingintoabigoldmessofpackdynamicsthatsheknewnothing

about.Namely,Isabel.Thetall,slender,andgorgeousfemalewolfwhowasapparentlynotMarco’s
girlfriend.She’dbeencheckingJuliaoutthroughallthekids’activities.

Thatwasn’tawkward.Nope,notatall.
Isabelfinishedupthelatestgamewherethekidspassedaroundaballandsaidsomethingasthey

went.Juliathoughtitwasmaybecodewithinthepack.Shedidn’tunderstanditatall.Asthekidsranoff
tothedrinkingfountain,IsabelsignaledJuliaoverfromthesidelineswhereshe’dbeenhangingout,
watching.Shesuckedinhercourageandmadeherwayover,tryingnottolooklikeshewasdraggingher
feet.

“Hey,howareyouholdingup?”Isabelasked.
Itfeltreallyweirdforhertobeconcerned,butasfarasJuliacouldtell,itwasgenuine—infact,

IsabelseemedlikethekindofpersonJuliacouldbefriendswith.Ifshehadn’tjustmadeoutwithMarco
twohoursago.

“Yeah,I’mgood.Thankyouforasking.”Juliawasn’tsurewhatelsetosay.
“IheardyoutookonCruz’sbetaallonyourown.”Isabel’seyessparkledwithsomekindofmischief.

Thatcertainlywasn’ttheofficialstory,soshemust’vegottenitfromsomewhere…Marco.Whichmade
Juliaevenmoreuncomfortable,thinkingaboutthetwoofthemdiscussingher.

“Notoneofmybestchoices.”Juliamovedherweightfromonefoottotheother.Shelookedtoseeif

thekidswerecomingback,butitappearedtheyweredone.Theywerelaughingandjokingandtaking
downthepartition.WhenshelookedbacktoIsabel,thegirlwasexaminingher,likeshewastryingto
figureJuliaout.

Great.
“Look,”Juliasaid,holdingupherhandsinsurrender,“Idon’tknowifI’mevenstickingaroundhere,

youknow?So,youdon’thavetoworryaboutme,um,causinganymoretrouble.”Thekisssheshared
withMarcowasundeniablyhot,butshedidn’twanttobethepersonwhocameinandruinedthings.
EspeciallywhenitwasobviousthatMarcowasdoingsomuchgoodhere.

Isabelfrowned.“Isee.”
Juliahadnoideawhatthatmeant.
Marcowaswindinguptheactivitiesontheboys’sideaswell,andthemakeshiftgymwasquickly

emptyingout.Juliahadnoideawhatwasonthemenufortherestoftheday.Itwasclosetodinnertime,
somaybetheywereheadingbacktotheshelterformeals?Someofthekidshadhomesoutsidetheshelter,
too—sheknewthatmuchfromrescuingEthanonthewayhomefromschool.

“Well,”Isabelsaidassheslowlybackedtowardthedoor.“Ihopeyoudecidetostay.Ithinkyou’dbe

agreatassettothepack.”Thensheturnedandstrodetowardthedoor,leavingJuliawithhermouth
hangingopen.

IsabelgaveanodtoMarcoasshepassedhim.
Hefrownedafterher,watchingherwiththesameapparentconfusionthatJuliafeltstirringaround

insideherchest.

Whatthehell?DidshehavenoideathatMarcowasattractedtoher?Orwasthissomekindof

elaborategirlgamethatJuliadidn’tunderstand?She’dneverbeenanygoodatreadingthosekindsof
signals,alwaystoobusyfiguringouthowtokeepherlifefromgoingofftherailsbetweenhermom’s
problemsandhermanystepfathersmovinginandoutofherlife.Playingthewholemeangirlgamehad
neverbeenanoptionforher,anyway—shewasneverpartofthein-group,andshewashighlytrainedat
stayingbelowtheradarandkeepingoutofthewayofbullies.

Beforeshecouldsortitout,Isabelwasgone,andthegymwasemptyexceptforherandMarco.
Again.
Juliaswallowedwhenheturnedtowardher,asmallsmileonhisface.
Heslowlycrossedthegymwithmeasuredpacesandthatcrookedsmile.
Jesus,justalookfromhimwasheatingherupalready.Andthatlookhadallkindsofexpectationand

promisebuiltintoit.Thevisceralmemoryoftheirkissflushedthroughherbodyagain.

Whenhereachedher,heasked,“WhatdidIsabelwant?”
Sheshrugged,genuinelyconfused.“ShejustsaidshehopedIwouldstayinthepack.”

Marcoraisedhiseyebrowsandgaveashortnod.“I’dlikethat,too.”
Juliasighed.“Idon’tknow,Marco,Ijust—”
Heheldupahandtostopher.“Youdon’thavetodecidethismoment.ButI’vebeenthinkingabout

you…”Heranalookoverherbodythatheatedherfromheadtotoe,andshecouldn’thelpwonderingif
hewasthinkingaboutherthesamewayshehadbeenthinkingabouthim.Namely,calculatingtheoddsof
repeatingthatkiss.Maybewithfewerclothes.

Marcolickedhislips,notleavingmuchtowonderabout.“AndI’vebeenthinkingaboutyourwolf.”
Herwolf?Man,shehopedthatwasn’tsomekinkywolfthing.“Pleasetellmeyou’renotthinking

aboutmakingoutwithmywolfform,”shesaidwithafrown.“BecauseI’mreallynotintothatsortof
thing.”

Heletoutahuffoflaughterandgrinnedwickedlyather.“No,mostshiftersliketheirhumanformsfor

thatsortofactivity.Iwasthinkingmoreabouthowyoucouldcontrolyourwolf—ifyoujoinmypack,I
needyoutohavealittlemoredisciplinethanearliertoday.”

Shefrownedandstaredatthefloor.“Youknow,IthoughtIactuallyhaditmoreundercontrolthan

that.”

“That’swhatI’vebeenthinkingabout.”Hemovedcloserbutdroppedthesexysmileinfavorofa

moreeagerone.“You’reso…passionate.Righteous.Youhavesuchstrongfeelings.Ithinkit’sbecause
thewolfissostronginyou,anditjustwantstocomeoutwhenyoufeelthosethings.”Hereachedoutto
tuckastraypieceofhairbehindherear.“Ireallylikethatpartofyou.”

Eventhatbrieftouchwaslightingheronfireagain.
“ButI’dlovetoseeyoubeabletocontrolit,”hesaidsoftly.“So,Ifiguredwecoulddoalittlerole

play.”

Sheliftedhereyebrowsinsurprise.
“Notthatkindofroleplaying,”hesaidwithalaugh.Thenhewasbacktothatsmirky,sexygrin.

“AlthoughI’mopentowhateveryou’dlike,lateron.”

Shescowledathim.“Sowhatdoyoumean,then?”
Hesteppedback.“Whateveryoudo,don’tshift.”Itwasacommand,thekindsheheardhimgiving

othermembersofhispack.Shecouldfeelthethrumofitthroughoutherbodyasherwolfrespondedtohis
alpha-ness.

“Like,everagain?”sheasked,wonderingwhatthiswasabout.
Hesmirked.“Justforthenext10minutesorso.Aslongasyoucan.”
“Idon’tunderstand—”Buthewasholdinghishandupagaintostopher.
“Theyareallkindsoffuckedupthingsintheshifterworld,”hesaid,hisvoicetakingonahardedge.

“Kidsarerejectedbysocietyfromthemomentthey’reborn.Therearepeoplewhoareouttingshifters…”
Hegesturedtotheworldbeyondthewallsoftheirabandonedfurniturestore.“Peoplewho,assoonas
theyknowyou’reashifter,willturnonyouasifyou’resubhuman.Whowouldjustassoonseeyoudead.”

“Iknow,”sheprotested.“Iknowallofthatalltoowell—”
Hecutheroffagain,startingtocircleherwithanintenselookinhiseyes.“Haveyou?Haveyou

really?Wheredoyoucomefrom,Julia?Becausenomatterwhereitis,I’mprettysureit’snotasfucked
upasthingsarehereindowntownSeattle,groundzeroforshiftergangsandabuse.”

Herwolfbristledattheaccusationthatsomehowshehadn’tbeenthroughenoughsuffering,notlike

himandhispeople.“Youdon’tknowanythingaboutme!”Alittlegrowlhadsnuckintohervoicefromher
wolf.

“No,Idon’tknowanythingaboutyou.”Strangely,itlookedlikehewasfightingasmile.“ButIdoubt

youhaveanyideawhatthisworldisreallylike.DoyouknowwhattheWolfHunterwouldhavedone
withEthan?DoyouhaveanyideawhatI’veseenhimdoalready?”

Ashudderrippledthroughher,raisingthehairsonherarms.“I’veseenthevideos.”

“Thevideosarenothing,”Marcospat,stillcirclingher,forcinghertoturntofacehim.“Nothing

comparedtowhathe’sactuallydonetomembersofmypack.Hetorturedthem,Julia.Torturedthemto
death.Doyouhaveanyideahowhardthatiswithawolf?Doyouhaveanyideahowmuchpainand
sufferingtheWolfHunterandhisthugshavealreadyinflictedonmypackmembers?”

Sheshookherhead,notevenwantingtohearaboutit.“Iknowit’sbad—”
Hestoppedsuddenlyinhiscirclingandgrabbedholdofhershoulders,pullingherupclosetohim.

Buttherewasnosoftnessinhisvoiceorhisface,justahard,glitteringdetermination.“Hetorturedalittle
oldladytodeath.Hewould’veflayedEthanalive.Thisisthefatethatawaitsallofus,Julia,everysingle
oneofusifpeopleliketheWolfHunterhavetheirway.”

Shewrenchedoutofhishold.“You’resayingthislikeit’smyfault!Ididn’tdoanything—”
Hejabbedafingerather.“No!Youhaven’tdoneanything.Whathaveyoudonetotrytostopit?”
“That’snotfair!WhatcanIdo?I’mjust—”
Heleanedbackandgaveheraslightlydisgustedlook.“You’rejust…what?Notoneofus?Better

thanus?”

Sheballedupherfists.Shecouldfeelherwolfpawingtheground,wantingout,wantingtotellhim

off.Orpossiblyscratchoffhisface.“I’mnotsayingthat!I’msayingI’mjustonewolf…”Andsuddenly
allthetensiondrainedfromherbody.

Shewasjustonewolf.
Marco’seyeslitup,andalittleofthatsmilehe’dbeenfightingsnuckbackonhisface.“Yes.You’re

justonewolf.”Buthisvoicewasencouragingnow.“Buttogether,Julia…togetherweareapack.And
thenyoucandosomuchmore.”Heclosedthedistancebetweenthemandslidhishanduponhercheek,
holdingherfirmlyinthatwaythatmadehermeltintohim.Hetippedherchinupandlookedlikehe
wantedtokissthehelloutofheragain.And,ohman,didshewanthimtodoexactlythat.“Justonewolf
—onebeautiful,powerful,hotandsexywolf.”Hewaswhispering,andshefelthisheatedbreathreach
acrossthefewinchesbetweenthem.“Butifyoujoinme,joinmypack,youwon’tbealoneinanyofthis.
Notanymore.Letmeprotectyou.Joinwithmeinfightingthis.Youhavethespirit,theenergy,thispack
needs.…thatIneed…”Hislastwordsweresoft,abarewhisper.

Hewaited,eyesblazing,wantingtohearthewordsfromherlips.Thatshewouldstaywithhim.That

shewouldjoinhiscauseandhispack.Andsheknewwhatjoiningwithhimmeant—beingamate.Even
thoughsheonlyhadthebarestknowledgeofwhatthatreallymeant,itscaredthehelloutofher.

Shewasn’tready.
Andshewasn’tatallsurethatjoiningacriminalshiftergangwastheanswertoanyofit.Nomatter

howhotMarcowas,thatwasstillthesituation—hewasthealphainchargeofagangofshifterswho
weredealingdrugsandwhoknewwhatelseonthespectrumofillegalactivities.

Shepulledback,outofhishold,andwatchedasdisappointmentdimmedthelightinhiseyes.“Idon’t

know,Marco.Thisisallmovingsofast.AndI…Ijustreallyneedaplacetostayforaday.Maybetwo.
ThenI’llbeoutofyourhair.”

Thefervoronhisfaceshutdown,anditwentblank—devoidoftheanimationfrombefore.Itseemed

liketherewasstillafuryboilingbeneathhisskin,buthewasn’tlettingitout.

Hesteppedback.“Verywell.Ifthat’sthewayyouwantit.”Buthewaspissed.Shecouldtell.
Heheldhishandouttothedoor.“I’llmakesureyougetbacktotheshelterallright.Youcanstayas

longasyouneedto.Untilyou’rereadytogo.”

Herheartclenchedwiththat,buthewasputtingherinanimpossiblesituation—howcouldshedecide

athinglikematingwhenshe’donlyspentadayaroundhimandhispack?Shehadn’tevensleptsince
she’dstumbleduponthem.Infact,shehadn’tsleptanyofthelastseveraldaysthatshehadbeen
wanderingthestreets,fightingtostayaliveonherown.Andherewasagorgeous,hotwolfwantingherto
joinhispack,offeringhersafety.Awayout.

Wassheacompleteidiotforturninghimdown?
Shemarchedstifflypasthim,ignoringthecoldlookonhisface.Butitwasstillslicingthroughher

heart.

Truetohisword,Marcomadesureshegotbacktothesheltersafely.
Thenheturnedhisbackonherwithoutanotherwordandleftheralone.

Marcostalkedthroughtheshelter,ignoringthestartledlooksonthefacesofhispack.

Whatwashethinking?Thatheactuallyhadfoundhisfatedmate?Juliacertainlydidn’tseemtothink

so.Whattheyhadbetweenthemwasonlylust,atleastonhersideofthings.Buthewasn’tangryather—
mostlyitjuststunglikehellthattheonewomanhehadseriouslybeeninterestedin,prettymuchever,
didn’twantanythingtodowithhim.Thatkissinthehallwayhadbeeninsanelyhot,butthat’sallitwasto
her.Hewasgoodenoughforthat,butnotgoodenoughtokeep.Shewasn’tinterestedinhisheart.

Andhisheartlaywithhispack.
Howhadheforgottenthat?Hedidn’tgetthisfarbybeingaromanticidiot.Hehadahundredpeople

relyingonhimtobesmarterthanthat.Ashemarchedpastthebunks,pasttheeatingareawherehe
garneredevenmorestares,andheadedfortherecroom,heknewjustwhatheneededtodo—findIsabel
andclaimherforhismate.

Itwashisduty,anddammit,hewasgoingtodoitthistime.
Hepokedhisheadintotherecroom,butshewasn’tthere.Heignoredthecallsofhisnameandspun

backaroundtoscantheopenpartoftheshelter.Wherevershewas,hewasgoingtofindher,haulher
backtohisroom,havehot,angrysex,andforgetallaboutJulia.Marcohaddrivenawaythestressofhis
problemsinIsabel’sarmsbefore—hecoulddoitagain.Andthistime,itwouldbeforever.

HemaynotbeinlovewithIsabel,butheknewshewascommittedtothecause.Hiscause.Unlike

Julia.

Hedidn’tknowwhathewasexpectingfromheranyway—shewasn’tpartofhispack;shedidn’t

comefromthecity;sheprobablywassomepoorlittlerichgirlwhoranawayfromherdaddyand
stumbledintothewrongpartoftown.Hewouldlethergobacktoherlife,andhewouldgobacktohis.

Andhewouldtakecareofhispacklikeanalphashould.
Hisscansoftheshelterweren’tcomingupwithanysignofIsabel,andhecouldtellhewassettingthe

packonedgewithhisstompingandstormingaround.WhatheneededwastotalktoStefan—hecould
helpMarcogethisheadonstraight,plusheprobablyknewwhereIsabelwas.Marcotriednottostompas
hestrodetowardStefan’sroom.Backwhentheshelterwasamegagrocerystore,thelineofroomsalong
thebackhadbeenofficesandstorage.Now,oneservedasMarco’sprivateroom,anotherfurtherdown
belongedtoStefan,thehealerhadherownroomwhichdoubledasahospital,andtherestwerefilled
withthemeagersuppliesandfewweaponsthepackowned.

Marcostrodepasthisroomandseveralstoragerooms,buthecouldalreadyseethatStefan’sdoor

wasclosed.Hewasprobablyoutonpatrolsomewhere—ifheweren'tin,Marcowouldjustgethimon
thephoneandtrackdownIsabelthatway.

Heswungopenthedoorandfroze.
Isabelwasthere…inStefan’sarms.
ThenoiseofhimbarginginmadeStefan’sheadwhipinhisdirection—butMarcowasdeadcertainhe

hadjustbeenkissingIsabel.Andnotapeckonthecheek.

“Whatthefuck?”Marcogapedathim,completelylockedupandunabletounderstandwhathewas

seeing.StefanandIsabel.Whatthe—

StefanleapedawayfromIsabellikehehadbeenelectrocuted.ThetwoofthemstoodstaringatMarco

withhorrifiedlooks.EvenifMarcohadn’tjustcaughtthemintheact,hewouldstillknow—theguiltwas
writtenallovertheirfaces.

Stefanrecoveredfirst,steppinginfrontofIsabelandclenchinghisfistsathisside.“I’mresponsible

forthis,”hesaid,alookofdullpainonhisface.

Marcojustgapedathim.ThenhewrenchedhisgazepastStefan’stormentedexpressiontothepain

thatwasonIsabel’sface.

Hespoketoher.“Whydidn’tyoutellme?”
Shedidn’tsayanything,justshookherhead,lookingevenmorepainedandhorrified.
StefanmovedtoblockMarco’sviewofher.“Thisisn’therfault,”hegroundout,fistsflexingathis

side.“Leaveheralone.”

Marcosnarledandcarefullysteppedintotheroom,closingthedoorbehindhim.Thenhejabbedhis

fingerathisbestfriendandbeta,stillkeepinghisdistance,becausefrankly,rightnow,hewantedto
strangletheshitoutofStefan.“Andyou…youshouldhavefuckingtoldme!”

Stefanwinced,andMarcocouldfeelitthroughtheirsubmissionbond—thepainhisbestfriendwas

feelingatthisbetrayal.Theguilt,theagony,theregret—alloftheemotionsweresostrongthathecould
feelthempluckingonthemagicalstringsthatboundthemtogether.StefanandIsabel.Theybothhad
pledgedsubmissiontohim.Stefanwashisbeta.Shewashisintendedmate.

Itwastheultimatebetrayal.
“I’myourbeta,”Stefansaid.“Iwouldnever…wenever…IsweartoGod,Marco,Iwantedto.

Badly.Weneverdid.”Thenhisclawscameoutbyhisside.“ButIpromiseyou,ifyouhurther,Iwillkill
you.”

Stefan’swordswerelikefistspummelingintohim.Marcoactuallysteppedbackandstumbledintothe

door.“Youloveher.”Itwasawhisper.

Stefan’sfistsstillflexed.“IhavesincethemomentIlaideyesonher,butshe…”Hedroppedhisgaze.
MarcolookedtoIsabel,whosehandsweretormentingeachother.“Doyoulovehim?”heaskedher.
Stefan’sshoulderstwitched.Hetwistedhisheadbacktolookather,andwhentheireyesmet,there

wasawholeconversationthathappened,wordlessly,thatMarcodidn’thavetoheartounderstand.

Hisbetaandhisintendedmatewereinlovewitheachother…andtheyhadbeenforsometime.
“There’snosenseinhidingitanymore,”Stefansaidquietlytoher.
Shebitherlip,andthelookinhereyesasshefacedMarcoheldoceansofhurt.“Iwassworntoyou,”

shesaidsoftly.“Webothwere.Wewouldneverhavebetrayedyou.Andyouneeded…”Hecouldseethe
blushrunninguphercheeksevenfromacrossthesmallroom.“Youneededsomeone.Youwereouralpha,
andyouneededsomeonetocomfortyouwhileyoudidthehardworkofbuildingourpack.Icouldn’tsay
notothat.”

AveryfamiliarguiltstabbedMarcothroughthechest.“Youcould’vesaidno.Youshouldhavesaid

no.”

Shegavehimasadsmile.“Ididn’twantto.Youhadsacrificedsomuchforthepack…forme…I

wouldn’tevenbealive,ifitweren’tforyou,Marco.Aslongasyoustillneededme,therewasnowayI
wouldn’tbethereforyou—inwhateverwayyouneededmemost.”

Marcosqueezedhiseyesshut,notwantingtobelievethis,notwantingtohearthis.Howhadhenot

seenthisallalong?

Heforcedhiseyesopenandstaredather,holdinghergazeforalongmoment.“Iwishyouwould

havetoldme.”

Isabellookedlikeshemightcry.Damn,hehadmessedthisupsobadly.
“Shedidwhatshethoughtwasbestforthepack,”Stefansaid,angerrisinginhisvoice.“Don’tyou

darebeangryatherforwhatshe’sdone.”Thatwasfamiliar,too—StefanhadalwayshadIsabel’sback.

HowhadMarconeverseentherewasmoretoit?
Heheldhisbestfriend’sangrystare,feelingthepainofitdanceacrossthemagicthatboundthem

together.“I’mnotangrywithher.Oryou.”Andthatwasthetruth—angerwasn’tthefeelingthatwas
flushingthroughhimrightnow.Morelikeanunmooringfromreality,witheverythingthathethoughthe
understoodturnedupsidedown.

Stefan’sexpressionwentbacktobeingpained.“Wedidn’twantyoutofindoutthisway.Wethought

thatmaybe…”HeglancedbackoverhisshoulderatIsabel.

Shenodded.“Wethoughtmaybethisnewgirl,Julia,might’vebeentheoneforyou.That’sallwe

were…”SheexchangedanotherguiltylookwithStefan,thenshelookedbacktoMarco.“Thatwasmostly
whatweweretalkingabout.ThatmaybeifyouhadJulia,thenyouwouldn’tneedmeanymore.”

Marcodroppedhishead,shakingitatthefloor.“No.That’snotgoingtoworkout.”Thenhelookedup

atthetwoofthem.“Butyoutwohavemyblessing,regardless.”

Stefansaidsomethingelsetohim,butMarcodidn’thearitoverthebuzzinhisears.Hereachedback

toopenthedoor,slowlyandcalmly,almostinslowmotion,pullingitopenandclosingitbehindhim.

Heslowlymarcheddownthelineofcloseddoors,headingforhisownroom.Hisheadwasthickwith

confusionandadizzyingsortoffeelinglikehewaslosinghisgriponreality.Whatelsedidhenotknow
thatwasgoingoninhisownpack?Underhisowndamnnose?

Hestumbledtoastopoutsidehisroom,staringathisclosedbedroomdoor.Heneededsometime

alonetothinkthisthrough,beforehehadtofacehispack,orevenStefanandIsabel,again.

HisbetawasgoingtoclaimthewomanwhowassupposedtobeMarco’smate.Itwasn’tlikehewas

jealous—adistant,deeplyburiedpartofhimwasactuallyhappyforthem.Maybeevenalittlejealousof
whattheyhad.Hewouldstillhavetoclaimamateofsomekind,oneoftheotherunmatedfemalesinhis
pack,buthewasinnoconditiontomakethatdecisionnow.Especiallynotwhenthatwasalifelong
decisionforher,whoevershemightendupbeing.

Hemust’vebeenstandingthereforalongtime,hishandonthedoorknob,buthewasbroughtoutof

hishazebyEthanrunninguptohim,breathless.

“Marco!Marco!”hegasped,grabbingontoMarco’sarm.
“Hangon,buddy,where’sthefire?”Hefrowneddownatthekid,whowasreallyworkedupabout

something.Marcotriedtopullhisshittogetherinsidehisownhead—iftherewassomethingreally
wrong,heneededtobethere,mentally,totakecareofit.

“It’sMs.Julia!”Ethanrushedout.“Shesaidgoodbyetome!”
What?“Didsheleavealready?”Marcoscowleddownatthekid.HehadtoldJuliashecouldstick

aroundaslongassheneededto—hell,itwasalmostduskoutside.Ifshethoughtshewasleavingnow—

“Yes!She’sgone!Isawhergoingoutthefront.You’vegottostopher,Marco.”
Marco’swolfsurgedupinsidehim.“Damnstraight,Ido,”hegrowled.“Whatisshethinking,leaving

atthistimeofnight?”Hestartedrunningtowardthefront,butthenheheardfast,quickstepsbehindhim.
Heturned,andEthanwasfollowinghim.Marcojabbedafingerathim.“Youstayhere,littleman.I’llgo
getherandmakesureshe’ssafe.”

Ethanstoppeddeadinhistracksandnoddedquickly.
Marcoturnedandranfullspeed.
Whenhetoreoutthefrontdoorandscannedthestreet,hedidn’tseeher—andhisheartlurchedlikehe

washavingaheartattack.Again.ThesamefeelinghehadwhenheknewshewasindangerwithCruz’s
beta.Hisbootspoundedacrossthebrokenpavementlitteredwithweedsandoutintothestreet…andthen
hesawher.Onlytwoblocksdown,butdammit,shewasheadingstraightforCruz’sterritory.Wasshe
insane?

Hehauledassdownthestreetafterher,hislungsreadytoexplode.Shefinallyheardhimcoming

whenhewashalfablockaway.Atleast,shedidn’ttrytorunfromhim,eventhoughhewasbarreling
towardher.

“Whatthehellareyoudoing?”heshouted,breathlessashetrottedtoastopinfrontofher.
Shecavedinhershoulders,wincingawayfromhim,holdingsomekindofbackpackthatlookedlikeit

hadbeenrummagedoutofstorage.Herhandswereworkingthestrap,andittookamomentforhimto
realize—shewastrembling.

Heforcedhisvoicetocalm.“Youcan’tbeoutherealone,Julia.Cruzwilltakeyouandclaimyou

beforeyoucanscreamforhelp.OrtheWolfHunter’smencouldbeprowlinghereanymoment.”He
swalloweddownhislaboredbreathing.“Whyareyou…whatareyoudoing?”Hefeltlikesuchanidiot
—itwasobviousshewasleavingbecausehehadstompedaway,stungbyherrejection.ButJesusChrist
hedidn’twantherrunningoutintothestreetandgettingherselfkilled…orworse,matedtoawolflike
Cruz.

Shestraightenedhershoulders,puttingonabravefaceeventhoughhecouldseehertrembling.

“You’reagoodman,Marco.You’redoinggoodthingshere.Anyonecouldseethat.ButI’mjust…Idon’t
belonghere.AndI’mjustdistractingyou.IfiguredifIwasgone—”

Heclosedthedistancebetweenthemandtookhershouldersinhishands.Sheflinchedalittlelikeshe

thoughthemighthurther.Thatcutthroughhimlikepoisonrunningtohisheart.

“You’renotsupposedtoworryaboutme.I’mthealpha.Iworryaboutyou.That’showthisworks.”

Hesqueezedhershouldersandpeeredintohereyes.She’dbetternotfighthimonthis.“It’snotsafefor
yououthere.So,thefirstthingI’mgoingtodoisgetyouinside.Thenwe’lltalkaboutwhereyoubelong.
Andwhereyoudon’t.”Butevenasthewordswereoutofhismouth,heknewexactlywhereshebelonged
—nexttohisside,wrappedinhisarms,moaningunderhistouch.Everyinstinctwastellinghimthiswas
true.Thewayhisbeastcalmedthemomenthetouchedher,thewayshewasrespondingtohiscommand
witharelievedlookandaslightleanintohisholdonher—therewasnoquestioninhismind.

JuliaHollowaybelongedwithhim.
Andhewoulddoanythingtoprovethattoher.
Heslidhisarmaroundhershoulders,holdinghertighttohisside,andtheywalkedquicklyawayfrom

Cruz’sterritory.Marcodidn’twanttogobacktotheshelter—toomanyeyesthere,nottomentionhewas
innoshapetofaceStefanandIsabel—butthegymshouldbeshutdownfortheday.Hesteeredherthat
way,andastheywalked,theshakinginhershoulderssubsided.Shewaswarmandwillinginhisarms,at
leastforthemoment,evenifonlyinthissimplethingofwalkingtosafety…butheknewherwolfwas
singingforhim,justashiswolfwassingingforher.Shejustdidn’tunderstandwhatherwolfwastelling
her.Shebarelyhadcontrolofherbeast—hewassureshewouldn’tunderstandallthesignalsherwolf
couldgive.Shedidn’tknowhowtolistentoherbeastforreassurancethatshewasdoingtherightthing,
thewayhewaslisteningtohiswolfhumwithpleasureashetookherliterallyunderhisarmandkepther
safe.Keptherclose.

Broughtherback.
Hiswolfknewhewastherightthingforher.Marcojusthadtoconvinceherofit.
Whentheyreachedthegym,itwaslockedupforthenight.Fortunately,hecarriedthemasterkeywith

himandquicklygotitopen.Theinsidewasstalewiththeleftovermuskofatonofkidsrunningand
playing,butitwasthesmellofhispack.Ofhishome.

Heclosedthedoorbehindthemandflippedononlyhalfthelights,soitwouldn’tbeharsh.Shehad

herarmswrappedtightacrossherchest,thebackpackstillclingingoveroneshoulder.Hesteppedupto
herandranafingeralonghercheek.Hecouldseehertryingnottoreact,butthetellswerethere—her
lipspartedjustalittle,ahitchinherbreath,thedilationofherbeautifuleyes.Heslidafingerunderthe
strapofherbackpackandlifteditfromhershoulder,droppingitonthewoodenfloornexttothem.

Thenhetookhercheeksinbothhandsandheldthemgently,tippingherheadupsoshewouldhaveto

lookhimintheeyes.“I’msogladIfoundyou.”

Sheblinkedandsmiledalittle.“Ididn’tgetveryfar,didI?”
Hemovedcloser,slidingonehandtothebackofherhead,theothertrailingalinedownherjawline.

“That’snotwhatImeant,”hewhispered.

Thenhekissedher.Notlikebefore—notahesitantkisstoaskpermission,andnotawildpressinto

thewall—justanurgentneedtoshowher,withhislipsandhistongueandhistouch,thathewasonfire
forher.

Andhewantedtomakeherhisown.
Afteramomentofshock,sheresponded—handsinhishair,clutchingathisshirt—andhisholdonher

grew.Heangledhermouthjustrighttoclaimitwhilehisotherhandpulledhersweetbodyagainsthis.
Hiscockwasspringingtolifealready—ithadbeenreadyforhereversincethatfirsttouchonthestreet.
Hishandskimmedherback,foundtheedgeofhert-shirt,andslippedinsidetofindthesoftskinthere.He
moanedintohermouth,hisneedforherrampingupsofastitfeltlikehisbodywasinavise,cranking
tighterandtighter.Hismouthlefthers,andhenearlybithiswaydowntoherneck.Someday,hevowed,
hewouldsinkhisfangsintoherforreal,makeherhisforever,butfornow…fornow,hejustneededto
convincehertogiveonepartofherselftohimatatime.

Firstherkiss.Thenherbody.Thenherwolf…andthen,ifhewasdamnlucky,herheart.
Herbreathingwasraggedashenippedatherneck,andhishandswerebusyexploringthebacksideof

herbody—thesmoothskinunderhershirt,thetightcurveofherass,thatgorgeoushoney-brownhair
twistinginhisfist.

“Tellmeyoudon’tfeelthis,”hewhisperedhoarselyintoherear.“TellmeI’mtheonlyonewhofeels

thisneedtohaveyou,naked,slidingagainstme.”

Herwhimperwasheronlyanswer,followedbyanotherhitchinherbreathingasheslidhishandto

thefrontandgraspedherbreast,squeezinghard.Hecapturedhermouthwithhisagain,workingher
breastsfreeofherbraunderhert-shirtashewalkedherbackwardtowardoneofthecouchesagainstthe
wall.Whenhereachedit,hestoppedhispawingofherbody,eventhoughitwasmakingherpant,and
broughtahandbackuptoherface,holdingher,demandingherhalf-liddedeyesmeethis.

Shewasfeelingit—thecallofherwolf.Hewassureofit.
“Letmeshowyoueverythingyou’remakingmefeelinside,”hewhispered.
“ButI’mnotinyourpack.I’mnotyour—”
Hecutheroffwithakiss,quickandsharpanddemanding.Hedidn’twanthersayingthosewords.“I

wantyou.Thisisforme,notmypack.Notthecause.Iwantyouasamanandawolf.”

Herlipstrembled,butshedidn’tsayanything.
Hepulledherhardagainsthisbody.“Sayyes.Iknowyouwantthis.Sayyes,andI’llmakeyou

screammyname,JuliaHolloway.”

Sheletoutashudderingbreath.“Yes.”Itwasawhisperfilledwithneed.
He’dneverheardanythingsosweetinhislife.

Holyfuck,MarcoWilding’shotnesswasaforceofnature.

AnditwassweepingoverJuliaandconsumingher.
Theinstantshesaidyes,heletoutthemostpossessive,sexygrowlshe’deverheardandliftedher

shirtandbracleanoffherbodyinonesweep.Hisshirtwentfast,too,thenhesatonthecouchandpulled
herclosesothatherchestwasevenwithhisface.Hishandsandmouthtookturnswithherbreasts,
tormentingandlickingandmakingsomuchheatgushbetweenherlegs,itmadehersquirmwithneedfor
himthere.Sheheldtightontothesmooth-steelmusclesofhisshoulders,oneofwhichwasdarkenedwith
alargetattooofawolfthatreachedhalfwaydownhisarm.Itwasthetattooofhispack,shewassure,and
itaddedaroughsexinessontopofhisgorgeousbody.Hewasthestrongestmanshe’deverbeenwith;in
fact,itwasn’tevenclose.Hismusclesrippledunderherpalms,sendingspasmsofwantthroughher.The
tremendousachebuildingbetweenherlegs,theinsanelyhotneedforhim,wasdrivinghermad…and
theystillhadhalftheirclotheson.

Marcosoongotbusyonthat,too.
Hismouthkeptnippingatherbreast,buthishandsdroppedtoundoherjeansandslipthemdownher

legsalongwithherpanties.Hisgroanofimpatiencewasmakinghercrazy…atleast,herhumanbody
wasrampingup,writhingwithneedforhim.Herwolf,ontheotherhand,waspurringlikeakitten.
Hummingtoherself,justblissed-outhappytobeinthehandsofthisalphawolf,thismanwhowasso
muchmore.Therewasnoquestionthiswasexactlywhereherwolfwantedtobe,andJulia’sbodywas
dyingtohavehimaswell,butherheadwasholdingback.Stillfeelinguncertain.Butshewastoofargone
inthistostop—shewasn’tsureshewouldrecoveriftheystopped—soshewouldjusthavetotellhim
later.

Whatshe’ddone.
Whatherlifereallywas.
Maybehewouldn’twantherthen,buthissexygrowlscertainlysaidhewantedhernow.
“Goddammit,you’resobeautiful,”Marcowhisperedagainstherbelly,slidingahandbetweenher

legsjustforamomentthatleftherachingformore.Thenheletgoofherandstood—foraterrifying
instant,shethoughthewouldleaveherhanginglikethat.Butinstead,heshoveddownhispantsand
quicklysattokickoffhisbootsandpushhisclothesfree.

Heleanedbackagainstthecouch,hiscocktallandproudinhislap,andherakedaslow,hotgaze

acrosshernakedbody,standingbeforehim.“I’veneverseenanythingsobeautifulinmylife,”he
whispered,almosttohimself,butsheheardit,anditmadeherglow.Shecouldsaythesamethingabout
him—hewasmaleperfection,loungingalmostrelaxedonthecouch,exceptforthatcock,whichwas

longerandthickerthananythingshe’dhadbefore.

“Seesomethingyoulike?”heasked,andshejerkedhergazebackuptohisface.Thesmirkwaswide

onit.“Whydon’tyoucometakearide?”

Shechokedonair.Didhereallyjust…?Ohyes.
Hehardlywaitedforhertoact,justreachedoutforherhandandpulledhertowardhim.Shefell,not

verygracefully,intostraddlinghislap.Shehesitatedagain,unsureifthiswouldevenwork—heseemed
solarge,shewasn’tevensurehewouldfit.Withawicked,lust-hazedlookinhiseyes,Marcoslidone
handuptohershoulder,holdingher,thenslidtheotherbetweenherlegs.

Shegaspedastwoofhisfingerspumpedintoher.Hepulledherdownforakissevenasheworked

hercore,pumpinginandslidinghisthumb,honinginonhersweetspotlikehewasbornknowingwhere
tolook.

“Marco,”shegaspedintohismouth.
“Oh,baby,you’resowetforme,”hebreathed.Shefeltashudderrunthroughhim.“Ineedtobeinside

you.Now.”

Hishandslidout,andhegrippedherhipinstead,urgingherdownashethrustupintoher.She

shriekedandgraspedholdofhisshoulders—thesheerlargenessofitliftedherstraightoffthecouch.
Thenhesankdownagain,pullingoutofherbeforeshecouldadjust.

“Ohyes,”hesaidtightly.
Thenheslowlyeasedherdownhisshaftagain,stretchingandfillingher,untilshewasseatedfullyon

him.Hermouthhungopen.Shedidn'timagineit.Hewasthatbig.

Hegroanedandlethisheadfallback.“You’resofuckingtight,Julia.God,you’regoingtokillme

withthis.”

Shecouldhardlyspeak,stilladjustingtohowmassivehewas.Andbesides…allshewantedtodo

wasmove.Toridethissexy,beautifulmanuntilhecameinsideher.

Sheliftedherhipsandsunkbackdownslow.
Marcopitchedforward,hismouthlandingtopantagainstherchest.“Holyfuck,”hewhispered.Then

hepeeredupather.“Dothatagain.”

Herbodywasshudderingwiththepleasureofit—thefullnessofit—butshedid.Upanddown,again

andagain,pickingupsomespeedasshewent.Marco’sheadfellbackoncemore,andeachgruntof
pleasuresheworkedoutofhimjustrampedherpleasurehigher.Shewasrocketingtowardanorgasmthat
feltlikeitwouldshatterher,butshekeptridinghim,fasterandfaster.

Marcogrittedhisteeth,breathingbetweenthem,thenheblazedthosedarkblueeyesupather.He

placedbothhandsonherhipsandslammedherdownharder,makinghercryoutwitheachpump.But
whenhisthumbfoundhersweetspotagain,thatwasallshecouldtake…sherocketedrightoverthetop,
convulsingaroundhim,tippingbackherheadandmoaningincoherently.

Justasshewascrestingthetopofthatwave,Marcograbbedholdofherhipsandturnedthemboth

together,layingherdownandpinninghertothecouch.Hewasstillinsideher,butnowhewaspositioned
betweenherlegs,whichhadinstinctivelywrappedaroundhisback.Heslidoutandslammedbackin.

OhGod.Thepleasureofthatsinglethrustwassointenseitwhitedoutherthoughts.
Thenhediditagain,andshegaspedlouder.Hisgorgeous,hard-muscledbodywascoveringher,his

lipshoveringnearherneck,pantingandgruntingintoherearashetookher,hard,againandagain.

“Iwantyou,”hepanted.
“Yes!”shecried.
“Iwantallofyou.”Hisbreathwasragged,histhrustspunctuatingeveryword.
Shecouldn’tsayyesanyharderormeanitanymore,soshejustgraspedholdofhiswell-muscled

bottom,whichwasflexingashethrustintoher,andurgedhimon.Hepickedupthepace,takingher
harderandfaster,andsherushedtowardanotherclimaxthatmadethefirstfeellikeforeplay.

Justasshehoveredattheedge,hegrowled,“I’mgoingtomakeyoumine.”
Andthatfinalpossessiveword,plusthethrustdeepinsideherthatwentwithit,hadherbuckingunder

him,thrashingwithpleasureandcryingouthisname.Hegroanedlongandhardandguttural,stillingfora
moment.Shecouldfeelhiscockpulsingashecame.Hispantingbreathsafterwardmatchedhers,their
heartsracing,theirlimbsentwined.

Hestayedinsideheralongtime,astheirbodiescooledandtheirbreathcalmed.
Likehedidn’twanttoleave.
Andthetruthwas,shedidn’teither.Shewantedtostay,hotandstickyandthrummingwithpleasurein

thisexactspotforalleternity.Itwaseasilythebestsexshe’deverhad.Withthebestmanshe’dever
known.Thelastthingshewantedwastothinkthatitmightnothappenagain.

Eventually,heeasedoutofher,buthedidn’tgofar.Hestayedproppeduponhiselbows,coveringher

withhisbodybutkeepinghisbroadchestfromcrushingher.Theheatradiatedoffhim,warmingherskin
wherevertheytouched—legsandhips,herbreastsbrushinghardenednipplesagainsthischest.His
fingersidlyplayedwiththewildhaloofherhair,andhedroppedsoftkissesgentlyalongherjaw,her
cheeks,hereyebrowsandevenhereyelids,oncesheclosedthem.Helandedatinypeckonhernose,
whichmadeheropenhereyesagain.

“Pleasetellmeyou’llstay,”hesaidgently.
Shepeeredpasthisshoulder.Itwascompletelydarkoutside.“Seemsalittlelateformetobegoing

out.”

Hekissedhernoseagain.“Imean,staypastthemorning.Iknowthisisallhappeningsofast.Justtell

meyou’llstickaroundawhileandgivemeachance.Youdon’thavetojointhepack.Youdon’thaveto
doanything.Juststay.”

Shesmirkedandpeereddownattheirnakedbodiestouching.“I’dsayI’vealreadydonesomething.”
Helaughed.Shelovedthesoundofitandthewayitshookherbodyandthecouchasiftheywereall

one.

Thenhescowledather.“Don’ttellmeyoudidn’tenjoythat.Ifthosescreamsweren’tforthebest

orgasmsyou’veeverhad,you’regoingtobreakmyheart.”

Heatflushedherallovertohearhimtalkaboutit.“Definitelythebest.”
Hiseyessparkledinawickedway.“Justincase,I’llhavetomakethenextonebetter.”
Shedidn’tknowhowthatwouldbepossible,butthenhisgazeandlipsandhandsweresuddenly

movingacrossherbodyagain,warmingitupeventhoughithadbarelycooleddown.

“More?”sheprotested,eventhoughshecouldheartheweaknessofit.
“Mm,hm,”hesaid,hismouthdelightfullyoccupiedwithnibblingahotlineacrosstheskinofher

chest.Helifteduptosmirkather.“IhearI’vegotatleastonenighttoworkwith.”

Hereyeswidenedalittle.Allnight?Washeserious?
Whenhedroppedbacktoherchestandslippedahanddownbetweenherlegs,itwasclear—hewas

definitelyserious.Shecouldn’thelparchingalittleunderhimandgaspingashebrushedherstill-tender
flesh.Buttheyneededtotalkbeforethiswentanyfurther.

Sheputherhandsonhisshoulders,pullinghimbackup.“Marco.”
Hisgroanwasfilledwithfrustration,buthedraggedhimselfawayfromthelinehewaskissingdown

herbelly.“Yes,mylove?”

Thosewords…andhiseyesfilledwithsuchtendernessmixedinwiththeglazeoflust...itstoleher

breathforamoment.Maybesheshouldjustspendthenightmakinglovethensneakoutagaininthe
morning.Nottellhimthetruth.

Hescowledandscootedfurtherup.“What’swrong?”
“I…Ineedtotellyousomething.”Shesuddenlydidn’tknowwhattodowithherhandsandendedup

pullingthemawkwardlybehindherhead.

Hisscowlgrewdarker.Butinsteadofaskingmorequestions,heslidhisdeliciousbodyoffhers,

turnedtositproperlyonthecouch,andthengatheredherupinhislap.Itwasstrangelyintimate,sitting
bare-bottomedonhisnakedlegs,buthewasholdinghertenderly,brushinghairbackfromherfaceand
keepinghersecurewithanarmaroundherback.

Heliftedherchingentlywithhisfingers.“There’snothingyoucantellmethat’sgoingtochangehowI

feelaboutyou.”

Thatwasthepartsheunderstoodtheleast.“Howdoyoufeelaboutme?”
Asmallsmileappearedonhisfaceandthenvanished.“Mywolfhasneverbeenhappier.He’sfound

hismate.”

Ashiverranthroughher,pebblinguphernipplessotheystuckstraightoutfromherbreasts.He

noticedrightaway,gentlycuppingonebreastandrumblingasmallgroan.Hegaveheralooklikeshe
shouldn’ttempthim,butshewashardlydoingitonpurpose.Shecouldn’ttellifitwasashiverofdelight
orfear,butitwasdefinitelysourcedfromdeepinsideher—itwasherwolfreactingtothatword.Mate.

Butthehumanpartofherdidn’tunderstand.“WhataboutIsabel?”
Hishanddroppedfromherbreast,andhisjawworkedforamoment.“She’sinlovewithmybeta.”
“Stefan?”Juliaasked,hereyesgoingwide.
Henoddedandscowled.“ApparentlyfromDayOne.”Thenhisexpressionsoftened,andherana

fingeracrossherlips.“Becausethat’showitworkswithtruemates,”hewhispered.“Somepartofyou
knows,rightaway,thatthispersonisyourotherhalf.”Hedroppedhishandandgaveheratimidsmile.
“Ourwolvesknowlongbeforewedo.They’resmartthatway.Instinctual.”

Shewasholdingherbreath.Becauseshecouldfeelthatinside…somethingthatwaspullingher

towardhim…butherwolfwasn’tanythingshetrusted.Notyet.Butmaybe,justmaybe,shecouldfinda
waytotrustherwithMarco.Thatstilldidn’terasewhatshe’ddone.AndMarcodeservedtoknowbefore
hedecidedhiswolfwasinlovewithher.

“Mywolfislikethat…instinctual,”shesaid,duckingherheadandtwistingastrandofherhair

throughherfingers.

“Iknow,”hesaidhuskily,makingherlookup.“She’salsoextremelyhotandincrediblybrave.”His

eyeswereblazingatheragain.

Sheshookherheadandlookedaway.“Notsomuchbraveasjust…stupid.”
“Hey.”Hebroughtherbackwithafingeronherchin.“That’snotwhatI’veseen.”
Shefinallylookedhimintheeyes.“Youhaven’tseeneverythingI’vedone,Marco.”Shepursedher

lips,butthenjustforceditout.“Ikilledaman.”

Hefrowned,butmoreinconfusionthancondemnation.“Well,ifyoudid,I’mprettysurehedeserved

it.”

Shegawkedathimforamoment,thenscowled.“That’snoexcuse.”
Hecockedaneyebrowather.“Anexcuseisjustareasonyoudon’treallybelieve.”Thenhefrowned

againandcuddledheralittlecloser.“Whathappened?”

Juliatookabreathandthenjustletitspill.“Myfatherwasashifter,butheleftbeforeIwasborn.My

momhadaseriesofhusbands,eachmoreofaloserthanthelast.Iwaslivingathomestill,tryingtowork
mywaythroughcommunitycollege—wehadnomoneyatall—andIcomehomefromclassonedayto
findthisguy…hewasjust…hewasbasicallyragingdrunkandbeatingtheshitoutofmymom.Thenhe
cameafterme,andI—”

Marco’sgrowlhadbeenrisinginvolume,buttheflexingofhisarm,tighteningacrossherback,

unsettledher.Washeangry?Ather?

“Ihadtodefendmyself!”shesaid,herownangerrising.
Marcosuckedinasharpbreathandletitoutslow.“Ofcourse,youdid.Thisisthepartwhereyoutell

meyoufuckingkilledthatguy,right?BecauseIneedyoutoskipaheadalittle,mylove,andletmeknow

thatassholegotwhatwascomingtohim.”

Hershouldersrelaxed,andtherewasanincrediblereliefspreadingthroughher,likewarmhoney.

Marcothoughtitwasjustified.Shewasn’tsuresheagreedwiththat,butitmadeherfeelsafetoknowhe
wasn’tjudgingher.

“Yes,Ikilledhim,”shesaid,andairkeptleakingoutofher,relaxingandlettingloose.Shekilled

him…becausehedeservedit.Itdidn’twipeawaythehorrorofit,butitputaframearounditthat
somehowmadeitfeel…contained.Likemaybeshecoulddealwithitnow.

“Damnstraight,youdid,”Marcogrowled,butitwasn’tasangry.Thenhishandwasonhercheek

again.“Iknowthathadtoscarethecrapoutofyou,though.”

“Iwasoutofcontrol,”shewhispered.“Mywolfwas…sheletlooseandkilledhimanditwas…it

washorrible.”

Hiseyesnarrowed.“Soyoukilledhiminwolfform?”
Shenodded.
“Thenwhat’stheproblem?”
“What’stheproblem?”sheasked,incredulousandpullingaway.“Ikilledaman,Marco.Inmy

mother’sapartment.Inmyhome.Itorehimtopiecesuntiltherewasjustabloodymess.Thepolicehave
tobelookingformeevenaswespeak.”

Hefrowned.“Soyou’reontherun.That’showyouendeduphere.”
Sheswallowed.“Ineededsomewheretohide.SomewheretostayuntilIfiguredouthowtoputmy

lifebacktogether.”

Therewasdawningrecognitioninhiseyes.“Youwanttogobacktothewaythingswere.Youwant

yourlifefrombefore…nottostayherewithacriminalgangofshifters.”

Shewincedashespokeherthoughtsaloud.“IguessI’macriminalshifter,too.Ijusthaven’t,well,

acceptedityet.”

“Hey,”hisvoicewassharp.“You’renotacriminal.Ifyou’dshothimdeadwithagun,itwouldhave

beenfine,right?Wouldyouhaverun?No.Youwouldhaveclaimedself-defense,andthepoliceprobably
wouldn’thaveevenarrestedyou.Butyouranbecauseyouknewitwouldn’tgodownthatwaysimply
becauseyoushifted…andthatmadeyouacriminalintheeyesofthelaw.Adangerouswildanimalthat
hastobeputdown.Theworldhasdecidedwe’realreadycriminalsbeforewe’vedoneadamnthing…
butthat’snotwhatweare.”Hetookadeepbreath,temperingtherisingangerinhisvoice.“I’mnot
sayingeverythingwedoinmypackislegal…I’msayingeverythingwedohereisnecessary.Justlike
killinganassholewhoisattackingyourmotherandthenyou.Defendinglife…there’snothingwrongwith
that,Julia.”

Hereyeswentwideasshesoakedinhiswords.“Youreallybelievethat?”
“Withallmyheart.”Thenhisferventexpressionsoftenedagain.“Itoldyoutherewasnothingyou

couldsaythatwouldchangethewayIfeltaboutyou.Iwaswrongaboutthat.”

Herheartskippedabeat.“Youwere?”
Hishandleftthegentlespotonherkneeandslidalongherbodytocupherbreast.Hekneadedit

possessivelywhilepullingherintoadeepkiss.Whenhebrokeforair,shecouldfeelhiscockrising
betweenthem,impossiblycomingbackformoreafterthey’djustfinishedthemostincrediblelovemaking
ofherlife.

“You’reevenmorethanI’ddaredtohopefor,”hewhisperedagainstherlips.Suddenlyhehadher

layingbackonthecouchagain,andbeforeshecouldblink,hewastakingher,slidingintoher,stretching
hersoreladypartsinthemostdeliciouslyurgentway.

Shewrappedherarmsaroundhimandgaveherselfovertoenjoyingeverytouch,everykiss,every

pleasurefulache.Shewasn’tsurewhatshewasgoingtodo—aboutanything—butshewascertainthat
everymomentwithMarcoWildingwasquicklybecomingprecioustoher.

Andthatmadeherloathetheideaofleavinghimevenmore.

Marcogroanedashecame,sinkinghimselfevendeeperintoJulia’ssweetbody.

Theywereonhisbedinhisroom—hewastakingherfrombehind,andtheviewwasglorious.She

wasmoaningthroughherownclimax,comingallaroundhim,shiveringdelightfullyalloverherbody,
whichwassplayedoutbeforehim.Heslowedhispumpingintoher,hatingtoleavethetightsweetnessof
herbody,butJesusChrist,hewasexhausted.

Anditwastimetogetup.
Morningsexreallywashisfavorite.Andeveningsex.Andmiddle-of-the-nightsex—they’dbeen

doingallofitforoveraweeknow,withnosignofslowingdown.

Notthathewascomplainingintheslightest.They’dbeenexploringeverypossibleposition,but

alwayswithinthetightconfinesofhissmallroomafterthatfirstspectacularnightatthegym.They’d
probablychristenedeverysquareinchoftheplace.

Hepulledoutandrolledovertolieonhisbacknexttoher.Juliacollapsedontopofhischest,

breathingequallyhard.Heranahandthroughherhairwithoutlooking,juststaringuptheceilingand
tryingtocatchhisbreath.

Hekneweverycurveofherbodybynowandhadworshipedeverysingleone.Andheknewthatshe

liketocomedownalittlebeforetalking,whichwasjustaswellbecausehewasstillworkingonbeing
awake.He’dhadahard-onwhenhewokeup,whichseemedtobeaperpetualstateforhimthesedays,
buthe’dreallyonlynoticeditbecauseJuliahaddrughimoutofadeadsleepbywrappingherlipsaround
it.

Shewasamazinginbed,andhandsdown,thebestthingthathadeverhappenedtohim.Hisplantoget

hertostickaroundseemedtobeworking—bitbybit,daybyday,hewasfindingawaytointegrateher
intothepackactivities…andnightbynight,orgasmbyorgasm,hehopedhewasworkinghiswayintoher
heart.

Atleast,shehadn’tmentionedleavinginawhile.
“Jesus,Marco,”shebreathedagainsthischest.“I’vebarelyrecoveredfromthatup-against-the-wall

thingwedidaroundmidnight.”

Hechuckledandliftedhisheadtopeerather.“Mylove,whatdidyouthinkwasgoingtohappen

whenyoustartgivingmeaBJfirstthinginthemorning?”

Shesmirkedandcuddleduptohim.God,helovedthefeelofhernakedbodyagainsthis,evenwhen

theyweren’tgoingatit—infact,especiallywhentheyweren’tmakinglove,andshewasjustrunning
seductivelineswithherfingertipsalonghischestlikeshewasnow.

“Idon’tknow,”shesaidsarcastically,“IthoughtmaybeIcouldjustblowyou.”

Helaughedsohard,itliftedhimupfromthemattress.“I’mafraidyou’regoingtohavetospecifythat

upfront.”Hesmirkedather.“Otherwise,Igetalittlecarriedawaywiththethoughtofthemainevent.”

Shefannedherself,pretendingtobeoverheated.Thenagain,itprobablywasn’tpretend.“You’renot

kiddingme,hotstuff.”Thenshelandedbothhandsonhischestandpeeredseriouslyintohiseyes.“But
oneofthesedays,Ireallyneedagoodnight’ssleep.”

“Wecansleepwhenwe’redead.”Hegrinnedandpulledherinforaquickkiss.“Butithastobetime

togetupbynow.”Heeasedheroffhischestandgropedaroundforhispants,whichhadbeenthrownon
thefloorsomewherewhenthey’dheadedinforthenightandimmediatelygottenbusy.Hefoundthem,
pulledouthisphone,andcheckedthetime.“Shit!”

Sheproppedherselfuponherelbows.“Whatisit?”
“I’mlatefortraining.”Hecursedunderhisbreath.AsmuchashelovedJulia,andlovedlovingher,

hereallyneededtogethisacttogetherandmakesureitdidn’tinterferewithhisalphaduties.

Hereyebrowsflewup.“Ohno—thatmeansI’mlate,too.”Shescrambledoutofbedandhuntedfor

herclothes.

“That’sright…”Hestartedpullingonhisjeans.“You’restartingattheschooltoday,aren’tyou?”
“Yep.”SheglaredatherwrinkledT-shirtandtosseditaside,goingtodigoutafreshoneofhis.

“Goingtoschool,withlotsofkids,smellinglikesex!Onthefirstday!Whatagreatwaytostart.”

Helaughed,buthewantedtomakesurethatthiswasactuallysomethingshewantedtodo.Heloved

thatshewashelpingout—helovedeverythingaboutit,includingthefactthatitwasheridea—buthe
didn’twanthertofeelpressured.

“Areyousurethisiswhatyouwanttodo?”heasked.“Youcouldstarttomorrowinstead.”They’d

justrecentlyopenedtheschoolagain,giventherehadn’tbeenanysightingsoftheWolfHunterorhisthugs
sincethelastattack,andthathadbeenoveraweekago.

Sheslippedhist-shirtoverherthinframe,andithungonher,twosizestoobig.Shegatheredit

togetherandtwisteditintoaknottomakeitfitbetter.

“It’snotlikeanyonewillbesurprisedyouandIarehavingsex,”shesaidwithasmirk.“I’mpretty

sureeventhekidshavefiguredoutthatmuch.Butyes,I’msure—Iwantthosekidstogettheeducation
theyneed.Andhavesomekindoffuture.Plus,Ihaveafewideasabouthowtodothat.”Thelookshe
gavehimasshewasbuttoningherjeanswasalittlemorehesitant,almostbashful.

Buthedidn’texpectanylessfromher.“Ofcourse,youdo.ButIstillwantyoutocomebylaterfor

combattrainingwiththeguys.Doyouthinkyoucanfitusintoyourschedule?”Shehadbeenshowing
Marcosomeofhermoves—apparently,shehadsometraininginjiu-jitsu,whichwashotashell—andhe
wasupfornakedwrestlingwithherjustaboutanydamntime,butshehadsomelegitfightingtechniques
thathispackcouldbenefitfrom.Plus,hewashopingthetrainingwouldbeonemorehooktodrawherin
andkeepherhere.Theyhadn’ttalkedaboutherjoiningthepackormatingoranything—hewas
determinedtotakeitslowaftertheirrocket-hotstart.Hewantedhertobesure.Andhewantedtoknow
whatheranswerwouldbebeforeheaskedherthenexttime.

“I’dlovetotrainwithyourguys,”shesaidwithasmallsmile.“MaybeIcancatchyouinthe

afternoonsessionafterschoolgetsout?”

“Deal.”Hejammedhisfeetintohisbootsandcameovertodropaquickkissonhercheek.“You

knowIlovethis,right?Iloveeverybitofit—theschool,thetraining…”

Shesmirkedupathimassheduckeddowntotiehershoelaces.“Megivingyoublowjobsfirstthingin

themorning?”

Heclosedhiseyes,tippedhisheadback,andgroaned.“Ifyoustarttalkingaboutit,wearenever

gettingoutofhere.”

Shelaughedandsprungupfromthefloor,thenslippedherarmsaroundhiswaistandgavehimakiss

onthechest.“Mylipsaresealed,then.”

Hepeereddownather.“Pleasedon’teversaythatagain.”
Shelaughedagainandpushedawayfromhim.Hecaughtherhandinhisbecauseheseriouslycouldn’t

standtobemorethanafewfeetawayfromher.Ever.Andbeingseparatedforhalfadaywasgoingtobe
roughonhim.Itwasagoodthinghiswolfwascrashedout,lollingonhisbackinahazeofpost-climax
bliss.ItwouldmakeiteasierforMarcotolethergoforalittlewhile.Hekepthisfingerslacedaround
hersastheylefthisroomtogether,closingthedoorbehindthem.

Agiggledowntherowofroomssnaggedtheirattention.StefanandIsabeldidn’tevenseethem—they

weretoowrappedupingropingeachotherandworkingtheirwaytowardsStefan’sbedroom.Marco
grinnedandwaggledhiseyebrowsatJulia.

“Theywerebothoutonthenightshiftpatrol,”hesaid,quietly.“Iguessthey’rejustgettingin.”
“Andjustabouttogetoff,”Juliasaidwithasmirk.
Marcosqueezedherhandharder.“WhatdidIsayaboutthesexytalk?Nomore.OrI’mgoingtodrag

youbackintomyroomandbendyouovermybed.”

Shesmiledwide,anditlitupsomethinginsidehim—shewasasexkitteninbed,toughashelloutside

ofit,andthen,totopitalloff,shewascrazysmart.Shehadbeenworkingtowardsomekindofdegreein
technologybeforeherlifewenttohellandsheendedupfallingintoMarco’sworld.Hewasinsanely
lucky,shewasfuckinghot,andhewasthoroughlyinlove.Hejustprayedhewouldn’tscrewthisup
somehow.

Hekeptherhandinhisastheystrolledouttowardthecommonarea.Luke,oneofhistoplieutenants

inthepack,waswaitingforJuliaintheeatingarea—hewasgoingtobeherescorttotheschool.

Lukegavehimanodgoodmorning.“Hey,boss.”HelookedtoJulia.“Readywheneveryouare,

ma’am.”

“I’mready.”Shewasstillsmoothingbackhersex-tossedhair.
“Goodluckwiththelittlemonsters,”Marcosaidanddroppedanotherkissonhercheek.Hereally

didn’twanttolethergo,buthewasn’tgoingtoletthatshownow.

“Seeyousoon,”shesaidwithasmile,releasinghishandandwalkingoffwithLuke.Marcowatched

themgo,fightinghisownurgetofollowafterthemandtellLukethathewouldtakeherfromthere,buthe
reallydidhaveworktodo.

Hestrodetothebackoftheshelterandoutintothebrightmorningsunshine.Adozenofhistop

lieutenantsweregathered,alreadyorganizingthemselvesfortheirhand-to-handcombattraining.Thiswas
somethingnewforthem,andadirectresponsetotheWolfHunter’sattacks.Marcowantedhispeopleto
beabletodefendthemselves,butalsotobeequippedtocometothedefenseofothers,shouldtheneed
ariseagain.Everydaythatpassedwithoutanotherattackorkidnapping,Marcodaredtohopealittlemore
thattheWolfHunterhadlostinterestinthemafterthelastbeatdown.Butthedarkersideofhiminsisted
theyweren’tthatlucky.

Normally,Stefanwouldbeorganizinganythingonthisscale,buthe’dbeenpullingnightdutieswith

Isabel,andMarcowashappytolethisbestfriendsgettoknoweachotherawholelotbetter.Hehadn’t
askedthemyet—ifStefanhadactuallydonethedeedandclaimedher.Itwastheirbusiness,andhe
figuredtheywouldtellhimsoonenough.Hewouldn’tbesurprisedifStefanclaimedhertheveryfirst
time,wheneverthatwas.

MarcoknewitwaskillinghimnottoclaimJuliaeverytimehehadherwrithingunderneathhim.

Patience.Itdefinitelywasn’toneofhisvirtues,butJuliawastooimportanttohimtolose.

Casey,oneofhisnewerpackmembers,brokefromthetrainingandjoggeduptohimwithsomekind

ofelectronicdeviceinhishand.

Marconoddedatthedevice.“IsthatwhatIthinkitis?”Caseyhadsomeelectronicstrainingbeforehe

losthisjobwhenhewasoutedasawolf.Heeventuallylandeddowntown,fightingforhislifeinCruz’s
gang.Marcohadfoundhimhalfdeadinanalley,andCaseyhadbeeninhispackeversince.Marcohad

askedhimputtogethersomekindoftracker,justincasetheWolfHunter’svanshowedupagain.Ifthey
wantedtostoptheattacks,onceandforall,theyneededtofindoutwheretheWolfHunter’smenwere
takingpeopleoncetheyweresnatched.ThenMarcowasgoingtoripthatfucker’sthroatoutandendthis
nightmare.

“Yeah,”Caseysaid.“Tookmeawhiletogetallthepartstogether,butI’vegotacoupleoffunctioning

prototypesnow.”

HehandeditovertoMarco.Itwasmostlybareelectronics—acircuitboard,abattery,andotherstuff

thatMarcodidn’trecognize.Itwaskindofflimsyandfragile.

“It’snotfinished,ofcourse,”Caseysaid,wavinghishandatit.“Itworks,though.It’sonlygotarange

ofaboutfivemiles,though,maybetenattheoutside.So,onceweplantthetracker,we’llhavetomake
surewefollowthemprettyclose.It’senoughdistancethatweshouldbeabletostayoutofsight,butstill
beabletofollowthemtowhereverthatbastardistakingourpeople.”

Marconodded.“Nicework.”Hehelditup.“We’regoingtoneedsomethingalittlesturdier,though.”
“Yeah,Iknow.I’mworkingonacasetogoaroundittoprotecttheelectronics.Youcankeepthatone

fornow—Ishouldhaveacasebythisafternoon.”

“Great.Assoonasyou’vegotsomethingfinalized,goaheadandstartmakingmore.Letmeknowif

youneedextrafunds.Iwanteverypossiblepackmembertobecarryingoneofthese,nomatterwhat,by
theendoftheweek.NexttimetheWolfHunter’svanshowsup,Iwanteverychancetogetatrackeronit.
Thenwe’llhuntdownhisassandmakehimregretmessingwithourpack.”

Caseysmirked.“Yougotit,boss.”Hejoggedofftogomakethathappeninhisworkshopinsidethe

shelter,andMarcoslippedthejumbleofGPSpartsintohispocket.

Heturnedtowatchhispackmemberspairingup.Theyhadfinishedtheirwarm-upsandwerestarting

todosomelightcombatmoves.HewavedoverMason—hewasbarelyseventeen,buthewasfullygrown
asfarasbeingamaleshifterwolf.Hehadallofhisstrength,plustonsofragingtestosteroneeagertotake
ontheWolfHunter.Marcojustwantedtomakesurehehadalittleexperiencetogoalongwithallthat
exuberance.Marcohimselfwasonlytwenty-one,buthe’dbeeninmorefightsthanhecouldcount—and
somehecouldn’tevenremember,notafterthebeatdown.Hehadn’twonallofthem,buthehadthe
strengthofallonehundredsubmissionbondsbehindhimnow.

Masondidn’thaveachance,butMarcowantedtoteachhimhowtofightsmart,notjustchannelhis

righteousrage.

HebeckonedMasonwithashortwave.“Givemeyourbestshot.Andnoshifting.”
Thekidcameathimandsoonendedupfacedownonthepavement.Marcolaughedthengavehima

handup.Theywentatitagainandagain,gettingsweatyinthehotsun.Masonwaslearningalittlebit
aboutfighting,andalotabouthowtostayalive.TheyhadbeentrainingforaboutanhourwhenCasey
camerunningbackoutoftheshelter.

“Marco!”hecalledevenbeforehereachedthem.
MasontookthatmomentofdistractiontoswipeMarco’slegsoutfromunderneathhim.Helanded

hardonthebrokenconcrete.

“Asshole,”Marcogrumbledathim,buttheyoungerwolfjustlaughed.
MarcowaspickinghimselfupoffthepavementwhenCaseyreachedhim,outofbreathandwide-

eyed.

Marcoimmediatelysobered.“Whatisit?”
“There’ssomethinggoingdownattheschool,”Caseyrushedout,breathless.
Julia.Marcodidn’twaittohearanymore,hejustgrabbedCaseybytheshirtandhauledhimtoward

thestreet.“You’rewithme,”hebarkedout.“Everyoneelse,grabwhatyou’vegotforweaponsandmeet
usattheschool!”

Andthenhehauledassaroundthecorneroftheshelter,prayinghewasn’ttoolate.

Thugsinblacktacticalgearwerehustlingtheschoolteacherandthekidstowardthestairs.

Juliaheldbackbythedoortotheone-roomschoolhousewherethedozenorsokidsreceivedtheir

lessons.Oneofthethugswasholdingaguntoherside,keepinganeyeonherwhiletheotherbig,hulking
menherdedthekidsliketheywereanimals.

Itdidn’ttakelongbeforetheywereallsingle-filingdownthestairs.
“Getmoving,”themanbarkedatherwhenshedidn’tleavethedoorwaythenanosecondthelastchild

wasout.Heshovedhershoulderforemphasis.AsifJuliadidn’tknowexactlywhattheywanted.The
men’sfaceswerecoveredbyblackskimasks,likethecowardstheywere—cowardswithguns.And,
apparently,withtheintentofkidnappingthemall.

Juliamarcheddownthesteps,notdraggingherfeet,butnotexactlyhurrying.Hermindwaswhirling,

tryingtofigureoutwhattodo.Shecouldshiftandtakeononeofthekidnappers,butthereweretoomany
ofthem—maybeadozenoverall—andshemightgetoneofthekidshurtinthescuffle.Fortheirpart,the
kidsweredoinggreat,keepingcalmandnotshifting—Marcohadtrainedthemwell.Theyweremost
vulnerableintheirwolfform,simplybecausethesemen—theWolfHunter’sthugs—wouldn’thesitateto
killtheminthatform.Beinghumanwasoneofthefewthingsthatmightkeepthemalive.

ThatwastrueforJuliaaswell,althoughhergreatestconcernwaskeepingthekidsfromfallinginto

thehandsoftheWolfHunter.Onlyshehadnoideahow.

Theschoolhouseroomwasactuallyanapartmentonthefifthfloor,andtheelevatordidn’twork,so

theyhadtomarchdownfiveflights.Thatboughtheralittletime,butitdidn’thelp—shestillhadnoidea
whattodo.

Whentheyreachedthegroundfloor,shesawwhathadhappenedtothetwopackmemberswhohad

beenguardingschool—LukeandJasonwerebothlaidoutontheground,unconscious.Shecouldn’ttellif
theyweredeadorhadjustbeentranquilized,likewhentheWolfHuntertriedtosnatchherandEthanthe
firsttime.Shedidn’thavetimetogetagoodlook—herguardgrippedherarmandshovedherthroughthe
doorintothebrightsunshineoutside.Alargewhitevansataskewinfrontoftheapartmentcomplex,and
theteacherandkidswerealreadymostlyinside.Oneofthestragglersattheendoftheline—Ethan—
threwaworriedlookbackoverhisshoulderather.

Juliajustpursedherlipsandshookherhead.Itwastoodangerousforhimtotrysomething,andshe

didn’twanthimdoinganythingcrazytosaveher.Shecouldtellbythelookinhiseyesthatwasexactly
whathewasthinking.

Hisshouldersfell,andheturnedbacktothevan.Theguardatthevandoorpickedhimuptothrow

himinside.ThismusthavebeentoomuchforEthan—hegrowledalittlekidgrowlandgrabbedatthe

guy’sface,gettingholdofhismaskwithonehandandpunchingasmallfistwiththeother.

“Ethan!”Juliarushedforward.“Stopit!”
Agrowlingroarcamefrombehindher,andeveryone,includingtheguardandEthan,frozeandtwisted

toseewhatitwas.

Marco—hiseyesfulloffury,chargingoutofanalleynexttotheapartment.
Julia’sheartseized.Shedidn’tknowwhatMarcowasplanning,butshewouldfindawaytohelp.She

lurchedovertograbEthanoutofthethug’shandsandturnedtoprotecttheboywithherbody.

Shoutswentupallaroundher.JuliametMarco’sgazeforabriefinstantashegrabbedherandEthan

andshovedthemawayfromthevanandtowardStefan,whowasrightbehindhim.Stefanswungametal
trashcanlidinfrontofthem,usingitasashieldashehustledthemawayfromthevan.

Marcowasbeatingthecrapoutofthethug,andtherestoftheWolfHunter’smenwerefocusedonthat

fight.Thethwickofseveralshotssounded—tranquilizerdarts—butshedidn’tfeelanypinchesdigging
intoherskin.She,Stefan,andEthanscurriedtowardthealley.

“Go,go,go!”Stefanshoutedatthem.Metallicpingssoundedagainsthistrashlidshield.Juliahadan

irongriponEthan’shand,andtogethertheymanagedtoreachthealleyway.Theytuckedaroundthe
corner,outofthelineoffire.

Onlythendidshelookback.
Marcowasdownontheground,sixthugspiledontopofhim,withoneofthemrepeatedlyshooting

dartsintohisbody.

“No!”shecriedout,involuntarilyreachingtowardhim.
Stefangrabbedholdofherarmanddraggedherbackaroundthecorner.Hepulledhercloseand

whisperedhoarselyintoherface,“ThisiswhatMarcowants.Don’tmessitup!”

Marcowantedthis?Hereyeswentwideasshelookedback.TheWolfHunter’sthugswerehauling

hislimpbodyintothevan,dumpinghimnexttotherestofthechildrenandtheteacher.OnlyJuliaand
Ethanhadescaped,andthenonlyatthecostofMarcobeingtaken.

“Youhavetostopthem!”ShegrippedStefan’sshirttomakehimlisten.
Hegaveherasympatheticlookbutjustshookhishead.OnlythendidJulianoticetherewassomeone

elseinthealleywiththem—Casey,anotheroneofMarco’spack.ShehadseenMarcotalkingtohim
beforeandknewhehadsometechskills,buthermouthdroppedopenatwhathewasdoing—filmingthe
wholethingonhisphone!

“Whatthehell?”sheyelledathim,herwolfnearlyburstingoutinheranger.
Caseywincedandgaveherasidewayslook,butheldhishandsteadyandcontinuedtofilmthevan.

Thebackdoorslammedclosed,anditscreechedawayfromtheapartment.

JuliashovedStefanaway.“Whatthefuckisgoingonhere?HowcouldyouletthemtakeMarco?”
Caseystoppedtherecording.Thesmalldingrangthroughthesilenceafterheraccusation.Buthe

ignoredherquestionandturnedtoStefan.“Icaneditthatlastpartout.Thepartwhereshe’stalking.”

Stefangavehimanod.“Letmeknowwhenit’sready.”
Ethanwasnexttoher,hisfaceasaghastasJulia’s.“Whydidyouletthemgo?”Inhisyoungvoice,the

accusationwasevenmoreharsh.

Thetwomenbothwinced.StefantippedhisheadtowardEthan.“Weweredoingwhatouralphatold

ustodo.Don’tworry,littleman.We’regoingtogeteveryoneback.”

JuliascowledatStefan.“Explainyourself.Rightnow.”
StefannoddedtoCasey.“Doyouhavethesignal?”
Caseyswipedthroughsomethingonhisphone,thenturnedittoshowthem.“Yeah,itlooksgood,but

weshouldgetmoving.”

Juliapeeredatit.UnderstandingfinallypushedthroughherpanicandfearaboutlosingMarco.

“You’retrackinghim,”shesaidinawe.

Caseynodded.“It’sjustaprototype,butMarcohasitinhispocket.”HelookedtoStefan.“Therange

isonlyfivemiles,maybealittlemore.Weneedtogetonit.”Hepeeredatthephoneagain,andthena
scowlsettledonhisface.

“Whatisit?”Juliaasked.
“They’regoingthroughCruz’sterritory.”CaseylookedupatStefan,whowasrunningahandacross

hisface.

Juliascowledatthemboth.“Well,callCruzandclearitsowecanfollow.”
“WithoutMarco…”Stefanshookhishead,andCaseyhadanevenlargerfrownonhisface.Likethis

wasanimpossiblething—Julia’sangerrocketedbackup.

“I’llcallhim,”Ethansaidbravely.
“See?”Juliaasked,gesturingtothekidwhoapparentlyhadmoregutsthantwoofMarco’stopmen.

Whyweretheyevenhesitating?“Ethanhastherightidea.Besides,what’sCruzgoingtodo?Sayno?”
Juliaflungherhandoutinthedirectionofthedisappearedvan.“TheWolfHunterjustkidnappedanentire
schoolfullofchildren!Andwehaveourfirstchancetotrackthisguydown.Cruzcan’tsaynotothat.”

Stefangrittedhisteeth.“Okay,okay,you’reright.Let’sgo.”
Caseytappedsomethingelseonhisphoneandheldituptohisear.“Yeah,we’reallclear.I’vegota

signal.We’resettotrackthem.Everyonemeetbackattheshelter.”

Ahalfdozenshiftersmeltedoutoftheshadowsofthealleywaysanddoorwayssurroundingthe

schoolhouse.They’dbeenthereallalong,waitingtosee,apparently,ifMarco’splanwouldwork.Asa
group—Ethan,Julia,StefanandCasey,andthehalfdozenothershifters—allhustledbacktothesheltera
fewblocksaway.Oneofthemstayedbehindtotendtothedownedshifters—LukeandJason.

Caseywaswatchingthetrackertheentiretime.“They’rehaulingass,”hesaidtightly.“Weneedto

move.”

StefanhurriedJuliaandCaseytowardacarinthebacklotbehindtheshelter—itwasnothinggreat,

justarustedoutToyota,butitturnedoverassoonastheypiledin.Stefantookthedriver’sseat,and
Caseysettledinthepassengerseat—Juliasatback.

“They’regoingparalleltoMainStreet,downRochester,”Caseysaid,hiseyesgluedtothephone.
StefantossedanotherphonebacktoJuliaandthengunnedthecar,screechingaroundthecornerand

headingtowardwhathadtobeCruz’sterritory.

“Startdialing,”Stefansaid.“IneedyoutogetusthroughCruz’sterritorywithoutgettingshot.”
Julia’sstomachflipped,butshejabbedatthenumberStefanhadbroughtupandheldthephonetoher

ear.

Onthefirstring,itpickedup.“Whatthefuckdoyouwant?”Cruzgrowledintothephone.
Juliabitherlip,thentriedtosoundtough,butshewasgenuinelyscaredtodeathaboutlosingMarco

andthekids.“ThisisJuliafromMarco’spack.”Evenshecouldheartheweaknessinhervoice.

Therewaslaughterontheotherendoftheline.“Isthatright?ThehotlittlethingthatMarcowantedso

bad?What,didyougetridoftheoldmananddecideyouwantarealmaninyourbednow,sweetthing?”

Julia’sstomachheaved.“No,”shesaid,hervoicegainingsomegrowl.“I’mMarco’smatenow.”
Stefan’sheadwhippedback,andhegaveherawide-eyedlook.ThatgotevenCasey’sattention.It

didn’tmatterifitwasalie—she’dsaywhatevershehadtosaytogetCruz’shelp.

“Well,that’stoobad,”Cruzsaidasneerinhisvoice.“You’renotmuchgoodtomenow.”
“Ineedyourhelp.TheWolfHunterhastakenMarcoandateacherandabunchofkids.They’re

travelingthroughyourterritory—”

Morelaughter.“You’vegottobekidding.”
“No,I’mnotkidding.”Hervoicewasrising.“We’vegotatrackeronthemandwe’refollowingthem

—”

ShecutoffbecauseCaseywasmakingfranticmotions,drawingalineintheairandindicatingthat

theywereabouttocrossit.TheymustbeinCruz’sterritorynow.

“Andwe’recomingthroughyourterritorytotrackthem,”Juliasaidintothephone.
“You’reinmyterritory?”Cruzasked,slowly.
Juliadidn’tlikethecalculatingtoneofhisvoice.“We’rejustpassingthrough.”ShewavedatStefanto

gofaster,buthedidn’tseeher—hisheadwaswhippingbackandforth,lookingforanythingthatmight
popoutofthedilapidated,boarded-upstorefrontstheywerepassing.

“So…”Cruz’svoicepurredmaliciouslyinherear.“You’retellingmethatMarco’smateandsome

unidentifiedmembersofhispackarenowinmyterritory.WithoutMarco.Allalone.”Hissneersenta
shiverracingthroughher.Butthisguywasjustlikeeveryotherassholeshe’deverencounteredinherlife.
Hehadthissenseofhisownpowerasbeingunlimited,untouchable.Butsheknewbetter.Itwaslike
Marcosaid—alonewolfwasjustthat.Alone.ThepowerofMarco’spackwasinitsmembers.Andin
hisabsence,theywouldneedsomethingorsomeonetopullthemtogethertobringhimback.

Shecoulddothat.“Yes,we’reinyourterritory.We’regoingtopassthroughsowecanfindoutwhere

theWolfHunteristakingMarcoandthekids.Andyou’regoingtoletus.Becauseifyoudon’t,ifyounot
onlypreventusfromsavingMarcoandallthosekids,butyoualsodetainusordoanythingtous,letme
tellyouhowthat’sgoingtogo.”

“Idon’ttakeordersfromlittlegirls.”Therewasalotofsnarlinhisvoice.
“Youdotoday.”Shewasgettinglooksofamazementfromthefrontseat,whichsheignored.“Marco

hasoverahundredmembersinhispack.”Hervoicewasgainingsteam.“Everysingleoneofthemwould
givetheirlivestosavehim.IfyouareresponsibleforhisdeathatthehandsoftheWolfHunter,youwill
haveapackwaronyourhandslikenoneyouhaveeverseen.Butitwon’tjustbeMarco’spack—Iwill
personallymakesurethatit’sknownfarandwidethatyouareanenemyofshifterseverywhere.Thatyou,
whenyouhadachancetosaveshiftersfromthehandsoftheWolfHunter—themaniacwhoishuntingall
ofus,everywhere—thatyouchosethecoward’swayanddecidedtodonothingtohelpyourfellow
wolves.IfIwereinyourpack,Iwouldwantnothingtodowithyouanymore.Tosaynothingofwhat
peopleoutsideyourpackwillwanttodowithyou.”

Stefan’sandCasey’smouthshaddroppedopen.TheywerestillspeedingthroughCruz’sterritory,and

noonehadshotatthemyet.Butthatwasn’twhatstunnedthem.Itwasapparentlythefactthatshewas
standinguptooneofthebiggestandbaddestshifterganglordsindowntown.

Shedidn’tcare.Thiswasjusttoodamnimportant—shewoulddowhatevernecessarytosaveMarco

andthekids.Andbesides,everywordshesaidwastrue.

Therewassilenceonthephone,aswell.Althoughshecouldhearalowgrowlinginthebackground.
Eventually,Cruzsaid,“Youhaveyourpassagethrough.Mypeopletellmethatyou’realreadyalmost

throughourterritory,anyway.”

“Good,”Juliasaid.
Caseybackedthatupbymakingalineandapass-throughmotionwithhishandagain.
“Now,youhaveachoicetomake,”Juliasaidintothephone.Thismightbepushingthingstoofar,but

atthispoint,shedidn’thaveanythingtoloseandlottogain.SheknewMarco’spackhadalotof
resourcesattheirdisposal,butshewassurethetwopackstogetherwouldbeevenstronger.Andshehad
noideawhattheywerefacingintryingtorescueMarcoandthekids.Inshort,shecoulduseallthehelp
shecouldget.

“Oh?”Cruzaskedwithamusement,buttherewasagrowlunderit.“Whatchoiceisthat?”
“AssoonaswetrackMarcototheWolfHunter’slair,we’regoingtoneedalltheresourceswecan

gettotakehimdown.We’lldoeverythingwecan—yourchoiceiswhetheryouwantapartofthat.Doyou
wanttotellyourpeoplethat,whenthechancecame,youhelpedtakeoutoneofthemosthatedenemiesof
shifters?Ordoyouwantthemtoknowyouchosetositonthesidelines?”

Julialetthathangintheair.Stefanwasshakinghishead,butkeepinghiseyesontheroad.Caseywas

givingheraflat-outlookofdisbeliefmixedwithadmirationmixedwithsomekindofvaguehorrorat
whatshewasdoing.

IttookCruzalongtimetoanswer.Eventually,hesaid,“We’vegotmunitionsandpeople.Youtellme

thetimeandtheplace,andwe’llbethere.”

Juliarealizedshewastakingariskwiththis—maybeCruzwoulddecidetotakeouthislongtime

rival,Marco,insteadofrescuinghim.Butthatwouldleavehiminthesamepositionasbefore—namely,
withanepicpackwaronhishands.

Soshedecidedtotakeitatfacevalue.“Good.Standby.We’llbeintouchsoon.”
SheswipedoffthephoneandhandeditbacktoStefan.
“Da-yum,”Caseysaid,hismouthstillhangingopen.“Areyousureyou’reactuallymatedtoMarco?

Becauseifyou’renot—”

HewascutoffbyStefanbackhandinghimacrosstheface.
“What?”Caseyleanedoutofrangeofanothersmack.“I’mjustsaying—”
“Shutup.”ButStefanwaslaughingunderneathit.Thenhesimplyletgoandlaughedoutloud.He

glancedoverhisshoulderatJulia.“Ifyou’renotalreadymatedtoMarco,whenhehearsaboutthis,I
guaranteeyou,he’snotlettingyououtofhisbedroomforaweek.”Thenhelookedforwardagain,still
laughing.

Julia'scheeksheated,butsheletthemthinkwhattheywanted.Shehadbeenstallingforaweekin

answeringthatquestion—wasthisalifeshecouldembrace?WasbecomingMarco’smatesomethingshe
couldactuallydowithoutregrets?Couldsheturnherbackonherlifeasshe’dalwaysknownit?

Sheknewtheanswernow—shemeanteverywordshehadsaidtoCruz.IfshegotMarcobackalive,

shewasneverlettinghimgo.

Marcofeltlikehehadthemotherofallhangovers.

Histonguewasthickinhismouth,andhisbodywassoheavythathecouldbarelymove.Hislolled

hisheadfromonesidetotheotherasheworkedonunstickinghiseyelidsfromeachother.Whenhe
finallymanagedtoopenthem,healmostwishedhehadn’t.

Hewaslyingonsomekindofgurneyupintheair,andhecouldn’tmovebecausehewasstrapped

downfivewaystoSunday.Themetalofthegurneywascoolunderhim—thechillwasseepingthrough
histhint-shirt.Ononesideofhimwasamedicalbaycompletewithstainlesscabinets,whitecountertops,
somekindofelectronicinstrumentation,andwhatlookedlikearackofsteel-bladedtortureimplements.
Amaninabluegownwithasurgicalmaskstrappedaroundhisearswasliningthemuppreciselywithhis
backturnedtoMarco.

Fuck.
ButwhenMarcolookedtohisotherside,itwasevenworse—rowsofcagesheldthekidsandthe

teacherstuffedinside.AsurgicallightoverMarco’sheadshoneinhiseyesandmadeithardtoseethe
extentofthebuilding,butitseemedlikesomekindofwarehouse.Grayconcretefloorsandtallceilings
thatdisappearedintotheraftersandshadows.

Marcolookedbacktothemanscrubs—hisbackwasstillturned.Marco’shandswerestrappeddown

athissides,andhecouldhardlymove,buthesurreptitiouslypressedonehandagainsthispantsleg—the
trackerwasstillthere.

Theplanhadworked.TheWolfHunterhadtakenthebait.Marcojusthadtoholdthisguyoffuntil

CaseyandStefancouldtrackhimandthekidsdownwiththeGPS.Marcomovedhishandawayfromthe
tracker.Atthispoint,keepingthatundiscoveredwaskeytoeverything.

Themaninscrubsfinallyturnedtofacehim.“Iseethestimulanthasfinallybroughtyouaround,”he

saidwithwhatlookedlikeasmirkbehindhismask.“Ithoughtthatmaybemymenhadmanagedto
actuallykillyouwiththetranquilizers.”

Hismen?Wasthistheguy?Marcohadlistenedtoenoughofthevideostorecognizethevoice—it

definitelysoundedliketheWolfHunter.

“Youwerepumpedfullofenoughtranqdartstotakedownasmallherdofelephants,”theman

continued.“SoIguessthatmeansyou’reaparticularlystrongshifter,MarcoWilding.”

Marcocouldn’thelpwincing—hehadn’texpectedthisguytoknowhisname,nothisfamilyname,in

anyevent.Butthatprettymuchconfirmedhewastherealdeal.

“Apparently,I’mnotstrongenoughtostayoutofyourgrasp,”Marcosaidwithafakesimpering.“It

takesabigmantokidnapkidsoffthestreetandputthemincages.”

Themansnortedandtwistedbacktopickuponeofthesteelimplements.Itwasasyringe,butitwas

empty.HetooktwostepstoreachMarco’ssideatthegurney.

“Bigtalkforamanwhoisstrappeddownandfacingthefinalhoursofhislife.”Themanshovedup

Marco’ssleevewithonehandandslidthesyringeunderhisskin.Marcogrittedhisteeth,notfromthe
pain,butfromnotreallyunderstandingwhatthismanwasdoingtohim.Marcocouldbarelytwistenough
toseetheredliquid—hisblood—fillingthesyringe.

“Justtakingasmallsampletoaidinmylittleproject.”TheWolfHunteryankedthesyringeoutof

Marco’sarmandheldituptolookattheredliquidinside.“Asmuchasyouliketopretendyou’renot
partoftheWildingfamily,hidinginthedowntownslums,pretendingtobejustanotherlowlifeshifter
participatingintheillicittradesofthecity…Iknowthetruth.”Hegrabbedasmallvialfromthecounter
andslowlyinjectedthebloodintoit.“I’minterestedinyourDNAandyourconnectiontoyourwhitewolf
ancestor.”Hesetthesyringedownandwalkedthevialovertothemachineonthecounter.Heliftedthe
lidandsetthevialinside,closingitandpushingabuttontogetitstarted.ThenheturnedbacktoMarco.
“Inspiteofyour,shallwesay,uniquelineage,you’rejustlikeeveryotherwolfwhohidesintheshadows
ofourcityandpreysonourcitizens.You’retheperfectemblemofthat,actually—gangleader,shifter
withasecret.You’reeverythingthatIdespise.”

“You’rebreakingmyheart,”Marcosaid,battinghiseyes.“ButIguessifwecan’tbeBFF’s,thenI’ll

justhavetoripoutyourthroat.”

TheWolfHunterchuckled.“Oh,I’msureyou’llwanttobythetimeI’mdonewithyou.Butthat’snot

howthisisgoingdown.”Hewentbacktothecounterandcameawaywithanothersteelimplementfrom
thepile.Thistime,itwasascalpel.

Itglintedintheoverheadlights.
“Idon’tknow,”Marcosaid,eyeingtheknife.“Youkindofsuckatmakingplans.Imean,mostofyour

attemptstowipeoutmyfamilyhaveprettymuchbeencompletelyfuckedover.”

TheWolfHunter’sblueeyesturnedcoldoverhismask.“Well,I’lljusthavetomakesurethatyour

deathsticks.”HeswipedthescalpelquicklyacrossMarco’schest,buttherewasonlytheslighteststingto
goalongwithit.

Marcolookeddown—theWolfHunterhadcuthisshirt,shreddingitbutnotactuallydiggingintohis

chest.Helookedupandtiltedhishead.“Ithinkyoumissed.”

TheWolfHuntersnarled.Withbothhands,herippedopenMarco’sshirt,exposinghisbarechest.

“Simplysettingthestage.Don’tworry,I’mjustgettingstarted.”Thenheturnedawayandsteppeduptoa
screenonthecounterandstartedtypingawayatthekeyboard.Therewasacameramountedontop.

Theredlightcameon.
Fuck.ThisassholewasgoingtomakeavideoofMarco’storture.Andthelastthinghewantedwasto

beseenscreamingononeoftheWolfHunter’svideos,sothatshitwasn’tgoingtohappen.Butmore
importantly,nomatterhowthiswholethingworkedout,heknewJuliawouldseethiseventually.Notto
mentioneveryotherwolfinthegreaterSeattlearea.Afterall,thatwastheWolfHunter’sintentwiththese
fuckedupvideosofhis.

WhichmeantMarcohadanaudience—anaudiencethathopefullyalsohadthevideoofthe

kidnapping.Caseyshouldhavemadethathappenbynow.Marcojustneededtostayontrackwiththe
plan,andthiswasallgoingtoworkoutjustfine.

TheWolfHunterwasdonefussingwiththecomputer.HecamebacktoMarco’sside,stillwielding

theslightlybloodyscalpel,onlythistime,hewentaroundtothefarsideofMarco’sgurney.Nodoubtso
thecameracouldgetagoodviewofhimandMarco’sbodywhilehesliceditopen.

ButaslongashewastorturingMarco,thatmeanthewasstayingawayfromthekids—hopefully,

MarcocouldkeeptheWolfHunterentertaineduntiltherescuepartyarrived.

“Hey,beforewegetstarted,”Marcosaid,lightly,“whatwasthatwholelittledanceyoudidwithmy

bloodsample?Areyoustartingsomekindoftrophycollectionofwolvesyou’vetorturedtodeath?”

TheWolfHuntertwirledthescalpelbetweenhisfingersandsmiled.“Well,I’mjustdoingmycivic

dutywiththat.I’msureyou’vebeeninvolvedincriminalactivity,rapesandmurdersthathavegone
unsolved.NowthatIhaveyourhumanDNA,itwillbeasimpletasktogetyoutoshifttoyourwolfform
andtakeyourDNA.Withthatmatch,thegoodpeopleoftheSeattlePoliceDepartmentwillbeableto
solvethecrimesyou’vecommitted.Ofcourse,you’llhavealreadypaidforyourcrimeswithyourlife,
butI’mdoingmyparttobringsomeresolutiontoyourinnocentvictims.”

Marcodidn’tbelieveawordofthat.HeknewfromhiscousinTerrathattheWolfHunterwas

obsessedwiththeWildingfamilybecauseofthewhitewolfconnectionintheirpast—themanhadjust
alludedtoitamomentago.ButthatwastheirfamilysecretandnotsomethingMarcowantedoncamera.

“Yeah,you’resuchastandupguy,”hesaid,sarcastically.“MostmodelcitizensIknowspendtheir

weekendskidnappinglittlekidsandshovingthemintocages.”

TheWolfHunterflinchedalittlethentookhisscalpelandstabbeditstraightintoMarco’schest.

Marco’swholebodyconvulsedwiththepain,andhehadtogrithisteethagainstthescreamtokeepit
fromcomingout.Hebreathedhardthroughhisteethashewrenchedhisheadforward,tryingtoseewhat
thehelltheWolfHunterhadjustdonetohim—thebladewassunkdeepintoMarco’schest.Itfeltlikehe
wassuddenlyunderwater,barelyabletobreathe,butitlookedlikethebladehadslippedbetweenhisribs
—probablyintooneofhislungs,buthisheartwasstillbeating,sothathadn’tbeenhit.

Fuck.Ithurtlikehell,buthewouldn’tdiefromit—notrightaway.
TheWolfHunterstrolledbackaroundthegurneyandpickedupanotherimplement—aslightlylarger

scalpelthistime—andreturnedtohispositioninfullviewofthecamera.

“Thepolicearevigilantintheirwork,”theWolfHuntersaid,“butourlawsholdthembackfrom

doingwhatneedstobedone.It’stheresponsibilityofcitizens—modelcitizens,touseyourword—tostep
intothebreachanddowhatthepolicecannotdo,atleastlegally,tokeepthecitizenrysafe.Allyoureally
needtoknowaboutshiftersisthatthepolicewoulddoexactlywhatI’mdoingheretodayiftheyhadyou
intheircustody.Namely,takebloodsamplestoproveyourguiltandthengetridofyouruselesscarcass.”

“Isthatright?”Marcosaid,tryingtokeepthepainoutofhisvoice.Hecouldalreadyfeelhisbody

tryingtohealaroundthewound,butwiththescalpelstillinhischest,therewasonlysomuchthemagicin
hisbloodcoulddo.“LastIheard,you’rePublicEnemyNumberOneattheSeattlePoliceDepartment.In
fact,Ihearshiftersarewelcomeontheforcenow.IfIwereyou,I’dbecarefulaboutwhoyouconsider
friends.Doesn’tlooklikekissinguptothepoliceisgoingtoworkoutforyou.”

“It’struethereareafewshiftersympathizersonthepoliceforce,”theWolfHuntersaidwithdisgust.

“Theyjustneedtobecutout,likeacancer,justliketherestofyou.”Thenherearedbackhishandand
plungedthesecondscalpelintoMarco’schest,ontheoppositesidefromthefirst.

Hegaspedwiththepain,andstarsswaminfrontofhiseyes—itwasallhecoulddotostayconscious

andnotscreamout.Hiswolfwashowlinginside,thrashingunderhisskin,tryingtogetouttoattackthe
WolfHunter.ButMarcoknewhecouldn’tlethiswolfloose—thatwaspreciselywhatthemanwastrying
todo.Enragehimenoughthathewouldshift.ThentheWolfHunterwouldgethisfuckingbloodsample
andtorturehimasabeastinfrontofhiscaptiveaudience.

WhichonlyremindedMarcothatthekidsmustbewatching,too.
Shit.
Hetwistedhisheadtothesideandforcedhiseyestostayopensohecouldseetheirsmallfaces,

wide-eyedwithhorror.Afewwerecrying.

HegavethekidsawinkandturnedbacktotheWolfHunter,wheezingalittlebecausehecouldn’t

catchhisbreathatall.“Youknow,Icankeepthisupallday.”

TheWolfHunterlostthesmilebehindhismask.“We’llseeaboutthat.”Whilehewasgoingbackfor

anotherstainlesssteelinstrumenttostabhimwith,Marcotwistedtofacethecameraonthecomputer.

“Forthoseofyouwatchingathome,”hesaidinthemostlight-heartedvoicehecouldmuster,“there

areafewthingsyoushouldknowabouttheWolfHunter.”Hedroppedhisvoicetoastagewhisper.“He
hasafewdaddyissues.Youreallyhavetofeelsorryforaguythat—”

“Shutit!”TheWolfHunterwhirledaround,blockingthecamera’sviewofMarco.Hehadanother

steelbladeinhishand.

“Heynow!Comeon,dude.You’reblockingthecamera,”Marcowheezed.“Howarepeoplegoingto

seetheshow,ifyou’vegotyourskinnylittleassinfrontofthescreen?”

MarcocouldseethesnarlbehindtheWolfHunter’smask,buthematchedMarco’slighttone.“You’re

quiteright.Weneedtogivethemamuchbettershow.”TheWolfHuntermarchedbackaroundtohisspot
onthefarsideofthegurney.

“Youreallyareadorableinyoursurgicalmask,”Marcotaunted.“Andit’ssomuchfunplayingdoctor

withyou.Butwhydon’tyouletthefolksathomeseewhoyoureallyare?”

“Theydon’tneedtoseemyfacetoknowthatmyworkisfilledwithrighteousness,”theWolfHunter

said,butitwasstiffashell.“TheyknowI’mservingthegreaterneedofkeepingthemsafe.”

Marcoturnedtofacethecameraandcringedalittle.“I’mthinkingthere’sawholelotofu-g-l-yunder

thatmask,aren’tyou?”

TheWolfHuntersnarledandgrabbedMarcobythehair,wrenchinghisfacebacktowardhim.He

heldthebladeuptoMarco’scheek.“Doyouwanttoseeanuglyface?Icanmakethathappen.”

“Nottheface!Nottheface!”Marcosaidinafalsehighvoice.“Theladieswillbecrushed.”
TheWolfHuntergrowled,graspedMarco’shairtighter,andthenswipedthebladeacrosshischeek.
Fuck,thathurtlikehell—hecouldfeelitgoingdeeptothebone.Worse,thatwouldmakeiteven

hardertotalkback.Marcohadbetterreinitin.

TheWolfHunterletgoofhishair,shovinghisheadaside,thenheplungedthethirdknifeintoMarco’s

chest.Thisonefeltlikeitsankallthewaytohisbackbone,andthesurgeofpainandlackofairmade
blackdotsswiminfrontofhiseyes.Heshookhishead,fightingitoffbecausehecouldn’tpassout—he
hadtokeepholdingon.Forthekids.Tomakethiswholethingwork.

Hefoughtforbreathandgrowledout,“Youareonesickfuck!”
TheWolfHunterflickedhisfingersatthethreebladesstickingoutofMarco’schest,onebyone,

makingthemvibrate.JesusChrist,thepainofthatreverberatedthroughouthim.

Marcogrittedhisteethandpushedthewordsout.“Doesthatfeelgood,Hunterboy?Yougettingoffon

this?”

“Asamatteroffact,Iamenjoyingthis.”
Marcowassurethatwasonehundredpercenttrue.
“Spokenlikeatruesociopath,”Marcogroundout.“Youknow,mostsadistshavehadsomekindof

traumaticsexualexperienceintheirformativeyears.Sowhathappenedtoyou,sparky?Youcantellme.”
TheWolfHunter’sblueeyesgrewdarker.“What?DidDaddyhavehiswaywithyou?”Marcotwistedto
facethecameraagain.“Weallwanttoknow,don’twe—”

TheWolfHunterpunchedhimhardacrosstheface,whippinghisheadtothesideandknockingout

whatlittlebreathhehadleft.

Whenhecouldmanagetosuckinabreathagain,hecoughedout,“That’sright!Fightlikeaman!”
TheWolfHunterstalkedaroundhimagain,probablygoingbackformoreimplementsoftorture.Hold

on.That’sallhehadtodo.Thisbastardcouldkeepstabbinghim,andaslongashedidn’tactuallyram
Marcothroughtheheartorthehead,hecouldkeepcomingbackformore.Themagicinhisbloodwas
workingfranticallytohealeverywound,inspiteofthebladesstillstickinginhim.

Itwouldtakealottokillhim.EspeciallyiftheWolfHunterwantedtodrawitout.
Butthenthemandugintoadrawerinsteadofpickingupanotheroneofhisshinysilverblades,and

whenhecamebacktothegurney,hewasholdingtwopaddlesthatlookedahellofalotlikethethings

youshockpeople’sheartsintostartingagain.

Orinthiscase,stoppingthem.
Oh,fuck.
“Let’sseeifwecandosomethingalittlemoreshockingforouraudience.”Thenheheldtheshock

paddlesagainstthesteelbladesstickingoutofMarco’schest.

Justthatmovementwrenchednewpainthatalmostmadehimpassout.ButwhentheWolfHunter

pressedthebuttononbothpaddlessimultaneously,Marco’sentirebodyarchedwiththethousandsofvolts
rushingthroughhissystem.Heconvulsedonthetable,andhetriedlikehelltostayawake,butitwastoo
much…toomuch…

Theblacknessclosedin.

Juliacrepttotheedgeofthelowhillandpeeredover.

Ahangarsatnexttoanabandonedairfieldoutinthemiddleofnowhere,halfwayupamountain

outsideSeattle.ShewassurprisedtheyhaddrivensofarandsolongbeforefinallyreachingtheWolf
Hunter’shideout,butshesupposeditmadesenseforhimtochoosearemotelocation,givenhewas
basicallykidnappingpeopleandtorturingthemtodeath.Theoutsideofthehangarwasplainsheetmetal,
halfwhitepaintandhalfrust.Sheshudderedtothinkaboutwhatmightbegoingoninside.

StefanandCaseyedgedupbehindher.
“Thisiskillingme.”Juliagesturedtothehangar.“Idon’tsupposewecandothisonourown?”
“Noway,”Stefansaid.“Marcowasveryclearthatweweretogoinasapack.Heknewthatsomeof

uswouldhaveahardtimewaitingandmightgooffhalf-cocked.”HeglancedatCaseywhenhesaidit,
butJuliawasprettysurehewastalkingabouther.Andshecouldn’tdenythatherwolfwasseething
insideher,freakingoutbecauseMarcohadbeencaptured.

“Howlonguntiltherestofthepackarrives?”sheasked.
Caseyhadbeeninchargeoftrackingthevan,butStefan,asMarco’sbeta,hadbeenonthephone

coordinatingwiththepackandrelayingtheircoordinates.Ithadbeenalongdrivetogetouthere—
probablyforty-fiveminutes—buttheywouldn’thavetowaitthatlongfortherestofthepacktoarrive.
TheyhadstartedpreparationsassoonasMarcohadlaidouthishastylast-minuteplan,sotheywereonly
tenminutesorsobehind.

“Abouteightminutes,”Stefanconfirmed.“Sowhat’sourplanofattackhere?”
Juliawasalittlesurprisedhewasaskingher,butthenagainshehadkindoftakenchargeofthe

situation.OrmaybeitwasbecauseshesaidshewasmatedtoMarco.Maybethatmadehersomekindof
second-in-command.Orsomething—maybeStefanjustknewthatthiswholethingwasmakingherinsane,
andshewouldneedtobeinvolved.

Juliapeeredatthehangar.Itwasalargebuildingwithasidedoorthatwasnormal-sizedandahangar

doorthatrolledupwhenthewhitevanhadapproachedandslippedinside.Butithadclosedbackdown
beforetheycouldgetagoodlook.Thosetwodoorsseemedliketheonlywaysin.

Juliagesturedtothebuilding.“Seemslikewe’regoingtohavetobustdownadoororsomething.Any

ideasaboutthat?”

Caseylookedupwithfromfiddlingwithhisphone.“Griffiniscomingwithsomesmall-scale

explosives.”

Stefan’seyebrowslifted.“Explosives?Sincewhendowedostufflikethat?”
Caseyshruggedwithoneshoulder.“I’vebeenmessingaroundwithsometechthat,well,let’sjustsay

it’srecreational.”

Stefanshookhishead.“Well,Iguessthat’sagoodthing,”hesaid,grudgingly.“DoyouthinkGriffin

cantakeoutthepedestriandoor?”

Caseynodded.“Yeah,Ithinkso.Butwemightwanttojustbustitdowntheold-fashionedway.It’s

goingtobeahellofafightnomatterhowwegetinside.”

“DidyouguysgetacountonhowmanymentheWolfHunterhad?”Juliaasked.“Itwashardformeto

trackduringthewholekidnappingthing.”

“Atleastadozen,”Stefansaid.“AndI’msurethere’smoreinside.Caseycouldberightaboutthis—if

wegoinwithgunsblazing,we’regoingtolosesomepeople.ButIdon’tseeawayaroundit.”

Juliafrowned.“Therearekidsinthere.”
“Yeah,Iknow.Believeme,we’regoingtobecareful.Theonlyquestionishowtogetinsidewithout

—”

Caseywhistledlow.
Julialookedatthehangar,buteverythingwasquietthere.WhenshelookedbacktoCasey,hewasstill

messingwithhisphone.“Whatisit?”

“Iuploadedthevideo,”hesaid,holdinguphisphoneforthemtoseeitplaying.
JuliawincedasshesawMarcorunningintohelpherandthengettingpoundedbytheWolfHunter’s

men.

“It’sgoingviral.Tonsofhits.”Caseylookedimpressed.
“Isthatbad?”Juliaasked.Shedidn’tmentionthathavingherfaceonavideo—especiallyashifter

video,becauseCaseyhadtaggeditthatwaywithadescriptionofwhathadgonedown—wasn’treally
goodforherpersonally,consideringthepolicewereprobablystilllookingforherforthemurderofher
stepfather.

“No,theopposite,”Caseysaid.“ThisisexactlywhatMarcowashopingfor.Hesaidifweuploaded

this,peoplewouldseewhat’sreallyhappeningtoshifters.Whatwe’rereallyupagainst.Thiscould
changethePRwarwe’refighting.Maybetiltitinourfavor.”

“Idon’tknow,”Stefansaid.“AlotofhumanshavebeenwatchingtheWolfHunter’svideos.They’re

probablyjustashappytoseeabunchofshifterkidsloadedintoavanandhauledawayastheWolf
Hunteris.”

“No,IthinkMarcoisright,”Juliasaidwithafrown.“Imean,sure,therearesomesickassholesout

there.Plentyofhaters.Butregularpeople?They’vegottobehorrifiedbythiswholeWolfHunterthing,
don’tyouthink?Andifkidsareinvolved…there’snowaynormalpeoplecanjustifythat.Orturnablind
eyetoit.”

Stefanshookhishead,buthewasn’tnecessarilydisagreeing.“Ihopeyou’reright.”Helookedatthe

hangar.“AllIknowis,rightnow,myalphaisinthere,andit’skillingmetowaittogorescuehim.”

Juliaknewexactlywhathemeant,andshehadn’tevenpledgedsubmissiontoMarcolikeStefanand

Caseyhad.Butshe’dspentaweekfallinginlovewithandmakinglovetoMarco.Shewasbarelyableto
keepherwolfundercontrol.

Caseysworeunderhisbreath,thenshotapointedlooktoStefan.
“What?”Stefanasked.
“TheWolfHunterjustpostedanewvideo.”Caseyliftedhischintowardthehangar.“Ithastobe

comingfrominthere.”

“Oh,fuck.”Stefangrowledinthedirectionofthehangar.
Julia’sheartseizedup.“Whatdoesitshow?”
CaseycringedandexchangedanotherlookwithStefan.
HegesturedforCaseytogivehimthephone.“You’vegotashowittoher,c’mon.”Thenheswiped

throughthescreensonthephonetobringupthevideoandsetittoplay.ImagesofMarcostrappedtoa

gurney,hisshirtrippedopenandhischestcoveredwithbloodleapedoutatJulia.Thehorrorofit
threatenedtostrangleher.Shecoveredhermouthwithbothhands,butshecouldn’tkeepinthechoking
andgaggingsounds.Herwolfragedunderherskin,howlinganddemandingtocomeout.Shenearly
shifted.

Stefanquicklyshutitoff.“Fuckthat.I’mgoinginafterhim.”Hestartedtostandup,butCasey

grabbedhisarmandyankedhimbackdowntothedirt.

“Youhavetowait!”Caseysaidthroughhisteeth.“Twomoreminutes,andthepackwillbehere.We

cangothen.”

Stefansqueezedhiseyesshutandshookhishead.“Goddamnit,Marco,thiswasaterribleplan,”he

whispered.

Somehow,thathelpedJuliatoreininherwolf.BecausesheknewMarcowascountingonthemtoget

himout—himandthekids—andiftheyrushedintohelphimnow,theywouldonlygetthemselvescaught,
too.Andhewouldn’tforgiveherforblowinguphisplantogettheWolfHunter.

Shehadtokeepittogether.
“Casey’sright,”shesaid,inwardlytellingherwolftoshutthefuckupwiththehowling.“We’reonly

goingtogetonechancetogethimoutofthis,himandthekids,andhe’scountingonustodowhathe
woulddo—whichisthesmartthing.Waitforbackup.”

“Yeah,okay,”Stefansaid,buthisclawswerecominginandoutofhishandswithhisagitation.
Thankfully,thesoundofcartirescrunchingalongthepavementsooncamefrombehindthem—four

vansrollinginfast.Julia,Stefan,andCaseyshuffleddownthesmallrisetheyhadclimbedtoobservethe
hangarandwenttomeetthevans.Thevehiclesskiddedtoastopnexttotheirrusted-outcar.Dozensof
peoplespilledoutofthevans—theymust’vebeencrammedinwayovercapacity.Anditwasn’tjustthe
meninMarco’spackwhohadcome—therewerewomen,too.EvenEthanjumpeddownfromoneofthe
vansandtrottedovertoher.

“Whatareyoudoinghere?”Juliaasked,horrified.
Heheldhischinup.“I’mgoingtohelprescueMarco.”
“Good,”Stefansaid,clappingahandonEthan’sshoulder.“Weneedsomeonetostayhereandguard

thevans.”

“ButIwanttohelpwiththeattack!”Ethan’sshouldersdropped.
“YouthinkI’mputtingyouonanoncriticalduty?”Stefanasked,doingagoodjoboflookingslightly

offended.“WeneedtomakeagetawayafterwegetyourfriendsandMarcoandeveryoneoutsafe.We
can’tdothatifsomebodyhascompromisedourvehicles.Weneedyouhere,understood?”Histonemade
itclearthathewasn’ttakingnoforananswer—Stefanwasabeta,buttherewasalotofalphainthat
command.

“Yes,Sir.”Ethanseemedtoaccepthisdutyprettywell.
WhileEthanranbacktothevans,JuliaturnedtoStefan.“Don’teventrytotellmeIhavetostay

behind.”

“Wouldn’tthinkofit.”Stefanwasstaringhardatthehangaragain,andshecouldguesswhathewas

thinking.

“Maybewedon’twanttowaitforCruz,”Juliasuggested.Stefanhadtobethinkingit,too.
“Wedon’tknowhowmanypeopletheyhaveinside,”Caseyprotested.“Imean,therecouldbea

hundredguyswithdartgunsinthere.Orregularguns,forthatmatter.We’vegotpeople,butwe’relighton
armaments.”

Hehadapoint.“HowlonguntilCruzandhismengethere?”Juliaasked.
“Theyshouldbehereanyminute,”Caseysaid,scanningthelongroadthatleduptothismountain

plateauairfieldinthemiddleofnowhere.JuliaprayedtheWolfHunterandhismenweren’tpaying
attentionorhadsomekindoflong-rangescoutbecausetheycouldprobablyseethemcomingfromamile

away.

“Allright.We’llgivethemanotherfewminutes.Butifittakesmuchlonger,I’mnotsureI’mwilling

towait.”Juliacrossedherarmsoverherchestandstaredhardatthehangar,alongwithStefan.

ItwaslessthanfiveminuteslaterwhenCruz’spackcouldbeseentrundlinguptheroad.Therewere

onlytwovans,butwhenCruzandhismenspilledout,Juliawasgladtheyhadwaited.Theyweretoting
gunsthatlookedlikeAK-47s,whichwassomeseriousfirepowercomparedtothehandgunsthatMarco’s
packwasmostlyarmedwith.CaseyhadbeenoffwithGriffin,talkingtohimaboutsettingupmunitionsto
blowtheirwayin.Stefanwasstandingby,butJuliaknewsheneededtobetheonetotalktoCruzand
coordinatetheassault.

ShestoodhergroundnearthetopoftherisethatoverlookedthehangarandwaitedforCruztoamble

uptoherwithhisbigbulkyshouldersandshiftermuscles.

Normally,shewouldbeintimidated.Byallrights,sheshouldstillbeintimidated,eventhoughshe

wasawolf—CruzwasanalphawithallthestrengthofMarco,butnoneofthegentleness.Noneofthe
heart.Sheheldherchinhighanddrewherstrengthfromthatveryfact.Shewasheretosavethemanshe
loved,notbeintimidatedbyathugwhowouldneverbeevenhalfthemanthatMarcoWildingwas.

“Ihearthey’regivingyouralphabadtimeinthere,”Cruzsaidwithasmallgrowlinhisvoice.

Surprisingly,hedidn’tseemtotakemuchjoyinthat.

“We’reaboutreadytoblowthedoorandgoin,”Juliasaid.“Thereisatleastadozenverywell

armedmeninside,probablyalotmore.Theymaybehuman,buttheylookliketheyhavesomekindof
militarybackground.Thisisn’tgoingtobeeasy.”

Cruzsmirked.“Ifitwaseasy,itwouldn’tbeanyfun.”
Fun?Whatever.Juliatippedherheadtohim.“I’massumingyourpackwillwanttoholdbackandlet

mypackleadtheway,”sheoffered.Herpack.Shewasdefinitelythinkingofthemthatwaynow.

Cruzarchedaneyebrow.“Hellno.IwantapieceofthisWolfHunterasmuchasyou.Whoevergetsto

himfirst,getsfirstbite.”

Juliadaredatinybitofsmile.“That’sadeal.”
SheturnedtoStefan,whowasatherrightelbow,payingcloseattention.“Areweready?”
“Hellyeah.”HeglancedtoCasey,buthewasstabbingathisphoneagain.
Ohno.“Whatnow?”Juliaasked.
Caseylookedup,hisexpressiontight.“RememberhowItoldyouthevideowentviral?Well,it’snot

justpeopleontheinternetwhoarepayingattention.Thepoliceareontoit.”

JuliafrownedandglancedatCruz.Helookedasuncomfortablewiththisnewsasshefelt.“Whatdo

youmeanthepoliceareontoit?”

“Imean,whenthevideowentviral,thekidnappingmadethenews,andsomehowthepoliceare

finallydecidingforonceintheirgoddamnlivestoinvestigate.”Caseylookeddisgusted.“There’s
somethingonthenewschannelsabouthowthepolicehaveidentifiedthewhitevanthatsnatchedthe
shifterkidsand…”Heglancedatthephoneagainandpagedthroughafewthings.“Fuck.They’reontheir
wayhere.”

“Here?Buthowcanthey—”
Caseycutheroff.“Somethingabouttrackingthevanwithtrafficcamsorsomedamnthing.Idon’t

know.”Hewasmadlypagingthroughtheinformation,tryingtofindmore.Butitdidn’treallymatter.

JuliaturnedtoCruz.“Weneedtodothisnow.”
Hegaveasharpnodandbarkedcommandstohispeople.
JuliagaveanodtoStefan,andhedidthesame,pullingMarco’spacktogether.
Thepolicewerecoming.Whichmeant,theymightactuallycatchtheWolfHunterthistime…andthe

policewoulddefinitelycatchher.Butthatwasokay—thisjustmightturnthetideofthePRwarfor
shifters,andsheknewhowimportantthatwastoMarco.Andtoher.Peopleshouldknowwhatwasgoing

downhere—andwhathadbeenhappeningallalongtoshifters.

Thepublicshouldn’tbeabletoturnablindeyetoeverythingtheyhadsuffered.IfJuliahadto

personallygodown—evengotojail—tohelpmakethathappen,thensobeit.

AslongasshecouldrescueMarcofirst.

WhenMarcoawoke,hewasinaworldofpain.

Hischestfeltlikeithadbeencarvedopen,andhewasalmostafraidtolook.Butheforcedhimselfto

wrenchhisheadupeventhoughitstabbedfreshpain.Thescalpelsweregone,nolongerstickingoutof
hischest,buthewasstillstrappeddown.TheWolfHunterwasalsogone,andtheredlighthadbeen
turnedoffonthevideocamera.

Marco’smouthwasdry—hecouldn’ttellhowlonghe’dbeenpassedout,butwhatevershocktheWolf

Hunterhaddeliveredtohissystemhadn’tactuallykilledhim.And,apparently,Marcowasn’tasmuchfun
totorturewhenhewasunconscious.

Hischestandhisclotheswereabloodymess,andhisbodyfeltweakfromthelossofblood,buthe

couldfeelhisstrengthcomingback.WiththeWolfHunternotloomingabovehim,thebestwayoutofthis
wastoshiftintohiswolfform.Evenifitwerejustamomentaryshifttogetoutofhisrestraints,itwould
beworththerisk.Butwhenhetriedtosummonhiswolf…therewasnothing…asifhiswolfhadgoneto
sleepandsunksomewheredeepinsidehismind.ThatjustaddedtoMarco’sdisorientation.Hewrenched
hisheadaroundtogetalookatthekids—maybeoneofthemcouldcluehiminastohowmuchtimehad
passed.

Whathesawchilledhishearttothecore.
TheWolfHunterwasstalkingovertooneofthecagesthatheldthekids.Hehadakeycardthathe

swipedalongthelocktoopenit.Therewasalittlegirlinside,Elizabeth,andshewascoweringinthefar
backcornerofhercage,whichwasn’tnearlylargeenoughtogetawayfromtheWolfHunterbyany
stretch.Thegirlwasonlyaboutsevenoreight,andtheywereatleastthirtyorfortyfeetaway,butMarco
couldstillhearherhigh-pitchedwhimperingcry.

Everythinginsidehimragedagainstthebindingsthatheldhiminplace.Thegirl’sfearreachedhim

throughhersubmissionbond.Ifheweren'talreadydriventogetoutandsaveher,thatwould’vepushed
himstraightovertheedge.

Buthecouldn’tgoanywhere.
Notonlywashestrappeddown,buttheWolfHunter’sarmedmenwereeverywhere,mostlymilling

aroundandlookingbored.

TheWolfHunterreachedintoElizabeth’scageandclaspedhishandaroundthegirl’sarm,haulingher

out.Shestruggledvaliantlyagainsthim,butshewasatinything.TheWolfHuntermightnotbeextremely
muscular,buthewasafullgrownman.Morethanstrongenoughtoforceachildtohiswill.

Marcocouldtastetheneedtoripouttheman’sthroat.
TheWolfHunterhauledthegirltowardMarco’sgurney,anditwasthenthatMarcorealizedanother

gurneyhadbeensetupnexttohis.

Fuck,whatwaswrongwiththisman?MarcoalreadyknewtheWolfHunterwasevil,butthedepths

ofthis?Torturinglittlegirls?Therewasaspecialplaceinhellforthiskindofperson,andMarcocould
notwaittosendhimthere.Hejusthadtofigureouthow.Ifonlyhiswolfwouldcomeback,justforone
minute.

Marcoclosedhiseyesandfocusedonfindinghisbeast.HethoughtaboutallthehorrorstheWolf

Hunterhadperpetratedagainsthiskind—againstwolfkind—andhesummonedadeepwellofrighteous
hatredforthisevilupontheearth.Throughsheerwillpoweralone—alongwiththecombinedmagicofthe
hundredwolveswhoweredependingonhimtosavethisonelittlegirl—Marcowasabletoshiftsingle
fingerintoarazorsharpclaw.

Hecurledthatclawbackonthebindingsthatheldhiswristandstartedtosawawayatit.Ashedid

so,hekepthiseyesclosedsotheWolfHunterwouldn’tseehehadawoken.Marcosawedawayinhis
restraintswhilehelistenedtothehorrifyingsoundsoftheWolfHunterdraggingthegirlupontothegurney
nexttohimandwrestlingwithherashefoughttostrapherdown.

Shecalledouttohim.“Marco!Marco,saveme!”
Afull-bodyshudderwentthroughhim,andeveryfiberofhisbeingscreamedforhimtoleapupand

helpher,buthehadtostayfocused.Hedidn’tmoveamuscle,didn’trespondinanyway,exceptforthe
slow,relentlesssawingofhisclawagainsthisbindings.ItwashiddenfromtheWolfHunter’sviewon
thefarsideofhisbody.

“Shutup!”theWolfHunter’svoiceroared.Thesoundofstrapsrippingopenandfoldingclosedran

roughshodoverElizabeth’squiet,whimperingsoundsoffear.“Youralphaisuseless.Noone’scomingto
saveyou.”

Elizabethsobbed,buthercryingquieteddownalittle,resignedevenasshewasterrified.
Don’tgiveup,Marcothought.I’mcomingforyou.Hehadtostopsawingthroughhisbindingsfora

moment,astheWolfHuntermovedaroundMarco’sgurney.Heeasedoneeyeslightlyopen—themanhad
scoopedupasyringeandwascarryingitbacktothegirl.

Herwhimperinggainedalittlevolumeashetookherbloodsample.Marcostilldidn’tunderstand

whatthatwasabout—somethingaboutthewhitewolfthattheWolfHunterwasobsessedwith.Marco’s
cousinTerrahadtoldhimtheWolfHunterwasreallyabastardshifter,andhehaditoutforthewhitewolf
hethoughtwashisfather,butMarcodidn’tgiveashitaboutanyofthat.Heonlyknewitwouldn’tbelong
beforethetorturebegan.

Hewasrunningoutoftime.
TheWolfHuntercruisedovertohisscreenandtappedatthekeysforabit.Thatsoundwasenough

coverforMarcotostartsawingathisrestraintsagain.Hewasalmostthrough,butwhentheWolfHunter
turnedback,satisfiedwithwhatevertinkeringhehaddonewiththecamera,andMarcohadtostopand
waitagain.

Thecameralightwasbackon.
TheWolfHunterstrodeovertoElizabethwithascalpelinhishands.
Fuck—thatwasit.
Marcosawedfasterandfasteragainsthisrestraints.
TheWolfHunterdronedonforhisaudience.“Sorryforthatbriefinterruption,butIhavesomething

newforyounow,myfellowhumans.YoumightthinkthisisalittlegirlIhaveonthegurney,butyou
wouldbewrong.Sheisamonster.We’llseejusthowmuchofamonstercanlurkunderthemostinnocent
offacesofourcity.”

Elizabeth’swhimperingstartedtoriseandfallwithhergaspsofair.Marcocouldn’tevenimagine

howmuchfearwasrunningthroughher.

TheWolfHuntercontinued,“NowIknowthatmostofyouwillunderstandthatthesearenothuman

beings,butthisnextpartmightbealittlemoredifficulttowatch,atleastuntiltheillusionis—”

Marcorippedthroughthelastshredsofhisbinding.Withhishandfree,hewhippedituptohischest

andslicedthroughthebindingsholdinghimtothegurney.Hisclawcarvedstraightthrough,sinkinginto
hisalreadybatteredflesh,butthatpainhadnoweightagainsttheredboilingfuryhehadatthethoughtof
theWolfHuntertouchingElizabeth.Oncehewasfreeenoughtomove,hegrabbedholdofhergurneyand

shoveditstraightintotheWolfHunter’sgut.

Elizabethshrieked.TheWolfHunterwasknockedoffbalanceandbackonhisass.Thatwasallthe

timeMarconeeded.Hepulledthegurneycloseagain,keepingElizabethoutoftheWolfHunter’sreach
forthemoment,thenhequicklyusedhisoneclawtoslicethroughalltheremainingbindingsthatheldhim
down.Therewasashoutthatwentuparoundtheroom.Someonemust’venoticedhisescape—oratleast
thefactthattheWolfHunterhadgonedown.Marcorolledoffthegurneyandcrouchedbehindittogain
cover.

Hescurriedaroundtheside,lookingfortheWolfHunterontheground—gettinghishandsaroundthe

throatofthatmanwaseverything.JustasheroundedthecornerofElizabeth’sgurney,hesawtheWolf
Huntercrawlingonallfoursaroundtheotherend.Marcolungedafterhim,caughtholdofhisscrubs,and
yankedhimback.TheWolfHunterflailedbehindhim,tryingtostabMarcowiththescalpelthatwasstill
inhishand,butMarcoslidintoaquickchokeholdwithonearmandcaughtthescalpel-wieldinghand
withtheother.

TheWolfHunterstruggledforamoment.Marcobashedhishandinrapidfireontheconcretefloor,

andhequicklydroppedthescalpel,whichwentclatteringaway.ThenMarcosqueezedtighteronhis
throat.

“Tellyourmentostanddown,”hesaidhoarselyintotheWolfHunter’sear.Marcoclearedhisthroat

andtriedagain,managingtomakeitlouderthistime.“Standdown!”heyelleddirectlyatthearmedmen
chargingtowardthem.“Iwillripouthisthroatifyoucomeonestepcloser.”Themenstumbledtoastop,
theirdartgunsraisedandpointedatMarco.Theywerehesitating,lookingateachotherandattheWolf
Hunterstrugglingtobreathe—Marcohadcutoffalloftheman’sairsupply.Hecouldn’tevenspeak.

Marcolooseneduphisholdalittle.
“Stayback!”theWolfHunterchokedoutwhenhecouldgetsomeair.“You’renotgoingtogetoutof

this,”hehissedtoMarco.

“Bigtalkforamanwhosethroatistwosecondsawayfrombeingcrushed,”Marcosaidcalmly.Then

louder,tothethugswhowerestilllookingtooneanotherfordirection,“Unstrapthekid!Lettherestout
oftheircages.I’mtakingthemalloutwithme.DoasIsay,andI’llletthisassholelive.”Hehadno
intentionoflettingtheWolfHunterlive,buthewascountingonthefactthattheseguyslookedlike
mercenaries,justinitforwhatevertheWolfHunterwaspayingthem.Whichwouldn’thappenifhewas
dead.EveniftheyweretruebelieversandtheWolfHunterwastheirhighpriestofhatred,Marcodidn’t
thinkthey’dgamblewithhislife.Nottomention,theyhadremovedtheirmasksandkeptflickinglooksto
thecomputer—theywerewellawarethecamerawasstillon,andtheywerejudginghowclosetheycould
getwithouthavingtheirfacesbroadcasttotheinternet.

Oneofthemenliftedhischintoanother.Thatonepulledhisfacemaskoutofhispocketandslippedit

overhishead,thentrottedovertowhereElizabethlayonthegurney.Shewasquiet.Thesoundofthe
strapsbeingloosenedandundonereassuredhim.

ButitfreakedouttheWolfHunter.HesuddenlycametolifeunderMarco’sgrip.“Wheredoyouthink

you’llgo?”hehissed.“Iknowwhereyoulive.Iknowwhereyourpeoplelive.Youcan’tescapeme.
You’rejustdelayingtheinevitable.”

Marcotightenedhisholdontheman’sthroat.“IfIwereyou,I’dshutmyfuckingmouth.Because

otherwise,Ijustmighthavetokillyouinspiteofmypromises.”

Justthen,allhellbrokeloose.
Anexplosionatoneendofthecavernousmetalhangarstarteditoff,butthendozensofpeople

chargedthroughthesmokingdoor.TheyhadtobeStefanandhispack.Marcocouldonlyseeasmallbit
ofthemayhemthatwasunfolding,buthisholdontheWolfHunter’sthroattightenedbecause,allofa
sudden,everythingwasmoving.Someofthethugsbythecageswhippedouttheirweaponsandstarted
firing.Ameleebythecagessuddenlyformedasdozensofpeopleoverranthethugs,turningtheareaintoa

hand-to-handcombatfightzone.Themenclosertohimwerescramblingtogetontheirmasks.Theoneby
Elizabeth’sgurneylurchedtowardhim.

“Stayback!”Marcoyelled,tighteninghisholdontheWolfHunterandstrugglingtohaulhimtohis

feet.

ThenhalfadozenoftheWolfHunter’smenchargedthemedicalbayarea,oneofthemshootingoutthe

computeronhisway.TheonebyElizabeth’sgurneywentbackforher,rippingoffherrestraintsand
yankingheroffthegurney.TwoothersrushedatMarco.JustashewasabouttobreaktheWolfHunter’s
neck…themanshifted.Inwolfform,heslippedoutofMarco’sgrasp,gettingfreejustashistwothugs
reachedMarcoandstartedpoundingonhim—theirfistsplowedstraightintohischestlikejackhammers,
knockingthewindoutofhisstill-recoveringlungs.Hegrowledandgrabbedthemboth,wrestlingthemto
thegroundanddeterminedtotakethemout,butthenElizabethscreamedasshegotcarriedoff.He
realizedthemenwerefightinghimtogivetheWolfHunterachancetoescape.

“Fuck!”Marcoshovedthetwothugsaway,thenroundhousekickedoneandpunchedtheotherhard

enoughtosendthembothtothefloor.HeranforElizabethandtheretreatingmancarryingherofftoward
thewarehousedoor,onlytorealizetheWolfHunterandhissmallgroupofmenwerehustlinginthe
oppositedirection,towardthefarcornerofthewarehouse.Marcodidn’tseeadoorinthatdirection,but
hedidn’thaveachoice—hedidn’tknowwhatthismercenarywasplanningtodowithElizabeth,butthe
restofthepackwasfullyengagedwithfightingtheWolfHunter’smenandfreeingthekidsfromtheir
cages…noonehadtheireyesonher.

HecaughtuptothemancarryingElizabethjustastheyreachedthedoor.Heslammedhisfistintothe

man’sfaceandcaughtElizabethashedroppedlikeastone.

Heheldhertightforasecond,thensetheronthegroundandknelttospeaktoher.“Areyouallright?”
Shenoddedherhead,shakily,thenjabbedasmallfingertowardtheoppositesideofthehangar.“He’s

gettingaway!”

Griffinhadseparatedfromthemeleetocomehelphimatthedoor—Marcowavedhimoverto

Elizabeth.“Watchher!”heordered.

GriffingaveashortnodandheldhishandoutforElizabeth.Shetookit.Marcospunandraninthe

directionoftheescapingWolfHunter.Buthewasconfused—wheredidthemango?Thiscornerofthe
hangarwasdarkanddusty,filledwithcratesandboxesstackedhaphazardlyasifthiswasthetrashendof
thewholeoperation,buttheresureashellwasn’tadoor.WherehadtheWolfHunterandhisthugs
disappearedto?ThenMarcosawascufflethroughthedust,thestampedeoftheirfootprintsintothearea,
andhespottedapatterntothedisruptionoftheboxes.Hefollowedthefootprintsuntiltheyendednextto
awall…andasquareetchedinthefloor.Itwassodark,hehadtofeelhiswayaroundtheedge,buthe
foundahandleandpulleditup—asecretdoorinthefloor.

Shit.Thedoorledstraightdownintosomekindofunderground,man-sizedtunneladozenfeetbelow.

Aladderclungtotheedge,andatthebottom,allhecouldseewasconcreteflooringandflickersof
flashlights.Hehustleddowntheladderanddroppedthelastfivefeet.Thetunnelwasbroad,linedwith
concrete,andstretchedahundredyardsahead—andattheendwasaJeepwiththeWolfHunterandhis
menalreadypiledintoit.Thetunnellookedlikeitbranchedoffseveraldirections.Marcostartedrunning,
buthisheartwasalreadysinking—theJeeproaredtolifeandspundownoneoftheothertunnels,rapidly
escaping.

“Goddamnit!”Marcoshouted.Hekeptrunninguntilhereachedtheendofthemaintunnel.TheJeep

wasalreadyoutofsight.Herestedforamoment,hishandsonhiskneesashecaughthisbreathandtried
tothinkthroughthestabbingpainsinhischest.Thesetunnelshadtoemptyoutsomewhere.Ifhecouldn’t
catchthemthisway,maybehecouldstillinterceptthemwhentheycameoutoftheirhole.

Hehauledassbacktotheladderandclimbeditfasttorejointhefightupstairs.
Onlythefightwasover.HispackhadtheWolfHunter’smensubdued—ontheirknees,handsontheir

head,andclusteredintoagroupnearthecages,whichwerenowemptyoftheirformerprisoners.There
weremorewolvesthanhecouldcount—andheslowlyrealizedtherehadtobemorethanjusthispack
involvedintherescue.

Marcoscannedthecrowdofmillingshifters,lookingforStefan—whenhefoundhimshoutingout

directionstosomeonetotakecareofthekidsandgetaheadcount,hesawJuliawasthere,rightinthe
thickofit.ShewasyellingatCruz,whohadoneofthemenonthegroundwithagunpointedathishead.
Cruzshookhisheadandpulledback,puttinghisgunawayandgivinghersomekindofshitforit.

Marco’sheartswelledandtwistedatthesametime.Hehustledovertothem—Juliawassofocused

ongivingshitbacktoCruzthatshedidn’tseehimuntilhewasrightupnexttoher,reachingfor.

Hereyeswentwide,andherarmsflewaroundhisneck,holdinghimfiercely.
Everythingelsefaded—itfeltsodamngoodtohaveherinhisarms—buthequicklycamebacktohis

sensesandreleasedher.

Shepulledbackandlookedhimover.“Oh,thankGod!Tellmeyou’reallright.”
Helookeddownatthemessthatwashisbody,stillbloodyandtorn,butquicklyhealing.“I’mfine.

Butwhatareyoudoinghere?ItoldStefan…”Helookedaroundforhisbetaandbestfriend,whohehad
explicitlytoldtokeepJuliaoutofharm’swayduringallthis.

Stefanwasgatheringthekidstogether,butMarcocaughthiseye,andhisbetahadtoknowexactly

whathisglarewasallabout—Stefanjustshruggedandheldhishandsuplikehecouldn’thelpit.

MarcoshookhisheadandturnedbacktoJulia.“Stefan’sluckyyou’reokay.”
Shescowledathim.“Ifyouthinkforonemomentthathecouldhavekeptmefromcomingforyou…”

Shestopped,strugglingforwords.

Hecutoffhertormentbypullinghercloseandkissingherquicklyonthelips.“It’sallright.Ihonestly

didn’texpectanydifferent.”

Cruzwasscanningthearea.“Whereisthatfucker?Don’ttellmeyoulethimgetaway,Wilding.”
Marcowinced.“Therearesomekindofundergroundtunnelshere—Ichasedhimdown,buttheyhada

car.”

“Fuck!”CruzlookedlikehelegitimatelywantedtobeattheshitoutoftheWolfHunter,whichmade

Marcopullbackandreassesshim.

“Kindofsurprisedtofindyouhere,”Marcosaidtohim.
Cruzarchedaneyebrow.“Kindofsurprisedtoseeyoualive.”Hegaveasnortthatwashalflaugh.

ThenasidewayslooktoJulia.“Youcanprettymuchthankyourmateforthat.”

Mate?MarcowhippedhisheadtolookatJulia,hiseyebrowslifting,butheheldhistongue.Shegave

himadon’tblowthisformelook,soMarcoplayeditcool.

HeswungbacktoCruz.“Yeah,Iwouldn’trecommendgettingonherbadside.”
Cruzsnortedanotherlaugh,thenquicklysobered.“Fuck,Iwasreallylookingforwardtokillingthat

WolfHunterasshole.Ittakesallthefunoutofthisday.”

Juliafrowned.“Ifhe’sescapingthroughsomeundergroundtunnels,theyhavetodumpout

somewhere.”

Marcosqueezedherhandandfoughtbackhisgrin.“ExactlywhatIwasthinking.Ifwe’vegotpeople

andcars,wemightfindthem.Ifthingsareundercontrolhere…”Helookedaround,andtheyseemedto
be.“…andifwegetmoving…”

Cruznodded.“I’monit.”Hetrottedoff,barkingcommands,buthedidn’tgetfarbeforeanotherflood

ofpeoplestreamedinthroughthefrontdoor.OnlythesewerethelastpeopleMarcoeverexpectedto
showup.

Thepolice.
HeturnedtoJulia.“Whatisgoingonhere?”
Shegrimacedasshewatchedthepolicecomeinwiththeirflakjacketsandtheirautomaticweapons

drawn,shoutingforeveryonetostanddown…onlythesituationwasalreadyundercontrol.

“ThatvideoyouhadCaseypost,”Juliaexplainedquickly.“Thepolicedecidedtodosomethingabout

it.They’vebeentrackingthevan…andus.”

Acopinregulardressbluesstrolledthroughthedoorbehindhismen
Juliawinced.“Iwashopingwewouldgetinandoutbeforetheyarrived.”
Marcounderstoodwhy—asfarasheknew,shewasstillwantedbythepolice.Notthathalftheroom

hadn’tbeenonanarrestwarrantatonetimeoranother.

HedroppedJulia’shand.“Youhangback.Blendin.”Thenhemarchedforward,ignoringthedrawn

gunsoftheSWATteamandheadingstraightfortheguyincharge.Cruzwasalreadythere,holdingtight
andsayingnothing.Marcodidn’tblamehim—tryingtoexplainthesituationwascompletelyfuckedup.

Thestitchingonthecop’suniformsaid,OfficerTurnbull.
“Hello,officer,”Marcosaid.“Niceofyoutoshowupandgiveusahandrescuingthesekids.”
Theofficersquintedathim,buthewastakinginthesituationwithacool,calmlook.Marcohadno

ideawhichwaythiswasgoingtoswing—eithertherewasabouttobeanall-outshiftervs.policebrawl,
whileCruzandhispackfoughttokeepthekidsandthemselvesoutofpolicecustody,orthepolicewere
goingtodecideforonceintheirlivestodotherightfuckingthingwhenitcametoshifters.

Marcoliterallyhadnoideawhichwayitwouldgo.
Afteralongmoment,OfficerTurnbullheldouthishandtoMarco.“Lookslikeyou’vegotthingsunder

controlhere.”

Marcowassoshocked,healmostdidn’ttaketheman’shand.Thenheslowlyreachedupandshookit

firmly.“We’vegotthingslockeddown,andthekidsaresafe,butwecouldstilluseyourhelpwithanother
matter.”HewatchedOfficerTurnbull’sexpressionflipthroughacoupledifferentemotionalstates—
frown,concern,suspicion,thenacautiousoptimism.

“Whatwouldthatbe?”heasked.
“Theguyresponsibleforthis,theWolfHunter,gotaway.”Marcogesturedoverhisshouldertothe

corner.“Thereareundergroundtunnels,andtheyhadavehiclestasheddownthere.Idon’tknowwhere
thetunnelsletout,butifweallworktogetherandspreadout,wemighthaveenoughpersonneltocatch
himwhereverhecomesup.”

OfficerTurnbull’seyebrowslifted,buthegaveaslownod.“Soundslikeaplan.I’llleaveacoupleof

mymenheretoguardthechildrenandtheprisonersyouhavethere.”Heliftedhischintopointtothe
capturedthugs.“Soundslikeweneedtomoveonthis,ifwe’regoingtohaveanychanceofcatchingthe
guy.”

Marcosmiled.“ExactlywhatIwasthinking.”
Thenextfiveminuteswereaflurryofactivity,shoutedcommands,andhustlingpeopletocars.Marco

andJuliatookonegroup.StefanandCaseyledtheothertwopackvehicles.Theykeptincommunication
bytextwithCruzandOfficerTurnbull.

Inspiteofthemanhuntspreadingoutandmakingquickworkofsearchingtheperimeteroftheairfield,

theexitofthetunnelswaswellhidden—bythetimetheyfounditbehindasmallrisethatdumpedoutonto
afield,theyweretoolate.TheJeeptiretracksledawayfromthedoor,andoncetheyhitthepavedroad,
therewasnowaytheycouldtrackthem.

Therewasalotofcursinginvolved,butintheend,thepoliceputoutanAPBonMarco’sdescription

oftheJeep.Thatwasalltheycoulddo.

Whentheyreconvened—thetwopacksandthepolice—MarcocouldseeOfficerTurnbullgivingJulia

agoodlook-over.Itbristledouteveryprotectivepartofhiswolf,andifTurnbullhadtriedtoarresther,
Marcowasprettysurehewould’vetakenthemandown.

Hedidn’t—butMarcowascertainhe’dID’dher.
ThepoliceleftwiththeWolfHunter’smenintheircustody.Marcoandhispackpiledintotheir

vehicles.Cruzandhismenwerethelasttoleave,stillscanningtheperimeterfortheWolfHunter.

Stefandrove.MarcohadJuliainthebackseatonhislap—thevehicleswerejam-packedinorderto

transporteveryone,buthecouldn’tstandtohavehermorethananinchaway,anyway.

Hespentthecarridehomethinkingabouthowtokeepthisamazingwomaninhislife—forever.Itwas

onlyamatteroftimebeforethepolicewouldcomeforher.

Hewassureofthat.
Bythetimehegothome,hehadaplan.

AllthedramaofthedaybeforeseemedlikeacrazydreamtoJulia.

ShemadelovetoMarcoseveraltimesthroughthenight,buttheybotheventuallydroppedofftosleep

duetosheerexhaustion.Theyhadn’ttalkedmuch,justexpressedthemselveswithhandsandmouths,
touchesandorgasms.Andthatwasfinebyher,butshefeltlikeshewascarryingaburdeninherheartthat
shecouldn’tquiteexpress.

Shewassurethepolicewouldcomeknockingatherdoortoday.Ortomorrow.Eventually.Theyknew

whoshewas,andtheyknewwhereshewas.Itwasonlyamatteroftimebeforetheydecidedtoroundher
upandbringherin.

Inthemeantime,shewasdeterminedtoenjoythetimeshehadleftwithMarcoandhispack.Her

pack,evenifithadn’tbeencementedbycommittingtotheiralphaorhavinghimclaimher.She
understoodthathemightnotwantthatnow,inspiteofherusingthetitleofmatetoorchestratethewhole
operation.

Whyclaimamatewhowouldsoonbeofftojail?
Whenshehadwokenupthismorning,shesnuckout,leavingMarcosnoringintheirbedtojointhe

morningtrainingsessionwithStefanandCaseyandtheotherlieutenants.Theywelcomedherwithsmiles
andnotevenalittlebitofjokingaroundabouthertakingapositionamongthem.Shehadbeenfully
acceptedbythem,anditfeltlikeawarmblanketwrappedaroundher.Notonlyhadsheembracedher
wolf,controllingitwhennecessary,butshehadbeenembracedbyotherwolves—shehadnoideawhat
shehadbeenmissing,allthistime,growingupwithoutapack.

ShehadgonethroughthreepartnersalreadyandwascurrentlysparringwithGriffin.Thekidmight

knowsomethingaboutmunitions,buthewasn’tveryskilledinhand-to-handcombat.

Shethrewaclosed-fistpunchthathedidadecentjobofblockingwithhisarm,buthewastooslowto

comearoundandgoforajabtohergut.Shedeflecteditandrolledaround,whippingherelbowtocatch
himinthejawandsendhimtotheground.Itwashisfourthtimeonthepavementinlessthantwominutes.
Sheshouldprobablyeaseupontheguy.

Hestayeddown,shakinghisheadandpeeringupather.
“Needabreak?”sheasked.
“No!I’mgood.”Hestaggereduptostandingagain.
“You’redoinggreat,”shesaid,tryingtothrowhimabone.
Hejustlaughedandshookhishead,rubbinghisfacewhereshecaughtitwithherelbow.
“Ithinkhelikesyou,”Marcosaid,comingupfrombehindher.
Hisvoicestartledher,sosheturnedtolook.Griffintookthatopportunitytomakeagrabforher,trying

tohookheraroundtheneck.Sheduckedunderhisswingandbroughtupherfisttocatchhiminthe
stomach,whichagaindroppedhimintothepavement.Helandedwithaloudompf.

Juliadancedbackfromengagingwithhim.
Marcolaughedoutloud.“Helikesyoualittletoomuch.”HegaveahalfheartedsnarlatGriffinonthe

ground.

Thekidraisedhishandsinsurrender,rollingonhisback.“Igive!Igive!”
MarcochuckledthenslippedhisarmaroundJulia’swaist.Everytimehetouchedher,itbroughther

alive.Itonlyhadbeenafewhourssincethey’dmadelove,butshecouldnevergetenoughofhim.

Hekissedherlightlyonthecheek.“CanItearyouawayfrombeatinguponmymen?Ihavesomeone

whowantstomeetwithyou.”

Herheartsank.Sheknewitwascoming,butshewashopingforalittlemoretime.“Sure.”
Marcosmiledandslippedhishanddowntoholdhers.Ashetuggedherawayfromthetraininglotand

towardsthedoortogoinside,hedroppedhisvoicejustforher.“Hey,it’sgoingtobeokay.”

Shedoubtedthatverymuch,butshejustnodded.
Theywoundthroughtheshelteruntiltheyreachedthefront.Itwasmidmorning,sotheeatingareawas

clearedout,andtherewasasinglemanwaitingforthematoneofthetables.Heroseastheyapproached,
butJuliacouldseehispoliceofficer’suniformlongbeforeshereachedhim.

HerstomachbunchedinknotsasMarcointroducedthem.“Julia,isOfficerKadenGrant.He’sa

specialliaisontothemayor’soffice.Itoldhimaboutyoursituation.”

Theknotsinherstomachrampeduptoafull-oncramp.WasMarcoturningherin?
Shecouldn’tforcewordsoutofhermouth,butfortunately,theofficerspokefirst.
Heextendedhishandtoher.“I’mnotofficiallywiththepoliceanymore,”hesaidtoJulia.“AndI’m

notheretoarrestyouifthat’swhatyou’rethinking.”

“You’renot?”Shestaredathishand,stillextended,foralongmoment,thenslowlyshookit.
Marcogaveheranodofencouragement.“KadenismycousinTerra’smate,”heexplained.“Iasked

himifhecouldhelpusoutwithour…specialsituation.”Hiseyesglittered.

Washesayingwhatshethoughthewassaying?Hadheworkedoutsomekindofdealforhertogo

free?

ShefacedOfficerGrant.“Idon’tunderstand.”
“Ihearyouwereinvolvedinasituationwithyourstepfather,”OfficerGrantsaid.“Becauseitwasa

shifter-involvedcase,themayor’sauthorizedmetooverseetheinvestigation.I’mheretogetyour
statementaboutwhathappened.”

Juliaswallowedandhesitated,butMarco’shandlandedatthesmallofherback,andthewarmthof

histouchreassuredher.“Itwasself-defense,”shesaid.“Hewasbeatingmymotherandwastryingto
attackmeand…”Howcouldsheexplainthatshelostcontrolofherwolfwithoutitsoundinglikeshewas
guiltyofmurder?Shedidn’treallybelieveshewas,notanymore,buthowwouldthatlookintheeyesof
thepolice?

“Thatworksforme,”OfficerGrantsaid.“I’lltakethatbacktoheadquartersandgetitclearedout.”
Julia’smouthdroppedopen.“That’sit?”
Hesmiled.“You’reahero,Julia.Avideoofyoubeingalmostkidnappedalongwithabunchofkids,

andthenbeinginvolvedintherescueofthosechildren,hasmadeallthenews.Youandyourpack…”He
gesturedtoMarcoandtheshelteraroundthem.“Aretheheroesofthecityrightnow.Thelastthingthe
mayorwantsistoseethepolicecrackingdownonthecity’snewfavoriteshifterhero.”Heclearedhis
throat.“Besides,whateverthehellyourstepfatherwastryingtodo,I’msurehegotwhathedeserved.”
Hecoughed.“Thatpart’sofftherecord.”

Juliasmiled,mostlyindisbelief.“Isthisreal?”
“Absolutely.”MarcoheldhishandouttoOfficerGrant.“Ican’tthankyouenoughforthis,Kaden.

Seriously.Anythingyouneed,youletmeknow.”

OfficerGrantshookhishand,thengaveMarcoacarefullook.“Thisisagoodwilloverturefromthe

mayor’soffice.Plusit’stherightdamnthingtodo.Icanclearthisout,andthefactthatyoubroughtthe
WolfHunter’soperationtoastandstill,evenifheescaped,winsbigwiththemayor’soffice.ButIcantell
youthis,Marco—itwon’tlast.Themayorcan’tbeinbedwithashiftergang.Youhavetocleanupyour

act.Getoutoftheillegalstuff.There’sonlysomuchIcando.AndI’mreallyjustcomingoffthebenchfor
thisonecase—I’mworkingforRiverwisenow,andwe’reallaboutcatchingtheWolfHunter.Wecould
usethehelpofthefewgoodwolveslikeyourselfandyourpack.AndIwon’thesitatetocallonyouthere
ifyou’reopentothat.Butifyouwanttostayontherightsideofthelaw,youhavetochangeafewthings
aroundhere.That’sallI’msaying.”

“Understood,”Marcosaid,hisfacesolemn.“Regardlessofhowthatgoes,Iappreciatewhatyou’re

doingforJulia.Iwon’tforgetit.”

OfficerGrantnodded.“Ofcourse.She’sthemateofaWildingnow—andfamilystickstogether.”He

smiled.

Hismate?Julia’seyeswentwide,butshekepthermouthshut.
Marcoduckedhisheadandgaveasmallnod.Theyexchangegoodbyes,andOfficerGrantleftthrough

thefrontdoor.

Juliawaiteduntilhewasgonetowhisper,“HethinksI’myourmate?”
Marcoarchedaneyebrow.“Don’tblameme.You’reresponsibleforthatrumorgoingaround.Notthat

Iobject.”

Julia’sfaceheated.Itwasherfault,andshereallydidn’tknowwhathethoughtaboutit…exceptthat

hehadcalledinafavorfromhisfamily,afamilyheneverspoketoanymore,togetherclearedwiththe
police.

Shewasfree.Shecouldhardlybelieveit.
Marcoturnedtoherandgentlytookherhandsinhis.Peeringintohereyes,hesaidsoftly,“You’re

clearednow.Youcangobacktoyournormallifeifyouwantto.”Heleftthosewordshangingbetween
them.

Sheswallowed.“Idon’twantto,”shesaid,thewordsjustawhisper.“Iwanttostay.”
Hiseyesbrightened.“YouhavenoideahowmuchIwantedtohearthat.”Hecuppedhercheekwith

hishand,andsheleanedintoit,lovingthewayitfelt.Thetendernessinhiseyesmadeherheartswell.

Sheswallowed,hopingthiswasn’tpushingittoofar.“AndIhavesomeideasabouthowyoucanget

outoftheillegalbusiness…”

“I’llbetyoudo,”hesaidsoftly,leaningincloser.
“Youcouldmakethisshelteralegitimatesafeharborforwolves,”shesaid,peeringupintohiseyes.

“Iloveeverythingyou’redoinghere,Marco,exceptforthepartthat’sgoingtocrossyouwiththelaw,and
eventually,meanthatIloseyou.Youdeservebetterthanthat.Andyourpeopledo,too.”

“You’reright,ofcourse.”Hemovedinevencloser,almostkissingher,butnotyettouchingherlips.

“Butifyouweren’tgoingtostay,Iwouldhaveleftallthisbehind—allofit,Julia—tobewithyou.Iwant
yousobadly,mywolfisreadytostrangleme.”

Sheslidherhandsuptohischeeks,holdinghimlikehewasholdingher.“Idon’twantyoutoleaveit.

Iwantyoutomakeitbetter.Andtodothat,youneedamate.Tomakeyourpackstrong.Toletthemknow
you’rereadytogostraight.”

“Amate,huh?”Hebreathedagainstherlips.“Haveanyoneinmind?”
“Ifyoupicksomeonebesidesme,Imighthavetoscratchyourfaceoff.”
Hechuckledlightly,thenletoutabreaththatwasalmostlikeasighofrelief.“I’vebeendyingtohear

thosewordsfromyou.”

Thenhepulledherinhardagainsthimandcrushedherlipstohis.Thekisswaswontonandheated

andsopossessive,ittookherbreathcompletelyaway.Then,beforeshecouldrecoverfromthat,shewas
suddenlyliftedintotheair—he’dsweptherupintohisarmsandwascarryingherbridal-styleacrossthe
diningareaanddownthesideoftheshelter.Theycaughtafewsmirksfromshiftershangingoutbytheir
bunks.

“Wherearewegoing?”sheasked,breathless.

“Didyou,ordidyounot,justtellmeyouwantedtobemymate?”heasked,hiseyesblazing.Hewas

headingstraightforhisroom.

Shesmiled.“Idid.”
“ThenIhavesomeurgentbusinesstotakecareof.”Hesmirked.“Withyou.Inmybedroom.”
Herhearthammeredashebenttoturnthedoorknobofhisroom,kickedthedooropen,andthen

backedupagainstittocloseitagain.Thenhesetherdownandwhippedhershirtupoverherhead.

“Clothesoff,now.”Hepulledoffhisownshirtandwenttoworkonunbuttoninghisjeans.Hewas

alreadyhardforher,andhermouthwaswateringforhimevenasshehurriedtoshedherbraandkickoff
hershoes.Herjeanswereonlyhalfwaydownherlegsbythetimehewasfullynakedandhoistingherby
thehipsupontothebed.Shetumbledbackward,halflaughingathishastetopullherpantsofftherestof
theway.

Hetossedthemoverhisshoulderandcrawledontothebedafterher.Hishandlandedonherbreast,

kneadingitandurginghertolayback.Shethoughthewouldtakeherthatway—infact,shewasdyingto
havehisgorgeouscockinsideher—butinsteadofslidinghisbodyagainsthers,hehookedherlegover
hisshoulderanddivedin,tonguefirst,forhersex.Shearchedagainsthimasheimmediatelyfoundher
nubandgaveitalong,lusciouskiss.

“God,Marco!”Shegrippedhisshoulders,buckingupintohismouth.
Hemoanedintoher,anditmadehershiver.Thenhishandleftherbreastandfoundhersex,pumping

twofingersfastintoher.Shegaspedashethrustwithhisfingersandworkedherwithhismouth,bringing
herfasttoanearclimaxthathadherwrithingunderneathhiminseconds.

“Ahhh!”sheletout,archingintohimasherorgasmrushedather,makingherarchagainsthimagain.
Hegrowledandpulledhishandout,kissinghiswayupacrossherbellyandbreastsandfinally

arrivingtodevourherneck.

“Wrapyourarmsaroundmyneck,baby,”hebreathedagainstherskin.“Ineedtobeinsideyou.”
Shedidashesaid,andhestraighteneduptokneelingonthebed,takingherwithhim.Hegrippedher

hipsandhookedherlegsaroundhiswaist,soshewasstraddlinghim.Heeasedherintoposition,lining
hiscockupwithherentrance,thenpulledherhardagainsthim,impalingher.Everytimehetookherwas
likethefirst—shewouldnevergetusedtohowmuchhefilledherupandstretched.

Hetippedhisheadback.“Baby,youfeelsogood.”
Shewriggledagainsthim,seatedfullyonhiscock.“Ineedmore.”
“Ohfuck,”hewhispered.Thenheliftedherhipsawayfromhimandbroughtherback,slammingher

againsthimagain.Shewaslikeapendulumswingingintohim,herhandstightonthestrong,rippling
musclesofhisshouldersashepumpedintoheragainandagain,fasterandstronger,gruntingpleasure
witheachswing.“Yes,”hepanted.“Likethis.Iwantyoulikethismoreoften.Fuck.”

Theanglewassodeepandthepowerofhisarmssostrong,allshecoulddowaswhimperin

responseandholdonfortheride.Herbellytightenedagain,anotherorgasmlowandbuildingand
rocketingitswaythroughhersystem.

“Marco,”shegasped,herheadtiltingbackashepickedupthepaceandslammedheragainsthim,

harderandharder.

“Comeforme,baby.”Hisvoicewasstrained.“Fuck,you’resobeautiful.”Hisgazewashotonher

breastsbouncinginfrontofhimandthesightofhiscockslidinginandoutofher.Shemoanedand
grippedharderandlettheorgasmclimbandpeakandwashoverher.Marcostoppedhisfranticpace,
pullingoutofhercompletelyandedgingback.Graspingherhand,hebroughtherwithhimashestoodup
fromthebed.Heheldherasshewobbled,light-headedfromtwoorgasmsintwominutes.

Hepulledhergentlyagainsthischest.“Tellmeagain.”
Shewasoutofbreath.“Tellyouwhat?”
Hecradledhercheekjustthewaysheliked.“Tellmeyouwanttobemineforever.Thatyou’llletme

protectyou.Thatyou’llbemyworldandhelprulemypackandmakemethemanI’vealwaysknownI
couldbe.Ican’tdoanyofitwithoutyou.”

Hermouthworked,buthertearswerechokingoffthewords.
“Ineedtohearitfromyourlips,mylove.”Hewasalmostbeggingher.
“Iwant…”Shewasbarelyabletospeakthroughthefloodofemotion.“Iwantyourmagicinsideme,”

shefinallymanaged.

Agrowlrumbleddeepinhischest.Hesteppedbackandsaid,“Shiftforme.”
Thewordswereacommand,andshedidn’teventhinkofdisobeying.Sheshiftedtoherwolfform,

andhechangedrightwithher.

Submit.Thatwordsentadeliciousshiverthroughherbody,andshenearlycollapsedintothe

submissionpose—pawsforwardonthefloor,rumpintheair,tailandheadbent.Marco’sshaggyblack
wolfformwasstandingtallandproud,andassoonasshewasinthepose,amagicalflushwentthrough
herthatenlivenedeverypartofherbody.Ifsheweren'talreadyinarushfromtheirlovemaking,this
wouldhavemadeherfeelcompletelyhigh.Asitwas,shefloatedonthebondbetweenthem.Howmuch
betterwoulditbewhentheyactuallymated?Hermindswoonedalittleattheideaofit.

Rise,mylove,hecommanded,andshepoppedup.Nowshift.
Whenshedid,shewasinstantlyinhisarmsagain,naked.Hisrock-harderectionpressedbetween

them.

“Turnaround,”heordered,hisvoicerough.
Shedid,andhebentheroveruntilherhandslandedonthebed,herrearendpressedbackagainsthis

cock.Hegrippedherhipstightandslammedintohersohard,shenearlypitchedforward.Shegrippedthe
edgeofthebedandbracedherself.

Thenshethrewalust-filledlookoverhershoulderandsaid,“Takemeharder,MarcoWilding.”
Hisgroanwasalmostassatisfyingashiscock.

Holyfuck,hisgirlwashot.

Marcocouldhardlybelievethepositionhewasin.Notjusttheactualposition,bendingJuliaoverhis

bed,takingherfrombehind,hearinghermoanandgaspwitheachthrust.Butthefactthathewasaboutto
claimherforhismate.

Thebestthinghe’deverdonewasholdoutforhistruemate.Therewasnoquestioninhismindthat

Juliawasit,andthatwithouther,hislifewouldhavebeenadimmockeryofwhatitcouldhavebeen.If
he’dtakenIsabelforhismate—outofobligationandasenseofdutytohispack—hewouldhaverobbed
thembothoftheirtruemates.Stefanforher,andJuliaforhim.Evenworse,hewouldhaverobbedhis
packofthebrilliantlybravewolfhismatewas—hewasn’tlyingwhenhetoldherheneededher.Thathe
couldn’tdohalfthethingsthatwouldberequired,thathispackneededfromhim,withouther.

Butwithherbyhisside,hecouldconquertheworld.
Andwithherinhisbed,hisjoywouldhavenobounds.
Hewasgrippingherhipsandthrustingintoher,enjoyingeverylittlesoundthatwrenchedfromher

sweetlips,buthewasquicklybeingovercomebyallofit.Thebuildingorgasmthatwaslikenothinghe’d
everfelt,seizinguphisentirebody,includinghisheart.Hisloveforherwasthreateningtoburstit.Notto
mentionthetremendousjoyandtriumphthathe’ddoneit—he’dwonherover,wonherheartandnotjust
herlustorherneedforasafeharbor.

Thisbeautiful,strong,brilliantwomanhadchosenhimforamate.
Andnowhehadtheprivilegeofmakingherhis…forever.
Heleanedoverherashecontinuedtothrust,slidinghishandupintothatbeautifulhoney-brownhair

andgrabbingafistfulofit.Hepulledherheadbackandtotheside,exposingthatgorgeousneck.His
mouthwateredandhisfangscameout.Hecouldn’twaittosinkthemintoher,butheneededherready,
close,cominghardaroundhimashefinishedtheact.

Theperfectmatingforhisperfectmate.
Shewhimperedagainundertheslightpullonherhair,andhecouldfeelherbodyquiveringaroundhis

cock.Shewasbracingherselfagainstthebed,holdingherselfstrongagainsthisonslaught.Hecuppedhis
handaroundherbreast,holdingitfrombehindasheleanedoverherback,drivinghiscockdeeperand
strongerwitheachthrust.Shewasurginghimonwithhersoftcriesofyesandohgodandplease,please.

Herbreathlesscrieshadalwaysturnedhimonlikecrazy—shewassostrong,yetsosoft;heroicyet

submittingtohim.Hersubmissionbondwasstillsingingthroughhisbody,throbbingeverypartofit.

Hebentclosetoherneck,stillholdingherhairandherbreastandpumpingdeepinsidewithhiscock.

Hewantedtopossesshercompletely—fillherandholdherandloveher.Andcompleteallofitwithhis
bite.

Heplantedawetkissrightatthespotwherehershouldermetherneck.Shearchedandbarediteven

moreforhim.Thatwasallhecouldtake.

“Youaremine,JuliaHolloway,”hepantedagainstherneck,thenhesankhisfangsintoherandfilled

herwithhismagic.

Shecriedout,thepaintippingherovertheedgeintoanorgasmthatrockedherbodyandhis.Asshe

clenchedaroundhim,hisownclimaxshotoverthetop.Hewasemptyinghimselfintoher—hisseed,his
magic,hislove.Everythinghehadtogive,anditallbelongedtoher,bindinghertohiminawaythat
filledhisheartmorethanheeverthoughtpossible.

Shemoanedandbuckedagainsthim,buthekeptridingheruntiltheywerebothspent.
Thenheretractedhisfangsandpulledoutfromherbody,buttheconnectionbetweenthem—forgedby

thematingbond—wassoextreme,hefeltlikehewasstillutterlyentwinedwithher.Pantinghard,he
drewherdowntothebedwithhim,cuddlingherintohisarms,herbacktohischest,hishandsholding
herbreasts,hislipsdroppingsoft,soothingkissesonthebitehehadjustmarkedherwith.

“Holyshit,Marco,”shebreathed.
Hesmiledwide.“Didyoulikethat?”
“OhmyGod.Ifeellike…like…”
“Likeyou’reconnectedtomeinawayyou’veneverbeenconnectedtoanyoneelsebefore?”he

asked,stillgrinning.Hewasflushwithit,too—thatintimacythatonlymatescouldhave.Agiftfromthe
magicoftheirwolves.Thethingthateverywolf,includinghim,hadnofuckingideawhatitwasuntilthey
experiencedit…andthentheyknewitwasthebestthingtheywouldeverhaveinlife.

“Yes.That.”Therewaswonderinhervoice.
Hecaressedherbreast,inaweofthesoftfeelofhissteel-strongwoman.Henuzzledintoherhair.

“Me,too,”hewhispered.“Ialmostcan’tbelieveIhaveyou.It’slikeyou’reeverythingI’veeverwanted,
andevenafewthingsIdidn’tknowwerepossible.”

Shecuppedhishand,theoneholdingherbreast.“Youmean,likeacrazywomanwhomakesyoudo

thingsyoudidn’tplanon?”Shesaidittentatively,likeshethoughtshehadsomehowforcedhimdown
somepathhedidn’twant.

Hepulledheraroundtofacehim.“Imeanexactlythat.”Hekissedhersoftly.“Yourheartissogood,

Julia,soinstinctivelygood,thatI’mkindofinaweofyousometimes.Youdefinitelypushmetobebetter.
AndIwouldn’thaveitanyotherway.”

“Youmeanthat?”sheasked,hereyesalittlewide,likeshedidn’tbelievehim.
“Absolutely.”
“So…doyouwanttohearmyideas?”
“Always.”Hegrinned.“Whataboutinparticular?”
Shesettledintohisarmsandgavehimasolemnlook.“YouknowallthevideosthattheWolfHunter

hasmade?”

Ashadowfellacrosshisheart.“Yes.”Hehopedshehadn’tseentoomuchoftheonewherehewas

tortured.Orthatshethoughtlessofhimbecauseofit.

“Ithinkweshouldmakeoneofourown.”Hereyeslitup.
Hewasconfused.“Youwanttomakeatorturepornvideo?”Hewincedalittle.“Imean,ifwecan

catchtheWolfHunter,I’mnotaverseto—”

Shesmackedhimlightlyontheshoulder.“No,youdork!”Shegavehimalooklikehewas

impossible.

Buthewastrulyataloss.Hekissedherjustbecauseshewasparticularlyadorablewiththatlittle

scrunched-uplookonherface.“Sorry,mylove.Allthebloodhasleftmybrainandpooledinadifferent
partofmybody.You’regoingtohavetospellitoutforme.”

“Icandothat.”Sheranherhandsthroughhishair,andhelovedthefeelofthat.Infact,hewouldn’t

mindiftheyskippedthetalkingpartandwentforroundtwoonthelovemaking,buthewasn’tquiteready.
Notthathecouldn’tputhishandstogooduseinthemeantime.Hecuppedherassanddrewhercloserto
himuntilthesoftnessofherbreastspressedagainsthischest.Hetuckedhisheadintothecrookofher
neckandranthetipofhistonguealongthesweetnessofherskin.

“Youtalk,I’llnibble,”hesaid.
Shesuckedinabreath.“I’mnotsureIcantalkwhileyoudothat.”
Shewasn’texactlycomplaining,buthestoppedanyway.“Talk,”hecommanded.“Iwanttounderstand

whatthisvideobusinessisabout.”

Shepulledbackalittleandpeeredintohiseyes.“Weshouldmakeavideooftheshelter,onethat

countersallthelies,allthehatethattheWolfHunterspewsinhisrants.Rightnow,thepublicisonour
side.Theywereshockedwhenthekidswerekidnapped,andtheycheeredwhentheywererescued.They
wanttobepartofthis,Marco.Sowemakeavideoabouttheworkyou’redoinghereattheshelter,
providingasafehavenforshifters,whetherthey’refullwolvesorhalflingsorkidswithoutparents.
Shifterswhohavelosttheirjobsduetothehate.Whoeverisinneed.”

“Thatsoundsgreat,”hesaidsoftly.“Ithinkitwillreallyhelpthehumansrealizewe’repeople,too.”
Shenoddedeagerly.“Butwecan’tstopthere.”Hereyeswerebrightwithherenthusiasm.“Weshould

setupsomethingsothatpeoplecandonatetohelpout.Notjustacharity,butabusinessthatpeoplecan
support.”

“Abusiness?”Hepulledbackalittle.“Whatdoyoumean?”
“Peoplewanttohelp,”shesaid.“Sowegivethemawaytodothat.Wehavealotofshifterswhoare

outofwork—whocan’tfindworkbecausethey’reshifters.Whatifwecreatedabusinessthatwas
explicitlyforemployingshifters?Andthatmadeaproductthatpeoplecouldbuytosupportthoseshifters?
Thenthepubliccouldbuyourproductandknowthattheyweresupportingshifters.”

“Mylove,I’veseenshiftersbeputoutofbusinesspreciselybecausetheywereshifters,”hesaidwith

afrown,notwantingtocrushherdream.“Thingslikethatarejustamagnetforhaters.”

“Butdon’tyousee?That’spreciselyit.”Inherexcitement,shemovedaroundinhisarms,sittingupa

littlesoshecouldgesturewithherhands.“Thetideisturning,andnormalpeoplearefiguringoutthatthey
can’tjuststandbyandletthehaterswin.Iftheydothat,thingslikethis—theWolfHunterkidnappingthe
kids—aregoingtohappen.Butifweprovideacountertothat,awayforordinarypeopletoshowtheir
supportforshifters,thenweshowtheworldisfilledwithpeoplewhowanttochooseloveoverhate.”
Shedippedherchingavehimaveryseriouslook.“Iknowyouprobablydon’tbelievethis,Marco,and
I’mnotsurethatIwould’vebelieveditevenafewweeksago.Buttherearepeopleouttherewhobelieve
thatloveisstrongerthanhate.EvenpeoplelikeCruzandhisgang—evenpeoplelikehimdrawthelineat
thehatredtheWolfHunterisspewing.Thinkabouthowmanyordinarypeopletherearewhoonlyneeda
waytoexpresswhattheyalreadybelieveisright.Ifwecangivethemthatchanceanduseittosupport
ourpeople…”

Marcosatupalittlebitmoreashelistened.BecauseiftherewasonethingheknewaboutJulia,it

wasthatheshouldlistentoeverydamnthingshesaidbecausethegirlwasjustflippingsmart.“Soyou’re
sayingyouwouldgivepeoplesomethingtobuytoshowthattheysupportshifters.Thattheychooselove
overhate.”Itseemedcrazy,especiallybecauseMarcowasn’tatallsurethat,giventhechance,people
wouldtochooselovingshiftersoverhatingthem…buthadn’thejustseenthatdemonstratedinreallife?
Hadn’tKadenjustcomearoundandhelpedhimfreeJuliaoftheinvestigationthatwashangingoverher?
Hadn’tthemayor,hell,theentirepoliceforce,turnedacornerwiththat?

“Yes!Exactly.”Shebitherlip.“Although…youmightthinkmyideaabouthowtodothatis,well,

kindofsilly.”

Heranhisfingerdownhernoseandtappeditonce.“There’snothingsillyaboutyouandyourideas,

mylove.Tellme.”

Shetookadeepbreathandsatupstraight.“Wecouldmakestuffedwolves.”
“Stuffedwolves?”Hetriednottowrinkleuphisface.“Youmeanlikethosetaxidermythingsthat

peoplestuffandmountontheirwalls?”

Sheletoutahuffofalaugh.“OhmyGod,no.No!”Shegrinned.“Imeanlikestuffedtoywolves—you

know,likethefurry,softcuddlythingsthatthekidshave.Somethingyouwouldcuddleand…love.”

Asmallsmilesnuckonhisface.“Love.Stuffedtoywolvesthatpeoplewouldlove.”
Shedroppedhergaze.“Iknowit’ssilly,but—”
Hecutoffherwordswithafingeragainstherlips.“It’sfuckingbrilliant.”
Hereyeswentwideagain.“Youthink?”
“Ido.”Andhedid—allofasudden,theideasweretumblingthroughhishead.“Ihavenoideahow

youevenmakeastuffedwolf,butthathastobesomethingthatwecando,right?Imean,howhardcanit
be?”

Sheputonaseriousface.“Idon’tknowthatit’sgoingtobesupereasy,butI’vegotallkindsofideas

onhowtogetstarted.CaseyandIcanworktogethertogetanonlinestoresetup.Thatwayanyonecould
supportus.Maybewe’llevenuseoneofthosepledgeprogramslikeKickstartertogettheinitialfunding
—thatwaywewouldn’thavetohaveeverythingreadytogorightaway,butpeoplecouldpledgeto
supportusrightnow.Wewanttogetstartedrightawaywhilethenewsoftheshifterkidsbeingrescuedis
stillhot.Thenwecouldturnthegymintoaproductioncenter.Oroneoftheotherbuildingsinyour
territory.Therearesomanyabandonedones,we’vegotplentyofspace.Andwe’llgeteveryoneinthe
packinvolved,fromthegrandmastothekidstothebig,burlyguysmakingadorablelittlewolves.Can’t
youjustseeit?”Herexcitementwasrampinghimuplikecrazy.

Hegrinned.“Yes,Icanabsolutelyseeit.”
“We’llcallitAdoptaShifter,andeachonewillbehandcraftedandhandtaggedwithaheartthatsays

LoveEnoughforEveryone.Peoplecanbuythemtogivetotheirkids.Ordisplaythemintheirhomesor
officetoshowtheirsupport.Orevensharethemonsocialmedia!Thereareallkindsofthingswecando
withthis.”

Thistime,hecutheroffwithafull-blownkiss,holdinghercheeksgently,butputtingeverythinginto

thepressofhislipsagainsthers.

“LoveEnoughforEveryone,”heechoed.“That’sjust…howdidIevergetsoluckyastofindyou?”
Hiswordsseemedtochokeherupforamoment.Shevisiblyswallowedandthensaid,“Youwere

therewhenIneededyou.Youweretherewheneveryoneneededyou.Goodthingshappentopeoplelike
that—oratleast,theyshould.”

Thatwasallhecouldtake.Hepulledherintohisarms.“Canwetalkaboutournewbusinesslater?”

Heranhishandalongthesmoothskinofherbackdowntoherbottom,grippingithard.“Ihaveanurgent
needtomakelovetothenewCEOofAdoptaShifter.”

Shegrinned,andhecouldn’twaittoturnthatsmileintomoansandgaspsofpleasureonceagain.
Andagainandagainandagain.
Forever.

Juliacouldhardlybelieveit—inlessthanaweek,AdoptaShifterwasinfullswing.

Theideawastakingofflikecrazy.TheirKickstarterhadfullyfundedwithinthefirsttwenty-four

hours,settingallkindsofrecords,andthepledgeskeptpouringin.Theywerehavingtoscaleuptheir
operationalmostfasterthantheycouldhandle.Eachdaybroughtinnewideas,newstretchgoals,and
mostimportantofall…newhopeblazingintheeyesofeveryshifterinMarco’spack.

Herpack.
Herfamily.Itwasalmostmorejoythanshecouldcontaininherheart.Exceptthatherheartwas

soaringandgrowingmoreeachday,pumpedupwiththeloveandmagicthatflowedintoherfromMarco.
Hermate.Hewasherworld,andhemadeallofitpossible.Andworthwhile.

Juliasurveyedthemakeshiftheadquarterstheyhadsetupinthegym—thekidswerehardatwork

coloringthehand-craftedtagsthatwouldgooneachandeveryAdoptedShifter.Theywereinventing
namesandputtingtheirinitialsontheback,sopeoplewouldknowthatareal-liveshifterhadbeen
involvedinthecreationofeachone.Inonecorner,Caseywasbangingawayonhiscomputer,maintaining
theKickstarterandworkingonnewstatusupdatesanduploadingvideostheyhadmade.Eachupdategota
newvideo,andthehitswerejustinsane…peoplekeptcomingbackformorefeel-goodvideosabout
wheretheirpledgedollarsweregoingandhowtheywerehelpingthesedown-and-outshiftersmakea
newlifeforthemselvesandtheirpack.Marcowasbentoverthescreenwithhim,givinghimguidanceon
something.AbrigadeofgrandmasandunmatedfemaleshiftersledbyIsabelwerepouringoverplansfor
thestuffedanimaldesignsonaseriesoftablessetagainstonewall.Andthemen—thebig,burlyshifter
men—werebusybringinginanothershipmentofboltsoffabricandsewingmachinesandsuperfluffy
stuffing…allthematerialstheywouldneedtocreatethetoyanimalsthemselves.

ThetemporarytruceshehadbrokeredwithCruz’spackhadbeenextended,andsomeofthemenwho

werehelpingwiththeloadingandunloadingandsettingupoftheoperationwereactuallyfromhispack.
Juliacaughtmorethanoneofthemsmilingattheunmatedfemales—notinalecherousway,likeshemight
haveexpected,butinthefirstbloomofflirtation.

Lovewasliterallyintheair.
Juliacouldn’tbemorepleased.IfshecouldhelpcementthattrucewithjobsforCruz’smen,maybe

theycouldbringalltheshiftergangsinthedowntownareaundertheirumbrella.

Shetookadeepbreath.Onestepatatime.
MarcoleftCasey’ssideandstrodeherway,aphonegluedtohisear.Hewaslisteningintentlyand

speakingintermittently.Hecrookedafingerather,beckoningher,andshewasmorethanhappyto
intercepthimandgivehimaquickpeckonthecheek.Theystillweregoingamillionmilesanhourin
bed,butshecouldnevergetenoughofhergorgeousalpha.

“Yes.Absolutely,”hesaidintothephone,leaningawayfromherkissandgivingherawarninglook

likeshewasmakingtrouble.“Thankyou.”Hewasspeakingtowhoeverwasontheotherendoftheline,
buthewasalsodirectingittoher,asifthankingherfornotmolestinghimanymore.

Shegrinnedwickedlyandslidherarmsaroundhiswaist,rubbingupagainstthefullfrontofhimand

not-so-subtlydiggingherhipintohiscrotch.Asalways,hisbodyrespondedtoherslikeitwaspresetfor
instantlovemaking.Shecouldfeelhimgettinghardunderhispants.

“Uhhuh,”hesaidintothephone.“Thatwon’tbeaproblem.”Hescowledatherandliftedhisarms

away,pointingtothephone,likesheshouldn’tbeharassinghimwhilehewasonit.

Shejustsmiledwithmoregleeandgroundherhipharder.
Hegaveheralookthatspelledtrouble,andaninstantlater,hehadflippedthephoneupawayfrom

hismouth,fistedhishandinherhair,andbroughtherinforafastanddevouringkiss.Shefeltconsumed
andpossessedandinfinitelyloved,justasshealwaysdidwhenhekissedherthisway.Thenhepulled
awayjustasquicklyandwipedhismouth.

“Yes,sir,Mr.Mayor,she’srighthere.”Heheldthephoneouttoherwithasmirk.
Juliacoughedonherownspit—themayor?—andscrambledtorecoverfromthescorchinghotkiss.

Sheshothimadirtylookandmouthedthewordsyouwillpay.

Hiseyesjustblazedmoreasshetookthephonefromhim.
Sheclearedherthroat.“Hello?”
“Hello,Ms.Holloway,it’stheMayorofSeattlecalling,howareyou?”Hiswordsweresmoothand

practiced,butfriendly.Herstomachstillquivered.

“Um,I’muh,fine,sir.Um,howareyou?”Shegrimaced.JesusGod,couldshebeanymore

inarticulate?

Marcowassilentlylaughingatherexpense.Shesmackedhim,hardontheshoulder,andhecowered

awayacouplefeet,grinninglikeafiend.

“Ihearyourbusinessisbooming,”themayorsaid,hisvoicelight.“Ijustwantedtocallandexpress

myappreciationforwhatyou’redoing.It’satruegifttothecity,thisinspiredbusinessconceptofyours,
notonlyfightingsomeofthedarkerelementsthathavebeenplaguingthecitylatelybutalsobringingparts
ofthecitytolifethathavebeendowntroddentoolong.”

“Um…yeah,”shesaid,frowning.Shegottheweirdsensethatallthosewordsmeanthewanted

somethingfromher,butshecouldn’ttellwhatitwas.Butthatdidn’tchangehowproudshewasofwhat
theyweredoing,soshedecidedtojustgowithit.“We’reamazedandsuperexcitedabouttheresponseto
AdoptaShifter.It’sblowingawayeveryexpectationandhopewehadforit.”JuliawavedtoMarcoand
pointedtothephone,silentlyasking,Whatintheworlddoesthemayorwant?

Hejustshrugged.
“Icanonlyimagine,”themayorcontinuedsmoothly.“Ihearthatyouhaveplansforastorefrontinthe

works.Anactualbrick-and-mortarplacewherepeoplecouldvisitdowntownandpickuponeofyour
stuffedanimals.Isthatright?”

“Well,yeah.”Shesquirmed.Wasthatit?Weretheyviolatingsomekindofordinanceabouthavinga

storedowntown?“That’sjustintheplanningstagesrightnow,though.”Shewaitedtoseeifhehadsome
kindofobjectiontothat.

“Well,it’safabulousidea,”hegushed.“Awonderfulwaytostartrevitalizingthedowntownarea.

Whenyouhaveyourgrandopening,Idohopeyou’llsendmeaninvitation.Iwouldlovetobethere.”

Hermouthdroppedopen.Sheshutitquickly.“Ofcourse.Yes.Wewouldlovethat.”Shegavean

incredulouslooktoMarco,whowasgivingherquizzicalstares.

“Great,”themayorsaid,brightly.“Well,thisismypersonalline.Pleasedon’thesitatetogivemea

callifyouneedanything,Ms.Holloway.Andbestoflucktoyouwithyournewbusiness.”

“Thankyou.”
Themayorhungup.
Juliaswipedthephoneoffandstaredwide-eyedatMarco.“Themayorwantstocometoourgrand

opening.”

“We’rehavingagrandopening?”heasked,eyebrowslifting.

“Iguesswearenow.”Hermouthwasstillhangingopen.
Helaughedandswoopedinforaquickkiss.“Well,ofcourse,hedoes.You’rethehottestthinggoing

thesedays.”

Shecurledherhandsaroundthebackofhisneck.“Ithinkyou’reconfusingourbedfortheworldat

large.”

Hegrowledlow,thekindofgrowlthatsethergirlpartsonfire.“Amancouldbeforgivenformaking

suchamistake.”Thenhekissedherthoroughly,andshewaslostinitforawhile.Thathappenedwith
Marcooftenenoughthattheyweregettingareputationforalwaysbeinglateformeetingsthathappened
tooearlyinthemorning,butshecouldn’thelpit.Theworldtelescopeddowntojustthetwoofthem
whenevertheytouched.Shewonderedifitwasthemagic,orherloveforhim,orifitwasjustlikethis
withshiftermates.Intheend,shedecideditdidn’tmatter.Shejustenjoyeditforallitwasworth.

Marcofinallybrokethekiss.“AsmuchasI’dliketohaulyoubacktomyroom,Ibelieveyouhavean

appointmentatnoon.”

“Oh,shit!”Juliasmackedherpalmtoherforehead.“Grace!”
Hechuckled.“Ithinkshe’soutfront.Stefansaidhewouldsetherupthereforthephotoop.”
Juliakissedhimquickandsmoothedherhair.“I’llbebacksoon!”
Marcogrinnedasshescurriedtowardthefront,hopingshehadn’tkeptGraceKrepkywaiting.She

wasthefirstopenly-shifterpoliticianrunningfortheHouseofRepresentatives,andtheelectionwas
comingsoon.Gracewasn’taWilding,sonottechnicallyrelatedtoMarco,butshewasmarriedtooneof
theRiverbrothers,andapparently,thatwasjustasgood.Besides,she’dbeenaheroofJulia’seversince
shecameout—oneofthefewvisibleexamplesofshiftersbeingrespectableandresponsibleintheworld.

IfshewantedaphotoopwithAdoptaShifter,Juliawasmorethanhappytohelp.
Sherushedoutsidetofindthethin,blondegirlbothyoungerandmoreworldlythanJuliaexpected—

Gracehadafresh,innocentfacebutwasdressedinahigh-poweredredsuitandheelsthatwereso
perfectlyputtogether,Juliasuddenlyfeltdowdybycomparisoninherjeansandt-shirt.

Graceheldoutherfine-fingeredhandandsmiledwarmly.“JuliaHolloway!It’sanhonortomeetyou

inperson.”

Whatkindofworldwasthis,withthemayorcallingherandpoliticianssayingitwasanhonortomeet

her?Juliafeltthefireinhercheeksbutmanagednottostumbleinherreply.“Thehonorismine,Ms.
Krepky.Ilovewhatyou’redoingforallshifters.”

Shebeamed.“Please,forGod’ssake,callmeGrace.”
Juliasmiled.“Grace.”Shetippedherheadtothecameramanwhowassettingupinfrontofthe

furniture-store-turned-gym-turned-bustling-new-enterprise.Stefanwaschattingwithhimabouttheangle
orsomething,andnexttohimstoodamansobroadandtall,hehadtobeashifter.She’dheardthat
Grace’smate,JaredRiver,wenteverywherewithherasherpersonalbodyguard,andshewouldn’tbe
surprisedifthatwerehim.

SheturnedbacktoGrace.“Areyouallsetup?”
“Yes,Ibelieveso.”Shegaveaquizzicallooktothecameraman,whogaveherathumbsup.Grace

leanedintoJulia.“Justactnaturalandwe’llhavealittlechat,okay?Thenwe’lledititdowntojustthe
goodstuffandthrowituponourwebsite.”Shesmiledwider.“AlthoughI’mprettysureyourwebsiteis
gettingmorehitsthanmine,lately.”

Julia’scheeksheatedagain.“Peoplearereallybeingamazinglygenerous.”
“I’vealwaysthoughtthatwasthetruespiritofSeattle,notallthesehategroupsandthatmenace,the

WolfHunter,don’tyouthink?”

Julianodded.Itseemedweirdtobetalkinginfrontofthecamerawithoutlookingatit,butshedidher

besttoignoreit.“That’spartoftheideaofAdoptaShifter—toshowhowtheWolfHunterisahundred
percentwrongaboutshiftersandaboutSeattle.We’repartofthecitybecausewegrewuphere.Wehave

familieshere.We’refallinginloveandraisingkids,justlikeeveryoneelse.Butonethingthat’sspecial
aboutwolvesisthatweknowverywellhowstrongwearewhenwestandtogether—asmatesandasa
pack.AdoptaShiftergiveseveryoneawaytostandwithus,toshowtheybelieveeveryonehastheright
tobetreatedwithdecencyandrespect.”

“Ilovethatpartofyourbusiness,”Gracegushed.“Truly.Iwanttoquitthecampaigntrailandcome

workhereinthisconvertedfactoryyouhavegoing.”

“Ohno!Youcan’tdothat!WeneedyouinCongress,Grace.”Juliameanteverywordofthat,evenifit

soundedlikeshewascampaigningforGrace.Butifitcamedowntoit,shewouldgladlydoexactlythat.

Gracegrinned.“Thankyou.I’mhopingthevoterswillagreewithyou.”Shereachedouttoclasp

Julia’shandsinhers.“Andthankyouforyourbraveryandforhelpingtobringoutthebestthatourgreat
citycanbe.”

Juliabeamedatthat.
Thecameramanmadeacuttingmotionacrosshisthroat.Sheguessedthatwasitforfilming.Grace

wasstillholdingherhands,andshesteppedclosertowhispertoJuliawhilethemenfussedwiththe
playbackonthecamera.

“Ihearyou’verecentlyfoundamateaswell,”Gracesaid,hereyesalivewithinterest.
JuliafeltlikehercheekswerepermanentlysetonBlushHardmode.“Yeah.MarcoWilding.We’ve

beenmatedforaboutaweeknow.”

Shegrinnedwickedly.“Andyetyou’vemanagedtoleavethebedroom.You’reastrongerwomanthan

Iam,JuliaHolloway.Istretchedthathoneymoonperiodforalongdamntime.”

“Oh,well…it’snotexactlyahoneymoon.”Juliastruggledforwords.SheandMarcoweren’t

married,justmated…althoughsomehowthatwasmuchdifferentandaltogetherbetter.Butitbroughtan
oddembarrassmenttohercheekstopileontopofalltherest.

“No?”Hersmiledtemperedalittle.“Well,maybeyoushouldfixthat.”
Juliahadnoideawhattosaytothat.ThenGraceliftedherchin,pointingtosomethingoverJulia’s

shoulder.SheturnedtofindMarcobehindher,eyesalightwithmischief.Hewasholdinguponeofthe
prototypeshifterpups,thestuffedkindthatwouldeventuallymakeitintothehandsoftheirmany
thousandsofbackers.Hehandedittoher.

“Oh!”Juliashouldhavethoughtofbringingoutapropearlier.“Butwe’vealreadyfinished.”She

glancedbackatthecameraman…buthewasfilmingthemagain.Stefanwasgrinningatherfrombehind
thecameraman.

Veryodd.
Marcosteppedcloser,intothecamerarange,andtookholdofherelbow.“ThisisaspecialShifter,

justforyou.”

Shelookedathimlikehe’dsuddenlylosthismind.“Idon’tknowwhatyou’re—”
Graceleanedclosetowhisper,reallyloudly,loudenoughforthecameramantohear.“Hey,Ithinkthat

wolfhasacollar.”

What?Hadeveryonejustsuddenlytakenatriptocrazytown?
Graceheldupthestuffedwolfandcheckeditsneck.Sureenough,therewasathinblackleathercord

arounditsneck.Ittookherasecondtorealize…therewasagoldband,aring,hangingunderitschin.
ShewhippedalookbacktoMarco,buthewasdownononekneeinfrontofher.

Hermouthdroppedopen,andshelegithadnowordsinherentirebrain.
Marcosaidthemforher.“Willyoudomethehonor,JuliaHolloway,ofbecomingmybride?”Hewas

beamingupather.

Nowords.Zero.None.Hermouthflappedlikeitwastryingtocarvethewordsoutofair.
Marco’ssmiletemperedalittle.Heleanedin,gesturedoverhisshoulder,andwhisperedloudly,“If

you’dlikeadifferentstuffedwolf,I’vegotfourmoreintheback…”

“Yes!”Theworderuptedfromherlips.God,shesoundedlikeanidiot.Onfilm,noless.
Marcolookedconfused.“Anotherwolf?”
“No…thiswolf.”Thensheflungherarmsaroundhim,stillkneeling,andkissedthehelloutofthe

mansheloved,hadmatedwith,andnow…wouldmarry.Iftherewasagreaterhighagirlcould
experiencewhilestillbeinganchoredtoplanetearth,Juliadidn’tknowwhatitwas.

Cheersandclappingeruptedaroundher,andsherealizedthatallofthiswasstaged,allofitplanned.

ItwasprobablyCasey’sideawithhisrelentlesspursuitofevermorematerialfortheKickstartervideos.
Shedidn’tcareintheslightest.

Everythingshecouldwantintheworldwasinherarms.
WhenshefinallyletMarcoupfromthesidewalk,therewerecongratulationsallaround,hugs,and

morethanafewbackslapsamongthemen.Asthecameramanwasfinallytakingdownhisequipment,
GracepulledJuliaandMarcoasidetosaygoodbye.

“There’sjustonelastthing,”Gracesaidquietly.“Idon’twanttodampenyourgoodmood—youtwo

shouldimmediatelygetbusyonthathoneymoonImentioned.”ShewinkedatJulia.“Butthefactisthatthe
WolfHunterisstillontheloose.He’sstillthebiggestdangertoallourhopesanddreams.AndIwantthat
bastardcaught.”

Marconoddedsolemnly.“Ithinkwehavetheattentionofthepolicenow,atleast.”
“Yes,”Gracesaid,“andbelieveme,I’mincontactwiththeMayor’sofficeonaroutinebasis.Butit’s

goingtotakemorethanthat.It’sgoingtotakeallofusworkingtogether.He’snotgoingtostop.Asfaras
wecantell,he’samanobsessed.TheRiverpackandtheWildingpackscan’trestuntilhe’scaptured.
Canwecountonyou,Marco?Iknowyou’reestrangedfromyourfamily,butyouhaveastrongpackhere,
avirtuallegionofwolves,andtheremightbeatimewhenwe’llneedtocallonthat.”

MarcolookedtoJulia,butshewasalreadynodding.“Youcancountonusforanythingyouneed,”he

said.“Anytime,anyplace.Ifyou’retrackingdowntheWolfHunter,Iwanttobethere.Westandtogether
inthis.”

“Good.”Gracesmiledtightly.“BecauseIthinkthetimeiscomingwhenwe’regoingtoneedevery

wolfwecanget.”

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AlisaWoodslivesintheMidwestwithherhusbandandfamily,butherheartwillalwaysbelongtothe
beachesandmountainswhereshegrewup.Shewritessexyparanormalromancesaboutalphamenand
thewomenwholovethem.Sheenjoysexploringthestrugglesweallhave,whereweresist—and
succumbto—ourmosttemptingvicesaswellasourgreatestdesires.Shefirmlybelievesthatlove
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TableofContents

WildOne(WildingPackWolves4)

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

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