Penance(DarkAlpha,Episode5)
Copyright©2015byAlisaWoods
March2015Edition
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Penance(DarkAlpha5)-NewAdultParanormalRomance

ShiftersliveintheshadowsofSeattle,justundertheskinofthealphamale,dot-comentrepreneurswho
arebuildinganewSiliconValleyintheEmeraldCity.

Jak'splanisadangerousone...butwillheevengetthechancetocarryitout?

Islovestrongerthanmagic?Orwillbreakinganunbreakablebonddestroythemboth?

Penance (Dark Alpha 5) is 60 pages or 15,000 words. It’s the fifth of six episodes in the Dark
Alpha serial. Dark Alpha is the sequel series to True Alpha, the debut shifters-in-Seattle paranormal
romancefromAlisaWoods.

DarkAlphaReleaseSchedule-2015
1-Torment(1.19)
2-Pleasure(2.2)
3-Deception(2.16)
4-Escape(3.2)
5-Penance(3.16)
6-Untitled(3.30)
BoxSet(DarkAlpha1-6)-releases3.30

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standalone

Jakhesitatedatthedoorofthewitch’soffice,nowclosedbehindhim.

Hewastradingsexforhercooperation—withArianna’sfamily,withthespelltobreakMace’shold

on her, and with everything that was going down in the next hour. He had to leave Circe more than
satisfiedtogetthethingsheneeded.HischestwasstillheavingfromtherunovertoMorganMedia,but
thatwasn’twhatcinchedittight:itwastheideaoffuckingawitchtosavethewomanheloved.Awoman
whohadjuststrengthenedhimtothecorewithhersubmission,givingherselfcompletelytohim.Itwasn’t
thefactthatthewitchcouldkillhimwithatouchofherdark-magicfingers—itwasbreakinghisheartthat
Ariannamightfindout.Ifnotnow,ifnotrightaway…eventually.

Heprayedshewouldforgivehimforallofit.
He swallowed down the sourness in the back of his throat and tried to picture Circe as just another

hookupattheclub.Sexwithherdidn’tmeananything.He’dgetitup,getitdone,andgetout.Andwash
awayanytraceafterward,hopingtoGodAriannawouldn’tscentthewitchonhimbeforehecouldcarry
outtherestofhisplan.

JakstrodeacrossCirce’sofficetowhereshestood,leaningagainstherdeskandlickingherlips.Her

blueeyeswerelitup,andshewascheckingouthispackagelikeshehadx-rayvisionthatcouldseeright
throughhisjeans.Hereyesgrewwiderasheapproached.Hedidn’twasteanytime,simplygrabbedhold
ofherhipsandliftedheruponthedesk.Herlegsspread,andherfilmyreddressrodeupherbarethighs.
Heshovedhiscrotchagainsthers,hopingtojumpstartthingsthere.Gettingitupmightnotbeaseasyasit
normallywas.

Circeletoutalittlesqueakofsurprise,buthefiguredthat’swhatshewanted:shehadahungerforsex

withawolfforareason,anditwasn’tbecauseshewantedgentle.Heheldhertightagainsthim,crushing
her ample chest to his, and started feasting on her neck. A strangled moan and pricks of daggered nails
clawingathisbacktoldhimhewasheadedintherightdirection.Heslidahandupherthigh,shoving
asidethesilkyfabricandgoingrightfortheheatbetweenherlegs.Shewasbare—eitherwitcheswent
commandoallthetime,orshehadalreadydiscardedherpanties,knowinghewasontheway.Shearched
herbackandgaspedashisfingersfoundhernub.

Heliftedhisheadfromnippingatherneck.Hereyeswerealreadyhoodedwithlust,lipsparted,anda

flush was creeping across her cheeks. She was actually insanely beautiful—all witches were. If they
weren’tsodeadly,andgenerallywouldprefercastratingwolvestofuckingthem,heprobablywouldhave
sleptwithonealready.Asitwas,hehadtoworktoconvincehiscocktopayattentiontothescentofher

arousal,whichwasquicklyfillingtheroom.Hepalmedherbreast,hopingtheheavyweightofitinhis
handmighthelp.Herheaddroppedbackasheworkedherstiffenednipplethroughthethinsheathofher
dress.Shewasdefinitelycurvyinalltheplacesthatwouldnormallygainhiscock’sattention:full,perky
breasts, begging for his lips; ample hips for a good grip while he slammed into her. Her face was
beautiful and harsh, like a terrible angel—all angled lines, high cheeks, and perfect skin that was now
flushed a delicate pink. Gasps came through her parted lips. He was a little relieved to find his cock
strainingagainsthisjeans,finallyrespondingtoherobviouslust.

Hegaveheramomentmoreofpleasure,teasingherentrancewithhisfingersuntilshewasbucking

againstthem,thenpulledback:heneededtomakesuretheywereclearontheiragreementbeforetheygot
toofar.Hetookoneofherhandsfromwhereitwasdiggingintohisshoulderandpresseditagainsthis
cock,throughhisjeans.Thecontactwasenoughtomakeittwitchinresponse.Herubbedherhandupand
downthelengthtomakesurehecoulddeliver…andtomakeanot-so-subtlepromise.Shemoaned,and
hereyesdriftedclosed.

“Is this what you want, little witch?” he whispered, his voice even huskier than he had intended.

Maybehecoulddothis,eveniftheideasickenedhim.Heshovedthatthoughtaway.

“OhGod,yes,”Circebreathed.Shegraspedholdofhiscockthroughthejeansfabric,strokinghimand

makinghimharder.“Iwantallofyou.Now.”

Hegrabbedherhandbythewristandpulleditaway.“I’mgoingtogiveyoueverythingyouwantand

more.” He growled out the words, which just made her squirm against him. “But first, I want to be
absolutelyclearaboutwhatyou’regivingmewhenwe’redone.”

“I already called the family. They’ll be here soon.” She clawed at his pants, trying to slip her hand

inside. He pulled her hand away again then pushed her body flat against the desk, hauling her bare sex
against the rough fabric of his pants while holding her hands over her head with one hand. It was the
perfectpositiontotormentandteaseher,andhiscockstiffenedevenmoreinresponse.Circegaspedwith
itaswell,archingherbackandshovingherbreastsup.

“Takemenow,”shebreathed,strainingagainsthim.
“First,Iwantyourpromise,”hesaid,evenashegroundagainstherandmadeherwhimper.“You’ll

helpmewiththefamily,you’lldothespell,andyou’llspeaknothingofthistoArianna.Ever.”

Circe’spantingslowedabit,andsheliftedherheadtolookathim.“Spell?”
Jakdippedhisheadtopeerintohereyes.“Thespellwediscussedbefore?Idoyou,thenyoudothe

spell?AndnotawordtoArianna.”

Circe frowned and stopped grinding against him. “Please tell me you don’t mean that dreadful spell

whereyouendupdeadonmyfloor.Becauseyou’refartoodelicioustowastewithsomethinglikethat.”
Sheseemedtobescanninghisfaceandtheairallaroundhim.Herfrowngrewdeeper.

“I’msureyoucanfindanotherwolftothreatenintoyourbed.”Jakgrittedhisteeth,butallthistalkof

himdyingwashavingaseriousnegativeeffectonthestateofhiscock.Hestartedmovingitagainsther
sexagain.

Circedroppedherheadbacktothedeskandmoaned.Shewassilentamoment,clearlyenjoyingthe

contactbetweenherlegs.Butthenshegroanedinawaythatsoundedmorelikefrustrationthanpleasure.
Jakstartledwhensheseemedtoslipherhandsfreeofhisholdwithoutanydifficultywhatsoever.Thenhe
jumpedwhensheslammedbothfistsagainstthedesk,oneoneithersideofherbody.

Hesteppedbackandfrowned,notsurewhatwashappening.
Circesatup,lookinggrumpy.SheglaredatJakasshestraightenedherdress.“Whydidyouhaveto…”

Shewavedathim.“…tellmeallthat?”

“Tellyouwhat?”Hethoughtitwasclearhewashereforthespell.Butapparentlynot,judgingbythe

lookonherface.Wasitmorecomplicatedthanhethought?Maybetherewassomethingtothespellthat
madeherhesitatetogothroughwithit.

Insteadofansweringhim,shemadeaharrumphingsoundandeaseddownfromthedesk.Shetugged

herdressintoplacethencrossedherarms.“You’rewillingtodieforthisgirl.”

Itwasn’texactlyaquestion,buthesaid,“Yes,”withouthesitation.Hewasstillconfused.“What’sthe

problem?Yougetwhatyouwantfirst.AllI’maskingisthatyoudon’ttellherthatwe…”Hegesturedto
thedesk.“Thattherewasacertainexchangeinvolved.Isthatsomuchtoask?”Therehadtobemoreto
this.

Circeletoutanelaboratesighthenleanedbackagainstherdesk.“I’msureyouthinkallwitchesare

heartlessandevil.”

Heknewbetterthantosayanything,optingforasmallshrug.
Shewavedathimagain,gesturingatsomethingaroundhishead.“Yourauraisscreamingyourlovefor

thisgirl.You’rewillingtodieforher,formagic’ssake.Imaywantyourhotshifterbody,littlewolf,but
evenIknowbetterthantoriskthekarmaofmessingwithalovebondthatstrong.”

“I…don’tunderstand.”Jakclenchedhisfists.“Willyoudothespellornot?”
Shesighedagain.Thelustinhereyeshadcooledtendegrees.“Whynotjustgivehertothefamily?

They’ve wanted nothing more than to have her back all along. Or, hell, run away with her! Are you so
territorialthatyou’dratherdiethanhaveanotherwolf’smagicinherblood?”Shewrinkleduphernoseat
this,likehehadsuddenlyturnedintoadistastefulbeastthatmightsoilthecarpet.

Jakjustshookhishead,mystified.Didhereallyneedtoexplainhisreasoningtothiswitch?“Whydo

youcare?”

“Performingdarkartsisatrickybusiness,”shesniffed.“Andadeadlyone.Whyareyousoeagerto

die,littlewolf?”

“I don’t want to die.” He ran a hand through his hair and stepped back farther. This witch was

confoundinghim.“I’dlikenothingmorethantorunawaywithher.Butaslongasshe’stiedtohermate,
she’llneverhavethethingsshedeserves.”

Circeshrugged.“Shecouldstillhavepups.Whatdoesitmatterifthey’renotyours?Sotospeak.”
Jakgrowledandtooktwomenacingstepstowardher.Hestoppedbeforereachingherwhenherlook

changed from annoyed to glacier cold. She could kill him if she wished. And now that she wasn’t, for
somereason,clawingathimforsex,shejustmightdoitoutoffrustration.

Hedialedbackhisownfrustrationandsaidsoftly,“Iwouldhappilyrunawayandspendallmydays

lovingher.Iwouldlikenothingmorethantomakeafamilywithher.Butintheend,itwouldallbefor
selfishness. Because Mace wouldn’t stop hunting her. And one day, he would find her—then he would
claimnotonlyher,butherpupstoo.Ourbabies…”Jakswalloweddownthethicknessinhisthroatthen
lookedawaytohidethewaterglassinghiseyes.“Hewouldhaveeveryrightinpacklawtoclaimthem
all.IwoulddiebeforeIletthathappen,butImightnotbeabletostopit.Ariannawouldalwayslivein
fearofthat.”HetookabreathandlookedbacktoCirce,whosefacehadopenedinsurprise.“ThiswayI
canensurethatitnevercomesdowntothat.NomatterhowmuchIwantherformyself,themostimportant
thingistosimplygetherfreefromhim.”

Circe pressed her lips together, but Jak could tell something had changed. There was a look on her

face,aconcernedlook,thatmadethesharpnessofherfeaturessoften.

Shenoddedslowly.“Youmaynotthinkmuchofwitches,littlewolf,butevenwearenotsoheartless

astostandinthewayofsomethingso…noble.”

Heraisedhiseyebrows.“Thatsoundssuspiciouslylikeacompliment.”
Shescowledathim.“Somethingyouwillnotspeakofagainandwilltaketoyourgrave.”
Hesmirked.“Ofcourse.”Butthesmilewasfleeting.“Willyoudothespell,Circe?”
Her scowl darkened. “Yes. But it’s not something we can do in my office. And you’ll need to be in

wolfformattheend.Iprefernottodisposeofhumanbodies.”

Jak swallowed, the reality of that sinking in. “Understood.” Then he blew out a sigh of relief and

gesturedtothedesk.“I’mstillnotsurewhywe’renot…”

“Havingamazingsexonmydesk?”Shesmirkedandeyedhisbody.“Makenomistake,littlewolf,it

wouldhavebeenoneofthebestexperiencesofyourlife.”

Hecockedhisheadtotheside.“ItseemsI’llneverknow.”
Sheletoutawistfulsigh.“Itwouldhavebeendelicious.Butyouweremuchmorefuntobedwhenyou

weren’tquitesonoblyrescuingthewomanyoulove.”

Hefrowned.Hehadnoideasuchthingsmatteredtowitches.
She folded her arms. “Hecca would say I’m foolishly romantic. I think she’s just had one too many

dark-artspellswormtheirwayintoherheart.Butregardless…I’llhelpyouforthesamereasonIagreed
tohelpArianna’sfamilyfromthebeginning.BecauseIdon’tliketoseeawomanheldcaptiveandturned
intoaslaveoftheworstsort.”

Hiseyebrowshikedup.Hedidrememberhersayingthatbefore,butnowthathehadamomenttothink

aboutit,hecouldseethatCircehadbeentrying,inherownway,tofreeAriannaallalong.

Justlikehim.
Hetippedhisheadtoher.“YouandImighthavemoreincommonthanIeversuspected,littlewitch.”

Hegaveherasmallsmileandsteppedforward,closeenoughtotouchher,buthedidn’t.“Thankyou.”
Hereyeswidenedashegentlypressedachastekisstohercheek.Whenhepulledback,thatpinkishtone
wascoloringherfaceagain.Hesurprisedevenhimselfwithhowgenuinehissmilewas.

Sheshookherhead,asifthewholethingwashopelesslyfoolish,thenreachedforherphonelyingon

the desk. “It’s a damn shame to have to do this spell, little wolf. A damn shame.” Then she tapped
somethinguponthephoneandspokeintoit.“Havetheyarrivedyet?”Shepausedtolisten.“No.I’llmeet
theminthereceptionareawhentheygethere.I’llbeoutinjustamoment.”Shehungupthephone.

Jak’spulsequickened.“Thefamily?”
Shenodded.“They’llbeheresoon.Butwecan’tdothisatMorganMedia.”
Henodded,readytogetdowntobusiness.“Understood.ButfirstIneedtotalktothem.Ineedtomake

suretheycantakecareofAriannaafterI’mgone.”

Circenodded,bitingherlip.“Arianna’saluckygirltohavesomanypeoplelovehersothoroughly.”

Shegesturedtothedoor.“Itseemsfittingthatyoushouldallmeetbeforeshelosesoneofyou.”

Jak didn’t think he would ever feel actual gratitude toward a witch, but there was no denying the

warmth in his gut with those words. He nodded, then strode toward the door of her office. The warm
feelinglastedexactlythreeseconds—untilheopenedthedoortoadifferentanddecidedlymorefurious
witch.Hecca’sgreen-eyedglarewaslikeaphysicalforce.Jakstumbledbackacrossthethreshold,nearly
bumpingintoCirce.

Heccaquicklyturnedherfuryonhersister.“Circe,whyisourreceptionistonthelookoutforapackof

wolvescomingtomeetyou?”ShegaveJakadisgustedlook.“Andwhatishedoinghereagain?Ithought
weweredonewiththisbusiness.”

CircebreezedpastJak,hookingherarmthroughhisalongtheway.SheflutteredherfingersatHecca.

“Nothingforyoutobeconcernedabout,sisterdear.”

Heccawashotontheirheels.
Circesaunteredtowardthefront,towingJakwithher.
“Thefactthatyoudon’tfindthisconcerning,”Heccahissed,“isexactlywhyI’mconcerned.”
Circewhirledonhersister,andthehumorwasgonefromherface.“I’mhavingalittlefun,Hecca.Be

adearanddon’truinit.”

Heccawrinkledhernoseupindisgust.“Withallofthem?Fortheloveofmagic,Circe,you’retaking

thisobsessionofyourswiththese…dogs…alittletoofar.”

Jak let out a low growl, playing along and bolstering Circe’s cover. Slipping out for a wolfy orgy

wasn’texactlyanunbelievablelunchtimeactivityforCirce,ifhehadtotakeaguess.

Hecca narrowed her eyes at him. “Don’t growl at me, wolf. Not in my own coven. Not unless you

wanttoendupasash.”

Circetuggedhimcloser,protectively.“Getyourownplaythings,Hecca.”Shesaiditloudenoughfor

theentireofficetohear.Theycertainlyhadeveryone’sattention.

Jak tried not to flinch as Circe ran her hand up his arm, squeezing his muscles lasciviously as she

went.Hecca’sdisgustturnedtoloathing,butbeforeshecouldstartspittingspellsatthem,Circeturned
them away and sauntered toward the front of the office again. Jak peeked back, but Hecca wasn’t
following after them anymore. Circe cuddled up to his side as close as she could get, her hand still
roamingandgettingagoodfeel.

Jakdippedhisheadtohersandsaidsoftly,“Youenjoyedthat,didn’tyou?”
Circesmirkedjustbeforetheyreachedthefrosted-glassdoorsoftheoffice.“WhippingHeccaintoa

frothisoneoflife’ssmall,sublimepleasures.”

Jakchuckledtheysteppedacrossthethresholdintothereceptionarea.SoonhewouldmeetArianna’s

family…and,ifallwentaccordingtoplan,hisfateaswell.

Arianna paced the small confines of Sarra’s living room, from the weathered leather couch spilling out
stuffingtotheshelvesfilledwithartbooksattheendnearthestudio.She’dhadthreecupsofteaalready,
and she and Sarra had lapsed into a heavy silence. They were waiting for Jak to return from whatever
“errand” he had to run, but Arianna couldn’t help feeling something had gone wrong. Every moment he
wasn’tcallinginchedupherbacklikeaglacierofdread.

WhileAriannapaced,Sarracalmlyreadthenewspaper.
AriannaglancedatSarra’sphone.IthadbeenanhoursinceJakcalled.“Somethinghashappened,”she

saidwithoutslowinginherpacing.

Sarradidn’tlookupfromherpaper.“Nothinghashappened.”
Ariannadidn’thaveaphone—Jakhadgivenherone,butMacehadtakenit—orshewouldhavecalled

Jakalready.WhaterrandcouldhepossiblyhavetodothatwasmoreimportantthangettingoutofSeattle?
Orreunitingwithherfamily,nowthatsheknewtheywerelookingforher?Atleast,shethoughttheywere
lookingforher—Jakhadn’tbeensure.Maybethatwastheerrand?Washefindingoutifitwastrue?And
evenifitwas,hesaiditwasn’tsafetogothere…thatitwasthefirstplaceMacewouldlookforher.
Whichwasnodoubttrue.SomethingaboutthephonecallJakhadtomakesenthimoffonthismysterious
errand…washegoingafterherfamilytokeepthemsafe?

Her nerves were stretched so tight, she was about ready to snatch up Sarra’s phone and call Jak

herself.ItcalledtoherfromthespotwhereitsatonthericketykitchenettetablenexttoSarra’steamug.

“WhatdidJaksayaboutthiserrandhe’srunning?”Ariannaaskedforthethirdtime.
Sarrasighedbutstilldidn’tlookupfromherpaper.“Justthatitwouldtakeanhourandhewouldcall

whenhewasdone.”

“It’sbeenanhour.”
“It’sbeenthirty-fourminutes.”Hervoicewastight.Ariannacouldn’ttellifsheknewmorethanshe

wassayingorifshewasjustgettingannoyedwithArianna.Whichshecouldunderstand:JakwasSarra’s
ex,andhereshewas,havingtobabysithisnewlover.Ariannabitherlipasshepaced.Shehatedtomake
itworseforSarra,butworryaboutJakandwhathewasuptowasmakingherwolfstompandsnort.She
wasabouttocrawloutofherskinwithit.

Ariannaclenchedherfistsasshepaced.“He’sgoneanddonesomethingstupid,Sarra.”
Sarraturnedthepageofherpaper.“MostofthethingsJakdoesarestupid.”
Ariannagrabbedachairatthetable,turneditaround,andsatbackwardsinit.“He’sgoneafterMace.

Ijustknowit.”

“Who’sMace?”
“Myalpha.”Ariannagrippedthebackofherchairtokeepfrompoppingbackupandpacingagain.
Sarrafinallylookedupfromherpaperwithaninscrutableexpression.“Thatwouldbestupid,evenfor

Jak.”ButthenthecornersofSarra’smouthturneddown.Shehadtobethinkingitwaspossible,too.

“Maybehe’sgoingtoslipbackintotheestateandattackMacewhilehe’sstillrecovering.”Arianna

chokedup.“OhGod,Sarra,whatifhegetshimselfkilled?Ialmostlosthimoncealready…”Thenshe
hadtostopbecausetearswereabouttospill,andshehadnotimeforthat.

SarraputthepaperdownandreachedouttolayahandonArianna’swhite-knuckledones.“Whatever

he’sdoing,Jak’splanningoncomingbacktoyou.Hesaidhewouldcall:he’llcall.”

Ariannaglancedatthephoneonthetable.“Letmecallhim.Please.”
Sarrasighedandpulledherhandback.Sheseemedtowrestlewiththeideaforamoment,thenslidthe

phonetowardArianna.“Goahead.TellhimI’vegotbetterthingstodothanwaitaroundforhim.”

Ariannagaveheragratefulsmilethensnatchedupthephone.Sarrawasquicklybecomingoneofher

favorite people. Jak’s number was the most recent incoming call, so she didn’t have to troll through
Sarra’s phone book. Arianna was glad at least for that—she felt bad for all the imposition they had
alreadymadeonSarra’slife.

Ariannapressedthephonetoherear,drummingherfingertipsrapidlyonthetabletopasitrang.
Andrang.
Andrang.
Finallyitwenttomessage.Shehungupwithoutleavingone.
“Noanswer,”shesaid,hervoicetight.
“He’sprobablybusydoingwhateverhe’sdoing.”Sarrawentbacktoreadingthepaper.
Ariannajumpedoutofthechairandpacedagain,thephoneclutchedinherhand.“He’sintrouble.I

knowit.”

“Ifhewasintrouble,hewouldhavepickedupthephone.”Sarragaveanelaboratesigh,settingthe

paper down again. “Jak’s a smart man. He knows you’re here, waiting. He’s not going to leave you
stranded.Hejusthassomethingtodothathedoesn’twantyoumixedupin.”

Ariannastoppedherpacing.“Thatonlymeansit’sdangerous.”
“Orthathecantakecareofitbetteronhisown.Hesaidhewouldtellyouallaboutitwhenitwas

done.”Sarra’seyesnarrowed.“Doyoutrusthim?”

Ariannatookadeepbreathandletitoutslowly.“Ido.Iswear,Itrusthimwithmylife,Sarra.I’mjust

notsureItrusthimwithhis.”

Sarrafrowned.“Yeah.Iknowwhatyoumean.”Sheshookherheadandstudiedthepittedtabletopfor

amoment.“We’lljusthavetowaituntilhecalls.Thenwecanstitchhimbackuporpickupthepiecesor
whateverheneeds.”

ButthatsparkedanideainArianna’shead.SheshookthephoneatSarra.“Myfamilyislookingfor

me.”Atleast,shehopedthatwastrue.Evenifitwasn’t,sheshouldalertthemthatshehadbrokenfree…
andthatMacemightbecomingtherenext.

Sarracockedaneyebrow.“Youhaveapack?”
“It’sjustmybrothersandmymom.We’rehardlyapack.That’swhyMacewasabletocapturemeso

easily.Wewereoutnumbered.”

Sarrascowled,butAriannawasalreadypullingupthephone’snumberpadtodial.Ithadbeenalong

time,butshehadMarco’snumbermemorized.

“Ifthey’relookingforme,”Ariannasaid,“theymightbenearby.Ifnot,theyneedtoknowI’mout.And

thatMacemightbelookingformeathome.Attheveryleast,IcantellthemwhereIam.Theycanclear
out, maybe stash my mom somewhere safe, and come get me. By the time Jak calls, they’ll be on their

way.Whateverhisplanis,theycanhelp.”

Sarrawasbacktofrowningagain.“Areyousurethat’swhatJakwants?Maybeinvolvingyourfamily

inthisisn’tthewaytogo.”

Ariannalookedupasthephonestartedtoring.“They’reinvolvedwhethertheywanttobeornot.And

I’mnotleavingJakaloneinthis.”

Sarranoddedinapproval.“Itwouldbebettertohaveafewmorefangsaround,incasethisgetsugly.

Besides,Idon’tlikewherethisisheading.”Sheheldupahand.“ButIdonotwantthemcominghere!
ThelastthingIneedisaparadeofwolvesthroughmydoor.Idon’twantpeopletothinkI’mbackinthe
businessagain.Gotit?”

“Ipromise,”Ariannasaidquicklyasthephonerangagain.“We’lltakeitsomewhereelse.I’llarrange

ameet.”Herheartstartedtopoundatthemerethoughtofseeingherfamilyagain.

The phone picked up. “Hello?” It was tentative—of course, her brother wouldn’t recognize Sarra’s

callerID—butitwasdefinitelyMarco’svoice.Itfeltsogoodtohearitagain.

“Marco!It’sme,Arianna.”Hervoicewasbreathywithexcitement.
“Arianna?”Hewasstilltentative.“Whyareyoucallingonthisphone?”
“It’salongstory.”AriannaglancedatSarra.“I’minSeattle.ButI’mnotattheRedwolfestate.Iran

awayand—”

“Holy shit, it’s really you!” Marco’s voice took a swing up, enthusiasm kicking in. “Are you okay?

Howdidyougetout?Whatthe…Arianna,ohmygod…Momisgoingtobesohappy.”

“I know!” She could hardly get the words out, she was grinning so hard. “I can hardly believe it

myself.”

“Whathappened?”heasked,thehopeinhisvoicewarringwithconcern.“Areyoufreeofhim,sis?I

mean…ishe…”

“No,he’snotdead.”Ariannablewoutabreath.“Andthat’swhyI’mcalling,actually.YouandKalis

andMomneedtogosomewheresafe.Maceisgoingtocomelookingforme,soonerorlater.AndIneed
yourhelp,Marco.”

“Ofcourse.Whateveryouneed.We’repracticallyinSeattleanyway...”ShecouldhearMarcowhisper

something,coveringthephonewithhishand.Afteramoment,hewasback.“KalisiscallingMom.I’ll
havehergotoRobertson’sranchforawhile.He’llkeephersomewheresafeuntilthisishandled.”

“Ohgood.”Thetensioninherbodysteppeddownanotch.ShealwaysknewMarcowouldmakeafine

alphasomeday…andinthesixmonthssinceshe’dbeengone,heseemedtohavegrownintoitevenmore.
Shecouldhearitinhisvoice.“Wait…didyousayyou’realmosttoSeattle?”

“Yeah.”Heseemedtohesitateamoment.“We’reonourwaytovisitsomewitches.”
“What?”Wolvesandwitchesdidn’tmix.Notthatshe’devermetone,butitwaslikeasixthsense…

nottomentionallthehorrorstoriesshe’dheardgrowingup.

“Weweredesperate,Ari.”Thatwaswhatherfatherhadalwayscalledher.
Itmadeherchokeupevenmore.“Youweretryingtogetmeback,weren’tyou?”
“Everydaysincethemomentthatbastardtookyou.”Hegrowledouteachword.
Now she really was going to cry. She turned away from Sarra’s curious gaze and said softly, “Oh,

Marco.I’vemissedyouguyssomuch.”

“Iknow,sis.Butit’sgoingtobeoversoon.We’recomingforyou.Justtellmewhereyouare.”His

voicewasfullalpha-modenow,anditmadeherheartsing.

Arianna wiped her face, pushing away tears she didn’t have time for. “I’m in a safe place, but you

can’tcomehere.Letmemeetyousomewhere.Thesewitches…theywerehelpingyou,right?”

“Yeah,”Marcosaid,hesitationbackinhisvoice.“There’sonethat’s…well,she’sdifferent.Decent.

Forawitch,Imean.”

“MaybeIcanmeetyouthere,”Ariannasaid.

“Idon’tknow,Ari—”
“She’sonourside,right?Andbesides…thelastthingMacewoulddoislookformeinacovenof

witches.”

“That’sprobablytrue.”Hestillsoundedundecided.
“And it’ll give me a chance to thank her for her help.” Her heart was leaping with the fact that she

wouldgettoseeherfamilyagain.Walkingintoacovenofwitcheswasn’texactlyhowshehaddreamed
ofithappening,butthatdidn’tmatter.

“Right.”Therewasstillsomethingoffinhisvoice.
“Whatisit,Marco?”
“Maceisn’tdead.”Thegrowlwasbackinhisvoice.
“Yeah.”Shealreadytoldhimthat.
“Soyou’restillmated.”Growlandanger,too.
“Right. But that can’t be helped. And that’s why we need to make a plan to get away. And there’s

somethingelseyouneedtoknow.There’ssomeonewho’sbeenhelpingme.”SheglancedatSarraagain.
“Acoupleofpeople,actually.Buttheonewhohelpedmeescape…well,youneedtomeethim.”

“Okay.”ButMarcoseemedpreoccupied.“NowthatIthinkaboutit,meetingatthewitch’splaceisthe

way to go. We’re almost there. We can figure out our plan once we meet up. These people who are
helpingyou:dotheyhavetransportation?Canyougethereonyourown?”

Arianna glanced at Sarra. “Yeah. I should be able to. I’ll bring one of them with me. Hopefully the

otheronecanmeetuslater.He’stiedupatthemoment.”

“That’sfine.I’llhaveKalistextyoutheaddresswhenIhangup.AndArianna?”
“Yeah?”
“Iloveyou,sis.”Hisvoicewaschoked.“There’snotadayIhaven’tbeentryingtofindawaytoget

youfree.”

Shewastearingupagain.“We’llhavetimetotalklater.”
Marcoclearedhisthroat.“Later.Right.Seeyousoon,Ari.”
Hehungupthephone.
“Whatisthisbusinessaboutacovenofwitches?”Sarrawasstandingnow,lookingtenseandstaring

Ariannadownfromherspotbythetable.

Ariannawinced.“Iguessthey’rehelpingus.”
Sarralookedaskanceather.“Look,countrygirl,Idon’tknowaboutwhereyou’refrom,buthereinthe

city,witchesdon’tgenerallyhelpwolves.Unlessthey’rehelpingthemselvestoourbodyparts.Especially
femalewolves.Especially,especiallymatedfemalewolves.”

“Iknow.”Ariannahandedbackherphone.“ButItrustmybrother.Ifyoujustwanttodropmeoff,I’d

totallyunderstand.”

Sarraletoutadrylaugh.“Jakwouldskinmealive,andrightlyso,ifIdroppedyouoffatacovenof

witches.Um,no.I’llbegoingwithyou.”

Ariannawrappedherarmsaroundherself.“I’msorryaboutdraggingyouintoallthis.”Itseemedlike

everyonesheloved,andevenstrangersshehadjustmet,wereriskingthemselves,alltohelphergetfree
ofMace.Shefeltbadaboutthat,butshecouldn’thelpiteither.Itwaseitherthatorstaywithhim.And
she’dalreadymadethatchoice.Nowshehadtoseeitthrough.

“Lookslikewe’regoingonaroadtrip,”Sarrasaid.“Youmightneedafewthings,justincasewe’re

notcomingbackanytimesoon.”

Ariannaunfoldedherarmsandheldherhandsout.“Oh,no.No,no,no.Ican’ttakeanythingfromyou.

You’vealreadygivenmetoomuchhelp.”

Sarramotionedhertowardthebedroom.“Shutupandhelpmepack.”
Arianna had no choice but to follow her and help in any way she could. And she couldn’t help

wondering what she did to deserve all this—Jak working to free her, Marco taking the risk to team up
withwitchestogetherback,andnowSarra,givinghersafeshelter,tea,andpackingherupwiththingsto
goontheroad.Whichwasprobablywhereshewasgoingtobe—ontheroad,ontherun—foragoodlong
time.Possiblyforever.

Ariannadidn’tknowwhatshecouldeverdotorepayanyofthem.Butshewoulddoeverythinginher

powertolivealifeworthyofalltherisksthesepeopleweretakingtogiveherachancetoliveone.

JakandCircespentfivetenseminuteswaitinginthereceptionareaofMorganMedia,subjectedtothe
oglingandwhispersofthetworeceptionists.Circeeventuallybanishedthemtothemainofficeareaof
MorganMedia.Afewminuteslater,theelevatordingedandtwomensteppedout.Theywerebothtall,
well-built males, clearly in possession of the shifter gene—the younger one was no more than sixteen,
while the older one seemed closer to twenty. But what froze the breath in Jak’s chest was the brilliant
blueeyes,thedarkbrownhair,andthefresh-facedinnocenceofboth.

Therewasnoquestioninhismind:theywereArianna’sbrothers.
Circequicklyaddressedtheolderone.“Marco,nicetoseeyouagain.”Therewasapurrinhervoice

thatJakrecognizedinstantlyasCirce-lusting-after-wolves.HewonderedjustwhatMarcohadtradedto
earnCirce’shelpinfindinghissister.Thenagain,maybehehadjustpaidherinmoney—thekidlooked
asinnocentasArianna,althoughhehadthatsameworld-wearinessthatdidn’tseemtobelongonherface
either.

Marcofrowned,coollytakinginJak’spresence.“Whenyousaidyouwantedtomeet,Circe,Ididn’t

realizeyoumeantwithothershifters.Whoisthischaracter?”

Theyoungeronestoodatattention,likehewasreadytobrawlatamoment’snotice,buthewasjusta

pup.Jakcouldtakehimwithonehandtiedbehindhisback.Theolderonewouldtakeabiteoutofhim
before going down, but Jak was fairly certain it wouldn’t be much of a fight, either. He was seriously
hopingitwouldn’tcometothat.

Circe arched her perfect eyebrows. “Marco and Kalis Stefan meet Jak Roberts. Jak is the wolf

responsibleforfreeingyoursister,atleastinaphysicalsense,fromMace’shold.”

Jakextendedhishand,butMarcojustscowledandignoredit.“Youfreedmysister?”
Heclearlywasn’tbuyingthis,andJakcouldn’tblamehim.Itwasn’tlikehehadbroughtAriannaalong

asproof.

“Yes,”Jaksaidevenly.Heneededtowintheseboysoverand,atthesametime,taketheirmeasure.

TheywereArianna’sfamily,butasJakwellknew,thatdidn’talwaysmeanmuch.Hehadtobesurethey
werecapableoflookingoutforher.Andeveniftheywantedto,hewasstartingtowonderiftheywould
besavvyenough.

“Look,”Jaksaid,“Iknowyoudon’tknowme—”
“No. I don’t know you.” Marco’s voice was clipped, and the younger one was still on high alert.

“Howaboutyouclearout?IhaveafewthingstodiscusswithCirce—”

Hewascutoffbytheyoungeronebattinghisarm.Marcoleanedover,andKaliswhisperedinhisear.

TheybothshotdaggeredlooksatJak.Thehairsonthebackofhisneckstoodup.

Marcostraightenedandgrowledouthiswords.Buttheyweren’tdirectedatJak.“Circe,whatkindof

witchtrickeryisthis?”

Shenarrowedhereyes,andhervoicewentcold.“Whatareyoutalkingabout,wolf?”
MarcoflunghishandoutatJak.“He’sRedpack. Did you expect us not to notice?” He snarled and

tippeduphischin.“HewastherewhenAriannawascaptured,andnowyou’vebroughtusheretomeet
withhim?Whatisthis,somekindofdoublecross?Aretheremoreoftheminthelobby?Ithoughtyou
wantedAriannafree.Orwasthatjusttalk?”

KalishadhauledouthisphoneandwasyankingonMarco’ssleeve.Marcostilledhisbrotherwitha

harshlook.

The tension evaporated from Circe’s slender frame. “No, you idiot.” She sighed. “I swear, if you

wolvesweren’tsosexy,I’dfindthelackofabrainseriouslyunattractive.”

Marcogrowledinresponse.“We’releaving.”Heturnedtowardtheelevators.
Jakrushedout,“Marco,wait.”
Buthekeptgoing,andKaliswasonhisheels.Theolderonepunchedtheelevatorbuttonthenwhirled

onJakasheapproached.BothMarcoandKalishadtheirclawsoutandweresnarling.

Jak put up his hands. He had maybe ten seconds before the elevator arrived. “Look, I would be

suspicious,too.IfIhadasisterlikeArianna,I’dtearapartanyonewholookedsidewaysather.Butyou
havetobelieveme,I’monyoursidewiththis.”

Thesnarlingeasedup,butonlyslightly.Andtheirclawswerestillout.
Jakrushedtherestout.“IwatchedforsixmonthsasMacekepthercagedlikeananimalinthathouse

ofhis.Ittoremeaparteverysingleday.Andthen,oneday,Iactuallygottospendtimewithher,andI
realized…someonelikeAriannawasworthriskingeverythingfor.Icouldn’tlivewithmyselfifIstood
bywhilesheslowlydied—whileeverythinggoodandbeautifulaboutherwitheredaway—allfrombeing
adarkalpha’smate.”

Kaliswasstillgivinghimglares,butMarco’sclawshadretractedintohishands.
Hisblueeyes,solikeArianna’s,werestillsquintedwithsuspicion.“What’sinitforyou?”
Jak blinked, nonplussed for the moment. What was in it for him? Redemption for not saving his

mother?Achancetobeanalpha,atrueprotector?Itwassimplereventhanthat.“I’minlovewithher.”

Marco’sgazestilldrilledintohim.“Isthatso?”
Hecouldunderstandtheskepticism.Inthesameposition,withasisterlikeArianna,he’dmorelikely

gofangtofangthantrustanywolfclaimingtoloveher.Jakstoodstraighter.“Ileftmypack,betrayedmy
alpha,andriskedmylifealltogetAriannafree.”

Marcoliftedoneeyebrow.“Sothatwasyou?Shesaidsomeonehelpedher.”
Jakchokedasherealized:AriannahadalreadyspokentoMarco.Shemusthavecalledthemafterhe

took off. “Yes, that would be me. I fought four wolves and betrayed my alpha to break her free of the
estate.AndnowI’mpreparedtodowhateverIhavetoinordertobreakherfreeofthematingbond.”

Marco’sfaceopenedwithsurprisebeforeheshutitdownagainwithsuspicion.Hethrewaglareat

Circe.“Didyoutellhim?”

Thewitch,forherpart,lookedamused.“No.”
Marco leaned back, appraising Jak. He looked to his brother, the fresh-faced Kalis, and they

exchangedawordlessconversationofpointedlooksandheadshakes.Jakdidn’tunderstandwhatitwas
allabout,butthetensionwasrampingdown.Andwhentheelevatordingedandopened,neitherofthem
madeamovetoboardit.

Afterthedoorclosedagain,Jakasked,“Tellmewhat?”
Marco’s lips were pressed tight, and Jak could tell he was debating whether to come clean about

something.Itwasthenthathesawhowyoungthesewolvesreallywere.Ariannawastwenty,butMarco
wasnearlythesameage—maybeayearolderoryounger.Wouldhereallybeabletocareforherafter
Jak was gone? But Marco’s and Kalis’s fierce loyalty to their sister, the risks they had already taken,
contracting with Circe and the bounty hunters to get her back… Jak had to trust that once they were
reunited,theywouldn’teverrisklosingheragain.

Finally,MarcolookedtoCirce,whonoddedherencouragement.ToJak,hesaid,“Wecontractedwith

the witches to get Arianna back, but I’m not an idiot. I knew that wouldn’t be enough. We’re just two
wolves,hardlyevenapack.AgainsttheReds,we’dhavenochanceofkeepingherfree.Thebondhadto
bebrokenorhermatewouldkeephuntingforher…untileventually,hewouldfindher.Andthenthings
wouldbeworsethanbefore.Muchworse.”

Jaknodded,reliefwashingthroughhim.Marcomaybeyoung,butheunderstoodwhatwasatstake.

“Arianna would never truly be free. Even if you went on the run, you’d always be looking over your
shoulder. All of you. Because Mace isn’t just any mate—he’s a bastard dark alpha. He’ll tear through
anythingandanyonewhostandsbetweenhimandwhathewants,andhereallydoesn’tcarewhohehasto
killtodoit.AndAriannadeservesbetterthantohavethespecterofhimhauntingher.Sheshouldn’thave
togoontherunfortherestofherlife.AndknowingArianna,she’dneverbeabletolivewiththat.She
wouldn’twanttobringthatrisktoyou.”

Marcolookedsurprised.“ThatsoundslikesomethingAriwouldsay.”
Jak smiled. Ari. It was a beautiful name, just like her. At the same time, it made his heart ache. He

wasn’tgoingtogetthechancetodreamuphisownnicknameforher.“Thethingsshe’sbeenthroughwith
Mace… honestly, Marco, I’m not just in love with her. I’m kind of in awe of her. People like her—
survivingtheworstthatlifehastodoleout,yetcomingoutassweetandkindassheis,untouchedbythe
darknessallaroundher—well,let’sjustsay,thosearethekindofpeopleworthfightingfor.Worthdying
for.”

MarcoexchangedaglancewithKalis.“Sheneedssomeonelikethatlookingafterher.”
“Shedoes.”JakheldMarco’ssteadygaze,andhecouldseethatinternaldebateragingagainasthey

bothstudiedeachother.

Afteramoment,Marcogaveashortnod.“Thewitchhasaspell.Itwilldrawouttheessenceofher

matefromherblood.”

Jakglancedatthewitch,whowaskeepingquiet.“I’mfamiliarwithit.”
MarcotippedhisheadtoCirce.“IcontractedwiththewitchtobreakAriannafree,notjustbecause

shecouldfindthebountyhunterstodothejob…butbecauseshecouldhelpmebreakthebond.”

Jak’seyebrowshikeduponhisforehead.“Wait…youwereplanningondoingthespellyourself?”
Marcoheldhimwithasteelygaze.“Yes.”
JakhikeduponeeyebrowandgaveCirceapointedlook.“Youknowthatspellwillkillyou,right?”

Thiskidwaseitherbraveorstupid.Possiblyboth.

“Yes.” Marco swallowed. “The question is, who’s going to take care of her afterward? She would

onlyhaveKalisandourmother.Butifyou’reinlovewithherthewayyousayyouare…”Marcotipped
hisheaduptogiveJakanotherskepticallook.“Thequestionis,canItrustyoutotakecareofmysister
afterI’mgone?”

Jaksmiled,andthelastofthetensiondrainedoutofhim.Thiskidwasdefinitelybrave.Andnotatall

stupid. Just like his sister. And clearly, he would do everything in his power to keep Arianna safe. He
wouldprotectherwithhislife.ItwasallJakcouldaskfor.

“Youdon’thavetoworryaboutthat,”Jaksaidtohim.“Becauseyou’renotgoingtodothespell…I

am.”

AseaofemotionswarredacrossMarco’sface.Finally,hesettledonafrown.“Yousaidthatbefore,

thatshewasworthdyingfor.Youreallymeanthat,don’tyou?”

“I do. I’m just really glad she has a brother who understands what it will take to protect her

afterward.”JakglancedtoCirce.“That’swhyIaskedthewitchtobringyouhere.”

Marconodded,andJakcouldseetheuncertaintysweepaway.“Youhadtobesure.Aboutus.”
“Ihadtobesure.”Jaktookabreath.“Ifyouweren’tuptothetask,I’dhavetakenherontherunrather

thandothespell.Icouldn’triskstrandingher,allalone,withnoonetoprotecther.Shecouldhavefallen
intoevenworsehandsthanMace.ButnowthatIknow…well,thatyou’rehere…Icandowhatneedsto
bedone.”

Marco’sfrowncarveddeeper.“Youreallydoloveher.”
“Ido.”Jakgavehimatightsmile.“Youcan’ttellheraboutanyofthis,Marco.Notuntilafterward.

She’llnevergothroughwithit.”

Marco’s eyes widened slightly, and he nodded. “No, she wouldn’t. I wasn’t going to tell her myself

until…well,untilitwastoolatetobackout.”

Jakbreathedasighofrelief.“Soyouunderstand.”
Marcoshookhishead.“No,Idon’tunderstand.Whyareyoudoingthis?Imean,she’smysister.I’ddo

anythingforher.Butyou…you’vejustmether.Youcan’thaveknownherforverylong.Evenifyou’rein
lovewithher…it’snotthatIdon’tbelieveyou.I’mjustsaying—I’msurprised.”

Jakdippedhishead,thenlookedup.“Mymotherwasacaptivemate.Let’sjustsayI’vebeenwanting

alongtimetorightthisparticularkindofwrong.”Hehesitated—itwasclearthatMarcowasanalphaif
thereeverwasone.Thegoodkind.Hecouldrisetothis…alreadywas,infact.Jakshuffledforwardand
putahandonMarco’sshoulder.Hewastalkingtohimbrother-wolftobrother-wolfnow.“Ineedyour
helpinthis,Marco.Ineedtoknowyou’llbesmartaboutthis.Evenwiththematingbondbroken,you’ll
needtomoveyourwholefamilyfaraway.SoMacewon’tbetempted.Youdon’tknowhimlikeIdo—
he’sonevindictiveasshole.YouneedtofindAriannaagood,strongalphaforamate.Someoneworthyof
her.Whocanprotecther.Itshouldn’tbehard.She’severythinganyalphawouldwant.”Hepaused,his
heartbreakingalittlethathewouldn’tbethatalpha.“AllIneedistoknowthatshe’llfinallybesafe.Can
youpromisemethat?”

Marco’s eyes were wide, but he didn’t move away from Jak’s brotherly hold on his shoulder. “I

promise.”

Thekidwasyoung,butJakcouldtellthiswasapromisehewoulddoeverythinginhispowertokeep.

“AndIneedyoutolietoher,justthisonce.Helpmekeepthesecretofwhatthespelldoesuntilit’stoo
latetodoanythingaboutit.Andthen…afterward…she’sgoingtohavearoughgoofitforawhile.But
she’llgetoverit.”HegaveMarcoatightsmile.“Likeyousaid,she’sonlyknownmeforalittlewhile.”

Marconodded,stillwide-eyed.“Iwon’tsayathing.Youhavemyword.”Then,slowly,Marcolifted

hishandandofferedittohim.Jaktookit,claspinghimstrongly,likeabrotherwould.

“Good man,” Jak said, with a nod. “Now, I need to call Arianna. She’s not far away, and she’s

probablygoingoutofhermind,wonderingwhatthehellhappenedtomeandwhyIhaven’tcalled.”

Marcogaveatinysmile.“Well,onethingyoumightnotknowaboutAriisshe’snotexactlythepatient

type.Infact,she’sonherwayover.”

Jakarchedupaneyebrowandlaughedalittle.“That’sright,shecalledyou,didn’tshe?Itoldhernot

to.Obviouslythatdidn’tstopher.”

“Yeah,shedoesn’tlistentome,either.”Marcosmiledandreleasedhimfromthehandshake.“Shedid

sayshewantedmetomeetthepersonwhobrokeherfree.”Marcodroppedhisgazeforamomentthen
metJak’sstare.“I’mnotsureIhavetherightwordstothankyouforthisthingyou’redoingformysister.”

Jaksmiled.“Holdupyourendofthebargain,kid.That’sallIneed.”
Marcogaveasharpnod.“Youhavemyword.”
Jak glanced at the younger one, Kalis—he was all wide eyes, keeping quiet while listening in. It

stabbedJakalittlethathewasn’tgoingtohavethechancetogettoknowArianna’skidbrother.Buthe

lookedlikethekindwhowouldbeacomforttoher.

Circe,meanwhile,wasdownrightmisty-eyed.“Well,ifthisfemalewolfyouallaresoeagertodiefor

is on her way, we might as well head out. No sense in bringing a mated female into the coven
unnecessarily.”Shetappedtheelevatorbuttontocallitagain.

Jakhadnoideawhereshewasplanningontakingthem.Butwhereveritwas,hehopeditwasadecent

placetodie.

Arianna’snerveswerestretchedtighttheentireshortridetothewitches’coven.

Sarra’sbatteredJeeplookedlikeithadbeenstolenfromanarmysurplusdepot—afteratouroverseas

—butitwasruggedandroomy.Shesaidshewasoutofthehealerbusinessnow,butAriannacouldeasily
picture the Jeep transporting more than one pack of broad-shouldered shifters. The shocks were shot,
makingtherideprettybumpy,butitservedtotakethemfromSarra’sdown-and-outneighborhoodtothe
sparkling towers of downtown Seattle. The address was for a place called Morgan Media, which
soundedvaguelyfamiliar.Macedidn’ttalkmuchaboutwork,butsheknewthatRedWolfworkedwith
lotsofbusinessesinthearea,bothasclientsandaspartners.Thatwasprobablywhereshehadheardit.

Butifitwasreallyacovenofwitches…itsuddenlyclickedinArianna’sheadthatMacemighthave

workedwiththeMorganMediawitches.Hehadawitchbroughtinwhenhewastryingtomatewiththe
Sparks pack female. And the Red pack had been involved with witches before—she seldom knew the
details, but Mace often bragged about how the witches feared Red pack and not the other way around.
Whichshedoubtedwasactuallytrue.

But she suddenly worried about meeting her brothers there. If they were involved with the same

witchesasMaceandtheRedpack…itjustseemedalotmoreriskyforallofthemtobethereatthesame
time.

AriannabitherlipasSarrapulledintotheparkinggarage.TheJeeplumberedintoaspotbarelylarge

enoughforit,andSarraturneditoff.

Ariannahesitatedtoleavethecar.
Sarrafrownedather.“What’swrong?”
“I’mthinkingthatmeetingatawitches’covenmightnotbethemostbrilliantideaI’veeverhad.”
“Definitelynotthesafestmove.”Sarrasmirked.“Itiskindofgeniusthough.”
“I don’t know about that.” Arianna grimaced. “My mate might not be as hesitant to come here as I

thought.”

Sarraheavedasigh.“Okay.Thenwegetin,getyourbrothers,andgetout.Yes?”
Ariannanoddedheragreement.
They climbed out of the Jeep and crossed the parking garage’s concrete floor quickly. Before, her

excitementaboutseeingherfamilyagainhadoverwhelmedeverything.Now,anawfulanxietyitchedup
herback.ShewantedtogetthemasfarawayaspossiblefromanythingthatmightberelatedtoMace.

As she and Sarra took the elevator up to the lobby, Arianna tried to settle her breathing, which was

startingtohitchintopanicmode.Thiswashowherlifewasgoingtobefromnowon:runningawayfrom
Mace,tryingtokeepherfamilysafe.Always.

Shemightaswellgetusedtoit.
Whentheyreachedtheglass-and-chromelobby,itwasbeautifullyappointedwithplants,amahogany

receptionist desk, and sparkling granite floors. But the thing that stole her breath was the sight of three
shifterswaitinginthemiddleoftheopen-flooredspace:Jak,Marco,andKalis.

AriannabrokeawayfromSarra,practicallysprintingacrossthefloortothethreemenshelovedmost

inthisworld…thenshestalledoutwhenshearrivedinfrontofthem,breathless.Wordshadforsakenher,
tears were threatening, and she had no idea who to embrace first. She wanted to hug them all
simultaneously,butinstead,shestoodfrozeninfrontofthem.

Kaliscrashedthroughtheawkwardnessfirst,lungingforwardtoscoopherintoagianthug.Heswept

heroffthefloorandspunheraround.Shehuggedhimback,evenashewassqueezingallthebreathoutof
her.Asmilenearlybrokeherface.

Whenhesetherdown,smileshadjumpedtoeveryone’sfaces.
“Ohman,it’sgoodtoseeyou,Ari,”Kalissaid,hisvoicelowandgrowly,somuchdeeperthanwhen

shesawhimlast.Shehadtoreachuptorufflehishair—hemusthavegrownsixinches,hisshiftergenes
finallykickingintoturnherbabybrotherintoaman.

Itspearedrightthroughherheart.
She scowled at him and took both his cheeks in her hands, pinching them like their aunt Josie did

beforeshepassed.“Ohmygod,it’smylittleKalis!”shesaidinherbestAuntJosieimpression.

Helaughedandtwistedhisfaceoutofhergrip.
Then she dropped the fake voice and said, “Jesus, Kal, seriously—when did you turn into the

IncredibleHulk?”

Heblushedandduckedhishead,butshecouldtellhetookitasacompliment.Andthatmadeherheart

poundwithhappiness.Marcosteppedupnext,nudgingtheirnow-bigbabybrotherasidetohugher.He
heldherforalongmoment,andhertearsnearlyescapedhervaliantattemptstoholdthemback.

When Marco finally loosened his grip, he still held her close and peered into her eyes. “Ari.” His

voicewasthick.Sheknewhimwellenough—fromrunningasapackahundredtimes,sharingthoughts—
to know what was going through his mind. And she finally would be able to say all the things she’d
imaginedsayingeversinceMacecapturedher…butneverhadthechance.

“It’snotyourfault,Marco.”Herthroatwasclosingup.“Noneofitwas.Macetookwhathewanted

becausehecould.It’showheis.There’snothingyoucouldhavedoneexceptdietryingtostophim.And
I’dhaveneverforgivenyouforthat.”

Shecouldtellhewastearingup,andshedidn’twanthimtobeembarrassed,soshegrabbedhimin

anotherfiercehug.Heheldhertightlyforanotherlongmomentbeforefinallyreleasingher.

OnlythendidsheturntoJak—withaheart-twinge,becausehewastheonlyreasonshewasableto

hugherbrothersatall.Ifhewasfeelingneglected,hedidn’tshowit:hewasgrinningear-to-ear.Shegave
Marco’shandasqueezebeforeleavinghisside.

“Sothisisyourerrand?”shesaidtoJak,teasinghimandsmilingjustashard.“Savingmylifeagain?”
Hissmilefalteredforjustasplitsecond,andshewasafraidhesomehowtookherwordsthewrong

way.Sosheflowedintohisarmsandhuggedhimtight.

As he buried his face in her hair, she said, quietly, just for him, “Oh my god, Jak, you brought my

familybacktome.Thankyou.”

Hishandswereonherback,holdinghersotight,shedidn’tthinkhewouldeverlethergo.Foralong

stretch of seconds, she just basked in the safety of his arms. Then thoughts of Mace wormed their way
backintohermind:herfamilycouldn’tstayhere,outintheopen,exposedandvulnerable.

SheeasedbackfromJak.Heseemedreluctanttoreleaseher.Therewassuchamixofjoyandpainon

hisfacethatitconfusedher.Shewasmomentarilyatalossforwords.

Butthenavoicespokeup,sayingwhatshewasthinkinganyway.“Weneedtoleave.”
Sheturnedtofindthesource—itwasastrikinglybeautifulwomaninareddress,tallandimposing,

thatshehadsomehownotnoticedbeforeinalltheexcitement.Shehadnevermetawitchbefore,butthis
womanwastheperfectpictureofone:anairofhaughtiness,amagicalbeauty,andapowerful,glittering
lookinhereyes.

“Thisisallverysweet,”shesaid,coolly,“butthisisn’ttheplaceforapackreunion.”Shethrewan

arched-eyebrowlooktoJak.

“Arianna,meetCirce,”Jaksaidsoftly,stillholdingherlooselyinhisarms.“Andshe’sright.Weneed

tomove.”

Sarrahad already goneon full alert,holding back from thegroup, especially thewitch. “In and out,

Jak,”shesaid,butshewasreallyaddressingthegroup.Andkeepingahawk-eyeonCirce.“Thatwasour
plan.Jeep’sinthegarage.”

Theydidn’twasteanymorewords,justhustledbacktotheelevator.Sarrawasinthelead,withJak

andAriannaclosebehind.MarcoandKalisandCircebroughtuptherear,whichmadeAriannafrown:
when did her brothers get so comfortable around witches? They kept quiet on the ride down. It wasn’t
untiltheyreachedtheJeepthatAriannarealizedtheyshouldhavesomekindofplanbeforeallpilingin.

ShepulledJaktoastopwiththeirclaspedhands.“Sarrawassupersmartandbroughtsomethingsfor

us to use on the road. But where do you want to head first?” She glanced back to Marco and Kalis.
“Shouldwegetmymom,too?I’mthinking,ifwe’reheadingoutofstate—”

Agentlesqueezeofherhandstoppedher.
“We’renotgoingoutofstate,mylove,”Jaksaidsoftly.HelookedtoMarco.“Atleast,notyet.Maybe

afterwe’redone.”

Ariannafrowned.“Done?Whatdoyoumean?Wecan’tstayhere.Macewill—”
“Arianna,”Marcocutheroff.“Letthemantalk.”HetippedhisheadtoJak.
That simple motion stirred all kinds of feelings around inside her chest: happiness that her brothers

seemedtohavealreadyacceptedJak;irritationthatMarcowasn’texplainingwhathewastalkingabout;
andahorribledread,likeblackoozingtardrippingthroughherbody.Somethingwasn’trighthere.

SheturnedtoJak.Thepaininhiseyesjustclenchedherstomachtighter.
“Circe is coming with us,” Jak said, glancing at the witch, who was holding back, watching them.

“She’sgoingtoperformaspellthat’sgoingtobreakyourmatingbondwithMace.”

“What?” Arianna wriggled out of his arms and took a step back. Then she glanced at Sarra, whose

general wariness had gone up five levels of alarm. Arianna swung back to search Jak’s eyes. He was
seriousaboutthis.“Ithoughtyousaidtheycouldn’tdothespell.”

“Well,Ihavetoadmit,I’drathernotdoit,”Jaksaidtightly.“TurnsoutI’llhavetobeinvolvedand…

it’sonthepainfulside.Atleast,mypartwillbe.WhenCircefirsttoldmeaboutwhatwasinvolved…”
Hetookadeepbreath.“Well,itjustseemedeasiertogetridofMacetheoldfashionedway.”

Ariannaswallowed—ifJakwouldratherkillMacetobreakthebondthandothisspell,ithadtobe

bad.Reallybad.

“Butthatdidn’texactlyworkoutforyou,didit?”Sarra’salarmlevelhadsettledintoafiercescowl.

“Andnowyou’vegotsomehair-brainedideaaboutusingmagictobreakthespell.IsweartoGod,Jak
—”

“Sarra.”Jak’svoicewasfullofalphacommand,anditalmostmadeAriannacringe,hearingit.For

Sarra’ssake.

Sarrapressedherlipstight,buttheangerwasclearonherface.
WhichonlymadeArianna’sanxietyshootthroughtheroof.“Howbadisit,Jak?”shewhispered.The

blackoozewasfillingupherlungs,makingithardforhertobreathe.Shecouldn’twatchhimgethurt…

notoverher.Notforanything.He’dalreadynearlybleedoutinhercar,alljusttosetherfree.

Theguiltwaswrittenalloverhisface.“It’sreallynotthatbad.”Hewaslyingtoher.Completely.
“Tellmethetruth.”Herfearwasrisingupandmakingherangry.Aterrifiedkindofangry.“Tellme

thetruth,orIswear,I’mmarchingrightbacktoMace’shouse.”

Hethrewuphishands.“Allright,allright.”Hegloweredather.“Itwillhurt.Alot.I’llprobablypass

outfromthepain.Imayscreamlikealittlegirl.I’mnotexactlyproudofthis,Arianna.Ishouldhavejust
done this from the start instead of being… squeamish. I’m a shifter, for god’s sake. It’s not like a little
painissomethingIcan’thandle.It’sjustthat…”Heloweredhisvoiceanddroppedhisgazetothefloor.
Thenhespokesoftly,likehewasconfessingtosomethingevenmoreembarrassing.“Itremindsmealittle
of when I was young. When my brothers used to slice me up for fun. I really didn’t want to… well…
revisitthat.”Hetookadeepbreathandpeeredather.“Butit’sgoingtobeworthit.Togetyoufree.”

Andthatparthadtheringoftruth.Shecouldfeelitinherheart.
“Oh, Jak.” She was back in his arms in a heartbeat, a fierce hold on him with her arms around his

neck. But it was nothing like the hold he had on her, like he couldn’t get her close enough to him. She
forcedherselftolethimgoandgentlypulledaway,farenoughtolookinhiseyes.“Youdon’thavetodo
this.Wecanjustrunaway—”

He put a finger across her lips, softly. To keep her from speaking, but also to trace them with his

fingertip.“He’llfindus,mylove.AndthenI’llloseyouandeverythingwehavetogether.Ican’tletthat
happen.”

Hisfingerswanderedtohercheek,andasmall,terriblysadsmileliftedthecornersofhismouth.
Shekepthervoicesoft,justforhim.“WhatdidIeverdotodeservesomeonelikeyou?”
Hissmilegrewashecaressedherface.“Youwerejust…you.”
Ariannahadthevaguesensethattheotherswerestillthere—herbrothers,Sarra,thewitchCirce—but

it was as though they had faded away into the dark corners of the parking garage. So she gave into the
urgentneedtokissJak,pressingherlipstohis.Shemeantforitjusttobeasoftkiss,agentletouchsohe
wouldfeelherlove,butJak’shandswereinstantlyinherhair,hislipsdevouringhers.Hewasbreathing
herin,consumingherinawayshecouldn’thelpbutgiveherselfoverto—hewasheralphaineveryreal
senseoftheword.Shehadsubmittedtohim,andthemagicofthatbondflaredbetweenthem,turningthe
kisshotterandmorefulloflovethananythingshehadeverexperienced,evenwhentheyweredeepinthe
throesoftheirlovemaking.Itwaslikehepossessedherinthatmoment,claimingherinawaythatwent
beyondmagic.Shewashis.Shebelongedtohim.Itlefthergaspingforbreathwhenhefinallybrokethe
kiss,stillholdinghertightbutonlylightlybrushingherlipswithhis.

Hewasbreathinghardaswell,butthenheslowlyeasedhisholdonher.Therestoftheworldcame

swimming back. Her lips were still tender with his kiss, but a rush of heat flooded her cheeks as she
realizedeveryonewasstaringatthem.Kaliswasgawkinginamazement.Marco’seyeswereblazing,but
he didn’t make a move. Circe’s smile was broad, which surprised her, but Sarra’s gaze was averted…
whichmadetheheatinArianna’scheeksflamehigher.

She turned back to Jak. “We should probably leave,” she said quietly, still absorbed by the kiss.

“Whereexactlyarewegoingtodothis…spell?”Theblackoozestartedtocreepbackinwiththethought
ofwhatJakwasdoingforher.Butitwashisferventwishtodothis:thatmuchshecouldtell.Hewanted
tobreakherfreeofMace’sholdforever—andthensheandJakewouldbefreetomate.Shewouldtruly
behisineveryway,includingmagic.Andtherewasnothingintheworldthatcouldmakehersaynoto
that.

Jakloosenedhisholdonherfurther,justtakingherhandinhis.HelookedtoCirce.“Didyouhavea

placeinmind?”

Shewasstillsmilingoverthem,likehergoodhumorwasabenediction.“Wehaveafewclientswith

unfinished construction projects downtown. One’s on a temporary suspension of work due to a dispute

withthecity.Seemslikeagoodplacetoconductourbusinessinprivate.”

Jakgaveherasolemnnod.ThenhethrewanapologeticlooktoSarra.“Sarrabear,youdon’tneedto

beapartofthis.ThanksfortakingcareofAriannaforme.Wecanfindourwayfromhere.”

“Ohhellno.”Sarrawasstillpissed.“Idon’tknowwhatyou’regettingyourselfinto,JakRoberts,butI

haveafeelingyou’regoingtoneedahealerinyournearfuture.”

Jakopenedhismouthtoobject,butheseemedtothinkbetterofit.Heshutitagainandtippedhishead

totheJeep.“Stillhavethebeast,Isee.Maybeyoucouldgiveusalift?”

“ExactlywhatIwasthinking.”Sarrastormedofftothedriver’sside.
Jakfrowned,watchinghergo.
“She’llgetoverit,”Ariannasaidquietlytohim.“I’lltalktoher.”
He turned back to her with a soft look on his face that confused her again: it was like joy and pain

werewarringacrossit,likeangelsanddemonsweretakingturnsproddinghissoul.Sheclaspedhishand
harder,tryingtoreassurehim,eventhoughherownheartwasquaking.Wouldshebestrongenoughtolet
him do this? Could she watch him writhe in pain under the witch’s spell without dying a little inside
herself?

Shepulledinabreath—ifJakcouldbebraveaboutthis,socouldshe.
Circeandherbrotherswerealreadypilingintothevan.Theyhadleftthefrontseatopen,soArianna

andJaktookthatforthemselves.EvenwiththeroominessoftheJeep,itwasstillcrampedwithsomany
people.AriannahadtositonJak’slapinordertonothaveherlegstanglewiththemassivestick-shiftof
the ancient car. In the back seat, Circe seemed entirely too happy to be sandwiched between Marco on
onesideandKalisontheother.Marcogloweredather,butKalis’smouthseemedtohangpermanently
openatCirce’sbeauty.

Astheypulledoutoftheparkinggarage,theJeep’slousysuspensionmadeAriannabounceonJak’s

lap.WithSarra’seyesontheroad,andtheothersstuckinthebackseat,nooneappearedtonoticeJak’s
handsroamingherbody.Hedidn’tseemtobetryingtoarouseher,necessarily,althoughitwasdefinitely
having that effect. He was just skimming his fingers lightly along her thighs, the backs of her knees, up
acrossherstomachandalongtheundersidesofherbreasts.Likehewasmakingamapofherbodywith
justhisfingertips.

Sheduckedherheadclosetohiseartowhisper,“Whatareyoudoing?”
Headjustedheronhislaptopullherinforakiss.Justasoftonethistime.“Touchingyou.”Hissmile

wasonlyhalfdevilishsmirk.Theotherhalfstillcarriedsomekindofpain.

Shetracedherfingertipsalonghischeek,mimickinghistravelingtouch.“Why?”
“BecauseIcan.”Thenhepulledherintoamoreseriouskiss.
Shelosttrackofwheretheyweregoing,thecitytowerswhizzingpastoutsidethewindow,andjust

kissedthismanwhowasgivingherthemostpreciousgiftofall:freedom.

JakwassolostinkissingArianna,hedidn’trealizetheyhadstopped.

Thebrightmorningsunglintedoffthebaregirdersallaroundthemintheconstructionsite.Sarrahad

pulledtheJeeprightupontothebaredirt,nexttotheconstructioncompany’strailerandseveralten-foot-
highstacksofsheetrockandlumber.Anenormouscranestoodsilentandunmovinginthecenter,witha
halfdozenliftsanddiggersfillingoutthewide-openconstructionareaandwaitingforthecontractorto
settletheirdisputeandreturntowork.Half-constructedskeletonsofbuildingssurroundedthemonthree
sides, but at least one had the ground level built out. There were concrete floors and some sheet rock
wallsup:enoughtogivethemprivacyforthespell.

Andtherewasplentyofequipmenttoburyhimonceitwasdone.
Jak was loathe to move Arianna even a centimeter off his lap, but the rest of the crew had already

climbedoutoftheJeep.Hegentlyeasedherdownfromthehighseatofthecar,keepingaholdonher
handashefollowedherout.

Circe was giving disgusted looks to the dirt-packed ground, but she gamely was making her way in

teeteringheelstowardtheenclosedbuilding.Arianna’sbrotherswerefollowingclosebehind,butSarra
washoldingback,waitingforhimandArianna.AndopenlyglaringatJak.

Shehadtoknowsomethingwasup.Sheknewhimbetterthananyoneelsehere,andthatwasjustthe

problem: she might guess what was happening before he could complete the spell. He just hoped she
wouldn’tsayanything…untilitwastoolatetostopit.

Thenshecouldcursehimasmuchasshewanted.
He laced his fingers with Arianna’s and pulled her closer as they trudged toward the building. Not

onlydidhewanttotouchherasmuchaspossibleintheselastmoments,buthehadafeelinghislovefor
Ariannawasakindofshield—onethatwouldmakeSarraholdhertongue.

He was right: Sarra’s hot glare finally left his face and dropped to their clasped hands. Then she

turnedawayandmarchedwithstompingbootstowardthewitchandhisfateawaitingintheconstruction
building.

Ariannasnuggledclosertohisside.“Sarra’sjustangrybecauseshedoesn’twanttoseeyougethurt.”

Hecouldfeelthetremorsracingthroughherbody,onesmallhandholdinghis,theothergrippinghisarm.
“She’safraid.”

Hefrowneddownather,hisheartskippingabeat.Heknewshewastalkingaboutherselfasmuchas

Sarra.“There’snoneedtobeafraid.WhenI’m…”Heswalloweddownthelumpgrowinginhisthroat.

“WhenI’mgoingthroughthespell,yourbrotherswillbeheretotakecareofyou.”

Shepeeredupathimwithanearnestlookfulloflove.Whichjustmadehisheartswell…andcalmed

thewrithingtentaclesoffearworkingthroughhisbody.

“I’mnotafraid.”Shewaslying;hecouldfeelthefearineveryquiverofherbody.“Itrustyou,Jak.”
Heblinked,atsunamiofdoubtthreateningtopullhimunder.Hewaslyingtoher.Hislastandfinalact

with her would be a lie. He hated that—hated every part of it—but it was necessary. He prayed she
would forgive him in the end. For now… he pulled her to a stop and kissed her once more, soft and
sweet.Thenhelacedhisfingerswithhersagainandpickedupthepacetowardthebuilding.Heneededto
do this before he lost his nerve altogether. Or Sarra put the pieces together. Or anything else could go
sidewaystostopit.

Everyonewaswaiting,atensecircleofsilence,whentheyarrivedattheshadowyhalf-builtbuilding.

The sun only penetrated in strips that painted the floor with prison-bar shadows that were really
reflectionsofthegirders.Itgaveaneeriehalf-light,half-darkfeeltotheconcrete-and-bare-steelskeleton.

Sarrawasstillfuming.
JakignoredherandturnedtoCirce.“So,howisthisgoingtowork?”
Circe’s earlier smiles had faded. In fact, every face had a grim look to it now, which Jak supposed

wasfittingforthefuneralmostofthemknewthiswasabouttobe.

“I’llneedDNAfrombothofyou,”Circesaid,beckoningJakandAriannawithherlongdagger-nailed

fingers.

“How’s that?” Jak asked. He really hoped they didn’t have to draw blood or do anything painful to

Arianna.Thatmightundohim.

“Just a sample of your hair, you big baby,” Circe said, but her voice was gentle and teasing. She

steppeduptothem,herheelsclackingontheconcrete.Usingtwofingers,shepluckedoneofArianna’s
longblackstrandsofhair,floatinggentlyinthebreeze.ThenshereachedforJak’shead,buthestopped
her,optingtoyankouthisownDNAsampleforher.Shetwirledthetwobitsofhairandfollicle-rootinto
asmallballinthemiddleofherpalm.

JakhadseenHecca,Circe’ssister,dosomethingsimilarwiththeSparkspackfemale,tryingtoforce

her to shift. He also remembered that being far from a painless encounter for the girl. He clasped
Arianna’shandtighterinhis.

“IsthisgoingtohurtAriannainanyway?”Jakasked.
Circe’svoicewascool.“Itwon’tbepainful,somuchas…uncomfortable.Hermate’sessencewill

not willingly leave.” She turned to Arianna, towering over her and boring a steady gaze into her eyes.
“This is a dark art we are performing, Arianna. You have essentially two wolves inside your blood—
yoursandyourmate’s.Toextractonewhileleavingtheotherisadelicatething…notunlikeslicingout
halfofyoursoulwhileleavingtheotherhalfbehind.”

Ariannaswallowedvisibly.“Whateverittakes…isfine.”
Jakcouldseeherquivering.Thewitchwasscaringher.“Circe.”Heputwarninginhisvoice.
Circethrewhimasharplook.“Doyouwantthistosucceed,littlewolf?”
Hepressedhislipstight.Sheknewtheanswertothat.
“It’simportantforAriannatounderstandwhatshewillbefacing,”Circesaidcarefully,buthegotthe

message: Arianna had to be fully prepared for her side. Especially if she was going to be kept in the
darkaboutJak’spart.

“Fine,”hesaidtightly.
CirceturnedherattentionbacktoArianna,whoseeyeshadgonewide.Circe’svoicesoftened.“The

wolfessenceofyourmatewillnotwanttoleave.Andyourwolfwillfighttheseparationaswell.You
mustbringeverythinghumanthatyouhavetothis,Arianna.Thepartofyouthatwantstobefreeofyour
mate,that’sthepartthatneedstobestrongesttoday.Thespellwillwork…buttherewillbeless,shallwe

say,damage,ifyoucanloweryourresistancetoitandhelpforceyourmate’sessenceawayfromyou.”

Ariannasuckedinabreath.“Whatdoyoumeandamage?”
“Itwon’tbeaphysicalthing…moreofapsychologicaltrauma.Andyourwolf…shewillsufferthe

mostfromthis.Youneedtoletherknowyou’redoingitforherownbestinterest.”

JakhadnoideahowAriannawoulddothat,butshewasnoddinglikesheunderstoodwhatCircewas

talkingabout.

“Itmaynotbeashardasyouthink,”AriannasaidwithasoftsmileandapeekatJak.“Mywolfhas

alreadysubmittedtoJak.Shealreadybelievesheisourtruemate.Webothknowitinourhearts.”

TheloveonArianna’sfacenearlybrokeJak’sheart.
Circesmiled,tightly,andplacedherhandsweetlyonArianna’sshoulder.“I’msurethatyoudo,dear.”
Jakhadtolookaway.Theyneededtodoawholelotlesstalkingandgetonwiththis,orhewasn’t

goingtomakeitthrough.AshewasavoidingtheloveandhopeonArianna’sface—andherconviction
thatsheandJakweredestinedtobemates—hiswanderinggazefoundSarra’sface.Andshewasredin
thefacewithfury.

HewhippedhisgazebacktoCirce.“Weneedtomovethisalong.”
Shetookadeepbreath.“Verywell.”
But Sarra was already crossing the dozen feet of concrete floor between them, fists clenched at her

side. Circe waved her hand over the tangle of his and Arianna’s hair in her palm. It slowly began to
smoke,andJakcouldfeelittuggingonhim,deepinside,bondinghimtoArianna.Heedgedclosertoher,
takingherhandoncemore.

Sarrahad stopped justbehind the witch,hovering there with amurderous look onher face, like she

was ready to shift and stop Jak that way. But Sarra couldn’t shift—that had been the problem all along
betweenthem,butreally,onlyonherside.Plusherstubbornconvictionthathedeservedsomeonebetter
thanher,someonejustlikeArianna,foramate.Andmaybeshewasrightintheend:hewasrighthere,
rightnow,doingthethinghewasalwaysmeanttodo.Hecouldfeelthatinhisbones.

And at this point, nothing could stop him, not even Sarra. She could try, but she wasn’t capable of

stoppinghimphysically.Andhewouldjusthavetoignoreherwords.

“Jak,”Sarrahissed.“CanIhaveawordwithyou?”
“Littlebusyatthemoment.”Heavoidedlookingather.
ThesmokingballofhairinCirce’spalmhadtransformedintoatinygrayishcloudthathungjustabove

it.SheliftedherhanduptoArianna’sface,holdingherotherhandaboveit,asifcuppingthecloudwith
bothhands,whileinrealitytouchingneither.Itwasaballofspell,andCircewaswhisperingincantations
intoit.Smalllightningstrikesappearedwithintheball,sparkingandcracklingtheairwithmagic.

SarrashovedpastthewitchtostandrightinfrontofJak.Shestaredangrilyupintohisface.“Ineedto

talktoyouaboutthis…now.”

“Sarra,please,”Jakbeggedher.“Ifyou’veeverlovedme…”Ifheorderedheraway,wouldshego?

Hejustneededanotherminutetomakethishappen.WitheachsnapoflightninginCirce’sspell,hecould
feelthattwingeinsidegrowingstronger,bindinghimclosertoArianna.Hecouldalreadysensethetwo
wolveswithinher:herownandMace’s.Heneededtofocus,todrawMaceoutwhenthetimewasright.

AndSarraneededtoleavehimalone.Butshewasstillinhisface.
“IfIeverlovedyou?”Shewasspittingangrynow.“Iloveyounow,JakRoberts.”Shethrewapinched

looktoArianna.“Notinthewayshelovesyou.Orthewayyouloveher.Idon’tmeanlikethat.Iloveyou
likeafriend…onewhowantstoknowwhatthehellyouthinkyou’redoinghere!”

Jakdidn’tsayanything,justignoredSarraandturnedtolookatArianna.Thebondbetweenthemwas

intensifying.Hemethergaze,andtherewerefinelinesformingatthecornersofhereyesasshesquinted
withit,too.Itwasn’tsomuchpainas…discomfort.LikeCircesaid.Hehopedthatwasallitwouldbe
forAriannaintheend.

“Jak!” Sarra grabbed hold of his arm, forcing his attention back to her. She searched his face. He

wasn’tsurewhatshewantedtoseethere.

Marcohadcomeupbehindher.HegaveanodtoJakthenlaidahandonSarra’sshoulder.Itwasa

gentletouch,butshejumpedfromthecontact,thenthrewsuspiciouslooksbackandforthbetweenJakand
Marco.

“Ohmygod,”shesaid,almostawhisper.“You’reinonthistogether.”
Sheknew.
Jakclosedhiseyesbriefly,thenopenedthemtostareSarraintheface.
“Youstopthisrightnow,”shesaid,lipstrembling.
“Jak?”Arianna’sworriedvoicepunchedhiminthegut.
Hesqueezedherhandandthrewherasoftlook.“It’sgoingtobeallright,Arianna.Ipromise.”Then

he turned back to Sarra. “You always knew this was how it would go, in the end, Sarrabear. You even
saidityourself.Iwasmeantforsomeoneelse.”

Hereyeswerewide,andherheadshookbackandforthintinymovements.
Heputhisfreehand,theonenotholdingArianna’shand,onSarra’sshoulder.“Thisisthesinglebest

thingI’mevergoingtodo.”

Sheshookherheadmorefervently.
Hegrimaced.Thebondwassqueezingonhim.“Don’truinitforme,okay,Sarrabear?”
She gaped at him, but he couldn’t wait any longer. He swung to face Circe, who was watching him

witharazor-sharpeye,theballofmagictwitchingandsparkinginherhand.

“Doit,”hetoldher.
Asfastasthelightninginherpalm,Circesmashedherhandstogetherthenrentthemapart,apieceof

magiccloudineach.Shequicklyblewoneachhandinturn,onelongsweepingbreath.Thetwoclouds
puffedoverthem,oneintoArianna’sfaceandoneintoJak’s.

Ariannagasped.
Sarrascreamed,“No!”
Jakcouldn’tpayattentiontoeitheronebecauseitfeltlikehissoulwasrippingintwo.
ThebondhehadwithAriannashattered.Hefelltohisknees,notsomuchwithpain,butthesudden

disconnectiongivinghimmassivevertigo.Hereeledwiththesensationofit.Andyet…hewasn’tentirely
disconnected. He still held her hand, but more… he could feel tenuous threads, like straws piping
something,someessence,fromherintohim.Itwaslikeathickoilsludgedrippingstraightintohisveins,
andeachdripbroughtwithitawellingupfromdeepinsidehim.Atfirstitwasanache,likeatoothache
oraheadachethatnagsatyouallday,butneverreallymakesitspresenceknown.Butitkeptgrowing…
andgrowing…eachdripmakingitstronger,untilitwasthepounding,skull-splittingkind,theheadache
thatlaysyououtforanentireday.

Hetriedtokeepthegroansinside,butitwasgettingharder.
Stillthedripscame,onlynowtheyweremoreofapumpinggush,fillinghimwithasludgethatwas

drowninghim,drippingintoeverytinycreviceofhisbody.Thenthegushingstopped,andhecouldfeel
theentiretyofit—almostlikehehadbeenwhollypossessedbyadarkspirit.

Mace’swolf.
Jak’swolfsnarledandhowled,buttherewasnowheretoturn,nothingtodo.Theenemywasinside

him. He dropped Arianna’s hand and clutched at his stomach. He fell forward, but kept himself from
fallingonhisfacebybracinghishandonthecoolconcretefloor.Hereallydidn’twanttothrowup.He
wantedtheendtocomewithsomekindofdignity…butthepainwasreallystartingtoescalatenow.His
wolfwashowlinginhisears.

Jak felt hands on him, urging him to turn, to lie down. His body was starting to cramp up, so he

couldn’tresistthem.Hisvisionwasblurred,whitestarsshootingacrossitfromtheripplingpainthatwas

tearinghimapartfromtheinsideout.Heblinkedsohecouldseethefaceshoveringoverhim.

ItwasArianna.BeautifulArianna,herfaceallsquishedupandworriedforhim.Tearsraceddownher

cheeks, but he couldn’t uncramp his hands to brush them away. Her lips were moving. She was saying
something. But sounds seemed to come and go, like he was moving through a tunnel and cars were
speeding past him, taking their blaring horns and near-misses with them. He tried to focus past the
blindingpain.Triedtohearthethingsshewassaying.

Somewhereinthebackground,Sarrawascursinglikeasailor.Itwouldhavemadehimsmile,except

his face was frozen in a grimace. He strained to shut out the background and just focus on Arianna’s
shiningfaceabovehim.Herbeautiful,brilliantblueeyes.Ifthatwasthelastthinghesawinthisworld,it
wouldbeokay.Itwouldbeenough.

Herwordsleakedthroughtheshriekingpaininsidehishead.“Jak…Jak…staywithme…please…”
He licked his lips. So dry, they cracked. It was such a small pain on top of the large one singing

throughhisbody—twowolveslockedinadeathdanceattheDNAlevel.Hetriedtospeak,butitwas
only whooshes of air, no sound. Just grunts… and he was afraid he wouldn’t be able to get those last
wordsout…theoneshewantedtosay,butcouldn’t.Notuntiltheveryend.

Heconcentratedeverythinghehadonformingwords.HethoughtofArianna’ssweethands,nowonhis

face,holdinghischeeks.Hertearsdrippingonhim.Andsomehowhemanagedtogethislipstocooperate
andmakesound.

“You,” he gasped, speaking it just for her. The one word felt like a triumph. He pushed for more.

“You…aremeant…forsomeonebetterthanme.”Thewordslacedthroughthegasps,butheheardthem.
Hehopedshecouldhearthemtoo.

Her eyes went wide with alarm. And he knew that she knew in that moment. Knew that this wasn’t

somethinghewascomingbackfrom.

“No,no,no,”shesaid,overandover.
Buthewasn’tfinished.
“I’m just…” he gasped out, and she stopped her tirade, bending low, placing her cheek against his,

wettinghimwithhertearsandbringingherearcloseenoughforhiswhisperstoreachher.“I’mjust…the
onewho…setyoufree.”

Heheardhergasp.Hesawherpullback,butthesoundsweregoneagain.Everythingwasdimming…

thebrightmorningsunshineofSeattlewasdarkening,likeaneclipsehadturnedeverythingintotheblood
redofsunset.Thendarkerstill.Acreepingblackness.

Thesludgeinsidehimwaswaningtoo.Allofitwasfading.
ThelastthinghesawwasasingletearclingingtotheedgeofArianna’ssweetcheek.Itclung,holding

ontothebitterend.

Thenitfell.
Hewishedhehadthestrengthforonemorekiss.
Thentheworldfadedcompletelytoblack.

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AlisaWoodslivesintheMidwestwithherhusbandandfamily,butherheartwillalwaysbelongtothe
beachesandmountainswhereshegrewup.Shewritessexyparanormalromancesaboutalphamenand
the women who love them. She enjoys exploring the struggles we all have, where we resist—and
succumb to—our most tempting vices as well as our greatest desires. She firmly believes that love
triumphsoverall.

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