Escape(DarkAlpha,Episode4)
Copyright©2015byAlisaWoods
March2015Edition
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AlisaWoods

Coverby

StevenNovak

Escape(DarkAlpha4)-NewAdultParanormalRomance

ShiftersliveintheshadowsofSeattle,justundertheskinofthealphamale,dot-comentrepreneurswho
arebuildinganewSiliconValleyintheEmeraldCity.

With Arianna's family looking for her, Jak's plan to flee the state just got a lot more complicated. But
beforehecanworryaboutthat,hehastobreakherfreeofMace'shold.

Islovestrongerthanmagic?Orwillbreakinganunbreakablebonddestroythemboth?

Escape (Dark Alpha 4) is 60 pages or 15,000 words. It’s the fourth 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-Untitled(3.16)
6-Untitled(3.30)
BoxSet(DarkAlpha1-6)-releases3.30

GETTHENEXTDARKALPHAEPISODE!

pre-orderfor3.16.15

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releases3.30.15

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Getnewreleasealerts,specialsubscriber-onlygiveaways,andotherspecialsneakpeeks.

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standalone

ThephonewasheavyinJak’shand,thewitch’swordsringinginhishead.

It’sthegirl’sfamily.Theywantherback.
Heletthephonefalltohisside.Atightnessseizedhischest.Circe’svoicewassquawkingfromthe

danglingphone,buthismindwasracingahead.Hehunguponthewitchandranahandacrosshisface.

Arianna’sfamilywasbehindthebountyhunters.Theyweren’ttryingtoharmher:theyweretryingto

rescue her. And Jak had foiled their attempt. Jak’s family had always been a cruel freak show, but he
couldn’timagineArianna’sfamilywasanythinglikethat.Shewastoosweetandbraveandkindtohave
comefromthatkindofhot-messfamilysituation.Besides,theywouldn’triskworkingwithbountyhunters
torescueheriftheydidn’tloveher.

Theywantherback.
ThiscompletelyfoiledhisplanstotakeAriannaandheadforthestateline.
He scoured his memory for anything he knew about her family. They were a small pack from rural

Washington.Shehadamotherandbrothers.MacehadcapturedherwhiletheywerevisitingtheOlympic
mountains: packs often ran into each other there, for better and worse. Usually worse. The only reason
Mace managed to take her was because her pack was so small. They couldn’t fight the combined Red
packs.Evenifherfamilymanagedtorescuehernow,theywouldhavetofleethearea...orMacewould
huntthemdown,reclaimher,andprobablykillthemall.

Whatweretheythinking,comingbackforher?
ApoundingonthedoorstartledJakoutofhisshock.Masonwasontheotherside,impatientforhimto

join Gage’s submission ceremony. Jak shoved his phone in his pocket. He couldn’t wait any longer for
Arianna’ssignalthatMacehadshiftedandtheceremonyhadbegun.Hehadtomovenow.Afterhehad
brokenherfreeofMace’shold,thentheycouldtalkaboutwhattodonext.Ifshewantedtoreturntoher
family,Jakwouldmakesureshewasstillprotected,buthewouldn’tstandinherway.

Hehadalreadydecidedthatfreeingherwasmoreimportantthankeepingher.
Jakstrodetohisbedroomdoor,wrencheditopen,thenpunchedaverysurprisedMasonintheface.

Hewentdown,cursingandsprawlingonthecarpet.Jakdidn’twastetimetryingtomakesurehestayed
down…hejustneededMasonoutoftheway.Jak’sattire—jeans,falljacket,sneakers—wasdesignedfor
theirescapetonight,andhemadealmostnonoiseashesprinteddownthehall.

Hetookthestepstwoatatime,downtothemainfloor,thenracedoutthebackdoorofthemainhouse.

IfMasonwaschasingafterhim,Jakwouldhaveheardsomething.Buthedidn’tslowdownorlookback

asheracedtowardMace’shouse.

Themoonlighthadturnedeverythingawhitishgray,stealingthecolorofthenight.Jak’sbreathrushed

inhisearsashesprintedacrosstheexpanseoflawn,pastthewindingroadoftheestate,thendownthe
longsideofMace’ssuburban-lookinghome.Hestoppedwhenhereachedthebackcorner,peeringaround
toseeifMace’spackwasintheclearing.

They were. Unfortunately, there was a good hundred feet of empty lawn between the house and the

pack,whichmeantJakwouldhavenocoverwhatsoever.Noelementofsurprise.

AndhecouldseenowwhyAriannahadnevertextedhim.
Maceandhispack—Beck,Alric,andThomas—hadformedacirclewithAriannainthemiddle.The

men were all naked, having already shifted at least once, but Arianna was in wolf form, already in the
submissionposewithhertailtuckedlow,legsstretchedforward,andheadbent.Herclotheslayinaheap
attheedgeofacircle.BeckandAlricweretossingsomethingsmallandsilverbackandforthbetween
them.Itglintedinthemoonlightasitarcedthroughtheair:Arianna’sphone.

Shehadbeencaughtwithit.
Alriccaughtthephone,thenheldontoit,examiningit.Amomentlater,Jak’sphonepinged.Heshoved

his hand in his pocket and turned off the ringer before it could give him away. Meanwhile, Mace had
struttedtowhereAriannacrouchedinthegrass.HestrokedhimselfasheloomedoverArianna,obviously
gettingoffonthewholesickceremony.Jakgrittedhisteethanddrewhisgunoutofhisholster.Hegauged
thedistance,buttherewasnowayhecouldsprintacrossthelawnandgetcloseenoughtoshootMace
beforetheyallsawhim.

Shit.
Jakholsteredthegun,hisstrainedbreathsteamingthecoolnightair.Hestartedtocalmlywalktoward

thegroup.Ifhecouldjustgetclosebeforetheyrealizedwhathewasupto—

Suddenly, Mace shifted and started rubbing his snout against the side of Arianna’s face. Then he

clampedhisjawsonthebackofArianna’sneck,forcinghersubmissiondeeper,andevenfromthefifty
feetorsoaway,Jakcouldhearherwolfwhine.Jak’sownwolfwassnarlingandstompingtobereleased.

Helurchedintoarun,onehandonhisgununderneathhisjacket.Ifhecouldjustgetcloseenoughto

shootMacewhilehewasinwolfform…BecknoticedJakfirst,barrelingtowardtheirpack.Hesnarled,
andthenAlricturnedaswell.Meanwhile,MacewasworkinghiswaybehindArianna,movingintothe
claimingposition.Heclearlymeanttotakeheranysecondnow,inthemiddleofthelawn,withThomas
smirkingandwatching.

TherewasnowayinhellJakwaslettingthathappen.
Hepulledhisgun.“Getawayfromher,Mace!”Hehelditinfrontofhimwithbothhandswhilestill

runningtowardthepack.MacewhippedhisheadtowardJak.Forasplitsecond,longenoughforJakto
get a few feet closer, Mace did nothing. Then he roared and leaped away from Arianna, toward Jak.
Whichwasexactlywhathewanted.AlricandBeckhadalreadyshiftedandwerechargingtowardhim,
closingfast.Jakwaitedaheartbeatlonger,justlongenoughforacleanshotatMacewithoutendangering
Arianna.

HesqueezedthetriggerjustasMace’sbetasreachedhim.
Jak shifted, twisting away from their snapping fangs and leaving a mouthful of jacket in his wake.

While Alric and Beck tangled with his clothes, Jak charged toward Mace, who was snout down in the
grass.Jak’sbulletmusthavefounditstarget.Hisheartsurgedwithhope,butbeforehecouldreachMace
to make sure, Thomas, the third beta, finally clued in and intercepted him. Thomas lunged in front of
Mace,protectinghisalphaandgoingforJak’sthroat.

They went down together, rolling across the lawn, snapping and clawing and drawing slashes of

blood.JakyelpedasThomas’steethsunkintohisside,butthenherolledhardandflungThomasfree.Jak
scrambledup,veeringtoavoidBeckandAlricwhowereafterhimagain,andlungedtowardsMace.He

wasstilldown,buthewasmoving.

Andthenheshiftedtohumanform.
Goddammit.
JakleapedoverMace’sbody.Themoonlightandsmearsofbloodmadeitdifficulttoseewherethe

bullethadgonein,butapparentlyJakhadonlyclippedhisshoulder.AndgivenMace’senhancedshifter
healing,withoutacleanshottotheheadorthroughtheheart,hewouldlive.Jakwrenchedhisgazefrom
Mace’scringingformandlopedtoArianna’sside,justtomakesureshewasokay.Shewasstillcowering
inherwolfforminthesubmissionpose.

Arianna! he sent a thought to her even as he dashed to the side, evading the betas chasing him. You

needtoshift!

NowthatMacewasbackinhumanform,sheshouldbeableto.Andheneededherinhumanformto

escape—otherwisethematingbondwouldbetoostrong.WithhisfirstshotonlywoundingMace,running
wasnowtheironlyoption.

Arianna whimpered, but she managed to shift. Jak couldn’t circle back to her—he was too busy

zigging and zagging through the open space, trying not to get trapped by Mace’s betas. He circled back
towardhisclothes,prayinghecouldgetholdofthegun,butThomaswasalreadythere,inhumanform,
rifling through Jak’s clothes. Jak galloped toward him, but Alric and Beck caught him from behind. He
roared and snapped at them, but they sunk their teeth deep into his legs and dragged him down. Pain
streaked white hot through his body. He was kicking and biting, but they had two sets of flashing razor
sharpteeth,slicingthroughhisflesh.Justlikeahundredtimesbefore,whenhisolderbrothershadpinned
him,Mace’sbetaswererippinghimtopiecesuntiltheagonyovertookhim,andhehadstoppedfighting.
ButJakwasn’tgivingup,notthistime,notuntilhewasdead.HerakedaclawacrossBeck’seyesand
toreapieceoutofAlric’sear.TheiryelpsofpainandangerwereenoughforJaktobreakfreeoftheir
gripsandscrambletohispaws.

Just as he lurched forward, a gun went off… and something slammed into him with enough force to

flinghimbackagainstAlric’sflea-bittenhide.Thesearingpainhitahalfsecondlater,blossomingacross
hisshoulderandsendinghimrollingtotheside.Theworldwentwhiteforamoment.Heblinkedthrough
it,bringingthenightbackinfocusjustintimetoseeAriannainwolfform,leapingthroughtheairand
snappingherjawsonThomas’sarm.Thegunwentoffagain,whichmadeJak’sheartspasm.Hestruggled
togettohispaws,butonewholesidewasuselessandscreamingwithpain.BeckandAlricwereathis
back,buthecouldn’tfightthemthisway.Heshiftedhuman,prayingAriannawasallrightashestruggled
tohisfeet.

ShewasstillwrestlingwithThomas,ontheground,sheinherwolfformandhiminhishumanone.

But a moment later, she shifted human. And when she came up, standing over Thomas in all her naked
beauty…shehadthegunpointedinhisface.Hejustlookedupather,confused.

Jakalmostlaughed.Itwasthemostgorgeousthinghehadeverseen.
AlricandBeckhadshiftedhumanbehindhim,buttheyjuststoodtherewithdumbasslooksontheir

faces.AriannasteppedawayfromThomasthenswungtheguntoAlricandBeck.

“Stay back!” she yelled. “Don’t touch him!” She meant Jak, which flushed him with joy… until he

realizedhowmuchherhandwiththegunwasshaking.ThesmilefelloffJak’sface,andhelurchedtoher
side,leavingAlricandBeckstillstaringandThomasstrugglingtogetupoffthelawn.

Jak’s body was screaming in pain—his shoulder and legs were a bloody mess—and a wave of

dizzinessalmostmadehimlosehisfooting,butwhenhereachedher,hetookthegunfromhertrembling
hands.Heonlyhadonegoodhandleft.Hisotheronedangleduselesslyathisside.Flashesofnumbness
ran up and down it, and he could feel the blood gushing out of his body. His breath was becoming
labored,andheshudderedviolentlyinthecoldnightair.Hewasfairlycertainhewasgoingintoshock.

Notgood.

Hishand shook evenmore than Arianna’s,but at least hestood between herand Mace’s betas now.

Andhehadachanceofgettingheroutofthere.

“Move!”JakorderedThomasawayfromtheheapthatwasJak’sclothes.
ThomasshuffledtowardAlricandBeck,handsup.
Moregently,almostinawhisper,JaksaidtoArianna,“Ineedmyphone.Rightpocket.”
Ariannabentdownandrifledthroughthem.Macewasstillmoaningandholdinghisside,buthehad

managed to get to his knees. He must be hit bad because he wasn’t saying anything. But when Arianna
stoodupwiththeprizeofJak’sphone,Mace’sfacecamebacktolife.

“What are you doing?” he screamed at his betas, who were all clustered together with Jak’s gun

trainedonthem.“Gethim!”

Jak swung his gun to point at Mace. “Move a muscle, and I’ll shoot your alpha.” The three betas

snarledandclenchedtheirfists,butheknewwiththeirsubmissionsfresh,theywouldn’tdoanythingto
endangerMace.Theywouldsacrificethemselvesinaheartbeat,butatthisrange,therewasnowaythey
couldreachhimbeforehecouldpullthetrigger.AndJakwouldn’tmissasecondtime.

Ariannahuddledathisside.HewassorelytemptedtosimplykillMace,butasthingsstood,keeping

himalivewastheironlywayout.IfMacedied,hisbetaswouldmakesureJakwasclosebehind.And
Ariannawouldbeonherownagain:whichmeantoneofthebetaswouldclaimher,andthatwasalmost
worsethanMace.Besides,Macewasinhumanformnow.IfJakshothim,theywouldhavemorethana
packafterthem,they’dhaveallofWashington’slawenforcementagencies.

Ariannawouldn’tbeabletomakeanewlife,notthatway.Andneitherwouldhe.
JakslowlybackedawayfromMaceandhisbetas,edgingtowardtheforest.Hedidn’tdareturnhis

backonthem,justkeptmovingandholdingthematbaywhileheandAriannamadetheirslowescape.

“Jak!” The word ripped through the air, carried on a command from his alpha. It stopped Jak in his

tracks.

HekepthisguntrainedonMace,buthecouldn’thelpsearchingforthesourceofthevoice.Gagestood

twentyfeetaway,Masonbyhisside,bothofthemlookingaghastatthesceneinfrontofthem.

“Whatthehellareyoudoing?”Gage’srebukewasharsh.Jakfeltitthroughtohisbones,butitdidn’t

havethepowertoholdhim.Heglancedupatthemoon.Itwascloseenoughtofull.Hissubmissionbond
toGagewouldn’tstophimfromleaving.Hestartedhisslowbackwardmarchagain,Ariannaathisback
astheycrepttowardtheforest.Evenifthebondwouldn’tstophim,thepainofwalkingawayfromGage
wasworsethanthephysicalagonyrippingthroughhisbody.

“Ihavetodothis,”JaksaidtoGage,hisvoiceroughbutstrong.“Ican’tlethimhurtheranymore.”It

feltgoodtosaythewordsoutloud.Itwasthetruthofwhyhewashere,whyhewastakingher,andwhy
the rest of it—the shooting, the betrayal, the breaking of pack law—didn’t matter. Because Mace had
violatedeverythingthatmadepacklawdecentandright.Hehadsteepeddarknessintothematingbond,
theonethatshouldbesacredaboveall.

Jak’swordscarriedacrossthecoolnightair,metonlywithsilence.
HeprayedGagewouldfigureitoutandseethatJakwasdoingtherightthing.Butifhedidn’t,thatalso

didn’tmatter.AllthatmatteredwasrightingthewrongsdonetoArianna.Andsettingherfree.

Gage’s brow scowled deeper, and Jak figured he was putting together what had actually happened

here; what had been happening all along. Between the six of them—Mace, his three betas, Gage and
Mason—theycouldstophim.TheymightnotbeabletostophimfromshootingMace,buttheycouldkeep
himfromleavingwithArianna.

ButGagejuststoodandwatchedasJakdrewfartherandfartheraway.
Mace growled when he realized his brother wasn’t going to help. He lurched to his feet. “Arianna,

comehere!”Itwasafullcommand.Jakcouldfeelthestrengthofit,eventhoughMacewasn’thisalpha.

Ariannawhimperedbehindhimandclutchedhisshoulder.Herclawscameoutanddugintohisflesh.

Ithurt,butnothinglikeheimaginedthefightshewaswaginginside,disobeyingheralphasoshecould
leave.

“Stayhuman,baby,”Jakwhispered.“Staywithme.”Ifsheshifted,hewouldloseher.Thebondwould

besimplytoogreattoovercome.

He groaned as her claws dug deeper into him, but the rest of her stayed human. And they kept

marching,slowlybackward.Theywerefarenoughnowthattheymighthaveadecentchanceatescaping
justbyflat-outrunning.Buttheirchanceswouldbebetteriftheyreachedtheforestfirst.

Secondstickedwitheachstepclosertofreedom.
JakhadtolookawayfromGage’sbrokenexpression.
Mace snarled, but didn’t move. His betas did likewise. Mace must know by now that, if he tried to

stopJak,hewouldn’thesitatetofinishthejob.

IfMaceletthemgo,hewouldlive.
Mace glared hatred across the growing expanse between them. Jak knew this wasn’t over. Mace

wouldsearchtheendsoftheearthforAriannaandkillJak,ifatallpossible.Jakwouldjusthavetomake
surehenevergotthatchance.HeandAriannakeptinchingbackwardsuntiltheyreachedtheforest.

Thentheyturnedandfledintothedarkness.

Ariannafeltlikehermindwasrippingintwo.

Hermate,heralpha,wasfurious.Furious.AsshebackedawayfromMace,fleeingwithJak,Mace’s

hatredreached across thenight air andchoked her. Part ofher knew thiswas wrong—this vile, deadly
hatredshouldn’tcomefromherownalpha,themanwhowassupposedtoloveandprotecther—buther
wolfwhimperedtoreturntohim,allthesame.

IttookeveryounceofhumaninsidehertowithdrawherclawsfromJak’sshoulderandstillremainby

hisside.Andseeinghisinjuries,hisblood-coveredbody,madehertrembleevenmore.Shehatedthatshe
hadaddedevenatinyscratchtohispain…becauseJakwashersavior.Hemaybeabetatotheworld,
but in her eyes, he was all alpha. The good kind. The kind who, before her eyes, was giving up
everything,riskingeverything,includinghisownlife,tofreeher.Evenwiththeturmoilinhermind,her
loveforhimglowedlikethesun.

HerinnertormentlessenedwithmoredistancefromMace.Andoncetheyturnedintothedarknessof

theforest,iteasedconsiderably.SheandJakwererunningnow,Jakleadingherbutkeepingclosebyher
side.Hestillheldthegun,sohecouldn’tholdherhand.Hisotheronewasslickwithbloodandhungat
hissideinawaythatmadeherstomachclench.Hischestandlegswerealsodrenchedwiththedarkred
stain—shewasamazedhecouldstillwalk,muchlesshurtlethroughtheforestastheywerenow,withall
thebloodhehadalreadylost.

“It’sgoingtobeokay,baby,”hekeptsayingoverandover.“It’sgoingtobeallright.”
Shekeptahandonhisshoulder,clawsretracted,soshecouldgentlysqueezeitinresponse.Herthroat

wastoothickforwords,andherbreathtooragged.Itseemedtotakeforever,buteventually,theyreached
thefence.ShehandedJak’sphoneovertohim.Everythinghadgonewrongwiththeirplanupuntilnow:
shehalfexpectedJak’sprogramtodeactivatethesecuritysystemwithaspecialapponhisphonetofail
utterly. For them to be trapped. Breath heaved out of her as she waited, but with a few swipes on his
phone,thehumoftheelectrifiedfenceceased.

“Canyouclimbit?”Ariannaaskedashehandedthephonebacktoher.Shecouldn’timaginehowhe

couldinthisstate.

“Notmuchchoice,haveI?”Hegaveheralopsidedgrin,halffilledwithpain.
Itwrenchedherheart.
“Youfirst,”hesaid.
Shealmostinsistedthatshehelphimup,butsheknewhewouldfightheronthat,andthatwouldonly

slowthingsdown.TheyneededtogetofftheestatebeforeMacechangedhismindandcameafterthem
with guns. Arianna clamped the phone in her mouth and quickly scaled the chain link fence, dropping
downtheotherside.HerheartthuddedasJaktriedtodothesame,onlyone-handed,withagunheldin
hismouthandabodyslickwithblood.

Hegroanedseveraltimes,eachonepiercingherheart.Whenhereachedthetop,shedidn’tknowifhe

wouldmakeit.Hehandedthegundowntoherandstayedthereforaheart-stoppinglylongmomentbefore
rollingoffhisperch.Shecouldn’thelpcryingoutwhenhehittheground.Sherushedtohim,handsoutto
dosomething,anything,tomakesurehewasokay.

Hegroanedagain,longeranddeeper.“Let’snotdothatagain.”Hisvoicewaswheezy.
Sheletoutashort,shakylaughthroughthetearsthreateningtospillandhelpedhimtohisfeet.Buthe

was considerably less steady now. He paused to swipe at his phone, and the electric hum of the fence
started up again. Jak had thought of everything, including closing off their escape route, in case Mace
cameafterthem.

Sheshuddered.Sheknewthatwouldhappeneventually.
The tromp through the rest of the forest was considerably slower now. She carried the gun, and Jak

drapedhisarmoverhershoulder,butshecouldtellhewasbarelymakingit.

Whentheybrokefreeofthetrees,Jak’scarwaswaitingforthem.Ariannasighedinrelief.Theywere

goingtomakeit.Theywereactuallygoingtogetfree.

Astheylumberedtowardthecar,Jaksaid,“Baby,Ithinkyouneedtodrive.”
“Really?” she said, trying to keep her voice light. “I thought you might take me for a tour of the

nightclubsinSeattle.”

Hechuckled,butitjustendedinacough.Shehelpedhimintothepassengerseatandhurriedaroundto

thedriver’sside.Onceshewasinside,shetuckedthegunundertheseat.

“Youneedahealer,”shesaid,reachingtothebackseatandpullingupthestashofclothesJakhadput

there.Shedidn’tbotherwithpants,justthrewonat-shirtsotheywouldn’tgetpulledoverforindecent
driving.

“I know one downtown.” Jak wheezed, and she hated the sound of it. “The address is in my phone,

underRichter.JustplugitintotheGPS.”Thenheseemedtomeltintothecarseatwithexhaustion,eyes
driftingclosed.

Ariannascrambledtodoashesaid,thenstartedthecarandputdistancebetweenherandtheRedpack

estate. It almost seemed like a dream, like they were heading off to UDub for class, not running away,
nevertoreturn.Afterafewblocks,shepulledover.Jakwasshivering,andthecarwasn’twarmingup
fast enough. She brought more clothes up from the back and struggled to get a t-shirt over his head. He
resisted,butwithoutmuchforce,notevenopeninghiseyes.Hejustmumbledsomeproteststhenlolledhis
headtothesideandletherwork.Shegotthet-shirton,butjustdrapedhisjacketovertherestofhisbody,
hopingitwouldkeephimwarm.

Shethrewthecarintodriveandbarreledtowarddowntown.Itwaskillinghernottospeedtheentire

way,buttheycouldn’taffordtogetstopped.ShehopedtheGPSwasn’tleadingherastray—thispartof
downtown was run-down and shady-looking. Probably filled with city shifters in low-life gangs. That
was one reason her family stayed to themselves, just a small pack out in the country. The biggest “city
experience”she’dhadsofarwasattendingUDub.ButJakneededahealer,andthiswaswherethehealer
lived.Shewouldjusthavetoactlikeshehadaclueaboutwhatshewasdoingandgetthroughit.

TheaddressofJak’shealerwasanapartmentinadecrepittenement,number3B.
Sheparkedandstruggledintotherestofherclothesbeforegoingaroundtothepassengerside.Jakhad

fallenasleepontherideover,butshewasn’talarmeduntilshecouldn’twakehimbackup.Kneelingon
theedge of thepassenger seat, shetried to gently shakehim, calling hisname… nothing worked. Tears
blurredhereyes,buttherewasnotimeforthat.Handsshaking,shepressedtwofingerstohisneck.He

stillhadapulse,andshecouldseehischestriseandfall,butitseemedtobeinjitterymovements.Her
shiftergenesgavehermorestrengththanyouraveragecollegegirl,butevenshewasn’tgoingtobeable
tohaulJakoutofthecarandupthreelevelstothehealer.Nottomentionthathemightgethurtalongthe
way.

Bitingherlip,shetuckedthejackettighteraroundJaktokeephimwarmandreachedoverhimtograb

thegunfromunderthedriver’sseat.Shetuckeditintothebackofherpants,whichseemedridiculous,but
openlycarryingitseemedtoflashaneonsigntothedarkenedstreet,invitingtrouble.ThenshelockedJak
intothecarandstrodeuptotheapartmentwithherheadheldhigh.

You’re a shifter and you’re armed, she told herself. You can do this. She kept her head up as she

climbed the concrete steps and buzzed the door for 3B. She couldn’t help looking back to the car,
checkingonJak,buthehadn’tmoved.

Therewasnoanswer.
Come on! Her heart lurched and jumped around as she buzzed the apartment again and again. What

wasshegoingtodoifthehealerwasn’thome?Itwasthemiddleofthenight,butwhoknew?Maybehe
wasoutattheclubs.That’swhatMaceandhispackdideverySaturdaynight.Somethingbangedinside
theapartmentcomplex,startlingher,andshestoppedbuzzing.Therewasnowindowtopeerin,butshe
heardsomekindofrapidpattering,maybesomeonecomingdownstairs,sosheheldoffonbuzzingagain.

Shewaited.
Nothinghappened.
Justasshewasabouttopushthebuzzerbuttonagain,thedoorcrackedopen.Insidewasawomanin

flannelpajamasandathintanktop.Herpinkfuzzyrobewashangingoffoneshoulder,crooked,likeshe’d
justthrowniton,andherhairwasmussed.

“Whoareyou?”thewomanasked.
“I…I’mafriendofJak’s,”Ariannasaid,surprisedattheshakinessofherownvoice.Sheclearedher

throat.“I’mlookingforRichter.”

Thewomanliftedaneyebrow.“Well,youfoundher.”
Ariannawasspeechlessforamoment.Allthehealersshe’dknownweremen,allshifterswithsome

kindofmedicaltraining.Itwasn’tthatfemaleshifterscouldn’tbehealers…itwasmostlythattheywere
sorarethatAriannahadn’tmetmanyothers.Especiallyoutinthecountry.

Shehadbettermakesure,justincase.“You’reahealer,right?”
Thewomannarrowedhereyes.“I’moutofthebusinessnow.Shiftersbringnothingbuttroubleintomy

life.”

Ariannadidn’tknowwhattomakeofthat,butitdidn’tmatterrightnow.“Jak’shurt.Badly.Heneedsa

healer…please.Hegavemeyournameandsaidyoucouldhelp.”

ThewomanbitherlipandpeeredaroundArianna.“Jak,huh?Whereishe?”
Arianna stepped back and gestured to the car. “I couldn’t move him. Besides, there’s so much

blood…”

The woman sighed as she peered at the car. “All right. I’ll be right back. Need my kit.” The door

slammed in Arianna’s face, but she only hesitated a second before sprinting back to the car. The street
wasdarkexceptforafewbuzzingstreetlamps.IfthishealerwomanwasgoingtoworkonJakinthecar,
she would need some light. Arianna hopped in the driver’s seat and edged the car forward so it was
directlyunderthewhiteglareofthelamp.Thensheparked,andcheckedJak’spulseagain.Shecouldfeel
it,buthisskinwasclammyandcold.Hemumbledsomethingwhenshetouchedhim,buthewasn’treally
awake.

Thehealerreturnedaminutelater,ablackleatherbaginonehand.Shepeeredinthepassengerside

windowthenopenedthedoor.

Shepulledthejacketawayfromcoveringhisbody,thenwrinkledupherface.“Jesus,whatamess.”

ShelookedtoArianna.“Weneedtogethiminthebackseat.Easiertoworkthere.”

Ariannajumpedoutofthedriver’sseatandracedaroundtothepassengerside.Thewomanpulledoff

Jak’sblood-soakedt-shirt,thentogether,sheandAriannawrestledJakoutofthefrontseatandintothe
back. He was still only partially awake, and his flailings got in the way more than helped. The healer
climbedintheback,practicallyontopofJak…whostillhadnopantson.Ariannafeltherfaceheating,
butthere wasn’t anyroom for modestyright now. Not thatJak would probablyhave minded having the
petite,blondhealerperchedontopofhim.Ariannaslippedbackintothefrontandwatchedthehealergo
towork,wipingawaytheblood,probinghiswounds.

“Doyouhaveafirstname?”Ariannaasked.
ThehealerglancedatherthenwentbacktoexaminingJak’swounds.“Sarra.You?”
“Arianna.”
Shenodded.“Allright,Arianna,I’mseeingabulletwoundtotheshoulderanddeeplacerationsinhis

thighsandside.NomajororganwoundsthatIcantell,butoneoftheslashesinhislegnickedanartery,
andhe’slostalotofblood.”ShefinallylookedatArianna.“AnythingelseIneedtoknowabout?”

Ariannashookherhead.“Itwasabadfight.”
ShewrinkleduphernoseandturnedbacktoJak.“Arethereanygoodones?”
Theydidn’tspeakasSarraduganeedleandthreadoutofherbagandstartedwiththegapingbullet

woundinJak’sshoulder.ThepainofthestitchingmusthavestartedtorouseJak.Hegroanedafewtimes,
his head moving a little. When she plunged the needle into his skin again, he tried to sit up, pushing
Sarra’s hands away with his good arm, even though his eyes were still closed. Sarra shoved his chest
downintotheseatwithonehandandsmackedJakonthefacewiththeother.

“Hey!”hesaid,hishandsflailingupinfrontofhisface.
“That’sformessingupmystitch,JakRoberts.”Hervoicewasfrosty.
Ariannaheldherbreath.Therewasmorethanjustamessedupstitchchargingtheair.
Jakcreakedhiseyesopenandpeeredatheroverhisraisedarm.“Sarra?”
“I’mtryingtostitchupyoursorryass.”Buthertonehadwarmedalittle.“Liedown.”
Heobeyed,butahalfsecondlater,hewasupagain.“Arianna!”Hisfranticgazesweptthecar.
“I’mrighthere,”Ariannasaidquickly,andhisgazefoundherface.
Hebreathedasighofreliefandeasedbackdowntotheseat.
Sarraliftedoneeyebrow,takinginthewholeexchange,thenwentbacktosewingupJakwithrenewed

speed.

Hewincedasshedugintohiswound.“Lostyourgentletouchalongtheway,Sarrabear?”Hebreathed

throughhisteeth.

“Onlyforguyswhodon’tcallthemorningafter,”Sarrasaidcoolly.“Thosegetspecialtreatmentwhen

theyshowupatmydoorcoveredinbloodandtowinganewgirlalong.”

Jakgrimaced.“Ohcomeon,Sarra.Itwasn’tlikethat.”
Sarratuggedonthestitch,keepingittight,butalsocausingJaktogrunt.Ariannabitherlip,hatingto

seehiminpain,butknowingthestitchingwastheonlythingthatwouldstopthebleeding.Jak’snormal
shifterhealingabilitywasuselesswithoutenoughmagic-filledbloodtomakeitwork.Ariannagripped
theedgeofthefrontseat,watchingSarra’sneedledipbackintoJak’sshoulder.

“Sothatwasn’tyouwhorockedmyworldforacoupleweeksandthendisappeared?Thatwassome

otherhotshifter?”Sarraaskedcoolly.“Goodtoknow.Bytheway,who’sthenewgirl?”

Jak let out a pain-filled breath, and Arianna could see him sneaking looks at her. He didn’t need to

worryaboutanything.SheknewahandsomeshifterlikeJakwouldhavehadlotsofgirlsbeforeher.She
alsoknewhehadjustgivenupeverythingtosaveher.TherewasnothingSarraoranyoneelsecouldsay
ordothatwouldchangethat.OrchangehowAriannafeltabouthim.

“Ariannais…”Hepaused,suckedinabreath.“IfIcouldmakehermymate,Iwould,Sarra.JustlikeI

wouldhavewithyou,ifyouhadn’tbeensostubborn.”

“Oh,that’s how it was, huh?” But her voice was teasing, and she snuck a glance at Arianna. “Well,

yournewgirl’sprettytough,haulingyoursorryassintothispartoftown.I’llgiveherthat.”

“Shewasinabadsituation,Sarrabear.”JakwincedagainatSarra’sstitching.“Ihadtogetherout.

Andsheneedsaplacetostay.Justforthenight.”

Sarrasighed.“IfiguredthatoutassoonasIsawthemessyoumadeofhercar.Youhaveanyideahow

muchbloodyou’velost?”

“Alot?”
“Ashitton.”Sarrashookherhead.“Ihonestlydon’tknowhowyoukeepavoidingactuallydying,with

allthetroubleyouseemtofind.”

“Thatwasalongtimeago,”hesaid.
“Andyethereyouare,abouttobleedonmycarpetagain.”
He smiled at that. And Arianna felt a gush of relief at seeing it. She was keeping quiet, letting them

have their banter, hoping that would mean Sarra would fix everything that needed fixing. And let them
stay, at least for a little while. Jak would heal fast once the stitching was done, but there could be
complications.Itwouldbegoodtohaveahealernearby,justincase.

Sarramoveddowntohislegsandstartedstitchingthere.Thegashesweredeepanduglyandoozing

bloodevenfasterthanthebulletwound.Jakwasnaked,butSarradidn’tseemtonotice.Oratleastshe
didn’tsayanything,justlapsedintoaquietfocusonherwork.

Itwasn’tuntilJakwasstitchedandabletostumbleuptotheapartment—withArianna’sandSarra’s

help—thatAriannafinallyletherselfbelievehewouldbeokay.JakcollapsedonthebedinSarra’sspare
bedroom.Itwasmoreofastudioreally,filledwithcanvasesandpaintingsoftheforest.Thebedwasjust
asmallcot,barelyafootofftheground,andJaktookupmostofthespace.

Arianna watched as Jak fell asleep almost as soon as he lay down. Sarra disappeared and returned

withanarm-loadofblanketsandsheets.OnewasforJak,buttherewasasecondsetforArianna.

“Thecouchisprettycomfortable,”Sarrasaid.
ShebitherlipandlookeddownatJak.Hewasalreadysnoring.Shedidn’twanttoleave,butshealso

didn’twanttooffendSarra,givenhowmuchhelpshewasgraciouslygivingherex-boyfriendandthegirl
heshowedupwith.

“Oryoucansleeponthefloorinhere,”Sarrasaidsoftly.“Probablybettertohavesomeonewatching

himovernight.”

Ariannamethergaze.Tearsprickedhereyes.“Thankyou.Foreverything.”
Sarragaveasmallsmile.“Jak’saspecialguy.Ihopeyouknowthat.”
Ariannanoddedvigorously.“Ido.Ipromise.”
Sarragaveheranod,thenduckedherheadandclosedthedooronherwayout.Ariannasettledonthe

floornexttothecot,edgingasclosetoJakasshecould.Sheranherfingerslightlythroughhishair,softly,
so he wouldn’t awaken. Then she laid her hand on his chest, so she could feel it moving. Even in his
sleep,hesnuggledintohertouch.Sheclosedhereyes,anddrowsinesssweptoverher.

Shewasquicklydriftingintodreamland,butshealreadyfeltlikeallherdreamshadcometrue.

ThesunpriedopenJak’seyes.

He blinked rapidly, but it still was blinding him. Then he moved his head, just slightly, finding a

differentcoolspotonthemattressbelowhim,andthefloodoflightdimmed.Onlythinslicesofsunshine
madeitintotheroomthroughtheslattedblinds,andonehadjusthappenedtolandonhiseyes.Hismind
was still swimming up from the deep, hard sleep he had been in, but now that he could see again, he
realized he must be in Sarra’s studio. Apparently, she was still painting, something that made his heart
gladevenbeforetheeventsoflastnightcamerushingback.

He’dfailedtokillMace.
Thatthoughtmadehimcringe…anditmeantthingswerewellandtrulyfuckedupnow.AtleastJak

hadmanagedtogetAriannaawayfromhim.ButMacewasstilloutthere,andhewouldbecomingfor
them.Thentherestofthenight’seventscamefloodingback:thewitch,Arianna’sfamily,hisinjuries,the
escape, Sarra’s stitching, and finally… he felt a soft hand move against his chest. Arianna was on the
floornexttohim,buriedinablanketuptohernose,butwithherdelicatefingerstouchinghim,keeping
contactwithhim.

Shewaswatchingoverhim.
Hisheartswelledwiththatsimplefact.Thevisionofherangelicface,sleepingbyhisside,madeit

feellikehisheartmightactuallyburst.Anditfiredaneedtohavealotmoreofherbodypressedagainst
him.Heshiftedonthecot,stretchingandtestingtoseeifeverythinghadhealedthewayitshould.Sarra
wasthebesthealerhe’deverknown—hehadnodoubtsaboutherwork—butshe’dsaidhe’dlostalotof
blood.Thatcouldslowtherecovery,oratleastmakehimpayforitinachesandpainsforawhile.There
wereafewtwinges,especiallyinhisshoulder,butotherthanthat,hewasprettywellhealed.Wellenough
todosomethingconstructivewiththemorninghard-onragingunderneathhisblanket.

He reached down to gently tug the blanket from Arianna’s face. When she didn’t move, he took the

opportunitytotrailhisfingersthroughthetossedstrandsofherhair.Shestirredslightly.Heslidhisfinger
downhercheek.Thatbroughthereyesopen.Herlipsparted,andherchestfilledwithsucked-inbreath.
Hewantedallofit:hercheeks,herlips,hergorgeousbreasts,allpressedagainsthim.

“Goodmorning,”hesaid,softly.
Sheblinked,squintingupathim,stillwaking.“Jak,”shebreathed.Thensheshookherselfawakeand

satup.“Howareyoufeeling?”Hergazesearchedhischest,lookingforthegapingwoundshenodoubt
hadthenightbefore.

“Idon’tknow,”hesaid,tryingtoholdinthewolfishsmilethatwasthreateningtobreakout.“Ithink

youbettercomeuphereandcheckmywounds.”

Her serious look deepened into a frown, and she struggled to her feet. She bent over him, gently

pullingtheblanketbackfromhischestandrunningherfingerslightlyoverthespotwherethebulletwent
through.Ofcourse,ithadmostlyhealed.Hertouchwassosoftitalmosttickled.

“It looks much better from the outside.” Her frown was a growing crease on her forehead. “Does it

hurtontheinside?”

He could hardly keep his smile contained. “I think you need to look closer.” He took her hands and

drewherdownontothecotwithhim.Hereyeswentwide,andshenearlytumbleddownontopofhim,
buthecaughtheratthewaistandhoistedhertostraddlehim.Hewincedaspainshotthroughhisshoulder
fromthestrain,butitwasworthittoseethelookofshockandahintofasmileonherface:therewasa
blanketandhersoftsleeppantsbetweenthem,butshehadtofeelhisrock-hardcockasshesatonit.

“Well,somepartsofyouareapparentlyinworkingorder.”Thenshesmackedhimlightlyonthechest.
Helaughed,softly,butitbouncedthembothonthespringycot.Whichjustgroundheragainsthiscock

andkilledallthesmilesinaneedtohavemuchmoreofher.Now.

Heslippedhisfingersunderhert-shirtandcaressedherbreastswithbothhands.Shehadapparently

neverputonabrasincethenightbefore.Hernipplesstiffenedquicklyunderhistouch,makinghiscock
twitchagainstthepressureofhersittingonhim.Hereyelidsdroppedtohalfmast,andthistime,whenher
lipsparted,itwasinpleasure.

“God,Ineedyou,Arianna,”hesaid,hisvoicesuddenlyhoarse.
He lifted her t-shirt, but he couldn’t get it free by himself. She pulled it up and over her head. He

cuppedherbreasts,thenslidhishandstoherback,pullingherdowntohimandtakingonetightnipple
into his mouth. She exhaled a shuddering breath, and it about undid him. He pinched the other nipple,
pullingagaspfromher,andshestartedgrindingagainsthiscock.

Hemoanedwiththerawpleasureofit.Andtheneedformore.
Shepulledback,glancingatthecloseddoor.“Maybeweshouldn’t…nothere…”
Hebroughthersweetbodybacktohim,cuppingherotherbreasttohismouthandnippinggentlyatit.

“I’llkeepmymoansquietifyoucan.”Thenhetippedhisheadbacktolookintohereyes.“Arianna.”He
movedonehanduptohercheek,holdingitandhopingshecouldseetheloveinhiseyes.“Thefactthat
youareherewithme,thatyouresistedthebond,thatyoucamewithmeandcaredforme…”Thewords
werelockinguphisthroat.

Ariannabeamedanddippeddowntokisshim,butbeforehecouldgetaproperholdonher,toplunge

into her mouth and taste every part of her, she lifted away and bounced up from the cot. He gave her a
quizzicallook,butshejuststoodbeforehim,half-naked,withawickedgrinonherface.Thenshehooked
herfingersinthewaistbandofhersleeppantsandinchedthemslowlydownherhips,swayingthemas
she worked the pants lower and lower in a slow tease. He propped himself up to watch, letting his
wolfishsmilerunfree.Hisinnerwolfwaspantinghard,votingaheartylust-filledgrowlinfavorofthis
show.Shewasbareunderneaththesleeppants,herpantiesapparentlynevermakinganappearanceoutof
theclotheshehadpacked.Helickedhislipsinanticipationoftastingthesweetnessbetweenherlegs.She
steppedfreeofhersleeppants,nowpooledonthefloor,thencapturedhisgazewithherbeautifulblue
eyes.

Thensheshifted.
It caught him by surprise, and he held her gaze through the whole, quick transition. He had no idea

where she was going with this. He’d had plenty of sex with human females, and a few dalliances with
unmated female wolves looking for fun before settling with a mate, but never in wolf form. It wasn’t a
common practice for shifters, if only because the positions and creativity of making love in wolf form
werefairlylimitedcomparedtowhatcouldbedoneinhumanform.

Buthewasdefinitelygameforwhateverturnedheron.
Shestretchedherforelegsinfrontofherandliftedherrearintotheair.Hertaildippeddownbetween

herlegs.Onlywhenshefinallyduckedherhead,loweringhergazefromhis,didherealizewhatshewas
doing:shewassubmittingtohim.

Hismouthfellopen,andasplitsecondlater,themagichithisbloodstreamlikeaflashfire.Thepower

ofhersubmissionfilledandliftedhim.Hebolteduprightonthecotandswunghislegsovertheedge.His
chestwastight,butonlyfromtryingtocontainhisheart,whichwasswellingwiththegiftshewasgiving
him.Hersubmission…itwasliterallymakinghimanalphafromtheinsideout,super-chargingthemagic
inhisbloodwithherdevotion.Thelastofhisachesandpainsvanished,sweptawaybythecleanfireof
herbondtohim.

Hestaredatherforalongmoment,uncertain,thenrealizedhehadonlyfelthalfofthetruepowerof

hergift:hewasstillinhumanform.Hequicklyshifted,landingonsoftpawsonthefloornexttoher.His
bloodsurgedwiththeferventstrengthofhersubmission,twoorthreefoldovertheintensityofamoment
ago.Theroomwassmall,barelyleavingroomforbothofthemonthefloor,muzzletomuzzleamongstthe
paintings of the forest and the bed behind him. He loomed over her: she was still crouched in the
submissionpose.

Rise,mysweet,sweetArianna,hethought,wordsheneverimaginedhewouldhavetherightto:the

wordsofanalpha.

She popped up from the submission, nuzzling him from underneath. He rubbed his face with hers,

tastingher,scentingher,fillinghiseverysensewiththefeelofher.Hewasstronger,morepowerful,than
hehadeverbeeninhislife,allbecauseofher.

Jak,youaremyalpha, she thought, and he felt his heart might break with the love he had for those

words.You’rethealphaI’vealwaysdreamedofhaving.TheoneIwanttogiveeverypartofmysoul
to.TheonewhodeserveseverybitofloveIhavetogive.

His need for her couldn’t be contained. Shift, Arianna, he thought. Shift for me now. He made it a

command, because he could, and because it charged the magic in his blood. He felt her respond to his
thoughts,amagicalsurgebetweenthemthatwasfilledwithpassion.

Hiswolfwasdesperatetoclaimher:waterwaspoolinginhismouth.Butofcoursehecouldn’thave

herthatway—hewouldneverhaveherthatway—buthewoulddoeverythingshortofactuallyclaiming
her.Hewouldtakeherandpleasureherlikeanalphashould.

Sheshiftedinfrontofhim,andhechangedwithher.
Assoonastheywerebothhuman,hepulledhertohim,threadinghisfingersintoherhairtoholdher

tightashedevouredherwithakiss.Heusedtheotherhandtoholdherdeliciousbodytightagainsthim,
hisrock-hardcockbetweenthem.Hewalkedherbackwardsuntiltheymetthewall.Hesearedhisbody
tohers,pressingherintothewallandplunderinghermouthwithhistongue.Hisheartbeatsomadly,he
wassureshecouldfeelit,skin-to-skinwheretheytouched.Hebrokethekiss.Herlipswereswollenwith
it,hereyeshalf-lidded.Herarousalperfumedtheair,callingtohim.Hewantedtomakehershriekwith
pleasure,butthatwouldn’tdowithSarra,theirhostandhealer,ontheothersideofthewall.

HeslippedahandbetweenArianna’slegs,dippingintothehoneydrippingbetweenthem,thennipped

atherneck,tastingherandworkinghiswayup.

“I’m going to make you mine,” Jak whispered in her ear as he teased her entrance with his fingers.

“I’mgoingtoclaimyouwithmyloveandwithmycock.I’mgoingtomakeyouwanttoscreammyname.
Butyouwillbequiet.Absolutelyquiet.Doyouunderstand?”

She whimpered and squirmed against his hand. He smiled, enjoying her torment, knowing it would

makeherclimaxallthebetter.Hegrabbedoneofthewooden-handledpaintbrushesofftheeaselnearby.

“I have something for you to do with that delicious mouth of yours.” He gently placed the smooth

handleacrossherpartedlips,urginghertotakeit.“Bite.”Hesmirkedasshebitdownonit,thenrana

thumbacrosshercheek.“I’mgoingtomisshearingyoupraymyname.”

Hetookthehandrubbingheralready-swollennubandthrusttwofingersinside.Shegroaned,butthe

paintbrush did its job of keeping the sound contained, a guttural, animal thing inside her throat. It was
wild,herwolfspeaking,anditmadehiscocktwitch.Hereacheddownbehindherkneeandlifteditover
hiship,openingherupmoretohishandplunginginsideher.Histeethnippedatherbreasts,firstone,then
theother,allwhilehepumpedhishandfasterandfaster.Hecouldfeelhertensearoundhisfingers.Her
hands clutched at his bare shoulders, digging her fingers in deeper with the building pleasure of each
thrust.Herheadfellbackagainstthewall,andshemoanedandpantedaroundthepaintbrush.Whenshe
came,itsentagloriousflushacrossherchestthathechasedafterwithhistongue.Thenhecouldn’tstand
itanymore.Hehadtoclaimherintheonlywayhecould:hisbodyowninghers,fillingher,drivingherto
ecstasyagainstthewall.

Heliftedhersweetbottomwithbothhands,pullingherfromthefloorandwrappingherlegsaround

his back. Then he thrust hard and deep inside her. Her paintbrush-muffled-shriek sent electric shocks
straighttohiscock.Shewassosweetandtight—beinginsideherwaslikebeingburiedinwarmthand
love.Heheldstillforamoment,wantingtostaythere,buthisgirlneededmorethanthat—herhandswere
beggingforit,grippinghisshouldersandurginghimon.Hepulledoutalmostalltheway,thenthrusthard.
Againandagain.Herwhimpersgrewtogasps,thentoshrieks.Theirthumping,wallbangingpassionwas
shakingtheeaselnexttothem.Brushesfell.Hercriesgrewlouder.

JakgrowledandpantedoutthewordMinebetweenthrusts,eachonesearinghisloveforherwiththe

heat of his body and the pleasure of hers. His climax was coming. He felt it coil deep inside him. Her
bodysqueezeddownonhim,milkinghiscockwithherorgasm.Ittippedhimovertheedge,andhespilled
insideher,alonggroancarryinghimthrough.

Whenithadpeakedandsubsided,hecalmedhismotions,stillinsideher,holdinghersoftlyagainstthe

wall.Usinghisteeth,hegentlypulledthepaintbrushfromhermouth.Itwasscoreddeepwithherteeth
marks.Hetossedittothefloorandkissedher,lightly.Hisfangswereout,cravingtoclaimher,sohewas
carefultokeepthemwellawayfromhersweet,tenderflesh.

Heliftedherfromthewallandcarriedher,legsstillwrappedaroundhisback,tothebed.Hewished

hecouldmakelovetoheragain,rightaway.Andthenagain,endlessly.Hewantednothingmorethanto
stayburiedinher,envelopedbyherlove,forever.Butheknewtheywouldhavetore-entertherealworld
soon.

Aworldwheretheywereontherunfromanalphawhowouldliketoseethembothdead.

Arianna’sblisscouldn’tbeanygreater.

She was snuggled up with Jak, under the covers of their too-small cot, all tangled limbs and happy

afterglowfromtheirlovemaking.Hersubmissionbondtohimwasanabsolutewondertoher.Unlikeher
bond to Mace, which always fuzzed out her mind and her will, her submission to Jak was a warm
comforting blanket wrapped around her mind, calming her and lifting her up. It was magic filled with
love,andwithit,shefeltthatanythingwaspossible.TheyhadescapedMace,andJakhadlived!Ifthat
wasn’tdefyingtheimpossible,shedidn’tknowwhatwas.Eventhoughshewasn’tfreeofMace’smating
bond,ithadbecomeburiedunderherloveforJakandthefreshstrengthofhersubmissionbondtohim.
ShewishedshecouldbefreeofMaceforever,ofcourse,butifthiswasallshecouldeverhave—thishot
shifterbyherside,lovingher,commandingherwithhissexygrowlvoice—itwouldbeenough.

Jaksnuggledclosertoherside,buryinghisfaceinherneckanddroppingdeliciouskissesthere.Ifhe

wasreadyformorelovemaking,shewasmorethanreadytohelphimoutwiththat.Herhandfloatedover
therippledmusclesofhischest,travelingdowntohisstomach.Hegroanedwhenshereachedhiscock,
whichwasjustgrowingstiffagain.

Shewouldbehappytohelpwiththat,too.
Justasshestartedtoburrowundertheblanket,eagertotakehiminhermouthandhearhismoansof

pleasure,achirpstartedsoundingintheirroom.Jakgroaned,butinfrustrationthistime,andhisgentle
handsstoppedherprogress.ThesoundwascomingfromthepileofclothesSarrahadbroughtinfromthe
car.Jakdugthroughitandcameupwithhisphone.

Hefrowned,swipedafewthings,thenstabbedatthefaceofit.“Shit.”
Ariannafrownedandsatup,gatheringtheblanketaroundher.“What’swrong?”
Hegaveheramournfullook,tappedoffthephone,andtosseditbackinthepilebeforeansweringher.

Thenhecamebackandtookherinhisarms,pullingherclose,herbacktohischest.Hesnuggledhisface
throughthemopofhaironthesideofherhead,nuzzlinghercheek.Shethoughthemightnotanswerherat
all,untilhefinallysaid,“Wehavetotalk,mylove.”

Sheturnedinhisarmstofacehim,touchinghischeekwiththetipsofherfingersandgazingintohis

eyes.Theyweresoserious,itmakeherstomachclench.“Nomatterwhatitis,Iwillalwaysbeyours.”

Hisshouldersdroppedwiththat,andthelookinhiseyesmadeherheartglow.Hetookhercheeksin

hishandsandkissedhergently.Once.Twice.Whenhepulledback,theseriouslookhadreturned.

“Ihavesomethingtotellyouthat…”Hepaused.“I’mnotsureifit’srealornot,butyoudeserveto

know.”

“Whatisit?”Herhandsfoundhis,holdingthemeventhoughthetwoofthemwereonlyinchesaway.
“Thepeoplewhosentthebountyhuntersafteryou.Ithinktheymightbeyourfamily.”
Hereyeswentwide.Herbrothersweretryingtorescueher.Itwasfoolishandcrazyandreckless…

andjustthekindofthingMarcowoulddo,especiallynowthathewasthealphaoftheirfamily,sincetheir
fatherdied.

Ariannagrinned.“That’sgreat!”Sheglancedtohisphone.“Wehavetocallthem.”
Jakbithislipanddroppedhisgaze.
“What?”Ariannaasked,herheartsinking.
Thelookinhiseyeswassogentle.“IsaidIthinkitmightbeyourfamily.I’mnotsure.”
Shefrowned.“Butitdoesn’tmatter.Thankstoyou,I’mfreenow.”Shesmiledwide.“Kaliswillbeso

happy.Andmymom…”Shestopped,chokingup.“Oh,Jak,I’vemissedmymomsomuch.”

Jaklookedpained,likehereverywordwasstabbingintohim.Whichshedidn’tunderstandatall,but

sheknewhewantednothingbutthebestforher.

Shetamedhersmileandreachedforhisface.“Tellme,Jak.Idon’tunderstand.Whyisthisbad?”
“First,justtellme:doyouwanttogohome?Isitsafeforyouthere?”Hiseyeswereintense,buthis

wordsandhisexpressionjustpuzzledher.

“Ofcourse,it’ssafeformethere.”
Henodded,thoughtfully,droppinghisgaze.“Ihadtoask.Myfamilyis…well,let’sjustsaysomeone

wouldprobablyendupdead,ifIwentback.”Helookedup.“Butevenifyouwanttogohome,Arianna,
it’snotsafeforyouthere.Notyet.It’sthefirstplaceMacewilllookforyou.”

Herheartlurched.“Ohno.Arethey…willhegoafterthem?”
Jakpressedhislipstogether.“Hemight.Assoonasherecovers,he’sgoingtostartlookingforus.I

wasthinkingwecouldjustmakearunforit,justmeandyou,headforCanadaandneverlookback.”He
hadawistfullookinhiseyes,likehestillwantedtodothat.

Andshewould,too,ifitweren’tforMace.“There’sonlymytwobrothersandmymom.”Shelifted

her hands, palm up. “I’m amazed they even thought they could come get me. Marco’s the alpha of the
familynow,butKalis…he’sstilljustakid.”HerthroatgrewtightthinkingaboutMacegoingafterthem.

Jaktookhercheeksinhishandsandrestedhisforeheadagainsthers.“I’mnotgoingtoletMaceget

nearthem.Ipromise.”Hepulledback.“IneedtoreturnaphonecallandseewhatIcandoaboutthis.”

Shenodded.ShetrustedJakwithherlife.Sheknewhewouldkeepherfamilysafe,too.
Jakroseupfromthebed,pullingherupwithhim.“Let’sgetdressedandgoapologizetoSarra.Then

I’llmakemycall.”

Shefeltherfacegethot.“Wemadealotofnoise,afterall,didn’twe?”
Jakchuckledashehuntedthroughthepileoftheirclothes.“Tobefair:itwasmostlyyou.”
She swatted him but quickly got dressed. It wasn’t as if they had taken showers or anything. Sarra

would scent the sex on them. But that was different than having to listen to it. Guilt speared through
Arianna.ShehadasensethatSarrahadrealfeelingsforJak,andhereAriannawas,havingwallbanging
sexwithhiminherstudio.

Shetried,unsuccessfully,togetthegrimaceoffherface.
Jakheldthedoorofthebedroomforher,handatherback,butshestillcouldbarelyforceherlegsto

walkthroughthedoor.Shecreptout,guiltalloverherface.

Sarrasatatthekitchentableinthesmallapartment,sippingfromagiantmugthatsaidKeepCalmand

KickAsswhilereadingsomethingonherereader.Shelookedupandsizedthemupwithherbrightblue
eyes.“Feelingbetter,Isee?Icouldtellbythepicturesfallingoffmywall.”

Ariannacringedandfoughtforsomethingtosay.
Jak didn’t even have the decency to look sheepish about it. “You could have let me bleed a little

longer.”

“Yeah.”Shesnorted.“Likeadeadshifterinmyfrontyardwouldhavebeenlesstrouble.”
Arianna was frozen, torn between her desire to effusively thank Sarra and her need to sink into the

floorduetoextrememortification.JakjustgrinnedatSarraandleftArianna’ssidetostrideover.Hebent
to place a kiss on the top of the petite girl’s blond head. She peered up at him, and they exchanged a
moment of soft smiles that Arianna knew she should feel jealous of, but she just couldn’t. Instead, it
warmedherheartthatJakwasforgiven.Andhopefullyshewouldbeaswell.

Sarrasighed,thenpeeredatAriannaoverhercup.“She’stheone,isn’tshe?”
JaksmiledatAriannawithsuchlovethathergrimacefinallyfadedaway.“Yeah.She’stheone.”Then

hegaveSarraanothersoftlook.“I’mgoingtostepouttomakeacall.Canyoukeephercompanyfora
littlebit?”

Sarra’s eyebrows scrunched up. “Whoever you’re calling, don’t bring them here. I’ve had enough

partyforonenight.”

Jakgrinnedagain,droppedanotherkissonherhead,andstrodetowardthedoor.
“I’mnotinbusinessagain,Jak!”shecalledafterhim,buthejustwavedonhiswayout.
Ariannastoodawkwardly,stillrightoutsideSarra’sstudio.
Sarrabeckonedherovertothetable.“Well,c’mon.Sitdown.You’reprobablyhungry.”
“I’m fine, really, I don’t want to put you out.” Arianna shuffled over and took a seat at the rickety

wooden table. It was pretty cheap, like everything in the apartment, really. Except for the paints and
easelsintheguestroom.Thoseseemedtopquality.

“I’m not much of a breakfast person either.” Sarra got up, went to the tiny kitchen behind her, and

returned with another steaming mug. This one said Keep Calm and Paint On. “I hope you like tea. No
coffeeinthehouse,sorry.”

Ariannatookthemug.Justholdingitwasreassuringtoher.“Thisisperfect.”
Sarra settled into her seat and took a sip from her mug, but her eyes never left Arianna. The

awkwardnesswascreepingupArianna’sneckagain.

“Hereallylovesyou,”Sarrasaid.“Ihopeyouknowthat.”
“Ido.”Ariannaletoutasighofrelief.“Ihope…I’msorryabout…”Sheglancedbackatthestudio.
Sarrajustchuckled,sethermugdown,andleanedbackinherchair.“Jak’sasexmachine.Believeme,

Iknowhowheis.Ifhehadn’twokenupandwantedsome,IwouldhavebeenworriedIdidn’tstitchhim
upright.”

Ariannafeltheatrisingtohercheeks,butasmileaswell.Itwastrue.Jakcouldn’tseemtokeephis

handsoffher.Notthatsheexactlyminded.

ShepeeredshylyatSarra.“Thetwoofyouweretogether,weren’tyou?”
SarrasighedandgavealingeringlooktothedoorJakleftthrough.“Threeamazingweeks.Ifyouthink

he’sasexmachinenow,youshouldhaveseenhimasahormone-ragingteenwolf.”

“Didyougrowuptogether?”Ariannaasked.Maybethatwasit…childhoodsweethearts.
ButSarrajustsnorted.“No.Andthankgodforthat.Jak’sfamilyalmostkilledhim.”
Ariannadrewback.“What?”
Sarraraisedoneeyebrow.“Hedidn’ttellyou?Interesting.”Shestudiedhermug.“Jakstumbledinto

myapartment,torntoshredsbyhisownbrothers,whenhewasonlysixteen.Hisbrand-newalphabrought
him.Istitchedhimup.Ihadn’tbeenahealerlong,andIwasterrifiedIwouldmisssomething.Buthewas
astrongwolf,eventhen.Healmostdied.”Sarralookedupather.“Hestayedforafewweeks.Idon’t
thinkwelefttheapartmentmorethanacoupleoftimes.”Shesmiled,butitwasinasadway,thenshejust
shookherheadandsippedhertea.

Ariannasippedhersaswell.Therewasmoretothatstory,butshewasn’tsuresheshouldask.Orif

she really wanted to know. She knew she had Jak’s heart now… but it felt like she should know more

aboutwherethisbrave,selflessshifterhadcomefrom.

“Jaksaidhewantedtomakeyouhismate,”Ariannasaid,recallinghisexchangewithSarra,inthecar

thenightbefore.“Butyousaidno.Wasitbecausehewasabeta?”

Sarralaughedoutright,settingdownherteasoitdidn’tspillfromthejostling.Ariannaglancedaround

theapartment.ItwasclearthatSarralivedalone.AndshewasJak’sage,probablytwenty-fourortwenty-
five.Afemaleshifter,unmatedatherage…ithadtobebychoice.AndAriannacouldn’timagineturning
awaysomeonelikeJak.

“No,” Sarra said, amusement high on her face. “I would have had Jak for a mate in a heartbeat. If I

was…normal.”

Ariannadroppedhergazetothetable.“I’msorry,Idon’tmeantopry.It’snoneofmybusiness.”She

grippedthemugwithbothhandsandpeekedup.

Sarrahadasoftsmileonherface.“Icanseewhyhelikesyou.You’rekind-hearted.Soft.Jakneeds

moreofthatinhislife.”

The heat rose in Arianna’s cheeks again, but she didn’t want to feel embarrassed. Not about loving

Jak.Itwasoneofthebestthingsshe’deverdone,nomatterwhatpackruleshadtosayaboutit.

Sarra’slipsdrewintoatightline.“I’mashifterwhocan’tshift,Arianna.”
Realizationdawned.“You’reahalf-breed.”Thenshegrimaced.Thatwasn’texactlyacomplimentary

term.“Sorry,Ididn’tmean—”

Sarraheldupherhand.“That’sexactlywhatIam.Mightaswellcallitwhatitis.”Shetookabreath

andletitout.“Iwasonthelosingendofapairingbetweenabastardofashifterandahumangirlwho
couldn’twaittodropherpantiesforhim.”

Ariannadrewbackalittle.Sarrawastalkingaboutherparents.Itdidn’tsoundlikeshehadthebest

childhoodeither.

Sarra continued, “Not all half-breeds are non-shifters. Some are just like full-breeds in all their

abilities.ButIdidn’tgetenoughmagicinmybloodoutofthedeal,sonoshiftingforme.Andafemale
whocan’tshift?Notexactlysoughtafterasamate.Idon’tbringtheright,shallwesay,geneticmaterialto
the bargain. My blood isn’t fit for parenting. At least not with shifters, and really, probably not with
humanseither.”

Arianna’s heart was breaking, and she didn’t even really know Sarra. But there was something that

stilldidn’tmakesense.“DidJakknow?”

Sarra’slife-hardenedfacesoftenedabit.“Ohyeah.Heknew.Evenbackthen,evenwhenhewasjusta

kid,Jakwasfull-onreadytorescuemefrommyfate.ButIknewhedeservedbetter.I’dstitchedhimup
and shared his bed and, dammit, I fell hard for that boy. But I knew I wasn’t the right one for him. He
deservedsomeonewhocouldgivehimpupsandahomeandeverythinghedidn’thavewiththatfuckedup
familyofhis.Itoldhimtherewassomeoneoutthere,someonewhowouldbeTheOneforhim.”Sarra
capturedherwithherblue-eyedgaze.“Herescuedyoufromsomethingbad,didn’the?”

Ariannanodded,alumpinherthroat.
“Andyou’renotbroken,likeme,right?”Sarraheldhergazesteady.
Ariannahadtolookaway.“I’mstillmatedtoanotherwolf.”
“Ohshit.”Sarraleanedforward,rubbingherhandsacrossherface.“Itakeitback.MaybeJakhasa

tasteforhopelesscases.”Shelaughedalittle,butitwassad.

Arianna’schestwassqueezingtight.“Ican’tgivehimafamily,either.”ShelookedupatSarrawith

tearsinhereyes.“Notstrongones,withtheprotectionofamatingbetweenus.Notlikehedeserves.”

“Allright,lookhere,”Sarrasaid,hervoicerising.“ForgeteverythingIsaid.Thatboylovesyou.Do

notsendhimawayjustbecauseyoucan’thavemagicpuppiestogether.”

Ariannadroppedhergazetohermug.Wasshemakingaterriblemistake?
“Ariannalookatme,”Sarrademanded.

Shewipedathereyesandlookedup.
“Hethinksyou’reTheOne.Ifyoucareforhimatall,youstaywithhimandfigureouthowtomakeit

work.”

Arianna nodded through the tears making their way down her face. “I love him so much,” she

whispered.

“Thenyou’llfigureitout.”Sarragesturedtoher.“Ifnothingelse,you’restillmated,right?”
Ariannanoddedagain.
“Then,asmuchofabastardasyourmatenodoubtis,you’vestillgotthatmagicinyourblood.Your

pupswillhavethatgoingforthem,evenifit’snotJak’smagic.”Sarrapinchedupherface.“Iknowthat’s
notwhatyouwant.ButifyoubreakJak’sheart,IsweartoGod,I’llhavetofindyouandbeatyoudown.I
don’tcareifyoucanshift.I’vegotablackbeltthatsaysnobodymesseswithmyJak.”

Ariannasmiledthroughthetearsnowflowingfreely.Shedidn’tmisshowSarracalledhimher Jak.

Herloveforhimwasasclearasanything,anditwasthepurestkind.Theselflesskind.ThekindJakgave
toherfreely.AndSarrawasright.Whateverelsehappened,Ariannawouldratherdiethandoanythingto
hurthim.

EvenifshehadtocarryMaceinherbloodfortherestofherlife.

JakpacedthesidewalkoutsideSarra’sapartment,phonetohisear.

HehadfivemessagesfromCirce,thewitchwhowantedhisbody,eachmorethreateningthanthelast.

He had planned on being well out of her reach by this time today, not just barely recovered from his
completelyfailedattempttokillMace.Butnowheneededher…andpissingoffawitchwasnotthebest
waytostartanegotiation.

Thephonewasringing.
ItrangfourtimesbeforeCircepickeditup.“Yes.”Thechillinthatwordcouldfreezethesun.
“SorryIdidn’tmakeourdate,”Jaksaidhastily,hopingtheimmediateapologymighthelp.Headdeda

bitoflowgrowltoit,justincasethatmighthelp.

“Ihopeyouweredead.”Thefrostwasstillinnegativetemperatures.“Thatwouldbeanacceptable

excuse.”

“Well,ifyoucalledmyalphatoexposemylittlesecret,youwouldknowthatwasn’tfaroff.”
“Oh?” She was warming a little. “Did you boys get a little over excited with the full moon and nip

eachothertodeath?”

Soshehadn’tcalledGage.Jakblewoutasilentsighofrelief.Notthatitmatteredifshespilledhis

secrettohisalpha—ex-alpha—buthedidn’twantGagetoknowabouthisconnectiontothewitches.It
mightgetbacktoMaceandmakefortroublewithhisplan.Whichwasaterribleplan,butitwastheonly
one he had. And making sure Arianna was forever free of Mace was still more important to him than
keepingherforhimself.

“No, little witch, we’re not quite that stupid,” Jak said, putting more of the sexy in his voice. He

neededtogetthiswitchtoplayniceifhisplanwasgoingtowork.“However,Ididdoaratherstupid
thinglastnightthatalmostcostmemylife.Otherwise,Iwouldhavereturnedyourcalls.”

“Hm,”shesaid,andshewasdefinitelywarmingupnow.“Whatflavorofstupidwereyou?”
“Itriedtokillanalpha.”
“Andthatdidn’tgowell?I’mshocked.”Thenshepaused.“Wait…thiswasthealphaofyourlittlepet,

wasn’tit?”

“Yes.”Hesuckedinabreaththroughhisteeth.Thiswasthehardpart.“Andthatdidn’tworkout.So

I’mbacktoneedingyourhelp,Circe.”

“Areyou,now?”Shewaswarminguptoafullpurr.
“IneedtoknowifyouwereseriousaboutArianna’sfamilysendingthebountyhuntersafterher.”

“Yourwolfyaffairsdon’tinterestmeenoughtolieaboutthem,Jak,”shesaidwithdisdain.
“Howdidyouknowitwasthem?”heasked.
“Well,that’sformetoknowandforyounottoworryyourprettylittleheadabout.”
“I need to know, Circe,” he said. “All deals are off otherwise.” He had his suspicions: the bounty

huntersknewexactlywheretofindhimandArianna.Whenpressed,theysquawkedHecca’sname.And
now Circe knew who really hired the bounty hunters. That was way too much circling for the bounty
hunters and the witches not to be connected. Which mean Circe was somehow connected to Arianna’s
family.

Circewasquietonthephone.“AndwhatdoIgetinexchangeforthisinformation?”
“I’mwillingtomakeyouaveryhappywitchforaverybriefperiodoftime.”Jakswalloweddownthe

chokinginhisthroat.Thiswasatrade.Abarter.Andhedidn’thavemanyotheroptions.

“Ilikethesoundofthat.”
“Ithoughtyoumight,”hesaid.“Nowtellme:howdoyouknowthatArianna’sfamilyhiredthebounty

hunters?”

“Because,mysexylittleplaything,”shesaid,“Ihiredthebountyhuntersforthem.”
Jakstoppedhispacingandbracedahandagainsthiscar.“Youhiredthem.”
“Well,theywereofferingquiteabitofmoneytogettheirbelovedsisterback.”
ThegearsclickedfastthroughJak’shead.“YouusedHecca’snametomakesomeeasymoneywhile

rattingoutyoursister’sfavoritepack.”Whathedidn’tunderstandwaswhy? If he could figure that out,
maybehecouldusethat—

“Whenyouputitthatway,itsoundssounderhanded.”ButCirce’svoicewassmug,notworried.
“MaybethisissomethingHeccamightwanttoknow,”hesaid.Ifthesisterswerefighting,maybehe

couldpitthemagainsteachother,ratherthanhavingtogetdownanddirtywithCirce.

“Nicetry,littlewolf.”Nowshewasirritated.“Butonceyoulefttheoffice,ImadesureHeccawas

awareofmylittlearrangement.”

Dammit.
“AndIdisposedofthebountyhunters,”shesniffed.
He choked. “You what?” Jesus. How did he forget that witches were not to be messed with? But

again:shortonoptions.

“Oh, it’s wasn’t that bad,” she said with a sneer. “A simple forgetting spell and a bus ticket did the

trick.Idon’tneedtheinconvenienceofbodiesfloatinginthebay.”

“Glad to hear that.” But he still didn’t understand what her motivation was in this. “So if this isn’t

some kind of sister-spat, then why? Why help out Arianna’s family when it might jeopardize Morgan
Media’scontractwithRedWolf?”

Shesighedintothephone.“Let’sjustsayIdon’tlikewolveswhokidnapwomen.You’retremendously

hot,littlewolf,butyourkindcanbesobarbaric.Helpingtoliberateasister,evenofthewolfflavor,has
itssatisfactions,evenifHeccacan’tseethemeritsofgettinginvolved.”

Jakwholeheartedlyagreed,buthewashonestlysurprisedthatshecared.Maybeshewaslying,butit

didn’tseemso—hervoicehadlostthathaughtinessitcarriedmostofthetime.Andifshemeantit,ifshe
wastellingthetruth,thengettinghertohelpmightnotbeasdifficultashethought.

Timeforthebigask.“Circe,Ineedtomeetthefamily.”
“AndIneedalittlehotwolfactioninmyoffice.”Hertemperwasrising.
“Ithinkwecanbothgetwhatwewant,”hesaidcarefully.“Callupthefamily.Havethemcometoyour

office.Igettocheckthemout,andyougettoputyourdesktoauseforwhichitwasneverintended.”

Hecouldpracticallyhearherlickingherlips.“Gettingthemheremaybeabitdifficult.”
“Makeithappen,Circe.”Hecouldn’tkeeptheangeroutofhisvoice.Ifhewasgoingtohavetopayup

inwitch-on-wolfsex,shebetternotfighthimonthedetails.

“Whyexactlydoyouwanttomeetthefamily,littlewolf?”Suspicionwascreepingintohertone.
“That’sformetoknow,andforyoutonotcareaboutwhileI’mfuckingyouinyouroffice.”
Shelaughedsoftly.“Allright,then.Givemeanhour.”
“I’llbeatyourofficeinhalfthat.”HehadnoideahowlongitwouldtakeMacetostartlookingfor

them. He could already be on the hunt, for all Jak knew. “We can take care our bargain, then I want to
meetthefamily.”

“Fine.”Hervoicewastenseagain.“Halfanhour.”
Jaktappedoffthephoneandranthebackofhishandacrosshismouth.HecouldstilltasteAriannaon

hisskin…andhewasabouttotradesexforfavorswithawitch.Thethoughtmadehisstomachturn,but
heneededtomakesureherfamilyunderstoodthestakes.AndwouldbeabletotakecareofArianna.

Afterhewasgone.
Hetookadeepbreathandtappedthephoneonagain.HedialedSarra’snumber.Sheansweredonthe

firstring.

“Hey,”shesaid.“What’stakingyousolong?Wemadeyoutea,andit’sgettingcold.”
“Ihavetorunanerrand,Sarra.”
Hisgoodfriendandex-loversnarledintothephone.“Thehellyoudo.”
“Please,Sarra,justwatchoverherforalittlebitlonger.Ineedtodosomething,andAriannacan’tbe

partofit.Whenit’ssafeforher,I’llcallyou.Thenyouneedtobringhertome.”

“What are you up to?” Her voice was a whisper now and muffled. She must be hiding her concern

fromArianna.Jaksmiled:heknewhecouldcountonher.

“I’mgoingtobreakhermatingbond.Shedeservestobefree.Butdon’ttellheryet.Iwill.Attheright

time.”

“Idon’tlikethesoundofthis.”Hervoicewasalittleloudernow.
“Please,Sarra,I’mbeggingyou.”
Shesighed.“Allright.Howlong?”
“Anhour.Maybemore.I’llkeepitasshortasIcan.”
“Allright.We’llbewaiting.”
“Iloveyou,Sarrabear.”
“Yeah,shutupwiththatalready.I’vegotareputationasabadass,andyou’reruiningit.”
He smiled so hard his cheeks hurt. “Thanks,” he choked out. Dammit, he couldn’t afford to get

emotionalrightnow.Therewouldbetimeforthatlater.

“Don’tbestupid.”Shehungup.
Heclickedthephoneoff,tookadeepbreath,andclimbedinthecar.

ThedriveintodowntowntowheretheMorganMediaofficesweredidn’ttakethefullhalf-hour,so

Jakstoppedatacoffeeshopnearby.Hestartedandthendeleted,unsent,ahalfdozentextmessagesfor
Arianna.Shedidn’thaveherphone,ofcourse,soitwouldhavetogothroughSarra,andhejustcouldn’t
bringhimselftosaythethingshewantedto.Thethingsheneededtosay,beforeallofthiswentdown.

Hewouldjusthavetofindtherighttimetodoitlater.
Withaboutfiveminutesleft,hestrolledoutofthecoffeeshopandintotheundergroundparkinggarage

next door. There wasn’t much parking downtown, but he knew this area fairly well. A large, familiar-
looking van was parked next to his car that hadn’t been there before. As he rounded the back of it, his
shoesscreechedontheconcreteflooringofthegarage.

Gage.HisalphaleanedagainstJak’scar,waitingforhim.
Jakheldverystill,wishingnowthathe’dbroughtthegun…althoughhecouldn’timaginepullingiton

hisalpha.Ex-alpha.Jakremindedhimselfthathisbondhadbeenwipedawaywiththepassingofthefull
moon.

GageunfoldedhisarmsandsteppedtowardJakwithhishandsintheair.“Ijustwanttotalk,Jak.”
Jak darted his gaze all around the parking garage, realizing now that the dark van looked familiar

becauseitwasapackvan.Buttheredidn’tseemtobeanyoneelsenearby.Gagehadcomealone.Jak’s
heartthuddedasherealizedhow:theGPSinJak’scar.

Gagehadtrackedhim.
WhichmeantMacecouldaswell.
Jakturnedandstrodeaway.Hewouldhavetotakeataxifromhereonout.Helookedathisphoneand

shoveditinhispocket,makingamentalnotetoditchthataswellandgetaburnphone.

“Jak,wait!”Gagewashurryingupbehindhim.
Hewasn’tusingacommandvoice,andJakwasn’tunderanyobligationtostop,butyearsofhabit,and

thefactthatheactuallylovedGagelikeabrother,hadhimstoppinginhistracksanyway.

HeturnedtofaceGage.“Notalkingcanfixthis.”Hewasacutelyawareoftimetickingpast.Hehadto

wrapthisupandsomehowgettoMorganMediawithoutGageintow.

“Jak,whatareyoudoing?”ThepainonGage’sfacerippedaholerightthroughhim.“Wecanfixthis.

Justbringherback,we’llmakeitallright.”

“Bringherback,”Jakrepeated,disbelieving.Thenhesawsomethingwithasuddenclarity:something

heshouldhaveknownallalong.Gageletthishappen:heknewwhatkindofalphahisbrotherwas.He
knewwhathappenedinthathouse.Andheletithappen.

Every.Damn.Day.
“Maceisoutforblood,”Gagecontinued.“Ifhefindsyou,Iwon’tbeabletostophim.Youhavecome

backnow,rightnow.Bringthegirlin,andIcanmakeitrightwithhim.”

Jak’sragewasbuildingtoafrothypeak.“DoyouknowwhatI’mdoinghere,Gage?”
Gagegavehimahardlook.Heobviouslywasn’tusedtoback-talkfromhisbeta.
“I’mdoingwhatanalphashould.Whatanydecentalphawould.”
Gage’sfaceturnedred,andhisfistsclenched.SuddenlyJakdidn’tfearhavingtofighthimanymore.

BecauseGagewaswrong.Deadwrong.

“You saved my life,” Jak said through his teeth. “All those years ago, you risked your life to stop

somethingthatwaswrong.Whathappenedtothealphawhopulledmeoutoftheforest?”

Gage’s jaw worked. “You may not want to be my beta anymore, Jak. But that doesn’t mean you can

stealmybrother’smate.”

Jakcurledalipindisgust.“Youknowwhathedoestoher.”
Gage’scheektwitched,andhehadthedecencytodrophisgazetothefloor.
Jak wasn’t letting him off that easy. “When did you become the kind of alpha who looks the other

way?”

Gagekepthisfocusonthefloor.“He’smybrother,Jak.”
“He’sanasshole.Andhe’llhavetokillmetogetherback.”
Gagewincedbutlookedupagain.“Hewill,Jak.He’scomingforyou.”
“Hecanfuckingtry.”Jakpointedtothegarageexit.“I’mwalkingoutofhere.Rightnow.Don’ttryto

stopme.”

Gage’sbrowwrinkled,buthedidn’tsayanything.Jakturnedonhisheelandmarchedout.Hisheart

pounded like a jackhammer in his chest as he broke out into the sunshine. He checked the time on his
phonebeforedumpingitinthetrashcanandwalkingon.MorganMediawasagoodcoupleblocksaway,
andhewasalreadylate.

Hepickedupthepaceandrantheentirewaythere.
Hewassowindedwhenhearrived,hehadtobendoverdoubleduringtheelevatorrideup,tryingto

get his heart to stop pounding out of his chest. Leaving Gage and his pack was going to be hard—Jak
knewthatgoingin.Butsomehowthiswasworse.ThisknowledgethatGagehadletallthishappen.Itwas
hisdutyasanalphatostopthingslikethis,whereitwaswithinhispower.Andevensometimeswhenit
wasn’t.Thereweresomethingsthatwereworthdyingfor…andprotectingtheinnocentsoftheworld,
peoplelikeArianna,wasoneofthethings.

Itwaseverythingthatbeingalphameant.
The magic of Arianna’s submission bond pulsed through his blood, and his inner wolf howled

agreement.HowcouldMacefeelthatandeverharmher?HowcouldGage,poweredbythesubmission
bondsofhisentirepack,notdoeverythinginhispowertorightthewrongshappeninginhisownestate?

Jakbracedhishandagainsttheedgeoftheelevatorasitarrived,andthedoorsopened.Therunhad

flushedhisface,butthethingthattrulystolehisbreathwastheknowledgethathehadtogopleasurea
witchtosavethewomanheloved.Therewerefewthingshewantedtodoless.Butitwasjustoneofthe
sacrificeshewouldmaketokeephersafe.Torightthewrongsthathadgoneontoolong.Itstartedwith
hismother.ItwouldendwithArianna.

If there was anything decent in the world, anything like fates smiling down on him, Arianna would

neverhavetoknow.Ifnot,heprayedshewouldunderstand.

He stormed past the receptionist and through the frosted glass doors of Morgan Media. He knew

exactlywhichofficewasCirce’s.Awaveofwitchheadsturnedtofollowhimashestrodetowardit.He
threwopenthedoor,andthereshewas:leaningagainstherdesk,armscrossed,lookingdisgruntledathis
tardiness.

Buthereyeslitupwhenshesawhim.“Littlewolf,”shebreathed,asmileonherface.
Heclosedthedoorbehindhim.

Jak'splanisadangerousone...butwillheevengetthechancetocarryitout?

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