by Sedona Venez
“Really?” I rolled my eyes, removing my hand from his. “My panties will not be dropping for the likes of you, golden boy.”
He upped the wattage of his smile. “I like her.”
A throat cleared and the tightly muscled guy with jet-black hair cropped in a buzz-cut pushed away from the door. He smiled, flashing a dimple as he studied me leisurely but thoroughly. “I’m Jackal.” He waved his hand over his shoulder and noted dismissively. “That’s Soar.” Soar ran his hand over his chestnut short-cropped hair as his mouth curled downward.
Rip puffed his chest, smiling flirtatiously. “So, Lightning, are you single?”
“Rip.” Ryker’s voice was harsh.
I laughed at his bold flirting. I heard through the Other rumor mill about Ryker’s new enforcers. They didn’t look as deadly as Others made them out to be, but looks were sometimes deceiving. I glanced at Ryker, who was glaring at Rip with murder in his eyes.
“Nice to meet you three.” I leaned closer to Rip. “And I’m very single.”
His smile widened as his blue eyes left me and moved to where Ryker sat at the edge of the desk.
I looked at Storm quickly. “Where’s Noah?”
Noah was Storm’s friend and an enforcer for the Alfero pack, Ryker’s pack, the largest and toughest New York wolf-shifter pack.
Rip, Jackal, and Soar looked at Knox with raised brows before clearing their throats loudly. “Noah decided to take a position in England,” Rip responded.
I arched a brow. “That was sudden.”
Storm grumbled, “Apparently.”
“Rip. Move,” Ryker snapped.
Blinking innocently, Rip turned to him with a wide smile. “Why? If you’re not interested, then—”
Ryker moved from the desk. Rip winked at me before sliding back to take post by the door. Ryker sat back down and scowled.
“Wow, okay, that was intense,” Storm mused loudly while looking at Knox’s arms pointedly. He released her. She smiled, leaning up to kiss him hard before swaggering over to me. Her eyes narrowed. I knew she could see the frayed emotional walls around my mind, that and the fact I hadn’t slept in days. She kissed me softly on the cheek. “You okay?”
“Not with Wolfie all up in my face.”
Storm looked from me to Ryker, then back to me. Her eyes widened. “Oh, I see.”
I rolled my eyes. “No. You don’t see… because there’s nothing to see.”
Storm smiled cheekily. “Why don’t you take your own advice and submit?”
I gritted my teeth. She was throwing back my advice to her about Knox, encouraging her to give him a chance. Ryker and I were not the same. She knew that. I had issues… and from the smug look on Ryker’s face, he did too.
“I’ll deal with you in private, Stormy Credence,” I hissed.
Storm smiled widely. “I’m not scared.”
Knox came up behind Storm, wrapping his arms around her waist. “Come on, baby.” He winked at Ryker. “Let the Alpha play with his new submissive.” He pulled her toward the leather sofa while whispering something in her ear.
My eyes narrowed on Knox. “I did like you, rock star. Now? Not so much.”
Reason leaned back, watching us silently as if we were some horrible experiment gone wrong. “I feel like I’m missing something here and I can’t figure out what.”
I snapped my fingers loudly. “You, lawyer girl, we’re paying out the ass for you to do lawyer stuff. Close your mouth and do your job.” I nodded over at Ryker and his enforcers. “Get rid of wild kingdom and let’s get on with business.”
Reason rolled her eyes. “Simmer down, Lightning. My job is to get you out of trouble; it’s not to prevent you from getting into it.” She stood up, strolling over to Storm. “I’m so happy for you, baby cakes.” She hugged Storm tightly and then eyed Knox sternly. “She’s one of my best friends… next to grumpy over there.” She nodded toward me. “You better treat her good, shifter.”
Knox stared back at her solemnly. “I will.”
Reason cracked a smile. “Good. I may be a hybrid vampire, but I can still kick your ass.” She winked at him before sauntering back to her desk.
I crossed my arms. “Are you done kissing his ass?”
She raised her eyebrow before sighing. “Are you trying to test my damn patience?”
“No. I’m trying to get you to do your job,” I responded snidely.
Reason stared at me with a frown, before her intercom handset rung. “Yeah? What’s up, Tabitha?” She spoke into the phone.
“Detective Burrows called. He’s running late.”
“Good because I’m going to need time to rein in this circus,” she responded dryly into the phone, while looking at me before disconnecting sharply.
“Oooh, wait, are you actually going to do your job?” I snapped.
Ryker smiled charmingly as he grabbed hold of my chair, pulling it in so close his huge muscled legs bracketed mine. “Darling, don’t be rude. Adults are talking.” I refused to flinch when he leaned in suddenly, putting his nose against my neck. His alluring aromatic scent of expensive cigars, sandalwood, and rich earth wafted around me. I almost dropped at his feet. I hated myself for this weakness.
“What is it about the Credence scent that’s so alluring?” He took another sniff. “Is it the rare combination of Fae and Witch blood?”
I rolled my eyes. Others were fascinated by the fact we were the last of the Fae, mystical Others with the ability to wield great power in magic.
Credence scent? God, he is such an ass.
I bit back the hysterical bubble of laughter at his cocky, sexy smile, a smile I was positive had countless women—Others and humans—melting at his feet. It was like I was some trophy who he wanted to mount on his fucking wall. He thought I was some game and fucking me was his grand prize. I saw the eerily familiar predator look in his eyes. The same predator stare that I gave men who I was determined to sample to scratch my sexual itch.
I arched a brow at him. Oh, Wolfie was in for a rude awakening. I wasn’t interested in the bullshit he was selling—something he needed to understand… now.
I brought up my knee, aiming for his nuts, smiling with glee.
Oh, Alpha, this is going to hurt… a lot.
HIS LIPS QUIRKED. SHE WAS luminous, with her perfect smile and smooth skin, which shined under a jet-black topknot. But… she was too easy to read. He smoothly grabbed her knee, his huge hand sliding around her long leg, pulling it up and out and draping it over his knee, holding her thigh wide open. Indecently open.
God, this woman was absolutely gorgeous. Mean yet fucking stunning. Damn it, he didn’t need this shit right now. Not with her. She was an abrasive, foul-mouthed hellcat who wreaked havoc on his unshakable, controlled demeanour. No, he definitely didn’t need this chaos in his life, not when he had a pack and Council relying on him.
She rolled her eyes with disgust. He pressed his palm to her thigh, firmly controlling her attempt to jerk it away. And in that moment, something happened between them… He heard a woman’s voice… Light’s voice… whisper “Oh, God. Not another Nolan” in his mind.
“Who in the hell is Nolan?” he growled.
Light’s eyes widened with shock before she stared at him blankly. A growl rumbled in his chest, pissed that she was thinking of another man in his presence. His primal impulse reared its head and his mind raced with the overwhelming need to shift and take her down like a deer.
Mine.
He hadn’t felt this out of control in years. He trailed a finger along her inner thigh possessively. He could feel the change in her body temperature. Sensuous heat radiated off her in huge waves. Her lips parted and fingers crept across the top of his hand, digging in her fingernails. His cock jerked, ramping up his irrational urge to possess her. Something about Light made him crazy and damn near feral. This woman had the potential to splinter the ironclad control he had over his beast. Control he worked for years to establish. No, this was dangerous… to
him and Others. Now was not the time to lose control over a woman. And just like that, their connection shattered.
She shoved him. “Get off me!” she hissed. “I’m not fucking kidding.”
He removed his hands. He didn’t want to, but he did. He wasn’t going to force this. He leaned back, dropping her leg with a thud. She pursed her lips.
He stared at her mouth—pretty pouty lips that would look quite lovely around his cock.
Light folded her arms in front of her chest, silently regarding him for several minutes. “Is there a problem, Wolfie?”
“If you call me Wolfie again, there will be.”
She smiled icily. “Oh, I’m sorry. Do you prefer beast man or wolf man, or—”
“You could use my name.”
She shot him an evil glare. “I could, but that wouldn’t be half as fun, would it?”
He smiled nonchalantly when he smelled her anxiousness. He examined her casually, taking in her cool demeanor on the outside. On the inside, she was anxious around him for some reason and he was determined to find out why. He leaned forward, grabbing a lock of her long, jet-black hair, wrapping it around his big finger.
Light’s eyes dilated. “First. Don’t touch me. Second. Don’t touch me.”
His eyes narrowed on the hair he had wrapped around his forefinger, his thumb rubbing it against his skin. He marvelled at how beautiful she was. Soft skin, long hair framing her gorgeous face, and the sexiest, tightest curvy body he’d ever seen. He heard her sharp intake of breath and the increase of her heart rate.
She jerked her head. He tightened his grip. Her eyes narrowed. He could see the wheels turning in her head, debating on whether to yank her head, risking losing a couple of strands in the process.
“Let go, Wolfie,” she gritted out. “I don’t like to be touched.”
He knew he should, but he never met a woman who simultaneously made him hard and angry. She yanked her head. He quickly let go, moving closer. She slammed back against the chair, desperately trying to avoid contact. The chair teetered. He smiled devilishly, leaning in closer. She leaned even farther away.
Her eyes widened as the chair wobbled back, heading for a painful crash to the floor. “Motherfuck…”
He grabbed the chair, righting it with a thump. “You all right, darling?”
Light shoved him. He didn’t budge. She gritted her teeth in frustration. He slowly pulled away, proving his point. She wasn’t in control. He was.
Her eyes glittered with anger. “Idiot.” She started to stand. He grabbed her chair, pulling it in so close his legs bracketed her again.
She cleared her throat, trying to maintain a bit of calm. “Get the hell off me.” She brushed her hair away from her face. “I’m. Not. Interested.”
Her emotions were so strong he could almost see, as well as feel, them. And she wanted him. He bit his inner cheek to stop his grin. “Are you sure about that? Because I smell interest all over you, darling.”
Light smiled evilly as she stared over at Reason’s desk.
He glanced over his shoulder and saw Reason snatching her silver letter opener from the top her desk.
“Oh, hell no! You are not stabbing him with the opener. I don’t want bloodstains all over my new furniture. I just had my office redecorated,” Reason snapped.
“Right here, darling.” He brushed a finger across her neck, taking satisfaction when she shivered deliciously. “Don’t get distracted by bright shiny things.”
“And what the hell is up with all the touching?” She leveled him with a murderous glare. “I’m not fucking kidding. Move!”
“As you wish.” He pulled away, deliberately grazing the side of her breasts with his hand.
She hissed with pursed lips.
“What’s wrong, darling?” he asked dryly. “You seem…” He traced a finger across her cheek.
She swatted his finger. “Annoyed?”
He almost felt sorry for her when he smelled panic washing over her like waves—almost—but something about Light stoked the flames of his sadistic streak. And he wanted Lightning Credence to squirm.
His face dissolved into a delicious grin. “Panicked.”
Light gripped the chair’s armrest. “I am—”
He deliberately cut her off while wrapping a strand of her hair around his finger. “Exactly.”
“I am not panicked.” She finished while eyeing him pointedly.
“That’s not what I smell right now.”
She gave him an incredulous stare.
“You’re on the verge of running out of here with your tail between your lovely legs.” He stared at her mockingly. “And I can give you a much more pleasurable preview of the things I’m going to do once I get between them…”
She stiffened.
“Relax. Your secret is safe with me, darling.” He winked.
She rolled her eyes. “What secret?”
He winked. “That you regret turning down my offer to give you the best fuck you’ve ever had.”
Light scowled. “I doubt you have the capability, Wolfie, to handle a woman like me.”
He trailed a finger across her cheek. “Oh, darling, I can’t wait to disprove your theory.” Ryker smiled, enjoying watching her squirm. “You know, the offer still stands, darling. And I won’t even make you beg… much.” And making her beg had been the only thing on his mind since their run in at his charity gala.
RYKER STORMED INTO HIS ORNATELY furnished office while glancing down at his watch. Knox and Rip brought up the rear, making sure no one followed as the door closed. Beautiful antiques glinted in the moonlight coming in through the French doors and over Calem, the leader of the most powerful pride of tiger-shifters in New York.
“Bearer of the Sword of Souls,” Calem greeted him calmly. “Nice of you to finally grace me with your presence.” Calem stood facing the French doors with hands clasped behind his back.
Ryker strode in the middle of the room where Bones, Soar, and Jackal were already standing tensely in a faceoff with Calem’s enforcers.
“Is there a reason you wanted to meet with me?” Ryker barked. “In case you didn’t realize it, I have a charity gala going on right now.”
“When you became leader of the Other Council, you pledged to unite the wolf-shifters and bring peace to New York. Your pledge was the only reason I agreed to a truce with your pack and the New York wolf-shifters.” Calem turned to face Ryker. His eyes were yellow and his body tense. “Does our truce still hold, wolf-shifter?”
Ryker bristled at his question. “It holds for as long as I say it does.”
“Then tell me why the bodies of two of my top enforcers were found dumped in the middle of Manhattan with their hearts ripped out?” Calem questioned with barely concealed rage.
Ryker’s eyes narrowed on Calem as Soar, Rip, Jackal, Knox, and Bones flanked him. “And you’re assuming this is the handiwork of wolf-shifters?”
Calem gazed at him, appalled. “This is fact. The smell of wolf-shifters was all over the bodies.”
“No wolf would do that unless I sanctioned it,” he snarled.
Calem stared at him coolly. “That’s exactly what I thought. So I ask again. Does the truce still stand?”
Ryker growled as the painful tingle of the feral power of the Sword of Souls coursed through his fingers. He clenched his palms, fighting the appearance of the Sword into his hand. He watched everyone in the room bare their necks involuntarily. Everyone felt his tension and waited anxiously for his next move.
Calem snarled. His canines dropped. “So now you’ve chosen to abuse your power as the wielder of the Sword?”
Ryker closed his eyes slowly and blew out a cleansing breath, aware that his power rolled off him. His eyes flew open. The power snapped like a rubber band. “Someone has decided to wage war with my pack by killing your enforcers, thereby breaking the truce. Rest assured, I will find out who’s behind this.”
Calem adjusted his tuxedo. “Ensure that you do, Wolf. Our t
ruce will not hold unless you get this under control.” He nodded to his enforcers. They all paraded out of the office without a second glance.
He was pissed at Calem’s accusation. He already had his hands full when the Goddess of Death appointed him the leader of the Other Council, promising the shifters—tigers, lions, wolves, dragons, and bears—a new beginning. A new beginning that included cleaning up the years of shifter wars started by his out-of-control father.
He pinched the bridge of his nose and blew out a deep breath. Whoever decided to kill those shifters had knowingly declared war on his pack. It was time to show his enemies that he had no qualms about removing the threat. No one disrespected his authority and survived.
Knox frowned, gazing at him. “You all right?”
“As good as I’m going to be,” he responded tiredly. “Two tiger-shifters killed during a very fragile truce is not exactly good news.”
Knox stared at him, then back to the others. “There is no way the negotiation for a permanent Other peace pact will happen until this gets resolved.”
He grimaced at Knox, his younger brother and recently appointed beta wolf—second-in-command. He was proud of him but wondered if thrusting him into power so fast was smart. Living as “Knox Gunner” the rock star was one thing, but being second-in-command of a pack of shifters was a lot of responsibility, especially for a pack that was in the rebuilding stage.
Ryker frowned, but it wasn’t just Knox who had a lot to learn about navigating the choppy waters of Other society. He had been estranged from Other society for so many years, some days he wondered if all of the powers shoved upon him were too much, too soon. His jaw tightened, and he quickly dashed away the self-doubt. The Goddess of Death never made mistakes. She had chosen him for a reason. He was the only one she trusted to bring the Others back from the brink of annihilation. It was his obligation to right all the wrong his bloodline did to create dissention among the Others. He knew it wouldn’t be easy, but he was making headway. With the help of Knox and his friends Rip, Jackal, and Soar, he was determined to rebuild trust. But first, the Others must understand his word was law.
