Page 3

L ily

I should be getting the hell out of Dodge. Offering Kai a quick thanks, then walking right out the front door. But to where? My car’s totaled. My phone’s useless. And even if I could call for help, who would I phone? My mom? Sister? Neither of those options appealed. Even if they were sober, they’d treat me like a runaway child. Tell me how stupid I’d been to think I could make it on my own. No, I’d rather take my chances with the big, muscular Kai. I pressed my hand to my forehead as another frustrating thought occurred. “My van.”

“I’m sorry, but I don’t think it’s drivable,” he muttered, as he shoved a hand through the thick mass of his chocolate-brown hair. It reached just above his shoulders and the ends were lighter, as if he spent a lot of time outdoors. He had a beard, too. I’d never quite cared for facial hair, but on Kai it was ... sexy.

Stop lusting after the guy! “My things. Everything I own is in there.”

He nodded. “I’ll have someone tow it. Will that ease your mind?”

“Yes,” I answered. “Why are you being so nice to me?”

“You needed help, Lily. I was nearby.”

I smiled. “Well, I’m in your debt. Who knows what could’ve happened out there.”

“Yes, who knows,” he growled, his gaze deepening as he watched me.

My breath caught in my throat. Oh, God, what’s happening to me? He moved with an effortless grace, a primitive power that both thrilled and frightened me. I barely knew him, yet I felt an inexplicable pull toward him, as if an invisible thread was drawing me closer, winding tighter with every heartbeat.

My skin tingled, a delicious shiver running down my spine. I couldn’t tear my eyes away from him, the intensity of his gaze making my heart race. The juncture between my thighs grew hot, a throbbing ache that demanded my attention. I knew it was wrong, that I should turn away, but my body refused to listen. “Kai,” I whispered, my voice barely audible.

His eyes locked onto mine with a heat that matched the fire inside me. “Lily,” he said, his voice a low rumble that sent another shiver through me. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing,” I replied, though everything felt wrong and right all at once. I leaned a little closer, until we were so close I could feel the warmth of his body.

Kai reached out and pressed his thumb against my lower lip. The contact sent a jolt of electricity through me, and I sucked in a breath, my eyes fluttering closed. “Lily,” he murmured, the sound of it sending my senses down an erotic path. “You’re so pretty, so soft.”

Without thinking, I leaned in, my lips finding his in a soft, tentative kiss. The world around us seemed to disappear, the room and its sterile instruments fading into the background. All that mattered was the heat of his mouth on mine, the way his hands gently cradled my face.

My upper body pressed against his, and I felt him shudder, as if his control had slipped for just a moment. His hands slid down to my waist, pulling me closer, and I moaned softly, the sound vibrating between us. It felt so right, so perfect, and yet a small voice in the back of my mind screamed that it was wrong, that I barely knew him.

But my body wouldn’t get the message. Every nerve ending was on fire, my skin tingling with need. I deepened the kiss, my tongue exploring his mouth, tasting him, craving more. Kai responded with a hunger that matched my own, his lips moving against mine with increasing urgency.

“Lily,” he groaned, breaking the kiss to rest his forehead against mine. “So damn sweet.”

“I don’t know what’s happening,” I whispered, my voice trembling. “I-I’ve never done this.”

His breath was hot against my skin, his hands still gripping my waist. “It’s okay,” he said, kissing me all over again.

I pulled away a few inches. “Is it?” I said, my eyes searching his. “Why can’t I seem to stop?”

Kai closed his eyes, his jaw tightening. “It’s the same for me,” he admitted.

Then his lips were on mine. The kiss was demanding, urgent, a clash of need and desire that left me breathless. His mouth moved against mine with a fierce intensity, his tongue sweeping inside to claim every inch.

I responded eagerly, my hands gripping his shoulders for support. The taste of him was intoxicating, a heady fusion of warmth and spice that left me craving more.

“Fuck,” he muttered against my mouth.

My fingers tangled in his hair, pulling him closer. Eager and needy. His teeth grazed my lower lip, sending jolts of pleasure straight to my core. I gasped, and he took advantage, his tongue plunging back into my mouth with renewed fervor.

Every touch, every caress was electric, my body responding to him in ways I couldn’t control. The ache between my thighs grew more insistent, a throbbing need that demanded attention. I arched against him, seeking relief, and he groaned, the sound low and savage.

“Lily,” he murmured against my lips, his voice rough with desire. When he finally pulled back, we were both panting, our breaths mingling in the small space between us. His dark eyes kept me prisoner. “We need to stop,” he said, though his voice lacked conviction. “Creeg,” he explained.

The aftermath of our kiss left me breathless, my heart pounding as I leaned into Kai. My body still hummed with the intensity of our connection, but a creeping sense of embarrassment began to take hold. What had I been thinking? I’d practically thrown myself at him.

I moved back, my face burning with the realization of what I’d just done. “I ... I’m sorry,” I stammered, unable to meet his gaze. “I don’t know what came over me.”

Kai’s eyes softened, and he reached out to gently tilt my chin up, forcing me to look at him. “Lily, you have nothing to apologize for,” he said, his voice a soothing balm to my frazzled nerves.

I bit my lip as confusion began to clear away the heat rushing through me “I just ... I don’t usually act like this. It’s like I can’t control myself around you.”

He smiled, amusement in his eyes. “Trust me, I know the feeling.” His expression turned serious as he added, “But you don’t have to be embarrassed. Not with me.”

I glanced away, my cheeks still flushed. “Uh, yeah, I don’t know what to say to that.”

Kai’s hand moved to my cheek, his thumb tucking a stray hair behind my ear. “You don’t need to say anything. It’s okay.”

His reassurance calmed me, but the embarrassment still lingered. I took a deep breath, trying to steady my racing heart. “I just don’t want you to think I’m ... you know, easy or something.”

Kai’s eyes darkened, and he shook his head. “Never. You’re incredible. And this,” he gestured between us, “is real. Don’t doubt that.”

I nodded, still feeling a bit awkward but comforted by his words. “Okay,” I whispered, my voice barely audible.

He leaned in, pressing a gentle kiss to my forehead. “Let’s just take it slow, all right?”

“Slow, good idea,” I agreed, relieved. Despite my lingering embarrassment, the chemistry between us was undeniable.

The door opened and we both turned to see Creeg walking toward us, carrying a bottle of water. He was every bit as big and muscular as Kai, except taller. And his black hair was down past his shoulders. He was clean-shaven and wore a navy blue V-neck t-shirt and jeans. Not exactly the attire of a doctor.

Creeg handed the bottle to me when he approached. “I could give you something for the pain if you like. Over-the-counter, nothing more.”

I shook my head. “I don’t like pills, but thank you.”

He shrugged and turned his attention to Kai. “Wyatt wants a word.”

I watched the pair exchange a look and I wondered what it meant. “Who is Wyatt?”

Kai scowled as he stood. “He’s my brother. I’ll be right back.” To Creeg, he grumbled, “No one enters.”

Creeg grinned and crossed his arms over his chest. “Yeah, you mentioned that already.”

Kai glared at his brother, then stomped out. I was alone with the doc now. “So, this is your clinic?”

“More or less,” he answered, as he pulled the desk chair closer and sat. “You were traveling alone?”

“Yes. I live in Walnut Ridge, but I’m moving to ... well, somewhere not Walnut Ridge.”

He narrowed his gaze at me. “Needed a change, huh?”

“Starting over, actually.”

He rubbed his jaw. “You didn’t get far. You’re in Sach Valley.”

“Next town over,” I concluded. “Your brother, he didn’t have a car. How’d he get me to your clinic?”

“He carried you. It wasn’t far.”

“Oh, wow. That was nice of him.”

“Leaving you out there alone and unconscious wouldn’t have been a good idea.”

“True. So, you’re a doctor?”

“No, but I’ve been trained.”

She glanced around the room. X-ray machines, CT scanner, gauze, and needles. “But this is a clinic? Surely there’s a doctor on-site?”

“Only me,” he explained softly. “This is a private clinic, Lily. Exclusively used by the Ravenbriars for generations.”

The name, now I knew why it’d sounded so familiar. “Your family owns half the county.”

He smiled and leaned back in the chair. “It’s closer to seventy percent.”

The Ravenbriars went back for generations. As far as I knew they were the first to inhabit the area. “Geez, your family is a legend around here. People tell stories,” I informed him.

He stiffened, his smile disappearing. “What sort of stories?” His entire demeanor changed. A minute ago he’d been all smiles and relaxed. Now he appeared ready to interrogate me.

“Uh, well...” I wasn’t sure how much to tell him. Offending the guy who’d helped me seemed a poor way to repay him for his kindness. Not to mention the fact that I was alone with him.

“You’re afraid,” he murmured as he reached up and patted my knee. “I’m sorry. It wasn’t my intention.”

I took a deep breath, then let it out. “I think I’m just jumpy.”

He shrugged. “I would be too in your situation.” He paused, then asked, “So, you’ve heard of us?”

“Yes,” I hedged, “but I don’t want to offend you.”

He chuckled. “You won’t, I promise.”

He appeared sincere so I went on. “There are rumors that your family lives in the woods. Like survivalist types.”

“Not entirely untrue. What else?”

“Oh, uh, okay. Well, that you kill anyone who trespasses on your land.”

“I see.” Creeg stretched his legs out in front of him and crossed his arms over his chest. “Like anyone, we do have the right to defend ourselves, but we’re not mindless killers. I assure you.”

I felt silly even saying it. “They’re just rumors. I don’t think anyone truly puts much stock into them. Like ghost stories. Seeing is believing.”

He cocked his head to the side. “And what do you believe?”

I sat up a little straighter. “I believe people can be terrible gossips,” I answered, thinking of all the nasty whispers I’d had to endure over the years because of my mother’s drinking.

His gaze warmed as he stared at me. “And gossip hurts in a myriad of ways, doesn’t it?”

“Yes.”

He grinned and stood. “Then we will both try and keep an open mind, yeah?”

I liked the guy. He was kind, but also forthright. It was refreshing. “Yes, I think that’s a very good idea.”

When the door opened, we both looked up and caught Kai coming toward us. He didn’t look happy. And was that blood on his lip? “What happened to you?” I asked, instantly worried about the man I was becoming entirely too fascinated with.

“My brother and I didn’t see eye to eye,” Kai answered as he approached me. His hand came to the back of my head, touching as if he’d been doing it for years. As if he had the right. I was about to move away when he asked, “Still in pain?”

I licked at my suddenly dry lips, then replied, “A little.”

He frowned. “You’re certain you don’t want something to take the edge off?”

“No. I don’t like drugs or alcohol,” I muttered, thinking of all the times my mother’s mind had been dulled by the awful stuff.

He dropped his hand, then stepped back. “My brother is retrieving your vehicle.”

I quirked my brow and pointed at the blood on his lip. “The one that gave you the fat lip?”

He touched a finger to his mouth, then stared at the blood coating it. “No, not that one.”

Good Lord, another family member? “Just how many brothers do you have and are they all here at the clinic?”

Kai glanced at Creeg, before saying, “this isn’t just a clinic, Lily. It’s our home.”

“Your home,” I repeated, unable to understand what that meant. “A clinic and a home all in one?”

Kai was about to answer when Creeg interrupted. “This has always been our home. The clinic sort of evolved.”

I’d never met anyone quite like them. Their way of life intrigued me. “And you all live here together? Do you get on each other’s nerves?”

Creeg laughed, but Kai didn’t crack a smile as he grumbled, “More than you can imagine.”

“Creeg, Kai, and Wyatt,” I stated. “Are there more of you?”

Kai ran his fingers through his hair. I found the action incredibly sexy. “Miggs, Trakker, and our youngest brother, Cage.”

Six Ravenbriar brothers. All living under one roof. And if the others were as good-looking as Kai and Creeg ... damn. “And here I couldn’t get along with one sibling. If I had five, I’m pretty sure I’d lose my mind. I mean, I’ve been tempted to strangle Victoria. Shoot, we don’t even live together.”

Kai quirked a brow and he moved a step back. “You would kill your sister?”

I blinked. Jeez, he was totally serious. “God, no!” I rushed to clarify. “It’s just an expression. I mean, we fight. She annoys me. But I wouldn’t kill her.”

Creeg laughed. “We get it, Lily. We fight, too. A little too much sometimes. The injuries tend to keep me busy around here.”

I reached out and touched a fresh drop of blood on Kai’s lip, then stared at it on the tip of my index finger. “Maybe it’s a brother thing. Testosterone and all that.”

Kai and Creeg didn’t respond. When I lifted my gaze they were both watching me. Kai’s nostrils flared and he moved closer. His eyes brightened from a warm whiskey shade to a brighter golden tone. “Lily,” he growled.

Creeg reached out and took hold of his brother’s shoulder and shook him. “Chill, damn it,” he ground out.

Kai jerked away. “Leave us,” he ordered. “Now.”

“I can’t do that, brother. You need to relax.”

Kai swatted his brother’s hand away, then swung around. “I won’t tell you again.”

Creeg stood his ground, clearly not about to back down. “And you aren’t thinking straight or you would remove yourself from her presence.”

Kai glared, then closed the few feet between us. “Don’t interfere, Creeg. Go.”

Creeg held his ground. “Nope.”

A sound much like a low snarl emanated from Kai seconds before he leaped at Creeg. Fists flew and I had to scramble to get out of the way. Creeg hit the floor cursing and Kai crouched over him, lifting him by the shirt and delivering a vicious uppercut to his jaw. Bones crunched. The door slammed open and a roar filled the room. Another man ran forward, his eyes glowed red and his teeth ... big, like a ... a wolf.

Oh, God. What am I seeing?

I jumped off the table but tripped over the fallen Creeg and tumbled headfirst instead. My forehead connected with something sharp on my way down. When I landed on the floor, groaning, I saw blood dripping onto the white tile. I pressed a palm over the stinging pain. When I brought my hand away there was blood coating my fingers.

“Ow,” I whimpered as my vision blurred. I tried to stand, but a big powerful arm came around my back, then another reached behind my knees.

“Lily?”

Blinking rapidly, I tried to focus on Kai’s handsome face. His voice filled with concern as he watched me with those whiskey eyes of his. I sighed. “We seriously need to stop meeting like this.”

Kai brought me to the table and placed me on top of it. He glared at Creeg. “Get your ass over here!”

Creeg jumped to his feet. I could see him moving around the room. When he approached me, he glanced at Kai. “May I?”

“Yes, but carefully,” Kai replied.

Creeg nodded, then placed a cloth over the wound in my head. “It may require stitches, Lily. Can I give you something to numb the area?”

“No.” When Creeg started to argue, I bit out, “I’ve had them before. I can handle it.”

Creeg still didn’t budge. His gaze landed on Kai. “It will hurt,” he explained.

Kai scowled down at me. “Allow him to give you something, Lily. Please,” he pleaded softly.

I reached for his hand and squeezed. “Just do it. I don’t want drugs.”

Kai sighed. “Fine.” To Creeg he said, “You will be as gentle as possible, brother. I will have your word.”

He placed his fist over his chest. “As if she were mine.”

Kai waved at him. “Get it done. The blood is making me...”

“Yeah, it’s having that effect on us all,” Creeg grumbled as he went to retrieve a tray filled with metal instruments and sutures.

“As soon as she’s finished, we’re having words, Kai.”

It was the first time that I realized the other brother was still in the room. He stood near the door with an undeniable air of authority, his stance lending to the impression that he was used to being obeyed. His powerful physique, emphasized by a fitted black t-shirt that clung to his frame, showcased impressive biceps. Straight black hair, as dark as a raven, was pulled back in a tight ponytail, accentuating the angular planes of his face. His deep-set eyes strayed toward me for a moment, brooding and intense, piercing clear through me. A perpetual scowl appeared to have etched lines across his forehead.

His gaze landed on Kai again, dismissing me entirely. Kai didn’t respond, only offered a brisk nod. The brother quietly left the room.

I watched the closed door for a few seconds. “I could’ve sworn I saw...”

“What did you see?” Kai asked in a rough voice.

“Glowing eyes and ... teeth,” I answered, as I closed my eyes and let out a heavy breath. “This has been the strangest day of my life.”

****

K ai

Twice. Twice Lily was injured because of me. My control had slipped when I’d seen her touch my blood. The action had wrenched my Yucilon instincts to the surface. I’d already been drawn to Lily. Her scent, like a drug-induced euphoria that I couldn’t shake. But seeing my blood against the tip of her delicate finger had cinched it. It wasn’t a blood exchange, but for me, it was enough. She was my mate. A human. Never in my existence had a Yucilon mated a human. And if my brother had his way, none of us would break that tradition.

But I knew that instincts rarely listened to reason. All I wanted to do was get her alone. Complete the ritual. As quickly as possible so she couldn’t leave me.

“Kai, I’m ready,” Creeg cautioned.

I stared at Lily. Her gaze was on me. I didn’t see fear there. She was strong. Stronger than I’d first imagined. “You’re certain?”

She nodded, then gritted her teeth. “Don’t let go of my hand,” she muttered.

“I’m right here,” I promised as I brought her hand to my lips and brushed a kiss on her knuckles. I nodded toward Creeg. “Do it.”

Creeg took a deep breath and went to work. Three stitches in and a tear trickled down the side of Lily’s cheek and her face paled. It was the only sign of her pain. Courage, the woman had buckets of it. I raged at the pain she suffered. She should’ve allowed Creeg to numb her, but she was stubborn. I could force the issue, but if she was to be my mate, then I needed to let her have some leeway. Because there would be many things she wouldn’t have any say over.

“Done,” Creeg muttered. “And I hope to God I never have to do that again.”

Lily smiled at his brother. “Surely, with five brothers, you’ve had to do stitches before.”

Creeg placed a hand against Lily’s cheek. “Never to a woman and never without something to dull the pain. You’re very brave.”

“Thank you, for everything,” she whispered as she closed her eyes.

I watched as her breathing evened out. Asleep. The pain had worn her out. Thank heavens for that. I spared an apologetic look toward my brother. “I’m sorry.”

Creeg was quiet as he sanitized his instruments. When he finished, he turned back toward me, leaning against the counter. “She is yours?”

I sighed, then released Lily’s hand, placing it gently on the table alongside her body. “It’s killing me not claiming her even now. My brain is telling me to hold off, she’s injured and doesn’t know about our kind.”

“Wyatt will have your nuts in a vice, Kai,” Creeg warned.

I shrugged. “You don’t understand.”

“Then explain.”

I spared my brother a frustrated look. “She’s mine. Not even our alpha can go against nature.”

Creeg snorted. “He’ll sure as hell try though.”

I knew Creeg was right. Wyatt had a particular hatred for humans. None of us quite understood why and it’d never been an issue ... until now. Now, I knew that I’d do whatever it took to keep Lily.

Whatever it took.

I leaned close and kissed Lily on her cheek, then pulled back. “I need to go speak with Wyatt. Tell me when she wakes.”

“I like her for you.” Creeg grinned. “Good luck.”

I didn’t say anything else as I moved away from the bed and headed for the door. When I pulled it open, my alpha stood against the far wall, simmering with anger, his tall frame tense, fists clenched at his sides. I knew when my brother was ready to fight. I’d seen it plenty of times. Been on the receiving end. A storm was brewing behind Wyatt’s piercing gaze, and his eyes were fixed on me. An unspoken challenge hung heavily in the air.

“We need to talk,” I muttered, bracing myself for an attack.

Wyatt pointed to a closed door several feet away. “Office, now,” he growled, stomping away and expecting me to follow.

I had little choice. Once inside, Wyatt turned on me. “What the hell do you think you’re doing?”

I refused to back down. “She’s mine,” I stated, the fact undeniable.

Wyatt closed the distance until we were practically nose to nose. “No, she’s human.”

I crossed my arms over my chest, staring down my alpha. “It doesn’t seem to matter.”

My brother cursed under his breath, then went to the small fridge and took out a beer. “So, you hear her in your head, do you?”

I rolled my eyes as I dropped into a chair. “You know I haven’t exchanged yet.”

“Then toss her,” he ordered, slamming his beer onto the desk.

I could feel my claws extending at Wyatt’s disrespectful tone toward Lily. “That’s not happening.”

Wyatt kicked his head to the side. “Are you challenging me?”

“I respect you too much for that, but I won’t lose Lily. If I have to leave the compound, then so be it. If I have to join another pack, so be it.”

Wyatt’s eyes widened in surprise. “You’re serious, aren’t you?”

I’d never threatened to leave before. As the enforcer in the family, I took pride in my position and responsibilities. But I’d never had a mate either. This was different. “She’s not just another woman, Wyatt. She’s the one .”

Wyatt took a deep breath, his gaze softening slightly. “We’ve segregated ourselves from the others because of our sister. Fostine is missing, but she’s still the key to understanding the virus. The only female of our kind. Or have you forgotten that? Forgotten her?”

My claws extended involuntarily, anger flaring at the suggestion. “Of course I haven’t forgotten her! She’s missing, not dead. But that doesn’t mean I’ll abandon Lily.”

Wyatt sighed, rubbing his temples. “We’ve already lost too much. We can’t afford to lose you too.”

I clenched my fists, struggling to keep my emotions in check. “I don’t want to leave, Wyatt. But I won’t let anything happen to Lily. She’s my mate, and I’ll do whatever it takes to keep her safe.”

Wyatt looked at me for a long moment before nodding slowly. “All right, we’ll find a way to make this work. But you need to understand the risks.”

“I do,” I replied, my voice firm. “I’ll protect her with my life.”

My brother cursed a blue streak, then threw a marble paperweight across the room. It put a neat, round hole in the drywall. “How the hell is this going to work? She’s human, Kai. They cannot know about our kind. Not to mention having her around seems to be stirring up your hormonal brothers all to hell. Miggs is particularly intrigued.”

I got to his feet. “What the hell did he say?”

“Enough to earn a fist to that pretty face of his.” Wyatt waved a hand in the air. “I believe he’s nursing his wounded pride by hacking some government site in that freakish room of his.”

Miggs. The computer genius of the bunch. Always cracking a joke and often getting a beatdown because of it. “He’s going to push a little too far one of these days.”

Wyatt glared. “He’s not the issue. Lily is. What are you planning? The instant she sees your Yucilon form she’ll lose her shit. You do realize that, right?”

Tension skated along my spine. My brother was right, but that didn’t mean I needed to admit it. “She’s my mate,” I firmly stated. “She’ll get over it.”

He snorted. “I’ll allow this only because I don’t want to lose my enforcer.”

That had been the last thing I expected. A beatdown at the very least, possibly banishing me from the compound. “You will?”

“Listen closely, Kai. She stays in your quarters. And if she runs, you’d better catch her.”

“She won’t run,” I vowed, though even as I said it I knew I wasn’t so sure. Lily might be brave, but would she accept me when she saw me on all fours?

“And if she tells anyone about us, I will end her life myself,” Wyatt warned. “I won’t put this family in jeopardy. Not even for you.”

My teeth extended at the image of Wyatt tearing out Lily’s throat. I barely kept my ass in the chair. It was only Wyatt allowing me to keep Lily that calmed my beast. It would be my job to keep Lily alive and by my side.