Page 7

L ily

Over a hundred pages into the new romantic suspense and the sixth time I’d yawned. I felt like giving up and turning off the light. Out of curiosity, I picked up my cell phone from the bedside table. The shattered screen made it difficult to see the time in the left-hand corner. Four in the morning. Or was that a five? At any rate, the sun would be coming up soon. Because I’m a glutton for punishment, I tapped on my messaging app. Two from my sister, but I couldn’t make out the words. Probably the usual demands for money. Ah, a voicemail from Mom. This should be fun. I clicked on the voicemail from my mom.

“You let your sister down. You’ve let me down. You can just go to hell!”

“Nice,” I muttered, dropping the phone back onto the nightstand. “Nothing quite like a mother’s love to give you the warm fuzzies.”

A knock at my door jarred me out of my miserable thoughts and I scooted off the bed, then jogged across the room. I started to open the door, but I remembered Kai’s order to lock it behind him and I hesitated. “Who is it?”

“It’s me, Lily,” Kai called back, his voice hoarse.

I yanked on the knob and pulled the door wide. Kai leaned against the door frame, one hand in the front pocket of his jeans. He looked me over, then smiled, the whiskey shade of his eyes darkening. “You look cute in your pajamas.”

Too late I realized what I’d put on and my face heated. “Make fun if you want, but these bad boys are warm.”

“I like them.” He chuckled as he tapped on my thigh. “Especially the mommy bear riding the skateboard.”

His laugh was infectious, and I found myself joining in. “What can I say? They were on sale.”

He pointed behind me. “Did I wake you?”

“No, I was reading still. How did it go? Did you find the people that took Fostine?”

“No sign of them.” He stretched his neck from side to side. “If they’re smart they’ll keep it that way.”

He had dark circles around his eyes and his hair was a disheveled mess. “You look beat.”

“It’s been a long day for both of us, huh?”

“It has.” I covered a yawn, then reached out and placed a hand against his cheek. “Thank you for letting me know you were back. I would’ve worried.”

Kai leaned toward me, his eyes dark with intent. My breath caught in my throat as I felt the pull of his presence. “You know what I think, Lily?” he whispered, his voice sending shivers down my spine.

“W-What?” I stammered, my heart pounding in my chest.

“I think if I don’t kiss you, I’ll die,” he murmured as he closed the gap between us and pressed his lips to mine.

I gasped in surprise, and he inhaled it, pulling me close. His tongue dipped inside my mouth The kiss was potent, electrifying. I couldn’t think, couldn’t move. His lips played and teased, turning my body to liquid fire in two seconds flat. I should push him away, send him on his way. Instead, I lifted my arms and wrapped them around his neck. Kai groaned as if pleased with my response, slid his arm beneath my knees, and pulled me into his arms. I heard a door slam shut. My body felt so light against his power and strength, devastating my senses.

He lifted his mouth from mine and whispered something against my skin, then moved his lips downward, teasing me beyond measure. I leaned back, giving him permission to lick a fiery path along my chin and collarbone. He zeroed in on the neckline of my shirt, leaving little kisses along my skin, and his talented tongue slid beneath the fabric and teased at my cleavage. I arched against him, desperate for more, hungry for his touch all over. We’d started something at the waterfall and I needed him to finish it.

Kai cursed, then stopped long enough to murmur, “Easy, Lily. We’ll get there, I promise.”

I didn’t like that answer to my body’s demands. “I don’t want easy. I want you.”

Kai stopped his ministrations and stared at me in the dimly lit room. What went through his head at that moment was anyone’s guess. When he touched my cheek, I practically melted at the tender caress. “There’s nothing I want more than to make love to you. All night if I had my way.”

I clenched my eyelids shut and admitted, “I feel like this is all happening so fast.”

Kai’s lips against my forehead forced me to open my eyes once more. His gaze held a wealth of tenderness. Butterflies came to life inside me, an entire swarm of them fluttering around in there.

“I like you like this. Anxious, wanting me. I’ve wanted you since the moment I saw you.” He paused as if carefully choosing his next words. “Rushing isn’t an option. Not for me. When we come together, I’ll need time. Weeks, even.”

I liked the thought. Too much, probably. “You talk too much, Kai. All talk, no action.”

“I like you this way.” He grinned and let his gaze travel over my torso. “Fuck, you’re a vision.”

I wanted to speak, say something sexy and flirty. But he effectively cut me off with a press of his lips to the pulse in my neck. “Oh, my God,” I moaned as I dug my fingers into his mass of dark hair, holding him firmly while he suckled my skin. I ached to feel those lips and that tongue lower. Much lower.

As if I’d spoken the thought aloud, Kai lifted his head, then crossed the room. He placed me on the bed, then said, “This needs to go,” he explained, as his big, capable hands went to the hem of my shirt. Air brushed against my stomach, then my breasts. I watched as his gaze darkened, his nostrils flaring. “Pure beauty.”

When his tongue flicked over one hard, I nearly shot off the couch. I forgot my hesitations. My body craved his touch. It’d been so long since I’d had sex. So damn long since I’d derived any real pleasure from a man’s body. And I knew instinctively that no other would compare to Kai.

As if afraid I would break, Kai lightly ran his tongue back and forth over my areola seconds before sucking my nipple into his warm mouth. He hummed in satisfaction, and the raspy vibration of his voice tormented me. Somehow I found myself sprawled, Kai’s hands on either side of my body effectively pinning me to the mattress. He surrounded me. His lethal strength and intoxicating scent filled my vision and my senses.

While he switched to the other breast, I marveled at his patience. He sipped at my skin and toyed with erogenous zones I wasn’t aware I possessed. When he appeared to be settling in for a meal, I urged him lower with a tug on his hair. He obliged and moved his loving torture south. My body reacted with a flow of heat to my center. Every inch of me was ready for him to take me. He’d be hard and savage, I knew it in my bones.

“Please, Kai.”

A grunt was the only indication he’d even heard my plea. By tiny increments, he tugged my pajama pants down, and with each piece of flesh he exposed, he sprinkled kisses. By the time the material was off, my pussy throbbed with need.

He sat back on his haunches, his gaze devouring me. “You don’t wear panties?”

Embarrassment flooded me, making my cheeks burn. “Not to bed.”

He passed a hand over his face and grumbled, “If you were in my bed you’d wear nothing at all.”

In his bed. God, why did I want to be there so badly?

Kai reached down and cupped my mound. “This is mine,” he vowed.

His statement brought a forbidden image to my mind. His. Yes. My clit swelled. I tried to maintain my cool composure, but when his middle finger found its way through my curls and sank all the way to the knuckle inside my heat, I gave up any pretense of control.

“Mmm, just look at you. Your pussy is ripe for the plucking. I think I’m going to really enjoy making you scream with pleasure.”

When a second finger joined the first, my hips began to move, matching his pumping rhythm. After thrusting several times, Kai brought both fingers out. I wanted to beg him to come back, but my words died on my tongue as I watched him suck my juices off each digit.

“Tangy, but I’m going to need a little more to be sure.” He spread me wide and dipped his head between my thighs, sweeping his tongue over my swollen clit.

I arched upward, and he was there, holding me down with a hand splayed across my belly. I moaned and writhed under his assault. His tongue dipped in and out, tasting and sweeping me into a different realm. I went wild when he sucked my clit into his mouth and nibbled it. Once, twice, and I suddenly burst apart, shouting his name and flowing into his greedy mouth.

He stayed there for long seconds after my orgasm ended, relishing the little aftershocks. Then he lifted his head.

“Fucking beautiful,” he murmured. “So fucking beautiful, Lily.”

Amen, was all I could think as I let my eyes drift closed. Then his weight lifted, and I opened them again, curious about what he was about to do. I watched him standing beside the bed, an impressive erection tenting the front of his jeans and some unnamed emotion on his face.

****

K ai

I felt like shouting out my victory. At long last, I had her taste on my tongue, the tang of her climax tantalizingly mixed with the sweet flavor of her. My animal stirred, the base instincts roaring to the surface. My claws extended, my teeth elongated, and I struggled to keep control. To hide my nature from her. I quickly turned away from her. Counted to ten to gain control. I needed, wanted, to make love to her. I wanted to feel her wrapped around me, snug and deep. I craved her. Now. In fifty different ways.

“I should go, let you sleep,” I muttered, fear of losing control foremost on my mind.

“Kai, look at me,” Lily urged.

I turned and watched her sitting on the edge of the bed. “Did I do something wrong?”

I ran a hand over my face. “Nothing could feel more right, Lily. You are everything. You bring me to my knees with your cries.”

“Good, then I think it’s my turn.” She stood, her curves, taunting me. My mouth watered. I needed to taste her again. To bite into her let her blood coat my canines. Seal our bond.

“Turn?” I couldn’t seem to stay on track. My need for her drowned out all rational thought.

“Yes,” she whispered, “I want to taste you. Will you deny me?”

“I would never say no to you,” I promised, meaning it. “I’d give you eternity if I could.”

Her hum of approval lit me on fire, my inner Yucilon snarling with impatience. I stood and yanked my t-shirt over my head before starting on my boots and jeans. When I was naked, Lily stood back. Her gaze traveled the length of me, but when she stopped and stared at my cock, I had to hide a grin. “Like what you see?”

“I knew you’d make me drool if I ever got a good look at you.” She licked her lips. “I wasn’t wrong.” When she slowly melted to her hands and knees, my pulse went haywire. With her head back, Lily stared up at me, waiting. I ached to break the chains binding me. To claim, to mate, to bond. The urge to mark her as mine was almost overwhelming.

Almost.

“Fuck, you’re pretty.” I took hold of my cock in a tight fist and pumped it once, twice, then demanded, “Suck it for me, Lily.”

Lily crawled toward me, her chin tilting upward when she looked from my face to my groin. Mouth wide, she took me in and clamped her lips around the head so tight I nearly came.

I wrapped the length of her hair around my fist so there was no slack, no way for her to retreat. Then, with my other hand, I took hold of her chin and guided her head farther onto my throbbing cock, showing her how I liked it. She managed half my length, and I wanted more.

“Come on, sweetness,” I murmured, “just a little more. Let me feel your throat.”

She frowned and tried to take more, but gagged. She pulled back and stared at my cock as if trying to figure out a way to do what I wanted. To please me. “You’re ... big.”

I drew my hand from her hair and stroked her throat. “It’s okay. The feel of your lips and tongue is enough to drive me over the edge.”

“I want to do this right,” she explained, frowning up at me. “I want to make you feel good.”

“You already do,” I said in a voice gone hoarse. “Just looking at you is making me half-crazed here.”

She nodded and licked her lips. I cupped the back of her head and nudged her forward. She swept her tongue over the engorged tip and hummed eagerly before sucking me in deep. She angled her head, and a few more inches disappeared inside her mouth. Soon, I was balls deep. My entire body shuddered. Her head bobbed back and forth, her tongue circling the head of my cock. Her eyes drifted closed, face flushed.

“Jesus H,” I groaned. “Such a pretty little mouth.”

She moaned and brought me all the way out before sucking me in again. The slurping sounds she made had my sac drawing up tight. Her tits pressed against my thighs as she fucked me with her mouth. I swallowed howls of pleasure, dug my claws into her scalp a split second before quickly retracting them. Fuck, that was close. Too close.

“Son of a bitch, you’re about to get a mouthful, Lily,” I warned. Soon the choice would be taken away from her, because I was fast losing my mind.

Her only response was a delicious humming sound as she continued her sweet torture. I flung my head back and closed my eyes, savoring every second of having Lily’s mouth on me, taking me straight to paradise. I slammed my claws into my thighs, burying them into my skin to keep from hurting her, my preternatural nature barely held in check.

When her tongue probed the slit at the end of my cock, I stiffened. My animal snarled, the urge to mate, to seal the bond, overwhelming.

“Lily,” I warned, my voice a deep, guttural growl.

She sucked harder. Two more strokes of her tongue and I erupted, pouring my hot come all over her tongue and down her throat. The need to bite, to mark her as mine, surged through me, but I held back, barely. For now.

When she released me and stood, my breathing labored and cock still hard as a damn hammer I growled, “That was ... fuck.”

Lily smiled and I knew I’d need to see that joy on her face for the next fifty years at least.

****

L ily

Kai took my hand in his and placed a kiss against my palm, warming my insides, then placed me back on the bed. I watched him pull on his jeans and boots, then he turned to me and smiled. “I want to stay,” he quietly confessed. “All damn night. But I think you need a little time to ... process. Yeah?”

He was right. My mind was firing all sorts of warning shots and I needed a minute to think. To stop the rollercoaster and breathe. “It has been ... a lot.”

He swallowed hard, then leaned close and kissed my cheek. “I’ll see you in the morning,” he murmured. “Breakfast is usually around nine. Is that okay?”

“That’s great.” I bit my lower lip, savoring his taste. “Sleep tight.”

He pointed to his left and said, “I’m right next door if you need anything. I’m a light sleeper. Call my name and I’ll hear you, okay?”

“I’m sure I’ll sleep like the dead.” I winked, then added, “You saw to that.”

Kai offered me a jerky nod, then crossed the room. One last glance back, then he closed the door and was out of sight. Seconds drifted by as I lay there staring at the light oak wood six-panel, wishing I had the courage to open it and go to him. Plead for him to make love to me. Sleep in my bed, hold me in his arms. We’d taken each other to heaven and beyond. Yet my awareness of Kai and the desire to touch him, undress him, do wickedly erotic things to him hadn’t abated. I’d never felt so hungry before. My body was an inferno and nothing short of an ice bath would cool me down now.

I was still trembling from the intensity of our encounter, but a wave of uncertainty washed over me. What had I just done? I had only just met Kai, and yet I had allowed things to escalate so quickly, so passionately. The heated things we had done together felt surreal, almost dreamlike, and now that the initial haze of desire was lifting, doubt crept in.

What did it mean? Why was I so drawn to him?

I glanced over at the spot on the bed where he’d taken me to paradise just moments before, his powerful form still radiating heat beside me. His touch, his taste, his very presence had ignited something within me, something wild and uncontrollable. I couldn’t deny the magnetic pull between us, the way my body responded to his every touch and command. But was it more than just physical?

The way he looked at me, with hunger in his eyes, made my heart race. Tenderness followed, softening the intensity. It was as if he could see right through me, past all the walls I had built around myself. There was something otherworldly about him, something that both excited and terrified me.

Was it just lust? Or was there something deeper, something more profound that I couldn’t yet understand?

I worried I had made a mistake, letting things go so far, so fast. But then I remembered the way his eyes softened when he looked at me, the way his hands gentled even as his desire burned bright. There was a link there, something that felt fated, as if we were meant to find each other.

Still, the rational part of my mind couldn’t help but question everything. What if this was all a mistake? What if I had misread the situation, let my desires cloud my judgment?

I took a deep breath, trying to calm the storm of thoughts swirling in my mind. I needed to talk to Kai, to understand what he felt, to see if he was experiencing the same inexplicable connection I was. Only then could I begin to make sense of the whirlwind that had swept us together and decide what it meant for us moving forward.

Sleep, that’s what I needed. It’d been a weird day. A delicious, crazy, adventure of a day. But no less weird. Leaving home for the first time in my life, then the accident. Meeting a big, gorgeous man who hung on my every word. It was bound to confuse a woman. Tomorrow things would settle down. “A vacation,” I told myself. “At a lovely bed and breakfast. In the woods. With six mysterious men and an exotic beast with big teeth.” Oh, sure, as if I wouldn’t see those teeth in my nightmares. Definitely not.

I let out a heavy breath, then reached over and set an alarm on my phone. I placed it back on the table and switched off the light. The minute I closed my eyes, Kai’s image slammed into my mind. His big, muscular body wrapped around me. The kisses and strokes and erotic journey he’d taken me on. I could still feel him on me. Surrounding me. Questions swirled around inside my head, keeping me awake another hour before exhaustion finally won.

****

K ai

I placed dishes on the table and listened to Cage tell Fostine that it was her turn to go into town for groceries. He even made a point to inform her that she needed to catch up on her chores since she’d been gone so long. As if she’d been away on holiday, for Christ’s sake. Fostine’s rebuttal was a hard jab to Cage’s stomach. I knew Fostine had won that round when I saw Cage double over. Sure, she was still recovering, but that didn’t mean she was going to take any shit.

When Lily entered the room, my attention centered solely on her. Her hair was in a ponytail and it accentuated the elegant length of her neck. And damned if she didn’t fill out the white V-neck t-shirt and black leggings. Fuck, I wanted to take her to my bed. Make love all day. Then when I had her good and satisfied I’d share the truth with her. All of it.

“Wow, something smells amazing,” she praised, sniffing the air. “You guys are great cooks. I can’t make a microwavable meal without burning it.”

Unable to stand the distance, I moved toward her and took her hand in mine. I needed that small contact like I needed air. “Creeg made sausage gravy biscuits, scrambled eggs, and bacon, and the coffee just finished brewing.”

Lily offered my brother a smile. “I’m going to get fat if you guys keep cooking like this.”

“Hey,” Fostine called out from across the room. “Aren’t you going to introduce me to our guest, Kai?”

Damn, I hadn’t considered my sister’s name. “Uh, Lily, this is my sister. Fostine.”

Lily’s gaze widened. “You named your pet after your sister?”

Fostine closed the distance between us, her eyes blazing with unleashed fury. “ Pet ?”

I heard Creeg and Cage attempt to stifle a laugh and I glared at the pair before saying, “Yes, Lily was there last night when Fostine returned home.”

Fostine was about to speak, but I glared, promising retribution if she revealed the truth. It appeared to work. “Well, it’s lovely to meet you, Lily.”

“Thanks. You, too.” Lily elbowed me in the ribs. “You never told me you had a sister.”

“She was out of town and it slipped my mind.”

“And she shares the same name as that huge animal from last night.” She narrowed her eyes. “I’m sure there’s an interesting story there. One you’ll share later.”

“Yes. For now, I think we should eat. Creeg went to a lot of work and we shouldn’t let it go to waste.”

Her stomach grumbled, charming me further. “Okay, fine. But if I get fat it’s your fault.”

I let my gaze travel down her body, then offered a hum of approval. “You have nothing to worry about, Lily.”

She blushed and I wanted to forget about food and satisfy a different appetite instead. When Wyatt, Trakker, and Miggs entered the kitchen, everyone started talking at once. After our meal was served, Lily peered down the length of the table at Fostine. “So, you were out of town?”

“Yep.” Fostine snorted, as she shoved another spoonful of eggs into her mouth. “A lovely trip full of fun and adventure.”

“I see. I left Walnut Ridge to travel. An adventure was at the top of my bucket list.”

Fostine’s gaze collided with mine. “Oh, you’ll get lots of adventure here. Trust me.”

“Well, it’s very kind of your brothers to give me a place to stay, but I can’t sponge off them forever.”

Fostine stopped chewing and stared at Lily. “You aren’t planning to stay?”

“Oh, no. Maybe Kai didn’t tell you, but I was in an accident.” Lily went on to explain about the giant beast she’d swerved to avoid, earning a chuckle from my annoying sister.

“That must have been quite frightening for you,” Fostine replied, grabbing another biscuit from the basket. “I wonder what happened to the animal.”

If I’d been sitting closer to Fostine I would’ve kicked her in the shin. “I don’t think Lily needs to dwell on it. The whole evening was difficult enough.”

Lily reached for me, placing her hand on my forearm. “It’s okay.” She frowned down at her plate. “Now that I think about it, the animal looked a lot like your pet. Just a different color.”

“You were injured. Perhaps it just seemed that way at the time. I’m sure it was a wolf or coyote.”

She shook her head. “No, it was bigger than either of those.” She rubbed at her forehead and added, “I wonder if there are more of those exotic Yucilons . You said your pet was the only one, but what if those awful people found others like her?”

“You told Lily about the Yucilons ?” Wyatt asked, his gaze filled with ice-cold fury.

Oh, hell. “I explained that Fostine is a rare breed known as a Yucilon , yes. And that she was taken from us by people trafficking in exotic animals.”

“Right,” Wyatt bit out. “We’re just happy she’s back with us.”

“But what if there are others?” Lily frowned in concern and she pushed her plate away. “They could be doing all sorts of awful things to them. I saw a documentary once where people pay huge amounts of money to buy exotic animals to eat. Like a delicacy or something. It’s despicable.”

Everyone went silent, staring at Lily. Her compassion for my kind had the entire family viewing her in a different light. She was no longer the human outsider, but a woman willing to stand up for us against the evils of the world. My heart expanded and I wrapped an arm around her back, drawing her attention. When her pretty gaze connected with mine, her eyes filled with unshed tears, I said, “My brothers and I are looking into it,” I vowed. “We don’t want any Yucilons caged and tortured either. I assure you.”

She nodded. “If I can help in some way, please let me know. The thought of what your pet Fostine went through gives me nightmares.”

“It should,” Fostine stated. “And the ones who took her deserve death.”

I glared down the table at my sister. “I think there’s been enough talk about torture and death.”

She started to say something, to argue no doubt, but Wyatt put his hand over hers and she went quiet.

Creeg cleared his throat. “You should eat,” he advised Lily. “After breakfast, I’d like to check that wound in your head.”

My attention went to Lily’s forehead. It was red and appeared swollen. “Does it hurt?”

She reached up and gently touched it with her index finger. “A little tender. That’s to be expected though, right?”

Lily had directed the question to Creeg, but my worries intensified. I should’ve left her alone last night. Let her sleep. But I hadn’t been able to keep my hands off her. “It could be infected.”

“I can put some antibiotic ointment on it.” Creeg put his fork down, then glanced at me. “If you want I can take care of it now.”

I was about to jump on the offer, but Lily beat me to it. “It can wait. It’s not exactly life-threatening,” she teased, offering my brother a smile.

Fostine cursed and shot to her feet. “I feel sick to my stomach. Excuse me while I go throw up now.”

Wyatt called her name, but she only stalked from the room, leaving her breakfast plate half full. I wanted to go after her. Her sarcasm toward Lily was unnecessary and it was pissing off my protective side.

Lily cleared her throat. “I wondered if there was any progress with my van.”

Trakker nodded. “It’s still at the shop. He’ll give us an estimate later today.”

“Thank you for doing that.” She glanced at me and smiled. “I wonder if you could give me a lift into town. I need to replace my phone. It works, but the screen is shattered.”

Part of me balked at giving her access to the outside world, but I couldn’t keep her locked away. As appealing as the idea sounded. “Sure,” I replied, then caught Wyatt staring at me. “Unless you need me today.”

“No. Take care of Lily. We can handle things here.”

Wyatt would go searching for our father. And as enforcer I should be by his side. In normal circumstances, I’d insist on it. But that was before Lily. Miggs’ words the night before came back to bite me in the ass, and I shot my brother a glare. The smirk on his face made me itch to land a right jab.

Lily swiped a napkin over her lips, then sat back. “That really was delicious.”

Creeg beamed at her. “Thanks. Our mom taught all of us how to cook.”

“Oh? Does she live near here?”

Everyone fell silent and stared at Lily. I nudged her shoulder. When she was looking up at me, a smile lifting her lips, I explained in a low voice, “Our mother died several years ago. A virus.”

Her face paled and her smile disappeared. “Oh, no, I’m so sorry.” Her attention went back to Creeg. “I didn’t mean to—”

“It’s okay,” Creeg rushed to reassure her. “You couldn’t have known.”

Wyatt got to his feet and picked up his plate. “Trakker, Miggs, when you two are finished meet me in my office.”

Cage stood. “Hey, what about me?”

“We’ve discussed this. I won’t go over it again.” When Cage started to argue further, Wyatt gestured toward Lily. Cage caught the hint and fell silent, then shoved away from the table. He was muttering under his breath as he cleared away his dishes.

Creeg glanced at Lily. “I’ll meet you in the clinic when you’re done.”

I tapped Lily’s plate. “After you’re done with Creeg, we can go into town. There’s a great little café. They serve the best lattes.”

“That’s perfect.” She scanned the table and frowned. “Can I help with dishes?”

“It’s Cage’s turn.” And before she could argue, I said, “You already took his turn once.”

She rolled her eyes. “Fine, but I’m pulling my weight around here. Even if I have to clean toilets.”

Creeg laughed. “Yeah, I don’t think Kai’s going to allow that.”

“Well, Kai doesn’t speak for me,” Lily replied, as she snatched my plate and headed toward the sink.

I was too distracted by the way her ass moved in the leggings to care about her frustrated response. When Fostine strolled into the room and headed for the refrigerator, I stiffened, waiting for another jibe from her. She only flipped me off and sauntered out, carrying the half-full jug of apple juice.

I stood and moved up behind Lily, placing my hand on her shoulder to gain her attention. When her pretty gaze landed on me, I said, “I need to take care of a few things. I’ll meet you in the clinic.”

She nodded. “I hope I’m not keeping you from anything.”

I cupped her cheek, anxious to kiss her, every bare inch of her, but I knew better. I’d take her to bed if I let our mouths touch. “The only thing on my agenda is spending time with you.”

She blushed and my body hardened. “I’m looking forward to our trip into town.”

“Me, too, Lily,” I murmured, meaning it. I wanted to show her around, and if I was being honest with myself, I was anxious to show her off a little.

I forced my feet to move, putting distance between us, then gave Creeg a nod and left the room. The first order of business was Fostine. She needed to tone it down or she’d wish she’d never come back. I found her in her room. I didn’t bother knocking.

“Gee, come on in,” she grumbled.

I slammed the door behind me before closing the distance. “Stop with all the shitty comments toward Lily. She is not to blame for what Patterson did to you.”

“She’s human,” she spat back. “They’re all the same. We’re nothing but animals to them.”

I got close, nearly nose to nose. “Beat on me if you need a punching bag. I won’t mind. But Lily isn’t your enemy. I promise you. She’s not like Patterson.

Her eyes widened. “You care about her, don’t you?”

“Yes. More than I ever thought possible.” I took a few beats to keep from losing control. The need to destroy any and all threats toward my mate was paramount. “Cut her some slack, yeah?”

She swallowed hard and looked away. “I’m sorry. I’ll be nice to Lily.”

I’d expected a fight. Maybe bloodshed. Her apology took me by surprise. “You’ll back off?”

Fostine curled her lip. “She’s actually kind of sweet. Like a puppy.”

I cursed under my breath and tried to remember that Fostine wasn’t in her right mind. “See, that’s the kind of shit that needs to stop. Like now. I’m barely in control here, sis.”

She let out a heavy sigh. “Jesus, what’s her deal anyway?”

I explained why Lily had left her hometown and the family that treated her like dirt. Fostine’s gaze softened and she dropped into the oversized chair near her dresser. “Damn, her mother and sister sound like real bitches.”

Finally, something we agreed on. “So perhaps you could give her a break. I don’t think she deserves to have another female in her life treating her with such disrespect, do you?”

She crossed her arms over her chest and narrowed her gaze at me. “How are you going to make this work?” Before I could answer she added, “And I’m not trying to be an ass here. She’s human. The minute she sees you shift...”

I ran a hand through my hair. “I have no idea. But the tie is there. Even without the blood exchange. It’s strong. She’s mine.”

“I don’t envy you, brother.”

“You’ll go easy on her?”

“Sure. Just don’t expect us to braid each other’s hair.”

I chuckled. “Yeah, that’s just too weird to even imagine.” I turned to go, but Fostine called my name and I turned. “Yeah?”

“Wyatt is going after Dad, isn’t he?”

I shoved my hands in my front pockets. “He is.”

“We exchanged blood, you know.”

“You and Dad?”

She nodded.

“Why would you do that?”

“I was close to death. Patterson had gone too far one day. I was losing too much blood. Dad ... Dad saved me.”

I crossed the room and put my hand on my sister’s shoulder. “You aren’t to blame for what that bastard did.”

“Dad is there because of me. He’s being tortured because of me.”

“And Wyatt will burn that place down to get him out. Have faith in our brother, sister.”

She nodded, then stared down at the floor. “He’s stronger than I remembered.”

“He had to be after you and Dad left. He stepped up and kept us from falling apart. He’s a true alpha, Fostine. And he deserves your respect.”

She bit her lip and gave me a jerky nod. “Go, see to Lily.”

I watched her for another few seconds, then turned and left, closing the door quietly behind me. I stood in the hallway for a moment and heard the faint sounds of her sobs. She’d endured too much, and I worried my sister would never be the same again.